R. Masoumi; A. A. Calagari; K. Siahcheshm; S. Porkhial
Abstract
The geothermal field at the south of Mount Sabalan is a part of the geothermal system of the Sabalan volcano region wherein manifestations of young volcanic activities including hot springs and surficial steams are observable. The surficial hydrothermal fluids in this area show maximum temperature of ...
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The geothermal field at the south of Mount Sabalan is a part of the geothermal system of the Sabalan volcano region wherein manifestations of young volcanic activities including hot springs and surficial steams are observable. The surficial hydrothermal fluids in this area show maximum temperature of 77°C, pH range of 6.4-7.4, and maximum TDS values of 7006 mg/l. Generally, these waters are divided compositionally into two groups. The first are mainly Na-Cl waters while the second are chiefly Ca-Na-HCO3 waters. The rare and heavy elements in these fluids are principally boron, lithium, rubidium, cesium, arsenic, and mercury whose maximum abundances are 33511, 14265, 3418, 10366, and 5 ppb, respectively. Considering the lithologic units in the area, vast hydrothermal fluid activities, and wide-spread alteration zones, boron-bearing minerals were regarded to be as the major sources of this element, which was leached and transported by geothermal fluids. Boron concentration in these fluids is controlled in part by fixation in clay minerals. Further considerations in geochemical behavior of the rare and heavy elements in this geothermal field demonstrated that lithium and rubidium were absorbed by quartz and clay minerals, respectively at temperatures <300°C, and also Cl- ion played a main role for transportation of mercury. Although the concentration values of B, Hg, As, and Li in the geothermal fluids of the studied area are not high enough to warrant the potential economic mineralization for these elements, the presence of these elements in these hot waters was recognized to be very consequential from two environmental respects; firstly because these geothermal waters are being directly used for swimming and bathing in the area, and secondly they may act as hazardous pollutant sources when mixed with the underground and drinking waters.
A. Abedini; A. Oroji; A. A. Calagari
Abstract
Thekaolinizedzonesof the Goorgoor area (north of Takab, West-Azarbaidjan province) are alteration products of andesitic rocks of Miocene age in northwest of Iran. Based on the mineralogical studies, kaolinite, quartz, jarosite, montmorillonite, albite, muscovite-illite, anatase, chlorite, orthoclase, ...
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Thekaolinizedzonesof the Goorgoor area (north of Takab, West-Azarbaidjan province) are alteration products of andesitic rocks of Miocene age in northwest of Iran. Based on the mineralogical studies, kaolinite, quartz, jarosite, montmorillonite, albite, muscovite-illite, anatase, chlorite, orthoclase, calcite, goethite and hematite are mineral phases in these zones. The silicic veins existing within these zones include metallic minerals such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, bornonite, and stibnite. The mass change calculations of rare earth elements (REEs), with assumption of Sc as a monitor immobile element, reveal that development of kaolinization processes were accompanied by enrichment-depletion of La-Nd and depletion of Sm-Lu. Geochemical analyses show that the degree of differentiation of Al from Fe and destruction of zircon by hydrothermal fluids are the most important controlling factors for variation of Eu (0.84-1.06) and Ce (0.83-0.93) anomalies in these zones, respectively. Positive and strong correlations of (La/Lu)N and (LREEs/HREEs)N values with components such as P, S, LOI, and Sr establish the effective role of hypogene solutions in progression of kaolinization processes. The combination of the obtained results from mineralogical and geochemical investigations suggest that changes in chemistry of altering solutions (e.g., pH and Eh) and diversity in type of fixing minerals are two key factors affecting differentiation and distribution of REEs in the kaolinizedzones at Goorgoor.
H Hadizadeh; A.A Calagari; N Nezafati; H Mollaei
Abstract
The Neian area in northwest of the Lut block host a polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Cu-Au-Ag) vein system which was developed within a series of volcanic rocks ranging in composition from dacite through rhyo-dacite and andesite to trachy-andesite. These rocks were formed by two distinct stages of lava eruption. ...
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The Neian area in northwest of the Lut block host a polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Cu-Au-Ag) vein system which was developed within a series of volcanic rocks ranging in composition from dacite through rhyo-dacite and andesite to trachy-andesite. These rocks were formed by two distinct stages of lava eruption. The rocks hosting mineralization possess calc-alkaline and shoshonitic nature and were formed in an orogenic environment. The concurrent and opposite function of two major faults in two sides of the mining area caused the generation of tensional conditions in the middle of the block and led to the development of a series of minor faults with dip-slip and strike-slip components within the block. These fracture zones acted as suitable conduits for fluid infiltration and development of ore-bearing siliceous veins. The factors such as extensive fractures and existence of pyroclastic rocks with high permeability caused the development of widespread alteration zones within the host rocks. Three distinct types of alterations were developed in the Neian deposit: (1) silicified (quartz, chalcedony, adularia, calcite, illite, and sericite); (2) argillic (illite, smectite, quartz, kaolinite, adularia, chlorite, sericite, and zeolite); and (3) propylitic (chlorite, calcite, albite, epidote, quartz and smectite) which are accompanied by five stages of mineralization. These alterations were formed by the chloride-bearing solutions with pH ranging from neutral to very alkaline. Mineralization at Neian is in the form of vein, veinlet, and dissemination within the host rocks and is also associated with hydrothermal breccias. The most important ore minerals at Neian are pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, melnikovite, and hematite. The most important gangue minerals also include quartz (chalcedony), cristobalite, calcite, dolomite, siderite, barite, fluorite, and adularia. The evidences like (a) the association of mineralization with siliceous-carbonate veinlets, (b) the presence of adularia, illite, bladed calcite, and hydrothermal breccias, and (c) the presence of alteration minerals such as quartz, adularia, illite, albite, chlorite, interlayered illite-smectite, calcite, and pyrite in the Neian hydrothermal system indicate that these minerals were formed by chloride solutions with almost neutral to very alkaline pH in a low-sulfidation epithermal environment.