Dielectric properties of frozen clay and silt soils
The dielectric properties of a clay and a silt soil have been studied at low water saturations at temperatures between −100°C and −15°C. The frequency range of the study (20 Hz–300 kHz) is lower than most other studies on permafrost. The results show a clear change in phase of the water in the soil...
Published in: | Cold Regions Science and Technology |
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Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
Elsevier
1993
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517918/ https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(93)90070-O |
Summary: | The dielectric properties of a clay and a silt soil have been studied at low water saturations at temperatures between −100°C and −15°C. The frequency range of the study (20 Hz–300 kHz) is lower than most other studies on permafrost. The results show a clear change in phase of the water in the soil at between −65°C and −80°C. The water can be modelled in terms of a thin layer of mobile molecules on the surfaces of soil particles. At low temperatures this layer has a non-Debye-like dielectric dispersion unlike that found for both water or ice. The relaxation frequency of the dispersion and its high activation energy are similar to those found for the quasi-liquid layer on ice particles. At temperatures above the phase transition, the dielectric dispersion is more Debye-like and indicates the presence of low frequency dispersion. We interpret this as due to a thin film of concentrated salt solution lining the soil particle pores giving rise to interfacial polarizations. |
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