Delineation of the Cr mineralization based on the stream sediment data utilizing fractal modeling and factor analysis in the Khoy 1:100.000 sheet, NW Iran

Abstract

Fractal methods are regarded as a highly efficient method for more accurate separation of boundaries between mineralized zone in shallow and deep studies. In this research, concentration-number (C-N) and concentration-area (C-A) fractal methods were used in order to identify promising areas of the elements like Cr, Co and Ni in the Khoy 1:100.000 geological mapping sheet, NW Iran. The factor analysis was performed on the elements, and factors, which were related to the elements, were isolated and studied by both fractal methods. The current geological locations of the extreme anomalies were investigated and the results showed a very close relationship and overlapping. The results of the presented models show that the most elements under study are located in the central and southwestern parts of the sheet. From the point of view of the lithology, these areas correspond to the serpentinite ultramafic units of harzburgite and dunite, and as a result, there is a high probability of Cr mineralization. The achieved results are confirmed by factor analysis. This means that a factor accumulation of these elements is exactly the same as those of each element.