Resistivity Survey using Terrameter SAS 4000 System

Submitted to : Sir Anwar Qadir

Submitted by: shaikh Aqeel Ahmed 01-161082-035 BS- Geology-7 Subject: Hydrogeology

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Bahria university, Islamabad.

Abstract

Vertical electrical sounding is 1-D Resisitivity survey and is mostly conducted to explore the possibilities of underground water and gives information about subsurface lithology in an area. The tool used for such surveys is Terrameter system and the tool configuration mostly used is the schlumberger array. Apart from Electrical resistivity survey the terrameter system is also applied for Spontaneous potential (sp) and induced polarization measurements.

Introduction
Electrical and electromagnetic methods make up a large portion of all geophysical methods used. They also include some of the oldest methods used to explore the subsurface. Electrical methods can be used to measure different quantities including current flow, electrical potential and electromagnetic fields. The first electrical method to be used in this course will be direct current (DC) resistivity. Terrameter SAS system: consists of a basic unit called the terrameter SAS 1000 or SAS 4000 which can be supplemented as desired with accessories such as the ABEM LUND electrode systems and the ABEM SAS LOG 300 borehole logging unit. SAS stands for signal averaging system, a method whereby consecutive and the readings results are are taken averaged
Figure 1 Figure a : ABEM Terrameter SAS sysytem

automatically

continuously. SAS results are more reliable than those obtained using single-shot systems. SAS 1000/4000 can be used for resistivity surveys, ip surveys and self-potential surveys. The ABEM LUND system is an automatic electric imaging system, suited for automatic resistivity. IP and SP profiling. The SAS Log 300 provides an efficient simple way of extending your survey into wells and drill holes. It consists of a 300m cable with logging probe electrodes, temperature transducer, water level indicator and resistivity cell all mounted on a backpacking frame. Controls and terminals A. Measure knob : turn the knob upward or downward to perform a measurement. B. and Control knob : turn the knob to the right to accept a menu choice or to the

left to cancel. C. control knob : Used to increase or decrease values in data entry fields. Also used to scroll between menus.

Power : To turm on press these two control knobs towards each other until the LED comes on. To turn off press towards each other for a moment and then accept Ok.

Figure b: Terrameter panel with display (center), control knobs (right), multi purpose communication and signal connector (left), and current and potential terminals (top).

Field surveying This section deals with the survey method and resistivity measurements. for resistivity measurements the most commonly used arrangement is the Schlumberger array. Basic concepts:. In a nonhomogeneous earth, the resistivity which is measured is not actually the true resistivity of the subsurface. For an earth with more than one layer, the apparent resistivity measured will be an average of the resistivities of the additional layers. The apparent resistivity data needs to be interpreted in terms of a subsurface model in order to determine the actual resistivities of the layers. All the resistivity values measured by this instrument are governed by Ohms law. Resistivity has units of ohm m and is not to be confused with resistance which has units of ohms. The resistivity of a material is defined as p = RA/L where R is the resistance of the material, A is the cross-sectional area through which current flows and L is the length on the material.

Survey methods and electrode configurations: Resistivity surveys are conducted as either soundings or profiles. A sounding is used to determine changes in resistivity with depth. The electrode spacing is varied for each measurement, but the center point of the array is constant. A resistivity profile is used to detect lateral variations in resistivity. For this configuration, the electrode spacing is fixed while the center of the array is varied. There are various electrode configurations which can be used in resistivity surveying. The apparent resistivity measured by the array depends on the geometry of the electrodes. The majority of resistivity surveys use two current electrodes and two potential electrodes. The two main array configurations are the Wenner array and the Schlumberger array. The Wenner array has the simplest geometry, with all of the electrodes equally spaced. This is illustrated in figure 3. The Schlumberger array is more complex with the spacing between the current electrodes not equal to the spacing between the potential electrodes. The Schlumberger array is shown in figure 4. In general, the potential electrode spacing is negligible compared to the current electrode spacing for this type of array.

Figure 2 Wenner array configuration

Figure 3 Schlumberger array configuration

Where P1 and P2: potential electrodes

C1 and C2 : current electrodes

Measurements: The resistivity meter (ABEM Terrameter SAS 4000, Sweden) was used to collect the vertical electrical sounding (VES) resistivity data. For this purpose the Schlumberger electrode configuration was followed with half current electrode spacing (AB/2) ranging from 5 to 10 m and potential electrode (MN) spacing of 1 m. The collected data is given in the table. Reading number Current electrode Potential spacing (AB/2) electrode spacing meters (MN) meters 5 1 10 1 Resistivity Ohm m Current Mega.amp

1 2 Interpretation:

23.120 19.553

100 200

Based on the calculated resistivity values i.e 23.120 and 19.553 ohm m respectively it can be concluded that the subsurface consists of Wet to moist silty and sandy soils within 5 to 10 m depth. Precautions: 1. The ABEM Terrameter SAS 4000 / SAS 1000 deliver high voltages and currents. Always consider all cables and electrodes connected directly or indirectly to the Terrameter to carry current so stay away from cables and electrodes while the system is operating. 2. Wear electrically insulating boots and gloves during field work. 3. Disconnect cables from Terrameter / Electrode Selector before connecting disconnecting electrodes to / from cables. 4. The operator must always keep all parts of the equipment including instrument, electrode selector, electrode cables, and electrodes with him.

References:

http://geophysics.ou.edu/enviro/electric/index.html http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/ES304/MODULES/RES/DESIGN/design.html