Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of a middle Miocene alluvial fan to cyclic shallow lacustrine depositional system in the Calatayud Basin (NE Spain)

ABSTRACT The middle Miocene sedimentary fill of the Calatayud Basin in north‐eastern Spain consists of proximal to distal alluvial fan‐floodplain and shallow lacustrine deposits. Four main facies groups characteristic of different sedimentary environments are recognized: (1) proximal and medial alluvial fan facies that comprise clast‐supported gravel and subordinate sandstone and mudstone, the latter exhibiting incipient pedogenic features; (2) distal alluvial fan facies, formed mainly of massive mudstone, carbonate‐rich palaeosols and local carbonate pond deposits; (3) lake margin facies, which show two distinct lithofacies associations depending on their distribution relative to the alluvial fan system, i.e. front (lithofacies A), comprising massive siliciclastic mudstone and tabular carbonates, or lateral (lithofacies B) showing laminated and/or massive siliciclastic mudstone alternating with tabular and/or laminated carbonate beds; and (4) mudflat–shallow lake facies showing a remarkable cyclical alternation of green‐grey and/or red siliciclastic mudstone units and white dolomitic carbonate beds. The cyclic mudflat–shallow lake succession, as exposed in the Orera composite section (OCS), is dominantly composed of small‐scale mudstone–carbonate/dolomite cycles. The mudstone intervals of the sedimentary cycles are interpreted as a result of sedimentation from suspension by distal sheet floods, the deposits evolving either under subaerial exposure or water‐saturated conditions, depending on their location on the lacustrine mudflat and on climate. The dolomite intervals accumulated during lake‐level highstands with Mg‐rich waters becoming increasingly concentrated. Lowstand to highstand lake‐level changes indicated by the mudstone/dolomite units of the small‐scale cycles reflect a climate control (from dry to wet conditions) on the sedimentation in the area. The spatial distribution of the different lithofacies implies that deposition of the small‐scale cycles took place in a low‐gradient, shallow lake basin located in an interfan zone. The development of the basin was constrained by gradual alluvial fan aggradation. Additional support for the palaeoenvironmental interpretation is derived from the isotopic compositions of carbonates from the various lithofacies that show a wide range of δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values varying from ?7·9 to 3·0‰ PDB and from ?9·2 to ?1·7‰ PDB respectively. More negative δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values are from carbonate‐rich palaeosols and lake‐margin carbonates, which extended in front of the alluvial fan systems, whereas more positive values correspond to dolomite beds deposited in the shallow lacustrine environment. The results show a clear trend of δ¹⁸O enrichment in the carbonates from lake margin to the centre of the shallow lake basin, thereby also demonstrating that the lake evolved under hydrologically closed conditions.     

Stable isotope evidence for the origin of diagenetic carbonate minerals from the Lower Jurassic Inmar Formation, southern Israel

The oxygen isotope compositions of diagenetic carbonate minerals from the Lower Jurassic Inmar Formation, southern Israel, have been used to identify porewater types during diagenesis. Changes in porewater composition can be related to major geological events within southern Israel. In particular, saline brines played an important role in late (Pliocene-Pleistocene) dolomitization of these rocks. Diagenetic carbonates included early siderite (δ¹⁸O_SMOW=+24.4 to +26.5‰δ¹³C_PDB=?1.1 to +0.8‰), late dolomite, ferroan dolomite and ankerite (δ¹⁸O_SMOW=+18.4 to +25.8‰; δ¹³C_PDB=?2.1 to +0.2‰), and calcite (δ¹⁸O_SMOW=+21.3 to +32.6‰; δ¹³C_PDB=?4.2 to + 3.2‰). The petrographic and isotopic results suggest that siderite formed early in the diagenetic history at shallow depths. The dolomitic phases formed at greater depths late in diagenesis. Crystallization of secondary calcite spans early to late diagenesis, consistent with its large range in isotopic values. A strong negative correlation exists between burial depth (temperature) and the oxygen isotopic compositions of the dolomitic cements. In addition, the δ¹⁸O values of the dolomitic phases in the northern Negev and Judea Mountains are in isotopic equilibrium with present formation waters. This behaviour suggests that formation of secondary dolomite post-dates the tectonic activity responsible for the present relief of southern Israel (Upper Miocene to Pliocene) and that the dolomite crystallized from present formation waters. Such is not the case in the Central Negev. In that locality, present formation waters have much lower salinities and δ¹⁸O values, indicating invasion of freshwater, and are out of isotopic equilibrium with secondary dolomite. Recharge of the Inmar Formation by meteoric water in the Central Negev occurred in the Pleistocene, and halted formation of dolomite.     

The influence of hydrology and climate on the isotope geochemistry of playa carbonates: a study from Pilot Valley, NV, USA

Carbonates often accompany lake and lake‐margin deposits in both modern and ancient geological settings. If these carbonates are formed in standing water, their stable isotope values reflect the aquatic chemistry at the time of precipitation and may provide a proxy for determining regional hydrologic conditions. Carbonate rhizoliths and water samples were collected from a playa lake in eastern Nevada. Pilot Valley (～43°N) is a closed‐basin, remnant playa from the Quaternary desiccation of palaeo‐Lake Bonneville. Water is added to the playa margin by free convection of dense brines to the east and forced convection of freshwater off the alluvial fan to the west. Both freshwater and saline springs dot the playa margin at the base of an alluvial fan. Water samples collected from seven springs show a range from ?16 to ?0·2‰ (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water), and are consistent with published values. The δ¹⁸O_calcite values from rhizolith samples range from ?18·3 to ?6·7‰ (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite), and the average is ?12‰ V‐PDB (1 ? σ SD 2‰). With the exception of samples from Little Salt Spring, the range in the δ¹⁸O_calcite values collected from the rhizoliths confirms that they form in equilibrium with ambient water conditions on the playa. The initial geochemical conditions for the spring waters are dictated by local hydrology: freshwater springs emerge in the northern part of the basin to the east of a broad alluvial fan, and more saline springs emerge to the south where the influence of the alluvial fan diminishes. Rhizoliths are only found near the southern saline springs and their δ¹³C_calcite values, along with their morphology, indicate that they only form around saltgrass (Distichlis sp.). As the residence time of water on the playa increases, evaporation, temperature change and biological processes alter the aquatic chemistry and initiate calcite precipitation around the plant stems. The range in δ¹⁸O_calcite values from each location reflects environmental controls (e.g. evaporation and temperature change). These rhizoliths faithfully record ambient aquatic conditions during formation (e.g. geochemistry and water depth), but only record a partial annual signal that is constrained by saltgrass growth and the presence of standing water on the playa margin.     

Diagenesis of a mixed siliciclastic/evaporitic sequence of the Middle Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic), the Catalan Coastal Range, NE Spain

The Middle Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic) of the Catalan Coastal Range (north-east Spain) comprises sandstone, mudstone, anhydrite and minor carbonate layers. Interbedded sandstones and mudstones which are dominant in the north-eastern parts of the basin are terminal alluvial fan deposits. South-westward in the basin, the rocks become dominated by interbedded evaporites and mudstones deposited in sabkha/mudflat environments. The diagenetic and pore water evolution patterns of the Middle Muschelkalk suggest a strong facies control. During eodiagenesis, formation of microdolomite, anhydrite, baryte, magnesite, K-feldspar and mixed-layer chlorite/smectite was favoured within and adjacent to the sabkha/mudflat facies, whereas calcite, haematite, mixed-layer illite/smectite and quartz formed mainly in the alluvial facies. Low δ¹⁸O_SMOW values for microdolomite (+23.7 to +28.4%) and K-feldspar overgrowths (+17.3 to +17.7%) suggest either low-temperature, isotopic disequilibrium or precipitation from low-¹⁸O porewaters. Low-¹⁸O waters might have developed, at least in part, during low-temperature alteration of volcanic rock fragments. During mesodiagenesis, precipitation of quartz overgrowths and coarse dolomite occurred in the alluvial sandstones, whereas recrystallization of microdolomite was dominant in the sabkha/mudflat facies. The isotopic compositions of these mesogenetic phases reflect increasing temperature during burial. Upon uplift and erosion, telogenetic calcite and trace haematite precipitated in fractures and replaced dolomite. The isotopic composition of the calcite (δ¹⁸O_SMOW=+21.5 to +25.6%o; δ¹³C= 7.7 to - 5.6%o) and presence of haematite indicate infiltration of meteoric waters.     

Sedimentological characteristics and facies of the evaporite-bearing Kirmir Formation (Neogene), Beypazari Basin, central Anatolia, Turkey

A thick sedimentary sequence comprising fluvial, lacustrine and volcano-sedimentary rocks is present in the Neogene Beypazari Basin, central Anatolia. These units display considerable lateral facies variation and interfinger with alkaline volcanic rocks along the north-eastern margin of the basin. The uppermost Miocene Kirmir Formation contains numerous evaporite horizons. The evaporite sequence is up to 250 m thick and may be divided into four lithofacies. In ascending stratigraphical order these are: (1) gypsiferous claystone facies, (2) thenardite-glauberite facies, (3) laminar gypsum facies and (4) crystalline gypsum facies. These facies interfinger with one another laterally along a section from the margins to central parts of the basin. The lithological and sedimentological features of the Kirmir Formation indicate fluvial, saline playa mudflat, hypersaline ephemeral playa lake and very shallow subaqueous playa lake depositional environments, which probably were influenced by alternating semi-arid and evaporative conditions.     

Origin of brines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland) inferred from stable isotope and chemical data

Brines in the Miocene formations of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin have isotopic composition close to SMOW, which identifies them as the connate marine water. However, controversies exist on the origin of brines in the Carboniferous formations. Isotopic and hydrochemical data exclude any relationship to marine water and enrichment by evaporation. The most common brine which occurs at great depths can be identified as the oldest infiltration in a very hot climate (δ¹⁸O ⋟ −2‰, δD ⋟ −20‰, Cl⁻ content 34 to 140 g/L). This brine is free of SO₄²⁻ and U, and rich in Ba²⁺ and²²⁶Ra. Its salinity is probably related to the leaching of evaporites and intensive weathering of rocks during the Rotliegendes.Other brines are difficult to identify because their isotopic contents are within the range of mixing between the oldest brine and the Quaternary waters (δ¹⁸O ⋟ 10‰, δD ⋟ 70‰). Isotopic and hydrochemical data allow identification of several occurrences of brine formed by meteoric water of a warm Tertiary climate, after the last marine transgression in the Tortonian. That brine is rich in SO₄²⁻ and contains moderate contents of²²⁶Ra and U. Its salinity is thought to result from leaching of Miocene evaporites. Two other identified types of brines can be related to some infiltration periods before the last marine transgression. The sources in salinity of these 2 types remain unknown. Mining activity results in a common occurrence of mixed brines. When the Quaternary component dominates, its identification is easy from the isotopic composition, whereas the end brine component can ususally be identified by chosen ion ratios and the presence or lack of sulphates.     

蒸发岩沉积特征及环境综述

蒸发岩是由于蒸发作用从卤水中化学作用沉淀出来的一种含盐岩类,明显受控于沉积环境。蒸发岩是重要战略资源和优质的储层之一,中国的矿床和石油学界都在致力于寻找大型蒸发岩矿床。近几十年来国内外学者都对不同类型的蒸发岩做了地区性的研究,提供了丰富的实际资料,对蒸发岩成矿沉积环境理论也有相应的修正和补充,但是蒸发岩分类繁多,成因复杂,国内对蒸发岩岩相及其常见组合所对应的环境综合解释并未具体着墨。通过梳理国内外有关蒸发岩文献、应用Miall构架单元理论,从结构、构造整理了29种碳酸型、37种硫酸型、11种氯化物型以及13种混合蒸发盐型岩相与其对应的沉积环境与岩相组合。蒸发沉积环境按海相和陆相划分,亚相细分为萨布哈、潮上带、潮间带—潮下带和半深海—深海环境,以及陆内萨布哈（包括干盐湖）、滨湖、浅湖和半深湖—深湖,对每一个亚相出现的常见蒸发岩组合进行了概述,这对中国进一步寻找大型蒸发岩矿床具有重要的借鉴意义。     

A stable isotope study of serpentinization and metamorphism in the Highland Border Suite,Scotland, U.K.

$\text{D}\text{H}$ and ${}^{18}\text{O}{}^{16}\text{O}$ ratios have been measured for whole-rock samples and mineral separates from the mafic and ultramatic rocks of the Cambro-Ordovician Highland Border Suite. The H- and O- isotopic compositions of these rocks record individual stages in a relatively complex 500 Myr old hydrothermal/metamorphic history. Lizardite serpentinites (δD ～ ? 105‰; δ¹⁸O ～ + 6.2‰) record a premetamorphic history and indicate that parent harzburgites, dunites, and pyroxenites were serpentinized through low-temperature interaction with meteoric waters during cooling. The other rocks of the Highland Border Suite record subsequent interaction with metamorphic fluids. Amphibolite facies hornblende schists were produced through thrust-related (dynamothermal) metamorphism of spilitic pillow lavas. During dehydration, D-enriched fluids were driven off from the spilites thus leaving the hornblende schists to equilibrate with a relatively D-depleted internal fluid reservoir (δD ～ ? 45‰). The expelled D-enriched fluids may have mixed with more typical Dalradian metamorphic waters which then exchanged with the remaining mafic rocks and lizardite serpentinites during greenschist facies regional metamorphism to produce antigorite serpentinites (δD ～ ? 62‰; δ¹⁸O ～ + 8‰) and greenschist metaspilites (δD ～ ? 57‰; δ¹⁸O ～ + 7.3‰) with similar H- and O-isotopic compositions. Serpentinites which have been only partially metamorphosed show intermediate H-isotopic compositions between that of metamorphic antigorite (δD ～ ? 62‰) and non-metamorphic lizardite δD ～ ? 105‰) end members.     

Marine-like potash evaporite formation on a continental playa: case study from Chott el Djerid, southern Tunisia

An exceptional flood in January 1990 led to the formation of a large ephemeral lake on the Chott el Djerid, a salt playa in southern Tunisia. Repeated observations made during 1990 show that the ephemeral lake underwent four evolutionary stages: (1) initial flooding, (2) evaporative concentration of lake waters, (3) the movement of concentrated brine pools over the playa surface as a result of wind action, and (4) total desiccation of the lake by September 1990. During all four stages the brine chemistry of the lake was monitored. Water inflow into the Chott el Djerid basin was found to have a consistent Ca-SO₄-Cl-rich and HCO₃-CO₃-poor chemistry, reflecting the recycling of homogeneous assemblages of Cretaceous, Mio—Pliocene and Quaternary evaporites within the catchment. As the ephemeral lake shrank, these waters produced an Na-Mg-K-Cl-SO₄ brine which was similar to modern sea water. Mineral saturation data show that, during the desiccation of the lake, saturation with respect to both gypsum and halite was achieved and that the most concentrated brines were ultimately saturated with respect to potash phases. After the desiccation of the lake the main mineral phases found on the Chott included gypsum and halite. In addition, ephemeral deposits of carnallite (observed as carnallitite,3KMgCl_3·6H₂0 + NaCl) were found. This assemblage is that which would be expected to form if the waters had undergone salt norm evaporation at 1 bar pressure at 25°C (SNORM) in the evaporation model proposed by Jones and Bodine (1987). The nature of both the brine chemistry and evaporite mineralogy provides a new and rare example of marine-like potash-bearing evaporites being formed in a contemporary continental playa.     

Neogene evaporites in desert volcanic environments: Atacama Desert, northern Chile

The Upper Miocene and Pliocene evaporite deposits of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile (Hilaricos and Soledad Formations) are among the few non‐marine evaporites in which aridity not only formed the deposits, but has also preserved them almost unaltered under near‐surface conditions. These deposits are largely composed of displacive Ca sulphate and halite together with minor amounts of glauberite, thenardite and polyhalite. However, at the base and top of these deposits, there are also beds of gypsum crystal pseudomorphs that originally formed as free‐growth forms within shallow brine bodies, rather than as displacive sediments. The halite is present as interstitial cement, displacive cubes and shallow‐water, bottom‐growth chevron crusts. Most of the calcium sulphate is presently anhydrite, pseudomorphous after gypsum, that was the primary depositional sulphate mineral. The secondary anhydrite formed under early diagenetic conditions after slight burial (some metres) resulting from the effect of strongly evolved pore brines. The anhydrite has been preserved without rehydration during late diagenetic and exhumation stages on account of the arid environment of the Atacama Desert. Both the Hilaricos and the Soledad Formations contain geochemical markers indicating that these Neogene evaporites had a largely non‐marine origin. Bromine content in the halite is very low (few p.p.m.), indicating neither a sedimentological relation with sea water nor the likelihood of direct recycling of prior marine halites. Moreover, the δ³⁴S of sulphates (+4·5‰ to +9‰) also reflects a non‐marine origin, with a strong volcanic influence, although some recycling of Mesozoic marine sulphates cannot be ruled out. δ³⁴S of dissolved sulphate from hot springs and streams in the area commonly displays positive values (+2‰ to +10‰). Leaching of oxidized sulphur and chlorine compounds from volcanoes and epithermal ore bodies, very common in the associated drainage areas, have been the main contribution to the accumulation of evaporites. The sedimentary and diagenetic evolution of the Hilaricos and Soledad evaporites (based on lithofacies analysis) provides information about the palaeohydrological conditions in the Central Depression of northern Chile during the Neogene. In addition, the diagenesis and exhumation history of these evaporites confirms the persistence of strongly arid conditions from Late Miocene until the present. A final phase of tectonism took place permitting the internal drainage to change and open to the sea, resulting in dissolution and removal of a significant portion of these deposits. Despite the extensive dissolution, the remaining evaporites have undergone little late exhumational hydration.     

Palaeoproterozoic evaporites in Fennoscandia: implications for seawater sulphate, the rise of atmospheric oxygen and local amplification of the δ13C excursion

This paper addresses global oxygenation and establishment of a marine sulphate reservoir in the Palaeoproterozoic. We report syn-depositional, marine, anhydrite-containing pseudomorphs after Ca-sulphates as widespread throughout the Tulomozero Formation in the SE Fennoscandian Shield, implying that surface waters were oxidized and a large SO marine reservoir was developed as early as 2100 Ma. The Ca-sulphates and associated magnesite and halite precipitated syn-depositionally from oxidized, evolved and modified seawater in coastal playa, sabkha and intertidal flat settings. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ¹³C of associated ¹³C-rich stromatolitic dolostones were environmentally controlled with the highest ratios occurring in playa and sabkha carbonates. The results imply that the Palaeoproterozoic δ¹³C_carb excursion was amplified by 8‰ by local environmental factors and calls into question many observations of putative δ¹³C global signals reported previously from similar Palaeoproterozoic, evaporitic, dolostones. The local environmental amplification can explain a large regional and intercontinental δ¹³C discrepancy observed in synchronous carbonates.     

美国怀俄明州拉那依段岩相及碳氧同位素地球化学特征

1980年6月,本文作者之一的K. Kelts曾去美国参加由经济古生物学者和矿物学者协会组织的地质旅行。该行主要是观察和研究怀俄明州西南始新统绿河组的沉积环境。对此次旅行中带回瑞士苏黎世联邦理工学院地质研究所的样品,曾作了切片、X-射线衍射和碳氧同位素分析。     

Origin of quartz geodes from Laño and Tubilla del Agua sections (middle–upper Campanian,Basque‐Cantabrian Basin,northern Spain): isotopic differences during diagenetic processes

Quartz geodes and nodular chert have been found within middle–upper Campanian carbonate sediments from the Laño and Tubilla del Agua sections of the Basque‐Cantabrian Basin, northern Spain. The morphology of geodes together with the presence of anhydrite laths included in megaquartz crystals and spherulitic fibrous quartz (quartzine‐lutecite), suggest an origin from previous anhydrite nodules. The anhydrite nodules at Laño were produced by the percolation of marine brines, during a period corresponding to a sedimentary gap, with δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O mean values of 18.8‰ and 13.6‰ respectively, consistent with Upper Cretaceous seawater sulphate values. Higher δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O mean values of 21.2‰ and 21.8‰ recorded in the Tubilla del Agua section are interpreted as being due to a partial bacterial sulphate reduction process in a more restricted marine environment. The idea that sulphates may have originated from the leaching of previously deposited Keuper sulphate evaporites with subsequent precipitation as anhydrite, is rejected because the δ³⁴S, δ¹⁸O and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of anhydrite laths observed at both the Tubilla del Agua and Laño sections suggest an origin from younger marine brines. Later calcite replacement and precipitation of geode‐filling calcite is recorded in both sections, with δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values indicating the participation of meteoric waters. Synsedimentary activity of the Peñacerrada diapir, which lies close to the Laño section, played a significant role in the local shallowing of the basin and the formation of quartz geodes. In contrast, eustatic shallowing of the inner marine series of the Tubilla del Agua section led to the generation of morphologically similar quartz geodes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Palaeoproterozoic magnesite: lithological and isotopic evidence for playa/sabkha environments

Magnesite forms a series of 1‐ to 15‐m‐thick beds within the ≈2·0 Ga (Palaeoproterozoic) Tulomozerskaya Formation, NW Fennoscandian Shield, Russia. Drillcore material together with natural exposures reveal that the 680‐m‐thick formation is composed of a stromatolite–dolomite–‘red bed’ sequence formed in a complex combination of shallow‐marine and non‐marine, evaporitic environments. Dolomite‐collapse breccia, stromatolitic and micritic dolostones and sparry allochemical dolostones are the principal rocks hosting the magnesite beds. All dolomite lithologies are marked by δ¹³C values from +7·1‰ to +11·6‰ (V‐PDB) and δ¹⁸O ranging from 17·4‰ to 26·3‰ (V‐SMOW). Magnesite occurs in different forms: finely laminated micritic; stromatolitic magnesite; and structureless micritic, crystalline and coarsely crystalline magnesite. All varieties exhibit anomalously high δ¹³C values ranging from +9·0‰ to +11·6‰ and δ¹⁸O values of 20·0–25·7‰. Laminated and structureless micritic magnesite forms as a secondary phase replacing dolomite during early diagenesis, and replaced dolomite before the major phase of burial. Crystalline and coarsely crystalline magnesite replacing micritic magnesite formed late in the diagenetic/metamorphic history. Magnesite apparently precipitated from sea water‐derived brine, diluted by meteoric fluids. Magnesitization was accomplished under evaporitic conditions (sabkha to playa lake environment) proposed to be similar to the Coorong or Lake Walyungup coastal playa magnesite. Magnesite and host dolostones formed in evaporative and partly restricted environments; consequently, extremely high δ¹³C values reflect a combined contribution from both global and local carbon reservoirs. A ¹³C‐rich global carbon reservoir (δ¹³C at around +5‰) is related to the perturbation of the carbon cycle at 2·0 Ga, whereas the local enhancement in ¹³C (up to +12‰) is associated with evaporative and restricted environments with high bioproductivity.     

Origin of Zn-Pb-Ag Sulfide Mineralization within Upper Proterozoic Phosphate-Rich Carbonate Strata,Irecê Basin,Bahia, Brazil

The Irece Basin is a relatively small late Proterozoic basin within the São Francisco craton of northeast-central Brazil. Stratabound Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide and phosphate-rich units occur within a 50-m-thick tidal-flat sequence of dolomitic limestone and cherty dolostone within the lower Salitre Formation of the Una Group. Phosphate is concentrated in stromatolitic structures; metallic mineralization is represented by stratiform masses and disseminations of sulfide minerals in a tidal-flat sequence that has relict evaporitic structures.

Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide concentrations in the Irece area are associated with parallel laminated, silty dolostone with shallow-water sedimentary structures, including laminar stromatolites, mud cracks, tepee structures, collapse breccias, length-slow quartz nodules, and pseudomorphs after evaporitic sulfates. Sulfide minerals include pyrite, sphalerite, galena, marcasite, jordanite, tetrahedrite, and covellite, in order of decreasing abundance. Nodular and bladed sulfide forms are pseudomorphous after evaporitic sulfate minerals. Replacement textures, such as corroded grain boundaries between sulfide minerals, are common. Sulfur-isotope analysis indicates relatively uniform heavy δ³⁴S values. Barite has a δ³⁴S range from +25 to +31‰, CDT. Pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and jordanite-representative of a variety of textural types-have a δ³⁴S range of +19 to + 23‰; δ³⁴S values for Irece barite probably represent original late Proterozoic sea-water sulfate values. The consistently heavy δ34S values of the Irece sulfides likely are the result of thermochemical reduction of a limited evaporitic sulfate source by organic matter that is abundant in the Salitre carbonates.

Major Zn-Pb-Ag concentrations appear to be an overprint on the earlier iron sulfide-rich zone. Limited fluid-inclusion data suggest precipitation in the range of 140 to 200°C from formation waters with salinities ranging from 3 to 12 wt%. Deep fluid circulation may have been promoted by reactivation of basement faults originally related to the Irece Basin's development. Petrographic and fluid-inclusion data suggest that sulfide mineralization may have occurred within a mixing zone of metal-bearing, high-temperature basinal brines with meteoric water. Metallic mineralization scavenged sulfur from pre-existing sulfides or from direct reduction of evaporitic sulfate minerals.

The metal and phosphate concentrations in the Irece Basin possess some similiar geologic characteristics that result from a common host-rock depositional environment. However, existing information indicates that the two deposit types are not directly related genetically, although the origin of both is related to the organic-rich nature of the host sequence.     

上扬子区(四川盆地)寒武系的含盐性与地质背景

据记载,分布于上扬子区寒武系的石膏岩仅有零星资料。如今,大量蒸发岩如溶蚀角砾岩、硬石膏、石盐岩及富钾卤水等已被发现。沉积相经历了从盆地相、台地相到蒸发岩相的演化过程。在中、下寒武统中找到海退沉积序列。古构造-古地理背景是蒸发岩沉积的重要控矿条件之一。周边板块运动及塑性基底的褶皱,导致台缘隆起及台内坳陷的形成。岩相古地理图展示从碳酸盐、硫酸盐到氯化物盐类的“泪滴式”沉积相带。蒸发岩沉积于台缘隆起及礁生长进入堰塞潟湖至盐湖阶段。在稳定坳陷区沉积盆地中蒸发岩系发育;石盐岩较厚,其溴氯比值为0.2—0.4;古气候炎热、干燥;在蒸发岩体周围有沉积(封层)水及溶滤水,其含钾(K~+)量为0.10—4.76g/L;水文地球化学比值(如钾氯比值、钾盐比值及钾溴比值等)指示含钾异常;盐湖浓缩卤水达到氯化物盐类沉积阶段及相应的构造封闭程度;含盐地质标志广泛分布等等。鉴于上述,估计该区可能具备钾盐成矿条件。然而目的层埋藏太深,因此笔者建议,应在浅埋部位进行有效的成矿预测,为普查指出远景区。     

Boron isotopes in tourmaline as a tracer of metasomatic processes in the Bamble sector of Southern Norway

The Bamble sector of southern Norway comprises metagabbros and metasediments that were metasomatically altered to various extents during a late stage of the Sveconorwegian orogeny (~1.06 Ga). The infiltration of highly saline brines along veins led to penetrative scapolitization and albitization on a regional scale and the local deposition of Fe–Ti oxides. Typical secondary mineral assemblages include either scapolite + apatite + amphibole + phlogopite + tourmaline, or albite + epidote + calcite + chlorite + white mica, indicating that the fluids introduced large amounts of Na, Cl, Mg, Ca, K, P, and B to the system. Metasomatic tourmalines associated with different alteration stages as identified by variations in major-element composition and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr were analyzed for B isotopic compositions to constrain possible sources and the evolution of the hydrothermal fluid(s). Measured δ¹¹B values range from ?5 to +27 ‰ relative to SRM-951, suggesting marine evaporites interlayered with various amounts of continental detritus and pelagic clay as a possible B source reservoir. The influence of a seawater-derived component is clearly indicated by the heavy B isotope signature of tourmaline related to Al–Mg-rich metapelites. In contrast, negative δ¹¹B values can be explained by the influence of pneumatolytic fluids associated with granitic pegmatites. On a regional scale (i.e., several km), δ¹¹B values in tourmaline vary widely, whereas variations within a single outcrop (tens of m) are typically small and can be ascribed to different generations of tourmaline related to several fluid pulses.     

Origin and mixing history of brines,Palo Duro Basin,Texas, U.S.A.

Formation waters in the Palo Duro Basin, Texas, U.S.A. fall into four major groups based on integrated chemical and isotopic characteristics: (1) interbed brines within the major Permian evaporite aquitard; these are the most chemically concentrated and¹⁸O-rich fluids in the basin, and are interpreted as evaporatively concentrated sea water which has been hydrologically isolated since the Permian; (2) brines below the salt on the eastern side of the basin have ClBr, divalent cation, and isotopic systematics indicating a mixture of evaporatively concentrated sea water and meteoric water of δD= −20‰; (3) brines below the salt on the western side of the basin have chemical and isotopic systematics suggesting a mixture of two pulses of meteoric water, one with δD= −20‰ and the other with δD= −55‰; and (4) waters above the salt have the isotopic composition of meteoric waters. Diagenetic alteration of the cation chemistry has occurred for brines within and below the salt. Aquifers below the salt on the eastern side are interpreted as having been charged with dense Permian evaporite brines which subsequently mixed in various amounts with a basin-wide pulse of Triassic meteoric water. On the western side the descending Triassic meteoric waters became saline by dissolution of halite and are currently mixing with a Tertiary pulse of meteoric water initiated by the Laramide uplift to the west. The hydrochemistry suggests flow on the western side of the basin and static conditions on the eastern side. An unrecognized, approximately N-S permeability restriction, or discontinuity in the potentiometric flow surface, is inferred for major aquifers in the central area of the basin.     

Nucleation and stabilization of Eocene dolomite in evaporative lacustrine deposits from central Tibetan plateau

In past decades, the formation of dolomite at low temperature has been widely studied in both natural systems and cultured experiments, yet the mechanism(s) involved in the nucleation and precipitation of dolomite remains unresolved. Late Eocene dolomitic deposits from core in the upper Niubao Formation (Lunpola Basin, central Tibetan Plateau, China) are selected as a case study to understand the dolomitization process(es) in the geological record. Dolomite formation in Lunpola Basin can be ascribed to a different mechanism forming the large quantities of replacive dolostones in the geological record; and provides a potential fossil analogue for primary dolomite precipitation at low temperature. This analogue consists of an alternation of laminated dolomitic beds, organic-rich and siliciclastic layers; formed in response to intense evaporation interpreted to take place in a continental shallow lake environment. Mineralogical, textural and stable isotopic evaluations suggest that the dolomite from those dense-clotted laminated beds is a primary precipitate. At the nanoscale, these dolomitic beds are composed of Ca–Mg carbonate globular nanocrystals (diameter 80 to 100 nm) embedded in an organic matrix and attached to clay flakes. Micro-infrared spectroscopy analyses have revealed the presence of aliphatic compounds in the organic matrix. Microscopic and elemental compositional studies suggest that clay surfaces may facilitate the nucleation of dolomite at low temperature in the same way as the organic matrix does. The dolomite laminae show values for δ¹⁸O_VPDB from −3.2 to −1.76‰ and for δ¹³C_VPDB from −2.62 to −3.78‰. Inferred δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of the lake water reveal typical evaporitic hydrological conditions. These findings provide a potential link to primary dolomite formation in ancient and modern sedimentary environments; and shed new light on the palaeoenvironmental conditions in central Tibet during the Eocene.