Electrical resistivity survey in soil science: a review
2005
Samouelian , Anatja (INRA (France). UR 0272 Unité Science du Sol) | Cousin , Isabelle (INRA (France). UR 0272 Unité Science du Sol) | Tabbagh , Alain (Université Paris 6, PARIS Cedex 05(France). UMR 7619 Sisyphe) | Bruand , Ary (Université d'OrléansCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique, ORLEANSORLEANS(France). UMR 6113 ISTOUMR 6113 ISTO) | Richard , Guy (INRA (France). UR 0272 Unité Science du Sol)
Electrical resistivity of the soil can be considered as a proxy for the spatial and temporal variability of many other soil physical properties (i.e. structure, water content, or fluid composition). Because the method is non-destructive and very sensitive, it offers a very attractive tool for describing the subsurface properties without digging. It has been already applied in various contexts like: groundwater exploration, landfill and solute transfer delineation, agronomical management by identifying areas of excessive compaction or soil horizon thickness and bedrock depth, and at least assessing the soil hydrological properties. The surveys, depending on the areas heterogeneities can be performed in one, two or three-dimensions and also at different scales resolution from the centimetrical scale to the regional scale. In this review, based on many electrical resistivity surveys, we expose the theory and the basic principles of the method, we overview the variation of electrical resistivity as a function of soil properties, we listed the main electrical device to performed one, two or three-dimensional surveys, and explain the basic principles of the data interpretation. At least we discuss the main advantages and limits of the method.
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