Groundwater Characterization Studies Using Electric Resistivity Survey (ERS) in Kirana Hills, District Chiniot, Pakistan

Abstract

This study demonstrates an application of resistivity surveys to understand local hydrological conditions
and basement configuration in Kirana Hills region of District Chiniot. Schlumberger configuration has been applied to
acquire vertical electrical sounding (VES) data. The apparent resistivity curves were calibrated with theoretical curves
to compute true resistivity and depth of different layers. Maps of true resistivity at various depths were generated to
study the lateral resistivity variation in the area. VES sounding data were compared with available lithological columns
to establish relationship of lithology and resistivity. Resistivity values are laterally variable due to lithology and quality
of water. Very low resistivity values were observed within alluvial sediments close to the Kirana Hills due to presence
of high Total Dissolved Solids in water. Resistivity value layers in unconsolidated sediments increases in the southern
and western parts of the area where relatively better quality of groundwater occurs. In the northern and eastern parts of
the study area very high resistivity (greater than 100 Ωm) is recorded at depth greater than 40m that indicates hard rock
basement. The resistivity survey in the area is useful to differentiate zones of low and high Total Dissolved Solids
groundwater and also determine the zones where subsurface basement is shallow. Therefore, resistivity survey in
Kirana Hill regions is helpful in solving hydrological issues of the study area.