Spectral Induced Polarization Parameters Research Articles

Detection of Iron Disulfide Materials in Geological Porous Media Using Spectral Induced Polarization Method

Summary Iron sulfide (FeS) scale is a known problem that can significantly impact oil and gas (O&G) production. However, current monitoring methods cannot detect the problem at early stages, not until it is too late for any meaningful remedial action. Spectral induced polarization (SIP) is an established geophysical method increasingly used in near-surface environmental applications. The unique characteristics of the SIP method, mainly the sensitivity to both bulk and interfacial properties of the medium, allow for the potential use as a characterization and monitoring tool. SIP is particularly sensitive to metallic targets, such as FeS, with direct implications for the detection, characterization, and quantification of FeS scale. In a column setup, various concentrations of pyrite (FeS2), a common form of FeS scale, within calcite were tested to examine the SIP sensitivity and establish qualitative and quantitative relationships between SIP signals and FeS2 properties. The concentration of FeS2 in the samples directly impacts the SIP signals; the higher the concentration, the higher the magnitude of SIP parameters. Specifically, the SIP method detected the FeS2 presence as low as 0.25% in the bulk volume of the tested sample. This study supports the potential use of SIP as a detection method of FeS2 presence. Furthermore, it paves the way for upcoming studies utilizing SIP as a reliable and robust FeS scale characterization and monitoring method.

Analysis of Transient Characteristics of Induced Polarization in Innovative Mineral Exploration Solutions (from Case Studies of Gold Deposits)

Abstract—The paper discusses current state of the spectral approach to analysis of induced polarization (IP), its possibilities and limitations, along with directions for the method development. Reviewed are the main methods and approaches for estimation of spectral IP parameters and their specific features. Our practical experiments have shown the advantages of analysis of transient IP characteristics over standard approaches to the IP data analysis and processing. Results of the standard and spectral approaches application to analysis of IP data when solving mineral exploration problems at the Maletoyvayam gold deposit (Kamchatka Peninsula) and the Yasnoe gold occurrence (Taimyr Peninsula) are compared. Here, we demonstrate that low efficiency of works is erroneously regarded as one of the main factors hindering a broad adoption of the spectral IP method in mineral exploration activities. Rather, it is a lack of automated techniques for analysis of transient IP characteristics. We propose a new approach to spectral analysis of IP data, based on the algorithms for image recognition of a reference object, and describe pioneering efforts of its practical application.

Combining geophysics and material science for environmental remediation: Real-time monitoring of Fe-biochar arsenic wastewater treatment

In a column set-up, Fe modified biochar produced from date palm leaves was used to remove As (1 mg L−1) from a laboratory-prepared wastewater. The wastewater treatment process was monitored in real-time by spectral induced polarization (SIP), over a wide range of frequencies (0.01–1000 Hz). Both 5 and 10% biochar-amended columns achieved As removal exceeding 98%. The SIP parameters appear to be sensitive on As removal processes, with the recorded trend following the conventional geochemical monitoring, while offering higher temporal resolution.

Spectral induced polarization in anisotropic rocks with electrically conductive inclusions: synthetic model study

SUMMARY Electrically conductive minerals (e.g. graphite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and magnetite) occur in the various geological contexts. They might represent economic resources or serve as indicators of such resources. In addition, they can be sources of contamination of soil and groundwater. Therefore, characterization of rocks containing electrically conductive inclusions is an important task in many sectors of science and economy. We conducted laboratory measurements to study the impact of the shape, composition, size and passivation character of electrically conductive inclusions on the induced polarization (IP) parameters. This paper presents results of time-domain IP measurements performed on 22 synthetic models, which were made of sieved sand mixed with electrically conductive particles. We carried out the IP measurements while varying orientation of the electrical field relative to the long axis of the inclusions. We found that the total chargeability of the models (M) strongly depended on the volumetric content (ξ), shape and characteristic size (l) of the inclusions. It also depended on the angle between the electrical field direction and the orientation of the long axis of the inclusions (α), which made the models anisotropic. Experimental relationships between M, ξ, l and α were found consistent with predictions of the generalized Maxwell–Garnett mixing equation in the tensor form. In contrast to M, the relaxation time (τ) of the studied models was almost independent of $\alpha $. Exceptions were the models with cylindrical electrically conductive particles, which showed a strong relationship between τ and $\ \alpha $. Despite the previous assumptions, no unique relationship between τ and the characteristic length of electrically conductive inclusions was observed. However, for all particle shapes, $\tau $ was proportional to the surface area of the particles. We also studied how passivated areas on the surface of the inclusions modified the spectral IP parameters. We found that passivation of electrically conductive inclusions led to anisotropy of M, while τ remained almost unaffected by the orientation of the polarizing field. Based on the experimental data, we show that the polarization magnitude of electrically conductive inclusions is proportional to the normal component of the electrical current density on their surface. We also show that the relaxation time is proportional to the area of the active surface of the inclusions. The obtained relationships highlight the importance of the interfacial polarization mechanism of the electrically conductive inclusions.

Inversions of time-domain spectral induced polarization data using stretched exponential

SUMMARY We provide a two-stage approach to extract spectral induced polarization (SIP) information from time-domain IP data. In the first stage we invert dc data to recover the background conductivity. In the second, we solve a linear inverse problem and invert all time channels simultaneously to recover the IP parameters. The IP decay curves are represented by a stretched exponential (SE) rather than the traditional Cole–Cole model, and we find that defining the parameters in terms of their logarithmic values is advantageous. To demonstrate the capability of our simultaneous SIP inversion we use synthetic data simulating a porphyry mineral deposit. The challenge is to image a mineral body that is hosted within an alteration halo having the same chargeability but a different time constant. For a 2-D problem, we were able to distinguish the body using our simultaneous inversion but we were not successful in using a sequential (or conventional) SIP inversion approach. For the 3-D problem we recovered 3-D distributions of the SIP parameters and used those to construct a 3-D rock model having four rock units. Three chargeable units were distinguished. The compact mineralization zone, having a large time constant, was distinguished from the circular alteration halo that had a small time constant. Finally, to promote the use of the SIP technique, and to have further development of SIP inversion, all examples presented in this paper are available in our open source resources (https://github.com/simpeg-research/kang-2018-spectral-inducedpolarization).

Bacterial Stern layer diffusion: experimental determination with spectral induced polarization and sensitivity to nitrite toxicity

ABSTRACTSpectral induced polarization signatures have been used as proxies for microbial abundance in subsurface environments, by taking advantage of the charged properties of microbial cell membranes. The method's applicability, however, remains qualitative, and signal interpretation ambiguous. The adoption of spectral induced polarization as a robust geo‐microbiological tool for monitoring microbial dynamics in porous media requires the development of quantitative relationships between biogeochemical targets and spectral induced polarization parameters, such as biomass density and imaginary conductivity (σ″). Furthermore, deriving cell density information from electrical signals in porous media necessitates a detailed understanding of the nature of the cell membrane surface charge dynamics. We present results from a fully saturated sand‐filled column reactor experiment where Shewanella oneidensis growth during nitrate reduction to ammonium was monitored using spectral induced polarization. While our results further confirm the direct dependence of σ″ on changing cell density, Cole–Cole derived relaxation times also record the changing surface charging properties of the cells, ascribed to toxic stress due to nitrite accumulation. Concurrent estimates of cell size yield the first measurement‐derived estimation of the apparent surface ion diffusion coefficient for cells (Ds = 5.4 ±1.3 µm2 s−1), strengthening the link between spectral induced polarization and electrochemical cell polarization. Our analysis provides a theoretical framework on which to build σ″–cell density relations using bench‐scale experiments, leading to eventual robust non‐destructive monitoring of in situ microbial growth dynamics.

Effect of clay content and distribution on hydraulic and geophysical properties of synthetic sand-clay mixtures

Geophysical methods show promise for detecting the spatial variability of subsurface clay content and its effect on subsurface hydraulic properties. We have developed a laboratory study that examines the influence of clay content and distribution on the relationships between hydraulic conductivity [Formula: see text] and the physical and geophysical properties of the media. Two geophysical methods are investigated: spectral induced polarization (SIP) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We used synthetic sediment mixtures of sand and up to 10% kaolinite clay by mass; the clay was homogeneously mixed or was present as large (approximately 5 mm) clusters distributed through the sample. The [Formula: see text] varies moderately well (normalized root-mean-square error [[Formula: see text]rms error] = 0.393) with the pore-volume normalized surface area [Formula: see text] a proxy measure of clay content, in the homogeneous samples and poorly ([Formula: see text]rms error = 0.507) when the clustered samples are included in the fit. The SIP parameters indicate moderately good to excellent fits with [Formula: see text] for homogeneous samples ([Formula: see text]rms error = 0.0783–0.139) and moderately good to good fits for clustered samples ([Formula: see text]rms error = 0.140–0.336), and the coefficients describing the polarizability of the samples depend on the clay distribution. NMR parameters vary moderately well with [Formula: see text] in the homogeneous samples ([Formula: see text]rms error = 0.341–0.412) and poorly ([Formula: see text]rms error = 1.08–6.04) in the clustered samples. The SIP parameters vary moderately well with [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]rms error = 0.301–0.466); however, the relationship between the SIP parameters and [Formula: see text] is compromised by the nonnegligible polarization of the clay clusters. NMR parameters indicate good to excellent fits with [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]rms error = 0.0789–0.116). For SIP and NMR, fitting homogeneous and clustered samples together does not compromise the fit quality. These results suggest that the geophysical measurements are better predictors of [Formula: see text] in heterogeneous porous media than bulk measures of pore geometry such as [Formula: see text].

Bayesian inference of spectral induced polarization parameters for laboratory complex resistivity measurements of rocks and soils

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements are now widely used to infer mineralogical or hydrogeological properties from the low-frequency electrical properties of the subsurface in both mineral exploration and environmental sciences. We present an open-source program that performs fast multi-model inversion of laboratory complex resistivity measurements using Markov-chain Monte Carlo simulation. Using this stochastic method, SIP parameters and their uncertainties may be obtained from the Cole-Cole and Dias models, or from the Debye and Warburg decomposition approaches. The program is tested on synthetic and laboratory data to show that the posterior distribution of a multiple Cole-Cole model is multimodal in particular cases. The Warburg and Debye decomposition approaches yield unique solutions in all cases. It is shown that an adaptive Metropolis algorithm performs faster and is less dependent on the initial parameter values than the Metropolis-Hastings step method when inverting SIP data through the decomposition schemes. There are no advantages in using an adaptive step method for well-defined Cole-Cole inversion. Finally, the influence of measurement noise on the recovered relaxation time distribution is explored. We provide the geophysics community with a open-source platform that can serve as a base for further developments in stochastic SIP data inversion and that may be used to perform parameter analysis with various SIP models.

Spectral induced polarization of low and moderately polarizable buried objects

We have derived a reasonably accurate expression for the apparent spectral induced polarization (SIP) response of an arbitrary number of polarizable objects. The expression set a logical ground to the recently popularized Debye decomposition technique and provided a physical basis to phenomenological induced polarization models, such as Cole-Cole and others. For data complying with the Cole-Cole type of relaxation, the most important SIP parameters are the frequency dependence and time constant because they carry information about the grain size distribution and the mean grain size in a polarizable object. We have determined a simple method to rapidly estimate these parameters from characteristic features of a measured phase curve, such as the location of its peak frequency and maximum value of its derivative on a log-log plot. We tested the approach on a synthetic 2D example and field data, representing a multifrequency vertical electrical sounding carried out over a known sedimentary section with three differently polarizable layers. In both cases, the proposed technique yielded reasonably good results.

Influence of non-aqueous phase liquid configuration on induced polarization parameters: Conceptual models applied to a time-domain field case study

Resistivity and induced polarization (IP) measurements on soil contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) show a great variety in results in previous research. Several laboratory studies have suggested that the presence of NAPLs in soil samples generally decrease the magnitude of the IP-effect, while others have indicated the opposite. A number of conceptual models have been proposed suggesting that NAPLs can alter the pore space in different ways, e.g. by coating the grain surfaces and thus inhibiting grain polarization, or by changing the pore throat size and thus affecting the membrane polarization mechanism. The main aim of this paper is to review previously published conceptual models and to introduce some new concepts of possible residual NAPL configurations in the pore space. Time domain induced polarization measurements were performed at a NAPL contaminated field site, and the data were inverted using the Constant Phase Angle (CPA) model and the Cole–Cole model respectively. No significant phase anomalies were observed in the source area of the contamination when the CPA inverted profiles were compared with soil sampling results of free-phase contaminant concentrations. However, relatively strong phase and normalized phase anomalies appeared next to the source area, where residual free-phase presence could be expected according to the chemical data. We conclude that depending on the NAPL configuration, different spectral IP responses can be expected. In previous research, the NAPL configurations in different samples or field sites are often unknown, and this may to some extent explain why different results have been achieved by different authors. In our field case, we believe that the NAPL forms a more or less continuous phase in the pore space of the source zone leading to an absence of IP anomalies. The increase in phase and normalized phase angle observed next to the source zone is interpreted as a degradation zone. The ongoing biodegradation may have led to a fractionation of the continuous NAPL in the outer part of the original source zone, leading to residual presence of isolated NAPL droplets in the soil pores. With such NAPL configurations, an increased polarization can be expected according to the electrochemical- and membrane polarization mechanisms. More research is needed to confirm the effects of different NAPL configuration on spectral IP parameters.

Development of a new equivalent circuit model for spectral induced polarization data analysis of ore samples

Equivalent circuit analysis is a valuable tool for the interpretation of spectral induced polarization (SIP) data. It is not easy to select an appropriate circuit model for analyzing SIP data of ores because the ores are heterogeneous and the circuit model has ambiguity. In view of this, a new circuit model, which was based on the electrochemical theory, was developed; and its suitability was evaluated by comparing it with the Dias and the Cole–Cole circuit models. The proposed model performed significantly better than both the Dias and the Cole–Cole circuit models. The normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of the new model ranged from 4.41 to 0.87 % while that of the other models ranged from 12.17 to 6.02 %. This study clearly demonstrates that the new circuit model is useful for analysis of the SIP data. Additionally, the relationship between the SIP parameters and the characteristics of metallic minerals was elucidated.

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) response of mine tailings

Mine tailings impoundments are a source of leachates known as acid mine drainage (AMD) which can pose a contamination risk for surrounding surface and groundwater. Methodologies which can help management of this environmental issue are needed. We carried out a laboratory study of the spectral induced polarization (SIP) response of tailings from the Haveri Au–Cu mine, SW Finland. The primary objectives were, (1) to determine possible correlations between SIP parameters and textural properties associated with oxidative-weathering mechanisms, mineralogical composition and metallic content, and (2) to evaluate the effects of the pore water chemistry on SIP parameters associated with redox-inactive and redox-active electrolytes varying in molar concentration, conductivity and pH. The Haveri tailings exhibit well defined relaxation spectra between 100 and 10,000Hz. The relaxation magnitudes are governed by the in-situ oxidative-weathering conditions on sulphide mineral surfaces contained in the tailings, and decrease with the oxidation degree. The oxidation-driven textural variation in the tailings results in changes to the frequency peak of the phase angle, the imaginary conductivity and chargeability, when plotted versus the pore water conductivity. In contrast, the real and the formation electrical conductivity components show a single linear dependence on the pore water conductivity. The increase of the pore water conductivity (dominated by the increase of ions concentration in solution) along with a transition to acidic conditions shifts the polarization peak towards higher frequencies. These findings show the unique sensitivity of the SIP method to potentially discriminate AMD discharges from reactive oxidation zones in tailings, suggesting a significant advantage for monitoring threatened aquifers.

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) response of biodegraded oil in porous media

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of different oil saturation (0.2–0.8), wetting conditions (water-wet and oil-wet), and the addition of asphaltene on the spectral induced polarization (SIP) response of biodegraded and fresh crude oil in sand columns. In the water-wet case, no significant differences were observed for both the fresh and biodegraded oil and both displayed an increase in the magnitude of the phase (φ) and decrease in the magnitudes of the real (σ′) and imaginary (σ′′) conductivity components with increasing oil saturation. In this instance the SIP response is most likely controlled by the conduction and polarization of the electric double layer at the mineral–water interface. However, when oil is the wetting phase there were considerable differences in the magnitude of the SIP parameters between the fresh and biodegraded oil. The magnitude of φ and σ′′ increased with increasing oil saturation, whereas σ′ decreased. The magnitude of σ′ and σ′′ for the biodegraded oil-wetted sands were relatively higher compared to fresh oil-wetted sands. In experiments with fresh and biodegraded oil-wet sand, the addition of 1 per cent asphaltene increased σ′ and σ′′ with the biodegraded oil showing the highest magnitude. Asphaltenes are the most dipolar fraction of crude oil and increase in concentration with increasing biodegradation. Asphaltene creates a surface charge due to the ionization and complexation reactions of functional groups at interfaces. Therefore, the enhancement in the conduction and polarization observed with the biodegraded oil-wetted sands may be due to the increase in polar components (e.g. asphaltene) from the biodegradation process and the interactions of the polar components with the surfaces of water and mineral grains. Further studies are required to investigate the effect of other components in biodegraded oil such as resins, trace metals, biogenic metallic minerals (e.g. magnetite) and organic acids on the SIP response of porous media.

Laboratory SIP signatures associated with oxidation of disseminated metal sulfides

Oxidation of metal sulfide minerals is responsible for the generation of acidic waters rich in sulfate and metals. When associated with the oxidation of sulfide ore mine waste deposits the resulting pore water is called acid mine drainage (AMD); AMD is a known environmental problem that affects surface and ground waters. Characterization of oxidation processes in-situ is challenging, particularly at the field scale. Geophysical techniques, spectral induced polarization (SIP) in particular, may provide a means of such investigation. We performed laboratory experiments to assess the sensitivity of the SIP method to the oxidation mechanisms of common sulfide minerals found in mine waste deposits, i.e., pyrite and pyrrhotite, when the primary oxidant agent is dissolved oxygen. We found that SIP parameters, e.g., phase shift, the imaginary component of electrical conductivity and total chargeability, decrease as the time of exposure to oxidation and oxidation degree increase. This observation suggests that dissolution-depletion of the mineral surface reduces the capacitive properties and polarizability of the sulfide minerals. However, small increases in the phase shift and imaginary conductivity do occur during oxidation. These transient increases appear to correlate with increases of soluble oxidizing products, e.g., Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) in solution; precipitation of secondary minerals and the formation of a passivating layer to oxidation coating the mineral surface may also contribute to these increases. In contrast, the real component of electrical conductivity associated with electrolytic, electronic and interfacial conductance is sensitive to changes in the pore fluid chemistry as a result of the soluble oxidation products released (Fe(2+) and Fe(3+)), particularly for the case of pyrrhotite minerals.

Relating the permeability of quartz sands to their grain size and spectral induced polarization characteristics

SUMMARY Recently, Revil & Florsch proposed a novel mechanistic model based on the polarization of the Stern layer relating the permeability of granular media to their spectral induced polarization (SIP) characteristics based on the formation of polarized cells around individual grains. To explore the practical validity of this model, we compare it to pertinent laboratory measurements on samples of quartz sands with a wide range of granulometric characteristics. In particular, we measure the hydraulic and SIP characteristics of all samples both in their loose, non-compacted and compacted states, which might allow for the detection of polarization processes that are independent of the grain size. We first verify the underlying grain size/permeability relationship upon which the model of Revil & Florsch is based and then proceed to compare the observed and predicted permeability values for our samples by substituting the grain size characteristics by corresponding SIP parameters, notably the so-called Cole-Cole time constant. In doing so, we also asses the quantitative impact of an observed shift in the Cole-Cole time constant related to textural variations in the samples and observe that changes related to the compaction of the samples are not relevant for the corresponding permeability predictions. We find that the proposed model does indeed provide an adequate prediction of the overall trend of the observed permeability values, but underestimates their actual values by approximately one order-of-magnitude. This discrepancy in turn points to the potential importance of phenomena, which are currently not accounted for in the model and which tend to reduce the characteristic size of the prevailing polarization cells compared to the considered model, such as, for example, membrane polarization, contacts of double-layers of neighbouring grains, and incorrect estimation of the size of the polarized cells because of the irregularity of natural sand grains.

Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) signatures of clayey soils containing toluene

ABSTRACTWe performed laboratory experiments to investigate the sensitivity of the Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) method to toluene contamination in clayey soils. We used mixtures of quartzitic sand and montmorillonite as soil samples, artificially contaminated with varying amounts of toluene. Care was taken to quantify the experimental uncertainty resulting from packing since such effects must be quantified if variations in SIP signatures between samples are to be reliably interpreted in terms of the effects of hydrocarbon concentration. The SIP response of all samples following addition of toluene was monitored for a period of 40 days following sample preparation. Stepwise regression was used to examine the statistical significance of correlations between (i) clay content and (ii) toluene concentration and SIP parameters. Both single‐frequency real and imaginary conductivity measurements, along with the integral chargeability, normalized chargeability, DC conductivity and time constant obtained from a Debye decomposition fitting, were examined in this regression analysis.The SIP measurements show a clear time dependence following sample preparation, indicating that samples containing toluene may take significant time to reach an equilibrium electrical response. SIP measurements are significantly related to toluene content shortly after sample preparation, when the expected dependence of SIP on clay concentration is apparently suppressed. However, for the state of electrical equilibrium after 40 days (interpreted to indicate surface chemistry at equilibrium) there is no significant relation between SIP measurements and toluene content; instead SIP measurements are then significantly correlated with clay concentration. The total chargeability, normalized chargeability and relaxation time obtained from the Debye decomposition show no correlation with toluene content, indicating that this procedure, which likely integrates over multiple mechanisms, may not be suitable for understanding relationships between SIP and hydrocarbon contamination. We find only small low‐frequency polarization signals observed in relation to toluene concentration (2 mrad at 0.01 Hz), which initially decreases the interfacial polarization. Unlike earlier works, our results do not support the use of the SIP method as a tool for monitoring toluene contamination in clay soils.

A new algorithm for SIP parameter estimation from multi-frequency IP data: preliminary results

Conventional analysis of spectral induced polarization (SIP) data consists of measuring impedances over a range of frequencies, followed by spectral analysis to estimate spectral parameters. For the quantitative and accurate estimation of subsurface SIP parameter distribution, however, a sophisticated and stable inversion technique is required. In this study, we have developed a two-step inversion approach to obtain the two-dimensional distribution of SIP parameters. In the first inversion step, all the SIP data measured over a range of frequencies are simultaneously inverted, adopting cross regularisation of model complex resistivities at each frequency. The cross regularisation makes it possible to enhance the noise characteristics of the inversion by imposing a strong assumption, that complex resistivities should show similar characteristics over a range of frequencies. In numerical experiments, we could verify that our inversion approach successfully reduced inversion artefacts. As a second step, we have also developed an inversion algorithm to obtain SIP parameters based on the Cole–Cole model, in which frequency-dependent complex resistivities from the first step are inverted to obtain a two-dimensional distribution of SIP parameters. In numerical tests, the SIP parameter images showed a fairly good match with the exact model, which suggests that SIP imaging can provide a very useful subsurface image to complement resistivity.

Inversion Study of Spectral Induced Polarization Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm

As a kind of electromagnetic exploration method in frequency domain, spectral induced polarization (SIP) technique is a branch of electromagnetic exploration methods in geophysics exploration, which is widely used in environmental and engineering geophysical prospecting, as well as mineral exploration, oil & gas and coal exploration. In the theory of SIP data interpretation, inversion of three spectral induced polarization parameters (m, τ and c) in Cole-Cole model is a basic job. Due to their respective special character in the function expression, the inversion of m, τ and c from frequency spectral response data based on linear inversion theory is usually instable and even sometimes not convergent when data have a little errors. In this paper, we adopt a kind of improved genetic algorithm to implement inversion. Inversion on one Cole-Cole model shows that the algorithm converges fast, has very good stability and high precision, and even can permits the observed data random error up to 15%. Inversion on two Cole-Cole models, which simulates the fact that the effects of electromagnetic and induced polarization exist simultaneously, show the algorithm is still fast convergence and high precision, and permits a few observed data error (say, 5% random error). Only when random errors add up to 10%, the results of inversion begin to become obvious error.

Some case histories of source discrimination using time‐domain spectral IP

It has long been known that induced polarization (IP) transient voltages decay with time at a rate that is dependent strongly on the mean grain size of the metallic conducting particles in the IP source. The Cole‐Cole model provides a three‐parameter representation (M, τ and C) for IP responses. The time‐constant (τ), in particular, has been found to be very useful in resolving IP sources with differing mean particle size. The characterization of IP responses in terms of these parameters has been termed “spectral IP.” These parameters may be determined either through the analysis of the response of the earth to sequential transmission of ac currents of different frequencies (i.e., frequency‐domain IP), or through the analysis of the transient decays resulting from the transmission of interrupted square‐wave currents (i.e., time‐domain IP). The latter approach offers the major convenience of being applicable to data obtained in the course of routine production surveys, with no increase in survey time. In practice, spectral IP parameters are determined most readily from time‐domain transients through the computer matching of the observed data to the best fit in a family of precalculated Cole‐Cole curves. This may be done, off‐line, using a PC, or, in a recent receiver, essentially on‐line, using software imbedded in the receiver. Field case histories from Canada, Finland, and Australia are given to illustrate the application of spectral IP to the resolution of IP sources in the time domain. It is recommended that this approach to the processing and presentation of time‐domain IP data should be applied routinely, as a very cost‐effective enhancement to the exploration value of such data. An additional benefit from this presentation is that it will facilitate a sharing of experimental results with workers in the frequency domain who may also use the spectral IP approach.

Spectral Induced-Polarization Parameters As Determined Through Time-Domain Measurements

A method for the extraction of Cole?Cole spectral parameters from time-domain induced polarization data is demonstrated. The instrumentation required to effect the measurement and analysis is described. The Cole?Cole impedance model is shown to work equally well in the time domain as in the frequency domain. Field trials show the time-domain method to generate spectral parameters consistent with those generated by frequency-domain surveys. This is shown to be possible without significant alteration to field procedures. Cole?Cole time constants of up to 100 s are shown to be resolvable given a transmitted current of a 2 s pulse time. The process proves to have added usefulness as the Cole-Cole forward solution proves an excellent basis for quantifying noise in the measured decay.