微生物参与前寒武纪条带状铁建造沉积的研究进展

地球演化早期太古代和早元古代大规模的条带状铁建造(BIF)是目前世界上最重要的铁矿资源。已有的稳定同位素组成、分子化石以及岩石磁学性质等证据支持早期微生物广泛参与了BIF的形成。本文评述了微生物参与BIF形成过程中铁搬运和沉淀及其同位素分馏、生物标志物和岩石磁学证据。深入地研究BIF成矿中的微生物矿化贡献,有助于解释BIF形成机制,反演前寒武纪大气-海洋环境演化,以及理解地球早期生命的过程。     

Oxygen Isotope Study of Paleoproterozoic Banded Iron Formation, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia

A submillimeter‐scale variation of δ¹⁸O in quartz was identified in chert and Fe‐oxide mesobands of the Brockman Iron Formation, Western Australia, using an in situ CO₂‐laser fluorination technique. The total range of variation is 11.2–23.0‰, with >5‰ variations within a single mesoband of approximately 2 cm thickness. These data contradict most previous works, which have suggested that banded iron formations are isotopically homogeneous. The present sample was obtained outside of the iron mining area, and as such is considered to have been less altered by the hydrothermal event recently shown to be responsible for the formation of the iron ore. The data suggest that the largest Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations may have formed not in a stable, quiescent sea, but instead as a result of increased influx of iron‐ and silica‐rich solutions during periods of increased magmatism and submarine hydrothermal activity in a rift basin environment.     

Mineralogy and genesis of the trench tungsten-molybdenum deposit,mount mulgine,Western Australia

The Mount Mulgine Trench deposit is a large, low grade W-Mo resource in Archaean greenstone-granitoid terrain in the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia. The mineralization occupies a quartz vein stockwork zone in a sequence of altered meta-basalts and banded iron formations. The nearby Hill deposit is hosted by a quartzmuscovite greisen on the margin of the synkinematic Mulgine Granite. Fluid inclusion studies show mineralization of the Trench deposit formed over a wide range of temperatures (approximately 500° to 260°C) from a fluid dominated by CaCl₂. Scheelite is the dominant W mineral and fluid inclusion data indicate deposition at temperatures of about 420° to 360°C from a fluid containing about 16 wt% CaCl₂ equivalent. Field relationships and sulphur isotope studies indicate a magmatic hydrothermal origin related to the Mulgine Granite. Fractures formed during intrusion of the granite provided channels for fluid migration and sites for mineral deposition. Controlling factors on mineral deposition may have been the temperature gradient away from the cooling granite and an increase in a _Ca ² resulting from fluid/rock interaction.     

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2015.11.003

Banded iron formations(BIFs) are major rock units having hematite layers intermittent with silica rich layers and formed by sedimentary processes during late Archean to mid Proterozoic time. In terrestrial environment, hematite deposits are mainly found associated with banded iron formations. The BIFs in Lake Superior(Canada) and Carajas(Brazil) have been studied by planetary scientists to trace the evolution of hematite deposits on Mars. Hematite deposits are extensively identified in Meridiani region on Mars. Many hypotheses have been proposed to decipher the mechanism for the formation of these deposits. On the basis of geomorphological and mineralogical studies, aqueous environment of deposition is found to be the most supportive mechanism for its secondary iron rich deposits. In the present study, we examined the spectral characteristics of banded iron formations of Joda and Daitari located in Singhbhum craton in eastern India to check its potentiality as an analog to the aqueous/marine environment on Mars. The prominent banding feature of banded iron formations is in the range of few millimeters to few centimeters in thickness. Fe rich bands are darker(gray) in color compared to the light reddish jaspilitic chert bands. Thin quartz veins(4 mm) are occasionally observed in the handspecimens of banded iron formations. Spectral investigations have been conducted in VIS/NIR region of electromagnetic spectrum in the laboratory conditions. Optimum absorption bands identified include 0.65, 0.86, 1.4 and 1.9 mm, in which 0.56 and 0.86 mm absorption bands are due to ferric iron and 1.4 and1.9 mm bands are due to OH/H_2O. To validate the mineralogical results obtained from VIS/NIR spectral radiometry, laser Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques were utilized and the results were found to be similar. Goethite-hematite association in banded iron formation in Singhbhum craton suggests dehydration activity, which has altered the primary iron oxide phases into the secondary iron oxide phases. The optimum bands identified for the minerals using various spectroscopic techniques can be used as reference for similar mineral deposits on any remote area on Earth or on other hydrated planetary surfaces like Mars.     

Banded iron formations and palaeoenvironment: a problem in petrogenesis

The mineralogy, chemistry and stratigraphy of Precambrian banded iron formations have been extensively documented, yet the way such formations are produced remains a subject for debate. Differentiation by varving, microbial precipitation and secondary alteration are all seen as possible mechanisms, but discussion returns to the lack of any modern analogue. Nothing like banded iron forms anywhere in the world today or has done during the entire Phanerozoic. Where do we begin with such enigmatic rocks?     

Biogenic nanomagnetite in the Lebedinskii deposit: Evidence of biochemical processes in the origin of banded iron formation of KMA

For the first time, biogenic nanomagnetite has been detected in banded iron formation of the Lebedinskii deposit of the KMA and has been demonstrated to be a primary mineral. This finding may imply a key role of metabolic processes in primary deposition of divalent iron with formation of trivalent iron minerals, the precursors of banded iron formation of the KMA.     

Microbial mats implicated in the generation of intrastratal shrinkage (‘synaeresis’) cracks

Intrastratal shrinkage (often termed ‘synaeresis’) cracks are commonly employed as diagnostic environmental indicators for ancient salinity‐stressed, transitional fluvial‐marine or marginal‐marine depositional environments. Despite their abundance and use in facies interpretations, the mechanism of synaeresis crack formation remains controversial, and widely accepted explanations for their formation have hitherto been lacking. Sedimentological, ichnological, petrographic and geochemical study of shallow marine mudstone beds from the Ordovician Beach Formation of Bell Island, Newfoundland, has revealed that crack development (cf. synaeresis cracks) on the upper surface of mudstone beds is correlated with specific organic, geochemical and sedimentological parameters. Contorted, sinuous, sand‐filled cracks are common at contacts between unbioturbated mudstone and overlying sandstone beds. Cracks are absent in highly bioturbated mudstone, and are considered to pre‐date firmground assemblages of trace fossils that include Planolites and Trichophycus. The tops of cracked mudstone beds contain up to 2·1 wt% total organic carbon, relative to underlying mudstone beds that contain around 0·5 wt% total organic carbon. High‐resolution carbon isotope analyses reveal low δ¹³C_org values (?27·6‰) on bed tops compared with sandy intervals lacking cracks (?24·4 to ?24·9‰). Cracked mudstone facies show evidence for microbial matgrounds, including microbially induced sedimentary structures on bedding planes and carbonaceous laminae and tubular carbonaceous microfossils in thin section. Non‐cracked mudstone lacks evidence for development of microbial mats. Microbial mat development is proposed as an important prerequisite for intrastratal shrinkage crack formation. Both microbial mats and intrastratal shrinkage cracks have broad palaeoenvironmental distributions in the Precambrian and early Phanerozoic. In later Phanerozoic strata, matgrounds are restricted to depositional environments that are inhospitable to burrowing and surface‐grazing macrofauna. Unless evidence of synaeresis (i.e. contraction of clay mineral lattices in response to salinity change) can be independently demonstrated, the general term ‘intrastratal shrinkage crack’ is proposed to describe sinuous and tapering cracks in mudstone beds.     

Formation of lacustrine dolomite in the late Miocene marginal lakes of the East Mediterranean (Northern Israel)

The study focuses on the formation of lacustrine dolomite in late Miocene lakes, located at the East Mediterranean margins (Northern Israel). These lakes deposited the sediments of the Bira (Tortonian) and Gesher (Messinian) formations that comprise sequences of dolostone and limestone. Dolostones are bedded, consist of small‐sized (<7 μm), Ca‐rich (52 to 56 mol %) crystals with relatively low ordering degrees, and present evidence for replacement of CaCO₃ components. Limestones are comprised of a wackestone to mudstone matrix, freshwater macrofossils and intraclasts (mainly in the Bira Formation). Sodium concentrations and isotope compositions differ between limestones and dolostones: Na = ~100 to 150 ppm; ~1000 to 2000 ppm; δ¹⁸O = ?3·8 to ?1·6‰; ?2·0 to +4·3‰; δ¹³C = ?9·0 to ?3·4‰; ?7·8 to 0‰ (VPDB), respectively. These results indicate a climate‐related sedimentation during the Tortonian and early Messinian. Wet conditions and positive freshwater inflow into the carbonate lake led to calcite precipitation due to intense phytoplankton blooms (limestone formation). Dry conditions and enhanced evaporation led to precipitation of evaporitic CaCO₃ in a terminal lake, which caused an increased Mg/Ca ratio in the residual waters and penecontemporaneous dolomitization (dolostone formation). The alternating lithofacies pattern reveals eleven short‐term wet–dry climate‐cycles during the Tortonian and early Messinian. A shift in the environmental conditions under which dolomite formed is indicated by a temporal decrease in δ¹⁸O of dolostones and Na content of dolomite crystals. These variations point to decreasing evaporation degrees and/or an increased mixing with meteoric waters towards the late Messinian. A temporal decrease in δ¹³C of dolostones and limestones and appearance of microbial structures in close association with dolomite suggest that microbial activity had an important role in allowing dolomite formation during the Messinian. Microbial mediation was apparently the main process that enabled local growth of dolomite under wet conditions during the latest Messinian.     

Siderite formation and evolution of sedimentary iron ore deposition in the Earth’s history

The role of siderite in Phanerozoic and Precambrian iron formations is discussed. Various types of iron formations are characterized, and their place in the evolution of sedimentary iron ore deposition is outlined. In Precambrian iron ore deposition, siderite is a primary mineral, whereas in Phanerozoic iron formations it becomes a secondary mineral and is commonly related to diagenetic and catagenetic processes.     

Dolomitization,gypsum calcitization and silicification in carbonate–evaporite shallow lacustrine deposits

This paper describes and interprets the mineral and facies assemblages that occur in carbonate–evaporite shallow lacustrine deposits, considering the importance of the processes pathway (i.e. dolomitization, gypsum calcitization and silicification). The Palaeogene deposits of the Deza Formation (Almazán Basin, central‐northern Spain) are selected as a case study to determine the variety of physicochemical processes taking place in carbonate–evaporite shallow lakes and their resulting diagenetic features. Dolostones are the predominant lithology and are composed mainly of dolomite with variable amounts of secondary calcite (5 to 50%), which mainly mimic lenticular gypsum (pseudomorphs). Five morphological types of dolomite crystal were identified as follows: dolomite tubes, dolomite cylinders, rhombohedral dolomite, spheroidal and quasi‐rhombohedral dolomite, and cocoon‐shaped dolomite. The dolomite cylinders and tubes are interpreted as the dolomitized cells of a widespread microbial community. The sequence of diagenetic processes started with growth of microlenticular interstitial gypsum in a calcareous mud deposited on the playa margin mudflats, and that sometimes included microbial sediments. Immediately following growth of gypsum, dolomite replaced the original calcite (or possibly aragonite) muds, the microbial community and the gypsum. Partial or total replacement of gypsum by dolomite was related mainly to the biomineralization of endolithic microbial communities on gypsum crystals. Later calcitization took place under vadose, subaerial exposure conditions. The development of calcrete in distal alluvial settings favoured the release of silica and subsequent silicification on the playa margin mudflats. Stable isotope compositions of calcite range from ?9·02 to ?5·83‰ δ¹³C_PDB and ?7·10 to 1·22‰ δ¹⁸O_PDB; for the dolomite, these values vary from ?8·93 to ?3·96‰ δ¹³C_PDB and ?5·53 to 2·4‰ δ¹⁸O_PDB. Quartz from the cherts has δ¹⁸O_SMOW values ranging from 27·1 to 31·1‰. Wide variation and relatively high δ¹⁸O_SMOW values for dolomite indicate evaporitic and closed hydrological conditions; increased influx of meteoric waters reigned during the formation of secondary calcite spar.     

Petrographic and geochemical evidence for the formation of primary, bacterially induced lacustrine dolomite: La Roda 'white earth' (Pliocene, central Spain)

Upper Pliocene dolomites (‘white earth’) from La Roda, Spain, offer a good opportunity to evaluate the process of dolomite formation in lakes. The relatively young nature of the deposits could allow a link between dolomites precipitated in modern lake systems and those present in older lacustrine formations. The La Roda Mg‐carbonates (dolomite unit) occur as a 3·5‐ to 4‐m‐thick package of poorly indurated, white, massive dolomite beds with interbedded thin deposits of porous carbonate displaying root and desiccation traces as well as local lenticular gypsum moulds. The massive dolomite beds consist mainly of loosely packed 1‐ to 2‐μm‐sized aggregates of dolomite crystals exhibiting poorly developed faces, which usually results in a subrounded morphology of the crystals. Minute rhombs of dolomite are sparse within the aggregates. Both knobbly textures and clumps of spherical bodies covering the crystal surfaces indicate that bacteria were involved in the formation of the dolomites. In addition, aggregates of euhedral dolomite crystals are usually present in some more clayey (sepiolite) interbeds. The thin porous carbonate (mostly dolomite) beds exhibit both euhedral and subrounded, bacterially induced dolomite crystals. The carbonate is mainly Ca‐dolomite (51–54 mol% CaCO₃), showing a low degree of ordering (degree of ordering ranges from 0·27 to 0·48). Calcite is present as a subordinate mineral in some samples. Sr, Mn and Fe contents show very low correlation coefficients with Mg/Ca ratios, whereas SiO₂ and K contents are highly correlated. δ¹⁸O‐ and δ¹³C‐values in dolomites range from ?3·07‰ to 5·40‰ PDB (mean=0·06, σ=1·75) and from ?6·34‰ to ?0·39‰ PDB (mean=?3·55, σ=1·33) respectively. Samples containing significant amounts of both dolomite and calcite do not in general show significant enrichment or depletion in ¹⁸O and ¹³C between the two minerals. The correlation coefficient between δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C for dolomite is extremely low and negative (r=?0·05), whereas it is higher and positive (r=0·47) for calcite. The lacustrine dolomite deposit from La Roda is interpreted mainly as a result of primary precipitation of dolomite in a shallow, hydrologically closed perennial lake. The lake was supplied by highly saturated HCO₃^?/CO₃^2? groundwater that leached dolomitic Mesozoic formations. Precipitation of dolomite from alkaline lake waters took place under a semi‐arid to arid climate. However, according to our isotopic data, strong evaporative conditions were not required for the formation of the La Roda dolomite. A significant contribution by bacteria to the formation of the dolomites is assumed in view of both petrographic and geochemical evidence.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Wuyang Siliceous Rocks in the Southern Margin of North China Craton and its Constraint on the Formation Environment of BIF of Tieshanmiao Formation

Precambrian banded iron formation(BIF) is one of the most important mineral resources in China, mostly abundant in the North China Craton(NCC) with relatively less common in South China. Since the BIF and siliceous rocks both originated from chemical deposition, the syngenetic BIF and Siliceous rocks can help evaluate their environment of formation. We examine here the mineralogy and geochemistry of siliceous rocks associated with the Tieshanmiao Formation BIF, aiming to decipher the conditions of formation of both BIF and Siliceous rocks in the Wuyang area in the NCC. Analysis of the geochemical characteristics of whole rock shows that the Si O2 content of the siliceous rock ranges from 90.11% to 94.85% and is relatively high overall. Trace element contents of Ba and U are also high, the Ba/Sr ratio ranges from 3.89 to 25.28 and the U/Th ratio ranges from 0.09 to 0.20. Finally, the ΣREE value of rare earth elements ranges from 57.03 ppm to 152.59 ppm, and these indexes all indicate that siliceous rock resulted from hydrothermal deposition. Plots of Al2 O3-Si O2, Si O2/(K2 O+Na2 O)-Mn O2/Ti O2 and Mn-10×(Cu+Co+Ni)-Fe in discrimination diagrams also verify this interpretation. However, both the Mg O content, ranging from 0.16 to 0.32, and the Fe/Ti ratio, ranging from 2.50 to 9.72, suggest that terrigenous material was added during the depositional process. Major and trace element parameters of siliceous rock, such as the Al/(A1+Fe+Mn) ratio(from 0.81 to 0.93), Mn O/Ti O2(from 0.00 to 0.17), Al/(Al+Fe)(from 0.82 to 0.93), Sc/Th ratio(from 0.21 to 0.50), U/Th(from 0.09 to 0.20),(La/Yb)N(from 0.83 to 3.04), and the(La/Ce)N(from 0.01 to 0.02) all imply that the siliceous rock formed in a continental margin. In addition, the Sr/Ba ratio from 0.08 to 0.26, the δCe value from 0.31 to 0.90, and the δEu value from 0.14 to 0.58, all indicate that the siliceous rock was formed at a relatively deeper water depth and under weak hydrodynamic conditions. Siliceous rock and BIF formed in the same geological setting, with the Si O2/(K2 O+Na2 O) ratio of siliceous rock ranging from 28.61 to 47.43, the Si O2/Al2 O3 ratio from 16.53 to 32.37, and the Si O2/Mg O ratio from 287.28 to 592.81, which are all in agreement with chemical deposition associated with volcanic eruptions. The Al2 O3/Ti O2 ratio from 37.82 to 50.30 indicates that the magma source of siliceous rock was of slightly intermediate composition. During the Late Archean in the Wuyang area, the high concentration and high purity Si O2 quickly precipitated from hydrothermal fluids to finally result in the accumulation of siliceous rock in a marginal sea, while the input corresponding to iron formation components was deposited to form iron formation layers, and limestone was only the product formed during the deposition intervals of siliceous rock and iron formations. In this study, the synsedimentary siliceous rocks of BIF act as a new way to provide direct evidence to understand the formation environment of BIF due to its high geochemical stability.     

Soldiers Cap Group iron‐formations,Mt Isa Inlier,Australia, as windows into the hydrothermal evolution of a base‐metal‐bearing Proterozoic rift basin

The Proterozoic Soldiers Cap Group, a product of two major magmatic rift phases separated by clastic sediment deposition, hosts mineralised (e.g. Pegmont Broken Hill‐type deposit) and barren iron oxide‐rich units at three main stratigraphic levels. Evaluation of detailed geological and geochemical features was carried out for one lens of an apatite‐garnet‐rich, laterally extensive (1.9 km) example, the Weatherly Creek iron‐formation, and it was placed in the context of reconnaissance studies of other similar units in the area. Chemical similarities with iron‐formations associated with Broken Hill‐type Pb–Zn deposit iron‐formations are demonstrated here. Concordant contact relationships, mineralogy, geochemical patterns and pre‐deformational alteration all indicate that the Soldiers Cap Group iron‐formations are mainly hydrothermal chemical sediments. Chondrite normalised REE patterns display positive Eu and negative Ce anomalisms, are consistent with components of both high‐temperature, reduced, hydrothermal fluid (≥250°C) and cool oxidised seawater. Major element data suggest a largely mafic provenance for montmorillonitic clays and other detritus during chemical sedimentation, consistent with westward erosion of Cover Sequence 2 volcanic rocks, rather than local mafic sources. Ni enrichment is most consistent with hydrogenous uptake by Mn‐oxides or carbonates. Temperatures inferred from REE data indicate that although they are not strongly enriched, base metals such as Pb and Zn are likely to have been transported and deposited prior to or following iron‐formation deposition. Most chemical sedimentation pre‐dated emplacement of the major mafic igneous sill complexes present in the upper part of the basin. Heating of deep basinal brines in a regional‐scale aquifer by deep‐seated mafic magma chambers is inferred to have driven development of hydrothermal fluids. Three major episodes of extension exhausted this aquifer, but were succeeded by a final climactic extensional phase, which produced widespread voluminous mafic volcanism. The lateral extent of the iron‐formations requires a depositional setting such as a sea‐floor metalliferous sediment blanket or series of brine pools, with iron‐formation deposition likely confined to much smaller fault‐fed areas surrounded by Fe–Mn–P–anomalous sediments. These relationships indicate that in such settings, major sulfide deposits and their associated chemical sediment marker horizons need not overlie major igneous sequences. Rather, the timing of expulsion of hydrothermal fluid reflects the interplay between deep‐seated heating, extension and magmatism.     

Coal measures (Namurian and Westphalian) Blackband Iron Formations: fossil bog iron ores

Blackband iron formations are essentially thin (approximately 0·75 m thick) siderite-rich (total iron up to 40%), carbonaceous, laminated mudrocks which commonly occur in grey coal bearing sequences in close proximity to coal seams. They exhibit a conspicuous laminated macrotexture made up of carbonaceous and siderite-rich laminae together with primary textures such as root-disturbed laminae, sideritized unflattened spores and preservation of plant cell detail. These all point to formation of siderite soon after deposition, in some cases before significant compaction. Their enclosing sediments clearly show that they were deposited in environments intermediate between delta top alluvial floodplains and coastal plain swamps in which small areas were subjected to periods of lacustrine deposition. The presence of varved mudrocks and oil shales in the beds directly above many of the blackband iron formations and the distinctive fine lamination of the blackbands are evidence of such depositional environments. The blackband iron formations are considered to have been formed in a similar way to Recent bog iron ores and are therefore interpreted as fossil bog iron ores. A model for their mode of formation is presented.     

鞍本地区大孤山条带状铁建造含铁矿物和相分带特征及形成环境分析

鞍山-本溪条带状铁建造(Banded Iron Formation,简称BIF)位于华北克拉通东北缘,是世界上典型BIF之一,也是我国最重要的铁矿资源基地。大孤山位于鞍山地区南部矿带,为新太古代典型的Algoma型BIF,与华北克拉通其它大多数BIF相比,具有较低变质程度(绿片岩相-低角闪岩相)和较完整的沉积相分布特征。因此,通过大孤山BIF的研究有利于追踪Algoma型BIF的原生矿物组成及其后期成岩-变质过程,进而通过分析原生矿物形成的物理化学条件探讨古海洋环境。依据原生矿物共生组合及产出特征,可将大孤山BIF沉积相划分为氧化物相(30%)、硅酸盐相(50%)和碳酸盐相(20%)。氧化物相主要分布于主矿体南部,主要矿物组成为磁铁矿和石英;硅酸盐相分布于主矿体中部,主要矿物组成除了石英和磁铁矿之外,还有黑硬绿泥石、绿泥石、镁铁闪石等;碳酸盐相分布于矿体北部,主要矿物组成为菱铁矿、磁铁矿和石英等。本文通过大孤山BIF岩相学观察和含铁矿物化学成分研究,推测原生沉积物的组成为无定形硅胶、三价铁氢氧化物和富铝粘土碎屑,在经历了成岩和低级变质作用后转变为具不同相带的条带状铁建造。通过分析磁铁矿、菱铁矿和黑硬绿泥石等矿物在不同P_(O_2)-P_(CO_2)和pH-Eh条件下的共生相图可知,这些矿物均是在较低氧逸度、中到弱碱性环境下形成。综合考虑矿物成分、共生组合及受变质作用较弱等信息,本文推测制约原生矿物形成的控制因素主要是古海水氧化还原状态、酸碱度、CO_2含量和硫逸度。     

Banded iron formations of the calciphyre-metabasite-gneiss association in the East European Craton

The paper presents characteristics of the least studied iron formations of the East European Craton (Archean banded iron formations of the calciphyre-metabasite-gneiss association), a typical member of granulite complexes of the Ukrainian Shield, Belarussian-Baltic region, and Voronezh crystalline massif. They are mainly composed of diverse metasedimentary rocks: aluminous gneisses; silicate-magnetite, magnetite, and barren quartzites; eulysites; calciphyres; and marbles associated with metavolcanic rocks. Data on chemical compositions of the metasedimentary rocks are summarized for the first time and their possible primary mineral composition has been reconstructed using the MINLITH software. It is shown that they could be formed from a lithogenetic series of sediments linked by gradual transitions and geochemical commonness of sediments: from fine-grained terrigenous insufficiently mature sediments to chemogenic sediments depleted in terrigenous material (ferruginous-siliceous, ferruginous-siliceous-carbonate, siliceous-carbonate, and carbonate sediments). The inferred primary mineral assemblage indicates sedimentation in the central parts of large paleobasins in a reducing environment characterized by deficit of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide. Lithological specifics of the banded iron formations in different regions presumably reflect different distances of sedimentation zones from submarine hydrothermal discharge sites and sources of terrigenous material. The banded iron formations at the present-day erosion section of basement represent metamorphosed fragments of the lateral-facies zoning of rocks of the Archean sedimentary basins (or a single basin) of the East European Craton. Unlike other Early Precambrian banded iron formations of the East European Craton, rocks of the calciphyre-metabasite-gneiss association are marked by a high Mn content.     

Constraints on the composition of ore fluids and implications for mineralising events at the Cleo gold deposit,Eastern Goldfields Province,Western Australia

The Cleo gold deposit, 55 km south of Laverton in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Western Australia, is characterised by banded iron‐formation (BIF)‐hosted ore zones in the gently dipping Sunrise Shear Zone and high‐grade vein‐hosted ore in the Western Lodes.There is evidence that gold mineralisation in the Western Lodes (which occurred at ca 2655 Ma) post‐dates the majority of displacement along the Sunrise Shear Zone, but it remains uncertain if the ore in both structures formed simultaneously or separately. Overall, the Pb, Nd, Sr, C, O and S isotopic compositions of ore‐related minerals from both the Western Lodes and ore zones in the Sunrise Shear Zone are similar. Early low‐salinity aqueous‐carbonic fluids and late high‐salinity fluids with similar characteristics are trapped in inclusions in quartz veins from both the Sunrise Shear Zone and the Western Lodes. The early CO₂, CO₂–H₂O, and H₂O‐dominant inclusions are interpreted as being related to ore formation, and to have formed from a single low‐salinity aqueous‐carbonic fluid as a result of intermittent fluid immiscibility. Homogenisation temperatures indicate that these inclusions were trapped at approximately 280°C and at approximately 4 km depth, in the deeper epizonal range. Differences between the ore zones are detected in the trace‐element composition of gold samples, with gold from the Sunrise Shear Zone enriched in Ni, Pb, Sn, Te and Zn, and depleted in As, Bi, Cd, Cu and Sb, relative to gold from the Western Lodes. Although there are differences in gold composition between the Sunrise Shear Zone and Western Lodes, and hence the metal content of ore fluids may have varied slightly between the different ore zones, no other systematic fluid or solute differences are detected between the ore zones. Given the fact that the ore fluids in each zone have very similar bulk properties, the considerable differences in gold grade, sulfide mineral abundance, and ore textures between the two ore zones most likely result from different gold‐deposition mechanisms. The association of ore zones in the Sunrise Shear Zone with pyrite‐replaced BIF suggests that wall‐rock sulfidation was the most significant mechanism of gold precipitation, through the destabilisation of gold‐bisulfide complexes. The Western Lodes, however, do not exhibit any host‐rock preference and multistage veins commonly contain coarse‐grained gold. Fluid‐inclusion characteristics and breccia textures in veins in the Western Lodes suggest that rapid pressure changes, brought about by intermittent release of overpressured fluids and concomitant phase separation, are likely to have caused the destabilisation of gold‐thiocomplexes, leading to formation of higher‐grade gold ore zones.     

Gold Mineralization in Banded Iron Formation in the Amalia Greenstone Belt,South Africa: A Mineralogical and Sulfur Isotope Study

The Blue Dot gold deposit, located in the Archean Amalia greenstone belt of South Africa, is hosted in an oxide (± carbonate) facies banded iron formation (BIF). It consists of three stratabound orebodies; Goudplaats, Abelskop, and Bothmasrust. The orebodies are flanked by quartz‐chlorite‐ferroan dolomite‐albite schist in the hanging wall and mafic (volcanic) schists in the footwall. Alteration minerals associated with the main hydrothermal stage in the BIF are dominated by quartz, ankerite‐dolomite series, siderite, chlorite, muscovite, sericite, hematite, pyrite, and minor amounts of chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. This study investigates the characteristics of gold mineralization in the Amalia BIF based on ore textures, mineral‐chemical data and sulfur isotope analysis. Gold mineralization of the Blue Dot deposit is associated with quartz‐carbonate veins that crosscut the BIF layering. In contrast to previous works, petrographic evidence suggests that the gold mineralization is not solely attributed to replacement reactions between ore fluid and the magnetite or hematite in the host BIF because coarse hydrothermal pyrite grains do not show mutual replacement textures of the oxide minerals. Rather, the parallel‐bedded and generally chert‐hosted pyrites are in sharp contact with re‐crystallized euhedral to subhedral magnetite ± hematite grains, and the nature of their coexistence suggests that pyrite (and gold) precipitation was contemporaneous with magnetite–hematite re‐crystallization. The Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio of the dolomite–ankerite series and chlorite decreased from veins through mineralized BIF and non‐mineralized BIF, in contrast to most Archean BIF‐hosted gold deposits. This is interpreted to be due to the effect of a high sulfur activity and increase in fO₂ in a H₂S‐dominant fluid during progressive fluid‐rock interaction. High sulfur activity of the hydrothermal fluid fixed pyrite in the BIF by consuming Fe²⁺ released into the chert layers and leaving the co‐precipitating carbonates and chlorites with less available ferrous iron content. Alternatively, the occurrence of hematite in the alteration assemblage of the host BIF caused a structural limitation in the assignment of Fe³⁺ in chlorite which favored the incorporation of magnesium (rather than ferric iron) in chlorite under increasing fO₂ conditions, and is consistent with deposits hosted in hematite‐bearing rocks. The combined effects of reduction in sulfur contents due to sulfide precipitation and increasing fO₂ during progressive fluid‐rock interactions are likely to be the principal factors to have caused gold deposition. Arsenopyrite–pyrite geothermometry indicated a temperature range of 300–350°C for the associated gold mineralization. The estimated δ³⁴S_ΣS (= +1.8 to +2.5‰) and low base metal contents of the sulfide ore mineralogy are consistent with sulfides that have been sourced from magma or derived by the dissolution of magmatic sulfides from volcanic rocks during fluid migration.     

Precambrian atmospheric oxygen and banded iron formations: A delayed ocean model

Evidence and arguments increasingly in favor of free oxygen in the Earth's early atmosphere renew the constraints on the environmental significance of Precambrian banded iron formations. An early moist greenhouse atmosphere with a delay in, and gradual growth of, the world oceans offers a mechanism to provide a geochemically and mechanically segregated source of iron and silica for banded iron formation, while simultaneously ‘cannibalizing’ evidence for early Archean red beds. The model supports the high rates of weathering necessary to remove initially outgassed CO₂ quickly, favors continuity in early biogenic evolution, provides a mechanism for hydrogen and strontium isotope partitioning, and is consistent with iron oxide facies that are devoid of organic carbon or stromatolites that are not encrusted by iron oxide.     

Ediacaran in Uruguay: palaeoclimatic and palaeobiological implications

The Ediacaran to lowermost Cambrian successions of south‐eastern Uruguay preserve an unusual and significant record of deposits generated during the Gondwana assembly (ca 590 to 535 Ma). This study presents a review of data obtained through extensive field‐based mapping coupled with detailed sedimentology and stratigraphy of key formations. The geological units within the study area consist of the Maldonado Group (Playa Hermosa, Las Ventanas and San Carlos formations), the Arroyo del Soldado Group (Yerbal, Polanco Limestones, Barriga Negra and Cerro Espuelitas formations) and the Arroyo de la Pedrera Group (Piedras de Afilar and Cerro Victoria formations). The Maldonado Group is characterized by a glacially influenced volcanogenic‐sedimentary sequence with ice‐rafted debris and dropstones in the Playa Hermosa and Las Ventanas formations. The Arroyo del Soldado Group is a mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate succession, mainly represented by an intercalation of basal pink dolostones, banded siltstones, rhythmites of dolostone‐limestone, iron formations, cherts and conglomerates. Carbonates in the Polanco Limestones Formation are characterized by a negative δ¹³C excursion up to ?3·26‰ PeeDeeBelemnite. The Arroyo de la Pedrera Group consists of quartz arenites and stromatolitic/oolitic dolostones. Preliminary data indicate that the Precambrian–Cambrian could be contained within or at the base of this group. The entire succession is almost 6000 m thick, and contains a rich fossil assemblage composed of organic‐walled microfossils and small shelly fauna, including the index fossil Cloudina riemkeae. The stratigraphic and chemostratigraphic features are suggestive of a Gaskier age (ca 580 Ma) for the basal glacial‐related units. In this scenario, the results show the importance of lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic data of these Ediacaran units in the global correlation of terminal Proterozoic sedimentary rocks.