ALBERT

Notes: Despite the close association with volcanic activity, the source of metals and ligands in the epithermal ore deposits is still controversial. In order to explore the magmatic–hydrothermal connection further, silicate melt, saline- and water-rich fluids, and CO2 vapours are documented that are trapped as inclusions in quartz phenocrysts from dacitic dykes associated with epithermal gold/base metal mineralization in the Shila district (Peru). Melt inclusion characteristics, and microthermometric and laser Raman fluid inclusion data are presented. The investigation of melt and fluid inclusions reveals that the volatile phase of magmas might represent the precursors to the early chlorine-rich ore-forming epithermal solutions. Microthermometric investigations in magmatic quartz crystals and data on quartz mineralized veins suggest that the fluid evolution and ore deposition may be the result of several processes including: release of an evolving magmatic fluid, and/or boiling, and/or mixing.

Notes: Thermal data represent a valuable remote sensing aid in studying crustal evolution. Heat flow (Q) results from the heat loss by the cooling earth and from the heat production (A) of the radiogenic elements brought to the upper crust by magmatic intrusives. Heat flow is often observed to be linearly related to heat production. The slope of this relation, or thermal depth (D), has been used to infer a global upward enrichment in heat-producing elements. This thermal depth has been equated with the thickness of granites, but such an interpretation has not been confirmed everywhere. The depth to which granitic plutons are rooted can be computed from the inversion of gravity data. It averages 7±2 km and is much smaller than the thermal depth. Granulite facies rocks are assumed to be present in the lower crust on the basis of seismic and geochemical data. These rocks are generally depleted or initially poor in radiogenic elements (U, Th, K). It is suggested that the thermal depth reflects the depth to the depleted layer in continental regions and that it corresponds to the granulitic layer in most places. Worldwide thermal and seismic data support this relationship, although surface heterogeneities introduce complications. Thermal data can therefore be used to constrain the structure of the crust and its evolution through time.

Notes: Abstract Seventy samples of Hercynian peraluminous granites (Guéret, Millevaches and Saint Sylvestre massifs) and metamorphic units of the Limousin area were analysed for Rb−Sr and Sm−Nd. The source rocks of the peraluminous granites can be found in the metamorphic rocks of Limousin, among them meta-igneous rocks were largely predominent over meta-sedimentary rocks in the source of the three granites. Millevaches and Guéret granites were generated by the partial melting of rocks comprising meta-volcanics and meta-sediments, whereas the Saint Sylvestre granite was produced exclusively by the melting of late Precambrian granites. This leads to confusing T DM Nd values, the confusion being amplified by the segregation of monazite during the petrogenetic evolution of the peraluminous granites, which leads to dramatic fractionation in Sm/Nd ratios. The data of the present study tend to demonstrate that peraluminous granites do not give a good representation of isotopic mean crustal estimates. Late Precambrian time seems, however, to have been a period of extensive crustal generation in Western Europe.

Notes: Abstract The granites orthogneisses, hydrothermal albitities and rocks which have suffered uranium mineralization from the Lagoa Real District (South State of Bahia, Brazil) have been investigated by U-Pb, Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd techniques. U-Pb values on zircons from the granitic protolith give an age of 1725 Ma; U-Pb on U-mineralization dates the primary mineralization at 1395 Ma and indicates a reworking at 480 Ma, which may represent the age of the thrusting of the Lagoa Real complex over Espinhaço metasediments during the Brazilian orogeny. These two dates are given by Rb-Sr on albitites, but from sparse information and are not supported by unequivocal arguments. The uranium deposition and sodium metasomatism, however, cannot be linked either with the thermal history of the granite or with Brazilian thrusting. Sm-Nd gives scattered results which are suggestive of autochtonous reworkings of REEs. These results lead to the following suggestions (1) magmatic activity of subalkaline affinity existed within the Sao Francisco craton at about 1.7 Ga (2) such subalkaline plutons are likely sources for U-mineralization (3) at about 1.4 Ga an unknown event caused hydrothermal activity leading to U-deposition at Lagoa Real (4) Brazilian overthrusting at about 480 Ma did not play any genetic role in the hydrothermal activity.

Notes: Abstract The Xihuashan stock (South Jiangxi, China) is composed of cogenetic granitic units (granites Xe, γa, γc, γd and γb) and emplaced during the Yanshanian orogeny (153±0.2 Ma). They are two feldspars, Fe-rich biotite±garnet and slightly peraluminous granites. Primary accessory minerals are apatite 1, monazite, zircon, uranothorite±xenotime in granites Xe and γa, zircon, uranothorite, uraninite, betafite, xenotime 1; hydrothermal minerals are monazite altered into parisite and apatite 2, Y-rich parisite, yttroparisite, Y-rich fluorite and xenotime 2 in granites γc and γb. Petrographic observations, major element, REE, Y and Rb−Sr isotropic data point to a magmatic suite (granites Xe and γa → granites γc and γd → granite γb) distinct from hydrothermal Na-or K-alteration of γb. From granite Xe to granite γb, LREE, Eu, Th and Zr content are strongly depleted, while HREE, Y and U content increase. During K-alteration of γb, these variations are of minor importance. Major and accessory mineral evidences, geochemical and fluid inclusion results indicate two successive alteration fluids interacting with γb, (1) a late-magmatic F− and CO2−rich fluid and (2) a post-magmatic, aqueous and slightly saline fluid. The depletion of LREE and Th content and the increase in HREE, Y and U content correspond, in the magmatic suite to the early fractionation of monazite in the granites where there is no hydrothermal alteration (granites Xe and γe) and to the hydrothermal alteration of monazite into parisite and secondary apatite, intense new formation of yttroparisite, Y enrichment and U loss in the uranothorite and late crystallization of uraninite in the granites γc and γb. Moreover, simulated crystallization of monazite and temperature of monazite saturation show early fractionation of monazite from the magma in the less evolved granites (Xe and γe) and prevailing hydrothermal leaching of monazite in the most evolved granites (γc-γd and γb) related to a late-magmetic event. The slight variations of REE, Y, Th and U content in the K-altered granites compared to granite γb emphazes the distinct chemical nature of the successive hydrothermal fluids. Rb−Sr and Sm−Nd isotopic results point to a 30 Ma period of time between the late-magmatic and the post-magmatic fluid circulation.