Degree of Brine Evaporation and Origin of the Mengyejing Potash Deposit: Evidence from Fluid Inclusions in Halite

The Mengyejing potash deposit is located in the southern port of the Simao Basin, Yunnan Province, and is hosted in mid-Cretaceous strata. The chemical compositions of fluid inclusions in halite crystals, collected from the level-610 adit in the deposit, were analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The results show that the brine is of the Na-K-Mg-Ca-Cl type and has K concentrations that are distinctly higher than those of Mg and Ca, unlike normal brines associated with Cretaceous halite. The high K concentrations indicate that the degree of evaporation of the ancient Mengyejing saline lake was very high, reaching the sylvite deposition stage but rarely reaching the carnallite deposition stage. The trajectory of the H and O isotopic compositions of the brines in the halite-hosted fluid inclusions corresponds to intense evaporation, indicating that the net evaporation exceeded the net inflow of brines. These brine compositions in halite-hosted fluid inclusions were likely formed by the dissolution of previously deposited K-bearing minerals by fresh continental and/or seawater, forming a type of modified seawater, with deep hydrothermal fluids potentially supplying additional potassium. The basin likely experienced multiple seawater incursion, dissolution and redeposition events in a high-temperature environment with high evaporation rates.     

Ore—Fluid Systems of Fine Disseminated Gold Deposits Along the Southeastern Margin of the Yangtze Plate

Fine disseminated gold deposits occurring along the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Plate belong to the epithermal type resulting from different systems of ore-forming fluids.According to their sources, the ore-forming fluids can be divided into four systems: a)meteoric water system; b)oil-brine system; c)basin-brine system;and d)magmatic-formation water system.The four hydrothermal systems are responsible for four types of gold deposits, respectively.The meteoric water system produces hot spring gold deposits. The basin-brines,which are derived from fissure water, structural water and absorbed water sealed up in strata, are responsible for the absin-brine-type deposits.The oil-brine system, having the same source as the bain-brines ,is characterized by the involvement of organic matter and is responsible for the oil-brine-type deposits. Inclusion fluid data show that there are obvious differences in chemical composition and carbon, oxygen,hydrogen and sulfur isotopes for these hydrothermal systems.Different metallogenic provinces, in which one of the four systems is dominant, can be recognized in the region.     

Origin of Ore-Forming Fluids of Mississippi Valley-Type （MVT） Pb-Zn Deposits in Kangdian Area, China

Analyses of fluid-inclusion leachates from ore deposits show that Na/Br ratios are within the range of 75 - 358 and Cl/Br 67 - 394, respectively, and this variation trend coincides with the seawater evaporation trajectory on the basis of the Na/Br and Cl/Br ratios. The average Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios of mineralizing fluids are 185 and 173 respectively, which are very close to the ratios ( 120 and 233 ) of the residual evaporated seawater past the point of halite precipitation. It is suggested that the original mineralizing brine was derived from highly evapo-rated seawater with a high salinity. However, the inclusion fluids have absolute Na values of 69.9—2606.2 mmol kg^-1 and Cl values of 106.7 — 1995.5 mmol kg^-1. Most of the values are much less than those of seawater: Na, 485 mmol kg^-1 and Cl, 566 mmol kg^-1 , respectively; the salinity measured from fluid inclusions of the deposits ranges from 2.47 wt% to 15.78 wt% NaCl equiv. The mineralizing brine has been diluted. The δ ^18O and δD values of ore-forming fluids vary from -8.21‰ to 9.51‰ and from -40.3‰ to -94.3‰, respectively. The δD values of meteoric water in this region varied from - 80‰ to - 100‰ during the Jurassic. This evidenced that the ore-forming fluids are the mixture of seawater and meteoric water. Highly evaporated seawater was responsible for leaching and extracting Pb, Zn and Fe, and mixed with and diluted by descending meteoric water, which resulted in the formation of ores.     

Origin of Halite in the Lanping–Simao Basin, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China: Evidence from Sr and Cl Isotopes

The Lanping?Simao Basin is located on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China, and contains massive evaporites. The origin of evaporites in the basin has been hotly debated because of the strong transformation by tectonic movement. Forty halite samples from borehole MK-3 in the Mengyejing area of the basin were collected and analyzed using XRD, Cl-Sr isotopes and chemical compositions to trace the origin of the evaporites in the basin. The Br × 103/Cl ratios of the halite samples are between 0 and 0.55, most of which are synchronized with the law of seawater evaporation and at the stage of halite precipitation from seawater, indicating that the evaporites are mainly of marine origin. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.707489 to 0.711279; after correction, the 87Sr/86Sr 145 Ma ratios range from 0.704721 to 0.707611, equivalent with the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of seawater at 145 Ma, indicating a marine origin. The decay of 87Rb in the evaporite during deposition, change of the depositional environment and the unsealed environment at a later period resulted in the present 87Sr/86Sr ratios of some samples being high. The δ37Cl value compositions range from ?0.38‰ to 0.83‰, which is consistent with the δ37Cl value composition of the world marine halite (?0.6‰ to 0.4‰), further confirming that seawater is the main origin. In addition, the high δ37Cl value of some samples at the boundary of the upper and lower evaporite layers might be related to the influence of δ37Cl-rich brine and the incomplete dissolution of the halite.     

Geological Characteristics and Genesis of the Jiamoshan MVT Pb–Zn Deposit in the Sanjiang belt, Tibetan Plateau

The carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits in the Sanjiang metallogenic belt on the Tibetan Plateau are typical of MVT Pb–Zn deposits that form in thrust-fold belts. The Jiamoshan Pb–Zn deposit is located in the Changdu area in the middle part of the Sanjiang belt, and it represents a new style of MVT deposit that was controlled by karst structures in a thrust–fold system. Such a karst-controlled MVT Pb–Zn deposit in thrust settings has not previously been described in detail, and we therefore mapped the geology of the deposit and undertook a detailed study of its genesis. The karst structures that host the Jiamoshan deposit were formed in Triassic limestones along secondary reverse faults, and the orebodies have irregular tubular shapes. The main sulfide minerals are galena, sphalerite, and pyrite that occur in massive and lamellar form. The ore-forming fluids belonged to a Mg2+–Na+–K+–SO2-4–Cl-–F-–NO-3–H2 O system at low temperatures(120–130°C) but with high salinities(19–22% NaCl eq.). We have recognized basinal brine as the source of the ore-forming fluids on the basis of their H–O isotopic compositions(-145‰ to-93‰ for δDV-SMOW and-2.22‰ to 13.00‰ for δ18 Ofluid), the ratios of Cl/Br(14–1196) and Na/Br(16–586) in the hydrothermal fluids, and the C–O isotopic compositions of calcite(-5.0‰ to 3.7‰ for δ13 CV-PDB and 15.1‰ to 22.3‰ for δ18 OV-SMOW). These fluids may have been derived from evaporated seawater trapped in marine strata at depth or from Paleogene–Neogene basins on the surface. The δ34 S values are low in the galena(-3.2‰ to 0.6‰) but high in the barite(27.1‰), indicating that the reduced sulfur came from gypsum in the regional Cenozoic basins and from sulfates in trapped paleo-seawater by bacterial sulfate reduction. The Pb isotopic compositions of the galena samples(18.3270–18.3482 for 206 Pb/204 Pb, 15.6345–15.6390 for 207 Pb/204 Pb, and 38.5503–38.5582 for 208 Pb/204 Pb) are similar to those of the regional Triassic volcanic-arc rocks that formed during the closure of the Paleo-Tethys, indicating these arc rocks were the source of the metals in the deposit. Taking into account our new observations and data, as well as regional Pb–Zn metallogenic processes, we present here a new model for MVT deposits controlled by karst structures in thrust–fold systems.     

Deciphering fluid origins in the Paleozoic Laoshankou Fe-Cu-Au deposit,East Junggar: Constraints from noble gases and halogens

To constrain the ore-fluid source(s) of the Laoshankou Fe-Cu-Au deposit(Junggar orogen,NW China),we analyzed the fluid inclusion(FI) noble gas(Ar,Kr and Xe) and halogen(Cl,Brand Ⅰ) compositions in the hydrothermal epidote and quartz.Four hypogene alteration/mineralization stages,including(Ⅰ) pre-ore Ca-silicate,(Ⅱ)early-ore amphibole-epidote-magnetite,(Ⅲ) late-ore pyrite-chalcopyrite,and(Ⅳ) post-ore hydrothermal veining,have been identified at Laoshankou.Stage Ⅱ FIs have salinity of 15.7 wt.%(NaCl eq.), I/Cl molar ratios of75 × 10~(-6)-135 × 10~(-6), and Br/Cl molar ratios of 1.4 × 10~(-3)-2.1 × 10~(-3).The moderately-high seawatercorrected Br*/I ratios(0.5-1.5) and low ~(40)ArE/Cl slope(～10~(-5)) indicate the presence of sedimentary marine pore fluid,which was modified by seawater reacting with the Beitashan Fm.volcanic rocks.Stage Ⅲ fluid is more saline than their stage Ⅱ and Ⅳ counterparts,reaching up to 23.3 wt.%(NaCl+CaCl_2 eq.) close to halite saturation(～26 wt.%).The fluid has I/Cl ratios of 75 × 10~(-6)-90 × 10~(-6) and Br/Cl ratios of 1.5 × 10~(-3)-1.8 × 10~(-3).Considering the increasing ~(40)ArE/Cl trend toward bittern brine and the higher 36 Ar content than air-saturated water(ASW),a bittern fluid source is inferred from seawater evaporation,which was modified by interaction with organic-rich marine sedimentary rocks.Stage Ⅳ FIs have lower temperature(110-228 ℃) and Br/Cl(0.90 × 10~(-3)-1.2 × 10~(-3)),but higher 36 Ar content than ASW,indicative of dissolved evaporite or halite input.Considering also the low δD_(fluid)(-114‰ to-144‰) and δ~(18)O_(fluid)(2.1‰-3.5‰) values,meteoric water(with minor dissolved evaporites) likely dominated the stage Ⅳ fluid.The evaporites may have formed through continuous evaporation of the stage Ⅲ surface-derived bittern.Involvement of non-magmatic fluids and different ore-fluid origins in stage s Ⅱ and Ⅲ sugge st that the ore-forming proce ss was different from a typical magmatichydrothermal fluid-dominated skarn mineralization,which was previously proposed for Laoshankou.Our noble gas and halogen study at Laoshankou provide new insights on the fluid sources for the Paleozoic Fe-Cu(-Au)deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),and our non-magmatic fluid source interpretation is consistent with the basin inversion setting for the mineralization.     

Tungsten Enrichment in the South China—type Massive Sulphide Deposits

Tungsten is a characteristic element of the South China-type massive sulphide deposits that were formed on the continental crust.The high contents of tungsten in these deposits are attributed to the pri-mary enrichment of this element in the basement sequences of the region,providing an indication of the tungsten-enrichment in the continental crust.Tungsten in thd basement sequences was mobilized and trans-ported to the massive sulphides by a combination of different geological processes such as terrigenous sedimentation,submarine hydrothermal deposition and magmatic hydrothermal superimposition.     

根据鞍本地区包裹体研究试论弓长岭磁铁富矿的成因

Gongchangling high-grade magnetite ores,which constitute one of the major rich from deposits in China,occur in the BIF .of the Anshan-Group in Precambrian metamorphic rocks.But its origin has long been a controversial problem,although most researchers are in favour of the eoncept that it is genetically related to hydrothermal process connected with migmatite.On the basis of field observation,this problem has been dealt with in this paper in the light of fluid inclusion studies.The results show that hydrothermal activity,was widespread in this region,which can be divided into two stages.The late stage hydrothermal activity was intensively developed around rich iron dposits.The formation temperature of the late stage hydrbthermal fluids is in the range of 487- 505℃,and they are slightly alkaline with a salinity of 13.2-28.1 wt%,consisting mainly of Na^ ,Ca^ ,Cl^-,So4^-,etc.As revetled by temperature measurements,the formation temperatures of fluid inclusions are quite uniform from,place to place within the vast areas in this region,and the comparason of these temperatures between rich ores and migmatite and wall rocks indieates that the late hydrothermal fluids are of metamorphie origin.The authors suggest that the rich magnetite ores in the Gongchangling Range seem to be the result of the reworking process(alteration)by metamorphie hydrothermal fluids in response to regional metamorphism on some sedimentary ore deposits that were originally relatively rich in iron.     

Evolution of isotopic composition and deuterium excess of brines in the Sichuan Basin, China

The isotopic composition and parameters for deuterium excess of brines, which were sampled in the Si-chuan Basin, show obvious regularities of distribution. The brine isotopic composition shows distinct two systems of marine and terrestrial deposits, with the Middle Triassic strata as the boundary. Brine hydrogen isotopic composition of marine deposits is lower while oxygen isotopic composition is higher than that of the SMOW, respectively, indicating that the brines were derived from seawater with different evaporating degrees at different times. From the Sinian strata, up to the Cambrian, Permian Maokou Formation and the Triassic Jialingjiang Formation, the δD values of brines tend to become relatively positive with the strata becoming younger. Brines of terrestrial deposits are considered to have been derived from precipitation and their isotopic composition is close to the globe meteoric water line (GMWL). Brines of transitional deposits between marine and terrestrial ones (the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation) have δD and δ18O values falling between the two end members of marine deposit brines and precipitation, indicating that the brines are a mixture of precipitation and vaporing seawater. Water samples from the brine-bearing strata of different ages show various deuterium excesses (d) with an evident decreasing trend as the age of strata gets older and older. Brine-bearing strata of the Triassic Leikoupo-Jialingjiang Formation, the Permian Maokou Formation, the Cambrian and Sinian strata are all carbonate rocks which have experienced intensive water/rock reaction and the deuterium excess essentially changes with time. All brine-bearing-strata surrounding the basin or faults, as well as those brine wells exploited for resources, have been obviously influenced by the precipitation supply. Therefore, the deuterium excesses of their brines have increased to different extents, depending on the amount of involvement of meteoric water. The variation and distribution of d values of the brines from different Triassic strata are related to the embedded depth of the strata. The deuterium excesses of brines become lower with increasing burial depth of the strata.     

Salt-Gathering and Potassium Formation of Potassium-Rich Brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, China

Potassium-rich brine in the Sichuan Basin has been much studied in recent years, but few studies have focused on the distribution and migration of salt basin and the differences of potassium formation mechanisms. This work examined the salt-gathering and potassium formation of potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin using lithofacies palaeogeographic depiction and geochemical analyses. (1) The favorable sedimentary facies controlling the formation of potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin are evaporation platform and restricted platform, whereas the salt basin is one of the main factors controlling the poly-salt center. (2) The distribution and migration of this salt basin were affected by certain factors. The salt basin of the Jialingjiang Formation was mainly distributed in the east and central Sichuan Basin, whereas that of the Leikoupo Formation was mainly distributed in the central and west Sichuan Basin. The sedimentary centers have gradually moved westward and become smaller. (3) Three main formation mechanisms were identified for the potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, i.e., evaporation and concentration of seawater, surface fresh water leaching, and deep water-rock reaction. Fresh water leaching was characterized by low anomaly δ18O and δ13C values. Water-rock reaction was mainly related to temperature, and high temperature environment (caused by burial depth, overthrust and deep hydrothermal fluids) was beneficial to water-rock reaction. The characteristics of water-rock reaction do not correspond to the increase ratio of K?103/Cl and Br?103/Cl in brine, and the Rb+ content of the brine was high. (4) The formation mechanisms of potassium-rich brine differed between different areas of the Sichuan Basin. In east Sichuan, the evaporation and concentration of seawater, together with meteoric fresh water leaching, was the main formation factor, whereas the evaporation and concentration of seawater and water–rock reaction predominated in west Sichuan. This study of the sedimentary environment and formation mechanisms is of significance to the exploration and exploitation of potassium-rich brine in the Sichuan Basin.     

Origin of the late Cretaceous potash-bearing evaporites in the Vientiane Basin of Laos: δ11B evidence from borates

The evaporites on the Khorat Plateau comprise one of the largest potash deposits in the world, and their origin has long been a controversial problem. Based on boron isotope measurements from borate as a good indicator to distinguish marine and nonmarine evaporites, the borates of potash layers were identified and the results were used to indicate the source of evaporites in the study area as representative of the whole Khorat Plateau. The results show that the main borates include boracite and hilgardite. The boracites occur as crystals and ooids with minor amounts of hilgardite aggregates. The range of δ¹¹B values is from +21.30‰ to +32.94‰ (averaging +29.74‰) and falls in the range of marine borates. The δ¹¹B values in the potash layer are seemingly variable because of the influence of fluvial influx when salts were precipitating. Although the composition of seawater has possibly been modified, the evidence from boron isotopic composition implies that the evaporites in the study area or in the whole Khorat Plateau are marine deposits.     

Origin and geochemistry of Miocene marine evaporites associated with red beds: Great Kavir Basin,Central Iran

During the Cenozoic numerous shallow epicontinental evaporite basins formed due to tectonic movements in the Northern Province of the Central Iran Tectonic Zone (the Great Kavir Basin). During the Miocene, due to sea‐level fluctuations, thick sequences of evaporites and carbonates accumulated in these basins that subsequently were overlain by continental red beds. Development of halite evaporites with substantial thickness in this area implies inflow of seawater along the narrow continental rift axis. The early ocean basin development was initiated in Early Eocene time and continued up to the Middle Miocene in the isolated failed rift arms. Competition between marine and non‐marine environments, at the edge of the encroaching sea, produced several sequences of both abrupt and gradual transition from continental wadi sediments to marginal marine evaporites in the studied area. These evaporites show well‐preserved textures indicative of relatively shallow‐brine pools. The high Br content of these evaporites indicates marine‐derived parent brines that were under the sporadic influence of freshening by meteoric water or replenishing seawater. However, the association of hopper and cornet textures denotes stratified brine that filled a relatively large pool and prevented rapid variations in the Br profile. Unstable basin conditions that triggered modification of parent brine chemistry prevailed in this basin and caused variable distribution patterns for different elements in the chloride units. The presence of sylvite and the absence of Mg‐sulphate/chlorides in the paragenetic sequence indicate SO₄−depleted parent brine in the studied sequence. Petrographic examinations along with geochemical analyses on these potash‐bearing halites reveal parental brines which were a mixture of seawater and CaCl₂‐rich brines. The source of CaCl₂‐rich brines is ascribed to the presence of local rift systems in the Great Kavir Basin up to the end of the Early Miocene. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

“干化蒸发”与“回灌重溶”——对鄂尔多斯盆地东部奥陶系蒸发岩成因的新认识

鄂尔多斯盆地东部奥陶系发育巨厚的蒸发岩地层,已有不少学者对其成因提出了不同的假设。本文通过对该区蒸发岩微相分布规律、剖面结构及地球化学等特征的分析,提出该区蒸发岩形成于成盐盆地与外海周期性隔绝的“干化蒸发”条件下的新认识。首次提出用“回灌重溶”机制来解释厚层石盐岩中的泥质薄夹层的成因、各种石盐岩颜色的成因及蒸发岩剖面中缺乏干化蒸发晚期阶段的钾镁盐层的原因,并由此提出 “溶积层”的概念。微相分析表明,在形成蒸发岩的盐坳盆地东部的水下古地形隆起上,发育有堤坝状的礁或生物丘等生物建隆,其在地形上的隆起构成了盐坳盆地与外海的障壁,在海平面下降期间可使盐坳与外海完全隔绝而进入干化蒸发阶段,从而形成了石盐沉积;由海平面上升所造成的突发性海水回灌事件又使先成的石盐层部分溶解（回灌重溶）,并由于不溶残余物的富集成层（溶积层）而阻止了下伏石盐层的进一步溶解。这是该区蒸发岩地层中缺少典型干化证据的主要原因。本区奥陶系马家沟组碳酸盐岩与蒸发岩间互分布的地层层序结构特征,主要受控于区域海平面变化旋回,碳酸盐岩主要形成于海侵期和高水位期,蒸发岩则主要形成于低水位期。     

北羌塘盆地中侏罗统夏里组蒸发岩锶同位素地球化学特征及物质来源

北羌塘盆地位于青藏高原的中部,属东特提斯构造域,是一个具有成盐远景的蒸发岩盆地.前人对盆地的研究多局限于层序地层、构造运动、油气成藏等,对于盆地内蒸发岩的研究,特别是其成矿流体来源的研究报道较少.文章通过对北羌塘盆地龙尾湖QY-1钻孔中硬石膏岩层锶同位素进行测定,首次对盆地中侏罗统夏里组蒸发岩成矿流体的来源进行探讨.结果表明,笔者所分析的样品的锶同位素比值变化范围为0.707475～0.709048,均值0.708331,与同时期全球海水锶同位素比值(0.706860～0.707081)相比略高,表明成矿流体来源主要是海水.结合前人对羌塘盆地构造运动与盆地演化的认识,认为陆源锶的输入造成了本区的锶同位素比值高于同期海水.此外,钻孔中的同位素组成与前人公布的全球中侏罗世(164～160.2 Ma)海水锶同位素曲线具有较好的对比性,中晚侏罗世羌塘盆地海侵海退作用的强弱是控制盆地夏里组锶同位素演化的主要因素.     

老挝甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床含矿段的矿物学和地球化学特征及成因

老挝甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床位于呵叻盆地的东隅,本文以该矿床ZK318钻孔的含矿段———下盐层为研究对象,对其开展了系统的矿物学和地球化学特征研究。结果表明,矿石矿物以石盐、钾石盐和光卤石为主,含少量方硼石和硬石膏。根据矿物与主量元素的分布特征,将下盐层分为5个次层,由下至上顺序为:盐岩层(石盐为主)→钾盐岩层(钾石盐为主)→光卤石岩层(光卤石为主)→薄盐岩层(石盐为主)→钾盐岩层(钾石盐为主)。微量元素Br值均大于200×10-6,表明卤水来源于海水;由盐岩层→钾盐岩层→光卤石岩层,B含量呈现出逐渐升高的趋势,表明B含量与卤水盐度呈线性关系。但顶部钾盐岩层的B含量高达890×10-6,与少量方硼石的存在相吻合,指示成矿卤水除了海水外,还有深部热液的贡献。按照卤化物卤水蒸发浓缩的顺序,光卤石是该卤水浓缩的最后阶段,但在光卤石沉积之后,又晶出一薄层石盐,表明曾经历过一次短暂的淡水补给。上、下两层钾石盐具有基本相同的Br含量,分别为1 790×10-6和1 792×10-6,且均直接沉积在石盐之上,故为原生钾石盐,而非光卤石的次生淋滤产物。认为甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床为海源陆相沉积,海水和深部热液是成钾物质的主要来源,钻孔中出露的两层钾石盐均为原生沉积。     

Sedimentology of the Cretaceous Maha Sarakham evaporites in the Khorat Plateau of northeastern Thailand

Evaporites of the Cretaceous to early Tertiary Maha Sarakham Formation on the Khorat Plateau of southeast Asia (Thailand and Laos) are composed of three depositional members that each include evaporitic successions, each overlain by non-marine clastic red beds, and are present in both the Khorat and the Sakon Nakhon sub-basins. These two basins are presently separated by the northwest-trending Phu Phan anticline. The thickness of the formation averages 250 m but is up to 1.1 km thick in some areas. In both basins it thickens towards the basin centre suggesting differential basin subsidence preceding or during sedimentation. The stratigraphy, lithological character and mineralogy of the evaporites and clastics are identical in both basins suggesting that they were probably connected during deposition. Evaporites include thick successions of halite, anhydrite and a considerable accumulation of potassic minerals (sylvite and carnallite) but contain some tachyhydrite, and minor amounts of borates. During the deposition of halite the basin was subjected to repeated inflow of fresher marine water that resulted in the formation of anhydrite marker beds. Sedimentary facies and textures of both halite and anhydrite suggest deposition in a shallow saline-pan environment. Many halite beds, however, contain a curious `sieve-like' fabric marked by skeletal anhydrite outlines of gypsum precursor crystals and are the product of early diagenetic replacement by halite of primary shallow-water gypsum. The δ³⁴S isotopic values obtained from different types of anhydrite interbedded with halite range from 14.3‰ to 17.0‰ (CDT), suggesting a marine origin for this sulphate. Bromine concentration in the halite of the Lower Member begins around 70 ppm and systematically increases upward to 400 ppm below the potash-rich zone, also suggesting evaporation of largely marine waters. In the Middle Member the initial concentration of bromine in halite is 200 ppm, rising to 450 ppm in the upper part of this member. The bromine concentration in the Upper Member exhibits uniform upward increase and ranges from 200 to 300 ppm. The presence of tachyhydrite in association with the potassic salts was probably the result of: (1) the large volumes of halite replacement of gypsum, on a bed by bed basis, releasing calcium back into the restricted waters of the basin; and (2) early hydrothermal input of calcium chloride-rich waters. The borates associated with potash-rich beds likely resulted from erosion and influx of water from surrounding granitic terrains; however, hydrothermal influx is also possible. Interbedded with the evaporites are non-marine red beds that are also evaporative, with displacive anhydrite nodules and beds and considerable amounts of displacive halite. The δ³⁴S isotopic values of this anhydrite have non-marine values, ranging from 6.4‰ to 10.9‰ (CDT). These data indicate that the Khorat and Sakhon Nakhon basins underwent periods of marine influx due to relative world sea-level rise but were sporadically isolated from the world ocean.     

泰国—老挝呵叻高原钾盐矿床研究现状及展望

泰国—老挝境内的呵叻高原马哈萨拉堪组钾盐矿床是世界上最大的钾盐矿床之一。综合研究表明,马哈萨拉堪组赋钾蒸发岩形成于晚白垩世,其成盐物质来自海水。该含盐建造很可能形成于陆相环境中,为"海源陆相"沉积。在蒸发岩沉积过程中及沉积后,一直伴随着水—岩(盐)作用的发生,钾盐沉积之后往往受到该作用的改造。溢晶石的出现是该地区"异常"蒸发岩的表现特征之一,它的形成很可能与海水的变质作用有关,但其形成机制尚未得到合理解释。兰坪—思茅盆地勐野井组与呵叻高原马哈萨拉堪组联系密切且具有共同之处,但二者在时代、成盐期次对比等问题上存在较大争议。最后,针对今后该地区钾盐研究提出了一些新的研究思路与方法。     

The characteristics,formation and exploration progress of the potash deposits on the Khorat Plateau,Thailand and Laos,Southeast Asia

The giant potash deposit on the Khorat Plateau is one of the most promising targets for exploitation of potassium salts. So far, many researches and geologic survey have been conducted on the giant potash deposits. Hence, it is necessary to make an overall review on the potash deposits. The potash deposit on the Khorat Plateau was formed during the Middle to Late Cretaceous, during which seawater was enriched in Ca²⁺ and depleted in SO₄^2- compared with those of modem seawater. In addition to seawater, continental water and hydrothermal fluids could have affected the evaporite basins. The seawater was probably derived from Tethys ocean, and the brine should have evaporated to some extent before entering into the basin systems based on the evidence of absence of carbonates and unproportionate sulphate compared with chloride salts. The paleo-climate during Middle to Late Cretaceous was characterized as high temperature and extremely arid environment, which is favourable for deposition of potassium-magnesium saline minerals. The major saline minerals are of anhydrite, halite, camallite, sylvite and, tachyhydrite, with trace amounts of borates. The resources of the potash deposit on the Khorat Plateau could be approximately as much as 400×10⁹ t of camallite and 7×10⁹ t of sylvite. The evaporite sequences have been deformed and altered by postdepositinal processes, including tectonic movements and chemical alteration. Salt domes were formed in the postdepositional processes. Based on the analyses of geophysical surveys and drilling projects, high-quality sylvinite ores are commonly found at the flanks of those salt domes due to incongruent dissolution of camallite. The future potential prospecting areas for the high-quality sylvinite ores would be on the edges of the Khorat Plateau.     

非洲下刚果盆地钾盐矿床特征、沉积旋回与沉积模式

下刚果盆地位于西非大陆边缘,形成于南美大陆与非洲大陆裂开初期,大西洋打开之时,在早白垩世形成了巨型钾盐矿床。文章在盆地内布谷马西矿区钻孔的岩芯编录的基础上,结合岩相学、地球化学和沉积韵律等研究,探究钾盐矿床沉积特征和盆地内蒸发岩沉积旋回,并总结了矿床沉积模式。下刚果盆地总体较平缓,西南低,北东高,自盆地边缘向中部,沉积厚度逐渐增大,钾盐矿床赋存于下白垩统Aptian阶蒸发岩系中。蒸发岩系主要由石盐岩与光卤石岩互层构成,局部夹(含水氯镁石)溢晶石岩、石膏岩和黑色碳质页岩夹层。矿床由多层水平_近水平层状矿体组成,单层矿体厚度几米至几十米,矿层比较稳定,延续范围广,主要矿层——光卤石层累计厚度超过100 m。主要矿石类型为光卤石型,仅局部为钾石盐型。矿石品位高,KCl平均品位为16.49%。成盐盆地在早白垩世只有一个成盐期,含盐系即为Ⅰ级韵律;根据沉积特征,又可划分为8个Ⅱ级盐韵律和若干个Ⅲ级盐韵律。整个成盐期总体沉积环境较稳定,未出现蒸发岩序列中断,但受地面的沉降变化和海水周期性灌入的影响,出现了石盐与光卤石的韵律互层沉积。下刚果盆地内蒸发岩沉积序列与正常的海相蒸发岩不同,底部缺乏碳酸盐和硫酸盐地层,指示其成钾物质来源于经过一定程度蒸发浓缩的古海水。在上述研究的基础上,结合成盐期盆地岩相古地理与构造条件,总结出下刚果盆地裂谷型钾盐矿床沉积模式。