Fluid Evolution and Ore-forming Processes of the Jiama Cu Deposit, Tibet： Evidence from Fluid Inclusions

The Jiama deposit is a large copper deposit in Tibet. Mineralization occurs in three different host rocks： skarn, hornfels and porphyry. A detailed fluid inclusion study was conducted for veins in the different host rocks to investigate the relationship between fluid evolution and ore-forming processes. Based on examination of cores from 36 drill holes, three types of veins （A, B and D） were identified in the porphyries, four types （I, II, III and IV） in the skarn, and three （a, b and c） in the hornfels. The crosscutting relationships of the veins and that of the host rocks suggest two hydrothermal stages, one early and one late stage. Fluid inclusions indicate that the Jiama hydrothermal fluid system underwent at least two episodes of fluid boiling. The first boiling event occurred during the early hydrothermal stage, as recorded by fluid inclusions hosted in type A veins in the porphyries, type a veins in the hornfels, and wollastonite in the skarns. This fluid boiling event was associated with relatively weak mineralization. The second boiling event occurred in the late hydrothermal stage, as determined from fluid inclusions hosted in type B and D veins in the porphyries, type I to IV veins in the skarns, and type b and c veins in the hornfels. This late boiling event, together with mixing with meteoric water, was responsible for more than 90% of the metal accumulation in the deposit. The first boiling only occurred in the central part of the deposit and the second boiling event took place across an entire interlayered structural zone between hornfels and marble. A spatial zoning of ore-elements is evident, and appears to be related to different migration pathways and precipitation temperatures of Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, Au and Ag.

A Preliminary Study on the Aghbolaq(Fe,Cu)Skarn Deposit,Oshnavieh,NW Iran:Constraints on Metasomatic Fluid Evolution

The Aghbolaq skarn deposit is located in the Urumieh-Golpayegan plutonic belt,NW Iran.The garnetite skarn(stageⅠ)has been intensely cross-cut by the magnetite-garnet skarn(stageⅡ)which were,in turn,cut and offset by the ore-hosting quartz veins/veinlets(stageⅢ).The predominance of andradite(Adr82.5–89.1)and its high Fe3+/Al ratio(up to 1685)apparently supports the high fO2,salinity and prevalence of magmatic/hydrothermal fluids involved,rather than meteoric waters,during the magnetite-garnet skarn formation.Two major groups of fluid inclusions,namely aqueous(LV,LVS)and aqueous–carbonic(LVC,LLCVC),were recognized in garnet and quartz veins that,especially in growth zones and along intra-granular trails,better display fluid inclusion assemblages(FIAs)than those in clusters.The prograde magnetite-garnet skarn was formed by the metasomatic fluid at relatively high Th(209–374℃),under a lithostatic pressure of~200 bars.The retrograde mineralized quartz veins were formed at temperatures ranging from 124℃to 256℃,by dilute and less saline(2.57–11.93 wt%NaCl eq.)hydrothermal fluids under a hydrostatic pressure of~80 bars.The fluid evolution of the Aghbolaq skarn began with an earlier simple cooling of metasomatic fluid during the prograde stage,followed by the later influx of low salinity meteoric fluids during the retrograde stage.

Evolution of Diagenetic Fluid of the Dawsonite-Bearing Sandstone in the Jiyang Depression,Eastern China

Based on the petrology,isotope geochemistry and fluid inclusions analysis,we established the evolutionary mode of the diagenetic fluid of dawsonite-bearing sandstone in the Jiyang Depression.Dawsonite-bearing sandstone is characterized by double injection of CO_(2)and oil-gas in the Jiyang Depression that have experienced a relatively complex diagenetic fluid evolution process.The diagenetic sequence of secondary minerals involves secondary enlargement of quartz,kaolinite,first-stage calcite,dawsonite,second-stage calcite,ferrocalcite,dolomite and ankerite.Hydrocarbon charging in the dawsonite-bearing sandstone occurred at around 2.6–0 Myr.The CO_(2)charging event occurred during Dongying tectonism,forming the Pingfangwang CO_(2)gas reservoir,which provided an abundant carbon source for dawsonite precipitation.Carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of dawsonite demonstrate that CO_(2)forming the dawsonite was of an inorganic origin derived from the mantle,and that water mediating the proc-ess during dawsonite precipitation was sequestered brine with a fluid temperature of 82℃.The evolutionary sequence of the diagenetic fluid in the dawsonite-bearing sandstone was:alkaline syngenetic fluids,weak alkaline fluids during organic acid forma-tion,acidic fluids in the early stage of CO_(2)injection,alkaline fluids in the late stage of CO_(2)injection,and weak alkaline fluids during oil and gas charging.The mode indicates an increase in-HCO_(3)because of the CO_(2)injection,and the loss of Ca^(2+)and Mg^(2+)due to the precipitation of carbonate minerals.Therefore,the evolutionary mode of diagenetic fluids is in good agreement with high HCO_(3)^(-),low Ca^(2+)and low Mg^(2+)composition of the present formation water in the dawsonite-bearing sandstone.

Diagenetic fluid evolution and water-rock interaction model of carbonate cements in sandstone: An example from the reservoir sandstone of the Fourth Member of the Xujiahe Formation of the Xiaoquan-Fenggu area, Sichuan Province, China

Carbonate cement is the most abundant cement type in the Fourth Member of the Xujiahe Formation in the Xiaoquan-Fenggu area of the West Sichuan Depression. Here we use a systematic analysis of carbonate cement petrology, mineralogy, carbon and oxygen isotope ratios and enclosure homogenization temperatures to study the precipitation mechanism, pore fluid evolu- tion, and distribution of different types of carbonate cement in reservoir sand in the study area. Crystalline calcite has relatively heavy carbon and oxygen isotope ratios （δ13C = 2.14%o, 8180 = -5.77‰）, and was precipitated early. It was precipitated di- rectly from supersaturated alkaline fluid under normal temperature and pressure conditions. At the time of precipitation, the fluid oxygen isotope ratio was very light, mainly showing the characteristics of a mixed meteoric water-seawater fluid（ δ180 = -3‰）, which shows that the fluid during precipitation was influenced by both meteoric water and seawater. The calcite cement that fills in the secondary pores has relatively lighter carbon and oxygen isotope ratios （δ13C = -2.36%0, 8180 = -15.68‰）. This cement was precipitated late, mainly during the Middle and Late Jurassic. An important material source for this carbonate cement was the feldspar corrosion process that involved organic matter. The Ca2＋, Fe3＋ and Mg2＋ ions released by the clay mineral transformation process were also important source materials. Because of water-rock interactions during the buri- al process, the oxygen isotope ratio of the fluid significantly increased during precipitation, by about 3‰. The dolomite ce- ments in calcarenaceous sandstone that was precipitated during the Middle Jurassic have heavier carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, which are similar to those of carbonate debris in the sandstone （δ13C = 1.93%o, δ180 = -6.11‰）, demonstrating that the two are from the same source that had a heavier oxygen isotope ratio （δ180 of about 2.2‰）. The differences in fluid oxygen isotope ratios during cement precipitation reflect the influences of different water-rock interaction systems or different wa- ter-rock interaction strengths. This is the main reason why the sandstone containing many rigid particles （lithic quartz sand- stone） has a relatively negative carbon isotope ratio and why the precipitation fluid in calcarenaceous sandstone has a relatively heavier oxygen isotope ratio.

Geochemistry and geochronology of multi-generation garnet:New insights on the genesis and fluid evolution of prograde skarn formation

Origin of garnet in skarn(magmatic vs.hydrothermal)and the prograde skarn fluid evolution are still controversial.Two generations of garnet(Grt1,Grt2)were identified at the Tongshankou deposit:Grt1 is anisotropic with oscillatory zoning and resorbed boundary,whilst Grt2 grew around Grt1 and formed oscillatory rims.In-situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of Grt1 and Grt2 yielded a lower intercept^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 142.4±2.8 Ma(n=57;MSWD=1.16)and 142.3±9.6 Ma(n=60;MSWD=1.06),respectively,coeval with the ore formation and ore-related granodiorite emplacement.Positive Eu anomaly,non-CHARAC Y/Ho value and low TiO_(2)content,together with the mineral assemblages indicate that both Grtl and Grt2 have a hydrothermal origin.The existence of melt and melt-fluid inclusions in Grt1,together with similar LREE-enriched patterns to the granodiorite,further indicate that Grt1 may have formed in the magmatic-hydrothermal transition.Higher U contents and LREE-enriched patterns of Grt1 indicate that fluid I is mildly acidic pH and low fO_(2).The inner gray Grt2 rims(Grt2A)is HREE-enriched with low U contents,indicating that fluid II has nearly neutral pH and high fO_(2).The wider Y/Ho range and LREE-enriched patterns of the outer light-gray Grt2 rims(Grt2B)show that the evolved magmatic fluidⅡhad mixed with an external fluid,characterized by being mildly acidic pH and with high fO_(2)·Our results suggest that the prograde skarn-forming fluids can be multistage at Tongshankou,and the mixing of meteoric water may have been prominent in the prograde skarn stage.

Fluid Evolution and Scheelite Precipitation Mechanism of the Large-Scale Shangfang Quartz-Vein-Type Tungsten Deposit, South China: Constraints from Rare Earth Element(REE) Behaviour during Fluid/Rock Interaction

Unlike classic skarn-type scheelite deposits directly acquiring sufficient Ca2+ from surrounding limestones, all of the scheelite orebodies of the Shangfang tungsten(W) deposit occur mainly in amphibolite, and this provides a new perspective on the mineralization mechanism of W deposits. The ability of hydrothermal scheelite(CaWO4) to bind REE3+ in their Ca2+ crystal lattices makes it a useful mineral for tracing fluid-rock interactions in hydrothermal mineralization systems. In this study, the REE compositions of scheelite and some silicate minerals were measured systematically in-situ by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS) to assess the extent of fluid-rock interactions for the Late Mesozoic quartz-vein-type Shangfang W deposits. According to the variations in CaO and REE among scheelite and silicate minerals, the amphibole and actinolite in amphibolite may be able to release large amounts of Ca2+ and REE3+ into the ore-forming fluids during chlorite alteration, which is critical for scheelite precipitation. Furthermore, an improved batch crystallization model was adopted for simulating the process of scheelite precipitation and fluid evolution. The results of both the in-situ measurements and model calculations demonstrate that the precipitation of early-stage scheelite with medium rare-earth elements(MREE)-rich and [Eu/Eu*]N<1. The early-stage scheelite would consume more MREE than LREE and HREE of fluid, which will gradually produce residual fluids with strong MREE-depletion and [Eu/Eu*]N>1. Even though the partition coefficient of REE is constant, the later-stage scheelite will also inherit a certain degree of MREE-depletion and [Eu/Eu*]N future from the residual fluids. As a common mineral, sheelite forms in various types of hydrothermal ore deposits(e.g., tungsten and gold deposits). Hence, the improved batch crystallization model is also possible for obtaining detailed information regarding fluid evolution for other types of hydrothermal deposits. The results from model calculations also illustrate that the Eu anomalies of scheelite are not an effective index correlated to oxygen fugacity of fluids but rather are dominantly controlled by the continuous precipitation of scheelite.

Diagenetic fluids evolution of Oligocene Huagang Formation sandstone reservoir in the south of Xihu Sag, the East China Sea Shelf Basin： constraints from petrology, mineralogy,and isotope geochemistry

The Oligocene Huagang Formation is the main sandstone reservoir in the Xihu Sag, situated in the east of the East China Sea Shelf Basin. With an integrated approach of thin-section petrography, ultra-violet fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and isotope geochemistry, the different diagenetic features were identified, the typical diagenetic parasequences were established, and the diagenetic fluids evolution history were reconstructed for the Oligocene Huagang Formation sandstone reservoir in the south of Xihu Sag. The Huagang Formation sandstone reservoir is now in Period B of the mesodiagenesis, which has undergone significant diagenetic alterations such as mechanical compaction, Pore-lining chlorite cement, feldspar dissolution, quartz cementation and dissolution, and carbonate cementation. Three types of carbonate cements（early siderite,medium ferrocalcite and late ankerite） were identified in the Huagang Formation sandstone reservoir. The carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonate cements show that the early calcite precipitate from alkaline lacustrine environment whereas the late carbonate cements were closely related to the organic acids. To the Huagang Formation sandstone reservoir, it has experienced two main episodes of dissolution during diagenesis.The early dissolution is that unstable components such as feldspar, lithic fragments, and carbonate cement were dissolved by acidic water. The second dissolution is that quartz and other silicate minerals were dissolved under the alkaline condition. Two main phases of hydrocarbon charging occurred in this study area. The first hydrocarbon emplacement was prior to the medium carbonate cementation but posterior to feldspar dissolution and the onset of quartz cementation at the end of the Miocene. The second hydrocarbon charging occurred in the Quaternary period after the late carbonate precipitation.

The Genesis Mechanism of the Mantle Fluid Action and Evolution in the Ore-Forming Process: A Case Study of the Laowangzhai Gold Deposit in Yunnan, China

Based on petrological studies of the wall rocks, mineralizing rocks, ores and veins from the Laowangzhai gold deposit, it is discovered that along with the development of silication, carbonation and sulfidation, a kind of black opaque ultra-microlite material runs through the spaces between grains, fissures and cleavages. Under observations of the electron microprobe, scanning electronic microscopy and energy spectrum, this kind of ultra-microlite material is confirmed to consist of ultra microcrystalline quartz, silicate, sulfides and carbonates, as well as rutile, scheelite and specularite （magnetite）, showing characters of liquation by the analyses of SEM and energy spectrum. The coexistence of immiscibility and precipitating co-crystallization strongly suggests that the mineralizing fluid changed from the melt to the hydrothermal fluid. Combined with the element geochemical researches, it is realized that the ultra-microlite aggregate is the direct relics of the mantle fluid behaving like a melt and supercritical fluid, which goes along with the mantle-derived magma and will escape from the magma body at a proper time. During the alteration process, the nature of the mantle fluid changed and it is mixed with the crustal fluid, which are favorable for mineralization in the Loawangzhai gold deposit.

Origin of dolomites in the Permian dolomitic reservoirs of Fengcheng Formation in Mahu Sag,Junggar Basin, NW China

Origin of authigenic dolomites in the dolomitic reservoir of the Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag of Junggar Basin is unclear.Occurrence and genetic evolution of the authigenic dolomites in dolomitic rock reservoir of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag were analyzed by polarized and fluorescence thin sections,scanning electron microscope(SEM),electron microprobe(EMP),C,O and Sr isotopes analysis,and other techniques.(1)Dolomites were mainly precipitated in three stages:penecontemporaneous-shallow burial stage(early stage of the Middle Permian),middle burial stage(middle stage of the Middle Permian),and middle-deep burial stage,with the former two stages in dominance.(2)Dolomitization fluid was high-salinity brine originating from alkaline lake.In the penecontemporaneous-shallow burial stage,Mg^(2+)was mainly supplied by alkaline-lake fluid and devitrification of volcanic glass.In the middle burial stage,Mg^(2+)mainly came from the transformation of clay minerals,devitrification of volcanic glass and dissolution of aluminosilicates such as feldspar.(3)Regular changes of Mg,Mn,Fe,Sr,Si and other elements during the growth of dolomite were mainly related to the alkaline-lake fluid,and to different influences of devitrification and diagenetic alteration of volcanic materials during the burial.(4)In the penecontemporaneous stage,induced by alkaline-lake microorganisms,the micritic-microcrystalline dolomites were formed by primary precipitation,replacement of aragonite and high-Mg calcite,and other processes;in the shallow burial stage,the silt-sized dolomites were formed by continuous growth of micritic-microcrystalline dolomite and replacement of calcites,tuffs and other substances;in the middle burial stage,the dolomites,mainly silt-and fine-sized,were formed by replacement of volcanic materials.The research results are referential for investigating the formation mechanism and distribution patterns of tight dolomitic reservoirs in the Mahu Sag and other similar oil and gas bearing areas.

Source and Evolution of the Ore-Forming Fluids of Carlin-Type Gold Deposit in the Youjiang Basin,South China:Evidences from Solute Data of Fluid Inclusion Extracts

The source and evolution of ore-forming fluids is important to understand the genesis of Carlin-type gold deposit.Constraints on the source and evolution of ore fluid components by the con-ventional geochemical methods have long been a challenge due to the very fine-grained nature and complex textures of hydrothermal minerals in these deposits.In this study,we present the crush-leach analyzed solute data of fluid inclusion extracts within quartz,calcite,realgar,and fluorite from the Shuiyindong,Nibao,and Yata gold deposits in the Youjiang Basin,providing new insights into the source and evolution of ore-forming fluids.The results show that the high molar Cl/Br ratios up to 2508 in fluid inclusion extracts are indicative of a contribution of magmatic hydrothermal fluids.Flu-ids mixing between basinal and magmatic-hydrothermal fluids are evident on the plots of Cl/Br versus Na/K ratios,showing that ore-stage milky quartz near the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids reflects magma origin of the ore-forming fluids,whereas late ore-stage drusy quartz and realgar near the de-fined basinal fluids suggest the later input of basinal fluids in late-ore stage.Although the predominate-ly host rocks in Shuiyindong,Nibao and Yata gold deposit are bioclastic limestone,sedimentary tuff,and calcareous siltstone,respectively,the solute data of fluid inclusion extracts records they underwent the similar fluid-rocks reactions between the Na-rich magmatic hydrothermal fluids and the Ca-and Mg-rich host rocks.This study highlights the solute data of fluid inclusion extracts obtained by crush-leach analyses have the potential to fingerprint the source and evolution of ore-forming fluids of the Carlin-type gold deposit.

Long-lived Nb-Ta mineralization in Mufushan,NE Hunan,South China:Geological,geochemical,and geochronological constraints

The Mufushan Complex(MFSC),located in northeastern Hunan,is a significant producer of Nb-Ta-Li-Be rare metals in South China.The present study examines the genetic relationship,material provenance,fluid evolution,and metallogeny of the co-developed ore-free pegmatite(OFP)and ore-bearing pegmatite(OBP)in granite-related pegmatite-type Nb-Ta rare-metal deposits in MFSC.Three minerals(columbite-tantalite(coltan),zircon,and monazite)were chosen for analysis.The coltan grains display both primary crystallization structures(crystal homogeneity,oscillatory zonings,and primary growth rims)resulting from equilibrium and disequilibrium reactions due to localized changes in the physicochemical conditions and environment,as well as later replacement structures(alteration rims,patches,irregular zonations,and complex zonations)from metasomatic replacement processes related to hydrothermal fluid activity.The coltan yielded two weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 138.1±2.1 Ma and 125.3±2.0 Ma corresponding to magmatic and hydrothermal Nb-Ta mineralization ages.For the OFP,zircons also yielded two weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 138.4±0.8 Ma and 131.5±0.7 Ma,whereas monazite gave a weighted mean U-Pb age 142.9±1.2 Ma.The ages of 142-138 Ma and 131 Ma represent the early and late stages of OFP crystallization and barren pegmatites in the MFSC,respectively.Zircon Lu-Hf isotopic compositions link rare-metal metallogenesis to the Lengjiaxi Group,which was the source material to the Mufushan composite batholith.Calculatedε_(Hf)(t)values and TDM2 ages from the OFP(-7.6 to-3.6 and 1676-1418 Ma,respectively)and the OBP(-14.1 to+4.9 and 2976-1548 Ma,respectively)are akin to those of schists and metasandstones of the metasedimentary Lengjiaxi Group.We propose a long-lived(ca.13-Myr)event involving two metallogenic episodes of Nb-Ta mineralization in the Mufushan region.This study demonstrates the potential of zircon,coltan,and monazite for fingerprinting minerals and classifying the mineralization potential of pegmatite veins.