Download The Russian Far East is a territory where young geological

Director
of the Far East Geological Institute
Academician Alexander I. Khanchuk
Professor (Geology and Mineralogy)
Tel: +7-4232-318750, +7-4232-318520
E-mail: [email protected]
The current Director of the Far East Geological
Institute is Academician Alexander I. Khanchuk.
Alexander I. Khanchuk is recognized as a world
expert in geodynamics, petrology, and mineralogy and
focuses on reconstruction of geodynamic environments
of Earth’s crust evolution in ocean-continent transition
zone. In addition, Academician Khanchuk is a recognized authority in fundamental and applied problems
of the Pacific margins geology.
The Russian Far East is a territory where young geological structures
extend from Asian continent to the Pacific Ocean. This relatively small
region hosts different magmatic rocks and sedimentary rocks of all geological ages. Among the deposits operated in this area, those are the deposits
of flour spar, boron, lead, zinc, tungsten, and other minerals generated
by a diverse geological structure, there are the deposits whose reserve ranks
the largest in the world.
In this view, scientific activity of the Far East Geological Institute integrates
fundamental and applied research of Eastern Asia and the adjacent Pacific
basin geology, and coordination of all related investigations carried out at the
Russian Academy of Sciences, institutions of the Ministry of Natural Resources
of the Russian Federation, and other agencies.
We believe that this booklet will manage to demonstrate the extensive
geography of scientific interests application, diversity and specificity
of research objects, and high level of investigations carried out by scientists
and engineers working at the Far Eastern Geological Institute of Russian
Academy of Sciences.
Ekaterina A. Radkevich
Valentin G. Moiseenko
Aleksey D. Scheglov
Ivan Ya. Nekrasov
issues of geology, geochemistry, engineering geology,
and geoecology of the Russian Far East.
The Geological Institute’s basic scientific activities fall
into three main research areas:
• geology, lithosphere dynamics, magmatism and
metamorphism within the Earth's crust, and studies of the
mantle ocean-continent transition zone evolution;
• metallogeny of typical geodynamic environments;
• environmental geology, interaction between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere in modern
geoecological systems.
The Senior Administrative Officers of the Far East Geological Institute, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy
of Science (FEGI FEB RAS), with contact information,
are listed below.
Personnel
The USSR Academy of Sciences established the Far
East Geological Institute on September 4, 1959 within
the Far East Branch of the Siberian Division of the USSR
Academy of Sciences.
The Far East Geological Institute (FEGI) is situated
in the vicinity of Amursky Bay, in a wooded suburb north
of Vladivostok. The Institute includes seventeen research
laboratories and a museum. Recently an Analytical Center
was created, furnished with up-to-date precision apparatus
and sophisticated equipment. The Analytical Center conducts the full range of analytical investigations of rocks
and minerals, including the delineation of light isotopes
and rare earth elements.
The Institute’s first Director was Ekaterina Alexandrovna Radkevich who was a Corresponding Member of the
USSR Academy of Sciences, and a Hero of Socialist Labor.
Director Radkevich is recognized for her decisive role
in organizing and developing FEGI’s basic research.
Throughout its history the Institute has been headed by
renowned scientists, including Academicians V.G. Moiseenko and A.D. Scheglov, and Corresponding Member
of the Russian Academy of Sciences I.Ya. Nekrasov.
FEGI is a comprehensive, wide-ranging geological
research institution equipped with up-to-date laboratories
where scientists research the most difficult and complex
The Institute employs nearly three hundred people,
of whom one hundred nineteen are scientists. The staff
includes one Academician, one Corresponding Member
of the Russian Academy of Sciences, twenty-six Professors, and fifty-six Doctors. Three members of the staff
have been granted the honorary title “Honored Worker
of Russian Federation Science” and two were granted the
honorary title “Honorary Geologist of the Russian Soviet
Federative Socialist Republic”.
The former building of the Geological Institute
––
Deputy Director
for scientific research
Professor Oleg V. Chudaev
Tel: +7-4232-318327
E-mail: [email protected]
Deputy Director
for scientific research
Dr. Alexander V. Ignatiev
Tel: +7-4232-318737
E-mail: [email protected]
Scientific Secretary
Dr. Natalya A. Kharitonova
Tel: +7-4232-318520
E-mail: [email protected]
Deputy Director
for general management
Sergey G. Chugainov
Tel: +7-4232-318271
E-mail: [email protected]
Deputy Director
for Overhaul and Repair
Alexander T. Lopatnikov
Tel: +7-4232-317556
E-mail: [email protected]
Associate Director
for International Relations
Elena E. Khanchuk
Tel: +7-4232-317591
E-mail: [email protected]
Chief Accountant
Svetlana A. Stepanyuk
Tel: +7-4232-321240
E-mail: [email protected]
––
––
Postgraduate students
FEGI FEB RAS has a successful education program
for postgraduate students. Presently eighteen postgraduate students are working in ten major areas of study:
• general and regional geology;
• paleontology and stratigraphy;
• geotectonic and geodynamics;
• petrology, volcanology;
• mineralogy, crystallography;
• lithology;
• geochemistry, geochemical methods of mineral
deposit prospecting;
• geology, solid minerals prospecting, minerogeny;
• geoinformatics;
• environmental geology.
Dissertation Council
The Institute has a vigorous, functional Scientific
Council that awards scientific degrees in several disciplines:
• general and regional geology;
• petrology, volcanology;
• geology, solid minerals prospecting, minerogeny.
The Council consists of twenty-two renowned
scientists all of whom are Professors. One member
of the Council is Academician and one is a Corresponding
Member of the Russian Academy of Science.
The Institute’s scientific relations
Cooperation with Universities
and colleges in the Russian Far East
Institute scientists work in close collaboration with
local universities and colleges including the Far Eastern
State University, the Far Eastern State Technical University, and the Vladivostok State University of Economy
and Service. In addition, FEGI scientists periodically
present lectures in colleges and universities of the Russian Far East. FEGI scientists supervise student scientific
coursework, field work, and appraise final papers as part
of the federal program, “Integration of Russian Science
and Higher Education (2002-2006)”.
In some cases, postgraduate students who attend
the Far Eastern State Technical University (FESTU)
will be hired on a part-time basis to work in FEGI research
units. FESTU students enrolled in the Institute of Engineering and Social Geology, who are working towards
Doctorate degrees in Geology and Ecology Department,
are also eligible to be hired on a part-time basis.
The Institute maintains strong scientific relations with
other geological organizations in the Russian Federation
and in other countries, including: Australia, Mongolia,
the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, China, South
Korea, United States of America, Vietnam, India, Mexico,
and Japan.
The Far East Geological Institute is celebrated for
its participation in many cooperative projects including
undertakings sponsored by the Russian Foundation for
Basic Research (RFFI), the International Association for
the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the
New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union
(INTAS), as well as UNESCO. Recent joint projects
include deep-water oceanic drilling, mineral resource
surveys, metallogenesis studies, and tectonics research
in North-East Asia.
The Far East Geological Institute is an integral component of the Russian Academy of Sciences and is committed
to achieving the goals of the Academy.
The present building of the Far East Geological Institute
––
Laboratory of Regional Geology and Tectonics
Research Staff: Vladimir V. Golozubov, Prof., Head of Laboratory; Valentin P. Utkin, Prof., Chief Researcher
(Honored Science Worker); Vladimir P. Simanenko, Dr., Leading Researcher; Boris I. Pavlutkin, Dr., Leading
Researcher; Anatoly N. Philippov, Dr., Leading Researcher; Alexander I. Malinovsky, Dr., Leading Researcher;
Georgy I. Govorov, Dr., Senior Researcher; Alexander N. Mitrokhin, Dr., Senior Researcher; Peter L. Nevolin,
Dr., Senior Researcher; Sergei A. Kasatkin, Researcher.
Technical Staff: Polina D. Gassanova, Leading Engineer; Olga M. Molibog, Leading Engineer; Tatiana M.
Mikhailik, Programmer; Irina V. Smirnova, Senior Lab Technician; Tamara I. Karpenko, Technician.
Contacts: Tel: +7-4232-317823
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Major research directions and results
Since the Institute was organized, the laboratory
has been working on the tectonics and metallogenic
mapping of the Pacific Mobile Belt. Later investigations were concentrated on solving the problems
of Pre-Cambrian geology, and since 1981, research
emphasis has been on the younger Phanerozoic complexes forming the basement of the Pacific active
margins.
Before the Far East Geological Institute was founded
in 1959, the Department of Regional Geology had been
a part of the Far East Branche of the Siberian Division
of the USSR Academy of Sciences and then as a member of the Institute was transformed into the Laboratory
of Tectonics. The founding fathers of the laboratory
were professors M.G. Organov, N.P. Vasil’kovsky
(the first Head of the laboratory), A.M. Smirnov,
G.M. Vlasov, V.I. Shul’diner, and G.S. Gnibidenko.
For years (from 1966 to 1981) an ideological inspirer
and leader of the laboratory was A.M. Smirnov.
In the 1980s, when A.I. Khanchuk took charge
of the laboratory, the tectonics of the Far East as
a whole and of the Sikhote-Alin Mountains, in particular, was revised in the context of the lithosphere
plate tectonics that gave impetus to the development
of new ideas and interpretations on the tectonic history
of these regions. These territories have been recognized to be a collage of terranes that differ in the history of their development and that were accreted to
the eastern margin of Asia during the Upper Paleozoic,
Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. We have first shown that the
chaotic complexes with blocks and plates of the rocks
of oceanic origin are the fragments of the Mesozoic
accretionary prisms formed over the subduction zones.
Deciphering the structure and development of the
eastern margin of Asia in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic
time has defined the episodes of predominance of the
subduction regime and the transform margin setting.
Vladimir V. Golozubov
––
these slidings were important in the formation of orogenic
belts and newly formed continental lithosphere (Golozubov, 2006; Khanchuk, Golozubov, 2008).
3. Study of the role of the geodynamic strike-slip
faulting regime in the tectogenesis, magmatism, and metallogeny of the Asia eastern margin. The scientific problem
was first posed by V.P. Utkin in the late 1970s while on
a searching-surveying expedition for the Primorgeologiya
Company. From 1981 the investigations were continued
at the Laboratory of Geodynamics and Magma- and Orecontrolling Structures that was established by V.P. Utkin
at the Far East Geological Institute of the FEB RAS, and
since 2007 – at the Laboratory of Regional Geology and
Tectonics. At different times, B.K. Sorokin, I.A. Shagvaliev, Yu.P. Yushmanov, P.L. Nevolin, A.N. Mitrokhin,
S.A. Kasatkin, and others participated in the investigations.
The most significant results of the work:
• We have first recognized that in the Mesozoic-Ceno­
zoic time the Asia eastern margin was developed under
the conditions of the strike-slip fault geodynamic regime
controlled by the development of the East-Asia Global
Strike-Slip Fault Zone (GSSFZ) with paragenetic formation of the structures of shear (system of the NE left-lateral faults), compression (imbricated-folded system), and
extension (different scale pull-apart faults of the crust).
The syn-strike-slip-fault destruction of the Eastern margin
of Asia plays a specific role in the processes of magmatism,
metallogeny, and formation of the Cretaceous-Cenozoic
sedimentary basins superposed on the protostructures.
Three main destructive stages without clear boundaries
of their onset and completion are distinguished: 1 – Late
Cretaceous (formation of volcanoplutonic belts and metallogenic provinces genetically related with them), 2 – Late
Cretaceous-Paleogene (formation of the graben belts –
epicontinental sedimentary basins), 3 – PaleogeneNeogene (formation of the belt of marginal seas and,
first of all, deep-sea basins not supplied with sediments).
The stages successively grading into each other reflect the
evolutional development of the continental margin under
the conditions of dominance of the left-fault geodynamic
regime (Utkin, 1978, 1985, 1989, 1993, and others).
Geodynamic evolution of the eastern margin of Asia from
Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceouse
If the indicator complexes for recognizing the subduction regime have long been established and agreed by
the scientific community, transform margin regime in the
geological past remained unrevealed. The laboratory has
developed this new direction in paleodynamics research,
as elaborated by the work of Academician A.I. Khanchuk, Prof. V.V. Golozubov, and Dr. V.P. Simanenko. On
the geodynamic reconstructions available, including the
recent ones, the transform plate boundaries are simply not
shown – even on the areas where the plates are sliding at
an acute (less than 30o) angle or in parallel to the margins
of the continental plates. On the schemes, the subduction
boundaries are marked. The investigations are carred out
in the following directions:
1. Elaboration of criteria for recognizing the transform
margin regime in the structures of the geological past.
The transform margin is characterized (Khanchuk
et al., 1997; Golozubov, 2006) by:
• Within the GSSFZ in the Sikhote-Alin, the NNE
system of the extended fault zones controlling the distribution of ore deposits has been revealed. The hierarchic roll
of the structures of strike-slip fault nature controlling the
ore districts, deposits, and isolated ore bodies has been
established. We have first argued an idea, according to
which the available lateral (from west to east) magmatic
and metallogenic zoning is vertical (upwards) based on
temperature and geochronological zoning. It is demonstrated by an oblique truncation of the East-Sikhote-Alin
volcano-plutonic belt submerged to the east (Utkin, 1976,
1986, 1989, 2005).
a) the availability of the fault zones, active at the considered length of time, along the plate boundaries with displacements for hundreds and thousands of kilometers.
b) the formation of pull-apart basins that were filled
with terrigenous and volcanic material in the continental
margin and with avalanche sediments near the continent
on the oceanic basement.
c) the manifestations of volcanism with mixed subduction and intraplate characteristics that are restricted to the
pull-apart basins and are irregularly distributed along the
margins.
• In the Primorsky sector of the GSSFZ, the recognition of the azimuthal annexations of structural planes
allowed the conclusion about a periodical change of the
lateral compression of the crust: 1) in the Proterozoic time –
meridional; 2) at the Proterozoic-Mesozoic boundary,
2. Study of the processes that took place under the
conditions of transform sliding of the plate showed that
––
• The wrench-fault rifting-graben nature of the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sedimentary basins of South-East
Russia, with possible participation of the mantle convective currents and plume diapirism, has been justified.
The wrench-fault displacements of crust blocks along
the subhorizontal surfaces occurred without frontal
subduction and obduction, so this process was called
rectaduction (lat. Recta – straight; ductus – conducting)
(Utkin, 1996, 1997, 1999).
meridional compression was changed for a latitudinal
one; 3) at the Paleozoic-Mesozoic boundary, latitudinal
compression was again changed for almost meridional one.
In our opinion, change of the compression vectors was
governed by the change of the lateral displacement directions, first of all, the Asian continent (Utkin, Nevolin,
Mitrokhin, 2003, 2007; Utkin, 2008).
• We have first established the critical role of the
activization of deep faults of the oceanic lithosphere in the
formation of the transvolcanic belts of the Pacific Ocean.
The geodynamic conditions of their development have
been justified (Utkin, 2006).
• The rotation model of the tectogenesis, transformation of geodynamic regimes of the continental margins,
and disintegration of the Laurasia and Gondwana supercontinents has been elaborated. The global processes
resulted from the combined effect of the steadily oriented
meridional pole-running and latitudinal inertial forces
whose vector was periodically changed depending on the
acceleration or deceleration of the Earth rotation (Utkin,
1979, 2007).
Rotation model of GSSFZ formation (I-IV) and transformation
of geodynamic regimes of the continental margins
4. Analysis of the influence of fault displacements
on the formation and filling of the intracontinental
and margin-continental Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary basins. It has been established that these basins
are the structures of extension on the joints, curvatures,
or branching of the fault zones (Golozubov, 2006;
Golozubov et al., 2007).
5. Study of the geochemistry of volcanites of the transform margins on the material of the north-west margins
of the Pacific Ocean. The laboratory is actively working
on this problem today. There is evidence that the volcanites of the transform margins show the geochemical
characteristics of both subduction and intraplate sources
(Simanenko et al., 2002).
East-Asian Global Strike-Slip Fault Zone (GSSFZ). Fault
parageneses: 1 – structures of shear, 2 – compression,
3 – extension
––
• Formations of the West Sikhote-Alin have been
distinguished and described (Philippov, 1990).
• The initial sections of the sedimentary cover of
the oceanic plates of the Paleopacific have been reconstructed and the settings and some events of sedimentation
in the ancient oceanic basin have been established
(Philippov, 2003, 2005, 2007).
• In the Lower Amur region of Khabarovsky Krai,
a full section of the Early Cretaceous ensimatic island-arc
system has been established. We have reconstructed
the paleogeographic and paleogeodynamic settings
of sedimentation and mechanisms of formation of this
geological structure (Markevich et al., 1997).
• We have carried out the sedimentological investigations of the volcanogenic-sedimentary formations of the
Early Cretaceous Moneron-Samarga ensialic volcanic arc
of the East Sikhote-Alin. We have determined the structure and composition of the formations and the setting
of their accumulation – at the foot of the island slope in the
back arc part associated with basaltic volcanism (Malinovsky
et al., 2002, 2008).
Formation of Nizhnebikinsky basin within extension zone
on a place of a double bending of Alchan right-lateral
strike-slip fault
The results of the investigations of the laboratory
workers in the listed above directions have been published
in monographs and articles in the domestic and foreign
journals and thematic collections. A list of publications
is given on the Institute’s web-site www.fegi.ru.
6. Features of the Phanerozoic sedimentation in the
interaction of the Eurasia continent with the Pacific Ocean
as well as the structure and composition of feeding sources
of the different-type sedimentary basins were studied
at the specialized Laboratory of Sedimentary Geology that
was headed for many years by P.V. Markevich and then,
in 2004, was incorporated into the Laboratory of Regional
Geology and Tectonics at the Institute. Sedimentological
research has been carried out in the Sikhote-Alin, Sakhalin, and Koryak-Kamchatka regions as well as in other
districts of the Far East. In addition, the laboratory scientists participated in the marine expeditions in the Pacific
Ocean and its marginal seas. The principal results of the
investigations in this field are as follows:
• The terrigenous and volcano-terrigenous flysch
formations of the Sikhote-Alin and Kamchatka, composed
for the most part of gravitation formations, have been
studied (Markevich, 1970, 1985).
• We have established two types of the Phanerozoic
complexes in the interface of Eurasia and the Pacific
Ocean: arkose – in the outer zone of the Pacific fold belt
and greywacke – in the inner zone. Greywacke complexes
can not transform into arkose ones nor immature oceanic
crust – into mature continental granite-metamorphic one
(Markevich et al., 1987).
Chondrite-normalized REE patern for basaltic and
andesitic rocks of Far East Sikhote Alin volcanic belt
• The structure, facies and material composition,
tectonic position, and settings of accumulation of molasses
of the Olyutorsky terrane of Kamchatka have been studied
(Malinovsky, 1992).
––
Laboratory of Stratigraphy
Research Staff:
Igor V. Kemkin, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Yury D. Zakharov, Prof., Chief Researcher
Galina I. Buryi, Dr., Leading Researcher
Alexander M. Popov, Dr., Senior Researcher
Vladimir D. Khudik, Dr., Senior Researcher
Tatyana A. Punina, Dr., Senior Researcher
Olga P. Smyshlyaeva, Dr., Researcher
Liana G. Bondarenko, Researcher
Ekaterina N. Gaplikova, Masters Course Student
Technical Staff:
Lidia I. Sokur, Engineer
Yana V. Losiva, Engineer
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232- 317132
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
Results
The Laboratory of Stratigraphy investigates problems in paleontology, biostratigraphy, isotope biogeochemistry, paleobiogeography, and regional geology.
In recent years, the laboratory has carried out the following projects:
1. Lithological-biostratigraphic study with application
of radiolarian analysis helped to reveal the true structure
of ancient accretionary prisms of Sikhote-Alin. Prof.
Igor V. Kemkin determined that these ancient prisms,
having complex tectonic structure, are composed
of multiple tectonic-sedimentary complexes of different
age (similar to a “multi-layered cake”). The “layers” represent regularly repeated and strongly dislocated (asymmetrically folded and multiply duplexed) fragments of the
initial section of sedimentary cover made of different-age
(i.e. differently remote from a spreading center) sectors
of pale-oceanic plate. Each complex is composed of oceanic rocks (pelagic flints, limestone associated with basic
volcanic rocks) gradually replaced by terrigene deposits
(sandy schist strata and chaotic formations). Complexes
differ in time of accretion and age of paleoceanic fragments, with the most ancient pale-oceanic formations and
overlapping terrigene rocks making the upper structural
levels of prisms, and the youngest rocks – the lowest
(inversion type of section) levels. This results from
a concessive accretion of pale-oceanic formations to
a continent margin.
• The laboratory has completed a description
of a group of invertebrates and plants of Paleozoic,
Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits in the Far East. These
descriptions serve as a foundation of biostratigraphical
scales of Cambrian, Ordovician, Devonian, Permian,
Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous and Neogenic periods,
as well allow for paleobiogeographical and paleoclimatical
reconstructions.
• Based on new paleontological data, the laboratory
constructed a description of typical cross-sections of the
Lower Triassic strata in South Primorye.
• The laboratory analyses assisted in understanding
of the geomorphologic structure of the Fedorov guyot
(Magellan Mountains, the Pacific Ocean), based on
an analysis of fauna (bivalves and snails) from sedimentary rocks. This permitted researchers to determine
the lithological and paleontological characters of rockforming complexes from the Early Cretaceous to Pleistocene, inclusive.
2. Scientists of the laboratory have described the
first complete print cast of eukonodont, found in Russia
by A.V. Zhuravlev in 1997 in Low Carboni-ferous deposits
of the Near-Polar Urals (Korzhim River). Judging by its
dimensions (length – about 4.8 mm; width near head –
0.4 mm, and 0.25 mm – closer to the tail) it was not
a sexually mature animal, and the body was slightly
deformed vertically and horizontally due to burring.
The print reveals three segments: head, body, and tail,
with the head poorly differentiated from the body. It also
contains pair H-elements or rounded skeleton fasten plates.
The body part contains 37 transversal muscular segments
mostly perpendicular to the eukonodont animal’s body
axis. The tip of the tail hosts long beams located on both
sides of the anus, which are characteristic of all eukonodont
animals. Several more imprints of young eukonodont
animals have been found for the first time, all different in
Igor V. Kemkin
– 10 –
Santonian – Maastrichtian ammonites from the Bystrinskaya
suite (the eastern shore of the Penzhinskaya Inlet, Koryak
Plateau, Kamchatka)
Late Permian fern (the Pil’nikov Stream, Southern Primo-
size, orientation, and conservation quality. Behind the terminal end of the described animal a head of other animal,
the younger one, was also found. Detailed examination
suggests the body of the younger animal curves and
transits in another plane. Finding of first in Russia eukonodont animals in Low Carboniferous deposits of Kozhim
River (Near-Polar Urals) has enriched the world collection of unique soft tissue prints of these extinct and still
mysterious animals, which were related to many groups
of fauna (Buryi and others, 2007).
4. The first investigation and description of a unique
collection of bivalve mollusks and gastropods from
the sediments dredged on the guyots of Magellan Rise
(Pacific Ocean), during geologic-geophysical cruises
of 2000-2008, was undertaken by Dr. V.D. Khudik who
established 49 taxons of 27 genuses of bivalve mollusks
and gastropods in the basin of guyots Alba, Govorov,
Fedorov, Il’ichev, Kotsebu, Gelendzhik and Butakov,
dated to be of Cretaceous-Miocene age. The study of
sedimentary fauna helped to distinguish “transgressive”
Cenomanian-Turonian, Late Campanian-Maastrichtian,
Late Paleocene-Middle Eocene, and Late Cenozoic phases
of guyots evolution. Paleoecological study of Paleogene
mollusks, as well as corrals and foraminifera, provided
additional reasons for the existence of relative shallowwater conditions in the area of guyots in Early Paleocene
time.
3. Late Cretaceous cephalopods (belemnites and
ammonoids) reported from the Govorov, Il’ichev, Kotsebu,
Fedorov, Gelendzhik and Butakov guyots, Magellan Rise,
were isotopicaly investigated and described for the first
time. In addition, belemnites from Govorov, Gelendzhik
and Butakov guyots have been described for the first time,
including 80 samples from the Gelendzhik Guyot, tropical
Paleopacific. Detailed isotope measurements were undertaken for successive growth portions of samples from the
Late Campanian?-Maastrichtian belemnite Belemnitella?
sp. rostrum. The values of δ18O and δ13C in the analyzed
material fluctuate from -0.4 to +0.8‰ and from +0.1 to
+3.1‰, respectively. Judging from the data obtained, the
lowest paleotemperature calculated from the Belemnitella?
sp. rostrum is 9.0 oC, the highest is 13.6 oC. Other paleotemperatures for the Magellan Rise were obtained from
11 Late Campanian-Maastrichtian Dimitobelidae
gen. et sp. nov. rostra (15.3-17.1 oC) of the Govorov Guyot
and a Dimitobelus? sp. rostrum (10.9 oC) of the Butakov
Guyot. New oxygen isotopic proxies are consistent with
the hypothesis suggesting a considerable vertical range
of belemnites migration in seawater column. In view of
new facts, bottom waters of the tropical Pacific (Southern
hemisphere) were probably produced by sinking of surface waters in the polar region. The possible signs of Late
Campanian?-Maastrichtian seasonal temperature fluctuation were fixed for the Belemnitella? sp. rostrum from the
Gelendzhik Guyot, and very likely reflect some surface
seasonal conditions in the southern polar regions in general.
This interpretation suggests that the latest Cretaceous
deep-ocean temperatures in the Magellan Rise area were
possibly as warm as 9 to10.2 oC for the southern winter,
>11.3-11.7 oC for the southern summer, with a mean annual
temperature (MAT) of >11oC (Zakharov et al., 2007a,b).
These results have added considerable detail to
the known geological structure and geomorphological
characteristics of the described guyots, and helped to
determine matter and paleontological characteristics
of rock complex structure from the Early Cretaceous to
the Pleistocene. The obtained data describe an extensive
evolution stage of malacofaunas of the Pacific Ocean near
equator and detail the geological history of the Magellan
Rise basin in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic.
Rastellum (Arctostrea) zeilleri (Bayle, 1878)
– 11 –
Laboratory of Cenozoic Stratigraphy
Research Staff:
Vladimir S. Pushkar, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Yury A. Mikishin, Dr., Senior Researcher
Irina G. Gvozdeva, Researcher
Tatyana I. Petrenko, Researcher
Olesya Yu. Likhacheva, Junior Researcher
Vladimir N. Shamraev, Postgraduate Student
Ekaterina Elbakidze, Postgraduate Student
Technical Staff:
Aleksandra V. Rudenko, Laboratory Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-318750
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Major research directions
• how frequent and how quick such changes occur
in spatial-temporary coordinates and how this knowledge
can be used for designing high-resolution stratigraphic
schemes and climate changes prediction.
The laboratory studies the Cenozoic evolution
of natural environments in Eastern Asia and the Northern
Pacific. Research directions include the formation of
Cenozoic strata, changes in the regional and global paleoclimate of the junction zone of the largest continent,
Eurasia, and the largest ocean, the Pacific. In addition,
the laboratory studies the comparative characteristics
of paleogeographic environments of deposit formation
in contrasting climatic zones.
Results
Stratigraphy and paleogeography results of the laboratory were used in the state programs to produce large-scale
geologic maps of the Sea of Japan (Dalmorgeologia) and
Sea of Okhotsk (SakhInzhGeologia) shelves.
• The laboratory has obtained new data on stratigraphy and paleogeographic history of continental border
and marginal seas. These data will assist in resolving
various challenges related to the creation of more detailed
stratigraphic schemes.
Reconstruction of environmental changes, including
global climate fluctuations, is based on understanding
the nature of co-evolutional interactions between the
biological and geological events of the Cenozoic. In this
connection, to find answers on the following questions is
of primary importance:
• The laboratory worked out a super detailed zonal
scale for diatoms of the North Pacific.
• what are the causes that led to changes in paleocommunities of microorganisms and how the formers
can resist and adapt to the environmental changes.
• what accounts for taxonomic and ecological variabili­
ty, frequency of species diversity and paleoproductivity,
as well as variation of intra- and infraspecific interactions.
• The laboratory has specified the genesis and age
of the Golovnin formation in Kunasir Island, the Marumyan Formation in Sakhalin Island, the Novokachalinsk,
and the Ust-Suyfun and Suyfun Formations in the southern
part of the Russian Far East.
Vladimir S. Pushkar
Aulacoseira praegranulata var. praeisslanica (Jouse) Moiss
– 12 –
Zonal scale of Pliocene-Pleistocene deposits of North Pacific (NPDZ)
Neogene diatom zonal scale of Primorye (Far East of Russia)
– 13 –
Laboratory
of Oceanic Lithogenesis and Ore Formation
Research Staff:
Oleg V. Chudaev, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Yuri G. Volokhin, Dr., Leading Researcher
Leonid B. Hershberg, Dr., Leading Researcher
(Honored Geologist of Russian Federation)
Eugene V. Mikhailik, Dr., Leading Researcher
George A. Chelnokov, Dr., Senior Researcher
Pavel E. Mikhailik, Junior Researcher
Ivan V. Bragin, Junior Researcher
Elena A. Vakh, Postgraduate Student
Technical Staff:
Natalia V. Gruda, Leading engineer
Svetlana V. Mikhailova, Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-318327
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
In high pCO2 cold mineral waters of Sikhote-Alin, magmatic CO2 makes shallow ground waters slightly acid
and more aggressive to the surrounding rocks. Chemical
composition of these waters depends on pressure of CO2,
residence time and composition of host rocks. Oxygen
and hydrogen isotopes data indicate that the water of the
studied high and low temperature hydrothermal systems
is the most meteoric.
The Laboratory of Oceanic Lithogenesis and Ore
Formation studies the geochemistry of modern hydrothermal systems in the transition zone from the Asia
continent to the Pacific Ocean; stratigraphy, petrology
and geochemistry of Early Mesozoic siliceous formations in the Sikhote-Alin; ferromanganese crusts and
nodules of the Pacific Ocean and marginal seas.
Results
• For the first time the detailed correlation scheme
of Triassic siliceous formation of Sikhote-Alin based
on biostratigraphic conodont zoning has been developed.
The scheme reveals the main features of facies and the
cyclical structure of the formation.
• The study of high temperature hydrothermal
systems of the Kuril Island arc and Kamchatka showed
that the water composition of both systems is conditioned by reworking of surrounding host rocks and
deep-source chemical elements from magmatic chambers. Chemical composition of water in hydrothermal
systems with low temperature greatly depends on
water-rock interaction. In some cases gases of deep
origin may occur and mix with shallow ground water.
1 – sodium-chloride waters;
2 – sulphate waters;
3 – surface waters;
4 – atmospheric precipitations (Kuril Islands);
5 – Sea of Okhotsk.
Oxygen-hydrogen isotopic ratio, high temperature waters
of the Kuril Islands volcanoes
Oleg V. Chudaev
– 14 –
Hot springs with ultra sulphate waters of the Mendeleev
Volcano (Kuril Islands)
Native sulphur of the Ebeko Volcano (Kuril Islands)
• A detailed geological study of Alba, Fedorov
and Gramberg guyots (Magellan Mountains) showed
that the cobalt manganese crusts on apical subhorizontal
surfaces, looking like narrow ribbon bodies, were confined
to relief scars. The formation of these crusts is associated
with the Taylor-Hogg topographic eddies (TE) above
the guyots. The mechanism of topographic eddies provides a satisfactory explanation for continuous long-term
evolution of cobalt manganese crusts forming at the same
place. This TE mechanism also accounts for an asymmetrical structure and composition of the described crusts,
as well as for deposition of convex lenses of carbonaceous
silts in the center of flat tops.
1 – cobalt manganese crusts;
2 – carbonaceous sediments of flat tops;
3 – guyot brow;
4 – the Taylor-Hogg topographic eddy;
5 – directions and intensity (depends
on arrow thickness) of top currents;
6 – directions and intensity (depends
on arrow thickness) slope currents;
7 – currents along isotherms, isohalines, isopicnic
lines and other see water parameters. Dashed-lines
demonstrate backside currents.
Helium-neon isotopic ratio, thermal waters of the Kuril
Islands volcanoes
A model of Taylor-Hogg topographic eddy over the Magellan
Mountains guyots
– 15 –
Laboratory of Gemmology
Research Staff:
Vera A. Pakhomova, Dr., Head of Laboratory
Boris L. Zalishchak, Dr., Leading Researcher
Vitaliya B. Tishkina, Dr., Junior Researcher
Ella G. Odarichenko, Dr., Researcher
Olga A. Karas, Postgraduate Student
Yulia A. Shabanova, Postgraduate Student
Svetlana Y. Buravleva, Postgraduate Student
Vladimir A. Kamynin, Laboratory Assistant
Dmitriy G. Fedoseev, Laboratory Assistant
Technical Staff:
Sergey Yu. Zharchenko, Technician
Yury S. Chikharev, Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232- 317604
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
The laboratory tries to maintain contacts with gemologists abroad. International links with scientists from
Australia (Dr. Grahame Brown and Dr. Lin Sutherland),
the United States (Gemological Institute of America) and
Thailand (Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences) help
the laboratory researchers to take part in international
conferences, to stay abreast of state-of-the-art methods
of analysis and to publish in the international gemologyoriented journals.
• Geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of precious
stone deposits.
• Genesis and composition of minerals.
• Study of minerals and mineral associations of magmatic rocks, primarily granitoids, including alkaline and
alkaline-granite rocks, pegmatite, skarns and greisens.
• Relationships between the genetic processes of
semi-precious stone deposits and ores in terms of different
geodynamic settings of the Sikhote-Alin Ridge.
• Scientific aspects on the distribution, formation and
prediction of precious stone occurrences and deposits.
• Development and application of instrumental techniques for diagnosis, analysis and evaluation of minerals, aggregates, inclusions and structure of mineral raw
materials (natural, synthetic or organic).
• Applied gemology for consultants or contractors,
including: lectures on the history and culture of precious
stones and on methods to examine and evaluate gems
and jewelry.
The exchange of gemology expertise with the neighboring countries of the Asia-Pacific Region can be very
useful for the comparative study of the gemological
objects of Russia and foreign countries; for developing
better methods of studying gemstones and gem material and for developing innovative technologies for
upgrading the precious stones of Russia and the Russian
Far East.
Fluid inclusion in quartz of crystal-bearing pegmatites,
the Verkhne-Shibanovskoye deposit
Vera A. Pakhomova
– 16 –
Noble opals from Raduzhnoe Deposit, Primorye
Corundums from placer deposit, Western Sikhote-Alin
Results
• The laboratory has discovered new shows of corundum (sapphires and garnets) and rare earth (RE) mineralization within the Sikhote-Alin. Comparative study
of characteristic distribution and conditions of formation
of the precious stone deposits and RE minerals in different ore complexes of Sikhote-Alin showed that formation
controlling factors were contact syenitization, as the alka­
lizing process, in the presence of limestone- and high
aluminiferous strata.
and from the Raduzhnoe deposit of Primorye. Study of
the opal structure confirmed that there is a direct relation
between the diffracted light beam wave length and
globules size. It is known that the color of opalescence
is in close relation with the light beam wave length.
For more than half a century, precious opals have been
successively synthesized in different countries all around
the world since the discovery of the opalescence.
The laboratory has defined a group of admixture elements
“responsible” for the precious opal color, with Fe, Mn, Ti,
and Ni being the main responders. Strongly colored opals
are characterized by maximum content of Fe. According
to the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data,
yellow-, brown- and red-colored opals have Fe3+, while
those with different tints of green have Fe2+.
• The laboratory has summarized the results of longterm studies of the geology, ore mineralization and gene­
sis of the zoning of alkaline ultrabasic complexes found
in the southern part of the Russian Far East.
• The laboratory studied opals from the Raduzhnoe
deposit. Researchers investigated the composition,
physical and optical properties of opal from this deposit
and compared its gemological characteristics with Mexican and Australian minerals. According to petrochemical
characteristics, structure position and thermobarogeochemistry, opal mineralization is related to andesitic volcanism of the California-type transform margin.
The origin of the opal is a result of filling fractures in
andesites with a metasomatic silica colloid solution
(maximum temperature – 160° C, with increasing alkalinity from pH 7.5 to 9.5).
• The laboratory studied and has determined physical
and chemical parameters of the formation of boron minerals (datolite, danburite and axinite) from the Dal’negork
borosilicate deposit, minerals of crystal-bearing pegmatite
and syenite from the Upper-Shibanovkoye Deposit (smoky
quartz, cassiterite, beryl and REE: monazite, xenotime,
deliite, cheralite and brabantite) and topazes from the Zabytoe deposit. The precious stones of those deposits have
been also thoroughly investigated for gemological characteristics inclusive of their estimated value in jewelry.
• The laboratory has performed a comparative study
of ordinary and precious opals from Australia opal deposits
Ilvaite with pseudohexagonal crystal of prase grew above.
Dal’negorsk, Primorye
NIKON E-600 POL Optical Microscope
for Geological Studies, Jeol (Japan)
– 17 –
Laboratory
of Metamorphic and Metasomatic Formations
Research Staff: Oleg V. Avchenko, Prof., Head of Laboratory; Valentin O. Khudolozhkin, Dr., Leading Researcher;
Rostislav A. Oktyabrsky, Dr., Leading Researcher; Mikhail A. Mishkin, Prof., Senior Researcher; Igor A. Tararin,
Prof., Senior Researcher; Galina A. Valuy, Prof., Senior Researcher; Alexander M. Lennikov, Prof., Senior Researcher;
Ziniyat G. Badredinov, Dr., Senior Researcher; Sergei N. Lavrik, Dr., Senior Researcher; Alexander N. Solyanik, Dr.,
Senior Researcher; Oksana I. Sharova, Junior Researcher; Elena Yu. Moskalenko, Junior Researcher; Vera L. Ivanova,
Dr., Researcher; Igor A. Alexandrov, Researcher.
Technical Staff: Lyudmila I. Grabko, Leading Engineer; Konstantin G. Sterkhov, Leading Engineer; Galina G. Zubkova, Senior Lab Technician; Raisa A. Gerasimenko, Technician.
Contacts: Tel: +7-4232-312960
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Major research directions
genesis of platinum-bearing basic and ultrabasic intrusive
complexes from the southern Far East; and the interaction between the hydro- and lithospheres in natural and
anthropogenic environments.
The Laboratory of Metamorphic and Metasomatic
Formation studies the role of magmatic and metamorphic
processes in the Earth’s crust and mantle evolution of the
Asian-Pacific transition zone. This area of study includes
geochemical modeling of fluid and mineral equilibrations
during metamorphic and magmatic rock formation; petro-
Results
1. The laboratory has studied the petrographic and
mineralogical factors of the unique concentrically-zonal
Konderskiy alkaline-ultrabasic massif which has a dunite
core and related platinum and gold mineralization. The
predominant mineral of platinum group is isoferroplatinum
(Pt3Fe); gold is present in high-grade cupriferous (generally, CuAu and CuAu3) and silver-containing varieties.
2. Discovery of a noble metal mineralization in Lantar­
skiy massif, part of the Dzhugdzhurskiy anorthosite
massif of autonomous type. The mineralization is related
to the massive pyrrhotine ore bodies with small amounts
of chalcopyrite, pyrite and pentlandite. The mineral phases
of the platinoid are generally presented by platinumpalladium telluride (PtPdTel5) and sperrylite (PtAs2). Gold
varies from cupriferous-platinum to relatively high-grade
platinum- and silver- solid solutions with palladium.
Oleg V. Avchenko
– 18 –
Facies diagram with suggested areas of P-T metamorphism
of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoy fold area-related rocks.
Dotted lines are geotherms typical for: 1 – island arcs
and zones of “hot” rifting; 2 – stable continental crust;
3 – subduction zones of melted oceanic crust; 4 – subduction zones of cooled oceanic crust. Encircled letters indicate
indexes of metamorphic facies
Galina A. Valuy
established that metamorphism of the amphibolite facies of
the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovaya fold area proceeded at a significant variation of pressure – from 7 to 13 kbar but under
close temperatures – 620-730o C, and the metamorphogene
fluid contained much water. The highest-pressure rocks
of the amphibolite facies of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovaya
fold area are comparable in depth of occurrence with
granulites of the South Aldan Shield.
3. The laboratory developed a petrologic model
of Early Pre-Cambrian crust-formation of the Aldan Shield.
Geological data and regularities of distribution of main
petrogenic elements and admixture elements show that
the granulite protoliths of the South Aldan Shield are the
volcanites of the calc-alkaline and komatiite-tholeiitic
series as well as terrigenous-sedimentary rocks. Basing on
the mechanism of plume tectonics we propose petrological
models of formation of the volcanites of the calc-alkaline
and komatiite-tholeiitic series.
8. The laboratory discovered a new petrologic province
of layered granites in the coastal zone of Primorye.
9. The laboratory has found numerous areas of therapeutic mud along the western coast of Amursky Bay and
Peter the Great Bay. This mud originated at the geochemical barrier of salinity and alkalinity occurring at the
boundary of marine and fresh water mixing. Additional
factors of the therapeutic mud’s formation are the closed
character of the coastal marine basins and the specific
composition of their sediments.
4. The laboratory found that the most highly metamorphosed paragenesis of metamorphic rocks in zonal
metamorphic complexes of island arcs of convergent
margins characterizes the conditions of the kyanite mineral
subfacies of the amphibolite facies. Higher-temperature
associations are contact reacting rocks forming in contact
zones of gabbro-granitoid massifs.
5. The laboratory completed longstanding studies
of the geology, magmatism and the ore-petrology of the
Ulkanskiy volcanogenic depression. This area is a new
rare-metal province characterized by rare-metal, rareearth, and uranium-molybdenum mineralization associated
with the emplacement of the Ulkanskiy rapakivi granite
pluton.
6. Based on computer-modeling, phase accordance,
thermo degassing, electrochemistry and electronic microscopy methods, the laboratory defined the petrologic
evidence for infiltration of reduced fluid in metamorphic
rocks. A new way to solve the problems of thermobarometry
and oxygen fugacity of mineral association was proposed.
7. Using the method of minimization of the GibbseKorzhinsky thermodynamic potentials the laboratory
demon-strates the fundamental possibility of computer
modeling of real mineral associations in rocks of any
composition with any phases and components. We have
Alexander N. Solyanik
– 19 –
Laboratory
of Volcanic Formations Petrology
Research Staff:
Vladimir. F. Polin, Dr., acting Head of Laboratory
Vladimir G. Sakhno, Corresponding Member of RAS,
Prof., Chief Researcher
Sergei O. Maximov, Dr., Leading Researcher
Vladimir K. Popov, Dr., Leading Researcher
Andrei V. Grebennikov, Dr., Senior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Ludmila S. Tsurikova, Leading Engineer
Valentina G. Sudzelovskaya, Technician
Elena N. Dynda, Technician
Contacts:
Tel; +7-4232-320560
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
The Laboratory of Volcanic Formations Petrology
became independent in April 1975 when it branched
off from the Laboratory of Magmatic Rocks Petrology.
The organizer and first head, Prof. Vladimir G. Sakhno,
directed the laboratory for twenty-seven years. From 2002
to 2007, the laboratory was headed by Dr. V.K. Popov.
Since 2007, the head is Dr. Vladimir F. Polin.
– island arcs: Kamchatka, Kuril Islands, the Tonga and
Kermadek Archipelago;
Major research directions
1. Three types of genetically and structurally related
volcanic belts and zones have been identified for the
first time for continental East Asia: continental margin,
intra-continent and zones of plume volcanism. All types
differ in geodynamic regime, deep structure, volcanic
evolution, petro- and geochemical composition of rocks,
conditions of origin and metallogenic specialization.
– marginal seas: Sea of Japan, Philippine Sea, Tasman
Sea and others;
– islands and sea-bed structures of the Pacific Ocean.
Results
• Petrology, geochemistry, mineralogy and criteria
of ore content of Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanism at the
East Asia continental margin.
• Intra-plate volcanism and mantle plumes of the Far
East continental lithosphere.
• Explosive volcanism and its influence on the
environment.
2. A new genetic type of diamondiferous rocks
has been identified in microcratones of the Far East,
for example, the Kurkhansk diamondiferous diatreme
of the Khanka massif. Defined rocks are distinct from
kimberlites in specific chemistry and mineral composition
and appear to have commercial importance.
• Mantle-crust interaction: petrogenetic models.
Areas of field work are:
– continental part of the Russian Far East (Chukchi
Peninsula, Priokhotye, Yakutia, Khabarovk Territory,
Amur Region and Primorye) and Northern China;
3. It was determined by thermodynamic calculations
that diamonds and native elements could possibly crystallize in the mantle under low P-T parameters and with
reduced endogenic fluid involvement.
4. The laboratory has developed a method of quantitative estimation of fugacity (fH2O, fH2, fOH, fHCl and fHF) in
fluxes. Based on this method, F- and Cl-bearing magmatic complexes were distinguished, responsible for the
course of evolution and ore content of the ore-magmatic
systems. The use of these parameters allows researchers
to consider the role of rhyolite-granite complexes for
specific types of mineralization.
5. A fluid-magmatic model has been proposed for
impact ignimbrite volcanism of the Earth. Petrologic and
Vladimir F. Polin
– 20 –
geochemical studies of the impact ignimbrite complexes
of the Far East suggest that they result from either explosions of a deep-seated mixture of heavy hydrocarbons,
or due to a chain reaction mechanism of “oxygenhydrogen” combustible mixture.
6. The study of ultrabasic rock inclusions into alkali
basalts proved the former to be of upper mantle origin,
and thus initiated a new approach to mantle structure
and composition research.
7. The study of marginal seafloor rocks has established
their heterogenic nature. Mechanisms of marginal sea
formation due to spreading, western continental margins
sinking, and asthenospheric plumes activity have been
investigated.
8. Based on the analysis of volcanic complexes,
the concept of heterogenic seafloor structure has been
proposed for the eastern and western provinces of the
Pacific. Basalt typification, using geochemical characteristics, has been made with recognition of the fluid regime
contribution to petrogenesis and evolution of melts and
their ore content. Petrochemical and geodynamic models
have been proposed for the origin of magmatic complexes
within oceanic structures.
Petrogenetic model of continental volcanic belts of Asia
Pacific margin: A – continental margin belts; B – intra-continental volcanic belts; C – zones of plum volcanism
12. Time interval of volcanic activity of Shuphan
plateau (South-Western Primorye) was determined and
evolution of basaltic volcanism products was characterized in great detail. Formation of the plateau had taken
a short time, less than 2 millions of years, and was disastrous. Influx of basaltic melts was accompanied by crust
contamination unique in its scale. Alkaline basalt composition evidences high heterogeneity of mantle sources.
9. Carbonatite-bearing tuffs enriched in hercynite
and fassaite have been revealed, being a component
of products of basaltic volcanism which took place on
the Primorye South-West in the Late Oligocene. A volca­nic carbonatite formation model was proposed based
on the mechanism of the interaction of basaltic melts
and calciferous substratum.
13. SHRIMP-dating of “large volume” ignimbrites
of the East Sikhote-Alin volcanic belt showed that
the ignimbrites were formed over a short period of time.
Explosion of huge volumes of pyroclastic materials could be
the cause of disastrous effects in the Cretaceous period.
10. Changbaishan volcano structure was described
in detail, along with petrochemical and isotopic geochemical characteristics of the volcanic strata. Thorough
chronologic study of magmatic events was useful in determining periodicity of the disastrous volcanic explosions.
14. Geochemistry of obsidian tools from the different
archeological sites in Primorye, Priamurye and Sakhalin
Island have been examined. Correlation of the artifacts
with volcanic glasses from local outcrops helped to determine that sources of archeological obsidian were situated
in Primorye, Japan and North Korea.
11. Petrogenetic model has been proposed for the
different-type magmatic formations of Ketkap-Yuna
magmatic province of Aldan. Complicated order of
magmatism reflects pulsating nature of fluid-thermal flux
and multiplicity of melt sources.
Changbaishan volcano and crater lake Tianchi
– 21 –
Laboratory
of Experimental Mineralogy and Petrology
Research Staff:
Laura P. Plyusnina, Prof., Head of Laboratory
George G. Likhoidov, Dr., Leading Researcher
Tatyana V. Kuz’mina, Dr., Senior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Janetta A. Shcheka, Leading Technologist
Viktor V. Svetkin, Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317601
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
the considerable role of sulfur and arsenic due to their
influence upon Pt dissolution, in a hydrothermal media.
It was found that with the advent of sulfur or arsenic in
the media, lower Pt solubility is limiting the stability of the
hydrosulfide complexes and the precipitation of cooperite
(PtS) or sperrylite (PtAs2) in spite of relatively low Pt
content in the coexisting fluids. Surfaces of the Pt bulk
concentration in the sulfur-bearing aqueous-chloride
medium are shown in Fig. 2. Thus, in nature, sulphides and
arsenides may serve as the geochemical barriers for the
Pt precipitation from chloride hydrothermal solutions.
The laboratory is focused on experimental and theoretical (physicochemical calculations) studies of noble
metal deposits.
Results
1. The laboratory examines platinum behavior in
complex aqueous fluids at 300-500 oC and under 1 kb total
pressure within -36 < logfO2 < 0.5 range of redox potential.
This laboratory showed for the first time that high oxidizing media stabilizes Pt (IV) complexes up to 500 oC.
During a set of analyses (runs), platinum content in fluids
under lower temperatures (200-300 oC) was subjected to
an influence of phase transformation of solid Mn oxides,
which mixes were used as the oxygen buffers (Fig. 1).
The well-known Pt content of extensively studied
Mn-bearing sediments on the sea floor could be formed
in a similar manner.
3. The study of gold and platinum chemosorption
by organic matter (bitumen) at 20-500 oC and under 1 kb,
revealed that thermal metamorphism of the matter
resulted in its condensation, aromatization, and noble
metals accumulation in kerogen. The high sorption capa­
city in relation to the metals was fixed at temperatures
up to 500 oC. Therefore bitumen is an efficient chemical
barrier favoring immobilization of the metals.
2. Experimental modeling of Pt behavior in the
Pt-Fe-(Ni)-As-S-Cl-H2O system (300-500 oC, 1 kb) showed
4. High sorption capacity of graphite in relation
to gold (2980 ppm) and platinum (790 ppm) was measured at 500 oC and Ptot = 1 kb in course of asphaltenes →
→ kerogen → graphite transformation. Distribution of the
noble metals in phases coexisted in the system is summarized in Fig. 3. The results are confirmed by the discovered invisible noble mineralization in Riphean graphitebearing metamorphic complex of the Khanka terrane.
5. Experimental studies and thermodynamic modeling assigned the advent of CO2 in aqueous-sulfide-chloride
solutions to negatively effect gold solubility at 300-400 oC
(1 kb). Thus, the listwaenite that forms under high CO2
activity may be considered as a geochemical barrier for
the gold precipitation in hydrothermal media.
Laura P. Plyusnina
– 22 –
Fig. 1. Pt dissolution kinetic curves
in complex aqueous media in the presence
of unstable (200 oC / 1 kb MnO-Mn3O4)
buffer mix
Arrow denotes spontaneous metallic
platinum crystallization at quenching time
Fig. 2. The Pt bulk concentration surfaces
at dissolution of Ptmet (a) and Cooperite (b)
in aqueous-chloride solutions buffered
by PPM
Fig. 3. Sorption capacity for Au and Pt
of different fractions coexisting in the system
according to the temperature (Ptot = 1 kb)
Metal concentration in the following:
1 – insoluble residue, 2 – soluble fraction
of the organic matter, 3 – coexisting aqueous
fluid
– 23 –
Laboratory of Mineralogy
Research Staff:
Sergey V. Vysotskiy, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Sergey A. Shcheka, Prof., Chief Researcher
(Honored Science Worker of Russian Federation)
Valentina P. Zvereva, Prof., Leading Researcher
Victor P. Nechaev, Dr., Leading Researcher
Alexander S. Zhitkov, Dr., Researcher
Anna V. Barkar, Dr., Researcher
Alexander A. Vrzhosek, Senior Researcher
Evgeniya V. Nechaeva, Junior Researcher
Alyona M. Kostina, Postgraduate Student
Technical Staff:
Michail V. Mokrousov, Leading Engineer
Yuriy A. Lebedev, Leading Engineer
Nina A. Vasiltsova, Senior Laboratory Assistant
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317132
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
The laboratory studies the mineralogy and petrology of alkaline ultrabasic and boninite-komatiite volcano-plutonic complexes of the Pacific-Asia transition zone. In addition, the laboratory researches the chemical inhomogeneities
of minerals as an indicator of the crystallization processes. The laboratory also studies the sapphire- and diamond-potential
of basic and ultrabasic complexes and the determination of mineralogical and geochemical criteria for prospecting of the
Primorye alkaline basic-ultrabasic complexes for platinoids, titanium, and gem stones.
Results
1. The laboratory has discovered meymechite, an alkaline ultrabasic volcanic rock,
in the Primorye region. This type of rock is wide spread around the Pacific in relationship
to kimberlite and lamproite formations. Diamonds were discovered in alluvium deposits
associated with the meymechite fields, while related intrusives included commercial ilmenite
deposits and gold-platinum mineralization.
Based on the study of microcrystalline diamonds (carbonados) discovered in Primorye,
the laboratory has proposed a new model for their formation due to oxidation and recrystallization of “heavy” isotope kimberlite diamonds under low pressure and temperature
and under the catalytic influence of titanium.
2. The laboratory identified a specific boninite-type ophiolite complex composed
of the boninite volcanic rocks and orthopyroxene intrusions in the West Pacific island
arcs. It has been found that boninite minerals are characterized by remarkable composition
zoning that can be explained by sharp fluctuation of the fluid regime of melts.
Sergey V. Vysotskiy
– 24 –
The laboratory defined the composition of boninite melt fluids in more detail than previously known
as such: water is suggested to be a secondary phase
resulting from oxidation of deep reduced (methanehydrogene) fluid.
3. The laboratory has discovered gem corundums (sapphires) for the first time in the Primorye region in river sediments,
and later in Cenozoic alkaline-basalt volcanoes. The sapphires are revealed to be associated with alkaline basalts
with relatively high sodium content.
“Basaltic” sapphires are enriched in iron (0.5-3.17%
FeO) with titanium being almost totally lacking, while the
metamorphic and metasomatic sapphires are characterized by a higher content of Ti with minor amounts of Fe.
It is suggested that this characteristic could be used
to reveal the source of sapphires from alluvia deposits.
4. Five years ago the laboratory initiated a new project: “Nanosructures of natural minerals”. The laboratory initiated
the study of nanostructures of natural minerals for the first time in the Russian Far East. A fractal nanostructure
is a characteristic feature of all the natural minerals. For example, a single layer of the sapphire looks like as a cellular
hexagonal net at all the atomic-molecular and nanno levels.
5. Between 1971 and 2007, the laboratory had developed a map of Russian Platinum Mineralization (Far Eastern Section) and
published twelve monographs and more than three hundred scientific papers. Researchers have also been granted two patents.
– 25 –
Laboratory of Metallogeny of Precious Metals
Research Staff:
Vadim G. Khomich, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Vladimir P. Molchanov, Dr., Leading Researcher
Igor I. Fatyanov, Dr., Senior Researcher
Natalya G. Boriskina, Dr., Senior Researcher
Ludmila F. Simanenko, Dr., Senior Researcher
Grigory R. Sayadyan, Researcher
Vitali V. Ivin, Junior Researcher
Evgeni I. Medvedev, Junior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Mikhail V. Koval, Laboratory Assistant
Oleg V. Ognev, Laboratory Assistant
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-320563
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
metasomatic alterations of the terrigenous substratum,
granitoids, and volcanites are widespread (Khomich,
Boriskina, 2006; Boriskina, Khomich, 2006).
We have studied the features of the native gold composition and its areal distribution in gold-ore formations
and products of their exogenetic destruction within the
Blagodatnensky ore-placer node (Primorye). We have
found an unusual association of Pd-gold with microspherules of schorlomite that is almost exclusively found
in ultrabasic rocks. Presence of this association is considered an evidence of participation of platinoid-gold
mineralization in placer-forming process. This minerali­
zation resulted from hydrothermal reworking of deepseated rocks (Medvedev, Molchanov, Khomich, 2006).
We have first justified that large gold-ore districts
of Transbaikal and Upper Amur areas (Lyubavinsky,
Baleisky, Kariisky, and Gonzhinsky), situated near the
northern boundary of the Argun superterrane and the
Mongol-Okhotsk suture, belong to one-type-structure oremagmatic systems. This allows for an objective evaluation
of the region’s potential for increasing the mineral resource
base of precious metals (Khomich, Boriskina, 2007).
We considered in succession the main features of
magmatism and metallogeny of the East-Sikhote-Alin
volcano-plutonic belt and the geological structure of the
Dal’negorsk district and Partizansky skarn-polymetallic
deposit. The results of the detailed study of mineral associations, vertical mineralogical and geochemical zonality
of the deposit, and typomorphic features of silicate and
ore-forming minerals have been reported. Forms of bismuth
(Bi) and silver (Ag) occurrence in ores and regularities
of localization of Bi and Ag mineralization in ore bodies
are described. We discuss the deposit genesis in terms
of the data obtained and demonstrate the possibility for
using the revealed vertical zonality of mineralization in
the forecasting valuation of the skarn-polymetallic deposits
of the district (Simanenko, Ratkin, 2008; Simanenko, 2007).
In the context of the problem of increasing of the
gold raw materials resource base we have considered
the criteria of searching for the Karlinsky (Nevadiisky)
[Carlin, Nevada] type deposits in the region. We showed
The Laboratory of Metallogeny of Precious Metals
studies the formation of precious metals, the reconstruction of precious metal ore-forming systems, and location of precious metal deposits in the Russian Far East.
We also estimates the potential of the Primorye Region
for new gold deposits and production. These appraisals
are based on analyses of the Amur Au-bearing belt
and potential for noble metals of the Khanka and SouthBureya metallogenic zones.
Results
Our study of the geological structure and analysis
of materials on gold content of four ore deposits: the Borgulikansky (gold-copper-porphyry), Pionernyi, Burindinsky,
and Pokrovsky (gold-silver), found within the Late Mesozoic volcano-plutonic setting of the Pre-Cambrian Gonzhinsky protrusion, allowed us to define the main factors
of localization of the precious-metal mineralization and
the type elements of the structural and geological setting
of the deposits. These ore-bearing areas are typically
associated with zones of jointing in the volcano-tectonic
depressions near the outer boundaries of granitoid massifs (remote from the Pre-Cambrian center) where the
extrusive, subvolcanic bodies (necks, stocks, sills, dikes)
of “mottled” composition and aureoles of hydro-thermal-
Vadim G. Khomich
– 26 –
that the favorable indicators for the Argun
superterrane to contain potential Carlin-type
gold deposits were not only the extensive
evidence showing its similarity to the NorthAmerican Cordillera, in particular to the Nevada
State territory, where the Carlin-type deposits
are widespread, but also its position over the
East-Asian “hot mantle zone”. The existence
of the latter is responsible for the possibility
of initiation of the mantle plumes that, as in
the case with the North American continent,
could influence the development of ore-forming
processes and concentration of gold in the
Paleozoic carbonate strata of the superterrane
cover (Khomich, Boriskina, 2008). This research
strongly indicates the necessity of increasing
the attention of prospectors and explorers to
the Argun area.
We have first described a unique association
of natural amalgam of gold, cinnabar, native
Fig. 2. Dynamic model of formation of the Mnogovershinnoe
gold-silver deposit
metals, cohenite, and moissanite within the Fadeevsky ore-placer district. The structure and composition of these phasexplained by the fact that the Oemku district belongs to the
es have been studied using a scanning electron
region with a thinner crust where the destructive processes,
microscope. Cinnabar and auramalgam (Au2Hg3) demonrelated with deep dislocations in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic
strate a heterogeneous composition within a grain (Fig. 1).
time, were more intensive as compared with Southeast
In some micronuggets of mercury-bearing gold, fractality
China where deposits were formed within terranes with
was found responsible for a microporous texture. The
a higher thickness of continental crust (Boriskina,
composition heterogeneity, microstructure fractality, and
Khomich, Molchanov, 2008).
presence of carbides associated with cinnabar testify
We have reconstructed the hydrothermal ore-forming
to the unbalanced nature of this assemblage. Native
paleosystem of the Mnogovershinnoe gold-silver deposit
metals are spheroids of iron and copper, practically
with regard to the formation mechanisms of the strucwithout admixtures, and aggregated microplates of zinc
tural-matter elements composing the ore-bearing zones,
overgrown with nanospheroids of carbonaceous compo­
their position on the conventional chronological scale
sition. We concluded that this association was crystal-­
of hydrothermal activity, and isotope data. Using the struclized through gas condensation of endogenous hydrogentural-matter elements in deciphering the ore genesis events
hydrocarbonic fluids (Molchanov et al., 2008).
made it possible to take account of both synchronously
We have studied the oxygen and hydrogen stable
and successively formed components of ore bodies that
isotopes of minerals from eight occurrences of precioussignificantly increased the quality of the reference data
metal mineralization of the Oemku ore district (Dzhegdag,
in the construction of the deposit dynamic model (Fig. 2).
Verkhneoemkinskoe, Molodezhnoe, Oemku, Shirokoe,
The approach proposed for the reconstruction of the
Gornoe, Noyabrskoe, Berezovoe) and deposits of Southhydrothermal paleosystem of the Mnogovershinnoe
eastern China (Zhilingtou, Mashan, Bitian, Longtoushan).
deposit can be used in constructing the models of other ore
We made the inference about different water sources
deposits (Fatyanov, Khomich, Boriskina, 2009).
of ore-forming solutions responsible for the formation
Resent accomplishments of the laboratory are:
of significant concentrations of precious metals. The
• the determination of the main reasons for the welldeposits of the Oemku district were, most likely,
known dislocation of gold and tin mineralization: due to
formed with more active participation of waters
the separation of Au and Sn migration routes during magof magmatic gene­
matic stages as a result of different reactions to silicatesis, and the depoforming clusters of melts, oxygen, and other strong oxidants;
sits of Southeast
• the creation of a generalized dynamic model of inter
China – waters
action of juvenile solutions and infiltration therms of meteoof meteoric oriric genesis in gold-concentrating polygenic hydrothermal
gin. At the deposits
systems, based on analysis of the relationship between
of the Oemku disthe structural elements of ore-bearing rocks and isotope
trict, sulfur and
research.
carbon are also
• the development, in collaboration with the Institute
of magmatic oriof Chemistry FEB RAS, an effective technology of noble
metals extraction from alluvia, based on gravitational,
Fig. 1. A light film of auramalgam gin. These differon dark ilmenite. The Fadeevsky ore- ences in the source
magnetic, and electromagnetic separation, demercurization
placer district (Southwestern Primorye) materials can be
and hydrometallurgy.
– 27 –
Laboratory of Metallogeny of Ore Districts
Research Staff:
Valery V. Gonevchuk, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Vitaly I. Gvozdev, Prof., Leading Researcher
Pavel G. Korostelev, Dr., Leading Researcher (Honored Geologist of Russian Federation)
Galina A. Gonevchuk, Dr., Senior Researcher
Boris I. Semenyak, Dr., Senior Researcher
Alexander A. Orekhov, Junior Researcher
Technician Staff:
Tatiana M. Shamrai, Leading Engineer
Dinna K. Kokorina, Dr., Leading Engineer
Irina V. Sinyova, Senior Laboratory Assistant
Andrei P. Zaichenko, Laboratory Assistant
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-321249,
E-mail: [email protected]
The Laboratory of Metallogeny of Ore Districts was
initiated in 1959. Ekaterina Alexandrovna Radkevich was
the Head of the laboratory until 1974. She was a Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Science and
instigated its formation. She became the first Director
of the Geological Institute and one of the recognized
leaders in research of metallogeny. Most of the present
researchers in the laboratory undertook postgraduate
research or completed course work under her supervision.
of Khabarovsk Region, and in the Armu, Kavalerovo,
Furmanovo and Dal’negorsk ore districts of Primorye.
Major research directions
Valery G. Gonevchuk, and Galina A.Gonevchuk – orebearing magmatism and magmatism-related mineralization;
The laboratory’s researchers work as a team when
dealing with general problem of genesis of ore deposits
and undertake research in areas of scientific interest described below.
Vitaly I. Gvozdev – mineralogy and genesis of tungsten
and tungsten-tin deposits;
Studying the regional location and formation of tin
deposits, and associated tungsten, lead, zinc mineralization
forms the primary work of the laboratory.
Dinna K. Kokorina – thermobaric and geochemical
parameters of ore formation;
The main areas of field research are the ore districts
of Primorye and the southern part of Khabarovsk Region.
In terms of geologic models, they are the area of juxtaposition of the ancient Proterozoic - Early Paleozoic formations
of the Khanka and Bureya terranes and the Phanerozoic
accretional folded complexes of the Sikhote-Alin. Among
the numerous ore districts of the Sikhote-Alin, the most
detailed field studies have been performed in the Khin­
gan-Olono, Badzhal and Komsomolsk ore districts
Pavel G. Korostelev – investigation of ore paragenesises for the reconstruction of physical and chemical
parameters of deposits;
Alexander A. Orekhov – peculiarities of polygenic
ore-magmatic systems;
Boris I. Semenyak – genesis features of Sn-bearing
greisens.
Meeting after the route at a field camp. Kavalerovo district
of Primorye
Valery V. Gonevchuk
– 28 –
Results
The laboratory has published monographs which
describe the most important tin and tungsten ore districts
in the Russian Federation. Publications include:
Geology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Komsomolsk Ore District, 1971;
Metallogeny of the East of the USSR, 1976;
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Tin Deposits, 1976;
Mineralogy, Petrography and Genesis of SkarnSheelite-Sulfide Deposits of the Far East, 1977;
Geology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the
Kavalerovo Ore District, 1980;
Geodinamic model of ore-magmatic system of the SikhoteAlin
Zoning and Depth Distribution of Tin Mineralization, 1980. (Based on the example of the Kavalerovo ore
district);
Deep Structure and Metallogenic Peculiarities of the
South of the Far East, 1984;
Tin Ore Deposits of Primorye, 1986;
Metallogeny of the Main Tin Districts of the South
of the Far East, 1988;
Ore Deposits of Continental Margins, 2000. Issue 1.
2001. Issue 2. Volumes 1 and 2;
Tin-Bearing Systems of Far East: Magmatism and
Ore Genesis, 2002.
The multiple investigations result in the development
of graphic and descriptive models of the metallogeny
for different geographical areas. A metallogenic map
of the Pacific ore belt, scale 1:10 000 000, (Ed. E.A.Radke­
vich, 1979), is an example of a graphic model created
by the laboratory. The research staff of the laboratory
took part in the preparation of multi-scaled maps of the
Komsomolsk and Kavalerovo ore districts.
The laboratory effectively co-operates with the mining
and geological industry. The benefits of this collaboration were recognized when Dr. Pavel G. Korostelev was
awarded the title “Honored Geologist of Russia”.
Recent scientific activity of the laboratory resulted in:
• the improvment of classification of ore deposits
formation;
• the specifying of the geological, mineralogical and
geochemical characteristics оf tin and tungsten deposits
in the Russia Far East Region;
• the analyzing of the regularity of distribution of different ore mineralization in the main ore districts of the
Far East and the region as а whole;
Sketch-map of ore districts of the southern part of the Russian
Far East and main objects of fieldworks (red-colored areas)
• the creation of maps, diagrams and descriptive geologic genetic models of a variety of ore systems.
– 29 –
Laboratory of Geochemistry
Research Staff:
Yury A. Martynov, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Emma D. Golubeva, Prof., Senior Researcher
Irina A. Tarasenko, Dr., Senior Researcher
Aleksander A. Chashchin, Senior Researcher
Igor Yu. Chekryzhov, Researcher
Aleksey Yu. Martynov, Junior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Nina E. Gvozdeva, Leading Engineer
Natalya N. Semenova, Leading Engineer
Mariya Yu. Martynova, Engineer
Lyubov A. Kariyuk, Laboratory Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-318291
E-mail: [email protected]
Major research directions
• The laboratory defined the characteristic structures
and geochemical layering of technogenic deposits resulting
from progressive lithogenesis of Primorye. In addition,
the laboratory identified some newly-formed mineral
associations and reconstructed their formation conditions.
The laboratory was able to determine the rules of techno­
genic transformation of the geological environment
during the regressive lithogenesis of Primorye.
The laboratory studies basaltic rock evolution in the
continent-ocean transition environment, the relationships
between the geochemistry of basalts and the geodynamic,
and the geochemistry of technogenic lithogenesis.
Results
• The laboratory has carried out a geochemical study
of the Quaternary and Miocene volcanic rocks of the
Kuril Islands. The investigation included a reconstruction
of the geodynamics of the subduction zone formation
and of the evolution of magma. The study included
the contribution of subduction and non-subduction factors
(heterogeneity of subcontinental lithosphere, Kuril basin
opening) in magma genesis.
• The laboratory carried out mineralogical and
geochemical research of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic
basalts of the Russian Far East to understand mantle
dynamic and lateral heterogeneity in the transition zone
between Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
• The laboratory reconstructed Late Cenozoic explosive volcanism and related hydrothermal mineralization
in the continental basins of the Southern Primorye.
VF – volcanic front
RA – rear arc
Th/Nd vs. 143Nd/144Nd plot for Kunashir lavas (Kuril Islands
arc) and relationship to the slab components. The altered
oceanic crust MORB (AOC) and AOC fluid end members
are the same used in Ishizuka et al. (2006b). Sediment (SED)
fluid and sediment melt components were calculated based on
averaged bulk composition of sediment columns subducted
at trenches of Kuril and Japan island arc systems (Plank
& Langmuir, 1998). Bulk distribution coefficients between
sediment and fluid (700 0C) and sediment and melt (900 0C)
are from Johnson & Plank (1999)
Yury A. Martynov
– 30 –
Computer Technology Laboratory
Laboratory Staff:
Vera V. Naumova, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Alexander N. Chetyrbotsky, Prof., Leading Researcher
Ivan N. Goryachev, Postgraduate Student
Stepan A. Semenyuk, Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317850
E-mail: [email protected]
The Computer Technology Laboratory was founded
in 1994. The main object is development of principles
and methods of computer description and analysis
of geological systems.
Major research directions
• Development of geological data bases and geoinformation systems (GIS) for resolving problems of regional
geology.
• Application of mathematical methods for geological
data analysis.
• Computerization of scientific research.
Results
An example of the GIS Project Map
The laboratory is a creator of the informational server
of FEGI FEB RAS (http://www.fegi.ru) and a “Regional portal: Primorsky Krai of Russia” (http://www.fegi.ru/primorye),
which are constantly supported in the Internet. The portal
provides the worldwide on-line users with unique information about more than 100-year investigation history of the
region and presents materials contributed by more than
300 researchers from 7 institutes of the Far East Branch of the
Russian Academy of Sciences, and 3 Vladivostok-based
universities, as well as the State Museum of Arsen’ev, the
Vladivostok-Primorye Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox
Church, the Society of Amur Region Study, and many other
regional organizations. Over 5 000 web sites of the portal
contain articles about the unique and wonderful nature of
the region, its natural resources, plants and animals, inhabitants of the Peter the Great Bay, reserved territories, ecology,
history, religion, science, education, culture, economics,
tourism, health protection, and many other topics. There
are fifty different maps of Primorye and over two thousand
pictures by the famous photographers and scientists of FEB
RAS, showing the unique features of the region. In 2000,
the portal became a prize-winner of a contest, “Internet
Access and Training Program,” conducted by the noncommercial US organization “Project Harmony” supported
by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of U.S.
Government.
The laboratory was succesful in development of several efficient products:
• scientific information search system "Geology of the
Russian Far East". The system consists of 3 data bases:
"Sedimentary Formations" (used by the Geological
Institute, RAS, Moscow), "Volcanic Formations", and
"Intrusive Formations";
• GIS Project "Geology and Mineral Resources
of Primorsky Krai” and a first version of the GIS Project
“Granite Formations of the Southern Far East of Russia”;
• data bases: "Mineralogical Museum of FEGI FEB
RAS" and "Composition of Basalts from Different
Geodynamic Settings";
• "Algorithm and Program for Calculation of Boninite
Crystallization Model Composition".
The laboratory designed digital version of the North
East Asia Tectonic Map (scale 1:5 000 000).
The GIS Project “Mineral Resources, Metallogenesis
and Tectonics of North East Asia” was made in cooperation with many Russian and foreign geological surveys
and scientific organizations.
Vera V. Naumova
http://www.fegi.ru/primorye
– 31 –
Interlaboratory Group for Investigation of New PGE Types
and Development of Modern Processing Technologies
An extensive group of noble metals remarkable
by their unique characteristics, with platinum group
elements (PGE) above all, is of the extreme importance
for the science and technology progress of the world and
economic prosperity of nations. The world PGE reserves
(less Russia) make up about 52 000 t, with 96% belonging
to South Africa. The most important PGE for the operat-­
ed objects are platinum-chromite (42%), low-sulfide
platinum-metal (34.2%), and sulfide platinum-coppernickel (22.4%) deposits. In 1980-1990 Russia ranked first
and second in mining of Pd and Pt, and first and second
(together with South Africa) in mining of Rh and Ru
correspondently. Lately these numbers noticeably dropped.
In order to keep the leading positions at the market,
the volume of exported PGE was compensated from
the national strategic reserves. Judging by confirmed
assessments, in the competition between Russia and
South Africa, the latter will become the absolute leader
very soon due to its intensive operation of the unique
Bushveld Igneous Complex. Production of platinum
group metals in Russia, actually entirely based on the
ores of the sulfide copper-nickel deposits of the NorilskTalnakh ore district, is rather vulnerable due to consider­
able losses of PGE in course of by-production, and
to modification of raw material quality with time.
Fig. 2. Spheroidal microcrystal of gold with included
graphite lamellas
Russia obviously needs increase PGE output, and not
only through operation of more deposits, moreover most
of them are located in the Arctic zone remote from the
main industrial districts. To gain this objective, new types
of ores shall be operated and modern processing technologies shall be developed.
The Interlaboratory Group was organized at FEGI,
just for this purpose, as non-traditional type of platinum mineralization was found at the Russian Far East:
in Primorye, Khabarovsk Province, and Jewish Autonomous Territory. The group includes FEGI director and the
leader, Academician A.I. Khanchuk, Prof. L.P. Plyusnina,
Drs. G.G. Likhoidov and V.P. Molchanov, and young
scientists T.V. Kuzmina and E.I. Medvedev.
Fig. 3. Cloddy microcrystals of gold in carbonaceous
matrix and graphite nanotube framed in the upper part
of the TEM micrograph
Fig. 1. Graphite occurrences in northern part of the Khanka
terrane
– 32 –
Results
The northern Khanka terrane has been for the first time
studied for gold and PGE content in Late Proterozoic –
Lower Cambrian high-carbonaceous metamorphic rocks.
Local graphite deposits of the Tamgino-Turgenevo group
have been known since 1945 (Fig. 1). A complex sequence
of granite-gneiss, marble, biotite-feldspar graphite, and
garnet-biotite-feldspar crystalline schist with concordant
lamprophyre dykes underwent regional graphitization. Gold
(to 30 ppm) and platinum (to 52 ppm) contents of economic interest were measured in the all mentioned rocks
by ion mass-spectrometry, neutron activation, and atomic
absorption spectroscopy.
Native noble metals (gold, platinum and silver),
zink, copper, bismutite, and intermetallides (Cu-Sn,
Cu-Zn-Fe) were found by transmission electron micro­
scope in association with graphite. It is noteworthy
that in comparison with “visible” platinum and silver,
the “visible” gold is spread better. Usually, gold forms
fine spheroids and cloddy-sponge grains (0.01-2 μm)
(Fig. 2, 3). Besides, aggregates of nanosized gold and
silver particles are present in carbonaceous matrix
(Fig. 4). Ferroplatinum and metallic platinum with minor
copper admixture (< 1wt.%) were found by transmission
electron microscope (TEM) in graphite-bearing gneiss
near the rives Tamga and Ruzhinka (Fig. 5).
Fig. 4. TEM micrograph of the nanoensemble of gold (light)
and silver (grey) in graphite matrix (dark)
The principal peculiarity of this new ore type implies
that noble metals are incorporated into graphite and
carbonaceous matrix as micro and nano particles, whereas
sulfides, common to black shales, occur in the studied
rocks in subordinate amount.
Fig. 5. TEM micrograph of the ferroplatinum skeletal
crystal in graphite from granite-gneiss
PGE contents spread (Fig. 6)
shows that PGE objects of Primorye are
comparable with major deposits of the
world (Bushveld, Norilsk, Great Dyke,
Stillwater), whose average PGE content in raw material makes up 4-6 ppm,
and rarely more. The required content standards, however, continue to
decrease, and more depleted raw
material is mined with each years.
The above comparison, as well as
abundance and bedding conditions
of graphitized ores within the Russian
Far East show how challenging they are
for platinum group elements.
Fig. 6. Spread of PGE contents in the graphitized rocks of Primorye based
on ion mass spectrometry results (yellow colored area)
– 33 –
Mineralogical Museum
Research Staff:
Valentin T. Kazachenko, Prof.,
Head of the Mineralogical Museum
Valentina A. Solyanik, Senior Researcher
Elena V. Perevoznikova, Junior Researcher
Natalya V. Skosareva, Junior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Raisa P. Shulga, Senior Laboratory Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317834
E-mail: [email protected]
The Mineralogical Museum undertakes research
on the geochemistry, mineralogy, mineral associations,
and genesis of gold, silver, platinum and palladium metalbearing deposites of the Triassic-Jurassic carbonaceous
rocks of the Sikhote-Alin.
museum as a knowledge resource where lectures about
geography and natural history of Vladivostok and other
cities of Primorye are given by the museum scientists. Special attention is paid to ecological education and problems
of the geological environment.
Fifteen hundred samples are permanently on exhibit
in the museum. Together with another samples under
storage, the museum possesses thirteen thousand samples
in total. The collection includes samples of magmatic,
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, as well as different
ores, minerals and petrified remains.
Annually the museum accepts around one thousand visitors, including foreigners from Japan, China, Korea, USA,
Sweden, Ireland, Germany and many other countries.
A real treasure is the “Stone flowers” collection composed of unique specimens of calcite, quartz, apophyllite,
datolite, galena, and sphalerite druses. The well-known
Dal’negorsk “calcite roses”, with their magnificent calcite
crystals of different shape, resemble fragile white, yellow,
and pink flowers.
The museum collections illustrate the scientific work
embracing a wide range of geological issues of the Far
East region and are classified into 5 sections: historical
geology, lithology, petrography, commercial minerals and
mineralogy. Some minerals are extremely rare in nature,
such as pyroxmangite, kanoite, pyrosmalite, bementite,
tirodite, dannemorite, manganoan aktinolite, tin-bearing
spessartite, barium rich phlogopite, pyrophanite, chromian
and vanadium tourmaline, diaphorite, silver-tetrahedrite,
freibergite, meneghinite, aurostibite, etc.
The unique skarn of the Dal’negorsk borosilicate
deposit is comparable to Ural malachite in terms of its
beautiful patterns and hues of color. Skarn, sometimes
called “Primorsky malachite”, display amazing patterns of
apple-green datolite, pearly wollastonite, pink apophyllite,
dark-green hedenbergite, and brownish garnet. This rock,
characterized by diverse textural fibers, beautiful colors
and by the great strength, has gained the reputation of an
outstanding stone-cutting material.
The museum is a significant scientific and educational
center of the Russian Far East. Students of the Geological
Departments of the Universities in Vladivostok use the
Olenekoseras miroshnikovi
(Burij & Zharnikova) (=”Keyserlingites”).
Triassic (T1), Neocolumbites insignis zone
(the Zhitkov Cape, Russian Island).
Yuri D. Zakharov’s collection
Valentin T. Kazachenko
– 34 –
A group of obelisk-like
differently oriented red quartz crystals.
Sovetsky-II Mine, Dal’negorsk, Primorye
“Owl” handmade article.
Obsidian and borosilicate skarn
from the Dal’negorsk borosilicate deposit
“Rose”-like druse of lamellar
light pink calcite in a white shirt
of fine-crystalline calcite.
Sovetsky-II Mine, Dal’negorsk, Primorye
A druse of fine laminated white calcite
called “Flowered branch”.
Sovetsky-II Mine, Dal’negorsk, Primorye
A druse of octahedral crystals of galena.
Sovetsky-II Mine, Dal’negorsk, Primorye
Small crystals of pink apophyllite
growing on the datolite faces.
Borosilicate deposit,
Dal’negorsk, Primorye
Halite, skeletal crystals. California, USA
Exhibition hall of Mineralogical museum
– 35 –
Analytical Center
• Implementation of independent scientific research
as well as methodological innovations that complement
the institute's long-run scientific themes as well as the
needs of potential clients.
The Analytical Center of the Far East Geological
Institute (AC FEGI) was established under the initiative
of Academician A.I. Khanchuk, Director of FEGI, in 1999.
The center integrates four analytical laboratories of the
Institute. AC works for the needs of FEGI as well as other
institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is also
open for research collaboration with foreign scientific
institutions.
• Development, interconnecting, and application
of chemical and instrumental methods of structural and
compositional analysis of many naturally occurring and
synthetic materials; development of novel procedures
as well as adaptation and promotion of the standardized
procedures for various matter analyses.
The Head of AC is Prof. Alexander V. Ignat’ev, Deputy
Director of FEGI.
• Technical perfection and modernization of instruments and their modular systems.
Structure
1. Laboratory of Precious Metal Analysis
• Accumulation and systematization of analytical data
and new methodological techniques.
2. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry
3. Laboratory of Stable Isotopes
• Providing a wide range of analytical services and
rendering methodological help to internal users of Russian Federation and specialists of other countries; advisory
activity and personnel training.
4. Laboratory of X-ray Methods
Major objectives
AC FEGI keeps current with key analytical advances
and implements modern analytical methods and techniques,
provides advanced training for analytical personnel, and
keeps an eye on advances at western analy­tical centers.
• Development of co-operation both within the
framework of formal scientific programs as well as
on the basis of direct bilateral agreements between
cooperating groups. Participation in joint projects and
scientific programs carried out in co-operation with research
centers in Russia and abroad.
Activities
• Providing FEGI laboratories with high quality analy­
tical data for the programs and projects they are involved in.
In AC FEGI, along with classical methods of “wet” chemistry, photometrical and electrochemical
(potentiometry and potentiometric titration) quantitative analyses, there are many other modern instrumental
methods and techniques to determine the composition and structure of substances.
Non-destructive
elemental,
molecular
and phase
analysis
Surface
analysis
• Inductively coupled • X-ray fluores-
cence (XRF) spectroscopy
• X-ray electron spectroscopy
plasma atomic emission spectrometry
• Arc source atomic emission spectrometry
• Hydrogen background correction
atomic absorption spectrometry
Destructive
elemental
analysis
• Zeeman background correction
atomic absorption spectrometry
• Molecular-absorption
spectrophotometry
– Electron microprobe analysis
– Electron microscopy
• X-ray
difractometry
– Photocolorimetry
– Nefelometry and turbidimetry
IR-spectroscopy
Structure analysis
• Inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry (ICP - MS)
• Isotopic mass spectrometry
– 36 –
Laboratory of Precious Metal Analysis
Research Staff:
Vladimir V. Ivanov, Dr., Head of Laboratory
Nikolai N. Barinov, Dr., Senior Researcher
Peter P. Safronov, Dr., Senior Researcher
Anna A. Lotina, Junior Researcher
Anna V. Ivanova, Research Assistant
Technical Staff:
Alexander S. Bukatin, Leading Technologist
Olga F. Gurphink, Engineer
Olga N. Kenya, Leading Programmer
Larisa G. Kolesova, Leading Engineer
Valery V. Kononov, Dr., Leading Technologist
Gennadiy A. Narnov, Leading Technologist
Lubov V. Simokon, Leading Engineer
Svetlana F. Vasyukevich, Leading Technologist
Galina S. Yagorlitskaya, Leading Technologist
Valentina F. Zanina, Leading Technologist
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317583; +7-4232-732702
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Chemical-analytical investigations
Analytical equipment:
• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers:
Shimadzu AA-6800; Thermo Electron SolAAR M6.
• FT-IR Spectrometer Thermo Scientific Nicolet
6700 with Continuum FT-R microscope.
• Х-ray fluorescence Spectrometer (hand-held XRF
Analyzer) Innov-X Alpha-6000.
• Electric Assay Furnace DFC Ceramics DFC-810B.
The laboratory pays special attention to the preparation of samples. The Sample Preparation Division
provides services using the following equipment: different crushing and grinding machines, a set of sieves,
ultrasonic disperser and sample classifier. The laboratory
sample preparation instruments include Cem MARS 5
(microwave oven), Rocklabs Boyd, Fritsch Pulverisette
-0, -1, -5, -13, -19, -23 & -25; Laborette-17, -24 & -2
and Analysette-3. There exists the possibility for separation of fine-grained platinoids, gold-, silver-bearing and
some other minerals using a centrifugal concentrator for
gravity concentration of fine assays.
The Laboratory of Precious Metal Analysis is a unit
with a broad research activity. Physical-chemical and
mineralogical-geochemical studies of precious metal lode
and placer deposits as well as an examination of natural
mineral and synthetic materials and other substances
such as mine tailings and post-processing products have
been carried out for many years. With a long history of
field experience in East Asia, the laboratory is a leader in
supplying geological information and analytical data for
research concerning a wide range of geological problems.
The set of certified sample standards and procedures
of quantitative analysis enables us to carry out traditional
chemical analytical works as well as research on the adaptation of known analytical techniques to the individual
characteristics of the matrix of study materials.
Current analytical capabilities of the laboratory are
primarily focused on elemental analyses of materials
of natural and man-made origin using the following analytical methods:
The laboratory is equipped with many specialize­ d instruments, similar to those of other world class
chemical-analytical facilities.
• Traditional fire assay with gravimetric finish and/or
atomic absorption spectrometry;
Our highly competent personnel is able to work
on specific analytical problems and develop analytical
methods to address various clients’ requirements.
• Fire assay with atomic-absorption finish for determination of platinum-group elements, gold and silver
at trace level.
Vladimir V. Ivanov
The Electron and Light Microscopy Division. A. Bukatin
– 37 –
Mineralogical investigations
Analytical equipment:
• Research-grade and laboratory microscopes: Zeiss
AxioImager D1, AxioPlan2, AxioStar, SteREO Discovery V12, SteREO Lumar V12 and Stemi 2000;
Nikon Eclipse LV100 Pol and SMZ 800; Leica MS5
and EZ4D.
• Scanning Electron Microscopes: Zeiss EVO-50XVP
with Oxford INCA Energy EDS; Jeol JSM-6490 LV
with Oxford INCA Energy EDS.
Research activities:
The Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry Division
L. Simokon, O. Gurphink, G. Yagorlitskaya, S. Vasyukevich
• A light and electron microscopic study of ores and
host rocks, including a comprehensive mineral identification, phase analysis of minerals and so forth.
• A complete mineralogical analysis of heavy-mineral
concentrates and/or a selective particle-size analysis
as well as a morphogenetic analysis for placer gold,
platinum and related minerals.
• Instrumental determination of major and minor
elements for native gold and manufactured alloys containing precious metals.
• Revealing the typomorphic characteristics of
minerals that are informative with respect to their formation and transformation under various conditions.
• IRS-diagnostics of minerals and thin mineral
mixtures (infrared spectrometry FT-IR Spectrometer).
The laboratory has a large representative collection
of ores and heavy-mineral concentrates. A database on
mineralogy, metallogeny, rock and mineral compositions
(including data in GIS-format, which are bound to the
cartographical bases) for a number regions of the Far East
(Chukotka, Kolyma, Priokhotie, Koryakiya, Kamchatka,
Kuril Islands, Priamurie, Primorye as well as China and
Korea) is being developed.
The Electron and Light Microscopy Division
A. Lotina and O. Kenya. Back row: L. Kolesova
For example, in close co-operation with other laborato­
ries of FEGI, new and interesting data on palladium- and
platinum-containing copper-rich gold have been obtained.
The Electron and Light Microscopy Division
A. Ivanova. Back row: N. Barinov and P. Safronov
Au–Cu–Ag (Pt, Pd) diagram for solid solutions of Cu and
Ag-rich gold from the Konder massif
1. Au–Cu, Au–Cu–Ag, and Au–Ag; 2. Au–Cu–Pt; 3. Au–Cu–Pd;
4. Au–Cu–Pt–Pd; 5. Au–Cu–Pt with Ag; 6. Au–Cu–Pd with Ag.
Reference: Nekrasov I.Ya., Ivanov V.V., Lennikov A.M. et al.,
Rare natural polycomponent alloys based on gold and copper...//
Geology of ore deposits. 2001. Vol. 43. No. 5
The Infrared Spectrometry Division
G. Narnov and V. Kononov
– 38 –
The examination of the exsolution and supergene
corrosion of natural alloys of Au-Cu-Ag-Pd-Pt under the
microscope in reflected light
The TEM images of ultra-fine
structure of low-fineness gold
(electrum), using the replicas
from its surface
Experimental modeling of the
development of anomalous
thread-like hight-fineness
gold crystal during solid-phase
decomposition of Au-Ag
telluride
Metallogeny investigations
According to the modern plate tectonics concept,
reconstructions of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geodynamic
setting of East Asia have been carried out. It has been
found that during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic evolution of East
Asia an alternation of subduction and transform (Californian type) settings occurred.
The Okhotsk-Chukchi, East Sikhote-Alin, KoryakKamchatka, Central Kamchatka, and Kurils-Kamchatka
volcano-plutonic belts developed in a subduction environment. Later, the geological environment changed from
convergent to transform margin. The transform environ­
ment characteristics are strike-slip movement with intru­
sion of asthenosphere diapirs resulting from sinking
of the earlier subducted lithosphere into the mantle.
A spatial distribution of over 200 mineral deposits has
been analyzed. A wide variety of different ore-bearing
systems, including many different geological processes
linked to the accumulation of gold, is considered (Khanchuk, Ivanov, 1998-2000, 2006).
Like other geological features, gold deposits belong
to complexly organized systems. Hence, one of the
basic methods for investigating such complex systems
is modeling, which is performed in several research directions (Ivanov, Khanchuk, 1999, 2004).
In connection with genetic modeling of precious
metal-bearing systems, oxygen, carbon, sulphur, and lead
isotope composition in gangue and ore minerals from
a great number of different-type mineral deposits of East
Asia (Ishikhara, Ivanov et al., 1996; Ivanov, 1998; Rasska­
zov, Ivanov et al. 2002, 2007) have been studied.
In addition to the earlier studies on radioisotope
40
Ar/39Ar datings for gold deposits from different type
volcanic-plutonic belts of the Circum-North-West
Pacific region, new age determinations for ore deposits
from diverse geodynamic settings have been obtained.
The database contains over 50 original analyses on
over 25 gold-silver deposits.
– 39 –
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry
Research Staff: Galina M. Vovna, Dr., Head of Laboratory; Natalya V. Zarubina, Researcher, Deputy Head
of Laboratory; Galina A. Bakhareva, Dr., Leading Researcher; Vladimir I. Kisilyov, Dr., Senior Researcher; Maxim G.
Blokhin, Dr., Researcher; Evgeniy V. Elovsky, Postgraduate Student.
Technical Staff: Larissa A. Avdevnina, Leading Technologist; Lyudmila I. Alekseeva, Leading Technologist;
Viktoria N. Zalevskaya, Leading Technologist; Lidiya S. Levchuk, Leading Technologist; Galina I. Gorbach,
Leading Technologist; Vera N. Kaminskaya, Leading Technologist; Al’bina I. Malykina, Leading Technologist;
Elena A. Tkalina, Leading Technologist; Natalia V. Khurkalo, Leading Engineer; Viktoria V. Gileva, Engineer;
Svetlana A. Muratova, Engineer; Larissa Y. Smirnova, Programming Specialist.
Contacts: Tel: +7-4232-318750
E-mail: [email protected]
The laboratory activity is directed towards solving
analytical problems and providing geological and
geochemical laboratory services for the Far East Geological Institute, as well as other subdivisions of FEB
RAS, supplying quantitative data analyses for their
investigations. The laboratory uses classical methods
of chemistry and instrumental tools, including inductively coupled plasma and high-performance liquid
chromatograph instruments. Zirconium geochronological dating through the ICP-MS with laser ablation
and a quantitative analysis of REE in accessory minerals
can be accomplished.
Established in 1959, the Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry presently is equipped with unique up-to-date
equipment applicable for detecting and analyzing rock
and mineral elements. Numerous new techniques have
been developed by the highly skilled lab stuff and are
being successfully applied for defining the elementary
composition of rocks, sea bed sediments, ferromanganesian deposits, soils, vegetable materials, natural
water and other substances.
Analytical equipment
1. Ion-chromatograph LC-10A (SHIMADZU,
Japan). Being a single-column modification of devises for high-performance liquid chromatography.
Chromatographic column of the apparatus is adapted
for sharing and determining of cations Li+, NH4+, Na+,
K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ and anions F-, Cl-, NO2-, Br-, NO3-,
and SO42-.
2. Plasmaquant 110 (Analytik Jena AG, Germany)
and ICAP 6500 Duo (Thermo Electron Corporation,
USA) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission
spectrometers. Plasma spectrometry is one of the
Galina M. Vovna
– 40 –
Plasmaquant 110 (Analytik Jena AG, Germany)
ICAP 6500 Duo (Thermo Electron Corporation, USA)
Agilent 7500a with UP-213 system
(Agilent Technologies, USA)
Agilent 7500c (Agilent Technologies, USA)
universal and advanced methods of elemental analysis of a substance. With the help of the Plasmaquant
110, numereous element content in rocks, ferromanganesian materials, ores, natural and contaminated
waters and biological materials can be determined
simultaneously. The ICAP 6500 Duo spectrometer
is used for elemental analysis of liquid samples.
It works via Echelle optic scheme and has a semi
conducting CID detector and plasma discharge dual
observing (in radial and axial direction) system that
enables most of elements at level 1-10 ppb to be
defined. Proper software ITEVA provides computer
monitoring of the spectrometer.
chronological and isotopic and geochemical analysis
the laboratory has Agilent 7500a equipped with
UP-213 system for laser ablation mass spectrometry.
4. Thermo Orion 920Aplus (Thermo Orion, USA)
and И-500 (Close Joint Stock Company “Alvilon”,
Russia) ion meters are used to determine anion content
of samples.
5. Mars 5 (CEM Corporation, USA) system
is used to prepare samples of different composition:
rocks, soils, and biological materials. Preparation of the
samples to be analysed includes open decomposition
in acids mix and alloying the samples with different
fusions in a muffle furnace and a microwave decomposition system.
3. Agilent 7500c (Agilent Technologies, USA)
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer
is used for mass-spectral studies. The laboratory analyzes samples of different natural materials (rocks, sea
bed sediments, water, and biological matter). For geo­
Ion-chromatograph LC-10A (SHIMADZU, Japan)
Mars 5 (CEM Corporation, USA)
– 41 –
Laboratory of Stable Isotopes
Research Staff:
Tatyana A. Velivetskaya, Dr., Head of Laboratory
Victoria V. Yakovenko, Junior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Vera M. Avchenko, Leading Engineer
Elena S. Ermolenko, Leading Engineer
Nina P. Konovalova, Leading Engineer
Irina V. Borovik, Leading Engineer
Sergei Yu. Budnitsky, Engineer
Ekaterina Yu. Kovaleva, Engineer
Sergei S. Gussev, Laboratory Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-318548
E-mail: [email protected]
identified in various natural formations, including the
conditions of genesis.
At present, this laboratory is one of few laboratories
in Russia that possesses great opportunities in research
of light stable isotopic relationships. The laboratory has
preparative and mass spectrometry facilities for determining the stable isotope ratios, at natural abundance
levels, of the important light elements: 2H/1H, 13C/12C,
15
N/14N, 18O/16O, and 34S/32S. These isotope studies
are carried out for a wide range of natural materials,
depending on the tasks to be solved in various areas
of scientific researches, including geology, biology,
ecology and medicine.
The laboratory has a variety of methods for 13C/12C
and 18O/16O analysis of carbonates. The high-precision
analysis of microquantities of organogenic carbonates
(e.g., 0.025-0.040 milligrams or 6-10 foraminiferas), which
is very important for the interpretation of paleorecords,
has been established at the laboratory and is considered
a routine capability. In addition, an easy and economic
method has been successfully applied to 13C/12C analysis
of organic carbon in sediments and soils, which also
can be applied to the analyses of dispersed forms
of carbon in rock.
The laboratory provides high accuracy 18O/ 16O
analysis of silicates and oxides by fluoridation,
to answer questions connected with determining formation temperatures of various minerals. The production
of 2H/1H and 18O/16O analyses of water and hydrogenous minerals makes it possible to provide valuable
information about the genesis of formational water and
its mineralogical effects on country rocks.
For studying the biological processes connected with
nutrient transfer, the laboratory has the capability to
analyze 13C/12C and 15N/14N total and component-wise
structure of organic substance by using a mixture of adaptable “off-line” techniques, depending upon high vacuum
gas preparation lines. There are also fully automated
“on-line” techniques used in the laboratory. For measurement of stable isotope ratios, the laboratory is equipped
with three mass spectrometers.
For investigations of geochemical processes in the
hydrosphere and atmosphere, the laboratory produces
high-precision 2H/1H, 18O/16O and 13C/12C analyses
of liquid (Н 2О) and gaseous (СО 2, СН 4) samples.
High-precision 34S/32S analysis is used when studying
sulphur deposits and when a source of sulphur is to be
Thermo Finnigan МАТ 252 (Germany) mass spectrometer is used for the analysis of stable isotopes and
is equipped with 8 collectors for measuring of isotopic
ratios: H/D, 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O (from СO2 and O2),
and 34S/32S (from SO2)
Tatyana A. Velivetskaya
– 42 –
Thermo Finnigan МАТ 253 (Germany) mass spectrometer. It is used for measuring of H/D, 13C/12C, 15N/14N,
18
O/16O (from СO2 and O2), and 34S/32S (from SO2 and
SF6) stable isotopes ratios. H/D measuring can be conducted in helium stream. There are several peripheral
sample preparation units working connectively with
the mass spectrometer. They are: the high-temperature
transformer TC Thermo Finnigan for measurement
of hydrogen and oxygen in water samples; element
analyzer EA Thermo Finnigan for measurement
of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen in samples of firm
organic substances; GC/C III gas chromatograph
with burning micro-furnace for sample preparation
of complex organic compounds for H/D, 13C/12C, 15N/14N,
18
O/16O definition in individual components
Photo of high-vacuum facility with 6 ports for highvacuum systems of various modifications used in the
preparation of samples for isotope analysis. “Off-line”
mode is used for the reception of: SO2 from sulphides
and sulphates; СO2 from samples of various organic
substances, soils, sedimentary rocks, oils and volatile
organic liquid compounds; water from hydrogenous
minerals for the isotope analysis of hydrogen
Photo of high-vacuum plant for СO2 extracting from
carbonate microquantities (25-35 milligrams) using
105% phosphoric acid at 95 оС. The device is connected
with a micro volume of the МАТ 252 dual inlet system
Photo of high-vacuum plant for laser extraction
of oxygen from silicates and oxides by fluoridation.
Samples are heated up by the continuous wave laser
Nd-YaG, CW 100w, wave length 1.06 micrometer
Thermo Finnigan МАТ 253 mass spectrometer is used for measuring isotopic ratios: H/D, 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O
(from СO2), and also Ar. It is connected with a high-vacuum device for laser isolation of argon from samples, and with
a shared system (gas chromatograph Agilent 6890N), so that the spectrometer can be used for development of methods
enabling measurement of argon in a helium stream, useful for К/Ar geochronology
– 43 –
Laboratory of X-Ray Methods
Research Staff:
Alexander A. Karabtsov, Dr., Head of Laboratory
Evgeny A. Nozdrachov, Dr., Researcher
Tatyana A. Lotina, Junior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Natalya I. Ekimova, Leading Technologist
Galina B. Molchanova, Leading Technologist
Tamara B. Afanasyeva, Leading Technologist
Lyudmila I. Azarova, Leading Technologist
Victor P. Soroka, Leading Engineer
Tamara K. Babova, Senior Lab Technician
Valentina I. Sechenskaya, Senior Lab Technician
Irina V. Zolotaryova, Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317132
E-mail: [email protected]
The laboratory carries out electron probe X-ray
microanalysis using a JEOL JXA-8100 electron microprobe with three wavelength dispersive spectrometers and
the energy dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (INKA Co Ltd.,
Oxford, England). The current spectrometer crystal
inventory consists of: LIF, PET, TAP, and LDE2.
The X-ray Laboratory provides high quality analy­
tical work to support scientific activity of the scientists
of FEGI. The laboratory supports several projects including:
(1) Gemstones of the Far East (mineralogy and formation
conditions); (2) Experimental modeling of physical and
chemical conditions critical to the formation of precious
metal and other deposits. In addition, the laboratory
cooperates closely with scientists of the Chemical
Institute, Pacific Ocean Institute, and other institutes
and subdivisions of the Far East Branch of RAS.
Radiographic analysis
Radiographic analysis is one of the most efficient
methods for researching the structure and composition
of crystals. In many cases this method provides unique
information about the phase composition and structural
features of a given material. A special feature of X-ray
analysis is its multi-purpose use in various kinds of material examination.
Electron probe X-ray microanalysis
Electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) is used
for qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements within
samples at concentrations from 0.01 to 100 wt %. A very
small amount of material is used for an electron microprobe measurement with the required sample size for
complete analysis ranging from 10-13-10-16 g. Elements from
B to U can be analyzed.
The laboratory carries out X-ray diffraction studies at
the DRON-3 diffractometer (Russia) with monochromatic X-ray radiation. When dealing with a very small amount
of material, the staff uses an IRIS-3 X-ray source (Russia)
as well as Debye-Scherrer and Gandolfi powder cameras.
Phase identification is performed with the use of the software program PDF2, a database which includes information on 75 000 compounds.
Both minerals and synthetic compounds can be
analyzed, as well as micro inclusions from an uncovered
surface of 1-5 microns in diameter.
The laboratory began using the multipurpose X-ray
diffractometer D8 DISCOVER with GADDS (Bruker
AXS GmbH, Germany) in 2007. The minimum analysis
area is 50 microns.
X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis
S4 Pioneer sequential X-ray spectrometer (Bruker
AXS GmbH, Germany) is available for the X-ray fluores­
cence analysis. The device has an X-ray tube, capacity
4 kW, with Rh-anode and a thin (75 micron) beryllium
window. The spectrometer has the following configuration:
five analyzing crystals (LiF200, LiF220, Ge, PET, and
OVO-55); two collimators with divergence to be 0.23
and 0.46 ; and eight primary X-ray filters: Cu (1000,
300, and 200 microns) and Al (800, 500, 200, 100, and
12.5 microns).
Alexander A. Karabtsov
– 44 –
JXA-8100 Electron Microprobe (JEOL Co. Ltd., Japan)
PGS-II diffraction spectrograph (Germany)
The laboratory performs quantitative determinations
on the concentrations of petrogenetic elements Na, Mg, Al,
Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe and microelements S, Cl, V, Cr,
Co, Ba, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, As, Pb, Th, U, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga
in various rocks, minerals, ores and soils. For these
purposes compressed tablets and fused disks are used.
Emission spectral analysis
Qualitative and semi-quantitative spectrographic analysis
of rocks and minerals is performed by using the PGS-II
(Germany) and DFS-8 (Russia) diffraction spectrographs which evaporate samples in the alternating current
arc (30 mg in 5 min). Sensitivity of this method is in range
of 10-2 to 10-4 %.
The laboratory applies three techniques for the qualitative analysis of rocks and minerals:
1. Simultaneous analysis on twelve elements (B, Ni,
Co, Cr, V, Mo, Zn, Ga, Sn, Cu, Pb, Ag) through the evaporation of 400 mg sample in an AC arc;
2. Analysis of impurity elements (Ni, Co, Cr, V, Zr, Sc,
Mn, Bi, In, Sb, Be, Y, Yb, Nb, Pb, Cd, and others) through
the evaporation of 10-100 mg probe put in a channel drilled
inside the carbon electrode. Test sensitivity is in range
of 10-2 to 10-5% with reasonable error between 6 and 30%;
3. Determination of As, Sb, Pb, Cu, Bi, Ni, Co, Pt,
Mn, Zn, Fe, Pd, and Te content in native gold, 15 g weight
sample. Sensitivity and error appearance depend on
sample composition.
DRON-3 diffractometer (Russia)
S4 PIONEER sequential X-ray Spectrometer
(Bruker AXS GmbH, Germany)
D8 DISCOVER with GADDS
(Bruker AXS GmbH, Germany)
– 45 –
Workshop for Preparation of Samples
and the Production of Thin and Polished Sections
Workshop Staff:
Ivan I. Ivan’kov, Head of the Workshop
Antonina P. Lyakhova, Grinder
Natalia A. Kazanova, Grinder
Olga V. Doronina, Grinder
The Workshop for Preparation of Samples and the
Preparation of Thin and Polished Sections is оnе of the
oldest industrial subdivisions of the Far East Geological Institute. The first grinding machine, built in the
mechanical workshops of the academic institute IGEM
(Moscow), was confidentially delivered to Vladivostok
in the 1950s to the Geological Department of the Far
East Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences as
а hand luggage in а passenger carriage (passengers then
were not allowed to transport more than 30 kg).
Accutom-50
(Struers Co., Denmark) –
universal machine for
treatment of stone
Today the Workshop is supplied with modern
machines and equipment that make it possible to
perform а whole cycle of crushing and grinding of
rocks, to produce thin sections, double-side-polished
transparent plates, polished sections, polished lumps, to
cut stones of а given size, and to drill holes in samples
for taking kern of 3 to 7 mm in diameter.
SimpliMet 1000
(Struers Co., Denmark) –
press for construction
of synthetic grains
The equipment supplied recently (machines for
semi-automatic production of thin and polished
sections) significantly increases the productivity and
decreases production time and allows the laboratory
to assist other organizations.
The Workshop staff consists of four workers who
have extensive experience in grinding and stonecutting works.
RotoPol -35
(Struers Co., Denmark)
– mаchine for producing
of polished sections
DiscoPlan-TS
(Struers Co., Denmark) –
mаchine for producing
of transparent polished
sections
Ivan I. Ivan’kov
– 46 –
Geology Department
Faculty:
Galina M. Vovna, Dr., Dean of Department
Igor V. Kemkin, Professor
Vladimir S. Pushkar, Professor
Liana G. Bondarenko, Senior Lecture
Contacts: Tel: +7-4232-317554
E-mail: [email protected]
the Gamov and Krabbe Peninsulas and on the scientific
campus of the Far East Geological Institute. The second
level students go to the unique educational campus of the
Novosibirsk State University – the training ground “Shira”,
near the Shira village in Khakassiya. In addition, with
the assistance of the Far East Geological Institute, during
the academic year students are taken on field excursions
to look at key stratigraphic sections and interesting
geological objects of Primorye.
Owing to the fact that many special lectures at the
department are given by the leading researchers of the
Geological Institute, students acquire a good knowledge
of general geology and have a basic foundation concerning geophysics and modern methods of electronic data
processing. This training gives the student a quality
university education which will allow them to work as
specialists in all spheres of geology in a university environment or even as head of a private firm or joint venture
company.
In 2005, for first time in the history of the Far Eastern
State University (FESU) a Geology Department was added
to its academic program. The addition of the Geology
Department was the joint initiative of Academician
A.I. Khanchuk, Director, Far East Geological Institute
and Academician V.A. Akulichev, Director, Pacific Oceano-­
logical Institute, the two largest scientific institutes
of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
(FEB RAS). Chancellor of the FESU Prof. V.I. Kurilov has
approved and the Presidium of the FEB RAS has confirmed
this initiative. The department forms part of the Scientific
Education Center “Physics of the Earth”, in the FESU
Institute of Physics and Information Technology, under
the leadership of Prof. Valery I. Belokon.
First Dean of the department was A.I. Khanchuk,
who was then succeeded by Galina M. Vovna. Staff of the
department consists of highly skilled specialists: professors and doctors from the Geological Institute and leading
researchers from other institutes of the FEB RAS.
Since 2005, the department has given a course of lectures
on geodynamic geology. Students will be qualified as
experts in general and regional geology, geotectonics and
geodynamics, geological surveying and structural geology, earth disasters prediction and mathematical modeling
of geological processes. In future, the department plans to
give lectures on groundwater, marine geology and geochemistry.
The geological education process includes two-levels
at the department. Students of the first (so called “basic”)
level learn geology for four years and receive a higher
education and B.S. degree in geology. Graduating students
can choose then either to get a job or to continue their
education at the department. The second level lasts for
two years and ends by receiving a Master’s degree and
fundamental knowledge for those who want to pursue
science in the future.
The department provides students a full-time tuition
only. The graduate program is in Geology but there are
several specializations: Regional Geology, Geological
Surveying and Stratigraphy. After the graduating, the
first level students have an opportunity to practice in geo­
logy within the Primorye region: on the coastal areas of
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Laboratory of Avalanche and Mudflow Processes Research
Research Staff:
Nikolay A. Kazakov, Dr., Head of Laboratory
Yury V. Gensiorovskiy, Researcher
Mikhail V. Mikhalev, Junior Researcher
Technical Staff:
Valentina K. Stavniychuk, Leading Engineer
Darja A. Bobrova, Engineer
Svetlana V. Rybal’chenko, Engineer
Ekaterina N. Kazakova, Laboratory Assistant
Valentina A. Lobkina, Laboratory Assistant
Contacts:
Sakhalin Branch of Far East Geological Institute
Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
25, Gorky Street, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693023, Russia
Tel: +7-4242-751335; Fax: +7-4242-751336
E-mail: [email protected]
Nikolay A. Kazakov
The Laboratory of Avalanche and Mudflow Processes
Research was formed in 2002. Since the laboratory’s inception it has been run by Dr. Nikolay A. Kazakov.
dynamics in different landscapes complementing the
methods of crystal-morphological analysis of snow
thickness structure.
Major research directions
• The laboratory has developed quantitative descriptions of avalanche, debris-flow and mudflow as solitare
waves – solitons.
The laboratory researches evolution of nival, avalanche, and mudflow complexes in geoecological systems
of the Russian Far East, as well characteristics of related
processes and their influence on geoecological systems.
• The laboratory has researched nival-glacier processes
found in the mid- and low-mountain relief of the Russian
Far East.
Results
• The laboratory has created physical and mathematical models of nival, avalanche, and mudflow processes;
avalanche and mudflow wave dynamics; and avalanche
and mudflow front as wave solitons. Specifically, the
following topics have been analyzed:
• Investigations has been carried out into the gene­
sis and dynamics patterns of snow cover, avalanches,
mudflows, and other exogenous geodynamic processes
found in the mid- and low-mountain relief of the Russian Far East. These studies have resulted in a method to
quantitatively describe snow thickness texture as a deterministic fractal. This approach of describing snow
thickness texture through fractal dimensionality permits
mathematical modeling in order to elaborate methods
of forecasting snow thickness characteristics of strength
snow cover as an electrodynamic system;
the fractal dimensionality of snow cover texture;
• avalanche and mudflow complexes as trigger geosystems;
• snow cover metamorphism as an energy-informational
process;
• the self organization of dissipative structures in forming
and developing of nival, avalanche, and mudflow complexes.
•
•
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• The laboratory has developed methods for mapping
nival, avalanche, and mudflow processes and methods
of building up mid-scale maps showing the intensity
of nival, avalanche, and mudflow processes in unstudied
regions for application in engineering research and
construction projects.
• The laboratory has determined the theoretical bases
and methodological principles of avalanche and mudflow
processes control, as well as long-term forecasting principles for determining the intensity or degree of avalanche
and mudflow events. These permit setting up zones
predicting intensity of expected avalanche and mudflow
based solely on geological, geomorphological and landscape structure and climate data of the region.
• The laboratory has developed theoretical bases
and methods for calculating the dynamic characteristics
of catastrophic avalanches and mudflows as they apply
to engineering and construction.
• The laboratory has studied anthropogenic transformations and their impact on nival, avalanche, and
mudflow complexes and subsequent influence on the
evolution of geoecological systems.
• The laboratory has been able to describe the
formation of hill mountains of Sakhalin Island as the
result of extreme volumes of debris-flow activity (more
than 300 000 m3).
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Laboratory of Monitoring of Natural Processes
and Geoinformation Technologies
Research Staff:
Vyacheslav A. Melkiy, Prof., Head of Laboratory
Vladimir M. Pishchalnik, Prof., Leading Researcher
Oleg V. Zenkin, Dr., Senior Researcher
Aleksey A. Galtsev, Junior Researcher
Elisaveta V. Nikonova, Postgraduate Student
Technical Staff:
Inna I. Lobishcheva, Leading Engineer
Valeriy A. Sakharov, Leading Engineer
Valeriy A. Romanyuk, Laboratory Researcher
Contacts:
Sakhalin Branch of Far East Geological Institute
Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
25, Gorky Street, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693023, Russia
Tel: +7-4242-265046
E-mail: [email protected]
Vyacheslav A. Melkiy
Major research directions
• The laboratory developed techniques for computer
processing of satellite data from Moderate Resolution
Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to estimate anthropogenous pollution of the Sea of Okhotsk. The degree
of pollution was measured by analyzing the biooptical
properties of waters from different parts of the sea.
The laboratory studies natural interactions occurring
at the boundaries between the lithosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere and biosphere in modern geoecological
systems of transition continent-ocean zone. The laboratory develops methods of monitoring these natural processes, including remote sensing data from earth satellites,
remote sounding, and geoinformation technologies.
• On a northeast shelf of Sakhalin Island, the laboratory
developed the technology and methodologies for modeling
ice conditions in the Sea of Okhotsk. These techniques are
designed to forecast ice conditions to enhance safety in an
oil-and-gas complex.
Results
• The laboratory developed theoretical bases and
principles to construct a uniform system of monitoring
an environment and the technosphere of a region.
• The laboratory developed a technology for monitoring volcanic, seismic and landscape hazards from
space.
• The laboratory was able to determine the rules of
transformation of the geological environment in the modern
geoecological systems of the Sea of Okhotsk shelf zone.
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International Department
Department Staff:
Andrei V. Grebennikov, Dr.,
Head of Department
Valentina A. Piskunova, Senior Interpreter
Inessa G. Strelchenko, Leading Interpreter
Valentina I. Nikiforova, Technician
Contacts:
Tel: +7-4232-317591
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
The International Department co-ordinates the international activities of FEGI scientists, including:
The International Department is an independent unit
of the Institute. It operates under the immediate supervision of the Director. The International Department
is instrumental in the intense development of Far East
Geological Institute (FEGI) co-operation with foreign
scientific organizations that results in an increasing
number of international agreements signed by the Institute. Moreover, every year FEGI scientists expand their
contacts with colleagues from other countries; foreign
scientists now visit the Institute more often, and more
of our experts travel abroad.
• systematizing information concerning the international activities of FEGI;
• organizing and conducting international meetings,
conferences, and workshops;
• coordinating the preparation of reports about the
Institute's international activities;
• consulting employees in compiling, registering and
realizing international agreements;
The department was founded by Lidia I. Kovbas who
had worked in the Institute for twenty years. Thanks to
her professional skills and personal charm, the Institute
managed to gain international standing and has become
a respected scientific organization in the Russian Far
East. Following the untimely passing of L.I. Kovbas,
V.P. Nechaev and S.V. Vysotsky consolidated the
department’s position and significantly extended its field
of interest.
• searching for international projects of interest to
FEGI researchers and identifying international sources
of funding for scientific projects.
The International Department also performs the
following operations:
• represents FEGI interests in certain Russian governmental bodies, including the Far Eastern Customs Headquarters, and the Regional Branch of Foreign Ministry;
in addition to various international organizations;
• provides assistance with the translation of various
kinds of print material: government documents, patent
descriptions, references, international correspondence,
as well as materials from conferences, meetings, and
workshops;
• prepares annotations and summaries of foreign
scientific publications;
• prepares visa documents to make possible travel to
Russia for invited foreign experts, and prepares documents
to facilitate foreign travel by FEGI scientists.
The staff of the International Department is always
ready to step forward with help and assistance.
Andrei V. Grebennikov
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Economic Planning Office. Personnel Department
Accounting Department. Chancery Office
Maintenance and Supply Department
Back row: Tatiana N. Samokish, Engineer of Personnel Department; Tatiana V. Fedorovskaya, Chief Economist;
Ludmila V. Bystrushkina, Leading Engineer; Vladimir I. Bityukov, Master Mechanic; Tatiana I. Leontieva, Main
Specialist to Labor Protection; Elena V. Solomakha, Deputy Chief Accountant; Tatiana N. Belikova, Leading Accountant; Svetlana N. Bondar, Leading Accountant; Tatiana N. Kamynina, Leading Accountant
Front row: Ol’ga V. Kasatkina, Secretary-Referent; Tatiana I. Karchevskaya, Engineer of Chancery Office; Elena A.
Konovalova, Leading Accountant; Maria A. Ushkova, Leading Engineer of Supply Department; Galina S. Sorokovykh,
Chief of Security Service Office; Anna I. Striyuk, Chief of Personnel Department
• The Economic Planning Office and Accounting
Department oversees financial and economical activities of the Institute and controls the studied application
of material, manpower, and financial resources of the
Institute.
• The Personnel Department is responsible for salary
concerns, and personnel management.
• The Chancery Office has a number of important
duties, including:
– timely handling of incoming and outgoing correspondence, and its delivery to the point of destination;
– record keeping, as well as maintaining and filing
correspondence with different organizations;
– systematic control and facilitating documentation
necessary to operations of the Institute.
• The Maintenance and Supply Department ensures
that the Institute’s infrastructure is kept in good condition
and is responsible for the routine upkeep and repair of
the Institute’s premises and equipment. The Maintenance
and Supply Department supplies the Institute with all the
necessary material resources.
Specialists of these departments are involved with
a wide circle of responsibilities as outlined below.
Mikhail I. Kuts, Leading Engineer; Natalia V. Khmelnitskaya, Leading Engineer; Alexander S. Khapersky,
Chief of Supply Department
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