Characterization of Different Forms of Chalcopyrite Disease through Fractal Analysis

Complex shapes that form by natural processes are often difficult to explain using non-Euclidean geometry. Chalcopyrite disease (CD) formation, a replacement texture, demonstrates a nonlinear-fractal geometry. CD samples from three polymetallic deposits were chosen for fractal analysis. CD did not show a fractal value specific to mineralized deposits. However, fractal analysis showed consistent values for a similar form of CD, thus setting a quantitative relationship between varied forms of CD and their condition of formation. The mean fractal dimension calculated for each study area displayed a positive correlation with the peak metamorphic grade of the respective deposit. The statistical analysis (ANOVA) of fractal dimension data further delineated the differences among the three study areas.