Geological Characterization, Lithogeochemistry and the Metallogenic Potential for Chromium of the Riacho do Mocambo Mafic-Ultramafic Body, Northeast of the São Francisco Craton, BA, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11137/1982-3908_2023_46_52274

Keywords:

Salvador-Curaçá Orogen, Vale do Jacurici Complex, São José do Jacuípe Suite

Abstract

In the geotectonic context of the Salvador-Curaçá Orogen, north portion of the São Francisco Craton, an association of mafic-ultramafic (M-UM) rocks was identified and described in this paper as the Riacho do Mocambo Mafic- Ultramafic Body (RMMUB). Despite being located approximately 60 km from the Vale do Jacurici Complex (VJC), the host of Brazil’s largest reserves of  Cr, the RMMUB has never been associated with this Complex in regional geologic mapping projects. When it is mentioned in the bibliography, the M- UM rocks of the RMMUB are genetically related to the São José do Jacuípe Suite (SJJS). While the VJC is described as differentiated sills, associated with a synorogenic to a tardi-orogenic event, the SJJS is interpreted as fragments of an Archean-Paleoproterozoic oceanic crust or as a Gabbro- Anorthosite Stratiform Complex. Such contrasting genesis raised doubts about the RMMUB’s origin and field work along with geochemical analyses were carried out in order to better understand the possible source of the RMMUB. In the field, the RMMUB exhibits an elongated shape of small thickness (7 km of extension by less than 100 m of apparent thickness), displayed concordantly with the Tanque Novo-Ipirá Complex metasediments. In the mapped outcrops it is possible to observe the rhythmic and gradual alternation amid the lithotypes of the RMMUB, varying from serpentinite to metagabbro, suggesting that it is a layered igneous body. The geochemical results support the primitive aspect of the ultramafic rocks of this body (MgO up to 38 wt.%; Ni up to 2972 ppm; Cr up to 7799 ppm) and suggest that the RMMUB shows distinctive characteristics from the SJJS, but similar ones with magma of the VJC such as geochemical signatures, source, depth, and tectonic environment. The discovery of this new M-UM body in an area of great metallogenic fertility opens a potential for the identification of new Cr mineralization and magmatic sulfides of Ni, Cu, and EGP, in the Salvador- Curaçá Orogen, São Francisco Craton, the northeast region of the state of Bahia.

Author Biographies

Ib silva Câmara, Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

 Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia         

José Haroldo da Silva Sá, Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

 Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia       

Luís Rodrigues Oliveira, Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia      

Tatiana Silva Ribeiro, Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Brazil

     

Aroldo Misi, Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia    

Pedro Ribeiro Rabelo de Santana, Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia   

Márcio Mattos Paim, In memoriam - Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia  

Carlos Gleidson da Purificação, Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil

Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geologia 

References

Almeida, F. F. M. 1967. Origem e evolução da Plataforma Brasileira. Rio de Janeiro, 1967. Boletim Divisão de Geologia e Mineralogia, 246, 36p.

Alkmim, F.F., Neves, B.B. & Alves, J.A.C. 1993, 'Tectonic framework of the São Francisco Craton - A review', in J.M.L. Dominguez & A. Misi (eds), The São Francisco Craton, SBG/SGM/CNPq, Salvador, pp. 45-62.

Barbosa, J.S.F. & Sabaté, P. 2004, 'Archean and Paleoproterozoic crust of the São Francisco Craton, Bahia, Brazil: geodynamic features', Precambrian Research, vol. 133, no. 1-2, 27, DOI:10.1016/j.precamres.2004.03.001.

Barnes, C.G. 1992, 'Petrology of monogenetic volcanoes, Mount Bailey area, Cascade Range, Oregon', Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, vol. 52, no. 1-3, pp. 141-56, DOI:10.1016/0377-0273(92)90137-3.

Beswick, A.E. & Soucie, G. 1978, 'A correction procedure for metasomatism in an Archaean greenstone belt', Precambrian Research, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 235-48, DOI:10.1016/0301-9268(78)90015-3.

Boynton, W.V. 1984, 'Geochemistry of the rare earth elements: meteorite studies', in P. Henderson (ed.), Rare earth element geochemistry, Elsevier, pp. 63-114.

Couto, P.A., Sampaio, A.R., Gil, C.A.A., Loureiro, H.C., Arcanjo, J.B., Fernandes Filho, J., Guimarães, J.T., Campelo, R., Mascarenhas, J.F., Bruni, D.C. & Toledo, L.A.A. 1978, Serra de Jacobina Project: Geology and geochemical prospection – Final Report – text, vol. 1, CPRM, Salvador.

Delgado, I.M., Souza, J.D., Silva, L.C., Silveira Filho, N.C., Santos, R.A., Pedreira, A.J., Guimarães, J.T., Angelim, L.A.A., Vasconcelos, A.M., Gomes, I.P., Lacerda Filho, J.V., Valente, C.R., Perrota, M.M. & Heineck, C.A. 2003, 'Geotectônica do Escudo Atlântico', in L.A. Bizzi, C. Schobbenhaus, R.M. Vidotti & J.H. Gonçalves (eds), Geology, Tectonics and Mineral Resources of Brazil, CPRM, Brasília, pp. 227-334.

Deus, P.B. & Viana, J.S. 1982, Jacurici Valley Chromite District. In: International symposium on archean and early proterozoic geologic evolutions and metallogenesis, Salvador, SME, Salvador.

Dias, J.R.V.P., Marques, J.C., Queiroz, W.J.A., Frantz, J.C. & Giusti, R. 2014, 'The Várzea do Macaco body and the chromium, nickel and copper mineralizations, Jacurici Mafic-Ultramafic Complex Máfico-ultramáfico, São Francisco Craton, Bahia, Brazil', Brazilian Journal of Geology, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 289-308, DOI:10.5327/z2317-4889201400020009.

Deschamps, F., Guillot, S., Godard, M., Chauvel, C., Andreani, M. & Hattori, K. 2010, 'In situ characterization of serpentinites from forearc mantle wedges: timing of serpentinization and behavior of fluid-mobile elements in subduction zones', Chemical Geology, vol. 269, no. 3-4, pp. 262-77, DOI:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.10.002.

Gama, M.A. 2014, 'Petrographic and lithogeochemical characterization of the metacarbonate and calc silicate rocks of Vale do Rio Jacurici, Bahia', Monograph, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador.

Garcia, P.M.P., Teixeira, J.B.G., Misi, A., Sá, J.H.S. & Silva, M.G. 2018, 'Tectonic and metallogenic evolution of the Curaçá Valley Copper Province, Bahia, Brazil: a review based on new SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating and sulfur isotope geochemistry', Ore Geology Reviews, vol. 93, pp. 361-81, DOI:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.01.007.

Hawkesworth, C., Turner, S., Peate, D., McDermott, F. & van Calsteren, P. 1997, 'Elemental U and Th variations in island arc rocks: implications for U-series isotopes', Chemical Geology, vol. 139, no. 1-4, pp. 207-21, DOI:10.1016/S0009-2541(97)00036-3.

Hirschmann, M.M. & Stolper, E.M. 1996, 'A possible role for garnet pyroxenite in the origin of the ‘‘garnet signature’’ in MORB', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 124, pp. 185-208.

Irvine, T.N. & Baragar, W.R.A. 1971, 'A guide to the chemical classification of the common volcanic rocks', Canadian Journal of Earth Science, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 523-48, DOI:10.1139/e71-055.

Jacques, A.L. & Green, D.H. 1979, 'Determination of liquid compositions in high-pressure melting of peridotite', American Mineralogist, vol. 64, no. 11-12, pp. 1312-21.

Kosin, M., Melo, R.C., Souza, J.D., Oliveira, E.P., Carvalho, M.J. & Leite, C.M.M. 2003, 'Geologia do segmento norte do Orógeno Itabuna-Salvador-Curaçá e Guia de Excursão', Revista Brasileira de Geociências, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 15-26.

Lord, R.A., Princhard, H.M., Sá, J.H.S. & Neary, C.R. 2004, 'Chromite Geochemistry and PGE Fractionation in the Campo Formoso Complex and Ipueira-Medrado Sill, Bahia State, Brazil', Economic Geology, vol. 99, no. 2, pp. 339-64.

Maier, W.D. & Barnes, S.J. 1996, 'Unusually high concentrations of magnetite at Caraíba and other Cu-sulfide deposits in the Curaçá Valley, Bahia, Brazil', The Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 717-31.

Marinho, M.M., Rocha, G.F., Deus, P.B. & Viana, J.S. 1986, 'Geology and chromitiferous potential of the Jacurici-Bahia Valley', paper presented at 24th Brazilian Congress of Geology, Goiânia, Anais 5, pp. 2074-88.

Marques, J.C. & Ferreira Filho, C.F. 2003a, 'The chromite deposit of the Ipueira-Medrado sill, São Francisco craton, Bahia State, Brazil', Economic Geology, vol. 98, no. 1, pp. 87-108, DOI:10.2113/98.1.87.

Marques, J.C., Ferreira Filho, C.F., Carlson, R.W. & Pimentel, M.M. 2003b, 'Re-Os and Sm-nd isotope and trace elements Constraints on the Origin of the Chromite Deposit of the Ipueira-Medrado Sill, Bahia, Brazil', Journal of Petrology, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 659-78, DOI:10.1093/petrology/44.4.659.

McDonough, W.F 1990, 'Constraints on the composition of the continental lithospheric mantle', Earth Planetary Science Letters, vol. 101, no. 1, 18, DOI:10.1016/0012-821X(90)90119-I.

McDonough, W.F. & Sun, S.S. 1995, 'The composition of the Earth', Chemical Geology, vol. 120, no. 3-4, pp. 223-53, DOI:10.1016/0009-2541(94)00140-4.

Melo, R.C., Souza, J.D., Silva, L.C., Fernandes, P.C.D., Padilha, A.V., Motta, A.C., Metello, M.J., Teixeira, L.R. & Neves, J.P. 1991, Pintadas – Sheet SC.24-Y-D-V. State of Bahia. Explanatory Text. Geological Survey of Brazil – PLGB, DNPM/CPRM, Brasília.

Melo, R.C., Pereira, L.H.M., Loureiro, H.S.C., Neves, J.P. & Teixeira, L.R. 2001, Serrinha – Folha SC.24-Y-D. State of Bahia. Explanatory Text. Geological Survey of Brazil – PLGB, CPRM/DIEDIG/DEPAT, Brasília.

Middlemost, E.A. 1994, 'Naming materials in the magma/igneous rock system', Earth-Science Reviews, vol. 37, no. 3-4, pp. 215-24, DOI:10.1016/0012-8252(94)90029-9.

Miyashiro, A. 1975, 'Classification, characteristics, and origin of ophiolites', Journal of Geology, vol. 83, no. 2, pp. 249-81.

Neves, J.P. 1995, Metallogenic/Previsional Map, Serrinha Sheet, SC.24-Y-D, CPRM, Brasília.

Oliveira, E.P., Carvalho, M.J. & McNaughton, N.J. 2004, 'Evolution of the Northern Segment of the Itabuna-Salvador-Curaçá Orogen: chronology of arc accretion, continental collision, and terrain escape', Geology Bulletin USP, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 41-53.

Oliveira, E.P., McNaughton, N.J. & Armstrong, R. 2010, 'Mesoarchaean to Paleoproterozoic growth of the northern segment of the Itabuna–Salvador–Curaçá orogen, São Francisco craton, Brazil', Geological Society London Special Publications, vol. 338, no. 1, pp. 263-86, DOI:10.1144/SP338.13.

Pearce, J.A. 1983. Role of the Sub-Continental Lithosphere in Magma Genesis at Active Continental Margins. In: Hawkesworth, C.J. and Norry, M.J., Eds., Continental Basalts and Mantle Xenoliths, Shiva Cheshire, UK, 230-249.

Pearce, J.A. & Peate, D.W. 1995, 'Tectonic implications of the composition of volcanic arc magmas', Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, vol. 23, pp. 251-85, DOI:10.1146/annurev.ea.23.050195.001343.

Pearce, J.A. & Stern, R.J. 2006, 'Origin of Back-Arc Basin Magmas: Trace Element and Isotope Perspectives', Back-Arc Spreading Systems: Geological, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Interactions, Geophysical Monograph Series, vol. 166, pp. 63-86, DOI:10.1029/166GM06.

Piaia, P., Oliveira, E.P. & Valeriano, C.M. 2017, 'The 2.58 Ga São Jose do Jacuípe gabbro-anorthosite stratiform complex, Itabuna-Salvador-Curaçá Orogen, São Francisco Craton, Brazil: Root of the Neoarchaean Caraíba continental arc?', Journal of South American Earth Sciences, vol. 79, pp. 326-41, DOI:10.1016/j.jsames.2017.08.009.

Ribeiro, T.S. 2016, 'Geological characterization of the Tanque novo -Ipirá Complex calc silicate and metacarbonate rocks in the Pintadas sheet - BA: Metallogenic Potential for phosphate', Master's Dissertation, Federal University of Bahia. Salvador.

Sabaté P., Peucat J.J., Melo R.C. & Pereira L.H. 1994, 'Datação por Pb-evaporação de monozircão em ortognaisse do Complexo Caraíba: expressão do acrescimento crustal transamazônico do Cinturão Salvador-Curaçá (Cráton do São Francisco, Bahia, Brasil)', paper presented at 38º Congresso Brasileiro de Geologia, Camboriú.

Saha, A., Santosh, M., Ganguly, S., Manikyamba, C., Ray, J. & Dutta, J. 2018, 'Geochemical cycling during subduction initiation: Evidence from serpentinized mantle wedge peridotite in the south Andaman ophiolite suite', Geoscience Frontiers, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 1755-75, DOI:10.1016/j.gsf.2017.12.017.

Schmidt, M.E. & Grunder, A. 2011, 'Deep mafic roots to arc volcanoes: Mafic recharge and differentiation of basaltic andesite at North Sister Volcano, Oregon Cascades', Journal of Petrology, vol. 32, pp. 603-41.

Silva, L.C., McNaughton, N.J., Melo, R.C. & Fletcher, I.R. 1997, 'U-Pb SHRIMP ages in the Itabuna-Caraíba TTG high-grade Complex: the first window beyond the Paleoproterozoic overprinting of the eastern Jequié Craton, NE Brazil', paper presented at International Symposium on Granites and Associates Mineralizations, Salvador, pp. 282-3.

Silva, M.G. & Misi, A. 1998, Archean - lower Proterozoic basement of the São Francisco Craton, northeastern Bahia, Geology and mineral deposits, (Geological Tours), SGM, Salvador.

Silveira, C.J.S., Frantz, J.C., Marques, J.C., Queiroz, W.J.A., Roos, S. & Peixoto, V.M. 2015, 'Geocronologia U-Pb em zircão de rochas intrusivas e de embasamento na região do Vale do Jacurici, Cráton do São Francisco, Bahia', Brazilian Journal of Geology, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 453-74, DOI:10.1590/2317-488920150030233.

Sun, S.S. & McDonough, W.F. 1989, 'Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes', Geological Society London Special Publications, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 313-45, DOI:10.1144/GSL.SP.1989.042.01.19.

Sousa, D.F.M. & Oliveira, E.P. 2019, 'Geocronologia e evolução tectônica do magmatismo granítico 2,12-2,02 Ga, pré- a pós-colisional, segmento norte Orógeno Itabuna-Salvador-Curaçá, Bahia', paper presented at Anais do 4° Simpósio sobre o Cráton do São Francisco e Orógenos Marginais, Aracaju.

Teixeira, L.R. 1997, 'The Caraíba Complex and the São José do Jacuípe Suite in the Salvador-Curaçá Belt (Bahia, Brazil): petrology, geochemistry and metallogenic potential', PhD Thesis, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador.

Townsend, R., Ferreira, P.M. & Frake, N.D., 1980, 'Caraíba, a new copper deposit in Brazil', Institute of Mineral and Metal, vol. 89, pp. 159-64.

Verma S.P., Guevara, M. & Agrawal, S. 2006, 'Discriminating four tectonic settings: Five new geochemical diagrams for basic and ultrabasic volcanic rocks based on log-ratio transformation of major-element data', Journal of Earth System Science, vol. 115, no. 5, pp. 485-528, DOI:10.1007/BF02702907.

Winter, J.D. 2014. Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology: Pearson New International Edition. Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, UK.

Yu, X., Chen, L.H. & Zeng, G. 2015, 'Growing magma chambers control the distribution of small-scale flood basalts', Scientific Reports, vol. 5, 16824, DOI:10.1038/srep16824.

Anuário do Instituto de Geociências vol. 46. Year 2023

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2023-08-22

Issue

Vol. 46 (2023)

Section

Geology

License

This journal is licensed under a Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.