Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Frequency domain electromagnetic and ground penetrating radar investigation of ephemeral streams: case study near the Southern High Plains, Texas

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

A frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) study was conducted on an ephemeral stream in north-central Texas to determine if FDEM and GPR measurements can be combined to determine the electrical characteristics of current and ancient stream channels. GPR data were collected at several frequencies to image sedimentary structures of different scale lengths, and to determine the formation porosity and water content of stream sediments. FDEM measurements were collected using Geonics EM31 and EM34 loop–loop instruments on a profile along the current stream channel and five profiles perpendicular to the channel. The results indicate that the greater spatial resolution of the EM31 mapped the current and possible ancient channels better than the EM34, however, the EM34 provided depth information on the formations underlying the channel sediments that the EM31 could not image. GPR measurements taken along a point bar deposit with 200, 100 and 25 MHz antennae indicated that the higher frequency antenna better resolved channel structures including laminar bedding, trough scours and cross-bedding, however, lower frequency antenna (25 MHz) imaged sedimentary structures within the underlying channel sediments. Common midpoint GPR measurements collected along the point bar deposit were used to estimate the sediment formation porosity (26%) and the water content, during a dry period, of the unsaturated (12%) and saturated (26 or 100% of the pore space) sediments. The combined results indicated that the FDEM data should be collected first because of the speed and ease of measurements. The FDEM data (especially the EM31) pointed to the locations of possible sedimentary structures, which can then be resolved by using different frequency GPR measurements.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson WL (1992) Interactive inversion of dipole loop–loop electromagnetic data for layered earth models using numerical integration and complex image theory. US Geological survey open-file report 92–553A-B, p 42

  • Annan AP (1992) Ground penetrating radar workshop notes. Sensors and Software Inc, Mississauga

    Google Scholar 

  • Annan AP (1997) Ground penetrating radar workshop notes. Sensors and Software Inc, Mississauga

    Google Scholar 

  • Asprion U, Aigner T (1997) Aquifer architecture analysis using ground-penetrating radar: triassic and quaternary examples (S. Germany). Env Geol 31:66–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boggs S (1995) Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, p 774

    Google Scholar 

  • Brune DE, Doolittle J (1990) Locating lagoon seepage with radar and electromagnetic survey. Env Geol 16:195–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Brus DJ, Knotters M, Dooremolen WA, Kernebeek P, Seeters RJ (1992) The use of electromagnetic measurements of apparent soil electrical conductivity to predict the boulder clay depth. Geoderma 55:79–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burrell J (1999) Investigation of an ephemeral stream using electromagnetic geophysical methods, MS thesis, Texas Tech University, p 60

  • Buselli G, Davis GB, Barber C, Height MI, Howard SH (1992) The application of electromagnetic and electrical methods to groundwater problems in urban environments. Exp Geophys 23:543–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caran SC, Baumgardner RW (1990) Quaternary stratigraphy and paleoenvironments of the Texas Rolling Plains. Geol Soc Am Bull 102:768–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dominic DF, Egan K, Carney C, Wolfe PJ, Boardman MR (1995) Delineation of shallow stratigraphy using ground penetrating radar. J Appl Geophys 33:167–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engels S, Roberts M (2005) The architecture of prograding sandy-gravel beach ridges formed during the last Holocene highstand; southwestern British Columbia, Canada. J Sediment Res 75:1052–1064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein NE, Benson SM, Alumbaugh D (1990) Saline groundwater plume mapping with electromagnetics. In: Nabighian M (eds) Electromagnetic methods in applied geophysics environmental and groundwater. Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, pp 17–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenhouse JP, Monier-Williams ME, Ellert N, Staine DD (1989) Geophysical methods in groundwater contamination studies. In: Exploration 87 proceedings, applications of geochemistry and geophysics, Ontario Geol Surv Spec, vol 3. pp 666–677

  • Gustavson TC, Baumgardner RW, Caran SC, Holliday VT, Mehnert HH, O’Neill JM and Reeves CC (1991) Quaternary geology of the southern great plains and an adjacent segment of the rolling plains. In: Morrison R (ed) quaternary nonglacial geology: conterminous US, Geology of North America, vol K-2. Geological Society of America, pp 477–501

  • Harari Z (1996) Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) for imaging stratigraphic features and groundwater in sand dunes. J Appl Geophys 36:43–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iaco RD, Horstmeyer H, Lehmann F and Green A (1998) Georadar and electromagnetic studies of a landfill. 68th Ann Mtg Society of Exploration Geophysicists Expanded Abstract, pp 203–207

  • Jol HM, Smith DG (1991) Ground penetrating radar of northern lacustrine deltas. Can J Earth Sci 28:1939–1947

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson KS, Amsden TW, Denison RE, Dutton SP, Goldstein AG, Rascoe B, Sutherland PK and Thompson DM (1988) Southern Midcontinent region. In: Sloss LL (ed) Sedimentary cover-North American craton: US. Geology of North America, vol D-2, Geological Society of America, pp 307–360

  • Jorgensen F, Sanderson PB, Auken E (2003) Imaging buried Quaternary valleys using the transient electromagnetic method. J Appl Geophys 53:199–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kothmann SW (1963) An investigation of primary features present in recent ephemeral braided stream deposits, Southern High Plains. MS thesis, Texas Tech University, Texas, p 112

  • Lepper E, Elmore A (2005) Groundwater development in Guatemala. Eniv Geol 48:49–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lieblich DA, Lane JW and Haeni FP (1991) Results of integrated surface-geophysical studies for shallow subsurface detection at three New Hampshire sites. 61st Ann Mtg Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Expanded Abstract, pp 553–556

  • May BA (1988) Depositional environments, sedimentology, and stratigraphy of the Dockum Group (Triassic) in the Texas Panhandle. MS thesis, Texas Tech University, p 180

  • McNeill JD (1980) Technical Note TN-6: Electromagnetic terrain conductivity measurement at low conductivity numbers. Geonics Ltd, Mississauga

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeill JD (1983) Technical Note TN-8: EM34–3 survey interpretation techniques. Geonics Ltd, Mississauga

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeill JD (1985) Technical note TN-19: EM34-3 measurements at two inter-coil spacings to reduce sensitivity to near-surface material. Geonics Ltd, Mississauga

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeill JD (1991) Use of electromagnetic methods for groundwater studies. In: Nabighian M (ed) Electromagnetic methods in applied geophysics-environmental and groundwater. Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, pp 191–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Neal A (2004) Ground-penetrating radar and its use in sedimentology; principles, problems and progress. Earth Sci Rev 66:261–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raines TH and Asquith WH (1997) Analysis of minimum 7-day discharges and estimation of minimum 7-day, 2-year discharges for streamflow-gaging stations in the Brazos River basin, Texas. US Geol Surv Water-Res Inv Rept, pp 97–4117

  • Regli C, Huggenberger P, Rauber M (2002) Interpretation of drill core and georadar data of coarse gravel deposits. J Hydology 255:234–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds JM (1997) An introduction to applied and environmental geophysics. Wiley, New York, p 796

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts MC, Bravard JP, Jol HM (1997) Radar signatures and structure of an avulsed channel: Rhone River, Aoste, France. J Q Sci 12:35–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spicer KR, Costa JE, Placzek G (1997) Measuring flood discharge in unstable stream channels using ground-penetrating radar. Geology 25:423–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telford WM, Geldart LP, Sheriff RE (1990) Applied geophysics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 770

    Google Scholar 

  • van Overmeeren RA (1998) Radar facies of unconsolidated sediments in The Netherlands: a radar stratigraphy interpretation method for hydrogeology. J App Geophys 40:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe PJ, Richards BH (1996) Integrated geophysical studies of buried valley aquifers. J Env Eng Geophys 1:75–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wormser AJ and Sullo DM (1996) Archeological investigations at the L7 ranch, Crosby county, Texas. Adjutant General’s Dept of Texas Army Nat Guard Facilities and Eng

Download references

Acknowledgments

The EM34 equipment was purchased with a grant from the National Science Foundation (#9252267) awarded to KM.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA

    Jeffrey Burrell & Harold Gurrola

  2. Department of Geosciences, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 65897, USA

    Kevin Mickus

Authors
  1. Jeffrey Burrell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Harold Gurrola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kevin Mickus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin Mickus.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Burrell, J., Gurrola, H. & Mickus, K. Frequency domain electromagnetic and ground penetrating radar investigation of ephemeral streams: case study near the Southern High Plains, Texas. Environ Geol 55, 1169–1179 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1063-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1063-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation