Near‐surface imaging using coincident seismic and GPR data

Baker, Gregory S.; Steeples, Don W.; Schmeissner, Chris M.; Pavlovic, Mario; Plumb, R.G.

doi:10.1029/2000gl008538

Cited by 40 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Previously reported studies have discussed the coincident use of seismic and GPR methods [Cardimona et al, 1998;Bachrach and Nur, 1998b;Baker et al, 2001;Sloan et al, 2007], demonstrating the ability to image concurrent features and improve geologic interpretations. Due to the response of each method to different physical properties, field site conditions may not be suitable for the joint use of both methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra‐shallow seismic imaging of the top of the saturated zone

Sloan

Tsoflias

Steeples

et al. 2010

SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2010

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[1] We collected ultra-shallow seismic-reflection data to image the near-surface stratigraphy of a Kansas River point bar. We were successful in identifying a discontinuous clay layer and the top of the saturated zone at depths of 0.95 and 1.4 m. Seismic walkaway data collected using various .22-caliber ammunition show that decreased source energy is necessary to generate higher frequencies and prevent clipping of critical near-offset traces needed to identify ultra-shallow reflections. The seismic reflections exhibited average normal moveout velocities of 180-195 m/s with dominant frequencies of 200-450 Hz. Coincident subsurface features were also imaged using 200-MHz ground-penetrating radar. This study presents the shallowest seismic reflection from the top of the saturated zone reported in the literature to date and further demonstrates the potential of using seismic-reflection methods for ultra-shallow imaging of the subsurface as a stand-alone tool or in conjunction with other high-resolution geophysical techniques. Citation: Sloan, S. D., G. P. Tsoflias, and D. W. Steeples (2010), Ultra-shallow seismic imaging of the top of the saturated zone, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L07405,

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra‐shallow seismic imaging of the top of the saturated zone

Sloan

Tsoflias

Steeples

et al. 2010

SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2010

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“…In many geological environments, SSR, GPR, and ERI are effective methods for imaging near-surface boundaries due to variations in stratigraphy and in electromagnetic (EM) properties, obtaining detailed, horizontally continuous information about the near subsurface without resorting to invasive and expensive drilling (Neal, 2004). Geologic complexity such as cross-stratification, conflicting dips, joints and faults, or rapid lateral and vertical particle-size variations pose a challenge in the interpretation of the shallow stratigraphy using SSR, GPR, and ERI methods (Wyatt and Temples, 1996;Baker et al, 2001; Gross et al, 2004;Clement et al, 2006). However, the use of a combination of these methods generally improves the chances for a more accurate geologic interpretation.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Variations in resistance to current flow at depth cause distinctive variations in the potential difference measurements, which provide information about the subsurface structures and materials. Although these techniques work well in near-surface investigations and are quite similar in terms of how the active energy is applied to the earth, GPR still offers the highest potential resolution of the three methods for shallow imaging in low EM loss materials (Baker et al, 2001).In site characterization, near-surface geophysical surveys at different resolution scales are critical to model the heterogeneity of the shallow subsurface. These noninvasive geophysical methods respond to changes in the material composition and pore fluid Figure 1.…”

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confidence: 99%

Final Technical Report - Integrated Hydrogeophysical and Hydrogeologic Driven Parameter Upscaling for Dual-Domain Transport Modeling

Shafer¹

2012

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PROJECT OVERVIEWOur basic hypothesis was that significant improvement in the prediction of contaminant migration can be achieved through finer scale understanding of hydrogeologic heterogeneity which dominates advective transport. Our working hypothesis was fine spatial scale (1 m resolution or less) characterization of hydraulic conductivity and porosity can be achieved through an integration of hydrogeophysical measurements and analyses with understanding of the subsurface depositional environment and the hydrogeologic facies configuration. Further, improvement in prediction of subsurface contaminant migration can be achieved by incorporating the finer scale hydrogeologic heterogeneity in a dual-domain transport concept.A major component of this effort was the integration of hydrogeophysical-based borehole and surface data with hydrogeologic information (e.g., facies modeling) to extend the finer scale parameterization to field scale for flow and transport modeling purposes. A second component of the research is to incorporate the parameter upscaling in a dual-domain solute transport modeling process. Even with improved parameterization, small to intermediate scale heterogeneity is present and significantly influences contaminant migration. Although computing capabilities continue to advance, explicit representation of these smaller scale features through very high resolution simulation is not likely to support the vast majority of the U.S. Department of Energy's environmental clean-up efforts over the next decade. Therefore, the impact of subgrid scale heterogeneity on plume dispersion must be cost-effectively addressed as part of an overall, multiscale, treatment of subsurface variability. We used a dual-domain solute transport formulation to handle sub-grid scale heterogeneity identified through finer scale site characterization.We tested our hypotheses through a series of hydrogeophysical experiments (i.e., seismic, radar, tomography) conducted at the P Reactor Area ( Figure 1) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina. Several plumes have been identified here and the plume of interest was a trichloroethylene (TCE) plume that emanates from the northwest section of the reactor facility and discharges to nearby Steel Creek. Our goal was to develop a new approach for upscaling in heterogeneous environments, via hydrogeophysical characterization and interpretation coupled to geologic modeling, and prove the efficacy of this approach through dual-domain solute transport conceptualization. ORGANIZATION OF FINAL TECHNICAL REPORTThis final technical report is organized according to the three major study areas and the peerreviewed publications that have been produced to describe the results of these focused investigations. The three major components of this research were:1. Application of minimally invasive, cost effective hydrogeophysical techniques (surface and borehole), to generate fine scale (~1m or less) 3D estimates of subsurface heterogeneity. Heterogeneity is defined as spatial variability in hy...

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“…In many geological environments, SSR, GPR, and ERI are effective methods for imaging near-surface boundaries due to variations in stratigraphy and in electromagnetic (EM) properties, obtaining detailed, horizontally continuous information about the near subsurface without resorting to invasive and expensive drilling (Neal, 2004). Geologic complexity such as cross-stratification, conflicting dips, joints and faults, or rapid lateral and vertical particle-size variations pose a challenge in the interpretation of the shallow stratigraphy using SSR, GPR, and ERI methods (Wyatt and Temples, 1996;Baker et al, 2001;Gross et al, 2004;Clement et al, 2006). However, the use of a combination of these methods generally improves the chances for a more accurate geologic interpretation.…”

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Structural and stratigraphic control on the migration of a contaminant plume at the P Reactor area, Savannah River site, South Carolina

et al. 2010

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A B S T R A C TGeophysical methods, including a shallow seismic reflection (SSR) survey, surface and borehole ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data, and electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), were conducted at the Savannah River site (SRS), South Carolina, to investigate the shallow stratigraphy, hydrogeophysical zonation, and the applicability and performance of these geophysical techniques for hydrogeological characterization in contaminant areas. The study site is the P Reactor area located within the upper Atlantic coastal plain, with clastic sediments ranging from Late Cretaceous to Miocene in age. The target of this research was the delineation and prediction of migration pathways of a trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminant plume that originates from the northwest section of the reactor facility and discharges into the nearby Steel Creek. This contaminant plume has been migrating in an east-to-west direction and narrowing away from the source in an area where the general stratigraphy along with the groundwater flow dips to the southeast. Here, we present the results from a stratigraphic and hydrogeophysical characterization of the site using the SSR, GPR, and ERI methods. Although detailed stratigraphic layers were identified in the upper approximately 50 m (164 ft), other major findings include (1) the discovery of a shallow (∼23 m [75 ft] from the ground surface) inverse fault, (2) the detection of a paleochannel system that was previously reported but that seems to be controlled by the reactivation of the interpreted fault, and (3) the finding that the hydraulic gradient seems to have a convergence of groundwater flow near the area. The interpreted fault at the study site appears to be of upper Eocene age and may be associated with other known reactivated faults within the Dunbarton

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Near‐surface imaging using coincident seismic and GPR data

Cited by 40 publications

References 7 publications

Ultra‐shallow seismic imaging of the top of the saturated zone

Ultra‐shallow seismic imaging of the top of the saturated zone

Final Technical Report - Integrated Hydrogeophysical and Hydrogeologic Driven Parameter Upscaling for Dual-Domain Transport Modeling

Structural and stratigraphic control on the migration of a contaminant plume at the P Reactor area, Savannah River site, South Carolina

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