Indicator mineralogy of kimberlite boulders from eskers in the Kirkland Lake and Lake Timiskaming areas, Ontario, Canada

Sixteen kimberlite boulders were collected from three sites on the Munro and Misema River Eskers in the Kirkland Lake kimberlite field and one site on the Sharp Lake esker in the Lake Timiskaming kimberlite field. The boulders were processed for heavy-mineral concentrates from which grains of Mg-ilmenite, chromite, garnet, clinopyroxene and olivine were picked, counted and analyzed by electron microprobe. Based on relative abundances and composition of these mineral phases, the boulders could be assigned to six mineralogically different groups, five for the Kirkland Lake area and one for the Lake Timiskaming area. Their indicator mineral composition and abundances are compared to existing data for known kimberlites in both the Kirkland Lake and Lake Timiskaming areas. Six boulders from the Munro Esker form a compositionally homogeneous group (I) in which the Mg-ilmenite population is very similar to that of the A1 kimberlite, located 7–12 km N (up-ice), directly adjacent to the Munro esker in the Kirkland Lake kimberlite field. U–Pb perovskite ages of three of the group I boulders overlap with that of the A1 kimberlite. Three other boulders recovered from the same localities in the Munro Esker also show some broad similarities in Mg-ilmenite composition and age to the A1 kimberlite. However, they are sufficiently different in mineral abundances and composition from each other and from the A1 kimberlite to assign them to different groups (II–IV). Their sources could be different phases of the same kimberlite or—more likely—three different, hitherto unknown kimberlites up-ice of the sample localities along the Munro Esker in the Kirkland Lake kimberlite field. A single boulder from the Misema River esker, Kirkland Lake, has mineral compositions that do not match any of the known kimberlites from the Kirkland Lake field. This suggests another unknown kimberlite exists in the area up-ice of the Larder Lake pit along the Misema River esker. Six boulders from the Sharp Lake esker, within the Lake Timiskaming field, form a homogeneous group with distinct mineral compositions unmatched by any of the known kimberlites in the Lake Timiskaming field. U–Pb perovskite age determinations on two of these boulders support this notion. These boulders are likely derived from an unknown kimberlite source up-ice from the Seed kimberlite, 4 km NW of the Sharp Lake pit, since indicator minerals with identical compositions to those of the Sharp Lake boulders have been found in till samples collected down-ice from Seed. Based on abundance and composition of indicator minerals, most importantly Mg-ilmenite, and supported by U–Pb age dating of perovskite, we conclude that the sources of 10 of the 16 boulders must be several hitherto unknown kimberlite bodies in the Kirkland Lake and Lake Timiskaming kimberlite fields.     

An experimental study on felsic rock–artificial seawater interaction: implications for hydrothermal alteration and sulfate formation in the Kuroko mining area of Japan

Experimental studies on the interactions between artificial seawater (ASW) and fresh rhyolite, perlite and weakly altered dacitic tuff containing a small amount of smectite suggest changing cation transfer during smectite-forming processes. Initially, dissolution of K from the rocks accompanies incorporation of Mg and Ca from ASW during both earlier (devitrification stage) and later smectite formation, whereas Ca incorporated with early smectite formation redissolves with progressive reaction. Barium mobility increases toward the later smectite-forming reactions. Therefore, the large amounts of barite, anhydrite and gypsum in Kuroko ore deposits are considered to have precipitated from hydrothermal solutions derived from the interaction with previously altered felsic rocks during late smectite formation, rather than by the reaction with fresh felsic rocks.Editorial handling: D. Lentz     

Glacial dispersal studies using indicator minerals and till geochemistry around two eastern Finland kimberlites

Diamondiferous kimberlites occur in eastern Finland, in the areas of Kaavi–Kuopio and Kuhmo. Active diamond exploration has been ongoing in the country for over two decades, but the Karelian craton still remains under explored given its size and potential. In order to develop techniques that can be applied to diamond exploration in glaciated terrains, the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) carried out a detailed heavy mineral and geochemical survey of Quaternary till in 2001–2003 around two of the known kimberlitic bodies in Finland, Pipe 7 in Kaavi and Dyke 16 in Kuhmo. The mineralogical and geochemical signatures of these two kimberlites were studied in the basal till deposited down-ice from the targets. The kimberlites were selected to represent two different types in terms of shape, size, age and petrology, as well as showing contrasting country rocks and Quaternary deposits. Till samples up to 60 kg in weight were taken by excavator and by drill rig. Kimberlitic indicator mineral grains (0.25–1.0 mm) were concentrated using a GTK modified 3″Knelson Concentrator. Fine fractions (< 0.063 mm) of selected samples were analyzed by XRF and ICP-MS. The indicator grains down-ice from Pipe 7 form a well-defined fan in the basal till that can be followed for at least 2 km with a maximum concentration at 1.2 km distance from the pipe. Another kimberlitic body discovered during the study 300 m down-ice from Pipe 7 demonstrates that there are in fact at least two superimposed indicator fans. The results do not rule out the possibility of even more undiscovered kimberlitic sources in the area. In contrast, the indicator dispersal trail from Dyke 16 is shorter (1 km) and less well-defined than that at Kaavi, mainly due to the lower indicator content in the kimberlite itself and subsequently in till, as well as a large population of background chromites in till. The latter population is likely having been derived from the Archean Näätäniemi serpentinite massif and the associated ultramafic metavolcanics of the Kuhmo greenstone belt, located ca. 30 km up-ice from the sampling area. The indicator maximum at Seitaperä dyke swarm occurs immediately down-ice from the kimberlite, after which the concentration drops rapidly. Results of this study contribute to the overall understanding of the Quaternary history of the Kaavi and Kuhmo areas, and more importantly, provide key information to diamond exploration in these particular regions and also elsewhere in glaciated terrains.     

北部湾沉积物粘土矿物分布特征及其环境意义

本文以南海北部湾SO-31沉积柱为研究对象,研究了14C年代学和粘土矿物学特征,并对部分全球气候事件进行了对比,为古环境、古气候的恢复提供基础资料,也为全球重大气候事件在该区域的响应提供信息。结果显示全新世以来地层沉积正常,平均沉积速率为0.57mm/a。粘土成分主要由蒙脱石、伊利石、高岭石和绿泥石组成,组合类型为蒙脱石-伊利石-高岭石-绿泥石型。全新世以来环境气候演变可划分为五个阶段:低温期阶段、干湿交替的寒冷气候阶段、逐渐升温阶段、干旱温暖气候阶段、湿热阶段。气候在每个阶段背景下还存在一些次级波动,总体趋势为干湿交替,温度逐渐上升。由于海域环境及矿物指标的影响,北部湾SO-31沉积柱粘土矿物记录的降温事件时间比其他指标记录的新仙女木降温事件发生时间滞后500~800a。     

上扬子会泽地区早三叠世飞仙关组砂岩物源特征:来自重矿物铬尖晶石和碎屑锆石的限定

上扬子会泽地区早三叠世飞仙关组主要为河流相的紫红色砂岩,物源主要来自于西部和西北部。碎屑重矿物组合表明物源主要来自于岩浆岩,且重矿物中发现大量碎屑铬尖晶石和锆石。本文运用电子探针微区成分分析和碎屑锆石U-Pb测年方法,对上扬子早三叠世飞仙关组砂岩中铬尖晶石和碎屑锆石进行分析。铬尖晶石电子探针化学成分分析显示,其具有高铬、低Fe~(3+)和高TiO_2含量的特征,源岩分析指示这些铬尖晶石来源于与洋岛/板内、岛弧以及大火成岩省相关的火成岩。同时,碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄测定表明,飞仙关组的物源主要来自于248~272Ma和715~997Ma的岩浆岩。铬尖晶石和碎屑锆石综合分析表明,248~272Ma的物源岩石具有大火成岩省玄武岩特征,主要为峨眉山玄武岩及同期基性侵入岩;715~997M的物源为洋岛/板内玄武岩类,主要为研究区周缘与新元古代苏雄组及其同期的岩浆岩;铬尖晶石指示的岛弧性质物源则可能源自1000~1100Ma的岩浆岩。同时,碎屑锆石还指示古元古代和早寒武世发育岩浆作用,且存在古老的新太古代结晶基底。这些资料为上扬子地区构造演化提供了沉积学的证据。     

架子台沟低品位铅锌矿原生晕地球化学特征及深部矿产预测

对架子台沟一带1:50 000化探异常检查中,地表发现有铅锌矿化显示,经对激电测深异常深部钻探验证发现有低品位锌矿(化)体。通过系统采集0号勘探线上的2个钻孔中岩石、矿石样品,进行原生晕特征研究分析表明:矿体近矿元素为Ag、Pb、Zn、Cd,尾矿元素为W、Sn、Bi;轴向分带序列由上至下为:Pb-Au-Ag-Mo-Bi-Sn-Cu-Cd-W-Zn。对成矿元素与相关金属元素进行聚类分析、因子分析,并结合激电测深结果,认为在矿体的侧部、深部仍可能有盲矿体。     

曹妃甸近岸及周边海区碎屑矿物组成特征及其环境意义

为探讨曹妃甸近岸及周边海区沉积物碎屑矿物组成特征以及曹妃甸大规模围填海工程对其影响,作者对2013年10月采自曹妃甸及周边海区的表层沉积物样品采用轻重矿物分离的方法进行了鉴定。结果表明:大规模围填海工程在改变曹妃甸岸线形态的同时也改变了其冲淤环境,使得碎屑矿物组分在大规模围填海前后发生一定变化。研究区的沉积物整体以轻矿物为主,平均含量为97.83%,其中曹妃甸近岸平均含量为95.57%;重矿物平均含量为2.17%,其中曹妃甸近岸平均含量为4.43%。研究区的重矿物优势矿物主要有普通角闪石、绿帘石和自生黄铁矿,其中普通角闪石所占比例在曹妃甸近岸达到最高值(36.41%);轻矿物的优势矿物主要有石英、斜长石和风化碎屑,其中石英所占比例也在曹妃甸近岸达到最高值(62.72%)。研究发现,曹妃甸近岸沉积物碎屑矿物相对含量增加而重矿物基本不变,这在一定程度上揭示了大规模人工围填海工程对曹妃甸近岸及周边海区沉积环境的影响。     

江西牛形坝-柳木坑金银铅锌多金属矿床铋矿物类型及指示意义

江西银坑矿田的牛形坝-柳木坑矿床是赣南于都-赣县矿集区典型的金银铅锌多金属矿床。根据野外调研、系统矿相学研究和电子探针成分分析,表明铋在牛形坝-柳木坑矿床中是一种重要的伴生矿化金属元素,呈独立矿物或呈微细矿物包体分布在早期硫化物内部或边缘。铋矿物种类丰富,主要包括块硫铋银矿、硫铋银矿、板硫铋铜铅矿、针硫铋铅矿、硫铜铋矿、库辉铋铜铅矿、辉碲铋矿等。与同一矿集区石英脉型盘古山钨铋矿床相比,两矿床铋矿物种类均出现Pb-Ag-Bi-S、Te-Bi-S元素组合,赋存形式和含量有所不同,Cu-Pb-Bi-S元素组合仅在牛形坝-柳木坑矿床出现。矿床属于Au-Bi-(低Te)-S体系,铋盐矿物形成于中低温、中高密度、低盐度的成矿环境。从岩浆中分馏出来的成矿流体发生减压沸腾迫使大量蒸汽相逸散,硫逸度增加,铋主要以硫络合物形式运移,随着黄铁矿等硫化物沉淀,硫被大量消耗形成金矿物和碲化物(碲银矿)。成矿流体演化过程中由于温度和硫逸度进一步降低导致在成矿后期沉淀出大量铋硫盐矿物。成矿过程中的Bi促进金的迁移富集。铋矿物在两矿床中的赋存特征、化学成分、形成环境以及沉淀机制等表现出差异,说明铋具有成矿选择性,起到对成矿物质示踪的作用。     

Provenance Study of Fe–Ti Oxide Minerals in the Quaternary Sediments in Yichang Area and Its Implication of Formation Time of the Yangtze Three Gorges, China

The Three Gorges are considered to be critical to understand the formation of Yangtze River. Recent research results suggest that the Yangtze Three Gorges was created during the Quaternary but the exact time is debatable. Fe–Ti oxide minerals are seldom used to study sediment provenance, expecially using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS). In this study, the provenance of Quaternary sediments in Yichang area, which is located to the east of the Yangtze Three Gorges, was investigated by using SEM and EDS to research Fe–Ti oxides. The Panzhihua vanadium titanomagnetite and Emeishan basalt outcrop are located to the west of the Three Gorges. Further, the materials from them are observed in the Quaternary sediments of Yichang area. Fe–Ti oxide minerals from the Huangling granite are observed in the Yunchi and Shanxiyao Formations, which were formed before 0.75 Ma B.P., whereas Fe–Ti oxide minerals from the Huangling granite, Panzhihua vanadium titanomagnetite, and Emeishan basalt are observed in the riverbed and fifth-terrace sediments of the Yangtze River, which were formed after 0.73 Ma B.P.. Thus, we can infer that the Three Gorges formed after the deposition of the Shanxi Formation and before the fifth-terrace; i.e., 0.75–0.73 Ma B.P..     

Genesis and Metallogenic Process of the Lujing Uranium Deposit,Southwest Jiangxi Province,China: Constraints of Micropetrography and S–C–O Isotopes

The Lujing uranium deposit, located in the southeastern part of the Nanling metallogenic province, is one of the representative granite‐related hydrothermal uranium deposits in South China. Basic geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the deposit have been extensively studied. However, there is still a chronic lack of systematic research on the genesis and metallogenic process of the deposit. Thus, we recently carried out an electron microprobe and stable isotopic analysis. The main research results and progresses are as follows: Uranium minerals in this deposit include coffinite, pitchblende, and uranothorite, and small amounts of uranium exist in accessory minerals in the form of isomorphism. Coffinite, which occurs predominantly as the pseudomorphs after pitchblende, also occurs as a primary mineral and is locally formed from the remobilization of uranium from adjacent uranium‐bearing minerals. The mineralizing fluid was originally composed of a magmatic fluid generated by late Yanshanian magmatism. The high As content of pyrite in ores may reflect the addition of meteoric water, or the formation water (or both), to the magmatic hydrothermal system. The δ³⁴S values vary from −14.4‰ to 13.9‰ (mean δ³⁴S = −3.9‰), showing a range that is similar to nearby Cambrian metamorphic strata and Indosinian granites, indicating that these host rocks represent the source of sulfur; however, the possibility of a mantle source cannot be completely ruled out. According to our new isotopic data and recent Pb isotopic data, we conclude that the uranium in ores was derived by leaching dominantly from the uranium‐rich host rocks, especially the Cambrian metamorphic strata. The δ¹³C_PDB values (−8.75‰ to 1.40‰; mean δ¹³C_PDB = −5.41‰) and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values (5.45–18.62‰; mean δ¹⁸O = 13.02‰) of reddish calcite from the ore‐forming stage suggest that the CO₂ in the mineralizing fluids was derived predominantly from the mantle, with a small component contributed by marine carbonates. Based on these new data and previous research results, this paper proposes that uranium metallogenesis in the Lujing deposit is closely associated with mafic magmatism resulting from crustal extension during the Cretaceous to Paleogene in South China.