| 1. |
- Wohlgemuth-Ueberwasser, Cora C., et al.
(författare)
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Sulfide oxidation as a process for the formation of copper rich magmatic sulfides
- 2013
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Ingår i: Mineralium Deposita. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0026-4598 .- 1432-1866. ; 48:1, s. 115-127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Typical magmatic sulfides are dominated by pyrrhotite and pentlandite with minor chalcopyrite, and the bulk atomic Cu/Fe ratio of these sulfides is typically less than unity. However, there are rare magmatic sulfide occurrences that are dominated by Cu-rich sulfides (e.g., bornite, digenite, and chalcopyrite, sometimes coexisting with metallic Cu) with atomic Cu/Fe as high as 5. Typically, these types of sulfide assemblages occur in the upper parts of moderately to highly fractionated layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions, a well-known example being the Pd/Au reef in the Upper Middle Zone of the Skaergaard intrusion. Processes proposed to explain why these sulfides are so unusually rich in Cu include fractional crystallization of Fe/(Ni) monosulfide and infiltration of postmagmatic Cu-rich fluids. In this contribution, we explore and experimentally evaluate a third possibility: that Cu-rich magmatic sulfides may be the result of magmatic oxidation. FeS-dominated Ni/Cu-bearing sulfides were equilibrated at variable oxygen fugacities in both open and closed system. Our results show that the Cu/Fe ratio of the sulfide melt increases as a function of oxygen fugacity due to the preferential conversion of FeS into FeO and FeO1.5, and the resistance of Cu2S to being converted into an oxide component even at oxygen fugacities characteristic of the sulfide/sulfate transition (above FMQ + 1). This phenomenon will lead to an increase in the metal/S ratio of a sulfide liquid and will also depress its liquidus temperature. As such, any modeling of the sulfide liquid line of descent in magmatic sulfide complexes needs to address this issue.
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| 2. |
- Mahdy, Nasser M., et al.
(författare)
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Petrogenesis of U- and Mo-bearing A(2)-type granite of the Gattar batholith in the Arabian Nubian Shield, Northeastern Desert, Egypt : Evidence for the favorability of host rocks for the origin of associated ore deposits
- 2015
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Ingår i: Ore Geology Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-1368 .- 1872-7360. ; 71, s. 57-81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hydrothermal ore deposits associated with granitic rocks are the result of combinations and series of successive processes, events and conditions in a magma system and at post-magmatic stage. The metal content of a granitic magma as well as fractional crystallization, metal-ligand complexation, emplacement mechanisms and tectonic processes influence the metal precipitation and content of a hydrothermal ore deposit. The present study of the Gattar batholith evaluates how these processes contribute to the generation of an ore deposit. Gattar batholith in the north Eastern Desert of Egypt as part of the northern region of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) is geographically, mineralogically and geochemically divided into two distinctive areas. The southern part mainly consists of syenogranite while the northern part is dominated by highly evolved alkali-feldspar granite. Uranium and Mo mineralization occurring here is mostly limited to the margin of the highly evolved alkali-feldspar granites. New U-Pb zircon geochronology within this study indicates an age of similar to 620-600 Ma, although high common Pb and discordant age data of many zircon grains reflect alteration by F-rich fluids. Some zircons with distinct older U/Pb ages were considered to be inherited from the wall rocks representing juvenile crust of the ANS. The two different granitic rocks are comagmatic in origin and have A-type characteristics generated by partial melting of lower juvenile crust of the ANS. Geochemical data are in good agreement with a magmatic origin of the alkali-feldspar granites, suggesting fractional crystallization of a syenogranitic source as the most favorable process of their formation. Petrography, geochemistry, and geochronology studies of the Gattar granites along with field observations provide evidence for multiple intrusions as a result of successive magma pulses with different chemical composition. This led to the formation of reverse zoning within the intrusive complex. This kind of magma emplacement promotes the escape of exsolved metal-bearing volatile-rich fluids into the boundary of the Hammamat Sedimentary Rocks (HSR) and Gattar granite at the northern part of the batholith. Build-up of volatiles is a common phenomenon in granitic rocks and typically results in enhanced contents of F, alkalis and ore metals released at subsolidus stage.
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| 3. |
- Marin-Carbonne, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Coupled Fe and S isotope variations in pyrite nodules from Archean shale
- 2014
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Ingår i: Earth and Planetary Science Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0012-821X .- 1385-013X. ; 392, s. 67-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Iron and sulfur isotope compositions recorded in ancient rocks and minerals such as pyrite (FeS2) have been widely used as a proxy for early microbial metabolisms and redox evolution of the oceans. However, most previous studies focused on only one of these isotopic systems. Herein, we illustrate the importance of in-situ and coupled study of Fe and S isotopes on two pyrite nodules in a c. 2.7 Ga shale from the Bubi Greenstone Belt (Zimbabwe). Fe and S isotope compositions were measured both by bulk-sample mass spectrometry techniques and by ion microprobe in-situ methods (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, SIMS). Spatially-resolved analysis across the nodules shows a large range of variations at micrometer-scale for both Fe and S isotope compositions, with delta Fe-56 and delta S-34 values from -2.1 to +0.7 parts per thousand and from -0.5 to +8.2 parts per thousand, respectively, and Delta S-33 values from -1.6 to +2.9 parts per thousand. The Fe and S isotope variations in these nodules cannot be explained by tandem operation of Dissimilatory Iron Reduction (DIR) and Bacterial Sulfate Reduction (BSR) as was previously proposed, but rather they reflect the contributions of different Fe and S sources during a complex diagenetic history. Pyrite formed from two different mineral precursors: (1) mackinawite precipitated in the water column, and (2) greigite formed in the sediment during early diagenesis. The in-situ analytical approach reveals a complex history of the pyrite nodule growth and allows us to better constrain environmental conditions during the Archean.
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| 4. |
- Pitcairn, Iain K., et al.
(författare)
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Mobility of gold during metamorphism of the Dalradian in Scotland
- 2015
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Ingår i: Lithos. - : Elsevier BV. - 0024-4937 .- 1872-6143. ; 233, s. 69-88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mobility of Au and related metals during metamorphism has been suggested to be the source of metals enriched in orogenic Au deposits. This study investigates the mobility of Au, As, and Sb during metamorphism of the Dalradian metasedimentary rocks of Scotland. The metamorphic processes in the Dalradian of Scotland are extremely well studied, and the terrane is an ideal area to investigate mobility of these metals. Our results show that of the 25 major and trace elements analysed, only Au, As, Sb, S and volatile contents as shown by loss on ignition (LOI) values show systematic variation with the metamorphic grade of the samples. Average Au concentrations decrease from 1.1 +/- 0.55 ppb and 0.72 +/- 0.34 ppb in chlorite and biotite zone rocks down to 0.4 +/- 0.22 ppb and 034 +/- 0.13 ppb in kyanite and sillimanite zone rocks. Average As concentrations decrease from 4.8 ppm (range 0.5 to 17.8 ppm) and 1.96 +/- 1.9 ppm in chlorite and biotite zone rocks down to 0.24 +/- 0.15 ppm and 0.2 +/- 0.12 ppm in kyanite and sillimanite zone rocks. Average Sb concentrations decrease from 0.18 +/- 0.15 ppm and 0.11 +/- 0.10 ppm in chlorite and biotite zone rocks down to 0.04 +/- 0.02 ppm in both kyanite and sillimanite zone rocks. Sulphur and LOI concentrations also show significant decreases. Mass balance calculations indicate that compared to chlorite and biotite zone samples, sillimanite zone samples have an average mass loss of 62 +/- 14%, 94 +/- 4% and 74 +/- 14% for Au, As, and Sb respectively. Every 1 km(3) of chlorite-biotite zone mixed psammitic-pelitic protolith rock that is metamorphosed to sillimanite zone conditions would release 1.5 t Au, 8613 t As, 270 t Sb, and 1.02 Mt S. The mobility of these elements is strongly controlled by the paragenesis of sulphide minerals. Pyrite, sphalerite, galena and cobaltite (as well as gersdorffite) decrease in abundance with increasing metamorphic grade in the Dalradian metasedimentary rocks. A critical aspect of the sulphide paragenesis is the transition of pyrite to pyrrhotite. This transition is complete by mid greenschist facies in the Loch Lomond samples but is more gradual at Glen Esk occurring between biotite and sillimanite zones. The Au, As, and Sb content of the sulphide assemblage also decreases with increasing metamorphic grade, and we suggest that this is a controlling factor on the mobility of these metals from the Dalradian metasedimentary rocks during metamorphism. Chlorite may be an important host mineral for As in the greenschist fades rocks. Breakdown of chlorite indirectly drives the mobility of Au, As, and Sb, as this produces the bulk of metamorphic fluid that drives transition between pyrite and pyrrhotite. We suggest that there is potential for significant undiscovered mineralisation in the Central and SW Highlands of Scotland. However, as the total mass of gold mobilised is lower than observed in other metasedimentary terranes such as the Otago and Alpine Schist's, New Zealand, very efficient fluid focussing and trapping mechanisms would be required to form large deposits in the Dalradian of Scotland.
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| 5. |
- Wohlgemuth-Ueberwasser, Cora C., 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Distribution and solubility limits of trace elements in hydrothermal black smoker sulfides : an in-situ LA-ICP-MS study
- 2015
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Ingår i: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-7037 .- 1872-9533. ; 159, s. 16-41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The key for understanding the trace metal inventory of currently explored VHMS deposits lies in the understanding of trace element distribution during the formation of these deposits on the seafloor. Recrystallization processes already occurring at the seafloor might liberate trace elements to later hydrothermal alteration and removement. To investigate the distribution and redistribution of trace elements we analyzed sulfide minerals from 27 black smoker samples derived from three different seafloor hydrothermal fields: the ultramafic-hosted Logatchev hydrothermal field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the basaltic-hosted Turtle Pits field on the mid-atlantic ridge, and the felsic-hosted PACMANUS field in the Manus basin (Papua New Guinea). The sulfide samples were analyzed by mineral liberation analyser for the modal abundances of sulfide minerals, by electron microprobe for major elements and by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for As, Sb, Se, Te, and Au. The samples consist predominantly of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite, galena and minor isocubanite as well as inclusions of tetrahedrite–tennantite. Laser ablation spectra were used to evaluate the solubility limits of trace elements in different sulfide minerals at different textures. The solubility of As, Sb, and Au in pyrite decreases with increasing degree of recrystallization. When solubility limits are reached these elements occur as inclusions in the different sulfide phases or they are expelled from the mineral phase. Most ancient VHMS deposits represent felsic or bimodal felsic compositions. Samples from the felsic-hosted PACMANUS hydrothermal field at the Pual ridge (Papua New Guinea) show high concentrations of Pb, As, Sb, Bi, Hg, and Te, which is likely the result of an additional trace element contribution derived from magmatic volatiles. Co-precipitating pyrite and chalcopyrite are characterized by equal contents of Te, while chalcopyrite that replaced pyrite (presumably during black smoker growth) is enriched in Te relative to pyrite. These higher Te concentrations may be related to higher fluid temperature.
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| 6. |
- Wohlgemuth-Ueberwasser, Cora C., et al.
(författare)
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LA-Q-ICP-MS apatite U/Pb geochronology using common Pb in plagioclase : Examples from layered mafic intrusions
- 2017
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Ingår i: American Mineralogist. - : Mineralogical Society of America. - 0003-004X .- 1945-3027. ; 102:3, s. 571-579
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Apatite geochronology is a versatile method for providing medium temperature history constraints of magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The LA-ICP-MS technique is widely applied to U/Pb geochronology using various minerals. Apatite U/Pb geochronology, in contrast to e.g., zircon, is compromised by variable amounts of common Pb incorporated into the crystal during growth. Magmatic apatite often shows a sufficient spread in data to obtain a precise and accurate lower intercept age. If this is not the case, the initial Pb isotopic composition needs to be estimated to obtain accurate and precise age information from apatite. Two approaches are common, one being the estimation of common Pb from a Pb evolution model and the other being the measurement of a coexisting mineral phase that tends to incorporate Pb but not U, e.g.,feldspar. Most recent studies applying LA-ICP-MS to the analysis of Pb isotopes in feldspar utilize either multicollector or magnetic sector mass spectrometers. In this study we first evaluate the application of quadrupole mass spectrometry for apatite U/Pb geochronology combined with Pb isotopic measurements in feldspar and compare the results with modeled initial Pb isotopic compositions. The resulting age information is accurate and precise despite using plagioclase rather than K-feldspar, as is normally used, to define initial Pb isotope compositions. We apply this method to apatite-bearing gabbroic rocks from layered intrusions (Bushveld, Bjerkreim-Sokndal, Hasvik, and Skaergaard) ranging in age from ca. 2 Ga to ca. 55 Ma and generate metamorphic/cooling ages generally consistent with the known geologic history of these intrusions.
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| 7. |
- Wohlgemuth-Ueberwasser, Cora C., et al.
(författare)
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Quadrupole LA-ICP-MS U/Pb geochronology of baddeleyite single crystals
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1364-5544 .- 0267-9477. ; 30:5, s. 1191-1196
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present a straightforward method for accurate and precise U/Pb dating of baddeleyite using quadrupole LA-ICP-MS. To establish the validity of our ICP-MS data we used FC-4b baddeleyite from the Duluth complex as external standard, whereas baddeleyite from the Phalaborwa (South Africa) and the Sorkka (SW Finland) intrusions were treated as unknowns. The analytical protocol includes the use of a matrix matched standard, which allows for an accurate downhole-fractionation and laser-induced interelement fractionation correction. The quadrupole ICP-MS results for the Phalaborwa and Sorkka samples analyzed are accurate within error of the published ID-TIMS U/Pb ages and with a precision of 0.3-0.7% (2 sigma) from concordia ages of ten to twenty analyses per sample. No orientation effects were observed.
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