Hydrothermal alterations in the Echassières granitic cupola (Massif central,france)

Detailed petrographic and mineralogic investigations of an albite-lepidolite granite at Echassières (Massif Central, France; scientific deep drill program) shows the existence of hydrothermal stages which are closely related to the magmatic and structural history. According to fluid inclusion data, K-Ar datations and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O-D/H compositions of secondary minerals, two successive hydrothermal periods have been recognized. The early one (273–268 million years) produced a series of aluminous phyllosilicates: muscovite, pyrophyllite, donbassite, tosudite, kaolinite which are observed as vein deposits (<10 mm wide) and alteration products of primary minerals in wall-rocks. The vein system was sealed by monomineralic assemblages during a cooling period (400–150°C). This early hydrothermal alteration stage was controlled by interactions of rock with low salinity (1–10 wt% NaCl equivalent) fluids expelled from the granitic body during the cooling processes. The chemical properties of these fluids were the following: low pH, very low Mg and Fe and high Li, Na and K contents. Thermodynamic calculations show that the sequence pyrophyllite, Li-bearing donbassite, tosudite is mostly temperature dependent. From the chemical composition of secondary minerals and isotopic data it can be deduced that these fluids, which have a meteoric origin, have been expelled from the granite body during its cooling period and after interaction with it at high temperature. The late hydrothermal stage corresponds to deposits of fluorite and Fe-Mg rich illite (151 million years) in subvertical fractures. Temperature conditions did not exceed 250° C and fluids came through the surrounding metamorphic rocks into the granitic body. IIlite/smectite mixed-layer minerals have been identified in subvertical fractures which were opened during Tertiary periods. In the host micaschists, successive hydrothermal alterations took place during the cooling of the Beauvoir granite. Early magmatic fluids interacted with these micaschists. Locally, the metamorphic assemblage is replaced by a metasomatic one. Secondary topaz and (F, Li)-rich mica crystals were formed over a range of 450 of 150°C. Later hydrothermal fluids reacted with the country rocks to form phengite-biotite, chlorite-illite and kaolinite over a range of 300 to 150°C. Illite/smectite mixed-layer minerals crystallized in the roof micaschists and within the Beauvoir granite during the Tertiary alteration period. Meteoric water invaded open fractures producing supergene alteration mineral assemblages.     

Comparison between the fluid characteristics of the Rodalquilar and two neighbouring epithermal gold deposits in Spain

The operating Rodalquilar gold deposit and the abandoned Triunfo and Maria Josefa gold mines are located within the Sierra del Cabo de Gata volcanic field some 40 km east of Almeria in SE Spain. While the gold mineralization at Rodalquilar is mainly controlled by caldera-tectonics, vein structures at Triunfo and Maria Josefa are not. Wall-rock alteration at Triunfo and Maria Josefa is characterized by argillic alteration (illite/sericite, kaolinite). The alteration zonation around the gold-mineralized vein structures at Rodalquilar ranges from advanced argillic alteration (porous quartz, alunite, pyrophyllite, dickite) over argillic alteration into a regionally developed propylitization. Fluid inclusion studies from all three mines indicate that gold was deposited from low-salinity fluids (2–5 wt.% NaCl equivalent) between 170° and 250 °C. However, the hydrothermal system at Rodalquilar was fed by a second fluid source. High-salinity, halite and/or sylvite-bearing, liquid-rich, and vapour-dominated, CO₂-bearing fluid inclusions are assumed to be of magmatic origin. High sulfidation ore mineral assemblages at depth (covellite, enargite, tennantite) and part of the advanced argillic alteration can be related to these fluids. Thus, part of those features which attribute the Rodalquilar gold deposit to the acid-sulfate or high sulfidation type of epithermal gold deposits, stem from magmatically derived fluids which are typical for a porphyry environment, whereas gold mineralization at all three localities is associated with low-salinity fluids, probably of marine origin.     

热液流体活动规律高光谱遥感分析示范研究——以新疆白杨河铀矿床为例

高光谱遥感技术可以有效地用于分析热液流体活动规律,进而指导找矿预测。利用国际先进的CASI/SASI航空高光谱遥感技术、并结合ASD便携式地面高光谱技术手段,文章从航空、地面、深部钻孔岩芯等不同尺度对白杨河铀矿区及周围地表和深部的热液蚀变类型和热液活动规律等进行了立体识别与研究。研究表明,白杨河铀矿区及周围航空高光谱遥感识别的蚀变矿物在空间上可分为北部蚀变区、矿区蚀变区、南部蚀变区等3个蚀变带。北部蚀变区发育一套以叶腊石、明矾石、高铝绢云母为主的酸性热液蚀变组合;矿区蚀变区地表发育高铝绢云母、中铝绢云母、赤铁矿、硅化等热液蚀变,矿区深部钻孔岩芯主要发育高铝绢云母、中铝绢云母、低铝绢云母、高岭石、赤铁矿、褐铁矿、绿泥石等蚀变矿物及其混合蚀变,且绢云母蚀变矿物的Al-OH吸收峰波长位置存在"单向递减"和"先减后增"等2种明显变化规律;南部蚀变区发育低铝绢云母和中铝绢云母蚀变。分析表明,北部蚀变区是相对的区域热液流体活动中心,铀矿区蚀变区是流体活动中心旁侧的一个明显的热液流体活动区,南部蚀变区是更加远离流体活动中心的,温度进一步降低的流体活动区。矿区北缘接触带的热液蚀变温度要比南缘接触带蚀变温度高,北缘接触带热液流体蚀变温度具有由中西部向东部不断降低、由接触带向接触带外围不断降低的特点。总之,白杨河铀矿区深部热液流体活动至少存在"直流型"和"分流型"2种典型的形式,前者反映热液流体活动温度自深部→接触带→浅部不断降低的特点,后者反映热液流体活动温度自接触带分别向上和向下逐渐降低的特点。此外,文章还对热液流体活动与铀矿化关系,以及矿区外围铀矿找矿方向进行了分析。     

浙江泰顺龟湖叶腊石矿床热液蚀变短波红外光谱分析

蚀变岩帽与斑岩体关系密切,具有形成斑岩-浅成低温热液型矿床的潜力.位于浙闽交界的龟湖地区发育规模巨大的蚀变岩帽(>30 km2),形成了龟湖超大型叶腊石矿床,矿体属于岩帽的一个分带.矿床及其围岩蚀变主要由粒度微小或隐晶质的层状硅酸盐蚀变矿物组成,矿物之间差别极为细微,仅凭肉眼难以区分.短波红外光谱技术可以有效识别这些蚀...     

Borosilicate alteration associated with U-Mo-Zn and Ag-Au-Zn deposits in volcanic rocks

Borosilicate alteration is developed in many uranium-molybdenum-zinc deposits in volcanic piles such as at Novazza (Italy), Novoveska Huta (Slovakia), Ben Lomond (Queensland, Australia), the Saar-Nahe basin (Germany), the Shengyuan district (China), and at many deposits in Russia. These uranium-molybdenum-zinc deposits share similar styles of alteration with silver-gold-zinc deposits in volcanic rocks, like those of the Humboldt Range (Nevada, USA), the Basin district (Montana, USA) and Equity Mine (British Columbia, Canada). In thick volcanic piles, fluid-rock interaction commonly develops under the influence of convective hydrothermal systems. In borosilicate-bearing systems the alteration is characterized by changes in borosilicate mineralogy and chemistry under mesothermal conditions. Zonal distribution of different compositions of tourmaline can be observed including regular increases of alkali deficiency in the X(3a) site from peripheral (chlorite-epidote-prehnite) to internal (sericite and/or pyrophyllite) alteration zones. In the central part of these systems tourmaline is absent and the alteration assemblage is characterized by an andalusitedumortierite-quartz association. Such changes in mineral assemblage are related to an increase in temperature from 250 to 350–400 °C and to decreases in pH and Eh, from the outer toward the inner parts of the hydrothermal system. The zonation of the borosilicate-bearing alteration systems is similar to that of aluminosilicate-bearing hydrothermal systems (muscovite, pyrophyllite, andalusite) developed in volcanic rocks. A kaolinite-alunitejasperoid assemblage is generally associated with the borosilicate alteration, and seems related to a late hydrothermal phase mainly located in graben structures.     

Rosia Poieni copper deposit,Apuseni Mountains,Romania: advanced argillic overprint of a porphyry system

The Rosia Poieni deposit is the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization are related to the Middle Miocene emplacement of a subvolcanic body, the Fundoaia microdiorite. Zonation of the alteration associated with the porphyry copper deposit is recognized from the deep and central part of the porphyritic intrusion towards shallower and outer portions. Four alteration types have been distinguished: potassic, phyllic, advanced argillic, and propylitic. Potassic alteration affects mainly the Fundoaia subvolcanic body. The andesitic host rocks are altered only in the immediate contact zone with the Fundoaia intrusion. Mg-biotite and K-feldspar are the main alteration minerals of the potassic assemblage, accompanied by ubiquitous quartz; chlorite, and anhydrite are also present. Magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor bornite, are associated with this alteration. Phyllic alteration has overprinted the margin of the potassic zone, and formed peripheral to it. It is characterized by the replacement of almost all early minerals by abundant quartz, phengite, illite, variable amounts of illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals, minor smectite, and kaolinite. Pyrite is abundant and represents the main sulfide in this alteration zone. Advanced argillic alteration affects the upper part of the volcanic structure. The mineral assemblage comprises alunite, kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, aluminium-phosphate-sulphate minerals (woodhouseite-svanbergite series), zunyite, minamyite, pyrite, and enargite (luzonite). Alunite forms well-developed crystals. Veins with enargite (luzonite) and pyrite in a gangue of quartz, pyrophyllite and diaspore, are present within and around the subvolcanic intrusion. This alteration type is partially controlled by fractures. A zonal distribution of alteration minerals is observed from the centre of fractures outwards with: (1) vuggy quartz; (2) quartz + alunite; (3) quartz + kaolinite ± alunite and, in the deeper part of the argillic zone, quartz + pyrophyllite + diaspore; (4) illite + illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals ± kaolinite ± alunite, and e) chlorite + albite + epidote. Propylitic alteration is present distal to all other alteration types and consists of chlorite, epidote, albite, and carbonates. Mineral parageneses, mineral stability fields, and alteration mineral geothermometers indicate that the different alteration assemblages are the result of changes in both fluid composition and temperature of the system. The alteration minerals reflect cooling of the hydrothermal system from >400 °C (biotite), to 300–200 °C (chlorite and illite in veinlets) and to lower temperatures of kaolinite, illite-smectite mixed layers, and smectite crystallization. Hydrothermal alteration started with an extensive potassic zone in the central part of the system that passed laterally to the propylitic zone. It was followed by phyllic overprint of the early-altered rocks. Nearly barren advanced argillic alteration subsequently superimposed the upper levels of the porphyry copper alteration zones. The close spatial association between porphyry mineralization and advanced argillic alteration suggests that they are genetically part of the same magmatic-hydrothermal system that includes a porphyry intrusion at depth and an epithermal environment of the advanced argillic type near the surface.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics of the Hydrothermal Clay Alteration in South Korea

Abstract: Hydrothermally altered areas forming pyrophyllite‐kaolin‐sericite‐alunite deposits are distributed in Chonnam and Kyongsang areas, Cretaceous volcanic field of the Yuchon Group. The Chonnam alteration area is located within depression zone which is composed of volcanic and granitic rocks of late Cretaceous age. The clay deposits of this area show the genetic relationship with silicic lava domes. The Kyongsang alteration area is mainly distributed within Kyongsang Basin comprising volcanic, sedimentary and granitic rocks of Cretaceous and Tertiary age. Most of the clay deposits of this area are closely related to cauldrons. Paleozoic clay deposit occurs in the contact zone between Precambrian Hongjesa granite gneiss and Paleozoic Jangsan quartzite of Choson Supergroup. Cretaceous igneous rocks of the both alteration areas belong to high K calc‐alkaline series formed in the volcanic arc of continental margin by subduction‐related magmatism. Chonnam igneous rocks show more enrichment of crustal components such as K, La, Ce, Sm, Nd and Ba, higher (La/Yb)cn ratio, and higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio (0. 708 to 0. 712) than those of Kyongsang igneous rocks. This might be due to the difference of degree of crustal contamination during Cretaceous magmatism. The most characteristic alteration minerals of Chonnam clay deposits are alunite, kaolin, quartz, pyrophyllite and diaspore which were formed by acidic solution. Those of Kyongsang clay deposits are sericite, quartz and pyrophyllite which were formed by weak acid and neutral solution. The formation ages of the clay deposits of two alteration areas range from 70. 1 to 81. 4 Ma and 39. 7 to 79. 4 Ma, respectively. The Daehyun clay deposit in Ponghwa area of Kyongsang province shows the alteration age range from 290 to 336 Ma. This result shows the different alteration episode from the hydrothermal alteration of Cretaceous to early Tertiary in the Kyongsang and Chonnam alteration areas. These data indicate, at least, three hydrothermal activities of Tertiary (middle to late Eocene), late Cretaceous (Santonian to Maastrichtian) and Paleozoic Carboniferous Periods in South Korea.     

Spectral characteristics of minerals in alteration zones associated with porphyry copper deposits in the middle part of Kerman copper belt,SE Iran

Visible near infrared and shortwave infrared (VNIR-SWIR, 350 to 2500 nm) reflectance spectra obtained from an analytical spectral device (ASD) have been used to define alteration zones adjacent to porphyry copper deposits (PCDs), in the central part of Kerman magmatic arc, SE Iran. The spectral analysis identified sericite, illite, halloysite, montmorillonite, dickite, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, biotite, chlorite, epidote, calcite, jarosite, and iron oxyhydroxides (e.g. hematite, goethite) of hydrothermal and supergene origin. Identified alteration zones are classified into six principal types namely phyllic, phyllic/propylitic, propylitic, potassic, argillic and advanced argillic. The iron oxide minerals in the oxidized zone were also identified using spectral analysis. Results of spectral analyses of samples are consistent with mineralogical data obtained from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and petrographic studies. Spectroscopic studies by ASD demonstrate that this tool is very useful for semi-quantitative and cost effective identification of different types of alteration mineral assemblages. Furthermore, it can provide a valuable tool for evaluating aerial distribution of alteration minerals while coupled with remote sensing data analysis.     

Geology and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Milyang Pyrophyllite Deposit, Southeast Korea

Abstract: The Milyang pyrophyllite deposit, which is embedded in the Late Cretaceous Yuchon Group of the Kyongsang Supergroup, is one of the largest hydrothermal clay deposits in the Kyongsang basin, southeast Korea. Host rocks of the deposit are porphyritic andesite lava and minor andesitic lapilli tuff. In the Milyang district, a hydrothermally altered zone is about 2 × 3 km in extent; we can recognize the concentric arrangement of advanced argillic, propylitic, and sericitic alteration zones from the central to peripheral parts of the zone. The Milyang pyrophyllite deposit forms a part of the advanced argillic alteration zone. The Milyang pyrophyllite deposit is subdivided into the following four zones based on mineral assemblages: the pyrophyllite zones 1, 2, 3, and the silicified zone. The pyrophyllite zone 1, which occupies the central part of the deposit, comprises mainly pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and diaspore without quartz. Diaspore nodules often concentrate in beds 40–50 cm thick. Andalusite, dumortierite, and tourmaline locally occur as network veins, crack‐filler, or small spherulitic spots. The Al₂O₃ content of the ore ranges from 27 to 36 wt%. The pyrophyllite zone 2, which constitutes a major part of the deposit, comprises mainly pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and quartz. The Al₂O₃ content of the ore ranges from 15 to 24 wt%. The pyro‐phyllite zone 3 is the hematite‐rich marginal facies of the deposit. The silicified zone, which occurs as beds and septa, is mostly composed of quartz with minor pyrophyllite and kaolinite; the SiO₂ contents range from 79 to 90 wt%. Comparing chemical compositions of the high‐Al ores with those of unaltered host andesite, the Fe, Ca, alkalis, HFSE, and HREE contents are significantly depleted, whereas S, B, As, Sr, and LREE are enriched. The hydrothermal alteration of the Milyang pyrophyllite deposit can be classified into the following four stages: 1) extensive sericitic and propylitic alteration, 2) medium‐temperature (200–250°C) advanced argillic alteration, 3) high‐temperature (250–350°C or more) advanced argillic alteration, and 4) retrograde low‐temperature alteration. The heat and some volatile components such as B and S would be derived from the Pulguksa Granite intruded underneath the deposit.     

Fluid evolution,wallrock alteration,and ore mineralization associated with the Rodalquilar epithermal gold-deposit in southeast Spain

At Rodalquilar gold mineralization is found in Late Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Sierra del Cabo de Gata and is related to a caldera collapse. Radial and concentric faults were preferred sites for gold deposition. Hydrothermal activity produced a specific alteration zoning around gold-bearing vein structures, grading from an innermost advanced argillic via an argillic into a more regionally developed propylitic zone. Advanced argillic alteration with silica, pyrophyllite, alunite, and kaolinite extends down to several hundred m indicating a hypogene origin. High-grade gold mineralization in vein structures is confined to the near-surface part of the advanced argillic alteration. Fine-grained gold is associated with hematite, jarosite, limonite, or silica. At a depth of about 120 m, the oxidic ore assemblage grades into sulfide mineralization with pyrite and minor chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, enargite, and tennantite. Two types of fluids from different sources were involved in the hydrothermal system. Overpressured and hypersaline fluids of presumably magmatic origin initiated the hydrothermal system. Subsequent hydrothermal processes were characterized by the influx of low-salinity solutions of probable marine origin and by interactions between both fluids. Deep-reaching, advanced argillic alteration formed from high-salinity fluids with 20–30 equiv. wt% NaCl at about 225°C. Near-surface gold precipitation and silification are related to fluids with temperatures of about 175°C and 3–4 equiv. wt% NaCl. Gold was transported as Au(HS) ₂ ^– , and precipitation resulted from boiling with a concomitant decrease in temperature, pressure, and pH and an increase in fO₂. All features of the Rodalquilar gold deposit reveal a close relationship to acid-sulfate-type epithermal gold mineralization.     

山西省五台白云叶蜡石矿地质特征及其对深部找矿的启示

山西五台县北约15 km的白云村一带出露有叶蜡石矿及金矿化点,其形成特点与关系对区域深部找矿具有重要启示意义。该叶蜡石矿体产于经历古元古代绿片岩相变质的新太古代酸性火山岩之中(绢英片岩),切割区域片理并被晚期的辉绿玢岩截切。矿体总体呈透镜状产出,倾向北西,近东-西向延伸大于5 km,最厚处约1 km,未见底。该叶蜡石矿形成于中生代早白垩世。矿石矿物以叶蜡石和石英为主,含少量绢云母、伊利石、硬水铝石和赤铁矿等,反映出蚀变流体酸性及氧化的特征。叶蜡石矿体外围发育黄铁绢英岩化带,强度由近及远逐渐减弱。在靠近叶蜡石矿的黄铁绢英岩中,硫化物颗粒边缘常见赤铁矿化现象,应与叶蜡石化流体叠加有关。以上蚀变特征与叶蜡石化细脉灌入黄铁绢英岩相吻合。叶蜡石矿体上盘的黄铁绢英岩化带宽约0.4 km,其内发育一小型石英脉型金矿(岭底金矿),下盘的黄铁绢英岩化带最宽约1.5 km,局部发育金矿化现象((1~18)×10^-6)。黄铁绢英岩中硫化物以黄铁矿为主,可见少量黄铜矿、斑铜矿和辉铜矿。金矿化黄铁绢英岩以发育大量浸染型黄铁矿为特征,该类黄铁矿无韧性变形,未见其他共生硫化物,SEM-EDS分析结果显示其内发育有明显的不可见金。黄铁绢英岩化可依据矿物变形与否分为两期。早期的蚀变分布局限,见于新太古代糜棱岩化奥长花岗岩与酸性火山岩(绢英片岩)接触带,其中的黄铁矿、绢云母和石英等矿物发育韧性变形特征;晚期的蚀变带内硫化物、绢云母和石英均无韧性变形特征。依据样品的岩相学及全岩Au、As含量特征,可以确认金矿化与晚期黄铁绢英岩化有关,与早期蚀变无关。叶蜡石矿石的H-O同位素组成(δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW=11.2‰~13.9‰;δD_V-SMOW=-34‰~-20‰)显示流体以气相为主,且缺乏大气水的混合。上述特征说明白云叶蜡石矿是深部岩浆侵位固结后出溶的以气相为主的热液与浅部新太古代变质火山岩反应的结果,类似于斑岩成矿系统中普遍发育的高级泥化带(岩帽)的底部蚀变特征。     

Infrared spectral reflectance characterization of the hydrothermal alteration at the Tuwu Cu–Au deposit, Xinjiang, China

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) reflectance spectroscopy was used to characterize hydrothermal minerals and map alteration zones in the Tuwu Cu–Au deposit, Xinjiang, China. The Palaeozoic hydrothermal system at Tuwu is structurally controlled, developed in andesitic volcanic rocks and minor porphyries. Hydrothermal alteration is characterized by horizontally zoned development of quartz, sericite, chlorite, epidote, montmorillonite and kaolin about individual porphyry dykes and breccia zones, as is shown by changes outward from a core of quartz veining and silicification, through an inner zone of sericite + chlorite to a marginal zone of chlorite + epidote. The alteration system comprises several such zoning patterns. Silicification and sericitization are spatially associated with Cu–Au mineralization. Zoning is also shown by compositional variations such that Fe-rich chlorite and Al-rich sericite occur preferentially toward the core and the most intensely altered parts, whereas Mg-rich chlorite and relatively Al-poor sericite are present on the margin and the relatively weakly altered parts of the hydrothermal alteration system. The compositions of chlorite and sericite, therefore, can be potentially used as vectors to Cu–Au mineralization. Montmorillonite and kaolinite, of probable weathering origin, are located near the surface, forming an argillic blanket overlying Cu–Au mineralization. Sporadic montmorillonite is also present at depth in the hydrothermal alteration system, formed by descending groundwater. Presence of a well-developed kaolinite-bearing zone on the surface is an indication of possible underlying Cu–Au mineralization in this region. Epidote occurs widely in regional volcanic rocks, as well as in variably altered rocks on the margin of the hydrothermal mineralization system at Tuwu. The widespread occurrence of epidote in volcanic country rocks probably reflects a regional hydrothermal alteration event prior to the localized, porphyry intrusion-related hydrothermal process that led to the Cu–Au mineralization at Tuwu.     

Gold and copper mineralization at the El Indio deposit, Chile

A Middle Tertiary volcanic belt in the High Andes of north-central Chile hosts numerous precious- and base-metal epithermal deposits over its 150 km north-south trend. The El Indio district, believed to be associated with a hydrothermal system in the late stages of development of a volcanic caldera, consists of a series of separate vein systems located in an area of 30 km² which has undergone intense argillic-sericitic-solfataric alteration. The majority of the known gold-copper-silver mineralization occurs within a structural block only 150 by 500 m in surface area, with a recognized vertical extent exceeding 300 m. This block is bounded by two high-angle northeast-trending faults oriented subparallel to the mineralized veins.Hypogene mineralization at El Indio is grouped into two main ore-forming stages: Copper and Gold. The Copper stage is composed chiefly of enargite and pyrite forming massive veins up to 20 m wide, and is accompanied by alteration of the wall rocks to alunite, kaolinite, sericite, pyrite and quartz. The Gold stage consists of vein-filling quartz, pyrite, native gold, tennantite and subordinate amounts of a wide variety of telluride minerals. Associated with this stage is pervasive alteration of the wall rocks to sericite, kaolinite, quartz and minor pyrophyllite. The transition from copper to gold mineralization is marked by the alteration of enargite to tennantite and by minor deposition of sphalerite, galena, huebnerite, chalcopyrite and gold. Mineral stability relations indicate that there was a general decrease in the activity of S₂ accompanied by variations in the activity of Te₂ during the Gold stage.Fluid-inclusion data show homogenization temperatures ranging from about 220 to 280°C, with salinities on the order of 3–4 eq. wt. % NaCl for the Copper stage. The Gold-stage inclusions indicate a similar range in homogenization temperatures, but significantly lower salinities (0.1–1.4 eq. wt. % NaCl). Fluid inclusions of transition minerals show a weak inverse relationship between homogenization temperatures (190–250°C) and salinities (3.4–1.4 eq. wt. % NaCl), which may represent mixing of hotter Gold-stage fluids with cooler late-Copper-stage fluids. No evidence of boiling was found in fluid inclusions, but CO₂ vapor-rich inclusions were identified in wall-rock quartz phenocrysts which pre-date copper and gold mineralization.Mineral stability calculations indicate that given a fairly restricted range of solution compositions, the Copper-, Transition- and Gold-stage minerals at El Indio could have been deposited from a single solution, with constant total dissolved sulfur which underwent reduction through time. Limited sulfur-isotope data indicates that pyrite from the Copper stage was not in isotopic equilibrium with Copper-stage alunite or Transition-stage sphalerite. The sulfur-isotope and fluid-inclusion data indicate that two fluids with comparable temperatures but different compositions flowed through the El Indio system. The earlier fluid deposited copper attended by sericite-alunite-kaolinite alteration, and later epithermal fluids deposited gold with quartz-sericite-kaolinite-pyrite alteration.     

田黄的X射线衍射研究

用X射线衍射分析的方法测定了12个田黄样品,其中,青田石1个,寿山石9个,昌化田黄石2个。确定青田石由叶蜡石(58%)、绢云母(36.1%)和高岭石(5.9%)组成;昌化田黄石由迪开石组成;寿山石分别由迪开石、高岭石、叶蜡石及绢云母组成。     

Geochemistry, mineralogy and genesis of pyrophyllite deposits in the Pötürge Region (Malatya, Eastern Turkey)

In the Pötürge (Malatya, Turkey) area pyrophyllite occurrences are common in the shear zones, mostly in the form of lenses along faults. Mineralogical investigations (XRD, FTIR and SEM) revealed that pyrophyllite, kaolinite (dickite) and quartz are present in the form of major phases and muscovite (sericite), kyanite, chlorite, and alunite are only present in the form of minor phases. This study revealed that the existence of the kyanite phase points out to high pressure and temperature conditions which the rocks were underwent. On the other hand, the minerals such as pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and alunite are products of a low degree metamorphism (retrograde). The mineral paragenesis in the pyrophyllite deposits suggests that the formation of minerals took place in two ways: (1) the transformation of kyanite into pyrophyllite and quartz through retrograde metamorphism by a high degree temperature, (2) then pyrophyllite and probably muscovite were transformed into kaolinite and alunite through reactions with relatively low temperature hydrothermal fluids. The geochemical data indicate that during the retrograde metamorphism the elements K, Rb, Sr, Ba, S, and Fe were mobile, the elements Si, Al, P moderately mobile to immobile and the HPS elements (Zr, Ti, and Nb) were immobile. It was shown that the formation of pyrophyllite, kaolinite and alunite was associated with depletion in alkalis, Mg, Fe and enrichment of elements including Sr, Ba, and S. Mineralogical and geochemical data suggest that parent rocks (pre-metamorphism) of the Pötürge pyrophyllite were probably kaolinite, Al-rich clays or bauxites.     

江西上饶龙门高岭石-叶蜡石矿的矿物组成及稳定同位素特征

在野外地质工作、镜下观察的基础上,采用电子探针、X射线粉晶衍射、氢氧稳定同位素测试等方法对江西上饶龙门高岭石-叶蜡石矿床矿石进行了分析。其主要组成矿物为高岭石族矿物、叶蜡石和石英,其次有少量的绢云母、黄铁矿和赤铁矿等。矿石中高岭石族矿物Hinckley指数为0.33～0.94,整体属于较无序高岭石,叶蜡石有2M型和1Tc型两种多型,以2M型为主。矿石的δ18O值为4.5‰～6.6‰,δD值为-71.7‰～-98.5‰。综合分析认为该矿床为晶屑玻屑凝灰岩受热液蚀变而成,其成矿热液主要来自大气降水,成矿温度为75℃～300℃,压力<1kb。     

Mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic characteristics of hydrothermal alteration processes in the active, submarine, felsic-hosted PACMANUS field, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

During ODP Leg 193, 4 sites were drilled in the active PACMANUS hydrothermal field on the crest of the felsic Pual Ridge to examine the vertical and lateral variations in mineralization and alteration patterns. We present new data on clay mineral assemblages, clay and whole rock chemistry and clay mineral strontium and oxygen isotopic compositions of altered rocks from a site of diffuse low-temperature venting (Snowcap, Site 1188) and a site of high-temperature venting (Roman Ruins, Site 1189) in order to investigate the water-rock reactions and associated elemental exchanges.The volcanic succession at Snowcap has been hydrothermally altered, producing five alteration zones: (1) chlorite ± illite-cristobalite-plagioclase alteration apparently overprinted locally by pyrophyllite bleaching at temperatures of 260-310°C; (2) chlorite ± mixed-layer clay alteration at temperatures of 230°C; (3) chlorite and illite alteration; (4) illite and chlorite ± illite mixed-layer alteration at temperatures of 250-260°C; and (5) illite ± chlorite alteration at 290-300°C. Felsic rocks recovered from two holes (1189A and 1189B) at Roman Ruins, although very close together, show differing alteration features. Hole 1189A is characterized by a uniform chlorite-illite alteration formed at ∼250°C, overprinted by quartz veining at 350°C. In contrast, four alteration zones occur in Hole 1189B: (1) illite ± chlorite alteration formed at ∼300°C; (2) chlorite ± illite alteration at 235°C; (3) chlorite ± illite and mixed layer clay alteration; and (4) chlorite ± illite alteration at 220°C.Mass balance calculations indicate that the chloritization, illitization and bleaching (silica-pyrophyllite assemblages) alteration stages are accompanied by different chemical changes relative to a calculated pristine precursor lava. The element Cr appears to have a general enrichment in the altered samples from PACMANUS. The clay concentrate data show that Cr and Cu are predominantly present in the pyrophyllites. Illite shows a significant enrichment for Cs and Cu relative to the bulk altered samples.Considerations of mineral stability allow us to place some constraints on fluid chemistry. Hydrothermal fluid pH for the chloritization and illitization was neutral to slightly acidic and relatively acidic for the pyrophyllite alteration. In general the fluids, especially from Roman Ruins and at intermediate depths below Snowcap, show only a small proportion of seawater mixing (<10%). Fluids in shallow and deep parts of the Snowcap holes, in contrast, show stronger seawater influence.     

Mg–Fe carpholites from aluminous schists in the Diahot region and implications for preservation of high-pressure/low-temperature schists, northern New Caledonia

Abstract Mg–Fe carpholite is widespread in the Diahot region of New Caledonia in highly aluminous schists and as veins in what was originally a clay-rich hydrothermal alteration envelope about massive suphide deposits. These carpholites have Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios of 0.03–0.65 and no significant Mn component. Mg-carpholite + quartz occur in assemblages with chlorite or pyrophyllite, pyrophyllite + kaolinite and pyrophyllite + diaspore. Temperatures of 230–320° C and minimum pressures of 7 kbar are indicated for the Mg–Fe carpholite-bearing rocks. The regional distribution of aragonite and Mg–Fe carpholite parallel to a major zone of dominantly transcurrent movement and oblique to the trend of the subduction complex indicates the high- P /low- T schists owe their rapid uplift and preservation to the vertical component of the transcurrent faulting.     

Authigenic sericite record of a fossil geothermal system: the Offenburg trough,central Black Forest,Germany

A fossil geothermal area is hosted by the Carboniferous, Permian and Bunter sandstones of the Offenburg intramontane trough in the central Black Forest. The hydrothermal alteration is identified on the basis of newly formed sericites, which appear as pseudomorphs after feldspar and filling of pore spaces. According to K–Ar dating of sericite, serititization occurred about 145 Ma ago (Jurassic). On the basis of ¹⁸O analyses of sericite, sericite composition and vitrinite reflectance, the hydrothermal fluids had temperatures of 150–210 °C. Because their electrolyte content was low, these fluids are assumed to have derived from meteoric water. A second pulse of electrolyte-rich hydrothermal fluids resulted in quartz overgrowths. Fluid mobilization seems to be linked to the disintegration of Pangaea and to reactivated fault systems extending from the crystalline basement into the intramontane sediments.     

合成金刚石生产中叶蜡石传压密封材料矿物学研究

叶蜡石是高温高压合成金刚石的关键辅助材料。叶蜡石传压密封材料的性能主要取决于叶蜡石矿石的矿物组成。叶蜡石矿石中的杂质矿物主要是一水硬铝石、明矾石、长石、高岭石、绢云母、绿泥石、石英、赤铁矿、钛铁矿、褐铁矿、金红石等。具有层状结构的矿物－水硬铝石、高岭石、绢云母、绿泥石等总量不超过10％，不会影响制品的传压性能。明矾石在高温高压下不稳定，是有害组分。长石、石英等非层状结构的矿物含量高时，会使叶蜡石传压密封材料静压流变特性变差，对传压性能是有害组分，应控制在小于5％，非常纯净的叶蜡石矿石制成的粉压块传压性能良好，但内摩擦系数小，密封性能差，常发生高压挤出和顶锤破坏现象，少量的赤铁矿、钛铁矿、褐铁矿、金红石矿物存在可以提高密封性能。