The effect of hydrothermal alteration on the Sr and Nd isotopic signatures of the Barra do Itapirapua Carbonatite, Southern Brazil

The Cretaceous Barra do Itapirapua carbonatite in southern Brazil experienced extensive postmagmatic hydrothermal alteration. In this article, Sr and Nd isotope ratios of coexisting samples of hydrothermally overprinted and of preserved, nonoverprinted carbonatite are presented. Hydrothermal alteration caused strong REE enrichment, leading to the formation of minerals of the bastnaesite group. In the overprinted carbonatite, Nd contents reach 4000 ppm, two orders of magnitude higher than in the fresh carbonatite, but epsilon(Nd) varies only within a range of 3.4 units. In contrast, Sr was leached from the carbonatite during the postmagmatic alteration; hence values of around 10,000 ppm in the fresh carbonatite drop to about 1000 ppm in the overprinted samples. Leaching is accompanied by a variation of Sr isotopic composition toward more radiogenic values, resulting in an increase of 15 units in epsilon(Sr). Variation of Sr isotopic composition is related to postmagmatic alteration and is decoupled from the variation of Nd isotopic composition, ruling out heterogeneities in the mantle source as the main cause of isotopic variability in the data set. Furthermore, this cannot be explained by bulk crustal contamination. A two-step model is proposed in which (1) a REE-rich, carbonatite-derived hydrothermal fluid overprinted the pristine carbonatite, causing REE-enrichment with a relative small change of isotopic composition; and (2) crust-derived hydrothermal fluids percolated the cooling carbonatite, leaching the original Sr from the carbonatite and introducing a more radiogenic Sr isotopic signature. The amounts of carbonatite-derived Nd with primitive, carbonatite-like Nd isotope ratios introduced during the first stage of hydrothermal alteration are high enough to buffer the effect of crust-derived Nd on the Nd isotopic composition of the overprinted carbonatite.

Hydrothermal rare earth elements mineralization in the Barra do Itapirapua carbonatite, southern Brazil: behaviour of selected trace elements and stable isotopes (C, O)

The Bura do Itapira pua carbonatite is located in southern Brazil and belongs to the Cretaceous Ponta Grossa alkaline-carbonatitic province related to the opening of the South Atlantic. The carbonatite complex is emplaced in Proterozoic granites and is mainly composed of plutonic magnesio- to ferrocarbonatite, with smaller amounts of subvolcanic magnesiocarbonatite. Hydrothermal alteration of the carbonatite has led to the formation of quartz, apatite, fluorite, rue earth fluorocarbonates, barite and sulfides in variable proportions. Trace element data, delta(13)C and delta(18)O are presented here, with the aim of better understanding the geochemical nature of hydrothermal alteration related to rare earth elements (REE) mineralization. The non-overprinted plutonic carbonatite shows the lowest REE contents, and its primitive carbon and oxygen stable isotopic composition places it in the field of primary igneous carbonatites. Two types of hydrothermally overprinted plutonic carbonatites can be distinguished based on secondary minerals and geochemical composition. Type I contains mainly quartz, rare earth fluorocarbonates and apatite as hydrothermal secondary minerals, and has steep chondrite normalized REE patterns, with Sigma(REE+Y) of up to 3 wt.% (i.e., two orders of magnitude higher than in fresh plutonic samples). In contrast, the Type II overprint contains apatite, fluorite and barite as dominant hydrothermal minerals, and is characterized by heavy REE enrichment relative to the fresh samples, with flat chondrite normalized REE patterns. Carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios of Types I and II are elevated (delta(18)O + 8 to + 12 parts per thousand; delta(13)C - 6 to - 2 parts per thousand) relative to the fresh samples. Hydrothermally overprinted carbonatites exposed to weathering show even higher delta(18)O values (delta(18)O 13 to 25 parts per thousand) but no additional REE enrichment. The subvolcanic carbonatite has anomalously high delta(13)C of up to + 1 parts per thousand, which suggests crustal contamination through interaction with carbonate-bearing metasediments. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Botryoidal platinum, palladium and potarite from the Bom Sucesso stream, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Compositional zoning and origin

Platinum-Pd nuggets from the Born Sucesso stream alluvium Minas Gerais, Brazil. have been investigated by electron-probe microanalysis. The nuggets attain 1 mm in maximum dimension and have a botryoidal habit, with pronounced compositional core-to-margin zoning of internal structures, Although there is a wide variation in internal morphology and individual zones vary markedly in thickness (<1-100 mum), a typical composite arborescent nugget comprises a broad irregular core region of massive auriferous Pd-Hg alloy (potarite delta-PdHg) or cavity space + relict potarite enclosed by a narrow zone of platiniferous, palladium or alloy of near Pt50Pd50 composition, and is progressively oscillatory zoned by palladian platinum, with growth eventually enveloping the whole botryoidal colony, to a narrow rim of palladian platinum or pure platinum. Other nuggets comprise an arborescent to dendritic core of auriferous potarite, a broad internal zone of either pure platinum or palladian platinum, and a narrow rim of platinum, the mineral palladium contains up to about 65 at.% Pd; this is the first detailed modern confirmation of palladium in its type locality. Auriferous potarite ranges in composition from similar toPd(3)Hg(2) to near Pd(Hg,Au). The origin of these nuggets remains unclear, but their mineralogy is broadly equivalent to that of palladian gold. potarite and platinum in alluvial sediments and overburden from Devon, England, which are considered to be detrital, and their platinum-group-clement geochemistry is consistent with precipitation from hydrothermal fluids. We suggest that the Bom Sucesso nuggets resulted from high-level episodic hydrothermal alteration of mafic and ultramafic rocks within the drainage basin, with the remobilized Pt and Pd precipitated in open spaces in the enclosing metaquartzites.

Isotopic evidence for the late Brasiliano (500-550 Ma) ore-forming mineralization of the Araes gold deposit, Brazil

The Araes gold deposit, located in eastern Mato Grosso State, central Brazil, is hosted in Neoproterozoic volcanosedimentary rocks of the Paraguay belt, which formed during collision of the Amazonian craton and the Rio Apa block. Ar-40/Ar-39 geochronology and Pb and S isotopic analyses constrain the timing and sources of mineralization. Three biotite flakes from two samples of metavolcanic host rock yield Ar-40/Ar-39 plateau ages between 5941 and 531 Ma, interpreted as cooling ages following regional metamorphism. Clay minerals from a hydrothermal alteration zone yield an Ar-40/Ar-39 integrated age of 503 +/- 3 Ma. Galena grains from ore-bearing veins yield values of Pb-206/(204)pb from 17.952 to 18.383, Pb-207/Pb-204 from 15.156 to 15.811, and Pb-208/Pb-204 from 38.072 to 39.681. Pyrite grains from ore-bearing veins yield values of Pb-206/Pb-204 from 18.037 to 18.202, Pb-207/Pb-204 from 15.744 to 15.901., and Pb-208/(204)pb from 38.338 to 38.800. Pb isotope variations may be explained in terms of mixing a less radiogenic lead component (mu similar to 8.4) from mafic and ultramafic basement host-rocks (Nova Xavantina metavolcanosedimentary rocks) and a more radiogenic lead component (mu similar to 9.2) probably derived from supracrustal rocks (Cuiaba sedimentary groups). Sulfur isotope compositions are homogeneous, with delta S-34 values ranging from -1.1 parts per thousand to 0.9 parts per thousand (galena) and -0.7 parts per thousand to 0.9 parts per thousand (pyrite), suggesting a mantle-derived reservoir for the mineralizing solutions. Based on the Ar, Pb, and S isotope data, we suggest that the precious metals were remobilized from metavolcanic host rocks by hydrothermal solutions during Brasilide-Panafrican regional metamorphism. The Arabs gold deposit probably formed during a late stage of the orogeny, coeval with other mineralization events in the Paraguay Belt.

Middle Proterozoic vein-hosted gold deposits in the Pontes e Lacerda region, southwestern Amazonian craton, Brazil

Structural, geochemical, and isotope studies were carried out on the gold deposits of the Pontes e Lacerda region (Mato Grosso state, Brazil), where rocks of the Aguapei and Rondoniano mobile belts (southwestern Amazonian craton) occur. The orebodies are hosted in metavolcanic, gneiss-granite, quartzite, tonalite, and granite units. Tectonics involve oblique overthrusting (from northeast to southwest), which led to the formation of recumbent folds and thrusts (pathways for the mineralizing fluids), upright folds, and faults with dominant strike-slip component. These unconformities represent potential sites for mineralization. During geological mapping, it was observed that the orebodies consist of quartz, pyrite, and gold, and that the hydrothermal alteration zone contains quartz, sericite, pyrite (altered to limonite), and magnetite (altered to hematite). Chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite occur only in the Onça deposit. Chemical analysis of sulfides indicates high contents of Bi, Se, and Te in sulfides and gold, suggesting plutonic involvement in the origin of hydrothermal solutions. K-Ar dating of hydrothermal sericites from gold veins yielded ages in the range from 960 to 840 Ma, which may indicate the age of original crystallization of sericite. Pb-Pb dating in galenas yielded model ages in the range from 1000 to 800 Ma for the Onça deposit, which is in agreement with K-Ar ages. Pb-isotopic ratios indicate high U/Pb and low Th/Pb for the upper-crustal Pb source before incorporation in galena crystals. The Pontes e Lacerda gold deposits yielded ages correlated to the Aguapei event and probably were formed during a Proterozoic contractional tectonic period in the southwestern part of the Amazon craton, which may characterize an important metallogenic epoch in the Pontes e Lacerda region.

Gênese dos corpos de sulfeto maciço hidrotermal e platinóides associados no depósito de Fortaleza de Minas (MG)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diagênese e alteração hidrotermal em rochas sedimentares da formação Corumbataí, Permiano Superior, Mina Granusso, Cordeirópolis/SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aplicação de redes neurais no controle de teores de cobre e ouro do depósito de Chapada (GO)

Pós-graduação em Geologia Regional - IGCE

Caracterização petrográfica e geoquímica das rochas encaixantes da mineralização de ouro do alvo lavra velha - Ibitiara (BA)

The Lavra Velha gold prospect is located in Ibitiara city, in the Espinhaço Setentrional physiographic domain, on the west edge of Chapada Diamantina – central part of Bahia. It is inserting on Gavião Block, a compartment of São Francisco Cráton (Almeida, 1977). The Lavra Velha gold dump is formed by an association of hydrothermal breccia lodged in acid and intermediate rocks, classifying in tonalite, granodiorite and diorite, with high alteration, cut off by a vein and venules system constituted by hydrothermal association composed by hematite, tourmaline, quarz and sericite, located in the north limit of Ibitiara granite. In the regional geological context the area is represented by Archaean rocks (Paramirim Complex) and Paleoproterozoic rocks (Ibitiara granitoid and Matinos Granite) constituted the basement, following by paleo to mesozoic pluton-vulcanic-sedimentary association of Rio dos Remédios Group, intruded by mafic rocks. It was used geochemistry and petrographic analysis compiling to field works data to characterize the rocks where the gold mineralization is inserting. Previously these rocks were classifying in volcanic rocks of Novo Horizonte Formation. Developing this monograph’s work the petrogenetic characteristics suggesting that these rocks called volcanic actually belong to Ibitiara granitoid as a portion more metamorphosed. The green schist is the predominant metamorphism in the area with low deformation, associated to high concentration of fluid circulating. The hydrothermal alteration is the process responsible for rocks modifications and strong sericitization generalize

Mapeamento geológico e petrografia do alvo T-578 - Greenstone Belt Pilar de Goiás (Pilar de Goiás - GO)

The study area is located in the geological parameters of the Pilar de Goiás Greenstone Belt (GO), it is part of the Pilar de Goias Group’s meta-volcano-sedimentary sequence. This is a homoclinal package constituted by terrigenous metassediments containing intercalations of meta-ultramafic rocks and iron formations. The units that were informally named in this work, are interpreted as belongs to the Serra do Moinho Formation. Through mineralogical associations the area’s metamorphism were classified as high greenschist facies garnet zone. Prior to this work were detected in the area, through soil samples, some auriferous anomalies. One of the objectives of this work is the detection of possibles hidrotermal alterations related to these anomalies presents in the study area

Caracterização petrográfica das zonas de alteração hidrotermal associadas aos pegmatitos da mina Bom Futuro, Rondônia

The Bom Futuro tin deposit is located in Ariquemes, north-central state of Rondônia. Since its discovery in the late 80s, the tin deposit of Bom Futuro has been explored and considered one of the leading Brazilian producers of cassiterite, exploring it mainly in secondary deposits (placers) in the vicinity of the hill Bom Futuro. The primary mineralization occurs in the contacts between quartz veins and pegmatites with the rocks of the hill and its exploitation has been the goal of new studies in the area. These bodies occur in all rock types of the hill, leading edges of hydrothermal alteration with each rock. The focus of the study is the characterization of hydrothermal alteration through the analysis of the edges of pegmatitic veins intruded on each of the main rock types found on the hill Bom Futuro, which are: biotite gneiss, biotite amphibolite, subvolcanic breccia, topaz leucogranite, topaz leucoriolito and micro melassienito porphyry. The analysis and comparison showed familiarities between the edges of alteration encountered, and possible subdivision into three main zones: the inner zone or the vein itself, intermediate zone or transition zone and the change zone where the passage of hydrothermal features to rocks features is gradual. The cassiterite and sphalerite were found scattered in three zones, however in larger quantities in the intermediate zone, near the contact

Geologia do platô N6 - província mineral de Carajás (SP)

The N6 Plateau presents an iron-ore occurence in Carajás Mineral Province, standing near to actually operating deposits. Geological mapping in 1:10,000 scale and integration of geochemical, geophysical, petrography and drilling turns possible interpretation of his geological evolution. The mapped area has lithotypes from Archean Grão Pará Group, comprising very lowgrade metamorphic basic rocks and iron formation and an Proterozoic sedimentary association of conglomeratic sandstones called as Caninana Unity. The structural geology in given by a regional scale homoclinal, where the Grão Pará Group strata dips towards SW, as a part of the Northern Limb of the Carajás Fold. Subsequent deformation associated to the installation of the Carajás Shear Zone presents as E-W fold axis. Geochemical evidence permits to consider de Parauapebas Formation as the rocks which has been hydrothermally-altered to outsourcing fluids responsible to deposition of iron formations in the oceanic system, including different signatures which can be interpreted as possible sub-embayments in the Carajás Basin. The iron ore in the area occurs in subsurface as very fine friable hematite generated by supergenous enrichment of the iron formation. The conceived geologic model differs from the current academic proposal on the fact that hydrothermal alteration has been involved on the jaspelite enrichment. Metamorphism on the Parauapebas Formation presents paragenesis considered as ocean-floor metamorphism which precedes de deformation insofar as the rocks show no tectonic fabric referring to shallow crust evolution. Geophysical methods such as magnetometry and gravimetry presents excellent results for structural interpretation in uneven exposed terrain

Geologia do depósito de ouro do alvo guarda-mor, na sequência Jaupaci (Israelândia - GO)

The study area of the Guarda-Mor target (Israelândia-GO) contextualizes the terrains of the estaern portion of the Arenópolis Magmatic Arc, more accurately, the Neoproterozoic associations inserted in the field of the Jaupaci volcano-sedimentary sequence. The mapped area is located in the central-western of Goiás state. The presente paper has as main objective to characterize the structural, petrographic and litogeochemistry of the target rocks beyond to compare these factors with the Mina Bacilândia rocks (Fazenda Nova-GO) in order to assess the genetic similarity of volcano-sedimentary units and deposits associated. The Guarda-Mor target is represented by the Jaupaci metavolcanic rocks sequence presenting bimodal volcanism. This sequence consists in metafelsic rocks like sericite/muscovite quartz schist, phyllite and metarriolites and/or metariodacites with calc-alkaline geochemical signature and metamafic rocks with tholeiitic character formed by actinolite - chlorite schist and chlorite - quartz schist. Besides the package of supracrustal rocks also can be observed the occurrence of a local intrusion syn- to late - tectonic named Granito Subvulcânico. In the study area beyond the marked volcanism also seen an event of crustal melting granitogênese evidenced by the presence of 2 granites at the east and the west of the map, Granito Israelândia and Granito Iporá respectively. Structural analysis both at the macro and micro have identified 3 deformation phases. The types of rock on the region record features in the metamorphic facies top and down. These features were subdivided into 3 metamorphic areas: the east and West areas show thermal metamorphism due to intrusion of adjacente granites while the central domain displays features of regional metamorphism. Gold mineralization of the Guarda –Mor deposit target suggests a possible structural control beyond pronounced the hydrothermal alteration. The mineralization may also be...

Morphological and Structural changes of CaxSr1-xTiO3 Powders Obtained by the Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photoluminescence of barium-calcium titanates obtained by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method (MAH)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)