Provenance of the siliciclastic deposits of Ilanqareh Formation in the Pireshagh section, south of Jolfa, based on the petrography, geochemistry and heavy mineral assemblage

In this research, a combination of petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals analysis methods are implemented for investigating the provenance of quartzarenitic and subarkosic sandstones of Ilanqareh Formation with Late Devonian age in Azerbaijan, south of Jolfa. Investigation of the quartz types in the studied sandstones, geochemical characteristics of sandstones and shales of Ilanqareh Formation including Al2O3/TiO2 ratio and La/Sc against Co/Th ratios, illustrates that the dominant parent rocks of most of these deposits are granitic igneous ones. The presence of granitic parent rock along with the presence of euhedral zircon and tourmaline among the well-rounded indicate the erosion of uplifted blocks of Iranian basement in the rifted basin of Paleotethys as effective factor in providing sediments. However, geochemistry and heavy mineral assemblages confirm the recycling of sediments from older formations as another source of sediment. The petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals also indicate the craton provenance and passive margin tectonic setting at the deposition time of the Ilanqareh sediments. According to the present study, one can consider a combination of uplifted source rock (Cadomian basement) and sedimentary recycling of older formations as main sources and Arabian craton as a subsidiary source in the supply of detritus sanstones of Ilanqareh Formation.