Interpretation of VLF Resistivity Data for Ground Water Contamination Surveys

Very low frequency (VLF) military communications systems provide a primary field that can be used for shallow geophysical surveys to locate ground water contamination and vertical geologic contacts. Useful properties that can be easily obtained from the interaction of the earth and the primary field are the magnitude of the vertical secondary magnetic field, the surface impedence, and the phase angle between the electrical and magnetic horizontal components. The variations in the secondary magnetic field can be related to vertical geologic contacts, such as the edges of landfill trenches. The surface impedence yields an apparent terrain conductivity, which can be used to locate low-resistivity anomalies often associated with contaminated ground water. The phase angle gives information on vertical variations in resistivity, phase angles less than 45° indicating increasing resistivity with depth. The depth of penetration of the VLF field is about one skin depth. For a frequency of 20 kHz, the skin depth in meters is approximately equal to 3.67 where p is terrain resistivity in ohmmeters.     

Resolution of airborne VLF data

The interpretation of airborne VLF data represents an important aspect of geophysical mapping of the upper few hundred meters of the Earth's crust, especially in areas with crystalline rocks. We have examined the ability of the single frequency VLF method to provide quantitative subsurface resistivity information using two generic models and standard airborne parameters with a flight altitude of 70 m and a frequency of 16 kHz. The models are long thin conductor (10 m thick, 10 Ω m resistivity and 1 km long) and a wider buried conductive dike (100 Ω m resistivity and 500 m wide). Using standard regularized inversion it turned out that for both models the conductivity of the conductors are underestimated and the vertical resolution is rather poor. The lateral positions of the minimum of the resistivity distributions coincide well with the true positions of the shallow conductors. For deeper conductors the position of the minimum resistivity moves from the edges of the conductor into the conductor. The depth to the minimum of the resistivity anomalies correlates well with the true depth to the top of the conductors although the latter is always smaller than the former.Interpretation of field airborne data collected at 70 m flight height resolved both small scale and large scale near surface conductors (conductance ∼1 S). Deeper conductors show up in the VLF data as very long wavelength anomalies that are particularly powerful in delineating the lateral boundaries of the conductors. Many of the VLF anomalies in the Stockholm area are dominated by these deep conductor responses with some near surface conductors superimposed. The deep conductors often follow topographic lows coinciding with metasediments. We interpret the frequent absence of near surface responses at 70 m flight height as a result of weak coupling between the primary VLF wave and the small scale (in all three dimensions) near-surface conductors.Radio magnetotelluric (RMT) ground measurements were carried out along a short profile coinciding with part of an airborne profile. Using data at 9 frequencies (14–250 kHz) small scale conductors in the upper few tens of meters, not identified from the airborne data, could be well resolved. Large scale deeper conductors could be identified by both methods at nearly the same positions.     

New insights into the hydrogeology of a basaltic shield volcano from a comparison between self-potential and electromagnetic data: Piton de la Fournaise, Indian ocean

In order to investigate aquifers, several geophysical surveys have been carried out in the Baril area of the southern flank of Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Reunion in the Indian Ocean using audiomagnetotelluric (AMT), very-low-frequency (VLF) and self-potential (SP) methods. We present the results with emphasis on a comparison between SP data and the findings of geoelectric surveys. AMT soundings have indicated, from the surface downward, three layers: (i) resistive volcanic rocks, (ii) an intermediate resistivity layer, and (iii) a conductive basement attributed to a seawater-bearing aquifer. VLF measurements allow the mapping of the first layer apparent resistivity, and therefore its bottom, when the true resistivity is supposed to be isotropic and homogenous. When this assumption does not hold, only the SP method permits the mapping of this bottom. Because of the good agreement between the SP and electromagnetic results, we propose the SP method as the first tool that should be used in studying shallow hydrogeological structures in volcanic areas.     

Two-dimensional, regularised inversion of VLF data

Very low frequency electromagnetic (EM) methods using VLF transmitters have found many applications in subsurface geophysical investigations. Surface measurements involving both the vertical component of the magnetic field (VLF-EM or VLF-Z) and of the apparent resistivity (VLF-R) are increasingly common. Although extensive VLF data sets have been successfully used for mapping purposes, modelling and interpretation techniques which asess the third (i.e. depth) dimension appear limited.Given a profile of VLF-R measurements the main purpose of the present study is to demonstrate an automatic method for the construction of a resistivity cross-section. The technique used is one of a new generation of regularised inversion methods. These techniques attempt to overcome the problem of equivalence/non-uniqueness in EM sounding data by constructing the resistivity distribution with the minimum amount of structure that fits the data.VLF data represent a special case of plane-wave EM sounding in that they conform, in practice, to a single-frequency technique. This fact imposes a limitation in the amount of vertical resolution that we can expect using such data. In the case of two-dimensional modelling and inversion, resolution through the cross-section is a resultant attribute from both vertical and lateral resistivity gradients within the subsurface. In order to provide insight into the practical application of regularised inversion techniques to VLF data, both synthetic and field examples are considered. Both sets of examples are primarily concerned with VLF data applied to near-surface fault mapping where the main aim is to assess the location, dip and depth extent of conductive subsurface features.     

Airborne VLF measurements and mapping of ground conductivity in Sweden

Airborne VLF data are routinely collected by The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) as part of its bedrock mapping programme. In this paper we demonstrate that the novel Tensor VLF technique developed at Uppsala University and SGU can provide useful qualitative and quantitative information about the electrical conductivity distribution in the upper few hundred meters. Single transmitter scalar VLF maps emphasize those conductive structures that have dominant strikes in the direction of the transmitter. The tensor tipper (essentially the vertical magnetic field from currents along the strike direction) calculated from multiple transmitters is dependent only upon the underlying conductivity structure. Transformation of the tipper into the peaker (the horizontal divergence) has proven to enhance the lateral resolution while the transformation to the apparent resistivity can be used to discriminate different rock types. Two case histories from the application of VLF data are presented in this study. Two dimensional structures can be quantitatively modelled by modern inversion methods developed originally for deep electromagnetic MT soundings. Direct inversion of the real and imaginary parts of the tipper provides more quantitative information about the subsurface resistivity distribution.     

Interpretation of ground VLF-EM data in terms of inclined sheet-like conductor models

The response of two-dimensional, inclined, sheet-like conductors with, low conductance values to plane wave electromagnetic fields in the very low frequency (VLF) range has been evaluated by using a numerical technique. The conductance values of the conductors considered are appropriate for those produced by water and/or clay-filled fracture and shear zones in the Precambrian crystalline rocks of the Canadian Shield. The surrounding host rock was assumed to be, resistive with resistivities in the 1–10 k.m range to reflect the high resistivities over the shield areas. No overburden was assumed in this analysis.The results of the computations are presented in the form of characteristic interpretation diagrams to interpret ground VLF data in the field, where facilities for direct numerical modelling may not be available. A method for interpreting ground VLF data using such characteristic diagrams has been proposed in this paper which requires a prior knowledge of the host rock resistivity and the inclination of the conductor. These two parameters may be derived from a VLF resistivity survey and from appropriate filtering of the VLF tilt angle response. The interpretation method was applied to a ground VLF anomaly obtained at a research site near Atikokan in NW Ontario, which yielded an interpretation compatible with information from geological mapping.Geological Survey of Canada Contribution No. 51888.     

Deliniation of Weathering in the Çatalca Granite Quarry with the Very Low Frequency (VLF) Electromagnetic Method

Faulting and weathering can endanger quarry operations by decreasing the total reserve, quarry’s useful life and production value. We investigated weathering and faulting problems in the Çatalca granite quarry at Istanbul in Turkey, using the Very Low Frequency (VLF) method. VLF method is an electromagnetic method which is very successful in locating vertical discontinuities such as faults and fracture zones. This method measures the apparent resistivity of the rocks in the region, besides the electromagnetic parameters such as tilt angle and ellipcity. Apparent resistivity is a very sensitive parameter to water presence inside the pores and fractures of the rocks. This feature enables the VLF method to map the boundaries between the fresh and cracked granite and altered zones in the quarry. In this work we mapped the faults and weathered zones within the granite in Çatalca quarry and found a high resistivity zone at the central part of the survey area which may be suitable for production. This study also shows the efficiency of the VLF method in understanding the structural and textural features of a quarry and estimating zones with high quality rocks for production planning.     

Integrated Geophysical Studies in the East-Indian Geothermal Province

Integrated geophysical surveys using vertical electrical sounding (VES), very low frequency (VLF) EM, radiation counting, total magnetic field and self-potential (SP) measurements are carried out to characterize the geothermal area around a hot spring in the Nayagarh district, Orissa, India that lies in the East Indian geothermal province. The study was performed to delineate the fracture pattern, contaminated groundwater movement and possible heating source. VES interpretations suggest a three- to four-layer structure in the area. Resistivity survey near the hot spring suggests that weathered and fractured formations constitute the main aquifer system and extend to 60 m depth. Current flow measured at various electrode separations normalized by the applied voltage suggests that fractures extend to a greater depth. Detailed VLF study shows that fractures extend beyond 70 m depth. VLF anomaly has also very good correlation with the total magnetic field measured along the same profiles. Study results suggest that a gridded pattern of VLF survey could map the underground conductive fracture zones that can identify the movement of contaminated groundwater flow. Therefore, precautionary measures can be taken to check further contamination by delineating subsurface conducting structures. Self potential (SP) measured over the hot spring does not show a large anomaly in favor of the presence of a sulphide mineral body. A small positive (5–15mV) SP anomaly is measured which may be streaming potential due to subsurface fluid flow. A high radiation is measured about four kilometers from the hot spring, suggesting possible radiogenic heating. However, the exact nature of the heating source and its depth is not known in the area. Deep resistivity followed by a magneto-telluric survey could reveal the deeper structures.     

ARRAYS AND NOMOGRAMS FOR ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY EXPLORATION*

A number of electrical resistivity arrays are available to the exploration geophysicist in the conduct of vertical or horizontal profiling. The advantage of using central-type arrays which produce large potential drops, such as the Wenner or the Schlumberger, must be weighed against the ease of acentral arrays such as the polar and equatorial arrays. A series of nomograms has been designed to provide a means of rapid calculation of the potential drop to be obtained by any of the various central and acentral arrays, as a function of apparent resistivity, electrode spacings and available transmitter power. The same nomograms may also be used for approximate computation of the apparent resistivities in routine surveys. However, the accuracy of resistivity calculation is directly related to the accuracy of drawing lines between the scales and hence is rather limited in reduced-size nomograms in this paper.     

Airborne Geophysics: Application to a Ground-Water Study in Botswana

Summary
A ground-water study carried out in the Serowe area of eastern Botswana between 1985–1988 has provided the opportunity to evaluate the role of a multiparameter low-level airborne geophysical survey in a hydrogeological investigation. The survey included magnetic, VLF (very low frequency), and coaxial EM (electromagnetic) measurements. In total, 7,500 line kilometers were flown over an area of 3,300 km2 with a nominal ground clearance of 20 m and a line spacing of 400 m.
The main aquifer, the Ntane Sandstone Formation (Karoo age), is confined between mudstones below and basalt above, and is broken into a series of graben and horst structures by numerous E-W striking faults. All bedrock, however, is completely masked by a 20–60 m thick overburden of sands, calcretes, silcretes, and sandstones known collectively as the Kalahari beds.
Airborne magnetic and VLF geophysical surveys have been used to penetrate this masking cover. Images and stacked profiles obtained from the survey revealed structural and geological features of major hydrogeological significance. This provided the information necessary for the formulation of a conceptual model.
The results helped guide the subsequent exploration drilling program in an efficient and effective manner, cutting down the need for extensive ground surveys. The investigation confirmed the availability of a 35,000 m3/day resource, sustainable for a 25-year period. Highest yields were obtained from fracture zones associated with VLF anomalies. Potential wellfields were identified in confined sections of the aquifer, with production boreholes to be sited, where possible, on fractures associated with VLF anomalies.     

The cone penetration test and 2D imaging resistivity as tools to simulate the distribution of hydrocarbons in soil

The purpose of geophysical electrical surveys is to determine the subsurface resistivity distribution by making measurements on the ground surface. From these measurements, the true resistivity of the subsurface can be estimated. The ground resistivity is related to various geological parameters, such as the mineral and fluid content, porosity and degree of water saturation in the rock. Electrical resistivity surveys have been used for many decades in hydrogeological, mining and geotechnical investigations. More recently, they have been used for environmental surveys. To obtain a more accurate subsurface model than is possible with a simple 1-D model, a more complex model must be used. In a 2-D model, the resistivity values are allowed to vary in one horizontal direction (usually referred to as the x direction) but are assumed to be constant in the other horizontal (the y) direction. A more realistic model would be a fully 3-D model where the resistivity values are allowed to change in all three directions. In this research, a simulation of the cone penetration test and 2D imaging resistivity are used as tools to simulate the distribution of hydrocarbons in soil.     

江宁台多孔垂向地电阻率观测试验

为了提高地电阻率观测抑制地铁干扰的能力, 江宁台新建了多孔垂向地电阻率观测。 在观测中探讨完善了装置系数计算方法, 解决了缺数问题, 并通过比较同测区井下和垂向地电阻率观测数据, 得出如下结论: ① 垂向观测由于布极方式较为特殊, 其年变化幅度大于井下地电阻率观测同等极距; ② 与井下地电阻率观测相比, 垂向地电阻率观测信噪比更高, 具备更好的抗地铁干扰能力, 以期为地电观测抗干扰的方法和技术应用提供基础; ③ 垂向地电阻率观测建设中, 可能需要重视电极的位置固定。     

Magnetotelluric profiling of vertical conductors

The presence of lateral contrasts of electrical conductivity modifies the original pattern of electromagnetic fields radiated from remote sources. A magnetic transverse plane wave field, interacting with a vertical conductive and outcropping dike placed between two quarter-spaces of unequal electrical conductivities, creates an anomalous vertical component of the magnetic field. This anomalous field has been analysed by computation, and drafting of master curves. Two case histories are presented to illustrate the application and the effectiveness of the solution. It is concluded that: (i) the response is higher for intermediate values of the conducting body induction number; (ii) the curves can be used for the inter-pretation of magnetotelluric, AFMAG, and VLF exploration data; (iii) it is necessary to develop solutions taking into account the vertical as well as the lateral variation of conductivity.     

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.     

Electromagnetic profiling interpretation across vertical faults and dikes

When a vertical fault or dike scatters a normally incident TE-mode plane wave, the horizontal components of the electric and the magnetic fields vary along the direction perpendicular to the strike. This scattering is also responsible for the formation of a vertical component of the magnetic field, which also varies along the direction perpendicular to the strike. Analysis of the lateral variations of the field components permits the identification of the type of geological structure, either fault or dike, as well as an estimate of the position of the geological contacts and the electrical conductivity of each medium. Previous exact analytical solutions have shown that two Fourier cosine integrals can express each field component. A series of functions specified for each model represent the kernel of each integral. From the field components obtained from the first non-zero term of each series, we calculated the following functions: the dip angle and the ellipticity of the vertical polarization ellipse in a plane perpendicular to the strike of the structure, and the azimuth and the ellipticity of the horizontal ellipse. We established master-curves of these functions for the interpretation of vertical faults and dikes for the polarization ellipsoid, for instance VLF or audio-frequency methods. This representation has as variable the induction number     , and as parameters σ ₂/ σ ₁ and     , where a denotes the half-thickness of the dike. The interpretation procedure using curve fitting is possible because the induction number is represented on a logarithmic scale. This procedure represents an important step before automatic interpretation is carried out. Two case histories using field data illustrate the effectiveness of the procedure and the type of quantitative interpretation obtained from it.     

A qualitative approach to electrical resistivity interpretation

Summary The formula for apparent resistivity can be interpreted in terms of two quantities more easily identified with the physical process involved: the distribution of current flow in the earth, as it affects the current density along a line between the potential electrodes, and the true resistivity along this line. The analysis permits a qualitative prediction of resistivity sounding and profiling data over a variety of structures. Examples are given for faults, layers, and a dipping dike.     

Geophysical techniques to aquifer locating and monitoring for industrial zones in North Hanoi, Vietnam

Geophysical methods were applied for hydrogeological targets in many countries including Vietnam. This paper presents results of using complex geophysical techniques as well as 2D electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), vertical electrical sounding (VES), very low frequency (VLF), and seismic refraction for geological structure investigation for locating the aquifers and assessing the hydrogeological conditions for groundwater potential in industrial zones of North Hanoi, Vietnam. The locations of two aquifers are determined by their depth and thickness on the basis of resistivity and seismic velocity values which were proved by stratifications of three boreholes to 40–60 m of depth on the study area. There are connections from surface water to shallow aquifer by hydraulic windows, as follows from VLF data. The deeper aquifer can be considered as a potential groundwater supply, but the water level is descending in time, as shown by hydrological monitoring. However, with careful use and by reducing sources of pollution, groundwater can continue to be an important natural resource for future.     

VLF RESISTIVITY MAPPING AND VERTICALIZATION OF THE ELECTRIC FIELD1

For over 20 years, powerful VLF transmitters have been used as electromagnetic sources for subsurface investigations in mining exploration. Measurements initially concerned the vertical component of the magnetic field or the inclination of the field and were later extended to measurement of the horizontal electric field in the direction of the transmitter, to determine the resistivity of the terrain. Measurement of the electric field is usually performed with electric lines, grounded or not, with lengths of at least 5 m. This paper presents the concept of a VLF resistivity meter with a very short electric sensor (1 m) and the results obtained with it. This technique improves the measurement of the electric field, which is in principle a point value. It also permits a higher spatial sampling rate and, by closely linking the electric sensor with the magnetic sensor on a lightweight mount, makes it possible for the instrument to be used by a single operator. In addition, transformation of the electric field data, analogous to reduction to the pole in magnetism, is proposed to correct the horizontal deformation of the anomalies created by polarization of the primary field. Comparison with direct current electrical measurements shows highly satisfactory correlations. This transformation, validated for VLF, can be extended to any electrical or electromagnetic method using a uniform primary field, i.e. gradient array in direct current or low-frequency magnetotellurics. We call this verticalization of the electric field. Resistivity measurements and mapping using the VLF frequency range can be applied not only to mining but also to a wide range of shallow geophysical studies (hydrology, civil engineering, etc.) and are not limited to problems concerning the location of conductive targets     

A VERSATILE ELECTROMAGNETIC MODELING PROGRAM FOR 2-D STRUCTURES*

A new integral-equation program for calculation of the E-polarization response allows modeling of VLF for plane wave or line source input, e.g., magnetotellurics and Turam responses. The anomalous conducting body is modeled by a number of square cells, each of individual size and resistivity, and with arbitrary position in the host medium. This provides a high degree of flexibility and allows for simulation of rather complex conductivity structures. The computation time has been drastically reduced by using techniques such as digital filtering and fast Fourier transformation. The interpretation of a measured Turam profile and the influence of galvanically channelled currents in the conducting body is discussed.