Hydrochemical Approach of Mechanical Degradation of the Séchilienne Unstable Slope

Abstract

Water chemistry is a very fine signal which allows fine location in time and space of the arrival of infiltration water inducing mechanical instability pulses of the landslide. This tool is designed to understand the complex relationship between chemical weathering, hydromechanical changes and weakening/motion of the unstable rock slope. For this purpose, a hydrogeochemical groundwater monitoring has been established since 2010 on the site of Séchilienne (France). Electrical conductivity is representative of the chemical signal generated by the degradation of the massif. The continuous measurement of this parameter is relevant to the site of Séchilienne and can replace chemical monitoring. The benefit of acquiring this data is threefold: real-time measurements, with a short time step, and inexpensive implementation work, enabling to use it as a tool for risk management.