Paleomagnetism of Palawan,Philippines

Paleomagnetic studies have been carried out on Palawan and on the island of Busuanga to the north. Results from the Cretaceous Espina Basalts of the Calatuigas Ophiolite in the South Palawan Block (SPB) pass a fold test, yield normal and reversed directions with a magnetic intensity and AF demagnetization characteristics consistent with a primary TRM. The mean direction is 293.9° and an inclination of 5.8°, with a k of 37.7 and an α₉₅ of 12.6°. This suggests that these ophiolites have moved northward and rotated counterclockwise by 66°±+13° with respect to the geocentric axial dipole (GAD) field. It also suggests that they were obducted from the south.Paleomagnetic directions from the Jurassic Busuanga Cherts and the Cretaceous Guinlo Formation from the island of Busuanga in the North Palawan Block (NPB) and from the Guinlo on the main island of Palawan are similar, fail regional fold tests, and have AF demagnetization characteristics consistent with secondary magnetization. Their inclinations are statistically indistinguishable at a 95% significance level, but variation in declination suggests differential local rotation about a vertical axis. The paleolatitude is comparable to that of regions of pervasive Cretaceous remagnetization in the South China borderland and may reflect similar remagnetization, consistent with the NPB’s proposed South China origin.     

High-Pressure and -Temperature Subophiolitic Kyanite--Garnet Amphibolites Generated during Initiation of Mid-Tertiary Subduction, Palawan, Philippines

Metamorphic rocks exposed near the base of a pre-middle Eoceneophiolite in central Palawan, Philippines, preserve a recordof the P-T-t conditions under which the ophiolite was detachedand emplaced onto the rifted southeast margin of China. Garnetamphibolites in contact with mantle harzburgite preserve peakmetamorphic temperatures of 700–760°C and minimumpressures of 9 kbar, consistent with the presence of kyanite.Garnet grains which preserve strong prograde zoning (Pyp₁₁ incores to Pyp₄₃ in rims) contain inclusion assemblages that constrainpressures above 5–6 kbar at 4O0–500°C. Thisrepresents an early prograde clockwise path consistent withunderthrusting. Two amphibolite samples yield hornblende ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar–³⁶Ar/Ar⁴⁰Arisochron ages of 34•0±0•6 Ma (2) (early Oligocene),which are indistinguishable from a 34•3±0•2Ma isochron age of muscovite from a kyanitechlorite-muscoviteschist that is interlayered with the amphibolites. The highpressures (equivalent to a depth of >30 km in oceanic lithosphere)and temperatures, and the age difference between ophiolite crystallizationand metamorphism of the sole, are incompatible with the rockshaving formed in a mature subduction zone or oceanic spreadingcenter. Instead, the timing, P-T conditions, and regional geologysuggest metamorphism in a nascent subduction zone. Rapid coolingand exhumation of the metamorphic rocks followed peak metamorphicconditions in the earliest Oligocene, perhaps by the rapid thickeningof the accretionary complex that is preserved beneath the ophiolite.The amphibolites formed during the inception of southward subductionwithin proto-South China Sea oceanic lithosphere south of theEurasian margin. This led to the formation of an arc-trenchsystem that accommodated extension along southeast China andthe opening of the South China Sea. KEY WORDS: ophiolite; thermobarometry; garnet amphibolite; subduction     

Preliminary soil micromorphology studies of landscape and occupation history at Tabon Cave,Palawan, Philippines

Preliminary soil micromorphology study of cultural sediments at Tabon Cave, Philippines, supports interpretations of sporadic occupation in the Paleolithic. The presence in some deposits of authigenic minerals potentially related to altered cultural materials, such as ash, needs further investigation. Later in the sequence there is a marked change in local depositional processes, with the onset of significant quartz sand deposition in layers dating from the Middle to Late Holocene. This could relate to beach development in the area. Future sedimentological study and dating would confirm this interpretation, which suggests that in appropriate settings, stratified cave sediments could be useful for the study of regional sea level rise. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Indenter-tectonics in the Philippines: Example from the Palawan Microcontinental Block - Philippine Mobile Belt Collision

Abstract. The aseismic Palawan microcontinental block is an oceanic bathymetric high that has collided with the seismically-ac-tive Philippine Mobile Belt since the Early Miocene. Consequently, tectonic microblocks immediately north (Luzon) and south (Western Visayas Block) of the collision front rotated in opposite senses. The rotation led the microblocks to onramp adjacent strike-slip faults, and converted these to subduction zones, namely, the current Manila and Negros Trenches. In addition, the collision also initiated the southward propagation of a major left-lateral strike slip fault, the Philippine Fault Zone, and the Philippine Trench, which bounds the Philippine archipelago along its eastern boundary. Based on onshore and offshore data, the Philippine Fault Zone and the East Luzon Trough - Philippine Trench appears to also propagate northward. Furthermore, the opposite direction of propagation is also noted for the Manila and Negros Trenches from the locus of the collision in the Central Philippines to their northern and southern extensions, respectively. The ages of initiation of the Manila Trench (Early Miocene), Philippine Fault Zone (Middle Miocene) and Philippine Trench (Pliocene) as encountered along a west to east transect in the Central Philippines are consistent with the collision and subsequent indentation of Palawan with the rest of the Philippine Mobile Belt.     

Variations of factors affecting rice productivity in Central Luzon,Philippines

Factors affecting rice productivity in Central Luzon, Philippines, among four classes of level, namely Class A — fully irrigated, Class B — partially irrigated, Class C — lowland rainfed, and Class D — upland rainfed, are examined in this study. An attempt is made to identify the ajor underlying dimensions of rice productivity and to ascertain the set of postulated factors that best determines variations associated with rice productivity. While principal-axes factor analysis is applied to isolate the underlying dimensions associated with rice productivity for 200 farms, stepwise multiple regression analysis is employed to determine which among the thirty-eight hypothesized variables have the strongest influence in accounting for variations associated with rice productivity in Central Luzon.The results showed that the economic and institutional factors accounted for most of the variations in rice productivity among the four classes of farms. Whereas the economic variables were concerned with the amount and manner in which economic inputs were used and with the amount of fixed asset in rice production, the institutional factors were focused mainly on membership in the government rice production program and the amount of loan available to farmer members.     

Assessment of mercury contamination and human exposure associated with coastal disposal of waste from a cinnabar mining operation, Palawan, Philippines

 An integrated geochemical and toxicological assessment of environmental mercury contamination and attendant human exposure in Honda Bay, Palawan was undertaken in 1995 following a nationally reported pollution scare centered on a coastal jetty, Sitio Honda Bay, constructed using approximately 1 million tons of tailings and beneficiation waste from a cinnabar mine. Mercury (Hg) data for marine and fluvial sediments, fish tissues and human hair indicate that the toxicological hazard is considerably lower than initially reported by state environment and health officials. Typical Hg concentrations in surficial Honda Bay sediments were found to lie within the global background range (<60 μg/kg). Downcore profiles provide no evidence of enhanced Hg fluxes coincident with the onset of mining and/or coastal tailings disposal. The mean and median Hg concentrations recorded in tissues of six species of Honda Bay fish are compliant with thresholds established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) for marketable stocks. Earlier reports of 'Minamata range' Hg concentrations in fish and shellfish from Honda Bay remain unsubstantiated. Geochemical analyses of samples of the Sitio Honda Bay substrate have confirmed the prevalence of solid-phase Hg concentrations to ca. 340 mg/kg. The speciation of Hg is, however, dominated by secondary oxides of low bioavailability. The mean Hg concentration in hair from Sitio Honda Bay residents (4.41 mg/kg) was found to be statistically analogous to that for a neighbouring coastal community unimpacted by the coastal disposal of mine waste. A negligible residential exposure factor is thus inferred for the former. Relatively high hair Hg burdens prevail throughout the coastal Honda Bay population, consistent with significant methyl Hg ingestion through daily fish consumption. The data presented provide no environmental or toxicological justification for immediate remedial action. Received: 14 May 1998/Accepted: 1 September 1998     

Podiform chromitite in the arc mantle: chromitite xenoliths from the Takashima alkali basalt,Southwest Japan arc

Chromitite xenoliths from the Takashima alkali basalt in the Southwest Japan arc are classified into two types: Type 1 chromitite in thin layers in dunite or wehrlite xenoliths; and Type 2 chromitite in discrete xenoliths which has an orbicular texture, previously documented only from podiform chromitites in ophiolites. Type 1 may be equivalent to layered chromitites in ophiolitic cumulates and Type 2 to podiform chromitites in the transition zone of ophiolites. This example of podiform chromitite from the Southwest Japan arc suggest that these podiform chromitites may exist in the upper mantle beneath an arc, where their formation is favored.     

湘中锡矿山超大型锑矿床的碳、氧同位素体系

本文系统地研究了锡矿山锑矿床的围岩、蚀变围岩和热液成因方解石的碳、氧同位素组成。研究表明，相对于区域地层，矿区灰岩明显亏损^18O；围岩蚀变过程中，围岩的δ^18O值趋于减小并有明显的空间变化趋势。不同期次方解石的碳、氧同位素特征明显不同：成矿早期显示出深特征；成矿晚期方解石的碳、氧同位素组成呈正相关，为水－岩反应和温度降低耦合作用所致；成矿期后方解石的碳、氧同位素组成呈明显的负相关，这种方解石的沉淀介质成成矿流体明显不同。水－岩反应的理论模拟显示，成矿流体不可能为未经深部循环的大气降水；成矿流体中的可溶性碳以H2CO3为主；早期成矿流体的δ^13C、δ^18O分别为－6‰、＋10‰，晚期成矿流体的δ^13C、δ^18O分别为0‰、4‰。     

Mineral Paragenesis, Fluid Inclusions and Sulfur Isotope Systematics of the Lepanto Far Southeast Porphyry Cu-Au Deposit, Mankayan, Philippines

Abstract: The Lepanto Far Southeast porphyry Cu‐Au deposit is located beneath and to the southeast of the Lepanto enargite‐luzonite Cu–Au deposit in Mankayan, Benguet Province, Philippines. The principal orebody consists of potassic alteration subjected to partial retrograde chlorite alteration that rims stock‐work of quartz‐anhydrite veinlets. Fluid inclusions found in stockwork quartz and anhydrite in the biotitized orebody center are dominated by polyphase inclusions that homogenize at temperatures of >500C. Sulfur isotopic thermometry applied to the sulfides‐anhydrite pairs suggests around 500C. The principal ore minerals associated with quartz‐anhydrite stockworks are chalcopyrite and pyrite with minor bornite and Bi–Te–bearing tennantite, with trace of native gold. Rounded pyrite grains appear fractured and corroded and are interpreted as remnants of primary intermediate solid solution + pyrite assemblage. A breccia pipe truncates the deposit. Mineralization in the breccia pipe is brought by quartz‐anhydrite veinlets and infilling in the interstices between clasts. Chalcopyrite‐Au mineralization associated with molybdenite is recognized in the deeper zone in the breccia pipe. Fluid inclusion microthermometry on polyphase inclusions in veinlet quartz as well as sulfur isotope thermometry applied for the pair of anhydrite and sulfides suggests >450C. Fluid inclusions in veinlet quartz and anhydrite in the fringe advanced argillic alteration are chiefly composed of coexisting liquid‐rich inclusions and gas‐rich inclusions, in addition to coexisting polyphase inclusions and gas‐rich inclusions. These inclusions exhibit a wide range of homogenization temperatures, suggesting heterogeneous entrapping in the two‐fluid unmixing region. Sulfur isotopes of aqueous sulfide and sulfate exhibit a general trend from the smallest fractionation pairs (about 11%) in the biotitized orebody center to the largest fractionation (about 25%) pairs in the fringe advanced argillic alteration, suggesting a simple evolution of hydrothermal system. The slopes of arbitrary regression lines in δ³⁴S versus ³⁴S[SO₄ = –H₂S] diagram suggest that the abundance ratio of aqueous sulfate to sulfide in the hydrothermal fluid has been broadly constant at about 1:3 through temperature decrease. The intersection of these two regression lines at the δ³⁴S axis indicates that the bulk δ³⁴S is about +6%. Thus, the Lepanto FSE deposit is a further example which confirms enrichment in ³⁴S in the hydrous intermediate to silicic magmas and associated magmatic hydrothermal deposits in the western Luzon arc.     

Seismotectonic Reactions to the Arc-continent Convergence in Central Philippines

Abstract. High seismic activity in the Philippines originates from tectonic convergence related to surface and subsurface seismotectonic features. Based on earthquake data, the archipelago can be divided into the seismically-active Philippine Mobile Belt and the aseismic North Palawan Block. The latter represents a rifted continental fragment of the Eurasian margin that juxtaposed with the rest of island arc units in central Philippines. Earthquake hypocenter plots on planar and in vertical profiles show that the seismic events are associated with known seismotectonic features. In addition, data suggest that the collision zone between the North Palawan Block and the Philippine Mobile Belt is characterized by a decreased amount of hypocenters at > 100 km depths. Although field evidence favors the presence of a subducted slab or slabs beneath western central Philippines, these are difficult to image using the present seismicity distribution dataset.     

Pseudosinkhole occurrences in Brasilia,Brazil

Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil, is located in the central region of the country. Climate in the area is semitropical with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm. The geological environment in the area consists of low-grade metamorphic rocks. Slates of varying colors, metasiltstone, and quartzite beds are present. Over the Precambrian rocks is a lateritic layer varying in thickness from centimeters up to 30 m. Latosol dominates the existing plateaus, while laterite crusts and immature soils are dominant in the transition zones between plateaus and river valleys. Erosional problems related to the lateritic terrains were known prior to the settlement of the city in 1961. During 1986, erosion became a serious threat when several pseudosinkholes occurred in the urban area. Occurrence of pseudosinkholes resulted in condemnation of an area of 300,000 m² and the demolition of several buildings. Preliminary studies indicated at the time that underground erosion and pseudosinkholes were generated by shortening of the percolation path of groundwater due to the progress, toward the residential area, of large gullies. This produced an increase in the hydraulic gradient, resulting in the removal of latosol particles. Occurrence of pseudosinkholes in other areas of the city has led the Institute of Geosciences to investigate the problem in more detail. Studies have been conducted looking for correlation between pseudosinkhole occurrence and geologic, geomorphic, geotechnical, and urban development features. Recent results show a much more complex process then previously thought. Field data suggests that termite activity and recharge of the water table by inadequate disposal of residential sewer systems are directly related to the problem.     

Origin of the UG2 chromitite layer, Bushveld Complex

Chromitite layers are common in large mafic layered intrusions.A widely accepted hypothesis holds that the chromitites formedas a consequence of injection and mixing of a chemically relativelyprimitive magma into a chamber occupied by more evolved magma.This forces supersaturation of the mixture in chromite, whichupon crystallization accumulates on the magma chamber floorto form a nearly monomineralic layer. To evaluate this and othergenetic hypotheses to explain the chromitite layers of the BushveldComplex, we have conducted a detailed study of the silicate-richlayers immediately above and below the UG2 chromitite and anotherchromitite layer lower in the stratigraphic section, at thetop of the Lower Critical Zone. The UG2 chromitite is well knownbecause it is enriched in the platinum-group elements and extendsfor nearly the entire 400 km strike length of the eastern andwestern limbs of the Bushveld Complex. Where we have studiedthe sequence in the central sector of the eastern Bushveld,the UG2 chromitite is embedded in a massive, 25 m thick plagioclasepyroxenite consisting of 60–70 vol. % granular (cumulus)orthopyroxene with interstitial plagioclase, clinopyroxene,and accessory phases. Throughout the entire pyroxenite layerorthopyroxene exhibits no stratigraphic variations in majoror minor elements (Mg-number = 79·3–81·1).However, the 6 m of pyroxenite below the chromitite (footwallpyroxenite) is petrographically distinct from the 17 m of hangingwall pyroxenite. Among the differences are (1) phlogopite, K-feldspar,and quartz are ubiquitous and locally abundant in the footwallpyroxenite but generally absent in the hanging wall pyroxenite,and (2) plagioclase in the footwall pyroxenite is distinctlymore sodic and potassic than that in the hanging wall pyroxenite(An_45–60 vs An_70–75). The Lower Critical Zone chromititeis also hosted by orthopyroxenite, but in this case the rocksabove and below the chromitite are texturally and compositionallyidentical. For the UG2, we interpret the interstitial assemblageof the footwall pyroxenite to represent either interstitialmelt that formed in situ by fractional crystallization or chemicallyevolved melt that infiltrated from below. In either case, themelt was trapped in the footwall pyroxenite because the overlyingUG2 chromitite was less permeable. If this interpretation iscorrect, the footwall and hanging wall pyroxenites were essentiallyidentical when they initially formed. However, all the modelsof chromitite formation that call on mixing of magmas of differentcompositions or on other processes that result in changes inthe chemical or physical conditions attendant on the magma predictthat the rocks immediately above and below the chromitite layersshould be different. This leads us to propose that the Bushveldchromitites formed by injection of new batches of magma witha composition similar to the resident magma but carrying a suspendedload of chromite crystals. The model is supported by the commonobservation of phenocrysts, including those of chromite, inlavas and hypabyssal rocks, and by chromite abundances in lavasand peridotite sills associated with the Bushveld Complex indicatingthat geologically reasonable amounts of magma can account foreven the massive, 70 cm thick UG2 chromitite. The model requiressome crystallization to have occurred in a deeper chamber, forwhich there is ample geochemical evidence. KEY WORDS: Bushveld complex; chromite; crystal-laden magma; crustal contamination; magma mixing; UG2 chromitite     

Hydrogeological environment and groundwater occurrences of the alluvial aquifers in parts of the Central Ganga Plain, Uttar Pradesh, India

A detailed hydrogeological investigation was carried out in parts of the Central Ganga Plain, India, with the objective of assessing the aquifer framework and its resource potential. The area was studied because of its dual hydrogeological situation, that is water logging and soil salinization in the canal command areas and depletion of aquifers in the western part of the basin. A comprehensive investigation of the aquifer system between the Ganga River and Kali River revealed its lateral and vertical dimensions and hydrogeological characteristics. Moreover, study of the groundwater occurrences, movements and behaviour, in terms of water level fluctuation with time and space, confirms the coexistence of over exploitation as well as water logging in the area.

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Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at

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Resumen Una investigación hidrogeológica detallada se llevó a cabo en partes de la Llanura de Ganga Central, India, con el objetivo de evaluar la estructura del acuífero y su potencial del recurso. El área fue estudiada por su doble situación hidrogeológica, es decir la saturación con agua y salinización de suelos en las áreas dominadas por el canal y vaciamiento de acuíferos en el la parte occidental de la cuenca. Una investigación completa del sistema acuífero entre el Río Ganga y el Río Kali, reveló sus dimensiones verticales y laterales y las características hidrogeológicas. Además, los estudios sobre la ocurrencia del agua subterránea, sus movimientos y comportamiento, en lo que se refiere al nivel de agua, y a su fluctuación en el tiempo y el espacio, confirma la co-existencia en el área de sobre- explotación así como de saturación con agua.

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Résumé L'objectif de cette étude hydrogéologique détaillée de portions de la Plaine Centrale du Gange est de déreminer la structure aquifère et la ressource potentielle. L'intérêt de la zone repose sur sa dualité du point de vue hydrogéologique, les zones influencées par le canal présentent une remontée de la nappe avec une salinisation des sols, la portion Ouest du bassin présente une baisse du niveau des aquifères. Par cette étude, le système aquifère compris entre la rivière du Gange et la rivière Kali révèle ses dimensions latérales et verticales ainsi que ses caractéristiques hydrogéologiques. De plus, l'étude des événements, des mouvements et du régime hydrogéologique affectant le niveau phréatique confirme la co-existence de surexploitation et de saturation des sols dans la région.

     

豆荚状铬铁矿多阶段形成过程的讨论

豆荚状铬铁矿是铬的主要来源,是中国的紧缺矿种,因此,寻找一批大型铬铁矿矿床已成为解决我国对铬铁矿长期依赖进口的途经.然而对于豆荚状铬铁矿的成因,一直以来都有较大分歧.豆荚状铬铁矿及其围岩地幔橄榄岩中大量异常地幔矿物的发现,引起了各国地质学家对豆荚状铬铁矿成因的新一轮思考.本文着重讨论近年来国内外学者对豆荚状铬铁矿研究的最新成果和进展,包括豆荚状铬铁矿的形态特征、产出规律、矿物化学、铂族元素(PGE)的分布模式,铬铁矿矿石中出现的超高压矿物,以及围岩地幔橄榄岩的演化过程等等.豆荚状铬铁矿中的铬来源于两种辉石的不一致熔融与副矿物铬尖晶石,其形成环境可能在下地幔或者是过渡带的位置.豆荚状中含铂族元素矿物呈包裹体状和裂隙状分布,铂族元素含量与铬铁矿形成过程中的S饱和程度有关,具有多期性的特征.进而初步地拟定了豆荚状铬铁矿形成过程存在四个阶段,分别为铬的来源阶段、铬尖晶石及超高压矿物的结晶阶段、铬铁矿的成矿阶段、铬铁矿的就位阶段,而每一阶段的特征还需进一步细化与翔实,并且需要对不同岩体不同产出的豆荚状铬铁矿矿床进行详细的对比研究.     

雅鲁藏布江缝合带蛇绿岩中铬铁矿的前景讨论

蛇绿岩地幔橄榄岩中产出的豆荚状铬铁矿是铬的主要来源,是中国极缺的重要战略资源。开展豆荚状铬铁矿成矿作用及围岩地幔橄榄岩的研究,是进一步寻找铬铁矿床和缓解中国铬铁矿资源的瓶颈状态的必要手段。本文以西藏雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带内几个主要的地幔橄榄岩体及其中的铬铁矿体为研究主体。在野外地质调查的基础上,系统总结了蛇绿岩的组成、矿物成分、岩石地球化学成分和Re-Os同位素等特征,探讨铬铁矿和地幔橄榄岩的形成过程,取得以下进展和认识:(1)雅鲁藏布江缝合带各段的岩石组合存在较大差异,构造背景的演化过程也不同,佐证了特提斯洋演化过程的不均一性;(2)在雅江西段存在高铝型和高铬型两类铬铁矿矿体,其余都为高铬型铬铁矿,铬尖晶石的矿物化学特征记录了不同构造背景的痕迹;(3)地幔橄榄岩的矿物学和地球化学表明地幔橄榄岩及铬铁矿具有深海地幔橄榄岩和岛弧地幔橄榄岩两者的特点,是岩石/熔体反应和部分熔融作用叠加的结果;(4)提出豆荚状铬铁矿为多阶段形成的认识,经历了早期俯冲到地幔过渡带,在地幔柱/地幔对流驱动下,运移到过渡带顶部冷凝固结,在侵位过程和俯冲带环境,含水熔体与方辉橄榄岩反应的过程;(5)在雅鲁藏布江缝合带中金刚石等超高压矿物的普遍存在,西段的几个大型岩体与罗布莎存在较多相似之处,均经历了相同的构造背景和豆荚状铬铁矿的成矿作用,存在较大的找矿空间。     

Palladium and gold mineralization in podiform chromitite at Kraubath, Austria

Summary ?We report, for the first time, the occurrence of five palladium-rich, one palladium bearing and two gold-silver minerals from podiform chromitites in the Eastern Alps. Minerals identified include braggite, keithconnite, stibiopalladinite, potarite, mertieite II, Pd-bearing Pt-Fe alloy, native gold and Ag-Au alloy. They occur in heavy mineral concentrates produced from two massive podiform chromitite samples (unaltered and highly altered) of the Kraubath ultramafic massif, Styria, Austria. Distribution patterns of platinum-group elements (PGE) in these chromitites show considerable differences in the behaviour of the less refractory PGE (PPGE-group: Rh, Pt, Pd) compared to the refractory PGE (IPGE-group: Os, Ir, Ru). PPGE are more enriched in chromitite showing pronounced alteration features. The unaltered chromitite displays a negatively sloped chondrite-normalised PGE pattern similar to typical ophiolitic-podiform chromitite. Except for the Pd- and Au-Ag minerals that are generally rare in ophiolites, about 20 other platinum-group minerals (PGM) have been discovered. They include PGE-sulphides (laurite, erlichmanite, kashinite, bowieite, cuproiridsite, cuprorhodsite, unnamed Ir-rich variety of ferrorhodsite, unnamed Ni-Fe-Cu-Rh- and Ni-Fe-Cu-Ir-Rh monosulphides), PGE alloys (Pt-Fe, Ir-Os, Os-Ir and Ru-Os-Ir), PGE-sulpharsenides (irarsite, hollingworthite, platarsite, ruarsite and a number of intermediate species), sperrylite and a Ru-rich oxide (?). Three PGM assemblages have been recognised and attributed to different processes ranging from magmatic to hydrothermal and weathering-related. Pd-rich minerals are characteristic of both chromitite types, although their chemistry and relative proportions vary considerably. Keithconnite, braggite and Pd-bearing ferroan platinum, together with a number of PGE-sulphides (mainly laurite-erlichmanite) and alloys, are typical only of the unaltered podiform chromitite (assemblage I). Euhedral mono- and polyphase PGM grains in the submicron to 100 μm range show features of primary magmatic assemblages. The diversity of PGM in these assemblages is unusual for ophiolitic environments. In assemblage II, laurite-erlichmanite is intergrown with and overgrown by PGE-sulpharsenides; other minerals of assemblage I are missing. Potarite, stibiopalladinite, mertieite II, native gold and Ag-Au alloys, as well as PGE-sulpharsenides, sperrylite and base metal arsenides and sulphides are characteristic for the highly altered chromitite (assemblage III). They occur either interstitial to chromite in association with metamorphic silicates, in chromite rims or along cracks, and are thus interpreted as having formed by remobilization of PGE by hydrothermal processes during polyphase regional metamorphism. Received August 3, 2000;/revised version accepted December 28, 2000     

西藏雅鲁藏布江缝合带东段泽当豆荚状铬铁矿特征

泽当蛇绿岩位于雅鲁藏布江缝合带东段,岩体由地幔橄榄岩、辉长辉绿岩、辉石岩、火山岩等组成。地幔橄榄岩主要为方辉橄榄岩、纯橄岩和二辉橄榄岩。在方辉橄榄岩中发现7处豆荚状铬铁矿,矿石类型主要有致密块状和浸染状。出露地表的长度0.5~3m,厚0.2~1m。矿体的延伸方向为北西向,与岩体展布的方向一致,铬铁矿的Cr~#=67.9~88.5,属于高铬型铬铁矿。泽当地幔橄榄岩岩相学特征以及矿物组合、矿物化学成份及岩相学特征,显示岩体至少存在两次的部分熔融过程,即为早期的MOR构造背景,以及后期SSZ环境的改造。铬铁矿的铂族元素(PGE)以富集Os、Rh、Pd,亏损Ir、Ru、Pt的负斜率分布模式,表明其形成过程中经受后期熔体/流体的改造。对比罗布莎岩体的矿物组合,矿物化学和地球化学等特征,显示泽当豆荚状铬铁矿矿体与典型高铬型具相似性,存在较大的找矿空间。