Geochemical characterization of the mining district of Linares (Jaen, Spain) by means of XRF and ICP-AES

Linares (Jaen, Spain) has been subjected to an intense mining and metallurgic activity during 2500 years. Basically, lead and silver have been extracted from galena; as well as copper and zinc. Different studies have been conducted to evaluate trace element concentrations to obtain relationships with anthropogenic and geologic factors. The analytical results of these studies have been obtained with ICP-AES. This analytical technique is relatively expensive and inaccessible in zones with scarce economic means. In this study, XRF analyses have been conducted and the obtained results are presented, as well as a comparison with the previously obtained ICP results. In both cases, a cluster analysis has been made to try to identify the same relations in the target area. 5 groups have been identified, mainly related with lithology. Only 10 of the 122 grid squares (each one of 1 km2) are classified in different groups if the cluster analysis is conducted with XRF results or ICP results. ICP classifies better where these grid squares are located, mostly, in contact zones of different lithologies.

Research Highlights
► ICP and XRF analyses of a mining district were made and their results compared. The five groups identified in the cluster analysis were mainly related with lithology.
► Only 10 out of 122 grid squares were classified in different groups by ICP-AES than by XRF cluster analysis.
► XRF and ICP-AES allow a good identification of the different lithologies present in mining districts.
► ICP is more precise at the moment of identifying zones of mixing lithologies.