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A MATLAB-based program for processing geochemical data using fractal/multifractal modeling

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Abstract

In the field of applied geochemistry, it is important to obtain quantitative descriptions of geochemical patterns and identify geochemical anomalies. In this paper, we present a MATLAB-based program for processing geochemical data by means of fractal/multifractal modeling. The procedure consists of two functional parts. First, we quantify the spatial distribution characteristics of geochemical patterns using the multifractal spectrum. Second, geochemical anomalies are identified using various fractal/multifractal models. These models include the concentration-area fractal model, spectrum-area multifractal model, and multifractal singularity analysis. The results can be visualized in the MATLAB platform or saved for further analysis, i.e., by geographic information systems software. We demonstrate the applicability of this program by processing a geochemical dataset from soil samples taken in Inner Mongolia, China. We examine the concentrations of Ag in these soil samples, and show that the results obtained by our program are highly correlated with known Ag deposits in the region of interest.

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Acknowledgments

Mr. Hanliang Liu from Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration (China) are thanked for providing geochemical data. Drs. Guoxiong Chen from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) are thanked for testing the program code. This research benefited from the joint financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41372007), and the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-13-1016).

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Jian Wang & Renguang Zuo

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  1. Jian Wang
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  2. Renguang Zuo
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Correspondence to Renguang Zuo.

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Communicated by: H. A. Babaie

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Wang, J., Zuo, R. A MATLAB-based program for processing geochemical data using fractal/multifractal modeling. Earth Sci Inform 8, 937–947 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-015-0215-5

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