REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS FOR CARBONATITE ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING USING VNIR AND SWIR BANDS AT AL- UYAYNAH, UA E By Ali M. Assiri A DISSERTATION Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Geological Sciences-Doctor of philosophy 2016 iv ABSTRACT REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS FOR CARBONATITE ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING USING VNIR AND SWIR BANDS By Ali M. Assiri This dissertation undertakes the experimental analysis of multispectral reflectance data to remotely differentiate and lithologically map the extrusive carbonatites from the adjoining rock units in the Al-Uyaynah region located within the northeastern terrain of UAE. The study employs visible/near-infrared (VNIR), shortwave-infrared (SWIR) spectral measurements developed in the laboratory using ASD, Landsat OLI, and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) images of extrusive carbonatites in Al-Uyaynah metamorphic sole units. Chapter 1 of the study is a succinct overview of the entire effort. It also encompasses the context of remote sensing and the use of the reflected spectrum from visible to shortwave- infrared in mineral exploration. In particular I focus on carbonatite identification and analysis for the purpose of geological mapping. In Chapter 2 of this study, I perform tests and analyses on new Landsat 8 image data over Al-Uyaynah- UAE so as to examine the validitity of this system for medium resolution distantly sensed reflectance measurements. Specifically, I examine the utility of Landsat 8 imagery to define carbonatite outcrops and relevant lithological components. Chapter 3 of the study examines the Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) VNIR and SWIR data over the Al-Uyaynah region. In this Chapter I leveraged an existing low resolution geologic map, ASD laboratory measurements, and field data to examine the spatial distrubtion of carbonatites, alkali volcanics, metavolcanics, and an ophiolite complex using ASTER imagery. I further tested the efficency of four different mapping algorithms for their utility in effectively i discriminating between the units and their locations. Chapter 4 of my dissertation examines the relationship between the composition and spectral charachteristics of carbonatite rocks. In this Chapter, carbonatite samples were examined spectrally within the visible near infrared (VNIR) and short wave infrared (SWIR) bands using a lab-based spectroradiometer device (ASD). The carbonatite rocks samples, were analyzed geochemically to determine the major oxides components in the weight percentage (wt%) using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) techniques were then applied in order to determine the rare earth elements (REEs) concentrations in the carbonatites. The ASD spectra and the chemical analysis results offered us a deep understading of the connection between the rock composition and spectral behavior of Al-Uyaynah carbonatite rocks. In Chapter 5 of this study, the entire research effort is combined in a synthesis that links the outcomes from each chapter into a comprehensive study of the spectral characteristics of carbonatites from the Al-Uyaynah region. Pathways for further of research are also recommended. This investigation is significant as it presents: (1) New ways of employing multispectral systems, Landsat 8 and ASTER, for use in the geological mapping of carbonatites; (2) Methods to recognize the mineralogical indicators for ferro/calcio-carbonatites; (3) evalutions of mapping algorithms and creates rankings based on their precision and accuracy for utilization in complex metamorphosed geologic terraines. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This effort has materialized through quite a few collaborations that I am so honored to have developed through my Ph.D. I feel deeply indebted and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of others to this study. First of all, my gratitude is due to my research advisor, Dr. Tyrone O. Rooney, for his commitment and for accepting me in his research group, as well as for his valuable support and mentorship extended to me throughout my Ph.D. Thank you, Dr. Rooney, for transforming me so positively. In addition, many thanks are due to Dr. Richard Becker, my research committee member, for helping me to expand my professional experience of remote sensing and mineral spectroscopy, for his invaluable support in laboratory spectral measurement and analysis. Dr. Jiaguo Qi is another person deserving deep appreciation because of the time he devoted in teaching me advanced applications of remote sensing. Dr. Thomas Vogel also deserves my gratefulness for his time and encouragement. I would like thank Neal Langford for his proof- reading and outstanding editing of chapter 4 of this dissertation. My special gratitude is due to the Department of Geological Science at Michigan State University staff for being so professionally devoted to keeping the system going so smoothly for the growth of their students. Dr. Rooney and his research fellows (Chris, Guillaume) deserve my humble thanks for assisting me with the sample preparations and for providing me with the practical support for the XRF procedures, for devoting their time on the South Campus dealing with ICP-MS instruments. Your support has been instrumental! iv Many thanks are extended to Dr. Baha-Eldeen for helping me discover the geology of Al- Uyaynah-UAE, for managing his schedule to visit the field with me. Also would like to thank the Geology Department staff at United Arab Emirates University for providing the logistic supports. Similarly, I would also want to acknowledge the support of NASA and Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for awarding me the imagery grant to invaluably help me during my study KACST deserves my respect and appreciation for funding my education tuitions, stipend, funding to attend conferences. Without this grant, my research would not have become a material reality. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................. 1 DISSERTATION PHASES AND BACKGROUND .................................................................. 1 1.Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 2.Carbonatite ....................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.Carbonatite definition and subtypes ......................................................................... 5 2.2 Carbonatite petrogenesis .......................................................................................... 8 2.3 Rocks spatially connected with carbonatites............................................................ 9 2.4 Carbonatite tectonic settings .................................................................................. 11 2.5 Economic significance of carbonatite .................................................................... 13 3.Detecting, assessing, and analyzing carbonatites and surrounding rock units at Al- Uyaynah, UAE using remote sensing techniques. ............................................................ 17 4.Understanding carbonatite chemistry using spectral analysis devices (ASD) and geochemical approaches. .................................................................................................. 22 5.Dissertation phases......................................................................................................... 22 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 24 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................ 30 CARBONATITE IDENTIFICATION USING LANDSAT 8 VNIR-SWIR BANDS AT AL- UYAYNAH, UAE ........................................................................................................................ 30 Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 30 1.Introduction .................................................................................................................... 31 2.Al-Uyaynah .................................................................................................................... 33 3.Methods.......................................................................................................................... 34 3.1.Landsat 8 data calibration ...................................................................................... 34 3.2.Landsat data analysis.............................................................................................. 37 3.3.Field work and ASD spectral measurements ......................................................... 37 3.4.The spectral angle mapper (SAM) ......................................................................... 38 4.Results ...........................................................................................................................