Band Ratios Matrix Transformation (BRMT): A Sedimentary Lithology Mapping Approach Using ASTER Satellite Sensor

Abstract

Remote sensing imagery has become an operative and applicable tool for the preparation of geological maps by reducing the costs and increasing the precision. In this study, ASTER satellite remote sensing data were used to extract lithological information of Deh-Molla sedimentary succession, which is located in the southwest of Shahrood city, Semnan Province, North Iran. A robust and effective approach named Band Ratio Matrix Transformation (BRMT) was developed to characterize and discriminate the boundary of sedimentary rock formations in Deh-Molla region. The analysis was based on the forward and continuous division of the visible-near infrared (VNIR) and the shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral bands of ASTER with subsequent application of principal component analysis (PCA) for producing new transform datasets. The approach was implemented to ASTER spectral band ratios for mapping dominated mineral assemblages in the study area. Quartz, carbonate, and Al, Fe, Mg –OH bearing-altered minerals such as kaolinite, alunite, chlorite and mica were appropriately mapped using the BRMT approach. The results match well with geology map of the study area, fieldwork data and laboratory analysis. Accuracy assessment of the mapping result represents a reasonable kappa coefficient (0.70%) and appropriate overall accuracy (74.64%), which verified the robustness of the BRMT approach. This approach has great potential and capability for mapping sedimentary succession with diverse local–geological–physical characteristics around the world.

Twenty Years of ASTER Contributions to Lithologic Mapping and Mineral Exploration

“…They were able to map gypsum and carbonate rocks, primarily based on spectral differences in the SWIR bands. A variation of the band ratio method was described by Askari et al [45] for lithologic mapping of sedimentary rocks, north Iran. Using VNIR and SWIR bands, they mapped quartz, carbonate, Al, Fe, Mg-OH bearing minerals, and created lithologic maps that matched well with existing geology maps.…”

Orogenic Gold in Transpression and Transtension Zones: Field and Remote Sensing Studies of the Barramiya–Mueilha Sector, Egypt

“…The hydrous mineral phases with the OH groups (Mg-O-H, Al-O-H, Si-O-H) and CO 3 acid group have diagnostic absorption features in short wave infrared region (SWIR) (2.0-2.50 µm) [20,21]. Using data of multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing sensors for lithological and mineralogical mapping in metallogenic provinces have been continually demonstrated around the world [6,[22][23][24]. The Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Sentinel-2 data have high capabilities in discriminating lithological units and alteration zones associated with hydrothermal ore deposits using the VNIR and SWIR spectral data [11][12][13][25][26][27].…”

Landsat-8, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, and WorldView-3 Multispectral Satellite Imagery for Prospecting Copper-Gold Mineralization in the Northeastern Inglefield Mobile Belt (IMB), Northwest Greenland

“…The visible and near-infrared (VNIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR) and thermal infrared (TIR) bands of multispectral remote sensing data contain unprecedented spectral and spatial capabilities for detecting hydrothermal alteration minerals and lithological units associated with a variety of ore mineralization [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Numerous investigations successfully used Landsat data series, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), and the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) multispectral data with moderate spatial resolution for the reconnaissance stages of mineral exploration around the world [23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”