Application of multi-element relationships in stream sediments to mineral exploration: a case study of Walawe Ganga Basin, Sri Lanka

Citation
R. Chandrajith et al., Application of multi-element relationships in stream sediments to mineral exploration: a case study of Walawe Ganga Basin, Sri Lanka, APPL GEOCH, 16(3), 2001, pp. 339-350
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
ISSN journal
08832927 → ACNP
Volume
16
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
339 - 350
Database
ISI
SICI code
0883-2927(200103)16:3<339:AOMRIS>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
This study on the application of multi-element relationships in stream sedi ments to mineral exploration in the Walawe Ganga Basin presents one of the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. In order to determine the nature of these s ediments, multi-element analysis of selected grain size (<63 <mu>m, 63-125 mum, 125-177 mum and 177-250 mum) fractions was undertaken. The chemical co mposition of these fractions were compared with those of the upper continen tal crust. Some elements, notably Zr, Hf, Th, U, Ce and La, show very high enrichment factors (e.g. 54 for Zr) as compared to the upper crustal abundance. These are presumably associated with heavy minerals such as zircon, rutile and mo nazite found in abundance in the stream sediments of the Walawe Ganga Basin . Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the geochemical data show that multi- element relationships could be effectively used to delineate target areas f or mineral exploration. With the use of PCA, this study reveals that areas with associations of calc-silicate/marble and charnockitic rocks are probab le source regions for mineral occurrences, particularly in the axial region s of anticlines. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.