Combining Remote Sensing Data and Geochemical Properties of Ultramafics to Explore Chromite Ore Deposits in East Oltu Erzurum, Turkey

Faculty Science Year: 2024
Type of Publication: ZU Hosted Pages:
Authors:
Journal: Minerals MDPI Volume:
Keywords : Combining Remote Sensing Data , Geochemical Properties    
Abstract:
The present research’s main objective was to apply thorough exploration approaches that combine remote sensing data with geochemical sampling and analysis to predict and identify potential chromitite locations in a complex geological site, particularly in rugged mountainous terrain, and differentiate the ultramafic massif containing chromitite orebodies from other lithologies. The ultramafic massif forming the mantle section of the Kırdağ ophiolite, located within the Erzurum–Kars Ophiolite Zone and emerging in the east of Oltu district (Erzurum, NE Turkey), was selected as the study area. Optimum index factor (OIF), false-color composite (FCC), decorrelation stretch (DS), band rationing (BR), minimum noise fraction (MNF), and principal and independent component analyses (PCA-ICA) were performed to differentiate the lithological features and identify the chromitite host formations. The petrography, mineral chemistry, and whole-rock geochemical properties of the harzburgites, which are the host rocks of chromitites in the research area, were evaluated to verify and confirm the remote sensing results. In addition, detailed petrographic properties of the pyroxenite and chromitite samples are presented. The results support the existence of potential chromitite formations in the mantle section of the Kırdağ ophiolite. Our remote sensing results also demonstrate the successful detection of the spectral anomalies of this ultramafic massif. The mineral and whole-rock geochemical features provide clear evidence of petrological processes, such as partial melting and melt–peridotite interactions during the harzburgite formation. The chromian spinels’ Cr#, Mg#, Fe3+, Al2O3, and TiO2 concentrations indicate that the harzburgite formed in a fore-arc environment. The Al2O3 content and Mg# of the pyroxenes and the whole-rock Al2O3/MgO ratio and V contents of the harzburgite are also compatible with these processes. Consequently, the combined approaches demonstrated clear advantages over conventional chromitite exploration techniques, decreasing the overall costs and supporting the occurrence of chromite production at the site
   
     
 
       

Author Related Publications

  • Omar Ayman Yusuf Amer, "Petrogenesis of Maktali fractionated calc-alkaline younger granitoids, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt", Springer, 2019 More
  • Omar Ayman Yusuf Amer, "Geochemical insight into granite hosted U-rich fluorite, Gabal El-Erediya area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: REE geochemical and fluid inclusion aspects", Springer, 2021 More
  • Omar Ayman Yusuf Amer, "Petrography, Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Granitoids of Maktalia area, Eastern Desert, Egypt", المؤتمر الدولى الحادى عشر لعلوم البيئة /جامعة الزقازيق, 2016 More
  • Omar Ayman Yusuf Amer, "Utilizing Remote Sensing and Satellite-Based Bouguer Gravity Data to Predict Potential Sites of Hydrothermal Minerals and Gold Deposits in Central Saudi Arabia", MDPI, 2023 More
  • Omar Ayman Yusuf Amer, "Integrating mineralogy, geochemistry and aeromagnetic data for detecting Fe–Ti ore deposits bearing layered mafic intrusion, Akab El-Negum, Eastern Desert, Egypt", NATURE PORTFOLIO, 2022 More

Department Related Publications

  • AbdulBaset Sabry Mohammed Mohammed, "Marine benthic invertebrates of the upper Jurassic Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone, Khashm Al-Qaddiyah, central Saudi Arabia", ScienceDirect, 2014 More
  • Khaled Mohammed Said Ibrahim, "Imaging of wastewater percolation in heterogeneous soil using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT): a case study at east of Tenth of Ramadan City, Egypt", Springer, 2017 More
  • Sarah Ahmed Mohamed Ibraheim, "Imaging of wastewater percolation in heterogeneous soil using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT): a case study at east of Tenth of Ramadan City, Egypt", Springer, 2017 More
  • Abdul Wahab Mohammed Atwa, "Imaging of wastewater percolation in heterogeneous soil using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT): a case study at east of Tenth of Ramadan City, Egypt", Springer, 2017 More
  • Mohamed Ahmed Fouad Iraqi, "Imaging of wastewater percolation in heterogeneous soil using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT): a case study at east of Tenth of Ramadan City, Egypt", Springer, 2017 More
Tweet