Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East-Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation （from two stratigraphic successions） in east-central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk-rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation （e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2 ） indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin （PM）. Chemical index of alteration （CIA） for these rocks （65%） suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.

Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Qal'eh Dokhtar Formation(Middle-Upper Jurassic) in the West of Boshrouyeh, East Central Iran

The study area is located in the east Tabas Block in Central Iran. Facies analysis of the Qal＇eh Dokhtar Formation（middle Callovian to late Oxfordian） was carried out on two stratigraphic sections and applied to depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy interpretation. This formation conformably overlies and underlies the marly-silty Baghamshah and the calcareous Esfandiar formations, respectively. Lateral and vertical facies changes documents low-to high energy environments, including tidal-flat, beach to intertidal, lagoon, barrier, and open-marine. According to these facies associations and absence of resedimentation deposits a depositional model of a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic ramp was proposed for the Qal＇eh Dokhtar Formation. Seven third-order depositional sequences were identified in each two measured stratigraphic sections. Transgressive systems tracts（TSTs） show deepening upward trends, i.e. shallow water beach to intertidal and lagoonal facies, while highstand systems tracts（HST） show shallowing upward trends in which deep water facies are overlain by shallow water facies. All sequence boundaries（except at the base of the stratigraphic column） are of the no erosional（SB2） types. We conclude eustatic rather than tectonic factors played a dominant role in controlling carbonate depositional environments in the study area.

Sequence and Biostratigraphy of Lower Cenozoic Succession in the Kopet-Dagh Basin, NE of Iran

The main purpose of this paper is the sequence stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of lower Tertiary sediments on the base of larger benthic foraminifera in northeast of Iran (Chehel-Kaman Formation). This formation mainly consists of Limestone, dolomite and interbeds of sand, shale and evaporate sediments. Petrographical studies indicate that these sediments may have been deposited on a shallow carbonate platform ramp and consist of 4 carbonate lithofacies (15 subfacies). These lithofacies may have been deposited in open marine, shoal, lagoon and tidal flat environmental conditions. Sequence stratigraphy analysis led to identification of 4 third-order depositional sequences, bounded by type 2 (within the top of the underlying Pestehleigh Formation) and type 1 sequence boundaries (paleosol). Interpreted sea level curve in this basin can be relatively correlated with global curves during Paleocene time and a with a sea-level fall occurred in the latest Paleocene, followed by a rise in the earliest Eocene. Biostratigraphy study led to the identification of 32 larger benthic Foraminifera genera. The Paleocene/Eocene boundary has been probably recorded as a thin red paleosol horizon (~10 - 15 cm).