Abstract
The aim of this study is to quantify the geochemical elements distribution patterns analyzed from stream sediment data and then to delineate favorable areas for mineral exploration. A total of 7 270 stream sediment samples were collected from four subareas and 37 rock (ore) chip samples from five different locations in the Bange region, northern Tibet (China). The multifractal spectra of 12 elements including Au, Ag, As, Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, W, Sn, Bi, Sb and Hg are represented by the method of moments, and characterized by five quantitative multifractal parameters. The results show that the multifractality for Cu and Bi in the Gongma area is much stronger than those in other subareas. Both the asymmetry index of multifractal spectra and the variance coefficients of Cu and Bi in this area are the highest, which imply that the distribution pattern of Cu and Bi in the Gongma area is the most heterogeneous. These multifractal parameters indicate that the Gongma area is the most favorable for prospecting Cu and Bi. The results obtained by the method of moments are in agreement with petrochemical analysis and field observation. It is suggested that multifractal analysis can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the ore-forming potential in the study area and to provide new approaches for geochemical exploration.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References Cited
Agterberg, F. P., 2001. Multifractal Simulation of Geochemical Map Patterns. Journal of China University of Geosciences, 12(1): 31–39. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-1359-9_17
Carlson, C. A., 1991. Spatial Distribution of Ore Deposits. Geology, 19(2): 111–114. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019〈 0111:SDOOD〉2.3.CO
Carranza, E. J. M., 2009. Controls on Mineral Deposit Occurrence Inferred from Analysis of Their Spatial Pattern and Spatial Association with Geological Features. Ore Geology Reviews, 35(3–4): 383–400. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2009.01.001
Cheng, Q. M., 1995. The Perimeter-Area Fractal Model and Its Application to Geology. Mathematical Geology, 27(1): 69–82. doi:10.1007/BF02083568
Cheng, Q. M., 1999a. Spatial and Scaling Modeling for Geochemical Anomaly Separation. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 65(3): 175–194. doi:10.1016/S0375-6742(99)00028-X
Cheng, Q. M., 1999b. Multifractality and Spatial Statistics. Computers and Geosciences, 25(9): 949–961. doi:10.1016/S0098-3004(99)00060-6
Cheng, Q. M., 2000a. Multifractal Theory and Geochemical Element Distribution Pattern. Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 25(3): 311–318 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Cheng, Q. M., 2000b. GeoData Analysis System (GeoDAS) for Mineral Exploration: User’s Guide and Exercise Manual. Material for the Training Workshop on GeoDAS Held at York University, Toronto
Cheng, Q. M., Agterberg, F. P., 1995. Multifractal Modeling and Spatial Point Processes. Mathematical Geology, 27(7): 831–845. doi:10.1007/BF02087098
Cheng, Q. M., Agterberg, F. P., 1996. Multifractal Modeling and Spatial Statistics. Mathematical Geology, 28(1): 1–16. doi:10.1007/BF02273520
Cheng, Q. M., Agterberg, F. P., Ballantyne, S. B., 1994. The Separation of Geochemical Anomalies from Background by Fractal Methods. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 51(2): 109–130. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(94)90013-2
Cheng, Q. M., Agterberg, F. P., Bonham-Carter, G. F., 1996. A Spatial Analysis Method for Geochemical Anomaly Separation. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 56(3): 183–195. doi:10.1016/S0375-6742(96)00035-0
Cheng, Q. M., Bonham-Carter, G. F., Hall, G. E. M., et al., 1997. Statistical Study of Trace Elements in the Soluble Organic and Amorphous Fe-Mn Phases of Surficial Sediments, Sudbury Basin. 1. Multivariate and Spatial Analysis. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 59(1): 27–46. doi:10.1016/S0375-6742(96)00046-5
Evertsz, C. J. G., Mandelbrot, B. B., 1992. Multifractal Measures(Appendix B). In: Peitgen, H. O., Jurgens, H., Saupe, D., eds., Chaos and Fractals. Springer-Verlag, New York
Feder, J., 1988. Fractals. Plenum Press, New York
Gao, S. B., Zheng, Y. Y., Wang, J. S., et al., 2011a. The Geochronology and Geochemistry of Intrusive Rocks in Bange Area: Constraints on the Evolution Time of the Bangong Lake-Nujiang Ocean Basin. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 27(7): 1973–1982 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Gao, S. B., Zheng, Y. Y., Xie, M. C., et al., 2011b. Geodynamic Setting and Mineralizational Implication of the Xueru Intrusion in Ban’ge, Tibet. Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 36(4): 729–739 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Grunsky, E. C., Agterberg, F. P., 1988. Spatial and Multivariate Analysis of Geochemical Data from Metavolcanic Rocks in the Ben Nevis Area, Ontario. Mathematical Geology, 20(7): 825–861. doi:10.1007/BF00890195
Gumiel, P., Sanderson, D. J., Arias, M., et al., 2010. Analysis of the Fractal Clustering of Ore Deposits in the Spanish Iberian Pyrite Belt. Ore Geology Reviews, 38(4): 307–318. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2010.08.001
He, Z. H., Li, S. Q., Hu, Z. K., 2004. Discussion on Industrial Index of Bismuth Deposit. Geology and Mineral Resources of South China, 2: 32–34 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Halsey, T. C., Jensen, M. H., Kadanoff, L. P., et al., 1986. Fractal Measures and Their Singularities—The Characterization of Strange Sets. Physical Review A, 33(2): 1141–1151. doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.33.1141
Hou, Z. Q., Yang, Z. M., Qu, X. M., et al., 2009. The Miocene Gangdese Porphyry Copper Belt Generated during Post-Collisional Extension in the Tibetan Orogen. Ore Geology Review, 36(3): 25–51. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2008.09.006
Li, C. J., Xu, Y. L., Jiang, X. L., 1994. The Fractal Model of Mineral Deposits. Geology of Zhejiang, 10(2): 25–32 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Li, G. M., Pan, G. T., Wang, G. M., et al., 2004. Evaluation and Prospecting Value of Mineral Resources in Gangdise Metallogenic Belt, Tibet, China. Journal of Chengdu University of Technology (Science & Technology Edition), 31(1): 22–27 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Li, G. M., She, H. Q., Zhang, L., et al., 2009. Based on Mineral Resource Assessment System (MRAS) for the Metallogenic Prognosis in Gangdese Metallogenic Belt, Tibet. Geology and Exploration, 45(6): 645–654 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Liu, Y. J., Cao, L. M., 1987. An Introduction on Elements Geochemistry. Geological Publishing House, Beijing (in Chinese)
Mandelbrot, B. B., 1983. The Fractal Geometry of Nature. W. H. Freeman, New York
Ministry of Land and Resources of China, 2002. Specifications for Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver, Nickel and Molybdenum Mineral Exploration. Geology and Mineral Resource Industry Standard of the PRC (DZ/T 0214-2002), Beijing (in Chinese)
Pan, G. T., Mo, X. X., Hou, Z. Q., et al., 2006. Spatial-Temporal Framework of the Gangdese Orogenic Belt and Its Evolution. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 22(3): 521–533 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Qu, X. M., Hou, Z. Q., Huang, W., 2001. Is Gangdese Porphyry Copper Belt the Second “Yulong” Copper Belt? Mineral Deposits, 20(4): 355–366 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Raines, G. L., 2008. Are Fractal Dimensions of the Spatial Distribution of Mineral Deposits Meaningful? Natural Resources Research, 17(2): 87–97. doi:10.1007/s11053-008-9067-8
Rui, Z. Y., Hou, Z. Q., Qu, X. M., et al., 2003. Metallogenetic Epoch of Gangdese Prophyry Copper Belt and Uplift of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Mineral Deposits, 22(3): 217–225 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Rui, Z. Y., Li, G. M., Zhang, L. S., et al., 2006. Metallic Ore Deposits on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Geology in China, 33(2): 363–373 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Sanderson, D. J., Roberts, S., Gumiel, P., 1994. A Fractal Relationship between Vein Thickness and Gold Grade in Drill Core from La Codosera, Spain. Economic Geology, 89(1): 168–173. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.89.1.168
She, H. Q., Li, G. M., Dong, Y. J., et al., 2009. Regional Metallogenic Prognosis and Mineral Reserves Estimation for Porphyry Copper Deposits in Gangdese Polymetallic Ore Belt, Tibet. Mineral Deposits, 28(6): 803–814 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Shi, J. F., Wang, C. N., 1998. Fractal Analysis of Gold Deposits in China: Implication for Giant Deposit Exploration. Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 23(6): 616–618 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Sinclair, A. J., 1991. A Fundamental Approach to Threshold Estimation in Exploration Geochemistry: Probability Plots Revisited. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 41(1–2): 1–22. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(91)90071-2
Song, L., 2011. The Research About Minerogenetic Series in the Middle of Bangonghu-Nujiang Metallogenic Belt, Tibet: [Dissertation]. China University of Geosciences, Beijing (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Stanley, C. R., 1988. Comparison of Data Classification Procedures in Applied Geochemistry Using Monte Carlo Simulation: [Dissertation]. University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Stanley, C. R., Sinclair, A. J., 1989. Comparison of Probability Plots and Gap Statistics in the Selection of Threshold for Exploration Geochemistry Data. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 32(1–3): 355–357. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(89)90076-9
Turcotte, D. L., 1997. Fractals and Chaos in Geology and Geophysics, 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Turcotte, D. L., 2002. Fractals in Petrology. Lithos, 65(3–4): 261–271. doi:10.1016/S0024-4937(02)00194-9
Wang, Q. H., Wang, B. S., Li, J. G., et al., 2002. Basic Features and Ore Prospect Evaluation of the Gangdise Island Arc, Tibet, and Its Copper Polymetallic Ore Belt. Geological Bulletin of China, 21(1): 35–45 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Wang, Z. J., Cheng, Q. M., Cao, L., et al., 2006. Fractal Modelling of the Microstructure Property of Quartz Mylonite during Deformation Process. Mathematical Geology, 39(1): 53–68. doi:10.1007/s11004-006-9065-5
Wang, Z. J., Cheng, Q. M., Xu, D. Y., et al., 2008. Fractal Modeling of Sphalerite Banding in Jinding Pb-Zn Deposit, Yunnan, Southwestern China. Journal of China University of Geosciences, 19(1): 77–84. doi:10.1016/S1002-0705(08)60027-8
Xie, S. Y., 2003. Fractal and Multifractal Properties of Geochemical Fields: [Dissertation]. China University of Geosciences, Wuhan
Xie, S. Y., Bao, Z. Y., 2003a. Multifractal and Geochemical Element Distribution Patterns. Geology-Geochemistry, 31(3): 97–102 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Xie, S. Y., Bao, Z. Y., 2003b. The Method of Moments and Its Application to the Study of Mineralization in Shaoguan District, North Guangdong, China. Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition), 33(4): 443–448 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Xie, S. Y., Bao, Z. Y., 2004a. Fractal and Multifractal Properties of Geochemical Fields. Mathematical Geology, 36(7): 847–864. doi:10.1023/B:MATG.0000041182.70233.47
Xie, S. Y., Bao, Z. Y., 2004b. Application of Multifractal to Ore-Forming Potential Evaluation. Journal of Chengdu University of Technology (Science & Technology Edition), 31(1): 28–33 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Xie, S. Y., Cheng, Q. M., Chen, G., et al., 2007. Application of Local Singularity in Prospecting Potential Oil/Gas Targets. Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics, 14(3): 285–292. doi:10.5194/npg-14-285-2007
Xie, S. Y., Cheng, Q. M., Ke, X. Z., et al., 2008. Identification of Geochemical Anomaly by Multifractal Analysis. Journal of China University of Geosciences, 19(4): 334–342. doi:10.1016/S1002-0705(08)60066-7
Xie, S. Y., Cheng, Q. M., Xing, X. T., et al., 2010. Geochemical Multifractal Distribution Patterns in Sediments from Ordered Streams. Geoderma, 160(1): 36–46. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.01.009
Xie, X. J., Yin, B. C., 1993. Geochemical Patterns from Local to Global. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 47(1–3): 109–129. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(93)90061-P
Zhang, J. C., Wang, X. W., Lei, C. Y., et al., 2011. Genesis of Late Yanshanian Granites and the Ore-Search Prospect in the Duoba-Bange Area, Gangdise Belt, Tibet, China. Journal of Chengdu University of Technology (Science and Technology Edition), 38(6): 671–677 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Zhao, Y. Y., Liu, Y., Wang, R. J., et al., 2010. The Discovery of the Bismuth Mineralization Belt in the Bangong Co-Nujiang Metallogenic Belt of Tibet and Its Adjacent Areas and Its Geological Significance. Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 31(2): 183–193 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Zheng, Y. Y., Wang, B. S., Fan, Z. H., et al., 2002. Analysis of Tectonic Evolution in the Eastern Section of the Gangdise Mountains, Tibet and the Metallogenic Potentialities of Copper Gold Polymetal. Geological Science and Techonology Information, 21(2): 55–60 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Zheng, Y. Y., Xue, Y. X., Gao, S. B., 2003. Copper-Polymetal Metallogenic Series and Prospecting Perspective of Eastern Section of Gangdise. Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 14(4): 349–355 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Zhu, D. C., Pan, G. T., Mo, X. X., et al., 2006. Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Geodynamic Setting in Middle-northern Gangdese: New Insights from Volcanic Rocks. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 22(3): 534–546 (in Chinese with English Abstract)
Zuo, R. G., 2011. Identifying Geochemical Anomalies Associated with Cu and Pb-Zn Skarn Mineralization using Principal Component Analysis and Spectrum-Area Fractal Modeling in the Gangdese Belt, Tibet (China). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 111(1–2): 13–22. doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2011.06.012
Zuo, R. G., Cheng, Q. M., Agterberg, F. P., et al., 2009. Application of Singularity Mapping Technique to Identification Local Anomalies Using Stream Sediment Geochemical Data: A Case Study from Gangdese, Tibet, Western China. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101(3): 225–235. doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.08.00
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ke, X., Xie, S., Zheng, Y. et al. Multifractal analysis of geochemical stream sediment data in Bange region, northern Tibet. J. Earth Sci. 26, 317–327 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-015-0538-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-015-0538-7