Detection of water-rich areas and seepage channels via the transient electromagnetic method, electrical resistivity tomography, and self-potential method

作者：Peng Wang, Fan Li, Kai Lu, Wei Huang · 发表于：Scientific Reports · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41598-025-00442-3 · 被引用次数：13 · 研究领域：Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods、Geophysical Methods and Applications、Seismic Waves and Analysis

Groundwater serves as a vital water resource for human society, yet it also plays a significant role in geological- and engineering-related hazards, such as landslides, tunnel collapses, and mining-related issues. Detecting water-rich zones and groundwater seepage pathways is essential for mitigating these risks. The Xiaogangou Coal Mine, located in a low- to mid-mountainous region at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China, contains multiple coal seams distributed at a depth of approximately 600 m. Surface infiltration from two rivers in the area has resulted in water-rich zones within the medium to coarse sandstone layers between these coal seams, posing a potential threat to mining operations and construction activities. In this study, geophysical methods, including transient electromagnetic surveys, electrical resistivity tomography, and self-potential measurements, were employed to investigate the extent of these water-rich zones and identify primary infiltration pathways. The transient electromagnetic data facilitated the construction of a three-dimensional geoelectric model of the mine, from which the planar distribution of resistivity in the medium to coarse sandstone layers-likely reservoirs of groundwater-was derived. Combining low-resistivity anomaly zones with geological and drilling data allowed for the delineation of water-rich areas. Additionally, two self-potential profiles along the rivers were used to map surface electric potential dis...