Geocarta

Geocarta developed a 3D soil cartography technology based on soil electrical resistivity measuring. This patented technology is born of the researches conducted since 1987 by the CNRS on geophysical soil characterization (Laboratoire d’hydrogéologie et de géophysique appliquées Sisyphe, UMR7619, University Paris VI, France).

Electrical resistivity

Electrical resistivity is a well known parameter in geophysics. Pedologists usually use its inverse, electrical conductivity, to characterize soil salinity, soil solution mineralization or aquifer waters.

A soil resistivity highlights its ability to inhibit the flow of an electrical current. Measured in Ohm.m, resistivity varies with soil texture, water content, clay content, depth and substratum nature.

Resistivity values are obtained from injected current intensity, differences in potential and probes configuration (the latter defining the investigated soil volume).
Resistivity surveying is carried out at 3 separate depths by a self propelled electric multi-probes device developped by Geocarta, the ARP© device. The 3 maps provide complentary information. Their analysis lead to the description of the weathered zone variability along the 3 axis, thus allowing to define soil units. Such cartographical documents are profitable for agriculture, viticulture, environmental issues and every other field where a precise knowledge of the weathered zone is needed.

home