An Analysis of the Source Rock-Transport-Sediment System Using Multivariate Statistical Procedures.

Analysis of 1500 samples of modern stream and lake sediment and source rock reveals some of the factors that control downstream changes in the heavy mineralogy of sediments in a degrading stream. Factor and vector analysis and other multivariate methods were used to identify sources of variation, between sample similarity, and interdependent variables. This study focuses on the general source-sediment relations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate these relations in a Holocene setting where the heavy mineralogy of both source rocks and stream sediments can be determined and to develop specific multivariate statistical techniques which are necessary to elucidate these relations. In particular, this study is aimed at determining the importance of (1) distant and local sources, (2) dilution by bank cutting, (3) mixing at stream confluences, (4) sediment entrapment in lakes, (5) specific source characteristics such as drainage controls and concentrations of heavy minerals and, (6) stream size.