Self‐potential signals associated with pumping tests experiments

Abstract

The flow of groundwater during a pumping test experiment is responsible for a measurable electrical field at the ground surface owing to the electrokinetic coupling between the Darcy velocity and the electrical current density. This electrical field can be measured passively with a network of nonpolarizable electrodes connected to a digital multichannel multimeter with a high internal impedance (>10 Mohm). These so‐called self‐potential signals can be used to track the pattern of groundwater flow in the subsurface. A field test was performed using a set of 53 Pb/PbCl2 electrodes plus an additional electrode used as a unique reference in the field and a set of five piezometers to monitor the position of the piezometric surface. Using appropriate Green's functions, the electrical response is analyzed in terms of piezometric head distribution. This new methodology, which we call “electrography,” allows visualization of preferential fluid flow pathways and the distribution of heads during pumping test experiments. Using a conditioning technique, this method could allow inversion of the hydraulic conductivity distribution around a pumping well.