V. N. Kuleshov

Isotopic signatures of deposition and transformation of Lower Cambrian saliferous rocks in the Irkutsk amphitheater: Communication 2. Strontium isotopic composition

Rb-Sr data were obtained for different Lower Cambrian rocks from boreholes Bel’sk and Zhigalovo drilled in the Irkutsk amphitheater. Shales in the lower part and insoluble residue of marls throughout the entire (up to 2 km thick) sequence define the first transformation stage of silicate rocks dated at 580 Ma with a large uncertainty. Sulfate and carbonate rocks are the main Sr carriers in the Lower Cambrian rocks. Owing to a negligible amount of silicate impurities in them, the input of radiogenic Sr exerted no significant influence on the Rb-Sr isotope system. However, almost all carbonate and sulfate rocks studied are contaminated by radiogenic Sr relative to its initial isotopic composition in the sedimentation basin. Hence, the rocks experienced epigenetic (probably, repeated) recrystallization and one or several stages of dissolution.

Manganese deposits: Communication 1. Genetic models of manganese ore formation

Major regularities in the formation of manganese rocks and ores have been established on the basis of available published and original data. The proposed genetic classification of main manganese deposits (with model examples) is as follows: sedimentary-diagenetic (Nikopol, Bol’she-Tokmak; Ukraine), (volcanogenic) hydrothermal-sedimentary (deposits of the Atasui area, Kazakhstan; Magnitogorsk Trough, South Urals), epigenetic (catagenetic) (deposits of the Kalahari manganese ore field, South Africa; Usinsk deposit, Kuznetsk Alatau), and supergene (residual, infiltrational, cavern filling, and pisolitic deposits in India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia). The results suggest the following conclusions: (1) all primary manganese rocks and ores at the known deposits are hydrothermal- and diagenetic-sedimentary formations of marine environments; (2) manganese concentrations achieve the size of deposits at postsedimentary stages of the initial manganiferous sediment and manganese rock transformation (diagenesis, catagenesis, and retrograde diagenesis); (3) indispensable participation of the isotopically light carbon dioxide related to the destruction of organic matter (OM) is a characteristic feature of manganese carbonate formation during diagenesis; and (4) the role of organic carbon in manganese ore formation becomes notable since early stages of Mn accumulation in the Precambrian sedimentary basins (terminal Archean-initial Early Proterozoic).

Travertines of the northern Caucasus

Mineralogical and isotope-chemical characteristics of carbonate travertines of the Greater Caucasus are investigated. It is shown that concentrations of many chemical elements, which predominantly precipitate together with iron hydroxides, decrease along the strike of the travertine dome. At the same time, δ13C and 18O values in carbonates systematically increase due to kinetic effects of isotope fractionation. This leads to the formation of isotopically heavy calcite (δ13C up to 16.3‰) near the travertine dome base. Concentrations of other elements (Mg, Sr, Ba, Na, S, and Li), which form a isomorphic part of calcite crystal lattice, almost do not change along the strike of the dome. Comparison of concentrations of these elements in travertines and initial water solutions makes it possible to get ideas on trends of their redistribution in the carbonate-water system. Correlations found in this work define not only TDS content and concentration of some ions, but also REE spectra and formation temperatures of ancient fluid systems.

Evolution of Isotopic Carbon Dioxide–Water Systems in Lithogenesis: Communication 1. Sedimentogenesis and Diagenesis

Isotope-geochemical features of the formation of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions in sedimentary and diagenetic carbonates are considered. Isotopic criteria for the identification of early diagenesis zone are proposed. The transition from sedimentogenesis to diagenesis (upper boundary of the early diagenesis zone) is accompanied by the alteration of carbon isotopic composition in the HCO–3(hydrosphere)–HCO–3(pore water of sediment)system. The lower boundary of early diagenesis zone is registered by the alteration of oxygen isotopic composition in the pore water of sediments and authigenic carbonates.

Isotopic signatures of deposition and transformation of Lower Cambrian saliferous rocks in the Irkutsk Amphitheater: Communication 3. Carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions in carbonates

In previous communications based on the study of sulfur and strontium, we showed that Lower Cambrian rocks of the Irkutsk Amphitheater underwent a significant epigenetic transformation. All postsedimentary alterations of rocks are related to the influence of water solutions that provoke the direct (physical) dissolution of material and its chemical transformation. In particular, an appreciable portion of anhydrites disappeared from the section due to reduction. Probably, these processes took place several times in the past and they are continuing at present. A similar conclusion was deduced from the strontium isotopic composition of carbonate rocks. Their strontium isotopic composition is usually shifted relative to the primary composition, although the prevalence of sulfate and carbonate rocks in the section promotes the stability of strontium isotopic composition with respect to secondary alterations. The carbon isotope system is even more stable due to the abundance of carbonate rocks in the section. This circumstance is probably responsible for the incapacity of isotope data to serve as obvious evidence of the epigenetic transformation of carbonates. The major elements of the evolution of carbon isotope signature could be retained since the sedimentation stage.

Manganese deposits: Communication 2. Major epochs and phases of manganese accumulation in the Earth’s history

Accumulation of manganiferous rocks in the history of the Earth’s lithosphere evolution began not later than the end of the Middle Archean. Primary manganese sediments were accumulated at that time in shallow-water sedimentation basins with the active participation of organic matter. The concentration of Mn in the primary sediments usually did not reach economic values. The formation of genuine manganese ores is related to later processes of the transformation of primary ores—diagenesis, catagenesis, metamorphism, and retrograde diagenesis. Types of basins of manganese ore sedimentation and character of processes of the formation of manganese sediments during the Earth’s shell evolution changed appreciably and correlated with the general evolution of paleocontinents. Major periods, epochs, and phases of manganese ore genesis are defined. At the early stages of lithosphere formation (Archean-Proterozoic), manganese was deposited in basins commonly confined to the central part of Western Gondwana and western part of Eastern Gondwana, as well as the western part of the Ur paleocontinent. Basins of manganese ore sedimentation were characterized by the ferruginous-siliceous, carbonaceous-clayey, and carbonaceous-carbonate-clayey composition. The Early-Middle Paleozoic epoch of manganiferous sediment accumulation was characterized by the presence of several small sedimentation basins with active manifestation of volcanic and hydrothermal activity. Since the formation of Pangea in the Late Paleozoic until its breakup, accumulation of Mn was closely associated with processes of diagenesis and active participation of the oxidized organic matter.

The Bikkulovskoe Manganese Deposit (South Urals): Geological Setting, Composition of Metalliferous Rocks, and Formation Model

The results of investigation of the Bikkulovskoe manganese deposit confined to volcanosedimentary piles of the Magnitogorsk paleovolcanic belt are presented. The paper characterizes the geological setting of the deposit and mineral-chemical compositions of ores and enclosing rocks (volcanomictic sandstones; ferruginous, manganiferous, and ferruginous-siliceous tuffites; and jasperites). Analysis of the data obtained made it possible to identify four sequential stages of deposit formation: (1) accumulation and diagenesis of ore-bearing sequences (D2–3); (2) burial and low-grade (T = 200–250°C, P = 2 to 3 kbar) regional metamorphism of rocks (D2–3-C1); (3) tectonic deformations of volcanosedimentary piles (C2-P); and (4) hypergenesis and partial denudation of rocks (MZ-CZ). According to the model proposed for the accumulation of ore-bearing rocks, the productive member was formed in a zone of hydrothermal solution outflow to the seafloor surface. Discharge of solutions and precipitation of Fe and Si began below the seafloor surface (rather than above the surface) in the near-bottom sequence of volcanomictic sediments. Upon reaching the seafloor, the impoverished solutions mixed with seawater and gave up metals completely: Fe and Mn were transferred to sediments to make up the ore-bearing bed. Thus, zonal sediments with ferruginous tuffites at the base and manganese ores at the top were formed.

Isotopic evidence for postsedimentary transformation of rocks of the Lower Cambrian Angara Formation in the Irkutsk Amphitheater

The section of the Angara Formation (upper portion of Lower Cambrian) is composed of a complex combination of dolomites, anhydrites, marlstones, and salinastones. The occurrence of solution breccia, various types of metasomatism, and other indications testify to the substantial postsedimentary reworking of these rocks. Sulfate reduction, one of the most important processes of reworking, is clearly expressed in the sulfur isotopic composition. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio in carbonate and sulfate materials is more stable owing to the relatively high Sr content in these rocks. Nevertheless, most sulfate and carbonate rocks are contaminated with the radiogenic Sr. The carbon isotope ratio in carbonates is close to the “normal” value despite the evaporitic character of sedimentation basins and the possible participation of organic carbon, which is a product of the oxidation of hydrocarbons by sulfates, in the transformation of carbonates. The Rb-Sr analysis of the clayey component of marlstones and the K-Ar analysis of mudstones from the lower portion of the Lower Cambrian-Vendian section indicate that the rocks were mainly transformed during a time span corresponding to the Caledonian folding dramatically manifested at the platform margin.

Isotopic Composition (δ13C, δ18O) and Origin of Manganese Carbonate Ores of the Usa Deposit (Kuznetskii Alatau)

Isotopic compositions of carbon and oxygen are studied in different (rhodochrosite, calcareous-rhodochrosite, and chlorite–rhodochrosite) types of manganese carbonate ores from the Usa deposit (Kuznetskii Alatau). The δ13C value varies from –18.4 to –0.7‰, while the δ18O value ranges between 18.4 and 23.0‰. Host rocks are characterized by higher values of δ13C (–1.9 to 1.0‰) and δ18O (21.2 to 24.3‰). The obtained isotope data suggest an active participation of oxidized organic carbon in the formation of manganese carbonates. Manganese carbonate ores of the deposit are probably related to metasomatic processes.

Physicochemical Model for the Generation of the Isotopic Composition of the Carbonate Travertine Produced by the Tokhana Spring, Mount Elbrus Area, Northern Caucasus

AbstractThe isotopic composition of calcite from travertine deposits of the Tokhana-Verkhnii hot spring in the Elbrus area shows broad variations in δ13C and δ18O (from +3.8 to +16.3‰ and from +24.6 to +28.1‰, respectively). The δ13C and δ18O values increase toward the sole of the travertine dome. The isotopically heaviest carbonates (δ13C of up to +16.3‰) were found near the bottom of the dome and composed ancient travertine, which are now not washed by mineral water. The scatter of the δ13C values of the fresh sample is slightly narrower: from +3.8 to +10‰. Calculations indicate that all carbonates of the Tokhana dome were not in equilibrium with spontaneous carbon dioxide released by the spring (