Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Geochemistry of davidite from the quartz veins in the Narigan area (Central Iran); Evidence for uranium mineralization type

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

J. Mehdipour Ghazi 1
M. Rahgoshay 1
M. Moazzen 2

1 Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O.Box: 19839-4716,Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Tabriz, P.O.Box: 51666, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2020.1123
Abstract
Narigan area in the southern part of the Bafq-Saghand metallogenic zone in Central Iran is a host of davidite-bearing quartz veins. Davidite is an important key mineral for exploration of not only uranium but also REE's in Central Iran. Narigan granite in the Narigan area is characterized by high-K calc-alkaline nature and its parental magma was partially contaminated by the Precambrian crust. The REE pattern of quartz veins is brought about by REE contents in davidite. The homogenization temperatures of vapor-liquid-solid (V-L-S) fluid inclusions in quartzes are >500˚C in quartz veins. Furthermore, the ∑REE contents (71910 to 90292 ppm) and U/Th ratios (<1000) in the studied davidites indicate upper 450˚C temperature for the generation of them. Based on the similarity of REE pattern of davidite to REE pattern of oxide-uranium minerals in the vein-type ores (characterized by negative Eu anomaly and high LREE/HREE ratio) as well as achievement of the homogenization temperatures for fluid inclusions and davidite formation; mineralization of this mineral can be related to granite related vein-type uranium deposits.

Highlights

1.             A.W.G. Whittle, The nature of davidite. Econ. Geol. 54, 64-81 (1959).

 

2.             B. Samani, Metallogeny of the Precambrian in Iran, Precambrian Research, 39, 85-106 (1988).

 

3.             Q. Zerun  et al. Report on Research program at Saghand district, Iran. Atomic energy organization of Iran, No. 89 RBAW-TOO2 (1990).

 

4.             S. Deymar et al. Alkali metasomatism as a process for Ti–REE–Y–U–Th mineralization in the Saghand Anomaly 5, Central Iran: insights from geochemical, mineralogical, and stable isotope data, Ore Geol. Rev.93 , 308-336 (2018).

 

5.             K. Khoshnoodi et al. Alkali Metasomatism and Th-REE-Mineralization in the Choghart deposit, Bafq district, Central Iran. Geologia Croatica, 70 (1) 53-69(2017).

 

6.             K. Khoshnoodi et al.  Study of Thorium Mineralization in Choghart Iron Oxide-Apatite Deposit, Bafq District, Central Iran, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 84 (17), 80-66 (2018) (In Persian).

 

7.             G.R. Mirzababaei, Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Mineralization of Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Se-Chahun Ore Deposit, Bafq, Yazd, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, Ph.D. Thesis (2018) (In Persian).

 

8.             J. Mehdipour Ghazi et al. Combined igneous and hydrothermal source for the Kiruna-type Bafq magnetite-apatite deposit in Central Iran; trace element and oxygen isotope studies of magnetite, Ore Geol. Rev.105, 590-604 (2019).

 

9.             J. Ramezani, and R. Tucker, The Saghand region, Central Iran: U–Pb geochronology, petrogenesis and implications for Gondwana tectonics, Am. J. Sci. 303, 622-665 (2003).

 

10.          M. Berberian, and G. C. P. King, Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran, Can. J. Earth Sci. 18, 210-265 (1981).

 

11.          A. Nadimi, Evolution of the Central Iranian basement, Gondwana Res. 12, 324-333 (2007).

 

12.          S. Bagheri, and G. M. Stampfli, The Anarak, Jandaq and Posht-e-Badam Metamorphic Complexes in Central Iran: New Geological Data, Relationships and Tectonic Implications, Tectonophysics, 451, 123-155 (2008).

 

13.          A. Haghipour et al., Explanatory Text of the Ardekan Quadrangle Map, Geological Survey of Iran, (1977).

 

14.          S.A. Mousavi Makui, Petrology of Narigan granite, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, M.Sc. Thesis (1998) (In Persian)

 

15.          C. Paton et al. , Iolite: freeware for the visualisation and processing of mass spectrometric data, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 26 (12), 2508-2518 (2011).

 

16.          W.V. Boynton, Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements: Meteorite Studies. (Elsevier, New York, (1984).

 

17.          S.S. Sun, W.F. McDonough, Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ, 42, 313-345 (1989).

 

18.          J.J. Ague, and G. H. Brimhall, Regional variations in bulk chemistry, mineralogy and the compositions of mafic and accessory minerals in the batholiths of California, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 100, 891-911 (1988).

 

19.          A. Peccerillo, S.R. Taylor, Geochemistry of Eocene calcalkaline volcanic rocks from the Kastasmonu area, north Turkey, Contrib.  Mineral. Petrol. 58, 63-81 (1976).

 

20.          M. Jami, Geology, Geochemistry and Evolution of the Esfordi Phosphate – Iron Deposit, Bafq Area, Central Iran, University of New South Wales, Australia, Ph.D. Thesis (2005).

 

21.          P.D. Maniar, P.M. Piccoli, Tectonic discrimination of granitoids, Geolo. Soc. Am. Bull. 101, 635-643 (1989).

 

22.          C. Ballouard et al.  Uranium metallogenesis of the peraluminous leucogranite from the Pontivy-Rostrenen magmatic complex (French Armorican Variscan belt): the result of long term oxidized hydrothermal alteration during strike-slip deformation. Miner. Deposita. 53 (5), 601-628 (2018).

 

23.          J. Mercadier, et al., Origin of uranium deposits revealed by their rare earth element signature, Terra. Nova. 23, 264-269 (2011).

 

24.          A. Hezarkhani, Study of fluid inclusions of Narigan samples, Report of Atomic energy organization (2009) (In Persian).

 

25.          J. Bonhoure, et al. Methodology for Rare Earth Element Determinations of Uranium Oxides by Ion Microprobe, Geostand.Geoanal. Res. 31, 209-225 (2007).

 

26.          M. Cuney, Evolution of uranium fractionation processes through time: driving the secular variation of uranium deposit types,  Econom. Geol., 105, 553-569 (2010).

 

27.          J. Mehdipour Ghazi, M. Rahgoshay, and M. Moazzen, Evidence for Neo-Tethys-related magmatism in Narigan and implications for geodynamic and mineralization, 3th international symposium of earth sciences, Tehran (2018) (In Persian).

 

28.          H.E. Frimmel, S. Schedel, H. Bratz, Uraninite chemistry as forensic tool for provenance analysis, Appl. Geochem. 48, 104-121 (2014).

 

29.          A.D. McKay, Y. Miezitis, Australia’s uranium resources, geology and

development of deposits, Mineral Resource Report, AGSO Geosciences, Australia, (2001).

 

30.          M. Cuney, Felsic magmatism and uranium deposits, The Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr. 185, 75-92 (2014)

 

31.          R.H. Sillitoe, Characteristic and controls of the largest porphyry copper–gold and epithermal gold deposits in the circum-Pacific region, The Aust. J. Earth Sci.44, 373-388 (1997).

 

32.          E.H. Bailey, K.V. Ragnarsdottir, Uranium and thorium solubilities in subduction zone fluids, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.124, 119-129 (1994) .

 

33.          C. Bonnetti, et al. The genesis of graniterelated hydrothermal uranium deposits in the Xiazhuang and Zhuguang ore fields, North Guangdong Province, SE China: Insights from mineralogical, trace elements and U-Pb isotopes signatures of the U mineralization, Ore geol. Rev. 92, 588-612 (2018).

 

34.          J.T. Nash, Volcanogenic Uranium Deposits: Geology, Geochemical Processes, and Criteria for Resource Assessment, Report USGS (2010).

 

35.          D. Craw, S.A. Mckeag, Structural control of Tertiary Au–Agbreccias in an extensional environment, Nelson area, Southern Nevada, USA, Miner. Deposita. 30,1-20 (1995).

 

36.          G. Ruggieri et al. Geology, mineralogy and fluid inclusion data of the Furtei high-sulphidisation gold deposit, Econom. Geol. 92 1-19 (1997).

Keywords

Narigan
Davidite
Geochemistry
Fluid inclusions
Granite-related vein-type uranium
1.             A.W.G. Whittle, The nature of davidite. Econ. Geol. 54, 64-81 (1959).
 
2.             B. Samani, Metallogeny of the Precambrian in Iran, Precambrian Research, 39, 85-106 (1988).
 
3.             Q. Zerun  et al. Report on Research program at Saghand district, Iran. Atomic energy organization of Iran, No. 89 RBAW-TOO2 (1990).
 
4.             S. Deymar et al. Alkali metasomatism as a process for Ti–REE–Y–U–Th mineralization in the Saghand Anomaly 5, Central Iran: insights from geochemical, mineralogical, and stable isotope data, Ore Geol. Rev.93 , 308-336 (2018).
 
5.             K. Khoshnoodi et al. Alkali Metasomatism and Th-REE-Mineralization in the Choghart deposit, Bafq district, Central Iran. Geologia Croatica, 70 (1) 53-69(2017).
 
6.             K. Khoshnoodi et al.  Study of Thorium Mineralization in Choghart Iron Oxide-Apatite Deposit, Bafq District, Central Iran, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 84 (17), 80-66 (2018) (In Persian).
 
7.             G.R. Mirzababaei, Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Mineralization of Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Se-Chahun Ore Deposit, Bafq, Yazd, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, Ph.D. Thesis (2018) (In Persian).
 
8.             J. Mehdipour Ghazi et al. Combined igneous and hydrothermal source for the Kiruna-type Bafq magnetite-apatite deposit in Central Iran; trace element and oxygen isotope studies of magnetite, Ore Geol. Rev.105, 590-604 (2019).
 
9.             J. Ramezani, and R. Tucker, The Saghand region, Central Iran: U–Pb geochronology, petrogenesis and implications for Gondwana tectonics, Am. J. Sci. 303, 622-665 (2003).
 
10.          M. Berberian, and G. C. P. King, Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran, Can. J. Earth Sci. 18, 210-265 (1981).
 
11.          A. Nadimi, Evolution of the Central Iranian basement, Gondwana Res. 12, 324-333 (2007).
 
12.          S. Bagheri, and G. M. Stampfli, The Anarak, Jandaq and Posht-e-Badam Metamorphic Complexes in Central Iran: New Geological Data, Relationships and Tectonic Implications, Tectonophysics, 451, 123-155 (2008).
 
13.          A. Haghipour et al., Explanatory Text of the Ardekan Quadrangle Map, Geological Survey of Iran, (1977).
 
14.          S.A. Mousavi Makui, Petrology of Narigan granite, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, M.Sc. Thesis (1998) (In Persian)
 
15.          C. Paton et al. , Iolite: freeware for the visualisation and processing of mass spectrometric data, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 26 (12), 2508-2518 (2011).
 
16.          W.V. Boynton, Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements: Meteorite Studies. (Elsevier, New York, (1984).
 
17.          S.S. Sun, W.F. McDonough, Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ, 42, 313-345 (1989).
 
18.          J.J. Ague, and G. H. Brimhall, Regional variations in bulk chemistry, mineralogy and the compositions of mafic and accessory minerals in the batholiths of California, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 100, 891-911 (1988).
 
19.          A. Peccerillo, S.R. Taylor, Geochemistry of Eocene calcalkaline volcanic rocks from the Kastasmonu area, north Turkey, Contrib.  Mineral. Petrol. 58, 63-81 (1976).
 
20.          M. Jami, Geology, Geochemistry and Evolution of the Esfordi Phosphate – Iron Deposit, Bafq Area, Central Iran, University of New South Wales, Australia, Ph.D. Thesis (2005).
 
21.          P.D. Maniar, P.M. Piccoli, Tectonic discrimination of granitoids, Geolo. Soc. Am. Bull. 101, 635-643 (1989).
 
22.          C. Ballouard et al.  Uranium metallogenesis of the peraluminous leucogranite from the Pontivy-Rostrenen magmatic complex (French Armorican Variscan belt): the result of long term oxidized hydrothermal alteration during strike-slip deformation. Miner. Deposita. 53 (5), 601-628 (2018).
 
23.          J. Mercadier, et al., Origin of uranium deposits revealed by their rare earth element signature, Terra. Nova. 23, 264-269 (2011).
 
24.          A. Hezarkhani, Study of fluid inclusions of Narigan samples, Report of Atomic energy organization (2009) (In Persian).
 
25.          J. Bonhoure, et al. Methodology for Rare Earth Element Determinations of Uranium Oxides by Ion Microprobe, Geostand.Geoanal. Res. 31, 209-225 (2007).
 
26.          M. Cuney, Evolution of uranium fractionation processes through time: driving the secular variation of uranium deposit types,  Econom. Geol., 105, 553-569 (2010).
 
27.          J. Mehdipour Ghazi, M. Rahgoshay, and M. Moazzen, Evidence for Neo-Tethys-related magmatism in Narigan and implications for geodynamic and mineralization, 3th international symposium of earth sciences, Tehran (2018) (In Persian).
 
28.          H.E. Frimmel, S. Schedel, H. Bratz, Uraninite chemistry as forensic tool for provenance analysis, Appl. Geochem. 48, 104-121 (2014).
 
29.          A.D. McKay, Y. Miezitis, Australia’s uranium resources, geology and
development of deposits, Mineral Resource Report, AGSO Geosciences, Australia, (2001).
 
30.          M. Cuney, Felsic magmatism and uranium deposits, The Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr. 185, 75-92 (2014)
 
31.          R.H. Sillitoe, Characteristic and controls of the largest porphyry copper–gold and epithermal gold deposits in the circum-Pacific region, The Aust. J. Earth Sci.44, 373-388 (1997).
 
32.          E.H. Bailey, K.V. Ragnarsdottir, Uranium and thorium solubilities in subduction zone fluids, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.124, 119-129 (1994) .
 
33.          C. Bonnetti, et al. The genesis of graniterelated hydrothermal uranium deposits in the Xiazhuang and Zhuguang ore fields, North Guangdong Province, SE China: Insights from mineralogical, trace elements and U-Pb isotopes signatures of the U mineralization, Ore geol. Rev. 92, 588-612 (2018).
 
34.          J.T. Nash, Volcanogenic Uranium Deposits: Geology, Geochemical Processes, and Criteria for Resource Assessment, Report USGS (2010).
 
35.          D. Craw, S.A. Mckeag, Structural control of Tertiary Au–Agbreccias in an extensional environment, Nelson area, Southern Nevada, USA, Miner. Deposita. 30,1-20 (1995).
 
36.          G. Ruggieri et al. Geology, mineralogy and fluid inclusion data of the Furtei high-sulphidisation gold deposit, Econom. Geol. 92 1-19 (1997).

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