Origin and mechanical significance of honeycomb garnet in high-pressure metasedimentary rocks from the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps

High-pressure schists (2–2.5 GPa) from the Eclogite Zone in the Tauern Window contain honeycomb garnet in which fine webs of garnet surround strain-free quartz ± carbonate grains. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography shows that the garnet webs form a cellular structure that coats all surfaces of the inclusions. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows that the garnet cells are crystallographically continuous with more massive garnet regions, and that the quartz ± carbonate inclusions have random orientations; in contrast, matrix quartz exhibits a prominent crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows few dislocations in either the garnet or the inclusion quartz. Most honeycomb garnet is chemically homogeneous, but some displays asymmetric core–rim zoning. Taken together, these observations are most consistent with formation of the garnet sheets via precipitation from a wetting fluid along quartz–quartz grain boundaries, or possibly via wholesale precipitation of garnet + quartz ± carbonate from a fluid. In either case, a silicate-rich aqueous fluid must have been present. The likelihood that a fully wetting fluid existed at high pressure has important implications for rheology during subduction of metasedimentary rocks: strain may be accommodated by grain rotation and sliding in an aqueous silicate slurry, rather than via dislocation creep mechanisms at high pressures. The absence of a CPO in early quartz may thus point to involvement of a pervasive grain-boundary fluid rather than requiring low differential stresses during subduction.     

Source of coesite inclusions within inherited magmatic zircon from Sulu UHP rocks, eastern China, and their bearing for fluid–rock interaction and SHRIMP dating

The 5-km deep Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Main Hole penetrated a sequence of ultrahigh pressure (UHP)-metamorphic rocks consisting mainly of eclogite, gneiss and garnet-peridotite with minor schist and quartzite. Zircon separates taken from thin layers of schist and gneiss within eclogite were investigated. Cathodoluminescence images of zircon grains show that they have oscillatory zoned magmatic cores and unzoned to patchy zoned metamorphic rims. Zircon rims contain rare coesite and calcite inclusions whereas cores contain inclusions of both low- P minerals (e.g. feldspar, biotite and quartz) and coesite and other eclogite-facies minerals such as phengite and jadeite. The zircon cores give highly variable ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging from 760 to 431 Ma for schist and from 698 to 285 Ma for gneiss, and relatively high but variable Th/U ratios (0.16–1.91). We suggest that the coesite and other eclogite facies mineral inclusions in zircon cores were not magmatic but formed through metasomatic processes caused by fluids during UHP metamorphism, and that the fluids contain components of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, FeO, MgO, Na₂O and H₂O. Metasomatism of the Sulu UHP rocks during continental subduction to mantle depths has partly altered magmatic zircon cores and reset isotopic systems. This study provides key evidence that mineral inclusions within magmatic zircon domains are not unequivocal indicators of the formation conditions of the respective domain. This finding leads us to conclude that the routine procedure for dating of metamorphic events solely based on the occurrence of mineral inclusions in zoned zircon could be misleading and the data should be treated with caution.     

Fluid generation, vein formation and the degree of fluid–rock interaction during decompression of high-pressure terranes: the Schistes Lustrés, Alpine Corsica, France

Centimetre‐ to decimetre‐wide quartz+calcite veins in schistes lustrés from Alpine Corsica were formed during exhumation at 30–40 Ma following blueschist facies metamorphism. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of the veins overlap those of the host schistes lustrés, and the δ¹⁸O values of the veins are much higher than those of other rocks on Corsica. These data suggest that the vein‐forming fluids were derived from the schistes lustrés. Fluids were probably generated by reactions that broke down carpholite, lawsonite, chlorite and white mica at 300–350 °C during decompression between c. 1400 and 800 MPa. However, the δ¹⁸O values of the veins are locally several per mil higher than expected given those of their host rocks. The magnitude of oxygen isotope disequilibrium between the veins and the host rock is inversely proportional to the δ¹⁸O value of the host rock. Additionally, calcite in some schists is in isotopic equilibrium with calcite in adjacent veins, but not with the silicate fraction of the schists. Locally, the schists are calcite bearing only within 1–20 cm of the veins. The vein‐forming fluids may have been preferentially derived from calcite‐bearing, high‐δ¹⁸O rocks that are common within the schistes lustrés and that locally contain abundant (>15%) veins. If the fluids were unable to completely isotopically equilibrate with the rocks, due to relatively rapid flow at moderate temperatures or being confined to fractures, they could form veins with higher δ¹⁸O values than those of the surrounding rocks. Alteration of the host rocks was probably inhibited by isolation of the fluid in ‘quartz‐armoured’ veins. Overall, the veins represent a metre‐ to hectometre‐scale fluid‐flow system confined to within the schistes lustrés unit, with little input from external sources. This fluid‐flow system is one of several that operated in the western Alps during exhumation following high‐pressure metamorphism.     

Monazite as a monitor for melt‐rock interaction during cooling and exhumation

Granulite facies cordierite–garnet–biotite gneisses from the southeastern Reynolds Range, central Australia, contain both orthopyroxene‐bearing and orthopyroxene‐free quartzofeldspathic leucosomes. Mineral reaction microstructures at the interface of gneiss and leucosome observed in outcrop and petrographically, reflect melt‐rock interaction during crystallization. Accessory monazite, susceptible to fluid alteration, dissolution and recrystallization at high temperature, is tested for its applicability to constrain the chemical and P–T–time evolution of melt‐rock reactions during crystallization upon cooling. Bulk rock geochemistry and phase equilibria modelling constrain peak pressure and temperature conditions to 6.5–7.5 kbar and ~850°C, and U–Pb geochronology constrains the timing of monazite crystallization to 1.55 Ga, coeval with the Chewings Orogeny. Modelling predicts the presence of up to 15 vol.% melt at peak metamorphic conditions. Upon cooling below 800°C, melt extraction and in situ crystallization of melt decrease the melt volume to less than 7%, at which time it becomes entrapped and melt pockets induce replacement reactions in the adjacent host rock. Replacement reactions of garnet, orthopyroxene and K‐feldspar liberate Y, REE, Eu and U in addition to Mg, Fe, Al, Si and K. We demonstrate that distinguishing between monazite varieties solely on the basis of U–Pb ages cannot solve the chronological order of events in this study, nor does it tie monazite to the evolution of melt or stability of rock‐forming minerals. Rather, we argue that analyses of various internal monazite textures, their composition and overprinting relations allow us to identify the chronology of events following the metamorphic peak. We infer that retrograde reactions involving garnet, orthopyroxene and K‐feldspar can be attributed to melt‐rock interaction subsequent to partial melting, which is reflected in the development of compositionally distinct monazite textural domains. Internal monazite textures and their composition are consistent with dissolution and precipitation reactions induced by a high‐T melt. Monazite rims enriched in Y, HREE, Eu and U indicate an increased availability of these elements, consistent with the breakdown of orthopyroxene, garnet and K‐feldspar observed petrographically. Our study indicates that compositional and textural analysis of monazite in relation to major rock‐forming minerals can be used to infer the post‐peak chemical evolution of partial melts during high‐ to ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism.     

花岗岩型干热岩体与不同注入水体相互作用研究

增强型地热系统(EGS)开发过程中,需要注入循环水体完成提热,但水体注入后与干热岩体反应会产生矿物溶解(或沉淀),破坏人工储层,影响地热能开发。本文以河北马头营区花岗岩型干热岩为研究对象,与该地区地下水、海水、纯水反应,并结合Phreeqc水文地球化学模拟,分析水岩相互作用后干热岩体的矿物变化与注入水体的化学成分变化规律。研究结果表明,不同注入水体与干热岩进行水岩作用,会产生不同类型的矿物溶解与沉淀,海水最终沉淀量较地下水低,主要原因是海水与干热岩体反应生成了具有吸附能力的沸石;适当减少海水中Cl^-含量,将处理过的海水作为循环水体将具有强大的潜力和效益。     

Crystallization and very rapid exhumation of the youngest Alpine eclogites (Tauern Window,Eastern Alps) from Rb/Sr mineral assemblage analysis

Multimineral Rb/Sr internal isochrons from eclogite facies rocks of the Eclogite Zone (Tauern Window, Eastern Alps) consistently yield an Early Oligocene age of 31.5±0.7 Ma. This age has been obtained both for late-prograde, dehydration-related eclogitic veins, and for rocks variably deformed and recrystallized under eclogite facies conditions (2.0–2.5 GPa, 600°C). Initial Sr-isotopic equilibria among all phases indicate absence of significant post-eclogitic isotope redistribution processes, therefore the ages date eclogite facies assemblage crystallization. Equilibria also prove that no prolonged pre-eclogite facies history is recorded in the rocks. Instead, subduction, prograde mineral reactions, and eclogitization proceeded rapidly. Fast exhumation immediately after eclogitization, with minimum rates >36 mm/a is inferred from a 31.5±0.5 Ma internal mineral isochron age of a post-eclogitic greenschist facies vein assemblage. Such rates equal typical subduction rates. Late Eocene to Early Oligocene subduction of the European continental margin, with subsequent rapid exhumation of high-pressure nappe complexes has previously been recognized only in the Western Alps. The new data signify synchronous continental collision all along the Alpine belt. Our results demonstrate the unique potential of Rb/Sr assemblage system analysis for precise dating of both eclogite facies and post-eclogitic events, thus for precisely constraining exhumation rates of deep-seated rocks, and for straightforward linkage of petrologic evidence with isotopic ages.     

Prograde eclogite in the Gföhl Nappe, Czech Republic: new evidence on Variscan high-pressure metamorphism

A layer of relict, high-temperature, prograde eclogite has been discovered within felsic granulite of the Gföhl Nappe, which is the uppermost tectonic unit in the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif, the easternmost of the European Variscan massifs. Pressure-temperature conditions for eclogite (≥890  °C, 18.0  kbar) and felsic granulite ( c . 1000  °C, 16  kbar) place early metamorphism of the polymetamorphic Gföhl crustal rocks within the eclogite facies, and preservation of prograde compositional zoning in small garnet grains in high-temperature eclogite requires very rapid heating, as well as cooling. Mantle-derived garnet and spinel–garnet peridotites are associated with the high temperature-high pressure crustal rocks in the Gföhl Nappe, and this distinctive lithological suite appears to be unique among European Phanerozoic orogenic belts, implying that tectonic processes during the late stages in evolution of the Variscan belt were different from those in the Caledonian and Alpine belts. The unusually high temperatures and pressures in Gföhl crustal rocks, mineralogical evidence for rapid heating and cooling, juxtaposition of lithospheric and asthenospheric mantle with crustal rocks, and widespread production of late-stage granites indicate that culmination of the Variscan Orogeny may have been driven by lithospheric delamination and asthenospheric upwelling.     

Nb–Ta fractionation induced by fluid‐rock interaction in subduction‐zones: constraints from UHP eclogite‐ and vein‐hosted rutile from the Dabie orogen,Central‐Eastern China

Niobium and Ta concentrations in ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) eclogites and rutile from these eclogites and associated high pressure (HP) veins were used to study the behaviour of Nb–Ta during dehydration and fluid‐rock interaction. Samples were collected through a ～2 km profile at the Bixiling complex in the Dabie orogenic belt, Central‐Eastern China. All but one eclogite away from veins (EAVs) display nearly constant Nb/Ta ratios ranging from 16.1 to 19.2, with an average of 16.9 ± 0.8 (2 SE), similar to that of their gabbroic protolith from the Yangtze Block. Nb/Ta ratios of rutile from the EAVs range from 12.7 to 25.3 among different individual grains, with the average values close to those of the corresponding bulk rocks. These observations show that Nb and Ta were not significantly fractionated by prograde metamorphism up to eclogite facies when no significant fluid‐rock interaction occurs. In contrast, Nb/Ta ratios of rutile from eclogites close to veins (ECVs) are highly variable from 17.8 to 49.8, which are systematically higher (by up to 17) than those of rutile from the veins. These observations demonstrate that Nb and Ta were mobilized and fractionated during localized fluid flow and intensive fluid‐rock interaction. This is strongly supported by Nb/Ta zoning patterns in single rutile grains revealed by in situ LA‐ICP‐MS analysis. Ratios of Nb/Ta in the ECV‐hosted rutile decrease gradually from cores towards rims, whereas those in the EAV‐hosted rutile are nearly invariable. Furthermore, the vein rutile shows Nb/Ta zoning patterns that are complementary to those in rutile from their immediate hosts (ECVs), suggesting an internal origin for the vein‐forming fluids. The Nb/Ta ratios of such fluids evolved from low values at the early stage of subduction to higher values at later supercritical conditions with increased temperature and pressure. Quantitative modelling was conducted to constrain the compositional evolution of metamorphic fluids during dehydration and fluid‐rock interaction focusing on Nb–Ta distribution. The modelling results based on our proposed multistage fluid phase evolution path can essentially reproduce the natural observations reported in the present study.     

Timing of high-pressure metamorphism and exhumation of the eclogite type-locality (Kupplerbrunn–Prickler Halt, Saualpe, south-eastern Austria): constraints from correlations of the Sm–Nd, Lu–Hf, U–Pb and Rb–Sr isotopic systems

Sm–Nd, Lu–Hf, Rb–Sr and SIMS U–Pb data are presented for meta‐gabbroic eclogites from the eclogite type‐locality ( Haüy, 1822 ) Kupplerbrunn–Prickler Halt and other areas of the Saualpe (SE Austria) and Pohorje Mountains (Slovenia). Mg‐rich eclogites derived from early gabbroic cumulates are kyanite‐ and zoisite rich, whereas eclogites with lower Mg contents contain clinozoisite ± kyanite. Calculated P–T conditions at the final stages of high‐pressure metamorphism are 2.2 ± 0.2 GPa at 630–740 °C. Kyanite‐rich eclogites did not yield geologically meaningful Sm–Nd ages due to incomplete Nd isotope equilibration, whereas Sm–Nd multifraction garnet–omphacite regression for a low‐Mg eclogite from Kupplerbrunn yields an age of 91.1 ± 1.3 Ma. The Sm–Nd age of 94.1 ± 0.8 Ma obtained from the Fe‐rich core fraction of this garnet dates the initial stages of garnet growth. Zircon that also crystallized at eclogite facies conditions gives a weighted mean U–Pb SIMS age of 88.4 ± 8.1 Ma. Lu–Hf isotope analysis of a kyanite–eclogite from Kupplerbrunn yields 88.4 ± 4.7 Ma for the garnet–omphacite pair. Two low‐Mg eclogites from the Gertrusk locality of the Saualpe yield a multimineral Sm–Nd age of 90.6 ± 1.0 Ma. A low‐Mg eclogite from the Pohorje Mountains (70 km to the SE) gives a garnet–whole‐rock Lu–Hf age of 93.3 ± 2.8 Ma. These new age data and published Sm–Nd ages of metasedimentary host rocks constrain the final stages of the eo‐Alpine high‐pressure event in the Saualpe–Pohorje part of the south‐easternmost Austroalpine nappe system suggesting that garnet growth in the high‐pressure assemblages started at c. 95–94 Ma and ceased at c. 90–88 Ma, probably at the final pressure peak. Zircon and amphibole crystallization was still possible during incipient isothermal decompression. Rapid exhumation of the high‐pressure rocks was induced by collision of the northern Apulian plate with parts of the Austroalpine microplate, following Jurassic closure of the Permo‐Triassic Meliata back‐arc basin.     

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope evidence for fluid–rock interactions in the stages of pre- and post-UHP metamorphism in the Dabie Mountains

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope studies were carried out on high and ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks in the eastern Dabie Mountains, China. The δ¹⁸O values of eclogites cover a wide range of −4.2 to +8.8‰, but the δD values of micas from the eclogites fall within a narrow range of −87 to −71‰. Both equilibrium and disequilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations were observed between quartz and the other minerals, with reversed fractionations between omphacite and garnet in some eclogite samples. The δ¹⁸O values of −4 to −1‰ for some of the eclogites represent the oxygen isotope compositions of their protoliths which underwent meteoric water–rock interaction before the high to ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. Heterogeneous δ¹⁸O values for the eclogite protoliths implies not only the varying degrees of the water–rock interaction before the metamorphism at different localities, but also the channelized flow of fluids during progressive metamorphism due to rapid plate subduction. Retrograde metamorphism caused oxygen and hydrogen isotope disequilibria between some of the minerals, but the fluid for retrograde reactions was internally buffered in the stable isotope compositions and could be derived from structural hydroxyls dissolved in nominally anhydrous minerals.     

Using white mica 40Ar/39Ar data as a tracer for fluid flow and permeability under high‐P conditions: Tauern Window,Eastern Alps

New single‐grain‐fusion muscovite and paragonite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data from eclogite and blueschist units exposed in the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps yield a range of apparent ages from 90 to 23 Ma. These apparent ages are generally older than expected for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar cooling ages, given constraints from other geochronological systems such as Rb–Sr and U–Pb. Numerical Ar‐in‐muscovite diffusion models for Tauern Window nappe P–T paths in an open system suggest that ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages should lie between 29 and 24 Ma, and that they should constrain cooling and decompression following the post‐high pressure Barrovian overprint. The measured ranges of apparent ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates suggest that the assumption of open system behaviour is not valid for this region. The local and/or regional generation of fluid during exhumation promoted pervasive recrystallization of high pressure lithologies throughout the Tauern Window to greenschist and amphibolite facies assemblages. The old apparent ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica dates in all lithologies are therefore interpreted as being due to inefficient removal of grain boundary Ar by the grain boundary fluids during the Barrovian overprint, due to high Ar concentrations or limited connectivity or both. This caused spatially (mm‐scale) and temporally variable fluxes of Ar out of, and probably into, white mica in both metasedimentary and metabasic lithologies.     

Exposure dating and reinterpretation of coarse debris accumulations (‘rock glaciers’) in the Cairngorm Mountains,Scotland

Relict rock glaciers have considerable potential for contributing to palaeoclimatic reconstruction, but this potential is often undermined by lack of dating control and problems of interpretation. Here we reinvestigate and date four proposed ‘rock glaciers’ in the Cairngorm Mountains and show that the morphology of only one of these appears consistent with that of a true rock glacier produced by creep of underlying ice or ice‐rich sediment. All four features comprise rockslide or rock avalanche runout debris, and the possibility that all four represent unmodified runout accumulations cannot be discounted. Surface exposure dating of the four debris accumulations using cosmogenic ¹⁰Be produced uncertainty‐weighted mean ages of 15.4 ± 0.8 ka, 16.2 ± 1.0 ka, 12.1 ± 0.6 ka and 12.7 ± 0.8 ka. All four ages imply emplacement under cold stadial conditions, two prior to the Windermere Interstade of ca. 14.5–12.9 cal. ka BP and two during the Loch Lomond Stade of ca. 12.9–11.5 cal. ka BP. The above ages indicate that paraglacial rock‐slope failure on granite rockwalls occurred within a few millennia after deglaciation. The mean exposure ages obtained for runout debris at two sites – Strath Nethy (16.2 ± 1.0 ka) and Lairig Ghru (15.4 ± 0.8 ka) – are consistent with basal radiocarbon ages from Loch Etteridge, 22 km to the southwest (mean = 15.6 ± 0.3 cal. ka BP) and imply widespread deglaciation of the Cairngorms and adjacent valleys before 15 ka and possibly 16 ka. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

河北承德偏硅酸矿泉水成因模式:岩石风化与水岩作用证据

【研究目的】承德地处京津冀水源涵养功能区,矿泉水资源丰富,研究其赋存分布与形成机制对矿泉水可持续利用与水源涵养优化具有重要意义。【研究方法】采用岩石地球化学和水化学分析、化学风化指数、矿物表面微观形态分析,同位素示踪等方法系统梳理了研究区地下水偏硅酸空间分异的影响因素,从岩石风化与水化学耦合角度探讨了偏硅酸矿泉水的成藏机制。【研究结果】结果表明：研究区常温水体偏硅酸含量达30 mg/L以上样品占比达5.16%,地热水偏硅酸平均含量达61.76 mg/L。偏硅酸矿泉水成藏受岩石风化和地质构造控制,风化酸性介质影响,水化学形成作用制约。风化敏感程度愈高,易风化矿物含量愈高的含水介质赋存地下水偏硅酸含量愈高。研究区硅酸盐岩总体处于初等化学风化——长石类矿物和辉石等镁铁质矿物风化形成高岭石、蒙脱石和伊利石阶段。构造深部幔源CO₂、工矿活动和人类生产生活输入的外源硫酸和硝酸共同参与岩石风化脱硅过程,偏硅酸矿泉水、地热水温泉出露处多为构造复合部位或主干断裂与次级断裂的交汇部位。【结论】承德市偏硅酸矿泉水成因模式可概化为构造断裂深循环淋溶型、风化裂隙浅循环淋溶型和层间孔隙裂隙-补给富集埋藏型3类。植被覆盖较好的玄武岩、火山碎屑岩、陆源碎屑岩流域山前宽缓沟谷与导水断裂交汇带,侵入岩导水导热断裂带、侵入岩与围岩接触带,花岗岩、片麻岩和陆源碎屑岩与碳酸盐岩接触带为偏硅酸矿泉水开采潜力区。创新点：（1）从岩石风化与水岩作用水化学耦合角度探讨了偏硅酸矿泉水的成藏机制;（2）系统总结了承德市偏硅酸矿泉水空间分布的影响因素与成因模式。     

Uncoupled U/Pb and REE response in zircon during the transformation of eclogite to mafic and intermediate granulite (Blanský les,Bohemian Massif)

An eclogite–mafic granulite occurs as a rare boudin within a felsic kyanite–K‐feldspar granulite in a low‐strain zone. Its boundary is marked by significant metasomatism–diffusional gain of potassium at the centimetre‐scale, and probable infiltration of felsic melt on a larger scale. This converted the eclogite–mafic granulite into an intermediate‐composition, ternary‐feldspar‐bearing granulite. Based on inclusions in garnet, the peak P–T conditions of the original eclogite are 18 kbar at 850–950 °C, with later matrix re‐equilibration at 12 kbar and 950 °C. Four samples from the transition of the eclogite–mafic granulite through to the intermediate granulite were studied. In the eclogite, REE patterns in the garnet core show no Eu anomaly, compatible with crystallization in the absence of plagioclase and consistent with eclogite facies conditions. Towards the rim of garnet, LREE decrease, and a weak negative Eu anomaly appears, reflecting passage into HP granulite facies conditions with plagioclase present. The rims of garnet next to ternary feldspar in the intermediate granulite show the lowest LREE and deepest Eu anomalies. Zircon from the four samples was analysed by LASS (laser ablation–split‐stream inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry). It shows U–Pb ages from 404 ± 4.0 to 331 ± 3.3 Ma, with a peak at 340 ± 4.0 Ma corresponding to the likely exhumation of the rocks to 12 kbar. Older ages from zircon with steep HREE patterns indicate the minimum age of the protolith, and ages <360 ± 4.0 Ma are interpreted to correspond to the eclogite facies metamorphism. Only some zircon grains ≤350 ± 4.0 Ma have flat HREE patterns, suggesting that these are primarily modified protolith grains, rather than new zircon crystallized in the eclogite‐ or granulite facies. The metasomatic processes that converted the eclogite–mafic granulite to an intermediate granulite may have facilitated zircon modification as zircon in the intermediate granulite has flat HREE and ages of 340 ± 4.0 Ma. The difference between the oldest and youngest ages with flat REE patterns indicates a 16 ± 5.6 Ma period of zircon modification in the presence of garnet.     

Rare earth element transport and fractionation in small streams of a mixed basaltic–granitic catchment basin (Massif Central, France)

We present dissolved load (< 0.45 μm) rare earth element (REE) patterns of small streams from a catchment basin in the Massif Central in order to characterize the individual fractionation stages for the dissolved REE from the source to the catchment outlet. The upper part of the catchment is located on a basalt plateau, followed downstream by deep and narrow valleys with granitic and orthogneissic bedrock. Stream water has basalt-like REE patterns on the basaltic plateau close to the source, followed by a continuous depletion in light REE (La-Sm, LREE) downstream. Strontium and neodymium isotope ratios of stream water demonstrate that the dissolved REE are essentially of basaltic origin, even in the lower, granitic and gneissic part of the catchment. Mixing with gneiss or granite derived REE thus cannot explain the observed evolution of the REE patterns. There seems also to be no link with the calculated speciation of the dissolved REE. In contrast, a correlation between saturation indexes for hematite and La/Yb ratios suggests that REE fractionation is mainly controlled by precipitation of Fe-oxide particles that preferentially remove LREE from solution.     

粤北302铀矿床围岩蚀变的地球化学特征和成因研究

以粤北302铀矿床ZK23-2钻孔为研究对象,通过显微镜下薄片鉴定、岩石地球化学和流体包裹体分析等对该矿床的围岩蚀变进行研究。结果表明,302矿床蚀变种类繁多,蚀变类型主要有:碱性长石化、硅化、绢云母化、红化、绿泥石化、绿(褐)帘石化、碳酸盐化、高岭石化等。矿床表现出明显的垂直分带和水平分带特征。从上至下,将ZK23-2划分为4个蚀变带:红化、绢云母化带→硅化、红化、强绢云母化带(铀富集带)→绿泥石化、绢云母化带→弱蚀变或正常花岗岩带。岩石的主量元素、微量元素和稀土元素均规律变化,微量元素分布模式和稀土元素配分模式均与赋矿围岩长江岩体的趋势一致,说明蚀变作用对它们的影响小,致使蚀变岩石基本保持原岩的地球化学特征。各蚀变带包裹体的均一温度均低于220℃,属于中低温热液,惰性气体N2在各蚀变带包裹体中普遍存在,强蚀变带的包裹体气相成分中均含CO2,表明在铀矿的形成过程中,铀的溶解、迁移以及富集成矿作用与CO2气体密切相关并发生在N2环境中。此外,成矿期脉石矿物包裹体的均一温度和压力为正相关的平滑曲线,表明围岩蚀变的分带特征主要是由成矿热液流体的混合作用引起的。     

Palaeoclimatic record in the loess–palaeosol sequence of the Strelitsa type section (Don glaciation area,Russia) deduced from rock magnetic and palynological data

Until now, palaeoclimatic reconstructions for the major stages in the development of the Quaternary loess–palaeosol sequence on the Russian Plain have been based on pedological, palynological and faunal (vertebrates and molluscs) analyses. In order to demonstrate the palaeoclimatic influence on the magnetic properties of this sequence, the magnetic susceptibility signature of the Strelitsa type section in the Upper Don basin is compared with a detailed landscape – climate reconstruction of loess and soil from palynological data. Large amplitude fluctuations of palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment are reflected clearly in the lithology and in the rock magnetic properties, which usually are enhanced in wet and warm interglacial periods, but stay at low levels during cold glacial epochs. Palynological climate zonation, however, is sometimes in conflict with the pedologic–magnetic record. Strong climate fluctuations, as indicated by changing pollen assemblages, are not always paralleled by corresponding changes in lithology and/or rock magnetic properties. Alternatively, light coloured illuvial horizons with low magnetic signal sometimes appear to have formed during early stages of interglacials, and the top parts of some palaeosols apparently formed during glacial stages. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acid mine drainage and acid rock drainage processes in the environment of Herrerías Mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Huelva-Spain) and impact on the Andevalo Dam

The present work describes the process of acid water discharge into the Andévalo Dam (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Huelva-Spain) starting from the interpretation of rainfall data and chemical analyses regarding pH, conductivity, metal and sulphate content in water, from a time series corresponding to the sampling of two confluent channels that discharge water into the referred dam. Statistical data treatment allows us to conclude the existence of acid mine drainage processes in the Chorrito Stream, which are translated into very low pH values and high sulphate and metal concentrations in the water coming from Herrerías Mine. On the other hand, the Higuereta Stream shows, for the same parameters, much lower values that can be interpreted as the channel response to acid rock drainage processes in its drainage basin induced by the rocky outcrops of the Iberian Pyrite Belt.