Comparing electromagnetic and seismic geophysical methods: Estimating the depth to water in geologically simple and complex arid environments

An integrated electromagnetic (EM) and seismic geophysical study was performed to evaluate non-invasive approaches to estimate depth to shallow groundwater (i.e., < 5 m) in arid environments with elevated soil salinity, where the installation of piezometers would be limited or prohibited. Both methods were tested in two study areas, one serving as a control site with relatively simple hydrogeology and the other serving as the experimental site with complex hydrogeology. The control site is located near the shore of Utah Lake (Palmyra, Utah, USA) where groundwater is shallow and unconfined in relatively homogeneous lacustrine sediments. The experimental site is in Carson Slough, Nevada, USA near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley. Carson Slough is underlain by valley fill, with variable shallow depths to water beneath an ephemeral braided stream system. The geophysical methods used include frequency domain electromagnetic induction with multiple antenna–receiver spacings. High-resolution P-wave seismic profiles using a short (0.305 m) geophone spacing for common depth-point reflection stacking and first arrival modeling were also acquired. Both methods were deployed over several profiles where shallow piezometer control was present. EM results at both sites show that water surfaces correspond with a drop in conductivity. This is due to elevated concentrations of evaporative salts in the vadose zone immediately above the water table. EM and seismic profiles at the Palmyra site accurately detected the depth to groundwater in monitoring wells, as well as interpolated depths between them. This demonstrates that an integrated approach is ideal for relatively homogeneous aquifers. On the other hand, interpreting the EM and seismic profiles at Carson Slough was challenging due to the laterally and vertically variable soil types, segmented perched water surfaces, and strong salinity variations. The high-resolution images and models provided by the geophysical profiles confirm the simple soil and hydrological structure at the Palmyra site as well as the laterally complex structure at Carson Slough. The integrated approach worked well for determining depth to water in the geologically simple site, but was less effective in the geologically complex site where multiple water tables appear to be present.

Research Highlights
► Electrical conductivity, groundwater, and salinity are complex in arid environments.
► Electromagnetic conductivity used with seismic data improves groundwater estimates.
► Soil leaching and complex stratigraphy complicate geophysical groundwater studies.
► Electromagnetic and seismic surveying are less reliable in such arid environments.
► Arid environments require strategic calibrations from known water levels.