Applications of EM Methods for Subsurface Exploration

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geophysics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2021) | Viewed by 16269

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
Interests: EM/DC/IP methods of applied geophysics

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
Interests: EM/DC methods of applied geophysics

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
GEOMAR | Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, 24148 Kiel, Germany
Interests: EM/DC methods of applied geophysics; marine applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to draw your attention to this Special Issue of Geosciences aiming to gather high-quality original research articles, reviews and technical notes on the use of Electromagnetic (EM) methods for shallow subsurface exploration research and applications.

The special issue will be published in Geosciences, an interdisciplinary, international peer-reviewed open access journal of geoscience, future earth and planetary science published monthly online by MDPI, indexed by *Scopus* (citescore 2.10) and *ESCI* (Web of Science).

There is no doubt about the value of EM for terrestrial, marine, or airborne-borne acquisition to: delineate mineral prospects; assess and monitor environmental influences such as saltwater intrusion; discover new archaeological sites; detect unexploded ordnance; monitoring waste sites; detect cavities and others. The special issue focuses on the application and interpretation of electromagnetic methods for shallow to intermediate subsurface exploration. The call addresses the full spectrum of inductive EM methods in time and frequency domain using active and non-active source fields. The focus of this special issue lies on the application of EM methodologies for answering various geoscientific questions, studies addressing technical and software developments associated with EM exploration, and advancements in integrated data interpretation for improved subsurface characterization.

The call includes ground-based, airborne, semi-airborne, and marine EM exploration techniques for a wide range of targets ranging from environmental and groundwater problems, archaeological prospection, mineral, geothermal, and hydrocarbon exploration, and other geoscientific studies.

We kindly invite you to send us a preliminary title and short abstract, in order to verify at an early stage if the contribution you intend to submit fits within the scope of the Special Issue. The deadline for submission of papers is September 25th 2021.

text

Prof. Dr. Bülent Tezkan
Dr. Pritam Yogeshwar
Dr. Amir Haroon
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Electromagnetics
  • Controlled Source Electromagnetics
  • Time Domain EM
  • Frequency Domain EM
  • Subsurface Exploration
  • Integrated subsurface imaging
  • EM Data integration
  • Data processing
  • Inversion

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 4873 KiB  
Article
Application of the Controlled Source Radiomagnetotellurics (CSRMT) in the Study of Rocks Overlying Kimberlite Pipes in Yakutia/Siberia
by Alexander K. Saraev, Arseny A. Shlykov and Buelent Tezkan
Geosciences 2022, 12(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences12010034 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2404
Abstract
Тhe task of searching for kimberlite pipes in covered areas of the Yakutia kimberlite province is very difficult due to the significant heterogeneity of the rocks overlying kimberlite pipes. The overlying strata of terrigenous sediments contain rocks of the trap complex (dolerite sills, [...] Read more.
Тhe task of searching for kimberlite pipes in covered areas of the Yakutia kimberlite province is very difficult due to the significant heterogeneity of the rocks overlying kimberlite pipes. The overlying strata of terrigenous sediments contain rocks of the trap complex (dolerite sills, tuff bodies). We consider the results of the controlled source radiomagnetotelluric (CSRMT) soundings in Yakutia/Siberia. Due to the great thickness of the overlying rocks (near 100 m) and the relatively small horizontal sizes of kimberlite pipes (80–200 m), they cannot confidently be detected directly. An additional difficulty in identifying pipe anomalies is the presence of a layer of conductive carbonaceous siltstones in the overlying strata. Therefore, the main aim of the CSRMT surveys was the study of overlying rocks and the search for indirect indications of the presence of pipes. Possibilities to study the structure of dolerite sills located within overlying sediments and to map the top edge of hosting carbonate rocks are demonstrated using the CSRMT data. The pinching out of dolerite sills above pipes («windows in traps») and the lowering of the top edge of hosting rocks at pipes can be considered as indirect indications of the presence of pipes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of EM Methods for Subsurface Exploration)
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18 pages, 175671 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of a Semi-Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Based on a Multicopter Aircraft System
by Philipp O. Kotowski, Michael Becken, Anneke Thiede, Volkmar Schmidt, Jörg Schmalzl, Stefan Ueding and Stefan Klingen
Geosciences 2022, 12(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences12010026 - 7 Jan 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3661
Abstract
The semi-airborne electromagnetic (EM) method has the potential to reach deeper exploration depths than purely airborne EM approaches. The concept of the method is to deploy high-power transmitters on the ground, which excite subsurface currents and induce strong magnetic fields, and to measure [...] Read more.
The semi-airborne electromagnetic (EM) method has the potential to reach deeper exploration depths than purely airborne EM approaches. The concept of the method is to deploy high-power transmitters on the ground, which excite subsurface currents and induce strong magnetic fields, and to measure the corresponding EM fields with a passive airborne receiver instrument. Following recent conceptual developments of the semi-airborne EM technique deployed on helicopters, we performed a 10 km2 semi-airborne EM survey near Münster (Germany) based on a multicopter aircraft system. For this purpose, horizontal electric dipole (HED) transmitters were installed in the survey area and were surveyed individually. Magnetic transfer functions were determined and a model of the conductivity of the study area was derived. Despite restrictions such as low payload capacity and multicopter-related EM noise, we were able to estimate spatially and spectrally consistent transfer functions of high quality up to a distance of 2 km from the respective transmitter. Our results could be validated with independent results from a magnetotelluric and a direct current sounding. The study demonstrates that an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is suitable for semi-airborne EM application and that such a system can be beneficial where ground-based methods and manned techniques become impractical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of EM Methods for Subsurface Exploration)
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19 pages, 7085 KiB  
Article
Necessity of Terrain Correction in Magnetotelluric Data Recorded from Garhwal Himalayan Region, India
by Dharmendra Kumar, Arun Singh and Mohammad Israil
Geosciences 2021, 11(11), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11110482 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3031
Abstract
The magnetotelluric (MT) method is one of the useful geophysical techniques to investigate deep crustal structures. However, in hilly terrains, e.g., the Garhwal Himalayan region, due to the highly undulating topography, MT responses are distorted. Such responses, if not corrected, may lead to [...] Read more.
The magnetotelluric (MT) method is one of the useful geophysical techniques to investigate deep crustal structures. However, in hilly terrains, e.g., the Garhwal Himalayan region, due to the highly undulating topography, MT responses are distorted. Such responses, if not corrected, may lead to the incorrect interpretation of geoelectric structures. In the present paper, we implemented terrain corrections in MT data recorded from the Garhwal Himalayan Corridor (GHC). We used AP3DMT, a 3D MT data modeling and inversion code written in the MATLAB environment. Terrain corrections in the MT impedance responses for 39 sites along the Roorkee–Gangotri profile in the period range of 0.01 s to 1000 s were first estimated using a synthetic model by recording the topography and locations of MT sites. Based on this study, we established the general character of the terrain and established where terrain corrections were necessary. The distortion introduced by topography was computed for each site using homogenous and heterogeneous models with actual topographic variations. Period-dependent, galvanic and inductive distortions were observed at different sites. We further applied terrain corrections to the real data recorded from the GHC. The corrected data were inverted, and the inverted model was compared with the corresponding inverted model obtained with uncorrected data. The modification in electrical resistivity features in the model obtained from the terrain-corrected response suggests the necessity of terrain correction in MT data recorded from the Himalayan region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of EM Methods for Subsurface Exploration)
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25 pages, 16268 KiB  
Article
Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) Surveys as a First Approach for Characterizing a Regional Aquifer: The Case of the Saint-Narcisse Moraine, Quebec, Canada
by Yan Lévesque, Julien Walter and Romain Chesnaux
Geosciences 2021, 11(10), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11100415 - 6 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2878
Abstract
Geological contexts that lack minimal stratigraphic and piezometric information can be challenging to produce an initial hydrogeological map in remote territories. This study proposes an approach to characterize a regional aquifer using transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys. Given the presence of randomly dispersed boreholes, [...] Read more.
Geological contexts that lack minimal stratigraphic and piezometric information can be challenging to produce an initial hydrogeological map in remote territories. This study proposes an approach to characterize a regional aquifer using transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys. Given the presence of randomly dispersed boreholes, the Saint-Narcisse moraine in the Mauricie region of Quebec (Canada) is an appropriate site for collecting the required geophysical data, correlating the stratigraphic and piezometric information, and characterizing regional granular aquifers in terms of stratigraphy, geometry, thickness, and extent. In order to use all TEM results (i.e., 47 stations) acquired in the moraine area, we also correlated 13 TEM stations, 7 boreholes, and 6 stratigraphic cross-sections to derive an empirical and local petrophysical relationship and to establish a calibration chart of the sediments. Our TEM data, combined with piezometric mapping and the sedimentary records from boreholes and stratigraphic cross-sections, revealed the compartmentalization of a multi-kilometer morainic system and indicated the presence of two large unconfined granular aquifers overlying the bedrock. These aquifers extend more than 12 km east to west across the study area and are between 25 and >94 m thick. The TEM method provides critical information on groundwater at a regional scale by acquiring information from multiple stations within a short time span to a degree not possible with other existing methodologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of EM Methods for Subsurface Exploration)
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20 pages, 10572 KiB  
Article
Subsurface Geological Characterization of the Late Neogene–Quaternary Argive Basin, Peloponnese, Greece Using Transient Electromagnetic Data and Vintage Stratigraphic Logs
by Hector R. Hinojosa-Prieto, Pantelis Soupios and Pavel Barsukov
Geosciences 2021, 11(8), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11080317 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2836
Abstract
The onshore and offshore clastic deposits of the Argive Basin and the Argolic Gulf, respectively, in Peloponnese, Greece, form a Late Neogene–Quaternary half-graben that connects with the Aegean Sea. The onshore Late Neogene–Quaternary sequence, comprised of chaotically intercalated cohesive and granular clastic deposits, [...] Read more.
The onshore and offshore clastic deposits of the Argive Basin and the Argolic Gulf, respectively, in Peloponnese, Greece, form a Late Neogene–Quaternary half-graben that connects with the Aegean Sea. The onshore Late Neogene–Quaternary sequence, comprised of chaotically intercalated cohesive and granular clastic deposits, is in angular unconformity with bedrock comprised of Triassic–Upper Cretaceous strongly-weathered, highly-fractured karstic limestones thrusted against Paleogene flysch deposits. While the surface geology of the Argive Basin is well-known, the subsurface geology remains both poorly mapped and understood. We utilized transient electromagnetic (TEM) soundings coupled with 185 vintage stratigraphic logs, current surface geology knowledge, and insights from available geophysical surveys to characterize the subsurface conditions of this sedimentary basin. We estimated the thickness of the young deposits (the depth to bedrock) and detected potential subsurface tectonic structures. The TEM-FAST 48HPC data acquisition system with integrated inversion and visualization software package was used with a single-loop dimension of 50 m × 50 m to collect a total of 329 TEM soundings at 151 stations scattered throughout the basin. The TEM station spacing varied from 200 to 750 m allowing the mapping of 80 km2. The total depth of investigation with the inverted TEM data and the lithology logs was 130 m and 183 m, respectively. The joint interpretation produced several quasi-two-dimensional electrical resistivity profiles that traverse the sedimentary basin in various azimuths and depth slices of average electrical resistivity covering the basin. The depth slices and the vintage stratigraphic logs revealed an uneven bedrock topography overlain by an irregularly thick (over 180 m) Late Neogene–Quaternary heterolithic sediment cover. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of EM Methods for Subsurface Exploration)
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