| pH, Conductivity, and ORP |
| Leaking hydrocarbons, in association with a microbial component, can initiate diagenetic Eh/pH controlled reactions in the rocks and soils overlying hydrocarbon accumulations. These chemical reactions cause the mobilization, or precipitation of minerals in the stratigraphic column above the leaking reservoir. |
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| ORP (oxidation - reduction potential or Eh) is measured in millivolts and is apically located over the seepage area. Lower millivolt readings (reducing) indicate seepage while higher readings (oxidizing) represent background. |
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| pH is the measure of soil acidity or alkalinity and is inversely related to the ORP measurements. pH anomalies are present due to the precipitation of carbonate related to the oxidation of near surface hydrocarbons. |
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| Electrolytic conductivity is measured in micro-mhos and is directly related to the amount of inorganic / organic salts present in near surface soils. These salts can be related to enrichment of sulfur, nitrates, phosphates, halides, and other trace elements due to alteration phenomena associated with hydrocarbon microseepage. |
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