会泽超大型富锗银铅锌矿床矿化-蚀变分带规律及构造的控制作用

会泽超大型富锗银铅锌矿床是川—滇—黔铅锌多金属成矿区滇东北矿集区的典型代表。基于大量的地表调研和坑道精细编录,通过赋矿白云岩的岩石学、地球化学与矿化蚀变分带规律、构造对矿化-蚀变带控制作用的研究,认为赋矿粗晶白云岩是成矿过程中白云石化的产物,具有典型的热液蚀变成因,与沉积-成岩成因的摆佐组细晶白云岩、白云质灰岩明显不同;根据矿石和蚀变围岩中铅锌矿物组成与矿化、蚀变程度及其分布特征,该矿床矿化-蚀变分带规律:从矿体到围岩依次为铅锌矿石—铅锌矿化黄铁矿带→铅锌矿化/黄铁矿化粗晶白云岩带→灰白色粗晶白云岩带、米黄色粗晶白云岩带、肉红色粗晶白云岩带、网脉状白云石化灰岩带(蚀变残留体)、弱白云石化灰岩带。矿化-蚀变带明显受冲断褶皱构造(矿山厂、麒麟厂、银厂坡斜冲断层及其派生褶皱)上盘的层间断裂带控制,形成了典型的"成矿构造-蚀变白云岩-铅锌矿体"的矿化结构。该认识不仅丰富了会泽型(HZT)铅锌矿床成矿理论,而且对指导滇东北铅锌矿集区,乃至川滇黔成矿区的资源危机矿山的综合地质研究与找矿勘查具有重要的现实意义。     

川西南大梁子铅锌矿床矿化蚀变分带规律与元素组合分带模型

川西南大梁子铅锌矿床是川滇黔地区震旦系灯影组碳酸盐岩赋矿的后生热液型铅锌矿床的代表之一。针对该矿床矿化蚀变分带规律不清的现状，基于矿区内1884 m、1944 m、2004 m、2064 m中段1∶200矿化-蚀变岩相学填图，精细解剖了蚀变类型、强度及蚀变岩组构，总结了矿化蚀变的强弱变化、矿物共生组合、元素组合及其空间分带特征，揭示了不同矿化蚀变带特征元素含量的变化规律，构建了从铅锌矿体中心向赋矿围岩的矿化蚀变空间分带模式:中等硅化+白云石化角砾状铅锌矿石相带（Ⅰ带）→中等硅化+白云石化网脉状铅锌矿化相带（Ⅱ带）→强硅化+白云石化+方解石化+细脉至星点状黄铁矿化相带（Ⅲ带）→方解石化+炭质+黄铁矿化相带（Ⅳ带）。基于成矿元素、特征元素组合及其元素比值的变化特征研究，矿化指示元素在不同蚀变带中依次具有Pb-Zn-Cd→Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu（Sb）→Ag-Cu-As-Sb→As-Sb的水平分带规律，总结了矿化指示元素的变化趋势。该研究对该矿床深部找矿勘查和同类矿床矿化蚀变分带研究具有启示意义。      

滇东北矿集区昭通铅锌矿区蚀变岩分带及元素迁移特征

围岩蚀变是昭通铅锌矿床的重要找矿标志。通过对矿区760中段98勘探线剖面实测、蚀变岩分带研究、岩石地球化学迁移特征与参数计算,指出围岩蚀变与成矿的关系：热液蚀变分带明显,在蚀变中心,黄铁矿化最强,方解石化、白云石化次之,硅化较弱,黄铁矿化与矿化关系密切;远离矿体,黄铁矿化逐渐减弱,而方解石化、白云石化逐渐增强。强黄铁矿化和强黄铁矿化-强方解石化-强硅化粗晶白云岩蚀变组合是重要的找矿标志。从细晶白云岩带到强黄铁矿化带,元素整体呈迁入形式,主要为与Zn-Pb成矿作用有关的元素,如Ge、Ag、Cd等迁入;同时伴随成矿流体作用,亲铁元素及铁明显富集,显示不同蚀变岩相受热液改造作用影响。蚀变指数（I_A）的大小,与矿化强弱呈正相关关系,I_A大,则矿化强。     

会泽铅锌矿床蚀变白云岩特征及岩石-地球化学找矿标志

白云岩是滇东北、黔西北、川南地区广泛出露的岩石之一,也是川滇黔铅锌多金属成矿域最主要的容矿围岩。该成矿域内铅锌矿床(矿点、矿化点)主要产于粗晶白云岩、硅质白云岩、硅质条带白云岩中,其次为白云质灰岩。在会泽铅锌矿区,按其成因可以划分为沉积成岩成因和热液蚀变成因。沉积成岩成因白云岩呈层状、产状稳定,而热液蚀变成因白云岩呈团块状、不规则状     

滇东北矿集区茂租铅锌矿床热液白云石稀土元素特征

茂租铅锌矿床位于扬子地台西南缘,是滇东北矿集区内的一个大型矿床,矿体呈似层状产于震旦系灯影组白云岩中。矿石矿物以闪锌矿为主,次为方铅矿。脉石矿物主要为白云石、萤石和方解石。矿床的矿化蚀变分带明显,从围岩到矿体,矿化蚀变分带分别为:斑点状白云石化带、脉状白云石化带、星点状矿化带、细脉浸染状矿化带和矿体。白云石是该矿床的重要脉石矿物,除了震旦系灯影组的微晶-细晶白云石外,与成矿热液活动有关的白云石主要有斑点状白云石、脉状白云石和团块状白云石。文章对茂租铅锌矿床3种热液白云石及围岩灯影组白云岩的稀土元素地球化学特征进行了对比研究。结果表明:3种热液白云石与灯影组白云岩的稀土元素配分模式比较接近,总体上具有稀土元素总量低、轻稀土元素富集和Ce元素负异常的特征,这些相似的稀土元素特征表明3种蚀变白云石与围岩之间存在着成因联系。灯影组白云岩ΣREE含量较低,具有Eu元素负异常,而脉状和团块状热液白云石具有明显的Eu元素正异常,反映了存在较高温度的流体活动,热液蚀变白云岩是由高温热液流体形成。斑点状热液白云石Eu元素异常不太明显,可能是由于蚀变强度较弱,继承了原岩Eu元素负异常的特征。团块状白云石ΣREE和w(Y)、w(Sm)较高,表明有其他REE富集流体的加入。3种热液白云石是由高温流体形成,流体主要来源于地层,并有其他富含REE流体加入。     

滇东北毛坪和会泽超大型铅锌矿床粗—巨晶碳酸盐岩成因及其找矿指示意义

云南毛坪和会泽铅锌矿床是川滇黔碳酸盐岩型铅锌成矿域的重要组成部分,是滇东北铅锌矿集区内两个最具代表性的超大型矿床。靠近铅锌矿体常见透镜状、囊状产出的蚀变围岩,因呈麻点状而被俗称为“麻石”,空间上与断裂、矿化结伴出现,是重要找矿标志。本文以这种麻点状的蚀变围岩为主要研究对象,通过大比例尺坑道剖面精细测量、岩相分析、电子探针分析、X射线微区衍射分析、主量—微量元素分析,研究其物质组成、组构特征及形成过程。根据组构特征将蚀变围岩分为两类,Ⅰ类呈砂糖状,矿物颗粒主要为粗晶结构(0.5~1 mm)的白云石和方解石,被褐色伊利石等黏土矿物胶结;Ⅱ类呈斑点状,矿物颗粒主要为巨晶结构(1~3 mm)的方解石和白云石,重结晶现象明显,被黑色泥质和有机质胶结。通过手标本观察、镜下鉴定和综合分析,将Ⅰ类蚀变围岩定名为弱大理岩化粗晶泥质白云岩,Ⅱ类蚀变围岩定名为去白云石化巨晶灰岩。两类蚀变围岩的主量元素特征相比,Ⅰ类中SiO₂、Al₂O₃、K₂O含量较高。微量元素特征显示两类蚀变围岩中主要矿化元素(Zn、Pb)明显富集。稀土元素特征显示,Ⅰ类中稀土元素含量均高于Ⅱ类,其中Ⅱ类与矿化白云岩稀土元素特征相似。两类蚀变围岩是同一流体系统不同阶段的产物,构建其成岩作用模式:弱大理岩化粗晶泥质白云岩(Ⅰ类)的原岩为钙质泥岩,高盐度卤水下渗,在岩性界面处与泥岩和白云岩反应形成泥质白云岩,沉积稳定后受构造运动影响,热液流体沿断裂上升,在有利地段形成泥质白云岩大理岩化(结构上改变);去白云石化巨晶灰岩(Ⅱ类)比弱大理岩化粗晶泥质白云岩(Ⅰ类)蚀变更强烈,经历矿化、大理岩化作用和去白云石化(结构和成分上改变)而形成。综合分析认为两类蚀变围岩与铅锌矿体在时间、空间、成矿物质和成矿流体等方面都具有密切的成因联系,提出大理岩化、去白云石化作用对该类矿床成矿与找矿均具有重要的指示意义。     

滇东北毛坪和会泽超大型铅锌矿床粗—巨晶碳酸盐岩成因及其找矿指示意义

云南毛坪和会泽铅锌矿床是川滇黔碳酸盐岩型铅锌成矿域的重要组成部分,是滇东北铅锌矿集区内两个最具代表性的超大型矿床。靠近铅锌矿体常见透镜状、囊状产出的蚀变围岩,因呈麻点状而被俗称为“麻石”,空间上与断裂、矿化结伴出现,是重要找矿标志。本文以这种麻点状的蚀变围岩为主要研究对象,通过大比例尺坑道剖面精细测量、岩相分析、电子探针分析、X射线微区衍射分析、主量—微量元素分析,研究其物质组成、组构特征及形成过程。根据组构特征将蚀变围岩分为两类,Ⅰ类呈砂糖状,矿物颗粒主要为粗晶结构（0.5~1 mm）的白云石和方解石,被褐色伊利石等黏土矿物胶结;Ⅱ类呈斑点状,矿物颗粒主要为巨晶结构（1~3 mm）的方解石和白云石,重结晶现象明显,被黑色泥质和有机质胶结。通过手标本观察、镜下鉴定和综合分析,将Ⅰ类蚀变围岩定名为弱大理岩化粗晶泥质白云岩,Ⅱ类蚀变围岩定名为去白云石化巨晶灰岩。两类蚀变围岩的主量元素特征相比,Ⅰ类中SiO2、Al2O3、K2O含量较高。微量元素特征显示两类蚀变围岩中主要矿化元素（Zn、Pb）明显富集。稀土元素特征显示,Ⅰ类中稀土元素含量均高于Ⅱ类,其中Ⅱ类与矿化白云岩稀土元素特征相似。两类蚀变围岩是同一流体系统不同阶段的产物,构建其成岩作用模式：弱大理岩化粗晶泥质白云岩（Ⅰ类）的原岩为钙质泥岩,高盐度卤水下渗,在岩性界面处与泥岩和白云岩反应形成泥质白云岩,沉积稳定后受构造运动影响,热液流体沿断裂上升,在有利地段形成泥质白云岩大理岩化（结构上改变）;去白云石化巨晶灰岩（Ⅱ类）比弱大理岩化粗晶泥质白云岩（Ⅰ类）蚀变更强烈,经历矿化、大理岩化作用和去白云石化（结构和成分上改变）而形成。综合分析认为两类蚀变围岩与铅锌矿体在时间、空间、成矿物质和成矿流体等方面都具有密切的成因联系,提出大理岩化、去白云石化作用对该类矿床成矿与找矿均具有重要的指示意义。     

云南富乐铅锌矿矿体赋存特征及围岩蚀变

富乐铅锌矿床位于川滇黔多金属矿集区的南东部,矿区主干断裂为导矿构造,矿区内二叠系茅口组碳酸盐岩中的层间断裂带直接控制了矿体的分布和形态。矿体的围岩蚀变主要有褪色白云岩化、碎裂白云岩化、糖粒状粗晶白云岩化。该矿床属沿层间断裂充填的中温热液矿床。     

会泽超大型铅锌矿床“矿石—接触带—围岩”白云石微区原位地球化学特征及其指示意义

会泽铅锌矿床位于扬子地块西南缘,是川滇黔碳酸盐岩型铅锌成矿域规模最大的铅锌矿床。利用扫描电镜、电子探针和LA-ICP-MS原位分析技术,分别对“矿石-接触带-围岩”3个带中的白云石进行主量、微量元素对比分析。结果显示,矿石→接触带→围岩,白云石中的CaO和MgO含量逐渐升高而FeO和MnO含量逐渐降低。同时,Mn、Fe、Ga、Sr、In、Sn、V等微量元素含量依次降低,指示流体演化过程中与白云石发生水/岩相互作用,并且越靠近矿体,水/岩相互作用越强烈,流体中的Mn、Fe、Ga、Sr、In、Sn、V等元素替代白云石中的Ca2+和Mg2+,迁入粗晶白云石中参与沉淀。矿石中的白云石Cu、Zn、Ag、Cd等成矿元素含量远高于接触带和围岩中的白云石,表明靠近矿体的白云岩发生强烈的水/岩相互作用,成矿元素迅速进入矿石中的白云石而富集。矿石→接触带→围岩中白云石的稀土元素含量逐渐升高,并且3个带中均表现出Eu、Ce负异常,异常程度逐渐减弱,与白云石CaO含量呈现规律一致,指示水/岩相互作用过程中,稀土元素随白云石中Ca含量的变化而变化。综合研究表明,成矿流体的相对演化方向为矿石→接触带→围岩,流体性...     

贵州低温汞锑矿床卤素元素地球化学特征及其找矿意义

本文对贵州万山汞矿,独山半坡锑矿卤素元素地球化学特征进行了较系统的研究,研究表明,Ｂｒ与Ｉ在矿区赋矿围岩,蚀变岩及矿石中都有不同程度的富集,从赋矿围岩→蚀变岩→矿石。其含量明显升高,而Ｆ,Ｃｌ主要富集于蚀变岩中,在隐伏矿体上部围岩中,Ｆ,Ｃｌ,Ｂｒ,Ｉ都有异常显示,这种卤素元素异常对寻找隐伏矿体具有指示意义。     

相山李家岭铀矿床热液蚀变作用地球化学特征

李家岭铀矿床是最近几年在相山西部发现的一个铀矿床。矿床热液蚀变特别发育并存在明显的蚀变分带现象,在对钻孔岩心样详细的野外和室内岩相学观测基础上,将李家岭铀矿床铀矿化段分为矿化中心带、矿旁蚀变带、近矿蚀变带和远矿蚀变带,其热液蚀变强度依次减弱。运用标准化Isocon图解法表明,热液蚀变带中,CaO、FeO、Fe₂O₃、Na₂O明显增加,这与发育赤铁矿化、钠长石化、碳酸盐化相一致;K₂O明显降低,这是由于钠长石交代钾长石造成K的大量迁出;而MnO、MgO在各蚀变带中呈现“此消彼长”的特征,显示出热液蚀变交代过程中并不是简单地扩散渗滤交代,可能存在对流平衡的元素迁移方式。Th、Y、Zr、Hf等微量元素变化与铀含量一致,对铀矿化具有很好地指示作用。HREE与铀矿化关系密切,随着蚀变程度增强,HREE明显增加,显示成矿流体富含HREE,并具有深源性。     

塔里木盆地北部丘里塔格群(寒武系至奥陶系)白云岩的成因

本文通过详细岩石学及地球化学研究,探讨了塔里木盆地丘里塔格群(寒武至奥陶系)白云岩的成因。研究表明藻纹层白云岩、微晶白云岩及颗粒白云岩中的颗粒为近地表准同生白云化的产物。结晶白云岩(细晶以上)及颗粒白云岩中的中粗晶白云岩胶结物是深埋藏成岩环境的产物。并对埋藏白云化的镁离子来源及搬运机理进行了探讨。     

Origin of atoll dolomites distinguished by geochemistry and crystal chemistry: Kita-daito-jima,northern Philippine Sea

Kita-daito-jima is a carbonate island located at the northwestern region of the Philippine Sea (25°55.6′–57.6′N, 131°16.9′–19.8′E). Dolomites extend from the island surface to a depth of 100 m below the ground surface (mbgs). Strontium isotope stratigraphy indicates that subsurface Units C1 (0–49.7 mbgs) and C2 (49.7–103.4 mbgs) were dolomitized at 5.5 Ma and 2.0 Ma, respectively, and that island-surface dolomites are products of dolomitization at 1.6–2.0 Ma. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the island-surface and borehole dolomites comprise variable mixtures of four and three dolomite crystal phases, respectively. Each of these phases is distinguished by a different Ca and Mg content. Three textural types can be recognized in the Kita-daito-jima dolomites, fabric-preserving crystalline nonmimetic (CNM), crystalline mimetic (CM), and fabric-preserving microsucrosic (MS). CNM dolomites contain more calcian phases, whereas MS dolomites commonly are richer in more stoichiometric phases. Backscattered electron images indicate that calcian dolomite phases were precipitated earlier than the more stoichiometric dolomite phases and that there is no significant hiatus between the phases, although they are diachronous. Both the island surface and borehole cores dolomites show linear relationships between whole-rock δ¹⁸O composition and Mg contents and between whole-rock trace element concentrations (Sr and Na) and Mg contents. These covariances result from phase mixing, not stoichiometric effects. Deconvolution of whole-rock isotopic and elemental compositions based on the relative abundance of phases reveals that each phase has a distinct chemical and isotopic composition. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the island surface and borehole dolomites suggest that all dolomite phases formed in seawater and that dolomitization primarily occurred during glacio-eustatic sea-level lowstands and cooler ocean temperatures.     

渤海沙西北构造带下古生界碳酸盐岩潜山白云岩形成机制研究

通过岩心薄片、扫描电镜、碳氧锶稳定同位素、X衍射有序度及微量元素特征分析,系统研究了渤海湾盆地沙西北 构造带碳酸盐岩潜山白云岩的地球化学特征及成因机制。结果表明,沙西北构造带下古生界白云岩可划分为泥晶白云岩、 颗粒白云岩、泥质/灰质白云岩和鞍状白云岩四类,各类白云石特征差异明显。泥晶和颗粒白云岩δ18O大于-7‰,87Sr/86Sr值 与海水值接近,为0.7090~0.7120,Na2O含量较高,大于0.06%,有序度偏低,薄片中可见石膏,为准同生成因。泥质/灰质 白云岩为细晶结构,δ18O偏负,为-8‰~-10‰,87Sr/86Sr为0.7120~0.7140,Na2O含量降低,有序度变大,镜下见次生加大亮 边,为埋藏成因。鞍状白云岩为中粗晶结构,贫δ18O,87Sr/86Sr较高,薄片中见辉绿岩,为热液成因。本区白云岩以准同生 和埋藏成因为主,局部沿断裂可能存在热液成因。奥陶系沉积时期主要发生埋藏白云石化和溶蚀作用,是增加白云岩有效 孔隙的重要阶段,为优质储层形成起到了建设性作用。     

302铀矿床围岩蚀变分带性及地球化学特征

文章阐述了302铀矿床的围岩蚀变特征,重点分析了围岩蚀变分带及其地球化学特征,认为该矿床近矿围岩蚀变具有明显的水平分带性,垂向上也有一定的变化规律。根据蚀变带U、Co、Cr等元素含量的增加,指出铀成矿热液具有深源性;根据不同标高蚀变带元素组合特征,认为该矿床目前的开采部位还处于矿床中部,推测深部有较大的找矿前景。     

Origin of dolomite in the Late Jurassic platform carbonates,Bolkar Mountains,Central Taurides,Turkey: Petrographic and geochemical evidence

The Late Jurassic-early Senonian Cehennemdere Formation extending in an E-W direction in a wide area at the south of the Bolkar Mountains (Central Taurides, Turkey) is composed of platform carbonates. The formation was deposited in an environment that was being transformed from a shallow carbonate platform to an open shelf and a continental slope, and was buried until late Paleocene uplift. The formation, with a thickness of about 360 m, was chiefly developed as textures consisting of mudstone and wackestone and has been commonly dolomitized. Based on petrographic and geochemical properties, four types of replacement dolomites and two types of dolomite cements were distinguished. Replacement dolomite (RD), which is cut by low-amplitude stylolites developed as (1) fine crystalline planar-s dolomite (RD1); (2) medium crystalline planar-s dolomite (RD2); (3) medium-coarse crystalline planar-e dolomite (RD3) and; (4) coarse crystalline planar-s (e) dolomite (RD4). Two types of dolomite cements (CD) observed in low abundance and overlie low-amplitude stylolites: (1) coarse crystalline dolomite cement (CD1) filling dissolution voids and fractures in RD1 dolomites, and; (2) rim dolomite cement (CD2) that commonly develops on the space-facing surfaces of RD4 dolomite. Replacement dolomites are non-stoichiometric (Ca_54–59Mg_41–46), have similar geochemical properties, and are generally dull red/non luminescent in appearance. Replacement dolomite is represented by δ¹⁸O values from −4.5 to −0.5‰ VPDB, δ¹³C values of −0.7 to 2.7‰ VPDB, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios ranging from 0.707178 to 0.707692. Petrographic and geochemical data indicate that replacement dolomite (particularly RD2, RD3, and RD4 dolomite) was formed at shallow-intermediate burial depths during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, from seawater and/or from slightly modified seawater. The replacement dolomite (RD) was then recrystallized at increased burial depths and temperatures. Dolomite cements are similar to replacement dolomites in that they are non-stoichiometric (Ca₅₅Mg₄₅) and have similar trace element compositions. CD1 dolomite, which cuts low-amplitude stylolites, was formed during intermediate to deep burial following stylolite development. CD2 dolomite was precipitated in intercrystal pores in association with RD4 dolomite. Remaining pore space was filled with bitumen.     

川东三叠系飞仙关组白云岩锶含量、锶同位素组成与白云石化流体

川东飞仙关组白云岩包括微晶白云岩、具原始结构的粒屑白云岩和结晶白云岩等3种主要的结构类型,其中结晶白云岩是重要的天然气储集岩。根据白云岩的锶舍量和锶同位素组成,结合相关岩石学和地球化学资料,本文研究了白云石化过程中锶的迁移和相应的同位素变化。三种类型白云岩具有类似的锶含量,但其(87)~Sr/(86)~Sr 比值均不同程度地高于同期海水值,锶在白云石和方解石(或文石)中分配系数的差别是影响白云石化过程中白云石锶含量最为重要的因素。不同流体中锶的混合方程计算表明:如果白云石化流体是大气淡水和海水的混合流体,则结晶白云岩的白云石化流体相当于94%的大气淡水和6%的海水混合,具原始结构的粒屑白云岩的白云石化流体相当于81%的大气淡水和19%的海水混合,微晶白云岩的白云石化流体相当于92%的大气淡水和8%的海水混合。但极低的锰含量、相对较高的锶含量和包裹体均一化温度等资料均不支持有94%的大气淡水参与了结晶白云岩的白云石化作用,其白云石化流体应是埋藏成岩过程中囚禁的近同期、但是非同期的海源流体,其来源可能与埋藏成岩过程中该时间段蒸发盐的溶解有关。锰含量、锶含量、(87)~Sr/(86)~Sr 比值都表明具原始结构的粒屑白云岩和微晶白云岩的白云石化过程都存在大气淡水的介入,微晶白云岩的白云石化可能与潮坪环境的蒸发泵机理有关;具原始结构的粒屑白云岩的白云石化可能与混合水白云石化作用有关,这类白云岩分布于向上浅滩化旋回滩体的顶部,这是埋藏前或浅埋藏阶段大气淡水与海水混合白云石化作用最容易发生地带。     

Formation,diagenesis and palaeoenvironmental significance of upper Ediacaran fibrous dolomite cements

Neoproterozoic marine dolomite cements represent reliable, albeit complex, archives of their palaeoenvironment. Petrological and high-resolution geochemical data from well-preserved fibrous dolomite and pyrite in the upper Ediacaran (ca 551·1 to 548·0 Ma) Dengying Formation in south-west China are presented and discussed here. The aim of this research is to reconstruct the redox state of late Ediacaran shallow seawater and porewater in the Sichuan Basin using early marine diagenetic fabrics. Based on crystalline texture and axis, four basic types of fibrous dolomite cements formed penecontemporaneously in a microbialite reef setting at the platform margin: (i) bladed dolomites (replacement from a high-Mg calcite precursor); (ii) fascicular fast dolomites (replacement from an aragonitic precursor); (iii) fascicular slow dolomites; and (iv) radial slow dolomites. The latter two fabrics are considered direct marine porewater precipitates due to their length-slow character, cathodoluminescent zonation, and enriched copper and cobalt concentrations. Marine cements yield rare earth element and yttrium patterns comparable to modern seawater and represent a refined set of archive data relative to previously published bulk dolostones. Redox-sensitive elements and cathodoluminescence indicate that the fascicular fast dolomites formed in suboxic seawater, while fascicular slow and radial slow dolomites formed in euxinic marine porewaters. Microbial sulphate reduction during the formation of fascicular slow and radial slow dolomites is recognized by nanometre-scale spheroidal ankerite and sulphur-containing dolomite, and intergrown pyrite grains with U-shaped δ³⁴S transects. Data shown here suggest predominantly suboxic shallow late Ediacaran seawater and euxinic marine porewaters, with microbial activity promoting the direct precipitation of dolomite.