Advancing process‐based watershed hydrological research using near‐surface geophysics: a vision for,and review of,electrical and magnetic geophysical methods

We want to develop a dialogue between geophysicists and hydrologists interested in synergistically advancing process based watershed research. We identify recent advances in geophysical instrumentation, and provide a vision for the use of electrical and magnetic geophysical instrumentation in watershed scale hydrology. The focus of the paper is to identify instrumentation that could significantly advance this vision for geophysics and hydrology during the next 3–5 years. We acknowledge that this is one of a number of possible ways forward and seek only to offer a relatively narrow and achievable vision. The vision focuses on the measurement of geological structure and identification of flow paths using electrical and magnetic methods. The paper identifies instruments, provides examples of their use, and describes how synergy between measurement and modelling could be achieved. Of specific interest are the airborne systems that can cover large areas and are appropriate for watershed studies. Although airborne geophysics has been around for some time, only in the last few years have systems designed exclusively for hydrological applications begun to emerge. These systems, such as airborne electromagnetic (EM) and transient electromagnetic (TEM), could revolutionize hydrogeological interpretations. Our vision centers on developing nested and cross scale electrical and magnetic measurements that can be used to construct a three‐dimensional (3D) electrical or magnetic model of the subsurface in watersheds. The methodological framework assumes a ‘top down’ approach using airborne methods to identify the large scale, dominant architecture of the subsurface. We recognize that the integration of geophysical measurement methods, and data, into watershed process characterization and modelling can only be achieved through dialogue. Especially, through the development of partnerships between geophysicists and hydrologists, partnerships that explore how the application of geophysics can answer critical hydrological science questions, and conversely provide an understanding of the limitations of geophysical measurements and interpretation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ground penetrating radar inversion in 1-D: an approach for the estimation of electrical conductivity, dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability

This paper presents a method for inverting ground penetrating radargrams in terms of one-dimensional profiles. We resort to a special type of linearization of the damped E-field wave equation to solve the inverse problem. The numerical algorithm for the inversion is iterative and requires the solution of several forward problems, which we evaluate using the matrix propagation approach. Analytical expressions for the derivatives with respect to physical properties are obtained using the self-adjoint Green's function method. We consider three physical properties of materials; namely dielectrical permittivity, magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity. The inverse problem is solved minimizing the quadratic norm of the residuals using quadratic programming optimization. In the iterative process to speed up convergence we use the Levenberg–Mardquardt method. The special type of linearization is based on an integral equation that involves derivatives of the electric field with respect to magnetic permeability, electrical conductivity and dielectric permittivity; this equation is the result of analyzing the implication of the scaling properties of the electromagnetic field. The ground is modeled using thin horizontal layers to approximate general variations of the physical properties. We show that standard synthetic radargrams due to dielectric permittivity contrasts can be matched using electrical conductivity or magnetic permeability variations. The results indicate that it is impossible to differentiate one property from the other using GPR data.     

Analysis and interpretation of anomalous conductivity and magnetic permeability effects in time domain electromagnetic data: Part II: Sμ-inversion

In the paper by Pavlov and Zhdanov [J. Appl. Geophys. (2001)], we demonstrated that anomalous magnetic permeability of an ore body could result in measurable anomalous effects in TDEM data, which can be used in geophysical exploration. In the current paper, we develop a new method of TDEM data interpretation, which allows simultaneous reconstruction of both electrical and magnetic properties of the rocks. The method is based on a generalization of the S-inversion technique [66th Ann. Int. Mtg., Soc. Expl. Geophys., Expanded Abstr. (1996) 1306; 68th Ann. Int. Mtg., Soc. Expl. Geophys., Expanded Abstr. (1998) 473; J. Appl. Geophys. (1999)] for models containing thin sheets with anomalous conductivity and anomalous magnetic permeability. We call this method Sμ-inversion. Numerical 3-D modeling results demonstrate that Sμ-inversion provides useful information about both subsurface conductivity and magnetic permeability distributions. It can be used as a new tool for imaging TDEM data in mineral exploration.     

井中磁源瞬变电磁响应特征研究

井中瞬变电磁波勘探是一个全空间地球物理场问题.采用Gaver-Stehfest逆拉氏变换方法,正演计算了瞬变信号激励下接收线圈上的电磁场响应.分析了包含井眼泥浆、套管、水泥环和地层的轴对称多层介质模型的电磁场响应特征,考察了各层介质参数对井中瞬变电磁响应的影响.不同电导率井眼泥浆的电磁场响应衰减曲线表明,井眼泥浆电导率...     

Analysis and interpretation of anomalous conductivity and magnetic permeability effects in time domain electromagnetic data: Part I: Numerical modeling

Time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) response is usually associated with eddy currents in conductive bodies, since this is the dominant effect. However, other effects, such as displacement currents from dielectric processes and magnetic fields associated with rock magnetization, can contribute to TDEM response. In this paper we analyze the effect of magnetization on TDEM data. We use a 3-D code based on finite-difference method, developed by Wang and Hohmann [Geophysics 58 (1993) 797], to study transient electromagnetic field propagation through a medium containing bodies with both anomalous conductivity and anomalous magnetic permeability. The remarkable result is that the combination of anomalous conductivity and permeability within the same body could increase significantly the anomalous TDEM response in comparison with purely conductive or purely magnetic anomalies. This effect has to be taken into account in interpretation of TDEM data over electrical inhomogeneous structures with potentially anomalous magnetic permeability.     

地球物理信号能量(密度)多维分形及应用

地球物理信号代表的地质地球物理过程在多种尺度上和尺度之间表现为自相似性（self-affinity)或尺度无关性（Scale Invariant)，称为地球物理信号的分形性质，多个分形地球物理信号叠加在一起表现为多维分形特征，研究多维分形地球物理信号的能量或能量密度特征，可以进行时间或空间地球物理信号的校正、奇异性研究分析，或进行不同地球物理动力学过程的分解，本文描述了地球物理时间（空间）信号的多维分形过程和功率谱密度（能量密度）与波数以及重磁场能谱密度及面积（能量）与能谱密度的多维分形关系，并用地球物理测井与重磁资料作了试算。     

STATISTICAL MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL DATA ON THE SE BORDER OF THE CENTRAL LAPLAND GREENSTONE COMPLEX*

Statistical multivariate methods for the integrated processing of airborne geophysical data were tested. The data consisted of magnetic, electromagnetic and gamma radiation measurements, to which cluster analysis, principal components analysis and discriminant analysis were applied. Also, auxiliary variables were derived from the original ones and their value was tested. Although the frequency distributions of the data do not favour statistical analysis, the practical results are acceptable. Principal component analyses show geological and technical aspects that are difficult to obtain from the original observations. In cluster analyses, the sources of measured fields control the grouping of variables. Discriminant analysis was applied to the automatic identification of rocks by geophysical data. The rocks investigated are metasediments and metavolcanics, some magnetic and others conductive. When all available geophysical data were included, correct identifications were made in more than 60% of cases. In particular, gamma ray observations were found to improve the discrimination of non-magnetic and non-conductive rocks. The geophysical similarity of rocks studied by cluster analysis depends on electrical and magnetic properties as well as on their origin; the content of radioactive elements in turn is related to the origin.     

Electrical conductivities of two granite samples in southern Tibet and their geophysical implications

There are clear differences in the electrical conductivities of the crustal granites of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Because these granites are among the major rock types on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is very important to detect the electrical conductivity of granites under high temperatures and pressures to study the electrical conductivity structure of this area. Using impedance spectroscopy at a frequency range of 10.1–106 Hz, the electrical conductivity of the muscovite-granite collected from Yadong was investigated at a confining pressure of 1.0 GPa and temperatures ranging from 577 to 996 K, while the electrical conductivity of the biotite-granite collected from Lhasa was investigated at a pressure of 1.0 GPa and temperatures ranging from587 to 1382 K. The calculated activation enthalpies of the Yadong muscovite-granite sample is 0.92 eV in the low-temperature range(577–919 K) and 2.16 eV in the high-temperature range(919–996 K). The activation enthalpies of the Lhasa biotite-granite sample is 0.48 eV in the low-temperature range(587–990 K) and 2.06 eV in the high-temperature range(990–1382 K). The change in the activation enthalpies of the granites at different temperature ranges may be associated with the dehydration of the two samples. The electrical conductivities of the granite samples obtained in the laboratory using impedance spectroscopy correspond well with field observations conducted near the sampling points, both in terms of the actual conductivity values and the observed variations between the low-temperature and high-temperature regimes. This correlation of laboratory and field conductivities indicates that the conductivities of the crustal rocks in the two regions closely correspond to granite conductivities.We calculated the electrical conductivities of muscovite-granite and biotite-granite samples using the effective medium and HS boundary models. When applied to the crustal rocks of southern Tibet, the results of the geophysical conductivity profiles lie within the range of laboratory data. Thus, the electrical characteristics of the crustal rocks underlying the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau can largely be attributed to granites, with the large changes to high conductivities at increasing depths resulting from the dehydration of crustal rocks with granitic compositions.     

MoisturEC: A New R Program for Moisture Content Estimation from Electrical Conductivity Data

Noninvasive geophysical estimation of soil moisture has potential to improve understanding of flow in the unsaturated zone for problems involving agricultural management, aquifer recharge, and optimization of landfill design and operations. In principle, several geophysical techniques (e.g., electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction, and nuclear magnetic resonance) offer insight into soil moisture, but data‐analysis tools are needed to “translate” geophysical results into estimates of soil moisture, consistent with (1) the uncertainty of this translation and (2) direct measurements of moisture. Although geostatistical frameworks exist for this purpose, straightforward and user‐friendly tools are required to fully capitalize on the potential of geophysical information for soil‐moisture estimation. Here, we present MoisturEC, a simple R program with a graphical user interface to convert measurements or images of electrical conductivity (EC) to soil moisture. Input includes EC values, point moisture estimates, and definition of either Archie parameters (based on experimental or literature values) or empirical data of moisture vs. EC. The program produces two‐ and three‐dimensional images of moisture based on available EC and direct measurements of moisture, interpolating between measurement locations using a Tikhonov regularization approach.     

Near Surface Electrical Characterization of Hydraulic Conductivity: From Petrophysical Properties to Aquifer Geometries—A Review

This paper reviews the recent geophysical literature addressing the estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) from static low frequency electrical measurements (electrical resistivity, induced polarization (IP) and spectral induced polarization (SIP)). In the first part of this paper, research describing how petrophysical relations between electrical properties and effective (i.e. controlling fluid transport) properties of (a) the interconnected pore volumes and interconnected pore surfaces, have been exploited to estimate K at both the core and field scale is reviewed. We start with electrical resistivity measurements, which are shown to be inherently limited in K estimation as, although resistivity is sensitive to both pore volume and pore surface area properties, the two contributions cannot be separated. Efforts to utilize the unique sensitivity of IP and SIP measurements to physical parameters that describe the interconnected pore surface area are subsequently introduced and the incorporation of such data into electrical based Kozeny–Carman type models of K estimation is reviewed. In the second part of this review, efforts to invert geophysical datasets for spatial patterns of K variability (e.g. aquifer geometries) at the field-scale are considered. Inversions, based on the conversion of an image of a geophysical property to a hydrological property assuming a valid petrophysical relationship, as well as joint/constrained inversion methods, whereby multiple geophysical and hydrological data are inverted simultaneously, are briefly covered. This review demonstrates that there currently exists an opportunity to link, (1) the petrophysics relating low frequency electrical measurements to effective hydraulic properties, with (2) the joint inversion strategies developed in recent years, in order to obtain more meaningful estimates of spatial patterns of K variability than previously reported.     

Relationships between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals in urban topsoils in the arid region of Isfahan, central Iran

Electromagnetic induction (EMI) method results are shown for vertical magnetic dipole (VMD) configuration by using the EM38 equipment. Performance in the location of metallic pipes and electrical cables is compared as a function of instrumental drift correction by linear and quadratic adjusting under controlled conditions. Metallic pipes and electrical cables are buried at the IAG/USP shallow geophysical test site in São Paulo City, Brazil. Results show that apparent electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility data were affected by ambient temperature variation. In order to obtain better contrast between background and metallic targets it was necessary to correct the drift. This correction was accomplished by using linear and quadratic relation between conductivity/susceptibility and temperature intending comparative studies. The correction of temperature drift by using a quadratic relation was effective, showing that all metallic targets were located as well deeper targets were also improved.     

The electrical conductivity of eclogite in Tibet and its geophysical implications

The electrical conductivity of Tibetan eclogite was investigated at pressures of 1.5–3.5 GPa and temperatures of 500–803 K using impedance spectroscopy within a frequency range of 10-1–106 Hz. The electrical conductivity of eclogite increases with increasing temperature(which can be approximated by the Arrhenius equation), and is weakly affected by pressure. At each tested pressure, the electrical conductivity is weakly temperature dependent below ~650 K and more strongly temperature dependent above ~650 K. The calculated activation energies and volumes are 44±1 kJ/mol and-0.6±0.1 cm3/mol for low temperatures and 97±3 kJ/mol and-1.2±0.2 cm3/mol for high temperatures, respectively. When applied to the depth range of 45–100 km in Tibet, the laboratory data give conductivities on the order of 10-1.5–10-4.5 S/m, within the range of geophysical conductivity profiles.     

Intermittency analysis and spatial dependence of magnetic field disturbances in the fast solar wind

Based on Helios measurements, seven quantities of normalized PDF (Probability Distribution Function) associated with magnetic field and its disturbances are utilized to characterize the intermittency in the fast solar wind using Castaing distributions and the idea of “Flatness”. The magnetic field fluctuations are found to be more intermittent at farther distances from the sun. The “Flatness” decreases with increasing time scales, with the corresponding PDF eventually approaching Gaussian distributions. Such a transition occurs at a relatively small time scale for the perpendicular component of perturbed field. The increase in “Flatness” with decreasing time scale is more apparent farther from the sun. By examining how the relative energy density of magnetic disturbances at various time scales changes with the mean field, our study supports the idea that the perturbed fields in the fast solar wind in the frequency range considered are consistent with cross-scale redistribution of wave energy favoring larger scales.     

MAGNETIC WAVETILT MEASUREMENTS FOR GEOLOGICAL FRACTURE MAPPING1

The measurement of wavetilt is diagnostic for determining the electrical characteristics of the upper layers of the ground at VLF and LF frequency ranges. Theoretical and field studies have indicated that electric wavetilt using the transverse magnetic (TM) waves detects lateral inhomogeneities virtually instantly as abrupt changes in electrical properties are encountered. Theoretical studies have also indicated that magnetic wavetilt measurements using transverse electric (TE) waves are superior to electric wavetilts for such purposes. An experimental survey was conducted at two locations near Atikokan, Ontario, to verify the theoretical predictions. The survey area, forming a part of a large granitic pluton, was mapped earlier by various geophysical techniques, including the ground VLF-EM method, to detect weak conductors formed either by the presence of fractures in the bedrock filled with water and/or clay, or overburden filling bedrock depressions. A small, multi-turn, horizontal loop was used during the survey as the transmitter to generate TE waves at eleven frequencies from 10.7 to 58.5 kHz. The magnetic wavetilt measurements detected all previously known conductors at the two locations. In addition, the survey detected several weak conductors that were missed by the VLF survey. Thus, the survey indicated the usefulness of magnetic wavetilt results for detection of weak conductors at shallow depths, which may have application in engineering geophysical surveys. The multi-frequency wavetilt data also provided some indications of the depth and depth extent of such conductors.     

Higher-order statistics correlation stacking for DC electrical data in the wavelet domain

DC (direct current) electrical and shallow seismic methods are indispensable to the near surface geophysical exploration, but the near surface areas are very difficult environments for any geophysical exploration due to the random noise caused by near surface inhomogeneities. As a new algorithm based on higher-order statistics theory, the higher-order correlation stacking algorithm for seismic data smoothing in the wavelet domain has been developed and applied efficiently to filter some correlation noise that the conventional second-order correlation stacking could not inhibit. In this paper, this higher-order statistics correlation stacking technology is presented for DC electrical data in wavelet domain. Taking into account the single section and multiple section data, we present two new formulations of correlation stacking for DC electrical data. Synthetic examples with Gaussian noise are designed to analyze the overall efficiency of the new algorithm and to determine its efficacy. Meanwhile, comparison with the traditional least-squares optimization inversion method for field examples from electrical imaging surveys and time-domain IP measurement in China shows its significant advantages. The quality of the new algorithm also has been assessed by physical simulation experiments. This new technology in DC electrical exploration measurements provides a new application in engineering and mining investigation.     

Geophysical mapping of hyporheic processes controlled by sedimentary architecture within compound bar deposits

Hyporheic exchange influences water quality and controls numerous physical, chemical, and biological processes. Despite its importance, hyporheic exchange and the associated dynamics of solute mixing are often difficult to characterize due to spatial (e.g., sedimentary heterogeneity) and temporal (e.g., river stage fluctuation) variabilities. This study coupled geophysical techniques with physical and chemical sediment analyses to map sedimentary architecture and quantify its influence on hyporheic exchange dynamics within a compound bar deposit in a gravel-dominated river system in southwestern Ohio. Electromagnetic induction (EMI) was used to quantify variability in electrical conductivity within the compound bar. EMI informed locations of electrode placement for time-lapse electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) surveys, which were used to examine changes in electrical resistivity driven by hyporheic exchange. Both geophysical methods revealed a zone of high electrical conductivity in the center of the bar, identified as a fine-grained cross-bar channel fill. The zone acts as a baffle to flow, evidenced by stable electrical conditions measured by time-lapse ERI over the study period. Large changes in electrical resistivity throughout the survey period indicate preferential flowpaths through higher permeability sands and gravels. Grain size analyses confirmed sedimentological interpretations of geophysical data. Loss on ignition and x-ray fluorescence identified zones with higher organic matter content that are locations for potentially enhanced geochemical activity within the cross-bar channel fill. Differences in the physical and geochemical characteristics of cross-bar channel fills play an important role in hyporheic flow dynamics and nutrient processing within riverbed sediments. These findings enhance our understanding of the applications of geophysical methods in mapping riverbed heterogeneity and highlight the importance of accurately representing geomorphologic features and heterogeneity when studying hyporheic exchange processes.     

Airborne VLF Measurements and Variations of Ground Conductivity: A Tutorial

Airborne very low frequency (VLF) data are routinely collected by national agencies and commercial companies together with other passive geophysical measurements of the static magnetic field and radiometric data. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that both standard three-component VLF and tensor VLF (TVLF) data contain a lot of useful quantitative and qualitative information about the electrical conductivity distribution in the upper few hundred meters of the crystalline basement. We first give a new derivation of the fundamental transfer functions (the tipper) used in the TVLF technique. We then show that the tipper can be estimated from simultaneous measurements of the wave magnetic fields from at least two transmitters with somewhat different frequencies, and present a simple model by which the maximum error introduced by the difference in frequencies can be found. Single transmitter scalar VLF maps emphasise those conductive structures that have dominant strikes in the direction of the transmitter. Multiple transmitter transfer functions are dependent only upon the underlying conductivity structure. Two dimensional structures can be quantitatively modelled by modern inversion methods developed originally for deep electromagnetic magnetotelluric (MT) soundings. In such cases three-component VLF measurements can be modelled easily upon appropriate rotation of the co-ordinate system to “strike” co-ordinates. Single frequency transfer functions (tippers) have real and imaginary parts that carry information on not only lateral contrasts in conductivity, as usually stated in text books, but, taken together, they provide a robust tool for determining the background conductivity level away from distinct conductors, and they can also be used to discriminate between deep and shallow conductors. Based upon simulations using multi-frequency data, it can be concluded that such a new development would dramatically increase the resolving power of airborne VLF measurements.     

Electrical investigation in the Chaîne des Puys (France)

Numerous geologists have studied the structure of the Chaîne des Puys, our knowledge of which has recently been enlarged by geophysical research. Some of the hypotheses concerning its structure at average depth had to be checked, and so in 1975 the National Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics (I.N.A.G.) provided the necessary support for such work.An anomaly of the electrical conductivity was clearly apparent, both from the magnetotelluric method in a wide range of frequencies as well as from more classical methods (electrical sounding) or from newer methods such as differential magnetic sounding.It has been proved that the structure, which is believed to be responsible for this anomaly of conductivity, is quite different from other inferred structures which result from the interpretation of magnetic data only. However, although the coexistence of these different structural elements is not impossible, heat-flow measurements and geochemical studies do not support the assumption of an active magma chamber (a few kilometres deep).     

Electromagnetic fields in a steel-cased borehole

The development of an electromagnetic numerical modelling scheme for a magnetic dipole in an arbitrary casing segment in an inhomogeneous conductivity background has been difficult, due to the very high electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability contrasts between the steel casing and the background medium. To investigate the effect of steel casing efficiently, we have developed an accurate but simple finite‐element modelling scheme to simulate electromagnetic fields in a medium of cylindrically symmetric conductivity structures. In order to preserve the cylindrical symmetry in the resulting electromagnetic fields, a horizontal loop current source is used throughout. One of the main advantages of the approach is that the problem is scalar when formulated using the azimuthal electric field, even if the casing is both electrically conductive and magnetically permeable. Field calculations have been made inside the cased borehole as well as in another borehole which is not cased. Careful analyses of the numerical modelling results indicate that the anomaly observed in a cross‐borehole configuration is sensitive enough to be used for tomographic imaging.     

EM Monitoring of Crustal Processes Including the Use of the Network-MT Observations

There are several kinds of coupling mechanisms which can convert mechanical, chemical or thermal energies due to seismic or volcanic activities into electromagnetic energies. As a result of concentrated efforts in laboratory and theoretical research, the basic relationship between the intensity of electromagnetic sources and changes in mechanical, chemical and thermal state is becoming established. Also with the progress of the electromagnetic simulation techniques, it has been possible to evaluate in situ sensitivity. Based on this progress and also due to extensive improvement in measuring techniques, many field experiments have been performed to elucidate subsurface geophysical processes underlying the preparation stage, onset, and subsequent healing stage of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In volcanic studies, many studies have reported the measurement of electromagnetic signals which were successfully interpreted in terms of various driving mechanisms. Although there have been numerous reports about the existence of precursory electromagnetic signals in seismic studies, only a few of them could be successfully explained by the proposed mechanisms, whereas coseismic phenomena are often consistent with those mechanisms including the absence of detectable signals. In many cases, one or two orders of higher sensitivity were required, especially for precursory signals. Generally, electromagnetic methods are more sensitive to near-surface phenomena. It will be necessary to discriminate electromagnetic signals due to these near-surface sources, which often possess no relationship with the crustal activities. Further efforts to enhance in situ sensitivity through improvements in observation techniques and in data processing techniques are recommended. At the same time, multi-disciplinary confirmation against the validity of electromagnetic phenomena will inevitably be necessary. A Network-MT observation technique has been developed to determine large-scale deep electrical conductivity structure. In the method, a telephone line network or purpose-built long baseline cables are utilized to measure voltage differences with long electrode separations. Because of the averaging effect of the electric fields, static shift problems due to small-scale, near-surface lateral heterogeneities can be alleviated. Several field experiments revealed regional scale deep electrical conductivity structures related to slab subduction or its stagnation, which enable us to elucidate underlying physical processes caused by the slab motion. The technique can also be applied to monitor the electric potential field related to crustal activities. The annual variation of the potential field and electrical conductivity in the French Alps were interpreted to be caused by the annual variation of lake water level. The method was also used to monitor the regional scale spatio-temporal variation of the SP field and electrical conductivity before and at the onset of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.