Self-potential inversion based on Attention U-Net deep learning network

Abstract

Landfill leaks pose a serious threat to environmental health, risking the contamination of both groundwater and soil resources. Accurate investigation of these sites is essential for implementing effective prevention and control measures. The self-potential (SP) stands out for its sensitivity to contamination plumes, offering a solution for monitoring and detecting the movement and seepage of subsurface pollutants. However, traditional SP inversion techniques heavily rely on precise subsurface resistivity information. In this study, we propose the Attention U-Net deep learning network for rapid SP inversion. By incorporating an attention mechanism, this algorithm effectively learns the relationship between array-style SP data and the location and extent of subsurface contaminated sources. We designed a synthetic landfill model with a heterogeneous resistivity structure to assess the performance of Attention U-Net deep learning network. Additionally, we conducted further validation using a laboratory model to assess its practical applicability. The results demonstrate that the algorithm is not solely dependent on resistivity information, enabling effective locating of the source distribution, even in models with intricate subsurface structures. Our work provides a promising tool for SP data processing, enhancing the applicability of this method in the field of near-subsurface environmental monitoring.

Keywords

self-potential / attention mechanism / U-Net deep learning network / inversion / landfill