Geoelectrochemical methods

In covered areas lONEX technology involves investigating the distribution of mobile metals in soil. Depending on the environment, various geoelectrochemical methods are used CHIM, selective extraction of fulvate-humate (MPF), TMGM and MDE (Antropova etal. 1992). 

These features of the jet halo enhance the prospecting depth of the geoelectrochemical methods. A number of field experiments have verified that the prospecting depth for an ore body attains some hundred metres and for oil and gas reservoirs several kilometres. Similar results have been obtained with data for relatively-confined forms of metals, although the widths of halos are greater than those for mobile and weakly-confined forms of metals. 

Alekseev, S.G., Dukhanin, A.S., Veshcv, S.A. and Voroshilov, N.A., 1996. Some aspects of practical use of geoelectrochemical methods of exploration for deep-seated mineralisation. J. Geochem. 

Karar, V.P.and Sakovich, B.B., 1989. Application of the CHIM method for prospecting placer gold deposits at the Enisey mountain-ridge. Application of Geoelectrochemical methods for Prospecting and Exploration of Ore Deposits. NPO Rudgeofizika, Leningrad, pp. 189-112 (in Russian). 

Putikov, O.F., 1993. The Geoelectrochemical Methods of Prospecting and Exploration. Rotaprint SPSMI, St Petersburg, 118 pp. (in Russian). 

Putikov, O.F., 1995. Principles of theory and practice of the non-linear geoelectrochemical methods. In Proc. International Conference, Nijne-Voljsky Institute Geologii i Geofyziky, Saratov, pp. 29-37 (in Russian). 

Ryss, Yu.S., 1983. Geoelectrochemical Methods of Exploration (Introduction to Geoelectrochemistry). Nedra, Leningrad, 255 pp. (in Russian). 

Vasilieva, V.l. and Voroshilov, N.A., 1995. Estimation of oil-prospective areas by means of geoelectrochemical methods. Geophysics, N2 29-36 (in Russian). 

The methods of geoelectrochemical exploration are based on investigation of the polarisation curve (voltammogram), which records the dependence of a current through an electronic conductor on its electrode potential. The electrode potential of an electronic conductor is its potential measured with respect to an auxiliary standard non-polarisable electrode which is immersed in the host ionic conductor in direct contact with the surface of the electronic conductor. 

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