The mafic-ultramafic complex of Niquelândia: stratigraphy and geochemistry

• Grant number: 09/09053-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: September 18, 2009
• End date: October 03, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Vicente Antonio Vitorio Girardi
• Grantee: Vicente Antonio Vitorio Girardi
• Host Investigator: Maurizio Mazzuchelli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena (UNIMORE), Italy

Abstract

This research is part of the project FAPESP (07/58762-2) and aims to increase the knowledge on the age, origin and evolution of the Niquelândia complex, e deals specifically with the discussion about the stratigraphy, one of most debatable problems in its literature. The mafic-ultramafic complex of Niquelândia, the most important source for nickel in Brazil is made up of two main units. The lower (LS) and the upper one (US). Several authors advogate that the two units belong to a single Neoproterozoic body, whereas according to another group of reserchers the Complex consists of two different aged intrusions: the Mesoproterozoic US and the Neoproterozoic LS. The Massif underwent severe crustal contamination, maily on the LS top and on the US base. The main goal of this study is, taking in account the contaminant compositions, is to constrain the LS-US relationship by geochemical modelling, and consequently to contribute for the elucidation of the stratigraphy of the Niquelandia Complex. (AU)