Resistivity
& Conductivity Methods: Resistivity vs. conductivity: A comparison
Resistivity
Conductivity
Relatively slow data acquisition
Relatively rapid data acquisition
Some instruments require more than a single operator
Can be operated by one person
No magnetic susceptibility response
Can measure magnetic susceptibility using the in-phase component
of the measured signal
Probe insertion can be difficult in dry, hard, or rocky ground,
and impossible over pavements
Current insertion problems are avoided. Survey can be conducted
over dry, hard, rocky ground, or through pavement.
Metals are usually undetectable unless probes parallel a buried
pipe
Can detect metals
In very dry conditions (high resistivities) it is impossible to
initiate current flow
In very dry conditions
(low conductivities < 1 mS/m) a current cannot be magnetically
induced into the ground to create a magnetic field detectable by
the receiver
Can easily target specific depths by altering probe spacings
Most instruments are confined to two principal depth sensitivities
using vertical and horizontal dipole modes
Relatively easy to trace vertical and lateral resistivity changes
with depth
Very limited
information about layering and vertical changes can be gained
Unaffected by above-ground power lines and electrical storms
Affected by above-ground power lines and electrical storms
Measurements tend to be stable
Measurements tend to drift with time
Relatively high dynamic range from 0.0005->50K ohms
Relatively low dynamic range from roughly 0.5-1000 mS/m (2000-1
ohm-m)