Mass and chemical changes of immobile elements in
Yamaghan Occurrence, Zanjan Province, Iran
Yamaghan Occurrence, Zanjan Province, Iran
(Institute of Applied Geophysics, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, P.R.China)
Changsha 410083, P.R.China)
Abstract: Using mass and chemical changes, behavior of some elements have been evaluated in the study area, Yamaghan Occurrence. The techniques using immobile elements can precisely identify altered volcanic rock precursors and measure material changes. The rocks of the study area were affected by hydrothermal alteration. Testing of some compatible-incompatible and compatible-compatible immobile pairs indicates that Al2O3 is the most immobile component in the study area. It means that during the three main stages of hydrothermal alteration (phyllic, intermediate argillic and propylitic) aluminum was the most immobile and titanium was slightly immobile. Increases in mass mostly result from mineralization, silicification or carbonatization as voids and other open space fillings and may have replaced the part of glassy matrix. Mass addition has diluted the immobile elements at constant rates. Mass loss is commonly due to leaching of Si, Ca and Na2O during chloritization and sericitization. The mass loss is recognized by increased proportions of inert minerals such as chlorite and sericite. Mineralographic studies in the study area shows the existence of a supergene zone. Calcocite and covellite are considered enriched minerals. Considering this evidence and mass change results, the enrichment of copper in the circulating fluid is suspected with occasional sulfide precipitation.
Key words: mass and chemical changes; immobile elements; lithogeochemical; Yamaghan