Introduction

• A potential that originates spontaneously in the ground is called a self-potential.

• SP method is passive method, the depth of penetration is limited to about 30m

• In SP method the groundwater plays a key role by acting as an electrolyte.

• SP method is the cheapest geophysical method in terms of equipment's and operation

Use of SP method: Types of Potential

• It is widely used for geothermal, environmental,

and engineering applications to help locate and
delineate sources associated with the movement of
thermal fluids and groundwater.

• Mapping of seepage flow associated with dams,

dikes, and reservoir floors, and delineation of flow
patterns in the vicinity of water wells, faults,
landslides, and sinkholes
 Origin of SP

Electrochemical Potential

• Most self-potentials have an electrochemical origin. For example, if the ionic concentration in an electrolyte
varies with location, the ions tend to diffuse through the electrolyte so as to equalize the concentration. The
diffusion is driven by an electric diffusion potential, which depends on the temperature as well as the difference
in ionic concentration.

• If two identical electrodes are inserted in the ground, variations in concentration of the electrolyte cause
different electrochemical reactions at each electrode. A potential difference arises, called the Nernst potential.

• The combined diffusion and Nernst potentials are called the electro chemical / static / self potential.

• For a Nacl solution ( at different concentration of C1 and C2), the electro chemical potential will be -

In millivolts
 Origin of SP

Electro kinetic Potential:

• Some self-potentials have a mechanical origin. When an electrolyte is forced to flow through a narrow pipe, a
potential difference (voltage) may arise between the ends of the pipe. Its amplitude depends on the electrical
resistivity and viscosity of the electrolyte, and on the pressure difference that causes the flow. The voltage is due
to differences in the electro kinetic or streaming potential, which in turn is influenced by the interaction
between the liquid and the surface of the solid (an effect called the zeta-potential).

• The voltage can be positive or negative and may amount to some hundreds of millivolts. This type of self-
potential can be observed in conjunction with seepage of water from dams, or the flow of groundwater
through different lithological units.
 Origin of SP

Mineral Potential
• They are most commonly associated with sulfide ores, such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite, but also with
graphite and some metallic oxides.

• Large negative anomaly can be observed over these mineral bodies (100 – 1000 mv).

• The origin of the mineralization type of self-potential is still obscure, despite decades of applied investigations. At
one time it was thought that the effect arose from galvanic action.

• Another mechanism for self-potential depends on variations in

oxidation (redox) potential with depth. The ground above the
water table is more accessible to oxygen than the submersed
part, so moisture above the water table contains more oxidized
ions than that below it
 Source of SP anomalies

• SP potential consists of two components, one of which is constant and unidirectional and other fluctuates with
time. The constant component is due to electrochemical process and other is due to alternating currents induced
by thunder – storms and earths magnetic field, which is called background potential.

Negative
( hundreds of millivolts)
Positive or
Negative

Positive
(tens of millivolts)
 SP surveying

• The equipment needed for an SP survey is very simple. It consists of a sensitive high-impedance digital voltmeter
to measure the natural potential difference between two electrodes implanted in the ground. Simple metal stakes
are inadequate as electrodes (non – polarizable electrode).

• Gradient method: The gradient method employs a fixed separation

between the electrodes, of the order of 10 m. The potential
difference is measured between the electrodes, then the pair is
moved forward along the survey line. ‘Leapfrog’ technique
(interchange the electrodes) is used to avoid polarization error.

• Total field method: The total field method utilizes a fixed electrode
at a base station outside the area of exploration and a mobile
measuring electrode. With this method the total potential is
measured directly at each station.

• The total field method results in smaller cumulative error than the
gradient method. It allows more flexibility in placing the mobile
electrode and usually gives data of better quality
 Interpretation of SP data

• Similar to gravity and magnetic data interpretation, in SP data, profiles

plotted in known directions across the anomaly can be compared with
curves generated from simple models of the source.

• For example, a polarized sphere may be used to model the source of

approximately circular anomalies, while a horizontal line source (or
polarized cylinder) may be used to model an elongate anomaly.
 Interpretation of SP data

• SP method has been used in base metal exploration, to detect the presence of massive ore bodies, in contrast to
the IP method which is used to investigate disseminated ore bodies.

• SP method has been increasingly used in groundwater & geothermal investigations, environmental and
engineering applications.

• SP method ranks as the cheapest of surface geophysical methods in terms of equipment necessary and amongst
the simplest to operate in the field.

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