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Geochemistry - Introduction: L. Graham Closs Colorado School of Mines
Geochemistry - Introduction: L. Graham Closs Colorado School of Mines
Geochemistry – Introduction
Friday April 12, 2002
L. Graham Closs
Colorado School of Mines
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exploration geochemistry or geochemical prospecting
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Components of a GX Program
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GX Project Design Objectives
Thomson, 1986
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a few “simple” assumptions
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basic questions to be addressed by the survey
design and results
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Geochemical Data and Database Management
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Geochemical Reports – Data Management
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Background, Threshold and Anomaly
• General Definitions:
• background: normal abundance of an element in
unmineralized earth material
• threshold: concentration of an element above which a
sample is considered anomalous
• anomaly: deviation from the norm
Rose et al, 1979
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Threshold Concept
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Geochemical Reports – QA / QC
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Precision vs Problem
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Assessing Data – Potential Difficulties
• assumption of the normal distribution of data
• closure problems with weight percent oxide data
• definition of and exclusion of outliers (+/-)
• leveling problems when merging data sets
• data transformations (+/-)
• rules / justification used to address such issues
need to be stated
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Data Conditioning
Extreme Outliers
• Mark as missing data
• Delete
• “Cap”, or set to the value at roughly 98% of the
data.
• Log transform (doesn’t always work and may create
negative skew to data).
Standardize (Level)
• Must be used if blending two batches with different
background populations. (Quality control problem, different
soil type, rock type…)
• Caution: Calculations are based on x + 2s and the
assumption of a normal population.
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GX Signal Recognition
z Physical Separation:
eg. - 80 mesh soils
z Chemical Speciation:
eg. partial extraction
Fe,Mn oxides
z Geochemical Associations:
eg. pathfinders
As for Au
statistical characterization
z Combinations:
eg. Partial extraction
analysis of - 80 mesh soils
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Geochemical Association Concept
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Multivariate Statistics I - Correlation
• correlation coefficients – quantify linear relationship
between 2 variables
• transformations or data exclusions clearly identified
• correlation matrices show correlation between all pairs
of variables
• associated scatter plots permit assessment of
assumed linear relationship
• include graphs in text to support interpretations or in
appendices for reference
• initial step in multivariate statistical analysis
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Correlation Plots
Scatterplot (MAGUAN.STA 53v*1330c)
5500
y=-42.736+7.7*x+eps
• A few outliers can strongly affect
the correlation coefficient.
4500
R=0.61
3500
CR_PPM
2500
• The correlation coefficient will not
1500
reflect 2 types of correlation within
500
the data.
-500
-20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
CO_PPM
• Evaluate the correlation plots not
Scatterplot (MAGUAN.STA 53v*1330c)
650
y=18.021+4.181*x+eps
just correlation coefficients.
550
R=0.76
450 • Condition the data prior to
applying multivariate statistical
CR_PPM
350
methods.
250
150
50
-50
-10 10 30 50 70 90
• Regression Curves defined.
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CO_PPM
Data Distributions
Correlation Plot Matrix
Matrix Plot (MAGUAN.STA 53v*1330c)
AL_PCT
FE_PCT
MN_PPM
NI_PPM
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Multivariate Statistical Evaluation
Factor Analysis
• Classifies variables
• Defines the structure between variables
• Reduces the number of variables required for
interpretation.
• Each sample is assigned a score for each defined
grouping (factor).
Discriminant Analysis
• Determines which groups of elements discriminate
between 2 naturally occurring groups
(Ore vs. waste)
• Defines the element correspondence for the
groups.
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Multivariate Statistics – “Scores”
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Geochemical Data Evaluation
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Interpretive Maps
• contour maps
manual: “fact or fiction”
Computer: “more objective”, but …
specify software used
• imaged geochemical data
state contouring parameters
• “score” maps
derived from statistical calculations
derivation of score indicated in legend
criteria used to assign symbols or
contours LGC/02
a few “simple” assumptions
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GX Signal Recognition
z Physical Separation:
eg. - 80 mesh soils
z Chemical Speciation:
eg. partial extraction
Fe,Mn oxides
z Geochemical Associations:
eg. pathfinders
As for Au
statistical characterization
z Combinations:
eg. Partial extraction
analysis of - 80 mesh soils
basic questions to be addressed by the survey
design and results
LGC/02
GX Signal Recognition
z Physical Separation:
eg. - 80 mesh soils
z Chemical Speciation:
eg. partial extraction
Fe,Mn oxides
z Geochemical Associations:
eg. pathfinders
As for Au
statistical characterization
z Combinations:
eg. Partial extraction
analysis of - 80 mesh soils