Electrical, Electromagnetic and Gravimetric Methods for Environmental and Exploration
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding: learn the basic knowledge of potential field methods; acquire the terminology pertinent to electric, magnetic, electromagnetic and gravimetric methods; learn how to implement simple scripts for data processing and visualization. Applying knowledge and understanding: the acquired knowledge allows to approach correctly the design and the implementation of a geophysical survey carried out with potential field methods, to give the answer to a problem in the field of applied geophysics; furthermore, the student acquires the skills to implement simple scripts for processing and visualization of geophysical data and to use complex inversion software.
Expected learning outcomes
Making judgements: the student can evaluate autonomously the E & EM and potential-field geophysical methodologies that can be applied for exploration purposes, knowing the advantages, the disadvantages and the limitations. Communication skills: the student can clearly communicate the topics of potential-field geophysical methods, the difficulties encountered in the application of the different methodologies and the possible solutions. He/she can interact with the experts in this field. Learning skills: Give the student the ability to learn autonomously topics that cannot be dealt with
during the lessons due to the limited time available and give him/her the ability to deepen the ones discussed.
during the lessons due to the limited time available and give him/her the ability to deepen the ones discussed.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Electrical prospection: mechanisms of electrical conduction in rocks; Ohm's law; Archie's law; electric field generated by a point electrode; electric quadrupole and apparent resistivity; arrays. Vertical electrical soundings; Horizontal electrical soundings; electrical resistivity tomography (ERT); cross-borehole tomography; time-lapse measurements and monitoring.
· Forward modelling and inversion of geophysical data: brief outline of modelling and inversion techniques; resolution of inversion parameters and equivalent models; inversion regularization.
· Induced Polarization: definitions and physical principles, dispersive resistivity and phenomenological models; time-domain and frequency-domain galvanic measurements;.
· Electromagnetic Prospection: physical principles; instrumentation and acquisition procedures of time-domain (TDEM) and frequency-domain (FDEM) electromagnetic data; Airborne EM; induced polarization in EM data.
· Gravimetric prospection: Earth's gravity field and density of soils and rocks; measurement procedures and gravimetric corrections.
· Magnetic Prospection: Earth's magnetic field and magnetic properties of minerals and rocks; measuring instruments and procedures.
· Forward modelling and inversion of geophysical data: brief outline of modelling and inversion techniques; resolution of inversion parameters and equivalent models; inversion regularization.
· Induced Polarization: definitions and physical principles, dispersive resistivity and phenomenological models; time-domain and frequency-domain galvanic measurements;.
· Electromagnetic Prospection: physical principles; instrumentation and acquisition procedures of time-domain (TDEM) and frequency-domain (FDEM) electromagnetic data; Airborne EM; induced polarization in EM data.
· Gravimetric prospection: Earth's gravity field and density of soils and rocks; measurement procedures and gravimetric corrections.
· Magnetic Prospection: Earth's magnetic field and magnetic properties of minerals and rocks; measuring instruments and procedures.
Prerequisites for admission
Physics: knowledge of mechanics and electromagnetism. Mathematics: differential equations, complex numbers, Fourier analysis.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures; practical exercises in python/Matlab, with implementation of simple processing and visualization scripts, and use of complex software for data processing/inversion.
Teaching Resources
Reynolds, J.M., 2011, An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Wiley.
· Siemon B., Christiansen A.V., Lykke-andersen H., Jørgensen F., Dietrich P., Auken E., Jimenez M.A., 2006, Groundwater Geophysics: A Tool for Hydrogeology, 2nd edition, Springer
· Binley, A. and Slater L., 2020, Resistivity and induced polarization: Theory and applications to the near-surface earth. Cambridge University Press.
· Siemon B., Christiansen A.V., Lykke-andersen H., Jørgensen F., Dietrich P., Auken E., Jimenez M.A., 2006, Groundwater Geophysics: A Tool for Hydrogeology, 2nd edition, Springer
· Binley, A. and Slater L., 2020, Resistivity and induced polarization: Theory and applications to the near-surface earth. Cambridge University Press.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Exam method: oral, plus home assignement on Gravimetric/Magnetic prospection. Evaluation criteria: understanding of the physical principles of the methods and their applicability; critical reasoning and evaluation of data/processing steps; skill in the use of specialist lexicon.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
GEOS-04/B - Applied Geophysics - University credits: 6
Exercises: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Chen Jian, Fiandaca Gianluca
Professor(s)
Reception:
From 9:00 to 17:00 (appointment via e-mail)
2nd floor, near the classroom D