Mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of the lower Permian Greta Seam,Sydney Basin,Australia

The mineralogy of the high-volatile bituminous coals and associated strata from the Greta seam, Sydney Basin, Australia, has been evaluated in this study. Although the seam is not immediately overlain by marine strata, percolation of marine water into the original peat bed is indicated by the petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, which resemble those of coals with marine roof strata. The upper and lower sections of the seam have contrasting mineralogy. Pyrite typically comprises 40 to 56 wt% of the mineral assemblage in the marine-influenced upper part of the seam section. The lower part contains much less pyrite (typically <5 wt%, organic-free basis), and also relatively abundant dawsonite (up to 14 wt%, organic-free basis). The minerals within most coal plies are largely of authigenic origin. These include pyrite, siderite, clay minerals (mainly kaolinite and Na-rich mixed-layer illite/smectite), and quartz, most of which have a relatively early, syngenetic origin. Minor Ti-bearing minerals, anatase or rutile, and phosphate minerals, fluorapatite and goyazite, were probably also formed during early diagenesis. Other minerals have features that indicate late-stage precipitation. These include abundant cleat- and fracture-filling dawsonite, which may be the result of reactions between earlier-precipitated kaolinite and Na₂CO₃- or NaHCO₃-bearing fluids. Minor albite may also be epigenetic, possibly precipitated from the same Ca–Al bearing fluids that formed the dawsonite. The most abundant detrital minerals in the Greta coals are quartz, poorly ordered kaolinite, illite and mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S). These occur mainly in the floor, roof and other epiclastic horizons of the seam, reflecting periods of greater clastic influx into those parts of the original peat-forming environment. Detrital minerals are rare in the coals away from the epiclastic horizons, probably owing to almost complete sediment bypassing in the depositional system. Alternatively, any detrital minerals that were originally present may have been leached from the peat bed by diagenetic or post-diagenetic processes.     

Clays and other minerals in coal seams of the Moura-Baralaba area, Bowen Basin, Australia

The clays and other minerals in a succession of Late Permian coals of high-volatile bituminous to semi-anthracite rank have been identified, using low-temperature oxygen plasma ashing and X-ray diffraction, and evaluated to identify the relative roles in mineral matter formation of detrital input, early diagenesis in the peat swamp and late diagenesis associated with rank advance. Although well-ordered kaolinite of probable early diagenetic origin is abundant throughout the succession, the uppermost and lowermost seams of the sequence, regardless of rank, contain relatively abundant illite and/or interstratified illite/smectite, along with a small but significant proportion of chlorite. These clays are thought to be essentially of detrital origin, washed or blown into the peat deposit in relative abundance during the establishment and subsequent overwhelming of an extensive and long-lived swampy environment. Quartz is also abundant in the lower seams of the sequence, especially close to the regional sediment source area. Illite is unusually abundant in the topmost seam in both high- and low-rank parts of the succession, and thus appears to represent detrital input from a particular source material. Although significant changes are reported in the clays of the associated strata due to rank advance, the principal effect of rank advance on the minerals in the coal itself appears to be the development of an ammonium illite, and possibly some additional fine-grained chlorite, in the semi-anthracite material. Isolation within the organic matter of the coal is thought to have inhibited access for ions such as K⁺, which might otherwise have become involved in metamorphic reactions and given rise to mineralogical changes commonly found in non-coal sedimentary successions.     

Geochemical and Mineralogical Characteristics of Pleistocene Lignites and Associated Sediments of Marathousa Coal Field,Central Peloponnese,Greece

The mineralogy and geochemistry data are presented for thirty-seven shales,four concretions,two carbonate sediments and seven lignites from the Marathousa coal field of the Megalopolis Basin in Greece.The argillaceous rocks consist of chlorite,illite,kaolinte,albite,quartz.opal-A,calcite and dolomite;the concretions of aragonite,gypsum and pyrite;and the carbonate rocks of calcite,quartz and illite.The mineral matter in the lignites consists of gypsum,quartz,albite,chlorite,illite,opal-A,dolomite,pyrite,and rarely calcite and kaolinite Athree-factor model explains the total variaition of major and trace elements in the argillaceous sediments.The first factor is an aluminosilicate factor and involves the following elements:Al,Si,Mg,Na,K,Ti,Mn,Nb,Y,Rb,Zn,Cu,Ni,Cr,Nband V,associated with chlorite,albite and illite.The second factor involves the elements Ca,Sr,Ba,Znand Sc and is related to carbonate lithology and mainly the carbonate concretions with gypsum.The third factor involves Fe and Ce with a weak association with Mn.The diagenesis of the Marathousa sediments and lignites was not very advanced as indicated by (a) the total thickness of the sequence (500m),(b) the presence of biogenic silica(opal-A) and (c) the age of the deposit(Pleistocene).FOr these reasons the rpresence of chlorite,illite and kaolinite in the sediments and lignite is due not to diagenetic reactions but to weathering of the flysch and metamorphic rocks at the edges of the Megalopolis Basin and transport of the weathering products(illite,chlorite,kaolinite)into the basin of deposition.The diagenetic minerals of the Marathousa sequence include pyrite,gypsum,dolomite and aragonite.     

Diagenetic evolution of the volcaniclastic deposits: an example from Neoproterozoic Dokhan Volcanics in Wadi Queih basin,central Eastern Desert,Egypt

Wadi Queih basin hosts a ～2,500-m thick Neoproterozoic volcanoclastic successions that unconformably lie over the oldest Precambrian basement. These successions were deposited in alluvial fan, fluviatile, lacustrine, and aeolian depositional environments. Diagenetic minerals from these volcaniclastic successions were studied by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and analytical electron microscopy. The diagenetic processes recognized include mechanical compaction, cementation, and dissolution. Based on the framework grain–cement relationships, precipitation of the early calcite cement was either accompanied or followed by the development of part of the pore-lining and pore-filling clay cements. Secondary porosity development occurred due to partial to complete dissolution of early calcite cement and feldspar grains. In addition to calcite, several different clay minerals including kaolinite, illite, and chlorite with minor smectite occur as pore-filling and pore-lining cements. Chlorite coating grains helps to retain primary porosity by retarding the envelopment of quartz overgrowths. Clay minerals and their diagenetic assemblages has been distinguished between primary volcaniclastics directly produced by pyroclastic eruptions and epiclastic volcaniclastics derived from erosion of the pre-existing volcanic rocks. Phyllosilicates of the epiclastic rocks display wider compositional variations owing to wide variations in the mineralogical and chemical compositions of the parent material. Most of the phyllosilicates (kaolinite, illite, chlorite, mica, and smectite) are inherited minerals derived from the erosion of the volcanic basement complex, which had undergone hydrothermal alteration. Smectites of the epiclastic rocks are beidellite–montmorillonite derived from the altered volcanic materials of the sedimentary environment. Conversely, phyllosilicate minerals of the pyroclastic rocks are dominated by kaolinite, illite, and mica, which were formed by pedogenetic processes through the hydrothermal influence.     

Properties and depositional environment of the Neogene Elhovo Lignite, Bulgaria

Several Mio-Pliocene aged lignite seams occur as part of a non-marine transgressive sequence in the Elhovo graben in south-eastern Bulgaria. The present study is focused on 45 samples collected from three boreholes in the eastern part of the basin. Petrographic data along with ash and sulphur contents were used in order to determine the lateral and vertical variations of the coal facies and depositional environment of the Elhovo lignite.The lignite seams accumulated in a rheotrophic, low-lying mire with high pH value and are characterized by high ash yields and sulphur contents. Despite of the neutral to weakly alkaline environment the bacterial activity was limited and the tissue preservation and gelification were mainly controlled by the redox conditions.Vegetation rich in decay resistant conifers dominated in the Elhovo basin together with mesophytic angiosperm species. The absence of algal remains and sapropelic coal indicated that open water areas were not present during peat accumulation. The latter processed in an environment, characterized by low subsidence rate, in which prior to the burial the woods were subjected to severe mechanical destruction. According to our interpretation, the enhanced impregnation of the tissues bacteria and fungi played only a secondary role in the process of humification. The lignite from borehole 122 and partly from BH 145 deposited in an environment characterized by relatively low (ground)water table, whereas to the south an area dominated by a flooded forest swamp (BH 104) formed. This is suggested by the better tissue preservation and gelification of the organic matter in BH 104. The vertical variation of the maceral composition in the studied lignite is interpreted as a consequence of vegetational changes, rather than to changes in the depositional environment. The low contents of inertinite macerals indicate that despite of the low water level the environment was relatively wet and the thermal and oxidative destruction of the tissues was limited.Peat accumulation was terminated by a major flooding event and a short term establishment of a lake. In contrast to the West Maritsa basin, no seam formed in the Elhovo basin during the filling stage of the lake.     

Clay petrology of the Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic terrestrial strata of the Newark Supergroup,Connecticut Valley,U.S.A.

The clay mineralogy of the Newark Supergroup (Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic) in the Connecticut Valley was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Clay minerals identified in 126 samples are illite, chlorite, smectite, kaolinite, vermiculite, expandable chlorite, mixed-layer illite/smectite, mixed-layer chlorite/smectite, and mixed-layer chlorite/vermiculite. In general, the rocks are illitic with subordinate amounts of chlorite. However, the various lithofacies in the Newark Supergroup are characterized by distinct clay-mineral assemblages. Red beds of floodplain origin contain clays mainly of detrital nature with 2M illite most abundant. Subordinate amounts of chlorite, smectite, vermiculite, kaolinite and mixed-layer illite/smectite are also present. An interstratified chlorite/vermiculite occurs in red mudstone underlying basalt flows. Lacustrine gray beds are generally characterized by the clay-mineral assemblage 1Md illite + chlorite with minor amounts of smectite ane expandable chlorite. An interstratified chlorite/smectite predominates in gray mudstone associated with perennial lake cycles in the East Berlin Formation. Black shales of deeper lacustrine origin contain the assemblage 1Md ifillite + trioctahedral smectite and traces of chlorite. Illite and smectite also occur as mixed-layer phases.In many respects, the distribution of clay minerals in the Connecticut Valley can be likened to the general scheme proposed for the Permo-Triassic basins of Europe and Africa. These display both vertical and horizontal variations in clay-mineral assemblages that reflect the chemical and spatiotemporal evolution of intrabasin depositional and diagenetic environments. Chemical data indicate that magnesium, especially, was concentrated in the black muds of large perennial lakes that intermittently occupied the Connecticut rift valley. Pore waters derived from these sediments played an important role in the development of Mg-rich 2 : 1 and interstratified clay minerals during early diagenesis.     

十红滩地浸砂岩铀矿层间氧化带蚀变矿物群

十红滩砂岩型铀矿床是我国大型层间氧化带型砂岩铀矿床之一。层间氧化带型砂岩铀矿含矿砂层在含氧含铀水的渗入径流过程中,由于水介质性状的变化,在与砂体发生水岩作用时形成了完全氧化带、不完全氧化带、还原带和原生带等不同地球化学亚带及其相对应的蚀变矿物群,即完全氧化带为褐铁矿(针铁矿、水针铁矿)、伊利石、蒙脱石、少量黄钾铁矾的蚀变矿物群;不完全氧化带为褐铁矿(针铁矿、水针铁矿)、黄钾铁矾、蒙脱石、伊利石、少量绿泥石、高岭石的蚀变矿物群;还原带为沥青铀矿、黄铁矿、高岭石、绿泥石、少量蒙脱石、伊蒙混层粘土、伊利石和碳酸盐等新生蚀变矿物群;原生带的新生蚀变矿物群以黄铁矿、绿泥石、高岭石为主,有时出现少量碳酸盐、蒙脱石和伊利石等。     

Characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality: Huagang Formation in the Xihu Sag,East China Sea Basin

Abstract

The characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality in the Huagang sandstones in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin were studied by using X-ray diffraction, casting thin-sections, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, fluid inclusion analysis, constant-rate mercury injection and nuclear magnetic resonance. Clay minerals consist of kaolinite, chlorite, illite and illite–smectite mixed layer (I/S); kaolinite forms from dissolved feldspars, chlorite occurs as clay coatings that are transformed from clay precursors owing to the flocculation of suspended detrital clays or the crystallisation of pore fluids, and illite forms from the illitisation of detrital smectite, authigenic kaolinite and K-feldspars. Clay distribution is controlled by sedimentary environments, burial history and lithologies. Typical reservoirs in the western sub-sag are thin and developed in braided river facies at relatively shallow burial depths with clays dominated by kaolinite. However, typical reservoirs in the central inversion tectonic zone are thicker and developed in a braided delta front facies at deeper burial depths with clays mainly consisting of chlorite, illite and I/S. High-quality reservoirs are characterised by coarse granularity, high quartz content and low clay content with widespread development of chlorite coatings that inhibit quartz cements at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, the high-quality reservoirs develop more pores providing growth space for quartz cements and result in the coexistence of chlorite coatings and quartz cements. The high-quality reservoirs are controlled by their lithological characteristics rather than chlorite coatings. Illite and I/S clays create severe damage to reservoirs by reducing the size and connectivity of pore-throats.     

Influence of tectonics and palaeoenvironment on late cretaceous clay sedimentation in the upper benue trough,Nigeria

The Late Cretaceous sedimentary sequence in the Upper Benue Trough consists of seven formations. Outcrop samples from the type localities of these units were analysed by X-ray diffraction for their day mineral content. The composition and distribution of the clay minerals are influenced by tectonics, relief and water depth. Three main depositional phases are recognizable on the basis of clay mineral assemblages, two of which are associated with tectonic movements. The first phase, characterized by the presence of chlorite, illite, kaolinite and mixed-layer clays is common to Albian-Cenomanian sediments. This phase is succeeded by mixed-layer clays and smectite-rich, Turonian-Early Santonian sediments. The re-occurrence of chlorite and illite in association with kaolinite and mixed-layer clays in the Post-Santonian sediments constitutes the third depositional phase. These clay mineral assemblages are indicative of two periods of tectonism (Albian and Late Santonian) and an intervening Turonian-Early Santonian period of quiescence in the Upper Benue Trough.     

滇黔桂地区卡林型金矿热液矿物地球化学

滇黔桂卡林型金矿是产于热水沉积岩及碎屑岩系的热液矿床，载金矿物为黄铁矿、毒砂等热液矿物，而石英、碳酸盐、萤石及粘土等矿物则是主要的热液蚀变矿物。矿化产于蒙脱石、高岭石粘土到伊利石、绿泥石粘土矿物的转变带，成矿深度在2000m以上，成矿热液来源于粘土矿物脱水产生的异常高压流体或沿断裂带天水循环形成的成矿流体。这种流体形成的热液矿物稀土元素分配显示中稀土富集的分配模式，并明显富元素钇，这种流体中形成的黄铁矿中Co／Ni值显示沉积到热液成因的过渡类型，因此与砂岩铜矿中热液矿物的稀土分布模式有某些一致性。     

Characterization and quantification of inorganic constituents of tropical peats and organic-rich deposits from Tasek Bera (Peninsular Malaysia): implications for coals

Since the Carboniferous, tropical latitudes have been the site of formation of many economic coal deposits, most of which have a restricted range of mineralogical composition as a result of their depositional environment, climatic conditions, and diagenesis. Mineralogical and microscopic investigations of tropical peats from Tasek Bera, Peninsular Malaysia, were performed in order to better understand some of these factors controlling the nature, distribution and association of inorganic matter in peat-forming environments. Distribution and nature of the inorganic fraction of peat deposits give insight into the weathering conditions and detrital input into the mire system. Because the inorganic composition of peat deposits is determined by plant communities, height of water table, and climate, the results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis can be used to reconstruct palaeoclimatic conditions.Tasek Bera is a peat-accumulating basin in humid tropical Malaysia with organic deposits of low- to high-ash yield and thus representative of many ancient peat-forming environments. Clay minerals dominate the mineralogical composition of the peat and organic-rich sediments, while quartz and clays dominate the underlying siliciclastic deposits. Kaolinite is the most abundant clay mineral in the organic deposits with minor amounts of illite and vermiculite. Particle size analyses indicate that >50% of the inorganic detrital fraction is <2 μm. Most detrital quartz grains range in size from fine silt to fine sand. The fine sand fraction accounts for a maximum of 5 wt.% of the inorganic constituents. In addition, abundant biogenic and non-biogenic, Al- and Si-rich amorphous matter occur. In the ombrotrophic (low-nutrient) environment, biogenic inorganic material contributes up to >75% of the ash constituents. As a consequence, the vegetational communities make an important contribution to the inorganic and overall ash composition of peats and coals. The ash content of the often inundated peat consists on average of 10% opaline silica from diatoms and sponge spicules, while the ash of the top deposits may have up to 50% biogenic silica. Hence, Al- and Si-hydroxides and the opaline silica from diatoms and sponges represent a large repository of Al and Si, which may form the basis of mineral transformation, neoformation and alteration processes during coalification of the peat deposits. As a result, most coal deposits from paleotropical environments are anticipated to have little to no biogenic inorganic material but high amounts of secondary clays, such as kaolinite (detrital kaolinite, resilisified kaolinite, or desilisified gibbsite) or illite, and various amounts of detrital and authigenetic quartz.     

Coal facies in a Cenozoic paralic lignite bed, Krabi Basin, southern Thailand: Changing peat-forming conditions related to relative sea-level controlled watertable variations

The Cenozoic Krabi Basin in the southern part of peninsular Thailand contains about 112 million tons proven coal reserves. At present, coal is only produced from the Bang Mark mine located in the southern part of the basin, where the main lignite bed is 7-20 m thick. The lignite bed occurs in an overall paralic succession. The present paper investigates the depositional conditions of an approximately 8 m thick lignite bed (main seam) in the Bang Mark mine using organic petrography, including maceral ratios, and geochemistry. The results are further interpreted in a sequence stratigraphic context. The lignite is of low rank and is completely dominated by huminite indicating generally oxygen-deficient conditions in the precursor mire. Very low inertinite contents suggest rare occurrences of wildfires. The lower part of the lignite bed represents a topogenous fresh water peat mire with open water areas that in few cases may have experienced influx of saline water. The peat mire was subjected to periodic inundations and deposition of siliciclastics. Tissue preservation was relatively poor. The upper part of the lignite bed represents a slightly domed fresh water ombrogenous peat mire with a stable watertable and a balance between peat accumulation and accommodation space creation that favoured preservation of plant tissues. In general, the mire vegetation changed from less woody in the topogenous mire to more arborescent in the ombrogenous mire, where plants with suberinised wood cell walls also were more frequent. Decompacted, the lignite bed corresponds to a minimum ~ 11 m thick peat deposit that records from ~ 22,000 to 55,000 years of peat accumulation. Watertable rise in the peat mire was controlled overall by relative sea-level rise. In a sequence stratigraphic context, the lignite bed overlies a terrestrialisation surface (TeS; sensu Diessel, 2007) and the lowermost part records peat formation during a falling watertable and a decreasing accommodation/peat accumulation ratio (terrestrialisation). An accommodation reversal surface (ARS; sensu Diessel, 2007) indicates a change to paludification style of peat formation characterised by rising watertable and a high accommodation/peat accumulation ratio. Another ARS marks a gradual change to a situation with a balanced accommodation/peat accumulation ratio. The overall watertable rise throughout peat formation, but at a gradually slower rate from base to top, suggests that the lignite bed could be located in the late transgressive systems tract (TST).     

Depositional conditions of the coal-bearing Hirka Formation beneath Late Miocene explosive volcanic products in NW central Anatolia,Turkey

This work focuses on the relationship between the coal deposition and explosive volcanism of the Miocene basin, NW central Anatolia, Turkey. The coal-bearing Hirka Formation was deposited over the Galatian Andesitic Complex and/or massive lagoonal environments during the Miocene. The investigated lignite is a high ash (from 32 to 58%) and sulphur (from 1.43 to 3.03%) lignite which is petrographically characterised by a high humunite content. The mineral matter of the studied lignite samples is made up of mainly clay minerals (illite-smectite and kaolinite), plagioclase and quartz in Bolu coal field, clay minerals (illite-smectite, smectite and illite), quartz, calcite, plagioclase and gypsum in Seben coal field, quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase and clay minerals (kaolinite and illite) in K?br?sc?k, and dolomite, quartz, clinoptilolite, opal CT and gypsum in Çaml?dere coal field. The differences in these four types of lignite with specific mineralogical patterns may be due to the explosive volcanic events and depositional conditions which changed from one coal field to the others. There is a zonation from SW to SE in the studied area for zeolites such as Opal CT+smectite-clinoptilolite-analcime-K-feldspar. Carbonate minerals are commonly calcite in Seben and K?br?sc?k coal fields. In Bolu, coal samples are devoid of calcite and dolomite. These analyses show that there is an increase in the amount of Mg and a decrease in the amount of Na from the northwestern part to the southern part in the study area.     

Geochemistry and origin of elements in some UK coals

Twenty-four UK coals ranging in rank with 4.6%–37.6% volatile matter were analysed for 46 major and trace elements. The samples were obtained from the UK Coal Bank and are representative of the major UK coal fields. The major element distributions are interpreted in terms of the mineralogical variations—quartz and kaolinite are largely responsible for the Si and Al, carbonates for Ca and Mg and pyrite for Fe. Also exerting an influence in some samples are siderite, Al-phosphate minerals and illite. Based on statistical relationships with the major elements, Rb, Cr, Th, Ce, Zr, Y, Ga, La, Ta, Nb and V are thought to be mainly present in the clay minerals, and As, Mo, Sb, Tl, Se and Bi and Pb are probably present in pyrite. Strontium and Ba are concentrated in a restricted number of samples related to the phosphate minerals. Germanium is the only element for which a major organic association can be demonstrated. Elements with an indirect association with the organic matter are Na, Cl, and Br in porefluids and possibly Te. The ash content is controlled mainly by the detrital input and the trace elements related to the ash content are therefore those elements associated with the clay minerals. Variations with rank would appear to be mainly related to the moisture content (porefluids). The trace elements associated with the quartz and clay minerals are thought to be dominantly detrital in origin. The non-detrital elements, essentially those contained in pyrite, are thought to have been incorporated in the depositional environment from waters with enhanced salinities through seawater ingress, hence there are positive relationships between S and trace element concentrations.     

Rosia Poieni copper deposit,Apuseni Mountains,Romania: advanced argillic overprint of a porphyry system

The Rosia Poieni deposit is the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization are related to the Middle Miocene emplacement of a subvolcanic body, the Fundoaia microdiorite. Zonation of the alteration associated with the porphyry copper deposit is recognized from the deep and central part of the porphyritic intrusion towards shallower and outer portions. Four alteration types have been distinguished: potassic, phyllic, advanced argillic, and propylitic. Potassic alteration affects mainly the Fundoaia subvolcanic body. The andesitic host rocks are altered only in the immediate contact zone with the Fundoaia intrusion. Mg-biotite and K-feldspar are the main alteration minerals of the potassic assemblage, accompanied by ubiquitous quartz; chlorite, and anhydrite are also present. Magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor bornite, are associated with this alteration. Phyllic alteration has overprinted the margin of the potassic zone, and formed peripheral to it. It is characterized by the replacement of almost all early minerals by abundant quartz, phengite, illite, variable amounts of illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals, minor smectite, and kaolinite. Pyrite is abundant and represents the main sulfide in this alteration zone. Advanced argillic alteration affects the upper part of the volcanic structure. The mineral assemblage comprises alunite, kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, aluminium-phosphate-sulphate minerals (woodhouseite-svanbergite series), zunyite, minamyite, pyrite, and enargite (luzonite). Alunite forms well-developed crystals. Veins with enargite (luzonite) and pyrite in a gangue of quartz, pyrophyllite and diaspore, are present within and around the subvolcanic intrusion. This alteration type is partially controlled by fractures. A zonal distribution of alteration minerals is observed from the centre of fractures outwards with: (1) vuggy quartz; (2) quartz + alunite; (3) quartz + kaolinite ± alunite and, in the deeper part of the argillic zone, quartz + pyrophyllite + diaspore; (4) illite + illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals ± kaolinite ± alunite, and e) chlorite + albite + epidote. Propylitic alteration is present distal to all other alteration types and consists of chlorite, epidote, albite, and carbonates. Mineral parageneses, mineral stability fields, and alteration mineral geothermometers indicate that the different alteration assemblages are the result of changes in both fluid composition and temperature of the system. The alteration minerals reflect cooling of the hydrothermal system from >400 °C (biotite), to 300–200 °C (chlorite and illite in veinlets) and to lower temperatures of kaolinite, illite-smectite mixed layers, and smectite crystallization. Hydrothermal alteration started with an extensive potassic zone in the central part of the system that passed laterally to the propylitic zone. It was followed by phyllic overprint of the early-altered rocks. Nearly barren advanced argillic alteration subsequently superimposed the upper levels of the porphyry copper alteration zones. The close spatial association between porphyry mineralization and advanced argillic alteration suggests that they are genetically part of the same magmatic-hydrothermal system that includes a porphyry intrusion at depth and an epithermal environment of the advanced argillic type near the surface.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Metamorphism of mineral matter in coal from the Bukit Asam deposit, south Sumatra, Indonesia

The coal of the Miocene Bukit Asam deposit in south Sumatra is mostly sub-bituminous in rank, consistent with regional trends due to burial processes. However, effects associated with Plio–Pleistocene igneous intrusions have produced coal with vitrinite reflectance up to at least 4.17% (anthracite) in different parts of the deposit. The un-metamorphosed to slightly metamorphosed coals, with Rv_max values of 0.45–0.65%, contain a mineral assemblage made up almost entirely of well-ordered kaolinite and quartz. The more strongly heat-affected coals, with Rv_max values of more than 1.0%, are dominated by irregularly and regularly interstratified illite/smectite, poorly crystallized kaolinite and paragonite (Na mica), with chlorite in some of the anthracite materials. Kaolinite is abundant in the partings of the lower-rank coals, but is absent from the partings in the higher-rank areas, even at similar horizons in the same coal seam. Regularly interstratified illite/smectite, which is totally absent from the partings in the lower-rank coals, dominates the mineralogy in the partings associated with the higher-rank coal beds. A number of reactions involving the alteration of silicate minerals appear to have occurred in both the coal and the associated non-coal lithologies during the thermal metamorphism generated by the intrusions. The most prominent involve the disappearance of kaolinite, the appearance of irregularly interstratified illite/smectite, and the formation of regular I/S, paragonite and chlorite. Although regular I/S is identified in all of the non-coal partings associated with the higher-rank coals, illite/smectite with an ordered structure is only recognised in the coal samples collected from near the bases of the seams. The I/S in the coal samples adjacent to the floor of the highest rank seam also appears to have a greater proportion of illitic components. The availability of sodium and other non-mineral inorganic elements in the original coal to interact with the kaolinite, under different thermal and geochemical conditions, appears to be the significant factor in the formation of these new minerals, and distinguishes the mineralogical changes at Bukit Asam from those developed more generally with rank increases due to burial, and from the effects of intrusions into coals that were already at higher rank levels.     

乌兰图嘎超大型锗矿床含锗煤的矿物学

内蒙古乌兰图嘎锗矿是我国近年来发现的产在煤层中的超大型锗矿床,锗金属储量达1600 t。以乌兰图嘎超大型锗矿床的含锗煤为研究对象,利用X射线衍射(XRD)、带能谱的扫描电镜(SEM-EDX)和电子探针(EPMA)详细研究了乌兰图嘎含锗煤及其同时代的红旗煤矿无矿煤的矿物学特征。分析结果表明,乌兰图嘎含锗煤中的主要矿物包括石英、蒙脱石;次要矿物包括长石、高岭石、伊利石;另含少量三水铝石、角闪石、叶蜡石、石膏、绿泥石、锐钛矿、黄铁矿、方解石、白云石和草酸钙石;微量的锆石、闪锌矿、白钨矿、重晶石、黄铜矿、卤化物、磷酸盐以及含Pb、Bi、Cr、As和Sb矿物。未发现含锗矿物。推测含锗煤中的锗可能主要呈有机结合,而Ba、Zn、Ti、W、Pb、Bi、Cr、Fe、As、Zr、Sb、Cu和REE可能主要与矿物相结合。此外,首次在乌兰图嘎含锗煤及红旗煤矿无矿煤中发现含银颗粒或自然银,推测胜利煤田的褐煤可能有相当规模的Ag矿化。     

Some aspects of the Krol formation of the Himalaya,India

The Lower Krol sediments consist of intercalations of dolomite with shales in the marginal areas (Solan and Nainital), while limestones are interbedded with marls in the central part of the basin (Massoorie). The Upper Krols are largely composed of dolomites with subordinate limestones and shales.The non-carbonate detrital fraction is dominated by quartz with minor amounts of orthoclase, microcline and plagioclase feldspars. Illite and chlorite constitute the dominant clay minerals, lesser amounts of corrensite and kaolinite are sometimes present. An eastward increase in illite and decrease in chlorite has been ascribed to the supply and distribution of the terrigenum.Zirconium, rubidium, strontium, zinc, nickel and manganese were determined by X-ray fluorescence. Early diagenetic dolomites contain Sr, Zn, Ni and Mn in trace amounts, while the late diagenetic dolomites are characterized by an absence of these elements. The posttectonic dolomites are unusually rich in iron, manganese and sometimes in zinc.Authigenic formation of alkali feldspars, chlorite, illite, quartz and pyrite is not uncommon. The feldspars appear to have formed at early and late diagenetic stages. Potash feldspars dominate over albite in association with dolomite, whereas albite tends to be more common in the limestones.The Krol sedimentation seems to have started in a shallow coastal lagoon behind a barrier beach, upwards changing into tidal-flat deposits.     

Vertical and lateral variation in the petrography of the Upper Cretaceous Sunnyside coal of eastern Utah,USA—implications for the recognition of high-resolution accommodation changes in paralic coal seams

The Sunnyside Member of the Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation in the Book Cliffs of eastern Utah is composed of coal-bearing coastal-plain strata and wave-dominated shoreface deposits. The member includes a thick (up to 6 m), laterally extensive coal seam, which formed in a large ombrotrophic raised mire, parallel to the shoreline of the Western Interior Seaway. The petrographic composition of the Sunnyside coal was investigated by means of maceral analysis and telovitrinite reflectance determinations of closely spaced samples taken from seven vertical sections through the seam. Sampling was carried out in a combination of outcrop and underground mine sites, using lithotype logging to determine sample spacing. The excellent exposure in the study area enables accurate stratigraphic correlation between sampling localities, which are spread over more than 30 km of depositional dip and 50 km of depositional strike. The correlation of petrographic trends between the seven sampled sections demonstrates the reproducibility of the results and suggests that they represent regional-scale accommodation changes, as opposed to localised variation in the mire. On this basis, we are able to identify a high-resolution record of accommodation change throughout the deposition of the Sunnyside coal, spanning two cycles of increasing and decreasing accommodation. We are also able to identify a marine flooding surface within the coal, which can be traced down depositional dip into the time-equivalent shallow-marine strata, where it represents a parasequence boundary. The proportion of detrital minerals is used as the main discriminator of accommodation trends within the coal. Other useful indicators of conditions in the mire include semifusinite, pyrite, and isometamorphic variations in telovitrinite reflectance.     

辽河三角洲大凌河河口湿地沉积物晚更新世以来的矿物特征及其物源、气候意义

对辽河三角洲大凌河河口湿地地区ZK3钻孔的58个沉积物样品中碎屑矿物和黏土矿物进行鉴定和分析,结果显示:碎屑矿物中轻矿物占比大,平均含量为95.7%,主要包括斜长石(43.89%)、钾长石(28.10%)和石英(22.45%);重矿物平均含量仅为4.3%,主要为普通角闪石(38.03%)、绿帘石(27.51%)和自生重晶石(12.01%)。黏土矿物中伊利石平均含量(50.3%)最高,其次为蒙脱石(24.5%)、绿泥石(12.7%)和高岭石(12.6%),黏土矿物组合为伊利石-蒙脱石-绿泥石-高岭石型。ZK3孔晚更新世以来沉积物的物源有所差异,但总体上来说,除河道和湖相沉积时期物源主要来自大凌河外,其它沉积环境中沉积物主要来自辽河和大辽河,物源相对稳定。黏土矿物组合特征所指示的气候变化过程与本区域的孢粉数据有很好的对应关系:45~31 ka BP处于庐山—大理的间冰期阶段,蒙脱石/(伊利石+绿泥石)比值较大,指示气候温和湿润;31~11 ka BP为大理冰期阶段,蒙脱石/高岭石比值较低,指示气候寒冷干燥;11 ka BP至今为冰后期阶段,随着新仙女木事件(YD)的结束,温度逐渐回升,蒙脱石/(伊利石+绿泥石)比值升高,指示气候温暖湿润。