Induced Polarization

Basic Concept: Induced Polarization (IP) is commonly used in the mining industry to
locate metallic sulfides such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, and other metallic minerals. Like the
magnetic method, it provides data on the distribution of metallic minerals and could be
regarded as mapping changes in lithology. Induced Polarization anomalies are found
over metallic sulfides, graphite zones, and some clays.
Induced Polarization is an electrical method that measures the change in the measured
resistivity of the ground with frequency. Numerous electrode arrays can be used to
measure IP data, several of which are illustrated in figure.

Electrode arrays used to measure resistivity.

The Dipole-dipole array is used to illustrate the waveforms. This is probably the most
commonly used array for measuring Induced Polarization. Two methods are used to
obtain IP data: time domain and frequency domain. In time domain, a constant current
is passed into the ground using two of the four electrodes. This current is then rapidly
switched off. During this off time, the remaining two electrodes measure the resulting
voltage. If an IP effect is present, the voltage across these electrodes will not suddenly
return to zero as the current is turned off, but will decay to zero over a period of time,
usually within a few seconds, as illustrated in figure. Simple IP measurements usually
integrate the IP voltage over a specified time period, say T 1 and T2 providing a single
number that is a measure of the IP response. However, if a more detailed analysis is
needed, the full voltage and current waveforms are recorded. The units used to
measure the IP effect, called chargeability, are mV/V. Using the Fourier transform to
convert the data to frequency domain, these data can then be converted to the variation
of IP response with frequency, called Spectral IP (SIP). In frequency domain, the IP
effect is measured at different current waveform frequencies. If more than two
frequencies are used, SIP data are recorded.
 Induced Polarization waveform.
Induced Polarization surveys require electrodes, a data recorder, current transmitter,
and a power source for the transmitter. An example of an IP data recorder is shown in
figure .

Figure . Induced Polarization instrument. (IRIS Instruments)

This particular instrument can record up to 10 channels of data simultaneously. It can
also be configured with the automated data recording instrument systems, making data
recording efficient.

Data Acquisition: Induced Polarization surveys are conducted much like resistivity
surveys. Readings are taken at discrete stations to form lines of data crossing the area
of interest. In frequency domain, the variation of IP response with frequency is obtained.
In the time domain, if the current and voltage waveforms have been digitally recorded
and a Fourier analysis performed, the variation of resistivity with frequency is measured
producing SIP data. SIP data provide more interpretable information than the simple IP
measure discussed above; however, this is still being researched and is rarely used as
a production method. SIP data may be able to distinguish between the different
minerals (metallic minerals, graphite, and clay) that produce IP anomalies. However, if
the goal is to simply map the occurrence of metallic minerals, spectral IP methods are
probably not required.
Data Processing: When recording IP data, resistivity data are also recorded. Both the
resistivity and IP data are usually plotted in section form called a pseudosection. With
this presentation, data from the smaller electrode separations are plotted near the top of
the pseudosection (ground surface), and data from the largest electrode separations are
plotted at the bottom of the pseudosection, thus simulating a plot showing resistivity and
IP against depth for all values along the traverse. A typical chargeability pseudosection
is shown in figure. The horizontal dimension is distance, and the vertical dimension is
related to the electrode spacings used to take the measurements. Although these data
are from a fairly shallow survey using small electrode spacings, it does illustrate the
method, presentation techniques, and the interpretation. Surveys to much greater
depths can be performed using larger electrode spacings.

chargeability pseudosection.

Measured (apparent) resistivity pseudosection.

Data Interpretation: The pseudosection data are usually interpreted by using inversion
techniques, where initial model estimates are input to the program, which then
calculates the pseudosection resulting from this model. It then determines the degree
of fit of the calculated pseudosection with the field data, modifies the model accordingly,
and a new pseudosection is then calculated. This process is repeated until the model
provides a pseudosection that gives a good fit to the field data.
The interpation of the data presented in figure. In this profile the elevation the ground
surface has also been incroporated. The field IP data shown in figure has been
interpreted showing the chargeability along the profile against depth and is shown in
figure . In this profile, the elevation of the ground surface has also been incorporated
into the interpretation.
Since induced polarization phenomena also occur when clays are present in the
subsurface, the method can possibly be used to estimate clay content. The survey
techniques, processing, and interpretation are similar to those described above for
metallic mineral detection.

Interpreted Induced Polarization data shown in figure.

Advantages: IP measures the variation of resistivity with frequency and provides a

unique interpretation showing polarizable material such as clays, graphite and metallic
minerals.
Limitations: The induced polarization method, like the resistivity method, requires
electrodes to be inserted into the ground. However, with the IP method, the polarization
signals can be quite small, and it is important to put as much current into the ground as
possible to increase the measured signals. If the ground surface is hard or dry, it may
be difficult, not only to get the electrodes in the ground, but also to put electrical current
in the ground. This can usually be solved by pouring water on the electrodes, thereby
improving the electrical contact between the electrode and the surrounding soil.