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The study aims to determine the impact of global meteorological parameters on SARS-COV-2, including population density and initiation of lockdown in twelve different countries. The daily trend of these parameters and COVID-19 variables from February 15th to April 25th, 2020, were considered. Asian countries show an increasing trend between infection rate and population density. A direct relationship between the time-lapse of the first infected case and the period of suspension of movement controls the transmissivity of COVID-19 in Asian countries. The increase in temperature has led to an increase in COVID-19 spread, while the decrease in humidity is consistent with the trend in daily deaths during the peak of the pandemic in European countries. Countries with 65°F temperature and 5 mm rainfall have a negative impact on COVID-19 spread. Lower oxygen availability in the atmosphere, fine droplets of submicron size together with infectious aerosols, and low wind speed have contributed to the increase in total cases and mortality in Germany and France. The onset of the D614G mutation and subsequent changes to D614 before March, later G614 in mid-March, and S943P, A831V, D839/Y/N/E in April were observed in Asian and European countries. The results of the correlation and factor analysis show that the COVID-19 cases and the climatic factors are significantly correlated with each other. The optimum meteorological conditions for the prevalence of G614 were identified. It was observed that the complex interaction of global meteorological factors and changes in the mutational form of CoV-2 phase I influenced the daily mortality rate along with other comorbid factors. The results of this study could help the public and policymakers to create awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-17481-8.

Remote sensing and GIS technology were very helpful to determine an appropriate location of freshwater storage in Amhara, Ethiopia. The techniques were used to investigate the impact of lithology, surface geomorphology, slope parameters, drainage flow, drainage density, lineament density, land cover parameters on relief, and aerial and linear features and to understand their interrelationships. Morphometric parameters such as mean stream length (Lsm), stream length ratio (RL), bifurcation ratio (Rb), mean bifurcation ratio (Rbm), relief ratio (Rh), drainage density (Dd), stream frequency (Fs), drainage texture (Rt), form factor (Rf), circularity ratio (Rc), and elongation ratio (Re) were calculated. Spatial maps of morphometric parameters were produced by using AHP (analytical hierarchy process) of ArcGIS 10.3. Final priority map was generated by the overlay of those parameters with five categories of poor (16.6%), low (41.63%), moderate (29.61%), high (8.88%), and very high (3.28%) storage locations. The map showed that this study area belonged to the low to moderate storage location. The results exhibit precision-based assessment of the suitability for the dam construction sites of 6, 7, and 9 sub-basin zones. The outcome of this study strengthens the knowledge of geospatial analysis for water resources vulnerability and also allows policymakers in this drought-prone area to sustainably manage water supplies.

Evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes governing the heavy metal distribution and the associated health risk is important in managing and protecting the health of freshwater resources. This study mainly focused on the health impacts due to the heavy metals pollution in a known Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) contact region (Tiruchinopoly, Tamilnadu) of peninsular India, using various pollution indices, statistical, and geochemical analyses. A total of 63 samples were collected from the hard rock aquifers and sedimentary formations during southwest monsoon and analysed for heavy metals, such as Li, Be, Al, Rb, Sr, Cs, Ba, pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn, Ga, Cu, As, Ni, and Co. Ba was the dominant element that ranged from 441 to 42,638 μg/l in hard rock aquifers, whereas Zn was the major element in sedimentary formations, with concentrations that ranged from 44 to 118,281 μg/l. The concentrations of Fe, Ni, Cr, Al, Cr, and Ni fell above the permissible limit in both of the formations. However, the calculated heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and the degree of contamination (Cd) parameters were higher in the sedimentary formation along the contact zone of the K/T boundary. Excessive health risks from consumption of contaminated groundwater were mostly confined to populations in the northern and southwestern regions of the study area. Carcinogenic risk assessment suggests that there are elevated risks of cancer due to prolonged consumption of untreated groundwater. Ba, Sr, and Zn were found to be geochemically highly mobile due to the partitioning between the rock matrix and groundwater, aided by the formation of soluble carbonato-complexes. Factor analysis indicates that the metals are mainly derived from the host rocks and anthropogenic inputs are relatively insignificant. Overall, this study indicated that groundwater in K/T contact zones is vulnerable to contamination because of the favorable geochemical factors. Long-term monitoring of such contact zones is required to avert the potential health hazards associated with consumption of the contaminated groundwater.

We analyzed the radiolarian assemblages (pelagic sediments) and geochemical studies of 15 samples collected from Meluri district Nagaland, Naga Hills Ophiolite belt (NHO) and it consists of the Flysch Naga-Arakan-Yoma trough beyond the Indo-Myanmar border. It reflects one of the many components of the Himalayan Orogenic systems of Tethyan oceanic crust discovered in Nagaland at Meluri district of India and they have very well-preserved studies and can be identified to Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-mid-Tithonian). As well as a continuous sequence of Kimmeridgian-mid-Tithonian, five radiolarian assemblages have been identified in this study. This is so far the first recovery of pelagic sediment assemblages (Radiolarians) from the Naga Hills Ophiolite complex. Samples of Naga Hills Ophiolite belts fell in the Sublitharenite, Litharenite, and Fe-shale Fe-sand area, and the A-CN-K diagram indicates that these sediments in the source region were exposed deep to moderate weathering conditions. In the discriminant plot, the Naga Hill-Ophiolite-Chert samples occupy the field of origin of the sediment quartzose, and the log (K2O/Na2O) versus SiO2 samples fall into the active continental marginal field, and only one sample falls into an island arch, suggesting that the tectonic framework of the Naga Hills-Chert samples was deposited in the active continental margin and the diagrams K2O/Al2O3 and MgO/Al2O3 illustrated the tectonic setting of the marine environment from Naga Hill Ophiolite Chert. Such findings have been consistent with the current geology of Naga Hills in the province of Nagaland.

This research was carried out using the open-source database system along with the continuous air quality monitoring station results from global data sets during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India and the global. Our purpose of this research is to study the improvement of air quality and human mortality rates in countries worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Worldwide air quality data were collected from > 12,000 continuous air quality monitoring stations on six continents covering 1000 major cities from over 100 countries. Here, we discussed the implementation of the open-source data set of basic air pollutants such as PM 2.5, NO2, temperature, relative humidity, and Air Quality Index variation during the pre-lockdown and lockdown pandemic COVID-19 in India and described the global aspect. An average concentration of PM 2.5 (145.51 μg/m3), NO2 (21.64 μg/m3), and AQI index (55.58) continuously decreased. The variation of PM 2.5, NO2, normally shows more than 25 μg/m3 every year, but during the COVID-19 lockdown period (April 2020) continuously decreased below 20 μg/m3. Similarly, the AQI index and meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed variation decreased significantly in the many countries in the world. In Asian countries, air quality improved during the national lockdown especially in the most polluted cities globally such as Beijing, Delhi, and Nanjing and also in developed cities like Madrid, New York, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo. Furthermore, the reduction of particulate matter was in about 46%, and other gaseous pollutants during the lockdown period were observed in a 54% reduction. We are witnessing pollution reductions which add significantly to improvements in air quality. This is due to the massive decrease in the use of fossil fuel, which in turn reduces production and traffic in general. People nowadays are now willing to see a comparatively healthier world with bleached skies and natural ecosystems. This research finding demonstrates potential safety benefits associated with improving air quality and mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in decreases in mortality rates in India and around the world.

COVID-19 Coronavirus is now one of the most contagious diseases of the recently discovered and spread across the China in 2019 and has received global attention. In most COVID-19-infected individuals, respiratory symptoms should be mild to moderate and improve without the need for medical care. The risk of serious disease is higher for senior citizens and people with serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, severe respiratory disease, and cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. As on 11th April 2020 in India the largest number of persons testing positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak earlier month with samples of people, mostly contacts of already confirmed patients, rendering positive. In India total confirmed cases 7364, 633 are cured/discharged, with 240 deaths had been reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India. The aim of the research is to analyze the spatial distribution of COVID-19 and its trends with the help of GIS software. At this time, there are no precise antibiotics or treatment options for COVID-19. Besides, several ongoing clinical studies are assessing effective treatments. The best way to protect and sluggish transmission should be well advised about the current COVID-19 virus, the disease it triggers and also how it continues to spread. Therefore, monitoring active ties using GIS spatial analysis is very important to control such as a COVID-19 virus spreading problem.

Mercury is a pollutant that is used everywhere, is harmful, and has a global impact. The ambient Total Gaseous Mercury (TGM) concentrations in the Chennai metropolis areas were measured in this study. Because of various anthropogenic source pollutants, studies of atmospheric mercury in this city are extremely significant. The measurement was conducted using a high-resolution mercury vapor analyzer (Tekran 2537B) instrument in February and March 2016. The annual mean concentration of TGM in the Chennai metropolis was 8.89 mg m−3 and 8.01 mg m−3, respectively. The extreme aggregate recurrence between the directions is WNW to NNW and NNE to ENE, and TGM was released about 39% in this region, according to this research. We performed statistical studies, and the results of the principal component analysis and conditional probability function suggest that mercury sources are equivalent to other atmospheric pollutants such as SO2, CO, NO2, and PM2.5, which are predominantly emitted by urban and industrial combustion plants. The meteorological parameters and TGM concentration have a direct relationship, according to continuous measurements of TGM in the air and dendrogram maps, and they have been essentially controlled by sunlight-based radiation. Some estimates of atmospheric mercury focuses have been conducted in the urban region; however, as far as we know, our findings are the essentials that unveiled concerning environmental aggregate vaporous mercury observed in a necessary industrialized metropolitan zone in India. This research will aid in the development of more effective management measures to reduce the effects of atmospheric mercury in the urban environment and public safety in a megacity, as well as those who may be harmed by the long-distance transit of TGM. The assessment of mercury emissions and the effectiveness of Chennai’s mercury control policies is warranted by long-term observations of mercury in the city—and background regions in Chennai.

Remote sensing and GIS technology were very helpful to determine an appropriate location of freshwater storage in Amhara, Ethiopia. The techniques were used to investigate the impact of lithology, surface geomorphology, slope parameters, drainage flow, drainage density, lineament density, land cover parameters on relief, and aerial and linear features and to understand their interrelationships. Morphometric parameters such as mean stream length (Lsm), stream length ratio (RL), bifurcation ratio (Rb), mean bifurcation ratio (Rbm), relief ratio (Rh), drainage density (Dd), stream frequency (Fs), drainage texture (Rt), form factor (Rf), circularity ratio (Rc), and elongation ratio (Re) were calculated. Spatial maps of morphometric parameters were produced by using AHP (analytical hierarchy process) of ArcGIS 10.3. Final priority map was generated by the overlay of those parameters with five categories of poor (16.6%), low (41.63%), moderate (29.61%), high (8.88%), and very high (3.28%) storage locations. The map showed that this study area belonged to the low to moderate storage location. The results exhibit precision-based assessment of the suitability for the dam construction sites of 6, 7, and 9 sub-basin zones. The outcome of this study strengthens the knowledge of geospatial analysis for water resources vulnerability and also allows policymakers in this drought-prone area to sustainably manage water supplies.

We are entering the era of big data, and big data achievements have benefited ordinary people. However, big data application in geochemistry research has not been really appreciated. Big data is a kind of method and a pattern of thought. It is different from traditional scientific research methods and thinking in that it starts from the data and adopts full data mode. This paper introduces basalt, andesite and continental marginal arc basalt tectonic environment discrimination diagrams made by the author and his collaborators using all the global rock geochemical data available. We have discussed the following scientific problems of petrology and geochemistry using big data research: 1. we found many better illustrations in the study of discriminant diagrams, mainly relying on the relationship among the major elements, transition elements, and metal elements. What the points between the relationships are? Why did they work? These new questions need to be studied by the geochemists. 2. Data mining found that mid-ocean ridge is extremely lack of intermediate-acidic rocks. Does it mean that the upper mantle is an acute shortage of water? 3. This study found that the Miocene is the most developed epoch of magmatic activities. The Miocene appeared many important geological events in the world. Is there a connection between them? 4. The Miocene adakite most developed in the world, according to adakite exposed. There may be a giant Eurasian plateau from the Tibetan plateau to the Carpathians. 5. According to the spatial and temporal distribution of Cenozoic picrite, we put forward how to realize a global hotspot issues, etc. The paper also put forward some suggestions of further research and emphasized that science has entered the era of big data. In the era of big data, scientific classification standards have changed: any discipline which can be expressed in data is called science, and which cannot be expressed in data is called non-science. Whether it can be expressed by data is the watershed of science and non-science. In the era of big data, the geology encountered an unprecedented crisis. According to our forecast, in the foreseeable future, geophysics will be far ahead of geology. Space science will boom, and geochemistry will lead the way for a long time in the field of geology. Keywords: Big data, Petrology, Geochemistry, Basalt, Andesite, Discrimination diagram

Sediment core samples have been collected from the Karankadu mangrove areas in Tamil Nadu, India. To know the distribution, characteristics and source identification of the heavy metals Cd, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni were investigated and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). From the observed results, the sediment textural characteristics silty sand, sandy silt, sand, and silt with sand were noted. The metal concentrations distributed in the following order of decreasing: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd. The analysis shows that these metals have a much higher concentration close to the coastal regions. Enrichment factor (Ef) shows that Cd and Zn were moderate to extremely polluted and the following order of decreasing Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Mn. Pollution load index (PLI) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) reveal that most of the samples are highly polluted by heavy metals. Overall, the sediments of the Karankadu mangroves are moderate to highly polluted by Cd and Zn.

To understand the sub-surface lithology variation and identify possible groundwater potential zones, multi-electrode resistivity scanning was carried out at 7 locations in the part of Chittar sub-basin, Tirunelveli District, South India. Physiographically, the selected study area is a plain and falls under the semi-arid climatic type. Archaean crystalline of hornblende biotite gneiss and charnockite are the major rock types, pediments and buried pediments are the major geomorphological units. A length of 100 m was scanned using 50 electrodes with interspacing of 2 m by SSR-MP-AT-ME model resistivity meter and analysed in IPI 2WIN software. The data obtained from resistivity showed huge resistivity variations in areas where Narikudi, Rastha, Therkkupatti and Vagaikulam locations represented ≤ 1000 Ohm m and Alagiyapandiapuram, Muthamalpuram and Nilethanallur locations represented 9000 Ohm m. To validate the scanning interpretation, constructed geoelectric layers were correlated to existing lithology of the region and it showed an appreciable match. Considering the resistivity range of 50 to 120 Ohm m and bore well lithology, Narikudi and Muthamalpuram locations have been identified as potential groundwater zones while Nilethanallur, Rastha, Therkkupatti, Alagiyapandiapuram and Vagaikulam locations were also identified as low to moderate groundwater zones.

Hydrofracturing process was developed during the 1940s for improving the yield from oil and gas wells. Later this technique was adopted for water well development. The hydrofracturing process consists of pumping test before and after fracturing a well. The pre-fracturing and post-fracturing pumping test results are analysed and correlated to estimate the yield improvement realized due to fracturing. An attempt was made to improve the groundwater yield from a borewell in hard rock formation in Thachchur Village of Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India. The pre-pumping static water level was 4.25 m below measuring point (bmp), and the safe yield was 5 litres per minute (lpm)/16 m drawdown/8 h of pumping per day. Hydrofracturing was carried out using a single packer assembly system, and two fracture zones lying at the depth of 15 m and 45 m were treated. After fracturing treatment, pumping test was carried out. Post-fracturing pumping test results revealed that the safe yield was 80 lpm/16 m drawdown/8 h of pumping per day. The yield improvement from 5 to 80 lpm substantiated the success of hydrofracturing in the hard rock borewell. The groundwater yield improvement in the borewell is due to the enlargement of fissures and cracks in and around the borewell by hydrofracturing.

This study aims to explore the state-wise assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic spread in Malaysia with focus on influence of meteorological parameters and air quality. In this study, state-wise COVID-19 data, meteorological parameters and air quality index (AQI) were collected from March 13 to April 30, 2020, which encompass three movement control order (MCO) periods in the country. Overall, total infected cases were observed to be higher in MCO phase 1 and 2 and significantly reduced in MCO phase 3. Due to the variation in the spatial interval of population density and individual immunity, the relationship of these parameters to pandemic spread could not be achieved. The study infers that temperature (T) between 23 and 25 °C and relative humidity (RH) (70–80%) triggered the pandemic spread by increase in the infected cases in northern and central Peninsular Malaysia. Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur and WP Putrajaya show significantly high infected cases and a definite trend was not observed with respect to a particular meteorological factor. It is identified that high precipitation (PPT), RH and good air quality have reduced the spread in East Malaysia. A negative correlation of T and AQI and positive correlation of RH with total infected cases were found during MCO phase 3. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that T, RH, PPT, dew point (DP) and AQI are the main controlling factors for the spread across the country apart from social distancing. Vulnerability zones were identified based on the spatial analysis of T, RH, PPT and AQI with reference to total infected cases. Based on time series analysis, it was determined that higher RH and T in Peninsular Malaysia and high amount of PPT, RH and good air quality in East Malaysia have controlled the spreading during MCO phase 3. The predominance of D614 mutant was observed prior to March and decreases at the end of March, coinciding with the fluctuation of meteorological factors and air quality. The outcome of this study gives a general awareness to the public on COVID-19 and the influence of meteorological factors. It will also help the policymakers to enhance the management plans against the pandemic spreading apart from social distancing in the next wave of COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10668-021-01719-z.

This study evaluated the status of deteriorating water quality around the Vembanad Lake of Kerala State in India. A total of 40 water samples from lake (L, n = 5), river (R, n = 6), open well (W, n = 26), and bore well (BW, n = 9) and were analysed for major ions as per the APHA methods. Different concentrations of Ca (10–190 mg/L), Mg (2–220 mg/L), Na (10–216 mg/L), K (2–50 mg/L), HCO3 (20–400 mg/L), CO3 (10–50 mg/L), Cl (46.5–950 mg/L), NO3 (0.62–19.75 mg/L), SO4 (20.8–423 mg/L) and PO4 (1.63–16.18 mg/L) represent the three different water types: Ca HCO3, Na Cl and mixed type of Ca Na HCO3. Strong connection between the host rock and groundwater quality indicated substantial water-rock interaction. Factor analysis helped to understand the associations of chemical parameters and their sources. TDS, TH, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride exceeded the BIS (2010) based on desirable drinking water and irrigational quality standards in SE, W, and NW directions due to man-made bunds, industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, household sewages, tourism, lime shell, and sand mining. All point and non-point sources of pollution adversely affected water in and around the Vembanad Lake system and caused by water quality deterioration.

In this study, we investigated the historical variation, source identification, and distribution of heavy metal pollution in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) using 210Pb dating. Our results suggest that the heavy metal concentrations were higher in the western part of the estuary. For all heavy metals, Cd was significantly enriched in the sediments. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) has experienced rapid economic development in the past 40 years, a decreasing trend in heavy metal fluxes after 2004 was identified, which suggests a reduction in heavy metal concentrations due to the removal of heavy polluting industries and the effective control of sewage discharge. A binary mixing model reveals that the contributions of anthropogenic Pb ranged from 45.4 to 64%. Based on lead isotopic ratios (206/207Pb and 208/206Pb), it was found that geologic materials and industrial pollution were the main sources of heavy metals in the PRE sediments.

Heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Cd) in core sediments from Qi’ao Island, South China were subjected to distribution determination, risk assessment, and source identification. The concentrations (in microgram per gram) of the metals decreased in the following order: Fe (27275.8 - 50893.60) > Mn (372.0 - 2063.6) > Zn (104.8 - 314.9) > Pb (44.1 - 84.8) > Cu (32.5 - 102.2) > Cr (19.6 - 467.6) > Ni (13.0 - 62.7) > Cd (1.9 - 37.8). The geoaccumulation index (I g e o ) and contamination factor ( C f ) indicated that the sediments were heavily contaminated with Cd and moderately to very highly contaminated with Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Single metal risk factor (E f i ) showed that Cu, Ni, Cr, and Zn posed low risks ( 320%). In terms of risk index (RI), all study sites were considered to have a high ecological risk (RI>600). As regards pollution load index (PLI) classification, the majority of the sites were classified as “polluted” with a mean PLI of 2.8. Correlation and PCA analyses showed that the metal sources were well correlated with one another, and these sources were geogenic and industrial (agrochemicals and electroplating) wastewater discharge, as well as domestic sewage activities in the PRDE and surrounding areas. Overall, our findings showed that Qi’ao Island was moderately to highly contaminated with heavy metals.

This article documents the new precipitates formed related to acid mine drainage (AMD) at Dabaoshan mine (South China). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope & Energy Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) have been used to detect minerals in AMD impoundment and downstream creeks. The occurrences, the mineralogical species and the micro-morphological characteristics of secondary minerals from different pH conditions has been carried out. Iron- hydroxysulfates and iron-oxyhydroxides are the main secondary minerals, and they occurred as both poorly and well-crystalline minerals. Jarosite nearly predominate as pseudocubic crystals at pH 2.5–4.0. Schwertmannite-rich sediments occurred at pH 3.82–4.5 as urchin-like, pin-cushion and as well as globular-like aggregates and show high concentrations of Mn, Cu, Pb and As due to adsorption and co-precipitation. Goethite formed mainly as botryoidal and flaky assemblages. Paragenesis of different types of schwertmannite indicate that pH condition is not the dominant factor controlling morphology but the main parameter for the variation of minerals species. Statistical analysis reveal obvious changing tendency in Zn, Cd and SO4 within pH. FTIR analysis show adsorption of Cu, Pb, Zn and As on secondary iron minerals. Water elements with high concentrations in the impoundment and the obvious decrease in downstream creak reflected an accumulation and evaporation in AMD impoundment and a dilution in downstream area respectively. These results indicate that secondary minerals associated with AMD can play an important role in attenuating toxic elements.

The distribution of elements in soil is affected by various natural processes, and therefore, it is essential that exploration geochemists are able to recognize whether an elemental concentration is related to mineralization or other processes. This research aimed to recognize the elemental distribution and its controlling factors around the Zhaojikou Pb–Zn ore deposit, SE China, via fractal and compositional data analysis. Firstly, histograms over the raw data and log-ratio transformations were used to check whether the concentration data followed a normal distribution or not. The concentration distribution maps of elements were then generated via spretrum–area fractal plot to show the spatial relationships. Afterward, the inter-relationships among different elements were studied through robust principal component analysis based on compositional data theory. The factors controlling the distribution of elements were discussed and geochemical indices were proposed for future exploration. Finally, a comprehensive anomaly map was generated to show important prospecting areas. Results showed how the interpretation of distributions of elements was enhanced due to the application of data log-ratio transformation in univariate and multivariate analysis compared to the use of raw data. The histograms based on isometric log-ratio performed best among the three log-ratio transformations. The concentration distribution maps showed three anomalous areas at the surface. It clearly allowed identifying the relationships between the elements and their possible source patterns. Area I with anomalous assemblage of Pb–Zn–Ag–Cu–Cd corresponded to the current known ore deposits, while Area II with anomalous assemblage of Pb–Zn–Ag–Cu–Cd may indicate the occurrence of new potential base metal (Pb–Zn) ore bodies, and Area III with anomalous assemblage of W–As–Sb may indicate the occurrence of new potential Au mineralization/ore occurences. The robust biplot of PCA shows that the distributions of elements of interest were generally controlled by three geological processes: Pb–Zn ore-forming process, Au mineralization and weathering. Lead, Zn, Ag, Cu, and Cd, were affected mainly by Pb–Zn ore-forming processes; W, Sb, and As were affected mainly by Au mineralization, whereas Al2O3, K2O, Rb, Ba, Sr, Na2O, CaO, MgO, and SiO2 were affected to a greater extent by weathering processes. Sulphur, a mineralizing agent, was controlled by the ore-forming processes, being affected greatly by weathering. Finally, we proposed Pb > 160 ppm, Zn > 120 ppm, Ag > 193 ppb, Cu > 50 ppm, Cd > 210 ppb, W > 5 ppm, As > 25 ppm, Sb > 3.5 ppm, and S > 120 ppm as geochemical indices based on concentration-area fractal model analysis for future surficial geochemical prospecting in the Zhaojikou District.