Direct Current Resistivity Profiling to Study Distribution of Water in the Unsaturated Zone Near the Amargosa Desert Research Site, Nevada

摘要

In order to study the distribution of water in the unsaturated zone and potential for ground-water recharge near the Amargosa Desert Research Site south of Beatty, Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey collected direct-current resistivity measurements along three profiles in May 2003 using an eight-channel resistivity imaging system. Resistivity data were collected along profiles across the ADRS, across a poorly incised (distributary) channel system of the Amargosa River southwest of the ADRS, and across a well-incised flood plain of the Amargosa River northwest of the ADRS. Subsurface profiles of resistivity produced from these data indicate three categories of materials: 1) laterally extensive very-dry, high-resistivity (> 150 ohm-m) materials at the surface, 2) localized regions of higher-water content, and lower-resistivity (