Petrographie des Praezechsteins der Bohrung „Dransfeld l”

Core samples from the “Praezechstein” formation of the bore “Dransfeld 1” were investigated by optical, X-ray, and chemical methods. The rock formation consists of graywackes interbedded with Slates. The graywackes contain mineral.components and rock fragments which are also common in the graywackes of Harz and “Rheinisches Schiefergebirge”, so that a common source of derivation may be concluded, namely the “Mitteldeutsche Schwelle”. The distinctive features of the Dransfeld-graywackes however as compared to those of Harz and “Rheinisches Schiefergebirge” are:

1. 1.
   A higher content of rock fragments specially of volcanic origin.     
   
   

Fluid–rock interaction processes related to hydrothermal vein-type mineralization in the Siegerland district,Germany: implications from inorganic and organic alteration patterns

Altered wallrocks of vein-type Pb–Zn–Sb mineralization, Siegerland district, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, have been investigated by a combination of inorganic and organic geochemical methods, including major and trace element analysis, vitrinite reflectance measurements, C isotope and elemental analysis of kerogen. Alteration features of the siliciclastic pelitic-psammitic Lower Devonian wallrocks are increased K/Na ratios, significant desilicification and relative immobility of a number of elements, notably Al, Ti, Zr, Cr, V. Wallrock kerogens display elevated vitrinite reflectance values, decrease in H/C atomic ratios coupled with increase in S/C atomic ratios and heavier C isotope compositions, compared to the unaltered precursor sedimentary rocks. Interaction processes between the hydrothermal fluids and the respective wallrocks, related to injection of high-temperature silica-undersaturated solutions, are dominated by quartz dissolution coupled with sericitization reactions. Heat transfer due to fluid infiltration/convection and wallrock reactions caused fluid cooling, which promoted the sequential deposition of quartz and stibnite/sulphosalts within the vein systems. Hydrocarbons, detected in ore assemblages of Pb–Zn and Sb mineralization, were most probably derived from the Lower Devonian very low-grade (meta)sedimentary rocks. High maturity levels and pronounced, typical organic alteration patterns indicate that thermochemical SO²⁻₄ reduction (TSR) played an important role in precipitation of metal sulphides. The present study demonstrates that a combination of inorganic and organic investigations on fluid–rock interaction processes is particularly useful for deciphering precipitation mechanisms of base metal sulphides.     

Intermediate sulfates in barite-celestite isomorphic series: Composition and mode of occurrence

Intermediate (mixed) sulfates of the BaSO₄-SrSO₄ isomorphic series are relatively rare in nature. Nevertheless, large resources of such sulfates have been revealed in Russia at carbonatite-type deposits (Karasug in Tuva and Khalyuta in the western Transbaikal region) and at the Oktyabr’skoe skarn magnetite deposit in the Angara region. The compiled database of chemical compositions of mixed Ba-Sr sulfates (876 items) comprises data related to the above deposits and other worldwide occurrences. Ba-Sr sulfates are formed in a wide range of conditions from sedimentary basins to high-temperature magmatic systems, and their generalized compositional intervals completely overlap. At the same time, sulfates of various natural assemblages and generations occupy discrete intervals separated from one another in isomorphic series. The statistical boundaries of these intervals correspond to 15, 36, and 66 (±1) mol % SrSO₄. Many Ba-Sr sulfates contain up to 7–11 mol % CaSO₄.     

Verteilung von Fe,Mn, Ca und Mg im Karbonspati der Blei-Zink-Erzgänge des Südlichen Rheinischen Schiefergebirges

The statistical study of the chemical composition of the carbonates I in the lead-zinc ore district belonging to the southern ?Rheinisches Schiefergebirge“ represents a suitable method for characterising the ore veins and their types in this district. It allows to find out and to confirm the genetic relationships. In a detailed study (Hannak, 1965) the iron-manganese ratio in the carbonates I of the veins has been investigated and it has been shown that the Fe-Mn quotient can be employed as a typological factor for the types of the ore veins. Supplementary to this, the calcium-magnesium distribution has been followed up and compared with that of iron-manganese. The investigation led to the conclusion that calcium and magnesium also show a distribution which is characteristic of the veins and of different vein types. Investigations concerning the conditions of formation as well as the possibility of solid solutions in the above treated system will be made in some later studies.     

Zur Rekonstruktion der Geosynklinalgeschichte mit Hilfe von Inkohlungskurven (am Beispiel Ebbeantiklinorium,Rheinisches Schiefergebirge)

It is proposed to determine certain aspects in the development of a geosyncline by constructing the gradient of coalification. The analysis provides important hints as to the degree of erosion (≈ postorogenic uplift — heigh above sea level), the total thickness of the geosynclinal sediments and the geosynclinal heat flow, which can all be partly evaluated. The application of the proposed method to the Ebbe anticline (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) produces some interesting results; close relations are recognised between the geosynclinal development and the tectonic structure of the anticline and the surrounding synclines. The Ebbe anticline, former zone of relatively lesser subsidence with elevated heat flow and largest uplift is regarded as a model case for the northeastern Schiefergebirge (and other, similarly built mountains?).     

大荔人遗址黄土-古土壤序列

本文划分了大荔人化石层位上部的黄土-古土壤序列,对黄土进行了磁化率测量,并将结果与附近位于黄土塬上的垣雷剖面以及典型黄土洛川剖面的地层和磁化率曲线对比,认为大荔人化石地点地层上部黄土-古土壤序列包括S₀、L₁、S₁、L₂、S₂.大荔人化石位于黄土层以下约20 m处的河流相砾石层中,因此大荔人化石的年代大于S₂的轨道调谐年龄,即0.247 Ma B.P..根据动物化石和孢粉指示的环境以及化石层位上堆积较厚的河流相地层,推测大荔人生活在S₃古土壤形成时期.     

Origin and migration of brines from Paleozoic strata in Central Tarim,China: constraints from 87Sr/86Sr, δD, δ18O and water chemistry

Chemistry of major and minor elements, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δD, and δ¹⁸O of oilfield waters, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of whole rock were measured from Paleozoic strata in the Central Tarim basin, NW China. The aim is to elucidate the origin and migration of formation water and its relation to petroleum migration. High salinity oilfield waters in Carboniferous, Silurian and Ordovician reservoirs have maintained the same Na/Cl ratio as seawater, indicative of subaerially evaporated seawater. Two possible sources of evaporitic water are Carboniferous (C_II) and Cambrian, both of which contain evaporitic sediments. Geographic and stratigraphic trends in water chemistry suggest that most of the high salinity water is from the Cambrian. Strontium, H and O isotopes as well as ion chemistry indicate at least 3 end member waters in the basin. High-salinity Cambrian evaporitic water was expelled upward into Ordovician, Silurian and Carboniferous reservoirs along faults and fractures during compaction and burial. Meteoric water has likely invaded the section throughout its history as uplift created subaerial unconformities. Meteoric water certainly infiltrated Silurian and older strata during development of the C_III unconformity and again in recent times. Modern meteoric water enters Carboniferous strata from the west and flows eastward, mixing with the high salinity Cambrian water and to a lesser degree with paleometeoric water. The third end member is highly radiogenic, shale-derived water which has migrated eastward from the Awati Depression to the west. Enrichment of Ca and Sr and depletion of K, Mg, and SO₄ relative to the seawater evaporation trajectory suggest waters were affected by albitization of feldspars, dolomitization, illitization of smectite, and SO₄ reduction. The mixing of meteoric water occurred subsequently to seawater evaporation, main water-rock interactions, and brine migration. The direction of brine migration is consistent with that of petroleum migration, suggesting water and petroleum have followed the same migration pathways.     

Origin of natural waters and gases within the Upper Carboniferous coal-bearing and autochthonous Miocene strata in South-Western part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin,Poland

The molecular and stable isotope compositions of coalbed gases from the Upper Carboniferous strata and natural gases accumulated within the autochthonous Upper Miocene Skawina Formation of the D?bowiec-Simoradz gas deposit were determined, as well as the chemical and stable isotope compositions of waters from the Skawina Formation and waters at the top of the Upper Carboniferous strata of the Kaczyce Ridge (the abandoned “Morcinek” coal mine) in the South-Western part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Two genetic types of natural gases within the Upper Carboniferous coal-bearing strata were identified: thermogenic (CH₄, small amounts of higher gaseous hydrocarbons, and CO₂) and microbial (CH₄, very small amounts of ethane, and CO₂). Thermogenic gases were generated during the bituminous stage of coalification and completed at the end of the Variscan orogeny. Degassing (desorption) of thermogenic gases began at the end of late Carboniferous until the late Miocene time-period and extended to the present-day. This process took place in the Upper Carboniferous strata up to a depth of about 550 m under the sealing Upper Miocene cover. A primary accumulation zone of indigenous, thermogenic gases is present below the degassing zone. Up to 200 m depth from the top of the Upper Carboniferous strata, within the weathered complex, an accumulation zone of secondary, microbial gas occurs. Waters within these strata are mainly of meteoric origin of the infiltration period just before the last sea transgression in the late Miocene and partly of marine origin having migrated from the Upper Miocene strata. Then, both methanogenic archaebacteria and their nutrients were transported by meteoric water into the near-surface Carboniferous strata where the generated microbial CH₄ saturated coal seams. Waters within the Miocene strata of the D?bowiec-Simoradz and Zab?ocie are of marine origin, and natural gases accumulated within autochthonous Miocene strata of the D?bowiec-Simoradz gas deposit were most probably generated by microbial processes of on organic matter dispersed within the strata, though some contribution of gases migrating from the Carboniferous coal-bearing strata cannot be excluded.     

Source and origin of active and fossil thermal spring systems,northern Upper Rhine Graben,Germany

Thermal water samples and related young and fossil mineralization from a geothermal system at the northern margin of the Upper Rhine Graben have been investigated by combining hydrochemistry with stable and Sr isotope geochemistry. Actively discharging thermal springs and mineralization are present in a structural zone that extends over at least 60 km along strike, with two of the main centers of hydrothermal activity being Wiesbaden and Bad Nauheim. This setting provides the rare opportunity to link the chemistry and isotopic signatures of modern thermal waters directly with fossil mineralization dating back to at least 500–800 ka. The fossil thermal spring mineralization can be classified into two major types: barite-(pyrite) fracture filling associated with laterally-extensive silicification; and barite, goethite and silica impregnation mineralization in Tertiary sediments. Additionally, carbonatic sinters occur around active springs. Strontium isotope and trace element data suggest that mixing of a hot (>100 °C), deep-sourced thermal water with cooler groundwater from shallow aquifers is responsible for present-day thermal spring discharge and fossil mineralization. The correlation between both Sr and S isotope ratios and the elevation of the barite mineralization relative to the present-day water table in Wiesbaden is explained by mixing of deep-sourced thermal water having high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and low δ³⁴S with shallow groundwater of lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and higher δ³⁴S. The Sr isotope data demonstrate that the hot thermal waters originate from an aquifer in the Variscan crystalline basement at depths of 3–5 km. The S isotope data show that impregnation-type mineralization is strongly influenced by mixing with SO₄ that has high δ³⁴S values. The fracture style mineralization formed by cooling of the thermal waters, whereas impregnation-type mineralization precipitated by mixing with SO₄-rich groundwater percolating through the sediments.     

Ammonium contents of biotites from Precambrian rocks in Finland: The significance of NH4+ as a possible chemical fossil

The ammonium contents of biotites in Precambrian rocks from Finland have been determined, to examine the possibility that ammonium in biotites represents a chemical fossil. If biologic activity existed in Precambrian sedimentary environments, biotites formed from the sediments should contain distinctly larger quantities of NH₄⁺ than biotites from igneous rocks.Biotites from Svecokarelidic metasediments, which were originally products of sedimentation about 2400-1900 Ma ago, have high NH₄⁺ contents (hundreds of ppm), while biotites from Svecokarelidic plutonic rocks of 1800–1900 Ma old and Postsvecokarelian rapakivi granites of 1650–1700 Ma old have low NH₄⁺ contents (tens of ppm). The results may indicate that biologic activity was plentiful during sedimentation of the Svecokarelian strata. This agrees with evidence for ancient life found in dolomites and greywacke-slates of the Svecokarelides. Biotites from Presvecokarelidic schists of more than 2600–2800 Ma old have only tens of ppm of NH₄⁺. This value is at the same level as those of biotites from the rapakivi granites and the Svecokarelidic plutonic rocks. Considering the rarity of fossils in Presvecokarelidic rocks, the low NH₄⁺ content of biotite from a Presvecokarelidic pelitic schist may indicate less biologic activity during the sedimentation of the original sediments.These data emphasize that ammonium in biotites of Precambrian metasediments may be a useful chemical fossil for identifying the geologic sites of ancient life.     

The impact of water-rock interaction and vegetation on calcium isotope fractionation in soil- and stream waters of a small, forested catchment (the Strengbach case)

This study aims to constrain the factors controlling the calcium isotopic compositions in surface waters, especially the respective role of vegetation and water-rock interactions on Ca isotope fractionation in a continental forested ecosystem. The approach is to follow changes in space and time of the isotopic composition and concentration of Ca along its pathway through the hydro-geochemical reservoirs from atmospheric deposits to the outlet of the watershed via throughfalls, percolating soil solutions and springs. The study is focused on the Strengbach catchment, a small forested watershed located in the northeast of France in the Vosges mountains. The δ^44/40Ca values of springs, brooks and stream waters from the catchment are comparable to those of continental rivers and fluctuate between 0.17 and 0.87‰. Soil solutions, however, are significantly depleted in lighter isotopes (δ^44/40Ca: 1.00-1.47‰), whereas vegetation is strongly enriched (δ^44/40Ca: −0.48‰ to +0.19‰). These results highlight that vegetation is a major factor controlling the calcium isotopic composition of soil solutions, with depletion in “light” calcium in the soil solutions from deeper parts of the soil compartments due to preferential ⁴⁰Ca uptake by the plants rootsystem. However, mass balance calculations require the contribution of an additional Ca flux into the soil solutions most probably associated with water-rock interactions. The stream waters are marked by a seasonal variation of their δ^44/40Ca, with low δ^44/40Ca in winter and high δ^44/40Ca in spring, summer and autumn. For some springs, nourishing the streamlet, a decrease of the δ^44/40Ca value is observed when the discharge of the spring increases, with, in addition, a clear covariation between the δ^44/40Ca and corresponding H₄SiO₄ concentrations: high δ^44/40Ca values and low H₄SiO₄ concentrations at high discharge; low δ^44/40Ca values and high H₄SiO₄ concentrations at low discharge. These data imply that during dry periods and low water flow rate the source waters carry a Ca isotopic signature from alteration of soil minerals, whereas during wet periods and high flow rates admixture of significant quantities of ⁴⁰Ca depleted waters (vegetation induced signal) from uppermost soil horizons controls the isotopic composition of the source waters. This study clearly emphasizes the potential of Ca isotopes as tracers of biogeochemical processes at the water-rock-vegetation interface in a small forested catchment.     

Geochemistry of gold deposits in West Hunan and East Guangxi,China

Six kinds of element association in the gold deposits in the studied region are distinguished: (1) tungsten-antimony-gold; (2) tungsten-gold; (3) antimonygold; (4) lead-zinc-silver-gold; (5) uranium-silver-gold; and (6) simple gold. The present paper deals with the distribution, source, mineralization, migration and accumulation of gold. The results show that all ore-controlling strata or source beds related to the gold deposits have high background levels of gold; the gold and other ore-forming elements associated are obviously derived from the country rocks. The mineralization of gold is related chiefly to regional metamorphism or alkali-metasomatism. In response to metamorphism of ore-controlling strata, gold was removed into solutions, and then transported and deposited in some parts of the ore-controlling strata. The main form of gold carried in the solutions was Na[Au(HS)₂]. Native gold or electrum were precipitated from the ore solutions and concentrated into ore deposits with the decrease ofT, pH andfo ₂.     

Origin of groundwater salinity (current seawater vs. saline deep water) in a coastal karst aquifer based on Sr and Cl isotopes. Case study of the La Clape massif (southern France)

In this study a typical coastal karst aquifer, developed in lower Cretaceous limestones, on the western Mediterranean seashore (La Clape massif, southern France) was investigated. A combination of geochemical and isotopic approaches was used to investigate the origin of salinity in the aquifer. Water samples were collected between 2009 and 2011. Three groundwater groups (A, B and C) were identified based on the hydrogeological setting and on the Cl⁻ concentrations. Average and maximum Cl⁻ concentrations in the recharge waters were calculated (Cl_Ref. and Cl_Ref.Max) to be 0.51 and 2.85 mmol/L, respectively). Group A includes spring waters with Cl⁻ concentrations that are within the same order of magnitude as the Cl_Ref concentration. Group B includes groundwater with Cl⁻ concentrations that range between the Cl_Ref and Cl_Ref.Max concentrations. Group C includes brackish groundwater with Cl⁻ concentrations that are significantly greater than the Cl_Ref.Max concentration. Overall, the chemistry of the La Clape groundwater evolves from dominantly Ca–HCO₃ to NaCl type. On binary diagrams of the major ions vs. Cl, most of the La Clape waters plot along mixing lines. The mixing end-members include spring waters and a saline component (current seawater or fossil saline water). Based on the Br/Cl_molar ratio, the hypothesis of halite dissolution from Triassic evaporites is rejected to explain the origin of salinity in the brackish groundwater.Groundwaters display ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios intermediate between those of the limestone aquifer matrix and current Mediterranean seawater. On a Sr mixing diagram, most of the La Clape waters plot on a mixing line. The end-members include the La Clape spring waters and saline waters, which are similar to the deep geothermal waters that were identified at the nearby Balaruc site. The ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios of a few groundwater samples from group C are in agreement with the mixing hypothesis of local recharge water with deep saline water at secular equilibrium within a carbonate matrix. Finally, PHREEQC modelling was run based on calcite dissolution in an open system prior to mixing with the Balaruc type saline waters. Modelled data are consistent with the observed data that were obtained from the group C groundwater. Based on several tracers (i.e. concentrations and isotopic compositions of Cl and Sr), calculated ratios of deep saline water in the mixture are coherent and range from 3% to 16% and 0% to 3% for groundwater of groups C and B, respectively.With regard to the La Clape karst aquifer, the extension of a lithospheric fault in the study area may favour the rise of deep saline water. Such rises occur at the nearby geothermal Balaruc site along another lithospheric fault. At the regional scale, several coastal karst aquifers are located along the Gulf of Lion and occur in Mezosoic limestones of similar ages. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of these aquifers tend toward values of 0.708557, which suggests a general mixing process of shallow karst waters with deep saline fossil waters. The occurrence of these fossil saline waters may be related to the introduction of seawater during and after the Flandrian transgression, when the highly karstified massifs invaded by seawater, formed islands and peninsulas along the Mediterranean coast.     

Arsenic-bearing carbonate waters: Geochemical and thermodynamic analysis of their genesis,transformation of arsenic migration species,and models for the genesis of hydrogenic as sulfide mineralization

Analysis of hydrogeochemical materials on As distribution in CO₂-bearing (carbonate) waters in various regions and the thermodynamic simulation of geochemical processes in rock-CO₂-bearing water systems made it possible to constrain the optimal conditions for As transfer from rocks into carbonate waters and the accumulation of this element in the waters. The problem was solved with regard for the various rates of As transitions from rocks to water: (a) high rates of As transitions from rocks in compliance with the ion exchange mechanism and (b) low rates of As transitions from rocks in compliance with the mechanism involving the decomposition of As-bearing minerals. Various mechanisms of As extraction from rocks result in the compositional diversity of the aqueous phase and various As migration species in CO₂-bearing waters, which, in turn, control the equilibrium concentration levels of this element. The principally important boundary conditions of As enrichment in CO₂-bearing waters are high \(P_{CO_2 } \) and R/W ratios in the geochemical systems, a preliminary increase in the Cl concentration in the CO₂-bearing waters, and the origin of these waters at high-density heat fluxes. As migration species were simulated for the model solutions and real carbonate waters of various geochemical types, and it is demonstrated that the predominant As species are oxygen-bearing HAsO ₂ ⁰ , and AsO ₂ ^? at a subordinate role of the sulfide HAs₂S ₄ ^2? , and As₂S ₄ ^2? — species even at high Σ S^2? in the system. Two models of the genesis of solid As sulfides in CO₂-bearing waters are analyzed: (1) with oxygen-bearing species (HAsO ₂ ⁰ , and AsO ₂ ^? ), which occur most widely, and (2) with sulfide species (As₂S ₄ ^2? , HAs₂S ₄ ^? , and As₄S ₇ ^2? ), which occur not as widely.     

Chemical and isotopic examination of produced waters from the BP-Wolf lake in situ combustion pilot

The chemical and isotopic compositions of co-produced waters can be used to monitor the processes that take place during in situ combustion. Anticipated processes include mixing of waters, production of CO₂, production of high concentrations of dissolved sulphate and variations in water chemistry associated with heated zones. Water sources include pore waters in oil-bearing strata, waters in overlying or underlying aquifers, water condensed from previously injected steam, and waters associated with combustion. Waters from all sources may mix during production and interpretation of the combustion process can be refined by an understanding of water sources. Produced fluids from the BP-Wolf Lake pilot site in Alberta have been examined to evaluate the effectiveness of the chemical composition of water and the isotopic compositions of aqueous species for monitoring in situ combustion.Produced waters do not show simple conservative mixing behaviour. This suggests that multiple sources of water and other processes, including water-rock reactions, act to modify water compositions. At least three sources of produced waters can be recognized and these are interpreted to be formation water, injected steam and waters that have low Cl and high HCO₃ due to combustion. It is not possible to distinguish waters in the oil-bearing formation from regional waters present in aquifers that underlie the stimulated intervals. Dissolved aqueous species, such as SiO₂, Na, K (as Na/K) and Cl can be used to monitor the approach of the combustion front. Sulphate has been suggested as an indicator of approaching combustion and, although sulphate concentrations rise as combustion approaches a producing well, this indicator is not reliable in all cases. The use of all the above chemical parameters is recommended for detection of combustion zones during operation.The isotope composition of produced waters confirms that there has been significant water-rock interaction during combustion. Carbon isotope compositions of HCO₃ that range from −8 to −25% δ¹³C show that oil oxidation is a major contributor of CO₂ at high temperatures, but CO₂ produced by carbonate mineral dissolution becomes more significant as temperature decreases. Sulphate concentrations in waters produced during combustion can be an order of magnitude higher than those observed during steam stimulation. Both the oil (bitumen) and pyrite (FeS₂) are significant sulphur sources. Typically, the sulphur in both phases is in a reduced state and is available through oxidation associated with combustion. The δ³⁴S of dissolved sulphate in produced waters does not unequivocally identify either of the two major sources of sulphur. However, the relatively depleted δ³⁴ values for SO₄ suggest that the high sulphate concentrations generally associated with the approach of the combustion front result from the oxidation of pyrite.     

Geochemistry of shallow aquifers and soil gas surveys in a feasibility study at the Rivara natural gas storage site (Po Plain,Northern Italy)

A geochemical survey, in shallow aquifers and soils, has been carried out to evaluate the feasibility of natural gas (CH₄) storage in a deep saline aquifer at Rivara (MO), Northern Italy. This paper discusses the areal distribution of CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes and CO₂, CH₄, Rn, He, H₂ concentrations both in soils and shallow aquifers above the proposed storage reservoir. The distribution of pathfinder elements such as ²²²Rn, He and H₂ has been studied in order to identify potential faults and/or fractures related to preferential migration pathways and the possible interactions between the reservoir and surface. A geochemical and isotopic characterization of the ground waters circulating in the first 200 m has allowed to investigation of (i) the origin of the circulating fluids, (ii) the gas–water–rock interaction processes, (iii) the amount of dissolved gases and/or their saturation status. In the first 200 m, the presence of CH₄-rich reducing waters are probably related to organic matter (peat) bearing strata which generate shallow-derived CH₄, as elsewhere in the Po Plain. On the basis of isotopic analysis, no hints of thermogenic CH₄ gas leakage from a deeper reservoir have been shown. The δ¹³C(CO₂) both in ground waters and free gases suggests a prevalent shallow origin of CO₂ (i.e. organic and/or soil-derived). The acquisition of pre-injection data is strategic for the natural gas storage development project and as a baseline for future monitoring during the gas injection/withdrawing period. Such a geochemical approach is considered as a methodological reference model for future CO₂/CH₄ storage projects.     

“Rust” contamination of formation waters from producing wells

In the Alberta Basin there is a significant difference in the content of Fe between formation waters from drillstem tests and formation waters from producing wells. This was demonstrated using a data set comprising 525 formation waters from drillstem tests and 107 formation waters from producing wells. Both a cross-plot of Mn and Fe in the two sets of formation waters and box plots of the same data sets showed that formation waters from producing wells have dominantly Fe>Mn, compared with those from drillstem tests which are characterized by Mn>Fe. Suspecting that “rust” contamination from well casing and ancillary equipment was the cause, the pH values of the samples were compared to see if the two data sets also differed in pH. It was demonstrated that not only are formation waters from drillstem tests less acidic than those from producing wells, but there is a systematic statistical trend of increasing acidity with age of the strata (temperature, depth, and increased amounts of the acid gases — H₂S and CO₂). The difference between the pH of formation waters from drillstem tests and producing wells is attributed to the partial scrubbing of the acid gases from the fluids produced during the drillstem test; this results in less acidic formation waters. Vanadium may also be enhanced in formation waters from producing wells. This note reports these differences and cautions too much reliance on values for Fe in waters from producing wells.     

Geology, Mineralization, Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope of the Early Cretaceous Sn and Associated Metal Deposits in the Southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China: A Review

The Southern Great Xing'an Range(SGXR) hosts a number of Early Cretaceous Sn and associated metal deposits, which can be divided into three principal types according to their geological characteristics: skarn type deposits, porphyry type deposits and hydrothermal vein type deposits. Fluid inclusion assemblages of different types of deposits are quite different, which represent the complexities of metallogenic process and formation mechanism. CH_4 and CO_2 have been detected in fluid inclusions from some of deposits, indicating that the ore-forming fluids are affected by materials of Permian strata. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope data from ore minerals and associated gangue minerals indicate that the initial ore fluids were dominated by magmatic waters, some of which had clearly exchanged oxygen with wall rocks during their passage through the strata. The narrow range for the δ~(34)S values presumably reflects the corresponding uniformity of the ore forming fluids, and these δ~(34)S values have been interpreted to reflect magmatic sources for the sulfur. The comparation between lead isotope ratios of ore minerals and different geological units' also reveals that deeply seated magma has been a significant source of lead in the ores.     

Glendonites as a paleoenvironmental tool: implications for early Cretaceous high latitude climates in Australia

Glendonites, calcite pseudomorphs after the metastable mineral ikaite (CaCO₃ · 6H₂O), occur in the Late Aptian interval of the Bulldog Shale in the Eromanga Basin, Australia and in other Early Cretaceous basins at high paleolatitudes. Ikaite precipitation in the marine environment requires near-freezing temperatures (not higher than 4°C), high alkalinity, increased levels of orthophosphate, and high P_CO2. The rapid and complete transformation of ikaite to calcite at temperatures between 5 and 8°C provides an upper limit on the oxygen isotopic composition of the pore waters: −2.6 <δ_w <−3.4‰SMOW. If it is assumed that these pore waters are representative of the shallow Eromanga Basin, the calculated δ_w can be used to reassess belemnite fossil oxygen isotopic paleotemperatures—temperature recorded by fauna living in the basin at the time of ikaite precipitation. Data previously reported as 11 to 16°C (assuming δ_w = 0.0‰SMOW) yield paleotemperatures ranging from −1 to 5°C, squarely in the range of ikaite stability. The low δ_w indicates hyposaline conditions, most likely caused by mixing high latitude meteoric waters with seawater. The ¹⁸O depleted, low temperature waters suggest that the region was at least seasonally colder than previously accepted.     

Oxygen isotope studies of the geothermal system at Wairakei,New Zealand

Volcanic rocks in the Wairakei geothermal field have undergone extensive oxygen isotope exchange with the thermal waters, resulting in an O¹⁸-depletion averaging about 4%. A lower limit on the ratio of the mass of water to rock in the exchange system is 4·3, at least ten times greater than the corresponding figure for the Salton Sea geothermal system. Carbonates, present as alteration products in most samples, are found to be in equilibrium with waters at present-day temperatures in some wells, and to record higher ‘fossil’ temperatures in others. Quartz phenocrysts and xenocrysts remain unexchanged, and only new hydrothermal quartz is in isotopic equilibrium with geothermal solutions.