Abstract

A new type of polyhalite potassium ore (NTPPO) was found in the Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Formation, NE Sichuan Basin, SW China. It is water soluble, therefore can be exploited using the water-solution method, and is of great potential of economic value and research significance. Based on cores, thin sections, energy spectrum and SEM analyses, its microfeatures, macrofeatures and origin are discussed, and a genetic model is established to provide a scientific basis for future evaluation, prediction and exploration of potassium ore in the Sichuan Basin. It is proposed that the NTPPO was caused by storm activities: (1) the storm broke the original sedimentary polyhalite–gypsum beds, whose fragments were transported into the salt basin with high content of K+ and Mg2+; (2) in the basin, the polyhalite continued to be formed from gypsum by metasomatism with K- and Mg-rich brine; (3) during diagenesis, under high temperature and high pressure, K–Mg-rich brine from halite continued to replace anhydrite (or gypsum) to form polyhalite.

Details

Title
Characteristics and origin of a new type of polyhalite potassium ore in the Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Formation, Puguang area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, SW China
Author
Wen-Jun, Shang 1 ; Mian-Ping, Zheng 2 ; Yong-Sheng, Zhang 3 ; Jia-Ai, Zhong 2 ; En-Yuan, Xing 2 ; Yuan, Peng 2 ; Bao-Ling, Gui 2 ; Kong, Li 4 

 Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geosciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Salt Lake Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China (GRID:grid.453137.7) 
 Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geosciences, Beijing, China (GRID:grid.453137.7); Key Laboratory of Salt Lake Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China (GRID:grid.453137.7) 
 Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geosciences, Beijing, China (GRID:grid.453137.7); Key Laboratory of Salt Lake Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China (GRID:grid.453137.7); Key Laboratory of Mineralization and Resource Evaluation, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China (GRID:grid.453137.7) 
 China Geological Survey, Xi’an Center of Mineral Resources Survey, Xi’an, China (GRID:grid.452954.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 0368 5009) 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
Feb 2021
Publisher
Elsevier Limited
e-ISSN
25244507
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2484418839
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.