Characteristics and evaluation of soil geochemical anomalies inthe Shikou area in Ningguo City, Anhui Province

This study analyzed the characteristics of geochemical anomalies for soil from the Shikou area in Ningguo City, Anhui Province, and evaluated the anomaly of each element. The results show weak anomalies in Cu, Pb, Zn, Bi and Sn, and mean anomalies in Ag, W and Mo, but black rock series has relaitively high background values in Ag, W and Mo. Au, As and Sb elements present large areas with strong anomalies, and well coupled correlation among anomalous areas. Each element shows a relatively good affinity. Gold is an enriched element with a large variation coefficient, indicating uneven mineralization. Industrial gold-bearing orebodies found at depth in the study area may be associated with structural fracture belt, and have positive relationship with silicification and pyritization. Soil geochemical survey deliminated 19 anomalous points and 3 anomaly belts of Au element in the study area, and further confimation on anomalies discovered that the NW-trending Au anomalous belt AuP3 is of good prospecting potential. AuP1 and AuP2 anomalies within the NE-trending belt might have been the product of gold secondary enrirchment resulted from weathering of calcareous mudstone of the Cambrian Xiyangshan Formation.soil geochemical anomaly; anomaly evaluation; gold mine; mineral prospecting effect; Shikou area in Ningguo City; Anhui Province