Geochemistry of approximately 1.9 Ga sedimentary rocks from northeastern Labrador, Canada

Fifty-eight rock chips from fifteen samples of sedimentary rocks from the Ramah Group (approximately 1.9 Ga) in northeastern Labrador, Canada, were analyzed for major and minor elements, including C and S, to elucidate weathering processes on the Earth's surface about 1.9 Ga ago. The samples come from the Rowsell Harbour, Reddick Bight, and Nullataktok Formations. Two rock series, graywackes-gray shales of the Rowsell Harbour, Reddick Bight and Nullataktok Formations, and black shales of the Nullataktok Formation, are distinguishable on the basis of lithology, mineralogy, and major and trace element chemistry. The black shales show lower concentrations than the graywackes-gray shales in TiO2 (0.3-0.7 wt% vs. 0.7-1.8 wt%), Al2O3 (9.5-20.1 wt% vs. 13.0-25.0 wt%), and sigma Fe (<1 wt% vs. 3.8-13.9 wt% as FeO). Contents of Zr, Th, U, Nb, Ce, Y, Rb, Y, Co, and Ni are also lower in the black shales. The source rocks for the Ramah Group sediments were probably Archean gneisses with compositions similar to those in Labrador and western Greenland. The major element chemistry of source rocks for the Ramah Group sedimentary rocks was estimated from the Al2O3/TiO2 ratios of the sedimentary rocks and the relationship between the major element contents (e.g., SiO2 wt%) and Al2O3/TiO2 ratios of the Archean gneisses. This approach is justified, because the Al/Ti ratios of shales generally retain their source rock values; however, the Zr/Al, Zr/Ti, and Cr/Ni ratios fractionate during the transport of sediments. The measured SiO2 contents of shales in the Ramah Group are generally higher than the estimated SiO2 contents of source rocks by approximately 5 wt%. This correction may also have to be applied when estimating average crustal compositions from shales. Two provenances were recognized for the Ramah Group sediments. Provenance I was comprised mostly of rocks of bimodal compositions, one with SiO2 contents approximately 45 wt% and the other approximately 65 wt%, and was the source for most sedimentary rocks of the Ramah Group, except for black shales of the Nullataktok Formation. The black shales were apparently derived from Provenance II that was comprised mostly of felsic rocks with SiO2 contents approximately 65 wt%. Comparing the compositions of the Ramah Group sedimentary rocks and their source rocks, we have recognized that several major elements, especially Ca and Mg, were lost almost entirely from the source rocks during weathering and sedimentation. Sodium and potassium were also leached almost entirely during the weathering of the source rocks. However, significant amounts of Na were added to the black shales and K to all the rock types during diagenesis and/or regional metamorphism. The intensity of weathering of source rocks for the Ramah Group sediments was much higher than that of typical Phanerozoic sediments, possibly because of a higher PCO2 in the Proterozoic atmosphere. Compared to the source rock values, the Fe3+/Ti ratios of many of the graywackes and gray shales of the Ramah Group are higher, the Fe2+/Ti ratios are lower, and the sigma Fe/Ti ratios are the same. Such characteristics of the Fe geochemistry indicate that these sedimentary rocks are comprised of soils formed by weathering of source rocks under an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The atmosphere about 1.9 Ga was, therefore, oxygen rich. Typical black shales of Phanerozoic age exhibit positive correlations between the organic C contents and the concentrations of S, U, and Mo, because these elements are enriched in oxygenated seawater and are removed from seawater by organic matter in sediments. However, such correlations are not found in the Ramah Group sediments. Black shales of the Ramah Group contain 1.7-2.8 wt% organic C, but are extremely depleted in sigma Fe (<1 wt% as FeO), S (<0.3 wt%), U (approximately l ppm), Mo (<5 ppm), Ni (<2 ppm), and Co (approximately 0 ppm). This lack of correlation, however, does not imply that the approximately 1.9 Ga atmosphere-ocean system was anoxic. Depletion of these elements from the Ramah Group sediments may have occurred during diagenesis.     

A reinterpretation of the crustal N‐isotope record: evidence for a 15N‐enriched Archean atmosphere?

A new compilation of N‐isotope and abundance data for metasedimentary rocks, and hyrdothermal micas that proxy for bulk crust, show systematic patterns. (1) δ¹⁵N values of kerogen in Precambrian cherts are more negative relative to siliciclastic counterparts, probably due to a mantle hydrothermal component. (2) There is a secular trend from average δ¹⁵N 15.3 ± 1.8‰ in Archean shales, through intermediate values in the Proterozoic, to Phanerozoic counterparts where δ¹⁵N averages +3.5‰. (3) Hydrothermal micas in metamorphic hydrothermal systems of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic age that proxy for crust have δ¹⁵N within the range of contemporaneous sedimentary rocks. (4) Hydrothermal micas track the secular trend of δ¹⁵N for kerogen from 2.7 Ga to the Phanerozoic. (5) Within Precambrian datasets δ¹⁵N does not increase with decreasing N content; accordingly, high δ¹⁵N values cannot stem either from metamorphism or form Rayleigh fractionation. (6) Previous studies show isotopic shifts during metamorphism are only +1 to +3‰ up to amphibolite facies. Values of 10–24‰ are attributed to a high δ¹⁵N Archean atmosphere, a residual signature of CI carbonaceous chondrites where δ¹⁵N is +30‰ to + 42‰.     

A reconstruction of Archean biological diversity based on molecular fossils from the 2.78 to 2.45 billion-year-old Mount Bruce Supergroup, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia

Bitumens extracted from 2.7 to 2.5 billion-year-old (Ga) shales of the Fortescue and Hamersley Groups in the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, contain traces of molecular fossils. Based on a combination of molecular characteristics typical of many Precambrian bitumens, their consistently and unusually high thermal maturities, and their widespread distribution throughout the Hamersley Basin, the bitumens can be characterized as ‘probably of Archean age’. Accepting this interpretation, the biomarkers open a new window on Archean biodiversity. The presence of hopanes in the Archean rocks confirms the antiquity of the domain Bacteria, and high relative concentrations of 2α-methylhopanes indicate that cyanobacteria were important primary producers. Oxygenic photosynthesis therefore evolved > 2.7 Ga ago, and well before independent evidence suggests significant levels of oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere. Moreover, the abundance of cyanobacterial biomarkers in shales interbedded with oxide-facies banded iron formations (BIF) indicates that although some Archean BIF might have been formed by abiotic photochemical processes or anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, those in the Hamersley Group formed as a direct consequence of biological oxygen production. Biomarkers of the 3β-methylhopane series suggest that microaerophilic heterotrophic bacteria, probably methanotrophs or methylotrophs, were active in late Archean environments. The presence of steranes in a wide range of structures with relative abundances like those from late Paleoproterozoic to Phanerozoic sediments is convincing evidence for the existence of eukaryotes in the late Archean, 900 Ma before visible fossil evidence indicates that the lineage arose. Sterol biosynthesis in extant eukaryotes requires molecular oxygen. The presence of steranes together with biomarkers of oxygenic photosynthetic cyanobacteria suggests that the concentration of dissolved oxygen in some regions of the upper water column was equivalent to at least ∼1% of the present atmospheric level (PAL) and may have been sufficient to support aerobic respiration.     

Application of geochemical mapping techniques to a complex Precambrian shield area in Labrador, Canada

Lake sediment and water geochemical data from a complex area of the Canadian shield in Labrador, Canada, display spatial variation patterns that can be linked to bedrock geology. Composite variables derived by R-mode factor analysis are effective in discriminating large-scale lithotectonic divisions, but single-element raw or residual data (corrected for effects of lake depth, Fe, Mn and LOI) provide better resolution of smaller-scale features and major tectonic boundaries.Archean high-grade gneiss regions are typified by high pH and Ni, coupled with depletion of U and F. This signature is developed most strongly over mafic igneous rocks, but is present also over Archean granitoid orthogneisses. Archean crust affected by Proterozoic structural and thermal reworking retains a high Ni signature, but is not depleted in U and F. An Early Proterozoic belt of felsic intrusive and extrusive rocks is defined by enrichment in F, U, Mo, Pb and Zn. Single-element variations suggest large-scale zonation of the belt, with the strongest enrichment over blocks interpreted to represent high crustal levels. Prominent geochemical boundaries coincide with major faults within this belt. High-grade metamorphic terranes comprising Early to Middle Proterozoic crust affected by the 1.0-Ga Grenville Orogeny show low geochemical relief, and are characterized by strong depletion in incompatible elements.In addition to reflecting the dominant rock types in each domain, some of these patterns may be related to the age, erosion level and orogenic history of the crust. For example, the Archean signature may reflect fundamental contrasts in the compositions of Archean and Proterozoic crust, suggested also by lithogeochemical and petrogenetic studies. Geochemical zonation over Early Proterozoic igneous rocks may be a function of crustal level, with the most differentiated granites, volcanic rocks and hydrothermal mineralization present in the uppermost levels of the belt. Depletion of incompatible elements over both Archean and Proterozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks may reflect expulsion of these elements by dehydration and anatexis.     

The magnesium and calcium contents of sediments,especially pelites,as a function of age and degree of metamorphism

The silicate and carbonate fraction of 98 non-metamorphic shale samples from the Australian platform and of different geological age were analysed for calcium, magnesium, ferrous iron and carbonate. Cainozoic and Mesozoic shales prove to be essentially calcitic, Cambrian and Proterozoic shales are essentially dolomitic and sideritic. A similar trend of high MgO values can be demonstrated for the silicate fraction of the old shales. Extensive literature study confirms these trends for shales and carbonate rocks from all over the world. Slates, hornfelses and schists are Mg rich and Ca poor, whether young or old.Ronov's model of the evolution of the earth's crust ocean and atmosphere, explaining these trends, is critically reviewed but rejected because of impossible storage problems of calcium in the Proterozoic. The increased magnesium content of the old sediments is explained by calcium carbonate sweating out of the sedimentary column, magnesium introduction from altering volcanic rocks within the sedimentary pile and magnesium introduction from connate brines in sandstones. The increasing calcium content of all kinds of sediments with decreasing age is claimed to be related to preferential weathering of extrusive volcanic rocks and sweating out of calcium carbonate from the sedimentary column.     

Exploring the metamorphic consequences of secular change in the siliciclastic compositions of continental margins

Shale and greywacke compositions from the Archean to Phanerozoic record a secular change in the siliciclastic material that comprises much of Earth's continental margins, past and present. This study explores the metamorphic consequence of these compositional changes, by comparing phase equilibrium models constructed for average Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic shale and greywacke compositions equilibrated along two Barrovian-type geotherms: 1330℃/GPa(A) and 800 ℃/GPa(B). Our models show that Archean siliciclastic rocks can retain up to 4 vol.% water at middle to lower crustal conditions, nearly twice that of Proterozoic and Phanerozoic compositions. The increased ferromagnesium content of Archean siliciclastic rocks stabilizes chlorite to higher temperatures and results in a biotite-rich assemblage at solidus temperatures. Accordingly, water-absent biotite dehydration melting is predicted to play a greater role in the generation of melt in the metamorphism of Archean aged units,and water-absent muscovite dehydration melting is of increasing importance through the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic. This secular variation in predicted mineral assemblages demonstrates the care with which metamorphic facies diagrams should be applied to Archean compositions. Moreover, secular changes in the composition of shale and greywacke is reflected in the evolution of anatectic melt towards an increasingly less viscous, Ca-rich, and Mg-poor monzogranite.     

The zircon-age distribution in metamorphic rocks of the Taratash block,Southern Urals (an initial provenance signal)

A concept for the interpretation of the initial provenance signal in rocks of the Taratash block (in the Southern Urals) using the zircon isotope dating of the Archean and Early Proterozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks was substantiated and carried out. Based on 132 zircon-age datings with a discordance of as much as 10%, a probability-density diagram was compiled first to compare these age data with those of detrital zircons from Lower Riphean sandstones of the Ai Formation and, secondly, with the probability density of zircon ages in metamorphic rocks of the Aleksandrovsk block, which is located to the east. The similarity of the distributions was verified using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test.     

Rare earth evidence in iron-formations for changing Precambrian oxidation states

Rare earth element distributions in Precambrian iron-formations show evidence of evolving oxidation states for the elements europium and cerium. Chemical sediments older than about 1900m.y. are enriched in Eu compared to their contemporaneous clastic sediments. This indicates that at some time during the weathering, transportation and/or deposition of the rare earth elements, a considerable proportion of the Eu was present as Eu²⁺ rather than totally as Eu³⁺. Sea water prior to 1900m.y. was probably enriched in Eu because of this. At some time or interval between 1900 and about 800 m.y. Eu was totally converted under surficial conditions to the +3 state and its behavior ceased to be anomalous. The Eu-enriched nature of Precambrian sediments may be partly explained by Eu enrichment of sea water prior to 1900 m.y.Cerium exhibits anonalous abundances in Proterozoic chemical sediments as old as 2300 m.y., but is not anomalous in Archean rocks. Oxidation of Ce to the +4 state is thus indicated during the early Proterozoic and implies the presence of Mn nodules in early Proterozoic seas. Mn distributions, however, would appear to contradict the presence of Mn nodules as there is no evidence for Mn oxidation states higher than +2 at this time.Rare earth element contents in Precambrian iron-formations are very low and may indicate that ferric iron precipitation was not accompanied by trace element scavenging as it is today.     

Lithogeochemistry of the fine-grained siliciclastic rocks of the Vendian Serebryanka Group of the Central Urals

Sedimentation environments were reconstructed for the Early Vendian successions of the western slope of the Central Urals, which comprises one of the most complete sections of the terminal Precambrian system in northern Eurasia. It was shown that, despite the presence of several diamictite levels in the sections of the Serebryanka Group, mature and multiply recycled fine-grained siliciclastic materials (CIA = 65–77) were delivered into the sedimentation basin over the whole Early Vendian. Based on the lithochemical characteristics of shales, the climate of Serebryanka time can be estimated as semiarid-semihumid, similar to that dominating in Late Vendian paleocatchments. Based on relatively high Mo/Mn values (0.011–0.024), it was suggested that anoxic or similar conditions existed in the basin of Buton time, whereas other sedimentary complexes of the Serebryanka Group were formed in well aerated environments. The systematics of Sr, Ba, Zr, Cu, and V in fine-grained siliciclastic rocks and Sr isotopic data for carbonate rocks indicate that the sediments were accumulated in a fresh-water basin. The values of trace-element indicator ratios, e.g., Th/Sc, La/Sc, Th/Cr and others, in the shales of the Serebryanka Group and Nd model age estimates indicate that a variety of mainly Early Proterozoic complexes, ranging from granitoids to basic rocks, occurred in the Early Vendian paleocatchments. The basic rocks were eroded most extensively probably in the end of Serebryanka time. Based on the Ce/Ce* values of shales, it was concluded that submarine volcanism had no significant influence on sedimentation processes in the Early Vendian. An exception is Koiva and Kernos time, when hematite-bearing shales were accumulated in association with pillow basalts in some zones of the basin. The distribution of the compositions of shales from various formations of the Serebryanka Group in discrimination diagrams suggests that the Early Vendian sedimentary sequences were formed in passive geodynamic settings.     

浅谈前寒武纪条带状铁建造的沉积-变质成矿过程

条带状铁建造(BIF)是3.5～1.8Ga前陆架和洋盆的常见沉积物.前寒武纪条带状铁建造构成了世界上重要的铁矿资源.虽然它们成矿过程及其演化的许多方面的问题仍未解决,但人们普遍认为,它们沉积方式的长期变化与地球的环境和地球化学演化有关.条带状铁建造记录了前寒武纪古海洋、古环境、大气条件和细菌代谢条件以及铁的来源和沉积过...     

Geochemistry and genetic model of the ore-bearing sediments of the Parnok ferromanganese deposit, Polar Urals

The Parnok ferromanganese deposit is confined to the black shales of the western slope of the Polar Urals. The deposit area is made up of weakly metamorphosed terrigenous-carbonate rocks formed in a marine basin at a passive continental margin. Ore-bearing sequence is composed of coaliferous clayey-siliceous-calcareous shales comprising beds and lenses of pelitomorphic limestones, and iron and manganese ores. The iron ores practically completely consist of micrograined massive magnetite. The manganese ores are represented by lenticular-bedded rocks consisting of hausmannite, rhodochrosite, and diverse manganese silicates. With respect to relations between indicator elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Ti), the shales are ascribed to pelagic sediments with normal concentrations of Fe and Mn, the limestones correspond to metalliferous sediments, ferruginous sediments are ore-bearing sediments, while manganese rocks occupy an intermediate position. It was found that the concentrations of trace elements typical of submarine hydrothermal solutions (As, Ge, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn, etc.) in both the ore types are in excess of those in lithogenic component. At the same time, the indicator elements of terrigenous material (Al, Ti, Hf, Nb, Th, Zr, and others) in the ores are several times lower than those in the host shales (background sediments). REE distribution patterns in iron ores show the positive Eu anomaly, while those in manganese ores, the positive Ce anomaly. In general, the chemical composition of the ores indicates their formation in the hydrothermal discharge zone. The peculiar feature of the studied object is the manifestation of hydrothermal vents in sedimentary basin without evident signs of volcanic activity. Hydrothermal solutions were formed in terrigenous-carbonate sequence mainly at the expense of buried sedimentation waters. The hydrothermal system was likely activated by rejuvenation of tectonic and magmatic processes at the basement of sedimentary sequences. Solutions leached iron, manganese, and other elements from sedimentary rocks and transported them to the seafloor. Their discharge occurred in relatively closed marine basin under intermittent anaerobic conditions. Eh-pH variations led to the differentiation of Fe and Mn and accumulation of chemically contrasting ore-bearing sediments.     

Boron in chert and Precambrian siliceous iron formations

In order to assess the importance of siliceous sediments as a sink for oceanic B and to determine the effect of diagenesis on the mobilization of B, samples were analysed from chert nodules, bedded cherts, and siliceous banded iron formations from a variety of sedimentary environments and geologic ages. Boron analyses on bulk samples were made by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis. The distribution of B in rocks was mapped using α-track methods.Nodular Phanerozoic cherts typically contain 50–150 ppm B, and bedded cherts somewhat less. The B is initially concentrated in tests of silica-secreting organisms, but some is lost in early diagenesis as silica progressively recrystallises to quartz.Banded iron formation silica of Archean and Proterozoic age usually contains < 2 ppm B. This conforms with the view that such silica is not of biogenic origin but, since many iron formations are undoubtedly of marine origin, raises the question whether Precambrian oceans were impoverished in B. Analyses of Precambrian marine argillaceous sediments, averaging 70 ppm B, do not resolve this question.     

Ancient geochemical cycling in the Earth as inferred from Fe isotope studies of banded iron formations from the Transvaal Craton

Variations in the isotopic composition of Fe in Late Archean to Early Proterozoic Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) from the Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa, span nearly the entire range yet measured on Earth, from –2.5 to +1.0‰ in ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios relative to the bulk Earth. With a current state-of-the-art precision of ±0.05‰ for the ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratio, this range is 70 times analytical error, demonstrating that significant Fe isotope variations can be preserved in ancient rocks. Significant variation in Fe isotope compositions of rocks and minerals appears to be restricted to chemically precipitated sediments, and the range measured for BIFs stands in marked contrast to the isotopic homogeneity of igneous rocks, which have δ⁵⁶Fe=0.00±0.05‰, as well as the majority of modern loess, aerosols, riverine loads, marine sediments, and Proterozoic shales. The Fe isotope compositions of hematite, magnetite, Fe carbonate, and pyrite measured in BIFs appears to reflect a combination of (1) mineral-specific equilibrium isotope fractionation, (2) variations in the isotope compositions of the fluids from which they were precipitated, and (3) the effects of metabolic processing of Fe by bacteria. For minerals that may have been in isotopic equilibrium during initial precipitation or early diagenesis, the relative order of δ⁵⁶Fe values appears to decrease in the order magnetite > siderite > ankerite, similar to that estimated from spectroscopic data, although the measured isotopic differences are much smaller than those predicted at low temperature. In combination with on-going experimental determinations of equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation factors, the data for BIF minerals place additional constraints on the equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation factors for the system Fe(III)–Fe(II)–hematite–magnetite–Fe carbonate. δ⁵⁶Fe values for pyrite are the lowest yet measured for natural minerals, and stand in marked contrast to the high δ⁵⁶Fe values that are predicted from spectroscopic data. Some samples contain hematite and magnetite and have positive δ⁵⁶Fe values; these seem best explained through production of high ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe reservoirs by photosynthetic Fe oxidation. It is not yet clear if the low δ⁵⁶Fe values measured for some oxides, as well as Fe carbonates, reflect biologic processes, or inorganic precipitation from low-δ⁵⁶Fe ferrous-Fe-rich fluids. However, the present results demonstrate the great potential for Fe isotopes in tracing the geochemical cycling of Fe, and highlight the need for an extensive experimental program for determining equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation factors for minerals and fluids that are pertinent to sedimentary environments.     

华北克拉通碎屑沉积岩地球化学:异常太古宙—元古宙界线的初步研究

分析了华北克拉通新太古代—三叠纪 16个碎屑沉积岩组合样品。与Taylor和McLennan等提出的太古宙—元古宙界线前后沉积岩及上地壳化学组成变化不同 ,新太古代五台群沉积岩具明显负Eu异常 ,相容元素含量很低 ,不相容元素含量较高 ,与典型后太古宙沉积物组成类似。而古元古代沉积岩比五台群显示出异常高的Eu/Eu 值 ,w(Sc) /w(Th) ,w(Cr) /w (Th)比值。青白口纪、寒武纪、石炭纪和二叠纪沉积岩显示正常的后太古宙沉积岩特征。三叠纪沉积岩的Eu/Eu 值 ,w (Sc) /w (Th) ,w(Cr) /w(Th)比值再次显著升高 ,推测与华北和扬子克拉通最终的陆陆碰撞作用有关。因此 ,太古宙—元古宙界线并不一致对应于上地壳演化程度迅速增高。大陆上地壳并非总是向着分异程度提高的方向演化 ,而是部分时期可出现演化程度降低的异常现象。     

The geochemistry of cadmium in some sedimentary rocks

The cadmium contents of 11 shales, 11 sandstones, 7 limestones, 14 metamorphic rocks and 28 stream sediments, all from Pennsylvania, were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. On the basis of these cadmium values and those in the literature, cadmium is found to be enriched in dark shales and soils, depleted in red shales, sandstones and limestones, and about the same in stream sediments as in most igneous and metamorphic rocks and the crust. In stream sediments, cadmium correlates most significantly with zinc, followed by carbon, weight loss on ignition, cobalt, readily extractable lead and manganese. Examination of the correlation plots and of an Eh-pH diagram indicates that the primary cause of cadmium enrichment in the sedimentary environment is the adsorption and/or complexation of cadmium with organic matter followed by the accumulation of organic debris in a reducing depositional environment.     

山东韩旺新太古代条带状铁矿的稀土和微量元素特征

山东韩旺条带状铁矿是一个新太古代大型鞍山式铁矿床, 本文主要对韩旺条带状铁矿进行了岩石学和岩石化学方面的研究, 并与国内外该类型矿床进行对比。岩石学研究结果认为其经受了绿片岩相至低角闪岩相变质作用, 磁铁矿部分受到变质重结晶, 但局部仍保存有化学沉积的特征。在TFe-(CaO+MgO)-SiO2图解中, 其分布与五台山条带状铁矿和世界条带状铁矿分布区一致。韩旺铁矿稀土元素含量较低, 具有太古宙海洋沉积的特征, 在PAAS(太古宙后平均澳大利亚沉积岩)标准化的稀土配分曲线中显示轻稀土的相对亏损和重稀土的相对富集, 具有较强的Eu的正异常和明显的Y的正异常, 无明显的Ce异常, 这一特征与我国鞍山弓长岭和五台山及世界许多地区的太古宙BIF特征一致。微量元素中Ti、V、Co、Ni、Mn、Sr、Ba等元素的含量都较低, 在原始地幔标准化的微量元素配分曲线中具U、Ta、La、Ce、P正异常, K、Nb、Sr、Hf、Zr负异常。文章中也对韩旺条带状铁矿中Sr/Ba、Ti/V等元素的比值与其他地区进行了对比。综合研究结果认为韩旺条带状铁矿具有与火山热液伴生的铁质, 形成于海洋化学沉积环境。     

广西南部凭祥中三叠世沉积盆地构造环境——来自岩相学和碎屑岩地球化学的证据

岩相学特征表明,广西凭祥盆地砾岩可分为颗粒支撑和基质支撑2种,砾石成分主要为生物碎屑灰岩,其次为砂岩和泥岩。盆地砂岩主要由成分成熟度和结构成熟度较低的亚岩屑(杂)砂岩和岩屑(杂)砂岩组成,物源区为碰撞造山带或再旋回造山带。碎屑岩地球化学特征表明,凭祥中三叠世盆地中的砂岩和泥岩样品SiO2含量为61.71%~74.85%,接近于上地壳的平均值。具有高的K2O/Na2O值(6.50~0.51)和高的TFe2O3+MgO含量(7.29%~10.31%),TFe2O3/K2O值为2.05%~5.54%,矿物稳定性较差。稀土元素标准化配分曲线呈现出轻稀土元素富集、重稀土元素平坦和明显的Eu、Ce负异常特征,类似于上地壳和典型的太古宙页岩,具有海相沉积的特征。砂岩风化蚀变指数CIA高(71~88),Th/U值为3.68~9.53,表明砂岩和泥岩经历了较强的风化作用。砂岩物源区判别图表明,凭祥盆地物源与酸性岛弧具明显的亲缘性,增生楔和活动陆缘是主要的物源区。这些特征综合表明,凭祥盆地是一个伴随古特提斯分支洋盆闭合、经强烈构造改造的残余弧前盆地。     

Rare earths in Archean graywackes from Wyoming and from the Fig Tree Group,South Africa

Six graywackes from the Archean greenstone belt in the Wind River of Wyoming and 11 graywackes and three shales from the Archean Fig Tree Group, South Africa, were analyzed for the rare earth elements (REE). There are real deviations beyond analytical uncertainty among sediments from the same formation. The absolute abundance of the REE (∑REE) is somewhat lower than that of the North American shale composite (NASC) which is representative of younger sedimentary rocks. Still, the results confirm previous suggestions that the RE pattern in Precambrian sediments is the same as the NASC but that, relative to the heavy REE, graywackes are slightly enriched in the light REE, shales are depleted, and there is a slight enrichment in Eu relative to the NASC. The average abundance of Eu relative to the other REE for all the Precambrian sediments is the same as that in chondritic meteorites. Attesting to the complexity of graywacke genesis, there is no correlation between the variations in the REE parameters and the variations in major or minor element concentrations. In particular, there is no obvious correlation between the excess Eu and Sr abundance. The total amount of REE, the $\text{La}\text{Yb}$ ratio, and the Eu enrichment factor, however, all increase in the graywackes with the amount granite-gneiss detritus in the rocks. In general, the REE distributions in Archean graywackes and shales appear to be related to the relative amounts of clastic feldspar, mica, and minor phases which concentrate the REE.     

Banded iron formations of the calciphyre-metabasite-gneiss association in the East European Craton

The paper presents characteristics of the least studied iron formations of the East European Craton (Archean banded iron formations of the calciphyre-metabasite-gneiss association), a typical member of granulite complexes of the Ukrainian Shield, Belarussian-Baltic region, and Voronezh crystalline massif. They are mainly composed of diverse metasedimentary rocks: aluminous gneisses; silicate-magnetite, magnetite, and barren quartzites; eulysites; calciphyres; and marbles associated with metavolcanic rocks. Data on chemical compositions of the metasedimentary rocks are summarized for the first time and their possible primary mineral composition has been reconstructed using the MINLITH software. It is shown that they could be formed from a lithogenetic series of sediments linked by gradual transitions and geochemical commonness of sediments: from fine-grained terrigenous insufficiently mature sediments to chemogenic sediments depleted in terrigenous material (ferruginous-siliceous, ferruginous-siliceous-carbonate, siliceous-carbonate, and carbonate sediments). The inferred primary mineral assemblage indicates sedimentation in the central parts of large paleobasins in a reducing environment characterized by deficit of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide. Lithological specifics of the banded iron formations in different regions presumably reflect different distances of sedimentation zones from submarine hydrothermal discharge sites and sources of terrigenous material. The banded iron formations at the present-day erosion section of basement represent metamorphosed fragments of the lateral-facies zoning of rocks of the Archean sedimentary basins (or a single basin) of the East European Craton. Unlike other Early Precambrian banded iron formations of the East European Craton, rocks of the calciphyre-metabasite-gneiss association are marked by a high Mn content.     

Comments on the Eu and Th geochemistry of the archaean continental crust of the Kaapvaal Craton,South Africa

Chemical data from sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Kaapvaal Craton have been used to trace the occurrence of highly fractionated K₂O-rich granites with pronounced negative Eu-anomalies back to the early Archaean. From the sediments of the Fig Tree Group (about 3.4 Ga-old) and granite pebbles in the overlying Moodies Group it was estimated that the igneous and metamorphic part of the continental crust at that time already contained up to about 35% of such granites. Their formation requires the presence of a thick continental crust to allow intracrustal partial melting with plagioclase as a residual phase, and the intrusion of the resulting granites at high levels within the crust. Save for some small remnants these Eu-depleted Archaean granites have since been removed by erosion.Shales of the 3.0 Ga-old Pongola Supergroup reflect only small source areas and contain considerable amounts of material derived from residual soils. The Eu-anomalies of the Pongola shales suggest up to 30% Eu-depleted granites in the source area. The shales of the Witwatersrand Supergroup (about 2.6 Ga-old) — with Eu-anomalies as low as 0.45 — reflect a source area already having typical post-Archaean crustal compositions.The Th-concentrations in South African shales support this conclusion and typical post-Archaean concentrations of above 10 ppm are found already in the early Archaean Sheba shales. Uranium and thorium mineralization has also occurred on the Kaapvaal Craton since the early Archaean.The South African late Proterozoic and Phanerozoic sedimentary record of Eu-anomalies and Th-concentrations confirms the trend observed on other cratonic areas and supports the concept of worldwide uniformity in crustal composition since the end of the Archaean. On the Kaapvaal Craton crustal growth and consolidation began 500–600 Ma earlier than in other parts of the world. The Kaapvaal Craton thus appears to represent a ‘cold spot’ on the face of the Earth.