National-scale Geochemical Baseline of 69 elements in Papua New Guinea stream sediments

Abstract

This study presents the first Papua New Guinea geochemical baseline values of 69 elements. The National-scale Geochemical Baseline project of Papua New Guinea (PNG-NGB) were conducted during 2015–2018, covered an area of approximately 128,000 km2. A total of 1399 stream sediment samples were collected at an average density of 1 sample/100 km2, and 69 elements were analyzed. The results of PNG-NGB values are studied by R-mode factor analysis, and scatter plot analysis, the relationship between the 69 elements and the geological background, mineralization, and human activities are discussed as well. The median values of element contents related to the upper continental crust values were: TFe2O3, TC, Br, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, N, Sc, Se, Te, Ti, V and Zn >1.3 times; Na2O, K2O, Ba, Be, Bi, Cl, Cs, F, I, Mo, Rb, S, Sb, Sr, Th, Tl, Zr, La, Ce, Pr and Nd <0.7 times; and SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Ag, As, Au, B, Cd, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, Li, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Sn, Ta, W, U, Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, 0.7–1.3 times. R-mode factor analysis based on principal component analysis and varimax rotation showed that they fall into14 factors related to bedrock, mineralization, and human activities. This study provides basic geochemical data for many fields, including geology, mineral exploration, environmental protection, and agricultural production in Papua New Guinea.