f 3D Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Subsurface Seepage of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Water, at Kerbala Region Iraq

The first 3D resistivity imaging survey in all Iraq country is carried out near water well contaminated with hydrocarbon materials in Karbala governorate for delineating subsurface seepage of contaminated water is presented in this paper. Resistivity data were collected along parallel profiles using Wenner array and electrode spacing of 1 m. A three-dimensional least squares algorithm based on the smoothness-constrained technique inverted the apparent resistivity data. The results displayed resistivity distribution of the subsurface in three-dimensional volume. Thus, both the horizontal and vertical extent of the contaminated zone was displayed. This technique revealed low resistivity zone at depths ranging from 3 to 6 m at the investigation area. This low resistivity zone is the most promising location for subsurface seepage of contaminated water.