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Evidence of high-energy storm and shallow water facies in Pabdeh sedimentary phosphate deposit, Kuhe-Lar-anticline, SW Iran

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Abstract

Kuhe-Lar sedimentary phosphate deposit is a major phosphate prospect located in Zagros folded basin in the flank of the Kuhe-Lar-anticline in the southeast of Iran. Phosphate deposits in the Middle East extend in Neo-Tethys basin rim through several countries from North Africa, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Oman. The sedimentary phosphate mineralization occurred in the Pabdeh Formation, which is comprised of a marl, limestone, and shale sequence. Based on comprehensive field and laboratory studies, facies zones, standards microfacies, and standard ramp microfacies were recognized in the Pabdeh Formation. Sedimentary features such as tempestite, hummocky cross stratification, ripple marks, couplets of fine and coarse laminae, erosional surface, graded bedding, and shell lag features strongly supported a high-energy storm and shallow water depositional conditions. The main evidence of storm origin for the Pabdeh Formation is the occurrence of sandstones interbedded with bioturbated mudstones commonly as upward fine grade forms. Negative carbon isotopic composition (δ13C, − 1.85 to − 4.89) of bulk phosphatic rock shows that it may be formed within the suboxic-to-anoxic zone, almost 100-cm depths (under seafloor). These values are within the range of recent and ancient phosphorites, suggesting their good preservation.

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Acknowledgements

This research was generously funded by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Mr. F. Bolourchifard. The correspondent author is greatly indebted to his Ph.D. A critical review of the original draft and valuable comments by Prof. Adabi, M. H. and Dr. Mossadegh, H. improved the manuscript. Logistics for fieldwork and thin-section preparation were provided by Kharazmi University of Tehran (Faculty of Earth Science) (Obituary: Dr. A. Memar K.: unfortunately unexpectedly and, one of the co-authors passed away, which is a great loss).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology department, Faculty of Earth Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 15614, Iran

    Farid Bolourchifard, Farajollah Fayazi & Ayyub Memarkouchehbagh

  2. Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran

    Farid Bolourchifard & Ayyub Memarkouchehbagh

  3. Geochemsitry department, Faculty of Earth Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 15614, Iran

    Behzad Mehrabi

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  1. Farid Bolourchifard
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Correspondence to Farid Bolourchifard.

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Bolourchifard, F., Fayazi, F., Mehrabi, B. et al. Evidence of high-energy storm and shallow water facies in Pabdeh sedimentary phosphate deposit, Kuhe-Lar-anticline, SW Iran. Carbonates Evaporites 34, 1703–1721 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-019-00520-4

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