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Integrated Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Multivariate Wavelet Tessellation: A New, Rapid Approach for Lithogeochemical Analysis and Interpretation

Authors :
Fernando F. Fontana
Steven Tassios
Jessica Stromberg
Caroline Tiddy
Ben van der Hoek
Yulia A. Uvarova
Source :
Minerals, Vol 11, Iss 3, p 312 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a novel approach that uses wavelet tessellation in rapid analysis of raw geochemical data produced by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to produce pseudologs that are representative of stratigraphy. Single-line LIBS spectral data for seven major rock-forming elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Si, Na and K) were collected from a synthetic 22-sample rock-block comprising two distinct lithological groups based on mineralogy, chemistry and texture: plutonic rocks and marble. Seven sublithologies are identified within the rock-block from traditional laboratory whole-rock geochemical analysis: marble, Mg-marble, granite, quartz monzonite, foidolite, granodiorite and gabbroic diorite. Two-domain clustering (k = 2) on raw spectral LIBS data combined with wavelet tessellation was applied to generate a simplified lithological stratigraphy of marble and plutonic rocks and generate a pseudolog identical to the rock-block stratigraphy. A pseudolog generated from seven-domain clustering (k = 7) and wavelet tessellation successfully discriminated most sublithologies within the rock-block slabs, especially marble slabs. Small-scale units were identified within the more mineralogically and geochemically complex plutonic slabs. The spatial resolution of the LIBS analysis, with a measurement spacing of ~0.35 mm, allowed for assessment of individual mineral compositions and rock textures, and small-scale units within the plutonic rocks can be correlated to specific coarse-grained minerals or mineralogical associations. The application of the wavelet tessellation method to raw LIBS geochemical data offers the possibility of rapid and objective lithogeochemical analysis and interpretations which can predate further analysis (quantitative) and supplement geological logging.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2075163X
Volume :
11
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Minerals
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.099d8c0ff360491abd6917d8628ec616
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/min11030312