Geochemical anomalies of critical elements (Be, Co, Hf, Sb, Sc, Ta, V, W, Y and REE) in soils of western Andalusia (Spain)

A collection of 694 soil samples was taken from 367 sites (at a density of 1 site per 120 km2) in the western of Andalusia (SW Spain) to establish regional geochemical background of emerging critical elements on the < 2 mm soil fraction, and provide threshold values for anomaly detection to support mineral exploration in the survey area. The spatial distribution pattern of the soil geochemical anomalies is primarily influenced by the occurrence of magmatic alignments and metallogenic belts in the southern zones of the Iberian Massif. Soils over granitic parent materials are marked by W, Be, Ta and REE anomalies, whereas those derived from mafic igneous rocks contain anomalous concentrations of Sc, Co and V. Most of the threshold exceedances for Hf and Sb appear to be linked to soils on pelitic metasediments. The distribution of Sb and Co outliers is also related to sulfide ore occurrences in the bedrock and could be affected by anthropogenic influences. The Santa Olalla igneous complex, the granodioritic pluton of the Los Pedroches batholith and the magmatic alignment of Villaviciosa de Córdoba-La Coronada may represent exploration opportunities for high-tech elements, mainly for REE, although the identification of promising areas requires further investigation.