Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments?
Banded iron formations (BIF) are the protolith to most of the world’s largest iron ore deposits. Previous hypogene genetic models for Paleoproterozoic “Lake Superior” BIF-hosted deposits invoke upwards, down-temperature flow of basinal brines via complex silica and carbonate precipitation/dissolutio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Geological Society of America
2013
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/20126 |
| _version_ | 1848750221123649536 |
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| author | Evans, Katy McCuaig, T. Leach, D. Angerer, T. Hagemann, S. |
| author_facet | Evans, Katy McCuaig, T. Leach, D. Angerer, T. Hagemann, S. |
| author_sort | Evans, Katy |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Banded iron formations (BIF) are the protolith to most of the world’s largest iron ore deposits. Previous hypogene genetic models for Paleoproterozoic “Lake Superior” BIF-hosted deposits invoke upwards, down-temperature flow of basinal brines via complex silica and carbonate precipitation/dissolution processes. Such models are challenged by the necessary SiO2 removal. Thermodynamic and mass balance constraints are used to refine conceptual models of the formation of BIF-hosted iron-ore. These constraints, plus existing isotope and halogen ratio evidence, are consistent with removal of silica by down- or up-directed infiltration of high-pH hypersaline brines, with or without a contribution from basinal brines. The proposed link to surface environments suggest that Paleoproterozoic BIF-ore upgrade may provide a record of a critical time in the evolution of the Earth’s biosphere and hydrosphere. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:33:23Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-20126 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:33:23Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | Geological Society of America |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-201262017-09-13T15:57:26Z Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? Evans, Katy McCuaig, T. Leach, D. Angerer, T. Hagemann, S. BIF oxygen atmosphere sulfur evolution Banded iron formations (BIF) are the protolith to most of the world’s largest iron ore deposits. Previous hypogene genetic models for Paleoproterozoic “Lake Superior” BIF-hosted deposits invoke upwards, down-temperature flow of basinal brines via complex silica and carbonate precipitation/dissolution processes. Such models are challenged by the necessary SiO2 removal. Thermodynamic and mass balance constraints are used to refine conceptual models of the formation of BIF-hosted iron-ore. These constraints, plus existing isotope and halogen ratio evidence, are consistent with removal of silica by down- or up-directed infiltration of high-pH hypersaline brines, with or without a contribution from basinal brines. The proposed link to surface environments suggest that Paleoproterozoic BIF-ore upgrade may provide a record of a critical time in the evolution of the Earth’s biosphere and hydrosphere. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/20126 10.1130/G33244.1 Geological Society of America fulltext |
| spellingShingle | BIF oxygen atmosphere sulfur evolution Evans, Katy McCuaig, T. Leach, D. Angerer, T. Hagemann, S. Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? |
| title | Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? |
| title_full | Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? |
| title_fullStr | Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? |
| title_short | Banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of Earth environments? |
| title_sort | banded iron formation to iron ore: a record of the evolution of earth environments? |
| topic | BIF oxygen atmosphere sulfur evolution |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/20126 |