Mineralogical and geochemical analyses of the Dopolan karstic bauxite ore were performed to identify the characteristics of four bauxite horizons, which comprise from top to bottom, bauxitic kaolinite, diaspore-rich bauxite, clay-rich bauxite, and pyrite-rich bauxite. Diaspore, kaolinite, and pyrite are the main minerals; böhmite, muscovite, rutile, and anatase are the accessory minerals. The main minerals of the Dopolan bauxite deposit indicate slightly acidic to alkaline reducing conditions during bauxitization. Immobile elements (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and rare earth elements) are enriched in the diaspore-rich horizon, which also has the highest alumina content, whereas redox sensitive elements (e.g., Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ag, U, and V) are enriched in the lowest horizon of pyrite-rich bauxite. The presence of a high content of organic matter was identified in different horizons of bauxitic ore from wet chemistry. The presence of organic matter favored Fe bioleaching, which resulted in Al enrichment and the formation of diaspore-rich bauxite. The leached Fe²⁺ reacted with the hydrogen sulfur that was produced due to bacterial metabolism, resulting in the formation of the pyrite-rich horizon towards the bottom of the Dopolan bauxite horizons. Biogeochemical activity in the Dopolan bauxitic ore was deduced from the reducing environment of bauxitization, and the deposition of framboidal and cubic or cubic/octahedral pyrite crystals, with large negative values of δ³⁴S of pyrite (−10‰ to −34‰) and preserved fossil cells of microorganisms.

The Pinavand fluorite deposit is hosted by lower Cretaceous carbonate rocks in the structural-geological transitional zone of Central Iran. The purple and white fluorite occur, respectively, as early replacement masses and late cross-cutting veins. Both fluorites have different and distinct physicochemical characteristics. The purple fluorite has higher homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions (170–260 °C) and lower ∑REE (1.6 ppm) and Y (1.3 ppm) than the white variety (90–150 °C, 11.12 ppm, and 21.3 ppm, respectively). All fluorite samples show positive Y anomalies (Y/Y*) in the range of 1.15–3.5. The average values of La/Ho in the purple and white fluorites are 23.1 and 3.4, respectively. The purple fluorite samples have lower Y/Ho values (an average of 63.45) than the white fluorite samples (an average of 87.64). The Tb/Ca ratio in the Pinavand fluorites ranges between 0.0000000348 and 0.00000105, and the Tb/La ratio varies between 0.01 and 0.4; these values suggest that both fluorite types are “hydrothermal” in origin. The purple fluorites have a lower Sr and a negative Eu anomaly. These differences in concentrations and ratios of various REE suggest that the physico–chemical conditions of mineralization changed during fluorite deposition at the Pinavand. These changes correspond to an increase in oxygen fugacity and pH, which occurred during white fluorite mineralization at lower temperatures. The δ³⁴S values of the Pinavand barite samples (an average of 23.25‰) are similar to those of seawater sulfate in the upper Proterozoic. The δ³⁴S values of galena range from −0.2‰ to −3.7‰, compatible with bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). These features are similar to those in the hydrothermal and magmatic deposits.