A Spatial Pattern(S) of the Eneolithic Multi-Phase Settlement of Brînzeni IV (North-Western Moldova) from the Perspective of Non-Invasive Geophysical Surveys

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-153
Author(s):  
Ghenadie Sîrbu ◽  
Dariusz Król ◽  
Marcin M. Przybyła ◽  
Małgorzata Rybicka
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Current State ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Multi Phase ◽  
North Western

Abstract Non-invasive geophysical methods are often very useful and efficient in the investigation of various archaeological sites. Using one of the most popular of them, i.e. magnetometry, we carried out a survey of the area of the multi-phase Eneolithic site of Brînzeni IV (north-western Moldova) in 2019. As a result, the spatial arrangement of the site and its current state of preservation were preliminarily identified.

scholarly journals Application of the GPR and ERT methods for non-invasive examination of a flood dike

2020 ◽  
Vol 322 ◽  
pp. 01010
Author(s):  
Tomisław Gołębiowski ◽  
Bogdan Piwakowski ◽  
Michał Ćwiklik
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hydraulic Permeability ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Electromagnetic Methods ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Ground Penetrating

As part of the NAWA-EMMAT project, geophysical surveys were carried out on selected sites in Poland, i.e. on the flood dike and in the surrounding of the concrete water dam. The goal of the surveys was the non- invasive detection of loose zones in the flood dike and fractured zones located in the subsoil of the water dam. Terrain geophysical measurements were conducted with the use of electrical and electromagnetic methods as well as applying seismic methods. Due to the limitations of the length of this paper, only selected results recorded on the flood dike using selected geophysical methods, i.e. electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) are presented. The presence of several higher hydraulic permeability zones in the dike was suggested by the results of the ERT method. The GPR method allowed, due to its high resolution, to identify small leakage zones in the body of the dike. An attempt at a quantitative interpretation of the geophysical data was made; for this purpose, the synthetic results obtained from numerical modelling of electrical and electromagnetic fields were applied. For proper construction of numerical models and further interpretation, the results of geotechnical sounding, geological drilling and the results of petrophysical measurements were also used.

scholarly journals Cooperative use of non invasive sensing methodologies for the geophysical monitoring of the archaeological park of Paestum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Capozzoli ◽  
Francesco Soldovieri ◽  
Enzo Rizzo ◽  
Ilaria Catapano ◽  
Giovanni Ludeno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Ancient City ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Ground Penetrating

<p>The deployment of non-invasive sensing methodologies capable of providing information useful to characterize, monitor and manage archaeological sites represents a fundamental step for the conservation/preservation of cultural heritage assets. In the framework of the national project VESTA (funded by the Campania Region), several non invasive activities have been carried out for testing a novel approach of analysis including <em>in situ</em> methodologies, drone and satellite technologies.</p><p>This communication deals with a case study carried out at the monumental archaeological site of Paestum, sited in the southern Italy, where Greek settlers founded the ancient city of <em>Poseidonia</em> (6th century B.C.) [1]. At this site, geophysical surveys based on the combined use of magnetometric analyses [2], geoelectrical surveys [3] and ground-penetrating radar measurements [4] have been performed. Specifically, the areas immediately close to the temples of Ceres and Neptune have been investigated to identify unknown and buried archaeological features and characterise the paleo-morphological context. The different resolution and depth of investigations related to the application of each one of the considered methodologies as well as the use of tomographic methodologies for the data processing allowed the collection of images showing different subsurface features of the investigated area at different spatial scale. These images made possible the identification of anomalies of the subsoil, which were useful both to respond to the questions of the archaeologists and give new perspectives for managing the site. At the conference, the results of the integrated geophysical surveys, as well as their archaeological interpretation, will be presented with a focus on the cultural and social value of the “water resource” for the ancient city of <em>Poseidonia</em>.</p><p> </p><p>[1] https://www.museopaestum.beniculturali.it/?lang=en</p><p>[2] A. Aspinall, C. Gaffney, A. Schmidt, A Magnetometry for archaeologists. Geophysical methods for archaeology, Altamira Press, Lanham (2008).</p><p>[3] A. Binley, A. Kemna, DC resistivity and induced polarization methods. InHydrogeophysics Water and Science Technology Library; R. Yuram, S.S- Hubbard, S.S., Eds.; Springer: New York, NY, USA (2005).</p><p>[4] D. J. Daniels, Ground penetrating radar, IET (2004).</p>

Geophysical Surveys and Modelling for Recognizing of Gypsum Karst

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Łój ◽  
Tomisław Gołębiowski ◽  
Sławomir Porzucek
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modelling ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Surface Zone ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Gypsum Karst ◽  
Karst Cavity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Geophysical Surveys

AbstractGeophysical surveys are often used for examination of karst phenomena in limestone. This paper presents the research on gypsum karst which occurrence is much rarer. Non-invasive terrain surveys were carried out over known karst cavity in order to visualize karst phenomena developed around the void. Two geophysical methods that seems to be predestined for karst examination were selected, i.e. microgravimetry and georadar. For the interpretation of measured data numerical modelling was applied. Geophysical interpenetration depicted the presence of weathered material in the near surface zone and fractures and loose zones located over the karst cavity.

scholarly journals THE SOIL SCIENCE & ARCHAEO-GEOPHYSICS ALLIANCE (SAGA): going beyond prospection

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Cuenca-Garcia ◽  
Kayt Armstrong ◽  
Elina Aidona ◽  
Philippe De Smedt ◽  
Anne Rosveare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Effective Field ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
The Relationship

Archaeological sites can be discovered and recorded in a high-resolution and non-invasive manner using geophysical methods. These measure the spatial variation of a range of physical properties of the soil which may be representative proxies of the subsurface archaeology. Less-invasive and cost-effective field procedures have become top-priority to mitigate the destructive effects on our cultural heritage from intensified land use, climate change and the current conflict panorama. At a time when many organisations are investing in advanced geophysical equipment, a major problem is that our ability to fully interpret the information available from geophysical datasets is still very limited. This deficiency prevents geophysical survey moving beyond basic prospection and becoming a significant tool for answering nuanced questions about archaeology and their host landscapes. This limitation arises from an incomplete understanding of the relationship between soil properties and geophysical measurements. Bridging this gap requires multi-disciplinary teams, testing novel methods, plus scholarly discussion to collate the outcomes of projects on this topic. Overcoming these challenges is a prerequisite for maximising the costeffectiveness of geophysical methods, realising the expected benefits of technological investment and allowing broader utility of geophysical methods in the cultural heritage sector. SAGA will build an international network of geophysicists, archaeologists, soil scientists and other experts to develop our capability to interpret geophysical data and promote research collaborations. Our vision is that after four years, SAGA will have created an environment within which emerging field procedures, enhanced data interpretation and a broader understanding of integrated geophysical methods can flourish.

Integration of Multi-geophysical Approaches to Identify Potential Pathways of Heavy Metals Contamination - A Case Study in Zeida, Morocco

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-423
Author(s):  
Ahmed Lachhab ◽  
El Mehdi Benyassine ◽  
Mohamed Rouai ◽  
Abdelilah Dekayir ◽  
Jean C. Parisot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Electrical Current ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Low Resistivity ◽  
Refraction Tomography ◽  
Geophysical Surveys

The tailings of Zeida's abandoned mine are found near the city of Midelt, in the middle of the high Moulouya watershed between the Middle and the High Atlas of Morocco. The tailings occupy an area of about 100 ha and are stored either in large mining pit lakes with clay-marl substratum or directly on a heavily fractured granite bedrock. The high contents of lead and arsenic in these tailings have transformed them into sources of pollution that disperse by wind, runoff, and seepage to the aquifer through faults and fractures. In this work, the main goal is to identify the pathways of contaminated water with heavy metals and arsenic to the local aquifers, water ponds, and Moulouya River. For this reason, geophysical surveys including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) methods were carried out over the tailings, and directly on the substratum outside the tailings. The result obtained from combining these methods has shown that pollutants were funneled through fractures, faults, and subsurface paleochannels and contaminated the hydrological system connecting groundwater, ponds, and the river. The ERT profiles have successfully shown the location of fractures, some of which extend throughout the upper formation to depths reaching the granite. The ERT was not successful in identifying fractures directly beneath the tailings due to their low resistivity which inhibits electrical current from propagating deeper. The seismic refraction surveys have provided valuable details on the local geology, and clearly identified the thickness of the tailings and explicitly marked the boundary between the Triassic formation and the granite. It also aided in the identification of paleochannels. The tailings materials were easily identified by both their low resistivity and low P-wave velocity values. Also, both resistivity and seismic velocity values rapidly increased beneath the tailings due to the compaction of the material and lack of moisture and have proven to be effective in identifying the upper limit of the granite. Faults were found to lie along the bottom of paleochannels, which suggest that the locations of these channels were caused by these same faults. The VLF-EM surveys have shown tilt angle anomalies over fractured areas which were also evinced by low resistivity area in ERT profiles. Finally, this study showed that the three geophysical methods were complementary and in good agreement in revealing the pathways of contamination from the tailings to the local aquifer, nearby ponds and Moulouya River.

A LOOK INTO THE EARTH: EVALUATING THE USE OF MAGNETIC SURVEY IN AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGY

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Magnavita ◽  
Norbert Schleifer
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Magnetic Survey ◽  
The Past ◽  
Common Technique ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Prehistoric Settlements ◽  
Present Case Study

In the last decades, geophysical methods such as magnetic survey have become a common technique for prospecting archaeological sites. At sub-Saharan archaeological sites, however, magnetic survey and correlated techniques never came into broad use and there are no signs for an immediate change of this situation. This paper examines the magnetic survey undertaken on the Nigerian site of Zilum, a settlement of the Gajiganna Culture (ca 1800-400 BC) located in the Chad Basin and dated to ca 600-400 BC. By means of the present case study, we demonstrate the significance of this particular type of investigation in yielding complementary data for understanding the character of prehistoric settlements. In conclusion, we point out that geophysical methods should play a more important role in modern archaeological field research, as they furnish a class of documentation not achievable by traditional survey and excavation methods, thus creating new perspectives for interpreting the past of African societies.

Application of geophysical methods for the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne, France

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Meric ◽  
S Garambois ◽  
D Jongmans ◽  
M Wathelet ◽  
J L Chatelain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Gravitational Mass ◽  
Electrical Tomography ◽  
Refraction Tomography ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Geophysical Techniques

Several geophysical techniques (electromagnetic profiling, electrical tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and spontaneous potential and seismic noise measurement) were applied in the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne. France. The aim of this study was to test the ability of these methods to characterize and delineate the rock mass affected by this complex movement in mica schists, whose lateral and vertical limits are still uncertain. A major observation of this study is that all the zones strongly deformed (previously and at present) by the movement are characterized by high electrical resistivity values (>3 kΩ·m), in contrast to the undisturbed mass, which exhibits resistivity values between a few hundred and 1 kΩ·m. As shown by the surface observations and the seismic results, this resistivity increase is due to a high degree of fracturing associated with the creation of air-filled voids inside the mass. Other geophysical techniques were tested along a horizontal transect through the movement, and an outstanding coherency appeared between the geophysical anomalies and the displacement rate curve. These preliminary results illustrate the benefits of combined geophysical techniques for characterizing the rock mass involved in the movement. Results also suggest that monitoring the evolution of the rock mass movement with time-lapse geophysical surveys could be beneficial.Key words: gravitational movement, geophysical methods, Séchilienne.

The use of geophysical prospecting for imaging active faults in the Roer Graben, Belgium

Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donat Demanet ◽  
François Renardy ◽  
Kris Vanneste ◽  
Denis Jongmans ◽  
Thierry Camelbeeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Electrical Tomography ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Refraction Seismic ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Geophysical Techniques

As part of a paleoseismological investigation along the Bree fault scarp (western border of the Roer Graben), various geophysical methods [electrical profiling, electromagnetic (EM) profiling, refraction seismic tests, electrical tomography, ground‐penetrating radar (GPR), and high‐resolution reflection seismic profiles] were used to locate and image an active fault zone in a depth range between a few decimeters to a few tens of meters. These geophysical investigations, in parallel with geomorphological and geological analyses, helped in the decision to locate trench excavations exposing the fault surfaces. The results could then be checked with the observations in four trenches excavated across the scarp. Geophysical methods pointed out anomalies at all sites of the fault position. The contrast of physical properties (electrical resistivity and permittivity, seismic velocity) observed between the two fault blocks is a result of a differences in the lithology of the juxtaposed soil layers and of a change in the water table depth across the fault. Extremely fast techniques like electrical and EM profiling or seismic refraction profiles localized the fault position within an accuracy of a few meters. In a second step, more detailed methods (electrical tomography and GPR) more precisely imaged the fault zone and revealed some structures that were observed in the trenches. Finally, one high‐resolution reflection seismic profile imaged the displacement of the fault at depths as large as 120 m and filled the gap between classical seismic reflection profiles and the shallow geophysical techniques. Like all geophysical surveys, the quality of the data is strongly dependent on the geologic environment and on the contrast of the physical properties between the juxtaposed formations. The combined use of various geophysical techniques is thus recommended for fault mapping, particularly for a preliminary investigation when the geological context is poorly defined.

scholarly journals Verification of geophysical models in Alpine permafrost using borehole information

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 300-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Vonder Mühll ◽  
Christian Hauck ◽  
Frank Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Surface Microtopography ◽  
Refraction Seismics ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Lateral Extent ◽  
Ice Content ◽  
Difficult Terrain

AbstractAt two permafrost sites in the Swiss Alps a range of geophysical methods were applied to model the structure of the subsurface. At both sites, borehole information was used to verify the quality of the model results. On the Murtèl-Corvatsch rock glacier (2700 m a.s.L; upper Engadine) a 58 m deep core drilling was performed in 1987. D. c resistivity measurements, refraction seismics, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and gravimetric surveys allowed the shape of the permafrost table beneath the marked surface microtopography to be determined and the lateral extent of a deeper shear horizon to be established The validity of each method was verified by the borehole information (cores, density log and temperature). A coherent model of the rock-glacier structure was developed. At the Schilthorn (2970 m a.s.L; Bernese Oberland), it was not clear whether permafrost is in fact present. Various geophysical surveys (d.c. resistivity tomography, refraction seismics, GPR and EM-31) gave results that were not typical of permafrost environments. A 14 m percussion drilling revealed warm permafrost and a very low ice content. These geotechnical and geothermal data allowed reinterpretation of the geophysical results, improving modelling of ground conditions. The paper demonstrates that in the difficult terrain of Alpine permafrost, boreholes may be critical in calibration and verification of the results of geophysical methods. The most useful combinations of geophysical techniques proved to be (a) seismics with d.c. resistivity, and (b) gravimetry with GPR.

Investigating the Effective Resistivity of Reinforced Concrete Waste Storage Tanks at the Hanford Site

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-50
Author(s):  
Allan Haas ◽  
Dale F. Rucker ◽  
Marc T. Levitt
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Underground Storage ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Hanford Site ◽  
Underground Storage Tanks ◽  
Effective Resistivity ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Wide Range

Industrialized sites pose challenges for conducting electrical resistivity geophysical surveys, as the sites typically contain metallic infrastructure that can mask electrolytic-based soil and groundwater contamination. The Hanford site in eastern Washington State, USA, is an industrialized site with underground storage tanks, piping networks, steel fencing, and other potentially interfering infrastructure that could inhibit the effectiveness of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to map historical and monitor current waste releases. The underground storage tanks are the largest contributor by volume to subsurface infrastructure and can be classified as reinforced concrete structures with an internal steel liner. Directly measuring the effective value for the electrical resistivity of the tank, i.e., the combination of individual components that comprise the tank’s shell, is not reasonably possible because they are buried and dangerously radioactive. Therefore, we indirectly assess the general resistivity of the tanks and surrounding infrastructure by developing synthetic ERT models with a parametric forward modeling study using a wide range of resistivity values from 1×10−6 to 1×104 ohm-m, which are equivalent to steel and dry rock, respectively. The synthetic models used the long-electrode ERT method (LE-ERT), whereby steel cased metallic wells surrounding the tanks are used as electrodes. The patterns and values of the synthetic tomographic models were then compared to LE-ERT field data from the AX tank farm at the Hanford site. This indirect method of assessing the effective resistivity revealed that the reinforced concrete tanks are electrically resistive and the accompanying piping infrastructure has little influence on the overall resistivity distribution when using electrically based geophysical methods for characterizing or monitoring waste releases. Our findings are consistent with nondestructive testing literature that also shows reinforced concrete to be generally resistive.

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