What Is Geochemical Exploration?

Geochemical exploration is referred to as "geochemical exploration". It uses the principle of geochemistry to study the distribution of surface and underground elements in a certain area, finds out their geochemical laws, and further guides the prospecting method of ore prospecting. ^[1]

Geochemical exploration methods have been developed with the advancement of modern geochemical and microanalytical techniques. It was first used in the Soviet Union and the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway) in the 1930s, and it did not attract widespread attention throughout the world until the mid-1940s. In the 1970s and 1980s, some relatively perfect geochemical exploration procedures were developed. Their basic idea is to use high-efficiency geochemical exploration methods to conduct extensive reconnaissance in a large area, abandon large areas of hopelessness, and shrink

There are several geochemical exploration methods:

Rock geochemical survey. It systematically collects rock samples and analyzes the micro-trace elements or other geochemical features in order to find various types of native anomalies related to mineralization, and then search for mineral deposits.

Soil geochemical measurement. It systematically measures the content of trace elements or other geochemical characteristics in the soil (including various weathering products) to find various secondary anomalies related to mineralization, and then searches for mineral deposits.

Geochemical survey of water system. It is a geochemical exploration method that systematically collects one or more water-based substances, including water-based sediment measurement and surface water-based water chemistry measurement. Water-based sediment measurement is to systematically collect samples of water-based sediments and determine the content of micro-trace elements or other geochemical features to find anomalies related to mineralization and track upstream to find deposits. The surface water system's hydrochemical measurement is to systematically collect samples of surface water or groundwater, analyze the trace elements in the water and other geochemical characteristics to find hydrochemical anomalies related to mineralization, and then look for mineral deposits.

Plant geochemical measurement. It systematically measures the content of micro-trace elements and other geochemical characteristics in plants (mainly deep-rooted plants, such as trees, shrubs, etc.) in order to find plant anomalies therein, and then find mineral deposits.

Gas geochemical measurement. It systematically measures the chemical composition and other geochemical characteristics of gas components in natural substances (such as soil, rocks, atmosphere, etc.) to find mineral-related gas anomalies and then to find deposits. In addition, there are methods such as aerial geochemical prospecting and isotope geochemical prospecting. Geochemical exploration methods can be used to find non-ferrous metals, rare dispersed elements, radioactive element deposits, and oil and gas. In recent years, research on isotopic geochemical prospecting, marine geochemical prospecting, and marine geochemical prospecting has further enriched and developed geochemical exploration methods.

(1) Regional scanning and census. A large number of anomalies found in regional scans were screened, and prospective anomalies were selected for inspection.

(2) Abnormality check. Quickly do a small amount of work to obtain more detailed information on the anomalies found in order to select the few with the most prospects for detailed investigation.

(3) Detailed investigation. The requirement for detailed investigation is to accurately define the scope of mineralization and understand its scope.

The purpose of geochemical exploration has always been to find ore deposits through clues to geochemical anomalies. The application of geochemical exploration is gradually expanding. It can be used not only for ore prospecting, but also for environmental pollution, agriculture, animal husbandry, endemic diseases and various geological conditions. Questions provide valuable information.

All imprints left by ore-forming materials during the formation or disintegration of ore deposits and recognizable on the basis of the normal pattern or background pattern of the elemental distribution of various natural substances can be called geochemical anomalies. What is significant in prospecting is the positive anomaly, that is, the high-content zone of elements that appears on the background pattern. Negative anomalies, compared with the background, the low content of elements, the practical significance of ore prospecting and other aspects have also begun to pay attention and research. ^[2]