Stanislas Sizaret

Late Paleozoic pre- and syn-kinematic plutons of the Kangguer–Huangshan Shear zone: Inference on the tectonic evolution of the eastern Chinese north Tianshan

Permian large-scale transcurrent tectonics and massive magmatism are prominent features of the Tianshan belt and neighboring regions of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Structural, geochronological and geochemical analyses of Carboniferous and Permian intrusive rocks associated with the Kangguer–Huangshan Shear Zone (eastern Chinese North Tianshan) provide constraints on their tectonic setting and the tectonic evolution of the Tianshan belt as well. Carboniferous granitic rocks were emplaced at 338 ± 4 Ma and 347 ± 2 Ma, respectively, and show geochemical features typical of the calc-alkaline series. These arc-type granites do not display ductile deformation, probably because they were completely cooled at the time of shearing tectonics, and are only offset by brittle strike-slip faults. In contrast, Permian granitoids display pervasive ductile tectonic features diagnostic of synkinematic emplacement. Four gabbro and diorite samples from the East Huangshan intrusive complex yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 267 to 275 Ma, and a granitic dike is dated at 290 ± 1 Ma. The granitic dike is cut by en-echelon right-lateral strike-slip faults, and the mafic intrusive complex displays a sigmoidal shape with mylonitic foliation localized at its margins. Other specific pluton shapes (such as tongue and tadpole-like) and syn-magmatic deformation can be observed in intrusions of the same age, showing similar fabrics and kinematics consistent with that of the Kangguer–Huangshan Shear Zone. Numerous mafic to felsic dikes occur within and off the shear zone with a dominant SE-NW orientation and minor varieties in N-S or NNE-SSW directions. One gabbro dike that intrudes the early Carboniferous granite of the East Kanggurtag area yielded a magmatic age of 274 ± 4 Ma, and contains older zircons (∼340 Ma, ∼390 Ma, ∼450 Ma, and 1.3-2.2 Ga) probably inherited from intruded rocks. The Permian intrusive rocks have variable chemical compositions suggesting derivation of these rocks from depleted and undepleted (or enriched) mantle sources with involvement of subduction-related components. We conclude from our integrated analysis of the geological, structural, geochemical and geochronological data that the Permian magmatic rocks were formed in a post-collisional/post-orogenic setting from multiple sources, and were emplaced under the control of large-scale dextral transcurrent tectonics.

Magnetic Properties and Biological Activity Evaluation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to provide information about the biological properties of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) obtained in an aqueous suspension. The IO-NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Analysis of hysteresis loops data at room temperature for magnetic IO-NPs sample indicated that the IO-NPs were superparamagnetic at room temperature. The calculated saturation magnetization for magnetic iron oxide was = 18.1 emu/g. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained PMC-NPs was tested against Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1397, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922), Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Bacillus subtilis IC 12488) bacterial as well as fungal (Candida krusei 963) strains. The obtained results suggested that the antimicrobial activity of IO-NPs is dependent on the metallic ions concentrations and on the microbial growth state, either planktonic or adherent. The obtained IO-NPs exhibited no cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells at the active antimicrobial concentrations.

Synthesis and characterization of polysaccharide-maghemite composite nanoparticles and their antibacterial properties

The aim of this study was to obtain saccharide (dextran and sucrose)-coated maghemite nanoparticles with antibacterial activity. The polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles were synthesized by an adapted coprecipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies demonstrate that the obtained polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles can be indexed into the spinel cubic lattice with a lattice parameter of 8.35 Å. The refinement of XRD spectra indicated that no other phases except the maghemite are detectable. The characterization of the polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles by various techniques is described. The antibacterial activity of these polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1397, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Candida krusei 963, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and was found to be dependent on the polysaccharide type. The antibacterial activity of dextran-coated maghemite was significantly higher than that of sucrose-coated maghemite. The antibacterial studies showed the potential of dextran-coated iron oxide NPs to be used in a wide range of medical infections.

Magnetic fabrics and fluid flow directions in hydrothermal systems. A case study in the Chaillac Ba–F–Fe deposits (France)

This study presents a possible use of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) to describe the mineralizing process in hydrothermal systems. Ba–F–Fe-rich deposits within the Chaillac Basin are on the southern border of the Paris Basin. In these deposits hydrothermal textures and tectonic structures have been described in veins, sinters, and sandstone cemented by hydrothermal goethite. 278 oriented cores from 24 sites have been collected in these formations. In addition, a lateritic duricrust superimposed on the hydrothermal formation has been sampled. Rock magnetic investigations show that the principal magnetic carrier is goethite for the hydrothermal mineralization and for the laterite level. The AMS measurements show distinguishable behaviors in the different mineralogical and geological contexts. The K1 magnetic lineation (maximum axis) is strongly inclined for the vertical veins. For the horizontally mineralized sinters, the magnetic lineation is almost horizontal with an azimuth similar to the sedimentary flow direction. The AMS of goethite-rich sandstone close to the veins shows strongly inclined K1 as they are probably influenced by the vertical veins; however, when the distance from the vein is larger than 1 m, the AMS presents rather horizontal K1 directions, parallel to the sedimentary flow. The laterite has a foliation dominance of AMS with vertically well-grouped K3 axes and scattered K1 and K2 axes. Field structural observations suggest that the ore deposit is mainly controlled by EW extension tectonics associated with NS trending normal faults. Combining the AMS results on the deposit with vein textures and field data a model is proposed in which AMS results are interpreted in terms of hydrothermal fluid flow. This work opens a new investigation field to constrain hydrodynamic models using the AMS method. Textural study combined with efficient AMS fabric measurements should be used for systematic investigation to trace flow direction in fissures and in sand porosity.

Petrogenetic differences between the Middle-Late Jurassic Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites in the Nanling Range, South China: A case study of the Tongshanling and Weijia deposits in southern Hunan Province

The Middle-Late Jurassic Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites in the Nanling Range have distinctly different mineralogical and geochemical signatures. The Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing granites are dominated by metaluminous amphibole-bearing granodiorites, which have higher CaO/(Na2O+K2O) ratios, light/heavy rare earth element (LREE/HREE) ratios, and δEu values, lower Rb/Sr ratios, and weak Ba, Sr, P, and Ti depletions, exhibiting low degrees of fractionation. The W-bearing granites are highly differentiated and peraluminous, and they have lower CaO/(Na2O+K2O) ratios, LREE/HREE ratios, and δEu values, higher Rb/Sr ratios, and strong Ba, Sr, P, and Ti depletions. The Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing granites were formed predominantly between 155.2 and 167.0 Ma with a peak value of 160.6 Ma, whereas the W-bearing granites were formed mainly from 151.1 to 161.8 Ma with a peak value of 155.5 Ma. There is a time gap of about 5 Ma between the two different types of ore-bearing granites. Based on detailed geochronological and geochemical studies of both the Tongshanling Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and Weijia W-bearing granites in southern Hunan Province and combined with the other Middle-Late Jurassic Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites in the Nanling Range, a genetic model of the two different types of ore-bearing granites has been proposed. Asthenosphere upwelling and basaltic magma underplating were induced by the subduction of the palaeo-Pacific plate. The underplated basaltic magmas provided heat to cause a partial melting of the mafic amphibolitic basement in the lower crust, resulting in the formation of Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization related granodioritic magmas. With the development of basaltic magma underplating, the muscovite-rich metasedimentary basement in the upper-middle crust was partially melted to generate W-bearing granitic magmas. The compositional difference of granite sources accounted for the metallogenic specialization, and the non-simultaneous partial melting of one source followed by the other brought about a time gap of about 5 Ma between the Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites.

Anisotropie de susceptibilité magnétique (ASM) et chimie des traces : une nouvelle méthodologie pour démêler processus hydrothermaux et supergènes. Application au gisement à Ba-Fe-F de Chaillac (Indre, France)

Abstract Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) determinations and trace-element analyses have been firstly carried out, at Chaillac, on two ferruginous sandstone sections of hydrothermal and lateritic origins, respectively. The goethite has been identified as the main AMS carrier. Distinct AMS patterns and characteristic Ti–As anomalies have been observed, which allows to quantify the importance of hydrothermal and lateritic processes when both are superimposed. These preliminary results show that the ‘Fe–Ba complex’ of hydrothermal origin at Chaillac has been lateritized for a few meters from the present erosion surface.

Structural, mineralogical, and paleoflow velocity constraints on Hercynian tin mineralization: the Achmmach prospect of the Moroccan Central Massif

The Achmmach tin mineralization (NE of the Moroccan Central Massif) is associated with tourmaline-rich alteration halos, veins, and faults hosted in sandstones and metapelites of the Upper Visean-Namurian. These deposits are reported to be late Hercynian in age and related to the emplacement of late-orogenic granite not outcropping in the studied area. Structural and paragenetic studies of the Achmmach tin deposit were conducted in order to establish a general model of the mineralization. From field constraints, the late Hercynian phase is marked by a transition from transpression to extension with deformation conditions evolving from ductile to brittle environments. The transpression (horizontal shortening direction roughly trending E-W) is coeval with the emplacement of the first tourmaline halos along several conjugated trends (N070, N020, and N120). Thereafter, a tourmaline-rich breccia formed in response to the fracturing of early tourmaline-altered rocks. Subsequently, during the extensional phase, these structures were reactivated as normal faults and breccias, allowing the formation of the main tin mineralization (cassiterite) associated with a wide variety of sulfides (arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite, bismuthinite, pyrite, and stannite). This evolution ends with fluorite and carbonate deposition. The hydrothermal fluid flow velocity, calculated by applying statistical measures on the tourmaline growth bands, varies with the lithology. Values are lower in metapelites and higher in breccia. In the general evolution model proposed here, tourmaline alteration makes the rock more competent, allowing for brittle fracturing and generation of open space where the main Sn mineralization was precipitated.

南岭中 - 晚侏罗世含铜铅锌与含钨花岗岩的成因差异 : 以湘南铜山岭和魏家矿床为例

南岭地区中-晚侏罗世含铜铅锌与含钨花岗岩的矿物学和地球化学特征截然不同. 含铜铅锌花岗岩主要为准铝质含角闪石的花岗闪长岩, 具有较高的CaO/(Na2O+K2O)比值、LREE/HREE比值和 δ Eu值, 较低的Rb/Sr比值, Ba、Sr、P、Ti轻微亏损, 分异演化程度较低. 含钨花岗岩为高分异演化的过铝质花岗岩, 其CaO/(Na2O+K2O)比值、LREE/HREE比值和 δ Eu值较低, Rb/Sr比值较高, Ba、Sr、P、Ti强烈亏损. 含铜铅锌花岗岩主要形成于155.2~167.0Ma, 峰值为160.6Ma, 含钨花岗岩主要形成于151.1~161.8Ma, 峰值为155.5Ma, 两者存在约5Ma的时差. 在湘南铜山岭含铜铅锌和魏家含钨花岗岩系统研究基础上, 结合南岭地区中-晚侏罗世含铜铅锌与含钨花岗岩的对比, 提出了两类含矿花岗岩的成因模式. 古太平洋板块俯冲导致软流圈上涌和玄武质岩浆底侵. 底侵玄武质岩浆加热促使下地壳镁铁质角闪岩相基底首先发生部分熔融, 形成与铜铅锌矿化有关的花岗闪长质岩浆. 随着玄武质岩浆底侵, 中-上地壳富白云母变质沉积基底发生部分熔融, 形成与钨矿化有关的花岗质岩浆. 花岗岩源区成分的差异导致花岗岩成矿专属性不同, 源区部分熔融的时间先后导致了含铜铅锌与含钨花岗岩之间存在5Ma左右的时差.