Etude des inclusions fluides du système N2-CO2 de dolomites et de quartz de Tunisie septentrionale. Données de la microcryoscopie et de l'analyse à la microsonde à effet Raman

Optical and analytical studies were performed on 400 N₂ + CO₂ gas bearing inclusions in dolomites and quartz from Triassic outcrops in northern Tunisia. Other fluids present include brines (NaCl and KCl bearing inclusions) and rare liquid hydrocarbons. At the time of trapping, such fluids were heterogeneous gas + brine mixtures. In hydrocarbon free inclusions the $\text{N}{}_2\text{(N}{}_2\text{+ CO}{}_2\text{)}$ mole ratio was determined using two different non-destructive and punctual techniques: Raman microprobe analysis, and optical estimation of the volume ratios of the different phases selected at low temperatures. In the observed range of compositions, the two methods agree reasonably well.The N₂ + CO₂ inclusions are divided into three classes of composition: (a) $\text{N}{}_2\text{(N}{}_2\text{+ CO}{}_2\text{)}\text{> 0,57}$: Liquid nitrogen is always visible at very low temperature and homogenisation occurs in the range ?151°C to ? 147°C (nitrogen critical temperature) dry ice (solid CO₂) sublimates between ?75°C and ?60°C; (b) $\text{0,20 <}\text{N}{}_2\text{(N}{}_2\text{+ CO}{}_2\text{)}\text{? 0,57}$: liquid nitrogen is visible at very low temperature but dry ice melts on heating; liquid and gas CO₂ homogenise to liquid phase between ?51°C to ?22°C; (c) $\text{N}{}_2\text{(N}{}_2\text{+ CO}{}_2\text{)}\text{? 0,20}$: liquid nitrogen is not visible even at very low temperature (?195°C) and liquid and gas CO₂ homogenise to liquid phase between ?22°C and ?15°C. The observed phases changes are used to propose a preliminary phase diagram for the system CO₂-N₂ at low temperatures.Assuming additivity of partial pressures, isochores for the CO₂-N₂ inclusions have been computed. The intersection of these isochores with those for brine inclusions in the same samples may give the P and T of trapping of the fluids.     

Analysis of Standard Reference Materials for Zr,Nb, Hf and Ta by ICP-MS after Lithium Metaborate Fusion and Cupferron Separation*

Results are presented of the determination of Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta in 74 standard reference materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Samples are decomposed by fusion with lithium metaborate and the analytes are separated prior to analysis by precipitation of their cupferrates. Calibration is made using synthetic solutions and internal standardization with Ru (for Zr and Nb) and Re (for Hf and Ta). Accuracy is assessed by comparison with recommended values and precision is evaluated by replicate analyses of five SRMs.     

Radiation-enhanced release of uranium from accessory minerals in crystalline rocks

Implantation of low energy (~ 1 keV/amu) Pb ions, simulating α-recoils, greatly increases the dissolution rate of U-bearing minerals in aqueous solutions above a critical dose $\text{~5 × 10}{}^{12}\text{ions·cm}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}$. A Monte-Carlo code of etching indicates that this phenomenon corresponds to a percolation threshold due to the accumulation of ion-induced defects above a critical concentration. Such a radiationenhanced dissolution could be produced by α-recoil damage in U-rich accessory minerals of sufficient U-content and/or age. Therefore, this process could be the primary source of this element in the formation of U ores associated with crystalline rocks.     

Pétrographie et Datations K-Ar des Transformations Minérales Affectant le Gîte Uranifère de Bertholène (Aveyron — France)

Résumé La minéralisation uranifère de Bertholène est encaissée dans un orthogneiss, à proximité de sa couverture permo-carbonifère. Les variations de faciès observées dans la zone du gisement trahissent d'importantes transformations minéralogiques des roches. L'étude pétrographique révèle deux stades majeurs: 1. Important phénomène d'albitisation oblitérant localement la texture et la minéralogie initiale de l'orthogneiss. 2. Phénomènes plus tardifs d'hydrolyse de l'albite et d'argilisation. La minéralisation uranifère est mise en place lors de ce dernier stade. Les datations K-Ar de fraction fines et de phases minérales séparées permettent de préciser l'âge des transformations: 1. Les phénomènes d'albitisation sont datés à 200–210 Ma. 2. L'âge des phénomènes d'argilisation et de la mise en place des minéralisation est fixé à 170–175 Ma. Ces deux âges, déjà connus en plusieurs autres points du Sud du Massif Central comme épisodes de métamorphisme, de diagenèse, ou de mise en place de minéralisations diverses apparaissent d'une grande importance régionale.

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The Bertholène uranium deposit is located within an orthogneiss not far away from its Permo-Carboniferous sedimentary cover. Variations in texture and coloration in the deposit and its vicinity result from a radical alteration of the country rock mineralogy. Two major stages of transformation are revealed by petrographic study: 1. An important albitization process, locally obliterating the orthogneiss initial texture and mineralogy — 2. A later stage of argillization and albite hydrolysis during which the uranium deposit was formed. K-Ar datings of fine fractions and hand-picked mineral phases enabled the following ages to be established: 1. The age of the albitization process is 200–210 M.Y. 2. The uranium deposit formation and the process of argillization are 170–175 M.Y. old. These two ages, already reported from several other locations in the South of the Massif Central, as epochs of metamorphism, diagenesis or ore bodies formation seem of great regional importance.

     

Quaternary strike-slip faults in southeastern spain

The Gibraltar Arc (Western Mediterranean Sea) is traversed by a NE-trending fault system that extends from northern Morocco to southeastern Spain. In this area, three main faults (the Carboneras, Palomares and Alhama de Murcia faults) have been active in Quaternary time. The faults are characterized by left-lateral strike-slip motion. The Quaternary faulting and current seismicity in this part of the Meditterranean area are related to a collision-type tectonics produced by the northwestward relative motion of the African Plate toward the European Plate.     

The Kenna ureilite: an ultramafic rock with evidence for igneous,metamorphic, and shock origin

The Kenna ureilite was found in February, 1972 near the town of Kenna, Roosevelt County, New Mexico U.S.A., weighed 10.9 kg, and measured 26.7 × 14.7 × 14.2 cm; it is the seventh known ureilite. The meteorite is composed of xenoblastic olivine (Fo_79.2), commonly rimmed by forsterite (Fo₉₉), and pigeonite (En₇₃Wo₉Fs₁₈), in a volumetric ratio of 3:1, set in a matrix of three carbon polymorphs (graphite, lonsdaleite, and diamond) plus nickel-iron metal and troilite. Some thin metalliferous veins penetrating silicate grains contain secondary inclusions of melt with high-calcium clinopyroxene (high-Ca, Mg-rich augite to augite), andesine, K-feldspar, chromite, and siliceous CaO- and alkali-rich glasses of variable compositions.Textural, mineralogical and fabric information suggest a complex history for Kenna, involving igneous, metamorphic and shock processes. The rock appears to have originated as an ultramafic cumulate whose texture and structure was modified by adcumulus processes and by solution and redeposition in a weak deviatoric stress field. A strong mineral elongation lineation was produced during this high-temperature phase accompanied by mild plastic deformation of olivine on the system 0kl[100]. Superimposed on this original texture and fabric are processes resulting from light to moderate (50–250 kbar) shock deformation, as manifested by fracturing of the silicates, slip parallel to (001) in olivine, and twin and translation gliding parallel to (100) in the clinopyroxene. Lonsdaleite and diamond probably formed during this shock phase, which may be associated with the break-up of the parent body, but the relative time of introduction of the carbon-rich matrix is still unresolved.     

Ages K/Ar des minéralisations de Brioude-Massiac (W-Au-As-Sb; Pb-Zn), Pontgibaud (Pb-Ag; Sn), et Labessette (As-Pb-Sb-Au): Place de ces districts dans l'évolution géotectonique du Massif central français

RésumRé De nombreuses minéralisations filoniennes polymétalliques recoupent le socle métamorphique et granitique varisque du Massif central. Trois de ces districts notamment: Brioude-Massiac (W-As-Au; As-Sb-(Au)), Pontgibaud (As-Sn et Pb-Ag) et Labessette (As-Sb-Pb-Au) ont récemment fait l'objet d'études sur les condition thermodynamiques du dépôt des minerais et sur les sources potentielles de leurs éléments métalliques. Une succession d'épisodes hydrothermaux de haute, moyenne et basse température développe une intense altération phyllosilicatée à muscovite, phengite, illite et kaolinite dominantes.Les datations K/Ar de ces phyllosilicates ont montré qu'il existait dans chaque district un épisode hydrothermal précoce de haute température bien défini, mais hétérochrone (295±6 Ma pour les minéralisations As-Sn de Pontgibaud et As-Sb-Pb-Au de Labessette, 250 ±10 Ma pour les minéralisations W-As-Au et As-Sb-(Au) de Brioude-Massiac), dont les grands filons de Pontgibaud représentent probablement l'achèvement. Cet épisode est suivi par plusieurs autres de basse température qui surviennent à partir de 220 Ma. La dispersion des âges suggère les interventions de plusieurs épisodes hydrothermaux successifs survenant dans un bâti déjà largement cratonisé. Ces épisodes sont responsables du développement des paragenèses tardives (Pb-Cu-Ba-F, illites) et peuvent provoquer des rajeunissements chez les phyllosilicates de l'épisode précoce.

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Numerous veins containing polymetallic mineralizations cut the metamorphic and granitic Variscan basement of the French Massif Central. Three of the districts: Brioude-Massiac (W-Au-As; As-Sb-(Au)), Pontgibaud (Pb-Ag; As-Sn) and Labessette (As-Sb-Pb-Au) have recently been studied from the point of view of the thermodynamic conditions of deposition of the ore and the potential sources of the metallic elements. A succession of high-, medium-, and low-temperature hydrothermal episodes have caused an intense phyllosilicate alteration with dominant muscovite, phengite, illite and kaolinite.K/Ar dating of the phyllosilicates in each district shows an early high-temperature hydrothermal episode, which is well defined but heterochronous (295±6 Ma for the As-Sn mineralization of Pontgibaud and the As-Sb-Pb-Au mineralization of Labessette, and 250±10 Ma for the W-As-Au and As-Sb-(Au) mineralizations of Brioude-Massiac), of which the large Pb-Ag veins of Pontgibaud probably represent the ending. The high-temperature episode was followed by low-temperature episodes which began 220 Ma ago; the dispersion of ages suggests the intervention of several successive episodes within a largely cratonized structure. These episodes were responsible for the development of late parageneses (Pb-Cu-Ba-F, illites) and may have caused rejuvenation within the early phyllosilicates.

     

The vourinos ophiolite complex, Greece: The tectonite suite

Classical structural analysis, in combination with new techniques including pyroxene thermobarometry and recrystallized-grain- and subgrain-size paleopiezometry, has been used to deduce the tectonic history of the Vourinos Ophiolite Complex, Greece. Results can be used to infer the variation with depth of differential stress in the upper mantle and indicate that these rocks were subjected to an initial stress level of 10–100 bar over a depth interval from 100 to 40 km, respectively. Subsequently, they underwent mylonitization, associated with stresses of about 2500 bar at 30 km depth. Rocks equilibrated at the deepest levels commonly have the highest structural positions within the ultramafic tectonites and also show appreciable Al depletion. Lack of annealing recrystallization in the mylonitic rocks, together with low stress levels and an abnormally high pyroxene geotherm for the Complex lead to the interpretation of the Complex being the remnant of a mantle diapir, with an overlying magma chamber, located at a spreading ridge.     

Origin of the Xigaze ophiolite, Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet

The Xigaze ophiolite, (Tibet) displays unusual lithological, petrological, textural, and structural characteristics. There are no large masses of cumulate gabbros, but dolerite intrusives throughout the whole ophiolite sequence, some of which were intruded into already serpentinized peridotites, only minor residual harzburgites and dunites in dominantly Iherzolitic peridotites equilibrated at low temperatures and pressures, and relatively low-temperature deformation structures in the uppermost peridotites. These features suggest a very low heat flow at the spreading center where the Xigaze ophiolite was formed, in good agreement with a discontinuous and slowly-accreting spreading center origin. However, this ophiolite does not represent a typical mid-oceanic ridge ophiolite; rather it was formed in a small basin located at the southern margin of Eurasia, hence within a preexisting oceanic lithosphere. The opening of the nearly N-S Xigaze paleo-ridge resulted from the W-E drift of Africa relative to Eurasia from 180 to 110 Ma. The N-S emplacement onto the continent of the Xigaze ophiolite, formed 120 to 110 Ma ago, can be correlated to changes in direction of motion of the African and Indian plates: a primary intra-oceanic thrusting event probably occurring at 110 or 85 Ma and the final obduction near 50 Ma during the India-Eurasia collision.