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The Rise of Offshore MT ( Magnetotelluric) Measurement Methods : OBEM

Technique Application in the Coastal Area Horonobe, Japan


Nurul Nur Annisa

Offshore MT measurement system has entered a new phase nowadays. Simplicity,


flexibility, and excellent performance, boost the popularity of OBEM (Ocean Bottom
Electromagnetometer) in a very-shallow water investigation. This study aims to test the feasibility
of modern MT measurement system which is modification of the earlier version including survey
configuration and MT receiver instrument. In a paper published by Elsevier, Takumi Ueda et.al. has
conducted research of new MT measurement system to investigate the interface between freshwater
and saltwater (hydrogeological condition) on very shallow-water in Horonobe coastal area, Japan.
This study extremely important in order to develop offshore MT method measurements in the
future. There are several advantages using modern OBEM. In addition to support the
hydrogeological study in shallow water, the latest MT system can solve some classic problems
which is associated with fishery activities, vessel size, and wave noise.
Hydrogeological study on coastal area is important, besides directly related with aspect of
human life, it can also find out sediment deposit which make up the area. Hydrogeological study
using seismic method nor borehole logging, is considered incomplete because it can not provide
resistivity information regarding the condition of water (fresh water/saline). Therefore, EM
methods are now starting to be used due to able to reach the depth of the geological structure of up
to 10 km by using a very low frequency. However, based on earlier study, the measurement using
EM method turns out that it can only reach a depth of more than 300m. Hence, in this study a new
MT measurement system that can function well on the shallow sea will be developed, such as the
measurement for coastal area. A new MT measurement system or known as OBEM (Ocean Bottom
Electromagnetometer) is able to survive in some obstacles encountered in the previous MT
measurement because it is redesigned so well. With slim and compact size , it can reduce wave
noise and fit with the operation of the small size survey vessel. In addition, because modern OBEM
observe the natural EM field, so no need to transmit electrical current in the water that could
interfere with the fishery activities on the coastal area.
In order to test the feasibility of modern OBEM, a study has been conducted which
supported by other methods, i.e. seismic reflection, borehole logging, and onshore MT. The study
area is located on the coastal area of Horonobe, in the north-east of the Hokkaido Islands, Japan.
The depth of water is less than 60 m at a distance of 10 km from the coastline. In 2010-2011
acquisition carried out for 3 days (2 nights) at 24 observation points were divided into two parallel
Line NE-SW, with interval 1000 m. Receiver MT used, (refer to Figure 1) consisted of 3 main
components: Data loggers, EM Sensors, and Baseboard. Data logger is equipped with electric field
preamp, CPU, clock crystal, and CF card storage module. EM magnetic sensor uses induction coil
with range frequency of 10-4 700 Hz. Compass is inserted on the baseboard to record the Earth's
magnetic field, tilt (3 way), acceleration, temperature , and the depth. The height of modern OBEM
less than 250 mm with arm-length 5 m, so that more stable to the ocean waves. On the field
measurement, 2 sets of MT receivers (including 2 anchor and a buoy tied to a rope), water flow
meter, flag, and survey vessel are used. After the measurement using the MT receiver is finished,
the OBEM system configuration will be pulled in reverse so do not leave anything (e.g. anchors) on
the ocean floor. MT data processing starting by conversion of measured data into processing
format, which is then divided into three frequency bands. After good quality data selected, then it is

calculated using the cascade decimation and transforming into impedance tensor to obtain the
power spectrum of the EM field. Remote reference can be used to improve the quality of data
processing results, although only reduce local noise. The final stage of processing aims to obtain the
apparent resistivity curve and overall phase frequency.
After processing of MT data finished, the next step is the simultaneous 2D inversion of the
MT onshore and offshore data. Inversion used is smoothness-constrained 2D inversion to obtain 2D
resistivity models. Seismic reflection survey produce geological strata boundaries. Meanwhile,
well-logging up to depth of 1000 m provide detailed geological information, and the amount of
chlorine (Cl) data in the pores of the core sample associated with resistivity. Geological and
geophysical data that has been analyzed then combined to identify the structure of quaternary
sedimentary layers and late-Neogen, also to estimate the distribution of underground aquifer
(freshwater / saline) and seafloor. Well-logging data can provide information the composition of
Quartenary sedimentary layers. So, based on the model of 2D resistivity data and well-logging, it
can be known the resistivity of Neogene sedimentary layers and the Sarabetsu quaternary
Formation.
Moreover, the new MT measurement system (supported by seismic reflection and boreholelogging) is proved that can be used to determine the geological strata and distribution of aquifers
including their condition (Brackish/fresh groundwater) in the coastal area where touted as a
candidate repository of HLW (high-level radioactive waste). However, in the future study offshore
for OBEM methods need to be developed further in order to improve range of measurement and its
popularity, because survey with this method more effective and efficient in terms of time,
measurement, and cost. Deficiency of the new MT measurement system (modern OBM) is perhaps
only one, i.e. the inability to dampen the overall noise at a frequency of 10 -2 -100 Hz caused by
ocean waves.

Figure 1: Receiver MT OBEM is composed of three main components, i.e. baseboard, data logger, and EM
sensor which can operate in offshore MT measurement (very shallow-water survey).

References :
Chave, A.D., Constable, S.C., Edwards, R.N., 1991. Electrical exploration methods for the seafloor. In:
Nabighian, M.N. (Ed.), Electromagnetic methods in applied geophysics. Applications part B, 2.
Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, pp. 931966.
Ito, N., Koshigai, M., Marui, A., 2010. Preliminary model for simulation of groundwater flow and
seawater/freshwater interface at coastal area of Horonobe, Hokkaido. J. Groundw. Hydrol. 52,
381394.
Key, K., 2012. Marine electromagnetic studies of seafloor resources and tectonics. Surv.Geophys. 33,
135167 (ishttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10712-011-9139-x).

Takumi Ueda, Y. M. (2014). A new marine magnetotelluric system in a shallow-water environment for
hydrogeological study. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 23-31.

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