Bauxite Formation Research Articles

Репрезентативность фондов Геологического музея им А. А. Чернова для изучения бокситообразования на Тимане

The A. A. Chernov Geological Museum compiled a representative collection characterizing the processes of bauxite formation in Timan. The funds include 12 corresponding collections with a volume of 871 storage units; the history of acquisition of the funds has been analyzed. The museum collection allows fully characterizing the lithological and mineral composition, tracing the formation of deposits from source rocks to the development of a weathering profile along them with the formation of the laterite zone of bauxite. The mineral types of bauxites and the paragenesis of accessory minerals in them are characterized. It was revealed that only 40% of museum collections reflect the complete inventory of the minerals that make up bauxite. A forecast of the results of new studies of museum collections is made, which can significantly expand knowledge about the processes of bauxite formation.

The role of clay minerals in the concentration and distribution of critical metals in lateritic palaeosols from NE Iberia

The intense chemical weathering processes that lead to the formation of laterites and bauxites result in the enrichment of critical metals (Sc, V, Co, Ga, Ge, Nb, In, Hf, Ta, W, and REEs), which are of great economic interest and are directly involved in the manufacture of various devices essential for the technology transition. This work focuses on combined geochemical and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies of lateritic palaeosols developed in continental profiles (Lower Cretaceous, NE Iberia) in order to evaluate the distribution and concentration of critical metals and their possible relationship with weathering processes. In this study, we show that during the process of laterization the highest weathering produces the highest critical metal concentrations (reaching concentrations of 1914.80 ppm in the lateritic palaeosols and 926.30 ppm in the ferruginous macropisoids). Concentrations normalized to the upper continental crust (Taylor and McLennan, 1985) indicate that both the lateritic palaeosols and the macropisoids are enriched in LREEs (256.81 and 223.01 ppm, respectively) and HREEs (107.11and 110.53, respectively). In the lateritic palaeosols, the (La/Sm)c values are higher than those of (Gd/Yb)c, indicating that the LREEs exhibit higher fractionation with weathering, whereas the opposite occurs for the macropisoids, in which the HREEs have higher fractionation. These data indicate that the HREEs are less mobile than the LREEs during laterization. The critical metals present a good positive correlation with Fe, Ti, and Al, but a good negative correlation with K. STEM images and EDS analyses allowed us to identify REE-phases (including monazite, xenotime, and La, Ce and Nd oxides) and nanoparticles of gold adsorbed on the surface of kaolinite crystals. This shows not only that during the laterization process Fe and Ti oxides act as scavengers for the critical metals, but also that kaolinite controls their distribution.

Posušje bauxites in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A source of critical raw materials and a paleoclimatic marker

The present study provides geochemical and geochronological data about Posušje bauxites in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim to characterize them as Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) sources and to put constraints on the time and genesis of the deposit. Boehmite is the bauxites’ main Al-bearing mineral, while gibbsite is a minor constituent. Hematite is the dominant Fe-phase, whereas goethite is rare. The chemical analyses indicate that the Al2O3 content ranges from 49.6 to 63.0 wt %, Fe2O3 varies from 16.5 to 33.7 wt % and the SiO2 content is usually <0.5 wt %. TiO2 content ranges between 2.6 and 3.2 wt %. Typical trace elements are V (353–787 ppm), Cr (498–1055 ppm), Zr (382–558 ppm), Sc (42–72 ppm), and Ga (40–47 ppm). The sum of REEs is 357–1112 ppm. The U-Pb zircon dating indicates an age of Posušje bauxite formation at 56.6±0.5 Ma. This age closely aligns with the global climatic event that occurred approximately 56 Ma ago, called Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

Logging Identification and Distribution of Bauxite in the Southwest Ordos Basin

In recent years, with the discovery of oil and gas in the Carboniferous bauxite reservoir in the Ordos basin, the formation and distribution of bauxite and bauxite reservoirs have attracted the attention of oil and gas explorers. Based on the slightly equidistant core testing of minerals and the porosity on the formation and calibration on the logging curves, we established a logging identification method for bauxite in the study area and fitted the formula for calculating the diaspore content and porosity using logging data. By applying this formula and a large amount of logging data, thickness and porosity maps of the Taiyuan formation of bauxite in the southeastern part of the basin were produced. Then, according to the thickness of the earliest deposited Taiyuan formation on the unconformity surface, we analyzed the paleogeomorphology of the bauxite deposition. Finally, a sedimentary facies map of the Taiyuan formation was developed based on the content of sandstone, coal seams, and carbonate rocks contained there. The results show that the diaspore content of bauxite is positively correlated with the natural gamma logging (GR) values. According to the diaspore contents and the GR values, the aluminiferous rocks in the Taiyuan formation can be divided into three categories: ① Bauxite for GR values > 450 API and diaspore content >70%; ② Argillaceous bauxite for GR values = 300–450 API and diaspore content = 25%–70%; and ③ Bauxitic mudstone for GR values = 220–300 API and diaspore content = 0%–25%. Bauxite mainly occurred in the middle and deep lagoon environments in the lower part of the Taiyuan formation. The lagoon is distributed along the paleokarst groove in the NW strike, with a width of approximately 30–40 km and a length of approximately 150–200 km, among which the thickness of pure bauxite is 9 m, argillaceous bauxite 26 m and alumina mudstone 6 m. Bauxite with a high porosity mainly existed in pure bauxite. The lagoon bauxite in the lower part of the Taiyuan formation gradually changes upward into a tidal flat swamp and carbonate platform environment.

A time-space window between Eocene karst bauxite genesis and the first molasse deposition in the Dinaric Foreland Basin in the North Dalmatia, Croatia

Karst bauxite deposits in the North Dalmatian piggyback basin (NDPGB) are a part of the Mediterranean bauxite belt, which is the largest European bauxite deposit zone; however, there is a general lack of information regarding the genesis, age, and precursor of the bauxite deposits in this region. In this study, we combined detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology with compositional, mineralogical, and morphological data from four bauxite locations in the NDPGB to provide a new palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental evolution model for the Lutetian–Rupelian timeframe of the NDPGB. The Eocene climatic conditions began with the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum event (∼56 Ma), followed by the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (∼49 Ma) and Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (∼40 Ma), and were completed as a cooling trend culminating around the Eocene/Oligocene boundary (∼34 Ma), with a shift towards an icehouse climate. These events were coeval with the continuous drift of the African continent towards Eurasia and the subsequent closure of the western part of the former Neo-Tethys Ocean associated with massive volcanic activity. Based on the bauxite deposits of the NDPGB, Early Eocene limestones formed in the last phase of the long-lasting Adriatic Carbonate Platform. The Middle Eocene orogenic activity resulted in an elevation in this area. High average temperatures, accelerated hydrological cycles and precipitation, and intensive continental weathering with increased volcanic carbon input resulted in favourable conditions for the development of karst bauxites at this time. Further Upper Eocene tectonic deformation of the NDPGB area resulted in the development of bauxite traps and enabled redeposition of the initial bauxite material. Subsequently, the bauxite deposits were covered with clastic carbonate molasse derived from the intensive erosion of the young Dinaric orogeny. The implications of this study are as follows. First, it provides new information on the timing of bauxitisation in the area by providing the first radiometric zircon geochronology, which refined and restricted the time window for bauxite formation in this region. Additionally, our results provide a new perspective on the possibility of aeolian precursors in karst bauxite formation and provide new constraints on the first tectonic marks of the initial Dinaric orogeny.

SOURCES OF SUBSTANCE AND GENETIC RELATION OF SOIL AND BAUXITE BEARING HORIZONS IN THE LATERITE PROFILE OF THE WEATHERING CRUST (OF THE FUTA JALLON-MANDINGO PROVINCE, REPUBLIC OF GUINEA)

For the first time, a granulometric analysis of lateritic soils was carried out and the sources of the substance involved in the formation of the degradation zone in the bauxite-bearing laterite profile of the bauxite-bearing province of Futa Jallon-Mandingo were identified. Throughout the province, on the stony rocks of the lateritic covers, the soil horizon occurs everywhere - the uppermost element of the vertical profile of the weathering crust. In the soil horizon, most of the components become mobile, leaching processes predominate, and laterites are mobilized and redistributed. The study of these continental formations made it possible to establish the genetic relationship between the soil horizon of the weathering crust and the underlying bauxite ores, and to determine the degree of influence of soil composition on the processes of bauxite formation.

Effect of Karst Geomorphology on the Sedimentary Mineralization and Geochemical Distribution of Bauxite: An Example from the Xiaoyuan Area in Qingzhen, Guizhou Province

Bauxite, in central Guizhou, is predominantly karst bauxite, but there is insufficient research on the effect of karst paleogeomorphology on bauxite development. Xiaoyuan bauxite is also a karst bauxite, and high- and low-iron bauxite deposits exist in the study area. This study conducts geological modeling of karst bauxite using controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) data and drill core data. The effects of karst paleogeomorphology on bauxite deposition and mineralization are evaluated by assessing karst paleogeomorphology, conducting a mineralogical analysis of drill cores at different locations, and determining the geochemical distribution characteristics of the elements in the horizontal and vertical directions. Combined with previous research results, we propose two metallogenic processes of high-iron and low-iron bauxite. The findings are significant for understanding the mechanism of bauxite formation.

Sources of Substance and Genetic Relation of Soil and Bauxite-Bearing Horizons in the Laterite Profile of the Weathering Crust (of the Fouta Jallon–Mandingo Province, Republic of Guinea)

For the first time, a granulometric analysis of lateritic soils was carried out and the sources of the substance involved in the formation of the degradation zone in the bauxite-bearing laterite profile of the bauxite-bearing province of Futa Jallon-Mandingo were identified. Throughout the province, on the stony rocks of the lateritic covers, the soil horizon occurs everywhere—the uppermost element of the vertical profile of the weathering crust. In the soil horizon, most of the components become mobile, leaching processes predominate, and laterites are mobilized and redistributed. The study of these continental formations made it possible to establish the genetic relationship between the soil horizon of the weathering crust and the underlying bauxite ores, and to determine the degree of influence of soil composition on the processes of bauxite formation.

GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BOLKARDAĞI BAUXITE DEPOSITS IN AYRANCI, THE TAURUS MOUNTAIN, TURKEY

The aim of this study is to determine the stratigraphic position of the bauxite deposits in the Ayrancı region, where the most important bauxite mineralization of the Bolkardağı region is located. In this context, the age of bauxite will be determined by determining the erosion surface associated with stratigraphic features during the formation of bauxite and the age of bauxite according to its side rocks. In the region, there are Permian-Cretaceous aged rocks belonging to the Bolkardağı Union, one of the main tectonic units forming the Central Taurus Mountains. Miocene units covering these rocks are surfaced in the study area. Karamanoglu ophiolite and older units are uncomfortably covered by Miocene aged Mazı and Divlek formations. Bauxite deposits are clearly seen in the Upper Permian aged Dedeköy formation. According to the field studies, the bauxites were formed in the Late Triassic - Early Jurassic interval, on the Upper Permian aged carbonate rocks and Lower Triassic aged shale - sandstone - limestone units and then deposited in caves and dolines within the carbonate rocks. The fact that bauxites are located above dolomites and below, within and above limestones is thought to be due to the different behavior of carbonate rocks.

The formation environment of Carboniferous karstic bauxite deposits in the central North China Craton: Insights from nitrogen isotopes and geochemical proxies

Over 5 billion tons of karstic bauxites are hosted in the Late Carboniferous Benxi Formation in the North China Craton (NCC). However, the bauxite formation environment in the central NCC remains unknown. The geological, mineralogical, geochemical, nitrogen concentrations, and δ15N isotope evidence of the Huilong and Shangwutou bauxite deposits in the central NCC was conducted, aiming to clarify the formation environments. Typically, bauxites in the central NCC contains three layers from bottom to top: Fe-bearing claystone/clayey ironstone, bauxite ore, and bauxitic claystone. The Fe-bearing claystone/clayey ironstone is composed of kaolinite, goethite, and hematite; the bauxite ore is composed of diaspore, kaolinite, but also minor hematite, ilmenite, and svanbergite; and the bauxitic claystone consists of kaolinite, but also some diaspore and goethite. Diaspores coexisted extensively with hematite, anatase, and svanbergite, forming cryptocrystalline matrix of bauxites, suggesting that they may be formed during early diagenesis. Geochemical discriminant diagrams also indicated that two deposits were primarily affected by the hydrogenous deposition and early diagenesis, and no sedimentary recirculation. The ∑REEs concentrations and fractionation (Prn/Ybn) features along the profiles mainly concentrated in the bottom bauxite ore, which reflected that the pH values could be alkaline in bottom bauxite ore, and decreased weakly acidic for the central bauxite ore to bauxitic claystone along the profiles upwards. Combining the δ15N data with two geochemical redox proxies, and the widely coexistence of diaspore and hematite, indicated that the two deposits mainly formed under suboxic conditions, and thus denitrification was the predominant process in nitrogen cycling. The δ15N values are positively correlated with paleosalinity proxies, indicating that the higher saline bottom water may lead to a strong vertical density differential and water-column stratification, conducing to forming suboxic restricted pore-water environments.

Provenance and Tectonic Evolution of Bauxite Deposits in the Tethys: Perspective From Random Forest and Logistic Regression Analyses

AbstractDevelopments in Earth system research have led to widespread interest in multi‐sphere interactions that may have controlled bauxite formation. Although karst bauxite ores are abundant in the Tethyan Metallogenic Domain (TMD), their genesis and distribution are not yet fully understood. This study utilizes the Random Forest (RF) model to analyze geochemical data sets compiled from three bauxite provinces in the Tethys, including the Mediterranean, Central Asian, and Chinese provinces. Meaningful variables among the provenance, paleolatitude and tectonic setting that affected the formation of the bauxite deposits are identified. The Logistic Regression model is used to verify the importance of various factors. Our study shows that when RF model achieves the best classifier performance, TiO2 is the variable that has the greatest impact on the model. TiO2 content is the highest in the Central Asian Province. The high TiO2 content in bauxites indicates a provenance of magmatic origine associated with the Subduction Provenance Zone. Bauxites with TiO2 content similar to that of the continental basement are derived from siliciclastic and carbonate rocks, identified as the Orogenic Provenance Zone. This study illustrates a novel link between geochemical compositions (TiO2 content) of bauxites, provenance and regional tectonic setting.

Karst-bauxite formation during the Great Oxidation Event indicated by dating of authigenic rutile and its thorium content

Aluminium (Al)-rich palaeosols—i.e., palaeobauxite deposits—should have formed in karst depressions in carbonate sequences as a result of acidic solutions from oxidative weathering of sulfide minerals during the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), but no GOE-related karst-palaeobauxite deposits have so far been recorded. Here, we report results of in situ uranium–lead (U–Pb) dating of detrital zircon and spatially associated rutile from a metamorphosed Al-rich rock within a dolomite sequence in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) of Minas Gerais, Brazil, known as the Gandarela Formation. Rutile grains are highly enriched in thorium (Th = 3–46 ppm; Th/U ratio = 0.3–3.7) and yielded an isochron, lower-intercept age of ca. 2.12 Ga, which coincides with the final phase of the GOE—i.e., the Lomagundi event. The rutile age represents either authigenic growth of TiO2 enriched in Th, U and Pb during bauxite formation, or subsequent rutile crystallisation during metamorphic overprint. Both cases require an authigenic origin for the rutile. Its high Th contents can be used as a palaeoenvironmental indicator for decreased soil pH during the GOE. Our results also have implications for iron (Fe)-ore genesis in the QF. This study demonstrates that in situ U–Th–Pb-isotope analyses of rutile can place tight constraints on the age and nature of palaeosols.

Iron Loss During Continental Weathering in the Early Carboniferous Period Recorded by Karst Bauxites

AbstractSignificant iron (Fe) loss can occur during continental weathering and efflux to the ocean via runoff, historically affecting global Fe cycling and marine ecosystems. Here, we report extremely low Fe content in early Carboniferous (ca. 340 Ma) bauxites in southwestern China. These bauxites were formed by redeposition of terrestrial soils along the paleo‐continental margin of the western South China Plate in warm climates. The bauxites contain high δ56Fe (−0.17‰ to +1.15‰) values with a negative correlation between Fe2O3 and δ56Fe, indicating that a substantial amount of Fe(III) was reduced to isotopically light dissolved Fe(II) and effuxed to the ocean via reductive dissolution under anoxic conditions. The low Corg content and low FeHR/FeT, Mo/Al, U/Al, and V/Al ratios of bauxite suggest that this reduction process occurred during the pedogenic (continental weathering) rather than the depositional/diagenetic stage of karst bauxite formation. Most of the dissolved Fe(II) were rapidly re‐oxidized to Fe(III) and transported toward the paleo‐continental margin forming iron ores with δ56Fe values around zero (−0.13‰ to +0.16‰). The negative correlation between Al2O3 and Fe2O3 contents in global karst bauxites suggests common Fe loss processes during continental weathering in geological periods favoring karst bauxite formation, such as during the Carboniferous, Permian, and Cretaceous periods and the Cenozoic era. Karst bauxite may thus provide a record of Fe loss during continental weathering and act as an indicator of enhanced Fe flux to oceans.

Characterization of the palaeoenvironmental conditions in the Pannonian Basin during the last 34 mys related to the formation of haematitic and kaolinitic sedimentary rocks

The Pannonian Basin is a sediment-filled back-arc basin which was formed during the Late Paleogene–Neogene period. Such sedimentary rocks like bauxites or kaolinites, which are important with regard to industry in the region, are the products of former weathering processes. However, our knowledge about the palaeoenvironmental conditions which led to the formation of these mineral resources has not yet been integrated. For this purpose, the former biomes, climatic classes as well as karstification, weathering and paedogenic processes were investigated over the last 34 mys using the southeastern regions of China and the United States as climatically analogous regions. By the second half of the Oligocene, the conditions of intensive chemical weathering ceased to exist in the Pannonian Basin, which enabled the formation of lateritic bauxites during earlier periods. However, up to the mid-Serravallian Stage, intensive karstification as well as the formation of haematite-rich ultisols and alfisols continued when humid subtropical climatic conditions came about. The modelled biomes indicate that aridification during the Early to Middle Miocene led to the formation of less dense vegetation, exacerbating the re-deposition of weathering products. These conditions resulted in the accumulation of haematitic and kaolinitic sedimentary rocks in the fossilized karst depressions. The progressive cooling following the mid-Pliocene decreased the intensity of karstification, moreover, the cessation of humid subtropical conditions brought the sedimentation of haematitic and kaolinitic sedimentary rocks in the Pannonian Basin to an end.

Mineralogical and geochemical investigations on the Early Permian Yuxi karstic bauxite deposit, Central Yunnan, China

The metallogenic process of karstic bauxite in Central Yunnan Basin (CYB) remain obscure. Mineralogical, geochemical, and isotopic analyses of two profiles (profile A and B) in the Yuxi karstic bauxite deposit within CYB were conducted to explore the formation environment and metallogenic process of Early Permian bauxite. Profile A in the karstic uplifted area comprises clayey bauxite, claystone, and oolitic bauxite from the bottom to the top, while profile B in the karstic depression area contains oolitic bauxite, claystone, oolitic bauxite, and claystone. The oolitic bauxite mainly contains diaspore and chamosite, and a small amount of kaolinite and anatase, while the clayey bauxite primarily includes boehmite and kaolinite, and a small amount of goethite and anatase. The claystone is dominated by kaolinite and illite. The δ15N value of the oolitic bauxite in the top of profile B is close to zero (−0.8 ‰), indicating a reducing deposition environment. The δ13Corg value of profile A is negatively shifted between clayey bauxite and oolitic bauxite, while that of profile B is not significantly changed between the lower oolitic bauxite and the upper oolitic bauxite. This indicates that REDOX changes in the formation of clayey bauxite and oolitic bauxite in profile A are obvious, while REDOX changes in profile B are not evident. Mineral assemblages and isotopic results suggest that the mineralization conditions of profile A experienced a transition from oxidizing and weakly alkaline to reducing and alkaline, while the mineralization conditions of profile B were always reducing and alkaline. The presence of large-scale microorganisms, negative δ34S values (−42.2 to −10.1 ‰), and framboidal and cuboidal goethite provide evidence for microbial involvement in the entire mineralization process. The above results confirm two metallogenetic events of Yuxi karstic bauxite deposit. In the early metallogenetic event, the water table was low and most of the karstic terrains were exposed except some karstic depressions. Abundant boehmite and kaolinite thus formed in the karstic uplifted areas forming the clayey bauxite, and diaspore and chamosite in the karstic depressions forming the oolitic bauxite. In the late metallogenetic event, with the rise of water table, all karstic terrains were submerged, and large-scale diaspore and chamosite were widely deposited, thus forming oolitic bauxite.

Geochemical records in subaerial exposure environments in Croatia using discriminant function analysis of bauxite data

Croatian bauxites are long known for their chemical and physical diversity arisen from their characteristic origin and emplacement within the area of the Adriatic–Dinaric carbonate platform (ADCP). They include eight horizons spanning the period between the Upper Triassic (Carnian) and the Miocene, formed on subaerially exposed platform paleoenvironments. The bauxite genesis is recorded in the bauxite geochemical composition as a unique signature of tectonostratigraphic evolution of the different parts of the Croatian Karst, including, for example, the forebulge unconformity typical for the Istrian area. In this work, an explanation of the typical patterns of bauxite formation is based on the construction of a discriminant function model (DFM) resulting from the compositional data (CoDa) analysis of bauxite geochemical data (major and trace elements). The model shows that the greatest part of the variation contained in the analyzed bauxite data (the first discriminant function, DF1) is associated with systematic alteration of geochemical composition in time, emphasizing characteristic decrease in clay component and gradual enrichment in heavy metals from oldest (Upper Triassic) to the youngest (Miocene) bauxites. In the general scheme, particular bauxite horizons represent standalone groups (Upper Triassic) while others form clusters showing increase and/or decrease of a particular set of elements signaling the changes in environmental conditions during the considered geological history of ADCP. Other discriminant functions (DF2 and DF3) also contribute to the all-inclusive distinction between the eight a priori defined bauxite groups discriminated by the characteristic set of geochemical variables where DF2 typically refers to the process of desilication, while DF3 to that of deferralitization.

Metallogenic process of Permian Taiping karstic bauxite deposit in Youjiang Basin, China

More than 1 billion tons of bauxite was formed on the karstic surface of the Permian Maokou Formation limestone in the western Guangxi area of Youjiang Basin (YB). However, its formation mechanism is still a matter of debate. In this study, the Taiping bauxite deposit, a representative large deposit in this area, was selected to carry out detailed mineral microanalysis and pyrite sulfur isotope analysis to further understand the metallogenic process of bauxite in this region. Taiping bauxite contains two layers: the lower bauxite layer and the upper claystone layer. Bauxite ore was mainly composed of diaspore, pyrite, anatase, kaolinite, minor pyrophyllite, parisite, and bastnäsite. Small amounts of detrital moissanite, native boron, and zircon were also found in the ore. The claystone was dominated by kaolinite, diaspore, pyrite, and chlorite. The occurrence of detrital zircon, moissanite, and native boron suggests that they were most likely derived from volcanic ash or lava, further confirming the contribution of volcanoes. The mineral assemblages of diaspore, pyrite, anatase, parisite, and bastnäsite in the bauxite ore indicate alkaline and reducing depositional environments. The extensive development of ovoid microorganisms and the significant negative δ34S values of pyrite (−42.80 ‰ to −12.54 ‰) indicate that microorganisms were involved in the formation of bauxite. This view was further confirmed by the wide development of fine pyrite (∼1 μm) cemented by cryptocrystalline diaspore in the ore. Extensive volcanism promotes the weathering of parent rocks, releasing Al3+, Fe3+, Ti4+, and REE3+ ions into the weathering system. Under strongly acidic and oxidizing conditions in the upper part of the weathering profile, these ions can migrate downward until they reach an alkaline and reducing environment on the carbonate surface. A large amount of diaspore, pyrite, anatase, parisite, and bastnäsite was formed near the karstic surface with the participation of microorganisms. Epigenetic modifications were also evident in the widespread development of kaolinite and pyrophyllite formed by the silicification of diaspore.

The formation of the Unterlaussa karst bauxite (Austria) – A re-evaluation of the established model

Karst bauxites are the most important aluminium resources of Europe and have therefore been intensely mined and studied in the past. However, the genesis of many bauxite occurrences remains insufficiently explained and untouched by modern models and techniques. The karst bauxite of the Unterlaussa mining district represents the most significant occurrence in Austria and is a prominent member of the European karst bauxites. Its formation has been traditionally described by a chemogenic model. To evaluate this theory and elucidate the formation processes we analysed the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of three bauxite profiles in the mining district.Based on the geochemical gradients and mineralogical patterns we conclude that the Unterlaussa karst bauxite is an Upper Cretaceous weathering product and not a chemogenic sediment. In this study its formation is explained by in-situ weathering of a clayey polygenic precursor sediment which was deposited on karstified dolostone. Among contributions to this sediment were the weathering products of (ultra)basic rocks, as chromite and an uncommon Cr-mineralization suggest. The formation processes led to a substantial accumulation of critical elements, partial reduction and depletion of Fe(III) (bleaching), pyritization, and resilification. Another feature of the Unterlaussa karst bauxite is a unique U-mineralization which is bound to reduction spheroids.This study exemplifies the high potential of karst bauxites to advance our understanding of weathering processes, to support palaeo-environmental reconstructions and to be of renewed economic interest.

Intensified and apace bauxitization over the paleo-karstic surface linked to volcanism

Recent studies indicate that volcanism may be a potentially important factor in the formation of karstic bauxite, but more evidence is needed. Six billion tons of bauxite formed upon paleo-karstic terrain within a short time in the Late Carboniferous in the North China Basin (NCB) and in the Late Permian in the Youjiang Basin (YB) of China. The factors that trigger their apace formation remain unclear. Herein, we proposed that extensive volcanic eruptions have accounted for this large-scale bauxite formation based on the mineralogy, Hg isotopes, and Hg concentration enrichment proxies of the samples of bauxitic sequence in the NCB and YB. NCB bauxite generally has three layers, namely bottom Fe-bearing claystone, intermediate bauxite ore, and top claystone, while bottom Fe-bearing claystone is usually absent in YB bauxite, which directly covers carbonate rocks. The mineral assemblages of NCB and YB bauxite confirm that they were deposited in a superficial alkaline and reducing karstic environment. Strong Hg enrichment peaks with corresponding near-zero ∆199Hg, a signal of excess volcanogenic Hg, were discovered in the upper claystone of NCB bauxitic sequences, which overlaid the Ordovician carbonate substrate. It denotes volcanism occurred immediately subsequent to deposition of terrestrial weathered Al-rich remnants in paleo-karstic depressions during the Late Carboniferous. This volcanism, occurring in the northern margin of the NCB, is considered to have triggered the apace bauxitization in the NCB after its long exposure and weathering. In the YB, the remarkable Hg enrichment and near-zero ∆199Hg were observed in the entire Late Permian bauxitic sequences with Late Permian carbonate as the substrate. It denotes enhanced volcanogenic Hg inputs throughout the whole deposition process of bauxite during the Late Permian. This episode of volcanism associated with the Emeishan large igneous province and contemporaneous arc system resulted in the short term weathering of source materials and the apace bauxitization in YB. Volcanism is suggested to aggravate surface acidic and oxidizing conditions, in which rapid decomposition of source materials occurred to release Al3+ to precipitate diaspore above the physiochemical barrier of underlying carbonate.

Meta-bauxite deposit in the Tavşanlı Zone, NW Turkey: A new locality for gem-quality diaspore formation

The tectonic units of Sakarya Zone (Pontides) and Tavşanlı Zone (Anatolides) are exposed in the Mihalıççık area of central Anatolia. A Cretaceous accretionary complex that forms the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture zone separates the units. Within this region, the Tavşanlı Zone is made up of a coherent series and tectonically overlying late Cretaceous mélange, which has undergone blueschist facies metamorphism. Coherent series consist of strongly retrogressed schists and conformably overlying platform-type thick marbles, known as the İnönü marbles.The İnönü marbles contain meta-bauxite lenses in the lower levels, which can be classified as karstic bauxites deposited in the karst holes within the original limestone. Considering the general stratigraphy of the Tavşanlı Zone, a middle Jurassic age can be envisaged for the bauxite formation. Geochemical data suggest that the bauxites were largely derived from redeposited argillic sediments, with minor and variable inputs from the weathering of intermediate to acidic rock. The mineral assemblage of the meta-bauxite consists of diaspore, chloritoid, muscovite, paragonite, Al-spinel (hercynite), magnetite, hematite and ilmenite. In addition, apatite, rutile, monazite, xenotime and zircon occur as accessory minerals. Limonite, goethite, akaganeite and kaolinite also formed during the latest stage of alteration. P-T conditions for the meta-bauxites are estimated as 20–27 kbar and 330–470 °C that are indicative of formation under high-P / low-T blueschist facies conditions.The meta-bauxites are cut by veins of diaspore, muscovite-paragonite, goethite, calcite and ankerite, and include gem-quality diaspore crystals up to 6 cm long. Textural evidence indicates that the diaspore formation is related to the extraction of aluminium from the meta-bauxite body and migration of Al-rich fluids into the shear zones during the last stage of the high-P metamorphism. During exhumation of the Tavşanlı Zone, these veins were brecciated by brittle deformation and the fractured minerals were cemented by granoblastic calcite and ankerite during the latest stage of the vein formation.