Isopropylxanthate ions uptake by modified natural zeolite and removal by dissolved air flotation

This work describes a laboratory study concerning the adsorption of isopropylxanthate ions onto modified zeolites particles. The separation of the loaded carrier and their removal, from aqueous solutions, was conducted by flocculation followed by dissolved air flotation, DAF. The zeolite employed was a natural sample (approximately 48% clinoptilolite and 30% mordenite) which was previously treated with sodium ions (activation) and modified with copper ions (Cu–Z) before the xanthate ions uptake. Adsorption capacities (q_m) for Cu–Z were 0.34 meq g^− 1 for the powdered form, and 1.12 meq g^− 1 for the floc form. The adsorption capacity for the floc form appears to involve an enhanced electrostatic adsorption due to the positive sites on the floc surface. In all cases, the isopropylxanthate concentration in the treated water was found to be negligible (< 0.04 mg L^{− 1}). The flotation technique showed to be a fast process, requires a low recycle ratio (20%) in air saturated water, and the treated water ended up with a very low residual turbidity (6.8 NTU). It is believed that this adsorption–flotation technique, here named adsorptive particulate flotation, using activated and modified natural zeolite has a high potential as an alternative for pollutants removal (copper and isopropylxanthate ions) from waste mining effluents.     

Hydrochemistry and isotope compositions of groundwater from the Shihongtan sandstone-hosted uranium deposit, Xinjiang, NW China

Groundwaters and surface water in the Shihongtan sandstone-hosted U ore district, Xinjiang, NW China, were sampled and analyzed for their major-, and trace element concentrations and oxygen, hydrogen, boron and strontium isotope compositions in order to assess the possible origins of the waters and water–rock interactions that occurred in the deep aquifer system. The waters in the study district have been grouped into three hydrochemical facies: Facies 1, potable spring-water, is a pH neutral (7.0), Na–Ca–HCO₃ type water with low total dissolved solids (TDS; 0.2 g/l, fresh) and has δ¹⁸O of − 8.3‰, δD of − 48.2‰,δ¹¹B of 1.5‰, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70627. Facies 2 groundwaters are mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (pH of 6.5–8.0, mean 7.3), Na–Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ type waters with moderate TDS (8.2 g/l–17.2 g/l, mean 9.3 g/l, brackish) and haveδ¹⁸O values in the − 5.8‰ to − 9.3‰ range (mean − 8.1‰), δD values in the − 20.8‰ to − 85.5‰ range (mean − 47.0‰),δ¹¹B values in the + 9.5‰ to + 39.1‰ range (mean + 17.1‰), and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values in the 0.70595 to 0.70975 range (mean 0.70826). Facies 3, Aiting Lake water, is a mildly alkaline (pH = 7.4), Na–Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ type water with the highest TDS (249.1 g/l, brine) and has δ¹⁸O of − 2.8‰, δD of − 45.8‰,δ¹¹B of 21.2‰, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70840. The waters from the study district show a systematic increase in major, trace element and TDS concentrations and δ¹¹B values along the pathway of groundwater migration which can only be interpreted in terms of water–rock interaction at depth and strong surface evaporation. The hydrochemical and isotopic data presented here confirm that the groundwaters in the Shihongtan ore district are the combined result of migration, water–rock interaction and mixing of meteoric water with connate waters contained in sediments.     

U–Pb SHRIMP monazite ages of the giant Morro Velho and Cuiabá gold deposits, Rio das Velhas greenstone belt, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil

U–Pb SHRIMP results of 2672 ± 14 Ma obtained on hydrothermal monazite crystals, from ore samples of the giant Morro Velho and Cuiabá Archean orogenic deposits, represent the first reliable and precise age of gold mineralization associated with the Rio das Velhas greenstone belt evolution, in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil. In the basal Nova Lima Group, of the Rio das Velhas greenstone belt, felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks have been dated between 2792 ± 11 and 2751 ± 9 Ma, coeval with the intrusion of syn-tectonic tonalite and granodiorite plutons, and also with the metamorphic overprint of older tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite crust. Since cratonization and stable-shelf sedimentation followed intrusion of Neoarchean granites at 2612 + 3/− 2 Ma, it is clear that like other granite–greenstone terranes in the world, gold mineralization is constrained to the latest stages of greenstone evolution.     

Late Paleozoic–Early Triassic magmatism on the western margin of Gondwana: Collahuasi area, Northern Chile

The basement in the ‘Altiplano’ high plateau of the Andes of northern Chile mostly consists of late Paleozoic to Early Triassic felsic igneous rocks (Collahuasi Group) that were emplaced and extruded along the western margin of the Gondwana supercontinent. This igneous suite crops out in the Collahuasi area and forms the backbone of most of the high Andes from latitude 20° to 22°S. Rocks of the Collahuasi Group and correlative formations form an extensive belt of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks throughout the main Andes of Chile, the Frontal Cordillera of Argentina (Choiyoi Group or Choiyoi Granite-Rhyolite Province), and the Eastern Cordillera of Peru.Thirteen new SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages from the Collahuasi area document a bimodal timing for magmatism, with a dominant peak at about 300 Ma and a less significant one at 244 Ma. Copper–Mo porphyry mineralization is related to the younger igneous event.Initial Hf isotopic ratios for the ~ 300 Ma zircons range from about − 2 to + 6 indicating that the magmas incorporated components with a significant crustal residence time. The 244 Ma magmas were derived from a less enriched source, with the initial Hf values ranging from + 2 to + 6, suggestive of a mixture with a more depleted component. Limited whole rock ¹⁴⁴Nd/¹⁴³Nd and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratios further support the likelihood that the Collahuasi Group magmatism incorporated significant older crustal components, or at least a mixture of crustal sources with more and less evolved isotopic signatures.     

11 Å tobermorite from cement bypass dust and waste container glass: A feasibility study

A novel one-step hydrothermal synthesis of 11 Å tobermorite, a cation exchanger, from a unique combination of waste materials is reported. 11 Å tobermorite was prepared from stoicheiometric quantities of cement bypass dust and waste container glass at 100 °C in water. The product also comprised 10 wt.% calcite and trace quartz as residual parent phases from the cement bypass dust. In a batch sorption study at 20 °C the uptakes of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ by the waste-derived tobermorite product were found to be 171 mg g^− 1 and 467 mg g^− 1, respectively, and in both cases the removal process could be described using a simple pseudo-second-order rate model (k₂ = 2.30 × 10^− 5 g mg^− 1 min^− 1 and 5.09 × 10^− 5 g mg^− 1 min^− 1, respectively). The sorption characteristics of the 11 Å tobermorite are compared with those of other waste-derived sorbents and potential applications are discussed.     

Geochemistry and evolution of ore-forming fluids of the Yueshan Cu–Au skarn- and vein-type deposits, Anhui Province, South China

The Yueshan mineral belt is geotectonically located at the centre of the Changjiang deep fracture zone or depression of the lower Yangtze platform. Two main types of ore deposits occur in the Yueshan orefield: Cu–Au–(Fe) skarn deposits and Cu–Mo–Au–(Pb–Zn) hydrothermal vein-type deposits. Almost all deposits of economic interest are concentrated within and around the eastern and northern branches of the Yueshan dioritic intrusion. In the vicinity of the Zongpu and Wuhen intrusions, there are many Cu–Pb–Zn–Au–(S) vein-type and a few Cu–Fe–(Au) skarn-type occurrences.Fluid inclusion studies show that the ore-forming fluids are characterised by a Cl⁻(S)–Na⁺–K⁺ chemical association. Hydrothermal activity associated with the above two deposit types was related to the Yueshan intrusion. The fluid salinity was high during the mineralisation processes and the fluid also underwent boiling and mixed with meteoric water. In comparison, the hydrothermal activity related to the Zongpu and Wuhen intrusions was characterised by low salinity fluids. Chlorine and sulphur species played an important role in the transport of ore-forming components.Hydrogen- and oxygen-isotope data also suggest that the ore-forming fluids in the Yueshan mineral belt consisted of magmatic water, mixed in various proportions with meteoric water. The enrichment of ore-forming components in the magmatic waters resulted from fluid–melt partitioning. The ore fluids of magmatic origin formed large Cu–Au deposits, whereas ore fluids of mixed magmatic-meteoric origin formed small- to medium-sized deposits.The sulphur isotopic composition of the skarn- and vein-type deposits varies from − 11.3‰ to + 19.2‰ and from + 4.2‰ to + 10.0‰, respectively. These variations do not appear to have been resulted from changes of physicochemical conditions, rather due to compositional variation of sulphur at the source(s) and by water–rock interaction. Complex water–rock interaction between the ore-bearing magmatic fluids and sedimentary wall rocks was responsible for sulphur mixing. Lead and silicon isotopic compositions of the two deposit types and host rocks provide similar indications for the sources and evolution of the ore-forming fluids.Hydrodynamic calculations show that magmatic ore-forming fluids were channelled upwards into faults, fractures and porous media with velocities of 1.4 m/s, 9.8 × 10^− 1 to 9.8 × 10^− 7 m/s and 3.6 × 10^− 7 to 4.6 × 10^− 7 m/s, respectively. A decrease of fluid migration velocity in porous media or tiny fractures in the contact zones between the intrusive rocks and the Triassic sedimentary rocks led to the deposition of the ore-forming components. The major species responsible for Cu transport are deduced to have been CuCl, CuCl₂⁻, CuCl₃²⁻ and CuClOH, whereas Au was transported as Au₂(HS)₂S²⁻, Au(HS)₂⁻, AuHS and AuH₃SiO₄ complexes. Cooling and a decrease in chloride ion concentration caused by fluid boiling and mixing were the principal causes of Cu deposition. Gold deposition was related to decrease of pH, total sulphur concentration and fO₂, which resulted from fluid boiling and mixing.Geological and geochemical characteristics of the two deposit types in the Yueshan mineral belt suggest that there is a close genetic relationship with the dioritic magmatism. Geochronological data show that the magmatic activity and the mineralisation took place between 130 and 136 Ma and represent a continuous process during the Yanshanian time. The cooling of the intrusions and the mineralisation event might have lasted about 6 Ma. The cooling rate of the magmatic intrusions was 80 to 120 °C my^− 1, which permitted sufficient heat supply by magma to the ore-forming system.     

The Xiong'er volcanic belt at the southern margin of the North China Craton: Petrographic and geochemical evidence for its outboard position in the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Columbia Supercontinent

The Xiong'er volcanic belt, covering an area of more than 60,000 km² along the southern margin of the North China Craton, has long been considered an intra-continental rift zone and recently interpreted as part of a large igneous province formed by a mantle plume that led to the breakup of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Columbia. However, such interpretations cannot be accommodated by lithology, mineralogy, geochemistry and geochronology of the volcanic rocks in the belt. Lithologically, the Xiong'er volcanic belt is dominated by basaltic andesite and andesite, with minor dacite and rhyolite, different from rock associations related to continental rifts or mantle plumes, which are generally bimodal and dominated by mafic components. However, they are remarkably similar to those rock associations in modern continental margin arcs. In some of the basaltic andesites and andesites, amphibole is a common phenocryst phase, suggesting the involvement of H₂O-rich fluids in the petrogenesis of the Xiong'er volcanic rocks. Geochemically, the Xiong'er volcanic rocks fall in the calc-alkaline series, and in most tectono-magmatic discrimination diagrams, the majority of the Xiong'er volcanic rocks show affinities to magmatic arcs. In the primitive mantle normalized trace-element diagrams, the Xiong'er volcanic rocks show enrichments in the LILE and LREE, and negative Nb–Ta–Ti anomalies, similar to arc-related volcanic rocks produced by the hydrous melting of metasomatized mantle wedge. Nd-isotope compositions of the Xiong'er volcanic rocks suggest that 5–15% older crust has been transferred into the upper lithospheric mantle by subduction-related recycling during Archean to Paleoproterozoic time. Available SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon age data indicate that the Xiong'er volcanic rocks erupted intermittently over a protracted interval from 1.78 Ga, through 1.76–1.75 Ga and 1.65 Ga, to 1.45 Ga, though the major phase of the volcanism occurred at 1.78–1.75 Ga. Such multiple and intermittent volcanism is inconsistent with a mantle plume-driven rifting event, but is not uncommon in ancient and existing continental margin arcs. Taken together, the Xiong'er volcanic belt was most likely a Paleo-Mesoproterozoic continental magmatic arc that formed at the southern margin of the North China Craton. Similar Paleo-Mesoproterozoic continental magmatic arcs were also present at the southern and southeastern margins of Laurentia, the southern margin of Baltica, the northwestern margin of Amonzonia, and the southern and eastern margins of the North Australia Craton, which are considered to represent subduction-related episodic outbuilding on the continental margins of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Columbia. Therefore, in any configuration of the supercontinent Columbia, the southern margin of the North China Craton could not have been connected to any other continental block as proposed in a recent configuration, but must have faced an open ocean whose lithosphere was subducted beneath the southern margin of the North China Craton.     

Oxygen and carbon isotope zonations of wall rocks around the Kamioka Pb---Zn skarn deposits, central Japan: application to prospecting

Mapping of the oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of hydrothermally altered wall rocks was conducted during blind ore prospecting for Pb---Zn skarn deposits in the Kamioka mining district, central Japan. The wall rocks consist of heterogeneous rock units. Oxygen and carbon isotope ratios were determined for 35 limestones and 33 silicate rocks from the area around the Mozumi deposit (3 km × 3 km) in the Kamioka mining district. The results (δ¹⁸O_spsmow of − 1.1 to + 17.3% and δ¹³C_sppdb of − 5.0 to +4.8% for limestones, and δ¹⁸O_spsmow of −0.8 to + 12.5% for silicate rocks) show isotope zonations of the wall rocks, with lighter isotopic compositions toward the center of mineralization. The isotope zonations likely formed by interaction of thermal waters with the wall rocks during skarn mineralization. The isotopically light zone indicates a higher paleotemperature or higher water-to-rock ratios, and occurs in the footwall of the 7Gohi fault. This structure is spatially related to the distribution of orebodies, indicating that the fault was the main conduit of the ore-forming fluids. The oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of limestones vary regularly across limestone bodies hosted by the silicate wall rocks, suggesting that the thermal waters were pervasive throughout the wall rocks at the time of mineralization.An isotopically light zone was also found in the southeastern corner of the study area, where significant mineralization had yet to be identified. This suggested an extension of the extinct hydrothermal system to this area, and the possibility of hidden orebodies underneath. Recent drilling in this area has intercepted a zone 45 m thick with a grade of 13.4% Zn, 0.03% Pb and 8 g per metric ton at about 380 m depth.     

Geology and geochemistry of the adjacent Changkeng gold and Fuwang silver deposits, Guangdong Province, South China

The Changkeng Au and Fuwang Ag deposits represent an economically significant and distinct member of the Au–Ag deposit association in China. The two deposits are immediately adjacent, but the Au and Ag orebodies separated from each other. Ores in the Au deposit, located at the upper stratigraphic section and in the southern parts of the orefield, contain low Ag contents (< 11 ppm); the Ag orebodies, in the lower stratigraphic section, are Au-poor (< 0.2 ppm). Changkeng is hosted in brecciated cherts and jasperoidal quartz and is characterized by disseminated ore minerals. Fuwang, hosted in the Lower Carboniferous Zimenqiao group bioclastic limestone, has vein and veinlet mineralization associated with alteration comprised of quartz, carbonate, sericite, and sulfides. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions from quartz veinlets in the Changkeng and Fuwang deposits are in the range of 210 ± 80 °C and 230 ± 50 °C, respectively. Salinities of fluid inclusions from the two deposits range from 1.6 to 7.3 wt.% and 1.6 to 2.6 wt.% equiv. NaCl, respectively. The δD_H2O, δ¹⁸O_H2O, δ¹³C_CO2 and ³He/⁴He values of the fluid inclusions from the Changkeng deposit range from − 80‰ to − 30‰, − 7.8‰ to − 3.0‰, − 16.6‰ to − 17.0‰ and 0.0100 to 0.0054 Ra, respectively. The δD_H2O, δ¹⁸O_H2O, δ¹³C_CO2 and ³He/⁴He values of fluid inclusions from the Fuwang deposit range from − 59‰ to − 45‰, − 0.9‰ to 4.1‰, − 6.7‰ to − 0.6‰ and 0.5930 to 0.8357 Ra, respectively. The δD_H2O, δ¹⁸O_H2O, δ¹³C_CO2 and ³He/⁴He values of the fluid inclusions suggest the ore fluids of the Changkeng Au-ore come from the meteoric water and the ore fluids of the Fuwang Ag-ore are derived from mixing of magmatic water and meteoric water. The two deposits also show different Pb-isotopic signatures. The Changkeng deposit has Pb isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 18.580 to 19.251, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.672 to 15.801, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 38.700 to 39.104) similar to those (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 18.578 to 19.433, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.640 to 15.775, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 38.925 to 39.920) of its host rocks and different from those (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 18.820 to 18.891, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.848 to 15.914, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 39.579 to 39.786) of the Fuwang deposit. The different signatures indicate different sources of ore-forming material. Rb–Sr isochron age (68 ± 6 Ma) and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age (64.3 ± 0.1 Ma) of the ore-related quartz veins from the Ag deposit indicate that the Fuwang deposit formed during the Cenozoic Himalayan tectonomagmatic event. Crosscutting relationships suggests that Au-ore predates Ag-ore. The adjacent Changkeng and Fuwang deposits could, however, represent a single evolved hydrothermal system. The ore fluids initially deposited Au in the brecciated siliceous rocks, and then mixing with the magmatic water resulted in Ag deposition within fracture zones in the limestone. The deposits are alternatively the product of the superposition of two different geological events. Age evidence for the Fuwang deposit, together with the Xiqiaoshan Tertiary volcanic-hosted Ag deposit in the same area, indicates that the Pacific Coastal Volcanic Belt in the South China Fold Belt has greater potential for Himalayan precious metal mineralization than previous realized.     

Deformation mechanism maps for feldspar rocks

Deformation mechanism maps for feldspar rocks were constructed based on recently published constitutive laws for dislocation and grain boundary diffusion creep of wet and dry plagioclase aggregates. The maps display constant temperature contours in stress-grain size space for strain rates ranging from 10⁻¹⁶ to 10⁻¹² s⁻¹.Two fields of dominance of grain boundary diffusion-controlled creep and dislocation creep are separated by a strongly grain size-sensitive transition zone. For wet rocks, diffusion-controlled creep dominates below a grain size of about 0.1–1 mm, depending on temperature, stress, strain rate and feldspar composition. Plagioclase aggregates containing up to 0.3 wt.% water as often found in natural feldspars are more than 2 orders of magnitude weaker than dry rocks. The strength of water-bearing feldspar rocks is moderately dependent on composition and water fugacity.For a grain size range of about 10–50 μm commonly observed in natural ultramylonites, the deformation maps predict that diffusion-controlled creep is dominant at greenschist to granulite facies conditions. Low viscosity estimates of 10¹⁸–10¹⁹ Pa·s from modeling postseismic stress relaxation and channel flow of the continental lower crust can only be reconciled with laboratory experiments assuming dislocation creep at high temperatures >900 °C or, at lower temperatures, diffusion creep of fine-grained rocks possibly localized in abundant high strain shear zones. For similar thermodynamic conditions and grain size, lower crustal rocks are predicted to be less than order of magnitude weaker than upper mantle rocks.     

Organic geochemistry and petrology of barren and Mo–Ni–PGE mineralized marine black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation (South China)

Marine black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in southern China host Mo–Ni–platinum group elements (PGE) mineralization confined to a phosphate- and pyrite-rich stratiform body (max. 20-cm thick). The H/C atomic ratio, carbon isotopic composition, FTIR spectra of bulk organic matter, and spectra of extractable part of organic matter indicate similar sources and thermal evolution of organic matter in barren and mineralized black shales.The morphology and relative abundance of organic particles in barren and mineralized shales are different. In barren black shales, organic particles comprise only elongated bodies and laminae 2–10 μm across or elongated larger bodies (> 10 μm) with R_max = 2.96–5.21% (Type I particles). Mineralized black shales contain Type I particles in rock matrix (90–95 vol%), small veinlets or irregular organic accumulations (Type II particles, 1–5 vol%) that display weak to well developed mosaic texture and a variable reflectance (R_max = 3.55–8.65%), and small (< 1 to 5 μm) rounded or irregular Type III organic particles (1–4 vol%) distributed within phosphate nodules and sulphide rip-up clasts. Type III particles show similar reflectance as particles of Type I in rock matrix. Type I particles are interpreted as remnants of in situ bacterially reworked organic matter of cyanobacteria/algal type, Type II as solidified products or oil-derived material (migrabitumen), and Type III particles as remnants of original organic matter in phosphatized or sulphidized algal/microbial oncolite-like bodies. Equivalent vitrinite reflectances of Type I and III particles in barren and mineralized rocks are similar and correspond to semi-anthracite and anthracite. Micro-Raman spectra of organic particles in rocks display a wide belt in the area of 1600 cm^− 1 (G belt) and approximately the same belt in the area of 1350 cm^− 1 (D belt). The ratio of integrated areas of the two belts correlate with R_max values.The Mo–Ni–PGE mineralized body is interpreted as to represent a remnant of phosphate- and sulphide-rich subaquatic hardground supplied with organic material derived from plankton and benthic communities as well as with algal/microbial oncolite-like bodies that originated in wave-agitated, shallow-water, nearshore environment.     

Electron accepting capacity of dissolved organic matter as determined by reaction with metallic zinc

Information about the chemical electron accepting capacity (EAC) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is scarce owing to a lack of applicable methods. We quantified the electron transfer from metallic Zn to natural DOM in batch experiments at DOC concentrations of 10–100 mg-C L^− 1 and related it to spectroscopic information obtained from UV-, synchronous fluorescence, and FTIR- spectroscopy. The electron donating capacity of DOM and pre-reduced DOM was investigated using Fe(CN)₆³⁻ as electron acceptor. Presence of DOM resulted in release of dissolved Zn, consumption of protons, and slower release of hydrogen compared to reaction of metallic Zn with water at pH 6.5. Comparison with reaction stoichiometry confirmed that DOM accepted electrons from metallic Zn. The release of dissolved Zn was dependent on pH, DOC concentration, ionic strength, and organic matter properties. The reaction appeared to be completed within about 24 h and was characterized by pseudo first order kinetics with rate constants of 0.5 to 0.8 h^− 1. EAC per mass unit of carbon ranged from 0.22 mmol g^− 1 C to 12.6 mmol g^− 1 C. Depending on the DOM, a calculated 28–127% of the electrons transferred from metallic Zn to DOM could be subsequently donated to Fe(CN)₆³⁻. EAC decreased with DOC concentration, and increased with aromaticity, carboxyl, and phenolic content of the DOM. The results indicate that an operationally defined EAC of natural DOM can be quantified by reaction with metallic Zn and that DOM properties control the electron transfer. Shortcomings of the method are the coagulation and precipitation of DOM during the experiment and the production of hydrogen and dissolved Zn by reaction of metallic Zn with water, which may influence the determined EAC.     

Mobilization of gold into lake sediments from acid and alkaline mineralized environments in the southern Canadian Shield: Gold in lake sediments and natural waters

To be an effective indicator of mineralization in lake sediment surveys within the Canadian Shield, it is desirable that an element migrate in solution or adsorbed on suspensates. Given the low relief and disorganized drainage patterns of this region, dispersal in clastic form in drainage systems is limited and gives rise to erratic distributions. The purpose of this study was to discover whether Au shows significant hydromorphic mobility, which would justify the increasing use that is being made of this element in lake sediments as an indicator for gold mineralization.Waters and lake sediments were collected from Napier Lake, Ontario; PAP Lake, Saskatchewan; and Foster Lake, Manitoba, all of which contain Au-quartz vein mineralization and lie within the glaciated boreal forest zone of the Canadian Shield. In all three areas, profundal lake sediments down-drainage of mineralization contain Au concentrations higher than regional mean concentrations. Significant dissolution and transport of Au was found under oxidizing conditions associated with waters with pH that varied from acid to alkaline. Waters from drill holes penetrating mineralization contain up to 401 ng L⁻¹ Au (note; 1 ng L⁻¹ is equivalent to 1 part per trillion, 10⁻¹²). Surface waters overlying or near mineralization collected from bogs, seeps, ponds and streams contain up to 13 ng L⁻¹. The content of Au in lake waters is lower, with a maximum of 1.1 ng L⁻¹. There is also a detectable quantity of Au present in suspensates. Two samples of particulates (> 1 μm) filtered from lake water have Au equivalent to 0.17 ng L⁻¹ and 0.039 ng L⁻¹. While the contents of Au present in solution or as suspensates in lake and stream water are relatively small, they are sufficient, if precipitated, to generate anomalies in lake sediments. Thus for Reservoir Lake, in the Foster Lake area, water from the principal stream entering the lake carries 0.3 ng L⁻¹ Au. This provides an annual flux which far exceeds that required to generate the 7.3 ppb Au contained in profundal sediments of this lake; a content that is anomalous relative to the regional median content of < 1 ppb Au for lake sediments.Hydrogeochemical prospecting involving analysis for Au is one method for tracing the source of anomalous Au in lake sediments. Collection of 1 L samples without field treatment, followed by extraction of Au into MIBK, then analysis by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, permits detection levels for Au of 0.5 ng L⁻¹. This is below the contents of Au found in some waters from mineralized areas. A detection limit of 0.3 ng L⁻¹ was obtained using larger water samples.     

Geochronology of metarhyolites from the Kangbutiebao Formation in the Kelang basin, Altay Mountains, Xinjiang: Implications for the tectonic evolution and metallogeny

The Altay orogenic belt (AOB), situated in the middle part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is one of the most important metallogenic belts in China. The Kangbutiebao Formation is a Late Paleozoic stratigraphic unit that hosts many important iron and Pb–Zn deposits. The Kangbutiebao Formation consists of intercalated volcanic and sedimentary rocks that have undergone regional greenschist to lower amphibolite facies metamorphism, and mainly outcrops in three NW-trending fault-bounded volcano–sedimentary basins, including the Maizi, Kelang, and Chonghuer basins. SHRIMP analyses of zircons from three metarhyolites of the Kangbutiebao Fm. in the Kelang Basin yield weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 412.6 ± 3.5 Ma, 408.7 ± 5.3 Ma and 406.7 ± 4.3 Ma, respectively, which can be interpreted as the eruption age of the Kangbutiebao silicic volcanic rocks in the Kelang Basin. These ages indicate that the Kangbutiebao Formation was formed during the Late Silurian to Early Devonian. They also demonstrate that the deposits hosted in the Kangbutiebao Formation were formed after 412–407 Ma. They play a key role in understanding the Paleozoic tectonic evolution and metallogenesis of the southern margin of the Chinese AOB.     

Thermal conductivity of Higher Himalayan Crystallines from Garhwal Himalaya, India

We report the measurements of thermal conductivity for some Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks from Joshimath and Uttarkashi areas of the Garhwal Himalaya. Seventy-three rock samples including gneiss, metabasic rock and quartzite were measured. Gneissic rocks, which include augen gneiss, banded gneiss, felsic gneiss and fine-grained gneiss, exhibit a wide range in conductivity, from 1.5 to 3.6 Wm^− 1K^− 1 for individual samples, and 2.1 to 2.7 Wm^− 1K^− 1 for the means. Among these, augen gneisses and banded gneisses show the largest variability. Of all the rock types, quartzites (mean 5.4 Wm^− 1K^− 1) and metabasic rocks (mean 2.1 Wm^− 1K^− 1) represent the highest and lowest mean values respectively. The range in conductivity observed for gneissic rocks is significantly higher than that generally found in similar rock types in cratonic areas. The rock samples have very low porosity and exhibit feeble anisotropy, indicating that they do not contribute to the variability in thermal conductivity. Besides variations in mineralogical composition, the heterogeneous banding as well as intercalations with metabasic rocks and quartz veins, a common occurrence in structurally complex areas, appears to cause the variability in conductivity. The study therefore brings out the need for systematic characterization of thermophysical properties of major rock types comprising the Himalayan region for lithospheric thermal modeling, assessment of geothermal energy and geo-engineering applications in an area. The dataset constitutes the first systematic measurements on the Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks.     

Study on the kinetics of iron oxide leaching by oxalic acid

The presence of iron oxides in clay or silica raw materials is detrimental to the manufacturing of high quality ceramics. Although iron has been traditionally removed by physical mineral processing, acid washing has been tested as it is more effective, especially for extremely low iron (of less than 0.1% w/w). However, inorganic acids such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acids easily contaminate the clay products with SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻, and therefore should be avoided as much as possible. On the other hand, if oxalic acid is used, any acid left behind will be destroyed during the firing of the ceramic products. The characteristics of dissolution of iron oxides were therefore investigated in this study.The dissolution of iron oxides in oxalic acid was found to be very slow at temperatures within the range 25–60 °C, but its rate increases rapidly above 90 °C. The dissolution rate also increases with increasing oxalate concentration at the constant pH values set within the optimum range of pH2.5–3.0. At this optimum pH, the dissolution of fine pure hematite (Fe₂O₃) (105–140 μm) follows a diffusion-controlled shrinking core model. The rate expression expressed as 1 − (2 / 3)x − (1 − x)^2 / 3 where x is a fraction of iron dissolution was found to be proportional to [oxalate]^1.5.The addition of magnetite to the leach liquor at 10% w/w hematite was found to enhance the dissolution rate dramatically. Such addition of magnetite allows coarser hematite in the range 0.5–1.4 mm to be leached at a reasonable rate.     

Continuity of the North Qilian and North Qinling orogenic belts, Central Orogenic System of China: Evidence from newly discovered Paleozoic adakitic rocks

Adakitic intrusive rocks of  430–450 Ma were discovered in the North Qilian orogenic belt, the western section of the Central Orogenic System (COS) in China. These adakitic rocks were lower crust melts rather than slab melts as indicated by their crustal Ce/Pb, Nb/U, Ti/Eu, and Nd/Sm ratios and radiogenically enriched (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i of 0.7053–0.7066 and ε_Nd(t) of − 0.9 to − 1.7. While they are all characterized by low Yb (< 1.1 ppm) and Y (< 11.5 ppm) abundances with high Sr/Y (> 65) and (La/Yb)_N (> 13.7) ratios, these adakitic rocks are classified into the low-MgO–Ni–Cr and high-MgO–Ni–Cr groups. The low-MgO samples were derived from partial melting of thickened lower crust, whereas the high-MgO samples were melts from delaminated lower crust, which subsequently interacted with mantle peridotite upon ascent. Adakitic rocks from the adjacent North Qinling orogenic belt also originated from thickened lower crust at  430 Ma. In addition, the North Qilian and North Qinling orogenic belts both consist of lithological assemblages varying from subduction-accretionary complexes at south to central arc assemblages, which include adakitic rocks, then to backarc phases at north. Such a sequence reflects northward subduction of the Qilian and Qinling oceans. In these two orogenic belts, the occurrence of adakitic rocks of common origin and ages together with the similarities in tectonic configurations and lithological assemblages are considered to be the evidence for the continuity between eastern Qilian and western Qinling, forming a > 1000 km Early Paleozoic orogenic belt. In such a tectonic configuration, the Qilian and Qinling oceans that subducted from south possibly represent parts of the large “Proto-Tethyan Ocean”. This inference is supported by the coexistence of Early Paleozoic coral and trilobite specimens from Asia, America and Australia in the North Qilian orogenic belt. Post-400 Ma volcanic rocks occur in the North Qinling orogenic belt but are absent in the North Qilian orogenic belt, indicating that these two orogenic belts underwent distinct evolution history after the closure of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean ( 420 Ma).     

Geological features and origin of gold deposits occurring in the Baotou–Bayan Obo district, south-central Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China

Located at western portion of northern margin of North China craton, the Baotou–Bayan Obo district is one of the most important Fe–REE–Nb and Au metallogenic provinces in China. Presently, about 52 gold deposits and prospects have been discovered, explored and mined, among which Shibaqinhao, Laoyanghao, Houshihua, Saiyinwusu, Wulashan and Donghuofang are the most important ones. All these gold occurrences can be subdivided into three groups (or types) according to its host rocks: (1) hosted by Archean high-grade metamorphic rocks; (2) hosted by Proterozoic sedimentary rocks; (3) hosted by or related to Hercynian alkaline intrusive rocks. The first group contains the Shibaqinhao, Laoyanghao and Houshihua gold deposits. Gold mineralization at these three deposits occurs within Archean amphibolite, gneiss and granulite as gold-bearing quartz veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite and chalcopyrite. The Saiyinwusu deposit belongs to the second group, and occurs within Proterozoic sandstone, quartzite and carbonaceous slate as quartz veins and replacement bodies along the fracture zones. Pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, native gold and electrum are identified. The third group includes the Wulashan, Donghuofang and Luchang deposits. Gold mineralization at these three deposits occurs predominantly within the Hercynian alkaline syenite or melagabbro stocks and dyke swarms or along their contacts with Archean metamorphic wall rocks as K-feldspar–quartz veins, dissemination and veinlets. Pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, native gold and calaverite are major metallic minerals.δ³⁴S value of sulfides (pyrite, galena and pyrrhotite) separates from groups 1 and 2 varies from −4.01‰ to −0.10‰ and −3.01‰ to 2.32‰, respectively. δ³⁴S values of Archean and Proterozoic metamorphic wall rocks for groups 1 and 2 deposits range from −20.2‰ to −17.0‰ and −15.8‰ to −16.2‰, respectively. The values are much lower than their hosted gold deposits. All these pyrite separates from Hercynian alkaline intrusions associated with the gold deposits show positive δ³⁴S values of 1.3‰ to 4.8‰, which is higher than those Precambrian metamorphic wall rocks and their hosted gold deposits. δ³⁴S values of the sulfides (pyrite and galena) from the Donghuofang and Wulashan deposits (group 3) increase systematically from veins (−14.8‰ to −2.4‰) to the Hercynian alkaline igneous wall rocks (2.8‰ to 4.8 ‰). All of these deposits in groups 1, 2 and 3 show relatively radiogenic lead isotopic compositions compared to mantle or lower crust curves. Most lead isotope data of sulfides from the gold ores plot between the Hercynian alkaline intrusions and Precambrian metamorphic wall rocks. Data are interpreted as indicative of a mixing of lead from mantle-derived alkaline magma with lead from Precambrian metamorphic wall rocks.Isotopic age data, geological and geochemical evidence suggest that the ore fluids for the groups 1 and 2 deposits were generated during the emplacement of the Hercynian alkaline syenite and mafic intrusions. The Hercynian alkaline magma may provide heat, volatiles and metals for these groups 1 and 2 deposits. Evolved metamorphic fluids produced by the devolatilization, which circulated the wall rocks, were also progressively involved in the alkaline magmatic hydrothermal system, and may have dominate the ore fluids during late stage of ore-forming processes. Most of these gold deposits hosted by Archean high-grade metamorphic rocks occur at or near the intersections of the NE- and E–W-trending fracture systems. The ore fluid of the group 3 deposits may have resulted from the mixing of Hercynian alkaline magmatic fluids and evolved meteoric waters. The deposits are believed to be products of Hercynian alkaline igneous processes along deep-seated fault zones within Archean terrain.     

Mercury mobilization by oxidative dissolution of cinnabar (α-HgS) and metacinnabar (β-HgS)

Cinnabar (α-HgS) and metacinnabar (β-HgS) dissolved at environmentally significant rates in oxygenated slurry experiments simulating a low-flow fluvial system. Based on SO₄²⁻ production, cinnabar dissolution rates were 2.64 to 6.16 μmol (SO₄²⁻) m^− 2 day^− 1, and metacinnabar dissolution rates were 1.20 to 1.90 μmol (SO₄²⁻) m^− 2 day^− 1. Monodentate-bound thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻) was identified as an oxidation product on the HgS surface by ATR-IR spectroscopy based on strong infrared absorption bands in the 1140–1145 cm^− 1 and 1006–1014 cm^− 1 regions. The presence of sulfide oxidation intermediates on the HgS surface indicates that SO₄²⁻ concentration underestimates α-HgS and β-HgS dissolution in this setting. Mercury release rates during dissolution were more than two orders of magnitude less than SO₄²⁻ production, but were significant: 0.47 mg (Hg) m^− 2 y^− 1 from cinnabar [6.45 nmol (Hg) m^− 2 day^− 1], and 0.17 mg (Hg) m^− 2 y^− 1 from metacinnabar [2.29 nmol (Hg) m^− 2 day^− 1]. The Hg mobilized during α-HgS and β-HgS dissolution is sufficient to form natural Au–Hg amalgam in downstream placer settings. The proportion of mercury that is not remobilized during α-HgS and β-HgS dissolution likely adsorbs to the dissolving mercuric sulfide. Adsorption of Hg²⁺ to cinnabar was detected in situ by anodic stripping voltammetry using a cinnabar-modified carbon paste electrode following accumulation of Hg²⁺ on the electrode at open circuit potential.     

Influence of time, temperature, confining pressure and fluid content on the experimental compaction of spherical grains

Theoretical models of compaction processes, such as for example intergranular pressure-solution (IPS), focus on deformation occurring at the contacts between spherical grains that constitute an aggregate. In order to investigate the applicability of such models, and to quantify the deformation of particles within an aggregate, isostatic experiments were performed in cold-sealed vessels on glass sphere aggregates at 200 MPa confining pressure and 350 °C with varying amounts of fluid. Several runs were performed in order to investigate the effects of time, fluid content, pressure and temperature, by varying one of these parameters and holding the others fixed. In order to compare the aggregates with natural materials, similar experiments were also performed using quartz sand instead of glass spheres. Experiments with quartz show evidence of IPS, but the strain could not be quantified. Experiments with glass spheres show evidence of several types of deformation processes: both brittle (fracturing) and ductile (plastic flow and fluid-enhanced deformation, such as IPS). In experiments with a large amount of water (≥ 5 vol.%), dissolution and recrystallization of the glass spheres also occurred, coupled with crystallization of new material filling the initial porosity. Experiments performed with a fluid content of less than 1 vol.% indicate creep behavior that is typical of glass deformation, following an exponential law. These experiments can also be made to fit a power law for creep, with a stress exponent of n = 10.5 ± 2.2 in both dry and wet experiments. However, the pre-factor of the power law creep increases 5 times with the addition of water, showing the strong effect of water on the deformation rate. These simple and low-cost experiments provide new insights on the rheology of soda-lime glass, which is used in analogue experiments, and of glass-bearing rocks under mid-crustal P–T conditions. They also highlight the strong enhancement of plasticity of natural rocks in presence of fluid or of a glassy phase.