Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Sedimentology, geochemistry and hydrochemistry of Zarin Playa in Central Iran

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Geological Survey of Iran, Northeast Branch, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
3 Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Zarin Playa is located about 75 km northeast of Ardakan in Central Iran and covers an area of about 600km. Based on textural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, of sediments, Zarin Playa have been divided into the following zones, starting from margin towards the center: high sandy mud, low sandy mud, salt zone and wet zones. One of the most important geomorphological features in the study area is the sand dunes that extends from southeast toward northwest and divides playa into two parts.
and the most common mineral is quartz which is Geochemically, the most common oxides in surface sediments of playa is SiO2 related to the exposure of high content quartz rocks around the playa. The maximum concentration of evaporite minerals is at the depth of 200 cm, which is the surface of water table, and also at the depth of 40 to 50 cm below the surface which is related to the evaporation of high saline sub-surface water.
Hydrochemistry of groundwater shows that the most common cations and anions in groundwater, are Na, Ca, Mg, K, CI, SO4, SO4-2 CO3-2+HCO3 - Hardness and total dissolved solid of groundwater are very high and Ph is in the range of neutral to slightly alkaline water. Based on chemical composition, the groundwater can be classified as a second type of meteoric saline water.
In general, geochemistry of sediments and hydrochemistry of sub-surface water in Zarin Playa are mainly affected by the lithology of the surrounding rocks.
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Volume 8, 29-30
Autumn & Winter 1999, vol. 8, No. 29-30
Winter 1999
Pages 16-31