Banded Iron Research Articles

A hydrogeological conceptual model for the groundwater dynamics in the ferricretes of Capão Xavier, Iron Quadrangle, Southeastern Brazil

In the Iron Quadrangle (IQ), southeastern Brazil, ferricretes usually overlie the banded iron formations (BIFs) of the Cauê Formation, rocks that not only host the most important iron ore deposits of this region but are also its major groundwater source. Little is known about the water dynamics in ferricretes and therefore how they influence the recharge of the subjacent aquifer (Cauê aquifer). The objective of this research was to identify ferricrete typologies and investigate their water dynamics in the Capão Xavier region, northwest of IQ. Field work consisted of macroscopic description of ferricretes, infiltration tests and multitemporal electrical resistivity surveys. Two ferricrete typologies were distinguished: structured ferricretes, which are older and occur on top of plateaus, and detrital ferricretes of colluvial-alluvial origin, which were deposited downslope and in topographic lows. The structured ferricretes preserve the medium- to high-angle foliation inherited from the underlying BIFs, whereas the detrital ferricretes constitute thick packs subparallel to the topographic surface and are intercalated with argillaceous layers in areas of karstic depressions. The structured ferricretes are more porous (20.8% to 24.4%) than the detrital ferricretes (14.4% to 17.6%), hence they have higher mean basic infiltration rates (8.3x10-6 m/s) than detrital ferricretes (2.8x10-6 m/s). Despite these low mean basic infiltration rates, infiltration advances thanks to the karstic-fissural porosity (fractures and joints widened by karstification), and superficial cavities that are connected to caves in the interface between the ferricrete and the subjacent, less resistant, transition horizon. Karstification is controlled by the subvertical foliation in the structured ferricretes and subparallel layering in the detrital ferricretes. Some factors that favor infiltration and deep percolation of water are superficial rugosity in structured ferricretes, and karstic depressions in both typologies. The recharge of the Cauê aquifer is diachronic, firstly taking place via the karstic-fissural system and later via the ferricrete matrix.

Phosphate remobilization from banded iron formations during metamorphic mineral transformations

Ratios of phosphorous (P) to iron (Fe) in Precambrian banded iron formations (BIFs) have previously been used to estimate dissolved seawater phosphate concentrations in the ancient oceans. Such studies rely on an assumed composition of the primary iron minerals, the concentrations of the major ions in seawater, and empirical partitioning coefficients for phosphate sorption to Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. There is limited data, however, regarding the post-depositional stability of phosphate associated with presumed primary BIF iron minerals, such as ferrihydrite under low-grade metamorphic temperature and pressure conditions. Here we experimentally formed ferrihydrite in the presence of silica, which was abundant in the Precambrian oceans, and then incubated it at 170 °C and 1.2 kbar in the presence or absence of organic carbon (Corg; either glucose or microbial biomass) as a proxy for ancient planktonic biomass. We found that the post-metamorphic mineral assemblage resulting from thermochemical Fe(III) reduction of Si-doped ferrihydrite depended on Corg reactivity: In the presence of highly reactive glucose, siderite, magnetite, and vivianite were formed, with less than 1.2 mol% of phosphate (0.5 M NaCl extractable) being mobilized. In contrast, the reaction of Si-doped ferrihydrite with less reactive microbial biomass resulted in the formation of hematite and siderite, but not vivianite, and approximately 10 mol% of phosphate was remobilized into the pore fluids. Collectively, our data suggest that the fidelity with which BIFs record ancient oceanic phosphate concentrations depends on the mineralogy and diagenetic history of individual BIFs but should be reliable within 10%.

Global continental volcanism controlled the evolution of the oceanic nickel reservoir

Wanning nickel (Ni) abundances in the Neoarchean may have led to a decline in marine methanogenic bacteria due to the loss of a key micronutrient, causing a collapse in atmospheric methane levels and the subsequent rise of atmospheric oxygen – the Great Oxidation Event ∼2.5 Ga. However, this hypothesis currently lacks geological evidence that corroborates the processes that led to a decline in the supply of Ni to the oceans at that time. Here we investigate temporal variations of Ni concentrations in the likely source rocks – various volcanic lithologies - spanning the past 3.5 Byr. By applying a spatially gridded resampling to geochemical data from a global compilation of ∼96,000 continental volcanic rocks, we show that komatiites and basaltic-andesitic rocks largely controlled Ni fluxes to the Earth's surface during the Archean but had a waning influence thereafter due to the secular cooling of the mantle. A new compilation of marine shales (397 samples) and an updated compilation of banded iron formations (2037 samples) further confirms a declining clastic and dissolved supply of terrestrial Ni, respectively. Interestingly, we further observed a stable marine Ni concentration for the last 2 Byr. To explain this unexpected trend, we provide a computational model of mantle melting demonstrating that increasing melting pressures likely inhibited a further decline of Ni concentration in volcanic rocks and led to this relative consistency in Ni supply.

Ocean Plate Stratigraphy of a long-lived Precambrian subduction-accretion system: The Wutai Complex, North China Craton

Ocean Plate Stratigraphy (OPS) is the travelogue of the oceanic lithosphere from its birth at the Mid Ocean Ridge to its demise at the subduction zone in convergent plate margins. Here we present an OPS succession preserved onland in the Wutai Complex of the North China Craton (NCC), representing a prolonged subduction-accretion-collision system and continental growth during the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic. The OPS succession in Wutai includes metabasalts and banded iron formation representing the pelagic sequences together with intercalated metacarbonates. Phyllite, greenschist, and mica schist represent the hemipelagic sequence. Quartzite and conglomerate correspond to the turbidite sequence, with a progressive southward accretion towards a magmatic arc in the north. We present results from petrological, geochemical, zircon U-Pb, REE, and Lu-Hf studies from representative rocks in the OPS sequence of the Wutai Complex. The trace elements including the rare-earth element (REE) data of the metabasalt show transitional features between normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) and enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB). The REY (lanthanide elements and Y) data of the banded iron formation (BIF), greenschists, and phyllite suggest the interaction of high-temperature hydrothermal fluids and seawater. Magmatic zircon grains from the quartzite show 206Pb/207Pb upper intercept age of 2443 ± 21 Ma, whereas zircon grains in the phyllite show upper intercept age of 2494 ± 32 Ma, with minor xenocrysts with older ages of 2726 ± 46 Ma and 2672 ± 48 Ma. Zircon grains in the metaconglomerate show upper intercept age of 2569 ± 32 Ma. Those from the siliceous and intercalated bands in the BIF yield upper intercept ages of 2583 ± 34 Ma and 2524 ± 49 Ma. The zircon Lu-Hf data on zircon grains from the BIF, phyllite, quartzite, and metaconglomerate all show positive εHf(t) values (+1.3 to +7.4) in the range of depleted mantle to new crust, suggesting Neoarchean intra oceanic arc subduction. Combined with the zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic data previously reported from the Wutai Complex, we infer the following four tectonic evolution stages: ca. 2800 Ma subduction initiation, ca. 2750–2300 Ma arc-accretionary complex, ca. 2300–2100 Ma back-arc rifting, and ca.1900–1750 Ma arc-continent collision. The metavolcanics and part of the metasedimentary rock assemblages in the Wutai Complex represent a deformed and dismembered OPS sequence generated through northward subduction and closure of the Wutai Ocean.

40Ar/39Ar AGES OF HYDROTHERMAL FLUIDS OF CABAÇAL Au-Zn-Cu DEPOSIT: IMPLICATIONS OF THE CACHOEIRINHA OROGENY ON MINERALIZATION EVENT IN SW AMAZONIAN CRATON

The Cabaçal deposit is located in SW Amazonian Craton, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, with important Au-Zn-Cu mineralization. The ore is hosted by the Alto Jauru orogenic rocks (1.79-1.74 Ga) comprised of felsic volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks and mineralizations occur as bands concordant with the mylonitic foliation, breccias, quartz-carbonate veins and rock-disseminated, and the polymetallic ore comprises chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena. The mineralization is related to hydrothermal alteration and includes quartz, chlorite, carbonate, sericite and biotite. Six sericite grains from the hydrothermal zones yielded 40Ar/39Ar ages from 1521.3 ± 1.3 Ma to 1510.4 ± 1.2 Ga. These ages are evidence that hydrothermal solutions originated related to the Cachoeirinha orogen (1.58-1.52 Ga) cutting the Alto Jauru orogen (1.79-1.74 Ga) host rocks. Detailed geology and petrography indicate banded iron formation played an important role in the metal deposition as a chemical barrier for the mineralizing fluids.

Silver-gold and polymetallic mineralization in the banded iron formations deposit in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

Since the beginning of iron mining in Kryvyi Rih in 1881, gold was a target of interest. Exploration for gold began in 1936. As a result, many gold occurrences were discovered. In this paper, regional geology of the gold mineralization and the iron deposit details are also described for better understanding of the position of hydrothermal mineral association. Gold - silver and polymetallic mineralization was found in the iron ore horizon in the Ingulets operating iron open pit. A new association of gold and Sb-bearing sulfosalts is described. Gold occurs in an association with arsenopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite in quartz-arsenopyrite veins type mineralization discovered in the Ingulets quarry. Gold was found as minute inclusions in arsenopyrite and as inclusions in Ag-Sb-, Pb-Sb-, Ag-Pb-Sb- sulfosalts. Based on both ore microscope and EMP measurements, the following minerals have been identified: arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, tetrahedrite, freibergite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, stibnite, plagonite, zinkenite, fuloppite, miargyrite, chalcostibite, andorite, and native Sb and electrum. It is the first discovery of Ag-Sb-Cu-Pb mineral association in the whole Kryvyi Rich structure. In this paper quantitative EMP measurements of all new minerals of the newly discovered association are presented. The baro-acoustic decrepitation analyses of the massive arsenopyrite and pyrite showed temperature formation ranging between 450 °C and 650 °C with an average of T ~ 585 °C. Based on mineralogical investigations, ore occurrences are considered as the product of high and middle temperature hydrothermal processes.

Highly Siderophile Elements and Coupled Fe-Os Isotope Signatures in the Temagami Iron Formation, Canada: Possible Signatures of Neoarchean Seawater Chemistry and Earth's Oxygenation History.

Banded iron formations (BIFs) were deposited before and concurrent with the Great Oxidation Event at ∼2.33 Ga. They provide useful archives that document the transformation of the Precambrian hydrosphere from anoxic to progressively oxygenated conditions. Their formation involves removal of oceanic Fe by either inorganic or biologically promoted Fe2+ oxidation, or both. To evaluate depositional settings, elemental sources that affect seawater chemistry, and oxidation pathways, we present the first combined highly siderophile element (HSE) and Fe-Os isotope study for the ∼2.7 Ga Temagami BIF, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Ontario (Canada). HSE abundances and 187Os/188Os ratios show no systematic variation between alternating magnetite and (meta)chert bands of the Temagami BIF. Whereas HSE concentrations mostly resemble modern crustal values, present-day 187Os/188Os ratios range from ∼0.17 to ∼10.8. Magnetite samples define a regression line corresponding to an age of 2661 ± 126 Ma. A chondrite-like 187Os/188Os initial value is in agreement with earlier studies on Neoarchean marine sediments and is thought to reflect seawater composition, which, unlike modern oceans, is dominated by mantle-like 187Os inventory most likely derived from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Our δ56Fe data vary from about +0.6‰ to +0.9‰ and define a sawtooth-like pattern between alternating magnetite and (meta)chert layers. Partial oxidation of hydrothermally sourced Fe(II) and a lack of microbially mediated dissimilatory iron reduction provide the most plausible explanation for the positive δ56Fe values. Notably, our δ56Fe data for Temagami are in accord with trends defined by literature results for other Algoma-type BIFs that were deposited throughout the Archean.

Mineralogical justification for potentiality of producing marketable hematite products


 
 
 Hematite quartzites are a product of weathering of magnetite quartzites, which make up the ferruginous horizons of deposits of the Precambrian banded-iron formation. They occur all over the planet. The largest deposits are found in the iron-producing areas and basins of Central Kazakhstan, the Kursk magnetic anomaly, the Karelian-Kola region, Western Australia, Southeastern India, Brazil, the United States, and Canada. The geological and mineralogical issues of hematite quartzites as raw materials for producing concentrate and sinter ore have been studied most deeply and comprehensively for the deposits of the Kryvyi Rih basin and Central Kazakhstan. However, when developing an effective scheme for producing high-quality metallurgical raw materials, the mineralogical features of hematite ores have been taken into account insufficiently. The aim of the authors of the present work was to study the localization, structure of deposits and mineral composition of hematite quartzites as raw materials for sinter ore and concentrate production. Data from geological observations and mineralogical studies were used as source material. Proven geological, mineralogical, petrochemical methods were used. In accordance with the obtained results, the hematite quartzites are composed of ore-forming (quartz, hematite) and secondary (relict and newly formed) minerals. The total content of the hematite and quartz exceeds 90 mass %. The peculiarity of Ushkatyn III deposit ores is the high content of manganese oxides. The depth of distribution of the weathering crust composed of hematite quartzites varies from 200 to 1000 m. The hematite quartzites’ bodies are characterized by a zonal structure. Their central parts are represented by martite-micaceous hematite, micaceous hematite- martite quartzites; intermediate ones by martite quartzites; peripheral parts – by dispersed hematite-martite, kaolinite-martite-dispersed hematite quartzites. The horizons differ in the quantitative ratio of these varieties. The quantitative ratio of mineral varieties of hematite quartzites, morphology of individuals and aggregates of ore-forming and secondary minerals, their chemical composition and physical properties must be taken into account when developing the optimal technology for the production of high-quality hematite concentrate.
 
 

Hydrologic Alteration and Enhanced Microbial Reductive Dissolution of Fe(III) (hydr)oxides Under Flow Conditions in Fe(III)-Rich Rocks: Contribution to Cave-Forming Processes.

Previous work demonstrated that microbial Fe(III)-reduction contributes to void formation, and potentially cave formation within Fe(III)-rich rocks, such as banded iron formation (BIF), iron ore and canga (a surficial duricrust), based on field observations and static batch cultures. Microbiological Fe(III) reduction is often limited when biogenic Fe(II) passivates further Fe(III) reduction, although subsurface groundwater flow and the export of biogenic Fe(II) could alleviate this passivation process, and thus accelerate cave formation. Given that static batch cultures are unlikely to reflect the dynamics of groundwater flow conditions in situ, we carried out comparative batch and column experiments to extend our understanding of the mass transport of iron and other solutes under flow conditions, and its effect on community structure dynamics and Fe(III)-reduction. A solution with chemistry approximating cave-associated porewater was amended with 5.0 mM lactate as a carbon source and added to columns packed with canga and inoculated with an assemblage of microorganisms associated with the interior of cave walls. Under anaerobic conditions, microbial Fe(III) reduction was enhanced in flow-through column incubations, compared to static batch incubations. During incubation, the microbial community profile in both batch culture and columns shifted from a Proteobacterial dominance to the Firmicutes, including Clostridiaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Veillonellaceae, the latter of which has not previously been shown to reduce Fe(III). The bacterial Fe(III) reduction altered the advective properties of canga-packed columns and enhanced permeability. Our results demonstrate that removing inhibitory Fe(II) via mimicking hydrologic flow of groundwater increases reduction rates and overall Fe-oxide dissolution, which in turn alters the hydrology of the Fe(III)-rich rocks. Our results also suggest that reductive weathering of Fe(III)-rich rocks such as canga, BIF, and iron ores may be more substantial than previously understood.

Insights into characterization and genesis of the Tieshanmiao banded iron formation deposit, China: Evidence from zircon U–Pb dating and geochemistry

The Tieshanmiao hosted by the metamorphosed Paleoproterozoic Upper Taihua Group, is a large-scale BIF–hosted Fe deposit in the southern margin of the North China Craton. The formation age, BIF type, depositional condition as well as the genesis of pyroxene–rich BIF is under heated debate. In this study, we present petrology, whole–rock geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotope analyses on the Tieshanmiao Fe deposit. The Fe ore of the deposit can be divided into two sub-types, including banded pyroxene–magnetite quartzite (BMQ) and disseminated magnetite pyroxenite (DMP). The hanging wall rock pyroxene biotite gneiss yields an upper intercept age of 2406 ± 24 Ma, interpreted as the lower limited age for BIF deposition. The foot wall rock garnet–bearing biotite plagioclase gneiss yields a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 2739 ± 12 Ma, interpreted as its maximal depositional age. Lu-Hf isotope systematics indicates that pyroxene biotite gneiss is derived from the Paleoproterozoic mantle contaminated by the crust, and the provenance of garnet–bearing biotite plagioclase gneiss is derived from a Mesoarchean crust.The primary mineral assemblages of the pyroxene–rich Tieshanmiao Fe deposit are Fe–silicate, Ca/Mg–carbonate, ferrihydrite, and minor quartz. The BMQs have high and variable Y/Ho ratios (40–80), recording periodic alkaline hydrothermal injection that is progressively diluted by seawater, while the DMPs have low and constrained Y/Ho ratios, archiving well–supplied alkaline hydrothermal injection. We propose a REY (lanthanide elements and Y) modelling of multi–Fe sources for the Tieshanmiao BIF deposit. The BMQs are sourced from seawater and high–T hydrothermal fluid, while the DMPs are sourced from seawater, high–T hydrothermal fluids and one or several additional Fe fluxes (e.g. high-Fe dissolved riverine fluxes, low–T hydrothermal fluids or benthic Fe shuttles driven by dissimilatory iron reduction).The basic gneisses as metabasalts associated with the Tieshanmiao Fe deposit are characterized by high–Fe assay, variable LREE enrichment, relatively depletion in Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti, Y, and Th. The geochemistry of the basic gneisses shows affinities to both MORBs and volcanic–arc basalts, indicating a back–arc basin setting of the BIF deposition. It is most likely a Superior–type BIF–hosted Fe deposit, which is formed in a back–arc basin along the craton–side continental shelf.

Channelized CO2-Rich Fluid Activity along a Subduction Interface in the Paleoproterozoic Wutai Complex, North China Craton

Greenschist facies metabasite (chlorite schist) and metasediments (banded iron formation (BIF)) in the Wutai Complex, North China Craton recorded extensive fluid activities during subduction-related metamorphism. The pervasive dolomitization in the chlorite schist and significant dolomite enrichment at the BIF–chlorite schist interface support the existence of highly channelized updip transportation of CO2-rich hydrothermal fluids. Xenotime from the chlorite schist has U concentrations of 39–254 ppm and Th concentrations of 121–2367 ppm, with U/Th ratios of 0.11–0.62, which is typical of xenotime precipitated from circulating hydrothermal fluids. SHRIMP U–Th–Pb dating of xenotime determines a fluid activity age of 1.85 ± 0.07 Ga. The metasomatic dolomite has δ13CV-PDB from −4.17‰ to −3.10‰, which is significantly lower than that of carbonates from greenschists, but similar to the fluid originated from Rayleigh fractionating decarbonation at amphibolite facies metamorphism along the regional geotherm (~15 °C/km) of the Wutai Complex. The δ18OV-SMOW values of the dolomite (12.08–13.85‰) can also correspond to this process, considering the contribution of dehydration. Based on phase equilibrium modelling, we ascertained that the hydrothermal fluid was rich in CO2, alkalis, and silica, with X(CO2) in the range of 0.24–0.28. All of these constraints suggest a channelized CO2-rich fluid activity along the sediment–basite interface in a warm Paleoproterozoic subduction zone, which allowed extensive migration and sequestration of volatiles (especially carbon species) beneath the forearc.

Orbital forcing of ice sheets during snowball Earth

The snowball Earth hypothesis—that a runaway ice-albedo feedback can cause global glaciation—seeks to explain low-latitude glacial deposits, as well as geological anomalies including the re-emergence of banded iron formation and “cap” carbonates. One of the most significant challenges to snowball Earth has been sedimentological cyclicity that has been taken to imply more climate dynamics than expected when the ocean is completely covered in ice. However, recent climate models suggest that as atmospheric CO2 accumulates, the snowball climate system becomes sensitive to orbital forcing. Here we show the presence of nearly all Milankovitch (orbital) cycles preserved in stratified banded iron formation deposited during the Sturtian snowball Earth. These results provide evidence for orbitally forced cyclicity of global ice sheets that resulted in periodic oxidation of ferrous iron. Orbital glacial advance and retreat cycles provide a simple mechanism to reconcile both the sedimentary dynamics and the enigmatic survival of multicellular life during snowball Earth.

3D Modeling of Large-Scale Geological Structures by Linear Combinations of Implicit Functions: Application to a Large Banded Iron Formation

3D Modeling of Large-Scale Geological Structures by Linear Combinations of Implicit Functions: Application to a Large Banded Iron Formation

Refining the Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal history of the Penokean Orogen: New U-Pb age constraints from the Pembine-Wausau terrane, Wisconsin, USA

Abstract An enduring problem in the assembly of Laurentia is uncertainty about the nature and timing of magmatism, deformation, and metamorphism in the Paleoproterozoic Wisconsin magmatic terranes, which have been variously interpreted as an intra-oceanic arc, foredeep or continental back-arc. Resolving these competing models is difficult due in part to a lack of a robust time-frame for magmatism in the terranes. The northeast part of the terranes in northern Wisconsin (USA) comprise mafic and felsic volcanic rocks and syn-volcanic granites thought to have been emplaced and metamorphosed during the 1890–1830 Ma Penokean orogeny. New in situ U-Pb geochronology of igneous zircon from the volcanic rocks (Beecher Formation), and from two tonalitic plutons (the Dunbar Gneiss and Newingham Tonalite) intruding the volcanic rocks, yielded crystallization ages ranging from 1847 ± 10 Ma to 1842 ± 7 Ma (95% confidence). Thus, these rocks record a magmatic episode that is synchronous with bimodal volcanism in the Wausau domain and Marshfield terrane farther south. Our results, integrated with published data into a time-space diagram, highlight two bimodal magmatic cycles, the first at 1890–1860 Ma and the second at 1845–1830 Ma, developed on extended crust of the Superior Craton. The magmatic episodes are broadly synchronous with volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization and deposition of Lake Superior banded iron formations. Our data and interpretation are consistent with the Penokean orogeny marking west Pacific-style accretionary orogenesis involving lithospheric extension of the continental margin, punctuated by transient crustal shortening that was accommodated by folding and thrusting of the arc-back-arc system. The model explains the shared magmatic history of the Pembine-Wausau and Marshfield terranes. Our study also reveals an overprinting metamorphic event recorded by reset zircon and new monazite growth dated at 1775 ± 10 Ma suggesting that the main metamorphic event in the terranes is related to the Yavapai-interval accretion rather than the Penokean orogeny.

Thermoluminescence properties of natural Egyptian calcite

The current study was going to investigate the thermoluminescence properties for calcite veins associated with the Banded Iron Formation in Wadi Kariem, Egypt. The crystalinity of the calcite samples examined by XRD technique. The samples were irradiated by ɣ-source to different doses from 250 mGy up to 2 KGy. The kinetic analyses for the thermoluminescence glow curves were deconvoluted by new designed TL software. It was observed that there were composed of 6 overlapped trapping and their activation energies were determined by glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) and Peak shape (PS) methods. The results of the two methods exhibited a good agreement with each others. The samples exhibited also a low sensitivity of 4.33 less than that of LiF for gamma radiation and the minimum detectable dose was detected to be 186 μGy. The samples displayed a gamma linear dose response from 5 Gy up to 2 kGy. The current study recommended to start the measurements of the calcite samples after 2 days to give established measurements.

Identification of malachite and alteration minerals using airborne AVIRIS-NG hyperspectral data

Hyperspectral remote sensing technique is a robust technique for the delineation and mapping of hydrothermally altered and weathered mineral deposits. The purpose of present study is to identify, delineate and map the altered zones by AVIRIS-NG Airborne hyperspectral data and validate the output by field survey and analysis of lab spectra. Major lithologies of the study area includes the presence of dolomite, banded iron formation, orthoquartzite, grey phyllite, granites and carbonaceous phyllite. Hydrothermal altered zones are delineated in the study area based on Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) hyperspectral data. FLAASH atmospheric correction was applied to hyperspectral data followed by minimum noise fraction, pixel purity index, n-dimensional visualisation and spectral angle mapper (SAM). SAM classified image was used for identification of altered minerals such as kaolinite, talc, kaosmec, sensitive to the shortwave infrared, whereas iron oxides such as goethite and limonite were distinguished in Visible and Near Infrared region. With the help of alteration minerals, Malachite mineral stains in the study area were identified. Representative rock samples are collected from field and lab spectra generated between wavelength region of 350–2500 nm. ASD spectra and image spectra compared with the USGS spectral library minerals which shows good spectral match with the collected samples. Therefore, it can be concluded that AVIRIS-NG hyperspectral data is useful in identification, delineation and mapping of altered and weathered minerals.

Using Zn and Ni behavior during magnetite precipitation in banded iron formations to determine its biological or abiotic origin

There is longstanding controversy about the genesis of magnetite in banded iron formations (BIFs), particularly concerning whether it is of abiogenic or biogenic origin. The composition of trace elements within magnetite produced by magnetotactic bacteria has been proposed as a promising marker for its biological origin; however further experimental evidence is required to investigate whether this also holds true for iron-metabolizing bacteria. Here, we compared the behavior of zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) in magnetite produced either abiogenically (ferrihydrite reacting with dissolved Fe2+) or biogenically (ferrihydrite reacting with dissolved Fe2+ generated via the dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium - DIRB - Shewanella oneidensis MR-1). These abiotic and biotic incubations were applied for transforming three ferrihydrite (Fh) substrates: (1) Control Fh without added trace elements; (2) Zn-coprecipitated ferrihydrite (ZnFh); and (3) Ni-coprecipitated ferrihydrite (NiFh) in both NaHCO3 and HEPES buffer. X-ray diffraction revealed magnetite as the dominant transformation product for all reaction conditions, while siderite was only detected in experiments containing NaHCO3 as buffer. Based on similar initial dissolved Ni and Zn concentrations, we found opposing behavior of Zn and Ni where Zn showed enrichment in abiogenic magnetite, while Ni was more enriched in biogenic magnetite. Combining supposed Zn and Ni concentrations in Precambrian seawater and magnetite mineral grains from three formations deposited at different ages (i.e. 3.75 Ga Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt, 2.45 Ga Weeli Wolli Iron Formation, and 1.88 Ga Sokoman Iron Formation), we reconstructed potential Zn and Ni partition coefficients between Precambrian seawater and magnetite minerals. The reconstructed potential Zn and Ni partition coefficients suggested that these magnetite minerals from three formations were abiogenic. These differing behaviors suggest the possibility of using Zn and Ni partition coefficient ratios as a means of determining the presence or absence of DIRB in the formation of ancient magnetite deposits.

Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Paleoproterozoic succession of the Carajás Basin, southeastern Amazonian Craton, Brazil: Insights from sedimentology, stratigraphy, and U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology

The Carajás Basin, situated in the southeastern Amazonian Craton in northern Brazil, hosts a > 6 km thick pile of volcano-sedimentary rocks deposited from the Neoarchean to the early Paleoproterozoic eras (ca. 2.75–2.06 Ga). It is claimed that this basin started as a rift configuration in which volcanic and banded iron formation strata were deposited during the Neoarchean Era. However, the tectono-sedimentary evolution of this basin through the Paleoproterozoic Era remains unexplored. Based on a sedimentological, stratigraphic, and U–Pb detrital zircon geochronological investigation of a marine to a fluvial succession of this basin, this study suggests that the Carajás Basin evolved in a foreland setting during the early Paleoproterozoic Era. Probably, the Carajás Foreland Basin was sedimented in the underfilled stage (ca. 2.5–2.3 Ga) by deep-marine strata (i.e., glaciogenic submarine fan deposits), likely from the Siderian–Rhyacian Serra Sul Formation. Subsequently, shallow-marine deposits of the Azul Formation were deposited in the filled stage (ca. 2.3–2.1 Ga), followed by deposition of the fluvial to alluvial deposits of the Águas Claras and Gorotire formations during the overfilled stage (ca. 2.1–1.9 Ga). The Azul and Águas Claras formations were supplied mainly by Meso- to Neoarchean source rocks, whereas Paleoproterozoic and Paleoarchean rocks played the role of a subordinate source of sediments. The youngest U–Pb age cluster, at ca. 2.27 Ga, is interpreted as its maximum depositional age. In terms of paleogeography, the occurrence of Rhyacian zircon grains in the Azul Formation deposits suggests, at least partially, a connection between the Carajás Protocontinent with the Bacajá Domain during that period. The integrated data corroborate the hypothesis that the foreland basin was formed in a scenario of collision between the Bacajá Domain and the Carajás Protocontinent during the Transamazonian Cycle. These dramatic upheavals are directly related to the configuration of the Columbia Supercontinent, which initially led to the emergence of the Carajás Foreland Basin, and soon after, the cratonization of proto-Amazonia

3D Subsurface Characterization of Banded Iron Formation Mineralization using Large-Scale Gravity Data: A Case Study in Parts of Bharatpur, Dausa and Karauli Districts of Rajasthan, India

3D Subsurface Characterization of Banded Iron Formation Mineralization using Large-Scale Gravity Data: A Case Study in Parts of Bharatpur, Dausa and Karauli Districts of Rajasthan, India

Neoarchean atmospheric chemistry and the preservation of S-MIF in sediments from the São Francisco Craton

Sulfur mass-independent fractionation (S-MIF) preserved in Archean sedimentary pyrite is interpreted to reflect atmospheric chemistry. Small ranges in Δ33S that expanded into larger fractionations leading up to the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE; 2.45–2.2 Ga) are disproportionately represented by sequences from the Kaapvaal and Pilbara Cratons. These patterns of S-MIF attenuation and enhancement may differ from the timing and magnitude of minor sulfur isotope fractionations reported from other cratons, thus obscuring local for global sulfur cycling dynamics. By expanding the Δ33S record to include the relatively underrepresented São Francisco Craton in Brazil, we suggest that marine biogeochemistry affected S-MIF preservation prior to the GOE. In an early Neoarchean sequence (2763–2730 Ma) from the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt, we propose that low δ13Corg (<−30‰) and dampened Δ33S (0.4‰ to −0.7‰) in banded iron formation reflect the marine diagenetic process of anaerobic methane oxidation. The overlying black shale (TOC up to 7.8%) with higher δ13Corg (−33.4‰ to −19.2‰) and expanded Δ33S (2.3‰ ± 0.8‰), recorded oxidative sulfur cycling that resulted in enhance preservation of S-MIF input from atmospheric sources of elemental sulfur. The sequence culminates in a metasandstone, where concomitant changes to more uniform δ13Corg (−30‰ to −25‰), potentially associated with the RuBisCO I enzyme, and near-zero Δ33S (−0.04‰ to 0.38‰) is mainly interpreted as evidence for local oxygen production. When placed in the context of other sequences worldwide, the Rio das Velhas helps differentiate the influences of global atmospheric chemistry and local marine diagenesis in Archean biogeochemical processes. Our data suggest that prokaryotic sulfur, iron, and methane cycles might have an underestimated role in pre-GOE sulfur minor isotope records.