Hydrogeological Investigations Using Integrated Geophysical and Remote Sensing Methods

Abstract

Hydrogeological investigations are critical for understanding the occurrence, distribution, and sustainable management of groundwater resources, which are vital for domestic, agricultural, and industrial water supply. Traditional methods, such as drilling, pumping tests, and field surveys, while accurate, are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and limited in spatial coverage, making large-scale groundwater assessment challenging. To overcome these limitations, the integration of geophysical and remote sensing techniques has emerged as an effective and cost-efficient approach for groundwater exploration and aquifer characterization. Geophysical methods—including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic surveys, electromagnetic (EM) methods, and gravity measurements—provide subsurface information regarding lithology, aquifer geometry, and hydrogeological properties. When combined with remote sensing tools, such as satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), multispectral and hyperspectral data, and geographic information systems (GIS), these methods enable the identification of potential groundwater zones, recharge areas, and structural controls at both regional and local scales. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of integrated methodologies, discussing the underlying principles, technical applications, and relative advantages and limitations of combining geophysical and remote sensing approaches. Emphasis is given to case studies illustrating improved groundwater exploration, aquifer mapping, contamination assessment, and environmental monitoring. Recent developments involving artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and multi-source data integration are highlighted, demonstrating the potential for automated interpretation and enhanced predictive accuracy.