No abstract

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.

Major and trace elements and Sr-Nd isotopic data are presented for the Quaternary alkaline volcanism NW of Ahar (NW Iran). The exposed rocks mainly consist of alkali basalts, trachybasalts, basaltic trachyandesites and trachyandesites. Alkali basalts and trachybasalts display microlithic porphyritic texture with phenocrysts of olivine, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase in microlithic groundmass. In the more evolved rocks (basaltic trachyandesites and trachyandesites), amphibole and biotite have appeared. Sr ratio and high MgO, Ni and Cr contents indicate that they were generated from relatively primitive magmas. Ba, Cr and La/Sm ratios versus Rb suggest that fractional crystallization of alkali basalts could have played a significant role in the formation of evolved rocks. Assimilation and fractional crystallization modelling, as well as Rb/Zr, Th/Yb and Ta/Yb ratios clearly indicate that crustal contamination accompanied by the fractional crystallization played an important role in petrogenesis of the trachyandesites. The small compositional differences between magma types, isotopic composition, mineralogy and nonlinear trends on Harker diagrams also indicate that magma mixing was not an essential process in the evolution of the Ahar magmas. Petrogenetic modelling has been used to constrain sources. Trace element ratio plots and REE modelling indicate that the alkali basalts were generated from a spinel-peridotite source via small degrees (~2.5%) of fractional melting.

Petrography and chemistry of minerals show that rocks of Upper Eocene in northeast of Tafresh are composed mostly of andesitic basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite volcanic rocks. Mineralogically these rocks are composed of phenocrystals of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase and main texture of them is porphyry with cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline matrix. In addition, aphyric and pitted textures (amygdala) are also observed. According to the results of EPMA, phenocrystals of plagioclase in mentioned rocks include a range of anorthite to albite minerals. Alkali feldspars also contain a range of sodic to potassic minerals. Pyroxene crystals include hedenbergite, augite and hypersthene. Olivine minerals are often of the ferrohornblendite type. Based on thermobarometry it is estimated that to form clinopyroxene crystals of basaltic andesite rocks, temperature between 750˚C to 1000˚C is needed. Andesitic basalt rocks at higher temperature (1100˚C) and andesite rocks at lower temperature (below 750˚C) are formed. According to the distribution of aluminum in clinopyroxenes, these minerals at pressures less than 5 kbar and water content between 5% to 10% are crystallized. The mineral composition indicates that these rocks are formed in a tensional environment.