Abstract
Accumulation of metals in anoxic environments occurs by sorption and precipitation from seawater, fossil brines or hydrothermal solutions. Metals can be remobilized during subsequent metamorphic and magmatic processes and form ore deposits. This type of mineralization is governed chiefly by the type of tectonic setting of the anoxic environment. Carbonaceous sediments of passive margins contain only subeconomic concentrations of uranium, vanadium and molybdenum. Cubearing black shales and the submarine-exhalative type of mineralization are confined to the environments of continental rifts and aulacogens or to back-arc basins of active margins. Metamorphogenic deposits are mainly connected with collision margins but they may also occur in other types of tectonic environments. The formation of Cu-bearing black shales was controlled by period of low sea-level during the break-up of supercontinents in the Earth's evolution. Increased contents of uranium and vanadium accumulated in black shales in periods of sealevel highstands. Lithological control is apparent in deposits of Cu-bearing and uraniferous black shales. On the contrary, the occurrence of polymetallic mineralization does not depend on the lithological maturity of carbonaceous sediments.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Anderson, D.L. (1981) Hot spots, basalts, and the evolution of the mantle. Science 213: 83–89
Andersson, A., Dahlman, B., Gee, D., Snäll, S. (1985): The Scandinavian alum shales. Sverige geol. Unders., Ser. Ca 56. Stockholm, 82 pp.
Apeltsyn, F.R. (1978) Tungsten-bearing carbonaceous formations of Upper Proterozoic and Lower Palaeozoic. In: Adyshev, M.M. (ed.) Carbonaceous formations of the Upper Proterozoic and Lower Palaeozoic and their ore-bearing potential. Frunze: Abstracts of the All-Union conference 1978 (Russian), pp. 274–275
Apeltsyn, F.R. (1981) Tungsten in black shales of the Upper Proterozoic age. In: Sidorenko, A.V. (ed.) Problems of the Proterozoic sedimentary geology. Moscow: Nauka (Russian), pp. 120–132
Arribas, A., Guniel, P. (1984) First occurrence of stratabound Sb-W-Hg deposits in the Spanish Hercynian massif. In: Wauschkuhn, A., Kluth, C., Zimmerman, R.A. (eds.) Syngenesis and epigenesis in the formation of mineral deposits. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 469–481
Arthur, M.A., Schlanger, S.O. (1979) Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events as causal factors in the development of reef-reservoir giant oil fields. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geologists Bull. 63: 870–885
Badham, J.P.N. (1976) Orogenesis and metallogenesis with reference to the silver-nickel-cobalt arsenide ore association. Spec. Pap. (Geol. Assoc. Canada) 14: 559–571
Belevcev, Ja.N., Danceva, V.I. (1985) The methods of investigation of uranium deposits in sedimentary and metamorphic units. Nedra, Moscow, p. 212 (Russian)
Boström, K., Fischer, D.E. (1971) Volcanogenic uranium, vanadium and iron in Indian ocean sediments. Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett. 11: 95–98
Bugge, J.A.W. (1944) A 95 Neuman H-silver deposit at Kongsberg. Norg. geol. Unders. 164: 12–34
Bugge, J.A.W. (1978) Norway. In: Bowie, V., Kvalheim, A., Haslam, H.W. (eds.) Mineral deposits of Europe, Vol. I. Northwest Europe, Dorking, Bartholomew Press, Dorking, pp. 199–249
Buryak, V.A. (1975) Metamorphic ore formation and problems of gold mineralization. In: Problems of Earth's science and its development. Irkutsk, Nedra (Russian) pp. 53–69
Buryak, V.A. (1976) The role of volcanosedimentary and hydrothermal mineral formation in the origin gold mineralization in carbonaceous formations. Proc. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.R., Ser. Geol. 26: 907–910 (Russian)
Buryak, V.A. (1982) Metamorphic processes and ore formation. Nedra, Moscow, p. 212 (Russian)
Campbell, J.D. (1965) Gold ore deposits of Australia. In: McAndrew, I. (ed.) Geology of Australian ore deposits. Australian Institute of Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. 31–38
Condie, K.C. (1976) Plate tectonics and crutal evolution. Pergamon, New York, p. 210
Condie, K.C. (1982) Early and middle Proterozoic supracrustal succession and their tectonic settings. Am. J Sci 282: 341–357
Coveney, R. Jr., Chen, N. (1989) Nickel and molybdenum-rich black shales of Southern China: New ore type with possible analogues in the Pennsylvanian of the USA. — 28th IGC, Abstracts vol. 1: 335–336
Coveney, R.M. Jr., Leventhal, J.S., Glascock, M.D., Hatch, J.R. (1987) Origins of metals and organic matter in the Mecca Quarry shale member and stratigraphically equivalent beds across the Midwest. Econ. Geol. 82: 915–933
Dahlkamp, F.J., Adams, L.S. (1981) Geology and recognition criteria for vein-like uranium deposits of the lower to middle Proterozoic unconformity and strata-related types. U.S. Dept. Energy, Grand Junction, Rep. GJBX-5 (81)
Dean, W.E.; ed. (1986) Organics and ore deposits. Proc. Denver Reg Exploration Geological Society, Denver, p. 98
Dill, H. (1983) Vein- and metasedimentary-hosted carbonaceous matter and phosphorus from NE Bavaria (FR Germany) and their implication on syngenetic and epigenetic uranium concentration. Neu. Jb. Mineral. Abh. Mn. 148: 1–21
Dill, H. (1985) Die Vererzung am Westrand der Böhmischen Masse. Geologisches Jahrbuch Reihe D, Heft 73
Dickinson, W.R. (1976) Sedimentary basins developed during evolution of Mesozoic-Cenozoic arch-trench system in Western North America. Can. J. Earth. Sci. 13: 1268–1287
Downes, M.J., Hodges, D.J., Derweduwen, J. (1984) A free carbon and carbonate-bearing alteration zone associated with the Hayle Pond gold occurrence, Ontario. In: Foster, P.R. (ed.) Gold'82. The geology, geochemistry and genesis of gold deposits. Blackwell, Pretoria, pp. 435–448
Dunnett, D. (1976) Some aspects of the Panantarctic margin in Australia. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Ser. A, 280: 641–654
Ensign, C.O., White, W.S., Wright, J.C., Patrick, J.L., Leone, R.J., Mathaway, D.J., Trammell, J.W., Fritts, D.J., Wright, R.L. (1968) Copper deposits in the Nonesuch shale, White Pine, Michigan. In: Ridge, J.D. (ed.) Ore deposits of the United States, vol. 1. A.I.M.E., New York, pp. 460–488
Estep, M.L.F., Hare, P.E., Hoering, T.C.; eds. (1980) Geochemistry of organic matter in ore deposits. Warrenton: Carnegie Institution of Washington, p. 98
Fan, D. (1983) Polyelements in the Lower Cambrian black shales series in southern China. In: Augustinthis, S.S. (ed.) The significance of trace elements in solving petrogenetic problems and controverses. Florakis, Athens, pp. 447–474
Force, E.R., Cannon, W.F. (1988) Depositional model for shallowmarine manganese deposits around black shales basins. Econ. Geol. 83: 93–117
Gabelman, I.W (1977) Orogenic and taphrogenic uranium concentration. Recognition and evolution of uraniferous areas. Proceedings Technical Committee Meeting, pp. 109–119. International Atomic Agency, Viena
Gehlen, K.; ed. (1985) German geological correlation program. Part C: Stratabound sulfide ore deposits in Central Europe. Geol. Jb., Rh D. 70
Getseva, R.V.; ed. (1981) Geological features and uranium potential of black shales formations. Nauka, Moscow, p. 86 (Russian)
Golovanov, I.M. (1977) The problem of the source of mineralization of the copper deposits of porphyry type (on the example of Almalyk deposit, USSR). Zap. Uzb. Otd. Vses. Miner. Obchestva 30: 145–149 (Russian)
Goodfellow, W.D. (1987) Anoxic stratified oceans as a source of sulphur in sediment-hosted stratiform Zn-Pb deposits (Selwyn basin, Yukon, Canada). Chemical Geology (Isotope Geoscience Section) 65: 359–382
Grip, E. (1978) Sweden. In: Bowie, S.H.U., Kvalheim, A., Haslam, H.W. (eds.) Mineral deposits of Europe, vol. 1. Northwest Europe. Bartholomew Press, Dorking, pp. 93–198
Groves, D.I., Batt, W.D. (1986) Archean metallogeny in terms of crustal evolution: Evidence from Western Australia and application to other cratons. In: Pouba, Z., Zoubek, Vl. (eds.) Metallogeny of the Precambrian. Proceedings of the International Conference on the metallogeny of the Precambrian. Geological Survey of Czechoslovakia, Prague, pp. 149–153
Gustafson, L.B., Williams, N. (1981) Sediment-hosted stratiform deposits of copper, lead and zinc. Econ. Geol. 75th Anniversary volume: 139–178
Hannak, W.W. (1980) Genesis of the Rammelsberg ore deposit near Goslar (Upper Harz.). In. Wolf, H.K. (ed.) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, Vol. III. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 551–642
Heckel, P.H. (1977) Origin of phosphatic black shale facies in Pennsylvanian cyclothems of Mid-Continent North America. Am. Assoc. Petrol. 61: 1045–1068
Hein, J.R., Koski, R.A. (1987) Bacterially mediated diagenetic origin for chert-hosted manganese deposits in the Franciscan complex, California, Coast Ranges. Geology 15: 722–726
Heller, P.L., Angevine, Ch.L. (1985) Sea-level cycles during the growth of Atlantic-type oceans. Earth Plan. Sci. Lett. 75: 417–426
Höll, R., Maucher, A. (1976) The stratabound ore deposits in the Eastern Alps. In: Wolf, K.H. (ed.) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, Vol. III. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 1–36
Isokangas, P. (1978) Finland. In: Bowie, S.H.U., Kvalheim, A., Haslam, W.H. (eds.) Mineral deposits of Europe, Northwest Europe, Vol. I. Bartholomew Press, Dorking, pp. 39–93
Ivankin, P.F., Nazarova, N.J. (1984) Carbon metasomatites and dispersed metals in metamorphic rocks. Soviet Geol. 2: 90–100 (Russian)
Jensen, M.L. (1971) Provenance of cordilleran intrusives and associated metals. Econ. Geol. 66: 34–42
Jerosheev, V.A., Karpov, G.A., Kirejev, F.A., Bozko, R.A. (1985) Thermal Lake Fumarol'noye: A basin of active ore deposition in Kamchatka. Int. Geol. Revue 27: 1135–1148
Jinfra, Ji. (1988) The blue-green algae biogenic deposit and organic geochemistry of the Early Sinian manganese ore deposits in south China. International Symposium of Sedimentology related to Mineral Deposits (Abstracts). Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, p. 97
Jowett, E. C. (1986) Genesis of Kupferschiefer Cu-Ag deposits by convective flow of Rotliegendes brines during Triassic rifting. Econ. Geol. 81: 1823–1837
Kholodov, V.N. (1968) The genesis of ores in sediments and metallogeny of vanadium. Nauka, Moscow (Russian)
Kobe, H.W. (1982) A stratabound Ni-Co arsenide-sulphide mineralization in the Paleozoic of the Yauli Dome, central Peru. In: Amstutz, G.C. (ed.) Ore genesis — the state of the art. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 150–160
Krebs, W. (1981) The geology of the Meggen ore deposits. In: Wolf, K.H. (ed.) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, Vol. 9. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 501–550
Kříbek, B. (1989) Carbonaceous formations and their role in metallogeny of the Bohemian Massif. Dr. Sci. thesis. Charles University, Prague (Czech), p. 330 (unpublished)
Kříbek, B., Jehlička, J. (1986) The role of the Proterozoic and Lower Paleozoic carbon-rich formations in the metallogeny of the Bohemian Massif. In: Zoubek, Vl., Pouba, Z. (eds.) Metallogeny of Precambrian. Proceedings of the International Conference on Metallogeny of Precambrian. Geological Survey of Czechoslovakia, Prague, pp. 169–178
Kucha, H. (1983) Platinum-group metals in the Zechstein copper deposits, Poland. Econ. Geol. 77: 1578–1591
Kucha, H., Pawlikowski, M. (1986) Two-brine model of the genesis of strata-bound Zechstein deposits (Kupferschiefer type). Poland. Mineral. Deposita 21: 70–80
Langford, F.F. (1977) Surfical origin of North American pitchblende and related uranium deposits. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geolog. Bull. 61: 28–42
Langford, F.F. (1978) Origin of unconformity-type pitchblende deposits in the Athabasca basin of Saskatchevan. In: Kimberly, M.M. (ed.) Uranium deposits, their mineralogy and origin. Univeristy of Toronto Press, Toronto, pp. 112–135
Láznička, P. (1985) Strata-related ore deposits classified by metals, lithologic associations and some quantitative relationships. In: Wolf, K.H. (ed.) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, part IV. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 1–105
Leroy, J. (1978) The Margnac and Fanay uranium deposits of the LaCrouzille district (Western Massif Central, France). Geological and fluid inclusion studies. Econ. Geol. 73: 1611–1634
Magakjan, I.G. (1968) Ore deposits of antimony and mercury. Intern. Geol. Rev. 10: 202–224
Mavchenko, L.G., Narseev, V.A., Erchov, A.I. (1981) The principles of location of volcanosedimentary gold occurrences in carbonaceous formations of Kazahstan. In: Sidorenko, A.N. (ed.) Carbonaceous formations and their ore-bearing potential. Nauka, Moscow, pp. 160–182 (Russian)
McAndrew, J. (1965) Gold deposits of Victoria. In: McAndrews, J. (ed.) Geology of Australian ore deposits. Australian Institute of Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. 450–456
McKeag, S.A., Craw, D., Norris, R.J. (1989) Origin and deposition of a graphitic schist-hosted metamorphogenic Au-W deposit, Macraes, East Otago, New Zealand. Mineral. Deposita 24: 124–131
Mitchel, A.H.G., Garson, M.S. (1981) Mineral deposits and global tectonic settings. Academic Press, London, p. 230
Nance, R.D., Worsley, T.R., Moody, J.B. (1986) Post-Archean biogeochemical cycles and long-term episodicity in tectonic processes. Geology 14: 514–518
Needham, R.S., Stuart-Smith, P.C. (1980) Geology of the Alligator River Uranium field. In: Proceedings International of the Uranium Symposium on the Pine Creek Geosyncline. International Atomic Energy Agency, Viena, pp. 233–257
Ostwald, J. (1988) Evidence for biogeochemical origin of ancient manganese sediments. In: I.A.S. International Symposium Sedimentology related to Mineral Deposits (Abstracts). Chinese Academy of Science, Bejing, p. 192
Pašava, J., Gabriel, Z.; eds. (1988) Proceedings of the IGCP 254, Metalliferous Black Shales — Inaugural Meeting. Geological Survey of Czechoslovakia, Prague, p. 36
Petrov, V.G. (1988) Black shales, organic carbon and ore mineralization in Precambrian of Siberian platform. In: I.A.S. International Symposium of Sedimentology related to Mineral Deposits (Abstracts). Chinese Academy of Science, Bejing, p. 200
Rackley, R.I. (1976) Origin of Western-States-Type uranium mineralization. In: Wolf, K.H. (ed.) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, Vol. 7. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 89–156
Radtke, A., Rye, R.O., Dickson, F.W. (1980) Geology and stable isotope studies of the Carlin gold deposit, Nevada. Econ. Geol. 75: 641–672
Radtke, A.S., Schneiner, B.J. (1970) Studies of hydrothermal gold deposition (I). Carlin Gold Deposit, Nevada: The role of carbonaceous material in gold deposition. Econ. Geol. 65: 87–101
Raybould, J.G. (1976) Tectonic controls on Proterozoic stratiform copper mineralization. Trans. Inst. Min. Metallurgy, Sect. B: Appl. Earth Sci. 86: B79–86
Reedman, A.J. (1973) Partly remobilized syngenetic tungsten deposit of Nyamalilo mine. J. Geol. Soc. Overseas Geol. Mineral Res. 41: 101–106
Renfro, A.R. (1974) Genesis of evaporite-associated stratiform metalliferous deposits. — A sabkha process. Econ. Geol. 69: 33–45
Robbins, E.I. (1983) Accumulation of fossil fuels and metallic minerals in active and ancient rift lakes. Tectonophysics 94: 633–658
Robertson, D.S., Tilsley, J.E., Hogg, G.M. (1978) The time-bound character of uranium deposits. Econ. Geol. 73: 1409–1419
Rukhkin, G.V. (1980) Geotectonic setting and palaeotectonic condition of localization of the Proterozoic sulphide deposits. Geology of Ore Deposits 22: 36–48 (Russian)
Rybalkov, B.L. (1965) Structural features and question of genesis of the uranium deposits in black shales and carbonate rocks. Geol. Ore Depos. 8: 3–24 (Russian)
Samonov, I.Z., Pozharski, I.F. (1977) Deposits of copper. In: Smirnov I.V. (ed) Ore deposits of the USSR, Vol. 2. Pitman, London, pp. 106–181
Sawkins, F.J. (1976) Massive sulphide deposits in relation to geotectonics. Spec. Pap. Geol. Assoc. Can. 14: 221–240
Sawkins, F.J. (1983) Tectonic controls of the time-space distribution of some Proterozoic metal deposits. In: Medaris, L.G. (ed.) Proterozoic geology — Selected papers of an International Proceedings Symposium 1982. Geological Society American, Mem. 161, Boulder, pp. 179–190
Sawkins, F.J. (1984) Metal deposits in relation to plate tectonics, p. 280. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Sawkins, F.J. (1984) Anorogenic felsic magmatism, rift sedimentation and giant Proterozoic Pb-Zn deposits. Geology 17: 657–660
Sozinov, A.N. (1981) The processes of the ore-formation in carbonaceous rocks. In: All-Union conference on Geochemistry of Carbon. Nauka, Moscow (Russian) pp. 114–119
Springer, J.S. (1985) carbon in Archean rocks of the Abitibi belt (Ontario-Quebec) and its relation to gold distribution. Can. J. Earth 22: 1945–1951
Stephens, M.B., Swinden, S.H., Siack, J. (1984) Correlation of massive sulfide deposits in the Appalachian-Caledonian Orogen on the basis of paleotectonic setting. Econ. Geol 79: 1442–1478
Stevens, B.P.J., Stround, W.J., Willis, I.L., Bradley, G.H., Brown, R.E., Barnes, R.G. (1980) A stratigraphy and mineralization of the Broken Hill Block, New South Wales. In: Stevens, B.P.J. (ed.) A guide to stratigraphy and mineralization of the Broken Hill block, New South Wales, Pt. 1. Geological Survey N.S. Wales, Sydney, pp. 9–32
Stribrny, B. (1987) Die Kupfererzlagerstätte Marsberg im Rheinischen Schiefergebirge — Rückblick und Stand der Forschung. Erzmetall 40: 423–427
Suppe, J. (1985) Principles of structural geology. Prentice Hall Inc., New Jersey, p. 416
Toens, P.D. (1981) Uranium provinces and their time-bound characteristics. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Africa 84: 293–312
Tremblay, L.P., Růzicka, V. (1984) Vein uranium. In: Eckstrand, O.R. (ed.) Canadian mineral deposit types: A geological synopsis. Geologic Survey of Canada, Economic Geology Report 36, Ottawa, p. 64
Turner, B.R. (1985) Uranium mineralization in the Karoo basin, South Africa. Econ. Geol. 80: 256–269
Upkong, E.E., Olabe, M.A. (1979) Geochemical survey for leadzinc mineralization, Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. Trans. Inst. Min. Metallurgy 88: B81–92
Vail, P.R., Mitchum, R.M. Jr., Thompson, S. (1978) Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, part 4: Global cycles of relative changes of sea level. Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Mem. 26: 83–97
Wedepohl, K.H. (1971) “Kupferschiefer” as a prototype of syngenetic sedimentary ore deposits. Soc. Min. Geol. Japan 3: 268–273
White, D.E., Barnes, I., O'Neil, J.R. (1973) Thermal and mineral water of nonmeteoric origin. California coast ranges. Bull. Geol. Soc. Am. 84: 547–560
Windley, B.F. (1977) The evolving continents, Wiley, London, p. 416
Worsley, T.R., Nance, D., Moody, J.E. (1984) Global tectonics and eustasy for the past 2 billion years. Marine Geol. 58: 373–400
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kříbek, B. Metallogeny, structural, lithological and time controls of ore deposition in anoxic environments. Mineral. Deposita 26, 122–131 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195259
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195259