Abstract
An R-mode quartimax rotated factor matrix was applied to a statistical study of stream sediment geochemical data from Onyami drainage system within Igarra area in southwestern Nigeria. The area is underlain by the gneiss-migmatite complex, the low grade supracrustal schist belts and the Pan-African granitoids which intruded both the gneiss-migmatite complex and the supracrustal units. A four-factor model which accounts for 76.49% of the total variance of the stream sediment geochemical data was established. Factor 1 (Sc-Ga-V-La-Ni-Co-Ag-Bi-Sr-Pb-Hf-Nb-Cu-Cr) probably defines an underlying complex granitic lithology with contributions from mafic and ultramafic rocks. Factor 2 (Th-U) is attributable to a granitic lithology which reflects the parent rock as the influencing factor. Factor 3 (Mo-Nb-Zn) appears to define a minor sulphide mineralization associated with granitic rocks that intruded the schists and granite gneiss in the area. Factor 4 indicates the occurrence of gold and its pathfinder element, As, in the study area. This inference is consistent with the reported occurrence and mining of gold during the colonial era in Dagbala, which lies within the Onyami river catchment area.
Highlights
Factor analysis of geochemical prospecting data has been applied for the interpretation of stream sediments and soil surveys [1,2,3,4]
This paper aims at evaluating the inter-element relationship, employing R-mode factor analysis, in the geochemical data derived from a stream sediment survey of the Onyami drainage system
The results of the factor analysis of fifty-nine stream sediment samples data set for the 22 elements, which constitute the variables in the analysis, are summarized using the Quartimax method
Summary
Factor analysis of geochemical prospecting data has been applied for the interpretation of stream sediments and soil surveys [1,2,3,4]. The geochemical project which gave rise to this paper involved a stream sediment survey of Onyami drainage system in Igarra district within a forested terrain of southwestern Nigeria. It was undertaken as part of a long-term plan initiated by the Postgraduate Research Group of the Department of Applied Geology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria to search for metallic mineralization, especially gold, in the district. This paper aims at evaluating the inter-element relationship, employing R-mode factor analysis, in the geochemical data derived from a stream sediment survey of the Onyami drainage system This is done with a view to identifying elements and target areas that are worth further prospecting pursuit
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