Rare earth elements, iron formations and sea water

JOSEPH L. GRAF. JR.

Oremco. fnc 161 Madtson Avenue. New York, N Y. 10016. U S.A.

Abstract-Iron formations probably formed as chemical sediments when an Fe-rtch solutton entered
the sedimentary environment. The REE patterns of such sediments are affected by the amount and
type of prectpttatmg and detrttal phases. the REE pattern of the non source solutton. the REE pattern
of the sea water mto which the solution flows. and the mixing which takes place between input solutton
and sea water. What IS known about the different types of iron formation suggests that all of these
factors may vary from one type to another Therefore, variations m REE patterns cannot be attributed
solely to changes in sea water REE patterns. Compartson of the REE patterns of Archean and Ordovi-
cian iron formations of the Algoma type shows that similar iron formations have similar REE patterns
regardless of age. This implies stmilar genetic histortes.

INTRODUCTION been recently published by GRAF (1977), and to test

the use of iron formation REE patterns as Indicators
THE OBSERVATION that metalliferous sediments associ-
of sea water REE patterns by comparing the REE
ated with the East Pacific Rise have REE patterns
patterns of Archean iron formations with those of
very similar to that of sea water (DYMOND et (I/., 1973.
younger iron formations which are essentially equiv-
and others) suggests the possibility of using older
alent. The Ordovician iron formations in New Bruns-
equivalents of these rocks to study the REE patterns
wick (GRAF, 1977; DAVIES, 1972) have characteristics
of sea water of the same age. Studies by ROBERTSON
very similar to those of Archean, Algoma-type iron
and FLEET (1976) and CORLISS et al. (1972) have
formations (GROSS, 1965; GOODWIN, 1964). They are
shown that similar metalliferous sediments in the
banded, magnetite-quartz-carbonate rocks assoctated
Troodos Massif. Cyprus also have sea water-like Ce
with felsic volcanic rocks. If the REE pattern of sea
depletion, suggesting that the REE distribution in
water changed and if such change was reflected by
Mesozoic sea water was roughly similar to that m
the REE patterns of iron formations. the patterns of
modern sea water. Projecting this reasoning much
the New Brunswick iron formations should be sigmfi-
further back in time is hampered by the poor preser-
cantly different from those of Archean iron forma-
vation of the upper portions of unequivocal oceanic
tions.
crust (ophiolites?) which contam metalhferous sedi-
ments. In a recent paper FRYER (1977a) used REE
ANALYTICAL RESULTS
data from several types of iron-rich chemical sediment
Iron-rtch chemical sediments were analyzed for REE by
to infer changes in the REE pattern of sea water wtth
Instrumental neutron activation analysts (INAA) The ana-
time. He interpreted from these data that Archean lyttcal procedure (GRAF. 1975. appendix 5) was essentially
sea water was enriched in Eu and Ce relative to that described III GORDON et ol (1968) except standard
modern sea water and that the relative Ce depletton rock powders (AGVI, G2. Wll were used as momtors and
so characteristic of modern sea water began during samples were counted only twice, 5-10 and 15-30 days
after trradtation A comparison of the analyttcal results
Proterozoic time.
for the two most commonly used standard rocks with the
The purpose of this paper is to present additional published ‘best v,alues’ for these standards (FLAYA~AN.
REE data from iron formations. some of which have 1973) is gtven m Table 1

Table 1. Comparison of results of analyses with published values for standard rocks
G-2 and AGVI

G-2 AGVI
This Work Flanagan (1973) -- This Work Flanagan (1973)

La 92.2 f 11.99 96 34.2 f I.54 35

Ce 152.44 * 10.7 150 63.4 * 3.83 63
Sm 6.67 f 1.44 7.3 5.34 * 0.31 5.9
Eu 1.44 + 0.196 1.5 1.721 l 0.123 1.7
Tb 0.543 f 0.128 0.54 0.743 * 0.135 0.7
Yb 1.192 f 0.42 0.88 1.72 f 0.377 1.7
Lu 0.128 f 0.023 0.11 0.283 * 0.11 0.28

All concentrations are In parts per mIllion. Uncertainttes given are standard devi-
attons of several analyses.

1845
1846 J L. GRAF JR.

Table 2. REE (ppm) in selected Iron-rtch sedrments

Sample La Ce Sm EU Th Yb LU Fe Eu/SM Ce/Stil

JG346 16.77 13.91 3.08 4.19 0.9 1.3a 0.21 23 1.36 4.5
JG3417 3.75 -- 0.51 1.75 0.42 0.32 0.12 44 3.44 -_
JG36D 18.8 18.38 3.69 2.19 1.0 1.66 0.29 29 0.6 5.0
JG770 4.55 -- 0.82 2.54 _- 0.54 0.13 50 3.1 __
JG77BM 3.13 -- .37 1.67 __ _- 0.14 52 4.46 __
JG77BNM 9.24 3.44(31) 1.86 6.55 0.42(31) -- 0.12 4.5 3.52 1.9
JG37G 13.88 __ 1.9 2.81 _- 1.49 0.27 37 1.48 __
JGl 35.83 82.96 6.92 1.66 0.55 3.36 0.35 10 0.24 12.0
JGSOA 85.67 218.92 12.99 3.43 0.67 4.36 0.62 11 0.26 16.9
N095B 0.47 -- 0.06 0.15(10) 0.02(84) 0.22(35) 0.02 13.5 2.52 __
NO50 6.22 7.68(24) 1.36 2.19 -_ 0.91 0.12 32 1.61 5.7
N050M 7.28 -- 1.1 2.05 0.77(40) 1.01 0.26 48 1.86 __
NO5OQ 0.96 1.17(16) 0.15 0.21 0.05(54) 0.15 0.03 3 1.35 7.6
N022B 2.09 -- 0.55 0.12(17) -- 0.10(53) 0.05 29 0.22 --
HRlH 0.37(18) -- 0.10 o.oa(l4) _- -- -_ 49 0.75 __
HRlQH 0.41(16) 0.86(64) 0.05 0.06(9) -- -- -- 4 1.28 la.0
HRl3M 2.60(17) -- 0.32 0.11(21) __ 0.82 0.19 50 0.34 __
HR13Q 1.43(17) 2.99(26) 0.27 0.53(7) 0.15 0.73 0.11 9 2.00 11.3
HR15 25.82(17) 50.34 6.84 1.65(7) 1.65 5.89 0.85 23 0.24 7.4
HR27 1.48(17) 2.50 0.18 0.07(11) -- 0.20 0.03 2 0.39 13.7

All concentrattons were determined by INAA. Fe concentrations m percent. Approxrmate analyttcal uncertamttes
are as follows: La and Sm. lo”,,: Eu. 5”,,: Tb, 30”,,; Yb and Lu. 25”,,. and Ce. IO”, in low Fe samples and very
high m Fe-rich samples. Where the uncertainties exceed these values. the actual uncertainties are given in parentheses.

Results for New Brunswick iron formations and massive formattons in this study are practically identical. Fe-Mn
sulfides were reported in GRAF (1977: Table 2) and some sediments which occur in a roughly similar stratigraphic
are included here in Table 2. Also included in Table 2 positton to that of the New Brunswick iron formations
are analyses of two Fe-Mn sedtments from New Bruns- have EuiSm ratios similar to that of shales (Table 2
wick: three Archean iron formations from the Abttibi and Fig. 2). The massive sulfide band (N022B) whtch is
greenstone belt. Canada: and five samples from the located up dtp from a Zn-Cu massive sulfide deposit
Hamersley Basin. Australia. Sample locations and descrip- (Amulet ‘C’) in the Noranda area. Quebec, also has no
tions are given in Appendix 1. Eu anomaly.
Three of SIX Hamersley samples have postttve Eu anom-
Eu alies (Table 2, Fig. 3). Interestmgly. m both HR13 and
Magnetite iron formations from New Brunswick (Table 2. HRl the iron oxrde-rtch bands have lower Eu anomalies
Fig. 1. this study and GRAF. 1977). the two Archean iron (no anomaly m HRl3M) than the more cherty material.
formations in this study (Table 2 and Fig. I). and the However. the other chert sample (HR27) IS not anomalous.
Archean iron formations reported in FRYER (1977a) all The sttlpnomelane-rtch shale (HR15) has a pattern very
have positive Eu anomalies. Figure 1 shows that the REE simtlar to that of shales even though tt has a high Fe
patterns of the Archean and Ordovician. Algoma-type iron content (23 wt’,, by INAA).

1ooc

Y)
a,

%_
- 100
-0
c
0

,"
2
: 1C
6;\:,& 1

I I I I I I I
La Ce Sm Eu Tb Yb Lu La Ce Sm Eu Tb Yb Lu

Fig. 1. REE patterns of Archean and Ordovician Algoma-

type tron formattons: 3-JG346. 4-N050W. 5-JG77B. Fig. 2. REE patterns of Fe-Mn sediments from New
6-N095B. Brunswick. I-JGSOA. 2-JGI.
 Rare earth elements, iron formations and sea water
I I I I I I
La Ce Sm Eu Tb
3. REE patterns of Hamersley iron formations:
7-HR15. 8-HR13M. 9-HR27. lo-HR13Q.
Although strong reservations must be placed upon the
results of Ce analyses by INAA, certam of them deserve
mention. The Fe-Mn sediments from New Brunswick do
not show sea water-hke Ce depletion but have Ce/Sm
ratios similar to that of shales. A non-magnetic concentrate
from one New Brunswick iron formation (JG77BNM.
Table 2. Fig. 4) is depleted in Ce suggesting some influence
of sea water REE. As a general rule the New Brunswick
iron formations have Ce/Sm ratios below that of shales.
Most ratios are lower than that of NO5OQ in this study
and than those of Archean Iron formations reported in
FRYER (1977a) which are only shghtly below the shale
value. The three cherty Hamersley samples have Ce/Sm
ratios close to that of shales.
_yA_
1 I I I I I
La Ce Sm Eu Tb Yb
Fig. 4. REE patterns of magnetic and non-magnetic con-
centrates from New Brunswick sample JG77B and magne-
tite and quartz bands from Adams Mine Sample N050:
11-JG77BNM, 12-N050M. 13-JG77BM. 14-N050Q.
1847
DISCUSSION
Iron formations as indicators oj sea water R EE
The REE pattern of an iron formation does not
appear to be a useful indicator of the REE pattern
of sea water of the same age. Most iron formations
probably formed by chemical sedimentation as a
result of an unusually high influx of Fe (often as an
Fe-rich solution) into the sedimentary environment.
As discussed in GRAF (1977). the REE pattern of the
chemical precipitate fraction of iron formations is
related to the following three factors:
1. The REE pattern of the iron source material
(probably some iron-bearing solution).
2. The REE pattern of the water into which the
solution flows. In some cases this will be sea water
of that time.
3. The degree of mixing which takes place between
I the above two solutions.
Yb Lu
The whole rock REE pattern is also affected by
the amount and type of detrital phases deposited
along with the chemical precipitate. It is quite prob-
able that some or all of these factors varied from
one iron formation type to another or even from one
iron formation to another of the same type. In addi-
tion, conditions during deposition of an iron forma-
tion may change with time and conditions may vary
from one part to another within the same iron forma-
tion. Therefore, the REE pattern of sea water cannot
be singled out as the sole explanation for variations
in the REE patterns of iron formations and the effect
of sea water REE may be completely masked by
changes in the other factors. Negative Ce anomalies
are good evidence of the effect of sea water with a
REE pattern similar to modern sea water. However,
for the reasons given above, the lack of such anom-
alies in an iron formation does not necessarily imply
that sea water of the same age was not depleted in
Ce.
REE data are most common for the followmg types
of Fe-rich sediment, each of which has its own geolo-
gic-sedimentary setting and its own set of factors
which affect its REE pattern:
1. Algoma-type iron firmatlons: felsic volcanism is
very Important; the formations are a really somewhat
restricted and are most common in Archean green-
stone belts.
2. Superior-type iron formations: the role of VOI-
canism is uncertain but most formations are not inti-
mately associated with volcanic rocks; the formations
have large areal extents and evidence is present for
both quiescent and turbulent conditions during depo-
sition. Superior-type Iron formations are most com-
mon in Proterozoic sedimentary sequences.
I I I
3. Metalliferous deep-sea sediments: ocean ridge
Lu
basaltic volcanism is important: metalliferous deep-
sea sediments show good evidence of precipitation in
a sea water-dominated fluid; the deposits are wide-
spread on the modern sea floor and are found in some
ophiolitic rock sequences.
1848 J. L. GRAF JR.

There IS good geological and geochemical evidence mations. Possibly, local, more strongly reducing con-
that deep sea, metalliferous sediments were precipi- ditions can account for the weak Eu anomalies. The
tated in sea water. Some can be observed forming stronger anomalies observed in some of the Hamers-
today (ZELENOV,1964). However, there IS no evidence ley samples may suggest somewhat different condi-
that Algoma-type iron formations and all Superior- tions of formation than those of other Proterozoic
type iron formations precipitated from a solution iron formations. In this regard. it is Interesting to note
dominated by sea water of the same age. It is not the felsic volcanic rocks which occur in the Hamersley
unreasonable to expect the REE pattern of Archean section (TRENDALL.1973).
‘sea water’ to be different from that of modern sea
REE conrenrs
water. In the Archean greenstone belts broad basins,
geochemical If not topographical. were present The data presented here and m GRAF (1977) when
(GCK)DWIN. 1973) and felsic volcanism must have had compared to the data presented in FRYER (1977a)
a much stronger influence on water chemistry than show that whereas some Precambrian iron formations
it does today. However, when REE patterns of New have REE concentrations much lower than those in
Brunswick iron formations are compared to those of the New Brunswick iron formations, others have
similar Archean iron formations, no significant differ- nearly identical REE concentrations. In addition, the
ences are observed. Because of differences in condi- concentrations in the New Brunswick Fe-Mn sedi-
tions of formatlon, a comparison of two types of iron ments are significantly higher than those in magnetite
formation will probably not show differences whether iron formations and are of the same magnitude as
the sea water REE pattern changed or not. For those of metalliferous sediments. It seems. therefore,
example. if deep sea sediment data were compared that the conditions of formation are more import-
with data from New Brunswick iron formations, one ant than the age in determining REE concentrations
conclusion regarding Eu m the Ordovician would with metalhferous, deep sea and intervolcanic sedi-
result. Comparing the same data with data from New ments normally having higher concentrations than
Brunswick Fe-Mn sediments would result in an en- magnetite-hematite iron formations.
tirely different conclusion about the same element in Knowledge of the types and relative amounts of
the same water. the various components within iron formations is
essential for an understandmg of the abundance data.
Eu Anotntrlies Certain minerals such as aluminosilicates or apatite
In GRAF (1977) it was suggested that the Eu anom- tend to have high to very high concentrations of REE
ahes m the New Brunswick iron formations and mas- while other minerals such as quartz tend toward very
sive sulfides resulted from the fact that the hydrother- low concentrations. Magnetite appears to contain low
mal solutions presumed to be responsible for their to moderate REE concentrations and iron-oxide pre-
formation were themselves anomalous. It was shown cipitates which are not able to scavenge large water
that the REE patterns of the sediments could be volumes. as they do in deep sea metalliferous sedi-
related to water-rock interactions within a hydrother- ments, would probably also have moderate concen-
mal system and that interaction between a solution trations.
and a felsic, feldspar porphyry could produce a posi- Study of the New Brunswick Iron formations
tive Eu anomaly in the solution. The similarity (GRAF. 1975. 1977) showed that concentrations of
between REE patterns of Archean and Ordovician, REE (except ELI) correlate positively with the amount
Algoma-type iron formations strongly suggests that of detrital material as represented by aluminosilicate
the processes and the conditions of their formation minerals and negatively with the amount of oxide and
were very similar. This in turn implies that both were sulfide minerals. This may in part explain the very
formed by hydrothermal solutions which interacted low REE contents of some Precambrian iron forma-
with felsic volcanic rocks. tions (FRYER, 1977a). These rocks, being much more
The Eu anomalies found m some of the Hamersley extensive than their younger counterparts, may con-
samples are somewhat unusual for Superior-type iron sist almost entirely of chemical preclpltates. The ana-
formations. However, there is no consistent pattern lytical data tend to confirm this suggestion in that
to the anomalous samples. Of two iron oxide-rich Precambrian samples rich in detrltal material (Sou-
samples (HRlH and HR13M) only HRlH is anoma- dan slate. FRYER, 1977a: and stilpnomelane shale,
lous. Likewise of three cherty samples two (HRlQH HR15. this study) have much higher concentrations
and HR13Q) are anomalous while one (HR27) is not. of REE than do most other iron formations.
FRYER (1977a) reported analyses of nine Proterozoic REE concentrations in the non-magnetic concen-
iron formations and of them only one (No. 10 from trate from sample JG77B are approximately three
the Mesabi Range, USA) could be considered to be times those in the magnetic concentrate (Table 1).
weakly anomalous. FRYER (1977b) also reported two However, the magnetite band in sample NO50 has
analyses of Hamersley iron formations which had REE concentrations almost ten times those in the
Eu/Sm ratios somewhat but possibly not significantly quartz band. The banded Hamersley samples show
higher than the chondritic ratio. Eu anomalies are little difference between bands with concentrations in
apparently localized features in Proterozoic iron for- the iron oxide bands generally somewhat higher.
 Rare earth elements. Iron formations and sea water 1849

These observations are best explained by differences DAVIES J L. (1972) The geology and geochemistry of the
Austin Brook Area with spectal emphasis on the Austin
from one formation to another m the mineral com-
Brook Iron formation. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis. Carle-
ponents of the iron-poor fraction but may also result
ton Untverslty.
from different processes. The REE distribution in the DYMOND J.. CORL~SS J B. HEATH G R.. FIELD C. W.,
analyzed fractions of the New Brunswick sample was DASCH E J. and VII:H H H. (1973) Orrgm of metalh-
controlled by partitioning among the phases while the ferous sediments from the Pacific Ocean Gerjl. .S(lc 4m
Bull. 84. 3355.-3372.
bandmg in the Hamersley and Adams Mine samples
FI ANA(;AN F J. (1973) 1972 values for mternational geo-
suggests some form of precipitation zoning. chemical reference samples. Grochrm Cmmochrnt Autr
37, Il89~1200
FRYER B J (1977a) Rare earth evidence m Iron-formatlons
CONCLUSIONS for changmg Precambrian oxldatlon states Grochml.
Cn\mochrm. 4~1~141, 36 I-367.
Comparison of the New Brunswick iron formations
FRYER B. J. (1977b) Trace element gcochemlstry of the
to Precambrian iron formations and other iron-rich Sokoman Iron Formation. Ctrn J Etrr/h &I. 14,
sediments has led to the following conclusions: 1598-1610.
GOODWIN A M (1964) Geochemlcal studies at the Helen
1. There exist many different types of iron forma- iron Range Ec,on. G~,~~/.59. 684-718
tion. each with its own geologic setting and genetic GOODWIN A M. (1973) Archean iron formattons and tec-
history. tome basins of the Canadian Shield &on. Ger~l 68,
915-933
2. There is no good evidence that all iron forma-
GOODWIN A M.. RIDLER R. H. and ANNFLLS R N with
tions precipitated from a sol&on identical to their contributions bq BRIC;CS D. N 1 NALI~R~TT A. J , SPI.NCE
contemporaneous sea water. It seems likely that in A and SPFNCF C D. 11972) Precambrian volcanism of
many cases the solution was some mixture of an iron the Noranda-KIrkland Lake-Timmms. Mlchiplcoten.
source (hydrothermal solution?) and sea water. The and Mamamae Point areas. Quebec and Ontario. 24th
Int Geol Congress. Montreal. Canada. GuIdebook for
iron source and degree of mixing may be different
excursions A40-C40.
from one iron formation type to another or even from GORDON G. E. RANDALL K .GOLES G G.. Co~~iss J B,
one iron formation to another. BEESON M. H and OXLLY S. S (1968) Instrumental actl-
3. The REE patterns of iron formations cannot be Latlon analysis of standard rocks with high-resolution
X-ray detectors Grochm. Covnochrm. Acru 32, 364-396.
used to show a change with time in the sea water
GRAF J. L.. JR. (1975) Rare earth elements as hydrothermal
REE pattern. Observed differences are bettter related tracers during the formatlon of massive sulfide deposits
to iron formation type. and associated iron formations in New Brunswick Un-
4. Algoma-type iron formations of both Ordovician published Ph.D Thesis. Yale University. 226~
and Archean age have similar REE patterns. suggest- GRAF J. L. JR. (1977) Rare earth elements as hydrothermal
tracers during the formation of masstve sulfide deposits
ing stmilar processes of formatlon.
In volcanic rocks. Econ. Grol 72. 527 548
5. Iron formations and hematltic, Fe-Mn sediments GROSS G. A (1965) Geoloyj, of Iron Drpmrr,~ 01 Cmdu.
of the same age from New Brunswick have different Vol. I. Grnerul Groloy~~ trnd Etuluutmn of Iron Drpo\u\
REE patterns. Geol. Survey Canada Econ Geol. Report No 22
R~BFRTSON A H. F and FLEET A. J (1976) The orlgms
6. REE patterns of Proterozoic iron formations
of rare earths In metalllferous sedlments of the Toodos
suggest local variations m conditions of formation Massif. Cyprus. Eurfh Plonrt Sir Lclt. 28, 385 394
7. Absolute REE concentrations m iron formations TRFNDALL A F (1973~ Precambrian Iron-formattons of
are related to the mineral components of the iron Australia. Eton. Grol 68. 1023-1034
formations and to processes of formation. ZELENOV K. K (1964) Iron and manganese m cxhalatlons
of the submarine Banu Wuhu volcano (Indonesia) D&l.
il~~no~t/rtl~e,llenr\-~~Thls work was done durmg the course A!& Nod. SSSR 155, 9496
of thesis research at Yale Umverslty. While at Yale. 1 had
the benefit of many useful dlscuaslons with Professors B. APPENDIX I
J. SKINNER. K K. TUREK~AN and D M RYE Prof J. B. Sump/e lot drwn\ did rlr\crrp:rom
CORLISS. Oregon State Umverslty. Introduced me to the JGI: Fe-Mn Sediment. outcrop south of Wedge Mine,
study of rare earth elements and to Instrumental neutron NB. Extremely fine-gramed hematltic sediment with some
actlvatlon analysis and some of his computer programs detrltal material (AI,O, = 7”,,)
were used m the data reduction. The assistance of the JGSOA: Fe -Mn Sedtment. Outcrop. Tetogouche Falls.
Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center and of A. F. DIMEG- NB. Extremely line-grained hematitlc sediment with detrl-
LIO. director. and M. P DOYLE. assistant director. was m- tal material (A1203 = 12”,,).
valuable during the analytlcal work. Hamersley samples N095B: Banded cherty Iron formation. Lucy Mine.
were collected by B. J SKINNER Comments of B. J. SKIN- Michlpicoten District. Ontario. 43”,, Quartz. 13”,, magne-
NER and D M. RYF on the mitral manuscript are much tite. 44”,, carbonate. trace of pyrite
appreciated as are the reviews of H. D. HOLLAND and B N050W: Banded Iron formation. Adams Mine. Ontario
J FRYFR. TERRY WEC~NERtyped the manuscript 53”,, magnetite, 4l”,, quartz. 3”,, carbonate. 3”,, green mica.
trace 0r pyrite.
N022B: Massive sulfide band, outcrop up dip from Amu-
REFERENCES
let ‘C’ Deposit. Noranda District, Quebec. Roughly 80””
CORL~SS J. B., GRAF J. L. JR. SKINNER B. J. and HUTCHIN- pyrite and 20”,, quartz with traces of chlorite. stlIpnome_
SON R. W. (1972) Rare earth data for iron- and mangan- lane and carbonate.
ese-rich sediments associated with sulfide ore bodies of HRI: Banded Iron formation, Mt Sylvia Formation,
the Troodos Massif. Cyprus. Geol. Sot. Am. (Abstracts) North Whaleback Pit. Hamerslej Range, Australia.’
1972 Annual Meeting. Minneapolis. Mn.. 476. HRlH-band with roughly 80”,, hematite. 20”,, quartz
1850 J. L. GRAFJR.

HRIQH-quartz band wtth thinner bands containing 35”,, carbonate, 34”,, quartz. IS”,, white mtca. trace-hema-
finely disseminated hematite and specularite grains. ttte, apatite.
HR13: Banded iron formatton. BIFI. Dales Gorge JG3417: Banded non formation near center of Bruns-
Member. Colonial Mine. Hamersley Range. wtck Mining and Smelting No. 6 tron formation. 72”,, mag-
HRI3M-Band of nearly pure magnetite. HRI3Q-Fe- nettte. 5”,, hematite. 18”,, quartz. 2”” carbonate, 3”; white
poor band, largely quartz and carbonate with very fine mica.
opaques. Contains thm bands of shghtly concentrated opa- JG36D: Banded iron formatton near top of Austm
ques. Brook tron formation. 36”,, magnetrte. 36”,, carbonates,
HR15: Stilpnomelane shale. Jo&e Falls Member, 13”,, quartz, 8”,, chloride. 7”” white mtca. trace-apatite.
Hamersley Range. Contains about 50”,, stilpnomelane. 30”,, JG77B: Banded non formation near bottom of Austm
opaques. and 20”,, quartz. Brook tron formation. 729,, magnettte, 16”,, quartz. 7””
HR27: Chert pod, Intersection of Red and Hancock chlortte. Y,, carbonate, trace-apatite, hematite, sphalerrte.
Gorges. Hamersley Range. Very fine-grained quartz con- 77BM ts a magnettc concentrate and JG77BNM a non-
taining dark bands. From the bands many dark blue magnettc concentrate from this sample
needles (rtebeckite?) extend out mto the quartz. JG37G: Banded iron formatton. May be lateral equtval-
JG3ti Banded iron formation near top of Brunswtck ent of Austm Brook tron formatton 62”” magnetite, 18”,,
Mmmg and Smelting No. 6 iron formatron. l6”,, magnetite. carbonate. 17”,, quartz. 3”,, chlorite. trace-apatite.