Sedimentology and diagenesis of the lower Blue Fiord Formation carbonates in a prospective Mississippi Valley-type (Pb-Zn) setting, Bathurst Island, N.W.T.

摘要

The Devonian Blue Fiord Formation consists of subtidal to supratidal carbonates deposited on a wide platform shelf. it is divided into three informal members based on facies associations; BF_1 (subtidal restricted), BF_2 (lagoonal-tidal flat), and BF_3 (subtidal open/restricted). The recent discovery of Pb-Zn occurrences has led to exploration for Mississippi Valley-type deposits on eastern Bathurst Island.All Pb-Zn showings occur within BF_1, close to regional N-S trending faults associated with the Gornwallis Fold Belt and Boothia Uplift. Petrography, stable isotopes (C,O,S), and fluid inclusion analyses of dolomite, sphalerite, and calcite are useful in interpreting the paragenetic sequence and diagenetic processes leading to mineralization.