Frequency-domain electromagnetics - Profiling

Method Type:
Electromagnetic Methods
Assigned Problems:
+
Aquifer pollution
Groundwater
+
Characteristics of hazardous waste
Hazardous Waste
+
Contaminant plumes
Hazardous Waste
+
Foundations of ancient structures
Buildings and Structures
+
Fractures
Groundwater
+
Gravel, clay, limestone, salt exploration
Natural Resources
+
Groundwater table
Groundwater
+
Host sediments, hydogeological settings
Hazardous Waste
+
Location of Ancient Structures
Cultural Heritage
+
Location of buried materials
Hazardous Waste
+
Monitoring
Hazardous Waste
+
Permafrost and ice detection
Natural Hazards
0
Cavity detection
Civil Engineering
0
Landslides
Natural Hazards
0
Porosity / Permeability
Groundwater
0
Quality / Thickness of aquifer/aquitard
Groundwater
0
Quality and thickness (Natural resources)
Natural Resources
0
UXO detection
Hazardous Waste
0
Weapon
Forsenic Investigations
'+' = Technique applicable; '0' = Application possible/limited use.

Principle:
Frequency domain electromagnetic measures the lateral variations of electrical conductivity of the
subsurface using the amplitude and phase of a magnetic field resulting from induced
electromagnetic currents. In contrast to geoelectric profiling no galvanic ground coupling is
required.
Keywords:
Frequency domain EM; FDEM Profiling; EM31; magnetic fields; resistivity profiles; resistivity
contour maps
Prerequisites:
- Target must be characterized by a resistivity contrast.
- Buried wires, metal pipes, metal fences may influence measurements.
- Urban areas may cause high noise levels (e.g. stray currents).
- High-voltage power lines, railways and antennas may influence measurements.
- Coins, metallic belt buckle may influence measurements.
- Changing waether conditions may influence measurements.
- Topography / surface dips > 10 may require topographic corrections.
Resolution:
Lateral resolution is determined by the frequencies used, the spacing between the transmitter and
receiver coil and the station spacing between measurements.
Expected Results:
- Measured parameter: magnetic fields resulting from induced currents are recorded with
induction coils [mV].
- Data analysis: voltages are plotted in form of apparent resistivities as profiles or contour maps.

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- Interpretation: often qualitative. Areas displaying anomalously high or low values, or anomalous
patterns can be identified. Depth of objects can be roughly estimated. Additional geological or
geophysical surface data may be required for reliable interpretation. A priori information (layer
thickness and / or resistivity values) are helpful to constrain the models.
Combination with other Methods:
- Required additional information: rough estimates of target depths
- Related add-on information:electrical data
- Independent additional information: georadar data; magnetic data
Operation Expense:
- Crew size: 1 key person, 1-2 assistants
- Acquisition speed: maximum of around 3 km profile length per day depending on coil
separations and orientations, topography.
- Processing: requires 1 - 2 days per acquisition day
- Equipment rental costs: low
Parameters to specify:
- Array orientation: Should be perpendicular to the strike for a maximum response of geological
structures (if only measured along profiles)
- Spacing between measurements (few m to few tens of m).
- Line spacing
- Spacings between transmitter and receiver coil.
Spacing between measurements should be around half the coil spacing, line spacing should in
the order of the coil spacing. A denser measuring grid above anomalies may improve the
interpretation.</li>
- Coil orientation
- Coil orientation
- Transmitter frequencies
QC Documents:
- Around 2 - 5 % of repeated measurements
- Field notes (e.g., all activities, effective time schedule, present personnel)
- Optional: Map of buried cables, roads
Products:
- Profile data
- Contour maps
- Interpretation

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