Trace elements and REE(s) behaviour in hydrothermal alteration zones Sungun Cu-porphyry deposit, NE Iran

The Sungun Cu-porphyry deposit is located in the East Azarbaiyjan province، 75 Km NE of Ahar city. The porphyry type mineralization is related to the Miocene monzonite-quartz monzonite and diorite-granodiorite intrusive rocks. There are four distinguished alteration zones in the Sungun deposit which nearly envelope the ore body concentrically. The present research is concerned on the behaviour of REE in potassic، phyllic and argillic zones regarding their geochemical and economic potentials. Geochemical evidences of trace elements share many similarities between alteration zones. LREE enrichment and HREE depletion are well clear in three alteration zones. Eu anomaly in potassic zone is weakly negative، in phyllic is nearly positive but the argillic zone doesn’t show any Eu anomaly. Lower ratio of Ce/Ce* (0. 95) in potassic and the higher ratio in phyllic and argillic zones reveal prevailing reduced and oxidized conditions respectively. Similar physicochemical conditions such as pH، the availability of suitable complexes in fluids، and the occurrence of secondary minerals for REE uptake، have been prevailed on the evolution of these three alteration zones.