Origin of Banded Iron Formations

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 1966 Origin of Banded Iron Formations G. J. S GOVETT G. J. S GOVETT Research Council of Alberta, 87th Avenue and 114th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada1 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information G. J. S GOVETT Research Council of Alberta, 87th Avenue and 114th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada1 Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 25 Jan 1965 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1966, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1966) 77 (11): 1191–1212. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1966)77[1191:OOBIF]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 25 Jan 1965 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation G. J. S GOVETT; Origin of Banded Iron Formations. GSA Bulletin 1966;; 77 (11): 1191–1212. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1966)77[1191:OOBIF]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract It is concluded from the present-day geochemistry of iron, and its probable paleogeochemistry that a primary accumulation of this element cannot arise in a marine environment. The Precambrian banded iron formations are, therefore, suggested to have been formed in a lacustrine or closed-basin environment. Known limnological processes are invoked to provide a mechanism for the common rhythmic banding of iron and silica. The difference between the dominantly nondetrital, low-alumina, banded Early-Middle Precambrian and the dominantly detrital, high-alumina, oölitic Late Precambrian and post-Precambrian iron formations is linked to the effects upon weathering processes of a change in the character of the earth's crust and of the development of biotic systems. Hematite is considered to be the only primary iron mineral in sedimentary rocks; other iron minerals, particularly the ferrous silicates, are regarded as essentially diagenetic (although probably preconsolidation) in origin. Organic matter has an important influence on both weathering and diagenetic processes. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.