Groundwater Flow Monitoring via Joint Time-lapse Electrical Resistivity and Self Potential Data Tomography

Abstract

Revealing the dynamics of groundwater movement in the vadose zone is crucial to groundwater management and artificial recharge development. In this study, the groundwater flow characterization of the pumping process is monitored by the time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and self-potential (SP)data tomography. The ERT data invert the resistivity distribution. Then, we combine the SP data and resistivity result to invert the apparent current density and estimate the permeability based on the Poisson equation. A total of 24 hours of time-lapse surveys are taken during the pumping and recharge of groundwater. The results show a significant increase in in resistivity and permeability during pumping water, which suggests groundwater drawdown. Similarly, significant decrease resistivity and permeability are observed during the recovery indicating groundwater recharge. These results have a significant agreement with the groundwater table monitoring result. Our experiment test suggests that combine ERT and SP data could provide a reliable way in groundwater or other hydrogeological surveys.