Time-domain electromagnetics - Profiling

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

Principle:
Time domain electromagnetic measures the lateral variations of electrical conductivity of the
subsurface using the temporal decay of a magnetic field resulting from induced electromagnetic
currents. In contrast to geoelectric profiling no galvanic ground coupling is required.
Keywords:
Time domain EM Profiling; metal detector; magnetic fields; apparent resistivity; 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
- Interference from atmospheric storms
- May not work well in very resistive materials
- Induced polarization occurs clay-rich environments
- Prohibited use: pronounced 2 - or 3 D dimensional subsurface geometry
Resolution:
Lateral resolution is determined by the spacing between the transmitter and receiver coil and the
station spacing between measurements.
Expected Results:

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- 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.
- Interpretation: often qualitative. Areas displaying anomalously high or low values, or anomalous
patterns can be identified. Depth of objects can be roughly estimated.
Combination with other Methods:
- Required additional information: rough estimates of target depths
- Related add-on information: surface-based geoelectrical data; electrical data
- Independent additional information: georadar data; magnetic data; seismics data
Operation Expense:
- Crew size: 1 key person, 1-2 assistants
- Acquisition speed: maximum of around 3 km profile length per day depending on field conditions
- Processing: requires 1 - 2 days per acquisition day
- Equipment rental costs: low
Parameters to specify:
- Spacing between measurements (few m to few tens of m)
- Line spacing
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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