Distribution of platinum-group elements (PGE) in chromitites of Sabzevar, NE of Iran

The chromitite ores of Sabzevar ophiolitic zone could be divided into two groups of high Cr and high Al. The concentration of Cr2O3, As, S and some heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Ag, Co, Zn) is higher in high Cr samples; while high Al chromitites show higher concentration of Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2 and other trace elements. The high Cr chromitites have higher PGE than Al-rich samples and PGE concentration increases with Cr2O3. The high Cr chromitites have fractionated PGE chondritenormalized patterns with negative slope (Pd/Ir = 0.25) and high IPGE/PPGE (average 6.22); while high Al chromitites show unfractionated and relatively flat patterns (Pd/Ir = 1.9, IPGE/PPGE = 2.88). The PGE composition of high Cr chromitites indicates they are formed by high degrees of partial melting (boninitic melt) in arc setting. In contrast, Alenriched samples have been produced by low degrees of partial melting (toleiitic melt) beneath spreading centers (i.e., mid-ocean ridges or back-arc basins). The results of PGE composition of Sabzevar chromitites are coincident with chemical composition data of chromite crystals in these samples.