Fahlores of the Prasolovka Au-Ag volcanogenic deposit, Kunashir Island, Russian Far East

The chemical study shows that fahlores from the Prasolovka deposit are complex compounds with significant variations in their composition and the proportions of their constituent elements. Based on their major-element composition, they are subdivided into 3 species and 11 inter-and intra-species varieties. The chemical composition of the fahlores in different mineral assemblages from different ore types indicates that As fahlores subsequently replaced by Sb, Te-Sb, and Te fahlores during ore precipitation. The revealed evolution of the ore solutions from the early to late stages testifies that different ores at the Prasolovka deposit were formed under different physicochemical conditions.     

Fahlore thermochemistry: Gaps inside the (Cu,Ag)<Subscript>10</Subscript>(Fe,Zn)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Sb,As)<Subscript>4</Subscript>S<Subscript>13</Subscript> cube

Possible topologies of miscibility gaps in arsenian (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂(Sb,As)₄S₁₃ fahlores are examined. These topologies are based on a thermodynamic model for fahlores whose calibration has been verified for (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂Sb₄S₁₃ fahlores, and conform with experimental constraints on the incompatibility between As and Ag in (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂(Sb,As)₄S₁₃ fahlores, and with experimental and natural constraints on the incompatibility between As and Zn and the nonideality of the As for Sb substitution in Cu₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂(Sb,As)₄S₁₃ fahlores. It is inferred that miscibility gaps in (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂As₄S₁₃ fahlores have critical temperatures several °C below those established for their Sb counterparts (170 to 185°C). Depending on the structural role of Ag in arsenian fahlores, critical temperatures for (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂(Sb,As)₄S₁₃ fahlores may vary from comparable to those inferred for (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂As₄S₁₃ fahlores, if the As for Sb substitution stabilizes Ag in tetrahedral metal sites, to temperatures approaching 370°C, if the As for Sb substitution results in an increase in the site preference of Ag for trigonal-planar metal sites. The latter topology is more likely based on comparison of calculated miscibility gaps with compositions of fahlores from nature exhibiting the greatest departure from the Cu₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂(Sb,As)₄S₁₃ and (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂Sb₄S₁₃ planes of the (Cu,Ag)₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂(Sb,As)₄S₁₃ fahlore cube.     

Tennantite-tetrahedrite series from the Madan Pb-Zn deposits,Central Rhodopes,Bulgaria

Minerals from the tennantite-tetrahedrite series (fahlores) are found as single euhedral crystals and crustiform aggregates in hydrothermal veins of the Gradishte and Petrovitsa Pb-Zn deposits of the Madan ore field, southern Bulgaria. Unusually large compositional variations and fine oscillatory crystal zoning were investigated with electron microprobe analysis. The Gradishte samples correspond dominantly to tennantite, while Petrovitsa crystals have exclusively tetrahedrite composition. Fahlore compositions at Madan correspond to zincian varieties (1.6–1.95 apfu), with low Fe-content (<0.45 apfu). Minor silver is characteristic only for the Petrovitsa samples, reaching a maximum of 0.30 apfu. The (Cu+Ag) content of the Petrovitsa tennantites and the Cu content of the Gradishte tetrahedrites systematically exceed 10 apfu resulting in compensation of the excess Cu in the structure by Fe³⁺. Textural characteristics, mineral relationships and available fluid inclusion and stable isotope data suggest that fahlores precipitated in the late stages of mineralization at Madan, at temperature interval of 300–200 °C from oxidizing fluids with mixed (magmatic-meteoric) signatures.     

Fahlore and Sphalerite from the Darasun Gold Deposit in the Eastern Transbaikal Region,Russia: I. Mineral Assemblages and Intergrowths,Chemical Composition,and Its Evolution

The mineral assemblages, mode of occurrence, and chemical compositions of coexisting fahlore and sphalerite from the Darasun gold deposit have been described. Three generations of fahlore and three generations of sphalerite have been recognized. The FeS content in sphalerite coexisting with fahlore ranges from 0.8 to 9.4 mol %. The complete solid solution series Fe-tetrahedrite–Zn-tetrahedrite–Fe-tennantite–Zn-tennantite reflected in Sb/(Sb + As) and Fe/(Fe + Zn) ratios ranging from 0 to 0.97 and from 0.07 to 1.00, respectively, with a predominant negative relationship between these ratios has been identified for the first time at the deposit. Stepped, oscillatory, and combined stepped-oscillatory growth zonings within fahlore grains and heterogeneous aggregates of fahlore have been found. Fahlore is enriched in As with respect to Sb, and Zn-tetrahedrite is followed by Fe- and Zn-tennantite from early to late generation; Zn-tetrahedrite is followed by Fe-tennantite in zoned grains and overgrown rims; sphalerite crystallized at decreased temperature and sulfur fugacity. The evolution of the chemical composition of fahlores was caused by the evolving temperature, fluid salinity, and conditions of metal migration.     

‘Derived’ and observed sulphosalt-sulphide phase assemblages compared — A case study from Rajpura-Dariba,India

Log a_{S 2}-T diagrams for several sulphosalts (and sulphides) are constructed from published thermochemical data. Additionally, extension of published data on the Cu-S system (Barton, 1973) to the univariant phase equilibria involving fahlore and high-chalcocite in the Cu-Sb-As-S system (Luce et al., 1977) permits construction of approximate As-isopleths for fahlore in log a_{S 2}-T space. Phase relationships thus derived are compared with the sulphosalt-sulphide assemblages present in the biphase, polymetallic mineralization at Rajpura-Dariba where geology, genesis and mineral-chemistry are well documented. A gratifying correspondence between the two is observed. Biphase origin of the orebody, inferred from geological data, is confirmed, and rigorous narrow limits of variation of a_{S 2} and T could be set for some assemblages belonging to the second phase of mineralization. The phase diagrams also indicate that the observed pyrargyrite-proustite textural relation and the decomposition fabric of some fahlores, independently, point to an intermittent increase in the activities of S₂ and As during the second phase mineralization.     

Criteria for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem faunas in ores of massive sulfide deposits in the Urals

The ore-formational, ore-facies, lithological, and mineralogical-geochemical criteria are defined for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem fauna in ores of the volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in the Urals. Abundant mineralized microfauna is found mainly in massive sulfide mounds formed in the jasperous basalt (Buribai, Priorsk, Yubileinoe, Sultanov), rhyolite–basalt (Yaman-Kasy, Blyava, Komosomol’sk, Sibai, Molodezhnoe, Valentorsk), and the less common serpentinite (Dergamysh) formations of the Urals (O–D2). In the ore-formational series of the massive sulfide deposits, probability of the detection of mineralized fauna correlates inversely with the relative abundance of felsic volcanic rocks underlying the ores. This series is also marked by a gradual disappearance of colloform pyrite, marcasite, isocubanite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite pseudomorphoses after pyrrhotite; increase of the amount of bornite, fahlores, and barite; decrease of contents of Se, Te, Co, and Sn in chalcopyrite and sphalerite; and decrease of Tl, As, Sb, and Pb in the colloform pyrite. Probability of the detection of mineralized fauna in the morphogenetic series of massive sulfide deposits decreases from the weakly degraded sulfide mounds to the clastic stratiform deposits. The degradation degree of sulfide mounds and fauna preservation correlates with the attenuation of volcanic intensity, which is reflected in the abundance of sedimentary and volcanosedimentary rocks and the depletion of effusive rocks in the geological sections.     

X-ray diffractograms and direct Fourier transforms of diffraction patterns of mixtures of illite,mixed-layer mica-montmorillonites,and montrnorillonites

Homeogenie inclusions - autoliths - widely distributed in granitic rocks, are restricted to hypabyssal and mesabyasal massifs of the gabbro-granite, tonalite-granodiorite, and adamellite-granite composition. Several geological and petrological characteristics of autoliths (independence of their composition from that of the Intruded rocks, close similarity between their composition and the composition of granitic rocks in which they occur, isofacial relation between autolilhs and the enclosing granites, etc.) distinguish them from other kinds of inclusions and indicate that they are regular members of the granitic series. From detailed chemical and mineraloglcal studies of autoliths from different massifs of the USSR and from analysis of data in the literature, we conclude thai autoliths form in the process of differentiation of granitic magmas. —Authors.     

Erratum to: “Criteria for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem faunas in ores of massive sulfide deposits in the Urals”

The ore-formational, ore-facies, lithological, and mineralogical-geochemical criteria are defined for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem fauna in ores of the volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in the Urals. Abundant mineralized microfauna is found mainly in massive sulfide mounds formed in the jasperous basalt (Buribai, Priorsk, Yubileinoe, Sultanov), rhyolite—basalt (Yaman-Kasy, Blyava, Komosomol’sk, Sibai, Molodezhnoe, Valentorsk), and the less common serpentinite (Dergamysh) formations of the Urals (O—D₂). In the ore-formational series of the massive sulfide deposits, probability of the detection of mineralized fauna correlates inversely with the relative abundance of felsic volcanic rocks underlying the ores. This series is also marked by a gradual disappearance of colloform pyrite, marcasite, isocubanite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite pseudomorphoses after pyrrhotite; increase of the amount of bornite, fahlores, and barite; decrease of contents of Se, Te, Co, and Sn in chalcopyrite and sphalerite; and inсrease of Tl, As, Sb, and Pb in the colloform pyrite. Probability of the detection of mineralized fauna in the morphogenetic series of massive sulfide deposits decreases from the weakly degraded sulfide mounds to the clastic stratiform deposits. The degradation degree of sulfide mounds and fauna preservation correlates with the attenuation of volcanic intensity, which is reflected in the abundance of sedimentary and volcanosedimentary rocks and the depletion of effusive rocks in the geological sections.     

Gold mineralization of the Khaak-Sair gold-quartz ore occurrence in listwanites (western Tuva)

We consider mineral assemblages and mineralogical and geochemical peculiarities of hypogene gold from the Khaak-Sair multistage low-sulfide gold-quartz ore occurrence in listwanites. Three productive substages of Au-and Ag-mineral formation have been recognized on the basis of mineralogical studies: gold-sulfosalt-sulfide-quartz, gold-mercury-quartz, and gold-selenide-telluride-sulfide-quartz. These substages were characterized by the following sequences of mineral formation: (1) ultrahigh-fineness gold → high-fineness gold → argental gold (medium- and low-fineness gold) → electrum + Ag-bearing and argental fahlores (up to 50 wt.% Ag) ± acanthite ± hessite; (2) high-fineness gold → Hg-bearing and mercurian gold → mercurian electrum → mercurian kustelite → Au-bearing mercurian silver; and (3) high-fineness gold → mercurian gold → mercurian electrum + naumannite + Te-bearing naumannite + fischesserite + tiemannite + hessite + coloradoite + Ag-bearing minerals of the galena-clausthalite series (up to 6 wt.% Ag) ± Se-cinnabar ± Se-imiterite. Productive mineral assemblages of the ore occurrence formed in the hypabyssal facies (depth ~ 1.5 km, P ~ 0.5 kbar) on the background of a temperature decrease from 290 to 160 °C and variations in f(O₂), f(S₂), f(Se₂), and f(Te₂).     

Chemical composition of the bottom sediments in the middle reaches of the Amur River

The chemical composition of the bottom sediments of the Amur River has been analyzed using modern analytical techniques. It was found that their composition and distribution patterns are controlled by several sources. The most probable sources for the bottom sediments of the studied area are siliceous magmatic or metasedimentary rocks.     

Chemical Composition of Ores from the Takara Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Central Japan

Abstract. The Takara volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit occurs in Miocene formation of the Misaka Mountain, the South Fossa Magna region, central Japan. The tectonic setting of the Misaka Mountain is reconstructed to be a part of the paleo Izu-Ogasawara arc which collided with the Honshu arc and to form accreted body in the present position. The Takara deposit, therefore, is considered to have formed in the paleo Izu-Ogasawara arc.
The ores from the Takara deposit are classified into pyrite-type ore, chalcopyrite-type ore, and sphalerite-type ore on the basis of chemical composition and their mineral assemblages. Some pyrite-type ores are characterized by their high Au content. The Au content is hardly recognized in the chalcopyrite-type and sphalerite-type ores.
The ores from the Takara deposit have intermediate bulk chemical composition between those from the Besshi-type deposits and the Kuroko-type deposits that are two representative VMS deposits. However, the bulk chemical composition is closer to that from the Kuroko-type deposits. And moreover, chemical composition of tetrahedrite-tennantite series minerals (tetrahedrite) is similar to that from the Kuroko-type deposits. The bulk chemical composition (Cu, Zn, Co, Pb, and As contents) of ores is affected by the chemical composition of volcanic rocks associated with VMS deposits.     

Subvolcanic bodies of the Bodrak Complex in the Southwestern Crimea: Structure,composition, and formation conditions

The structure and composition of three subvolcanic bodies of the Bodrak Complex are considered in detail. The data on their petrography and results of microprobe and chemical analyses are presented. We arrived at a conclusion about the comagmatic relations of two bodies and established different depths of their formation. The chemical composition of olivine in rocks of the Bodrak Complex was determined for the first time with a microprobe. By their chemical composition, the rocks are related to the island-arc tholeiitic series.     

The Uzbekistan Loess,genesis and distribution

The distribution and genesis of Uzbekistan loess rocks, their composition, properties and conditions are naturally changing from mountains to the piedmont plains. For the piedmont plains and intermontane depressions the occurrence of alluvial and deluvial loess types is typical, and in the high mountains eluvial, deluvial, eluvial-deluvial and fluvioglacial ones. This can be explained by the difference of tectonic activity as well as by climatic humidity. The study and analyss of the accumulated data of loess of various genetic type, composition and properties show that the initial material of loess formation comes from the mountainous and alpine areas. The primariy sources of the parent rocks are ancient sediments above the limit of loess occurrence. As a result of intensive developments and irrigation in the territory of the republic, loess areas are decreasing, losing their properties, while they are transforming into the loess-like rocks. It was also determined that their structural and textural properties such as porosity, density, salt composition and filtration coefficient are changing simultaneously. The same changes are also noted in the mineralogical and granulometric composition.     

与翡翠伴生的含钠长石质玉石的鉴别及定名探讨

与翡翠伴生的含钠长石质玉石的外观与传统翡翠非常相似,但成分比较复杂,宝石学参数不再典型,性质常介于钠长石玉和翡翠之间。通过对标本的观察、常规宝石学测试和红外光谱测试,对该过渡类型玉石进行仔细区域调查,总结特征,建议国家标准应加强对翡翠与岩石过渡类型具体的成分标准和物理性质的归钠总结,对相应的类型划分与种类界定提出规范性和统一的标准。     

岩浆包裹体化学成分研究

岩浆包裹体化学成分研究难度较大,为了获得可信的数据,应当注意:1.非演化型岩浆包裹体的化学成分可以代表其初始成分。演化型岩浆包裹体应先均一、淬火后再行测定。2.均一演化型岩浆包裹体应严格遵守加热规则,否则过热作用会使包裹体壁部分熔化,造成淬火后所测包裹体成分与其真正的初始成分并不相当。3.实测资料证明,“边界层效应”对于岩浆包裹体化学成分影响微不足道。4.岩浆包裹体的化学成分只能代表其主矿物结晶时周围岩浆的成分,即仅相当于岩浆液相线上的一个点。5。把显微冷热台测温、激光喇曼探针和电子探针分析技术结合使用,对查明单个包裹体中挥发组分的性状和浓度具有很大的潜力和前途。     

Investigation of the hydrogeochemistry of some bottled mineral waters in Hungary

Bottled drinking water constitutes a significant part of total water consumption in developed countries and national and EU legislation regulates their market production. In the framework of an international project carried out by the EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group 36 bottled waters were obtained from public markets in Hungary in order to determine their hydrogeochemical composition. The objective of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between groundwater aquifer lithology and the processed and marketed bottled waters, and to develop a classification of bottled waters, based on their dissolved mineral content. Analytical results of this study are compared with the composition shown on bottle labels, and with archive hydrochemical data from the producing wells. Results show that, while processing of original groundwater, such as oxygen addition, iron or hydrogen-sulphide removal can significantly alter water composition, bottled water composition can be used for selection of sites for detailed hydrogeochemical and hydrogeological characterization. A simple and useful classification of bottled water quality is also presented that is based on natural groups of sampled waters derived by means of statistical data analysis methods.     

The Principles for Discrimination of the Source Composition of Mantle-Derived Igneous Rocks and the Nature of the Mantle Source Region of the Emeishan Basalts

This paper discusses the discrimination principles. deduction and methods for probing into the source composition of mantle-derived magma. The magmatophile (incompatible) source elements are not all optimal tracers for mantle source composition. The ratios of two strong magmatophile elements (D<1) or the ratios of two trace elements with the same D value are not controlled by the formation mode and evolution degree of a magma, but maintain the characteristics of their composition in mantle source region prior to the magma formation. The ratios are related to different mantle-crust structures and dynamics. The mantle source composition of the Emeishan Basalt series is similar to that of the South Atlantic Rio Grande Rise-Walvis Ridge Basalts and Brazil continental-margin basalts. This may indicate that these basalt series might have similar source regions and tectonic environments.     

Hydrogeochemical Features of Thermal Waters of South Trungbo (Central Vietnam)

The results of studying the features of the hydrogeological structure and chemical and isotope composition of thermal waters from the central part of Vietnam that are characterized by intense manifestations of intrusive magmatism are presented. It is established that low–and high–thermal waters with temperature varying within 30–85°C are developed in the area under study. The value of total mineralization of the hydrotherms ranges from 0.05 to 10.05 g/dm³. It is assumed that the circulation of thermal waters that are different in temperature and chemical composition occurs at two levels. The regular change of the hydrotherm composition in the direction from mineralized chloride sodium, including with increased Ca content, to fresh sodium bicarbonate is revealed. The ratio of δ¹⁸O–δ²H isotopes indicates that the water component is based on meteoric water. In the coastal areas, there is an isotope shift towards the ocean waters, which is also confirmed by the hydrogeochemical data. The key factors for forming the chemical composition of the thermal waters in South Trungbo are their genetic type, the interaction processes in the “water–rock–gas–organic substance” system, and their equilibrium–nonequilibrium state.     

Combustion metamorphism of bituminous sediments and the formation of melts of granitic and sedimentary composition

During combustion metamorphism, i.e. the heating of sediments rich in organic matter by spontaneous subsurface combustion, temperatures obtained are frequently high enough to cause partial or total melting of the original rocks. These melts are of particular geochemical interest because at lower temperatures their composition closely simulates that of granitic and at higher temperatures that of common sedimentary rocks. At the California localities, studied here, the parent rocks are mainly bituminous mudstones with smaller amounts of diatomites and phosphorites and lesser dolomites, limestones, shales and cherts. It is estimated that rock melting started below 1000° C. The first partial melts correspond to a melt fraction of about 5% have a constant composition which is controlled by the eutectic of the dominant mudstones, and are undistinguishable in major and trace element composition from common S-type granites. Compared with the original rocks, these melts are enriched in SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, Na₂O, as well as in Ta, Hf, Zr, Th and REE, and are depleted in all other elements studied. The only difference between these low-temperature melts and granitic ones is their oxygen isotope composition, which is that of the sedimentary parent rocks. These melts intruded the country rocks as sills and dikes and cooled to glassy rocks simulating obsidians.As temperatures rose, the melts changed composition and left the magmatic field. At the highest temperatures (in excess of 1650 C), their composition equals that of the original sediments from which they are derived, except for volatile components such as H₂O and CO₂. These melts formed intrusive bodies, mainly stocks, up to several kilometers across. On cooling, these melts formed fine-grained but holocrystalline rocks, the dominant minerals of which are cristobalite, α- and β-tridymite, calcic plagioclase, cordierite, wollastonite, gehlenite, andradite and apatite. Where the parent rocks included phosphorites, two immiscible melts formed an emulsion in which droplets of apatitic composition are surrounded by a silicate melt, almost devoid of P₂O₅.