Sedimentology
Mahmoud Sharafi; Mahdi Jafarzadeh; Aram Bayet-Goll; Razieh Lak
Abstract
The Urmia Lake, which is a tectonic depression in the northwest of Iran, has received a lot of eroded sediments of the geological records of the lake watershed. Because of the constant drought in the recent years, sediments have been subjected to the wind erosion and thus are an important source for ...
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The Urmia Lake, which is a tectonic depression in the northwest of Iran, has received a lot of eroded sediments of the geological records of the lake watershed. Because of the constant drought in the recent years, sediments have been subjected to the wind erosion and thus are an important source for local and regional emission during dust storms. In this research the south and west sediments of the Urmia playa lake have studied on the parent rock issue. Bivariate plots such as Th/Co versus La/Sc and TiO2 versus Al2O3 and comparison proportion of the trace elements such as La/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co, Th/Co and Cr/Th display mainly the felsic and partly basic rocks source for the studied sediments. Major and trace spider plots of the studied sediments display their depletion with respect to Sc, V, Cr, Ni and enrichment with respect to Th and Sr, confirm mainly a felsic and partly mafic and ultramafic source rocks. Geochemistry of the major elements shows the dry climatic conditions during deposition of Urmia Lake sediments, suggested by bivariate plots of SiO2 against the sum of Al2O3, K2O and Na2O as well as the amount of chemical index of weathering.
Sedimentology
Navid Qavim; Najmeh Etemad-Saeed; Mahdi Najafi
Abstract
The Mahneshan Basin is one of the syntectonic Neogene sub-basins of the Central Iran. The basin is filled by about 4 km of the Miocene Upper Red Formation deposits, showing a combination of halokinetic and growth strata patterns. To assess the provenance evolution of sediments in north of the Mahneshan ...
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The Mahneshan Basin is one of the syntectonic Neogene sub-basins of the Central Iran. The basin is filled by about 4 km of the Miocene Upper Red Formation deposits, showing a combination of halokinetic and growth strata patterns. To assess the provenance evolution of sediments in north of the Mahneshan basin named the Hesar section, we conducted remote sensing mapping, field survey, as well as petrographical and modal analyses of sandstones. Our results reveal that the sandstones are fine to medium-grained sedarenites (Q46F10Rf44) and mainly derived from fine-grained siliciclastics, metamorphic, carbonate, chert and andesitic volcanic rocks, which were exposed in an orogenic tectonic setting (Qm34F10Lt56 and Qt49F10L41). The combination of provenance data and northeastward paleocurrent direction, reflect that the sediments mainly supplied from basement rocks of the Takab Complex and Qom Formation in southwest of Mahneshan Basin. The unchanged provenance of sediments along the studied succession, indicate that regional shortening and uplift of parent rocks has begun before deposition of the Upper Red Formation (Miocene) and continued during deposition of these sediments. This is in agreement with previous age assumption for exhumation of Takab Complex during Oligocene time.
Sedimentology
Javad Anjerdi; Mahdi Jafarzadeh; Adel Najafzadeh; Rahim Mahari
Abstract
In this research, a combination of petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals analysis methods are implemented for investigating the provenance of quartzarenitic and subarkosic sandstones of Ilanqareh Formation with Late Devonian age in Azerbaijan, south of Jolfa. Investigation of the quartz types ...
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In this research, a combination of petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals analysis methods are implemented for investigating the provenance of quartzarenitic and subarkosic sandstones of Ilanqareh Formation with Late Devonian age in Azerbaijan, south of Jolfa. Investigation of the quartz types in the studied sandstones, geochemical characteristics of sandstones and shales of Ilanqareh Formation including Al2O3/TiO2 ratio and La/Sc against Co/Th ratios, illustrates that the dominant parent rocks of most of these deposits are granitic igneous ones. The presence of granitic parent rock along with the presence of euhedral zircon and tourmaline among the well-rounded indicate the erosion of uplifted blocks of Iranian basement in the rifted basin of Paleotethys as effective factor in providing sediments. However, geochemistry and heavy mineral assemblages confirm the recycling of sediments from older formations as another source of sediment. The petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals also indicate the craton provenance and passive margin tectonic setting at the deposition time of the Ilanqareh sediments. According to the present study, one can consider a combination of uplifted source rock (Cadomian basement) and sedimentary recycling of older formations as main sources and Arabian craton as a subsidiary source in the supply of detritus sanstones of Ilanqareh Formation.
Economic Geology
Ali Rajabzadeh; Hossein Kouhestani; Mir Ali Asghar Mokhtari; Afshin Zohdi
Abstract
In this study, petrography and major and minor elements geochemical data are presented for sandstone layers of the Upper Red Formation (URF) in the Chehrabad Pb-Zn deposit (NW Zanjan) to investigate sandstone composition, tectonic setting and their source rock. In this area, URF has 980 m thickness and ...
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In this study, petrography and major and minor elements geochemical data are presented for sandstone layers of the Upper Red Formation (URF) in the Chehrabad Pb-Zn deposit (NW Zanjan) to investigate sandstone composition, tectonic setting and their source rock. In this area, URF has 980 m thickness and is conformably overlies the Qom Formation limestones. Based on the microscopic studies, these sandstones mainly composed of fine- to coarse-grained clastic fragments including sedimentary and metamorphic rock fragments (45 %), quartz (38 %) and feldspar (17 %). Based on petrographic studies, these sandstones are feldspathic litharenite and litharenite (mainly chertarenite). Based on the main components and major and minor elements geochemical data, the tectonic setting of these sandstones is an active continental margins and foreland basins. These data represent an intermediate to felsic source rock for these sandstones which was affected by the semi-humid to semi-arid climate and a low chemical weathering.
Sedimentology
Majid Khazaee; Mahbobeh Hosseini-Barzi; Abbas Sadeghi; Hossein Mosaddegh
Abstract
The provenance of Jeirud Formation deposits (upper Devonian) in central Alborz has been investigated from study of siliciclastic sandstones (petrography, modal analysis and Heavy minerals assemblage) and mudstones (major and minor elements geochemistry). An integration of results suggest a mixture of ...
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The provenance of Jeirud Formation deposits (upper Devonian) in central Alborz has been investigated from study of siliciclastic sandstones (petrography, modal analysis and Heavy minerals assemblage) and mudstones (major and minor elements geochemistry). An integration of results suggest a mixture of basic to acidic igneous rocks and recycling of older sedimentary rocks as the provenance that weathered under cold and arid to semi-arid climatic conditions. An integration of modal analysis and heavy minerals results into the geochemical studies including Roser and korsch diagram (Log K2O/Na2O versus SiO2) and Verma and Armstrong-Altrin Functional diagrams, indicate that, siliciclastic rocks of Jeirud, resulted from weathering of acidic-intermediate to basic rocks of collisional tectonic provenances (recycled orogens) and transporting on craton interior and have been deposited on a passive margin basin. Investigations and comparison with McLennan et al., studies, represent that geochemical results and proportions of study area are consistent with those of old upper continental crust (OUC) typical of collisional tectonic settings.
Sedimentology
S. A. Moallemi; M. A. Salehi; A. Zohdi
Abstract
In this study, the sandstones of the Razak Formation at the Finu and Hanudun outcrops and at Sarkhun Field north of Bandar-Abbas have been investigated by petrography and geochemistry analyses to discriminate provenance for determination of tectonic setting, parent rock and palaeoweathering and for comparison ...
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In this study, the sandstones of the Razak Formation at the Finu and Hanudun outcrops and at Sarkhun Field north of Bandar-Abbas have been investigated by petrography and geochemistry analyses to discriminate provenance for determination of tectonic setting, parent rock and palaeoweathering and for comparison with the Ahwaz Sandstone of Asmari Formation. The Razak Formation mainly consists of marl, sandstone, conglomerate and sandy limestone. The results of geochemical investigation of major and trace elements indicated that the sedimentation of the Razak Formation took place in an active continental margin. Provenance analysis shows that the siliciclastic sediments of the Razak Formation were largely derived from mafic and intermediate igneous, low- to high-grade metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Chemical weathering indices suggested that their source area underwent a moderate degree of chemical weathering in an arid climate. It seems that the sediments of the Razak Formation are results of erosion from a mixture of ophiolitic-igneous rocks belonging to the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust, metamorphic rocks and other sedimentary strata deposited in Zagros sedimentary basin during foreland basin evolution. Wedge thickness of the Razak Formation changes from the hinterland thrust basin towards the Zagros trough and ridge basin and finally disappears in the coastal Fars region. The presence of polymictic conglomerate and coarse-grained sandstone with abundant rock fragments could be considered as additional evidence for the source of Razak Formation from the Zagros imbricated zone.
K Shabani Goraji; R Moussavi-Harami; A Mahboubi; Kh Khosro Tehrani
Abstract
The provenance and tectonic setting of the Eocene turbidite sandstones of the Saravan area in southeast of Iran have been studied based on petrography and geochemistry. These sandstones are very laterally extended and traceable at several kilometers. The sandstones are sharp-based and well-preserved ...
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The provenance and tectonic setting of the Eocene turbidite sandstones of the Saravan area in southeast of Iran have been studied based on petrography and geochemistry. These sandstones are very laterally extended and traceable at several kilometers. The sandstones are sharp-based and well-preserved and generally display Bouma sequences (Tbcde, Tabc, Tbcd, Tabcd) which consist of graded bedding, flute and groove casts, planar cross lamination, current ripples and parallel lamination. The deep water trace fossils (Nereites ichnofacies) are locally abundant. These characteristics support sedimentation by the turbidity current. The petrographical data show that these sandstones are fine to coarse grained, poorly to moderately-sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded feldspatic litharenite. They contain mono- and poly-crystalline quartz grains, feldspar, volcanic and metamorphic rock fragments and represent Q55F14.7L30.3 proportion. The major, trace and rare earth element concentrations indicate that the source of these sediments were intermediate to felsic igneous rocks. Mean value of chemical index of alteration in analyzed samples (CIA mean ≈ 62) indicate a low to moderate degree of chemical weathering of the source area or during the sediments transportation prior to deposition.The petrographic analysis revealed a recycled orogen and transitional recycled tectonic provenance. Tectonic setting discrimination based on the major, trace and rare earth elements suggest that the Saravan sandstones components derived from an active continental margin and continental arcs.
A. M. Ali Khasi; M. Hosseini Barzi; M. Shadan
Abstract
Determination of sedimentary environment, provenance and tectonic setting of Ab-Haji Formation sandstones (Lower Jurassic) have been carried out in Cheshmeh Bakhshi and Sartakht-e-Shotoran sections which are located in Kalmard Block. Facies analysis of sedimentary facies in mentioned sections implies ...
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Determination of sedimentary environment, provenance and tectonic setting of Ab-Haji Formation sandstones (Lower Jurassic) have been carried out in Cheshmeh Bakhshi and Sartakht-e-Shotoran sections which are located in Kalmard Block. Facies analysis of sedimentary facies in mentioned sections implies three clastic faceis associations including delta plain, delta front and prodelta and two carbonate facies, relevant to bar. The obtained results from modal analysis and geochemical data point to cratonic tectonic setting and presence of qurtzose rocks in the source area in the course of recycling processes. Moereover, using the tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest that Ab-Haji sandstones have been deposited in a passive continental margin. The calculated chemical index of alteration (CIA) and the plagioclase index of alteration (PIA), based on major element oxides, denote moderate to intense weathering in the hinterland. This consequence is conformed with the modal analysis and petrographic evidence referring to humid and semi-humid climate.
A. Bayet goll; M. Hosseini-Barzi
Abstract
Geochemical analysis of major elements from 12 sampels from Shirgesht Formation sandstones and shales with Ordovicien age in sections of kuh-Asheghan and Kuh-Rahdar at Kalmard block in Central Iran zone, and plotting these data on silisiclastic rocks classification diagrams, show that they are quartzarenite ...
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Geochemical analysis of major elements from 12 sampels from Shirgesht Formation sandstones and shales with Ordovicien age in sections of kuh-Asheghan and Kuh-Rahdar at Kalmard block in Central Iran zone, and plotting these data on silisiclastic rocks classification diagrams, show that they are quartzarenite and shale. Moreover, the use of discrimination, biplot triangular diagrams determined the quartzose recycled provenance (craton and recycled orogen) and passive margin tectonic setting for these deposites. These data suggest the quartzose sedimentary provenace for sandstones and intermediate to felsic ignious provenance for shale. Furthermore, determination of weathering influence in source area, by using CIA index, indicated that the source area of these deposites has been exposed to intense weathering. This can be explained by humid weather in source area of passive continental margin.
S. H. Hejazi; M. H. Adabi; S. R. Moussavi Harami
Abstract
The Givetian-Frasnian sandstones in the Kuh-e-Tizi section (25 km NE Kerman), unconformably overlie the Upper Cambrian Kuhbanan and underlie the Lower Carboniferous Hutk Formations respectively, in southeastern Central Iran. Petrographical data show that these sandstones are well-sorted, sub-angular ...
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The Givetian-Frasnian sandstones in the Kuh-e-Tizi section (25 km NE Kerman), unconformably overlie the Upper Cambrian Kuhbanan and underlie the Lower Carboniferous Hutk Formations respectively, in southeastern Central Iran. Petrographical data show that these sandstones are well-sorted, sub-angular to rounded quartzarenite. Diagenetic features include physical and chemical compactions (straight, concavo-convex, sutured grain contacts and pressure solution of quartz grain), reduction of the pore space through rearrangements and cementation (mostly silica, as quartz overgrowth). The provenance and tectonic setting of these sandstones have been interpreted using integrated petrographic and geochemical data. Petrographic analysis using standard methods revealed that mono and poly-crystalline quartz grains have been derived from plutonic rocks of an interior cratonic setting. Trace element analyses and their ratios used for provenance studies (Th/Sc and La/Sc) are similar to sediments derived from weathering of mostly felsic rocks. Values representing chemical index of alteration (CIA) and the plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) range from 44.24 to 83.43, with an average of 69.96, and from 42.98 to 92.56, with an average of 75.8, respectively. However, most samples have values greater than 60, suggesting moderate to high weathering in the source area or during transportation prior to find deposition. Major and trace element concentrations indicated a depositional setting in a passive continental margin.
