Hydrogen, Oxygen and Sulfur Isotope Studies of Seafloor Hydrothermal System at the Desmos Caldera, Manus Back-arc Basin, Papua New Guinea: An Analogue of Terrestrial Acid Hot Crater-lake

Abstract. The Onsen site is an active submarine hydrothermal system hosted by the Desmos caldera in the Eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. The hydrothermal fluid is very acidic (pH=1.5) and abundant native sulfur is deposited around the vent. The δ³⁴S values of native sulfur range from -6.5 to -9.3 %o. δ³⁴S values of H₂S and SO₄ in the hydrothermal fluid are -4.3 to -9.9 %o and +18.6 to +20.0 %o, respectively. These δ³⁴S values are significantly lower than those of the other hydrothermal systems so far reported. These low δ³⁴S values and the acidic nature of the vent fluids suggest that volcanic SO₂ gas plays an important role on the sulfur isotope systematic of the Onsen hydrothermal system. Relationship among the δ³⁴S values of S-bearing species can be successively explained by the model based on the disproportionation reaction starting from the volcanic SO₂ gas. The predicted δ³⁴S values of SO₂ agree with the measured whole rock δ³⁴S values. δD and δ¹⁸O values of clay minerals separated from the altered rock samples also suggest the contribution of the magmatic fluid to the hydrothermal system. Present stable isotopic study strongly suggests that the Onsen hydrothermal site in the Desmos caldera is a magmatic submarine hydrothermal system.     

Controls of fluid chemistry and complexation on rare-earth element contents of anhydrite from the Pacmanus subseafloor hydrothermal system,Manus Basin,Papua New Guinea

Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) leg 193 successfully drilled four deep holes (126 to 386 m) into basement underlying the active dacite-hosted Pacmanus hydrothermal field in the eastern Manus Basin. Anhydrite is abundant in the drill core material, filling veins and vesicles, cementing breccias, and occasionally replacing igneous material. We report rare-earth element (REE) contents of anhydrite from a site of diffuse venting (Site 1188) which show extreme variability, in terms of both absolute concentrations (e.g., 0.08–28.3 ppm Nd) and pattern shape (La_N/Sm_N=0.08–3.78, Sm_N/Yb_N=0.48–23.1, Eu/Eu*=0.59–6.1). The range of REE patterns in anhydrite includes enrichments in the middle and heavy REEs and variable Eu anomalies. The patterns differ markedly from those of anhydrite recovered during ODP Leg 158 from the TAG hydrothermal system at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge which display uniform LREE-enriched patterns with positive Eu anomalies, very similar to TAG vent fluid patterns. As the system is active, the host-rock composition is uniform, and the anhydrite veins appear to relate to the same hydrothermal stage, we can rule out predominant host-rock and transport control. Instead, we propose that the variation in REE content reflects waxing and waning input of magmatic volatiles (HF, SO₂) and variable complexation of REEs in the fluids. REE speciation calculations suggest that increased fluoride and possibly sulfate concentrations at Pacmanus may affect REE complexation in fluids, whereas at TAG only chloride and hydroxide complexes play a significant role. The majority of the anhydrites do not show positive Eu anomalies, suggesting that the fluids were more oxidizing than in typical mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems. We use other hydrothermal fluids from the Manus Basin (Vienna Woods and Desmos), which bracket the Pacmanus fluids in terms of acidity and ligand concentrations, to examine the dependence of REE complexation on fluid composition. Geochemical modeling reveals that under the prevailing conditions at Pacmanus (pH~3.5, T=250–300 °C), Eu oxidation state and the relative importance of fluoride versus chloride complexing are very sensitive to small variations in oxygen fugacity, temperature, and pH. Patterns with extreme mid-REE enrichment may reflect speciation effects (free-ion abundance) coupled with crystal chemical control. We conclude that the great variability in REE concentrations and pattern shape is likely due to variable fluid composition and REE complexation in the fluids. Editorial handling: L. Meinert     

Magma Genesis and Mantle Heterogeneity in the Manus Back-Arc Basin, Papua New Guinea

Geochemical data from back-arc volcanic zones in the Manus Basinare used to define five magma types. Closest to the New Britainarc are medium-K lavas of the island arc association and back-arcbasin basalts (BABB). Mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), BABB andmildly enriched T-MORB (transitional MORB) occur along the ManusSpreading Center (MSC) and Extensional Transform Zone (ETZ).The MSC also erupted extreme back-arc basin basalts (XBABB),enriched in light rare earth elements, P, and Zr. Compared withnormal MORB, Manus MORB are even more depleted in high fieldstrength elements and slightly enriched in fluid-mobile elements,indicating slight, prior enrichment of their source with subduction-relatedcomponents. Chemical variations and modeling suggest systematic,coupled relationships between extent of mantle melting, priordepletion of the mantle source, and enrichment in subduction-relatedcomponents. Closest to the arc, the greatest addition of subduction-relatedcomponents has occurred in the mantle with the greatest amountof prior depletion, which has melted the most. Variations inK₂O/H₂O indicate that the subduction-related component is bestdescribed as a phlogopite and/or K-amphibole-bearing hybridizedperidotite. Magmas from the East Manus Rifts are enriched inNa and Zr with radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, possibly indicating crustalinteraction in a zone of incipient rifting. The source for XBABBand lavas from the Witu Islands requires a mantle componentsimilar to carbonatite melt. KEY WORDS: Manus back-arc basin, mantle metasomatism, magma generation     

Hydrothermal Alteration and Cu-Au Mineralization at Nena High Sulfidation-type Deposit, Frieda River, Papua New Guinea

Abstract. The Nena Cu‐Au deposit, located in the Frieda River mineral district of northwestern mainland Papua New Guinea, is a composite structurally‐lithologically controlled high sulfidation (HS) system. Its hydrothermal alteration and Cu‐Au mineralization are presented in this paper. Initially propylitized andesitic volcanics veined by epithermal quartz were pervasively superimposed by zoned HS alteration. The zonation grades from vuggy silica core to sulfur‐rich, pyritic silica‐alunite halo followed by pyrophyllite‐dickite‐kaolinite interval and finally to thin illite‐smectite margin, suggesting progressive decrease in temperature and increase in pH. This zonation is enveloped by chlorite‐epidote‐calcite‐gypsum alteration. The acid altered rocks were then invaded by multiple phases of pyrite, subsequently crosscut by quartz, vein alunite and barite. Then sequential deposition of bladed covellite, enargite, luzonite and stibioluzonite occurred from the NW to the SE portions of the deposit, forming a zonation suggestive of progressive decrease in temperature, sulfur fugacity and sulfidation stage. Most ore mineralization occurs in the vuggy silica core. Gold mineralization commenced from the transition of enargite to luzonite and continued throughout the stibioluzonite stage. Associated with gold deposition are Au‐rich pyrite, tennantite‐tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite‐bornite, native tellurium, electrum, calaverite, bismuthinite and galena. Native sulfur occupied the remaining cavities and represents the waning stage of the hydrothermal system. Fluid inclusions studies distinguished magmatic (>300–350d?C, 9–15 wt% NaCl equiv.) and meteoric (<150–200d?C, 1–2 wt% NaCl equiv.) fluids (Holzberger et al., 1996). Temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions from barite associated with Cu sulfides show a general decrease from NW (330d?C, 9–15 wt% NaCl equiv.) to SE (172d?C, 10 wt% NaCl equiv.) parts of the deposit, indicating gradual entrainment of ground water (Hitchman and Espi, 1997). Interaction of magmatic fluids with meteoric water accompanied by changes in temperature, salinity, acidity and oxidation state of the resultant fluids is interpreted to have been the main cause of metal precipitation. Finally, supergene processes generated Au zone with an underlying chalcocite‐covellite‐digenite blanket over the primary sulfides at depth. Gold occurs as lattice constituent in scorodite, limonite‐goethite and jarosite. Chalcocite is more abundant and widespread than other Cu sulfides. Acidic fluids deposited powdery alunite and kaolinite, vein alunite and amorphous silica. Weakly secondary biotite‐quartz altered porphyry located below the known HS Cu‐Au deposit contains chalcopyrite‐bornite and is overprinted by quartz‐alunite‐pyro‐phyllite‐pyrite assemblage. This feature indicates close temporal, spatial and genetic relation between the two deposit types.     

PGE distribution in massive sulfides from the P<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">ACMANUS</Emphasis> hydrothermal field,eastern Manus basin,Papua New Guinea: implications for PGE enrichment in some ancient volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits

The distribution of platinum group elements (PGE) in Cu- and Zn-rich samples from the Roman Ruins and Satanic Mills vent sites in the PACMANUS hydrothermal field (Papua New Guinea) was studied and compared to that from selected ancient volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. Samples from the Satanic Mills site are enriched in Pd and Rh when compared to samples from Roman Ruins and reach highest values in active and inactive Cu-rich black smoker chimneys and chalcopyrite-cemented dacite breccias (up to 356 ppb Pd and up to 145 ppb Rh). A significant positive correlation was established between Cu and Pd and Rh in samples from both vent sites. Comparisons of chondrite normalized patterns and values of Pd/Pt and Pd/Ir ratios in Cu-rich sulfides and probable source rocks (felsic volcanic rocks/MORB) along with the evidence for a magmatic component in the PACMANUS hydrothermal system indicate that leaching of back-arc volcanic rocks together with addition of magmatic volatiles to the convecting hydrothermal system was the most important factor for PGE enrichment at PACMANUS and likely at some PGE-enriched ancient VMS deposits.An erratum to this article can be found at Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Tracing the origin of subduction components beneath the South East rift in the Manus Basin,Papua New Guinea

The Manus Basin to the northeast of Papua New Guinea is an actively spreading/rifting back-arc basin in the Bismarck Sea located between the inactive Manus-Kilinailau trench on the Pacific-plate side and the active New Britain trench on the Solomon-plate side. Spreading/rifting in the Manus Basin takes place in the last 0.78 Myr or so. We present major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope compositions of rock samples taken from the South East Rift (SER) at the eastern end of the Manus Basin. The strong enrichment of Pb and LILE (large ion lithophile elements) relative to HFSE (high field strength elements) and REE (rare earth elements) in the SER lava is also quite similar to other island arc lavas, suggesting that substantial amount of subduction components were present in its source mantle. To investigate the origin of the subduction components in SER lavas, we compare the geochemical data of SER lavas to published data from New Britain Arc (NBA) and Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni (TLTF) island chain. The volcanism in NBA is related to presently active subduction of the Solomon slab, whereas the TLTF volcanism is located in the forearc area of New Ireland arc which was formed during a former subduction of the Pacific slab. In other words, the NBA and TLTF lavas were influenced by subduction components from the present and former subduction, respectively. We argue that the subduction components in SER lava were incorporated in the mantle lithosphere during the active arc volcanism on New Ireland because the amount of the subduction component in SER decreases with increasing in distance from New Ireland. On the other hand, no relationships are found with respect to New Britain. The Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes indicate that SER lavas contain little sediment component and less amount of fluid component derived from altered oceanic crust compared to the TLTF lavas. This is probably due to the fact that SER is located in backarc settings in contrast to TLTF which is located in forearc setting with respect to the Pacific slab. Thus it is likely that the sediment was removed from the slab in the forearc and/or arc areas, and therefore little or none was introduced in the backarc mantle, which is the source region for SER magmas at present. Fluid derived from altered oceanic crust also may have made its way into the sub-forearc region more effectively than backare region by shallow dehydration process.     

Hydrothermal Alteration Related to Silver Mineralization at the Iwami Silver Deposit,Shimane Prefecture,Japan

The Iwami epithermal silver deposit consists of Ag-Cu veins in a dacitic intrusive body at the deep portion of the Eikyu area, and veinlets with disseminated Ag mineralization in dacitic tuff breccia at a shallow portion of the Fukuishi area. Hydrothermal alteration associated with the silver mineralization is characterized by intense potassium metasomatism with oxidizing conditions. An illite zone occurs around the pathways of uprising fluids in both the Eikyu and Fukuishi areas. It grades laterally into the illite/smectite zone, which is surrounded by a broad smectite zone. Because of boiling, abundant adularia associated with silver mineralization overlaps on the altered tuff breccia in the Fukuishi area. The alteration zoning suggests that the western Eikyu area and the eastern Fukuishi area belong to a single hydrothermal system. The data of fluid inclusion microthermometry indicate that the temperatures range 220–270°C, and salinities range 5–7 wt percent NaCl equivalent for the silver mineralization at the upper portion in the Eikyu area and the lower portion in the Fukuishi area. Radiometric ages for volcanic rocks in the area range from 2.19 to 1.64 Ma, and the dacitic intrusion formed at approximately 1.6 Ma. The silver-dominant mineralizing hydrothermal fluids system was active around 1.44 to 1.07 Ma, which formed the Eikyu Ag-Cu veins at depth, and the Fukuishi Ag ores at the shallower portion.     

三江北段生达残留弧后盆地晚三叠世层序地层与演化

以陆壳为基底的生达残留后盆地被厚度大于５ ０００ ｍ 的晚三叠世沉积岩层所充填。在那里堆积着主要由半深海－ 深海相的陆源、内源与火山源浊积岩沉积,以及特色的弧后拉张产生的碱性系列玄武岩与海底喷流热水沉积等构成的活动边缘沉积物。以露头剖面为基础,识别出Ⅰ类与Ⅱ类层序界面,划分出２ 个Ⅰ类和１ 个Ⅱ类层序。层序形成的主控因素为构造火山作用、沉积物补给与海平面变化,对盆地的演化起到了重要的作用。     

Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids from the PACMANUS, Northeast Pual and Vienna Woods hydrothermal fields, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

Processes controlling the composition of seafloor hydrothermal fluids in silicic back-arc or near-arc crustal settings remain poorly constrained despite growing evidence for extensive magmatic-hydrothermal activity in such environments. We conducted a survey of vent fluid compositions from two contrasting sites in the Manus back-arc basin, Papua New Guinea, to examine the influence of variations in host rock composition and magmatic inputs (both a function of arc proximity) on hydrothermal fluid chemistry. Fluid samples were collected from felsic-hosted hydrothermal vent fields located on Pual Ridge (PACMANUS and Northeast (NE) Pual) near the active New Britain Arc and a basalt-hosted vent field (Vienna Woods) located farther from the arc on the Manus Spreading Center. Vienna Woods fluids were characterized by relatively uniform endmember temperatures (273-285 °C) and major element compositions, low dissolved CO₂ concentrations (4.4 mmol/kg) and high measured pH (4.2-4.9 at 25 °C). Temperatures and compositions were highly variable at PACMANUS/NE Pual and a large, newly discovered vent area (Fenway) was observed to be vigorously venting boiling (358 °C) fluid. All PACMANUS fluids are characterized by negative δD_H2O values, in contrast to positive values at Vienna Woods, suggesting substantial magmatic water input to circulating fluids at Pual Ridge. Low measured pH (25 °C) values (∼2.6-2.7), high endmember CO₂ (up to 274 mmol/kg) and negative δ³⁴S_H2S values (down to −2.7‰) in some vent fluids are also consistent with degassing of acid-volatile species from evolved magma. Dissolved CO₂ at PACMANUS is more enriched in ¹³C (−4.1‰ to −2.3‰) than Vienna Woods (−5.2‰ to −5.7‰), suggesting a contribution of slab-derived carbon. The mobile elements (e.g. Li, K, Rb, Cs and B) are also greatly enriched in PACMANUS fluids reflecting increased abundances in the crust there relative to the Manus Spreading Center. Variations in alkali and dissolved gas abundances with Cl at PACMANUS and NE Pual suggest that phase separation has affected fluid chemistry despite the low temperatures of many vents. In further contrast to Vienna Woods, substantial modification of PACMANUS/NE Pual fluids has taken place as a result of seawater ingress into the upflow zone. Consistently high measured Mg concentrations as well as trends of increasingly non-conservative SO₄ behavior, decreasing endmember Ca/Cl and Sr/Cl ratios with increased Mg indicate extensive subsurface anhydrite deposition is occurring as a result of subsurface seawater entrainment. Decreased pH and endmember Fe/Mn ratios in higher Mg fluids indicate that the associated mixing/cooling gives rise to sulfide deposition and secondary acidity production. Several low temperature (?80 °C) fluids at PACMANUS/NE Pual also show evidence for anhydrite dissolution and water-rock interaction (fixation of B) subsequent to seawater entrainment. Hence, the evolution of fluid compositions at Pual Ridge reflects the cumulative effects of water/rock interaction, admixing and reaction of fluids exsolved from silicic magma, phase separation/segregation and seawater ingress into upflow zones.     

Relationship Between Himalayan Tectono-Magnetic Movement and Mineralization in Lanping Basin, Yunnan Province

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIMALAYAN TECTONO-MAGNETIC MOVEMENT AND MINERALIZATION IN LANPING BASIN, YUNNAN PROVINCE     

Mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic characteristics of hydrothermal alteration processes in the active, submarine, felsic-hosted PACMANUS field, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

During ODP Leg 193, 4 sites were drilled in the active PACMANUS hydrothermal field on the crest of the felsic Pual Ridge to examine the vertical and lateral variations in mineralization and alteration patterns. We present new data on clay mineral assemblages, clay and whole rock chemistry and clay mineral strontium and oxygen isotopic compositions of altered rocks from a site of diffuse low-temperature venting (Snowcap, Site 1188) and a site of high-temperature venting (Roman Ruins, Site 1189) in order to investigate the water-rock reactions and associated elemental exchanges.The volcanic succession at Snowcap has been hydrothermally altered, producing five alteration zones: (1) chlorite ± illite-cristobalite-plagioclase alteration apparently overprinted locally by pyrophyllite bleaching at temperatures of 260-310°C; (2) chlorite ± mixed-layer clay alteration at temperatures of 230°C; (3) chlorite and illite alteration; (4) illite and chlorite ± illite mixed-layer alteration at temperatures of 250-260°C; and (5) illite ± chlorite alteration at 290-300°C. Felsic rocks recovered from two holes (1189A and 1189B) at Roman Ruins, although very close together, show differing alteration features. Hole 1189A is characterized by a uniform chlorite-illite alteration formed at ∼250°C, overprinted by quartz veining at 350°C. In contrast, four alteration zones occur in Hole 1189B: (1) illite ± chlorite alteration formed at ∼300°C; (2) chlorite ± illite alteration at 235°C; (3) chlorite ± illite and mixed layer clay alteration; and (4) chlorite ± illite alteration at 220°C.Mass balance calculations indicate that the chloritization, illitization and bleaching (silica-pyrophyllite assemblages) alteration stages are accompanied by different chemical changes relative to a calculated pristine precursor lava. The element Cr appears to have a general enrichment in the altered samples from PACMANUS. The clay concentrate data show that Cr and Cu are predominantly present in the pyrophyllites. Illite shows a significant enrichment for Cs and Cu relative to the bulk altered samples.Considerations of mineral stability allow us to place some constraints on fluid chemistry. Hydrothermal fluid pH for the chloritization and illitization was neutral to slightly acidic and relatively acidic for the pyrophyllite alteration. In general the fluids, especially from Roman Ruins and at intermediate depths below Snowcap, show only a small proportion of seawater mixing (<10%). Fluids in shallow and deep parts of the Snowcap holes, in contrast, show stronger seawater influence.     

Petrology,Geochemistry, and Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry of Sphalerite from the Laloki and Federal Flag Strata‐Bound Massive Sulfide Deposits,Papua New Guinea: Implications for Gold Mineralization

The Laloki and Federal Flag deposits are two of the many (over 45) polymetallic massive sulfide deposits that occur in the Astrolabe Mineral Field, Papua New Guinea. New data of the mineralogical compositions, mineral textures, and fluid inclusion studies on sphalerite from Laloki and Federal Flag deposits were investigated to clarify physiochemical conditions of the mineralization at both deposits. The two deposits are located about 2 km apart and they are stratigraphically hosted by siliceous to carbonaceous claystone and rare gray chert of Paleocene–Eocene age. Massive sulfide ore and host rock samples were collected from each deposit for mineralogical, geochemical, and fluid inclusion studies. Mineralization at the Laloki deposit consists of early‐stage massive sulfide mineralization (sphalerite‐barite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite–marcasite) and late‐stage brecciation and remobilization of early‐stage massive sulfides that was accompanied by late‐stage sphalerite mineralization. Occurrence of native gold blebs in early‐stage massive pyrite–marcasite‐chalcopyrite ore with the association of pyrrhotite‐hematite and abundant planktonic foraminifera remnants was due to reduction of hydrothermal fluids by the reaction with organic‐rich sediments and seawater mixing. Precipitation of fine‐grained gold blebs in late‐stage Fe‐rich sphalerite resulted from low temperature and higher salinity ore fluids in sulfur reducing conditions. In contrast, the massive sulfide ores from the Federal Flag deposit contain Fe‐rich sphalerite and subordinate sulfarsenides. Native gold blebs occur as inclusions in Fe‐rich sphalerite, along sphalerite grain boundaries, and in the siliceous‐hematitic matrix. Such occurrences of native gold suggest that gold was initially precipitated from high‐temperature, moderate to highly reduced, low‐sulfur ore fluids. Concentrations of Au and Ag from both Laloki and Federal Flag deposits were within the range (<10 ppm Au and <100 ppm Ag) of massive sulfides at a mid‐ocean ridge setting rather than typical arc‐type massive sulfides. The complex relationship between FeS contents in sphalerite and gold grades of both deposits is probably due to the initial deposition of gold on the seafloor that may have been controlled by factors such as Au complexes, pH, and fO₂ in combination with temperature and sulfur fugacity.     

满洲里小尖山盆地构造、蚀变特征与铀矿化

小尖山盆地发育断裂、火山构造及热液蚀变,已发现铀矿化、铀异常,是满洲里地区重要的火山岩型铀成矿远景区。依据区域重力资料,结合遥感、 CSAMT测量及地质勘查成果,明确盆地早期以NE向断裂构造为主,晚期NW向发育,属火山断陷盆地,具有阶梯状断陷特征。铀矿化与高岭石化、钾长石化及硅化关系密切,局部垂向上显示分带特性,且铀钼共生。成矿作用受NE、 NW向断裂构造控制,与区域成矿规律具有一致性。     

柴北缘地区古层间氧化作用及古层间氧化带型铀矿化

古层间氧化作用是发育于盆地地质构造演化过程某一阶段的层间氧化作用,由此所形成并被保存的铀矿床被称为"古层间氧化带型铀矿床"。柴北缘地区中、下侏罗统含煤岩系的广泛发育,为古层间氧化带的发育及相应类型铀矿化的形成奠定了基础。早白垩世晚期—古近纪早期的强烈隆升剥蚀是层间氧化带及相应类型铀矿化的发育期。喜山期大规模逆冲推覆构造使原层间氧化带及相应成矿系统遭受强烈改造,保存并形成古层间氧化带和古层间氧化带型铀矿化。古层间氧化带型根据其改造、破坏或保存特点的不同,划分为褶-坳保存型、褶-断保存型和抬升破坏型3种改造亚型。褶-坳保存和褶-断保存2种亚型使得古层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿体能以盲矿形式有效保存,是今后重点找矿方向,如北大滩和冷湖石地26铀矿点。抬升破坏亚型使得古层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿体呈残留状或被剥蚀掉,找矿潜力不大。在总结不同改造亚型地质构造特点和找矿标志的基础上,建立了典型古层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿化成矿模式,并综合分析了其成矿特点。     

Rare earth element abundances in hydrothermal fluids from the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea: Indicators of sub-seafloor hydrothermal processes in back-arc basins

Rare earth element (REE) concentrations are reported for a large suite of seafloor vent fluids from four hydrothermal systems in the Manus back-arc basin (Vienna Woods, PACMANUS, DESMOS and SuSu Knolls vent areas). Sampled vent fluids show a wide range of absolute REE concentrations and chondrite-normalized (REE_N) distribution patterns (La_N/Sm_N ∼ 0.6-11; La_N/Yb_N ∼ 0.6 - 71; ). REE_N distribution patterns in different vent fluids range from light-REE enriched, to mid- and heavy-REE enriched, to flat, and have a range of positive Eu-anomalies. This heterogeneity contrasts markedly with relatively uniform REE_N distribution patterns of mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal fluids. In Manus Basin fluids, aqueous REE compositions do not inherit directly or show a clear relationship with the REE compositions of primary crustal rocks with which hydrothermal fluids interact. These results suggest that the REEs are less sensitive indicators of primary crustal rock composition despite crustal rocks being the dominant source of REEs in submarine hydrothermal fluids. In contrast, differences in aqueous REE compositions are consistently correlated with differences in fluid pH and ligand (chloride, fluoride and sulfate) concentrations. Our results suggest that the REEs can be used as an indicator of the type of magmatic acid volatile (i.e., presence of HF, SO₂) degassing in submarine hydrothermal systems. Additional fluid data suggest that near-seafloor mixing between high-temperature hydrothermal fluid and locally entrained seawater at many vent areas in the Manus Basin causes anhydrite precipitation. Anhydrite effectively incorporates REE and likely affects measured fluid REE concentrations, but does not affect their relative distributions.     

Gold mineralisation and advanced argillic alteration at the Dobroyde prospect,central New South Wales

Gold mineralisation at the Dobroyde prospect in central New South Wales is hosted by a zoned alteration system characterised by peripheral propylitic alteration, grading inwards through argillic and advanced argillic alteration to a siliceous altered core. Overprinting textures indicate that propylitic, argillic, advanced argillic and siliceous assemblages were successively superimposed on each other. Au grades between 0.3–0.8 ppm are associated with siliceous alteration and cross‐cutting pyrite veinlets. Higher Au grades are associated with barite veins that cut the pyrite veinlets. Native Au, native Te, Au, Pb and Hg tellurides, Pb selenide, chalcopyrite, Zn‐sphalerite and tennantite‐tetrahedrite occur in the barite veins. Microscopic pyrophyllite shears cut the barite veins. The location of the Dobroyde prospect, the orientation of its internal alteration zonation and the orientation of auriferous barite veins in the core of the prospect are controlled by a 330°‐striking fault. Movement on this fault, synchronous with hydrothermal activity, at some time between the Late Ordovician and mid‐Devonian controlled the development of successive phases of brecciation, siliceous alteration, pyrite and later barite‐Au veining in the prospect core. The restricted distribution of auriferous barite veins within the siliceous altered core of the prospect is inferred to be controlled by the relatively brittle rheology of this assemblage during deformation, and its location on the fault that formed the main hydrothermal fluid conduit. Alteration zones distal from this fault remain unmineralised. The Dobroyde prospect may be a product of the same Early Devonian metallogenic epoch as the paragenetically similar Temora and Peak Hill deposits. All three deposits/prospects appear to be localised in splays of either the Gilmore Fault Zone or the Parkes Thrust.     

西太平洋岛弧-弧后盆地热液活动及成矿作用

岛弧-弧后盆地是海底热液硫化物发育的重要环境。本文总结了近几十年对西太平洋地区岛弧-弧后盆地热液活动调查及研究的成果,阐述了岛弧-弧后盆地热液活动的分布规律、构造环境、热液喷口水深和流体温度变化关系、相分离过程以及热液硫化物的金属元素组成特征,分析了成矿元素富集规律和控矿因素。研究认为,随着岛弧-弧后盆地热液喷口所处水深的增加,其最高喷口流体温度也相应增加,这与相分离过程有关;岛弧-弧后盆地热液硫化物与洋中脊硫化物不同,以Fe-Zn-Pb型硫化物为主,显著富集Zn、Pb、Au、Ag等金属元素;热液成矿作用主要受到岛弧及弧后扩张处的岩浆作用、相分离、基岩、弧后扩张速率、沉积物盖层等5类因素的制约。     

Source Lithology and Magmatic Processes Recorded in the Mineral of Basalts from the Parece Vela Basin

Since the Early Cenozoic, the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) has undergone a complex tectonic evolution. During this period the Parece Vela Basin (PVB) was formed by seafloor spreading in the back-arc region of the proto-Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM) arc. However, until now, studies of the geological, geophysical, and tectonic evolution of the PVB have been rare. In this study, we obtained in situ trace element and major element compositions of minerals in basalts collected from two sites in the southern part of the PVB. The results reveal that the basalts from site CJ09-63 were likely formed via ~10% partial melting of spinel-garnet lherzolite, while the basalts from site CJ09-64 were likely formed via 15%–25% partial melting of garnet lherzolite. The order of mineral crystallization for the basalts from site CJ09-64 was olivine, spinel, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase, while the plagioclase in the basalts from site CJ09-63 crystallized earlier than the clinopyroxene. Using a plagioclase-liquid hygrometer and an olivine-liquid oxybarometer, we determined that the basalts in this study have high H2O contents and oxygen fugacities, suggesting that the magma source of the Parece Vela basalts was affected by subduction components, which is consistent with the trace element composition of whole rock.     

鄂尔多斯盆地流体动力学过程及其砂岩型铀矿化

鄂尔多斯盆地是我国重要能源基地,近年来砂岩型铀矿勘查进展明显。盆地形成演化中的流体动力学及其铀矿化是能源矿产勘查的基础依据,因而备受关注。运用Basin2TM软件数值模拟了鄂尔多斯盆地构造-沉积过程中流体的温度场、压力场、流动方向、流动速率和地热梯度等。伴随盆地的形成和演化,沉积体内流体温度和压力不断增高,流动逐步定向,速率逐渐增大,早白垩世盆地流体的温度达250℃,压力至(700~800)×101.33kPa,地热梯度38.3℃/km,并从盆地中西部沉降中心沿东部斜坡向盆地东部边缘大规模长距离渗出流动,它是砂岩型铀矿化主体在盆地边部形成的重要机制。盆地流体在砂岩中发生铀矿化时,伴随大量方解石蚀变矿物的形成,其δ13CV-PDB变化于-2.7‰~-14.0‰,δ18OV-SMOW介于18.4‰~20.0‰,反映铀矿化盆地流体中CO32-类或CO2主要是沉积有机质脱羟基产物,少部分为海相碳酸盐岩溶解产物,盆地流体中碳酸铀酰是铀元素的主要存在形式。铀矿化低温蚀变成因高岭石的δ18OV-SMOW介于12.6‰~13.7‰,流体包裹体的δDV-SMOW变化于-116‰~-133‰,H、O同位素组成指示盆地流体是经中生界沉积演化的大气降水,具有沉积建造水的性质。环盆地边部是砂岩型铀矿的重要找矿方向。     

Effects of hydrothermal alteration on Pb in the active PACMANUS hydrothermal field, ODP Leg 193, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea: A LA-ICP-MS study

The conventional model of leaching volcanic rocks as a source of metals in a seafloor hydrothermal systems has been tested by examining the behavior of Pb and other trace elements during hydrothermal alteration. ODP Leg 193 drill sites 1188 (Snowcap) and 1189 (Roman Ruins) on Pual Ridge in the eastern Manus Basin offshore eastern Papua New Guinea provide a unique three-dimensional window into an active back-arc hydrothermal system. We investigate by means of a LA-ICP-MS microbeam technique the capacity of Pb to be leached from a host volcanic rock exposed to various types and intensities of alteration. Our results are in general agreement with previous studies that utilized bulk analytical techniques but provide a more detailed explanation of the processes.Fresh representative dacitic lavas from the Pual Ridge have an average whole rock Pb content of 5.2 ppm, an average interstitial glass Pb content of 5.6 ppm and an average plagioclase Pb content of 1.0 ppm. Altered matrix samples have highly variable Pb values ranging from 0 to 52.4 ppm. High Pb values in altered samples are associated with a low temperature chlorite and clay mineral assemblage, in some cases overprinted by a high temperature (up to 350 °C) silica-rich “bleaching” alteration. Only the most highly altered matrix samples have REE patterns that differ from the fresh Pual Ridge dacite. This may represent either different lava histories or alteration characteristics that have affected normally immobile REEs. Altered samples with the highest Pb values have similar REE patterns to those of the local unaltered lavas. They are compositionally similar to typical Pual Ridge dacites indicating a genetic relationship between the main regional volcanic suite and the subseafloor hydrothermally altered, Pb-enriched material.Relative loss/gain for Pb between the analyzed altered samples and a calculated precursor show a maximum relative gain of 901%. Samples with relative Pb gain from both drill sites are associated with lower temperature alteration mineral assemblages characterized by pervasive chloritization. The related lower temperature (220-250 °C) neutral to slightly acidic fluids have been ascribed by others to return circulation of hydrothermal fluids that did not interact with seawater. Because altered samples have a higher Pb content than the fresh precursor, leaching of fresh volcanic rocks cannot be the source of Pb in the hydrothermal systems.