A note on the characteristics and possible origins of desert varnishes from Southeast Morocco. A reply to comments by R. I. Dorn

This reply to Dorn (1989) argues that a biotic origin is not the only way in which desert varnishes may be formed. It is suggested that a variety of initial conditions may result in similar end products. It is agreed that the dissimilar views of the authors may result from their different philosophies concerning the classification of Mn/Fe varnishes.     

滇东南中三叠统法郎组锰矿床成因的新认识

产于滇东南中三叠世拉丁期法郎组地层中的锰矿床,锰矿石出现氧化锰矿与碳酸盐锰矿混合存在现象,没有明显的变质现象,为沉积成因。矿石中一般都含有生物碎屑。我们对采自这一地区的斗南、岩子脚、老乌,土基冲等典型矿床的锰矿石样品,进行了系统的薄片显微镜和扫描电镜观察,同时应用X射线衍射对矿石矿物成份作了相应分析。观察到这些矿石中的鲕、豆状结构是由蓝绿藻类微生物凝聚作用形成的显微叠层构造,具有核形石特有的核心和包壳,其明—暗纹层相间的显微结构特征可以与现代深海大洋铁锰结核相类比。本文通过对核形石显微结构特征的观察和对锰矿物生成时介质环境的讨论,初步研究结果表明,锰矿形成可能位于古氧化还原界面附近,该区锰的富集可能与微生物活动密切相关。     

环境植物样品中铜铅锌铁锰的测定

将环境植物样品在４００─５００℃灰化，用硝酸、氢氟酸和高氯酸分解，用盐酸（１＋１）提取，控制２％─３％的盐酸介质，用火焰原子吸收分光光度法测定环境植物样品中的微量铜、铅、锌、铁、锰。该方法简单、快速、可靠。对环境植物标准样品的测定结果理想。     

Origin and variability of resource-grade marine ferromanganese nodules and crusts in the Pacific Ocean: A review of biogeochemical and physical controls

Marine ferromanganese nodules and crusts containing Mn, Cu, Ni and Co in the most promising resource-grade concentrations and quantities, together with Fe and Zn (all elements of biogeochemical importance) are found far from land on the deep seafloor of the Pacific Ocean. The biogeochemical, chemical and physical mechanisms contributing to their formation, distribution, abundance and – for these six elements – variability in their concentrations in these deposits, are the main focus of the present review. The mechanisms addressed include biological productivity, sedimentation types and rates, bottom water characteristics, the Calcium Carbonate Compensation Depth, the depth and intensity of the oxygen minimum zone, and biogeochemical characteristics of the six focal elements. Particular attention is given to comparisons between the deposits found in the north and the south Pacific, in order to present an overarching view of our current understanding of the mechanisms that apply to both nodules and crusts in both oceanic hemispheres, including examination of the possible existence of a marine ferromanganese oxide continuum. The renewed interest in the commercial exploitation of these deposits has stimulated a welcome increase in scientific research that is essential to informing the public discourse on seabed mining. We briefly reflect on the work addressed in this review in that context.     

Manganese ore deposits in Koira-Noamundi province of Iron Ore Group, north Orissa, India: In the light of geochemical signature

Several small Mn–Fe oxide and Mn-oxide ore bodies associated with Precambrian Iron Ore Group of rocks are located within Koira-Noamundi province of north Orissa, India. These deposits are classified into in situ (stratiform), remobilized (stratabound) and reworked categories based on their field disposition. Volcaniclastic/terrigenous shale in large geographic extension is associated with these ore bodies.The in situ ore bodies are characterised by cryptomelane-, romanechite- and hematite-dominating minerals, low Mn/Fe ratio (1.1) and relatively lower abundance of trace (1500–2500 ppm) constituents. In such type of deposits the stratigraphic conformity of oxides with the tuffaceous shale suggests precipitation of Mn and Fe at a time of decreased volcaniclastic/terrigenous contribution. The minor and trace elements were removed from solution by adsorption rather than by precipitation. Both Mn and Fe oxides when precipitated adsorb trace elements strongly but the partitioning of elements takes place during diagenesis. The inter-elemental relationship reveals that Cu, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were adsorbed on precipitating hydrous Mn oxides and form manganates. Some of these elements probably get desorbed from Fe oxide because of their inability to substitute for Fe³⁺ in the lattice of its oxide. However, P, V, As and Mo were less partitioned and retained in Fe-oxide phase. Positive correlation between Al₂O₃ and SiO₂, MgO, Na₂O, TiO₂ and some traces like Li, Nb, Sc, Y, Zr, Th and U points to their contribution through volcaniclastic/terrigenous detritus of both mafic and acidic composition.The remobilized ore bodies are developed in a later stage through dissolution, remobilization and reprecipitation of Mn oxides in favorable structural weak planes under supergene environment. Increase in average Mn/Fe ratio (8) and trace content (5000–8500 ppm) by 5–2.5 orders of magnitude, respectively, or more above its abundance in adjoining/underlying protore is characteristic of these deposits. The newly formed Mn ores constituting lithiophorite, cryptomelane/romanechite and goethite get quantitatively enriched in traces like Cu, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn. Positive correlation between Mn, Li, Co and Zn is due to the formation of mineral of lithiophorite–chalcophanite group during redistribution and reconcentration of Mn oxide. P and V, which were present in Fe oxide, also get dissolved and reprecipitate with Fe oxyhydroxide in these ores. Some other elements like Y, Th and U show positive relation with Fe. This is probably due to leaching of these elements during chemical weathering of associated shale and getting re-adsorbed in Fe-oxyhydroxide phase.However, under oxidizing environment selective cations like Ba, K, etc. resorb from Mn-structure, resulting in the development of pyrolusite (Mn/Fe>20). In such transformation, trace metals from pyrolusitic structure expels out, resulting thereby in a considerable reduction in total trace value (<3000 ppm).The reworked ore bodies are allochthonous in nature and developed through a number of stages during terrain evolution and lateritisation. Secondary processes such as reworking of pre-existing crust; solution and remobilization; precipitation and cementation and transport, etc. are responsible for their development. Such deposits are usually very low in Mn/Fe ratio (3) and trace content (<2000 ppm).     

贵州省松桃县桃子坪隐伏超大型锰矿床地质特征及潜力分析

贵州松桃桃子坪超大型锰矿床是华南南华纪武陵锰矿成矿带中松桃寨英-西溪堡(Ⅳ级)地堑盆地中发现的第二个超大型"大塘坡式"锰矿床,与亚洲最大的松桃普觉超大型锰矿紧邻,位于西溪堡(Ⅳ级)地堑盆地北西侧的渗漏喷溢中心相-过渡相-边缘相。矿体埋深9202 000 m,为全隐伏锰矿床。含锰岩系厚度15. 70 91. 00 m、锰矿体厚度1. 07 14. 58 m。含锰岩系与锰矿体空间展布的长轴方向呈狭长带状沿北东约65°方向展布,与地表北东向的燕山期构造存在约40°夹角。目前该锰矿床北东和南西侧矿体均未圈边,还存在较大的锰矿找矿潜力。     

东太平洋铁锰结核区微生物的丰度及其成矿作用研究

于１９９４年４－１１月东太平洋铁锰结核期探区,随向阳红０９号船,采集了３９个表层沉积物,１２个上覆水和７个结核样,在现场用平板法测定了异养细菌和铁,锰细菌丰度,用稀释法（ＭＰＮ法）测定硫酸盐还原菌丰度,在实验室对船上带回的异养细菌和锰细菌进一步纯分分离,进行了１２项生化试验,对照伯杰氏手册第八版鉴定至属。为了探讨微生物在大洋成矿过程的作用,使用分光光度法,测定锰细菌对锰,铁离子的转化作用和不同培养     

Detrital and authigenic(?) baddeleyite (ZrO2) in ferromanganese nodules of Central Indian Ocean Basin

Occurrence of baddeleyite (ZrO2) which is a rare mineral has been recorded in ferromanganese nodules of Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB). The mineral occurs either as independent isolated sub-rounded to elliptical grains or in clusters forming fine subhedral crystals (<3 mm) within ferromanganese concretionary growth bands. The mode of occurrence, textural features and chemistry of the mineral suggest detrital and possibly an authigenic origin for baddeleyite. For authigenic origin it is proposed that zirconium might have got released either from the terrigenous sediments or the altered seafloor rocks forming halogen complexes and subsequently it has re-precipitated in the form of baddeleyite within manganese nodules under oxic to sub-oxic conditions.     

Deep Seabed Mining: Past Failures and Future Prospects

The first attempt to exploit deep-sea manganese nodules ended in failure as a result of the collapse of world metal prices, the onerous provisions imposed by the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the overoptimistic assumptions about the viability of nodule mining. Attention then focused on Co-rich manganese crusts from seamounts. Since the mid-1980s, a number of new players have committed themselves to long-term programs to establish the viability of mining deep-sea manganese nodules. These programs require heavy subsidy by the host governments. Au-rich submarine hydrothermal deposits located at convergent plate margins are now emerging as a more promising prospect for mining than deep-sea manganese deposits.