A resistivity survey has been carried out for the determination of aquifer properties and vulnerability mapping of part of the Sub-Himalayas in the Bhimber District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. In the study area 19 vertical electrical sounding points were established using a Schlumberger configuration. The acquired data were processed using IPI2WIN software and interpreted in terms of true resistivity and thickness of layers. The underlying lithology is loose soil, sandy clay, clay and sand. Productive groundwater zones have been identified in the central, southeastern and northwestern parts of the study area. The aquifer thickness varies considerably (6.4–224 m). On the aquifer vulnerability map, values >0.2 mhos indicate zones of moderate to good protective capacity, whereas values <0.19 mhos indicate vulnerable zones with risk of contamination. However, the aquifer is permeable and the central part has a low protective capacity and is vulnerable to infiltration of polluted fluid. The 2D resistivity inverse model and conductivity mapping delineate the contaminated plumes in the areas of poor to weak protective capacity. Chemical analysis shows that the central part of the study area is highly contaminated with magnesium, nitrate and sulphate.
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