In Field Soil Characterization: Approach Based on Texture Image Analysis

Building on the development of a tool for in place soil investigation based on the use of endoscopy, this paper presents a method for soil characterization using the images recorded by this tool. Various techniques have been explored including texture analysis which is very attractive because it is based on global image analysis. The use of a third order moment resulting from spectral analysis and its value for soil characterization is presented. The influence of various parameters (particle size distribution, mineralogy, water content, and compaction) on the moment evolution is studied.