Heat-induced changes in speciation and extraction of uranium associated with sheet silicate minerals

Three samples of gouge from a U-mineralised fault, and two model samples, montmorillonite and muscovite, spiked with U, were heat-treated at a range of temperatures up to 1100 °C. Mineralogical changes were followed by thermal analysis, powder XRD and electron microscopy, and U extractability was measured by extraction with NH₄⁺. Changes in U speciation in the montmorillonite sample were followed using EXAFS spectroscopy. On heating, the minerals progressively dehydrate, dehydroxylate and eventually decompose to form new phases in a glassy matrix. In the case of montmorillonite (90% of U extractable from unheated material), U extractability increased slightly on heating to temperatures around 400 °C. Almost 50% of U was extracted from unheated muscovite, and this increased slightly by 450 °C. Above 500–600 °C, U extractability from both montmorillonite and muscovite declined to very low levels, reflecting dehydration of the uranyl ion and trapping in the new phases and glassy matrix. Uranium extractability from the natural samples was much lower in all cases (0.25–5% of the total before heating). In 2 samples, a significant increase in U extraction was associated with dehydroxylation at around 600 °C, followed by a decrease to very low levels at higher temperatures. Uranium extraction from the third natural sample, which contained X-ray amorphous U minerals, decreased steadily on heating. The results show that changes in U extraction can be related to structural and morphological changes in sheet silicate minerals. Heat treatment has potential to fix U but only if temperatures above 800 °C are reached. If only lower temperatures, in the range 400–600 °C, are used, then U extraction may increase.     

Compositional variations and reflectance of the common platinum-group minerals

Summary A detailed study of the compositional variations of 22 different platinum-group minerals, of Os-Ir-Ru- and Pt-Fe alloys, Pt-Pd- and Ru-Os-Ir sulfides, RhIr-Pt sulfarsenides and Pd-Pt tellurides from various deposits resulted in verification of extensive solid solution series and element substitution within different mineral groups. On the basis of representative new microprobe analyses and related spectral reflectance curves of the platinum-group minerals investigated significant correlations between chemical composition and reflectance are discussed.

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Chemische Variation und Reflexion der wichtigsten Minerale der Platingruppe

Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchung der chemischen Variation bei 22 Platinmineralen aus der Gruppe der Os-Ir-Ru- und Pt-Fe-Legierungen, Pt-Pd- und Ru-Os-Ir-Sulfide, Rh-Ir-Pt-Sulfarsenide und Pd-Pt-Telluride ergibt signifikante Mischkristallbildung und Element-Substitutionen innerhalb der unterschiedlichen Mineralgruppen. Anhand neuer Mikrosondenanalysen und der zugehörigen spektralen Reflexionskurven der betreffenden Platinminerale werden die Korrelationen zwischen Chemismus und Reflexion diskutiert.

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With 17 Figures

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Contribution to the Ore Mineralogy Symposium (IMA/COM) at the 14th General Meeting of the International Mineralogical Association, at Stanford, California, in July, 1986.     

Transformational changes of clay minerals, zeolites and silica minerals during diagenesis

Diagenetic transformation of clay minerals, zeolites and silica minerals in Cretaceous and Tertiary argillaceous rocks from deeply drilled wells in Japan were studied. Transformations of these minerals during diagenesis were as follows: in clay minerals, montmorillonite → montmorillonite-illite mixed-layer mineral → illite; in zeolites, volcanic glass → clinoptilolite → heulandite and/or analcite → laumontite and/or albite; in silica minerals, amorphous silica → low-cristobalite → low-quartz. Maximum overburden pressures and geothermal temperatures corresponding to these transformations in each well studied were calculated. For clay minerals, a pressure of approximately 900 kg cm^?2 and a temperature of about 100°C are necessary for the transformation from montmorillonite to mixed-layer mineral and 920 kg cm^?2 and 140°C for mixed-layer mineral to illite. Transformation from kaolinite to other minerals requires much higher pressures and temperatures than from montmorillonite to mixed-layer mineral. For zeolites, 330 kg cm^?2 and 60°C are required for the transformation from volcanic glass to clinoptilolite, 860 kg cm^?2 and 120°C for clinoptilolite to heulandite and/or analcite, and 930 kg cm^?2 and 140°C for heulandite and/or analcite to laumontite and/or albite. For silica minerals, 250 kg cm^?2 and 50°C are necessary for the transformation from amorphous silica to low-cristobalite and 660 kg cm^?2 and 70°C for low-cristobalite to low-quartz. Based on these diagenetic mineral transformations, seven mineral zones are recognized in argillaceous sediments. On the other hand, from the porosity studies of argillaceous sediments in Japan, the process of diagenesis is classified into the following three stages. The early compaction stage is marked by shallow burial and viscous rocks with more than 30% porosity. The late compaction stage is characterized by intermediate burial and plastic rocks with 30-10% porosities. The transformation stage is marked by deep burial and elastic rocks with less than 10% porosity.     

ASTER spectral analysis for alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization

This study presents classifications of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery based on spectral analysis of alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization in Abo Marawat area which is located in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Spectral analysis of continuum removed reference spectra of alteration minerals alunite, kaolinite, sericite, and calcite from USGS and JPL spectral libraries show shifts in position, shape, and strength most probably related to changes in sample purity and particle size of analyzed samples. Spectral Information Divergence (SID) classification method proved successful for mapping sericite, calcite, and clay minerals. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification identified only sericite and calcite alteration minerals. The identified alteration zones are coincidence with the field sampling and geological map of the study area. The microscopic examination of samples collected from the quartz veins and hydrothermally altered wall-rocks from near surface and subsurface at Abu Marawat gold mine shows sericitization, argillaceous, and carbonatization alteration zones. Gold occurs as very fine inclusions in pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite and also found filling the fractures between chalcopyrite grains. This study concludes that ASTER image classifications using reference spectra are a stable and reproducible technique for mapping gold related hydrothermal alteration zones in areas with no dominant vegetation cover.     

Compositional data analysis in the study of integrated geochemical anomalies associated with mineralization

Geochemical data are typical compositional data which should be opened prior to univariate and multivariate data analysis. In this study, a frequency-based method (robust principal component analysis, RPCA) and a frequency-space-based method (spectrum–area fractal model, S–A) are applied to explore the effects of the data closure problem and to study the integrated geochemical anomalies associated with polymetallic Cu mineralization using a stream sediment geochemical dataset collected from the Zhongteng district, Fujian Province (China). The results show that: (1) geochemical data should be opened prior to RPCA to avoid spurious correlation between variables; (2) geochemical pattern is a superimposition of multi-processes and should be decomposed; and (3) the S–A fractal model is a powerful tool for decomposing the mixed geochemical pattern.     

Solubility relationships of aluminum and iron minerals associated with acid mine drainage

The ability to properly manage the oxidation of pyritic minerals and associated acid mine drainage is dependent upon understanding the chemistry of the disposal environment. One accepted disposal method is placing pyritic-containing materials in the groundwater environment. The objective of this study was to examine solubility relationships of Al and Fe minerals associated with pyritic waste disposed in a low leaching aerobic saturated environment. Two eastern oil shales were used in this oxidizing equilibration study, a New Albany Shale (unweathered, 4.6 percent pyrite), and a Chattanooga Shale (weathered, 1.5 percent pyrite). Oil shale samples were equilibrated with distilled-deionized water from 1 to 180 d with a 1∶1 solid-to-solution ratio. The suspensions were filtered and the clear filtrates were analyzed for total cations and anions. Ion activities were calculated from total concentrations. Below pH 6.0, depending upon SO ₄ ²⁻ activity, Al³⁺ solubility was controlled by AlOHSO₄ (solid phase) for both shales. Initially, Al³⁺ solubility for the New Albany Shale showed equilibrium with amorphous Al(OH)₃. The pH decreased with time, and Al³⁺ solubility approached equilibrium with AlOHSO_4(s). Below pH 6.0, Fe³⁺ solubility appeared to be regulated by a basic iron sulfate solid phase with the stoichiometric composition of FeOHSO_4(s). The results of this study indicate that below pH 6.0, Al³⁺ solubilities, are limited by basic Al and Fe sulfate solid phases (AlOHSO_4(s) and FeHSO_4(s)). The results from this study further indicate that the acidity in oil shale waters is produced from the hydrolysis of Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ activities in solution. These results indicate a fundamental change in the stoichiometric equations used to predict acidity from iron sulfide oxidation. The results of this study also indicate that water quality predictions associated with acid mine drainage can be based on fundamental thermodynamic relationships. As a result, waste management decisions can be based on waste-specific/site-specific test methods.     

Seismicity changes associated with reservoir loading

Changes in seismic activity have been related to the filling of large reservoirs in over thirty cases. These changes range from variations in the level of micro-earthquake activity detectable only with instruments of high sensitivity to destructive earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 6. On the other hand, the filling of many other large reservoirs has not been accompanied by increased seismicity.

A number of factors may contribute to the generation or absence of post-impounding seismicity. Increased vertical stress due to the load of the reservoir and decreased effective stress due to increased pore pressure can modify the stress regime in the reservoir region. Whether or not these stress changes are sufficient to generate earthquake activity will depend on a complex interaction of the induced stress with the state of pre-existing stress near the reservoir, and on the geologic and hydrologic conditions at the site. The combined effect of increased vertical load and increased pore pressure will have the greatest tendency to increase activity in regions where the maximum compressive stress is vertical (normal faulting). In regions where the minimum compressive stress is vertical (thrust faulting) increased stress due to a vertical load should have a minimum effect. For all of the larger reservoir-induced earthquakes the stress system determined from fault plane solutions is in agreement with the pre-existing stress field in the region of the reservoir. These earthquakes are all of strike-slip or normal type, there being no reported cases of large induced earthquakes with thrusting mechanisms.

The potential for major changes in seismicity may be highest in regions of moderate strain accumulation (low to moderate natural seismicity). In areas of high strain accumulation and high levels of natural seismicity, the stress changes induced by the reservoir will be small compared to natural variations. In aseismic areas, with low strain accumulation, the reservoir-induced stresses may be insufficient to raise the stress level to a state of failure.     

Staurolite and associated minerals from rare-metal granite pegmatites

Staurolite has been found in rare-metal granite pegmatites for the first time. The mineral is formed as a metastable phase oversaturated with silica and transformed into the common staurolite with emulsion disseminations of quartz. Staurolite selectively concentrates d elements of the Fe group (from V to Zn) and LREE (La-Eu).     

巴西与碱性岩- 碳酸岩杂岩体相关的关键矿产成矿作用与规律

在巴西,与碱性岩- 碳酸岩杂岩体相关成矿作用复杂,产出了世界上唯一的霞石正长岩型斜锆石矿床、全球最大的铌矿床以及巴西最大的铀矿和镍矿集区,资源储量丰富,具有重要的经济价值和战略意义,同时也是关键矿产成矿作用研究的殿堂。本文在前人研究基础之上,整理分析了35处与碱性岩- 碳酸岩相关的关键矿产地质特征。根据成矿作用特征,划分了4个成矿系列:①霞石正长岩碱性杂岩相关的U- Zr- Mo- REE 和萤石成矿系列;②碱性岩- 碳酸岩杂岩(正长岩+辉石岩+霓霞岩+碳酸岩等)相关的Nb- P- Ti- REE和蛭石成矿系列;③阿拉斯加型超基性岩- 碱性杂岩体相关的Ni成矿系列;④交代正长岩相关的U- P成矿系列。根据关键矿产资源时空分布规律,划分了5个成矿带:(Ⅰ)Lancinha- Cubato碱性岩- 碳酸岩相关REE- P- U- Zr- Ni- Mo- 蛭石成矿带;(Ⅱ)Rio de Janeiro- Rondnia碱性岩- 碳酸岩- 金伯利岩相关的Nb- REE- Ti- Zr- P- 金刚石成矿带;(Ⅲ)Ceará- Mato Grossodo Sul 超基性岩- 碱性岩- 碳酸岩相关的Ni- U- P- 蛭石成矿带;(Ⅳ)亚马逊地区碳酸岩相关Nb- REE- Th- Ti- P成矿带;(Ⅴ)巴伊亚地区与变正长岩相关的U成矿带。本文还详细介绍了典型矿床成矿地质特征和成矿条件,为走出去寻找关键矿产资源基地提供了理论支撑。     

维拉斯托稀有金属-锡多金属矿床铌铁矿族矿物特征及其对岩浆-热液演化的指示

大兴安岭南段维拉斯托大型稀有金属-锡多金属矿床的成矿岩体从深部的中粒花岗岩向上逐渐过渡为斑状细粒碱长花岗岩,记录了岩浆演化的不同阶段。为查明铌铁矿族矿物成分、结构变化及其与岩浆演化过程的耦合关系,文章对采自不同深度的3种类型花岗岩（中粒花岗岩、石英斑晶不具雪球结构的斑状细粒富云母碱长花岗岩和具雪球结构的斑状细粒碱长花岗岩）中的铌铁矿族矿物进行了详细的电子探针成分分析和元素面扫工作。维拉斯托矿床铌铁矿族矿物主要为铌铁矿,发育渐变环带结构,从核部到边部Ta含量增加,且斑状细粒富云母碱长花岗岩和斑状细粒碱长花岗岩铌铁矿族矿物边部的铌铁矿、铌锰矿相较于幔部和核部的铌铁矿,其Ta含量具有明显的组分间隔;铌铁矿族矿物Mn/(Fe+Mn)原子比具有多种演化趋势,与分离结晶的矿物相和流体交代作用有关。中粒花岗岩和斑状细粒富云母碱长花岗岩中的铌铁矿结晶于岩浆阶段,斑状细粒碱长花岗岩中的铌铁矿族矿物结晶于岩浆-热液过渡阶段。其中,斑状细粒富云母碱长花岗岩铌铁矿边部Ta含量增加与铁锂云母的分离结晶作用有关,斑状细粒碱长花岗斑岩铌铁矿族矿物边部Ta含量的突变与岩浆-热液过渡阶段的水硅酸盐液体中Ta溶解度的增加...     

Bitumens associated with lead,zinc and flnorite ore minerals in North Derbyshire,England

A bitumen deposit in north Derbyshire, England, is described and studied using the techniques of gas chromatography, infra-red spectrophotometry and elemental analysis. The bitumens are associated with lead-zinc-fluorite ore minerals concentrated along an unconformable contact between the Carboniferous Limestone and the overlying shales. Three varieties of bitumen are distinguished and are compared with the dispersed bitumens in both the Carboniferous Limestone and the Edale Shales, with crude oils believed to be derived from these shales, and with inclusions in the hydrothermal mineral fiuorite, associated with the limestone-shale contact. One of the varieties recognized, a brittle brown solid, contains aliphatic hydrocarbons very similar to those of the shales and to those of the crude oils likely derived from these shales. The other two are a viscous oil and a brittle, black solid, which geologic evidence suggests were originally derived from the limestone. They contain a very complex mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons quite different from those in the limestone, however. Aliphatic hydrocarbons isolated from fluorite, which is hydrothermally formed, in nearby massive deposits are almost identical to those of the limestone and shale. This observation indicates that alteration of the aliphatic hydrocarbons in the sediment by hydrothermal fluids is an unlikely explanation for the origin of the complex mixtures of hydrocarbons in the viscous oil and brittle, black solid. On the basis of indirect evidence of high nitrogen content, presence of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and suitability of the environment for bacterial growth, it is suggested that selective bacterial alteration of the aliphatic hydrocarbons is the main process responsible for their present composition. A geologic history for the deposit is postulated that involves a two-phase introduction of bitumens. Each phase is suggested to have begun as a pulse of warm saline fluids migrating along the shale-limestone unconformity passed through the topographic high at Windy Knoll. Microbial oxidation of the bitumens may have taken place during the deposition process or, more likely, as a recent secondary oxidation process.     

单轴压缩条件下花岗岩中不同矿物的形状变化

岩石中不同矿物的形状变化反映了岩石的变形破坏过程。在分析花岗岩试样表面图像不同矿物纹理特征基础上,使用室内单轴压缩试验视频图像和灰度分界阈值分割法,研究了单帧图像中不同矿物的分布特征,使用形状参数描述了岩石变形过程中不同成分的形状特征,探讨了不同成分区域形状变化与裂隙扩展过程的关系。结果表明,花岗岩变形过程中圆形度的大小顺序为长石黑云母石英,内切圆半径的大小顺序为黑云母长石石英;离散指数的大小顺序为长石石英黑云母;长石承受了轴向力的主要部分,形状变化与所处位置关系较大;破坏过程中裂隙面积出现大小顺序为长石、石.英、黑云母,裂隙扩展较快时裂隙大多出现在长石和石英区域。     

Chlorophyll concentration and surface temperature changes associated with earthquakes

The preparation process of an impending earthquake may leave fingerprints on the earth??s surface. Elastic strain in rocks, formation of micro-cracks, gas releases and other chemical or physical activities in the earth??s crust before and during earthquakes has been reported to cause rises in temperature, surface latent heat flux (SLHF), upwelling index and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration on the ground or sea surface. Changes in surface temperature can be monitored with thermal infrared sensors such as NOAA-AVHRR and microwave radiometers like AMSR-E/Aqua. SLHF data and upwelling indices are provided by National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Reanalysis Project and Pacific Fisheries Environmental Laboratory, respectively. This study examines behaviors of the above four factors prior to the past three oceanic and coastal earthquakes occurred at the Pacific Ocean (Northern California of June 15, 2005, Central California of September 28, 2004, and December 22, 2003). We were successful in detecting pre-earthquake anomalies prior to all three earthquakes. Our detailed analysis revealed 1?C5?°C rises in surface temperature in epicentral areas. Considerable anomalies in Chl-a concentration, 1?C2?weeks before the day of the main earthquakes, were spotted, which are attributed to the rise in upwelling index. Time series of SLHF showed meaningful rises from 1?month to a fortnight before the earthquake events. One problem in our research was the low resolution of the data which makes the graphs that are generated from NCEP database affected by all sources of anomalies, other than seismic activities, within an about 1.8°?C2.5° (200?km) area.     

Matrix phyllosilicates and associated minerals in C2M carbonaceous chondrites

TEM, HRTEM, HVEM and SEM methods, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, have been used to study the microstructure and the phases comprising the matrix of carbonaceous chondrites Murchison, Cold Bokkeveld, Nawapali and Cochabamba. A wide variety of phyllosilicate morphologies occurs in each. Very small crystals and clasts of olivine, pyroxene and other unhydrated minerals are mixed intimately with the phyllosilicates. Intergrowths of carbonates and Sulfides within the phyllosilicates also occur, as well as a ubiquitous spongey material which is difficult to characterize, but contains elementary phyllosilicate units and embryo crystals. The identifiable large crystalline phyllosilicates are principally Fe-rich serpentine-group minerals and intermediate more Mg-rich chrysotilelike group members, with characteristic ~ 7.0–7.4 Å basal layer spacings. Complex interlayered and intergrown hydrous minerals also occur associated with the spongey material, and other poorly crystalline silicates and finely divided Fe-Ni sulphides. Fe/Si and Mg/Si ratios vary on a sub-micron scale, and the morphologies of the larger phyllosilicate crystals correlate broadly with these variations. Small crystals of sodium chloride and potassium chloride have been identified, occluded within a predominantly organic mass.The matrix minerals have a multistage history of formation in which the effects of aqueous alteration are dominant. Few, if any, of matrix minerals can be unmodified nebular condensates, although some clasts and inclusions have escaped alteration and predate the alteration process.     

天然气水合物沉积环境的自生矿物特点及其在南海的发育情况

天然气水合物沉积环境出现的岩石矿物主要为碳酸盐岩、黄铁矿、石膏等。自生碳酸盐岩的典型特点为极负的δ13CPDB值（最低可达-70．0‰）、正的δ18OPD。值（＋2．5‰-＋6．5‰），碳酸盐矿物主要为镁方解石、文石、白云石和菱铁矿。黄铁矿以霉球状、条状为主。石膏则主要为自形晶体，透明。此类自生岩石矿物与甲烷厌氧氧化过程或水合物的形成效应有关。南海沉积物中出现的自生碳酸盐岩、黄铁矿和石膏，其特点与水合物沉积环境中的十分类似，预示了南海可能存在有利于水合物成藏的地球化学过程。     

纳米探矿——用地气携带的纳米物质勘查隐伏矿

矿体周围广泛赋存着纳米物质,其可在地球排气的作用下从深部向地表迁移。在地表或地表附近可俘获这些纳米物质,这些纳米物质与矿体发出的直接信息密切相关。通过对其成分或聚集态等进行分析,可勘查隐伏矿。本文介绍了纳米探矿的应用现状和一些实例,探讨了该技术所存在的问题,并对今后的研究工作进行了展望。     

Chemical differences between minerals from mineralizing and barren intrusions associated with molybdenum mineralization at Climax,Colorado

Summary At Climax, comagmatic igneous intrusions can be subdivided into two groups, mineralizing stocks which are parent intrusions for Mo orebodies and barren stocks. Magmatic biotites in mineralizing stocks are similar to hydrothermal biotites in that they contain a greater proportion of Si-enriched and Ti-depleted compositional domains than do magmatic biotites in barren stocks. A similar trend of Si-enrichment correlated with Ti-depletion is also recorded in biotites from the Bingham porphyry copper deposit. Such trends are attributed to vapour exsolution associated with mineralization. Mo concentrations of magmatic biotites, as determined by ion-probe analysis, from mineralizing stocks (av. 40 gg/g) and barren stocks (av. 33 /g) at Climax are similar, being in the same order of magnitude as magmatic biotite Cu concentrations in mineralizing and barren (type A) intrusions in North American porphyry copper deposits (Hendry et al., 1985). These Cu and Mo values are more than a factor of 10 lower than Cu concentrations commonly recorded in magmatic mafic phases in barren (type B) South West Pacific and Australian granitic systems that are temporally distinct from mineralizing events, and are consistent with the magmatic-hydrothermal origin for the Climax deposits proposed by White et al. (1981).

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Chemische Charakteristika von Mineralen aus erzführenden und erzfreien Intrusionen im Bereich der Molybdänlagerstätte Climax, Colorado

Zusammenfassung Zwei Gruppen komagmatischer Intrusivkörper können im Bereich der Molybdän-Lagerstätte Climax, Colorado, unterschieden werden: Mineralisierende Intrusiva, die Stammagmen für Molybdän-Erzkörper darstellen, und erzfreie Intrusiva. Magmatische Biotite in mineralisierenden Intrusiva sind hydrothermalen Biotiten insofern ähnlich, als sie einen größeren Anteil von Si-angereicherten und Ti-verarmten Bereichen enthalten als magmatische Biotite in erzfreien Intrusiva. Ein ähnlicher Trend von Si-Anreicherung, die mit Ti-Verarmung korreliert werden kann, ist auch in Biotiten aus der Porphyry-copper-Lagerstätte Bingham bekannt geworden. Derartige Trends werden auf Entmischung von Dampfphasen in Zusammenhang mit der Mineralisation zurückgeführt.Molybdän-Konzentrationen von magmatischen Biotiten in Climax wurden mit der Ionensonde bestimmt und zeigen in mineralisierenden und erzfreien Intrusiva ähnliche Werte, i.e., 40 p/g bzw. 33 gg/g. Diese Werte liegen in derselben Größenordnung wie Kupferkonzentrationen in magmatischen Biotiten aus vererzten und erzfreien (Typ A) Intrusionen im nordamerikanischen Porphyry-copper-Lagerstätten (Hendry et al., 1985). Diese Kupfer- und Molybdänwerte sind um den Faktor 10 niedriger als Kupferkonzentrationen, die man gewöhnlich in magmatischen mafischen Phasen in erzfreien (Typ B) Granitsystemen im südwestlichen Pazifik und Australien nachgewiesen hat. Diese sind zeitlich einer anderen Entstehungsperiode zuzuordnen als die erzbildenden Vorgänge, und dies stimmt wiederum mit der magmatisch hydrothermalen Entstehung der Lagerstätten von Climax überein, wie sie vonWhite et al. (1981) vorgeschlagen worden ist.

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Light-rare earth element-rich minerals associated with platinum-group element mineralization in the Archean Boston Creek Flow,Ontario

Summary A variety of LREE-rich minerals are associated with late magmatic-stage platinum-group element (PGE) mineralization [(PGE + Au) = 300 ppb) in unsheared clinopyroxenite and gabbro proximal to sheared amphibolite in the Boston Creek Flow (BCF) Al-depleted komatiitic basalt, Archean Abitibi greenstone belt, Ontario. The LREE-rich minerals are LREE-rich apatite (La₂O₃ + Ce₂O₃ 1.5 wt%), LREE-rich epidote (Ce, La: 12 wt% REE), and bastnaesite [(Ce,La)(CO₃)(F,OH)]. The LREE-rich apatite forms rare zones in altered apatite grains and discrete, multifaceted micrometric-sized grains. LREE-rich epidote forms large (up to 100 ,m), compositionally zones grains in amphibolitized plagioclase. Bastnaesite forms areas marginal to and veinlets within the LREE-rich epidote and analyses are characterized by up to 0.4 wt% Cl. Compared to other unsheared rocks from the flow, the REE-rich mineral host rocks contain: intermediate REE contents (REE = 38 to 71 ppm), Ba contents (up to 240 ppm), and U/Th values (0.3 to 7.2); variable Cl contents (21 to 60 ppm); and slightly elevated ³⁴S values (up to 3.3). In contrast, the sheared amphibolite is characterized by low contents of REE (REE = 25 ppm), Cl (15 ppm), Ba (20 ppm), U (0.5 ppm), and Th (0.4 ppm), and a distinctive chondrite-normalized whole-rock REE pattern profile [(La/Sm)_n = <2 and (Tb/Yb)_n = < 1).The restricted occurrence, textures and chemical compositions of the LREE-rich minerals are interpreted as the result of mobilization and localized concentration of the LREE by hydrothermal fluids during greenschist facies contact metamorphism. LREE-rich epidote represents LREE redistribution accompanying the breakdown of plagioclase during abnormally intense amphibolitization and shear deformation within the flow at the peak of greenschist facies contact metamorphism. LREE-rich apatite and bastnaesite represent LREE mobilization and very localized reprecipitation during later stage, retrogressive amphibolitization. The low chlorine contents of the LREE-rich minerals and their host rocks suggest that complexing with Cl was only of minor importance in the concentration of LREE.The spatial association of the LREE-rich minerals with the PGE mineralization reflects concentration of shear deformation and amphibolitization at this stratigraphic level within the flow. The attendant hydrothermal fluid activity induced limited mobilization and reconcentration of PGE in veinlets and fractures within the mineralization. The low Cl suggests that complexing with Cl was not of importance in the PGE mobilization, nor in the late magmatic-stage mineralization process.

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Seltene Erd-Minerale in Assoziation mit Platinvererzung im Archaischen Boston Creek Flow, Ontario

Zusammenfassung Verschiedene LSEE-reiche Minerale kommen zusammen mit spätmagmatischer Platinvererzung (PGE + Au = 300 ppb) in Klinopyroxeniten und Gabbro, in engster Nachbarschaft mit zerschertem Amphibolit im Al-verarmten, komatiitischen Basalt des Boston Creek Flow (BCF), im archaischen Abitibi Grünstein-Gürtel, Ontario, vor. Die LSEE- reichen Minerale sind LSEE-reicher Apatit (La₂O₃ + Ce₂O₃ > 1.5 Gew.%), LSEE-reicher Epidot (Ce, La: 12 Gew.% SEE), und Bastnaesit ((Ce, La) (CO₃)(F, OH)). Der LSEE-reiche Apatit bildet Zonen in umgewandelten Apatitkörnern und auch individuelle, flächenreiche Körner, die einige Mikron groß sind. LSEE-reicher Epidot bildet große (bis zu 100 m) Körner mit zonierter Zusammensetzung in amphibolitisierten Plagioklasen. Bastnaesit bildet randliche Bereiche von, und Gängchen in LSEE-reichem Epidot. Analysen zeigen bis zu 0.4 Gew.%. Cl. Verglichen mit anderen unzerscherten Gesteinen aus dem BCF, enthalten die Wirtsgesteine der SEE-reichen Minerale: intermediäre SEE-Gehalte (SEE = 38 bis 71 ppm), Ba-Gehalte von bis zu 240 ppm und U/Th-Werte von 0.3 bis 7.2. Wechselnde Cl-Gehalte (21 bis 60 ppm) und etwas erhöhte ³⁴S-Werte (bis zu 3.3). Im Gegensatz dazu zeigt der zerscherte Amphibolit niedrige Gehalte von SEE (SSE = 25 ppm), Cl (15 ppm), Ba (20 ppm), U(0.5 ppm), und Th (0.4 ppm), sowie charakteristische Chondrit-normalisierte SEE-Verteilungsmuster ((La/Sm)_n = <2 und (Tb/Yb)_n = < 1).Das beschränkte Vorkommen, die Texturen und die chemische Zusammensetzung der LSEE-reichen Minerale werden als Ergebnis der Mobilisierung und örtlichen Konzentration von LSEE durch hydrothermale Fluide während einer Kontaktmetamorphose unter Bedingungen der Grünschiefer-Fazies interpretiert. LSEE-reicher Epidot ist das Ergebnis von LSEE Umverteilung im Zusammenhang mit dem Zerfall von Plagioklas während besonders intensiver Amphibolitisierung und Scherungsdeformation innerhalb des Basalt-Ergusses zum Höhepunkt der Kontaktmetamorphose. LSEE-reicher Apatit und Bastnaesit gehen auf LSEE-Mobilisierung und sehr lokale Wiederausfällung während retrograder Amphibolitisierung während eines späteren Entwicklungsstadiums zurück. Die niedrigen Chlorgehalte der LSEE-reichen Minerale und ihrer Wirtsgesteine weisen darauf hin, daß die Bildung von Chlorid-Komplexen bei der Konzentration von LSEE nur eine geringe Rolle gespielt hat.Die räumliche Verbindung von LSEE-reichen Mineralen mit der PGE-Vererzung dürfte auf die Verbindung von Scher-Deformationen und Amphibolitisierung in diesem stratigraphischen Niveau innerhalb des Basaltes zurückgehen. Die begleitende hydrothermale Fluid-Aktivität führt zu beschränkter Mobilisierung und Anreicherung von PGE in Gängen und Sprüngen innerhalb der Vererzung. Die niedrigen Chlorgehalte weisen darauf hin, daß Chlorid-Komplexe weder bei der PGE-Mobilisierung, noch bei der spätmagmatischen Vererzung von Bedeutung gewesen sind.

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