Statistical Approach to Understanding Geochemical Data of Stream Sediments of Kurheri Sub-Watershed of Son River, Central India for Geological Inferences

Various statistical techniques have been attempted to draw and interpret geological inference from stream sediment geochemical data of the Kurheri sub-watershed. The univariate statistical parameters show moderate to highly variable results. However, the bivariate correlation matrix reveals that Al2O3 shows a strong positive correlation with the majority of major oxides and trace elements, together with immobile elements and Rare Earth Elements (REEs). REEs also show a robust positive correlation with one another and with Hf, Ta, U, Nb, Zr, and Th, while a slight negative correlation with Y and P2O5. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reveals that PC-1 leads the distribution of major oxides, trace elements, and REE, and therefore, is regarded as the chief factor retaining the geological signatures. The PC-1 with >0.5 has a strong positive affinity with most of the elements, except SiO2, pointing to the non-clastic ion adsorption clay source. The short-distance cluster dendrograms of Al2O3, Fe2O3-TiO2 and MgO-MnO-Na2O oxides also indicate a fine clay source. The presence of >0.5 loading by some variables in multiple PCs with inverse relations also indicates some sediment contribution from Zr-rich minerals. The REE, major oxide, and trace elemental distance dendrogram support the fine alumina source, along with a minor contribution from heavy minerals. The +ve correlation of Fe2O3 with Al2O3, Ti2O, MnO, MgO, Co, Ni, Cu, V and Sc is also attributed to the minimum immobile elemental fractionation in silicic sediment sources. The positive correlation of REE with Al2O3, Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) enrichment over Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE), and a high LREE/HREE+Y ratio support their greater association with clay minerals. A slight zirconrich source of ilmenite, titanite, and rutile controlling phases REE is also inferred from the positive association of Th, TiO2, and Nb with REEs. Positive correlations of LREE with Al2O3 and TiO2 support the collective influence of Titanium containing minerals and their clay association.