S. N. Rychagov

Hydrothermal clays and pyrite in geothermal fields: Their significance for the geochemistry of present-day endogenous processes in southern Kamchatka

The studies reported in this paper were carried out in the Pauzhetka and Nizhne-Koshelevskii geothermal fields situated in the southern Kamchatka Peninsula within the Pauzhetka-Kambalnyi-Koshelevskii geothermal area. Layer-by-layer sampling of clays was carried out by stripping, pitting, and hand-operated drilling of core holes in the Verkhne-Pauzhetka thermal field and the Nizhne-Koshelevskii thermal anomaly, which were studied previously using several geological, geophysical, and hydrogeothermal techniques. Hydrothermal clays were found to compose a nearly continuous sheet on the surface of the thermal field and of the thermal anomaly. The sheet has an average thickness of 1.3 to 1.5 m. The chemical and mineralogic composition of the clays have been characterized. The concentrations of Au, Hg, Pb, and Ag (a total of 41 elements) were determined in clay layers selected every 15–20 cm in vertical sections. The elements show inhomogeneous distributions, both along the strike and in vertical sections of the hydrothermal clay sheet, which can be accounted for by the physicochemical, hydrogeochemical, and temperature conditions prevailing during the generation of these clays in specific areas of the thermal fields. It was found that the hydrothermal clay sheet lying on the ground surface of the geothermal fields has a significance of its own as an independent geological body, not only is it an aquifer and a heat-isolating horizon; it also serves as a dynamically active geochemical barrier in the structure of the present-day hydrothermal system. Pyrite is a concentrator of ore elements in hydrothermal clays, in addition to sulfates of Ca, Fe, Mg, Ba, and Al, and (possibly) alumosilicates.

Role of surface phenomena in concentrating incompatible elements: Au in pyrite from hydrothermal clays at thermal fields in southern Kamchatka

The paper reports data on pyrite obtained using microscopic, physicochemical, and analytical techniques. The major mineral concentrating Au in clays at the Upper Koshelevskoe and East Pauzhetka hydrothermal fields is pyrite, which contains Au evenly distributed in its crystals (0.07–0.25 ppm) and Au bound to the surface of its crystals (0.8–6.8 ppm). The clear correlations between the concentration of equally distributed Au and the topological surface area of single crystals and the absence of correlations with the bulk specific BET surface area rule out purely adsorption mechanisms of Au accommodation at the surface of pyrite crystals, because otherwise the concentration of the minor element would have been proportional to the actual surface area but not the geometric one. In contrast to what is typical of high-temperature hydrothermal systems, at hydrothermal fields Au is an element highly compatible with pyrite. This may be explained by changes in the growth mechanisms of pyrite crystals and the transition to their growth via incorporation of colloid and subcolloid particles. Low-temperature pyrite in hydrothermal clays exhibits certain geochemical features important for exploration for gold deposits related to modern and ancient hydrothermal systems. This pyrite differs from higher temperature pyrite at ancient gold deposits in bearing sulfoxide sulfur species on the surface of its crystals instead of monosulfide species and also in having a less ordered and dense structure, higher porosity, and a globular topography of the surface of crystals.

Giant gas-rich hydrothermal systems and their role in the generation of vapor-dominated geothermal fields and ore mineralization

This paper characterizes certain unique geological structures on the earth, viz., giant gas-rich hydrothermal systems with major vapor-dominated geothermal fields that are generated beneath them during the present phase of evolution. A review of the relevant literature and materials of our own research are used to show that such systems are formed in zones of deep-seated faults at junctions of oceanic and continental plates, in structures of volcanic island arcs, and in areas of crustal tectono-magmatic activity. The systems extend throughout the crustal thickness and possess enormous geothermal and ore potentials. It was found that in these systems the ascending high-temperature gas-water fluid, as well as all types of mixed waters, and new mineral compounds in the hypergenesis zone of geothermal anomalies, all take part in the transport, accumulation, and rearrangement of complex compounds of many metals (Fe, Al, Ti, Au, Ag, Hg, As, Sb, and others). It was inferred that gas-rich hydrothermal systems and the vapor-dominated geothermal fields that are formed beneath them reflect the conditions for the generation of mesothermal and epithermal gold and complex ores and of Au-Ag-Cu-Mo porphyric deposits.

Mercury as an indicator of modern ore-forming gas—hydrothermal systems, Kamchatka

New data are discussed on the distribution of mercury in the host volcanosedimentary and igneous rocks, hydrothermal—metasomatic rocks, and all types of modern newly formed materials (hydrothermal clays, argillized soil—pyroclastic beds, siliceous and limonite—hematite covers, bottom sediments, salt ‘sweat-outs’ of various compositions, etc.) typical of the supergene zone of geothermal deposits. By the example of the Nizhne-Koshelevskii (vapor-dominated) and Pauzhetka (water-type) geothermal deposits and thermal fields of the Koshelevskii volcanic massif and Kambal’nyi volcanic range (southern Kamchatka), the role of mercury was illustrated as an indicator element of the temperature, phase state, and dynamics of hydrothermal systems; intensity of rock argillization; and relative age (maturity) of geothermal deposits and thermal anomalies.

Cation migration in hydrothermal clays: The problem of mineralization criteria in gas-hydrothermal fluids of hydrothermal fields in Southern Kamchatka

Based on a comprehensive study of the hydrothermal clay layer that occurs in geothermal fields, the conditions of formation of cation composition in argillitized rocks are discussed. Under the influence of gas-water fluids and pore solutions, micro- and nano-mineral mixtures are formed in hydrothermal clays; these mixtures include crystalline, amorphous, and transitional mineral phases. A considerable role in their composition belongs to cations of several metals (Fe, Al, Ti, Na, Mg, Ca, K, Mn, and Ba), as well as Si, C, N, S, and volatiles (F− and Cl−). The sources of cations and other elements are unaltered host rocks, newly formed hydrothermal-metasomatic rocks, hydrothermal clays, salt deposits, siliceous, carbonate, and other sediments, as well as deep fluids. In the structures of geothermal anomalies and deposits the “hydrothermal metasomatic rock—gas-water fluid—newly formed mineral chemical compounds” united system is formed. Each of the elements of this system takes part in the transportation, accumulation, and redistribution of metals. This approach to studies of the geochemistry of present-day geothermal systems may serve as a foundation for developing criteria for the presence of mineralization in metasomatites, gas-hydrothermal fluids, and new mineral associations.

Hydrothermal clays of the geothermal fields of South Kamchatka: A new approach and study results

Using the Pauzhetka and Nizhnee Koshelevskoe geothermal deposits (South Kamchatka), we studied physical-chemical characteristics of hydrothermal clays that form thick (on average, 1.5–1.8 m) and spacious (up to few km2 in area) subsurface horizon with peculiar petrophysical and mineralogical-geochemical properties. It was established that the properties of hydrothermal clays are determined by their micro- and nanostructure, which is made up of nanoparticles of aluminosilicates, sulfates, accessory and ore minerals (primarily, sulfides and iron oxides), and amorphous phases. The subsurface horizon of hydrothermal clays represents a long-lived (up to 10 ka and more) highly dynamic colloidal-dispersed mineralogical-geochemical system, which reflects the interaction of deep-seated metalliferous fluids with geological medium in the supergene zone of geothermal deposits.

The geochemistry of steam hydrothermal occurrences in the Koshelev volcanic massif, southern Kamchatka

New data are presented on the geochemistry of thermal waters in the Koshelev volcanic massif in southern Kamchatka. We discuss the conditions for the generation of thermal waters, possible variants of thermal and deep-seated material supply for the Koshelev hydrothermal system, and propose a conceptual model for the system.

Specific mineral associations of hydrothermal shale (South Kamchatka)

The sequence of hydrothermal shale from the East Pauzhet thermal field within the Pauzhet hydrothermal system (South Kamchatka) was studied in detail. It was established that the formation of shale resulted from argillization of an andesitic lava flow under the influence of an acidic sulfate vapor condensate. The horizons with radically different compositions and physical properties compared to those of the overlying homogeneous plastic shale were distinguished at the base of the sequence. These horizons are characterized by high (up to two orders of magnitude in comparison with average values in hydrothermal shale) concentrations of F, P, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Cu, and Zn. We suggested a geological–geochemical model, according to which a deep metal-bearing chloride–hydrocarbonate solution infiltrated into the permeable zone formed at the root of the andesitic lava flow beneath plastic shale at a certain stage of evolution of the hydrothermal system.

Variation in the physical and mechanical properties of rocks: The North Paramushir hydrothermal magmatic system, Kuril Islands

This study is concerned with structural and mineralogic transformations and changes in the physical and mechanical properties of volcanogenic sedimentary rocks in the North Paramushir hydrothermal magmatic system as a result of the interaction with thermal waters of various compositions and origins. We identified the following hydrothermal metasomatic facies that developed in tuffites and tuffs: opalites (monoopalite, opal–clay, and opal–alunite), as well as low- and moderate-temperature propylites. We show the position of each new facies in the structure of the hydrothermal magmatic system. We obtained correlative relationships of the physical and mechanical properties of the rock to the intensity and character of secondary alteration. It is pointed out that all of these rocks obey a common trend in the interrelationships between their properties, which may provide evidence of a common origin and progressive direction of hydrothermal processes in the interior of the North Paramushir system.

The influence of rheologic crustal properties of the crust on the location of ore-forming hydrothermal magmatic systems

Based on a comprehensive study of hydrothermal magmatic systems at island arcs and a review of available mechanisms that cause elasto-plastic deformation in rocks, we considered the conditions for interaction between a convective magmatic cell and a convective hydrothermal cell in different rheologic zones of the crust. Three models have been developed to describe the generation of hydrothermal circulation systems: (1) the magma chamber is localized in a plastic zone, (2) partial and (3) complete penetration of the chamber into a brittle crust. It is shown that the last of these models is highly consistent with the structure of presentday high-temperature hydrothermal magmatic systems at depths greater than 1.0–1.5 km and with the structure of Miocene to Pliocene ore-bearing volcano-plutonic complexes that are eroded to different depths in different geologic blocks within these complexes.