Distribution of base metals and the related elements in the stream-sediments around the Ahar area (NW Iran) and their implications

All the distinguished anomalies correlate well with Oligocene granitic-granodioritic rocks and the related hydrothermal alterations occurred within the Eocene andesitic-basaltic volcanics, especially at the NE part of the quadrangle, as well as with alterations within trachy-andesitic and andesitic volcanics of Pliocene at the SE part of the quadrangle, where epithermal gold and Pb-Zn mineralization is found. Most of he studied elements also show moderate to strong anomalies over the Sonajil porphyry-type Cu mineralization. Copper, and to some extent Mo, as well as Pb, Zn, Sn, W, As and Sb are the best examples of this association. Bismuth has more limited anomalies across the region, showing correlation with the granitoid intrusion at the east of Ahar and the hydrothermal alterations within the Pliocene andesitic and basaltic rocks at SE of Ahar quadrangle which, considering the presence of epithermal gold and Pb-Zn veins in both areas, can be attributed to epithermal processes. However, anthropogenic pollutions are also found for As, Fe, V, Ti, Ni and Co downstream the urban and rural areas. In this regard, besides the Sonajil area, where porphyry-type Cu mineralization is discovered, the NE and SE parts of the quadrangle present promising areas for further investigations.