The source determination of sediments due to weathering of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using the geochemical behavior of some basic and rare metal elements

During weathering, a significant proportion of the elements specially base and rare metals would migrate. Origin of sediments has been studied only through empirical methods or isotopes such as Cs137, which has always been a controversy about the results of these methods. Detecting the rules for migration and distribution of some metal elements in environments with different lithologies, can provide an appropriate and precise method for determining the origin of sediments. The existence of isolated and combined igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks along with various weathering phenomena in north of the Shahrekord city provided an appropriate opportunity for this innovative research. In this research, the origin of sediments are determined using the result of XRD and ICP-MS analyses on the samples from igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic rocks and their associated sediments and statistical analysis of the enrichments and depletions of migratory metals. Based on the results of this study, Rb, Ni, Sr, Pb, Nb, and Zr in igneous rocks, U, Pb, Ba, W, Nb, Ni, and Zr in sedimentary rocks and Zr, Rb, V, Ba, Co, Nb, and Ni in metamorphic rocks can be used as indicators for determination of sediment origin.