Kjell Billström

Relationship between 1.90–1.85 Ga accretionary processes and 1.82–1.80 Ga oblique subduction at the Karelian craton margin, Fennoscandian Shield

Abstract The three main intrusive suites: early calc-alkaline, late I/A-type, and late S-type intrusive rocks in relation to the Svecokarelian orogeny (1.9–1.8 Ga) have been dated at the Archaean craton margin in the Palaeoproterozoic Skellefte district and surrounding areas in northern Sweden. In addition, new SIMS data have been obtained on a calc-alkaline intrusion for which unusually young TIMS ages existed, compared to similar calc-alkaline intrusions elsewhere in the region. Titanite and zircon from a subvolcanic intrusion affected by a major N-S trending shear zone have also been dated to constrain the last ductile deformation in the area. The 1895+14 −12 Ma zircon age for a calc-alkaline intrusion is interpreted as the crystallisation age and is significantly older than the existing 1825 Ma age on titanite from a pyroxene skarn in a marble horizon close to the contact. The latter age is instead interpreted as the age of peak metamorphism in this area. The 1798plusmn;4 Ma age for the S-type granite confirms that the S-type magmatism is largely coeval with the I/A type magmatism previously dated at 1803plusmn;6 Ma. At a larger scale, a zoned belt over 2000 km long with A/I-type magmatism in the west and S-type magmatism in the east can be inferred. Either mafic underplating or Cordilleran type settings can explain the magmatic belt, which trends oblique to the roughly NE-directed subduction that led to the accretion of volcanic arcs onto the older craton between 1.95 and 1.87 Ga. An intimate temporal relationship between the extensive 1.80 Ga magmatism and regional N-S-trending shear zones in the area is confirmed by the titanite age of c. 1.80 Ga from one such shear zone. Kinematics on this shear zone suggest E-W shortening. SIMS data from a calc-alkaline intrusion at Sikträsk indicate that the previously obtained conventional zircon ages of 1.85–1.86 Ga are actually mixed ages of 1.88 Ga magmatic zircons, and c. 1.80 to 1.82 Ga metamorphic overgrowths. This shows that the 1.80 Ga event was not only constrained to shear zones. It is argued that both the 1.80 to 1.82 Ga deformation and metamorphism discussed here is related to E-W shortening and the voluminous magmatism at 1.82–1.80 Ga. This is in contrast to the older c. 1.88 Ga deformation identified to the north and east within the Karelian craton that was related to Svecokarelian accretionary processes.

Oxygen isotope composition of magnetite in iron ores of the Kiruna type in Chile and Sweden

Abstract Magnetite-apatite iron ores of the Kiruna type, unaffected by deformation, have structures and textures similar to those of igneous rocks. The best examples are the El Laco deposits in northern Chile which resemble lava flows, pyroclastic deposits and dikes. El Laco magnetites have δ18O values between 2.3 and 4.2‰ (V-SMOW). Magnetite from ore with a magmatic texture has a mean of 3.7‰, and the mean for magnetite intergrown with pyroxene in veins is 2.4‰. Oxygen isotope data given here, fluid inclusion results and geological evidence indicate that ore formation took place in a cooling magmatic system. Major orebodies resembling lava flows and near-vent pyroclastic deposits crystallized from magma at ca. 1000°C. Fluids from cooling magma deposited magnetite and pyroxene (±apatite) at ca. 800°C in fissures and open spaces, now present as veins cutting major orebodies. There is little evidence for significant magnetite precipitation during hydrothermal conditions. A large province of magnetite-apatite iron ore in central Chile (the Cretaceous iron belt) and the Kiruna district in northern Sweden also contain primary ore of magmatic appearance. Major deposits in the Chilean iron belt and Kiruna contain magmatic-textured magnetites with the following δ18O means: Algarrobo = 2.2‰, Romeral = 1.2‰, Cerro Imán = 1.6‰, and Kiirunavaara = 1.5‰. We consider all oxygen isotope data for unoxidized, magmatic-textured magnetite as representative of the Fe-rich magmas. Magnetites affected by hydrothermal alteration, recrystallization and subaerial oxidation have modified isotope signatures.

Metaluminous pyroxene-bearing granulite xenoliths from the lower continental crust in central Spain: their role in the genesis of Hercynian I-type granites

Basic and intermediate meta-igneous xenoliths are very scarce within the granulite population transported by the Permian alkaline lamprophyric dyke swarmof the Spanish Central System(SCS). These xenoliths aremetaluminous pyroxene-bearing charnockites (sensu lato). They show LREE-poor plagioclase and orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene. Crystallization conditions were estimated at about 850 to 1000 ◦C and 9 to 11 kbar, a slightly higher range than that estimated for the associated peraluminous granulites, but indicating derivation from the lowermost crust. Whole-rock geochemistry suggests that the charnockite samples are not a cogenetic suite. The more basic varieties have affinities with cumulates from previous calc-alkaline underplated protoliths, whereas intermediate charnockites have a restitic origin. The similarity in Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic signatures between these restitic charnockites and some SCS I-type granites suggests a genetic relationship. This study, including Pb isotopic data from the whole granulite xenolith suite, reinforces the lower-crustal derivation of the SCS Hercynian granitic batholith.

Sulphur isotopes in Lower Proterozoic iron and sulphide ores in northern Sweden

The present investigation deals with sulphur isotope distribution in Lower Proterozoic iron and sulphide mineralizations in northern Sweden. The contrasting sulphur isotope patterns are indicative of different genesis. Some 267 sulphur isotope analyses of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and bornite from 23 occurrences have been performed. Some deposits exhibit uniform compositions, although the mean δ34S values are clearly different, while other mineralizations have widely fluctuating values.The δ34S values in syngenetic, exhalative sedimentary skarn iron ores, quartz-banded iron ores and sulphide mineralizations of the 2.0–2.5 Ga old (Lapponian) Greenstone group show a large spread, supporting the existence of bacteriogenic sulphate reduction processes. The spread of the sulphur isotope values (δ34S = -8 to +25‰), and the non-equilibrium conditions, point to a biogenic rather than to an inorganic reduction of seawater sulphate.The isotopic composition of the sulphides in the epigenetic Lannavaara iron ores which were formed by a hydrothermal scapolite-tourmalme-related process, indicates a sulphur source similar to that of the Greenstone group. The δ34S values of Cu-(Au) sulphide mineralizations in the Malmberget region (e.g. Aitik), which were formed by a similar process and hosted by the volcanics-volcanoclastics of the 1.9 Ga old Porphyry group, are slightly below zero ‰, indicating a magmatic origin. The existence of different sulphur compositions for these mineralization types formed by a similar hydrothermal process, probably reflects the influence of the host rock, the solutions leaching pre-existing sulphides.In southern Norrbotten, epigenetic, Cu-Zn-Pb veintype mineralizations in metavolcanics and metasediments have δ34S values close to zero ‰ indicating a magmatic origin. The sulphur isotope data of the volcanogenic, massive sulphide ores of the Skellefte district, in particular the ores of the Adak dome, are close to zero ‰.The lead and sulphur isotopic features of the sulphides in northern Sweden show that the ore-forming processes were of a different nature on both sides of the Archean-Proterozoic border, implying differences in the crustal development. Lead isotopes show that lead was mobilized from specific sources on each side of the border. The sulphur of the sulphides in the Greenstone group in NE Sweden and Finland was introduced by sedimentary processes, whereas the sulphur of the sulphide occurrences towards the SW, mainly in the Porphyry group, is dominated by a magmatic sulphur component.

A system for stable isotope analyses of geological samples

Abstract A complete system to obtain ratios of stable isotopes of certain elements (carbon and oxygen from carbonates, sulfur from sulfides and sulfates) is described. The chemical preparations necessary to convert the geological samples to a suitable gas (CO2 or SO2) are discussed. The isotopic measurements are performed with a modified Micromass 602C mass spectrometer. The computer programs used for corrections and calculations are also discussed. Stress is laid on those parts of the above procedures where we have modified earlier methods. The system has been in continuous use for about four years. A survey of geological projects partly based on results obtained with this system is given in the last section.

U-Pb age evidence for repeated Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism and deformation near the Pajala shear zone in the northern Fennoscandian shield

Abstract This paper presents U-Pb ages for an extended period of geological evolution between about 1860 and 1740 Ma in the northern part of the Fennoscandian Shield. It involved magmatism, ductile deformation and metamorphism along the border between Sweden and Finland. The study area separates into a western and an eastern domain roughly along a north-south trending structural boundary defined by the western margin of the Pajala shear zone. Approximately 1860-1850 Ma zircon ages from two granitoid rocks record contrasting post-emplacement deformation histories on either side of this boundary. While metamorphic monazite records c. 1850 Ma events in rocks of the western domain, metamorphic monazite and titanite as well as zircon overgrowths in the eastern domain verify deformation and high-grade metamorphism in the 1820-1780 Ma interval. This post-1820 Ma phase is most probably related to shear zones and to nearby intrusions. A titanite age at c. 1740 Ma in the eastern domain is suggested to exemplify a tectonic phase, which elsewhere in northern Fennoscandia is marked by fracturing, generation of pegmatites, and hydrothermal activity.

Fluid inclusions, stable isotopes and gold deposition at Björkdal, northern Sweden

The Björkdal gold deposit is located in the eastern part of the Early Proterozoic Skellefte district in northern Sweden. The ore zone is hosted by a granitoid which intrudes a 1.9 Ga old supracrustal sequence and consists of a network of quartz veins between two shear zones. The ore mineralogy, alteration assemblages, ore fluid characteristics and general setting of the Björkdal deposit reveal many similarities with mesothermal Archean systems. Three types of fluids are represented by fluid inclusions observed in quartz, scheelite and calcite. The first type consists of a CO2-rich fluid which is syngenetic with the formation of the quartz veins. These inclusions occur in quartz and scheelite. Isotopic equilibrium temperatures derived from quartz-scheelite pairs reflect depositional temperatures around 375 °C. Molar volumes of the carbonic fluid inclusions, ranging down to 55 cm3mole, indicate a maximum lithostatic trapping pressure of 1.8 kbar. These fluids were generated at depth in conjunction with early orogenic magma-forming processes. The gold was introduced to the vein system by the carbonic fluid but the gold was deposited after reactions between this fluid and the wall-rock, producing a slightly alkaline, more CH4-rich aqueous type 2 fluid. Fluid inclusions of this chemically modified fluid indicate that the precipitation of the gold, together with pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite, occurred under heterogenous conditions at a temperature of 220 °C and a hydrostatic pressure of 0.5 kbar. The gold deposition occurred from fluids with a δ18O signature of around +8‰ and δD values close to zero per mil. Any metamorphic influence on the stable isotopic signatures is regarded as minimal. The isotope data suggest rather that a surface-derived fluid component had access to the vein system during this process. At a post-vein forming stage (metamorphic stage ?) a secondary episode of gold mobilization occurred as suggested by the aqueous type 3 inclusions trapped in cross-cutting microfractures in quartz and randomly in calcite, and with homogenization temperatures between 145–220 °C and a salinity up to 11eq. wt.% NaCl.The Skellefte district is a major ore province, which forms a 200 by 50 km area in northern Sweden (Fig. 1), comprising numerous stratabound massive sulfide ore deposits. During the last decade epigenetic gold deposits have received increasing interest from a prospecting point of view. The Björkdal deposit is one of several epigenetic gold discoveries made recently in the Skellefte district. In 1985 a geochemical survey, designed on a grid-pattern basis, revealed a gold anomaly about 12 km north-east of the Boliden community and three years later the Björkdal gold mine was in operation. The annual production is about 960 000 metric tons of ore (1992) and the total reserves are estimated at a minimum of 7 Mton of ore with a gold grade of 2.9 ppm. This paper reports on the geological features of the Björkdal deposit and discusses the genesis of the deposit on basis of fluid inclusions and distribution of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes.

U-Pb zircon age of the Rostberget W-occurrence, northern Sweden

Anomalously U-rich granites of the so-called Revsund type, associated with W- and Sn-enrichments, occur in the Gunnarn area close to Storuman in northern Sweden. At Rostberget, a swarm of thin unde...

Synvolcanic mixing of ore lead and the development of lead isotopic provinces in the Skellefte district, Sweden

Ore lead isotope ratios have been analysed in galenas and sulphosalts from nineteen massive sulphide deposits hosted by Svecofennian (1.9 Ga) supracrustals in the Skellefte ore district, northern Sweden. The ore lead data can be grouped on the basis of their geographical distribution. Most probably, this feature is reflecting a number of lead isotopic provinces which correspond to crustal blocks. The obtained ore lead data define linear trends in conventional Pb-Pb plots. The ore lead signatures are due to synvolcanic mixing processes as lead was leached from mafic and acid volcanic sources. The relationships inferred for initial ratios in source rocks at 1.89 Ga require a pre-Svecofennian crustal history. It is suggested that magmatic processes at c. 2.0 Ga involved recycling of Archean sedimentary material into the mantle and the formation of a crystalline, felsic basement. The metasomatized mantle and the basement melted at the time of Svecofennian magmatism (1.89 Ga) which created mafic and acid magma sources. Subsequently, basalts and rhyolites were extruded onto the sea floor. Ore was formed as hot solutions penetrated isotopically different levels of the volcanic pile.

Source of metals and age constraints for epigenetic gold deposits in the Skellefte and Pohjanmaa Districts, central part of the Fennoscandian Shield

The lead isotopic compositions of galena in Early Proterozoic gold deposits have been determined for three districts in northern Sweden and central Finland. The deposits are hosted by a variety of ≈1870–1890 Ma Svecofennian host rocks including the volcanosedimentary succession within the Skellefte District island arc in Sweden as well as I-type tonalites at Jörn (Sweden) and Pohjanmaa (Finland). The deposits are epigenetic in relation to these Svecofennian rocks and are part of a goldbearing metallogenetic belt, which can be followed for 600 km parallel to the southwestern margin of the Archaean Domain. In spite of these epigenetic relationships, the lead isotopic data indicate that the deposits are not dramatically younger than the ≈1870–1890 Ma Svecofennian host rocks (probably not exceeding 10–20 million years). Two principal lead sources were activated when the gold deposits were formed. The most significant source is represented by the I-type tonalites, which constitute a relatively primitive (μ = 9.3) and widely distributed source in the entire metallogenic belt. In addition, the volcanic components in the westernmost part of the Skellefte District constitute an extremely primitive (μ <9.0) source, which only locally was an important contributor to the epigenetic deposits in this metallogenetic belt. The significantly different lead isotopic composition estimated for these sources indicates that the volcanic rocks in the western part of the Skellefte District were not comagmatic with the I-type tonalites recognized at Jörn and central Finland.