Method Development for Waste Site Characterization Using TAU-Transformation of IP Curves

The induced polarization method is an effective geophysical method of ore exploration. It is well known that both the time-domain and frequency-domain IP measurements are capable to detect even small amounts of the metallic minerals. On the other hand, the metallic content is not the only factor resulting in polarizability of the medium; filtration- and membrane effects as well as electrochemical (redox) properties can also lead to similar phenomena. Induced Polarization is a very useful geophysical method also in the detection and characterization of environmental spots mainly waste sites. For the interpretation of IP curves the TAU-transform method was introduced by Turai (1985). Combining the TAU transform method and the tools of inverse problem theory a general algorithm for the determination of the time-constant spectrum of the polarizability data is available for the general case of continuous spectra. Some results of the interpretation of field data collected over Hungarian waste sites (Nyékládháza - 1997-2004, Ráckeve - 1997, Kecskemét - 1997, Győröcske - 1999, Pásztó - 2000, Tokaj - 2001, Balmazújváros - 2002, Szerencs - 2003 and Tiszaújváros - 2004) will be presented in lecture and (based on the time-constant spectra) the characterization of the main components of the contaminating material is given.