Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The origin of rutile-ilmenite aggregates (“nigrine”) in alluvial-fluvial placers of the Hagendorf pegmatite province, NE Bavaria, Germany

  • Published:
Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Titanium placer deposits occur in alluvial-fluvial drainage systems which dissect Moldanubian gneisses intruded by Late Variscan pegmatites (Hagendorf province) in southern Germany. Based upon their texture (zonation, exsolution lamellae, intergrowth), microchemical data (Nb, Cr, Ta, V, Fe, W, Sn) and mineral inclusions, two major grain types of intergrown rutile and ilmenite have been established. Grains of type A are always zoned and consist of rutile cores enveloped by ilmenite containing small inclusions of wolframite. A core-rim transition zone is characterized by complex relations of rutile and ilmenite, with rutile lamellae being rich in Nb, V and Fe. Types B1 and B2 aggregates consist of ilmenite with lamellae of niobian rutile and/or ilmenorutile, and additionally have inclusions of ferrocolumbite, pyrochlore, betafite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite and Fe oxides. Such grain types featuring an intimate intergrowth of rutile and ilmenite were called nigrine. Type-C grains are quite similar in their morphological appearance but consist of W-enriched rutile devoid of mineral inclusions and reaction products. Pseudorutile and leucoxene replacing minerals of the nigrine aggregates are presumably caused by supergene alteration under fluctuating redox conditions. Phosphate and aluminum remobilized by supergene processes led to the formation of hydrous Ti-rich phases containing Al, P and Fe. High Nb and W concentrations in nigrine aggregates and in rutile type C may be taken as a marker for highly differentiated granites or pegmatites. This has implications for both, heavy-mineral-based provenance analysis and stream sediment exploration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • VB Aleksandrov (1963) ArticleTitleIsomorphism of cations in titaniferous tantalo-niobates of composition AB2X6 Dokl Akad Nauk 153 672–675

    Google Scholar 

  • RR Anand RJ Gilkes (1985) ArticleTitleSome alumina and silica in weathered ilmenite grains is present in clay minerals – a response to Frost et al. (1983) Mineral Mag 49 141–145 Occurrence Handle10.1180/minmag.1985.049.350.25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K Bloomfield (1958) ArticleTitleThe geology of the Port Herald area Nyasaland Protectorate Geological Survey Department Bulletin 9 1–76

    Google Scholar 

  • M Brenan HF Shaw DL Phinney FJ Ryerson (1994) ArticleTitleRutile-aqueous fluid partitioning of Nb, Ta, H, Zr, U and Th: implications for high field strength element depletions in island-arc basalts Earth Planet Sci Lett 128 327–339 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0012-821X(94)90154-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P Černy (1992) ArticleTitleGeochemical and petrogenetic features of mineralization in rare-element granitic pegmatites in the light of current research Appl Geochem 7 393–416 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0883-2927(92)90002-K

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P Černy TS Ercit (1985) ArticleTitleSome recent advances in the mineralogy and geochemistry of Nb and Ta in rare-element granitic pegmatites Bull Minéral 108 499–532

    Google Scholar 

  • P Černy R Chapman WB Simmons E Chackowsky (1999) ArticleTitleNiobian rutile from the McGuire granitic pegmatite, Park County, Colorado: Solid solution, exsolution, and oxidation Amer Mineral 84 754–763

    Google Scholar 

  • P Černy M Novák R Chapman M Masau (2000) ArticleTitleTwo-stage exsolution of a titanium (Sc, Fe3+)(Nb,Ta)O4 phase in Norwegian niobian rutile Can Mineral 38 907–913

    Google Scholar 

  • P Černy BJ Paul FC Hawthorne R Chapman (1981) ArticleTitleA niobian rutile-disordered columbite intergrowth from the Huron Claim pegmatite, southeastern Manitoba Can Mineral 19 541–548

    Google Scholar 

  • T Chernet (1999a) ArticleTitleApplied mineralogical studies of the Koivusaarenneva ilmenite deposit, Kälviä, Western Finland, with special emphasis on the altered part of the ore Chron Rech Min 535 19–28

    Google Scholar 

  • T Chernet (1999b) ArticleTitleEffect of mineralogy and texture in the TiO2 pigment production process of the Tellnes ilmenite concentrate Mineral Petrol 67 21–32 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01165113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark (1993) Hey’s mineral index. Mineral species, varieties and synonyms, 3rd edn. Chapman & Hall

  • GJ Coakley PM Mobbs (2001) ArticleTitleThe mineral industry of Malawi. Mineral industries of Africa and the Middle East, US Geol Survey Minerals Yearbook 1998–2003 29.1–29.2

    Google Scholar 

  • HG Dill (1985) ArticleTitleDie Vererzung am Westrand der Böhmischen Masse. – Metallogenese in einer ensialischen Orogenzone Geol Jb D 73 3–461

    Google Scholar 

  • HG Dill (1989) ArticleTitleMetallogenetic and geodynamic evolution in the Central European Variscides – A pre-well site study for the German Continental Deep Drilling Programme Ore Geol Rev 4 279–304 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0169-1368(89)90007-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HG Dill (1995) ArticleTitleHeavy mineral response to the progradation of an alluvial fan: implication concerning unroofing of source area, chemical weathering, and paleo-relief (Upper Cretaceous Parkstein fan complex/SE Germany) Sed Geol 95 39–56 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0037-0738(94)00096-D

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HG Dill (1998) ArticleTitleA review of heavy minerals in clastic sediments with case studies from the alluvial-fan through the nearshore-marine environments Earth Sci Rev 45 103–132 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-8252(98)00030-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HG Dill (2001) ArticleTitleThe geology of aluminium phosphates and sulphates of the alunite supergoup: A review Earth Sci Rev 53 25–93 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-8252(00)00035-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LJ Drew M Qingrun S Weijun (1990) ArticleTitleThe Bayan Obo iron – rare earth – niobium deposits, Inner Mongolia, China Lithos 26 46–65 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0024-4937(90)90040-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GTR Droop (1987) ArticleTitleA general equation for estimating Fe3+ concentrations in ferromagnesian silicates and oxides from microprobe analysis using stoichiometric criteria Mineral Mag 51 431–435 Occurrence Handle10.1180/minmag.1987.051.361.10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forster A (1965) Erläuterungen zur Geologischen Karte von Bayern 1:25000 Blatt Vohenstrauß/Frankenreuth. GLA München, 174 pp

  • A Forster R Kummer (1974) ArticleTitleThe pegmatites in the area of Pleystein-Hagendorf/North Eastern Bavaria Fortschr Mineral 52 89–99

    Google Scholar 

  • MT Frost IE Grey IR Harrowfield K Mason (1983) ArticleTitleThe dependence of alumina and silica contents on the extent of alteration of weathered ilmenites from Western Australia Mineral Mag 47 201–208 Occurrence Handle10.1180/minmag.1983.047.343.10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IE Grey JA Watts P Bayliss (1994) ArticleTitleMineralogical nomenclature: pseudorutile revalidated and neotype given Mineral Mag 58 597–600 Occurrence Handle10.1180/minmag.1994.058.393.07

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WF Hassan (1994) ArticleTitleGeochemistry and mineralogy of Ta-Nb rutile from Peninsular Malaysia J Southeast Asian Earth Sci 10 11–23 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0743-9547(94)90005-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D Hogarth (1977) ArticleTitleClassification and nomenclature of pyrochlore group Amer Mineral 62 403–410

    Google Scholar 

  • H Jakob (1979) ArticleTitleNeue Scheelit-Vorkommen in Nordostbayern Der Aufschluss 30 187–192

    Google Scholar 

  • S Klemme S Prowatke K Hametner D Günther (2005) ArticleTitlePartitioning of trace elements between rutile and silicate melts: implications for subduction zones Geochim Cosmochim Acta 69 2361–2371 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.gca.2004.11.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • RL Linnen H Keppler (1997) ArticleTitleColumbite solubility in granitic melts: Consequences for the enrichment and fractionation of Nb and Ta in the Earth’s crust Contrib Mineral Petrol 128 213–227 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004100050304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AC Morton (1984) ArticleTitleStability of detrital HM in Tertiary sandstones from the North Sea basin Clay Miner 19 287–308 Occurrence Handle10.1180/claymin.1984.019.3.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morton AC (1985) Heavy-minerals in provenance studies. In: Zuffa GG (ed), Provenance of arenites. NATO ASI Ser C 148: 249–277

  • A Mücke (1987) ArticleTitleSekundäre Phosphatmineralien (Perloffit, Brasilianit, Mineralien der Kingsmountit-Gruppe) sowie Brochantit und die Zwieselit-Muschketoffit-Stipnomelan-Pyrosmalith-Paragenese der 115-m-Sohle des Hagendorfer Pegmatits Aufschluss 38 5–28

    Google Scholar 

  • A Mücke (2000) ArticleTitleDie Erzmineralien und deren Paragenesen im Pegmatit von Hagendorf-Süd, Oberpfalz Aufschluss 51 11–24

    Google Scholar 

  • A Mücke E Keck J Haase (1990) ArticleTitleDie genetische Entwicklung des Pegmatits von Hagendorf-Süd/Oberpfalz Aufschluss 41 33–51

    Google Scholar 

  • A Mücke JN Bhadra Chaudhuri (1991) ArticleTitleThe continuous alteration of ilmenite through pseudorutile to leucoxene Ore Geol Rev 6 25–44 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0169-1368(91)90030-B

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickel E, Nichols M (2004) Mineral names, redefinitions & discreditations passed by the CNMMN of the IMA. http://www.materialsdata.com

  • G Propach (1969) ArticleTitleÜber Ilmenit und Rutil als Einschlüsse im Biotit eines redwitzitischen Gabbros Geol Bavarica 60 150–155

    Google Scholar 

  • P Ramdohr (1975) Die Erzminerale und ihre Verwachsungen Akademie-Verlag Berlin 1277

    Google Scholar 

  • W Raufuss (1973) ArticleTitleStruktur, Schwermineralführung, Genese und Bergbau der sedimentären Rutil-Lagerstätten in Sierra Leone (Westafrika) Geol Jb D 5 1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • FG Sardi (2003) ArticleTitleComposición química de la betafita, ilmenita, rutilo y rabdofano del yacimiento W-Mo ≪Badillo≫, Angulos, Argentina Revista de la asociación geológica argentina 58 1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • W Siebel U Ulrich Blaha F Chen J Rohrmüller (2005) ArticleTitleGeochronology and geochemistry of a dyke-host rock association and implications for the formation of the Bavarian Pfahl shear zone, Bohemian Massif Int J Earth Sci 94 8–23 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00531-004-0445-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G Strübel SH Zimmer (1982) Lexikon der Mineralogie Enke Verlag Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • H Strunz A Forster Ch Tennyson (1975) ArticleTitleDie Pegmatite in der nördlichen Oberpfalz Aufschluss Sonderband 26 117–189

    Google Scholar 

  • V Strunz (1961) ArticleTitleNigrinfunde bei Pleystein Aufschluss 1961 30

    Google Scholar 

  • C Tennyson (1981) ArticleTitleZur Mineralogie der Pegmatite des Bayerischen Waldes Aufschluss 32 49–73

    Google Scholar 

  • EO Teuscher W Weinelt (1972) ArticleTitleDie Metallogenese im Raum Spessart-Fichtelgebirge-Oberpfälzer Wald-Bayerischer Wald Geol Bavarica 65 5–73

    Google Scholar 

  • PJ Uebel (1975) ArticleTitlePlatznahme und Genese des Pegmatits von Hagendorf-Süd N Jahrb Mineral Mh 1975 318–332

    Google Scholar 

  • XL Xiong J Adam TH Green (2005) ArticleTitleRutile stability and rutile/melt HFSE partitioning during partial melting of hydrous basalt: Implications for TTG genesis Chem Geol 218 339–359 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.chemgeo.2005.01.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T Zack A Kronz SF Foley T Rivers (2002) ArticleTitleTrace element abundances in rutiles from eclogites and associated garnet mica schists Chem Geol 184 97–122 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0009-2541(01)00357-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T Zack H von Eynatten A Kronz (2004) ArticleTitleRutile geochemistry and its potential use in quantitative provenance studies Sed Geol 171 37–58 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.sedgeo.2004.05.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DG Zhao EJ Essene YX Zhang (1998) ArticleTitleAn oxygen barometer for rutile-ilmenite assemblages: oxidation state of metasomatic agents in the mantle Earth Planet Sci Lett 166 27–37

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover, Germany

    H. G. Dill, F. Melcher, M. Füßl & B. Weber

Authors
  1. H. G. Dill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Melcher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Füßl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. B. Weber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dill, H., Melcher, F., Füßl, M. et al. The origin of rutile-ilmenite aggregates (“nigrine”) in alluvial-fluvial placers of the Hagendorf pegmatite province, NE Bavaria, Germany. Mineralogy and Petrology 89, 133–158 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-006-0140-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-006-0140-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation