Effect of salinity-clay variation on the transient magnetic field in the Quaternary aquifer, theoretically and practically

This study focuses on understanding the physical foundations of the transient electromagnetic method, such as the transition from a simple basic principle to a more complex principle, starting from the Biot-Savart law until the current concept. It calculates the steady and transient magnetic fields around any electrical wire system. Accordingly, this law will be used to determine the magnetic field around the square loop configuration, which matches the magnetic field arising from the circular loop configuration. The square loop equation was derived and extended to include changes in the half-space, which allows us to understand how the electromagnetic waves travel in the subsurface and the farthest point, that can record the TEM response from the TEM loop, according to the loop size and loop current. Accordingly, the deduced equations were applied to predict the transient magnetic field curves of the Quaternary aquifer in three different water zones along the Nile delta, depending on the values of resistivity and chargeability caused by the variations in salinity and clay contents. The calculated transient magnetic curves were then compared with other measured field curves to confirm the validity of the derived equations. Therefore, these curves are expected to be used as guide curves for the transient magnetic field response in this aquifer. Also, these curves are important in estimating the hydro-geophysical characteristics of the main groundwater aquifer in the selected area and in other areas with the same geologic and hydrogeologic settings. Also, a common model is presented for any delta environment in the world in measured and calculated data. [Display omitted] •A new approach to calculate the steady and transient magnetic fields.•Calculate the steady magnetic field in XYZ and represent it in 2D and 3D.•Calculate the transient magnetic field and measured ρa and M of Quaternary aquifer.•Simulate the effect of salinity and clay contents on the transient magnetic field.•Comparison of calculated and measured TEM soundings in the Quaternary aquifer.