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Apatite-rich pyrometamorphic rocks from Suweileh area, Jordan

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Abstract

Representative samples from the upper Cretaceous pyrometamorphic rocks from Suweileh area were investigated by using XRD, XRF, SEM/EDS, and microprobe techniques. Suweileh area is characterized by the presence of varicolored marble (dominated by green apatite-rich rocks) overlying bituminous marl and silicified limestone-phosphorite beds. The bituminous rocks are enriched with P, S, and F in addition to reduced sensitive trace elements that were inherited later by their metamorphic equivalents. The rocks were affected by severe tectonism that produced intensive fracturing which facilitated the chemical leaching. The mineralogy of the varicolored marble from Suweileh area is equivalent to Daba-Siwaqa and Maqarin areas in central and north Jordan. High-temperature and low-temperature groups of minerals were recognized. The first group is the result of pyrometamorphism produced from the spontaneous combustion of bituminous marl. The metamorphism was contemporaneous with tectonism of the Rift Valley. The second secondary group of minerals is the result of alteration by high alkaline waters followed by precipitation along the weakness zones. A hyperalkaline circulating water similar to the current issuing waters from Maqarin (north Jordan) was responsible for leaching and precipitation of anions and trace elements. A similar scenario was reported in north and central Jordan. The calculated structural formula of fluorapatite is Ca5.02 (P2.325, Si0.22, S0.0833) O12 F0.975. The apatite structure incorporates S and Si (inherited from the bituminous precursor) that substitute for P in the tetrahedral positions.

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Acknowledgements

The second author thanks Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany (AvH), for supporting the analytical work in the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover (BGR), the Natural History Meuseum in Berlin (NHB), and the University of Ottawa, Canada. Special thanks are given to Mr. Yousef Abu Salha and Mr. Waddah Mahmoud from the Department of Geology, The University of Jordan, for their assistance in the SEM analysis.

Funding

The financial help of the Deanship of Academic Research, the University of Jordan, is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Nancy Al-Ajarmeh & Hani Khoury

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  1. Nancy Al-Ajarmeh
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  2. Hani Khoury
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Correspondence to Hani Khoury.

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Al-Ajarmeh, N., Khoury, H. Apatite-rich pyrometamorphic rocks from Suweileh area, Jordan. Arab J Geosci 11, 520 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3874-y

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