金川铜镍硫化物矿床中铂族矿物的主要类型和产出特征:热液蚀变过程中铂族元素的富集机理

金川铜镍硫化物矿床是我国最主要的铂族元素(PGE)资源产地,其矿石受热液蚀变作用影响明显,并产出多种铂族矿物(PGM)。岩浆演化和热液蚀变过程中PGE的迁移富集机制和PGM的成因,一直是研究PGE地球化学行为非常关注的问题。本文对金川铜镍硫化物矿床中PGM的研究发现,其主要类型包括含PGE的硫砷化物(硫砷铱矿)和砷化物(砷铂矿),Pd的铋化物、碲化物和硒化物,以及少量其他铂族矿物。其中,硫砷铱矿可包裹于各种贱金属硫化物(镍黄铁矿、磁黄铁矿和黄铜矿)中,表明硫砷铱矿可能结晶于早期的含As硫化物熔体,随后被包裹于硫化物熔体冷凝分异产生的单硫化物固溶体(MSS)和中间硫化物固溶体(ISS)中。硫化物熔体中的As可能主要通过地壳混染作用加入幔源岩浆。大量铋钯矿(PdBi)呈微细乳滴状包裹于黄铜矿中,为晚期ISS冷凝形成黄铜矿过程中出溶的产物。少量铋钯矿(PdBi_2)呈不规则状充填于矿物裂隙,与次生磁铁矿脉紧密共生,并随矿石的蚀变程度增加,铋钯矿的化学成分由PdBi逐渐向PdBi_2转变,表明这部分铋钯矿为后期热液蚀变产物。铋碲钯矿和钯的硒化物则主要产出于镍黄铁矿裂隙且与次生磁铁矿紧密共生,指示明显的热液成因。钯的硒化物的出现表明,岩浆期后酸性、高盐度、高氧逸度的富Cl~-流体对金川铜镍硫化物矿床中Pd的迁移和富集起到了关键控制作用。     

Geology and Mineral Chemistry of Uranium- and Thorium-bearing Minerals in Rare-Metal (NYF) Pegmatites of Um Solimate,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

The garnet muscovite granitic pegmatite of Um Solimate, in southern Egypt, represents a promising asset for strategic and economic metals, especially Bi–Ni–Ag–Nb–Ta as well as U and Th. The ore bodies occur as large masses, pockets and/or veins of very coarse-grained pegmatites, which consist mainly of K-feldspar, quartz and albite with subordinate muscovite, garnet, and biotite. Radiometric data revealed that eU- and eTh-contents of the pegmatites reach up to 39 ppm and 82 ppm, respectively. The studied pegmatites are enriched in primary U and Th minerals (uraninite, coffinite, thorianite and uranothorite) as well as Hf-rich zircon and monazite, which give rise to anomalous radioactive zones. Niobium-tantalium-bearing minerals (i.e. ferrocolumbite, microlite and uranopyrochlore), xenotime, barite, galena, fluorite, and apatite are ubiquitous, and, consequently, the studied pegmatites belong tothe Niobium–Yttrium–Fluorine-type (NYF) family. The noble metal mineralization includes argentite (Ag2S), native Ni and Bi as well as bismite and bismoclite. In addition, beryl and tourmaline are observed in pegmatites near the contact with metasediments and ultramafic bodies. The observed compositional variations of Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) ratios in columbite (0.08–0.45 and 0.11–0.57, respectively) and Hf contents in zircon (3.54–6.46 wt%) may reflectan extreme degree of magmatic fractionation leading to formation of the pegmatite orebody.     

我国深海矿产研究:进展与发现(2011—2020)

深海矿产是地球上尚未被人类充分认识和利用的最大潜在战略矿产资源,近十年我国在该领域的研究取得了重要进展。在太平洋国际海底区域申请到2块多金属结核勘探区、1块富钴结壳勘探区,在西南印度洋中脊申请到1块多金属硫化物勘探区。研究阐明了我国多金属结核和富钴结壳勘探区小尺度成矿规律,揭示了其成矿作用过程及古海洋古气候记录,探讨了关键金属元素富集机制。在西南印度洋、西北印度洋和南大西洋中脊发现了多处热液区,阐述了其成矿作用及控制因素,建立了超慢速扩洋中脊热液循环模型,探讨了拆离断层型热液成矿系统的成矿机制。在太平洋和印度洋划分了4个深海稀土成矿带,在中印度洋海盆、东南太平洋和西太平洋深海盆地发现了大面积富稀土沉积区,初步揭示了深海稀土的富集特征、分布规律、赋存状态和成矿机理。今后在继续加大深海矿产资源调查研究的同时,应聚焦深海关键金属成矿作用研究。     

中国东部燕山期大火成岩省:岩浆-构造-资源-环境效应

中国东部燕山期的大规模岩浆活动,即侏罗纪—白垩纪(150—100 Ma)的碱性流纹岩-碱性玄武岩-金伯利岩-钾镁煌斑岩-碳酸岩及其管道系统,分布于江南造山带内侧和郯庐断裂带南段以西的华北地台内,累积面积超过30万km2.该期短时限内大规模活动的岩浆事件代表了中国东部地质历史演化中的一次大火成岩省(LIP)事件,实质控制着中生代以来中国华北—扬子地台的构造格局变化、资源能源形成与地质环境变迁.晚侏罗世—早白垩世(150—100 Ma)的大火成岩省,是中生代中期古太平洋大火成岩省沿中国克拉通东部边缘活动的一部分,是包括昂通爪哇(Ongtong-Java)(Mahoney et al.,1993;Ingle and Coffin,2004)—中国东部在内的超级地幔柱上涌,在岩石圈板片对流,挤压地幔物质快速上升,引起陆域内长英质地壳物质大规模重熔的结果,形成:(1)髫髻山组—张家口组碱性流纹质-玄武质双峰式火山岩及其管道系统,与华北大规模金-多金属矿成矿作用密切相关;(2)辽宁瓦房店—山东蒙阴—安徽栏杆,湖南宁乡—贵州镇远一带的金伯利岩—钾镁煌斑岩±碳酸岩±基性超基性杂岩及其管道系统,与金刚石、金-铂族元素等成矿关系密切;(3)辽东—胶东半岛、南岭—滇黔桂交界地区的连片花岗岩,是硅质大火成岩省(SLIP)的管道系统(plumbing systems),与金刚石矿、金-铂族元素矿、钨锡铌钽矿、锂-钾-铷-铯-铀矿等,以及油气等战略性关键金属成矿关系密切.同时,巨型岩浆作用引发的富含钾、磷及稀土等微量元素的基岩形成优质土壤层对生态多样性的助益等有利和/或有害的环境效应,直接关系到地球家园的生态环境.因此,中国东部燕山期大火成岩省产生深刻的岩浆-构造-资源-环境效应.     

Major contribution to carbon neutrality by China’s geosciences and geological technologies

In the context of global climate change, geosciences provide an important geological solution to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, China’s geosciences and geological technologies can play an important role in solving the problem of carbon neutrality. This paper discusses the main problems, opportunities, and challenges that can be solved by the participation of geosciences in carbon neutrality, as well as China’s response to them. The main scientific problems involved and the geological work carried out mainly fall into three categories: (1) Carbon emission reduction technology (natural gas hydrate, geothermal, hot dry rock, nuclear energy, hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, hydrogen energy); (2) carbon sequestration technology (carbon capture and storage, underground space utilization); (3) key minerals needed to support carbon neutralization (raw materials for energy transformation, carbon reduction technology). Therefore, geosciences and geological technologies are needed: First, actively participate in the development of green energy such as natural gas, geothermal energy, hydropower, hot dry rock, and key energy minerals, and develop exploration and exploitation technologies such as geothermal energy and natural gas; the second is to do a good job in geological support for new energy site selection, carry out an in-depth study on geotechnical feasibility and mitigation measures, and form the basis of relevant economic decisions to reduce costs and prevent geological disasters; the third is to develop and coordinate relevant departments of geosciences, organize and carry out strategic research on natural resources, carry out theoretical system research on global climate change and other issues under the guidance of earth system science theory, and coordinate frontier scientific information and advanced technological tools of various disciplines. The goal of carbon neutrality provides new opportunities and challenges for geosciences research. In the future, it is necessary to provide theoretical and technical support from various aspects, enhance the ability of climate adaptation, and support the realization of the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.     

Origin of sandplains in Western Australia: A review of the debate and some recent findings

Views on the origin of sandplains in Western Australia remain controversial with debate focusing around three different models of formation. These are in situ, aeolian and in situ formation with local remobilisation by wind or colluvial transport. The only recent work on the subject to date espouses a dominantly aeolian origin. New work from a detailed study on the Victoria Plateau is described and demonstrates the applicability of utilising a range of evidence in understanding the origin of sandplains in Western Australia. Field investigations show a strong association of sandplain with sandstone and an absence of sand on non‐arenaceous geology in similar and adjacent topographic settings. Grainsize, mineral magnetic analysis and heavy‐mineral spectra show the Victoria Plateau to be a heterogeneous body of sand. These findings coupled with a lack of internal sedimentary structures are not consistent with an aeolian origin for the sandplain. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy, grainsize and heavy minerals also demonstrate a clear link between bedrock and overlying sandplain. These data support the hypothesis that Western Australian sandplains are mostly the product of in situ weathering. Such findings question whether the origin of sandplains can be satisfactorily deduced without such a range of data.     

Trace‐element signatures of apatites in granitoids from the Mt Isa Inlier,northwestern Queensland

The concentrations of trace elements in apatite from granitoid rocks of the Mt Isa Inlier have been investigated using the laser‐ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) microprobe. The results indicate that the distribution of trace elements (especially rare‐earth elements (REE), Sr, Y, Mn and Th) in apatite strongly reflects the chemical characteristics of the parental rock. The variations in the trace‐element concentrations of apatite are correlated with parameters such as the SiO₂ content, oxidation state of iron, total alkalis and the aluminium saturation index (ASI). The relative enrichment of Y, HREE and Mn and the relative depletion of Sr in the apatites studied reflect the degree of fractionation of the host granite. Apatites from strongly oxidised plutons tend to have higher concentrations of LREE relative to MREE. Manganese concentrations are higher in apatite from reduced granitoids because Mn²⁺substitutes directly for Ca²⁺. The La/Ce ratio of apatite is well‐correlated with the whole‐rock K²O and Na²O contents, as well as with the oxidation state and ASI. Because apatite trace‐element composition reflects the chemistry of the whole rock, it can be a useful indicator mineral for the recognition of mineralised granite suites, where particular mineralisation styles are associated with granitoids that have specific geochemical fingerprints.     

Nitrous oxide production and denitrification rates in estuarine intertidal saltmarsh and managed realignment zones

Increasing concerns over habitat loss and rising costs of sea defence maintenance due to rising sea levels, has seen increases in the practice of managed realignment and reflooding of former reclaimed areas of intertidal saltmarsh and mudflat around the world. These practices are taking place with little knowledge of their impact on soil biogeochemical processes. Rates of denitrification (using the acetylene inhibition technique) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) production were measured from a long-established saltmarsh (SM) and an adjacent, recently re-flooded managed realignment (MR) site comprising former arable land in the estuary of the River Torridge, Devon, UK. Incubations were carried out in closed chambers in which patterns of tidal flooding were simulated automatically. Measurements were made during periods of flood and non-flood over a total of four tidal inundations with estuarine water. During the latter two flooding episodes floodwater was amended with nitrate (NO₃⁻). Nitrous oxide production in the SM soil generally was lower than in the MR soil, with mean values and standard errors over the whole incubation of 0.27 ± 0.16 mg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹ and 0.65 ± 0.15 mg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹ respectively. Denitrification rates demonstrated a similar trend although generally were an order of magnitude higher than N₂O production, with mean rates and standard errors of 2.88 ± 1.12 mg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹ in the SM soil and 3.39 ± 1.16 mg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹ in the MR soil. The data suggest that both soils are net sinks for NO₃⁻ and net sources for N₂O. Both patterns of tidal inundation and floodwater chemistry affect the process rates in each soil differently. The impact of flooding with NO₃⁻ – amended water was greater on the SM soil than the MR soil, and it is likely that decomposing vegetation buried in the accreting sediments following reflooding at the MR site were supplying a source of N in the soil, and so process rates were less dependent upon external supplies. The act of managed realignment in intertidal zones could therefore result in an increase in mean production of N₂O in intertidal zones, at least in the short term.     

Silurian and Devonian systems

The Ediacara mineral field is situated 30 km W of Beltana on the western margins of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, and consists of silver‐lead and copper deposits in lower Cambrian carbonate rocks that contain anomalous base‐metal contents throughout the Adelaide Geosyncline. The lower Cambrian rocks, which consist of the basal Parachilna Formation and overlying Ajax Limestone, rest disconformably on the Precambrian, and at Ediacara occupy a shallow N‐S elongate syncline near the hinge zone of the Adelaide Geosyncline. The main primary ore minerals of the silver‐lead mineralization are galena and pyrite, with very minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite, and rare tetrahedrite and pearceite. The gangue consists mainly of silica (both chalcedony and quartz), with minor dolomite and rare barite. The mineralization is stratabound and occurs in conformable zones, the lowest of which commences about 30–50 m above the base of the Cambrian sequence. The host to the silver‐lead mineralization, the Ajax Limestone, can be subdivided into three units which represent a set of lithologies, structures and organic traces indicative of a shallow near‐shore carbonate environment. The silver‐lead mineralization is mainly present in sandy and laminated dolomites which were deposited in an environment ranging from sub‐tidal to bar and channel and tidal flat, respectively. Four types of mineralization have been recognized; disseminated sulphides of syngenetic and/or diagenetic origin and epigenetic concentrations along stylolites, in veins and as breccia fillings. Post‐depositional solution activity has affected a large proportion of the carbonate sequence. The effects of this activity range from stylolites through stylobreccias to solution collapse breccias. The epigenetic concentrations of mineralizations have apparently been formed by the remobilization of the disseminated sulphides during solution activity. The ore and gangue minerals of the epigenetic mineralization display both euhedral forms and distinct colloform banding, and framboidal textures have also been observed in both pyrite and galena. There is evidence of repeated episodic precipitation and no simple paragenetic sequence can be recognized. Fluid inclusions in silica and dolomite associated with the epigenetic mineralization have homogenization temperatures of 159 to 199°C and freezing temperatures that indicate the fluids to be saline brines containing NaCl with CaCl₂ and/or MgCl₂. Sulphur isotope analyses show a range of 8³⁴S values from ‐12.5 to +8.6 per mil, with no evidence of significant differences between the four types of mineralization. The data suggest deposition of the disseminated sulphides as a result of biological reduction of seawater sulphate in a system partially open with respect to sulphate supply. Subsequent remobilization of sulphides apparently involved little or no sulphur isotope fractionation. The Ediacara silver‐lead deposits have many features in common with Mississippi Valley‐type lead‐zinc deposits and appear to have similarities in terms of genesis, in that the epigenetic mineralization has been formed as a result of post‐depositional solution activity during diagenesis in a sedimentary basin. The scale of transport of the metals deposited as the epigenetic mineralization at Ediacara appears, however, to have been very much less than that of the metals in other Mississippi Valley‐type deposits.