In order to obtain a reliable high-resolution image, the electrode array used

should ideally give data with the maximum anomaly information,

reasonable data coverage and a high signal- to- noise ratio. In imaging data
acquisition, a multi-electrode cable with a fixed inter-electrode spacing is
often employed. Different data acquisition schemes with different electrode
arrays (controlled by the array parameters a and n see Fig.1) can be
measured with such a system. Theoretically a complete data set of an array
(using a and n consecutively) with low noise contamination is needed in
order to obtain a high-resolution image, but acquiring a large number of
data points significantly increases the field work time even when us -in
gan automatic data acquisition system. On the other hand a large number of
data points can also increase the difficulty in reaching a good data misfit
from an inversion and will probably produce more artifacts due to the un
known characteristics of the noise contamination (LaBrecque et al.1996;
Zhou and Dahlin2003).

Both the measured apparent resistivity pseudosections and the calculated

apparent resistivity pseudosections have been included as a qualitative tool
to assess the ERG1 data sets. Pseudosections are diagrams that show
apparent resistivity values plotted against pseudo-depth. Neither measured
apparent resistivity values (what the instrument records in the field) or
calculated apparent resistivity values (what the inversion process generates
during data modeling) can be plotted against real depth (see Chapter 4
ERG1 Theory). No interpretation or analysis should be attempted on
apparent resistivity pseudosections.

The resistivity images for each survey are presented in the standard
format for output from RES2DINV:
1. The measured apparent resistivity pseudosection.
2. The calculated apparent resistivity pseudosection.
3. The inverse modeled resistivity section (ERGI profile).

A.2 ERG1 Resolution and Depth of Investigation

Depth of penetration for an ERG1 measurement is not worth discussing
because it is for all practical purposes infinite. A Depth of investigation is a
term used in this thesis to describe the depth where half of the electrical
current flowing for an apparent resistivity measurement flows above this
depth and half flows below. All material above the depth of investigation
and a large amount of the material below the depth of investigation
contributes to the measurement. Depth of investigation is approximately
115 of the survey line's total length.
Although formulas exist to calculate the exact depth of investigation for
each electrode array (Roy and Apparoa, 1971 ; Barker, 1989; Ward, 1 990),
they are only accurate for 100 % homogeneous materials.
Resolution of the ERG1 profiles is approximately 112 of the electrode
spacing (pers. comm., Loke, 1999). Resistivity measurements decrease in
resolution with depth, so we have to say either that the resolution or the
mathematical uncertainty of the ERG1 profiles increases with depth.
Depth of investigation and resolution are a trade-off dependant on the
electrode spacing and the total number of eledrodes. For example, 56
electrodes spaced 12 m apart measured with a Wenner electrode array
produces an ERG1 profile 110 m deep with 6 m resolution. Conversely, 56
Electrical Resistivity Ground Imaging (ERGI): Field
Experiments to Develop Methods for Investigating Fluvial
Sediments
Christopher David Baines
A THESIS OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
CALGARY, ALBERTA
AUGUST, 2001