REEs geochemical characteristics of lower Cambrian phosphatic rocks in the Gorgan-Rasht Zone, northern Iran: Implications for diagenetic effects and depositional conditions

Abstract

The phosphatic rocks in the Gorgan-Rasht structural Zone (north of Iran) are widely developed within the Soltanieh Formation of Upper Neoproterozoic-Lower Cambrian age. These rocks extend in length over 60 km, vary in thickness from 2.2 m to 5 m, and lie along the boundary of the Middle Dolomite and the Upper Shale members (Lower Cambrian) of the Soltanieh Formation. In this research, the geochemical characteristics of 16 phosphatic samples using rare earth elements (REEs) within a section in the Soltanieh Formation were investigated. The entire phosphatic samples show characteristically typical hat-shaped distribution patterns of REEs, strong negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 0.30–0.51), and slightly positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.34–1.73). The geochemical evidence such as hat-shaped distribution patterns, MREEs enrichment relative to LREEs and HREEs, and values of Er/Nd, Y/Ho, La/Nd, and (La/Yb)N ratios together with positive correlation between pairs of Eu/Eu*-Ce/Ce* and REEs-Ce/Ce* and negative correlation between pair of (Dy/Sm)N-Ce/Ce* reveal the important role of diagenetic processes in the distribution and concentration of REEs in the phosphatic rocks. This study demonstrated that the strong negative Ce anomalies and weak positive Eu anomalies are valuable indicators for determining redox conditions of diagenetic fluids existing during the development of the phosphatic rocks, and also suggest upwelling and mixing of organic-rich anoxic bottom seawaters with aerobic oxic seawaters before the development and progression of phosphatization processes in the depositional site. The geochemical parameters like Y/Ho ratio and strong positive correlation between REEs-TOC suggest that terrigenous materials along with organic matters were the principal source of REEs in the phosphatic rocks.