Characterizing the streaming potential and electroosmosis properties of porous media is essential in applying seismoelectric and electroseismic phenomena for oil exploration. Some parameters such as porosity, permeability, formation factor, pore size, the number of pores, and the zeta potential of the samples can be obtained from elementary measurements. We performed streaming potential and electro-osmosis measurements for 6 unconsolidated samples made of spherical polymer particles. To check the validity of the measurements, we also used alternative analysis to determine the average pore size of the samples and, moreover, used a sample made of sand particles to determine the zeta potential. 1. Introduction Recently, seismoelectric and electroseismic conversions which arise due to the coupling of seismic waves and electromagnetic waves have been studied in order to investigate oil and gas reservoirs [1] or hydraulic reservoirs [2–4]. These phenomena have been used to deduce the depth and the geometry of the reservoir [5]. The coupling coefficients of conversion between electric wave and flow depend strongly on the fluid conductivity, porosity, permeability, formation factor, pore size, zeta potential of porous media, and other properties of the rock formation [6]. Therefore, determining these parameters is very important in studying electrokinetics in general and to model seismoelectric and electroseismic conversions. Li et al. [7] used two reciprocal electrokinetic phenomena known as streaming potential and electro-osmosis by Ac measurement to determine the effective pore size and permeability of porous media. In [8], the authors used image analysis to determine the number of pores per cross-sectional area of porous samples (see Figure 1 for the schematic of the porous medium with different length scales). This parameter is especially important in processes of contaminant removal from low-permeability porous media under a Dc electric field [8], and in building electro-osmosis micropumps [9]. Figure 1: Schematic of the porous medium with different length scales: sample scale, grain scale, and pore scale. However, the method used in [8] did not work for porous media with very small pores such as Bentonite clay soils or tight-gas sandstones (the pore radius is smaller than 1？μm) that are relevant for application in the oil and gas industry. In oil exploration and production, the typical pore sizes in rocks are necessary information for considering the location of oil and fluid flow through the rocks. The characteristics of porous media also determine
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