Estudio geológico y geoquímico de lateritas con fines prospectivos en la parroquia Guadalupe, Zamora Chinchipe

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this research work is to carry out a geological-geochemical characterization, to define the mineralogy, petrography and establish the chemical composition and distribution in the study area, located in the Piuntza sector, Guadalupe Parish, Zamora Canton, Zamora Chinchipe Province. This research resulted in a geological map at a scale of 1:5000, and physical, chemical and mineralogical techniques were carried out using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine and quantify the elemental and mineralogical concentrations. The investigation revealed that the largest extension corresponds to igneous rocks of aplite, dacite and tuff type, in addition, the presence of intrusive bodies of granodioritic type rocks was evidenced. Due to weathering processes, a change in the crystalline structures and chemical composition is provoked, generating as a result kaolinitic and lateritic soils. With this information and subsequent analysis and interpretation of the results obtained, significant levels of silicon, aluminum, iron and trace elements such as manganese were found, which may have economic implications in the study area.