Frequency-domain electromagnetics - Sounding

Method Type:
Electromagnetic Methods
Assigned Problems:
+
Aquifer pollution
Groundwater
+
Contaminant plumes
Hazardous Waste
+
Foundations of ancient structures
Buildings and Structures
+
Fractures
Groundwater
+
Gravel, clay, limestone, salt exploration
Natural Resources
+
Groundwater table
Groundwater
+
Host sediments, hydogeological settings
Hazardous Waste
+
Location of buried materials
Hazardous Waste
+
Monitoring
Hazardous Waste
+
Permafrost and ice detection
Natural Hazards
0
Cavity detection
Civil Engineering
0
Characteristics of hazardous waste
Hazardous Waste
0
Dead body
Forsenic Investigations
0
Landslides
Natural Hazards
0
Porosity / Permeability
Groundwater
0
Quality / Thickness of aquifer/aquitard
Groundwater
0
Quality and thickness (Natural resources)
Natural Resources
0
UXO detection
Hazardous Waste
0
Weapon
Forsenic Investigations
'+' = Technique applicable; '0' = Application possible/limited use.

Principle:
Frequency domain electromagnetic sounding measures the vertical variations of electrical
conductivity of the subsurface using the amplitude and phase of a magnetic field resulting from
induced electromagnetic currents. In contrast to geoelectric sounding no galvanic ground coupling
is required.
Keywords:
Frequency domain EM; FDEM Sounding; EM31; magnetic fields; sounding curves; 1-D resistivitydepth functions
Prerequisites:
- Target must be characterized by a resistivity contrast
- Buried wires, metal pipes, metal fences may influence measurements
- Urban areas may cause high noise levels (e.g. stray currents)
- High-voltage power lines, railways and antennas may influence measurements
- Coins, metallic belt buckle may influence measurements
- Changing waether conditions may influence measurements
- Topography / surface dips > 10 may require topographic corrections
Resolution:
The depth of investigation is a function of the spacing between the transmitter and receiver coil,
frequency and coil orientation.
Expected Results:
- Measured parameter: magnetic fields resulting from induced currents are recorded with
induction coils [mV].

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- Data analysis: voltages are plotted in form of apparent resistivities as profiles or contour maps.
The sounding is applied in perpendicular direction to justify the 1-D models. Non-uniqueness
problem: Several different underground models can be derived from one observed data set.
Layer suppression: relatively thin layers between two layers of moderate resistivity may not
contribute to the measured data and therefore remain hidden.
- Interpretation: often qualitative. Areas displaying anomalously high or low values, or anomalous
patterns can be identified. Depth of objects can be roughly estimated. Resistivity-depth
functions are associated with geological units. A priori information (layer thickness and/or
resistivity values) is helpful to constrain the models.
Combination with other Methods:
- Required additional information: rough estimate of target depths
- Related add-on information: electromagnetic data; electrical data; knowledge of layer
thicknesses (e.g., borehole logs, seismic methods) and/or resistivity values (e.g., electrical
logs).
- Independent additional information: georadar data; seismics data
Operation Expense:
- Crew size: 1 key person; 1-2 assistant
- Acquisition speed: maximum of around 3 km profile length per day depending on coil
separations and orientations, topography
- Processing: requires 1 - 2 days per acquisition day
- Equipment rental costs: low
Parameters to specify:
- Array orientation: Should be perpendicular to the strike for a maximum response of geological
structures (if only measured along profiles)
- Spacing between measurements (few m to few tens of m)
- Line spacing
- Spacings between transmitter and receiver coil
- Spacing between measurements should be around half the coil spacing, line spacing should in
the order of the coil spacing. A denser measuring grid above anomalies may improve the
interpretation.
- Coil orientation
- Coil separation
- Transmitter frequencies
QC Documents:
- Around 2 - 5 % of repeated measurements
- Field notes (e.g., all activities, effective time schedule, present personnel)
- Optional: Map of buried cables, roads
Products:
- 1-D resistivity-depth functions
- Profile data
- Contour maps
- Sounding curves
- Interpretation

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