A Geochemical Study on Ulsan Granite in Relation to Iron Ore Deposits in the Gyeongsang Basin

경상분지내 철광상 관련 울산화강암에 대한 지화학적 연구

Ulsan granite is plotted mainly in the region of syeno-granite of the Streckeisen diagram, which consists with those of iron related granites in the area of Kimhae-Mulgum, while Chindong granites and Yucheon-Eonyang granites are plotted in the regions of granodiorite-diorite and monzo-granite, respectively. These granites show a differentiation trend of calc-alkaline magma, and their magmatic evolution from intermediate to acidic rocks is consistant with the general crystallization path of the Cretaceous granitic rocks in the Gyeongsang basin. The difference index (D.I.) is 70~90 for Ulsan granite, which lies between 35~80 of Chindong granites and 85~95 of Yucheon-Eonyang granites. These granites are distinguishable from each other by variation patterns of chemical elements. For instance, there is clear difference in content of some major and trace elements between Ulsan granite and Cu-related Chindong granites: Ulsan granite has high content of K (2.68%) and Ba (636 ppm), and low content of Ca (1.07%), Mg (0.50%) and Sr (185 ppm), whereas Chindong granites has less content of K (1.62%) and Ba (382 ppm), and higher content of Ca (3.75%), Mg (1.42%) and Sr (405 ppm). However, the content of Ulsan granite overlaps partly those of Yucheon-Eonyang granites, which are apparently dividable from Chindong granites. There is an usual trend that Cu content is high in Chindong granites of Cu province and Zn content is higher in Yucheon-Eonyang granites of Pb-Zn province. But it is unusual that Cu and Zn are higher in Ulsan granite (34 ppm, 74 ppm) than in Chindong granites (15 ppm, 22 ppm) and Yucheon-Eonyang granites (14 ppm, 43 ppm). This may be due to the reason that Ulsan granite is productive and Cu-Zn minerals are associated with iron ores. Productive Chindong granites in Haman-Gunbug area and Yuchon-Eonyang granites near ore deposits have higher content of Cu and Zn than Ulsang granite. Therefore, it is expected that chemical variation patterns of granites are applicable to distinguish mineral commodity of ore deposits (iron, copper, or lead-zinc) related with the granites in the Gyeongsasng basin.