Improved Three-Dimensional Resistivity Data Acquisition Capabilities at the Hanford Site

The recent 3D electrical resistivity characterization at 241-U Tank Farm represents the first full-farm true 3D environmental resistivity deployment in the world. Technological and manufacturing developments by the vendor resulted in a data acquisition system that far surpasses the ability of the previous off-the-shelf systems. The new data acquisition system allows for 180 channels, which enables the full-farm 3D acquisition without the inaccuracies associated with combining multiple datasets. This ultimately leads to a more accurate model of the subsurface and a better understanding of moisture and contaminant distribution within the vadose zone. Additionally, advancements in electrical noise filters and increased output power resulted in better quality data than previously acquired at the site, reducing the amount of poor quality data by more than half. Ultimately, the new, improved system increased the speed of data acquisition and quality of the final results. The system allowed a reduction in field labor and field work duration to half the field budget estimates, resulting in a 25% reduction in overall project costs. The new resistivity data acquisition system represents technological advancements resulting in a greater quantity of data with decreased project costs.