Porous Pots

Also known as “non-polarizable electrodes,” porous pots are a simple tool for enhancing conductivity between the ground and voltage meters for geophysics operations.  They are are essential components for self-potential (SP)
and induced-polaraization (IP) surveys.

A.G.O.’s porous pots use shatter-proof polycarbonate for the body.  Unlike ceramic pots, this allows users to view the fluid level inside, and makes the pots extremely durable.

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A.G.O. porous pots diagram with labeled components

How are Porous Pots Used?

Porous pots, when used in SP and IP surveys, can be used for:

    • Finding metals and ores such as gold and silver, base metals (e.g. copper, lead, zinc), or disseminated
      sulfides (e.g. pyrite)
    • Mapping presence and flow of groundwater and liquid soil contaminant plumes
    • Guiding the addition of soil amendments during bio-remediation work
    • Finding subsurface geothermal activity

Basic Required Surveying Materials
All methods: Self-potential method: Induced-polarization method:
  • Copper(II) sulfate, ~50g (~1 TBSP) per pot (~100mL water)
  • Water for dampening soil at measurement sites
  • Walkie-talkies
  • Two (2) porous pots
  • Spool of wire (optionally on a winch with a slip ring)
  • Millivoltmeter
  • Many porous pots
  • Multiple spools of wire
  • IP transmitter and receiver system
  • Stainless steel electrodes

Prospecting with the SP Method

Self-Potential (SP) surveys require very little equipment and are much simpler to conduct compared to IP surveys.  Using just two porous pots, a spool of wire, and a millivolt-resolution voltmeter, you can start studying the subsurface right in your own backyard!

Read "A Guide to Prospecting by the SP Method" (S.V. Burr, 1981)

Check out our porous pots brochure for a one-page quick reference field guide on how to set up and conduct an SP survey.

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Application Spotlight:

USGS uses porous pots in bioremediation work

The United States Geological Survey used thirty porous pots as part of a multifaceted study on techniques for optimizing bioremediation work in 2016.

Bioremediation refers to the practice of adding microorganisms and/or nutrients for existing microbes to contaminated soil to accelerate natural decomposition processes.  Liquid nutrients for microbes are typically injected blindly into the soil without a good in-situ understanding of how the nutrients (so-called “amendments”) disperse once injected into the soil.

Since liquid amendments change soil conductivity, the USGS investigated how electro-geophysical methods like the self-potential (SP) and induced-polarization (IP) methods with porous pots can be used to monitor soil conductivity over a bioremediation area during amendment injections.

US Geological Survey site with an array of A.G.O. porous pots for monitoring bioremediation work
US Geological Survey site with an array of A.G.O. porous pots for monitoring bioremediation work

View the USGS photo gallery for the experiment here:  https://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/estcp/bioremed-monitor-gallery.html

Read the full USGS report here:  https://clu-in.org/download/contaminantfocus/dnapl/Treatment_Technologies/Bio-performance-ER-200717-FR.pdf