Characterization of seasonal local recharge using electrical resistivity tomography and magnetic resonance sounding

A groundwater recharge process of heterogeneous hard rock aquifer in the Moole Hole experimental watershed, south India, is being studied to understand the groundwater flow behaviour. Significant seasonal variations in groundwater level are observed in boreholes located at the outlet area indicating that the recharge process is probably taking place below intermittent streams. In order to localize groundwater recharge zones and to optimize implementation of boreholes, a geophysical survey was carried out during and after the 2004 monsoon across the outlet zone. Magnetic resonance soundings (MRS) have been performed to characterize the aquifer and measure groundwater level depletion. The results of MRS are consistent with the observation in boreholes, but it suffers from degraded lateral resolution. A better resolution of the regolith/bedrock interface is achieved using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). ERT results are confirmed by resistivity logging in the boreholes. ERT surveys have been carried out twice—before and during the monsoon—across the stream area. The major feature of recharge is revealed below the stream with a decrease by 80% of the calculated resistivity. The time‐lapse ERT also shows unexpected variations at a depth of 20 m below the slopes that could have been interpreted as a consequence of a deep seasonal water flow. However, in this area time‐lapse ERT does not match with borehole data. Numerical modelling shows that in the presence of a shallow water infiltration, an inversion artefact may take place thus limiting the reliability of time‐lapse ERT. A combination of ERT with MRS provides valuable information on structure and aquifer properties respectively, giving a clue for a conceptual model of the recharge process: infiltration takes place in the conductive fractured‐fissured part of the bedrock underlying the stream and clayey material present on both sides slows down its lateral dissipation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural study of the Ballandaz landslide (French Alps) using geophysical imagery

This study of the Ballandaz landslide (Savoie, French Alps) was carried out as part of the ANR/PGCU-SIGMA research project. Its aim was to characterize the slope by different methods of geophysical imagery, and then use this characterization to provide a combined interpretation of the morpho-structures in order to simulate the geomechanical behavior of the sliding mass. First, electromagnetic mapping was used to identify the variations of the surface lithology and moisture from which one can more precisely locate the active zone of the slope. Then, electrical and seismic 2D imagery methods were used along several transverse and longitudinal profiles in order to produce electrical resistivity and seismic-velocity depth sections showing up the slope's structures. The H/V method was also tested locally to determine the depth to basement so as to complement the profiles: it reveals potential seismic site effects from the deeper structures. Helped by drilling and inclinometer surveys, the geophysical interpretations have revealed the various units structuring the landslide: (i) the active, very heterogeneous shallow level overlying (ii) a more rigid, less porous, and probably stable shallow bedrock, (iii) boulders, and (iv) the sound geological basement of quartzite and gypsiferous facies. The study has shown the usefulness of combining such different sounding techniques for studying complex environments like landslides; it has also revealed the limitations of each method when used for studying very heterogeneous environments.     

The role of rock surface hardness and internal moisture in tafoni development in sandstone

The development of cavernous weathering features such as tafoni remains poorly understood. In particular, the roles played by internal moisture and case hardening remain unclear. In this study, Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) has been used to map moisture distribution within inner walls of tafoni developed in sandstone, and an Equotip device used to measure rock surface hardness as a proxy measure of the degree of weathering and case hardening. Seven large tafoni in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (South Africa), varying in size and degree of development have been monitored. A dynamic relationship between surface hardness, degree of weathering and internal moisture regimes has been found. We propose a new conceptual model which illustrates the complex interaction between case hardening and internal moisture and suggests a new direction for cavernous weathering research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

电阻率层析成像非线性反演

本文通过概率成像法、α中心法、遗传算法的有机结合, 实现了2-D电阻率层析成像非线性反演.首先,根据概率成像结果指示出的2-D地质异常体的相对电性和大致分布范围,合理地确定出α中心的位置与强度系数的变化范围.其次,以α中心法作为2-D地电结构的正演手段,采用遗传算法反演出各α中心的强度系数.在此基础上, 应用α中心法重新构建出地下介质电阻率的分布.通过对均匀半空间中赋存2-D地质异常体模型的反演试验, 获得了令人满意的结果.     

Evaluation of trenching,ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) for sinkhole characterization

This paper explores the suitability and advantages of combining the trenching technique with geophysical surveys [ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)] for sinkhole characterization in a mantled karst area. The approach is applied to two active sinkholes concealed by anthropogenic deposits and formed by contrasting subsidence mechanisms; collapse and sagging. The ERT section acquired across the collapse sinkhole images the clayey fill of the depression as an obvious low resistivity area, showing the approximate location of the sinkhole edges. Spatially dense GPR surveys provide information on the position of the boundaries of the concealed subsidence structures and their three‐dimensional (3D) internal geometry, revealing the dominant subsidence mechanism. We illustrate the impact of several factors on the quality of the GPR data such as sinkhole size, nominal frequency of the antennas, antenna shielding, and the presence of backfilled excavations and above‐surface objects. Trenches provided detailed information on the subsurface structure of the sinkhole, subsidence magnitude, partitioning of the strain, and the position of the sinkhole edges, especially when they are deep enough and excavated across the central sector and perpendicular to the boundaries. The stratigraphic and structural relationships observed in the trench were then used to infer the spatial evolution of the sinkholes (e.g. enlargement), their kinematic behavior (episodic versus progressive), and to differentiate discrete subsidence events and their associated magnitude. Numerical dates were used to estimate average subsidence rates and the recurrence of subsidence events. Such integrated data sets may be used as an objective basis to forecast the future behavior of potentially damaging sinkholes and to assess the associated hazard and risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

沿河开发建筑场地之隐伏沙洞的电阻率层析成像

采用电阻率层析成像二维测量的方法,对河南省三门峡市沿河开发的建筑场地进行了勘探,获取了地下隐伏沙洞的准确位置、埋藏深度、含水情况、尺寸大小等。说明电阻率层析成像二维测量的方法在地下隐伏沙洞的探测中是行之有效的;地下隐伏沙洞在没有水体存在时,电阻率层析成像二维测量成果图中反映的一般都是高阻异常封闭圈。如果有水体存在,其异常则表现为低阻异常封闭圈。     

A multi‐method investigation of temperature,moisture and salt dynamics in tafoni (Tafraoute,Morocco)

Despite numerous investigations and theoretical models, tafoni weathering is still not fully understood largely because of limited data available on temperature, moisture and salt regimes. We investigated tafoni developed in granite in the Tafraoute region, Morocco, through an exploratory, two‐week multi‐method field campaign. Temperatures were measured with iButtons and by means of infrared thermography; moisture distribution and progress were captured with handheld moisture sensors and with drilled‐in iButtons. Salts were analysed in drill dust samples from different positions and rock depths. The results derived from very different techniques mutually support one another. Salts and moisture are concentrated near the base of the investigated tafoni, probably due to a saturated pore water body around the base of rock tors. Salts are accumulated close to the rock surface in tafoni, but not on the surrounding rock surfaces. A clear correlation was found between moisture and salt contents. Within a tafone, areas of higher humidity also display increased salt concentration near the surface. The temperature/humidity records allied with ionic analyses suggest that sodium sulfate dominates and is likely to undergo frequent phase changes from thenardite to mirabilite and vice versa. Two pathways of salt transport in and around tafoni are assumed based on the data: infiltration with rainfall on the top and around tors and boulders, and capillary rise from saturated pore water bodies to the surface. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于高密度电阻率成像技术的土体干缩开裂过程监测研究

为了探究土体干缩开裂问题,文章采用ERT技术,对黏性土开展了一维干缩开裂动态监测试验。配制初始状态饱和 的泥浆试样,在自然条件下干燥,采用ERT技术获得试样干燥过程中的电阻值变化。结合试样的电阻值图像和裂隙图像, 对土体干缩开裂规律进行了分析。研究结果表明：在干燥蒸发初期,土体电阻值随时间增加缓慢减小,其原因在于土体干 燥收缩导致土颗粒间接触面积增大,颗粒水化膜变薄,进而使得土颗粒表面双电层导电性增强。随着干燥继续进行,气体 进入土体内部,土体由初始饱和状态转变为非饱和状态,电阻值转为缓慢增加。当土体产生裂隙时,裂隙周围土体电阻值 急剧增大,而未发育裂隙的土体电阻依然保持缓慢增加的趋势。通过对比试样电阻值变化曲线和裂隙图像,发现两者所呈 现的裂隙发育位置和状态存在良好的一致性。因此,ERT技术能对干燥过程中土体裂隙发育进行有效的动态监测,准确掌 握裂隙发育的时空动态信息,并且能提前预测裂隙发育的可能位置,为研究极端干旱气候作用下土体的工程性质响应提供 了理想手段。     

Waste dump erosional landform stability – a critical issue for mountain mining

Mining is the largest producer of solid wastes which, when released to land or into waterways, can cause harmful environmental impacts. This is mostly due to fluvial erosion, which is highly increased in mountain areas, due to abrupt slopes. We have analysed this situation at a mountain watershed (192 ha), where steep mined sites and their waste dumps are the main source of sediment in a Natural Park. This problem was tackled by building gabion check dams downstream from the mined sites. We used the DEM of Differences (DoD) method to quantify erosion and sediment yield from three waste dumps (5 ha). Their topography and substrate properties were analysed to understand the erosion problem. The sediment trapped by the check dams was quantified by electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The rainfall characteristics triggering an episode that filled the check dams with sediment in the winter 2009–2010, were studied to confirm whether it was a case of extreme precipitation conditions. The waste dumps sediment yield (353 ± 95 Mg ha^?1 yr^?1) suggests severe landform instability. Analysis of topographic and substrate properties confirmed long, steep slopes combined with highly erodible materials. The check dams proved to be inefficient in controlling sediment loads, as they had only functioned for four years of 31 of existence, having trapped 13 000 ± 660 m³ of sediment, whereas we estimated that the waste dumps have yielded approximately three times more sediment for the same period. Rainfall analyses showed that neither intense nor extreme conditions (return period of 25 to 35 years) triggered the mobilization of 37 ± 2 Mg ha^?1 in a month. This study highlights the fact that mining operations in similar mountainous settings, with equivalent waste dump construction and reclamation practices, are currently unfeasible. We conclude that landform stability cannot be achieved at this site without landform changes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.