The Nahran altered zone is located in the NWW border of a large-scale, syncline which oriented from Sirdan to Altin Kosh with an axial length of 9 km. The Dip of layer planes ranges between 40 to 60 towards the NE (Figure 2). The larg intrusion massif (Kohe Ghajar) is a which situated in the contact zone of Nahran alteration and extent southeastern to Sirdan, Hasan Abad and Kamar roud villages (Figure 3). In the Nahran area, there are several huge alunite deposite within the Eocene volcano-clastic rocks. It is considered that the emplacement of larg intrusion massif (Kohe Ghajar) into Eocene volcano-clastic rocks promotes the hydrothermal alteration and alunite formation. The alteration areole with 2 km long and 1 km width and with average thickness of 265 m have developed within the black to grey tuffs of E and EK1 unit in the proximity of quartz monzonite and quartz syenite of intrusion massif of the Kohe Ghajar [3] [4] . In the Nahran area, there are regular hydtothermal alteration zonations from bottom to top including:

1) Propylitic unit which observed in the proximity of intrusion massif and bottom of the Nahran altered zone within the andesitic tuffs.

2) Medium argillic alteration unit with 210 m thickness.

3) Advanced argillic alteration unit containing quartz bearing alunite with 25 m thickness.

4) Silicic alteration unit which lie as Hard and brittle cap rock in the top of

other alteration unit. The total thickness of this cap rock range between 25 to 30 m and consist of silica with minor alunite. The Nahran silicic unit has low purity

respect to other neighbor region such as Yuzbashi Chay and Sirdan areas. However, their low silica content suitable for exploration of silica rock [5] [6] .

Several rock classification diagrams are used for classification and nomenclature of less altered extrusive rocks of the Nahran area. They are including:

-Middlemost (1994) classification:

According to Na₂O + K₂O vs. SiO₂ diagram of Middlemost [7] [8] [9] , the samples fall in the andesite, trachyandesite and near to dacite boundary line field (Figure 4).

-Winchester and Floyd (1977) classification:

The Zr/TiO₂*0.0001 vs. Nb/Y diagrams of Winchester and Floyd (1977) [10] is more accurate then Na₂O + K₂O vs. SiO₂ diagrams since Zr and Ti are not mobile elements. According to this diagram all samples fall in the andesite, Trachy-ande- site and dacite regions (Figure 5).

One of the main objects in the petrological studies is determination of magmatic series. According to Kuno (1968), a magmatic series is a group of rocks that share some chemical (and perhaps mineralogical) characteristics and shows a consistent pattern on a variation diagram [11] , suggesting a genetic relationship. Hovewer, new funding shows other parameter such as magma assimilation, different rates of partial and magmatic contamination could be create false magma series and grou- ping of different magmatic rock in the same magmatic association which not

evuloved from same parent magma. In order to determination of magma series of Nahran volcanic rock several different diagrams are used as follow:

-Miyashiro (1974) diagram:

The FeO_t/MgO versus SiO₂ diagram can be discriminate alkaline and subalkaline rocks. Geochemical classification using Miyashiros (1974) scheme categorises the composition of the Nahran volcanic rock fall in the calc-alkaline field (Figure 6).

-AFM diagram (Irvin and Baragar, 1971):

The “AFM” (Alkalis-ΣFeO-MgO) diagram proposed by Irvin and Baragar (1971) can be discriminate tholeiitic, calc-alkaline or Shoshonite affinity of Subalkaline rocks [12] . On the AFM diagram, the Nahran samples plot within the calc-alka- line field. One sample plot on the tholeiit field (Figure 7).

-K₂O versus SiO₂ diagram Peccerillo and Taylor (1976):

The K₂O versus SiO₂ plot showing a rock suite may be subdivided geochemically

into low-K, medium-K and high-K associations. In the K₂O versus SiO₂ diagram the Nahran volcanic rocks shows calc-alkaline, high calc-alkaline and shoshonite affinity (Figure 8).

-Aluminium saturity index:

The volcanic rocks divided to peraluminous, metaluminous and peralkaline on the basis of the molecular proportions of AI, Ca, Na and K, expressed in the form A/CNK > 1, A/CNK-1, A/CNK < 1, respectively. The Nahran volcanic rock has metaluminus and peraluminus affinity (Figure 9 and Figure 10).

In order to define the tectonic setting of Nahran volcanic rocks several tectonic discriminate diagram have been used they are include:

-The FeO(t)-MgO-Al₂O₃ ternary diagram.

The FeO(t)-MgO-Al₂O₃ ternary diagram proposed by Pearce et al. (1977) and can be discriminate volcanic rocks of different tectonic setting include: 1) islands of mid ocean spreading center, 2) orogenic, 3) mid ocean ridge, 4) oceanic islands and 5) continental setting (Figure 11).

The Nahran volcanic samples plot in the orogenic and islands of mid ocean spreading center fields.

-The TiO₂-MnO*10-P₂O₅*10 ternary diagram.

Mollen (1983) used TiO₂-MnO*10-P₂O₅*10 to discriminate between tectonic setting for volcanic rocks from different tectonic setting include: 1) OIT (oceanic island tolleiite), MORB (mid ocean ridge basalt), IAT (island arc tolleiite), CAB (calc-alkaline basalt) and OIA (oceanic island andesite) (Figure 12). The Nahran volcanic rocks fall in the oceanic island alkaline basalt and calc-alkaline basalts.

The spider diagrams are used for determination of the petrological process and comparison of different tectonic setting. The rare earth element concentration in the Nahran rocks are normalize to a common reference standard such as chonderite, primitive mantle and MORBs, in order to recognization of magma evolution process such as fractional crystallization, partial melting and magma assimi- lation.

-Chonderite normalization for Nahran volcanic rocks.

Thampson et al. (1980; 1984) [13] [14] are used common chonderites values to proposed a chonderite normalized spider diagrams. Thompson (1982) [15] propo- sed that normalization to chondrite values may be preferable to primitive mantle compasation since chondrite value are directly measured rather estimited. In this diagram, compatibility increase from left to right. Chonderite normalized spider pattern of Nahran volcanic rocks show relative enrichment in the incompatible element respect to chonderite (Thamson, 1982) [15] . Relative enrichment in the incompatible element indicates parent magma was not primary magma and direct product of mantle melting. As mentioned above partial melting of parent rocks was medium. The concenterations of LILE depend to aqueous fluid phases in contrast concenterations of HFS element controlled by chemical composition of source rocks and magmatic evolution reactions and crystal-melt processes, respectively. The LILE enrichment of Nahran volcanic rock in the Chonderite normalized diagram indicate role of crustal contamination in the magmatic evo- lution. The LILE and HFS amount of Nahran volcanic rock show lowest difference which indicates medium partial melting of source region of parent magma (Figure 13).

-Normalization of Nahran volcanic rocks to mid ocean ridge basalts (MORB).

Pearce (1983) determine normalizing values of MORB and provided most appropriate pattern for evolved basalt, andesite and mid ocean ridge basalts [16] . The element are ordered so that the most mobile elements (Sr, K, and Ba) are placed at the left of the diagram and in order of increasing incompatibility (Rollinson, 1993) [17] . MORB normalized spider pattern of Nahran volcanic rocks show relative enrichment in the LILE respect to HFS elements. The LILE and lithophile elements (especially Th) enrichment indicate the role of crustal conta- mination or other primary magma contaminative processes in the magma evolu- tion. The diagram show descending pattern from mobile to immobile elements

and more of 10 times enrichment in Ba, Rb, Th and K respect to MORB. The re- lative depletion in the Nb, has been explained by retention of a refractory phase in the source in which those elements are highly compatible, such as rutile. However, it can be in related to melting or fractional crystallization of Nb bearing mineral phases (Figure 14).

-Normalization Nahran volcanic rock to Primary mantle.

Wood et al. (1979) are used estimated composition of mantle before continen- tal crust formation as mean for comparing composition variations between basic lavas and intrusions [18] [19] [20] . In this diagram, elements are arranged in order of increasing compatibility with respect to a small percentage melt of the mantle. Primary mantle normalized pattern for Nahran volcanic rocks show des- cending trend with relative enrichment in the compitable element. The week en- richment in the Cs and K indicate negligible crustal contamination and low crystal fractionation. Negative Nb anomaly is typical of continental crust rocks and de- monstrate role of contamination process in the magma evolution. According to Wilson (1989) [21] enrichment of U, K and Th respect to primary mantle may indicate mantle metasomatism by released fluids from subducting slab (Figure 15).

Different alteration units can be distinguished and discriminated based on che- mical features. Hydrothermal fluid changes of major and minor elements in the host rocks of the Nahran alteration zone. For classification of altered rocks used different diagram include:

-AKF diagram.

The AKF diagram discriminate Argillic, Advanced Argillic and sericitic zones. the advanced argillic restricted to A side (aluminium silicate) in the AKF diagram

which indicate intense leaching of Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, K and concentration in the SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ respectively. This concentration in the SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ led to advanced argillic and silicic alterations plot in the same field in the AKF diagram (Mus-Kao-Mont field). In the AKF diagram, the intermediate argillic an sericitic alteration are restricted to center of diagram in the Mus-Mont-Ch field. The host rock and some sample from margin of argillic zone are plotting on AKF ternary diagram. It shows that all samples fall in serecitic field. This is due to abundant of fresh feldespat in the host rock and abundance of chlorite in the propylitic alteration zones. The most of Nahran altered rocks is located in the intermediate and advanced argillation field. The middle part of Nahran is intermediate argillic. The silicic cap rock represent the advanced argillic alteration which indicate high leaching of alkaline, earth alkaline and other fero-manyasiom elements (Figure 16).

-The Q-P binary diagram.

Cunney et al. (1989) proposed a classification scheme for altered rocks based upon their cation proportions. The Q and P parameters are defined as:

The advantage of Q-P diagram respect to De La Roche diagram is using of some of active element in the alteration zones as Ca in the cation calculation. The intermediate argillic alteration filed is in the center of Q-P diagram and divided to K metasomatism (arrow number 4) and Na metasomatism (arrow number 1) parts. The sodic metasomatism is happen contemporaneously or following the dequartzfication. Advanced argillic alteration represents an extreme form of base leaching where rocks have been stripped of alkali and feroman izian elemets elements and concentration SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ of by very acidic fluids active in high fluid/rock ratio environments. Therefore, the silicic and advanced argillic alteration

samples plotted in the upper part of Q-P diagram. From bottom of Q-P diagram to upper part the alkali, earth alkali and feromanyasian elements decrease and Si and Al content increase. The study of variation of Q-P parameter in the Nahran altered rock indicates that the host rocks show Na-metasomatismed intermedia- te argillic alteration associated with dequartzfication. However, there is dequartzfication after intermediate argillic alteration and advanced argillic and silicic alteration in the Nahran area (Figure 17).

-The Na-K diagram.

Cunney et al. (1989) proposed a Na-K diagram which can discriminate different alterations zones such as argillic, potassic, Sodic and Dequartzification alterations. This diagram on the basis of Na and K variations divided to segment. The K-metasomatism field restricted to left segment of diagram, where the K increase and Na decrease. The right segment of diagram shows Na-metasomatism field where the Na increase and K decrease. The argillic alteration field restricted to lower part of Na-K binary diagram that indicated high Na and K leaching conditions of altered rocks. However, the intermediate argillic samples plotted in the lower part of diagram whereas advanced argillic samples due to high Na and K leaching is plotting in the center of diagram. Peyrovan (1992) [2] divided argillic alteration field to three parts such as:

1) Advanced argillic alteration with Na + K content between 0% to 2%.

2) Intermediate argillic alteration with Na + K content between 2% to 4%.

3) Weak argillic alteration with Na + K content between 4% to 6%.

The dequartzification filed is restricted to right segment of Na − K diagram where the Na + K content of samples are more of 7. In the Na + K diagram, the Nahran alteration samples located in argillation field toward the K-metasomat- ism and Na-metasomatism field this consistent with high leaching of Na and K by hydrothermal and supergene fluids (Figure 18).

In order to evaluate of chemical characteristics of fluids associated with alteration episodes several discriminate diagrams have been tested for Nahran samples. According to studies [22] [23] , the Ba + Sr/Ce + Y + La, Zr/Ti and Cr + Nb/Ti + Fe ratios could be used for determine the role of Hypogene and Supergene processes in the genesis of Kaolins.

-The Ba + Sr versus Ce + Y + La binary diagram.

The Ba + Sr versus Ce + Y + La binary diagram are used for discrimination between hypogene and supergene kaolins. The high Ba + Sr ratios (up to 1000 to 10,000 ppm) represent Presence of barite which is common on the hypogene kaolin deposit [23] . Minor elements such as Ce, Y and La concentrated in the supergene kaolans, these means that high Ba + Sr ratio indicator of Hypogene Kaolins whilese high Ce + Y + La ratio of kaolins indicate that the Kaolin was generated from supergene fluids [24] . In the the Ba + Sr versus Ce + Y + La binary diagram studied samples fall in the field of both hypogene and supergene fields

which represent effect of hypogene and supergene processes in the kaolin mineralization (Figure 19).

-The Ti + Fe versus Cr + Nb binary diagram.

The Ti + Fe versus Cr + Nb binary diagram can be used to distinguish supergene from hypogene kaolinization [24] . The supergene kaolin deposit has high content of Cr and Nb (Cr + Nb > 100) respect to hypogene deposits. The Cr during the supergene alteration could be substitute of Ti⁴⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the geotite lattice. Nb is known to be concentrated in Ti minerals as well, due to the similar ionic radii. The preferred concentrations of Fe and Ti in the supergene kaolins led to enrichment of Ti + Fe (Ti + Fe > 1 wt%) supergene kaolins. Therefore, the high Ti + Fe and Cr + Nb represent supergene kaolin deposits. The Nahran Kaolins show both hypogene and supergene kaolan deposits in the the Ti + Fe versus Cr + Nb binary diagram (Figure 20).

-The Zr/Ti diagram.

The Zr/Ti diagram is very useful for determination of genesis of hydrothermal deposits. The Ti and Zr are very resistant in the supergene condition and their high content in Kaolin can be used as an indicator of supergene alteration. Hovewer, Ti and Zr concentrate in the supergene alteration condition and their high cintent indicate supergene environments [23] . In the Zr/Ti binary diagram,

Nahran Kaolin samples fall in the both supergene and hypogene field (Figure 21).

-The Pb - Ba + Sr - Ce + Y + La ternary diagram.

The Pb - Ba + Sr - Ce + Y + La ternary diagram are used for determination of physic-chemical properties of mineralization fluids. Pb is derived from decomposition of K-feldspar in the bedrock; however, it is very low in the weathering zone. Pb does not substitute for other cations in the APS (aluminium, Phosphate, sulphate) minerals but can replace Ba in barite. The Pb represent of plumbogummite [24] . Plumbogummite was not detected in the Nahra deposit. All Nahran samples lay away from Pb and arrange parallel to the Ba + Sr - Ce + Y + La side in the Pb - Ba + Sr - Ce + Y + La ternary diagram. The proximity of some samples to Ba + Sr side indicates their hypogene source and supergene for Ce + Y + La side adjacency samples (Figure 22).

-The SO₃/P₂O₅ discriminate diagram.

In the SO₃/P₂O₅ discriminate diagram, high SO₃ content indicate sulfide rich

hydrothermal fluids. SO₃ rich kaolins are typical of hypogene alteration, whereas in the Supergene deposits P₂O₅ is also more abundant and increases with the degree of alteration. The SO₃/P₂O₅ diagram show the alteration in the Nahran area sormed from both hypogene and supergene fluids (Figure 23).