Rare-metal mineralization in granitic rocks of the Tongolo Anorogenic Complex — Northern Nigeria

The Tongolo Anorogenic Complex consists of peraluminous biotite granites and peralkaline riebeckite granites in which mineralization is spatially associated with the peraluminous biotite granites. Metallization is dominated by Nb-Sn and Sn-W types. Geochemical analyses of fresh bedrock samples indicate that the Tongolo biotite granites are characterized by enhanced values of a suite of trace elements (Sn, Nb, W, Zn, Rb, Li, F, Th, Y, U) which readily identify them as “specialized” granites. These geochemical data are also examined by R-mode factor analysis with the primary objective of isolating the significant factors accounting for the sample composition as derived from mineralization, alteration and lithology. The resulting orthogonal varimax solution yields a three-factor model that accounts for 79.7% of the total variance. These granite series are marked by what is interpreted as the “lithophile factor” (heavily loaded by Li, Rb, F, Th, Ga, Y, U) dominated by magmatic processes and metallization factors (Nb, Zr, Ga, U, Zn, Li and Sn, W, Rb, F, Th) which are dominated by postmagmatic processes. The two dominant types of mineralization (Nb-Sn and Sn-W), although characterized by the same pattern of trace-element enrichments, can be discriminated on the basis of Rb/Zr and Sn-Li-F relationships.     

Abundance and distribution of tungsten in the Afu Younger Granite Complex of central Nigeria

Geochemcial distribution of tungsten in the granitic rocks of Afu Younger Granite Complex of Central Nigeria, indicates that the average tungsten content (168 ppm) of the rocks is significantly higher than any reported average abundance for granitic rocks. However, significant contrast between the rock phases is obtained only in the Igo biotite granite which is directly connected with tungsten lode mineralization.The close spatial relationship between tungsten mineralization and the Igo biotite granite suggests that the ore forming fluids were probably derived from the residual fraction of the granitic magma. Greisenization is intimately associated with mineralization and it is suggested that they both had a common process of formation.     

Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus): a review of life history and key vulnerabilities in New Zealand

Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) is an important coastal fish species in New Zealand for a variety of reasons, but the large amount of research conducted on snapper has not been reviewed. Here, we review life history information and potential threats for snapper in New Zealand. We present information on snapper life history, defining stages (eggs and larvae, juvenile and adult), and assess potential threats and knowledge gaps. Overall we identify six key points: 1. post-settlement snapper are highly associated with certain estuarine habitats that are under threat from land-based stressors. This may serve as a bottleneck for snapper populations; 2. the largest knowledge gaps relate to the eggs and larvae. Additional knowledge may help to anticipate the effects of climate change, which will likely have the greatest influence on these early life stages; 3. ocean acidification, from land-based sources and from climate change, may be an important threat to larval snapper; 4. a greater understanding of population connectivity would improve certainty around the sustainability of fishery exploitation; 5. the collateral effects of fishing are likely to be relevant to fishery productivity, ecosystem integrity and enduser value; 6. our understanding of the interrelationships between snapper and other ecosystem components is still deficient.     

Geochemical aspects of the evolution and mineralization of the Amo Younger Granite Complex (northern Nigeria)

The Amo Complex forms one of the prominent ring intrusions in the Jos Plateau and it is lithologically composed of granite porphyry, riebeckite biotite granite, hornblende biotite granite and later intrusives of biotite granite. There are also small intrusions of albite riebeckite granite and albite biotite granite.

Major-element compositions of the principal rock units do not show significant differences. Comparison of the variations found in the granites with results of laboratory studies suggest either that water vapor and volatile transfer were important in the local magma series or at least they accompanied other systematic variations.

Trace-element associations vary; anomalous enrichments of Rb, Li, F, U, Th, Zr, Nb and HREE occur over mildly peralkaline riebeckite biotite granite, peralkaline albite riebeckite granite and albite biotite granite with peralkaline tendency, in contrast to their peraluminous equivalents. These cannot be explained by crystal-liquid fractionation processes and require the evolution of a Na-enriched fluid.

It is suggested that in the albite riebeckite granite and the albite biotite granite the combined effect of F, Li and Rb along with other volatiles may have led to a lower crystallization temperature such that two separate alkali feldspars (albite and microcline) crystallized individually.

Cassiterite and columbite mineralization occur mainly as magmatic disseminations within the terminal phases of the biotite granites and albite biotite granite. Diffused greisenization in association with quartz veins also carry cassiterite mineralization in the Tega and Timber Creek biotite granite phases. Although the magma may have supplied the ore elements and F for complexing, actual mineralization appears to be a product of postmagmatic processes.