1887
Volume 6 Number 2
  • ISSN: 1569-4445
  • E-ISSN: 1873-0604

Abstract

ABSTRACT

In areas where tectonics and weathering have hydrogeological significance, electrical methods can assist in mapping the subsurface. In this work, resistivity imaging was used to map fractures, faults and quartz veins emplaced in strongly weathered volcanic rocks. The aim was to map geological units related to the formation of groundwater systems in the Río Artiguas basin, Nicaragua. Eight 2D resistivity surveys selected from two sites with characteristic geological features are discussed in this article. The resistivity lines were carried out with a multi‐electrode system together with different electrode geometries. The data inversion was done by applying the robust (L‐norm) method and a finite element grid to accommodate the steep topography. The data interpretation included numerical modelling to assess the suitability of all used electrode arrays in relation to the expected geological settings. The results indicated a top high resistive layer consisting of colluviums with laterite (>50 Ω m), underlain by conductive clay weathered layers (10–50 Ω m). Below the conductive layer less weathered or fresh rock can be found with higher values (50–600 Ω m). The quartz veins and dykes stand out as the highest resistive bodies (100–4000 Ω m). The results indicated an overall weathering thickness of 10–30 m or more. In conclusion, the extensive resistivity imaging surveys allowed delineation of geological structures and weathering layers throughout the study area. Furthermore, the vertical extension of weathering was examined at all locations. A finite element grid in the inversion prevented distortions arising from topography regardless of the steep slope observed at the survey locations. The numerical modelling results revealed the strengths of different arrays for the particular cases of a fault and a quartz vein in irregular terrains.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.3997/1873-0604.2007036
2007-11-01
2024-04-24
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. ApparaoA. and RoyA.1973. Field results for direct current resistivity profiling with two‐electrode array. Geoexploration11, 21–44.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. BarongoJ.O. and PalackyG.J.1991. Investigations of electrical properties of weathered layers in the Yala Area, Western Kenya, using resistivity soundings. Geophysics56, 133–138.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. BataynehA.T.2001. Resistivity imaging for near‐surface resistive dyke using two‐dimensional DC resistivity techniques. Journal of Applied Geophysics48, 25–32.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. DahlinT.1996. 2D resistivity surveying for environmental and engineering applications. First Break14, 275–283.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. DahlinT.2001. The development of electrical imaging techniques. Computers and Geosciences27, 1019–1029.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. DahlinT. and ZhouB.2004. A numerical comparison of 2D resistivity imaging with 10 electrode arrays. Geophysical Prospecting52, 379–398.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. DahlinT. and ZhouB.2006. Multiple gradient array measurements for multi‐channel 2D resistivity imaging. Near Surface Geophysics4, 113–123.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. DarceM.1990. Mineralogic alteration patterns in volcanic rocks of the La Libertad gold mining district and its surroundings, Nicaragua. Economic Geology85, 1059–1071.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. DoyleH.A. and LindemanF.W.1985. The effect of deep weathering on geophysical exploration in Australia – a review. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences32, 125–135.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. EhrenborgJ.1996. A new stratigraphy for the Tertiary volcanic rocks of Nicaraguan Highlands. Geological Society of America Bulletin108, 830–842.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. FurnessP.1993. Gradient array profiles over thin resistive veins. Geophysical Prospecting41, 113–130.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. HodgsonG.1972. Geological map of La Libertad. Catastro e Inventario de Recursos Naturales, Managua, Nicaragua (in Spanish).
    [Google Scholar]
  13. KellettR. and BaumanP.2004. Mapping groundwater in regolith and fractured bedrock using ground geophysics: A case study from Malawi, SE Africa. Recorder29, 24–32
    [Google Scholar]
  14. KemnaA., BinleyA., RamirezA. and DailyW.2000. Complex resistivity tomography for environmental applications. Chemical Engineering Journal77, 11–18.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. LechlerP.J., MillerJ.R., LacerdaL.D., VinsonD., BonzongoJ.C., LyonsW.B.et al. 2000. Elevated mercury concentrations in soils, sediments, water and fish of the Madeira River basin, Brazilian Amazon: A function of natural enrichments?The Science of the Total Environment260, 87–96.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. LokeM.H.1997. Rapid 2D resistivity inversion using the least‐squares method, Manual for RES2DINV. Geolectrical Imaging 2D and 3D.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. LokeM.H., AcworthI. and DahlinT.2003. A comparison of smooth and blocky inversion methods in 2D electrical imaging surveys. Exploration Geophysics34, 182–187.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. LokeM.H. and BarkerR.D.1996. Rapid least‐squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosections by a quasi‐Newton method. Geophysical Prospecting44, 131–152.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. MendozaJ.A.2002. Geophysical and Hydrogeological Investigations in the Rio Sucio Watershed, Nicaragua. Lund University. ISBN 919724060X
    [Google Scholar]
  20. MendozaJ.A., DahlinT. and BarmenG.2005. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical features of an area polluted by heavy metals in central Nicaragua. Hydrogeology Journal14, 1052–1059.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. PalackyG.J. and KadekaruK.1979. Effect of tropical weathering on electrical and electromagnetic measurements. Geophysics44, 69–88.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. PellerinL.2002. Applications of electrical and electromagnetic methods for environmental and geotechnical investigations. Surveys in Geophysics23, 101–132.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. PousJ., QueraltP. and ChavezR.1996. Lateral and topographical effects in geoelectric soundings. Journal of Applied Geophysics35, 237–248.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. RitzM., ParisotJ.C., DioufS., BeauvaisA., DioneF. and NiangM.1999. Electrical imaging of lateritic weathering mantles over granitic and metamorphic basement of eastern Senegal, West Africa. Journal of Applied Geophysics41, 335–344.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. SandbergS.K., SlaterL.D. and VersteegR.2002. An integrated geophysical investigation of the hydrogeology of an anisotropic unconfined aquifer. Journal of Hydrology267, 227–243.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. SchulzR.1985. Interpretation and depth of investigation of gradient measurements in direct current geoelectrics. Geophysical Prospecting33, 1240–1253.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. SeatonW.J. and BurbeyT.J.2002. Evaluation of two‐dimensional resistivity methods in a fractured crystalline‐rock terrain. Journal of Applied Geophysics51, 21–41.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. ShettigaraV.K. and AdamsW.M.1989. Detection of lateral variations in geological structures using electrical‐resistivity gradient profiling. Geophysical Prospecting37, 293–310.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. TimmsW. and AcworthI.2002. Origin, lithology and weathering characteristics of Upper Tertiary – Quaternary clay aquitard units on the Lower Murrumbidgee alluvial fan. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences49, 525–537.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. TsourlosP., SzymanskyJ. and TsokasG.1999. The effect of terrain topography on commonly used resistivity arrays. Geophysics64, 1357–1363.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. VermaR. and BandyopadhyayT.1983. Use of the resistivity methods in geological mapping‐case histories from Raniganj Coalfield, India. Geophysical Prospecting31, 490–507.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.3997/1873-0604.2007036
Loading
/content/journals/10.3997/1873-0604.2007036
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error