Mineralogy and petrology of two kimberlites at Dutoitspan Mine, Kimberley
- Authors: Snowden, D V
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kimberley , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Kimberley , Petrology -- South Africa -- Kimberley
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004706
- Description: The mineralogy and petrology of two kimberlites, a peripheral monticellite kimberlite, and its core of phlogopite kimberlite, from the West Auxiliary Pipe at Dutoitspan Mine are described. The mineralogy of the two kimberlites differs mainly in the presence of phlogopite macrocrysts, greater abundance of angular crustal inclusions, more heavy minerals and higher diamond grade in the phlogopite type. Microprobe analyses of olivine, phlogopite, monticellite, oxide minerals and garnet are presented. Silicate compositions are comparable in both kimberlites and zoning of olivine grains is typically towards a rim of Fo₈₉₋₉₀ʻ irrespective of whether cores are more Fe-rich or more Mg-rich. This is caused by re-equilibration after fluidised emplacement in the earth's crust of macrocryst-bearing kimberlite magma. Olivine aggregates were derived from sheared mantle lherzolite and single-crystal macrocrysts were formed at higher mantle levels from a kimberlitic crystal-mush magma. This was emplaced in the crust by rapid gas streaming. The post-fluidisation phenocrysts of olivine and phlogopite which formed then are in general more Fe-rich than macrocrysts. Re-equilibration of ilmenite results in the formation of complex perovskite and titanomagnetite mantles. Phlogopite macrocrysts are preserved in the monticellite contact rock where rapid quenching prevented their resorption and allowed separation of an immiscible carbonate melt, giving the abundant groundmass calcite. Atoll-textured spinels are found in the contact rock. Major and minor trace-element analyses of whole rock samples are presented and discussed, bringing into account the problem of contamination by crustal inclusions. Whole rock chemistry supports derivation of the kimberlites as partial melts of mantle material in the presence of a lithophile-element-enriched fluid. The monticellite contact rock is highly enriched in REE, Nb, and Sr due to rapid freezing of this perovskite-enriched phase. The monticellite type is more enriched in lithophile elements than the phlogopite type, which supports derivation of the monticellite type by a small degree of partial melting, further melting reducing the relative concentrations of lithophile elements to give the phlogopite kimberlite chemistry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Snowden, D V
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kimberley , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Kimberley , Petrology -- South Africa -- Kimberley
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004706
- Description: The mineralogy and petrology of two kimberlites, a peripheral monticellite kimberlite, and its core of phlogopite kimberlite, from the West Auxiliary Pipe at Dutoitspan Mine are described. The mineralogy of the two kimberlites differs mainly in the presence of phlogopite macrocrysts, greater abundance of angular crustal inclusions, more heavy minerals and higher diamond grade in the phlogopite type. Microprobe analyses of olivine, phlogopite, monticellite, oxide minerals and garnet are presented. Silicate compositions are comparable in both kimberlites and zoning of olivine grains is typically towards a rim of Fo₈₉₋₉₀ʻ irrespective of whether cores are more Fe-rich or more Mg-rich. This is caused by re-equilibration after fluidised emplacement in the earth's crust of macrocryst-bearing kimberlite magma. Olivine aggregates were derived from sheared mantle lherzolite and single-crystal macrocrysts were formed at higher mantle levels from a kimberlitic crystal-mush magma. This was emplaced in the crust by rapid gas streaming. The post-fluidisation phenocrysts of olivine and phlogopite which formed then are in general more Fe-rich than macrocrysts. Re-equilibration of ilmenite results in the formation of complex perovskite and titanomagnetite mantles. Phlogopite macrocrysts are preserved in the monticellite contact rock where rapid quenching prevented their resorption and allowed separation of an immiscible carbonate melt, giving the abundant groundmass calcite. Atoll-textured spinels are found in the contact rock. Major and minor trace-element analyses of whole rock samples are presented and discussed, bringing into account the problem of contamination by crustal inclusions. Whole rock chemistry supports derivation of the kimberlites as partial melts of mantle material in the presence of a lithophile-element-enriched fluid. The monticellite contact rock is highly enriched in REE, Nb, and Sr due to rapid freezing of this perovskite-enriched phase. The monticellite type is more enriched in lithophile elements than the phlogopite type, which supports derivation of the monticellite type by a small degree of partial melting, further melting reducing the relative concentrations of lithophile elements to give the phlogopite kimberlite chemistry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
Primary production of Swartvlei in mid-summer 1980, with emphasis on the production ecology of the littoral zone
- Authors: Taylor, David Ian
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Swartvlei , Ecology -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5820 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007320 , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Swartvlei , Ecology -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: From Introduction: Energy passes through an ecosystem via a multiplicity of interconnected routes, which can be broadly categorised into trophic and detrital pathways. The "metabolic activity" of most lakes will be governed predcminantly at the base of these two routes; namely, the primary producer and decanposer levels, respectively (Wetzel and Allen, 1972). The importance of the littoral primary producers (especially the aquatic macrophytes) in the functioning of the Swartvlei ecosystem has been emphasised in a comprehensive report by Howard-Williams and Allanson (1978) dealing with the lake system fran 1975 to 1978. They noted that although the littoral shelf (<2m below low water level) occupies only 43% of the lake's surface area it contributed 64% of the total annual primary production during the period investigated. This was largely due to the dense Potamogeton pectinatus stands which alone accounted for 52% of the total carbon input into the lake by plants. The fact that the production/biomass ratio for P. pectinatus was only 1,2:1 suggested that its importance as a primary producer in Swartvlei was largely due to its high bianass. (Biomass, or standing stock, is used in this report as defined by Waters (1977); namely, "the amount present at a point in time, expressed best as quantity per spatial unit".)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Taylor, David Ian
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Swartvlei , Ecology -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5820 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007320 , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Swartvlei , Ecology -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: From Introduction: Energy passes through an ecosystem via a multiplicity of interconnected routes, which can be broadly categorised into trophic and detrital pathways. The "metabolic activity" of most lakes will be governed predcminantly at the base of these two routes; namely, the primary producer and decanposer levels, respectively (Wetzel and Allen, 1972). The importance of the littoral primary producers (especially the aquatic macrophytes) in the functioning of the Swartvlei ecosystem has been emphasised in a comprehensive report by Howard-Williams and Allanson (1978) dealing with the lake system fran 1975 to 1978. They noted that although the littoral shelf (<2m below low water level) occupies only 43% of the lake's surface area it contributed 64% of the total annual primary production during the period investigated. This was largely due to the dense Potamogeton pectinatus stands which alone accounted for 52% of the total carbon input into the lake by plants. The fact that the production/biomass ratio for P. pectinatus was only 1,2:1 suggested that its importance as a primary producer in Swartvlei was largely due to its high bianass. (Biomass, or standing stock, is used in this report as defined by Waters (1977); namely, "the amount present at a point in time, expressed best as quantity per spatial unit".)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
Geological factors that influence the evaluation and exploitation of Canadian copper-zinc massive sulphide-, and Japanese polymetallic (kuroko) deposits
- Authors: Venter, D M
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Sulfides -- Canada , Ore deposits -- Japan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003812
- Description: Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits are important sources of base metals throughout the world. The Canadian Cu-Zn-(Au, Ag) deposits of Archaean age occur in greenstone terrains within the Canadian Shield. These deposits are closely associated with volcanic vents developed along zones of rifting within mobile belts. The vents are manifested by coarse felsic pyroclastics and/or rhyolitic domes. The Japanese Pb-Zn-Cu-Ba(Ag) deposits, generally known as Kuroko deposits, are of Miocene age, and although also associated with volcanic vents, are developed above zones of subduction. Mineralization in volcanogenic deposits is a result of submarine exhalation of metalliferous hydrothermal solutions derived from fractionation of predominantly calc-alkaline magmas. The deposits are characterized by certain geological features that result from the interaction of specific physical and chemical conditions during deposition. Primary features include massive and stringer sulphide bodies, alteration zones, mineralogical and metal zoning, and certain depositional textures and structures. These features are commonly modified by subsequent metamorphism and deformation which impart secondary ore textures and affect metal distribution and shape. The disparity in age between Canadian and Japanese deposits allows the entire spectrum of geological features to be studied; from the completely unaltered to the high deformed and recrystallized. The characteristic geological features are the prime factors which control the metal distribution and concentration, and the size and shape of the deposits, thereby influencing the viability of the respective ore bodies. A knowledge of these factors and the physico-chemical parameters which control them are thus fundamental in the "understanding" of these deposits. They ultimately control the geological interpretations and predictions made during ore body delineation, ore reserve estimation, mining and ore beneficiation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Venter, D M
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Sulfides -- Canada , Ore deposits -- Japan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003812
- Description: Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits are important sources of base metals throughout the world. The Canadian Cu-Zn-(Au, Ag) deposits of Archaean age occur in greenstone terrains within the Canadian Shield. These deposits are closely associated with volcanic vents developed along zones of rifting within mobile belts. The vents are manifested by coarse felsic pyroclastics and/or rhyolitic domes. The Japanese Pb-Zn-Cu-Ba(Ag) deposits, generally known as Kuroko deposits, are of Miocene age, and although also associated with volcanic vents, are developed above zones of subduction. Mineralization in volcanogenic deposits is a result of submarine exhalation of metalliferous hydrothermal solutions derived from fractionation of predominantly calc-alkaline magmas. The deposits are characterized by certain geological features that result from the interaction of specific physical and chemical conditions during deposition. Primary features include massive and stringer sulphide bodies, alteration zones, mineralogical and metal zoning, and certain depositional textures and structures. These features are commonly modified by subsequent metamorphism and deformation which impart secondary ore textures and affect metal distribution and shape. The disparity in age between Canadian and Japanese deposits allows the entire spectrum of geological features to be studied; from the completely unaltered to the high deformed and recrystallized. The characteristic geological features are the prime factors which control the metal distribution and concentration, and the size and shape of the deposits, thereby influencing the viability of the respective ore bodies. A knowledge of these factors and the physico-chemical parameters which control them are thus fundamental in the "understanding" of these deposits. They ultimately control the geological interpretations and predictions made during ore body delineation, ore reserve estimation, mining and ore beneficiation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
Studies on an autolysin produced by clostridium acetobutylicum
- Authors: Webster, Jocelyn Rowena
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Clostridium acetobutylicum , Autolysis , Bacteriocins , Proteins -- Synthesis , DNA -- Synthesis , RNA -- Synthesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3893 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003724
- Description: An extracellular bacteriocin-like substance produced by Clostridium acetobutylicum was detected during studies on an industrial fermentation process. The bacteriocin-like substance was not inducible by either ultraviolet light or mitomycin C, and its production was not associated with the induction of a protease. Studies on the mode of action of the bacteriocin-like substance indicated that it had no significant effect on DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis, and it did not cause the loss of intracellular ATP. However, the bacteriocin-like substance was able to lyse SDS-treated cells and cell walls of C. acetobutylicum and was identified as an autolysin. Some of the characteristics of this extracellular autolysin were determined, and after purification it was shown to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 28 000.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Webster, Jocelyn Rowena
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Clostridium acetobutylicum , Autolysis , Bacteriocins , Proteins -- Synthesis , DNA -- Synthesis , RNA -- Synthesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3893 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003724
- Description: An extracellular bacteriocin-like substance produced by Clostridium acetobutylicum was detected during studies on an industrial fermentation process. The bacteriocin-like substance was not inducible by either ultraviolet light or mitomycin C, and its production was not associated with the induction of a protease. Studies on the mode of action of the bacteriocin-like substance indicated that it had no significant effect on DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis, and it did not cause the loss of intracellular ATP. However, the bacteriocin-like substance was able to lyse SDS-treated cells and cell walls of C. acetobutylicum and was identified as an autolysin. Some of the characteristics of this extracellular autolysin were determined, and after purification it was shown to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 28 000.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981