The Use of Soil pH:

the IDH Factor

Barry W. Smee, Ph.D., P.Geo.
Smee and Associates Consulting Ltd.

2013 Exploration Round Up Workshop

Exploring Through Cover- What Works, What Doesnt
and Why
 IDH Factor
For the past 35 years I have been pushing the use of a
simple soil pH measurement to locate buried or blind
mineralization.

This was based upon research by geochemists in the early

to mid 70s who proposed that H+ would be produced by
oxidizing sulphides, and could move through cover along
lines of electrical potential or by diffusion.

Govett, G.J.S., 1972: Differential secondary dispersion in transported soils and post-mineralization
rocks: an electrochemical interpretation. Geochemical Exploration, 1972. IMM Publication 81-92.
 IDH Factor
The first theoretical model
showed that the H+ ion was
the electrical current
carrier, which would give
rise to a bi-modal pattern at
the surface.

Bolviken, B., and Logn, O., 1974:

An electrochemical model for
element distribution around
sulphide bodies. Geochemical
Exploration, 1974. Elsevier, J.G.E.
631-648.
 IDH Factor
This model was modified in
1982 using results from a
VMS deposit in Quebec
that was overlain by 5 to 20
m of water saturated
varved clay cover. This
model proposed that the H+
moved to the surface by
diffusion.

Smee, B.W., 1983. Laboratory and

field evidence in support of the
electrogeochemically enhanced
migration of ions through
glaciolacustrine sediment. J.
Geochem. Explor., 19: 277-304.
 IDH Factor
The top of the mineral
Magusi River "B" Soil, Line 6W
horizon showed a distinct
H+ response over and down
3.50

dip from the mineralization, 3.00

with the exception of two 2.50

negatives, one on either

H ion x 10-6 moles

2.00
side of the mineralization.
1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00
-1000 -900 -800 -700 -600 -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Station, feet
 IDH Factor
In response to the pH Magusi River "B" Soil, Line 6W

change, the Ca in the top of 4.00

the mineral soil was re- 3.50

distributed. There was a 3.00

double peak increase in 2.50

aqua regia Ca on either

HA Ca, %
2.00
side of the sulphide body, a
decrease in Ca where ever 1.50

the pH had an influence, 1.00

and a single peak increase 0.50

in Ca at the edges of the 0.00

pH influence where -1000 -900 -800 -700 -600 -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 0

Station, feet
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

presumably the Ca re-

precipitated. The pH
response was
asymmetrical, extending in
the down dip direction.
 IDH Factor
Hamilton found a similar pattern of
Ca redistribution in soil above VMS
mineralization in Northern Ontario
and presented an alternate
hypotheses of an oxidation-
reduction front above sulphides.

This may be true, but it is not the

complete story for movement, as
the previous model shows a down
dip component to the signal as well.

Hamilton, S.M. (1998): Electrochemical

mass-transport in overbur den: a new
model to ac count for the formation of
selective leach geochemical anomalies in
glacial terrain; J. Geochem. Explor. v. 63,
p. 155172.
 IDH Factor
I published the results of a study Marigold 8 North Orientation
100 m Alluvial Cover
over the buried Marigold 8 North 1.4

deposit in Nevada, done in 1994,

which showed a clear Ca response 1.2

on the edges of gold mineralization, 1.0

regardless of the method used to

HA Calcium, %
0.8

dissolve the soil sample. An

inexpensive aqua regia ICP-MS 0.6

finish for Ca or Sr was equally 0.4

effective as any other leach.

0.2

0.0
18500 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000
Marigold 8 North Orientation
Station, feet
100 m Alluvial Cover
1.2

1.0

NaOAc Calcium, % 0.8

0.6

Smee, B.W., 1998: A new theory to

explain the formation of soil geochemical 0.4

responses over deeply covered gold

mineralization in arid environments. J. 0.2

Geochem. Explor., 61: 149-172

0.0
18500 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000
Station, feet
 IDH Factor
In one of those moments when you
are amazed at your own stupidity, I
realized that the leach solution,
Line 4
being unbuffered, would mimic the
Ca content of the soil. This 8

(HydHCl/AR Calcium) *10 and pH

presented the possibility that a
7
simple soil pH with distilled water
could be an effective tool in areas 6
of thick overburden. 5
4
This was shared in 1999.
3
2 Leach Solution pH
Not many people really believed
that a bottle of water and a pH 1
Deposit Position
meter would be an effective tool in 0
covered areas. It was too simple 18500 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000
and did not cost anything. Station, feet d

Smee, B.W., 1999: The effect of soil

composition on weak leach solution
pH: a potential exploration tool in arid
environments. Explore: 102, 4-7.
 IDH Factor
We Know that:

The definitive pH signal from an oxidizing body is a H+ high over

the body, and a Ca high (calcite peak) on either side of the H+.
Both of these can be detected with the pH meter in the field.

Once the initial pH measurement is taken, one drop of acid (10 %

HCl or even table vinegar) is added to the solution, stirred for 10
seconds and a second pH reading taken.

If the pH drops rapidly, the solution is not buffered, so there is no

Ca. If the pH does not appreciably drop after the acid is added,
the solution is buffered by Ca. That is the position of the calcite
precipitation.
 IDH Factor

So to show both the original H+ signal and the area of Ca

accumulation:

The original pH is converted to H+ in Excel using the formula =log^-pH .

The acidified pH is converted to H+ in the same way.

The acidified H+ is subtracted from the original H+, and then the inverse is
calculated. The objective is to plot the samples where there was little change, so the
inverse of not much shows up as a large positive. This is plotted in profile.

Final variable (IDH)= 1/(acidified H+ original H+)

Inverse Difference Hydrogen, or the IDH Factor

Smee, B.W. (2009): Soil micro-layer, airborne particles and pH: the Govett connection; in Proceedings of the
24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Fredericton, 2009, v. 1, p. 9195.
 IDH Factor

Work in Africa, South America,

Mongolia and the SW USA has
confirmed that the soil
microlayer is the preferred
position for soil sampling in
arid terrain.
 IDH Factor

In Canada, the top of the mineral

soil is the preferred sampling layer.

Heberlein, D.R. (2010): Comparative study of

partial and selective extractions of soils over
blind porphyry copper-gold mineralization at
Kwanika and Mount Milligan, central British
Columbia (NTS 093N/01,19): field work, soil
conductivity and pH results; in Geoscience BC
Summary of Activities 2009, Geoscience BC,
Report 2010-1, p. 1124.
 IDH Factor
Field Sampling

If possible, screen the soil in

the field through a 2 mm sieve.

If not possible because of

moisture, package sufficient
soil to bring back to camp, dry
and then screen.

Place the sample in a paper

soil bag, not a plastic bag.
 IDH Factor

Equipment:

Tablespoon
Stirring stick or spoon
Beaker or coffee cup
Distilled water
10 % HCl or table vinegar
Two place digital pH meter
Calibration solutions
Watch
Toilet paper for cleaning
between samples.
 IDH Factor

Measurements can be made in

the field on the back of a truck,
or the samples taken back to
camp for measurement in the
evening.
 IDH Factor
Method

Place a level tablespoon of -

10 mesh soil in the
container, add a measured
amount of distilled water
(usually about 30-40 ml) and
stir for one minute.

Take the pH reading after

allowing the pH to settle
down, usually about 20
seconds. Record on a sheet
or directly into a
Spreadsheet.
 IDH Factor
An Oakton portable pH Testr
is a good and robust meter.
 IDH Factor

Add a single drop of acid,

either vinegar or 10 % HCl
and stir for 10 seconds.

Take the pH reading again.

Thats it!!

Clean the equipment ready

for the next sample.
 IDH Factor

Excel Worksheet
Sample Easting, Northing,
Line Number m m station Elev pH acid pH H+ acid H+ DH IDH
1 EG-483 2539755 4644656 90 295 8.39 5.76 4.07E-09 1.74E-06 1.73E-06 5.77E+05
1 EG-482 2539751 4644609 40 303 7.87 5.46 1.35E-08 3.47E-06 3.45E-06 2.90E+05
1 EG-481 2539752 4644595 30 298 8.57 5.88 2.69E-09 1.32E-06 1.32E-06 7.60E+05
1 EG-480 2539754 4644585 20 299 8.72 5.47 1.91E-09 3.39E-06 3.39E-06 2.95E+05
1 EG-479 2539754 4644580 15 300 8.41 5.3 3.89E-09 5.01E-06 5.01E-06 2.00E+05
1 EG-478 2539754 4644575 10 300 8.58 5.33 2.63E-09 4.68E-06 4.67E-06 2.14E+05
1 EG-477 2539753 4644571 5 307 8.59 5.53 2.57E-09 2.95E-06 2.95E-06 3.39E+05
1 EG-469 2539754 4644566 0 299 9.21 5.72 6.17E-10 1.91E-06 1.90E-06 5.25E+05
1 EG-470 2539753 4644563 -5 302 8.47 5 3.39E-09 1.00E-05 1.00E-05 1.00E+05
1 EG-471 2539755 4644554 -10 302 8.92 4.96 1.20E-09 1.10E-05 1.10E-05 9.12E+04
1 EG-472 2539753 4644552 -15 302 8.05 4.77 8.91E-09 1.70E-05 1.70E-05 5.89E+04
1 EG-473 2539754 4644544 -20 301 8.37 4.93 4.27E-09 1.17E-05 1.17E-05 8.51E+04
1 EG-474 2539754 4644534 -30 302 8.41 5.03 3.89E-09 9.33E-06 9.33E-06 1.07E+05
1 EG-475 2539756 4644525 -40 302 8.28 5.27 5.25E-09 5.37E-06 5.37E-06 1.86E+05
1 EG-476 2539756 4644477 -90 305 8.75 5.64 1.78E-09 2.29E-06 2.29E-06 4.37E+05
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