Scholarlink

<p>The present study represents the first application of Proton Magnetic Resonance Sounding (PMRS) to investigate shallow phreatic aquifers in the dry, noise-affected M’zab Valley of the Algerian Sahara. The study area is characterised by a hyper-arid climate, with an average annual precipitation of 71.4&#xa0;mm and a mean temperature of 22.2&#xa0;°C, analysed over the period 2010–2019. This climatic context provides the necessary background for evaluating the PMRS signal and groundwater occurrences in the M’zab Valley. Four soundings (ATF01–ATF04) were conducted in the El Atteuf area, with data considered reliable when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) met or exceeded three. Relaxation times (T<sub>2</sub>*) and volumetric water content (Wc), derived from PMRS inversion, served as qualitative indicators of aquifer transmissivity and storage potential. The results revealed marked heterogeneity in subsurface conditions, despite the close spacing of the stations. A continuous zone between 35 and 55&#xa0;m depth, characterised by long relaxation times (100–150&#xa0;ms) and high-water content (6–8%), strongly indicated the presence of a productive fractured limestone aquifer. To enhance structural interpretation, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was employed to delineate clay-rich aquitards, sandy gravel layers, and fractured limestone units. This dual-method approach provided detailed lithological and hydraulic characterisation. Although PMRS and ERT are based on different physical principles, their combined application yielded complementary insights into subsurface hydrodynamics and robust evidence of groundwater occurrence. In arid Saharan environments, integrating PMRS and ERT is a reliable, non-invasive strategy for identifying favourable drilling targets and supporting sustainable groundwater resource management.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Proton magnetic resonance sounding in El Atteuf (Ghardaïa, Algerian Sahara): a pilot hydrogeophysical study for characterising shallow phreatic aquifers

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月25日

查看全文
  • Mawloud Hadjadj,
  • Samia Hadj-Said,
  • Aziez Zeddouri,
  • Rachid Ahmed Rahmani,
  • Omar Hammou Ali

摘要

The present study represents the first application of Proton Magnetic Resonance Sounding (PMRS) to investigate shallow phreatic aquifers in the dry, noise-affected M’zab Valley of the Algerian Sahara. The study area is characterised by a hyper-arid climate, with an average annual precipitation of 71.4 mm and a mean temperature of 22.2 °C, analysed over the period 2010–2019. This climatic context provides the necessary background for evaluating the PMRS signal and groundwater occurrences in the M’zab Valley. Four soundings (ATF01–ATF04) were conducted in the El Atteuf area, with data considered reliable when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) met or exceeded three. Relaxation times (T2*) and volumetric water content (Wc), derived from PMRS inversion, served as qualitative indicators of aquifer transmissivity and storage potential. The results revealed marked heterogeneity in subsurface conditions, despite the close spacing of the stations. A continuous zone between 35 and 55 m depth, characterised by long relaxation times (100–150 ms) and high-water content (6–8%), strongly indicated the presence of a productive fractured limestone aquifer. To enhance structural interpretation, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was employed to delineate clay-rich aquitards, sandy gravel layers, and fractured limestone units. This dual-method approach provided detailed lithological and hydraulic characterisation. Although PMRS and ERT are based on different physical principles, their combined application yielded complementary insights into subsurface hydrodynamics and robust evidence of groundwater occurrence. In arid Saharan environments, integrating PMRS and ERT is a reliable, non-invasive strategy for identifying favourable drilling targets and supporting sustainable groundwater resource management.