An evaluation of the feasibility of the time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography method in quantifying submarine groundwater discharge in fine sediment and highly saline embayments

摘要

Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) continuously shapes our fragile, dynamic coastal ecosystems by facilitating biological zonation and harmful algal blooms. Currently the most accurate and precise methods of investigating SGD are geochemical tracers and seepage meters. While both have proven effective, these methods are limited in characterizing the spatial variability of SGD. More recently, researchers have employed the use of electrical resistivity tomography. While unique, the method could lead to misleading interpretations due to inherent limitations, particularly those encountered in embayments with fine bottom sediments and highly saline porewaters. The proposed research aims to evaluate the feasibility of the technique by constraining relevant parameters (e.g., sediment characteristics, surface and pore fluid composition, bathymetry, and stratigraphy) in an attempt to quantify and correct for any anomalies present in the data.