江西冷水坑斑岩银矿床的蚀变碳酸盐矿物与银矿化关系

冷水坑斑岩银矿由斑岩岩体中心向围岩，以铁绿泥石化和菱铁矿化为主的铁质交代作用广泛发育。蚀变碳酸盐亚种为以菱铁矿为主的ＦｅＣＯ３－ＭｎＣＯ３系列，菱铁矿中含Ｍｎ高对银矿化有利。含锰菱铁矿化在外带与浅部有增高的趋势，与银铅锌矿化关系密切     

湖南宁乡钾镁煌班岩中火山微球粒的初步研究

本次研究从钾镁煌斑岩中挑选出上万个微球粒进行了系统研究。微球粒有三种：无磁性无色透明一半透明浅贡色、棕褐色至不透明黑色；弱磁性－强磁性黑色；强磁性钢灰色铁质。除微球粒外，还有岩浆溅射碎片和炉渣状溅射碎片等火山尘。微球粒具有火山喷发条件下可出现的多种多样的表面结构和内部结构。其化学成分主要为（１）贫铁型，富Ｓｉ、Ｍｇ、Ｃａ、Ｐ，贫Ｔｉ、Ｍｎ、Ｋ；（２）富铁型，富ＳＩ、Ｔｉ、Ｍｎ、Ｋ，贫Ｃａ、Ｍｇ、Ｐ     

多金属结核的沉积物地球化学场

远洋沉积物是多金属结核赖以生长的场所，本文系统地研究了沉积物中主要成矿元素水成组分在不同地球化学场和不同沉积阶段的地球化学特征，以及水成组分的含量比与成矿作用的相互关系。研究表明，Ｍｎ、Ｆｅ、Ｃｏ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ都是一些比较活泼的元素，它们共处于多金属结核、沉积物和大洋水的统一体系中，当结核形成时，Ｍｎ、Ｆｅ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ在结核与沉积物中的含量呈负相关，而Ｃｏ含量呈正相关。研究区东部结核以富含Ｍｎ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ贫Ｆｅ、Ｃｏ为特征，其伴生沉积物相对贫Ｍｎ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ、Ｃｏ，而富Ｆｅ，可称之为贫化的地球化学场。研究区西部结核富含Ｆｅ、Ｃｏ而贫Ｍｎ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ，其伴生沉积物则相应贫Ｆｅ，而富Ｍｎ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ、和Ｃｏ，可称之为富化的地球化学场。可以看出，贫化的沉积物地球化学场，恰恰是寻找富矿结核的最佳场所。早中新世以来的沉积物，根据水成组分的含量或含量比，也可相应于结核的形成分为三大沉积阶段，其中的第Ⅱ阶段具有贫化的地球化学特征，是多金属结核形成的最有利时期     

胶东绿岩带镁铁质岩地质地球化学特征的研究

目前，我国对绿岩带地质地球化学的研究还不系统、不成熟。通过对胶东绿岩带镁铁质岩的地质地球化学特征的研究，得出本区镁铁质岩与国外Ｋ．Ｃ．Ｃｏｎｄｉｅ（１９７６）所划分的太古宙亏损型拉斑玄武岩（ＤＡＴ）在地球化学特征上总体相似，但在常量元素Ｋ、Ｆｅ，微量元素和稀土元素方面都有明显差异。     

湖南宁乡钾镁煌斑岩中火山微球粒的初步研究

本次研究从钾镁煌斑岩中挑选出上万个微球粒进行了系统研究。微球粒有三种：无磁性无色透明—半透明浅黄色、棕褐色至不透明黑色；弱磁性—强磁性黑色；强磁性钢灰色铁质。除微球粒外，还有岩浆溅射碎片和炉渣伏溅射碎片等火山尘。微球粒具有火山喷发条件下可出现的多种多样的表面结构和内部结构。其化学成分主要为：（１）贫铁型，富Ｓｉ、Ｍｇ、Ｃａ、Ｐ，贫Ｔｉ、Ｍｎ、Ｋ；（２）富铁型，富Ｓｉ、Ｔｉ、Ｍｎ、Ｋ，贫Ｃａ、Ｍｇ、Ｐ；（３）高铁型，以Ｆｅ为主。单个微球粒中还出现高Ｓｉ相和高Ｓｉ、Ｍｇ相。据微球粒化学成分的多样性推测，在钾镁煌斑岩浆侵位至地壳深部环境下，经历过液态熔离作用，当火山喷发时，在快速冷凝条件下形成火山微球粒。     

锡－盐酸－溴化十四烷基三甲铵极谱催化波体系及其应用

在０．００２％溴化十四烷基三甲铵（ＴＴＭＡＢ）－２０％ＨＣＩ体系中，Ｓｎ有一灵敏的吸附波，峰电位在－０．４７Ｖ（ｖｓ．Ａｇ／ＡｇＣｌ），线性范围２～１０００ｎｇ／ｍｌ。体系可用于岩石、土壤样品中微量Ｓｎ测定；机理研究表明，溴化一四烷基三甲铵通过诱导吸附ＳｎＣｌ提高测定的灵敏度。     

锡—盐酸—溴化十四烷基三甲铵极谱催化波体系及其应用

在０．００２％溴化十四烷基三甲胺（ＴＴＭＡＢ）－２０％ＨＣｌ体系中，Ｓｎ有一灵敏的吸附波，峰电位在－０、４７Ｖ（ｖｓ．Ａｇ／ＡｇＣｌ），线性范围２～１０００ｎｇ／ｍｌ。体系可用于岩石、土壤样品中微量Ｓｎ测定；机理研究表明，溴化十四烷基三甲铵通过诱导吸附ＳｎＣｌ＾２－４提高测定的灵敏度。     

广西老厂铅锌矿田方铅矿和闪锌矿微量元素特征及其成因探讨

老厂铅锌矿床不同成因类型矿脉中的方名矿、闪锌矿微量元素组成有明显差别。石英方 矿脉的方铅矿以高Ａｇ、Ｓｂ、Ｓｎ和低Ｇｅ、Ｃｄ、Ｔｅ为特征，与区域上典型岩浆热液矿床相一致。与闪锌矿共生的方铅矿则以低Ａｇ、Ｓｂ、Ｓｎ和高Ｇｅ、Ｃｄ、Ｔｅ为特征。所有闪锌矿以低Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｉｎ、Ａｇ、Ｓｎ和高Ｇａ、Ｇｅ为特征，均与国内典型的沉积改造型矿床相一致。根据这些特征可把本区叠回在一起的不同成因类型矿床区分开来。因     

一种新的闪石共存对—铁闪石与铁韭闪石对

新近在我国山西省娄烦县尖山铁矿的角闪片岩中发现一种取向连生的镁铁质闪石与钙质闪石共存对。电子探针分析确定它们分别为铁闪石Ｋ０．００１（Ｎａ０．０２７Ｃａ０．０７３Ｍｎ０．０３１Ｆｅ＾２＋１．８０１）１．９３２（Ｆｅ＾２＋２．９４８Ｍｇ１．９６４Ｔｉ０．００２Ａｌ０．０８７）５Ｓｉ８．０６９Ｏ２２．１０（ＯＨ）２与铁韭闪石（Ｋ０．１３５Ｎａ０．４６１）０．５９６（Ｎａ０．０８８Ｃａ１．８５３Ｍｎ０．     

天然气组分的溶解特征及其意义

通过模拟实验方法研究了天然气组分在地层水中的溶解特征。发现在多组分体系中，重烃气的溶解度随矿化度的增大出现先增后减现象；环烷酸类有机物对长链烃气组有明显的增溶作用，分压及其他条件相同时，天然气组分的溶解能力顺序为：ＣＯ２〉ＣＨ４〉Ｎ２〉Ｃ２Ｈ６〉Ｃ３Ｈ８〉ｎ－Ｃ４Ｈ１０〉ｉ－Ｃ４Ｈ１０〉ｎ－Ｃ５Ｈ１２〉ｉ－Ｃ５Ｈ１２。     

Efficiency of organic ligands in adsorptive dissolution and photoreductive dissolution of hematite

Organic ligands, especially oxalate, play an important role in iron dissolution from iron-containing minerals. To study the effects of organic acid ligands on the dissolution of iron-containing minerals, the dissolution kinetics of hematite in the presence of oxalate, acetate, and formate were studied under ultraviolet radiation with varying ligand concentrations (10–3 mM). The results indicate that for adsorption dissolution, oxalate is the dominating ligand for producing soluble iron (III) from hematite; for photoreductive dissolution under ultraviolet radiation and in oxic conditions, the production of iron (II) is highly proportional to the concentrations of oxalate, whereas the effects of varying concentrations of formate and acetate are not significant. At low oxalate concentrations (10–500 µM), the photoreductive dissolution of iron (II) is substantially low, while at high oxalate concentrations (3 mM), oxalate is equally effective as formate and acetate for producing photoreduced iron (II) from hematite. Combining with field data from other works, it is likely that the ratios of oxalate to total iron need to be higher than a threshold range of ~1.2–5.5 in order for oxalate to effectively produce photoreduced iron (II) from hematite. This study demonstrates that the iron (II) yield from photoreduction of hematite is significantly lower when the hematite surface is pre-coated with organic ligands versus when it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation instantaneously.     

几内亚福雷卡里亚YML铁矿区的富铁矿床地质特征及找矿前景探讨

YML铁矿区位于几内亚福雷卡里亚省,富铁矿以条带状赤铁矿和铁角砾岩矿为主。矿区内共发育7条矿体,条带状赤铁矿体6条,铁角砾岩矿体1条。条带状赤铁矿体赋存部位多为向形地段,次级紧密褶皱发育,沿走向和倾向有逐渐变薄和尖灭的趋势;铁角砾岩矿体覆盖于地表,以风化壳的形式出现。矿床类型属复合类型,即海底热液喷气沉积叠加后期构造变质型+风化淋滤型。该区具备铁矿形成和保存的地质条件,且已发现具一定储量、品位较高的条带状赤铁矿和大面积的铁角砾岩分布区,区内铁矿找矿远景较好。     

沉积物中铁氧化物的定量方法及其 在白垩纪大洋红层中的应用

赤铁矿和针铁矿是自然界中最稳定的两种铁氧化物,广泛存在于地球的各个圈层。很多沉积物的颜色都是由它们引 起的,它们的形成和保存具有重要的环境指示意义。实验室中赤铁矿和针铁矿的表征和鉴定手段很多,但受其含量低、结 晶差、颗粒细小难分离等因素的困扰以及某些测试方法自身的限制,能用于铁氧化物定量分析的方法很少。文中就常用的 基于X射线衍射（XRD） 和漫反射光谱（DRS） 的铁氧化物定量方法进行了系统评价。在定性分析的基础上,采用基于 XRD的K值法获得西藏床得剖面红色页岩中赤铁矿的含量为3.81％~8.11％,采用DRS与多元线性回归相结合的方法获得北 大西洋ODP1049C孔12X岩芯段棕色层中赤铁矿和针铁矿的含量分别为0.13％~0.82％和0.22%~0.81％,橙色层中赤铁矿和 针铁矿的含量分别为0.19%~0.46％和0.29%~0.67％。与其它分析结果的比较表明,这两种定量方法在白垩纪大洋红层中的 应用是可行的。但在实际应用时,首先要通过XRD和DRS相结合来提高定性分析的准确性,然后通过综合分析铁氧化物的 预判含量范围和结晶程度来选择合适的定量方法。     

Field and petrographic aspects of the iron ore mineralizations of Gandhamardan hill,Keonjhor, Orissa and their genetic significance

Banded iron formations of the Iron Ore Group (Archean greenstone belts) of Jharkhand-Orissa region, India host a good number of large iron ore deposits (Fe wt %> 62). Iron ore mineralization of Gandhamardan hill is one of them where iron ores occur in two stratigraphic horizons. One is strictly confined within banded iron formation (stratabound mineralization) with irregular geometry, and show fracture filling and replacement vein-type mineralization along the fringes of hard massive ores of the core. This type of mineralization is exposed along the western slope of the hill. Hard massive and laminated ores dominate this mineralization. The other type occurs as low dipping sheet like body above banded iron formation and covered by laterites forming the top of the hill. Flaky ores dominate this mineralization with formation of hard goethitic crust near the top. Both the mineralizations contain mineralized banded iron formation corestones surrounded by hard massive or flaky iron ores. Hard massive ores are entirely represented by martite-microplaty hematite mineralogy. Hard laminated ores contain microplaty hematite and few martite grains representing early magnetites of the banded iron formation. Flaky ores are high porosity ores produced by leaching of silica, martite and microplaty hematite. Hard goethitic ores are developed due to replacement of martite and microplaty hematite or precipitation of goethite in the pore spaces.     

应用电子探针研究蒙其古尔铀矿床含矿砂岩岩石学特征及铀矿物分布规律

国内外铁矿石价格对标基准多采用离岸价或到岸价,而非盈亏平衡运营成本,难以揭示我国铁矿石所面对的真实市场承压价格。为了厘清国际一线生产商的铁矿石盈亏平衡运营成本价格,本文对世界上最重要的条带状铁建造（BIF）矿产地——西澳哈默斯利盆地高品位赤铁矿矿床的矿化特征及代表性铁矿石产品展开系统研究,同时引入巴西铁四角地区的铁英岩型赤铁矿矿石作为对照,分析全球典型高品位赤铁矿矿石经济指标。结合前人研究成果,将西澳哈默斯利盆地与BIF相关的高品位赤铁矿的富集矿化类型划分为假象赤铁矿-针铁矿、微板状赤铁矿与河道沉积型赤铁矿,巴西铁四角主要为铁英岩型赤铁矿。上述各矿化类型对应的铁矿石产品的铁元素含量均高于56%;在杂质元素含量上,假象赤铁矿-针铁矿的磷含量高,微板状赤铁矿的磷、硫含量较高,河道沉积型赤铁矿的磷、硫含量较低,铁英岩型赤铁矿含锰。经定量估算,西澳力拓、必和必拓、FMG和巴西淡水河谷的铁矿石盈亏平衡运营成本价格分别为34.66、36.76、47.35、38.07美元/干吨,可为中国海外权益铁矿项目开发提供运营成本的参考。     

Using oxygen isotope chemistry to track hydrothermal processes and fluid sources in itabirite-hosted iron ore deposits in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero,Minas Gerais,Brazil

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil, is presently the largest accumulation of single itabirite-hosted iron ore bodies worldwide. Detailed petrography of selected hypogene high-grade iron ore bodies at, e.g. the Águas Claras, Conceição, Pau Branco and Pico deposits revealed different iron oxide generations, from oldest to youngest: magnetite → martite (hematite pseudomorph after magnetite) → granoblastic (recrystallised) → microplaty (fine-grained, <100 μm) → specular (coarse-grained, >100 μm) hematite. Laser-fluorination oxygen isotope analyses of selected iron ore species showed that the δ¹⁸O composition of ore-hosted martite ranges between ?4.4 and 0.9?‰ and is up to 11?‰ depleted in ¹⁸O relative to hematite of the host itabirite. During the modification of iron ore and the formation of new iron oxide generations (e.g. microplaty and specular hematite), an increase of up to 8?‰ in δ¹⁸O values is recorded. Calculated δ¹⁸O values of hydrothermal fluids in equilibrium with the iron oxide species indicate: (1) the involvement of isotopically light fluids (e.g. meteoric water or brines) during the upgrade from itabirite-hosted hematite to high-grade iron ore-hosted martite and (2) a minor positive shift in δ¹⁸O_fluid values from martite to specular hematite as result of modified meteoric water or brines with slightly elevated δ¹⁸O values and/or the infiltration of small volumes of isotopically heavy (metamorphic and/or magmatic) fluids into the iron ore system. The circulation of large fluid volumes that cause the systematic decrease of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios from itabirite to high-grade iron ore requires the presence of, e.g. extensive faults and/or large-scale folds.     

Competition between enzymatic and abiotic reduction of uranium(VI) under iron reducing conditions

Reduction of U(VI) under iron reducing conditions was studied in a model system containing the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens and colloidal hematite. We focused on the competition between direct enzymatic uranium reduction and abiotic reduction of U(VI) by Fe(II), catalyzed by the hematite surface, at relatively low U(VI) concentrations (< 0.5 μM) compared to the concentrations of ferric iron (> 10 mM). Under these conditions surface catalyzed reduction by Fe(II), which was produced by dissimilatory iron reduction, was the dominant pathway for uranium reduction. Reduction kinetics of U(VI) were identical to those in abiotic controls to which soluble Fe(II) was added. Strong adsorption of U(VI) at the hematite surface apparently favored the abiotic pathway by reducing the availability of U(VI) to the bacteria. In control experiments, lacking either hematite or bacteria, the addition of 45 mM dissolved bicarbonate markedly slowed down U(VI) reduction. The inhibition of enzymatic U(VI) reduction and abiotic, surface catalyzed U(VI) reduction by the bicarbonate amendments is consistent with the formation of aqueous uranyl-carbonate complexes. Surprisingly, however, more U(VI) was reduced when dissolved bicarbonate was added to experimental systems containing both bacteria and hematite. The enhanced U(VI) reduction was attributed to the formation of magnetite, which was observed in experiments. Biogenic magnetite produced as a result of dissimilatory iron reduction may be an important agent of uranium immobilization in natural environments.     

几内亚西南部莫拉铁矿区地质特征及找矿方向

莫拉(Mola)铁矿区位于几内亚金迪亚省,西非克拉通莱奥(Leo)地盾西部边缘的太古代Kenema-Man Domain地盾与西侧罗克列德褶皱带(Rokelide Fold Belts)的接壤地带。区内发育铁角砾岩型、似条带状赤铁矿型2类矿体。研究认为,铁角砾岩型铁矿主要由后期风化淋滤作用对原生赤铁矿改造并富集形成,赋存于地表;似条带状赤铁矿矿体是经初始海底热液喷溢沉积和后期构造作用改造而富集形成。     

Effect of hematite on thiosulphate leaching of gold

Hematite, as a typical iron oxide slime in sulphide ore slurries, was artificially added into the leaching systems of pure gold and a sulphide ore respectively, in an attempt to investigate the effect of iron oxide slimes on the ammoniacal thiosulphate leaching of gold. The presence of hematite significantly reduced the dissolution of gold and this detrimental effect became more pronounced with increasing hematite concentration. Hematite formed coatings on gold surfaces, which could prevent leach solution from diffusing to the gold surfaces and hence, inhibit gold dissolution. Hematite catalysed the oxidative decomposition of thiosulphate to polythionates with oxygen present. XPS studies indicated a thin layer of iron oxide coating as well as the deposition of some copper and sulphur species on gold surfaces. SEM images revealed a lesser extent of corrosion for gold after leaching in the presence of hematite. The gold extraction from the sulphide ore was reduced with the addition of hematite and this effect became more noticeable with an addition of hematite at a higher concentration. A natural guar type surfactant (Gempolym M47) reduced the detrimental effect of hematite on gold extraction likely due to the prevention of hematite coating on gold and mineral particles and the dispersion of the mineral slurry. Gempolym M47 stabilised thiosulphate by weakening the interaction between cupric ions and thiosulphate and by minimising the catalytic effect of hematite on thiosulphate decomposition.     

BIF-hosted iron mineral system: A review

The BIF-hosted iron ore system represents the world's largest and highest grade iron ore districts and deposits. BIF, the precursor to low- and high-grade BIF hosted iron ore, consists of Archean and Paleoproterozoic Algoma-type BIF (e.g., Serra Norte iron ore district in the Carajás Mineral Province), Proterozoic Lake Superior-type BIF (e.g., deposits in the Hamersley Province and craton), and Neoproterozoic Rapitan-type BIF (e.g., the Urucum iron ore district).The BIF-hosted iron ore system is structurally controlled, mostly via km-scale normal and strike-slips fault systems, which allow large volumes of ascending and descending hydrothermal fluids to circulate during Archean or Proterozoic deformation or early extensional events. Structures are also (passively) accessed via downward flowing supergene fluids during Cenozoic times.At the depositional site the transformation of BIF to low- and high-grade iron ore is controlled by: (1) structural permeability, (2) hypogene alteration caused by ascending deep fluids (largely magmatic or basinal brines), and descending ancient meteoric water, and (3) supergene enrichment via weathering processes. Hematite- and magnetite-based iron ores include a combination of microplaty hematite–martite, microplaty hematite with little or no goethite, martite–goethite, granoblastic hematite, specular hematite and magnetite, magnetite–martite, magnetite-specular hematite and magnetite–amphibole, respectively. Goethite ores with variable amounts of hematite and magnetite are mainly encountered in the weathering zone.In most large deposits, three major hypogene and one supergene ore stages are observed: (1) silica leaching and formation of magnetite and locally carbonate, (2) oxidation of magnetite to hematite (martitisation), further dissolution of quartz and formation of carbonate, (3) further martitisation, replacement of Fe silicates by hematite, new microplaty hematite and specular hematite formation and dissolution of carbonates, and (4) replacement of magnetite and any remaining carbonate by goethite and magnetite and formation of fibrous quartz and clay minerals.Hypogene alteration of BIF and surrounding country rocks is characterised by: (1) changes in the oxide mineralogy and textures, (2) development of distinct vertical and lateral distal, intermediate and proximal alteration zones defined by distinct oxide–silicate–carbonate assemblages, and (3) mass negative reactions such as de-silicification and de-carbonatisation, which significantly increase the porosity of high-grade iron ore, or lead to volume reduction by textural collapse or layer-compaction. Supergene alteration, up to depths of 200 m, is characterised by leaching of hypogene silica and carbonates, and dissolution precipitation of the iron oxyhydroxides.Carbonates in ore stages 2 and 3 are sourced from external fluids with respect to BIF. In the case of basin-related deposits, carbon is interpreted to be derived from deposits underlying carbonate sequences, whereas in the case of greenstone belt deposits carbonate is interpreted to be of magmatic origin. There is only limited mass balance analyses conducted, but those provide evidence for variable mobilization of Fe and depletion of SiO₂. In the high-grade ore zone a volume reduction of up to 25% is observed.Mass balance calculations for proximal alteration zones in mafic wall rocks relative to least altered examples at Beebyn display enrichment in LOI, F, MgO, Ni, Fe₂O_3total, C, Zn, Cr and P₂O₅ and depletions of CaO, S, K₂O, Rb, Ba, Sr and Na₂O. The Y/Ho and Sm/Yb ratios of mineralised BIF at Windarling and Koolyanobbing reflect distinct carbonate generations derived from substantial fluid–rock reactions between hydrothermal fluids and igneous country rocks, and a chemical carbonate-inheritance preserved in supergene goethite.Hypogene and supergene fluids are paramount for the formation of high-grade BIF-hosted iron ore because of the enormous amount of: (1) warm (100–200 °C) silica-undersaturated alkaline fluids necessary to dissolve quartz in BIF, (2) oxidized fluids that cause the oxidation of magnetite to hematite, (3) weakly acid (with moderate CO₂ content) to alkaline fluids that are necessary to form widespread metasomatic carbonate, (4) carbonate-undersaturated fluids that dissolve the diagenetic and metasomatic carbonates, and (5) oxidized fluids to form hematite species in the hypogene- and supergene-enriched zone and hydroxides in the supergene zone.Four discrete end-member models for Archean and Proterozoic hypogene and supergene-only BIF hosted iron ore are proposed: (1) granite–greenstone belt hosted, strike-slip fault zone controlled Carajás-type model, sourced by early magmatic (± metamorphic) fluids and ancient “warm” meteoric water; (2) sedimentary basin, normal fault zone controlled Hamersley-type model, sourced by early basinal (± evaporitic) brines and ancient “warm” meteoric water. A variation of the latter is the metamorphosed basin model, where BIF (ore) is significantly metamorphosed and deformed during distinct orogenic events (e.g., deposits in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero and Simandou Range). It is during the orogenic event that the upgrade of BIF to medium- and high-grade hypogene iron took place; (3) sedimentary basin hosted, early graben structure controlled Urucum-type model, where glaciomarine BIF and subsequent diagenesis to very low-grade metamorphism is responsible for variable gangue leaching and hematite mineralisation. All of these hypogene iron ore models do not preclude a stage of supergene modification, including iron hydroxide mineralisation, phosphorous, and additional gangue leaching during substantial weathering in ancient or Recent times; and (4) supergene enriched BIF Capanema-type model, which comprises goethitic iron ore deposits with no evidence for deep hypogene roots. A variation of this model is ancient supergene iron ores of the Sishen-type, where blocks of BIF slumped into underlying karstic carbonate units and subsequently experienced Fe upgrade during deep lateritic weathering.