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MODULE 4
GROUND WATER EXPLORATION
The demand of groundwater for drinking water and other requirements of the man is expected to
increase tremendously with rise in population. Hence, the engineer has to equip himself with
latest technologies available for exploration and exploration of this resource. And, as in other
fields, good progress has been made for quicker and more reliable identification of aquifers over
larger areas using satellite imageries.
Geophysical exploration is the scientific measurement of physical properties of the earth’s crust
for investigation of mineral deposits or geologic structure. Today many organizations concerned
with groundwater employ geophysical methods. The methods are frequently inexact or difficult
to interpret, and they are most useful when supplemented by subsurface investigations.
Geophysics, in the past few years, has reached a place of vital importance to the scientific
development and protection of the world’s precious groundwater supply. Geophysical
investigations of the buried strata can be made either from the land surface or in a drilled hole in
the formation.
refracted back to the surface from the junctions between different rock layers. The waves are
picked up at various points on the ground surface by a geophone, fig. 8.7, and recorded. This
record shows when the energy commenced and when it was picked up at the surface. By
knowing the arrival times of different waves at different distances from the energy source,
the velocity of propagation of the wave through each rock layer can be calculated. The
velocities are characteristic of particular rocks in particular conditions, i.e; dry, jointed,
saturated with water, weathered, etc. The refracted waves arrive at the surface only on the
condition that the velocity of the propagation in the underlying layer is higher than that in
the overlying area. Each layer through which the refracted wave travels horizontally must
have a thickness that is great enough to permit transmission of the wave. The deeper a
horizon is buried, the thicker it must be to properly refract the shock wave.
A time travel curve (time versus distance from source to geophone) is drawn, fig.
8.7 and by knowing the distance 𝑋1 to the first point on the curve where a change in slope is
indicated, the depth to the rock layer can be computed from the equation.
𝑋1 𝑉𝑉
1 2
𝑍1 =
2
√𝑉 +𝑉 ……………………………………………………………………………(112)
1 2
Where 𝑉1 and 𝑉2 are the velocities of propagation through the earth and the rock layer
respectively. Using the intercept time 𝑡1 , the depth 𝑍1 is given by the equation
𝑡1 𝑉2𝑉1
𝑍1 = …………………………………………………………………………(113)
2
√𝑉22 −𝑉12
Generally water table delineation is confined to loose alluvium. In the Deccan, the
alternation of soft and hard layers, however, limits the method to obtaining depths and
velocities down to the first high velocity layer.
The velocity of propagation varies from as low as 120 m/s in dry top soil to more
than 6000 m/s in very dense rocks such as granite, limestone and basalt. The velocities in
saturated strata are somewhat greater than in unsaturated strata. The average velocities of
seismic waves in different formations are given in table 8.4.
For groundwater the most widely observable anomalies (i.e; changes in the properties of
rocks due to the presence of the water) are electrical conductance of the rock and velocity of
sound through particular rock types. As such resistivity and seismic methods are widely
employed and are also relatively cheap. Electrical resistivity surveys are generally used for
preliminary exploration of rather large areas. The interpretations based on such surveys
should be confirmed by test drilling.
applying an electric current (𝐼 ) to metal stakes (outer electrodes) driven into the ground and
measuring the apparent potential difference (𝑉 ) between two inner electrodes (non-
polarising d.c. type, i.e; porous pots filled with CuSO 4 solution, and metal stakes in a.c.
type) buried or driven into the ground; Fig. 8.1, gives an indication of the type and depth of
the subsurface material. Changing the spacing of electrodes changes the depth of penetration
of the current and the apparent electrical resistivity 𝜌𝑎 , obtained at different depths b
𝑉
measuring the resistance 𝑅 (= ), is plotted on a semi-log or log-log paper against the
𝐼
depth. The depth at which current enters a formation of higher or lower resistivity is
This simple fact is used in the field to determine the nature of rock at certain depths with
the help of an induced electric current. There are two variations of the resistivity method.
In electrical resistivity method, there are mainly two common systems of electrode
arrangement. (a) Wenner method and (b) Schlumberger method. In the Wenner system, the
electrodes are spaced at equal distances, 𝑎, fig. 8.1(a), and the apparent resistivity 𝜌𝑎 for a
𝑉
measured resistance 𝑅 (= ) is given by
𝐼
∆𝑉
𝜌𝑎 = 2𝜋𝑎𝑅 = 2𝜋𝑎 …………………………………………………………….(116)
𝐼
and the field curve is plotted on a semi-log paper ‘𝜌𝑎 versus 𝑎’ , 𝜌𝑎 being in ohm-meters in
logarithmic scale and 𝑎 in meters in arithmetic scale.
In Schlumberger system, fig. 8.1(b) the distance between two inner potential electrodes ′𝑏′
is kept constant for some time and the distance between the current electrodes (𝐿 ) is varied.
𝑉
The apparent resistivity 𝜌𝑎 for a measured resistance 𝑅 (= ) is given by
𝐼
𝐿 2 𝑏 2
(2 ) −(2 )
𝜌𝑎 = 𝜋 𝑅, 𝐿 ≫ 𝑏…………………………………………………..(117)
𝑏
𝜋𝐿2
𝜌𝑎 = 𝑅, if 𝐿 > 5𝑏…………………………………………………(118)
4𝑏
𝐿 𝐿
And the field curves is plotted on a log-log paper 𝜌𝑎 versus , 𝜌𝑎 being in ohm-meters and
2 2
in meters.
There are basically two types of instruments to conduct the electrical resistivity survey:
i. NGRI resistivity meter, a d.c. type meter manufactured by the National Geophysical
Research Institute, Hyderabad. In this instrument, 𝑉 and 𝐼 are separately measured to obtain
𝑉
the resistance 𝑅 (= ). Generally battery packs with different voltages of 15, 30, 45 and 90
𝐼
volts are employed.
ii. Terrameter, an a.c. type of instrument manufactured by Atlas Copco ABEM AB, Sweden.
The output is 6 watts at 100, 200 or 400 volts using low frequency (1 -4 Hz) square waves.
The terrameter directly gives the resistance 𝑅 in ohms. It is a good instrument for
conducting rapid electrical resistivity surveys for locating sites for drilling borewells.
Two methods of investigation are generally employed in the electrical resistivity method of
traversing.
i. Resistivity depth probing or sounding to detect vertical changes. Here the centre of the
electrode spread remains fixed and the spacing between the electrodes is progressively
increased until the maximum required depth is reached, Fig. 8.2.
ii. Traversing or profiling method. Here the electrode separation is kept constant for two or
three values (say 𝑎 = 10 m, 15 m, or 20 m) and the centre of the electrode spread is moved
from one station to another station (grid points) to have the same constant electrode
separations. Traversing or profiling is used to detect subsurface changes in horizontal
direction or the lateral spread. Profiling can be carried out along a series of parallel lines and
a resistivity contour map of the area showing isoresistivity lines can be prepared. This will
indicate areas of high resistivity and will be useful in identifying aquifer formations, Fig.
17.6.
Some of the geophysical investigations that can be done by the electrical resistivity
method for ground water studies are:
v. Water quality in shallow aquifers and ground water pollution as in oil field brine pollution,
pollution by irrigation waters and pollution by sea water intrusion, which cause change in
electrical conductivity.
Such ideal conditions like horizontal beds of uniform thickness and that the lowest bed
extends in depth to infinity may not exist in the earth, but they are of help for comparison
and interpretation of filed curves obtained.
Two-layer case: For a layer of thickness ′ℎ′ overlaying an infinitely thick homogeneous
substratum of resistivity 𝜌𝑎 , a family of curves is given by Tagg (Tagg master curves,
1934), Fig. 8.4,
𝜌1 ℎ
vs. for 𝜌2 > 𝜌1 , 𝑘 = positive
𝜌𝑎 𝑎
𝜌𝑎 ℎ
vs. for 𝜌2 < 𝜌1 , 𝑘 = negative
𝜌1 𝑎
Where 𝜌1 = 𝜌𝑎 as 𝑎 → 0 i.e; at small electrode spacings
𝜌2 = resistivities for various electrode spacings by Wenner configurations
𝜌2 −𝜌1
Resistivity coefficient 𝑘 = ……………………………………………………(119)
𝜌2 +𝜌1
𝜌1 ℎ
For particular value of 𝑎 and , the values of are read form the ‘master curves’ for
𝜌𝑎 𝑎
ℎ
different values of 𝑘. Multiplying the values by the corresponding 𝑎, ℎ values are
𝑎
obtained. These are plotted as ′𝑘 vs ℎ′ , (see fig. 8.6)
If the curves for different electrode spacings ′𝑎′ intersect near a point, it can be
assumed as a simple two-layer case, and the coordinates ℎ and 𝑘 of this point can be
read. From this 𝑘, the resistivity of the substratum can be obtained from
1+𝑘
𝜌2 = 𝜌1 ………………………………………………………………………(120)
1−𝑘
and
ℎ = thickness of the surface layer
The limitations of this method are:
i. The value of 𝜌1 obtained at small electrode spacings (𝑎 → 0) may not truly
represent the resistivity of the top layer unless it is homogeneous and isotropic.
ii. It involves numerous steps and is time consuming.
4.3 GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES
The geophysical techniques inside a drilled hole include
a. Electric logging - electrical resistivity and spontaneous potential
b. Radioactive logging
c. Induction logging
d. Sonic logging
e. Fluid logging-temperature logging, fluid resistivity logging, flow meter and tracer
logging
f. Well construction and completion measurements – defining hole alignment, caliper
logging, cement bond logging and water level measurements.
g. Downhole photography
INVASION:
During the drilling operations, the mud in the borehole is usually
conditioned so that the hydrostatic pressure inside is greater than the pressure of
the formations. The mud filtrate pushes the interstitial water of the formation up
to a certain distance called ‘flushed zone’ though its influence is still further up to
what is called the ‘invaded zone’, beyond which the formation is uncontaminated.
The solid particles of the infiltrating fluid are deposited on the wall of the
borehole forming a mud cake, which considerably reduces the infiltration. The
different zones and their resistivities are shown in fig. 8.11.
In actual logging, the logging tool with three electrodes built up in it (one
being on the ground surface) called the ‘sonde’ is connected to a multiconductor
cable passing over a sheave and via winch and electronic recorder mounted on a
truck to a power source. The sonde is lowered into the hole, Fig. 8.12, and the
recorder with moving pen traces the electrical resistivity on graph paper
FORMATION FACTOR:
The formation resistivity factor 𝐹 depends on the lithology of the aquifer
𝑅0
𝐹= ……………………………………………………………………….(121)
𝑅𝑤
Where 𝑅0 = resistivity of the rock saturated with conducting fluid (assumed equal
to true formation resistivity 𝑅𝑡 ) and 𝑅𝑤 = resistivity of the saturating fluid
𝑎
Also 𝐹 = …………………………………………………………………(122)
𝜙𝑚
Where 𝑎, 𝑚 = constants depending on rock property and mineralogical
composition, and 𝑚 is called the cementation factor and 𝜙 =effective porosity
1
Archie’s formula 𝐹 = ……………………………………………………(123)
𝜙𝑚
0.81
For sands 𝐹 = ……………………………………………………………(124)
𝜙2
SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL:
Where 𝑎𝑤 , 𝑎𝑚𝑓 =chemical activities of the interstitial water and mud filtrate,
respectively and 𝐾 = coefficient proportional to the absolute temperature of
formation (𝐾 = 71 at 25°C).
The chemical activity of a solution is related to the salt content and hence
to the resistivity. The 𝑆𝑃 due to electrochemical activity may be written as
𝑅𝑚𝑓
𝑆𝑃 = −𝐾 log …………………………………………………………….(128)
𝑅𝑤
Where 𝑅𝑚𝑓 =resistivity of the mud fluid and 𝑅𝑤 = resistivity of the formation
water
The SP curve generally provides the best logging approach to the determination of
water quality.
STATIC SP:
The SP currents flow through the borehole, the invaded and the non-invaded part
of the permeable formation and the surrounding shales. In each medium the
potential along a line of current flow drops proportionately due to the resistance
encountered by the SP current. If the SP currents could be prevented from flowing
by insulation plugs, the potential difference in the mud equals the total e.m.f. The
SP curve which would be recorded in such idealized conditions is called the static
SP or SSP opposite clean formations.
𝜌𝑓 =fluid density
In a logging equipment used by Geological Survey of Canada 10 to 35
millicuries of cobalt 60 is used as gamma source attached below a sodium iodide
detector.
NEUTRON LOGGING:
Neutron rays are useful in determining the porosity of formations. A ‘fast
neutron’ source is sued to bombard the rock. When any individual neutron
collides with a hydrogen ion (of a water molecule), some of the neutron’s energy
is lost and it slows down. A large number of slow neutrons, as recorded by a slow
neutron counter, indicates a large amount of fluid, i.e; high porosity.
Each radiation produces a pulse in the circuit. The number of pulses per
unit time is recorded. This can be done in cased or uncased holes, Fig. 8.16(b).
The gamma ray log does not indicate casing or presence of fluid while the neutron
log is sensitive to both casing and fluid in the hole as well as in the formation, fig.
8.16(c).
TEMPERATURE LOGGING:
The rate of increase of temperature with depth (geothermal gradient) depends on
the locality and heat conductivity of the formations. Temperatures encountered in
drill holes are dependent not only on the natural geothermal gradient but also on
the circulation of the mud. Temperature logs may be used to identify aquifers or
perforated sections, contributing water or gas to a well, to provide data on the
source of water, as an aid in identifying rock types and for calculating fluid
viscosity and specific conductance from fluid resistivity logs.