Structure Styles of Mesozoic-Cenozoic U-bearing Rock Series in Northern China

In Northern China, sandstone-type uranium (U) deposits are mostly developed in Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins. These U deposits are usually hosted in unvarying horizons within the basins and exhibit typical U-forming sedimentary associations, which is referred to as U-bearing rock series. This study describes the structural features of U-bearing rock series within the main Mesozoic-Cenozoic U-producing continental basins in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia in the western segment of the Central Asian Metallogenic Belt (CAMB), and Northern China in the eastern segment of the CAMB. We analyze the basic structural conditions and sedimentary environments of U-bearing rock series in Northern China and classify their structural styles in typical basins into river valley, basin margin, and intrabasin uplift margin types. The intrabasin uplift margin structural style proposed in this study can be used to indicate directions for the exploration of sandstone-type U deposits hosted in the center of a basin. At the same time, the study of structural style provides a new idea for exploring sandstone-type U deposits in Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins and it is of great significance to prospecting of sandstone-type uranium deposits.     

Isotope geochemistry of ore fluids for the Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, China

The Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit is one of the large-sized sandstone-type uranium deposits discovered in the northern part of the Ordos Basin of China in recent years. Geochemical characteristics of the Dongsheng uranium deposit are significantly different from those of the typical interlayered oxidized sandstone-type uranium ore deposits in the region of Middle Asia. Fluid inclusion studies of the uranium deposit showed that the uranium ore-forming temperatures are within the range of 150–160℃. Their 3He/4He ratios are within the range of 0.02–1.00 R/Ra, about 5–40 times those of the crust. Their 40Ar/36Ar ratios vary from 584 to 1243, much higher than the values of atmospheric argon. The δ18OH2O and δD values of fluid inclusions from the uranium deposit are -3.0‰– -8.75‰ and -55.8‰– -71.3‰, respectively, reflecting the characteristics of mixed fluid of meteoric water and magmatic water. The δ18OH2O and δD values of kaolinite layer at the bottom of the uranium ore deposit are 6.1‰ and -77‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of magmatic water. The δ13CV-PDB and δ18OH2O values of calcite veins in uranium ores are -8.0‰ and 5.76‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of mantle source. Geochemical characteristics of fluid inclusions indicated that the ore-formation fluid for the Dongsheng uranium deposit was a mixed fluid of meteoric water and deep-source fluid from the crust. It was proposed that the Jurassic-Cretaceous U-rich metamorphic rocks and granites widespread in the northern uplift area of the Ordos Basin had been weathered and denudated and the ore-forming elements, mainly uranium, were transported by meteoric waters to the Dongsheng region, where uranium ores were formed. Tectonothermal events and magmatic activities in the Ordos Basin during the Mesozoic made fluids in the deep interior and oil/gas at shallow levels upwarp along the fault zone and activated fractures, filling into U-bearing clastic sandstones, thus providing necessary energy for the formation of uranium ores.     

试论天然有机质及其与铀矿化的关系

Uranium is so intimately associated with carbonaceous matter in marine black shales and some sandstone-type uranium deposits that it is said to be “fixed” by organic substances. But different kinds sf organic matter are not of equal importance in the geochemistry of uranium. The nature and origin of organic substances in uranium deposits and the role that they plays in transporting and concentrating uranium are different from place to place. The reason why uranium is associated with certain types of organic matter (for example humus or bitumen) is described in this paper from geochemical viewpoint.     

Dual Control of Depositional Facies on Uranium Mineralization in Coal‐bearing Series: Examples from the Tuanyushan Area of the Northern Qaidam Basin,NW China

The uranium deposits in the Tuanyushan area of northern Qaidam Basin commonly occur in coal-bearing series. To decipher the U-enrichment mechanism and controlling factors in this area, a database of 72 drill cores, including 56 well-logs and 3 sampling wells, was examined for sedimentology and geochemistry in relation to uranium concentrations. The results show that coal-bearing series can influence uranium mineralization from two aspects, i.e., spatial distribution and dynamic control. Five types of uranium-bearing rocks are recognized, mainly occurring in the braided river and braided delta sedimentary facies, among which sandstones near the coals are the most important. The lithological associations of sandstone-type uranium deposits can be classified into three subtypes, termed as U-coal type, coal-U-coal type, and coal-U type, respectively. The coal and fine siliciclastic rocks in the coalbearing series confined the U-rich fluid flow and uranium accumulation in the sandstone near them. Thus, the coal-bearing series can provide good accommodations for uranium mineralization. Coals and organic matters in the coal-bearing series may have served as reducing agents and absorbing barriers. Methane is deemed to be the main acidolysis hydrocarbon in the U-bearing beds, which shows a positive correlation with U-content in the sandstones in the coal-bearing series. Additionally, the δ13 C in the carbonate cements of the U-bearing sandstones indicates that the organic matters, associated with the coal around the sandstones, were involved in the carbonation, one important component of alteration in the Tuanyushan area. Recognition of the dual control of coal-bearing series on the uranium mineralization is significant for the development of coal circular economy, environmental protection during coal utilization and the security of national rare metal resources.     

Geochemistry and Provenance of Maastrichtian Clastic Rocks in the Dikmendede Formation of Orhaniye in Kazan-Ankara-Turkey Region

An integrated petrographic and geochemical study of the sandstones of the Maastrichtian-aged in the Orhaniye (Kazan-Ankara-Turkey) was carried out to obtain more information on their provenance, sedimentological history and tectonic setting. Depending on their matrix and mineralogical content, the Maastrichtian sandstones are identified as lithic arenite/wacke. The Dikmendede sandstones derived from types of provenances, the recycled orogen and recycled transitional. The chemical characteristics of the Dikmendede sandstones, i.e., fairly uniform compositions, high Th/U ratios (>3.0), negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* 0.72–0.99) and Th/Sc ratios (mostly less than 1.0), favor the OUC (old upper continental crust) provenance for the Dikmendede sandstones. The SiO2/Al2O3, Th/Sc (mostly <1.0) and La/Sc (<4.0) ratios are; however, slightly lower than typical OUC, and these ratios may suggest a minor contribution of young arc-derived material. The rare earth element (REE) pattern, and La/Sc versus Th/Co plot suggests that these sediments were mainly derived from felsic source rocks. The Dikmendede sandstones have high Cr (123–294 ppm) and Ni (52–212 ppm) concentrations, Cr/Ni ratio of 1.93, and a medium correlation coefficient between Cr and Ni and corresponding medium to high correlation of both (Cr and Ni, respectively) elements with Co. These relationships indicate a significant contribution of detritus from ophiolitic rocks. As rare earth element data are available for the Dikmendede sandstones, the Eu/Eu* is compared with LaN/YbN. Samples plot in the area of overlapping between continental collision, strike-slip and continental arc basins. The predominantly felsic composition of the Dikmendede sandstones is supported by the REE plots, which show enriched light REE, negative Eu anomaly and flat or uniform heavy REE. The Dikmendede sandstones have compositions similar to those of the average upper continental crust and post-Archean Australian shales. This feature indicates that the sediments were derived mainly from the upper continental crust. The Dikmendede sandstones have chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of 28–49, with an average of 40 indicating a low degree of chemical weathering in the source area. The compositional immaturity of the analyzed sandstone samples is typical of subduction-related environments, and their SiO2/Al2O3 and K2O/Na2O ratios and Co, Sc, Th and Zr contents reflect their oceanic and continental-arc settings. The Dikmendede sandstones were developed as flysch deposits derived from mixed provenance in a collision belt.     

Uranium Provinces in China

Three uranium provinces are recognized in China, the Southeast China uranium province, the Northeast China-Inner Mongolia uranium province and the Northwest China (Xinjiang) uranium province. The latter two promise good potential for uranium resources and are major exploration target areas in recent years. There are two major types of uranium deposits: the Phanerozoic hydrothermal type (vein type) and the Meso-Cenozoic sandstone type in different proportions in the three uranium provinces. The most important reason or prerequisite for the formation of these uranium provinces is that Precambrian uranium-enriched old basement or its broken parts (median massifs) exists or once existed in these regions, and underwent strong tectonomagmatic activation during Phanerozoic time. Uranium was mobilized from the old basement and migrated upwards to the upper structural level together with the acidic magma originating from anatexis and the primary fluids, which were then mixed with meteoric water and resulted in t     

Uraniferous Black Shale and Related Uranium Mineralization Features in South China

: Black shales are marine sediments with argillaceous, silty and siliceous compositions and high contents of organic materials, disseminated pyrite and uranium. Uraniferous black shale has uranium content of more than 20 ppm.Black shales are widely distributed in 17 provinces or autonomous regions in northwestern and southern-central China. Their sedimentary ages are from the Sinian to the Tertiary and uraniferous black shales are mainly exposed in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the economically significant uranium deposits associated with black shale occur in Hunan and Jiangxi provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.Uranium mineralization associated with black shale has the following main features: (1) forming stratabound deposits; (2) controlled by structures such as interlayer and intersected faults and fractures; (3) associated with different ore-forming processes such as leaching and hydrothermal reworking; (4)     

The Late Triassic Sequence-Stratigraphic Framework of the Upper Yangtze Region, South China

In the transitional period between the Middle and the Late Triassic, the Indochina orogeny caused two tectonic events in South China: (1) the formation and uplift of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt along the northern margin of the South China Plate, due to its collision with the North China Plate; and 2) the development of a 1300-km-wide intra-continental orogen in the southeastern part of the South China Plate, which led to a northwestward movement of the foreland thrust-fold zone. These tectonic events resulted in the ending of the Yangtze Platform, and were a stable paleogeographic factor from the Eidacaran to the end of the Middle Triassic. This platform was characterized by the widespread development of shallow-water carbonates. After the end of the Yangtze Platform, the upper Yangtze foreland basin (or Sichuan foreland basin) was formed during the Late Triassic and became a accumulation site of fluvial deposits that are composed of related strata of the Xujiahe Formation. In western Sichuan Province, the Xujiahe Formation overlies the Maantang Formation shallow-water carbonate rocks of the Xiaotangzi Formation siliciclastic rocks (from shelf shales to littoral facies). The sequence-stratigraphic framework of the Upper Triassic in the upper Yangtze foreland basin indicates a particular alluvial architecture, characterized by sequences composed of (1) successions of low-energy fluvial deposits of high-accommodation phases, including coal seams, and (2) high-energy fluvial deposits of low-accommodation phases, including amalgamated river-channel sandstones. The spatial distribution of these fluvial deposits belonging to the Xujiahe Formation and its relative strata is characterized by gradual thinning-out, overlapping, and pinching-out toward both the east and south. This sedimentary record therefore expresses a particular sequence-stratigraphic succession of fluvial deposits within the filling succession of the foreland basin. The sequence-stratigraphic framework for the Upper Triassic in the Upper Yangtze region provides a record of the end of the Yangtze Platform and the formation of the upper Yangtze foreland basin.     

Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East‐Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation (from two stratigraphic successions) in east-central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk-rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation (e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2) indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin (PM). Chemical index of alteration (CIA) for these rocks (> 65%) suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.     

The Relationship between Jurassic Coal Measures and Sandstone-type Uranium Deposits in the Northeastern Ordos Basin, China

Outcrop and drill hole data show that the Jurassic coal measures in the northeastern Ordos Basin are composed mainly of the Yan'an Formation and the lowstand system tract of the Zhiluo Formation,and there is a regional unconformity between them. The Dongsheng uranium deposit is associated with the Jurassic coal measures. Research data indicate that the Jurassic coal measures in the study area have a certain hydrocarbon-generating capacity,although the metamorphic grade is low(Ro=0.40%–0.58%). In the Dongsheng region alone,the accumulative amount of generated coalbed methane(CBM) is about 2028.29 × 108 –2218.72 × 108 m~3; the residual amount is about 50.92 × 108 m~3,and the lost amount is about 1977 × 108 m~3. Analysis of the burial history of the host rocks and the evolutionary history of the Dongsheng uranium deposit suggests that the Jurassic coal measures generated hydrocarbon mainly from Middle Jurassic to Early Crataceous,which is the main mineralization phase of the Dongsheng uranium deposit. By the Late Cretaceous,a mass of CBM dissipated due to the strong tectonic uplift,and the Dongsheng uranium deposit stepped into the preservation phase. Therefore,the low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid in the Jurassic coal measures not only served as a reducing agent for the formation of sandstone-type uranium deposits,but also rendered the second reduction of paleo-interlayer oxidation zone and become the primary reducing agent for ore conservation. Regional strata correlation reveals that the sandstone-type uranium reservoir at the bottom of the Zhiluo Formation is in contact with the underlying industrial coal seams in the Yan'an Formation through incision or in the form of an unconformity surface. In the Dongsheng region with poorly developed fault systems,the unconformity surface and scour surface served as the main migration pathways for low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid migrating to the uranium reservoir.     

论川北砂岩型铀矿床方解石脉与铀矿成矿关系

对以303和1210两矿床为代表的川北砂岩型铀矿床的野外调查、方解石脉的岩矿鉴定、包裹体测试、微量元素和铀含量分析、脉体与矿化围岩蚀变关系的研究得出:方解石脉由中低温热水充填裂隙形成,热水同时活化汲取围岩中的铀,搬迁到构造裂隙发育、富含有机质的地段再沉淀富集。迭加成矿,川北砂岩型铀矿床为热水改造成因     

铀储层——砂岩型铀矿地质学的新概念

中国大规模的砂岩型铀矿勘查起始于20世纪90年代,这期间适逢层序地层、沉积体系、砂体内部构成单位和等级界面等技术的成熟与完善时期,这为沉积学家研究砂岩型铀矿床带来了新的切入点.在吐哈盆地和鄂尔多斯盆地的勘查实践发现,结构和规模适中的大型骨架砂体是砂岩型铀矿的储层(简称铀储层),它不仅能提供铀成矿流体的运移空间(输导通道),同时也为铀矿的储存提供了空间.铀储层研究的主要内容包括铀储层的识别、铀储层的空间定位与形态描述、铀储层的内部特征结构与品质评价、铀储层的成因分析以及沉积作用控制下的铀成矿机理等.沉积盆地分析和砂岩型铀矿地质学是铀储层研究的重要理论支撑点,其中层序地层分析、沉积体系分析、砂体内部构成分析是铀储层分析的关键技术.由于铀储层是砂岩型铀矿勘查和开发的目标层,所以针对铀储层的研究将能更好地服务于砂岩型铀矿的勘查预测与地浸开发.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东北部侏罗系古河道中一种特殊的砂岩型铀矿床

东胜砂岩型铀矿床是近几年在中国鄂尔多斯盆地东北部发现的一大型铀矿床。因其独特的特征而不同于其他普通砂岩型矿床,矿体一般受绿色砂岩和灰色砂岩之间的过渡带控制,而这两种砂岩目前都指示着还原地球化学环境。古氧化绿色砂岩主要由与油-气二次还原作用有关的绿泥石化和绿帘石化造成。从成因上讲,该矿床与普通砂岩型铀矿床不同,它有着更为复杂的成因,不仅经历了古氧化的成矿过程,而且还经历了油-气流体和热液流体的再改造。空间上,它与侏罗纪直罗组辫状古河道体系有关。较高品位的铀矿化带一般赋存在辫状河主河道与分支河道的分叉部位,所形成砂岩的不均匀性表明,其沉积相属于辫状河到辫状三角洲的过渡沉积体系。统计结果表明,中、细粒砂岩是铀矿化最有利的岩石类型。     

川北广元田坝子剖面含铀沥青脉的发现及其地质意义

通过野外地质调查,在四川盆地西北部广元市青川县田坝子剖面发现了多处具铀异常(≈70×10-6)的含铀沥青脉.对含铀沥青脉开展了矿物学、元素地球化学、光谱学研究,并与研究区典型砂岩型铀矿床(303矿床)中的"有机质"开展了对比研究.研究表明,含铀沥青脉中含有大量的微粒状矿物,包括微米级的石英、重晶石、黄铜矿、闪锌矿、方铅...     

西北内陆盆地的红层类型与砂岩型铀矿

本文在调研我国西北内陆盆地中的红层与砂岩型铀矿关系的基础上,提出了一个以沉积相和红化成因为基础的红层分类:把内陆盆地中的红层分为陆解阶段形成的冲积平原红层和浅湖红层;成岩后生阶段形成的河流冲积红层、三角洲红层和沙漠红层;以及表生风化阶段形成的溅泼红(次生红层)等6类红层。并依据这6类红层的特征、产出构造环境,以及含矿主岩到各类红层的Eh、pH、Th/U、Fc~(3+)/Fc~(2+)、Sr/Ba等地化特征值的变化,确定了它们与砂岩型铀矿的关系,即陆解阶段岩石红化时为开放环境,活性铀易于流失,对成矿不利;而成岩后生阶段,岩石红化时的环境为封闭系统,对成矿有利,能形成铀矿床。     

中、新生代陆相沉积盆地砂岩型铀矿床流体作用研究

通过对中、新生代陆相沉积盆地典型砂岩型铀矿床实例分析,本文阐述了砂岩型铀矿床的分类特征及其与盆地流体演化的关系,以及盆地流体演化史分析在砂岩型铀矿床找矿中的重要性,同时对铀在流体中活化、迁移、沉淀机制及砂岩型铀矿床流体作用研究方法进行了探讨。     

川北砂岩型铀矿床成矿条件及成矿模式探讨

讨论川北砂岩型铀矿的成矿地质条件，指出川北砂岩型铀矿是受古地形、岩相、构造、地球化学环境及热水改造等多因素控制的层控矿床。从成矿机理出发，对川北砂岩型铀矿的成矿模式进行了探讨。     

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics of the Zhiluo Formation in the Bayinqinggeli Uranium Deposit, Northern Ordos Basin: Significance for Uranium Mineralization

The Bayinqinggeli deposit in the northern Ordos Basin, northwestern of China, is a recently discovered sandstone-type uranium deposit. The uranium (U) orebodies are generally hosted in the lower member of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation (Fm.), and are primarily tabular or irregular in shape. In the study area, 23 sandstone samples were collected from the Zhiluo Fm. and analyzed for major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs). The geochemical characteristics of these sandstones are used to evaluate the factors controlling U mineralization. The source rocks of the Zhiluo Fm. sandstones are mainly volcanic and felsic magmatic rocks formed in continental arc and active continental-marginal arc environments, and they provided the material required for the mineralization. The index of compositional variability ranges from 1.02 to 3.29 (average1.38), indicating that the Zhiluo Fm. sandstones are immature and composed of first-cycle sediments. The corrected chemical index of alteration averages 56, suggesting that the source rocks underwent weak chemical weathering. The ore host rocks are loose, providing favorable conditions for epigenetic oxidation and U precipitation and enrichment. Ferrous iron in minerals such as chlorite, biotite, ilmenite, and pyrite might have played a role either in adsorbing or reducing the uranium.     

四川盆地北缘旺苍背斜铀成矿地质特征及找矿前景

旺苍背斜位于四川盆地北缘北西部,工作程度较低。在收集前人资料以及野外地质调查的基础上,分析其地质特征、含矿层特征、铀矿化特征,认为铀矿化产于苍溪组第一层,赋存于富含有机质的岩屑砂岩或砾岩中,距上侏罗统蓬莱镇组与下白垩统苍溪组的区域性假整合面较近,与冲刷构造关系密切,属于以沉积成矿为主,后生改造为辅的砂岩型铀矿。根据成矿理论,分析了构造背景、铀源、目的层、地貌及水文地质、古气候、已知铀矿化信息等成矿判据,认为旺苍背斜具备了形成砂岩型铀矿床的成矿条件,并指出在转折端一带铀异常点(带)较为密集,含矿砂体厚度大,富含有机质,沉积构造发育,地下水具备完善补给-径流-排泄系统,具有较好的找矿前景。     

滇西新生代盆地与砂岩型铀矿成矿

滇西新生代盆地内蕴藏着丰富的铀资源，现已探明8个中、小型砂岩型铀矿床，是中国重要的砂岩型铀矿成矿带之一。本文在收集研究前人施工钻孔资料1200个，施工钻孔25个的基础上，编制岩性-岩相-地球化学剖面图66张，研究了滇西新生代盆地与砂岩型铀矿成矿。认为滇西地区存在2种类型的新生代盆地，其盆地沉积演化、火山活动、地貌景观等不同，砂岩型铀矿成矿条件亦存在差异，成矿的专属性体现在于盆地的差异性。砂岩型铀矿成矿最有利的是北部腾冲地区找矿目的层上覆地层发育了区域性隔水层、存在火山活动、深切割低山-丘陵-河谷阶地地貌的新生代盆地。