Estimation of hydraulic parameters using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and empirical laws in a semi‐confined aquifer

Abstract

The estimation of hydraulic parameters is critical for the rational use of water resources and the development of reliable hydrogeological models. However, the cost of such estimation can be very high and the data are limited to the area near the pumping well. For this reason, complementary methods for estimating hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity have become increasingly important in recent years, such as the adjustment of empirical relationships between geoelectrical and hydraulic parameters. In this paper, two linear relationships were tested, combining resistivity measurements from well logging profiles and hydraulic conductivity values from pumping test data, in a semi‐confined fluvial aquifer in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Furthermore, these relationships were used to obtain two‐dimensional (2D) hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity sections from electrical resistivity tomography using a high‐definition electrode array. Predicted values were compared with traditional pumping test in a near well showing very good agreement with both methods. Results showed that it would be possible to quantify the 2D variation of hydraulic parameters in aquifers and to identify high‐ or low‐productivity areas. By knowing this information in advance, it is possible to reduce the number of failures or unexpected results when drilling a well. These 2D sections also provide additional information about hydraulic parameters and their lateral variability, and can improve hydrogeological models without drilling new wells.

Quantitative estimations of aquifer properties from resistivity in the Bolivian highlands

“…The flow of water and the flow of electrical current in porous media are governed by similar petrophysical parameters (e.g., porosity, grain size distribution, pore size distribution, mineralogy of grains, geometry of pores, tortuosity), making them related to each other (Soupios et al 2007;Kirsch & Yaramanci 2009). Many authors have used the analogy of the governing factors for hydraulic and electrical conduction to establish empirical relationships and models (Börner 2009;Perdomo et al 2018). For example, Archie's law relates bulk resistivity and fluid resistivity in a formation factor that depends on the tortuosity and the porosity (Glover 2016;Perdomo et al 2018).…”

“…Many authors have used the analogy of the governing factors for hydraulic and electrical conduction to establish empirical relationships and models (Börner 2009;Perdomo et al 2018). For example, Archie's law relates bulk resistivity and fluid resistivity in a formation factor that depends on the tortuosity and the porosity (Glover 2016;Perdomo et al 2018). Another approach is the Kozeny-Carman equation, which relates the hydraulic conductivity among the porosity with its hydraulic radius, the tortuosity and other structural parameters (Börner 2009).…”

“…The conventional ways to estimate these parameters are through pumping tests, slug tests, permeameter measurements and grain size analysis (Fetter 2001). However, these tests can be expensive, time-consuming and depend on the existence of boreholes and sampling points conveniently distributed over a study area (Soupios et al 2007;Perdomo et al 2018). Likewise, values of hydrogeological parameters can vary over relatively short distances in heterogeneous aquifers, making the results from conventional methods valid only for small sectors of an aquifer (Perdomo et al 2018).…”

“…However, these tests can be expensive, time-consuming and depend on the existence of boreholes and sampling points conveniently distributed over a study area (Soupios et al 2007;Perdomo et al 2018). Likewise, values of hydrogeological parameters can vary over relatively short distances in heterogeneous aquifers, making the results from conventional methods valid only for small sectors of an aquifer (Perdomo et al 2018). The correlation between resistivity and hydrogeological properties in porous aquifers can be used to get cost-effective estimations of parameters like K and T from surface geoelectrical measurements (Tizro et al 2010).…”

Investigation of Groundwater Potential using Electrical Resistivity Method and Hydraulic Parameters in Lam Apeng, Aceh Besar, Indonesia.

“…The resistivity and aquifer thickness values from the inversion of electrical resistivity data were used to determine aquifer parameters (soil corrosivity, protective capacity, and designation).Usually, the conventional way to estimate these parameters is through a pumping test and grain size analysis (Fetter, 2001). But the test takes longer time and is not economical (Perdomo et al, 2018;. Therefore, a geophysical approach (electrical resistivity method) can be used to determine hydraulic parameters (Abdulrazzaq et al, 2020;Hasan et al, 2020).…”