Groundwater Plume Detection

3D Geophysics

ARM completed a three-dimensional electrical resistivity (3D ER) survey to investigate the extent of a suspected plume of groundwater with high dissolved solids on behalf of a confidential client. 

Project Overview

  • The study area was approximately 5 acres in size and contained several immovable obstacles, including buildings, concrete pads, and large machinery. 
  • This restricted the available space for performing conventional two-dimensional ER surveys. 
  • ARM’s 3D ER capabilities allowed our geophysicists to set up a custom survey grid around these obstacles such that data was collected across the entire study area simultaneously, including underneath the buildings. 
  • The processed 3D ER data is plotted as both maps (plan view) and cross-sections (profile view), allowing ARM’s geoscientists to more accurately interpret the depth, thickness, and horizontal extents of high-conductivity groundwater plumes.

Related Projects

Municipal Authority

ER Survey & Well Siting