Geochemical features of texture –forming ground ice in diamondiferous areas of western Yakutia

Abstract

The unique research results of macro-components, trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) in the structure-forming ground ice in sedimentary and igneous rocks of the diamond-bearing regions of Western Yakutia are presented. It has been found that deep freezing of sedimentary cover in the Yakutian diamond-bearing province gave rise to formation of ice-cement and intrusive ice in the sedimentary strata and kimberlites. Water-rock interaction before the glacial epoch and perennial cryogenesis in the Late Cenozoic resulted in current hydrogeochemical zonality in the diamond-bearing regions and stipulated formation of hydrocarbonate, sulfate-hydrocarbonate, chloride-hydrocarbonate, hydrocarbonate-chloride and chloride types of structure-forming ground ice. Ground ice is enriched in Li, B, Si, S, Br, Sr and is depleted in Sc, Ge, Y, Nb, Th. Concentration of the REE in ground ice is 2–4 orders of magnitude less than in kimberlites and sedimentary rocks, 1–2 orders of magnitude exceed the REE content in the ocean water and approximately equal to the REE content in the river waters. The profiles of REE distribution in the ground ice is characterized by the similar of Ʌ-shape, strongly marked Eu anomaly and approximately equal content of light and heavy REE.

Keywords

• ground ice salinity
• macro-components and trace elements
• rare earth elements
• sedimentary rock and kimberlites
• structure-forming ground ice