Delineation of geochemical anomalies for mineral exploration using combining U-statistic method and fractal technique: U-N and U-A models

ABSTRACT In this study, by using the algorithm of the U-statistic and fractal methods and combining them with each other, a new combined method as U values fractal model (U-N and U-A) is introduced. Then, the proposed method is employed to determine the boundaries of background and anomalous populations. Results show that in U-N and U-A fractal models, the first fracture boundary is much clearer and more accurate than previous fractal models (C-N and C-A) in the same condition. In U-N model, due to the nature of the U method algorithm, there is a discontinuity as exact threshold between background and anomaly that in U-A model, this does not exist due to the homogenization of U values. In this method, the exact threshold between background and anomaly is determined by U-statistic method and by its combination with the fractal method, in each population, sub-populations are identified more accurately and simply than concentration fractal model.