This monograph reflects the results of the author's long investigation into metasomatic skarn and ore formation in dolomites. The findings are based on: the latest methods for establishing chemical composition; simulation of hydrothermal ore formation; and the isotope composition of carbon, oxygen, boron and sulfur in ores and minerals.
Part 1 Geochemistry of infiltration skarn formation in the magmatic stage with replacement of carbonate rocks: geochemical laws governing the evolution of metasomatic skarn zoning in the magmatic stage -primitive metasomatic zoning of magnesian skarns, intensity of the metasomatic alteration in dolomites and its role in forming zoning with displaced components, metasomatic zoning of rising skarn bodies, composition of carbonate rocks and its role in changing the zoning of metasomatic bodies, role of the petrochemical compositions of intrusions in the formation of metasomatic zoning, kinetics of infiltration of fluids in long-living zones of carbonate rock crushing and zoning of rhythmically banded metasomites of the magmatic stage of skarn formation; metasomatic zoning and its role in the formation of postmagmatic deposits in magnesian skarns - metasomatic zoning of magnesian skarns and its significance for solving problems of applied geochemistry, occurrence, facies, and ore content of skarns in dolomite and calcic contacts. Part 2 Postmagmatic formation of minerals and ore concentrations in magnesian skarns and dolomites: the geochemistry of early postmagmatic skarn formation - high-temperature transformations of the mineral composition in magnesian skarn of the magmatic stage, calcic-skarn replacements of magnesian skarns; formation of high-temperature mineralization at types magnesian-skarn deposits - magnetite magnesian-skarn deposits, deposits and ores of magnesian borates, deposits and ores of magnesian-ferruginous borates of the Ludwigite-Vonsenite series, the genetic position of fluoborite at boron deposits, formation of borate, boron-tin, tin, and other kinds of ores in superposed calcic skarns and skarnoids; the geochemistry and mineralogy of ores appearing in late stages at deposits of a magnesian skarn formation - greigenization processes in magnesian-skarn deposits, processes of sulfide mineralization, processes of mineral formation in the late alkaline stage. Part 3 Hypergenetic processes of ore separation: geochemistry and mineral formation in the hypogenesis zone. Part 4 Geochemistry of stable isotopes and experimental studies of postmagmatic mineral and ore formation: geochemistry of stable isotopes in skarn and ore formation processes; physicochemical conditions of formation of ore deposits in a magnesian skarn. Part 5 Geochemical fundamentals of prognosis, prospecting for, and appraisal magnesian-skarn ore deposits: regional geochemical prognosis; geochemical criteria for prospecting for and appraising quality of ores in ore fields and deposits.