Fe-Mn oxide coatings in stream sediment geochemical surveys

Downstream dispersion curves for certain trace metals were obtained from two mineralized areas in the southeastern United States. Fe-Mn oxide coating on lithic fragments and quartz pebbles, as well as the minus 80-mesh fraction of the coexisting stream sediment were analyzed for a variety of metals. In Lincoln County, Georgia, 8 sample sets were collected along a stream draining the Magruder mine, a polymetallic sulfide deposit (Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag-Au) in metavolcanic rocks. Five sample sets were collected along Joe Mill Creek in Grainger County, Tennessee, downstream from a zone of zinc mineralization in carbonate rocks (Mississippi Valley-type). In addition, 5 sample sets were collected from an unmineralized area near Athens, Georgia.The results indicate the following: (1) the anomaly/background ratio for zinc and copper is markedly higher in the Fe-Mn oxide coatings in the mineralized drainages; (2) in drainages containing lead mineralization, the anomaly/background ratio is markedly higher in the minus 80-mesh fraction for lead which is not concentrated in the coatings; and (3) the ratios Zn/Mn and Cu/Mn, as well as Zn/Co and Cu/Co, in the Fe-Mn oxide coatings enhance downstream detectability of mineralization.There are several potential advantages of using coatings versus the conventional minus 80-mesh fraction in stream sediment geochemical surveys. Because soluble metal is brought into the stream mainly in groundwater, deeper anomaly sources may be detectable from the oxide coatings than from clastic fractions of alluvium where much of the metal is derived from surficial erosion. Variability due to sampling may also be reduced, providing better discrimination of anomalies. In areas of glacial or alluvial cover, coating surveys may be particularly applicable.     

Geochemical dispersion patterns of As, Sb, Bi and Se associated with sulfide mineralization at Avoca, Eire

At Avoca, Eire, Kuroko-like sulfide mineralization comprising massive stratiform cupriferous pyrite, accompanied by hanging-wall galena-sphalerite mineralization and footwall stringer pyrite, is hosted by Ordovician sediments, calc-alkaline lavas and pyroclastics. The sequence has been subjected to low-grade regional metamorphism, isoclinal folding and thrusting. The surficial cover comprises nonexotic glacial drift some 2 m thick. Previous work has demonstrated that major-element lithogeochemistry reflects the wall-rock alteration associated with the mineralization, but these signatures are absent from the overlying till. There is a poor heavy metal-expression at surface of the concealed mineralization.Analysis of wall rock, basal till and surface till samples for the chalcophile pathfinder elements As, Sb, Bi and Se (by rapid techniques which involve the introduction of their volatile hydrides into an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer) shows that a primary zonation of these elements around the mineralization can, in part, be traced to surface. In wall rocks, Bi enrichment is associated with the massive pyrite and footwall mineralization, Sb and Se anomalies occur in the hanging wall, and an As halo extends across all three types of mineralization. At surface, Bi and As anomalies are found over the massive pyrite and footwall zones, and an Sb anomaly occurs above the hanging-wall mineralization. The development of these patterns is attributed to mainly hydromorphic dispersion.The primary and surficial dispersion patterns of the chalcophile pathfinders should prove useful in exploration for other examples of Kuroko-type mineralization. The determination of these elements in geochemical exploration can be carried out quickly and cost-effectively.     

Pisolitic laterite geochemistry in the golden grove massive sulphide district, Western Australia

The two known massive Cu-Zn sulphide deposits in the steeply dipping strata of the Golden Grove District of Western Australia — the Gossan Hill Deposit and Scuddles Prospect — both have a multi-element secondary geochemical dispersion halo in the pisolitic layer of laterite of probable Tertiary age. The Gossan Hill geochemical anomaly is about 1.5 × 2 km and has a Bi-Sn-Mo-In-Sb-As-Cu-Au association. Mean compositions of pisolitic laterite samples range from 4 to 18 times background, with maxima for Bi, Sn and Mo reaching 90 to 100 times background. Relief of Gossan Hill, which rises some 80 m above the laterite plain, would have favoured dispersion during lateritization. Nevertheless at Scuddles, where the laterite surface has only a gentle slope across strike, an anomaly in pisolitic laterite measures 1 to 1.5 by 1.5 to 2.0 km. The anomalous association, Bi-Sn-Mo-Sb-As, is similar to that at Gossan Hill; the mean contents in pisolitic laterite samples from the Scuddles anomaly range from 2.3 to 8 times background, with maxima for Bi being 12 times background.At Gossan Hill, individual pisolites and the concretionary skins contain gossan fragments and cassiterite, indicating mechanical dispersion during interitization. However, anomalous Cu, Zn and As in goethites of the concretionary skins of pisolites and nodules from the centre of the anomaly indicate that there has also been hydromorphic dispersion.The geochemical characteristics of pisolitic laterite samples have been represented by empirically derived additive indices based on up to eleven chalcophile elements. One index is suggested as a method to increase anomaly size and simplify interpretation; a more specific index based on Bi, Sn and Se is suggested for defining more closely the actual centres of mineralization.For routine exploration of lateritic terrain where the dips of the host sequence are steep, 320-m spacing of samples on a triangular grid appears suitable for locating anomalies and generally defining their source. However, for reconnaissance exploration, the density of sampling could be significantly reduced for example to 1 km spacing.     

Geophysical prediction and following development sinkholes in two Dead Sea areas, Israel and Jordan

Geophysical methods—seismic refraction (SRFR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and microgravity—were applied to the Dead Sea (DS) sinkhole problem in the Ein Gedi area at the earlier stage of the sinkhole development (1998–2002). They allowed determining the sinkhole formation mechanism and localizing the sinkhole hazardous zones. The SRFR method permitted to delineate the underground edge of a salt layer at the depth of 50 m. The salt edge was shaped like the sinkhole line on the surface. It was concluded that the sinkhole development is linked to the salt edge. Geoelectrical quasi-3D mapping based on the ERT technique detected large resistivity anomalies with 250–300 m² diameter and 25–35 m deep. The Ein Gedi area has been also mapped by the use of Microgravity method. The residual Bouguer gravity anomaly map shows negative anomalies arranged along the edge of the salt layer. Those gravity anomalies overall are very similar in plan to the resistivity distribution in this area. The results of forward modeling indicate that both high resistivity and residual gravity anomalies are associated with a subsurface decompaction of the soil mass and deep cavity at the sinkhole site. Following monitoring of the sinkhole development carried out by the Geological Survey of Israel confirmed our suggestions. The drilling of numerous boreholes verified the location of the salt edge. Geographical Information System (GIS) database testifies that during 2003–2009 new sinkholes are continuing to develop along the salt edge within a narrow 50–100 m wide strip oriented approximately in north–south direction (slightly parallel to the shoreline). No promotion in west–east direction (perpendicularly to the DS shoreline) was observed in Israel. Collapse of sinkholes and their clustering have been occurred within the area of high resistivity anomaly and negative residual gravity anomaly. Similar studies carried out at the Ghor Al-Haditha area (Jordan) have shown that sinkholes there are also arranged along the winding line conforming to the salt edge. In this area sinkholes are slowly moved to the Dead Sea direction. Results of geophysical studies in numerous DS sites indicate similar sinkhole development. It allowed generating of the sinkhole formation model based on ancient (10,000–11,000-year old) salt belt girding the Dead Sea along its shores     

Exploration for Mississippi-Valley type stratabound Zn ores with stream suspensates and stream sediments, Virginia, U.S.A.

Suspended and equivalent active sediments were collected from streams at 84 sites at the eastern and western sides of a ridge with stratabound Zn mineralization, Rockingham County, Virginia (USA). The purpose was to evaluate the relative effectiveness of suspended and bottom sediment in the geochemical exploration for Mississippi-Valley type Zn ores. The orebody is composed of sphalerite and minor amounts of galena with some chalcopyrite, strikes parallel to the enclosing dolomite beds at N34°E, and cuts vertically across the 30°SE dip. Oxidation of the ore extends to about 100 m in depth.Zinc was effective in detecting the mineralized zone. Zinc in the suspensates provided a denser anomaly system (7 strong and 2 moderate samples) than Zn in the <150 μm size of the bottom sediment, either totally dissolved (4 strong and 1 moderate anomalies) or extracted with cold 3% HCl (5 strong and 3 moderate anomalies). The magnitude of the high values for suspensate Zn was considerably higher than those for the other sample types studied. Suspensate Zn was complemented by 3 strong suspensate Cu anomalies. The suspensate Zn anomaly dispersion was about 850 m, 400 m of which was upstream from the mineralization. Lead was detected only in the cold acid extraction and in combination with Cu and Zn gave an extensive overlapping multielement anomaly string that targeted the ore zone and had a dispersion downstream from the mineralization of more than 1000 m. The Pb anomalies extended about 900 m upstream and 400 m downstream from the ore zone. Together with suspensate Zn, the Pb anomalies suggest a continuation of mineralization upstrike from the known orebody.The major anomaly systems are along the eastern side of the ridge with comparatively few anomalies present in the drainage along the western side. The concentration of anomalies in the eastern drainage and anomaly disposition with respect to known mineralization result from structural control on the hydromorphic dispersion of metals from the orebody.     

水系沉积物测量在西藏春哲地区找矿效果

西藏春哲地区位于冈底斯—念青唐古拉成矿带中的青都—则学铁铜多金属次级成矿带南部,具有较好的找矿前景。1∶5万水系沉积物测量结果显示,该区是铅、锌、银、钨、钼等矿产的有利成矿区。依据元素相关性、空间分布特征和主要指示元素种类,划分出以Pb、Zn、Cd、Ag元素为主、以W、Mo、Bi元素为主和以As、Sb元素为主的3类元素组合异常,并指出了各类组合异常内寻找的矿种和矿床类型,即矽卡岩型铁铜多金属矿和构造热液型铅锌矿。通过异常查证,发现了恰我铁钨多金属矿、勒翁铁多金属矿等2个中型矿床和多处矿点,找矿成果显著。其中,恰我铁钨共生矿为区域内首次发现的新类型矿产,对该区找矿具有较好的指导意义,亦显示研究区具有较好的找矿潜力。     

Electrogeochemical patterns in surface soils - Detection of blind mineralization beneath exotic cover, Thalanga, Queensland, Australia

The problem of using surface geochemical exploration techniques in areas of very thick and electrically conductive weathering residuum is common to much of Australia. At the Elura deposit (New South Wales) a distinct electrogeochemical H⁺ anomaly can be detected in the top few cm of residual soil above about 100 m of conductive residual overburden. In the present paper the results of an investigation of the much more difficult problem of detecting sulfide mineralization beneath thick conductive transported overburden are described.The objective of the study was to demonstrate that sulfide mineralization beneath thick transported overburden can be detected by geochemical patterns in surface soils in the context of an electrogeochemical model of dispersion.The Thalanga massive sulfide deposit in northeast Queensland has at least 4 million tonnes of 15% combined Zn, Pb and Cu. The mineralized horizon lies at the contact between rhyolitic and dacitic rocks of the Cambro-Ordovician Mt. Windsor Volcanics. The deposit is covered by transported cemented Tertiary terrigenous clayey sandstones and grits; these are electrically conductive and vary in thickness from 0 to 70 m.Near-surface soil samples were collected along five traverses normal to the strike of mineralization. The traverses were located to give 0 m, 1 m, 30 m, 50 m, and 70 m overburden thicknesses; there is no known significant mineralization along the last traverse which is assumed to be background, and there is a small gossan where the overburden is absent.Dispersion patterns influenced by electrogeochemical processes should result in relatively low values for ions over massive sulfides with lateral peaks; this has been termed a “rabbit-ear” anomaly. “Rabbit-ear” anomalies in surface soils for H⁺, Cu, and Zn occur over the sulfide zone. The H⁺ pattern is better defined where there is a significant depth of overburden (where the anomaly is about 500 m wide). The Cu anomaly is 300–600 m wide, and the Zn anomaly is 450–675 m wide.Even where the overburden is 50 m thick, anomalous “rabbit-ear” anomalies for H⁺ and Zn are clearly identifiable, but the anomaly for Cu is a single peak of 20 ppm over the hanging wall. It is suggested that the results of this work convincingly demonstrate that at Thalanga surface soil samples may reliably be used to detect massive sulfide deposits - even where they are effectively blind beneath a considerable thickness of transported and conductive overburden. The processes of dispersion are speculated to be diffusion, and it is argued that the pattern-controlling mechanism is electrochemical.     

基于地下水动力特征监测的岩溶塌陷预警阈值探索——以广州金沙洲岩溶塌陷为例

监测预警是岩溶塌陷地质灾害防治领域急需解决的技术难题。文章在总结当前岩溶塌陷监测预警研究现状的基础上,以广州金沙洲地区岩溶塌陷监测为例,通过对不同岩溶塌陷阶段地下水动力条件监测数据分析,发现数据异常值反映了不同工况地下水动态和岩溶塌陷发展阶段的突变关系,以此为基础,通过曲线拟合和残差分析确定了岩溶塌陷预警的置信带。通过对比分析异常值出现最多次数时间,最大及最小异常值出现时间和实际岩溶塌陷发生时间,验证了运用异常数据分析法进行岩溶塌陷预警是可行的,监测数据间隔越密,捕获的异常值越多,预警越准确。      

中国金的地球化学省及其成因的微观解释

利用全国1:20万区域化探扫面600×104km2和东天山、中蒙边界1:100万地球化学填图86×104km2的金分析数据,在全国圈定了15处金的地球化学省集中区,并发现与金矿成矿带或大型矿集区有关的地球化学省都具有多层套合结构特征。这种具有多层套合特征的地球化学省的形成是由高背景岩石、成矿作用和矿床风化产生的次生分散相互叠加的结果。高背景岩石提供了成矿元素的初始物源,成矿过程使得元素的进一步活化和富集,矿床风化产生元素的点源分散进一步形成叠加异常浓集中心,最后形成了具有多层套合的地球化学异常。通过使用微米和纳米观测手段发现地球化学样品中存在大量微米至纳米级金微粒,这种金微粒具有极强的活动性,能被各种营力作长距离搬运,形成了大规模具有多层套合特征的金地球化学省。     

高密度激发极化法测量在峪耳崖金矿区的应用

运用美国生产的高密度电法仪器对峪耳崖金矿区16~28线进行了测量。该仪器可同时测得视电阻率和视充电率2种数据,并可自动成图和地形改正。通过高密度电法工作圈定了地表较浅部的矿化异常区,除主要矿化异常赋存于岩体接触带外,在灰岩中也发现高极化异常区,表明在灰岩地层内也存在金属硫化物矿化现象,这为下一步找矿工作提供了新的思路和方向。通过钻探结果确定该矿区异常区有2种类型,即高阻高充电异常和低阻高充电异常,主要分布在岩性的接触带附近,尤其是内接触带。     

湖南省九龙山铅锌矿物化探异常综合分析与找矿前景

为进一步摸清九龙山地区区域化探异常与铅锌矿化之间的因果关系、成矿规律和控矿因素,投入1∶1万地质调查、土壤地球化学测量、岩石地球化学测量和激发极化法测量工作,通过综合分析,发现区内4个激电异常区与土壤异常形态相似,平面位置基本重叠吻合,且反映强烈。利用浅表槽探工程在异常中心处揭露到铅锌矿脉,长约760 m,平均厚度为1.40 m,铅平均含量为3.03%,锌平均含量为2.78%,说明九龙山勘查区成矿条件良好,矿产富集,未来深部找矿工作潜力较大。     

一种新的化探异常评价方法

介绍了应用系统核和核度理论对化探异常进行评判的过程,初步试验证明,这种方法是有效的。     

The identification of various types of geochemical stream sediment anomalies in Northern Ireland

A regional geochemical stream sediment survey of part of Northern Ireland led to the recognition of three types of base metal anomaly of exploration interest. These were significant anomalies of both elastic and hydromorphic origin, and non-significant hydromorphic anomalies in several upland areas. The significant anomalies are derived from Pb-Zn-Cu mineralization, whereas the non-significant anomalies are due to the leaching of Zn and other metals from acidic and/or gleyed soils and subsequent concentration in stream channels by coprecipitation with manganese oxides. Significant hydromorphic anomalies can be identified on the basis of abnormal Zn/Mn ratios and significant elastic anomalies on the basis of anomalous Pb contents. It is of the utmost importance to distinguish the dispersion mechanisms. Regional variations in bedrock geochemistry may only be identified when consideration is given to local dispersion mechanisms and account taken of the effects of variations in the surface environment on stream sediment composition. Changes in vegetation and land use may lead to rapid alterations in the nature of the dominant dispersion mechanisms.     

Some conceptual models for geochemistry in areas of preglacial deep weathering

In some glaciated regions, weathered mantles, formed under previous climatic regimes, were not always eroded bare by glacial activity, but instead lie buried beneath the glacial overburden. It is obviously important that geochemical exploration programs in such terrain should take into account some of the known regolith features seen in deeply weathered regions. The effects of glacial action upon deeply weathered terrain are considered in three conceptual models. The critical factor in each is the depth of truncation of the preglacial weathering profile. All three proposed models are dynamic systems and a wide range of intermediate situations must be expected.In Model 1 a complete, largely undisturbed, weathering profile is preserved beneath till. The key characteristic is preservation of a lateritic duricrust which may contain areally large (up to 200 km²) geochemical anomalies. It would be critical, firstly, that the duricrust be sufficiently continuous to allow a reasonable success rate in its being sampled, and secondly that the duricrust be recognizable in drill spoil. The most efficient geochemical exploration could be based upon wide-spaced overburden drilling directed at sampling the duricrust. For reconnaissance, holes could be based upon a 1-km grid where stratabound massive polymetallic sulphide or stratabound gold deposits are sought. Even wider spacing could be tried where larger-sized ore deposits are expected.Model 2 is characterized by a weathered profile that was partly stripped prior to glaciation. The essential feature is a vertically zoned weathering profile in the basement rock in which the upper levels of the weathering profile have undergone leaching of certain elements and lower levels contain enrichments of these elements. Any gossans present would show strong vertical zonation. Relatively strong sources for dispersion in till are likely to be enriched gossans where erosion has cut deep into the profile, zones of supergene enrichment of ore deposits, and supergene ore deposits themselves. In many situations, saprolite under glacial drift would be too soft to provide boulders so important in conventional till prospecting.The essential ingredient in hypothetical Model 3 involves progressive planing away of the weathering profile by glacial action. Thus any halo in duricrust is initially dispersed, followed by dispersion of progressively deeper levels of saprolite. If taken deep enough the supergene enriched zone of a mineral deposit could add to the glacial dispersion. A broadly zoned anomaly would be expected; a till anomaly would be characterized distally by elements from the former duricrust anomaly, with elements more characteristic of supergene zones closer to the source.     

辽宁省绥中县沙金沟地区岩金及多金属找矿方向

文章通过对该地区已知地质资料的深入研究及详细的地质工作,共圈出金化探异常4个,钼化探异常带2条,其它多金属异常多条。认为近EW向构造（F4、F5）与NE向构造（F9、F13）交汇部位是今后找矿工作重点,寻找碎裂蚀变岩型隐伏金矿是今后找矿主要方向;钼矿找矿应以隐爆角砾岩型和斑岩型为主。     

喀拉通克铜镍矿物化探方法的应用效果

在1:20万航空磁测中仅发现小而弱的磁异常,在地表发现了铁帽,并在铁帽下发现了铜矿化的基性岩后,通过地表磁测,发现磁异常,经钻探发现了致密块状铜镍矿.选用重力、磁测、激发极化法及化探土壤测量等方法进行工作,获得明显的综合异常,指导了钻探工程的正确部署,钻到了工业矿体.     

GIS技术在成矿预测中的应用实例——以杨家杖子矿田为例

文章系统地总结了利用GIS技术在辽宁省杨家杖子多金属矿田外围进行找矿预测研究的工作过程。工作中，采用多因素套合分析法圈定找矿靶区，在一个找矿靶区内找到了2个新的矿床。所谓的多因素套合分析法是一种基于GIS平台的找矿预测方法，其核心是利用GIS平台对与成矿有关的2个以上因素的空间关系进行分析，提取有用信息，快速缩小找矿靶区。实践证明，多因素套合分析法是一种基于GIS的简便易行、快速缩小靶区的找矿预测方法。     

激电法在巢湖市山里许矽卡岩型铜金矿靶区评价中的应用

为了在安徽省巢湖市山里许以西实现新的找矿突破,先后投入了双频激电扫面工作及大功率激电测深剖面工作.通过对取得的激电异常特征进行研究,推断了2处构造的分布;提取激电二次信息发现,激电电导率异常在研究区已知铜矿化部位有较好的反映,综合激电异常等特征,圈定了研究区以西2处成矿靶区;通过激电多参数与已知矿体综合分析,能有效地评...     

桦甸市高兴屯金矿土壤地球化学勘查与找矿

高兴屯金矿区成矿地质条件有利,土壤测量次生晕的背景值较高,但直接利用原始数据得出的异常不能有效地反映出矿致异常,结合已知矿体采用相似性原理对本矿区的土壤地球化学测量数据进行了处理,成功地图出了矿致异常,进而实现找矿突破.     

Models of Spatial Structures of Regional Multi-element Geochemical Anomalies over Copper-Polymetallic Orefields

Regional stream sediment surveys at a 1:200,000 scale reveal positive and negative regional multi-element geochemical anomalies over medium to large copper-polymetallic orefields of different genetic types in China. Regional geochemical anomalies of orefield refer to those geochemical anomalies that are related to metallogenesis of an orefield in a certain area. The anomaly area is typically 10 to 100 km2. The regional multi-element anomalies related to mineralization can be divided into three groups, that is, the ore-element anomaly association, indicator element anomaly association, and metallogenic environmental element anomaly association. Their common spatial distributions over ore deposits or orefields possess unique structures.The model of spatial structure of regional multi-element geochemical anomalies (RAGSS) of an orefield delineates structural feature possessed by orderly spatial distributions of different groups of multi-element anomaly associations related to orefield metallogenesis. It is