Application of the Electromagnetic Method to the Spatial Distribution of Subsurface Saline and Fresh Water in the Coastal Mudflat Area of Jiangsu Province

Abstract

Interfacial zones straddling terrestrial and marine realms, colloquially known as mudflats, epitomize a dynamic nexus between these environments and are fundamental to the coastal ecosystem. The investigation of these regions is paramount for facilitating infrastructural developments including ports, wharfs, cross-sea bridges, and the strategic utilization of freshwater resources sequestered from mainland islands amid ongoing economic progress. Terrestrial realms conventionally employ electromagnetic techniques as efficacious modalities to delineate subterranean geological information, encompassing structural details and water-bearing strata. However, the peculiar topographic and geological nuances of mudflat regions pose substantial challenges for the efficacious application of electromagnetic methodologies. The present paper endeavors to address these challenges by suggesting innovative modifications to the existing instrumentation and evolving novel data acquisition techniques specifically tailored for electromagnetic exploration within mudflat environments. This paper delves into the electrical characteristics of water-bearing layers within mudflats, and ascertains details pertaining to the subterranean structure and the spatial distribution of fresh and saline water resources, through the holistic interpretation of a multitude of profiles.