Geology and study of soil variation as a vector for mineral distribution at Gua Musang, Kelantan

The research is about soil variation profile in the outcrop around Gua Musang for identifying the mineral distribution. Each part of soil profile shows the variety of properties such as texture, color and structure are the result of the soil forming processes. Geological mapping has been done from Gua Madu to Kampung Pulai and it was found that those areas consist of limestone, tuff, granite and minor metamorphic rocks which age ranged from Permian to Triassic and Palaeozoic era. The conditions of the study area including soil color profile and color characteristics are the main key to determine the mineral composition. The elemental analyses using Spectrometry Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Fluoresence (XRF) have been conducted for every soil sample to detect the mineral contents in the soil. The presence of A1203 and Fe2O3 can change the colour of soils from red, orange to yellow which indicate the highest of oxidation. In addition, it is also related to the pore space and grain size particles of soil which have potential for water accumulation. The presence of water in soil profile could also affect the changes in soil color, oxidation rates and other physical properties. As a conclusion, the relationship of the color changes in soil with mineral contents based on elemental analysis results can be applied as a vector for mineral identification and distribution.