Electric potential variations associated with periodic spring discharge inwestern Nepal

Electric potential variations were recorded in the vicinity of the Dhor Bar ahi periodic spring located southeast of Pokhara, western Nepal. This sprin g flows for a few minutes, with a repetition rate of about 30 min. During w ater flow, positive electric potential pulses with an amplitude varying fro m 0.17 to 0.36 mV are observed on the ground surface, and negative pulses w ith an amplitude of 8.4 mV in the water channel. These observations provide a striking illustration of the electrokinetic effect. Such electric potent ial measurements may be used in the future to monitor hydraulic systems and may also improve our understanding of electrical effects associated with n atural systems. ((C) Academie des sciences/Elsevier, Paris.)