Geophysics For Groundwater Prospecting In Republic Of Panama

Between 1985 and 1992, two institutions in the Republic of Panama, Physics Department of<br>University of Panama (DF/UP) and Groundwater Department of National Institute of Aqueducts<br>and Seawages (DFSIDAAN), employed geophysical methods to prospect groundwater resources.<br>The surveys were conducted in areas where residents had problems with water supply, over recent<br>sedimentary and igneous terrains, in localities of El Cristo, Capellania, Nuevo Peru, Cerro Morado,<br>Isla Verde and Chame-Bejuco. The geophysical data consisted of 110 vertical electrical soundings<br>and several profiles with spontaneous potential (10 km), WennerSchlumberger resistivity (4 km)<br>and magnetic (3 km) methods. All these data were complemented with lithological informations<br>obtained from 50 DFSIDAAN wells and geological maps. Despite the complexity of the geology,<br>interpretations of these data resulted in the determination of geological faults, water-table,<br>groundwater flow directions, bedrock depth, aquifers thickness, contaminated/uncontaminated<br>zones, etc. Also, this methodology permitted us the suggestion of more suitable places to drill<br>productive wells, justifying the use of geophysical methods, and saving important economical<br>resources, which would be wasted in fruitless drillings.