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Mim And Nonlinear Least-Squares Inversions Of Aem Data In Barataria Basin, Louisiana, Melissa Whitten Bryan, Kenneth W. Holladay, Clyde J. Bergeron Jr., Juliette W. Ioup, George E. Ioup

Physics Faculty Publications

An airborne electromagnetic survey was performed over the marsh and estuarine waters of the Barataria basin of Louisiana. Two inversion methods were applied to the measured data to calculate layer thicknesses and conductivities: the modified image method (MIM) and a nonlinear least-squares method of inversion using two two-layer forward models and one three-layer forward model, with results generally in good agreement. Uniform horizontal water layers in the near-shore Gulf of Mexico with the fresher (less saline, less conductive) water above the saltier (more saline, more conductive) water can be seen clearly. More complex near-surface layering showing decreasing salinity/conductivity with depth …