Characterization of a Post Orogenic A-Type Granite, Gabal El Atawi, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: Geochemical and Radioactive Perspectives ()
1. Introduction
In the Late Proterozoic Pan African Nubian Shield of Egypt, two types of granitoid rocks grouped as older assemblage referred to as grey or syn-to late-orogenic, calc-alkaline quartz-diorite to granodiorite (850 - 614 Ma) and younger (610 - 550 Ma) post-orogenic monzogranite, syenogranite and alkali feldspar granite assemblage [1] [2] .
The younger granites form about 16% of the basement outcrops in the Eastern Desert [3] . Hussein et al. [4] divided the Egyptian younger granites into suture related granites (G2-granite) formed in post-orogenic environment and intraplate granites (G3-granite) related to rifting processes. Hassan and Hashad [2] suggested that the magma of the younger granites was emplaced in three possible tectonic settings: (1) subduction processes in a volcanic arc environment, (2) arc-continent collision event and (3) within continental plates. Noweir et al. [5] considered the Egyptian younger granites as transitional phases from calc-alkaline I-type magmatism to normal alkaline and peralkaline A-type granite. EI-Sayed [6] classified the Egyptian granites into I-type orogenic arc related and A-type anorogenic rift-related granites. Some of the post-collisional A-type granite plutons in the ANS are considered as specialized granites [7] [8] [9] . They are characterized by a marked enrichment in granitophile trace elements and valuable metals of economic interest, like Nb, Ta, Zr, Th, U, Y, Sn and rare earth elements (REE).
Gabal El Atawi granitic pluton is located at the eastern part of the Central Eastern Desert between latitudes 25˚32'N and 25˚38'N and longitudes 34˚6'E and 34˚14'E (Figure 1). It is occurring ≈45 km to the west of Quseir-Marsa Alam asphaltic road. El Atawi granitic pluton is roughly oval shaped elongated in the ENE direction with 5 × 9 km2 and dissected by Wadi El Miyah.
Several studies have been carried out on El Atawi area. Rb/Sr isochron age of El Atawi granites is obtained 580 Ma [10] , 587 ± 11 Ma with 87Sr/86Sr initial ratio (0.7058) [11] and 587 ± 27 Ma [12] . Anomalous rare metals concentrations in Gabal El Atawi area are recorded by [13] . Yonan [14] and Fasfous et al. [15] studied the fluorite mineralization. Obeid [16] advocated El Atawi granitic pluton strongly differentiated rare metal (chemically specialized) granite. Sadek [17] mapped a detailed geologic map for Gabal El Atawi area. Salman [18] carried out geochemical prospecting studies for radioactive mineralization at G. El Atawi area. Fawzy [19] studied the genesis of fluorite veins cutting the western part of the pluton.
Khawasik [20] recorded uranium and thorium mineralizations near the northeastern contact of the granites with the metasediments. Attawiya [21] recorded Th-rich minerals (thorite, uranothorite, thorianite, thorogummite) and U-rich minerals (uraninite, delorenzite) and secondary minerals (uranope, soddyite) which are found staining the surfaces of joints and faults. Al Anwar [22] studied the geochemistry of the hydrothermally altered granites. The studied granites were obviously subjected to various alteration processes (hematitization, kaolinitization and fluortization). The alteration zones show the highest U and Th contents as a result of alteration processes. Though much data on geochemistry and general description of radioactivity and ore mineralogy of El Atawi granite are available, practically there is no information on the nature of the mineralizing fluids. Fluid inclusions trapped in minerals provide information on the physicochemical conditions attending various geologic processes including hydrothermal activity. In this view, an attempt has been made to identify the nature of mineralizing fluids and mineralization processes using fluid inclusion studies on the altered granite.
The present work aims to study the geochemical characteristics, petrogenesis and radioactivity of Gabal El Atawi granitic pluton and encompasses details of micro-inclusions data in altered granite samples to elucidate the genesis and evolution of the mineralizing fluids.
2. Geologic Setting
El Atawi area is covered, from oldest to youngest, by serpentinite and talc- carbonates, metasediments, metavolcanics, older granites, Hammamat group, younger granites, post granite dykes, trachytes and veins. The serpentinite bodies show tectonic contact with the metasediments that trending NW and metavolcanics. The older granites occupy the northeastern sector of the area and comprise tonalite and granodiorite rocks of Gabal El Shosh. The Hamamat sediments unconformably overlie the metasediments and metavolcanics.
The younger granites occur as highly elevated lensoidal mass intruding the meta-sedimentary and metabasalts in the central part of mapped area. They display sharp intrusive contacts with the country rocks. The younger granites are traversed by a group of faults trending mainly NW and NE and crossed by several post granite basic, intermediate and acidic dykes exhibiting various lengths and thickness trending in the NW-SE and E-W directions. Quartz-fluorite-calcite veins trending N-S and dipping ≈ 80˚ to the east are cutting the western part of the younger granite mass (Figure 1).
The younger granites are homogeneous medium to coarse-grained with light pink color. In the northern border of the pluton, close to the contact with the metasedimentary rocks, the granites are altered. Alteration zones are commonly located in the apical portions of the investigated granite occurring as irregular patches forming the outer margin. Sometimes, they extend along the major ENE or NW trending fractures and faults over several meters across the structures. The hydrothermally altered granites are white in color, fine-grained and coated with Fe-oxides.
3. Methodology
A total of nine representative samples from the younger granite were chemically analyzed for major oxides, trace elements and REE. The XRF analysis was done on pressed powder after mixing the samples with the Mowiol II polyvinyl alcohol and pressed to pellets of 4 cm in diameter for measuring trace elements and the samples have been measured for major oxides after fusion with tetra borate melted pellets using the XRF Philips PW2400 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The detection limits are approx. 0.01% for MOs and 1 to 4 ppm for TEs. The accuracy of the analyses was assessed by analysis of standard reference materials. The REEs were determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The analyses were conducted at the Institute of Earth Sciences, Lausanne University, Switzerland. The results are given in Table 1, Table 2.
Representative samples from the alteration zones were chosen for fluid
![]()
Figure 1. Geological map of Gabal El Atawi area (after [16] ).
inclusion studies. The microthemometric measurements on inclusions in quartz from the schlieren (authigenic quartz formed during alteration) were carried out in order to estimate physico-chemical conditions of alteration. Microthermometric studies were conducted in Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Egypt using Linkam MDSG600 heating/freezing stages. Samples were cut into thin slabs using a diamond-edged saw with a slow speed to avoid overheating. From each slab a doubly polished wafers was produced using standard techniques. From microthermometric results the bulk composition of the fluids could be calculated using FLINCOR computer program [23] and the minimum conditions of trapping are estimated.
![]()
Table 1. Major oxides (%) and Trace elements (ppm) for Gabal El Atawi granites.
![]()
![]()
Table 2. Rare earth elements (ppm) of granite, El Atawi area.
4. Petrography
The granites exhibit medium to coarse-grained hypidiomorphic texture and are composed essentially of k-feldspar, quartz, plagioclase, biotite with minor hornblende and muscovite. Zircon, fluorite, sphene, tourmaline and iron oxides are the common accessory minerals while chlorite, epidote, kaolinite and sericite are the alteration mineral constituents.
Potash feldspars occur mostly as large subhedral to anhedral tabular crystals of perthitic orthoclase and microcline with subordinate amounts of microcline up to 3 mm long. They poikilitically enclose minute crystals and laths of plagioclase, quartz, biotite, sphene, epidot and zircon.
The perthitic texture is formed of flake-like bodies along the cleavage of the k-feldspar host. Sometimes they crosscut the twining planes of microcline (Figure 2(a)). The perthite bodies exhibit a diversity of forms including rod, band, string, braid, flame, patch and vein (Figures 2(b)-(d)).
Quartz occurs as coarse subhedral crystals, 2 - 3 mm across or as fine interstitial crystals having sutured outlines. Minute inclusions of quartz occur within feldspars and biotite.
Plagioclase occurs as subhedral prismatic crystals up to 2 mm long between k-feldspare and quartz. These crystals are usually zoned and saussuritized (Figure 2(e)). Plagioclase occurs also as fine lath-like crystals up to 0.5 mm long. These crystals are usually fresh, euhedral, unzoned and display well developed polysynthetic twinning. Fine-grained subhedral poikilitic plagioclase inclusions
![]()
Figure 2. Photomicrographs, Gabal El Atawi granite showing: (a) Perthitic bodies crosscut the twining planes of the microcline host. (b) Rod perthite. (c) String perthite. (d) Braid perthite (upper) and flame perthite (lower). (e) Prismatic zoned and saussuritized plagioclase crystal.
within the k-feldspare crystals are common.
Biotite exists as thick greenish brown to yellowish brown flakes and laths up to 3 mm long (Figure 3(a)). They sometimes enclose minute crystals of zircon and quartz.
Few interstitial flakes of hornblende and muscovite are recorded (Figure 3(b)). Zircon crystals are euhedral to subhedral and characterized by the presence of pleochroic haloes. Fluorite occurs as grains associated with mica minerals.
In the altered granite samples, the k-feldspar includes small plagioclase crystals along the margins (Figure 3(c)). Some quartz crystals are displaying undulose extinction and cataclastic-like texture. Quartz forms bands consisting of small deformed, elongated and directed grains bowing around other mineral grains (Figure 3(d)). Less commonly, it occurs as graphic intergrowths between k-feldspar and plagioclase releasing quartz (Figure 3(e)). The graphic quartz- feldspar texture suggests that there was simultaneous crystallization of the two phases, with morphology influenced by the presence of aqueous phase [24] . The graphic quartz-k-feldspar intergrowths considered as products of metasomatic alterations and intracrystalline penetration of hydrothermal solutions. Secondary quartz veinlets of fine-grained crystals traversing and surrounding other rock forming minerals are common. Some biotite crystals show bending or curved cleavage pointing to deformation effect. Biotite variably altered to chlorite with release of iron oxides as elongated blebs that arranged along cleavage planes. Tourmaline forms euhedral prismatic zoned crystals up to 2 mm in length (Figure 3(f)). They exhibit brown cores and yellowish brown rims. Tourmaline and fluorite in the granite are the result of B, F-metasomatism.
5. Geochemistry and Petrogenesis
5.1. Geochemical Characteristics and Classification
The analyzed granites are highly fractionated as indicated from the high SiO2 (range from 74.65 to 77.19%). They have also high Fe2O3 and alkalis, low concentrations of Al2O3, CaO, TiO2, MnO and MgO (Table 1). Decrease of MgO and TiO2 contents suggests fractionation of mafic minerals along with feldspars [25] . There is a slight excess of K2O relative to Na2O in granite with Na2O/K2O
![]()
Figure 3. Photomicrograph, Gabal El Atawi granite showing: (a) Biotite flake. (b) Interstitial flakes of hornblende. (c) Metasomatic albite laths replacing perthitic k-feldspar at the margins. (d) Quartz forming bands of small, deformed, elongated and directed grains bowing around other mineral grains. (e) Graphic intergrowth between k-feldspar and plagioclase releasing quartz. (f) Euhedral prismatic zoned tourmaline crystal.
ratio <1 (0.94).
In chondrite-normalized spider diagram (after [26] ) (Figure 4), the studied granites are enriched in Ba, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Th, U and depleted in K while Sr approaches the unity line. The Th, U and Ta concentrations exhibit the highest peaks.
Obeid [16] recorded high fluorine concentration in the El Atawi granite (2435 ppm) similar to F-bearing granite elsewhere in the world. Fluorine enrichment in this granite is manifested by the presence of fluorite and tourmaline as accessory minerals. The pervasive occurrence of fluorite in the alkali-feldspar granite reflects its high F concentration [27] [28] [29] .
The studied Gabal El Atawi granite samples fall in the alkali granite field of [30] and [31] (Figure 5(a), Figure 5(b)), and in the alkali-feldspar granite field of [32] and [33] (Figures 5(c), Figure 5(d)).
El Atawi alkali feldspar granites are characterized by ΣREEs contents ranging from 152.5 to 370.9 with an average (250.8 ppm). They display ΣLREEs (214.5 ppm) and ΣHREEs (36.3 ppm). They show LREE enrichment (La/Yb)N = 3.5, highly fractionated LREEs (La/Sm)N = 5 while HREEs have limited degree of fractionation (Gd/Yb)N = 0.49. They exhibit strong negative Eu anomaly with (Eu/Eu*)N ranging from 0.003 to 0.007 with an average of 0.006 (Table 2).
(La/Yb)N, (La/Sm)N and (Gd/Lu)N ratios are used as a measure of the degree of fractionation of REEs, LREEs and HREEs respectively. The Eu-anomaly is estimated as (Eu/Eu*)N ratio (Table 2). The chondrite-normalized REEs distribution patterns of El Atawi granite, using the values of Taylor and McLennan [26] , show a gull-wing shape with negative slope and strongly negative Eu anomalies (Figure 6).
5.2. Magma Type
In the alkali-silica diagram of [34] , the rocks show sub-alkaline characters (Figure 7(a)). In the AFM ternary diagram of [34] , all the samples fall within the calc-alkaline field (Figure 7(b)). The analyzed samples plot nearby the alkali
![]()
Figure 4. Spider diagram for chondrite-normalized trace elements of Gabal El Atawi younger granites. Normalization values after [26] .
![]()
Figure 5. (a): SiO2 vs. Na2O + K2O variation diagram [30] . (b) R1 - R2 binary diagram [31] . R1 = 4Si − 11(Na + K) − 2(Fe + Ti) and R2 = 6Ca + 2Mg + Al. (c) SiO2 versus alkalis diagram [32] . 3 = Alkali feldspar granite, 6 = granite. (d) Normative An-Ab-Or ternary diagram [33] . 1 = Alkali-feldspar granite, 2 = syenogranite.
![]()
Figure 6. Normalized REE pattern of the younger granite of El Atawi area (normalization values after [26] ).
apex but quite dispersed along the A-F side pointing to origination under extensional environment [35] . In the (Ga)/Al2O3 * 0.5293 versus Zr diagram of [36] , all the samples fall in the A-type field (Figure 7(c)). The granites show high FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) ratios (0.91 - 0.99) to plot within ferroan granites field in the FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) against SiO2 scheme of [37] (Figure 7(d)) exhibiting consistency with worldwide A-type granites. The studied granites plot in the A2-type granite field of [38] (Figure 7(e)). This means emplacement from apparent crustal source. Gabal El Atawi granites show FeOt/MgO ratios typical of A-type granites (5.6 - 15.1; av. 9.7), which are higher than those found in I-type and S-type granites [36] . In the FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) vs. Al2O3 diagram, proposed to make distinction between reduced and oxidized A-type granites [39] , they plot in the reduced A-type granites field (Figure 7(f)).
5.3. Tectonic Setting
The Rb versus (Y + Nb) of [40] and the Hf-(Rb/10)-(Tax3) diagram of [41] clear that all the samples fall in the within plate granite field (Figure 8(a), Figure 8(b)). They plot in the A1-type field of [42] meaning formation mostly in the intraplate magmatism setting (Figure 8(c)).
![]()
Figure 7. Magma type of El Atawi granite: (a) The total alkalis versus silica diagram [34] . (b) The AFM ternary diagram [34] . The extensional (1) and compressional (2) trends are after [35] . (c) The Zr-(Ga/Al2O3 * 0.5293) diagram [36] . (d) The FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) vs. SiO2 [37] . (e) The Y-Nb-Ce ternary diagram [38] . (f) FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) vs. Al2O3 showing the compositional fields of calc-alkaline and A-type granites, and reduced and oxidized A-type granites [39] .
On the basis of the tectonic discrimination diagrams Rb versus (Y + Nb) of [43] , SiO2 versus Al2O3 of [44] and multicationic R1versus R2 of [45] , the studied granite lies in the POG (post-orogenic granite) field (Figure 8(a), Figure 8(d), Figure 8(e)).
![]()
Figure 8. Tectonic setting of El Atawi granite. (a) Rb ? (Y + Nb) diagram [40] . VAG = volcanic arc granite, ORG = oceanic ridge granite, Syn-COLG = syn-collision granite and WPG = within-plate granite, POG post collision granite field. (b) Hf-Rb/10-Tax3 diagram [41] . (c) Na2O + K2O − Fe2O3* × 5 − (CaO + MgO) × 5 diagram [42] . (d) SiO2 vs. A2O3 diagram [44] . Orogenic: Island arc granite (IAG), Continental arc granite (CAG), Continental collision granites (CCG), Post orogenic granites (POG). Anorogenic: Rift-related granites (RRG), Continental epiorogenic granite (CEUG). (e) Multicationic R1 ? R2 diagram [45] .
The REEs distribution patterns of El Atawi granite (Figure 6) show the characteristic features of A-type F-bearing granite [46] . In igneous environments (relative reducing conditions) europium is almost entirely present as divalent state (Eu2+). So, unlike the rest of the REEs (Ln3+), which are mainly associated with accessory minerals [47] , (Eu2+) partitions 20 to 100 times more efficiently in plagioclase [48] replacing Ca2+, Sr2+ and Na+ [49] . This anomalous behavior is of particular interest and makes “Eu” acts as a sensitive indicator for destruction of plagioclase structure.
Schnetzler and Philpotts [50] stated that the uptake of Eu+2 by plagioclase depends upon the anorthite content (since Eu+2 substitutes for Ca in the plagioclase structure). This would reduce the Eu content of the more sodic plagioclase and consequently the more fractionated rocks. The negative Eu anomaly indicates its depletion in the medium. The late magmatic melt is diagnostically defict in Eu [51] . Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*) are commonly explained by feldspar fractionation [52] . The strong Eu depletion in the late-stage of granitic crystallization may indicate a preferential Eu fractionation into a co-existing aqueous fluid phase rather than into feldspar [53] . This is most probably the case in the studied granites.
The tetrad effect in lanthanide patterns of whole-rock samples was quantified by Eqns. 1, 2 and 3 proposed by [54] . The calculated sizes t1, t3 and T of the tetrad effect are listed in Table 2. The studied granite shows a pattern with convex first tetrad effect (t1 = 1.1) while the calculated sizes t3 and T of the tetrad effect are below the level of significance (1.1). The low calculated tetrad effects indicated that the distribution of REE is due to magmatic fractionation. The late stage fluid-melt interaction possibly affected the size of the tetrad effect of individual tetrads and may have influenced the anomalous enrichment of different elements in the younger granites [55] . Curved segments in normalized whole rock REE patterns can be introduced during hydrothermal fluid-rock interaction [56] . The primary cause of the tetrad effect, i.e., magma-fluid interaction, has not only depleted Eu in the rock, but also resulted in unusual negative Eu anomalies in all constituent minerals including K-feldspars. This may have caused the first tetrad (t1) in the El Atawi younger granites.
The parent magma for the studied granites have undergone extensive magmatic differentiation, during which intense interaction of the residual melt with aqueous hydrothermal fluids most probably rich in F (as indicated from the presence of fluorite and tourmaline and the high fluorine content in the rocks) resulted in the first tetrad effect of REEs distribution.
In water-saturated Q-Ab-Or-H22O system of [57] , the investigated granites plot very close to the line joining the minimum melt compositions for different P(H2O), ranging 0.5 - 3 kbars indicating a low water pressure during the evolution of these granites. The studied granites have been generated at range of crystallization temperatures from ∼740˚C to 800˚C (Figure 9(a)).
The chondritic K/Rb ratio is 242 [58] , the average of magmatic rocks is given as 230, with most of the crustal rocks ranging from 150 to 350 [59] . With increasing degree of differentiation, Rb fractionates preferentially into the residual melt and the K/Rb ratios decrease in highly evolved magmatic systems below 50. Ratio values less than 100 are regarded to indicate the interaction with an aqueous fluid phase [60] or mineral growth in the presence of aqueous fluids [61] . The K/Rb ratio is commonly used to characterize the evolution of granitic magma. In the studied granites, the K/Rb ratios are ranging from <340 to >82. On the K-Rb binary diagram (Figure 9(b)), the studied granite samples plot around the crustal line (K/Rb = 250) suggested by [59] and away from the mantle line (K/Rb = 1,000) given by [62] . This reflects their high K content and suggests their derivation from lower crust materials rather than upper mantle source.
Moreover, Mason [63] constructed the K-Ba binary diagram (Figure 9(c)) and suggested the average crustal ratio (K/Ba = 65). The studied granite samples plotted on this diagram supports their derivation from a crustal material. All the plots are located above the average crustal line, showing relatively K enrichment and K/Ba ratio >65.
On the Ba-Rb binary diagram of [63] , the studied granite samples are plotted below the crustal line (Ba/Rb = 4.4) (Figure 9(d)). The plots are located around and below the line (Ba/Rb = 4.4 × 10−1). This indicates their derivation from crust at moderate levels (intermediate crust).
The Rb/Sr ratio is used as indicator of magmatic differentiation, where it increases with higher degree of differentiation. The Rb-Sr binary diagram (Figure 9(e)) indicates that these granites have been derived from highly differentiated and more evolved granitic liquids. The dashed lines on the diagram refer to the crustal thickness [64] . The granites have been emplaced at relatively shallow to moderate depths between 20 and 30 km.
On the Al2O3/TiO2 vs. TiO2 diagram (Figure 9(f)) suggested by [65] , the studied granitic rocks display a curved trend, typical of magmatic differentiation.
The chondritic ratio of Y/HO is 28 [58] . The Y/Ho ratio was proposed as a factor to identify non-charge and non-ionic size controlled magmatic trace element behavior such as found in aqueous systems [66] . The fractionation behavior of highly charged ions, which form strong chemical complexes, is additionally influenced by their electron configuration and the character of chemical bonding between a central ion and a ligand. In the studied granites, the average Y/Ho ratio is 32.5. Bau and Dulski [67] suggested the complexation with fluorine as major cause for values >28.
The Zr/Hf values in granites average at 39 [68] . The chondritic ratio is 38 [58] . Zr/Hf ratio decreases with increasing evolution of the silicate melt. In the studied granites, the Zr/Hf value is 31. It is decreased to 11 during the crystallization of the El Atawi granites.
It is clear that the granites under consideration are highly fractionated. However, the investigated relationships on K-Rb, K-Ba, Ba-Rb, and Rb-Sr diagrams suggest that the granites were derived from crustal materials and the crystal fractionation was the predominant process during magmatic differentiation.
![]()
Figure 9. Petrogenesis of Gabal El Atawi granites: (a) Normative Qz-Ab-Or diagram [57] showing cotectic lines and compositions of H2O-saturated minimum and eutectic melts at given pressures. (b) The K vs. Rb diagram [62] shows the average crustal K/Rb ratio of Taylor [59] . (c) The K-Ba diagram showing the average crustal K/Ba ratio [63] . (d) The Ba-Rb diagram [63] . (e) The Rb-Sr binary diagram. The dashed lines refer to the crustal thickness (after Condie [64] ). (f) Al2O3/TiO2 vs. TiO2 diagram [65] .
6. Radioactivity
U and Th contents in the studied granite are 8.4, 18.6 ppm respectively (Table 1). The ranges and averages U and Th contents of granitic rocks are of [69] , (3 ppm U and 8 - 17 ppm Th), [70] , (5 ppm U and 18 - 20 ppm Th), [71] (1 - 6 ppm U and 1 - 23 ppm Th) and [72] , (5 ppm U and 18 ppm Th).
The positive correlation between U and Th (Figure 10(a)) indicates that their distribution was essentially controlled by the magmatic processes. Normally, Th is three times as abundant as uranium in natural rocks [72] . When this ratio is disturbed, it indicates the depletion or enrichment of U. This is very evident in the analyzed samples (Figure 10(b)) where the decreasing Th/U ratios are accompanied by enrichment in uranium content relative to Th in the granites and that the secondary process played a role in uranium enrichment (uranium had been added to these granites in post magmatic stage). In Figure 10(a), the granite samples fall below the world line of Th/U (=4) in granitic rocks of [73] indicating addition of uranium post magmatically during secondary processes. The decreasing trend between Th and Th/U (Figure 10(c)) may indicate small enrichment in U content. The equation U-(Th/3.5) reflects the uranium mobilization. If the result of this equation equals zero, it indicates that no uranium mobilization took place (i.e. fresh samples). When it is greater than zero, it means that uranium was enriched (added to rock) while the negative values mean uranium leaching out. On the mobility diagram (Figure 10(d)); the plotted samples show U-(Th/3.5) values above zero reaching up to 10.7 indicating uranium enrichment.
The relationships U-Th, U-Th/U, Th-Th/U and U-(Th/3.5) reflect direct relations (Figures 10(a)-(d)) that means the Th/U ratio tends to decrease with uranium mobilization and post magmatic redistribution in the studied granits and this could be a favorable economic criterion in the granites of El Atawi area [74] [75] [76] .
![]()
Figure 10. (a) Plotting of El Atawi granites on the U versus Th variation diagram. (b) The U versus Th/U ratio variation diagram. (c) The Th content versus Th/U ratio variation diagram. (d) The U content versus uranium mobilization equation U-(Th/3.5) diagram.
The poor correlation between U and silica (Figure 11(a)) indicate the secondary origin of uranium. The positive correlation between Th and silica (Figure 11(b)) indicates that Th distribution is controlled by magmatic processes. Generally, during magmatic differentiation, U and Th increase from basaltic to low Ca-granitic rock, but the Th/U ratio remains constant. The relation between Th/U ratios and SiO2 (Figure 11(c)) shows scatter of data points indicating redistribution of uranium by the post magmatic processes. The positive correlation of U and Fe2O3 (Figure 11(d)) suggests that U is adsorbed on the surface of secondary iron oxides indicating that U is related to post magmatic processes.
It is well known that if magmatic processes controlled uranium concentration in granitic melt, the elements U, Zr, Y, Rb and Nb would be expected to increase. The positive relations U-Zr, U-Rb, U-Nb and U-Y (Figure 12) indicate that U content tends to increase with increasing contents of such elements during the magmatic processes. The faint positive relations suggest that U was added to these rocks during secondary process (post magmatic stage) and support that U does not depend mainly on the zircon as a host mineral.
Thus, uranium enrichment in the studied granites is not only related to magmatic processes but also due to secondary processes.
7. Fluid Inclusions Studies
The quartz of the altered granite samples is enriched in two types of fluid inclusions, namely: Type (I) simple fluid rich two-phase (fluid-vapor) inclusions, 10 - 40 µm across, containing approximately 10 to 40 volume percent of gas. They display oval or elongated shape and distributed in growth zones of the quartz
![]()
Figure 11. Plotting of El Atawi granites on the (a) U versus SiO2 variation diagram. (b) Th versus SiO2 variation diagram. (c) Th/U versus SiO2 variation diagram (d) U versus Fe2O3 variation diagram.
![]()
Figure 12. Plotting of El Atawi granites on (a) U versus Zr variation diagram. (b) U versus Rb variation diagram. (c) U versus Nb variation diagram. (d) U versus Y variation diagram.
crystals along with crystal inclusions (Figure 13(a)) or irregularly arranged. The shape and spatial distribution of which indicate their primary origin (using the criteria of [77] . Type (II) is secondary two-phase aqueous (fluid-vapor) inclusion. They are concentrated along or near healed fractures and display oval or elongated shape (Figure 13(b)). Their linear dimension does not exceed 15 µm. These inclusions are the most abundant type in quartz.
Microthermometric determinations were made on type I inclusions. The primary type (I) inclusions homogenize to liquid phase and characterized by a wide range of homogenization temperatures from 394˚C to 90˚C that represent minimum trapping temperature (Figure 13(c)). The inclusions contain mineralized fluids (6.2 to 17) equiv. wt % NaCl, with maximum peak at 15 equiv. wt. % NaCl (Figure 13(d)). The wide ranges of the homogenization temperature, as well as the presence of more than one peak may reflect the presence of more than one generation of fluids. The fluid evolution in the quartz is shown in Figure 13(e). The inclusions contain two types of solutions according to the degree of homogenization temperature. The first is low temperature fluid (90˚C to 130˚C) which is the dominant with a wide range of salinity (6.2 to 17 equiv. wt% NaCl) and a density of 1.008 to 1.058 g/cm3. The minimum pressures of trapping are between 100 and 200 bars. The measured eutectic temperatures (Te) in these inclusions range from −40˚ to −47˚. These values of Te are typical for the NaCl-CaCl solutions. The second solution is characterized by a narrow range of temperature and salinity. It is of moderately high temperature (290˚C to 294˚C) with salinity ranges from 15 to 17 equiv. wt% NaCl and a density of 0.895 to 0.908 g/cm3. The minimum pressures of trapping are between 80 and 150 bars. The measured eutectic temperatures (Te) in these inclusions are around −35˚. These values of Te characterize chloride solutions with Fe, Mg and Na cations.
![]()
Figure 13. Photomicrographs showing fluid inclusions from the quartz crystals: (a) Type (I) primary two-phase (fluid-vapor) inclosion in growth zones accentuated by numerous crystal inclusions. (b) Type (II) secondary two phase aqueous (fluid-vapor) inclusion with different degree of filling concentrated a’long healed fractures. (c) Homogenization temperatures of primary fluid inclusions in quartz. (d) Salinity of primary fluid inclusions in quartz. (e) Homogenization temperature vs. concentration of solution of fluid inclusions in quartz.
8. Discussion
Fertile granites display the following specific features:
1) Petrographically, uraniferous granites are a two-mica and two-feldspars leucogranite in which plagioclase is mainly albite [75] [78] [79] . The fertile granites contain little amounts of fluorite [80] . El Atawi granite is two-feldspar granite and contains disseminated fluorite.
2) Geochemically, uraniferous granite displays high contents of SiO2 (>73%), Rb (>200 ppm) Zr (>140 ppm), REE with negative Eu* anomaly as well as high Zr/Sr (>1.65 - 5.14), Rb/Sr (>2.5) and K/Rb (>125) ratios. It is low in CaO (<1%), L.O.I. (<1%), Ba (<298 ppm), Sr (<99 ppm) and Na2O/K2O (1.11). Uraniferous granite is always post orogenic and derived mainly from felsic continental crust [75] [78] [81] . El Atawi granite displays high SiO2 (76.1%), Rb (205.33 ppm), Zr (177.78 ppm), REE with negative Eu* anomaly as well as high Zr/Sr (15.04), Rb/Sr (22.4) and K/Rb (211.51) ratios. It is low in CaO (0.49%), L.O.I. (0.52%), Ba (81.6 ppm), Sr (18.8 ppm) and Na2O/K2O (0.94). They are calc-alkaline, post-orogenic and have been derived from crustal material.
3) Darnely [72] defined uraniferous granites as any granitic masses containing U at least twice the Clarke value (4.0 ppm). Uraniferous granites must have U content (>8 - 20), Th content (>11 ppm) and a Th/U (2.2 - 3.5) [76] [78] [81] . El Atawi granites contain average U and Th contents (8.4 and 18.6 ppm respectively) and Th/U ratio (2.6) which all the way through being interpreted as a definition of uraniferous granites.
The overall presented data elucidated that El Atawi granites meet and fulfill the requirements of being fertile granites and they can be considered as promising uraniferous granites.
The studied granites were obviously subjected to various alteration processes (hematitization, kaolinitization and fluortization). The alteration zones show the highest U and Th contents as a result of alteration processes. Fluid inclusion studies of the investigated altered granite were conducted to elucidate the characters of hydrothermal solutions acting on the host granitic pluton. It is possible to define two different acting solutions. The first is NaCl-CaCl low temperature fluid dominant with a wide range of salinity. The second solution is high temperature and salinity Fe-Mg-Na chloride solution. Different fractures in the granite acted as good channels for the hydrothermal fluids that leached uranium from its bearing minerals disseminated all over the host granite and redeposited them in the alteration zones.
9. Conclusions
1) The alkali feldspar granite of Gabal El Atawi is post orogenic granite originated from calc-alkaline magma in extensional suite. It is developed in within plate tectonic setting and has A2-type character which generated from apparent crustal source.
2) The petrographic, geochemical and radioactive characteristics of El Atawi granite meet and fulfill the requirements of being fertile granite and it can be considered as promising uraniferous granite.
3) Microthermometric fluid inclusion studies of the altered granite elucidated two different solutions acting on the host granitic pluton. The first is NaCl- CaCl low temperature fluid with a wide range of salinity. The second is high temperature and salinity Fe-Mg-Na chloride solution. Different fractures in the granite acted as good channels for the hydrothermal fluids that leached uranium from its bearing minerals disseminated all over the host granite and redeposited it in the alteration zones.