Characterization of a Proposed Quarry Site using Multi-Electrode Electrical Resistivity Tomography

Abstract

This research focuses on the delineation of subsurface basement granitic structures suitable for engineering construction materials for the sitting of quarry industry in the area. The key objective of the study was to locate and delineate the depths of burial to the subsurface granite rock bodies and the regolith thickness overlain the bedrock unit. 14 resistivity profile lines with a surveyed length of 200 m and electrode spacing of 5 m, were carried out with the application of electrical resistivity tomography software, to image the subsurface structural units around this area, utilizing pole-dipole electrode configurations method towards assisting the Engineers in obtaining information on the subsurface geological features in this part of the Peninsula Malaysia. The focus is on characterizing engineering construction materials suitable for sitting the quarry industry, determination of the longitudinal conductance and coefficient of anisotropy of subsurface lithological units that determines the competency of the bedrock underneath the area from the geoelectric parameters obtained through the interpretations of the RES2DINV ERT images. The depth of bedrock unit as delineated from the results ranged from about 5 m to 100 m while the resistivity values recorded was greater than 6000 Ω-m in most of the profiles. Groundwater bearing channels that would serve the factory needs was delineated alongside the granitic rock unit. These results make the subsurface granitic bedrock unit to be adjudged competent and suitable enough as quarry construction materials for sitting the factory in the area.

Data for the industrial and municipal environmental wastes hazard contaminants assessment with integration of RES2D techniques and Oasis Montaj software

“…Lithological variant, and large dynamic diversity between the different subsurface stratum, particularly in the data acquisition area, the RES2D ERT geophysical survey was selected, and used, to define the mixtures of the IWM, and MSW, as well as the bedrock, and the subsurface groundwater structural features underlain the Kepong area that could be prone to the contaminants plumes. The six ERT geophysical profiles, consists of a modeled cross-sectional two-dimensional plot of the RES2D data in Ω-m units, against the depth to the subsurface structural lithological layers in metre [4] .…”

“…Wenner-Schlumberger electrode arrays was selected because of its sensitivity to the subsurface vertical structural variations, and better signal to noise ratio than the other electrical resistivity arrays for shallow features prospection [4] . The ERT field data was modeled using the RES2DINV software [7] .…”

“…Established engineering structures, the environments, and eco-systems at the earth's surface, are highly subjective to the subsurface geological conditions [2] , [3] , [4] . On account of these interconnectivities, successful land-use, environmental planning, and monitoring, relies on the accurate delineation of the near-surface structures, most importantly, in areas characterized by the mixtures of industrial waste materials (IWM), and municipal solid wastes (MSW) [1] .…”

“…The electrodes configuration as shown in Fig. 3 , present the sequence of measurement along the six (6) RES2D ERT survey lines used to develop the pseudosection generated from the Wenner-Schlumberger array [4] . The electrodes configuration determined the apparent resistivity measured which is a function of the quantity of electric current injected through the metal electrodes to the subsurface stratum and the resultant potential difference dropped across these electrodes [4] .…”

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Fig. 3 Typical electrode configuration, and sequence of measurement to build up pseudosection Wenner-Schlumberger array modified after [4] .

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