Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Mineralogy, geochemistry, and ore formation of Nuwaifa bauxite deposit, western desert of Iraq

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nuwaifa Formation is a part of sequence stratigraphy that belongs to the Jurassic system exposed in the western desert of Iraq. The Jurassic system consists of Ubaid, Hussainiyat, Amij, Muhaiwir, and Najmah formations. Each formation is composed of basal clastic unit overlain by upper carbonate unit. Nuwaifa karst bauxite was developed in fossil karsts within the Ubaid Formation in areas where maximum intersection of fractures and faults exist. This bauxitization process affected the upper surface of the Ubaid limestone formation, which directly underlies the Nuwaifa bauxite Formation. Nuwaifa Formation represents karst-filling deposit that consists of a mixture of allochthonous (sandstone, claystone, and mudstone) and autochthonous lithofacies (bauxite kaolinite, kaolinitic bauxite, iron-rich bauxite, and flint clay). Most bauxite bodies occur within the autochthonous lithofacies and are lenticular in shape with maximum thickness ranges from few meters to 35 m and in some place up to 100 m. Petrographically, the bauxite deposit exhibits collomorphic-fluidal, pisolitic, oolitic, nodular, brecciated, and skeletal textures indicative of authigenic origin. Mineralogy boehmite and gibbsite are the only bauxite minerals; the former is dominant in the upper parts of the bauxite profiles, whereas the latter is dominant throughout the lower and middle part of the bauxite. Kaolinite, hematite, goethite, calcite, and anatase occur to a lesser extent. The study bauxites are mainly composed of Al2O3 (33–69.6 wt.%), SiO2 (8.4–42 wt.%), Fe2O3 (0.5–15.9 wt.%), and TiO2 (0.7–6.1 wt.%) with LOI ranging from 13.5 to 19.1 wt.%. Geochemical investigations indicate that the immobile elements like Al2O3, TiO2, Cr, Zr, and Ni were obviously enriched, while SiO2, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Zn, Co, Ba, Mn, Cu, and Sr were depleted during bauxitization process. The results of this study strongly suggest that the bauxite deposits of the Nuwaifa Formation are derived from the kaolinite of the Lower Hussainiyat Formation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Ani T (1996) Mineralogy and geochemistry of hussainiyat clays and associated bauxite and ironstone deposits-western desert of Iraq. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Baghdad, 180p.

  • Aleva GJ (1994) Laterites: concepts, geology, morphology and chemistry. International Soil Reference and Information Centre, Wageningen, p 169

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Rawi YT, Al-Ameri TK, Al-Ani T (1997) Age and Paleoclimatic evaluation of paleokarst deposits of the Nuwaifa formation, western desert of Iraq. Iraqi Geol Jour 28(2):84–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Bardossy GY (1982) Karst bauxite. Bauxite deposits on carbonate rocks. In: Developments in economic geology, vol 14. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 441

    Google Scholar 

  • Bardossy GY (1989) Paleokarst: a systematic and regional review. Elsevier and Academia, Amsterdam-Praha, p 418p

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogatyrev BA, Zhukov VV, Tsekhovsky YG (2009) Formation conditions and regularities of the distribution of large and superlarge bauxite deposits. Lithol Miner Resour 44:135–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buday T and Jassim SZ (1987) The Regional Geology of Iraq: Tectonism, Magnetism, and Metamorphism, S.E Geol. Surv. Min. Invest. (Geosurv), Baghdad, Iraq, 352P.

  • Esmaeily D, Rahimpour-Bonab H, Esna-Ashari A, Kananian A (2010) Petrography and geochemistry of the Jajarm karst bauxite ore deposit: NE Iran: implications for source rock material and ore genesis. Turk J Earth Sci 19:267–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu J, Huang Z, Fan H, Jin Z, Yan Z, Zhang J (2013) Mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of lateritic bauxite deposits in the Wuchuan-Zheng’an-Daozhenarea, northern Guizhou Province, China. J Geochem Explor 130:44–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanilci N (2013) Geological and geochemical evolution of the Bolkarda˘gi bauxite deposits, Karaman, Turkey: transformation from shale to bauxite. J Geochem Explor 133:118–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinckley DN (1963) Variability in “crystallinity” values among the kaolin deposits of the coastal plain of Georgia and South Carolina. Clay Clay Miner 11:229–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kittrick JA (1969) Soil minerals in the Al2O3-SiO2-H2O system and a theory of their formation. Clay Clay Miner 17:157–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kloprogge JT, Ruan HD, Frost R (2002) Thermal decomposition of bauxite minerals: infrared emission spectroscopy of gibbsite, boehmite and diaspora. J Mater Sci 37:1121–1129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liaghat S, Hosseini M, Zarasvandi A (2003) Determination of the origin and mass change geochemistry during bauxitization process at the Hangam deposit. SW Iran, Geochemical Journal 37:627–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XF, Wang QF, Deng J, Zhang QZ, Sun S, Meng J (2010) Mineralogical and geochemical investigations of the Dajia Salento-type bauxite deposits,Western Guangxi. China J Geochem Explor 105:137–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XF, Wang QF, Feng YW, Li Z, Cai SH (2013) Genesis of the Guangou karstic bauxite deposit in western Henan. China Ore Geol Rev 55:162–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLean WH (1990) Mass change calculations in altered rock series. Mineral Deposita 25:44–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLean WH, Bonavia FF, Sanna G (1997) Argillite debris converted to bauxite during karst weathering: evidence from immobile element geochemistry at the Olmedo deposit, Sardinia. Mineral Deposita 32:607–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mameli P, Mongelli G, Oggiano G, Dinelli E (2007) Geological, geochemical and mineralogical features of some bauxite deposits from Nurra (western Sardinia, Italy): insights on conditions of formation and parental affinity. Int J Earth Sci 96:887–902

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehra OP, Jackson ML (1960) Iron oxide removal from soil and clays by a dithionite-citrate system buffered with sodium bicarbonate, 7th National Conference. Clay Clay Miner 8:317–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer FM, Happel U, Hausberg J, Wiechowski A (2002) The geometry and anatomy of the los Pijiguaos bauxite deposit, Venezuela. Ore Geol Rev 20:27–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molina JM, Ruiz-Ortiz PA, Vera JA (1991) Jurassic karst bauxites in the Subbetic, Betic cordillera, southern Spain. Acta Geol Hung 34:163–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Mongelli G (2002) Growth of hematite and boehmite in concretions from ancient karst bauxite: clue for past climate. Catena 50:43–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mustafa MM (1991) Results of exploratory works for bauxite deposits in North Hussainiyat area. GEOSURV, int. rep. no. 1957, (in Arabic).

  • Schellmann W (1982) Eine neue Lateritdefinition. Geologisches Jahrbuch — Reihe D 58:31–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Schellmann W (1986) A new definition of laterite. In: Banerji, P.K. (Ed.), Lateritization Processes, Geological Survey of India, Memoir, 120:11–17.

  • Schorin H, Puchelt H (1987) Geochemistry of a ferruginous bauxite profile from Southeast Venezuela. Chem Geol 64:127–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroll E, Sauer D (1968) Beitrag zur Geochemie von Titan, Chrom, Nickel, Cobalt, Vanadium und Molyb din in bauxitischen Gesteinen und das Problem derstofflichen Herkunft des Aluminiums. Travaux du ICSOBA 5:83–96

  • Taylor G, Eggletonb R, Fosterb L, Morganc C (2008a) Landscapes and regolith of Weipa, northern Australia. Aust J Earth Sci 55:13–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor G, Eggletonb R, Fosterb L, Tilleyb D, Le Gleuherb M, Morganc C (2008b) Nature of the Weipa bauxite deposit, northern Australia. Aust J Earth Sci 55:45–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valeton I, Biermann M, Reche R, Rosenberg F (1987) Genesis of nickel lateritesand bauxites in Greece during the Jurassic and Cretaceous, and their relation toultrabasic parent rocks. Ore Geol Rev 2:359–404

  • Zamaniana H, Ahmadinejad F, Zarasvandi A (2016) Mineralogical and geochemical investigations of the Mombi bauxitedeposit. Zagros Mountains, Iran, Chemie der Erde 76:13–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarasvandi A, Charchi A, Carranza M, Alizadeh B (2008) Karst bauxite deposits in the Zagros Mountain belt. Iran, Ore Geology Reviews 34:521–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarasvandi A, Zamanian H, Hejazi E (2010) Immobile elements and mass changes geochemistry at Sar-Faryab bauxite deposit, Zagros Mountains, Iran. JGeochem Explor 107:77–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarasvandi A, Carranza EJM, Ellahi SS (2012) Geological, geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics of the Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits, Zagros Fold Belt. Iran Ore Geol Rev 48:125–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to express his gratitude to Prof. Yehya Al-Rawi for his support and guidance. The laboratory work was done while the author was a member of the staff of the Baghdad University and is highly acknowledged. The author appreciates funding support from the Geological Survey of Iraq. Thanks to Dr. Mohammad Sayab at GTK for his help in formatting and general support during writing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Finland, 02151, Espoo, Finland

    Thair Al-Ani

Authors
  1. Thair Al-Ani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thair Al-Ani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Al-Ani, T. Mineralogy, geochemistry, and ore formation of Nuwaifa bauxite deposit, western desert of Iraq. Arab J Geosci 10, 72 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2817-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2817-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation