Abstract
Geological mapping and mineral exploration programs in the High Arctic have been naturally hindered by its remoteness and hostile climate conditions. The Franklinian Basin in North Greenland has a unique potential for exploration of world-class zinc deposits. In this research, multi-sensor remote sensing satellite data (e.g., Landsat-8, Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)) were used for exploring zinc in the trough sequences and shelf-platform carbonate of the Franklinian Basin. A series of robust image processing algorithms was implemented for detecting spatial distribution of pixels/sub-pixels related to key alteration mineral assemblages and structural features that may represent potential undiscovered Zn–Pb deposits. Fusion of Directed Principal Component Analysis (DPCA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) was applied to some selected Landsat-8 mineral indices for mapping gossan, clay-rich zones and dolomitization. Major lineaments, intersections, curvilinear structures and sedimentary formations were traced by the application of Feature-oriented Principal Components Selection (FPCS) to cross-polarized backscatter PALSAR ratio images. Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) algorithm was applied to ASTER VNIR/SWIR bands for sub-pixel detection and classification of hematite, goethite, jarosite, alunite, gypsum, chalcedony, kaolinite, muscovite, chlorite, epidote, calcite and dolomite in the prospective targets. Using the remote sensing data and approaches, several high potential zones characterized by distinct alteration mineral assemblages and structural fabrics were identified that could represent undiscovered Zn–Pb sulfide deposits in the study area. This research establishes a straightforward/cost-effective multi-sensor satellite-based remote sensing approach for reconnaissance stages of mineral exploration in hardly accessible parts of the High Arctic environments.
Highlights
11. .InIntrtorodduucctitoionn GGrereenenlalnanddis kisnokwnnofwornitsfourntaitpspeudnmtaipnpeeradl remsoinuerrcaels arnedsosuigrcneifis caanntdexpsilgonraiftiicoannatcheixevpelomraetnitosn (Faicghuiereve1m) e[n1t–s3(]F. igBuercea1u)s[e1–o3f].itBselcaarugsee aorfeiats, loanrglye aarefae,wonpllyacaefsewhapvleacbeesehnavsetubdeieend,stluedaiveidn,glemavoisntg omf oitsst pofarittss plaarrgteslylarugnedlyeruenxdpelorreexdplo[3re].d [G3]r.eGenrelaenndlanhdashaas uanuiqnuiqeupeopteontetinatliaflofrordidsicsocvoevreireisesoof f wwoorlrdld-c-lcalasssszzininccddeeppoosistists[4[4].].TThheeseseddimimeenntataryrybbaasisnineennvvirioronnmmeenntstscoconnstsittiututeteaapppproroxximimaatetelyly4400%%oof f GGrereeennlalanndd’s’s441100,0,00000kkmm2 2icicee--ffrreeeelalannddaarreeaa,aannddmmaannyyooffththeesseebbaassininssaarerekknnoowwnntotohhoosst tzzininccsusulfilfdidee mminineeraralilzizataitoionn[4[]4.]T
An overview image of the eastern part of the Franklinian Basin was produced using a mosaic of the Landsat-8 ratio images assigned to Normalised Difference Snow Index (NDSI) (b3 − b6/b3 + b6), ferric iron oxide index (b4/b2) and clay minerals index (b6/b7) in Red-Green-Blue (RGB) channels, respectively (Figure 6)
The results of this research demonstrate that the application of multi-sensor remote sensing satellite data has great capability as an exploration tool for mapping potential occurrences of Zn–Pb deposits in the Franklinian Basin, North Greenland
Summary
11. .InIntrtorodduucctitoionn GGrereenenlalnanddis kisnokwnnofwornitsfourntaitpspeudnmtaipnpeeradl remsoinuerrcaels arnedsosuigrcneifis caanntdexpsilgonraiftiicoannatcheixevpelomraetnitosn (Faicghuiereve1m) e[n1t–s3(]F. igBuercea1u)s[e1–o3f].itBselcaarugsee aorfeiats, loanrglye aarefae,wonpllyacaefsewhapvleacbeesehnavsetubdeieend,stluedaiveidn,glemavoisntg omf oitsst pofarittss plaarrgteslylarugnedlyeruenxdpelorreexdplo[3re].d [G3]r.eGenrelaenndlanhdashaas uanuiqnuiqeupeopteontetinatliaflofrordidsicsocvoevreireisesoof f wwoorlrdld-c-lcalasssszzininccddeeppoosistists[4[4].].TThheeseseddimimeenntataryrybbaasisnineennvvirioronnmmeenntstscoconnstsittiututeteaapppproroxximimaatetelyly4400%%oof f GGrereeennlalanndd’s’s441100,0,00000kkmm2 2icicee--ffrreeeelalannddaarreeaa, ,aannddmmaannyyooffththeesseebbaassininssaarerekknnoowwnntotohhoosst tzzininccsusulfilfdidee mminineeraralilzizataitoionn[4[]4.]T. Sulfide mineralization was reported in limestone conglomerates south of the Citronen Fjord in association with splays of the NW–SE-trending Trolle Land Fault Zone (TLFZ) [7]. Several occurrences of hydrate sulfate were reported in limestone conglomerates south of the Citronen Fjord in association with splays of the NW–SE-trending Trolle Land Fault Zone (TLFZ) [7]. The main objectives of image processing techniques are: (i) to detect pixels/sub-pixels contain spectral features related to key alteration minerals and assemblages (gossan, hydrated sulfate, clay and carbonates) that may represent potential undiscovered Zn–Pb mineralization zones using Landsat-8 and ASTER spectral bands; (ii) to inspect the major lineaments, intersections, curvilinear structures and sedimentary formations using PALSAR data; and (iii) to establish a straightforward/cost-effective multi-sensor satellite-based remote sensing approach for mineral exploration objectives in hardly accessible parts of the High Arctic environments
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