Consecutive geoelectric measurements reveal the downward movement of an oxidation zone

An investigation program for monitoring pyrite oxidation on a conveyer brid ge dump used geoelectric measurement for monitoring the progress of pyrite oxidation within the dump. The results of the geoelectric measurement show that low soil-pH and high pore water conductivity correlate with low soil r esistivity values. The soil resistivity values are dominated by high pore w ater conductivity. The influence of changes in water saturation on resistiv ity was comparably low. An increase in pyrite oxidation was observed in are as with high porosity due to low dump density. Consecutive geoelectric meas urements revealed locally differentiated downward movement of an oxidation zone caused by dump heterogeneity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.