Central Java regional geochemistry: influence of environmental geology and mineral occurrences

Abstract

Stream sediments geochemical surveys were undertaken in Central Java, Indonesia as a part of the Geological Agency’s geochemical mapping project with support from several universities. A total of 1583 stream sediment samples were collected from Central Java and analyzed using X-Ray Fluoresces for 29 elements. Geochemical maps were processed by the GIS software. Based on the overlay between geological and geochemical maps, there are several elemental anomalies, for example, the ultramafic formation from Kebumen showing distinctive Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), and Magnesium (Mg) anomalies. Meanwhile, the potassic igneous rocks from Muria Mountain have Cerium (Ce), Lanthanum (La), and Zirconium (Zr) anomalies. Elemental anomalies related to mineral resources and mining areas such as Arsenic (As), Copper (Cu), and Lead (Pb) are found in Trenggalek, Pacitan, and Kebumen; while Barium (Ba), Iron (Fe), and Manganese (Mn) are scattered along the southern coast of Central Java. Anthropogenic elements (Chlorine (Cl), Ce, and As) spread along the north coast of Central Java probably because of pollution by industrial, farming, and urban areas. Heavy metals pollutions that were identified previously in the Bengawan Solo River flow can be seen on this geochemical map which can convincingly delineate elements anomalies due to geological and environmental conditions.