ALBERT

Description: We examined the sensitivity of the electrochemical spectral induced polarization (SIP) model developed by Wong to the oxidation extent of pyrite and pyrrhotite minerals disseminated in silica sand. The sensitivity of this model to the oxidation of sulfide minerals was mainly related to the model parameters defining the ratio of the active to the inactive passive ions $$({c}_{2}/{c}_{o})$$ dissolved in the pore water, and the variation of the current reaction parameters $$\alpha $$ and $$\beta $$ . The increase in these parameters as well as in the associated exchange current densities, $${i}_{o}(\alpha )$$ and $${i}_{o}(\beta )$$ was consistent with an increase in the activation of the charge transfer at the metal-electrolyte interface, resulting in the decrease in polarization of such an interface, which was reflected by a decrease in the SIP phase response as previously argued by Wong. Under this premise, the model described fairly well measurements below 500 Hz from a laboratory experiment, being consistent with the depletion of the SIP phase response associated with the oxidation degree promoted on the disseminate sulfides analyzed here. This suggested that electrochemical modeling of SIP measurements can provide information to assess the oxidation state of sulfides and also to infer the formation of passivating layers coating the metal minerals during oxidation-dissolution processes. Our results suggested a possible alternative for the monitoring of mine waste deposits producing acid mine drainage and the stability of sequestered harmful metals during remedial treatments by means of the SIP method.

Description: Field-scale lithologic applications of complex conductivity ( $${\sigma }^{*}$$ ) imaging have been hindered by the challenges of (1) acquiring reliable induced polarization (IP) measurements and (2) obtaining reliable $${\sigma }^{*}$$ images from the measurements. We performed a series of 2D time domain resistivity/IP surveys at the Hanford 300 Area (Richland, Washington) where the challenge was to image the spatial distribution of two lithologic units that control the exchange between groundwater and surface water of the Columbia River. Exploiting the equivalence between time domain and frequency domain measurements of polarization, a 2D $${\sigma }^{*}$$ inversion (real conductivity $${\sigma }^{\prime }$$ , imaginary conductivity $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ , and phase angle $$\phi $$ ) was used to image the spatial distribution of $${\sigma }^{*}$$ across the site. Synthetic studies were carried out to investigate the effects of noise on the resolution of $${\sigma }^{*}$$ images and to add confidence on the interpretation of possible paleochannels observed in the field data sets. The synthetic studies show that, with increasing representative noise levels, degradation of the resolution of lithologic structures in the parameters most controlled by the IP measurements ( $$\phi $$ and $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ ) is significantly greater than degradation of resolution of $${\sigma }^{\prime }$$ images. However, the acquisition of IP measurements, and the analysis of changes in $${\sigma }^{\prime }$$ and $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ constrains the lithological interpretation of the geoelectrical data set due to the strong dependency of $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ on lithological properties. A threshold based on $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ measurements from cores at the site was used to estimate the elevation of the contact between the two key units, which is consistent with boreholes at the site. Variation in the elevation of this contact provides evidence of a depression in the Hanford-Ringold contact connecting the aquifer and the Columbia River; this depression likely represents a paleochannel regulating flow and transport at the site.

Description: Continuing advancements in subsurface electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) are increasing its capabilities for understanding shallow subsurface properties and processes. The inability of ERT imaging data to resolve unique subsurface structures and the corresponding need to include constraining information remains one of the greatest limitations, yet provides one of the greatest opportunities for further advancing the utility of the method. We propose a new method of incorporating constraining information into an ERT imaging algorithm in the form of discontinuous boundaries, known values, and spatial covariance information. We demonstrated the approach by imaging a uranium-contaminated wellfield at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State, USA. We incorporate into the algorithm known boundary information and spatial covariance structures derived from the highly resolved near-borehole regions of a regularized ERT inversion. The resulting inversion provides a solution which fits the ERT data (given the estimated noise level), honors the spatial covariance structure throughout the model, and is consistent with known bulk-conductivity discontinuities. The results are validated with core-scale measurements, indicating a significant improvement in accuracy over the standard regularized inversion and revealing important subsurface structure known to influence flow and transport at the site.

Description: We examined the dependence of imaginary conductivity ( $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ ) on pore fluid conductivity ( $${\sigma }_{w}$$ ) for an extensive database of 67 samples acquired from twelve independent studies. We compared fitting of functions describing the salinity dependence of $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ for two models of the electrical double layer (EDL) polarization, both of which predict asymptotic behavior of $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ at high $${\sigma }_{w}$$ . We define these models as the diffuse layer polarization (DLP) and Stern layer polarization (SLP) models based on the physical description of the salinity dependence of the surface polarization. We also examined the database for evidence of a high salinity decrease in $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ not predicted by either model. The dependence of $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ on $${\sigma }_{w}$$ prior to the polarization plateau predicted by both models approximates a simple empirical power law with an average exponent of 0.34. The salinity dependence predicted by the DLP model adequately describes most data sets. A fitting parameter representing the high salinity $${\sigma }^{\prime \prime }$$ asymptote is strongly correlated ( $${R}^{2}=0.822$$ ) with pore normalized specific surface ( $${S}_{\mathrm{por}}$$ ). The SLP model describes well the observations when a recently proposed additive polarization term representing the contribution of the protons is included. In this case, the SLP model provides an excellent fit to the data sets, including a low salinity asymptote (in log-log conductivity space) seen in some samples. Predicted values of the fitting parameters of the SLP model generally are consistent with the values expected based on the theory; the fitting parameter describing the high salinity asymptote of the SLP model is also strongly correlated ( $${R}^{2}=0.890$$ ) with $${S}_{\mathrm{por}}$$ . The SLP and DLP models neglect a high salinity decrease in the polarization that is observed in numerous data sets from independent studies. New data acquired on a sandstone sample demonstrate that this high salinity decrease is likely not attributable to the limited phase accuracy of earlier measurements.

Description: Electrical geophysical methods, including electrical resistivity, time-domain induced polarization, and complex resistivity, have become commonly used to image the near subsurface. Here, we outline their utility for time-lapse imaging of hydrological, geochemical, and biogeochemical processes, focusing on new instrumentation, processing, and analysis techniques specific to monitoring. We review data collection procedures, parameters measured, and petrophysical relationships and then outline the state of the science with respect to inversion methodologies, including coupled inversion. We conclude by highlighting recent research focused on innovative applications of time-lapse imaging in hydrology, biology, ecology, and geochemistry, among other areas of interest. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Northern peatlands cover more than 350 million ha and are an important source of methane (CH4) and other biogenic gases contributing to climate change. Free-phase gas (FPG) accumulation and episodic release has recently been recognized as an important mechanism for biogenic gas flux from peatlands. It is likely that gas production and groundwater flow are interconnected in peatlands: groundwater flow influences gas production by regulating geochemical conditions and nutrient supply available for methanogenesis, while FPG influences groundwater flow through a reduction in peat permeability and by creating excess pore water pressures. Water samples collected from three well sites at Caribou Bog, Maine, show substantial dissolved CH4 (5–16 mg L−1) in peat waters below 2 m depth and an increase in concentrations with depth. This suggests production and storage of CH4 in deep peat that may be episodically released as FPG. Two min increment pressure transducer data reveal approximately 5 cm fluctuations in hydraulic head from both deep and shallow peat that are believed to be indicative of FPG release. FPG release persists up to 24 h during decreasing atmospheric pressure and a rising water table. Preferential flow is seen towards an area of relatively lower hydraulic head associated with the esker and pool system. Increased CH4 concentrations are also found at the depth of the esker crest, suggesting that the high permeability esker is acting as a conduit for groundwater flow, driving a downward transport of labile carbon, resulting in higher rates of CH4 production.