Application and Significance of the Wavelet–Fractal Method on the Data of the Induced Polarization Method in the Graphite Deposits of Datong, China

Abstract

Wavelet transformation has been widely used in geophysical and geochemical exploration, and the fractal feature of wavelet coefficients has recently stood out from many wavelet threshold methods. We introduced the wavelet–fractal method to analyze the polarizability and resistivity of graphite deposits. Due to the unique nature of graphite-bearing gneiss, characterized by high polarizability and low resistivity, we concluded that the polarizability background mode is better suited to depict the morphology of the graphite-bearing formation, with the resistivity background mode serving as complementary information for verification. Symlets5 is regarded as the optimal mother wavelet to indicate the characteristics of graphite ore by means of comparison and analysis. The polarizability anomalies showed two different linear forms: the direction of the measuring line and the strike of the ore bodies. According to the data of drill holes on the profile, we inferred that the high values of the anomaly mode can be used to delineate the target area where the graphite is enriched. Combining the application of both modes, we used the wavelet–fractal method for the quantitative prediction and effective selection of a potential area with a high grade. The approach used in this current study can be extended to the prospecting of other graphite deposits or sedimentary–metamorphic deposits containing conductive minerals, where geochemical and geophysical data are available.

Keywords

• anomaly
• background
• graphite
• polarizability
• resistivity
• wavelet–fractal method