Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Genesis of iron-apatite ores in Posht-e-Badam Block (Central Iran) using REE geochemistry

  • Published:
Journal of Earth System Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Rare earth elements in apatites of different ore types show characteristic patterns which are related to different modes of formation of the ores. Most of the apatite-bearing iron ores are associated with alkaline magmas with LREE/HREE fractionation varying from moderate to steep.

Iron-apatite deposits in Posht-e-Badam Block (Central Iran) have a high concentration of REE (more than 1000 ppm up to 2.5%), and show a strong LREE/HREE ratio with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly. This REE pattern is typical of magmatic apatite and quiet distinct from sedimentary apatites (phosphorites) which have a low REE contents and Ce negative anomalies. On the other hand, they are comparable to the REE patterns of apatites in Kiruna-type iron ores in different parts of the world.

The REE patterns of apatites, iron-apatite ores and iron ores are similar and only have different REE contents. This similarity indicates a genetic relation for these rocks. Most of the iron-apatite deposits in Central Iran have similar REE patterns too, which in turn show a genetic relation for all of these deposits. This similarity indicates a similar origin and processes in their genesis. There are some small intrusions around some of the iron-apatite deposits that are petrographically identified as syenite and gabbro. These intrusions also have REE patterns similar to that of iron-apatite ores. This demonstrates a genetic relation between these intrusions and iron-apatite ores.

The REE patterns of apatites in different deposits of Posht-e-Badam Block iron-apatite ores show an affinity to alkaline to sub-alkaline magmas and rifting environment. The alkaline host rocks of Central Iran iron-apatite ores are clearly related to an extensional setting where rifting was important (SSE–NNW fault lines). A probable source for this large scale ore forming processes is relatively low partial melting of mantle rocks. The ores have originated by magmatic differentiation as a late phase in the volcanic cycle forming sub-surface injections or surface flows. These ores have formed during magmatism as immiscible liquids (silicate and Fe-P-rich magmatic liquids) which separated from strongly differentiated magmas aided by a large volatile and alkali element content. Separation of an iron oxide melt and the ensuing hydrothermal processes dominated by alkali metasomatism were both involved to different degrees in the formation of Posht-e-Badam Block iron-apatite deposits. We proposed that the separation of an iron oxide melt and the ensuing hydrothermal processes dominated by alkali metasomatism were both involved to different degrees in the formation of Posht-e-Badam Block iron-apatite deposits.

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

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abedian N 1983 Detailed exploration on Esfordi phosphate deposit; Geological Survey of Iran, 68p (in Persian).

  • Altschuler Z S 1980 The geochemistry of trace elements in marine phosphorites, 1: Characteristic, abundance and enrichment; Soc. Eco. Paleontol. Mineralogist, Spec. Publ. 29 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aral H 1986 The geology, geochemistry and magnetite–apatite mineralization of the Avnik area, Genc-Bingol, SE Turkey; Geol. Ultraiectina. Meded. Inst. Aardwetenschappen Rikjkuniversiteit Utrecht 44 245p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton M D and Johnson D A 1996 Evaporitic-source model for igneous-related Fe oxide–(REE-Cu-Au-U) mineralization; Geology 24 259–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergman S, Kubler L and Martinsson O 2001 Description of regional geological and geophysical maps of northern Norrbotten County (east of the Caledonian orogen); Sver. Geol. Unders 56 110p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonyadi Z, Mehrabi B, Davidson J, Meffre S and Ghazban F 2010 Apatite chemistry and its application to the hydrothermal evolution of the Se-Chahun magnetite–apatite deposit; The 1st International Applied Geological Congress, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran, pp. 2103–2106.

  • Borumandi H 1973 Petrographische und lagerstatten kundliche untersuchungen der Esfordi-formation zwischen Mishdovan und Kushk bei Bafg (Zentral Iran); Diss. RWTH Aachen, 174p.

  • Broman C, Nystrom J, Henriquez F and Elfman M 1999 Fluid inclusions in magnetite–apatite ore from a cooling magmatic system at El Laco, Chile; GFF 121 253–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown G M and Peckett A 1977 Fluor-apatite from the Skeargaard intrusion, east Greenland; Mineral. Mag. 41 227–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daliran F 1990 The magnetite–apatite deposit of Mishdovan, east central Iran. An alkali rhyolite hosted ‘Kiruna-type’ occurrence in the infracambrian Bafg metallotect; Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Heidelberg, Geowiss. Abhandl. 37 248p.

  • Daliran F 1999 REE geochemistry of Bafg apatites: Implication for the genesis of Kiruna-type iron ores; In: Mineral deposits: Processes to processing (eds) Stanley et al., Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 631–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daliran F 2002 Kiruna-type iron oxide-apatite ores and apatitites of Bafq district, Iran, with an emphasis on the REE geochemistry of their apatites; In: Hydrothermal iron oxide copper-gold and related deposits (ed.) Porter T M, PGC Publishing, Linden Park, South Australia, pp. 303–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daliran F and Stosch H G 2005 Geology and metallogenesis of the phosphate and rare earth element resources of the Bafq iron ore district, Central Iran; 20th World Mining Congress, 7–11 November Tehran, Iran.

  • Daliran F, Stosch H G and Williams P 2009 A review of the Early Cambrian magmatic and metasomatic events and their bearing on the genesis of the Fe oxide-REE-apatite deposits (IOA) of the Bafq District, Iran; In: Smart science for exploration and mining: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial SGA Meeting (eds) Williams et al., Townsville, Australia, 17–20 August, 2009.

  • Daliran F, Stosch H G, Williams P, Jamali H and Dorri M B 2010 Early Cambrian iron oxide-apatite-REE (U) deposits of the Bafq District, east-central Iran; In: Exploring for iron oxide copper–gold deposits: Canada and Global analogues (eds) Corriveau L and Mumin H, Geol. Assoc. Canada, Short Course Notes 20, pp. 143–155.

  • Darvish Zadeh A 1982 Investigation of the phosphate in Bafq (Esfordi); J. Sci., University of Tehran 28(1) 2–24 (in Persian).

  • Darvish Zadeh A and Al-e-Taha B 1996 Late Precambrian magmatism and tectono-magmatism in Central Iran; J. Sci., University of Tehran 22(1) 57–78 (in Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Förster H J and Borumandi H 1971 Neo-Precambrian magnetite lava and magnetite tuffs from the Central Iran; Naturwissenschaften 58 524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Förster H J and Jafarzadeh A 1984 The Bafq mining district in central Iran: A highly mineralized Infracambrian volcanic field; Econ. Geol. 89(8) 1697–1721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Förster H J and Jafarzadeh A 1994 The Chador Malu iron ore deposit, Bafq district, Central Iran, magnetite filled pipes; Neues. Jahb. Palaont. Abh. 168 524–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frietsch R and Perdahl J A 1995 Rare earth elements in apatite and magnetite in Kiruna-type iron ores and some other iron types; Ore Geol. Rev. 9 489–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frutos J, Oyarzun J, Shiga Y and Alfaro G 1990 The El Laco magnetite flow deposits, northern Chile: An up-to-date review and new data; In: Strata bound ore deposits in the Andes (eds) Fontbote L et al., Soc. Miner. Dep., Spec. Publ. 8 681–690.

  • Guilbert J M and Park C F 1997 The geology of ore deposits; WH Freeman and Company, 958p.

  • Haghipour A 1964 Iron ore deposits in Central Iran, in relation to structural geology and metamorphism, scapolitization and albitization; J. Iranian Petroleum Institute 76 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haghipour A 1975 Etude geologique de la region de Biabanak-Bafg (Iran central): Petrography et tectonique du scale Precambrian et de sa couverture, Ph.D. thesis, Grenoble University, 403p.

  • Haghipour A and Pelissier G 1977a Geological map of the Biabanak-Bafq area; Geological Survey of Iran.

  • Haghipour A and Pelissier G 1977b Geology of the Saghand sector geological map of the Biabanak-Bafq area; In: Explanatory text of the Ardakan quadrangle map (eds) Haghipour A, Valeh N, Pelissier G and Davoud Zadeh M, H8, Geological Survey of Iran, pp. 10–68.

  • Harlov D E, Anderson U B, Förster H J, Nystrom J O, Dulski P and Broman C 2002 Apatite–monazite relation in the Kirunavaara magnetite–apatite ore, northern Sweden; Chem. Geol. 191 47–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauck S A 1990 Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the middle Proterozoic iron oxide-rich ore deposits: An ore deposit model for Olympic Dam-type mineralization; In: The Mid-continent: Permissive Terrain for an Olympic Dam Deposit? (eds) Pratt W P and Sims P K, USGS Bull. 1932 4–39.

  • Helvaci C 1984 Apatite-rich iron deposits of Avnik (Bingol) region, SE Turkey; Eco. Geol. 79 371–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes J M, Cameron M and Mariano A N 1991 Rare earth element ordering and structural variations in natural rare earth bearing apatites; Am. Mineral. 76 1165–1173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jafarzadeh A 1981 Die magnetite rzlagerstatte Chador Malu in zentral Iran und ihre exploration; Ph.D. thesis, Aachen University, 152p.

  • Jami M 2005 Geology, geochemistry and evolution of the Esfordi phosphate-iron deposit, Bafq area, Central Iran; Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of South Wales, 403p.

  • Kolker A 1982 Mineralogy and geochemistry of Fe-Ti oxide and apatite (nelsonite) deposits and evolution of the liquid immiscibility hypothesis; Eco. Geol. 77 1146– 1158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kryvdik St and Mykhaylov V 2001 The potential of the rare earth mineralization of Islamic Republic Iran; National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 48p.

  • Laajoki J M 1975 Rare earth elements in Precambrian iron formations in Vayrylankyla, south Puolanka area, Finland; Bull. Geol. Soc. Finland 47 93–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mokhtari M A A and Emami M H 2008 REE patterns and REE mineralization in apatite–magnetite deposits of Bafq-Saghand District (Central Iran); Geosciences, Scientific Quart. J., Spec. Issue 17(1) 161–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Momen Zadeh M 1978 Fe, Zn-Pb resources in the Infracambrian meta-volcano-sedimentary rocks of Posht-e-Badam-Saghand-Bafq area, a genetic interpretation; Geological Survey of Iran, 21p (in Persian).

  • Momen Zadeh M 1982 Syngenetic ore deposits: A provisional classification and the main syngenetic metallogenetic stages in Iran; Geological Survey of Iran, 61p (in Persian).

  • Momen Zadeh M 1986 Submarine volcanism as the only source for major stratiform syngenetic-synsedimentary ores; Geological Survey of Iran, 19p (in Persian).

  • Moore F and Modaberi S 2003 Origin of the Choghart iron oxide deposit, Bafq mining district, Central Iran: New isotopic and geochemical evidences; J. Sci., University of Tehran 14(3) 259–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naslund H R, Aguirre R, Dobbs F M, Henriquez F J and Nystrom J O 2000 The origin, emplacement and eruption of ore magmas; IX Congreso Geologico Chileno Actas, Chile 2 135–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • NISCO 1971 Report on the results of geological-geophysical prospecting for iron ores in the Bafq-Saghand area; Unpubl. Rept., National Iranian Steel Corporation, 195p.

  • NISCO 1974 Material of geological prospecting work in the Bafq iron ore region for elaboration of a technical and economic report on iron ore prevision of the Esfahan steel plant in view of production expansion; Unpubl. Rept., National Iranian Steel Corporation, 81p.

  • NISCO 1975 The results of the geological prospecting at the Chador Malu deposit; Unpubl Rept., National Iranian Steel Corporation, 57p.

  • NISCO 1979a Brief account on the Bafq iron ore region of Central Iran; Unpubl. Rept., National Iranian Steel Corporation, 149p.

  • NISCO 1979b Detailed geological exploration carried out at the Chador Malu deposit; Unpubl. Rept., National Iranian Steel Corporation, 256p.

  • NISCO 1980 Result of search and valuation works at magnetic anomalies of the Bafq iron ore region during 1976–1979; Unpubl. Rept., National Iranian Steel Corporation, 260p.

  • Parak T 1975 Kiruna iron ores are not ‘intrusive–magmatic ores of the Kiruna-type’; Eco. Geol. 70 1242–1258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parak T 1985 Phosphorus in different types of ores, sulfides in the iron deposits and the type and origin of ores at Kiruna; Eco. Geol. 80 646–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paster T P, Schauwecker D S and Haskin L A 1974 The behavior of some trace elements during the solidification of the Skaergaard layered series; Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 38 1549–1577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philpotts A R 1967 Origin of certain iron-titanium oxide and apatite rocks; Eco. Geol. 62 303–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piccoli P M and Candela P A 2002 Apatite in igneous systems; In: Phosphates (reviews in mineralogy and geochemistry) (eds) Kohn M J, Rakovan J and Hughes J M, Miner. Soc. America and Geochem. Soc., Washington, 48 255–292.

  • Rahmani Sh and Mokhtari M A A 2002 Exploration of metallic rare elements; Geological Survey of Iran, 365p (in Persian).

  • Ramazani J and Tucker R D 2003 The Saghand region, Central Iran: U-Pb geochronology, petrogenesis and implications for Gondwana tectonics; American J. Sci. 303 622–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samani B 1988 Metallogeny of the Precambrian in Iran; Precamb. Res. 39 85–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samani B and Babakhani A 1990 Geological evolution of the Bafq-Saghand region and metallogenic model for the iron-apatite and radioactive deposits; 9th Symposium on Geosciences, pp. 24–25 (in Persian).

  • Samani B 1993 Saghand formation, a riftogenic unit of upper Precambrian in Central Iran; Geosciences, Geological Survey of Iran 6 32–45 (in Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Samani B 1998 Precambrian metallogeny in Central Iran; Scientific Bulletin of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran 17 1–16 (in Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Samani B 1999 Rare earth element mineralization in Precambrian of Central Iran; Scientific Bullettin of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran 20 15–31 (in Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shamsi Pour R, Khakzad A, Rasa I and Vosoughi Abedini M 2008 Mineralogy and fluid inclusion studies of Chador Malu iron ore deposit, Bafq, Central Iran; Res. J. University of Isfahan 29(3) 129–144 (in Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stöcklin J 1968 Structural history and tectonics of Iran: A review; American Association of Petrol. Geol. Bull. 52 1229–1258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stosch H G, Romer R L, Daliran F and Rhede D 2011 Uranium-lead ages apatite from iron oxide ores of the Bafq District, east-central Iran; Mineralium Deposita 46 9–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taghizadeh N 1976 The iron ore deposits of Iran; In: The iron ore deposit of Europe and adjacent areas; explanatory notes to the international map of the iron ore deposits of Europe (ed.) Zitzmann A, Bundesanstalt fur Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Hannover, pp. 199–202.

  • Taylor R P and McLennan S M 1985 The continental crust: Its composition and evolution; Blackwell, Oxford, 312p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torab F M 2010 Geochemistry and radio-isotope studies on the iron-apatite ores in Bafq metalogenic zone for determination of apatite origin; Iranian J. Crystallogr. Mineral. 18(3) 409–418 (in Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidner R J 1982 Iron oxide magmas in the system F-C-O; Canadian Mineral. 20 555–666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams G J and Houshmand Zadeh A 1966 A petrological and genetic study of the Choghart iron ore body and the surrounding rocks; Geological Survey of Iran, 18p.

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was financially by the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI). The authors would like to thank Eng. Korehi, Head of Geological Survey of Iran and Dr Mehrpartou, the exploration assistant of Geological Survey of Iran for the help to analyse samples in ALS-Chemex Laboratory.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran

    MIR ALI ASGHAR MOKHTARI

  2. Faculty of Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

    GHADER HOSSEIN ZADEH

  3. Geoscience Research Centre, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    MOHAMAD HASHEM EMAMI

Authors
  1. MIR ALI ASGHAR MOKHTARI
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. GHADER HOSSEIN ZADEH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. MOHAMAD HASHEM EMAMI
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to MIR ALI ASGHAR MOKHTARI.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MOKHTARI, M.A.A., ZADEH, G.H. & EMAMI, M.H. Genesis of iron-apatite ores in Posht-e-Badam Block (Central Iran) using REE geochemistry. J Earth Syst Sci 122, 795–807 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-013-0313-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-013-0313-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation