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Features and genesis of vein-type magnesite deposit in the Doddakanya area

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Article  in  Journal of the Geological Society of India · November 1999

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 JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vo1.54, Nov.1999, pp.449-465

Features and Genesis of Vein-type Magnesite Deposit

in the Doddakanya Area of Karnataka, India

B. KRISHNA RAO, M.S. SETHUMADHAV, M. HANUMA PRASAD l , T.D. MAHABALESHWAR,

ASHoK V. RAo and H. ALBERT GILG 2
Department of studies in Geology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570006
IPresent address: Geological survey of India, Sanjivani Nagar, Garha Road, Jabalpur - 482003
21nstitute for Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenberg str,
D-85747, Garching, Munich, Germany·

Abstract: Vein-type magnesite deposit of Doddakanya area is situated in the southern part of the
Archaean Dharwar craton. Magnesite is confined to a c.3.3 Ga old ultramafic body which constitutes a
tectonically dismembered part of a layered ultramafic-mafic complex emplaced into supracrustal rocks
of the Sargur Group. The magnesite-bearing ultramafic body is comp·osed of dunite with minor
harzburgite and exhibits varying degrees of serpentinization and weathering. About 50 vol. % of the
ultramafic body is serpentinized and the intensity of serpentinization decreases with depth. The serpentine
minerals are represented essentially by Iizardite/chrysotile exhibiting pseudomorphic mesh-texture.
SerPentinization of the ultramafic body took place within 6 km of the Earth's surface at low temperatures
(<200°C) and essentially involved volume expansion (isochemicaJ) process. During weathering, the
relict olivine of the serpentinized ultramafic body was pseudomorphously replaced by a mixture of
amorphous material (with variable amounts of Fe, Mg, Si and volatiles) and minor ferric oxyhydroxides
and secondary silica. The Mg mobilized during weathering participated in the formation of magnesite
in tensional fractures developed during the late- to post- serpentinization event. Oxygen isotope data
(01R() = avo 30.6%0 SMOW) indicate the precipitation of magnesite at ambient temperatures and carbon
isotope values (0 13 C = avo -2.6%0 PDB) suggest the derivation of carbon from a biogenic soil source
dominated by C4 plants. The latter constrains the timing of the magnesite formation to a period not
older than 8 - 7 Ma.

Keywords: Economic geology, Arcllaean ultramafic rocks, Vein-type magnesite, Serpentinization,

C and 0 isotopes, Supergene origin, Doddakanya, Karnataka.

INTRODUCTION Doddakatur, Hullahal1i, Karya, Sinduvalli and

Vein-type magnesite deposits are
encountered worldwide in ultramafic rocks; the
latter range in age from Archaean to Jurassic.
The majority of the reported occurrences are
encountered in Phanerozoic Alpine - type
peridotites (ophiolite complexes) and the
literature available on the vein-type magnesite
deposits in Precambrian ultramafic rocks,
emplaced into the continental crust, is rather
limited. The present investigation is a case study
of an Archaean ultramafic rock- hosted vein-
type magnesite deposit from the Dharwar
craton, southern India.
In Mysore district. Karnataka. vein-type
magnesite is encountered at Doddakanya,
Mavinahalli areas under similar geological
settings. Among them, the magnesite mine at
Doddakanya extends for a depth of about
25m from the present - day surface level and
is accessible for carrying out detailed
investigations. According to Venkataramana
(1983), the magnesite mineralization at
Doddakanya resulted from the reaction of late-
stage co-magmatic hydrothermal fl uids with the
host ultramafic rocks of Archaean age. It is to
be noted here that the Archaean ultramafic rocks
ofthe Doddakanya area, along with the spatially
and temporally associated supracrustal rocks,
have been SUbjected to tectonic deformation and
metamorphism during the late Archaean period

00 16-7622/99-54-5-449/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOc. INDIA

450 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OlHERS

(Chadwick et al. 1978 ; Srikantappa et a1. 1985). now occur as N-S to N 20° E trending lenses,
However, the magnesite mineralization does not sheets and bands, exhibiting tectonic contacts
exhibit any evidence of deformation and hence with the surrounding c.3.3 Ga old gneisses.
the view that magnesite resulted through the Subsequently, these rocks were subjected
process of late - stage hydrothermal activity . to an upper amphibolite - facies regional
associated with the ultramafic-mafic metamorphism c.2.5 Ga ago (Srikantappa et al.
magmatism, needs re-evaluation. Therefore, the 1984, 1985).
present investigators carried out detailed
geological studies on the evolution of the terrain. MAGNESITE-BEARING ULTRAMAFIC
Based on these results, an alternate view for the BODY
genesis of vein-type magnesite deposit at
Doddakanya area is proposed. The magnesite - bearing ultramafic body,
which constitutes a dismembered unit of the
ultramafic - mafic intrusive complex, is lensoid
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
in shape: and extends for a length of about
The vein-type magnesite deposit qf the 1.5 km, with a maximum width of about
Doddakanya area (Lat.76° 35' -76° 45'; Long. 0.5 km. It is composed of dunite and minor
12° 5' - 12° 10') is located in the southern part harzburgite and is traversed by thin sheets of
of the late Archaean Dharwar craton (Fig.lA). norite, anorthosite and felsite porphyry. The
The study area near Sargur lies within the norite and anorthosite constitute co-magmatic
amphibolite- to granulite- facies transition zone, member~; of the ultramafic body and the felsite
separating: the south Indian shield into the porphyry belongs to a younger (0.8 Ga old)
northern low-grade granite-greenstone terrain granitic activity witnessed by the area. In
and the southern high-grade charnockite- the ultramafic body, a thin band of meta-
granulite terrain. The study area is composed sedimentary rock (anthophyllite and feldspar-
of volcano-sedimentary supracrustal rocks and bearing gneiss) is intercalated; the latter
rocks of thc~ ultramafic-mafic intrusive complex constitmes a tectonically dismembered and
of Sargur Group and are surrounded by interleav,ed slice of the Sargur supracrustal rocks
orthoglleisses (TTG-Peninsular gneisses) (Fig.lC).
(Fig.lB). No age data is available on the In thl~ ultramafic body, unaltered dunite is
supracrustal rocks and gneisses of the encountc;~red mainly in the lower levels of the
Doddakanya area. However, geochronological -25m open-cast magnesite mine. It is coarse-
studies carried out by Peucat et a1. (1995) on grained and is essentially made up of olivine
similar ancient rocks in the Holenarsipur schist (Fo 92 ira) and minor chromite and spinel.
belt indicate that the Sargur Group of rocks are Dunite often exhibits a few,mm to 3-4 em thick
c.3.3 Ga old and the surrounding gneisses could chromite:-rich layers alternating with olivine-
be 10-30 Ma older or younger than the rich layers, indicating igneous layering.
supracrustal rocks of the Sargur Group. Harzburgite is essentially composed of olivine,
The Sargur Group of rocks of the study area orthopyroxene and minor chromite and spinel.
were subjected to three episodes of deformation The olivine grains in dunite and harzburgite
sequentially and have undergone greenschist - exhibit cumulus to granoblastic textures and are
to lower amphibolite - facies metamorphism and fractured. Within the ultramafic body, narrow
migmatisation c.3.3 - 3.0 Ga ago (Chadwick (few mm to a few cm wide) shear zones
et a1. 1978; Viswanatha and Ramakrishnan, composed of talc ± tremolite ± carbonate are
1981). The tectonic defonnation of the Sargur often encountered.
Group of rocks involved folding and tectonic The magnesite-bearing ultramafic body
slicing, as a result of which these rocks exhibits varying degrees of serpentinization and

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDJA. VOL.54, NOV. 1999

 GENESIS OF VEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT, KARNATAKA 451

B c

v v
v v

00 Felsite
porphyry
[J1] Anorthosite
[ill Metanorite
[]IJ Anthophynite

,
gneiss V V v
~ Dunite n~
~ Quartzite U\.{1 V V
~ Mig.gneiss V V V

CJ Dolerite dyke
~ Late gabbro(two pyroxene granulite
f§§ Pyroxenite
[Ji] 8ronzite peridotite
[Z] Dunite • harzburgite
tIJ Ironstone
ig.1. A. Map showing the location of the study area.
[]l] Pelite
B. Geological map of the area around Doddakanya,
IZ1 Quartzite after Srikantappa et al. (1984). C. Geological map
D Peninsular gneiss of a part of the magnesite-bearing ultramafic body
of Doddakanya.

weathering, the details of which are provided
below.
SERPENTINIZATION OF THE
ULTRAMAFIC BODY
Serpentinization of the ultramafic body
involved the development offour textural types
of serpentine: 1. bladed serpentine, 2. cross-
fibered serpentine, 3. mesh - textured serpentine,
and 4. vein serpentine. The modal analyses of
the serpentinized ultramafic body reveal that
about 50 vol. % of the ultramafic body
(excluding the microfracture fillings of
magnesite present in it) is composed of mesh-
textured and vein -type serpentine, while less
than 1 vol. % of the ultramafic body is made up
of bladed serpentine and cross-fibered
serpentine ± calcite.
Bladed serpentine: Out of 180 thin
sections of the serpentinized ultramafic body
examined, only 2 sections revealed the presence
of antigorite exhibiting a bladed or thorn-like
fabric (Fig.2A). According to O'Hanley (1991),
antigorite forms in a high pressure-temperature
(T<460°C) metamorphic regime. Therefore, the
development of minor antigorite in the
ultramafic body of the study area may be related
to the waning stages of the c.2.5 Ga old
metamorphic event.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999

452 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHERS

Cross· fibered serpentine: Cross-fibered
serpentine is noticed in minor quantities in a
narrow zone of the magnesite mine. At places,
the cross-fibered serpentine is associated with
minor crystalline calcite. The individual fibers
of the cross - fibered serpentine show wall to
wall growth and the length of the individual
fibrils varies from a few mm to 1-2 cm. The
fibrous serpentine is made up of chrysotite ±
lizardite. The development of minor cross-
fibered serpentine ± calcite may also be
attributed to the c.2.5 Ga metamorphic event;
the latter, according to Srikantappa et al. (1985),
was accompanied by ascending CO 2 - rich
fluids.
Mesh-textured serpentine: The develop-
ment of mesh-textured serpentine was initiated
along the grain boundaries of olivine and
fractures in it (Fig.2B). The mesh-centres are
usually composed of relict olivine grains or their
weathered products. At placesJ mesh-centres are
completely serpentinized and such spots exhibit
either hDur-glass texture or isotropism. The
mesh rims are generally composed of either
massi VI! serpentine or apparently fibrous
serpentine, the latter exhibiting undulose
extinction. The apparently fibrous serpentine is
optically length fast and therefore represents
a. - serpentine. According to Wicks and
Zussma fl (1975), a. - serpentine is composed of
lizardite ± chrysotile. X-ray studies carried out
on the mesh-textured serpentine of the study
area ind lcate the presence of both lizardite and
chrysotil e. In the mesh rims, disseminated grains
of magnetite, developed as a result of the
serpenti::lization of olivine, are often noticed.
The intensity of development of mesh-textured
serpentine in the ultramafic body decreases with
depth. At lower levels of the mine, the
serpenti flized zones occur mainly as steeply
dipping linear patches and blocks following
joints and fractures.

Fig.2. A. Photomicrograph of antigorite exhibiting bladed fabric. Cros5 ed nicols. B. Photomicrograph of serpentine
exhibiting mesh-texture. Crossed nicols. C. Photomicrograph of vdn-serpentine (S) extending into mesh-textured
serpentine. Crossed nicols. D. Photomicrograph of weathered m lterial (W) pseudomorphously replacing relict
olivine. Crossed nicols.

j('UR.GEOL.SOC.lNDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999

 GENESIS OF VEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT, KARNATAKA
Vein serpentine: Vein serpentine, which
constitutes a minor phase, is confined to
microfractures. It is essentially massive and is
composed of lizardite. Vein serpentine often
extends into mesh-textured serpentine (Fig.2C).
This feature suggests that the formation of vein
serpentine closely followed the development of
mesh-textured serpentine.
Serpentinization process
As mentioned earlier, about 50 vol. % of
the ultramafic body was subjected to
serpentinization, practically involving the
development of mesh-textured and rarely vein-
type Iizardite and chrysotile. The serpentinite
is essentially massive and is comparable to the
type-l serpentinite of Coleman (1971). Hence,
it may be presumed that serpentinization took
place essentially under static conditions.
The timing of the above serpentinization
event needs an elucidation, in view of the
evolution of the terrain during a long span of
time. According to Varadarajan (1970), the
ultramafic rocks of the study area were intruded
at lower crustal levels and were subjected to
serpentinization through metaso.matic/
hydrothermal acitivity and the serpentinized
ultramafic body was subsequently emplaced
into the upper crust as a cold intrusive. This
view cannot be accepted for lack of field
evidence.
The next geological event, which may have
caused serpentinization of the ultramafic body,
was the c.3.3 - 3-.0 Ga old metamorphic/
migmatization event. In the study area, the
contact zone of the ultramafic body with the
migmatites/gneisses does not show any
evidence of development of intensely
serpentinized zone and hence the migmatisation
event cannot be the causative factor for the
serpentinization. Likewise, the subsequent c.2.5
Ga old upper amphibolite - granulite facies
metamorphic event also cannot be linked with
the serpentinization process, as the latter
involved the development of low temperature
serpentine minerals (lizardite and chrysotile)
exhibiting a pseudomorphic texture. Further, the
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
453
observed near-surface and depth-wise decrease
in the intensity of development of the mesh-
textured serpentine. also negates the possibility
of serpentinization through either mig-
matitisation or other metamorphic process.
Considering the above, the major event of
serpentinization of the ultramafic body has to
be attributed to a younger event, post-dating the
tectonic deformation and metamorphism.
However, as mentioned earlier, the development
of minor antigorite and cross-fibred serpentine
± calcite may be related to the waning stages of
the c.2.5 Ga metamorphic event.
It is now established that in ultramafic
rocks, mesh-textured serpentine (lizardite ±
chrysotile) can form as a result of reaction of
meteoric waters with the host ultramafic rock
at. temperatures of 85 0 < T < 185 0 C,
corresponding to a crustal depth of 2 to 6 km
(O'Neil and Barnes, 1971; Wenner and Taylor,
1971, 1974; Wicks and O'Hanley, 1988;
O'Hanley et a1. 1989; O'Hanley, 1991). In the
study area, low temperature serpentinization
possibly occurred during retrograde
metamorphism which followed the uplift of
the ultramafic body to the near-surface level.
Elsewhere, several investigators have
documented the process of near - surface low
temperature serpentinization, involving the
formation of mesh - textured lizardite ±
chrysotile. Worst (1960) reported near-surface
serpentinization in the ultramafic rocks of the
Great dyke, Zimbabwe. Campbell (1975) also
suggested the formation of mesh - textured
serpentine in the ultramafic body at Jimberlan~,
Western Australia, under near - surface
conditions. In both cases, the intensity of
serpentinization decreases with depth and the
serpentinization resulted essentially through
volume expansion (internal deformation) of the
host rock in a vertical direction as a consequence
of erosional unloading. The latter process
facilitates dilation of the pre-existing weak
planes in the ultramafic body and the movement
of microblocks of the serpentinizing ultramafic
body along the fractures to accommodate the
volume expansion. A similar near - surface
454 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHEF:S
serpentinization, involving volume expansion,
may be suggested for the present area. The
observed fraeturing of chromite grains and
displacement of mesh-rims of mesh-textured
serpentine support the hypothesis of a volume
expansion during serpentinization.
The decrease in the intensity of
serpentinization with depth may be attributed
to water pressure. According to Wicks and
O'Hanley (1988), the hydration reaction during
the formation of lizardite/chrysotile in an
ultramafic body often buffers the water pressure
at the reaction front. With increasing depth,
the rate of water pressure p(H20) and geostatic
pressure peg) changes in such a way that at a
particular depth p(H 20) equals peg). On
attaining this condition, the process of
serpentinization ceases. A similar mechanism
may be visualized for the observed de~rease in
the intensity of serpentinization with depth in
the ultramafic body of the study area.
The nature of serpentinizing fluids can be
evaluated from the work of Johannes (1969)
and Moody (1976), who suggested that
serpentinizing fluids should contain low
concentrations of CO2 , since lizardite and
chrysotite are not stable in CO 2-bearing
fluids. Hence, the fluids responsible for
serpentinization of the ultramafic body of the
study area were possibly CO 2- poor meteoric
waters with a low oxygen fugacity. It may
therefore be concluded that the major event of
serpentinization witnessed by the ultramafic
body of the study area is essentially a low
temperature, near - surface phenomenon and is
neither related to late Archaean magmatic
activity nor to metamorphic events.
WEATHERING OF THE SERPENTINIZED
ULTRAMAFIC BODY
It is well known that the weathered profile
over ultramafic rocks consists of, from top to
bottom, a ferTIcrete/limonite zone, a silica-rich
zone and saprolite. In the study area, the
serpentinized ultramafic body exhibits a
truncated weathered profile which consists
essentially of saprolite and a minor silica-rich
zone. In the near-surface exposure (up to a depth
of 2-4m), the weathered ultramafic body is
yellowish brown in color, porous and friable.
In this zone, stringers and box-works of
secondary silica are more conspicuous and the
magnesite mineralization is rather sporadic. In
the middle portion of the weathered profile, the
saprolite is brownish in colour, comparatively
dense and compact, and poor in silica veins.
Along the vertical profile, a depth-wise decrease
in the intensity of weathering is clearly seen
and the weathering seems to have been
controlled mainly by pre-existing weak planes
in the serpentinized ultramafic body.
Petrographic studies on the saprolite
indicate that the weathering essentially affected
the relict oliving grains of the serpentinized
dunite and harzburgite. Weathering is generally
initiated at the grain boundaries and along,
fractures in relict olivine, as a result of which
the latter is pseudomorphously replaced
partially or "completely by an optically
unresol vable yellowish brown coloured
amorphous material, goethite and secondary
silica (Fig.2D). Some olivine grains display
simultaneous weathering at several spots,
leaving tiny skeletal remnants of olivine amidst
the weath<:~rcd material. Microprobe data of
several spots of the amorphous weathered
material indicate the presence of variable
amounts of major elements. The analysed spots
consist of ~:i02' ranging from 23.24 to 48.17%;
MgO, from 0.08 to 37.97% ; FeOt, from 0.16
to 15.95% and CaO, from 0.02 to 1.06%. The
microprobe data of the amorphous material
show wide, variation in the content of Mg and
comparatively less variation in the contents of
Si and Fe, The chemical composition of the
individual spots of the amorphous material
differ cons:lderably and do not compare with that
of any known secondary mineral developed
from the weathering of olivine. Supergene
minerals after olivine/serpentine in magnesite -
bearing ultramafic rocks occurring elsewhere,
have been variously identified as smectite,
sepiolite, cerolite (mixture of stevensite and
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.lNDlA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
 GENESIS OF VEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT, KARNATAKA
serpentine) and nontronite (Abu Jaber and
Kimberley. 1992). According to Golightly
(1981). the development of smectite or
nontronite after olivine is related to drainage
conditions. Wen - drained terrains lead to the
replacement of olivine by an amorphous phase
(ferric-silicic hydroxides), whereas poorly
drained terrains and relatively dry climates lead
to the formation of smectite. Thus the absence
of smectite in the study area may be attributed
to the well drained conditions during the
weathering of the serpentinized ultramafic
body.
The mesh-textured serpentine of the
saprolite is almost devoid of any visible signs
of weathering, except for rare brown staining,
which may be related to the oxidation of
magnetite inclusions. However, microprobe
analyses of mesh-textured serpentine (data not
provided) indicate feeble effects of chemical
alteration. The MgO and FeCY contents of the
mesh-textured serpentine range from 36.69 to
38.65% and 4.01 to 5.27%, respectively. In
comparision with the chemical composition of
a typical Ii zardi te and chrysotile (MgO =- 41 %,
and FeO t < 2 %), the mesh-textured serpentine
of the study area is slightly depleted in Mg and
Depth in m
(m.s.!.)
706 -709
+ + + +
703-706 + + + +
+ + + +
700-703 + Ser pentinite
+ + + +
697-100 1- + + +
1- + +
694~697
o 20 40
Modol content (yol. %)
Fig.3. Depth ~wise variation in modal contents of relict olivine, serpentine. weathered material and magnesite in magnesite-
bearing ultramafic body of Doddakanya.
JOl.JR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
455
slightly enriched in Fe. Similar changes in the
chemical composition of serpentinized and
weathered peridotite were reported by
Golightly (1981), who suggested that the
modification of the chemical composition of
serpentine possibly takes place during
weathering through a partial replacement of
magnesium in serpentine by iron derived from
submicron-size magnetite inclusions.
DEPTH· WISE VARIATION IN THE
INTENSITY OF SERPENTINIZATION
AND WEATHERING
To quantify the depth - wise variation in the
intensity of serpentinization and weathering of
the magnesite-bearing ultramafic body, modal
analyses were carried out on 98 samples of the
host rock, representing 15 m thick vertical zone
in the middle and lower levels of the -25 m
deep magnesite mine. From the data obtained,
the modal percentage of olivine, serpentine and
weathered material were recalculated to 100%,
eliminating the modal content of magnesite, the
latter being the material introduced into the rock
as microfracture fillings. Fig.3 shows the depth-
wise variation in the modal contents of olivine,
0
+ V
+ v v 0 Micro-
+
Relict
60 80 100 0 20 40
456 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHERS
serpentine and weathered material. In the
examined portion of the vertical profile, from
top to bottom, a general increase in the modal
content of relict olivine and a decrease in the
modal contents of serpentine and weathered
material is observed. Here, the ultramafic body
was subjected to about 44 to 55 vol. %
serpentinization and about 11 to 19 vol. %
weathering. In the lower most bench of the
mine, the ultramafic body exhibits a feeble
serpentinization and weathering and in fact, at
this level, mining for dunite is in progress. The
above data indicate that the serpentinization and
weathering decrease with depth and these
processes were triggered and controlled by
downward percolating meteoric waters.
MAGNESITE MINERALIZATION
Along the vertical profile of the mine,
barring the uppermost 2-4 m thick zone, the
intensity of the magnesite mineralization
increases gradually up to a depth of 18-20 m,
beyond which the magnesite veins are sporadic
in occurrence. In the uppennost zone, magnesite
occurs mainly as veinlets and stringers. The
magnesite is confined essentially to fractures
and joints in the intensely serpentinized and
weathered portions of the ultramafic body and
occurs in varIous forms, ranging from tiny blebs
to veins of varying sizes and disposition.
Indi vidual magnesite veins are essentiall y of the
fracture - filling type and extend along strike
for a length of a few cm to tens of meters.
Magnesite vei ns of replacement origin are rare,
but at several places, the serpentinized
ultramafic body consists of close]y - spaced
tiny patches (1-2 mm wide) of magnesite, which
may be of replacement origin. Economic - grade
magnesite occurs mainly as: (i) afewcm to more
than 1 m thick, moderate to steeply dipping
discontinuous veins, (ii) less than 1 em to about
~5 cm thick parallel to subparallel veins
disposed sub-horizontally (Fig.4A), (iii) stock-
work or network of veins of a few em thickness
(FigAB), (iv) sinuous veins (Fig.4C) and
(v) veins arranged in an ~n echelon pattern. In
thin sections of the host rock, magnesite is also
encountered as micro-veinlets, which in
places constitute up to 50-60 vol. % of the
host rock. The attitude of 1500 magnesite
veins encountered in the upper and middle
levels of the mine indicate the following
major orientations, given in the decreasing
order oftheir abundance: (1) N 20 °E~ 25° SE,
(2) N 15 °E; 200NW and (3) N 400W~ 300SW.
At lower levels of the mine, magnesite veins
exhibit es:;ential1y steep dips. The magnesite
veins show sharp contacts with the host rock
and the contact zone is devoid of any evidence
of wall-rock alteration. At several places, the
contact surface of the magnesite veins with the
host rock resembles a cauliflower-like surface
(Fig.4D). A narrow gap is often noticed at the
contact surface between the magnesite vein and
the host rock. Within the magnesite veins, lens-
like voids and contraction cracks are often
observed.
The magnesite exhibits essentially granular
and massive fabrics and rarely banded and
fibrous textures. Among them, the granular
variety is often composed of tiny
cryptocrystalline spherules (less than 1 mm in
diameter). The massive magnesite is
cryptocrystalline and exhibits a porcellaneous
lustre. The massive magnesite, in comparison
with the granular variety, is slightly enriched
in silica content. The banded magnesite is
composed of thin ]ayers «1 mm) which often
show colour variation. This variety of magnesite
contains high amounts of silica and minor
country - rock material. The fibrous magnesite
is restricted to a narrow zone in the mine and is
made up of a few mm thick, tightly packed fiber-
like magnesite, oriented perpendicular to the
vein wa:Js. The fibrous magnesite veins are
generally 1 to 3 em in thickness and contain
tiny relict grains of the host rock, indicating their
development possibly through the replacement
of fibrous serpentine. Individual magnesite
veins are normally composed of only one
textural variety. However, in places, massive
magnesite occurs adjacent to or as vein-in-vein
within the granular magnesite and vice - versa.
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.lNDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
 GENESIS OF VEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT. KARNATAKA 457

Fig.4. A. Field photograph of horizontal to sub-horizontal magnesite veins. B. Field photograph of stockwork/network
of magnesite veins. C. Field photograph of sinuous magnesite veins. D. Photograph of hand specimen ofmagnesile
exhibiting cauliflower - like contact surface.

The magnesite is associated with minor magnesite samples and the results are presented
amounts of silica (chalcedony or opal), which in Table 1. The analyses were carried out
occurs as: (i) cryptocrystalline material following the method proposed by Mc'Crea
intimately admixed with magnesite, (ii) thin (1950) and kinetic fractionation corrections
selvages, often enveloping the cauliflower-like were made according to the procedure of
contact surface ofthe magnesite veins, and (iii) Friedman and O'Neil (1977). However, direct
surface coatings in voids and along contraction corrections for magnesite have not yet been
cracks in magnesite. DTAlDTGffG studies on
4 samples of granular and massive magnesite
Table 1. Carbon and Oxygen isotope data of magnesite of
indicate the presence of minor amounts (up to
Doddakanya area
6 %) of calcite, dolomite and inert material
(silica and host rock) intimately admixed with S. No. ODC%o (PDB) OIHO%o (SMOW)
magnesite.
MDI -2.27%0 32.18%0
C and 0 Isotope Data M02 -2.54%0 31 .91%0
MD3 -2.60%0 32.01%0
To evaluate the source of carbon and the MD4 -2.36%0 28 .39%0
temperature of formation of magnesite in the MD5 -2.76%0 30.70%0
study area, carbon and oxygen isotope studies MD6 -2.97%0 30.21 %0
were carried out on 7 granular and massive MD7 -2.70%0 28 .99%0

JOUR .GEOL.SOC.rNDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999

458 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHERS

determined experimentally. In the present case,
the obtained i.sotope values may be attributed
essentially to magnesite, since the analysed
magnesite samples contain insignificant
amounts of other carbonates. The significance
of the C and 0 isotope data of the magnesite is
discussed elsewhere.
GEOCHEMISTRY
In the present investigation. geochemical
studies were (;arried out mainly to decipher the
process (either serpentinization or weathering)
which brought about the release of magnesium
from the ultramafic body needed for the
formation of magnesite. For this purpose, 5
samples of the host rocks exhibiting variable
intensities of serpentinization and weathering,
,but containing more or less similar vol. % of
micro vein lets of magnesite, were selected. The
major- and rninor- element content of these
samples was determined by XRF, using USGS-
PCC-1 and C.O.S.UM-l as standards and the
results are provided in Table 2. From the
Table it is seen that MgO varies from 40.62 to
54.25%; Si0 2, from 31.56 to 44.09 %; Fe20 3,
from 8.42 t·) 11.27 % • and CaO, from 0.03 to
1.53% . The modal content of the mineral
phases present in the above samples. viz.,
olivine, serpentine, weathered material and
microveinlets of magnesite are also provided
in Table 2. In these samples the modal content
of olivine varies from 17.30 to 44.30 vol.%;
serpentine, from 26.80 to 33.80 vol. % and
weathered material, from 12.20 to 35.70 vol. %.
Magnetite and calcite occur in minor amounts
(generally.::: 1 vol. %).
The mobility of major elements during the
processes of serpentinization and weathering of
the ultram afic body can be evaluated by
correlating the major - element contents of the
individual 3amples with their modal analysis
data. Since the samples contain a more or less
similar amount of microfracture fillings of
magnesite. a certain amount of ~lg0 in each of
the analysed samples belongs to magnesite and

Table 2.Major, minor ( wt. %) and trace element (ppm) content and modal a;Jalyses data of serpentinized and weathered
magnesite·bearing ultramafic body of Doddakanya area.

S.No. MB2 MB4 MB5 MB6 MB7

Si02 40.62 40.65 41.49 54.23 45.27

Alp) 00.12 00.15 00.18 00.33 00.25
TiOl 00.03 00.03 00.03 00.04 00.04
CaO 00.03 00.10 00.15 00.36 01.53
MgO 44.09 41.79 37.50 31.56 32.17
NalO 00.04 00.04 00.04 00.11 00.06
K20 00.01 00.02 00.02 00.01 00.02
FepJt 08.56 08.42 08.93 09.23 11.27
MnO 00.18 00.17 00.19 00.22 00.24
pps 00.01 00.01 00.01 00.01 00.01
Total 93.69 91.38 88.54 96.00 90.86
Ni 2179 2204 2203 2228 2461
Cr 7886 9291 10438 15035 9865

MODAL ANALYSES DATA

Sample No. MB2 MB4 MB5 MB6 MB7

Relict. Olv. 44.30 39.40 20.60 17.30 18.10
Serp. 26.80 27.80 28.60 28.90 33.80
Weath.Mat. 12.20 20.60 33.90 35.70 34.30
Magnesite 16.50 12.10 16.80 17.90 13.70

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.lNDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999

 GENESIS OF YEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT, KARNATAKA 459

J( •
the remaining amount of MgO pertains to
olivine, serpentine and weathered material.
Hence, the modal contents of olivine, serpentine
and weathered material of the above S samples
were recalculated to 100% (on a magnesite-
free basis) for an interpretation of the chemical
analyses data. The recalculated modal contents ... •, ...
of the samples and their chemical analytical oL-_____ ______L -____~ ~· ______ ~

data can be used to evaluate the mobility ofMg, 30 3!) 40

MgO(wt.%)
50

Si and Fe during serpentinization and

Fig.5. Graph showing the trend lines of MgO (wt.%) vs
weathering of the ultramafic body. (1) olivine (vol.%), (2) oIivine+serpentine (vol.%),
From the modal and chemical data of the (3) weathered material (vol.%).
samples, the graphs showing the relationship of ;It •

MgO, Si02 and Fe2 0 3 contents vs the modal % ~~ oo~_------------------------~

of olivine, (olivine + serpentine), and weathered ci;>;>
i5 10 -- -_lC Ie

material of individual samples were plotted ~'g' SO - - __ 2

~~
CI !)O x "tt-_
(Figs.5, 6 and 7). Fig.S provides the lines of '"' -_ x
best fit of the relationship between MgO % vs
~ ~ e- 40 3 • ~..!..:
15J;~30 ~ •••

... ....
Z+t
modal % of oli vine, (oli vjne + serpentine) and .~ "~~ 20
weathered material. Likewise, the lines o(best ~ 5~ 10
~ N rti 0 '--_---L____--'-_ _ _-1..._ _ _....I...-_ _---I
fit of the relationship between Si02 % vs modal 3!5 40 4!5 !)O 60
% of olivine, (olivine + serpentine) and Si0 (wt%)
2
weathered material are given in Fig.6. Similarly, Fig.6. Graph showing the trend lines of Si02 (wt. %) vs
the lines of best fit of the relationship between (1) olivine (vol.%),(2) olivine+serpentine (vol.%),
Fe 20 3 % vs modal % of olivine, (olivine + (3) weathered material (vol.%).
;It •
serpentine) and weathered. material are
;i ~ 00 , . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,
provided in Fig.7. From these figures, the
1 J70 X
lC
behaviour of Mg, Si and Fe during '";;-:::
"~ "~60 -----_ 2
serpentinization and weathering of the host 4 C CI ;---------~
~e.~!!O
ultramafic body have been qualitatively ~~~40
evaluated in the following section. ';t1 30
~ c: - 20
:~:~
~
I
£ r<i 10
Behaviour of major elements during
sepentinization O~------------------------~
e 9 10 11 12 13
Fe 0 (wt.·/.)
2 3
Several investigators, including Hostetler Fig.7. Graph showing"the trend lines of Fep3 (wt.%) vs
et al. (1966) favour the idea that the (1) olivine (vol.%),2) olivine+serpentine (vol.%),
serpentinization of ultramafic rocks is (3) weathered material (vol.%).
accompanied by minimal changes in chemical
composition (except for the addition of water) protolith are described by the following
and is accompanied by a volume increase. On reactions (Coleman, 1971).
the other hand, some investigators, including
Thayer (1966), advocate that the 2Mg2Si04 + 3H 20 =Mg3SizOiOH)4 + Mg(OH)2
serpentinization involves a major change in bulk Olivine added Serpentine Brucite
water
composition and at least in certain cases is
accompanied by no change in volume. In the 2Mg2Si04 + 2H 20 = Mg 3 Si 20 6 (OH)4 + Mg>+
absence of the external silica source, these two Olivine added Serpentine removed
.possibilities of serpentinization of the ultramafic water

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.lNDIA, YOL.54, NOY. 1999

460 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHERS
In these reactions, the formation oflizarditel
chrysotile - bearing serpentinite from ultramafic
rocks involves the development of either brucite
or the removal of Mg. In the study area, brucite
is not noticed in the serpentinized ultramafic
body. However, even if brucite is considered
to have developed during the serpentinization,
its absence in the host rock can be attributed
to leaching during subsequent weathering
process. If brucite did not form during the
serpentinization process, then some amount of
Mg removal during the serpentinization has to
be accounted for. In the study area, there is no
field evidence for Mg metasomatism of the
surrounding rocks and hence it may be
conjectured that the serpentinization of the
ultramafic body involved the formation of minor
amounts of brucite, which possibly was
mobilized during the subsequent weathering
process. Hence, it may be presumed that the
serpentinization of the ultramafic body of the
study area took place mainly as a result of
volume expansion, without any significant loss
of major elements, including Mg.
Behaviour of major elements during the
serpentinization of the ultramafic rocks can be
evaluated from the chemical analyses data by
various methods as proposed by several workers
Ccf.Coleman and Keith, 1971). However, these
methods cannot be employed for the study area
due to the weathering of the ultramafic body
subsequent to its serpentinization. However, the
behaviour of the individual major elements
during serpentinization of the ultramafic body
can still be visualized qualitatively from
Figs.S, 6 and 7.
In Fig.S, the lines of best fit of MgO content
vs modal % of olivine and (olivine + serpentine)
exhibit a similar trend and slope. Further, the
line of best fit of MgO content vs modal % of
(olivine + serpentine) lies above the line of best
fit of MgO content vs modal % of oli vine. These
features suggest that during serpentinization,
the bulk of the Mg was retained in situ.
Likewise, the lines of best fit ofSi02 content vs
modal % of olivine and (olivine + serpentine),
shown in Fig.6, exhibit a similar trend and
slope and the line of best fit of Si02 content vs
modal % oJ (olivine + serpentine) lies above
the line of best fit of Si0 2 content vs modal %
of olivine. These features indicate that during
serpentinization Si was also retained practically
in situ. A si:nilar exercise carried out to evaluate
the mobility of Fe indicates that Fe was also
essentially immobile during serpentinization of
the ultramafic body (Fig.7). This tentative
interpretation of the data of the major element
contents and modal % of the olivine and
(olivine+serpentine) of the host rock suggests
that the major elements were practically
immobile and hence the alisumption that
serpentinization took place through the process
of volume expansion, without involving any
appreciab"le mobility of major elements, is
justified. However, it is to be noted that the
serpentinization of the ultramafic body did
involve th~ mobilization of minor amounts of
Mg, Si and Fe, which re-precipitated as vein·
type serpentine and magnetite in the host rock.
Behaviour of Elements during Weathering
The mobility of major elements during
weatherin g of the serpentinized host rock can
be evaluated from Figs.S, 6 and 7. In Fig.S, the
lines of best fit of MgO content vs modal % of
(olivine + serpentine) and weathered material
show 0ppDsite trends. The figure also shows a
decrease of MgO content with the increase in
the modal % of the weathered material. This
implies t~,e mobility of Mg during weathering
of the serpentinized host rock. In contrast,
Figs. 6 and 7 reveal an increase of Si0 2 and
Fe20 3 contents, respectively, with increase in
the modal % of weathered material. The above
feature indicates that Si and Fe were retained
substantially in the host rock during weathering.
The observed positive correlation of the modal
% of wea.thered material with Si02 and Fe z0 3
contents can be attributed to a relative
enrichment of Si and Fe, due to the leaching of
Mg from the host rock during the weathering
process. The magnesium thus mobilized,
eventually participated during the formation of
magnesit'~. Minor amounts of Fe and Si released
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDJA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
 GENESIS OF VEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT, KARNATAKA
during weathering reprecipitated as goethite and
secondary silica.
GENESIS OF MAGNESITE
MINERALIZATION
Srikantappa et al. (1984,1985) reported that
the event of high grade metamorphism (8-9 kbar
and 700-750° C) of ultramafic rocks of the study
area was accompanied by ascending CO2 - rich
fluids and involved the development of
magnesite along with enstatite, forsterite,
anthophy11ite and scapolite. The magnesite
reported by them does represent isolated
mineral grains and thus cannot constitute the
commercial grade magnesite mineralization
encountered in the area. Field observation,
petrological and geochemical data provided
earlier, clearly indicate that the magnesite
mineralization of the study area post-dates the
event of near-surface and low-temperature
serpentinization of the ultramafic body and is
genetically related to the weathering process.
The vein-type magnesite mineralization of the
Doddakanya area, as elsewhere in the world, is
essenti ally of the fracture-filling type;
metasomatic process played an insignificant role
in the formation of magnesite.
Formation of magnesite-bearing fractures
The structural weak zones in the ultramafic
body, which subsequently acted as the avenues
for magnesite localization, developed possibly
during a long span of time, viz., from the c.3.3
- 3.0 Ga old tectonic deformation to sub-recent
erosional unloading (exhumation) of the terrain.
During the early stages, the development of
tensional fractures were initiated along the pre-
existing structural weak planes in the host rock
(viz., minor faults, conjugate shear planes, en
echelon fractures, etc.), developed during the
late Archaean tectonic deformation of the
terrain. These structural weak planes were
rejuvenated and opened up as tensional fractures
under extensional tectonic regime during the
erosional unloading of the terrain. During this
process, a series of sub-horizontal distensional
JOUR.GEOL.SOCJNDlA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
461
fractures also developed in the upper parts of
the serpentinized ultramafic body. These
tensional fractures obviously developed at
shallow crustal levels, where the lithostatic
pressure was less than 2 Kbar; the latter,
according to Raleigh and Patterson (1965),
constitutes the pressure regime of ductile I brittle
deformation boundary zone for serpentinite.
However, a few magnesite veins in the study
area are confined to sinuous fractures. These
sinuous tensional fractures, oriented in different
directions, may have followed the pre-existing
structural w~ak planes and were possibly folded
during minor ductile deformation of the
serpentinized ultramafic body at comparatively
deeper crustal levels (slightly below 2 Kbar
lithostatic pressure zone).
Mode of magnesite precipitation
The network or stock-work like magnesite
veins developed essentially as a result of the
simultaneous formation of magnesite along the
pre-existing intersecting tensional fractures.
However, at some places, such networks of
magnesite veins exhibit evidence in favour of
their formation sequentially along tensional
fractures that developed episodically. The
junction of such intersecting veins show
neither brecciation nor displacement. This
feature rules out the possibility of formation of
magnesite from forcefully injected mineralizing
fluids and suggests the formation of magnesite
from the downward percolating mineralizing
solutions. The observed minor quantitative
variation in the mineralogical composition
(viz., MgC0 3 and Si02) as wen as the textural
variation of magnesite (viz., granular and
cryptocrystalline) suggest episodic minor
changes in the chemistry of mineralizing
solutions. Lens-like openings in the magnesite,
cauliflower - like contact surfaces of the
magnesite veins, and contraction cracks in the
silica layer enveloping the cauliflower - like
contact surfaces - all indicate the possibility of
developmen t of magnesite by a process of
compaction of the initial precipitates of
hydromagnesite derived from a gel-like
462 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHERS

material. Secondary silica also possibly owes derivation of Mg-rich solutions from the upper
its source to a gel-like material. levels. As :?ointed out by Golightly (1981),
Oxygen isotope data of magnesite have been intense chemical weathering of ultramafic rocks
used by several investigators to evaluate the may mobilize up to 85 to 91 vol. % of the rock
temperature of precipitation (Kralik et al. 1989; leaving behind residual (stable) products,
Jedrysk and Halas, 1990). The OU10 values of mainly mad.e up of iron-ox ide-hydroxides and
the magnesite of this study area vary narrowly secondary ,iilica. The Mg released from the
from +28.39 to +32.18%0 (SMOW) [av.30.6%0] upper parts of the weathered profile can
indicating a heavy oxygen enrichment. Since percolate d'Jwn along fractures. In the study
magnesite formed as fracture fillings, it is area, the upper part of the weathered profile
pertinent to visualize its formation under over the ult:-amafic body is eroded and hence it
conditions of high water - rock ratio. This in may be pres umed that a part of the Mg invo! ved
turn implies thato 180 values of magnesite were in the formation of magnesite at deeper levels
controlled by oxygen-isotope composition of was derived partly from the upper weathered
the ore-forming waters. According to Barnes portions and the rest was derived from its
and O'Neil (1969), high 0180 values (+ 22%0 neighbourhood. According to Zachmann and
to + 29%0 SMOW) indicate the formation of Johannes (1.989), formation of magnesite from
magnesite at low temperatures (eg., Red Mg2+ and CO2-rich meteoric waters can result
Mountain area, California). Since the magnesite due to mixing of downward percolating surficial
of the study area is a product of weathering of mineralizing solutions with the deeper meteoric
the serpentinized ultramafic body, the meteoric waters of still higher pH values (> 8.3). This
waters and soil solution obviously acte~ as the may· partly explain the observed feeble
ore forming solutions. The oxygen isotope magnesite mineralization near the upper most
composition of the magnesite suggests that zone of the vertical profile.
meteoric waters with an extremely low 018 0
value (about -7%0 SMOW) could have been in Source of carbon
isotopic equilibrium with the magnesite. When. With TI~gard to the source of CO2 -rich
the above OUIO value of water is considered for mineralizing fluids, which are required for the
a temperature estimation in the oxygen isotope formation· of vein-type magnesite, several views
~xchange reaction of the mineral - water system are in vogue. Among the earlier investigators,
(ef Aharon. 1988), the result indicates that Lesko (1972), Petrov etal. (1979), and Jedrysk
magnesite of the study area formed under and Halas (1990) suggested that meteoric waters
ambient temperature conditions. enriched with atmospheric / biogenic carbon
acted as the mineralizing solutions. Several
Source of magnesium other workers. including IIlic (1968), Dabitzias
Throughout the world. the source of (1980) and PohI (1990), suggested that vein-
magnesium of vein-type magnesite is attributed type magnesite developed as a result of reaction
to the host ultramafic rocks. In the present case, of ultramafic rocks with ascending CO 2 -rich
magnesium was released during the weathering diagenetic/metamorphic fluids, derived from
of the ultramafic body subsequent to its decarbona1ion of deep - seated carbonates or
serpentinization. In the middle portion of the decarboxylation of organic-rich sediments.
mine profile, less than 20 vol. % of the Gold (1979) and Veizer et a1. (1989) suggested
serpentinized ultramafic body has been the derivation of CO2 - rich fluids from a mantle
subjected to weathering and the Mg released source. Abu Jaber and Kimberley (1992)
during weathering may not be sufficient to proposed ~l mixed source for the mineralizing
account for the magnesite veins at this depth. fluids. According to them, CH4-CO-C02-rich
Therefore. it is necessary to visualize the and water-poor ascending fluids, on mixing with

JOlRGEOL.SOC.lNDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999

 I....rENESIS OF VEIN-TYPE MAGNESITE DEPOSIT, KARNATAKA
near surface meteoric waters, constitute the
mineralizing solutions.
In several recent investigations, the source
of carbon of vein-type magnesite deposits have
been' evaluated based on their carbon isotope
data ( Kralik et al. 1989; Veizer et al. 1989;
Zachmann and Johannes, 1989; Jedrysk and
Halas, 1990; Brydie et al. 1993). In the study
area, the5 13C values ofthe analysed magnesite
samples vary in a narrow range from -2.27 to
-2.97%0 (PDB) [av.-2.6%0] (Table 1). Such a
narrow range of variation of the carbon isotope
values rules out the possibility of a contribution
of carbon from more than one source. The OI3C
values of the magnesite are comparable with
those of calcrete and soil carbonates of modern
sub - humid climatic conditions, whose ol3C
values vary from -2.5%0 to -6%0 (PDB)
(CerIing, 1984). Miller et a1. (1987) reported a
group of pedogenic carbonates with an average r-
013C value of -2.1 %0 (PDB), the most l2C
enriched sample yielding a value of -5.4%0
(PDB). Hence, it can be suggested that CO 2
required for the formation of magnesite in the
study area was derived from a biogenic soil
source.
It is interesting to note that the Ol3C values
of the majority of vein-type and stock-work type
magnesite deposits of Europe, including those
considered to have resulted through weathering
process (Petrov et a1. 1979), cluster around
- 10%0 (PDB) (Kralik et a1. 1989; Zachmann
and Johannes, 1989; Jedrysk and Halas, 1990;
Brydie et al. 1993), whereas the vein-type
magnesite of the study area are slightly enriched
in I3C (av. ol3C = -2.6%0 PDB). The observed
difference in the ol3C values of the vein-type
magnesites between the European deposits and
the study area may be attributed to the difference
in the isotope values of the carbon of the
biogenic soil source. Soil carbonates are
enriched in 13C by about 14 to 17%0 in
comparision with the local biomass (Cerling et
al. 1998). Throughout the past several Ma,
Europe has been characterised by a C 3 biomass
(o 13 C = -25%0) whereas Asia has been
dominated by a C4 biomass (0 13 .C = -11%0)
10UR.GEOL.SOC.lNDIA, VOL.54, NOV. 1999
463
(Cerling et al. 1993). For example, OI3C values
of palaeosol carbonates' from the Siwalik
sequence of Pakistan changed from -9 to
-12 %0 beginning at about 7.5 Ma to -2 to +2 %0
at about 5 Ma. This indicates the existence of a
virtually pure C3 ecosystem before 7.5 Ma,
which was replaced by an ecosystem dominated
by C4 biomass about 5 Ma ago (Quade and
Ceding, 1995). The onset of a C4 ecosystem in
Asia is attributed to a decreased CO 2 content
in the atmosphere (C02starvation), which may
be re1ated to the upliftment and weathering of
Himalayas (Ceding et al. 1998). These data
account for the observed difference in carbon
isotope values between the vein-type magnesite
deposits of Europe and the study area. It also
constrains the timing of magnesite fonnation
in the study area to a period not older than
8 -7 Ma.
CONCLUSIONS
From our field and laboratory data, it may
be concluded that the ultramafic body of the
Doddakanya area was subjected to a near-
surface, low temperature serpentinization, post-
dating the late Archaean tectonic deformation
and metamorphism. Subsequently during
weathering downward percolating CO2-rich
meteoric waters reacted with the host ultramafic
rocks under ambient temperature conditions to
produce magnesite. The weathering was more
recent than 8 Ma. The vein-type magnesite
deposits encountered at Doddakatur, Hullahalli,
Karya, Sinduvalli and Mavinahalli areas of the
Mysore district also exhibit geological features
similar to those of the Doddakanya magnesite
deposit and hence these deposits can also be
of supergene origin and of similar age.
Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to
Yu.G.Sofonov. IGEM. Acad.of Sciences, Moscow, for
facilities to carry out DTAffGA analyses; to late Prof. M.
Schidlowski, Max-Plank Institute of Chemistry, Mainz; and
to Dr.Bjorn Buchardt and Dr.A.A.Garde, Geological survey
of Denmark, Copenhagen, for providing the stable isotope
data of the magnesite samples. AVR is thankful to UGC-
New Delhi for providing research fellowship.
464 B. KRISHNA RAO AND OTHERS
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 Geollognc31ll §ocnety of liRldii31
anndl
llIIDterRlatnoRlall As'socn31tnoll1l of Geochemnstry
3L1Illdl CosmocIbtemnstry
TRAINING COURSE
INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA (ICP) - ATOMIC EMISSION
SPECTROMETRY (AES): PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS IN
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCES AND OIL EXPLORATION

In recent years instrumentation analysis of chemical elements contained in a

rock, mineral, water and diversified environmental samples through Inductively
Coupled Plasma (ICP) - Atomic Emission Spectrometry (AES) has come to be
widely adopted. There are a number of practical procedures, which have to be
understood before successfully using this new technology. Thus the major objective
of the course is real1y to highlight all the "tricky" procedures!
The course includes a detailed discussion on various aspects relating to analysis
of environmental samples besides the regular geological samples. and viability of
using ICP-AES in oil exploration vis-a-vis chemostratigraphy of paJynologically
barren clastic successions.
In order to provide an opportunity for young research workers as well as for
professionals in the industry, it is proposed to organize a short course under the
auspices of Geologial Society of India and International Association of Geochemistry
and Cosmochemistry during the last week of January 2000 for three days at
Hyderabad. The course will be offered by Prof. J.N. Walsh of the Royal Holloway
College, University of London, U.K.
Registration fee is Rs.2000/- (includes the cost of Lecture Notes). In the case of
teachers and students, registration fee is reduced to Rs.200/-.
Those who have the necessary preliminary know:ledge and intend updating
their information on ICP-AES and its methodology and applications, are requested
to contact: Prof. K.V. Subbarao, Course-in-charge, Department of Earth
Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Mumbai - 400 076; Email:
subbu@geos.iitb.ernet.in. Please send a copy of your I:!orrespondence to Sri S.Y.
Srikantia, Hon. Secretary, Geological Society of India, P.B. No. 1922, Gavipuram,
Bangalore - 560019. Telefax: (080) 6613352; Email:gsocind@bgl.vsn1.netin.

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