PRIME is a low-cost electrical resistivity monitoring system specifically designed to remotely monitor ‘at risk’ geotechnical assets (e.g. embankments; cuttings; dams). PRIME combines emerging geophysical ground-imaging technology with innovative data telemetry, web portal access and intelligent monitoring.
This state-of-the-art system allows for continuous monitoring of the subsurface electrical resistivity at a site, providing valuable insights into subsurface geology, hydrology, and more.
Our electrical resistivity monitoring system is easy to use and its measurements can be customised to fit the specific needs of your research project. The system includes sensors that are installed at various depths in the subsurface, and data is collected and transmitted in real-time to a central server. This data can then be accessed and analysed by researchers from anywhere with an internet connection.
We believe that this system will be an invaluable tool for researchers studying a wide range of topics, including soil moisture content, groundwater flow, and geotechnical engineering. If you are interested in using our electrical resistivity monitoring system for your research, please don't hesitate to contact us for more information. We look forward to working with you and supporting your research endeavors.
Geoelectrical properties give vital clues to both geological structure and hydraulic or thermal processes in the subsurface. Electrical resistivity ρ is sensitive to variations in porosity and permeability of the rock, water saturation, pressure, and crucially the temperature and salinity of water (in pores or larger voids). Changes in water-rock interaction through fluid flow or thermal processes can be quantified “by proxy” through looking at changes in resistivity over time. This is valuable for defining baseline, and for monitoring system responses to heat abstraction and storage.
Cross-borehole time-lapse (4D) imaging of resistivity, is being used at the observatory to infer natural and induced dynamic processes, for example monitoring of flow and fracture patterns or the study of heat dispersion. This is important for the resource and connectivity of the mine water reservoir and for better understanding of flow pathways and environmental impacts.
ERT sensors are metallic electrodes that are mounted in arrays along multicore cables carrying low-frequency electrical current signals. These sensor arrays are installed on the outside of the casing of the Mine water characterisation and monitoring boreholes, three arrays to about 50 m, another to about 55 m, and two to about 85 m below ground.
At surface, all ERT sensor cables are linked to an automated, remotely-operated resistivity meter (the BGS PRIME system). This is used to record ERT data at user-defined intervals and used-controlled measurement schemes. Acquired data are sent via wireless telemetry to servers at BGS Keyworth for processing and interpretation. Resistivity inverse modelling is then used to generate images of the subsurface resistivity distribution in the vicinity of and between the boreholes.
Our resistivity monitoring system collects data from a network of sensors that are deployed in the field. These sensors measure the electrical resistivity of the ground at regular intervals and transmit the data back to our server.
Below is a high level overview of how the PRIME data is collected and made available. We provide access both to the raw data and the images and models we generate.
At the moment we have only static data , but live data will be coming in the future.
PRIME is used to image the electrical resistivity of the ground in a specific region. This is done by using electrodes to send an electrical current through the ground, and measuring the resulting voltages on other electrodes. The electrical resistivity of the ground can provide information about the composition and structure of the subsurface materials, which can be useful for various geological and hydrological applications.
The sensors are installed on the outside of the casing of six boreholes. At site 1, the electrodes reach to about 50 m and 55 m, and at sites 2 and 3 to about 50 m and 85 m.
The data collected by the electrical resistivity monitoring system can be used to create subsurface models, monitor changes in the subsurface over time, and identify potential resources such as minerals or water.
Below is a high level overview of how the PRIME data is collected and made available. We provide access both to the raw data and the images and models we generate.
Images generated through data inversion process
3D models (.vtk/.vts/.vtu) generated through data inversion process
Diagnostic data describing the health of the PRIME system
Explore and access Prime Images, Models and health data.
You can find more information about the PRIME system on the British Geological Survey website .
PRIME is a low-cost system specifically designed to remotely monitor ‘at risk’ geotechnical assets (e.g. embankments; cuttings; dams).
BGS Geophysical Tomography (GTom) provides leading-edge technology for non-invasive, geoelectrical imaging of the shallow subsurface.
A baseline of continuous data is being recorded to define noise conditions and ongoing change. Work is underway to optimise the relevant information content thatcan be derived from the 4D ERT crosshole data – challenges include providingrobust inversions (and thus reliable images) in the presence of noise and someelectrically anisotropic behaviour of the geology.
The intention is that the ERT capability can be used by researchers to monitor specific subsurface experiments at the Glasgow Observatory.
The observatories are open for use by commercial enterprises and offer a wide range of opportunities to address technical, commercial and regulatory challenges.
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