Jeirud Phosphorite Mine is located in the phosphate-rich horizon of the Jeirud Formation of the Lower Devonian sediments in central parts of Alborz geotectonic zone, North of Iran. The sediments of this formation are mostly composed of detrital rocks such as sandstone, More
Jeirud Phosphorite Mine is located in the phosphate-rich horizon of the Jeirud Formation of the Lower Devonian sediments in central parts of Alborz geotectonic zone, North of Iran. The sediments of this formation are mostly composed of detrital rocks such as sandstone, sandy shales and sandy limestones. Phosphorite mineralization is mainly concentrated in the shales of middle parts of the Jeirud Formation. In this research, we have studied the concentration and the possibility of exploitation of rare earth and radioactive elements in these phosphorites. Lithogeochemical samples were randomly collected from phosphorite horizons. The samples were analysed by ICP-MS and ICP-OES not only for REE but also for major oxides and radioactive elements. The geochemical data show that the average of P2O5 is 29.60 %. The average of U and Th is 4.97 and 8.64 ppm respectively. Also, this data show that concentration of REEs in these samples are , 3times more than rare earth elements in North American shales (NASC) and 2.6 times more than Past Archaen shales (PAAS). REE concentration of these phosphorites were normalised to North American shales (NASC) and Past Archaen shales (PAAS). The spider diagram shows positive patterns to REE, especially in Ce and Eu. Also, this spider diagram represents the diffrentiation of LREE with respect to HREE. This diffrentiation occurred due to preferential absorption mechanism and during late diagenesis in these sediments. The average concentration of P and REE is realtively high and it seems to be economic for next minning activites. But the average concentration of U and Th is too low and not economic for exploration.
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