Organic petrology and geochemistry of the Carboniferous coal seams from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (NW Spain)

This paper presents for the first time a petrological and geochemical study of coals from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (North Spain) of Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian), mainly of Moscovian, age. A paleoenvironmental approach was used, taking into account both petrographic and organic geochemical studies. Vitrinite reflectance (R_r) ranges from 0.5% to 2.5%, which indicates a high volatile bituminous to semianthracite and anthracite coal rank. The coal samples selected for paleoenvironmental reconstruction are located inside the oil–gas-prone phase, corresponding to the interval between the onset of oil generation and first gas generation and efficient expulsion of oil. This phase is represented by coals that have retained their hydrocarbon potential and also preserved biomarker information. Paleodepositional reconstruction based on maceral and petrographic indices points to a swamp environment with vitrinite-rich coal facies and variable mineral matter content. The gelification index (GI) and groundwater influence index (GWI) indicate strong gelification and wet conditions. The biomarkers exhibit a high pristane/phytane ratio, suggesting an increase in this ratio from diagenetic processes, and a high diterpanes ratio. This, in turn, would seem to indicate a high swamp water table and a humid climate. The maximum point of coal accumulation occurred during the regressive part of the Late Moscovian sequence and in the most humid climate described for this period of time in the well-known coal basins of Europe and North America.     

Quality of selected coal seams from Indiana: implications for carbonization

The chemical properties of two high-volatile bituminous coals, the Danville Coal Member of the Dugger Formation and the Lower Block Coal Member of the Brazil Formation from southern Indiana, were compared to understand the differences in their coking behavior. It was determined that of the two, the Lower Block has better characteristics for coking. Observed factors that contribute to the differences in the coking behavior of the coals include carbon content, organic sulfur content, and oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratios. The Lower Block coal has greater carbon content than the Danville coal, leading to a lower O/C ratio, which is more favorable for coking. Organic sulfur content is higher in the Lower Block coal, and a strong correlation was found between organic sulfur and plasticity. The majority of the data for both seams plot in the Type III zone on a van Krevelen diagram, and several samples from the Lower Block coal plot into the Type II zone, suggesting a perhydrous character for those samples. This divergence in properties between the Lower Block and Danville coals may account for the superior coking behavior of the Lower Block coal.     

Petrographic properties of major coal seams in Turkey and their formation

Most types of coal in Turkey are generally low in rank: lignite, and subbituminous. Most of the coal was formed during the Miocene, Eocene, and Pliocene ages. There are only a few thin Jurassic-age coal occurrences in Turkey. Pennsylvanian age bituminous coal is found on the Black Sea coast. General implications of the petrographic properties of Turkey's coal seams and coal deposits have not yet been taken into consideration comparatively or as a whole.For this study, about 190 channel samples were collected from different locales. The composite profile samples of the seams were taken into considerations. The content and depositional properties as well as some chemical and physical properties of the main coal seams are compared. All coal samples tend to have similar coal petrographic properties and were deposited in intermontane lacustrine basins. Later, they were affected by faulting and post-depositional volcanic activity. As a result, there are variations in the properties and rank of the coal samples. The most abundant coal maceral group is huminite and the most abundant maceral is gelinite. The liptinite and inertinite contents of the coal are low and the maceral contents of the coals show great similarity. The depositional environments of the all coals are lacustrine dominated.     

Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of a Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous) coal from the central Appalachian Basin,USA

Peat mires retain a sensitive record of water‐table (base‐level) fluctuations throughout their accumulation. On this basis, coals provide one of the best opportunities to interpret high‐resolution base‐level change in ancient non‐marine deposits. The petrographic composition of 275 samples collected from 11 localities along a 100 km south‐west to north‐east transect across the regionally extensive (>37 000 km²) Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous) Fire Clay coal of the Central Appalachian Basin, USA was analysed to determine its internal stratigraphy. The coal is positioned within the late lowstand/early transgressive systems tract of a fourth‐order depositional sequence. The results of the petrographic analyses reveal a cyclicity in the composition of the Fire Clay coal, which defines six units that are correlated over more than 100 km. Each coal cycle is characterized by a gradual upward transition from vitrinite‐dominated to inertinite‐dominated coal, which represents a ‘drying‐up’ succession. Increased concentrations of resistant peat components at the top of the drying‐up successions indicate reduced peat accumulation rates associated with slowing rate of water‐table rise, and may represent a residue of peat remaining from a phase of exposure and erosion resulting from a falling water table. These drying‐up successions are bound by surfaces that display an abrupt coal facies shift from inertinite‐rich to vitrinite‐rich coal, representing a rapid water‐table rise. Each cycle represents markedly different mire conditions with different aerial distributions, which supports the notion of temporal disconnection between each unit of coal, and suggests that considerable time may be ‘locked‐up’ in unit bounding exposure surfaces. Recognition that the rate of peat accumulation in a mire may vary considerably through time, has important implications for studies which assume that peat and coal successions provide continuous and time‐invariant records of base‐level fluctuations or palaeoecological change.     

Petrography and Geochemistry of the Upper Triassic Sandstones from the Western Ordos Basin,NW China: Provenance and Tectonic Implications

Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the Upper Triassic sandstones in the western Ordos Basin were studied to provide insight into weathering characteristics, provenance, and tectonic implications. Petrographic features show that the sandstones are characterized by low-medium compositional maturity and textural maturity. The CIA and CIW values reveal weak and moderate weathering history in the source area. The geochemical characteristics together with palaeocurrent data show that the northwestern sediments were mainly derived from the Alxa Block with a typical recycled nature, while the provenance of the western and southwestern sediments were mainly from the Qinling-Qilian Orogenic Belt. The tectonic setting discrimination diagrams signify that the parent rocks of sandstones in the western and southern Ordos Basin were mainly developed from continental island arc, which is closely related to the evolution of the Qinling-Qilian Orogenic Belt. However, the sandstones in the northwestern Ordos Basin show complex features, which may be resulted from a typical recycling process. Overall evidence from petrography, geochemistry and sedimentology, together with previous researches suggest the Kongtongshan and Helanshan areas were the southwestern and northwestern boundary of the Ordos Basin, respectively, and there was no clear boundary between the Hexi Corridor Belt and Ordos Basin, where a large, uniform sediment dispersal system developed during the Late Triassic.     

The role of sulphide and carbonate minerals in the concentration of chalcophile elements in the bituminous coal seams of a paralic series (Upper Carboniferous) in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), Poland

Sulphide and carbonate minerals from nine bituminous coal seams of a Paralic Series were investigated by means of polished-section microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and absorption spectral analyses. In addition to syngenetic accumulations of kaolinite, illite and quartz, diagenetic veinlets of subhedral pyrite and marcasite most often occur in vitrinite clast fissures and in post-tectonic fissures, nests and lenses with fusinite. Epigenetic anhedral and subhedral grains of ankerite, dolomite, siderite and calcite are also frequently found in post-tectonic veins. Pyrite replaced some of the marcasite grains and it dominates in older coal seams in the Flora Beds as compared with the Grodziec Beds. Occasionally there are anhedral and subhedral galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite grains among coal macerals as well as cerussite among post-tectonic carbonate veins. They all represent the only minerals that are abundant in definite chalcophile elements (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn). In addition to the minerals just mentioned, the elements occurred in pyrite and ankerite grains, which contained inclusions of fusinite and other minerals (among others, clay and carbonate minerals in pyrite, pyrite in carbonates). Although there is a low content of minerals accumulating Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, the minerals significantly influence the average concentration of elements in the coal seams. In the Grodziec Beds, mineral matter, especially carbonates and sulphides, determines (>50%) the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in coal. The basic part of Cd, Co and Ni in the coal seams of the Grodziec Beds and of Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in coal seams of the Flora Beds originates from organic matter. These regularities can be important, from an ecological perspective, in stating whether the coals investigated are useful for combustion and in chemical processing.     

Petrography and chemistry of sandstones from the Swiss Molasse Basin: an archive of the Oligocene to Miocene evolution of the Central Alps

Abstract Oligocene to Miocene fluvial sandstones from the Swiss Molasse Basin were analysed for sandstone framework composition, heavy minerals, whole‐rock geochemistry and detrital chrome spinel chemistry. Samples were taken from the proximal part of the basin close to the Alpine main thrust and are chronostratigraphically calibrated between 31 and 13 Ma. Sandstone composition allows the identification of different source rocks, and their variation in time and space place constraints on the Oligocene to Miocene evolution of the Central Alps. In the eastern part of the basin, sandstones document a normal unroofing sequence with the downcutting from Austroalpine sedimentary cover into Austroalpine crystalline rocks and, slightly later at ≈ 21 Ma, into Penninic ophiolites. In the central part, downcutting into crystalline basement rocks occurred at ≈ 25 Ma, and the removal of the sedimentary cover was much more advanced than in the east. This may be interpreted as a first signal from the doming of the Lepontine area. At ≈ 20 Ma, extensional tectonics in the hinterland led to the first exposure of low‐grade metamorphic rocks from the footwall of the Simplon Fault in the Central Alps. Erosion of these rocks persisted up to the youngest sediments at ≈ 13 Ma. In the western part of the basin, a contribution from granitoid and (ultra)mafic rocks is documented as early as ≈ 28 Ma. The source for the (ultra)mafic detritus is Penninic ophiolites from the Piemonte zone of the western Alps, which were already exposed at the surface at that time.     

Petrography and geochemistry of the late Eocene–early Oligocene submarine fans and shelf deposits on Lemnos Island,NE Greece. Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

Provenance and tectonic history of the late Eocene‐early Oligocene submarine fans and shelf deposits on Lemnos Island, NE Greece, were studied using sandstone framework composition, sedimentological data and sandstone and mudstone geochemistry. The resulting tectonic–sedimentological model is based on the late Eocene–early Oligocene Lemnos Island being in a forearc basin with the outer arc ridge as a major sediment source. Modal petrographic analysis of the studied sandstones shows that the source area comprises sedimentary, metamorphic and plutonic igneous rocks deposited in the studied area in a recycled orogenic environment. Moreover, within the above sediments, the minor occurrence of volcanic fragments suggests little or no influence of a volcanic source. Provenance results, based on major, trace and rare earth element (REE) data, suggest an active continental margin/continental island arc signature. All the samples are LREE, enriched relative to HREE, with a flat HREE pattern and positive Eu anomalies, suggesting that the processes of intracrustal differentiation (involving plagioclase fractionation) were not of great importance. Results derived from the multi‐element diagrams also suggest an active margin character, and a mafic/ultramafic source rock composition, while the positive anomaly of Zr that can be attributed to a passive continental margin source, is most likely associated with reworking and sorting during sediment transfer. Palaeocurrents, with a NE–NNE direction, indicate a northeast flow, towards the location of the late Eocene–early Oligocene magmatic belt in the north‐east Aegean region. Conglomerates are composed of chert, gneiss and igneous fragments, such as basalts and gabbros, suggesting this outer arc ridge as a likely source area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical modelling of the thermal evolution of the northwestern Dniepr–Donets Basin (Ukraine)

The Dniepr–Donets Basin (DDB) is a Late Devonian rift structure located within the East-European Craton. Numerical heat flow models for 13 wells calibrated with new maturity data were used to evaluate temporal and lateral heat flow variations in the northwestern part of the basin.The numerical models suggest that heat flow was relatively high during Late Carboniferous and/or Permian times. The relatively high heat flow is probably related to an Early Permian re-activation of tectonic activity. Reconstructed Early Permian heat flow values along the axial zone of the rift are about 60 mW/m² and increase to 90 mW/m² along the northern basin margin. These values are higher than those expected from tectonic models considering a single Late Devonian rifting phase. The calibration data are not sensitive to variations in the Devonian/Carboniferous heat flow. Therefore, the models do not allow deciding whether heat flows remained high after the Devonian rifting, or whether the reconstructed Permian heat flows represent a separate heating event.Analysis of the vitrinite reflectance data suggest that the northeastern Dniepr–Donets Basin is characterised by a low Mesozoic heat flow (30–35 mW/m²), whereas the present-day heat flow is about 45 mW/m².     

Petrography and metamorphism of the lower Gondwana (Permian) coal of Rangit Valley, eastern Himalays, India

A triangular outlier of coal-bearing lower Gondwana rocks comprises a tectonic window within the Precambrian metamorphic terrain of the Rangit Valley, in the eastern Himalays of India. Due to a series of tectonic events which took place during the Mesozoic and Tertiary the succession has become reversed and the coal has undergone severe physical, chemical, microstructural and optical changes. Studies reveal that (1) the rank of the coal prior to tectonism was low, (2) the coal underwent oxidation in the peat forming stage and during subsequent orogenic stages but effect of oxidation on the properties of coal was insignificant, (3) the coal reached its present abnormally high rank mainly due to heating under tectonic pressure and (4) the heat which was generated due to tectonic pressure, affected all the coal seams of this belt.     

滇西北兰坪盆地金顶超大型矿床有机岩相学和地球化学

云南兰坪金顶矿床是世界上形成时代最新且唯一陆相沉积岩容矿的超大型铅锌矿床,也是中国目前最大的铅锌矿床,有机物质在金属成矿中可能发挥重要作用,受人关注.矿石及矿化岩石中产有包括干酪根、轻油、烃类气、重油、沥青及方解石中石油、甲烷包裹体等多种形式、产状和成熟度的有机物质,油气显示突出,古油气藏遗迹明显,是金顶古油气藏在铅锌成矿过程中热成熟、裂解和被改造、破坏不同阶段的产物.有机物质的氯仿沥青"A"变化大(72×106～395415.42×106)."A"的族组分中,总烃(58.47%)大于"非烃 沥青烯"(41.53%),饱和烃/芳香烃比值大于1,具Ⅰ型有机母质特征.有机转化率(A/C=0.5%～7.2%)较矿床外围岩石低,有机热成熟度高.矿石及矿化岩石中有机质的饱和烃包括正构烷烃、Pr、Ph和iC18等化合物,碳数分布介于C10～C34之间,C21 22/C28 29=0.78～3.582,Pr/C17=0.25～0.646,Ph/C18=0.39～1.57,有机母质为海相菌藻类.有机质中检测出萘、菲、三芳甾烷、联苯、荧蒽等芳香烃类化合物,菲系列化合物最为明显,MPI1=0.215～0.434,MPI2=0.252～0.588,菌藻等有机母质发育在高盐度还原沉积环境,烃源岩主要是三叠系残留海相碳质泥岩和泥灰岩.伴随金顶局部穹隆过程,很可能在金顶穹隆中形成油气藏,它是矿区铅锌快速大规模集中成矿的重要还原剂之一.     

Petrography and geochemistry of septarian carbonate concretions from the Boom Clay Formation (Oligocene,Belgium)

The septarian carbonate concretions from the Boom Clay (Belgium) consist mainly of authigenic minerals such as micrite ( 70% bulk volume) and pyrite framboids ( 3%). These mineral phases occur between detrital grains and fossils. The septarian cracks are lined with calcite, which is sometimes covered with pyrite. The preservation of delicate sedimentological features in the concretion matrix (hardly compacted faecal pellets, burrows and uncrushed shells) points to an early origin of the concretions. Systematic geochemical variations from concretion centre to edge suggest that growth continued during shallow burial. The13C values (–17.5 to –20.5) of the concretionary carbonate show that bacterial sulphate-reduction processes were dominant. Sulphate-reduction-derived HCO3- was diluted by marine-related HCO3-, derived from dissolved bioclasts. A slight enrichment in 13C during growth is caused by the decreasing influence of sulphate reduction because of the progressive closure of the diagenetic system due to shallow-burial compaction. The 18O values (–0.5 to +1.0) of the concretionary carbonate point to a marine origin. The slightly 18O-depleted signature with respect to time-equivalent marine-derived carbonate relates to the incorporation of an 18O-depleted component, originating from sulphate and organic matter. The slight decrease in 18O during growth relates to an increasing influence of this component and to a decreasing influence of seawater-derived oxygen during early diagenesis.     

Distribution of Selected Critical Elements in the Carboniferous Coal-bearing Series of the Upper Silesian and Lublin Coal Basins (Poland)

The distribution of selected critical elements in the sedimentary rocks of the Carboniferous coal-bearing series within the Polish Coal Basins is presented.Critical elements such as Be,Mg,Si,P,Sc,V,Co,Y,Nb,In,Sb,La,Ce,Hf,Ta,W,Bi were analysed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP/MS).Concentrations of elements such as Sb,Bi,In and,to a slightly lesser extent,Nb,as well as Sc,show average concentrations higher than those from the upper continental crust.The average concentrations of elements like Hf,Mg,P,Y,La,and Ce are slightly lower than in the upper continental crust.Other elements,such as Be,Co,Si,Ta,W and V have average concentrations that are similar,but slightly enriched or slightly depleted,relative to the upper continental crust.The research showed enrichment of some critical elements in the analysed samples,but not high enough that extraction would be economically viable.Statistical methods,which include correlation coefficients between elements and cluster analysis,reveal a strong positive correlation between elements like Be,Bi,Nb,Sc,Ta,W and V.Very high,almost total,positive correlation is also noted between La and Ce.     

神东矿区煤的煤岩特征及热解生烃潜力研究

通过系统研究神东矿区主要可采煤层的煤岩特征,以及神木煤的热解试验结果,探讨了不同煤岩组成的生烃性能。研究认为,神东煤有机质含量高;热解液态烃产率低,气态烃产率较高;镜质组含量与生烃潜量具有明显的正相关关系,煤中丰富的镜质组是主要的成烃母质。不同煤岩成分和类型的研究结果表明,亮型煤生烃性能最好,母质最优;暗型煤生烃性能及母质较差。     

Geochemistry, mineralogy, and technological properties of the main Stephanian (Carboniferous) coal seams from the Puertollano Basin, Spain

This study is focused on the occurrence and distribution of mineral matter and major and trace elements in the high volatile bituminous coal from Puertollano (south-central Spain). The relationship between ash behaviour and inorganic composition, as well as the possible formation of fouling and slagging deposits in boilers during the conversion process, were investigated. The Puertollano coals do not exhibit plastic properties, despite their rank, probably because of their high ash and inertinite contents.The Puertollano coal has medium to low total S content (0.48% to 1.63% db, with a mean of 1.0% db) and is characterised by relatively high contents of Si, Pb, Sb, and Cs. Some elements such as As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ge, Li, Mn, Ni, W, and Zn are also present in relatively high contents. The enrichment in a number of heavy metals could be attributed to the common sulphide ores occurring near the Puertollano coal deposit.The following trace elements affinities are deduced: (a) sulphide affinity: As, Co, Cd, Cu, Ni, Sb, Tl, and Zn; (b) aluminum–silicate affinity: K, Ti, B, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu Ga, Hf, Li, Nb, Rb, Sn, Ta, Th, V, Zr, and LREE; (c) Carbonate affinity: Ca, Mg, Mn, and B; (d) organic affinity: B.The very high Si levels and the anomalous enrichment in Cs, Ge, Pb, Sb, and Zn shown by the Puertollano coals account for the high contents of these elements in the Puertollano fly ash when compared with the other Spanish coal fly ashes.The chemical composition of the high temperature ash (HTA) is consistent with the trend shown by the ash fusion temperatures (AFT) and also with the predictive indices related to slagging and fouling propensities. Thus, the ash fusion temperatures increase with high values of Al₂O₃ as well as with the decrease in Fe₂O₃, CaO, and MgO.     

Microfacies and depositional environment of Tertiary Tanjung Enim low rank coal, South Sumatra Basin, Indonesia

The South Sumatra basin is among the most important coal producing basins in Indonesia. Results of an organic petrography study on coals from Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra Basin are reported. The studied low rank coals have a mean random huminite reflectance between 0.35% and 0.46% and are dominated by huminite (34.6–94.6 vol.%). Less abundant are liptinite (4.0–61.4 vol.%) and inertinite (0.2–43.9 vol.%). Minerals are found only in small amounts (0–2 vol.%); mostly as iron sulfide.Based on maceral assemblages, the coals can be grouped into five classes: (1) humotelinite-rich group, (2) humodetrinite-rich group, (3) humocollinite-rich group, (4) inertinite-rich group and (5) humodetrinite–liptinite-rich group. Comparing the distribution of maceral assemblages to the maceral or pre-maceral assemblages in modern tropical domed peat in Indonesia reveals many similarities. The basal section of the studied coal seams is represented typically by the humodetrinite–liptinite-rich group. This section might be derived from sapric or fine hemic peat often occurring at the base of modern peats. The middle section of the seams is characterized by humotelinite-rich and humocollinite-rich groups. The precursors of these groups were hemic and fine hemic peats. The top section of the coal seams is typically represented by the humodetrinite-rich or inertinite-rich group. These groups are the counterparts of fibric peat at the top of the modern peats. The sequence of maceral assemblages thus represents the change of topogenous to ombrogenous peat and the development of a raised peat bog.A comparison between the result of detailed maceral assemblage analysis and the paleodepositional environment as established from coal maceral ratio calculation indicates that the use of coal maceral ratio diagrams developed for other coal deposits fails to deduce paleo-peat development for these young tropical coals. In particular, mineral distribution and composition should not be neglected in coal facies interpretations.     

Potential source rocks, organic geochemistry and thermal maturation in the southern depocenter (Kipourio–Grevena) of the Mesohellenic Basin, central Greece

The study area is the southern depocenter (depth > 4200 m) of the Mesohellenic Basin which extends between Kipourio and Grevena, central Greece. The Mesohellenic Basin is a Middle-Tertiary intramontane basin developed within the Hellenide orogen. Previous studies have focused on the depositional environments, configuration and hydrocarbon potential of the basin. In this paper we present additional geochemical and petrographic data from outcrop samples of the basin's southern depocenter, which is considered the most promising area, in terms of hydrocarbon prospectivity. A total number of thirty six samples were analysed: Rock-Eval pyrolysis, maceral analysis, vitrinite reflectance and thermal alteration index, bitumens extraction, liquid chromatography, and GC-MS. The samples were collected from deltaic deposits and submarine fan sediments of Late Eocene to Late Oligocene age. The TOC values of the analysed samples range between rich and very rich and the organic matter consists mainly of type III kerogen and the organic matter consider to be predominately gas prone. The thermal maturity assessed from T_max and vitrinite reflectance shows an immature stage of the organic matter along with the presence of layers having reached the very early mature stage. Vitrinite reflectance measurements and maturity calculations (applying the Lopatin modeling), reveal that the lower part of the depocenter sediments falls within the ‘oil window’. The extractable organic matter (EOM) (mg bitumens/g TOC) indicate the existence of samples (from deltaic deposits) with high ratio of transformation (EOM) (> 100 mg bitumen/g TOC). The GC and GC-MS analyses of the biomarkers indicate mainly the occurrence of terrestrial organic matter reflecting oxidizing conditions and both immature and very early mature stages. The results of the Rock-Eval pyrolysis and the distribution of the isoprenoids support the assumption of the input of an organic matter mixture.     

Landslide protection of the historical heritage in Odessa (Ukraine)

This study focuses on the specifics of modern geological conditions and deformations of landslide-affected slopes within the historical center of the city of Odessa. Landslide protection was developed in the 19th century and during 1960s on adjacent coastal areas, according to urban planning and landslide protection plans. The historical center was formed around the Odessa port and includes several unique architectural monuments such as the 142-m-long Potemkin Stairs, Primorsky Boulevard, and the Odessa Opera Theater. Architectural and urban planning designs in the city include landslide protection and preventive measures. Results of landslide studies show that landslide development along the Odessa coast is influenced primarily by tectonic movements and the heterogeneity of the geological substrata. All historical and contemporary protective and preventive landslide measures maintain their engineering geological integrity and effectiveness despite the differences in time of their construction and design.     

Petrological features of a Numidian section in the Lucanian Apennine (southern Italy)

A continuous section of Numidian sandstones cropping out along the eastern margin of the Lucanian Apennine (southern Italy) has been studied in relation to its petrographic and geochemical aspects. Owing to their simple mineralogy, both chemical and petrographic classifications indicate that the sandstones are subarkoses. They are characterized by high mineralogical maturity, poor sorting, abundant siliciclastic matrix and subangular quartz grains. The principal composition is Q_80–94 F_6–20 L_0–1 corresponding to SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃/K₂O ratios ranging from 37·216 to 17·124 and from 1·182 to 0·514 respectively. Two quartz grain types were distinguished: deformed and undeformed quartz grains, the former generally subangular in shape and the latter rounded. Two distinct origins of detritus can be suggested; (i) the undeformed and rounded quartz grains derive from arenaceous continental sequences; (ii) the siliciclastic matrix, the deformed subangular quartz grains, the heavy minerals and the large crystals of K-feldspar probably derive from a crystalline basement formed by low–medium–high grade metamorphic rocks and granitoids. The Numidian subarkoses represent the mixing of these two components. Both kinds of detritus can be referred to the African Craton where crystalline basement is extensively overlain by Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sandstones. The different proportions of the two components in the mixture account for the variability of the sandstone composition and might explain the mixed Numidian successions cropping out in various sectors of the Mediterranean area. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

纳米比亚欢乐谷地区白岗岩岩石学及地球化学特征

对纳米比亚欢乐谷地区的白岗岩进行了详细的岩石学和地球化学特征研究,初步讨论了白岗岩成因。研究结果表明,欢乐谷地区白岗岩的矿物组成和化学成分显示了较大的变化范围,白岗岩岩性主要为正长花岗岩和二长花岗岩,部分为碱长花岗岩、英云闪长岩和花岗闪长岩等。根据岩石和矿物的颜色、结构、矿物学特征、矿化特点等,可将其划分为A、B、C、D、E、F 6种类型,并且从A类至F类,白岗岩的形成时间顺序为由早到晚。白岗岩具有高硅、高碱和低锰、镁、钠、磷、钙的特点,为高钾钙碱性系列钾玄岩系列的准铝质过铝质岩石。不同类型的白岗岩主量元素特征未显示出它们是同源岩浆演化的产物,而可能是达马拉造山运动晚期构造演化不同阶段的产物。