Effects of seismic activity on the fluorescence signal of groundwater

Background Peroxy defects in minerals from stressed igneous and high grade metamorphic rocks release charge carriers which are highly mobile. This process is proposed as the main cause of observed pre-seismic phenomena such as infrared emission on the surface, positive air ionization or a change of ground water chemistry. The primary changes in groundwater chemistry is caused through an increase in oxidation on the rock-water-boundary. This can be detected by observing a rise in fluorescence due to an O. addition on an aromatic ring which can change a substance. For example a terephthalate can change from a non-fluorescent to a partially fluorescent compound due to O. additions.