Electrokinetics in Earth Sciences: A Tutorial

Laurence Jouniaux (1) , Tsuneo Ishido (2)

1 IPGS-GE - Géophysique expérimentale (IPGS)
2 GSJ - Geological Survey of Japan

We describe in this paper the theoretical background for the electrokinetics in rocks and in porous media, to be included in the special issue "Electrokinetics in Earth Sciences" of International Journal of Geophysics. We describe the methodology used for self-potential (SP) and for seismoelectromagnetic measurements, for both field and laboratory experiments and for modelling. We give a large bibliography on the studies performed in hydrology to detect at distance the water flow, to deduce the thickness of the aquifer and to predict the hydraulic conductivity. The observation of SP has also been proposed to detect fractures in boreholes, to follow the hydraulic fracturing, and to predict the earthquakes. Moreover, we detail the studies on geothermal applications.

Mots clés: electrokinetic; streaming potential; self-potential; seismoelectrics; seismomagnetics; elecrokinetic theoretical background; SP for geothermal applications; geothermal production induced SP; experimental streaming potential; electric double layer; W shaped SP profiles volcanoes; SP coefficient on sand

Domaines: Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]; Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]; Milieux et Changements globaux

Laurence Jouniaux, Tsuneo Ishido. Electrokinetics in Earth Sciences: A Tutorial. International Journal of Geophysics, 2012, 2012, pp.Article ID 286107. ⟨10.1155/2012/286107⟩. ⟨hal-00678733⟩