Application of high-resolution remote sensing technology for the iron ore deposits of the West Kunlun Mountains in China

This study focuses on the iron ore of Taxkorgan and Heiqia in the West Kunlun mountains as a case study, for the application of WorldView−2 and IKONOS remote sensing images as major data sources in the fabrication of a standard image map and in the adoption of image enhancement methods to extract information on the ore-controlling factors and mineralization, to interpret remote sensing for the mineral resources in these areas. ASTER, WorldView−2, and IKONOS data were applied for the extraction of alteration anomaly information. With an appropriate amount of field sampling and verification tests, this was used to establish a remote sensing geology prospecting model, that would provide the basis for future remote sensing of metallogenic belts in  West Kunlun in the hope of discovering similar minerals. Survey results showed four additional iron ore mineralization belts could be delineated in the Taxkorgan area. A comparative analysis conducted for part of the field confirmation and the known mineral deposits indicated good reliability. In Heiqia, a siderite-haematite mineralization zone was observed with copperlead- zinc formation, 60-km in length and 200–500 m wide, which includes several mineralized bodies. The ore bodies, appear as stratoid, lenticular, or podiform morphologies and were located in the transition site from clastic to carbonate rocks of the D segment in the Wenquangou Group. The ore bodies generally occur within 40°–50° strike and 68°–81° dip, in accordance to the strata. The length of the single body varies from several hundred metres to more than 9500 m. Its exposed thickness on the surface ranges from 2–50 m, and the general thickness was approximately 15 m. The surface ore minerals were mainly haematite and limonite, with a small amount of siderite. Therefore, high-resolution remote sensing technology is suitable for iron ore geological and mineral remote sensing surveying. It is advantageous in both high-ground resolution of optical characteristics and a certain spectral recognition capability, and is effective not only for information extraction from a large area, but also for recognition of local mineralization outcrops. Therefore, high-resolution remote sensing technology is valuable for popularization.

Multispectral and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data for Mineral Exploration and Environmental Monitoring of Mined Areas

In recent decades, remote sensing technology has been incorporated in numerous mineral exploration projects in metallogenic provinces around the world. Multispectral and hyperspectral sensors play a significant role in affording unique data for mineral exploration and environmental hazard monitoring. This book covers the advances of remote sensing data processing algorithms in mineral exploration, and the technology can be used in monitoring and decision-making in relation to environmental mining hazard. This book presents state-of-the-art approaches on recent remote sensing and GIS-based mineral prospectivity modeling, offering excellent information to professional earth scientists, researchers, mineral exploration communities and mining companies

Pliocene vegetation and climate variability on the NE Tibetan Plateau (Qaidam and Kunlun Pass Basin) over glacial interglacial timescales

In recent years, high-resolution studies demonstrated that the climate during the mid-Piacenzian warm period (mPWP; 3.264 – 3.025 Ma) was characterized by high variability, but generally much warmer conditions in the northern high latitudes. Although warming is also expected to take place in the mid latitudes, there are contrasting modelling suggestions about precipitation changes and the extent of monsoonal influence in NW China. This study presents a high-resolution palynological record for the mPWP in the NW Qaidam Basin, which nowadays is located outside of the impact of the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM), and the first Plio-Pleistocene palynological record for the Kunlun Pass Basin, which during present-day receives precipitation from the EASM. The high-resolution palynological record from the NW Qaidam Basin (SG-1b core) shows that between 3.495 – 3.011 Ma the vegetation was dominated by xerophytic shrublands in the basin, while the mountain slopes were covered by broadleaved and coniferous forests. High palaeoprecipitation estimates (MAP) indicate that the climate in the NW Qaidam Basin was much wetter (~120 – 400 mm) than present-day (~ 28 mm). The penetration of the EASM into the region was also recognised by the lithology and geochemistry of the SG-1b core, which demonstrate that a semi-deep and semi-large palaeolake existed in the basin during the Piacenzian. The Artemisia/Chenopodiaceae ratio shows that the moisture availability was not only controlled by orbital cycles, but also changed from Southern to Northern Hemisphere summer insolation dependence during the build-up of ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. The Kunlun Pass Basin record demonstrates that this study site on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau was affected by long-term climate cooling from the Early Pliocene to the mPWP and Plio-Pleistocene transition, which was characterised by a decline in coniferous and broadleaved patchy forest vegetation to xerophytic shrublands and steppes/meadows after the onset of the Northern Hemisphere glaciation (NHG). The palaeotemperature estimates show that the Kunlun Pass Basin was much warmer during the mPWP as suggested by a recently published modelling study. As a consequence, modelling studies (for future and past scenarios) should take into account that the NW Qaidam Basin likely becomes much wetter while the Kunlun Pass Basin becomes strongly warmer during times of global warmth

An astrobiological study of an alkaline-saline hydrothermal environment, relevant to understanding the habitability of Mars

The on going exploration of planets such as Mars is producing a wealth of data which is being used to shape a better understanding of potentially habitable environments beyond the Earth. On Mars, the relatively recent identification of minerals which indicate the presence of neutral/alkaline aqueous activity has increased the number of potentially habitable environments which require characterisation and exploration. The study of terrestrial analogue environments enables us to develop a better understanding of where life can exist, what types of organisms can exist and what evidence of that life may be preserved. The study of analogue environments is necessary not only in relation to the possibility of identifying extinct/extant indigenous life on Mars, but also for understanding the potential for contamination. As well as gaining an insight into the habitability of an environment, it is also essential to understand how to identify such environments using the instruments available to missions to Mars. It is important to be aware of instrument limitations to ensure that evidence of a particular environment is not overlooked. This work focuses upon studying the bacterial and archaeal diversity of Lake Magadi, a hypersaline and alkaline soda lake, and its associated hydrothermal springs. Culture dependent and culture independent analytical methods have been used and have led to the identification of potentially novel isolates. In addition, the effects of simulated Martian conditions such as desiccation and UVC radiation upon single strains isolated from this environment, and the effects upon a complex soil community have been assessed. Results have also provided an indication of what issues may arise with identifying minerals associated with these environments using the equipment such as the ExoMars PanCam. It is hoped that this work has contributed to our understanding of the possible habitability of Mars