US-Egypt Cooperative Research: Origin and Economic Potential of Some Banded Iron Ore Deposits from the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt

该项目支持西弗吉尼亚州马歇尔大学地质学系A.El-Shazly博士和亚历山大大学地质系Khalil Ebeid博士之间的合作研究。他们计划研究埃及东部沙漠中的带状铁矿，以确定这些带状铁矿石的成因过程，并确定形成年龄。智力价值美国和埃及的PIS将主要关注Umm Nar和Wadi Kareim的矿藏，这两个矿藏的特征是铁/硅比异常高，将试图确定这些带状铁矿石的成因过程以及每种铁矿石的地质时间表。将开展现场工作，绘制矿体地图，并建立它们与特定构造的关系。常量元素和微量元素的岩石学和全岩地球化学分析将有助于对矿床进行分类，约束其变质条件，并确定其形成的构造环境。流体包裹体的显微测温和激光显微拉曼研究将通过表征流体成分及其圈闭条件来识别成岩作用、热液活动和变质作用在这些矿床形成中的作用。利用亚利桑那大学的激光烧蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱对从铁矿石及其夹层岩石中分离出来的单个锆石晶体进行U-Pb测年，将通过测定每个晶体中特定的化学带来限制热液蚀变和变质的时间。广泛的影响该项目的广泛影响将促进初级科学家的发展。一名来自埃及的硕士研究生和一名来自马歇尔大学的美国本科生的参与将使两个群体更好地了解教育系统和文化。马歇尔大学本科生参加在埃及的实地工作，以及随后的地球化学分析和科学研究技术培训将对学生有利。拟议的地球化学研究将更好地评估这些铁矿石的经济潜力，因为它将确定任何被认为不适合钢铁行业的元素的浓度以及矿石的整体品位。

This project supports collaborative research between Dr. A. El-Shazly, Department of Geology, Marshall University, West Virginia and Dr. Khalil Ebeid, Geology Department of Alexandria University. They plan to study the banded iron ore deposits occurring in the Eastern Desert of Egypt to identify the processes involved in the genesis of these banded iron ores and to determine the age of formation. Intellectual MeritBy focusing primarily on the deposits of Umm Nar and Wadi Kareim, which are characterized by exceptionally high Fe/Si ratios, US and Egyptian PIs will attempt to identify the processes involved in the genesis of these banded iron ores and the geological timeline of each. Field work will be carried out to map the ore bodies and establish their relations to specific structures. Petrological and whole rock geochemical analysis for major and trace elements will help classify the deposits, constrain the conditions of their metamorphism, and identify the tectonic setting of their formation. Microthermometric and laser micro-Raman studies of fluid inclusions will lead to the identification of the roles of diagenesis, hydrothermal activity, and metamorphism in the formation of these deposits through characterization of the fluid compositions and their conditions of entrapment. U-Pb dating of individual zircon crystals separated from the iron ores and their intercalated rocks using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at the University of Arizona will constrain the timing of hydrothermal alteration and metamorphism through dating specific chemical zones within each crystal.Broader ImpactsThe broader impacts of this project will promote the development of junior scientists. The involvement of an M.S. level student from Egypt and a US undergraduate from Marshall University will lead to a better understanding of educational systems and cultures for both groups. Participation of a Marshall University undergraduate in field work in Egypt and subsequent training in techniques of geochemical analysis and scientific research will be beneficial to the student. The proposed geochemical studies will result in a better evaluation of the economic potential of these iron ores, as it will determine the concentrations of any elements deemed undesirable for the steel industry as well as the overall grade of the ores.