Origin and geochemical evolution from ferrallitized clays to karst bauxite: An example from the Lower Cretaceous of NE Spain

Four outcrops of Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) karst bauxites located in Teruel (NE Spain) were analysed. The deposits show a heterogeneous-chaotic lithostructure consisting of pisolitic bauxite blocks embedded in lateritic red clays filling karst cavities. The research has focused on the geochemical study of major, minor, and trace elements (including some critical to industry) of both the bauxites and clays. The objective was to investigate the bauxite precursor material and to characterize the system’s geochemical evolution. Geochemical analyses were carried out by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission and mass spectroscopy. An absolute weathering index has been calculated to estimate element mobility, assuming Ti as an immobile element and the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) as parent material. Further, selected samples were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The data indicate that both the bauxites and red clays originated by intense chemical weathering from more mafic argillaceous sediments than the UCC. Ongoing weathering caused the bauxitization of the upper parts of the original profile, preventing the lower parts from being bauxitized, thus producing the ferrallitized clays underlying the pisolitic bauxites. Subsequent karst reactivation gave rise to the current lithostructure. Ferrallitization is related to Fe, Sc, and V enrichment. On the other hand, although bauxites are relatively enriched in some elements compared to clays, the more intense chemical weathering associated with bauxitization led to chemical homogenization and widespread element depletion. During the bauxitization, Al, Ti, Zr, Cr, and probably Hf and the critical element Nb behaved as more immobile elements in the system. Bauxitization also enhanced homogenization and depletion of the REE, which is more pronounced for the LREE. HREE trends seem to be partly related to the concentration of Ti oxides in the bauxites, whereas P-bearing phases, more frequent in the clays, control the LREE. Subsequent to bauxitization, partial kaolinization of the bauxite took place related to the circulation of acid solutions that also caused the karst reactivation. These late processes caused some Al depletion in the bauxites and enhanced Fe loss together with V and, to a lesser extent, Ge.     

Geological,geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics of the Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits,Zagros Fold Belt,Iran

The Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits are located 40 km northeast of the Dehdasht city in the Zagros simply fold belt. These deposits occur in eroded major NW–SE trending anticlines and occupy karst cavities near or at the boundary between the Sarvak and Ilam Formations. Local uplifts at the end of the Cenomanian and the mid-Turonian caused erosion and karstification of the Sarvak Formation. These unconformities in the Upper Cretaceous favoured the formation and enrichment of bauxite deposits in the Zagros fold belt. The bauxite sequence in the Mandan deposit consists of white, gray, black, pisolitic, red, and yellow bauxites. This sequence was repeated in the Deh-Now area, but without gray and black bauxites. The present mineralogical studies of the Sarvak Formation and the Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits indicate oxidizing to reducing conditions during the Upper Cretaceous in the Zagros fold belt, which had a significant effect on the compositions of the bauxites. At least two phases of bauxitization can be distinguished in the study area: (i) an oxidizing phase represented by boehmite, diaspore, hematite and kaolinite; and (ii) a reducing phase represented by pyrite and chlorite. Geochemical data show that trace elements, like Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Th, and U, were enriched during bauxitization. The bauxite deposits and carbonate rocks show similar REE patterns, namely they are enriched in REEs although the LREEs are more enriched than the HREEs. Mass change calculations demonstrate that Mg, Mn, Ca, K, and P₂O₅ were leached out of the weathered system whereas Al, Fe, and Si become concentrated in the residual system. This study indicates that the Mandan and Deh-now deposits are karst-type bauxites formed by karstification and weathering of the Sarvak Formation.     

Characterization of bauxite deposits from Kachchh Area,Gujarat

The bauxites deposits of Kachchh area in Gujarat are investigated to characterize them based on mineralogical and petrographic studies. The major bauxitic mineral in these occurrences is gibbsite, with minor concentration of boehmite and diaspore. Apart from the bauxitic minerals, the other associate minerals are kaolin, calcite, alunite and the iron ore minerals such as hematite and goethite and titanium rich anatase. The iron ore minerals (hematite and goethite) are 10-50microns in size and are disseminated throughout the oolitic and pisolitic bauxitic minerals. At places the goethite exhibits colloform texture. The preservation of basaltic texture in some of the samples indicate that the insitu nature of these bauxites, which are formed by the alteration of calcic plagioclase from the parent basalt. Although, the basalt occurs as the main parent rock for these bauxites, the presence of calcite in some of the samples represent the possibility of having a limestone parent rock at least in some of the bauxite occurrences.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and ore formation of Nuwaifa bauxite deposit,western desert of Iraq

Nuwaifa Formation is a part of sequence stratigraphy that belongs to the Jurassic system exposed in the western desert of Iraq. The Jurassic system consists of Ubaid, Hussainiyat, Amij, Muhaiwir, and Najmah formations. Each formation is composed of basal clastic unit overlain by upper carbonate unit. Nuwaifa karst bauxite was developed in fossil karsts within the Ubaid Formation in areas where maximum intersection of fractures and faults exist. This bauxitization process affected the upper surface of the Ubaid limestone formation, which directly underlies the Nuwaifa bauxite Formation. Nuwaifa Formation represents karst-filling deposit that consists of a mixture of allochthonous (sandstone, claystone, and mudstone) and autochthonous lithofacies (bauxite kaolinite, kaolinitic bauxite, iron-rich bauxite, and flint clay). Most bauxite bodies occur within the autochthonous lithofacies and are lenticular in shape with maximum thickness ranges from few meters to 35 m and in some place up to 100 m. Petrographically, the bauxite deposit exhibits collomorphic-fluidal, pisolitic, oolitic, nodular, brecciated, and skeletal textures indicative of authigenic origin. Mineralogy boehmite and gibbsite are the only bauxite minerals; the former is dominant in the upper parts of the bauxite profiles, whereas the latter is dominant throughout the lower and middle part of the bauxite. Kaolinite, hematite, goethite, calcite, and anatase occur to a lesser extent. The study bauxites are mainly composed of Al₂O₃ (33–69.6 wt.%), SiO₂ (8.4–42 wt.%), Fe₂O₃ (0.5–15.9 wt.%), and TiO₂ (0.7–6.1 wt.%) with LOI ranging from 13.5 to 19.1 wt.%. Geochemical investigations indicate that the immobile elements like Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Cr, Zr, and Ni were obviously enriched, while SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, Zn, Co, Ba, Mn, Cu, and Sr were depleted during bauxitization process. The results of this study strongly suggest that the bauxite deposits of the Nuwaifa Formation are derived from the kaolinite of the Lower Hussainiyat Formation.     

Geochemical balance of lateritization processes and climatic signatures in weathering profiles overlain by ferricretes in Central Africa

A simple geochemical balance of lateritization processes governing the development of several tens of meters of weathering profiles overlain by ferricretes is estimated on the basis of detailed mineralogical and geochemical data. The lateritic weathering mantle of the “Haut–Mbomou” area in Central Africa is composed of different weathering layers described from the base to the top of vertical profiles as a saprolite, a mottled clay layer, a soft nodular layer, a soft ferricrete, and a ferricrete in which kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite, and hematite occur in various quantities. Incongruent dissolution of kaolinite leads to the formation of gibbsite in the upper saprolite, whereas the hematite does not clearly replace the kaolinite according to an epigene process in the upper ferruginous layers of the profiles. Instead, that kaolinite is also transformed into gibbsite according to an incongruent dissolution under hydrated and reducing conditions induced by a relatively humid climatic pattern. The respective relations of the silica, iron, and aluminum balances and the Al substitution rate of the hematite on the one hand, and of RHG [RHG = 100 (hematite/hematite + goethite)] and the kaolinite on the other hand, to the consumption or the release of protons H⁺ permit differentiation of aggrading ferruginization and degradation processes operating in the different lateritic weathering profiles. The Al substitution rate of the Fe–oxyhydroxides varies according to the nature of lateritization processes, e.g., saprolitic weathering and aggrading ferruginization vs. degradation. The observations and results indicate that the ferruginization process of the weathering materials of parent rocks is not a simple ongoing process as often thought. This suggests that the actual lateritic weathering mantle of the Haut–Mbomou area may result from different stages of weathering and erosion during climatic changes.     

Mineralogy of poorly crystalline aluminium phases in the B horizon of Podzols in southern Sweden

Poorly crystalline Al components of the clay fraction are often neglected in soil mineralogical studies. In this study 7 B horizons from podzolised soils in Sweden were analysed using a combination of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selective extractions. It was found that most Bhs and Bs horizons contained allophane, imogolite and more or less hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite. Some Bhs and Bs horizons also contained small amounts of kaolinite and/or gibbsite. In one acid Bh horizon organically complexed Al was the only reactive Al fraction of importance. The vertical patterns of vermiculite and allophane/imogolite suggested that both had formed during the podzolisation process, but due to different mechanisms. The pattern of kaolinite and gibbsite occurrences indicated that these minerals were mostly inherited from the parent material. Oxalate and pyrophosphate extractions suggested that allophane and imogolite constituted the most important reactive inorganic Al fraction in the soils. This shows that allophane and imogolite seem to be the typical, rather than the occasional, reactive inorganic Al phases that form in the B horizon as a result of podzolisation.     

酒东盆地红山地区下白垩统含铀目的层黏土矿物研究

对酒东盆地红山地区下白垩统含铀目的层中黏土矿物进行扫描电镜（SEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）、X射线能谱（EDX）等的系统研究,结果表明：含铀目的层碎屑岩的源岩主要是碱交代的酸性岩浆岩,其黏土矿物类型主要为高岭石,其次为绿泥石。高岭石既有陆源高岭石,也有自生（蚀变）高岭石;高岭石化带（浅色带）可以作为该区铀矿找矿的主要标志层,其厚度和蚀变强度等可以作为判断该区铀矿富集程度的依据之一。绿泥石主要为自生绿泥石,与高岭石形成于不同时期,可能是由高岭石转化而成。黏土矿物研究显示,该区自白垩纪以来经历了由温暖潮湿气候逐渐向干旱气候转变的过程。     

论铝土矿床成因及矿床类型

铝土矿全部是风化作用形成的，无一例外。地球上含铝（含少量铝质也可以）岩石在适宜的气候和地形条件下，风化成红土矿物，包括铝土矿物及少量粘土矿物、含铁矿物及少量含钛矿物等风化壳铝土物质（红土铝土物质）。第四纪以前的古风化作用形成的是古风化壳铝土物质（古红土铝土物质），迁移就位以后便形成风化壳铝土矿床（红土铝土矿床）。深埋地下经过成岩变化，再随地壳抬升进入地壳浅部，或地表的叫古风化壳铝土矿床。我国９８％是古风化壳铝土矿床，即国外所称的喀斯特铝土矿床。由于其迁移就位方式不同，便形成了不同的风化壳和古风化壳（亚型）矿床     

堆积铝土矿中三水铝石成因探讨

堆积铝土矿中三水铝石成因探讨谌建国，刘云华（中国地质科学院宜昌地质矿产研究所，宜昌４４３００３）关键词堆积铝土矿，三水铝石－硬水铝石矿床，三水铝石成因，大气降水淋滤我国桂西至滇东广泛发育堆积型铝土矿，资源量很大。矿体是杂基支撑的角砾堆积物，砾石和基质...     

The Los Pijiguaos bauxite deposit (Venezuela): A compilation of field data and implications for the bauxitization process

Chemical, mineralogical, and petrographic data from the Los Pijiguaos bauxite deposit, together with the water chemistry of the streams draining the area, were used to study the problem of lateritic bauxite formation at this location. The Los Pijiguaos bauxite, located at the northwestern edge of the Guayana Shield in Venezuela, is a lateritic bauxite developed on a Precambrian Rapakivi Granite Batholith, the Parguaza Granite. This deposit is situated on a planation surface at elevations between 600 and 700 m; it is believed to have originated during an erosional event that took place during Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary times.The weathering profile is composed of an upper bauxite zone, followed by a saprolite, and merging gradually to the fresh granite. The upper bauxitic zone contains gibbsite, quartz, hematite, and goethite. The saprolite contains kaolinite, quartz, and goethite and is characterized by a relict granitic texture that indicates little bulk volume change associated with the weathering process. The upper bauxitic zone has lost any textural resemblance with the parent granite, consistent with extensive volume loss.Bauxite and saprolite are separated by a transition zone where gibbsite and kaolinite coexist. Textures indicating the replacement of kaolinite by gibbsite point to the dynamic nature of the weathering profile, characterized by advancing reaction fronts.The chemical composition of the deposit defines trends that can be traced back to the composition of the parent granite and shows enrichment of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and TiO₂, and depletion of SiO₂, relative to the parent granite. The uppermost part of the profile is characterized by a further enrichment of Fe₂O₃ with respect to the other components of the bauxite. Important volume and mass losses in the bauxite have also been calculated, based on chemical composition and density measurements. The calculated losses are consistent with the textural observations in the bauxite.The chemical composition of the waters of streams draining the area shows strong seasonal patterns, consistent with the seasonal nature of the local climate (one dry and one rainy season per year, both about six months long). The balance between dissolved and suspended loads in these streams indicates that the magnitudes of chemical and physical denudation are similar, leading to approximately constant thicknesses of the weathering profiles. These observations are consistent with model calculations based on current climatic conditions and suggest that the bauxitization process is still active.     

Continental sedimentation, soil genesis and marine transgression in the basal beds of the Cretaceous in the east of the Paris Basin

In the eastern Paris Basin, on the boundary of two French ‘départements’, Marne and Meuse, the Cretaceous deposits begin with Wealden facies assigned to the Valanginian. This is overlain by marine Hauterivian and Lower Barremian. Several techniques have been used for studying these deposits: light-microscope, scanning electron microscope, grain-size analysis, chemical and mineralogical analysis. Environmental interpretations of the various facies are based on sedimentological, geochemical and pedological criteria (fossil soils are present). Clay minerals are dominantly illite and kaolinite. In the soil horizons kaolinite is dominant. A mixed-layer illite-smectite appears at the base of the transgression. Under marine influence a more stable illite dominant suite is formed. The Wealden sediments appear to have been deposited in a very mature flood-plain. Part of the sequence was subjected to weathering in situ by soil processes under a warm climate with repeated wetting and drying. Paraconformably above, the marine Hauterivian is the product of a shallow sea that tended to form lagoons. A true marine environment was established in the Lower Barremian, when mixing homogenized the sediments.     

Faziesprobleme in südfranzosischen Bauxitlagerstätten

Zusammenfassung Um einen ersten Überblick zu schaffen, wurden 8 Profile aus den Unterkreide-Bauxiten Südfrankreichs untersucht. Diese Bauxite haben sich durch autochthone Bodenbildung auf sedimentdren Tonen, die ihrerseits verkarsteten Kalken aufliegen, gebildet. Bei der Bauxitisierung der Tonsedimente fand sowohl eine vertikale Stoffdifferenzierung durch Bodenhorizontbildung wie eine horizontale Faziesdifferenzierung durch standortsabhängige Milieuunterschiede statt. Vertikale wie horizontale Anderungen von Gefügeeigenschaften, Chemismus und Mineralzusammensetzung sind das Abbild selektiver Lösungs- und Fallungsvorgange. Es sei ausdrücklich betont, daß es sich um die ersten Ergebnisse an Einzelprofilen handelt. Darüber hinaus herrschen in jedem Faziesraum fur rich wieder sehr differenzierte Bilder, deren heute fixierte Dynamik zu erfassen eine zukünftige Aufgabe sei.

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8 sections of bauxites from the Lower Cretaceous in southern France have been investigated in order to get a general view. The bauxites have originated by autochthonous soil formation on sedimentary clays, which lie on top of limestones with a karst topography. When the clay sediments were transformed into bauxites a vertical differentiation by formation of soil horizons took place as well as a horizontal differentiation in consequence of local differences of physical and chemical conditions. Vertical as well as horizontal variations of fabric, chemistry and mineral composition represent the selective processes of solution and precipitation by groundwater circulation.

     

Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of sedimentary kaolin deposits,Egypt: Paleoclimatic implications

The clay fractions of sedimentary kaolin deposits representing different ages (Carboniferous and Cretaceous), types (pisolitic flint and plastic), and localities (Sinai and Aswan) from Egypt were analyzed for their H and O isotopic compositions to examine the paleoclimate conditions during their formation. The δD values of the Carboniferous deposits in Sinai range between −67‰ and −88‰, while the values for the Cretaceous deposits in Sinai range between −59‰ and −75‰. The δ¹⁸O values of the Carboniferous deposits range from 17.9‰ to 19.4‰ and the values for the Cretaceous deposits range between 19.2‰ and 20.4‰. The relatively low δD and δ¹⁸O values of the Carboniferous deposit at the Abu Natash area (−67‰ and 17.9‰, respectively) compared to other Carboniferous deposits (averages of −83.3‰, and 18.8‰ for δD and δ¹⁸O, respectively) could be due to isotopic exchange between this deposit and the adjacent dolomite and/or the enclosed hydrothermally-formed Mn ores of the Carboniferous Um Bogma Formation. The δD and δ¹⁸O values of the Cretaceous pisolitic flint kaolin deposit from Aswan (averages of −65‰ and 20.3‰, respectively) and plastic kaolin from the same area (averages of −66‰ and 19.5‰, respectively) are almost identical. The differences in the δ¹⁸O values between the clay fractions of the pisolitic flint kaolin (20.3‰) and the previously analyzed bulk kaolin of the same deposit (average of 17.5‰) suggest a significant effect of non-clay minerals on the isotopic compositions of the kaolin deposits.The H and O isotopic compositions plot close to the kaolinite line that marks the isotopic composition of kaolinite in equilibrium with meteoric water at 20 °C. This indicates that the kaolinite from both the Carboniferous and Cretaceous deposits in Egypt formed by meteoric water weathering of the source rock(s). The δD and δ¹⁸O values also suggest that kaolinite of these deposits formed under warm-temperate to tropical conditions. The slight deviations of some samples from the kaolinite line suggest post-depositional modifications of the isotopic compositions of studied deposits probably due to the interaction between earlier-formed kaolinite and downward percolating meteoric water.The δD and δ¹⁸O values of the Cretaceous and Carboniferous deposits from all localities suggest that both deposits formed under similar climatic conditions due to the location of Egypt at almost the same distance from the equator either to the south during the Carboniferous or to the north during the Cretaceous.     

Mineralogical and chemical variations in hypogene and supergene kaolin deposits in a mobile fold belt the Central Andes of northwestern Peru

In western Peru kaolin-alunite deposits occur in Lower Cretaceous and Tertiary clastic, volcaniclastic and volcanic, mostly rhyolitic, rocks. Alunites from␣hypogene kaolin deposits yield  K /Ar ages of 11.5 ±␣0.7␣Ma and 13.3 ± 0.4 Ma. In addition to kaolin and alunite, the following minerals are present: white mica, smectite, barite, pyrophyllite, tridymite, cristobalite, α- and β-quartz, chamosite, gibbsite, and aluminum-phosphate-sulphate minerals (APS). APS mineralizations with REE-bearing svanbergite and florencite originate from supergene alteration. Woodhouseite, goyazite, crandallite and pure svanbergite develop in hypogene and supergene kaolin deposits. The distinction between hypogene and supergene kaolinization can be made using various element ratios in kaolin (P vs. S, Zr vs. Ti, Cr + Nb vs. Ti + Fe, and Ce + Y + La vs. Ba + Sr). S,␣Ba, and Sr are considerably enriched in kaolin during hydrothermal alteration, whereas Cr, Nb, Ti and lanthanide elements are concentrated mainly during weathering. Au and Ag become enriched during hypogene kaolinization (advanced argillitization). Kaolinization is associated with the evolution of the Central Andes as follows: (1) during the Lower Cretaceous kaolinization characterizes phases of relative tectonic quiescence during mountain building and took place in a miogeosynclinal back-arc basin. The kaolin-bearing sediments were laid down in flood plain to delta plain environments; (2) in the magmatic arc/back-arc basin (eugeosyncline) kaolinization was mainly associated with uplift and peneplanation; (3) in the magmatic arc proper, late Miocene kaolinization of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks has many features in common with the high sulphidation epithermal Au deposits. Received: 11 August 1995 / Accepted: 8 May 1996     

Petrographic-microchemical studies and origin of the Agbaja Phanerozoic Ironstone Formation, Nupe Basin, Nigeria: a product of a ferruginized ooidal kaolin precursor not identical to the Minette-type

The Campanian-Maastrichtian Agbaja Ironstone Formation of the Nupe basin, Nigeria, forms a major part of the about 2 billion tons of iron ore reserves of the Middle Niger Embayment. The ironstone deposits were previously reported to be similar to the Minette-type ironstones because of their depositional patterns, composition and inferred origin. Four rock-types are recognized within the Agbaja Ironstone Formation: ooidal pack-ironstone, pisoidal pack-ironstone, mud-ironstone and bog iron ore. In the ironstones, kaolinite of both the groundmass and the ooids/pisoids is of lateritic origin, whereas the associated quartz, mica and heavy minerals are of detrital origin. Ooids and pisoids were formed by mechanical accretion of platy kaolinite crystals by rolling on the sea floor in a near-shore environment, and were subsequently transported and deposited together with a fine-grained kaolinitic groundmass. Pyrite (mainly framboidal) and siderite (both exclusively occurring as pseudomorphs of goethite and/or hematite) are diagenetic whereas goethite is post-diagenetic in origin, resulting from the ferruginization of the kaolinitic precursor. Crandallite-gorxeicite-goyazite, bolivarite and boehmite are also post-diagenetic in origin. Hematite was formed from the dehydration of goethite, whereas gibbsite (restricted to the upper part of the deposit) is of recent and in situ lateritic origin. The presence of newly formed authigenic pyrite and siderite (now replaced by hematite and goethite) are indicators of a reducing environment during diagenesis. The absence of diagenetic chamositic clay minerals, evidently caused by a low Mg concentration, suggests that fully marine conditions were not established during sedimentation. This is supported by the lack of fossils, brecciated shell materials and bioturbation features in the deposit. Reworking and redeposition of the primary constituents are inferred from broken pisoids, nuclei of pisoidal/ooidal fragments in pisoids and high iron concentrations present in the pisoids and ooids compared to that of the groundmass. These observations indicate that the Agbaja ironstone deposits of the Lokoja study area exhibit some environmental and mineralogical characteristics that are markedly different from other known deposits of Minette-type, where primary chamositic clay minerals generally form the protore for the ironstones. The recognition of kaolinite as the precursor constituent and the occurrence of similar deposits of the same age (Late Cretaceous) in Nigeria, Sudan and Egypt have implications for the paleoenvironmental interpretations of Phanerozoic ironstone deposits. Received: 16 February 1998 / Accepted: 8 July 1998     

Geochemical and mineralogical investigations of the Lower Jurassic flint-clay bearing Mishhor and Ardon Formations,Makhtesh Ramon,Israel

The Lower Jurassic section at Makhtesh Ramon, in the northeastern Negev of Israel, comprises a sequence of fluviatile sediments of laterite composition. Post-depositional chemical weathering has resulted in marked facies changes whereby the clastic sequence passes laterally into high-alumina flint clays and bauxites (Goldbery, 1979). A geochemical and mineralogical investigation was initiated on 216 samples from several key sections of the facies change to obtain a more refined definition of the diagenetic overprint, to reconstruct the history of chemical weathering and finally to recognize the parent material of the unaltered laterite sediments.Results are presented herein on major and trace-element composition, normative mineralogical composition, kaolinite crystallinity and porosity and density measurements. Kaolinite crystallinity values proved to be a good indicator of intensity of leaching, showing a marked decline in ordering with increase of diagenetic reorganization. On the basis of mineralogical parameters it was possible to subdivide the section of flint clays and bauxites, generated under karstic conditions, into four units. Bivariate plots of Al₂O₃ vs. several elements within the section, plotted into four distinctive fields coinciding with the subdivision. Enrichment/depletion ratios, calculated from the element concentrations within these flint clays against element concentrations of the clastic parent material of the karstic infill, led to the reconstruction of a multi-cyclic leaching event, whose “signature” is left in each of the four units. At least 3 individual episodes of leaching, related to a rising water table and punctuated by “still-stands” could be recognized.Zr/TiO₂: Nb/Y plots of stable elements, using the diagram of Floyd and Winchester (1978) for determination of source rocks, indicated a rhyolite or alkaline rhyolite provenance for the clastic laterite detritus.     

Climatic control on clay mineral formation: Evidence from weathering profiles developed on either side of the Western Ghats

Many physico-chemical variables like rock-type, climate, topography and exposure age affect weathering environments. In the present study, an attempt is made to understand how the nature of clay minerals formed due to weathering differs in tropical regions receiving high and low rainfall. Clay mineralogy of weathering profiles in west coast of India, which receives about 3 m rainfall through two monsoons and those from the inland rain-shadow zones (<200 cm rainfall) are studied using X-ray diffraction technique. In the west coast, 1:1 clays (kaolinite) and Fe—Al oxides (gibbsite/goethite) are dominant clay minerals in the weathering profiles while 2:1 clay minerals are absent or found only in trace amounts. Weathering profiles in the rain shadow region have more complex clay mineralogy and are dominated by 2:1 clays and kaolinite. Fe—Al oxides are either less or absent in clay fraction. The kaolinite—smectite interstratified mineral in Banasandra profiles are formed due to transformation of smectites to kaolinite, which is indicative of a humid paleoclimate. In tropical regions receiving high rainfall the clay mineral assemblage remains the same irrespective of the parent rock type. Rainfall and availability of water apart from temperature, are the most important factors that determine kinetics of chemical weathering. Mineral alteration reactions proceed through different pathways in water rich and water poor environments.     

重庆南川-武隆铝土矿矿物学、地球化学特征

重庆南川-武隆铝土矿属于渝南-黔北铝土矿成矿带,为喀斯特型铝土矿床。经显微镜、X射线粉晶衍射、矿物自动分析仪（MLA）、扫面电子显微镜等方法对该矿床矿物学的研究,发现组成铝土矿的主要矿物为一水硬铝石、高岭石、绿泥石,次要矿物为伊利石、一水软铝石、三水铝石、鲕绿泥石、菱铁矿、赤铁矿、针铁矿、黄铁矿、锐钛矿、金红石、磷灰石、石英、锆石、方解石、长石及稀土矿物等。矿石组构及矿物组合表明形成铝土矿的沉积/成岩环境为接近于潜流的环境。矿石结构和锆石形态指示成矿物质经过了短距离的搬运。地球化学研究结果显示,组成铝土矿的主要化学成分为Al2O3、TFeO、SiO2和TiO2,铝土矿化过程中REE、Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta、Th、Sc、Li和Ga发生富集。形成铝土矿的母岩物质主要来自下伏页岩的风化作用,灰岩和酸性火山岩对铝土矿的形成也有一定的贡献。结合稳定同位素资料,认为铝土矿的形成可能与生物作用有关。     

Palaeoclimate indicators (clay minerals,calcareous nannofossils,stable isotopes) compared from two successions in the late Jurassic of the Volga Basin (SE Russia)

A study of clay mineral and calcareous nannofossil abundances in late Jurassic–early Cretaceous sediments from the Volga Basin, SE Russia, is presented. From these results, we are able to compare some general patterns of mineralogical and palaeontological change for the Volga Basin to the palaeoclimate models developed for northern Europe and beyond. The two successions examined comprise calcareous mudstones with black organic‐rich shale horizons, overlain by a series of phosphatic silty sands. Clay mineralogical results show a progressive decrease in kaolinite and the concomitant increase of smectite and illite through the middle Volgian, followed by an abrupt increase in kaolinite in the late Volgian. The clay mineral evidence suggests increasing aridity at the end of the Jurassic, similar, in part, to many western European successions. Because of differential settling of clay minerals, superimposed upon this possible climatic signature is likely to be the effect of relative sea‐level change. Calcareous nannofossil analysis from a single section reveals a shift through the middle Volgian from low nutrient, warm water assemblages dominated by Watznaueria to cooler surface water and high nutrient assemblages dominated by Biscutum constans. These observations suggest that increased aridity is also associated with climatic cooling. Black shales are associated with increased productivity, higher sea levels and increases in smectite content. Hence, periods of low (chemical) hinterland weathering during semi‐arid conditions are paradoxically associated with relatively nutrient‐rich waters, and organic‐rich shales. Comparison of published carbon and oxygen stable isotope results from this and other sections to the clay mineral and nannofossil data confirms the palaeoclimatic interpretation. This study significantly improves the published biostratigraphically constrained clay mineral database for this time period, because other European and North American successions are either non‐marine (and thus poorly dated), absent (through penecontemporaneous erosion) or condensed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鸡西盆地下白垩统城子河组-穆棱组露头砂岩中的黏土矿物成因探讨

对鸡西盆地下白垩统城子河组—穆棱组露头砂岩中的黏土矿物进行了X-衍射分析。研究结果表明,黏土矿物主要由伊利石,高岭石和伊/蒙混层组成,组合可分为高岭石型与伊/蒙混层和伊利石型两种,根据黏土矿物组合判断露头砂岩处于中成岩阶段A期。下白垩统城子河组—穆棱组煤系地层和泥岩成岩过程中析出的有机酸是高岭石型黏土矿物组合发育的重要原因,而沉积相带水动力条件弱导致砂岩渗滤条件的变差则是伊/蒙混层和伊利石型黏土矿物组合形成的原因。