洛川黄土-红粘土序列铁氧化物组成及其古气候指示

对洛川黄土、古土壤和红粘土中磁性矿物组成、成因和相关系进行了研究。结果表明:黄土磁性矿物以风尘磁铁矿为主,少量的成土赤铁矿和成土磁赤铁矿;古土壤磁性矿物以成土磁赤铁矿为主,成土赤铁矿次之,少量的风尘磁铁矿和赤铁矿;红粘土磁性矿物以成土赤铁矿为主,风尘磁铁矿和成土磁赤铁矿次之,少量风尘赤铁矿。黄土、古土壤和红粘土磁性矿物组成差异,反映了其形成期不同的古气候特性以及不同气候条件下生物地球化学作用强度的差异。干冷的冰期,黄土弱成土作用形成了以粗颗粒的风尘磁铁矿核 赤铁矿边的磁化率载体。间冰期的温暖湿润的古气候最有利于生物活动,强烈生物活动导致古土壤中大量纳米超细磁赤铁矿/磁铁矿产生,形成以磁赤铁矿为主,风尘磁铁矿核 赤铁矿边为辅的磁化率载体。红粘土成壤期,强降雨强蒸发的长干短湿的高温炎热的古气候使得红粘土化学风化强烈,生物地球化学活动较弱,形成以磁铁矿核 赤铁矿边和磁赤铁矿核 赤铁矿边的磁化率载体。黄土、古土壤和红粘土磁性矿物组成、磁性矿物相关系是其形成期独特的古气候指示。     

磷灰石对湖泊沉积物中水铁矿稳定性的制约

通过在滇池开展原位实验,研究探讨了湖泊沉积物中磷灰石制约水铁矿分解和转化的机制,以及二者共存时的环境效应。结果表明:将水铁矿放置到沉积物中1个月,矿物保持稳定;放置时间达到3个月时,添加磷灰石实验中水铁矿发生了显著物相转变。冬天(12—2月)实验中,转化产物随深度的变化趋势为针铁矿+磁(赤)铁矿→针铁矿+纤铁矿→针铁矿;夏天(6—9月)实验中,转化产物随深度的变化趋势为针铁矿+纤铁矿+磁(赤)铁矿→针铁矿+纤铁矿→未转化。透射电镜分析结果显示冬天实验中生成的磁性铁氧化物为纳米磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿,夏天实验中产生的则主要为纳米磁铁矿。X射线光电子能谱分析结果显示冬天表层实验样品具有较高P含量。分析表明的湖泊沉积物中磷灰石促进水铁矿转化的过程为:(1)微生物促进磷灰石溶解;(2)磷灰石溶解释放的P促进铁还原菌生长;(3)铁还原菌促进水铁矿还原;(4)水铁矿还原产生的溶解态Fe²⁺催化水铁矿向针铁矿、纤铁矿和磁铁矿转化。冬天及沉积氧化-还原界面最适宜磷灰石分解菌和铁还原菌生长,水铁矿的转化和P释放能力也更强,相应地内源磷释放的风险也更大。     

Thermally induced alterations of minerals during measurements of the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility: a case study from the hydrothermally altered Soultz-sous-Forêts granite,France

Identification of magnetic minerals using the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility in low field (κ–T) combined with optical microscopy, microprobe, X-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis provided new constraints on the alteration of Fe-bearing minerals of the magnetite-bearing Soultz-sous-Forêts granite from the EPS-1 borehole (upper Rhine Graben, France). While relatively fresh granite shows largely reversible κ–T curves typical of magnetite, the altered granite revealed a wide variety of irreversible heating and cooling curves, which allowed an assignment to different alteration stages under specific geochemical conditions. Though paramagnetic minerals like Fe-bearing carbonates, pyrite, or antiferromagnetic hematite could not be detected according to their Curie or Neél temperature, they were identified due to reactions to new ferrimagnetic phases during the heating/cooling experiments at specific temperatures. Mineral reactions were proved by measurements of the single mineral phases hematite, Fe-carbonates, and illite. Our mineralogical results combined with the thermomagnetic measurements imply that first faulting of the granite occurred already during cooling of the magma, which caused a first magnetite oxidation event. During uplift of the granitic body and exposure to a paleo-erosion surface, strongly acidic fluids, emerged from pyrite oxidation, caused a decomposition of Fe-bearing minerals like martite (hematite derived from magnetite oxidation) and Fe-carbonates and an ongoing transformation of magnetite to martite. Subsequently, precipitation of fine-grained hematite was restricted only to the upper part of the pluton. In the deeper part of the borehole, pyrite was preserved from oxidation. In an active fault, zone martite was reduced back to magnetite, which can be explained with the occurrence of organic matter transported by fluids.     

Quantitative mineralogical and chemical assessment of the Nkout iron ore deposit,Southern Cameroon

The Nkout deposit is part of an emerging iron ore province in West and Central Africa. The deposit is an oxide facies iron formation comprising fresh magnetite banded iron formation (BIF) at depth, which weathers and oxidises towards the surface forming caps of high grade hematite/martite–goethite ores. The mineral species, compositions, mineral associations, and liberation have been studied using automated mineralogy (QEMSCAN^®) combined with whole rock geochemistry, mineral chemistry and mineralogical techniques. Drill cores (saprolitic, lateritic, BIF), grab and outcrop samples were studied and divided into 4 main groups based on whole rock Fe content and a weathering index. The groups are; enriched material (EM), weathered magnetite itabirite (WMI), transitional magnetite itabirite (TMI) and magnetite itabirite (MI). The main iron minerals are the iron oxides (magnetite, hematite, and goethite) and chamosite. The iron oxides are closely associated in the high grade cap and liberation of them individually is poor. Liberation increases when they are grouped together as iron oxides. Chamosite significantly lowers the liberation of the iron oxides. Automated mineralogy by QEMSCAN^® (or other similar techniques) can distinguish between Fe oxides if set up and calibrated carefully using the backscattered electron signal. Electron beam techniques have the advantage over other quantitative mineralogy techniques of being able to determine mineral chemical variants of ore and gangue minerals, although reflected light optical microscopy remains the most sensitive method of distinguishing closely related iron oxide minerals. Both optical and electron beam automated mineralogical methods have distinct advantages over quantitative XRD in that they can determine mineral associations, liberation, amorphous phases and trace phases.     

Mechanisms of iron oxide transformations in hydrothermal systems

Coexistence of magnetite and hematite in hydrothermal systems has often been used to constrain the redox potential of fluids, assuming that the redox equilibrium is attained among all minerals and aqueous species. However, as temperature decreases, disequilibrium mineral assemblages may occur due to the slow kinetics of reaction involving the minerals and fluids. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments in which hematite or magnetite was reacted with an acidic solution under H₂-rich hydrothermal conditions (T = 100-250 °C, ) to investigate the kinetics of redox and non-redox transformations between hematite and magnetite, and the mechanisms of iron oxide transformation under hydrothermal conditions. The formation of euhedral crystals of hematite in 150 and 200 °C experiments, in which magnetite was used as the starting material, indicates that non-redox transformation of magnetite to hematite occurred within 24 h. The chemical composition of the experimental solutions was controlled by the non-redox transformation between magnetite and hematite throughout the experiments. While solution compositions were controlled by the non-redox transformation in the first 3 days in a 250 °C experiment, reductive dissolution of magnetite became important after 5 days and affected the solution chemistry. At 100 °C, the presence of maghemite was indicated in the first 7 days. Based on these results, equilibrium constants of non-redox transformation between magnetite and hematite and those of non-redox transformation between magnetite and maghemite were calculated. Our results suggest that the redox transformation of hematite to magnetite occurs in the following steps: (1) reductive dissolution of hematite to and (2) non-redox transformation of hematite and to magnetite.     

钛磁铁矿的制备及其异相Fenton反应催化性能

在水相中合成了钛磁铁矿（Fe3-xTixO4）,并用XRD、MSssbauer、TG-DSC和SEM等手段对合成的Fe3-xTixO4进行了表征。结果表明,合成的Fe3-xTixO4为立方晶系尖晶石结构,样品中的钛离子都已经进入其晶格中;钛掺杂有抑制钛磁铁矿进一步向钛磁赤铁矿转化和稳定尖晶石结构的作用。此外,以亚甲基蓝降解为探针反应,考察了钛磁铁矿异相Fenton反应的催化性能。实验表明,钛含量较高的钛磁铁矿是一种性能优越的异相Fenton反应催化剂。     

陇西第三纪红土磁学性质初步研究

在六盘山以西广泛分布着一套第三纪红色土状沉积,对这套沉积的成因及性质还没 有系统的研究。本文对陇西红土磁学性质的研究发现,该地红土的剩磁载体由主到次依次为磁铁矿、磁赤铁矿和赤铁矿,赤铁矿对剩磁有比较显著的贡献;特征剩磁载体主要是磁铁矿,一些古土壤中的赤铁矿也携带了部分特征剩磁,磁赤铁矿的存在不影响特征剩磁的稳定性。与六盘山以东宝鸡红土最显著的差异是陇西红土中的赤铁矿对磁学性质有明显的影响。与第四纪黄土一古土壤序列的热磁学性质的差异在于陇西红土在高温下仅产生少量或不产生强磁性矿物。这可能暗示着红土中含铁硅酸盐和粘土等矿物(可能在高温下产生磁铁矿)处于与黄土一古土壤的相应矿物不同的演化阶段。     

Geochemistry of magnetite and maghemite in soils in European Russia

A method is proposed for determining the proportions of soluble Fe oxides (magnetite, FeOFe₂O₃, and maghemite, γ-Fe₂O₃) based on the measured magnetic susceptibility before and after treatment of soil with the Tamm or Mehra-Jackson (DCB) reagents. The development of hydromorphism in steppe soils in Ciscausiaia is associated with an increase in the magnetite fraction and, consequently, the average magnetite: maghemite ratio increases from 0.8–0.9 to 1.1. In these soils, smectites facilitate magnetite oxidation to maghemite. Soddy-podzolic and dark humic soils in the Cis-Ural region are noted for low values of the magnetite: maghemite ratio (0.5 on average) due to maghemite predominance. Soils in the Cis-Ural region on cover red-earth clays inherit lithogenic Fe oxides: hematite and maghemite. Hydromorphism in humid environments in northern taiga is accompanied by a significant increase in the magnetite: maghemite ratio to 4–9. Some issues of Fe geochemistry in magnetite and maghemite are considered.     

硫酸盐对磁赤铁矿—磁铁矿厌氧转化过程的影响

磁赤铁矿可以在厌氧微生物作用下固相转化为磁铁矿,这种转化过程具有重要的矿物学及环境磁学意义。文章通过开展硫酸盐还原菌（SRB） —磁赤铁矿交互作用实验,重点探讨了SRB 活性对磁赤铁矿—磁铁矿固相转化速率的影响。在31 d 培养期内,SO₄^2-+SRB+磁赤铁矿体系中SRB 的生长导致16.7%的SO₄^2-转化为酸可挥发性硫（AVS）,部分还原释放的Fe（II） 与AVS 反应生成单硫化物、双硫化物和多硫化物,同时铁氧化物因溶解作用粒径减小;在无SO₄^2-的SRB+磁赤铁矿体系中, SRB 还原产生的Fe （II） 主要存在于铁氧化物中,没有次生沉淀产生。X 射线衍射和穆斯堡尔谱分析结果表明在SRB 作用下纳米磁赤铁矿逐渐向磁铁矿转化,加入SO₄^2-时转化速率加快,与矿物接触的SRB 菌体的数量及其向磁赤铁矿传递电子的能力均得到了增强。在天然或人工厌氧条件下,SO₄^2-是制约磁赤铁矿向磁铁矿转化的重要因素。     

塔里木盆地西北缘库孜贡苏剖面晚白垩世-早中新世沉积物岩石磁学研究

对塔里木盆地西北缘库孜贡苏剖面晚白垩世-早中新世沉积物进行了热退磁及岩石磁学研究,结果表明岩石热退磁及岩石磁学特征随沉积环境可分为三种类型:潮下、台地边缘浅滩相岩石主要磁性矿物为磁铁矿及少量针铁矿、磁赤铁矿,磁性矿物含量较少、颗粒较小（假单畴）,其天然剩磁强度较小,一般小于1×10-2 A/m,在250℃~500℃能获得稳定特征剩磁方向,特征剩磁由磁铁矿携带;潮间、潮上带岩石主要磁性矿物为磁铁矿,〖JP2〗并含有少量磁赤铁矿、赤铁矿、针铁矿,磁性矿物颗粒为假单畴和多畴,天然剩磁强度一般在1×10-2 ~1 A/m之间,在250℃~580℃能获得稳定特征剩磁方向,特征剩磁由磁铁矿携带;河湖相岩石主要磁性矿物为磁铁矿、赤铁矿,并含有少量磁赤铁矿、针铁矿,磁性矿物含量较多、颗粒较小（假单畴）,天然剩磁强度一般在1×10-1 A/m以上,多数样品特征剩磁由赤铁矿携带,少数由磁铁矿与赤铁矿共同携带。岩石磁学研究对于在沉积环境复杂剖面进行古地磁研究具有重要的意义。     

Evidence for a simple pathway to maghemite in Earth and Mars soils

Soil magnetism is greatly influenced by maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), the presence of which is usually attributed to the following: (1) heating of goethite in the presence of organic matter; (2) oxidation of magnetite (Fe₃O₄); or (3) dehydroxylation of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH). Formation of the latter two minerals in turn requires the presence of Fe(II) in the system. No laboratory experiment or soil study to date has shown whether maghemite can form from ferrihydrite, a poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxide [∼Fe_4.5(O,OH,H₂O)_13.5], below 250°C. However, ferrihydrite is the usual precursor of goethite (α-FeOOH) and hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), the most frequently occurring crystalline Fe(III) oxides in soils. Here is presented in vitro evidence that ferryhidrite can partly transform into maghemite at 150°C. This transformation occurs upon aging of ferrihydrite precipitated in the presence of phosphate or other ligands capable of ligand exchange with Fe-OH surface groups. This maghemite coexists with hematite and is a transient phase in the transformation of ferrihydrite to hematite, which is apparently stabilized by the adsorbed ligands. Its particle size is small (10 to 30 nm), and its X-ray diffraction pattern exhibits superstructure reflections. The possible formation of maghemite in Mars and in different Earth soils can partly be explained in the light of this pathway with minimal ad hoc assumptions.     

青藏高原腹地湖泊沉积物磁化率及其环境意义

通过青藏高原腹地可可西里边缘地区BDQ0608 钻孔岩芯分析,表明其岩性主要为浅绿色湖相沉积物,其中夹杂部分较薄的氧化色层段.热退磁表明:BDQ0608钻孔中磁性矿物主要有磁铁矿、磁赤铁矿、针铁矿和胶黄铁矿,赤铁矿表现不太明显,其组分含量直接控制磁化率值的大小;并且对样品进行了磁化率、粒度、总有机碳及色度的测定.磁化率...     

机械研磨作用对磁铁矿低温氧化及磁化率的影响

磁铁矿是岩石、土壤和沉积物中少量而又普遍存在的副矿物,是环境磁记录的主要载体.磁铁矿在表生地质过程中受到机械、生物和化学风化作用使其结构、粒径、氧化程度、磁学性质发生一系列变化,这些变化对环境磁学以及表生地质过程的研究具有重要意义.从矿物学角度研究了磁铁矿粒径、相转变、氧化程度和磁化率随着研磨时间的变化规律.结果表明,平均粒径为4 μm的磁铁矿在研磨1 h后粒径变化趋于稳定,但随着研磨时间的增加,磁化率逐步降低而氧化率逐渐增加.通过对研磨后样品进行XRD分析表明,随着研磨时间的增加,磁铁矿衍射峰强度明显减弱,衍射峰宽化,赤铁矿的衍射峰强度逐渐增强.由此可见,原生磁铁矿(对沉积物而言属于碎屑磁铁矿)低温氧化产物是赤铁矿而不是磁赤铁矿.在表生地质演化过程中颗粒的机械碰撞不仅使磁铁矿颗粒变细,而且可能影响到磁铁矿常温氧化、磁学性质和晶体结构.     

Using oxygen isotope chemistry to track hydrothermal processes and fluid sources in itabirite-hosted iron ore deposits in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero,Minas Gerais,Brazil

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil, is presently the largest accumulation of single itabirite-hosted iron ore bodies worldwide. Detailed petrography of selected hypogene high-grade iron ore bodies at, e.g. the Águas Claras, Conceição, Pau Branco and Pico deposits revealed different iron oxide generations, from oldest to youngest: magnetite → martite (hematite pseudomorph after magnetite) → granoblastic (recrystallised) → microplaty (fine-grained, <100 μm) → specular (coarse-grained, >100 μm) hematite. Laser-fluorination oxygen isotope analyses of selected iron ore species showed that the δ¹⁸O composition of ore-hosted martite ranges between ?4.4 and 0.9?‰ and is up to 11?‰ depleted in ¹⁸O relative to hematite of the host itabirite. During the modification of iron ore and the formation of new iron oxide generations (e.g. microplaty and specular hematite), an increase of up to 8?‰ in δ¹⁸O values is recorded. Calculated δ¹⁸O values of hydrothermal fluids in equilibrium with the iron oxide species indicate: (1) the involvement of isotopically light fluids (e.g. meteoric water or brines) during the upgrade from itabirite-hosted hematite to high-grade iron ore-hosted martite and (2) a minor positive shift in δ¹⁸O_fluid values from martite to specular hematite as result of modified meteoric water or brines with slightly elevated δ¹⁸O values and/or the infiltration of small volumes of isotopically heavy (metamorphic and/or magmatic) fluids into the iron ore system. The circulation of large fluid volumes that cause the systematic decrease of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios from itabirite to high-grade iron ore requires the presence of, e.g. extensive faults and/or large-scale folds.     

Physical properties and petrologic description of rock samples from an IOCG mineralized area in the northern Fennoscandian Shield, Sweden

The Tjårrojåkka Fe–Cu-prospect in northern Sweden is considered an example of a Fe-oxide Cu–Au (IOCG) deposit and is hosted in metamorphosed Paleoproterozoic volcanic and intrusive rocks. Rock samples from 24 outcrops were collected for petrophysical analysis (magnetic susceptibility, remanent magnetization, variation of magnetic susceptibility with temperature, Curie temperature and density). The major Cu-prospect in the area has been studied by magnetic and electron microprobe analyses of four selected rock samples. The samples are from an exploration well that intersects the main Cu-mineralized body.The magnetic analyses show that magnetite is the dominant magnetic mineral, while hematite and other Fe-minerals are present in minor amounts. The electron microprobe observations confirm the presence of magnetite and further indicate that hematite is an alteration product of magnetite. Moreover, microprobe observations indicate that Fe-sulfides are present in negligible amounts in the samples from the Tjårrojåkka area. The strong spatial relationship of Cu-minerals (e.g., chalcopyrite) and the oxidation of magnetite to hematite suggest that the presence of rocks with low magnetic susceptibility in areas dominated by high susceptibility rocks may be a signal of related Cu-prospects.     

The Horto-Baratinha itabirite-hosted iron ore: A basal fragment of the Espinhaço basin in the eastern São Francisco Craton

The Horto-Baratinha (HBD) iron ore deposit is located at the eastern border of São Francisco Craton, comprising BIF-hosted high-grade bodies (>60 wt.% Fe) associated with polydeformed quartz-mica-schists, amphibole-schist of Statherian maximum deposition age, enclosed by Statherian granitoids of the Borrachudos Suite and Neoarchean gneiss. All the sequence is crosscut by undeformed dikes and sills of pegmatitic bodies probably formed during Late Ediacaran-Cambrian. The metasedimentary sequence is stratigraphically correlatable with the Orosirian-Statherian Serra da Serpentina and Serra de São José Groups that comprise the basal units of the Espinhaço Supergroup and was intensively segmented into distinct tectonic blocks. The sedimentary/diagenetic bedding of the metamorphosed BIF (itabirite) is generally transposed by an axial planar schistosity. The lamellar hematite from itabirite is the oldest iron oxide generation, which was formed during the syn-deformational stage, parallel-oriented to the rock foliation. The (keno)magnetite grains from itabirite, iron ore and pegmatite bodies developed as idioblasts that grew over the foliation formed during late and post-deformational stages. Magnetite oxidizes subsequently to martite and granular hematite. Coarse lamellar hematite crystals randomly oriented in the border of the pegmatitic bodies also formed during the post-deformational stage due to hydrothermal reaction with itabirite. The country rocks have undergone at least three stages of deformation developed during the syn-collisional and late-collisional (Ediacaran to early-Cambrian) phases of the Brasiliano Orogeny: stage 1 with the development of a pervasive foliation (S₁), parallel to axial plane to tight folds and transposition of all sedimentary structures; stage 2 with folding of S₁; stage 3 with refolding of S₁. Both fold systems interfere with each other making up a dome and basin refolding shape. During the late-collisional (Ediacaran to early-Cambrian) and post-collisional/gravitational collapse (Cambrian) the sequence was intruded by anatectic pegmatitic bodies, which are part of the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province, one of the most significant pegmatitic regions worldwide. The fluid related with these intrusions could be related with the Si leaching, crystallization of magnetite and granular hematite, and consequent formation of high-grade iron bodies.     

库尔茨克铁矿床的环境矿物学

开发新技术是解决与铁矿选矿有关的环境问题的有效途径。综合性矿物学研究有助于选矿过程的改进。笔者与IPKON研究所的专家们一起研究开发一种电化学的方法,以改善制备用于湿法磁选的矿粉的性质并研究了使用电化学方法前后样品的性状。采用扫描电镜(SEM)技术研究矿物颗粒表面,发现其在絮化作用中的差异; 偏极化曲线的测定可以揭示磁铁矿、赤铁矿和假象赤铁矿等矿物表面的不均等电化学过程; X 射线分析和穆斯堡尔谱数据亦可确定电化学处理前后矿粉样品成分的变化。所研究样品的磁性,在采用该方法前后样品的对比揭示其在:磁粘滞性(Svo)、磁饱和场的破坏(Hcr)、磁化率(χ)、及磁化强度(Is)等参数的相应增大。     

Examples and genetic significance of the formation of iron oxides in the Nigerian banded iron-formations

Ore microscopic studies reveal two main parageneses in the banded iron-formations of Nigeria. In the low-grade metamorphic schist belts of northern Nigeria, a magnetitic paragenesis comprising magnetite, silicates (grunerite and garnet), and quartz is developed. Magnetite which sometimes contains carbonate inclusions is markedly martitized. In contrast, the higher-grade metamorphic terrains of central Nigeria exhibit a different paragenesis consisting of hematite (including specularite) and quartz. Here, minerals of the magnetitic paragenesis only occur as relics. The protolith of these banded iron-formation occurrences envisioned as carbonate-containing sediments, with high concentrations of Fe and Si, and lower contents of Ca, Mg, Al (and also Mn where they are associated with gondite) underwent both submarine weathering and metamorphic changes in their evolution. During submarine weathering, sheet silicates and porphyroblasts of Fe-Mn-(Mg-Ca)-carbonate solid solutions, were formed. At the outset of a regional metamorphic episode, grunerite, garnet and porphyroblastic magnetite were developed. Magnetite formed at the expense of carbonate and sheetsilicates but was later martitized under post-metamorphic conditions. In the course of a later heterogeneous tectono-metamorphic event, martitized magnetite was transformed as follows: under low-grade metamorphism, as observed in the northern Nigerian schist belts, recrystallization into coarse-grained martite occurred, while at the higher grades of metamorphism in central Nigeria, recrystallization into hematite and, ultimately, specularite, took place. This relationship between magnetite and hematite has also been observed in many other banded iron-formations from different parts of the world, thus underscoring its widespread significance. Magnetite crystallizes first at the expense of carbonate and silicate minerals and hematite is subsequently derived from it directly or generally through martitization. This metamorphic phenomenon contradicts the common assumption that magnetite and hematite in banded iron-formations are invariably the products of direct precipitation from solution, in response to changes in environmental Eh/pH or different (reducing/oxidizing) diagenetic alterations of precipitated ferric hydroxide.     

Cobalt‐Bearing Grunerite in the Metamorphosed Banded Iron Formation in Orissa,India

Banded iron formation (BIF) comprising high grade iron ore are exposed in Gorumahisani‐Sulaipat‐Badampahar belt in the east of North Orissa Craton, India. The ores are multiply deformed and metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. The mineral assemblage in the BIF comprises grunerite, magnetite/martite/goethite and quartz. Relict carbonate phases are sometimes noticed within thick iron mesobands. Grunerite crystals exhibit needles to fibrous lamellae and platy form or often sheaf‐like aggregates in linear and radial arrangement. Accicular grunerite also occur within intergranular space of magnetite/martite. Grunerite needles/accicules show higher reflectivity in chert mesoband and matching reflectance with that of adjacent magnetite/martite in iron mesoband. Some grunerite lamellae sinter into micron size magnetite platelets. This grunerite has high ferrous oxide and cobalt oxide content but is low in Mg‐ and Mn‐oxide compared to the ones, reported from BIFs, of Western Australia, Nigeria, France, USA and Quebec. The protolith of this BIF is considered to be carbonate containing sediments, with high concentrations of Fe and Si but lower contents of cobalt and chromium ± Mg, Mn and Ni. During submarine weathering quartz, sheet silicate (greenalite) and Fe‐Co‐Cr (Mg‐Mn‐Ni)‐carbonate solid solution were formed. At the outset of the regional metamorphic episode grunerite, euhedral magnetite and recrystalized quartz were developed. Magnetite was grown at the expense of carbonate and later martitized under post‐metamorphic conditions. With the increasing grade of metamorphism greenalite transformed to grunerite.     

Composition and Assemblage Characteristics of Magnetic Minerals in Layer S_(5-1) of Xifeng and Duanjiapo Sections

Magneticmineralsintheloess paleosolseriesaccountforabout 1 % -2 %ofthetotal (LiuTungshengandZhangZhonghu ,1 962 ) .Duetotheiraerolianorigin ,themagneticmineralsarecomplicatedincomposition ,largeingrainsizerange ,andsignificantlydifferentincrystallinity .Asaresult,researchonthesemagneticmineralswouldbesetwithalotofdifficulties.Previousre searchersemployedopticalmicroscopic ,X raydiffractionandM ssbauerspectrometrictechniquestostudythemagneticmineralsintheloess paleosolseries,andchieflyontheb…