Geochemical records in subaerial exposure environments in Croatia using discriminant function analysis of bauxite data

Croatian bauxites are long known for their chemical and physical diversity arisen from characteristic origin emplacement within the area of Adriatic–Dinaric carbonate platform (ADCP). They include eight horizons spanning period between Upper Triassic (Carnian) Miocene, formed on subaerially exposed paleoenvironments. The bauxite genesis is recorded in geochemical composition as a unique signature tectonostratigraphic evolution different parts Karst, including, example, forebulge unconformity typical Istrian area. In this work, an explanation patterns formation based construction discriminant function model (DFM) resulting compositional data (CoDa) analysis (major trace elements). shows that greatest part variation contained analyzed (the first function, DF1) associated with systematic alteration time, emphasizing decrease clay component gradual enrichment heavy metals oldest (Upper Triassic) to youngest (Miocene) bauxites. general scheme, particular represent standalone groups while others form clusters showing increase and/or set elements signaling changes environmental conditions during considered geological history ADCP. Other functions (DF2 DF3) also contribute all-inclusive distinction priori defined discriminated by variables where DF2 typically refers process desilication, DF3 deferralitization.