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As a part of National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) programme of GSI, regional geochemical mapping was carried out for an area of 705 sq km in parts of Katni, Panna and Satna districts of Madhya Pradesh covering toposheet number 64A/05 bounded by latitudes N23°45′00″ to N24°00′00″ and longitudes E80°15′00″ to E80°30′00″. Chemical analyses of 182 composite stream/slope sediments samples were carried out and baseline geochemical maps of oxides and elements were prepared. Data analyses has led to significant conclusions on environment hazard due to metal contamination and possible mineral potential due to REE enrichment. Study of the spatial distribution of individual variables showed Cr and Co have values higher than the permissible level in dry soils in some parts of the area which requires investigation by concerned agencies. Some samples over the laterites show higher than threshold values of REEs which are much higher than their crustal abundance. Factor analyses on the geochemical data with 46 oxides and elements has led to the identification of five factors accounting for 84% of the total variance of the data set and describing five physico-chemical processes controlling the spatial geochemical variation. The analyses points to the enrichment of the REEs in the lateritisation process. The laterites covering 171 sq km of the area need to be considered for investigation of REE potential.

The origin of quartz silt, the most abundant detrital particle, is controversial. Quartz silt is generally considered to be broken quartz sand, attributed to glacial, eolian, and/or long fl...