Lithological Discrimination of Parts of the Bhukia Area, Banswara District, Rajasthan Using Hyperspectral Data

In developing countries, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources help create the infrastructure that can sustain the population and economic growth. Remote sensing makes a brilliant tool to boost this growth. Hyperspectral Remote Sensing has been a key technology in mineral exploration and mapping for some time now. In this study, Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer – Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) data with the high spatial and spectral resolution was deployed to map the metasedimentary rocks in parts of the Bhukia region of Banswara district, Rajasthan. Similarly, PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa (PRISMA) data is also utilized to achieve a similar goal. The rock spectra obtained from both the surface reflectance hyperspectral datasets after applying the processing techniques were compared against the USGS spectral library and the field/ laboratory spectra to identify the diagnostic spectral features. The spectral Angle Mapper algorithm was applied to both datasets and detected limestone, dolomite, phyllite, and quartzite rocks. Furthermore, absorption band parameters were estimated and interpreted to corroborate the chemistry of the rock which helped in the identification of limestones based on Al³⁺/ Mg²⁺ content.