A Comparative Study of Landsat‐7 and Landsat‐8 Data Using Image Processing Methods for Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping

Comparing spaceborne satellite images of Landsat‐8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Landsat‐7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) was undertaken to investigate the relative accuracy of mapping hydrothermal alteration minerals. The study investigated the northern part of Rabor, which contains copper mineralization occurrences, and is located in the Kerman Cenozoic magmatic assemblage (KCMA), Iran. Image processing methods of band ratio, principal component analysis (PCA), and spectral angle mapper (SAM) were used to map the distribution of hydrothermally altered rocks associated with the porphyry copper mineralization. The band ratio combination of both sensors for mapping altered areas showed similar outcomes. PCA exposed variations in the spatial distribution of hydroxyl‐bearing minerals. The representation of hydrothermal areas using OLI data was more satisfactory than when using ETM+ data. SAM analysis found similar results for mapping hydroxyl‐bearing zones. Verification of the results came through ground investigation and laboratory studies. Rock samples (n = 56) were collected to validate results using thin sections, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and spectral analyses. Field observations and laboratory analysis revealed that phyllic and propylitic alterations dominate the alteration zones in the study area. Argillic and iron oxides/hydroxides alterations were observed to a lesser degree. The results indicate that alteration maps prepared by OLI data using PCA for visual interpretation are more suitable than those of ETM+ due to a higher radiometric resolution and lower interference between vegetation and altered areas. As the spectral bandwidth of ETM+ band 7 covers absorption feature of propylitic alteration, better mapping of propylitic alterations is achieved using ETM+ data.     

Detecting Clay Minerals in Hydrothermal Alteration Areas with Integration of ASTER Image and Spectral Data in Kösedag-Zara (Sivas), Turkey

Remote sensing technology and its terrestrial components are more useful than classical geological investigation in mineral exploration and mapping the hydrothermal alteration areas and help to investigate larger areas in short time. Intrusive and volcanic rocks, namely Kösedag syenite and Karatas volcanics in Kösedag (Zara) area shows argillic alteration zones. Two different test area were chosen and sampled for mineralogical studies. XRD-CF investigations showed that kaolinite and illite are the dominant clay minerals in test areas of A and B respectively. The spectroradiometer measurements were carried out 5 times on different surfaces of clayey samples with self-illuminated contact-probe lens within the wavelength range of 350-2500 nm. The spectroradiometer measurements used as endmember were resampled to ASTER short wave infrared (SWIR) bandwidths. Band ratio, principal component and decorrelation stretching analysis were performed to visualize the distribution of clay minerals. In spectral classification method, matched filtering (MF) was used for integrating the satellite image and spectroradiometer measurement data. It was concluded that co-interpretations of the band ratio, principal component, decorrelation stretching analysis, MF results and geological map are very useful in determining, classifying and mapping of the argillic alteration zones related to hydrothermal processes on ASTER image and they seem to be very useful to identify the target areas for mineral exploration.     

内蒙古苏莫查干敖包萤石矿区遥感蚀变信息提取及其找矿指示意义

利用遥感技术可以经济、有效地获取地质找矿信息。基于多光谱遥感数据的蚀变信息提取已在地质填图和找矿工作中广泛应用,近几年,中国高分五号（GF-5）高光谱数据以其较高的光谱分辨率为地表蚀变矿物的精细化识别提供了基础数据。文章结合Landsat-8 OLI多光谱和GF-5高光谱数据,对内蒙古苏莫查干敖包萤石矿及周边开展蚀变信息提取,分析有利成矿区域,并进行野外验证,进一步发掘外围矿产资源潜力并探究遥感地质勘查的可信度。笔者基于Landsat-8多光谱数据,利用主成分分析方法提取了铁染、羟基类蚀变,并对其异常等级进行了划分;基于GF-5高光谱数据运用最小噪声分离（MNF）算法、纯净像元指数（PPI）算法、混合调制匹配滤波（MTMF）填图方法,在研究区内提取出白云母、绿泥石、高岭石、磁赤铁矿和褐铁矿5种矿物。将两者蚀变信息提取结果叠加,笔者发现苏莫查干敖包萤石矿区及外围存在热液蚀变特征,具备金属成矿潜力,野外验证发现研究区除萤石外,还伴生有铅锌多金属矿。因此,笔者认为多光谱和高光谱遥感数据结合的蚀变信息提取在地质矿产资源勘查领域具有一定应用潜力。     

Characterization of the hydrothermal systems associated with Archean VMS-mineralization at Panorama,Western Australia,using hyperspectral,geochemical and geothermometric data

Airborne hyperspectral imagery was used to study the distribution of white mica minerals in Archean (3.2 Ga) submarine hydrothermal systems associated with volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization in a well-exposed volcanic sequence of the Soansville greenstone belt in the Pilbara, Western Australia. White mica mineral abundance and distribution maps were compared with published hydrothermal alteration maps and differences were interpreted using whole-rock geochemistry and temperature estimates from oxygen isotope geothermometric studies of hydrothermally altered rocks. Three different zones were identified from the hyperspectral imagery: 1) Al-rich white mica zones in the upper parts of the volcanic sequence which are related to recharge of unevolved seawater, 2) Al-poor white mica zones at middle and upper levels of the volcanic sequence predominantly related to K alteration by more-evolved hydrothermal fluids, and 3) high to intermediate Al-content white mica zones in lower levels of the sequence and in cross-cutting zones related to intense alteration by laterally flowing and upwelling evolved fluids. The integrated study of the spatial distribution of hyperspectrally detected white mica minerals together with published maps and rock analyses allowed characterization of the hydrothermal systems and reconstruction of paleo fluid pathways.     

ASTER数据在遥感蚀变填图中的应用研究——以内蒙古花敖包特银铅锌多金属矿床为例

花敖包特是位于内蒙古西乌珠穆沁旗的一个大型脉状银铅锌多金属矿床,其矿区的蚀变矿物主要是黏土矿物、绿泥石和方解石,此外还可见孔雀石、萤石和赤铁矿等局部蚀变矿化.结合花敖包特矿床的地质特征,本研究利用高级星载热辐射和反射探测器(ASTER)获取的遥感数据进行蚀变矿物填图.利用ASTER可见光-近红外波段和短波红外波段,对校正后遥感数据采用波段比值分析、波段组合分析和主成分分析来提取黏土矿物、绿泥石和方解石化蚀变.利用ASTER热红外波段,根据相关数值关系,对校正后遥感数据计算二氧化硅含量、QI值以及CI值来分析地质体二氧化硅含量变化规律和碳酸盐化蚀变.结合野外勘查结果发现,主成分分析、波段组合分析能够初步划分矿区绿泥石化、碳酸盐化和黏土化蚀变带以及硅化带,其中主成分分析方法取得的效果较好,显示矿区北部以绿泥石化带为主,南部以碳酸盐化和黏土化混合带为主,而热红外波段数值分析方法在矿田尺度下对矿区附近的硅化带和碳酸盐化蚀变也具有一定的识别能力.     

Variations in composition and abundance of white mica in the hydrothermal alteration system at Hellyer,Tasmania, as revealed by infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral reflectance of hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks in the footwall of the Hellyer massive sulfide deposit was measured with a portable PIMA-II infrared spectrometer. The Al–OH band was used to derive information on the octahedral Al content and the abundance of white mica (sericite) in the hydrothermal alteration and mineralization system. The range of the Al–OH band wavelength from 2192 nm to 2222 nm corresponds to the number of octahedral Al (Al^vi) in white mica approximately from 3.9 to 3.0 (based on 4 octahedral cations per formula). This Al^vi range represents a significant compositional variation, covering most of the compositional region between muscovite (Al^vi = 4.0) and phengite (Al^vi = 3.0). Furthermore, the spectral reflectance data show that the compositional variation of white mica is spatially related to hydrothermal alteration zoning, such that phengitic white mica tends to occur in 1) main upflow fluid channel, 2) intensely altered volcanic rocks, and 3) Pb–Zn mineralization, whereas muscovitic white mica was formed preferentially distal to massive sulfide mineralization on the margin of the footwall alteration system. The results suggest that the Al–OH band wavelength, and therefore the octahedral Al content, of white mica can be used as vectors to mineralization to map the hydrothermal system at Hellyer.     

Infrared spectral reflectance characterization of the hydrothermal alteration at the Tuwu Cu–Au deposit, Xinjiang, China

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) reflectance spectroscopy was used to characterize hydrothermal minerals and map alteration zones in the Tuwu Cu–Au deposit, Xinjiang, China. The Palaeozoic hydrothermal system at Tuwu is structurally controlled, developed in andesitic volcanic rocks and minor porphyries. Hydrothermal alteration is characterized by horizontally zoned development of quartz, sericite, chlorite, epidote, montmorillonite and kaolin about individual porphyry dykes and breccia zones, as is shown by changes outward from a core of quartz veining and silicification, through an inner zone of sericite + chlorite to a marginal zone of chlorite + epidote. The alteration system comprises several such zoning patterns. Silicification and sericitization are spatially associated with Cu–Au mineralization. Zoning is also shown by compositional variations such that Fe-rich chlorite and Al-rich sericite occur preferentially toward the core and the most intensely altered parts, whereas Mg-rich chlorite and relatively Al-poor sericite are present on the margin and the relatively weakly altered parts of the hydrothermal alteration system. The compositions of chlorite and sericite, therefore, can be potentially used as vectors to Cu–Au mineralization. Montmorillonite and kaolinite, of probable weathering origin, are located near the surface, forming an argillic blanket overlying Cu–Au mineralization. Sporadic montmorillonite is also present at depth in the hydrothermal alteration system, formed by descending groundwater. Presence of a well-developed kaolinite-bearing zone on the surface is an indication of possible underlying Cu–Au mineralization in this region. Epidote occurs widely in regional volcanic rocks, as well as in variably altered rocks on the margin of the hydrothermal mineralization system at Tuwu. The widespread occurrence of epidote in volcanic country rocks probably reflects a regional hydrothermal alteration event prior to the localized, porphyry intrusion-related hydrothermal process that led to the Cu–Au mineralization at Tuwu.     

短波红外光谱矿物测量技术在普朗斑岩铜矿区热液蚀变矿物填图中的应用

利用便携式短波红外光谱测量仪（PIMA）在云南普朗斑岩铜矿区开展了短波红外光谱测量工作,通过系统的野外数据采集,获得了研究区蚀变矿物组合及主要蚀变矿物的分布,并建立了普朗斑岩铜矿区蚀变矿物分带模式。在此基础上,建立了斑岩铜矿床找矿模型,该模型对普朗铜矿区及其外围的找矿工作具有积极的指导意义。     

绢云母短波红外光谱特征及其在矿产勘查中的应用

蚀变矿物短波红外(SWIR)光谱特征日趋广泛地应用于矿产勘查研究中。绢云母作为热液矿床中最为发育的蚀变矿物之一,通过SWIR光谱技术提取其谱学特征,进而建立与矿床基础地质信息之间的相关性具有重要意义。然而,前人对于绢云母短波红外光谱特征的研究主要集中于单个矿床,缺少不同矿床间的对比。基于此,文章梳理了混合矿物光谱曲线中对单一矿物相对含量的提取方式,系统总结了温度、流体化学成分、流体pH值、寄主岩石、矿物结构、矿物粒度及共(伴)生矿物等因素对绢云母谱学特征空间变化规律的影响,最后,从契尔马克替换效应角度出发,分析对比了5种不同成因类型矿床中近矿端绢云母波长变化。虽然将绢云母短波红外光谱特征有效地应用于矿产勘查仍存在诸多问题,但作者相信,应用绢云母短波红外光谱特征进行矿产勘查依然具有良好的前景。     

斑岩铜矿围岩蚀变绿帘石的光谱特征——以德兴铜矿富家坞矿区为例

斑岩型矿床具有十分广泛和明显的热液蚀变带,青磐岩化通常位于中心钾化带外侧,可分为三个亚带,绿帘石是青磐岩化带最重要的蚀变矿物之一,但目前对青磐岩化带内各亚带之中的绿帘石的特征研究较为薄弱。近年来,短波红外光谱技术(SWIR)已经广泛应用于热液蚀变矿物的识别,但由于短波红外光谱通过识别特定的基团进而识别含此基团的矿物,难以识别斑岩中部分关键蚀变矿物,如钾长石、钠长石和硬石膏。X射线衍射技术(XRD)能识别大部分蚀变矿物,可对红外光谱技术在斑岩矿床中的应用进行补充。本文以江西省德兴地区富家坞矿区为研究对象,提出应用SWIR和XRD分析辅助蚀变填图。富家坞矿区发育了十分广泛的绿帘石化,根据其共生矿物组合及空间分布,划分了三种绿帘石类型。第Ⅰ类:矿物组合为绿帘石-钠长石-石英-方解石,绿帘石和钠长石以脉状形式产出于钾化花岗闪长斑岩体内,穿切钾长石斑晶;第Ⅱ类:矿物组合为绿帘石±绿泥石-石英-方解石,绿帘石和绿泥石以集合体形式交代早期岩体内黑云母、斜长石的方式产出,并保留有原生矿物晶型,伴有方解石、石英等矿物;第Ⅲ类绿帘石共生矿物主要为石英、方解石、沸石等,含少量高岭石,主要呈不规则脉状,分布于蚀变花岗闪长斑岩外侧。通过对以上三类绿帘石进行系统SWIR和XRD分析,发现类型Ⅰ绿帘石大部分表现出较大的Fe-OH吸收峰位值(Pos2252 2255),类型Ⅱ和类型Ⅲ绿帘石大部分表现为较小的Fe-OH吸收峰位值(Pos2252 2255)。XRD结果显示绿帘石晶体特征更为明显,特征衍射峰位值{■13}晶面表现出相对集中的特征,但是次峰{022}晶面表现出一定的差异性,且绿帘石{022}晶面2. 40?衍射峰半高宽(FWHM-2)与绿帘石Dep2334/Dep2252值呈现负相关的关系。故本文认为绿帘石的次峰{022}晶面2. 40?衍射峰值及其半高宽(FWHM-2)可以作为讨论斑岩矿床围岩蚀变矿物绿帘石的结晶度的主要参数。三种绿帘石结晶指数的差异可能是热液流体演化过程中温度降低和距离岩体中心的远近造成的。     

西藏地堡那木岗斑岩型铜矿多光谱遥感蚀变矿物组合分带特征

文章基于ASTER和Landsat-8OLI两种多光谱遥感数据,采用高光谱遥感技术混合调谐滤波(MTMF)、多光谱遥感技术相对吸收深度(RBD)、波段比值(BR)等方法提取了西藏多龙矿集区地堡那木岗斑岩型铜金矿床地表的蚀变矿物组合。其结果表明,基于ASTER数据的MTMF技术可将Al—OH矿物划分为白云母+高岭石/蒙脱石和地开石+蒙脱石+累托石两种组合,进一步可细分出斑岩型矿床多光谱遥感地表蚀变矿物组合并呈现出良好的分带特征:地堡那木岗铜金矿床自内而外依次为白云母+高岭石/蒙脱石→地开石+蒙脱石+累托石→Mg—OH类矿物组合,分别对应于前人野外调查所勘测到的的绢英岩化带+泥化带→泥化带→青磐岩化带,Fe3+矿物叠加于绢英岩化带、泥化带及其两带的叠合部位。所提取的多光谱遥感蚀变矿物组合分带特征对该区斑岩型铜金矿床的勘查工作提供了重要的遥感线索,对定位找矿靶区具有指导意义。     

ETM+和ASTER数据在遥感矿化蚀变信息提取应用中的比较——以安徽铜陵凤凰山矿田为例

在利用遥感技术找矿中,矿化蚀变信息识别与提取起着重要作用。选择具有典型蚀变特征的安徽铜陵凤凰山矿田作为研究区,从分析地物波谱,尤其是岩矿光谱特征出发,根据ETM+和ASTER数据的光谱特征,采用主成分分析（PCA）,设计了相应的粘土矿化蚀变信息提取方案,成功地进行信息提取。对两者的提取结果进行比较后表明,ASTER数据较之ETM数据在粘土类矿化蚀变信息提取中具有更大的优势。     

Hydrothermal altered serpentinized zone and a study of Ni-magnesioferrite–magnetite–awaruite occurrences in Wadi Hibi,Northern Oman Mountain: Discrimination through ASTER mapping

Economic important minerals and ore deposits are common in hydrothermal altered serpentinized zone. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite sensor is capable of discrimination of such hydrothermal mineralized zone and detection of hydrothermal altered minerals. In the present study, the hydrothermal altered serpentinized harzburgites of Wadi Hibi area of Northern Oman Mountains have been discriminated by using ASTER VNIR–SWIR spectral bands by image processing methods and the occurrences of Ni-magnesioferrite–magnetite–awaruite in the rocks are studied. The color composite RGB image developed using ASTER spectral bands 8, 4 and 1, mapped well the occurrence of weathered peridotites by pale green to dark blue in colors and discriminated the hydrothermally altered serpentinized rocks by pale brown to dark blue colors due to the strong absorption of OH and Mg–OH molecules that occurred in the serpentine minerals of the rocks in the study area. The ASTER band ratios 4/7, 4/1, and 2/3 × 4/3 RGB images studied are capable of discrimination of hydrothermal mineralized areas more clear by pale blue to purple colors due to the strong absorption of such hydroxyl bearing serpentine minerals. The studied image processing methods are evaluated by applying to the region of Wadi Sarami situated in the Semail ophiolite (Oman). In addition to that, the occurrence of serpentine minerals namely, lizardite and antigorite in the hydrothermally altered serpentinized region are detected qualitatively and quantitatively using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) supervised classification image processing method and studied.The interpreted images are verified in the field and checked for the occurrences of minerals including Ni-magnesioferrite, magnetite, pentlandite and awaruite and are confirmed through laboratory studies. Petrographic study of serpentinized harzburgites shows that the rocks consist predominantly of antigorite and lizardite serpentines, olivine and have the opaque minerals assemblage of Ni-magnesioferrite + magnetite + awaruite + pentlandite developed during serpentinization of the rock. The occurrences of such minerals are confirmed by XRD, electron microprobe analyses and spectral measurements in the laboratory.ASTER sensor proved its capability in discriminating the hydrothermal altered serpentinized zone and detecting the mineral occurrences and thus the study recommends the technique to the exploration geologists, scientists and mining geologists for mapping of such rocks and minerals in the similar arid region.     

ASTER spectral analysis for alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization

This study presents classifications of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery based on spectral analysis of alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization in Abo Marawat area which is located in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Spectral analysis of continuum removed reference spectra of alteration minerals alunite, kaolinite, sericite, and calcite from USGS and JPL spectral libraries show shifts in position, shape, and strength most probably related to changes in sample purity and particle size of analyzed samples. Spectral Information Divergence (SID) classification method proved successful for mapping sericite, calcite, and clay minerals. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification identified only sericite and calcite alteration minerals. The identified alteration zones are coincidence with the field sampling and geological map of the study area. The microscopic examination of samples collected from the quartz veins and hydrothermally altered wall-rocks from near surface and subsurface at Abu Marawat gold mine shows sericitization, argillaceous, and carbonatization alteration zones. Gold occurs as very fine inclusions in pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite and also found filling the fractures between chalcopyrite grains. This study concludes that ASTER image classifications using reference spectra are a stable and reproducible technique for mapping gold related hydrothermal alteration zones in areas with no dominant vegetation cover.     

浙江外岗银多金属矿床热液蚀变短波红外光谱分析及找矿指示

中国东南沿海浙闽交界地区发现大量银多金属矿床,这些矿床以石英脉状矿化为主,并伴有明显的热液蚀变作用,关于其成因和控矿因素尚不清楚.文章以其中的外岗银多金属矿床为研究对象,开展了短波红外光谱测量(SWIR),提取蚀变矿物种类、组合信息,划分蚀变矿物分带,分析矿化强度与蚀变矿物组合及分带的关系.短波红外光谱测量识别出的蚀变...     

Extracting mineral alteration information using WorldView-3 data

The multispectral commercial satellite-WorldView-3 (WV-3) has the highest spatial, spectral and radiation resolutions among the satellites currently and can generate good data in the shortwave infrared (SWIR). The study area is located in the Pobei area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is rich in mineral resources. The spectral analyses of some typical altered hydroxy-bearing, iron-bearing, and carbonate-bearing minerals could establish several Principal Component Analysis (PCA) models and mineral indices, using the visible and near infrared (VNIR) and the shortwave infrared (SWIR) subsystems of WV-3 data. In addition, the Spectral Angle Method and the spectrum index tool of ENVI software were used to extract the relevant alteration information. The WV-3 data is well suited for identifying hydroxy-bearing alteration with rich SWIR bands which distinguish Al-OH-bearing from Mg-OH-bearing alteration. Hence, this study provides a basis for the prediction of mineral resources in the Pobei area and sets the foundation for WV-3 data to be used as an important tool in extracting alteration information and prospecting practices.     

弓长岭铁矿蚀变岩及富矿成因

弓长岭铁矿床是鞍山本溪地区最典型的BIF型铁矿床之一,而且是该地区最大的富铁矿产区。从野外产出关系来看,弓长岭矿区的富铁矿与蚀变岩密切相关,蚀变岩与富铁矿基本上是形影相随。蚀变岩具有分带性,由富铁矿向外依次为镁铁闪石岩石榴石岩绿泥石岩弱蚀变斜长角闪岩斜长角闪岩。弱蚀变岩保留了蚀变原岩的岩貌特征,矿物的蚀变并不完全,可见残余的原生矿物。强蚀变岩的蚀变较彻底,基本无原生矿物残留。将蚀变岩与斜长角闪岩、磁铁石英岩的地球化学特征进行对比可以发现弱蚀变岩、石榴石岩、绿泥石岩与斜长角闪岩的痕量元素特征基本一致,而镁铁闪石岩的痕量元素特征更接近磁铁石英岩。再结合镜下特征、野外接触关系、主量元素特征等证据,认为除了镁铁闪石岩是由磁铁石英岩蚀变形成,其余蚀变岩都是由斜长角闪岩蚀变形成。根据各类蚀变岩中主要矿物的(Fe+Mg)/Si值以及蚀变岩的SiO2和Fe2OT3含量变化规律可以发现,在蚀变岩和富矿形成过程中发生了Mg、Fe以及Si的迁移。对本次取样的样品进行原岩恢复和构造环境判别投图,投图结果表明,绿泥石岩和弱蚀变岩的最初原岩都是形成于弧后盆地的玄武岩。     

The mineral chemistry of hydrothermally altered and metamorphosed wall-rocks at the Stollberg Fe-Pb-Zn-Mn(-Ag) deposit,Bergslagen, Sweden

The c. 1.9 Ga old Stollberg sulphide and Mnrich skarn iron ores and sulphide ores in Bergslagen, south-central Sweden are hosted by hydrothermally altered and metamorphosed felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. The ores are underlain by comformable alteration zones characterized by albite-gedrite-quartz and biotite-muscovite-plagioclase-K-feldspar-quartz +/– garnet assemblages. The present mineralogies are interpreted as medium-grade metamorphic equivalents to the original alteration mineral assemblages. PT-conditions during prograde regional metamorphism are semiquantatively determined to be 510 to 560 °C at approximately 3 kbar. With increasing modal content of gedrite and biotite in the alteration zones, the Mg/Fe ratios and X_Mg's in octahedral positions of these minerals also increase. In the gedrite-bearing strata, whole-rock Mg/Fe ratios remain constant, whereas in the biotite-rich unit the wholerock Mg/Fe trend is parallel to that of the biotites.The trends in the metamorphic mineral composition are interpreted to be a product of original changes in fluid composition during the evolution of a sub-seafloor hydrothermal system. During the initial stage of alteration, Fe-Mn-rich fluids altered the rocks, and during a later stage, the fluids became more Mg-rich, possibly due to entrainment of fresh seawater, and the alteration zones became relatively more Mg-rich. Sulphide precipitation was contemperaneous with Mg metasomatism, suggesting base metal precipitation was a function of the mixing of cool seawater with hydrothermal fluid. It is proposed that early hydrothermal alteration was associated with the deposition of areally extensive Fe-oxide formation, and that Mg metasomatism defines a second stage of hydrothermal activity during which sulphide mineralization overprinted the earlier formed Fe-oxide deposit.     

Hydrothermal alterations of the chemical composition in grain size fractions of sediments in the Guaymas Basin,Gulf of California

The paper presents data on the contents of macro- and microelements (rare earth elements included) determined in grain size fractions of the Upper Pleistocene hydrothermally altered and unaltered sediments from the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California). Sediments subjected to high-temperature hydrothermal alteration were recovered by DSDP Hole 477A. In the finely dispersed fractions, which are mainly composed of clay minerals, alteration of the chemical composition was provoked by the hydrothermal transformation of terrigenous clay minerals. The concentration of microelements in these fractions takes place primarily at the cost of the hydrothermal finely dispersed ore minerals. Alteration of the chemical composition of the coarse-grained fractions is related to the replacement of clastogenic minerals by the secondary varieties and the formation of new minerals (including ore minerals and native metals) from the solutions. Hydrothermal alterations of the chemical composition of bulk samples depend on the degree of chemical element concentration in fractions and their content in samples.     

Application of Principal Component Analysis and Spectral Angle Mapper in the Mapping of Hydrothermal Alteration in the Jebal–Barez Area,Southeastern Iran

The southeastern part of the central Iranian Cenozoic magmatic belt contains many areas with copper mineralization. In an analysis of this region, we used the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM⁺) images to map the distribution of hydrothermally altered rocks, based on their mineral assemblages. The spectral measurements, based on the field samples and satellite‐image‐derived spectra, show dominantly Al–OH (sericite and clays) and Fe–O absorption features in the visible–near infrared to shortwave infrared regions of the spectrum. Silica–bearing rocks, as well as silicic alteration, show an intense Si–O vibrational feature in the thermal infrared wavelength region. We analyzed ASTER/ETM⁺ images, performed a directed principal component analysis, and used spectral angle mapper to map areas of hydrothermal alteration and iron oxide/hydroxide minerals. The individual principal component images compiled by directed principal component analysis reveal the distribution of individual alteration minerals such as sericite, kaolinite, chlorite, epidote, and quartz. The best results, in terms of mapping the distribution of alteration, were obtained using the spectral angle mapper method. The altered areas were then sampled and the samples subjected to X–ray diffraction analysis, spectral analysis, and thin sections were observed under a microscope. Field observations reveal that more than 98% of the known copper mineralization occurs within the interpreted alteration areas. The present results indicate the great potential of ASTER and ETM⁺ data for mapping the distribution of alteration and exploring for copper mineralization in areas with a similar climate and geological setting to those of the present study.