Nature and origin of natural Zn clay minerals from the Bou Arhous Zn ore deposit: Evidence from electron microscopy (SEM-TEM) and stable isotope compositions (H and O)
International audience; Zn-clay minerals have been found in the non-sulfide deposit of Bou Arhous (High Atlas, Morocco). They occur as white or ochre clays embedding willemite (Zn2SiO4) and are commonly associated to red detrital clays in karstic cavities. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses were combined in order to characterize the clay minerals and to determine the mechanism of their formation. XRD patterns on oriented and powdered clays and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analyses suggest that fraipontite is the major Zn clay phase (with some smectite interstrat…
Geochemical fingerprints of brannerite (UTi 2 O 6 ): an integrated study
AbstractBrannerite (UTi2O6) is among the major uranium-bearing minerals found in ore deposits, however as it has been long considered as a refractory mineral for leaching it is currently disregarded in ore deposits. Brannerite is found in a variety of geological environments with the most common occurrences being hydrothermal and pegmatitic. On the basis of scanning electron microscopy observations coupled with electron probe micro-analyses and laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer analyses, this study describes the morphological features and the major- and trace-element abundances of brannerite samples from five hydrothermal and five pegmatitic localities across the w…
Variation in structural styles within fold-and-thrust belts: Insights from field mapping, cross-sections balancing, and 2D-kinematic modelling in the Jura mountains (Eastern France)
Abstract Fold-and-thrust belts developed above an evaporite decollement host structural traps where geofluids, including hydrocarbons, can accumulate. A valid and accurate structural style intepretation is therefore crucial to understand the three-dimensional geometries in the subsurface, in order to better model geofluid reservoirs and to increase success during exploration. Here, we present a multidisciplinary approach to unravel the subsurface structural styles of the Jura fold-and-thrust belt (eastern France), combining geological mapping, from regional to outcrop scale, with cross-section balancing and 2D-kinematic forward modelling. Results show that the Jura fold-and-thrust belt is c…
Distribution of trace elements in willemite from the Belgium non-sulphide deposits
Samples of willemite (Zn2SiO4) mineralization from the historical non-sulphide Zn–Pb deposits of La Calamine (eastern Belgium) have been recovered from collections of the Geological Survey of Belgium. Textural and chemical analyses are used to evaluate the critical element distribution (Ge, In, Ga) and deportment. willemite occurs as a variety of types that continuously formed between the protore stage (sulphides) and the late supergene stage (carbonates and hydrated phases). Different types of willemite may be distinguished on the basis of their shape and zoning characteristics, supporting a polyphase non-sulphide mineralization after the protore stage. This is also marked by a significant…
Direct synthesis of pure brannerite UTi2O6
International audience; A new method based on the precipitation of uranium(IV) and titanium(IV) hydroxide precursors was developed to prepare pure brannerite UTi2O6 samples. In fact, U(IV) dissolved in HCl (6 mol L−1) was mixed to Ti (IV) alkoxyde before a basification step with an excess of NH4OH to obtain a highly reactive nanometric (U,Ti)(OH)4 powder. The obtained powder was then dried under vacuum, pressed into pellets and finally fired at 1300 °C. This method led to the formation of pure brannerite in contrast to previous reported protocols, which showed the formation of impurities such us UO2 and TiO2. The refined unit cell parameters of UTi2O6 led to a = 9.8113(2) Å, b = 3.7681(1) Å…
U-Pb dating of middle Eocene-middle Pleistocene multiple tectonic pulses in the Alpine foreland
Foreland fold-and-thrust belts record long-lived tectonic-sedimentary activity, from passive margin sedimentation, flexuring, and further involvement into wedge accretion ahead of an advancing orogen. Therefore, dating fault activity is fundamental for plate movement reconstruction, resource exploration, or earthquake hazard assessment. Here, we report U-Pb ages of syntectonic calcite mineralizations from four thrusts and three tear faults sampled, at the regional scale, across the Jura fold-and-thrust belt in the northwestern Alpine foreland (eastern France). Four regional tectonic phases are recognized in the middle Eocene-middle Pleistocene interval: (1) pre-orogenic faulting at 44.7&thi…
First Early Permian Paleomagnetic Pole for the Yili Block and its Implications for Late Paleozoic Postorogenic Kinematic Evolution of the SW Central Asian Orogenic Belt
International audience; We conducted a paleomagnetic study on the Early Permian volcanic and sedimentary rocks, and the Neoproterozoic mafic dikes in the Yili Block, NW China. Magnetite and hematite were proven to be the principal magnetic remanence carriers. Demagnetizations revealed stable characteristic remanence magnetizations with a sole reversed magnetic polarity. The magnetic remanence of only the Early Permian strata turned out to be primary based on positive fold tests; meanwhile, the magnetic remanence age of the mafic dikes is ambiguous. Accordingly, the first Early Permian paleomagnetic pole for the Yili Block is calculated at λ = 81.5°N, φ = 256.5°E, N = 11, and A95 = 10.9°. Co…
Sulfide ore facies, fluid inclusion and sulfur isotope characteristics of the Tappehsorkh Zn-Pb ( ± Ag-Ba) deposit, South Esfahan, Iran
International audience; The stratiform, stratabound Tappehsorkh Zn-Pb (± Ag-Ba) deposit, located in the southeastern part of the Malayer-Esfahan Metallogenic Belt of Iran, formed during Lower Cretaceous back-arc extension. Sulfide mi-neralization occurs within dolostone, black siltstone, and crystal lithic tuff and andesite associated with the Gushfil-Baghabrisham synsedimentary normal fault. Three sulfide ore facies (massive, bedded, and stockwork) occur in the deposit. Sulfide minerals are sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite and pyrite with minor chalcopyrite and bornite, and gangue minerals are barite, dolomite and quartz. Sulfide mineralization textures are massive, replacement , vein-vein…
Spontaneous ecological recovery of vegetation in a red gypsum landfill: Betula pendula dominates after 10 years of inactivity
International audience; Red gypsum is the product of the neutralization of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) extraction residue from ilmenite and anatase. The disposal of red gypsum creates heterogeneous plots with layers that may include Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, Mn, S, and other elements and an alkaline pH that makes revegetation complicated and slow. The vertical and horizontal dispersion of the sediment particles are the main concern. Therefore, the establishment of precise vegetation cover is needed to address this issue. One of the aims of this study was (1) to explore the distribution of the spontaneous vegetation found along a red gypsum-formed landfill located at the Ochsenfeld site in eastern France…