MINERAGENIC FEATURES OF THERMODEGRADATION BASINS FROM THE SOUTH-EAST RUSSIAN PLATFORM

DOI: 10.24411/0869-5997-2018-10003

Abstract

The basis of thermodegradation water pools identification is development of relatively thick, substantially
clay (montmorillonite) strata in the sedimentary section immersed to depths with temperatures of catagenesis above 80–120°C. Transition of montmorillonite to hydrology involves large volumes of chemically aggressive heated water that is capable of extracting metals from host rocks and, subsequently, acting as mineral- and ore-forming hydrothermal springs. In the southeastern part of the Russian platform, there are nine pools of potentially metalliferous thermodegradation waters. The age of parent water mass varies from Riphean to early Permian. Water separation timing covers Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic. A close spatial association of thermodegradation pools with lead, zinc, gold, magnesite, siderite, barite, hematite, fluorite and sulfur deposits and manifestations is noted.