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1.
H.M. Baioumy 《Russian Geology and Geophysics》2013,54(4):454-463
Late Cretaceous economic phosphorites from the Red Sea, Nile Valley, and Abu Tartur areas, Egypt, show distinct variations in the lithology of associated sediments, mineralogy of nonphosphatic constituents, and distributions of major and trace elements. In the Red Sea area, the phosphorite beds are intercalated with laminated black shales, and the nonphosphatic constituents are detrital quartz and calcite, ankerite, and pyrite cements. In the Nile Valley, the phosphorite beds are intercalated with chert, marl, and sandstone and the nonphosphatic constituents are detrital quartz and calcite and chalcedony cements. In the Abu Tartur Plateau, the phosphorite beds are intercalated with laminated black shales, and the nonphosphatic constituents are detrital quartz and ankerite and pyrite cements. The phosphorites studied also show distinct variations in major- and trace-element concentrations. The Abu Tartur phosphorites have higher contents of TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, Co, Nb, Pb, Sr, Th, Y, and Zr and lower SiO2, Ba, and U contents as compared to those in the Red Sea and Nile Valley areas. The positive correlations between Al2O3 and TiO2, K2O, Nb, Y, and Zr suggest the detrital origin of these constituents.Similarity in the phosphatic constituents, which were derived from outside the depositional sites, and variations in the lithology of associated sediments and the mineralogy and geochemistry of the nonphosphatic constituents, which reflect the conditions at the depositional sites, suggest that the variations in the depositional environment of the phosphorites are the potential controlling factor of the compositional variations among these phosphorites. The abundance of black shales in the Red Sea and Abu Tartur areas, as well as the occurrence of ankerite and pyrite as cementing materials for the phosphatic constituents, might reflect reducing conditions in these areas, while the abundance of siliciclastic sediments and calcite and chalcedony cements suggests oxidizing conditions in the Nile Valley. The reducing conditions in the Red Sea and Abu Tartur areas were probably developed within the pre-existing depressions in a shelf environment. These depressions might have formed as a result of a change in the movements of the North Atlantic, Eurasian, and African Plates during the late Santonian, which led to transgressive inversion of rifts along northern Egypt and consequent folding in the continental interior. The higher contents of detrital components in the Abu Tartur phosphorites compared to the Red Sea and Nile Valley areas suggest more detrital inputs during the deposition of the phosphorites in Abu Tartur. The products of the diagenesis and weathering of these deposits also reflect the variations in the depositional conditions. 相似文献
2.
《Journal of African Earth Sciences》2010,58(5):431-443
Phosphorites in Egypt occur in the Eastern Desert, the Nile Valley and the Western Desert at Abu Tartur area and present in Duwi Formation as a part of the Middle Eastern to North African phosphogenic province of Late Cretaceous to Paleogene age (Campanian–Maastrichtian). The Maghrabi-Liffiya phosphorite sector is considered as the most important phosphorite deposits in the Abu Tartur area due to its large reserve thickness and high-grade of lower phosphorite bed beside high content of REE. Back scattered electron (BSE) images show framboidal pyrite filling the pores of the phosphatic grains, suggesting diagenetic reducing conditions during phosphorites formation.Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) chemical mapping was conducted to examine the variation and distributions of selected elements (P, F, La, Fe, Yb, Si, Ce, W, Eu, S, Ca, Y and Er) within the shark teeth, coprolites and bone fragments. In the teeth W, S, Fe are concentrated along the axis of the teeth, the bone fragments show high concentration of W, Yb, Er and Eu, whereas coprolites are nearly homogenous in composition contains S, Er with some Si as micro-inclusions. Fluorapatite is considered as main phosphate mineral whereas pyrite occurs as pore-filling within the phosphatic grains and cement materials. Maghrabi-Liffiya samples show a wide range in the P2O5 content, between 19.8 wt.% and 29.8 wt.% with an average of 24.6 wt.% and shows low U content ranging from 15 ppm to 34 ppm with an average of 22 ppm. The total REE content in nine samples representing the Maghrabi-Liffiya ranges from 519 to 1139 ppm with an average of about 879 ppm. The calculation of LREE (La–Gd) show indeed a marked enrichment relative to the HREE (Tb–Lu) where LREE/HREE ratio attains 8.4 indicating a strong fractionation between the LREE and HREE. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the studied phosphorite samples show a negative Eu anomaly. 相似文献
3.
REE geochemistry of Early Cambrian phosphorites from Gezhongwu Formation at Zhijin, Guizhou Province, China 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
The Cambrian Gezhongwu Formation in Southwest China is the lowest Cambrian phosphorite unit. The Formation belongs to the Meishucun stage with small shelly fossils. Rare-earth element (REE)data from the Gezhongwu phosphorites of Zhijin documented the depositional conditions. The total REE concentrations are high in the Gezhongwu phosphorites, which are especially rich in yttrium. The PAASnormalized REE patterns of the Gezhongwu phosphorites are characterized by negative Ce anomalies and slight enrichment of MREE, as being hat-shaped. The hat-shaped patterns suggest that the REE originated from depositional environments rather than from subsequent diagenesis. The negative Ce anomalies indicate that the depositional environments are oxic. The positive Eu anomaly, the high total REE and the hatshaped REE pattern revealed contributions from the normal marine environment mixed with hydrothermal water to the REE budget of the Gezhongwu phosphorites. 相似文献
4.
琅勃拉邦构造带内放射虫硅质岩含有放射虫Entactinia vulgaris Won, Entactinosphaera palimpola Foreman和Belowea variabilis (Ormiston et Lane),时代为早石炭世,为老挝境内首次报告。硅质岩样品具有很高的SiO2质量分数(95.29%~98.17%),大部分样品表现出相类似的稀土配分模式,部分样品配分模式图表现为上凸状,具有中稀土富集,均具有明显的Ce负异常,Ce/Ce*值为0.64~0.74,其中部分样品具有Eu的负异常,为0.58~0.68。Y/Ho比值为31.05~40.96,类似日本Sasayama中-晚二叠世的远洋硅质岩。地球化学显示其为含酸性火山碎屑非热液成因的远洋硅质岩。这些研究证实了在思茅板块和印支板块之间存在一个开阔的石炭纪时期弧后盆地。 相似文献
5.
In order to study the characteristics of sea-floor exhalative sedimentary and magmatic hydrothermal superimposition on the Bainiuchang polymetallic deposit, the REE compositions of the granites, host-rocks and ores have been systematically analyzed by ICP-MS. As viewed from their REE compositions, the granites show obvious negative Eu anomalies and weak negative Ce anomalies. According to their REE characteristics, the host-rocks were derived partly from sea-floor exhalative sediments. In terms of their REE compositions, the ores can be divided into two groups: one group, of which the samples were collected from the Baiyang segment relatively far away from the Bozhushan granite batholith, possesses positive Eu anomalies or no Eu anomaly and negative Ce anomalies, indicating that ore-forming hydrothermal fluid was relatively reductive and its temperature was higher than 250 ℃. Furthermore, the coinstantaneous presence of positive Eu anomalies and negative Ce anomalies indicate that the convective mixing of a little amount of seawater with hydrothermal fluid had happened while ores were precipitated on ancient sea floor. The other group, of which the samples were mainly collected from the Chuanxindong and Duimenshan segments near the Bozhushan granite batholith, has similar chondrite-monalized REE distribution patterns to those of the magmatic rocks. But as a whole, the REE characteristics of both groups change gradually starting from the Bozhushan granite batholith. Based on the REE characteristics of the granites, host-rocks and ores, it is suggested that the ore-forming metals seem to have come from several different sources. 相似文献
6.
UKAEGBUV.U. EKWUEMEB.N. 《中国地球化学学报》2005,24(2):129-135
Rock samples representing various igneous and metamorphic rocks of southern Obudu Plateau were analyzed for rare-earth element ( REE ) behavior by ICP-MS. Results of the analyses indicate a range of REE abundances and distinctive patterns from highly fraetionated patterns with negative Eu anomalies in granitic rocks to relatively low abundances and less REE fractionated flat patterns with little Eu anomaly in some paragneisses, schists, enderbites and dolerites to unfractionated patterns with positive Eu anomalies in some paragneisses and charnockites. Over all, there are low to high ∑ REE contents with negative to positive Eu anomalies. The ratios of different parameters, especially La/Yb and Ce/Yb, show behaviors consistent with crustal to mantle derivation. The heterogeneity of REE abundances and REE patterns reflects mantle to crustal petrogenetic variations of different rock suites on the Plateau. The LREE content is higher than the HREE content in the highly differentiated rocks, as evidenced by their La/Yb,Ce/Yb and La/Sm ratios, which are normally higher in residual products than in primary melts. The dominantly intermediate nature of the source rock of the orthogneisses is suggested by the generally low ∑ REE. The granites enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE and some of the charnockites with negative Eu anomalies were probably formed by partial melting and crystallization. 相似文献
7.
本文以丘北大铁铝土矿含铝岩系为研究对象, 通过ICP-MS分析测试, 研究了含铝岩系与下伏灰岩、玄武岩的稀土元素特征。研究结果表明, 丘北大铁铝土矿含铝岩系稀土配分模式曲线为向右倾斜的曲线, 与下伏马平组、黄龙组灰岩的稀土配分曲线相似, 而与峨眉山组玄武岩的稀土配分曲线相差较大; 灰岩具有较明显的Ce负异常和Eu负异常, 部分铝土矿和铁铝质岩具明显的Ce正异常和较明显的Eu负异常, 而多数铝土矿、铁铝质岩和铝质粘土岩则无明显的Ce、Eu异常。含铝岩系的稀土元素特征, 反映出其成矿物质来源于下伏灰岩而非玄武岩, 同时也反映出铝土矿的成矿物质来源于风化壳, 成矿物质搬运距离较近, 与海水的水合作用不甚明显。 相似文献
8.
云南白牛厂银多金属矿床成矿作用特征的稀土元素地球化学约束 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
为了研究白牛厂银多金属矿床成矿作用特征,对矿区岩浆岩、围岩和矿石的稀土元素进行了ICP-MS分析测试。花岗岩稀土元素组成表现了较强的Eu负异常和弱的Ce负异常。围岩稀土元素特征表现出一定程度的热水沉积成因。矿石的稀土元素组成大致可分为两组：一组矿石表现为Eu正异常或无异常和Ce负异常,反映喷流沉积稀土元素组成特征,主要是距离花岗岩体较远的白羊矿段,指示成矿热液为温度较高（＆gt;250℃）、相对还原的流体,另外,Eu正异常和Ce负异常同时出现,说明矿石沉淀时较高温度的流体与少量的海水发生了对流混合;另一组矿石表现出与岩浆岩一致的球粒陨石标准化稀土配分模式,显示岩浆热液叠加改造成因,主要是距离花岗岩体较近的穿心洞矿段和对门山矿段。两组矿石稀土元素组成特征总体来说随着花岗岩体距离的变化而变化。根据岩浆岩、围岩和矿石的稀土元素组成特征,白牛厂银多金属矿床由喷流沉积形成主矿体,燕山期花岗质岩浆活动对矿体部分叠加改造。 相似文献
9.
赣南小流域水体中稀土元素的地球化学特征 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
本文以赣南小流域水体为研究对象,利用VG Axiom高分辨多接受双聚焦等离子体质谱仪测定了水体中溶解态稀土元素(DREE)的含量,分析了水体中DREE的分布分异机制,并探讨了稀土元素(REE)产生分异的原因.结果表明,赣南所有的采样区水体中Ce都表现为负异常,说明其在风化壳中少活化.受自然风化作用控制为主的水体相对于页岩除Ce亏损、Eu富集外产生的分异很小,其中Eu的正异常源于Eu富集矿物的优先溶解;蒸发盐矿影响下的水体相对于自然作用为主的水体DREE没有发生明显分异;受稀土矿影响的水体中重稀土元素(HREE)富集、Eu负异常的分布模式继承了稀土矿区风化壳的特征;赣州市下游干流水体中中稀土元素(MREE)富集、Eu负异常的分布模式主要是人为影响的结果. 相似文献
10.
H. Baioumy 《Cretaceous Research》2011,32(3):368-377
Upper Cretaceous Phosphorites from different localities in Egypt were analyzed for their rare earth elements (REEs) contents and sulfur and strontium isotopes to examine the effect of depositional conditions versus diagenesis on these parameters.The negative Ce and Eu anomalies of the study phosphorites suggest its formation under reducing conditions. However, chondrite-normalized REEs patterns show relative enrichments of LREEs over the HREEs, which is obviously different from the seawater REEs pattern suggesting post-depositional modifications on the REEs distributions during diagenesis. The difference in the REEs concentrations and Ce anomalies among the study localities as well as the similarity between the REEs patterns of these phosphorites and associated black shales might support this interpretation.The concentration of structural SO42− (0.6-3.7%) and their δ34S values (+0.5 to -20‰) in the upper Cretaceous phosphorites in Egypt suggest the formation of these phosphorites in the zone of sulfate reduction. On the other hand, the sulfur isotopes in the pyrite from the study phosphorites (δ34S = +4.6‰ − 23‰ with an average of −7.7‰) are attributed to the influence of seawater from which pyrite was formed during diagenesis. The difference between the δ34S values in the phosphorites (all are positive values) and those in the associated pyrite (mostly negative values) reflect an asymmetric sulfate and sulfide sulfur isotopic composition due to the formation of francolite (source of sulfate) and pyrite (source of sulfide) in different conditions and/or process.The 87Sr/86Sr values of the upper Cretaceous phosphorites in Egypt are very close to the marine values during the Campanian-Maastrichtian time and their average (0.707622) is more or less comparable to the average 87Sr/86Sr values of the Cretaceous-Eocene Tethyan phosphorites. This suggests no post-depositional alteration (i.e. diagenetic effect) on the Sr isotopic composition of these phosphorites. 相似文献
11.
稀土的开发和广泛应用使得人们倍加关注其在环境中的分布及其环境地球化学行为。赣江作为鄱阳湖流域五大入湖河之一,发源于稀土资源富集的赣南地区,而其下游水体及周边地下水中稀土元素的含量和分异特征目前尚不完全清楚。以赣江北支水体及沉积物为研究对象,开展了稀土元素地球化学研究。结果表明,赣江北支水体中稀土元素总量在地表水中为230~1 146 ng/L(均值458.85 ng/L),地下水中为284~1 498 ng/L(均值634.94 ng/L),沉积物中稀土元素总量为177.9~270.7 mg/kg(均值226.99 mg/kg)。PHREEQC模拟计算表明,水体中的稀土元素主要以碳酸根络合物(REEC03+)的形式存在。地表水和地下水总体上均表现为重稀土元素相较于轻、中稀土元素富集,沉积物未表现出明显的富集特性;水体具有Ce、Eu负异常特点,而沉积物表现为Ce正异常和Eu负异常,指示氧化还原环境和水岩相互作用对稀土元素在水-沉积物系统中迁移转化的影响。地下水中稀土元素的含量沿流向具有上升趋势,而水体中重稀土元素的富集程度不断减弱,同时碳酸根络合物(REEC03+)的占比不断降低,反映水体中稀土元素的含量受到pH、胶体吸附、络合作用以及地下水-地表水相互作用的影响。水体中重稀土元素的富集受到碳酸根络合反应的影响,Ce、Eu负异常与Ce氧化沉淀和母岩特性相关。Gd异常值表明,研究区中下游水体中的Gd元素受到人为输入的影响。 相似文献
12.
13.
《Sedimentary Geology》2006,183(3-4):203-216
This paper presents rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of siliceous deposits from which hydrothermal activity and basin evolution are elucidated, in the Late Devonian, in the Yangshuo basin, South China, where siliceous deposits widely occurred as nodular chert in the deep-water limestones and bedded chert interbeded with tuffaceous chert in the early Late Devonian. Both nodular and bedded cherts are characterized by very low La abundances (avg. 2.07 and 2.49 ppm, respectively), intermediate negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce*: avg. 0. 69 and 0.61), slight to intermediate positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*: avg. 1.33 and 1.57), and low to intermediate shale-normalized Lan/Ybn values (avg. 0.86 and 0.52) and intermediate Lan/Cen values (avg. 1.61 and 1.72). These suggest both nodular and bedded cherts formed in the open marine basin of South China, rather than in the intracontinental rift basin as previously assumed, with involvement both with seawaters as indicated by intermediate negative Ce anomalies and generally LREE-depleted patterns, and hydrothermal vent fluids as indicated by convex, less LREE-depleted patterns with apparent positive Eu anomalies. In comparison with nodular and bedded chert, the tuffaceous chert has the highest La abundances (avg. 17.11 ppm), similar ranges of Ce anomalies (avg. 0.63) and Lan/Cen values (avg. 1.77), but lower Lan/Ybn values (avg. 0.48) and no apparent positive Eu anomalies (avg. 0.97). This suggests that the tuffaceous fallouts were also significantly modified by the hydrothermal fluid and seawater. Rapid spatial variations of Eu/Eu* values and degree of LREE-depletions in the studied basin are recognized, characterizing a spatially differential hydothermal activity that is not well discriminated by major element features. Such a difference in hydrothermal activity is interpreted as having been related to the intensity and depth of syndepositional tectonic activity, reconciling the structural pattern unraveled by stratigraphic packages. 相似文献
14.
位处华北板块北缘东段的辽吉裂谷带内发育有多处中、小型铅锌矿床,其中,同时发育层状和脉状铅锌矿的青城子矿床是典型的代表。为了探讨青城子层状铅锌矿和脉状铅锌矿矿质来源及成因的异同及其所代表的地质意义,利用ICP-MS对层状铅锌矿及其围岩、脉状铅锌矿及其围岩和后期穿矿脉岩进行了稀土元素测试。结果表明,所有样品均具有轻稀土元素（LREE）富集和明显分异的特点。层状铅锌矿及其围岩具有Eu正异常和较弱的Ce负异常,表明其成矿物质均来自上升的深部热水流体与海水的混合热液,在高温、还原流体和海水的参与下成矿。脉状铅锌矿及其围岩稀土元素配分模式与层状铅锌矿及其围岩相似,但其Eu为负异常和Ce异常不明显,部分样品出现较弱的Ce正异常,对比分析穿矿脉岩明显的Eu负异常和Ce正异常以及二者稀土元素总量稍大于层状铅锌矿的特点,文章认为青城子层状矿石为沉积成矿,成矿热液为深部热水流体与海水的混合热液,但后期受到岩浆侵入叠加改造的影响而在局部形成脉状铅锌矿体,引起了Eu负异常和局部Ce正异常的出现以及稀土元素总量的增加。 相似文献
15.
Shallow groundwater and hot springs were collected from northeastern Guangdong Province, Southeast China, to determine the concentrations and fractionation patterns of rare-earth elements(REE). The results show that the La, Ce and Nd of REEs are abundant in groundwater and rock samples, and the ∑REE contents in groundwater and rock samples range from 126.5 to 2875.3 ng/L, and 79.44 to 385.85 mg/L, respectively. The shallow groundwater has slightly HREE-enriched PAAS-normalized patterns. However, the granitic rocks PAAS-normalized patterns, with remarkable negative Eu anomalies, are different from that of shallow groundwater. The enrichment of HREE is considered to be controlled by REE complexation and readsorption for most groundwater has Ce and Eu positive anomalies. The Ce and Eu anomalies in groundwater are controlled by redox conditions. Moreover, the Fe-contain sediments dissolution and/or the reduction of Fe oxyhydroxides are another factor contributing to Ce anomalies. The Eu anomalies in groundwater are controlled by the preferential mobilization of Eu2+ during water-rock interaction compared to Eu3+. 相似文献
16.
阜新萤石成矿区稀土元素地球化学特征及指示意义 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
为了研究阜新萤石成矿机制,对其稀土元素地球化学特征进行了分析。阜新地区萤石矿赋存于早二叠世、晚三叠世和晚侏罗世花岗岩中。地球化学分析结果显示,所有萤石均具有弱的Ce负异常,其稀土配分模式存在3种类型:Eu明显亏损型、Eu弱亏损型和Eu富集型。萤石中稀土元素的含量并不随围岩中的稀土元素含量的增加而增加,晚期侵入的花岗岩富集轻稀土元素。从成矿早期到成矿晚期,萤石的稀土元素配分型式从Eu明显亏损型向富集型演化,稀土元素总量逐渐降低。赋存于早二叠世和晚三叠世花岗岩中萤石矿流体包裹体中SO42-含量及液相成分还原参数指标指示,成矿流体由还原条件向氧化条件转变,成矿物质主要来源于赋矿花岗岩。 相似文献
17.
广西南宁地区泥盆纪硅质岩稀土元素地球化学特征及沉积背景 总被引：5，自引：0，他引：5
广西南宁附近从早泥盆世埃姆斯期到晚泥盆世弗拉期发育了一套黑色层状硅质岩,常夹凝灰岩(或凝灰质硅质岩)或与之互层,在弗拉期晚期硅质岩变为浅黄色。本文对该区埃姆斯期、艾菲尔期、吉维特期到弗拉期硅质岩的稀土元素地球化学特征进行了系统研究,其∑REE平均值分别为:18.59×10-6,12.28×10-6,27.44×10-6和43.07×10-6;页岩标准化后Ce含量在这4个阶段均表现为弱-中等的负异常,Ce/Ce*平均值分别为:0.85,0.72,0.85和0.67;Eu/Eu*为弱的正异常,平均值分别为:1.08,1.21,1.46和1.04;(La/Ce)N值中等,平均值分别为:1.42,1.50,1.35和1.73;(La/Yb)N值变化较大,平均值分别为:1.19,1.06,1.24和0.45。这些结果表明该区硅质岩开始形成于陆内裂谷盆地,受陆源影响较大,在晚泥盆世迅速扩张为比较开阔的海盆环境,陆源影响明显减弱。硅质岩的形成虽受到一定热液活动的影响,但热液活动的影响普遍较弱。 相似文献
18.
冀东、五台和吕梁地区条带状铁矿的稀土元素特征及其地质意义 总被引：8，自引：0，他引：8
详细报道了冀东、五台和吕梁地区条带状铁矿全岩样品的稀土元素分析结果。结果表明,研究区BIF具有非常相似的特征：稀土总量均较低;经页岩标准化的稀土元素配分模式均呈现轻稀土亏损、重稀土富集的特征;Y/Ho比值较高;具有明显的Eu、Y、La的正异常,且这些特征表明研究区BIF的稀土元素来源于火山热液和海水的混合溶液。虽然BIF均显示Eu正异常,但不同类型、不同沉积年龄BIF的铕异常程度不同：与吕梁地区Superior型铁矿相比,冀东和五台地区的Algoma型铁矿显示了更大的Eu正异常;并且自中太古代-新太古代-古元古代,BIF的铕正异常逐渐减小,这可能反映了随着BIF沉积年龄的减小,进入到该地区海水中的高温热液流体逐渐减少;同时,研究区BIF缺乏明显的Ce负异常,可能暗示在BIF沉积时海水的氧化还原状态为缺氧环境。 相似文献
19.
安徽南部侏罗至白垩纪屯溪盆地位于NE向中下扬子火山岩带和NNE向中国东南部火山岩带的交接部位,其火山岩的年代学和成因研究可以提供华南晚中生代构造演化的信息。4个火山岩样品的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄及其岩石地球化学数据指示屯溪盆地发育两期火山岩:早期火山岩形成于156~152 Ma,为中、高钾钙碱性系列,稀土元素分布型式为轻稀土元素富集的右倾型,铕负异常不明显,富集轻稀土元素和大离子亲石元素,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ti、P;晚期火山岩形成于136~130 Ma,具有双峰式火山岩特征,其酸性组分属中钾钙碱性系列,稀土元素分布型式为右倾斜的"V"型,铕负异常明显,同样具有富集轻稀土元素、大离子亲石元素及亏损高场强元素Nb、Ti、P的特征。皖南屯溪盆地晚侏罗世-早白垩世火山活动类似于中国东南部火山岩带。结合前人资料,认为屯溪盆地晚侏罗世火山岩形成于挤压构造环境,而早白垩世火山岩形成于伸展环境,其成因与晚侏罗至早白垩世古太平洋板块俯冲角度变化和俯冲板片后撤作用有关。 相似文献
20.
《Russian Geology and Geophysics》2014,55(12):1367-1378
The clay fractions of saprolites from granites, basalt, and schists in Egypt were subjected to mineralogical and geochemical investigations to examine the effect of source rock on the composition of the saprolites and the possibilities of these saprolites as a source of the nearby sedimentary kaolin deposits. The clay fractions of the studied saprolites show mineralogical and geochemical variations. Saprolites from the granites consist of kaolinite, while saprolites from the basalts are composed entirely of smectite. Schists-derived saprolites are composed of kaolinite in some cases and of a mixture of kaolinite, illite, and chlorite in the other. Saprolite from the basalt is characterized by relatively higher contents of TiO2 and Ni compared to the saprolites from granites. Saprolites from granites have higher contents of Ba, Li, Pb, Sr, Th, Y, and Zr compared to those of the saprolites from the basalts and schists. Saprolites from different schists show variations in the distributions of many constituents, such as TiO2, Cr, Ni, Ba, Y, and Zr. Although chondrite-normalized rare earth elements (REE) patterns are characterized by relative enrichments in the light rare earth elements (LREE) compared to the heavy rare earth elements (HREE) in all saprolites, granitic saprolites show negative Eu anomalies, while saprolite from basalt has no Eu anomaly. REE patterns of the saprolites from schists exhibit slight positive Ce anomalies and slight to moderate negative Eu anomalies. Weathering of saprolites from the basalt and metasediments is classified as the bisiallitization type, while weathering of saprolite from the granite is allitization type. Saprolites from schists vary from the bisiallitization (Aswan and Abu Natash) and allitization (Khaboba) types. Saprolites from the Khaboba schist can be considered the possible source of the Carboniferous kaolin deposits in the Hasber and Khaboba areas of Sinai, based on the similarity in the mineralogy and geochemistry of major, trace, and REE between the saprolites and the deposits. On the other hand, Carboniferous sedimentary kaolin deposits in the Abu Natash area, as well as the Cretaceous kaolin deposits in all areas of Sinai, might have been derived from the nearby schist saprolites, based on the similarity in the mineralogy and geochemistry between the saprolites and the kaolin deposits. Granites from the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) and East Sahara Craton (ESC) are the possible sources of the pisolitic and plastic kaolin deposits in the Kalabsha area (Aswan), as indicated by the similarity in the mineralogy and geochemistry of the granitic saprolites and the kaolin deposits. 相似文献