Geophysics - Location of Clay Deposits by Combined Self-Potential and Resistivity Surveys

A commercial deposit of white kaolinite clay contained in the sandy overburden of the Cambrian Gatesburg formation in Central Pennsylvania was successfully mapped by combined SP and resistivity methods and results were checked by drilling. Resistivity minima in the range between roughly 2000 and 3500 ohm-meters coupled with second-order SP maxima of 50-60 mV contrast were found to characterize commercial white kaolinite clay beneath not more than 30-40 ft. of sandy overburden in the area stdied. This investigation supports the hypothesis, established previously, that certain SP phenomena may reasonably be ascribed to diffusion and membrane potentials produced by interaction of clay lenses, sandy matrix, and ground waters. The success of this test proves that this prospecting technique can assist in locating clay deposits in sandy overburden derived from the weathering of sandstones and carbonate rocks such as the Cambrian formations of Central Pennsylvania. In a recent paper, Gross and Moore (1959) described broad self-potential minima above the outcrops of the Cambrian Gatesburg formation. These "first-order" SP anomalies, of 220-350 mV contrast (Figure 7), are related to the peculiar sandy residual soil covering the Gatesburg formation. Small positive ("second-order") peaks of 50-60 mV contrast are superposed on the bottom or flanks of the first-order troughs. They appear to be related to lenses and layers of kaolinite clays within the sandy Gatesburg overburden. Both first-order and second-order anomalies show a characteristic inverse relationship with apparent resistivity profiles in most cases. An explanation in terns of liquid-junction and shale potentials was advanced. According to this working hypothesis, shale potentials are generated: 1) at the contact of the sandy Gatesburg overburden with the more argillaceous soils of surrounding formations; 2) at the boundary of clay lenses contained in the sandy matrix of that overburden. Concentration gradients between interstitial infiltration waters and perched water tables within the Gatesburg overburden are believed to give rise to the liquid-junction potentials. In order to test this hypothesis further, a detailed study was carried out of a second-order positive anomaly on the property of the Woodbury Clay Co. at Mines (Blair County, Pa., Hollidaysburg folio of the U.S. Geological Survey). A second aim was to establish if combined SP and resistivity surveys are suitable as a practical method for delimiting favorable areas in which commercial kaolinite clay de~osits may be found by drilling. Drilling control was provided by the Woodbury Clay Co. PROCEDURES Instrumentation used for SP measurements was the same as described in the paper mentioned. For resistivity surveys, a direct-current voltmeter-ammeter device built by Georator Gorp. of Manassas (Va.) was used in combination with non-polarizing electrodes from the same manufacturer. Power was supplied by one to six 45-volt, heavy-duty B-batteries