A. A. Karabtsov

The Oxygen Isotopic Composition as an Indicator of the Genesis of "Basaltic" Corundum

This paper reports an oxygen isotopic study of corundums and associated minerals from the Yogo lamprophyres (Montana, US), plagioclase-corundum inclusions in alkali basalt (Tunkin depression, Russia), and from modern alluvium of Podgelbanochnyi alkaline basaltic volcano (Primorye, Russia). It is shown that all sapphires genetically related to mafic magmatic rocks have a similar oxygen isotopic composition (the variations of δ18O are within 2.5‰) with most values plotting between +4.5 and +7.0‰ SMOW. The oxygen isotopic ratios in the associated minerals (olivines, pyroxenes, mica, and others) and host rocks are plotted in the same interval. This indicates that the sapphire crystallized during evolution of the parental mafic magma. However, there are xenogenic corundums, which were only transported by basaltic magma to the Earth’s surface. They have a sharply distinct oxygen isotopic composition, which suggests their disequilibrium with the host lavas, and, correspondingly, a different genetic nature.

New data on the composition of jordanite–geocronite Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts at the Berezitovoe deposit (Upper Amur Region, Russia)

New data on the composition of jordanite–geocronite Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts in the vein–disseminated gold ore at the Berezitovoe deposit were provided. Within the studied quartz–sulfide sample, some grains of Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts, uniform in composition and azonal, are drastically different from each other in As and Sb contents forming a quasi-continuous range of solid compounds from jordanite to geocronite. Jordanite–geocronite minerals at the Berezitovoe deposit (relative to the Darasun deposit) are characterized by a higher Pb concentration with a low polymetal total. It is assumed that such typomorphic features of the composition of Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts are indicative of specific formation conditions of gold mineralization in polymetallic ores at the Berezitovoe deposit.

Cervandonite-(Ce) in ores of the Berezitovoe deposit: Second finding in the world

The supposedly second finding of rare arsenosilicate cervandonite-(Ce) in the world is characterized. The mineral was recognized in the ore-bearing metasomatic rocks of the Berezitovoe gold-base metal deposit (Upper Priamurye, Russian Far East) in association with quartz, biotite, muscovite, orthoclase, garnet (almandine-spessartine), tourmaline, basic plagioclase, and sulfides. The cervandonite is represented by optically homogeneous and heterogeneous aggregates with visible crystals from 10 fum to 0.1–0.3 mm in size. Based on the microprobe analysis, the average chemical composition of the homogeneous cervandonite-(Ce) aggregates is as follows (wt %): Ce2O3 - 13.00, La2O3 - 5.70, Nd2O3 - 5.20, Pr2O3 - 1.41, Y2O3 - 0.77, Sm2O3 - 0.77, Eu2O3 - 0.23, Gd2O3 - 0.54, Dy2O3 - 0.31, ThO2 - 1.12, UO2 - 0.30, TiO2 - 12.86, Al2O3 - 9.24, Fe2O3 - 8.93, FeO - 2.68, CaO - 0.14, SiO2 - 19.98, As2O3 - 16.19. The comparative study of the cervandonite-(Ce) from the Berezitovoe deposit and the analogous minerals from the Alpine mica gneiss of Mt. Pizzo Cervandone (Central Alps) showed that the former mineral can be assigned to a new variety of cervandonite-(Ce) in terms of its compositional features. This variety is characterized by an ordered stoichiometric composition corresponding to the simpler theoretical formula (Ce,Nd,La)(Fe3+, Fe2+, Ti4+, Al)3 (Si2As3+)3O12.

Geochemistry of carbonated mineral waters from the Fadeevskoe deposit of the Primorye region

The geochemical study of bed rocks, underground and surface waters, and associated gases in the Fadeevskoe deposit of carbonated waters (Sikhote Alin, Primorye region) revealed that the chemical composition of these waters is formed in the zone of active water exchange in the limited area of the discharge zone, where hydro carbonate calcic waters with mineralization of up to 1 g/1 are formed in largely potassic-sodic rocks. Calculations of the saturation indices show that the mineral waters are characterized by the early stage of Ca saturation, being undersaturated with carbonates and aluminosilicates. The main factors that influence the water mineralization are the excess carbon dioxide in water and the circulation time. The oxygen and carbon isotope ratios indicate the atmospheric genesis of the aqueous component (δ2H = —117; δ18O = —15.4%o) and the carbon isotope content in the CO2 implies the mantle nature of the carbon dioxide (δ13C = -9.9%o).

The First Discovery of Cryptotephra of the Catastrophic Eruptions of the Baitoushan Volcano in the Tenth Century A.D. in the Shelf Deposits of the Sea of Japan

The interlayers of the cryptotephra of different episodes of the catastrophic eruption of the Baitoushan volcano (Paektu-san, Changbaishan-Tianchi) in the 10th century were discovered in the sedimentary cover of Amur Bay in the Sea of Japan by the geochemical and paleomagnetic characteristics. The petrochemistry of the volcanic glass indicates the possible occurrence of pyroclastic material in the B–Tm layer and more recent episodes that have not been identified before in the sediments of the Sea of Japan. The impact of the eruption on the bay environment is noted. It is shown that the medieval state of Balhae occupying vast areas and adjacent to the volcano no longer existed after the more earlier episodes of eruption.

Preservation of Radiogenic Argon in Mantle Micas in situ: Dating of Deep Seated Inclusions from the Shavaryn-Tsaram Paleovolcano, Mongolia

This article presents new data on isotopic (K/Ar) dating of a series of volcanic units of the Shavaryn-Tsaram Volcano based on rocks and minerals and the chemical composition of deep seated micas. Four age intervals have been identified, one of which is pertinent to the Middle Miocene (15.5–12.2 Ma) and the other three, to the Quaternary (1.87–1.82, 1.44–1.33, and 0.54–0.44 Ma). The age intervals correlate with the known volcanic events. The xenolites examined are most similar to fragments of a deep seated alkalineultramafic rock complex whose formation proceeded during the last 15.5 myr and was accompanied by sporadic effusion of alkali-basaltoid lavas onto the surface. The micas from the inclusions of the Shavaryn-Tsaram Volcano had a high activation energy of migration of radiogenic argon, which ensured argon accumulation during the radioactive transformation of 40K and preservation in situ. The high equilibrium temperature of garnet lherzolite (1050–1150°C) and the calculated pressure (20–22 kbar) played the role of mutually compensating factors in argon diffusion; high temperatures enhanced diffusion, while pressure suppressed it.

Hydrothermal precious opals of the Raduzhnoe deposit, north Primorye: The nature of the opalescence

This paper reports the results of the study of hydrothermal precious opals. It was established that, in terms of their nanostructure and formation conditions, the hydrothermal opals differ from exogenic precious opals. They are made up of small globules and do not show any structuring of their nanoparticles on the basis of closest packing, which is typical of exogenic precious opals. During their formation, these opals were subjected to pneumatolytic annealing—they experienced the impact of a high-temperature vapor under elevated pressure. The influence of the thermal effect led to the formation of two-dimensional photonic band gaps in the chaotic opal matrix. These bands are composed of sheets whose cells were formed owing to the thermal effects according to the principle of “Benard cells.” Precisely these structured blocks and thin films are responsible for the spectral dispersion of light and iridescence.

Garnet inclusions in alkali basalts of Primorye: Deep-seated xenoliths or cognate megacrysts?

Detailed study of garnet and garnet-pyroxene inclusions from alkali basalts of Primorye allowed us to distinguish two heterogeneous mineral assemblages: early (primary) and late (secondary) ones. The former reflects the initial stage of rock formation and consists of garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, and ilmenite. The latter, orthopyroxene-plagioclase-spinel assemblage replaces garnet. The transformation of garnet typically accompanies the change in the garnet assemblage to a higher temperature pyroxene-plagioclase-spinel assemblage owing to its entrainment in high temperature magma. The study of the chemical composition and textural relationships of minerals, together with the examination of similar mineral assemblages from alkali basalts around the world and mafic-ultramafic intrusions, led us to the conclusion that the garnet inclusions of Primorye are typical xenoliths and xenocrysts representing fragments of tholeiite intrusions of an ophiolite complex that were transformed in the host basaltic magma.

Mineral Grains of Base and Precious Metals in the Surface Layer of Bottom Sediments in the Chukchi Sea

Data on electron microprobe X-ray analysis of mineral grains of base (Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, Ni, Bi, and Mo) and precious metals (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt) detected for the first time in the sediments of the Chukchi Sea are presented. The peculiarities of the morphology and chemical composition of the grains are considered along with their sources and distribution in the sediments.

High-alumina titanite in mineral assemblages of the Berezitovy gold-base-metal deposit, Upper Amur Region

Grothite—a rare Al- and F-rich variety of titanite—was identified in two different gold-bearing mineral assemblages of the Berezitovy gold-base-metal deposit, Upper Amur Region, Russian Far East. Grothite is associated with quartz, orthoclase, chlorite, muscovite, tourmaline, almandine-spessartine garnet, ilmenite, pyrophanite, magnetite, fluorapatite, and sulfides. Grothite forms numerous scattered lamellar aggregates 20–100 μm in size with a relatively homogeneous structure. The lamellae grow in chlorite or between chlorite and orthoclase. According to microprobe analyses, variations in major elements of grothite are as follows (wt %): 30.56–34.07 SiO2, 7.91–12.71 Al2O3, 22.83–28.29 TiO2, 23.55–29.21 CaO, 0.52–4.25 FeO, and 2.19–6.16 F. It is suggested that grothite appeared in the gold-bearing mineral assemblages of the Berezitovy deposit due to the specifics of the primary composition of the host rocks and physicochemical conditions of the fluid regime at the final stage of deposit formation.