scholarly journals The Tres Arroyos Granitic Aplite-Pegmatite Field (Central Iberian Zone, Spain): Petrogenetic Constraints from Evolution of Nb-Ta-Sn Oxides, Whole-Rock Geochemistry and U-Pb Geochronology

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1008
Author(s):  
Idoia Garate-Olave ◽  
Encarnación Roda-Robles ◽  
Pedro Pablo Gil-Crespo ◽  
Alfonso Pesquera ◽  
Jon Errandonea-Martin

Abundant Li-Cs-Ta aplite-pegmatite dykes were emplaced in the western Central Iberian Zone of the Iberian Massif during the Variscan Orogeny. Their origin and petrogenetic relationships with the widespread granitoids have led to a currently rekindled discussion about anatectic vs. granitic origin for the pegmatitic melts. To deal with these issues, the aplite-pegmatite dykes from the Tres Arroyos area, which constitute a zoned pegmatitic field related to the Nisa-Alburquerque granitic batholith, have been studied. This work comprises a complete study of Nb-Ta-Sn oxides’ mineralogy, whole-rock geochemistry, and U-Pb geochronology of the aplite-pegmatites that have been grouped as barren, intermediate, and Li-rich. The most abundant Nb-Ta-Sn oxides from Tres Arroyos correspond to columbite-(Fe), columbite-(Mn) and cassiterite. Niobium-Ta oxides show a marked increase in the Mn/(Mn+Fe) ratio from the barren aplite-pegmatites up to the Li-rich bodies, whereas variations in the Ta/(Ta+Nb) ratio are not continuous. The probable factors controlling fractionation of Mn/Fe and Ta/Nb reflected in Nb-Ta oxides may be attributed to the crystallization of tourmaline, phosphates and micas. The lack of a progressive Ta/Nb increase with the fractionation may be also influenced by the high F and P availability in the parental pegmatitic melts. Most of the primary Nb-Ta oxides would have crystallized by punctual chemical variations in the boundary layer, whereas cassiterite formation would be related to an undercooling of the system. Whole-rock composition of the distinguished lithotypes reflects similar tendencies to those observed in mineral chemistry, supporting a single path of fractional crystallization from the parental Nisa-Alburquerque monzogranite up to the most evolved Li-rich aplite-pegmatites. The age of 305 ± 9 Ma, determined by LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of columbite-tantalite oxides, reinforces the linkage of the studied aplite-pegmatites and the cited parental monzogranite.

2012 ◽  
Vol 149 (5) ◽  
pp. 927-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. RUBIO-ORDÓÑEZ ◽  
P. VALVERDE-VAQUERO ◽  
L. G. CORRETGÉ ◽  
A. CUESTA-FERNÁNDEZ ◽  
G. GALLASTEGUI ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Zarza la Mayor and Zarza de Montánchez tonalites and Arroyo de la Luz granodiorite are part of a tonalitic–granodioritic belt located along the Schistose-Greywacke Domain of the Central Iberian Zone. These intrusions are also part of the Central Extremadura Batholith, a set of plutons ranging from tonalite to leucogranite that have been considered a prime example of Variscan syn-kinematic plutonism. New LA-ICP-MS and CA-ID-TIMS U–Pb dating reveals that the Zarza la Mayor tonalite–granodiorite is an Early Ordovician intrusion. The LA-ICP-MS data show that there is an absence of inherited cores, despite some complex internal zoning with obvious resorption features in some of the zircon crystals. Dating of monazite and zircon by CA-ID-TIMS provides a concordant age of 478.1 ± 0.8 Ma. This age coincides with electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) monazite chemical ages for the Zarza de Montánchez (482 ± 10 Ma) and Arroyo de la Luz (470 ± 15 Ma) intrusions. These new data indicate the presence of an Early Ordovician belt of calc-alkaline tonalite–granodiorite in the Schistose-Greywacke Domain – the Beira Baixa–Central Extremadura tonalite–granodiorite belt – which resembles a continental magmatic arc. This belt is contemporaneous with the Ollo de Sapo magmatic event further north in the Central Iberian Zone.


Author(s):  
Mikael Vasilopoulos ◽  
Ferenc Molnár ◽  
Hugh O’Brien ◽  
Yann Lahaye ◽  
Marie Lefèbvre ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Juomasuo Au–Co deposit, currently classified as an orogenic gold deposit with atypical metal association, is located in the Paleoproterozoic Kuusamo belt in northeastern Finland. The volcano-sedimentary sequence that hosts the deposit was intensely altered, deformed, and metamorphosed to greenschist facies during the 1.93–1.76 Ga Svecofennian orogeny. In this study, we investigate the temporal relationship between Co and Au deposition and the relationship of metal enrichment with protolith composition and alteration mineralogy by utilizing lithogeochemical data and petrographic observations. We also investigate the nature of fluids involved in deposit formation based on sulfide trace element and sulfur isotope LA-ICP-MS data together with tourmaline mineral chemistry and boron isotopes. Classification of original protoliths was made on the basis of geochemically immobile elements; recognized lithologies are metasedimentary rocks, mafic, intermediate-composition, and felsic metavolcanic rocks, and an ultramafic sill. The composition of the host rocks does not control the type or intensity of mineralization. Sulfur isotope values (δ34S − 2.6 to + 7.1‰) and trace element data obtained for pyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite indicate that the two geochemically distinct Au–Co and Co ore types formed from fluids of different compositions and origins. A reduced, metamorphic fluid was responsible for deposition of the pyrrhotite-dominant, Co-rich ore, whereas a relatively oxidized fluid deposited the pyrite-dominant Au–Co ore. The main alteration and mineralization stages at Juomasuo are as follows: (1) widespread albitization that predates both types of mineralization; (2) stage 1, Co-rich mineralization associated with chlorite (± biotite ± amphibole) alteration; (3) stage 2, Au–Co mineralization related to sericitization. Crystal-chemical compositions for tourmaline suggest the involvement of evaporite-related fluids in formation of the deposit; boron isotope data also allow for this conclusion. Results of our research indicate that the metal association in the Juomasuo Au–Co deposit was formed by spatially coincident and multiple hydrothermal processes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioan Balintoni ◽  
Constantin Balica ◽  
Monica Cliveţi ◽  
Li-Qiu Li ◽  
Horst Hann ◽  
...  

The emplacement age of the Muntele Mare Variscan granite (Apuseni Mountains, Romania)Like the Alps and Western Carpathians, the Apuseni Mountains represent a fragment of the Variscan orogen involved in the Alpine crustal shortenings. Thus the more extensive Alpine tectonic unit in the Apuseni Mountains, the Bihor Autochthonous Unit is overlain by several nappe systems. During the Variscan orogeny, the Bihor Unit was a part of the Someş terrane involved as the upper plate in subduction, continental collision and finally in the orogen collapse and exhumation. The Variscan thermotectonic events were marked in the future Bihor Unit by the large Muntele Mare granitoid intrusion, an S-type anatectic body. Zircon U-Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) dating yielded a weighted mean age of 290.9 ± 3.0 Ma and a concordia age of 291.1 ± 1.1 Ma. U-Pb isotope dilution zircon analyses yielded a lower intercept crystallization age of 296.6 + 5.7/-6.2 Ma. These two ages coincide in the error limits. Thus, the Muntele Mare granitoid pluton is a sign of the last stage in the Variscan history of the Apuseni Mountains. Many zircon grains show inheritance and/or Pb loss, typical for anatectic granitoid, overprinted by later thermotectonic events.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 630
Author(s):  
Christos L. Stergiou ◽  
Vasilios Melfos ◽  
Panagiotis Voudouris ◽  
Lambrini Papadopoulou ◽  
Paul G. Spry ◽  
...  

The Vathi porphyry Cu-Au±Mo deposit is located in the Kilkis ore district, northern Greece. Hydrothermally altered and mineralized samples of latite and quartz monzonite are enriched with numerous rare and critical metals. The present study focuses on the bulk geochemistry and the mineral chemistry of pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, and titanite. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are the most abundant ore minerals at Vathi and are related to potassic, propylitic, and sericitic hydrothermal alterations (A- and D-veins), as well as to the late-stage epithermal overprint (E-veins). Magnetite and titanite are found mainly in M-type veins and as disseminations in the potassic-calcic alteration of quartz monzonite. Disseminated magnetite is also present in the potassic alteration in latite, which is overprinted by sericitic alteration. Scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of pyrite and chalcopyrite reveal the presence of pyrrhotite, galena, and Bi-telluride inclusions in pyrite and enrichments of Ag, Co, Sb, Se, and Ti. Chalcopyrite hosts bornite, sphalerite, galena, and Bi-sulfosalt inclusions and is enriched with Ag, In, and Ti. Inclusions of wittichenite, tetradymite, and cuprobismutite reflect enrichments of Te and Bi in the mineralizing fluids. Native gold is related to A- and D-type veins and is found as nano-inclusions in pyrite. Titanite inclusions characterize magnetite, whereas titanite is a major host of Ce, Gd, La, Nd, Sm, Th, and W.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 1233-1259
Author(s):  
Claire Leighton ◽  
Daniel Layton-Matthews ◽  
Jan M. Peter ◽  
Michael G. Gadd ◽  
Alexandre Voinot ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The MacMillan Pass district in Yukon, Canada, hosts the Tom and Jason clastic sediment-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag-(Ba) deposits. Pyrite-bearing drill core samples were collected from seven drill holes that intersected sulfide mineralization and time-stratigraphically equivalent rocks at varied spatial distances extending up to 3 km away from the deposits to assess the relative timing of pyrite mineralization and the chemistry of pyrite paragenesis. There are four pyrite morphologies: framboids and polyframboids (Py1), subhedral to euhedral inclusion-free crystals (Py2a), silicate inclusion-bearing nodules with serrated edges (Py2b), and euhedral idiomorphic overgrowths on preexisting pyrite morphologies (Py3). These morphological varieties correspond in time from syngenetic to earliest diagenetic growth (Py1), early to late diagenetic growth (Py2a, Py2b), and metamorphic crystallization and/or recrystallization of previous textural varieties (Py3). A representative subset of pyrite grains was analyzed for trace element contents and distributions by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Analyses by LA-ICP-MS reveal that each textural variety of pyrite has a distinct trace element composition that also varies depending on stratigraphic unit. A suite of clastic sediment-hosted sulfide mineralization-related elements was incorporated into Py2 within sulfide mineralized units at greater abundances than that in unmineralized units (e.g., Zn, As, Pb, Tl, Bi). Lead abundances and Pb/Se and As/Mo values in pyrite are the most robust vectoring tools documented. The timing for clastic sediment-hosted Zn-Pb mineralization was syn and/or post late diagenesis (Py2b). A Ba-enriched horizon was identified in rocks and this is interpreted to be the distal time-stratigraphic equivalent unit to Zn-Pb mineralization. The Ba-enriched horizon contains Py2 with anomalous metal (Tl, Co, Mn, Cd, Zn, Sb) contents and abundant macroscopic baryte, and it is interpreted to represent the distal expression of sulfide mineralization-forming hydrothermal activity. Four genetic models for mineralization are reviewed; however, the only model that is consistent with our whole rock and pyrite geochemistry involves venting of buoyant hydrothermal fluid, mixing with ambient seawater, and remaining or sinking into unconsolidated sediments, with lateral migration up to 2–3 km from the vent source.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
E. J. Oziegbe ◽  
V. O. Olarewaju ◽  
O. O. Ocan

Samples of mafic intrusive rock were analyzed for their mineralogical and chemical properties. The textural relationship was studied using the petrographic microscope, elemental composition of minerals was determined using the Electron Microprobe and the whole rock chemical analysis was done using the XRF and ICP-MS. The following minerals were observed in order of abundance; pyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase, biotite, opaque minerals, quartz and chlorite, with apatite and zircon occurring as accessory mineral. Two types of pyroxenes were observed; orthopyroxene (hypersthene) and clinopyroxene. Texturally, amphiboles have inclusions of plagioclase and pyroxene. The plagioclase has undergone sericitization. The chemical composition of the pyroxene is En51.95Fs44.53Wo3.52, biotite has Fe/(Fe+Mg):0.42, Mg/(Fe+Mg):0.59, and plagioclase is Ab63.5An34.55Or1.95. Whole rock chemistry shows a chemical composition; SiO2: 45.15 %, Al2O3: 14.04 %, Fe2O3: 16.01 %, MgO: 5.65 %, CaO: 7.58 % and TiO2: 3.59 %. There is an enrichment of LREE and a depletion of HREE. Based on the minerals, mineral chemistry and the geochemistry of the studied rock, the rock is mafic and hydrous minerals formed by hydration recrystallization of pyroxene. The rock has extensively retrogressed but has not been affected by any form of deformation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-63
Author(s):  
Lyubomirka Macheva ◽  
Philip Machev ◽  
Rossitsa Vassilevа ◽  
Yulia Plotkina

North-northeast of the village of Ilinden (Southern Pirin Mnt.) three eclogite boudins were separated on the geological map in scale 1:50 000 (Sarov, 2010). The rocks belong to the Slasten lithotectonic unit. The mineral assemblage and mineral chemistry do not allow these rocks to be classified as eclogites. They can be considered as eclogite-like ones, formed by postmagmatic-metasomatic alteration of the host rocks. Based on LA-ICP-MS sphene U-Pb dating, eclogite-like rocks yield a Late Jurassic age (160±19 Ma).


2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Cooke ◽  
Jamie J. Wilkinson ◽  
Mike Baker ◽  
Paul Agnew ◽  
Josh Phillips ◽  
...  

Abstract The giant, high-grade Resolution porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in the Superior district of Arizona is hosted in Proterozoic and Paleozoic basement and in an overlying Cretaceous volcaniclastic breccia and sandstone package. Resolution has a central domain of potassic alteration that extends more than 1 km outboard of the ore zone, overlapping with a propylitic halo characterized by epidote, chlorite, and pyrite that is particularly well developed in the Laramide volcaniclastic rocks and Proterozoic dolerite sills. The potassic and propylitic assemblages were overprinted in the upper parts of the deposit by intense phyllic and advanced argillic alteration. The district was disrupted by Tertiary Basin and Range extension, and the fault block containing Resolution and its Cretaceous host succession was buried under thick mid-Miocene dacitic volcanic cover, obscuring the geologic, geophysical, and geochemical footprint of the deposit. To test the potential of propylitic mineral chemistry analyses to aid in the detection of concealed porphyry deposits, a blind test was conducted using a suite of epidote-chlorite ± pyrite-altered Laramide volcaniclastic rocks and Proterozoic dolerites collected from the propylitic halo, with samples taken from two domains located to the north and south and above the Resolution ore zone. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data of epidote provided indications of deposit fertility and proximity. Competition for chalcophile elements (As, Sb, Pb) between coexisting pyrite and epidote grains led to a subdued As-Sb fertility response in epidote, consistent with epidote collected between 0.7 and 1.5 km from the center of a large porphyry deposit. Temperature-sensitive trace elements in chlorite provided coherent spatial zonation patterns, implying a heat source centered at depth between the two sample clusters, and application of chlorite proximitor calculations based on LA-ICP-MS analyses provided a precisely defined drill target in this location in three dimensions. Drilling of this target would have resulted in the discovery of Resolution, confirming that epidote and chlorite mineral chemistry can potentially add value to porphyry exploration under cover.


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