Groundwater Exploration using 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)

at Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia

Adi Suryadi

, Muhammad Habibi

, Batara

, Dewandra Bagus Eka Putra

, Husnul Kausarian

Department of Geological Engineering, Universitas Islam Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia

GWS Drilling Engineeering Sdn. Bhd., No. 6 Jalan Metro Perdana Timur 11, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

School of Ocean and Earth Science, Tongji University, Guokang Rd, Yangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China

Keywords:

2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI), Dipole-Dipole, Groundwater, Resistivity, Kulim, Malaysia

Abstract:

Water demand in the study area has been increasing by time but surface water is not sufﬁcient to fulﬁl the

demands. 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) survey was conducted in order to looking for groundwater

potential as freshwater alternative resources at Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. The data acquisition was carried

out using 5 meters multi-electrodes spacing with pole-dipole conﬁguration array. The geophysical survey

involved both resistivity and chargeability at the same time. The result of 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging

indicated that the groundwater potential area has low resistivity value with range 10 – 100 Ωm. Groundwater

potential zone divided into 2 characteristics which is shallow groundwater zone (>75m in depth) and deep

groundwater zone (>100m in depth). The groundwater potential zone covered by high to very high resistivity

value. Those high resistivity value 200 – 1000 Ωm interpreted as dry top soil at near surface while at deep

zone is interpreted as fresh bedrock. Chargeability value of groundwater potential area ranging from 0 up to 8

msec. All interpretation later conﬁrmed by drilling data.

1 INTRODUCTION

Geo-electrical survey is a survey that looking

the physical parameters which is resistivity value

to differentiate subsurface material. Recently,

the interest of underground sources of water is

increasing rapidly to fulﬁlled the water demand(A

Suryadi et al., 2019). Electrical Resistivity

Imaging (ERI) is the most common and successfully

used especially in groundwater exploration and

environmental problems(Azhar et al., 2016; Hamzah

et al., 2008; Hamzah et al., 2007; Jumary et al.,

2002; Saad et al., 2012). By using ERI, resistivity

distribution of subsurface will be modelled into

two-dimensional image(A Suryadi et al., 2019). The

model that resulted is showing the apparent resistivity

value which can be interpret depend on the value.

The study area is located at Silterra Malaysia

SdnBhd at Lot 8 and 9 in Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia

with coordinate N 5024’18.24” and E100035’33.09”.

The shortage of piped water supply at headquarters

Silterra has caused considerable problems to several

activities of the central area. The supply of water to

the central area is insufﬁcient due to high demand

of water. Long period of dry season also affected

to hydrogeology cycle. This water problem is

not only caused problem to the factory but it also

affected the nearby residential area(Adi Suryadi et

al., 2019). So, aim of this study is to locate and

delineate groundwater potential zone as alternative

water resources at study area.

The area is located about 10 km from Pekan Kulim

and about 3 km from Sungai Jarak. Secondary forest

and palm oil plantation are covered the study area

with almost ﬂat topography (Figure 1). It easily to

reach the location by using a car. Nine (9) lines of

2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) survey were

conducted with length of survey line up to 400 m

(Figure 2).

2 GEOLOGICAL SETTING OF

STUDY AREA

Geology of Study area is consist of granite and

surround by metamorphic rock (slate, phyllite and

schist) and sedimentary rock (sandstone, siltstone and

shale) (Figure 3). Granite of study area known as

Kulim granite that consist of two main types, namely

Suryadi, A., Habibi, M., Batara, ., Eka Putra, D. and Kausarian, H.

Groundwater Exploration using 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) at Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia.

DOI: 10.5220/0009065600350040

In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (ICoSET 2019), pages 35-40

ISBN: 978-989-758-463-3

medium to coarse grained biotite granite and the

sparsely porphyritic micro-granite. Both of them are

almost similar in mineral contain except the former

also contain traces of galena, pyrite and garnet. The

essential of mineral in the granite are K-feldspar,

plagioclase, quartz, biotite and muscovite. K-Ar

mineral ages for biotite sparates from pink porphyritic

Penanti granites (north of Bukit Mertajam) deﬁned

an age 196±8 Ma. K-Ar mineral ages for biotite

and muscovite sparates from the Karangan biotite

granite (northeast Kulim) gave an age of 190±10 and

180±10 Ma respectively(Hutchison, 1989).

Figure 1: Topography map that show location of study area

is almost ﬂat.

Figure 2: Satelite image of study area that shown line survey

location.

3 METHODOLOGY

ABEM SAS1000 resistivity meter and ABEM Lund

ES464 selector system is the equipment that used

Figure 3: Geological Map of study area that consist

of granite and surrounded by sedimentary rock and

metamorphic rock(Hutchison, 1989).

to collect the resistivity data. The survey employed

61 multi-electrodes with 5 m minimum electrode

spacing. The line survey length is reach 400 m

that arranged in a straight line. The selector system

was connected with all electrodes through multi-core

cable (Figure 4)(Loke and Barker, 1995)(Azhar et

al., 2016; Hamzah et al., 2008; Loke and Barker,

1995; A Suryadi et al., 2019). In each measurement

the resistivity meter only select four electrodes to

activate. Beside of that, coordinate of line survey

must be recorded to correlate all the lines taken

(Kausarian et al., 2018, 2016; Lubis et al., n.d.;

LUBIS et al., 2018; Suryadi, 2016)

Apparent resistivity (ρa) calculated by multiple of

geometry factor (k) with Voltage (V) and divided by

Current (I) injected.

ρa = kV /I (1)

Geometry factor (k) is depend on conﬁguration

electrode that utilized. In this study conﬁguration

used id pole-dipole (Figure 5) that k calculated with

formula:

k = 2π(b(a + b))/a (2)

a is the distance from P1 to P2; b is the distance from

C1 to P1

ICoSET 2019 - The Second International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology

Figure 4: Equipment set up to acquisition resistivity

data(Loke and Barker, 1995)

Figure 5: Equipment set up to acquisition resistivity

data(Loke and Barker, 1995)

The data collected processed by using inverse

modelling software which is RES2DINV. The result

of inverse modelling will interpreted based on

apparent resistivity and proven by drilling data.

4 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Nine (9) ERI lines survey data has been processed in

order to produce 2D inversion model of resistivity.

The resistivity value representing the subsurface

condition of study area. There are two typical of

groundwater potential zone in this study which are

deep groundwater potential and shallow groundwater

potential.

Figure 6 is the result of line 6 show the typical

2D ERI result of study area with deep groundwater

potential. Generally, resistivity value can be grouped

into 3 layers or zones. First zone with moderate

to high resistivity value (100 – 1000 Ωm) that

represented by colour orange to purple near surface

is interpreted as top soil. Usually soil always showing

moderate to low resistivity value because it has high

moisturized due to subtropical area(N. Nwankwo and

O. Emujakporue, 2012; A Suryadi et al., 2019).

But in this study top soil showing high resistivity

value, this value indicating the condition of soil is

dry. Below top soil, resistivity value is extremely

high represented by red to dark purple in colour

with resistivity range 300 to 2000 Ωm. this layer is

interpreted as fresh bedrock layer. Based on geology

regional of study area, bedrock of the site is consist

of granite. The third layer is located about 100 m

in depth from surface with low resistivity proﬁle (10

– 100 Ωm). This layer showed by bright green to

yellow in colour. From those resistivity value, the

third layer is interpreted as groundwater potential area

because water saturated zone are conductive zone that

easily to transfer electrical current. From the result

of chargeability also support the interpretation with

showing low chargeability (2 – 20 msec).

Another typical of groundwater potential zones is

representing by result of line survey 7 (Figure 7). This

result also divide into 3 layer. The ﬁrst layer is dry

top soil layer with resistivity value range (100 – 1000

Ωm), followed by very high resistivity value (300 –

2000 Ωm) that interpreted as granite fresh bedrock.

In granite zone there is an anomaly resistivity value

with coning shape at depth 25 to 75 m. This zone has

low resistivity proﬁle which is 3 – 100 Ωm interpreted

as shallow groundwater potential. It also linear with

chargeability result that showing low chargeability

value 2 – 8 msec. Table 1 showing all the groundwater

potential zone from 9 survey lines.

From the result of 2D Electrical Resistivity

Imaging (ERI), some location that has groundwater

potential has been drilled to prove either it actually

water saturated zone or not. Besides that, drilling data

also proven for all geological interpretation based

on resistivity value. Table 2 is drilling location

coordinate according to groundwater potential zones

that has been interpreted.

Table 1: Groundwater potential zone characteristic and

location based on 2D ERI

Survey line

Groundwater potential zone

Resistivity

(Ωm)

Chargeability

(msec)

Depth (m) Location

from 1

electrode

(m)

Line 1 8 - 110 0 – 2 75 – 125 80 – 180

Line 2 10 – 100 8 – 12 ¿ 125 225 – 255

Line 3 2 – 100 2 – 5 75 – 150 80 – 210

Line 4 3 – 100 1 – 5 75 – 125 140 – 265

Line 5 20 – 100 0 – 1 125 – 150 150 – 230

Line 6 10 – 100 2 – 12 100 – 125 140 – 240

Line 7 1 – 100 0.5 – 5 25 – 75 185 – 280

Line 8 20 – 100 2 – 12 50 – 100 215 – 290

Line 9 1 – 100 1 – 2 25 – 50 185 – 220

PDL 6 and PDL 7 are located at survey line 6 and

survey line 7. Based on drilling data PDL 6 (Figure

8) from the surface to 6 is consist of top soil with

characteristic light yellowish brown in color,soft and

slightly silty clay. From 6 m to 12 m the material

is ﬁrm ﬁne sandy silty clay with color light reddish

brown. Hard layer of clay found at depth 12 m up to

30 m. starting from 30 of depth till the end of drilling

(300 m) represented by weathered granite. At 100 m

and 280 m of depth was identiﬁed as fractured zone.

In conjunction between 2D ERI result of line 6 and

drilling data of PDL 6 can be correlated. The low

Groundwater Exploration using 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) at Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia

Figure 6: 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging result of line survey 6

Figure 7: 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) result of line survey 7

resistivity value (10 – 100 Ωm) from 2D ERI result at

depth 125 interpreted as groundwater potential zone

and it supported by drilling data. According the

drilling data, at 100 m of depth found fractured zone

of granite that has very high possibility as secondary

porosity to preserve groundwater resources.

PDL 6 and PDL 7 are located at survey line 6 and

survey line 7. Based on drilling data PDL 6 (Figure

8) from the surface to 6 is consist of top soil with

characteristic light yellowish brown in color,soft and

slightly silty clay. From 6 m to 12 m the material

is ﬁrm ﬁne sandy silty clay with color light reddish

brown. Hard layer of clay found at depth 12 m up to

30 m. starting from 30 of depth till the end of drilling

ICoSET 2019 - The Second International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology

Table 2: Coordinate of drilling location

Name

Coordinate

Latitude Longitude

PDL 1 5

◦

24’ 18.37” N 100

◦

35’ 30.99” E

PDL 2 5

◦

24’ 14.66” N 100

◦

35’ 32.62” E

PDL 3 5

◦

24’ 17.38” N 100

◦

35’ 32.08” E

PDL 4 5

◦

24’ 17.02” N 100

◦

35’ 29.32” E

PDL 5 5

◦

24’ 9.63” N 100

◦

35’ 31.84” E

PDL 6 5

◦

24’ 8.63” N 100

◦

35’ 30.23” E

PDL 7 5

◦

24’ 11.07” N 100

◦

35’ 30.10” E

PDL 8 5

◦

24’ 15.95” N 100

◦

35’ 32.20” E

PDL 9 5

◦

24’ 15.48” N 100

◦

35’ 30.02” E

(300 m) represented by weathered granite. At 100 m

and 280 m of depth was identiﬁed as fractured zone.

In conjunction between 2D ERI result of line 6 and

drilling data of PDL 6 can be correlated. The low

resistivity value (10 – 100 Ωm) from 2D ERI result at

depth 125 interpreted as groundwater potential zone

and it supported by drilling data. According the

drilling data, at 100 m of depth found fractured zone

of granite that has very high possibility as secondary

porosity to preserve groundwater resources.

5 CONCLUSION

2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) Survey has

been successfully used in this study to locate and

delineate groundwater possibility potential at Kulim,

Kedah, Malaysia in conjunction with chargeability

data and drilling data. The drilling location was

determined by groundwater potential zone that shown

from 2D ERI result. The resistivity result show that

there are 3 layers or zone within study area. First

layer is top soil (clay) in dry condition represented

by moderate to high resistivity value ranging from

100 – 100 Ωm at near surface. Another layer

is extremely high resistivity value 300 Ωm up to

2000 Ωm thatindicate granite as bedrock of study

area. Groundwater potential zone shown by low

resistivity value ranging from 1 – 100 Ωm. Potential

zone of groundwater divided into 2 based on its

depth, shallow groundwater potential with depth 25

m to 75 m from the surface and deep groundwater

potential with depth more than 75 m. drilling data

was proven all the interpretation of 2D ERI where

the groundwater potential zone is fractured zone of

granite. Fractured zone become secondary porosity

that can be store groundwater.

Figure 8: Drilling data of PDL 6

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to give an acknowledgment to

GWS Drilling Engineering Sdn. Bhd. members for

their cooperation in data collection that help authors

very much in ﬁeld. The authors also thanks to Silterra

Malaysia SdnBhd for the great hospitality at ﬁeld.

Groundwater Exploration using 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) at Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia

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ICoSET 2019 - The Second International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology