Environmental Monitoring and Peat Assessment Using Multivariate Analysis of Regional-Scale Geochemical Data

A compositional multivariate approach was used to analyse regional-scale soil geochemical data obtained as part of the Tellus Project generated by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland. The multi-element total concentration data presented comprise X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of 6862 rural soil samples collected at 20-cm depth on a non-aligned grid at one site per \(2\,\hbox {km}^{2}\). Censored data were imputed using published detection limits. Each soil sample site was assigned to the regional geology map, resulting in spatial data for one categorical variable and 35 continuous variables comprised of individual and amalgamated elements. This paper examines the extent to which soil geochemistry reflects the underlying geology or superficial deposits. Since the soil geochemistry is compositional, log-ratios were computed to adequately evaluate the data using multivariate statistical methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and minimum/maximum autocorrelation factors (MAF) were used to carry out linear discriminant analysis (LDA) as a means to discover and validate processes related to the geologic assemblages coded as age bracket. Peat cover was introduced as an additional category to measure the ability to predict and monitor fragile ecosystems. Overall prediction accuracies for the age bracket categories were 68.4 % using PCA and 74.7 % using MAF. With inclusion of peat, the accuracy for LDA classification decreased to 65.0 and 69.9 %, respectively. The increase in misclassification due to the presence of peat may reflect degradation of peat-covered areas since the creation of superficial deposit classification.     

Till geochemical and indicator mineral methods in mineral exploration

This paper summarizes advances since 1987 in the application of glacial sediment sampling to mineral exploration (drift prospecting) in areas affected by continental or alpine glaciation. In these exploration programs, clastic glacial sediments are tested by geochemical or mineralogical methods to detect dispersal trains of mineral deposit indicators that have been glacially transported from source by mechanical processes. In glaciated terrain the key sampling medium, till, is produced by abrasion, crushing and blending of rock debris and recycled sediment followed by down-ice dispersal ranging from a few metres to many kilometres. As a consequence of the mid-1980s boom in gold exploration, the majority of case studies and regional till geochemical surveys published in the past decade deal with this commodity. Approximately 30% of Canada and virtually all of Fennoscandia have been covered by regional till geochemical surveys that aid mineral exploration and provide baseline data for environmental, agricultural, and landuse planning. The most profound event in drift prospecting in the last decade, however, has been the early-1990s explosion in diamond exploration which has dramatically increased the profile of glacial geology and glacial sediment sampling and stimulated changes in sampling and analytical methods.     

1977-1989中国冰川地质研究的新取向

中国的传统冰川地质学研究是同李四光的名字紧密相连的。１９７７年以后，现代沉积学的原理和方法在中国冰川地质学的研究中得到了广泛的应用。中国西部的自然条件易于形成突发性的泥石流。区别冰川沉积物和泥石流沉积物在沉积学上的异同是冰川地层学研究中的关键问题。解决有关中国西部冰川扩张的次数和范围等重大问题，有待于冰川地层学和冰川地貌学新手段的综合运用。     

Palaeo-ice streams and the subglacial landscape mosaic of the North American mid-continental prairies

The analysis of the glacial landscape of southern Saskatchewan (Canada) through multiple data sets (e.g. digital elevation model, till compositional data) has revealed previously unrecognized subglacial sediment–landform assemblages. A southwest-trending corridor of mega-scale till lineations (Maskwa corridor) bounded on each side by hummocky terrain extends from the Canadian Shield to southwestern Saskatchewan. This landform assemblage is clearly cross-cut by a broad south to southeast trending corridor (Buffalo corridor) consisting of subparallel curvilinear till ridges. The carbonate content of the surface till is spatially consistent within these assemblages, suggesting a strong sediment–landform relationship. The two corridors are interpreted as the product of palaeo-ice streams. The Maskwa palaeo-ice stream flowed up the regional slope and across preglacial valleys, indicating it was thick and stable. Narrow dispersal trains extending across as well as down-glacier from the Athabasca Basin suggest that the Maskwa palaeo-ice stream extended far into the ice sheet across contrasting shield and platform terrains. In comparison, the Buffalo palaeo-ice stream was thinner and largely controlled by subglacial geology and topography. Its catchments were located at the Canadian Shield boundary and the system was oriented along-slope. It experienced lateral shifts and it was fed by a network of tributaries. The glacial dynamics shift from the Maskwa to the Buffalo system occurred at about 13.5 ¹⁴C kyr BP. The Buffalo system later evolved into thin outlet lobes until final deglaciation of the area. The proposed model has implications for ice-sheet reconstruction and the assessment of till properties in the prairies and in similar terrains.     

塔河油田混源油地球化学及多元数理统计学对比研究

       混源油的定量判识是当前石油地质地球化学研究的热点与难点。以塔里木盆地塔河油田奥陶系中聚集的混源油为典型研究实例,通过地质地球化学与数理统计学相结合的方法,探索了定量研究混源油的方法,取得良好效果。原油地球化学研究结果表明,塔河油田原油普遍混源,并表现出多期充注特征,早期充注原油遭受了生物降解,因此目前原油中的轻烃、链状烃、规则甾烷等生物标志物主要反映的是后期充注原油的特征,不能很好地指示早期充注原油。据此,选择受生物降解影响相对较小的三环萜烷和藿烷定量数据,采用多元数理统计学交替最小二乘算法进行了原油成因研究,综合分析后认为现今混源油中可划分出4个端元,其中端元1和2可能主要代表了中上奥陶统烃源岩的贡献,而端元3和4则可能主要代表了寒武系烃源岩的贡献。塔河主体区以寒武系原油聚集为主,而外围地区则以中上奥陶统原油聚集为主,并且在整个塔河油田,总体上以寒武系原油的贡献比例相对最高。这一综合对比研究表明,多元数理统计学方法在混源油的比例计算、端元分析等方面具有重要作用,是对传统地球地球化方法研究的有效补充,值得推广应用,此外,研究认识还为区域油气勘探提供了新的参考信息。     

地球化学在物源及沉积背景分析中的应用

物源分析是盆地分析和古地理分析不可或缺的内容和方法,地球化学在物源及沉积背景分析中起着非常重要的作用。运用文献研究法对“地球化学在物源及沉积背景分析中的应用”有关文献进行了研究,分析阐述了常量元素分析、稀土一微量元素分析以及裂变径迹、K—Ar、Ar-Ar、Rb—Sr、Sm—Nd、UPb、Re-Os、S、0、Si同位素分析等方法及其优势与不足。结果表明：常量元素、稀土一微量元素分析在源区物质组成、构造背景、源区风化强度、成分成熟度及氧化一还原条件判别方面有很好的应用效果;各种同位素分析体系在不同目的的研究中具有自身优势,均得到了很好的应用。但影响岩石化学成分的因素较多,特别是对于沉积岩,很容易受外生营力的影响;物源及沉积背景分析中的地球化学方法运用单一;对研究区区域地质情况的研究不足。为此,建议在利用地球化学方法进行物源及沉积背景分析时,需要充分认识影响碎屑沉积物化学组成的因素,综合运用多种方法进行物源区分析,扬长补短,同时要特别注意对区域地质情况的研究。     

Overburden geochemistry related to W-Cu-Mo mineralization at Sisson Brook, New Brunswick, Canada: An example of short- and long-distance glacial dispersal

In 1982 and 1983 a surficial geology and overburden geochemistry survey was carried out on the Sisson Brook Mining Licence in York County, about 55 km northwest of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.On the Sisson Brook Mining Licence three zones of W-Mo-Cu mineralization have been outlined; Zones I and II contain mainly wolframite with chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite, whereas Zone III has mainly scheelite and molybdenite.The glacial history of the area was studied during 1982 and 1983 to provide a framework for interpreting the geochemical results. Ice movement varied from 160° ± 10° towards the south during the Main Bantalor phase (maximum ≈ 13,500 y.B.P.) to 130° ± 10° toward the southeast during the Late Bantalor phase. Rapid changes in dominant pebble lithologies occur immediately upon crossing bedrock contacts. This suggests a very short distance of transport on the property. The glacier, butted against the Nashwaak Ridge, quickly sheared bedrock debris up into the body of the ice by compressive flow. Upon melting, some of this debris was deposited a short distance from source. Some debris appears to have been sheared up higher into the ice sheet, transported over the Nashwaak Ridge, and deposited approximately 8 km down-ice with no interconnecting dispersal train.In 1982, a geochemical orientation survey was carried out to determine which element(s) and sample medium could best and most economically be used in the search for W-Mo-Cu mineralization. Within the property area, both whole till <2000 μm (−10 mesh) samples and heavy mineral concentrates clearly defined the zones of mineralization (W, Mo, Cu) and associated geochemical dispersal trains (W, Mo, Cu, As, F). In later work, samples were not analyzed for As and F because this provided no additional information. The geochemical contrast between values in whole till samples derived from subcropping mineralization and those derived from barren bedrock is adequate to outline mineralization. Geochemical analysis of the whole till was used in later work because the sample preparation costs are considerably lower than those for heavy-mineral concentrates. Soils were not used because trace element patterns were diffuse, with the highest values occurring at variable distances down-ice from mineralization.In 1983, the objective was to better define glacial dispersal from the known mineralization and to explore for additional mineralization. Data from this program indicates a W dispersal train in whole till samples 300–400 m long. Tungsten values up to 1400 ppm and Mo values up to 260 ppm in whole till occur immediately down-ice from the main subcropping W-Mo mineralization. The element associations (i.e. W-Mo-Cu and W-Mo) in the till reflect the elemental composition of the source mineralization (i.e. Zones I and II and Zone III).Backhoe trenching is a useful and cost-effective technique to expose Quaternary sediments. Examination of the overburden sections provides an understanding of the glacial history which aids in tracing geochemical dispersal trains up-ice to bedrock source.     

A multi‐technique study of the glacial stratigraphy of Co. Clare and Co. Kerry,southwest Ireland

A multi‐technique approach has been adopted in a study of the lithostratigraphy of glacial deposits in southwestern Ireland, including clast lithological analysis, fine sand geochemistry, low frequency mass specific susceptibility and fine sand calcium carbonate (equivalent) content. A revised lithostratigraphical scheme is suggested for the Quaternary glacial deposits of the region, together with a simple strategy that may be adopted for stratigraphical studies in other regions of southern Ireland. It appears that geochemical determinations via inductively coupled plasma–atomic absorption spectrometry are particularly useful in characterising and discriminating between till units within local stratigraphical studies and may be used to inform the applicability of other utilitarian techniques for use on a regional scale. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Till‐forming processes beneath parts of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet,British Columbia,Canada: macroscale and microscale evidence and a new statistical technique for analysing microstructure data

This paper presents the first integrated macroscale and microscale examination of subglacial till associated with the last‐glacial (Fraser Glaciation) Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS). A new statistical approach to quantifying till micromorphology (multivariate hierarchical cluster analysis for compositional data) is also described and implemented. Till macrostructures, macrofabrics and microstructures support previous assertions that primary till in this region formed through a combination of lodgement and deformation processes in a temperate subglacial environment. Macroscale observations suggest that subglacial environments below the CIS were probably influenced by topography, whereby poor drainage of the substrate in topographically constricted areas, or on slopes adverse to the ice‐flow direction at glacial maximum, facilitated ductile deformation of the glacier bed. Microscale observations suggest that subglacial till below the CIS experienced both ductile and brittle deformation, including grain rotation and squeeze flow of sediment between grains under moist conditions, and microshearing, grain stacking and grain fracturing under well‐drained conditions. Macroscale observations suggest that ductile deformation events were probably followed by brittle deformation events as the substrate subsequently drained. The prevalence of ductile‐type microstructures in most till exposures investigated in this study suggests that ductile deformation signatures can be preserved at the microscale after brittle deformation events that result in larger‐scale fractures and shear structures. It is likely that microscale ductile deformation can also occur within distributed shear zones during lodgement processes. Cluster analysis of microstructure data and qualitative observations made from thin sections suggest that the relative frequency of countable microstructures in this till is influenced by topography in relation to ice‐flow direction (bed drainage conditions) as well as by the frequency and distribution of voids in the till matrix and skeletal grain shapes.     

Regional significance of pre-Wisconsinan till from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

A major pre-Wisconsinan glacial event is the only possible source of the lower till on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. The till occurs near the late Wisconsinan drift border and below fossiliferous marine beds of oxygen-isotope stage 5 (Sangamonian) age. It is considered to be Illinoian in age, but the evidence is tenuous. The till is correlated with the lower till of New England, and its presence supports the view that the New England upper and lower tills represent two glaciations. The pre-Wisconsinan (lower) till in New England may correlate with older tills elsewhere in the northeastern United States and in southeastern Canada that are considered to be early Wisconsinan or older in age.     

The Quaternary Lancaster Sound trough‐mouth fan,NW Baffin Bay

The development of the Lancaster Sound Trough Mouth Fan (TMF) and glacial history in Arctic Canada were studied using a high‐resolution seismic profile across the entire fan and two piston cores. Stacked tills separated by erosion surfaces on the shelf pass seaward through till deltas into thick transparent glacigenic debris flow (GDF) deposits on the slope, separated by thin, well‐stratified glaciomarine layers. An age model was built by ties to the Ocean Drilling Program Site 645. The deepest GDF on the seismic profile was indicative of the onset of shelf‐crossing glaciation in the Early Pleistocene. The transition of the growth of Lancaster Sound TMF from an aggradational sequence (unit M) to an aggradational–progradational sequence (unit F) occurred at the Middle Pleistocene transition in glacial cyclicity. In the most recent glacial cycle, GDF sheets were deposited during Heinrich events 4 and 2 according to the correlation of the main detrital carbonate beds in two piston cores. The outmost till wedge reflects the maximum advance of the grounding glacier, far seaward of previously proposed Last Glacial Maximum ice extent. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of striations and basal till clast fabrics, Malpeque—Bedeque region, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Coastal erosion has resulted in exposure of a succession of basal till deposits and striation localities along the Malpeque and Bedeque Bays, PEI, Canada, permitting repetitive determinations of clast fabrics and investigation of recently exhumed striations. Striations indicate initial eastward ice flow, followed by a second glacial event with flow towards the south and southwest from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The degree of local inconsistency and the variations with striation assemblages indicate that the orientations of individual striations cannot be regarded as 'absolute' indicators of ice flow directions. Diamictons identified as basal tills using sedimentological criteria have clast fabrics typical of basal till deposition. Local deviations of fabric trend within individual outcrops are common. A comparative analysis of the data obtained from striation and clast fabric orientations indicates that the ice flow directions independently suggested by each are in general agreement. Differences are present between the orientations of striations and clast fabrics at individual sites. The orientations of the fabrics lie within 20° of the modal striation orientations in only 28% of the cases, and the median deviation between the suggested ice flow directions was 29°. In 40%, of the cases, the azimuth deviation between the two methods exceeded 40°, and the maximum deviation recorded was 84°. At many sites, the deviations are so severe as to potentially result in the misinterpretation of the modal ice flow direction, based on the use of either striation orientation or clast fabric in isolation. Variations in glacial flow can readily produce striations and clast fabrics which record different phases of glacial activity associated with the same glacial event at an individual site.     

Till stratigraphy and ice movements in eastern Overijssel, The Netherlands

A three–till section in eastern Overijssel, eastern Netherlands, represents the most complete till sequence of the Older Saalian glaciation presently known from The Netherlands and adjacent Germany. On the basis of structural analyses, four different glacial events within one continuous glacial cover can be distinguished: (1) deposition of till 1 (lowest till) by ice probably moving in a southerly direction, (2) glaciotectonic dislocation of till 1 under a compressive strain regime acting towards the west, (3) deposition of till 2 by ice moving in a westerly direction, and (4) deposition of till 3 by southeasterly moving ice. During deposition of tills 2 and 3, the underlying older tills were subjected to a strong extensional tectonic regimc, leading among other things to the development of characteristic sheath folds. On the basis of directional and compositional characteristics, the three tills can be correlated with the till stratigraphy of the northern Netherlands.     

四姑娘山地区的另类地质遗迹--特别元素背景下的奇异植被

四姑娘山地区的旅游景观主要由第四纪冰川地质遗迹形成，但同时其独特的地质结构形成了异化沙棘、松茸、红石等导向性景观。作者在本文中通过地质地球化学、土壤地球化学研究，认为这些景观均与特殊土壤元素背景有关，是一种特殊意义上的另类地质遗迹。     

Considerations regarding the definition of a geochemical baseline of elements in the surficial materials in areas differing in basic geology

The problem of a geochemical baseline in areas differing in basic geology was studied by comparing the results of regional geochemical mapping programmes undertaken in Finland and Lithuania using different sample media and a variety of analytical methods. The authors discuss issues relevant to the definition of a geochemical baseline.Most of the differences in geochemical baselines between Lithuania and Finland are due to the dissimilarities in basic geology, which in Lithuania is controlled by Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, but in Finland by Archaean and Proterozoic metamorphic and intrusive rocks. Other important factors are the geological processes that after the last glaciation created the present surficial materials. In Finland, for instance, the abundances of potentially harmful elements derived from crystalline bedrock tend to be higher than in Lithuania. However, in both countries element concentrations are higher in finely-grained marine and lacustrine sediments than in glacial till, and they are also higher in the finer grain size fractions than in the coarser fractions of till samples. Only a small proportion of the total heavy metal concentrations is bioavailable. Thus the baseline concentrations depend not only on the basic geology, but also on sample material collected, its grain size and the extraction method.     

Palaeoenvironmental record of glacial lake evolution during the early Holocene at Sokli,NE Finland

The development of a glacial lake impounded along the retreating, northeastern ice margin of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet during the last deglaciation and environmental conditions directly following the early Holocene deglaciation have been studied in NE Finland. This so‐called Sokli Ice Lake has been reconstructed previously using topographic and geomorphologic evidence. In this paper a multiproxy approach is employed to study a 3‐m‐thick sediment succession consisting of laminated silts grading into gyttja cored in Lake Loitsana, a remnant of the Sokli Ice Lake. Variations in the sediment and siliceous microfossil records indicate distinct changes in water depth and lake size in the Loitsana basin as the Sokli Ice Lake was drained through various spillways opening up along the retreating ice front. Geochemical data (XRF core‐scanning) show changes in the influence of regional catchment geochemistry (Precambrian crystalline rocks) in the glacial lake drainage area versus local catchment geochemistry (Sokli Carbonatite Massif) within the Lake Loitsana drainage area during the lake evolution. Principal component analysis on the geochemical data further suggests that grain‐size is an additional factor responsible for the variability of the sediment geochemistry record. The trophic state of the lake changed drastically as a result of morphometric eutrophication once the glacial lake developed into Lake Loitsana. The AMS radiocarbon dating on tree birch seeds found in the glaciolacustrine sediment indicates that Lake Loitsana was deglaciated sometime prior to 10 700 cal. a BP showing that tree Betula was present on the deglaciated land surrounding the glacial lake. Although glacial lakes covered large areas of northern Finland during the last deglaciation, only few glaciolacustrine sediment successions have been studied in any detail. Our study shows the potential of these sediments for multiproxy analysis and contributes to the reconstruction of environmental conditions in NE Finland directly following deglaciation in the early Holocene.     

Late quaternary glacial and vegetation changes,Little Cottonwood Canyon area,Wasatch mountains,Utah

Glacial geology and ¹⁴C dating in the central Wasatch Mountains indicate: an early canyon-mouth glaciation (Dry Creek till), probably during isotope stage 6; on that till, a paleosol (Majestic Canyon soil) dated at about 26,000 yr B.P.; overriding that soil, a later canyon-mouth glaciation (Bells Canyon till) probably beginning prior to about 19,000 yr B.P.; a midcanyon deglacial pause (Hogum Fork till) prior to 12,300 yr B.P.; an upper-canyon deglacial pause (Devils Castle till) prior to 7500 yr B.P.; and late Holocene periglaciation. Pollen ratios from bog profiles in the mid to upper reaches of the canyon suggest that temperatures cooler than the Holocene average occurred until after about 8000 yr B.P. Warmer and dryer than average conditions were initiated about 8000 to 7500 yr B.P. During the later portion of this Altithermal period conditions became relatively warm and wet. Two subsequent episodes of cooler than average temperatures correspond chronologically to the initial stades of Neoglaciation elsewhere in the Rocky Mountains. However, there is no geomorphic evidence of corresponding glacial activity in the canyon area. Relative moisture during these two periods differs significantly, suggesting that Neoglacial conditions were controlled primarily by changes in summer temperature.     

Teaching Aid: Minimum/Maximum Autocorrelation Factors for Joint Simulation of Attributes

Multivariate conditional simulation is used to assess the multivariate grade risk in mineral deposits. With the presence of several spatially correlated attributes, it is important to ensure that their joint simulation is carried out properly and that the observed spatial correlation is reproduced in the realizations. The method of minimum/maximum autocorrelation factors (MAF) is a well established and practical technique that can be used for this purpose. MAF offers tremendous advantages over standard full cosimulation, principal component analysis, and stepwise techniques. In what follows, a detailed review of the MAF technique, its applications, and examples are provided to guide the practitioner on its use.     

Glacial geology as a key to geochemical exploration in areas of glacial overburden with particular reference to Canada

The applicability of geochemical exploration procedures in previously glaciated areas is largely a function of the nature of the glacial sediments. A considerable diversity of glacial sediments and landforms results from a phase of glaciation, these products bearing variable compositional relationships to the local bedrock, and thus have varying usefulness in geochemical exploration. A classification of glacial sediments and landforms is described, with emphasis being placed on the provenance of the material composing the different types. The nature and extent of the Wisconsin glaciation in Canada is summarized, together with a review of the distribution of glacial sediments and landforms. Variations in the nature of the glaciation and the distribution of different glacial sediments and landforms have contributed to the situation that the applicability of geochemical exploration techniques varies across Canada. The nature of metal dispersion in glacial sediments resulting directly from glacial activity is discussed, particular reference being given to those features that have proved effective in geochemical exploration. The role of dispersion patterns in glacial sediments and landforms is discussed with regard to varying scales of geochemical exploration programs. Variations in the distribution of glacial sediments and the nature of associated dispersion patterns, both on the regional and local scales, make a consideration of the glacial geology an essential feature for the implementation of appropriate geochemical exploration procedures.     

个旧锡矿高松矿田综合信息矿产预测

个旧超大型锡铜多金属矿床是我国和世界上重要的锡产地,近年来面临严重的资源危机。通过分析个旧锡矿高松矿田的地质、地球化学、地球物理等信息特征,用统计排序法和地质统计学方法解决了断裂、褶皱、地层、花岗岩等定性信息的量化、分级,用分维确定了考虑线性和面状因素的最佳信息单元大小,利用以Shannon信息论基本原理为基础的分层次自相似信息量加和法在信息类型内部和类型之间进行了信息的有机综合,得到了三级18个预测区,经云南锡业公司工程和已知矿区验证,取得了很好的效果。