A Review of Geophysical Prospecting Methods for Identifying Optimal Groundwater Areas

Abstract

Sustainable access to groundwater is a growing challenge due to population growth and pressure on water resources. Given this situation, there is a need for accurate tools to locate and manage groundwater efficiently. The objective of this study is to determine geophysical prospecting methods for identifying optimal groundwater areas. To this end, 48 articles published between 2019 and 2024 from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed. The registration and selection of studies was carried out by combining the PICO strategy and the PRISMA2020 statement. The results show that electrical resistivity tomography, vertical electrical sounding (VES), and ground-penetrating radar stand out for their ability to generate detailed images in various geological contexts. In particular, VES reaches depths of up to 200 m at a low cost. From a sustainability perspective, the incorporation of these techniques contributes directly to the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), as they improve water security and strengthen adaptation strategies in the face of climate variability. However, challenges remain associated with the transfer of these technologies to contexts with lower technical and financial capacities.