Analysis of the mineral composition of Phanerozoic sediments of the Voronezh anteclise cover: Implication for the primary diamond potential

Origin of diamond and its indicator-minerals found in the Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Quaternary sediments in the southern sector of the East European Platform has remained a debatable issue over the past period of approximately 40 years. It was assumed that the Cretaceous diamond in the Volch’e placer and Central deposit confined to the Voronezh anteclise was derived from the Uralian sources, whereas the Paleogene diamond was derived from the South Ukrainian sources. Analysis of paleogeographic maps of new generation (scales 1: 200000–1: 500000) and new data on samples (50 samples 0.5–20 t each) examined by scientists from the Geological Research Institute of Voronezh State University with the participation of authors of the present communication support the hypothesis of local origin of diamonds and localization of their provenance in the sedimentary cover of the Voronezh anteclise. This inference pertains to high-pressure minerals detected in pre-Quaternary sediments. Diamond grains and indicator-minerals hosted in the Quaternary postglacial sediments of the Voronezh anteclise were likely derived from the Don glacial apron in the early Pleistocene (gQ_I ds) from northern areas of the platform (southeastern Finland, Karelia, Kola Peninsula, and Zimnii Bereg area of the Arkhangel’sk region). Such grains are unsuitable for prospecting purposes. Lithofacies investigations made it possible to outline two areas in the Lipetsk and Voronezh regions that likely accommodate productive diatremes.     

Lanthanides and highly mobile elements in sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks as indicators of the tectonic activity in the platform basement: An example of the Voronezh Crystalline Massif

The Eu/Eu*, Eu/Sm, and Ce/La ratios can serve as indicators of zones permeable to ascending fluid fluxes that mark time spans when the kinematics of faults in the basement changed (extension and compression phases). The Eu/Eu* ratio is more informative, the variations in the Eu/Sm ratio are correlated with transgressions in the territory of the anteclise, and the variations in the Ce/La ratio could be caused by both metasomatic processes and low-temperature hydrothermal solutions. In the Voronezh anteclise, whose sedimentary cover is relatively thin and provides no evidence of catagenetic processes, high As concentrations and Eu/Eu* ratios of sedimentary rocks can be utilized as indicators of deep zones of fluid generation centres. Comparable average Eu/Eu*, Eu/Sm, and Ce/La ratios in Proterozoic sedimentary rocks in the platform cover and metasediments of Proterozoic banded iron formations (BIF) confirm that the tectonic environments in which sedimentary units of various age were accumulated were similar.     

Metal-containing coals of the East Donetsk Basin: regularities of formation and integrated-use prospects

We consider the regularities of formation and prospects for the integrated use of fossil coals of two conjugate lithogeodynamic groups: East Donetsk Basin group of coal-bearing deposits of suprarift genesis and platform group of coals of the southern slope of the Voronezh anteclise. The paleogeographic and lithologo-geochemical environments of formation of coal deposits in the Millerovo coal-bearing district and in the northeastern folded area of the Donetsk Basin are analyzed. The geochemical characteristics of coals with high contents of trace elements and their localization in the coal-bearing series (at the sites with hydrocarbon fluidization of coal seams) are discussed. We also assess the prospects for using coals and products of their conversion and burning as a specific mineral raw material containing nonferrous, rare, and noble metals.     

Zirconium-titanium placers of the Voronezh Anteclise: Types,epochs and factors of formation,and forecast

The early and late Frasnian, Barremian-Aptian, Cenomanian, early Santonian, early Campanian, and Oligocene-Miocene epochs of the formation of various types of zirconium-titanium placers are distinguished in the Voronezh Anteclise. The factors of their formation are considered, and a forecast of prospecting has been made. Lower Frasnian sedimentary rocks occur in the southeast, where the placers are related to the ilmenite-bearing volcanosedimentary rocks of the Yastrebovo Sequence. The upper Frasnian productive quartz sand of the Petino Sequence occurs in the central part of the Voronezh Anteclise. The Barremian-Aptian productive quartz sand and kaolinite clay occur in the northern and northeastern parts of the anteclise (Ryazan and Lipetsk oblasts). The placers formed in the Cenomanian are known in the Tambov oblast in the northeast of the Voronezh Anteclise and are related to phosphate-bearing glauconite-quartz sand. The early Campanian phosphorite-glauconite-quartz formation is widespread in the northwest of the Voronezh Anteclise at the junction with the northeastern wall of the Dnieper-Donets Basin (Bryansk oblast). The Oligocene-Miocene epoch was characterized by quartz sands abundant in the northwestern and south-western areas. The formation of zirconium-titanium placers is controlled by structural-tectonic, facies, volcanic, paleogeographic, stratigraphic, and evolutional factors. The indispensable condition for heavy mineral concentration is existence of positive forms of underwater topography. These are mostly structural elements of the third and fourth orders on the slopes of the Voronezh Anteclise at the boundaries of the adjacent negative structures. As concerns the facies factor, the occurrence of coastal and shallow-water marine facies with alternating and medium hydrodynamic activity and predominance of sand fractions 0.25–0.05 mm are criteria of elevated concentration of heavy minerals in sand. One of the conditions providing concentration of heavy minerals is a multiple rewashing of sands close to a relatively stable shoreline. The volcanic factor is determinant for the lower Frasnian marine placers fed by volcanic sources. The Cretaceous and Paleogene zirconium-titanium placers were formed owing to scouring of the older Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Voronezh Anteclise, as well as the Baltic Shield, Moscow Syneclise, and the Volga-Ural Anteclise. The age of placers was estimated with accuracy up to substages (lower Aptian, lower Santonian, lower Campanian). The evolution factor is expressed in variation of localization and composition of placers in time and space. The forecast of potentially ore-bearing areas is based on optimal combinations of favorable factors.     

Cyclostratigraphic Correlation of Cenomanian and Turonian Deposits of the Eastern European Platform

Depositional conditions at the Cenomanian–Turonian time have been specified and a cyclostratigraphic scheme of the correlation of the Turonian sections has been proposed based upon generalizations of our own results concerning sections of Voronezh anteclise, Ulyanovsk–Saratov trough, Crimea, and the Caucasus.     

Upper cretaceous radiolarians of the East European platform and their biostratigraphic significance

Radiolarian assemblages from the Upper Cretaceous carbonate-cherty deposits of the East European platform are analyzed. Biostratigraphic subdivisions ranked as radiolarian beds are distinguished in sediments of the Moscow syneclise, Voronezh anteclise, and the Ul’yanovsk-Saratov depression. The correlation between biostratigraphic beds established in three tectonic structures and variants of their coordination with radiolarian subdivisions in southern and northern areas of Russia are considered. The key importance of radiolarians for the subdivision and correlation of the Upper Cretaceous cherty deposits is demonstrated.     

Lithology and geochemistry of Albian-Cenomanian sandy sequences of the Voronezh Anteclise and their paleogeographic implication

The paper proposes subdivision of Albian and Cenomanian monotonous sandy sequences of the Voronezh anteclise on the basis of textural-structural features and distribution of accessory minerals. Distribution of rare earth, trace, and major elements was studied in sandy rocks and early diagenetic formations (glauconites and phosphorites). Dependence of the distribution on tectonic factor is noted.Translated from Litologiya i Poleznye Iskopaemye, No. 2, 2005, pp. 159–171.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sirotin, Shatrov, Koval, Bugelskii, Voitsekhovskii, Nikulshin.     

Late Archean magmatic complexes of the Azov terrane,Ukrainian Shield: Geological setting,isotopic age,and sources of material

Geochemical, isotopic-geochemical, and geochronological information was obtained on magmatic rocks from the Saltychan anticlinorium in the Azov domain of the Ukrainian Shield. The rocks affiliate with the calc-alkaline series and a high-Mg series. The rocks of these series notably differ in concentrations of trace elements and REE and range from gabbro to granodiorite-quartz diorite in composition. The NORDSIM ionprobe U-Pb zircons ages of rocks belonging to the Obitochnen Complex and having both elevated and normal mg# correspond to 2908–2940 Ma. The Osipenkovskaya intrusion has an age of 2855 ± 19 Ma. The most alkaline North Obitochnen intrusion was emplaced in the Proterozoic, at 2074 ± 11 Ma. The age of the amphibolite metamorphism of the host gneisses is reliably dated at 3120–3000 Ma. The model Sm-Nd ages of the intrusive rocks do not exceed 3150 Ma. According to geochemical evidence, the parental melts of the magmatic rocks were derived from mantle domains variably enriched in lithophile elements. The results obtained by studying the Sm-Nd isotopic system corroborate the conclusion drawn from geochemical evidence that most of the melts were derived from the mildly enriched mantle, practically without involvement of ancient crustal material. The mantle became enriched in LREE at approximately 3000 Ma, which corresponds to the age of metamorphism of the supracrustal rocks. This process was separated from the derivation of the melts by a time span of 70–80 Ma. The relative age of the intrusive rocks and their variable composition can be most adequately explained by a contribution of heat and material from a plume to the derivation of the parental melts of these rocks.     

The Latnenskoe refractory clay deposit (Central Russia)

This paper reports the results of our recent studies and generalizes previously known data on the geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and genesis of the Russia’s largest Latnenskoe refractory clay deposit. It is shown that conditions of its localization were defined by regional and local factors. The regional factors controlled the distribution of the clay raw material in the region, while the local factors were responsible for the genesis and composition of refractory clays of the Latnenskoe deposit. Our studies showed that the formation of refractory clays is not only related to terrigenous but also to authigenic processes of sedimentation. The terrigenous component of clays was formed by the erosion of kaolin weathering crusts of the Voronezh anteclise crystalline basement and Paleozoic sedimentary hydromica–kaolinite rocks. Authigenic processes were significantly contributed by organic matter, which determined the environmental pH and Eh parameters. It is established that the mineral matter of clays of the deposit is represented by three morphological modifications (crystalline, amorphous, and biomorphic), which were formed subsequently and (or) simultaneously and could be transformed into each other. Application of a complex of modern precision methods allowed us to reveal a previously unknown biomorphic modification of kaolinite, the major rock-forming mineral, as well as mixed-layer kaolinite-smectite in the clays. It is shown that the distribution of major and trace elements and the sulfur isotope composition in different technological types of clay depend mainly on the facies conditions of their formation. Technological properties of clay raw material are considered.     

Lithotectonic regularities in distribution of Cenomanian phosphorites in the Dnieper-Donets Depression

Peculiarities in the distribution of nodular phosphorites in two largest phosphorite-bearing deposits (Polpino and Shchigry) of the Voronezh anteclise are considered. Section structure, phosphorites occurrence mode, conditions and succession of authigenic mineral formation in Cenomanian sands are analyzed. Various phosphate phyto-and zoomorphs are described.The second part of the paper is dedicated to lithotectonic regularities in the distribution of Cenomanian nodular phosphorite deposits. History of the origination and development of the science of structural-facies analysis is considered. Close relations of local tectonic structures with the distribution of coal, oil, salt, and other mineral resources are demonstrated. The distribution of nodular phosphorite deposits in the Dnieper-Donets Depression depends on local synsedimentary uplifts of two types.     

The Kantemirovka Paleogene reference section of the Voronezh region

The section on the outskirts of the town of Kantemirovka is proposed to serve as a reference one for Paleogene deposits of the Voronezh region. Observing the requirements of the current Stratigraphic Code of Russia, it is suggested to introduce the Middle Eocene Sergeevka and Tishki formations, which were defined previously by V.P. Semenov as mappable lithostratigraphic units instead of the Kiev Formation (regional stage) in the Paleogene stratigraphic scale of Ukraine, into the regional Paleogene stratigraphic scale of the Voronezh anteclise. The structure of the Sergeevka Formation and hypostratotype of the Tishki Formation defined in this section are considered with the analysis of the distribution of nannofossils, foraminifers, and diatoms in corresponding deposits. Benthic and planktonic foraminifers are used for defining regional biostratigraphic units, which are correlated between each other, with zones of the standard stratigraphic nannofossil scale, and units of the Middle Eocene Kiev regional stage of northern Ukraine. The boundary between the formations under consideration is universally marked by the replacement of carbonate sediments by terrigenous?siliceous facies, disappearance of calcareous fossils, and development of a new biota. These features allow the boundary between these formations to be conditionally correlated with that between the Keresta and Kuma regional stages of the North Caucasus region.     

哈拉达拉辉长岩以及其中磁铁矿-辉石脉的岩石学和地球化学研究

西南天山哈拉达拉杂岩体主要由橄长岩、橄榄辉长岩和辉长岩组成,岩浆通过早期橄榄石和斜长石结晶分离后,残余岩浆侵位形成了辉长岩.辉长岩中单斜辉石(Cpx-Ⅰ)的稀土元素含量低(REE ＜51 × 10-6),Eu负异常不明显,其他微量元素(如Sc、Cr)的含量和Mg#值(80～ 95)变化大(透辉石-普通辉石).磁铁矿-辉石脉穿切辉长岩,其中单斜辉石(Cpx-Ⅱ)的成分比较均一(透辉石).与Cpx-Ⅰ相比,Cpx-Ⅱ的稀土元素含量明显高(REE＞ 100× 10-6),且Eu负异常非常显著.与晚期富Fe基性岩浆的快速侵位不同,辉长岩的形成经历了复杂的演化过程.Cpx-Ⅰ和Cpx-Ⅱ均发育出溶结构,表明晚期富Fe基性岩浆快速侵位形成磁铁矿-辉石脉之后,哈拉达拉岩体或者经历了快速抬升(或者快速降温)的过程.岩浆过程结束后,低温热演活动形成了含金方解石-磁铁矿脉.研究这种热液脉,对本地区开展金矿找矿勘探有重要意义.     

东营凹陷沙三段烃源岩中火成岩岩石学特征分析

东营凹陷沙三段烃源岩中发现一些规模不大的玄武岩和辉长岩体。通过对其岩性及产状、岩石化学和地球化学元素分析，认为研究区玄武岩是碱性－亚碱性橄榄玄武岩；辉长岩的岩石化学和微量元素组成与上述玄武岩相似，认为它们具有同源性，只是辉长岩没有喷发到地表而被封存在刚刚沉积下来的沙三段烃源岩中。水下喷溢的玄赋岩对烃源岩的沉积和生烃演化具有促进作用，辉长岩可以造成局部烃源岩的热变质作用。     

Geodynamics of the eastern margin of Sarmatia in the Paleoproterozoic

The eastern margin of Sarmatia comprises the Paleoproterozoic (2.1–2.05 Ga) rock associations of the eastern Voronezh Crystalline Massif, including the Lipetsk-Losevo volcanic-plutonic belt and the adjacent East Voronezh lithotectonic zone composed of metasedimentary rocks of the Vorontsovka Group. The isotopic and geochemical study of the available drill cores that characterize the main rock associations of the Lipetsk-Losevo belt and its nearest framework allowed us to furnish evidence for the formation of this belt in the regime of an island arc at the active margin of the Archean continent above a low-angle subduction zone. The juvenile isotopic and geochemical signatures of metaturbidites of the Vorontsovka Group indicate that only a fast growing mountain edifice with the Lipetsk-Losevo Belt in its highest part (foreland) could have been a provenance of the flysch basin. It is proposed to name this Paleoproterozoic mountain system the East Sarmatian Orogen. The hinterland of this orogen embraced the megablock of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly as a part of the Voronezh Massif and the Azov Block of the Ukrainian Shield. It has been shown that the East Sarmatian Orogen was formed in the same way as accretionary orogens of the Cordilleran type.     

Conodont-based stratigraphy of the Mosolovian Regional Stage (Eifelian,Middle Devonian) of the Voronezh Anteclise

Conodonts from the deposits of the Mosolovian Regional Stage (Middle Devonian) of the Voronezh Anteclise are studied on the basis of the data from six boreholes. Three assemblages are recognized. The index species of the lowermost assemblage is Icriodus formosus Naz. The index species of the middle assemblage are I. formosus Naz. and Pseudobipennatus ziegleri Kon. et Kim, as well as I. arkonensis Stauff. and I. jejunus Naz. This assemblage is the most diverse and is recognized in all boreholes. The deposits containing this assemblage correspond to the maximum of the Nara transgression. The upper assemblage is also recognized in all the studied boreholes. Its index species is Ps. ziegleri Kon. et Kim. The Mosolovian Regional Stage is assigned to the kockelianus Zone. The distribution diagrams of species in the most diverse middle assemblage support the hypothesis that, in the southeastern regions of the Voronezh anteclise, the depth was greater than in its western part. The characteristic conodont species are shown in the plates.     

Structural-morphological features of kaolinite from clayey rocks subjected to different stages of lithogenesis: Evidence from the Voronezh anteclise

This paper reports the results of precision structural-morphological study of kaolinite from clayey rocks taken in various areas of the Voronezh anteclise subjected to different stages of lithogenesis: primary kaolins of the weathering crust, proluvial-talus and lacustrine secondary kaolins, as well as lacustrine-swampy fireproof and deltaic-lagoonal refractory clays. The clayey material was transported over more than 300 km. The formation of the fireproof and refractory kaolin deposits in the Voronezh anteclise was related to the Devonian and Early Cretaceous stages of the geological evolution of the region. In terms of spatiotemporal and facies features, the studied genetic series of the kaolin clay deposits is unique. It was established that the sequential structural-morphological evolution o kaolinite in the considered deposits was caused by its mechanical disintegration during transport and redeposition. Interrelation between organic and mineral matters in the fireproof clays was revealed for the first time. Experimental studies of the behavior of kaolinite during sequential grinding and heating confirmed the main reasons for its natural degradation. The formation of virtually monomineral kaolin clays was provoked by the “flow-through” diagenesis, which is similar to weathering in trend. Evolution of mineral matter of the considered genetic series in kaolinite clay deposits was accompanied by the increase of δ¹⁸O values and their dispersion. Peculiarities identified in the behavior of kaolinite and related oxygen isotope characteristics of different-aged denudation and redeposition products of the Devonian weathering crust can play an indicator role in studying different stages of the lithogenesis of clayey rocks.     

班- 怒带东段丁青蛇绿岩中镁铁质岩石年代学及构造背景

丁青蛇绿岩位于班公湖-怒江缝合带东段,分为东、西两个蛇绿岩体,丁青西蛇绿岩体缺乏基性岩年代学研究。对丁青西地质填图显示,蛇绿岩主要由方辉橄榄岩、纯橄榄岩、辉绿岩、玄武岩及辉长岩组成。其中玄武岩、辉长岩及辉绿岩出露在宗白区域,玄武岩和辉绿岩与下侏罗统沉积岩呈构造接触,辉长岩呈岩脉侵入到下侏罗统沉积岩中。岩石地球化学研究表明,玄武岩和辉长岩同属于碱性基性岩石,其中玄武岩具有典型洋岛玄武岩的稀土和微量元素特征,可能形成于与地幔柱有关的洋岛环境。在玄武质凝灰岩中挑选出的锆石测年,获得U-Pb年龄为198.7±3.8Ma,属早侏罗世。辉长岩的稀土和微量元素含量低于典型洋岛玄武岩,但其REE和微量元素具有OIB的特征,与典型OIB相比,辉长岩的HREE发生了一定程度富集。辉长岩锆石的U-Pb年龄为164.3±2.6Ma,认为辉长岩在形成过程中受到了软流圈地幔和岩石圈下部LVZ中富集熔体的共同作用,其形成于大陆边缘裂谷环境;辉绿岩成分属于拉斑系列岩石,其REE和微量元素曲线显示辉绿岩同时具有N-MORB和E-MORB的特征。辉绿岩锆石U-Pb年龄为114.2±1.3Ma,其形成晚于玄武岩。结合区域地质,认为辉绿岩形成于受地幔柱影响的弧后扩张脊环境。本研究提供了丁青西蛇绿岩新的年代学和岩石学证据,为探讨丁青蛇绿岩的形成和演化历史提供了新的证据。     

新疆哈拉达拉辉长岩体中磁铁矿脉特征及其地质意义

哈拉达拉岩体是特克斯岩带中规模最大的层状辉长岩体，在岩体ＮＷ向断裂中发现磁铁矿脉，系统研究其地质产出特征，稀土元素特征和磁铁矿成分，结构，物性等矿物标型特征，认为磁铁矿脉是岩浆是结晶的产物，为贯入式钒钛磁铁矿脉，与攀枝花，力马河辉长岩体特征对比，认为该岩体具有形成攀枝花式铁矿的成矿远景。     

Zircon record of fractionation,hydrous partial melting and thermal gradients at different depths in oceanic crust (ODP Site 735B,South-West Indian Ocean)

Felsic veins (plagiogranites) are distributed throughout the whole oceanic crust section and offer insight into late-magmatic/high temperature hydrothermal processes within the oceanic crust. Despite constituting only 0.5% of the oceanic crust section drilled in IODP Site 735B, they carry a significant budget of incompatible elements, which they redistribute within the crust. Such melts are saturated in accessory minerals, such as zircon, titanite and apatite, and often zircon is the only remaining phase that preserves magmatic composition and records processes of felsic melt formation and evolution. In this study, we analysed zircon from four depths in IODP Site 735B; they come from the oxide gabbro (depth approximately 250 m below sea floor) and plagiogranite (depths c. 500, 860, 940 m below sea floor). All zircons have similar εHf composition of c. 15 units indicating an isotopically homogenous source for the mafic magmas forming IODP Site 735B gabbro. Zircons from oxide gabbro are scarce and variable in composition consistent with their crystallization from melts formed by both fractionation of mafic magmas and hydrous remelting of gabbro cumulate. On the other hand, zircon from plagiogranite is abundant and each sample is characterized by compositional trends consistent with crystallization of zircon in an evolving melt. However, the trends are different between the plagiogranite at 500 m bsf and the deeper sections, which are interpreted as the record of plagiogranite formation by two processes: remelting of gabbro cumulate at 500 m bsf and fractionation at deeper sections. Zircon from both oxide gabbro and plagiogranite has δ¹⁸O from 3.5 to 6.0‰. Values of δ¹⁸O are best explained by redistribution of δ¹⁸O in a thermal gradient and not by remelting of hydrothermally altered crust. Tentatively, it is suggested that fractionation could be an older episode contemporaneous with gabbro crystallization and remelting could be a younger one, triggered by deformation and uplift of the crustal pile.     

The integral model of placer formation in the Voronezh anteclise area

Integral model of Ti-Zr placer formation is proposed for the Voronezh anteclise in the following system: primary source-weathering crust-intermediate collector-placer. It is shown that zircon, the most important useful component in this system, can be zirtolitized intensely during crust formation. This process is reflected ultimately in the resource potential of placers. Creation of the integral model took into consideration abundance of the major lithostructural complexes (LSC) in the crystalline basement and their productivity, hiatus and crust formation intervals, paleofacies conditions and mechanism of the formation of intermediate collectors and placers, as well as migration direction and other factors of placer localization. The most productive Cenomanian placers were formed as triple washout products according to the panning mechanism. It is suggested that the resource potential of placers should be revised with the consideration of variation in the density characteristics of the zirtolitized zircon varieties.