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Detailed Reference Information
Rizzo et al. 2004
Rizzo, E., Suski, B., Revil, A., Straface, S. and Troisi, S. (2004). Self-potential signals associated with pumping tests experiments. Journal of Geophysical Research 109: doi: 10.1029/2004JB003049. issn: 0148-0227.

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.

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Abstract

Keywords
Exploration Geophysics, Magnetic and electrical methods, Hydrology, Groundwater transport, Physical Properties of Rocks, Fracture and flow, Physical Properties of Rocks, Magnetic and electrical properties, Physical Properties of Rocks, Permeability and porosity, self-potential, pumping test, transmissivity
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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