Electrical resistivity investigations for guiding and controlling fresh water well drilling in semi-arid region in Khanasser Valley,Northern Syria

Electrical resistivity survey is conducted in the Khanasser Valley, considered as a semi-arid region in Northern Syria, to guide and control fresh water well drilling. Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) are carried out near the existing wells, which were also used to measure salinity and conductivity of water samplings. Resistivity and hydrogeological data combination made it possible to establish empirical relationships between earth resistivity, water resistivity, and the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS). These relationships are used in the present research in order to follow the TDS salinity variations, both in lateral and depth directions, along the longitudinal profile LP3, located in Khanasser Valley. Apparent salinity map under this profile is established for Quaternary and Paleogene deposits, and boundaries of suitable areas for fresh water well drilling in the totality of the Khanasser Valley are drawn. It was shown that excessive fresh-water depletion may affect the groundwater quality by upward seepage of saline water. Therefore, it is important to keep the fresh-salt water interface in a stationary situation. The geoelectrical methods widely contribute in determining the position of such interface, and can be easily applied in similar arid areas.     

Integrated geophysical and chemical study of saline water intrusion

Surface geophysical surveys provide an effective way to image the subsurface and the ground water zone without a large number of observation wells. DC resistivity sounding generally identifies the subsurface formations-the aquifer zone as well as the formations saturated with saline/brackish water. However, the method has serious ambiguities in distinguishing the geological formations of similar resistivities such as saline sand and saline clay, or water quality such as fresh or saline, in a low resistivity formation. In order to minimize the ambiguity and ascertain the efficacy of data integration techniques in ground water and saline contamination studies, a combined geophysical survey and periodic chemical analysis of ground water were carried out employing DC resistivity profiling, resistivity sounding, and shallow seismic refraction methods. By constraining resistivity interpretation with inputs from seismic refraction and chemical analysis, the data integration study proved to be a powerful method for identification of the subsurface formations, ground water zones, the subsurface saline/brackish water zones, and the probable mode and cause of saline water intrusion in an inland aquifer. A case study presented here illustrates these principles. Resistivity sounding alone had earlier failed to identify the different formations in the saline environment. Data integration and resistivity interpretation constrained by water quality analysis led to a new concept of minimum resistivity for ground water-bearing zones, which is the optimum value of resistivity of a subsurface formation in an area below which ground water contained in it is saline/brackish and unsuitable for drinking.     

Mapping Coastal Aquifers by Joint Inversion of DC and TEM Soundings-Three Case Histories

Electrical and electromagnetic methods are well suited for coastal aquifer studies because of the large contrast in resistivity between fresh water-bearing and salt water-bearing formations. Interpretation models for these aquifers typically contain four layers: a highly resistive unsaturated zone; a surficial fresh water aquifer of intermediate resistivity; an underlying conductive, salt water saturated aquifer; and resistive substratum. Additional layers may be added to allow for variations in lithology within the fresh water and salt water layers. Two methods are evaluated: direct current resistivity and time domain electromagnetic soundings. Use of each method alone produces nonunique solutions for resistivities and/or thicknesses of the different layers. We show that joint inversion of vertical electric and time domain electromagnetic soundings produces a more tightly constrained interpretation model at three test sites than is produced by inversion methods applied to each data set independently.     

Assessment of aquifer vulnerability to industrial waste water using resistivity measurements. A case study, along El-Gharbyia main drain, Nile Delta, Egypt

1D resistivity sounding and 2D resistivity imaging surveys were integrated with geological and hydrochemical data to assess the aquifer vulnerability and saltwater intrusion in the north of Nile Delta, Egypt. In the present study, the El-Gharbyia main drain was considered as a case study to map the sand bodies within the upper silt and clay aquitard. Twenty Schlumberger soundings and six 2D dipole-dipole profiles were executed along one profile close to the western side of the main drain. In addition, 14 groundwater samples and 4 surface water samples from the main drain were chemically analyzed to obtain the major and trace elements concentrations.The results from the resistivity and hydrochemical data were used to assess the protection of the groundwater aquifer and the potential risk of groundwater pollution. The inverted resistivities and thicknesses of the layers above the aquifer layer were used to estimate the integrated electrical conductivity (IEC) that can be used for quantification of aquifer vulnerability. According to the aquifer vulnerability assessment of an underlying sand aquifer, the southern part of the area is characterized by high vulnerability zone with slightly fresh to brackish groundwater and resistivity values of 11-23 Ω.m below the clay cap. The resistivity sections exhibit some sand bodies within the clay cap that lead to increase the recharging of surface waste water (650 mg/l salinity) and flushing the upper part of underlying saltwater aquifer. The region in the north has saltwater with resistivity less than 6 Ω.m and local vulnerable zones within the clay cap. The inverted 2D dipole-dipole profiles in the vulnerable zones, in combination with drilling information have allowed the identification of subsoil structure around the main drain that is highly affected by waste water.     

USE OF ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHODS FOR THE STUDY OF COAL SEAMS IN PARTS OF THE RANIGANJ COALFIELD (INDIA)*

The surface resistivity method has been used to study a few exposed coal seams located in the northwestern part of the Raniganj Coalfield (belonging to the Damodar Valley Gondwana basin), India. Different electrode configurations, viz., Wenner, two-electrode and half-Schlumberger, have been used with different electrode spacings in horizontal profiling. The vertical distribution of resistivity has been studied using Schlumberger configuration at different locations along the profile. Laboratory studies of resistivity (at partial to full water saturation conditions) and porosity of different coal, shaly sandstone and sandstone samples of the survey area had already been carried out before the field survey. The results indicated the presence of a good resistivity contrast between the coal seams and the surrounding formations. The field results did not bear this out: the resistivity responses of the coal formations on the profiles and sounding curves are not as clear as one would expect for such high contents. The Wenner profiles show a broad resistivity anomaly over the coal seams. Two-electrode profiles are less noisy than Wenner profiles. Sharp peaks have been observed over the coal seams. The half-Schlumberger configuration seems the best: all the coal seams and their edges can be accurately outlined on the resistivity curves. Borehole data close to the profile have been used for correlating the field results. There is good agreement with vertical electrical soundings.     

Application of a New Vertical Profiling Tool (ESASS) for Sampling Groundwater Quality During Hollow‐Stem Auger Drilling

A new tool called ESASS (Enhanced Screen Auger Sampling System) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The use of ESASS, because of its unique U.S. patent design (U.S. patent no. 7,631,705 B1), allows for the collection of representative, depth‐specific groundwater samples (vertical profiling) in a quick and efficient manner using a 0.305‐m long screen auger during hollow‐stem auger drilling. With ESASS, the water column in the flights above the screen auger is separated from the water in the screen auger by a specially designed removable plug and collar. The tool fits inside an auger of standard inner diameter (82.55 mm). The novel design of the system constituted by the plug, collar, and A‐rod allows the plug to be retrieved using conventional drilling A‐rods. After retrieval, standard‐diameter (50.8 mm) observation wells can be installed within the hollow‐stem augers. Testing of ESASS was conducted at one waste‐disposal site with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination and at two reference sites with no known waste‐disposal history. All three sites have similar geology and are underlain by glacial, stratified‐drift deposits. For the applications tested, ESASS proved to be a useful tool in vertical profiling of groundwater quality. At the waste site, PCE concentrations measured with ESASS profiling at several depths were comparable (relative percent difference <25%) to PCE concentrations sampled from wells. Vertical profiling with ESASS at the reference sites illustrated the vertical resolution achievable in the profile system; shallow groundwater quality varied by a factor of five in concentration of some constituents (nitrate and nitrite) over short (0.61 m) distances.     

Computation of apparent resistivity profiles from VLF-EM data using linear filtering1

A simple filter is developed which transforms VLF-EM real magnetic field transfer functions into apparent resistivities. It is based on the relationship between the horizontal derivative of the surface electric field and the vertical magnetic field at the surface of a two-dimensional earth model. The performance of this simple autoregressive filter is tested for modelled and real survey data. The technique yields profiles of apparent resistivity very similar, both in magnitude and in wavelength, to those which would have been obtained using VLF-EM resistivity measurements or d.c. resistivity profiling. This low-pass filter has the advantage of reducing high-wavenumber noise in the data; therefore only the major features of the VLF-EM profile are displayed.     

宁夏海原大震区西安州—韦州剖面大地电磁探测与研究

对穿过宁夏海原大震区西安州(N36.5°,E105.5°)北至同心县韦州(N37.28°,E106.48°)的大地电磁测深剖面，采用远参考道大地电磁方法进行测量和资料处理，得到高精度的数据如视电阻率、阻抗相位、二维偏离度、最佳主轴方位角等. 依据这些数据，对测区的电性结构进行了定性分析和二维定量反演解释. 结果表明，沿剖面可以分成5个电性区块，与西、南华山隆起(Ⅰ)、兴仁堡—海原盆地(Ⅱ)、中卫—清水河盆地(Ⅲ)、中宁—红寺堡盆地(Ⅳ)和鄂尔多斯西缘带(Ⅴ)对应，各区块的边界由大断裂构成. 地表到深度10km左右，西、南华山隆起和鄂尔多斯西缘带呈高阻特性，兴仁堡—海原、中卫—清水河、中宁—红寺堡三个盆地的电阻率较低且呈盆地凹陷形状，盆地基底显示为西南深东北浅的簸箕状起伏形态，基底最深约为8km. 西、南华山隆起、中卫—清水河盆地和鄂尔多斯西缘带的下地壳为“正常”电阻率结构. 兴仁堡—海原和中宁—红寺堡盆地的下地壳上部为“异常”低电阻率带. 1920年的海原大震区存在明显的电性结构差异，震区西南侧和上部区域为相对高阻，东北侧和下部区域为相对低阻.     

宁洱地震区深部电性结构及发震构造初析

在2007年6月3日宁洱6.4级地震区进行了宽频带(1000～1/4096Hz)大地电磁观测,采用了远参考道技术和Robust技术对观测数据进行了处理,分析了视电阻率和相位曲线、二维偏离度及区域电性结构方向,采用非线性共扼梯度(NLCG)二维反演技术对实测资料进行了反演,得到了与实测曲线拟合程度较高的反演模型。从二维解释结果可以看出:横向上,以12号测点为界,明显地划分为2个不同的电性分区,推测存在具一定延伸的断裂构造。纵向上,30km深度以上大致可分为4个电性层:1)中、新生代盆地沉积层(Mz—Cz),厚约1km。2)古生代沉积层(Pz),厚约5km。3)壳内高导层(HCL)。4)中、下地壳(MLC)。其中壳内高导层埋深在12号点左右存在较大的差异,推测在12—13号点下高导层顶部存在壳内的滑脱构造。宁洱地震震源深度为5km,文中所推测的滑脱构造位于这一层位上。认为该滑脱构造为本次地震的发震构造     

Magnetotelluric sounding results in eastern Tibetan Plateau

The results of Zayü-Qingshuihe MT sounding profile carried out in eastern Tibetan Plateau are presented in this paper. Using 2-D RRI method, the resistivity distribution with depth is obtained along the profile. It is featured by the resistivity zones in the horizontal direction and layers in the vertical direction. The Bangong-Nujiang suture zone and Jinshajiang suture zone are both important electrical conductivity-separating zones in the plateau, and the former is a zone with relatively low resistivity while the latter is an electrical conductivity gradient zone. The highly electrical conductive bodies in the mid and lower crust of northern Qiangtang and Bayan Har Terrain might be caused by regional melting due to shear heating during the process of subduction in tectonic evolution.     

VERTICAL PROFILING OVER A MEDIUM OF CONTINUOUSLY VARYING RESISTIVITY*

An interpretation method is suggested for apparent resistivity profiles over a medium of continuously varying resistivity. The medium is replaced by an equivalent laminated system of constant resistivity in each layer and evaluated by superposition. The approximation facilitates detailed subsurface profiling as required for underground storage projects or water infiltration schemes.     

鄂尔多斯盆地中东部长6复杂低渗储层测井评价

开展复杂低渗储层特征、测井响应及其控制因素分析,有助于储层评价与油水层识别.鄂尔多斯盆地中东部长6期沉积具多物源供给、沉积相带频繁变化的特点,来自不同物源的沉积砂体岩石碎屑成分存在明显差异.长7、长6沉积期盆地周边的火山作用,致使一些地区的长6砂体具有相对高放射性特征.长6储层孔隙类型多样,孔隙结构特征复杂多变,再加上地层水系统的变化,致使一些油区长6低电阻率油层与常规油层、高电阻率水层与常规水层共存.研究结果表明,成藏动力与阻力的对比关系决定了在同一砂体中除存在常规油水分布外,还可能存在油水倒置分布.因此,加强钴前预测、钻井过程监督与调整、钻后综合研究、生产实践检验、解释模型与参数调整、老井复查等,有利于识别油水层,整体把握油水分布规律.     

Geological controls on submarine groundwater discharge in Long Bay,South Carolina (USA)

A combination of geophysical methods including continuous electrical resistivity and high-resolution Chirp sub-bottom profiling were utilized to characterize geologic controls on pore fluid salinity in the nearshore of Long Bay, SC. Resistivity values ranged from less than 1 Ω m to greater than 40 Ω m throughout the bay. Areas of elevated electrical resistivity suggest the influence of relatively fresher water on pore water composition. Geophysical evidence alone does not eliminate all ambiguity associated with lithological and porosity variations that may also contribute to electrical structure of shallow marine sediments. The anomalous field is of sufficient magnitude that lithological variation alone does not control the spatial distribution of elevated electrical resistivity zones. Geographical distribution of electrical anomalies and structures interpreted from nearby sub-bottom profiles indicates abrupt changes in shallow geologic units control preferential pathways for discharge of fresh water into the marine environment. Shore parallel resistivity profiles show dramatic decreases in magnitude with increasing distance from shore, suggesting a significant portion of the terrestrially driven fresh SGD in Long Bay is occurring via the surficial aquifer within a few hundred meters of shore.     

云南南部地区深部电性结构特征研究

在云南南部地区布设了一条孟连-罗平的北东向大地电磁测深剖面,以开展该地区的深部电性结构探测和孕震环境探查.沿该剖面进行了114个大地电磁测深点的观测,经过对观测资料的远参考Robust处理、定性分析和二维反演,得到了沿该剖面地壳、上地幔电性结构模型,从模型的电性结构特征进一步探讨了剖面穿过的3个地震区的深部地震孕育环境.研究结果表明：沿剖面的地壳上地幔电性结构反映出与区域地质构造资料基本一致的构造特征;该区的三个强震带地球深部都存在壳内低阻体,地震发生在电阻率梯度带上;断裂带的两侧块体介质的电阻率差异是强震活动带重要的深部背景.     

Remote Sensing and Geophysical Investigations of Glacial Buried Valleys in Northeastern Kansas

Aquifers found in glacial buried valleys are a major source of good-quality ground water in northeastern Kansas. The extent and character of many of these deposits are not precisely known, so a detailed study of the buried valleys was undertaken. Test drilling, Landsat imagery, shallow-earth temperature measurements, seismic refraction, surface electrical resistivity, and gravity data were used to evaluate two sites in Nemaha and Jefferson Counties. Tonal patterns on springtime Landsat imagery and winter/summer anomalies in shallow-earth temperatures were quick and inexpensive methods for locating some glacial buried aquifers and suggested areas for more intensive field studies. Reversed seismic refraction and resistivity surveys were generally reliable indicators of the presence or absence of glacial buried valleys, with most depth determinations being within 25% of test-drilling results. The effectiveness of expensive test-hole drilling was greatly increased by integrating remote sensing, shallow-earth temperature, seismic, and resistivity techniques in the two buried valley test areas. A gravity profile allowed precise definition of the extent of one of the channels after the other techniques had been used for general information.     

CONTINUATION OF TOTAL INTENSITY ANOMALY ON AEROMAGNETIC PROFILES WITH CONSTANT ELEVATION CHANGE*

A new scheme for continuing aeromagnetic data along a profile with constantly changing elevation to a horizontal level is presented in this paper. It only requires some modifications of the conventional methods which are designed to continue potential field data from one horizontal level to another level. The new scheme procedes in the following steps: (1) digitization of anomaly along flight level, thus giving distance and elevation to the desired horizontal level at each station. (2) upward continuation at each digitized point from the corresponding elevation to a desired horizontal level. The validity and usefulness of the scheme is shown with theoretical and real data.     

Assessing Ground Water Development Potential Using Landsat Imagery

Seven villages in southeastern Kenya surround Mt. Kasigau and depend on the mountain's cloud forest for their water supply. Five of these villages have regularly experienced water shortages, and all village water supplies were contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria. There is a need to economically find new sources of fresh ground water. Remote sensing offers a relatively quick and cost-effective way of identifying areas with high potential for ground water development. This study used spectral properties of features on Landsat remote sensing imagery to map linear features, soil types, surface moisture, and vegetation. Linear features represented geologic or geomorphologic features indicating either shallow ground water or areas of increased subsurface hydraulic conductivity. Regarding soil type, black soils were identified as potential indicators of shallow aquifers based on their relatively lower elevation and association with river valleys. A vegetation map was created using unsupervised classification, and three of the resulting vegetation classes were observed to be commonly associated with wet areas and/or ground water discharge. A wetness map, created using tasseled cap analysis, was used to identify all areas of high ground moisture, including those that corresponded to vegetated areas. The linear features, soil type, vegetation, and wetness maps were overlaid to produce a composite that highlighted areas with the highest potential for ground water development. Electrical resistivity surveys confirmed that areas highlighted by the composite image had relatively shallow depths to the water table. Some figures in this paper are available in color in the online version of the paper.     

山西阳高～河北容城剖面大地电磁资料的初步解释──阻抗张量分解技术及其应用

介绍了阻抗张量分解技术及其在阳高～容城剖面的大地电磁资料解释中的应用。在某些测点局部电流畸变的影响较严重，用张量分解技术对资料分析后表明，沿剖面的区域异常总体上具二维性质，分解技术处理后的视电阻率和相位资料与地质构造有较好的对应性。事实表明，阻抗张量分解技术是对大地电磁资料进行分析解释的有力工具