Electrical Techniques
Spontaneous (Self) Potential
Outline
The spontaneous potential (SP) method is a passive electrical technique that involves measurement of naturally occurring ground potentials. The two main sources of SP signals important in environmental and engineering studies are streaming potentials, due to movement of water through porous subsurface materials, and diffusion potentials resulting from differing concentrations of electrolytes within the groundwater. SP measurements are made using a pair of non-polarising electrodes (normally comprising a copper electrode immersed in a saturated copper sulphate solution) connected to a high impedance voltmeter.
