Nuclear Methods
Applied geophysical exploration has utilized Gieger counters and Scintillation meters to find naturally occuring radioactive elements for economic resource exploration. For environmental geophysics these can be employed for the surface detection and mapping of such elements to protect human health.
Equally important and more widely applicable to environment objectives is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). NMR is a geophysical method used to quantify free water in the subsurface. This method can be used on the surface of the earth or down a borehole. It can be very useful to map the presence of water and hydrogen ions in the subsurface.