Individual Fluid Inclusion Assemblages Research Articles

Fluid evolution along the Patterson Lake corridor in the southwestern Athabasca Basin: constraints from fluid inclusions and implications for unconformity-related uranium mineralization

The Patterson Lake corridor (PLC) in the southwestern margin of the Athabasca Basin hosts several high-grade uranium deposits. These deposits are located in the basement up to 900 m below the unconformity surface, raising questions about their affiliation with typical unconformity-related uranium (URU) deposits elsewhere in the basin. Based on cross-cutting relationships four pre- and three syn- to post-mineralization quartz generations were identified. Fluid inclusion analyses indicate that pre-mineralization fluids have salinities ranging from 0.2 to 27.2 wt% NaCl equiv. (avg. 9.0 wt%), whereas syn-mineralization fluids have salinities ranging from 8.8 to 33.8 wt% NaCl + CaCl 2 (avg. 25.4 wt%), with NaCl- and CaCl 2 -rich varieties. The homogenization temperatures ( T h ) of fluid inclusions from pre-mineralization quartz range from 80 to 244°C (avg. 147°C), and from syn-mineralization quartz range from 64 to 248°C (avg. 128°C). Fluid boiling is indicated by the co-development of liquid-dominated and vapour-dominated fluid inclusions within individual fluid inclusion assemblages from the syn-mineralization quartz and is related to episodic fluid pressure drops caused by reactivation of basement faults. Our results indicate that composition and P – T conditions of the ore fluids in the PLC are comparable to those of typical URU deposits in the Athabasca Basin, indicating that the uranium deposits in the PLC formed under similar hydrothermal conditions. Episodic reactivation of basement faults was an important driving force to draw uraniferous fluids from the basin and reducing fluids from the basement to the mineralization sites, forming deep basement-hosted deposits. Supplementary material: Table 1, microthermometric results of type-2 and -5 fluid inclusion assembladges and isolated inclusions from the Patterson Lake corridor, and table 2, microthermometric results of type-6 fluid inclusions from the Patterson Lake corridor are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5510179 Thematic collection: This article is part of the Uranium Fluid Pathways collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/uranium-fluid-pathways

Fluid inclusion and stable isotope constraints on ore genesis of the Zajkan epithermal base metal deposit, Tarom–Hashtjin metallogenic belt, NW Iran

In the Zajkan Pb–Zn–Cu (Au–Ag) deposit of the Tarom–Hashtjin metallogenic belt (THMB), northwest Iran, mineralization occurs as quartz-base metal sulfide veins hosted by Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation. Four stages of ore formation are identified at Zajkan: (1) quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite veins, (2) quartz-galena-sphalerite ± chalcopyrite ± pyrite veins and breccias, (3) quartz-hematite veins and breccias, and (4) barren quartz-carbonate veinlets. The primary metallic minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and trace amounts of hematite; gangue minerals are mainly quartz, sericite, chlorite, and calcite. The main wall-rock alteration is silicification, and intermediate argillic, and propylitic alteration. The coexistence of different types of fluid inclusions (LV, VL, and V) in individual fluid inclusion assemblages in quartz and sphalerite suggests boiling and heterogeneous trapping. Excluding the heterogeneously entrapped fluid inclusions, the microthermometric measurements of primary LV fluid inclusion assemblages in quartz and sphalerite indicate that the veins were formed at temperatures between 217 and 273 °C from fluids with salinities between 1.7 and 6.4 wt% NaCl equiv. The oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18Owater-VSMOW of +3.7 to +1.1‰) indicate that the ore-forming fluids were mainly derived from magmatic water with the input of meteoric water in the later ore-stages. Sulfur isotopic values of sulfide minerals vary over a narrow range from −5.0 to −0.9‰VCDT (averaging −2.2‰VCDT), suggesting that sulfur was derived from a homogeneous magmatic source. The fluid inclusion and stable isotope data indicate that fluid boiling and mixing facilitated hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Zajkan. Our data suggest that the Zajkan deposit is an intermediate-sulfidation style epithermal mineralization. The estimated ore formation depth of Zajkan indicates minor denudation in the region and may imply a great prospecting potential for other epithermal mineralization in the THMB.

Fluid P-T-X characteristics and evidence for boiling in the formation of the Phoenix uranium deposit (Athabasca Basin, Canada): Implications for unconformity-related uranium mineralization mechanisms

The Phoenix uranium deposit in the southeastern Athabasca Basin (Canada) is a typical unconformity contact-hosted uranium deposit, characterized by an association with reactivated basement faults, graphite-rich rocks in the underlying basement, and a pervasive clay alteration halo surrounding the mineralized zones. Petrographic results suggest that the mineralizing hydrothermal system was characterized by alternating desilicification and silicification events. Uraninite and clay-size minerals (tourmaline, kaolinite, illite and minor chlorite) mainly precipitated in the desilicification periods whereas hydrothermal quartz (mainly drusy quartz) formed during the silicification periods. Primary fluid inclusions in the hydrothermal quartz are inferred to represent the ore-forming fluids even though quartz did not co-precipitate with uraninite. The coexistence of multiple types of fluid inclusions (liquid-dominated biphase, vapor-dominated biphase, vapor-only and halite-bearing triphase) within individual fluid inclusion assemblages is interpreted to indicate fluid boiling and heterogeneous trapping. Bulk fluid inclusion volatile analysis by mass spectrometry indicates H2O as the dominant species, with less than 1 mol% non-aqueous volatiles that show a compositional trend typical of fluid boiling. Microthermometric and cryogenic Raman spectroscopic analyses indicate that the mineralizing fluids are of H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 ± MgCl2 composition, with salinities ranging mainly from 23.4 to 31.1 wt%. The liquid-dominated biphase inclusions (excluding those interpreted to have resulted from heterogeneous trapping) have homogenization temperatures from 90 to 157 °C. These data are generally consistent with the classical diagenetic-hydrothermal model in which basinal brines that extracted uranium from the basin or the basement were channeled along reactivated basement faults, and precipitated uraninite near the unconformity through reaction with reducing agents. However, the relatively low fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures documented in this paper, together with fluid boiling inferred from fluid inclusion assemblages, suggest that the deposit may have formed in a shallower environment (∼2.5 km) than assumed in the conventional diagenetic-hydrothermal model (>5 km). Abrupt fluid pressure drops during episodic faulting may have resulted in fluid boiling (flash vaporization) changing the fluid pH and promoting uraninite precipitation, with the alternating liquid-vapor conjugates of the boiling system resulting in alternating precipitation of quartz and uraninite respectively.

Volatiles Associated with Granitoid Intrusives around Orogenic Gold Deposits in Ramagiri and Penakacherla Regions of Eastern Dharwar Craton, South India

ABSTRACT The nature of magmatic fluid has been tested well in varied type of auriferous deposits. However, in context of orogenic gold deposits, there are not many studies that clearly point out the nature of fluids exsolved out of crystallizing granitoids. This study compares the fluid of late-stage magmatic origin with that causative for mineralization in gold camps of Ramagiri and Penakacherla in Eastern Dharwar Craton. Various types of fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) were identified in granitoid matrix quartz, pegmatites, quartz segregations and greenstone-hosted gold-quartz veins. The aqueous-carbonic (CH4-poor) and carbonic (CH4- and H2O-poor) inclusions are most common in pegmatites and quartz segregations, while the matrix quartz grains are generally devoid of CO2-bearing inclusions. On the other hand, auriferous veins in greenstone rocks show predominance of low to moderate salinity, aqueous-carbonic (variably CH4-bearing) inclusions. Inconsistencies in H2O/CO2 ratio and final homogenization properties of aqueous-carbonic inclusions within individual FIAs, apart from common occurrence of the FIA comprising aqueous-carbonic, carbonic and aqueous biphase inclusions, point to immiscibility in the ore fluid regime. Based on estimated microthermometric results, we attempt to deduce the evolution path of magmatic fluid with respect to that of fluid in ore zone. On this basis, a case for magmatic derivation of the ore fluid has been put forward. The difference in magmatic and auriferous fluid in terms of CO2/CH4 ratio are justifiable and allows us to visualize that aqueous-carbonic composition of orogenic gold fluid does not signify its exclusive origin through any particular process (or source), for example metamorphism.

Fluid compositions and P-T conditions of vein-type uranium mineralization in the Beaverlodge uranium district, northern Saskatchewan, Canada

The Beaverlodge district in northern Saskatchewan is known for “vein-type” uranium mineralization. Most of the uranium deposits are spatially related to major structures, and hosted by ca. 3.2–1.9Ga granitic rocks (and albitite derived from them) and by ca. 2.33Ga Murmac Bay Group amphibolite, all of which are unconformably overlain locally by deformed but unmetamorphosed redbeds of the ca. 1.82Ga Martin Group, and by the flat-lying ca. 1.75–1.5Ga Athabasca Group. The uranium mineralization is mainly hosted in fault rocks (breccias) and carbonate±quartz±albite veins, referred to as breccia-style and vein-style mineralization, respectively, with the latter being the focus of this study. Most of the mineralized veins occur in the basement rocks, although some crosscut the Martin Group. This study examines the field, petrographic, fluid inclusion and C-O isotope characteristics of mineralized and non-mineralized veins from 19 deposits/occurrences as well as from the Martin Group, with an aim to better understand the mineralizing environment and processes.The coexistence of liquid-dominated (L+V), vapour-dominated (V+L) and vapour-only (V) fluid inclusions within individual fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) in the veins suggests fluid immiscibility and heterogeneous trapping. The L+V inclusions with the lowest homogenization temperatures (Th) within individual FIAs are interpreted to represent homogeneous trapping of the liquid phase, which yield Th values from 78° to 330°C (mainly 100° to 250°C), and salinities from 0.2 to 30.8wt.% NaCl equivalent. Mass spectrometric analysis of bulk fluid inclusions shows that the volatiles are dominated by H2O (average 97.2mol%), with minor amounts of CO2, CH4, H2, O2, N2, Ar and He. Fluid pressures were estimated to be <200bars based on the inference of fluid immiscibility, fluid temperatures of 100° to 250°C, and low concentrations of non-aqueous volatiles (<3mol%). The δ18OVPDB and δ13CVPDB of carbonate minerals associated with mineralization range from −20.5 to −8.9‰ and −10.1 to −0.9‰, respectively. The δ18OVSMOW values of the parent fluids calculated using the Th values range from −9.6 to +17.0‰, with the majority from 0 to +5.0‰. O isotopes of paired equilibrium quartz and calcite, analyzed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), yield temperatures from 161° to 248°C, which are consistent with the fluid inclusion data.The new fluid inclusion and stable isotope data are inconsistent with a metamorphic or magmatic-hydrothermal model as proposed in some previous studies (for breccia-style and vein-style mineralization), but rather support a model in which the vein-type uranium mineralization took place at relatively low temperature (100° to 250°C) and shallow (<2km) conditions, with fluid pressure fluctuating between hydrostatic and sub-hydrostatic regimes, possibly related to episodic faulting. The mineralizing fluids were mainly sourced from the Martin Lake Basin, and uraninite was precipitated as a result of mixing between this basin-derived fluid and fluids carrying reducing agents (Fe2+, CH4) derived from the basement, although fluid-rock reactions and fluid immiscibility may have also played a role.

Petrography, fluid inclusion analysis, and geochronology of the End uranium deposit, Kiggavik, Nunavut, Canada

The End deposit is one of several uranium deposits in the Kiggavik area near the Proterozoic Thelon Basin, which is geologically similar to the Athabasca Basin known for its unconformity-related uranium deposits. The mineralization occurs as uraninite and coffinite in quartz veins and wall rocks (psammopelitic gneisses) in the sub-Thelon basement and is associated with clay- and hematite-altered fault zones. Fluid inclusions were studied in quartz cementing unmineralized breccias formed before mineralization (Q2), quartz veins that were formed before mineralization but spatially associated with uranite (Q4), and calcite veins that were formed after mineralization. Four types of fluid inclusions were recognized, namely liquid-dominated biphase (liquid + vapor), vapor-dominated biphase (vapor + liquid), monophase (vapor-only), and triphase (liquid + vapor + halite) inclusions. The first three types were found in Q2, whereas all four types were found in Q4 and calcite. The coexistence of these different types of inclusions within individual fluid inclusion assemblages is interpreted to indicate fluid immiscibility and heterogeneous trapping. Based on microthermometry, the fluids associated with Q2 are characterized by low salinities (0.4 to 6.6 wt%) and moderate temperatures from 148 to 261 °C, and the fluids associated with calcite show high salinities (26.8 to 29.3 wt%) and relatively low temperatures from 146 to 205 °C, whereas the fluids associated with Q4 have a wide range of salinities from 0.7 to 38.8 wt% and temperatures from 80 to 332 °C. Microthermometric and cryogenic Raman spectroscopic studies indicate that the high-salinity fluids in Q4 and calcite belong to the H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 ± MgCl2 system, with some dominated by NaCl and others by CaCl2. The fluid inclusions in Q2 are interpreted to be unrelated to mineralization, whereas those in Q4 and calcite reflect the mineralizing fluids. The fluid inclusion data are consistent with a genetic link of mineralization with basinal brines derived from the Thelon Basin. However, unlike the conventional deep-burial (>5 km) diagenetic-hydrothermal model proposed for the unconformity-related uranium deposits, the uranium mineralization in the End deposit is inferred to have formed in a shallow environment (probably <2 km), based on fluid immiscibility and low fluid pressures obtained in this study. The U-Pb age of uraninite (1295 ± 12 Ma) is interpreted to reflect isotopic resetting after the primary mineralization.

Determination of Hydrocarbon Charging History by Diagenetic Sequence and Fluid Inclusions: A Case Study of the Kongquehe Area in the Tarim Basin

Petrographic analysis of hydrocarbon inclusions in reservoirs is the basis and prerequisite for study of hydrocarbon charge history using fluid inclusion analysis. Samples from Silurian reservoirs in the Kongquehe area were studied with microscopy, cathode luminescence and scanning electron microscopy, and the paragenetic sequence of diagenetic events was established. Aqueous and oil inclusions were found in four different occurrences, i.e., ① in healed cracks in detrital quartz grains, ② in quartz overgrowths that were formed relatively early in diagenesis, ③ in healed cracks crosscutting quartz overgrowths and detrital quartz, and ④ in paragenetically late calcite cements. Solid bitumens were found in intergranular pores and in late fractures, whereas gas inclusions occur in healed cracks crosscutting quartz overgrowths and detrital quartz. The homogenization temperatures of aqueous (Thaq) and oil incluisons (Tho) within individual fluid inclusion assemblages are very consistent, suggesting that the microthermometric data are reliable. The Thaq values are generally larger than Tho, indicating the oil charging events took place at significant depths. The results suggest that there were at least two episodes of hydrocarbon charging in the Kongquehe area: the early hydrocarbon charging occurred in late Caledonian, dominated by oil, and the late hydrocarbon charging occurred in the Yanshan‐Himalayan, first by oil and then gases. In addition, two episodes of hydrocarbon reservoir adjustment and destruction occurred in the Hercynian and Himalayan, respectively, forming solid bitumen.

A Review of Fluid Inclusions in Diagenetic Systems

The study of fluid inclusions can help constrain the conditions at which diagenetic minerals precipitated, leading to a better understanding of the geologic controls and relative timing of changes in porosity and/or mineralising events. Many of the diagenetic minerals are easily deformed and it is important to check for any post‐entrapment changes to the inclusions. Possible post‐entrapment changes include reaction with the host crystal, necking down, nucleation metastability and thermal re‐equilibration. The recommended method of detecting these problems is to examine individual fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) and report data for each individual FIA.These studies have been enhanced by the development of new micro‐analytical techniques such as micro‐fluorescence spectroscopy, micro‐infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, various mass spectrometry techniques and the analysis of individual fluid inclusions using laser ablation/decrepitation methods. Special techniques have been developed for hydrocarbon‐bearing inclusions such as the Grains containing Oil Inclusions (GOI), Fluid Inclusion Stratigraphy (FIS), and the Molecular Composition of Inclusions (MCI) techniques. The fluid inclusions that form in some minerals during diagenesis provide the only direct means of examining the fluids present in these systems. They provide useful temperature, pressure, and fluid composition data that cannot be obtained by other means.

Relationship between CO2-dominated fluids, hydrothermal alterations and gold mineralization in the Red Lake greenstone belt, Canada

Abstract The Red Lake greenstone belt is one of the foremost Au mining camps in Canada and hosts the world-class Campbell-Red Lake Au deposit. Belt-scale hydrothermal alteration is characterized by proximal ferroan dolomite zones associated with Au mineralization surrounded by distal calcite zones, both being accompanied by potassic alterations (sericite, muscovite, and biotite). At the Campbell-Red Lake and Cochenour deposits Au mineralization (in particular high-grade ore) is associated with silica and sulfides (especially arsenopyrite) that replace carbonate ± quartz veins and the host rocks. The prevalence of carbonic fluid inclusions and rare occurrence of aqueous-bearing inclusions in carbonate–quartz–Au veins in the Campbell-Red Lake deposit, and the consistency of homogenization temperatures of carbonic inclusions within individual fluid inclusion assemblages (FIA), have been interpreted to indicate that H2O-poor, CO2-dominated fluids were responsible for the carbonate veining and Au mineralization. Further studies of fluid inclusions in carbonate–quartz veins within and outside the deformation zone hosting the Campbell-Red Lake deposit (the Red Lake Mine trend) including the Cochenour Au deposit, the Redcon Au prospect, and outcrops in the distal calcite zone also reveal the dominance of carbonic fluid inclusions in vein minerals. These studies indicate that CO2-dominated fluids were flowing through fractures during carbonate vein formation and Au mineralization both within and outside major structures. The carbonic fluid may have been initially undersaturated with water, or it may have resulted from phase separation of an H2O–CO2–NaCl fluid. In the latter case, phase separation modeling indicates that the initial fluid likely had X CO 2 values larger than 0.8. Calculations based on hydrothermal mineral assemblages indicate X CO 2 values in the host rocks from 0.025 to 0.85, reflecting a change from CO2-dominated fluids in the fractures (veins) to H2O-dominated fluids in the host rocks away from the fractures. The CO2-dominated fluids were likely advected from granulite facies in the deeper crust, whereas the H2O-dominated fluids were derived from the ambient host rocks of amphibole to greenschist facies. Calculations based on CO2 requirements and source constraints indicate that the mineralizing fluids were likely two orders of magnitude more enriched in Au than the commonly assumed values of a few μg/L, which may explain why the Campbell-Red Lake deposit has a very high-grade of Au (average 21 g/t for the whole deposit and 81 g/t for the Goldcorp High-Grade zone). Fluid inclusion data suggest that the carbonate veining and Au mineralization likely took place at depths from 7 to 14 km. The development of crustiform–colloform structures in the carbonate ± quartz veins, which was previously interpreted to indicate relatively shallow environments, may alternatively have been related to extremely high fluid pressures and the CO2-dominated nature of the fluids, which could have enhanced the brittle properties of the rocks due to their high wetting angles.

Formation of the Campbell-Red Lake gold deposit by H2O-poor, CO2-dominated fluids

The Campbell-Red Lake gold deposit in the Red Lake greenstone belt, with a total of approximately 840 t of gold (past production + reserves) and an average grade of 21 g/t Au, is one of the largest and richest Archean gold deposits in Canada. Gold mineralization is mainly associated with silicification and arsenopyrite that replace carbonate veins, breccias and wallrock selvages. The carbonate veins and breccias, which are composed of ankerite ± quartz and characterized by crustiform–cockade textures, were formed before and/or in the early stage of penetrative ductile deformation, whereas silicification, arsenopyrite replacement and gold mineralization were coeval with deformation. Microthermometry and laser Raman spectroscopy indicate that fluid inclusions in ankerite and associated quartz (Q1) and main ore-stage quartz (Q2) are predominantly carbonic, composed mainly of CO2, with minor CH4 and N2. Aqueous and aqueous–carbonic inclusions are extremely rare in both ankerite and quartz. H2O was not detected by laser Raman spectroscopic analyses of individual carbonic inclusions and by gas chromatographic analyses of bulk samples of ankerite and main ore-stage quartz (Q2). Fluid inclusions in post-mineralization quartz (Q3) are also mainly carbonic, but proportions of aqueous and aqueous–carbonic inclusions are present. Trace amounts of H2S were detected by laser Raman spectroscopy in some carbonic inclusions in Q2 and Q3, and by gas chromatographic analyses of bulk samples of ankerite and Q2. 3He/4He ratios of bulk fluid inclusions range from 0.008 to 0.016 Ra in samples of arsenopyrite and gold. Homogenization temperatures (T h–CO2) of carbonic inclusions are highly variable (from −4.1 to +30.4°C; mostly to liquid, some to vapor), but the spreads within individual fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) are relatively small (within 0.5 to 10.3°C). Carbonic inclusions occur both in FIAs with narrow T h–CO2 ranges and in those with relatively large T h–CO2 variations. The predominance of carbonic fluid inclusions has been previously reported in a few other gold deposits, and its significance for gold metallogeny has been debated. Some authors have proposed that formation of the carbonic fluid inclusions and their predominance is due to post-trapping leakage of water from aqueous–carbonic inclusions (H2O leakage model), whereas others have proposed that they reflect preferential trapping of the CO2-dominated vapor in an immiscible aqueous–carbonic mixture (fluid unmixing model), or represent an unusually H2O-poor, CO2-dominated fluid (single carbonic fluid model). Based on the FIA analysis reported in this study, we argue that although post-trapping modifications and host mineral deformation may have altered the fluid inclusions in varying degrees, these processes were not solely responsible for the formation of the carbonic inclusions. The single carbonic fluid model best explains the extreme rarity of aqueous inclusions but lacks the support of experimental data that might indicate the viability of significant transport of silica and gold in a carbonic fluid. In contrast, the weakness of the unmixing model is that it lacks unequivocal petrographic evidence of phase separation. If the unmixing model were to be applied, the fluid prior to unmixing would have to be much more enriched in carbonic species and poorer in water than in most orogenic gold deposits in order to explain the predominance of carbonic inclusions. The H2O-poor, CO2-dominated fluid may have been the product of high-grade metamorphism or early degassing of magmatic intrusions, or could have resulted from the accumulation of vapor produced by phase separation external to the site of mineralization.

Fluid inclusions record thermal and fluid evolution in reservoir sandstones, Khatatba Formation, Western Desert, Egypt: A case for fluid injection

A fluid inclusion and petrographic study, focused on quartz overgrowths, was performed in reservoir sandstones from the Jurassic Khatatba Formation (Salam oil field, Egypt's Western Desert). The combination of detailed fluid inclusion petrography and scanning electron microscope (SEM) cathodoluminescence imaging has allowed us to relate individual fluid inclusion assemblages, that is, the most finely discriminated groups of petrographically associated fluid inclusions, to specific growth zones of authigenic quartz, establishing the relative timing of entrapment of the inclusions. After entrapment, fluid inclusions in authigenic quartz have been preserved without reequilibration, as indicated by the narrow ranges of homogenization temperatures (<4-5 degreesC) in most fluid inclusion assemblages. Three main growth zones are distinguished under SEM cathodoluminescence in the quartz overgrowths and are termed Q1, Q2, and Q3 from the oldest to the youngest. Zone Q1 is further subdivided into three subzones and contains abundant primary aqueous inclusions. Their homogenization temperatures range from 162 to 130 degreesC, with the earliest assemblages having the highest temperatures and with some large temperature fluctuations indicated between successive assemblages. Most Q1 inclusions have salinities in the freshwater to seawater range, with a trend toward increasing salinity through time. Zone Q2 contains primary aqueous inclusions with homogenization temperatures (overall range 148-125 degreesC) also recording large temperature fluctuations and cooling events. The Q2 fluid inclusions have high salinities (~5-20 wt. % NaCl equivalent), with salinity increasing through time. Zone Q3 contains both aqueous and oil inclusions of primary origin. The Q3 aqueous inclusions have homogenization temperatures (overall range 134-112 degreesC) recording overall cooling and high salinities (21-24 wt. % NaCl equivalent). In early Q3 subzones, oil inclusions appear to be of medium gravity, undersaturated with respect to gas. In later Q3 subzones, oil inclusions are of gas-saturated lighter oil. Our results indicate that fluid flow, involving drastic changes in temperature and salinity, was responsible for the precipitation of some of the quartz cement. The earliest quartz (Q1) precipitated from freshwater and seawater at temperatures significantly higher than those expected from the burial history and thermal maturity of these rocks. This quartz is interpreted to have precipitated during cooling of injected fluids that originated as hot connate fluids from deeper parts of the basin. The Q2 precipitation is interpreted to have resulted from episodes of injection of hot saline brines from below. Late quartz cement (Q3) precipitated during oil charge, from progressively cooler and more saline brines interpreted to have refluxed from the surface; it preserves a record of increasing oil maturity and gas saturation through time.

Permian paleoclimate data from fluid inclusions in halite

This study has yielded surface water paleotemperatures from primary fluid inclusions in mid Permian Nippewalla Group halite from western Kansas. A `cooling nucleation' method is used to generate vapor bubbles in originally all-liquid primary inclusions. Then, surface water paleotemperatures are obtained by measuring temperatures of homogenization to liquid. Homogenization temperatures ranged from 21°C to 50°C and are consistent along individual fluid inclusion assemblages, indicating that the fluid inclusions have not been altered by thermal reequilibration. Homogenization temperatures show a range of up to 26°C from base to top of individual cloudy chevron growth bands. Petrographic and fluid inclusion evidence indicate that no significant pressure correction is needed for the homogenization temperature data. We interpret these homogenization temperatures to represent shallow surface water paleotemperatures. The range in temperatures from base to top of single chevron bands may reflect daily temperatures variations. These Permian surface water temperatures fall within the same range as some modern evaporative surface waters, suggesting that this Permian environment may have been relatively similar to its modern counterparts. Shallow surface water temperatures in evaporative settings correspond closely to local air temperatures. Therefore, the Permian surface water temperatures determined in this study may be considered proxies for local Permian air temperatures.