Depositional-diagenetic and geochemical characteristics of the Ilam Formation in northwest of Abdanan, Kabir Kuh

In this study, the Late Cretaceous Ilam Formation of the Bangestan group in the northwest of Abdanan in the Kabir-Kuh anticline has been investigated for sedimentological and geochemical properties, and diagenetic processes. Field studies indicate that this formation in studied section reach a thickness of 281 m and composed of medium to thin-bedded limestones with shales and argillaceous limestones intercalations. The upper and lower boundaries of the Ilam Formation in the studied section are disconfirmable with the Gurpi and Sarvak formations, respectively. Based on the petrographic studies, nine microfacies and one petrofacies have been identified for the Ilam Formation which mainly deposited in the outer ramp-basin setting. The main diagenetic features affecting the Ilam Formation in the studied section include micritization, cementation, mechanical and chemical compactions, dissolution, pyritization, phosphatization, and glauconitization. Geochemical characteristic (major and trace elements) of the Ilam carbonate deposits indicate closed diagenetic system. Variations of V/Cr, V/(V+Ni) and Ni/Co indicate that the carbonate samples of the Ilam Formation are subjected to suboxic and mostly anoxic conditions. Separating the Sarvak and Ilam boundary can be aided by some geochemical data variations such as Sr/Ca, Sr/Na, Sr/Mn, Ag, V, Ni, Zn, Sr, Fe, Co and P at the Kabir-Kuh anticline in the Abdanan section.