Biogeochemical Prospecting of Sulphide Minerals in Winder Valley, Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract: The Mor Range is mountainous terrain in southern Balochistan dominantly occupied by exposures of rocks of the Ferozabad Group which is comprised of Lower‐Middle Jurassic carbonates and siliciclastics. This group contains syngenetic and epigenetic Zn–Pb–Ba mineralization classified as Stratiform Sediment‐Hosted (SSH) and Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) deposits. Three important flora of the Saharo–Sindian, phytogeographical region of Pakistan, namely Tamarix aphyl–la, Salvadora oleoides and Acacia arabica have been studied as a mineralization prospecting tool. Samples of these species were collected from Winder Valley adjoining the Mor Range to prospect for new areas of mineralization, besides the known sulphide deposits. This study revealed the Draber, Thorar, Raj, Mithi and Kanrach localities as new prospect. Quantitative estimation of biophile elements (Zn–Cu–Pb) from the three species was made. A number of new Zn, Cu and Pb anomalies were distinguished in the area. The variation in the constituents of these species from different localities possibly varies with nature and distance from bedrock, mobility, climate, average abundance in the plant ash and exclusion mechanism of the flora. Acacia arabica with deep penetrating roots shows the best results and could be used to delineate new horizons of mineralization. In these species Zn and Cu are relatively concentrated whereas Pb shows limited enrichment. Lead therefore is the element best suited for pinpointing the mineralization owing to its relatively less mobile character. Relationships among Zn–Cu–Pb have been established using scattergrams and triangular variation diagram, which also demonstrate their genetic affiliation. Statistical analyses, such as determination of mean, mode, median, standard deviation, and coefficient of correlation, were also made to improve the raw geochemical data. These biogeochemical methods appear to be suitable in arid climate of Balochistan, if proper attention is paid to species selection.     

Hydrogeochemistry of the Winder River and adjoining tributaries, Balochistan, Pakistan

Quantitative estimation of ground and stream waters draining through sedimentary rocks of the Pab and Mor ranges (Jurassic-Cretaceous) and the Bela ophiolite has been made. The degree of correspondence among cations and anions has been estimated in order to evaluate their mutual relationships. The abundance of major ions is interpreted to be related to bedrocks and climatic conditions, which may contribute to the genetic affiliation. The log TDS and Na/Na Ca ratio reflected supremacy of weathering of rocks with some influence of evaporation. Ionic relationship is exhibited in the form of Stiff diagrams. Patterns of ionic composition revealed high NaCl, medium Ca(HCO3)2 and low MgSO4. Piper diagram has been used to classify the hydrofacies. The important hydrogeochemical parameters have been estimated for assessment of groundwater quality for domestic purposes in accordance to WHO. Irrigation water qualities have been evaluated in terms of EC, SAR, RSC, ESP and pH.     

Geochemical features of rocks,stream sediments,and soils of the Fiume Grande Valley (Calabria,Italy)

The role of both natural weathering and anthropogenic pollution in controlling the distribution of major oxides and several trace elements in soils, stream sediments, and rocks of the Fiume Grande catchment was evaluated. The contents of major oxides and trace elements in soils appear to be governed by weathering and pedogenetic processes, although the use of fertilizers in agriculture could also partly affect K₂O and P₂O₅ contents. Stream sediments have concentrations of major oxides (except CaO) very similar to soils, as relevant amounts of soil materials are supplied to the stream channels by erosive phenomena. In contrast, stream sediments have concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, As, and Pb significantly higher than those of soils, probably due to different conditions and rates of mobility of these elements within the three considered matrices and/or disposal of wastes in the drainage network. Comparison of the concentrations of PHEs in soils with the maximum admissible contents established by the Italian law shows that these limits are too restrictive in some cases and too permissive in other ones. The approach of setting these limits with no consideration for the local geological–geochemical framework may lead to improper management of the territory and its resources. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Biogeochemical evaluation of Nannorrhops ritchiana： A Mg-flora from Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan

Nannorrhops ritchiana （ Mazari Palm） is a distinctive flora growing in the Saharo-Sindian region. It is well distributed on the ultramafic soil, derived from the Bela Ophiolite in the Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Quantitative estimation of Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni in soil and plant ash has been carried out. The constituents of plant ash have been discussed in relation to soil chemistry, pH, climate, mobility, average abundance in plant ash and exclusion mechanism of the flora. Relationship among Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni has been established using scattergrams to evaluate the biogeochemistry of the plant. High contents of Mg and high coefficient of biological absorption allow it to be classed as Mg-flora. Both Ca and Fe appeared to be antagonistic to Mg. The metal assemblage of N. ritchiana nicely reflected the nature of the bed rock as being serpentinized ultramafic, and its corresponding soils. Good exclusion mechanism of N. ritchiana did not allow it to absorb high Ni from the soil. Relatively high concentrations of Ni in N. ritchiana from the Baran Lak area can be used to localize Ni-mineralization in the study area. Statistical analyses, such as minimum, maximum, mean, mode, median, standard deviations, and coefficient of correlation, were also made to improve raw geochemical data and interpretations.     

Biogeochemical evaluation of Nannorrhops ritchiana : A Mg-flora from Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan

Nannorrhops ritchiana (Mazari Palm) is a distinctive flora growing in the Saharo-Sindian region. It is well distributed on the ultramafic soil, derived from the Bela Ophiolite in the Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Quantitative estimation of Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni in soil and plant ash has been carried out. The constituents of plant ash have been discussed in relation to soil chemistry, pH, climate, mobility, average abundance in plant ash and exclusion mechanism of the flora. Relationship among Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni has been established using scattergrams to evaluate the biogeochemistry of the plant. High contents of Mg and high coefficient of biological absorption allow it to be classed as Mg-flora. Both Ca and Fe appeared to be antagonistic to Mg. The metal assemblage ofN. ritchiana nicely reflected the nature of the bed rock as being serpentinized ultramafic, and its corresponding soils. Good exclusion mechanism ofN. ritchiana did not allow it to absorb high Ni from the soil. Relatively high concentrations of Ni inN. ritchiana from the Baran Lak area can be used to localize Ni-mineralization in the study area. Statistical analyses, such as minimum, maximum, mean, mode, median, standard deviations, and coefficient of correlation, were also made to improve raw geochemical data and interpretations.     

Characteristics and mitigation of the snow avalanche hazard in Kaghan Valley,Pakistan Himalaya

Snow avalanche hazards in mountainous areas of developing countries have received scant attention in the scientific literature. The purpose of this paper is to describe this hazard and mitigative measures in Kaghan Valley, Pakistan Himalaya, and to review alternatives for future reduction of this hazard. Snow avalanches have long posed a hazard and risk to indigenous populations of the Himalaya and Trans-Himalaya mountains. Land use intensification due to population growth, new transportation routes, military activity and tourism is raising levels of risk. The history of land use in the study area is such that investigations of avalanche hazard must rely on different theoretical bases and data than in most industrialised countries. Despite the intensive use of valley-bottom land which is affected by avalanches, a number of simple measures are currently employed by the indigenous population to mitigate the hazard. Out-migration during the winter months is the most important one. During the intensive use period of summer avalanche-transported snow provides numerous resources for the population. In Kaghan the avalanche hazard is increasing primarily as a result of poorly located new buildings and other construction projects. The large scale of avalanche activity there rules out any significant improvement or protection of the currently difficult winter access. Instead, future mitigation of the hazard should focus on protecting the small number of winter inhabitants and minimising property damage.     

辽宁金杖子地区水系沉积物地球化学特征

金杖子地区位于冀东-辽西金成矿带,区内矿产资源丰富,成矿地质条件优越。本文在1∶25000水系沉积物测量工作的基础上,结合该区地质特征和成矿地质条件,对该地区10种元素的地球化学特征、离散程度及综合异常特征进行研究,圈定综合异常3处,为进一步的地质勘查工作提供了依据。     

四川石棉地区碲成矿地质背景、地球化学特征及其地质意义

大水沟碲矿床作为世界唯一碲独立成矿矿床,从它的偶然发现至今,一直倍受关注,但一直缺乏相关的探寻与对类似碲矿床的地球化学理论方法研究。石棉地区主要富集与基性岩浆活动有关的亲基性场元素或氧化物,Te、Bi成矿元素的整体含量不高,发生不同程度的贫化,碲在二叠系、志留系通化岩组、奥陶系大河边组、震旦系及二叠—三叠纪侵入岩中具有较好的局部富集和成矿潜力。虽然碲矿区内各元素含量水平不高,但Te、Bi平均含量高于石棉地区平均含量,接近西南五省背景值。根据碲成矿地质背景、石棉地区与碲矿区的地球化学特征,建立碲矿的地球化学找矿模型,运用模型为石棉地区提供了最具潜力的碲找矿靶区与方向,部分靶区已发现碲矿脉或矿化。     

闽东北地区金银矿床的水系沉积物地球化学特征

闽东北地区位于政和—大埔断裂带东侧。在晚侏罗世—早白垩世,该地区经历了十分强烈的火山活动,形成了分布广泛、厚度巨大的陆相火山沉积岩系,其下伏基底地层中的迪口组与福建省金矿或矿化关系极为密切,是福建省重要的含金矿源层,有较好的成矿条件。水系沉积物异常重现性试验及元素的表生迁移研究表明,不同采样批次、不同季节、不同年份在相同采样介质和采样点获得的主要成矿元素异常重现性较好。与全国水系沉积物元素平均含量相比,Au、Ag、Pb、Zn异常较明显。水系沉积物元素异常统计揭示,Au、Ag、As、Sb的成矿能力评价最高。这种元素异常组合表明,与火山岩有关的金矿是本区最有利的成矿矿种,并在闽东北地区经钻探验证,取得了良好的找矿效果。     

Geochemical comparison of waters and stream sediments close to abandoned Sb-Au and As-Au mining areas,northern Portugal

Waters from abandoned Sb-Au mining areas have higher Sb (up to 2138 μg L⁻¹), As (up to 1252 μg L⁻¹) and lower Al, Zn, Li, Ni and Co concentrations than those of waters from the As-Au mining area of Banjas, which only contain up to 64 μg L⁻¹ As. In general, Sb occurs mainly as SbO₃⁻ and As H₂AsO₄⁻. In general, waters from old Sb-Au mining areas are contaminated in Sb, As, Al, Fe, Cd, Mn, Ni and NO₂⁻, whereas those from the abandoned As-Au mining area are contaminated in Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd and rarely in NO₂⁻. Waters from the latter area, immediately downstream of mine dumps are also contaminated in As. In stream sediments from Sb-Au and As-Au mining areas, Sb (up to 5488 mg kg⁻¹) and As (up to 235 mg kg⁻¹) show a similar behaviour and are mainly associated with the residual fraction. In most stream sediments, the As and Sb are not associated with the oxidizable fraction, while Fe is associated with organic matter, indicating that sulphides (mainly arsenopyrite and pyrite) and sulphosalts containing those metalloids and metal are weathered. Arsenic and Sb are mainly associated with clay minerals (chlorite and mica; vermiculite in stream sediments from old Sb-Au mining areas) and probably also with insoluble Sb phases of stream sediments. In the most contaminated stream sediments, metalloids are also associated with Fe phases (hematite and goethite, and also lepidocrocite in stream sediments from Banjas). Moreover, the most contaminated stream sediments correspond to the most contaminated waters, reflecting the limited capacity of stream sediments to retain metals and metalloids.     

Geochemistry and behavior of REE in stream sediments close to an old Sn-W mine,Ribeira, Northeast Portugal

The abandoned Sn-W Ribeira mine, northeast of Portugal, contained quartz veins with cassiterite, wolframite, scheelite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, manganocolumbite, bismuthinite, native bismuth, phosphates and carbonates. The exploration took place on the northern slope of the Viveiros stream, which is an affluent of the Sabor River. The waste-rock dumps and tailings were deposited on the hillside, close to the mine and are nowadays exposed to significant weathering and erosion, as they are not vegetated. The eroded material is transported by the Viveiros stream toward the Sabor River. A seasonal stream drains the tailings. The stream sediments samples were collected along the Viveiros stream, in the seasonal stream, in a seasonal spring at the bottom of the tailings, in the Sabor River and in other streams not affected by mine workings, following the mine influence along the Viveiros stream and in the Sabor River (1.2 km away from the mine workings). The data show that the degree of pollution increases along the Viveiros stream, especially in winter. The highest degree of pollution is for As, In, W, Sn and Bi. The sediments from the drainage of the main tailings are particularly polluted during winter, by Bi, In and Sn. The sedimentary precipitate from the spring is polluted in Cu, As, In, Sn, Ta, W, Bi, Zn, Nb, Ag, Sb and Ta. The sediments from the Sabor River are significantly polluted by As, Ag, In, Sn, W and Bi. The sediments from the regional streams, Viveiros stream and Sabor River have similar REE (NASC normalized) patterns (ΣREE = 131.7–185.9 mg/kg, La_N/Lu_N = 1.23–1.42 and Eu/Eu* = 1.02), while those from the seasonal stream, crossing the main tailings, are enriched in REE (ΣREE = 250.3–283.6 mg/kg, La_N/Lu_N = 1.6–2.09 and Eu/Eu* = 0.96). The general decrease in La_N/Lu_N values with increase in total Fe₂O₃ can be explained by the partitioning of HREE to the solid Fe-oxides phase. The sedimentary precipitate and coatings, which are mainly formed by Fe-oxy-hydroxides, but also contain jarosite, are impoverished in all REE. The impoverishment can be explained by the release of REE from the surface of the Fe-oxy-hydroxides, which occurs due to a local lowering of pH, caused by jarosite dissolution. During successive alternate cycles of wet and dry conditions, takes place the formation of Fe-oxy-hydroxides and jarosite in the sedimentary precipitate and coatings. The subsequent dissolution of jarosite releases acidity, thus promoting de-sorption of REE from the Fe-oxy-hydroxides mineral phases.     

四川盐源县马思罗沟地球化学异常特征

根据化探分析数据结果和以往的工作成果、地质特征,分别对马思罗沟地球化学场特征、主成矿单元素异常特征、综合异常特征研究分析,从而推断解释综合异常(Hs-2)对成矿的有利性。确定该地区元素异常分布受构造的影响,确定该地区具有找金矿的潜力。     

Geochemical background and baseline values of toxic elements in stream sediments of Campania region (Italy)

In this paper are discussed the baseline geochemical maps of elements harmful to human health, using concentration values of 2389 stream sediment samples collected over the Campania region (Southern Italy). Each sample was digested in aqua regia and analysed by ICP-MS. For compilation of baseline geochemical maps, a recently developed multifractal inverse distance weighted (lDW) interpolation method and spectral analysis (S-A) was applied, using a new geochemistry dedicated GIS software (GeoDAS). The aim of this study is to discriminate between the geogenic natural content (background) and the anthropogenic contribution in the collected sediments. The definition of background values, in contrast to baseline values, is very important in determining the extent of polluted areas in countries like Italy, where environmental legislation has not yet established intervention limits for stream sediments.     

莫坝-希拉沟地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及找矿

莫坝-希拉沟地区16个元素水系沉积物测量地球化学特征研究表明,贫乏元素有Au、Hg、Mo;正常元素有Cu、Pb、Zn、Co、Mn、W、Sn、Bi;富集元素有As、Sb、Ag、Fe、Ni;无强富集的元素。通过各元素空间分布研究,对主要地球化学异常进行推断解释,指出三叠系地层、尤其与喷出岩有关的地区是寻找Cu、Pb、Zn、Au、Ag等多金属矿的有利地区。     

青海省都兰县阿拉克湖地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及找矿方向

分析了区内的水系沉积物地球化学参数特征及其元素的相关性,认为元素(地球化学)异常(高值区)严格受东昆中断裂带、东昆南断裂带、布青山南坡乌断裂带,以及阿尼玛卿蛇绿岩带和东昆中蛇绿岩带,古-中元古代地层、岩体接触带、热液活动、脉岩等因素联合控制。根据异常特征与成矿地质条件,圈定了找矿远景区5个,且为该区下一步的找矿工作指明了方向。     

河南桐柏马道地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及找矿方向

通过河南桐柏马道地区1∶5万水系沉积物测量和元素地球化学特征分析研究认为,Au、Ag、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Ni、Fe 8种元素为区内主要成矿元素,共圈出单元素异常831个、综合异常27个,地球化学异常严格受地层、大河断裂带及其次级断裂、岩浆岩等因素联合控制。结合综合异常特征以及成矿地质条件,圈定了围山城金银多金属矿找矿远景区、刘山岩铜锌多金属矿找矿远景区、月儿湾金银多金属矿找矿远景区、老和尚帽银多金属矿找矿远景区4处。通过对远景区综合异常查证,在围山城5-甲1-1和11-甲1-1、刘山岩14-甲3-1、月儿湾2-甲3-1、老和尚帽24-甲2-2综合异常区发现与异常相关的矿化信息,为下一步地质找矿工作指明了方向     

Combining dissolved, suspended and bed load stream geochemistry to explore for volcanic massive sulfide deposits: Big Salmon Complex, northern British Columbia

Exploration successes for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, such as Kudz Ze Kayah, Wolverine and Fyre Lake in the Yukon–Tanana Terrane and Slide Mountain Terrane (southern Yukon Territory) have spurred interest in the correlative rocks in the Big Salmon Complex in northern British Columbia. In an effort to further the utility of multi-media stream geochemistry in exploration frontiers that are forested, heavily drift covered, or buried, the primary streams of 19 watersheds from the East Teslin Lake (National Topographic System (NTS): 104N/9, 16) and Teh Creek areas (NTS: 104O/11, 12, 13, 14) of the Big Salmon Complex were analyzed for Cu, Pb, and Zn and other parameters in the dissolved load, suspended load and bed load. Traditionally, exploration based on stream geochemistry has employed the bed load and more recently the dissolved load chemistry, but almost never the suspended load despite strong differences in the geochemical signatures of the three media. Here, we document that copper, lead, and zinc partition into the dissolved, suspended, and bed loads differently and that the magnitude of anomalies is different for each media. The adsorbing capacity of the suspended load may make it a more sensitive indicator of mineral deposits on a regional basis than either the trace-element-poor dissolved load or the bulk-rock-diluted bed load which are likely better indicators of local mineralization. It is clear that each phase contributes unique information about the distribution of elements in the watershed that could be considered in exploration models.We also show that summing standardized element concentrations and summing the sums across media appears to be an effective method to reduce the data without loss of important information. We likewise investigated the utility of calculating major element normalized enrichments for exploration and find that it is a promising approach.     

老挝平然地区水系沉积物测量地球化学特征及找矿意义

1∶5万水系沉积物测量显示,平然地区矿化异常是一个以Cu、Ni、Co异常为主,伴随有Cr、V、Ti等的多元素组合异常,体现了基性-超基性岩石的成矿专属性。对元素分布特征、单元素异常特征、异常元素组合特征进行了研究,得出该区异常主要受区域性NW向断裂构造和基性-超基性岩石控制。对平然地区水系沉积物测量数据聚类分析表明,15种元素可以分为三类:Ni、Cr、Cu、V、Co、Zn、Ti为一类,反映了与基性-超基性岩有关的元素分布、富集特征和相关矿化信息;As、Sb、Pb为一类,反映了与中低温热液作用有关的矿化信息;剩余元素的相关性差,归为一类。平然地区F1主因子可能代表了与基性-超基性有关的Cu、Ni、Co矿化。对平然地区3806个样品分别计算F1因子得分,得分大于2的607个样品分布特征与Cu、Ni、Co异常分布特征大致吻合。因此,Cu、Ni、Co异常区域及F1因子得分大于2的样品所在区域的重叠处应该是以 Cu、Ni、Co为主的重点找矿区域。     

秘鲁阿雷基帕省阿蒂科地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及找矿远景预测

依据1∶10万水系沉积物测量资料,分析研究了秘鲁南部阿蒂科地区水系沉积物地球化学特征。通过对元素分布、元素相关性、单元素异常、异常元素组合等特征的分析,结合成矿地质条件,圈定了阿祖卡、塞罗皮耶霍、帕姆帕和卡拉帕尔卡4处找矿远景区,为该区下一步的找矿工作指明了方向。     

An example of application of factor analysis on geochemical stream sediment survey in Umm Khariga Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Geochemical reconnaissance survey of Wadi Umm Khariga in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt was carried out in an area of 30 Km². The results of 79 stream sediment samples analyzed for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Ti, and Zn after hot extraction with aqua regia were treated with simple and multivariate statistical methods. Titanium, Cu, Co, Ni, and Cr show lognormal distribution, whereas the other elements are normally distributed. The correlation between Fe and Mn and most of the analyzed elements suggest coprecipitation process that could be significant in controlling the distribution of these elements. Regression analysis was effective in correcting the effects of Fe and Mn by calculating the residuals. R-mode factor analysis produced a four-factor model, which accounts for 79.1% of the total variance in the data. Factor 1 (rCr, rCo, Ni) scores are correlated spatially with the area underlain by the serpentinites, metarhyolites, and metadacites. Factor 2 (rLi, rZn, rTi, Rb, K) scores are correlated with the metarhyolites, metadacites, and metapyroclastics. Factor 3 (Cu, rTi, Pb) scores characterize the metabasalts, meta-andesites, metarhyolites, and metadacites, thus reflecting the parent rocks as dominant influencing factors. Factor 4 (Mn, Fe) scores reflect the secondary environment effects. Discriminant analysis delineated an anomalous area for Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Ti, Mn, Pb, and Li with probable occurrence of economic mineral deposits.