Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Groundwater exploration uses surface, subsurface, and aerial techniques to map water-bearing formations and find suitable drilling locations.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us match each investigation method with its key characteristic:
- A. Electrical resistivity: This surface geophysical method measures soil resistivity to identify water-bearing sand and gravel layers.
Because it is cost-effective, easy to use, and reliable, it is the most widely used method for groundwater exploration.
This matches with III. Most commonly used method.
- B. Well logging: This method involves lowering physical sensors down an existing borehole.
It provides highly accurate, direct measurements of the geological formations and water quality at different depths.
This matches with IV. Provides reliable information about subsurface conditions.
- C. Seismic: This method measures the travel time of acoustic waves through the ground.
While highly effective in oil and gas exploration, it is expensive and complex, so it is only used to a limited extent in groundwater studies.
This matches with II. Applied to a relatively limited extent for groundwater investigations.
- D. Remote sensing: This method uses satellite imagery and aerial photography.
It allows researchers to map large, remote, or inaccessible areas quickly, identifying surface features like lineaments and vegetation that indicate groundwater.
This matches with I. Covers large and inaccessible area within short time.
Combining these pairs gives the sequence:
\[ \text{A - III}, \ \text{B - IV}, \ \text{C - II}, \ \text{D - I} \]
This matches Option (C).
Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is A - III, B - IV, C - II, D - I.