DOCSLIB.ORG

Hematite Mineralized Bacterial Remnants: Implications for Martian Hematite Deposits

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hematite Mineralized Bacterial Remnants: Implications for Martian Hematite Deposits Lunar and Planetary Science XXXII (2001) 1438.pdf HEMATITE MINERALIZED BACTERIAL REMNANTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MARTIAN HEMATITE DEPOSITS. RACHEL T. SCHELBLE1, FRANCES WESTALL2, CARLTON C. ALLEN3, ADRIAN J. BREARLEY1, 1DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES ([email protected]), UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87131; 2LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE, HOUSTON, TX 77058; 3NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, HOUSTON, TX 77058. INTRODUCTION the Fe-rich stromatolitic layers consist of numerous 1-2 The 2.0 Ga iron-bearing Gunflint Formation was mm hematite crystallites. Larger, hematite-rich spheres, deposited during a transitionary period in Earth history 5-10 mm in diameter, were observed in the cherty when a stable oxic atmosphere was being established. interlayers of the stromatolite. Also seen were 1-2 mm The Animikie Group, which comprises both the Rove wide, 50-200 mm long, hollow filamentous structures in and Gunflint Formations, extends NE-SW for the chert. These structures, which were outlined by approximately 175 km from Thunder Bay, Ontario to hematite, are interpreted as fossil bacteria. northern Minnesota [1]. The thickness of the Gunflint An unetched and an etched rock chip were analyzed ranges from 100 to 180 m, with an average thickness of by SEM. Probable and potential microfossils were about 122 m [2]. more easily identified by SEM in the etched sample. Metamorphism of the Gunflint Formation increases Chains of 1-2 mm diameter spheres (Fig. 1), many of gradationally from east to west. These rocks are which were partially collapsed, were interpreted as essentially undeformed and exhibit a low metamorphic representing the remains of (degraded) coccoidal grade ranging from diagenetic to subgreenschist, with bacteria. This interpretation is based on their maximum temperatures that ranged from 120 to 150 morphological and colonial characteristics, the presence degrees C [3]. of remnant carbon (detected by EDS analysis) in their structure and their association with copious quantities of SAMPLES permineralized and hematite mineralized polymeric Samples from two localities of the Gunflint Iron substances. Some of the hematite crystallites seen in Formation have been examined. Rock chips and thin thin section may represent the hematite mineralized sections from the Mink Mountain and Schreiber Beach fossil coccoids. The larger, 5-10 mm diameter, localities are the focus of this study. hematite-rich spheres seen in thin section present both Mink Mountain samples (PPRG 336) were collected turgid and collapsed shapes in SEM. The majority of about 7.3 km west of Mackies, Ontario, at the western them show no evidence of internal structure, although end of Gunflint exposures [4]. As documented, they are some contain amorphous clumps of hematite-rich approximately 2.0 Ga in age, and are from the Upper material. Increased carbon is present in both the spheres Cherty unit of the Gunflint Formation. and the internal clumps when compared to the The Schreiber Beach locality samples (PPRG 1289) background. On the basis of these observations we were collected in an area about 6.5 km west of interpret the spheres as possible colonial cyanobacterial Schreiber, along the north shore of Lake Superior in sheaths, some of which contain degraded remnants of Southern Ontario, Canada [5]. They are documented to the original cells. be from the lower algal cycle of the Gunflint Formation The permineralized and hematite-mineralized and to be about 2.0 Ga in age. filaments identified in thin section are readily visible with the SEM (Fig. 2). They form localized, loose, METHODS criss-crossing networks on the biofilm surface. The A combination of methods was used to examine the collapsed nature of the filaments is due to the fact that Gunflint samples including optical, scanning, and they were mineralized after partial degradation of the binocular microscopy, as well as electron microprobe original organism. This phenomenon is further analysis and powder x-ray diffraction. Rock chips were evidence for their biogenicity. etched in fumes of hydrofluoric acid (HF) for 15 to 30 All the above structures are embedded in copious minutes, thoroughly rinsed with deionized water, and quantities of a smooth to granular iron-mineralized and then coated with platinum or gold for SEM observation permineralized (silica impregnated) film, which we with a JEOL 6340 FEG-SEM and attached Link energy interpret as fossilized polymeric substances (FPS). dispersive X-ray analysis system (EDS). Polymeric substances are secreted by bacteria in stressed environments, and help them stabilize their RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION surroundings and trap nutrients [6]. The Mink Mountain sample consists of alternating Samples from the Mink Mountain locality display bands of hematite and chert (quartz), each millimeters crystals having the morphology of magnetite with a thick, forming a macroscopic, domal, stromatolitic replacement by hematite (c.f. [5]). The majority of the structure. Thin section optical microscopy showed that Lunar and Planetary Science XXXII (2001) 1438.pdf SCHELBLE, ET AL: HEMATITE MINERALIZED BACTERIAL REMNANTS Fe-oxides in the Schreiber Beach samples exhibit a Thus, the Martian hematite deposits would be an poor, generally amorphous crystallinity. Some of the excellent site to look for past life on Mars. euhedral hematite-replaced magnetite crystals contain carbonaceous inclusions, the nature of which is not yet REFERENCES understood. [1] Floran, R.J. and Papike, J.J. (1978) Journal of Petrology, 19, 215- Fossil microorganisms from the Schreiber Beach 288. [2] Goodwin, A.M. (1956) Economic Geology, 51, 565-595. [3] Klein, C.K. (1983) in Iron Formations: Facts and Problems, 417-471. Locality showed a wider range of preservation than [4] Schopf, J.W., ed. (1983) Earth’s Earliest Biosphere: Its Origins Mink Mountain locality fossils. Fossil structures were and Evolution, 367 p. [5] Schopf, J.W., and Klein, C.K., eds. (1992) confirmed using both optical and scanning electron The Proterozoic Biosphere, 1,348 p. [6] Westall, F., et al. (2000) JGR, m 105, 24,511-24,527. [7] Christiansen, P.R., et al. (2000) JGR, 105, microscopy. Filamentous microorganisms (1-5 m 9,623-9,642. width, 50-180 mm long) (Fig. 3) were observed throughout the sample in a wide range of preservational states. 5-10 mm diameter sheaths of colonial cyanobacteria are the most common spherical remnant identified. The degraded sheaths, in both SEM and in thin section, exhibit a central clump that may be the degraded remains of the cells once living inside. The microfossils were identified in both the hematite-rich and chert-rich bands of the banded iron stromatolite. As with the Mink Mountain sample, the fossilized polymeric substances proved to be the most common biogenic structure preserved. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Figure 1. SEM view of partially degraded, hematite mineralized This study shows that bacterial structures can be coccoidal bacteria embedded in fossilized polymeric substances (Mink preserved in Fe-oxides. Bacterial remnants from iron- Mountain locality). [5500x mag.; 1 mm scale bar] rich regions of the Gunflint Iron Formation show a wide range of preservational states, and it is likely that degradation of the structures occurred before fossilization of the microorganisms. The abundance and ubiquity of fossilized polymeric substances in these samples suggests that a possible relationship between bacteria, Fe-oxides, and these substances may exist. Further, there may be a strong relationship between microbial mats and the precipitation of iron oxides, leading to the genesis of banded iron formations. MARS This study has shown that bacteria can be preserved Figure 2. SEM view (backscatter) of a deflated, hematite-mineralized by Fe-oxides for extended periods of time. Although filament (Mink Mountain locality). [2700x mag.; 10 mm scale bar] banded iron formations have not so far been recognized on Mars, hematite deposits have been observed. Christensen, et al. [7] cite five possibilities for the origin of the hematite deposits: · Direct precipitation from standing, oxygenated iron-rich water · Precipitation from iron-rich hydrothermal fluid · Low-temperature dissolution and precipitation through mobile groundwater leaching · Surface weatherings and coatings · Thermal oxidation of magnetite-rich lavas If bacteria did exist on Mars, their preservation by Fe-oxides in any of these potential settings is possible. Figure 3. Thin section view of a hematite-mineralized filament (Schreiber Beach locality). [50x mag.; 40 mm scale bar].
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tectonic Imbrication and Foredeep Development in the Penokean
    Tectonic Imbrication and Foredeep Development in the Penokean Orogen, East-Central Minnesota An Interpretation Based on Regional Geophysics and the Results of Test-Drilling The Penokean Orogeny in Minnesota and Upper Michigan A Comparison of Structural Geology U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1904-C, D AVAILABILITY OF BOOKS AND MAPS OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Instructions on ordering publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, along with prices of the last offerings, are given in the cur­ rent-year issues of the monthly catalog "New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey." Prices of available U.S. Geological Sur­ vey publications released prior to the current year are listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List." Publications that are listed in various U.S. Geological Survey catalogs (see back inside cover) but not listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List" are no longer available. Prices of reports released to the open files are given in the listing "U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Reports," updated month­ ly, which is for sale in microfiche from the U.S. Geological Survey, Books and Open-File Reports Section, Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225. Reports released through the NTIS may be obtained by writing to the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161; please include NTIS report number with inquiry. Order U.S. Geological Survey publications by mail or over the counter from the offices given below. BY MAIL OVER THE COUNTER Books Books Professional Papers, Bulletins, Water-Supply Papers, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Circulars, publications of general in­ Books of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Exploring the Texture of Ocean-Atmosphere Redox Evolution on the Early Earth Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9v96g1j5 Author Reinhard, Christopher Thomas Publication Date 2012 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Exploring the Texture of Ocean-Atmosphere Redox Evolution on the Early Earth A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences by Christopher Thomas Reinhard September 2012 Dissertation Committee: Dr. Timothy W. Lyons, Chairperson Dr. Gordon D. Love Dr. Nigel C. Hughes ! Copyright by Christopher Thomas Reinhard 2012 ! ! The Dissertation of Christopher Thomas Reinhard is approved: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Committee Chairperson University of California, Riverside ! ! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway…) that things like this are never done in a vacuum. Not that I’ve invented cold fusion here, but it was quite a bit of work nonetheless and to say that my zest for the enterprise waned at times would be to put it euphemistically. As it happens, though, I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded these last years by an incredible group of people. To those that I consider scientific and professional mentors that have kept me interested, grounded, and challenged – most notably Tim Lyons, Rob Raiswell, Gordon Love, and Nigel Hughes – thank you for all that you do. I also owe Nigel and Mary Droser a particular debt of graditude for letting me flounder a bit my first year at UCR, being understanding and supportive, and encouraging me to start down the road to where I’ve ended up (for better or worse).
    [Show full text]
  • The Geology of the Middle Precambrian Rove Formation in Northeastern Minnesota
    MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 5 P -7 Special Publication Series The Geology of the Middle Precambrian Rove Formation in northeastern Minnesota G. B. Morey UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS • 1969 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I THE GEOLOGY OF THE MIDDLE PRECAMBRIAN ROVE FORMATION IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA by G. B. Morey CONTENTS Page Abstract ........................................... 1 Introduction. 3 Location and scope of study. 3 Acknowledgements .. 3 Regional geology . 5 Structural geology . 8 Rock nomenclature . 8 Stratigraphy . .. 11 Introduction . .. 11 Nomenclature and correlation. .. 11 Type section . .. 11 Thickness . .. .. 14 Lower argillite unit. .. 16 Definition, distribution, and thickness. .. 16 Lithologic character . .. 16 Limestones. .. 17 Concretions. .. 17 Transition unit . .. 17 Definition, distribution, and thickness. .. 17 Lithologic character . .. 19 Thin-bedded graywacke unit . .. 19 Definition, distribution, and thickness. .. 19 Lithologic character. .. 20 Concretions ... .. 20 Sedimentary structures. .. 22 Internal bedding structures. .. 22 Structureless bedding . .. 23 Laminated bedding . .. 23 Graded bedding. .. 23 Cross-bedding . .. 25 Convolute bedding. .. 26 Internal bedding sequences . .. 26 Post-deposition soft sediment deformation structures. .. 27 Bed pull-aparts . .. 27 Clastic dikes . .. 27 Load pockets .. .. 28 Flame structures . .. 28 Overfolds . .. 28 Microfaults. .. 28 Ripple marks .................................. 28 Sole marks . .. 28 Groove casts . .. 30 Flute casts .
    [Show full text]
  • Cyanobacterial Evolution During the Precambrian
    International Journal of Astrobiology 15 (3): 187–204 (2016) doi:10.1017/S1473550415000579 © Cambridge University Press 2016 This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Cyanobacterial evolution during the Precambrian Bettina E. Schirrmeister1, Patricia Sanchez-Baracaldo2 and David Wacey1,3 1School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen’s Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK e-mail: [email protected] 2School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK 3Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, and ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia Abstract: Life on Earth has existed for at least 3.5 billion years. Yet, relatively little is known of its evolution during the first two billion years, due to the scarceness and generally poor preservation of fossilized biological material. Cyanobacteria, formerly known as blue green algae were among the first crown Eubacteria to evolve and for more than 2.5 billion years they have strongly influenced Earth’s biosphere. Being the only organism where oxygenic photosynthesis has originated, they have oxygenated Earth’s atmosphere and hydrosphere, triggered the evolution of plants –being ancestral to chloroplasts– and enabled the evolution of complex life based on aerobic respiration. Having such a strong impact on early life, one might expect that the evolutionary success of this group may also have triggered further biosphere changes during early Earth history.
    [Show full text]
  • The Penokean Orogeny in the Lake Superior Region Klaus J
    Precambrian Research 157 (2007) 4–25 The Penokean orogeny in the Lake Superior region Klaus J. Schulz ∗, William F. Cannon U.S. Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA Received 16 March 2006; received in revised form 1 September 2006; accepted 5 February 2007 Abstract The Penokean orogeny began at about 1880 Ma when an oceanic arc, now the Pembine–Wausau terrane, collided with the southern margin of the Archean Superior craton marking the end of a period of south-directed subduction. The docking of the buoyant craton to the arc resulted in a subduction jump to the south and development of back-arc extension both in the initial arc and adjacent craton margin to the north. A belt of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits formed in the extending back-arc rift within the arc. Synchronous extension and subsidence of the Superior craton resulted in a broad shallow sea characterized by volcanic grabens (Menominee Group in northern Michigan). The classic Lake Superior banded iron-formations, including those in the Marquette, Gogebic, Mesabi and Gunflint Iron Ranges, formed in that sea. The newly established subduction zone caused continued arc volcanism until about 1850 Ma when a fragment of Archean crust, now the basement of the Marshfield terrane, arrived at the subduction zone. The convergence of Archean blocks of the Superior and Marshfield cratons resulted in the major contractional phase of the Penokean orogeny. Rocks of the Pembine–Wausau arc were thrust northward onto the Superior craton causing subsidence of a foreland basin in which sedimentation began at about 1850 Ma in the south (Baraga Group rocks) and 1835 Ma in the north (Rove and Virginia Formations).
    [Show full text]
  • Isotopic and Chemical Characterization of Water from Mine Pits and Wells on the Mesabi Iron Range, Northeastern Minnesota, As a Tool for Drinking Water Protection
    Isotopic and Chemical Characterization of Water From Mine Pits and Wells on the Mesabi Iron Range, Northeastern Minnesota, as a Tool for Drinking Water Protection James F. Walsh, Minnesota Department of Health Abstract The Biwabik Iron Formation is both a world-class source of iron ore and an important aquifer for the residents of the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota. Numerous public water supply wells draw from this aquifer, and several communities pump directly from abandoned mine pits for their water supply. It is important that the groundwater flow characteristics of this aquifer be determined so that drinking water supplies can be protected in a technically defensible manner. The iron formation is early Proterozoic in age and consists primarily of fine-grained silica and iron minerals that were deposited as chemical sediments in a marine environment. The unit has little primary porosity. Groundwater flow through the aquifer is controlled predominantly by secondary features such as folds, high- angle faults, joints, and man-made mining structures. Efforts at delineating source water protection areas on the Mesabi Range have been complicated by the extremely heterogeneous and anisotropic nature of porosity in the Biwabik Iron Formation aquifer. In the absence of reliable groundwater flow models for this type of setting, isotopic and chemical studies have been emphasized, in addition to hydrogeologic mapping. Conservative environmental tracers such as chloride and the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen have proved useful for 1) identifying wells that are receiving recharge from mine pits, 2) characterizing the tracer signature of those mine pits that may represent recharge areas for nearby public supply wells, and 3) quantifying the significance of these recharge areas for the purpose of targeting source water protection efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • G-012011-1E Geological Precambrian Timeline Midwest
    Copper Harbor Conglomerate Gunflint Formation: Breccia with white quartz Precambrian Geologic Events in the Mid-Continent of North America G-012011-1E 1 inch (Century Mine, Upper Peninsula MI) (Sibley Peninsula, Thunder Bay, ON) Compiled by: Steven D.J. Baumann, Alexandra B. Cory, Micaela M. Krol, Elisa J. Piispa Updated March 2013 Oldest known rock showing a dipole magnetic field: red dacite in Austrailia Paleomagnetic Line 3,800 3,700 3,600 3,500 3,400 3,300 3,200 3,100 3,000 2,900 2,800 2,700 2,600 2,500 2,400 2,300 2,200 2,100 2,000 1,900 1,800 1,700 1,600 1,500 1,400 1,300 1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600 500 Paleozoic Period Siderian Rhyacian Orosirian Statherian Calymmian Ectasian Stenian Tonian Cryogenian Ediacaran Eoarchean Paleoarchean Mesoarchean Neoarchean Era Paleoproterozoic Mesoproterozoic Neoproterozoic Eon Archean Proterozoic Pass Lake Kama Hill Sibley Group Sediments (Sibley Basin, Thunder Bay Area, ON) McGrath Gneiss McGrath Complex (EC MN) Metamorphic and cataclastic event Formation Formation Outan Island Formation Nipigon Formation Recent Era of Great Mid-continent Basin Formation (MI, IL, IA, IN, KY, MO) 2 inches Marshfield Archean Gneiss (C WI) Linwood Archean Migmatite (C WI) Sudbury Dike Swarm (SE ON) Quinnesec Formation Intrusions (NE WI) Quinnesec Formation Metamorphism (NE WI) Hatfield Gneiss (WC WI) Pre-Quinnesec Formations deposited (NE WI) Upper Rove Formation Baraboo Quartzite LEGEND (Sibley Peninsula, Thunder Bay, ON) Gray granodioritic phase Montevideo Gneiss (SW MN) Red granite phase Montevideo Gneiss
    [Show full text]
  • MIDCONTINENT RIFT SYSTEM BIBLIOGRAPHY by Steven A
    MIDCONTINENT RIFT SYSTEM BIBLIOGRAPHY By Steven A. Hauck December 1995 Technical Report NRRI/TR-95/33 Funded by the Natural Resources Research Institute In Preparation for the 1995 International Geological Correlation Program Project 336 Field Conference in Duluth, MN Natural Resources Research Institute University of Minnesota, Duluth 5013 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811-1442 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................... 1 THE DATABASE .............................................. 1 Use of the PAPYRUS Retriever Program (Diskette) .............. 3 Updates, Questions, Comments, Etc. ......................... 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................... 4 MIDCONTINENT RIFT SYSTEM BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................... 5 AUTHOR INDEX ................................................. 191 KEYWORD INDEX ................................................ 216 i This page left blank intentionally. ii INTRODUCTION The co-chairs of the IGCP Project 336 field conference on the Midcontinent Rift System felt that a comprehensive bibliography of articles relating to a wide variety of subjects would be beneficial to individuals interested in, or working on, the Midcontinent Rift System. There are 2,543 references (>4.2 MB) included on the diskette at the back of this volume. PAPYRUS Bibliography System software by Research Software Design of Portland, Oregon, USA, was used in compiling the database. A retriever program (v. 7.0.011) for the database was provided by Research Software Design for use with the database. The retriever program allows the user to use the database without altering the contents of the database. However, the database can be used, changed, or augmented with a complete version of the program (ordering information can be found in the readme file). The retriever program allows the user to search the database and print from the database. The diskette contains compressed data files.
    [Show full text]
  • Minimum Age and Provenance of the Correlated Thomson and Rove Formations of Eastern Minnesota
    Kerber, L. 2006. 19th Annual Keck Symposium; http://keck.wooster.edu/publications MINIMUM AGE AND PROVENANCE OF THE CORRELATED THOMSON AND ROVE FORMATIONS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA LAURA KERBER Pomona College Sponsor: Robert Gaines INTRODUCTION and in other areas finely bedded argillite. The dominant phase is called a slate because the thin The correlated Thomson and Rove Formations beds have been recrystallized to the point that are exposed as heterogeneous formations they do not disintegrate to clay like common composed of greywacke, slate, sandstone, and shale slabs. They were deposited in a marine argillite in Northeastern Minnesota as part of environment and are characterized in places by the Animikie Group (Morey, 1970). Other turbidites (Morey, 1970). The top and bottom members of the group include the Kakabeka contacts of the Thomson are not exposed, and Pokegama Quartzites (mature quartz and the Rove is exposed in sections that have arenites made from quartz sand and mud with been pieced together to create the probable a basal conglomerate that separates it from the stratigraphy of the whole. The deposition of the underlying Lower Precambrian granites and Rove Formation has been dated previously to volcanic-sedimentary rocks of Northeastern 1836 + 5 Ma using ID-TIMS (isotope-dilution Minnesota) and The Biwabik Iron Formation thermal ionization mass spectrometer) on a (which underlies the Thomson Formation) single zircon and to a mean age of 1827 + 8 and the Gunflint Iron Formation (which Ma using SHRIMP (sensitive high-resolution underlies the Rove Formation) (Ojakangas, ion microprobe) for 15 analyses. All of the 2004). The Thomson and Rove Formations zircons for these analyses were obtained are overlain unconformably by Keweenawan from interbedded tuff layers (Kissin, 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Relationship of Structural Geology of the Duluth Complex to Economic Mineralization
    MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Minerals Report 241-2 RELATIONSHIP OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE DULUTH COMPLEX TO ECONOMIC MINERALIZATION A Final Report to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Research Institute of the University of Minnesota Duluth by Timothy B. Holst, Eugene E. Mullenmeister, Val W. Chandler, John C. Green, and Paul w. Weiblen Funded by The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources The Natural Resources Research Institute TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction I-1 II. Structural Analysis of the Northeast Mesabi Range II-1 III. Structural Analysis of the Dunka River Area III-1 IV. The Form of the Base of the Duluth Complex IV-1 v. Field Mapping V-1 VI. Geophysical Studies VI-1 VII. Discussion, Interpretation, Conclusions VII-1 VIII. Further Work VIII-1 References R-1 Maps: ~)Ire·,:,,,( Plate I: ~Geology of the Northeast Mesabi Range Plate II: Structure Contour Map on the Upper Contact of the Lower Slatey Member of the Biwabik Iron Formation in the Dunka Pit Area Plate III: Structure Contour Map of the Base of the Duluth Complex in the Minnamax Area Plate IV: Structure Contour Map on the Base of the Duluth Complex From the Dunka River Area to Hoyt Lakes Plate V: Structure Contour Map on the Base of the Duluth Complex in the Dunka River Area Plate VI: Structural Geology of the Dunka River Area Cross Sections: A: Minnamax Project Area B: Minnamax Project Area C: Minnamax Project Area D: Dunka River Area INTRODUCTION A series of mafic igneous rocks (both intrusive and extrusive), known from outcrop or inferred from geophysical data, forms an arc that runs from Kansas, through Iowa and Minnesota, through Lake Superior, and south through Michigan, perhaps into Ohio.
    [Show full text]
  • 9.18 Iron Formations: Their Origins and Implications for Ancient Seawater
    9.18 Iron Formations: Their Origins and Implications for Ancient Seawater Chemistry A Bekker, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada NJ Planavsky, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA B Krapezˇ and B Rasmussen, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia A Hofmann, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa JF Slack, US Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA OJ Rouxel, IFREMER, Centre de Brest, Plouzane´, France KO Konhauser, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada ã 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 9.18.1 Introduction 562 9.18.2 Definition of IF 563 9.18.3 Mineralogy of IF 566 9.18.3.1 Precursor Sediments 568 9.18.3.1.1 Secular trend in Fe mineralogy of GIFs 569 9.18.4 Depositional Setting and Sequence-Stratigraphic Framework 569 9.18.4.1 Basin-Type Control on IF Deposition 571 9.18.4.2 Sedimentation Rates 572 9.18.5 IF: A Proxy for Ancient Seawater Composition 573 9.18.5.1 Trace Elements 573 9.18.5.1.1 Rare earth elements 573 9.18.5.1.2 Phosphorus 574 9.18.5.1.3 Nickel 577 9.18.5.1.4 Chromium 577 9.18.5.2 Stable Isotope Studies of IF 579 9.18.5.2.1 Traditional light stable isotopes 579 9.18.5.2.2 Nontraditional stable isotopes 581 9.18.6 Perspective from the Modern Iron Cycle 584 9.18.6.1 Hydrothermal Pulses of Si Synchronous with Fe Addition to Seawater 586 9.18.6.2 Oxidation Mechanism: Biological versus Nonbiological 586 9.18.6.2.1 Oxidation of Fe(II) by cyanobacterial O2 588 9.18.6.2.2 Metabolic Fe(II) oxidation 588 9.18.6.2.3 Ultraviolet photooxidation of Fe(II) 589 9.18.7
    [Show full text]
  • Making It and Breaking It in the Midwest: Continental Assembly and Rifting from Modeling of Earthscope Magnetotelluric Data
    Precambrian Research 278 (2016) 337–361 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Precambrian Research journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/precamres Making it and breaking it in the Midwest: Continental assembly and rifting from modeling of EarthScope magnetotelluric data Paul A. Bedrosian United States Geological Survey, Denver, CO, USA article info abstract Article history: A three-dimensional lithospheric-scale resistivity model of the North American mid-continent has been Received 23 September 2015 estimated based upon EarthScope magnetotelluric data. Details of the resistivity model are discussed in Revised 2 March 2016 relation to lithospheric sutures, defined primarily from aeromagnetic and geochronologic data, which Accepted 19 March 2016 record the southward growth of the Laurentian margin in the Proterozoic. The resistivity signature of Available online 25 March 2016 the 1.1 Ga Mid-continent Rift System is examined in detail, in particular as relates to rift geometry, extent, and segmentation. An unrecognized expanse of (concealed) Proterozoic deltaic deposits in Keywords: Kansas is identified and speculated to result from axial drainage along the southwest rift arm akin to Midcontinent rift the Rio Grande delta which drains multiple rift basins. A prominent conductor traces out Cambrian rifting Magnetotellurics Paleoproterozoic in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky; this linear conductor has not been imaged before and Precambrian suggests that the Cambrian rift system may have been more extensive than previously thought. The high- Lithosphere est conductivity within the mid-continent is imaged in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin where it is Suture zone coincident with Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks. The high conductivity is attributed to metallic sulfides, and in some cases, graphite.
    [Show full text]