DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF TIME-DOMAIN IP DECAY CURVES*

Data quality assessments have been made on time-domain induced polarization decay curves taken over sulphide ore bodies of Cyprus. The data were taken with the dipole-dipole, pole-dipole and symmetrical quadripole arrays. The results indicate that at larger array separations decay curves taken with the dipole-dipole and pole-dipole arrays are often seriously affected by noise, but that curves taken with the symmetrical quadripole array are not so affected. Optimum pseudo-sections designed to minimize the noise show that the noise results in spurious highs and lows. This work was carried out as part of a NERC research studentship at the University of Leicester.     

SIMPLE DATA PROCESSING OF TRIPOTENTIAL APPARENT RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS AS AN AID TO THE INTERPRETATION OF SUBSURFACE STRUCTURE*

The advantages of the Wenner tripotential method (Carpenter 1955) for apparent resistivity profiling are described and two new data processing techniques introduced as an aid to the interpretation of apparent resistivity sections (pseudo-sections). These techniques were developed from model data computed using a two-dimensional finite difference method. Oscillatory components present in anomalies on tripotential profiles and related to electrode spacing are shown to be effectively removed by linear filtering that also simplifies their form and aids recognition. Furthermore, it is shown that the ratio of the beta- and gamma-apparent resistivities is a good indicator of resistivity variation, and is particularly sensitive to lateral change. Model data indicates that, over a wide range of conditions, enough subsurface information can be obtained by inspection of tripotential resistivity and ratio profiles, and from space sections to make possible a useful—and sometimes semi-quantitative—interpretation. A rationale for the general interpretation of tripotential data is developed. Field data are described from an area of weathered granite basement in Nigeria. A model of the subsurface is developed using parameters derived from the processed observations. The observed and calculated apparent resistivity space sections are very similar.     

COMPUTER CALCULATION OF RESISTIVITY PSEUDOSECTIONS OF A BURIED SPHERICAL CONDUCTOR BODY*

The use of the electrical image method in calculating the potential of a source in the presence of a buried conductive sphere proves to be difficult because of the great number of terms making up the potential formula. The disadvantages contained by this method are avoided here by resorting to the theory of graphs. In view of this aim the “propagation” of the electrical images due to the sphere has been represented by an infinite graph to which an infinite matrix has been attached. Taking this as a basis several FORTRAN IV programs for the computation of resistivity pseudo-sections for various electrode configurations have been coded, and a great deal of such pseudo-sections have already been calculated with an IBM-360 computer. Using these results, recommendations regarding both the methodology of the geoelectrical prospecting of spherical shaped conductors and the most suitable way of building resistivity pseudo-sections are developed.     

Compiling and verifying 3D models of 2D induced polarization and resistivity data by geostatistical methods

A 3D model of collected time-domain induced polarization (IP) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data is compiled by geostatistical methods as well as studying spatial correlation among the database. Mesgaran copper deposit, located in Birjand eastern Iran, was chosen to compile and verify the model, leading to five parallel surveyed IP and ERT profiles with dipole–dipole arrays. The collected data were inverted, and then 2D models of IP and ER were prepared; also 3D inversion was done. Afterward, the 3D model has been built by geostatistical methods. Correspondingly, the anomalies threshold was detected by fractal methods and the estimation variance and Kriging efficiency were calculated to validate the modeling. The mineralization zones were determined according to the classified anomalies and those with the lowest error. Results indicated a high correlation between anomalies identified from the model and mineralization. The results made it possible to construct 3D models from surveyed 2D data with acceptable error level.     

COMBINED SOUNDING-PROFILING RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS WITH THE THREE-ELECTRODE ARRAYS*

A combination of DC-resistivity sounding and profiling measurements can be used to obtain the maximum information about distribution of resistivities in the earth. Combined sounding-profiling measurements with the AMN, MNB arrays are considered. The resistivity data from such measurements can be presented as: (a) normal sounding curves, (b) combined sounding-profiling curves, (c) profiling curves, (d) pseudo-sections, or as transformations obtained by the so-called gradient processing, to emphasize the influence of the target objects. The examples chosen from numerical modeling and field tests show the efficiency of measurements with three-electrode arrays to accurately locate thin conductors and contacts of lithological units of different resistivities. An interpreted cross-section is compared with the results of other geophysical measurements (VLF-R, dipole EM, Δ, IP) showing good correlation.     

TESTING THE TRANSIEL METHOD IN MINERAL AND GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION*

Transiel is the name given to a qualitative, time domain induced polarization (IP) method. The aim of the method is twofold: to locate and to distinguish between deep and shallow polarizable media. This discrimination is based on the data analysis, which distinguishes Transiel from the conventional IP methods. Two case histories are presented: one related to mineral prospecting and the other to geothermal exploration. The information supplied by Transiel on the deep polarizable layers is checked at each test site by an independent inversion of the recorded transients. At the mineral test site, the method correctly predicts the target location. In this particular survey, the maximum penetration depth of the method is 700 m. At the geothermal test site, a fair correlation is found between IP anomalies and the productive wells. Since the method's penetration depth does not exceed 500 m, we believe that the observed IP anomalies are related to reduction phenomena occurring in the overburden and leading to pyrite formation. We suppose that these phenomena are caused by thermochemical exchanges between the reservoir and the overburden above zones of high reservoir permeability.     

A Method to Remove Electromagnetic Coupling from Induced Polarization Data for an "Exponential" Earth Model

--The electromagnetic (EM) coupling effect in induced polarization (IP) data is an important problem. In many works it has been computed only considering homogeneous or layered earth models with discretely uniform conductivity. In this study, an algorithm has been developed to compute the EM coupling effect in IP data measured on the earth, whose conductivity varies (increases or decreases) exponentially with depth. The EM coupling effects for Percent Frequency Effect (PFE) and phase data are computed for a dipole-dipole array with different separations, however the method can be applied to any electrode array. The results obtained for the cases of increasing and decreasing conductivity as a function of depth indicate that the EM coupling effect strongly depends on the subsurface resistivity and the dipole length. Here an "exponential" earth model is considered to remove EM coupling from the IP data in frequency and phase domain. For this purpose, first, the region of pseudo-section is divided into segments, and within each segment a typical average apparent resistivity („_a) curve is constructed. An exponential conductivity model is fitted to average „_a data. The conductivity model is then used to compute EM responses. Next the data are corrected for the EM coupling contribution. This decoupling process is applied to field data from a galenite-pyrite mineralization area at the Dolluk site, in western Turkey. The results from the decoupling method developed here are compared with other techniques.     

ON THE POSSIBILITY OF THE TELLURIC METHOD: SOME RESULTS ON FAULTED STRUCTURES*

The telluric method of geophysical investigation is re-evaluated and several improvements are suggested. Besides the traditional Jacobian, several new parameters that bear information on the structure under investigation are proposed as sounding tools. These parameters are calculated for several two-dimensional models and plotted as pseudo-sections. The model results, calculated over a wide frequency band (10^-4-10^-2 Hz) suggest that these new parameters can give very detailed information about the subsurface structures. By way of example, we present experimental results obtained along two profiles across familiar structures. The interpretation of the results leads to two-dimensional models of the subsurface that are in good agreement with known geophysical and geological features of these two sections.     

Field test to compare 3D imaging capabilities of three arrays in a site with high resistivity contrast regions

The applicability of three kinds of electrode configurations used to delineate a buried horizontal pipe was studied. A 3D resistivity imaging survey was carried out along eight parallel lines using pole-pole, pole-dipole, and dipole-dipole arrays with 1m minimum electrode spacings. Roll-along measurements were carried out to cover a rectangular grid. The 2D and 3D least squares algorithms based on the robust inversion method were used in the inversion of the apparent resistivity data sets. The 2D inversion of data sets could not delineate the orientation and dimension of the subsurface anomalies clearly. To obtain more accurate results, a 3D joint inversion of the pole-pole and pole-dipole data sets was performed, as well as of pole-pole and dipole-dipole data sets. In this case, both horizontal and vertical dimensions of subsurface structures were resolved. The resulting model obtained from each array was compared to those of joint inversion method. The result showed that the horizontal resolution does not improve so much as that in the vertical direction when joint inversion is applied.     

两层大地中三维体的激发极化与电阻率响应的积分方程模拟

用散射、叠加方法推导出两层大地的并矢格林函数。使用这些函数,含三维异常体的二层大地的边值问题转变为积分方程。使用矩量法,可解此积分方程。 使用偶极-偶极装置计算了激发极化和电阻率响应的几个数值结果,并对这一算法作了几方面检验。     

三维电磁模拟技术及其在频率测深法中应用

利用现有的并矢格林函数和积分方程理论对轴向频率测深三维问题进行正演模拟，并讨论其精度．三维良导体或高阻体的存在对频率测深电场分量Ｅ_ｘ定义的视电阻率响应（振幅、相位）分布特征的影响各有其特殊的规律性．选择测量电极中心作为频率测深三维问题正演计算结果的记录点，既使视电阻率响应在异常体正上方获得最大异常，同时又使正演计算的拟断面图的异常分布与异常体之间有很好的对应关系．     

三维电磁模拟技术及其在频率测深法中应用

利用现有的并矢格林函数和积分方程理论对轴向频率测深三维问题进行正演模拟，并讨论其精度．三维良导体或高阻体的存在对频率测深电场分量Ｅｘ定义的视电阻率响应（振幅、相位）分布特征的影响各有其特殊的规律性．选择测量电极中心作为频率测深三维问题正演计算结果的记录点，既使视电阻率响应在异常体正上方获得最大异常，同时又使正演计算的拟断面图的异常分布与异常体之间有很好的对应关系．     

COMPARATIVE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRODE ARRAYS IN TIME-DOMAIN INDUCED POLARIZATION PROFILING *

Five test profiles in time-domain induced polarization measurements over conducting sulphide and graphite mineralisations were run with the two-electrode, three-electrode, modified unipole, pole-dipole, dipole-dipole, Schlumberger, and Wenner α and β configurations. The results show that, compared to the other electrode systems, the simplest two-electrode array produces the largest anomalies with the smallest of spacings.     

大功率激电在承德槽子沟金矿勘查中的应用

应用大功率激电法对深部隐伏矿体的探测是一种行之有效的方法。通过激电中梯对承德槽子沟金矿区进行激电面积性测量,圈定出与金矿伴生的金属硫化物及氧化物引起的激电异常分布区带,利用激电测深查明地下极化异常体的展布,而后结合已知地质、物性资料布置验证钻孔,并取得了较好的勘查效果。本文总结出利用大功率激电方法勘查隐伏金矿的行之有效工作模式,该找矿模式可广泛应用于同类隐伏金矿的勘探之中,必将有力提高物探方法寻找隐伏金矿的勘探水平。     

含激电效应的CSAMT一维正演研究

地电体对频率域电磁波激发源的响应为电磁感应和激电效应的综合响应.传统CSAMT法进行数据正反演时认为大地介质电阻率是与频率无关的实数,而实际上因为激电效应,地下可极化体的电阻率是一个与频率相关的复数.为推进二者总体响应研究,并扩展激电法的应用范围,同时提高电磁法勘探的精度,本文基于Dias模型,以复电阻率代替不考虑地电体极化效应的直流电阻率,对CSAMT场源一维层状模型进行了正演模拟,为提取CSAMT信号中所含激电信息提供理论基础.结果表明,考虑激电参数后,视电阻率及相位响应曲线出现明显异常（包括远场、过渡场、近场）;极化前后振幅比值异常峰值、相位差值异常峰值可直观体现激电异常;异常峰值与极化层层厚、埋深以及电阻率变化有连续的对应关系.认为从频率域电磁法信号中提取激电信息有乐观的前景.     

激发极化法的“饱和效应”问题

西格尔（H.O.Seigel）从理论计算得到导电颗粒含量为25％的极化球体有最大异常,因此认为:激发极化法只宜于寻找中等浸染程度的矿体,对于含量很高的矿体或良导致密型矿体,激发极化法是不行的。据称这种“饱和效应”的理论得到野外结果的证实。 本文根据我国激发极化法在良导致密型矿体上大都能获得明显视极化率异常的事实,说明西格尔的“饱和效应”理论与事实不符。本文认为良导致密型极化体不存在“饱和效应”问题,激发极化法对它们的勘探也是有效的。可能由于西格尔把低含量理论公式,不计条件地推导到高含量、甚至良导矿体,因此他的结论是错误的。本文最后讨论了电阻率因素对浸染型球体视极化率强度的影响。     

基于非结构网格的电阻率三维带地形反演

地表起伏地形在野外矿产资源勘察中不可避免,其对直流电阻率法勘探影响巨大.近年来,电阻率三维正演取得诸多进展,特别是应用非结构网格我们能够进行任意复杂地形和几何模型的电阻率三维数值模拟,但面向实际应用的起伏地形下电阻率三维反演依然困难.本文基于非结构化四面体网格,并考虑到应用GPS/GNSS时,区域地球物理调查中可非规则布设测网的实际特点,实现了任意地形(平坦或起伏)条件下、任意布设的偶极-偶极视电阻率数据的不完全Gauss-Newton三维反演.合成数据的反演结果表明了方法的有效性,可应用于复杂野外环境下的三维电法勘探.     

天然场源激电法的可行性

基于对现有天然场源激电法观测方案的分析和对沿横向和垂向电性都不均匀的二维地 电断面的数值模拟结果指出,天然（大地）电磁场由于地下导电性不均匀所引起的异常强度 远大于激电效应引起的异常;提取被强大导电和电磁效应异常“淹没”的弱小激电异常的难 度极大,现有方案都不具有普遍的可行性. 天然场源激电法的实际应用前景不容乐观. 人工 源“长偏移距”的激电法本质上和天然场源激电法一样,都是在“远区场”中作激电观测, 其前景同样不乐观.     

COMPATIBILITY OF EM AND IP SURVEYS *

Methods and typical case histories of EM and IP surveys are compared in order to check their compatibility for the investigation of large areas for base metal sulphides. It is demonstrated that the fast, low cost EM may miss sulphide concentrations which cause no reduction of apparent resistivity, or which act like horizontal slabs, where EM anomalies occur marginally. In such cases only IP can recognize the whole extent of the mineralization. The misleading role of graphite exists for both methods. The conclusion is that EM remains the only economical method to survey whole ore districts, but that the shortcomings should always be taken into account in the interpretation. They can be overcome by employing geological, geochemical or other geophysical indicators in selecting promising targets for follow-up IP. Even if less than 20% of the area is covered by the expensive IP, there is a fair chance that all sulphide bearing rocks will be found. Therefore, the question is not whether to apply EM or IP methods, but how to combine them best.     

近地表密度估计的重力贝叶斯分析方法及在云南地区的应用

基于布格重力异常相对于地形起伏光滑分布的约束条件,从一维自由空气重力异常数据出发,采用贝叶斯方法估算近地表岩石密度,同时采用三次B样条函数拟合布格重力异常,获取光滑分布的布格重力异常.数据拟合和光滑约束之间的权重采用Akaike贝叶斯准则(ABIC准则)自动确定.均匀剖分模型和不均匀剖分模型数据试验都验证了该方法的有效性.相关参数评价表明,足够多的样条系数可以提高估计结果的准确性,样条系数的个数接近测点数时可获得较稳定的估计结果.增大异常的噪声水平时,ABIC准则可有效地自动增大先验光滑约束的权重.云南地区两条重力剖面应用结果表明,剖面沿线的近地表密度值起伏变化明显(达2.45~2.8g·cm^-3),前寒武纪和古生代地层密度相对较高(主要为2.53~2.75g·cm^-3),而中生代密度较低(2.45~2.73g·cm^-3);本文估计的近地表密度结果与区域物性资料及地表地质特征较吻合;估计的剖面布格重力异常具有光滑性;红河断裂两侧近地表密度差异较大,可达0.4g·cm^-3.本文获得的两条剖面近地表密度结构和布格重力异常为该区深部结构与构造研究提供更可靠的重力基础数据.