Dear Igo,

Yes, of course. GPR is now recognized as one of the most powerful geophysical tools for analysis of subsurface structure. Its application limit such factors as presence of water, salt and ice (surface-subsurface), but even in these complex situations some effective algorithms may be applied for soil horizons detection. Please see our paper in ResearchGate where was shown not only very detailed GPR data analysis, but its successive integration with the ERT.

Alperovich, L., Eppelbaum, L., Zheludev, V., Dumoulin, J., Soldovieri, F., Proto, M., Bavusi, M. and Loperte, A., 2013. A new combined wavelet methodology applied to GPR and ERT data in the Montagnole experiment (French Alps). Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 10, No. 2, 025017, 1-17.

Hello Dr Igo. As Dr Lev said GPR is a powerful tool for detecting electromagnetic impedance anomalies. The only limitation is the depth of observation (look up the skin depth effect on electromagnetic waves). The only difficulty here is having the proper source-receiver equipment to get to the target depth. 

Check out:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225523189_Methods_of_surveying_the_thickness_of_humous_horizons_using_ground_penetrating_radar_(GPR)_an_example_from_the_Garmisch-Partenkirchen_area_of_the_Northern_Alps

www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/97031.pdf

Kind regards

Article Methods of surveying the thickness of humous horizons using ...

Dear Igo

Is it possible to detect buried soil horizons with GPR. The GPR has limitation in horizons with similarity constant dielectric. Necessary contrast between interfaces geologicas. Necessary borehole investigation.

Dear Igo,

yes, it should be possible in terms of theory. Real situation could be more complicated. You need contrast to distinguish individual layers (horizons) (see Marcio Maciel Cavalcanti's answer). Also the water content and content of fine grain material (clayey material) is crucial. High content of fine grain material can cause very strong signal attenuation and decrease of measurement resolution and depth range. A continual ground-water table or capilar fringe acts as a very strong reflector and sometimes they can limit effective depth range of measurement.

I would recommend you (in agreement with Lev V. Eppelbaum, see above) the integration of GPR and ERT measurement. The resistivity survey should be performed with high density of electrode field (very small electrode spacing of max. first decimetres). This "micro-array" in combination with suitable electrode configuration (I would recommend Wenner-Schlumberger) should bring you sufficient results.

yes,

indeed sir, but you have set the frequency as high as possible. The one of the drawbags is when you set into high frequency mode, you can get lower depth penetration from GPR.

Dear Dr. Igo,

Yes, GPR can. There are many publications regarding detection of subsurface discontinuities and stratification using GPR, however, as answered by the colleagues here, it is a matter of using the most suitable antenna that satisfies your target (resolution and penetration depth). You may have a look to this paper, for example:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315519399_Deterministic_Three-dimensional_Rock_Mass_Fracture_Modeling_from_Geo-radar_Survey_A_Case_Study_in_a_Sandstone_Quarry_in_Italy

http://eeg.geoscienceworld.org/content/early/2017/03/22/EEG-1900