『Abstract
The chemical weathering of ultramafic rocks has resulted in eluvial
concentration of Pt-group minerals (PGM) in lateritic weathering
profiles of southern New Caledonia. The Pt mineralization interpreted
as being primary consists of Pt-group minerals included within
chromite crystals. The occurrence of PGM as free particles in
the weathering profile results from the supergene dissolution
of Pt-bearing chromite (Traore(eの頭に´) et
al. 2008). Following their release in the profile, supergene dissolution
processes variably affect the PGM particles. The behavior of Pt-group
elements in the weathering profile is characterized by significant
loss of Pd and relative enrichment of Pt indicating that Pd is
more mobile than Pt in the exogenous cycle. Unstable Pt-Fe-Cu-Pd
alloys and PGE oxides undergo chemical and mineralogical changes
to acquire the chemical configuration of isoferroplatinum (Pt3Fe), which is the most stable Pt phase in a lateritic
environment. The isoferroplatinum phase may also be dispersed
throughout the weathering mantle and/or accumulated in the lower
parts of profiles according to a translocation mechanism of residual
Pt-rich fine particles driven by percolation of water through
the connected pore spaces.
Keywords: Platinum group minerals; platinum group elements; lateritic
weathering; ultramafic rocks; New Caledonia』
Introduction
Geological and Geomorphological setting
Material and methods
Results and discussion
Chemical and physical characterization of PGE and PGM
PGE bulk chemistry
PGM distribution and micromorphology
Physical vs. chemical weathering signatures of PGM micromorphology
PGM chemical analysis
Selective dissolution of PGM
Isoferroplatinum accumulation
Concluding statement
Acknowledgments
References cited