Self Potential (SP) Method

By
Prof. P. R. Mohanty
Department of AGP
IIT (ISM), Dhanbad
Introduction
 The self-potential (or spontaneous polarization) method is based on the surface measurement of natural
potential differences resulting from electrochemical reactions in the subsurface.

 There is no need of electric currents to be injected into the ground as in the RESISTIVITY & IP
methods.

 Typical SP anomalies may have an amplitude of several hundred millivolts with respect to barren ground.

 It has been used in base metal exploration, to detect the presence of massive ore bodies usually
associated with deposits of metallic sulphides, magnetite or graphite.

 It is one of the cheapest of surface geophysical methods in terms of equipment necessary and amongst
the simplest to operate in the field.
Origin of SP Method
 SP method is passive, i.e. differences in natural ground potentials are measured between any two
points on the ground surface.

 The potentials measured can range from < a millivolt (mV) to > 1 Volt.

 + or – sigh of the potential is an important diagnostic factor in the interpretation of SP anomalies.

 Self‐potentials are generated by a number of natural sources (exact physical processes still
unclear).

 SP are usually caused by charge separation in clay or other minerals, due to presence of semi-
permeable interface impeding the diffusion of ions through the pore space of rocks, or by natural
flow of a conducting fluid through the rocks.
Origin of SP Method
The origin of SP across formation can be attributed to two processes involving the movement of

ions:

1. Streaming potential (Ek): It originates from the flow of an electrolyte (water) over naturally

charged solids (i.e., surfaces that acquired electro-kinetic or zeta potential). The streaming

potential appears when mud filtrate is forced into the formation under the differential pressure

between mud column and formation. The streaming potential is produced when the flow takes

place across mud-cake in front of permeable formations, across permeable formations being

invaded, and across shale beds. It is generally accepted that the streaming potential across the

mud-cake is compensated by that across the shale. As such, in most cases, the spontaneous

potential measured is only related to the electrochemical potential.

2. Electrochemical potential (Ec): It is the sum of liquid
junction or diffusion potential (EJ), and membrane
potential (EM).
Liquid junction potential is established at the direct
contact of the mud filtrate and formation water at the
edge of the invaded formation.
Membrane Potential develops when two electrolytes of
different ionic concentrations, such as mud and formation
water, are separated by shale. The clay minerals in shale
are usually made up of atom Al, Si, and O.
The ideal spontaneous potential across clean bed is
known as Static SP (SSP), and defined as follow:
SSP = −K log10 (Rmfe/Rwe),
Figure: Electrochemical Potential: Liquid junction
Rmfe and Rwe are equivalent mud filtrate resistivity and & membrane potential

equivalent formation water resistivity respectively.

Type of SP Anomalies and Their Geological Sources
 Mechanism of SP
 Below the water table electrolytes in the pore fluids
undergo oxidation and release electrons which are
conducted upwards through the ore body.
 At the top of the body the released electrons cause
reduction of the electrolytes.
 A circuit thus exists in which current is carried
electrolytically in the pore fluids and electronically in the
body so that the top of the body acts as a negative
terminal.
 This explains the negative SP anomalies that are
invariably observed and, also, their stability as the ore
body itself undergoes no chemical reactions and merely
Figure: The mechanism of Self-Potential (SP)
serves to transport electrons from depth.
anomalies
 As a result of the subsurface currents, potential
differences are produced at the surface.
Types of SP
 There are a few types of SP :
1.Electrokinetic potential
2. Thermoelectric potential
3. Electrochemical potential
4. Mineral/mineralization potential
 Electrokinetic potential: Flowing of fluid electrolyte) through a capillary or porous medium generates
potentials along the flow path.
 The potentials are alternatively called as electrofiltration, electromechanical or streaming potentials. The
effect is believed to be due to electrokinetic coupling between the fluid ions and the walls of the capillary.
 The electrokinetic potential (Ek) generated between the ends of the capillary passage is given by

 where; = Dielectric permittivity of pore fluid, = Electrical resistivity of pore fluid, = Electrofiltration coupling
coefficient, = Pressure difference, = Dynamic viscosity of pore fluid
Electrokinetic potential:

Ek gradient is in the same direction as the pressure gradient, i.e. opposite to the
direction of the electrolyte flow.

Ek normally provides amplitudes of some mV to several hundreds of mV.

Ek can be found associated with flow of subsurface water and thermal fluids

Ek effects have been observed over zones of water leakage through fissures in
the rock floor of reservoirs, over terrains with large elevation changes, and in
geothermal areas.
 Thermoelectric potential:

 Potential gradient will appear across a rock sample a temperature gradient is maintained across
the rock sample.

 Thermoelectric coupling coefficient (TEC) is defined as the ratio of the voltage to the temperature
difference‐‐‐> TEC=ΔV/ΔT

 TEC values of rocks vary from ‐0.09 to + 1.36 mV/°C average ~ 0.27 mV/°C

 SP generated from TE potentials are of smaller amplitudes than usually seen in geothermal areas.

 More concentrated areas of high temperature at shallow depth, such as thermal fluids in a fault
zone, could give rise to anomalies of greater amplitude.

 Boundaries of SP anomalies measured in several geothermal areas appear to correlate with zones
of known anomalous high heat flow‐‐‐‐>portion of anomalies is generated by TE mechanism.
 Electrochemical potential:

 If the concentration of the electrolytes in the ground varies locally, potential differences are set

up due to the difference in mobilities of anions and cations in solutions of different

concentrations‐‐‐called liquid‐junction or diffusion potentials.

 For this mechanism to explain the continued occurrence of such potentials, a source capable of

maintaining imbalances in the electrolytic concentration is needed, otherwise the concentrations

differences will disappear with time by diffusion.

 Electrical potential is also generated when 2 identical metal electrodes are immersed in

solutions of different concentrations‐‐‐ called Nernst potential.

 Diffusion + Nernst potentials = Electrochemical, or static, selfpotential.

Mineral potential:

It is the most important in mineral exploration of associated with massive sulphide ore bodies.

Large negative (‐) SP anomalies (100‐1000mV) can be observed particularly over deposits of

pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, and graphite.

The potentials are almost invariably negative over the top of the deposit and are quite stable in

time.

Sato and Mooney (1960) have provided the most complete explanation of the electrochemical

processes caused the observed SP anomalies.

However this hypothesis does not explain all the occurrences of the SP indicates that the actual

physical processes are more complicated and no yet truly understood.

Field Procedure To Conduct SP Survey

Field equipment consists simply of a pair of electrodes connected via a high-impedance milli-
voltmeter. The electrodes must be non-polarizing as simple metal spikes would generate their own
SP effects.

Non-polarizing electrodes consist of a metal immersed in a saturated solution of its own salt, such
as copper in copper sulphate.

The salt is contained in a porous pot which allows slow leakage of the solution into the ground.

Station spacing is generally less than 30m.

Traverses may be performed by leapfrogging successive electrodes or, more commonly, by fixing
one electrode in barren ground and moving the other over the survey area.
Measurement of Self‐potentials
• 2 field techniques or 2 electrode configurations

1.Potential gradient method (dipole/leap frog/gradient configuration)

 Fix separation of 2 electrodes (5 or 10 m)
 Measure potential difference between 2 electrodes = potential gradient [mV/V]
 2 porous are leap‐frogged along traverse with care of correct polarity of potential recorded
 Observation points = midpoint between 2 electrodes

2.Potential amplitude, or total field method (fixed‐base) configuration

 Keep one electrode fixed at a base station
 Measure potential difference [mV] between base & 2 nd electrodes moving along traverse
 Lower level of cumulative errors & confusing polarity
 Disadvantages of transporting long wire
Applications of SP
 In Boreholes: The most useful SP component is the electrochemical potential, since it can cause a significant deflection
opposite permeable beds. The magnitude of the deflection depends mainly on the salinity contrast between borehole and
formation fluid, and the clay content of the permeable bed. The SP log is therefore useful in detecting permeable beds and to
estimate formation water salinity and formation clay content. Due to the nature of the electric current, SP can only be recorded
in conductive mud.

 Determination of Rw: As established earlier, static SP is defined as follow: SSP = −K log10 (Rmfe/Rwe),

 Static SP (SSP) can be obtained directly from the SP curve if the bed is clean, thick, porous, permeable, and only moderately
invaded. When these conditions are not met, the recorded SP will need to be corrected. Various correction charts are available
for this purpose. To convert the measured mud filtrate resistivity R mf into an equivalent mud filtrate resistivity R mf the
following rules are employed:

 If Rmf at 75 °F is greater than 0.1 Ω·m, use R mfe = 0.85 Rmf at formation temperature.

 If Rmf at 75 °F is less than 0.1 Ω·m, derive R mfe from Rmf using Schlumberger Chart SP-2 or equivalent.

 Schlumberger Chart SP-2 can then be used to convert R we to obtain Rw.

 On the surface: Electrodes can be placed on the ground surface to map relative changes in the SP value (in millivolts, or mV),
typically with the goal of identifying the path of groundwater flow in the subsurface, or seepage from an earthen dam. A
voltmeter measures the voltage between a fixed liquid junction electrode and a mobile one (rover), which is moved along a
dam face or over an area of investigation to collect multiple readings. Anomalies observed may indicate groundwater
Interpretation of SP Anomalies
 The interpretation of SP anomalies is similar to magnetic interpretation because dipole fields are involved in both
cases.
 It is thus possible to calculate the potential distributions around polarized bodies of simple shape such as spheres,
ellipsoids and inclined sheets by making assumptions about the distribution of charge over their surfaces.
 Most interpretation, however, is qualitative.

 The anomaly minimum is assumed to occur directly over the anomalous body, although it may be displaced downhill
in areas of steep topography. The anomaly half-width provides a rough estimate of depth.
 The symmetry or asymmetry of the anomaly provides information on the attitude of the body, the steep slope and
positive tail of the anomaly lying on the down-dip side.
 The SP method is only of minor importance in exploration. This is because quantitative interpretation is difficult and
the depth of penetration is limited to about 30m. It is, however, a rapid and cheap method requiring only simple field
equipment.
 Consequently, it can be useful in rapid ground reconnaissance for base metal detection when used in conjunction with
magnetic, electromagnetic and geochemical techniques. It has also been used in hydrogeological investigations,
geothermal prospecting and the detection of air-filled drainage galleries.
Common Minerals Showing SP Anomalies

Figure shows the SP profile over a sulphide ore

body in Turkey which contains copper
concentrations of up to 14%.The SP anomaly is
negative and has an amplitude of some 140mV.

The steep topography has displaced the

anomaly minimum downhill from the true
location of the ore body.

Figure: The SP anomaly over a sulphide ore

body at Sariyer,Turkey. (After Yüngül 1954.)
Figure: SP anomalies due to (A): two graphite bodies with axes of polarization inclined away from
each other (in syncline) and (B): inclined towards each other (in anticline), (after Meiser, 1962).
Figure: SP profile across massive sulfides, Senneterre Area, Quwbec