Frequency Domain Electro Magnetic (FDEM)
Frequency Domain Electro Magnetic (FDEM) induction involves generating electromagnetic fields which induce currents in the earth which in turn cause the subsurface to create secondary magnetic fields. By measuring the magnetic fields, subsurface properties and features can be deduced. This method measures the magnitude and the phase of the induced currents, which are related to the subsurface electrical conductivity. Electrical conductivity is a function of the soil and rock matrix, percentage of saturation, and the conductivity of the pore fluids. EM instruments provide two measurements simultaneously, the electrical conductivity data and the in-phase component, which responds to magnetic susceptibility and metal.
FDEM has distinct advantages over many other techniques. Because no contact with the ground is required, FDEM can cover a large area quickly and therefore economically. In certain cases, depths of up to 50 meters can be mapped.
FDEM
Common applications of FDEM include the following:
– Groundwater investigations
– Minerals exploration
– Mapping lateral changes in natural geologic conditions
– Detecting and mapping contaminant plumes
– Mapping buried wastes, metal drums, tanks, and metal utilities
One of our goals at GeoSense is to reduce client-costs without compromising on data quality. This is why we constantly seek out the most sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment. For FDEM (Frequency Domain Electro Magnetic) surveys we have chosen to use the Geophex instruments. The advantage of these systems lies in their ability to collect data from a number of different pre-programmed frequencies simultaneously. In reality, this means that data can be collected from different depths at the same time and be compiled into a depth slice of the survey area. This is extremely useful and allows the coverage of large areas, quickly, thus reducing the time and cost of the survey. Because data is collected from different depths concurrently, there is usually no need for more than one pass with the instrument in the survey area.
For our variety of purposes, we employ several GEM systems such as GEM-2, GEM-2L, GEM-3 and unique GEM-5 array.