Uranium series disequilibrium in a young surficial uranium deposit,northeastern Washington,U.S.A.

A recently discovered ore-grade accumulation of U in organic-rich sediments of late Quaternary age provides an opportunity for studying the early association of U, U-daughters, and organic matter in a natural setting. The U occurs in valley-fill sediments of peat, peaty clay, silt, and sand along the north fork of Flodelle Creek, Stevens County, Washington. Radiometric techniques (delayed neutron, high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, thin-source alpha spectrometry) were employed to determine the abundance and distribution of U-series nuclides, the extent of secular equilibrium within the U decay series, and the apparent U-series ages of U incorporation.Sixteen lithologically distinct intervals were sampled from a 292 cm core. Uranium contents range from 140 to 2790 ppm and are positively correlated with organic contents. Measured alpha activity ratios of ²³⁴U/²³⁸U (1.31–1.38) are very similar to those reported in coexisting waters, suggesting a rather constant isotopic composition of introduced U. Much lower Th contents of <10–40 ppm are controlled by the type and abundance of silicate detritus. The youth of the host sediments (<15 000 a) and the paucity of associated radioactivity suggested large excesses of U relative to radioactive daughters and such excesses were observed, particularly in the shallowest intervals. Apparent ages of U emplacement determined by the (alpha) activity ratio of ²³⁰Th daughter to ²³⁴U parent show a general increase with depth and fair agreement with estimated depositional ages. This observation suggests dominantly syndepositional or early post depositional emplacement of U followed by decay-generated buildup of ²³⁰Th daughter with time. However, interval by interval comparisons of the relative abundances of other daughters, particularly ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb, indicate variability caused by processes other than closed-system growth and decay, probably because chemically diverse daughters that are decay-generated in situ have differing mobilities and because upwelling ground water continuously adds more U and minor amounts of daughters. If ²³⁰Th is considered the least susceptible to these modifications, the data suggest some addition of ²³⁴U in the deepest intervals and some loss of ²²⁶Ra and/or gain of ²²²Rn throughout the studied core.     

Uranium series disequilibria in the sedimentary uranium deposit at Yeelirrie,Western Australia

The weighted mean values of the ²³⁴U/²³⁸U and the ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ratios in ore samples collected above the modern water table of the Yeelirrie uranium deposit in Western Australia are 1.38 ± 0.10 and 0.83 ± 0.28, respectively. The relatively larger variability in the latter ratio is evidence for the translocation of uranium subsequent to deposition. Daughter product separation is due to differences in the mobilities of the thorium and uranium species. Factors involved in interpreting the observed ratios, in terms of the dynamics of the accumulation of the deposit, are assessed in terms of an open system model. The observed disequilibria provide a quantitative basis for the evaluation of hypotheses developed from geological and other considerations.     

Epithermal mineralization and ore controls of the Shasta Au-Ag deposit, Toodoggone District, British Columbia, Canada

The Shasta gold-silver deposit, British Columbia, Canada, is an adularia-sericite-type epithermal deposit in which deposition of precious metals coincided with the transition of quartz- to calcite-dominant gangue. Mineralization is associated with stockwork-breccia zones in potassically altered dacitic lapilli tuffs and flows, and consists of pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, acanthite, electrum and native silver. Pre- and post-ore veins consist solely of quartz and calcite, respectively. Fluid inclusion microthermometry indicates that ore minerals were deposited between 280 ° and 225 °C, from a relatively dilute hydrothermal fluid (˜1.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent). Abundant vapor-rich inclusions in ore-stage calcite are consistent with boiling. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic data (δ¹⁸O_fluid = −1.5 to −4.1‰; δD_fluid = −148 to −171‰) suggest that the fluid had a meteoric origin, but was ¹⁸O-enriched by interaction with volcanic wallrocks. Initial (˜280 °C) fluid pH and log f O₂ conditions are estimated at 5.3 to 6.0, and −32.5 to −33 bar, respectively; during ore deposition, the fluid became more alkaline and oxidizing. Ore deposition at Shasta is attributed to localization of meteoric hydrothermal fluids by extensional faults; mineralization was controlled by boiling in response to hydraulic brecciation. Calcite and base metal sulfides precipitated due to the increase in pH that accompanied boiling, and the associated decrease in H₂S concentration led to precipitation of gold and silver. Received: 23 February 1995 / Accepted: 16 April 1996     

Abiotic versus biotic controls on the development of the Fairmont Hot Springs carbonate deposit, British Columbia, Canada

The relict Fairmont Hot Springs deposit, formed largely of carbonates, covers an area of 0·5 km², and is up to 16 m thick. The triangle‐shaped discharge apron, which broadens down‐valley, is divided into a proximal part with beds dipping at <10° and a distal part with beds dipping at 10° to 15°. The deposit is formed of the: (1) Basal Macrophyte; (2) Lower Carbonate; (3) Middle Clastic; (4) Upper Carbonate; and (5) Upper Clastic Sequences. Two charcoal samples embedded in the Lower Carbonate Sequence yielded dates of 8690 ± 90 and 8270 ± 70 cal yr bp , indicating that much of the deposit formed post‐glacially during the Early to Mid‐Holocene. Deposit aggradation ceased in the Mid to Late Holocene when the Fairmont Creek valley was incised. The Lower and Upper Carbonate Sequences, which are the thickest sequences, are composed of nearly equal parts of travertine (abiotic) and tufa (biotic), with feather dendrite travertine, radiating dendrite travertine and stromatolite tufa dominating. Competition between calcite precipitation rates and biotic growth rates controlled the distribution of tufa and travertine across the discharge apron. Calcite and biotic growth rates were controlled largely by flow velocity across the apron which, in turn, was controlled by topography and regular fluctuations in spring water discharge volume. During times of high spring discharge, slow sheet flow over the proximal part of the apron promoted stromatolite growth, whereas fast, turbulent flow on the distal part of the apron induced rapid feather dendrite formation. During times of low spring discharge, quiescent, shallow evaporative pools, conducive to radiating dendrite formation, formed on the proximal part of the apron, whereas slow flow on the distal part promoted stromatolite growth. Facies with high calcite supersaturation experienced rapid abiotic dendrite growth that precluded most biotic growth.     

Uranium/daughter disequilibrium in the Koongarra uranium deposit,Australia

Fifty five samples from the Koongarra uranium deposit have been analysed for radiometric disequilibrium. The deposit is situated in the Northern Territory, Australia and consists primarily of steeply dipping pitchblende veins overlain by a dispersion fan of weathered ore. The disequilibrium ratios, which assess the degree to which the emitted gamma radiation represents the uranium content of a sample, show the pitchblende ore to be at, or close to, equilibrium. The host wall rocks, which have a low uranium grade, and some samples from the dispersion fan have low ratios indicating radium enrichment. Analysis of Variance of the data was performed to determine if significant disequilibrium trends were associated with sample location, grade, rock type or grouping by ore type. A significant trend was found in samples from the dispersion fan where the disequilibrium ratio increases in the direction of the groundwater flow, indicating movement of uranium in these waters. No conclusive evidence was found for movement of uranium from depth to the dispersion fan and the fan is apparently a result of weathering processes on a previous upward extension of the primary pitchblende veins. Redistribution of both uranium and radium has occurred at depth within primary ore zones and host wall rocks.     

伊犁盆地乌库尔其矿床中下侏罗统水西沟群第Ⅶ沉积旋回铀矿富集因素

本文从铀矿化特征入手 ,重点对矿床的构造、古气候、岩相古地理、岩性、水文地质和地球化学及有效还原剂含量等与第Ⅶ沉积旋回铀富集有关的因素进行了探讨 ,认为乌库尔其铀矿富集的关键因素为含铀建造 (砂体 )的存在、含氧含铀水的长期补给以及有效还原剂的存在。     

Geostatistical investigation of the Kutcho Creek chrysotile deposit,Northern British Columbia

The Kutcho Creek asbestos deposit, owned by Cassiar Asbestos Corporation Ltd., has been sampled by two major exploratory programs that have provided two sets of grade data—one from the horizontal direction (wall readings) and one from the vertical direction (diamond drill cores). These data (percentage chrysotile by volume) were divided into well-defined groups on the basis of location and sample continuity, and experimental variograms for percentage of fiber content were calculated for each group. Horizontal data were all oriented in directions roughly parallel to the trend of an elongate serpentinite zone containing local centers rich in chrysotile veinlets. Spherical variogram models fitted to horizontal and vertical data sets are as follows: Vertical: $$\begin{gathered} \gamma (h) = 0.27 m^2 + 0.44 m^2 [(3h/70) - (h^3 /85,750)] h \leqslant a \hfill \\ \gamma (h) = 0.71 m^2 h \geqslant a \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ Horizontal: $$\begin{gathered} \gamma (h) = 0.27 m^2 + 1.20 m^2 [(h/60) - (h^3 /729,000)] h \leqslant a \hfill \\ \gamma (h) = 1.47 m^2 h \geqslant a \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ Wherem is the mean value of data used in the construction of a variogram,h is a lag (sample spacing), anda is the range over which the grade is autocorrelated. These two one-dimensional models can be combined to a two-dimensional model with the form γ(h)=γ(r)+γ(x) where γ(r) is an isotropic component (equivalent to the vertical model above) and γ(x) is a zonal component in the horizontal direction (equivalent to the difference between the horizontal and vertical models above). This general model describes data throughout the entire serpentinite zone in a satisfactory manner but, of course, does not contain information in the third dimension, and, thus, cannot be used as a basis for grade and tonnage calculations and corresponding error estimates. Nevertheless, the analysis has illustrated the potential of variogram analysis for such tonnage and grade calculations. Furthermore, the study has provided limiting two-dimensional information on the geometry of chrysotile-rich zones within the serpentinite belt, information that can be used to advantage in planning future exploratory drilling.     

Carbonatite-hosted niobium deposit at Aley,northern British Columbia (Canada): Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis

The Aley Nb deposit in northern British Columbia, Canada, is hosted by metamorphosed calcite and dolomite carbonatites of anorogenic affinity emplaced in Lower Paleozoic sedimentary carbonate rocks in the Devonian. Primary Nb mineralization consists of pyrochlore (commonly comprising a U–Ta-rich and F-poor core) and ferrocolumbite developed as discrete crystals and replacement products after the pyrochlore. These phases and associated heavy minerals (apatite ± magnetite ± zircon ± baddeleyite) precipitated early in the magmatic history and probably formed laterally extensive cumulate layers up to at least 1.5 m in thickness. Fractionation of copious amounts of pyrochlore is reflected in the chemical composition of the carbonatites and their constituent minerals, which show large variations in Nb/Ta value, but a near-chondritic Zr/Hf ratio. Alkali-rich metasomatic rocks (in particular, fenites and glimmerites) associated with the carbonatites are barren; the bulk of Nb in these rocks is contained in rutile, phlogopite and, to a much lesser extent, amphibole. When the passive margin of North America became the zone of plate convergence in the Cretaceous, the host carbonatites were strongly deformed, which is manifested in structures and textures indicative of grain comminution, ductile flow, folding and, locally, brecciation. The structure and continuity of the cumulate units enriched in Nb minerals were profoundly affected by these processes. Interaction of the carbonatites with crustal fluids of complex chemistry resulted in extensive dolomitization, replacement of the pyrochlore and ferrocolumbite by fersmite, and development of hydrothermal parageneses consistent with the lower greenschist-facies conditions. At these late evolutionary stages, Nb was mobilized only to a very limited extent and sequestered in a variety of minerals (fersmite, euxenite, Mg-rich ferrocolumbite and Nb-bearing rutile) typically occurring as scarce minute crystals associated with hydrothermal dolomite, quartz and chlorite. Progressive enrichment of the deformed dolomite carbonatites in heavy C and O isotopes relative to primary calcite, coupled with changes in the trace-element composition of Nb phases, indicate that the fluids were equilibrated with the wall-rock sedimentary rocks hosting the Aley deposit and were capable of transporting F⁻, (PO₄)^3 −, U, Th and rare-earth elements, but not Nb.     

A depositional model for hydromagnesite–magnesite playas near Atlin,British Columbia,Canada

This study formulates a comprehensive depositional model for hydromagnesite–magnesite playas. Mineralogical, isotopic and hydrogeochemical data are coupled with electron microscopy and field observations of the hydromagnesite–magnesite playas near Atlin, British Columbia, Canada. Four surface environments are recognized: wetlands, grasslands, localized mounds (metre‐scale) and amalgamated mounds composed primarily of hydromagnesite [Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O], which are interpreted to represent stages in playa genesis. Water chemistry, precipitation kinetics and depositional environment are primary controls on sediment mineralogy. At depth (average ≈ 2 m), Ca–Mg‐carbonate sediments overlay early Holocene glaciolacustrine sediments indicating deposition within a lake post‐deglaciation. This mineralogical change corresponds to a shift from siliciclastic to chemical carbonate deposition as the supply of fresh surface water (for example, glacier meltwater) ceased and was replaced by alkaline groundwater. Weathering of ultramafic bedrock in the region produces Mg–HCO₃ groundwater that concentrates by evaporation upon discharging into closed basins, occupied by the playas. An uppermost unit of Mg‐carbonate sediments (hydromagnesite mounds) overlies the Ca–Mg‐carbonate sediments. This second mineralogical shift corresponds to a change in the depositional environment from subaqueous to subaerial, occurring once sediments ‘emerged’ from the water surface. Capillary action and evaporation draw Mg–HCO₃ water up towards the ground surface, precipitating Mg‐carbonate minerals. Evaporation at the water table causes precipitation of lansfordite [MgCO₃·5H₂O] which partially cements pre‐existing sediments forming a hardpan. As carbonate deposition continues, the weight of the overlying sediments causes compaction and minor lateral movement of the mounds leading to amalgamation of localized mounds. Radiocarbon dating of buried vegetation at the Ca–Mg‐carbonate boundary indicates that there has been ca 8000 years of continuous Mg‐carbonate deposition at a rate of 0·4 mm yr^?1. The depositional model accounts for the many sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical processes that occur in the four surface environments; elucidating past and present carbonate deposition.     

Climate controls on nitrate concentration variability in the Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer,British Columbia,Canada

Understanding the linkage between temporal climate variability and groundwater nitrate concentration variability in monitoring well records is key to interpreting the impacts of changes in land-use practices and assessing groundwater quality trends. This study explores the coupling of climate variability and groundwater nitrate concentration variability in the Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer. Over the period of 1992–2009, the average groundwater nitrate concentration in the aquifer remained fairly steady at approximately 15 mg/L nitrate-N. Normalized nitrate data for 19 individual monitoring wells were assessed for a range of intrinsic factors including precipitation, depth to water table, depth below water table, and apparent groundwater age. At a broad scale, there is a negative correlation between nitrate concentration and apparent groundwater age. Each dedicated monitoring well shows unique, non-uniform cyclical variability in nitrate concentrations that appears to correspond with seasonal (1 year) cycles in precipitation as well as longer-period cycles (~5 years), possibly due to ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) or the Pacific North American (PNA) pattern. These precipitation cycles appear to influence nitrate concentrations by approximately ±30 % of the critical concentration (10 mg/L NO₃–N). Not all wells show direct correlation due to many complex local-scale factors that influence nitrate leaching including spatially and temporally variable nutrient management practices and soil/crop nitrogen dynamics (anthropogenic and agronomic factors).     

Organic petrology of Hat Creek coal deposit No. 1, British Columbia

Gell preserved monocotyledon and peeridophyta remains were found in natural bitumen frrm Iranian, tar pit and oil seeps, using reflected and fluorescence light microscopy. The plant tissue are impregnated or partially replaced by bitumens the extent of this replacement is noted.     

Compositional variation in Hg-bearing sphalerite from the polymetallic Eskay Creek deposit, British Columbia, Canada

The Eskay Creek, British Columbia, Canada, is a polymetallic, gold- and silver-rich, volcanic-hosted, massive sulfide deposit. The ore in the deposit is divided into subzones distinguished by mineralogy, texture, grade and metallurgical characteristics. This study presents the results of a mineralogical examination of three composite field samples, with emphasis on the chemistry of sphalerite. Sphalerite is associated with variable amounts of Hg-tetrahedrite and cinnabar, and an array of sulfides, sulphosalts and non-opaque minerals. Electron micro probe analyses of sphalerite in the three composite samples reveal wide variations in compositions. The Hg content in sphalerite in the three samples varies between 0.08 and 16.35 wt%, whereas the Fe content ranges from 0.33 to 2.29 wt%. The chemical formula of the sphalerite shows the compositional range (Zn_0.89–0.98Hg_0.01–0.09.Fe_0.005–0.02)S. Sphalerite exhibits an almost perfect substitution of Hg and Zn, as shown by the negative covariance between them. Sphalerite with the highest Hg contents tends to have the lowest Fe concentrations. The highest Hg contents in sphalerite are recorded in the samples with the highest bulk Hg concentrations and with the highest cinnabar contents.

The compositional variations of sphalerite are important because they can be used in mapping ore forming fluids and indicate possible temporal variations. Second, determination of the compositional variation of the sphalerite in the mine has metallurgical implications because the mineral is an important Zn source. The mineralogical data indicate that non-physical processes (e.g. pyrometallurgy) must be used to separate Hg from Zn concentrates, with direct environmental implications, that is, release of metals, such as Hg, into the environment during mining and processing.     

浙江138矿床铀的富集因素

138铀矿床的形成经历了沉积-成岩及改造再生阶段。本对两个阶段中，铀沉淀富集的因素进行探讨。     

Mineral composition of uranium ore at the Dalmatovo deposit,Russia

The mineral composition of hydrogenic uranium ore of the Dalmatovo deposit was studied with analytical scanning electron microscopy. The results correspond to earlier known data only in general terms. Phosphosilicate uranium mineralization, which is predominant in the samples, is similar to P-bearing coffinite in elemental composition but differs in morphology. The quantitative analysis of microcrystals corresponds to the formula (U,Ca)[(Si,P)O₄]₂, where U/Si ratio is twice as low as in coffinite. The occurrence of oxide pitchblende mineralization has been confirmed. The initial stage of the formation of uranyl minerals has been revealed. The mineral species of Ti-U substance that determines geochemical attributes of the Dalmatovo deposit is considered.     

Downstream changes in antimony and arsenic speciation in sediments at a mesothermal gold deposit in British Columbia,Canada

This study investigates Sb speciation in sediments along the drainage of the Upper Peter adit at the Bralorne Au mine in southern British Columbia, Canada, and compares the behavior of Sb with that of As. The Upper Peter mineralization consists of native Au in quartz-carbonate veins with 1 wt.% sulfides dominated by pyrite and arsenopyrite although stibnite, the primary Sb-bearing sulfide mineral, can be locally significant. Dissolved Sb concentrations can reach up to 349 μg L⁻¹ in the mine pool. Sediments were collected for detailed geochemical and mineralogical characterization at locations along the 350-m flow path, which includes a 100-m shallow channel within the adit, a sediment settling pond about 45 m beyond the adit portal and an open wetland another 120 m farther downstream. From the mine pool to the wetland outlet, dissolved Sb in the drainage drops from 199 μg L⁻¹ to below the detection limit due to the combined effect of dilution and removal from solution. Speciation analyses using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy indicate that Sb(III)–S accounts for around 70% of total Sb in the sediments in the main pool at the far end of the adit. At a short distance (24 m) downstream of the main adit pool, however, Sb(III)–O and Sb(V)–O species represent ?50% of total Sb in the bulk sediments, indicating significant oxidation of the primary sulfides inside the adit. Although Sb appears largely oxidized in the bulk samples collected near the portal, Sb(III)–S species are nevertheless present in the <53-μm fraction, suggesting a higher oxidation rate for stibnite in the coarser grains, possibly due to galvanic interaction with pyrite. Secondary Sb species released from the sulfide oxidation are most likely sorbed/co-precipitated with Fe-, Mn-, and Al-oxyhydroxides along the flow channel in the adit and in the sediment settling pond, with the Fe phase being the dominant sink for Sb.     

Geochemistry of mine waters draining a low-sulfide, gold-quartz vein deposit, Bralorne, British Columbia

The Bralorne and Pioneer mines, now inactive, produced over 4 million ounces of Au from an orogenic lode Au deposit located on the eastern edge of the Coastal Mountains of SW British Columbia. Between 2007 and 2009, drainage from a recently developed exploration adit was investigated in order to better understand and anticipate potential environmental management issues associated with the development of this type of deposit in the future. Portal discharge rate and specific conductance were monitored continuously over a 14-month period during which 36 water samples were collected. Additional samples were collected from flooded workings within the adit. Concentrations of As and Sb at the portal range as high as 1738 and 316 μg/L, respectively, while those in the mine pool reach 3304 and 349 μg/L, respectively. Effluent chemistry is mildly alkaline (pH = 8.7) and is dominated by Na, Ca, Mg, HCO₃ and SO₄. Geochemical inverse modeling of effluent composition indicates weathering of albite (2515 kg/a), ferroan dolomite (718 kg/a), pyrite (456 kg/a), arsenopyrite (23 kg/a) and stibnite (2 kg/a). Modeled sulfide reaction coefficients, normalized by their corresponding host rock concentrations, suggest that oxidation of arsenopyrite is 25 times slower than that of pyrite whereas oxidation of stibnite is 1.5 times faster. Oxidative dissolution of arsenopyrite and stibnite releases 10.6 kg/a of As and 1.1 kg/a of Sb of which 57% and 46%, respectively, are sorbed to ferrihydrite and gibbsite on the bed of the shallow channel through which the mine pool drains to the portal. Although mass balance calculations predict the formation of sufficient ferrihydrite to sorb 100% of the As dissolved in the mine pool, this attenuation process was ineffective possibly because the precipitated sorbents settled to the bottom of the water column or because of competition for sorption sites from Ca and HCO₃. The dissolved Sb/As molar ratio in portal effluent (0.082) is much greater than the Sb/As ratio of the mineralization (0.002) because of slower arsenopyrite oxidation and somewhat lesser sorption of Sb.     

Structural controls on fluid flow and related mineralization in the Xiangshan uranium deposit, Southern China

The Xiangshan uranium deposit of Southern China is a Mesozoic volcanic uranium deposit where mineralization is closely associated with regional rock deformation and fluid flow. To better understand the genesis of this deposit, we have carried out coupled deformation and fluid flow modeling to explore the relationship between mineralizing fluid flow and structural deformation processes. The numerical modeling results demonstrate that fluid transport and focusing are predominantly controlled by deposit scale structures and associated rock deformation.     

Lithogeochemistry of hypogene, supergene and leached cap samples, berg porphyry copper deposit, British Columbia

In this paper we examine the influence of the development of supergene oxide and sulphide zones on the original hypogene geochemical patterns at the Berg deposit, British Columbia.The deposit, in the alpine zone of the Tahtsa Range, was logged (GEOLOG) and sampled in fourteen diamond drill holes along a N—S section and from outcrop where possible. Anomalous populations of major and trace elements were defined using log probability graphs and a sequential extraction (10% hydrochloric acid— ammonium oxalate — potassium chlorate/hydrochloric acid — nitric/perchloric acids) was used to study the distribution of elements between carbonate, oxide, sulphide and silicate phases.Core logs and assays show that primary ore minerals (chalcopyrite—molybdenite) extend from the outer part of the porphyry intrusion into the surrounding hornfels where the best grades of copper are found close to the intrusive contact. Maximum copper grades, however, result from development of a supergene enrichment blanket. Within the hypogene zone, principal lithogeochemical patterns reflect the differences in composition of the hornfels, originally intermediate to basic volcanics, and the intrusion, as well as the introduction of F and trace metals (Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Ag). Distribution of Ag is broadly comparable to that of Cu and Mo whereas anomalous Pb and Zn are present as peripheral haloes around the potential ore zones.Emergence of strongly acidic ground water and precipitation of iron oxides, indicate that leaching processes are active. Furthermore, although primary sulphides, associated with both their oxidation products and secondary sulphides, can still be found in surface samples, sequential extractions on drill core clearly indicate vertical redistribution of copper between oxide, carbonate and sulphide phases. Using ratios of metal concentrations to TiO₂, the surface concentrations of trace metals can be compared with those at depth and the relative amount of enrichment or depletion can be quantified. In highly leached sites the absolute concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn are low which is reflected in TiO₂ ratios of <1. However, Mo, Pb and Ag are enriched at the same sites (TiO₂ ratios >1). In areas where physical erosion exceeds leaching (topographic lows) primary sulphides co-exist with secondary sulphide and oxide minerals. Here Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, Mn and Ag are enriched. Fluorine is relatively unaffected by the leaching process. It would appear signature for a cale alkaline Cu and Mo porphyry deposit in an area where outcrop was intensely leached.     

层序地层学在陆相沉积盆地内砂岩型铀矿找矿中的应用前景

层序地层学已被广泛应用于油气勘探与开发，并取得了丰硕的成果，但在砂岩型铀矿床找矿勘探方面还只是刚刚起步。本文对比了砂岩型铀矿与油气成矿特点；研究了砂岩型铀矿与层序地层体系域的体系；提出高水位体系域是寻找层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿的主要目标，低水位体系域下的切谷是潜水氧化带砂岩型铀矿的有利部位，水进体系域一般不利于地浸砂岩型铀矿成矿。最后，作者展望了层序地层学在陆相沉积盆地内砂岩型铀矿找矿中的应用前景。     

Carbonatization and propylitic alteration of fragmental basaltic rocks, Quesnel River gold deposit, Central British Columbia

The Quesnel River gold deposit (1.2 million tonnes grading 5.22 g/t Au in three separate zones) occurs within Takla Group volcanic rocks of Upper Triassic age proximal to an alkalic stock. The deposit occurs in amphibole-augite phyric, fragmental, basaltic rocks. Alteration has produced an assemblage of epidote-chloritetremolite-calcite-quartz with lesser pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, marcasite, galena, arsenopyrite and gold.The West Zone comprises a tabular, conformable sulfide body underlain by bedded, variably altered fragmental basaltic rocks and overlain by siltstone and argillite. In the Main Zone, highest gold grades occur adjacent to a sharp discordant alteration front with barren, strongly carbonatized, pyritic basaltic lapilli-tuff. It is overlain by siltstone and argillite and bounded to the east and a depth by a west dipping reverse fault. To the west the auriferous, propylitically altered, rocks grade laterally into lower grade and barren basaltic rocks.Oxygen(¹⁸O = + 9 to + 15) and carbon (¹³O= -14 to –7) isotopic signatures of calcite from carbonate-altered and propylitically altered rocks are similar. However, sulfur isotopic values for pyrite are different, with gold-associated pyrite (³⁴S = –7 to –3) distinct from pyrite in carbonate altered rocks with (³⁴S = + 8 to + 13).The carbonization occurred before complete induration of the basaltic fragmental rocks, whereas propylitization and gold plus sulfide precipitation is clearly epigenetic.