Magma Ascent and Crustal Accretion at Ultraslow-Spreading Ridges: Constraints from Plagioclase Ultraphyric Basalts from the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge

Plagioclase ultraphyric basalts (PUBs) with up to 54% plagioclasephenocrysts were dredged in the rift valley and adjacent flanksof the ultraslow-spreading Mohns and Knipovich ridges. The PUBsshow large variations in crystal morphologies and zoning. Thelarge variations suggest that single basalt samples containa mixture of plagioclase crystals that aggregated at differentlevels in the magma conduits. Resorbed crystals and repeatedreverse zones suggest that the magma reservoirs were replenishedand heated several times. Thin concentric zones with melt inclusions,and sharp reductions in the anorthite content of 3–7%,are common between the reverse zones. These zones, and skeletalcrystals with distinctly lower anorthite contents than massivecrystals, are interpreted to be the result of rapid crystalliztionduring strong undercooling. The changes between short periodsof cooling and longer periods with reheating are explained bymultiple advances of crystal-rich magma into cool regions followedby longer periods of gradual magma inflow and temperature increase.The porphyritic basalts are characterizd by more depleted andmore fractionated compositions than the aphyric basalts, withlower (La/Sm)_N, K₂O and Mg-numbers. This relationship, and theobservation that PUBs are sampled only close to segment centresalong these ridges, suggests that the PUBs formed by higherdegrees of melting and evolved in more long-lived magma reservoirs.We propose that the zoning patterns of plagioclase crystalsand crystal morphologies of these PUBs reflect the developmentand flow of magma through a stacked sill complex-like conduitsystem, whereas the aphyric equivalents represent later flowof magma through the conduit. The formation of voluminous higher-degreemelts may trigger the development of the magma conduits andexplain the generally depleted compositions of PUB magmas. KEY WORDS: basalt; mineral chemistry; MORB; magma mixing; magma chamber; major element     

Geobarometry for Peridotites: Experiments in Simple and Natural Systems from 6 to 10 GPa

Experiments with peridotite minerals in simple (MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂,CaO–MgO–SiO₂ and CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂)and natural systems were conducted at 1300–1500°Cand 6–10 GPa using a multi-anvil apparatus. The experimentsin simple systems demonstrated consistency with previous lowerpressure experiments in belt and piston–cylinder set-ups.The analysis of spatial variations in pyroxene compositionswithin experimental samples was used to demonstrate that pressureand temperature variations within the samples were less than0·4 GPa and 50°C. Olivine capsules were used in natural-systemexperiments with two mineral mixtures: SC1 (olivine + high-Alorthopyroxene + high-Al clinopyroxene + spinel) and J4 (olivine+ low-Al orthopyroxene + low-Al clinopyroxene + garnet). Theexperiments produced olivine + orthopyroxene + garnet ±clinopyroxene assemblages, occasionally with magnesite and carbonate-richmelt. Equilibrium compositions were derived by the analysisof grain rims and evaluation of mineral zoning. They were comparedwith our previous experiments with the same starting mixturesat 2·8–6·0 GPa and the results from simplesystems. The compositions of minerals from experiments withnatural mixtures show smooth pressure and temperature dependencesup to a pressure of 8 GPa. The experiments at 9 and 10 GPa producedandradite-rich garnets and pyroxene compositions deviating fromthe trends defined by the lower pressure experiments (e.g. higherAl in orthopyroxene and Ca in clinopyroxene). This discrepancyis attributed to a higher degree of oxidation in the high-pressureexperiments and an orthopyroxene–high-P clinopyroxenephase transition at 9 GPa. Based on new and previous resultsin simple and natural systems, a new version of the Al-in-orthopyroxenebarometer is presented. The new barometer adequately reproducesexperimental pressures up to 8 GPa. KEY WORDS: garnet; mineral equilibrium; multi-anvil apparatus; orthopyroxene; geobarometry     

In situ strength measurements on natural upper-mantle minerals

Using in situ strength measurements at pressures up to 10 GPa and at room temperature, 400, 600, and 700°C, we examined rheological properties of olivine, orthopyroxene, and chromian-spinel contained in a mantle-derived xenolith. Mineral strengths were estimated using widths of X-ray diffraction peaks as a function of pressure, temperature, and time. Differential stresses of all minerals increase with increasing pressure, but they decrease with increasing temperature because of elastic strain on compression and stress relaxation during heating. During compression at room temperature, all minerals deform plastically at differential stress of 4–6 GPa. During subsequent heating, thermally induced yielding is observed in olivine at 600°C. Neither orthopyroxene nor spinel shows complete stress relaxation, but both retain some stress even at 700°C. The strength of the minerals decreases in the order of chromian-spinel ≈ orthopyroxene > olivine for these conditions. This order of strength is consistent with the residual pressure of fluid inclusions in mantle xenoliths.     

Biogeochemical characteristics of the Hetai goldfield, Guangdong Province, China

In the Hetai goldfield, Guangdong Province, China, samples including rocks, soils and leaves of four plants (Pinus massoniana, Rhodomyrms tomenlosa, D. linearis var. dichotoma and Embelia laeta) collected from the gold mineralization zone and the background area were analyzed for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg, As and physiological parameters. The objective of this investigation is to study the geochemical and biogeochemical characteristics of studied plants, aiming at biogeochemical methods in Au exploration. The goldfield region shows geochemical and biogeochemical anomalies. Abundances of Au in rocks, soils, plants and the leaf pigments in the mineralized area are much higher than those in the surrounding region. The plants display unhealthy physiological and ecological characteristics in the Hetai goldfield area. The cell structures of the goldfield plants were anomalous and aberrant, and there were many nano-metal particles diffused in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Macro- and microscopic evidences of the vegetation in the goldfield areas are distinctly different from the background regions. The strongly anomalies in responses to Au are profound in further geochemical and botanic exploration studies.     

河南省栾川县罗村钼矿成矿特征及找矿

通过对河南省栾川县罗村钼矿区域地质背景、矿床地质特征与南泥湖、三道庄及东沟超大型钼矿的综合对比、分析、研究,总结归纳了矿区NWW构造形迹、小岩体与钼矿成矿关系、围岩对成矿的控制作用、围岩蚀变与成矿的关系、地球化学异常与钼矿床的关系等成矿特征.根据罗村钼矿的成矿特征,初步指出今后的找矿方向.     

无机盐类对天然矿物低温催化混合酯生烃反应的影响

脂肪酸酯是一类重要的生烃母质。选择了十四烷酸甲酯、十六烷酸甲酯和十八烷酸甲酯的混合酯为模型反应物,以方解石、白云石、伊利石、钙蒙脱石和黄铁矿为催化剂,分别考察了氯化钾、氯化镁、氯化钠、硫酸钠以及混合盐对天然矿物低温催化混合酯生烃反应的影响。结果表明,无机盐类对矿物催化下混合酯的生烃反应均有不同程度的影响,硫酸钠具有反催化作用,其它盐类具有正催化作用。且在各无机盐存在下,不同的矿物表现出不同的催化活性。     

长江三角洲北翼J9孔揭示地层和古地磁特征

长江三角洲北翼地区缺少较长尺度的第四纪海陆变迁及环境演变的深入探讨,深达423m的海安县基岩标J9孔为此提供了较好的研究对象。通过观察该孔松散层岩心,总结其沉积特征,认为岩心可明显地划分为6个特征岩性段。同时,地层古地磁测试结果显示:0～200m为布容正极性世,200～334m为松山负极性世,334m以下为高斯正极性世。综合分析岩心沉积特征并参考古地磁测试结果对地层进行了初步划分,认为:0～39m为全新世地层,39～153m为晚更新世地层,153～200m为中更新世地层,200-334m为早更新世地层,之下为新近纪地层。地层中存在晚更新世晚期特征的硬粘土标志层,指示本地不是冰后期古河谷的发育地。     

豫南灵山岩体铀矿化特征

地处豫南的灵山岩体,分布着丰富的矿产资源。笔者以灵山岩体铀矿化分布特征为切入点,阐述灵山岩体铀矿化特征。该岩体铀矿化受构造、裂隙的控制,有利成矿部位在岩体中构造带与脉岩相交复合部位,矿化富集地段多含铁质、锰质和泥质,且热液蚀变发育。铀源来自岩体。具有4种矿化类型。总结其矿化特征,对豫南新县岩体、商城岩体的找矿具有一定指导意义。     

海拉尔盆地贝尔凹陷兴安岭群储层粘土矿物组成及成因研究

油田注水开发是保持地层能量,提高采收率的有效手段.海拉尔地区由于粘土矿物含量高,在开发过程中储层遇水易泥化、坍塌,严重影响油气的有效开采.通过X射线衍射、偏光显微镜观察和扫描电镜分析,确定了海拉尔盆地贝16断块兴安岭群储层自上而下存在三种粘土矿物组合:蒙脱石 高岭石 (绿泥石)→高岭石 伊/蒙间层 伊利石 (绿泥石)→伊利石 绿泥石 绿/蒙间层 伊/蒙间层.粘土总量在9.1%～69.1%之间,由地层浅部到深部呈现由高到低的变化规律.详细研究了水敏性极强的钠蒙脱石及其间层矿物,认为凝灰物质的水解蚀变以及长石和中、酸性岩屑在成岩过程中的次生变化是造成海拉尔地区粘土含量高的主要因素.     

海拉尔盆地贝西斜坡北部地区储层特征及影响因素分析

通过测井曲线的标准化处理及信息提取、岩心及录井岩屑观察、铸体薄片、物性分析、扫描电镜、压汞分析等技术手段,研究了海拉尔盆地贝西斜坡北部地区南屯组储层的主要岩性特征、物性特征、储集空间类型和影响因素.研究结果表明.海拉尔盆地南屯组以内陆湖相碎屑岩为主,主要包括角砾岩、砾岩、砂砾岩、粗砂岩、细砂岩、粉砂岩、泥质砂岩及泥岩等.南一段储层孔隙度平均值为6.15%,渗透率平均值为0.31 × 10-3μm2,为低孔特低渗型孔隙特征;南二段储层孔隙度平均值为12.18%,渗透率平均值为2.79× 10-3μm2,属于中孔低渗型孔隙特征.储集空间类型以粒间孔隙为主,发育一定的次生孔隙.喉道分为4种类型(Ⅰ类、Ⅱ类、Ⅲ类、Ⅳ类).扇三角洲前缘分支水道砂体、扇三角洲平原辫状河道砂体和滨浅湖砂坝微相砂体为该区有利的储层砂体类型.储层性质主要受沉积相和成岩作用影响.