“…In initial stages of exploratory investigations, stream sediment geochemical data are used to determine target areas for detailed exploration of mineral deposits (Afzal et al, 2010a;Arias et al, 2011;Carranza, 2011;Hale, 1997, 2002;Daya, 2015;Parsa et al, 2016bParsa et al, , 2017bParsa et al, , 2017cSadeghi et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2014;Yilmaz, 2003Yilmaz, , 2007Yilmaz et al, 2015;Zuo, 2011aZuo, , 2011bZuo et al, 2009) and differentiation of geochemical anomalies from background concentrations plays a crucial role in regional geochemical prospecting for mineral exploration (Carranza, 2008). Identification of anomaly patterns is influenced by both the frequency and spatial variation of geochemical samples.…”