Water Exploration

Water exploration

Water exploration generally refers to the investigation and assessment of water resources, including surface water and groundwater. This can involve various activities such as:

1. Hydrological Studies: Analyzing the distribution, movement, and properties of water in the environment.
2. Aquifer Assessment: Evaluating groundwater sources for quality, quantity, and sustainability.
3. Surface Water Analysis: Examining rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to understand their ecological health and water quality.
4. Geological Surveys: Studying geological formations to identify potential water sources or assess risks such as contamination.
5. Remote Sensing: Using satellite imagery and aerial surveys to monitor water bodies and changes in water levels.
6. Drilling and Sampling: Conducting borehole drilling to collect water samples for testing and analysis.

These activities are crucial for managing water resources, ensuring access to clean water, and addressing environmental concerns.

Geophysical Method

The Schlumberger array is a commonly used configuration in geophysical surveys, particularly for resistivity and electrical conductivity measurements. This method is widely applied in fields such as hydrogeology, environmental studies, and mineral exploration. Here’s an overview:

Overview of the Schlumberger Array

1. Configuration:
   • The Schlumberger array consists of two current electrodes (A and B) and two potential electrodes (M and N).
   • The current electrodes are placed farther apart than the potential electrodes, which allows for effective measurement of subsurface resistivity.
2. Measurement Process:
   • A direct current is injected into the ground through the A and B electrodes.
   • The resulting voltage difference is measured between the M and N electrodes.
   • This data is used to calculate the resistivity of the subsurface materials.
3. Advantages:
   • The Schlumberger array is known for its sensitivity to vertical changes in resistivity.
   • It allows for deeper penetration of the current, making it suitable for exploring deeper geological layers.

Applications:

1. • Groundwater Exploration: Identifying aquifers and assessing water quality.
   • Environmental Studies: Detecting contaminants in the soil and groundwater.
   • Mineral Exploration: Locating mineral deposits based on resistivity variations.
   • Archaeology: Mapping subsurface features without excavation.

Data Interpretation:

1. • The resistivity data collected can be interpreted using models to create images or profiles of subsurface structures.
   • Software tools are often used to assist in interpreting the data and visualizing the results.

The Schlumberger array is valued for its simplicity and effectiveness in exploring subsurface features, making it a foundational technique in geophysical surveys.

OKM GeoSeeker Mini water detector and cavity detector down to 100 meters (328 ft) depth

Like the water detector OKM GeoSeeker, the GeoSeeker Mini utilizes a geoelectrical measurement procedure based on Schlumberger. The water detector – that can also be used to detect underground cavities – determines the soil resistivity. Based on that apparent resistivity of the ground the detector is able to detect underground water resources like fresh water, drinking water, water-bearing gravel and groundwater level.

Based on the fact that underground water has a very good conductivity, you can conclude that very bad conductivity is a hint for hidden cavities like caves, tunnels, chambers and underground rooms. Thus, the geophysical detector GeoSeeker Mini can be deployed as water finder and cavity detector at the same time.

Operating the water and cavity detector GeoSeeker Mini

The water detector GeoSeeker Mini is operated via touchscreen. Select the measurement depth as well as the amount of scanning points and simply follow the graphical instructions. Due to easy-to-understand images and icons, the GeoSeeker Mini is multilingual by using pure picture language.

During the measurement the electrodes have to be replaced several times to measure the ground resistivity at certain places. All instructions can be read from the color display, where the results are presented after each single scan. At the very end of a measurement the final result is shown as a graphical 2D scan image.

Data visualization of water resources and cavity

After finishing a geoelectrical measurement, the final result is calculated to generate a representative 2D scan image of the underground resistivity. With the pictograms in the lower display area, users can read directly the diagram: The colors in the scheme indicate water deposits (blue with water drops) and/or detected cavities (red with tunnel symbol).

Depending on the selection of the size and depth of the measurement, the display contains several columns and is provided with corresponding depth information.

Using the left button (water drops) and the middle button (tunnel entrance), the user can switch to simplified representations of the measurement results.

OKM Search Services; Water Detection / Well Building, Geotechnical Engineering, Cavity Detection, Agriculture, Archaeology