Epigenetic silicification of the Upper Oxfordian limestones in the Sokole Hills (Kraków-Częstochowa Upland): relationship to facies development and tectonics

A spectacular epigenetic silicification was encountered in the Oxfordian bedded limestones exposed in the Sokole Hills situated in the Krakow-Częstochowa Upland. The main epigenetic mineral is microcrystalline quartz accompanied by minor goethite, hematite, barite, galena and sphalerite. Locally, the mineralized limestones reveal Pb and Cu contents exceeding over 150 times the background values of these metals in unmineralized limestones.The epigenetic mineralization of the bedded limestones was probably a two-stage process. During the first, Early Cretaceous stage, silicified limestones formed at the erosional surface of a denuded carbonate complex. Such silicification greatly limited the progress of the first karstification phase of the Upper Jurassic carbonates initiated in the Hauterivian. The sources of silica accumulated in the limestones were descending solutions enriched in silica derived from the weathering zone. This silicification affected the topmost part of the Upper Jurassic massive limestones and the deeper portions of the bedded limestones along the fracture systems and stylolites.Early Cretaceous tectonic activity generated new dislocations and re-opened the existing faults, which were subsequently filled with permeable Albian quartz sands. These openings became the migration pathways for ascending, warm, relict, sulphide-carrying hydrothermal solutions at the second formation stage of the epigenetic mineralization. The newly supplied silica from the Albian sands precipitated on the silicified limestones and, as concentric rims, on brecciated, early diagenetic cherts. The second-stage mineralization proceeded under phreatic conditions, presumably close to a fluctuating mixing zone of ascending, warm hydrothermal solutions and descending cold groundwaters. The brecciated cherts acting as silica crystallization nuclei indicate that the last mineralization stage probably followed the final phase of Cenozoic faulting

FLUID GEOCHEMISTRY INVESTIGATIONS ON THE VOLCANIC SYSTEM OF METHANA

An extensive geochemical survey on the fluids released by the volcanic/geothermal system of Methana was undertaken. Characterization of the gases was made on the basis of the chemical and isotopie (He and C) analysis of 14 samples. CO2 soil gas concentration and fluxes were measured on the whole peninsula at more than 100 sampling sites. 31 samples of thermal and cold groundwaters were also sampled and analysed to characterize the geochemistry of aquifers. Anomalies referable to the geothermal system, besides at known thermal manifestations, were also recognized at some anomalous degassing soil site and in some cold groundwater. These anomalies were always spatially correlated to the main active tectonic system of the area. The total CO2 output of the volcanic system has been preliminary estimated in about 0.2 kg s~ . Although this value is low compared to other volcanic systems, anomalous C02 degassing at Methana may pose gas hazard problems. Such volcanic risk, although restricted to limited areas, cannot be neglected and further studies have to be undertaken for its better assessment.

Isotope hydrogeology and geothermometry of the Mount Meager geothermal area

A survey of stable and radioactive environmental isotopes has been carried out in order to investigate the recharge, thermal history, age, and geothermometry of the thermal waters at Mount Meager, British Columbia, a Quaternary volcano that is currently the site of active exploration for geothermal resources. Isotope determinations include 18O, 2H, and 3H in precipitation, thermal and cold groundwaters, and glacier ice; 13C and 14C in dissolved inorganic carbon; 18O and 34S in dissolved sulphate from thermal and cold groundwaters; and 13C and 18O in hydrothermal calcite crystals. Major ion analyses were performed on thermal and cold spring waters.Precipitation data are used to define the local meteoric water line and to document the altitude effect on waters recharging the geothermal system, demonstrating that there are two hydrogeologically separate reservoirs recharged at different altitudes. Both pools of geothermal waters have experienced shifts of between +0.5 and +2.5‰ in δ18O values, indicating a limited degree of 18O exchange with hot silicate minerals.Tritium contents indicate that these waters recharged prior to 1955. 13C contents of dissolved inorganic carbon and hydrothermal calcites from drill core document contamination of the thermal waters with "dead" volcanogenic CO2 plus carbon exchange with fracture calcite, which precludes the possibility of "dating" the thermal waters using 14C.Several chemical and isotopic geothermometers are used to estimate the maximum temperatures experienced by the thermal waters. The fractionation of 18O between SO42− and H2O in these waters gives calculated maximum temperatures of less than 140 °C. The Mg-corrected Na–K–Ca geothermometer shows excellent correlation with the SO4–H2O estimates with maximum temperatures of less than 140 °C. Fractionation of 13C and 18O in the systems CaCO3–CO2 and CaCO3–H2O using hydrothermal calcites and borehole fluids also offers no indications of subsurface temperatures in excess of 140 °C. Silica geothermometer results are not reliable because of equlibrium with amorphous silica phases in the subsurface.It is concluded that these thermal waters are not deeply circulating and have not experienced temperatures in excess of 140 °C.