Nayband Formation Research Articles

Bioerosion and encrustation in Late Triassic reef corals from Iran

Hard substrate communities can impact coral reef growth by adding or removing calcium carbonate when they act as encrusters or bioeroders, respectively. Although such sclerobiont communities are known across the Phanerozoic, the Triassic saw a substantial increase in reef macrobioerosion. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of sclerobionts in a Late Triassic (Norian) reef coral community (from the Nayband Formation in central Iran) and establishes some post-Paleozoic trends in reef bioerosion. Sclerobionts were common on the dominant coral Pamiroseris rectilamellosa and covered between 0 and 26.4% of total coral surface area among the 145 colonies investigated. Encrustation was significantly more prevalent (1.78% of total area) than bioerosion (0.36% of total area). The underside of corals was 3.5 times more affected by sclerobionts than the upper surfaces. This suggests that the sclerobionts preferentially colonized dead parts of the corals. The main encrusting taxa were polychaete worms (76.2%), followed by bivalves (11.9%). The main bioeroders were Polychaeta (51.4%), Porifera (22.2%), and Bivalvia (20.7%). The lack of a correlation between encrustation and bioerosion intensity suggests that the number of sclerobionts is not simply a function of exposure time before final burial. Our review of the published literature suggests a declining trend in the relative importance of bivalves, polychaetes and cirripeds in reefs, whereas sponges increased in importance from the Triassic until today.

Magnetic Fabric and Paleomagnetic Analyses of the Zaghar and Tafresh Areas, Central Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc, Iran

Magnetic fabric, paleomagnetic, and petrophysical studies were conducted on rocks in the Tafresh area of the central Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc in Iran. The samples included Late Triassic dark gray sandstone, a mafic dyke, diorites, and a felsic dyke in the Zaghar region. Hydrothermal alteration in the Spid intrusion was investigated to understand the effects of alteration on magnetic fabric patterns. The AMS measurements support the theory that the Nayband Formation was constructed under a crustal extension regime. Magnetic susceptibility anisotropy in a microdioritic dyke indicates compression from the NNE-SSW, likely due to tectonic activity. AMS results from diorites in Zaghar suggest intrusions were emplaced in extensional spaces between the Tafresh and Chaghar thrust faults. The Spid intrusion’s magnetite is the primary carrier of magnetic susceptibility, but hydrothermal alteration has partly converted it into hematite, resulting in lower susceptibility and higher porosity in altered diorites. This process leads to a bimodal distribution of magnetic lineation trends. The Spid and Zaghar massifs underwent a northward tilt of about 30 degrees around an east-west axis following the Early Miocene. Post-Eocene rotations in the area are typically within ±20 degrees. This study demonstrates how magnetic properties can provide new insights into the evolution of tectono-magmatic processes and structural controls within a magmatic arc.

Upper Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) Foraminifera from the Nayband Formation of the Lut Block (Garm Ab section, Northeast Iran)

Studies of Nayband Formation from the Garm Ab section in Lut Block in Central Iran led to the identification of 26 foraminiferal taxa. Nine species are reported from Iran for the first time: Involutina ex gr. liassica (Jones), Involutina sp., Lamelliconus permodiscoides (Oberhauser), Palaeolituonella cf. meridionalis (Luperto), Palaeolituonella cf. angulata Senowbari-Daryan & Cacciatore, Gaudryinella cf. kotlensis Trifonova, Ammobaculites eumorphos Kristan-Tollmann, Frondicularia rhaetica Kristan-Tollmann, Frondicularia cf. xiphoidea Kristan-Tollmann, and Orthotrinacria ? expansa (Zaninetti et al.). The taxa restrict the Upper Triassic interval to probably just the Rhaetian. Based on the foraminifera and their abundance, three different association-types could be distinguished, i.e., the Decapoalina schaeferae-Miliolipora cuvillieri, Trocholina turris-Agathammina iranica and Involutina ex gr. liassica-Trocholina umbo associations. Comparisons of foraminiferal associations in different parts of central Iran, such as 1) Hassan Abad section, SW of Ferdows in Lut Block, 2) the type locality of the Nayband Formation in Tabas Block, NE of Esfahan in the eastern part of Central Domain Block, and 3) the Garm Ab section in Lut Block, indicate that the hyaline foraminifers are most abundant in the Garm Ab. Besides, in the Lut Block, the reef environments in the Garm Ab section are deeper water than those of the Hassan Abad section. The association of Trocholina umbo with Miliolipora cuvillieri is similar to the foraminiferal association from the NE of Esfahan and shows similar conditions in Lut Block and Central Domain Block. The two assemblages of hyaline foraminifers, especially the new report of Involutina and Trocholina, prove to be Rhaetian in age.

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of a coal bearing unit: the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation, Tabas Block, East-Central Iran

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of a coal bearing unit: the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation, Tabas Block, East-Central Iran

Origin and evolution of the ore-forming fluids in the southern Abbas Abad iron skarn deposit, NE Isfahan, Central Iran: Insights from geology, fluid inclusions, and C[sbnd]O isotopes

The southern Abbas Abad iron skarn deposit is located in the western part of the Central Iran zone, SW edge of the Urumieh˗Dokhtar magmatic arc. The skarn alteration occurred mainly at the contact of the Abbas Abad gabbro and Triassic Nayband Formation. The Triassic Nayband Formation in the southern Abbas Abad area consists of limestone, shale, siltstone, and marl with interlayers of tuff. The Abbas Abad gabbro is calc˗alkaline with adakitic signatures and continental arc setting affinity. Four iron ore bodies occur along the NW˗SE trending normal fault along the southern margin of Abbas Abad gabbro within sedimentary host rocks of the Nayband Formation. Three main paragenetic stages of skarnification and ore deposition have been recognized: i) prograde stage, ii) retrograde stage, and iii) supergene stage. Spinel, garnet, and pyroxene formed during the prograde stage. Epidote, tremolite˗actinolite, calcite and ore minerals, such as magnetite, hematite-I, pyrite, and minor chalcopyrite formed the retrograde stage assemblage. Magnetite is the main economic ore mineral, which is diverse in terms of fabric and texture, including massive, disseminated, needle˗like, blade˗like, prismatic, crustification, and cubes. Stable isotope data from Abbas Abad iron skarn deposit indicated that the interaction of non-magmatic brine (connate) fluids with Triassic carbonate host rocks at high temperature and its mixing with meteoric water has led to changes in the isotopic composition of the mineralizing fluid. Subsequently, garnet and magnetite with relatively high estimated fluid δ18O values (average 12.3 and 14.6 ‰, respectively) formed from this modified fluid. The estimated δ18O values of fluid in equilibrium with calcite decreased as a result of the greater influx of the meteoric water into the hydrothermal system in the late stages of ore formation. Fluid inclusion data from this iron skarn deposit are consistent with minor boiling during the prograde stage, although cooling and dilution seem to be principally responsible for Fe precipitation. The petrogenetic model proposed for the Southern Abbas Abad iron skarn deposit suggests that during the Eocene a gabbroic stock intruded the sedimentary rocks of the Nayband Formation and acted as a heat source for the non-magmatic brine (connate and meteoric) fluids convection cells, then reacted with cooler Triassic carbonate rocks. In this model, leaching of the gabbroic rock provided the iron, whereas carbon came from degassing and dissolution of carbonate rocks during contact metamorphism-metasomatism.

Petrology of the Parvadeh coals, Tabas Basin, Iran

The Tabas Basin is in the Tabas Block in the central part of Iran, and it contains Iran’s largest coal deposits, mostly in the Parvadeh Coalfield. The basin is structurally characterised by regional scale thrust faults and orthogonal strike-slip faults that segregate the coalfields into different areas namely Parvadeh (P) I to IV. The coals under study are in the upper Triassic Nayband Formation. Samples were collected from underground coal mines in PI, PII, PIII, and core from PIV, and prepared for petrographic analysis. The resulting vitrinite reflectance varies between 1.13% and 1.54%, which places the coals into medium volatile bituminous rank. In all samples, the vitrinite content is significantly higher than the inertinite followed by minor amounts of liptinite, mostly secondary exsudatinite. The samples also contain abundant pseudovitrinite, which can be above 40% (volume, mineral matter free basis). The maceral composition and moderate to high mineral matter with common framboidal pyrite and siderite corroborate previous interpretations of the Parvadeh coals forming in topogenous to transitional peatlands in paralic to fluvial palaeoenvironments. However, this study makes additional interpretations of the coalification history of the Parvadeh coals and the occurrence of pseudovitrinite. The coals commonly contain meta-cutinite and associated meta-exsudatinite, and fluorescing exsudatinite that permeates carbargillite lenses, lumina of inertinite macerals, and the slits of the pseudovitrinite. This suggests at least two stages of hydrocarbon generation occurred in the Parvadeh coals: the first phase during entry into the oil window and later devolatilisation to meta- exsudatinite in the early gas window; the second phase post-dates this and could be generated internally from the vitrinite else migrated from surrounding organic-rich rocks in the interburdens of the Nayband Formation. The fact that the pseudovitrinite slits are filled with exsudatinite but not meta-exsudatinite indicates that pseudovitrinite formed just before during partial devolatilisation or contemporaneous with the second generation of exsudatinite. Epigenetic mineralisation includes massive pyrite and dolomite in the fractures, indicative of potential hydrothermal circulation that may also be related to the second phase of hydrocarbon generation as exsudatinite is found trapped in the intracrystalline spaces of the carbonates.

Wildfire events at the Triassic\u2013Jurassic boundary of the Tabas Basin, Central Iran

This paper presents organic geochemical evidence pointing to the occurrence of wildfire events at the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in Central Iran. The studied outcrop section (the Kamarmacheh Kuh section) is comprised of the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation which passes conformably into the Lower Jurassic Ab-e-Haji Formation with no sharp boundary. Organic petrographical studies reveal a higher concentration of semi-fusinite macerals and microscopic charcoal at the boundary between studied formations. This observation can be an evidence for widespread wildfire events at the Triassic–Jurassic boundary of the studied area. Following these fires, vast areas of land were exposed for erosion and large volumes of clastic sediments were provided due to increased run-off. This agrees well with previous sedimentological and stratigraphical studies suggesting a major change in the depositional conditions from marine to non-marine at the Triassic–Jurassic boundary of the Tabas Basin. These findings can have important implications about paleo-depositional settings of the studied formations and the nature of the associated organic matter.

Sedimentary environment and provenance of sandstones from the Qadir member in the Nayband Formation, Tabas block, east-central Iran

Qadir Member of Nayband Formation, located in East of Central Iran, has developed to a great extent. Investigation of the lithofacies and sedimentary environment, resulted in identification of the deltaic and marine deposits. Based on field evidence and facies features, Qadir Member consists of two lithofacies, including carbonate and siliciclastic facies. The siliciclastic facies were identified as having four sandstone facies including Sr, Sh, Sp, St, three fine-grained lithofacies, including FI, Fm, Fl (Sr) / Sr (FI) and one coal facies. Also, regarding the field, laboratory studies, and identification of lithofacies, the coastal plain, deltaic (including deltaic plain, proximal delta front, distal delta front, and prodelta) and open marine environments were identified for Qadir Member which is is under the impact of tidal currents. The chemical weathering index (71%) indicated semi-arid to semi-humid conditions and plotting the geochemical data showed the provenance of re-cycling and active continental margin and because of Chemical Index of Alteration, the weathering rate was found to be rather medium to high. The geochemical diagrams also showed a probable source of the intermediate igneous and sedimentary rocks. The active continental margin conditions for this deposit could suggest the Neotethys subduction under Iran’s plate and volcanic activity at the end of Triassic, which coincided with the early Cimmerian orogeny in Alborz and Central East Iranian Microcontinent.

The palynology of the Nayband Formation (Upper Triassic) of the Tabas Block, Central Iran

Palynological study of the Upper Triassic Bidestan and Howz-e-Sheikh members of the Nayband Formation of the Tabas Block, Central Iran, revealed relatively diverse and well-preserved assemblages of palynoflora dominated by dinoflagellate cysts and miospores. The two well-known interval dinoflagellate cysts zones of Hebecysta balmei Interval Zone and Rhaetogonyaulax rhaetica Interval Zone were differentiated based on the index dinoflagellate cysts recorded and confirmed the middle Norian-Rhaetian age for the members. The palynological content of these dinoflagellate cyst zones are quite comparable to the Upper Triassic zones of Australia. Biogeographically, the recorded palynomorphs are a mixture of both Eurasian and Gondwanan elements but the middle Norian to earliest Rhaetian elements are more closely related to Gondwanic flora. The co-occurrence of marine and terrestrial elements suggests a shallow marine environment for the members studied.

Late Triassic scleractinian corals from Nayband Formation, southwest Ardestan, Central Iran

Late Triassic scleractinian corals from Nayband Formation, southwest Ardestan, Central Iran

Depositional history and sequence stratigraphy of central Tethyan from the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation, Central Iran

To progress in the knowledge of Upper Triassic evolution of the central Tethys realm, an integrated approach which includes new sedimentological and sequence stratigraphy has described in central Iran. The Nayband Formation of Late Triassic age in central Iran is composed of various rocks of siliciclastic and mixed carbonate–siliciclastic deposits and represents an example of storm-dominated shelf deposition. Based on texture and sedimentary structures of the siliciclastic deposits, 11 lithofacies were identified and classified into three categories, i.e., conglomerate (Gms, Gcm), sandstone (Sp, Se, Sm, Sr, Hcs, Scs, Sh) and mud rock (Fm, F). These mainly consist of alternations of sandstone and shale, and constitute the lower and upper units of the studied section. The mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sediments crop out in the middle unit of the section. Based on field observations and petrographic studies, 12 microfacies were recognized which can be grouped into three depositional environments: shoreface (lower, upper), offshore-transition (proximal, distal) and offshore (upper, lower) on a storm-dominated shelf. Seven 3rd-order depositional sequences have been identified in this section based on field observations, facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy studies. The lower and upper boundaries of this succession are type 1 sequence boundaries (SB1); whereas, other boundaries are type 2 sequence boundaries (SB2). Depositional sequences are composed only of TST, MFS and HST, whereby the transgressive sequences (TST) mainly consist of deeper facies, and regressive sequences (HST) consist of shallower facies. Shelf transport was driven by the available accommodation space on the shelf and therefore was a function of eustatic sea-level fluctuations, but local tectonic activity has also controlled the thickness of the deposits.

Geochemistry of shales of the Qadir Member (Nayband Formation, Upper Triassic), East Central Iran (Tabas Block): implications for provenance and palaeogeography

The Upper Triassic shale of the Qadir Member of the Nayband Formation, East Central Iran has been analysed geochemically to evaluate provenance and palaeogeography. The Qadir Member in the Parvadeh Coal Mine section is 450 metres thick, and includes sandstone, shale, coal, siltstone, and fossiliferous limestone. XRD analysis of shale samples from the Qadir Member largely indicated the presence of illite and chlorite, with small amounts of kaolinite and montmorillonite. On binary and triangular diagrams the data suggests an intermediate igneous source rock for these shales. Plotting the geochemical data on binary diagrams also indicates the tectonic setting of an active continental margin, perhaps reflecting the Early Cimmerian tectonic event with Neothetys subduction under the Iran Plate, and collision of the Iran Plate with Turan during the Late Triassic. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) values for shale from the Qadir Member of Nayband Formation vary from 74.04 to 80.54 (average 78.02) and 84.31 to 91.85 (average 87.81), respectively, indicating moderate to high chemical alteration in the source area and suggesting a semi-humid climate during deposition. The geochemical data and palaeogeographical models indicate that the Qadir Member shale was deposited on an active margin in a shoreline to transitional-marine setting.

Sandstone petrography and geochemistry of the Nayband Formation (Upper Triassic, Central Iran): Implications for sediment provenance and tectonic setting

Abstract The Upper Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian) Nayband Formation is situated at the southwestern margin of Central East Iranian Microcontinent and records Eo-Cimmerian events. The formation is composed of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposits. This study presents information on the tectonic reconstruction and palaeoclimate of the southwestern margin of Central East Iranian Microcontinent during the Late Triassic. Petrography and modal analyses of sandstones show a variety of quartz-rich petrofacies including subarkose, lithic arkose, sublitharenite, feldspathic litharenite and litharenite. The combined modal analysis and geochemical results of major and trace elements of the sandstone samples represents mixed sedimentary, intermediate, felsic igneous rocks and moderate- to high-grade metamorphic provenance areas. The major elements and modal analyses of the Nayband Formation sandstone samples suggest an active continental margin tec-tonic settings. The palaeoclimatic conditions were sub-humid to humid with relatively low to moderate weathering in the source area which is in agreement with the palaeogeography and palaeotectonic history of southwestern margin of Central East Iranian Microcontinent during the Late Triassic.

NORIAN AMMONOIDS FROM THE NAYBAND FORMATION (IRAN) AND THEIR BEARING ON LATE TRIASSIC SEDIMENTARY AND GEODYNAMIC HISTORY OF THE IRAN PLATE

A Middle Norian (Alaunian 2) ammonoid assemblage from north of Esfahan (Central Iran) is described and chronostratigraphically evaluated. Formerly known as Distichites fauna, it represents a geographically widely distributed and stratigraphically important fossil level in the lower part of the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation. The new distichitid ammonoid genus Mesodistichites with the new species M. evolutus are introduced; additional faunal members are Noridiscites nodosus n. sp. and the leiostracean Stenarcestes diogenis and Pinacoceras cf. imperator. The Nayband Formation of the Esfahan region, belonging to the Zefreh-Soh Facies, is lithostratigraphically emended to contain three formally introduced members (Parsefid, Venher and Niazmargh members), which are all of Norian age, whereas Rhaetian sediments are missing. These members are correlated with Norian lithostratigraphic units of the type sequence of the formation in Nayband, eastern Iran. Integration of all Iranian Nayband data allows the recognition of three 3rd order sequences within this formation and the proof of a major pre- or syn-Jurassic unconformity across Central Iran and the Central-East Iranian Microcontinent (CEIM) related to the Main-Cimmerian event. Because of the latter and of major lithostratigraphic and facial differences, we propose to exclude the Nayband Formation from the Shemshak Group. A careful review of the available biostratigraphic data from northern and southern Iran let us further assume that the collision of the Iran Plate with Eurasia occurred in the later Early Carnian and was concurrent to the onset of the Carnian Humid Episode.

Sequence stratigraphic and sedimentologic significance of the trace fossil Rhizocorallium in the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation, Tabas Block, Central Iran

This study analyzes in detail the beds bearing Rhizocorallium in the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation (Tabas Block, Central Iran) and shows their potential in interpreting depositional settings, ecological features and sequence stratigraphy. An integrated approach combining ichnological, sedimentological and stratigraphic methods has significantly enhanced our understanding of the changes in the spatial distribution style and morphological differences among the same ichnospecies of Rhizocorallium. The Upper Triassic Rhizocorallium assemblages from the Nayband Formation reveal significant spatial variations in the orientation and dimensions (i.e., length, width, limb diameter), the tiering pattern, and the colonization style throughout systems tracts and at erosional discontinuities or omission surfaces. Based on the wide variety of forms and orientation, numerous morphotypes of Rhizocorallium are grouped into two main types, i.e., those that are mostly facies controlled and those that appear abundantly in a confined stratigraphic interval and are facies independent. In this respect, three paleoichnocoenoses or habitats for the rhizocorallid producers could be differentiated according to the burrow morphology and the nature and consistency of the substrate: (1) stable habitat, represented by soft substrates including horizontal, long, straight or slightly sinuous, spreite-bearing, U-shaped protrusive burrows of Rhizocorallium irregulare (=R. commune var. irregulare). This habitat resulted from processes operating in settings that are characterized by soft substrates, reduced sedimentation rates, and abundant food supply, typical of low- to moderate-energy, fully marine conditions; (2) unstable, physically-controlled habitat, represented by a suite of shifting substrates with low- to high-energy settings, including short, U-shaped protrusive spreiten-burrows of R. jenense (Type 1). In this habitat alternating and contrasting energy conditions did exist due to repeated storm events that were the main controlling factor in the distribution and preservation of Rhizocorallium; (3) substrate-controlled habitat represented by a suite of stiff-to-firm substrates including oblique to vertical protrusive or retrusive spreiten U-shaped burrows of R. jenense (Type 2). The erosional discontinuities or omission surfaces related to this habitat include parasequence-bounding transgressive surfaces of erosion (TSE) and parasequence-bounding flooding surfaces (FS) and are mainly associated with the Rhizocorallium-dominated Glossifungites ichnofacies. Complementary ichnological information indicates that the shift in the orientation and the morphological features of rhizocorallid burrows point to broad changes of environmental parameters, which are, in turn, controlled by the rate of sea-level changes.

Differentiation of delta and open marine deposits based on an integrated ichnological and sedimentological analysis of the Late Triassic Nayband Formation, Tabas Block, Central Iran

The palaeoenvironmental significance of trace fossil assemblages in the shallow marine deposits of the Late Triassic Nayband Formation of the Tabas Block, Central Iran has been assessed for the first time. The siliciclastic successions of the Nayband Formation, are highly bioturbated and allow relationships between changes in ichnoassemblages within a depositional system to be documented and placed in a palaeoenvironmental framework. The main purposes of this paper are: (1) to describe and illustrate the trace fossils assemblages of the Nayband Formation; (2) integration of ichnologic and sedimentologic data to evaluate different stress factors on the infaunal communities; and (3) to briefly discuss paleoenvironmental distribution of various trace fossil assemblages in order to differentiate between deltaic and non-deltaic shoreface successions. The Upper Triassic Nayband Formation has been studied and measured in one section, where the Nayband Formation is well accessible and continuously exposed. This section was logged and evaluated using physical sedimentology and ichnology in order to establish a basis for the interpretation of sedimentary processes (facies) and depositional systems. In this study, trace fossils (diversity, abundances, and ethologies) and the spatial arrangement of sedimentary structures are used to further refining the interpretation of environmental parameters such as hydrodynamic energy, water turbidity, substrate properties, food supply, temperature, oxygenation, salinity, and sedimentation rates. Based on facies characteristics and stratal geometries, the siliciclastic succession is divided into two facies associations, fluvial-dominated delta (FA), and open marine (FB). Twenty-eight ichnogenera have been identified in delta and open marine successions: The assemblage is dominated by Rhizocorallium, Thalassinoides, Ophiomorpha, Helminthopsis, Palaeophycus and Skolithos. Their distribution is clearly linked with lithofacies and depositional environments. High rates of fluvial discharge, high water turbidity, seasonally high rates of deposition and phytodetrital pulses in river-dominated deltas may cause marked variations in the temperature, oxygenation and salinity of the fluvial-dominated delta successions. All of these factors in combination lead to impoverishment in trace diversity and reduction in burrow size but to rapid colonization of the substrate by single-layer colonizers of opportunistic deposit feeders. Low ichnodiversity, low bioturbation intensities with highly bioturbated clusters shown by single colonization events by opportunistic, simple feeding strategies of trophic generalists and a paucity of suspension-feeding structures elements represent a “stressed”, non-archetypal Cruziana ichnofacies. The changes of behavioural complexity and the tiering profiles in the offshore-shoreface complex of the Nayband Formation when compared with the river-dominated delta successions represent the transition from epifaunal life habits with simple tiering structures to infaunal life habits with complex tiering pattern. The occurrence of diverse trace fossil suites attributable to the Zoophycos ichnofacies, the archetypal Cruziana ichnofacies and the Skolithos ichnofacies in wave-dominated shoreface-offshore complex point to stress-free environmental conditions in open waters due to persistent wave agitation, and hence, a wide colonization window.

Palynostratigraphy of the Nayband Formation, Tabas, Central Iran Basin: Paleogeographical and paleoecological implications

Reasonably diverse and moderately preserved palynofloras of exclusively terrestrial derivation occur in surface samples of the Nayband Formation, Kamar Macheh Kuh, southeastern Tabas, east-central Iran. No marine palynomorphs encountered in the samples examined. The palynofloras comprise 62 species including radially symmetrical and monolete spores (37 species allocated to 27 genera) and pollen (25 species designated to 19 genera). Of the latter, such bisaccate taxa as Ovalipollis ovalis, Alisporites spp., Falcisporites nuthallensis, the inaperturate Araucariacites australis, and the monosulcate Chasmatosporites major dominate the assemblages. Representatives of such trilete spores as Dictyophyllidites mortonii, Kyrtomisporis laevigatus, and Gleicheiniidites senonicus are essentially abundant in the palynofloras examined. Vertical distribution of miospores allows erection within the Nayband Formation of three informal distinctive stratigraphically successive interval biozones, viz., A. australis–Annulispora folliculosa biozone, Conbaculatisporites sp.–Ricciisporites tuberculatus biozone, and R. tuberculatus–Polypodiisporites polymicroforatus biozone based on the First Observed Occurrence (FOO) and Last Observed Occurrence (LOO) of selected taxa. These are compared with palynozones from ±coeval strata in Iran and elsewhere. Additionally, two non-palyniferous intervals, one at the base (188m thick) and another (18m in thickness) at uppermost part of the section studied are identified.Based on the association of such key misopore species as Lunatisporites rhaeticus, O. ovalis (alias pseudoalatus), A. folliculosa, Polycingulatisporites mooniensis, Limbosporites lundbladii, Quadraeculina anellaeformis, R. tuberculatus, Conbaculatisporites sp., P. polymicroforatus, and Striatisaccus novimundi within the Nayband palynofloras, the host strata are assigned to Late Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian). This dating while corroborating previous attempts made with reference to mostly paleozoological evidence, slightly deviates from that previously envisioned (Early Jurassic) for upper part of the Nayband Formation at the section examined. Moreover, lack of such Early Jurassic (Hettangian) key taxa as Trachysporites fuscus, Cerebropollenites thiergartii, Heliosporites reissingeri, and Pinuspollenites minimus in the assemblages studied upholds this conclusion.Apparent taxonomical dissimilarity between the Norian and Rhaetian palynofloras examined and joint occurrence in the latter of several Rhaetian miospore species known as independently occurring in assemblages from either southern or northern hemisphere is interpreted to reflect geodynamic history of the Iran Plate during Late Triassic. Inferred natural relationships of the Nayband sporae dispersae imply derivation from such diverse parental flora as, in descending quantitative order, Pterophyta, Lycopodophyta, Arthrophyta, Coniferophyta, Ginkgophyta, Pteridospermophyta, and Bryophyta. Abundance of ferns and coniferophytes in parent flora of the palynofloras investigated implies that the host strata accumulated under a moist warm climate with progressively decreasing temperature during late Late Triassic.

Geochemical Characteristics, Origin, and Evolution of Ore‐Forming Fluids of the Khut Copper Skarn Deposit, West of Yazd in Central Iran

AbstractThe Khut copper skarn deposit is located at about 50 km northwest of Taft City in Yazd province in the middle part of the Urumieh‐Dokhtar magmatic arc. Intrusion of granitoid of Oligocene–Miocene age into carbonate rocks of the Triassic Nayband Formation led to the formation of marble and a calcic skarn. The marble contains high grade Cu mineralization that occurs mainly as open space filling and replacement. Cu‐rich sulfide samples from the mineralized marble are also anomalous in Au, Zn, and Pb. In contrast, the calcic skarn is only weakly anomalous in Cu and W. The calcic skarn is divided into garnet skarn and garnet–pyroxene skarn zones. Paragenetic relationships and microthermometric data from fluid inclusions in garnet and calcite indicate that the compositional evolution of skarn minerals occurred in three main stages as follows. (i) The early prograde stage, which is characterized by Mg‐rich hedenbergite (Hd53.7Di42.3–Hd86.1Di9.5) with Al‐bearing andradite (69.8–99.5 mol% andradite). The temperature in the early prograde skarn varies from 400 to 500°C at 500 bar. (ii) The late prograde stage is manifested by almost pure andradite (96.2–98.4 mol% andradite). Based on the fluid inclusion data from garnet, fluid temperature and salinity in this stage is estimated to vary from 267 to 361°C and from 10.1 to 21.1 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Pyrrhotite precipitation started during this stage. (iii) The retrograde stage occurs in an exoskarn, which consists of an assemblage of ferro‐actinolite, quartz, calcite, epidote, chlorite, sphalerite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite that partially replaces earlier mineral assemblages under hydrostatic conditions during fracturing of the early skarn. Fluids in calcite yielded lower temperatures (T < 260°C) and fluid salinity declined to ∼8 wt% NaCl equivalent. The last stage mineralization in the deposit is supergene weathering/alteration represented by the formation of iron hydroxide, Cu‐carbonate, clay minerals, and calcite. Sulfur isotope data of chalcopyrite (δ34S of +1.4 to +5.2‰) show an igneous sulfur source. Mineralogy and mineral compositions of the prograde assemblage of the Khut skarn are consistent with deposition under intermediately oxidized and slightly lower fS2 conditions at shallow crustal levels compared with those of other typical Fe‐bearing Cu–Au skarn systems.

Norian to Rhaetian scleractinian corals in the Ferdows Patch Reef (Nayband Formation, east central Iran)

The Nayband Formation is one of the best known sedimentary units in central Iran. The type section consists of a thick succession of shale, siltstone, reef limestone and sandstone that is subdivided into five distinct members: Gelkan, Bidestan, Hoz-e-Sheykh, Howz-e- Khan and Qadir. Abundant and well-preserved framework-building scleractinian corals are included among the macrofossils of the Nayband Formation; these corals characterize the formation and are the subject of this study. The Hassan-Abad section, located in northeast Iran in Lute Block (northwest of Ferdows city), was chosen for detailed study and sampling. Analysis of sedimentary lithofacies and faunal assemblages in the Bidestan and the Howz-e-khan members indicate both biostromal and biohermal characters for the former shallow-water patch reefs and support a Norian to Rhaetian age. The useful biostratigraphic hydrozoanHeterastridium conglobatumwas studied along with 14 taxa of scleractinian corals:Stylophyllopsis rudis, Distichophyllia norica, Paradistichophyllum dichotomum, Retiophyllia frechi, Retiophyllia norica, Retiophyllia robusta, Chondrocoenia schafhaeutli, Chondrocoenia ohmanni, Astraeomorpha crassisepta, Astraeomorpha confusa, Astraeomorpha minor, Procyclolites triadicus, Pamiroseris rectilamellosa,andEocomoseris ramosa. These fossils clarify the stratigraphy of the Nayband Formation, as well as provide new information on the patch reefs and the framework constructors of these reefs.

Dasycladalean green algae and some problematic algae from the Upper Triassic of the Nayband Formation (northeast Iran)

Dasycladalean green algae and some problematic algae from the Upper Triassic of the Nayband Formation (northeast Iran)This paper describes the dasycladales green algae from two sections of the Rhaetian Howz-e Khan Member of the Nayband Formation, northwest of the Dig-e Rostam motorway service area (south of the type locality of the Formation near the town Naybandan). Both sections are composed of bedded fine-grained limestones containing partly abundant dasycladales algae associated with foraminifers, which are mainly aulotortid types. Additionally scattered samples were collected from several beds of the Howz-e Khan Member in this area. The following dasycladalean taxa are described:Chinianella carpatica(Bystrický),Griphoporella curvata(Gümbel),Griphoporella lutensisnov. sp., some undetermined dasycladacean taxa, problematic algae likeLithocodium aggregatumElliott,Bacinella irregularisRadoicic, andThaumatoporella parvovesiculifera(Raineri). WhileChinianella carpaticais not numerous and the other described algae are rare,Griphoporella curvatais extremely abundant in the investigated material. This paper describesCh. carpaticafor the first time from the Triassic of Iran and also includes a discussion of the strong variability ofG. curvata. Additionally we include an informal description of a problematic fossil (animal: shell fragment?; plant: alga?).