Theory and numerical modeling of electrical self-potential signatures of unsaturated flow in melting snow

摘要: [1] We have developed a new theory and numerical model of electrical self-potential (SP) signals associated with unsaturated flow in melting snow. The is applicable to continuous natural melt as well transient phenomena such meltwater pulses tested using laboratory column experiments. SP fundamentally depend on the temporal evolution snow porosity flux, conductivity (EC), pH. infer reversal sign zeta potential (a fundamental property grain surfaces porous media) consistent well-known elution sequences ions that cause progressive increases decreases pH EC, respectively. Injection fully melted samples, containing entire range ions, into columns caused additional temporary reversals potential. Widely used empirical relationships between effective saturation, fraction, pH, porosity, size, permeability, are found be robust for modeling purposes. Thus nonintrusive measurements can serve proxies fluxes textural, hydraulic, or water quality parameters. Adaptation automated multisensor acquisition technology from other environmental applications thus promises bridge widely acknowledged gap spatial scales satellite remote sensing point properties. may therefore contribute solving wide problems related assessment resource availability, avalanche flood risk, amplification climatic forcing ice shelf, sheet, glacier dynamics.