Graphite from Palaeoproterozoic enhanced carbon burial, and its metallogenic legacy

Parnell, J., Brolly, C. and Boyce, A. J. (2021) Graphite from Palaeoproterozoic enhanced carbon burial, and its metallogenic legacy. Geological Magazine, 158(9), pp. 1711-1718. (doi: 10.1017/S0016756821000583)

Abstract

The episode of widespread organic carbon deposition marked by peak black shale sedimentation during the Palaeoproterozoic is also reflected in exceptionally abundant graphite deposits of this age. Worldwide anoxic/euxinic sediments were preserved as a deep crustal reservoir of both organic carbon, and sulphur in accompanying pyrite, both commonly >1 wt %. The carbon- and sulphur-rich Palaeoproterozoic crust interacted with mafic magma to cause Ni–Co–Cu–PGE mineralization over the next billion years, and much uranium currently produced is from Mesoproterozoic deposits nucleated upon older Palaeoproterozoic graphite. Palaeoproterozoic carbon deposition has thus left a unique legacy of both graphite deposits and long-term ore deposition.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project is in support of the Natural Environment Research Council SoS (Security of Supply of Critical Elements) programme, under Grant NE/M010953/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Boyce, Professor Adrian and Brolly, Dr Connor
• Authors: Parnell, J., Brolly, C., and Boyce, A. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Geological Magazine
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0016-7568
• ISSN (Online): 1469-5081
• Published Online: 13 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Geological Magazine 158(9):1711-1718
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License