https://www.scribd.

com/document/13337594/Electrical-Resistivity-of-Soil
https://www.scribd.com/document/13337594/Electrical-Resistivity-of-Soil

Page 1 of 20
Electrical Resistivity of Soil-Soil Resistivity Fundamentalsand the Soil Resistivity
Meter
By Rex A. Crouch
Electrical Resistivity of SoilSoil Resistivity Fundamentals and the Soil
Resistivity MeterBy Rex A. CrouchAbstract This paper is a learning tool
addressing soil resistivity consisting of an introductionto electrical resistivity,
a brief history, the fundamentals of soil resistivity, datagraphing,
interpretation, and results. The paper then addresses the basics, buildingand
operation of a soil resistivity meter, graphing and interpreting the
datacollected.
Abstract This paper is a learning tool addressing soil resistivity consisting of
an introductionto electrical resistivity, a brief history, the fundamentals of
soil resistivity, datagraphing, interpretation, and results. The paper then
addresses the basics, buildingand operation of a soil resistivity meter,
graphing and interpreting the datacollected.

Page 4 of 20
Introduction
. Electrical resistivity of soil may be made with low frequencyalternating
current in which thecurrent is applied at two locations,and the potential
difference ismeasured between two points wherethe term potential
difference, as usedin physics, means voltage difference.Along this same
method, a direct current may be applied in lieu of analternating current thus
causing aninduced polarization in subsurfacefeatures wherein, the operator
timeshow long the potential difference lastsafter the current is removed for
thepurpose of identifying largesubsurface conductors. Theseaforementioned
means are consideredactive as the operator is inducing acurrent into the
ground for thepurpose of measuring a
potentialdifference. Passive means would bethe measurement of self-

potentialwhich is sometimes calledspontaneous potential. This occurs asa

sulfide breaks down into a sulfate.This is an indicator of an ore body
that may be residing in a moist environment.
Brief History
. Electrical resistivitymeans of prospecting is documentedin the 1830s
through experimentsconducted by Robert W. Fox, anEnglish geologist, and
naturalphilosopher. Fox concentrated hisexperiments on sulfide ore deposits
near Cornwall, England. Foxs
techniques were passive in approach.Not until the 1920s did the
approachbecome active wherein Schlumberger,located in France, and
Wenner,located in United States, beganapplying current into the ground,
andmeasuring the potential difference.Wenner was the forerunner in
thistechnique. While a multitude of otherapproaches have been applied
withRooney and Gish presenting strongtechniques, Hummel with
impressivetheoretical techniques, theSchlumberger and Wenner
methods,which will be addressed in detail,prevailed as the most effective,
and
accurate techniques in active electricalresistivity measurement. All originaltechniques assumed a
single uniformoverburden with a second layer
beingof indefinite thickness. One initialshortfall was equipment. Theequipment shortfall did not
entailenough current for deep penetrationnor were the meters accurate enoughto distinguish
between multiplelayers; with an increase in current andaccuracy, new formulas and methodsof
calculation were developed whichcreated a more inclusive picture of the
subsurface features [1] and [4].
This paper will focus on theSchlumberger and Wenner methods
Basic Formulas.
There are four basicformulas employed when discussingelectrical resistivity
and these are
current, current density, Ohms law,
and resistivity [1].Current is determined by charge incolumbs over a given
period of time inseconds where current is representedas I, columbs in q, and
time as t.
I = q/t
Current density is the amount of current flowing through a particulararea in
which the current density isrepresented by a j, and the area isrepresented
by an A.
J = I/A
Ohms law is the relation of voltage,resistance, and current. This was
first presented by the German
physicist Georg S. Ohm. In this formula theterm V represents voltage and
Rrepresents resistance.
I =V/R
Resistivity is the relation of resistance,area, and current and is written as:

 = R (A/I)
Generalizing the Concept.
Figure 1 represents a generalized configuration of a soil resistivity
measurement figure 1In this configuration we see that thecurrent
measurement is takenthrough the voltage source where thepositive end is
considered the source,and the negative end is considered thesink. For
convenience, we label theseC1 and C2. The voltage measurement is
represented by P1 and P2, and inboth cases it does not matter which
islabeled 1 or 2. The distances r1, r2, r3,r4 represent the distances
betweenposts. The curved lines runningthrough the ground from C1 to
C2represent how the current may flowthrough a homogeneous soil. Usingthe
below formula we can solve forthe resistivity [1].
4131211112
rrrr IV
This is also known as the apparent resistivity.
413121111
2
rrrr IV
A
The apparent resistivity is a samplingof one location. Multiple samplingswill
help to discern variation in