The use of electromagnetic and vertical electrical sounding methods in groundwater exploration

Electromagnetic (EM) profiling and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) studies were carried out for groundwater exploration in the Twifo – Hemang Lower Denkyira Districts of Ghana. These two geophysical methods were used for exploring the groundwater potentials beneath Achiase, Mbaa Mpe Hia Community and Moseaso Community. This paper seeks to encourage the use of inversion for interpreting electromagnetic data rather than the usual qualitative interpretation method using line graphs and also the use of apparent resistivity maps as 2D pseudo resistivity maps to support interpretations of the 1D inversion results (in cases where the available budget could not permit 2D and or 3D inversion). These would help in enhancement of obtained results, reduce ambiguity and help decision making. The EM results revealed that; the three communities are underlain by two layers with the first layer having the thickness range between 2 to 10 m and the second layer is a half space. The results from VES studies indicate that; Achiase Community and Mbaa Mpe Hia No. 2 community are underlain by three geoelectrical layers and Moseaso Community is underlain by four geoelectrical layers. On the basis of this study the Moseaso Community is ranked highest in terms of groundwater potential followed by the Achiase community and finally the Mbaa Mpe Hia No.2 Community. Several sites were recommended for drilling boreholes for water supply in these communities.

Keywords:

2D pseudo resistivity maps, electromagnetic (EM) inversion, vertical electrical sounding (VES) groundwater exploration, Ghana,

PDF

___

Anechana, R. 2013. Groundwater potential assessment of Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana using the electromagnetic method and vertical electrical sounding. Master thesis, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (unpublished).
Anon, 2012. Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira Distric. Twifo Heman Lower Denkyira District Assembly. Available at: http://thld.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/ (Accessed January 31, 2016).
Carrasquilla, A., A. Gonçalves, C., Ulugergerli, E. 2007. Evaluating the performance of difference geophysical methods for groundwater prospecting in Espirito Santo Basin - Southeast Brazil. Tecnociencia, 9(2), pp.89–106.
Chegbeleh, L.P., Akudago, J.A., Nishigaki, M., Edusei, S.N.K. 2009. Electromagnetic Geophysical Survey for Groundwater Exploration in the Voltaian of Northern Ghana. Journal of environmental Hydrology, 17, 1–16.
Fitterman, D.V., Stewartj, M.T. 1986. Transient electromagnetic sounding for groundwater. Geophysics, 51(4), 995–1005.
Frischknecht, F.C., Lasbon, V.F., Spies, B.R., Anderson, W.L. 1991. Profiling methods using small sources. In N. M. Nabighian, ed. Electromagnetic methods in applied geophysics, 105–270.
Gyamera, E.A., Kuma, J.S., Okae-Anti, D. 2014. Hydrogeological studies on soils developed over granitic deposits. International Journal of Advance Agricultural Research,, 2, 29–40.
Keller, G.V., Frischknecht, F.C. 1977. Electrical methods in geophysical prospecting. In International series of monographs in electromagnetic waves. UK, p. 517.
Koroney, A. 2013. Groundwater exploration using shallow geophysical methods Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Masters thesis ,Shippensburg University. p. 26 (unpublished).
Loke, M.H. 2001. RES1D. , p.7. Available at: www. geoelectrical.com.
Mainoo, P.A., Agyekum, W. A., Dapaah-Siakwan, S., Darko, P.K. 2007. Hydrogeological Investigations to Select Borehole Drilling Sites in ten Communities of the Twifo-Hemang Lower Denkyira District of Central Region of Ghana, Accra, Ghana p.324 (unpublished).
McNeill, J. 1980. Electromagnetic Terrain Conductivity measurement at Low induction Number, Geonics Ltd., Technical Note. Ontario, Canada. Available at: http://www.geonics.com/pdfs/technicalnotes/ tn6.pdf.
Menyeh, A., Noye, R.M., Danuor, S.K. 2005. Prospecting for Groundwater using the Electromagnetic Method in the Voltaian Sedimentary Basin in the Northern Region of Ghana - A Case Study of the Gushiegu - Karaga District. Journal of Science and Technology, 25(2), 53–65.
Mohammed Nazifi, H. 2015. The use of integrated geophysical methods for groundwater exploration in Ghana. Masters thesis, Sakarya University. p.242 (unpublished).
Monteiro Santos, F.A. 2004. 1-D laterally constrained inversion of EM34 profiling data. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 56(2),123–134.
Nejad H.T., Mumipour M., Kaboli R., Najib O. A. 2011. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) resistivity survey technique to explore groundwater in an arid region, Southeast Iran. Journal of Applied Sciences. 11(23). 3765-3774.
Okafor, P., Mamah, L. 2012. Integration of Geophysical Techniques for Groundwater Potential Investigation in Katsina - Ala, Benue State, Nigeria. The Practical Journal of Science and Technology. 13(2). 463–474.
Olakunle Coker, J. 2012. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) methods to delineate potential groundwater aquifers in Akobo area, Ibadan, South-western, Nigeria. Journal of Geology and Mining Research, 4(2), 35–42.
Omosuyi, G. O. 2010. Geoelectric Assessment of Groundwater Prospect and Vulnerability of Overburden Aquifers at Idanre, Southwestern Nigeria. Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences. 3(1). 19 – 28.
Pirttijärvi, M. 2014. AEMINV, Laterally constrained 1-D inversion of EM profile data, User’s guide. Oulu, Finland.
Reynolds, J.M. 1997. An introduction to applied and environmental geophysics, West Sussex, England: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. p. 710
Somiah, J. 2013. Application of Electromagnetic and Electrical Resistivity Methods in Investigating Groundwater Resources of The Sunyani Municipality in The Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Master thesis, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology, Kumasi. p. 150 (unpublished).
Spies, B.R., Frischknecht, F.C. 1991. Electromagnetic Sounding. In N. M. Nabighian, ed. Electromagnetic methods in applied geophysics, 285–425.
Thamke Joanna, N., Craigg Steven, D., Mendes Thomas, M. 1998. Use of terrain electromagnetic geophysical methods to map saline-water contamination, East poplar oil field, Northeastern Montana. Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems. 205- 214.
Tsikudo Kwasi, B. 2009. Geophysical investigation for groundwater in the Gushiegu - Karaga and Zabzugu - Tatale District of the Northern Region of Ghana using the electromagnetic method. Kwame Nkrumah Universty of Science and Technology, Kumasi. p. 148 (unpublished).
Wymana, D.A., O’Neillb, C., Ayer, J. 2008. Evidence for Modern-Style Subduction to 3.1 Ga: A Plateau – Adakite – Gold (Diamond) Association. Condie, K.C., Pease, V. (Eds.), (GSA Special Paper 440),129–148.

ISSN: 0026-4563
Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 3 Sayı
Başlangıç: 1950
Yayıncı: Cahit DÖNMEZ

Arşiv