R-mode factor analysis applied to the distribution of elements in soils from the Aydin basin, Turkey

Soil samples collected at approximately 4-km intervals within the Aydin basin, Turkey, were analysed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Gamma Spectroscopy and Alfa Spectroscopy for the elements Ba, Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Rb, Sr, Ti, Zn, Zr; K (radioactive potassium), Th-232 (equivalent thorium, eTh), U-238 (equivalent uranium, eU) and Ra. R-mode factor analysis was used to describe the relationship among 15 remotely sensed and geochemical and industrial variables for the basin. Principal component and varimax factor rotation were applied to the data. Because varimax factor loading values show the best results, these were used in interpreting. Four factors were extracted in topsoil data and account for 78% of the total data variance. These are named as an industrial, a mineral/an agricultural, igneous and radioactive factors. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.