Abstract
The metamorphic terrane of southwestern India is a geological environment containing ilmenite source-rocks, transport drainage systems, and resultant beach sand deposits that contain altered ilmenites greater than 60wt% TiO 2. As such, this environment provides a geological laboratory, from source to deposit, for the investigation of ilmenite origin, alteration, and geochemical character. Ilmenite samples from potential source rocks, river sands, and beach sands all show degrees of alteration and a variety of alteration textures (iron leaching) producing leucoxene (here defined as >70 <90wt% TiO2) and progressing to rutile (here defined as >90wt% TiO 2). Distinct alteration textures are specific to different source rocks and are used together with trace element geochemistry as provenance criteria. Ilmenites are classified on the basis of their trace element content. In India, the ilmenites are classified principally according to the Mg, Nb, and Mn content and this signature defines potential source rocks, even where the ilmenite is altered to a TiO2 content of 70wt%. The trace element data may fingerprint source rocks whose ilmenite is more prone to iron leaching and that criterion has application in exploration for higher-grade ilmenites.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | 2005 Heavy Minerals Conference Proceedings, HMC 2005 |
| Pages | 37-45 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Volume | 2005 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2005 |
| Event | 2005 Heavy Minerals Conference, HMC 2005 - Jacksonville, FL, United States Duration: 16 Oct 2005 → 19 Oct 2005 |
Conference
| Conference | 2005 Heavy Minerals Conference, HMC 2005 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Jacksonville, FL |
| Period | 16/10/05 → 19/10/05 |