Geochemical Indications of Possible Gas Hydrates in the Northeastern South China Sea

Gas hydrate, mainly composed of hydrocarbon gas and water, is considered to be a clean energy in the 21st century. Many indicators such as BSRs （Bottom-Simulating Reflections）, which are thought to be related to gas hydrate, are found in the South China Sea （SCS） in recent years. The northeastern part of the SCS is taken as one of the most potentials in the area by many scientists. It is situated in the conjunction of the northern divergent continental margin and the eastern convergent island margin, whose geological settings are much preferable for gas hydrate to occur. Through this study, brightness temperature anomalies recorded by satellite-based thermal infrared remotely sensed images before or within the imminent earthquake, the high content of hydrocarbon gas acid-degassed from subsurface sediment and the high radioactive thermoluminescence value of subsurface sediment were found in the region. Sometimes brightness temperature anomalies alone exist in the surrounding of the Dongsha Islands. The highest content of hydrocarbon gas amounts to 393 μL methane per kilogram sediment and the highest radioactive thermoluminescence value is 31752 unit; their geometric averages are 60.5 μL/kg and 2688.9 unit respectively. What is more inspiring is that there are three sites where the methane contents are up to 243, 268 and 359μL/kg and their radioactive thermoluminescence values are 8430, 9537 and 20826 unit respectively. These three locations are just in the vicinity of one of the highest confident BSRs identified by predecessors. Meanwhile, the anomalies are generally coincident with other results such as headspace gas anomaly in the sediment and chloride anomaly in the interstitial water in the site 1146 of Leg 184. The above-mentioned anomalies are most possibly to indicate the occurrence of gas hydrate in the northeastern SCS.     

A Novel Approach in Hydrogeochemical Exploration for Uranium Mineralization: an Example from West Central Sinai, Egypt

Groundwater in contact with ore deposits may acquire a chemical composition that could be used as a guide for exploration. Eight well-water samples are collected from a known uranium-mineralized area near Abu Zenima, west central Sinai to examine the applicability of using the hydrogeochemical technique in the search for uranium mineralization in similar arid areas. The analytical chemical data of the ground water is compared with ground radiometric measurements. The obtained results indicate that groundwater affected by uranium mineralization has a specific relativity of major anions expressed essentially as SO4>Cl>HCO3 and to a lesser extent as Cl>SO4>HCO3, associated as a rule with low magnesium content. This association constitutes a signature of uranium mineralization on the composition of groundwater in west central Sinai and could be used as an important exploration guide in the search for uranium deposits in similar areas. Anomalies in Ni, Fe, Zn and Cr and other pathfinder elements in groundwater can furnish geochemical guides to uranium ores. The immobile trace element anomalies, including Zn, Ni and Fe are strongly distributed near the orebody; whereas the relatively mobile trace elements, including Co, U, V and Cr, constitute the dispersion haloes away from the orebody. A new hydrogeochemical discrimination diagram is constructed to be used as a quick and cost effective exploration tool in the search for uranium occurrences in environmentally similar arid areas. Based on the obtained results, a new site for uranium occurrence, west of W. Baba, is delineated and recommended for future detailed geological and geochemical surveying.     

Petrogenetic significance of rare-earth element behavior in the basement rocks of southern Obudu Plateau, Bamenda Massif, southeastern Nigeria

Rock samples representing various igneous and metamorphic rocks of southern Obudu Plateau were analyzed for rare-earth element ( REE ) behavior by ICP-MS. Results of the analyses indicate a range of REE abundances and distinctive patterns from highly fraetionated patterns with negative Eu anomalies in granitic rocks to relatively low abundances and less REE fractionated flat patterns with little Eu anomaly in some paragneisses, schists, enderbites and dolerites to unfractionated patterns with positive Eu anomalies in some paragneisses and charnockites. Over all, there are low to high ∑ REE contents with negative to positive Eu anomalies. The ratios of different parameters, especially La/Yb and Ce/Yb, show behaviors consistent with crustal to mantle derivation. The heterogeneity of REE abundances and REE patterns reflects mantle to crustal petrogenetic variations of different rock suites on the Plateau. The LREE content is higher than the HREE content in the highly differentiated rocks, as evidenced by their La/Yb,Ce/Yb and La/Sm ratios, which are normally higher in residual products than in primary melts. The dominantly intermediate nature of the source rock of the orthogneisses is suggested by the generally low ∑ REE. The granites enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE and some of the charnockites with negative Eu anomalies were probably formed by partial melting and crystallization.     

Geological characteristics and metallogenic significance of the Devonian intermediate-basic volcanic rocks in the Dachang deposit, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Recently discovered intermediate-basic volcanic rocks in the Devonian strata at Dachang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are dominated by basalts and andesites. Most of them belong to the calc-alkali and alkali series. Petrology and geochemistry data indicate that the volcanic rocks may be formed in a continental rift environment. The volcanic rocks are in conformable contact with the overlying and underlying wall rocks, with such typical sedimentary structures as laminated and striped ones, and the host rocks of the volcanic rocks contain lots of marine fossils such as tentaculite. Many pieces of evidence indicate that the eruption environment of the volcanic rocks is a sea-facies one. The volcanic rocks are of the LREE-enrichment type, with high ratios of light rare-earth elements to heavy rare-earth elements. In addition, they display moderately negative δEu anomalies and moderately negative δCe anomalies with a higher degree of LREE and HREE fractionation. Through the Q-cluster analysis of the REE samples, it is indicated that the ores have a closer relation with the layered volcanic rocks, and also possess a certain inheritance-consistency relationship with the layered volcanic rocks. The source of ore-forming materials may be related with volcanism. It is proposed that the ore deposit in the study area should be genetically explained as the result of marine volcano-sedimentary exhalation of hot water and late superposition-reworking.     

Fluoride contamination in groundwater resources of Alleppey,southern India

Alleppey is one of the thickly populated coastal towns of the Kerala state in southern India.Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the 240,991 people living in this region.The groundwater is being extracted from a multi-layer aquifer system of unconsolidated to semi-consolidated sedimentary formations,which range in age from Recent to Tertiary.The public water distribution system uses dug and tube wells.Though there were reports on fluoride contamination,this study reports for the first time excess fluoride and excess salinity in the drinking water of the region.The quality parameters,like Electrical Conductivity(EC) ranges from 266 to 3900 μs/cm,the fluoride content ranges from 0.68 to2.88 mg/L,and the chloride ranges between the 5.7 to 1253 mg/L.The main water types are Na-HC03,NaCO_3 and Na-Cl.The aqueous concentrations of F~- and CO_3~(2-) show positive correlation whereas F~- and Ca~(2+) show negative correlation.The source of fluoride in the groundwater could be from dissolution of fluorapatite,which is a common mineral in the Tertiary sediments of the area.Long residence time,sediment-groundwater interaction and facies changes(Ca-HCO_3 to Na-HCO_3) during groundwater flow regime are the major factors responsible for the high fluoride content in the groundwater of the area.High strontium content and high EC in some of the wells indicate saline water intrusion that could be due to the excess pumping from the deeper aquifers of the area.The water quality index computation has revealed that 62%of groundwater belongs to poor quality and is not suitable for domestic purposes as per BIS and WHO standards.Since the groundwater is the only source of drinking water in the area,proper treatment strategies and regulating the groundwater extraction are required as the quality deterioration poses serious threat to human health.     

REE geochemistry of Early Cambrian phosphorites from Gezhongwu Formation at Zhijin, Guizhou Province, China

The Cambrian Gezhongwu Formation in Southwest China is the lowest Cambrian phosphorite unit. The Formation belongs to the Meishucun stage with small shelly fossils. Rare-earth element (REE)data from the Gezhongwu phosphorites of Zhijin documented the depositional conditions. The total REE concentrations are high in the Gezhongwu phosphorites, which are especially rich in yttrium. The PAASnormalized REE patterns of the Gezhongwu phosphorites are characterized by negative Ce anomalies and slight enrichment of MREE, as being hat-shaped. The hat-shaped patterns suggest that the REE originated from depositional environments rather than from subsequent diagenesis. The negative Ce anomalies indicate that the depositional environments are oxic. The positive Eu anomaly, the high total REE and the hatshaped REE pattern revealed contributions from the normal marine environment mixed with hydrothermal water to the REE budget of the Gezhongwu phosphorites.     

Geochemistry of the trace elements and rare-earth elements at the boundary between Cambrian Series 2 and Series 3 at Jianshan, South China: Paleoenvironmental and stratigraphic implications

The Jianshan section in Jianhe County,Guizhou Province,is a very important auxiliary section to the candidate stratotype at the boundary between Cambrian Series 2 and Series 3.Twenty four samples collected from the Jianshan section of the Kaili Formation were analyzed for the concentrations of trace element and rare-earth elements(REEs) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The trace element and REE geochemical characteristics of the Kaili Formation at the Jianshan section show that trace element composition and REE distribution patterns across the section are covariant.Notably,at 44 m above the base of the Kaili Formation,most trace element contents and REEs concentrations are lower than those values observed below 44 m.Above 44 m,an increasing trend in the concentration of both trace elements and REEs is observed.These geochemical data indicate important,but subtle,changes at the 44 m horizon.If this is,in fact,verified by work in progress,geochemical criteria can provide additional supports for defining the top surface of Cambrian Series 2,especially in sections where Oryctocephalus indicus is absent.Trace element ratios,specifically Ni/Co,V/Cr,V/(Ni+V) and Th/U as well as Ce and Eu anomalies indicate that the sedimentary environment of the Kaili Formation at the Jianshan section was oxidizing,that benthic redox conditions were less oxic,and may have been influenced by freshwater as compared to the Balang area.Moreover,the Eu anomalies observed in the Kaili Formation are similar to the negative Eu anomalies observed in post-Archean sedimentary rocks,and reveal fluctuations in oxygen content from the bottom to the top of the Kaili Formation.     

Identifying the Hydrochemical Characteristics, Genetic Mechanisms and Potential Human Health Risks of Fluoride and Nitrate Enriched Groundwater in the Tongzhou District, Beijing, North China

Fluoride and nitrate enriched groundwater are potential threats to the safety of the groundwater supply that may cause significant effects on human health and public safety, especially in aggregated population areas and economic hubs. This study focuses on the high F? and NO3? concentration groundwater in Tongzhou District, Beijing, North China. A total of 36 groundwater samples were collected to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics, elucidate genetic mechanisms and evaluate the potential human health risks. The results of the analysis indicate: Firstly, most of the groundwater samples are characterized by Mg-HCO3 and Na-HCO3 with the pH ranging from 7.19 to 8.28 and TDS with a large variation across the range 471–2337 mg/L. The NO3? concentration in 38.89% groundwater samples and the F? concentration in 66.67% groundwater samples exceed the permissible limited value. Secondly, F? in groundwater originates predominantly from water-rock interactions and the fluorite dissolution, which is also regulated by cation exchange, competitive adsorption of HCO3? and an alkaline environment. Thirdly, the effect of sewage disposal and agricultural activities have a significant effect on high NO3– concentration, while the high F? concentration is less influenced by anthropogenic activity. The alkaline environment favors nitrification, thus being conducive to the production of NO3?. Finally, the health risk assessment is evaluated for different population groups. The results indicate that high NO3? and F? concentration in groundwater would have the largest threat to children’s health. The findings of this study could contribute to the provision of a scientific basis for groundwater supply policy formulation relating to public health in Tongzhou District.     

Compositions of Upper Mantle Fluids Beneath Eastern China: Implications for Mantle Evolution

The composition of gases trapped in olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in Iherzolite xenoliths collected from different locations in eastern China has been measured by the vacuum stepped-heating mass spectrometry. These xenoliths are hosted in alkali basalts and considered as residues of partial melting of the upper mantle, and may contain evidence of mantle evolution. The results show that various kinds of fluid inclusions in Iherzolite xenoliths have been released at distinct times, which could be related to different stages of mantle evolution. In general, primitive fluids of the upper mantle (PFUM) beneath eastern China are dominated by H2, CO2 and CO, and are characterized by high contents of H2 and reduced gases. The compositions of PFUM are highly variable and related to tectonic settings. CO, CO2 and H2 are the main components of the PFUM beneath cratons; the PFUM in the mantle enriched in potassic metasomatism in the northern part of northeastern China has a high content of H2, while CO2 a     

Apatite Geochemical and Nd Isotopic Insights into Trachyte Petrogenesis in the Tianchi Volcanic Area of Changbai Mountain, NE China

We report the oxide, element geochemistry and Nd isotopic geochemical data of apatite in the middle Pleistocene medium- and fine-grained trachyte in the Tianchi volcanic area (TVA) of Changbai Mountain, discussing the relationship between apatite and the composition of the whole rock. The purpose is to use the apatite geochemical data to constrain the evolutionary process of trachytic magma and the petrogenesis of trachyte in the cone-forming period of the Tianchi volcano. Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH, F, Cl)) is a common accessory mineral that occurs widely in volcanic rocks in the TVA. The apatites in the trachyte are mainly subhedral–anhedral, having the characteristics of magmatic apatite. In terms of oxide and element geochemistry, they have homogeneous Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, P2O5, K2O, CaO and heterogeneous TiO2, with high F content. They are generally enriched in Th, U and LREEs, depleted in Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and HFSEs, showing negative Ba, Sr and Ti anomalies, similar to those of the whole-rock host trachytes. The ratios of high (La/Yb)N, low δEu (Eu/Eu*), Sr/Y value and ΣREE content in apatite, and the F, Sr, Y, Th/U, La/Sm, and Nd/Tb with ΣREE and δEu anomalies showed a linear correlation, all of those indicating that the host magma has the characteristic of high differentiation. The apatite grains generally having 147Sm/144Nd, 143Nd/144Nd ratios and εNd(t) values of 0.1072–0.1195, 0.5123–0.5126 and ?3.49 to ?0.10, respectively, are similiar to those of the host rock. The Nd model ages TDM1 are 949–803 Ma in apatite. Combined with the εNd(t) value of the apatite core (?7.06 to ?3.49), we conclude that the initial magma of the host trachyte was derived from the partial melting of Proterozoic crustal material and there was an assimilation of wall rocks during its evolution.     

东秦岭（河南段）钼矿床地质特征、矿床分布规律及成矿区带划分

东秦岭（河南段）钼矿床类型可分为斑岩型、斑岩-矽卡岩型、斑岩-角砾岩型,以斑岩型钼矿床为主,近几年又相继发现石英脉型及剪切带型钼矿。通过对东秦岭（河南段）钼异常、矿床空间分布特征及成矿区带综合研究,并对东秦岭（河南段）钼成矿区带进行了划分,为该区进一步开展钼矿地质勘查工作具有重要意义。     

老挝平然地区水系沉积物测量地球化学特征及找矿意义

1∶5万水系沉积物测量显示,平然地区矿化异常是一个以Cu、Ni、Co异常为主,伴随有Cr、V、Ti等的多元素组合异常,体现了基性—超基性岩石的成矿专属性。对元素分布特征、单元素异常特征、异常元素组合特征进行了研究,得出该区异常主要受区域性NW向断裂构造和基性—超基性岩石控制。对平然地区水系沉积物测量数据聚类分析表明,15种元素可以分为三类:Ni、Cr、Cu、V、Co、Zn、Ti为一类,反映了与基性—超基性岩有关的元素分布、富集特征和相关矿化信息;As、Sb、Pb为一类,反映了与中低温热液作用有关的矿化信息;剩余元素的相关性差,归为一类。平然地区F1主因子可能代表了与基性—超基性有关的Cu、Ni、Co矿化。对平然地区3806个样品分别计算F1因子得分,得分大于2的607个样品分布特征与Cu、Ni、Co异常分布特征大致吻合。因此,Cu、Ni、Co异常区域及F1因子得分大于2的样品所在区域的重叠处应该是以Cu、Ni、Co为主的重点找矿区域。     

早三叠世下扬子古海洋地球化学环境的修复过程

巢湖平顶山北坡剖面下三叠统岩石化学成分分析表明, SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Fe₂O₃、FeO、MgO、Na₂O、K₂O、TiO₂、P₂O₅及微量元素Ba、V、Be、Nb、Zn、Cu、Ni、Co、Pb主要富集在下三叠统格里斯巴赫(Griesbachian)、迪纳(Dienerian)及斯密斯(Smithian)亚阶中, 形成了8次显著的正异常, 异常的强度、规模由下向上呈下降趋势; 微量元素Sr和常量元素CaO主要富集在下三叠统上部斯帕斯(Spathian)亚阶中, 其含量由下向上呈逐渐增加趋势.前者含量与碳酸盐岩的碳同位素组成(δ13C)呈负相关关系, 后者含量与碳酸盐岩的碳同位素组成(δ13C)呈正相关关系.海相碳酸盐岩碳同位素组成(δ13C)指示初始生产力大小, 同时亦是海洋生态环境改善的指示标志; 负相关表明环境恶化、生物萧条, 正相关表明环境适宜、生物繁盛.据常量元素和微量元素分布异常特点在下三叠统地层中识别出8次地质事件, 其规模及影响强度由早到晚逐渐变小及减弱; 晚二叠世末期及早三叠世初期的火山喷发将各种有害元素大量输向海洋, 导致海水中粘土矿物、微量元素含量异常增高, 海洋生态环境恶化.随着时间推移, 火山活动逐渐平息, 海洋中各种有害组分逐渐排除, 海水得到净化, 生态环境渐渐恢复.      

论金刚石原生矿勘查模型的“三组合”标志

论述了金刚石原生矿勘查模型的“三组合”标志,即重砂法异常标志是出现次钙高铬镁铝榴石及高铬铬尖晶石矿物等;地球物理标志是与刚性围岩相比具有磁异常、低阻、高极化异常、重力低与放射性强度异常等;地球化学标志是具有Cr、Ni、Nb、La、Ce、Th等特征元素的综合异常。     

奇异性填图技术在新疆东天山黄山—镜儿泉镍铜成矿带中的应用

以新疆东天山黄山—镜儿泉镍铜成矿带为例,采用奇异性填图技术识别复杂背景下隐蔽的可能矿致异常.结果表明:使用原始镍元素数据形成的地球化学图在吐哈盆地具有较高的浓度值,构造岩浆岩带大部分为中等规模或较弱;而使用奇异性填图技术计算的奇异值在吐哈盆地奇异性较弱,而构造岩浆岩带的奇异性显著.经地质分析认为:吐哈盆地高的元素值可能...     

高镍铜镍矿床的特征、形成机制与勘查展望

岩浆铜镍矿床100%硫化物中的Ni含量与赋矿岩石和成矿过程紧密相关,记录岩浆成分、分异程度与硫化物演化过程。硫化物异常高镍(高镍硫化物)往往被认为与科马提质岩浆或者后期热液作用密切相关。近年研究结合勘查证实,赋含高镍硫化物的矿床(高镍铜镍矿床)不仅限于科马提岩,还与苦橄质、玄武质岩浆有关,另外,热液富集作用并不是必要因素。本文总结了世界上高镍铜镍矿床的基本特征和形成机制,分析提出了不同机制的判别标志,并展望了其勘查前景。详细对比高镍铜镍矿床的产出环境、赋矿岩相、矿石特征、矿物组合等特征,该类矿床往往产于大陆裂谷和造山带环境,与基性程度较高的岩浆有关,以橄榄岩赋矿为主,含镍硫化物组合主要为镍黄铁矿-磁黄铁矿-黄铜矿组合,少数为针镍矿-镍黄铁矿-黄铁矿组合。科马提岩相关矿床可将Ni含量大于16%的硫化物定义为高镍硫化物,苦橄质-玄武质岩浆相关矿床的硫化物可分为高镍硫化物(Ni10%)、中镍硫化物(5%～10%)和富铜硫化物(Ni5%,CuNi)。原生高镍硫化物可由富镍岩浆熔离、硫化物从橄榄石中吸取Ni、硫化物结晶分异、硫化物与硫不饱和岩浆反应等机制形成。苦橄质-玄武质岩浆相关的矿床,硫化物与橄榄石的Fe-Ni交换反应是高镍硫化物形成的重要机制。辉石岩源区地幔部分熔融形成富镍岩浆是否为高镍硫化物形成的必要条件尚存争议。不同机制形成的高镍硫化物具有迥异的岩石-矿物组合和地化特征。硫化物矿物组合、橄榄石成分(Fo值、Ni含量、Fo值-Ni含量的相关性)、伴生元素(铜、铂族元素)丰度-配分模式等特征可作为区分不同高镍硫化物形成机制的有效指标。我国新疆黄山南、坡一和青海夏日哈木矿床(部分浸染状矿化橄榄岩)以赋含高镍硫化物为特征,新疆喀拉通克矿床的硫化物则以富铜为特征,中国其余矿床的硫化物均属中镍硫化物。目前研究指示中国的高镍铜镍矿床与母岩浆相对富镍、硫化物与橄榄石Fe-Ni交换作用密切相关,后者可使硫化物Ni含量提升3%～5%。在铜镍矿床勘查方面,稀疏-中等浸染状高镍硫化物矿石即可达到工业品位,稠密浸染状-块状高镍硫化物矿石可达到很高的Ni品位(10%),是高品位镍矿勘查的一个重要方向。造山带环境富水、相对高氧逸度(可高达QFM+1)的岩浆可能是形成高镍硫化物的有利条件,该环境橄榄石Fo值较高(87mol%)的岩体有利于形成高镍硫化物。     

黔北普宜地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及成矿预测

通过黔北普宜地区开展1∶5万水系沉积物测量工作,对研究区的地球化学特征进行初步研究,以获取成矿信息。对水系沉积物样品分析结果进行数理统计,运用成矿元素地球化学特征进行多元统计分析、单元素及组合异常分析,并运用奇异性分析方法对成矿异常进行识别。分析结果表明,Pb、Zn元素异常高值点较多、离散程度较高,地球化学和成矿地质条件优越,具有较好找矿前景。F与Li元素为显著正相关关系,氟病区锂的含量高,地质环境中含量较高的Li对地下水中氟的浓聚迁移可能有抑制作用。综合研究区已知矿化信息及地层构造格架,优选出铅锌成矿远景区4处,为普宜地区找矿潜力分析、成矿规律研究及地氟病预防治理提供科学依据。     

区域化探深层样异常与物探重力、航磁异常及遥感解译构造的关系

通过深层样化探异常与物探重力、航磁和遥感解译关系的研究，认为深层样元素异常是由隐伏构造指示元素Au、Hg，与重力异常有关的酸性岩元素Sn、Be、F、Y，与舷磁正异常有关的基性岩元素Fe、Co、Ni、V、Cr和与地层有关的元素Cd、C、Tl四部分组成。解释了深层样元素异常的原因，开拓出区域化探与区域物探、遥感解译相结合的新路。     

分形滤波技术在新疆黄山-镜儿泉镍铜成矿带中的应用

为了深化新疆黄山-镜儿泉镍铜成矿带的成矿地质认识, 进一步确定找矿勘查方向, 采用多重分形滤波技术, 对该地区水系沉积物或岩屑地球化学测量数据中的Ni元素进行分析, 结果显示研究区西北部吐哈盆地具有高背景、弱异常且异常分散的特点; 中部康古尔大断裂带以及研究区东南部具有低背景、强异常、且异常呈带状分布的特点; 这可能是由于, 石炭世晚期至二叠纪早期的地幔柱事件在研究区中部和东南部沿深大断裂有大量玄武岩喷溢, 到新生代被剥蚀运移到西北部地形较低的吐哈盆地, 而在原地只残留其根部造成的。中部和东南部带状分布的Ni异常是可能的找矿有利地段。     

湘西北下寒武统黑色岩系钒镍钼矿微量元素地球化学

湘西北下寒武统黑色岩系是中国南方下寒武统黑色岩系的重要组成部分,富含钒镍钼等多金属元素。文中对湘西北下寒武统黑色岩系钒镍钼矿进行了微量元素研究,研究区内Ni、Cd、Mo、Sb、V、Zn、W、Ba等元素特别富集,高含量的Sb和Ba表明其为热水沉积;Mo含量极高说明其为缺氧的还原环境;高的V/（V+Ni）、V/Cr、Ni/Co以及δU值表明其沉积环境为缺氧环境;高的 U/Th表明本区有热水沉积作用;稀土元素配分模式、Ce和Eu异常及La/Yb Ce/La和La/Yb ΣREE图解投点表明其沉积环境为还原环境,并有热水沉积作用。可见黑色岩系形成于缺氧环境,热液活动为其提供了丰富的热液来源。