Traditional methods of seabed investigation with sub-bottom profilers sometimes fail to produce results, which means that practically no information is obtained about the geology and geomorphology of the surveyed area and/or any buried archaeological object. However, an alternative methodology allows for the extraction of such information in these cases. Although relatively slower and more complex to process, electrical resistivity methods provide an uncompromising opportunity to obtain data on geology, geomorphology, and even objects buried in the seabed, including those of archaeological significance.
Traditionally, these methods have often been used for archaeological purposes on land, while in marine environments they are among the tools applied in the exploration of mineral deposits. The aim of the team developing these methodologies is to adapt this otherwise conventional method for the study of local geomorphology and archaeological objects, including sunken and buried ships or other structuresin marine conditions.
What makes the method unique?
Unlike traditional seabed survey methods, electrical resistivity techniques always provide results regardless of the environment, meaning that information about the surveyed medium is guaranteed. The developed methodologies also allow for a significant increase in scanning resolution, approaching that of conventional sub-bottom profilers, and thus can serve as an alternative in environments where the latter fails to deliver.
Key Features
- Lightweight and portable equipment – Easy to transport, deploy, and operate, even in hard-to-reach areas.
- Applicable both in marine and terrestrial surveys.
- Flexible resolution and speed – Capable of higher-speed surveys at lower resolution for large-scale geomorphological studies, or achieving high-resolution results in static scanning mode for detailed archaeological investigations.
- Universally applicable in all geological settings – Guaranteed results regardless of substrate.
- Compatible with small vessels – Ideal for use from modest research boats, coastal facilities, or even directly from the shore.
- Field-tested at real sites with known targets – Technology readiness level TRL5, currently undergoing refinement and validation.
Target Users
- Research institutes and academies – Oceanography, geology, biology, archaeology.
- Environmental agencies – Sediment monitoring, eco-control, and pollution assessment.
- Construction and engineering – Geotechnical surveys for marine infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
Traditional solutions often fail to provide reliable results in shallow water investigations, as they are strictly dependent on the physical and mechanical properties of the studied medium. The proposed methodologies ensure guaranteed data acquisition under any conditions, due to the use of an electrical field, which propagates regardless of environmental properties. By applying appropriately optimized techniques, results are achieved with significantly improved image resolution, allowing for substantially enhanced research outcomes.
Availability
Currently, a 64-channel device adapted for marine conditions is available, equipped with two types of multi-electrode streamers:
- with electrodes spaced at 1 meter (enabling investigation depths up to 12 m)
- with electrodes spaced at 5 meters (enabling investigation depths up to 60 m).
The equipment can be used in static mode for detailed studies or in dynamic mode for relatively high-speed scanning during reconnaissance surveys. The standard resolution achieved is 0.5 m for ultra-detailed geomorphological and archaeological studies and 2.5 m for geomorphological purposes. With minor adaptations, a resolution of 0.25 m can be reached in static survey conditions.
