Carbonate aeolianites of western Saurashtra,India: experimental decipherment of the depositional mechanisms

Granular carbonate deposits of Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene age, commonly referred to as ‘miliolite limestone’, occur in a linear belt, parallel to the southern coast of Saurashtra, India. In the present study area these carbonate deposits are found in select valleys between ridges and mounds of pyroclastic material present in the Deccan trap plateau. Two different depositional histories have been proposed for these sediments. The presence of marine bioclasts led to the postulation of a marine origin for these deposits. The second school of thought propounded redeposition of the coastal sediments by aeolian processes. Although a few features could not be explained by the proposed aeolian model, critical comparison of these two views favoured the aeolian origin. The mode of occurrence, lithological and structural attributes, and microscopic evidence presented here, also support a possible aeolian origin for these deposits. Experimental observation indicates that these carbonate aeolianites represent backflow deposits, which accumulated because of the flow separation caused by the presence of topographic highs. The conspicuous concave‐up geometry of the deposit conformed to the shape of the separation bulb. In view of the inferred depositional mechanism, the disposition of the deposits and the signature of the palaeoflow direction suggest that the carbonate particles were derived from the north‐western coast of Saurashtra by strong south‐easterly winds. Massive granular carbonates with outsized basement clasts appear to be the product of avalanching of granular material from the higher contours because of oversteepening of the primary deposit.     

Anhydrite pseudomorphs and the origin of stratiform Cu–Co ores in the Katangan Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo)

The stratiform Cu–Co ore mineralisation in the Katangan Copperbelt consists of dispersed sulphides and sulphides in nodules and lenses, which are often pseudomorphs after evaporites. Two types of pseudomorphs can be distinguished in the nodules and lenses. In type 1 examples, dolomite precipitated first and was subsequently replaced by Cu–Co sulphides and authigenic quartz, whereas in type 2 examples, authigenic quartz and Cu–Co sulphides precipitated prior to dolomite and are coarse-grained. The sulphur isotopic composition of the copper–cobalt sulphides in the type 1 pseudomorphs is between −10.3 and 3.1‰ relative to the Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite, indicating that the sulphide component was derived from bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR). The generation of during this process caused the precipitation and replacement of anhydrite by dolomite. A second product of BSR is the generation of H₂S, resulting in the precipitation of Cu–Co sulphides from the mineralising fluids. Initial sulphide precipitation occurred along the rim of the pseudomorphs and continued towards the core. Precipitation of authigenic quartz was most likely induced by a pH decrease during sulphide precipitation. Fluid inclusion data from quartz indicate the presence of a high-salinity (8–18 eq. wt.% NaCl) fluid, possibly derived from evaporated seawater which migrated through the deep subsurface. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of dolomite in type 1 nodules range between 0.71012 and 0.73576, significantly more radiogenic than the strontium isotopic composition of Neoproterozoic marine carbonates (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7056–0.7087). This suggests intense interaction with siliciclastic sedimentary rocks and/or the granitic basement. The low carbon isotopic composition of the dolomite in the pseudomorphs (−7.02 and −9.93‰ relative to the Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite, V-PDB) compared to the host rock dolomite (−4.90 and +1.31‰ V-PDB) resulted from the oxidation of organic matter during BSR.     

Mapping Proterozoic unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Rockhole area, Northern Territory, Australia using landsat ETM+

The Rockhole area, Northern Territory, Australia, hosts a number of Proterozoic unconformity-related uranium deposits. The geology of the area features within Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Pine Creek Orogen, near the unconformity with overlying platform cover sandstone of the Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic McArthur Basin. Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) data was used in the Rockhole area to assist in mapping geological structures and lithology, and to identify anomalous concentrations of ferrous minerals, the product of alteration, which can be indicators of buried uranium mineralization. Several image-processing procedures were applied to the ETM+ data to identify, isolate and enhance mineralogical information as simple and complex false color composites. ETM+ 754 shown as red green and blue respectively was the best simple image. Overall, complex images based on Principal Component Analysis proved to be the most useful products. Sandstone, shale and siltstone, the target lithologies, Koolpin Formation, the target stratigraphic unit, and bleaching pattern due to the removal of iron(II) compounds, the target alteration pattern, were confidently mapped to provide information required by the mineral emplacement model, which ultimately identified areas of likely uranium mineralization. Thus the contrasting behavior of the two principle oxidation states of uranium and iron can be utilized to map/delineate bleached alteration zones associated with economic concentrations of uranium using multispectral sensors like Landsat or better hyperspectral sensors.     

Evaluation of coal bed methane potential of coal seams of Sawang Colliery,Jharkhand, India

The coal seams of Sawang Colliery, East Bokaro Coalfields are bituminous to sub-bituminous in nature and categorized as high gaseous seams (degree II to degree III level). These seams have the potential for coal bed methane (CBM) and their maturity increases with increasing depth, as a result of enhanced pressure-temperature conditions in the underground. The vitrinite maceral group composition of the investigated coal seams ranges from 62.50–83.15%, whereas the inertinite content varies from 14.93–36.81%. The liptinite content varies from 0.66% to 3.09%. The maximum micro-pores are confined within the vitrinite group of macerals. The coal seams exhibit vitrinite reflectance values (Ro% calculated) from 0.94% (sample CG-97) to 1.21% (sample CG-119). Proximate analyses of the investigated coal samples reveal that the moisture content (M%) ranges from 1.28% to 2.98%, whereas, volatile matter (VM%) content is placed in the range of 27.01% to 33.86%. The ash content (A%) ranges from 10.92% to 30.01%. Fixed carbon (FC%) content varies from 41.53% to 55.93%. Fuel ratio variation shows a restricted range from 1.53 to 1.97. All the coal samples were found to be strongly caking and forming coke buttons. The present study is based on the adsorption isotherm experiments carried out under controlled P-T conditions for determination of actual gas adsorption capacity of the coal seams. This analysis shows that the maximum methane gas adsorbed in the coal sample CG-81 is 17 m³/t (Std. daf), at maximum pressure of 5.92 MPa and experimental temperature of 30°C. The calculated Langmuir regression parameters P_L and V_L range from 2.49 to 3.75 MPa and 22.94 to 26.88 m³/t (Std. daf), respectively.     

能量色散X射线荧光光谱法测定钼矿石中钼铅铁铜

建立了能量色散X射线荧光光谱法测定钼矿石中钼、铅、铁、铜的方法,讨论了粒度效应、矿物效应的影响因素,确定了采取粉末样品,用系列标准样品建立工作曲线,通过元素间相互校正消除基体效应,用内控标准样品考察了方法的精密度(RSD,n=11)为0.44%～15.4%。实际样品的测定结果和化学法相符,可满足日常分析工作需要。     

土壤中氟的形态分析

以宁夏盐池地区高氟土壤为例,采用连续提取法对土壤样品中各形态氟进行提取,离子色谱法测定各形态氟的含量。根据研究目的及土壤特点将氟的形态划分为水溶态、离子交换态、可还原态、可氧化态及残渣态5种形态;对各种形态连续提取过程中使用的提取液进行了选择。采用建立的方法获得提取土壤中F-的检出限为0.76μg/g;方法精密度(RSD,n=7)各形态氟为水溶态氟11.3%,离子交换态氟13.5%,可还原态氟10.7%,可氧化态氟8.9%。     

滇西北保山核桃坪铅锌矿床成矿流体来源的同位素地球化学证据

滇西北核桃坪铅锌矿是保山地块内沿澜沧江断裂带发育的一个大型铅锌多金属矿床,矿体严格受近SN向的断裂带及层间破碎带控制,赋存于上寒武统核桃坪组和沙河厂组大理岩化灰岩及矽卡岩中。文章在分析矿床地质特征的基础上,通过对V1矿体的氢、氧、碳、硫、硅和铅同位素地球化学的示踪研究,探讨了成矿溶液中水、碳、硅、硫和铅的来源以及成矿流体的演化问题。研究表明,V1矿体中矿石的石英δ18O水值变化范围为6·1‰~7·6‰,平均为6·7‰,其δDV-SMOW值变化范围为-100‰~-108‰,平均为-104‰,说明成矿流体主要来自深部岩浆分异水,并在后期成矿作用过程中有地层建造水和大气降水的加入;矿石中方解石的δ13CV-PDB和δ18O水值分别为-6·6‰~-5·9‰和5·0‰~5·2‰,反映成矿流体的碳、氧具有深部流体与围岩发生交代反应的特征。硅、硫和铅同位素具深部岩浆或地幔来源的特点,但遭受后期壳源物质的混染。据此提出该矿床是与深部岩浆热液或幔源流体贯入有关的构造热液脉型矿床,其成矿作用受控于深部过程的驱动和控制,可为指导地质找矿提供依据。     

青海南部熔积岩的发现:对寻找VMS型矿床的重要启示

熔积岩指的是侵入、混合到未固结或弱固结的湿沉积物中的熔浆分解、原位形成的一类特殊岩石。正确地认识该类岩石,有利于增进人们对岩浆-水(沉积物)相互作用过程的理解,恢复古环境。在青海南部沱沱河地区发现了一套角砾为撕片状、锯齿状及浑圆状的安山岩,胶结物为铁硅质组合的特殊熔积岩。研究表明,该熔积岩的角砾为岩浆遇水后快速淬火、裂解的产物,铁硅质组合为海底喷气沉积形成的含铁建造;且安山岩与含铁建造发生混合时,含铁建造尚未固结。该套熔积岩的发现,改变了长期以来对开心岭铁矿为火山热液交代安山岩而形成的认识,对于在矿区寻找VMS型矿床、区域内寻找海底热水喷流沉积型矿床具有重要的启示意义。     

内蒙古正蓝旗羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿区硅质岩地球化学特征及沉积环境意义

文章通过详细的野外地质调查和系统的岩石化学、稀土元素、微量元素及硅、氧同位素等研究,探讨了羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿区无矿白色硅质岩和富钛硅质岩的成因及形成地质构造环境。研究结果表明,呈厚层状产出的无矿白色硅质岩具较高的SiO2、Al2O3含量及Al/(Al Fe Mn)、Al2O3/(Al2O3 Fe2O3)比值,稀土元素总量很低,其北美页岩标准化配分模式为向右倾的曲线,无明显铈异常和铕异常,表明其形成于受陆源影响的大陆边缘构造环境;赋矿岩系中薄层状富钛硅质岩的TiO2、Fe2O3、Cu、V含量较高,但Al/(Al Fe Mn)、Al2O3/(Al2O3 Fe2O3)比值较低,稀土元素总量较高,北美页岩标准化曲线为明显左倾型-平坦型,具弱的负铈异常,表明其形成于洋脊及附近环境。两种硅质岩的δ30Si值为变化较小的负值,与热水沉积和某些生物成因硅质岩的硅同位素组成相似,两者的δ18O值范围和平均值均相似。两类硅质岩的成因及形成构造环境不同,富钛硅质岩的地球化学特征表明,该矿床的形成与本区元古宙海底火山热液喷流作用有关。     

内蒙古敖包吐萤石矿床的Sr、Nd、Pb同位素地球化学特征

敖包吐萤石矿床是内蒙古北部苏莫查干地区单一萤石矿集区中的一个代表性矿床,产于早二叠世大石寨组火山-沉积岩与早白垩世敖包吐花岗岩的接触带上。文章通过分析该矿床岩、矿石的微量元素和稀土元素,揭示出萤石的成矿作用可分为2个阶段,即交代作用和充填作用。交代作用过程中大石寨组的结晶灰岩可能为萤石的形成提供了部分Ca来源,萤石矿石的稀土元素配分模式与海水基本类似,具有Ce负异常;成矿作用后期主要表现为充填作用,形成颗粒粗大的萤石,表现为重稀土元素富集的特征,并随着萤石的沉淀析出,稀土元素总量逐渐下降,反映出成矿流体经历了较长期的演化过程。各地层单元、花岗岩体和萤石矿石的Sr、Nd、Pb同位素研究表明,萤石的放射性同位素组成具有壳、幔源混合的特点,成矿物质来源具有多源性。早白垩世敖包吐花岗岩可能是萤石中F的主要来源,而大石寨组的结晶灰岩则可能提供了Ca。另外,Pb、Nd同位素的极大不均一性,有可能是成矿流体在运移过程中对艾力格庙群放射性组分的选择性吸收的结果。萤石成矿作用与钾玄岩的时空关系暗示了萤石的成矿过程可能是中国东部岩石圈减薄和下地壳的置换地质事件的结果。在构造转型的过程中,燕山中期富碱的酸性花岗岩浆的活动分异出富含F的成矿流体,与幔源流体混合,沿区域重新活化的深大断裂和大石寨组的层间破碎带上升,交代其间的灰岩透镜体,从而形成敖包吐中型萤石矿床。