Authigenic mineralogy, depositional environments and evolution of fault-bounded lakes of the Yunnan Plateau, south-western China

The Dianchi, Erhai and Fuxian lakes lie in faulted basins in a subtropical humid region of the Yunnan Plateau, China. Three groups of authigenic minerals have been recognized in their recent sediments - carbonate minerals, Fe-bearing minerals and silica minerals. The main authigenic minerals are goethite, calcite, aragonite, siderite and quartzine. Goethite is chemically precipitated from a colloidal suspension. Calcite is a widespread chemical precipitate that is present in deep parts of the lakes and in shallow areas associated with aquatic macrophytes. Aragonite is mainly biochemical in origin, and commonly associated with shallow benthos. Siderite forms in reducing environments, associated with pore waters with a high P_CO2 that resulted from microbial degradation of organic matter. It forms mainly in deep-water environments. Quartzine, which occurs mainly in delta front and prodeltaic sites, forms from diatom dissolution and dissolved silica introduced by streams. Six authigenic mineral associations are recognized, each of which can be related to depositional setting within the lake and the stage of lake development. The same associations can also be recognized in a 480-m-long core recovered from Dianchi Lake. Strong reducing environments and migrating pore fluids with high P_CO2 have led to the early diagenetic alteration of some of the initial authigenic minerals. Using the mineral associations from the modern lakes, the Pliocene to Recent history of Dianchi Lake has been interpreted, and is in general agreement with palaeoenvironmental reconstructions based upon palaeontological and other evidence.     

Oxygen isotopic ratios in fine quartz silt from sediments and soils of southern Africa

Fine quartz silt (1–10μm dia, important in aerosol dust) isolated from a large number of soils, as well as Phanerozoic shales, sandstones and recent sands of the southern African stratigraphie column (Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic) exhibits a mean δ¹⁸O of 12.2 ± 2.1%0. These values are similar to those reported for South Pacific pelagic sediments and adjacent land areas of similar latitude but are lower than those reported for this size fraction of 30 Mesozoic and Paleozoic shales (20.7 ± 1.8%.) and soils from mid-continental U.S.A., for aerosol quartz in the North Pacific pelagic sediments, and for eolian caps in high-elevation soils of Hawaii. The lower oxygen isotopic ratios in fine quartz silt of southern Africa reinforces the earlier indication that Southern Hemisphere detritai sedimentary reservoirs contain a higher proportion of igneous and metamorphic quartz (lower δ¹⁸O) and less lowtemperature authigenic quartz (higherδ¹⁸O) than Northern Hemisphere detritai sediments. The difference reflects climates, as continents drifted in latitude.     

Silicified Precambrian evaporite nodules from Northern Norway: A preliminary report

Nodular silica concentrations reminiscent of evaporite bodies have been observed in the Late Precambrian (Riphean) Porsangerfjord Group in western Porsangerfjord, northern Norway. The nodules are individual or coalescent kidney-shaped bodies measuring a few centimetres across, and consist predominantly of megaquartz and of length-slow chalcedony. Length-fast chalcedony occurs only as a red layer present in some large nodules. Relics of a fibrous, felted or radiating texture are preserved in numerous crystals of megaquartz and quartzine.The quartz nodules are interpreted as silica-replaced, early diagenetic evaporite (anhydrite) bodies. The paleoclimatic importance of these Precambrian evaporites is briefly discussed and the significance of length-slow chalcedony as an indicator of evaporite environments is confirmed.     

TEM characterisation and interpretation of fabric and structural degree of order in microcrystalline SiO2 phases

Representative samples of the two fabric varieties of microcrystalline quartz, chalcedony and quartzine, from agates of different origin were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both varieties contain lamellar admixtures of the SiO₂ mineral moganite. The transitions from quartz to moganite within the fabric differ in a characteristic way. Whereas in quartzine the gradient between the structures is steep, the transition is more continuous in chalcedony. The morphology of moganite in chalcedony and quartzine is determined by the (101)-face; in pure moganite from Gran Canaria it is governed by the (110)-face.     

岩浆侵入对围岩储层的成岩及其变质特征的影响及意义——以松辽盆地南部辉绿岩侵入带露头研究为例

以松辽盆地南部团山子采石场辉绿岩侵入露头为例,采用连续密集取样、常规分析和碳氧稳定同位素测试等方法,对围岩储层的成岩及其变质特征进行分析,进而探讨岩浆侵入对围岩的影响及其储层意义。岩浆侵入对角岩围岩的影响包括：1）自生绢云母距离侵入体越远,其含量越少;2）粘土矿物主要为成岩晚期的伊利石和绿泥石;3）角岩中发育特殊“气孔-杏仁”构造。岩浆侵入对上覆砂岩的影响表现为：1）造成自生石英的特征分布;2）造成粘土矿物的不均匀分布;3）形成反映应力挤压特征的颗粒结构。角岩中浊沸石发育和高岭石不发育对应碱性环境,不利于热液微裂缝中碳酸盐矿物的溶蚀。因此,尽管角岩发育微孔、微缝等少量储集空间（平均孔隙度为1.70%）,但其渗透能力很低（平均渗透率小于0.1 mD）。侵入活动对研究露头砂岩储层物性造成的不利影响,主要是由于挤压作用和热液流动作用使自生矿物不均匀分布,从而导致或加剧了砂岩储层的非均质性。     

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊凹陷与松辽盆地孤店CO2气田含片钠铝石砂岩的岩石学特征

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊凹陷南屯组与松辽盆地孤店CO₂气田泉头组发育大量含片钠铝石砂岩。通过偏光显微镜、扫描电镜、茜素红-S染色、X射线衍射、电子探针与INCA能谱分析等,对含片钠铝石砂岩的骨架碎屑组分、胶结物与自生矿物、成岩共生序列等岩石学特征进行了系统研究。研究表明,含片钠铝石砂岩的岩石类型为长石砂岩和岩屑长石砂岩,粒度以细粒、细-中粒为主,分选差-中等。砂岩中胶结物主要为次生加大石英、自生石英、片钠铝石、铁白云石和粘土矿物。其中,片钠铝石最高可达砂岩总体积的22％在砂岩中或以放射状、束状、菊花状、杂乱毛发状、毛球状、板状等集合体充填孔隙,或呈束状和板状交代长石和岩屑。电子探针与INCA能谱综合分析表明,片钠铝石主要由Na、Al、O、C等组成。在含片钠铝石砂岩中,成岩共生序列依次为粘土矿物包壳-次生加大石英、自生石英、自生高岭石-油气充注-CO₂充注-片钠铝石-铁白云石。其中,CO₂注入前形成的自生矿物组合主要为次生加大石英、自生石英和自生高岭石,CO₂注入后形成的自生矿物组合主要为片钠铝石和铁白云石。     

Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements in the Ocean

This work briefly outlines modern ideas on geochemistry of rare earth elements (REE) in the ocean. Sources of REE and chemical properties of these elements, which govern their migration ability in natural processes, are considered. The REE behavior in the river water–seawater mixing zone is analyzed. The fractionation of dissolved and suspended REE in oceanic water in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions is also considered. It is shown that the variability of REE composition in pelagic sediments reflects the fractionation of these elements in the oceanic water as a consequence of material differentiation in the ocean. The REE distribution in terrigenous, authigenic, hydrothermal, and biogenic constituents of sediments, such as clay, bone debris, barite, phillipsite, Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides (ferromanganese nodules and micronodules), Fe–Ca hydroxo-phosphate, diatoms, and foraminifers, is considered.     

海洋沉积物中自生黄铁矿研究的体视镜挑选与铬还原处理方法对比——来自南海北部陆坡Site 4B站位的研究

黄铁矿是大陆边缘海相沉积物中常见的自生矿物类型之一,对沉积环境变化、早期成岩作用和天然气水合物均有重要的指示意义.体视镜挑选和铬还原处理两种方法是目前研究海相沉积物中自生黄铁矿的最常用方法,但少有对这二种方法进行对比研究的报道.本文采用上述二种方法对取自南海北部陆坡神狐海域Site 4B站位的浅表层沉积物中的黄铁矿进行了测试与分析,结果表明二种方法获得的黄铁矿相对含量及其硫同位素值的主要变化特征均有良好的同步性,且二种方法结果的差值基本保持在一定的误差范围内,说明任何一种方法都可以有效地反映沉积物中黄铁矿相对含量及其硫同位素值的主要变化规律.然而,上述二种方法从操作性和经济实用性上存在较明显的差别,铬还原处理方法从理论上更为科学和准确,但是体视镜挑选方法具有明显的易操作、经济性和实用性.本文研究后建议在实际应用过程中不妨将两种方法结合,即初期样品处理采用体视镜挑选方法,获得整个沉积物中黄铁矿产出变化规律,后期对变化明显区段采用铬还原处理方法进行更精确研究.     

沉积物的ESR测年

对沉积物中石英ESR测年的特性进行了较为详细地研究，可用沉积物中石英的Ge心信号进行ESR测年；根据石英E心饱和功率较小这一特性，采用较大的微波功率可以测得较老海洋沉积物（大于0.5Ma）的ESR年龄；石英E心的异常较照剂量响应是判断海岸风成沙环境的一个标志。此外，还介绍了沉积物ESR测年在地质上的应用。     

Dolomitization and the mineralization of the Marl Slate (N. E. England)

The Marl Slate, the English equivalent of the Kupferschiefer, has been studied with particular reference to the relationships between dolomitization and the origin of the metal sulphides. Dolomite occurs as: 1) discontinuous lenses of ferroan dolomicrite, 2) micronodules of finely crystalline dolospar in association with length-slow chalcedony and 3) discrete laminae of ferroan or non-ferroan dolospar. The ferroan dolomicrite has excess CaCO₃, and is more abundant in the lower, sapropelic facies of the Marl Slate. It is considered to have formed by the penecontemporaneous alteration of calcium carbonate under hypersaline conditions. Small micronodules (typically about 0.3 mm in diameter) are also more abundant in the sapropelic Marl Slate. These frequently contain cores of length-slow chalcedony (quartzine) fibres and sometimes quartz megacrysts. Textural observations clearly indicate that this silica is of authigenic origin and the dolomite/chalcedony micronodules are interpreted as diagenetic replacements of a calcium sulphate mineral such as anhydrite. The discrete laminae of finely crystalline dolospar are often inter-laminated with calcite in the upper part of the Marl Slate. This dolomite is also calcium rich and represents a replacement, possibly of anhydrite, during a later phase of diagenesis. Metal sulphides occur in two distinct forms: as disseminated framboidal pyrite and as discrete lenses of pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and rarer sulphides. The framboidal pyrite originated during early diagenesis by reaction of sulphide, produced by reduction of sulphate by organic material and micro-organisms, with iron also released in the reducing environment. The sulphide lenses are often in intimate association with dolospar, length-slow chalcedony and authigenic quartz megacrysts. This indicates that the lenses were produced during diagenesis by the reduction and replacement of calcium sulphate (anhydrite). Various sources, such as co-precipitation with dolomite precursors and the underlying Yellow Sands, may have supplied metals which were mobilized and transported by connate brines as diagenesis progressed.     

The facies distribution of carbonate sediments on Porcupine bank, northeast Atlantic

Porcupine Bank (51–54°N, 12–15°W), approximately 10,000 km² in area and 150–500 m deep, is effectively removed from present-day terrigenous sedimentation by the broad Irish Shelf to the east, and deep water to the north, west and south. Water temperatures range from 10° to 14.5°C. Carbonate sediments presently accumulate on the bank, mixing with relict quartz sands and lithic pebbles, cobbles and boulders of glacial origin. Traction current structures are absent but biogenic hollows, pits, mounds and trails are prevalent. The lithofacies have a crudely concentric zonation with pelagic foraminiferal oozes in the deepest waters ( > 500 m), passing to foraminiferal (pelagic and benthic) glauconitic quartz sands over the bulk of the bank (500-200 m) where scattered patches of Lophelia pertusa coral branches are found, which in turn pass into a narrow zone associated with the lithic boulder field at the bank crest (< 200 m) which has coarse sands composed of quartz and skeletal fragments of benthic organisms-molluscs, echinoids, bryozoans and serpulids. This facies pattern is closely similar to that on Rockall Bank, 500 km to the north, and supports the construction of a depth-related facies model for modern open-sea temperate carbonate sediments: > 500 m, pelagic foraminiferans; 500-200 m, benthic foraminiferans plus Lophelia coral patches; 200-100 m, bivalve-echinoderm; 100-50 m, bryozoan-bivalve-gastropod-serpulid; <50 m, calcareous red algae-bivalve-gastropod-barnacle.     

Microzoning of agates as a reflection of their formation dynamics

Agates are natural hierarchicalal structural assemblies composed largely of silica minerals: chalcedony, quartz, and quartzine. Microstructural heterogeneities, most typical of those of agate-forming minerals, are characterized by variations in periods of helicoidal twisting of chalcedony and by micrometric rhythmic alternation of zones with a low refractive index within the matrix of normal chalcedony, quartz, and quartzine. A study of the degree of crystallization of chalcedony using the Barsanova-Yakovleva method showed that neither helicoidal twisting nor refractive index zoning brought about any significant disturbance in the chalcedony structure. Helicoidal twisting is a result of the stresses caused by substitution of Si⁴⁺ for Al³⁺ asymmetric with respect to chalcedony crystal. It is suggested that layering by the refractive index developed due to accumulation of small portions of gel consisting of high silica polymers at the front of crystal growth.     

Rare earth elements in the sedimentary cycle: A summary

The relative and absolute concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) in authigenic and biogenic phases of deep-sea sediments are quite different. Competition between these phases for REE has resulted in fractionation from the parent material, the latter consisting predominantly of terrigenous material, but with a contribution from marine volcanism. The strongest feature of this fractionation is a depletion of Ce, relative to La, in CaCO₃, opalline silica, phillipsite, phosphorite, barite, and montmorillonitic clays; and a Ce enrichment in Fe/Mn nodules. The distribution of REE in different masses of seawater strongly reflects their fractionation in sediments. Whereas the relative concentration of REE in rivers resembles that of shale, their removal from seawater by authigenic and biogenic phases results in: (1) a decrease of their total concentration; (2) a depletion of Ce; and (3) an enrichment of heavy REE relative to light REE. The order of fractionation for water masses in the Atlantic Ocean is:Antarctic intermediate water > North Atlantic deep water > Antarctic bottom water> shelf water > river water ～ shale.The shale-normalized pattern for the sum of REE in the authigenic and biogenic phases of pelagic sediment and in seawater resembles that of an admixture of shale and basalt corresponding presumably to the realtive inputs from continents and marine volcanism respectively. The estimated rate of accumulation of each REE in the sediment, however, is approximately 12 times the estimated rate of input of REE from these two sources.     

Further research on chlorite rims in sandstones: evidence from the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos basin,China

Chlorite rims are the most common type of authigenic chlorite in sandstones, and attract particular attention because they are always found in high-quality sandstone reservoirs. This study researches chlorite rims in sandstones of the Chang 9 oil-bearing member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos basin, China. Using casting thin sections, a scanning electron microscope and porosity–permeability data, the following issues were addressed: (1) the formation stage of chlorite rims, (2) the relationship of chlorite rim formation to other diagenetic features, and (3) the relationship of chlorite rims with sandstone reservoir quality. From the results, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) chlorite rims form during the A–B phase of eodiagenesis, (2) chlorite rims cannot enhance the mechanical strength of rocks and their ability to resist compaction, (3) the reason that chlorite rims inhibit quartz secondary enlargement is a change in pH and silica concentration leading to the cessation of quartz growth. However, chlorite rims have no relationship with the formation of later idiomorphic authigenic quartz; (4) chlorite rims cannot enhance the reservoir quality of sandstone, but can be an indicator of high primary intergranular porosity.     

Gold and sulphide minerals in Tertiary quartz pebble conglomerate gold placers, Southland, New Zealand

Auriferous quartz pebble conglomerates (QPC) formed during Tertiary sedimentary recycling in the Waimumu district, Southland, New Zealand. These sediments contain fine-grained gold of detrital origin with abundant surface textures and gold-forms associated with authigenic gold remobilisation. Most authigenic gold contains no detectable silver and occurs as overgrowths on detrital Au–Ag and Au–Ag–Hg alloys that contain up to 13 wt.% Ag, and 9 wt.% Hg. Fine-grained Au–Ag and Au–Ag–Hg alloys are compositionally heterogeneous, exhibiting both well-defined silver-depleted and silver-enriched rims. Rare coarse Au–Ag alloy is intergrown with quartz and is homogenous. Discrete grains of authigenic, porous, sheet-like gold occur in carbonaceous mudstone within a QPC sequence. Some QPC contain abundant sulphide minerals. Some of these sulphides (pyrite and arsenopyrite) are of long-distance detrital origin, presumably from the Otago Schist, whereas the bulk of the sulphide suite is marcasite of variably transported diagenetic origin, derived from the erosion of QPC and underlying Tertiary sediments. There has also been authigenic deposition of sulphide minerals in the QPC themselves. These diagenetic sulphides include framboidal and anhedral marcasite, and framboidal and euhedral pyrite. Sulphur isotope data for the sulphide minerals range from − 45‰ to + 18‰ (relative to VCDT). Sulphur isotope data for euhedral detrital pyrite and arsenopyrite range from − 9‰ to − 1‰ and are most likely derived from the Otago Schist to the north. Both framboidal and anhedral marcasite have lower values (< − 20‰) reflecting microbial sulphate reduction as a source for the precursor hydrogen sulphide. Anhedral marcasite contains elevated concentrations of Ni, Co, As and Cr, commonly with compositional banding of these metals.Both the gold and diagenetic sulphides from the Belle-Brook QPC are compositionally similar to gold and sulphides from Archaean QPC. Porous, sheet-like authigenic gold is morphologically similar to gold associated with carbonaceous material in the Witwatersrand. In addition, Southland marcasite textures resemble the rounded and banded pyrite in Witwatersrand QPC placers. There is abundant evidence from these Tertiary QPC in southern New Zealand for sedimentary transport of sulphide minerals and post-depositional sulphide mineralisation in the surficial environment despite an oxygen-rich atmosphere. These young deposits thus provide an example of authigenic gold and sulphide textures formed during diagenesis in unmetamorphosed placers. Many of these textures are similar to those commonly ascribed to metamorphic processes in Archaean auriferous QPC.     

Microfibrous quartz varieties: characterization by quantitative X-ray texture analysis and transmission electron microscopy

Quantitative X-ray texture analysis was used to identify the fiber elongation direction of microfibrous quartz varieties in materials that contain narrow bands of closely spaced, radially divergent spherulitic fiber bundles. The statistical approach of X-ray texture analysis makes it possible to determine the fiber axis direction even when the maximum divergence angle of fibers within spherulitic fiber bundles diverge ±20° from a common growth direction. Representative samples of chalcedony <11&2macr;0>, quartzine [0001], and pseudochalcedony were selected for additional study with transmis-sion electron microscopy. All varieties of microfibrous quartz were found to contain high concentrations of polysynthetic Brazil twins and domains characterized by a modulated microstructure. Trace element profiles of aluminum and iron concentration were measured by electron microprobe analysis for an agate sample that contains alternating bands of chalcedony <11&2macr;0> and quartzine fibers. The elemental concentration profiles were measured in a direction parallel to the growth direction of microfibrous quartz. Although fibers within the chalcedony bands initially displayed cooperative helical twisting, the fibers became untwisted during the later stages of growth within any one band. The trace element profiles revealed that higher concentrations of aluminum are associated with quartzine and non-twisted <11&2macr;0> fibers, rather than twisted chalcedony <11&2macr;0> fibers. Except for the presence of iron-rich inclusions between quartzine and chalcedony bands, trace concentrations of iron were below the detection limit for the different varieties of microfibrous quartz analyzed. Received: 6 January 1997 / Accepted: 4 September 1997     

沉积物成岩蚀变过程中的Mn、Cd和Mo元素活动特征:以ODP 1148站钻孔沉积物记录为例

通过对南海北部的ODP 1148站岩芯600 mcd以上(约30 Ma以来)的沉积物中自生富集Mn、Cd和Mo等过渡金属元素的含量变化的研究,并结合相关的化学组成结果,探讨了岩芯内部氧化-还原条件的变化以及相关元素的活动特征,反演了相应沉积时期的环境演变.结果显示,岩芯387 mcd以上,自生Mn富集明显,代表氧化的环境;387～485 mcd之间,自生Cd含量明显富集,Mn含量显著降低,代表少氧的环境;485 mcd以下,Mn和Cd含量极低,自生Mo明显富集,代表缺氧的环境.随氧化-还原条件的变化,Mo存在明显的向下迁移并在缺氧界面的缺氧一方达到最大值的趋势,而Cd在少氧环境形成的固相态则可能在缺氧环境下不稳定,溶解态的Cd有向上迁移的趋势,并且在少氧/缺氧界面的少氧一方富集.这些过渡金属元素记录的氧化-还原条件的变化,反映出ODP 1148站所在海区的沉积环境变化:早期有较丰富的陆源输入,表层海水生产力较高,随着南海不断扩张以及全球海平面上升,该海区表层海水生产力逐渐降低.     

Chemical and isotopic investigations into the origin of clay minerals from the Galapagos hydrothermal mounds field

A dark green authigenic nontronite is the major component of the Galapagos hydrothermal mounds field sediments. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the chemically purified, <0.2-μm fraction of the nontronitic clays indicate formation temperatures of 25° to 47°C, in contrast with measured in situ mounds temperatures of up to 15°C. Assuming an authigenic origin, the Fe-rich montmorillonite that dominates in the noncarbonate clay fraction of the surrounding pelagic ooze has isotopic formation temperatures of 27° to 39°C, compared with measured in situ temperatures of ca. 3.5° to 6.5°C. The higher isotopic formation temperatures calculated for the hydrothermal nontronite suggest either complex patterns of fluid circulation and nontronite precipitation presently within the mounds or a higher thermal history associated with rapid and episodic periods of deposition during the Holocene-Pleistocene. The apparent high isotopic temperature of the Fe-rich montmorillonite may reflect: (1) formation under hydrothermal conditions at spreading centers with subsequent dispersal by bottom currents, (2) a detrital origin of the mineral, or (3) a mixture of authigenic Fe-montmorillonite and detrital Al-montmorillonite in this region.     

青海循化盆地晚渐新世沉积物中坡缕石的特征及其古气候指示意义

采用X射线衍射和扫描电子分析方法,对青海循化盆地晚渐新世沉积物的矿物组成、坡缕石的矿物学特征以及古气候指示作用进行了深入的研究。结果表明,晚渐新世循化盆地沉积物中粘土矿物组成主要有蒙脱石、伊利石、坡缕石和绿泥石等;坡缕石一般呈纤维状或者针状,沿片状蒙脱石的边缘及表面交代生长,为典型自生成因的坡缕石。坡缕石是干旱-半干旱气候条件的特征矿物,其出现表明循化地区晚渐新世气候特征较为干旱,与粘土矿物组合及伊利石结晶度所反映的气候环境信息相吻合;沉积物中坡缕石相对含量及有序度自下而上逐渐增大,说明循化地区的干旱化逐渐加剧。循化地区晚渐新世(～23 Ma)的干旱化可能与青藏高原隆升或者全球气候变冷事件密切相关。