Principles of Geochemical Prospecting

ForewordIntroduction History of Geochemical Investigations in U.S.S.R. Geochemical Investigations Abroad "Schlich" and Geochemical Investigations Development of Methods of Investigation: Physical, Physico-chemical, Chemical, Biochemical, and Others Co-ordination with Geological Surveys and Comprehensive Studies Successes of Geochemical ProspectingChapter I Methods of Analytical Investigations Spectrographic Chemical Quantitative Drop and Powder Analysis Colorimetric; Comparison of the Two Methods The Phase Analysis Electro-dialysis Analysis of Water and Other Methods Selection of the Method for the InvestigationsChapter II Geochemical Tracers (Indicators) Elements as Geochemical Indicators Trace Elements in Crystal Structures as Indicators Minerals as Geochemical Indicators Choice of Indicators Geochemical Correlations Factors Determining Specificity of Geochemical IndicationChapter III Accumulation of Metals in Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks Geochemical Principles of Accumulation of Dispersed Elements Mobility of Elements Permeability of Rocks and Accumulation of Metals The Concept of Dispersion Halos Relation of Boundaries of Mineralized Halos to Structures of Ore Deposits Character of Distribution of Ore Minerals in Bedrocks; the Concept of the "Background" Economic (Ore) Mineralization Ore-Free Mineralization Trace Elements in Crystal Structures of Minerals Dispersed Mineralization Syngenetic and Epigenetic Dispersion Enriched and Ore Mineralization Halo Mineralization. The Coefficients of Mineralization The Shape of Mineralized Areas; their Size and Distribution.Chapter IV Accumulation of Metals in Sedimentary Rock Factors Determining Accumulation Mechanisms of Transfers of Sediments Environments of Sedimentation and of Transfer of Metalliferous Sediments Stages in Development of Sedimentary Ores Effects of Percolation of Solutions in Rocks on the Uranium-Content The Metal-Content of Sedimentary Rocks Stratification of Economic Accumulations of Metals in Sedimentary Rocks Deposits of Sedimentary Origin Metals in Coal Ash Correlation of Individual Elements and the Forms in which they are PresentChapter V Prospecting in Bedrocks The Role of Supergene Processes in Modifications of Metal Concentrations in Bedrocks Importance of Host Rocks of the Ore Supergene Migration of Metals into Host Rocks Environments Affecting the Extent of Development of the Mineralized Zones Correlations in Zones of Supergenesis and in Bedrocks Dispersion of Easily Mobile Elements and of their Compounds in Bedrocks Geochemical Prospecting for Sedimentary DepositsChapter VI Prospecting for Deposits without Surface Outcrops Discovery of Ore Bodies in Sedimentary Rocks under Surficial Sedimentary Mantle Prospecting for Blind Ore Bodies in Bedrock Structural Factors Zoning in Ore Bodies and Stages of the Hydrothermal Process Behavior of Metals in the Hanging Wall and in the Footwall of Ore Bodies and Dimension of Dispersion Fields Importance of Erosional Surface in Prospecting for Blind Ore Bodies Certain Indications of (Economic) Mineralization Testing Interpretation of Geochemical Survey Some ConclusionsChapter VII Accumulation of Metals in Unconsolidated Overburden (Dispersion Halos) Dispersion Halos Factors and Processes Affecting Formation of Dispersion Halos Modern Weathering and Soil-Forming Processes Behavior of Individual Elements in Soils: Copper; Lead; Zinc and Cadmium; Molybdenum; Tin; Arsenic, Selenium, Tellurium; Silver and Gold; Nickel and Cobalt; Barium and Strontium; Boron; Fluorine. Accumulation of Elements as Dependent on the Variations in Soil-Climatic Environments Metal-Content in Halos of Dispersion Metals in "Superaqueous" Soils Importance of the Composition of Soil Air Ancient Weathering Aspiration by the Root Systems Mineralization of Plant Residues Capillary Rise and Insolation The Role of Capillary Rise in Arid Regions Effects of Applications of Water Problems in the Ascent of Water-Soluble Salts from Depths Thermal Diffusion Ionic Diffusion Importance of Electric Currents Waters Under Pressure Processes of Oxidation The Zones of Bleaching. Mineral Composition of Oxidized Zones Iron Gossans Erosion of the Weathering Crust and of the Oxidized Zones Processes of the Mechanical Transfers and the Streams of Dispersion Mechanism of Formation of the Halos and of the Streams of Dispersion Bottom Sediments The Survey False Halos Prospecting in Alluvium and Eluvium Coagulation, Precipitation, and Sorption Genetic Types of Halos Formation of Halos in Surficial Sediments Evaluation and Interpretation of Halos.Chapter VIII Prospecting at the Surface of the Overlying Mantle Depth of Sampling Particle-Size Classes to be Tested Weight of Sample The "Schlich" and the Spectrographic Analysis Selection of Testing and Analytical Procedures Extraneous Contamination Prospecting for Lead; Zinc and Cadmium; Silver; Copper; Molybdenum; Tungsten; Tin; Gold; Nickel, Cobalt and Chromium; Fluorspar, Barium, Lithium Certain practical suggestionsChapter IX Migration of Metals in Waters Hydrogenetic Elements Solubility and Ionic Potentials Forms of Metals in Waters Metal-Content of Waters of Different Origins Factors Affecting Metals in Waters. Importance of the Hydrogen-Ion Levels Importance of the Extent of Oxidation of the Sulfides Water-Exchange Character of the Distribution of Sulfides in their Host Rocks Climatic Environments Effects of Leaching of Rocks by Waters The Coefficients of Migration Migration of Metals in Waters Metals in Swamp Waters Differences in the Extent of Dispersion of Individual Metals in Waters Behavior of Individual Metals and of Certain Elements and Compounds in Waters: Lead; Zinc; Copper; Silver; Cadmium; Bismuth; Tin; Molybdenum; Vanadium; Chromium; Nickel; Cobalt; Arsenic; Mercury; Uranium; Antimony; Selenium; Tellurium; Phosphorus; Germanium; Gallium; Beryllium; Titanium; Scandium; Barium and Strontium; Sulfate and Chloride; Fluorine; Boron Aqueous Extracts Determinations of pH.Chapter X Hydro-Geochemical Prospecting for Metals and Characteristics of Different Water Types Associated with Ore Deposits Determination of the Background Prospecting in Flat and in Dissected Terrains The Required Measurements Inventory of Factors Responsible for Metal "Highs" in Waters, with the Example of Western Siberia Characteristics of Waters of Copper Deposits Waters of Pyritic Deposits Waters of Polymetallic Deposits Waters of the Rare-Metals Deposits Importance of the Complete Analysis of Waters Gas, Neutron-Count, and Radioactive Methods.Chapter XI The Bio-geochemical Method of Prospecting Theoretical Premises and Practical Applications of the Method Metal-Content of Plant Ash Assimilation of Different Metals by Plants Prospecting for Iron-Rich Sulfides Prospecting for Nickel, Cobalt, and Chromium; Copper; Zinc and Lead; Molybdenum, Uranium; Other Metals The Practical Value of the Method.Chapter XII The Geobotanical Method of Prospecting Theoretical Premises Types of Botanical Indications Metallophilic Flora Examples of Prospecting for Copper; Uranium and Selenium The Vegetative Cover as the Indicator of Lithologic Composition of the Rocks, Hydrologic Conditions, and Tectonic Structures The Aerobotanical methodsChapter XIII General Conclusions in Reference to Geochemical Survey Geochemical Mapping and Types of Geochemical Maps: Topographic-Mineralogic Maps Geochemical Maps in the Strict Sense Geochemical Surveys of Bedrocks Types of Geochemical Maps of Bedrocks Geochemical Survey of Surficial Sediments: Flat Terrains; Elevated Weakly Dissected Terrains; Elevated Strongly Dissected Terrains; Terrains Under Forest and Swamps Importance of Supplementary Methods: Hydrochemical, Biochemical, Botanical Boring for Mapping Purposes Types of Metallometric Surveys Selection of the Method and the Interpretation of the Data of G geochemical Survey Distortion of Boundary Outlines of Economic (Ore) Mineralization, as Represented by the Halos of Dispersion Values of the "Rational" and of the Mineralogical Methods of Analysis Application of Mineralogic-Geochemical Prospecting the Far North-east Evaluation of Ore Reserves General ConclusionsAppendix Rapid Methods of Determining Lead, Copper, Tungsten, Molybdenum and Silver in the FieldGlossaryTranslator's Notes on Soil Terms Used in this BookBibliographyIndex