Contrasting REE signatures on manganese ores of iron ore group in north Orissa, India

Abstract

The distribution pattern of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in three categories of manganese ores viz. stratiform, stratabound-replacement, and detrital of Precambrian Iron Ore Group from north Orissa, India was reported. These categories of Mn-ore differed in their major and trace chemistry and exhibited contrasting REE signature. The stratiform ores were relatively enriched in Sigma REE content (697 mu g center dot g(-1)) and their normalized pattern showed both positive Ce and Eu anomalies, whereas the stratabound-replacement types were comparatively depleted in Sigma REE content (211 mu g center dot g(-1)) and showed negative Cc and flat Eu signatures. The detrital categories showed mixed REE pattern. The data plotted in different discrimination diagrams revealed a mixed volcaniclastic and chemogenic source of material for stratiform categories, and LREE (Light Rare Earth Elements) and HREE (Heavy Rare Earth Elements) are contributed by such sources, respectively. In contrast, the stratabound ore bodies were developed during the remobilization of stratiform ores, and associated Mn-containing rocks under supergene condition followed by the redeposition of circulating mineralized colloidal solutions in structurally favorable zones. During this process, some of the constituents were found only in very low concentration within stratabound ores, and this is attributed to their poor leachability/mobility. The detrital ores did not exhibit any significant characteristic in respect of REE as their development was via a complex combination of processes involving weathering, fragmentation, recementation, and burial under soil cover.