Mapping heavy mineral deposits on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) using orbital and proximal remote sensing.

Heavy mineral deposits occur in several coastal areas of the world, formed over a long period due to variations in mean sea level, wave action, and winds. These are the main sources of ilmenite (FeTiO3), which in turn is the source of more than 80% of the TiO2 produced and applied in various industries, most recently in nanotechnology. The present study mapped heavy mineral deposits on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil using integrated proximal and orbital thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing techniques.