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With fast development of Chinese economy, a large amount of garbage have been produced. Especially, high level radioactive waste (HLRW) bring dangers to the security of human being. Finding a suitable site to dispose HLRW is a key management to government. A potential HLRW disposal site has been chosen in west north of China at first, however, it is necessary to understand whether there exist electrical structures inside the rock mass, whether the rock mass is intact or not. We applied the controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric method (CSAMT) to confirm that. Three-dimensional numerical modeling of finite difference method was performed for typical structure in the study area, and response characteristics were analyzed to confirm which actual frequency range can be chosen and what structure dimension can be detected. Then we laid out 14 parallel survey lines to carry out data acquisition. By analyzing typical sounding curves, combined with drilling information and the inversion results, we suggest that the rock is intact and suitable for building a repository, which is a good recommendation for government department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces new technique for qualitative analysis of multi-transient electromagnetic (MTEM) earth impulse response over complex geological structures. Instantaneous phase and frequency attributes were used in place of the conventional common offset section for improved qualitative interpretation of MTEM data by obtaining more detailed information from the earth impulse response. The instantaneous attributes were used to describe the lateral variation in subsurface resistivity and the visible geological structure with respect to given offsets. Instantaneous phase attribute was obtained by converting the impulse response into a complex form using the Hilbert transform. Conversely, the polynomial phase difference (PPD) estimator was favored over the center finite difference (CFD) approximation method in calculating the instantaneous frequency attribute because it is computationally efficient and has the ability to give a smooth variation of the instantaneous frequency over a common offset section. The observed results from the instantaneous attributes were in good agreement with both the subsurface model used and the apparent resistivity section obtained from the MTEM earth impulse response. Hence, this study confirms the capability of both instantaneous phase and frequency attributes as highly effective tools for MTEM qualitative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method (SATEM) has been widely used in geophysical investigations. This method uses a grounded-wire to transmit the source signal and installs the receivers on an aircraft so that the data with a large depth of investigation can be acquired efficiently. However, the instability of aircraft when collecting the data will introduce the non-geological factors that distort the recorded data sets, which further affect the precision of the investigation result greatly. The researching of the mechanism and the correction method of these factors, including geometric effect, geomagnetic effect and mutual inductance effect between transmitter and receivers, is of great significance to the SATEM method. Thus, we proposed a thorough scheme to suppress noise generated by the non-geological factors of the SATEM configuration. We first derived the formulas for calculating the mutual inductance coupling between transmitter and receiver. The formulas of the geometric noise and geomagnetic noise that are affected by the roll, pitch, and yaw of the aircraft are further derived to analysis the influence interval of the motion noise. Then a hybrid correction scheme that uses a two-stage strategy to correct the receiver noise is put forward. The results show that the geomagnetic field and the mutual conductance contribute more noises than the geometric effect. The geomagnetic field will distort the data at all time channel, while the effect of the mutual inductance mainly focused on the early time channels. A field example demonstrated that the proposed method could well suppress the non-geological noise and improving the signal to noise ratio. • The semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method (TEM) has been widely used. • The researching of the mechanism and the correction method of these factors is of great significance to the SATEM method. • The results are verified by field measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alxa area in Inner Mongolia has been selected as a possible site for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW). Based on results of a previous study on crustal stability, the Tamusu rock mass has been chosen as the target. To determine the geological structure of this rock mass, aeromagnetic and gravity data are collected and inverted. Three-dimensional (3D) inversion horizontal slices show that the internal density of the rock mass and the distribution of magnetic properties are not uniform, with fractures and fragmentation being present. To confirm this result, the controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric method (CSAMT) was applied to explore the geological structures, the typical CSAMT sounding curve was analyzed, and the response characteristics of the geological structure and surrounding rock are distinguished. The original data were processed and interpreted in combination with data from surface geology and drilling and logging data. It is found that the CSAMT results were consistent with those from 3D inversion of the gravity and magnetic data, confirming the existence of fractures and fragmentation in the exploration area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dense array Magnetotelluric sounding (MT) was applied in the study of the emergence of massive gold deposits relating to the tectonic activity responsible for the creation of the North China Craton. This study focuses on understanding the shallow crustal electrical structure characteristics (>1.5 km) of Pb Zn and Au Ag deposits in the Qingchengzi orefield, through the analysis of shallow electrical resistivity distribution at depths less than 5 km, obtained by 3D inversion of full impedance at a frequency range of 320–0.107 Hz. The results showed that the electrical characteristics of Xiaotongjiapuzi and Taoyuan deposits in the 3D resistivity model are consistent with the known 2D resistivity model, and the Jianshanzi fault plays an important role in the gold mineralization, acting as a migration channel and precipitation zone for ore-forming materials. It is inferred that the fault extends at least 5 km deep with deep mineralization prospects. The strata of Liaohe Group in the north of the orefield, the intrusive granite in the south, and the NW-trending Jianshanzi and Yushanggou faults show distinguishable electrical properties, which are either high resistance, low resistance, or high and low resistance transition zone on the depth slice map. Furthermore, the Xinling rock mass has a NE trending extension, which confirms the inference that the Jianshanzi fault extends to a depth of 5 km into the crust. • Imaging shallow crustal electrical structures through 3D inversion of MT data. • Relationship of mineralization with the electrical structure, fault, and lithology. • Guide the deep prospecting direction of polymetallic deposits in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equivalence causes non-uniqueness in interpretations of the grounded-wire transient electromagnetic method (TEM). Many different layered models may produce the same response curves practically. However, the conventional theory of equivalence is based on the three-layer geo-electric models while the earth may not be reducible to a simple three-layer structure. Therefore, it is important to perform research on equivalence based on more complex models to reduce the uncertainty the grounded-wire TEM interpretations. Here, we extend the theory of equivalence based on a multi-layer target in the grounded-wire TEM, consisting of SS-, HH-, and TT-type. The analysis of relative error is applied to investigate the effect of measured components and receiver locations on equivalence. The results show that equivalence of multi-model occurs when any of three conditions is satisfied: the longitudinal conductance is constant in the far area, the thickness of targets do not change, or the transverse conductance of a multilayer target remains unchanged. In order to largely resolve the effect of equivalence on data interpretation, a strategy combined with short-offset survey and joint inversion of the electric component and magnetic component is presented and verified by the field survey in Shanxi Province, China. • Equivalence causes non-uniqueness in interpretations of the grounded-wire TEM method. • The conventional theory of equivalence is based on the three-layer geo-electric models. • It is important to perform research on equivalence based on more complex models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In traditional ground penetrating radar (GPR) field data processing, e.g. horizontal stacking and migration, the wave propagating phase velocity is commonly used, while field magnitude decay is neglected. We derived the scalar wave equation of an electric vector field or magnetic vector field component and proved that the solution of this equation is the product of a decaying exponential function factor and a solution factor, which satisfies the pure wave equation. The waveform decomposition allows the evaluation of the absorption coefficient using the amplitudes of GPR waves. A meaningful method for absorption coefficient estimation in the time domain was introduced and tests with synthesized data demonstrated that this method is simple and effective. This method can simplify the process of absorption estimation and has a practical application value. Therefore, it is not only important for GPR data processing but may also yield important information on ground electrical properties. • A new absorption coefficient β is defined. • A simple method for β estimation is introduced. • Stack and migration processing will be efficiently implemented after β is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method (TEM) has been widely used in resource exploration and other fields due to its high efficiency, strong adaptability to the complex environment and high resolution. However, the conventional semi-airborne electromagnetic method continues to use the survey area of the grounded-wire TEM method. Compared with the existing ground-based TEM method, the semi-airborne TEM method is more sensitive to signal intensity because observed data is easily affected by noise for receiving position in the air. Therefore, it's unreasonable to consider only signal intensity or sensitivity related to offset in survey area. To obtain more suitable area, we discuss the distribution of the transient electromagnetic field with electrical source as well as the attenuation characteristics of the signal at different flight altitude through the forward modeling. Then, we obtain the sensitive area and flight altitude applied by the error analysis method in typical models. Finally, we describe a method what is herein dubbed the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, which greatly reflects the membership degree of the evaluation object from different single factors to each level of fuzzy subset. Therefore, we use this method to get the optimal survey area and flight altitude under different noise levels. In low noise level, the signal intensity and sensitivity account for 33.3% and 66.7% respectively in selecting the optimum area and altitude, resulting in that the optimal area and flight altitude are coincides with the sensitive area and altitude better. While in the area filled with noise, the most area of strongest signal intensity is considered the optimal area and altitude. A field example shows that the aforementioned method can be well resolved in identifying survey lines and improving data quality. • The semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method (TEM) has been widely used. • We use the method of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to evaluate the analog observation area with low and high noise. • The results are verified by field measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods based on pseudo-random coded emission technology can effectively suppress the noise in electromagnetic exploration and improve the depth and resolution of the detection. Additionally, the synthesis of electromagnetic response signals excited by pseudo-random code sources can provide not only theoretical data for data processing but also intermediate results for evaluations of field data. Currently, pseudo-random signal simulations ignore the presence of source effects generated by band-limited sources in the Earth's impulse response. Furthermore, the simulation methods are mainly completed based on one-dimensional and two-dimensional formats and thus cannot accurately reflect the pseudo-random response of three-dimensional geoelectric structures. In this paper, 3D pseudo-random electromagnetic signals with a band-limited source were synthesized according to the propagating routine of the electromagnetic field. First, Maxwell's Equations were solved using a three-dimensional time-domain finite volume method. To avoid the singularity of the source and incorporate source effect response, the Gaussian function was introduced to simulate the band-limited impulse sources. The Earth's impulse response was obtained, which contained source effects under three-dimensional geoelectric structures. Then, ideal pseudo-random electromagnetic signals could be composed by convoluting the Earth's impulse response with a pseudo-random source waveform. Since the transmitter and receiver instruments were band-limited, a low-pass filter with a Blackman window was introduced to simulate the instrument's system response. The simulated pseudo-random signals were obtained by adding noise and the ideal pseudo-random electromagnetic signals were filtered using a low-pass filter. By comparison with signals acquired in the field, the correctness of the pseudo-random signal synthesis with source effects was successfully verified. • MTEM response is composed of band-limited source, instrument response, and noise. • The practical earth impulse response includes the ideal response and source effect. • Gaussian sources can be used to directly simulate the band-limited impulse source of MTEM. • The source effect must be considered in the pseudo-random response simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract For controlled source audio frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) which supported by traditional dipole hypothesis theory, the observations point should be located in far source zone. However, during field measurements, due to limited transmitter power, the distance between transmitter and receiver is usually not too large. Sometimes, field measurements are carried out in the near source zone, and the traditional dipole hypothesis will produce large errors under such condition. So, the errors between the approximate solution of traditional dipole approximation and the exact solution of the long grounded-wire source are firstly studied in this paper. Moreover, relative error distribution between exact solution of the long grounded-wire source and electric dipole source variations with different frequencies has been analyzed. It finds that the traditional dipole hypothesis bring large errors in the near source zone and no longer be satisfied to such condition. As a further study, a new 'harmonic point charge' solution for CSAMT, instead of the traditional dipole hypothesis, is proposed in this paper, which lay a foundation to realize near source prospecting and obtain more accurate near source responses in frequency domain electromagnetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laterally constrained inversion (LCI) has been successfully applied to the inversion of dc resistivity, TEM and airborne EM data. However, it hasn't been yet applied to the interpretation of controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) data. In this paper, we apply the LCI method for CSAMT data inversion by preconditioning the Jacobian matrix. We apply a weighting matrix to Jacobian to balance the sensitivity of model parameters, so that the resolution with respect to different model parameters becomes more uniform. Numerical experiments confirm that this can improve the convergence of the inversion. We first invert a synthetic dataset with and without noise to investigate the effect of LCI applications to CSAMT data, for the noise free data, the results show that the LCI method can recover the true model better compared to the traditional single-station inversion; and for the noisy data, the true model is recovered even with a noise level of 8%, indicating that LCI inversions are to some extent noise insensitive. Then, we re-invert two CSAMT datasets collected respectively in a watershed and a coal mine area in Northern China and compare our results with those from previous inversions. The comparison with the previous inversion in a coal mine shows that LCI method delivers smoother layer interfaces that well correlate to seismic data, while comparison with a global searching algorithm of simulated annealing (SA) in a watershed shows that though both methods deliver very similar good results, however, LCI algorithm presented in this paper runs much faster. The inversion results for the coal mine CSAMT survey show that a conductive water-bearing zone that was not revealed by the previous inversions has been identified by the LCI. This further demonstrates that the method presented in this paper works for CSAMT data inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]