Origin of fibrous clays in Tunisian Paleogene continental deposits

This paper presents mineralogical and geochemical data from several continental sequences located in Central (Ain Ghréwiss and Kébar) and Central-Southern Tunisia (Selja, Kef Schefeir, Shib, Oum El Kcheb and Haidoudi). These sequences vary in age from Late Palaeocene to Early Oligocene and contain considerable quantities of fibrous clays (up to 75% palygorskite and 90% sepiolite). These clays appear in assocation with carbonates (mainly dolomite), detrital aluminosilicates (illite, Al smectites, mixed-layers illite–smectite and kaolinite), quartz and lesser quantities of gypsum and halite. The textural characteristics observed by electron microscopy, the trace and rare earth elements contents and their distribution in the various mineral phases, together with the isotopic composition of dolomite and fibrous clays, provide good clues as to the genesis of the neoformed minerals. Thus, the sepiolite would have precipitated directly in lacustrine, playa-lake or sebka environments under alkaline conditions, high Si and Mg and low Al activity, and arid to semiarid climate. On the other hand, the palygorskite would have formed by transformation of already existing illite and/or smectite type aluminosilicates in solutions in equilibrium with isotopically heavier and, therefore, more evaporated solutions than the sepiolite.     

苏皖凹凸棒石粘土水悬浮液流变性能研究

研究了3种苏皖凹凸棒石粘土水悬浮液的流变性,讨论了矿物种类、粘土颗粒大小、NaCl浓度、pH值、电解质类型、分散剂添加量等影响因素对于凹凸棒石粘土水悬浮液流变性的影响,并用卡森模型对3种凹土流型曲线进行了拟合.结果表明,不同凹土中含有少量不同杂质对流变性能影响不大;经过挤压的土样粘度明显大于原矿粉碎的样品;粘土颗粒大小、溶液pH值、电解质类型、分散剂均会较大程度的影响凹土悬浮液的流变性能,其中分散剂的降粘效果最为明显;而NaCl的浓度增加对凹土悬浮液流变性影响则很小.     

Dolomite dissolution: An alternative diagenetic pathway for the formation of palygorskite clay

Palygorskite is a fibrous, magnesium‐bearing clay mineral commonly associated with Late Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic dolomites. The presence of palygorskite is thought to be indicative of warm, alkaline fluids rich in Si, Al and Mg. Palygorskite has been interpreted to form in peritidal diagenetic environments, either as a replacement of detrital smectite clay during a dissolution–precipitation reaction or solid‐state transformation, or as a direct precipitate from solution. Despite a lack of evidence, most diagenetic studies involving these two minerals posit that dolomite and palygorskite form concurrently. Here, petrological evidence is presented from the Umm er Radhuma Formation (Palaeocene–Eocene) in the subsurface of central Qatar for an alternative pathway for palygorskite formation. The Umm er Radhuma is comprised of dolomitized subtidal to peritidal carbonate cycles that are commonly capped by centimetre‐scale beds rich in palygorskite. Thin section, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analyses demonstrate that palygorskite fibres formed on both the outermost surfaces of dissolved euhedral dolomite crystals and within partially to completely dissolved dolomite crystal cores. These observations suggest that dolomite and palygorskite formed sequentially, and support a model by which the release of Mg²⁺ ions and the buffering of solution pH during dolomite dissolution promote the formation of palygorskite. This new diagenetic model explains the co‐occurrence of palygorskite and dolomite in the rock record, and provides valuable insight into the specific diagenetic conditions under which these minerals may form.     

安徽官山两种坡缕石粘土的成分与红外吸收谱

本文采用多种成分分析手段对官山两种不同颜色坡缕石全粘土进行了研究。全粘土湿化学分析扣除SiO2含量计算得到的坡缕石阳离子数与电子探针获得的阳离子数一致。配位八面体阳离子计算表明，粉红色坡缕石为三八面体矿物，灰白色坡缕石是介于三八面体矿物和二八面体矿物间的中间类型。X射线粉末衍射的K值法对全粘土矿物定量分析有着较高的精度，同时用电子探针波谱可准确测定坡缕石粘土的成分。官山两种不同颜色含坡缕石的全粘土红外吸收谱能反映其中坡缕石的吸收谱特征。对X射线光电子能谱研究表明两种不同颜色的坡缕石中的铁主要是Fe^3 ，这与全岩湿化学分析的结果是一致的，同时也还可以作为电子探针成分分析的补充。     

Micro-scale tracing of Fe and Si isotope signatures in banded iron formation using femtosecond laser ablation

We have detected micrometre-scale differences in Fe and Si stable isotope ratios between coexisting minerals and between layers of banded iron formation (BIF) using an UV femtosecond laser ablation system connected to a MC-ICP-MS. In the magnetite–carbonate–chert BIF from the Archean Old Wanderer Formation in the Shurugwi Greenstone Belt (Zimbabwe), magnetite shows neither intra- nor inter-layer trends giving overall uniform δ⁵⁶Fe values of 0.9‰, but exhibits intra-crystal zonation. Bulk iron carbonates are also relatively uniform at near-zero values, however, their individual δ⁵⁶Fe value is highly composition-dependent: both siderite and ankerite and mixtures between both are present, and δ⁵⁶Fe end member values are 0.4‰ for siderite and −0.7‰ for ankerite. The data suggest either an early diagenetic origin of magnetite and iron carbonates by the reaction of organic matter with ferric oxyhydroxides catalysed by Fe(III)-reducing bacteria; or more likely an abiotic reaction of organic carbon and Fe(III) during low-grade metamorphism. Si isotope composition of the Old Wanderer BIF also shows significant variations with δ³⁰Si values that range between −1.0‰ and −2.6‰ for bulk layers. These isotope compositions suggest rapid precipitation of the silicate phases from hydrothermal-rich waters. Interestingly, Fe and Si isotope compositions of bulk layers are covariant and are interpreted as largely primary signatures. Moreover, the changes of Fe and Si isotope signatures between bulk layers directly reflect the upwelling dynamics of hydrothermal-rich water which govern the rates of Fe and Si precipitation and therefore also the development of layering. During periods of low hydrothermal activity, precipitation of only small amounts of ferric oxyhydroxide was followed by complete reduction with organic carbon during diagenesis resulting in carbonate–chert layers. During periods of intensive hydrothermal activity, precipitation rates of ferric oxyhydroxide were high, and subsequent diagenesis triggered only partial reduction, forming magnetite–carbonate–chert layers. We are confident that our micro-analytical technique is able to detect both the solute flux history into the sedimentary BIF precursor, and the BIF’s diagenetic history from the comparison between coexisting minerals and their predicted fractionation factors.     

凹凸石粘土与玄武岩的成因关系

在矿物组成研究的基础上，对比研究了凹凸棒石，蒙脱石，凹凸棒石粘土，蒙脱石粘土，玄武岩，风化玄武岩的化学组成。根据化学成分对比，分析了玄武岩与凹凸棒石粘土的成因关系，解释了玄武岩对凹凸棒石粘土的时空控制，结合地质观测，提出形成苏皖地区凹凸棒石粘土的物质成分基本上来源于玄岩的化学风化，但物质成分发生了较大的分异，凹凸棒石粘土不能直接同玄武岩经地表雨水的风化淋滤形成，而是玄武岩风化形成的蒙脱石经搬运沉积，再与镁质溶液反应形成，或凹凸棒石直接从富镁碱性溶液中结晶形成，凹凸棒石粘土形成的物理化学条件为偏碱性的还原条件。     

Characterization and correlation of Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian) bentonite deposits in the Paris Basin and the Subalpine Basin, France

Abstract Explosive volcanic activity is recorded in the Upper Jurassic of the Paris Basin and the Subalpine Basin of France by the identification of five bentonite horizons. These layers occur in Lower Oxfordian (cordatum ammonite zone) to Middle Oxfordian (plicatilis zone) clays and silty clays deposited in outer platform environments. In the Paris Basin, a thick bentonite (10–15 cm), identified in boreholes and in outcrop, is dominated by dioctahedral smectite (95%) with trace amounts of kaolinite, illite and chlorite. In contrast, five bentonites identified in the Subalpine Basin, where burial diagenesis and fluid circulation were more important, are composed of a mixture of kaolinite and regular or random illite/smectite mixed-layer clays in variable proportions, indicating a K-bentonite. In the Subalpine Basin, a 2–15 cm thick bentonite underlain by a layer affected by sulphate–carbonate mineralization can be correlated over 2000 km². Euhedral zircon, apatite and biotite crystals have been identified in all the bentonites. The geochemical composition of the bentonites in both basins is characterized by high concentrations of Hf, Nb, Pb, Ta, Th, Ti, U, Y, Zr and low concentrations of Cr, Cs and Rb. Biostratigraphical and geochemical data suggest that the thick bentonite in the Paris Basin correlates with the thickest bentonite in the Subalpine Basin, located 400 km to the south. These horizons indicate that significant explosive volcanic events occurred during the Middle Oxfordian and provide potential long-distance isochronous marker beds. Immobile element discrimination diagrams and rare-earth element characteristics indicate that the original ash compositions of the thickest bentonites correspond to a trachyandesitic source from a within-plate alkaline series that was probably related to North Atlantic rifting.     

Assessment of lacustrine/fluvial clays as liners for waste disposal (Lake Van Basin, Turkey)

Potential use of lacustrine/fluvial type clays in Lake Van Basin (Turkey) as liner material is investigated by studying their chemical, mineralogical and technological properties. The results show dominant clay minerals being Ca-smectite along with illite, swelling chlorite, and chlorite. Na-smectite, palygorskite, and kaolin group minerals with lesser quantities are also determined in some samples. Cation exchange capacities of samples are between 12 and 23?meq/100?g; plasticity index is between 13 and 39%; calculated hydraulic conductivity is between 2.7?×?10^?9 and 4.5?×?10^?11; volumetric swelling capacity is between 6 and 10%. It is concluded that clays in the basin have suitable properties to be used as liner materials, with some localities having better clays as liner materials than the others. The results also indicate economical potential of fluvial/lacustrine clays and highlight their important role in sustainable development of environmentally sensitive areas, among them the Lake Van Basin itself.     

Gold mineralisation throughout about 45 Ma of Archaean orogenesis: protracted flux of gold in the Golden Mile, Yilgarn craton, Western Australia

The Golden Mile deposit was discovered in 1893 and represents today the largest Archaean orogenic lode gold system in the world (50 M oz produced gold). The Golden Mile deposit comprises three major styles of gold mineralisation: Fimiston, Oroya and Charlotte styles. Fimiston-style lodes formed at 250 to 350 °C and 100 to 200 MPa and are controlled by brittle–ductile fault zones, their subsidiary fault zone and vein networks including breccias and open-cavity-infill textures and hydrothermally altered wall rock. Fimiston lodes were formed late D₁, prior to D₂ regional upright folding. Hydrothermal alteration haloes comprise a progression toward the lode of diminishing chlorite, an increase in sericite and in Fe content of carbonates. Lodes contain siderite, pyrite, native gold, 17 different telluride minerals (Au–Ag tellurides contain ~25% of total gold), tourmaline, haematite, sericite and V-rich muscovite. Oroya-style lodes formed at similar P–T conditions as the Fimiston lodes and are controlled by brittle–ductile shear zones, associated dilational jogs that are particularly well developed at the contact between Paringa Basalt and black shale interflow sedimentary rocks and altered wall rock. The orebodies are characterised by micro-breccias and zones of intense shear zone foliation, very high gold grades (up to 100,000 g/t Au) and the common association of tellurides and vanadian mica (green leader). Oroya lodes crosscut Fimiston lodes and are interpreted to have formed slightly later than Fimiston lodes as part of one evolving hydrothermal system spanning D₁ and D₂ deformation (ca. 2,675–2,660 Ma). Charlotte-style lodes, exemplified by the Mt Charlotte deposit, are controlled by a sheeted vein (stockwork) complex of north-dipping quartz veins and hydrothermally altered wall rock. The Mt Charlotte orebody formed at 120 to 440 °C and 150 to 250 MPa during movement along closely spaced D₄ (2,625 Ma) and reactivated D₂ faults with the quartz granophyre in the Golden Mile Dolerite exerting a strong lithological control on gold mineralisation. Veins consist of quartz–carbonate–minor scheelite, and wall-rock alteration comprises chlorite destruction and growth of ferroan carbonate–sericite–pyrite–native gold. Pyrite–pyrrhotite is zoned on the scale of vein haloes and of the entire mine, giving a vertical temperature gradient of 50–100 °C over 1,000 vertical metres. The structural–hydrothermal model proposed consists of four major stages: (1) D₁ thrusting and formation of Fimiston-style lodes, (2) D₂ reverse faulting and formation of Oroya-style lodes, (3) D₃ faulting and dissecting of Fimiston- and Oroya-style lodes, and (4) D₄ faulting and formation of Mt Charlotte-style sheeted quartz vein system. The giant accumulation of gold in the Golden Mile deposit was formed due to protracted gold mineralisation throughout episodes of an Archaean orogeny that spanned about 45 Ma. Fluid conduits formed early in the tectonic history and persisted throughout orogenesis with the plumbing system showing a rare high degree of focussing, efficiency and duration. In addition to the long-lasting fluid plumbing system, the wide variety of transient structural and geochemical traps, multiple fluid sources and precipitation mechanism contributed towards the richest golden mile in the world.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

The development and nature of soils on Rakata

The properties and development of soils derived from pumiceous tuff of the 1883 Krakatau eruption were studied on Rakata island during 1983 and 1989. Field observations on soil profiles of different altitude and topography, and laboratory data, revealed that in a period of 100 years soil development has resulted in the formation of a pronounced A-horizon of 5–15 cm thickness underlaying an AC or weak B horizon. Solum development commonly reaches to a depth of approximately 25 cm. The dominant process of soil formation was decomposition of organic matter and aggregation of soil particles in the surface horizon. There was also a slight indication of iron and fine clay translocation but base cations were accumulating in the surface horizon. Soils at 600 m altitude and higher commonly contained lower base saturation, pH, and weatherable minerals, and higher exchangeable A1 and H than those at lower altitudes. The dominant clay minerals were montmorillonite, kaolinite and other layer silicate clays. It is believed that the clays were not formed pedogenically. Some pedons at higher altitudes were dominated by amorphous material in the clay fraction.Presented at the XVII Pacific Science Congress, May 27–June 2, 1991. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA     

Mineral chemistry of clays associated with the Jhilmili intertrappean bed in the eastern Deccan volcanic province: Palaeoenvironmental inferences and KTB transition

Jhilmili intertrappean bed (～13 m thick) attains its significance with the recent discovery of brackish water ostrocod and planktonic foraminifera fossils (Keller et al. 2009; Khosala et al. 2009). Present XRD data revealed abundance of montmorillonite > montmorillonite/chlorite mixed layer > palygorskite in five physically distinct lithounits namely: (a) lower chocolate brown siltstone with green patches, followed by (b) brick red clayey siltstone, (c) greenish grey clay, (d) yellowish brown clay and (e) uppermost olive grey to dark brown silt layers in the successionrepresent higher weathering indices and annual precipitation, reflecting cyclic, but longer spells of weathering. Occurrence of M/C mixed layer with the smectite in Jhilmili area is suggestive of their derivation from the later, whilst montmorillonite to palygorskite transformation is ascribed to the drastic changes in the humid to arid climate, where former served as a source of Al and some of the Si and Mg ions for the later. Jhilmili and Anjar clays represent similar charge occupancies at different sites, but later contains relatively higher amount of palygorskite, formed in the arid environment. Majority of the trace elemental data plots for Jhilmili clays lie within the upper and lower limits of infra (Lametas)-/inter-trappeans clays. The continuous release of Cu throughout the succession (mainly in the palygorskite dominated clays) indicates oxidizing conditions. PAAS normalized REE data plots for these clays show progressive enrichment in the HREE contents in the lower part, but, upper part of the succession is marked by positive cerium anomaly, reflecting oxidizing conditions prevailed at the later stage of the succession. These conditions continued, but, were not conducive to HREE enrichment as evidenced by their depletion in the upper part of the succession. The Ce anomaly observed in the middle part of the succession is similar to that form by continental weathering of the basalt, ascribed to Ce precipitation in the oxic environment, thus suggestive of drastic changes in the oxidizing conditions. Thermodynamic data-sets for Jhilmili clays show I/S mixed layer and celadonite compositions, whereas, Jabalpur infra-/inter-trappean clays correspond to Mg smectites and celadonite end members, thus, representing compositional commonality with those of the other clays derived from the continental weathering of basalt protolith. Jhilmili smectites and smectite-chlorite mixtures show compositional similarity with the dioctahedral and trioctahedral smectites and the smectites formed at 250°C, having compositions between trioctahedral smectite and chlorite, thus, assigning high temperatures for their formation, where the heat required for the formation of these clays was possibly derived from the hydrothermal fluids, associated with the Deccan volcanism.     

A new formation process for calcic pendants from Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, USA, and implication for dating Quaternary landforms

It has been assumed that soil pendants form in a similar manner as stalactites, in which innermost laminae are the oldest and outer laminae are the youngest. This study presents a new interpretation for soil pendant development. Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, pendants contain features indicating continued precipitation through time at the clast–pendant contact, implying that the oldest deposits are not always found at the pendant–clast contact, as other studies have assumed. These features include a void at the clast–pendant contact where minerals such as calcium carbonate, silica, and/or fibrous silicate clays precipitate. In addition, fragments of the parent clast and detrital grains are incorporated into the pendant and are displaced and/or dissolved and result in the formation of sepiolite. This study indicates that pendants are complex, open systems that during and after their formation undergo chemical changes that complicate their usefulness for dating and paleoenvironmental analyses.     

The effect of mineralogical and cationic heterogeneities on rheological properties of suspensions with Li-smectites, extracted from Volclay MX-80

The rheological study of colloidal suspensions contributes to the understanding of the aggregation phenomena of colloidal particles within a suspended fluid. The infra-2-μm (equivalent diameter) fraction of a bulk material, Volclay MX-80 bentonite was intensively analysed in order to understand the relative rheological data scattering observed with Li-smectite suspensions, prepared with the usual saturation procedure. A good mineralogical characterisation, especially for secondary minerals, coupled to a verification of cation exchanges on clayey fraction allowed us to propose a new way for investigating the observed differences of the bentonites rheological behaviour. Indeed, for a well Li-saturated smectite obtained from the purified infra-2-μm fraction, rheological data proved to be very accurate and perfectly reproducible. This emphasises the role of other minerals as well as the commonly observed discrepancy between the rheological behaviours of natural and industrial bentonites.     

Mineralogy and chemistry of bentonite (?) deposits at Minjingu, Lake Manyara, North Tanzania

Olive green clays likely to be bentonitic in composition have been mineralogically and chemically studied. They occur in association with other lacustrine sediments at Lake Manyara. Radiocarbon dates from four diatom horizons indicate ages ranging from 12 Ka to 135 Ka suggesting a Mid-Holocene age. Middle Pleistocene age have been assigned to the ridged oncolites of Lake Manyara. The olive green coloured clays in the Manyara basin are known to occur in association with other lake beds including phosphorite deposits, stromatolites, bioturbated silty clays, partly silicified marls, conglomerates and olive green coloured opal beds. The results presented herein are from the olive green coloured clays. The olive green clays (bentonite?) are a result of devitrification or alteration of volcanic ashes and/or pyroclasts. The green clays occur in different forms as they are separated from each other by other lacustrine sediments. The alteration might have taken place in slightly different environments in terms of salinity and alkalinity. One of the top layer is friable and shows conchoidal fractures when dry. The other beds below in the lacustrine sequence are cemented with calcite and some dolomite as well as zeolites. The lowermost layer in the sequence is friable and shows cracks filled with coarse crystalline calcite. Mineralogically the bentonite is composed of the clay minerals illite, illite-smectite mixed layer clays, and chlorite. Other authigenic minerals include various zeolites (analcime, clinoptilolite, erionite and some traces of mordenite), opal, and fluorapatite. The clays have magnesium contents varying from 3.01% to 7.43%. The calcium contents vary widely due to presence or absence of one of the two minerals calcite or apatite. Trace elements like Ba, Ce, Sr, Zr are equally attributed to the presence of calcite and apatite. The formation of the illite-smectite mixed layer clays in an alternating manner with other lake sediments depicts different episodes of volcanic eruptions in the area. The mineralogical composition of smectites, zeolites, and opal in the green clays suggests a deposition of pyroclasts and volcanic ashes in a closed lake system with fluctuating levels. Due to evaporation alkalinity and salinity levels were fluctuating. The clays might have been bentonite which have undergone illitisation, a phenomena noted in other neighbouring rift basins.     

Textural evidences for dissolution of silica-rich rocks of the Ypresian phosphatic series,Gafsa-Metlaoui basin,southwestern Tunisia: implication of biogenic silica supply on genesis of fibrous clays

The present work aimed to determine the mineralogical composition of Ypresian series and to clarify the influence of the dissolution of siliceous frustules on the genesis of fibrous clay minerals. The specimens sampled from CPG trench are mainly constituted of silica-rich rocks at Mides area located at the western part of Gafsa-Metlaoui basin. The samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to determine texture of constituents. The data obtained indicate that the bulk rock samples are mainly made up of opal CT and clay minerals. The latter consists of palygorskite-sepiolite minerals associated with smectite and few amount of illite. The trend of mineralogical composition indicates that fibrous clay minerals are more concentrated at the upper part. SEM observations indicated that palygorskite mineral appears as thread-like facies, which surround foliated texture of smectite in the lower part of the Mides section, although with the low Mg activity confirmed by the absence of dolomite. But, at the upper part of the Mides section, SEM observations revealed the occurrence of siliceous frustules, which have numerous dissolved areas and replacement of carbonate tests by silica. The dissolution saturated the depositional environment with silica which is required for the formation of palygorskite and sepiolite minerals, in addition to high Mg activity confirmed by the presence of dolomite in the bulk rock, which is required basically for the formation of sepiolite. Although the genesis mode of palygorskite and sepiolite is similar with very little difference, the genesis of sepiolite needs a high alkalinity than the formation of palygorskite.     

Analysis of organic matter by flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the presence of Na-smectite: When clay minerals lead to identical molecular signature

Different studies have already pointed out the influence of clays during the analysis of pure organic compounds (especially alkanols, alkanoic acids) as well as macromolecules (humic acids) by flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (PyGC–MS). Especially, the occurrence of clay minerals favors the generation of aromatic units such as alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. So as to better identify the nature of the organic compounds which are sensitive to the presence of clays during flash pyrolysis, a humic acid mixed in variable proportions of a Na-homoionic clay was tested. The smectite/humic acid mixtures containing from 10% to 100% humic acid allowed us to identify the progressive disappearance or appearance of specific compounds after PyGC–MS.n-Alk-1-enes disappear when the clay proportion is higher than 67%. For higher contents of Na-smectite, n-alkanes become less and less abundant with a preferential consumption of high molecular weight n-alkanes, whereas the aromatic hydrocarbon proportion increases. Moreover, the distribution of each aromatic hydrocarbon family (alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes) has been investigated. The pyrogram of pure humic acid exhibits a specific distribution of alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes reflecting the structure of the organic macromolecule. With the increase in clay proportion, these distributions are modified and lead to other distributions with a preferential predominance of thermally stable isomers.Pyrograms of humic acid and undecanoic acid in the presence of 90% of Na-smectite are similar, especially concerning alkylbenzene and alkylnaphthalene distributions. Therefore, clays (Na-smectite in our experiments) in high proportion modify initial organic products by recombination reactions and lead to the generation of new compounds of very similar distribution, whatever the nature of the initial organic matter. Such results underline the very important catalytic properties of clay minerals on functionalized organic matter during flash pyrolysis.     

Relationship between the geochemistry of organic matter and the generation of palygorskite in Jiangsu-Anhui border and Gansu Province, China

Soluble organic matter had been separated from several palygorskite and bentonite samples in the Ji-angsu-Anhui border area(across Jiangsu Province and Anhui Province) and Linze County in Gansu Province of China and was analyzed with the techniques and methods of organic geochemistry.The composition and distribution of hydrocarbons were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC).Organic stable carbon isotopic ratios(δ13C) in typical samples were determined.The abundance of soluble organic matter in all clay samples analyzed was low.In Ji-angsu-Anhui samples,the preservation states of organic matter are different;hydrocarbons in organic matter have some features of aquatic plankton but are short of the input of terrigenous higher plants;organic δ13C in a palygor-skite of Yongxiaoshan in Xuyi County,Jiangsu Province,is-6.72‰.These features may be typical of a sedimentary environment of closed or semi-closed and relatively isolated different waters near coast or seashore.On the contrary,in samples from Gansu,the preservation states of organic matter are good;the GC graphs of hydrocarbons show that the precursors of the organic matter are from a mixed source of aquatic organisms and land-sourced higher plants;organic δ13C of a palygorskite from Yangtai of Gansu is-15.62‰.It indicated that the sedimentary environment may be an inland salty lake.Preliminary results suggest that palygorskite minerals in the Jiangsu-Anhui area may be evolved from rapidly accumulated fine material or volcanic ash,but clays in Gansu Province may be transformed from terrigenous inorganic clastic components carried to the lake through river and then deposited.The generation process of the samples studied in the paper seems to be related to salty water.     

黏土矿物古气候意义研究的现状与展望

系统地分析了利用海洋沉积物、古土壤、湖盆沉积物中黏土矿物进行古气候环境研究的现状、存在问题和发展趋势。海洋沉积物的物源范围广,影响因素复杂,其中的碎屑黏土矿物所指示的古气候参数只能用于解释母源区的气候变化,而只有自生黏土矿物才能指示沉积区的气候;古土壤形成于特定的地质背景条件下,尤其是发育于火山物质母岩之上的风化自生黏土矿物,可以准确地指示该区的古气候条件;湖盆沉积物的物源范围小,沉积物中的黏土矿物可以更有效地运用于古气候环境的分析。对于沉积物中黏土矿物来源的分析,可以借助晶体中cv空位和tv空位的精细结构特征进行判断;在风化改造的红土剖面研究中,因强烈的化学风化、淋滤和迁移,黏土矿物方法具有独特的优势。风化过程中形成的一些亚种或过渡性黏土矿物,以及同生沉积过程中形成的黏土矿物,对气候环境的变化更加敏感,应加强这方面的研究。此外,在造山带的气候环境演化研究中,自生黏土矿物稳定同位素可以更可靠地指示气候环境的变化。     

Structural controls on hydrothermal alteration and gold–antimony mineralisation in the Hillgrove area,NSW, Australia

The Hillgrove gold–antimony deposit is hosted in late Palaeozoic, biotite-grade metasedimentary rocks and Permo-Carboniferous granitoid intrusions of the New England Orogen. Mineralisation occurred at a range of structural levels during rapid uplift in the orogen at 255–245 Ma. Hydrothermal fluids were controlled by extensional faults in a regional-scale sinistral strike-slip fault system. Principal faults in this system were developed in, and possibly evolved from, mylonite zones which were active during Late Permian tectonics. Earliest mineralisation formed scheelite-bearing quartz veins, and these were followed by auriferous arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz–carbonate veins with minor base metal sulphides. This latter type was accompanied by sericitisation and carbonation of the host rock, with addition of sulphur, arsenic and gold, in zones up to 20 m from veins. Quartz–stibnite veins with electrum, gold, aurostibite, and arsenopyrite form a prominent and economically important hydrothermal type, with little wall-rock alteration but extensive hydrothermal breccia formation and local open-space filling textures. Below a mining depth of 300–500 m, this type passes over a short distance downwards into stibnite-poor gold-bearing veins. Late-stage carbonate–stibnite veins with gold and silver sulphosalts cut all earlier veins, and have open-space filling textures. Aspects of the Hillgrove deposit have similarities to many other orogenic gold deposits in the SW Pacific which have been formed at different structural levels. Hillgrove is distinctive in having evidence for mineralisation at this wide range of structural levels in the one deposit, formed progressively during syn-orogenic uplift. Editorial handling: N. White