Method of mapping and monitoring groundwater and subsurface aqueous systems

摘要

An electromagnetic method is disclosed that can be used to map, track, and monitor subsurface water or solutions and related geologic structure including: groundwater, groundwater channels, groundwater structures, subsurface pollution plumes, locate the source of springs or seeps, map interconnected fracture or porous zones, map leaks in earthen dams, map leaks in drain fields, monitor changes in subsurface water flow, monitor changes in ion concentration in groundwater, monitor in situ leaching solution, monitor movement of heap leaching solutions, monitor changes in subsurface redox or reaction fronts, monitor underground chemical reactions, monitor subterranean bioreactions, or other subsurface waters and related geologic structures. An electric current is injected directly into the water or solution that is to be mapped, tracked, or monitored. It is also necessary to provide a return path for the injected electrical current. The return path for surface expressions is provided by wire to another contact point or points with the earth. The resulting surface magnetic and electric field is measured and interpreted to determine what is occurring in the subsurface.