Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Spatial distribution of uranium and vanadium in the upper phosphorite member in Eshidiyya basin, southern Jordan

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

Abstract

Geostatistical analysis of geochemical exploration data can provide useful information for evaluating the mineralization potential of geologic bodies. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of U and V over an area in the upper phosphorite member, the A0 unit, in Eshidiyya basin in southern Jordan. Drill-hole samples were analyzed. The geochemistry of the analyzed elements was assessed. The spatial variability of U and V was also assessed using semivariance analysis. Both U and V were found to exhibit a normal distribution as indicated by the constructed histograms and the calculated skewness and kurtosis coefficients. Exponential models with nugget effects were fitted to the experimental semivariograms. Ordinary kriging was performed to generate geochemical maps. The applied interpolation technique proved to be the best in producing geochemical exploration maps for both U and V in Eshidiyya phosphorites. The constructed geochemical maps helped visualize a WNW–ESE U mineralization trend in the studied phosphorites. This trend should be taken into consideration in any future exploration programs for U in south Jordan.

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

  • Abd El-Gabar et al (2002) Application of multivariate statistical analyses in the interpretation of geochemical behavior of uranium in phosphatic rocks in the Red Sea, Nile Valley and Western Desert, Egypt. J Environ Radioact 61:169–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abed, A.M. 1994.Shallow marine phosphorite-chert-palygorskite association, Upper Cretaceous Amman Formation, Jordan. In: Iijima A, Abed AM, Garrison R (Eds), Siliceous, phosphatic and glauconitic sediments in the Tertiary and Mesozoic. Proc, 29th Internat.Geol. Congr. Part C, VSP, The Netherlands, pp. 205–224

  • Abed AM (2000) Geology of Jordan. Jordanian Geologists Association, Amman (In Arabic)

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Khalid H (1985) Uranium distribution in the Jordanian phosphorite. Dirasat 12:91–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Al-Agha MR (1989) Petrography, geochemistry and origin of the NW Jordan phosphorites. J Geol Soc London 146:499–506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Fakhouri K (1996) On the chemical variability of phosphatic particles from the Jordanian phosphorites. Chem Geol 131:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Amireh BS (1999) Sedimentology, geochemistry, economic potential and palaeogeography of an Upper Cretaceous phosphorite belt in the southeastern desert of Jordan. Cretac Res 20:199–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Carbonel C, Collina-Girard J, Fontugne M, Petit-Maire N, Jean-Claude R, Yasin S (2000) Un paleolac du dernier interglaciaire Pleistocene dans l’extreme-sud hyperarid de la Jordanie. C R Acad Sci Paris, Sciences de la Terraet des Planetes/Earth and Planetary Sciences 330:259–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Sadaqah R (2013) Enrichment of uranium in the uppermost Al-Hisa phosphorite formation, Eshidiyys basin, southern Jordan. J Afr Earth Sci 77:31–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Sadaqah R, Al-Jazi M (2007) Sequence stratigraphy and evolution of Eshidiyya phosphorite platform, southern Jordan. Sediment Geol 198:209–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abed AM, Ssadaqah R, Al-Kaisi M (2008) Uranium and trace (toxic) metals path throughout phosphorite mining, upgrading and fertilizer industry, Jordan. Mine water and Environment 27:171–182, Germany

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hwaiti M, Matheis G, Saffarini G (2005) Mobilization, redistribution and bioavailability of potentially toxic elements in Shidiya phosphorites, Southern Jordan. Environ Geol 47:431–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altschuler ZS (1980) The geochemistry of trace elements in marine phosphorites, part 2: characteristics, abundances and enrichment. SEPM Spec Publ 29:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Asfahani J, Aissa M, Al-Hent R (2005) Statistical analysis of aerial spectrometric data, Al-Awabed area, Syria: a useful guide for phosphate and uranium exploration. Appl Radiat Isot 62:649–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender F (1974) Geology of Jordan. Borntraeger, Berlin, p 196

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, W.C., Veeh, H.H. and Soutar, A. 1980.U-series, oceanographic and sedimentary evidence in support of Recent formation of phosphate nodules of Peru. In: Y.K. Bentor (Ed.) Marine phosphorites—geochemistry, occurrence, genesis, SEPM Special Publ. 29, pp. 61–72, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

  • Burnett, W.C., C.R. Glenn, C. Yeh, M. Schultz, J.P. Chanton and M. Kashgarian 2000. U-series, 14C, and stable isotope studies of Recentphosphatic "protocrusts" from the Peru margins. In: Marine authigenesis: from global to microbial. G.R. Glenn, L. Prevot-Lucas and J. Lucas (eds). SEPM Spec. Publ. 66, Tulsa, Oklahoma, pp. 163–184

  • Cambardella C, Moorman T, Novak J, Parkin T, Karlen D, Turco R (1994) Field scale variability of soil properties in Central Iowa soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 58:1501–1511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capetta H, Pfeil F, Schmidt-Kittler N, Martini E. (1996) New biostratigraphic data on the marine Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene of Jordan.Unpublished report by the Jordan Phosphate Mining Co, Amman, Jordan

  • Clark I, Harper W (2000) Practical geostatistics 2000 answers to the exercises. Ecosse Westerville, OH, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Coppens R, Bashir S, Ritchard P (1977) Radioactivity of El-Hasa phosphates, a preliminary study. Mineral Deposita 12:189–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cressie N (1993) Statistics for spatial data. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuney M (2010) Evolution of uranium fractionation processes through time: driving the secular variation of uranium deposit types. Econ Geol 105:449–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, M. 1977.: Geostatistical Ore Reserve Estimation, Elsevier, 364pp.

  • El-Hiyari, M., 1985. The geology of Jabal Al-Mutarammil, Map sheets No 3252, III. National Mapping Project, Bulletin 1, Natural Resources Authority, Amman, Jordan.

  • Follmi KB (1996) The phosphorus cycle, phosphogenesis and marine phosphate-rich deposits. Earth Science Review 40:55–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GS+ (Version 9) Geostatistics for the environmental Sciences. Gamma Design Software. Plainwell, Michigan, USA

  • Hamam KA (1977) Forminifera from the Maastrichtian bearing strata of Al-Hasa, Jordan. J Foram Res 7:34–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huchriede R, Wiesemann G (1968) Der junpleistozne pluvial von El-Jafr und wietere daten zum Quartaer Jordanieas. GeologicaPalaeontologica 2:73–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes JM, Rakovan J (2002) The crystal structure of apatite Ca5(PO4)3(F, OH, Cl). Review in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Mineralogical Society of America and Geochemical Society 48:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Journel A, Huijbregts C (2004) Mining geostatistics. The Blackburn Press, Caldwell, New Jersy, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalid H, Abed AM (1982) Petrography and geochemistry of Eshidiyya phosphates. Dirasat 9:81–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Kevin, J., VerHoef, j., Krivoruchko, K., and Lucas, N. (2001) Using ArcGIS geostatistical analyst. – ESRI, USA

  • Krauskopf K, Bird D (1995) Introduction to geochemistry, 3rd edn. McGraw Hill, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Lefohn, A. S., Knudsen, H. P. and Shadwick, D. S. 2005.Using ordinary Kriging to estimate the seasonal W126, and N100 24-h concentrations for the year 2000 and 2003. - A.S.L. & Associates, 111 North Last Chance Gulch Suite 4A Helena, Montana 59601.

  • McArthur JM, Hamilton PJ, Greensmith JT, Walsh JN, Boyce AB, Fallick AE, Birch G, Benmore RA, Coleman ML (1987) Francolite geochemistry—meteoric alteration on a local scale. Chem Geol (Isotope Geoscience) 65:415–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClellan GH (1980) Mineralogy of carbonate-flourapatite. J Geol Soc London 137:675–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClellan, G. H. and Van Kauwenbergh, S. J. V. (1990) Mineralogy of sedimentary apatite. In: Notholt A.J.G., Jarvis, I. (eds) Phosphorite research and development. Geol. Soc. London Special Publ., 52: 23–31

  • Mckelvey V. E., Strobell J. D., and Slaughter A. I. (1986) The vanadiferous zone of the Phosphoria Formation in western Wyoming and southern Idaho. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper, Alexandria. 1465:1–27

  • Mikbel S, Abed AM (1985) Discovery of large phosphate deposits in NW Jordan. Dirasat 12:125–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Moh’d BK, Powell JH (2010) Uranium distribution in the Upper Cretaceous–Tertiary Belqa Group, Yarmouk Valley, northwest Jordan. Jordan Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 3:49–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Nathan Y (1984) The mineralogy and geochemistry of phosphorites. In: Nriagu JO, Moore PO (eds) Phosphate minerals. Springer, Berlin, pp 275–291

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Notholt AJG, Sheldon RP, Davidson DF (eds) (1989) Phosphate deposits of the world, vol 2. Phosphate rock resources. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 600

  • Powell, J. 1989. Stratigraphy and sedimentation of the Phanerozoic rocks in central and south Jordan, part B: Kurnub, Ajlun and Belqa Groups. Geology Directorate, Natural Resources Authority, Amman, Jordan, Bull 11, 130pp.

  • Powell J, Moh’d B (2011) Evolution of Cretaceous to Eocene alluvial and carbonate platform sequences in central and south Jordan. GeoArabia 16:29–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Quennell AM (1951) The geology and mineral resources of Transjordan. Colonial Geol Niner Res 2:85–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Prevot, L. 1990. Geochemistry, petrography, genesis of Cretaceous-Eocene phosphorites; The Ganntour deposit (Morocco): a type example. Societe Geologique de France, Paris.:232.

  • Reeves MJ, Saadi TA (1971) Factors controlling the deposition of some phosphate-bearing strata from Jordan. Econ Geol 66:45–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson G (2008) Geostatistics for the environmental science. Gamma Design Software, Plainwell

    Google Scholar 

  • Riggs SR (1979) Petrology of the Tertiary phosphorite system of Florida. Econ Geol 74:194–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadaqah, R.M. (2001) Phosphogenesis, geochemistry, stable isotopes and depositional sequence of the Upper Cretaceous phosphorite formation in Jordan. Unpubl. PhD thesis, University of Jordan, Amman, 257 pp

  • Sadaqah RM, Abed AM, Grimm KA, Pufahl PK (2005) The geochemistry of REE, yttrium and scandium in some Upper Cretaceous Jordanian phosphorites. Dirasat 32:32–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon RD (1976) Revised effective ionic radii and systematic studies of interatomic distances in halides and chalogenides. Acta Crystallographica A32:751–767

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon RP (1987) Association of phosphatic and siliceous marine sedimentary deposits. In: Hein JR (ed) Siliceous sedimentary rock-hosted ores and petroleum. Nostrand Reinhold, New York, pp 56–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Slansky M (1986) Geology of sedimentary phosphates. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 210

    Google Scholar 

  • Soframines and Consortium Partners (1987) Feasibility study of Eshidiyya phosphate project. Unpubl. Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, Amman, Jordan

  • Ta’any R, Tahboub A, Saffarini G (2009) Geostatistical analysis of spatiotemporal variability of groundwater level fluctuations in Amman–Zarqa basin, Jordan: a case study. Environ Geol 57:525–535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weaver C, Pollard, L (1975) The Chemistry of Clay Minerals. Developments in Sedimentology 15, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam

  • Yamamoto JK (2005) Comparing ordinary kriging interpolation variance and indicator kriging conditional variance for assessing uncertainties at unsampled locations. In: Dessureault S Ganguli R Kecojevic V Dwyer J (eds) Application of computers and operations research in the mineral industry. Balkems, Tucson, USA, pp 265–272

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was accomplished during a sabbatical leave for 1 year for the first author, A. M. Abed, for which he is thankful to the University of Jordan. This work is financially supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, the University of Jordan. The authors would like to thank the Jordanian Phosphate Mines Company, especially Engineer Kamal Njadat, Eshidiyya Mine Manager, and geologists Ibrahim Rawashdeh, Mohammad Abu Hazeem, and Hanna Qtami, for the hospitality, facilities, sampling, and accommodation during the field work in the Eshidiyya Mines. We would like to thank the two anonymous referees of the Arab Journal of Geosciences for their valuable comments which greatly improved the original manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Abdulkader M. Abed, Ghazi A. Saffarini & Rushdi M. Sadaqah

Authors
  1. Abdulkader M. Abed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ghazi A. Saffarini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rushdi M. Sadaqah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdulkader M. Abed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abed, A.M., Saffarini, G.A. & Sadaqah, R.M. Spatial distribution of uranium and vanadium in the upper phosphorite member in Eshidiyya basin, southern Jordan. Arab J Geosci 7, 253–271 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0837-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0837-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation