Subsurface tectonic characterizations by the use of geo-electrical resistivity technique and their implications on environmental soil and groundwater at Erbil dumpsite, west of Erbil city – Iraqi Kurdistan region

Abstract Twenty seven vertical electrical resistivity soundings (VES), distributed on three profiles, have been carried out around the Erbil city dumpsite location in northern Iraq, by using Schlumberger configuration. The main objective of those VES soundings is to characterize the subsurface structures and to detect the probable soil contamination zones at the dumpsite and the surrounding district. Bai Hassan aquifer in the study region is one of most important natural fresh water in the central sub-basin of Erbil. The 2D Pichgin and Habibulleav technique is applied herein to study and analyse the three VES profiles. Its application in the study region has highly demonstrated the efficacy of such a technique. In fact, the subsurface structures in the study area have been recognized, and the exact position, dip, direction of the faults and groundwater level were also precisely detected. The role of applying this technique together with the available geological information, while carrying out geo-electrical surveys is emphasized to obtain useful, cheap and fast lithological, groundwater table and structural subsurface information.