A SEMINAR ON

GROUND WATER EXPLORATION USING

GEOPHYSICAL METHODS
Under the guidance of
Mr. Arjun Singh
Scientist-SD
Groundwater Resource Division
Remote Sensing Applications Centre - UP

Presented by-
Shubham Chandra Tripathi
1907650255011
M.Tech 2nd year
 CONTENTS
• GEOPHYSICAL METHODS – AN INTRODUCTION
• ELECTRICAL METHODS
• MAGNETIC METHODS
• ELECTROMAGNETIC METHODS
• SEISMIC METHODS
• GRAVITY METHOD
• CASE STUDY
• CONCLUSION
 GEOPHYSICAL METHODS –
AN INTRODUCTION
• Exploring the ground water by geophysical method is termed as Ground
water geophysics.

• Geophysical investigations are conducted on the surface of the earth to

explore the ground water resources by observing some physical parameters
like density, velocity, conductivity, resistivity, magnetic, electromagnetic &
radioactive phenomena.

• Density, magnetism, elasticity, and electrical resistivity are properties that

are most commonly measured.

• The purpose of exploration is to detect the indirect indicators and locate the
potential zones for exploitation.
 ELECTRICAL METHODS

Electrical resistivity method

• The resistivity method is used in the study of horizontal and vertical

discontinuities in the electrical properties of the ground.

• It utilizes direct currents or low frequency alternating currents to

investigate the electrical properties (resistivity) of the subsurface.

• Profiling and Sounding are two types of resistivity investigations.

PROFILING
Profiling is done to detect lateral changes in
resistivity. This study reveals the changes in the
subsurface lithology or structure from place to
place.
VERTICAL ELECTRICAL SOUNDING
Sounding is done to determine the vertical changes
in resistivity, this study reveals changes in
lithology, at a particular place with increasing
depth.
Procedure of resistivity method
 Schlumberger method
 This was developed by
Schlumberger in 1916.

 Here A and B are the current

electrode and M and N are the
potential electrodes. Electrodes in
general MN≤1/5 AB relation is
maintained in this investigation.

 In the Schlumberger method, only

current electrode are shifted to new
positions, while potential electrodes
are kept undisturbed for 3 to 4
readings.
DDR 3 Instrument
Abem Terrameter System
 MAGNETIC METHOD

Magnetic Resonance Method

• The Magnetic Resonance Method permits a direct detection of water from
surface measurements: it consists in exciting the H protons of the water molecules
with a magnetic field produced by a loop of current at a specific frequency.

• The amplitude of the magnetic field produced in return by these protons in the
same loop is proportional to the water content.

• In the present stage of the technology, the maximum depth of investigation which
can be reached with this method to detect an aquifer layer is 150m.

• The main advantage of the Magnetic Resonance method is that it permits to

directly detect the presence of water at depth.
 ELECTROMAGNETIC METHODS
 Electromagnetic methods are based on the measurement of conductivity of
subsurface minerals & formations – useful for exploring ground water.

 Electromagnetic methods make use of the interaction of electrical &

magnetic fields with each other & their mutual interaction with matter to
determine the properties of electrical conductivity or magnetic permeability
of the earth.

 EM methods use the induction properties of electromagnetic waves, and do

not require direct contact with the ground. They can thus be implemented
very quickly. These methods generally have a higher resolution than DC
methods.

 The Electromagnetic data can be collected from helicopters and airplanes

which means a big area can be investigated really fast and at a low cost.
ELECTRO MAGNETIC INDUCTION
 SEISMIC METHODS
• Seismic methods are of two kinds as seismic refraction and reflection
methods.

• The seismic refraction method involves the creation of a small shock at the
earth's surface and measuring the time required for the resulting sound, or
shock wave to travel known distances.

• In coarse alluvial terrain, seismic velocity increases markedly from

unsaturated to saturated zones.

• Seismic refraction’s method of interest in groundwater studies go only

about 100 meters deep.

• In seismic method, the depth to water table can be mapped, with an

accuracy of 10 percent, where the geologic conditions are relatively
uniform.
SEISMIC REFRACTION METHOD
The velocity of seismic waves as shown in the figure is
more in saturated soil when compared to unsaturated soil.
Seismic layout
 GRAVITY METHOD

• The gravity method is a widely used geophysical method for finding out
mineral resources and groundwater in sedimentary terrain.

• Gravimeters are used in this method to measure the differences in

density on the earth's surface that may indicate the underlying geologic
structures.

• Because the method is expensive and because differences in water content

in subsurface strata seldom involve measurable differences in specific
gravity at the surface, the gravity method has little application to
groundwater prospecting.

• Under special geologic conditions, such as a large buried valley, the gross
configuration of an aquifer can be detected from gravity variations.
Gravimeter
 CASE STUDY
An investigation of groundwater condition using geoelectrical
resistivity method: A case study from some parts of Kaushambi
district (U.P.) India

Twelve Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were carried out using Schlumberger
configuration in parts of Kaushambi district (latitude 25o 15' 8'' and 25o 39' 55'' N.
and longitude 81o 17' 5'' and 81o 31' 5'' E) Uttar Pradesh to determine the nature and
thickness of aquifer zone and necessary geo-electrical parameters.
 Study area

 The study area lies between

Latitude 25o 15' 8'' and 25o 39' 55''
N and Longitude 81o 17' 5'' and
81o 31' 5'' E and covers a total
area about 544 sq km.
 The plain area has slope from
west to east
 The area is situated in the
drainage basin of the Yamuna and
its tributary Sasur Khaderi river.
 The altitude of the land surface
varies between 88.69 m and 73.15
m above mean sea level.

FIG. 1. LOCATION MAP WITH VES

LOCATION MAP
 Results and Discussion

• A total of twelve Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were conducted over the
study area using Schlumberger electrode array. VES locations are shown in
Fig. 1. The instrument used was a DC Terrameter of Swiss make.

• The results of apparent resistivity obtained at each VES location was plotted
against electrode spacing (AB/2) on a log-log paper.

• The interpreted results of VES data are shown in Table 1. From the
interpretation of VES curves, 4 to 5 subsurface layer indicated in the study
area.

• Depth of the aquifer was measured in the range of 7.7-66.9 m and average
thickness of the aquifer is about 53m.
• Using the interpreted
•
results of the soundings a
map has been prepared
showing the depth to
basement as shown
alongside.

Fig. 2: Map showing inferred variation

Table 1: Interpreted results of VES data
 Conclusions of the Case Study

Twelve VESs curves have been used to evaluate the subsurface hydrogeological
conditions to a depth of about 250 m. Based on the interpretation of geoelectrical data,
the following conclusions are drawn:

 Vertical electrical sounding survey shows four to five layers and groundwater occurs in
alluvial acquifer.

 Interpretation of the VESs indicates the presence of an alluvial aquifer that mainly
consists of mixture of clay, sand of various grades (fine to medium sand) and kankar.

 The top of the aquifer at an average depth of 35m. The average thickness of the aquifer
is found to be about 53m. The bed rocks are encountered on average about 89 m depth.

 On the basis of results obtained it can be concluded that the techniques of Vertical
Electrical Sounding provides an inexpensive method for characterizing the
groundwater conditions of the region.
 CONCLUSION

 All ground water investigation requires the service of Geophysical

method as it aids in determining the subsurface structure.

 Geophysical methods are gaining importance very rapidly because of their

success in solving a vast variety of problems.

 These investigations are carried out quickly. This means large area can be
investigated in a reasonable short period and hence time is saved.

 The geophysical instruments used in the field are simple, portable and can
be operated easily. This means fieldwork is not laborious.
 References
1. Virendra Bahadur Singh and Jayant Nath Tripathi, Journal of Spatial Hydrology
Vol.9, No.2 Fall 2009, An investigation of groundwater condition using
geoelectrical resistivity method: A case study from some parts of Kaushambi
district (U.P.) India.
2. A. Balsubramanian, 2017, Research Gate, METHODS OF GROUNDWATER
EXPLORATION
3. Abdelrhman Selim,14 February 2017, Geophysical Tools Using in Groundwater
Exploration.
4. Page, L. M. (1969) The use of the geoelectric method for investigating geologic
and hydrologic conditions in Santa Clara County, California. Jour. Hydrology.
THANK YOU !