The formation process of the Mengyejing potash deposit, Yunnan, China: evidence from geochemical and petrological characteristics

Abstract

Two types of potash ores were sampled from the Mengyejing potash deposit (the MPD) which is the only ancient potash deposit ever found in China. Geochemical analyses, including Br, K, Mg and some heavy metals, were performed on those samples. The relatively consistent Br contents (141.42 to 763.67 ppm) in both bedded potash and veined potash ores show that the potash-forming brine was likely derived from seawater. K contents and Br/Cl ratios of the veined potash ores are relatively high in contrast to bedded potash ores. The K/Br ratios of veined potash ores exhibit a positive correlation with Br contents, which is opposite to that of the bedded potash ore of the MPD and potassium-salts from the evaporation of modern seawater. The contents of heavy metals in veined potash ores are much higher than those of bedded potash ores in the MPD and potash in other evaporite basins of the world. Sr and S isotopic compositions of these two types of potash ores suggest that the brines for precipitating veined potash were formed by mixing of connate waters (seawater or/and continental freshwater) and hydrothermal fluids. The geochemical and petrological characteristics of the veined potash ores indicate that the brine for forming veined potash orebodies caused by dissolution of previous bedded potash orebodies by hydrothermal fluids. The veined potash orebodies were formed through a cooling process by which sylvite precipitated first prior to halite.