Influence of 3D anisotropic structures on bipole-quadrupole DC resistivity (BQ-DC) measurements

Abstract:

3D modelling of BQ-DC measurements can show a rather strong directional distortion of the electric current density for an inhomogeneous subsurface. Anisotropic structures increase this effect. Depending on the anisotropy direction, current density might vary by 90° between the interior and exterior of an anisotropic body. In combination with 3D effects currents might even flow into the opposite direction compared to those expected for a homogeneous half space. This effect can produce negative potential differences (in combination with positive geometry factors) at the surface which cannot be explained by an isotropic resistivity distribution and thus those data cannot be used by an isotropic inversion. Consequently, anisotropic forward modelling is necessary to explain such observations.

In nature anisotropic resistivity can appear in the context of strongly foliated structures. Such structures exist in the Rhenish Massif, Germany, where extensive shallow greywacke shales with different strength of foliation are found. In this area a field campaign was performed in 2014 to provide evidence for the existence of anisotropic resistivity structures. Two perpendicular bipole current injections at 15 locations produced individual potential distributions. The potential differences were recorded for two orthogonal directions each at 30 positions for an array set up within the survey area.

We use the apparent resistivity tensor after Bibby 1986 to display the BQ-DC data. It uses the hypothetical current densities of each of the two bipole sources calculated for an equivalent homogenous half space at the location of the quadrupole measurement to derive a resistivity tensor. The spatial behavior of modelled tensors gives evidence of the anisotropic body although the structure is covered by an isotropic layer.

The data are explained by a 3D anisotropic resistivity distribution using a 3D isotropic inversion scheme combined with 3D anisotropic forward-modelling.