Ground resistance is a significant factor affecting the accuracy of audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) measurements. Hence, reducing the interference from ground resistance is critical for enhancing the reliability and interpretation accuracy of AMT data. By delving into the impacts of ground resistance on the measured electric field, apparent resistivity, and impedance phase, this study proposed a numerical correction method for reducing the impacts of ground resistance to a negligible level. As indicated by the theoretical calculation results, too high ground resistance can reduce the apparent resistivity in high-frequency bands to a quarter of the original value and shift the impedance phase by a maximum of 20°. The correction results of measured data demonstrate that the proposed method can enhance the accuracy of the AMT method in detecting shallow information by effectively reducing the interference from ground resistance. Therefore, this study holds critical significance for improving the application of the AMT method in engineering exploration.
Yan Y F. Application of comprehensive geophysical methods in the detection of deep and thick overburden layers[J]. Water Conservancy Construction and Management, 2024, 44(1):27-33.
Hu Q L, Yang W, Su Y J. The application of magnetotelluric methodto the investigation of hydropower engineering[J]. Chinese Journal of Engineering Geophysics, 2018, 15(3):383-390.
Li Z, Wu Z H, Wang J M, et al. Using EH4 audio-magnetotelluric sounder to detect the gigantic Qiaojia paleo-landslide and its structural characteristics[J]. Journal of Geomechanics, 2021, 27(2):317-325.
Long H, Sun S, Liu Y, et al. Surveying fault structures by geophysical exploration technique on the northwestern margin of Xining basin[J]. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2018, 42(2):241-246.
Li F Z, Zhu Q J, Sun Y H. The effects of geophysical water exploration in Karst mountain areas of southwest China[J]. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2013, 37(4):591-595.
Zhang W, Gan F P, Wei W, et al. Applied research of comprehensive geophysical method to the investigation of Karst collapse in the riverside shoal of Huaihe river[J]. Progress in Geophysics, 2019, 34(2):832-839.
Jiang G Q, Jia C M, Tan Q, et al. Application of fdem in detecting coal mined-out areas[J]. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2015, 39(3):646-650.
He G L, Wang G J, Zhou C, et al. Application of audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) in groundwater exploration:A case of the nanmushui area in Zhanjiang[J]. Progress in Geophysics, 2019, 34(1):304-309.
Yang M Y, Zhang H X, Ma C, et al. Application of audio magnetotellurics in the study of the subsurface water-bearing properties of the Santunhe area,Xinjiang[J]. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2023, 47(6):1441-1449.
Zhang Y S, He J S. The effects of the contact resistance of electrode on the measurements and their removal[J]. The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 1996, 6(1):1-5.
[12]
Zonge K L, Hughes L J. Effect of electrode contact resistance on electric field measurements[C]// SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts.SEG,1985.
Li R C. The effects of errors in m-n electrode-spacing and grounding resistance on cagniard resistivity[J]. Geology and Exploration, 2004, 40(S1):188-190.
[14]
Thomas I N. The effect of electrode contact resistance and capacitive coupling on complex resistivity measurements[C]// SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2006.Society of Exploration Geophysicists, 2006.
Wang H, Ye G F, Wei W B. The design and implementation of non-polarizable Pb-PbCl2 electrodes[J]. Seismological and Geomagnetic Observation and Research, 2010, 31(3):115-120.
Wang H, Ye G F, Wei W B, et al. High-precision acquisition technology of telluric field on magnetotellurics[J]. Progress in Geophysics, 2013, 28(3):1199-1207.
Tang J T, Hu S G, Xiao X. The effect of grounding resistance’ stability on AMT[J]. Computing Techniques for Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2015, 37(5):547-551.
Yang L K, Zhang Y F, Ye J Y, et al. The influence of earthing resistance on MT data acquisition and its test[J]. Chinese Journal of Engineering Geophysics, 2017, 14(5):519-523.
[19]
朴化荣. 电磁测深法原理[M]. 北京: 地质出版社,1990.
[19]
Piao H R. Principles of electromagnetic sounding method[M]. Beijing: Geological Publishing House,1990.
Luo A H, Li W Y. Effects of MN error in length and deviation in direction on apparent resistivity in eh4[J]. Computing Techniques for Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2012, 34(4):397-401,366.
Liu J L. Characteristics and application of the impedance phase of magnetotelluric sounding[J]. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2013, 37(1):73-77.