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The Rompas-Rajapalot gold prospect is located in the northern part of the Paleoproterozoic Peräpohja belt. It covers an area of at least 10 x 10 km and comprises various styles of gold mineralization ranging from localized high-grade Au pockets in uraniniteand pyrobitumen-bearing calcsilicate-carbonate-quartz veins in mafic metavolcanic rocks (Rompas area) to disseminated gold grains in Fe-Mg-rich metasediments and quartz-tourmaline-sulfide-native gold veins (Palokas area). This study deals with the petrography and mineral chemistry of the gold mineralization at Palokas, which occurs in the eastern part of the Rompas-Rajapalot prospect. Major and trace element data and fluid inclusion characteristics of tourmaline are used to evaluate the origin and the pressure-temperature-fluid composition parameters of hydrothermal fluids. Whole-rock geochemical analyses are utilized to evaluate the nature of the protolith of the host rocks. Gold occurs in a native form in at least two different textural settings: 1) single, relatively coarse grains disseminated among the rock-forming silicates in cordierite-orthoamphibole rocks and 2) smaller grains occurring in fractures of tourmaline in quartz-sulfide-tourmaline breccias and in fractures of chloritized cordierite-orthoamphibole rocks adjacent to the tourmaline-rich breccias. Fracture-related gold is associated with Bi-Se-S-bearing tellurides, native Bi, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite. Coarser-grained disseminated gold were not found to be clearly associated with sulfides nor any fractures. Statistical correlations show that the Au concentration correlates strongly with Te, Cu, Co, Se, Bi, Mo, and Ag (ρ = 0.730–0.619) whereas Au correlates moderately with As, Fe, W (ρ = 0.523–0.511) and to a lesser extent with U, Pb, and Ni (ρ = 0.492–0.407). Gold has the strongest negative correlations with Sr and Ca. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of tourmaline from the Au-mineralized rocks (both vein type and host-rock tourmaline) and the late- to post-orogenic granite partly overlap and show similar LREE-enriched trends, with the enrichment being lower in tourmaline from the granite. Fluid inclusion studies from tourmaline in gold-bearing quartz-tourmaline-sulfide veins indicate that the veins were formed from H2O-Na2O-CO2- CH4-(H2S) fluids in a boiling system under pressure conditions ranging from lithostatic to hydrostatic, with the depth being ~5 km and the temperature ~300°C. The properties of the ore-forming fluids support the genetic link between the late- to post-orogenic granitoid magmatism at ~1.78 Ga and the formation of the fracture-hosted gold mineralization, suggested based on earlier studies (including Re-Os-molybdenite age and boron isotope data from tourmaline). Based on the whole-rock geochemistry, it is highly plausible that the cordierite-orthoamphibole rocks and interlayered calcsilicatealbite rocks are part of a basin-wide lacustrine, at least partly evaporitic, sequence. The protolith of the cordierite-orthoamphibole rock was most probably a lake-margin sedimentary pile with abundant Mg-rich clays.

The ca. 2.06 Ga Kevitsa intrusion is one of the ore-bearing mafic-ultramafic igneous bodies in the Central Lapland greenstone belt. A large disseminated Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide ore deposit is hosted by olivine-pyroxene cumulates in the lower ultramafic part of the intrusion, indicating involvement of a multiply saturated magma in the ore formation. There are also various dunitic rocks, which occur as numerous inclusions within the Kevitsa intrusion, most commonly in the economic resource area. On textural basis, two distinct types of inclusions are recognized: i) cumulate-textured (Kevitsa Dunite) and ii) recrystallized ultramafic inclusions. In addition, there also exists a separate dunitic body (Central Dunite) with a suface area of 0.6 x 1.0 km, cropping out in the central part of the intrusion. The Central Dunite and Kevitsa Dunite are similar olivine-chromite cumulates and with comparable whole-rock and mineral compositions, suggesting that they are cogenetic. A magmatic, rather than replacement origin for the dunitic cumulates is evidenced by their systematic mineral compositional trends consistent with magmatic fractionation. Wholerock major and trace element and mineral compositional data of the dunitic cumulates and Kevitsa olivine pyroxenites fall on the same linear trends and record similar REE characteristics indicating a genetic link between these two. The parental magmas for the dunitic cumulates were probably picritic and related to the picritic and basaltic volcanic rocks in the area. The high Fo content of olivine (up to ~89 mol.%) is consistent with a high- Mg parental melt. The recrystallized ultramafic inclusions are fine-grained and show a granoblastic/interlobate textures indicative for thermal textural readjustment. Two subgroups are identified: Group 1 shows a chemical affinity towards the dunitic cumulates and are interpreted as their recrystallized clasts. The Group 2 inclusions are compositionally comparable to the ~2.06 Ga komatiitic volcanic rocks in the area and are considered as dehydrated metavolcanic xenoliths. A decrease in the flow rate of the Kevitsa magmas due to entrapment of a high number of inclusions is proposed as a mechanism to promote settling of sulfides, contributing to the formation of the Ni-Cu-(PGE) ore.

Initiation of large igneous provinces (LIPs) and temporal and spatial variations in their chemical compositions provide unique opportunities to understand mantle dynamics. It has been recently revealed that water‐rich reservoirs in the mantle sources have played a significant role in the production of LIPs. However, the dominant causes for the chemical variations in primitive magmas of LIPs remain debated. In the Emeishan LIP (ELIP), there are several places where picrites accompany more abundant flood basalts. These picrites span a large range of Ti/Y, Sm/Yb, and TiO2/Al2O3. In this work, we have determined the water contents of picrites with Ti/Y > 500 from the ELIP, based on the water content of clinopyroxene phenocrysts and water partitioning coefficients. We have also calculated the water content of the mantle sources by applying batch and fractional partial melting models. We show that the chemical compositions of picrites in the ELIP closely correlate with the calculated water content in their mantle sources. Our model suggests that the variation in the chemical composition of the primary magmas of the ELIP both on a local and regional scale can be mainly explained by the complementary roles of relatively dry recycled pyroxenite and hydrated components in the mantle plume, without requiring catastrophic thinning of the lithospheric mantle. Our model thus implies that both the initiation and chemical variation of the ELIP are affected by water from the deep mantle. Plain Language Summary: Large igneous provinces (LIPs) represent a manifestation of the activity of a mantle plume. In most LIPs, the chemical compositions of basalts are heterogeneous and can usually be divided into high‐Ti and low‐Ti groups. This division has been used to infer differences in the mantle composition and/or partial melting conditions, which ultimately reflect the picture of the compositional and thermal structure of the deep mantle and their partial melting processes. In this study, we report that both the high‐Ti and low‐Ti type picrites of the Emeishan LIP were derived from hydrous mantle sources and such a compositional dichotomy is closely associated with the water content of the mantle sources. This case study provides a new perspective to connect the presence of volatiles in the deep mantle, the activity of deep‐seated mantle plumes, and widespread basaltic magmatism on the Earth's surface. Key Points: Both high‐Ti and low‐Ti picrites in the Emeishan large igneous province are hydrousThe major and trace element compositions of picrites are related to the water content in their mantle sourcesCompositional variations in a large igneous provinces are affected by volatiles in mantle plumes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hietaharju Ni–Cu–PGE deposit occurs in the Archean Suomussalmi greenstone belt of eastern Finland and is associated with high-Mg basalts and low-Mg komatiitic rocks. It represents a PGE-enriched type among komatiite-related Ni–Cu deposits. The Hietaharju deposit consists of several mineralized lenses in highly altered olivine–pyroxene cumulates (i.e., talc–carbonate–chlorite rocks) and contains disseminated, massive to semi-massive and brecciated sulfides. Post-magmatic processes have not significantly changed the primary magmatic sulfide assemblage (i.e., pyrrhotite–pentlandite–chalcopyrite), but has modified sulfide textures and possibly remobilized and reconcentrated the sulfides. Though the deposit is currently subeconomic, it has high PGE contents in the sulfide fraction, averaging 5.7 ppm Pd and 2 ppm Pt (average of all ore types), being highest in disseminated sulfides. The parental magma represents an intermediate type between Al-undepleted and Al-depleted komatiites and differs from most other komatiitic rocks in the Tipasjärvi–Kuhmo–Suomussalmi greenstone belt complex, which are normally of the Al-undepleted type. The relatively fractionated nature of the komatiitic basalt parental magma of the Hietaharju deposit is consistent with the low Ni/Cu (< 4) and Ni/Co (< 18) and high Pd/Ir (< 25) ratios of the sulfide fraction, similar to the values in the Paleoproterozoic Raglan belt deposits, Canada. Use of REE for constraining crustal contamination is hampered by the highly altered nature of komatiitic rocks in the Hietaharju area. Sulfides in the country rock metasediments that host the Hietaharju Ni–Cu–PGE deposit show clear mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (MIF-S) consistent with their age and published S isotope data from the Suomussalmi belt. In contrast, sulfides of the Hietaharju Ni–Cu–PGE deposit only possess a small degree of MIF-S, providing limited direct evidence for the role of local metasedimentary sulfur in ore formation. Archean base metal sulfide mineralization is among the potential sources of sulfur, however, and, as shown by the epithermal Taivaljärvi Au–Ag–Zn deposit, can have mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation that is similar in magnitude and sign to that of the Hietaharju Ni–Cu–PGE deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt is a highly sought-after metal due to its economic importance in many hightech applications. It is mainly obtained from sedimentary-hosted Cu-Co deposits and magmatic Ni-Cu deposits as a by-product. We describe a recently discovered Co-enriched Cu-Ni deposit hosted by the Hietakero mafic intrusion in north-western Finnish Lapland. The intrusion contains gabbroic to pyroxenitic cumulates and was emplaced into a supracrustal strata composed mainly of mafic volcanic rocks, sulfurbearing graphite schists and felsic volcanic interlayers. Hybrid rocks provide clear evidence for interaction of mafic magma with its country rocks. All these rocks have undergone intensive post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration by influx of H2O-, CO2- and Cl-bearing saline fluids, forming strongly scapolitized (±albitized) rocks and resulting in re-mobilization of sulfides and their metals. The Hietakero deposit is associated with pyroxenitic cumulates and hybrid rocks, with the sulfides (pyrrhotite, cobaltian pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrite) occurring as patches, brecciated to net-textured and vein to veinlet forms. Sulfur content is 6.1 wt.% on average, reaching 20 wt.% in some cases. Nickel and Cu tenors are low, but Co is elevated, resulting in very low Ni/Co of 2.6 compared to ‘classic’ Ni-Cu sulfide deposit globally. The average metal tenors are: 0.55 wt.% Ni, 1.07 wt.% Cu, and 0.23 wt.% Co. In-situ sulfur isotope analyses of sulfides from mineralized rocks yielded δ34S values from -2.0 to +4.5‰. In spite of strong post-magmatic alteration, we can conclude that the Hietakero cumulates were formed from a low-MgO and PGE-depleted basaltic magma, which developed in a staging chamber at a deeper crustal level. The magma produced compositionally different gabbroic to pyroxenitic rocks (i.e., high-Ti and low- Ti groups). Model calculations indicate that the relatively high Co tenor and low Ni/Co cannot be explained by an earlier phase of fractional crystallization or sulfide segregation. Instead, an external source of cobalt is needed, which is also consistent with the high Zn, Pb and Mo contents of the mineralized rocks. Based on sulfur isotope compositions, the associated black shales were not the primary source of sulfur, but sulfur was rather derived from a so far unrecognized, potentially Co-bearing contaminant with close to mantle-like δ34S. Our study reveals a new Co-Cu-Ni deposit type related to the widespread Paleoproterozoic mafic magmatism in Lapland.

Pillow lava rims and interpillow hyaloclastites from the upper part of the Pechenga Greenstone Belt, Kola Peninsula, N-Russia contain rare tubular textures 15-20 μm in diameter and up to several hundred μm long in prehnite-pumpellyite to lower greenschist facies meta-volcanic glass. The textures are septate with regular compartments 5-20 μm across and exhibit branching, stopping and no intersecting features. Synchrotron micro-energy dispersive X-ray was used to image elemental distributions; scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, Fe L-edge and C K-edge were used to identify iron and carbon speciation at interfaces between the tubular textures and the host rock. In situ U-Pb radiometric dating by LA-MC-ICP-MS (laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) of titanite from pillow lavas yielded a metamorphic age of 1790 ± 89 Ma. Focused ion-beam milling combined with transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the textures in three dimensions. Electron diffraction showed that the textures are mineralized by orientated pumpellyite. On the margins of the tubes, an interface between mica or chlorite and the pumpellyite shows evidence of dissolution reactions where the pumpellyite is replaced by mica/chlorite. A thin poorly crystalline Fe-phase, probably precipitated out of solution, occurs at the interface between pumpellyite and mica/chlorite. This sequence of phases leads to the hypothesis that the tubes were initially hollow, compartmentalized structures in volcanic glass that were mineralized by pumpellyite during low-grade metamorphism. Later, a Fe-bearing fluid mineralized the compartments between the pumpellyite and lastly the pumpellyite was partially dissolved and replaced by chlorite during greenschist metamorphism. The most plausible origin for a septate-tubular texture is a progressive etching of the host matrix by several generations of microbes and subsequently these tubes were filled by authigenic mineral precipitates. This preserves the textures in the rock record over geological time. The micro textures reported here thus represent a pumpellyite-mineralized trace fossil that records a Paleoproterozoic sub-seafloor biosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palaeoproterozoic Ni–Cu sulphide deposits of the Pechenga Complex, Kola Peninsula, occur in the lower parts of ferropicritic intrusions emplaced into the phyllitic and tuffaceous sedimentary unit of the Pilgujärvi Zone. The intrusive rocks are comagmatic with extrusive ferropicrites of the overlying volcanic formation. Massive lavas and chilled margins from layered flows and intrusions contain <3–7 ng/g Pd and Pt and <0·02–2·0 ng/g Ir, Os and Ru with low Pd/Ir ratios of 5–11. The abundances of platinum group elements (PGE) correlate with each other and with chalcophile elements such as Cu and Ni, and indicate a compatible behaviour during crystallization of the parental magma. Compared with the PGE-depleted central zones of differentiated flows (spinifex and clinopyroxene cumulate zones) the olivine cumulate zones at the base contain elevated PGE abundances up to 10 ng/g Pd and Pt. A similar pattern is displayed in intrusive bodies, such as the Kammikivi sill and the Pilgujärvi intrusion. The olivine cumulates at the base of these bodies contain massive and disseminated Ni–Cu-sulphides with up to 2 μg/g Pd and Pt, but the PGE concentrations in the overlying clinopyroxenites and gabbroic rocks are in many cases below the detection limits. The metal distribution observed in samples closely representing liquid compositions suggests that the parental magma became sulphide saturated during the emplacement and depleted in chalcophile and siderophile metals as a result of fractional segregation of sulphide liquids. Relative sulphide liquid–silicate melt partition coefficients decrease in the order of Ir > Rh > Os > Ru > Pt = Pd > Cu. R-factors (silicate-sulphide mass ratio) are high and of the order of 104–105, and they indicate the segregation of only small amounts of sulphide liquid in the parental ferropicritic magma. In differentiated flows and intrusions the sulphide liquids segregated and accumulated at the base of these bodies, but because of a low silicate–sulphide mass ratio the sulphide liquids had a low PGE tenor and Pt/Ir and Cu/Ir ratios similar to the parental silicate melts. During cooling the sulphide liquid crystallized 40–50% of monosulphide solid solution (mss) and the residual sulphide liquid became enriched in Cu, Pt and Pd and depleted in Ir, Os and Ru. The Cu-rich sulphide liquid locally assimilated components of the surrounding S-rich sediments as suggested by the radiogenic Os isotopic composition of some sulphide ores (γOs > 100). Most of the massive and breccia ores represent mixtures of mss and residual Cu-rich sulphide liquid whereas chalcopyrite-rich veins formed when the Cu-rich sulphide liquids were squeezed out into the surrounding sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) causes severe diarrhea in young children. Upon infection, EPEC induces the assembly of highly organized pedestal-like actin structures in host epithelial cells. All the EPEC genes that are involved in inducing formation of actin pedestals are located in a unique 35 kbp chromosomal pathogenicity island, termed LEE. These genes include the sep genes that encode components of type III protein secretion system, and genes that encode proteins secreted by this system, the esp genes. This protein secretion system is activated upon contact with the host cell, resulting in increased secretion of Esp proteins. Some of these Esp proteins form the translocation apparatus while others are translocated into the cytoplasm of the host cell. Concerted activity of the LEE genes including the eae, esp and the sep genes is needed to trigger signal transduction in the host cell which results in formation of an actin pedestal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: New in-situ trace element and hydrogen isotopic data of hydromagmatic amphiboles from ferropicritic gabbro–wehrlite intrusions and lava flows of the Palaeoproterozoic Pechenga Greenstone Belt (Russia) provide insights into the controversial source of volatiles that are implicated in Precambrian ultramafic magmatism. The intrusions mainly contain oikocrystic kaersutites and pargasites, whereas lava flows generally include idiomorphic Fe-kaersutites and Fe-pargasites. All orthomagmatic amphiboles display slightly LREE-enriched chondrite-normalised patterns. Primitive mantle-normalised patterns of amphiboles from the intrusions display positive Nb–Ta, moderate negative Th–U and distinctive negative Sr–Li anomalies. Conversely, Fe-kaersutites and Fe-pargasites from the lava flows display undepleted Th, U, Sr and Li signatures. Boron and Cl enrichment is primarily observed in secondary edenites, which locally rim orthomagmatic kaersutites. In-situ δD measurements of hydromagmatic amphiboles from the gabbro–wehrlite intrusions display values ranging between −70‰ and −170‰, and total water contents between 1 and 3 wt.%. Conversely, primary hydromagmatic amphiboles from the Pechenga flows display lighter δD compositions ranging between −100‰ and −270‰, and lower (<2 wt.%) total water contents. The Ti– and Nb–Ta-enriched nature of hydromagmatic amphiboles from the intrusions and lava flows indicates that the source of volatiles in the Pechenga ferropicrites could be either a metasomatised subcontinental mantle or a volatile-bearing plume. Positive Nb–Ta/La anomalies in amphiboles from the intrusions rule out crustal contamination with granitoid crust during petrogenesis and emplacement as the main source of the volatiles. Local B–Cl enrichment suggests that some samples may have interacted with hydrothermal fluids. The range of in-situ δD values in hydromagmatic amphiboles is consistent with the presence of magmatic water. The lighter hydrogen isotopic composition and lower water contents of the primary igneous amphiboles from the lava flows compared to amphiboles from the intrusions indicate that the lava flows degassed upon emplacement. Previous studies investigating the role of volatiles in Precambrian ultramafic magmatism preferentially collected data from thin lava flows, whereas thicker flows or intrusions have been generally neglected. We emphasise the necessity to re-evaluate the controversial role of volatiles in the petrogenesis of ultramafic magmas by investigating evidence from thicker flows or intrusions, which may have retained their full volatile budget. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The abundance of platinum group alloy (PGA) grains available from some alluvial deposits combined with their great chemical resistance to conventional acid attack generates the need for an alternative method of obtaining routine, rapid yet precise Os isotopic data. Laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS (LA-MC-ICP-MS) is ideally suited for this purpose and has been applied, in a relatively limited extent, to Os-rich samples by previous workers (e.g., Hirata, T., Michinari Hattori, M., and Tsuyoshi Tanaka, T., 1998. In-situ osmium isotope ratio analyses of iridosmines by laser ablation-multiple collector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chem Geol., 144, 269–280.; Malitch, K.N., 2004. Osmium isotope constraints on contrasting sources and prolonged melting in the Proterozoic upper mantle: evidence from ophiolitic Ru–Os sulfides and Ru–Os–Ir alloys. Chem Geol. 208. 157–173.; Walker, R.J., Brandon, A.D., Bird, J.M., Piccolia, P.M., McDonougha, W.F., R.D., Asha, R.D., 2005. 187Os–186Os systematics of Os–Ir–Ru alloy grains from southwestern Oregon. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 230, 211–226.). The wide variety of PGA minerals yield a broad spectrum of Pt, Re and Os contents which translate into a wide spread in parent–daughter ratios that is an attractive proposition for geochronology using the Re–Os and Pt–Os decay schemes. Here we show that single PGA grains, can contain sufficient internal Re, Pt and Os elemental variability and coupled variations in parent/daughter and daughter isotope compositions that they present an opportunity to obtain ‘isochron’ ages from two different isotope decay systems. We present a rapid (40 s acquisition time), precise and accurate LA-MC-ICP-MS methodology suitable for applying Pt–Os and Re–Os geochronology approaches to single PGA grains, for use in dating chromitite deposits and identifying and dating multiple sources in alluvial PGA deposits. Because of isobaric interferences from Pt, PGA analyses by LA-MC-ICP-MS are best corrected for instrumental mass fractionation using the 189Os/188Os ratio. We demonstrate that, within our analytical uncertainties, mass bias effects for Os isotope ratios during LA-MC-ICP-MS are similar in nature and magnitude to mass bias variations observed during normal solution-mode analysis. While robust elemental interference corrections can be applied for Re and W on the Os mass spectrum during solution analyses (Nowell, G.M., Luguet, A., Pearson, D.A., Horstwood, M.S.A., 2008-this volume. Precise and accurate 186Os/188Os and 187Os/188Os measurements by Multi-Collector Plasma Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) part I: solution analyses. Chem Geol.) we show that the accurate correction for the Re interference on Os during laser ablation is problematic at 187Re/188Os ratios >∼0.5 which means that Re-corrected 187Os/188Os ratios for some PGAs and high Re/Os sulfides must be regarded as problematic. Our interfering element correction approach can also be used for the correction for Os on 190Pt for obtaining 190Pt/188Os ratios, removing the need for an independent Pt monitor isotope. Accurate and precise geochronology by LA-MC-ICP-MS can be further limited by poorly quantified fractionation of the parent/daughter elemental ratio during ablation. Although additional work is required to understand the nature and exact extent of inter-element fractionation of the Pt/Os and Re/Os ratios during laser ablation analysis of Pt- and Re-rich PGA grains, our best estimate is that fractionation of the Pt/Os during laser ablation is around 5% or less. We present multi-grain isochrons and single-grain internal ‘isochrons’ for the Re–Os and Pt–Os isotope systems in PGA grains from Lapland. In all cases, the Pt–Os isotope system gives significantly more precise ‘isochrons’ than the Re–Os system. We interpret this discordance between the two systems as being most likely due to problems inherent with Re interference corrections at elevated Re/Os ratios. We show that a suite of Pt-rich PGA grains from the Central Lapland greenstone belt yields a spectrum of internal Pt–Os isochron ages that coincides well with pulses of formation of chromitite-bearing ophiolitic material within this magmatic terrane and we take this to indicate the record of chromitite formation in different magmatic units. The single-grain Pt–Os and Re–Os geochronology technique shows great promise in the dating of chromitite deposits in ophiolites and in the discrimination of multiple source regions within alluvial PGA deposits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]