In the interpretation of induced polarization data, it is commonly assumed that metallic mineral polarization dominantly or solely causes the observed response. However, at low frequencies, there is a variety of active chemical processes which involve the movement or transfer of electrical charge. Measurements of electrical properties at low frequencies (such as induced polarization) observe such movement of charge and thus monitor many geochemical processes at a distance. Examples in which this has been done include oxidation‐reduction of metallic minerals such as sulfides, cation exchange on clays, and a variety of clay‐organic reactions relevant to problems in toxic waste disposal and petroleum exploration. By using both the frequency dependence and nonlinear character of the complex resistivity spectrum, these reactions may be distinguished from each other and from barren or reactionless materials.

No abstract

The electrical properties of granite appear to be dominantly controlled by the amount of free water in the granite and by temperature. Minor contributions to the electrical properties are provided by hydrostatic and lithostatic pressure, structurally bound water, oxygen fugacity, and other parameters. The effect of sulfur fugacity may be important but is experimentally unconfirmed. In addition to changing the magnitude of electrical properties, the amount and chemistry of water in granite significantly changes the temperature dependence of the electrical properties. With increasing temperature, changes in water content retain large, but lessened, effects on electrical properties. Near room temperature, a monolayer of water will decrease the electrical resistivity by an order of magnitude. Several weight‐percent water may decrease the electrical resistivity by as much as 9 orders of magnitude and decrease the thermal activation energy by a factor of 5. At elevated temperatures just below granitic melting, a few weight‐percent water may still decrease the resistivity by as much as 3 orders of magnitude and the activation energy by a factor of 2. Above the melting temperature (650° to 1100°C depending upon water pressure), a few weight‐percent water will decrease the resistivity by less than an order of magnitude and will barely change the activation energy. Remarkably, the few weight‐percent water must be present as free water. Experiments with hydrated hornblende schist (with structural water) indicate an electrical resistivity very similar to that for dry granite. The implications of these results, together with the findings of deep magnetic sounding and magnetotelluric surveys, suggest much more free water than is commonly associated with the lower crust and possibly into the upper mantle.

[1] Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has the potential to image the Martian subsurface to give geological context to drilling targets, investigate stratigraphy, and locate subsurface water. GPR depth of penetration depends strongly on the electromagnetic (EM) properties (complex dielectric permittivity, complex magnetic permeability, and DC resistivity) of the subsurface. These EM properties in turn depend on the mineralogical composition of the subsurface and are sensitive to temperature. In this study, the EM properties of Martian analog samples were measured versus frequency (1 MHz-1 GHz) and at Martian temperatures (180-300 K). Results from the study found the following: gray hematite has a large temperature-dependent dielectric relaxation, magnetite has a temperature-independent magnetic relaxation, and JSC Mars-1 has a broad temperature-dependent dielectric relaxation most likely caused by absorbed water. Two orbital radars, MARSIS and SHARAD, are currently investigating the subsurface of Mars. On the basis of the results of our measurements, the attenuation rate of gray hematite is 0.03 and 0.9 dB/m, magnetite is 0.04 and 1.1 dB/m, and JSC Mars-1 is 0.015 and 0.09 dB/m at MARSIS and SHARAD frequencies, respectively, and at the average Martian temperature of 213 K. With respect to using GPR for subsurface investigation on Mars, absorbed water will be a larger attenuator of radar energy as high concentrations of magnetite and gray hematite are not found globally on Mars.Citation: Stillman, D., and G. Olhoeft (2008), Frequency and temperature dependence in electromagnetic properties of Martian analog minerals,

Seven hundred seventy liters of a dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), were released into an isolated volume of a completely saturated natural sandy aquifer. The release was monitored over a period of 984 hours with a variety of geophysical methods including ground penetrating radar, time domain reflectometry, in situ resistivity, and a neutron soil moisture probe. The PCE formed a pool on a low permeability layer at approximately 1 m depth and spread over an area exceeding 32 m2. In its course of downward migration, the PCE subsequently formed eight smaller pools. At the end of the experiment an estimated 41 percent of the total PCE volume remained trapped in the upper pool. The PCE mass and its spatial moments were calculated from radar reflection amplitudes. Between 48 and 100 percent of the PCE mass was accounted for by radar measurements. The center of mass moved a total of 0.5 m south southeast and 1.3 m downward. Spatial variances showed that the greatest lateral spreading occurred in the east‐west direction. The results demonstrate that natural heterogeneities, even in a relatively homogeneous aquifer, can cause DNAPLs to spread laterally over large areas in the subsurface. This experiment also demonstrated that while the ability of geophysics to uniquely measure the presence of DNAPL is limited, certain techniques are well‐suited to monitoring changes in DNAPL saturation.