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Capacitive Conductivity Logging and Electrical Stratigraphy in a High-resistivity Aquifer, Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site
Geophysics
  • C. Jonathan Mwenifumbo, Geological Survey of Canada
  • Warren Barrash, Boise State University
  • Michael D. Knoll, Boise State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-22-2009
Abstract

We tested a prototype capacitive-conductivity borehole tool in a shallow, unconfined aquifer with coarse, unconsolidated sediments and very-low-conductivity water at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site (BHRS). Examining such a high-resistivity system provides a good test for the capacitive- conductivity tool because the conventional induction- conductivity tool (known to have limited effectiveness in high-resistivity systems) did not generate expressive well logs at the BHRS. The capacitive-conductivity tool demonstrated highly repeatable, low-noise behavior but poor correlation with the induction tool in the lower-conductivity portions of the stratigraphy where the induction tool was relatively unresponsive. Singular spectrum analysis of capacitive- conductivity logs reveals similar vertical-length scales of structures to porosity logs at the BHRS. Also, major stratigraphic units identified with porosity logs are evident in the capacitive-conductivity logs. However, a previously unrecognized subdivision in the upper portion of one of the major stratigraphic units can be identified consistently as a relatively low-conductivity body (i.e., an electrostratigraphic unit) between the overlying stratigraphic unit and the relatively high-conductivity lower portion — despite similar porosity and lithology in adjacent units. The high repeatability and resolution and the wide dynamic range of the capacitive-conductivity tool are demonstrated here to extend to high-resistivity, unconsolidated sedimentary aquifer environments.

Copyright Statement

This document was originally published by Society of Exploration Geophysicists in Geophysics. Copyright restrictions may apply. DOI: 10.1190/1.3106760

Citation Information
C. Jonathan Mwenifumbo, Warren Barrash and Michael D. Knoll. "Capacitive Conductivity Logging and Electrical Stratigraphy in a High-resistivity Aquifer, Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site" Geophysics (2009)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/warren_barrash/5/