Utilizing Remote Sensing and Lithostratigraphy for Iron and Clay Minerals Mapping in the North of Aswan Area, Egypt

Abstract

Araba, Gilf and Abu Ballas formations contain clay and iron sediments are detected by the processing techniques to the remote sensing data of Landsat-8 OLI/TIRS. The false color composite, band ratio and principal component analysis techniques are adopted as the image analysis algorithms. The stratigraphic detailed studies are performed, and an improvement geologic map is produced. The Araba Formation is represented by about 20 m thick, the thickness of the Gilf Formation ranging from 10 to 35 m where Abu Ballas Formation has 25 m thickness in the study area. Three clay-beds are recorded in Gilf Formation. Thesis clay beds are a character of the so-called ball-clay shale, currently of economic use in ceramics industry. More than 108 samples from clay and iron sediments are collected and spectrophotometry study was performed. A high content of clay minerals and iron oxides are reported in the spectral curves which helped to map the clay and iron minerals in a satisfactory scale in the study area.