Partitioning of trace elements in co-crystallized sphalerite–galena–chalcopyrite hydrothermal ores

George, Luke L.; Cook, Nigel J.; Ciobanu, Cristiana L.

doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2016.02.009

Cited by 176 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 73 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The tetrahedrite in this sample co-crystallized with the most Hg-rich sphalerite of any sample here, implying a particularly Hg-rich crystallization environment. Thus, excluding this one sample, the highest Hg concentrations are present in tetrahedrite-tennantite, crystallizing without sphalerite or galena, which is in close agreement with Hg partitioning trends outlined in George et al (2016) [30], where sphalerite is the preferred Hg host in BMS assemblages.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Textural evidence suggests that these assemblages co-crystallized at equilibrium (~120 • triple-junctions between sulphides; see Figure 2). The trace element partitioning rules for BMS outlined in George et al (2016) [30] were employed as an additional check for assessing BMS co-crystallization. Thus through trace element analysis of the sulphides in each co-crystallized assemblage, the preferred partitioning of trace elements can be determined for a BMS assemblage comprising tetrahedrite-tennantite.…”

Section: Approach and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…LA-ICP-MS instrumentation and analytical procedures followed those given in George et al (2016) [30] and George et al (in press) [72]. A Resonetics M-50-LR 193 nm Excimer laser (Resonetics, Nashua, NH, USA) and an Agilent 7700cx Quadrupole ICP mass spectrometer (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA) were used for the LA-ICP-MS analysis of tetrahedrite-tennantite (Adelaide Microscopy, The University of Adelaide).…”

Section: Approach and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Electronic Appendix B shows the range of minimum detection limits and mean errors for the trace elements analysed. Electronic Appendix C shows the full tetrahedrite-tennantite LA-ICP-MS dataset, as well as the data for co-existing sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite also analysed in each sample according to methodology outlined in George et al, (2016) [30]. The external standard used was MASS-1 (previously PS-1; [73]), utilizing the latest certificate of analysis [74].…”

Section: Approach and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Firstly, we seek to understand the range of minor and trace elements which can be incorporated into natural tetrahedrite-tennantite, including those seldom reported in the literature for either natural or synthetic specimens. Secondly, we investigate how the preferred trace element partitioning trends among the common base metal sulphides (BMS) sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite outlined in George et al (2016) [30], are modified if tetrahedrite-tennantite is present in a mineral assemblage and co-crystallizes with BMS.…”

Section: Ideal Formula Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Minor and Trace Elements in Natural Tetrahedrite-Tennantite: Effects on Element Partitioning among Base Metal Sulphides

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Minerals of the tetrahedrite isotypic series are widespread components of base metal ores, where they co-exist with common base metal sulphides (BMS) such as sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. We used electron probe microanalysis and laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry to obtain quantitative multi-trace element data on tetrahedrite-tennantite in a suite of 37 samples from different deposits with the objective of understanding which trace elements can be incorporated, at what levels of concentration, and how the presence of tetrahedrite-tennantite influences patterns of trace element partitioning in base metal ores. Apart from Fe and Zn, Hg and Pb are the two most abundant divalent cations present in the analysed tetrahedrite-tennantite (up to 10.6 wt % Hg and 4 wt % Pb). Cadmium, Co and Mn are also often present at concentrations exceeding 1000 ppm. Apart from one particularly Te-rich tetrahedrite, most contained very little Te (around 1 ppm), irrespective of prevailing assemblage. Bismuth is a common minor component of tetrahedrite-tennantite (commonly > 1000 ppm). Tetrahedrite-tennantite typically hosts between 0.1 and 1000 ppm Se, while Sn concentrations are typically between 0.01 and 100 ppm. Concentrations of Ni, Ga, Mo, In, Au, and Tl are rarely, if ever, greater than 10 ppm in tetrahedrite-tennantite and measured W concentrations are consistently <1 ppm. Taking into account the trace element concentrations in co-crystallizing BMS, the results presented allow the partitioning trends between co-crystallized sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite-tennantite to be defined. In co-crystallizing BMS assemblages, tetrahedrite-tennantite will always be the primary host of Ag, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, and Sb, and will be the secondary host of Cd, Hg, and Bi. In contrast, tetrahedrite-tennantite is a poor host for the critical metals Ga, In, and Sn, all of which prefer to partition to co-crystallizing BMS. This study shows that tetrahedrite-tennantite is a significant carrier of a range of trace elements at concentrations measurable using contemporary instrumentation. This should be recognized when establishing protocols for trace element analysis of tetrahedrite-tennantite, and when assessing the main hosts of trace elements in any given assemblage, e.g., for geometallurgical purposes.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Approach and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Approach and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Approach and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ideal Formula Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Minor and Trace Elements in Natural Tetrahedrite-Tennantite: Effects on Element Partitioning among Base Metal Sulphides

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Textural, chemical, isotopic and microthermometric features of sphalerite from the Wunuer deposit, Inner Mongolia: Implications for two stages of mineralization from hydrothermal to epithermal

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Wunuer Pb-Zn-Ag-Mo deposit is a newly explored polymetallic ore deposit located in the middle segment of the Great Xing'an Range, Inner Mongolia, NE China. Three stages of mineralization, composed of an early porphyry stage, an intermediate hydrothermal (cryptoexplosive breccia) stage, and a later epithermal stage, have been identified in the Wunuer deposit. Sphalerite is one of the principal metal sulphides in both hydrothermal and epithermal stages, and thus two generations of sphalerite, with the first-generation sphalerite (Sp1) precipitated in hydrothermal stage and the second-generation sphalerite (Sp2) precipitated in epithermal stage, were discriminated. The Sp1 is generally euhedral, transparent and colour-zoned, and is usually replaced by Sp2, galena and chalcopyrite. The Sp2 is generally anhedral, opaque and black in colour. Chalcopyrite inclusions in Sp1 and Sp2 have different genetic mechanisms: chalcopyrite inclusions in Sp1 were produced by replacement as the result of interaction of sphalerite with Cu-rich fluids, while chalcopyrite inclusions in Sp2 were produced by coprecipitation of sphalerite and chalcopyrite during crystal growth. Electron probe microscope analyser and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in-situ analysis techniques have been used to obtain chemical compositions of sphalerite. The Sp1 is enriched in Cd and In, and depleted in Mn, Fe, Cu, Ag, Sb and Pb. In contrast, the Sp2 is enriched in Mn, Fe, Cu, Ag, Sb and Pb, and depleted in Cd and In. Elements of Pb, Ag, Bi and some of Fe, Cu concentrated in Sp2 are greatly attributed to micro-mineral inclusions like chalcopyrite and galena, while most elements concentrated into Sp1 are generally incorporated into crystal structure in mechanisms of direct substitution (e.g. Fe 2+ ! Zn 2+) or coupled substitution ((Cu + + In 3+) ! 2Zn 2+). In-situ sulphur isotope results reveal similar slightly positive sulphur isotope compositions (+1.55‰ to +3.33‰ δ 34 S V-CDT for Sp1, and +1.71‰ to +2.34‰ δ 34 S V-CDT for Sp2) of the two generations of sphalerite, implying a magmatic material for both Sp1 and Sp2. Fluid inclusions in molybdenite-bearing quartz vein, Sp1 and Sp2-coexisting quartz have been studied to reveal fluid temperature and salinity evolution from porphyry to hydrothermal and to epithermal stage mineralization. Primary fluid inclusions in porphyry stage quartz homogenized to a liquid phase by high homogenization temperatures (range from 385 to 416 C, with an average of 399 C), with salinities ranging from 12.4 to 25.3 wt% (average of 19.4 wt%).

show abstract

Ore genetic implications of pyrite and sphalerite compositions fromRajpura‐Daribaand ZawarmalaPb‐Zndeposits, Northwestern India

Bhuyan

Hazarika

2022

Geological Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We have studied different generations of pyrite (Py-I, II and III) and sphalerite (Sph-I, II and III), associated with ore mineralization and remobilization stages, from both the deposits. In Rajpura-Dariba, high concentrations of the majority of trace elements in syngenetic Py-I and Sph-I suggest their formation from trace element enriched hydrothermal fluid in SEDEX environment. Enrichment of lattice bound elements in Py-II (As, Co, Ni) and Sph-II (Mn, Hg and Cd) during metamorphic recrystallization of early pyrite and sphalerite indicates their local derivation from host rocks. The Pb, Tl, Ag and Sb rich Py-III and Sph-III in discordant ore indicate their crystallization from low melting-point chalcophile elements enriched sulfide melt. In Zawarmala, the trace element poor natures of diagenetic banded Py-I and Sph-I suggest that the initial ore-forming fluid was depleted in trace elements. Enrichment of trace elements in Py-II (As, Mn, Tl, Cu) and Sph-II (Mn, Hg, As, Ga) in sphalerite-pyrite vein ore signify their derivation from carbonate host rocks. The high abundance of trace elements in Py-III and Sph-III indicates their precipitation at lower temperatures from a trace element enriched hydrothermal fluid during the massive galenasphalerite ore formation. Pyrite and sphalerite from global SEDEX are trace elements enriched as compared to MVT deposits, where their compositions have remarkably correlation with host rocks. Our study highlights the influence of host rock in pyrite and sphalerite compositions and their ore genetic implications.

show abstract

Partitioning of trace elements in co-crystallized sphalerite–galena–chalcopyrite hydrothermal ores

Cited by 176 publications

References 73 publications

Minor and Trace Elements in Natural Tetrahedrite-Tennantite: Effects on Element Partitioning among Base Metal Sulphides

Minor and Trace Elements in Natural Tetrahedrite-Tennantite: Effects on Element Partitioning among Base Metal Sulphides

Textural, chemical, isotopic and microthermometric features of sphalerite from the Wunuer deposit, Inner Mongolia: Implications for two stages of mineralization from hydrothermal to epithermal

Ore genetic implications of pyrite and sphalerite compositions fromRajpura‐Daribaand ZawarmalaPb‐Zndeposits, Northwestern India

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About