SELF POTENTIAL METHOD

Electrical Prospecting (4 sks)

Dwa Desa warnana

Mineralization Potential
Mineralization Potential

Sato and Mooney theory

SP Measurement

Equipment required:
a. A pair of Porous pots
b. a digital multimeter (DVM) with a
high input impedance capable of a
reading accuracy of +/- 0.0001 volts
c. Wires
 SP Measurement

When the loaded pots are standing side by side in a hole

in the ground with the meter connected between them,
the reading should be less than 2 mV
 SP Measurement

The base pot is always attached to the negative lead of the voltmeter.
 SP Measurement
The arrangement:

1. Fixed base station

 SP Measurement
The arrangement:

2. Fixed electrode spread

 SP Measurement
The arrangement:

2. Leap frog
 SP Measurement
The arrangement:

2. Leap frog
 SP Measurement
• Noise:
– Telluric Current : Do not record SP data when the telluric
monitor shows telluric activity exceeding +/- 2.5 mV/100m
 SP Measurement
• Noise (cultural):
– Power lines : Base stations should not be located within
500m of any power lines
– Telephone lines (grounded): Base stations should not be
located within 500m of any telephone line.
– Metal pipes, gas lines, cased drill holes, railroad tracks. etc.
– Industry 
 SP Measurement
• Noise:
– Mistakes in polarity
– Electrode problems:
• Chemical different
• Sunlight
• Temperature
• Pot drift
• High contact resistance
• Soil moisture
SP Interpretation
SP Interpretation
SP Interpretation
 Next…
• Quantitative Interpretation :
– Satyanarayana Murty, B.V., Haricharen, P., 1985.
Nomogram for the complete interpretation of spontaneous
potential profiles over sheet-like and cylindrical two-
dimensional sources. Geophysics 50, 1127– 1135
– Bhattacharya, B.B., Roy, N., 1981. A note on the use of a
nomogram for self- potential anomalies. Geophysical
Prospecting 29, 102– 107.
– Yungul, S., 1950. Interpretation of spontaneous
polarization anomalies caused by spheroidal ore bodies.
Geophysics 15, 237– 246.