Enterprise AI Analysis
Uncertainty-Aware Deep Neural Network Training for Imbalanced Geochemical Data Distributions
The paper addresses the challenge of predicting trace element concentrations from major elements and pH using DNNs, especially with small, imbalanced geochemical datasets. It introduces an ensemble approach of 1000 DNN models to quantify prediction uncertainty, along with preprocessing techniques like SMOGN resampling and statistical transformations (Yeo-Johnson, Box-Cox, square root) to improve accuracy and reduce uncertainty. The study highlights the effectiveness of DNNs in capturing complex relationships, even with data limitations, and identifies key input features like Li as highly influential. The goal is to provide a robust framework for geochemical modeling and optimize future sampling campaigns.
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The study employs an ensemble of 1000 independent Deep Neural Network (DNN) models to predict 20 trace element concentrations from 11 major elements and pH. Key preprocessing steps include RobustScaler for normalization, SMOGN for handling imbalanced data, and statistical transformations (Yeo-Johnson, Box-Cox, square root) for distribution improvement. The models utilize ReLU activation, Adam optimizer, and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) loss, with early stopping and L2 regularization to prevent overfitting.
The dataset consists of 109 measurements from the BrineMine project, characterized by a small sample size and highly imbalanced, multimodal distributions for many elements, spanning 10 orders of magnitude in concentration. Initial correlations between input features (major elements + pH) and target variables (trace elements) were generally low, notably for V (R² 0.19 with Si) and Cu (R² 0.26 with Al).
DNN models significantly improved prediction accuracy for most trace elements, particularly V and Cu, after applying SMOGN and data transformations. R² scores above 0.8 were achieved for 13 elements. Uncertainty, quantified by the Quartile Coefficient of Dispersion (QCD), was substantially reduced. Li was identified as the most impactful input feature (highest average ALE score) due to its unique high correlation with target variables, despite other elements like Fe, Mg, and pH having high correlations but sharing information.
This methodology provides a robust framework for predicting trace element concentrations in geothermal brines, especially valuable for sparse geochemical datasets. It enables quantitative uncertainty assessment, informs optimized sampling campaigns by identifying critical elements, and supports enhanced raw material extraction. The approach can re-purpose legacy data to predict trace elements and reduce repetitive monitoring costs.
Enterprise Process Flow
| Preprocessing Strategy | Median R² Score | Standard Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Base DNN (No preprocessing) | 15.78 | 1.50 |
| SMOGN Resampling Only | Significantly increased for V, Cu, Cs | Reduced for Ni, Sr, Mo, Cs |
| SMOGN + Data Transformation | Highest accuracy for most elements | Reduced uncertainty across elements |
Case Study: Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique for Regression (SMOGN)
SMOGN was critical in addressing the highly imbalanced and sparse geochemical dataset. By generating synthetic samples for minority classes and adding Gaussian noise where appropriate, SMOGN enhanced data diversity beyond simple duplication, allowing DNN models to learn more robust relationships.
Outcome: Significantly improved predictive accuracy and reduced uncertainty, especially for elements with very low concentrations, by creating a more balanced data distribution.
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Strategic Implementation Roadmap
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Phase 1: Data Preparation & Baseline Model (2-4 Weeks)
Collect and preprocess geochemical data. Establish a baseline DNN model without advanced preprocessing to understand initial performance and identify challenging elements.
Phase 2: Advanced Preprocessing Integration (4-6 Weeks)
Implement and evaluate SMOGN resampling and statistical transformations (Yeo-Johnson, Box-Cox) to optimize data distribution and enhance model learning.
Phase 3: Ensemble Model Training & Uncertainty Quantification (6-8 Weeks)
Train 1000 independent DNN models to capture prediction variability. Quantify uncertainty using QCD and assess model robustness.
Phase 4: Interpretability & Feature Impact Analysis (2-3 Weeks)
Apply Accumulated Local Effects (ALE) to understand the influence of individual input features on model predictions, guiding future data acquisition strategies.
Phase 5: Deployment & Continuous Improvement (Ongoing)
Integrate the robust DNN models into real-world geothermal monitoring systems. Continuously refine models with new data and adapt to evolving geochemical conditions.
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