Inexpensive Geophysical Instruments Supporting Groundwater Exploration in Developing Nations

James A.  Clark; Richard  Page

doi:10.4236/jwarp.2011.310087

James A. Clark, Richard Page

Abstract: Geophysical methods are often used to aid in exploration for safe and abundant groundwater. In particular resistivity and seismic refraction methods are helpful in determining depth to bedrock and zones of saturation in the subsurface. However the expense of these instruments ($5000 to $20,000) has resulted in their limited use in developing countries. This paper describes how to construct these devices for less than $250 each. The instruments are small, light and robust and are as useful for groundwater exploration as the commercial models for shallow aquifers (less than 35 m deep) where wells can be hand dug, augured or drilled with small portable drill rigs. Data interpretation can be accomplished quickly in the field with free software implemented on a laptop computer. A suite of geophysical instruments and software can therefore be assembled for less than $850. This paper gives the design for these instruments and essential information needed to use them. It is hoped that these inexpensive geophysical instruments can be widely distributed among drillers and aid workers in developing countries, improving the success rate of water wells.

Keywords: Groundwater Geophysics, Inexpensive, Developing World, Resistivity, Seismic Refraction, Groundwater Exploration

Cite this paper: nullJ. Clark and R. Page, "Inexpensive Geophysical Instruments Supporting Groundwater Exploration in Developing Nations," Journal of Water Resource and Protection, Vol. 3 No. 10, 2011, pp. 768-780. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2011.310087.

References

[1] W. M. Telford, L. P. Geldart, R. E. Sheriff and D. A. Keys, “Applied Geophysics,” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1982.

[2] R. D. Barker, C. C. White and J. F. T. Houston, “Borehole Siting in an African Accelerated Drought Relief Project,” In: E. P. Wright and W. G. Burgess, Ed., Hydrogeology of Crystalline Basement Aquifers in Africa, Geological Society Special Publication, No. 66, 1992, pp. 183-201. doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1992.066.01.09

[3] R. Kirsch, Ed., “Groundwater Geophysics: A Tool for Hydrogeology,” Springer, New York, 2006.

[4] W. Rabbel, “Seismic Methods,” In: R. Kirsch, Ed, “Groundwater Geophysics: A Tool for Hydrogeology,” Springer, New York, 2006.

[5] H. R. Burger, A. F. Sheehan and C. H. Jones, “Introduction to Applied Geophysics: Exploring the Shallow Subsurface,” W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 2006

[6] R. Herman, “An Introduction to Electrical Resistivity in Geophysics,” American Journal of Physics, Vol. 69, 2001, pp. 943-952. doi:10.1119/1.1378013

[7] M. J. Hornbach, “Development and Implementation of a Portable Low Cost Seismic Data Acquisition System for Classroom Experiments and Independent Studies,” Journal of Geoscience Education, Vol. 52, 2004, pp. 386-390.

[8] J. A. Olowofela, V. O. Jolaosho and B. S. Badmus, “Measuring the Electrical Resisitivity of the Earth Using a Fabricated Resisitivity Meter,” European Journal of Physics, Vol. 26, 2005, pp. 501-515. doi:10.1088/0143-0807/26/3/015

[9] D. P. Ghosh, “The Application of Linear Filter Theory to the Direct Interpretation of Geoelectrical Resistivity Sounding Measurements,” Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 19, 1971, pp. 192-217. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2478.1971.tb00593.x

[10] D. P. Ghosh, “Inverse Filter Coefficients for the Computation of Apparent Resistivity Standard Curves for a Horizontally Stratified Earth,” Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 19, 1971, pp. 769-775. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2478.1971.tb00915.x

[11] E. Orellana and H. M. Mooney, “Master Tables and Curves for Vertical Electrical Sounding over Layered Structures,” Interciencia, Madrid, 1966.

[12] J. H. Scott, “SIPT—A Seismic Refraction Inverse Modeling Program for Timeshare Terminal Computer Systems,” USGS Open-File Report, 1977 pp. 77-365.

[13] S. H. Ward, “Resistivity and Induced Polarization Methods,” In: S. Ward, Ed., Geotechnical and Environmental Geophysics: Review and Tutorial, Vol. 1, Society of Exploration Geophysicists Investigations in Geophysics, 1990, pp. 147-189. doi:10.1190/1.9781560802785

[14] D. W. Steeples, “Shallow Seismic Methods,” In: Y. Rubin and S. S. Hubbard, Eds., Hydrogeophysics, Vol. 50, Part. 2, 2005, pp. 215-251. doi:10.1007/1-4020-3102-5_8

[15] R. H. Brown, P. A. Konoplyantsev, J. Ineson and V. S. Kovalevsky (Eds.), “Groundwater Studies: An International Guide for Research and Practice,” UNESCO Studies and Report in Hydrology, No. 7, Sect. 9.1, 1997, p. 2.

[16] S. Mutiti, J. Levy, C. Mutiti, and N. S. Gaturu, “Assessing Ground Water Development Potential Using Landsat Imagery,” Ground Water, Vol. 48, 2010, pp. 295-305. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2008.00524.x