Economic Geology
Robabeh Masoomi; Yousef Rahimsouri; Hemayat Jamali; Ali Abedini
Abstract
The aim of this research is the geochemical study of the major and trace elements of the alteration systems in the Kamar-Gov district (south of Hashtjin, Ardabil province). The rock units of the studied area include volcanic rocks with the composition of basaltic-trachy andesite to rhyolite and ...
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The aim of this research is the geochemical study of the major and trace elements of the alteration systems in the Kamar-Gov district (south of Hashtjin, Ardabil province). The rock units of the studied area include volcanic rocks with the composition of basaltic-trachy andesite to rhyolite and crystal vitric-tuff with Eocene and Oligocene age. These rocks have calk alkaline and shoshonitic affinity and belong to post-collisional arc tectonic setting. In the Kamar-Gov district, the alteration zones include silicic, sericitic (quartz + muscovite + pyrite ± illite ± rutile), sericite-argillic (quartz + sericite + kaolinite + dolomite), intermediate argillic (quartz + kaolinite + illite), advanced argillic (quartz + kaolinite + alunite + diaspore ± anatase ± muscovite), and chloritic (quartz + chlorite + illite). The distribution pattern of the normalized-BSE major and trace elements and the mass change calculations (volume factor method) show that the silicic and advanced argillic alteration zones have more elemental depletion and different distribution patterns from the parent rock. However, chloritic, intermediate argillic, and sericite-argillic alterations have relatively little mass change and almost similar distribution patterns to the primary parent rock. The major elements like Ca, Mg, Al, Na, and Fe have frequently depleted. Ti shows slight depletion. K has frequently enriched. Trace elements such as Zr, Nb, Sc, and Th have mass reduction. Co, Cr, Ni, and Rb have experienced depletion and enrichment processes. Sr and V show relatively high depletion. Sb, S, and As (chiefly) have enriched. LREEs have depleted more than HREEs. Elements like Pb, Zn, and Cu only in the siliceous and sericite-argillic zone show enrichment. This research shows that factors like pH of hydrothermal fluid and primary rock-forming and secondary minerals resulting from alteration have caused differences in the behavior and concentration of elements in different alteration zones in the Kamar-Gov district.
Economic Geology
Robabe masoomi; Yoseph Rahimsouri; Hemayat Jamali; Ali Abedini
Abstract
The action of alteration processes on the Eocene tuffs has led to the formation of a spread argillic alteration zone in the Kamar district (south of Ardebil, Tarom-Hashtjin Zone). The aim of this study is to determine the factors controlling argillic alteration, using mineralogical studies and chemical ...
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The action of alteration processes on the Eocene tuffs has led to the formation of a spread argillic alteration zone in the Kamar district (south of Ardebil, Tarom-Hashtjin Zone). The aim of this study is to determine the factors controlling argillic alteration, using mineralogical studies and chemical alteration indices. Quartz, kaolinite, muscovite (sericite), rutile, anatase, illite, diaspore, alunite, albite, clinochlore, jarosite, gypsum, pyrite, orthoclase and dolomite are the mineral assemblage of this alteration zone. The mineralization of sulfides includes pyrite (predominantly), chalcopyrite, borneite, chalcocite, galena, and sphalerite. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values are between 51.55 to 74.3 %, and the mineralogical index of alteration (MI) values vary from 8.22 to 48.3%. The mafic index of alteration (MIA(O)) ranges from 55.88% to 87.48%, Depletion of a large number of elements, including some immobile elements (Zr, Y, V, Al and LREEs), the presence of minerals indicating acidic pH, such as jarosite and alunite, and high-temperature minerals such as rutile and anatase, the presence of the vuggy quartz in some altered regions, and concomitant enrichment of As, Sb and Mo, in the Kamar argillic zone, bear similarities to the hot fluid alterations of high-sulfidation epithermal deposits.
