6: Classification of VMS deposits: Lessons from the South Uralides

VMS deposits of the South Urals developed within the evolving Urals palaeo-ocean between Silurian and Late Devonian times. Arc-continent collision between Baltica and the Magnitogorsk Zone (arc) in the south-western Urals effectively terminated submarine volcanism in the Magnitogorsk Zone with which the bulk of the VMS deposits are associated. The majority of the Urals VMS deposits formed within volcanic-dominated sequences in deep seawater settings. Preservation of macro and micro vent fauna in the sulphide bodies is both testament to the seafloor setting for much of the sulphides but also the exceptional degree of preservation and lack of metamorphic overprint of the deposits and host rocks. The deposits in the Urals have previously been classified in terms of tectonic setting, host rock associations and metal ratios in line with recent tectono-stratigraphic classifications. In addition to these broad classes, it is clear that in a number of the Urals settings, an evolution of the host volcanic stratigraphy is accompanied by an associated change in the metal ratios of the VMS deposits, a situation previously discussed, for example, in the Noranda district of Canada.Two key structural settings are implicated in the South Urals. The first is seen in a preserved marginal allochthon west of the Main Urals Fault where early arc tholeiites host Cu–Zn mineralization in deposits including Yaman Kasy, which is host to the oldest macro vent fauna assembly known to science. The second tectonic setting for the South Urals VMS is the Magnitogorsk arc where study has highlighted the presence of a preserved early forearc assemblage, arc tholeiite to calc-alkaline sequences and rifted arc bimodal tholeiite sequences. The boninitc rocks of the forearc host Cu–(Zn) and Cu–Co VMS deposits, the latter hosted in fragments within the Main Urals Fault Zone (MUFZ) which marks the line of arc-continent collision in Late Devonian times. The arc tholeiites host Cu–Zn deposits with an evolution to more calc-alkaline felsic volcanic sequences matched with a change to Zn–Pb–Cu polymetallic deposits, often gold-rich. Large rifts in the arc sequence are filled by thick bimodal tholeiite sequences, themselves often showing an evolution to a more calc-alkaline nature. These thick bimodal sequences are host to the largest of the Cu–Zn VMS deposits.The exceptional degree of preservation in the Urals has permitted the identification of early seafloor clastic and hydrolytic modification (here termed halmyrolysis sensu lato) to the sulphide assemblages prior to diagenesis and this results in large-scale modification to the primary VMS body, resulting in distinctive morphological and mineralogical sub-types of sulphide body superimposed upon the tectonic association classification.It is proposed that a better classification of seafloor VMS systems is thus achievable using a three stage classification based on (a) tectonic (hence bulk volcanic chemistry) association, (b) local volcanic chemical evolution within a single edifice and (c) seafloor reworking and halmyrolysis.     

U–Pb SHRIMP data constraints on calc-alkaline granitoids with 1.3–1.6 Ga Nd TDM model ages from the central domain of the Borborema province,NE Brazil

The Tabira, Itapetim and Timbaúba granitoids are intruded into metasedimentary sequences and Cariris Velhos (Tonian) orthogneisses from the Central Domain of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. They have U–Pb SHRIMP ages of 593 ± 7 Ma; 615 ± 9 Ma and 616 ± 5 Ma respectively. The studied granitoids have zircon cores inherited from the protholith, with a large number of analyses showing ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging from 950 to 1200 Ma. Oscillatory zoning typical of magmatic zircon is common, although it is faint in some inherited cores.The studied granitoids are calc-alkaline and show Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 1.30 to 1.56 Ga and ?Nd (600 Ma) ranging from ?2.40 to ?5.34. These values are similar to those recorded in the country rocks. The lowest values of ?Nd (600 Ma) were recorded in enclaves of dioritic composition. Nd and U–Pb SHRIMP data suggest a significant participation of the metasedimentary rocks in the protholith of these granitoids. The Mesoproterozoic Nd T_DM model ages recorded in the studied granitoids are interpreted as the result of a hybrid source involving melting of metagraywackes, metamafic rocks of Tonian ages and/or biotite – bearing orthogneisses (Cariris Velhos Orthogneisses). The resulted melting was modified by mingling with juvenile Brasiliano melts, diorite in composition.The Timbaúba granitoids intrusions are coeval with high-T metamorphism and flat-lying foliation forming event in an intracontinental setting, during the Brasiliano convergence and contractional deformation. The Itapetim Pluton was emplaced in the convergence - lateral escape setting and the Tabira granitoids were intruded after the flat-lying foliation event, representing sin transcurrent intrusions.Our data show that within the Central Domain of the Borborema Province, granitoids with similar petrographic and geochemical compositions can have distinct ages and be intruded in distinct tectonic regimes.     

Tellurium,selenium and cobalt enrichment in Neoproterozoic black shales,Gwna Group,UK: Deep marine trace element enrichment during the Second Great Oxygenation Event

Black shales of the late Neoproterozoic Gwna Group (570–580 Ma), UK, contain enrichments of tellurium (Te), selenium (Se) and cobalt (Co) relative to average shale compositions. The Te and Co enrichments bear comparison with those of ferromanganese crusts in the modern deep ocean. Gwna Group deposition coincides with the Second Great Oxidation Event, which had a significant effect on trace element fixation globally. Selenium and Te concentrations within these black shales indicate increased continental weathering rates, high biological productivity and corresponding increases in atmospheric O₂ concentrations. Cobalt, nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) enrichments in this succession are secondary mineralisation phases. Demand for many of the trace elements found enriched in the Gwna Group black shales make their mechanisms of accumulation, and variations through the geological record, important to understand, and suggests that new resources may be sought based on black shale protoliths from this period.     

MedFlux: Investigations of particle flux in the Twilight Zone

The MedFlux project was devised to determine and model relationships between organic matter and mineral ballasts of sinking particulate matter in the ocean. Specifically we investigated the ballast ratio hypothesis, tested various commonly used sampling and modeling techniques, and developed new technologies that would allow better characterization of particle biogeochemistry. Here we describe the rationale for the project, the biogeochemical provenance of the DYFAMED site, the international support structure, and highlights from the papers published here. Additional MedFlux papers can be accessed at the MedFlux web site (http://msrc.sunysb.edu/MedFlux/).     

Swimming behavior of Dungeness crab,Cancer magister Dana,megalopae in still and moving water

In the Grays Harbor estuary, juvenile Dungeness crab (Cancer magister Dana) are found at higher densities in epibenthic shell deposits compared to open mud flat. Differences in predation rate between habitats have been suggested to be due to habitat preference and differential survival. Megalopae preferred shell over open space in still-water conditions. However, it is not known whether megalopae are able to select shell in flowing water since larval preference is known to differ between still and flowing water. Here we report the first experimental study of swimming behavior of Dungeness crab megalopae in a range of current velocities (0–40 cm s^?1) equivalent to natural flow in Grays Harbor estuary. Experiments were conducted in daylight using a recirculating flume. Megalopae swimming speeds ranged from 8.5 cm s^?1 (8 body lengths s^?1) in still water to 44.8 cm s^?1 (44 body lengths s^?1) at flow speeds of 40 cm s^?1, Neither swimming behavior nor sheltering behavior in shells showed any flow-related pattern. Megalopae spent a large proportion of time swimming against the current and made headway upstream against all current velocities tested. The results suggest that Dungeness crab megalopae are able to maneuver and actively search for settlement sites under current velocities found in natural habitats, including intertidal shell deposits, and support the hypothesis of active selection of shell by megalopae.     

Comparison of intertidal habitat use and growth rates of two northern Puget Sound cohorts of 0+ age Dungeness crab,Cancer magister

Density, habitat use, and growth of intertidal 0+ age Dungeness crabs, Cancer magister, were examined at five northern Puget Sound (Washington, USA) sites between June 1984 and September 1987. Sampling was conducted biweekly during settlement, from June to September, and approximately monthly or bimonthly thereafter. Northern Puget Sound Dungeness crab populations appear to be largely supported by recruitment from inland parental stocks, but a smaller proportion of recruits originate from coastal or oceanic stocks, as evidenced by earlier settlement and larger size of the first instar. Settlement of Dungeness crabs in inland waters typically peaked in August, and interannual variation in year-class strength at settlement (measured as intertidal density) was low relative to that reported for coastal crab populations. Spatial and interannual differences in settlement densities were mediated by high postsettlement mortality, which varied inversely with habitat complexity. Seasonal densities were highest in mixed sand and gravel with an overstory of attached or drift macroalgae, intermediate in eelgrass (Zostera marina), and lowest on open sand. Postsettlement growth rates corresponded to seasonal water temperatures and were greatest for the coastal cohort that settled in May and June. This cohort was larger as first juvenile instars (7.2 mm carapace width, CW) and grew rapidly at summer temperatures in excess of 15°C to a size (>30 mm CW) that allowed emigration from intertidal to subtidal areas by September. The late summer cohort settled in August at 5.3 mm CW and soon after was subjected to decreasing autumn water temperatures. There crabs experienced little growth while over wintering in the intertidal, but growth rates increased in March, and the crabs emigrated in April and May, approximately 10 mo after settlement.     

Robustness of variograms and conditioning of kriging matrices

Current ideas of robustness in geostatistics concentrate upon estimation of the experimental variogram. However, predictive algorithms can be very sensitive to small perturbations in data or in the variogram model as well. To quantify this notion of robustness, nearness of variogram models is defined. Closeness of two variogram models is reflected in the sensitivity of their corresponding kriging estimators. The condition number of kriging matrices is shown to play a central role. Various examples are given. The ideas are used to analyze more complex universal kriging systems.Research performed while on leave at Centre de Geóstatistique et de Morphologie Mathématique, Fontainebleau.