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Diagenesis of ferriferous phases in the Northampton ironstone in the Cowthick quarry near Corby (England)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

A. U. Gehring
A. U. Gehring
Affiliation:
Geologisches Institut ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract

Berthierine, siderite and pyrite are the major ferriferous phases in the Northampton ironstone (NIS). Mineralogical and chemical data suggest a formation of these phases in a diagenetic marine environment changing from post-oxic to sulphidic conditions. Berthierine was formed first when the Fe2+ activity in the diagenetic system increased. Later, this phase was partially replaced by siderite and/or pyrite. A second stage of the diagenetic development in the NIS with increasing CO2 partial pressure (PCO2 ) is documented by siderite. The isotopic composition (δ18O mean value: –1.7‰PDB; δ13C mean value: –8.6‰PDB) points to siderite precipitation from a marine porewater environment with a microbial CO2 source. The shift from post-oxic to sulphidic conditions is indicated by the occurrence of pyrite and can be considered as a final stage. The diagenetic processes in the marine environment and the formation of the ferriferous phases were stopped by the influx of brackish or fresh water when the Midland Shelf turned estuarine.

Type
Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 127 , Issue 2 , March 1990 , pp. 169 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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