Time-domain Electromagnetic Surveys Research Articles

Contribution of the time domain electromagnetic method to the study of the Kalahari transboundary multilayered aquifer systems in Southern Angola

AbstractThe Cunene Province (Southern Angola) is facing recurrent and pluriannual droughts. Surface water supply could be reinforced using the groundwater resources of the multilayered aquifer systems (MAS) hosted in the siliciclastic sediments of the Kalahari Group. The MAS were first identified in the early 2000s in Northern Namibia and recently in the Cunene Province, by studies of the PLANAGEO project based on modern processing and reinterpretation of legacy data from the 1960s and 1970s (electrical resistivity data and deep boreholes). This article presents the results of a time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) survey conducted in the Cunene Province to: (i) contribute to the design of the hydrogeological conceptual model of the transboundary MAS, namely their geometry and extension; (ii) validate the reprocessing of the legacy data; and (iii) guide the future location of boreholes. Results depict the geometry of the sedimentary basin and the characterization of the MAS, with particular emphasis on the intermediate and deep aquifers. The borehole siting, based on the interpretation of the new TDEM data and the legacy data (clay markers in borehole logs), was successful, with a good agreement between estimated and observed horizons of the deep aquifers. However, the presence of clayey layers, a clay-rich matrix in the detrital deposits and saline/brackish groundwater led to uncertainties in the interpretation of the electrical transects. As such, recommendations are made to improve future data collection and mapping of the MAS.

Global insights on flood risk mitigation in arid regions using geomorphological and geophysical modeling from a local case study

This research provides a comprehensive examination of flood risk mitigation in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on Wadi Al-Laith. It highlights the critical importance of addressing flood risks in arid regions, given their profound impact on communities, infrastructure, and the economy. Analysis of morphometric parameters ((drainage density (Dd), stream frequency (Fs), drainage intensity (Di), and infiltration number (If)) reveals a complex hydrological landscape, indicating elevated flood risk. due to low drainage density, low stream frequency, high bifurcation ratio, and low infiltration number. Effective mitigation strategies are imperative to protect both communities and infrastructure in Wadi Al-Laith. Geophysical investigations, using specialized software, improve the quality of the dataset by addressing irregularities in field data. A multi-layer geoelectric model, derived from vertical electrical sounding (VES) and time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) surveys, provides precise information about the geoelectric strata parameters such as electrical resistivity, layer thicknesses, and depths in the study area. This identifies a well-saturated sedimentary layer and a cracked rocky layer containing water content. The second region, proposed for a new dam, scores significantly higher at 56% in suitability compared to the first region’s 44%. The study advocates for the construction of a supporting dam in the second region with a height between 230 and 280 m and 800 m in length. This new dam can play a crucial role in mitigating flash flood risks, considering various design parameters. This research contributes to flood risk management in Saudi Arabia by offering innovative dam site selection approaches. It provides insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved in flood risk reduction, water resource management, and sustainable development in arid regions globally.

Deep TDEM Study for Structural and Mining Purposes: A Case Study of the Barbastro Saline-Evaporitic Formation, Spain

The objective of this study was to obtain the deep subsurface structure of a saline-evaporitic formation affected by an anticlinal structure, defining the position and thickness for its future exploitation (potassium salts). To improve this knowledge, geophysical methods can be applied to establish detailed information on geological structures at depth. This work analyzes the results of a deep time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) survey acquired over the southern flank of the Barbastro-Balaguer Anticline present in the Ebro Basin in the vicinity of Graus (Huesca, Spain), that controls the geometry of the Barbastro saline-evaporitic formation, of interest from the mining point of view. A deep time domain electromagnetic system (TDEM) is used, providing a penetration capability down to 3.0 km depth. A parametric constrained inversion over a lithological known borehole (Monzón-1) is used to obtain a resistivity model and then applied to the rest of the survey points. The applied methodology contributes to improving the geological knowledge, revealing a new detailed geological structure of the Barbastro saline-evaporitic formation affected by the Barbastro-Balaguer Anticline. The survey shows that the Barbastro saline-evaporitic formation presents a structure with a ramp hanging wall and close to flat footwall, generally dipping to the SW, with a decreasing thickness from 1103 m to 601 m, in concordance with the previous accepted geological structural model. The new geophysical study provides essential data, allowing design and drilling optimization in future mining exploitations.

A geophysical multidisciplinary approach to investigate the shallow subsoil structures in volcanic environment: The case of Ischia Island

The ability to image the underground structures of volcanoes is limited by the precision, resolution and penetration depth of each single geophysical method. In order to improve the knowledge of specific volcanic edifices and to better understand the general behavior of structures, the use of a combination of methods is strongly recommended to exploit and maximize their complementary capabilities of resolution and penetration depths.In this work a large dataset of seismic and electromagnetic measurements has been used to provide a more detailed and improved geophysical image of the shallower portion of the northern sector of Ischia Island (Campania region, Italy), severely hit by the August 21, 2017 earthquake (Mw 3.9). We analysed data by using different methodologies: Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR), seismic array technique (f-k), polarization analysis and Time Domain ElectroMagnetic (TDEM) survey. These methods are sensitive in a different way to tectonic features, lithologies, layer geometry and fluid distribution. Thus, their combination is useful for studying sites with complex crustal structures such as Ischia island, which is characterized by a well-developed geothermal system linked to the presence of a shallow magmatic body. Results of our study provides detailed information of the physical properties of the subsoil through: 1) the spatial distribution of the amplification parameters of ground motion, showing frequency peaks below 1 Hz and/or between 1 Hz and 5 Hz; 2) the definition of the velocity models up to 600 m depth, with shear wave velocities ranging from 150 m/s for the shallower layers to 2500 m/s for the half space; 3) the recognition of the correlation between the principal fault structures and polarization directions of the noise wavefield, mostly oriented along EW and NE-SW directions; 4) the resistivity models of the first 80 m depth with high resistivity values of the shallow layers in the range 50–100 Ω.m and low resistivity values of the bottom layers in the range 1–10 Ω.m.

Groundwater Prospecting Using a Multi-Technique Framework in the Lower Casas Grandes Basin, Chihuahua, México

Groundwater is a strategic resource for economic development, social justice, environmental sustainability, and water governance. The lower Casas Grandes River Basin, located in the state of Chihuahua, México, is in a semi-arid region with increasing groundwater demand and regional challenges such as drought and depletion of aquifers. Even though there is official information about the availability of groundwater, a comprehensive aquifer characterization requiring an interdisciplinary investigation using a diverse suite of tools and multiple data sources has yet to be carried out. This study presents a multi-technique framework to evaluate potential sites to drill for groundwater resources and reduce the risk of unsuccessful drilling. The main components of the methodology include wellhead leveling correction with a differential global positioning survey to define piezometric levels, principal component analysis using LANDSAT-8 images, application of geospatial tools, geophysics analysis using time domain electromagnetic surveys (TDES) and vertical electric soundings (VES), and structural geohydrology to define aquifer characteristics. The results showed that using the proposed framework steps improved the possibility of identifying subsurface layers with lower resistivity values that could be related to groundwater. Low resistivity values (35 Ohm-m) were found at depths from 50 to 85 m at sites where the regional static water level reached a depth of 245 m, indicating the potential location of a shallow groundwater resource at a site where the intersection of a fracture trace was identified. This procedure can be used in other regions in the world where limited information is available for groundwater exploration, thus reducing the risk of drilling dry wells in complex hydrogeological environments.

Carbonate-rock aquifers in arid environments (central Tunisia, Western Mediterranean province): gravity and time domain electromagnetic methods investigations

Gravity and time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) methods were used in this study to investigate the subsurface hydrogeology of the carbonate-rock aquifer in arid environments (central Tunisia, Western Mediterranean province). The El Houdh basin can be considered an appropriate case for evaluating the vulnerability of groundwater resources under present-day climate change. The identification of structural context and the discontinuities affecting the Eocene or Campanian to Maastrichtian carbonates is an important key to recognize water recharge and discharge pathways and to develop effective and long-term groundwater exploration strategies. First, we have produced an available residual gravity field using a specific Gaussian filter. Then, we generated derivative maps, Euler deconvolution solutions map and a 3D gravity model to delineate different anomalies and to estimate the depth-to-basement parameter and the subsurface density contrasts. Positive and negative anomalies mapping and 3D gravity modelling showed that the El Houdh basin is associated with an asymmetric ‘perched syncline’ with a segmentation into NE–SW sub-basins (local negative residual anomalies) separated by NW–SE lineaments. The TDEM survey was calibrated using boreholes to image the karst saturated and unsaturated zone and to deduce the epikarst and endokarst relationship. Finally, the proposed method provides a fast and valuable approach for better management of hydrogeological exploitation. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Climate change and resilience in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/climate-change-and-resilience-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology

Three-dimensional inversion of airborne time-domain electromagnetic data for ground sources

While most airborne time-domain electromagnetic (ATEM) surveys are carried out using moving-source systems, semi-airborne systems that use a ground-based source, such as GREATEM, have gained popularity in recent years because they allow for more in-depth exploration than moving-source systems. We presented a three-dimensional inversion method for interpreting transient data collected in semi-airborne surveys. Our method is based on a Gauss–Newton minimization approach. The forward problem is solved in the frequency domain using a secondary-field finite-difference technique, and the resulting solution and sensitivity are Fourier-transformed to the time domain using a digital filter. The sensitivities are evaluated by the adjoint-equation method, except for those of a surface region immediately below the source, which are derived by forward modeling the response of a perturbed model based on finite differences. We tested our inversion method on synthetic and real data. The synthetic tests show that the resolution capability of the semi-airborne surveys is dependent on the location of the ground source, which suggests that it is desirable to employ multiple source locations and perform joint inversion of all data sets to ensure the reliability of semi-airborne surveys. Finally, the real data example demonstrates that the recovered conductive zone is consistent with the known distribution of the mineralized zone.

2-D Modeling and Analysis of Time-Domain Electromagnetic Anomalous Diffusion With Space-Fractional Derivative

Recently, the electromagnetic (EM) anomalous diffusion phenomenon has been observed in time-domain EM (TDEM) surveys. Furthermore, the data interpretation accuracy has been reduced by adopting the traditional EM theory and methods. A number of models, such as random medium and roughness electrical conductivity theory, have been adopted to model the EM anomalous diffusion. However, problems such as modeling difficulty and massive discretization exist regarding characterizing the long-range correlation of EM anomalous diffusion. The space-fractional derivative has been proven to preferably describe the long-range correlation characteristic. Only a handful of studies on TDEM anomalous diffusion with space-fractional derivative have been conducted due to the difficulties in computational engineering problems. Therefore, we performed a series of studies about 2-D TDEM anomalous diffusion with space-fractional derivative. The 2-D TDEM space-fractional diffusion equation was constructed based on the space-fractional Ohm’s law model. Furthermore, the discretization and iteration forms of the control equation were derived based on the finite element method (FEM) by introducing the Riemann–Liouville (R–L)-type Riesz fractional derivatives. The 2-D mountain-shaped function and partial integration method (PIM) were combined to convert the fractional derivative into the primitive function form. Hence, the 2-D modeling of the space-fractional EM diffusion was realized. The effectiveness of our method was verified by the function construction method and wavenumber-domain analytical solution. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the space-fractional EM diffusion were analyzed by different geological models. Furthermore, we discuss the differences with the classical EM diffusion. Our method can effectively model the space-fractional EM diffusion in TDEM surveys and provide theoretical bases for improving the TDEM interpretation accuracy with complex geological conditions.

Application of Time-Domain Airborne Electromagnetic Method to the Study of Qingchengzi Ore Concentration Area in China

Qingchengzi is an important polymetallic mineral concentration zone in China. However, long-term mining has led to the depletion of proven reserves in the Qingchengzi ore concentration zone. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out prospecting in the periphery of the existing ore bodies. Taking into account the complex surface conditions of the Qingchengzi mining area, we carried out an airborne time-domain electromagnetic survey in this region and obtained a high-precision underground resistivity model which covers the whole area. The quasi-3D inversion result shows a good agreement with the surface geological information. After analyzing the relationship between the underground geological structures and the resistivity model, we constructed a geological model with the distribution of the main strata, the rock masses and the faults. The reconstructed resistivity distribution of the entire region added new knowledge to understand the geology of the Qingchengzi survey area.

Integrating neural networks in least-squares inversion of airborne time-domain electromagnetic data

Airborne time-domain electromagnetic surveys produce extremely large data sets with thousands of line kilometers of data and millions of possible models to explain the data. Inversion of such data sets to obtain the resistivity structures of the subsurface is computationally intensive and involves calculation of a significant number of forward and derivative responses for solving the least-squares inverse problem. The flight altitude of the airborne system needs to be included in the modeling, which adds further complexity. We propose to integrate neural networks in a damped iterative least-squares inversion framework to expedite the inversion process. We train two separate neural networks to predict the forward responses and partial derivatives independently for a broad range of resistivity structures and flight altitudes. Data inversion is not only used for producing the final subsurface models but also used during data processing, or to produce intermediate results during a survey. With these purposes in mind, we provide three inversion schemes with a tunable balance between computational time and modeling accuracy: (1) numerical forward responses used initially in combination with neural network derivatives, and the derivatives switched to a numerical solution in final iterations, (2) numerical forward responses in combination with neural network derivatives used throughout the inversion, and (3) only neural network forward responses and derivatives used in inversion. Experiments on field data find that we improve inversion speed without any loss in modeling accuracy with our first approach, whereas the second scheme gives a significant speedup at the cost of minor and often acceptable deviations in the inversion results from the conventional nonlinear inversion. The last approach is the fastest and captures the overall resistivity structures quite well. Therefore, depending on the modeling accuracy, inversion speedup factors of up to 50 are realized by using the proposed schemes.

Integrated geophysical signatures and structural geometry of the Kabinakagami Lake greenstone belt, Superior Province, Ontario, Canada: Exploration implications for concealed Archean orogenic gold deposits

Geophysical exploration for concealed orogenic gold deposits is challenging because petrophysical contrasts between the gold lodes and their host rocks are normally subtle. Most greenstone-hosted lode‑gold deposits do not contain strong conductors as they normally contain <5 vol% of poorly conductive disseminated arsenopyrite and pyrite. Where there is no outcrop, reliance must be placed on lithological and structural interpretations from aeromagnetic data.Airborne Induced Polarization (AIP) Cole-Cole parameters from helicopter time-domain electromagnetic (HTEM) surveys are demonstrated to be effective in geophysical exploration for concealed gold deposits in the Kabinakagami Lake greenstone belt in Ontario, Canada. Interpretation reveals that most AIP positive responses are associated with clays and all known gold deposits in the study area are in resistive rock formations. Hence, resistivity-scaled chargeability (RSC) can be used to detect weakly chargeable zones within these resistive units.Deep Neural Network (DNN) predictive targeting analysis is utilized to integrate the AIP apparent resistivity, resistivity-scaled chargeability (RSC), EM induction time-constant, and magnetic data. The DNN results imply that the known gold occurrences coincide with high DNN probabilities, and hence exploration targets can be identified based on DNN analysis. From a geological perspective, gold prospects also occur at triple-point junctions between granite intrusions and at probable intersections between potentially hosting shear zones and oblique cross faults or dykes, both common structural geometries for orogenic gold deposits. Consequently, DNN predictive targeting results based both on HTEM and magnetic data, and consistent with expected structural geometries, are proposed as a vectoring tool in the generation of drill targets during exploration for concealed orogenic gold deposits in greenstone belts such as those of the Superior Province, Canada.

Geometric 3-D inversion of airborne time-domain electromagnetic data with applications to kimberlite pipes prospecting in a complex medium

We consider an approach to solving 3-D inverse problems of airborne time-domain electromagnetic (TD-EM) survey in complex geoelectrical conditions, when the responses of target objects in the measured signal are relatively small and mixed with responses of rugged topography, 3-D inhomogeneities in overburden layers, and other interfering 3-D objects. For parameterization of the geoelectrical model of the geological medium, global and local structures are used. A block structure is a grid with large cells whose boundaries can move during the inversion process. Block structures are characterized by two types of parameters: geometric and physical. Geometric parameters include the coordinates of the boundaries of blocks in block structures, which are used for recovering local bodies or 3-D inhomogeneities within the layers, and physical parameters are the conductivities inside the blocks. In addition, the geometric parameters include displacements of control points, which are used for describing curved surfaces. The functional employed for inversion includes regularizing terms that allow controlling the self-crossing of geometric boundaries and extension of physical parameters beyond the boundaries of the allowed values range. Regularization coefficients are calculated adaptively at each iteration of the nonlinear 3-D inversion. In order to separate the responses of 3-D inhomogeneities located under the overburdens from those of 3-D inhomogeneities inside the overburdens, we propose to carry out 3-D inversion in two stages. At the first stage, over a shortened time range, we recover the conductivity distribution using global block structures and the shape of the boundaries of the overburden layers using control points. At the second stage, the entire time range is used. In those places where the significant residuals remained at late times, local block structures are employed to recover local objects (including target ones) under the overburden layers. This enables us to define quite accurately the position in plan, top border depth, and type of 3-D inhomogeneities, which are located under the overburdens, at the second stage of geometric inversion. To calculate 3-D time-domain electromagnetic fields, we use the vector finite element method implemented on optimized non-conforming hexahedral meshes with the possibility of adjoining the faces of several finite elements to the face of one finite element. The workability of the proposed approaches is demonstrated on synthetic airborne TD-EM data as well as on experimental airborne data, which are obtained as a result of methodical work over the kimberlite pipe deposit. The proposed geoelectrical model parameterization and the approach to 3-D inversion allow the discovery of relatively small 3-D target objects, when many non-target objects, including 3-D inhomogeneities in the overburdens, give several times greater responses in the measured signals.

Finite-element modeling of time-domain controlled-source electromagnetic survey with weighted Laguerre polynomials

To facilitate the modeling of time-domain controlled-source electromagnetic surveys, we have developed an efficient finite-element method with weighted Laguerre polynomials, which indicates a much lower computational complexity than conventional time integration methods. Our method allows sampling the field at arbitrary time steps, and its accuracy is determined by the number of polynomials, instead of the time sampling interval. An analysis is performed regarding the optimization of the polynomial number to be used and the criterion of selecting the time scale factor. We conduct two numerical tests in marine and land survey environments to demonstrate the superiority of our method over the existing backward Euler time integration method. Our method is expected to facilitate the modeling of transient electromagnetic surveys in the geophysical regime.

A framework for parameter estimation using sharp-interface seawater intrusion models

Sharp-interface seawater intrusion models present shorter run times than variable density codes, which makes them practical for regional, decision-support groundwater modeling. Although parameter estimation and uncertainty analyses are essential steps for model-based decision making, their implementation in seawater intrusion models has remained limited. Few guidelines are available and it is unclear which observations should be used, what processing they require and what weighting strategy should be used. A framework has been developed for parameter estimation using a regional sharp-interface decision-support model applied to a real-world example in the Magdalen Islands (Quebec, Canada). This framework included the assimilation of head observations collected from shallow wells, deep open wells and pumping wells, as well as freshwater-seawater interface observations derived from deep open wells, TDEM (time-domain electromagnetic) and ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) geophysical surveys. A model was developed using MODFLOW-SWI2 in which fast model run times allowed the estimation of numerous parameters, including a heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity field with pilot points. Following parameter estimation with PEST, the uncertainty of several model forecasts, i.e. the volume of freshwater and the interface elevation near municipal pumping wells, was examined with the first-order second moment (FOSM) approach and a data worth analysis was carried out. While the observations presented a low signal-to-noise ratio, parameter estimation was effective to reduce the uncertainty of model forecasts. Interface observations, and particularly geophysical observations, were most useful to reduce predictive uncertainties. Head and interface observations from deep open wells were biased and could not be suitably reproduced by the model. The framework developed here is relatively straightforward and could be implemented more systematically. The study also provides recommendations to guide future data collection strategies in coastal aquifers.

Machine learning based fast forward modelling of ground-based time-domain electromagnetic data

Inversion of large-scale time-domain electromagnetic surveys are computationally expensive and time consuming. Deterministic or probabilistic inversion schemes usually require calculations of forward responses, and often thousands to millions of forward responses are computed. We propose a machine learning based forward modelling approach as a computationally feasible alternative to approximate numerical forward modelling where a neural network is employed to model the relationship between the resistivity models and corresponding forward responses. For training of the neural network, we generated forward responses using conventional numerical algorithm for 93,500 resistivity models derived from different surveys conducted in Denmark representing typical resistivities of sedimentary geological layers. The input resistivity models and the network target outputs, i.e. forward responses, are scaled using a novel normalization strategy to ensure each gate is equally prioritized. The performance of the network is evaluated on two test datasets consisting of 8942 resistivity models by comparing the forward responses generated by the neural network and the conventional algorithm. We also measure the performance for the time derivatives of forward responses, i.e. dB/dt, by incorporating a system response. The results show that the proposed strategy is at least 13 times faster than commonly used accurate modelling methods and achieves an accuracy of 98% within 3% relative error, which is comparable to data uncertainty. Additional experiments on surveys from two other continents show that the results generalize in similar geological settings. Thus, under certain geological constraints, the proposed methodology may be incorporated into the pre-existing inversion structures, allowing for significantly faster inversion of large datasets.

Application of Time Domain Electromagnetic survey to detect fractured limestone aquifer in desert fringes, West Assiut, Egypt

ABSTRACT New agriculture projects in the desert fringes along the western side of the Nile Valley of Egypt need exploring new groundwater resources. Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) technique was used to acquire the field data. This technique is focusing on two main objectives. The first objective is to test the availability of applying TDEM in areas where other DC resistivity methods can’t be applied due to the presence of a high resistive layer on the ground surface such as in the investigated area. The second objective is detecting the geoelectrical succession, emphasising on the water-bearing layer, which is represented by the fractured Eocene limestone layers. Results obtained from TDEM soundings were represented in the forms of cross sections and maps to illustrate the aerial distribution of the different geoelectrical layers and pay attention on the water-bearing layer. These results show up a good agreement with the data obtained from the drilled wells in the study areas. Accordingly, TDEM method is a suitable choice when other DC resistivity tools were failed to acquire field data. Moreover, this technique helped to determine the parameters of the water-bearing layer such as resistivity, thickness, and extension. Also, it gives an idea about the hydrogeological setting of the study area where the water-bearing the fractured limestone layer overlays the low resistivity shale beds. New sites were recommended to drill productive wells in the western and southern parts of the study area based on the resistivity values and the thicknesses of the water-bearing layer.

Subsurface Resistivity Imaging of Nasudake (Chausudake) Volcano Determined from Time Domain Electromagnetic Survey (TDEM)

A time domain electromagnetic survey (TDEM method) was conducted to investigate the resistivity structure of the crater, fumarole, and hot spring area of the Nasudake (Chausudake) volcano. The findings of this survey are as follows: (1) Under the crater area, a thin low-resistivity layer (approximately 50 m) was found on the surface, and lens-shaped high-resistivity areas continued to a depth of 800 m below it. The lens-shaped high-resistivity areas are believed to correspond to a thermal volcanic gas region. (2) From the east-west direction survey line crossing the foot of the Nasudake, two or three horizontal resistivity layer structures, which are considered to be caused by the geological structure and surface water, were observed.

Improvement of the Efficiency of Time-Domain Electromagnetic Measurement

The long-term sustainable development of mineral exploration under covers require effective deep detection techniques and methods. Start from enhancing the surface-borehole time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) technique, the present study established a new relationship between the pulse width (Δ), the target time constant (τ) and the measurement time (t). Under certain conditions, the new formula has been extended to all TEM systems that use square or trapezoidal waveforms. A series of numerical simulations illustrate the consistent behaviors of the surface-borehole, ground and airborne TEM fields. The new relationship allows us to evaluate optimal pulse widths for different off-times and to help TEM survey design.

Geophysical Imaging of a Buried Tertiary Valley Aquifer in an Arid Region Using Time Domain Electromagnetic Method

A time domain electromagnetic survey was conducted in the eastern part of the Jordanian desert to image a buried Tertiary valley aquifer in the context of the characterization of groundwater resources and groundwater resources management. The Tertiary chert-limestone rocks (B4) of the investigated valley constitute the major part of the shallow-depth aquifer (less than 100 m) which is the main source of water in the area. Thus, delineation of the geometry of the valley deems necessary for a better understanding of its structural setting and hydrogeological potential. For this purpose, 141 central-loop sounding stations were conducted in the area; they were positioned along six NE-SW directed profiles and one profile (TDEM profile 1) that extends for about 9 km in the NW-SE direction. Resistivity pseudo-sections and resistivity depth maps reveal that the subsurface is composed of two main geoelectric layers: a resistive layer of 25 - 40 ohm.m that indicates the water-bearing rocks which is composed of an alteration of massive chert and limestone. The second layer is conductive one that has a resistivity values in the range from 10 to 15 ohm.m; it consists mainly of gravel and bituminous marl. A lateral variation in resistivity that is associated with the presence of block-like structures is also noted. The good contrast in resistivity between the B4 chert-limestone water-bearing rocks and marl layer enhanced the obtained results and proved that the TDEM is efficient in imaging the boundaries of the Tertiary valley. The lateral extensions of the valley were well-imaged at three fixed-elevation slices (550, 500 and 450 m amsl). The subsurface elongation direction of the valley is confirmed by the NW-SE surface elongation of the valley. The vertical boundary of the valley is extended to an elevation of at least 450 m amsl; this corresponds to a depth of about 100 m.

Evidence for Pathways of Concentrated Submarine Groundwater Discharge in East Antarctica from Helicopter-Borne Electrical Resistivity Measurements

The Southern Ocean receives limited liquid surface water input from the Antarctic continent. It has been speculated, however, that significant liquid water may flow from beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and that this subglacial flow carries that water along with dissolved nutrients to the coast. The delivery of solutes, particularly limiting nutrients like bioavailable iron, to the Southern Ocean may contribute to ecosystem processes including primary productivity. Using a helicopter-borne time domain electromagnetic survey along the coastal margins of the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, we detected subsurface connections between inland lakes, aquifers, and subglacial waters. These waters, which appear as electrically conductive anomalies, are saline and may contain high concentrations of biologically important ions, including iron and silica. Local hydraulic gradients may drive these waters to the coast, where we postulate they emerge as submarine groundwater discharge. This high latitude groundwater system, imaged regionally in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, may be representative of a broader system of Antarctic submarine groundwater discharge that fertilizes the Southern Ocean. In total, it has the potential to deliver tens of gigagrams of bioavailable Fe and Si to the coastal zone.