Geophysical detection of groundwater. Final technical report Sep 80-Apr 82

A review was undertaken of the use of conventional geophysical methods for the detection of groundwater. Geophysical methodology has been used for a number of years in groundwater exploration. However, the total cost of groundwater exploration efforts has been minimal and, hence, there has been no extensive development of specific techniques and procedures for exploring for groundwater. It is proposed that using currently available geophysical methods, namely electrical and seismic methods, in an integrated fashion (e.g. in a manner in which one measures multiple parameters) is the most viable way to undertake groundwater exploration. Instrumentation on the market today is applicable to groundwater exploration, and there does not appear to be the need for significant development of instrumentaiton. However, there is the opportunity to develop other more efficient methodologies, and also to develop both improved and enhanced interpretation procedures. These improved interpretation methods will undoubtedly rely quite extensively on microprocessor based hardware. Computerbased analysis of data improves the ability to interpret noisy data, and also facilitates the interpretation of data by inexperienced individuals. The computer hardware for implementing many proposed interpretation algorithms is now available.