Skarn textures and a case study: the Ocna de Fier-Dognecea orefield, Banat, Romania

We address the question of the predictability of skarn textures and their role in understanding the evolution of a skarn system. Recent models of skarn formation show that skarns are ideal for application of self-organisation theory, with self-patterning the rule in fluid-rock interaction systems rather than the exception. Zonation in skarn deposits, a consequence of infiltration-driven metasomatism, can also be treated in terms of self-organisation. Other less commonly described features, such as scalloping, fingering and mineral banding, can be understood by application of reactive infiltration and hydrodynamics at the skarn front. Devolatilisation may trigger formation of back-flow fluxes that overprint previously formed skarn. The range of textures formed from such events can be used to discriminate between prograde and retrograde stages. Refractory minerals, such as garnet, magnetite and pyrite, readily retain overprinting events. Skarns are also composed largely of minerals from solid solution series (garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoids, etc.) and therefore skarn mineralogy helps to establish trends of zonation and evolution. The same minerals can act as ‘chemical oscillators’ and record metasomatic trends.The Ocna de Fier-Dognecea deposit was formed in a 10 km deep skarn system. Zonation and evolution trends therefore represent only the result of interaction between magmatically derived fluids emerging at the source and limestone. From the same reason, the transition from prograde to retrograde regime is not influenced by interaction with external fluids. Thirdly, the mineralisation comprises Fe, Cu and Zn-Pb ores, thus facilitating comparison with skarn deposits that commonly are formed in shallower magmatic-hydrothermal environment. Copper-iron ores (magnetite+Cu-Fe sulphides), hosted by magnesian (forsterite+diopside) skarn, occur in the deepest and central part of the orefield, at Simon Iuda. Their petrological character allows interpretation as the core of the skarn system formed from a unique source of fluids emerging from the subjacent granodiorite. It formed first as a consequence of the local setting, where a limestone indented in the granodiorite permitted strong reaction at 650 °C and focussed the up-streaming, buoyant fluids. The first sharp front of reaction is seen at the boundary between the Cu-Fe core and Fe ores hosted by calcic skarn (Di_70-90-And_70-90), where Cu-Fe sulphides disappear, and forsterite gives way to garnet in the presence of diopside (Di₉₀). Following formation of forsterite, devolatilisation and transient plume collapse is interpreted from a range of piercing clusters and trails. We presume lateral flow to have been initiated at the source, as the emerging fluids are in excess to the fluids driven into reaction by the plume. Formation of the other orebodies, up to 5 km laterally downstream in both directions, is interpreted as skarn fingering at the limestone side. The metasomatic front is perpendicular to the flow along the channel of schists placed between the limestone base and the granodiorite.A metal zonation centred onto the source is defined, based on metal distribution: Cu-Fe/Fe/Zn-Pb. The second front of reaction, at the boundary between the Fe and Zn-Pb zone, has a sulphidation/oxidation character, with diopside giving way to a Fe-Mn-rich pyroxene, (HedJoh)_>60+pyroxmangite±bustamite; garnet is minor. Johannsenite-rich pyroxene (Di_20-40Hed_20-40Joh₄₀) is found in proximal skarn at the upper part of Simon Iuda, stable with Zn_0.95Fe_0.05S, at an inferred 570 °C. In distal skarn from Dognecea and Paulus, Mn-hedenbergite (Di_<10Hed₇₀Joh_20-30) formed at 400 °C is stable with Zn_0.84Fe_0.16S. Extensive compositional fields, eutectic decomposition and lamellar intergrowths characterise pyroxene in the Zn-Pb zone, formed at the magnetite-hematite buffer in the presence of pyrite. Distal skarn has a reducing character, in comparison with the proximal. A drop in both fS₂ and O₂, with the zoned system moving closer to the pyrite-pyrrhotite buffer, is induced from the temperature gradient. Based on pyroxene mineralogy and calculated fS₂, the metal zonation is confirmed as being formed upwards and outwards from the source.The Fe and Zn-Pb zones both have a patterned side coexisting with the unpatterned one. Patterning is seen at scales from macroscopic (rhythmic banding, nodular, spotted, orbicular, mossy, mottled textures) to microscopic scales (oscillatory zonation in garnet and silica-bearing magnetite). Following plume updraft, the path of decarbonation reaction controlled the motion of the skarn front until, towards the end of the prograde stage, a multiple steady state regime developed and produced rhythmic patterns on all scales. The activation of powerful patterning operators, represented by Liesegang banding alone, or coupled with competitive particle growth, show that the skarn front had the characteristics of an unstable coarsening front of reaction.A second retrograde event, carbofracturing, triggered by erratic decarbonation after cessation of infiltration, can be interpreted from overprinting textures in the Fe and Zn-Pb zone. A major drop in fO₂ is inferred from extensive, pseudomorphous replacement of hematite by magnetite. Textures show progressive destruction of prograde assemblages, i.e., piercing clusters, shock-induced, fluid-pressure assisted brecciation and deformation, followed by healing of the disrupted assemblages. Release of trace elements accompanies both retrograde events, with a Bi-Te-Au-Ag association common to both. The importance of shock-induced textures is emphasised in the context of Au enrichment, especially when the retrograde fluids cross the main buffers in fO₂-fS₂ space.The presence of Bi-sulphosalt polysomes in the Fe zone indicates that patterning extends down to the nanoscale. The key role played by polysomatism in stabilising compositional trends that cannot otherwise be formed at equilibrium is a fertile ground yet to be adequately explored.     

Multivariate Analysis of an LA-ICP-MS Trace Element Dataset for Pyrite

Application of multivariate statistics to trace element datasets is reviewed using 164 multi-element LA-ICP-MS spot analyses of pyrite from the Moonlight epithermal gold prospect, Queensland, Australia. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) is used to demonstrate that classification of pyrite on morphological and other non-numeric factors is geochemically valid. Parallel coordinate plots and correlation cluster analysis using Spearman??s coefficients are used to discover unexpected elemental relationships without making assumptions a priori. Finally, principal component analysis and factor analysis are used to demonstrate the presence of sub-classes of pyrite. Corroborated with geological data, statistical analysis provides evidence for successive generations of hydrothermal fluids, each introducing specific metals, and for partial or complete replacement of different minerals. The data permit reinterpretation of Moonlight as a telescoped system where epithermal-Au (± base metals) is superposed onto early porphyry-Mo mineralization.     

The Niujiaotang Cd-rich zinc deposit,Duyun, Guizhou province,southwest China: ore genesis and mechanisms of cadmium concentration

The Niujiaotang zinc deposit in southeastern Guizhou, China, is a Mississippi Valley-type Zn deposit within Early Cambrian carbonate rocks. Sphalerite is enriched in cadmium (average 1.4 wt.% Cd), which occurs mostly as isomorphous impurities in the sphalerite lattice. Discrete cadmium minerals (greenockite and otavite) are rare and are found almost exclusively in the oxidation zone of the deposit, probably formed as secondary minerals during weathering–leaching processes. Geochemical data show that the sulfides are enriched in heavy sulfur, with δ³⁴S ranging from +10.0‰ to +32.8‰ (mean +22.5‰). The consistent Pb isotopic compositions in different sulfide minerals are similar to that of Cambrian strata. The ore lead probably came from U- and Th-rich upper crustal rocks, such as the Lower Cambrian Wuxun Formation. The ore fluid is of low-temperature (101°C to 142°C) type, with a Na–Ca–Mg–Cl-dominant composition, and is interpreted as oil-field brine. The data indicate that the metals were mainly derived from the Early Cambrian strata (Qingxudong and Wuxun Formations), whereas sulfur is sourced from sulfate in Cambrian strata or oil-field brines of the Majiang petroleum paleoreservoir. The genetic model for the deposit invokes an Early Cambrian shallow-sea environment on the Yangtze Platform. Zinc and Cd in seawater were concentrated in abundant algae via unknown biological mechanisms, resulting in large amounts of Zn- and Cd-rich algal ooliths. During the Ordovician, concurrent with destruction of the Majiang petroleum paleoreservoir, oil-field brines migrated from the center of the basin to the margin leaching metals from the Cambrian strata. In the Niujiaotang area, preexisting Zn and Cd, particularly in the Qingxudong and Wuxun Formation, were further mobilized by hot brines rising along the Zaolou fault system, forming stratiform and generally conformable Zn–Cd orebodies in reactive carbonate lithologies.     

Levels and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in superficial sediment from 15 Italian marine protected areas (MPA)

Surface sediment from 15 Italian marine protected areas (MPA) were analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The organic carbon percentage was also determined. Total PAH concentrations (ng g⁻¹ d.w.) ranged from 0.71 (Penisola del Sinis) to 1550 (Miramare). Individual PAH analysis showed that three and four rings PAHs were the most frequently detected isomers and accounted for 60-70% of the PAH total concentrations. PAH ratio analysis showed a prevalence of pyrolytic PAH origin at most of the MPAs with exception of Porto Cesareo and Ustica where a petrogenic origin was detected. Results for organic carbon percentages ranged from 0.3% (Capo Rizzuto) to 2% (Punta Campanella). These results are comparable to other Mediterranean marine environments. However, our results shows that some MPAs, such as Miramare, Porto Cesareo, Isola Capo Rizzuto and Punta Campanella, are subject to strong pressure from urban and industrial activities where high PAH levels were detected.     

ON THE EVOLUTION OF FILAMENTS

A statistical large-scale study of filaments has revealed the existence of a functional dependence of the length of filaments (the angular distance between the ends of a filament, measured on a great circle on a sphere) on their inclination to lines of solar latitude. A cluster analysis method has been applied to the study of filament evolution and an evolutionary classification of filaments is proposed. The results depend on the differential velocity of filaments. Different types of evolution sequences were obtained, and the evolution of some particular filaments was specially analyzed.     

Impact of ocean model resolution on CCSM climate simulations

The current literature provides compelling evidence suggesting that an eddy-resolving (as opposed to eddy-permitting or eddy-parameterized) ocean component model will significantly impact the simulation of the large-scale climate, although this has not been fully tested to date in multi-decadal global coupled climate simulations. The purpose of this paper is to examine how resolved ocean fronts and eddies impact the simulation of large-scale climate. The model used for this study is the NCAR Community Climate System Model version 3.5 (CCSM3.5)—the forerunner to CCSM4. Two experiments are reported here. The control experiment is a 155-year present-day climate simulation using a 0.5° atmosphere component (zonal resolution 0.625 meridional resolution 0.5°; land surface component at the same resolution) coupled to ocean and sea-ice components with zonal resolution of 1.2° and meridional resolution varying from 0.27° at the equator to 0.54° in the mid-latitudes. The second simulation uses the same atmospheric and land-surface models coupled to eddy-resolving 0.1° ocean and sea-ice component models. The simulations are compared in terms of how the representation of smaller scale features in the time mean ocean circulation and ocean eddies impact the mean and variable climate. In terms of the global mean surface temperature, the enhanced ocean resolution leads to a ubiquitous surface warming with a global mean surface temperature increase of about 0.2?°C relative to the control. The warming is largest in the Arctic and regions of strong ocean fronts and ocean eddy activity (i.e., Southern Ocean, western boundary currents). The Arctic warming is associated with significant losses of sea-ice in the high-resolution simulation. The sea surface temperature gradients in the North Atlantic, in particular, are better resolved in the high-resolution model leading to significantly sharper temperature gradients and associated large-scale shifts in the rainfall. In the extra-tropics, the interannual temperature variability is increased with the resolved eddies, and a notable increases in the amplitude of the El Ni?o and the Southern Oscillation is also detected. Changes in global temperature anomaly teleconnections and local air-sea feedbacks are also documented and show large changes in ocean–atmosphere coupling. In particular, local air-sea feedbacks are significantly modified by the increased ocean resolution. In the high-resolution simulation in the extra-tropics there is compelling evidence of stronger forcing of the atmosphere by SST variability arising from ocean dynamics. This coupling is very weak or absent in the low-resolution model.     

The health state of the Romanian population during the transition period

The paper attempts to make an assessment of the health state of the Romanian population during the transition period; the evolution of the health indicators, analyzed in the European context, shows the precarious health state of the Romanian population, in comparison both to Western countries and to the countries which are crossing a transition phase themselves. The values of the health indicators by region also show inequalities of health, the north-western and south-eastern areas of the country having to face serious problems. The reduction of living standard, the low quality health services, together with other factors associated with lifestyle seem to be responsible for the deterioration of the health state of the Romanian population. The introduction of adequate health and social policies in the following period could bring about an improvement of the situation. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Synthetic Haematite Reference Material for LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb Geochronology and Application to Iron Oxide‐Cu‐Au Systems

In both nature and synthetic experiments, the common iron oxide haematite (α‐Fe₂O₃) can incorporate significant amounts of U into its crystal structure and retain radiogenic Pb over geological time. Haematite is a ubiquitous component of many ore deposit types and, therefore, represents a valuable hydrothermal mineral geochronometer, allowing direct constraints to be placed on the timing of ore formation and upgrading. However, to date, no suitable natural haematite reference material has been identified. Here, a synthetic haematite U‐Pb reference material (MR‐HFO) is characterised using LA‐ICP‐MS and ID‐TIMS. Centimetre‐scale ‘chips’ of synthesised α‐Fe₂O₃ were randomly microsampled via laser ablation‐extraction and analysed using ID‐TIMS. Reproducible U/Pb and Pb/Pb measurements were obtained across four separate chips (n = 13). Subsequently, an evaluation of the suitability MR‐HFO in constraining U‐Pb data via LA‐ICP‐MS is presented using a selection of natural samples ranging from Cenozoic to Proterozoic in age. The MR‐HFO normalised U‐Pb ratios are more concordant and ages more accurate versus the same LA‐ICP‐MS spot analyses normalised to zircon reference material, when compared with independently acquired ID‐TIMS data from the same natural haematite grains. Results establish MR‐HFO as a suitable reference material for LA‐ICP‐MS haematite U‐Pb geochronology.     

Rare earth element geochemistry of feldspars: examples from Fe-oxide Cu-Au systems in the Olympic Cu-Au Province,South Australia

Mineralogy and Petrology - Rare earth element (REE) fractionation trends in feldspars are reported from Olympic Dam (including Wirrda Well and Phillip’s Ridge) and Cape Donington (Port...