The present study aims to shed light on the rare metals of Nuweibiareaalbite granite in the Eastern Desert through the chemical analyses of the two types of fine-grained albite granite (FAG) and medium-grained albite ...The present study aims to shed light on the rare metals of Nuweibiareaalbite granite in the Eastern Desert through the chemical analyses of the two types of fine-grained albite granite (FAG) and medium-grained albite granite (MAG) in addition to mineralogical studies as well as ground spectrometric survey and aeromagnetic mapping. On the basis of ground spectrometric measurements K, eUand eTh distribution maps were obtained. The concentration of K, U and Th content shows maxima (4.5%, 13 ppm and 27 ppm on average, respectively) in the FAG, and (4.5%, 10 ppm and 35 ppm on average) in the MAG. The eU/eTh ratio significantly increases in FAG with higher magma differentiation than MAG reaching 0.63. This paper uses magnetic geophysical methods to investigate geometry and sense of motion across the Nuweibi area. The interpreted structures from the magnetic maps are characterized by two main intersecting sets of NW-SE and NE-SW trending faults in addition to other three minor faults that trend in N-S, NNW-SSE and ENE-WSW directions. The NW-SE trending faults represent the recent sets in the study area where they are dissected and displaced by the other old faults. The Werner depth map shows the interface depths of the granite and basement rocks that extend to great depths ranging from 10 to 380 m. FAG is extended underneath most of the surrounding schist rocks because of their attributed low magnetic intensity that confirmed also with drilling. Microscope and Microprobe analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite, thorite, zircon, and monazite. Columbite group minerals represent the most common Nb-Ta host in Nuweibi-albite granites that contain significant levels of Ta (up to 65.4 wt. % Ta2O5) and Nb (up to 60 wt. % Nb2O5), with Ta/(Ta+Nb) ratio ranging from 0.17 to 0.84. Columbite group minerals are represented mostly by columbite-(Mn) and tantalite-(Mn), with Mn/(Mn+Fe) ratio ranging from 0.42 to 0.89. Ixiolite, wodgnite and tapiolite-(Mn) were found only in the FAG indicating展开更多
Nusab El Balgum mass complex represents one of peralkaline volcanic activity phenomena in the south Western Desert of Egypt, which is typical for within-plate event, which formed in Mesozoic period. It consists of aci...Nusab El Balgum mass complex represents one of peralkaline volcanic activity phenomena in the south Western Desert of Egypt, which is typical for within-plate event, which formed in Mesozoic period. It consists of acidic volcanic (rhyolite and their pyroclastics) and sub-volcanic granitic rocks (incomplete ring, small stock and dyke of a peralkaline aphanites) as well as dykes (trachyte, bostonite, rhyodacite, rhyolite and porphyritic rhyolite) variable in thickness and the most of run in NNE-SSW trend. The peralkaline granitic rocks, especially those located at the southwestern part of this mass are characterized by extreme enrichments in HFSE (rare metals such as Zr, Nb, U and Th and REEs) which are the highest concentrations (e.g., >1% Zr, 0.5% Nb and 2.6% total REEs, Y up to 1%, eU up to 300 ppm and eTh up to 1100 ppm). The rare metal bearing minerals are thorite, uranothorite, autunite, amorphous secondary uranium, zircon and ferrocolumbite, while the REEs bearing minerals are bastnaesite, monazite and xenotime. The positive relations in all of the binary diagrams of Zr versus Nb, Y, eU and eTh, Nb versus Y, eU and eTh, Y versus eU and eTh in post magmatic intensely hematised peralkaline granites indicated that, this process is responsible for the enrichment in these HFSE. The chondrite-normalized pattern of high-altered peralkaline granites indicates: 1) higher LREEs enriched pattern (La/Gd = 11.34 and 12.25) means the alteration processes taking place under open system and these rocks evolved from magma of lithospheric rifting, 2) ΔCe 2O, and thus very low viscosity, despite its low temperature (ments, as indicated by strong negative Eu anomalies;and c) it had abundances of HFSE cations. Redistribution of elements took place by post magmatic hydrothermal solutions.展开更多
The stream sediments of Wadi El Reddah(North Eastern Desert,Egypt)are geochemically and mineralogically investigated.Their content of radioactive and other heavy minerals is mainly represented by thorite,uranothorite,...The stream sediments of Wadi El Reddah(North Eastern Desert,Egypt)are geochemically and mineralogically investigated.Their content of radioactive and other heavy minerals is mainly represented by thorite,uranothorite,zircon,monazite,xenotime,columbite,fergusonite,and unknown rare earth elements(REEs)bearing minerals as well as cassiterite.Special emphasis on REE content of thorite,uranothorite,zircon and xenotime has been done to correlate them with the increase of uranium contents in these sediments.The key evidence for the presence lowtemperature alteration processes includes the presence of some zircon crystals as remnants after complete dissolution of the overgrowth zircon in severe acidic environment,the sulphur content,biogenic minerals,occurrence of unusual minerals as cassiterite pore filling in zircon,variation in the REEs content from the surrounding granites to the stream sediments and the abundance of monazite in the surrounding granites.Most minerals are partially and/or completely altered,which indicated by the pseudomorphism of zircon by xenotime,thorite,and uranothorite.展开更多
Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites...Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites near the contact with older granitoids.Field surveys indicated that the studied pegmatites vary in dimensions ranging from 2 to 10 m in width and from 10 to 500 m in length.They are composed mainly of intergrowth of milky quartz,reddish-pink K-feldspar and plagioclase together with small pockets of muscovite.Field radiometric measurements indicated that radioactivity in pegmatites is more than twice that of their enclosing country rocks.Radionuclide measurements revealed that the average contents of U and Th increase gradually from rocks of dioritic to granodioritic composition(1.5×10-6 U and 4.3×10-6 Th) and increase significantly in biotite granites(5.8×10-6 U and 15.2×10-6 Th) but drastically decrease in muscovite granites(2.2×10-6 U and 5.6×10-6 Th).The average contents of U and Th of anomalous pegmatites are 95.3×10-6 and 116.9×10-6,respectively,indicating their uraniferous nature.In the south of the Wadi Khuda area,pegmatites are low in average Th/U(1.4) and high in average U/K(35.6),which suggests that uranium concentrating processes did not affect the pegmatites,indicating poor source-rocks.Mineralogical investigations of the studied pegmatites revealed the presence of secondary uranium minerals(kasolite and autunite),in addition to zircon,thorite,apatite,garnet and biotite.Primary and secondary radioactive mineralizations indicated that the mineralization is not only magmatic,but also post-magmatic.Electron microprobe analyses showed distinct cryptic chemical zoning within thorite where UO2 decreases from core to rim.This feature in thorite is sporadic,suggesting non-uniform redistributions of UO2 within thorite during magmatic processes.展开更多
This study is concerned with the radioactivity and mineralogy of the younger granites and pegmatites in the Wadi Haleifiya area, southeastern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The area is occupied by metasediments, migmatites, ...This study is concerned with the radioactivity and mineralogy of the younger granites and pegmatites in the Wadi Haleifiya area, southeastern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The area is occupied by metasediments, migmatites, older and younger granites. Most of these rocks, especially granites, are dissected by mafic and felsic dykes as well as pegmatites. The younger granites are represented by three main varieties: monzogranites, syenogranites and alkali feldspar granites. The monzogranite consists essentially of quartz, plagioclase, potash feldspar and biotite with minor musco-vite. Iron oxide, titanite, zircon and allanite are the main accessory minerals. Syenogranite is massive, medium- to coarse-grained and commonly exhibits equigranular and hypidiomorphic textures. It is made up essentially of potash feldspar, quartz, plagioclase and biotite. Iron oxides, allanite, epidote, titanite, and zircon are accessory minerals. The alkali feldspar granite consists mainly of perthite, quartz, alkali amphibole (arfvedsonite and riebekite), biotite, sub-ordinate plagioclase and aegirine. Iron oxide, zircon and apatite are accessory minerals, whereas chlorite and sas-surite are secondary minerals. The altered monzogranite and pegmatite recorded high radioelement contents. The eU reaches up to 120 (av.=82×10-6) in the altered monzogranite and up to 55 (av.=27×10-6) in the pegmatites. The high radioactivity in the altered monzogranite is due to the presence of thorite, uranothorite and metamict zircon. In the pegmatites, it is re-lated to the presence of uranophane, uranothorite, thorite, zircon, samarskite, monazite, xenotime, magnetite, ilmen-ite, hematite and rutile.展开更多
Quartz-diorite, gneissose granodiorites, two-mica granite and perthite leucogranie are the main rock units cropping out in the Wadi Ghadir area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. Along the NNE-SSW mega-faults, a broad br...Quartz-diorite, gneissose granodiorites, two-mica granite and perthite leucogranie are the main rock units cropping out in the Wadi Ghadir area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. Along the NNE-SSW mega-faults, a broad brittle shear zone is developed in the Ghadir two-mica granite. Brittle deformation is manifested by severe myloniti-zation and alteration of these granites. These sheared altered granites are characterized by the presence of radioactive mineralization, associated with alteration features such as silicification, hematization and kaolinitization. Radioelement measurements revealed that the unaltered and altered two-mica granites are considered as uraniferous granites. The average uranium and thorium contents in the unaltered two-mica granites are 12.29×10-6 and 19.81×10-6, respectively, and the average Th/U ratio is 1.62. The altered granites exhibit higher concentrations of U (averaging 97.949), but have lower Th and Th/U ratios (13.83 and 0.16, respectively), which indicates uranium enrichment in the granites. Binary relations of eTh/eU against either eU or eTh and eU with eTh in the studied gran-ites suggest that the distribution of radioactive elements not only magmatic (positive correlation between eU and eTh), but also due to hydrothermal redistribution of radioelements (weak correlation between eU and eTh/eU). The magmatic U and Th are indicated by the presence of uraninite, thorite, zircon and monazite whereas the evidence of hydrothermal mineralization is the alteration of rock-forming minerals such as feldspar and the forma-tion of secondary minerals such as uranophane and pyrite. Microscopic, XRD and scanning electron microscopic studies revealed the presence of uraninite, uranophane, thorite, Ce-monazite and zircon, in addition to phlogopite-fluor mica in the studied altered granites of the Wadi Ghadir shear zone.展开更多
文摘The present study aims to shed light on the rare metals of Nuweibiareaalbite granite in the Eastern Desert through the chemical analyses of the two types of fine-grained albite granite (FAG) and medium-grained albite granite (MAG) in addition to mineralogical studies as well as ground spectrometric survey and aeromagnetic mapping. On the basis of ground spectrometric measurements K, eUand eTh distribution maps were obtained. The concentration of K, U and Th content shows maxima (4.5%, 13 ppm and 27 ppm on average, respectively) in the FAG, and (4.5%, 10 ppm and 35 ppm on average) in the MAG. The eU/eTh ratio significantly increases in FAG with higher magma differentiation than MAG reaching 0.63. This paper uses magnetic geophysical methods to investigate geometry and sense of motion across the Nuweibi area. The interpreted structures from the magnetic maps are characterized by two main intersecting sets of NW-SE and NE-SW trending faults in addition to other three minor faults that trend in N-S, NNW-SSE and ENE-WSW directions. The NW-SE trending faults represent the recent sets in the study area where they are dissected and displaced by the other old faults. The Werner depth map shows the interface depths of the granite and basement rocks that extend to great depths ranging from 10 to 380 m. FAG is extended underneath most of the surrounding schist rocks because of their attributed low magnetic intensity that confirmed also with drilling. Microscope and Microprobe analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite, thorite, zircon, and monazite. Columbite group minerals represent the most common Nb-Ta host in Nuweibi-albite granites that contain significant levels of Ta (up to 65.4 wt. % Ta2O5) and Nb (up to 60 wt. % Nb2O5), with Ta/(Ta+Nb) ratio ranging from 0.17 to 0.84. Columbite group minerals are represented mostly by columbite-(Mn) and tantalite-(Mn), with Mn/(Mn+Fe) ratio ranging from 0.42 to 0.89. Ixiolite, wodgnite and tapiolite-(Mn) were found only in the FAG indicating
文摘Nusab El Balgum mass complex represents one of peralkaline volcanic activity phenomena in the south Western Desert of Egypt, which is typical for within-plate event, which formed in Mesozoic period. It consists of acidic volcanic (rhyolite and their pyroclastics) and sub-volcanic granitic rocks (incomplete ring, small stock and dyke of a peralkaline aphanites) as well as dykes (trachyte, bostonite, rhyodacite, rhyolite and porphyritic rhyolite) variable in thickness and the most of run in NNE-SSW trend. The peralkaline granitic rocks, especially those located at the southwestern part of this mass are characterized by extreme enrichments in HFSE (rare metals such as Zr, Nb, U and Th and REEs) which are the highest concentrations (e.g., >1% Zr, 0.5% Nb and 2.6% total REEs, Y up to 1%, eU up to 300 ppm and eTh up to 1100 ppm). The rare metal bearing minerals are thorite, uranothorite, autunite, amorphous secondary uranium, zircon and ferrocolumbite, while the REEs bearing minerals are bastnaesite, monazite and xenotime. The positive relations in all of the binary diagrams of Zr versus Nb, Y, eU and eTh, Nb versus Y, eU and eTh, Y versus eU and eTh in post magmatic intensely hematised peralkaline granites indicated that, this process is responsible for the enrichment in these HFSE. The chondrite-normalized pattern of high-altered peralkaline granites indicates: 1) higher LREEs enriched pattern (La/Gd = 11.34 and 12.25) means the alteration processes taking place under open system and these rocks evolved from magma of lithospheric rifting, 2) ΔCe 2O, and thus very low viscosity, despite its low temperature (ments, as indicated by strong negative Eu anomalies;and c) it had abundances of HFSE cations. Redistribution of elements took place by post magmatic hydrothermal solutions.
文摘The stream sediments of Wadi El Reddah(North Eastern Desert,Egypt)are geochemically and mineralogically investigated.Their content of radioactive and other heavy minerals is mainly represented by thorite,uranothorite,zircon,monazite,xenotime,columbite,fergusonite,and unknown rare earth elements(REEs)bearing minerals as well as cassiterite.Special emphasis on REE content of thorite,uranothorite,zircon and xenotime has been done to correlate them with the increase of uranium contents in these sediments.The key evidence for the presence lowtemperature alteration processes includes the presence of some zircon crystals as remnants after complete dissolution of the overgrowth zircon in severe acidic environment,the sulphur content,biogenic minerals,occurrence of unusual minerals as cassiterite pore filling in zircon,variation in the REEs content from the surrounding granites to the stream sediments and the abundance of monazite in the surrounding granites.Most minerals are partially and/or completely altered,which indicated by the pseudomorphism of zircon by xenotime,thorite,and uranothorite.
文摘Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites near the contact with older granitoids.Field surveys indicated that the studied pegmatites vary in dimensions ranging from 2 to 10 m in width and from 10 to 500 m in length.They are composed mainly of intergrowth of milky quartz,reddish-pink K-feldspar and plagioclase together with small pockets of muscovite.Field radiometric measurements indicated that radioactivity in pegmatites is more than twice that of their enclosing country rocks.Radionuclide measurements revealed that the average contents of U and Th increase gradually from rocks of dioritic to granodioritic composition(1.5×10-6 U and 4.3×10-6 Th) and increase significantly in biotite granites(5.8×10-6 U and 15.2×10-6 Th) but drastically decrease in muscovite granites(2.2×10-6 U and 5.6×10-6 Th).The average contents of U and Th of anomalous pegmatites are 95.3×10-6 and 116.9×10-6,respectively,indicating their uraniferous nature.In the south of the Wadi Khuda area,pegmatites are low in average Th/U(1.4) and high in average U/K(35.6),which suggests that uranium concentrating processes did not affect the pegmatites,indicating poor source-rocks.Mineralogical investigations of the studied pegmatites revealed the presence of secondary uranium minerals(kasolite and autunite),in addition to zircon,thorite,apatite,garnet and biotite.Primary and secondary radioactive mineralizations indicated that the mineralization is not only magmatic,but also post-magmatic.Electron microprobe analyses showed distinct cryptic chemical zoning within thorite where UO2 decreases from core to rim.This feature in thorite is sporadic,suggesting non-uniform redistributions of UO2 within thorite during magmatic processes.
文摘This study is concerned with the radioactivity and mineralogy of the younger granites and pegmatites in the Wadi Haleifiya area, southeastern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The area is occupied by metasediments, migmatites, older and younger granites. Most of these rocks, especially granites, are dissected by mafic and felsic dykes as well as pegmatites. The younger granites are represented by three main varieties: monzogranites, syenogranites and alkali feldspar granites. The monzogranite consists essentially of quartz, plagioclase, potash feldspar and biotite with minor musco-vite. Iron oxide, titanite, zircon and allanite are the main accessory minerals. Syenogranite is massive, medium- to coarse-grained and commonly exhibits equigranular and hypidiomorphic textures. It is made up essentially of potash feldspar, quartz, plagioclase and biotite. Iron oxides, allanite, epidote, titanite, and zircon are accessory minerals. The alkali feldspar granite consists mainly of perthite, quartz, alkali amphibole (arfvedsonite and riebekite), biotite, sub-ordinate plagioclase and aegirine. Iron oxide, zircon and apatite are accessory minerals, whereas chlorite and sas-surite are secondary minerals. The altered monzogranite and pegmatite recorded high radioelement contents. The eU reaches up to 120 (av.=82×10-6) in the altered monzogranite and up to 55 (av.=27×10-6) in the pegmatites. The high radioactivity in the altered monzogranite is due to the presence of thorite, uranothorite and metamict zircon. In the pegmatites, it is re-lated to the presence of uranophane, uranothorite, thorite, zircon, samarskite, monazite, xenotime, magnetite, ilmen-ite, hematite and rutile.
文摘Quartz-diorite, gneissose granodiorites, two-mica granite and perthite leucogranie are the main rock units cropping out in the Wadi Ghadir area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. Along the NNE-SSW mega-faults, a broad brittle shear zone is developed in the Ghadir two-mica granite. Brittle deformation is manifested by severe myloniti-zation and alteration of these granites. These sheared altered granites are characterized by the presence of radioactive mineralization, associated with alteration features such as silicification, hematization and kaolinitization. Radioelement measurements revealed that the unaltered and altered two-mica granites are considered as uraniferous granites. The average uranium and thorium contents in the unaltered two-mica granites are 12.29×10-6 and 19.81×10-6, respectively, and the average Th/U ratio is 1.62. The altered granites exhibit higher concentrations of U (averaging 97.949), but have lower Th and Th/U ratios (13.83 and 0.16, respectively), which indicates uranium enrichment in the granites. Binary relations of eTh/eU against either eU or eTh and eU with eTh in the studied gran-ites suggest that the distribution of radioactive elements not only magmatic (positive correlation between eU and eTh), but also due to hydrothermal redistribution of radioelements (weak correlation between eU and eTh/eU). The magmatic U and Th are indicated by the presence of uraninite, thorite, zircon and monazite whereas the evidence of hydrothermal mineralization is the alteration of rock-forming minerals such as feldspar and the forma-tion of secondary minerals such as uranophane and pyrite. Microscopic, XRD and scanning electron microscopic studies revealed the presence of uraninite, uranophane, thorite, Ce-monazite and zircon, in addition to phlogopite-fluor mica in the studied altered granites of the Wadi Ghadir shear zone.
