Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia

Achmad Darul; Dasapta Erwin Irawan; Eleonora Agustine

doi:10.12688/f1000research.145869.2

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Opinion Article

Revised

Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia

[version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Achmad Darul¹, Dasapta Erwin Irawan ², Eleonora Agustine³

PUBLISHED 04 May 2026

Author details Author details

¹ Departement of Geology, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Way Hui, South Lampung, Indonesia
² Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
³ Faculty of Geology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Achmad Darul
Roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Dasapta Erwin Irawan
Roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Eleonora Agustine
Roles: Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

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REVIEWER STATUS

Abstract

Environmental geophysics holds significant but underutilized potential for tackling Indonesia’s diverse environmental challenges by supporting investigations of groundwater contamination, water infiltration, and the accumulation of metals in soils and crops—issues crucial for agriculture, public health, and sustainable land management. Emerging technologies such as UAV-assisted imaging, airborne surveys, and oceanographic geophysical observations further demonstrate the flexibility of modern geophysics in studying coastal processes, wave behaviour, and coral reef conditions. However, its application—especially in urban Indonesia—remains limited due to physical obstructions, cultural noise, restricted workspace, regulatory hurdles, and safety concerns, while the absence of geophysical test sites (GTS) and a shortage of skilled practitioners constrain methodological advancement and training. Based on bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications, this study shows that integration between geophysics and environmental science is growing but still insufficient. Strengthening environmental geophysics in Indonesia requires developing dedicated training and calibration facilities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and adopting technological innovations tailored to dense urban and complex geological settings so that geophysics can play a more effective role in environmental monitoring, resource sustainability, and resilience to ecological and urban challenges.

Keywords

geophysics, environmental problems, urban areas, urban hydrogeology, subsurface analyses, geology, aquifers, groundwater

Corresponding author: Dasapta Erwin Irawan

Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Grant information: This research was supported by the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Research Grant (PPMI) No. 308/IT1.B07.1/TA.00/2023 for fiscal year 2023.
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Copyright: © 2026 Darul A et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite: Darul A, Irawan DE and Agustine E. Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2026, 13:131 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.145869.2) First published: 22 Feb 2024, 13:131 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.145869.1) Latest published: 04 May 2026, 13:131 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.145869.2)

Revised Amendments from Version 1

In response to the reviewers’ constructive comments, we have undertaken substantial revisions to strengthen the clarity, structure, and scholarly contribution of the manuscript. These improvements are reflected across all major sections and are summarized below.
First, the Abstract has been refocused to present a clearer problem–solution narrative. The revised version highlights the role of UAV and airborne methods, introduces the concept of Geoscience Technical Skills (GTS), and emphasizes the skills gap that motivates the study. This sharper framing provides readers with a more targeted understanding of the manuscript’s aims and contributions.
In the Introduction, we expanded the global context by integrating historical developments and international applications. This enhancement responds directly to the reviewers’ request for a stronger academic grounding, resulting in a more coherent narrative that situates the study within broader geoscientific and methodological trends.
For the section on General Applications, we reorganized and broadened the discussion into clearer subsections covering water resources, mineral exploration, airborne applications, oceanography, and climate-related uses. This restructuring addresses earlier redundancy and provides a more comprehensive overview consistent with reviewer suggestions.
The Indonesia Application section has been improved by enriching the interpretation of the 582 + 40 analyzed papers and refining the figure captions. These changes offer clearer insights into national research trends and reinforce the bibliometric value of the study.
In the Limitations section, we expanded the scope beyond urban constraints to include technical, urban, and institutional challenges—specifically incorporating GTS and capacity gaps. This deeper analysis provides a more realistic understanding of the barriers to implementation.
Finally, the Conclusion has been revised to move beyond descriptive remarks toward actionable recommendations, particularly regarding GTS development, capacity building, and adaptation strategies.

See the authors' detailed response to the review by Pradeep Naik and Dr. Subhash Chandra Singh
See the authors' detailed response to the review by Joseph Omeiza Alao

Introduction

Geophysics plays a crucial role in environmental studies by providing valuable insights into the Earth’s physical characteristics and the living environment of mankind. Environmental geophysics, also known as near-surface geophysics, integrates environmental science and geophysics to study the relationship between geophysical fields and the Earth’s physical characteristics, including natural and artificial environments.¹^,² Geophysical techniques are pivotal tools for detecting and studying various environmental problems caused by drinking and wastewater, as well as delineating contaminated, partly affected, and virgin areas.³^,⁴

Environmental geophysics, formally emerging as a distinct interdisciplinary field in the late 1980s, integrates geophysical principles with environmental science to detect, monitor, and solve complex ecological issues. Globally, the application of geophysical methods has expanded rapidly due to their distinct advantages: they are cost-effective, fast, highly accurate, non-destructive, and produce no secondary pollution. These methods are now widely deployed across various domains, including air quality monitoring, marine oil spill detection, radioactive pollutant tracking, and solid waste management. For instance, recent studies have demonstrated the critical role of electrical resistivity surveys in mapping dumpsite leachate plumes that contaminate groundwater, thereby mitigating severe structural and public health risks. Despite these global advancements, the development and application of environmental geophysics in certain developing regions remain slow.⁵^–⁷

These applications demonstrate the importance of geophysics in environmental studies, emphasizing its role in understanding environmental anomalies. The objective of this paper is to highlight the crucial role of geophysics in environmental studies and showcase its applications for addressing environmental problems in Indonesia. This will be based on a small bibliometric dataset from the Scopus database.

The general applications of geophysics

Geophysics to solve water-related environmental problems

By utilizing coupled hydrogeophysical inversion, researchers can better extract hydrologic information to monitor water infiltration and redistribution through surface-based electrical conductivity. Additionally, combining geophysical techniques with hydrological studies allows for the detection of groundwater pollutants, a common practice in modern geological and environmental efforts to manage groundwater quality.⁸^,⁹

Coupled hydrogeophysical inversion improves hydrologic information, enabling better monitoring of water infiltration and movement in the subsurface. Combined geophysical–hydrological methods also support the detection of groundwater pollutants and aquifer contamination, highlighting the importance of geophysics in managing groundwater quality and related environmental challenges.¹⁰^,¹¹

Geophysics to detect metals from fertile soils and plants

The use of geophysics to detect metals in fertile soils and plants has been demonstrated across multiple studies, including work conducted in Indonesia. One study applied geophysical methods to evaluate the accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils and crop products in the North China Plain, revealing how the application of organic and phosphate fertilizers can influence the buildup of cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc. This highlights the value of geophysical approaches for understanding the factors that drive metal accumulation in agricultural settings.¹⁰^–¹²

The application of geophysics to detect metals in fertile soils and plants has been demonstrated across numerous studies, including work conducted in Indonesia. One study applied geophysical methods to assess the accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils and crop products in the North China Plain, showing how the use of organic and phosphate fertilizers influences the buildup of cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc. These findings highlight the importance of geophysical approaches for understanding the factors that contribute to metal accumulation in agricultural environments.¹³^–¹⁵

This work has also shed light on the influence of soil heterogeneity on plant development and crop yield, as evaluated using time-series of UAV and ground-based geophysical imagery. This research emphasized the integration of multiscale and multitype soil and plant datasets to identify the spatiotemporal co-variance between soil properties and plant development and yield, showcasing the utility of geophysics in understanding the complex interactions between soil and plants.¹⁶

Several studies have demonstrated the broad usefulness of geophysical methods for addressing environmental challenges. Research on various soil types has shown how geophysical techniques can reveal differences in their resistance to heavy metals, particularly in agricultural settings. These findings underscore the value of geophysics in evaluating how farming practices influence soil characteristics and metal concentrations. Such work also provides important insights into how long-term fertilizer use can lead to the gradual accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, including in locations with unique land uses such as cemeteries.¹⁷

Airborne Geophysics for detection of geological features

Airborne geophysical mapping has also become a highly effective tool across many fields. Using aerial platforms equipped with specialized sensors, researchers can rapidly collect data over wide areas with high efficiency. This approach is applied in geological mapping, mineral exploration, and various environmental investigations. The ability to generate high-resolution datasets makes airborne methods particularly valuable for identifying subsurface structures and delineating geological features.¹⁸

Geophysics for oceanography applications

Geophysics also plays an important role in oceanography, a field that is especially relevant for Indonesia as an archipelago nation with more than half of its territory covered by ocean. Through geophysical observations, researchers can study the behaviour of sea waves, including how they propagate, lose energy, and interact with coastal environments. Understanding these processes helps improve predictions of coastal erosion and supports the design and safety of offshore structures. Geophysics is also widely used to study coral reefs in Indonesia, offering insights into their growth patterns, overall health, and vulnerability to environmental change.¹⁹

Geophysics for climate observation

Geophysics also contributes to studies of climate processes and their connections to human health. By observing variations in the Earth’s magnetic field and examining atmospheric conditions, scientists can explore how climate-related changes influence human well-being. Techniques such as magnetometry and atmospheric monitoring help reveal relationships between climate patterns, air quality, and health outcomes. These applications highlight the interdisciplinary nature of geophysics and its potential impact across many aspects of daily life.²⁰^,²¹

The applications of geophysics in Indonesia

This section explains the applications of various geophysical methods in Indonesia. To gather scientific articles on this topic, we conducted a search using the Scopus database with the keywords “geophysics” AND “Indonesia”. The search yielded 582 articles. To provide a visual representation of the corpus, we utilized Vosviewer²² and obtained the following result (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. This visualization showcases the breadth and depth of geophysics research conducted in Indonesia.

In the diagram below, we present an overview of the applications of geophysics based on a search of the Scopus database. The applications of geophysics in the Scopus database can be categorized into the following areas:

1. Engineering, Constructions, and Disaster Management: Geophysics plays a crucial role in engineering and construction projects by providing insights into subsurface conditions, detecting potential hazards, and assessing the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure. It also aids in the management and mitigation of natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides.
2. Climate, Meteorology, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Agriculture: Geophysics contributes to understanding climate patterns, meteorological phenomena, and their impact on public health and agriculture. It helps monitor environmental factors, such as air quality, temperature, and rainfall, that influence the spread of infectious diseases and the productivity of agricultural systems.
3. Oceanography, Physical and Chemical Analyses: Geophysics is essential for studying the oceans, including their physical and chemical properties. It aids in understanding sea wave behavior, coastal erosion, and the design of offshore structures. Geophysical techniques also contribute to the analysis of water column properties, such as salinity, temperature, and currents, which are crucial for oceanographic research.
4. Energy Exploration, Hydrocarbon, Geothermal, Volcanoes, Structural Geology, Groundwater: Geophysics plays a vital role in energy exploration, including the identification of hydrocarbon reservoirs, assessment of geothermal resources, and monitoring of volcanic activity. It also aids in studying structural geology and understanding groundwater systems, including their availability and quality.
5. Seismology, Earthquake, Earth Interior, Geodynamics: Geophysics is fundamental to seismology, the study of earthquakes and the Earth’s interior. It helps detect and monitor seismic activity, analyse earthquake sources, and investigate the dynamics of the Earth’s tectonic plates. Geophysical methods provide valuable insights into the structure and composition of the Earth’s interior.

These categories highlight the broad range of applications of geophysics, demonstrating its significance in various scientific disciplines and practical fields. Geophysics plays a vital role in understanding the Earth’s physical characteristics and addressing environmental challenges.

For a more detailed search focusing on the intersection of geophysics, Indonesia, and the environment, we used the keywords “geophysics” AND “Indonesia” AND “environment”. This search yielded 40 articles, providing a more focused collection of research on these specific topics. The visualization below ( Figure 2) showcases the breadth and depth of geophysics research conducted in Indonesia, specifically related to environmental studies.

Figure 2. This visualization represents the research articles obtained from the search using the keywords “geophysics,” “Indonesia,” and “environment”.

In addition to the applications discussed earlier, geophysics is extensively used in energy exploration and seismology to reveal the structure of the Earth’s interior. By analysing seismic waves and conducting subsurface surveys, scientists can better understand underground formations, including potential resources such as oil, gas, and minerals. These insights are essential for guiding exploration activities and supporting resource extraction.²³

Limitations of geophysical approaches in practical level in Indonesia

Although geophysical methods are widely used in environmental investigations, their application in Indonesia faces several practical limitations. These challenges are shaped by local geological conditions, urban complexity, regulatory constraints, and capacity gaps within the professional community. The following subsections summarize these limitations.²⁴

Technical and environmental constraints

Complex geological conditions. Interpreting geophysical data in heterogeneous or layered subsurface environments remains difficult, particularly where soil conductivity, moisture, or lithological contrasts vary significantly. These conditions can obscure anomalies or lead to ambiguous interpretations. Similar challenges have been documented globally, but are often mitigated through integrated surveys or the use of multi-method inversion workflows.

Limited suitability for certain contaminants. Some contaminants—especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—produce weak or non-distinct geophysical signatures, making them difficult to detect using methods such as Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), Ground penetrating radar (GPR), and Electromagnetic induction (EMI).²⁵ It’s important to note that geophysical methods may not detect all types of contamination. In many countries, this limitation is addressed through combined geophysical–geochemical investigations or by coupling geophysics with direct sampling.²⁶

Urban-related constraints

Urban environments in Indonesia present a distinct set of challenges for geophysical surveys. Dense infrastructure, high levels of cultural noise, and limited available space often restrict instrument deployment and reduce data quality. These constraints are not unique to Indonesia but tend to be more pronounced in rapidly growing urban areas, making near-surface investigations particularly difficult and requiring careful adaptation of survey design.

• Physical obstructions. Dense infrastructure (roads, utilities, buildings) restricts sensor deployment and complicates data acquisition.
• Cultural noise. Urban electromagnetic noise, traffic vibrations, and anthropogenic interference often mask geophysical signals, reducing data quality. In other regions, noise-reduction strategies—such as time-window filtering, shielded antennas, or nighttime acquisition—are commonly adopted.
• Limited workspace. Survey lines, sensor arrays, and transmitter–receiver setups often require space that urban Indonesia does not easily provided.
• Permitting and regulatory difficulties. Survey activities in public or sensitive spaces require multiple layers of permission, extending project timelines.
• Safety concerns. Fieldwork in traffic-dense or hazardous urban zones demands additional safety planning and personnel protection measures.

Institutional and capacity limitations

Insufficient interdisciplinary coordination. Adoption of environmental geophysics is slowed by weak collaboration between geophysicists, environmental managers, and policymakers, as well as a lack of dedicated applied-research funding.

Shortage of trained experts and absence of Geophysical Test Sites (GTS). The lack of controlled training and calibration facilities creates a persistent skills gap. Students and early-career practitioners often learn theory without opportunities to practice on real or simulated subsurface targets. As a result, methodological mastery—especially in inversion, processing, and validation—remains.²⁷

In contrast, many geophysics programs worldwide rely heavily on GTS to strengthen field competence, calibrate new instruments, and validate methods before deployment in urban or environmentally sensitive settings. Such facilities have been shown to significantly improve the reliability of near-surface investigations and the readiness of geophysical workers to address complex subsurface problems.²⁸

Globally, many of these challenges have been addressed through methodological integration, multi-sensor approaches, improved inversion algorithms, and the establishment of GTS-based training frameworks. Incorporating similar strategies within Indonesia may help reduce uncertainties and strengthen the effectiveness of environmental geophysics across diverse settings.

Conclusions

This paper has outlined the specific opportunities and challenges associated with advancing environmental geophysics within the Indonesian context. While many geophysical approaches for environmental assessment are well-established and widely implemented in other parts of the world, their adoption in Indonesia remains comparatively limited. This gap is shaped not by the global state of the discipline but by local constraints, including urban obstructions, operational noise, limited field space, regulatory complexity, and the shortage of dedicated training facilities such as Geophysical Test Sites (GTS).

To strengthen the role of geophysics in addressing Indonesia’s environmental challenges—ranging from groundwater contamination and landfill management to soil metal accumulation in agricultural regions—capacity building is essential. The establishment of GTS can help bridge the gap between theory and practical competence, supporting improved field training, equipment calibration, and method validation in diverse soil conditions. Enhanced integration between geophysics, environmental science, and policy frameworks is also critical, particularly for issues such as groundwater protection and sustainable land management.

Indonesia’s unique geological, environmental, and urban conditions require methodological adaptations rather than the wholesale adoption of practices used elsewhere. Advances in sensor technologies, UAV-based platforms, and improved subsurface modelling tools provide pathways for tailoring geophysical approaches to these challenges. Leveraging these innovations will support stronger environmental monitoring, public-health protection, and the development of resilient infrastructure across Indonesia.

Data availability

Underlying data

No data are associated with this article.

Extended data

Figshare: Extended data for ‘Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia’, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24759996.v2.³

Data are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Zero “No rights reserved” data waiver (CC0 1.0 Public domain dedication).

Author contributions

All authors contributed equally to the conception, design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of the work, and drafting and revising of the manuscript. All authors approve the final version of the manuscript for submission.

AI declaration

Artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript strictly for language-related assistance. Microsoft Copilot was employed to translate parts of the manuscript from Indonesian to English using the prompt: “translate this text to English using straight-forward academic English, but don’t lose the narrative.” Microsoft Copilot was also used for proofreading and language polishing using the prompt: “conduct a comprehensive proofreading and language smoothing for easier understanding.”

All scientific interpretations, methodological descriptions, data analyses, conclusions, and overall intellectual content were developed entirely by the authors. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-assisted outputs to ensure accuracy and integrity. No AI tool was used for generating analysis, results, or original scientific content.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following individuals for their invaluable support and contributions to this research. 1) From Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung: Prof. Deny Juanda Puradimaja, Prof. Lambok Hutasoit, Prof. Prihadi Sumintadireja, Prof. Agus M. Ramdhan, Dr. Rusmawan Suwarman, and Dr. Edi Riawan. 2) From Faculty of Geology, Universitas Padjadjaran: Prof. Hendarmawan. Their guidance, expertise, and support were instrumental in the successful completion of this research. We are truly grateful for their time and dedication. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the invited and public reviewers who provided insightful and constructive feedback that significantly improved the quality of this manuscript. Their contributions are greatly appreciated.

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Version 2

VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 22 Feb 2024

Author details Author details

Achmad Darul
Roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Dasapta Erwin Irawan
Roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Eleonora Agustine
Roles: Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Competing interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Grant information

This research was supported by the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Research Grant (PPMI) No. 308/IT1.B07.1/TA.00/2023 for fiscal year 2023.
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Article Versions (2)

version 2

Revised

Published: 04 May 2026, 13:131

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.145869.2

version 1

Published: 22 Feb 2024, 13:131

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.145869.1

© 2026 Darul A et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Darul A, Irawan DE and Agustine E. Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2026, 13:131 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.145869.2)

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ApprovedThe paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested

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Version 2

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Reviewer Report 20 May 2026

Sribas Kanji, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Approved with Reservations

https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.197616.r482375

Comments:

Abstract
1. Split the long sentences to improve clarity and readability.
2. The abstract is more likely to be written using large language models or AI. Unstructured abstract

Comments:

Abstract
1. Split the long sentences to improve clarity and readability.
2. The abstract is more likely to be written using large language models or AI. Unstructured abstract required revision, rewrite the abstract following the sequence – Research purpose, gap and question, novelty, research findings, and overall statement.
Introduction
1. This paper does not sufficiently or convincingly justify why this review is necessary. While it may provide general background information, it lacks a clear identification of specific gaps, inconsistencies, or unresolved issues in the existing literature that warrant a dedicated review. The argument for necessity appears broad and descriptive rather than critical and focused. To strengthen this section, the authors should explicitly articulate what is missing in current studies, how this review addresses those shortcomings, and what new insights or synthesis it aims to contribute beyond existing reviews.
2. The objectives of the study are not clearly or precisely defined, which limits the overall focus and direction of the paper. The current formulation appears too broad and lacks specific, measurable, and research-oriented questions. A well-defined objective should explicitly state what the study aims to investigate, under what conditions, and with what expected outcomes.
3. Furthermore, the absence of clearly articulated objectives makes it difficult to assess whether the methodology, model selection, and results are appropriately aligned with the intended scope. The objectives should be refined to be concise, specific, and directly linked to the research gap and novelty of the study, ensuring a coherent flow between the problem statement, analysis, and conclusions.
Structure
1. The manuscript suffers from a poor overall structure, which significantly affects its clarity and readability. The flow of information between sections is not well organized, making it difficult for readers to follow the research objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions in a logical sequence. Key components such as the background, research gap, methodology, and discussion are either insufficiently developed or not clearly delineated. Additionally, transitions between sections are weak, leading to fragmentation of ideas. A more coherent and systematically organized structure following a standard scientific format with clearly defined sections and logical progression is essential to improve the comprehensibility and academic quality of the manuscript.
2. There is a lack of thematic synthesis and critical comparison, making it difficult to identify key trends, methodological differences, and unresolved debates across studies.
3. The absence of well-defined subsections with informative headings reduces the structural clarity of the review, leading to a fragmented presentation of ideas. This weak organization hinders readability and obscures the logical progression of arguments.
4. The lack of visual synthesis tools such as comparative tables, conceptual frameworks, or flowcharts misses an opportunity to effectively illustrate relationships, similarities, and differences among studies. Without these elements, the review remains largely narrative and does not fully support critical insight or knowledge integration.
Discussion and Future Perspectives
1. The Discussion section appears to be conceptually structured but lacks sufficient depth and critical rigor. While it claims to address strengths, weaknesses, research gaps, and future directions, these components need to be more explicitly articulated and supported by evidence from the results and existing literature.
2. The future directions lack specificity and actionable insight. Rather than broad suggestions, this section should propose concrete pathways.
Conclusion
1. Revise the conclusion after a thorough revision of the raised issues.

Is the topic of the opinion article discussed accurately in the context of the current literature?

No
Are all factual statements correct and adequately supported by citations?

Partly
Are arguments sufficiently supported by evidence from the published literature?

Partly
Are the conclusions drawn balanced and justified on the basis of the presented arguments?

No

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Geography, Remote Sensing, Hydrology

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above.

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Reviewer Report 14 May 2026

Pradeep Naik, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India, Central Ground Water Board, North Central Chhattisgarh Region, Raipur, Chattisghar, India; Centre for Hydrological Sciences and Communication, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Approved

https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.197616.r481361

It may ... Continue reading

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Version 1

VERSION 1

PUBLISHED 22 Feb 2024

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Reviewer Report 07 May 2024

Dr. Subhash Chandra Singh, Central Ground Water Board, Central Ground Water Board, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Approved with Reservations

https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.159883.r263222

This paper describes the virtues of geophysics with a focus on potential environmental applications in Indonesia. The paper is written well, but is too repetitive, meaning the same matters are being conveyed in different ways.

Few specific ... Continue reading

Abstract: Too long; may be substantially reduced. Only one paragraph.
Keywords: Words mentioned in the title may be avoided.
Introduction: May include the next section, i.e. the general applications, as well.
The general applications of geophysics: May be merged into the Intro. The first sentence is too long. Does not match with the sentences authors have generally framed. May be broken into pieces for clarity. The first para has tense problem. Please use present tense as used elsewhere for coherence purposes.
The applications of geophysics in Indonesia: The colour shades and sizes in Fig. 1 may be explained in the legend. The captions ‘geophysics methods’ may be stated as ‘geophysical methods'. Abbreviations may be expanded in the legend.
Exploring the potential of geophysics in solving environmental challenges: Are these 40 articles included the 582 articles of the previous section? Same observations in Fig. 2 as well.
Limitations: Only limitations may be described in this section. Solutions, if any, to overcome these challenges may be described, if authors desire to. In fact, how these challenges were overcome by the workers in different parts of the world would really be an interesting thing to read about. The advantages of geophysical techniques mentioned in the initial portion of this section may be included in the Intro or the previous sections.
Remarks: This section may be termed as ‘Conclusions’ or ‘Concluding Remarks’. But it again repeats the same matters stated in the Intro. Are the listed issues not addressed presently by the geophysical workers world-wide? Or, the authors limit their remarks to Indonesia only – may be clarified.

Is the topic of the opinion article discussed accurately in the context of the current literature?

Partly
Are all factual statements correct and adequately supported by citations?

Yes
Are arguments sufficiently supported by evidence from the published literature?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn balanced and justified on the basis of the presented arguments?

Partly

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Hydrogeology

We confirm that we have read this submission and believe that we have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however we have significant reservations, as outlined above.

CITE

Report a concern

Author Response 04 May 2026

Dasapta Erwin Irawan, Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

04 May 2026

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden ... Continue reading We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden the overview of environmental and engineering applications of geophysics and its role in education and professional practice, and we will consult the suggested papers where they are relevant.

For Figures 1 and 2, we acknowledge their current limitations. We will regenerate the VOSviewer maps at the maximum resolution available and improve the captions and legends so that colours, node sizes, and abbreviations are explained more clearly, within the constraints of the software.

In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will expand the discussion on funding constraints, the limited number of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, drawing on the suggested literature where appropriate.
We will also sharpen and shorten the conclusion so that it is more focused, accurate, and less repetitive, and we will carefully revise the reference list to make the formatting consistent with the journal’s style.
We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden the overview of environmental and engineering applications of geophysics and its role in education and professional practice, and we will consult the suggested papers where they are relevant.

For Figures 1 and 2, we acknowledge their current limitations. We will regenerate the VOSviewer maps at the maximum resolution available and improve the captions and legends so that colours, node sizes, and abbreviations are explained more clearly, within the constraints of the software.

In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will expand the discussion on funding constraints, the limited number of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, drawing on the suggested literature where appropriate.
We will also sharpen and shorten the conclusion so that it is more focused, accurate, and less repetitive, and we will carefully revise the reference list to make the formatting consistent with the journal’s style.
Competing Interests: We don't have any competing interests upon posting this reply and publishing this manuscript. Close
Report a concern
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COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT

Author Response 04 May 2026

Dasapta Erwin Irawan, Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

04 May 2026

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden ... Continue reading We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden the overview of environmental and engineering applications of geophysics and its role in education and professional practice, and we will consult the suggested papers where they are relevant.

For Figures 1 and 2, we acknowledge their current limitations. We will regenerate the VOSviewer maps at the maximum resolution available and improve the captions and legends so that colours, node sizes, and abbreviations are explained more clearly, within the constraints of the software.

In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will expand the discussion on funding constraints, the limited number of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, drawing on the suggested literature where appropriate.
We will also sharpen and shorten the conclusion so that it is more focused, accurate, and less repetitive, and we will carefully revise the reference list to make the formatting consistent with the journal’s style.
We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden the overview of environmental and engineering applications of geophysics and its role in education and professional practice, and we will consult the suggested papers where they are relevant.

For Figures 1 and 2, we acknowledge their current limitations. We will regenerate the VOSviewer maps at the maximum resolution available and improve the captions and legends so that colours, node sizes, and abbreviations are explained more clearly, within the constraints of the software.

In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will expand the discussion on funding constraints, the limited number of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, drawing on the suggested literature where appropriate.
We will also sharpen and shorten the conclusion so that it is more focused, accurate, and less repetitive, and we will carefully revise the reference list to make the formatting consistent with the journal’s style.
Competing Interests: We don't have any competing interests upon posting this reply and publishing this manuscript. Close
Report a concern

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Reviewer Report 07 May 2024

Joseph Omeiza Alao, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria

Approved with Reservations

https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.159883.r263217

Dear Editor,
I have completed reviewing the manuscript. I am sorry for doing this later.
The paper by Darul et al., titled “Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia” contains two basic approaches to modelling surface and groundwater. The paper is an OPINION ARTICLE that provides an important topic bordering society. However, the work requires more generation information in the introductory part, especially the application of Geophysics in engineering and also discusses the importance of geophysics as a professional course and education to widen the global scientific interest. So, the author should strive to improve on that. In addition, the work is good for publication as an opinion article.

Introduction: the introduction is not rich enough and needs more relevant information, especially the general part. The author can read the following articles to improve the manuscript quality if he/she finds them relevant [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-023-01096-3; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03076-9; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-022-00398-0; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165469; DOI: 10.26855/oajrcap.2021.12.001]. Please, note that you are not in any way compelled or forced to cite these articles.
Figure: figures 1 and 2 are blunt, please provide a better figure with high resolution.
Under “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia” provide more information on funding, inadequate experts, and lack of poor geophysical experimental sites like Geophysical Test Site (GTS) to train young geophysicists in the country. You can obtain information in the suggested articles above.
Conclusion: please, present a more accurate, sharp, and pointed conclusion.
Refinances: the reference styles are good but not consistent.

Best wishes
Thank.

Is the topic of the opinion article discussed accurately in the context of the current literature?

Partly
Are all factual statements correct and adequately supported by citations?

Yes
Are arguments sufficiently supported by evidence from the published literature?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn balanced and justified on the basis of the presented arguments?

Partly

References

1. Alao J, Lawal K, Dewu B, Raimi J, et al.: Geophysical test site in teaching, researching, field-based exercises and solving real-life work situations: a case study. Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica. 2022. Publisher Full Text
2. Alao JO, Fahad A, Abdo HG, Ayejoto DA, et al.: Effects of dumpsite leachate plumes on surface and groundwater and the possible public health risks.Sci Total Environ. 2023; 897: 165469 PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
3. Chen J: Application of geophysical methods in environmental monitoring. OAJRC Applied Physics. 2022; 3 (1): 1-4 Publisher Full Text

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Applied GeophysicsGephysics specialize in environmental and geotechnical geophysics

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Author Response 04 May 2026

Dasapta Erwin Irawan, Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

04 May 2026

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will ... Continue reading We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will expand the discussion on broader environmental and engineering applications of geophysics, as well as its role in education and professional training, and will consult the suggested articles where relevant.

2. We will replace Figures 1 and 2 with higher‑resolution images (if possible) and improve the caption to better resemble the image, so that the bibliometric visualizations are clearer.

3. In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will add a more explicit discussion on funding limitations, the shortage of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, using the suggested references where appropriate.
We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will expand the discussion on broader environmental and engineering applications of geophysics, as well as its role in education and professional training, and will consult the suggested articles where relevant.

2. We will replace Figures 1 and 2 with higher‑resolution images (if possible) and improve the caption to better resemble the image, so that the bibliometric visualizations are clearer.

3. In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will add a more explicit discussion on funding limitations, the shortage of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, using the suggested references where appropriate.
Competing Interests: We have no competing interests upon this reply and upon publishing the manuscript. Close
Report a concern
Respond or Comment

COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT

Author Response 04 May 2026

Dasapta Erwin Irawan, Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

04 May 2026

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will ... Continue reading We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will expand the discussion on broader environmental and engineering applications of geophysics, as well as its role in education and professional training, and will consult the suggested articles where relevant.

2. We will replace Figures 1 and 2 with higher‑resolution images (if possible) and improve the caption to better resemble the image, so that the bibliometric visualizations are clearer.

3. In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will add a more explicit discussion on funding limitations, the shortage of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, using the suggested references where appropriate.
We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will expand the discussion on broader environmental and engineering applications of geophysics, as well as its role in education and professional training, and will consult the suggested articles where relevant.

2. We will replace Figures 1 and 2 with higher‑resolution images (if possible) and improve the caption to better resemble the image, so that the bibliometric visualizations are clearer.

3. In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will add a more explicit discussion on funding limitations, the shortage of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, using the suggested references where appropriate.
Competing Interests: We have no competing interests upon this reply and upon publishing the manuscript. Close
Report a concern

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Version 2

VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 22 Feb 2024

Open Peer Review

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Reviewer Reports

	Invited Reviewers
	1	2	3
Version 2 (revision) 04 May 26		read	read
Version 1 22 Feb 24	read	read

Joseph Omeiza Alao, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria
Pradeep Naik, Central Ground Water Board, North Central Chhattisgarh Region, Raipur, India; Centre for Hydrological Sciences and Communication, Bhubaneswar, India

Dr. Subhash Chandra Singh, Central Ground Water Board, Bhopal, India
Sribas Kanji, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India

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Reviewer Report

6 Views

20 May 2026 | for Version 2

Sribas Kanji, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

6 Views Cite this report Responses(0)

Approved With Reservations

Comments:

Abstract
1. Split the long sentences to improve clarity and readability.
2. The abstract is more likely to be written using large language models or AI. Unstructured abstract required revision, rewrite the abstract following the sequence – Research purpose, gap and question, novelty, research findings, and overall statement.
Introduction
1. This paper does not sufficiently or convincingly justify why this review is necessary. While it may provide general background information, it lacks a clear identification of specific gaps, inconsistencies, or unresolved issues in the existing literature that warrant a dedicated review. The argument for necessity appears broad and descriptive rather than critical and focused. To strengthen this section, the authors should explicitly articulate what is missing in current studies, how this review addresses those shortcomings, and what new insights or synthesis it aims to contribute beyond existing reviews.
2. The objectives of the study are not clearly or precisely defined, which limits the overall focus and direction of the paper. The current formulation appears too broad and lacks specific, measurable, and research-oriented questions. A well-defined objective should explicitly state what the study aims to investigate, under what conditions, and with what expected outcomes.
3. Furthermore, the absence of clearly articulated objectives makes it difficult to assess whether the methodology, model selection, and results are appropriately aligned with the intended scope. The objectives should be refined to be concise, specific, and directly linked to the research gap and novelty of the study, ensuring a coherent flow between the problem statement, analysis, and conclusions.
Structure
1. The manuscript suffers from a poor overall structure, which significantly affects its clarity and readability. The flow of information between sections is not well organized, making it difficult for readers to follow the research objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions in a logical sequence. Key components such as the background, research gap, methodology, and discussion are either insufficiently developed or not clearly delineated. Additionally, transitions between sections are weak, leading to fragmentation of ideas. A more coherent and systematically organized structure following a standard scientific format with clearly defined sections and logical progression is essential to improve the comprehensibility and academic quality of the manuscript.
2. There is a lack of thematic synthesis and critical comparison, making it difficult to identify key trends, methodological differences, and unresolved debates across studies.
3. The absence of well-defined subsections with informative headings reduces the structural clarity of the review, leading to a fragmented presentation of ideas. This weak organization hinders readability and obscures the logical progression of arguments.
4. The lack of visual synthesis tools such as comparative tables, conceptual frameworks, or flowcharts misses an opportunity to effectively illustrate relationships, similarities, and differences among studies. Without these elements, the review remains largely narrative and does not fully support critical insight or knowledge integration.
Discussion and Future Perspectives
1. The Discussion section appears to be conceptually structured but lacks sufficient depth and critical rigor. While it claims to address strengths, weaknesses, research gaps, and future directions, these components need to be more explicitly articulated and supported by evidence from the results and existing literature.
2. The future directions lack specificity and actionable insight. Rather than broad suggestions, this section should propose concrete pathways.
Conclusion
1. Revise the conclusion after a thorough revision of the raised issues.

Is the topic of the opinion article discussed accurately in the context of the current literature?

No
Are all factual statements correct and adequately supported by citations?

Partly
Are arguments sufficiently supported by evidence from the published literature?

Partly
Are the conclusions drawn balanced and justified on the basis of the presented arguments?

No

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Geography, Remote Sensing, Hydrology

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Reviewer Report

5 Views

14 May 2026 | for Version 2

5 Views Cite this report Responses(0)

Approved

It may be indexed.

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

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Reviewer Report

21 Views

07 May 2024 | for Version 1

Dr. Subhash Chandra Singh, Central Ground Water Board, Central Ground Water Board, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

21 Views Cite this report Responses(1)

Approved With Reservations

Abstract: Too long; may be substantially reduced. Only one paragraph.
Keywords: Words mentioned in the title may be avoided.
Introduction: May include the next section, i.e. the general applications, as well.
The general applications of geophysics: May be merged into the Intro. The first sentence is too long. Does not match with the sentences authors have generally framed. May be broken into pieces for clarity. The first para has tense problem. Please use present tense as used elsewhere for coherence purposes.
The applications of geophysics in Indonesia: The colour shades and sizes in Fig. 1 may be explained in the legend. The captions ‘geophysics methods’ may be stated as ‘geophysical methods'. Abbreviations may be expanded in the legend.
Exploring the potential of geophysics in solving environmental challenges: Are these 40 articles included the 582 articles of the previous section? Same observations in Fig. 2 as well.
Limitations: Only limitations may be described in this section. Solutions, if any, to overcome these challenges may be described, if authors desire to. In fact, how these challenges were overcome by the workers in different parts of the world would really be an interesting thing to read about. The advantages of geophysical techniques mentioned in the initial portion of this section may be included in the Intro or the previous sections.
Remarks: This section may be termed as ‘Conclusions’ or ‘Concluding Remarks’. But it again repeats the same matters stated in the Intro. Are the listed issues not addressed presently by the geophysical workers world-wide? Or, the authors limit their remarks to Indonesia only – may be clarified.

Is the topic of the opinion article discussed accurately in the context of the current literature?

Partly
Are all factual statements correct and adequately supported by citations?

Yes
Are arguments sufficiently supported by evidence from the published literature?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn balanced and justified on the basis of the presented arguments?

Partly

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Hydrogeology

Respond to this report

Responses (1)

Author Response

04 May 2026

Dasapta Erwin Irawan, Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

We thank the reviewer for these helpful and constructive comments.

We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, can be further enriched. In the revision we will broaden the overview of environmental and engineering applications of geophysics and its role in education and professional practice, and we will consult the suggested papers where they are relevant.

For Figures 1 and 2, we acknowledge their current limitations. We will regenerate the VOSviewer maps at the maximum resolution available and improve the captions and legends so that colours, node sizes, and abbreviations are explained more clearly, within the constraints of the software.

In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will expand the discussion on funding constraints, the limited number of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, drawing on the suggested literature where appropriate.
We will also sharpen and shorten the conclusion so that it is more focused, accurate, and less repetitive, and we will carefully revise the reference list to make the formatting consistent with the journal’s style.

View more View less

Competing Interests

We don't have any competing interests upon posting this reply and publishing this manuscript.

Back to all reports

Reviewer Report

26 Views

07 May 2024 | for Version 1

Joseph Omeiza Alao, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria

26 Views Cite this report Responses(1)

Approved With Reservations

Introduction: the introduction is not rich enough and needs more relevant information, especially the general part. The author can read the following articles to improve the manuscript quality if he/she finds them relevant [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-023-01096-3; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03076-9; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-022-00398-0; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165469; DOI: 10.26855/oajrcap.2021.12.001]. Please, note that you are not in any way compelled or forced to cite these articles.
Figure: figures 1 and 2 are blunt, please provide a better figure with high resolution.
Under “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia” provide more information on funding, inadequate experts, and lack of poor geophysical experimental sites like Geophysical Test Site (GTS) to train young geophysicists in the country. You can obtain information in the suggested articles above.
Conclusion: please, present a more accurate, sharp, and pointed conclusion.
Refinances: the reference styles are good but not consistent.

Best wishes
Thank.

Is the topic of the opinion article discussed accurately in the context of the current literature?

Partly
Are all factual statements correct and adequately supported by citations?

Yes
Are arguments sufficiently supported by evidence from the published literature?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn balanced and justified on the basis of the presented arguments?

Partly

References

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Applied GeophysicsGephysics specialize in environmental and geotechnical geophysics

Respond to this report

Responses (1)

Author Response

04 May 2026

Dasapta Erwin Irawan, Applied Geology Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

We thank the reviewer for the constructive and encouraging comments on our opinion article.

1. We agree that the introduction, especially the general part, needs to be enriched. We will expand the discussion on broader environmental and engineering applications of geophysics, as well as its role in education and professional training, and will consult the suggested articles where relevant.

2. We will replace Figures 1 and 2 with higher‑resolution images (if possible) and improve the caption to better resemble the image, so that the bibliometric visualizations are clearer.

3. In the section “Limitations of geophysical approaches at a practical level in Indonesia”, we will add a more explicit discussion on funding limitations, the shortage of experts, and the absence of dedicated geophysical test sites (GTS) for training young geophysicists, using the suggested references where appropriate.

View more View less

Competing Interests

We have no competing interests upon this reply and upon publishing the manuscript.

Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article:

Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested

Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.

Not approved - fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions

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Geophysics for the environment in Indonesia

Abstract

Keywords

Revised Amendments from Version 1

Introduction

The general applications of geophysics

Geophysics to solve water-related environmental problems

Geophysics to detect metals from fertile soils and plants

Airborne Geophysics for detection of geological features

Geophysics for oceanography applications

Geophysics for climate observation

The applications of geophysics in Indonesia

Figure 1. This visualization showcases the breadth and depth of geophysics research conducted in Indonesia.

Figure 2. This visualization represents the research articles obtained from the search using the keywords “geophysics,” “Indonesia,” and “environment”.

Limitations of geophysical approaches in practical level in Indonesia

Technical and environmental constraints

Urban-related constraints

Institutional and capacity limitations

Conclusions

Data availability

Underlying data

Extended data

Author contributions

AI declaration

Acknowledgments

References

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