Combined Application of Hydrogeological and Geoelectrical Study in Groundwater Exploration in Karst-Granite Areas, Jiangxi Province

Abstract

Drinking water shortage is a major concern in villages across southern Jiangxi, and this has impacted economic and social development. In order to address this challenge, groundwater prospecting was carried out in the villages under the support of Drinking Water Safety Project of China Geological Survey. In this study, we present two example sites in Ningdu County selected to demonstrate the combined hydrogeological survey, and the direct current electrical resistivity method was utilized for the present study for groundwater exploration in karst-granite distribution areas. First, a hydrogeological study was effectively used to delineate shallow severely weathered structural fissures as prospective target water-bearing beds. Then, a direct current electrical resistivity survey was used to confirm the distribution, thickness scale, and water-bearing features. The structural fractured zone whose distribution and trend were first established through hydrogeological surveys and whose development characteristics and water-richness were investigated by the direct current electrical resistivity method is the target layer for water exploration in the karst-granite rock areas. The water-bearing fracture zone shows a groove or strip-shape low resistivity anomaly and can be identified in its aquifer position according to its IP half decay time (Th), apparent polarizability (ηs), and apparent resistivity (ρs). The findings demonstrate that the above methods were successful in locating water potential areas, providing information for comparison and accurate borehole positioning. The results of the subsequent drilling and pumping tests supported the interpretation of the geophysical exploration data, and the water output from both boreholes met the objectives of this study. This groundwater search might serve as a guide for future exploration projects in similar areas.

Methods for the Geophysical Exploration and Sustainable Utilisation of Coalbed Methane Resources in Abandoned Mines of Shanxi, China

“…Different types of equipment can be used according to the tasks and electrical conditions, which allow for its flexible application in diverse construction projects. The DC method enables the accurate inference of the occurrence and influence of geological anomalies within the exploration area [41,42].…”

Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique

“…The IPI2win divides the VES field curves into different segments by adopting a curve fitting technique to signify changing resistivity shift vs. depth [72]. The differential resistivity is attributed to lithology assigning different resistivity values based on porosity, permeability, water chemistry, depth, and thickness of subsurface geological units [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. A total of 23 GELS has been drawn showing different horizons to indicate aquifer potential having maximum probability of groundwater.…”

“…Geoelectrical methods are widely utilized for the exploration of groundwater resources, as the geoelectrical properties are related to groundwater properties, lithology, chemistry, and porosity [20][21][22][23]. The geoelectrical resistivity method is a cost-effective and easily accessible method for evaluating groundwater before investing in drilling [22,24].…”

Integrated geophysical methods for studying the karst system of Ravansar

“…Depending on the karstification level, such formations are found at various depths and have a range of geometries and sizes. Karst formation, subterranean hydrogeological systems, and surface morphology all interact directly and continuously in this kind of environment (Ford & Williams, 2007;Lubang et al, 2023).…”