U-Pb zircon geochronology, geochemistry, and petrogenesis of the Hamech intrusions in the Kuh-e-Shah volcano-plutonic complex, Eastern Iran

The Hamech area is located in the west of Kuh-e-Shah volcano-plutonic complex, close to the boundary between the Lut Block and Sistan Suture Zone (SSZ), and is composed of monzonite to diorite porphyries and rare gabbro that intruded into older volcanic rocks. U-Pb zircon dating indicates an age of 36.9 ± 1 Ma for gabbro (Late Eocene, Priabonian) and 38.6 ± 0.5 Ma for dacite (Late Eocene, Bartonian). Geochemically, the studied intrusions are dominantly I-type, high-K calc-alkaline, and metaluminous features. Primitive mantle-normalized trace-element spider diagrams of these rocks present enrichment in ion lithophile elements such as Cs, Rb, Ba, K, and Sr and depletion in high field strength elements such as Nb, Ti, Zr, and heavy rare earth elements. Besides, chondrite-normalized rare earth elements plots of the rocks show enrichment in light rare earth elements (6.85 < LaN/YbN < 9.72) and a lack or weak negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.81–1.02). The initial 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios for the rocks from 0.704541 to 0.704880 and from 0.512633 to 0.512691, respectively, when recalculated to an age of 39 Ma. The εNd(i) values vary from +0.87 to +1.99, which fits into a suprasubduction mantle wedge source for the parental melts. All data suggest that the Hamech intrusions developed in a low maturity continental margin arc setting related to the convergence of the Afghan and Lut Blocks and subduction of Sistan oceanic crust during the Eocene.publishe

Geochemistry, petrogenesis, zircon U-Pb geochronology and Sr-Nd isotopic composition of Kuh-e-Shah volcanic rocks: Implications for an active continental margin along with eastern Iran during the Paleogene

The Kuh-e-Shah complex includes the Paleogene volcano-plutonic belt of the Lut Block, eastern Iran. The volcanic rocks which outcropped in this complex mainly consist of trachy-andesites, andesites, and basaltic-andesites that mineralogically contain plagioclase, pyroxene, hornblende, and minor biotite and olivine. Geochemically, they have features typical of high-K calc-alkaline to shoshsonitic magmas with enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE), and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE). Chondrite-normalized REE plots show enrichment in light REE (4.9 < LaN/YbN < 11.6), Nb depletion and the slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.80–0.99). Tectonic discrimination diagrams are used to infer a volcanic arc setting related to a continental subduction zone. It is concluded that the studied volcanic rocks have resulted from FC of a parental magma which formed by partial melting of the subducted oceanic crust and the overlying mantle wedge with spinel-lherzolite composition. Zircon Usingle bondPb dating indicates an age of 38.6 to 38.9 Ma for volcanic rocks (Middle Eocene, Bartonian). Initial 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios (0.704350–0.704820 and 0.512619–0.512779, resp.), are compatible with parental melts formation in a subduction mantle wedge. The ɛNdi values (+0.60 to +3.73) are in the range of mantle-derived melts. We suggest that volcanic rocks of the Lut Block are part of the Paleogene volcanism resulted from the Sistan oceanic crust subduction under the Lut Block during the Cretaceous.publishe

Geochemistry, Sr-Nd Isotopes and Zircon U–Pb Geochronology of Intrusive Rocks: Constraint on the genesis of the Cheshmeh Khuri Cu mineralization and its link with granitoids in the Lut Block, Eastern Iran

The Cheshmeh Khuri prospecting area, part of the Tertiary volcanic-plutonic rocks in the Lut Block (central eastern Iran), comprises Middle Eocene granitoid and volcanic (with basaltic andesite to rhyolite composition) sequences that intruded pyroclastic rocks. Copper mineralization is related to the granitoid rocks. The mafic rocks occur mainly as dykes and are related to a younger magmatic activity (post-mineralization) in the area. The main hydrothermal alteration zones include quartz-sericite-pyrite ± carbonate (QSP ± C), argillic, and propylitic. Mineralization (pyrite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and magnetite) occurs as disseminated, stockwork and vein-type. The granitoids have features typical of high-K calk-alkaline, metaluminous, and belong to magnetite granitoid series. Primitive mantle normalized trace element spider diagrams display enrichment in LILE, such as Rb, Ba, and Cs, compared to those of HFSE. Chondrite-normalized REE plots show moderately to slightly strong LREE enriched patterns, and a negligible negative Eu anomaly. Rb-Sr whole rock–feldspar–biotite-hornblende and zircon U-Pb ages between ~44.6 and ~43.4 Ma (Middle Eocene) were obtained in granitoid samples. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of granitoids range from 0.7047 to 0.7054, and their εNdi values vary from −1.1 to +0.8. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of mafic rocks range from 0.7043 to 0.7047, and the εNdi values vary from +0.7 to +3.5. The whole set of geochemical data of rocks in the study area indicate an origin of the parental melts in a subduction-modified upper mantle in post-collisional extension-related zone. The primitive magmas of granitoids underwent contamination and assimilation through being exposed to the continental crust, while primitive magmas of the mafic rocks do not have relevant crustal contribution. The geochemical and radiogenic isotope data for the granitoids associated with mineralization in the Cheshmeh Khuri area in comparison with those of other prospects in the Lut Block indicate that mantle has played a crucial role in their petrogeneses and metallogeneses. Due to the crustal contamination and assimilation, the proportion of mantle component that was involved in the granitic magma shows a decrease in the Cheshmeh Khuri area. It seems that the Cheshmeh Khuri area has the lowest potential for a significant amount of Cu-Au agglomeration.publishe

Micropropagation of Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba)

Introduction: Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is one of the most important fruit trees in Asia which has been planted from 3,000 years ago in China for medicinal purposes. Jujube belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. The Jujube fruit is used in fresh and dry forms. The fruit is full of vitamin C and has anticancer and medicinal effects. This tree can grow on salty and dry lands in Iran. Therefore, increasing the cultivation area of Jujube can be effective for soil conservation. In the last 20years, cultivation of Jujube is is considerable in Iran specially in the South Khorasan Province and 98 % of total production of Jujube in Iran belongs to this province. The low rate of seed germination and low production of shootlets are the most important problems in Jujube proliferation, so micropropagation of this plant through tissue culture was considered. Materials and methods: In this study, Cangan ecotype of Jujube was used for multiple shoot regeneration. At the end of May, apical buds of shoots were cut from mature trees of the Research Collection of Jujube at Sarbishe, Birjand, South Khorasan Province in Iran. The buds were disinfected with 70% ethanol for 1 min and 2% sodium hypoclorite for 25 min. Then the buds were rinsed with distilled water for 25 min completely. Apical buds were placed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 mg/L) in combination with IBA or NAA (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg/L). After one month, the shoots with 3-5 cm length were transferred to rooting media (1/2 MS + IBA or IAA : 0.5, 2, 5, 10 mg/L). The data were recorded after shooting and rooting and were analysed in the facorial experiment. Results and Discussion: The results of variance analysis and mean comparisons showed that there are differences between different levels of IBA and BA alone for the number of shoots and their length (

Petrogenesis of Granitoids, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sr-Nd Petrogenesis of granitoids, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics, and important occurrence of Tertiary mineralization within the Lut block, eastern Iran

Tertiary intrusive granitoids within the Lut block in the Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces are mainly sub-volcanic with porphyry texture and their composition varies from granite to diorite but monzonite is dominant. With the exception of Hired, these are classified as belonging to the magnetite-series of I-type granitoids. Chemically, these rocks are meta-aluminous. Those with mineralization are K-rich and those without mineralization such as Najmabad are Na-rich. All intrusive rocks plot in the field of calc-alkaline to adakite except Najmabad that plot in the adakite field. Based on low content of Nb (30), low initial 87Sr/86Sr (17 ppm), low ratio of Zr/Nb (0.707) and low initial εNd value (-3), magmas in the Kaybar-Kuh were more contaminated in the continental crust. Based on depletion in HREE and high ratio of (La/Yb)N (17-23), magma in Najmabad originated in the deep region in which garnet was present. Based on REE pattern and ration of Eu/Eu* (0.8-1), intrusive rocks within Maherabad, Khoopik, Chah-Shaljami, Kuh Shah and Dehsalm are calc-alkaline and their magma formed in an oxidant condition whereas Kaybar Kuh magma with low ratio of Eu/Eu* (<0.8) was contaminated in the continental crust under reduced conditions. The age of these granitoids is between Middle Eocene and Lower Oligocene. Kaybar-Kuh (43.3 Ma) is situated in the north and Chah-Shaljami (33.3 Ma) in the south. The initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios decrease from north (0.7077) to south (0.7047) as the age decreases. εNd of Maherabad, Khoopik, Dehsalm, and Chah-Shaljami granitoids is between +0.5 and +2.49 and the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio is less than 0.7055. The age of the source rock (TDM, which was calculated based on Sm-Nd isotopes) indicates that these magma originated from oceanic crust with different ages. Kaybar-Kuh originated from the oldest oceanic crust (840 Ma) and was contaminated more in continental crust, but Najmabad originated from a younger oceanic crust (360 Ma) with minor contamination. Dehsalm and Chah-Shaljami magma which had some differences with Maherabad and Khoopik, originated from oceanic crust of 200 Ma. The period between 42 and 33 Ma (Middle Eocene to Lower Oligocene) is the most important stage of mineralization in eastern Iran especially in South Khorasan. Some of the major systems, which are identified so far are: porphyry Cu-Au, reduced intrusive related Au, high sulfidation Au, Fe- skarn, Pb-Zn-Sb vein and IOCG deposits. Granitoid rocks formed between 42 and 33 Ma within the Lut block and northern area has great potential for exploring porphyry Cu-Au, IOCG, Fe, Pb-Zn, Au etc

U-Pb geochronology and petrogenesis of intrusive rocks: Constraints on the mode of genesis and timing of Cu mineralization in SWSK area, Lut Block

The South-West Sorkh-Kuh (SWSK) area, part of the Tertiary volcanic-plutonic rocks in the Lut Block, eastern Iran, comprises volcanic rocks intruded by intrusive rocks of hornblende diorite and biotite quartz monzonite compositions. Biotite quartz monzonite has been intensively affected by quartz-sericite-pyrite, argillic and silicification alterations and hornblende diorite shows weak propylitic and carbonate alterations. Disseminated, stockwork and vein-type styles of mineralization are associated with intrusive rocks. The vein-type mineralization with NW-SE trend is hosted by hornblende diorite. The ore in vein-type mineralization consist of quartz, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and secondary Cu-Fe minerals. Disseminated and stockwork mineralizations consist of quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and secondary minerals replacing biotite quartz monzonite and hornblende diorite intrusive rocks. The highest grades in terms of Cu (3%), As (1.3%), Mo (150 ppm), Pb (362 ppm), Zn (743 ppm), and Au (278 ppb) are associated with vein-type mineralization. Intrusive rocks causing mineralization, are of metaluminous to peraluminous types with calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline affinity formed in a volcanic arc setting. The enrichment of LILE (Ba, K, Cs, Sr), depletion of HFSE (Nb, P, Ti) and enrichment of LREE relative to HREE indicate the formation of source magmas above a subduction zone. The results of zircon U–Pb dating give constraints on the timing of emplacement of biotite quartz monzonite and hornblende diorite bodies at 40.16 ± 0.72 and 20.1 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. The younger date extends the time span of mineralizations in the Lut Block from Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene (42–33 Ma.) reported by previous researchers to more recent Early Miocene times. The initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and εNd values of both biotite quartz monzonite and hornblende diorite reside in the restricted ranges of 0.7055–0.7066 and−0.33 to +1.88, respectively, consistent with an origin above a subduction zone followed by crustal contaminations of the initial magma compositions, especially with regard to biotite quartz monzonite. The zircon U-Pb ages as well as geochemical and radiogenic isotope data for the intrusive bodies associated with mineralization in this study are in accordance with previous studies on intrusive bodies related to porphyry copper deposits in the Lut Block. In contrast to previous studies, this study further extends the span of mineralization events to at least Early Miocene times

Integration of SPOT-5 and ASTER satellite data for structural tracing and hydrothermal alteration mineral mapping: implications for Cu–Au prospecting

© 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. The integration of information extracted from the Syste`m Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data, comprehensive field and mineralogy studies demonstrates that phyllic alteration zone associated with northwestern (NW)–southeastern (SE) structural fractures is a high potential zone for Cu–Fe–Au vein-type mineralisation in the Bajestan region, the Lut block, east Iran. The fractal pattern was calculated for fractures map using the Box-Counting algorithm to the SPOT-5 data. Statistical parameters of fractures, such as density, intensity and fractures’ intersection were also determined. Band composition, specialised band ratio and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification methods were implemented to the ASTER dataset for detecting hydrothermal alteration zones, such as propylitic, phyllic, argillic and gossan. Results indicate that the maximum value of the fractal dimension, intensity, density and the intersection of the fractures are concentrated in the NW and SE parts of SPOT image maps. In the other hand, phyllic alteration zone containing sericite, alunite, kaolinite and jarosite mineral assemblages was also identified in several zones of the NW and SE parts of the ASTER image maps. Integration of the results indicates the high potential zones for the occurrence of Cu–Fe–Au mineralisation in the Bajestan region

Fracture mapping of lineaments and recognizing their tectonic significance using SPOT-5 satellite data: a case study from the Bajestan area, Lut Block, east of Iran

Syste'm Pour l‘Observation de la Terre (SPOT) remote sensing satellite data have useful characteristics for lineament extraction and enhancement related to the tectonic evaluation of a region. In this study, lineament features in the Bajestan area associated with the tectonic significance of the Lut Block (LB), east Iran were mapped and characterized using SPOT-5 satellite data. The structure of the Bajestan area is affected by the activity of deep strike-slip faults in the boundary of the LB. Structural elements such as faults and major joints were extracted, mapped, and analyzed by the implementation of high-Pass and standard kernels (Threshold and Sobel) filters to bands 1, 2 and 3 of SPOT-5 Level 2 A scene product of the Bajestan area. Lineament map was produced by assigning resultant filter images to red-green-blue (RGB) colour combinations of three main directions such as N-S, E-W and NE-SW. Results derived from image processing technique and statistical assessment indicate that two main orientations, including NW-SE with N-110 azimuth and NE-SW with N-40 azimuth, were dominated in the Bajestan area. The NW-SE trend has a high frequency in the study area. Based on the results of remote sensing lineament analysis and fieldwork, two dextral and sinistral strike-slip components were identified as main fault trends in the Bajestan region. Two dextral faults have acted as the cause of shear in the south and north of the Bajestan granitoid mass. Furthermore, the results indicate that the most of the lineaments in this area are extensional fractures corresponding to both the dykes emplacement and hydrothermal alteration zones. The application of SPOT-5 satellite data for structural analysis in a study region has great capability to provide very useful information of a vast area with low cost and time-consuming