As with all geophysical questions, it all depends.  Questions like how deep are you imaging, what equipment are you using, are you doing 1D VES or 2D profiles, will influence the answer on array type.

Typically, I stay away from the dipole-dipole array.  Granted, it does have a high resolution, but it generally is noisier.   If you are imaging down to +1000m, you are pretty much forced to use it based on logistics.

For most of our work, we like Schlumberger array for shallow targets and Wenner array for deeper targets.  I used to do exclusively pole-pole based on depth of investigation and low noise, but the resolution at the the bottom of the profile is much lower and the Wenner array has just as good noise characteristics.

There has been a lot of work on developing 'optimized' arrays that maximizes the model resolution of the subsurface.  Check out the latest works by Loke and Paul Wilkinson - fascinating stuff.  But, to get command files developed for multi-channel acquisition systems, such as the SuperSting R8, can be a challenge.

Mr Oktanius Richard, I'm sure that there have been successful groundwater exploration around the area under study. Hence, I suggest you do a little research based on the geophysical survey  methods that was used and see if that would suit your purposes. Also, the advice of Mr Dale Trucker should be taken seriously. 

In order to enhence the response of water-bearing structures, pole-dipole array maybe a good choice.

Dear Mr. Dale F. Rucker, as an undergraduated student, i'm very limited in experience and all of my statement is based on literature study. Based on Loke ( 1999), i can conclude that Wenner-Schlumberger Array provides us many advantages both in vertical and horizontal resolution, as also lack in weakness compared to the other arrays. Hence, it is good for Horizontal Profiling or 2D profiles.  In the other hand, to obtain and explore shallow groundwater, it won't reach 1000m depth. Will Wenner-Schlumberger provide us the most accurate profile due to that consideration ? May i have your contact for more explanation? Thanks a lot

Sincerely, Richard

Dear Richard

In my master research i compared between four electrode arrays to choce the best one in delineating groundwater aquifer boundaries. These arrays are Di-Di, W-sch, W and schlumberger reciprocal. I found that Wenner- schlumberger is the best one especially in noisy area deep investigation. Therfore, my advice is to use wenner -schlumberger array

Best  wishes

Thanks a lot Mr. Hameedawi, so do you mean that We-Schlumberger will show us the prospect aquifer in a better profile ? Have you proved it with exploration drilling method ? Thanks a lot for the answers ! It helps much :)

You can read my thesis; you will find all answers you need. You can find it on my account on research gate.

Thanks dear

 Oktanius - you can email me at [email protected] and we can discuss your questions in more detail if you like.

Dear everyone, base on my experiences, I like to recommend Wen-Sch array and if you use ABEM terrameter for data acquisition, I recommend to combine with IP method. For detail discussion, you can email to [email protected]

Dear all,

I must agree with Dale's first answer: it all depends (site specifics, noise conditions, equipment...). There is no one array rule them all I am afraid. We have been using the gradient array for some time and that gave us good results for what we aimed for. 

Kind regards,

Electrical Resistivity Method is one of the well-known non-destructive methods for groundwater surveying using various protocols to obtain the tomography of the soil subsurface. The difference in imaging results between two different protocols, the Pole-dipole array, and the Multiple Gradient array is better.

It all depends upon depth of investigation, local geology and most important suficial extent. If you are having large even topography to lay the spread wenner schlumberger will be you choice, want to cover large area gonfor dipole dipole, shallow system identification wenner could be the choice... So in short it deoends upon requirement, ground conditions and geology..

Vertical electrical Sounding (Schlumberger Configuration- Expanding System - Fixed System) is the most promising array used for groundwater prospecting

To use the AMN or BMN sounding array, with MN:OA or OB=1:10.