Application of electrical and magnetic geophysical methods in depth estimation of potential mineral depositat Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Southwestern Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
J.O Coker ◽  
A.E. Akinmoladun ◽  
A.J. Agbelemoge ◽  
S.O. Ariyo ◽  
O.O. Bayewu ◽  
...  

Geophysical techniques are powerful tools in depth estimation of minerals deposits. This survey was carried out to evaluate the nature and  depth of mineral deposits near the Sports complex of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.’. A total of five (5) Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) points were investigated using Pasi Terrameter. The spread across the area using the Schlumberger  configuration was with a maximum current electrode separation of 100m. The results obtained were interpreted quantitatively and  qualitatively using partial curve matching and computer iteration programs known as WINRESIST and SURFER 11. Also, forty one (41) survey profiles were taken at a station interval of 5m using the GEM Magnetometer to acquire the Total Magnetic Intensity reading. The Guassian filter-Oasis Montaj was used for the computation of regional field from the observed TMI readings of the area. The geologic andstructural map reveals a few visible fractured zones imbedded in the migmatite-gneiss deposits which spread from the northwest to the southern and eastern part of the study area and the granite gneiss was seen around the Southwestern and Northern parts. The delineated fractures could potentially serve as geologic traps for mineral localization. The 2D radial average power spectrum indicates that, the northeast part of the mapped area has a depth of 4.5mand a depth of 13m at the eastern part. It can be seen that the depth are shallow and there are visible outcrops at the study area.The approximate depth to the mineral deposit was determined using the standard Euler solution to be around 13 m and the elevation range obtained varies between 37 m – 50 m. The correlation of the electrical and magnetic techniques shows that both methods are able to give the estimated depth of shallow mineral deposit which range between 13 m – 18m. Keywords: Euler solution, Geophysical Techniques, Lithology, Total Magnetic Intensity, Vertical Electrical Sounding.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6363
Author(s):  
Muhammad Noor Amin Zakariah ◽  
Norsyafina Roslan ◽  
Norasiah Sulaiman ◽  
Sean Cheong Heng Lee ◽  
Umar Hamzah ◽  
...  

Gravity survey is one of the passive geophysical techniques commonly used to delineate geological formations, especially in determining basement rock and the overlying deposit. Geologically, the study area is made up of thick quaternary alluvium deposited on top of the older basement rock. The Muda River basin constitutes, approximately, of more than 300 m of thick quaternary alluvium overlying the unknown basement rock type. Previous studies, including drilling and geo-electrical resistivity surveys, were conducted in the area but none of them managed to conclusively determine the basement rock type and depth precisely. Hence, a regional gravity survey was conducted to determine the thickness of the quaternary sediments prior to assessing the sustainability of the Muda River basin. Gravity readings were made at 347 gravity stations spaced at 3–5 km intervals using Scintrex CG-3 covering an area and a perimeter of 9000 km2 and 730 km, respectively. The gravity data were then conventionally reduced for drift, free air, latitude, Bouguer, and terrain corrections. These data were then consequently analyzed to generate Bouguer, regional and total horizontal derivative (THD) anomaly maps for qualitative and quantitative interpretations. The Bouguer gravity anomaly map shows low gravity values in the north-eastern part of the study area interpreted as representing the Main Range granitic body, while relatively higher gravity values observed in the south-western part are interpreted as representing sedimentary rocks of Semanggol and Mahang formations. Patterns observed in the THD anomaly and Euler deconvolution maps closely resembled the presence of structural features such as fault lineaments dominantly trending along NW-SE and NE-SW like the trends of topographic lineaments in the study area. Based on power spectral analysis of the gravity data, the average depth of shallow body, representing alluvium, and deep body, representing underlying rock formations, are 0.5 km and 1.2 km, respectively. The thickness of Quaternary sediment and the depth of sedimentary formation can be more precisely estimated by other geophysical techniques such as the seismic reflection survey.


2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Meric ◽  
S Garambois ◽  
D Jongmans ◽  
M Wathelet ◽  
J L Chatelain ◽  
...  

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.


Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donat Demanet ◽  
François Renardy ◽  
Kris Vanneste ◽  
Denis Jongmans ◽  
Thierry Camelbeeck ◽  
...  

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadegh Rezaei ◽  
Issa Shooshpasha ◽  
Hamed Rezaei

Today, geotechnical and geophysical techniques are used for landslide evaluation. Geotechnical methods provide accurate data, but are time consuming and costly. Geophysical techniques, however, are fast and inexpensive, yet their accuracy is lower than that of the geotechnical methods. Therefore, simultaneous use of geotechnical and geophysical methods provides a suitable solution for landslide evaluation. Availability of geotechnical and geophysical data makes it possible to investigate correlation between different parameters. Correlating geotechnical and geophysical parameters ends up lowering field investigation costs and enhancing subsurface survey speed in a landslide zone. In the present study, in order to evaluate Nargeschal landslide in Iran, ambient noise measurement, ERT survey, and geotechnical investigations were used. Once finished with data processing, the data obtained from geotechnical and geophysical investigations were correlated. These included SPT-N – electrical resistivity, soil moisture content – electrical resistivity, and SPT-N – shear wave velocity correlations. The correlations were examined using two methods, namely Spearman’s coefficient test and least square regression analysis. The results obtained from the two methods were in good agreement with one another. The correlations obtained in this study were of moderate to very strong strength and fell in the range of the results of previous studies. Investigation of the results indicated significant influences of ground water on electrical resistivity and soil stiffness on shear wave velocity. Results of this study can be used for soil classification and determination of mechanical and seismic characteristics of soil across various areas.


Author(s):  
Norman Herz ◽  
Ervan G. Garrison

Geophysical techniques are a commonplace tool in today's archaeology as a result of an extensive collaboration between scientists and archaeologists on both sides of the Atlantic. This "cross-fertilization" has produced growing subdisciplines, of which archaeological geophysics is one example. As may be recalled from our introductory chapter, K. Butzer defined geoarchaeology as archaeology done using a geological methodology. G. Rapp and J. A. Gifford describe archaeological geology as the use of geological techniques to solve archaeological problems. Fagan has called geoarchaeology a "far wider enterprise than geology," involving (1) geochemical and geophysical techniques to locate sites and features; (2) studies of site formation and spatial context; (3) geomorphology, palynology, paleobotany; (4) absolute and relative dating procedures; and (5) taphonomic studies. Archaeological geophysics is a major aspect of archaeological geology. The application of geophysical exploration techniques in archaeology is also known as archaeogeophysics. Geophysical methods of potential usefulness to archaeological geology fall within the following classes: 1. seismic: reflection/refraction 2. electrical & electromagnetic: resistivity and conductivity 3. magnetic 4. radar 5. microgravity 6. thermography All have been used on a variety of archaeological problems. The application of geophysical techniques has grown as (1) the access to the instruments and (2) the methodological understanding of the users have increased. Access to geophysical instrumentation has been made easier by the steady development in solid-state design and computerization, which has reduced size and costs as it has in almost every technical field. The beneficiaries are the geologists and archaeologists. The first to recognize the applicability of geophysical methods to archaeology were the geologists—more specifically, the geophysicists. Working in association with their archaeological colleagues, the earth scientists translated the objectives of the archaeologists into practice. Such cooperation was very productive but suffered from the same kinds of problems that dogged the early usage and acceptance of radiocarbon dating. The archaeologists' untutored enthusiasm, coupled with their lack of a true understanding of the physics and atmospheric chemistry inherent in that technique, led to a backlash of skepticism when dates reported by the first radiocarbon researchers were found to be in error.


Geophysics ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Espey

This report provides statistics on worldwide use of geophysical methods in 1976. Data were obtained primarily through a survey questionnaire which was mailed out to more than 500 companies, government agencies, and universities that use geophysical techniques for petroleum exploration, oceanography, engineering, mining, geothermal exploration, and groundwater exploration. Response to the survey was excellent, providing detailed information on all types of airborne, land, and marine surveys. Computer processing was utilized in tabulating the statistics to provide detailed information on methods used, line‐miles covered, and average costs. Data not supplied on the questionnaire for costs or line‐mileage were estimated on the basis of worldwide averages to produce a more comprehensive report.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yawar Hussain ◽  
Martin Cardenas-Soto ◽  
Salvatore Martino ◽  
Cesar Moreira ◽  
Welitom Borges ◽  
...  

Geophysical methods have a varying degree of potential for detailed characterization of landslides and their dynamics. In this study, the application of four well-established seismic-based geophysical techniques, namely Ambient Noise Interferometry (ANI), Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR), Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and Nanoseismic Monitoring (NM), were considered to examine their suitability for landslide characterization and monitoring the effect of seasonal variation on slope mass. Furthermore, other methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and DC Resistivity through Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) were also used for comparison purpose. The advantages and limitations of these multiple techniques were exemplified by a case study conducted on Sobradinho landslide in Brazil. The study revealed that the geophysical characterization of the landslide using traditional techniques (i.e., GPR, ERT and MASW) were successful in (i) the differentiation between landslide debris and other Quaternary deposits, and (ii) the delineation of the landslide sliding surface. However, the innovative seismic based techniques, particularly ambient noise based (HVSR and ANI) and emitted seismic based (NM), were not very effective for the dynamic monitoring of landslide, which might be attributed to the short-time duration of the data acquisition campaigns. The HVSR was also unsuccessful in landslide site characterization i.e., identification of geometry and sliding surface. In particular, there was no clear evidence of the light seasonal variations, which could have been potentially detected from the physical parameters during the (short-time) ambient noise and microseismic acquisition campaigns. Nevertheless, the experienced integration of these geophysical techniques may provide a promising tool for future applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 620-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Elizabeth Jeffery ◽  
Stephen Penn ◽  
David Peter Giles ◽  
Linley Hastewell

The chalk bedrock of the Hampshire Basin, southern England is an important aquifer and is highly susceptible to dissolution, making the development and presence of karstic features a widespread occurrence. These features are hazardous because they provide possible pathways to the underlying aquifer and therefore present potential site-specific contamination risks. There is also evidence of extensive extraction, through both mining and surface quarrying, of chalk, flint and clay over many centuries. Geophysical techniques consisting of electromagnetic (EM31) and ground-penetrating radar surveys were used to identify and characterize target features identified from desk study data. The ground-penetrating radar and EM31 interpretations allowed the classification of non-anthropogenic target features, such as diffuse buried sinkholes with disturbed and subsiding clay-rich infill and varying symmetrical and asymmetrical morphologies. We describe here the investigations of such features identified at Holme Farm, Stansted House, Hampshire. The combination of EM31 data and ground-penetrating radar profiles facilitated the identification of a palaeovalley, cavities and irregular rockhead. This investigation identified locations of aquifer contamination risk as some sinkholes have been sites for the illegal dumping of waste or the infiltration of fertilizers, leaking sewage pipes or animal waste. This potential source of contamination utilizes the sinkhole as a pathway into the highly transmissive White Chalk Subgroup of Hampshire and has caused contamination of the aquifer. We conclude that our integrated approach of geophysical techniques linked to aerial photographs and LiDAR image interpretation was highly effective in the location and characterization of dissolution structures, infilled former quarries and mining features at this site.


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