6. Resistivity and Induced Polarization Methods

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessGeotechnical and Environmental Geophysics: Volume I, Review and Tutorial6. Resistivity and Induced Polarization MethodsAuthors: Stanley H. WardStanley H. WardAnacortes, Washington, USSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802785.ch6 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract This article presents a tutorial of the bases for, and problems encountered with, the resistivity and induced polarization methods in geotechnical and environmental applications. It commences with a discussion of aqueous electrolytic conduction in rocks including consideration of the effects of temperature, rock texture, rock type, geological processes, and of the presence of clay minerals. Both electrode and membrane polarization in soils and rocks are described. The elementary theory for the resistivity and induced polarization methods is introduced via formulas for electrodes on homogeneous and layered half-spaces. The notion of apparent resistivity is presented. Vertical electric sounding is described in relation to curve types, inversion, equivalence, anisotropy, and correlation. Profiling with resistivity is briefly treated while combined sounding-profiling is treated in more detail for both the resistivity and induced polarization methods. The parameters used to describe the induced polarization phenomena are introduced. A brief discourse follows on data acquisition and processing, including design considerations for transmitters and receivers, electrodes, and wire logistics. A section on arrays and the factors involved in selecting an array provokes the disclosure that while their application in geotechnical and environmental studies usually is straightforward much remains to be learned about the resistivity and induced polarization methods in general. Specific topics requiring study are comparative studies of various arrays in (a) depth of exploration in sounding and in profiling, (b) resolution of horizontal structures, (c) sensitivity to depth, (d) sensitivity to lateral effects, (e) sensitivity to buried and surface topography, and (f) the effectiveness of focused arrays. References to recent significant publications on one-, two-, and three-dimensional forward and inverse interpretation procedures follow. Problems encountered with these methods are initially treated under the section on arrays and are expanded with specific reference to geologic noise and negative induced polarization effects. The advantages of focused arrays are illustrated. The paper concludes with nine representative examples of applications. 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No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisherPublisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished in print: 01 Jan 1990 CITATION INFORMATION Stanley H. Ward, (1990), "6. Resistivity and Induced Polarization Methods," Investigations in Geophysics : 147-190. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802785.ch6 Plain-Language Summary PDF DownloadLoading ...