Main Mineral Assemblages Research Articles

Origin and evolution of the Havran Unit, Western Sakarya basement (NW Turkey): new LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the metasedimentary-metagranitic rocks and possible affiliation to Avalonian microcontinent

One of the pre-Jurassic metamorphic basements of the Western Sakarya Zone (NW Turkey) is the Havran Unit which contains metasedimentary (i.e. the Kalabak formation) and metaintrusive rocks of Devonian age. An LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating study was conducted on 125 zircon grains obtained from a metasedimentary rock to better understand the origin and evolution of the Kalabak formation. Around 107 of 175 spot analyses are concordant with rates 90–110% and the zircon ages vary between 426 ± 5.2 and 3406.9 ± 195.7 Ma. Zircon populations cluster in ranges: 426 ± 5.2–535 ± 13 Ma (8.4%, Palaeozoic), 549 ± 14–999 ± 11 Ma (54.21%, Neoproterozoic), 1012 ± 200–1543 ± 50 Ma (6.54%, Mesoproterozoic), 1736 ± 123–2414 ± 58 Ma (18.7%, Palaeoproterozoic), and 2512 ± 30–3406.9 ± 195.7 Ma (12.15%, Archean). Dominating Neoproterozoic ages notate Cadomian-Avalonian terrains and Mesoproterozoic ages should mainly be related to Avalon terrains. The Karacabey metagranite consists of coarse-grained, equigranular, hypidiomorphic, and rarely foliated monzogranite and granodiorite. It is located to the north of the town of Karacabey in the eastern part of the Biga Peninsula. Main mineral assemblage is quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, and biotite. Zircon, apatite, monazite, magnetite, and sphene occur as accessory phases. Aluminum Saturation Index (ASI) values vary between 0.91 and 1.63, indicating the pluton as a metaluminous-peraluminous, I-type granite. The metagranite samples are plotted in the high-K-calcalkaline field on the SiO2 vs. K2O diagram. N-MORB-normalised spidergrams display a profound enrichment in the large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), light rare earth elements (LREE), and depletion in high field strength elements, suggesting that its genesis relates to hydrous melting of a mantle wedge in a subduction zone and/or melting of subduction zone-influenced source areas. Chondrite-normalised rare earth element spidergrams are indicative of the importance of plagioclase and amphibole fractionation. In tectonic discrimination diagrams, all of the metagranite samples fall into the volcanic arc granite and late post-collisional granite fields. U/Pb LA-ICP-MS zircon dating of the metagranite yielded an age of 400.3 ± 1.4 Ma (Early Devonian), interpreted as the age of igneous crystallisation. These age data show that the Karacabey metagranite is a member of the lower to mid Devonian granites, recently described from the Biga Peninsula. In light of these findings, we argue that the Havran Unit was an exotic terrain which possibly was once a part of far-travelled Avalon terrains and was attached to Sakarya Zone.

Rheological contrast between glaucophane and lawsonite in naturally deformed blueschist from Diablo Range, California

AbstractDeformation microstructures for a lawsonite blueschist from the New Idria serpentinite body, Diablo Range, are investigated to clarify rheological behaviors of glaucophane and lawsonite, which are main mineral assemblages of subducting oceanic crust at relatively cold geotherm. Developments of crystal‐preferred orientations (CPOs) with small grain size, irregular grain boundary and high aspect ratio of glaucophane indicate deformation mechanism as recovery and dynamic recrystallization possibly accommodated by dislocation creep, while lawsonite deforms by rigid body rotation based on euhedral grains with angular or straight grain boundaries. Higher aspect ratios, lower angle to foliation, and stronger CPOs of both minerals in the glaucophane‐rich layer rather than those in the lawsonite‐rich layer suggest the strain localization into the glaucophane‐rich layer. Additionally fabric strength (the degree of crystal alignment) and seismic anisotropy are higher in the glaucophane‐rich layer than that of the lawsonite‐rich layer, which is consistent with the microstructural analyses. All our results imply, therefore, the dominant role of glaucophane rather than lawsonite for rheological behavior and seismic anisotropy of blueschist.

Immiscibilty between silicate magma and aqueous fluids in Egyptian rare-metal granites: melt and fluid inclusions study

Rare-metal granites of Nuweibi and Abu Dabbab, central Eastern Desert of Egypt, have mineralogical and geo- chemical specialization. These granites are acidic, slightly peraluminous to metaaluminous, Li-F-Na-rich, and Sn-Nb- Ta-mineralized. Snowball textures, homogenous distribution of rock-forming accessory minerals, disseminated mineraliza- tion, and melt inclusions in quartz phenocrysts are typical features indicative of their petrographic specialization. Geochemical characterizations are consistent with low-P-rare metal granite derived from highly evolved I-type magma in the late stage of crystallization. Melt and fluid inclusions were studied in granites, mineralized veins, and greisen. The study revealed that at least two stages of liquid immiscibility played an important role in the evolution of magma-hydrothermal transition as well as mineral deposition. The early stage is melt/fluid case. This stage is represented by the coexistence of type-B melt and aqueous-CO2 inclusions in association with topaz, columbite-tantalite, as well as cassiterite mineral inclu- sions. This stage seems to have taken place at the late mag- matic stage at temperatures between 450 °C and 550 °C. The late magmatic to early hydrothermal stage is represented by vapor-rich H2 Oa nd CO2 inclusions, sometimes with small crystallized silicic melt in greisen and the outer margins of the mineralized veins. These inclusions are associated with beryl, topaz, and cassiterite mineralization and probably trapped at 400 °C. The last stage of immiscibility is fluid-fluid and represented by the coexisting H2O-rich and CO2-rich inclu- sions. Cassiterite, wolframite ± chalcopyrite, and fluorite are the main mineral assemblage in this stage. The trapping tem- perature was estimatedbetween 200 °C and 350 °C. The latest phase of fluid is low-saline, low-temperature (100-180 °C), and liquid-rich aqueous fluid.

Microstructure and elastic anisotropy of naturally deformed leucogneiss from a shear zone in Montalto (southern Calabria, Italy)

Abstract A strain gradient was mesoscopically recognized in sheared leucogneisses cropping out near Mount Montalto (Calabria, southern Italy) in the Aspromonte–Peloritani Unit on the basis of field observations. In order to investigate the relationship between textural and physical anisotropy, a microstructural and petrophysical study was carried out on selected mylonites exhibiting different stages of deformation. The main mineral assemblage is Qtz+Pl+Kfs+Wm, displaying S – C and shear-band textures; mica-fish and ribbon-like quartz are widespread. As strain increases K-feldspar, biotite and premylonitic low phengite white mica transformed to synmylonitic high phengite white mica and quartz, accompanied by an increasing albitization. Different quartz c -axis patterns are ascribable to non-coaxial progressive deformation; we suggest that deformation proceeded under greenschist- up to amphibolite-facies conditions owing to a local increase in shearing temperature. Laboratory seismic measurements were carried out on sample cubes (43 mm edged) cut according to the structural frame (foliation, lineation) of the rock. At 400 MPa and room temperature the averages of compressional ( V p ) and shear-wave velocities ( V s ) are very similar: 5.70–5.91 and 3.36–3.55 km s −1 , respectively. Seismic anisotropy and shear-wave splitting are related to the modal amounts of constituent minerals (in particular mica) and their crystallographic preferred orientation. Importantly, anisotropy is lowest in the most strained rock.

Stable isotope evidences of jarosite–barite mineralization in the Rangan rhyolitic dome NE Isfahan, Iran

The Rangan area is part of Cenozoic magmatic belt of central Iran. Eocene volcanic flows and pyroclastic rocks are intruded by a Neogene rhyolitic dome along the major Qom–Zefreh fault. The dome is pervasively hydrothermally altered. The main mineral assemblage is jarosite+barite+pyrite+quartz+sericite. This assemblage indicates acid sulphate or advanced argillic alteration. Sulfur and oxygen isotope data (δ 34S & δ 18O (SO 4)) obtained from jarosite and barite indicate a mixing episode during the evolution of hydrothermal system and reflect the overlapping of two distinct sources of acid sulphate alteration in Rangan, i.e., a magmatic–hydrothermal fluid reacting with steam-heated meteoric water. Considering the position of brittle–ductile transition and major fault movements, jarosite and barite seemingly precipitated from rapid injection of magmatic–hydrothermal fluids into the upper portions of a steam-heated environment.

Geologia e caracterização química do magmatismo peralcalino ultrapotássico do enxame de diques Manaíra-Princesa Isabel, Província Borborema

The Manaira-Princesa Isabel dike swarm forms one of the most expressive examples of Neoproterozoic (c. 600 Ma) peralkaline magmatism in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil). It consists of about a hundred NE-trending bodies intrusive in older, Neoproterozoic porphyritic granites (Princesa Isabel and Tavares plutons), and orthogneisses and low-grade metasediments of the Eo-neoproterozoic Riacho Gravata complex. The dike swarm includes mostly silica-saturated syenites, with potassic to ultrapotassic, peralkaline affinity, containing microcline and sodic amphibole ± pyroxene as the main mineral assemblage. Amphibole is dominantly Mg-riebeckite (Manaira, Princesa Isabel and Tavares sub-swarms), whereas pyroxene is mainly aegirine-augite (Manaira and Tavares sub-swarms). A minor set of dikes from this swarm is slightly metaluminous with Mg-biotite as the major mafic phase. Geochemical and isotopic signatures indicate strong enrichment in incompatible elements (Rb, Ba, K, Th, U), in association with a negative Nb anomaly, and strongly radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd (= negative eNd values) initial ratios. These features suggest a common source, which was probably an enriched lithospheric mantle reservoir, chemically modified by an ancient subduction component inferred to be Paleoproterozoic from T DM model ages. Conversely, Pb isotopic ratios lower than average crustal values indicate the influence of a non-radiogenic component interacting with the enriched mantle source. A SHRIMP U-Pb age of c. 600 Ma obtained for the Manaira-Princesa Isabel dike swarm defines an important crustal exhumation period which was relatively synchronous with intensive tectonomagmatic activity related to the Brasiliano orogeny, which occurred in distinct structural domains within the Transverse Zone of the Borborema Province.

High Lake gossan deposit: An Arctic analogue for ancient Martian surficial processes?

Gossan samples collected during a reconnaissance expedition to High Lake in Nunavut, Canada, were analyzed to determine their mineral components and to define parameters for the geochemical environment in which they formed. The gossan represents a natural acid drainage site in an arctic environment that serves as an analogue to the conditions under which sulfate and Fe-oxide possibly formed on Mars. Rock and soil samples were taken from three different outcrops and analyzed using XRD, SEM/EDS and Mössbauer. Two main mineral assemblages were observed. The first assemblage, which was found primarily in samples from the first outcrop, contained chlorite, Fe-phosphates, Fe-oxide and quartz. The second assemblage, which was found at the second and third outcrops, was primarily quartz, mica and jarosite. One sample (G41), containing Fe-oxide, jarosite and gypsum, appears to be transitional between a Fe-oxide dominant assemblage to a jarosite dominant assemblage. Thermodynamic equilibria predicts that the gossan pore water should range from mildly acidic, relatively sulfate-poor (pH 3–6; SO 4 <1000 mg l −1) to highly acidic and relatively sulfate-rich (pH 0.5–3; SO 4 >3000 mg l −1) for the first and second mineral assemblages, respectively. Kinetic reaction models indicate that the second assemblage replaces the first during evaporation or freezing of water. Compared to acid mine drainage (AMD) sites located in temperate regions, the arctic High Lake gossan lacks diversity in sulfate species and has smaller diagenetic crystal sizes. The smaller crystal size may reflect the slower reaction rates at colder temperatures and the seasonal water saturation. These initial results indicate that the High Lake gossan deposit does record mechanisms for which minerals like hematite, goethite, gypsum and jarosite, which are found on Mars, can form in an environment that involves seasonal water occurrence in a cold climate.

Phase equilibria of HP–UHP mica-schists in Jiangling, Eastern Dabieshan orogen

The HP–UHP metamorphic terrane of Jiangling, eastern Dabieshan comprises extensively distributed granitic gneisses, mica-schists and numerous eclogite blocks. The mica-schists generally contain garnet, phengitic muscovite, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, rutile and a small amount of epidote and hornblende. Study on petrography and phases equilibria in the NCKMnFMASH system indicates that the present mineral assemblages in mica-schists are not in equilibrium. The earlier stage of mineral assemblage represented by garnet and phengite reflects a HP–UHP condition. The garnet compositions and the phengite Si contents give a PT condition of 580–600 °C at 2.6–2.8 GPa. The garnet zonation records an earlier progressive metamorphic process which may be associated with the appearance of glaucophane, jadeite and lawsonite. The later stage of mineral assemblage characterized by the presence of biotite and plagioclase reflects a PT condition of 620–635 °C at 0.9–1.1 GPa, belonging to the HP amphibolite facies. The main mineral assemblage in mica-schists from the Jiangling region has recorded a complete HP–UHP metamorphic process.

Magnetite‐Fluorite Rock: A New Rock Type of Hot Water Sedimentation

AbstractThe new type hot water sedimentary rock — magnetite‐fluorite rock occurs as quasi‐layers in flat parts of contact zones between rock body and strata in Bamianshan of Changshan County, Zhejiang Province, China. The main mineral assemblage is fluorite+magnetite+cassiterite. The rock shows typical laminated structure and obvious mosaic texture. Its formation temperature is between 123°C‐160°C, averaging at 142°C. The major chemical composition of the rock includes CaF2, SiO2, Al2O3, FeO, and Fe2O3; the high‐content microelement association includes W, Sn, Be, Rb, Sr, S, and CI; and the total content of REE is low (ΣREE between 35.34times10−6‐38.35times10−4), showing LREE enrichment type of distribution pattern. Diagenesis: driven by the tectonic stress, the formation water heated in the deep strata had moved along the fissures or fractures in strata and had extracted components from the strata on the way, and finally stagnated in the flat parts of contact zones between rock body and strata. With drop in temperature, magnetite and fluorite were separated from the hot water and precipitated alternately, forming this hot water sedimentary rock with new type mineralogical composition, typical laminated structure, obvious mosaic texture and sub‐horizontal occurrence. The characteristics of the new type mineralogical composition, sedimentary tectonic environment and chemical composition are different from that of the well‐known traditional hydrothermal sedimentary rocks.

Geochemical characteristics and spectrometric prospecting in the muscovite-bearing pegmatites and granites, southeastern Aswan, Egypt

Rare metal mineralization of Sn, Nb-Ta and W is encountered in the Gebel Dihmit area (GDA), southeastern Aswan, Egypt. The mineralization is related to muscovite granites and their pegmatite derivatives. The peg-matites are divided into three types according to their main mineral assemblages: K-feldspar-muscovite-tourmaline, K-feldspar-albite-muscovite and albite-K-feldspar-lepidolite veins. Petrogenetic studies indicate that Sn and Nb-Ta mineralization extends from the late-magmatic stage to the pegmatite and hydrothermal stages of the (GDA) suite. The albite-K-feldspar-lepidolite granite is composed dominantly of albite, lepidolote, and quartz, with topaz, K-feldspar and amblygonite. The accessory minerals are zircon, monazite, pollucite, columbite-tantalite, microlite and Ta-rich cassiterite. Phenocrysts of quartz, topaz and K-feldspar contain abundant inclusions of albite laths and occasional lepidolite crystals along growth zones (snowball texture), indicating simultaneous crystallization from a subsolvus, residual magma. The origin of the pegmatites is attributed to extreme differentiation by fractional crystallization of a granitic magma. The economic potential for rare metals was evaluated in the geochemical discrimination diagrams. Accordingly, some of the pegmatites are not only highly differentiated in terms of alkalis, but also the promising targets for small-scale Ta and, to a less extent, Sn. The pegmatites also provide the first example of Fe-Mn and Nb-Ta fractionation in successive generations of granites to cassiterite-bearing pegmatites, which perfectly exhibit similar fractionation trends established for primary columbite-tantalite in the corresponding categories of pegmatites. Uranium and Th of magmatic origin are indicated by the presence of thorite and allanite, whereas evidence of hydrothermal mineralization is the alteration of rock-foring minerals such as feldspar and the formation of secondary minerals such as uranophane..

Prograde metamorphic evolution and development of chloritoid-bearing eclogitic assemblages in subcontinental metagabbro (Sesia–Lanzo zone, Italy)

In the coronitic metagabbroic rocks of the Corio and Monastero metagabbro bodies in the continental Sesia–Lanzo zone of the western Italian Alps, a variety of mineral reactions that testify to prograde conditions from greenschist to eclogite-facies can be recognised. A microstructural and microchemical study of a series of samples characterized by coronitic textures and pseudomorphic replacement of the original igneous minerals has allowed the prograde reactions undergone by the rocks to be established. In completely eclogitized coronitic samples, paragonite, blue amphibole, garnet, epidote, fine grained jadeite and chloritoid occur in plagioclase microdomains (former igneous plagioclase). The mafic mineral microdomains consist of glaucophane and garnet. Complexly-zoned amphiboles constrain changing metamorphic conditions: cores of pre-Alpine brown hornblende and/or tremolite are preserved inside rims of a sodic–calcic amphibole that are in turn surrounded by a sodic amphibole. The main high-pressure mineral assemblage, as seen in mylonites, involves glaucophane, chloritoid, epidote, garnet ± phengite, ± paragonite. Some layers within the gabbro contain garnet, omphacite, ± glaucophane, and acid dykes crosscutting the gabbro body contain jadeite, quartz, garnet, epidote and paragonite. The presence of chloritoid-bearing high-pressure assemblages reflects hydration of the gabbros during their pre-Alpine exhumation prior to subduction, as well as the composition of the microdomains operating during subduction. The pressure and temperature conditions of gabbro transformation during subduction are inferred to be 450–550 °C at up to 2 GPa on the basis of the chloritoid-bearing assemblages. The factors controlling the reaction pathway to form chloritoid-bearing high-pressure assemblages in mafic rocks are inferred from these observations.

Reaction textures and P–T conditions of Opx-Crd gneisses from Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, India

The Karimnagar granulite terrain is an integral part of the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC). It has received much interest because of the only reported granulite facies rocks in the EDC. These granulites contain quartz-free sapphirine-spinel-bearing granulites, kornerupine – bearing granulites, mafic granulites, orthopyroxene-cordierite gneisses, charnockites, amphibolites, dolerite dykes, granite gneisses, quartzites and banded magnetite quartzite. The orthopyroxene-cordierite gneisses occur as enclaves within granite-gneiss in association with banded magnetite quartzites, charnockites and amphibolites. The observed reaction textures, spectacular as they are, have an extraordinary information content within a tiny domain. Coronas, symplectites and resorption textures are of particular interest as they reflect discontinuous or continuous reactions under changing physical conditions. The main mineral assemblages encountered in these gneisses are orthopyroxene – cordierite – biotite – plagioclase – perthite – quartz and garnet – orthopyroxene – cordierite – biotite – quartz – plagioclase – perthite ± sillimanite. Multiphase reaction textures in conjunction with mineral chemical data in the KFMASH system indicate the following reactions: \({\rm Bt} + {\rm Sil}+{\rm Qtz} = {\rm Grt} + {\rm Crd} + {\rm Kfs} + {\rm V}\) \({\rm Grt} + {\rm Qtz} = {\rm Opx} + {\rm Crd}\) \({\rm Opx} + {\rm Sil} + {\rm Qtz} = {\rm Crd}\) \({\rm Crd} + {\rm Opx} + {\rm Kfs} + {\rm V}= {\rm Bt} +{\rm Qtz}\)

Deep-derived enclaves (belonging to middle-lower crust metamorphic rocks) in the Liuhe-Xiangduo area, eastern Tibet: Evidence from petrogeochemistry

Petrological and geochemical studies of deep-derived enclaves from the Liuhe-Xiangduo area, eastern Tibet, showed that the enclaves involve five types of rocks, i. e., garnet diopsidite, garnet amphibolite, garnet hornblendite, amphibolite and hornblendite, whose main mineral assemblages are Grt + Di + Hbl, Grt + P1 + Hbl + Di, Grt + Hbl + P1, P1 + Hbl, and Hb1 + Bt, respectively. The enclaves exhibit typical crystalloblastic texture, and growth zones are well developed in garnet (Grt) in the enclaves. In view of major element geochemistry, the deep-derived enclaves are characterized by high MgO and FeO *, ranging from 12. 00% to 12. 30% and 8. 15% to 10. 94%, respectively. The protolith restoration of metamorphic rocks revealed that the enclaves belong to ortho-metamorphic rocks. The REE abundances vary over a wide range, and ΣREE ranges from 53.39 to 129.04 μg/g. The REE patterns slightly incline toward the HREE side with weak LREE enrichment. The contents of Rb, Sr, and Ba range from 8. 34 to 101μg/g, 165 to 1485 μg/g, and 105 to 721 μg/g, respectively. The primitive mantle-normalized spider diagrams of trace elements show obvious negative Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf anomalies. Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the enclaves indicated that the potential source of deep-derived enclaves is similar to the depletedmantle, and their (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios vary from 0.706314 to 0.707198, (147Nd/144Nd)i ratios from 0.512947 to 0.513046, and ɛNd(T) values from +7.0 to +9.0, respectively. The potential source of the enclaves is obviously different from the EM2-type mantle from which high-K igneous rocks stemmed (the host rocks), i. e., there is no direct genetic relationship between the enclaves and the host rocks. Deep-derived enclaves in the host rocks belong to mafic xenoliths, and those in the Liuhe-Xiangduo area, eastern Tibet, are some middle-lower crust ortho-metamorphic rocks which were accidentally captured at 20–50 km level by rapidly entrained high-temperature high-K magma, whose source is considered to be located at 50-km depth or so.

Variations in heavy minerals as Indicaters provenance of the recent sediments from the Lesser Zab River, north Iraq

This research includes a detailed study of the variation of heavy minerals in the recent sediment of the Lesser Zab River. The studied sediments contain four main mineral groups(iron oxides , chromite ,epidotes ,amphiboles and pyroxenes)that make the main heavy mineral assemblages of the Lesser Zab sediments. Furthermore , few amounts of garnet and flaky minerals are recorded. Heavy minerals have been identified and estimated using both polarizing and binocular microscopes. The results suggest that there is significant difference in the mineralogical and lithological contents before and after the Dokan Dam .The sediments generally are classified as lithic arenites that composed principally of rock fragments followed in amounts by quartz ,feldspars and heavy minerals.

Yttrium Geothermometry Applied to Garnets from Different Metamorphic Grades Analysed by EPMA and µ-PIXE Techniques

We present a multi-analytical and multi-instrumental approach to a petrologic study of garnets from metapelites characterized by different metamorphic grades. The comparison between major, minor and trace element (Y) distribution in garnets crystallized at different temperatures was performed by electron microprobe (EDS and WDS) and the Proton Induced X-ray Emission microprobe (µ-PIXE). Two garnet samples were selected from metapelite rocks at different metamorphic grades from the tectonic unit of Stilo, Calabrian–Peloritanian Arc, Southern Italy. Quantitative spot analysis profiles and compositional X-ray maps of major elements and yttrium are reported. The major element zoning of garnets is mostly characterized by a smoothed and gradual concentric variation of all elements from core to rim. The Y concentration reveals a marked zoning with its distribution decreasing from about 7000 ppm to about 100 ppm from core to rim, respectively. The precise determination of the Y content by µ-PIXE technique allowed us to better define the rock thermal history, by applying the Y geothermometer. In particular, a common starting temperature of about 450 °C was calculated for the beginning of the garnet growth from all over the unit, but different temperatures in the range from 520 °C to 670 °C were estimated for the peak event in garnets from different areas, in agreement with the P–T values given by the main rock mineral assemblages, reflecting a different metamorphic grade.

Clay mineralogy of the Cretaceous strata of the British Isles

AbstractThe clay mineralogy of the Cretaceous strata of the British Isles is described and discussed within its lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical framework using published and unpublished sources as well as 1400 new clay mineral analyses. The regional clay mineral variation is described systematically for the following strata:(1)Southern England — Purbeck Limestone Group (Berriasian/Ryazanian; Lulworth and Durlston formations), Wealden Group (Valanginian—Barremian/Aptian; Ashdown, Wadhurst Clay, Tunbridge Wells Sands, Grinstead Clay Member, Wealden Clay, Wessex and Vectis formations), Lower Greensand (Aptian—Lower Albian; Atherfield Clay, Hythe, Sandgate, Folkestone Sands, Ferruginous Sands, Woburn Sands and Faringdon Sponge Gravels formations), Selborne Group (Middle—Upper Albian; Gault Clay and Upper Greensand formations) and the Chalk Group (Cenomanian—Lower Maastrichtian).(2)Eastern England — Cromer Knoll Group (Ryazanian—Upper Albian; Speeton Clay, Spilsby Sandstone, Sandringham Sands, Claxby Ironstone, Tealby, Roach Ironstone, Dersingham, Carstone and Red Chalk (or Hunstanton Red Limestone) formations).(3)Scotland — Inner Hebrides Group (Cenomanian—Campanian; Morvern Greensand, Gribun Chalk, Coire Riabhach Phosphatic Hibernian Greensands formations).(4)Northern Ireland — Hibernian Greensands (Cenomanian—Santonian) and Ulster White Limestone formations (Santonian—Lower Maastrichtian).The stratigraphical patterns of clay mineral variation divide naturally into two types; firstly, the more complex pattern of the Lower Cretaceous strata and secondly, the simple pattern of the Upper Cretaceous. Clay mineral variations in the non-marine and marine Lower Cretaceous strata of England are best explained by the interplay of two main clay mineral assemblages between which all gradations occur. The assemblage which dominates the main clay formations consists of mica, kaolin and poorly defined mixed-layer smectite-mica-vermiculite minerals, and sometimes includes vermiculite and traces of chlorite. It is dominantly of detrital origin and detailed evidence indicates it is derived largely from the reworking of Mesozoic sediments although ultimately from weathered Palaeozoic sediments and metasediments. Although mainly of detrital origin, this assemblage contains a persistent component that formed coevally with the approximate depositional age of its host sediment. Whether this component is of soil origin or was neoformed in the sediment shortly after deposition is unclear. There is little firm evidence indicating the sources of this clay mineral detritus. However, in the strata of the Wealden Group of southern England, mineral trends suggest three sources; one of these was to the west (Cornubian Massif), another must have been the Anglo- Brabant landmass. In the Selborne Group (Middle—Upper Albian) and in the overlying Lower Chalk (Cenomanian) where this assemblage makes its last appearance in the Cretaceous of England, there is good evidence of easterly and south-easterly sources.The second main assemblage tends to be largely monominerallic, and usually dominated by smectite with or without small amounts of mica; less frequently, kaolin, berthierine or glauconite sensu lato is the sole or dominant component. It is considered to be of volcanogenic origin, derived from the argillization of volcanic ash under different conditions of deposition and diagenesis. The source of the ash in Berriasian—Aptian times seems to have been an extensive volcanic field in the southern part of the North Sea and in the Netherlands, whereas in the Albian (and extending into the Cenomanian) a westerly source dominated. The current controversy about the role of climate or pattern of volcanic activity controlling the clay mineral stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous is reviewed.In the lower part of the Upper Cretaceous strata of England, Scotland and Ireland, sand-grade glauconite is particularly abundant. Much of it represents the glauconitization of pene- contemporanous volcanic ash, possibly of basaltic origin, associated with continental breakup and the opening up of the Atlantic Ocean and the earliest stages in the development of the Hebridean Tertiary Igneous Province. The Upper Cretaceous Chalk facies of England and Ireland is dominated by a smectite-rich clay assemblage containing mica, and the various hypotheses for its origin (detrital, neoformation, volcanogenic) are reviewed in the light of available mineralogical, chemical and geological data.

Petrological and Experimental Constraints on the Pre-eruption Conditions of Holocene Dacite from Volcan San Pedro (36 S, Chilean Andes) and the Importance of Sulphur in Silicic Subduction-related Magmas

We present an experimental and petrological study aimed at estimating the pre-eruptive conditions of a Holocene dacitic lava from Volcan San Pedro (36°S, Chilean Andes). Phase-equilibrium experiments were performed at temperatures (T) from 800 to 950°C, and mainly at 200 MPa, but also at 55, 150, and 406 MPa. Oxygen fugacity (fO2) ranged from the Ni-NiO buffer (NNO) to 3*5 log units above (NNO + 3*5), and water contents from ~3 to ~6 wt %. We also report several experiments where we added sulphur (0*1-1 wt % S) to the dacite. The main mineral assemblage of the dacite (hornblende + orthopyroxene + plagioclase) is stable at 200 ± 50 MPa, 850 ± 10°C, with 4*5-5*5 wt % H2O in the melt, and at fO2 of NNO + 1*2 ± 0*2, in accord with the crystallinity, mineral proportions, and T-fO2 determination from Fe-Ti oxides of the lava. However, biotite, which is also present in the dacite, is stable at these same T-fO2 conditions only in experiments with >0*1 wt % S added. This result is in accord with the occurrence of pyrrhotite in the lava, and with the presence of S in glass inclusions and biotite (~300 ppm, and up 170 ppm, respectively). Moreover, the zoning patterns and compositions of plagioclase phenocrysts together with the presence of high-temperature minerals (e.g. clinopyroxene) in the lava suggest that the petrological history of the dacite is more complex than a single near-equilibrium crystallization stage, and could be explained by short-lived (<100 years) temperature fluctuations (~50°C) in the magma reservoir.

Varying depositional environments of gypsum successions in the Upper Miocene Eskisehir-Sivrihisar lacustrine basin, NW Turkiye

The basement rocks of Eskisehir-Sivrihisar basin are made of Upper Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Upper Cretaceous ophiolite complex. These rocks are overlain by Middle Miocene sedimentary rocks the base. Upper Miocene-Pliocene stratigraphic succession consists of basal conglomerates, sandstones, claystones, limestones, dolomites and tuffs are thinly interbedded with cyclic evaporites. The main clay mineral assemblage consists of smectite, illite and sepiolite that are enriched in different percentage in different horizons. The Upper Miocene-Pliocene stratigraphic succession consists of alterations of gypsum, clayey carbonates and unconsolidated very soft dolomite beds, which are conformably underlain by sepiolite-bearing clayey carbonates and disconformably overlain by alluvium and conglomerate series of Pleistocene age. The Upper Miocene unit includes three different facies, based on sedimentary properties of gypsum from the base to the top; (I) laminated gypsum beds are thinly interbedded with dolomites and green clays; (2) gypsum rosettes within thin reddish and greenish clays and carbonates; and (3) scattered gypsum mainly within carbonates. Gypsums had been deposited in somewhat different depositional conditions in the same basin where multi-periodic evaporative episodes, ranging from saline to schizohaline environments, had been involved. During these episodes, under high Eh-pH intervals and high salinity conditions, three different types of gypsum formations had been developed in a meromictic-type lake under the influence of varying paleoclimatologic conditions and pore water chemistry of brines. All these gypsum morphologies respectively reflect the different conditions of environments of deposition in a Miocene playa lake basin: (1) subaqueous environments in playa lakes with short evaporation episodes; (2) marginal swamps with cyclic fluctuation of lake level; and (3) extended closed-lake with evaporatic lake water. These different gypsum morphologies are associated with distinctive sedimentary subfacies, which are also primarily related to cyclic climatic changes, alternating semi-arid and evaporite conditions, fluctuation of lake water level and sulphate input in the chemistry of lake water from runoff and hydrothermal source adjacent to basin.

Precious-metal distribution and fluid-inclusion petrography of the Elatsite porphyry copper deposit, Bulgaria

The Elatsite porphyry copper deposit occurs in an island-arc setting hosted by Late Cretaceous monzonitic-monzodioritic porphyry stocks which were emplaced into Precambrian-Cambrian phyllites. Trace element data of the Late Cretaceous intrusive rocks suggest that they are I-type volcanic arc granitoids. Two main ore mineral assemblages are distinguished: (1) magnetite–bornite–chalcopyrite, and (2) chalcopyrite–pyrite. The first one is linked to potassic-propylitic, and the second to phyllic-argillic alteration. Minor ore minerals are hematite, molybdenite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, hessite, and solid solutions of linnaeite–siegenite–carrollite, tetrahedrite–tennantite, clausthalite–galena, gold–electrum and merenskyite–moncheite. Precious-metal contents are relatively high throughout the deposit but Au, Pd and Pt are concentrated more strongly in the magnetite–bornite–chalcopyrite assemblage. Average grades of Au, Ag, Pd and Pt calculated for the 0.33% Cu ore body are 0.96, 0.19, 0.007 and 0.002 g/t respectively. Analyses of flotation concentrates revealed 25.6% Cu, and Ag, Au, Pd and Pt contents of 33.0, 13.6, 0.72 and 0.15 g/t respectively. The copper mineralisation at Elatsite took place at pressures of 120 to 300 bar, corresponding to depths of formation of 1 to 3 km under hydrostatic conditions. The precious metals were probably transported jointly as chloride complexes in highly saline magmatic-hydrothermal solutions. The fluids had temperatures of 340 to >700 °C and salinities of 28 to 64% NaCl, and mixed with meteoric water.

Study on the carbonate ocelli-bearing lamprophyre dykes in the Ailaoshan gold deposit zone, Yunnan Province

Three carbonate ocelli-bearing lamprophyre dykes have been found in the Laowangzhai and Beiya gold orefields in the northern sector of the Ailaoshan gold deposit zone, Yunnan Province. Ocelli in the lamprophyre dykes are carbonates composed mainly of dolomite and calcite. Their trace elements, REE and C isotopic compositions are characteristic of carbonatite and the main mineral assemblages, major elements, trace elements and REE in the matrix are similar to those in the carbonate ocelli-barren lamprophyre dykes in the orefields, which are calc-alkaline lamprophyres that derived from the fertile mantle. The results indicate that the carbonate ocelli-bearing lamprophyre dykes in this area were produced at the time when the Himalayan lamprophyre magma evolved to a relatively late stage of silicate-carbonate liquid immiscibility. In the process of magmatic evolution there took place magmatic degassing with CO2 and H2O as the dominant released gases.