Investigation on the role of microorganisms in manganese mineralization from Abadeh-Tashk area, Fars Province, southwestern Iran by using petrographic and geochemical data

Abstract

Hydrothermal manganese and ferromanganese deposits associated with Neyriz ophiolite colored mélange occurred as small ore deposits in the Abadeh-Tashk area, SE of Fars Province, SW Iran. The deposits are found in three types: a) banded syngenetic ores, b) massive boudin and lens shaped diagenetic ores and c) vein and veinlet epigenetic ores. Microtextural, geochemical and mineralogical data associated with petrographic Raman, FTIR and SEM studies indicated that the primary Fe compounds formed series of microbially mediated biomats and Mn compounds were precipitated as an amorphous oxide on an active oxide surface accompanying silica gels. Field relationships between ore and host rock, high Mn/Fe ratio (17.43 to 40.79), ΣLREE, positive Eu and negative Ce anomalies in syngenetic ore types reveal that the ores were formed by hydrothermal fluid in an oceanic floor environment. Manganese was fractionated from iron due to physicochemical changes as well as microbial activities in the sedimentary environment. Microbial remains as filamentous beads with regular circular shapes, vermiform structures, series of Fe-rich biomats, traces of embedded organic material besides trace metals and REE concentrations in Mn ores emphasize the role of microorganisms in Fe and Mn precipitation. Syngenetic mineralization took place under suboxic neutrophilic conditions, while diagenetic processes resulted in variably reduced Fe- and Mn-oxides via organic matter decomposition, forming rhodochrosite as the end product. Braunite formation occurred most probably as a biogeochemically mediated early diagenetic product. Diagenetic and epigenetic Mn ores were formed when primary Mn deposits underwent subsequent diagenetic and remobilization–redeposition events respectively.