The importance of clay minerals for stratigraphic and paleogeographic reconstructions of diamond-promising territories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17308/geology/1609-0691/2026/1/43-57Keywords:
argillaceous minerals, sedimentary formations, sedimentogenesis, diagenesis, metagenesis of sedimentsAbstract
Introduction: the characteristics of clay minerals in sedimentary rocks are determined by the nature of the source areas, the influence of the hydrochemical nature of the environment on the material entering sedimentation areas, and the scale of changes in the chemical composition and properties of the material depending on the intensity of post-sedimentation transformation of deposits. These factors contribute to the development of a sequential process of aggradational alteration of primary allochthonous clay material in all lithological types of rocks. The formation of authigenic clay formations occurs in the pores of sandstone-siltstone rocks and along the fractures of carbonate and terrigenous-carbonate rocks.
Objects, Research Methodology, Results and Their Interpretation: a brief analysis of the behaviour of clay minerals in sedimentary formations at various stages of sedimentogenesis, diagenesis, catagenesis and metagenesis has been carried out. It is shown that each of the zones identified in the Earth’s crust is characterised by different combinations of clay minerals and degrees of post-sedimentation rock transformation. Clay minerals and their associations in terrigenous, terrigenous-carbonate, carbonate, volcanic and halogenic formations have been characterised. Clay minerals from the early stages of sedimentation and diagenesis (partially catagenesis) have been described in particular detail. These stages are usually associated with most ancient (Upper Palaeozoic and Mesozoic) diamond-bearing placers. The presence of indicator minerals of kimberlites in such placers is commonly used to prospect for primary diamond deposits using the heavy-mineral concentrate (placer) mineralogical method.
Using specific diamond-bearing areas of the Siberian Platform (SP) as an example, the importance of studying the material composition of volcanic formations and the distribution patterns of their material during the formation of multi-age diamond reservoirs has been demonstrated for solving predictive and prospecting tasks.
Conclusion: based on the study of deposits from terrigenous, terrigenous-carbonate, carbonate and volcanic formations - where clay minerals are noted to be of both authigenic and allochthonous origin - the widespread development of structurally imperfect varieties has been demonstrated. The latter are characterised by significant defects (i.e., vacancies in the structure) that are not fully filled even up to the metagenesis stage (MS). This is due to the fact that formation waters and pore solutions at the lithogenesis stages preceding MS retain a deficit of the major cations essential for the structures of layered silicates. This leads to relatively minor changes in the material of reworked weathering crusts during their transport into sedimentary basins. This has been illustrated using the example of Upper Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary sequences from the main diamond-bearing regions of the SP.
Downloads
References
1. Afanas'ev V. P., Eliseev A. P., Nadolinnyj V. A., Zinchuk N. N., Koptil' V. I., Rylov G. M., Tomilenko A. A., Gorjajnov S. V., Jur'eva O. P., Sonin V. M., Chepurov A. I. Mineralogija i nekotorye voprosy genezisa almazov U i UP raznovidnostej (po klassifikacii Ju. L. Orlova) [Mineralogy and some issues of variety V and VII diamonds genesis (by classification of Y. L. Orlov)]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2000, no. 5, pp. 79−97 (In Russ.)
2. Afanas'ev V. P., Zinchuk N. N. Mineragenija drevnih rossypej almazov vostochnogo borta Tungusskoj sineklizy [Ninerageny of ancient placers of diamonds on the eastern side the Tunguska syneclise]. Geologija i geofizika − Geology and geophysic. 1987, no. 1, рр. 90−96 (In Russ.)
3. Afanas'ev V. P., Zinchuk N. N., Har'kiv A. D., Sokolov V. N. Zakonomernosti izmenenija mantijnyh mineralov v kore vyvetrivanija kimberlitovyh porod [Pafferns of changes in mantle minerals in the weathering crust of kimberlite rocks]. Mineragenija zony gipergeneza − Mineralogy of the hypergenesis zone, 1980, pp. 45−54 (In Russ.)
4. Afanas'ev V. P., Pokhilenko N. P., Logvinova A. M., Zinchuk N. N., Efimova E.S., Saf'yannikov V.I., Krasavchikov V.O., Podgornykh M.M., Prugov V.P. Osobennosti morfologii i sostava nekotorykh khromshpinelidov almazonosnykh ploshchadei v svyazi s problemoi «lozhnykh» indikatorov kimberlitov [Features of the morphology and composition of some chromespinels of diamond-bearing areas in connection with the problem of "false" indicators of kimberlites]. Geologiya i geofizika – Geology and geophysics, 2000, vol. 41, no. 12, pp. 1729–1741 (In Russ.)
5. Barduhinov L.D., Sedyh E.M., Evstratov A.A., Garanin K.V., Zinchuk N.N. Pervye rezul'taty izuchenija krupnyh almazov iz promyshlennyh mestorozhdenij Jakutii [The First Results of a Study of Large Diamonds from Industrial Deposits of Yakutia]. Geologija rudnyh mestorozhdenij − Geology of Ore Depоsite, 2024, vol.66, no. 4, рр.412−429 (In Russ.)
6. Gladkov A. S., Bornjakov S. A., Manakov A. V., Matrosov V. A. Tektonofizicheskie issledovanija pri almazopoiskovyh rabotah. Metod. posobie [Tectonophisical studies in diamondiferous operations. Metodical posobical]. Moscow, Nauthni mir publ., 2008, 175 p. (In Russ.)
7. Gorshkov A. I., Zinchuk N. N., Kotel'nikov D. D., Shlykov V. G., Zhuhlistov A. P., Mohov A. V., Sivcov A. V. Novyj uporjadochennyj smeshanoslojnyj mineral lizardit-saponit iz kimberlitov Juzhnoj Afriki [New ordered mixed-layer mineral lysardite-saponite from kimberlites of South Africa]. Doklady RAN – Reports of RAN, 2002, vol. 382, no. 3, рр. 374–378 (In Russ.)
8. Dukardt Ju.A., Boris E. I. Avlakogenez i kimberlitovyj magmatizm [Avlacogenesis and kimberlite magmatism]. Voronez,VGU publ., 2000, 161 p. (In Russ.)
9. Zinchuk N. N. Sostav i genezis glinistyh mineralov v verhnepaleozojskih osadochnyh tolshhah vostochnogo borta Tungusskoj sineklizy [Composition and genesis of clay minerals in the Upper Paleozoic sedimentary strata of the castern side of the Tunguska syneclise]. Geologija i geofizika – Geologia and Geophisika, 1981, no. 8, рр. 22–29 (In Russ.)
10. Zinchuk N. N. Ob osnovnyh istochnikah glinistyh mineralov v mezozojskih kontinental'nyh almazonosnyh otlozhenijah Zapadnoj Jakutii [About main sources of argillaceous minerals in Mesozoic continental diamondiferous deposits of Western Yakutia]. Geologija i geofizika – Geology and Geophysics, 1982, no. 8, рр. 81–90 (In Russ.)
11. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti sostava i raspredelenija sljudistyh obrazovanij v kimberlitovyh porodah Jakutii [Specific features of composition and distribution of micaceous formations in kimberlite rocks of Yakutia]. Izvestija vysshih uchebnyh zavedenij. Geologija i razvedka ‒ News of HEI. Geology and exploration, 1991, no.7, рр. 58‒66 (In Russ.)
12. Zinchuk N. N. Vlijanie vtorichnyh mineralov na oblik i sostav kimberlitovyh porod [Influence of secondary minerals on appearance and composition of kimberlite rocks]. Geologija i geofizika – Geology and geophysics, 1998, vol. 39, no. 12, рр. 1704–1715 (In Russ.)
13. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti mineralov sljud v kimberlitah [Features of micactous Formations in kimberlite]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2018, no. 2, pp. 29–39 (In Russ.)
14. Zinchuk N. N. Tipomorfnye svojstva indikatornyh mineralov kimberlitov i ih ispol'zovanie pri prognozirovanii mestorozhdenij almaza na Sibirskoj platforme [Tipomorphic properties of kimberlite indicator minerals and their use in forecasting diamond deposits on the Sibirian platform]. Otechestvennaja geologija ‒ Otechestvenaya geologiya, 2021, no. 2, рр. 41‒56 (In Russ.)
15. Zinchuk N. N. Geologicheskie issledovanija pri poiskah almaznyh mestorozhdenij [Geological research in Prospecting for Diamond deposits]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2021, no. 4, pp. 35‒52 (In Russ.)
16. Zinchuk N. N. Rol' petrologo-mineralogicheskih i geohimicheskih issledovanij v ocenke potencial'noj almazonosnosti kimberlitov [The role of petrological-mineralogikal and mineralogical and geochemical shoties in assessing the potential diamond content of kimberlites]. Otechestvennaja geologija ‒ Otetchestvennaia geologiya, 2022, no. 1, pp. 36‒47 (In Russ.)
17. Zinchuk N.N. Kremnistye mineraly v kimberlitah [Silicegus Minerals in Kimberlite] Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2022, no. 4, pp. 38–52 (In Russ.)
18. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti petrograficheskogo izuchenija kimberlitovyh porod [Specific features of petrographic study of kimberlite]. Otechestvennaja geologija – Otetsestvennaya geology, 2022, no. 4, pp. 34–49 (In Russ.)
19. Zinchuk N. N. Kory vyvetrivanija i ih rol' v formirovanii postkimberlitovyh osadochnyh tolshh [Weathering crusts and their role information of post kimberlite fedimentary seguences]. Rudy i metally ‒ Ores and metals, 2022, no. 2, рр. 100‒120 (In Russ.)
20. Zinchuk N. N. O specifike glinistyh mineralov v osadochnyh formacijah [About specific character of argillaceous Minerals in sedimebtary fornations]. Vestnik Permskogo universiteta. Geologija – Proceedings of Permsk State University. Series: Geology, 2022, no. 1, рр. 10–23 (In Russ.)
21. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti gidrotermal'nogo i gipergennogo izmenenija sljudistyh kimberlitov [Specific features of Hydrothermal and Hypergene Alterations of Micaceus Kimberlites]. Vestnik Permskogo universiteta. Geologija – Vestnic Permskogo universiteta. Geology, 2023, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 32–50 (In Russ.)
22. Zinchuk N. N. Sul'faty v kimberlitovyh porodah [Sulfates from kimberlite rocks]. Otechestvennaja geologija – Otetsestvennaya geology, 2023, no. 2, pp. 56–72 (In Russ.)
23. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti kal'cita iz kimberlitovyh porod [Features of calcite from kimberlite rocks]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2023, no. 2, pp. 28–43 (In Russ.)
24. Zinchuk N. N. O geologo-poiskovyh tipah kimberlitovyh trubok [Geological-fearching and petrographi of kimberlite pipes]. Izvestija Komi NC UrO RAN. Nauki o Zemle − Izvestiya Komi NTs UrO RAN. Nauki o Zemle, 2023, no. 2 (60), рр.43−56 (In Russ.)
25. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti rasprostranenija i genezisa nekotoryh karbonatnyh mineralov v kimberlitovyh porodah (na primere Sibirskoj platformy) [Specific features of the dictribution and genesis of some carbonate minerals in kimberlite rocks (on the example of the Sibirian Platform)]. Otechestvennaja geologija − Otethestvenaya geologiya, 2023, no. 6, pp. 62−77 (In Russ.)
26. Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti sul'fidov v kimberlitovyh porodah [Specific features of Sulphides in kimberkite rocks]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2023, no. 4, pp. 47–62 (In Russ.)
27. Zinchuk N. N. Geologo-tektonicheskoe stroenie i osobennosti razvitija Sibirskoj platformy v svjazi s almazopoiskovymi rabotami [Geological and structure and development features of the Sibirian platform in Connectian with diamond prospecting]. Otechestvennaja geologija − Otethestvenaya geologiya, 2024, no. 3, pp. 43−72 (In Russ.)
28. Zinchuk N. N. O nekotoryh osobennostjah regional'noj poiskovoj almaznoj mineralogii [About Perspectives of Studyina the kimberlite Indicator Minerals]. Vestnik Permskogo gosuniversiteta. Geologija − Vestnik Permskogo gosuniversiteta. Geologiya, 2024, vol. 23, no. 2. рр. 152−172 (In Russ.)
29. Zinchuk N. N. Ob osobennostjah nekotoryh indikatornyh mineralov kimberlitovyh porod [About Characteristics of Some Kimberlite Indicator Minerals] Vestnik Permskogo gosuniversiteta. Geologija − Vestnik Permskogo gosuniversiteta. Geologiya, 2024, vol. 23, no. 4, рр. 352−376 (In Russ.)
30. Zinchuk N. N., Afanas'ev V. P. Geneticheskie tipy i osnovnye zakonomernosti formirovanija almazonosnyh rossypej [Genetic types and basis pafferns of diamondiferous pacer formation]. Izvestija vysshih uchebnyh zavedenij. Geologija i razvedka ‒ News of HEI. Geology and Exploration, 1998, no. 2, pp. 66‒71 (In Russ.)
31. Zinchuk N. N., Boris E. I. O koncentracii produktov pereotlozhenija kor vyvetrivanija v verhnepaleozojskih osadochnyh tolshhah vostochnogo borta Tungusskoj sineklizy [Koncentration of Weathering crust vedeposition products in the Upper Peleozoic sedimentary strata of the eastern side of the Tunguska syneclise]. Geologija i geofizika ‒ Geology and geophysics, 1981, no. 8, pp. 22‒29 (In Russ.)
32. Zinchuk N. N., Boris E. I., Stegnickij Ju. B. Strukturno-formacionnoe i mineragenicheskoe rajonirovanie territorij razvitija pogrebennyh kor vyvetrivanija i produktov ih pereotlozhenija v almazonosnyh regionah (na primere Jakutskoj kimberlitovoj provincii) [Structural-formational and mineragenetic zoning of the territory of buried crusts of weathering and products of their redeposition in diamondiferous regions (on the example of Yakutian kimberlite province)]. Geologija i geofizika ‒ Geology and geophysics, 1998, vol. 39, no. 7, pp. 950‒964 (In Russ.)
33. Zinchuk N. N., Dukardt Ju. A., Boris E. I. Tektonicheskie aspekty prognozirovanija kimberlitovyh polej [Tektonic aspect forecast of kimberlite field]. Novosibirsk, Sibtehnorezerv publ., 2004, 166 p. (In Russ.)
34. Zinchuk N. N., Zinchuk M. N., Kotel'nikov D. D., Shlykov V. G., Zhuhlistov A. P. Strukturno-kristallohimicheskie preobrazovanija sloistyh mineralov na raznyh stadijah gipergennogo izmenenija kimberlitov [Structural and crystal-chemical transformations of layered minerals at different stages of hypergenic kimberlite changes]. Izvestija vysshih uchebnyh zavedenij. Geologija i razvedka − News of higher educational institutions. Geology and exploration, 2002, no. 1, pp. 47−60 (In Russ.)
35. Zinchuk N. N., Koptil' V. I. Osobennosti almazov iz drevnih osadochnyh tolshh na ploshhadjah vlijanija kristallicheskih massivov [Specific features of diamonds from ancient sedimentary thicks layers within crystalline massif influence arcas]. Otechestvennaja geologija − Otetchestvenaya geologiya, 2020, no. 3, pp.75−88 (In Russ.)
36. Zinchuk N. N., Kotelnikov D.D., Gorshkov A. I. Identifikatsiya i genezis lizardit-saponitovogo smeshanosloinogo obrazovaniya v kimberlitakh odnoi iz trubok Yuzhnoi Afriki [Identification and genesis of lizardite-saponite mixed-layer formation in kimberlites of one of the pipes of South Africa]. Litologiya i poleznye iskopaemye – Lithology and Minerals, 2003, no. 1, pp. 87–96 (In Russ.)
37. Zinchuk N. N., Kotel'nikov D. D., Sokolov V. N. Izmenenie mineral'nogo sostava i strukturnyh osobennostej kimberlitov Jakutii v processe vyvetrivanija [Changes in the mineral composition and structural features of kimberlites of Yakutia during weathering]. Geologija i geofizika − Geology and Geophysics, 1982, no. 2, pp. 42−53 (In Russ.)
38. Koptil' V. I. Tipomorfizm almazov severo-vostoka Sibirskoj platformy v svjazi s problemoj prognozirovanija i poiskov almaznyh mestorozhdenij: avtoref. diss. … kan. geol. min. nauk [Tipomorfism diamante of nordt-east of Sibirian platfirme in bond of problem poiskov and deposits diamante. Abstract diss.]. Novosibirsk, IGM SO RAN publ., 1994, 25 p. (In Russ.)
39. Kotel'nikov D.D., Zinchuk N.N. Ob ustojchivosti i paleogeograficheskom znachenii gidrosljud v korah vyvetrivanija i produktah ih pereotlozhenija na territorii Zapadnoj Jakutii [About stability and paleogeographical significance of hydromicas in crusts of weathering and products of their redeposition on the territory of Western Yakutia]. DAN SSSR − USSR DAS. 1980, vol. 255, no. 3, рр. 705−709 (In Russ.)
40. Kotel'nikov D. D., Zinchuk N. N. Osobennosti glinistykh mineralov v otlozheniyakh razlichnykh osadochnykh formatsii [Features of clay minerals in deposits of various sedimentary formations]. Izvestiya VUZov. Geologiya i razvedka – Proceedings of higher educational establishments. Geology and Exploration, 1997, no. 2, pp. 53–63 (In Russ.)
41. Kotel'nikov D. D., Zinchuk N. N. Geologicheskaja interpretacija rezul'tatov izuchenija glinistyh mineralov v osadochnom chehle zemnoj kory [Geological interpretation of the rezultationts of the Sedimentary cover on the larth′s crust]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2001, no. 12, pp. 45−51 (In Russ.)
42. Kotel'nikov D. D., Zinchuk N. N. Usloviya nakopleniya i postsedimentatsionnogo preobrazovaniya glinistykh mineralov votlozheniyakh terrigennoi formatsii [Conditions of accumulation and postsedimentary transformation of clay minerals in the sediments of the terrigenous formation]. Byulleten' Moskovskogo obshchestva ispytatelei prirody. Otdel geologichesk – Bulletin of the Moscow Society of Naturalists. Geological department, 2001, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 45–53 (In Russ.)
43. Kotel'nikov D. D., Zinchuk N. N. Ob anomalii obshhej shemy preobrazovanija razbuhajushhih glinistyh mineralov pri pogruzhenii soderzhashhih ih otlozhenij v stratisferu [On the anomaly of the general scheme of transformation of swelling clay minerals when the sediments containing them are immersed in the stratosphere]. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2003, no. 2, pp. 57–68 (In Russ.)
44. Kotel'nikov D. D., Zinchuk N. N., Kuz'min V. A. Morfogeneticheskie raznovidnosti kaolinita v korah vyvetrivanija i osadochnom chehle zemnoj kory. Stat'ja 1. Mehanizm obrazovanija kaolinita v korah vyvetrivanija razlichnyh petrohimicheskih tipov porod [Morphogenetic varieties of kaolinite in weathering crusts and sedimentary cover of the cartc Mechanism of kaolinite formation in the weathering crusts of varions petrochemical teaks of rocks]. Izvestija VUZov. Geologija i razvedka − News of universities. Geology and exploration, 2006, no. 5, pp. 19−25 (In Russ.)
45. Lapin A. V., Tolstov A. V., Antonov A. V. Izotopnyj sostav Sr- i Nd-kimberlitov i konvergentnyh s nimi porod Sibirskoj platformy [SR- and ND Izotopic compositions of Kimberlites and associated rocks of the Sibirian craton]. Doklady RAN − Doklаdy Earth Sciences, 2007, vol. 414, no. 1, рр. 557−560 (In Russ.)
46. Savko A. D., Zinchuk N. N., Shevyrjov L. T., Il'jash V. V., Afanas'ev N. S. Almazonosnost' Voronezhskoj anteklizy [Diamond bearing of the Voronezh anteclise]. Trudy nauchno-issledovatel'¬skogo instituta Geologii [The work of the Research Institute of Geology], Voronezh, VSU publ., vol. 17, 2003, 121 p. (In Russ.)
47. Serokurov Ju. N., Kalmykov V. D., Zuev V. M. Kosmicheskie metody pri prognozirovanii i poiskah mestorozhdenij almazov [Space methods for fogecasting and prospecting for diamond deposits]. Moscow, Nedra publ., 2001, 198 p. (In Russ.)
48. Rosen O. M., Serenko V. P., Spetsius Z. V., Manakov A. V., Zinchuk N. N. Yakutian kimberlite position in the Sibirian craton and composition of the upper and lower crust. Geologiya and Geofizika, 2002, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 3−26
