Lithology and Mineral Resources
Lithology and Mineral Resources is an international peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles on a wide range of problems related to the formation of sedimentary rocks and ores. Special attention is given to comparison of ancient sedimentary rock and ore formation with present-day processes. The major part of the journal is devoted to comparative analysis of sedimentary processes on the continents and in oceans, as well as the genetic aspects of the formation of sedimentary and hydrothermal–sedimentary mineral resources. The journal welcomes manuscripts from all countries.
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Approximately 10% of the manuscripts are rejected without review based on formal criteria as they do not comply with the submission guidelines. Each manuscript is assigned to at least two peer reviewers. The journal follows a single-blind reviewing procedure. The period from submission to the first decision is up to 40 days. The approximate rejection rate is 15%. The final decision on the acceptance of a manuscript for publication is made by the Editor-in-Chief together with the Meeting of Editorial Board members.
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Vol 54, No 6 (2019)
- Year: 2019
- Articles: 7
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0024-4902/issue/view/9891
Article
Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary in the Sequences of the Northeastern Caucasus, Dagestan: Sedimentology, Geochemistry, and Biota
Abstract
The results of integrated study of the Cretaceous/Paleogene transition in the northeastern Caucasus are reported. The lithological, geochemical and micropaleontological characteristics of the sediments from two sections (Okhli and Gubden, Mountainous Dagestan) accumulated in different parts of paleobasin are displayed. An analysis of nannofossil distribution at the Cretaceous/Paleogene transition allowed to define the stratigraphic position of the stage boundary and reveal the interval of sediments (1–2 m thick transitional zone) accumulated under stress conditions. The large-scale sea-level fall occurred at the onset of the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary event is evidenced. It led to the erosion and redeposition of the Maastrichtian calcareous sediments. In Okhli section, the occurrence of palygorskite is detected in the clay mineral assemblage of the transitional zone. The local concentrations of coprolites (Decapoda?) and spherical nodules of different composition (more likely, concretions) are found in the clay layer onlapping the erosional surface at the top of Maastrichtian. There is no reliable evidence of the impact nature of these nodules. The lithological record at the Cretaceous/Paleogene transition of the studied sections is similar to those exposed in other areas of the NE Peri-Tethys (e.g., southern Turkmenistan and Mangyshlak Peninsula).
429-446
Mineralogical and Geochemical Features of Pyrite Nodules from Sulfide Turbidites in the Talgan Cu-Zn Massive Sulfide Deposit (Southern Urals)
Abstract
Pyrite nodules were found in thin-layered sulfide ores localized at the flanks of the Talgan Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposit (South Urals) which consists of (1) an inner core (microgranular pyrite with inclusions of gangue minerals and authigenic sulfides), (2) an intermediate zone (anhedral and subhedral pyrite metacrystals), (3) an outer zone (parallel-columnar subhedral pyrite crystals), and (4) the dioctahedral chlorite rim overgrowing on pyrite crystalls of the outer zone. Each zone is characterized by a specific assemblage of trace elements revealed by the LA-ICP-MS micromapping. The content of trace elements in the pyrite significantly (by 1–3 orders of magnitude) decreases in a range of microgranular pyrite of the core → an- and subhedral pyrite crystals of the intermediate zone → subhedral pyrite crystals of the outer zone (average value, ppm): Zn from 13 106 to 9, Pb from 24 100 to 1783, As from 1323 to 134, Co from 1027 to 1.81, Ni from 456 to 4, Ag from 390 to 38, Au from 0.1 to 0.01, Te from 55 to 0.6, and Bi from 9.8 to 0.6. The subhedral pyrite crystals of the outer zone is enriched in Cu (up to 8367 ppm), Sb (up to 1627 ppm), and Mn (734 ppm), relative to microgranular pyrite of the nodule core. Anomalously high contents of trace elements are related to the presence of authigenic inclusions of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, fahlores, and Au–Ag minerals in the pyrite. Gangue components in nodules include quartz, calcite, chlorite, illite, and REE minerals. The ore clasts of distal sulfide turbidites mixed with hyaloclastites, which were altered during dia- and anadiagenesis, were the source of ore material for the nodules.
447-464
Lithostructural Geological-Genetic Model and Mineral Composition of the Krasnokutsk Rare Metal–Titanium Placer Deposit (Ukraine)
Abstract
The paper presents the geological setting, structure, lithology, and placer-controlling factors in the Krasnokutsk placer rare metal–titanium deposit located in Miocene sediments on the northeastern slope of the Dnieper-Donets Depression. The identified lithofacies (alluvial-deltaic, coastal- and shallow-marine, eolian) complexes correspond to the lower (Aquitanian), middle (Burdigalian), and upper (Langian) subformations of the Miocene Novopetrovsk Formation. Placer bodies are confined to the littoral coastal-marine complexes of the middle Novopetrovsk subformation. Placer formation is related to coastline stabilization phases at the regressive stage of the Sub-Paratethys Basin existence. The main prospecting criteria for the identification of promising sectors in the Kharkov–Sumy placer zone are: coastline stabilization areas of the regressive stage of the middle Novopetrovsk basin evolution and development of transverse alluvial-deltaic structures that delivered into the basin low-metalliferous sediments, which distorted the monotonous pattern of alongshore transport and played the role of structural-sedimentational traps. The developed digital lithostructural model of the Krasnokutsk deposit makes it possible to propose a criterion complex for a comparative assessment of different sectors of the deposit to define the priority order of their development. The mineral composition of productive rocks is typical of placers for the study region and rare metal–titanium placers in general. Increased rutile and zircon contents, which augment the industrial value of placers in this zone, are related to the influence of crystalline rocks of the Voronezh Massif.
465-479
Microbiota of Bauxites in the Eva Deposit (Guinea-Bissau)
Abstract
Now more than one century after the publication of works of V.I. Vernadsky and Ya.V. Samoilov, important role of the biogenic factor in the sedimentary ore genesis has become an undeniable fact for all geologists. Discussions at present are concerned mainly with creative nature of the activity of organisms in the formation of specified mineral resources. In the collective monograph of Russian geologists “Biomorphic Structures of Bauxites” published in 2004, based on studying several tens of deposits with a vast age (Late Proterozoic to Quaternary) range and geographic setting (Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and America), active participation of different microbial communities in the bauxite formation was demonstrated. Accomplishment of SEM studies of ores from the Eva bauxite deposit (Guinea-Bissau), an object little known in Russia, continues research works in this field initiated by E.L. Shkol’nik.
480-488
Isotope Characteristics (δ13C, δ18O) of Continental Carbonates from Permian‒Triassic Rocks in the Northeastern Russian Plate: Paleoclimatic and Biotic Reasons and Chemostratigraphy
Abstract
Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions were determined in the pedogenic, sedimentary, and organogenic carbonates from Upper Permian (Vyatkian Stage) and Lower Triassic (Induan Stage) continental rocks in the northeastern Moscow Syneclise. Variations of δ18O (18.0 to 29.1‰ SMOW) and δ13C (‒8.8 to 0.7‰ PDB) in them could be provoked both by regional climatic fluctuations and by perturbation of the global carbon cycle at the Permian‒Triassic boundary. Decrease of δ18O in pedogenic carbonates at the top of the Vyatkian Stage was likely caused by cooling on the northeastern side of Pangea. The negative excursion of δ13C values at this stratigraphic level correlates with the analogous excursion recorded in marine carbonates of the Paleo- and Neotethys and corresponds to the end-Permian biotic event.
489-510
Influence of Fluids on the Species Composition and Preservation of Microfossils in Biogenic Carbonate Sediments in the Pobeda Hydrothermal Cluster (Mid-Atlantic Ridge)
Abstract
Based on materials obtained during Cruise 37 of the R/V Professor Logatchev in the Russian exploration area, the species composition, distribution, and preservation of nanno- and microfossil carbonate shells in biogenic bottom sediments within the Pobeda hydrothermal cluster (17°07.45′–17°08.7′ N MAR) were studied. Physicochemical parameters and total carbonate content were measured and their changes along column sections were revealed. Based on the coccolith assemblages, the studied sediments are assigned to the upper part (acme) of the biostratigraphic zone Emiliania huxleyi. It has been established that the hydrothermal activity zone (Pobeda hydrothermal cluster) is marked usually by a decrease of both total population and species diversity of microrganisms in the lower part of columns. The column is also marked by downsection decrease of Eh, pH, and carbonate content. These changes are attributed to the influence of diffuse hydrothermal fluids.
511-523
Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic Paleoecological Events in the Sedimentary Record of the NE Peri-Tethys and Adjacent Areas: An Overview
Abstract
Manifestations of short-term global and subglobal events have been recognized in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary record of the North Caucasus: Paleocene/Eocene boundary PETM, late Cenomanian (OAE2), late Albian (OAE1c and OAE1d), terminal Aptian–early Albian (OAE1b), early Aptian (OAE1a), late Hauterivian (Faraoni), late Valanginian (Weissert), early Toarcian, late Pliensbachian, and others. The similarities and differences of their sedimentological, geochemical, and paleoecological characteristics were revealed during complex studies. Some events are characterized by both negative and positive carbon and oxygen isotopic anomalies. It was shown that most part of the paleoecological events occurred during the sharp sea-level fluctuations and was frequently accompanied by the accumulation of sediments variably enriched in organic matter (OM). The events were characterized by different-scale turnovers in the microbiota composition. Changes in microfossil assemblages allowed us to estimate the degree of perturbation of the trophic level of basins in response to the terrestrial influx of nutrients during marine transgression.
524-543