APATITE SHELLS OF THE DEVONIAN FORAMINIFERS (SAFYANOVSKY COPPER-SULPHIDE DEPOSIT, MIDDLE URAL)

Relevance of the work is due to the possibility of a detailed study of Devonian foraminifers with apatite shells and the reconstruction of specific conditions for their formation. Foraminifer shells are morphologically similar to Parathurammina aff. tamarae L. Petrova, 1981, the Eifelian-the Givetian, which were found in thin sections of samples of carboniferous and chiselly aleuropelites of the ore-bearing strata of the Safyanovsky copper-sulphide deposit (Middle Urals) for the first time. Purpose of work. Detailed study of the shells of Devonian foraminifers similar to Parathurammina aff. tamarae L. Petrova, 1981, as well as reconstruction of sedimentation conditions for carboniferous and chiselly rocks of the ore-bearing strata of the Safyanovsky copper-sulphide deposit. Research methodology. Shells were studied in thin sections of carboniferous and chiselly aleuropelite samples. The detailed study of morphology and composition of the shells was carried out using a scanning electron microscope JSM-6390LV (JEOL) with an energy-dispersive spectrometer Inca Energy 450, an electron microscope Tescan and an electron probe microanalyzer Cameca SX100. Results. Size and morphology of the shells were determined; it was also found that the walls of the shells of the studied foraminifers were represented by fluorapatite. It was assumed that initially they were calcareous, and subsequently were replaced by apatite and quartz. However, more detailed studies did not reveal traces of substitution of carbonate rock for apatite. Conclusions. Compared with Parathurammina aff. tamarae L. Petrova, 1981, shells have a reduced size and a smaller number of fauces, which can be explained by unfavorable habitats in a shallow sea basin, where carbonate sedimentation was suppressed by a significant influx of volcanic material. The presence of sulfide minerals in nucleus of shells may indicate to the specific habitat (pH of the environment, salinity of supra-bottom water) of foraminifers. Findings of fossils of green, siphon algae together with studied foraminifers indicate that formation of the original substrate took place in near-surface layers (up to 200 m) of the photic zone of seas