Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025)

Mapping peat thickness and groundwater level using a portable electromagnetic instrument in Indragiri Hilir, Riau, Indonesia

Sutikno, Sigit (Unknown)
Yusa, Muhamad (Unknown)
Andy Hendri (Unknown)
Kusairi, Muhammad (Unknown)
Ahmad Muhammad (Unknown)
Nurul Qomar (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Apr 2025

Abstract

Peatlands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, research, education, and recreation. Peat thickness and groundwater level (GWL) are key parameters for optimizing these peatland functions; therefore, mapping peat thickness and GWL quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively is essential. This study applied a geophysical survey using a portable electromagnetic instrument to estimate peat thickness and GWL. The instrument, which is simple to operate and wirelessly connected to a mobile phone, enables rapid measurement and visualization of subsurface resistivity. A research site in Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia, was picked up as an experiment site to test the instrument. Three transects with measurement path lengths of 100 m each and a distance of about 1.4 km each were designed for the experiment. To validate the resistivity data against subsurface stratigraphy, core sampling was conducted at three points along each transect. The results demonstrated that the electromagnetic method effectively identified the interface between peat soil and the underlying marine clay. Analysis revealed that the resistivity values for unsaturated peat, saturated peat, and saturated clay were 68-81 ohm m, 75-96 ohm m, and 82-115 ohm m, respectively. These findings suggest that GWL mapping and peat stratigraphy characterization can be accurately achieved using this method.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jdmlm

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management is managed by the International Research Centre for the Management of Degraded and Mining Lands (IRC-MEDMIND), research collaboration between Brawijaya University, Mataram University, Massey University, and Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of ...