Multi-scale analysis of carbon mineralization in lime-treated soils considering soil mineralogy

Mineral carbonation is emerging as a reliable CO_(2) capture technology that can mitigate climate change.In lime-treated clayey soils,mineral carbonation occurs through the carbonation of free lime and cementitious products derived from pozzolanic reactions.The kinetics of the reactions in lime-treated clayey soils are variable and depend primarily on soil mineralogy.The present study demonstrates the role of soil mineralogy in CO_(2) capture and the subsequent changes caused by carbon mineralization in terms of the unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of lime-treated soils during their service life.Three clayey soils(kaolin,bentonite,and silty clay)with different mineralogical characteristics were treated with 4%lime content,and the samples were cured in a controlled environment for 7 d,90 d,180 d,and 365 d.After the specified curing periods,the samples were exposed to CO_(2) in a carbonation cell for 7 d.The non-carbonated samples purged with N2 gas were used as a benchmark to compare the mechanical,chemical-mineralogical,and microstructure changes caused by carbonation reactions.Experimental investigations indicated that exposure to CO_(2) resulted in an average increase of 10%in the UCS of limetreated bentonite,whereas the strength of lime-treated kaolin and silty clay was reduced by an average of 35%.The chemical and microstructural analyses revealed that the precipitated carbonates effectively filled the macropores of the treated bentonite,compared to the inadequate cementation caused by pozzolanic reactions,resulting in strength enhancement.In contrast,strength loss in lime-treated kaolin and silty clay was attributed to the carbonation of cementitious phases and partly to the tensile stress induced by carbonate precipitation.In terms of carbon mineralization prospects,lime-treated kaolin exhibited maximum carbonation due to the higher availability of unreacted lime.The results suggest that,in addition to the increase in compressive strength,adequate calcium-bearing phases and macropores determine the efficiency of carbon mineralization in lime-treated clayey soils.

Process mineralogy approach to optimize curing-leaching in vanadiumbearing stone coal processing plants

The purpose of this study is to apply process mineralogy as a practical tool to further understand and analyze the reasons for low leaching rates in the curing-leaching process of vanadium-bearing stone coal and to find a solution or improvement to optimize the leaching index.Using vanadium-bearing stone coal with the V2O5 mass fraction of 0.88%as the research object,the effects of particle size,mineral composition,and sulfuric acid curing on the feed,intermediate,and final products of curing-leaching were analyzed.The main vanadium-bearing minerals in the feed samples included sericite/illite,montmorillonite,kaolinite,limonite,and schreyerite.Through the penetration depth analysis of sulfuric acid,the reason for the high vanadium content in the coarse leaching residue(0.205%V2O5)was found,mainly due to the poor curing effect and incomplete washing after screening.Therefore,thorough washing after sieving and further optimizing the curing process are necessary.The vanadium content of the fine leaching residue(0.078%)was low and the curing-leaching effect was good.However,the vanadium content in the thickened residue(0.296%)exceeded that in the fine leaching residue,which was attributed to the neutralization reaction in the#1 thickener.To solve this problem,the neutralization and thickening processes should be performed in separate equipment.The analysis and detection of key products is helpful for identifying problems and improving the curing-leaching circuit process.

Depositional Environment and Lithofacies Analyses of Eocene Lacustrine Shale in the Bohai Bay Basin:Insights from Mineralogy and Elemental Geochemistry

The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The classification of shale lithofacies and the interpretation of shale depositional environment are key features used in shale oil and gas exploration and development activity.The lower 3rd member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(x)shale)was selected for this study,as one of the main prospective intervals for shale oil exploration and development in the intracratonic Bohai Bay Basin.Mineralogically,it is composed of quartz(avg.9.6%),calcite(avg.58.5%),dolomite(avg.7%),pyrite(avg.3.3%)and clay minerals(avg.20%).An advanced methodology(thin-section petrography,total organic carbon and total organic sulfur contents analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray fluorescence(XRF),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM))was adopted to establish shale lithofacies and to interpret the depositional environment in the lacustrine basin.Six different types of lithofacies were recognized,based on mineral composition,total organic carbon(TOC)content and sedimentary structures.Various inorganic geochemical proxies(Rb/Sr,Ca/(Ca+Fe),Ti/Al,Al/Ca,Al/Ti,Zr/Rb)have been used to interpret and screen variations in depositional environmental parameters during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale.The experimental results indicate that the environment during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale was warm and humid with heightened salinities,moderate to limited detrital input,higher paleohydrodynamic settings and strong oxygen deficient(reducing)conditions.A comprehensive depositional model of the lacustrine shale was developed.The interpretations deduced from this research work are expected to not only expand the knowledge of shale lithofacies classification for lacustrine fine-grained rocks,but can also offer a theoretical foundation for lacustrine shale oil exploration and development.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sulphide from a submarine volcanic high at 18°36.4'S Central Lau Spreading Center, Southwest Pacific

We report the mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sulphide from the crater of a volcanic high near 18°36.4′S of the Central Lau Spreading Center.During 1990s,that volcanic structure was reported active and sulphide samples were collected by MIR submersible.A section of a chimney-like structure from the crater-floor was studied here.The Fe-depleted sphalerites,and Co-depleted pyrites in that chimney were similar to those commonly found in low to moderate temperature(<300℃)sulphides from sediment-starved hydrothermal systems.Bulk analyses of three parts of that chimney section showed substantial enrichment of Zn(18%–20%)and Fe(14%–27%)but depletion of Cu(0.8%–1.3%).In chondrite-normalized rare earth element-patterns,the significant negative Ce-anomalies(Ce/Ce*=0.27–0.39)and weakly positive Eu-anomalies(Eu/Eu*=1.60–1.68)suggested sulphide mineralisation took place from reduced low-temperature fluid.The depleted concentration of lithophiles in this sulphide indicates restricted contribution of sub-ducting plate in genesis of source fluid as compared to those from other parts of Lau Spreading Centre.Uniform mineralogy and bulk composition of subsamples across the chimney section suggests barely any alteration of fluid composition and/or mode of mineralisation occurred during its growth.

Mineralogy and element geochemistry of the Sohnari rocks of Early Eocene Laki Formation in the Southern Indus Basin,Pakistan:Implications for paleoclimate,paleoweathering and paleoredox conditions

The Sohnari Member of the Early Eocene Laki Formation is massively deposited in the Southern Indus Basin of Pakistan and is considered a potential source rock to generate hydrocarbons.However,the detailed paleoclimatic,paleoweathering,and depositional conditions of the Sohnari Member have not been studied earlier.This research mainly discusses the detailed mineralogical(bulk and clay)and elemental geochemistry of the Laki Formation from two outcrop sections(Jhimpir and Lakhra)in the Southern Indus Basin,Pakistan.The bulk minerals,including quartz(low),hematite,calcite,halite,gypsum,and clay minerals such as kaolinite,chlorite,smectite and illite have been discussed here.These results demonstrate the paleo-environment of studied area was arid with enhanced saline and weak to strong oxidizing depositional conditions.The chemical index of alteration(CIA)values in Jhimpir and Lakhra sections are in the ranges of 41.30-97.93 and 22.30-96.19,respectively,indicating that the Sohnari sediments experienced weak to intense chemical weathering in the source area.The interpretation of the A-CN-K ternary diagram is consistent with the clay mineral contents in the studied sediments,which is characterized by the predominance of kaolinite,gibbsite and chlorite,demonstrating the weak to strong weathering state under warm and humid climatic conditions.The chemical indices such as Sr/Ba,δU,V/Cr,Ni/Co,and Cu/Zn,U/Th and Ba/Ga show that Sohnari rocks of Early Eocene Laki Formation underwent strong evaporation,oxic water column with warm to humid and minor contact of cold climatic conditions.Based on our present data,it can be concluded that the sediments of Sohnari Member of Laki Formation from Jhimpir and Lakhra areas of Southern Indus Basin in Pakistan are related to Indio-Eurasian collision and came from the Indian shield rocks that were deposited in a brackish water body with a minor contact of the freshwater oxidizing paleo-environment depositional conditions.

Process mineralogy characteristics of acid leaching residue produced in low-temperature roasting-acid leaching pretreatment process of refractory gold concentrates

To provide a theoretical basis for a suitable process to extract gold from refractory gold concentrates, process mineralogy on the acid leaching residue of gold calcine was studied by chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy spectrum, and mineral dissociation analysis. The results showed that the acid leaching residue contained Au 68.22 g/t, Ag 92.71 g/t, Fe 0.44%, As 0.10%, and S 0.55%. Gold and silver minerals existed as native gold, argentite, and proustite. Quartz, the main gangue mineral, accounted for 78.33 wt/%. The dissociation degree analysis showed that the proportions of monomer and exposed gold in acid leaching residue were 96.66 wt%. The cyanidation results showed that the cyanide gold leaching rate of acid leaching residues was close to 100 wt%. However, the maximum cyanide gold leaching rate of gold calcine was only 85.31 wt%. This suggests that acid leaching can increase the gold dissolution rate in the cyanide process.

Mineralogy and carbothermal reduction behaviour of vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite ore in Eastern India

Vanadium-beaxing titaniferous magnetite bands hosted by Precambrian gabbro-norite-anorthositic rocks or their metamorphic equivalents were discovered in some parts of Eastern Indian Shield, containing 48%-49% Fe （total）, 10%-25% TiO2, and 0.3%-2.20% V2O5 by mass. Mineralogical and petrological study, composition, and characterization of the vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite ore were carried out by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray （SEM-EDX）, wave length X-ray florescence （WDXRF）, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy （ICP-AES）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, etc. Chemical beneficiation for valuable metals, such as Fe, Ti, andV, was performed by reduction roasting. The direct and indirect reduction were investigated by mixing the lump ore with solid activated charcoal in a closed reactor and purging the reducing gas mixture in standard reducibility index apparatus at different temperatures and time intervals. The reduction roasting parameters were optimized. Finally, the reduced samples were crushed and upgraded by magnetic separation. The results show that, the maximum mass fractions of magnetic and nonmagnetic parts achieved axe 69.36% and 30.64%, respectively, which contain 10.6% TiO2 and 0.84% V205 in the magnetic part and 36.5% TiO2 and 0.22% V205 in the nonmagnetic part.

Sugarcane press mud modification of expansive soil stabilized at optimum lime content:Strength,mineralogy and microstructural investigation

This study attempted to investigate the potential of sugarcane press mud(PM) as a secondary additive in conjunction with lime for the stabilization of an expansive soil.The physico-mechanical properties of an expansive soil,such as plasticity,shrink-swell behavior,unconfined compressive strength(UCS),mineralogical and microstructural characteristics were investigated.The expansive soil was stabilized at its optimum lime content(7%) for producing maximum strength,and was modified with four different quantities of PM in small dosages(0.25%-2%).Cylindrical soil samples,38 mm in diameter and 76 mm in height,were cast and cured for varying periods to evaluate the strength of the amended soil.The spent samples after strength tests were further used for determination of other properties.The test results revealed that PM modification led to a substantial improvement in 7-d strength and noticeable increase in 28-d strength of the lime-stabilized soil(LSS).The addition of PM does not cause any detrimental changes to the shrink-swell properties as well as plasticity nature of the stabilized soil,despite being a material of organic origin.Mineralogical investigation revealed that the formation of calcium silicate hydrate(CSH) minerals,similar to that of pure lime stabilization with only the type of mineral varying due to the modification of PM addition,does not significantly alter the microstructure of the LSS except for superficial changes being noticed.

Influence of alumina on mineralogy and environmental properties of zinc-copper smelting slags

An iron-silicate slag, from a zinc-copper smelting process, and mixtures of this slag with 5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt% alumina addition were re-melted, semi-rapidly solidified, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The FactSageWM6.2 thermodynamic package was applied to compare the stable phases at equilibrium conditions with experimental characterization. A standard European leaching test was also carried out for all samples to investigate the changes in leaching behaviour because of the addition of alumina. Results show that the commonly reported phases for slags from copper and zinc production processes （olivine, pyroxene, and spinel） are the major constituents of the current samples. A correlation can be seen between mineralogical characteristics and leaching behaviours. The sample with 10wt% alumina addition, which contains high amounts of spinels and lower amounts of the other soluble phases, shows the lowest leachabilities for most of the elements.

Physicochemistry and Mineralogy of Storm Dust and Dust Sediment in Northern China

Dust sediments collected from 1995 to 1998 in Beijing, Dunhuang, Inner Mongolia, Kashi, the Kunlun Mountains, Lanzhou, Ningxia, the Taklimakan Desert, and Xi’an, China, were characterized in terms of their physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. Most aerosols and dust analysed ranged in texture from silty clay to clay loam. Their median particle diameters (Mds) generally ranged between 5 to 63 μm, coinciding with those of loess from central China and the finest sand from northwestern China. The dust sediments were characterized by a predominance of SiO2 and Al2O3, followed by K2O. Their SiO2/Al2O3 and K2O/SiO2 molar ratios ranged from 5.17 to 8.43 and from 0.009 to 0.0368, respectively. The mass concentration spectrum during a dust storm showed a single peak, rather than the triple peak generally observed under clear sky conditions. The dominant minerals were chlorite, illite, calcite, and dolomite. These physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties were consistent with those of aeolian soils and loess in western and central China. The results suggest that aerosols and fine-grained fractions of dust sediments collected in northern China are mainly composed of soil material transported from the arid and semiarid regions of China and Mongolia by prevailing winds. The rate of deposition and properties of dust falling on eastern China were strongly influenced by meteorological conditions, season, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the sampling sites.

Raman-IR vibrational and XRD characterization of ancient and modern mineralogy from volcanic eruption in Tenerife Island： Implication for Mars

A detailed vibrational Raman-lR spectroscopic and diffractional analyses have been performed on basalts from two locations from Tenerife Island： （1） the Arenas Negras volcano which belongs to the historical eruption not showing visible alteration and （2） Pillow Lavas zone from Anaga Massif which shows a clearly fluid-rock interaction caused by submarine alteration. These places have been extensively studied due to its similarity with the surface of Mars. The analysis is based on the mineral detection of selected samples by a Micro-Raman study of the materials. The complementary techniques have confirmed the mineralogy detected by the Raman measurement. The results show a volcanic environment behavior with primary phases like olivine, pyroxene, and feldsparJplagioclase. Moreover, the presence of accessory minerals or secondary mineralization like phosphate, iron oxides, zeolite or carbonates shows the alteration processes on each outcrop. The variation in the crystallinity and amorphous phases is related to fluid-rock interaction caused by hydrothermal episodes and external weathering processes, which shows several analogies with the ancient volcanic activity from Mars.

Mineralogy and fracture development characteristics of marine shale-gas reservoirs: A case study of Lower Silurian strata in southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China

Mineral contents and fractures of shale from well Yuye-1 and outcrops were examined mainly based on systematic description of the cores and outcrops, and data from experimental analyses. The data enabled us to thoroughly explore the mineralogy and developmental features of shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the study area. The results show that,the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale(SLS) in the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China, is primarily characterized by a high content of brittle minerals and a relatively low content of clay minerals. The total content of brittle minerals is approximately 57%,including 27% quartz, 12.2% feldspar, 11.2% carbonate and 2.4% pyrite. The total content of clay minerals reaches 41.6%,composed of illite(23.8%), mixed-layer of illite and smectite(I/S)(10.8%) and chlorite(7.0%). The SLS accommodates the widespread development of various types of fractures, including tectonic fractures, diagenetic fractures, inter-layer fractures and slip fractures. The developmental level of the fracture in the SLS is mainly influenced by faults, lithology, mineral contents and total organic carbon content(TOC) in study area.

Geochemistry, Petrology and Mineralogy of Coal Measure Shales in the Middle Jurassic Yanan Formation from Northeastern Ordos Basin, China: Implications for Shale Gas Accumulation

The Jurassic Yanan Formation is one of the most important coal-producing formations and hydrocarbon source rocks in the Ordos Basin, North China. To evaluate the shale gas potential of the Yanan shale, a total of 48 samples from north Ordos Basin were sampled, and their geochemical, petrological, mineralogical and pore characteristics were investigated. It was found that the shale samples are a suite of early mature source rock. The total organic carbon(TOC) content ranges from 0.33% to 24.12% and the hydrogen index(HI) ranges from 43.31 mg/g to 330.58 mg/g. The relationship between Tmax and HI indicates the organic matter is type Ⅱ-Ⅲ. This conclusion is also supported by the organic petrological examination results, which shows that the kerogen is mainly liptinite and vitrinite. Minerals in the samples are composed mainly of quartz, clay and feldspar, and the clay minerals are composed of prevailing kaolinite, illite/smectite, chlorite and a small amount of illite. Under scanning electron microscope, OM pores in the Yanan shale are scarce except pores come from the kerogen intrinsic texture or clay aggregates within the organic particles. As the weak compaction caused by shallow burial depth, interparticle pores and intraparticle pores are common, the hydrocarbon storage capacity of the Yanan shale was improved. According to evaluation, the Yanan shale is considered as a good shale gas reservoir, but its hydrocarbon potential is more dependent on biogenic and coal-derived gas as the thermogenic gas is limited by the lower thermal maturity.

Process Mineralogy of Lateritic Nickel Ore

This paper presents a methodology for studying low grade lateritic nickel ore, which usually presents complex mineralogy, with widespread nickel in several mineral phases. The study is focused on determining the mineralogy and the distribution of nickel in the bearing minerals. Laboratory assays comprise homogenization, sampling and particle size analysis. Chemical analyses by X-ray fluorescence are performed in all fractions sizes, while mineralogical assessments by X-ray diffraction are carried out for head sample. The mineralogical composition of the samples and the partition of main elements in the bearing minerals are assayed by size fraction through automated image analysis software (MLA) coupled to a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical compositions of the several minerals identified in MLA are determined during systematic observations on SEM with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).

The Mineralogy and Possible Sources of Spring Dust Particles over Beijing

A severe Asian Dust Storm （ADS） event occurred on 16-17 April 2006 in northern China. The mineral compositions of dust samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The results indicated that dust particles of the ＂17 April 2006＂ dust storm were dominated by quartz （37.4%） and clay （32.9%）, followed by plagioclase （13.7%）, with small amounts of calcite, K-feldspar, dolomite, hornblende and gypsum （all less than 10%）. The clay fractions with diameter less than 2 μm were separated from the dust storm particles by centrifuging and were further analyzed by XRD. The results revealed that the clay species were mainly illite/smectite mixed layers （I/S） （49%） and illite （34%）, with small amount of kaolinite （8%） and chlorite （9%）. In order to evaluate the feasibility of using the mineralogy to trace the sources of dust particles, the XRD results of the ＂17 April 2006＂ dustfall particles were compared with the dust particles over past years. The results confirmed that the finer dust particles represented by the ADS PM10 displayed a smaller quartz/clay ratio than the dustfall particles. The dust storm particles, either from the ADS PM10 or from the ＂17 April 2006＂ dustfall, showed a lower level of dolomite contents and lower dolomite/clay ratios compared with the non-dust storm dustfall particles. This implies that dolomite could be used to distinguish between the dust contributions from local and non-local sources. Similar trends were found for the gypsum and the gypsum/clay ratio. Moreover, the two dustfall samples had a lower level of illite/smectite mixed layers and a higher level of illite than airborne PM10, implying that the dustfall particles tend to be enriched with illite in its clay fraction.

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Major, Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Sediments of the Hypersaline Urmia Salt Lake, Iran

Urmia Salt Lake （USL） is a hypersaline lake located at the NW corner of the Iran platform. The lake area is estimated to have been over 5000 km2 at one point, but has now decreased to 〈1000 km^2 in the last two decades. It contains 4.6×109 tons of halite and other detrital and evaporative minerals such as calcite, aragonite, dolomite, quartz, feldspars, augite and sylvite. This study examined the mineralogy and geochemistry of bed sediments along the mid-east toward NE bank sediments collected from 1.5 meters depth and nearby augite placer. Due to the diverse iithology of the surrounding geology, bed sediments vary from felsic in the mid-east to mafic in the northeast. Weathering of tephrite and adakite rocks of the Islamic Island at the immediate boundary has produced a large volume of augite placer over a 40 km length, parallel to the shoreline. Based on the study result, weathering increases from south to north and the geochemistry of the sediments shows enrichment of MgO, CaO, Sr and Ba associated with Sr deployment in all samples. Rare earth elements （REE） patterns normalized to the upper continental crust （UCC） indicated LREEs enrichment compared to HREEs with an elevated anomaly of Eu, possibly due to surface absorbance of Mn and Fe minerals, associated with Sr elevation originating from adakites in the lake basin vicinity.

Mineralogy and Chemistry of Sulfides from the Longqi and Duanqiao Hydrothermal Fields in the Southwest Indian Ridge

Recent investigations found that hydrothermal activity and sulfide mineralization occurs along the Southwest Indian Ridge（SWIR）. The Longqi and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields between 49° E and 53° E of the SWIR are two prospective mineralization areas discovered by Chinese scientists. With the aim to determine the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of sulfide minerals, we have conducted detailed studies for samples from the two areas using an optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and electron microprobe. The mineralization processes in the Longqi area are divided into three main stages：（1） the low-medium-temperature stage： colloform pyrite（Py I） ＋ marcasite → euhedral pyrite（Py II）,（2） the high-temperature stage： isocubanite（±exsolved chalcopyrite） ＋ pyrrhotite → coarse-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp I）, and（3） the medium–low-temperature stage： sphalerite ＋ fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions（Ccp II） → aggregates of anhedral pyrite（Py III） ± marcasite → Fe-oxide（-hydroxide） ＋ amorphous silica. The mineralization processes in the Duanqiao area are divided into two main stages：（1） the medium–high-temperature stage： subhedral and euhedral pyrite（Py I′） → coarse-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp I′） and（2） the medium–low-temperature stage： sphalerite → fine-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp II′） ＋ chalcopyrite inclusions（Ccp II′） → silica-cemented pyrite（Py II′） ＋ marcasite → Fe-oxide ＋ amorphous silica. We suggest that the fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions in sphalerite from Longqi and Duanqiao were formed by co-precipitation and replacement mechanisms, respectively. Primary sphalerites from both fields are enriched in Fe（avg. 5.84 wt% for the Longqi field vs. avg. 3.69 wt% for the Duanqiao field）, Co（avg. 185.56 ppm for the Longqi field vs. 160.53 ppm for the Duanqiao field）, and Cd（avg. 1950 ppm for the Longqi field vs. avg. 525.26 ppm for the Duanqiao field）. Cu contents in pyrite from the Duanqiao field（Py I′： avg. 849.23 ppm and Py II′： avg. 1191.11 ppm） tend to be higher than those from the Longqi field（Py I： avg. 26.67 ppm, Py II： avg. 445 ppm, and Py III： avg. 179.29 ppm）. Chalcopyrite from both fields is enriched in Zn（Ccp I： avg. 3226.67 ppm, Ccp II： avg. 9280 ppm, Ccp I′： avg. 848 ppm, Ccp II′（inclusions）： avg. 1098 ppm, and Ccp II′（fine-grained）： avg. 1795 ppm）. The varying contents of Zn in the different pyrite and chalcopyrite generations may result from the zone refining process. An integrated study of the mineralogy and mineralogical chemistry suggests that the hydrothermal fluids of the Longqi area are likely conditioned with higher temperatures and relatively lower fO2 and fS2 than those of the Duanqiao area, but in contrast to the former, the latter is much affected by the compositions of the surrounding rocks.

Kalaymyo Peridotite Massif in the Indo-Myanmar Ranges(Western Myanmar): Its Mineralogy and Petrology

Mesozoic ophiolites crop out discontinuously in the Indo-Myanmar Ranges in NE India and Myanmar,and represent the remnants of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere(Sengupta et al.,1990;Mitchell,1993).These ophiolites in the Indo-Myanmar Ranges are the southern continuation of the Neotethyan ophiolites occurring along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone(YZSZ)in southern Tibet farther northwest(Mitchell,1993;Fareeduddin and Dilek,2015),as indicated by their coeval crystallization ages and geochemical compositions(Yang et al.,2012;Liu et al.,2016).The Kalaymyo ophiolite is located in the central part of the eastern Indo-Myanmar Ranges(Fig.1).composition of these ophiolites from the central Tibetan Plateau(CTP)is dominated by MORBs and minor OIBs and a distinct lack of IATs and BONs,which is inconsistent with most ophiolites worldwide(Robinson and Zhou,2008;Zhang et al.,2008).But the generation and tectonic nature of these ophiolites are still controversial.*The Kalaymyo peridotites consist mainly of harzburgites,which show typical porphyroclastic or coarse-grained equigranular textures.They are composed ofolivine(Fo=89.8–90.5),orthopyroxene(En86-91Wo1-4Fs8-10;Mg#=89.6–91.9),clinopyroxene(En46-49Wo47-50Fs3-5;Mg#=90.9–93.6)and spinel(Mg#=67.1–78.9;Cr#=13.5–31.5),and have relatively homogeneous whole-rock compositions with Mg#s of90.1–90.8 and Si O2(41.5–43.65 wt.%),Al2O3(1.66–2.66wt.%)and Ca O(1.45–2.67 wt.%)contents.TheydisplayLightRareEarthElement(LREE)-depleted chondrite-normalized REE patterns with(La/Yb)CN=0.04–0.21 and(Gd/Yb)CN=0.40–0.84,and show a slight enrichment from Pr to La with(La/Pr)CN in the range of 0.98–2.36.The Kalaymyo peridotites are characterized by Pd-enriched chondrite-normalized PGE patterns with superchondritic(Pd/Ir)CN ratios(1.15–2.36).Their calculated oxygen fugacities range between QFM–0.57 and QFM+0.90.These mineralogical and geochemical features collectively suggest that the Kalaymyo peridotites represent residual upper mantle rocks after low to moderate degrees(5–15%)of partial melting at a mid-ocean-ridge(MOR)environment.The observed enrichment in LREE and Pd was a result of their reactions with enriched MORB-like melts,percolating through these already depleted,residual peridotites.The Kalaymyo and other ophiolites in the Indo-Myanmar Ranges hence represent mid-ocean ridge(MOR)–type Tethyan oceanic lithosphere derived from a downgoing plate and accreted into a westward migrating subduction–accretion system along the eastern margin of India.

Mineralogy,geochemistry,and sulfur isotope characteristics of sediment-hosted hydrothermal sulfide minerals from the southern Okinawa Trough

Studies of the mineralogy and sulfur isotope composition of sediment-hosted hydrothermal sulfide minerals in cores are important for understanding the seafloor mineralization environment and material source and reconstructing the hydrothermal history.However,the source of ore-forming materials and the history of hydrothermal activity in the southern Okinawa Trough(SOT)remain unclear.Here,the mineralogy and sulfur isotope characteristics of sulfides from gravity core HOBAB4-S2,collected between the Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal field(HF)and the Tangyin HF,was investigated.Enrichments in Zn(up to 321×10^(-6)),Cu(up to73.7×10^(-6)),and Pb(up to 160×10^(-6))and the presence of pyrite,galena,pyrrhotite and minor sphalerite and chalcopyrite provide evidence for the input of hydrothermal materials into the sediments.The pyrite morphologies include disseminated cubic,pentagonal dodecahedron,and framboidal forms.Except for minor framboidal pyrite,euhedral pyrite from core HOBAB4-S2 is mainly of hydrothermal origin with Co/Ni ratios>1 and S/Fe atomic ratios<2 in the Cu-Zn-Pb-rich layers.The occurrences of hexagonal pyrrhotite,high-Co(up to0.17%)pyrite and high-Fe sphalerite indicate that the hydrothermal precipitates formed at medium-high temperatures and low-sulfur fugacity(f S_(2))environments.The δ^(34) S values of sulfides(0.21‰–3.45‰)with low-f S_(2) mineral assemblages(e.g.,pyrrhotite±high-Fe sphalerite)in the core are significantly lower than those of magmatic rocks and seawater,indicating possible incorporation of previously formed biogenic sulfur in the sediment.Combined with the age model of the core,it is suggested that hydrothermal activity likely began in the Tangyin HF before AD 1445–1483 and that at least three active episodes may have occurred since then.

The Processing Mineralogy for Lead and Zinc Oxide Ore in Sichuan

Using variety of modern testing methods, the processing mineralogical characteristics for a lead and zinc oxide ore in Sichuan were studied systematically. The chemical analysis result shows that the lead and zinc oxide content exceeding the minimum industrial grade and iron ore, total iron content reaches a minimum industrial grade and associated with gold and silver; The mineralogical analysis result shows that lead and zinc mineral composition and configuration are very complexity. The zinc minerals and zinciferous minerals are sphalerite, hemimorphite, Smithsonite, Hydrozincite, zinc chlorite, limonite, zinc dolomite and zincocalcite; lead minerals and plumbiferous minerals are mainly galena, cerussite, anglesite, limonite and Coronadite; The minerals disseminated grain size are very fine and mineral dissemination characteristics are very complex ; expected theoretical recoveries for lead and zinc were 72% and 67% respectively. The results of this study provide basic data and theoretical basis for ore dressing.