Mineralogy,geochemistry and the origin of high-phosphorus oolitic iron ores of Aswan,Egypt

The Coniacian-Santonian high-phosphorus oolitic iron ore at Aswan area is one of the major iron ore deposits in Egypt. However, there are no reports on its geochemistry, which includes trace and rare earth elements evaluation. Texture, mineralogy and origin of phosphorus that represents the main impurity in these ore deposits have not been discussed in previous studies. In this investigation, iron ores from three localities were subjected to petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical analyses. The Aswan oolitic iron ores consist of uniform size ooids with snowball-like texture and tangentially arranged laminae of hematite and chamosite. The ores also possess detrital quartz, apatite and fine-grained ferruginous chamosite groundmass. In addition to Fe₂O₃, the studied iron ores show relatively high contents of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ due to the abundance of quartz and chamosite. P₂O₅ ranges from 0.3 to 3.4 wt.% showing strong positive correlation with CaO and suggesting the occurrence of P mainly as apatite. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the occurrence of this apatite as hydroxyapatite. Under the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, hydroxyapatite occurred as massive and structureless grains of undefined outlines and variable size (5–150 μm) inside the ooids and/or in the ferruginous groundmass. Among trace elements, V, Ba, Sr, Co, Zr, Y, Ni, Zn, and Cu occurred in relatively high concentrations (62–240 ppm) in comparison to other trace elements. Most of these trace elements exhibit positive correlations with SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂ suggesting their occurrence in the detrital fraction which includes the clay minerals. ΣREE ranges between 129.5 and 617 ppm with strong positive correlations with P₂O₅ indicating the occurrence of REE in the apatite. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns showed LREE enrichment over HREE ((La/Yb)_N = 2.3–5.4) and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.75–0.89). The oolitic texture of the studied ores forms as direct precipitation of iron-rich minerals from sea water in open space near the sediment-water interface by accretion of FeO, SiO_2, and Al₂O₃ around suspended solid particles such as quartz and parts of broken ooliths. The fairly uniform size of the ooids reflects sorting due to the current action. The geochemistry of major and trace elements in the ores reflects their hydrogenous origin. The oolitic iron ores of the Timsha Formation represent a transgressive phase of the Tethys into southern Egypt during the Coniacian-Santonian between the non-marine Turonian Abu Agag and Santonian-Campanian Um Barmil formations. The abundance of detrital quartz, positive correlations between trace elements and TiO₂ and Al₂O₃, and the abundance mudstone intervals within the iron ores supports the detrital source of Fe. This prediction is due to the weathering of adjacent land masses from Cambrian to late Cretaceous. The texture of the apatite and the REE patterns, which occurs entirely in the apatite, exhibits a pattern similar to those in the granite, thus suggesting a detrital origin of the hydroxyapatite that was probably derived from the Precambrian igneous rocks. Determining the mode of occurrence and grain size of hydroxyapatite assists in the maximum utilization of both physical and biological separation of apatite from the Aswan iron ores, and hence encourages the use of these ores as raw materials in the iron making industry.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, radioactivity and environmental impacts of Gabal Marwa granites,southeastern Sinai,Egypt

The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that the Gabal Marwa granites are classified as granodiorites and monzogranites.The monzogranites constitute the most predominant rock unit exposed in the study area.They have been subjected to hydrothermal alterations,especially along the shear zones.Sericitization,desilicification,nametasomatism and development of spotty or dendritic manganese oxides are the most pronounced alteration features.These alterations resulted in the increase of TiO2,Al2O3,FeOt,MnO,CaO,MgO,Na2O,K2O and Cr,Zr,Rb,Y and Sr and the decrease of SiO2,P2O5,Ni,Zn,Ba and Nb.Radiometric studies indicated that the altered granites belong to high thorium,high uranium granites.The U,Th,U and Th,Th/U,Th and U-K variation diagrams suggested that magmatic processes controlled the distribution of these elements but the effect of hydrothermal alteration processes were clearly distinct.The Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffraction analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite,thorite,zircon,monazite and samarskite.Cinnabar and Mn minerals were also found.From the U,Th,Ra and K activity concentrations obtained for all the studied granitic samples,radium equivalent activity(Raeq),external hazard index(Hex),and internal hazard index(Hin),were calculated to assess the radiation hazard to human beings living in dwellings made of the studied granites.Altered monzogranites have radioactivity above the proposed acceptable level and,therefore,caution must be taken when these granites are used as building materials.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and origin of Mn in the high-Mn iron ores,Bahariya Oasis,Egypt

Although Mn is one of the major impurities in the economic iron ores from the Bahariya Oasis, information on its modes of occurrence and origin is lacking in previous studies. High-Mn iron ores from El Gedida and Ghorabi–Nasser iron mines were subjected to detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and petrographic investigations using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectrometry (IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) to clarify the modes of occurrence of Mn in these deposits and its origin. The results showed that the MnO₂ contents range between 0.03 and 13.9 wt.%. Three mineralogical types have been identified for the Mn in the high-Mn iron ores, including: (1) inclusions within the hematite and goethite and/or Mn accumulated on their active surfaces, (2) coarse-grained and crystalline pyrolusite, and (3) fine-grained cement-like Mn oxide and hydroxide minerals (bixbyite, cryptomelane, aurorite, romanechite, manjiroite, and pyrochroite) between the Fe-bearing minerals. The Mn carbonate mineral (rhodochrosite) was detected only in the Ghorabi–Nasser high-Mn iron ores. Since IR patterns of low-Mn and high-Mn samples are almost the same, a combination of XRD analysis using non-filtered Fe-Kα radiations and Raman spectroscopy could be the best way to identify and distinguish between different Mn minerals.Assuming that both Fe and Mn were derived from the same source, the occurrence of high-Mn iron ores at the base of the stratigraphic section of the deposits overlain by the low-Mn iron ores indicated a supergene origin of the studied ores by descending solutions. The predominance of Mn oxide and hydroxide minerals in botryoidal shapes supports this interpretation. The small grain size of Mn-bearing minerals as well as the features of microbial fossils such as spherical, elliptical, and filamentous shapes of the Fe-bearing minerals suggested a microbial origin of studied iron ores.Variations in the distribution and mineralogy types of Mn in the iron ores of the Bahariya Oasis demanded detailed mineralogical and petrographic characterizations of the deposits before the beneficiation of high-Mn iron ores from the Bahariya Oasis as feedstock for the ironmaking industries in Egypt by magnetizing reduction. High Mn contents, especially in the Ghorabi–Nasser iron ore and occurrence of Mn as inclusions and/or accumulated on the surface of the Fe-bearing minerals would suggest a possible utilization of the high-Mn iron ores to produce ferromanganese alloys.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis of Kurile island-arc basalts

Whole-rock (major- and trace-element) and mineral chemical data are presented for basaltic rocks from the main evolutionary stages of the Kurile island arc, NW Pacific. An outer, inactive arc contains a Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary sequence of tholeiitic, calcalkaline and shoshonitic basalts. The main arc (Miocene-Quaternary) is dominated by weakly tholeiitic, with lesser, alkalic basalts. The mineralogy of Kuriles basalts is characterised by An-rich plagioclases, a continuous transition from chromites to titanomagnetites, pyroxenes with low Fe³⁺ contents and without strong Fe-enrichment, abundance of groundmass pigeonites and the absence of amphiboles. There is an increase in K₂O contents both along-arc (northwards) and towards the reararc side. The basalts show an exceptionally wide but continuous range of K₂O contents (0.1–4.7%) which correlate with other LIL element contents. Tholeiitic basalts with low LIL element contents, La/Yb and Th/U, but high K/ Rb, P₂O₅/La and Zr/Nb were derived from depleted, lherzolitic mantle which had suffered fluid metasomatism by K, Rb, Cs, Sr, Ba, Pb and H₂O only. Alkali basalts are also thought to be derived from depleted mantle but melt metasomatism involved addition of all LIL elements to a garnet lherzolite mantle. The Kuriles basalts and their mantle sources range continuously between these two end-member compositions. The metasomatic fluids/melts were probably released by early dehydration and later melting within subducted oceanic lithosphere though the process is not adequately constrained.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of banded iron formation and iron ores from eastern India with implications on their genesis

The geological complexities of banded iron formation (BIF) and associated iron ores of Jilling-Langalata iron ore deposits, Singhbhum-North Orissa Craton, belonging to Iron Ore Group (IOG) eastern India have been studied in detail along with the geochemical evaluation of different iron ores. The geochemical and mineralogical characterization suggests that the massive, hard laminated, soft laminated ore and blue dust had a genetic lineage from BIFs aided with certain input from hydrothermal activity. The PAAS normalized REE pattern of Jilling BIF striking positive Eu anomaly, resembling those of modern hydrothermal solutions from mid-oceanic ridge (MOR). Major part of the iron could have been added to the bottom sea water by hydrothermal solutions derived from hydrothermally active anoxic marine environments. The ubiquitous presence of intercalated tuffaceous shales indicates the volcanic signature in BIF. Mineralogical studies reveal that magnetite was the principal iron oxide mineral, whose depositional history is preserved in BHJ, where it remains in the form of martite and the platy hematite is mainly the product of martite. The different types of iron ores are intricately related with the BHJ. Removal of silica from BIF and successive precipitation of iron by hydrothermal fluids of possible meteoric origin resulted in the formation of martite-goethite ore. The hard laminated ore has been formed in the second phase of supergene processes, where the deep burial upgrades the hydrous iron oxides to hematite. The massive ore is syngenetic in origin with BHJ. Soft laminated ores and biscuity ores were formed where further precipitation of iron was partial or absent.     

Characterization of limestone reacted with acid-mine drainage in a pulsed limestone bed treatment system at the Friendship Hill National Historical Site,Pennsylvania, USA

Armoring of limestone is a common cause of failure in limestone-based acid-mine drainage (AMD) treatment systems. Limestone is the least expensive material available for acid neutralization, but is not typically recommended for highly acidic, Fe-rich waters due to armoring with Fe(III) oxyhydroxide coatings. A new AMD treatment technology that uses CO₂ in a pulsed limestone bed reactor minimizes armor formation and enhances limestone reaction with AMD. Limestone was characterized before and after treatment with constant flow and with the new pulsed limestone bed process using AMD from an inactive coal mine in Pennsylvania (pH=2.9, Fe =150 mg/l, acidity =1000 mg/l CaCO₃). In constant flow experiments, limestone is completely armored with reddish-colored ochre within 48 h of contact in a fluidized bed reactor. Effluent pH initially increased from the inflow pH of 2.9 to over 7, but then decreased to <4 during the 48 h of contact. Limestone grains developed a rind of gypsum encapsulated by a 10- to 30-μm thick, Fe-Al hydroxysulfate coating. Armoring slowed the reaction and prevented the limestone from generating any additional alkalinity in the system. With the pulsed flow limestone bed process, armor formation is largely suppressed and most limestone grains completely dissolve resulting in an effluent pH of >6 during operation. Limestone removed from a pulsed bed pilot plant is a mixture of unarmored, rounded and etched limestone grains and partially armored limestone and refractory mineral grains (dolomite, pyrite). The ∼30% of the residual grains in the pulsed flow reactor that are armored have thicker (50- to 100-μm), more aluminous coatings and lack the gypsum rind that develops in the constant flow experiment. Aluminium-rich zones developed in the interior parts of armor rims in both the constant flow and pulsed limestone bed experiments in response to pH changes at the solid/solution interface.     

Mineralogy and the release of trace elements from slag from the Hegeler Zinc smelter,Illinois (USA)

Slag from the former Hegeler Zn-smelting facility in Illinois (USA) is mainly composed of spinifex Ca-rich plagioclase, fine-grained dendritic or coarse-grained subhedral to anhedral clinopyroxenes, euhedral to subhedral spinels, spherical blebs of Fe sulfides, silicate glass, and less commonly fayalitic olivine. Mullite and quartz were also identified in one sample as representing remnants of the furnace lining. Secondary phases such as goethite, hematite and gypsum are significant in some samples and reflect surficial weathering of the dump piles or represent byproducts of roasting. A relatively rare Zn-rich material contains anhedral willemite, subhedral gahnite, massive zincite, hardystonite and a Zn sulfate (brianyoungite), among other phases, and likely represents the molten content of the smelting furnace before Zn extraction. The bulk major-element chemistry of most slag samples is dominated by SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and CaO. The bulk composition of the slag suggests a high viscosity of the melt and the mineralogy suggests a high silica content of the melt. Bulk slag trace-element chemistry shows that the dominant metal is Zn with >28.4 wt.% in the Zn-rich material and between 212 and 14,900 mg/kg in the other slags. The concentrations of other trace elements reach the following: 45 mg/kg As, 1170 mg/kg Ba, 191 mg/kg Cd, 242 mg/kg Co, 103 mg/kg Cr, 6360 mg/kg Cu, 107 mg/kg Ni, and 711 mg/kg Pb.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the leucitite at Cosgrove,Victoria

Comparison of bulk chemistry confirms the comagmatic nature of the New South Wales leucitite belt and the olivine leucitite at Cosgrove, Victoria. This relationship was previously implied by general mineralogical, petrographical, and age similarities, as well as the meridional trend of the occurrences. Differences of a minor nature occur between the N.S.W. and Victorian rock types, the latter being less potassic and magnesian (poorer in leucite and olivine) and more calcic (richer in clinopyroxene). Trace‐element compositions for the Cosgrove leucitite are within the ranges recorded for the N.S.W. belt.

Essentially one‐rock type—a melanocratic leucitite—characterizes the belt, with the essential minerals olivine, diopside/salite, leucite, titanomagnetite, ilmenite, nepheline, and Ti‐Ba biotite. However, a pegmatoid phase, relatively enriched in Ti, Fe, and P, is well developed at Cosgrove, with its mineralogy (salite‐titanian aegirine, sodic amphibole, K‐feldspar, nepheline, titanomagnetite, apatite, ilmenite, aenigma‐tite, sodalite, and analcite) demonstrating extreme peralkaline differentiation. Some evidence suggests that the analcite resulted from alteration of leucite. The role of volatiles such as F was significant in facilitating development of coarse textures as well as crystallization of the amphibole, apatite, and sodalite.

Magmas for the southeastern Australian leucitite belt were probably generated by equilibrium fusion of phlogopite peridotites, of slightly variable mineralogy. Deep‐seated crustal fractures controlled the relatively limited appearance of the magmas at the surface. There is no regular age variation along the belt, despite the age range of from 7 to 13 m.y.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of kaolins from the Amazon region

The kaolin deposits of the Amazon region of Brazil are of lateritic origin, modified by subsequent reduced lacustrine and/or swamp environment. They are contemporaneous with lateritic bauxites found in the same region, all formed from aluminium silicate rocks. These are principally sedimentary rocks from the Cretaceous period (Itapecuru and Alter do Chão), but also include metamorphic and felsic volcanic rocks. After erosion of the upper part of these profiles they became locally a substratum for swampy and/or lacustrine environments mostly developed over the clayey saprolitic horizon where kaolin occurs. The saprolitic horizon is made up mainly of iron-mottled kaolinite which has been subject to an intense deferrification, which has increased the kaolin brightness and thickness. The kaolins are basically made up of well-crystallized kaolinite, quartz, sometimes illite-muscovite, anatase and hematite. In certain locations, crandallite-goyazite is also present. The deposits studied differ from each other in the mineral content levels, concentration of principal elements and in trace element distribution. The greatest quantity of quartz and, consequently SiO₂, is intrinsically related to the type of parent rock. Small sedimentary deposits occur in alluvial flood plains located not very far from the lateritic source.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of lateritic soil profiles in Kerala, India

Lateritic soils near Calicut, Kerala, contain halloysite of intermediate hydration, kaolinite, goethite, gibbsite and quartz. The presence of halloysite is responsible for relatively high plasticity and cation-exchange capacity. Fe-hydroxide colloids along with halloysite contribute to significant phosphate uptake by this soil. Composition of local groundwater is consistent with weathering of sodic plagioclase to gibbsite, kaolinite and metastable halloysite.     

Neogene basanites in western Kamchatka: Mineralogy,geochemistry, and geodynamic setting

Neogene (N ₁ ² -N ₂ ¹ ?) K-Na alkaline rocks were found in western Kamchatka as a subvolcanic basanite body at Mount Khukhch. The basanites have a microphyric texture with olivine phenocrysts in a fine-grained doleritic groundmass. The olivine contains inclusions of Al-Cr spinel. The microlites consist of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, magnetite, and apatite, and the interstitial phases are leucite, nepheline, and analcime. The Mount Khukhch basanites are characterized by elevated concentrations of MgO, TiO₂, Na₂O, and K₂O, high concentrations of Co, Ni, Cr, Nb, Ta, Th, U, LREE (La_N/Yb_N = 10.8?12.6, Dy_N/Yb_N = 1.4?1.6) at moderate concentrations of Zr, Hf, Rb, Ba, Sr, Pb, and Cu. The values of indicator trace-element ratios suggest that basanites in western Kamchatka affiliate with the group of basaltoids of the within-plate geochemical type: Ba/Nb = 10?12, Sr/Nb = 17?18, Ta/Yb = 1.3?1.6. The basanites of western Kamchatka show many compositional similarities with the Miocene basanites of eastern Kamchatka, basanites of some continental rifts, and basalts of oceanic islands (OIB). The geochemistry of these rocks suggests that the basanite magma was derived via the ～6% partial melting of garnet-bearing peridotite source material. The crystallization temperatures of the first liquidus phases (olivine and spinel) in the parental basanite melt (1372–1369°C) and pressures determined for the conditions of the “mantle” equilibrium of the melt (25–26 kbar) are consistent with the model for the derivation of basanite magma at the garnet depth facies in the mantle. The geodynamic environment in which Neogene alkaline basaltic magmas occur in western Kamchatka was controlled by the termination of the Oligocene—Early Miocene subduction of the Kula oceanic plate beneath the continental margin of Kamchatka and the development of rifting processes in its rear zone. The deep faulting of the lithosphere and decompression-induced magma generation simultaneous with mantle heating at that time could be favorable for the derivation of mantle basite magmas.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of reduction spheroids in red beds

Summary The mineralogy and geochemistry of reduction spheroids from continental and marine red beds of Europe, North America and Oman were investigated. Reduction spheroids are spheroidal, isolated reduction sites in hematitic rocks. They consist of a mineralized core (0.1 to 5 cm diameter) and a hematite-dissolution halo (1 to 20 cm diameter). Irrespective of origin and age of host rocks, all reduction spheroid cores show a very similar mineralogy dominated by the vanadian mica roscoelite and a similar pattern of element enrichment relative to their host rocks dominated by V and U. Element enrichments in most reduction spheroids are very similar to those of sandstone-hosted vanadium-uranium deposits except for a lack of a molybdenum enrichment. Isotopically light sulfide of in-situ, low-temperature origin is an indication for the involvement of bacterial sulfate reduction during reduction spheroid formation.

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Mineralogie und Geochemie von Reduktionshöfen in Rotsedimenten

Zusammenfassung Reduktionshöfe aus kontinentalen und marinen Rotsedimenten von Europa, Nordamerika und aus dem Oman wurden geochemisch und mineralogisch untersucht. Reduktionshöfe sind kugelsymmetrische, isolierte Reduktionszentren in hämatithaltigen Gesteinen. Sie bestehen aus einem mineralisierten Kern von 0.1 bis 5 cm Durchmesser welcher von einem infolge Hämatitlösung gebleichten Hof von 1 bis 20 cm Durchmesser umgeben ist. Reduktionshöfe zeigen unabhängig von ihrer Herkunft und vom Alter des Nebengesteins immer eine sehr ähnliche Mineralogie der mineralisierten Kerne mit dominierendem Roscoelith sowie eine ähnliche Charakteristik der Elementanreicherung relativ zum Muttergestein. Die Elementanreicherung wird von V und U dominiert und gleicht jener von Sandstein-Typ Vanadium-Uran-Lagerstätten mit Ausnahme des Fehlens einer Molybdänanreicherung. In-situ unter Tieftemperaturbedingungen produziertes, isotopisch leichtes Sulfid ist ein Hinweis darauf, dass bakterielle Sulfatreduktion bei der Bildung der Reduktionshöfe eine Rolle spielte.

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With 7 Figures     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Khopoli mafic intrusion,Deccan Traps,India

The Khopoli intrusion, exposed at the base of the Thakurvadi Formation of the Deccan Traps in the Western Ghats, India, is composed of olivine gabbro with 50–55 % modal olivine, 20–25 % plagioclase, 10–15 % clinopyroxene, 5–10 % low-Ca pyroxene, and <5 % Fe-Ti oxides. It represents a cumulate rock from which trapped interstitial liquid was almost completely expelled. The Khopoli olivine gabbros have high MgO (23.5–26.9 wt.%), Ni (733–883 ppm) and Cr (1,432–1,048 ppm), and low concentrations of incompatible elements including the rare earth elements (REE). The compositions of the most primitive cumulus olivine and clinopyroxene indicate that the parental magma of the Khopoli intrusion was an evolved basaltic melt (Mg# 49–58). Calculated parental melt compositions in equilibrium with clinopyroxene are moderately enriched in the light REE and show many similarities with Deccan tholeiitic basalts of the Bushe, Khandala and Thakurvadi Formations. Nd-Sr isotopic compositions of Khopoli olivine gabbros (εNd_t?=??9.0 to ?12.7; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.7088–0.7285) indicate crustal contamination. AFC modelling suggests that the Khopoli olivine gabbros were derived from a Thakurvadi or Khandala-like basaltic melt with variable degrees of crustal contamination. Unlike the commonly alkalic, pre- and post-volcanic intrusions known in the Deccan Traps, the Khopoli intrusion provides a window to the shallow subvolcanic architecture and magmatic processes associated with the main tholeiitic flood basalt sequence. Measured true density values of the Khopoli olivine gabbros are as high as 3.06 g/cm³, and such high-level olivine-rich intrusions in flood basalt provinces can also explain geophysical observations such as high gravity anomalies and high seismic velocity crustal horizons.     

Mineralogy and major-trace element geochemistry of the Haymana manganese mineralizations,Ankara, Turkey

The study area comprises Çayirli, Harapa?illari and Ortabel (ÇHO) districts in the Haymana town 25 km SW of the Ankara city. In this study, geologic setting, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of manganese mineralizations are examined and their origin is discussed. Data were obtained from field observations, various polished and thin section determinations and chemical analyses of 25 ore samples. Major and trace element analyses were conducted with ICP-ES and ICP-MS methods at ACME Laboratories (Canada). ÇHO manganese ores are found in reddish radiolarites and partly interbedded marls of the Ankara ophiolitic melange of lower Cretaceous-upper Senonian age. In these extremely folded rocks, manganese is observed as band and lenses. All samples are composed of pyrolusite and quartz. Circular pyrolusites around the gangue form a ring texture and radiolarite ores yield spherical sections. In addition, breccia-like texture is observed between pyrolusite and quartz. Geologic setting, mineralogical and textural data indicate an exogene environment. Major and trace element abundances and correlation among them imply that ÇHO mineralizations are of hydrothermal origin and linked to the same source. Evaluation of all these data shows that ÇHO manganese mineralizations are of hydrothermal type sedimentary mineralization and they were deposited in distal part of the source.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Holocene lacustrine sediments in Nam Co, Tibet

The carbonates, clays and major chemical compositions of lacustrine sediments in Nam Co (Lake) were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis. Carbonates include monohydrocalcite (MHC, first report from China and in a high-altitude lake), low-Mg calcite and traces of dolomite. MHC in Nam Co is developed in water (1.8 g/L) with high Mg/Ca molar ratios (10.03–15.03), high pH (8.04–9.72) and the presence of bacteria, algae, diatom and ostracoda. Illite and Mg-chlorite provide a strong evidence for physical weathering in the Holocene. Most Ca and Sr in sediments originate from carbonates as the molar ratios of Ca and CO₃²⁻ are all less than 1 and the curve of Sr is very similar to that of Ca. However, most of the Mg, Fe and Rb are from clays. The lake water shifted from a fresh water environment to an evaporative, alkaline environment by 2.06 cal. ka BP. There was a depositional event that the depositional rate changed from 0.134 to 1.639 mm/a at about 2 cal. ka BP.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and ore formation of Nuwaifa bauxite deposit,western desert of Iraq

Nuwaifa Formation is a part of sequence stratigraphy that belongs to the Jurassic system exposed in the western desert of Iraq. The Jurassic system consists of Ubaid, Hussainiyat, Amij, Muhaiwir, and Najmah formations. Each formation is composed of basal clastic unit overlain by upper carbonate unit. Nuwaifa karst bauxite was developed in fossil karsts within the Ubaid Formation in areas where maximum intersection of fractures and faults exist. This bauxitization process affected the upper surface of the Ubaid limestone formation, which directly underlies the Nuwaifa bauxite Formation. Nuwaifa Formation represents karst-filling deposit that consists of a mixture of allochthonous (sandstone, claystone, and mudstone) and autochthonous lithofacies (bauxite kaolinite, kaolinitic bauxite, iron-rich bauxite, and flint clay). Most bauxite bodies occur within the autochthonous lithofacies and are lenticular in shape with maximum thickness ranges from few meters to 35 m and in some place up to 100 m. Petrographically, the bauxite deposit exhibits collomorphic-fluidal, pisolitic, oolitic, nodular, brecciated, and skeletal textures indicative of authigenic origin. Mineralogy boehmite and gibbsite are the only bauxite minerals; the former is dominant in the upper parts of the bauxite profiles, whereas the latter is dominant throughout the lower and middle part of the bauxite. Kaolinite, hematite, goethite, calcite, and anatase occur to a lesser extent. The study bauxites are mainly composed of Al₂O₃ (33–69.6 wt.%), SiO₂ (8.4–42 wt.%), Fe₂O₃ (0.5–15.9 wt.%), and TiO₂ (0.7–6.1 wt.%) with LOI ranging from 13.5 to 19.1 wt.%. Geochemical investigations indicate that the immobile elements like Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Cr, Zr, and Ni were obviously enriched, while SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, Zn, Co, Ba, Mn, Cu, and Sr were depleted during bauxitization process. The results of this study strongly suggest that the bauxite deposits of the Nuwaifa Formation are derived from the kaolinite of the Lower Hussainiyat Formation.     

Mineralogy and petrology of cretaceous subsurface lamproite sills, southeastern Kansas, USA

Cores and cuttings of lamproite sills and host sedimentary country rocks in southeastern Kansas from up to 312 m depth were analyzed for major elements in whole rocks and minerals, certain trace elements in whole rocks (including the REE) and Sr isotopic composition of the whole rocks. The lamproites are ultrapotassic (K₂O/Na₂O = 2.0–19.9), alkalic [molecular (K₂O/Na₂O)/Al₂O₃ = 1.3-2.8], enriched in mantle-incompatible elements (light REE, Ba, Rb, Sr, Th, Hf, Ta) and have nearly homogeneous initial Sr isotopic compositions (0.707764-0.708114).

These lamproites could have formed by variable degrees of partial melting of harzburgite country rock and cross-cutting veins composed of phlogopite, K-Ti richterite, titanite, diopside, K-Ti silicates, or K-Ba-phosphate under high H₂O/CO₂ ratios and reducing conditions. Variability in melting of veins and wall rock and variable composition of the metasomatized veins could explain the significantly different composition of the Kansas lamproites.

Least squares fractionation models preclude the derivation of the Kansas lamproites by fractional crystallization from magmas similar in composition to higher silica phlogopite-sanidine lamproites some believe to be primary lamproite melts found elsewhere. In all but one case, least squares fractionation models also preclude the derivation of magmas similar in composition to any of the Kansas lamproites from one another. A magma similar in composition to the average composition of the higher SiO₂ Ecco Ranch lamproite (237.5–247.5 m depth) could, however, have marginally crystallized about 12% richterite, 12% sanidine, 7% diopside and 6% phlogopite to produce the average composition of the Guess lamproite (305–312 m depth).

Lamproite from the Ecco Ranch core is internally fractionated in K₂O, Al₂O₃, Ba, MgO, Fe₂O₃, Co and Cr most likely by crystal accumulation-removal of ferromagnesian minerals and sanidine. In contrast, the Guess core (305–312 m depth) has little fractionation throughout most of the sill except in several narrow zones. Lamproite in the Guess core has large enrichments in TiO₂, Ba, REE, Th, Ta and Sc and depletions in MgO, Cr, Co and Rb possibly concentrated in these narrow zones during the last dregs of crystallization of this magma.

The Ecco Ranch sill did not show any evidence of loss of volatiles or soluble elements into the country rock. This contrasts to the previously studied, shallow Silver City lamproite which did apparently lose H₂O-rich fluid to the country rock. Perhaps a greater confining pressure and lesser amount of H₂O-rich fluid prevented it from escaping.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of indium-bearing polymetallic veins in the Sarvlaxviken area,Lovisa, Finland

A number of polymetallic vein mineralizations of different styles and metal associations, including base, alloy, noble and critical metals, have been discovered around the Sarvlaxviken bay in the westernmost parts of the Mesoproterozoic Wiborg Batholith, south-eastern Finland. The veins occur in two rapakivi granite varieties: coarse-grained wiborgite; and medium-grained Marviken granite. The veins are divided into five groups based on the dominant metal associations.The Li–As–W–Zn–Mn, Pb–Zn and Cu–As–In associations are hosted by wiborgite, and are strongly controlled by a NNW-trending tectonic pattern that evolved in two main stages. The Li–As–W–Zn–Mn association (generation 1) formed in a typical greisen environment with Li-bearing mica in significant alteration halos around a narrow quartz vein. This greisenization was accompanied by silicification, followed by sericitization and chloritization. The Pb–Zn association occurs in a similar vein type but without typical high-temperature minerals and is considered to have formed at a higher crustal level. Generations 2a and 2b formed under more brittle conditions leading to fracturing, quartz veining and metal precipitation of ore minerals. This metal association is characterized by very high contents of Cu, As and up to 1490 ppm In but with ≤ 0.4% Zn, which leads to very high In/Zn ratios (up to 8400) enabling formation of abundant roquesite.The As–Sn–Cu and Mo–Bi–Be associations are hosted by alteration zones without hydrothermal quartz in the Marviken granite. Mineralization with moderately high contents of As, Sn and Cu is associated with greisenization while mineralization with spectacular contents of Be as well as high contents of Mo and Bi is associated with sericitization, chloritization and berylification.The internal age relations between the wiborgite-hosted, NNW-trending veins show a clear evolution from a typical greisen type environment (the Li–As–W–Zn–Mn and Pb–Zn associations of generation 1) to cooler and more brittle conditions governing quartz veining and precipitation of ore minerals belonging to the Cu–As–In association (generations 2a and 2b). The age relations between these wiborgite-hosted veins and the veins in the Marviken granite are more uncertain but the presence of a NS-trending granitic dyke on the eastern side of the Sarvlaxviken bay, with similar ore-fertile geochemical composition as the Marviken granite, indicates that the tectonically controlled veins formed simultaneously with the emplacement of the Marviken granite and associated hydrothermal activity.The polymetallic veins in the Sarvlaxviken bay are unique for the Fennoscandian Shield, not the least for the locally high indium grades and spectacular roquesite grains. There is an obvious exploration potential for similar veins (and hence a number of base, alloy, noble and critical metals) also elsewhere in the entire Wiborg Batholith.