Part II: Self Potential Method and

Induced Polarization (IP)

Self-potential method (passive)

Self-potential mechanism
Measurement of self potentials and interpretation

Induced polarization method (active)

Sources of the IP effect

IP measurements: TD and FD

1. Self-potential method
Basic idea: measure natural potential differences in the subsurface
(without injecting current)
Origin of SP:
Spontaneous polarization occurs about dissimilar materials, near
varying concentrations of electrolytic solutions (electrochemical
effects), and due to the flow of fluids (electrokinetic effect).
The controlling factor is underground water, be it simply by flowing
through pore space (streamline potential), be it by electrochemical
effects (for example, corrosion/weathering)
Where do we find (large) SPs:
zones containing sulfides, magnetite, graphite
(natural batteries)

Advantage:
measurement is simple
very well suited for detecting metallic bodies in the subsurface

Drawback:
Qualtitative, low penetration depth (30 m)
SP measurements useful for resisitivity measurements to eliminate noise
(background voltages)

Electrokinetic effects interesting for engineering purposes:

- Flow of gasses and fluids in pipes
- leakage of a reservoir within the foundation or abutment of a dam
- movement of ionic fluids to or within the groundwater
- flow of geothermal fluids
- movement of water into or through a karst system

2. Mechanism of self-potential
Four different electrical potentials are recognized:
A) Streaming potential
caused by flow of a liquid with certain electrical properties
under a pressure gradient through a membrane, pipe, capillary,
or porous medium (with different electrical properties).

Ek =

1
4

P k

Ek = resulting electrokinetic potential;

Ek > 0 if higher potential is on the high pressure side

= adsorption potential of double layer between solid and solution)

k = solution dielectric constant (= effective permittivitiy )
P = pressure difference (causing fluid flow through pore space)
= electrical resistivity
= viscosity

Adsorption potential of and potential drop across solid-liquid double layer

Zeta potential ( ) is the electric potential that exists at the "slip plane"
that is, at the interface between the hydrated particle and the bulk solution

Advective electric current

=>=>

Counterbalanced by return flow

(electromigration) <=

Steady state:
=>=> + <= = steady voltage (streaming potential)

Electrokinetic decontamination (remediation) of soils:

Electroosmotic potential is proportional to potential

but varies with soil type, pH, as well as with type and
concentration of ions in the solution
=> determine potential before treatment

Variation of of
soils (kaolinite)
with surfactant
concentration

Effect of pH on
potential of soils with
103 M AlCl3 in the
presence of 103 M
surfactant
concentrations

B) Liquid-junction, or diffusion, potential is caused by the

displacement of ionic solutions of dissimilar concentrations.

RT ( I a I c ) C1
Ed =
ln
Fn( I a + I c ) C2
R = gas constant , 8.31 (J/K)
F = Faraday constant 9.65 104 (C/mol)
T = absolute temperature in K
Ia = mobility of anions
Ic = mobility of cations
C = solution concentration

Na+Cl-: Ia/Ic=1.49 (@25C) =>

C1
Ed [mV] = 11.6 ln
C2

C) Nernst, or shale, potential occurs when similar conductors

have a solution of differing concentrations about them.

RT C1
Es =
ln
Fn C2

C1

n=1 => Es [ mV] = 59.1 ln

C2

Combined diffusion and shale potential:

Electrochemical self-potential

Na+Cl-:

Es [mV] = 70.7

[C ] + 273
273

C1
ln
C2

D) Mineralization, or electrolytic contact, potential is produced at the

surface of a conductor with another medium.

2. Induced polarization (IP) method

1. Time-domain IP

Chargeability M

3 sec charging time, then 1 sec integration

a) normal distribution of ions in a porous sandstone;

b) membrane polarization due to an applied DC voltage

electrode polarization due to an applied DC voltage

Frequency-domain IP
0.1 Hz
10 Hz

0.1 10
PFE = 100
10
0.1 10
PFE = 2 10
0.1 10
5

PFE=Percentage frequency effect

MF= Metal factor