Resolution of freshwater and saline water aquifers by composite geophysical data analysis methods

Abstract

The resolution of the freshwater and saline water aquifers in a coastal terrain (Mahanadi Basin, India) is updated. We analysed electrical borehole log data at four sites and compared the water resistivity regime of the freshwater and saline water zones obtained from electrical borehole logging, with the resistivity regime obtained by interpreting vertical electrical sounding (VES) data. The multilayer VES data interpretation is modified to a simple model, containing only the freshwater zone and the saline water zone. The composite geophysical parameters of the freshwater and saline water zones, in particular the resistivity and longitudinal unit conductance regime, are identified. The resolution obtained from the composite geophysical data analyses is very clear and convincing. The composite longitudinal unit conductance regime of the saline water zones is very high compared to that of the freshwater zones. This makes the identification of the two aquifers easy and increases its reliability. A technique which enables analysis of composite geophysical data of freshwater and saline water zones at VES sites in the vicinity of the borehole log sites is proposed. The significance of longitudinal unit conductance in resolving the freshwater and saline water aquifers is illustrated graphically. The proposed technique is validated by correlating the longitudinal unit conductance and resistivity with the total dissolved solids. The efficiency of the technique is validated by carrying out discriminant function analysis. © 2010 IAHS Press.