Anomalous Concentrations of Trace Elements in the Spetsugli Germanium Deposit (Pavlovka Brown Coal Deposit,Southern Primorye): Communication 2. Rubidium and Cesium

Data on Rb and Cs concentrations in typical (in terms of Ge content) and Ge-bearing coals, as well as host sedimentary rocks and underlying granites, are reported. It is shown that all Miocene deposits within ore zone are strongly enriched in these elements relative to Ge-barren areas of the deposit. The relative Cs accumulation is several times higher relative to Rb, because Ge-bearing sediments are characterized by anomalously low Rb/Cs ratio (up to 0.9). The average Cs concentration in coals (30.3 ppm) is more than one order of magnitude higher than the typical content in such rocks, while the maximal contents (57.2 ppm) exceed all known highest Cs contents found in solid fuel. Differences in Rb and Cs accumulation were found in the following sequence: coals (A^d < 50%)–coaly siltsones (50% < A^d < 75%)–coal-free and low-coaly silty sandstones and mudstones (A^d > 75%). The Rb content in this sequence increases, while the Cs content reaches maximum (up to 118.1 ppm) in the coaly siltstones. The anomalous Rb and Cs accumulation in Ge-bearing sediments is related to the circulation of volcanogenic thermal solutions, which are enriched in Ge, Rb, and Cs. It is suggested that Rb is mainly sorbed by clayey particles, whereas Cs is concentrated in the organic matter as well. This work presents the first data on high contents and distribution of Rb and Cs in Ge-bearing coals of the Pavlovka deposit. The data obtained make its possible to consider Rb and Cs as new associated elements of Ge mineralization, although their occurrence mode differs from that of Ge.