Provenance of iron, bauxite and clay deposits of the Carboniferous Benxi Formation in southern margin of North China Craton: An example from Da'an bauxite and clay deposit of Sanmenxia area,Henan Province
Liu Xue-Fei1, Wang Qing-Fei1, Ma Yao1, Li Zhong-Ming2, Zhao Li-Hua1, Zhou Zhi-Hui1, Liu Bai-Shun2, Ma Xin-Li1
1 School of Earth Science and Resources,China University of Geosciences(Beijing),Beijing 100083,China; 2 Geological Survey Institute of Henan Province,Zhengzhou 450001,China
Abstract During the Middle Ordovician to Late Carboniferous period,the North China Craton(NCC)was exposed and experienced prolonged weathering that resulted in the formation of large-scale iron,clay and bauxite deposits. The source of ore-forming material has always been a research focus,in particular,whether the sources of the iron ore and the Fe-bearing clay at the bottom of Benxi Formation are the same as the upper bauxite and clay deposit is still unclear. In this study,the Da'an bauxite and clay deposit at the southern margin of the NCC was chosen to carry out a detailed analysis of the micro-region mineral composition and elemental geochemical characteristics for further exploring the sources of iron,bauxite and clay deposits. The composition of the ore-bearing rocks in the Da'an bauxite deposit from the bottom to top includes Fe-bearing clay(locally iron ore),bauxite,and bauxitic clay;locally,in karstic uplift,bauxitic clay layer is directly overlying on the Fe-bearing clay. The Fe-bearing clay is dominated by siderite,pyrite,and illite in the karstic depression,and hematite,illite,and kaolinite in the uplift. Bauxite is mainly composed of diaspore,illite,and anatase,while bauxitic clay is mainly composed of illite. Mineral microanalysis revealed the development of large amounts of moissanite and small amounts of natural silica,silicalite,and chromite at the bottom of bauxitic clay layer. Regional comparison and correlation reveal that the ophiolite in the Shangdan suture zone and Erlangping Group in the North Qinling orogenic belt(NQOB)likely provides source materials for bauxite and clay deposits. The obvious differences in immobile element ratios (e.g., Zr/TiO2,Hf/TiO2,Nb/TiO2,Ta/TiO2)between the bottom Fe-bearing clay layer and the upper bauxite and clay layer in Da'an deposit,revealing that they are from different sources. The bottom Fe-bearing clay and iron ore layers are the products of in-situ weathering of underlying carbonates,while the top bauxite and clay are allochthonous. The regional uplift of the NQOB during the Late Carboniferous period provided important ore-forming materials for the formation of the NCC bauxite and clay deposits.
Fund:Co-funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos. 41972073,41672089)and the Basic Research Funds of the Ministry of Education(No. 2652019065)
About author: Liu Xue-Fei,born in 1983,is an associate professor and doctoral supervisor of China University of Geosciences(Beijing). He is mainly engaged in the study of supergene process and mineralization. E-mail: lxf@cugb.edu.cn.
Cite this article:
Liu Xue-Fei,Wang Qing-Fei,Ma Yao et al. Provenance of iron, bauxite and clay deposits of the Carboniferous Benxi Formation in southern margin of North China Craton: An example from Da'an bauxite and clay deposit of Sanmenxia area,Henan Province[J]. JOPC, 2020, 22(5): 965-976.
Liu Xue-Fei,Wang Qing-Fei,Ma Yao et al. Provenance of iron, bauxite and clay deposits of the Carboniferous Benxi Formation in southern margin of North China Craton: An example from Da'an bauxite and clay deposit of Sanmenxia area,Henan Province[J]. JOPC, 2020, 22(5): 965-976.
[1] 杜大年. 1995. 河南铝土矿的生成. 河南冶金, (4): 5-15. [Du D N. 1995. The formation of bauxite in Henan Province. Henan Metallurgy, (4): 5-15] [2] 贺淑琴,郭建卫,胡云沪. 2007. 河南省三门峡地区铝土矿矿床地质特征及找矿方向. 矿产与地质, 21(2): 181-185. [He S Q,Guo J W,Hu Y H. 2007. Geological characteristics and prospecting direction of bauxite deposits in Sanmenxia area,Henan Province. Minerals and Geology, 21(2): 181-185] [3] 刘长龄. 1992. 论铝土矿的成因学说. 河北地质学院学报, 15(2): 195-204. [Liu C L. 1992. The genesis of bauxite. Journal of Hebei Institute of Geology, 15(2): 195-204] [4] 刘长龄,时子祯. 1985. 山西、河南高铝黏土铝土矿矿床矿物学研究. 沉积学报, 3(2): 18-36. [Liu C L,Shi Z Z. 1985. Mineralogy of high alumina clay bauxite deposits in Shanxi and Henan. Journal of Sedimentation, 3(2): 18-36] [5] 刘学飞. 2011. 豫西铝(黏)土矿物质组成与成矿过程. 中国地质大学(北京)博士学位论文: 1-176. [Liu X F. 2011. Material Composition and Ore-forming Process of Bauxite(Clay)Deposits in Western Henan,China. Doctoral dissertation of China University of Geosciences(Beijing): 1-176] [6] 刘学飞,王庆飞,李中明,冯跃文,蔡书慧,康微,王佳奇,江露露. 2012. 河南铝土矿矿物成因及其演化序列. 地质与勘探, 48(3): 449-459. [Liu X F,Wang Q F,Li Z M,Feng Y W,Cai S H,Kang W,Wang J Q,Jiang L L. 2012. Mineral genesis and evolutionary sequence of the bauxite deposits in Henan Province. Geology and Exploration, 48(3): 449-459] [7] 卢静文,彭晓蕾,徐丽杰. 1997. 山西铝土矿床成矿物质来源. 长春地质学院学报, 27(2): 147-151. [Lu J W,Peng X L,Xu L J. 1997. Source of ore-forming materials of Shanxi bauxite deposit. Journal of Changchun Institute of Geology, 27(2): 147-151] [8] 孟健寅,王庆飞,刘学飞,孙思磊,李德胜,赵增益,杨中华,武建斌. 2011. 山西交口县庞家庄铝土矿矿物学与地球化学研究. 地质与勘探, 47(4): 593-604. [Meng J Y,Wang Q F,Liu X F,Sun S L,Li D S,Zhao Z Y,Yang Z H,Wu J B. 2011. Mineralogy and geochemistry of Pangjiazhuang bauxite in Jiaokou County,Shanxi Province. Geology and Exploration, 47(4): 593-604] [9] 王庆飞,邓军,刘学飞,张起钻,李中明,康微,蔡书慧,李宁. 2012. 铝土矿地质与成因研究进展. 地质与勘探, 48(3): 430-448. [Wang Q F,Deng J,Liu X F,Zhang Q Z,Li Z M,Kang W,Cai S H,Li N. 2012. Review on research of bauxite geology and genesis in China. Geology and Exploration, 48(3): 430-448] [10] 吴国炎. 1996. 河南铝土矿床. 北京: 冶金工业出版社,1-83. [Wu G Y. 1996. Henan Bauxite Deposits. Beijing: Metallurgical Industry Press,1-83] [11] 徐树桐,刘贻灿,陈冠宝,季寿元,倪培,萧万生. 2005. 大别山及苏鲁地区微粒金刚石分类及其大地构造意义. 地质通报, 24(12): 1081-1088. [Xu S T,Liu Y C,Chen G B,Ji S Y,Ni P,Xiao W S. 2005. Classification of fine-grained diamonds in Dabie Mountain and Sulu area and their tectonic significance. Geological Bulletin, 24(12): 1081-1088] [12] 袁跃清. 2005. 河南省铝土矿床成因探讨. 矿产与地质, 19(1): 52-56. [Yuan Y Q. 2005. Origin of bauxite deposits in Henan Province. Mineral and Geology, 19(1): 52-56] [13] 赵运发,柴东浩. 2002. 山西铝土矿成矿因素探讨. 有色矿山, 31(6): 1-5. [Zhao Y F,Chai D H. 2002. Discussion on metallogenic factors of Shanxi bauxite. Nonferrous Mine, 31(6): 1-5] [14] Bernatowicz T,Fraundorf G,Tang M,Anders E,Wopenka B,Zinner E,Fraundorf P. 1987. Evidence for interstellar SiC in the Murray Carbonaceous meteorite. Nature, 330: 728-730. [15] D’Argenio B,Mindszenty A. 1995. Bauxites and related paleokarst: Tectonic and climatic event markers at regional unconformities. Eclogae Geologica Helvetiae, 88(3): 453-499. [16] Deng J,Qiu K F,Wang Q F,Goldfarb R J,Yang L Q,Zi J W,Geng J Z,Ma Y. 2020. In-situ dating of hydrothermal monazite and implications on the geodynamic controls of ore formation in the Jiaodong gold province,eastern China. Economic Geology, 115(3): 671-685. [17] Dunkl I. 1992. Origin of the Encene-covered karst bauxites of the Transdanubian Central Tange(Hungary)evidence from Early Eocene volcamism. European Journal of Mineralogy, 4(3): 581-595. [18] Kaminskiy F V,Bukin V I,Potapov S V,Arkus N G,Ivanova V G. 1968. Occurrences of silicon carbide under natural conditions and their genetic significance. Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR Seriya Gologicheskaya, 6: 57-66. [19] Kaminskiy F V,Bukin V J,Potapov S V,Arkus N G,Ivanova V G. 1969. Discoveries of silicon carbide under natural conditions and their genetic importance. International Geology Review, 11(5): 561-569. [20] Kusky T M,Polat A,Windley B F,Burke K C,Dewey J F,Kidd W S F,Maruyama S,Wang J P,Deng H,Wang Z S,Wang C,Fu D,Li X W,Peng H T. 2016. Insights into the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton through comparative tectonic analysis: A record of outward growth of Precambrian continents. Earth Sciences Review, 162: 387-432. [21] Lai S C,Zhang G W,Dong Y P. 2003. Characteristics and spatial distribution of ophiolite and related igneous rocks in Qinling-Dabie Mianlue tectonic zone. Science in China, 33: 1174-1182. [22] Leung I S,Huo W,Freindman I,Gleason J. 1990. Natural occurrence of silicon carbide in a diamondiferous kimberlte from Fuxian. Nature, 364: 352-354. [23] Liu J,Zhao Y,Liu A,Zhang S,Yang Z,Zhuo S. 2014. Origin of Late Palaeozoic bauxites in the North China Craton: Constraints from zircon U-Pb geochronology and in situ Hf isotopes. Journal of the Geological Society, 171(5): 695-707. [24] Liu X F,Wang Q F,Deng J,Zhang Q Z,Sun S L,Meng J Y. 2010. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations of the Dajia Salento-type bauxite deposits,western Guangxi,China. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 105(3): 137-152. [25] Liu X F,Wang Q F,Feng Y W,Li Z M,Cai S H. 2013. Genesis of the Guangou karstic bauxite deposit in western Henan,China. Ore Geology Reviews, 55(3): 162-175. [26] Lyakhovich V V. 1980. Origin of accessory moissanite. International Geology Review, 22(8): 961-970. [27] Mathez E A,Fogel R A,Hutcheon I D,Marshintsev V K. 1995. Carbon isotopic composition and origin of SiC from kimberlites of Yakutia,Russia. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 59(4): 781-791. [28] Mindszenty A. 1984. The lithology of some Hungarian bauxites: A contribution of the paleogeographic reconstruction. Acta Geologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 27(3-4): 441-455. [29] Moissan H. 1904. Nouvelles recherches sur la météorité de Cañon Diablo. Comptes Rendus, 139: 773-786. [30] Mongelli G,Buccione R,Gueguen E,Langone A,Sinisi R. 2016. Geochemistry of the apulian allochthonous karst bauxite,Southern Italy: Distribution of critical elements and constraints on Late Cretaceous Peri-Tethyan palaeogeography. Ore Geology Reviews, 77: 246-259. [31] Qi X X,Yang J S,Xu Z Q,Bai W J,Zhang Z M,Fang Q S. 2007. Discovery of moissanite in retrogressive eclogite from the Pre-pilot hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project(CCSD-PP2)and its geological implication. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 23(12): 3207-3214. [32] Trumbull R B,Yang J S,Robinson P T,Di Pierro S,Vennemann T,Wiedenbeck M. 2009. The carbon isotope composition of natural SiC(moissanite)from the Earth's mantle: New discoveries from ophiolites. Lithos, 113(3-4): 612-620. [33] Tang M,Anders E,Hoppe P,Zinner E. 1989. Meteoritic silicon carbide and its stellar source: Implications for galactic chemical evolution. Nature, 339: 352-354. [34] Wang Q F,Liu X F,Yan C H,Cai S H,Li Z M,Wang Y R,Zhao J M,Li G J. 2012. Mineralogical and geochemical studies of boron-rich bauxite ore deposits in the Songqi region,SW Henan,China. Ore Geology Reviews, 48: 258-270. [35] Wang Q F,Deng J,Liu X F,Zhao R,Cai S H. 2016. Provenance of Late Carboniferous bauxite deposits in the North China Craton: New constraints on marginal arc construction and accretion processes. Gondwana Research, 38: 86-98. [36] Wang Y,Zhou L,Zhao L,Ji M,Gao H. 2010. Paleozoic uplands and unconformity in the North China Block: Constraints from zircon LA-ICP-MS dating and geochemical analysis of Bauxite. Terra Nova, 22(4): 264-273. [37] Wang Y,Zhou L,Liu S,Li J,Yang T. 2018. Post-cratonization deformation processes and tectonic evolution of the North China Craton. Earth-Science Reviews,177(1):320-365. [38] Xu S,Wu W,Xiao W,Yang J,Chen J,Ji S,Liu Y. 2008. Moissanite in serpentinite from the Dabie Mountains in China. Mineralogical Magazine, 72(4): 899-908. [39] Xu S T,Liu Y S,Jiang L L,Su W,Ji S Y. 1994. Tectonic Regime and Evolution of Dabie Mountains. Beijing: Science Press,1-175. [40] Yu W C,Algeo T J,Yan J X,Yang J H,Du Y S,Huang X,Weng S F. 2019. Climatic and hydrologic controls on upper Paleozoic bauxite deposits in South China. Earth-Science Reviews, 189: 159-176. [41] Zhai M G,Fan Q C,Zhang H F,Sui J L,Shao J A. 2007. Lower crustal processes leading to Mesozoic lithospheric thinning beneath eastern North China: Underplating,replacement and delamination. Lithos, 96(1): 36-54. [42] Zhao L H,Liu X F. 2019. Metallogenic and tectonic implications of detrital zircon U-Pb,Hf isotopes,and detrital rutile geochemistry of Late Carboniferous karstic bauxite on the southern margin of the North China Craton. Lithos, 350-351: 1-30. [43] Zhao G C,Zhai M G. 2013. Lithotectonic elements of Precambrian basement in the North China Craton: Review and tectonic implications. Gondwana Research, 23(4): 1207-1240. [44] Zhao G C,Wilde S A,Guo J H,Cawood P A,Sun M,Li X P. 2010. Single zircon grains record two Paleoproterozoic collisional events in the North China Craton. Precambrian Research, 177(3-4): 266-276.
