Transient Electromagnetics (TEM) for Groundwater Investigations

This course is scheduled for May 2027. If you would like to register your interest, please click "Register your interest now!" above.

Overview

The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) has partnered with Loupe Geophysics and CSIRO to deliver a three-day, hands-on workshop on applying transient electromagnetic (TEM) methods to groundwater investigations. The course will be led by Associate Professor Eddie Banks (Flinders University) and Dr Michael Hatch (Adelaide University/Flinders University/Vista Clara Inc./Zonge Engineering) with contributions from leading specialists from Loupe Geophysics, CSIRO and industry in TEM instrumentation, field application, and inversion modelling.

Every geoscientist who works on groundwater problems requires knowledge of the subsurface, yet boreholes provide information only at isolated points. Geophysical techniques based on electromagnetics (EM) fill the gaps between bores, provide high-resolution images of sub-surface bulk conductivity. Because conductivity is controlled largely by groundwater salinity, clay content and porosity, these images can be used to map aquifer and aquitard geometry, define boundary conditions for groundwater models, delineate the extent of seawater intrusion and saline groundwater, and infer groundwater quality.

The program will cover the theoretical background underlying TEM and other EM-based technologies, along with practical instruction in survey design and in the acquisition, processing, and inversion and interpretation of a comprehensive range of EM data sets collected with a range of instruments. By the end of the course participants will be able to:

• Explain the physics of electromagnetic induction and how TEM measurements relate to subsurface conductivity
• Design a TEM survey suited to the target depth, resolution and site conditions, including loop configuration and noise considerations
• Acquire good-quality TEM data in the field using a range of ground-based instruments
• Process data, identify noise and apply quality control
• Invert TEM data and assess depth of investigation, and model uncertainty
• Integrate inversion results with borehole logs, water quality and other data to build a hydrogeological interpretation
• Recognise the strengths and limitations of TEM compared with other EM and geophysical methods

Hydrogeophysics is best learned in the field. As part of the course, lectures will be delivered on site, alongside hands-on demonstrations and data collection using a variety of TEM and EM instruments, so participants leave with practical experience of the full workflow from survey to interpretation.

Presenters

Associate Professor Eddie Banks (Flinders University, ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship-Hydrogeophysics) and Dr Mike Hatch (Adelaide and Flinders University, Vista Clara Inc. and Zonge Engineering) with guest presenters from Loupe Geophysics and CSIRO.

Target group and participant requirements

This course is designed for professionals in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology and geotechnical engineering who are interested in geophysical methods to characterise groundwater systems. Typical participants include hydrogeologists, geologists, geotechnical engineers, and environmental scientists from consulting firms, government agencies, water utilities, mining companies, research institutions and universities, as well as postgraduate students.

No prior geophysics experience is required; a working knowledge of hydrogeology is assumed. Participants should bring:

• A laptop for the data processing and inversion sessions
• Clothing and enclosed footwear suitable for fieldwork, plus a hat, sunscreen and water bottle