Eco-Environmental Geochemistry of Heavy Metal Pollution in Dexing Mining Area

An eco-environmental geochemical investigation was carried out in and around the Dexing mining area to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in the surface water, sediments, soils and plants. The main objective of this study is to assess the environmental situation and evaluate the transferring of heavy metals from mining activities into the food chain. Some samples of water, sediment, topsoil and plant were collected along the Lean River in the Dexing mining area. The total concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As were determined by AAS, and Hg was analyzed by cold-vapor AAS. Some indices such as ‘contamination degree‘ , ‘geoaccumulation index‘ , and ‘biological absorption coefficient‘ were used to assess eco-environmental quality. The investigation indicated a highly localized distribution pattern closely associated with the two pollution sources along the Le‘an River bank: one is strong acidity and a large amount of Cu in the drainage from the Dexing Cu mining area; and the other is the high concentrations of Pb and Zn in the effluents released from many smelters and mining, processing and extracting activities in the riparian zone. Results from the investigated localities indicated, at least in part, that some problems associated with environmental quality deterioration should be solved in the future.     

Heavy metal anomalies in the Tinto and Odiel River and estuary system,Spain

The Tinto and Odiel rivers drain 100 km from the Rio Tinto sulphide mining district, and join at a 20-km long estuary entering the Atlantic Ocean. A reconnaissance study of heavy metal anomalies in channel sand and overbank mud of the river and estuary by semi-quantitative emission dc-arc spectrographic analysis shows the following upstream to downstream ranges in ppm (μg g^?1): As 3,000 to <200, Cd 30 to <0.1, Cu 1,500 to 10, Pb 2,000 to <10, Sb 3000 to <150, and Zn 3,000 to <200. Organic-rich (1.3–2.6% total organic carbon, TOC), sandysilty overbank clay has been analyzed to represent suspended load materials. The high content of heavy metals in the overbank clay throughout the river and estuary systems indicates the importance of suspended sediment transport for dispersing heavy metals from natural erosion and anthropogenic mining activities of the sulfide deposit. The organic-poor (0.21–0.37% TOC) river bed sand has been analyzed to represent bedload transport of naturally-occurring sulfide minerals. The sand has high concentrations of metals upstream but these decrease an order of magnitude in the lower estuary. Although heavy metal contamination of estuary mouth beach sand has been diluted to background levels estuary mud exhibits increased contamination apparently related to finer grain size, higher organic carbon content, precipitation of river-borne dissolved solids, and input of anthropogenic heavy metals from industrial sources. The contaminated estuary mud disperses to the inner shelf mud belt and offshore suspended sediment, which exhibit metal anomalies from natural erosion and mining of upstream Rio Tinto sulphide lode sources (Pb, Cu, Zn) and industrial activities within the estuary (Fe, Cr, Ti). Because heavy metal contamination of Tinto-Odiel river sediment reaches or exceeds the highest levels encountered in other river sediments of Spain and Europe, a detailed analysis of metals in water and suspended sediment throughout the system, and epidemiological analysis of heavy metal effects in humans is appropriate.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of indium-bearing polymetallic veins in the Sarvlaxviken area,Lovisa, Finland

A number of polymetallic vein mineralizations of different styles and metal associations, including base, alloy, noble and critical metals, have been discovered around the Sarvlaxviken bay in the westernmost parts of the Mesoproterozoic Wiborg Batholith, south-eastern Finland. The veins occur in two rapakivi granite varieties: coarse-grained wiborgite; and medium-grained Marviken granite. The veins are divided into five groups based on the dominant metal associations.The Li–As–W–Zn–Mn, Pb–Zn and Cu–As–In associations are hosted by wiborgite, and are strongly controlled by a NNW-trending tectonic pattern that evolved in two main stages. The Li–As–W–Zn–Mn association (generation 1) formed in a typical greisen environment with Li-bearing mica in significant alteration halos around a narrow quartz vein. This greisenization was accompanied by silicification, followed by sericitization and chloritization. The Pb–Zn association occurs in a similar vein type but without typical high-temperature minerals and is considered to have formed at a higher crustal level. Generations 2a and 2b formed under more brittle conditions leading to fracturing, quartz veining and metal precipitation of ore minerals. This metal association is characterized by very high contents of Cu, As and up to 1490 ppm In but with ≤ 0.4% Zn, which leads to very high In/Zn ratios (up to 8400) enabling formation of abundant roquesite.The As–Sn–Cu and Mo–Bi–Be associations are hosted by alteration zones without hydrothermal quartz in the Marviken granite. Mineralization with moderately high contents of As, Sn and Cu is associated with greisenization while mineralization with spectacular contents of Be as well as high contents of Mo and Bi is associated with sericitization, chloritization and berylification.The internal age relations between the wiborgite-hosted, NNW-trending veins show a clear evolution from a typical greisen type environment (the Li–As–W–Zn–Mn and Pb–Zn associations of generation 1) to cooler and more brittle conditions governing quartz veining and precipitation of ore minerals belonging to the Cu–As–In association (generations 2a and 2b). The age relations between these wiborgite-hosted veins and the veins in the Marviken granite are more uncertain but the presence of a NS-trending granitic dyke on the eastern side of the Sarvlaxviken bay, with similar ore-fertile geochemical composition as the Marviken granite, indicates that the tectonically controlled veins formed simultaneously with the emplacement of the Marviken granite and associated hydrothermal activity.The polymetallic veins in the Sarvlaxviken bay are unique for the Fennoscandian Shield, not the least for the locally high indium grades and spectacular roquesite grains. There is an obvious exploration potential for similar veins (and hence a number of base, alloy, noble and critical metals) also elsewhere in the entire Wiborg Batholith.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and genesis of co-genetic granite-pegmatite-hosted rare metal and rare earth deposits of the Kawadgaon area,Bastar craton,Central India

Co-genetic pegmatites associated with the granite of the Kawadgaon area in the Bastar craton, Central India, contain a wide range of ore minerals of Nb, Ta, Be, Sn, Zr, Ti, and REE, including columbite-tantalite, ixiolite, pseudo-ixiolite, wodginite, tapiolite, microlite, fersmite, euxenite, aeschynite, beryl, cassiterite, monazite, xenotime, zircon, ilmenite, triplite, and magnetite. There is a distinct vertical zonation between the rare metal and tin pegmatites in apical parts of the host granite. Geochemically, these are LCT-S type, beryl-columbite-phosphate pegmatites that have notably high contents of SiO₂ (av. 73.80%), Rb (av. 381 ppm), and Nb (av. 132 ppm). The investigated granites probably were derived from the melting of older crustal rocks, as indicated by a high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratio, and the major-element geochemistry of the granites and pegmatites. Plots of mol. CaO/(MgO+FeO^t) vs. mol. Al₂O₃/(MgO+FeO^t) suggest that the source rock was pelitic metasediments. Based on the available data, it is postulated that the derivation of pegmatites from the parent granite occurred shortly after granite emplacement in the late Archaean-early Proterozoic (~2500 Ma). The K/Rb, Ba/Rb, and Rb/Sr ratios of the felsic bodies reveal that a substantial part of the granite formed from evolved melts, and further fractionation produced the co-genetic pegmatites and associated rare metal and rare earth deposits.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of platinum-group elements in the Aguablanca Ni-Cu deposit (SW Spain)

Summary The Aguablanca Ni-Cu-(PGE) magmatic sulphide deposit is associated with a magmatic breccia located in the northern part of the Aguablanca gabbro (SW, Iberia). Three types of ores are present: semi-massive, disseminated, and chalcopyrite-rich veined ore. The principal ore minerals are pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite. A relatively abundant platinum-group mineral (PGM) assemblage is present and includes merenskyite, melonite, michenerite, moncheite and sperrylite. Moreover, concentrations of base and precious metals and micro-PIXE analyses were obtained for the three ore-types. The mineralogy and the mantle-normalised chalcophile element profiles strongly suggest that semi-massive ore represents mss crystallisation, whereas the disseminated ore represents an unfractionated sulphide liquid and the chalcopyrite-rich veined ore a Cu-rich sulphide liquid. Palladium-bearing minerals occur commonly enclosed within sulphides, indicating a magmatic origin rather than hydrothermal. The occurrences and the composition of these minerals suggest that Pd was initially dissolved in the sulphides and subsequently exsolved at low temperatures to form bismutotellurides. Negative Pt and Au anomalies in the mantle-normalised chalcophile element profiles, a lack of Cu-S correlation and textural observations (such as sperrylite losing its euhedral shape when in contact with altered minerals) suggest partial remobilisation of Pt, Au and Cu by postmagmatic hydrothermal fluids after the sulphide crystallisation. Authors’ addresses: R. Pi?a, L. Ortega, R. Lunar, Departamento de Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Facultad de Geología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain; F. Gervilla, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Granada-CSIC, Avda. Fuentenueva, s/n, ES-18002 Granada, Spain     

Mineralogy and heavy metal content in sediments from Rio Gato,Carelmapu and Cucao,Southern Chile

In southern Chile, with a mild and rainy climate, high levels of heavy metals have been detected in many gold placer deposits. Many of the contaminants pose risks to human life, and consequently damage the trofic chain in this environment. The study zones selected correspond to the handicraft gold-bearing sands of Rio Gato (Los Muermos), Carelmapu and Cucao. These are all located in the X Region of “Los Lagos” in Chile. The type of methodology used in the characterization of the associated mineralization consists of testing each representative sample with a grain size distribution, statistical parameter analysis and a mineralogical analysis, using a binocular magnifying glass, a petrographic microscope, XRD and SEM/EDX. The chemical composition was defined by means of X ray fluorescence and micro-chemical analysis. The results of the study about sediments in southern Chile are presented. The major concentrations of heavy minerals are generally located in areas of dynamic river energy. In the samples, more than 70% of the heavy minerals were distributed among grain sizes corresponding to thin sand with good grain selection (meshes of 0.25–0.06 mm). The main mineral phases present in the analysed samples were gold, zircon, olivine, ilmenite, hornblende, hypersthene, hematite, garnet, chromite, chlorite, augite, amphibolitic-epidote, etc. The main heavy metals found as a result of the study were mercury, lead, cadmium, chrome, tellurium, indium, zinc, cobalt, copper, platinum, gold, etc., and as well some less common elements like cerium, praseodymium, gadolinium, neodymium, samarium and lanthanum. This research work is only a starting point for carrying out a risk probability mapping of heavy metals and the mineralogy of the Cucao, Carelmapu and Rio Gato gold-bearing sands.     

Environmental Geochemistry of Heavy Metal Contaminants in Soil and Stream Sediment in Panzhihua Mining and Smelting Area,Southwestern China

Mining and smelting activities are the main causes for the increasing pollution of heavy metals in soil, Water body and stream sediment. An environmental geochemical investiga-tion was carried out in and around the Panzhihua mining and smelting area to determine the ex-tent of chemical contamination in soil and sediment. The main objective of this study was to in-vestigate the environmental geochemistry of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn and As in soil andsediment and to assess the degree of pollution in the study area. The data of heavy metal con-centrations reveal that soils and sediments in the area have been slightly contaminated. Geo-chemical maps of Igeo of each heavy metal show that the contaminated sites are located in V-Ti-magnetite sloping and smelting, gangues dam. The pollution sources of the selected elementscome mainly from dusts resultant from mining activities and other three-waste-effluents. The areaneeds to be monitored regularly for trace metal, especially heavy metal enrichment.     

Mineralogy of metal contaminated estuarine sediments,Derwent estuary,Hobart, Australia: implications for metal mobility

The mobility, bioaccessibility and transfer pathways of metals and metalloids in estuarine sediments have been the focus of much detailed research. However, to date, few studies have examined the mineralogical siting of metals and metalloids in such sediments. This is despite the fact the mineralogy of sediments is an important factor that controls which and how much of a particular metal is released to pore waters and overlying water columns. This study reports on the mineralogical siting of metals in contaminated estuarine sediments, Hobart, Australia, and aims to evaluate the mobility of metals in the contaminated substrates. Mineralogical, mineral chemical and bulk chemical analyses demonstrate that the sediments contain very high levels of several metals and metalloids. The contaminated sediments have concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) ranging from 0.55 to 4.23 wt%, 0.16 to 0.70 wt%, 415 to 951 mg/kg and 23 to 300 mg/kg, respectively. Franklinite and lesser sphalerite are the main repositories of Zn, whereas much of the Pb and Cu is hosted by sulfides, organic matter and undetermined iron (Fe) oxides. While the release of contaminant loads from franklinite through dissolution is likely to be insignificant, even small releases of metals from the highly contaminated sediments can still cause the deterioration of local water quality. The contaminated sediments represent long-term sources of metal pollutants, particularly Zn, to local waters. This study demonstrates that mineralogical analyses are a vital tool to recognise the potential mobility of trace metals in estuarine environments.     

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Pliocene Iron—Rich Laterite in the Vatera Area,Lesvos Island,Greece and Its Genesis

A nickel laterite deposit occurs in the Vatera area of Lesvos Island,Greece ,and is transgressively developed on serpentinized basic rock (norite).The overlying sedimentary rocks include marls and marly limestones with sandstone intercalations and belong to the Pliocene sed-iments.The following alteritic zones are defined from the bottom to top layers:a)bedrock (norite);b)serpentinized zone;c)goethitic zone.The bedrock consists of the following pri-mary minerals:basic plagioclase,orthopyroxenes and clinopyroxenes.The serpentinized zone includes clinochrysotile,lizardite,antigorite clinoenstatite,calcite and dolomite while in the goethic zone there are goethite,quartz,pyrite,chromite,dolomite.Al2O3 ,Fe2O3,CaO,Na2O,K2O,Ba,Sr,Ni,C and S are enriched in the goethitic zone .Nickel enrichment is re-lated to the formation of nickeliferons minerals substituting for Mg or/and Fe in the goethite and pyrite.Enrichment of Ni in the matrix may be due to the presence of amorphous Ni-sili-cates(pimelite).There is a significant change(decrease)in the concentration of Ni from the top to bottom parts of the laterite formation,indicating that there was no tendency to migrate downwards(immature laterite).A second support of the immaturity of the Vatera laterite is the incomplete oxidation of ferrous iron to form ferric iron hydroxides.Under tropical/subtropical conditions,which dominated from the end of Miocene to the Pliocene the norite rocks of the Vatera area altered in response to reaction with acid solutions enriched in CO2.Due to hydrolysis and oxidation of pyroxenes,Mg^2 ,H4SiO4 and Ni^2 were removed in the continental acid solutions.     

Jarosite: A silver bearing mineral of the gossan of Rio Tinto (Huelva) and La Union (Cartagena,Spain)

The mineralogy of the gossans of Rio Tinto and La Unión is studied. Special emphasis has been paid to the occurrence of jarosite group minerals because they constitute silver bearing material of technical importance. After granulometric separation of the fractions, magnetic separation was used to concentrate the jarosite-group minerals. Plumbojarosite, natrojarosite and argentojarosite were identified by X-ray diffraction techniques. The spatial deposition of jarosite, goethite and hematites has been studied in different samples and the sequence interpreted on the basis of the known literature. The silver content, as determined by SEM, indicates abundant silver deposition in an early phase of gossanization. The recovery in the industrial plant has been analyzed comparing the mineralogy of the whole one and the residues of flotation. This study reveals that the industrial process used today leaves unaltered the proportion of the jarosite minerals entering and leaving the plant.

---

Resumen En este trabajo se estudia la mineralogía del gossan de Rio Tinto y La Unión. Se hace enfasis especial en los minerales del grupo de la jarosita, por ser los principales portadores de plata y de importancia técnica. Para concentrar los minerales de la jarosita se realizó una separación magnética previa. Plumbojarosita, natrojarosita y argentojarosita se identificaron mediante difracción de rayos X. Se ha estudiado la deposición espacial de jarosita, goethita y hematites y se ha interpratado sus secuencias en base a la bibliografía que se conoce. La distribución del contenido en plata, realizada mediante S. E. M. a puesto de manifiesto que la deposición de plata es más abundante en la primera fase de gossanización. La recuperación de la plata en la planta industrial ha sido analizada comparando la mineralogía del todo uno y del residuo del proceso de flotación. En general el proceso de flotación no concentra la plata quedando practicamente inalterada la proporción de minerales de la jarosita que entran y salen de la planta de tratamiento.

     

Geometry and genesis of feeder zones of massive sulphide deposits: constraints from the Rio Tinto ore deposit (Spain)

Vein-related data have been collected around the giant Rio Tinto orebody in southern Spain within the root zones of the massive sulphide deposits. Here, we report the main results of this study, concerning the geometry of the stockwork and the conditions of formation. Although field and thin-section studies have shown that a wide range of vein configurations exist, from micro cracks (fluid-inclusion planes) to large paleo-flow channels, two groups seem to dominate. The first corresponds to small, constricted micro cracks and capillary-flow channels, now mainly filled with quartz, whereas the veins of the second group have large widths, are continuous over several meters and are filled with quartz and sulphides. Most are tension veins and only very few (<0.1%) show evidence of shearing. The pyrite-dominated variety (i.e., pyrite?>?quartz) tends to post-date the quartz-dominated veins (quartz?>?pyrite). The vein-thickness and -spacing distribution is modal rather than logarithmic, and their densities are not fractal, but are characterized by a Poisson distribution. From the immediate sub-surface zone to more than 100?m below the base of the massive sulphide deposits, most hydrothermal quartz-sulphide stockwork veins are sub-parallel to the base of the massive sulphide deposit. The assumption that the base of this deposit corresponds to a paleo-horizontal plane, implies that most veins were sub-horizontal. This is particularly evident for small veins, but the larger ones can be strongly oblique to the base of the deposit. The hydrothermal fluids that generated the massive sulphide deposits and underlying stockworks, were very saline and probably underwent sub- or super-critical phase separation in the root zones of the system. This phase separation was the probable mechanism producing the periodic over-pressures of at least 20 MPa that were necessary to generate the sub-horizontal veins of the stockworks.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the leucitite at Cosgrove,Victoria

Comparison of bulk chemistry confirms the comagmatic nature of the New South Wales leucitite belt and the olivine leucitite at Cosgrove, Victoria. This relationship was previously implied by general mineralogical, petrographical, and age similarities, as well as the meridional trend of the occurrences. Differences of a minor nature occur between the N.S.W. and Victorian rock types, the latter being less potassic and magnesian (poorer in leucite and olivine) and more calcic (richer in clinopyroxene). Trace‐element compositions for the Cosgrove leucitite are within the ranges recorded for the N.S.W. belt.

Essentially one‐rock type—a melanocratic leucitite—characterizes the belt, with the essential minerals olivine, diopside/salite, leucite, titanomagnetite, ilmenite, nepheline, and Ti‐Ba biotite. However, a pegmatoid phase, relatively enriched in Ti, Fe, and P, is well developed at Cosgrove, with its mineralogy (salite‐titanian aegirine, sodic amphibole, K‐feldspar, nepheline, titanomagnetite, apatite, ilmenite, aenigma‐tite, sodalite, and analcite) demonstrating extreme peralkaline differentiation. Some evidence suggests that the analcite resulted from alteration of leucite. The role of volatiles such as F was significant in facilitating development of coarse textures as well as crystallization of the amphibole, apatite, and sodalite.

Magmas for the southeastern Australian leucitite belt were probably generated by equilibrium fusion of phlogopite peridotites, of slightly variable mineralogy. Deep‐seated crustal fractures controlled the relatively limited appearance of the magmas at the surface. There is no regular age variation along the belt, despite the age range of from 7 to 13 m.y.     

Isotope geochemistry of waters affected by mining activities in Sierra Minera and Portman Bay (SE,Spain)

The objective of this work was to evaluate processes affecting waters from Portman Bay by way of stable isotopic analysis, particularly H and O stable isotopes from water and S and O from dissolved sulfates. In addition, surface waters from Sierra Minera were examined for the purpose of determining if these waters are affected by similar processes. The results obtained indicate that Portman Bay waters are meteoric, and marine infiltration only takes place in the deepest layers near the shore or if water remains stagnated in sediments with low permeability. The main source of sulfate was the oxidation of sulfides, resulting in the liberation of acid, sulfate and metals. In order to assess the mechanism responsible for sulfide oxidation, the stoichiometric isotope balance model and the general isotope balance model were tested, suggesting that the oxidation via Fe³⁺ was predominant in the surface, and controlled by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, while at depth, sulfate reduction occurred.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry and uses of the mordenite–bentonite ash-tuff beds of Los Escullos, Almería, Spain

The mordenite ore deposit of Los Escullos has a surface area of 10⁶ m² with an average thickness of 5 m and estimated reserves of 7,500,000 tons of mordenite–bentonite. It is made up of horizontal layers of interbedded epiclastic tuffs with volcanic bentonitised materials which have been subjected to hydromagmatic activity. The layers are essentially composed of bentonite and mordenite with lesser amounts of quartz, cristobalite, biotite, plagioclase, chlorite, amphiboles, titanomagnetite, ilmenite and calcite. The harder layers display a higher proportion of plagioclase crystals and are enriched in Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, P₂O₅, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni and V, while the more altered layers contain larger contents of SiO₂, K₂O and Y. The amount of sodium increases (from 2% to 4%) relative to depth. Alteration processes resulted in a reduction in the contents of CaO, K₂O and MnO and increase in Na₂O and MgO. The beds of volcanic ash-tuffs have been devitrified by hydrothermal solutions giving rise to bentonites and sodium- and silica-rich residual fluids which have partly crystallized as mordenite and cristobalite. The raw material (mordenite–bentonite) can be improved removing biotite (magnetic separation) and plagioclase and quartz (by floating methods); however, the mordenite–bentonite mineral assemblage is practically impossible to separate due to the size of the crystals (average 0.5 μm under SEM–EDAX). In turn, this upgraded raw material has very useful properties (total area=520 m²/g and cation exchange capacity=70 meq/100 g) which may make it suitable for use in absorption processes (e.g. deodorization, cationic exchange), catalysis and molecular sieving.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry and geological significance of tourmaline-rich rocks from the Paleozoic Cinco Villas massif (western Pyrenees, Spain)

Tourmaline-rich rocks associated with clastic metasedimentary rocks of Carboniferous age occur in the Cinco Villas massif, western Pyrenees. Three types of tourmaline-rich rocks were distinguished: (1) Fine-grained stratiform tourmaline-rich rocks, which are associated with carbonaceous metapelites (TR1); (2) stratabound tourmaline-rich rocks, associated with metapelites in the contact aureole of the Aya granitoid pluton (TR2); (3) stratabound to massive tourmaline-rich rocks, associated with psammopelites in contact with granites and pegmatites (TR3). Tourmalines belong to the schorl–dravite solid solution series and have a wide compositional range, from nearly end-member dravite for TR1 tourmalines to schorl for TR3 tourmalines; TR2 tourmalines have intermediate compositions. The Fe/(Fe+Mg) typically varies between 0.02 and ≈0.55, increasing from TR1 to TR3. The TR1 tourmalines commonly display a discontinuous chemical zoning with Fe-rich green cores (8–8.5% FeO) and Mg-rich colorless rims (10–11% MgO). In contrast, crystals that exhibit fine growth lamellae appear to lack significant chemical zoning. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions also reveal major differences between TR1 and TR3 tourmalines, the former displaying heavier δ¹⁸O values (17.7–19‰) and δD values (−35 to −42‰) than TR3 tourmalines 11 to 13‰ and −47 to −76‰, respectively. The TR2 tourmalines show intermediate values of 11.3 to 14.6‰ for δ¹⁸O and −40 to −55‰ for δD. Linear and continuous chemical variations obtained for major and trace elements of the whole rocks reflect mixing between clay-rich and quartz-rich end-members, indicative that some tourmaline-rich rocks contain a significant detrital component. Chondrite normalized REE (rare earth element) patterns of tourmaline-rich rocks are similar to those of surrounding unaltered clastic metasediments, except for some TR1 rocks which are characterized by low contents of ΣREE. Mass-balance calculations show that tourmaline-forming processes plus metamorphism led to mass and volume changes at mesoscopic scales (≈10% for the TR1 tourmalinites). Silicon, Fe, Mn, and REE elements were partially lost from sedimentary rocks, whereas Mg and particularly B were added to pelitic sediments. Available data, nevertheless, do not allow an assessment of the boron source. Formation of the TR1 tourmaline-rich rocks probably was the net result of several processes, including direct precipitation from B-rich hydrothermal fluids or colloids, early diagenetic reactions of carbonaceous pelitic sediments with these fluids, and subsequent recrystallization during regional metamorphism. The TR2 tourmaline-rich rocks mainly developed by metamorphic recrystallization of TR1. Tourmaline-rich rocks and veins adjacent to pegmatites and granitic rocks (TR3) are the result of boron metasomatism; the primary boron having been recycled from stratiform tourmalinites during regional metamorphism and magmatism. Received: 18 November 1996 / Accepted: 25 April 1997     

The origin of fluoride-rich groundwater in Mizunami area, Japan — Mineralogy and geochemistry implications

The aim of this paper was to explore new factors that might be reasons for the occurrence of fluoride-rich groundwater in the area around a construction site. During the construction of two deep shafts of the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) in Mizunami city, central Japan, a large quantity of groundwater with high fluoride concentration was charged into the shafts. Chemical investigation carried out during the excavation revealed that fluoride concentrations in the area around the MIU site greatly exceeded those prescribed by Japanese standards. Therefore, the origin of fluoride ion was experimentally investigated. Samples were collected from the core of a deep borehole drilled in the study area. The weathering - and alteration levels of the collected granites varied greatly. Granitic powders were used to measure fluoride content in the granitic rock mass. The fluoride content ranged between 200 and 1300 mg/kg. The powders were reacted with purified water for 80 days. The results of water–rock interaction showed granitic rock to be one of the main sources of fluoride-rich groundwater in Mizunami area. Fluoride concentrations in these solutions that were shaken for 80 days varied between 2 and 7 mg/l. This change may have occurred as a result of the spatial distribution of fluoride ions in the granite mass as evidenced by mineralogical analysis of fluoride content in several specimens. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of the rock before- and after the water–rock interaction tests manifested that the presence of fluorite mineral was relatively small compared to other minerals. The degree of weathering and alteration might be an additional factor causing dissolution of fluoride-rich minerals. However, it was difficult to interpret the change in fluorite composition by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

New carbonatite complex in the western Baikal area,southern Siberian craton: Mineralogy,age, geochemistry,and petrogenesis

A dike–vein complex of potassic type of alkalinity recently discovered in the Baikal ledge, western Baikal area, southern Siberian craton, includes calcite and dolomite–ankerite carbonatites, silicate-bearing carbonatite, phlogopite metapicrite, and phoscorite. The most reliable ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating of the rocks on magnesioriebeckite from alkaline metasomatite at contact with carbonatite yields a statistically significant plateau age of 1017.4 ± 3.2 Ma. The carbonatite is characterized by elevated SiO₂ concentrations and is rich in K₂O (K₂O/Na₂O ratio is 21 on average for the calcite carbonatite and 2.5 for the dolomite–ankerite carbonatite), TiO₂, P₂O₅ (up to 9 wt %), REE (up to 3300 ppm), Nb (up to 400 ppm), Zr (up to 800 ppm), Fe, Cr, V, Ni, and Co at relatively low Sr concentrations. Both the metapicrite and the carbonatite are hundreds of times or even more enriched in Ta, Nb, K, and LREE relative to the mantle and are tens of times richer in Rb, Ba, Zr, Hf, and Ti. The high (Gd/Yb)_CN ratios of the metapicrite (4.5–11) and carbonatite (4.5–17) testify that their source contained residual garnet, and the high K₂O/Na₂O ratios of the metapicrite (9–15) and carbonatite suggest that the source also contained phlogopite. The Nd isotopic ratios of the carbonatite suggest that the mantle source of the carbonatite was mildly depleted and similar to an average OIB source. The carbonatites of various mineral composition are believed to be formed via the crystallization differentiation of ferrocarbonatite melt, which segregated from ultramafic alkaline melt.     

A new 3D geological model and interpretation of structural evolution of the world-class Rio Tinto VMS deposit,Iberian Pyrite Belt (Spain)

A new 3D geological model and interpretation of structural evolution of the Rio Tinto world-class VMS deposit are presented in this work. The Rio Tinto volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is located in the Spanish segment of the Iberian Pyrite Belt and is hosted by felsic porphyritic volcanic rocks and tuffs. Computer generated 3D modeling of the different orebodies and host rocks has been carried out using data from around 3000 drill-core logs, allowing us to build 93 cross-sections and 6 plants (both 50 m spacing). This has enabled us to recognize the geometry and relationships between the mineralization and the earliest Carboniferous transtensional tectonics through the development of an extensional pull-apart basin with two sub-basins separated by the NW-SE trending Eduardo Fault. The sub-basins, Cerro Colorado and San Dionisio, were limited by two E-W strike-slip faults, the Northern and Southern faults, and bounded in the east and west by the NW-SE-trending Nerva and Western faults, respectively. The generated pull-apart basin was first filled by a basaltic magmatism of mantle origin and later, following the deposition of the intermediate complex sedimentary unit, by rhyodacitic volcanic rocks of crustal origin. The evolution of the subsiding basins caused the development of an E-W oriented rollover anticline that affected these filling rocks.As a result of a counterclockwise rotation of the stress axes, the primitive pull-apart basin evolved into a basin affected by E-W transtensional sinistral shearing. Its northern and southern limits were favorable areas for increased hydrothermal fluid flow, which gave way to the huge concentration of VMS mineralization located near the limits. The Northern and, to a lesser degree, the Southern extensional faults thus become channel areas for feeding and discharging of the VMS and stockwork ores. The main mineralizing period was related to this stage. Subsequently, during the Variscan transpressional phase, the E-W extensional faults were reactivated as inverse faults, affecting the volcanic sequence of mafic to felsic composition and the intermediate complex sedimentary unit. Fault propagation folds developed above these faults, affecting the massive sulfides, the transition series and the Culm flysch sediments, with buttressing playing a significant role in the geometry of tectonically inverted structures. The VMS mineralization and cupriferous stockworks were folded and dismembered from the original conduits in the volcanic series, and a dextral reactivation of the NW-SE trending faults also developed.Finally, it should be emphasized that this new 3D geological model is an approach to provide a better insight into the 3D structure of the world-class VMS Rio Tinto deposit and could be a key-point for further studies providing a new tool to increase knowledge of the VMS mineralizations and exploration guidelines elsewhere in the IPB.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis of Kurile island-arc basalts

Whole-rock (major- and trace-element) and mineral chemical data are presented for basaltic rocks from the main evolutionary stages of the Kurile island arc, NW Pacific. An outer, inactive arc contains a Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary sequence of tholeiitic, calcalkaline and shoshonitic basalts. The main arc (Miocene-Quaternary) is dominated by weakly tholeiitic, with lesser, alkalic basalts. The mineralogy of Kuriles basalts is characterised by An-rich plagioclases, a continuous transition from chromites to titanomagnetites, pyroxenes with low Fe³⁺ contents and without strong Fe-enrichment, abundance of groundmass pigeonites and the absence of amphiboles. There is an increase in K₂O contents both along-arc (northwards) and towards the reararc side. The basalts show an exceptionally wide but continuous range of K₂O contents (0.1–4.7%) which correlate with other LIL element contents. Tholeiitic basalts with low LIL element contents, La/Yb and Th/U, but high K/ Rb, P₂O₅/La and Zr/Nb were derived from depleted, lherzolitic mantle which had suffered fluid metasomatism by K, Rb, Cs, Sr, Ba, Pb and H₂O only. Alkali basalts are also thought to be derived from depleted mantle but melt metasomatism involved addition of all LIL elements to a garnet lherzolite mantle. The Kuriles basalts and their mantle sources range continuously between these two end-member compositions. The metasomatic fluids/melts were probably released by early dehydration and later melting within subducted oceanic lithosphere though the process is not adequately constrained.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and geotectonic significance of the Neoproterozoic ophiolite of Wadi Arais area,south Eastern Desert,Egypt

ABSTRACT

The dismembered ophiolites in Wadi Arais area of the south Eastern Desert of Egypt are one of a series of Neoproterozoic ophiolites found within the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS). We present new major, trace, and rare earth element analyses and mineral composition data from samples of the Wadi Arais ophiolitic rocks with the goal of constraining their geotectonic setting. The suite includes serpentinized ultramafics (mantle section) and greenschist facies metagabbros (crustal section). The major and trace element characteristics of the metagabbro unit show a tholeiitic to calc-alkaline affinity. The serpentinized ultramafics display a bastite, or less commonly mesh, texture of serpentine minerals reflecting harzburgite and dunite protoliths, and unaltered relics of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and chrome spinel can be found. Bulk-rock chemistry confirms harzburgite as the main protolith. The high Mg# (91.93–93.15) and low Al₂O₃/SiO₂ ratios (0.01–0.02) of the serpentinized peridotite, together with the high Cr# (>0.6) of their Cr-spinels and the high NiO contents (0.39–0.49 wt.%) of their olivines, are consistent with residual mantle rocks that experienced high degrees of partial melt extraction. The high Cr# and low TiO₂ contents (0.02–0.34 wt.%) of the Cr-spinels are most consistent with modern highly refractory fore-arc peridtotites and suggest that these rocks probably developed in a supra-subduction zone environment.