Geochemical stream sediment and overburden surveys of a zinc- and barium-mineralized area, Freuchen Land, central North Greenland

Abstract Two styles of Ba and Zn mineralization were revealed by a geochemical stream sediment and overburden survey in the northeastern part of Freuchen Land, central North Greenland. Stream sediments delineated a Ba- and Zn-mineralized area within a Cambrian to Silurian outer shelf and slope sequence whereas a vein-type Ba and Zn mineralization was not indicated. However, the stream sediments clearly reflect differences in the chemistry of the various bedrock units in the area. The overburden samples delineated the vein-type mineralization and indicated that the mineralization in the shelf and slope sequence is stratabound. Homogenization in the secondary environment led to a close correlation between Ba and Zn whereas there is a clear separation between the two elements in the primary environment.