Electromagnetic methods to characterize the Savoia di Lucania waste dump (Southern Italy)

The aim of this work is the joint application and integration of non-invasive geoelectrical methods for studying the landfill of Savoia di Lucania (Southern Italy). This landfill for its engineering features and small dimensions (70 m × 30 m × 6 m) represents an optimal test site to assess a geophysical survey protocol for municipal solid waste landfills investigation and monitoring. The landfill of Savoia di Lucania has been built with a reinforced concrete material and coated with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner. Three electrical resistivity tomographies (ERT), two self-potential (SP) map surveys and one induced polarization (IP) section have been performed, both in the surrounding area and inside the waste landfill. The geophysical investigations have well defined some buried boundaries of the landfill basin and localized the leachate accumulation zones inside the dumpsite. Comparison of our results with other engineering and geological investigations could be the key for evaluating the integrity of the HDPE liner. Finally, the joint use of the ERT, IP and SP methods seems to be a promising tool for studying and designing new monitoring systems able to perform a time-lapse analysis of waste landfill geometry and integrity.     

A Fourier transform method for the interpretation of self-potential anomalies due to two-dimensional inclined sheets of finite depth extent

The self-potential anomaly due to a two-dimensional inclined sheets of finite depth extent has been analysed in the frequency domain using the Fourier transform. Expression for the Fourier amplitude and phase spectra are derived. The Fourier amplitude and phase spectra are analysed so as to evaluate the parameters of the sheet. Application of this method on two anomalies (synthetic and field data) has given good results.     

Detection of seepage paths in earth dams using self-potential and electrical resistivity methods

Earth and rockfill dams are designed to operate under steady state seepage. Anomalous seepage may be a threat to the integrity of the structure. In spite of advances made in the fields of geotechnical engineering, it is not possible to have 100% leak-proof structure. Any excessive and unplanned seepage may lead to the failure of the dam, especially in unconsolidated or fractured terrains. Geophysical methods play an important role in mapping seepage paths and monitoring the changes of the seepage with time, enabling to plan technically and economically worthwhile remedial measures. In the present paper, utilisation of electrical methods for delineation of seepage zones at two of the four Saddle dams of the Som-Kamla-Amba project, Rajasthan State, India; which is founded on heterogeneous rock mass, is discussed. Electrical resistivity method was used to delineate zones favourable for seepage, whereas, self-potential (SP) method was used to delineate the seepage paths. SP measurements have shown negative anomaly of the order of 10–20 mV in amplitude, indicating low seepage, coinciding with the seepage measurements made by the project authorities.     

火山地区二维自然电位异常反演

将线性反演理论与正则化法相结合，提出一个火山地区二维自然电位（ＳＰ）异常反演方法．地下岩浆活动（对流体）是引起自电异常的极化源，反演的目的是计算地下视极化强度分布和极化源中心位置．可以通过用已知的各种资料改变地下极化源区域（简称源区）的方式来进行多次反演，以便获得一个比较合理的地下视极化强度分布模型．最后，分别给出意大利和墨西哥的两个火山地区的自然电位异常分析结果．     

The main structure and tectonic features of the Chernorud-Mukhor site on the western shore of Lake Baikal from TEM and SP measurements

Transient electromagnetic (TEM), self-potential (SP) and geoelectrical mapping measurements were carried out at the Chernorud-Mukhor site in the Priolkhonje area on the western shore of the Lake Baikal. All measurements were made along several profiles across the main strike of the regional Primorsky fault. TEM measurements were carried out in a time range from a few tens of microseconds to several tens of milliseconds. The most important result of the 1D modelling of TEM soundings is the discovery of nearly horizontal boundaries that divide high resistive overlying and well conducting underlying rocks. The resistivity of the former is in the range from 100 Ωm to 1000 Ωm, while the resistivity of the latter varies from less than 1 Ωm to several tens of Ωm. This good conductive zone could also be verified by geoelectrical mapping using Schlumberger array (AB/2=100 m). Due to high conductivity of the underlying rocks only the upper boundary of the conductive layer could be determined by TEM soundings. A regional SP anomaly with amplitude of about −450 mV has also been observed above the low resistivity zone indicating the electron nature of its conductance. Geologically, the conductive zone is represented by a graphite-bearing layer within the region of archean rocks. Since that layer extends over a large area, it may be used as a key in studying structures and tectonics of the Priolkhonje area. A 1D TEM geoelectric section shows a wide, gently sloping syncline as a probable base structure of the Chernorud-Mukhor site. Neotectonic faults divide the syncline into vertically displaced blocks that form a wide complicated graben with a total amplitude of about 250 m.     

Dynamics of volcanic eruptions: Understanding electric signatures for activity monitoring

Aside common methods as seismology, ground deformation, and geochemistry, electromagnetic and especially electric ones can efficiently be applied for imaging and monitoring active volcanoes and hydrothermal systems that most often control the initial eruptive phase. Surveys and mappings image ground fluids flow, faults systems, and structural interfaces with anomalies up to several hundred of mV. Reiteration of surveys highlights time and spatial evolution. Continuous networks must extend surveys when the activity becomes stronger. Resolution in the data can reach a few microvolts as compared to the tens of millivolts for surveys. Observations made on several volcanoes definitively show that electric signals, up to some tens of millivolts, may appear some hours to a few weeks before ground deformation and seismicity, and are related to some extent to the location of the future activity. These transient signals may have a relationship with those recorded aboard satellites. Both of them appear during the transition period between the “fatigue” and the “dynamical” stages, which announces accelerating and irreversible processes.     

松山台地电场的自然电位异常

根据对中法合作天祝松山电磁台运行6年的全部资料(变化周期≥1 d)的分析, 从中可看出, 我国西部某些中强以上地震前, 天祝地电场出现了缓变信息异常, 也就是通常所指的自然电位异常。 异常有2种形式, 先增大后降低的趋势性背景变化和大幅度的单向加速变化。 除此之外, 震前还有短临的大地电场阶跃性异常。 文中讨论了几种异常的可能机理, 认为大幅度的单向加速异常与磁暴有关; 而趋势性背景变化是过滤电场的冲流电位在震前明显改变所致, 主要出现在2001年昆仑山口西8.1级大震之前。     

基于裂隙尖端放电机制的深部岩体损伤自电特征分析

在大规模深部岩体损伤过程中发生的裂隙尖端放电现象往往引发地下雷电,对该现象发生机理、表现规律的揭示有助于地震、岩爆等的临灾预报.不同于在岩土体中液固耦合界面上发生的自然电场异常机理,在岩土体内部发生的裂隙尖端放电可谓是引发自然电场异常的另一重要微观机制.本文基于现有裂隙尖端放电的研究成果,详细阐述了裂隙尖端放电发生的过程,解释了岩体损伤过程中自然电场异常产生的微观机理,并结合室内实验成果论述了自电位的主要特征;进行了理论推导,认为在大尺度岩体连续损伤过程中,自电位具有含脉冲状波动并整体下降的特征;开展了原位测试,结果证明人工采掘扰动下的深部岩体连续破坏的过程中,自电位在破坏前期缓慢下降,在破坏过程中会出现脉冲状波动,随着破坏程度的加剧整体呈现波动中下降的规律,与理论推导、室内实验结论都相符.对比室内实验和原位测试成果发现,随着研究目标的空间尺度由mm级别扩展到m的级别,自电位波动的幅值也从数十个mV扩展到数百甚至上千mV,故认为在利用自电位波动规律来预测岩体破坏状态时,须受研究对象的空间尺度的约束.此外,在原位测试中发现,自电位对岩体损伤过程的响应较直流电阻率而言具有时域上的超前优势,并对此现象进行了解释.     

Investigation of a shallow alluvial aquifer using geoelectrical methods: a case from Turkey

Near-surface geophysical methods are commonly used to solve a wide class of geological, engineering and environmental problems. In this study, a geoelectrical survey was performed to investigate an alluvial aquifer. The study area is located in the southwest of the Çubukluda? graben, situated in the south of ?zmir, Turkey. The geophysical studies included the electrical resistivity imaging and self-potential (SP) methods. The resistivity data were acquired along eight profiles in the northern part of the study area by a Wenner-Schlumberger electrode configuration and the data processing was achieved by a tomographic inversion technique. The SP data were collected by gradient technique along 16 profiles. Total field values were calculated for each profile by addition of the successive gradient values, then a total field SP map was obtained. The water-saturated zone in the northern part of the study area was clearly revealed by the electrical resistivity imaging and the SP survey yielded useful information on the subsurface fluid movement.