Discrimination of Hydrothermal Alterations Associated with Copper Mineralization Using ASTER Image Processing Sheet in Sar-e-Chah-e-Shur, Eastern Iran

Sar-e-Chah-e-Shur area is located in the eastern part of Iran and is adjacent to Lut block. Due to subduction, this area of Iran has a high potential for the formation of various minerals, particularly copper ores. Remote sensing data can be used effectively for the mapping of altered zones related to copper deposits due to the extension of the zones and poor vegetation coverage in the area. Advanced Space-born Thermal and Emission Reflectance Radiometer (ASTER) sensor, by covering a relatively wide range of electromagnetic spectra and storing ground surface information in three visible and near infrared (VNIR) bands, six shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands and five thermal infrared (TIR) bands (a total of 14 bands), has created favorable conditions for detecting alteration zones. In this research, the data of this sensor was used to separate the algal, cercitic, propolitic and iron oxide alterations related to copper ores in the 1: 100000 map of Sar-e-Chah-e-Shur, located in the southwest of Birjand, Iran. In the present study, alteration zones associated with porphyry copper were identified using various processing methods including false color combination, band ratio, standard analysis and selective component. The results of the present study field processing and surveys demonstrated the expansion of alteration zones in the study area and the optimal accuracy of the ASTER sensor. In the 13 visited areas, the existence of the desired alterations was confirmed.