Isotope Geology of the Norilsk Deposits

311 Pages·2019·7.418 MB·English

by  Oleg Petrov

Springer Geology
Oleg Petrov Editor
Isotope Geology
of the Norilsk
Deposits
Springer Geology
Series Editors
Yuri Litvin, Institute of Experimental Mineralogy, Moscow, Russia
Abigail Jiménez-Franco, Del. Magdalena Contreras, Mexico City, Estado de
México, Mexico
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Oleg Petrov
Editor
Isotope Geology
of the Norilsk Deposits
123
Editor
OlegPetrov
A.P.Karpinsky Russian Geological
Research Institute (VSEGEI)
St.Petersburg, Russia
ISSN 2197-9545 ISSN 2197-9553 (electronic)
SpringerGeology
ISBN978-3-030-05215-7 ISBN978-3-030-05216-4 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05216-4
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2019935843
Translation from the Russian language edition: Изотопная геология норильских месторождений,
© Коллектив авторов 2017, © ФГБУ«Всероссийский научно-исследовательский геологический
институтим.А.П.Карпинского»2017.PublishedbyИздательствоВСЕГЕИ.AllRightsReserved.
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Contents
Helium and Argon Isotopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Vladimir Khalenev, Edward Prasolov, Konstantin Gruzdov,
Dmitry Zavilejsky, Kirill Lokhov, Edward Prilepsky and Vera Badinova
Sulphur Isotopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Edward Prasolov, Vladimir Khalenev, Boris Belyatsky, Edward Prilepsky
and Tatiana Nazarova
Copper and Nickel Isotopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Sergey Sergeev, Igor Kapitonov, Robert Krymsky, Dmitriy Sergeev,
Elena Adamskaya and Nikolay Goltsin
Strontium and Neodymium Isotopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Yevgeny Bogomolov, Boris Belyatsky, Robert Krymsky
and Yury Pushkarev
Lead Isotopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Boris Belyatsky, Yury Pushkarev, Edward Prasolov, Igor Kapitonov,
Robert Krymsky and Sergey Sergeev
Lutetium and Hafnium Isotopes in Zircons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Igor Kapitonov, Kirill Lokhov, Dmitriy Sergeev, Elena Adamskaya,
Nikolay Goltsin and Sergey Sergeev
Isotope Correlations in Rocks and Ores of Major Intrusions
in the Norilsk District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Oleg Petrov, Edward Prasolov, Sergey Sergeev and Yury Pushkarev
Isotope Chronology of Geological Processes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
O. Petrov, S. Sergeev, R. Krymsky, S. Presnyakov, N. Rodionov,
A. Larionov, E. Lepekhina and D. Sergeev
Conclusion.... .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 303
v
Introduction
The methodology of isotope and geochemical studies involves the most compli-
cated analytical procedures to obtain high-quality results and application to the
analytical data of the genetic criteria developed by isotope geochemistry. Our
results and recommendations can be regarded as innovative; they are for the first
timebasedonsuchabroadandcomplete(11systems)setofstudiesofindependent
isotope systems with nano- and micro-amounts of matter.
None of the known isotope geochemical and geochronological methods is
universal and self-sufficient in solving various geological problems. A successful
application of such methods is achieved through an integrated approach. It is
possibleto ensure, technically and organizationally, the necessary efficiency of the
studiesusingawiderangeofmethodsincludingthefinestonesonlywithinasingle
internationallycertifiedanalyticalcentre.Inthisregard,theimportanceofusingthe
facilities of the Centre of Isotopic Research (CIR) at VSEGEI for the creation,
setting-up, adaptation, development, approval, certification and practical applica-
tion of the innovative methods of isotopic studies of geological objects cannot be
overestimated.
Insamplesofores,rocksandminerals,isotopiccompositionofthecomponents
were studied including those in the fluids of the mineral formation environment in
generalandoreformationenvironment,inparticular.Onthebasisoftheanalytical
results, the genetic isotope criteria were formulated making it possible to diagnose
the sources of the matter of rocks and ores, to reveal the formation conditions of
mineraldeposits.Especiallyimportantisthediagnosisofthecontributionofmatter
of different geospheres—crust and mantle.
Many researchers now regard the crust–mantle interaction as a determining
factor in the ore generation processes. An effective use of the obtained empirical
isotope data allows not only to create new, more correct models of deposit for-
mation, but also to find the isotopic search criteria.
Isotopic composition of helium (3He/4He isotope ratio) is used to diagnose the
contribution of the mantle helium. The above ratio in the upper mantle is about
600-fold versus that in helium forming in crustal rocks. This is the strongest and
most unambiguous criterion of the mantle origin offluids.
vii
viii Introduction
40Ar/36Ar isotope ratio makes it possible to unambiguously and with a high
degree of precision detect the atmospheric component of argon and other gases as
well as the association of mineral-forming fluids with near-surface sedimentation
andinfiltrationwater.Thestudyofnoblegasisotopesoffersextensivepossibilities
for determining the formation conditions of the sources of mineral matter.
We studied the isotopic composition of noble gases (helium and argon) in gas–
liquidmicroinclusions(butnotinthecrystallatticeofminerals)toavoiddistortions
caused by radioactive processes in the “hard” part of the rocks. Isotopic compo-
sition of helium giving a possibility of a numerical determination of the contribu-
tion of the crustal and mantle components in fluids as well as the composition of
argon was studied in rock samples from a number of intrusions in the Norilsk
district.
Isotope helium–argon systematics is most reliable for determining the source
ofthefluidandaquantitativeassessmentofthecontributionofdifferentsourcesto
the formation of ore-transporting fluids. It allows a quantitative evaluation of the
mainreservoirsofvolatiles—theuppermantle,thecontinentalcrust,surfacewater.
The systematics allows a reliable control of the evolution offluid systems.
Isotopic composition of sulphur (d34S value) which is in the ore minerals—
sulphides, in some cases—allows diagnosing their genesis. In particular, it is
possible to assess the presence of mantle sulphur as well as sulphur of evaporites.
Results of rubidium–strontium (Rb–Sr) and samarium–neodymium (Sm–Nd)
analysis point to the source of the matter of rock-forming and metasomatic min-
erals. To establish the possible sources of ore matter, isotopic composition of lead
insulphidesisdeterminedusinglocalsampling(LA–ICP)aswellassulphurinthe
same samples.
A lot of data were obtained on the age of rocks and occurrence time of geo-
logical processes on the basis of rhenium–osmium (Re–Os) and in situ uranium–
lead dating of accessory zircons and ore minerals from a broad range of rocks.
Multisystem isotopic studies of a series of intrusions were carried out at
CIRVSEGEIintwostages.In2003–2008(Istage)and2012–2014(IIstage),they
wereaimedatdeterminingthesourcesofmatter,timeandgenerationpatternofore
bodieswhichareofgreatimportance.Alargecollectionofnewsamples(morethan
250) taken from the exploratory wells in 22 intrusions in the Norilsk district
was studied. New quantitative genetic indicators of 11 different isotopic systems
were obtained which, in general, allow refining the generation models of unique
Cu–Ni–PGE-deposits.
For example, the origin of silicate matter of the Norilsk intrusions was tradi-
tionally regarded as mantle. However, the first study of isotopic composition of
fluid components of He and Ar carried out by S. S. Neruchev and E. M. Prasolov
and of sulphur performed by L. N. Grinenko revealed an extensive crust–mantle
interaction.
Under governmental contracts with the Federal Agency on Mineral Resources
and contracts with the Norilsk Nickel, VSEGEI Centre of Isotopic Research made
over 5000 isotopic analyses including measurements of helium and argon offluid
microinclusions in rocks and ores, as well as sulphur, copper and nickel from
Introduction ix
sulphides. The absolute (isotopic) age of sulphide ores and zircons from rocks in
intrusions characterized by different ore potential was determined. Eleven isotopic
systemswerestudiedindifferentsubstances—insilicatematter,inore(insulphide),
in paleofluids. Data of Russian and foreign researchers of the Norilsk region were
also used to obtain an integrated picture.
Team of authors is grateful to the PJSC MMS Norilsk Nickel for financial
support of the publication and fruitful cooperation in studying geology and met-
allogeny of the Norilsk ore district.
Helium and Argon Isotopes
Vladimir Khalenev, Edward Prasolov, Konstantin Gruzdov,
Dmitry Zavilejsky, Kirill Lokhov, Edward Prilepsky
and Vera Badinova
Abstract The results of helium and argon isotope composition measurements
(3He/4He, 40Ar/36Ar ratios and others) are presented in the chapter. In paleofluids
from the Norilsk intrusions, the crustal helium is dominant, and the fraction of
mantle helium is in the range from 0.1 to 22%. The contribution of crustal helium
(0.1–4%) in rich and medium intrusions is especially low. In this parameter, poor
intrusions (4–22%) are significantly different, with much more mantle helium. In
fluidinclusionsofthestudiedtargets,theshareofairargonishigh,60–100%.Itis
especially high in rich intrusions, from 88 to 100%. Consequently, air-saturated
waters from enclosing sedimentary rocks actively participated in the formation of
rocksandoresoftheintrusionsintheregion.Average(byreserves)intrusionsdiffer
significantly from the rich ones; they contain only 60–85% of atmospheric argon.
Geochemistry of isotopes of noble gases offers to the researchers unique possibil-
ities of determining the origin of fluids. Helium isotopic composition (3He/4He
isotoperatio)isconsideredtobe,virtually,theonlyreliableandstrongcriterionof
the association of mineral-forming fluids with mantle. It was found that helium
isotope ratio in the Earth’s upper mantle (1.2 (cid:1) 10−5) is approximately 600 times
higherthaninheliumformingincrustalrocks(about2 (cid:1) 10−8)[1–3].Thismakes
it possible to reveal and calculate the share of mantle helium, if it exceeds 1% of
total helium in the sample.
Isotopiccompositionofargon(40Ar/36Arratio)enablestopreciselycalculatethe
shareofargonofatmosphericorigininmineral-formingfluids.Theonlypathforair
argon penetration into the subsurface is migration with infiltration and sedimenta-
tion water. Therefore, isotope ratio indicates the extent of participation of
near-surface water in mineral formation, or the degree of openness of geosystems
for near-surface fluids.
V.Khalenev(&)(cid:3)E.Prasolov(cid:3)K.Gruzdov(cid:3)D.Zavilejsky(cid:3)K.Lokhov(cid:3)E.Prilepsky(cid:3)
V.Badinova
RussianGeologicalResearchInstitute(VSEGEI),St.Petersburg,Russia
e-mail:[email protected]
©SpringerNatureSwitzerlandAG2019 1
O.Petrov(ed.),IsotopeGeologyoftheNorilskDeposits,SpringerGeology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05216-4_1