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A new palaeo-weathering and leaching model for the formation of the ultra-large high-grade Kaiyang phosphate deposit, Guizhou, China

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Abstract

The processes that formed the ultra-large and high-grade Kaiyang phosphate deposit, which is located in Guizhou Province, China, remain unclear. Here, we present the results of a petrological and mineralogical investigation of the compact and white lamination-bearing phosphorite within the deposit. These white lamination-bearing phosphorites contain many silicified collophane breccias that are surrounded by collophane cements. Electron probe microanalysis indicates that the phosphorite within the deposit is enriched in P2O5, SiO2, K2O, and Al2O3 and is depleted in FeO, F, MgO, SO3, and Na2O compared with the more common clastic phosphorite rocks. In addition, the coated-grain phosphorite located beneath this layer contains a cement that was gravitationally transported and was formed by leaching. These new data indicate that the deposit represents a crust formed as a result of palaeo-weathering. The widespread presence of this type of phosphatic rock in the Kaiyang area indicates that palaeo-weathering played a key role in the formation of the phosphorite deposits in this region.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Ye Taiping, Tan jing, and Wang bing for their help and guidance in rock ore appraisal. We would like to thank Dr. Li Zengsheng for his assistance in the electron probe data processing process. Many thanks to Dr. Xu Jingui for his valuable and constructive comments and suggestions.

Funding

This project was supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U1812402, 41890841), the Foundation of the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration in Guizhou Province (Grant Nos 201610 and 201611), Project of Science and Technology Department of Guizhou Province (Talent of Guizhou Science and Technology Cooperation Platform [2018]5613), and the Mineral Investigation and Prospecting Prediction of Integrated Exploration in the East of Kaiyang, Guizhou Province Project (Grant No. 121201004000150017-77, 121201004000160901-34).

❶Guizhou Geological Survey and Research Institute. 2016. Report on 1:50,000 regional geology and mineral survey of Kaiyang, Guizhou province.

âť·105 Geological Team, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Guizhou Province. 2019. Report on the total achievements of the sub-project of mineral investigation and prospecting prediction in the phosphate ore integrated exploration area east of Kaiyang, Guizhou province.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Wenming Wu & Ruidong Yang

  2. Geological Brigade 105, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, 550018, China

    Wenming Wu, Zepeng Wang, Dafu Wang & Song Liu

  3. Innovation Center of Ore Resources Exploration Technology in the Region of Bedrock, Ministry of Natural Resources of People’s Republic of China, Guiyang, 550081, China

    Wenming Wu, Zepeng Wang, Jianzhong Liu & Chenfu Yang

  4. Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, 550004, China

    Jianzhong Liu

  5. Guizhou Central Laboratory of Geology and Mineral Resources, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, 550018, China

    Taiping Ye

Authors
  1. Wenming Wu
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  2. Ruidong Yang
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  3. Zepeng Wang
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  4. Jianzhong Liu
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  7. Chenfu Yang
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  8. Taiping Ye
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Contributions

W. W., R. Y., and Z. W. participated in the design of this study. W. W. and Z. W. were in charge of the experiment. W. W., Z. W., S. L., and T. Y. performed the statistical analysis and interpretation of data. W. W., D. W., and S. L. carried out the study and collected important background information. W. W. drafted the manuscript. W. W., S. L., D. W., and Y. C. performed field investigation and sample collection. All authors have read and approved the content of the manuscript. R. Y and J. L. performed manuscript review.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wenming Wu.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Responsible editor: Domenico M. Doronzo

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Wu, W., Yang, R., Wang, Z. et al. A new palaeo-weathering and leaching model for the formation of the ultra-large high-grade Kaiyang phosphate deposit, Guizhou, China. Arab J Geosci 14, 2263 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08587-x

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