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Detection of sinkholes using 2D electrical resistivity imaging in the Cheria Basin (north–east of Algeria)

الكشف عن الفجوات الصخرية باستخدام التصوير ثنائي الأبعاد للمقاومية الكهربائية في حوض الشريعة (شمال شرق الجزائر)

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Abstract

Sinkhole collapse is one of the main limitations on the development of karst areas, especially where bedrock is covered by unconsolidated material. Studies of sinkhole formation have shown that sinkholes are likely to develop in cutter (enlarged joint) zones as a result of subterranean erosion by flowing groundwater. Electrical resistivity imaging or tomography (RESTOM) is well suited to mapping sinkholes because of the ability of the technique for detecting resistive features and discriminating subtle resistivity variations. Two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography surveys were conducted at two sinkhole sites near Cheria city where limestone is covered by about 10 m of clayey soils. A Wenner transect was conducted between the two sinkholes. The electrode spacing was 2 m. The length of transect is about 80 m. The survey results suggest that RESTOM is an ideal geophysical tool to aid in the detection and monitoring of sinkholes and other subsurface cavities.

ملخص

الانهيارات الناتجة عن الفجوات الصخرية هي واحدة من أهم العوامل المؤثرة في تنمية المناطق الكارستية ، وخصوصا عندما يكون الأساس الصخري مغطى بتربة غير معززة.

أظهرت الدراسات لتشكيل مثل هده الانهيارات أنه من المرجح أن تتطور في شكل القاطع نتيجة لتآكلت ناتجة عن تدفق المياه الجوفية.

تعتبر المقاومية الكهربائية أو التصوير المقطعي (RESTOM) مناسبة تماما لرسم الخرائط الصخرية بسبب قدرة هده التقنية للكشف عن ميزات المقاومية و اختلافات المقاومية الخفية. أجريت عملية المسح المقطعي بطريقة المقاومية الكهربائية ثنائية الأبعاد في موقعين بالقرب من مدينة الشريعة حيث أن الطبقات الجيولوجية والمكونة أساسا من الحجر الجيري مغطاة بحوالي 10 أمتار من التربة الطينية.

أجري مقطع جيوفيزيائى بطريقة Wenner بين اثنين من الفجوات الصخرية حيث كان التباعد بين كل قطب 2م و طول المقطع حوالي 80 متر.

وتشير نتائج دراسات المسح عن طريق التصوير المقطعي RESTOM أنها أداة جيوفيزيائية مثالية للمساعدة في كشف ورصد الفجوات الصخرية وغيرها من التجاويف تحت سطح الأرض.

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Correspondence to Chemseddine Fehdi.

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Fehdi, C., Baali, F., Boubaya, D. et al. Detection of sinkholes using 2D electrical resistivity imaging in the Cheria Basin (north–east of Algeria). Arab J Geosci 4, 181–187 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-009-0117-2

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