Hydrogeophysical Approach Research Articles

Assessing Aquifer Compartmentalisation in the Daly River Basin, Northern Territory: A Hydrogeophysical Approach

The presence of Neogene fault systems can have a significant impact on hydraulic connectivity of aquifers, juxtaposing otherwise disconnected aquifers, enhancing recharge and/or discharge or acting as barriers to flow and consequently compartmentalising groundwater resources. Previously, regional airborne electromagnetics (AEM) transects allied with groundwater investigations have pointed to the potential for localised compartmentalisation of the Daly River Basin groundwater systems. However, existing data is sparse, and equivocal. In this context, the main aim of the Daly River Basin Project is to determine if compartmentalisation of the aquifers is a significant factor and thus should be explicitly considered in groundwater modelling and water allocation planning. The objectives of the project main goals of the project are to: (1) map Neogene faults through the use of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and morphotectonic mapping, and (2) assess the permeability and transmissivity of mapped fault zones and their role in potential groundwater system compartmentalisation. Data acquisition includes 3325 line-kilometres of new AEM and airborne magnetics, ground (ground magnetic resonance (GMR)), and borehole geophysics, drilling, groundwater sampling and hydrochemical analysis, geomorphic and morphotectonics mapping. Hydrogeophysical, geomorphic and hydrogeological data will also be used to better understand groundwater-surface water connectivity and the potential for managed aquifer recharge schemes to replenish extracted groundwater resources. The outcomes of this project will inform decisions on water allocations and underpin effective and efficient groundwater use. This paper specifically reports on the ability of AEM and morphotectonics mapping to identify Neogene fault systems in the Daly River Basin.

An Integrated Hydrogeophysical Approach to Exploring for Groundwater Resources in Southern Northern Territory

In Australia’s semi-arid and arid interior, groundwater resources provide water supply security for agriculture and community consumptive use and are critical for underpinning economic development. . The Southern Stuart Corridor Project in central Australia, is an inter-disciplinary study which aims to better characterise regional groundwater systems and identify the location, quantity and quality of new groundwater resources. The main aims of the project are(1) to de-risk investment in development of a potential agricultural precinct in the Western Davenport Basin, and expansion of horticulture in Ti-Tree Basin, (2) to identify future water supplies for Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, and (3) for regional water supplies for mineral resource development.The project is funded by Geoscience Australia (GA) as part of the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) Programme. The project integrates airborne electromagnetic (AEM), ground geophysics (ground magnetic resonance (GMR) and borehole geophysics (Induction, gamma and nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)) with drilling and pump testing; hydrochemistry and geochronology; and geomorphic, geological, hydrogeological and structural mapping and modelling. Advancements in temporal remote sensing technologies for surface hydrology, vegetation and landscape mapping are also used to facilitate the identification of recharge and discharge zones and groundwater-dependent vegetation.This paper reports on initial AEM inversion results for the Alice Springs, Ti-Tree Basin, Western Davenport and Tennant Creek areas and the use of a machine learning approach for rapid geological and hydrogeological interpretation of the AEM data. These machine learning approaches have the potential to significantly reduce interpretation time and facilitate the rapid delivery of project results.

Sustainable groundwater resources exploration and management in a complex geological setting as part of a humanitarian project (Mahafaly Plateau, Madagascar)

Southwestern Madagascar is a semi-arid region and a hot-spot of global change. On the Mahafaly plateau, people live with quasi-permanent water stress and groundwater, the only available resource, is difficult to exploit due to a complex hydrogeological environment. A methodology (suitable for humanitarian projects; < 40 k€) was developed in four phases to assess the sustainable exploitation of the water resource: (A) regional scale exploration, (B) village scale exploration, (C) drilling campaign, and (D) hydro-climatic monitoring. This integrated hydrogeophysical approach involves geophysical measurements (262 TEM-fast soundings, 2588 Slingram measurements, 35 electrical soundings), hydrochemical analyses (112 samples), and a piezometric survey (127 measurements). Two groundwater resources were identified, one deep (below 150 m) and one shallow (< 20 m). Hydrochemical results highlighted the vulnerability of both resources: anthropic contamination for the shallower and seawater intrusion for the deeper. Therefore, subsequent geophysical surveys supported the siting of six boreholes and three wells in the shallow aquifer. This methodological approach was successful in this complex geological setting and requires testing at other sites in and outside Madagascar. The study demonstrates that geophysical results should be used in addition to drilling campaigns and to help monitor the water resource. In fact, to prevent over-exploitation, piezometric and meteorological sensors were installed to monitor the water resource. This unique hydro-climatic observatory may help (1) non-governmental organization and local institutions prevent future water shortages and (2) scientists to understand better how global change will affect this region of the world.

Geophysical and hydrological data assimilation to monitor water content dynamics in the rocky unsaturated zone

In recent years, geophysics is increasingly used to study the flow and transport processes in the vadose zone. Particularly, when the vadose zone is made up of rocks, it is difficult to install sensors in the subsurface to measure hydrological state variables directly. In these cases, the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) represents a useful tool to monitor the hydrodynamics of the infiltration and to estimate hydraulic parameters and state variables, such as hydraulic conductivity and water content. We propose an integrated approach aimed at predicting water content dynamics in calcarenite, a sedimentary carbonatic porous rock. The uncoupled hydrogeophysical approach proposed consists in 4D ERT monitoring conducted during an infiltrometer test under falling head conditions. Capacitance probes were installed to measure water content at different depths to validate the estimations derived from ERT. A numerical procedure, based on a data assimilation technique, was accomplished by combining the model (i.e., Richards' equation) with the observations in order to provide reliable water content estimations. We have used a new data assimilation method that is easy to implement, based on the ensemble Kalman filter coupled with Brownian bridges. This approach is particularly suitable for strongly non-linear models, such as Richards' equation, in order to take into account both the model uncertainty and the observation errors. The proposed data assimilation approach was tested for the first time on field data. A reasonable agreement was found between observations and predictions confirming the ability of the integrated approach to predict water content dynamics in the rocky subsoil.

Constraining Unsaturated Hydraulic Parameters Using the Latin Hypercube Sampling Method and Coupled Hydrogeophysical Approach

The coupled hydrogeophysical approach has proved to be a valuable tool for improving the use of geoelectrical data for hydrological model parameterization. In the coupled approach, hydrological parameters are directly inferred from geoelectrical measurements in a forward manner to eliminate the uncertainty connected to the independent inversion of electrical resistivity data. Several numerical studies have been conducted to demonstrate the advantages of a coupled approach; however, only a few attempts have been made to apply the coupled approach to actual field data. In this study, we developed a 1D coupled hydrogeophysical code to estimate the van Genuchten–Mualem model parameters, K s, n, θ r and α, from time-lapse vertical electrical sounding data collected during a constant inflow infiltration experiment. van Genuchten–Mualem parameters were sampled using the Latin hypercube sampling method to provide a full coverage of the range of each parameter from their distributions. By applying the coupled approach, vertical electrical sounding data were coupled to hydrological models inferred from van Genuchten–Mualem parameter samples to investigate the feasibility of constraining the hydrological model. The key approaches taken in the study are to (1) integrate electrical resistivity and hydrological data and avoiding data inversion, (2) estimate the total water mass recovery of electrical resistivity data and consider it in van Genuchten–Mualem parameters evaluation and (3) correct the influence of subsurface temperature fluctuations during the infiltration experiment on electrical resistivity data. The results of the study revealed that the coupled hydrogeophysical approach can improve the value of geophysical measurements in hydrological model parameterization. However, the approach cannot overcome the technical limitations of the geoelectrical method associated with resolution and of water mass recovery.

Long-term Pumping Test and Ert to Visualize Hydrogeologic Barriers in Heterogeneous and Karstic Coastal Aquifers

In coastal areas, groundwater may represent the main resource for human needs. The over-exploitation of coastal aquifers could cause seawater intrusion that induces depletion both in quality and quantity of the water resource, with no negligible environmental impacts. Moreover, locally geological heterogeneities of the aquifer can affect the flow and transport processes. In such cases, an integrated hydro-geophysical approach could provide useful information to evaluate the response of the aquifer and to estimate changes in the main hydraulic parameters such as transmissivity and permeability. In this study Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) survey combined with traditional techniques of measuring the main groundwater parameters have been performed to assess the hydrogeological properties of a coastal heterogeneous aquifer. The conventional interpretation of pumping test drawdown allowed to detect a hydraulic barrier located to a specific distance with respect to the pumping well; furthermore, the transmissivity of the portion of aquifer involved in the pumping and the corresponding changes of its hydraulic conductivity due to the presence of the barrier has been estimated. Confirming the conventional interpretation of the pumping test drawdowns, the ERT image was able to locate the hydraulic barrier over space, visualizing a high resistive body, located below the water table.

The role of porous matrix in water flow regulation within a karst unsaturated zone: an integrated hydrogeophysical approach

Some portions of the porous rock matrix in the karst unsaturated zone (UZ) can contain large volumes of water and play a major role in water flow regulation. The essential results are presented of a local-scale study conducted in 2011 and 2012 above the Low Noise Underground Laboratory (LSBB – Laboratoire Souterrain a Bas Bruit) at Rustrel, southeastern France. Previous research revealed the geological structure and water-related features of the study site and illustrated the feasibility of specific hydrogeophysical measurements. In this study, the focus is on hydrodynamics at the seasonal and event timescales. Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) measured a high water content (more than 10 %) in a large volume of rock. This large volume of water cannot be stored in fractures and conduits within the UZ. MRS was also used to measure the seasonal variation of water stored in the karst UZ. A process-based model was developed to simulate the effect of vegetation on groundwater recharge dynamics. In addition, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring was used to assess preferential water pathways during a rain event. This study demonstrates the major influence of water flow within the porous rock matrix on the UZ hydrogeological functioning at both the local (LSBB) and regional (Fontaine de Vaucluse) scales. By taking into account the role of the porous matrix in water flow regulation, these findings may significantly improve karst groundwater hydrodynamic modelling, exploitation, and sustainable managementme portions of the porous rock matrix in the karst unsaturated zone (UZ) can contain large volumes of water and play a major role in water flow regulation. The essential results are presented of a local-scale study conducted in 2011 and 2012 above the Low Noise Underground Laboratory (LSBB – Laboratoire Souterrain a Bas Bruit) at Rustrel, southeastern France. Previous research revealed the geological structure and water-related features of the study site and illustrated the feasibility of specific hydrogeophysical measurements. In this study, the focus is on hydrodynamics at the seasonal and event timescales. Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) measured a high water content (more than 10 %) in a large volume of rock. This large volume of water cannot be stored in fractures and conduits within the UZ. MRS was also used to measure the seasonal variation of water stored in the karst UZ. A process-based model was developed to simulate the effect of vegetation on groundwater recharge dynamics. In addition, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring was used to assess preferential water pathways during a rain event. This study demonstrates the major influence of water flow within the porous rock matrix on the UZ hydrogeological functioning at both the local (LSBB) and regional (Fontaine de Vaucluse) scales. By taking into account the role of the porous matrix in water flow regulation, these findings may significantly improve karst groundwater hydrodynamic modelling, exploitation, and sustainable management.

Hydrogeophysics for Informed Water Management Decisions in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia

The Aboriginal population of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands in South Australia is dependent on groundwater for nearly all water needs. In that region, placement of wells in productive aquifers of appropriate water quality is challenging because of lack of hydrologic data and variable aquifer properties. It is desirable to have an improved ability to identify and evaluate groundwater resources in this remote region with cost-effective methods that make minimal impact on the environment. A project supported by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists program Geoscientists Without Borders tested a combined geophysical approach with airborne and ground-based data sets to locate a potential aquifer, confirm water content, and estimate the subsurface extent of the water-bearing zone. This hydrogeophysical approach was an effective means for exploration and evaluation of groundwater resources in APY lands generally, and it characterized a specific aquifer as a case study.

Coupled inverse modeling of a controlled irrigation experiment using multiple hydro-geophysical data

Geophysical surveys can provide useful, albeit indirect, information on vadose zone processes. However, the ability to provide a quantitative description of the subsurface hydrological phenomena requires to fully integrate geophysical data into hydrological modeling. Here, we describe a controlled infiltration experiment that was monitored using both electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The experimental site has a simple, well-characterized subsoil structure: the vadose zone is composed of aeolic sand with largely homogeneous and isotropic properties. In order to estimate the unknown soil hydraulic conductivity, we apply a data assimilation technique based on a sequential importance resampling (SIR) approach. The SIR approach allows a simple assimilation of either or both geophysical datasets taking into account the associated measurement uncertainties. We demonstrate that, compared to a simpler, uncoupled hydro-geophysical approach, the coupled data assimilation process provides a more reliable parameter estimation and better reproduces the evolution of the infiltrating water plume. The coupled procedure is indeed much superior to the uncoupled approach that suffers from the artifacts of the geophysical inversion step and produces severe mass balance errors. The combined assimilation of GPR and ERT data is then investigated, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of the two datasets. In the case at hand GPR energy propagates in form of a guided wave that, over time, shows different energy distribution between propagation modes as a consequence of the evolving thickness of the wet layer. We found that the GPR inversion procedure may produce estimates on the depth of the infiltrating front that are not as informative as the ERT dataset.

Near-surface geophysics for informed water-management decisions in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands of South Australia

The Aboriginal population of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands in South Australia is dependent on groundwater for nearly all water needs. In that region, placement of wells in productive aquifers of appropriate water quality is challenging because of lack of hydrologic data and variable aquifer properties. It is desirable to have an improved ability to identify and evaluate groundwater resources in this remote region with cost-effective methods that make minimal impact on the environment. A project supported by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists program Geoscientists Without Borders tested a combined geophysical approach with airborne and ground-based data sets to locate a potential aquifer, confirm water content, and estimate the subsurface extent of the water-bearing zone. This hydrogeophysical approach was an effective means for exploration and evaluation of groundwater resources in APY lands generally, and it characterized a specific aquifer as a case study.

Estimation of longitudinal dispersivity in a porous medium using self-potential signals

Abstract This paper presents several approaches to deduce the longitudinal dispersivity in a sand column during experiments oftracer tests, by measuring the output fluid concentration and the self-potential signals in the electrodes inserted into the sand. These signals have been used to obtain an estimate of longitudinal dispersivity through a coupled and an uncoupled hydrogeophysical approach. The first approach uses electrical current density and solute mass continuity equations simultaneously: the dispersivity is conditioned directly by the self-potential signals. Instead, the uncoupled approach firstly converts self-potential signals into concentration values using the Planck-Henderson equation and then estimates the dispersivity using only the transport equation. Longitudinal dispersivities calculated using self-potential signals by means of these two approaches were compared with those obtained using the concentration derived from a conductometer on the top of the column. The results show the goodness of the hydrogeophysical approaches.

The state of the science and vision of the future: Report from the Hydrogeophysics Workshop

In July 2012, 72 hydrogeophysicists from around the world gathered at the Hydrogeophysics Workshop in Boise, Idaho, USA. This was the first workshop to be jointly sponsored by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and brought together members from both societies, primarily from the Near-Surface Geophysics Section of SEG and the Near-Surface Focus Group and Hydrology Section of AGU. The intent of the workshop was to address current hydrogeophysical approaches for determining, predicting, and studying hydrologic properties and processes in both the saturated and unsaturated zones, at scales ranging from centimeters to watersheds.

Quantifying aquifer properties and freshwater resource in coastal barriers: a hydrogeophysical approach applied at Sasihithlu (Karnataka state, India)

Abstract. Many human communities living in coastal areas in Africa and Asia rely on thin freshwater lenses for their domestic supply. Population growth together with change in rainfall patterns and sea level will probably impact these vulnerable groundwater resources. Spatial knowledge of the aquifer properties and creation of a groundwater model are required for achieving a sustainable management of the resource. This paper presents a ready-to-use methodology for estimating the key aquifer properties and the freshwater resource based on the joint use of two non-invasive geophysical tools together with common hydrological measurements. We applied the proposed methodology in an unconfined aquifer of a coastal sandy barrier in South-Western India. We jointly used magnetic resonance and transient electromagnetic soundings and we monitored rainfall, groundwater level and groundwater electrical conductivity. The combined interpretation of geophysical and hydrological results allowed estimating the aquifer properties and mapping the freshwater lens. Depending on the location and season, we estimate the freshwater reserve to range between 400 and 700 L m−2 of surface area (± 50%). We also estimate the recharge using time lapse geophysical measurements with hydrological monitoring. After a rainy event close to 100% of the rain is reaching the water table, but the net recharge at the end of the monsoon is less than 10% of the rain. Thus, we conclude that a change in rainfall patterns will probably not impact the groundwater resource since most of the rain water recharging the aquifer is flowing towards the sea and the river. However, a change in sea level will impact both the groundwater reserve and net recharge.

Fully coupled hydrogeophysical inversion of a laboratory salt tracer experiment monitored by electrical resistivity tomography

We perform a salt tracer experiment, monitored by time‐lapse electrical resistivity tomography, in a quasi‐two‐dimensional sandbox with the aim of determining the hydraulic conductivity distribution in the domain. We use sodium chloride as a tracer, together with cochineal red for visual monitoring. The time series of observed resistance for each electrode configuration is characterized by its temporal moments. We invert the mean arrival time of electrical potential perturbations and a few steady state hydraulic head measurements using the fully coupled hydrogeophysical approach recently introduced by Pollock and Cirpka (2010). This is the first application of the approach to experimental data. The results obtained show a reasonable agreement between the estimated hydraulic conductivity field and the pattern of the actual sandbox filling. Using this estimation, a transient simulation is performed to compute the propagation of the salt tracer plume through the sandbox. The latter is compared to pictures taken during the experiment. These results show an even better agreement, indicating that the lenses of different sand types are not entirely homogeneous and some unexpected preferential flow paths are present. We conclude that temporal moments of potential perturbations obtained during salt tracer tests provide a good basis for inferring the hydraulic conductivity distribution by fully coupled hydrogeophysical inversion.

Hydrogeophysical Investigations at Hidden Dam, Raymond, California

Self-potential and direct current resistivity surveys are carried out at the Hidden Dam site in Raymond, California to assess present-day seepage patterns and better understand the hydrogeologic mechanisms that likely influence seepage. Numerical modeling is utilized in conjunction with the geophysical measurements to predict variably-saturated flow through typical two-dimensional dam cross-sections as a function of reservoir elevation. Several different flow scenarios are investigated based on the known hydrogeology, as well as information about typical subsurface structures gained from the resistivity survey. The flow models are also used to simulate the bulk electrical resistivity in the subsurface under varying saturation conditions, as well as the self-potential response using petrophysical relationships and electrokinetic coupling equations. The self-potential survey consists of 512 measurements on the downstream area of the dam, and corroborates known seepage areas on the northwest side of the dam. Two direct-current resistivity profiles, each approximately [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] long, indicate a broad sediment channel under the northwest side of the dam, which may be a significant seepage pathway through the foundation. A focusing of seepage in low-topography areas downstream of the dam is confirmed from the numerical flow simulations, which is also consistent with past observations. Little evidence of seepage is identified from the self-potential data on the southeast side of the dam, also consistent with historical records, though one possible area of focused seepage is identified near the outlet works. Integration of the geophysical surveys, numerical modeling, and observation well data provides a framework for better understanding seepage at the site through a combined hydrogeophysical approach.

Surface electrical resistivity tomography and hydrogeological characterization to constrain groundwater flow modeling in an agricultural field site near Ferrara (Italy)

A portion of an unconfined alluvial aquifer located in the Padana Plain (Italy) was characterized following an integrated hydro-geophysical approach. Initially an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey was employed to localize the boundaries of a modest paleo-channel body and to design the installation of a groundwater monitoring network. Multilevel slug-tests were performed to estimate the aquifer’s saturated hydraulic conductivities. Determined permeability values together with electrical resistivity data were correlated. The correlation resulted in a site specific bi-logarithmic linear relationship. Based on this relationship, punctually determined hydraulic conductivities were spatially extended over the studied flow domain. Finally, continuously measured piezometric heads were used to calibrate a 3D flow model. Sensitivity analysis was performed to confirm the reliability of the reconstructed permeability field, as well as, to assess the minimum number of direct measurements needed to safely characterize the selected aquifer portion. The integration of the ERT survey results with the classical hydrogeological tests can be conveniently applied to constrain the permeability field during flow model calibration. Although the applicability of the determined relationship is site specific, the followed procedure is useful especially when there is a need to optimize the available resources and in case of small-scale pilot studies.

Hydrogeophysical Approach for Identification of Layered Structures of the Vadose Zone from Electrical Resistivity Data

The electric resistivity survey and borehole collection of resistivity data are one of the oldest geophysical tools for characterization of the vadose zone. A current trend is to conduct such surveys in a tomographic manner, which requires significant computational resources. We present a simple, semianalytical approach to delineate multiple layers in partially saturated soils from resistivity and saturation measurements taken at several depths along a borehole. The number of layers and their hydraulic properties are assumed to be known. The proposed inversion algorithm is computationally efficient and can serve either as a stand‐alone tool for layer delineation or as an autonomous module in a more comprehensive geophysical survey. It is most robust when each layer is sampled at least once. When one or more layers have not been sampled, the algorithm's robustness (convergence) depends on the accuracy of an initial guess (e.g., expert knowledge and other hard or soft data). We provide a detailed analysis of the algorithm's convergence and identify potential pitfalls.

The spatially continuous determination of groundwater flow to surface water bodies: Application to the Connecting Channels between Lakes Huron and Erie

The hydrogeophysical method to define the hydraulic properties of the sediments beneath a surface water body described by Taylor and Cherkauer is applied to a specific field site. Collection of electrical resistivity and seismic data long over 200 km of survey lines in the channels connecting Lakes Huron and Erie has allowed definition of the thickness, general composition and hydraulic properties of the sediment column. The geophysics provided a measurement of electrical longitudinal conductance of the sediment column at 40-m intervals along the survey line (> 5000 complete electrical soundings). This parameter has been empirically related to the hydraulic leakance (ratio of the hydraulic conductivity to the thickness of the unconsolidated materials) of the sediment column at discrete calibration points where seepage meters were installed. Groundwater discharges calculated using the geophysically derived hydraulic properties compare very favorably with those calculated directly from the seepage measurements and others calculated independently from analysis of stream gaging records. Convergence of three methods on a single answer is taken to indicate the validity of that answer and to confirm the reliability of the hydrogeophysical approach. The hydrogeophysical approach offers the advantage of higher resolution of lateral variations in hydraulic properties and relatively low monetary and time expenditures when compared with a drilling program. However, it cannot be utilized without calibration to direct hydraulic measurements; it is best run in conjunction with seepage meters and drilling or existing wells. Perhaps its greatest usefulness lies in its ability to rapidly and accurately define locations of high potential for interaction between surface water and groundwater.