Resistivity Investigations of Limestone Aquifers in Jamaica

Abstract

Resistivity depth probes were made over water wells in an alluvial interior valley of Jamaica, known as the Queen of Spain' s Valley. Several types of electrode configuration were used and the observations analyzed by a technique designed to select those suitable for interpretation. The results, interpreted by standard curve matching methods, compare favorably with available well logs. They suggest that the yield is a linear function of the resistivity of the water-bearing strata. A straight line fitted to the data by the method of least squares provides a nomogram which can be used for predicting the probable yield at points where no wells exist. It is concluded that resistivity surveys can be of material assistance in a water-supply drilling program in the area. It is found that interpretation by multilayer curve-matching procedures gives more realistic results than analysis by classical two-layer master curves used in conjunction with Hummel' s rule. The results suggest also that the Wenner array gives a better resolution of small resistivity contrasts than the operationally more versatile Cooper array.

Aquifers productivity in the Pan-African context

“…Aquifer depth; geoelectrical surveys; hydraulic conductivity; ordinary kriging; Pan-African context; pumping test. Jones and Bufford (1951) Relationship between permeability and formation factor USA Croft (1971) Relationship between permeability and formation factor USA Vincenz (1968) Relationship between resistivity and well productivity Mexico Ungemach et al (1969) Relationship between transmissivity and transverse resistance India Scarascia (1976) Assessment of the transmissivity through interpreting the electrical soundings Italy Kelly (1977) Correlation between saturated thickness resistivities and hydraulic conductivities England Mazáč and Landa (1979) Relationship between aquifer transmissivity and transverse resistance Poland Athavale et al (1992) Measurement of natural recharge India Frohlich et al (1996) Electrical hydraulic conductivity correlation in fractured crystalline bedrock USA Huntley (1986) Relations between permeability and electrical resistivity in granular aquifers India Emenike (2001) Groundwater exploration in a sedimentary environment Nigeria Yang and Lee (2002) Hydrogeological studies Taiwan Chandra et al (2004) Groundwater exploration in hard rock areas India Asfahani (2007) Determination of the characteristics of the Neogene aquifer Syria Nejad (2009) Study of the water potential Iran Anomohanran (2013) Study of the water potential Nigeria compute the aquifer hydraulic conductivity. His alternative approaches have been successfully applied for characterizing the transmissivity of the Quaternary and Paleogene aquifers in the semi-arid Khanasser valley region, northern Syria.…”

Neogene aquifer properties specified through the interpretation of electrical sounding data, Salamiyeh region, central Syria

“…Vincenz (1968) obtained a good positive correlation between surface resistivities and well yield. Worthington (1975) reported an inverse correlation between corrected formation factor and intergranular permeability.…”

Use of ground-penetrating radar for assessment of potential sinkhole conditions: an example from Ghor al Haditha area, Jordan

“…DC resistivity techniques have been used in cave detection because of its low costs, simple field procedures and rapid interpretation of data (Vincenz 1968;Dutta and others 1970;Greenfield 1979;Militzer and others 1979;Smith 1986;Panno and others 1994;Batayneh and others 1999;Batayneh and Al-Zoubi 2000). However, very few published studies have focused on the use of geophysical microgravimetric and gravity gradient techniques to target subsurface cavities and karst features (e.g.…”