Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ra’s Abdah of the north Eastern Desert of Egypt: the role of granitic dykes in the formation of radioactive mineralization, evidenced by zircon morphology and chemistry

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Acta Geochimica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Syenogranitic dykes in the north of Egypt’s Eastern Desert are of geological and economic interest because of the presence of magmatic and supergene enrichment of radioactive mineralization. Zircon crystal morphology within the syenogranitic dykes allows precise definition of sub-alkaline series granites and crystallized at mean temperature of about 637 °C. The growth pattern of the zircons suggest magmatic and hydrothermal origins of radioactive mineralization. Hydrothermal processes are responsible for the formation of significant zircon overgrowth; high U-zircon margins might have occurred contemporaneously with the emplacement of syenogranitic dykes which show anomalous uranium (eU) and thorium (eTh) contents of up to 1386 and 7330 ppm, respectively. Zircon chemistry revealed a relative increase of Hf consistent with decreasing Zr content, suggesting the replacement of Zr by Hf during hydrothermal activity. Visible uranium mineralization is present and recognized by the presence of uranophane and autunite.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bau M (1996) Controls on the fractionation of isovalent trace elements in magmatic and aqueous systems; evidence from Y/Ho, Zr/Hf, and lanthanide tetrad effect. Contrib Mineral Petrol 123:323–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bineli Betsi T, Lentz DR (2010) The nature of “quartz eyes” hosted by dykes associated with Au-Bi-As-Cu, Mo-Cu, and base-metal-Au-Ag mineral occurrences in the Mountain Freegold region (Dawson Range), Yukon, Canada. J Geosci 55:347–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Breiter K (2002) From explosive breccia to unidirectional solidification textures: magmatic evolution of a phosphorus- and fluorine-rich granite system (Podlesí, Krušné hory Mts., Czech Republic). Bull Czech Geol Surv 77:67–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Cemal Köksal S, Göncuoglu M, Toksoy-Köksal F, Möller A, Kemnitz H (2008) Zircon typologies and internal structures as petrogenetic indicators in contrasting granitoid types from central Anatolia, Turkey. Mineral Petrol 93:185–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corfu F, Hanchar JM, Hoskin PWO, Kinny P (2003) Atlas of zircon textures. In: Hanchar JM, Hoskin PWO (eds) Zircon. Reviews in mineralogy and geochemistry. Mineralogical Society of America, Chantilly

    Google Scholar 

  • Correia NJM, Lopes NJE, Sahama ThG (1974) High hafnium member of zircon-hafnon series from the granite pegmatites of Zambezia. Mozambique Contr Min Petr 48:73–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dardier AM (1999) Morphology and geochemistry of zircon associated with uranium mineralization in Gattar granitic pluton, north Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Mineral Soc Egypt 11:91–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Derre C, Lecolle M, Roger G, de Freitas Tavares, Carval ho J (1986) Tectonics, magmatism, hydrothermalism and sets of flat joints locally filled by Sn-W aplite-pegmatite and quartz veins; southeastern border of the Serra de Estrela granitic massif (Beira Baixa, Portu gal). Ore Geol Rev 1:43–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Mansi MM, Dardier AM, Abdel Ghani IM (2004) Crystal habit and chemistry of zircon as a guide for uranium redistribution in Gabal Ria El-Garrah area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Delta J Sci 28:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich M, Cuney M, Pory B (1987) Friedrich M, Cuney M, Pory B (1987): uranium geochemistry in peraluminous leucogranites, in: concentration mechanisms of uranium in geological environments: a conference report. Uranium 3:353–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Gastil RG, DeLisle M, Morgan J (1967) Some effects of progressive metamorphism on zircons. Geol Soc Am Bull 78(7):879–906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussein HA, Faris MI, Makram W (1965) Radioactivity of some accessory minerals especially zircon in some Egyptian granites and pegmatites. J Geol UAR 9(2):13–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroner A, Eyal M, Eyal Y (1990) Early Pan-African evolution of the basement around Elat, Israel, and the Sinai Peninsula revealed by single-zircon evaporation dating, and implications for crustal accretion rates. Geology 18:545–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR (2005) Examination of dikes in ore-forming systems: analysis of geological, petrochemical, and geotectonic constraints. Actas Del XVI Congr Geol Argent, LaPlata, pp 403–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Lespinasse M, Pecher A (1986) Microfissuration and regional stress field: a study of the preferred orientation of fluid inclusion planes in a granite from the Massif Central, France. J Struct Geol 8:169–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore JM (1975) A mechanical interpretation of the vein and dyke systems of the S.W. England Ore field. Mineral Deposita 10:374–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nasdala L, Beran A, Libowitzky E, Wolf D (2001) The incorporation of hydroxyl groups and molecular water in natural zircon (ZrSiO4). Am J Sci 301:831–857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash, JT (1979) Uranium and thorium in granitic rocks of north-eastern Washington and northern Idaho, with comments on uranium resource potential: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Rept. 79–233, p 39

  • Omran AA (2005) Geological, petrochemical studies and potentiality of uranium-thorium occurrences in Gabal Um Taghir El-Tahtani area with emphasis on the granitic rocks, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Ph.D. thesis, Ain Shams University Cairo p 189

  • Omran AA (2015) Geology, mineralogy and radioelements potentiality of microgranite dikes to the south of wadi abu hadieda area, northern eastern desert. in press

  • Pupin JP (1980) Zircon and granite petrology. Contrib Mineral Petr 73:207–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pupin JP, Bunin B, Tessier M, Turco G (1978) Role de l’eau sur les caracteres morphologiques, et la cristallisation du zircon dans les granites. Bull Soc Geol Fr 20:721–725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin JN, Henri CD, Price JG (1989) Hydrothermal zircons and zircon overgrowths, Sierra Blanca Peaks, Texas. Am Mineral 74:865–869

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein M, Goldstein SL (1996) From plume head to continental lithosphere in the Arabian-Nubian shield. Nature 383:773–778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štemprok M, Seifert T, Holub FV, Chlupá čová M, Dolejš D, Novák JK, Pivec E, Lang M (2008) Petrology and geochmemistry of Variscan dykes from the Jáchymov (Joachimsthal) ore district, Czech Republic. J Geosci 53:65–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Hedge CE (1985) Geochronologic and isotopic constraints on late Precambrian crustal evolution in the Eastern desert of Egypt. American Journal Science 285:97–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Gottfried DG, Hedge CE (1984) Late Precambrian rifting and crustal evolution in the North Eastern Desert of Egypt. Geology 12:168–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuckless JS (1979) Uranium and thorium concentrations in Precambrian granites as indicators of a uranium province in central Wyoming. Contrib Geol 17(2):173–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Carlto n, p 312

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallance J, Cathelineau M, Boiron MC, Fourcade S, Shepherd TJ, Naden J (2003) Fluid-rock interactions and the role of late Hercynian aplite intrusion in the genesis of the Castromil gold deposit, northern Portugal. Chem Geol 194:201–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang RC, Fontan F, Monchoux P (1992) Minéraux disséminés comme indicateurs du caractère pegmatitique du granite de Beauvoir, massif d’Échassieres, Allier, France. Can Mineral 30:763–770

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams IS (1992) Some observations on the use of zircon U-Pb geochemistry in the study of granitic rocks. Trans R Soc Edinb 83:447–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

    Ali A. Omran & Osama K. Dessouky

Authors
  1. Ali A. Omran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Osama K. Dessouky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Osama K. Dessouky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Omran, A.A., Dessouky, O.K. Ra’s Abdah of the north Eastern Desert of Egypt: the role of granitic dykes in the formation of radioactive mineralization, evidenced by zircon morphology and chemistry. Acta Geochim 35, 368–380 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-016-0103-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-016-0103-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation