黑青和田玉宝石矿物学及地球化学特征研究

近年国内市场出现了一种含有黄铁矿的黑青色玉石,主要产自新疆,属于和田玉中的稀少品种。本文利用常规宝石学仪器、偏光显微镜、红外光谱、拉曼光谱、X射线粉晶衍射(XRD)、电子探针(EPMA)、激光电感耦合等离子质谱(LA-ICP-MS)以及同位素质谱仪(MC-ICP-MS)对7块黑青和田玉样品的宝石矿物学和地球化学特征进行了系统分析,结果显示,样品颜色为墨绿-黑色,折射率点测1.61,相对密度3.08~3.17,摩氏硬度6.0~6.5,主要组成矿物为透闪石,次要矿物以黄铁矿为主,同时还含有少量绿泥石、绿帘石、榍石、锆石、石墨等,具有典型的纤维交织状结构;红外与拉曼光谱特征峰显示与和田玉标准谱峰一致;样品中透闪石的主要化学成分为SiO₂、MgO、CaO和FeO,Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)值显示部分透闪石已过渡为阳起石;根据微量元素Cr-Ni投图判别样品为白云石大理岩型成因,稀土元素含量较少,呈左倾模式;推测成矿热液主要为岩浆水,含少量变质水;样品中黄铁矿Co/Ni>1且含少量As、Se、Cu、Zn、Pb等元素,δ³⁴S介于8.87‰~20.92‰之间,推断为岩浆热液成因且硫来源于岩浆与地层硫的混合。     

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Carles gold mineralization, Asturias, Spain

In the western part of the Cantabrian Zone, Carlés gold mineralization is related to an igneous stock of granodioritic composition which intruded into devonian limestones, forming a well-developed exo-skarn and quantitatively less important endo-skarn. The skarn is characterized by the presence of garnet, pyroxenes, amphiboles, layers of hornfels corresponding to pelitic intercalations, and a number of opaque oxides and sulfides. Gold inclusions in arsenic minerals are present in quartzveins occurring in the skarn and in the granodiorite, but gold-rich zones are limited to the skarn. The crystallization temperature of arsenopyrite is coherent with T-P conditions (T = 460°C, P = 2200 bars) deduced from intersections of isochores of aqueous and carbonic fluid inclusions studied in samples of cogenetic quartz.     

Lithological and geochemical characteristics of recent and Quaternary sedimentation in the Arctic Ocean

This paper addresses some problems concerning the geologic activity of sea ice and icebergs, as well as the influence of continental and shelf glaciations on the sedimentation in the Arctic Ocean during Recent and Quaternary times. Seasonal and circumcontinental zoning is clearly manifested in the sedimentation. The role of glacial material in the modern and older sediments was estimated. Mathematical statistical methods were employed for the reliable stratigraphic subdivision of Quaternary sequences and determination of main factors controlling their chemical composition. Silica content was proposed as an optimal parameter for the lithochemostratigraphic subdivision of Quaternary sediments.     

Geological,geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of REE-bearing Las Mercedes bauxite deposit,Dominican Republic

Bauxite deposits, traditionally the main source of aluminum, have been recently targeted for their remarkable contents in rare earth elements (REE). With ∑REE (lanthanoids + Sc + Y) concentrations systematically higher than ∼1400 ppm (av. = 1530 ppm), the Las Mercedes karstic bauxites in the Dominican Republic rank as one of the REE-richest deposits of its style.The bauxitic ore in the Las Mercedes deposit is mostly unlithified and has a homogeneous-massive lithostructure, with only local cross-stratification and graded bedding. The dominant arenaceous and round-grained texture is composed of bauxite particles and subordinate ooids, pisoids and carbonate clasts. Mineralogically, the bauxite ore is composed mostly of gibbsite and lesser amounts of kaolinite, hematite, boehmite, anatase, goethite, chromian spinel and zircon. Identified REE-minerals include cerianite and monazite-Ce, whose composition accounts for the steady enrichment in light- relative to medium- and heavy-REE of the studied bauxites.Considering the paleo-geomorphology of the study area, we propose that bauxites in the Las Mercedes deposit are the product of the erosion and deposition of lithified bauxites located at higher elevations in the Bahoruco ranges. Based on the available data, we suggest a mixed lithological source for the bauxite deposits at the district scale: bedrock carbonates and an igneous source of likely mafic composition.     

The role of microorganisms on the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Parnassos-Ghiona bauxite deposits,Greece

The Parnassos-Ghiona bauxite deposits of Greece are hosted within carbonate rocks and have been formed during different geological ages. The most economically important deposits occur in the B3 bauxite horizon, which is developed over long distance as a continuous layer of 1–10 m in thickness, within Cretaceous limestones. Due to intense tectonics, a significant (approximately 30 vol.%) bauxite ores along and near their contact with faults show a brittle deformation and change in the color from red to black-gray, in a distance of tens of meter. Commonly gray to whitish bauxites are aluminum-enriched (> 65 wt.% Al₂O₃) and iron depleted.     

Geological,geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics of the Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits,Zagros Fold Belt,Iran

The Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits are located 40 km northeast of the Dehdasht city in the Zagros simply fold belt. These deposits occur in eroded major NW–SE trending anticlines and occupy karst cavities near or at the boundary between the Sarvak and Ilam Formations. Local uplifts at the end of the Cenomanian and the mid-Turonian caused erosion and karstification of the Sarvak Formation. These unconformities in the Upper Cretaceous favoured the formation and enrichment of bauxite deposits in the Zagros fold belt. The bauxite sequence in the Mandan deposit consists of white, gray, black, pisolitic, red, and yellow bauxites. This sequence was repeated in the Deh-Now area, but without gray and black bauxites. The present mineralogical studies of the Sarvak Formation and the Mandan and Deh-now bauxite deposits indicate oxidizing to reducing conditions during the Upper Cretaceous in the Zagros fold belt, which had a significant effect on the compositions of the bauxites. At least two phases of bauxitization can be distinguished in the study area: (i) an oxidizing phase represented by boehmite, diaspore, hematite and kaolinite; and (ii) a reducing phase represented by pyrite and chlorite. Geochemical data show that trace elements, like Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Th, and U, were enriched during bauxitization. The bauxite deposits and carbonate rocks show similar REE patterns, namely they are enriched in REEs although the LREEs are more enriched than the HREEs. Mass change calculations demonstrate that Mg, Mn, Ca, K, and P₂O₅ were leached out of the weathered system whereas Al, Fe, and Si become concentrated in the residual system. This study indicates that the Mandan and Deh-now deposits are karst-type bauxites formed by karstification and weathering of the Sarvak Formation.     

哈尔滨地区罗家窝棚组地层的沉积学、矿物学及地球化学特征:对沉积环境的指示

罗家窝棚组是哈尔滨地区的第四纪下限地层,其岩性是紫红色砂砾石,被认为是冰碛物堆积。早期的区测资料对其进行了岩性描述,对于其它地层属性,特别是地球化学属性的认识尚未涉及。为此,本文选择黑龙江五常拉林镇罗家窝棚村层型剖面作为研究对象,首次对其沉积学、矿物学、元素地球化学展开综合研究,以揭示其沉积过程和沉积环境。结果表明,这套砾石分选和磨圆较差,风化程度很高,无定向性排列,砾石成分以陆源碎屑岩(砂岩和粉砂岩,44.2%)和花岗岩(37.4%)为主,其次为凝灰岩(11.2%),石英质、闪长岩、流纹岩和玄武岩等少量出现。重矿物组成以赤/褐铁矿占绝对优势(87.5%),其次是白钛石(5.0%),其它重矿物含量较少。元素地球化学揭示,罗家窝棚组中的细颗粒碎屑以及泥质基质经历了很强的化学风化过程,是初次循环的结果。砾石岩性和地球化学组成共同揭示了这些碎屑主要来源于长英质母岩,但中性和铁镁质母岩也有少量贡献。综合沉积学、矿物学和地球化学地层属性,本文认为罗家窝棚组地层是在炎热气候条件下的洪积物堆积,而非寒冷气候条件下的冰碛物。这项研究对于哈尔滨地区第四纪地层的划分和早更新世构造—地貌—气候—水系演化等地质事件的重建具有重要意义。     

Effects of a proline solution cover on the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of high-sulfur coal gangue

Batch experiments were conducted to comparatively evaluate the inhibition effects and mechanisms of a low-concentration (1%) proline solution cover on the release of pollutants from high-sulfur coal gangue. High-sulfur coal gangue was continuously immersed in a proline solution and in deionized water (as a control treatment) for 540 days. The results showed that the coal gangue in the control treatment was oxidized and generated leachate with poor water qualities, i.e., the leachate exhibited lower pH values, higher redox potential values, higher pollutant concentrations (SO₄^2?, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and high levels of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. However, compared to the control treatment, the addition of the proline solution (1%) significantly improved the water quality of the leachate by significantly reducing the Eh values, the pollutant concentrations (SO₄^2?, Fe²⁺, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and the activity of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and by significantly increasing the pH value to neutral. The proline treatment significantly inhibited the oxidation of coal gangue and the release of pollutants, mainly by inhibiting the activity of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and by altering the heavy metal fractions and the mineralogical characteristics. Therefore, in engineering practice, workers should consider using an environmental friendly aqueous proline solution cover to achieve the in-situ control of pollutant releases from coal gangue dumps.     

On mineralogical and geochemical criteria in the genesis of red beds

The article discusses a concept on the origin of hematite in red-bed deposits as a result of the alteration of ferrihydrite (a hydrous iron oxide with a composition 2.5 Fe₂O₃ · 4.5 H₂O). The formation of ferrihydrite is associated with a predominantly bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron contained in discharged groundwaters. Clastogenic material and ferrihydrite flakes have been supplied to the site of sedimentation from different sources. The climate in the areas of their deposition has been hot and arid. Owing to an absence of organic matter during the diagenesis, the iron remained in the form of an Fe³⁺ oxide.Sedimentary rocks united under the name of “red beds” are of different ages. A great number of papers deals with the conditions of formation of these rocks and yet the genesis of the hematite contained in them has not been satisfactorily explained. The significance of red beds in paleoclimatology is also not clear. This paper is an attempt to discuss these problems on the basis of mineralogical and geochemical data.     

天宇铜镍矿床的岩相学、锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学特征：对东疆镁铁-超镁铁质岩体源区和成因的制约

天宇镁铁-超镁铁质岩体位于新疆中天山地块与觉罗塔格构造带的分界断裂——沙泉子深大断裂的南侧约5km。岩体呈向北陡倾的岩墙状,地表出露面积约0.056km²。该杂岩体主要由辉长岩、辉石岩、辉橄岩和橄榄岩相组成,橄辉岩、辉橄岩和橄榄岩是主要的Cu、Ni赋矿岩相。镁铁-超镁铁岩的主量元素含量显示,天宇岩体属拉斑玄武岩成因系列,m/f为1.44~3.61,平均值为2.25,为铁质超基性岩（m/f=2~6.5）。稀土元素标准化配分模式为轻稀土富集型,Eu弱负异常或无异常,相似的稀土元素配分模式说明岩体的同源性。富集大离子亲石元素,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta,说明源区可能有陆壳物质的混染。Nb/Hf、Ce/Pb、Nb/U、La/Sm、Th/Nb比值显示岩体可能经受上地壳物质的混染。锆石的LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学研究表明,岩体形成年龄为290.2±3.4Ma,与东天山地区镁铁-超镁铁质杂岩体的形成时间一致。锆石的Lu/Hf比值比较均一,且(¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf) _i变化很小,说明源区性质比较单一。锆石的(¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf) _i值为0.282625~0.282770,相应的ε_Hf(t)均为正值（1.10~6.06）,Lu-Hf的单阶段模式年龄（t_DM1）为674~884.7Ma,平均年龄为799Ma,比岩体的U-Pb年龄大,显示岩浆来源于亏损地幔或者源区有壳源物质的加入。上述岩石地球化学、年代学特征,为晚古生代古亚洲洋向南俯冲提供了佐证。     

Lithological and geochemical record of mining-induced changes in sediments from Macquarie Harbour,southwest Tasmania,Australia

Macquarie Harbour in southwest Tasmania, Australia, has been affected severely by the establishment of mines in nearby Queenstown in the 1890s. As well as heavy metal-laden acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mine area, over 100 Mt of mine tailings and slag were discharged into the Queen and Ring Rivers, with an estimated 10 Mt of mine tailings building a delta of ca. 2.5 km² and ca. 10 Mt of fine tailings in the harbour beyond the delta. Coring of sediments throughout Macquarie Harbour indicated that mine tailings accreted most rapidly close to the King River delta source with a significant reduction in thickness of tailings and heavy metal contamination with increasing distance from the King River source. Close to the King River delta the mine tailings are readily discriminated from the background estuarine sediments on the basis of visual logging of the core (laminations, colour), sediment grain size, sediment magnetic susceptibility and elemental geochemistry, especially concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Zn and Pb. The high heavy metal concentrations are demonstrated by the very high contamination factors (CF > 6) for Cu and Zn, with CF values mostly >50 for Cu for the mine-impacted sediments. Although the addition of mine waste into the King River catchment has ceased, the catchment continues to be a source of these heavy metals due to acid rock drainage and remobilisation of mine waste in storage in the river banks, river bed and delta. The addition of heavy metals to the harbour sourced from the Mount Lyell mines preceded the advent of direct tailings disposal into the Queen River in 1915 with the metals probably provided by acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mining area.     

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of zeolite deposits associated with borates in the Bigadiç, Emet and Kirka Neogene lacustrine basins, western Turkey

The Bigadiç, Emet and Kirka lacustrine basins of western Turkey may be considered as Tibet-type graben structures that were developed during the Miocene within the Izmir-Ankara suture zone complex. The volcanic-sedimentary successions of these basins are made up of mudstone, carbonate (limestone and dolomite) and detrital rocks, and also of crystal or vitric tuffs about 135 to 200 m thick. The Degirmenli (Bigadiç), Emirler (Bigadiç) Köpenez (Emet) and Karaören (Kirka) tuffs constituting the zeolite deposits are situated beneath four borate deposits (colemanite, ulexite, borax). The most abundant diagenetic silicate minerals are K- and Ca-clinoptilolites in the zeolite deposits, and Li-rich trioctahedral smectites (stevensite, saponite and hectorite) and K-feldspar in the borate deposits. In the Degirmenli, Emirler. Köpenez and Karaören deposits, the following diagenetic faciès were developed from rhyolitic glasses rich in K and poor in Na: (glass + smectite), (K-clinoptilolite + opal-CT), (Caclinoptilolite + K-feldspar ± analcime ± quartz) and (K-feldspar+analcime+quartz). K-feldspar which is also rarely associated with phillipsite (Karaören) and heulandite (Degirmenli and Karaören), succeeds clinoptilolite and precedes analcime in these diagenetic facies where dioctahedral smectites, opal-CT and quartz are the latest minerals. No diagenetic transformations exist between clinoptilolite, K-feldspar and analcime that were formed directly from glass. The lateral facies distributions resulted from the differences in salinity and pH of pore water trapped during deposition of the tuffs, but vertical distributions in vitric tuffs seem to have been controlled by the glass/liquid ratio of the reacting system and the permeability or diffusion rate of alkali elements. The Bigadiç, Emet and Kirka zeolite deposits which were formed in saline basins rich in Ca and Mg ions, show similar chemical changes, i.e. loss of alkalis and gain in alkaline-earth elements that have taken place during the diagenetic transformation of rhyolitic glasses to dioctahedral smectites or clinoptilolite. The absence of sodic zeolites such as mordenite, erionite, chabazite and silica-rich phillipsite is mainly due to the very high K/Na ratio of the starting materials rather than initial alkaline conditions or high Na content in lake waters.     

新疆磁海铁矿区镁铁质岩及正长岩锆石U-Pb年代学、岩石地球化学特征:对成岩、成矿作用的制约

对新疆磁海铁矿区镁铁-超镁铁质岩与铁成矿关系、正长岩与镁铁质岩关系的解剖,是认识磁海矿区成岩、成矿过程及构造背景的关键。本文利用SIMS锆石U-Pb测年法,获得磁海辉绿岩、辉长辉绿岩、磁南辉长岩、磁海北角闪石英正长岩的206Pb/238U-207Pb/235U谐和年龄分别为275.1±2.2Ma、281.9±3.2Ma、273.0±1.9Ma和273.0±1.8Ma,这与北山乃至北疆地区主要含铜镍-钒钛磁铁矿的镁铁-超镁铁质岩年龄一致。岩石地球化学特征研究显示,从辉石岩到辉长岩,再到辉绿岩,经历了Ti逐渐富集、Mg#和m/f值先增加后降低的过程,角闪石英正长岩具有A型花岗岩特征,与辉长岩、辉绿岩在成因上存在互补关系。综合年代学和地球化学特征,磁南辉石岩、辉长岩、磁海辉绿岩、辉长辉绿岩以及磁海北边的角闪石英正长岩为同源岩浆演化的产物,岩浆演化过程中受地壳混染作用微弱,在岩浆演化的早期,磁铁矿的结晶分离主导着岩浆成分的改变,当岩浆演化到辉长岩阶段,岩浆开始以结晶分异作用为主;磁铁矿的分离结晶时间早于钛铁矿,岩浆型的金属硫化物为磁铁矿和钛铁矿结晶过渡阶段的产物。磁海镁铁-超镁铁质岩石在成岩及成矿作用上可能与在时间和空间上相邻近的塔里木早二叠世大火成岩省有密切关系。     

Potassic dyke swarm in the Sapucai Graben, eastern Paraguay: petrographical, mineralogical and geochemical outlines

The western side of the Paranà Basin of Brazil extends to central Paraguay, where repeated and widespread magmatic activity developed from Lower Cretaceous to Oligocene, associated with late Mesozoic crustal extension trending NE-SW. In central Paraguay this trend is characterized by a zone of NW-SE normal faults which formed the Asunciòn-Sapucai graben, up to 45 km wide and 200 km long, where alkaline rocks occur as volcanic domes, complexes, lava-flows and dykes. These rocks, 128 Ma aged, are dominantly potassic and ne-normative.

A swarm of at least 200, mainley NW-SE trending, dykes occurs in the Sapucai region and seems to be formed by two main lineages: tephrite to phonolite (and peralkaline phonolite) and alkali basalt to trachyphonolite. They are characterized by ubiquitous diopside to ferrosalite, consistently yielding Al enrichment trends; common olivine, Fo_81-69 in tephrites and alkaline basalts, and up to Fo₆₅ in phonolites; zoned megacrysts of hastingsitic hornblende (core) to kaersutite (rim), associated with accessory groundmass pargasite in tephrites and phonotephrites; K-rich hastingsite and K-rich ferroan pargasite in the phonolites. Accessory groundmass mica falls in the annite-phlogopite range, and consistently yields insufficient (Si + Al) to satisfy the expected T site occupancy of 8.00 a.f.u. Fe---Ti oxides are Ti-magnetite, rarely ilmenite or haematite. Phenocrystal, i.e. xenocrystal plagioclase is An_70-20, and An_74-42 in the tephrites and phonolites, respectively; coexisting groundmass microlites are An_22-14, associated with sodasanidine and sanidine. Feldspathoids include analcimized leucite and nepheline; accessories Ti-andradite and sphene.

The two main lineages, recognized by distinctive mineralogical variations, are consistent with the petrochemical variations. Complex interaction of discrete and independently evolving magma batches are indicated by intra- and/or interphase chemical variations, suggesting multiple equilibrations of the crystallizing phases under shallow level, volcanic pressure regime. The observed geochemical trends are quite similar to those of “Roman Region type magma” with the same negative anomalies of Ta, Nb, Zr and Ti. The most likely mantle source is a garnet-peridotite characterized by different enrichment in incompatible elements and which suffered low degree of partial melting (3–7%), which has geochemical and isotopic features distinct from those of the adjoining tholeiitic basalts (130 Ma) and nephelinites (61-39 Ma).

The similarities of the Sapucai dyke suite with Barton's “Roman Region type magma” supports the view that this magma type may not be formed as a result of orogenic and/or subduction-driven activity in this region. Therefore, a causal relationship of the latter activity with “Roman Region type magma” is not supported and remains questionable.     

Primary geochemical and mineralogical dispersion in the vicinity of the Lady Loretta Zn-Pb-Ag deposit, Northwest Queensland

Lady Loretta is a stratiform Zn-Pb-Ag deposit occurring within carbonate- and pyrite-rich argillaceous rocks of the southern part of the Lawn Hill Platform, northwestern Queensland. The deposit consists of a single massive sulphide lens within a steep-sided basinal structure and contains reserves of 8 690 000 tonnes of ore at 18.1% Zn, 6.7% Pb and 110 g t⁻¹ Ag.The proportion of pyrite-rich layers in the host rocks increases progressively from about 2% at 150 m stratigraphically below the ore to > 90% in the top 10 m of the footwall rocks. Hanging-wall rocks contain up to 20% pyrite-rich layers for at least 100 m above the ores. Siderite is the carbonate phase present within the ore and within the host rocks in an aureole that extends from 75 m beneath to 50 m above the ore. Both older and younger rocks are dolomitic. The two carbonate phases do not occur together within unmineralized host rocks although they may coexist within veins. Siderite contains up to 13 mol% ZnCO₃ and 32 mol% MgCO₃. There is an antipathetic relationship between Zn and Mg, the latter increasing with distance from the ore.Zinc and, to a lesser extent, Hg, Pb, Ag and Ba show extensive primary dispersion within the host rocks. Within the plane of sedimentation, haloes vary in width from 50 m to 1.5 km and these dispersions are thought to be dependent on the shape of the sedimentary basin floor at the time of exhalative activity. Perpendicular to the sedimentary layering, Zn and Hg show the most extensive primary dispersion with anomalous values extending up to 100 m into the footwall and at least 50 m into the hanging wall.     

新疆北山地区旋窝岭镁铁-超镁铁岩体的年代学、岩石矿物学和地球化学研究

新疆北山地区的旋窝岭岩体侵位于下石炭统红柳园组变质砂岩中,辉长岩的锆石SIMSU-Pb定年结果为260.7±2.0Ma,晚于区域上其它岩体的成岩年龄。该岩体由橄榄岩、橄长岩、橄榄辉长岩和辉长岩组成,岩石较新鲜,具有典型的包橄结构和辉长结构,各岩性中均可见斜长石,而斜方辉石仅在辉长岩中出现。橄榄石的Fo值在80～85之间,NiO含量介于0.1%～0.2%之间;单斜辉石主要为普通辉石和透辉石,斜方辉石为古铜辉石。这些镁铁质矿物和斜长石成分与全岩的地球化学特征具有很好的相关性,说明该岩体母岩浆的演化过程主要受控于结晶分异作用。全岩的MgO含量在9.5%～21.8%之间,具有平坦的稀土配分型式和正Eu异常以及微量元素Nb、Zr、Hf的负异常等。因此,旋窝岭岩体可能是在北山裂谷形成过程中由于岩石圈地幔高程度部分熔融形成的高镁玄武质岩浆分异演化的产物,具有一定的铜镍硫化物矿床的成矿潜力。     

Geotectonic significance of the Neoproterozoic ophiolitic metagabbros of Muiswirab area,South Eastern Desert,Egypt: constraints from their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics

Acta Geochimica - Petrological and geochemical studies of Neoproterozoic metagabbros were carried out in the Muiswirab area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. The Muiswirab area comprises of...     

Comparative evolution of the Senegal and eastern central Atlantic Basins, from mineralogical and geochemical investigations

ABSTRACT
Cretaceous to Palaeogene sedimentary series in two long, continously recovered boreholes from the Senegal coastal basin and adjacent Cape Verde deep-sea basin have been compared by mineralogical, geochemical, electron-microscope and microprobe investigations. The transition between the diagenetic influences related to the depth of burial and the palaeoenvironmental influences, identified in the thick coastal-basin successions, is complicated by the tectonic instability of the margin during periods of high subsidence rates and crustal thinning. As the deep-sea basin sediments are only slightly affected by diagenetic changes, the comparison between the deep sea and coastal series allows the relative effects of lithostatic pressure, tectonics and other palaeoenvironmental factors to be evaluated. The disappearance of synsedimentary signatures (tectonics, climate, depositional conditions, etc.) expressed by clay mineralogy occurs below 4.5 km; there are no significant diagenetic changes in sediments at less than 2 km depth. By comparing identical time slices in coastal and deep-sea basins, it is possible to recognize from the clay stratigraphic record the main African detrital sources, the hot and often semi-arid character of the continental climate during the Cretaceous, the existence of minor but extensive stages of tectonic activity (Barremian-late Aptian, late Albian-early Cenomanian), the temporary existence of semi-closed basins on the shelf (Late Cretaceous, early Palaeogene) and the complexity of transport and sedimentation relationships between proximal and distal environments.