Fluorine, a direct indicator of fluorite mineralization in local and regional soil geochemical surveys

Little information is available on the use of fluorine as a direct indicator of fluorite mineralization in geochemical exploration. Until the last five to ten years, analytical methods were generally lacking good precision and were cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive, thus restricting their use in geochemical exploration work. Recently developed, rapid, partial and total fluoride extraction methods with subsequent analysis using the selective-ion electrode have made practicable the use of fluorine as a direct indicator of fluorite mineralization. This paper outlines some results of fluorine studies on soils from the fluorine province of Derbyshire, England. Some partial extraction and total fluoride analytical methods are described. Their applicability to the location of vein fluorite mineralization, concealed below both residual soil and soil developed over transported overburden, is demonstrated. Where drainage is virtually absent and soils offer the only suitable regional sampling medium, as in Derbyshire, England, soil geochemistry is shown to be a reliable tool in reconnaissance exploration work for fluorite deposits.     

物化探综合信息找矿方法在萤石矿找矿中的应用

福建光泽地区是闽北地区重要的萤石矿成矿远景区,具有寻找隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿的潜力,但是目前该区隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿找矿成果较少。通过对福建光泽地区I号萤石矿预测区开展物化探综合信息找矿方法应用,探讨物化探综合信息找矿方法在隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿找矿中的应用效果。结果表明: 区域水系沉积物测量和大比例尺化探剖面测量圈出的F、Ca等综合异常信息可协助筛选、确定萤石矿找矿目标区; 将高精度磁法测量与视电阻率联合剖面测量相结合,可进一步判断萤石矿控矿构造的位置和规模; 高密度电阻率法测量可协助确定控矿构造的深部延伸情况。地表检查和深部钻探验证表明: 区域化探、高精度磁法测量、视电阻率联合剖面测量和高密度电阻率法测量等物化探综合信息找矿方法组合,可指导隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿的找矿工作。     

物化探综合信息找矿方法在萤石矿找矿中的应用

福建光泽地区是闽北地区重要的萤石矿成矿远景区,具有寻找隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿的潜力,但是目前该区隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿找矿成果较少。通过对福建光泽地区I号萤石矿预测区开展物化探综合信息找矿方法应用,探讨物化探综合信息找矿方法在隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿找矿中的应用效果。结果表明: 区域水系沉积物测量和大比例尺化探剖面测量圈出的F、Ca等综合异常信息可协助筛选、确定萤石矿找矿目标区; 将高精度磁法测量与视电阻率联合剖面测量相结合,可进一步判断萤石矿控矿构造的位置和规模; 高密度电阻率法测量可协助确定控矿构造的深部延伸情况。地表检查和深部钻探验证表明: 区域化探、高精度磁法测量、视电阻率联合剖面测量和高密度电阻率法测量等物化探综合信息找矿方法组合,可指导隐伏—半隐伏萤石矿的找矿工作。     

冀北步古沟一带萤石矿地物化找矿技术方法组合研究

地物化综合信息在热液充填型萤石矿找矿的应用探索具有重要意义。本文以冀北步古沟一带萤石找矿为例,通过综合物化探方法进行有效性试验,总结该地区萤石矿地物化找矿技术方法组合。在地质调查基础上,系统开展了1:5万水系沉积物地球化学测量、1:1万土壤剖面测量、高精度磁法测量、天然电场选频测量、电阻率联合剖面测量及高密度电阻率测量等找矿技术方法探索。结果表明,1:5万水系沉积物测量及1:1万土壤剖面测量等化探方法可辅助锁定找矿目标区;高精度磁法及天然电场选频测量,可初步判定断裂的位置;电阻率联合剖面及高密度电阻率法测量可进一步探测含矿断裂构造的位置、产状及延伸。通过以上试验研究,建立了冀北地区萤石矿地物化找矿技术方法组合,经工程验证在研究区内新发现萤石矿点1处,取得了较好的效果。实践表明,该套地物化找矿技术方法组合可进一步指导冀北地区的萤石矿找矿工作。     

Geochemical dispersion of gold related to copper-gold mineralization in northeastern Thailand

The nature of gold dispersion in soils and stream sediments associated with a copper-gold-mineralized system in northeastern Thailand has been investigated as a basis for identifying appropriate geochemical exploration techniques for the search for comparable deposits in similar environments.Soils were collected with varying relationships to mineralization as a basis for determining sample representativity, size distribution of gold, variation with soil horizon and possible pathfinder elements. Similarly, stream sediments were collected to estimate sample representativity, size distribution of gold, variation of gold with depth in the stream sediment profile and to compare the relative recoveries of gold in field-panned and laboratory-prepared heavy-mineral concentrates. Samples were analyzed for Au and potential indicator elements by a variety of methods but mostly by instrumental neutron activation analysis.Results indicate the consistent distribution of fine-grained gold in soils which allows Au analysis of relatively small samples from B-horizon soils to be used effectively and reliably to identify the surficial patterns of gold mineralization in the study area. Anomalous patterns of other indicator elements, Co, As, Cu, Sb, W, Pb, Zn, Ag, Fe and Mn, may contribute additional information regarding type of mineralization. This finding indicates the effectiveness of soil surveys in gold exploration, particularly in areas of deep weathering where fresh bedrock exposures are infrequent.Unlike soils, size distributions of gold in stream sediments, as a result of the local flow regime, vary both between sampling sites and at depths within a sampling site. Exploration requires Au analysis of the fine fraction (minus 63 μm) of active stream sediments to reduce the problem of sampling representativity. The presence of coarse-grained gold in the stream channel has drawn attention to the possible benefit of using the conventional field-panning method as a semiquantitative technique for providing immediate results. However, highly erratic distribution of pannable gold on a very local scale together with variable proportions of the total gold recovered in field-panned or heavy-mineral concentrates highlights a potentially serious drawback of the method. Combination of analysis of the minus 63 μm fraction and field panning appears warranted to cover the possible existence of gold of a wide size range in stream sediments.The overall results indicate the utility of geochemical exploration techniques in the search for gold mineralization. However, particular care is necessary in the design and implementation of geochemical techniques to ensure maximum reliability of exploration.     

Drainage sampling for uranium in the Torrington district, New South Wales, Australia

A brief orientation study has been conducted to evaluate the use of drainage geochemical sampling for U in the granitic and forested terrain of the Torrington district of northeastern New South Wales. Anomalous U levels are present in both stream sediments and waters draining a known W prospect containing accessory U. The U dispersion is affected by interrelated environmental factors such as catchment physiography and the organic content of the stream sediments. The influence of organic content on U level in stream sediments is most significant. Variation in sediment organic content is related to accumulation of vegetal organic debris and charcoal in stream channels by sheetwashing of sparsely covered forest floors particularly in catchments of high topographic relief. The U is apparently absorbed onto the organic material from ephemerally flowing stream waters. Temporal variations in U content of stream sediment are indicated which necessitate careful consideration in planning and interpreting the results of a survey in this environment.     

Removal of trace elements from landfill leachate by calcite precipitation

Spontaneous precipitation of secondary calcite (CaCO₃) has been observed in 25 samples of landfill leachate-polluted stream waters. During the 6-month precipitation experiment, the formation of calcite acts as a principal trace-element scavenging process. The concentrations of Fe, Sr, Ba and Mn and other trace elements in solution significantly decreased as calcite formed during the experiments. The PHREEQC-2 geochemical code indicated high supersaturation of the initial leachate-polluted waters with respect to calcite. The chemical/mineralogical study (SEM/EDS, XRD, ICP MS) revealed that this newly formed calcite contains considerable amounts of metals and metalloids removed from solution. Such a geochemical process can be considered to be important for spontaneous decontamination in landfill-affected environments (stream sediments, soils) or landfill technical facilities (settling basins). This removal takes place especially during dry periods with low rain precipitation, when the landfill waters exhibit both higher alkalinity and higher trace element concentrations.     

Surface geochemical methods used for oil and gas prospecting — a review

The majority of the world's oil and gas deposits have been discovered by drilling in the vicinity of natural petroleum seeps, and to date the most successful geochemical prospecting methods still rely upon the surface detection of hydrocarbons. Gas chromatographic techniques are now commonly used in the analysis of hydrocarbon gases for prospecting both onshore (analysis of soils and rocks) and offshore (analysis of near-bottom waters and sediments). Detection of helium fluxes has been partially successful as a geochemical prospecting technique. Many indirect techniques such as the determination of isotope and metal-leaching anomalies in surface rocks and the measurement of radon fluxes have not been widely used.Onshore geochemical prospecting appears to have more problems associated with it than offshore prospecting due to the more complex migration mechanism of near-surface waters containing dissolved gases. No onshore prospecting studies have been published which thoroughly consider this factor and the success of onshore prospecting remains equivocal. In offshore prospecting “sniffers” have been used to detect hydrocarbon anomalies in near-bottom waters, and coring equipment has been used for the detection of hydrocarbons in near-surface sediments. Success is claimed using these techniques.Geochemical prospecting methods are complementary to the widely used geophysical methods. Geochemical methods can provide direct evidence for the presence of petroleum accumulations and are relatively cheap and rapid. Failures in prospecting to date are attributable to the simplistic manner in which data have been interpreted; insufficient attention has been paid to the hydrological and geological factors which modify the upward migration of indicator species to the surface. As oil and gas deposits become more difficult to locate, greater attention should be paid to geochemical prospecting techniques, especially as a regional exploration tool.     

The partitioning of copper among selected phases of geologic media of two porphyry copper districts, Puerto Rico

In experiments designed to determine the manner in which copper is partitioned among selected phases that constitute geologic media, we have applied the five-step sequential extraction procedure of Chao and Theobald to the analysis of drill core, soils, and stream sediments of the Rio Vivi and Rio Tanama porphyry copper districts of Puerto Rico. The extraction procedure affords a convenient means of determining the trace-metal content of the following fractions: (1) Mn oxides and “reactive” Fe oxides; (2) “amorphous” Fe oxides; (3) “crystalline” Fe oxides; (4) sulfides and magnetite; and (5) silicates. An additional extraction between steps (1) and (2) was performed to determine organic-related copper in stream sediments.The experimental results indicate that apportionment of copper among phases constituting geologic media is a function of geochemical environment. Distinctive partitioning patterns were derived from the analysis of drill core from each of three geochemical zones: (a) the supergene zone of oxidation; (b) the supergene zone of enrichment; and (c) the hypogene zone; and similarly, from the analysis of; (d) soils on a weakly leached capping; (e) soils on a strongly leached capping; and (f) active stream sediment.The experimental results also show that geochemical contrasts (anomaly-to-background ratios) vary widely among the five fractions of each sampling medium investigated, and that at least one fraction of each medium provides substantially stronger contrast than does the bulk medium. Fraction (1) provides optimal contrast for stream sediments of the district; fraction (2) provides optimal contrast for soils on a weakly leached capping; fraction (3) provides optimal contrast for soils on a strongly leached capping.Selective extraction procedures appear to have important applications to the orientation and interpretive stages of geochemical exploration. Further investigation and testing of a similar nature are recommended.     

俄罗斯雅库特地区拿垦金伯利岩矿区地球化学特征

通过对俄罗斯雅库特地区拿垦金伯利岩矿区的水系沉积物、土壤、钻孔岩心进行不同规模的地球化学测量,根据区内圆形构造及金伯利岩指示元素Cr、Co、Sr、Zr、Y的分布特征圈出金伯利岩指示元素次生晕异常,证实了地球化学方法寻找深层隐伏金伯利岩管的可行性。     

浙江省龙泉县八都萤石矿床化探方法试验研究

为了发挥勘查地球化学在找矿中的优势,运用类似于研究脉状热液型金属矿床地球化学特征的方法,对浙江省龙泉县八都萤石矿床进行了地球化学找矿方法的试验研究,目的是:(1),了解该类型萤石矿床在成矿作用影响下,赋存于围岩、水系沉积物及水介质中的地球化学特征;(2),了解该类型矿床的原生、次生异常特征.以期在未知区对该类矿床的找矿评价工作时提供一些地球化学方面的依据.通过研究表明:形成萤石矿床原生晕元素有:第一组F、As、Sb、Ca、Ag、Mo、Y;第二组Na、Mg、Al、K、Ti、Ba、P、Nb、Pb等.其中第一组为正异常元素(简称正晕元素);第二组为负异常元素(简称负晕元素).所有以上元素的原生晕都呈现带状特征.正晕元素的轴向分带由上到下为:F-Ca-As-Sb-Y-Ag-Mo.水系沉积物及重砂测量结果表明:在已剥蚀的萤石矿床附近的水系中,可以形成萤石重砂异常及F元素异常.萤石可做为找矿的指示矿物;F可做为找矿的指示元素.矿区水文地球化学研究结果表明:在已知萤石矿田范围内,可出现F^-、Ca³⁺的水化学异常,该异常对于矿体富集部位及矿带的延伸方向有一定的指示意义.     

贵州省独山半坡锑矿地球化学特征及深部找矿预测

半坡锑矿床是典型的断裂控矿,热液充填型矿床.文章阐述了半坡锑矿区的水系沉积物、土壤及岩石地球化学特征,总结了半坡断层常微量元素及热释汞量的分布分配特点,研究了蚀变过程中元素的迁移、富集规律.从地物化条件探讨了深部找矿前景.     

Geochemical prospecting for porphyry copper-type mineralization — A review

During the past 25 years, geochemical prospecting techniques have been applied in the search for porphyry copper-type mineralization in many parts of the world. This review lists several important porphyry copper deposits which were discovered, or their potential indicated, by the application of geochemical exploration methods.In addition, a discussion is presented of selected case histories and research illustrating the effectiveness of the use of stream sediments, soils, water, rock, vegetation and other sample media for porphyry copper exploration in a wide variety of environments. Continuing studies with SO₂, the halogens, rhenium, mercury, precious metals, the composition of fluid inclusions and the major elements associated with alteration are expected to lead to the identification of additional new techniques which will be of value in future exploration. Gamma-ray spectrometry and infrared spectroradiometry show considerable promise for airborne or satellite survey. Other remote sensing and atmogeochemical techniques which may be applicable to the reconnaissance for porphyry copper-type mineralization are being studied or are in the development stage. Experience to date clearly indicates that geochemical methods have application at all stages in the exploration for and development of porphyry copper-type deposits. Anticipated future developments are expected to increase and improve this application.     

Investigating the spatial distribution of antimony geochemical anomalies located in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi region,China

The Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi region is well known for its abundant mineral resources, and low-temperature hydrothermal mineralization represented by the elemental association of gold, arsenic, antimony and mercury is widely developed there. Many studies on the geological-geochemical characteristics of gold have been conducted, but a comprehensive understanding of the antimony geochemical pattern is still lacking. This paper studied the Sb distribution characteristics and the cause of geochemical anomalies based on the geochemical data of stream sediments and rocks in the study area. In addition, the geochemical data of Au, As, Sb and Hg were centered and log-ratio transformed to eliminate the closure effect, and then random forest regression (RFR) with Au, As and Hg as the characteristic variables was used to investigate the ore-related geochemical anomalies of Sb. Seven geochemical provinces were delineated from the original geochemical data, and they are not entirely consistent with the known deposits. Sb moves from the rocks to the stream sediments during weathering. The variation trend in the Sb background values in stream sediments in each tectonic unit is consistent with that in the rocks themselves, implying that Sb in the stream sediments is inherited from the background rocks. The distributions of Sb predicted by RFR are similar to the distribution pattern of Sb in stream sediments. Of the three elements considered, the influence of As on the variations in the Sb geochemical background is the greatest, followed by Au and then Hg. The geochemical anomalies extracted by the residuals produced in this algorithm are consistent with where the known Sb metallogenic district is located, indicating that this method of recognizing geochemical anomalies is feasible and effective and has theoretical and practical significance.     

Hydrogeochemical genesis of groundwaters with abnormal fluoride concentrations from Zhongxiang City,Hubei Province,central China

The groundwaters from Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province of central China, have high fluoride concentration up to 3.67 mg/L, and cases of dental fluorosis have been found in this region. To delineate the nature and extent of high fluoride groundwaters and to assess the major geochemical factors controlling the fluoride enrichment in groundwater, 14 groundwater samples and 5 Quaternary sediment samples were collected and their chemistry were determined in this study. Some water samples from fissured hard rock aquifers and Quaternary aquifers have high fluoride concentrations, whereas all karst water samples contain fluoride less than 1.5 mg/L due to their high Ca/Na ratios. For the high fluoride groundwaters in the fissured hard rocks, high HCO₃ ⁻ concentration and alkaline condition favor dissolution of fluorite and anion exchange between OH⁻ in groundwater and exchangeable F⁻ in some fluoride-bearing minerals. For fluoride enrichment in groundwaters of Quaternary aquifers, high contents of fluoride in the aquifer sediments and evapotranspiration are important controls.     

Fluoride hydrogeochemistry and bioavailability in groundwater and soil of an endemic fluorosis belt,central Iran

Presence of fluoride in groundwater is a public health problem in the so-called endemic fluorosis belt of the central Iran, where the groundwater is the major source of drinking water in most urban and rural areas. Therefore, an attempt has been made to determine the hydrogeochemical factors controlling fluoride enrichment in the groundwater resources at this belt. Fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.20 to 1.99 mg/L (1.02 ± 0.47) in groundwater samples. The presence of different F-bearing minerals and also clay minerals in the soils and aquifer materials was confirmed using XRD analysis. To identify probable sources of dissolved F^? and investigate groundwater quality, multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. Geochemical modeling indicated that all samples were undersaturated with respect to fluorite, halite, gypsum and anhydrite and mostly oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite. Contrary to most high-fluoride regions in the World, the high F^? content was dominated by Na–Cl- and Ca–SO₄-type groundwater in the study area. Besides, fluoride showed negative relationship with pH and HCO₃ ^? in groundwater. In order to assess the bioavailability of fluoride in soils, a two-step chemical fractionation method was applied. The results showed that fluoride in soils mostly accompanied with the residual and water-soluble fractions and was poorly associated with soil’s bonding sites. Calculated aqueous migration coefficient demonstrated that fluoride in the studied soils was mobile to easily leachable to the groundwater. Finally, the results demonstrated that combination of water–rock interaction and influence of clay minerals is geochemical mechanism responsible for controlling fluoride enrichment in groundwater.     

中国多目标区域地球化学调查数据库建设及应用展望

近10年我国多目标区域地球化学调查取得的系列成果是我国基础地学数据库系列中重要的地球化学数据资源。以全国30个省(区、市)1∶25万多目标区域地球化学调查所获取数据,按照统一建库标准,首次汇总建成的全国多目标区域地球化学调查数据库,准确、全面地反映了我国生态环境信息,在地球化学编图、元素分布特征研究、地质环境研究、土地利用规划、农业结构调整、政府宏观决策等领域具有广阔的应用前景。系统地总结了全国多目标区域地球化学调查数据库结构与内容、建设方法、质量控制措施、全国多目标区域地球化学信息系统的主要功能及数据库成果的应用前景。     

Arsenic and antimony contamination of waters,stream sediments and soils in the vicinity of abandoned antimony mines in the Western Carpathians,Slovakia

Environmental contamination with As and Sb caused by past mining activities at Sb mines is a significant problem in Slovakia. This study is focused on the environmental effects of the 5 abandoned Sb mines on water, stream sediment and soil since the mines are situated in the close vicinity of residential areas. Samples of mine wastes, various types of waters, stream sediments, soils, and leachates of the mine wastes, stream sediments and selected soils were analyzed for As and Sb to evaluate their geochemical dispersion from the mines. Mine wastes collected at the mine sites contained up to 5166 mg/kg As and 9861 mg/kg Sb. Arsenic in mine wastes was associated mostly with Fe oxides, whereas Sb was present frequently in the form of individual Sb, Sb(Fe) and Fe(Sb) oxides. Waters of different types such as groundwater, surface waters and mine waters, all contained elevated concentrations of As and Sb, reaching up to 2150 μg/L As and 9300 μg/L Sb, and had circum-neutral pH values because of the buffering capacity of abundant Ca- and Mg-carbonates. The concentrations of Sb in several household wells are a cause for concern, exceeding the Sb drinking water limit of 5 μg/L by as much as 25 times. Some attenuation of the As and Sb concentrations in mine and impoundment waters was expected because of the deposition of metalloids onto hydrous ferric oxides built up below adit entrances and impoundment discharges. These HFOs contained >20 wt.% As and 1.5 wt.% Sb. Stream sediments and soils have also been contaminated by As and Sb with the peak concentrations generally found near open adits and mine wastes. In addition to the discharged waters from open adits, the significant source of As and Sb contamination are waste-rock dumps and tailings impoundments. Leachates from mine wastes contained as much as 8400 μg/L As and 4060 μg/L Sb, suggesting that the mine wastes would have a great potential to contaminate the downstream environment. Moreover, the results of water leaching tests showed that Sb was released from the solids more efficiently than As under oxidizing conditions. This might partly explain the predominance of Sb over As in most water samples.     

The geochemistry of arsenic and its use as an indicator element in geochemical prospecting

The geochemistry of arsenic is reviewed, and the use of the element as an indicator in geochemical prospecting for various types of mineral deposits is outlined.Arsenic is a widespread constituent of many types of mineral deposits, particularly those containing sulphides and sulpho-salts. In these and other deposits arsenic commonly accompanies Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, U, Sn, Pb, P, Sb, Bi, S, Se, Te, Mo, W, Fe, Ni, Co, and Pt metals. Under most conditions arsenic is a suitable indicator of deposits of these elements, being particularly useful in geochemical surveys utilizing primary halos in rocks, and secondary halos and trains in soils and glacial materials, stream and lake sediments, natural waters, and vegetation. Some of the natural arsenic compounds (e.g., arsine, dimethylarsine) are volatile, but methods utilizing gaseous arsenic halos for geochemical prospecting have not yet been developed.     

闽北邵武地区萤石矿综合信息找矿方法研究

福建邵武地区萤石矿属热液充填型, 萤石矿赋存于NE向、近SN向断裂破碎带中。目前萤石矿找矿工作逐渐向隐伏矿和深部矿转移, 本文通过该区张厝萤石矿预测区物化探综合信息方法找矿实例, 探讨隐伏-隐半伏萤石矿物化探综合预测方法组合。结果表明: 区域化探、高精度磁测、视电阻率联合剖面和可控源大地音频电磁测深等物化探技术方法组合对热液充填型萤石矿勘查评价具有较好的效果。