Rare earth elements geochemistry of the cambrian shallow marine manganese deposit at Wadi Dana, south Jordan

Abstract EN

The Cambrian manganese deposits of Wadi Dana were investigated for their REE geochemistry, contents and patterns.

Compared with other manganese ore types the studied ore is REE depleted.

However, such depletion can be applied to the high-grade ores, while the low-grade ores bears higher REE due to the detrital contribution.

The horizontal variation throughout the basin is insignificant, while, the vertical variation is pronounced.

Vertically.

The ΣREE and many individual REE’s are increasing upwards except for Yb and Eu.

Moreover, Ce / ΣREE and Eu / Sm vertical behavior shows inverse relationship that reflects the increase of oxic digenetic conditions upwards.

The normalization pattern shows that the ore exhibits a high positive Eu and no or small positive Ce anomalies.

The REE pattern and content is comparable to similar worldwide digenetic manganese ores.