We investigate the electrical response (0.1–1000 Hz) of reactive iron barriers by making measurements on zero valent iron ()-sand columns under the following conditions: (1) variable
surface area (0.1–100% by volume
under constant electrolyte chemistry; (2) variable electrolyte activity (0.01–1 mol/liter), valence (mono trivalent), and pH under constant
-sand composition; and (3) forced precipitation of iron hydroxides and iron carbonates on the
surface. We model the measurements in terms of conduction magnitude, polarization magnitude, and polarization relaxation time. Our key findings are: