THE INDUCED POLARIZATION RESPONSE OF A THIN HIGHLY-CONDUCTIVE ORE BODY*

Consider a lamina of ore of thickness 2t whose electrical resistivity p₂ is much smaller than the resistivity p₁ of the surrounding host rock. The induced polarization response of such an ore body is investigated under the assumption that it arises from the variation of p₂ with the frequency of measurement. Let p2l and p2h be the resistivities of the ore-body for the low and high frequencies of measurement and L a length of the order of the distance between the transmitting electrodes. A theory is developed under the assumptions that each of the quantities t/L, p2l/p1, p2h/p1, Lp2l/2tp1, and Lp2h/tp1 is small. The main conclusion is that the frequency effect parameter P is given approximately by P=cL(p2l ? p2h)/2tp1, where the constant c is independent of t, p2l, p2h, and p1. Thus for a family of similar ore bodies having differing values of t, P will be the larger the smaller t. Detailed results are given for a semi-infinite submerged dipping dyke and the two dimensional Wenner array.     

INDUCED POLARIZATION RESPONSE OF A HORIZONTALLY MULTILAYERED EARTH WITH NO RESISTIVITY CONTRAST*

The induced polarization response of a horizontally multilayered earth with no resistivity contrast can rapidly be calculated on a desk calculator or minicomputer for any electrode array. The formulation is a simple series summation of the products of weighting coefficients and the true induced polarization responses for each of the layers. The coefficients are directly derivable from the corresponding resistivity model. This series approach to IP formulation was originally described by Seigel but has not been treated extensively in the present-day geophysical literature. This method can be applied to either time or frequency domain induced polarization measurements. Once the coefficients are known, apparent induced polarization response can readily be obtained by judicious substitution of known, suspected, or assumed values of the true induced polarization of each layer. Basic formulation is presented for the IP potential coefficients (pole-pole or two array) with no resistivity contrast between the layers. From these coefficients, response of any number of layers for any electrode array can be obtained by suitable differentiation. Some examples of Wenner array for a three-layered earth and dipole-dipole array for a four-layered earth are used to illustrate the application. The results of this technique are valid for many natural situations of modest resistivity contrast. However, they definitely cannot be used if there are highly contrasting resistivity layers present. Such an approach is conceptually simple and is useful for survey planning, checking or setting the “depth-of-penetration”of a given array. For field induced polarization data that fits reasonably well to the no-resistivity-contrast model, this simple approach facilitates quantitative interpretation.     

THE TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A POLARIZABLE SPHERE IN A CONDUCTING HALF SPACE1

A polarizable sphere embedded in a conducting half-space can give rise to negative voltage transients in a coincident-loop time-domain electromagnetic system. Such transients have been observed in field situations. Our results are obtained from a model in which the contributions of the host rock, the currents in the sphere, and the interaction between the sphere and the host rock are separated and superposed. This model uses approximations to the integral equation solutions rather than finite-element or finite-difference approximations, and so allows very rapid computation. The theoretical demonstration suggests that interpretation of the negative voltage transients as a polarization response is valid, but more detailed interpretation of polarization properties may not be possible, because the superposition of the polarization response on the normal response depends strongly on the position of the target.     

TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A SPHERE IN A LAYERED MEDIUM*

The Galerkin method of solving integral equations is well suited to the solution of the integral equations describing the transient response of a sphere embedded in a layered medium, which is excited by a large co-axial loop. The transient response is calculated by transforming the steady state solutions obtained in the frequency domain. The analysis shows that the scattering matrix is extremely diagonally dominant and the maximum number of modes required to obtain convergence does not rapidly increase with frequency. The number of modes required is about eight. This type of scattering matrix can be taken to be an expression of the principle of elementary superposition. This principle is reflected in the decay curves. These show that the early part of the decay curves asymptotically approach the decay curves to be expected for a layered structure without the sphere. The slope of the latter stages of the decay curve gives a decay constant that is the same as was obtained for spheres in free space excited by planar or dipolar sources. The point of departure in time of these curves from the layered ground curves is delayed either by placing the sphere at a greater depth or by placing a more conductive overburden above the sphere.     

PHYSICAL AND COMPUTER MODELING OF INDUCED POLARIZATION *

The Laboratory of Geophysics of the University of Arizona was presented with an exploration problem by Falconbridge, Ltd. of Canada. Massive mineralized hemispherical “pods” are in the vicinity of a tuff layer of high conductivity and induced polarization response, covered by large thicknesses of resistive volcanics. The initial approach was to utilize electrolytic tank modeling. The extreme resistivity and IP contrasts proved to be difficult to recreate. Two dimensional modeling was attempted next with conductive paper, using copper and silver paint for anomalous masses. This method also proved inadequate. Finally, mathematical equations were solved which could model any arbitrary anomalous body in any steady state electrical field. Plane waves as well as point current sources producing non-plane waves are possible. Finite difference equations were derived for the non-linear partial differential equations under consideration. The equations were solved using a digital computer. Initially, the boundary conditions had to be satisfied at the boundaries of resistivity changes, severely restricting possible geometric shapes for anomalous bodies. The final and successful solution was to apply numerical techniques to obtain solutions of equations which require only that the relative resistivities through the area be specified. The Falconbridge problem and its solution are analyzed.     

A SIMPLE DERIVATION OF SEIGEL'S TIME DOMAIN INDUCED POLARIZATION FORMULA *

It is advantageous to postulate the phenomenological equivalence of chargeability with a slight increase in resistivities rather than a similar reduction in the conductivities. Substitution of these increments in the expression for the total differential of apparent resistivity leads directly to Seigel's formula. Included also are (i) an equally simple demonstration that, for a homogeneously chargeable ground with arbitrary resistivity distribution, the apparent chargeability m_a, equals the true homogeneous value m, and (ii) a direct derivation of the completely general resistivity relation where the symbols have the usual meanings.     

谐变磁偶极激发下层状介质中球的电磁响应

本文在前人基础上,从理论计算角度研究了两层大地下球形导电体的偶极激发音频电磁场。探讨了电模式、磁模式场的耦合及其意义,并列出了剖面数据和频率响应数据,以适应移动源音频电磁法的实际需要。     

谐变磁偶极激发下层状介质中球的电磁响应

本文在前人基础上,从理论计算角度研究了两层大地下球形导电体的偶极激发音频电磁场。探讨了电模式、磁模式场的耦合及其意义,并列出了剖面数据和频率响应数据,以适应移动源音频电磁法的实际需要。     

CONTOUR MAP PRESENTATION OF DIPOLE-DIPOLE INDUCED POLARIZATION DATA*

Dipole-dipole induced polarization (IP) data are displayed typically as multi-level profiles, or as contours on vertical sectional plots referred to as pseudo-sections. The dipole-dipole array tends to yield IP anomalies in which the most anomalous values are displaced laterally from the source body. The data patterns are fairly interpretable on pseudo-sections or on multi-level profiles but are sufficiently complex to discourage the contouring of the data in plan. A method was developed for the presentation of dipole-dipole IP data on a contour map. The method consists of a simple averaging of data which can be performed manually if desired. It yields a single output value per station which reflects all levels of the pseudo-section, and is suitable for contouring in plan. The advantage of the technique is that it provides a quantitative picture of IP anomalies in their background or regional setting.     

INVESTIGATION OF SOME NON-LINEAR PHENOMENA OF INDUCED POLARIZATION USING A PHYSICAL-AND-MATHEMATICAL MODEL*

The electrical behaviour of a polarizable sample formerly studied (Time-Domain) through both the classical and the condenser methods is simulated using the theoretical responses given by a three dimensional physical-and-mathematical model, which has been proposed in a previous paper by one of us on the basis of certain hypotheses. The apparent capacitance responses of the sample are qualitatively simulated in order to tackle the problem under this point of view; moreover, an attempt to obtain a quantitative simulation of experimental data within the limits of the present reliability of the model, using theoretically obtained Model Master Curves characterized by dimensionless parameters, is done. This research is carried out in the frame of a broader study referring to a possible scheme of simulation of the so-called induced ionic polarization, concerning a number of idealized pseudo-reversible, potentially irreversible, non-linear phenomena.     

INDUCED POLARIZATION,A METHOD TO STUDY WATER-COLLECTING PROPERTIES OF ROCKS*

During the last decade many hypotheses were suggested to explain the phenomenon of induced electrical polarization in ionic conductive media. The most reliable of these is Fredricksberg's. Fredricksberg (1962) supposed that the pore spaces of a rock is composed of successively narrow (active zones) and wide (inactive zones). He simulated these pore spaces by a synthetic material that has an extremely high resistance. The pore spaces were generally in tube forms which exhibited some constrictions. He saturated these tubes with an electrolyte of a given concentration. An electric current was passed through this model. He observed an induced polarization voltage after current interruption. He attributed the formation of this voltage to a concentration gradient which took place due to the presence of excess charges in the active zones. Fredricksberg introduced a parameter (9) which described the relation among the lengths and cross sectional areas of the wide zones, the number of ions within each zone after current interruption with the recorded polarizability. The aim of this work is to correlate Fredricksberg's parameter with a parameter determined for natural rocks and to show experimentally the validity of this hypothesis when applying for some varieties of sandstones and volcanic rocks. The new parameter will help to evaluate a relationship between the polarizability and the water-collecting properties of rocks. Herein, we used the tortuosity T of sandstone samples instead of the parameter φ which was used by Fredricksberg to represent the pore geometry within his model (tortuosity of the passes within the model). It was shown that both φ and T have the same relationship with the polarizability ν of the rock samples and if φ or T have very low or very high values the polarizability ν tends to its minimum value, i.e. the curve representing the relation between ν and T has a maximum point corresponding to an intermediate value of T. This result supports Fredricksberg's hypothesis and confirm his results on synthetic models. For volcanic rocks the formation factor F was used since it was difficult to determine the porosity of the samples and consequently to calculate the tortuosity T as for sandstone samples. Experimental results confirm those obtained from sandstone. The grain constituents of sandstone samples were represented on equilateral triangle and the magnitude of induced polarization ν of each sample was deduced and represented on this triangle. Equipolarizability values ν drawn on this triangle showed that TJ will increase as the silty fractions of the rock increase, where the center of this triangle (represents minimum porosity) has polarizability less than 0.25%. An attempt was made to determine the coefficient of anisotropy of volcanic rock samples using the induced polarization method. For this reason the polarizability was deduced by measuring the induced polarization voltage for two perpendicular directions in a fractured cubes of andesitic basalt samples the coefficient of anisotropy was found to be equal 1.18.     

INDUCED POLARIZATION IN ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTIVE SCHEMES*

Using homogeneous full-space and half-space models, we show that induced-polarization properties of the medium influence the inductive coupling between two circuits. It is suggested that existing methods to interpret electromagnetic sounding data should be viewed with caution if the electro-chemical dispersion is not taken into account.     

TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A CONDUCTING SPHERE EXCITED BY DIFFERENT TYPES OF INPUT PULSES*

A technique utilizing the convolution theorem is developed to obtain the time-domain electromagnetic response for a number of input pulses from the given step-function response. For illustration an idealized model of a homogeneously conducting non-permeable sphere placed in a uniform field is considered. The nature of the responses due to different types of pulses and their usefulness in estimating the constitution parameter of the sphere are discussed. To show the applicability of the suggested technique to generalized systems, calculations for a conducting permeable sphere are presented in the appendix.     

THE TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A CONDUCTING SPHERE IN AN IMPERFECTLY CONDUCTING HALF-SPACE*

The presence of a conducting environment about a spherical ore body must be considered when calculating the transient electromagnetic response of the ore body due to a step current flowing in a large circular loop at the earth's surface. Failure to do this can easily lead to errors in excess of 10% in numerical calculations. Moreover, there is only a limited time interval in which the response of the spherical conductor is easily seen. In a poorly conducting ground the resonance response of the sphere is the first to be excited. Later, however, the non-resonance or wave-type response is excited. These waves destructively interfere and finally the response of the sphere decays with time as t^?7/2. For a range of times and depths the best loop for detecting the sphere has about the same radius as the sphere.     

磁激电方法技术试验研究

激电法是矿产勘查的主要方法技术,其中应用最多的是电激电法,但电激电法在接地条件困难区(倒石堆、沙漠、戈壁、永久冻土)难以发挥效果,为了发展不接地的磁激电技术,在对磁激电法的基本原理、方法技术、数据处理等方面进行研究的基础上,开展了磁激电法与电激电法的对比试验,并对试验结果进行了分析。     

TRANSIENTS AND FIELD BEHAVIOUR IN INDUCED POLARIZATION*

This paper deals with electromagnetic fields in the so called “Transient Induced Polarization Technique”. Field equations are integrated in the case of a polarizable sphere inbedded in a sterile overburden. The existence of a remanent polarization vector P which slowly decays once the charging current has been cut off is taken as the initial condition. When the surface between the air and overburden is (as a first step) disregarded, the Laplace transform of the EM fields is given. The integral of the electric field (which is fairly often the result of prospection work) is independent of the various time constants related to electrochemical processes, but it stands as a good measurement of the total electrostatic dipole created by the charging current. We investigate the geometrical circumstances that can bring negative values of I.P. signal. Such negative values can be found in two cases: 1. The discharge currents are. distorted by the ground surface. 2. The I.P. signal is picked up by electrodes inside the polarizable material. The last part is dedicated to an account of experimental work performed on models and of an actual case history. The mathematical derivations are included in an appendix.     

TEST OF RECIPROCITY AND SUPERPOSITION IN TIME DOMAIN INDUCED POLARIZATION MEASUREMENTS*

The principles of reciprocity and superposition, which hold in normal resistivity measurements, are sometimes considered to apply also to Induced Polarisation measurements. In this paper, an account is given of experiments designed to test how far such a proposition is justified. The experiments comprise a limited field test and more extensive observations using a tank analogue. Within acceptable limits, both tests showed that these basic theorems are applicable to I.P. potentials provided that these are measured at the same instant after switch off and that identical charging regimes are used. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FREQUENCY-DOMAIN INDUCED POLARIZATION SOUNDINGS OVER HORIZONTAL BEDS*

Following up our recent study of an indirect procedure for the practical determination of the maximum frequency-effect, defined as fe = 1 ? pρ_∞/ρdc with ρ_∞ the resistivity at infinite frequency, we show at first how, through the Laplace transform theory, ρ_∞ can be related to stationary field vectors in the simple form of Ohm's law. Then applying the equation of continuity for stationary currents with a suitable set of boundary conditions, we derive the integral expression of the apparent resistivity at infinite frequency ρ_∞,a in the case of a horizontally layered earth. Finally, from the definition of the maximum apparent frequency-effect, analytical expressions of fe_α are obtained for both Schlumberger and dipole arrays placed on the surface of the multi-layered earth section in the most general situation of vertical changes in induced polarization together with dc resistivity variations not at the same interfaces. Direct interpretation procedures are suggested for obtaining the layering parameters directly from the analysis of the sounding curves.     

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.     

A NEW PARAMETER FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF INDUCED POLARIZATION FIELD PROSPECTING (time-domain) *

In a previous paper it has been shown that we can relate the transient IP electric field E_p , existing in a rock after a step wave of polarizing current, with the steady-state current density J_ss during the current step wave as follows: E_p =ρ' J_ss . This relation may be interpreted as a generalized Ohm's law, valid in linear cases, in which ρ’(fictitious resistivity) is defined as the product of the true resistivity ρ with the chargeability m. Supposing E _p=— grad U_p and applying the divergence condition div J_ss = o, one can, for a layered earth, obtain a general expression for the depolarization potential U_p as a solution of Laplace's equation ?²U_p= o. Since the mathematical procedure for the solution of this last equation is identical to that used in resistivity problems, we propose now the introduction of an apparent fictitious resistivity ρ'_a (defined as the product of the apparent resistivity ρ_a with the apparent chargeability m_a) as a new parameter for the interpretations of IP soundings carried out over layered structures with a common electrode array. The most general expression of ρ'_a as a function of the electrode distance turns out to be mathematically identical to the general expression of ρ'_a. Therefore it is possible to interpret a ρ'_a field curve using the same standard graphs for resistivity prospecting with the usual method of complete curve matching. In this manner a great deal of work is saved since there is no need to construct proper m_a graphs for the interpretation of IP soundings, as it has been done up to now. Finally some field examples are reported.