Oxygen isotope composition of magnetite in iron ores of the Kiruna type in Chile and Sweden

Nyström, J.O., Billström, K., Henriquez, F., Fallick, A.E. and Naslund, H.R. (2008) Oxygen isotope composition of magnetite in iron ores of the Kiruna type in Chile and Sweden. GFF, 130(4), pp. 177-188.

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Publisher's URL: http://www.gff-online.se/site/article.asp?articleID=1009

Abstract

Magnetite-apatite iron ores of the Kiruna type, unaffected by deformation, have structures and textures similar to those of igneous rocks. The best examples are the El Laco deposits in northern Chile which resemble lava flows, pyroclastic deposits and dikes. El Laco magnetites have d18O values between 2.3 and 4.2‰ (V-SMOW). Magnetite from ore with a magmatic texture has a mean of 3.7‰, and the mean for magnetite intergrown with pyroxene in veins is 2.4‰. Oxygen isotope data given here, fluid inclusion results and geological evidence indicate that ore formation took place in a cooling magmatic system. Major orebodies resembling lava flows and near-vent pyroclastic deposits crystallized from magma at ca. 1000°C. Fluids from cooling magma deposited magnetite and pyroxene (±apatite) at ca. 800°C in fissures and open spaces, now present as veins cutting major orebodies. There is little evidence for significant magnetite precipitation during hydrothermal conditions. A large province of magnetite-apatite iron ore in central Chile (the Cretaceous iron belt) and the Kiruna district in northern Sweden also contain primary ore of magmatic appearance. Major deposits in the Chilean iron belt and Kiruna contain magmatic-textured magnetites with the following d18O means: Algarrobo = 2.2‰, Romeral = 1.2‰, Cerro Imán = 1.6‰, and Kiirunavaara = 1.5‰. We consider all oxygen isotope data for unoxidized, magmatic-textured magnetite as representative of the Fe-rich magmas. Magnetites affected by hydrothermal alteration, recrystallization and subaerial oxidation have modified isotope signatures.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:oxygen isotope; magnetite; iron ore; El Laco; Kiruna; Chile; Sweden
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fallick, Professor Anthony
Authors: Nyström, J.O., Billström, K., Henriquez, F., Fallick, A.E., and Naslund, H.R.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:GFF
ISSN:1103-5897

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