Variation of electrical resistivity of river sands, calcite, and quartz powders with water content

Abstract

Abstract Measurements of the variation in resistivity with moisture content of samples of graded river sands and powdered calcite and quartz are reported. In materials of similar grain size, resistivity was found to depend on both the amount and salinity of the moisture. The value of the critical saturation index increases with decreasing grain size, and can be correlated with the capacity of the material to retain moisture. Implications for electrical resistivity prospecting for water are noted.