Electrical resistivity tomography and self-potential methods as a tool for fractured aquifer characterization and monitoring

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and self-potential (SP) investigations are currently conducted in carboniferous limestones in Belgium. The aims of this study are (1) to characterize and (2) to monitor the groundwater flow in fractured or karstic area and (3) to use these geophysical data as a help for groundwater flow model conceptualisation and inverse calibration. Large ERT profiles (320 meters) allow us to image the electrical resistivity distribution of the first 60 meters of the subsurface and to detect and characterize (in terms of direction, width and depth) some fractured and/or karstic zones expected to be less resistive. Data errors as well as indicators of resolution (resolution matrix, sensitivity matrix and DOI index) are analysed in order to calculate the depth of investigation of ERT and to avoid the misinterpretation of the resulting images. Self-potential measurements are performed along the electrical profiles and permit us to find some negative anomalies possibly related with groundwater preferential flow pathways. Since SP signals are related with the groundwater flow when taking into account the electrokinetic effect, we are able to estimate a first distribution of the water table along our profiles. These geophysical data concurrently with ‘ground truth’ geological and hydrogeological data give us a way to better understand the groundwater flow in limestone synclines of the Dinant Synclinorium geological structure. Still, further efforts are needed (1) to fully cover the syncline area and (2) to couple the SP, ERT and hydrogeological data through a more complex forward model of the electrokinetic effect of the self-potential method.