Have you ever invested in geophysics for a site investigation only to be left with more questions than answers?
When it comes to locating subsurface contamination—whether LNAPL, DNAPL, or other impacts—or identifying preferential groundwater flowpaths, the reality is that not all electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) methods deliver the same results.
Aestus’ GeoTrax Survey™ is a specialty ERI technology developed from research at Oklahoma State University and designed specifically to tackle challenging subsurface conditions. Unlike conventional ERI approaches, GeoTrax Survey™ provides significantly higher sensitivity, allowing it to detect anomalies that standard methods often miss entirely. This enhanced sensitivity translates into clearer, more accurate, and more “drillable” images that improve decision-making in site characterization and remediation projects.
The comparison shown below tells the story.
The upper image was generated using standard ERI protocols. The lower image was collected along the same transect using GeoTrax Survey™. Notice how the left hydrocarbon anomaly appears weak and poorly defined in the standard ERI image, while the right anomaly is missed altogether. In contrast, GeoTrax Survey™ clearly identifies both targets. Independent confirmation drilling performed by EPA’s Kerr Environmental Research Center verified that both anomalies were highly impacted zones, demonstrating the technology’s ability to detect contamination in a semi-quantitative and actionable manner. For environmental professionals, that difference matters. Better imaging means fewer blind drilling locations, stronger conceptual site models, and greater confidence when planning characterization, remediation, or long-term monitoring strategies.
