Petrology and geochemistry of the shoshonite-hosted Skouries porphyry Cu–Au deposit, Chalkidiki, Greece

The Skouries porphyry Cu-Au deposit, containing an indicated reserve of 206 Mt at 0.54% Cu and 0.80 g/t Au, is hosted by at least four hypabyssal monzonite-porphyry phases. In decreasing age, they are: (1) pink monzonite, (2) main monzonite, (3) intra-mineral monzonite, and (4) late-stage porphyry. High-grade ore is directly associated with the main and intra-mineral monzonite phases. All intrusive phases are cut by late-stage monzonite dykes that are barren. The monzonites have porphyritic textures with phenocrysts of plagioclase, alkali feldspar and amphibole as well as apatite and titanite microphenocrysts in a fine-grained feldspar-dominated groundmass. Mineralized samples are affected to varying degrees by potassic alteration, ranging from weak biotite-magnetite disseminations, through cross-cutting veinlets of hydrothermal orthoclase, to zones with pervasive orthoclase flooding. The high halogen contents of the Skouries intrusions are reflected in the high Cl and F concentrations of mica phases (up to 0.19 and 2.48 wt% respectively). The presence of magmatic magnetite in all intrusive phases implies high oxygen fugacities of the parental melts. All four monzonite phases have relatively evolved compositions, as reflected by their high SiO₂, low MgO and low mg#, and variable but low contents of mantle-compatible elements such as V, Ni and Co. However, their mg# suggests increasing degrees of fractionation of the parental melts with decreasing age. Their high K₂O (up to 5.8 wt%) and K₂O/Na₂O ratios (>1), as well as their high Ce/Yb and Th/Yb ratios (>34 and >21 respectively), which are believed to have been unaffected by alteration processes, are typical of alkaline rocks of the shoshonite association. Importantly, the Skouries intrusions are characterized by very high U and Th contents (up to 18.9 ppm and 62 ppm, respectively) that are consistent with accessory thorite and rare allanite in several samples. The high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7082) for the Skouries intrusions suggest crustal contamination during emplacement. The use of geochemical discrimination diagrams assigns the rocks to a continental arc setting in accord with the interpretation of previous workers.     

Isotopic age determinations of crystalline rocks of the Upper Harz Mountains,Germany

Dating of crystalline rocks occurring in the Upper Harz Mountains was carried out by means of U-Pb isotope investigations on zircons and sphene as well as by Rb-Sr isotope measurements on whole-rock samples and biotites.U-Pb data of euhedral and rounded, detrital zircons of the allochthonous block of the Ecker gneiss point to an age (upper intercept) of the source area of the predominantly metasedimentary rocks of about 1.6 Ga or older. The lower intercept indicates a possible metamorphic event at ca. 560 Ma in the Ecker gneiss or in the source rock of the zircons of this complex. The concordant data point of a sphene fraction from a metavolcanic sample documents contact metamorphic influence on the Ecker gneiss by the Variscan intrusions of the Upper Harz Mountains.Emplacement of the intrusions of the Harzburg gabbronorite and the Brocken and Oker granites occurred contemporaneously 293–297 Ma ago within the analytical error limits. This points to a common geotectonic cause of the ascent of the magmas. Uplift of the Ecker gneiss block, now squeezed in between Harzburg gabbronorite and Brocken granite, was connected to these processes.The mineral ages of the plutonites are close to the intrusion ages indicating fast cooling processes in shallow crustal levels.

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Zusammenfassung Eine altersmäßige Einstufung der im Oberharz vorkommenden kristallinen Gesteine wurde durch U-Pb-Isotopenuntersuchungen an Zirkonen und Titanit sowie Rb-Sr-Isotopenmessungen an Gesamtgesteinsproben und Biotiten durchgeführt.U-Pb-Daten von idiomorphen und runden, detritischen Zirkonen der allochthonen Eckergneis-Scholle deuten auf ein Alter des Ursprungsgebietes der weitgehend metasedimentären Gesteine von etwa 1. 6 Ga oder älter hin und sie weisen ferner auf ein mögliches Metamorphose-Ereignis vor rund 560 Ma im Eckergneis oder im Liefergestein der Zirkone des Eckergneises hin. Der konkordante Datenpunkt bei ca. 295 Ma einer Titanit-Fraktion aus einer Metavulkanit-Probe dokumentiert die kontaktmetamorphe Beeinflussung des Eckergneises durch die variskischen Intrusionen des Oberharzes.Die Platznahme der Intrusionen der Gesteine des Harzburger Gabbronorit-Massivs sowie des Brokken- und Oker-Granits erfolgten innerhalb der analytischen Fehlergrenzen zeitgleich vor 293–295 Ma. Dies deutet auf eine gemeinsame geotektonische Ursache des Aufdringens der Magmen. Damit verbunden war der Aufstieg der Eckergneis-Scholle, die jetzt zwischen Harzburger Gabbronorit und Brockengranit »eingeklemmt« ist.Mineralalter der Plutonite liegen nahe bei den Intrusionsaltern und weisen auf rasche Abkühlungsvorgänge in seichtem Krustenniveau hin.

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Résumé Des mesures d'âge ont été effectuées sur des roches cristallines de l'Oberharz par les méthodes de l'U-Pb sur zircon et sphène et du Rb-Sr sur roches totales et sur biotites. La méthode U-Pb, appliquée aux zircons idiomorphes et détritiques arrondis de l'écaille allochtone des gneiss d'Ecker, fournit un âge (intersection supérieure) d'environ 1,6 Ga au moins pour la source des matériaux surtout métasédimentaires. L'intersection inférieure indique la possibilité d'un événement métamorphique à ± 560 Ma soit dans les gneiss d'Ecker, soit dans les roches-sources de leurs zircons. Un résultat concordant à ± 295 Ma fourni par le sphène d'une métavolcanite enregistre l'action du métamorphisme de contact engendré dans les gneiss d'Ecker par les intrusions varisques.La mise en place des intrusions du massif gabbronoritique du Harzburg et celle des granite de Brocken et d'Ocker ont été contemporaines: âges de 293 à 297 Ma, compris dans l'intervalle d'approximation des mesures. Ce résultat est en faveur d'une même cause géotectonique pour l'ascension de ces magmas. C'est en relation avec ce processus que s'est produit le soulèvement de l'écaillé des gneiss d'Ecker, actuellement coincée entre le gabbro du Harzburg et le granite de Brocken.Les âges minéraux des plutons sont voisins des âges d'intrusion, ce qui indique un refroidissement rapide dans un niveau crustal peu profond.

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Surface studies of asteroids with the Faint Object Camera of the Space Telescope

Minor planets have been observed in the last few years for physical properties using photometry, polarimetry and IR-radiometry. Using the Faint Object Camera (FOC) of the Space Telescope (ST) it will be possible for the first time to observe a large number of asteroids with direct imaging systems.We propose to use the FOC with high resolution mode to examine minor planets with respect to (a) diameters and shapes, (b) surface and detail studies, (c) densities and (d) possible binary nature of selected asteroids.Paper presented at the European Workshop on Planetary Sciences, organised by the Laboratorio di Astrofisica Spaziale di Frascati, and held between April 23–27, 1979, at the Accademia Nazionale del Lincei in Rome, Italy.     

Molecular characterization of organic matter in sediments from the Keg River formation (Elk Point group), western Canada sedimentary basin

Distributions of free and sulfur-bound biomarkers in organic-rich sediments from the lower and upper Keg River formation (Elk Point group, western Canada) reveal deposition of these sediments under reducing conditions, in agreement with the geological data. The predominance of aryl isoprenoids of Chlorobiaceae origin indicates that photic zone anoxia occurred during time of deposition. A series of novel aryl isoprenoids with a carboxylic acid function was identified by GC–MS and the structure of the predominant 3-methyl-5-(2′,3′,6′-trimethylphenyl)pentanoate was proven by synthesis of an authentic standard. The occurrence of these acids gives evidence that oxidative breakdown at least partially accounts for the diagenetic fate of aromatic carotenoids. Li/EtNH₂ desulfurization of two kerogen concentrates yielded only low amounts of sulfur-bound hydrocarbons, and suggests that either sulfur sequestration was not a predominant process or, more probably, that a major part of the hydrocarbons, initially sulfurized, were released upon maturation, giving further evidence that (poly)sulfide bonds are cleaved at relatively low levels of thermal stress.     

Evolution and composition of the lithospheric mantle underneath the western Arabian peninsula: constraints from Sr−Nd isotope systematics of mantle xenoliths

On the basis of their textures and mineral compositions spinel-peridotite xenoliths of the Cr-diopside group (group I) from Cenozoic volcanic fields of Arabia can be classified into different subtypes. Type IA is of lherzolitic to harzburgitic composition; mineral compositions are similar to those of group I mantle xenoliths from worldwide occurrences. Type IB xenoliths have lherzolitic to wehrlitic compositions; Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratios of the clinopyroxenes (0.862–0.916) and olivines (0.872–0.914) are similar too or slightly lower than those of typical IA minerals. Texturally, type IB xenoliths are distinguished from type IA rocks by the presence of intragranular spinel, intragranular relict Cr-pargasite, and subordinate intergranular Ba-phlogopite (11.1% BaO). The hydrous minerals in type IB xenoliths are interpreted to document an earlier metasomatism 1 which did not affect type IA lithospheric mantle. Subsequent recrystallization caused the partial replacement of Cr-pargasite in type IB materials and resulted in the formation of less hydrous mineral assemblages. Some of the type IA xenoliths are characterized by secondary intergranular amphibole which must have formed recently. The absence or presence of this intergranular amphibole is used to distinguish an anhydrous subtype IA1 from a hydrous subtype IA2. Type IB xenoliths may also contain secondary intergranular amphibole (similar to the one in subtype IA2) or they contain abundant formermelt patches now consisting of glass and phenocrysts of olivine, clinopyroxene, amphibole, and spinel. The secondary intergranular amphiboles and the former melt patches, both are interpreted as results of a second metasomatism (metasomatism 2). In their trace element and isotopic characteristics, type IA1 and type IA2 clinopyroxenes do not exhibit any systematic differences. Furthermore, type IA2 clinopyroxenes are in Sr isotopic disequilibrium with intergranular amphiboles. This suggests that type IA2 clinopyroxenes were not modified during the second metasomatism 2. All type IA clinopyroxenes have low Sr contents (100 ppm); most of them show Sm/Nd ratios higher than inferred for bulk earth. In their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, type IA clinopyroxenes exhibit a large spread from 0.70226–0.70376 and from 0.51375–0.51251, respectively. Highly variable Sr/Nd ratios (5.0–79.3) and variable T_UR and T_CHUR model age relationships require different evolutions of the respective mantle portions. Nevertheless, all but two type IA clinopyroxenes form a linear array in a Sm–Nd isochron diagram which probably can not be explained by mixing. If taken as an isochron the slope of the array corresponds to an age of around 700 Ma. The mean initial _Nd of 5.8±1.7 (1) is similar to values for juvenile Pan-African (i.e. 850–650 Ma old) crust of the Arabian-Nubian shield. It is suggested that type IA lithospheric mantle and the juvenile Pan-African crust are two counterparts fractionated from a common source during the earlier stages of the Pan-African. Type IB clinopyroxenes have high Sr contents (200 ppm), variable Sr/Nd ratios (9–111) and Sm/Nd ratios generally below that inferred for bulk earth, and show a small spread in their Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (0.70299–0.70318 and 0.51285–0.51278, respectively). In a Sm–Nd isochron diagram the data points form a linear, horizontal array indicating a close-to-zero age for the earlier metasomatism 1 and suggesting a close genetic relationship to mantle processes related to the formation of the Red Sea.     

The impact of diagenetic fluid–rock reactions on Rotliegend sandstone composition and petrophysical properties (Altmark area, central Germany)

In the framework of the German R&D joint project CLEAN (CO₂ large-scale enhanced gas recovery in the Altmark natural gas field), Rotliegend reservoir sandstones of the Altensalzwedel block in the Altmark area (Saxony-Anhalt, central Germany) have been studied to characterise litho- and diagenetic facies, mineral content, geochemical composition, and petrophysical properties. These sands have been deposited in a playa environment dominated by aeolian dunes, dry to wet sand flats and fluvial channel fills. The sediments exhibit distinct mineralogical, geochemical, and petrophysical features related to litho- and diagenetic facies types. In sandstones of the damp to wet sandflats, their pristine red colours are preserved and porosity and permeability are only low. Rocks of the aeolian environment and most of the channel fill deposits are preferentially bleached and exhibit moderate to high porosity and permeability. Although geochemical element whole rock content in these rocks is very similar, element correlations are different. Variations in porosity and permeability are mainly due to calcite and anhydrite dissolution and differences in clay coatings with Fe-bearing illitic-chloritic composition exposed to the pore space. Moreover, mineral dissolution patterns as well as compositions (of clays and carbonate) and morphotypes of authigenic minerals (chlorite, illite) are different in red and bleached rocks. Comparison of the geochemical composition and mineralogical features of diagenetically altered sandstones and samples exposed to CO₂-bearing fluids in laboratory batch experiments exhibit similar character. Experiments prove an increase in wettability and water binding capacity during CO₂ impact.     

The geography of global urban greenhouse gas emissions: an exploratory analysis

The purpose of this paper is to describe global urban greenhouse gas emissions by region and sector, examine the distribution of emissions through the urban-to-rural gradient, and identify covariates of emission levels for our baseline year, 2000. We use multiple existing spatial databases to identify urban extent, greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, N₂O, CH₄ and SF₆) and covariates of emissions in a “top-down” analysis. The results indicate that urban activities are significant sources of total greenhouse gas emissions (36.8 and 48.6 % of total). The urban energy sector accounts for between 41.5 and 66.3 % of total energy emissions. Significant differences exist in the urban share of greenhouse gas emissions between developed and developing countries as well as among source sectors for geographic regions. The 50 largest urban emitting areas account for 38.8 % of all urban greenhouse gas emissions. We find that greenhouse gas emissions are significantly associated with population size, density, growth rates, and per capita income. Finally, comparison of our results to “bottom-up” estimates suggest that this research’s data and techniques are best used at the regional and global scales.     

Exhumation history of the NW Indian Himalaya revealed by fission track and 40Ar/39Ar ages

New fission track and Ar/Ar geochronological data provide time constraints on the exhumation history of the Himalayan nappes in the Mandi (Beas valley) – Tso Morari transect of the NW Indian Himalaya. Results from this and previous studies suggest that the SW-directed North Himalayan nappes were emplaced by detachment from the underthrusted upper Indian crust by 55 Ma and metamorphosed by ca. 48–40 Ma. The nappe stack was subsequently exhumed to shallow upper crustal depths (<10 km) by 40–30 Ma in the Tso Morari dome (northern section of the transect) and by 30–20 Ma close to frontal thrusts in the Baralacha La region. From the Oligocene to the present, exhumation continued slowly.Metamorphism started in the High Himalayan nappe prior to the Late Oligocene.High temperatures and anatexis of the subducting upper Indian crust engendered the buoyancy-driven ductile detachment and extrusion of the High Himalayan nappe in the zone of continental collision. Late extrusion of the High Himalayan nappe started about 26 Ma ago, accompanied by ductile extensional shearing in the Zanskar shear zone in its roof between 22 and 19 Ma concomitant with thrusting along the basal Main Central Thrust to the south. The northern part of the nappe was then rapidly exhumed to shallow depth (<10 km) between 20 and 6 Ma, while its southern front reached this depth at 10–5 Ma.