Application of petrologic findings and geochemical data in environmental geology studies of ophiolitic areas: Case studies in the north of Nain and Ashin (Isfahan Province)

The study of petrological findings and geochemical data of mafic and ultramafic rocks and related petrographic units in the ophiolites can be an introduction to environmental geology studies, agriculture and natural resources. Regarding the urban and rural areas of Nain to Ashin in the vicinity of ophiolitic zone (Central Iran), geochemical investigations of mafic and ultramafic rocks of these ophiolites have very important applications in the field of environmental geology of these areas. Therefore, available geochemical data of basic rocks (pillow lavas and basalts), metabasic rocks (amphibolites) and metamorphosed and altered peridotites are considered based on environmental factors. For examples, in the peridotites which are one of the most abundant rock units in these ophiolites, the enrichment factor (Ef) for Ni is extremely high, for Cr is very high, and for Co is high. In addition, the geo-accumulation index or Igeo for Ni (~4) and Ni (>5) in peridotites is heavily to extremely high. therefore, high Ef and Igeo factors of the studied heavy metals (e.g., chrome, nickel, cobalt, arsenic, vanadium) and asbestose minerals (hornblende, tremolite, talc and chrysotile) in the mafic and ultramafic rocks of Ophiolites can be known as some dangerous environmental pollutants. Thus, investigatation of the volume of such elements penetrated into the surface and underground waters and soils in the villages and cities at the foot of these ophiolites could be a theme for ongoing studies in environmental geology of these areas.