Lithology and Mineral Resources最新文献

The crystal chemical characteristics and causes of their variations in the weakly and strongly modified by epigenetic processes dolomites of the Middle Riphean Avzyan Formation in the Bashkir meganticlinorium have been determined. The studies were accomplished by the X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and SEM/EDS analysis methods. The Avzyan dolomites are marked by increased parameters of the crystal lattice (a_av = 4.8105 Å, c_av = 16.0211 Å) and reduced values of the substructural reflection (K_av = 0.66) in comparison with stoichiometric dolomites. The average content of elements is as follows: Fe(II) 4545 ppm, Mn 423 ppm, and Sr 124 ppm. Increase in parameters of the crystal lattice of the Avzyan dolomites shows direct correlation with increase in the contents of Fe and Mn, whereas values of the substructural reflection have an inverse correlation. Rocks of all studied sections include two generations of dolomite and calcite. The calcite–dolomite veinlets were formed at 260–530°C and 0.3–2.3 kbar. In dolomites of different subformations, the average value of parameters of the crystal lattice a and c decreases from the early (Kataskin subformation) to the late Avzyan (Tyul’men subformation). In the same direction, average values of the coefficient K of the dolomite structure ordering increase. Dolomites of different stratigraphic levels of the Avzyan Formation underwent intense epigenetic transformations caused by the impact of medium- and high-temperature Fe- and Mn-containing fluids on rocks. Change in the crystal chemical characteristics of the Avzyan dolomites is associated not so much with the process of regional metamorphism, as with the activity of postmagmatic (sections near the Veselovka Settlement and on the Tyul’men River) and catagenetic (sections near the Islambaevo Settlement and on the Bol’shoi Avzyan River) of fluids, which percolated along the fracture zones.

The article provides new data on the structure of the Laptev Sea flank of the Gakkel Ridge. The intensive supply of clastic material from the Laptev Sea shelf leads to the development of a thick alluvial fan at the continental rise, which determines the structure of the bottom topography. In the northwestern direction, the influence of the fan decreases and tectonics becomes the main relief-forming factor. The bathymetric survey traced the asymmetrical rift valley of the Gakkel Ridge, the western flank of which is complicated by terraces. The presence of fault structures, bottom subsidence, extensive sediment supply, and the widespread development of subaqueous slump processes indicate the high neotectonic activity of the Laptev Sea flank of the Gakkel Ridge. For the first time in this region, numerous carbonate rocks have been discovered, the authigenic cement of which is represented by magnesian calcite or aragonite with an admixture of terrigenous material. The palynological and micropaleontological analysis of the carbonate rocks indicates the Quaternary formation of authigenic carbonate cement. An important role in the formation of authigenic carbonates was played by diagenetic solutions coming from the sedimentary cover together with methane and oxidation products of gases and organic matter. The authigenic carbonates were precipitated mainly in an isotopic equilibrium with bottom water at a temperature of about 0°C. The negative correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ¹³C indicates the presence of at least two different sources of carbonate-forming solutions.

We compared the arithmetic average chemical composition of main types of Pleistocene sediments in the Indian and Atlantic oceans, and average chemical composition of the Pleistocene in both oceans as well. As the base for comparison, we used data from the International project of deep-sea drilling reports (phases DSDP, ODP, IODP) and other references. It was revealed that the results of comparative analyses of the mean weighted chemical composition were determined by masses of the dry sediment matter. Domination of the Atlantic mass accumulation rates over the Indian Ocean ones was due to markedly larger catchment areas, influence of more significant humid climate, and enhanced primary production.

Both tectonic settings and sedimentary environments of the oil- and gas-bearing Triassic sequences in the Caspian region are examined. It is shown that the Scythian and West Turanian plates were located at an active margin of the East European continent in Triassic. A unified thick (up to 3–5 km) cover of sedimentary and volcanosedimentary (mainly tuffaceous) rocks without the characteristic features of rifting was formed. In the northern and eastern parts of the region, the Triassic is composed of variegated continental terrigenous rocks. In many areas of the region (eastern and southern parts of the Pre-Caspian Basin, Eastern Ciscaucasia, Mangyshlak, and Middle Caspian), the Lower Triassic (Olenekian) and Middle Triassic are represented by marine terrigenous–carbonate rocks. The structural features of sequences in the Pre-Caspian Basin are associated with salt tectonics. The maximum thickness (up to 4.5–5 km) of Triassic rocks within the Scythian Plate is recorded in the southwestern part of the Middle Caspian and southeastern part of the Karpinsky Ridge, where they fill up a series of NW-extending graben-shaped troughs. Their absence in the northwestern part of the region is related to the latest shear deformations, as confirmed by their discrepancy with the facies zonation of Triassic deposits. Currently, the Permian and Triassic deposits represent a pre-platform geodynamic seismic sequence unconformably overlying the pre-Kungurian deposits. Triassic deposits of the Scythian and West Turanian plates are disturbed by faults (amplitude up to 2 km) and dislocated in some areas. Folding with faults and strike-slip faults is especially intense on the Karpinsky Ridge. Increased dislocation and Late Triassic magmatism on the Scythian and West Turanian plates are associated with the processes of collision during the closure of the Paleotethys Ocean. Oil and gas prospects of the region are assessed positively.

Several geochemical characteristics ((La/Yb)_N, Eu/Eu*, and Th content) of gray silts of the Volga River, suspended particulate matter of the Lena River, and silt–pelite fraction of bottom sediments in the Yangtze River are analyzed. It has been established that the above parameters of the chondrite-normalized lanthanide spectra and the Th content turn out in almost all cases to be comparable with their values determined for the specially prepared (removal of nonterrigenous carriers of rare earth elements (carbonate minerals, Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides, and organic components) pelite fractions of bottom sediments deposited near the mouths of named major rivers, and are retained over thousands of kilometers upstream from their deltas/mouths. The regulation of the Volga and Yangtze flows does not have a significant impact on parameters of the suspended particulate matter and bottom sediments under consideration.

Using a complex of analytical methods, clay minerals were studied in Pleistocene sediments from Hole ODP 1038B (120.50 m deep), drilled on the northwestern edge of the Central Hill (Escanaba Trough, Gorda Ridge) near the hydrothermal source with a temperature of 108°C, as well as in Pleistocene background terrigenous sediments from reference Hole ODP 1037B, drilled in the Escanaba Trough 5 km south of the Central Hill. The terrigenous clay mineral assemblage in sediments from Hole 1037B consists of the mixed-layer smectite-illites, smectite, chlorite, illite, and kaolinite. Sediments from Hole 1038B in the interval from the bottom surface to a depth of 5–7 m are composed of terrigenous clay minerals. In the rest of the sedimentary section, clay minerals are represented by the newly formed biotite, chlorite, and dioctahedral smectite. They were formed during the basaltic melt intrusion into the Escanaba Trough with the formation of a laccolith and the subsequent rapid cooling of its flank. The intrusion was accompanied by the ascent of high-temperature hydrothermal fluid in the central discharge channel, interacting with the adjacent sediments. As a result, the fine-dispersed biotite was formed in sediments at the high-temperature stage of this interaction due to the primary terrigenous clay minerals, K-feldspar, and amphiboles. The rapid cooling of the hydrothermal fluid to a temperature of presumably 270–330°C promoted the partial replacement of biotite by chlorite. The further rapid cooling of the hydrothermal fluid to 200°C and lower and its mixing with seawater seeping into sediments of the Central Hill fostered the formation of smectite.

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the sorption and desorption of rare-earth metal (REM) cations by the Co-bearing ferromanganese crusts of the Govorov Guyot. It has been established that the REM cations are sorbed on the CFC ore minerals (Fe-vernadite, vernadite, Mn-feroxyhite, and goethite. The crusts are characterized by high exchange capacity (1.78–3.57 mg-equiv/g, which increases in the following series: (Dy < Gd < Lu < Sm < Nd < Y, La < Eu) ( ll ) Ce. The REM cation sorption proceeds by the irreversible ion-exchange equivalent mechanism. The exchange complex of ore minerals consists of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ cations, which contribute 97‒98% to their total capacity. The crusts are characterized by the group sorption of REM cations from multicomponent water solutions of metal salts. The selectivity of manganese and ferruginous minerals of crusts to REM cations is significantly higher than to the main cations of ocean water. Experimental data on the desorption of sorbed REM cations with the NaCl solution suggest their irreversible sorption by ore minerals and strengthening of the chemical bond of sorbed REM cations with the main structural elements of these minerals over time. An important property of ore minerals, primarily manganese minerals, is their chemical and structural stability in aqueous electrolyte solutions, suggesting the repeated use of FMC as sorbents of REM cations.

The results of regional studies of Early Miocene deposits in Western Ciscaucasia, based on the seismic stratigraphic analysis, are presented. The spatial pattern of sediment accumulation is analyzed and the paleogeographic conditions during the Late Miocene regressive stages in Western Ciscaucasia are refined. Erosional incisions of several levels, developed during the base-level fall in the course of major regressions in the studied time interval, were identified. Based on the spatial correlation of paleoincisions using a chosen series of intersecting seismic profiles, the buried Paleo-Don and Paleo-Donets river valleys were reconstructed at the Sarmatian‒Meotian boundaries and within the Meotian‒upper Pontian interval.

This paper completes the examination of results of the study of lithogeochemical characteristics of a pilot collection of the Riphean–Vendian sandstones, siltstones, and claystones (last one based on the interpretation of results) in Belarus. Data on the age of detrital zircon published in recent years suggest that Upper Precambrian rocks of this region were sourced from the Osnitsk–Mikashevichi and the Trans-Scandinavian igneous belts, the Volyn–Brest large igneous province, rapakivi granites, as well as various rock associations of Sarmatia, Danopolonian orogen and Svecofennides. Based on the lithogeochemical characteristics, the distribution of data points of the studied clastic rocks on discriminant diagrams provides insight into the possible provenance, paleogeodynamic, paleogeographic, and paleoclimatic settings and suggests several conclusions. The considered Riphean–Vendian stratons in Belarus are composed mainly of erosion products of within-plate granitoids, as well as various island-arc and syncollisional felsic igneous rocks. The share of erosion products of mafic rocks among them generally does not exceed 30%. It is significant mainly in the Volyn Group rocks (erosion products of the Volyn–Brest large igneous province), as well as in some samples of the Nizov, Selyavy, and Kotlin formations (fragments of mafic rocks from other provenances?). The source-to-sink transport was accomplished mainly by large rivers. Paleogeodynamic settings varied from quite active to quite passive. The paleoclimate in catchment areas was most likely arid/semiarid in the Riphean. In the Vendian, it was humid and varied from subtropical in the Early Vendian (except the Glusk Formation) to tropical in the Late Vendian. The obtained results also make it possible to show some peculiarities of the known methods and techniques of paleoclimate reconstruction.

The article presents a comparative analysis of the Paleozoic and Cenozoic reef formation, mainly in terms of the position of reefs in the basins of continental and oceanic blocks. It is shown that the main formation of reefs took place in the Cenozoic directly in the oceans, including boundaries between oceans and continents, and, to an extremely limited scales, in the basins of the continental segment. In the Paleozoic, reefs were formed not only in oceans, but also in spacious basins of continental block. This is one of the manifestations of the general evolution of carbonate accumulation, when the Paleozoic carbonate sediments were formed in such shallow-water bodies that covered very significant surfaces of continents.