2022 February GSOC Technical Talk

Improving aquifer characterization by integrating cost-effective high-resolution seismic with the commonly used resistivity surveys

Ahmed Ismail, PhD

Boone Pickens School of Geology, Oklahoma State University

Dr. Ahmed Ismail

BIO

Dr. Ismail is an Assistant Professor of Geophysics at Boone Pickens School of Geology, Oklahoma State University (OSU). He received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from Missouri University of Science & Technology at Rolla Mo. He worked at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) as a geophysicist leading their seismic program to support the geological mapping and groundwater exploration research in the State of Illinois. After seven years at ISGS, he joined the Schlumberger in Denver Colorado for four years focusing on improving the applications of seismic shear-wave data in fractured reservoir characterization. Dr. Ismail started his academic career as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at OSU in 2016 and his research focuses on multicomponent seismic exploration and high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic reflection investigations for geological, hydrogeological, and geotechnical applications. Dr. Ismail published over 35 articles in peer review journals in addition to 45 conference papers and abstracts.

ABSTRACT

Groundwater exploration and aquifer characterization studies often rely on electrical resistivity (ER) surveys. However, relying merely on the results of ER surveys may result, in some cases, in misleading interpretation of the aquifer geometry, especially where the aquifer materials exhibit similar electrical properties to the surrounding materials. In such cases, integrating another geophysical method that responds to the mechanical properties of the subsurface materials will control the interpretation of the ER results and aid in better characterization of the aquifer geometry. In this presentation, I demonstrate multiple case studies where integrating high-resolution seismic P- and S-wave reflections with the ER surveys have significantly improved aquifer characterization. I am also presenting some advances in the acquisition and analysis of the high-resolution seismic reflection data in order to make it more cost-effective when applied to groundwater exploration and aquifer characterization research projects.