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Darba Geophysical Investigation for Oromia (13 TOWNS)
Darba Geophysical Investigation for Oromia (13 TOWNS)
Darba Geophysical Investigation for Oromia (13 TOWNS)
FINAL REPORT
P.O.Box: 870/1250
Tel.: +251-11-4392469/2162
Fax: +251-11-4392008
Finfinne, Ethiopia
E-mail:owwdse@ethionet.et
JUNE, 2021
Finfinnee
Executive Summary
Integrated Geophysical methods of 2-D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2-D ERT) and
Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were used to investigate groundwater potential zones of Darba
town. The main objective of this study is to determine the depth of groundwater table, to locate
the groundwater potential areas and to identify the subsurface layers.
The data acquired from two (2-D ERT) inverse model using Dipole Dipole sequence and four (4
) VES points using Schlumberger electrode array with maximum half current electrode spacing
(AB/2=1000m), which were interpreted both qualitatively and quantitatively in order to understand
the lithostratigraphic section at the specific locality and identify aquifer bearing horizons. The
qualitative analysis of VES data were performed by using pseudo depth sections and geo-electric
section and VES curves.
Finally, the qualitative interpretation was done by all the above results together with the geologic,
topographic maps and borehole information.
The quantitative interpretations of the VES data were conducted by modeling the VES data using
Ip2win and Win Resist modeling software and constructing geoelectric sections along selected
survey lines, using the result from individual VES point interpretations. The depth and lithologic
units from the boreholes were used to fix parameters during the modeling of VES data. The
geoelectric sections enabled to identify the overburden thickness, structural indication such as
faults, fractures and lithologic contacts and the depth to the aquifer along survey lines.
Keywords: 2-D ERT Inverse Resistivity model, Pseudo–Depth Section, Geoelectric Section,
Acronyms
DC Direct Current
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN WATER
SUPPLY PROJECT
Table of Contents
1. GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION............................................................................................... 1
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Schlumberger array electrode configuration; A & B are Current electrodes and M & N
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN WATER
SUPPLY PROJECT
Figure 4.The 2D ERT along profile line 1, the inverse model resistivity sections for the data set. 9
Figure 5. The 2D ERT along profile line 2 the inverse model resistivity sections for the data set.
....................................................................................................................................................... 11
List of Tables
Table 3:Summary of Apparent resistivity, thickness, and anticipated formations around Darba 14
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF
DARBA TOWN WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
1. GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION
1.1.INTRODUCTION
The application of geophysical methods in hydrogeological problems is based on the fact that
groundwater conditions at a location are mainly described through characterizing the existence
and distribution of permeable layers (like sand, gravel, fractured rock) and impermeable or low-
permeable layers (like clay, till, solid rock) in the subsurface.
To achieve a geophysical image of these underground structures, sufficient contrast of physical
properties is required. Density, electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, and magnetic
susceptibility (to some extent) are the most relevant petro-physical properties used as diagnostic
parameters in geophysical exploration for groundwater. The influence of porosity, water
saturation, and clay content on these petro-physical properties is the key factor.
Field observation has been carried out in the target area to identify the most possible groundwater
prospective sites. Accordingly, after systematic observation of geomorphological, drainage
system, lithological, structural and hydrogeological features of the area, the most prospective
sites are selected for geophysical resistivity surveying.
There are a number of geophysical methods suited for the exploration of groundwater, the
electrical resistivity method is the most widely used as it provides a quantitative measure of the
electrical properties of subsurface materials which largely depends on fluid content within the
interstitial spaces. Moreover, its relatively higher depth of investigation, operational speed, lower
cost and adequate resolution make the electrical resistivity sounding advantageous over the other
methods.
The Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), in particular, has long been considered as important
and standard tool for the purpose of ground water prospecting. The method is one of the most
sensitive geophysical methods to determine the presence of water saturated horizons in the
subsurface. Owing to their intrinsic correlation to the aforementioned physical properties of
subsurface rocks, the geophysical methods chosen for this particular phase of the Darba town
project were 2-D ERT inverse model and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES). In the identified
prospective well field option two (2) 2-D ERT four (4) VES point were surveyed.
1.2.Objectives
The main objectives of the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) resistivity surveys are:
➢ To determine different lithological and/or hydrogeological units according to their
resistivity contrasts
➢ To determine degree of weathering and fracturing of the water bearing materials, depth
and thickness of saturated zones, and thickness of the overburden or confining layers
➢ To identify the geologic structures and weak zones that serve as a storage areas or conduits
for groundwater movement,
➢ To determine the depth to the bottom confining crystalline basement rocks/ aquiclude
whenever possible.
1.3. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)
1.3.1. Methodology
Geo-electrical methods are applied to map the resistivity structure of the ground under the point
of measurements. Rock resistivity is of special interest for hydro-geological purposes. It allows
discriminating between soft-rock, sandy aquifers and clayey material; between hard rock
porous/fractured aquifers and low-permeable clay stones and marlstones; and between water-
bearing fractured rock and its solid host rock. Under favorable circumstances, the interface
between fresh water and salt water.
Vertical electrical soundings are applied to a horizontally or approximately horizontally-layered
earth. Geological targets may be, for e.g., sedimentary rocks of different lithologies, layered
aquifers of different properties, sedimentary rocks overlying igneous rocks, or the weathering
zone of igneous rocks. In the most favorable case, the number of layers, their thicknesses and
resistivities are the outcome of a VES survey.
The basic idea of resolving the vertical resistivity layering is to stepwise increase the current-
injecting electrodes spacing, which leads to an increasing penetration of the current lines and in
this way to an increasing influence of the deep-seated layers on the apparent resistivity.
The step-wise measured apparent resistivity’s are plotted against the current electrode spacing
on a log/log scale and interpolated to a continuous apparent resistivity measurement with
increased current electrode spacing leading to increased penetration depths of the injected
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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current. Results are compiled in the sounding curve. This plot is called a sounding curve that is
the base of all data inversion to obtain the resistivity/depth structure of the ground. In general,
linear electrode configurations are used for resistivity measurements. Common configurations
are the Schlumberger, Wenner, and Dipole-Dipole spreads. Because of practical and methodical
advantages, vertical electrical soundings mostly use the symmetrical Schlumberger
configuration where the voltage electrodes are closely spaced and fixed to the center of the array
and the current electrodes move outwards.
Figure 1: Schlumberger array electrode configuration; A & B are Current electrodes and M & N
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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1.3.3. Instrumentation
The area was planned to be studied for detailed investigation to understand the lithologic units,
groundwater potential zones, geological structures and the physical properties of surface rocks.
The methods chosen for the survey consist of 2-D ERT and Vertical electrical sounding (VES)
The total volume of work in this area are two (2) 2-D ERT and four (4) Vertical Electrical
Soundings Table below, shows the location and orientation of the survey lines.
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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Town VES-
Name Local Name No X Y Z Orentation
1 Darba VES-1 462481 1041035 2391 N-S
2 Darba Lelo chebaka VES-2 463727 1037519 2423 N-S
3 Darba Lelo Chebaka VES-3 464065 1035270 2456 N-S
4 Darba Ifa babo VES-4 464416 1033823 2466 N-S
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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Engineering Corporation of Oromia
Tel: +251-11-4392162 Fax: +251-11-4392008
Email owwdse@ethionet.et
GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
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Engineering Corporation of Oromia
Tel: +251-11-4392162 Fax: +251-11-4392008
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
approach to fit the field data to a suitable Subsurface model through an iterative process in a
least square sense and provides layer parameters (resistivities and thickness) beneath each
sounding point. During data analysis, a minimum root means square percentage of error (the
discrepancy between the observed data and the synthetic data), in most cases, ranging from 2
to 5% has been taken as acceptable. Finally, the layer parameters (resistivity and thickness/depth
of the different beneath each sounding point have been used to construct a geo-electric section
for each of the survey profiles. For plotting and compilation of graphic outputs, the list of
software includes: SURFER (Golden Software, 2010) and AUTOCAD2010.
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION FOR ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TOMOGRAPHY (ERT)
Imaging data stored in the instrument memory are regularly downloaded using the ProSys II
software into a laptop computer. Interpretation of data proceeds through first joining the main
sequence data points to form a single continuous data set for each profile. The joined data set
are then filtered with the Prosy II automatic filtering scheme and also by removal of erroneous
data through visual examination of the data set. The filtered data is then exported and saved in
“.dat” format to make it amenable for 2D inversion using the Res2D INV software.
The inverse model resistivity section shown in 2-D model represents the true subsurface two-
dimensional resistivity distribution. On the foregoing section, the results of the ERT survey will
be presented using such final 2D subsurface resistivity models.
The following sections presents discussions on the 2D imaging inverse model resistivity
sections of each survey line. For the sake of clarity, the presentation and discussions of results
are made separately for the areas designated.
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vertically and laterally about 280m. The relative low resistivity model indicates high moisture
content and unconsolidated soil with this depth range. The uniformly low subsurface resistivity
signature, beneath these ERT lines, is suggestive that the subsurface in the region is highly
saturated probably by the hydrologic connection of the river.
The slightly to highly weathered and fractured volcanic rocks/scoraceous basalt in most cases
underlie the top soil with clay formation, and overlie the highly weathered and/or fractured
layers. The slightly higher resistivity patched in the shallow portion are shown to be truncated
by narrow low resistivity columns at a number of points. A possible explanation for low
resistivity zones could be due to infiltration of water along a week zone, very likely major
fractures. It is clear from the figure that the subsurface shows regions of low resistivity zones
at shallow depth followed by regions of relatively medium and higher resistivity at depth.
From these 2-D ERT model it is seen that the subsurface is represented by different resistivity
values ranging from 2.35Ω.m - 162Ω.m. In general, three zones are mapped: -the relatively very
low resistivity of (1.5Ω.m -20Ω.m), represents clay soil on the top layer of the section, the
medium resistive layer of resistivity 20Ω.m -50Ω.m represents highly weathered and fractured
scoraceous basalt. The bottom layer represents moderately resistive layer with the resistivity
response of 50Ω.m -162Ω.m reperesents slightly to moderately scoraceous basalt.
Figure 4.The 2D ERT along profile line 1, the inverse model resistivity sections for the data set.
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Accordingly, the inverse model resistivity section showed in figure below shows a low
resistivity layer on the top having average thickness of about 3m to 10m vertically and laterally
from 50m to 320m when the profile line runs from South to North direction.
In this map relatively medium resistivity features presumably representing volcanic rock
(intensively weathered and fractured) occupies the intermediate depth range. Moreover, there
is a clear indication of geologic structures like fractures and fissures zone.
As seen from these 2-D ERT model the subsurface is represented by different resistivity values
ranging from 3Ω.m – 169 Ω.m. In general, three zones are mapped: -the relatively very low
resistivity of (3 Ω.m -10Ω.m), represents conductive clay soil on top layer of the map, the
medium resistive layer of resistivity 11Ω.m -50Ω.m characterized as highly weathered and
fractured Scoraceous basalt, Such conductive horizons; in this area are the likely responses of
fragments of highly weathered and fractured Scoraceous basalt. The resistivity response of
different subsurface layers provides a means of assess their suitability to host adequate amount
and groundwater. The bottom layer represents moderately to highly resistive layer with the
resistivity response of 50Ω.m -169Ω.m characterized as slightly to moderately weathered and
fractured scoraceous basalt.
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Figure 5. The 2D ERT along profile line-2 the inverse model resistivity sections for the data set.
3.3.Apparent Resistivity Pseudo Depth Section Constructed along the line
This pseudo depth section data is constructed from the four VES point data with an average
spacing 2km and the line stretches in N- S directions are shown in figure below. The pseudo
depth section shows an extensive low resistivity subsurface over the portion of the section, and
the deepest region beneath VES-2 where high resistivity responses were recorded. From top, to
down a pseudo-depth of about 250 m, the ground section underneath each VES point is
represented by highly conductive horizon, which progressively increases to a moderate range.
According to this pseudo depth section, there is a variation in resistivity in the section with the
prominent low resistivity exists under all VES and the pseudo section shows an extensive low
resistivity subsurface over the portion of the section. The region under the section shows
extensive coverage of low resistivity zone. The resistivity ranges (10-50.m) of this low
resistivity region are indicative of potential water saturation. Therefore, the line shows low
resistivity that ranges averagely less than 50 ohm-m. The maximum value of the measured
apparent resistivity does not exceed 90 m. In general, from the pseudo section the area mapped
as three layers, the top soil is conductive clay soil with different thickness and the second layer
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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followed by medium resistivity response with moderately weathered and fractured basalt, the
third layer is represented from moderate to massive basalt.
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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indicating abundance of conductive layer and hence may represent the likely aquifer bed. The
last geo-electric layer is marked by high resistivity response under VES-1 and VES-2 represents
as massive basalt and moderately weathered & fractured basalt beneath VES-3& VES-4.
Based on geological situation observed during field work and from this geo electric section
result, therefore, the well depth drilled along the line should be up to 400m to exploit the
required yields. But the final decision shall be made by the site hydro geologist based on actual
observation while drilling.
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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5. REFERENCE
Aubert, M., (1984). Resistivity and magnetic surveys in groundwater prospecting in volcanic
areas. Case history Maar of Beanit, puy de Dome, France, Geophysics. Prospect.32:63-554.
Bernard, J., (2003). Short notes on the principles of geophysical methods for groundwater
investigations.
Davidson, A., (1983). The Omo River Project Reconnaissance geology and geochemistry of
parts of Illubabor, Kefa, Gamu Gofa and Sidamo, Bulletin/ No. Ministry of Mines and Energy,
EIGS.
Gibson,I.,(1969).The structure and volcanic geology of an axial portion of the Main Ethiopian
Rift, Tectonophysics. 8:561–565.
Helland et al.,(1980b).Deep wells in the particular area for social organization and retinal. Addis
Ababa.
Koefoed, O., (1970). A fast method of determining the layer distribution from the kernel
functions in geoelectrical sounding geophy.Prospecting.18:564-570.
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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DARBA
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUND WATER POTENTIAL ASSESMENT OF DARBA TOWN
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7. RAW DATA
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