New pseudo-3D GPR data method for hydraulic conductivity estimation over an unconfined aquifer

Densely sampled GPR data can supplement hydrogeological data for estimating the spatial distribution of porosity and hydraulic conductivity over an aquifer. However, most of the time, the GPR surveys are performed along profiles (2D) and, when 3D models are seeked, the third spatial dimension is assessed by acquiring data over parallel profiles. This configuration is possible when the ground surface is clean and free of any obstacle but these conditions are seldom met in the field. Here, we show the results of a pseudo-3D acquisition protocol when spatial sampling cannot be done on a regular grid. The GPR reflection times are correlated with piezometric and stratigraphic information; cokriging of both data after some mathematical manipulation yields to an estimate of the hydraulic conductivity.