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A study on the application of ATEM in hydrogeological investigation

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Abstract

Airborne time-domain electromagnetic (ATEM) which is suitable for large-scale exploration in complex terrain areas is a high-efficiency, flexible geophysical investigation technique widely applied in various fields of work with broad application prospects. It is difficult to carry out ground geophysical exploration because of the great human disturbance in the study area. By applying ATEM in the air, together with ground geophysical investigation efforts, we were able to greatly improve the hydrogeological research degree of the area and provide useful geophysical data for the fundamental geological research there. The observation system used in our study was an AeroTEM-IV system. The survey data were converted into conductivity depth information, which was used together with existing geological data to examine the electrical structure of the area. By the hydrogeological logging interpretation result, we validated the reliability of the AEM data; comprehensive interpretation was also conducted using airborne magnetic (AM) data to improve the accuracy of the interpretation result. After converting the data across the area, we yielded a three-dimensional data body representing the electrical distribution in the area, with which we inferred the Quaternary formation thickness and aquifer distribution there. Our research and interpretation results confirm that ATEM can be used as a useful means for hydrogeological survey and fundamental geological investigation. It is an effective supplement to ground geophysical exploration.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the reviewers and editors for their valuable comments. The basic data of this work are from the China Aero Geophysical Survey & Remote Sensing Center for Natural & Resources (AGRS). We would like to thank the Center for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Survey, China Geological Survey for providing the research information. We also give thanks to the colleagues from AGRS for their help and support during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. China Aero Geophysical Survey & Remote Sensing Center for Natural & Resources, Beijing, 100083, China

    Miao-xin Yang, Sheng-qing Xiong & Sheng-jun Liang

  2. School of Geophysics and Information Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Miao-xin Yang & Han-dong Tan

Authors
  1. Miao-xin Yang
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  2. Sheng-qing Xiong
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  3. Sheng-jun Liang
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  4. Han-dong Tan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sheng-qing Xiong.

Additional information

This work was supported by China Geological Survey project “Resources and Environment Bearing Capacity of Xiongan New Area and Construction of Transparent Xiongan Digital Platform” (China Aero Geophysical Survey & Remote Sensing Center for Natural & Resources) (No. 20201200000180505).

Yang Miaoxin, Doctor. In 2016, she received a Doctor’s degree in Earth Exploration & Information Technology from China University of Geosciences (Beijing). She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in China Aero Geophysical Survey & Remote Sensing Center for Natural & Resources. Her main research interests are electromagnetic forward modeling, inversion methods and their applications.

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Yang, Mx., Xiong, Sq., Liang, Sj. et al. A study on the application of ATEM in hydrogeological investigation. Appl. Geophys. 20, 411–421 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-019-0832-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-019-0832-8

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