Multivariate statistical analysis for characterization of sedimentary facies of Tarakan sub-basin, North Kalimantan

A study of sediment dynamics has been conducted on the Tarakan sub-basin, North Kalimantan, Indonesia using multivariate analysis. Multivariate statistical techniques can be used to determine sediment with similar characteristics and be a good proxy to recognize sedimentary facies and depositional environment. These methods have been applied to characterize the sedimentary facies at Tarakan sub-basin. A total of 23 samples were taken from several locations on the different depths of 56–2554 m that represent varieties of environment. The study is interpreted using compositional data analysis associated with a grain size trend analysis (GSTA), principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA). The GSTA value showed the dominance of poorly sorted silt indicating that the sediment is mostly deposited in low-energy depositional. The CA and the PCA determined three distinct sedimentary facies: shelf facies, upper bathyal facies, and lower bathyal facies. The facies were grouped as similar sediment and depositional environment. Sedimentological variables applied in the characterization were described to be an important tool for the interpretation of depositional environments – indirectly showing hydrodynamic energy.