Evaluation of transport and storage properties in the soil and groundwater zone from induced polarization measurements¹

Abstract

Spectral induced polarization as well as complex electrical measurements are used to estimate, on a non‐invasive basis, hydraulic permeability in aquifers. Basic laboratory measurements on a variety of shaly sands, silts and clays showed that the main feature of their conductivity spectra in the frequency range from 10‐3 to 103 Hertz is a nearly constant phase angle. Thus, a constant‐phase‐angle model of electrical conductivity is applied to interpret quantitatively surface and borehole spectral induced polarization measurements. The model allows for the calculation of two independent electrical parameters from only one frequency scan and a simple separation of electrical volume and interface effects. The proposed interpretation algorithm yields the true formation factor, the cation exchange capacity and the surface‐area‐to‐porosity ratio, which corresponds to the inverse hydraulic radius. Using a Kozeny–Carman‐like equation, the estimation of hydraulic permeability is possible.

Influence of Degree of Saturation in the Electric Resistivity–Hydraulic Conductivity Relationship

“…Figure (5, a) still reflect the inverse relation between intrinsic formation factor and both porosity and water saturation. Whereas figure (5, b) reflects a direct correlation between intrinsic formation factor and both porosity and water saturation, which is in agreement with Martys, (1999) and (Börner, 1996). Applying these direct and inverse relations in the modified Kozeny-Carman model (Eq.…”

Dependence of spectral‐induced polarization response of sandstone on temperature and its relevance to permeability estimation

“…Indeed, in the context of the discussed model, the grain radius r eff in equation (33) is an effective grain radius of the broad grain size distribution (see Revil and Florsch [2010] for a derivation of equation (33)). Note that s CPA is not only a function of the hydraulic length scale (or grain size) but also a function of the formation factor (or effective porosity), which might indicate a basic inapplicability of the procedure in permeability estimation as suggested by Börner et al [1996] and widely used by others [e.g., Kemna et al, 2004;Hördt et al, 2007Hördt et al, , 2009]. …”

“…which suggest the potentiality of permeability estimation from single-frequency IP [e.g., Börner et al, 1996;Slater and Lesmes, 2002b]. Indeed, in the context of the discussed model, the grain radius r eff in equation (33) is an effective grain radius of the broad grain size distribution (see Revil and Florsch [2010] for a derivation of equation (33)).…”

“…While s′(w) is related to porosity, tortuosity, fluid conductivity, saturation and surface conductance [e.g., Archie, 1942;Bussian, 1983;Revil, 1999], s″(w) has been found to be primarily a measure of surface properties, namely the ratio of pore surface area to pore volume [e.g., Börner and Schön, 1991;Slater and Lesmes, 2002b;Slater et al, 2006]. Hence, estimation of permeability from single-frequency IP seems to be possible [Börner et al, 1996]. A basic condition or assumption of this approach is that the measured phase shift of complex conductivity does not depend on measurement frequency (constant phase angle, CPA).…”

Using Geoelectrical Imaging to Recognize Zn-Pb Post-Mining Waste Deposits

“…During the last decade the IP method has become a useful tool that helps to distinguish between sediments of different lithological compositions [24,25] and hydraulic characteristics [25,26]. The use of the induced polarization method for the investigated waste was reasonable, because the waste contains high amounts of sulphides such as galena, pyrite, and marcasite, and clay minerals (kaolinite, illite).…”