Journal of Geochemical Exploration最新文献

{"title":"Geochemistry of scandium in pelagic sediments from the Pacific Ocean: Implication to the resource assessment of deep-sea REE-rich mud","authors":"Yanhui Dong ,&nbsp;Huan Zhang ,&nbsp;Tianyi Wang ,&nbsp;Yuwei Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaohan Gong ,&nbsp;Zhiming Zhu ,&nbsp;Weiyan Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaohu Li ,&nbsp;Huaiming Li ,&nbsp;Fengyou Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>With the rapid development and wide use of fuel cells and scandium (Sc)-aluminum (Al) alloy, the demand for Sc may increase significantly in the future. Due to the lack of independent deposits, Sc is mainly derived from comprehensive utilization at present, which may cause a potential resource risk for the green economy in the future. It has been reported that deep-sea rare earth elements (REE)-rich mud is also enriched in Sc, but the geochemical properties of Sc in pelagic sediments are still poorly understood. In this study, bulk sediments geochemical data of China Ocean Mineral Resources R&amp;D Association cruises at the Western Pacific and the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone combined with <em>in-situ</em> chemical composition of fish teeth (ichthyoliths or bioapatite) and ferromanganese micronodules are used to reveal the geochemical characteristics of Sc in pelagic sediments. The frequency distribution of Sc contents in sediments from the Western Pacific and the CCFZ showed regional variability, with median values of ∼19 ppm and ∼ 24 ppm, respectively. Scandium is commonly enriched in REE-rich sediment layers unassociated with hydrothermal activity, with a median content of ∼38.4 ppm. The Sc contents of the pelagic clay are generally higher than that of calcareous ooze and siliceous ooze. Compared to REE-rich sediments, Sc is concentrated in bioapatites (up to ∼250 ppm) but deficient in micronodules (∼2–20 ppm). Based on the <em>in-situ</em> geochemical results and the correlations between Sc and other major elements, clay minerals and bioapatites are likely to be the main Sc host phases in deep-sea sediments. Considering the high commercial price of Sc and its highest value proportion (&gt;20 %) among REEs, Sc should not be ignored in the resource assessment of REE-rich sediments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140558518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contamination characteristics of uncultivated arable lands and health risk warning based on the predicted heavy metal content in rice—Dongting Lake Basin, China","authors":"Chen Wu ,&nbsp;Feng Li ,&nbsp;Shengwei Yi ,&nbsp;Xiangxi Ding ,&nbsp;Yujun Wu ,&nbsp;Fei Ge ,&nbsp;Xionghui Ji ,&nbsp;Yun Liu ,&nbsp;Jiang Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107466","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>An arable land shortage is emerging due to soil pollution and a growing population, with many cultivated areas experiencing high-intensity utilisation. Uncultivated arable land (UAL) represents a potential resource, essential for safeguarding future food supply. However, the contamination characteristics and risks of heavy metals (HMs) in UAL remain unclear, hindering safe crop production when UAL is activated for farming. A total of 52 soil samples of UAL were collected in the Dongting Lake Basin, China, to assess contamination levels and potential risks of HMs. The study found that Cd (1.11 mg⋅kg⁻¹) and As (43.48 mg⋅kg⁻¹) were the primary pollutants responsible for ecological and occupational health risks in UAL of the Dongting Lake Basin, which were derived from industrial and agricultural sources, respectively. Should these UAL be reclaimed for rice production, dietary exposure to HMs would pose significant non-carcinogenic and unacceptable carcinogenic risks based on predictive models utilising the bioavailable HM content in the soil. According to the predicted content of HMs in rice and the total amount of HMs in soil, UAL was categorized into four groups (reclamation, reclamation after restoration, ecological remediation, and strict control). To ensure the safety of rice production, it is suggested that UAL in the west and south of Dongting Lake Basin could be reclaimed after ecological monitoring and restoration, while UAL in the east of the study area was classified as requiring strict control. This study provides support for reasonable reclamation and risk assessment of UAL.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140539215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review on assessment of heavy metals toxicity in freshwater fish species: Current scenario and remedial approaches","authors":"Arvind Kumar Sharma ,&nbsp;Munish Sharma ,&nbsp;Simran Sharma ,&nbsp;Davendra Singh Malik ,&nbsp;Munit Sharma ,&nbsp;Munish Sharma ,&nbsp;Amit Kumar Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Heavy metal contamination poses a significant threat to freshwater ecosystems. This systematic review aimed to assess the current status and knowledge regarding heavy metal toxicity in freshwater fish species and remedial approaches for reducing its adverse effects.</p></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><p>Multiple scientific databases were screened to find peer-reviewed articles published between the years 2000 and 2023 that contained the topic of this study. Heavy metals, freshwater fish species, toxicity, and remedial measures were among the keywords and controlled vocabulary included in the search strategy.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>As a result of this review 180 eligible studies were found suitable based on inclusion criteria in the systematic review. Maximum freshwater sources have been contaminated with heavy metals like “lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, fluoride” which harm freshwater fish species. Due to fish bio-cumulative power, some fish species accumulate higher heavy metal concentrations in their body tissues. Species in higher trophic levels accumulate the most heavy metals, posing a serious health risk to humans. The remedial approaches must be considered to mitigate the negative effects of these heavy metals. Various aquatic macrophytes plants are used for remediation purposes to remove heavy metals from aquatic sources as a green technology for remediation purposes to mitigate metal pollution.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>In this systematic review, heavy metal toxicity in freshwater fish species is discussed along with remediation approaches to reduce its impact on freshwater fish species. For the prevention of adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems caused by heavy metal contamination, this contamination must be studied and monitored.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140558519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mineralogical and geochemical constraints on the origin of alunite and APS minerals from advanced argillic alteration systems: A case study from Kuh-e-Lakht Au-Ag-Cu mineralization, NE Isfahan, Iran","authors":"Marjan Naderi ,&nbsp;Soroush Modabberi ,&nbsp;Alexandre Tarantola ,&nbsp;Hooshang Asadi Haroni","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107467","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A significant association of alunite supergroup minerals commonly associated with quartz and pyrite is found in the Kuh-e-Lakht district of NE Isfahan, Iran. These minerals occur as pervasive alterations and within hydrothermal quartz veins. Based on field observations, microscopic studies, and geochemical analyses, the alunite subgroup exhibits noticeable variations in morphology, composition, and geochemical signatures between areas with moderate to high mineralization and those with poor mineralization. Poorly mineralized regions contain aluminum-phosphate-sulfate (APS)-free minerals of the alunite subgroup formed from steam-heated acid or supergene processes at an estimated temperature of about 200 °C, with a higher K₂O than Na₂O content. These crystals exhibit pseudocubic or acicular habits and zoned formations with rhythmic bands and lack APS minerals. Moderately to highly mineralized areas in Kuh-e-Lakht host tabular to platy and bladed alunite subgroup crystals with a hypogene origin, formed at around 250 °C, characterized by a higher or equal Na₂O content compared to K₂O. These areas also feature APS minerals with different modes of occurrence. In the southwestern, north-central, and northwestern parts, a strong genetic link with high-sulfidation minerals like pyrite, enargite, and chalcopyrite is observed. Alunite subgroup crystals with the highest Na₂O/K₂O ratio or equal values, as well as APS minerals with svanbergite-woodhouseite composition, occur within alunite crystals or as individual euhedral crystals exhibiting complex oscillatory zoning. These characteristics confirm a close association with the ore formation period and also the influence of higher-temperature fluids with magmatic-hydrothermal components, likely originating in closer proximity to intrusive sources. The estimated temperature for the alunite subgroup and associated ore minerals in these areas falls in the range of approximately 250 °C to 300 °C.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140546220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geochemical constraints on the Gano karst bauxite deposit, eastern Alborz Mountains, northern Iran: Implications for provenance, elemental mobility, and distribution of critical metals","authors":"Maryam Khosravi ,&nbsp;Wenchao Yu ,&nbsp;Ali Abedini ,&nbsp;Jintao Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107468","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107468","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Gano karst bauxite deposit is located in the eastern Alborz Mountains, 90 km NE of Semnan city, northern Iran. The layers and lenticular patches of bauxite are hosted in the Triassic karstified carbonate rocks interbedded with calcareous shale of the Elika Formation, unconformably overlain by siliciclastics of the early Jurassic Shemshak Formation. The bauxite ores have a mineral assemblage dominated by diaspore and hematite, with lesser kaolinite, illite, chlorite, goethite, anatase, dolomite, and quartz. In the Gano area, intrusions range from monzonite to quartz monzonite in composition with an alkaline composition that generated in an extensional regime within a plate tectonic setting. Geochemical signatures of the Gano bauxite ores suggest a derivation from the monzonite intrusions at the base of the Elika Formation, although a contribution of interbedded calcareous shale of the Elika Formation cannot be excluded. Based on the variation of Ce anomaly across the studied profile and the integration of petrographic evidence and mineralogical and geochemical data, the Gano deposit formed in an oxidized environment under warm-humid climates, significantly linked to rainfall seasonality and groundwater-level fluctuations. Gallium, Nb, and V median values of the Gano bauxite ores are a bit above the maximum value of these critical metals in the northwestern Iranian and Alborz bauxite data set, making diaspore-, anatase-, and hematite-rich layers and lenses valuable for further exploration of these critical metals.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140539213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatio-temporal fluid evolution of gold deposit in the Jiaodong Peninsula, China: A case study of the giant Xiling deposit","authors":"Bing Yu ,&nbsp;Qingdong Zeng ,&nbsp;Hartwig E. Frimmel ,&nbsp;Hongrui Fan ,&nbsp;Jianling Xue ,&nbsp;Jinhui Yang ,&nbsp;Jinjian Wu ,&nbsp;Zhian Bao","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Xiling gold deposit (&gt;592 t @ 4.02 g/t) in the eastern Zhaoyuan-Laizhou gold belt of the Jiaodong Peninsula, is currently the largest gold deposit and deepest gold mine in China. This study presents microthermometric fluid inclusions data on quartz gangue, as well as trace element and S isotope data on pyrite from different mineralization stages and depths in the Xiling gold deposit to provide new insights into the spatio-temporal evolution of the ore-forming fluid that led to a giant Early Cretaceous gold deposit in the Jiaodong Peninsula. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite range from 7.5 to 15.2 ‰, but vary temporally and spatially, reflecting a changes in physicochemical conditions as the ore-forming fluid migrated to different crustal levels over time, also suggesting Precambrian basement as the principal sulfur source. Trace element analyses of pyrite revealed that ore-forming metals were scavenged from the wall rock and then incorporated into the pyrite. Fluid inclusions data reveal that the ore-forming H₂O-CO₂-NaCl ± CH₄ fluid had a medium to high temperature (283–401 °C), medium-low salinity (1.91–8.00 wt% NaCl equivalent), analogous to most gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula. Intensive interaction between the ore-forming fluid and wall rock changed the physicochemical conditions of fluid, leading to gold precipitation. The study supports the notion of the ore fluid of Jiaodong-type gold deposit having originated from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140162303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of geochemical anomalies in multibackground areas using the combined k-means clustering and residual contrast value method: A case study in a district in Hunan, China","authors":"Yu Zhao ,&nbsp;Yan Gao ,&nbsp;Qiaoqiao Wei ,&nbsp;Xiaodan Tang ,&nbsp;Yuyan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Due to the complex characteristics of geological structures, identifying geochemical anomalies in valuable deposits using regional geochemical datasets of stream sediments is challenging. In this study, an effective combined method was proposed to solve the problem of anomaly identification in multibackground areas. First, samples were classified into different clusters through the k-means clustering method using major elements/minerals (such as SiO₂ and Na₂O) that can reflect the lithology and were chosen as classification indicators. Considering the double restriction of the contour coefficient and lithological background, each sample within the same cluster was considered to have the same background. Then, the residual value between each sample and the mean data of adjacent samples within the same cluster was calculated, and the original data of each sample were replaced with the ratio (a new parameter defined as the residual contrast value) of the residual value and the anomaly threshold obtained for the corresponding cluster. Finally, geochemical maps and anomaly maps were generated using the residual contrast values. A practical example involving a regional geochemical dataset of stream sediments in Hunan, China, was examined in detail to clarify the procedure. Moreover, a comparative analysis through success rate curves of the percentage of deposits correctly determined was performed between the traditional method, singularity method and new combined method. The results showed that the anomalies identified by the proposed method were closely associated with known deposits, and the residual contrast value, which considers the effects of the lithological background, random error, and structural anomalies, could eliminate the influence of lithology and enhance weak anomalies. Moreover, the geological significance of this method is clear, and the calculation procedure is simple. Thus, this method could be applied for identifying regional geochemical anomalies in multibackground areas and could be used as a guide for new exploration targets.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140199253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pollution status and health risk assessment of heavy metals in the soil of Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district of Punjab, India and its source apportionment","authors":"Vikas Sonkar ,&nbsp;Vijay Jaswal ,&nbsp;Stanzin Chenlak ,&nbsp;Yogalakshmi Kadapakkam Nandabalan","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The threat of heavy metals in soil due to rapid urbanization, intensive agricultural practices, vehicular emission, and industry-related activities is increasing day by day, causing high risk to environmental health. The present study assessed the heavy metal pollution (Cr, Co, Ni, Co, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in the soil of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District, Punjab, India, through the index of geoaccumulation (<em>I</em>_<em>geo</em>), contamination factors (<em>CF</em>), degree of contamination (<em>DC</em>), pollution load index (<em>PLI</em>), ecological risk factor (<em>Er</em>) and potential ecological risk indices (PRI). The results showed the concentration of heavy metals in the soil in the order of Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Ni &gt; Cr &gt; Cu &gt; As &gt; Co &gt; Cd. The pollution risk assessment indices: <em>I</em>_<em>geo</em>, <em>CF</em>, and <em>Er</em> indicated that most soil samples were moderately contaminated with Pb. The village Majra showed considerable contamination as evidenced by the <em>C</em>_<em>d</em>. The multivariate statistical analysis revealed the anthropogenic sources (agricultural practices and discharges from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) industries) to be the possible sources of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The health risk assessment studies indicated that carcinogenic risks were higher for children than the adults. The cancer risk (CR) for all heavy metals in decreasing order is As &gt; Cr &gt; Pb &gt; Ni &gt; Cd. Likewise, the non-carcinogenic risks calculated as HQ followed the order of Pb &gt; As &gt; Cr &gt; Cd &gt; Ni &gt; Cu &gt; Co &gt; Zn. The significant disparities in heavy metal concentrations underscore the necessity of establishing appropriate baseline levels for toxic trace metals in soils.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140199257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying high potential gold mineralization using geological and stream sediment geochemical data: A case study from western Dangreyongcuo area in the central Lhasa terrane, Tibet, China","authors":"Qingping Liu ,&nbsp;Wei Chen ,&nbsp;Juxing Tang ,&nbsp;Yang Song ,&nbsp;Jianzhen Zhang ,&nbsp;Tengfei Liu ,&nbsp;Qiang Wang ,&nbsp;Zhuangzhuang Song","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107454","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Northern Tibet exhibits abundant placer gold deposits, with a longstanding history of mining activities. Despite the widespread placer gold occurrences, the reports on the primary rock gold deposits or occurrences remain scarce. The central Lhasa terrane in northern Tibet hosts well-developed Zenong Group volcanic rocks, indicating great potential for the exploration of porphyry-epithermal copper (gold) deposits. Here, we select the Dangreyongcuo area in this region to investigate its metallogenetic potentiality, through a comprehensive 1:50,000 stream sediment geochemical survey, analyzing 12 elements (Au, As, Sb, Ag, Te, Cu, Pb, Zn, W, Sn, Bi, and Mo), and a detailed geological mapping. We aim to identify gold-related mineralization anomalies and provide clues for further bedrock gold exploration in this region. Based on the stream sediment geochemical data, zones 1–4, have been delineated using single-element indicator Au and element association indicator Au + As + Sb, which was determined through robust principal component analysis (RPCA) and using the exploratory data analysis (EDA) method. Subsequent validation exercises evaluating these four delineated zones reveal that Zone 1, Xinlong-Langmeila area, is the most promising prospect due to its high element concentrations, large size, and marked coincidence of element assemblages (also referred to as high-large-coincidence anomalies; HLCAs) and its characteristics are in line with those of epithermal deposits. Notably, the Xinlong deposit represents the first documented epithermal gold deposit hosted within the Zenong Group volcanic rocks. The identification of this deposit offers valuable insights and strategic directions for the broader understanding of Zenong Group volcanic rocks across the central Lhasa terrane. Additionally, subsequent strategies have been proposed for mineral exploration at both Xinlong camp and regional scales.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140187616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reducing uncertainty in source area exploration of mineralized glacial erratics using terrestrial cosmogenic radionuclide dating","authors":"Veikko Peltonen ,&nbsp;Seija Kultti ,&nbsp;Niko Putkinen ,&nbsp;Vincent Rinterknecht ,&nbsp;Adrian Hall ,&nbsp;David Whipp","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2024.107456","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mineral exploration often relies on sedimentary indicators as first signs of a potential nearby mineralization in bedrock. The transportation of sediment by glacial and fluvial processes introduces uncertainty into the tracing of potential source areas of the sediment. This is particularly challenging in areas where glacial erosion has been weak, resulting in reworking of sediments and multiple directions of transportation. In this study we explore the use of Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides (TCN) alongside conventional mineral exploration methods to better link indicators with their potential source areas.</p><p>The study focuses on a mineral exploration project site in northern Finland in a region with stratigraphic evidence of multiple glaciations. The project targets the source of discovered Au mineralized erratic boulders that have been deposited atop the most recent till unit. The superposition suggests transportation in the latest glacial event. However, the ¹⁰Be (35.9 ± 1.3 and 30.3 ± 1.1 ka) and ²⁶Al TCN ages analyzed from the mineralized erratics precede the latest glacial event, suggesting the possibility of multiple stages of transportation. The local bedrock TCN inventories (48.9 ± 1.9 and 85.3 ± 2.8 ka) are well preserved, suggestive of weak glacial erosion and therefore short recent transportation distances for the mineralized erratics. By combining the TCN interpretation and historical ice flow directions derived from the till stratigraphy, we suggest a nearby source locating NNW of the dated erratics.</p><p>We find that TCN dating can limit some of the transportation related uncertainties in glaciated terrain. Through the analysis of TCN inventories from bedrock and boulders it is possible to characterize glacial erosion and boulder transportation, and to identify repeated exposure events, i.e., the possibility of multi-staged transportation. The method benefits from combined use of stratigraphic investigations that can identify both the local transportation directions and local glacial coverage history. TCN sampling has a minimal environmental impact, can be used in remote areas and can provide information about the transport history already in the early stages of exploration. Although the analysis is time consuming, the survey is light to conduct and informative even with a small number of samples.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0375674224000724/pdfft?md5=6e86436885a56da1cb80bac6470fcff2&pid=1-s2.0-S0375674224000724-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140209512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}