Origin and evolution of Archean quartzites from the Nondweni greenstone belt (South Africa): inferences from a multidisciplinary study

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2004 Origin and evolution of Archean quartzites from the Nondweni greenstone belt (South Africa): inferences from a multidisciplinary study A. M. van den Kerkhof; A. M. van den Kerkhof Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 1-3, D-37 077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. Kronz; A. Kronz Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 1-3, D-37 077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar K. Simon; K. Simon Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 1-3, D-37 077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. Riganti; A. Riganti Department of Geology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Present address: Geological Survey of Western Australia, P.O.Box 1664, Kalgoorlie, WA 6433, Australia, e-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar T. Scherer T. Scherer Institut für Mineralogie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str., 35 032 Marburg, Germany. Present address: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut Nanotechnologie, Hermann-von-Helmholtzplatz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen., e-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information A. M. van den Kerkhof Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 1-3, D-37 077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail] A. Kronz Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 1-3, D-37 077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail] K. Simon Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 1-3, D-37 077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail] A. Riganti Department of Geology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Present address: Geological Survey of Western Australia, P.O.Box 1664, Kalgoorlie, WA 6433, Australia, e-mail: [e-mail] T. Scherer Institut für Mineralogie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str., 35 032 Marburg, Germany. Present address: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut Nanotechnologie, Hermann-von-Helmholtzplatz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen., e-mail: [e-mail] Publisher: Geological Society of South Africa First Online: 07 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1996-8590 Print ISSN: 1012-0750 © 2004 Geological Society of South Africa South African Journal of Geology (2004) 107 (4): 559–576. https://doi.org/10.2113/gssajg.107.4.559 Article history First Online: 07 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation A. M. van den Kerkhof, A. Kronz, K. Simon, A. Riganti, T. Scherer; Origin and evolution of Archean quartzites from the Nondweni greenstone belt (South Africa): inferences from a multidisciplinary study. South African Journal of Geology 2004;; 107 (4): 559–576. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gssajg.107.4.559 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 SocietySouth African Journal of Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract Quartzites from the Patsoana area, part of the Nondweni greenstone belt, South Africa, comprise coarse-grained (1) banded graphite-bearing black and white quartzite, (2) greenish to beige finely-banded quartzite and (3) massive sulphide-bearing quartzite. The quartzites show distinctive Ti and Al-contents (LA-ICPMS analysis) that are highest for the finely-banded quartzite varieties with intense blue cathodoluminescence (CL) and lowest structural water as measured by FT-IR analysis. The quartzites underwent contact metamorphism, but stable oxygen isotope ratios (16.7‰ to 19.2‰) suggest formation at low temperatures as chert. Complex quartz zoning in CL combined with trace element analysis points at a 2-step evolution after primary formation with (1) prograde recrystallisation of a finer-grained siliceous lithotype accompanied by extensive hydrothermal alteration resulting in high Ti-contents, and (2) retrograde reduction of trace elements by diffusion and by the final formation of pure secondary quartz. Secondary quartz veinlets formed at lower temperatures. The study testifies the local remobilisation of titanium in solution as well as diffusion in quartz at high temperatures. Laser Raman analysis of dispersed graphite shows high crystallinity in most of the quartzites and points at formation temperatures of >600°C; poorly organised graphite was mainly found in the finely-banded and greenish quartzite and formed during retrogression. Very high concentrations of paramagnetic [TiO4/Li+] and [TiO4/H+] defect centres were found in the finely-banded quartzite, whereas paramagnetic [AlO4] centres are assumed to be largely decayed with time. The perseverance of the Ti-related paramagnetic defects are explained by a long-term position of the Nondweni greenstones in a stable part of the crust. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.