Natural-Source (Passive) Electrical Methods: Spontaneous Polarization (Self-Potential, SP) Method
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ابوبكر عبد الباقيNatural-Source (Passive) Electrical Methods: Spontaneous Polarization (Self-Potential, SP) Method
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ابوبكر عبد الباقيGEOL 335.
Natural-source (passive)
electrical methods
Spontaneous Polarization
(Self-Potential, SP) Method
Occurrence and origin of self-potentials;
Measurement
Interpretation
Case Histories
Magnetotelluric (MT) method
Origin and characteristics
Measurement
Interpretation
Reading:
Reynolds, Chapter 8,
Telford et al., Chapter 6.
GEOL 335.3
Self-potential anomalies
Mineralization potentials:
Graphite, coal, sulphite ores (pyrite,
chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena), magnetite and
other electronically conductive materials]
Negative potentials, 100's of mV.
Quartz veins, pegmatites
Positive, 10's of mV
Background potentials (although of primary
interest in, e.g., hydrogeological investigations)
Fluid streaming, geochemical reactions
Positive or negative, < 100 mV.
Bioelectric (plants)
Negative potentials, < 300 mV.
Topography
Negative, <2V.
GEOL 335.3
Origin of self-potentials
Oxidation-Reduction Reaction
Groundwater is responsible for the various
processes leading to self-potentials:
water acting as electrolyte;
water acting as a solvent for various materials;
water flow.
Electrochemical potentials
Reduction
(gain electronscathodic)
Oxidation
(electrons are lost
from the solution anodic reaction)
Electrokinetic potentials
GEOL 335.3
Measurement of self-potentials
Two electrodes...
Should be non-polarizing;
metal electrode in its own salt (e.g., Cu in Cu2SO4);
porous pots that allow solution to leak slowly through
and make contact to the ground.
...and a millivoltmeter
Digital DC meter with input impedance ~108 .
Field arrangement:
Check the electrodes
periodically for < 2mV
differences side by side;
Use one fixed base
station or leap-frog
across the strike of the
measured anomaly
30 m to several km
apart.
Create SP profiles or maps
GEOL 335.3
SP Interpretation
Primarily qualitative;
May need corrections for telluric (large-scale
surveys) and bioelectric potentials.
Depth to the source body is about of the width of
SP anomaly;
Attitude of the
body can be
judged from the
asymmetry of the
anomaly.
GEOL 335.3
Effect of overburden on SP
Clay cover
may remove
surface SP
effects...
Sand overburden
Clay overburden
GEOL 335.3
SP case history
(Meiser, 1962)
Graphite
bodies in
folded
gneisses
GEOL 335.3
SP case history
(Sennetere area, Quebec, from Telford et al.)
Very strong SP anomalies caused by massive
sulfides
GEOL 335.3
Telluric currents
Electromagnetic waves generated by the
ionospheric currents, electric storms
EM waves bounce back and forth between it
and Earth's surface
Frequencies of 10-5-105 Hz (~10-3-103 used in TM);
Substantial vertical component of wave propagation
GEOL 335.3
Telluric current
Variations throughout the day
Note that high-frequency variations are below
~50% within 6-8-hr periods around 2pm.
Telluric current
Azimuthal variations
throughout the day
Note that
azimuthal
variations are
also low around
2pm.
This provides a
convenient
time window
for TM
measurements.
GEOL 335.3
GEOL 335.3
Telluric current
measurements
Currents cannot be measured directly
So, mesuring the corresponding potential
gradients near the surface
Using pairs of non-polarising electrodes on the surface
or boreholes. Spacing < 30 m for mineral exploration,
100-600 m for structural studies or oil exploration;
Lead plates, or steel or brass stakes are also commonly
used for frequencies above 1 Hz;
At each station, using two orthogonal electrode pairs (to
capture the direction of telluric current).
Using two electrode spreads (one moving and
one as a base station monitor)
Because telluric currents vary with time!
However, in a simplified scheme (<100 Hz used in
mineral exploration), when working around 2pm, base
station may be dispensed with.
GEOL 335.3
Magnetotelluric
measurements
Magnetic coils should by buried in a trench to avoid
shaking.
Audio-range
MT (AMT) can
also use
controlled
grounded
electric dipole
source.
Airloop vertical
magnetic sensor
for stony grounds
(where it is difficult
to dig a hole
Magnetic sensors
for 0.0002-400 Hz
Receiver with
A/D converter
AMT sensors
for 0.1-10000 Hz
MT system by Phoenix Geophysics
GEOL 335.3
Telluric interpretation
For a profile (axis X) across the strike of a linear
structure, H y , that is Hy = const along the
surface.
=0
Therefore, |Ex|2 , and apparent can be estimated by simply
measuring Ex at various frequencies.
Also, numerical modeling of Maxwell's equations can be
used possible distributions of (x,z).
E||
GEOL 335.3
Magnetotelluric interpretation
Measured quantity is the frequency-dependent
apparent resistivity (T is the EM period):
Ey
Hx
E
0.2T y
Hx
E in [mV/km],
H in [nT];
T in [sec]
For a single layer over a half-space (Cagniard, 1953):
2
a
where:
e
e
2
2
=
= 2z
2 e cos
2 e cos
=
1
,
2z
zs
0.004z
.
1
Use precomputed master curves of a/1:
Plot f and a in log scales;
Find 1 and 2/1;
Find fs for which =/2, and: z
250
fs
400
fs
GEOL 335.3
AMT master curves
(2<1)
=/2
GEOL 335.3
AMT master curves
(2>1)
=/2
MT example
GEOL 335.3
Uranium mineralization, Coxwell Dome,
Northern Saskatchewan
