An example of application of factor analysis on geochemical stream sediment survey in Umm Khariga Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Geochemical reconnaissance survey of Wadi Umm Khariga in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt was carried out in an area of 30 Km2. The results of 79 stream sediment samples analyzed for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Ti, and Zn after hot extraction with aqua regia were treated with simple and multivariate statistical methods. Titanium, Cu, Co, Ni, and Cr show lognormal distribution, whereas the other elements are normally distributed. The correlation between Fe and Mn and most of the analyzed elements suggest coprecipitation process that could be significant in controlling the distribution of these elements. Regression analysis was effective in correcting the effects of Fe and Mn by calculating the residuals. R-mode factor analysis produced a four-factor model, which accounts for 79.1% of the total variance in the data. Factor 1 (rCr, rCo, Ni) scores are correlated spatially with the area underlain by the serpentinites, metarhyolites, and metadacites. Factor 2 (rLi, rZn, rTi, Rb, K) scores are correlated with the metarhyolites, metadacites, and metapyroclastics. Factor 3 (Cu, rTi, Pb) scores characterize the metabasalts, meta-andesites, metarhyolites, and metadacites, thus reflecting the parent rocks as dominant influencing factors. Factor 4 (Mn, Fe) scores reflect the secondary environment effects. Discriminant analysis delineated an anomalous area for Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Ti, Mn, Pb, and Li with probable occurrence of economic mineral deposits.