The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
ANNUAL REPORTING FORM
 
Robert Freeland, Professor
Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science
Annual Performance Period: January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006


A. SUMMARY AND IMPACTS.

1. Summary. Provide an overall summary (500 words or less) of your accomplishments during the reporting period.

Catastrophic earthquakes have shattered the broad alluvial plains encompassing the Missouri Bootheel—most recently the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes. Powerful seismic waves ejected sands from deep beneath the surface, opening fissures and erupting tall geysers of sand, charcoal, and sulfurous steam. The subsurface remnants from these eruptions are now affecting the dynamics of ground and surface waters throughout the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). Sand-filled subterranean dikes act as rapid water-channeling networks extending from just beneath the surface into the subsurface sands, allowing for very high-volume water flow rates between the ground surface and water table. On these landforms, production fields may drain much more rapidly than expected when first adopting winter flooding or furrow irrigation practices. We developed a mapping protocol to highlight and pinpoint the subsurface features allowing for rapid water drainage into the subsurface. Focusing on the New Madrid Seismic Zone of the upper Mississippi Delta, survey areas are across agricultural production fields in the 20-100 ha range. We are now precisely mapping the locales of these seismic features across large acreages using mobile ground-penetrating radar combined with RTK-GPS and GIS using early 20th-Century aerial imagery. When located, the features are either remediated or isolated from artificial winter flooding practices.

We developed a non-intrusive survey method that maps near-subsurface preferential flow in real-time using integrated ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and millimeter precision positioning system. The survey protocol consists of a mobile GPR system that spirals outward along a prescribed course, continuously gathering subsurface data for an extended period. Metered water is applied to a centrally located water-ponding ring, after first capturing the initial dry-state pattern signatures. The water radiates outward beneath the surface as it follows preferential flow pathways, which the GPR instrumentation spiraling above highlights. After data are collected, pre- and post-water time-elapsed images profiles are segmented by pattern dissimilarities. The specific locales that exhibit pattern shifts from the initial dry state are identified as dynamic water movement. Locales that exhibit pattern shifts are mapped to indicate the rate and direction of preferential flow about the near surface.


2. Impacts. List up to three significant impacts of your program. Impact statements should be one to three sentences and should be written in a way that would be meaningful to the public.

The water that enters the ground moves through the subsurface, which is responsible for dispersing and degrading most types of chemical and pathogen contaminant materials disposed of in the ground. Therefore, accurate information on water flux in the subsurface aquifer on field scale is critical to solutions of a wide range of environmental contamination and remediation problems. As safe and effective use of the subsurface environment continues to be a challenge, there is an increasing need to develop rapid, accurate, and cost effective methods of monitoring subsurface water movement for environmental planning and management, and especially for groundwater and its protection from contaminant sources. Identifying the preferential flow pathways that provide for the rapid transport of chemical and pathogen contaminates allows for source, transport, and fate determination, and the implementation of preventive measures.


B. PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS (EXTENSION, RESEARCH AND TEACHING). As applicable, list title, names of participants (PIs, Leaders, Co-PIs, Co-leaders, Collaborators etc.), project number, sponsor, your role ( leader/co-leader/collaborator) and your percent effort on the project as stated in the project description or document.

TN259 Mapping Agrochemical Offsite Subsurface Migration-Airborne Electromagnetics 40% Leader

C. INSTRUCTION, TEACHING AND EXTENSION EDUCATION. Detail credit and non-credit instruction and teaching activities.

1. College credit instruction. List courses in which you were an instructor or guest lecturer during the current calendar year. Include special topics, independent study and internship courses. Provide course number and title, your involvement, semester(s), credit hours and number of students. Please append a summary of teaching evaluations (student and/or peer) if this information is available.

Course number and title Involvement Semester Credit
hours
Number of
students
BsE650 Selected topicsTotalSpring31
BsE402 Biosystems Engineering Design IITeamSpring61
BsET212 SurveyingTotalFall39

2. Formal continuing education (certification programs, seminar series, in-service training, field days, faculty and/or staff training, journal club, etc.). Provide descriptive title of activity, your involvement, number of participants or students involved, number and duration of each session.

Descrip. title, including dates Involvement Number of students
or participants
Number of
sessions
Duration of each
session (hours)
Ames Plantation Field Day, GPR Archaeological Survey, Saturday, October 14th, 2006Total20018

3. Extension presentations and workshops. Indicate title, type, and scope of presentation; number of times presented; attendance estimates. Include evidence of effectiveness (e.g. evaluation summaries) where applicable.

Title/Type of presentation Scope Number of times presented Total attendees
The Subsurface Anatomy of the Bootheel's Sand Blows: Remnants of the New Madrid Earthquakes. Proceedings of the Bootheel Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow . University of Missouri Delta Center, Rone Hall, Portageville, MO, Dec. 13, 2006. Regional150 

4. Public addresses to lay audiences (TV/radio presentations, service groups, etc.). Indicate title, type, scope of presentation; number of times presented; attendance estimates. Include evidence of effectiveness (e.g. evaluation summaries) where applicable.

Title/Type of presentation Scope Number of times presented Total attendees
Delta Farm Press Interview, Sandblows in the Missouri BootheelRegional1 
The Nashville Tennessean Interview, GPR subsurface investigation National1 

5. Presentations at professional meetings, without published abstracts. List presenter, co-authors (if any), title, date and name of meeting (list scientific oral or poster presentations having published abstracts or proceedings at D5).

Subsurface Mapping of Agricultural Landforms Impacted by the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12. Technical Presentation at the 2006 ASABE Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, 9 -12 July 2006.

The Subsurface Anatomy of the Bootheel's Sand Blows: Remnants of the New Madrid Earthquakes. Proceedings of the Bootheel Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow . University of Missouri Delta Center, Rone Hall, Portageville, MO, Dec. 13, 2006. Invited, Paid Expenses

6. Student mentoring. Fill in the boxes to indicate number of students in each category.

Level of students No. of students advised No. of active graduate committees on which you served as:
Major professor Committee member
Undergraduate    
Masters  
Doctoral  

7. Student or commodity club activities (e.g. club advisor, team competitions, honor or professional societies, etc.). List the club or group; your role with the club or group; and the activities, honors or awards received by this group under your mentorship.

American Society of Biological and Agricultural Engineers, member

8. Other instructional and teaching activities.

Department received 2006 ABET Accreditation via successful response to initial review weaknesses.

Developing licensed land surveying concentration for department's undergraduate program.


D. PUBLICATIONS. List only publications that were published during the annual reporting period (for #8, submitted during reporting period). Format citations as typical and appropriate for outlet. If a co-author(s) is a student or was working under your direct supervision, place an asterisk after that person's name.

1. Refereed articles or refereed reviews appearing in peer-reviewed professional journals.

Freeland, R. S., L. O. Odhiambo, J. S. Tyner, J. T. Ammons, and W. C. Wright.  2006.  Non-intrusive mapping of near-surface preferential flow.  Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 22(2)315:319.

2. Book chapters or books.

3. Bulletins, reports, circulars, pamphlets, factsheets.

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Termination Report for Hatch Project TEN00259. 

4. Popular press, trade, UTIA magazine or newsletter articles.

5. Abstracts from scientific or discipline meetings, papers from conference proceedings, etc.

Freeland, R. S., and J. T. Ammons.  2006.  Subsurface Mapping of Agricultural Landforms Impacted by the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12.  Freeland, R. S. and J. T. Ammons. 2006. Subsurface Mapping of Agricultural Landforms Impacted by the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12. Paper number 062222, 2006 ASABE Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, 9 -12 July 2006.

Freeland, R. S., and J. T. Ammons.  2006.  The Subsurface Anatomy of the Bootheel's Sand Blows: Remnants of the New Madrid Earthquakes.  Proceedings of the Bootheel Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow . University of Missouri Delta Center, Rone Hall, Portageville, MO, Dec. 13, 2006. .  (invited)

6. Theses/Dissertations completed by students that you directed.

7. Other publications.

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Human Pathogen Source, Transport, and Fate within the Near-surface Groundwater of Agricultural Watersheds.  Hatch Project Proposal.

8. Articles submitted during the reporting period that are in review, in press or rejected. Please do not list articles in preparation.

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  CRC Handbook of Agricultural Geophysics, Mapping Near-surface Preferential Flow.   (in press)

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Subsurface Characterization using Textural Features Extracted from GPR Data.  Data ASABE manuscript number: IET 5600 Anticipated publication in: Transactions of the ASABE 50(1).  (in press)


E. FUNDING. Format each entry as a citation, include as applicable: investigators (with percent effort shown on grant or contract document), title, source/agency.

1. Grant and contract proposals submitted but not awarded during this reporting period. Indicate date of submission and status (still pending, rejected).

Freeland, R. S. (50%), J. T. Ammons (25%), J. S. Tyner (25%).  Human Pathogen Source, Transport and Fate within the Near-surface Groundwater of Agric. Watersheds.  USDA CSREES.  1/17/06.  $400,000.  (rejected)

Freeland, R. S. (100%), Van H. Ayers (%), William E. Stevens (%).  Behavior Change of Farmers for the Profitable Management of Sand Blow Features Impact on Water Qual..  USDA CSREES.  4/11/06.  $600,000.  (rejected)

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Anomalies Internal and Beneath Levees.  US Army Corps of Engineers.  2/6/06.  $20,000.  (rejected)

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Mapping Pool 15 of Bogota WMA.  Ducks Unlimited.  12/20/06.  $10,000.  (rejected)

2. Grants and contracts awarded during this reporting period. List inclusive period of support (start and end dates) and total amount of award.

Freeland, R. S. (50%), J. T. Ammons (50%).  GPR Survey of TWRA Bogota Site.  Tenn. Wildlife Resources Agency.  5/1/06-12/31/07.  $10,350.

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Hermitage Springs.  Cumberland Research Group.  8/29/06-8/29/06.  $1,800.

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Highland View.  Cumberland Research Group.  12/12/06-12/12/06.  $500.

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Warner Park.  Cumberland Research Group.  12/12/06-12/12/06.  $400.

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Dickinson Survey.  Tn State Archaeologist.  5/25/06-5/25/06.  $500.

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Subdivision Develop. Survey.  Lee Heights Monument Company.  2/2/06-2/2/06.  $1,000.

Freeland, R. S. (100%).  Crime scene Ground Penetrating Radar Investigation.  Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.  3/16/06-3/16/06.  $1,000.

3. Grants and contracts awarded in past years that continued into this reporting period. List inclusive period of support (start and end dates) and total amount of award.

4. Gifts. List recipients, donor, items or amount donated and dollar equivalent received during the reporting period.

Topcon Positioning Systems, RTK system $45,000.

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. RADAN 6 workstation software, $6,000

5. Grant reports submitted. List authors, title, to whom submitted, date submitted.

Freeland, R.S., Highland View Survey, Cumberland Research Group, Dec. 2006

Freeland, R.S., Hermitage Springs Survey, Cumberland Research Group, Nov. 2006

Freeland, R.S., Warner Park Survey, Cumberland Research Group, Dec. 2006

Freeland, R. S., TWRA Bogota, Powerpoint Presentation, Carl Wirwa, Dec. 2006

6. Other (e.g. sales, royalties).


F. OTHER CREATIVE ACTIVITIES.

1. Tech. advances (intell. prop., patent, copyright, products, processes, genetic lines/varieties).

2. Computer software (e.g. instructional or research software, CD ROMs).

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Cool Tools, class CD-ROM.  Distribution CD containing coursework material for surveying class.

3. Educational tools.

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Topcon Positioning Systems, RTK Equipment. 

4. Internet activities.

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Blackboard Course Site for Surveying, Fall 2006. 

Freeland, R. S.  2006.  Research Website Groundscan.com.  http://www.groundscan.com.

5. Other creative products and activities.


G. SERVICE. List client outreach activities (both public and private sectors) and professional service.
    
1. Client service.
 a. Commodity or discipline group service activities. List committees, offices held or other roles.

Moderator, Panel Discussion on Phase Converters, Rural Electric Cooperatives, Bootheel Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow

b. Clinical and diagnostic services. List type of service provided and client(s).

Les Bowron, Tennessee Commission on CLE and Specialization, GPR consultation (email)

Joanne Kobayashi, homebuilder, GPR consultation (email)

Sherron Cemetery Board, detecting and marking unmarked graves. (onsite demonstration).

Robert C. Wilson, Geographic Analyst, TVA, GPR consultation (email)

Steven J Jaret, undergraduate, UT Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, GPR consultation (email & phone)

c. Service to individual producers, businesses, or corporations as a specialist, consultant or expert advisor (whether paid or unpaid). List your one-on-one service activities with this group of clients.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Crime scene Ground Penetrating Radar Investigation

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, State Archaeologist

d. Other (e.g. Ag Day activities, Varsity Visit, judging, presentations at clubs and K-12 schools).

Departmental tour for prospective undergraduate students.

2006 Dept. Awards Banquet Photographer

2. Professional service (for professional colleagues).
a. Within the university.
I. Committee work. Briefly describe your involvement during the reporting period.
i. University.

College of Engineering ABET Committee

ii. UTIA.

Communications, Freeland probes Andrew Jackson mystery, Third Thursday, & Tennessee Today publications, Andrew Jackson Dual

Sheri R. Burnette, Accountant, Collection of past due funds from TDA.

iii. Department.

ABET Committee, Chair. (Full Program Accreditation 2006)

Tenure and Promotion, Member

(Yoder, Freeland, & Wilkerson) job position announcement draft for the position previously held by Dr. Raj Raman


BsE Program Advisory Council, Member

II. Other (e.g. technical assistance to colleagues, peer reviews,
mentoring of junior faculty, hosting visiting scientists).


Dept. Plant and Soil Science, Turf Plot Survey

GPR Survey, Nashville Tennessean front page article, Knoxville News Sentential, other newswire papers.

Dr. Henry's Thailand Departmental Tour

Reaffirmation of ASABE Standard EP402, Radiation Quantities and Units, Committee Chair

b. Outside the university (e.g. committee work/offices in professional or public organizations or societies, editorship, editorial boards, review of manuscripts (indicate outlet) and project proposals (indicate agency), meetings organized, member of grant review panel or study section, moderator, etc.).

ASABE IET Committee Chair
ASABE IET Associate Editor
ASABE Publication Council
ASABE IET-01 Steering Committee Member, Division Chair-elect 2009
ASABE manuscript reviews
ASABE manuscript award reviewer


H. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (meetings, workshops, classes, trips, etc.). List the event or activity, sponsor, duration of event and your role.

2006 Southern Region Grantsmanship Workshop, CSREES Integrated Programs
February 8, 1 p.m.-Feb. 9, 12 p.m., Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Airport

2006 ASABE Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, 9 -12 July 2006

2006 RTK Training, Hayes Instrument Co., Shelbyville, TN.

2006 OPUS Training, Hayes Instrument Co., Shelbyville, TN.

Bootheel Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow . University of Missouri Delta Center, Rone Hall, Portageville, MO, Dec. 13, 2006


I. PERSONNEL SUPERVISION. List the postdoctoral fellows, research associates, research assistants, technicians, extension associates, extension assistants, graduate assistants, undergraduate students, clerical personnel or others that you supervised during the year.

ClassificationFTE's per semester
SpringSummerFall
Postdoctoral fellows      
Research associates, assistants, technicians      
Extension associates, assistants      
Graduate students, assistants      
Undergraduate students      
Clerical personnel      
Other      


J. HONORS AND AWARDS. List honors and awards received during reporting period, including the name of the organization presenting the award.

Topcon Positioning Systems, 2006 Education Partner

2006 ASABE IET Reviewer Recognition Award