The capability of Sentinel-2 image and FieldSpec3 for detecting lithium-containing minerals in central Iran

Abstract

To date, there are very few studies about the spectroscopy of lithium-containing minerals (LCMs) in the scientific community. The main objective of this study is to investigate the capability of Sentinel-2 image and FieldSpec3 spectro-radiometer in terms of mapping five important LCMs, including spodumene, lepidolite, amblygonite, petalite, and eucryptite. Therefore, first the FieldSpec3 spectro-radiometer was used to create the spectral curves of the LCMs. Then, accurate spectral analysis and comparison of the studied LCMs were performed using The Spectral Geologist (TSG) and the Prism software. These two software can show even slight difference in absorption features of different LCMs, which can discriminate and identify these minerals. Lithium-bearing rocks show absorption features at ~365, ~2200, and ~2350 nm and reflective features at ~550–770 nm. These features are consistent with Sentinel-2 bands. Therefore, the created spectral curves were utilized for calibration of Sentinel-2 optical image to detect and map the potential zones of the rock units containing minerals mentioned above in a part of the central Iranian terrane. By using the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classifier module, the potential areas were demarcated. Out of the five LCMs, petalite and spodumene showed more extensive coverage in the study area. Generally speaking, the largest concentration of those LCMs can be seen in southern and centraleastern parts of the study area. The comparison between spectral curves of reference and classified minerals confirmed the high capability of Sentinel-2 image for LCMs mapping. ASTER image classification results also confirmed the presence of the LCMs, but it cannot distinguish the LCMs type successfully.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

FieldSpec3 spectro-radiometer / lithium containing minerals / Sentinel-2 / ASTER / Iran

References

[1] AfsharifarS, RangzanK. ( 2014). Evaluation of spectral absorption depth of Zagros Dolomite using FieldSpec3, SAMS and Prism software. In: 32 international Congress of Earth Sciences (in Persian),

[2] AlamdarK, KuhsariA H, AnsariA. ( 2008). A preliminary study on the potential of Lithium on Iran’s pegmatite rocks. In: 16th Iranian Conference of Crystallography and Mineralogy (in Persian),

[3] AmidiSM, MichelR. ( 1985). Cenozoic magmatism of the Surk area (Central Iranian terrane) stratigraphy, petrography, geochemistry, and their geodynamic implications. Geology Alpine, 61

[4] BerberianM, KingG C P. ( 1981). Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran. Can J Earth Sci, 18( 2): 210– 265

[5] BirchN J, RobinsonD, InieR A, HullinR P. ( 1978). Lithium-6 stable isotope determination by atomic absorption spectroscopy and its application to pharmacokinetic studies in man. J Pharm Pharmacol, 30( 1): 683– 685

[6] Cardoso-FernandesJ, TeodoroA C, LimaA. ( 2019a). Remote sensing data in lithium (Li) exploration: a new approach for the detection of Li-bearing pegmatites. Int J Appl Earth Obs Geoinf, 76: 10– 25

[7] Cardoso-FernandesJ, LimaA, Roda-RoblesE, TeodoroA C. ( 2019b). Constraints and potentials of remote sensing data/techniques applied to lithium (Li)-pegmatites. Can Mineral, 57( 5): 723– 725

[8] Cardoso-FernandesJ, TeodoroA C, LimaA, PerrottaM, Roda-RoblesE. ( 2020). Detecting lithium (Li) mineralizations from space: current research and future perspectives. Appl Sci (Basel), 10( 5): 1785

[9] Cardoso-FernandesJ, SilvaJ, DiasF, LimaA, TeodoroA C, BarrèsO, CauzidJ, PerrottaM, Roda-RoblesE, RibeiroM A. ( 2021). Tools for remote exploration: a lithium (Li) dedicated spectral library of the Fregeneda–Almendra Aplite–Pegmatite field. Data, 6( 3): 33– 43

[10] CaoM, QinK, LiG, EvansN J, HollingsP, MaischM, KapplerA. ( 2017). Mineralogical evidence for crystallization conditions and petrogenesis of ilmenite-series I-type granitoids at the Baogutu reduced porphyry Cu deposit (western Junggar, NW China): Mössbauer spectroscopy, EPM and LA-(MC)-ICPMS analyses. Ore Geo Rev, 86: 382– 403

[11] ClarkR N. ( 1999). Spectroscopy of rocks and minerals, and principles of spectroscopy. Man Remot Sens, 3: 3– 58

[12] CloutisE A, KlimaR L, KaletzkeL, CoradiniA, GolubevaL F, McFaddenL A, ShestopalovD I, VilasF. ( 2010). The 506 nm absorption feature in pyroxene spectra: nature and implications for spectroscopy-based studies of pyroxene-bearing targets. Icarus, 207( 1): 295– 313

[13] DelaloyeM, JennyJ, StampfliG. ( 1981). K-Ar dating in the eastern Elburz (Iran). Tectonophysics, 79( 1−2): T27– T36

[14] DerakhshiM, GhasemiH, SahamiT. ( 2014). Geology and petrology of the SoltanMaydan basaltic complex in north–northeast of Shahrudm Eastern Alborz, North of Iran. Geoscience, 23: 63– 76

[15] DuY, ChangC, RenH, ChangC, JensenJ O, D’AmicoF. ( 2004). New hyperspectral discrimination measure for spectral characterization. Opt Eng, 43( 8): 1777– 1786

[16] GaoY, BagasL, LiK, JinM, LiuY, TengJ. ( 2020). Newly discovered Triassic lithium deposits in the Dahongliutan area, northwest China: a case study for the detection of lithium-bearing pegmatite deposits in rugged terrains using remote-sensing data and images. Front Earth Sci, 8: 591966

[17] GhorbaniM. ( 2016). Economic Geology of Iran, Mineral Deposits and Natural Resources Springer. Geol, 569

[18] GuhaA, KumarK V, PorwalA, RaniK, SahooK C, KumarS A, DiwakarP G. ( 2018). Reflectance spectroscopy and ASTER based mapping of rock-phosphate in parts of Paleoproterozoic sequences of Aravalli group of rocks, Rajasthan, India. Ore Geol Rev, 108: 83– 87

[19] KendallT G. ( 2017). An investigation of infrared spectral features related to the presence of lithium in micas, east Kemptville tin deposit, Nova Scotia. Dissertation for the Bachelor’s Degree. Halifax: Saint Mary’s University,

[20] KuchingS. ( 2007). The performance of maximum likelihood, spectral angle mapper, neural network and decision tree classifiers in hyperspectral image analysis. J Computer Sci, 3( 6): 419– 423

[21] KruseF A. ( 2010). Mineral mapping using spectroscopy: from field measurements to airborne and satellite-based imaging spectrometry. In: Proc ASARS Symp,

[22] LiuD, HanL. ( 2017). Spectral curve shape matching using derivatives in hyperspectral images. IEEE Geosci Remote Sens Lett, 14( 4): 504– 508

[23] MeshramP, PandeyB D, MankhandT R. ( 2014). Extraction of Lithium from primary and secondary sources by pre-treatment, leaching, and separation: a comprehensive review. Hydrometallurgy, 150: 192– 208

[24] NodaS, YamaguchiY. ( 2017). Estimation of surface iron oxide abundance with suppression of grain size and topography effects. Ore Geo Rev, 83: 312– 320

[25] PohlC, Van GenderenJ L. ( 2016). Remote Sensing Image Fusion: A Practical Guide. Boca Raton: CRC Press,

[26] RangzanK, KabolizadehM, KarimiD, SaberiA. ( 2019). Applied Mineral Spectroscopy. Ahvaz: Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (in Persian),

[27] RangzanK, BeyranvandS, PourkasebH, RanjbarH, ZarasvandiA. ( 2020). Applying spectral analysis for identification of alteration zones in north Saveh area. Iran J Spectral Imag, 9

[28] RossiC, SpittleS, BayaraaM, PandeyA, HenryN. ( 2018). An earth observation framework for the lithium exploration. In: IGARSS 2018–2018 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1616– 1619

[29] RahmatiI M. ( 2010). Metamorphism and geotectonic position of the ShoturKuh Complex, Central Iranian Block. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Prague: Charles University,

[30] ShahH E, Ashja ArdalanA, EmamiM H, RazaviM H. ( 2014). The petrology and geochemistry of granitoid rocks of Troud area in southwest of Shahrood. Iranian J Earth Sci, 6: 64– 77

[31] SoltaniA. ( 2000). Geochemistry and geochronology of I-type granitoid rocks in northeastern of Central Iranian terraneplace. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Wollongong: University of Wollongong,

[32] StocklinJ. ( 1968). Structural history and tectonics of Iran: a review. AAPG Bull, 52( 7): 1229– 1258

[33] TappertM C, RivardB, GilesD, TappertR, MaugerA. ( 2013). The mineral chemistry, near-infrared, and mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy of phengite from the Olympic Dam IOCG deposit, South Australia. Ore Geo Rev, 53: 26– 38

[34] ZainiN. ( 2009). Calcite-Dolomite mapping to assess dolomitization patterns using laboratory spectra and hyperspectral remote sensing. Dissertation for the Master’s Degree. Southampton: University of Southampton (UK),

[35] ZhengG, JiaoC, ZhouS, ShangG. ( 2016). Analysis of soil chronosequence studies using reflectance spectroscopy. Int J Remote Sens, 37( 8): 1881– 1901

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by university grant (No. 97.3.02.26247), for which the authors are thankful to the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz-Iran. The authors are also grateful to the ESA for providing the required satellite data.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2021 Higher Education Press