Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

A New Model For The Spectral Induced Polarization Signature Of Bacterial Growth In Porous Media, Andre Revil, Estella A. Atekwana, C. Zhang, Abderrahim Jardani, Schaun M. Smith

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The complex conductivity of porous materials and colloidal suspensions comprises two components: an in-phase conductivity associated with electromigration of the charge carriers and a quadrature conductivity associated with the reversible storage of the charges at some polarization length scales. We developed a quantitative model to investigate the frequency domain induced polarization response of suspensions of bacteria and bacteria growth in porous media. Induced polarization of bacteria (α polarization) is related to the properties of the electrical double layer of the bacteria. Surface conductivity and α polarization are due to the Stern layer of counterions occurring in a brush of polymers …