GEOCHEMISTRY AND MICROFACIES OF THE RUTEH FORMATION IN THE RUTEH AREA, CENTRAL ALBORZ, IRAN

Abstract

To understand microfacies, depositional environment and geochemistry of Upper Permian rocks in Alborz region, the type sections of Ruteh Formation were studied. During the Permian, the Alborz region was a part of the east-west trending Paleotethys sea. Stratigraphic studies indicate that the Ruteh Formation in Ruteh section is composed of thin to massive limestone, argillaceous limestone interbedded with shale, is overlain by distinct laterite horizon of the Elika Formation and is underlain by the disconformity by the Dorud Formation. Facies analysis and petrographic studies led to the recognition of 11 microfacies in Ruteh section. These facies were deposited in 4 facies belts such as tidal flat, lagoon, shoal and open marine sub-environment. The Permian calcareous algae in the Ruteh Formation are widespread and well documented to determine the environment and microfacies of Permian deposits. Cementation and dolomitization are the main diagenetic processes in Ruteh Formation. Based on petrographic (size and fabric) studies, 4 dolomite types such as dolomicrite, dolomicrospar, dolospar, and dolomite cement were recognized. Seawater was the main source of Mg for early diagenetic dolomite (type 1), while Mg for late diagenetic dolomite (types 2,3,4) probably were sourced by shale pressing processes and pressure solution. Major and minor element studies led to there cognition of aragonite mineralogy. The geochemical study illustrates that these carbonates were affected mostly by meteoric diagenesis, which is occurred in a semi-close to open diagenetic system.