Structure and general chemistry of table mountain Santa Barbara phosphates, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract

Rock-phosphates front Table Mountain Santa Barbara (Curaçao, Leeward Netherlands Antilles), were investigated in the field and by evaluating data from cores of 203 drill holes. The distribution of phosphate- and fluorine-contents and recovery were studied in detail. Arrangement of several zones of maximum mineralization suggests that phosphatization, caused by the influx of a guano-derived phosphate-brine, was mainly governed by (a) the primary stratification and other primary petrological trends, and (b) the hydrogeochemical environme nt as defined by a phreatic fresh water-salt water mixing zone. A direct relationship is suggested between the two main zones of mineralization and two specific periods of relative stable sea level during the Pleistocene.