Self-Potential as a Tool to Monitor Redox Reactions at an Ore Body: A Sandbox Experiment

Ore bodies generate natural electrical fields that are measurable at the ground surface. The surface signature of this field is called a self-potential anomaly. We developed sandbox experiment to monitor evolution anomaly associated with redox processes mediated by bacterial activity buried metallic object crossing water table. A Bio-Electrochemical Cell (BEC) formed metal bar connecting upper, oxygen-rich, part tank and an aquifer containing electron donor in form acetate. response was observed during period 327 days. tomography confirms able locate target acting as BEC. In addition, we performed potential, pH, potential measurements over vertical cross-section several time steps obtain idea where front located. distributions pH further demonstrated development oxidation-reduction chemical facilitated BEC communities around bar. shows followed short exponential growth, then longer sustained population. These results demonstrate usefulness method monitoring ore body. Further works will need combine such anomalies induced polarization through joint inversion.