Surface Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SNMR)

Method Type:
Radioactivity
Assigned Problems:
+
Fractures
+
Groundwater table
+
Porosity / Permeability
'+' = Technique applicable.

Groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater

Principle:
Mapping of water content and pore size. Protons of hydrogen atoms in the subsurface water are
excited with electromagnetic fields at Larmor frequency using large loops on the Earth's surface.
The electromagnetic field of the relaxing protons is observed with the same loop.
Keywords:
Ground water exploration; hydrogeology; aquifer characterisation; porosity and hydraulic
conductivity
Prerequisites:
- Not many equipments available yet
- High noise sensitivity, difficult to use in urban areas
- Currently only one dimensional exploration available
Resolution:
Resolution ca. 0,5 m in near surface and ca. 5 m in far surface. Depth of investigation about 150
m
Expected Results:
- Measured parameter: magnetic field of proton relaxation, amplitude and decay time
- Data analysis: various inversion schemes available
- Interpretation: direct and quantitative water content and hydraulic conductivity
Combination with other Methods:
- Required additional information: resistivity structure in the investigation area
- Related add-on information: presence of a one dimensional structure
- Independent additional information: any other geophysical technique for general and special
geological setting, borehole measurements
Operation Expense:
- Crew size: 1 key person, 1 assisstant (not always necessary)
- Processing: immediate results. Detailed results need about 2-4 hours for one sounding
- Equipment rental costs: low
Parameters to specify:
- Transmitter and receiver loop diameter 10-200 m
- Exitation with local Larmor frequency (1-3 kHz worldwide)
- Maximum of 300 V and 300 A
- Record as envelope of relaxation
- Individual record length about 250 - 1'000 ms, stacking up to 128

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QC Documents:
- On site equipment test
- Local Larmor frequency
- Noise level
- Field notes (e.g., all activities, effective time schedule, present personnel)
Products:
- Raw data: Envelope of relaxation curves
- Amplitude and decay time of relaxation
- Water content and relaxation time vs. depth functions
- Interpretation

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