Geochemical Anomalies Identified by Multifractal Modeling: Implications for Mineral Exploration in the Ziyoutun Cu-Au District, Jilin Province, China

The Ziyoutun Cu-Au district is located in the Jizhong–Yanbian Metallogenic Belt and possesses excellent prospects. However, the thick regolith and complex tectonic settings present challenges in terms of detecting and decomposition of weak geochemical anomalies. To address this challenge, we initially conducted a comprehensive analysis of 1:10,000-scale soil geochemical data. This analysis included multivariate statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis, R-mode cluster analysis, Q–Q plots and factor analysis. Subsequently, we decomposed the geochemical anomalies, identifying weak anomalies using spectrum-area modeling and local singularity analysis. The results indicate that the assemblage of Au-Cu-Bi-As-Sb represents the mineralization at Ziyoutun. In comparison to conventional methods, spectrumarea modeling and local singularity analysis outperform in terms of identification of anomalies. Ultimately, we considered four specific target areas(AP01, AP02, AP03 and AP04) for future exploration, based on geochemical anomalies and favorable geological factors. Within AP01 and AP02, the geochemical anomalies suggest potential mineralization at depth, whereas in AP03 and AP04 the surface anomalies require additional geological investigation. Consequently, we recommend conducting drilling, following more extensive surface fieldwork, at the first two targets and verifying surface anomalies in the last two targets. We anticipate these findings will significantly enhance future exploration in Ziyoutun.

Mineralization-related geochemical anomalies derived from stream sediment geochemical data using multifractal analysis in Pangxidong area of Qinzhou-Hangzhou tectonic joint belt, Guangdong Province, China

Distinguishing geochemical anomalies from background is a basic task in exploratory geochemistry. The derivation of geochemical anomalies from stream sediment geochemical data and the decomposition of these anomalies into their component patterns were described. A set of stream sediment geochemical data was obtained for 1 880 km 2 of the Pangxidong area, which is in the southern part of the recently recognized Qinzhou-Hangzhou joint tectonic belt. This belt crosses southern China and tends to the northwest (NE) direction. The total number of collected samples was 7 236, and the concentrations of Ag, Au, Cu, As, Pb and Zn were measured for each sample. The spatial combination distribution law of geochemical elements and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to construct combination models for the identification of combinations of geochemical anomalies. Spectrum-area (S-A) fractal modeling was used to strengthen weak anomalies and separate them from the background. Composite anomaly modeling was combined with fractal filtering techniques to process and analyze the geochemical data. The raster maps of Au, Ag, Cu, As, Pb and Zn were obtained by the multifractal inverse distance weighted (MIDW) method. PCA was used to combine the Au, Ag, Cu, As, Pb, and Zn concentration values. The S-A fractal method was used to decompose the first component pattern achieved by the PCA. The results show that combination anomalies from a combination of variables coincide with the known mineralization of the study area. Although the combination anomalies cannot reflect local anomalies closely enough, high-anomaly areas indicate good sites for further exploration for unknown deposits. On this basis, anomaly and background separation from combination anomalies using fractal filtering techniques can provide guidance for later work.

Post-subdution evolution of the Northern Lhasa Terrane, Tibet: Constraints from geochemical anomalies, chronology and petrogeochemistry

Bangong-Nujiang collisional zone(BNCZ)is an older one in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and resulted in the famous Bangong-Nujiang metallogenic belt,which plays an important role in evaluating the formation and uplift mechanism of plateau.The northern and central Lhasa Terrane composed the southern part of the BNCZ.Since ore deposits can be used as markers of geodynamic evolution,the authors carried 1∶50000 stream sedimental geochemical exploration in the Xiongmei area in the Northern Lhasa Terrane to manifest the mineralization,and based on this mineralization with geochemical and chronological characteristics of related magmatic rocks to constrain their geodynamics and connection with the evolution of the Lhasa Terrane.The authors find Early Cretaceous magma mainly resulted in Cu,Mo mineralization,Late Cretaceous magma mainly resulted in Cu,Mo,and W mineralization in the studying area.The results suggest a southward subduction,slab rolling back and break-off,and thickened lithosphere delamination successively occurred within the Northern Lhasa Terrane.

Models of Spatial Structures of Regional Multi-element Geochemical Anomalies over Copper-Polymetallic Orefields

Regional stream sediment surveys at a 1:200,000 scale reveal positive andnegative regional multi-element geochemical anomalies over medium to large copper-polymetallicorefields of different genetic types in China. Regional geochemical anomalies of orefield refer tothose geochemical anomalies that are related to metallogenesis of an orefield in a certain area. Theanomaly area is typically 10 to 100 km^2. The regional multi-element anomalies related tomineralization can be divided into three groups, that is, the ore-element anomaly association,indicator element anomaly association, and metallogenic environmental element anomaly association.Their common spatial distributions over ore deposits or orefields possess unique structures. Themodel of spatial structure of regional multi-element geochemical anomalies (RAGSS) of an orefielddelineates structural feature possessed by orderly spatial distributions of different groups ofmulti-element anomaly associations related to orefield metallogenesis. It is used to outline thecommon metallogenetic anomaly visage that is composed of the orderly spatial distribution ofdifferent groups of multi-element anomaly associations. The orderly spatial distribution ofmulti-element anomalies over an orefield reflects element distributions as they are changed from adispersed 'out-of-order' state into a concentrated 'orderly' state during the mineralization of anorefield. Three different patterns of the spatial anomaly structure related to mineralization in anorefield can be concluded: (1) nested pattern; (2) eccentric pattern and; (3) peripheral pattern.There are marked differences between multi-element anomaly patterns related and not related tomineralization. RAGSS models of orefields can be used to better understand and evaluate regionalmulti-element anomalies and identify ore types.

Laboratory Simulation of the Formation Process of Surface Geochemical Anomalies Applied to Hydrocarbon Exploration

The formation mechanisms and processes of geochemical anomalies used as proxies in surface geochemistry exploration （SGE） have not been well understood. Previous studies cannot realize 3D measurement of microseeping hydrocarbons from reservoirs to the surface, which made it difficult to understand the features and pathways of deep hydrocarbon microseepages. Understanding the processes of hydrocarbon microseepages will contribute to the acceptance and effectiveness of surface geochemistry. Based on a simplified geological model of hydrocarbon microseepages, including hydrocarbon reservoir, direct caprock, overlying strata and Quaternary sediments, this work established a 3D experimental system to simulate the mechanisms and processes of deep hydrocarbon microseepes extending to the surface. The dispersive halos of microseeping hydrocarbons in the subsurface were adequately described by using this 3D experimental system. Results indicate that different migration patterns of hydrocarbons above the point gas source within the simulated caprock and overlying strata can be reflected by the ratio of i-butane to n-butane （i-C4/n-C4）, which follow diffusion and infiltration （buoyancy） mechanisms. This is not the case for vertical measurement lines far from the point gas source. A vertical gas flow in the form of a plume was found during hydrocarbon microseepage. For sampling methods, the high-density grid sampling is favorable for delineating prospecting targets. Hydrocarbon infiltration or buoyancy flow occurs in the zones of infiltration clusters, coupling with a diffusion mechanism at the top of the water table and forming surface geochemical anomalies. These results are significant in understanding hydrocarbon microseepage and interpreting SGE data.

Evaluation of Gold Geochemical Anomalies in the Liaodong Paleorift

89 Au geochemical anomalies are delineated by using 1/200000 regional geochemical exploration data. By researching regional geochemical characteristics and the relationship with the geological background, the author points out that： the main factors causing high background of Au geochemical anomalies are Gaixian and Dashiqiao formation of Liaohe group, intrusions of Mesozoic intermediate-acid intrusive rocks. The elements combination types of typical anomalies are determined by using factorial analysis,cluster analysis and other mathematical methods with the combination of elements association in typical anomalies：the composite anomaly of Baiyun gold deposits is Au-As-Sb, Maoling gold deposit is Au-As- Bi-Mo, Wulong gold deposits is Au-As-Bi-W, Xiaotongjiapuzi gold deposit is Au-As-Bi-Mo-Sb. By using multivariate statistical analysis method,62 ore-caused anomaly are preferred in 89 Au geochemical anomalies delineated. On this basis, the 62 anomalies are divided into 4 kinds of anomaly types reference to elements combination types of typical anomalies,the classification results of ore-caused anomalies are： 4 geochemical anomalies of Baiyun type,36 geochemical anomalies of Maoling type,11 geochemical anomalies of Wulong type, 11 geochemical anomalies of Xiaotongjapuzi type. According to the results, the prospecting direction is provided for the futme of gold exploration.

Mineral Exploration Using Subtle or Negative Geochemical Anomalies

Mineral resources prediction and assessment is one of the most important tasks in geosciences.Geochemical anomalies,as direct indicators of the presence of mineralization,have played a significant role in the search of mineral deposits in the past several decades.In the near future,it may be possible to recognize subtle geochemical anomalies through the use of processing of geochemical exploration data using advanced approaches such as the spectrum-area multifractal model.In addition,negative geochemical anomalies can be used to locate mineralization.However,compared to positive geochemical anomalies,there has been limited research on negative geochemical anomalies in geochemical prospecting.In this study,two case studies are presented to demonstrate the identification of subtle geochemical anomalies and the significance of negative geochemical anomalies.Meanwhile,the opportunities and challenges in evaluating subtle geochemical anomalies associated with mineralization,and benefits of mapping of negative anomalies are discussed.

Application of cluster analysis to geochemical compositional data for identifying ore-related geochemical anomalies

Cluster analysis is a well-known technique that is used to analyze various types of data. In this study, cluster analysis is applied to geochemical data that describe 1444 stream sediment samples collected in northwestern Xinjiang with a sample spacing of approximately 2 km. Three algorithms （the hierarchical, k-means, and fuzzy cmeans algorithms） and six data transformation methods （the z-score standardization, ZST; the logarithmic transformation, LT; the additive log-ratio transformation, ALT; the centered log-ratio transformation, CLT; the isometric log-ratio transformation, ILT; and no transformation, NT） are compared in terms of their effects on the cluster analysis of the geochemical compositional data. The study shows that, on the one hand, the ZST does not affect the results of columnor variable-based （R-type） cluster analysis, whereas the other methods, including the LT, the ALT, and the CLT, have substantial effects on the results. On the other hand, the results of the row- or observation-based （Q-type） cluster analysis obtained from the geochemical data after applying NT and the ZST are relatively poor. However, we derive some improved results from the geochemical data after applying the CLT, the ILT, the LT, and the ALT. Moreover, the k-means and fuzzy cmeans clustering algorithms are more reliable than the hierarchical algorithm when they are used to cluster the geochemical data. We apply cluster analysis to the geochemical data to explore for Au deposits within the study area, and we obtain a good correlation between the results retrieved by combining the CLT or the ILT with the k-means or fuzzy c-means algorithms and the potential zones of Au mineralization. Therefore, we suggest that the combination of the CLT or the ILT with the k-means or fuzzy c-means algorithms is an effective tool to identify potential zones of mineralization from geochemical data.

Detection of Multivariate Geochemical Anomalies Using the Bat-Optimized Isolation Forest and Bat-Optimized Elliptic Envelope Models

Isolation forest and elliptic envelope are used to detect geochemical anomalies,and the bat algorithm was adopted to optimize the parameters of the two models.The two bat-optimized models and their default-parameter counterparts were used to detect multivariate geochemical anomalies from the stream sediment survey data of 1:50000 scale collected from the Helong district,Jilin Province,China.Based on the data modeling results,the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of the two bat-optimized models and their default-parameter counterparts.The results show that the bat algorithm can improve the performance of the two models by optimizing their parameters in geochemical anomaly detection.The optimal threshold determined by the Youden index was used to identify geochemical anomalies from the geochemical data points.Compared with the anomalies detected by the elliptic envelope models,the anomalies detected by the isolation forest models have higher spatial relationship with the mineral occurrences discovered in the study area.According to the results of this study and previous work,it can be inferred that the background population of the study area is complex,which is not suitable for the establishment of elliptic envelope model.

Geochemical Anomaly at the Devonian/Carboniferous Boundary, Huangmao, Gnangxi, China

The abundances of nearly 40 elements, Ir included, have been measured using radio-chemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis (RNAA and INAA) across a Devonian/Carboniferous (D/C) boundary section at Huangmao, Guangxi, China. The Ir anomaly has been found in the D/C boundary bed. Its peak value is 156 ppt, richer by a factor of 12 than that in the underlying strata. Besides, as with Ir, other siderophile and chalcophile elements such as Au. Ni. Co. As and Sb are also enriched. The cause for the abundance anomalies of Ir and other elemets is discussed. Neither volcanic eruption nor extraterrestrial impact can explain it satisfactorily. The real mechanism for the anomalies awaits further study.

Selection of Multifractal Scaling Breaks andSeparation of Geochemical andGeophysical Anomaly

Spatially superimposed multiple processes such as multiplicative cascade processes often generate multifractal measures possessing so-called self-similarity or self-affinity that can be described by power- law type of functions within certain scale ranges The multifractalities can be estimated by applying multifractal modeling to the measures reflecting the characteristics of the physical processes such as the element concentration values analyzed in rock and soil samples and caused by the underlying mineralization processes and the other geological processes. The local and regional geological processes may result in geochemical patterns with distinct multifractalities as wall as variable scaling ranges. Separation of these multifractal measures on the basis of both the distinct multifractalities and the scaling ranges will be significant for both theoretical studies of multifractal modeling and its applications. Multifractal scaling breaks have been observed from various multifractal patterns. This paper introduces a technique for separating multifractal measures on the basis of scaling breaks. It has been demonstrated that the method is effective for decomposing geochemical and geophysical anomalies required for mineral exploration. A dataset containing the element concentration values of potassium and phosphorus in soil samples was employed for demonstrating the application of the method for studying the fertilizer and yield optimization in agriculture

Geochemical Properties and StratigraphicalCorrelation of Frasnian-Famennian TransitionalStrata in Wuzhishan Section

The qualities of petrology and paleobiology in Wuzhishan Section are studied. Several geo-chemical anomalies are recognized, such as: high rare earth element content, high pyrite content and Ni anomalies. It could be correlated with Nandong Section in Xiangzhou County and the F/F boundary could be determined according to Ni anomalies. The results of the study indicate that the geochemical anomaly plays an important role in stratigraphic correlation in non-fossil stratum.

Geochemical and Geophysical Data Processing Aided by“Multifractal-Spectrum”Filters for GIS-Based Mineral Exploration

A recently developed method, on the bases of “multifractal spectrum” filters for mineral exploration, is introduced in this paper. The “multifractal spectrum” filters, a group of irregularly shaped filters that are constructed on each processed datum, can be used to separate various types of geochemical and geophysical anomalies. The basic model, with an emphasis on the GIS based implementation and the application to the geochemical and geophysical data processing for mineral exploration in southern Nova Scotia, Canada, indicates its advantage in the separation of multiple anomalies from the background.

Experimental study on geochemical characteristic of methane hydrate formed in porous media

The natural occurrence of methane hydrates in marine sediments has been intensively studied over the past decades, and geochemical charac-teristic of hydrate is one of the most attractive research fields. In this paper, we discussed the geochemical anomaly during hydrate formation in porous media. By doing so, we also investigated the temperature influence on hydrate formation under isobaric condition. It turns out that sub-cooling is an important factor to dominate hydrate formation. Larger subcooling provides more powerful driving force for hydrate formation. During the geochemical anomaly research, six kinds of ions and the total dissolved salt （TDS） were measured before and after the experiment in different porous media. The result is that all kinds of ionic concentration increased after hydrate formation which can be defined as salting out effect mainly affected by gas consumption. But the variation ratio of different ions is not equal. Ca^2＋ seems to be the most significantly influenced one, and its variation ratio is up to 80%. Finally, we theoretically made a model to calculate the TDS variation, the result is in good accordance with measured one, especially when gas consumption is large.

Elemental Geochemical Anomaly in the Sinian Doushantuo Formation-Dengying FormationBoundary in Miaohe, Hubei

: No research has been made on such a lower rank boundary as the Sinian Doushantuo Formation-Dengying Formation boundary in the eastern region of the Yangtze Gorges. Elemental geochemical determination has revealed anomalies of REE and other trace elements around the boundary, which have relatively high contents than those in its overlying and underlying beds. The authors therefore think that a catastrophic event once occurred in the Miaohe area at the end of the Doushantuoan Period, which caused the mass extinction of the Miaohe biota.

Platinum and Palladium in Coal Rock and Geochemical Anomaly in Eastern Yunnan Province,Southwest China

A series of geochemical anomalies of Pt and Pd were found in 1 358 recombined samples from a geochemical stream sediment survey in eastern Yunnan （云南） Province, China. Chemical optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and inductively coupled plasmas atomic emission spectrometry analyses of 22 elements and chemical compositions of 21 samples from coal-bearing strata from the Late Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic show Pt and Pd concentrated to some extent in coal rocks, with Pd/Pt〈1. As, Pt, B, Au, Pd, V, Sb, U, Pb, and W are enriched in the Lower Carboniferous coal-bearing strata of the Wanshoushan （万寿山） Formation; B, Mo, As, Pt, U, W, Pb, Pd, and V are enriched in the Lower Permian coal-bearing strata of the Liangshan （梁山） Formation; Pt, Cu, Mo, Pd, As, V, and Ag are enriched in the Upper Permian coal-bearing strata of the Xuanwei （宣威） Formation; As, B, Pb, Pt, Pd, U, W, Sb, Mo, Zn, and Ag are enriched in the Upper Triassic coal-bearing strata of the Xujiahe （须家河） Formation; and Pt, As, and Pb are enriched in the lignite of the Pliocene Ciying （茨营） Formation. Combining analyses of the sedimentary environment and local volcanic activity reveal that the coalbearing strata in the Xuanwei Formation are possibly related to the Permian Emeishan （峨眉山） basalt.

Discovery of Cinnabar in Soils in Hg Anomalous Zones in City and Town Areas and Their Surroundings and Its Significance

As a result of systematic study on heavy minerals in soils at city and town areas and their surroundings, cinnabar was discovered for the first time in areas of Hg anomalies in China, and it was found that the distribution of cinnabar was basically coincident in scope with that of Hg anomalies, showing that Hg anomalies were'closely related to cinnabar. This finding provides a theoretical basis for a verification of Hg anomalies in soils in city and town areas and their surroundings, as well as evaluation of its ecological effects, and is significant to revealing the occurrence modes and origin of Hg in soils.

Application of Optically Stimulated Luminescence Technique in Exploring a Concealed Sandstone-type Uranium Deposit

Identifying ore-induced geochemical anomalies at the surface that indicate concealed deposits in buried areas remains a significant challenge in geochemical exploration. In this study, in order to trace the source of the geochemical anomalies, systematic luminescence intensity analyses were conducted on quartz grains from the Quaternary regolith at the Hadatu sandstone-type uranium deposit in the Erenhot Basin. The optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) ages were much older than the depositional ages of the Quaternary regolith. Moreover, quartz OSL ages were closely related to both borehole grades and sampling depths. Thus, the abnormal mineral OSL ages from near-surface sediments were ultimately controlled by the sandstone-type uranium deposits. This is identical to the rapid changes of quartz OSL ages(0.063 ka/cm) and equivalent doses(0.19 Gy/cm) with depths in a given sampling site. The instantaneous soil radon concentration was positively correlated with the quartz OSL apparent age, indicating their ore-induced origin and, as a result, their effectiveness in the exploration of concealed uranium deposits. Other parameters, including mobile-state uranium and;Po contents, were poorly correlated with quartz OSL ages and therefore should only be used with caution for geochemical exploration. This is the first time an attempt has been made to discriminate the ore-induced sources for different surface anomaly parameters, including instantaneous soil radon, mobile-state uranium and;Po contents for concealed sandstonetype uranium deposits.

Hydro-geochemistry of groundwater and surface water in Dschang town(West Cameroon):Alkali and alkaline-earth elements ascertain lithological and anthropogenic constraints

The study aims to identify a suitable site for open and bore well in a farmhouseusing ground magnetic survey in south India.It also aims to define depth to granitoid and structural elements which traverse the selected area.Magnetic data(n=84)measured,processed and interpreted as qualitative and quantitatively.The results of total magnetic intensities indicate that the area is composed of linear magnetic lows trending NE-SW direction and circular to semi-circular causative bodies.The magnetic values ranged from-137 nT to 2345 nT with a mean of 465 nT.Reduction to equator shows significant shifting of causative bodies in the southern and northern directions.Analytical signal map shows exact boundary of granitic bodies.Cosine directional filter has brought out structural element trending NE-SW direction.Results of individual profile brought to light structurally weak zone between 90 m and 100 m in all the profile lines.Sudden decrease of magnetic values from 2042 nT to 126 nT noticed in profile line 6 between 20 m and 30 m indicates fault occurrence.Magnetic breaks obtained from these maps were visualized,interpreted and identified two suitable sites for open and bore well.Radially averaged power spectrum estimates depth of shallow and deep sources in 5 m and 50 m,respectively.Euler method has also been applied to estimate depth of granitoid and structural elements using structural indexes 0,1,2,and 3 and found depth ranges from<10 m to>90 m.Study indicates magnetic method is one of the geophysical methods suitable for groundwater exploration and site selection for open and borewells.

Fractionation characteristics of rare earth elements(REEs) linked with secondary Fe, Mn, and Al minerals in soils

Soil secondary minerals are important scavengers of rare earth elements(REEs) in soils and thus affect geochemical behavior and occurrence of REEs. The fractionation of REEs is a common geochemical phenomenon in soils but has received little attention, especially fractionation induced by secondary minerals. In this study, REEs(La to Lu and Y) associated with soil-abundant secondary minerals Fe-, Al-, and Mn-oxides in 196 soil samples were investigated to explore the fractionation and anomalies of REEs related to the minerals. The results show right-inclined chondrite-normalized REE patterns for La–Lu in soils subjected to total soil digestion and partial soil extraction. Light REEs(LREEs) enrichment features were negatively correlated with a Eu anomaly and positively correlated with a Ce anomaly. The fractionation between LREEs and heavy REEs(HREEs) was attributed to the high adsorption affinity of LREEs to secondary minerals and the preferred activation/leaching of HREEs.The substantial fractions of REEs in soils extracted byoxalate and Dithionite-Citrate-Bicarbonate buffer solutions were labile(10 %–30 %), which were similar to the mass fraction of Fe(10 %–20 %). Furthermore, Eu was found to be more mobile than the other REEs in the soils, whereas Ce was less mobile. These results add to our understanding of the distribution and geochemical behavior of REEs in soils, and also help to deduce the conditions of soil formation from REE fractionation.