Geochemistry and origin of the Neoproterozoic Dahongliutan banded iron formation (BIF) in the Western Kunlun orogenic belt,Xinjiang (NW China)

The Neoproterozoic (593–532 Ma) Dahongliutan banded iron formation (BIF), located in the Tianshuihai terrane (Western Kunlun orogenic belt), is hosted in the Tianshuihai Group, a dominantly submarine siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary succession that generally has been metamorphosed to greenschist facies. Iron oxide (hematite), carbonate (siderite, ankerite, dolomite and calcite) and silicate (muscovite) facies are all present within the iron-rich layers. There are three distinctive sedimentary facies BIFs, the oxide, silicate–carbonate–oxide and carbonate (being subdivided into ankerite and siderite facies BIFs) in the Dahongliutan BIF. They demonstrate lateral and vertical zonation from south to north and from bottom to top: the carbonate facies BIF through a majority of the oxide facies BIF into the silicate–carbonate–oxide facies BIF and a small proportion of the oxide facies BIF.The positive correlations between Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, Sc, V, Cr, Rb, Cs, Th and ∑REE (total rare earth element) for various facies of BIFs indicate these chemical sediments incorporate terrigenous detrital components. Low contents of Al₂O₃ (<3 wt%), TiO₂ (<0.15 wt%), ∑REE (5.06–39.6 ppm) and incompatible HFSEs (high field strength elements, e.g., Zr, Hf, Th and Sc) (<10 ppm), and high Fe/Ti ratios (254–4115) for a majority of the oxide and carbonate facies BIFs suggest a small clastic input (<20% clastic materials) admixtured with their original chemical precipitates. The higher abundances of Al₂O₃ (>3 wt%), TiO₂, Zr, Th, Cs, Sc, Cr and ∑REE (31.2–62.9 ppm), and low Fe/Ti ratios (95.2–236) of the silicate–carbonate–oxide facies BIF are consistent with incorporation of higher amounts of clastic components (20%–40% clastic materials). The HREE (heavy rare earth element) enrichment pattern in PAAS-normalized REE diagrams exhibited by a majority of the oxide and carbonate facies BIFs shows a modern seawater REE signature overprinted by high-T (temperature) hydrothermal fluids marked by strong positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu¹_PAAS = 2.37–5.23). The low Eu/Sm ratios, small positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu¹_PAAS = 1.10–1.58) and slightly MREE (middle rare earth element) enrichment relative to HREE in the silicate–carbonate–oxide facies BIF and some oxide and carbonate facies BIFs indicate higher contributions from low-T hydrothermal sources. The absence of negative Ce anomalies and the high Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺) ratios (0.98–1.00) for the oxide and silicate–carbonate–oxide BIFs do not support ocean anoxia. The δ¹³C_V-PDB (−4.0‰ to −6.6‰) and δ¹⁸O_V-PDB (−14.0‰ to −11.5‰) values for siderite and ankerite in the carbonate facies BIF are, on average, ∼6‰ and ∼5‰ lower than those (δ¹³C_V-PDB = −0.8‰ to + 3.1‰ and δ¹⁸O_V-PDB = −8.2‰ to −6.3‰) of Ca–Mg carbonates from the silicate–carbonate–oxide facies BIF. This feature, coupled with the negative correlations between FeO, Eu/Eu¹_PAAS and δ¹³C_V-PDB, imply that a water column stratified with regard to the isotopic omposition of total dissolved CO₂, with the deeper water, from which the carbonate facies BIF formed, depleted in δ¹³C that may have been derive from hydrothermal activity.Integration of petrographic, geochemical, and isotopic data indicates that the silicate–carbonate–oxide facies BIF and part of the oxide facies BIF precipitated in a near-shore, oxic and shallow water environment, whereas a majority of the oxide and carbonate facies BIFs deposited in anoxic but Fe²⁺-rich deeper waters, closer to submarine hydrothermal vents. High-T hydrothermal solutions, with infusions of some low-T hydrothermal fluids, brought Fe and Si onto a shallow marine, variably mixed with detrital components from seawaters and fresh waters carrying continental landmass and finally led to the alternating deposition of the Dahongliutan BIF during regression–transgression cycles.The Dahongliutan BIF is more akin to Superior-type rather than Algoma-type and Rapitan-type BIF, and constitutes an additional line of evidence for the widespread return of BIFs in the Cryogenian and Ediacaran reflecting the recurrence of anoxic ferruginous deep sea and anoxia/reoxygenation cycles in the Neoproterozoic. In combination with previous studies on other Fe deposits in the Tianshuihai terrane, we propose that a Fe²⁺-rich anoxic basin or deep sea probably existed from the Neoproterozoic to the Early Cambrian in this area.     

鲁西杨庄条带状铁建造特征及锆石年代学研究

泰山群主要分布于鲁西地区中部,是鲁西花岗-绿岩带的一个重要组成部分。近年来,在沂水县杨庄发现了一定规模的沉积变质铁矿,铁矿层位赋存于柳杭岩组上段的斜长角闪岩段内。本文对杨庄铁矿BIF及侵入地层的岩浆岩进行锆石年代学测定,测定的含磁铁矿斜长角闪岩中锆石U-Pb年龄数据主要集中在2.6Ga附近,确定斜长角闪岩的形成年龄为2615±61Ma;铁矿顶板黑云母石英片岩的形成年龄小于2527±66Ma,该岩段又被晚期混合花岗岩穿插,其锆石年龄测定结果为2469±34Ma,所以推测黑云母石英片岩的形成年龄在2.5Ga附近。据此我们认为鲁西地区的"柳杭岩组"似可近一步解体为新太古的斜长角闪岩段(含磁铁矿建造)和古元古的表壳岩段(以片岩系为主)。混合花岗岩的形成年龄属于古元古代早期,似乎可以填补全球地质演化的静寂期 (2.3~2.5Ga)。以泰山群为代表的变质岩系在地下较深部位出现或者被中晚元古代盖层覆盖,为探讨华北克拉通早期演化和开展华北克拉通BIF型铁矿研究具有重要意义。     

Major element distribution in Archean banded iron formation (BIF): influence of metamorphic differentiation

The Archean (2.8 Ga) Banded Iron Formation (BIF) of the Bell Lake region of Yellowknife greenstone belt, Canada is recrystallized to metamorphic assemblages of the amphibolite facies. This BIF is characterized by centimetre‐scale Fe‐rich and Si‐rich mesobands. In the Si‐rich mesobands, thin layers of magnetite microbands are developed in a quartz matrix. The Fe‐rich mesobands are composed mainly of Ca‐amphibole (hornblende), Fe–Mg amphibole (grunerite), and magnetite. The metamorphic foliation locally cuts across the mesoband boundaries, indicating the mesobanding was formed prior to peak metamorphism. Variations in mineral modal proportions between Fe‐rich mesobands and microbands are diagnostic of depositional compositional differences between beds. Micro‐X‐ray fluorescence imaging reveals metamorphic differentiation within Fe‐rich mesobands, with segregation of Fe–Mg amphibole, and the incompatible element Mn is concentrated at the margins of the Fe‐rich mesobands during the amphibole‐forming reactions. Ti was relatively immobile during metamorphic segregation and its distribution provides a record of the original structures in the Fe‐rich mesobands.     

The Key Tuffite,Matagami Camp,Abitibi Greenstone Belt,Canada: petrogenesis and implications for VMS formation and exploration

The Key Tuffite is a stratigraphic marker unit for most of the zinc-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits of the Matagami Camp in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. This 2- to 6-m-thick unit was previously interpreted as a mixture of ash fall (andesitic to rhyolitic tuffaceous components) and volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS)-related chemical seafloor precipitate (exhalative component). Previous attempts to develop geochemical exploration vectoring tools using metal content within the Key Tuffite were mostly inconclusive due to the complex nature of the Key Tuffite unit and a poor understanding of its composition, origin and relationship with the VMS-forming hydrothermal systems. Detailed mapping and thorough lithogeochemistry of the Key Tuffite in the vicinity of the Perseverance and Bracemac-McLeod deposits indicate that the Key Tuffite is a homogeneous calc-alkaline, andesitic tuff that was deposited before the VMS deposits were formed. The unit is mostly devoid of exhalative component, but it is strongly hydrothermally altered close to orebodies. This is characterized by a strong proximal chloritization and a distal sericitization, which grades laterally into the unaltered Key Tuffite. Neither the Key Tuffite nor the ore was formed by seafloor exhalative processes for the two studied deposits. This probably explains why previously proposed exploration models based on metal scavenging proved unsuccessful and suggests that a re-evaluation of the exhalative model should be done at the scale of the mining camp. However, as shown in this study, hydrothermal alteration can be used to vector towards ore along the Key Tuffite.     

From intrusion-related to orogenic mineralization: The Wasamac deposit,Abitibi Greenstone Belt,Canada

The Wasamac deposit is an example of Archean greenstone-hosted gold deposit located in the Abitibi Belt, 15 km southwest of Rouyn-Noranda. The deposit is hosted by a second-order ductile shear zone of the Cadillac–Larder Lake Fault Zone (CLLFZ), known as the Francoeur-Wasa Shear Zone (FWSZ). It regionally sits at the boundary between the orogenic gold district of Noranda and the Kirkland Lake gold district dominated by intrusion-related gold systems. This specific location in-between two different gold mineralization environments sets the Wasamac deposit apart as a prime candidate for investigating hydrothermal processes along the CLLFZ. Within the Wasamac deposit, gold distribution is constrained to the altered mylonitized portion of the FWSZ; lode systems are absent. Hydrothermal alteration and associated disseminated mineralization occurs as a replacement of the Blake River Group metavolcanic units. The hydrothermal signature displays two distinct alkaline alteration assemblages: potassic and albitic, each associated with specific gold characteristics. (1) Potassic alteration is characterized by the crystallization of microcline, carbonates and quartz. Within this assemblage gold is associated with porous pyrite enriched in Te-Ag-Au-Mo-Pb-Bi-W, deposited under oxidizing conditions. Such characteristics are widely described in the Kirkland Lake area, and are found in examples of syenite-related mineralization, such as the Beattie and Malartic gold deposits. (2) The albitic alteration assemblage, composed of albite, sericite and carbonates, reflects more reduced hydrothermal conditions with mineralization characterized by free native gold. This hydrothermal event is coeval with the brecciation of early gold-rich pyrite reflecting a structural overprint that controlled late-stage gold characteristics. These alteration and structural features are common in orogenic gold deposits both worldwide and regionally, particularly at the neighbouring Kerr-Addison and Francoeur deposits, and in lode-gold systems such as in the Sigma-Lamaque deposit.The gold mineralization at Wasamac has similar characteristics to both intrusion-related gold systems and structurally controlled orogenic gold deposits. Hydrothermal and structural crosscutting relationships at Wasamac indicate that a structurally controlled hydrothermal event overprinted earlier potassic magmatic-hydrothermal alteration. This observation supports a multistage process of gold concentration during which new gold characteristics, metal anomalies, fluid conditions and alteration assemblages replaced earlier stages of gold enrichment, in places completely obliterating previous signatures. We propose that the Wasamac deposit was originally related to an alkaline intrusion buried at depth beneath the Francoeur-Wasa Shear Zone.     

Deciphering an Archean mantle plume: Abitibi greenstone belt,Canada

The 2724–2722 Ma Stoughton-Roquemaure Group (SRG) of the Abitibi greenstone belt (the Archean Superior Province, Canada) is a ≤ 2 km thick komatiite–basalt succession intermittently exposed for about 50 km along strike. The ultramafic and mafic rocks occur mainly as pillowed, brecciated, and massive flows with well preserved spinifex textures in the komatiites. Volcanological, comparative stratigraphic and geochemical studies of the group along a volcanic marker horizon at the base of the succession allow the assessment of magma emplacement processes and mantle source rocks. Major feeder channels, secondary distributary tubes surrounded by pillowed flows with minor breccias and hyaloclastites display facies architecture of small volume flow fields (1–2 km³). Within the SRG, Al-depleted (ADK; Barberton-type) and Al-undepleted (AUK; Munro-type) komatiitic lavas are intercalated with tholeiitic basalt flows at a m- to 10s of m scale. Basalts and komatiites are inferred to be mantle plume-related; both rock types form two groups with characteristics of ADK and AUK including Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ~ 9–12 for ADK versus 17–22 for AUK, as well as (Gd/Yb)_n with > 1.3 versus ~ 1, respectively. The interdigitation of compositionally different flow units, limited extent of SRG volcanic rocks and facies architecture with the prevalence of small volume flows argue for a relatively small, heterogeneous mantle plume during the incipient stage of the evolution of the Archean Abitibi belt. Assuming that the scale of heterogeneities is comparable to the field expression of compositional changes and stratigraphy, it can be suggested that geochemical plume ‘layering’ is on 10s to 100s of m-scale. The evolution of this Archean mantle plume from inception to demise compares favorably with the Yellowstone hotspot which is assumed to have developed over 17 m.y. and had a diameter of about 300 km.     

Syenite-associated disseminated gold deposits in the Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada

A distinct group of gold deposits in the Abitibi greenstone belt is spatially associated with quartz-monzonite to syenite stocks and dikes. The deposits occur mainly along major fault zones, in association with preserved slivers of alluvial-fluvial, Timiskaming-type, sedimentary rocks. The deposits consist of disseminated sulfide replacement zones with variably developed stockworks of quartz-carbonate-K-feldspar veinlets, within zones of carbonate, albite, K-feldspar, and sericite alteration. The syenitic intrusions are broadly contemporaneous with deposition of Timiskaming sedimentary rocks and, together with disseminated gold mineralization, they have been overprinted by subsequent regional folding and related penetrative cleavage. Disseminated gold orebodies occur within composite syenitic stocks or along their margins, along satellite dikes and sills, and along faults and lithologic contacts away from intrusions. Orebodies in these different positions are interpreted to represent proximal to distal components of large magmatic-hydrothermal systems centered on, and possibly genetically related to, composite syenitic stocks.     

An unusual diagenetic structure in the Precambrian banded iron formation (BIF) of Orissa,India, and its interpretation

An unusual type of late diagenetic tectonic and compaction structure simulating boudinage phenomena is described and documented from the Precambrian banded iron formation (BIF) of Orissa, India. The structure was seemingly initiated by the development of tension cracks in the hydroplastic stage followed by rotation and imbrication of the segments of the iron (magnetite) bands. The tension cracks were subsequently filled up by finely crystalline diagenetic quartz veins.     

A review on the Huoqiu banded iron formation (BIF), southeast margin of the North China Craton: Genesis of iron deposits and implications for exploration

The Huoqiu iron ore field in northwest Anhui Province is located in the North China Craton (NCC). As a large banded iron formation (BIF) iron ore field, ore bodies occur in a middle-high grade of Neoarchean metamorphic formation, forming a banded silicon–iron series from north to south. The main ore bodies can be divided into two sub-belts from bottom to upper layers, i.e. the A + B ore belt consisting of leptynite–schist–magnetite–quartz formation, and the D ore belt consisting of schist–marble–hematite–quartz formation. Based on a dataset from geological settings, geophysical and geochemical exploration, ore-forming conditions and structural analysis of the iron deposit, we discuss structural types, sedimentary environments, deep tectonic and ore-controlling factors as well as characteristics and distribution of this colossal BIF ore field in the Huoqiu region.Using LA-ICP-MS techniques, we obtained the oldest U–Pb age of ca. 2.7 Ga for plagioclase amphibolite as its original rock, and 1.8 Ga for magmatic granite in the Huoqiu Group. The Hf isotopes of zircon were also determined, resulting in the oldest Hf model age of 3.5 Ga.Geochemical data indicate that the protolithes of amphibolites belong to a series of subalkaline rocks with enrichments of large ion lithophile elements and depletions of high field strength elements, which are typical volcanic arc rocks. The amphibolites have low K₂O concentrations with low ratios of Ti/V (22.7 to 25.9 averaging 24.5), similar to island arc tholeiite. This suggests that the iron deposit and BIF are of the Superior type in the Huoqiu region.     

东南极南查尔斯王子山条带状含铁建造(BIF)的基本特征及成矿潜力

东南极南查尔斯王子山条带状含铁建造(BIF)产于鲁克山古元古代鲁克群的底部,总厚400 m,矿体厚度30~70 m,铁矿平均品位33.5%。该条带状含铁建造形成过程可能与变质火山岩有联系,在成因分类上属于苏必利尔湖型含铁建造和阿尔戈马型含铁建造之间的过渡类型。高精度航磁测量在鲁克山圈定出宽约10 km的北、南两条磁异常条带,延长分别约为50 km和60 km。据此初步建立该地区沉积变质型铁矿预测模型,圈定了含铁建造的资源分布范围,最终估算出铁矿石可开采的资源量大于百亿吨。      

Metamorphic evolution of the late Archaean Cadillac tectonic zone, McWatters, Abitibi belt, Quebec

Abstract Archaean greenstone belts are often cut by major shear zones, for example the Cadillac tectonic zone (CTZ) of the southern Abitibi region in north-western Quebec. At McWatters, the CTZ contains slices of metavolcanic units bounded by corridors of highly strained and altered rocks. Mineral assemblages of the metabasites record the metamorphic evolution of the CTZ.
The McWatters metabasalts and metagabbros have similar chemistry but different mineral assemblages consisting of variable amounts of actinolite, hornblende, chlorite, albite, epidote, quartz, carbonates, titanite, biotite, rutile, magnetite, ilmenite and sulphides. The different mineral assemblages, which coexist in a single tectonic slice, can be divided into three types, characterized by (A) presence of hornblende and actinolite, (B) presence of actinolite and epidote, and (C) absence of amphibole and epidote. Partial replacements indicate that these mineral assemblages are not in equilibrium. The hornblende of the least altered and deformed samples of the type A assemblage is a relict of a prograde metamorphic event, contemporaneous with the development of the main schistosity. The prograde conditions are estimated at P = 5 kbar, T = 475° C with low P_f . The more altered and deformed samples of the type C assemblage record a later retrograde metamorphic event. Conditions of the later event are estimated at P = 4 kbar, T = 400° C with higher P_f . Widespread calcite precipitation occurred during a later episode. The diversity of the mineral assemblages results from permeability variations along the high-strain zones of the CTZ.     

南非巴伯顿绿岩带条带状铁建造岩石磁学及磁性矿物的组成特征

条带状铁建造(BIFs)中含有大量的亚铁磁性矿物,其组成及来源是认识BIF成因的重要依据。本文研究了南非巴伯顿绿岩带无花果树群(距今约32亿年)恩圭尼亚组的BIFs样品的磁学和矿物学特征。通过测量富铁层与富硅层的磁滞回线、等温剩磁获得曲线与退磁曲线、矫顽力谱分析、一阶反转曲线(FORC)、低温(20～300K)有场/无场冷却曲线以及k-T曲线、Lowrie三轴热退磁曲线,结合扫描电镜观测,揭示出研究样品中磁性矿物主要为赤铁矿和磁铁矿。基于矫顽力谱分析,富铁层中磁铁矿主要是多畴及假单畴颗粒,相对含量平均为2. 1%;赤铁矿的相对含量平均为97. 9%。富硅层中磁铁矿主要为假单畴及超顺磁性颗粒,相对含量平均为4. 6%;赤铁矿相对含量平均为95. 4%。测试样品具有Morin转变特征,转变温度介于250～260K,说明BIFs中主要为赤铁矿(0. 5～6mm)。富硅层样品出现～107K、～125K两个Verwey转变温度,表明其中可能存在生物成因和非生物成因两种类型磁铁矿。     

Mineralogy and chemistry of banded iron formations (BIF) of Tiruvannamalai area,Tamil Nadu

The mineralogy and chemistry of banded iron formations (BIF) of Archaean high grade granulite gneiss belt of Tiruvannamalai area are presented here. The BIF of this area is chemically different from those around the world. The iron formations and associated granulites are of different origin namely metasedimentary and metavolcanic respectively.     

Archaean lode gold mineralisation in banded iron formation at the Kalahari Goldridge deposit, Kraaipan Greenstone Belt, South Africa

The Kalahari Goldridge Mine is located within the Archaean Kraaipan Greenstone Belt, about 60 km southwest of Mafikeng in the North West Province, South Africa. The ore body thickness varies from 15 to 45 m along a strike length of about 1.5 km within approximately N–S striking banded iron formation (BIF). The stratabound ore body is hosted primarily by BIF, which consists of alternating chert and magnetite–chlorite–stilpnomelane–sulphide–carbonate bands of millimetre- to centimetre scale. A footwall of sericite–carbonate–chlorite schist underlain by mafic amphibolite occurs to the west and carbonaceous metapelites in the hanging wall to the east. Overlying the hanging wall, carbonaceous metapelites, units of coarse-grained metagreywackes fining upwards, become increasingly conglomeratic up the stratigraphy. Small-scale isoclinal folds, brecciation, extension fractures and boudinage of cherty BIF units reflect brittle-ductile deformation. Fold axial planes have foliation, with subvertical plunges parallel to prominent rodding and mineral lineation in the footwall rocks. Gold mineralisation is associated with two generations of quartz–carbonate veins, dipping approximately 20° to 40° W. The first generation consists of ladder-vein sets (group IIA) preferentially developed in centimetre-scale Fe-rich mesobands, whereas the second generation consists of large quartz–carbonate veins (group IIB), which locally crosscut the entire ore body and extend into the footwall and hanging wall. The ore body is controlled by mesoscale isoclinal folds approximately 67° E, orthogonal to the plane of mineralised, gently dipping veins, defining the principal stretching direction and development of fluid-focussing conduits. The intersections of the mineralised veins and foliation planes of the host rock plunges approximately 08° to the north. Pervasive hydrothermal alteration is characterised by chloritisation, carbonatisation, sulphidation and K-metasomatism. Gold is closely associated with sulphides, mainly pyrite and pyrrhotite, and to a lesser extent, with bismuth tellurides and carbonate minerals. Mass balance transfer calculations indicate that hydrothermal alteration of BIF involved enrichment of Au, Ag, Bi, Te, S and CO₂ (LOI), MgO, Ba, K and Rb, but significant depletion of SiO₂ and, to a lesser extent, Fe₂O₃. Extensive replacement of magnetite and chlorite in BIF and other pelitic sedimentary rocks by sulphide and carbonate minerals, both on mesoscopic and microscopic scales, is evidence of interaction of CO₂- and H₂S-bearing fluids with the Fe-rich host rocks. The fineness of gold grains ranges from 823 to 921, similar to that of other epigenetic Archaean BIF-hosted gold deposits, worldwide.     

Phase equilibria in rocks of the paleoproterozoic banded iron formation (BIF) of the Lebedinskoe deposit, Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, and the petrogenesis of BIF with alkali amphiboles

BIF with alkali amphibole at the Lebedinskoe iron deposits, the largest in Russia, were metamorphosed at 550°C and 2–3 kbar and contain ferriwinchite, riebeckite, actinolite, grunerite, and aegirine-augite. All reaction textures observed in the rocks were produced during the prograde metamorphic stage and represent the following succession of mineral replacements: Gru → Rbk, Act → Win → Rbk. Data obtained on the textural relations and compositional variations of Ca, Ca-Na, and Na Al-free amphiboles point to the complete miscibility in the actinolite-ferriwinchite and ferriwinchite-riebeckite isomorphic series. Riebeckite is formed in BIF during the prograde metamorphic stage, with the participation of a fluid insignificantly enriched in Na⁺ and at increasing oxygen fugacity. The critical factors controlling the development of alkali amphiboles and Ca-Na pyroxenes in carbonate-bearing BIF is the oxygen activity and the presence of at least low concentrations of Na⁺ ions in the fluid. The minerals contain Fe³⁺, and all reactions producing them are oxidation reactions. The origin of riebeckite late in the course of the mineral-forming process is caused by the Ca²⁺Mg²⁺ → Na⁺Fe³⁺ heterovalent isomorphic replacement in calcic and calcic-sodic amphiboles and by the oxidation of grunerite in the presence of a fluid enriched in Na ions.     

华北克拉通条带状铁建造中富铁矿成因类型的研究进展、远景和存在的科学问题

本文在查阅前人大量资料的基础上,对华北克拉通条带状铁建造中富铁矿的研究历史进行了回顾和总结,将研究历史分为1949年以前,1950~1965年期间,1978~1986年期间,1987~1994年期间和2009年以来5个阶段。重点介绍了鞍本地区、冀东-吕梁地区和河南舞阳地区富铁矿的基本地质特征以及典型富铁矿的研究概况,针对鞍本地区弓长岭二矿区磁铁富矿成因的复杂性,对不同成因观点以及目前已取得的共识进行了详细阐述。目前大多数学者不支持接触交代假说和菱铁矿经变质转化为富铁矿成矿假说,近半数学者支持变质热液成矿假说,半数学者支持混合岩化热液成矿假说。作者在综合分析前人大量资料后,认为变质热液成矿说依据不足,理由有四点:(1)磁铁富矿中往往见有磁铁贫矿的残体;(2)磁铁富矿与蚀变岩紧密伴生,蚀变矿物石榴子石、部分角闪石(透闪石)和部分绿泥石均属非变质热液成因;(3)研究区遭受区域高绿片岩相至低角闪岩相变质作用的时间为2500~2450Ma,而与蚀变矿物石榴石紧密伴生的热液锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果为1840±7Ma,明显小于区域变质作用年龄,据此可将热液作用时间限定于古元古代晚期,相当于大陆地壳伸展阶段;(4)部分热液成因富铁矿利用Re-Os方法定年,除一种属原生沉积成矿外,年龄范围也在古元古代晚期,可作为参考。此种热液是否为混合岩化热液尚缺乏足够证据,故本文暂将其作为古元古代晚期热液。此外,本文对华北克拉通条带状铁建造中富铁矿成因类型及其远景进行了初步总结,认为古元古代晚期形成的磁铁富矿规模属大型矿床,有较好远景;原生较富贫铁矿因褶皱构造产生磁铁矿流变而形成的富铁矿(可能尚有热液叠加)规模较大,具有一定远景;其他类型均为小型规模,不具工业意义。最后,本文指出富铁矿成因研究中尚存在的主要问题,包括早元古代晚期热液的来源;热液的形成是一期还是多期;铁建造遭受区域变质达高绿片岩相时,贫铁矿的围岩变质演化机理等,尚需进一步探讨。     

Geochemistry of banded iron formation of Orissa,India

Major and trace element analyses of representative samples of various types of banded iron-formation and its various minerals, associated sediments, iron ores and volcanic tuff from different localities of Orissa, India, are presented in this paper. The Orissa banded iron-formation is classified as Precambrian banded iron formation and is similar to the oxide facies iron formation of Lake Superior type. The Orissa iron formation consists only of iron oxide and silica with total absence of iron silicate, sulfide and carbonate minerals, and is devoid of terrigenous material. The trace element content suggests the source of the underlying quartzite to be a continental igneous rock mass, while the interbedded tuff are of undoubted volcanic origin. The overlying iron formation were chemically precipitated as oxidate sediments in which the principal iron mineral — magnetite — was formed at low temperature in a shallow marine environment. From the overwhelming similarity of major and trace element contents of all the samples from the different localities, it is postulated that these detached outcrops originated in the same continous basin.     

A mixed seawater and hydrothermal origin of superior-type banded iron formation (BIF)-hosted Kouambo iron deposit,Palaeoproterozoic Nyong series,Southwestern Cameroon: Constraints from petrography and geochemistry

The Kouambo iron deposit contains banded iron formations (BIFs) and is located in the northwestern margin of the Congo craton. The BIFs are hosted in Palaeoproterozoic Nyong series, a dominantly metasedimentary formations, which were metamorphosed into greenschist to granulite facies. The Kouambo BIFs are medium- to coarse-grained banded rocks consisting of alternation of Si-rich and Fe-rich mesobands, and belong to oxide facies iron formations. Geochemistry analyses reveal that these iron formations are composed of > 96 wt% Fe₂O₃ and SiO₂ and have low concentrations of Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and trace HFSE, suggesting chemical precipitates of silica and iron. Moreover, these BIFs have low concentrations of Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and trace HFSEs (high field strength elements, e.g., Zr, Hf, Ta, Pb and Th), suggesting that terrigenous detrital materials contributed insignificantly to the sedimentation. The Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS)-normalized REE-Y patterns display seawater-like profile: minor LREE depletion and HREE enrichment, positive Y anomalies. However, they display positive Eu and negative Ce anomalies, and low Y/Ho ratio (average 29), which suggest the influence of the hydrothermal fluids. The weak positive Eu/Eu*(_PAAS) ratio (average 1.5), associated with the low V (17.5 ppm), Co (6.1 ppm) and Ni (27.5 ppm) contents similar to other Superior-type BIFs worldwide, are consistent with the deposition of the Kouambo BIFs in continental marginal sea or back-arc basin environment. In summary, the Kouambo BIFs show a seawater-like REE + Y signature, however, the positive Eu anomalies and reduced Y/Ho ratios relative to seawater indicates a possible mixing with hydrothermal fluids (∼ 0.5%).     

The composition and genesis of the Mesoarchean Dagushan banded iron formation (BIF) in the Anshan area of the North China Craton

The Dagushan BIF-hosted iron deposit in the Anshan–Benxi area of the North China Craton (NCC) has two types of iron ore: quartz–magnetite BIF (Fe₂O₃^T < 57 wt.%) and high-grade iron ore (Fe₂O₃^T > 90 wt.%). Chlorite-quartz schist and amphogneiss border the iron orebodies and are locally present as interlayers with BIFs; chlorite-quartz schist and BIFs are enclosed by amphogneiss in some locations. The quartz–magnetite BIFs are enriched in HREEs (heavy rare earth elements) with positive La, Eu and Y anomalies, indicating their precipitation from marine seawater with a high-temperature hydrothermal component. Moreover, these BIFs have low concentrations of Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and HFSEs (high field strength elements, e.g., Zr, Hf and Ta), suggesting that terrigenous detrital materials contributed insignificantly to the chemical precipitation. The high-grade iron ores exhibit similar geochemical signatures to the quartz–magnetite BIFs (e.g., REE patterns and Y/Ho ratios), implying that they have identical sources of iron. However, these ores have different REE (rare earth element) contents and Eu/Eu* values, and the magnetites contained within them exhibit diverse REE contents and trace element concentrations, indicating that the ores underwent differing formation conditions, and the high-grade ores are most likely the reformed product of the original BIFs.The chlorite-quartz schist and amphogneiss are characterized by high SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents and exhibit variable abundances of REEs, enrichment in LREEs (light rare earth elements), negative anomalies in HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, P and Ti) and positive anomalies in LILEs (large ion lithophile elements, e.g., Rb, Ba, U and K). A protolith reconstruction indicates that the protoliths of the chlorite-quartz schist are felsic volcanic rocks. SIMS and LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating indicate that this schist formed at approximately 3110 to 3101 Ma, which could represent the maximum deposition age of the Dagushan BIF. However, two groups of zircons from the amphogneiss are identified: 3104 to 3089 Ma zircons that are most likely derived from the chlorite-quartz schist and 2997 to 2995 Ma zircons, which are interpreted to represent the time of protolith crystallization. Thus, the Dagushan BIF most likely formed before 2997 to 2995 Ma. The ~ 3.1 Ga zircons yield ε_Hf(t) values of − 8.07 to 5.46, whereas the ~ 3.0 Ga zircons yield ε_Hf(t) values of − 3.96 to 2.09. These geochemical features suggest that the primitive magmas were derived from the depleted mantle with significant contributions of ancient crust.     

Microbiological processes in banded iron formation deposition

Banded iron formations have been studied for decades, particularly regarding their potential as archives of the Precambrian environment. In spite of this effort, the mechanism of their deposition and, specifically, the role that microbes played in the precipitation of banded iron formation minerals, remains unresolved. Evidence of an anoxic Earth with only localized oxic areas until the Great Oxidation Event ca 2·45 to 2·32 Ga makes the investigation of O₂‐independent mechanisms for banded iron formation deposition relevant. Recent studies have explored the long‐standing proposition that Archean banded iron formations may have been formed, and diagenetically modified, by anaerobic microbial metabolisms. These efforts encompass a wide array of approaches including isotope, ecophysiological and phylogeny studies, molecular and mineral marker analysis, and sedimentological reconstructions. Herein, the current theories of microbial processes in banded iron formation mineral deposition with particular regard to the mechanisms of chemical sedimentation and post‐depositional alteration are described. The main findings of recent years are summarized and compared here, and suggestions are made regarding cross‐disciplinary information still required to constrain the role of the biosphere in banded iron formation deposition.