This thesis examines the bioleaching of six different Canadian nickel sulphide ores at pH levels above what is generally considered optimum (~ 2). The majority of work discussed in this thesis was conducted with a low-grade metamorphosed ultramafic nickel sulphide ore from Manitoba, Canada (Ore 3), which is not currently exploitable with conventional technologies. The ore contains 21% magnesium and 0.3% nickel. Nickel is the only significant metal value, and is present primarily as pentlandite. A substantial fraction of the magnesium is present as the serpentine mineral lizardite, making processing difficult with conventional pyro- and biohydrometallurgical techniques. The work with this ore has two equally important objectives: to minimize magnesium mobilization and to obtain an acceptable level of nickel extraction. Batch stirred-tank bioleaching experiments were conducted with finely ground ore ( 147 µm) with temperature and pH control. The first phase of experimentation examined the effect of pH (2 to 6) at 30 °C, and the second phase examined all combinations of three pH levels (3, 4 and 5) and five temperatures (5, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 °C).

This thesis examines the bioleaching of six different Canadian nickel sulphide ores at pH levels above what is generally considered optimum (~ 2). The majority of work discussed in this thesis was conducted with a low-grade metamorphosed ultramafic nickel sulphide ore from Manitoba, Canada (Ore 3), which is not currently exploitable with conventional technologies. The ore contains 21% magnesium and 0.3% nickel. Nickel is the only significant metal value, and is present primarily as pentlandite. A substantial fraction of the magnesium is present as the serpentine mineral lizardite, making processing difficult with conventional pyro- and biohydrometallurgical techniques. The work with this ore has two equally important objectives: to minimize magnesium mobilization and to obtain an acceptable level of nickel extraction. Batch stirred-tank bioleaching experiments were conducted with finely ground ore ( 147 µm) with temperature and pH control. The first phase of experimentation examined the effect of pH (2 to 6) at 30 °C, and the second phase examined all combinations of three pH levels (3, 4 and 5) and five temperatures (5, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 °C).

This study explores the possibility of utilizing bioleaching techniques for nickel extraction from a mixed sulfide ore deposit with high magnesium content. Due to the ultramafic nature of this material, well-studied bioleaching technologies, which rely on acidophilic bacteria, will lead to undesirable processing conditions. This is the first work that incorporates nitrate-dependent bacteria under pH 6.5 environments for bioleaching of base metals. Experiments with both defined bacterial strains and indigenous mixed bacterial cultures were conducted with nitrate as the electron acceptor and sulfide minerals as electron donors in a series of microcosm studies. Nitrate consumption, sulfate production, and Ni released into the aqueous phase were used to track the extent of oxidative sulfide mineral dissolution; taxonomic identification of the mixed culture community was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Nitrate-dependent microcosms that contained indigenous sulfur- and/or iron-oxidizing microorganisms were cultured, characterized, and provided a proof-of-concept basis for further bioleaching studies.

The South Manasan ultramafic intrusion (ca. 1880 Ma) located in the Early Proterozoic Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) contains Ni and platinum group element (PGE) mineralization hosted by disseminated sulfide. Whole-rock Ni values range from 0.3 to 1.7 wt. % and total precious metals (TPMs) range from 0 to 1.3 ppm Pt + Pd + Au and equate to tenor values (i.e., metal in 100% sulfide) of 11-39 wt. % Ni and 8-27 ppm TPMs. The South Manasan intrusion is a steeply dipping sill-like body with a boudinaged outline having a strike length of approximately 1200 m, average width of 125 m and a minimum depth extent of 1000 m. The intrusion is composed of approximately 25% fresh dunite, 50% serpentine altered dunite and 25% tectonized and carbonate altered dunite. The most intense alteration is found near the intrusion’s margin where it is in contact with metasedimentary rocks of the Pipe Formation, part of the surrounding Ospwagan Group. In fresh dunite the sulfide assemblage characterized by an intercumulate texture is dominated by pentlandite with accessory pyrite; the latter having a symplectic-like texture. The pentlandite-pyrite assemblage in the serpentinized dunite, although still characterized overall by an intercumlate-texture, has well developed platy intergrowths with chlorite and serpentine. In the most intensely modified unit (the carbonate altered dunite) the sulfide assemblage consists primarily of pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Whole-rock geochemical data (n=360), modal mineralogy and mineral chemistry obtained on representative drill core throughout the South Manasan intrusion have been used to establish a type section in order to evaluate the relative roles of primary magmatic versus secondary (i.e., serpentinization, carbonate alteration and deformation) processes. These data indicate that the primary silicate-sulfide assemblage was systematically modified during : serpentinization, carbonate alteration and deformation of the South Manasan intrusion such that a sequence of primary versus secondary events can be established. Intrusion of the original komatiitic magma and formation of the South Manasan intrusion took place at a shallow level into consolidated Ospwagan Group sediments with subsequent contamination of this melt with crustal S. This triggered sulfide saturation and generation of an immiscible sulfide melt. Calculated Ni and TPM tenor values constrain the R factor to between 500 and 2500. The early crystallization of olivine inhibited the sulfide melt from settling to the bottom of the magma column and as a consequence, the sulfides now have a primary interstitial magmatic texture. The current sulfide association dominated by pentlandite>>pyrite>chalcopyrite has a mineral paragenesis that is consistent with subsolidus re-equilibration of a primary pentlanditepyrrhotite- chalcopyrite assemblage. The subsequent processes of serpentinization, deformation and carbonate alteration resulted in modifying the primary sulfide assemblages and their textures (i.e., to platy habits), but did not greatly alter the bulk composition, in particular metal contents, except for addition of volatiles (H2O, CO2). It is concluded therefore that the enrichment of the sulfide assemblage at South Manasan in Ni and PGEs is a consequence of a primary magmatic process involving high R factor and that the effects of later overprinting processes (alteration, deformation) are not responsible for the presently observed high-tenor sulfide association.

This thesis examines the bioleaching of six different Canadian nickel sulphide ores at pH levels above what is generally considered optimum (~ 2). The majority of work discussed in this thesis was conducted with a low-grade metamorphosed ultramafic nickel sulphide ore from Manitoba, Canada (Ore 3), which is not currently exploitable with conventional technologies. The ore contains 21% magnesium and 0.3% nickel. Nickel is the only significant metal value, and is present primarily as pentlandite. A substantial fraction of the magnesium is present as the serpentine mineral lizardite, making processing difficult with conventional pyro- and biohydrometallurgical techniques. The work with this ore has two equally important objectives: to minimize magnesium mobilization and to obtain an acceptable level of nickel extraction. Batch stirred-tank bioleaching experiments were conducted with finely ground ore ( 147 µm) with temperature and pH control. The first phase of experimentation examined the effect of pH (2 to 6) at 30 °C, and the second phase examined all combinations of three pH levels (3, 4 and 5) and five temperatures (5, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 °C).

The Bay of Islands Ophiolitic Complex (BOIC) is one of most well preserved and well-exposed ophiolites in the world. The BOIC consist of four massifs; these are the Table Mountain (TBL), North Arm Mountain (NAM), Blow-Me-Down Mountain (BMD) and Lewis Hills massifs. Proposed geological environments of the BOIC in Newfoundland are diverse; ranging from oceanic spreading ridge to supra-subduction setting. The BOIC has a complete ophiolite sequence as defined at the Penrose Conference (Anonymous, 1972) including ultramafic mantle rocks, ultramafic to gabbroic cumulate rocks, sheeted dikes, pillowed basaltic rocks and capping sedimentary rocks in structurally ascending order. We studied harzburgite and overlying massive dunite in the BOIC. Harzburgite is generally medium-grained, and contains olivine, orthopyroxene, Cr-spinel, clinopyroxene and rare sulfide minerals. Harzburgite is massive to strongly deformed, with local development of mylonitic shear zones. A foliation and lineation are defined by elongated and fragmented grains of orthopyroxene and Cr-spinel. Dikes, sills, veins, and irregularly-shaped bodies of dunite and pyroxenite are present throughout the harzburgite unit. Dunite is the predominant lithology of the Blow-Me-Down Mountain. It is typically fine- to medium-grained, massive, and contains minor Cr-spinel and rare sulfide minerals. Dunite contains olivine, Cr-spinel and minor pyroxenes in some samples. Olivine crystals are commonly partly replaced by serpentine along fractures and in outer rims. Bulk rock and mineral composition data suggest that harzburgites are mild to highly refractory mantle residues after partial melting. In contrast all dunite samples show a cumulate geochemical signature from a mafic melt that originated from highly refractory mantle peridotites. Our study suggest that the harzburgite in the BOIC originally formed as oceanic lithosphere at a slow spreading ridge, possibly in the vicinity of active arc systems, whereas the parental melt for dunites formed in subduction setting. The second part of this study measured trace element compositions for olivine, Cr-spinel and bulk rock of dunite. The measured bulk rock compositions are compared to those of calculated based on mineral chemistry and their abundance. This comparison suggests that the trapped melt fraction was negligible during the crystallization of the dunites. The calculated melt compositions for the dunites confirm that the melt formed in subduction setting.

A ambiência geotectônica das rochas máfico-ultramáficas do sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico é, de uma maneira geral, pouco conhecida. A maioria dos trabalhos desta porção cratônica está enfocada nos estudos geocronológicos em granitóides, de modo que pouco se sabe sobre a origem e significado tectônico destas rochas. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa buscou contribuir para o conhecimento da evolução geotectônica do sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico, através da caracterização de um complexo ofiolítico Mesoproterozóico, correspondente ao Complexo Trincheira, de idade Calimiana. Desta forma, uma nova proposta de modelo tectônico é aqui apresentada, a qual explica muitas das características anteriormente enigmáticas da história Pré-cambriana desta área-chave e possibilita outras alternativas para a reconstrução do supercontinente Columbia. O ofiolito Trincheira é composto de rochas extrusivas (anfibolitos derivados de basaltos maciços e almofadados), intrusivas máfico-ultramáficas, chert, formação ferrífera bandada, pelitos, psamitos e pequena proporção de rochas cálcio-silicáticas. A composição geoquímica das rochas extrusivas e intrusivas máfico-ultramáficas mostra semelhanças com os basaltos toleiíticos modernos, as quais possuem moderado a forte fracionamento de elementos terras-raras leves, padrão quase horizontal dos elementos terras-raras pesados e moderada a forte anomalia negativa dos elementos de alto campo de força (especialmente Nb), uma assinatura geoquímica típica de zona de subducção. As unidades basais do ofiolito Trincheira são quimicamente similares aos modernos basaltos de cadeia meso-oceânica (MORB). Esse comportamento químico muda para as unidades de topo as quais apresentam uma assinatura similar aos toleiítos de arco-de- ilha (IAT). Portanto, o ofiolito Trincheira deve ter sido originado em um ambiente intra-oceânico de supra-subducção composto de um sistema de arco/retro-arco. Os dados isotópicos de Sm, Nd e Sr para essas rochas indicam valores iniciais de Nd de moderados a altamente positivos (+2.6 a +8.8) e muito baixa razão inicial de 87Sr/86Sr (0,7013 – 0,7033), sugerindo que esses magmas foram originados a partir de uma fonte mantélica empobrecida e nada ou fracamente contaminados por componentes de subducção. O complexo ofiolítico foi deformado, metassomatizado e metamorfisado durante o desenvolvimento da Faixa Móvel Guaporé, um orógeno acrescionário-colisional Mesoproterozóico (1,47-1,35 Ba), constituído pela zona de sutura Guaporé, a qual une o Cráton Amazônico com o Bloco Paraguá. A fase colisional que marca o encaixe final dessas duas massas continentais ocorreu por volta de 1,35 Ba, onde o metamorfismo atingiu temperaturas entre 780 a 853°C nos granulitos máficos e 680 a 720°C nos anfibolitos, com pressão média de 6,8 kbar. A sutura Guaporé foi reativada no final do Mesoproterozóico e evoluiu para a abertura de um rift intracontinental, com a sedimentação das rochas dos Grupos Nova Brasilândia e Aguapeí, o qual marca a fragmentação final do supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1,3-1,2 Ba. Granulitos máficos, anfibolitos e trondhjemitos da porção meridional do Cinturão Nova Brasilândia, representativos da última fase compressional que afetou o sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico, forneceram idades U-Pb de 1110 Ma, as quais datam o metamorfismo de alto grau e o fechamento do rift, processo resultante da acresção do microcontinente Arequipa-Antofalla ao Cráton Amazônico. Portanto, a fragmentação do supercontinente Columbia foi seguida rapidamente pela aglomeração de outras massas continentais, formando o supercontinente Rodínia, por volta de 1100 Ma. / The tectonic framework of the ultramafic-mafic rocks of the southwestern Amazon Craton is generally little known. Most of work this cratonic portion is focused on the geochronological studies of granitoids, so that little is known about the origin and tectonic significance of these rocks. In this context, this study contributes to the knowledge of the tectonic evolution of the southwestern Amazon Craton, through the characterization of a Mesoproterozoic ophiolitic complex, corresponding to the Trincheira Complex of Calymmian age, and propose a tectonic model that explains many previously enigmatic features of the Precambrian history of this key craton, and discuss its role in the reconstruction of the Columbia supercontinent. The complex comprises extrusive rocks (fine-grained amphibolites derived from massive and pillowed basalts), mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks, chert, banded iron formation, pelites, psammitic and a smaller proportion of calc-silicate rocks. The geochemical composition of the extrusive and intrusive rocks indicates that all noncumulus mafic-ultramafic rocks are tholeiitic basalts. These rocks display moderately to strongly fractionation of light rare earth elements (LREE), near-flat heavy rare earth elements (HREE) patterns and moderate to strong negative high field strength elements (HFSE) anomalies (especially Nb), a geochemical signature typical of subduction zones. The lowest units of the Trincheira ophiolite are similar to the modern mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). This behavior changes to an island arc tholeiites (IAT) signature in the upper units of the Trincheira ophiolite. Therefore, the Trincheira ophiolite appears to have originated in an intraoceanic supra-subduction setting composed of an arc-back-arc system. Mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Trincheira ophiolites display moderate to highly positive initial Nd values of +2.6 to +8.8 and very low values for the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.7013 - 0.7033). It is suggested that these magmas originated from a depleted mantle source, which experienced low degree of contamination by variable subduction components. The ophiolitic sequence was deformed, metasomatized and metamorphosed during the development of the Alto Guaporé Belt, a Mesoproterozoic accretionary-collisional orogen that represents the Guaporé suture zone. Metamorphism was pervasive and reached temperatures of 780-853°C in mafic granulites and 680-720°C in amphibolites under an overall pressure of 6.8 kbar. The Guaporé suture zone is defined by the ESE–WNW trending mafic-ultramafic belt formed during a Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.47-1.43 Ga) accretionary phase, and overprinted by upper amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism during collisional phase in the Ectasian (~1.35 Ga), which mark the docking final of the Amazon craton and Paraguá Block. This suture was reactivated and evolved from the development of an intracontinental rift environment, represented by Nova Brasilândia and Aguapeí Groups, which mark the final breakup of the supercontinent Columbia in the late Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.3-1.2 Ga). Mafic granulites, amphibolites and trondhjemites in the northernmost portion of the Nova Brasilândia belt yield U-Pb zircon ages ca. 1110 Ma, which dates the high-grade metamorphism and the closure of the rift, due to the accretion of the Arequipa-Antofalla basement to the Amazon craton. Therefore, the breakup of supercontinent Columbia was followed in short sequence by the assembly of supercontinent Rodinia at ca. 1100 Ma.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar os processos controladores da mobilidade e concentração de níquel (Ni) em rochas ultramáficas serpentinizadas no Escudo Sul-Riograndense (ESrg), Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. A composição primária das rochas ultramáficas hospedeiras de Ni constitui um parâmetro relevante, mas os processos secundários são os controladores mais importantes dessas mineralizações, principalmente a serpentinização, pressupondo-se que o Ni possa migrar da olivina ou metamórfica para os minerais do grupo das serpentinas. Para a caracterização mineralógica e textural das rochas ultramáficas serpentinizadas da porção oeste do ESrg, foram aplicadas técnicas de petrografia e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura. Para a análise química dos elementos em rocha total foi realizada fluorescência de Raios-X, ICP e ICP-MS. Estas técnicas permitiram classificar quimicamente as rochas e relacionar a variação da intensidade dos eventos metassomáticos, metamórficos e hidrotermais que modificaram a mineralogia dos protólitos. No entanto, foram necessárias estudos de detalhe dos minerais individuais, notadamente olivinas e serpentinas com o uso da microssonda eletrônica para determinar as concentrações de Ni e suas variações nos diferentes corpos ultramáficos investigados. Dessa forma, foi possível quantificar e identificar os minerais concentradores de Ni e a relação dos eventos com a mobilidade e concentração dos elementos. Os resultados de microssonda indicam que as olivinas dos peridotitos do Maciço Pedras Pretas possuem baixos teores de níquel que variam de 0,13% a 0,21% e a média é 0,17%, enquanto que as olivinas dos harzburgitos da Sequência Cerro Mantiqueiras possuem teores mais elevados na média de 0,31%. As olivinas do Pedras Pretas possuem composição homogênea enquanto que aquelas do Cerro Mantiqueiras mostram variações composicionais importantes com conteúdo de Fo 92-98 e teores de níquel entre 0,3% e 0,4%. Tais variações no Cerro Mantiqueiras podem estar relacionadas a diferenças na composição do protólito ou a outro fator desconhecido que necessita futuras investigações. As olivinas e serpentinas no Cambaizinho e Serrinha mostram valores de níquel entre 0,19% a 0,3%, comparáveis ao Cerro Mantiqueiras, porém bem mais elevados que o Pedras Pretas. Este estudo mostra que os corpos ultramáficos do Cambaizinho- Serrinha e Cerro Mantiqueiras possuem potencial para desenvolver depósitos de Ni não sulfetado devido as concentrações relativamente elevadas de Ni nas olivinas. Entretanto, tais depósitos não se desenvolveram devido a dois fatores principais: o primeiro está ligado à superposição de eventos de metamorfismo e deformação recorrentes no tempo e no espaço que propiciaram a mobilização do Ni; o segundo fator é atribuído a ausência de agentes supergênicos favoráveis para a formação de depósitos lateríticos como os observados na região norte do Brasil. / This paper investigates the processes controlling the mobility and concentration of nickel (Ni) in serpentinized ultramafic rocks in the Sul- Riograndense Shield (ESrg), Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The primary composition of the ultramafic Ni host is a relevant parameter, but the secondary processes are the almost important controllers of these mineralizations, mainly serpentinization, assuming that Ni may migrate from igneous or metamorphic olivine minerals to the group of serpentine this phase. For the mineralogical and textural characterization of the serpentinized ultramafic rocks of the western portion of ESrg, were applied techniques of petrographic and scanning electron microscopy. For chemical analysis of elements in rock whole was performed X-ray fluorescence, ICP and ICP-MS. Although these techniques allow chemically classification of rocks and relate the variation of intensity in which metasomatics, metamorphic and hydrothermal events, changed the that mineralogy of the rock, however analysis of individual mineral detail, notably olivine and serpentine minerals using the electron microprobe detail, were necessary to determine the concentrations of Ni and variations in different ultramafic bodies investigated. Thus, it was possible to quantify and identify the Ni concentrators minerals and the relationship of events with the mobility and concentration of the elements. The microprobe results indicate that the olivine of peridotite Pedras Pretas have low contents of NiO ranging from 0.13% to 0.21% and averaged 0.17%, while the olivine harzburgites Cerro Mantiqueiras have higher levels of NiO averaging 0.31%. The olivine of Pedras Pretas have a homogeneous composition as those of Cerro Mantiqueiras show important compositional variations with a content of forsterite the Fo 92-98 and NiO contents of between 0.20% and 0.40%. Such variations in Cerro Mantiqueiras may be related to differences in the composition of the protolith or another unknown factor that needs further investigation. The olivine and serpentine in Cambaizinho and Serrinha, show NiO values between 0.19 % to 0.3 %, values comparable to the Cerro Mantiqueiras, but higher than the Pedras Pretas. This study shows that the Cambaizinho, Serrinha and Cerro Mantiqueiras have the potential to develop non- sulphide Ni deposits, due high Ni concentrations in olivine. However, these deposits are not developed due two main factors: the first is linked to the superposition of events the metamorphism and deformation applicants in time and space, that enabled the Ni mobilization; the second factor is attributed to lack preservation of profiles suitable for the Ni concentration, due to uplift and erosion lateritic subsequent.

Le fonctionnement et la structure hydrogéologiques des aquifères de socle des granites et des gneiss sont aujourd'hui relativement bien compris. En revanche, dans cet ensemble, les aquifères dans les péridotites sont très peu étudiés et mal compris. Dans ce contexte, les massifs obductés de Nouvelle-Calédonie présentent un laboratoire naturel exceptionnel pour améliorer la connaissance de cet hydrosystème original en contexte tropical. Ainsi l'objectif du présent travail de thèse est d'approfondir la connaissance de la structure et du fonctionnement hydrogéologiques de ces massifs. L'analyse porte d’abord sur le manteau d'altération constitué de la cuirasse, des latérites, des saprolites grossières et du saprock. Plus de 60 essais hydrauliques sont menés sur les massifs de péridotites et les résultats sont compilés aux données existantes. La conductivité hydraulique moyenne des latérites est évaluée à 1.10-7 m/s et celle des saprolites grossières et du saprock à 8.10-7 m/s. L'hétérogénéité de cet horizon altéré est marquée par une gamme de variation de la conductivité hydraulique sur six ordres de grandeur et l'analyse piézométrique met en évidence des connexions hydrauliques avec le substratum fracturé profond. Le substratum est ensuite considéré. L'étude de la fracturation est réalisée à partir de mesures structurales sur affleurement et de la description de près de 1000 m de carottes de forages. L'analyse de la fracturation met en évidence l'importance du réseau serpentineux par sa densité d’une part, et par son lien avec l'altération supergène d'autre part. De plus, il est vérifié que la conductivité hydraulique du substratum diminue avec la profondeur. Cette variation est liée à la diminution de la densité de fractures altérées. Ainsi, à l'issue de ces analyses, la structure des massifs de péridotites est définie. Un réseau primaire de fractures d’espacement décimétrique lié au réseau serpentineux préstructure les péridotites. Sur ce réseau se surimpose un réseau de fractures dont l'espacement est décamétrique et caractérisé par une altération supergène. Les fractures altérées présentent localement de fortes conductivités hydrauliques, de l'ordre de 10-5 m/s. En profondeur l'espacement des fractures est hectométrique et les fractures sont majoritairement fermées, scellées par les minéraux néoformés ou par l'effet de la pression lithostatique. Les réseaux de fractures déca et hectométriques, visibles également sur l'effet d’échelle de la conductivité hydraulique, sont majoritairement verticaux, développés par instabilité de dissolution lors des processus d’altération. Cependant, des structures à faible pendage existent également et permettent la percolation du réseau. Enfin, à partir de ces nouveaux résultats et de l’intégration de l'ensemble des données acquises sur les différents massifs, un modèle de structure et de fonctionnement hydrogéologiques est proposé à l'échelle du massif. Ce modèle comprend l'horizon des latérites qui constitue un aquitard homogène sous lequel se développe l'aquifère dont l'épaisseur est de l'ordre de cinquante mètres. Le substratum est discrétisé en trois couches dont la conductivité hydraulique décroît de 2.10-7 à 2.10-8 m/s entre 50 m et 250 m environ sous le mur de l'aquifère. Les modèles numériques construits permettent de valider le modèle conceptuel unitaire et montrent que l'état de saturation des massifs est contraint par leur géomorphologie. Au terme de ce travail, plusieurs aspects doivent encore être approfondis. Le rôle hydrogéologique de la cuirasse doit être précisé et considéré dans le modèle hydrogéologique. Enfin, compte tenu du développement possible de structures très perméables, voire pseudo-karstiques, la connaissance de la distribution des structures drainantes doit être améliorée. Les résultats appliqués de ce travail de recherche sont exposés dans un rapport final et un guide méthodologique livrés dans le cadre du projet CNRT « HYPERK ». / Water resources of hard-rock (gneisses or granites) aquifers have significantly been studied in the past two decades. The hydrogeological behavior and structure of these aquifers are thus relatively well understood. On the other hand, aquifers in mantle-type basements, such as peridotites, are poorly studied and understood, mainly because they are not common and of limited extent. In this context, New Caledonia is a great laboratory offering unique opportunity to improve the knowledge of these original types of hydrosystems in tropical climate. Thus, the objective of this thesis is to improve the knowledge of these aquifer systems within weathered peridotites. Firstly, the study focuses on the characterization of the weathered layers of the peridotites composed of, from top to bottom, iron oxides/ferricrete, laterite, coarse saprolite and saprock (ie. top of the bedrock, with up to 20 % of weathered material). More than 60 hydraulic tests are performed and results were compiled with existing data. Mean hydraulic conductivity (K) of laterites is estimated around 1.10-7 m/s while mean value in coarse saprolites and saprock is around 8.10-7 m/s. Heterogeneity of this altered layer is high; K varies between six orders of magnitude and hydraulic head data analysis reveals a hydraulic connection with the deep fractured bedrock. Secondly, the fresh rock part of peridotites is studied. Fracture network analysis is derived from outcrop structural measurements and from the description of about 1000 m of cumulated borehole cores. This work highlights the importance of serpentine network, because of its high density and its critical impact on weathering. Moreover, the observations reveal that hydraulic conductivity decreases with depth within the substratum, due to the vertical decrease of weathered fractures density. These new results allow defining a structural framework of the massifs. It is characterized by a primary decimetrical fracture network closely related to the serpentine network. This network is overprinted by a secondary weathering network which reveals decametric spacing (ca. 30 m) and in places K values of 10-5 m/s. At depth, spacing is hectometrical and fractures are sealed by lithostatic pressure and/or subsequent mineral precipitations. These deca- and hectometric fracture networks, which are also visible on the scale effect of hydraulic conductivity, are primarily vertical and are the result of dissolution instabilities occurring during weathering processes. However, low- angle fractures do occur and allow the percolation of the network. Finally, on the basis of these new results and the integration of all existing data from different massifs a new hydrogeological conceptual model is proposed at the scale of a massif. The model includes a homogeneous lateritic aquitard and a coarse saprolite and saprock aquifer which is about 50 m thick. The bedrock is subdivided into three layers whose hydraulic conductivity decreases from 2.10-7 m/s to 2.10-8 m/s, respectively 50 and 250 m below the aquifer base. Numerical modelling validates this unitary conceptual model and reveals that the saturation of the massifs depends on their morphology. At last, several aspects require further research. The role of the ferricrete layer must be specified and considered in the hydrological model. Moreover, distribution of the fracture network remains to be fully addressed and should be studied with care given the potential development of highly permeable structures that could conform to pseudo-karstic drains. The applied results of this work are available in a “Technical guide” and a “Technical report” of the “HYPERK” CNRT Project.

A ambiência geotectônica das rochas máfico-ultramáficas do sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico é, de uma maneira geral, pouco conhecida. A maioria dos trabalhos desta porção cratônica está enfocada nos estudos geocronológicos em granitóides, de modo que pouco se sabe sobre a origem e significado tectônico destas rochas. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa buscou contribuir para o conhecimento da evolução geotectônica do sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico, através da caracterização de um complexo ofiolítico Mesoproterozóico, correspondente ao Complexo Trincheira, de idade Calimiana. Desta forma, uma nova proposta de modelo tectônico é aqui apresentada, a qual explica muitas das características anteriormente enigmáticas da história Pré-cambriana desta área-chave e possibilita outras alternativas para a reconstrução do supercontinente Columbia. O ofiolito Trincheira é composto de rochas extrusivas (anfibolitos derivados de basaltos maciços e almofadados), intrusivas máfico-ultramáficas, chert, formação ferrífera bandada, pelitos, psamitos e pequena proporção de rochas cálcio-silicáticas. A composição geoquímica das rochas extrusivas e intrusivas máfico-ultramáficas mostra semelhanças com os basaltos toleiíticos modernos, as quais possuem moderado a forte fracionamento de elementos terras-raras leves, padrão quase horizontal dos elementos terras-raras pesados e moderada a forte anomalia negativa dos elementos de alto campo de força (especialmente Nb), uma assinatura geoquímica típica de zona de subducção. As unidades basais do ofiolito Trincheira são quimicamente similares aos modernos basaltos de cadeia meso-oceânica (MORB). Esse comportamento químico muda para as unidades de topo as quais apresentam uma assinatura similar aos toleiítos de arco-de- ilha (IAT). Portanto, o ofiolito Trincheira deve ter sido originado em um ambiente intra-oceânico de supra-subducção composto de um sistema de arco/retro-arco. Os dados isotópicos de Sm, Nd e Sr para essas rochas indicam valores iniciais de Nd de moderados a altamente positivos (+2.6 a +8.8) e muito baixa razão inicial de 87Sr/86Sr (0,7013 – 0,7033), sugerindo que esses magmas foram originados a partir de uma fonte mantélica empobrecida e nada ou fracamente contaminados por componentes de subducção. O complexo ofiolítico foi deformado, metassomatizado e metamorfisado durante o desenvolvimento da Faixa Móvel Guaporé, um orógeno acrescionário-colisional Mesoproterozóico (1,47-1,35 Ba), constituído pela zona de sutura Guaporé, a qual une o Cráton Amazônico com o Bloco Paraguá. A fase colisional que marca o encaixe final dessas duas massas continentais ocorreu por volta de 1,35 Ba, onde o metamorfismo atingiu temperaturas entre 780 a 853°C nos granulitos máficos e 680 a 720°C nos anfibolitos, com pressão média de 6,8 kbar. A sutura Guaporé foi reativada no final do Mesoproterozóico e evoluiu para a abertura de um rift intracontinental, com a sedimentação das rochas dos Grupos Nova Brasilândia e Aguapeí, o qual marca a fragmentação final do supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1,3-1,2 Ba. Granulitos máficos, anfibolitos e trondhjemitos da porção meridional do Cinturão Nova Brasilândia, representativos da última fase compressional que afetou o sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico, forneceram idades U-Pb de 1110 Ma, as quais datam o metamorfismo de alto grau e o fechamento do rift, processo resultante da acresção do microcontinente Arequipa-Antofalla ao Cráton Amazônico. Portanto, a fragmentação do supercontinente Columbia foi seguida rapidamente pela aglomeração de outras massas continentais, formando o supercontinente Rodínia, por volta de 1100 Ma. / The tectonic framework of the ultramafic-mafic rocks of the southwestern Amazon Craton is generally little known. Most of work this cratonic portion is focused on the geochronological studies of granitoids, so that little is known about the origin and tectonic significance of these rocks. In this context, this study contributes to the knowledge of the tectonic evolution of the southwestern Amazon Craton, through the characterization of a Mesoproterozoic ophiolitic complex, corresponding to the Trincheira Complex of Calymmian age, and propose a tectonic model that explains many previously enigmatic features of the Precambrian history of this key craton, and discuss its role in the reconstruction of the Columbia supercontinent. The complex comprises extrusive rocks (fine-grained amphibolites derived from massive and pillowed basalts), mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks, chert, banded iron formation, pelites, psammitic and a smaller proportion of calc-silicate rocks. The geochemical composition of the extrusive and intrusive rocks indicates that all noncumulus mafic-ultramafic rocks are tholeiitic basalts. These rocks display moderately to strongly fractionation of light rare earth elements (LREE), near-flat heavy rare earth elements (HREE) patterns and moderate to strong negative high field strength elements (HFSE) anomalies (especially Nb), a geochemical signature typical of subduction zones. The lowest units of the Trincheira ophiolite are similar to the modern mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). This behavior changes to an island arc tholeiites (IAT) signature in the upper units of the Trincheira ophiolite. Therefore, the Trincheira ophiolite appears to have originated in an intraoceanic supra-subduction setting composed of an arc-back-arc system. Mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Trincheira ophiolites display moderate to highly positive initial Nd values of +2.6 to +8.8 and very low values for the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.7013 - 0.7033). It is suggested that these magmas originated from a depleted mantle source, which experienced low degree of contamination by variable subduction components. The ophiolitic sequence was deformed, metasomatized and metamorphosed during the development of the Alto Guaporé Belt, a Mesoproterozoic accretionary-collisional orogen that represents the Guaporé suture zone. Metamorphism was pervasive and reached temperatures of 780-853°C in mafic granulites and 680-720°C in amphibolites under an overall pressure of 6.8 kbar. The Guaporé suture zone is defined by the ESE–WNW trending mafic-ultramafic belt formed during a Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.47-1.43 Ga) accretionary phase, and overprinted by upper amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism during collisional phase in the Ectasian (~1.35 Ga), which mark the docking final of the Amazon craton and Paraguá Block. This suture was reactivated and evolved from the development of an intracontinental rift environment, represented by Nova Brasilândia and Aguapeí Groups, which mark the final breakup of the supercontinent Columbia in the late Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.3-1.2 Ga). Mafic granulites, amphibolites and trondhjemites in the northernmost portion of the Nova Brasilândia belt yield U-Pb zircon ages ca. 1110 Ma, which dates the high-grade metamorphism and the closure of the rift, due to the accretion of the Arequipa-Antofalla basement to the Amazon craton. Therefore, the breakup of supercontinent Columbia was followed in short sequence by the assembly of supercontinent Rodinia at ca. 1100 Ma.