Vista Clara offers comprehensive geophysical services, with a focus on NMR, to deliver valuable information for a wide range of groundwater applications, including environmental, municipal, agricultural, and mining projects. Our unique expertise in NMR instrumentation and analysis allows us to provide detailed characterization of groundwater without the need to drill additional wells. We can acquire NMR measurements non-invasively using our GMR surface-based instrument or can acquire NMR measurments in small boreholes using our Javelin logging tools, which can even operate in combination with a geoprobe system. Our team of expert engineers and geophysicists interpret these measurements to deliver actionable information to our clients. In addition to NMR measurements, we can also provide a full suite of conventional surface and borehole geophysical services to complement any survey. Please read more about our services or contact us online to learn how we can add precision and value to your groundwater project.
Why Nuclear Magnetic Resonance?
NMR is the same physics operating behind MRI imaging in medicine. The distinct advantage of NMR in geophysics is that it provides a direct and unambiguous measurements of groundwater. The NMR signal is emitted directly by hydrogen nuclei in groundwater and is only detected if groundwater is present. Measuring the NMR signal thus enable direct quantification of the volume and spatial distribution of groundwater. The behavior of the NMR signal also provides information about the pore-scale hydrogeologic environment and can be used to estimate critical properties governing the flow and storage of groundwater, including permeability. With our advanced technologies, we can precisely measure the NMR signal from groundwater non-invasively, using our sophisticated GMR surface-based system, or in small holes, using our miniaturized Javelin logging tools.
Geophysical NMR measurements provide
Geophysical NMR applications include
Exploration of Potential Municipal Groundwater Resources
Client: Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO)
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Overview: Groundwater has become an increasingly important resource in Southern Australia after years of sustained drought. Surface NMR measurements were collected at numerous locations throughout Southern Australia to explore for potential municipal groundwater supplies. Vista Clara's GMR instrument has proven to be an invaluable tool for efficiently evaluating water prospects in remote locations mobilization and operation of test drilling would be very expensive.
Identification of Facies Controlling Contaminant Migration (SUMMARY)
Client: US Geological Survey (USGS)
Location: Cape Cod, MA, USA
Overview: The migration of contaminant plumes can be strongly influenced by the presence and geometry low permeability facies. Javelin NMR logging measurements were collected in existing PVC cased wells at a contaminant research site. NMR Logging results showed that the aquifer was primarily comprised of sandy sediments with high-permeability, but the NMR logs also identified and delineated several low-permeability silt layers. These silt layers were confirmed by other methods and are likely to influence the transport of contaminants at the site.
Parameterization of Regional Groundwater Aquifer Models
Client: Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD)
Location: Lexington, Nebraska, USA
Overview: Regional management of groundwater requires building models that accurately reflect the geometry and flow and storage properties of aquifers. Using Vista Clara's services and instrumentation, the CPNRD and USGS have explored how hydrogeologic information obtained from surface NMR measurements can be used to parameterize a large-scale regional groundwater flow model of the High Plains Aquifer system.
Characerization of Aquifer Properties and Near Surface Conditions (SUMMARY)
Client: Kansas Geological Survey (KGS)
Location: Lawrence Kansas, USA
Overview: The primary goal of this project was to delineate sediment facies and to determine their hydrogeologic properties in numerous existing boreholes. The Javelin logs closely match expected lithology and direct measurements of hydraulic conductivity from slug tests. Javelin NMR logging measurments also revealed unexpectedly long NMR decay singals in a silt zone that are likely associated with water filling voids from tree roots or cracks in grouting around the logged boreholes.
Investigation of Groundwater in Limestone and Karst Geology
Client: US Geological Survey (USGS)
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Overview: Groundwater in Karst geology is a difficult target for conventional groundwater geophysical techniques that require contrasts in the electrical properties of the rock and groundwater (limestone is resistive and clean groundwater is also resistive). Further, drilling in hard limestone can be very time consuming and expensive. Non-invasive surface NMR measurements were successfully used to map the location of water and to quantify the amount of water stored in these Karst systems.
Assessment of Agricultural Irrigation Efficiency
Client: US Geological Survey (USGS) and Department of Energy (DOE)
Location: White Sulphur Springs, Montana, USA
Overview: Determining what method of agricultural irrigation is most efficient and cost-effective requires understanding how irrigated water moves from the surface, through the root zone, to water table, or to the atmosphere. Surface NMR measurements were collected in agricultural fields employing different irrigation practices. These NMR measurements were used to determine how the water content profile varied at each location in order to better assess the efficiency of these irrigation practices.
Evaluation of GMR Instrumentation for Groundwater Research
Client: Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG)
Location: Hannover, Germany
Overview: The LIAG is one of the leading research institutions exploring the use of NMR measurements for groundwater research. Scientists at the institute contracted Vista Clara's services to assess the capabilities and performance of the Vista Clara GMR system for various groundwater research projects. Pleased with the performance, the LIAG purchased a GMR system in 2009 and have been using it since to push the frontier of NMR groundwater research.