Induced Potential

Group 12 Liyana Ahmed Elyse

Introduction

Induced Potential/ Polarisation (IP) is a technique of measuring an induced potential field in the ground in order to map the geological subsurface. From measurements of the induced potential field the chargeability and resistivity of the subsurface can be calculated.

Physical Principles

Anode and the cathode of an electrolytic cell become polarized upon the passage of an electrical current through the cell.

This effect provides a means of detecting metallic minerals in the earth either in the form of solid ore bodies or as disseminated particles and forms the basis for the induced polarization.
It Consists of first inducing polarization on a metallic mass and subsequently detecting that polarization.

The presence of the mass will distort the current flow in a manner governed by the relative resistivity of the metal and the surrounding rock.

Physical Principles

The surface along which the current filaments enter the mass corresponds to the cathode of an equivalent electrolytic cell, and the surface where they leave to the anode A direct current will polarize the mass , positive on the side where the current enters and negative where it leaves.

If the current is interrupted, the dipole on the mass will dissipate itself by sending a current through the surrounding medium. The recorder will indicate the ohmic drop caused by this polarization current.

Electrical dipole

Measurement Techniques
Time domain IP ( Pulse transient)
Frequency domain (Using harmonic signals) Traditional variable -frequency IP, using two or more frequencies of < 10Hz Phase domain -measure phase delays between current and voltage Spectral IP -measure phases and amplitudes at frequencies 10-3 to 4103 Hz

Time Domain IP

Time domain IP involves transmitting current into the ground and then switching it off. The current flow induces a potential field which the receivers measure during the on and off time.

Time Domain IP
The voltage peaks during the on-time and begins to decay as soon as the current is switched off. From the on-time peak voltage measurement the apparent resistivity can be calculated. Chargeability is calculated from the off-time measurements of the transient voltage decay.

Frequency Domain IP
In frequency domain IP an alternating current is transmitted into the ground at a low frequency which induces a potential field in the subsurface. The receivers measure the phase shift in the signal and from this the chargeability and resistivity can be calculated.

Implementation
Apparatus: Electrodes, data recorder, current transmitter, power source for transmitter, receiver Procedure: 1. Four electrodes are used; 2 to transmit current, 2 to receive current. 2. Current is transmitted to ground, and is switched on and off rapidly. 3. Current flow induces potential field, which the receivers measure during the on and off time. 4. Data obtained by receivers are recorded.

Electrode Arrangements
Factors that affect choice of electrode array (in order of relative importance):
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1. Signal-to-noise ratio

2. EM coupling rejection 3. Survey speed and economy 4. Resolution of subsurface bodies 5. Array symmetry 6. Other matters such as safety, topographic effect, communication and ease of interpretation.
Dipole-Dipole electrode arrangement is most commonly used in measuring Induced Potential.

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Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

0 Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 4

Chargeability

Measurement of IP effect (ratio of Vp, over-voltage to Vo, primary voltage)

(units : mV/V or %)

In reality, apparent chargeability (Ma) is measured: Area (A) beneath the voltage-time decay curve over a time interval (t1 to t2) and normalized by the supposed steadystate primary voltage, Vo

(units of mVs/V)

Frequency Effect

Frequency Effect in Frequency-Domain is equivalent to Chargeability in Time-Domain.

Pseudosection
IP data & resistivity data recorded, plotted in section form called pseudosection.
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Horizontal dimension: Distance Vertical dimension: Electrode spacings used to take the measurements
* In this profile the elevation of ground surface has also been incorporated.

Applications
Induced potential is used identify: Minerals (sulphide) Metal bearing zones(iron) Polarizable materials(clay) Surface materials(ores) Ground water contamination Fracture zones

Applications
It measures resistivity Measures permeability Maybe used to locate pipe or cable Detects up normality of electrical properties Geothermal exploration

Advantages
Deep depth investigation High signal to noise-ratio Data can be collected with other activities (e.g. resistivity survey) Improves the resolution of the analysis of resistivity data

Limitations

Induced potential requires: Experience More power Relatively large areas Relatively more crew members Electrodes to be inserted in the ground Costly Data cannot be interpreted easily Not suitable in hard and dry ground

Used in mapping Techniques: Different Geological Time-Domain & Electrode Subsurface Frequency Domain Arrangements & Distances

Induced Potential
Limitations of Technique Chargeability, Frequency Effect & Resistivity used to produce Pseudosection

Physical Properties Wide Range of Applications

Thank You