Hydraulic properties at the North Sea island Borkum derived from joint inversion of magnetic resonance and electrical resistivity soundings

In order to do hydraulic modelling for simulating the salt-/fresh water dynamics, the parameters porosity, salinity and hydraulic conductivity are needed. We present a methodology retrieve them by the joint analysis of magnetic resonance (MRS) and and vertical electric (VES) soundings. Both data sets are jointly inverted for resistivity, water content and decay time using a block discretization. We show the results of three soundings measured in the east part of the CLIWAT pilot area Borkum. Pumping test data is used to calibrate the petrophysical relationship for the local conditions. As a result we are able to predict porosity, salinity and hydraulic conductivities of the aquifers including their uncertainty. The joint inversion significantly improves the reliability of the results, which can be shown by comparison with a borehole. By a sounding in the flooding area we demonstrate that only the combined inversion leads to a correct subsurface model. Thanks to the joint application we are able to distinguish fluid conductivity from lithology and provide reliable hydraulic parameters.