A new Tertiary borax deposit in the Andes

The Loma Blanca borate deposit was formed in the muds of playa-lake environments during the Late Miocene and is the fourth Tertiary commercial borax deposit discovered within the borate districts of the world. It is the only South American deposit known to contain any of the minerals colemanite, inyoite, ulexite, borax, tincalconite and teruggite with a unique and characteristic mineral sequence among the other Argentinian borate deposits. The Loma Blanca deposit is characterized by abundant Ca, Na and B, very low Cl and relatively high As, S and Mg concentrations compared with other borate deposits. Thermal springs and hydrothermal solutions associated with local volcanic activity are thought to be the source of the borates. The early colemanite, inyoite, ulexite, borax and teruggite nodules and crystals appear to have been formed directly from brines penecontemporaneously within the unconsolidated sediments, and they continued to grow as the sediments were compacted. Later generations of borate minerals occur in vughs, veins and as thin layers. Diagenetic alterations include the partial replacement of borax by ulexite and tincalconite; when weathered, borates are often almost completely replaced by calcite.     

Mineralogy,diagenesis and hydrochemical evolution in a probertite–glauberite–halite saline lake (Miocene,Emet Basin,Turkey)

The Emet basin is one of the Neogene basins in western Turkey containing significant amounts of borate minerals, mainly colemanite. The petrologic study of core samples from two exploratory wells in the Do?anlar sector, under optic and electron microscopy, reveals a complex mineral association in which probertite, glauberite, and halite constitute the major primary phases (without mineral precursors) precipitated in a saline lake placed in a volcano-sedimentary context. Other sulfates (anhydrite, gypsum, thenardite, celestite and kalistrontite), borates (colemanite, ulexite, hydroboracite, tunellite, kaliborite and aristarainite), and sulfides (arsenopyrite, realgar and orpiment) are attributed to early diagenesis. So far, the Do?anlar deposit is the most important deposit of probertite known up to now.Chemical changes in the groundwater inflow led to the precipitation of Ca-bearing borates (colemanite) in the tuff-flat environment surrounding the lake, while Na–Ca sulfates and borates (glauberite and probertite) precipitated in the center of the lake. Fluid inclusion compositions in halite indicate that the advanced brines correspond to the Na-K-Cl-SO₄ type. During restricted stages of the saline lake, the residual brines seeped through the tuff-flat sediments, leading to transformations of previous precipitates that resulted in the formation of K-bearing minerals.The abundance of coccoid-like biogenic dolomite, colloidal arsenopyrite and the isotopic composition of sulfates are indicative of bacterial sulfate reduction. In contrast, arsenic sulfides are attributed to acidophilic micro-organisms in oxidizing conditions. Fluctuations of redox conditions in both free and interstitial brines control the biological influence in some diagenetic transformations.     

Sulphate–borate relations in an evaporitic lacustrine environment: the Sultançayir Gypsum (Miocene, western Anatolia)

Calcium-borates, mainly pandermite (priceite) and howlite, but also bakerite and colemanite, are intercalated within the Sultançayir Gypsum (Miocene, Sultançayir Basin, western Anatolia). This lacustrine unit, represented by secondary gypsum in outcrop, is characterized by: (1) a clear facies distribution of depocentral laminated lithofacies and debris-flow deposits, a wide marginal zone of sabkha deposits, and at least one selenitic shoal located toward the basin margin; (2) evaporitic cycles displaying a shallowing-upward trend; and (3) a diagenetic evolution of primary gypsum to (burial) anhydrite followed by its final re-hydration. The calcium borates precipitated only in the depocentre of the lake and were partly affected by synsedimentary reworking, indicating that they formed during very early diagenesis. The lithofacies, which are made up of a host gypsum (finely laminated) and borates (nodules, irregular masses and discontinuous bands; also fine laminations), indicate that the borates grew interstitially because of the inflow and mixing of borate-rich solutions with basinal brines. Borate growth displaced and replaced primary gypsum beneath a relatively deep depositional floor. Borate formation as free precipitates was much less common. The anhydritization of primary gypsum took place during early to late diagenesis (burial <250 m deep). This process also resulted in partial replacement of pandermite and accompanying borates (bakerite and howlite) as well as other early diagenetic minerals (celestite) by anhydrite. Final exhumation resulted in the replacement of anhydrite by secondary gypsum, and in the partial transformation of pandermite and howlite into secondary calcite.     

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of zeolite deposits associated with borates in the Bigadiç, Emet and Kirka Neogene lacustrine basins, western Turkey

The Bigadiç, Emet and Kirka lacustrine basins of western Turkey may be considered as Tibet-type graben structures that were developed during the Miocene within the Izmir-Ankara suture zone complex. The volcanic-sedimentary successions of these basins are made up of mudstone, carbonate (limestone and dolomite) and detrital rocks, and also of crystal or vitric tuffs about 135 to 200 m thick. The Degirmenli (Bigadiç), Emirler (Bigadiç) Köpenez (Emet) and Karaören (Kirka) tuffs constituting the zeolite deposits are situated beneath four borate deposits (colemanite, ulexite, borax). The most abundant diagenetic silicate minerals are K- and Ca-clinoptilolites in the zeolite deposits, and Li-rich trioctahedral smectites (stevensite, saponite and hectorite) and K-feldspar in the borate deposits. In the Degirmenli, Emirler. Köpenez and Karaören deposits, the following diagenetic faciès were developed from rhyolitic glasses rich in K and poor in Na: (glass + smectite), (K-clinoptilolite + opal-CT), (Caclinoptilolite + K-feldspar ± analcime ± quartz) and (K-feldspar+analcime+quartz). K-feldspar which is also rarely associated with phillipsite (Karaören) and heulandite (Degirmenli and Karaören), succeeds clinoptilolite and precedes analcime in these diagenetic facies where dioctahedral smectites, opal-CT and quartz are the latest minerals. No diagenetic transformations exist between clinoptilolite, K-feldspar and analcime that were formed directly from glass. The lateral facies distributions resulted from the differences in salinity and pH of pore water trapped during deposition of the tuffs, but vertical distributions in vitric tuffs seem to have been controlled by the glass/liquid ratio of the reacting system and the permeability or diffusion rate of alkali elements. The Bigadiç, Emet and Kirka zeolite deposits which were formed in saline basins rich in Ca and Mg ions, show similar chemical changes, i.e. loss of alkalis and gain in alkaline-earth elements that have taken place during the diagenetic transformation of rhyolitic glasses to dioctahedral smectites or clinoptilolite. The absence of sodic zeolites such as mordenite, erionite, chabazite and silica-rich phillipsite is mainly due to the very high K/Na ratio of the starting materials rather than initial alkaline conditions or high Na content in lake waters.     

Major and trace element geochemistry of the Bigadi? Borate deposit, Balikesir, Turkiye

This study investigates the major and trace element geochemistry of Bigadi borate deposits, the largest colemanite and ulexite deposits in the world. The known borate deposits of Turkiye were deposited in the lacustrine environment during Miocene when the volcanic activity occurred from Tertiary to Quaternary. All of the Turkish borate deposits are classified as volcanic related deposits. Boron ore deposits intercalated with claystone, mudstone, tufa and fine layered limestone show lens shape. Borate minerals formed in two zones. Tiilu and Acep-Simav open mines represented the lower and upper borate zones, respectively. Colemanite and ulexite are dominant minerals at all ore zones. The major elements of Bigadi borates contain Ca, Si, Mg, Al, Fe, S, Na, P and Mn at Tiilu, Ca, Na, Si, Mg, S, Al, P and Mn at Simav, and Ca, Na, Si, Mg, S, AI and Mn at Acep samples respectively. Except for Li, Mo, Sb, As, Sr and Se, concentrations of other trace elements are significantly lower than averages of earth crust and andesite at the three mines. With respect to averages of earth crust and andesite, Mo, Sr, As, Li and particularly Se are enriched significantly in the Bigadi. In examining depth-dependent variations of major and trace elements, four element groups at the Tiilu site and six element groups at the Simav and Acep sites were determined. Element abudances or element geochemical trends show differences at the Tülü, Simav and Acep mines. These differences can be explained by the diversity of physicochemical conditions in the deposition environment by the effect of differences at the recharge regime and source.     

Boron isotope composition of geothermal fluids and borate minerals from salar deposits (central Andes/NW Argentina)

We have measured the boron concentration and isotope composition of regionally expansive borate deposits and geothermal fluids from the Cenozoic geothermal system of the Argentine Puna Plateau in the central Andes. The borate minerals borax, colemanite, hydroboracite, inderite, inyoite, kernite, teruggite, tincalconite, and ulexite span a wide range of δ¹¹B values from −29.5 to −0.3‰, whereas fluids cover a range from −18.3 to 0.7‰. The data from recent coexisting borate minerals and fluids allow for the calculation of the isotope composition of the ancient mineralizing fluids and thus for the constraint of the isotope composition of the source rocks sampled by the fluids. The boron isotope composition of ancient mineralizing fluids appears uniform throughout the section of precipitates at a given locality and similar to values obtained from recent thermal fluids. These findings support models that suggest uniform and stable climatic, magmatic, and tectonic conditions during the past 8 million years in this part of the central Andes. Boron in fluids is derived from different sources, depending on the drainage system and local country rocks. One significant boron source is the Paleozoic basement, which has a whole-rock isotopic composition of δ¹¹B=−8.9±2.2‰ (1 SD); another important boron contribution comes from Neogene-Pleistocene ignimbrites (δ¹¹B=−3.8±2.8‰, 1 SD). Cenozoic andesites and Mesozoic limestones (δ¹¹B≤+8‰) provide a potential third boron source.     

青藏高原盐湖硼酸盐形成问题

目前已知世界上硼酸盐沉积的类型有四种:1)与泉华沉积有关.2)与火山活动有关.3)与古盐矿床有关.4)与盐湖有关的。后者实际上也往往与温泉和火山活动有着密切的联系。世界上盐湖中的硼酸盐主要分布在美国西部的加里福尼亚州和内华达州、南美西部安底斯高原的东侧(其中包括智利、秘鲁、阿根廷和玻利维亚等)和我国的青藏高原。我国青藏高原盐湖的硼酸盐无论在资源储量方面或在矿物种类方面都比其它地区丰富得多。     

准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷下二叠统古老碱湖成因探究：来自全球碱湖沉积的启示

碱湖沉积在全球范围内均有分布,在特定的构造背景、火山活动、热液作用及气候条件下形成。我国准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷风城组发育的碱湖沉积形成年代老且埋藏较深,在完整的沉积-成岩演化研究中具有独特优势。此外,风城组碱湖沉积的分布与页岩油藏的分布具有密切关系,其形成演化对碱湖页岩油藏研究提供重要支持。通过全球尺度下碱湖及碱湖沉积主要特征分析,总结碱湖沉积特征和成因,为准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷风城组碱湖沉积成因分析提供借鉴。综合分析表明,同期火山活动和特定气候条件均可主控碱湖沉积的形成。此外,碱湖沉积形成需湖盆水文封闭、充足的溶质供给、低硫酸盐占比及强蒸发环境条件。汇总分析全球碱湖沉积矿物种类与埋深关系,发现成岩作用下矿物转变规律:单斜钠钙石随成岩作用增强依次转变为钙水碱、碳钠钙石,苏打石和天然碱转变为碳酸氢钠石。通过与全球碱湖沉积实例对比分析可知,玛湖凹陷风城组碱湖沉积中碳酸氢钠石和碳钠钙石经成岩作用形成,钠硅酸盐矿物和特征矿物与火山活动及热液作用有关。碳酸氢钠石生长形态及磁黄铁矿指示玛湖凹陷风城组碱湖沉积中心为高盐度分层且底部缺氧的常年生湖泊。下二叠统风城组碱湖沉积形成与周缘火山岩及同沉积火山活动密切相关,受气候、构造背景、火山活动和后期成岩作用的共同控制。     

柴达木盆地大柴旦硼矿床地质特征及成矿机理

大柴旦盐湖因蕴藏固体和液体硼矿资源成为柴达木盆地诸多盐湖中最早被关注和开发的盐湖之一。不仅如此,大柴旦盐湖还沉积有全球少有分布的特色柱硼镁石矿床。此种特色硼矿床的成矿环境和形成机理目前尚未得到应有的关注和研究。本研究基于大柴旦盐湖因开采硼矿而揭露出来的湖中高分辨率的天然沉积剖面DCD-2和DCD03,利用岩性地层学、沉积学、矿物学、地球化学以及AMS 14 C年代学等多指标研究方法,深入探讨了更具特色的湖底柱硼镁石矿层以及其他硼矿层的成矿环境和成矿机理,丰富和完善了盐湖硼矿床成因理论。研究结果显示,大柴旦湖底柱硼镁石矿层(第一硼矿层)形成年代始于BC 1790a左右。湖底柱硼镁石含量为35%,B2O3含量约为3%~16%,属于中低品位硼矿层;而湖滨钠硼解石和水方硼石含量分别为82%和35%,B2O3平均含量约为3%~9%,属于低品位硼矿层。硼矿形成前的较长时期内,大柴旦盐湖是以碎屑沉积为主的非盐湖相沉积环境,此后快速进入硫酸盐型盐湖阶段和湖底柱硼镁石矿层形成阶段。湖底柱硼镁石以及湖滨钠硼解石和水方硼石是在特定水文地球化学条件和湖泊环境下形成,在湖区的不同地带,由于不同的成矿作用和成矿机理形成了不同的硼酸盐矿物或硼矿床。大柴旦盐湖硼酸盐矿床的形成受控于硼自身内在地球化学特性及其外在控制条件,是内外条件耦合的结果。在固体硼酸盐整个形成过程中,盐湖卤水都呈现弱碱性—碱性,这是盐湖硼酸盐沉积形成的先决条件。文章提出了盐湖固体硼酸盐的具体形成机理并确定大柴旦盐湖硼矿床为高山-深盆-浅水成矿模式。     

High arsenic and boron concentrations in groundwaters related to mining activity in the Bigadiç borate deposits (Western Turkey)

This study documents the environmental impacts of borate mines in Bigadiç district, which are the largest colemanite and ulexite deposits in the world. Borate-bearing formations have affected the concentrations of some contaminants in groundwater. Groundwater quality is directly related to the borate zones in the mines as a result of water–rock interaction processes. Calcium is the dominant cation and waters are Ca–SO₄ and HCO₃ type in the mine (Tülü borate mine) from which colemanite is produced. However in the Simav and Acep Borate Mines, ulexite and colemanite minerals are produced and waters from these open pit mines are Na–HCO₃–SO₄ types. High SO₄ concentrations (reaching 519 mg/L) might be explained by the existence of anhydrite, gypsum and celestite minerals in the borate zone. Groundwater from tuff and borate strata showed relatively low pH values (7–8) compared to surface and mine waters (>8). EC values ranged from 270 to 2850 μS/cm. Boron and As were the two important contaminants determined in the groundwaters around the Bigadiç borate mines. Arsenic is the major pollutant and it ranged from 33 to 911 μg/L in the groundwater samples. The concentrations of B in the study area ranged from 0.05 to 391 mg/L. The highest B concentrations were detected at the mine areas. The extension of the borate zones in the aquifer systems is the essential factor in the enrichment of B and As, and some major and trace elements in groundwaters are directly related to the leaching of the host rock which are mainly composed of tuffs and limestones. According to drinking water standards, all of the samples exceed the tolerance limit for As. Copper, Mn, Zn and Li values are enriched but do not exceed the drinking water standards. Sulfate, Al and Fe concentrations are above the drinking water standard for the groundwater samples.     

The geochemistry of Boron-rich groundwater of the Karlovassi Basin, Samos Island, Greece

The upper Miocene of Karlovassi Basin, Samos Island, Greece, contain continental evaporites such as colemanite, ulexite, celestite, gypsum and thenardite. These evaporites are related with volcanic tuffs, diagenetically altered in a saline-alkaline lake environment. The aim of the present paper is to: a) define the impact of the already known and possible buried borates and other evaporites to the geochemistry of the hydrogeological system of Karlovassi Basin, and; b) to assess the correlation between surface and underground evaporite deposits considering the spatial changes in the concentrations of the examined physicochemical parameters. Fieldwork, laboratory measurements and literature data revealed elevated boron values (2136–33012 ?/L) in the central part of Karlovassi Basin. In the same area, high amounts of strontium, sodium, lithium and sulfates also occur. It is proposed that these ions originate from the leaching of evaporites and authigenic minerals such as the Sr-rich clinoptilolite and the boron-bearing potassium feldspar. Boron values are abnormally high for freshwater aquifers, and are indicative of the presence of buried evaporites in the basin with unknown significance.     

柴达木盆地小柴旦湖硼酸盐的形成

本文探讨了小柴旦湖第四纪沉积物中的钠硼解石和柱硼镁石的特征和成因,并进行了盐湖卤水的模拟实验,认为硼酸盐矿物在卤水浓缩的早期到晚期均可形成。     

Geochemical characteristics of Kırka (Sarıkaya) borate deposit,northwestern Anatolia,Turkey

The K?rka borate deposit was deposited in a Miocene lacustrine basin which is closely associated with volcanic activity which lasted from Paleogene to the beginning of Quaternary. Borate mineralization alternates with claystone, mudstone, tuff and fine-layered limestone and mostly shows a lenticular structure. The mineral paragenesis is composed of borax, tincalconite, ulexite, kurnakovite, probertite, tunellite, colemanite, dolomite, smectite group minerals, illite and some firstly reported minerals for the K?rka deposit including hydrochloroborite, brianroulstonite, hilgardite-4M and searlesite minerals. In comparison to average values of earth crust, concentrations of Cs, Sr, Li, As and Se were significantly enriched with respective rates of 21, 15, 14, 3 and 188 folds. Regarding KY, KS1 and KS2 locations, there are differences in both element abundances and their geochemical tendencies which are attributed to variations in discharge regime and physico-chemical conditions of the depositional environment. Independent behaviour of B₂O₃ might indicate that boron is not associated with clays and carbonates and, therefore, most part of boron must be derived from volcanic activity (hydrothermal solutions, gases). REE data indicate that the K?rka borate deposit was formed in a sedimentary environment where highly alkaline (high pH) hydrothermal solutions also took part in borate precipitation process.     

Magnesite diagenesis in redbeds: a case study from the Permian of the Northern Calcareous Alps (Tyrol, Austria)

The Upper Permian Gröden Formation of the Northern Calcareous Alps (Austria) is composed of alluvial fan and playa lake sediments that were deposited in intramontane basins. A conspicuous feature of these redbeds is the abundance of magnesite in the form of nodules and discrete layers in mudstones as well as intergranular cement in sandstones. Sedimentological observations indicate that the bulk of these carbonates formed during early diagenesis and were probably syndepositional. Petrographically, most magnesites consist of micrite or, less commonly, microspar. An early non-ferroan magnesite is post-dated by later stage ferroan magnesites. Nodules consisting of recrystallized, sparry magnesite were observed only at one location. The general absence of relics of a non-magnesite precursor mineral and the occurrence of shrinkage features suggest that the fine grained magnesites formed by transformation of a hydrated magnesium carbonate mineral, e.g. hydromagnesite. Carbon, oxygen, sulphur and strontium isotope ratios in conjunction with sedimentological criteria support a model of (hydro)magnesite precipitation in an inland playa lake system, which was fed by run-off from the surrounding hinterland. The scarcity of evaporites and the dominance of magnesite over calcite and dolomite suggest that the playa lake brines were low in sulphate and had high Mg/Ca ratios. The source for the high magnesium concentrations is thought to be the weathering of Devonian dolostones and associated massive magnesite deposits in the catchment area.     

Closed Basin Brine Evolution and the Influence of Ca–Cl Inflow Waters: Death Valley and Bristol Dry Lake California, Qaidam Basin, China, and Salar de Atacama, Chile

Diagenetic-hydrothermal brines, here called “hydrothermal Ca–Cl brines,” have compositions that reflect interactions between groundwaters and rocks or sediments at elevated temperatures. Hydrothermal Ca–Cl brines reach the surface by convection-driven or topographically driven circulation, and discharge as springs or seeps along fault zones to become important inflow waters in many tectonically active closed basins. Case studies from (1) Qaidam Basin, China, (2) Death Valley, California, (3) Salar de Atacama, Chile, and (4) Bristol Dry Lake, California illustrate that hydrothermal Ca–Cl inflow waters have influenced brine evolution in terms of major ion chemistries and mineral precipitation sequences. All four basins are tectonically active; three (Death Valley, Salar de Atacama, and Qaidam Basin) have well-documented Ca–Cl spring inflow and Holocene faulting. Bristol Dry Lake has young volcanic deposits and Salar de Atacama has an active stratovolcano on its eastern margin, indicating subsurface magma bodies. A midcrustal magma chamber has been identified in southern Death Valley. Volcanism and faulting in these closed basins provides the heat source for hydrothermal-diagenetic processes and the energy and pathways to deliver these waters to the surface.     

辽宁古元古代地体中富电气石岩石的成因：蒸发岩硼源的证据

辽宁东部古元古界底部地层(南辽河群)中赋存着大型的硼酸盐矿床，含矿层位中广泛分布含电气石的变粒岩和电英岩。空间上这些含电气石的岩石与硼酸盐有着密切的联系，电气石可以作为区域硼矿找矿的标志。已有研究结果表明，该地区的硼酸盐矿床是变质蒸发岩成因。本研究对该区不同产状的电气石和硼酸盐的地质特征，全岩和矿物成分、硼同位素组成进行了分析。本区的电气石包括层状和脉状两大类，而电气石的富集与硼酸盐关系密切，电英岩往往分布在硼酸盐矿体的上盘。而矿体的下盘一般不产出富电气石的岩石。当长英质脉体穿过硼酸盐矿体时，脉体中往往会富集电气石。含电气石岩石的全岩地球化学分析表明，它们的REE及其他微量元素特征以及相关性关系与周围不含电气石的同类岩石十分相似，反映出一种成因上的联系。本区电气石主要属于镁电气石一铁电气石系列，靠近硼矿体的电气石比远离硼矿体的电气石更加富镁，有着更高的Mg／Fe比值。电气石和硼酸盐的硼同位素成分分析显示出二者在同位素组成上的相似性，前者比后者的δ^11B稍低，这可能是由于热液活动过程中同位素分馏的结果。电气石的硼同位素组成在空间上显示出变化规律：远离硼酸盐矿体的电气石的δ^11B值(-5．2‰- 3．6‰)比矿体附近的电气石低(平均 10．5‰)。以上空间和成分上的关系表明硼酸盐可能是形成电气石主要的硼来源，电气石是在热液过程中通过淋滤下伏含硼蒸发岩中的硼形成含硼热液，在与上覆沉积物交代过程中形成含电气石岩石。电气石的条带是热液顺层选择交代的结果。本区电气石与硼酸盐的关系表明，层状电气石可以通过含硼热液交代的方式形成。变质地体中的层状电气石岩石的出现可能与变质蒸发岩有关。这一认识对区域硼矿勘查工作和变质地体的沉积环境分析有借鉴意义。     

THE NATURE OF ABYSSAL CHLORIDE BRINES

Highly mineralized, largely sodium-chloride type, brines in deep artesian basins are similar in composition to the mineralized abyssal hydrothermal waters of present day volcanic regions as well as the material impounded in liquid inclusions of minerals. It is also well established that present brines are very similar to hydrothermal ore-forming solutions. Some highly concentrated brines can be explained by derivation from salt basins but there is no adequate explanation for the worldwide distribution of concentrated brines. Exchange reactions merely change composition, not concentration. Some hydrocarbons found in minerals as well as in brines have originated from CO₂, H₂O, and H₂ liberated from volcanoes and magma chambers. The abyssal brines may be the product of magmatogenic hydrothermal activity or the brines themselves may be the source of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions. If the latter is true, there is still no explanation of the high mineralization of brines. Many brines are deafly similar to sea water but the salts in sea water are largely produced by volcanic activity. It is suggested that many of the brines are formed in deep unexposed parts of artesian basins from highly concentrated hydrothermal solutions migrating from magmatic chambers. --J. A. Redden.     

裂谷盆地生油层中火山岩及其矿物与有机质的相互作用——油气生成的催化和加氢作用研究进展及展望

我国裂谷盆地生油层中常有火山岩发育。在研究它们共生模式的基础上,利用地球化学和模拟实验等手段探索埋藏成岩期火山矿物与有机质的相互作用。初步成果表明,一些火山矿物对有机质生烃具有催化和加氢作用,可以使生油岩在较低温度和压力条件下生成较多的油气。但是不同火山矿物对油气生成的催化加氢效果及其动力学特征、这种成因类型的油气识别方法、成藏模式等,还需深入研究。因此,本研究对于丰富油气成因理论、提供新的找油领域具有重要意义。     

Genesis of Disseminated Sulphide Assemblages in Niagara Peninsula,Canada

In the Niagara Peninsula of Southern Ontario, Canada, subeconomic occurrences of Mississippi Valley-type base metal assemblages are found in the petroliferous carbonate units of the Middle Silurian sedimentary succession. These units, which were deposited on the northwestern margin of the Appalachian Basin, were buried by about 2.4 km of Paleozoic sediments up to the time of the Appalachian orogeny. The sulphide minerals form 13 different assemblages and occur in veins, veinlets, vugs and stylolite seams. Distribution of the gangue minerals is irregular but the sulphide minerals display an overlapping vertical zonation. Although dolomite is more abundant in the Lockport Formation, the amount of dolomitization is not directly related to the degree of lead-zinc mineralization. The origin of the assemblages can be explained by a model that relates mineralization to the evolution of the Appalachian Basin. Minor quantities of sphalerite (in chert nodules) and pyrite (as framboids) precipitated during the early diagenetic stage. During later diagenesis, “hot” petroleum-bearing connate waters were expelled from sediments by compaction, and possibly later by the compressive forces of the Appalachian orogeny. As these waters moved outward and upward to zones of lower pressure, they became more saline and separated into liquid petroleum and connate brine phases. Petroleum, due to its lower density, preceded the general outward and upward movement of the connate brines to the basin margins. Here, the Middle Silurian carbonates of the Niagara Peninsula impeded the previous, relatively rapid flow, through the underlying clastics, and were locally enriched in petroleum as it moved into the immediately overlying Upper Silurian reservoirs. This petroleum provided source of reduced sulphur. During their passage, the connate brines probably leached metals from a variety of sediments of differing provenance. These metals precipitated as sulphides on reaching the zone of reduced sulphure. After uplift of the basin, the late Paleozoic strata were eroded and downward-moving meteoric groundwater leached metals, sulphates and carbonates from the host rocks. On reaching the reducing conditions of the water table, sulphides precipitated where the concentration of reduced sulphur was sufficiently high. This process, which is still continuing enables us to propose that many carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposits may have been enriched during periods of uplift.     

西藏日喀则地区蛇绿质沉积岩的成岩后生变化及其地质意义

洋壳裂开后,发展成新的扩张中心,形成了新洋壳,除典型的镁铁质蛇绿岩外,在板块迁移过程中,它们的上面还沉积有蛇绿质沉积物,这套沉积岩系的产生、形成和变化与海底扩张及板块运动有着密切关系。对这类沉积物的组合、沉积特征和成岩变化的研究,随着板块学说研究的深入,越来越为广大地质学家所重视,其研究结果不但能反映这类沉积的性质和特殊环境,而且还可以从一个侧面来验证板块演化的过程。作为大陆碰撞型板块造山运动典型的地区,西藏雅鲁藏布缝合带上,也沉积和保存着这类属于洋壳上部的岩层,对此,作者于1980-1981年相继进行了考察,本文就是在野外工作的基础上通过岩石学、地球化学研究,来讨论这类沉积物的成岩后生变化及其地质意义。