PGE fractionation in seafloor hydrothermal systems: examples from mafic- and ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal fields at the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The distribution of platinum group elements (PGEs) in massive sulfides and hematite–magnetite±pyrite assemblages from the recently discovered basalt-hosted Turtle Pits hydrothermal field and in massive sulfides from the ultramafic-hosted Logatchev vent field both on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was studied and compared to that from selected ancient volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits. Cu-rich samples from black smoker chimneys of both vent fields are enriched in Pd and Rh (Pd up to 227 ppb and Rh up to 149 ppb) when compared to hematite–magnetite-rich samples from Turtle Pits (Pd up to 10 ppb, Rh up to 1.9 ppb). A significant positive correlation was established between Cu and Rh in sulfide samples from Turtle Pits. PGE chondrite-normalized patterns (with a positive Rh anomaly and Pd and Au enrichment), Pd/Pt and Pd/Au ratios close to global MORB, and high values of Pd/Ir and Pt/Ir ratios indicate mafic source rock and seawater involvement in the hydrothermal system at Turtle Pits. Similarly shaped PGE chondrite-normalized patterns and high values of Pd/Pt and Pd/Ir ratios in Cu-rich sulfides at Logatchev likely reflect a similar mechanism of PGE enrichment but with involvement of ultramafic source rocks.     

A reconnaissance study of platinum group elements (PGE) contents from sulfide mineralization in pyroxenites in Faryab ophiolite of Iran

Platinum group elements (PGE) enrichment occurs in Zn–Cu and Ni-rich ophiolities in a number of geological settings. Platinum group elements (PGE) mineralization in Pyroxenite from the Faryab ophiolities of Zagros belt in south Iran was studied. The ophiolite rocks represent blocks of Tethyan oceanic crust that were emplaced on the continental margin during the late Cretaceous period. Much of lower ophiolitic section is composed of homogeneous harzburgite, while upper sections harzburgite interlayer with dunite and pyroxenite are included. This study focused on pyroxenite that includes most of sulfide mineralization in Faryab. More than 500 samples were investigated from polished thin sections; that cover all area of Faryab. The sulfide phases include pyrrhotite, pentlandite, millerite, violarite, smythite, and heazlewoodite. The results show that in almost all the samples Os is below the 2 ppb detection limit, Platinum values vary from <5 to 91 ppb and the light PGE (Ru, Rh, and Pd) relative to the heavy PGE (Os, Ir, and Pt) are more concentrated. Calculation showed that in pyroxenites Pd–Pt is occurring with orthopyroxenite and Rh–Os is occurring in clinopyroxenite. Ni/Pd ratios in Faryab vary between 7 and 356 and Pd/Ir ratio is 0.1–27. This indicates that in Faryab area partial melt of mantle occurred. Pd/Rh ratio in Faryab is 0.1–11, and Pd/Pt varies between 0.2 and 1.5. Pd/Ir ratio in Faryab decreases and shows that PGE in Faryab occurred.     

The characteristics of automobile catalyst-derived platinum group elements in road dusts and roadside soils: a case study in the Pearl River Delta region,South China

The emission of platinum group elements (PGE) from automobile catalytic converters has led to enrichment of PGE in road dusts and roadside soils in urban areas that are well above the natural background levels. This paper evaluates the source of contamination of all the PGE and Au in road dusts and roadside soils in the Pearl River Delta region, including three major cities, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, South China. Samples were digested using Carius tube and analyzed by isotope dilution ICP-MS; Os was separated by distillation and other PGE by Te-coprecipitation. All samples have elevated PGE concentrations above the background values of uncontaminated soils and contain higher Pt, Pd and Rh than other PGE. The maximum values are 181 ng/g Pt, 514 ng/g Pd, 53 ng/g Rh and 1345 ng/g Au. There are clear positive correlations between Pt and Pd, Pt and Rh, and Pd and Rh, indicating that the main emitted of PGE from automobile catalyst are Pt, Pd and Rh. High concentrations of Au were also found in road dust samples from Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Dust samples with higher Os contents have lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios. Samples from Hong Kong show relatively high Pt/Rh ratios. Positive correlations between Pt and Ru, and Pt and Ir were found in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, but only positive correlations between Pt and Ir were found in Guangzhou. These different characteristics reflect different automobile catalytic systems used in Hong Kong and mainland China.     

Chemical evolution of metal in refractory inclusions in CV3 chondrites

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to measure distributions of the siderophile elements V, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au in Fremdlinge with a spatial resolution of 15 to 25 μm. A sulfide vein in a refractory inclusion in Allende (CV3-oxidized) is enriched in Rh, Ru, and Os with no detectable Pd, Re, Ir, or Pt, indicating that Rh, Ru, and Os were redistributed by sulfidation of the inclusion, causing fractionation of Re/Os and other siderophile element ratios in Allende CAIs. Fremdlinge in compact Type-A inclusions from Efremovka (CV3-reduced) exhibit subsolidus exsolution into kamacite and taenite and minimal secondary formation of V-magnetite and schreibersite. Siderophile element partitioning between taenite and kamacite is similar to that observed previously in iron meteorites, while preferential incorporation of the light PGEs (Ru, Rh, Pd) relative to Re, Os, Ir, and Pt by schreibersite was observed. Fremdling EM2 (CAI Ef2) has an outer rim of P-free metal that preserves the PGE signature of schreibersite, indicating that EM2 originally had a phosphide rim and lost P to the surrounding inclusion during secondary processing. Most Fremdlinge have chondrite-normalized refractory PGE patterns that are unfractionated, with PGE abundances derived from a small range of condensation temperatures, ∼1480 to 1468 K at P_tot = 10⁻³ bar. Some Fremdlinge from the same CAI exhibit sloping PGE abundance patterns and Re/Os ratios up to 2 × CI that likely represent mixing of grains that condensed at various temperatures.     

四川木落稀土矿床方解石铂族元素地球化学特征

方解石作为木落稀土矿床常见的脉石矿物,其中的铂族元素(简称PGE)地球化学特征有可能记录了地质流体的性质。采用ICP-MS分析木落方解石中PGE的含量,并对铂族元素的分布、相关性、成因进行了探讨。木落方解石可以分为两类:I型方解石和Ⅱ型方解石。I型方解石中∑PGE(不含Os)0.62～1.33ng/g,具相对低的Pd/Pt、Pd/Rh、Pd/Ru、Pd/Ir比值,不太显著的Pt-Pd分配模式,为岩浆成因方解石,与成矿作用密切相关;Ⅱ型方解石中∑PGE(不含Os)1.85～2.97ng/g,具相对高的Pd/Pt、Pd/Rh、Pd/Ru、Pd/Ir比值和显著的Pt-Pd分配模式,为热液成因方解石,代表了成矿作用后的一期地质流体作用,与成矿关系不大,仅局部地区存在改造前次流体作用形成的稀土矿体。富CO2热液具有携带PGE的能力,并能够导致PGE的分异,与富CO2岩浆相比,富CO2热液对铂族元素具有一定程度的富集作用。     

PGE geochemistry of low-Ti high-Mg siliceous mafic rocks within the Archaean Central Indian Bastar Craton: implications for magma fractionation

Boninite-norite (BN) suites emplaced in an intracratonic setting in Archaean Cratons, are reported from many parts of the world. Such high-Mg low-Ti siliceous rocks are emplaced during Neoarchaean-Paleoproterozoic. The Archaean central Indian Bastar Craton also contains such a boninite-norite suite, which occurs in the form of dykes and volcanics. The spatial and temporal correlation of these high-Mg low-Ti siliceous rocks with similar rocks occurring around the northern Bastar and Dharwar Cratons probably represent a Bastar-Dharwar Large Igneous Province during the Neoarchaean-Paleoproterozoic. Platinum group element (PGE) abundances in these rocks provide constraints on their geochemical evolution during the Neoarchaean-Paleoproterozoic. The PGE geochemistry of the boninite-norite suite from the southern part of the central Indian Bastar Craton is presented to understand their behaviour during magma fractionation. In primitive mantle-normalized plots all samples have similar PGE fractionated patterns that are enriched in Pd, Pt and Rh relative to Ru. The Pd/Ru ratios for eight samples range from 2.0 to 7.0 which is higher than primitive mantle (primitive mantle Pd/Ru ≈1.2). The Pd/Pt ratios range between 0.2–2.5 with an average value of 0.7 which is near chondritic (primitive mantle Pd/Pt ≈0.5). PGE variations in these rocks together with those of major and other trace elements are consistent with a model involving olivine fractionation along with chromite as a cotectic phase. The Pt fractionation from Pd and Rh is controlled by both olivine and chromite crystallization at an early stage during high temperature crystal fractionation when the Pt was strongly compatible and Pd and Rh were incompatible. Strong negative correlations of the S content with iron and TiO₂ plus lithophile element contents of the rock suggest a decrease of the S solubility in the parental high-Mg magma and separation of an immiscible sulfide liquid with decreasing temperature. Palladium plus other available chalcophile elements (e.g., Re, Au, Ag) have been fractionated in this immiscible sulfide liquid after considerable olivine fractionation of the magma.     

Anthropogenic platinum,palladium and rhodium concentrations in road dusts from Hyderabad city,India

This paper presents the first study of accessing the Pt, Pd and Rh levels in road dusts collected from Hyderabad city, India, as these metals, emitted from automobile catalytic converters, are accumulating in the environment causing concern about human health and ecological risks. Samples were analyzed by ICP-MS following preconcentration by NiS-fire assay and Te coprecipitation. Pt (1.5–43 ng/g), Pd (1.2–58 ng/g) and Rh (0.2–14.2 ng/g) concentrations obtained were above upper crust values, but were lower when compared with several other cities around the world. Dust samples from road junctions and traffic signals with heavy and erratic traffic flow showed higher PGE levels than those from roads with low and free flow traffic suggesting that traffic flow conditions greatly influenced emission of PGE from the catalyst. Significant correlation of Pt, Pd and Rh indicate a common source for these metals. PGE were also positively correlated with Ce, Zr, Hf and Y. These positive inter-element correlations identified traffic as the main source of PGE emission to the roadway environment. The results obtained indicate to an appreciable increase in auto catalyst-derived PGE. In consideration of the adverse effects of PGE, monitoring their level and transformation paths is of prime importance.     

Determination of Platinum‐Group Elements in Geological Samples by Isotope Dilution‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry Combined with Sulfide Fire Assay Preconcentration

A method was developed for the determination of platinum‐group elements (PGE) in geological samples by isotope dilution‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry combined with sulfide fire assay preconcentration. Samples were fused and PGE analytes were concentrated in sulfide buttons. The buttons were dissolved using HCl leaving PGE analytes in insoluble residues, which were digested in HNO₃ and simultaneously processed for the distillation of Os. The remaining solutions were further prepared for the purification of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt using a tandem assembly of cation and Ln resin columns. The eluents were directly analysed by membrane desolvation‐ICP‐MS. Ruthenium, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt were determined by isotope dilution, whereas Rh was determined by conventional reference material calibration combined with ¹⁹³Ir as the internal standard element. The method was validated using a series of PGE reference materials, and the measurement data were consistent with the recommended and the literature values. The measurement precision was better than 10% RSD. The procedural blanks were 0.121 ng for Ru, 0.204 for Rh, 0.960 ng for Pd, 0.111 ng for Os, 0.045 ng for Ir and 0.661 ng for Pt, and the limits of detection (3s) were 0.011 ng g^?1 for Ru, 0.008 ng g^?1 for Rh, 0.045 ng g^?1 for Pd, 0.009 ng g^?1 for Os, 0.006 ng g^?1 for Ir and 0.016 ng g^?1 for Pt when a test portion mass of 10 g was used. This indicates that the proposed method can be used for the determination of trace amounts of PGE in geological samples.     

Platinum-group elements (Ir,Pd, Pt and Rh) in road-deposited sediments in two urban watersheds,Hawaii

This study represents the first detailed investigation of platinum-group elements (PGEs) in road-deposited sediment (RDS) in Hawaii, USA. Thirty-three sample locations, in two urban watersheds in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii were sampled. The <63 μm fraction of RDS was digested with aqua regia, followed by matrix separation with Dowex AG50-X8 cation exchange resin. PGEs were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipped with a desolvating nebulizer. Concentrations of Rh, Pd and Pt in residential streets reached 64, 105 and 506 ng/g, respectively. Maximum enrichment ratios, computed as RDS concentrations relative to baseline values, exceeded 400, indicating a significant anthropogenic signal with the sequence Rh > Pt > Pd. Iridium concentrations were uniformly low <1 ng/g, and enrichment ratios support a geogenic source. Significant interelement PGE correlations (Pd–Pt–Rh), combined with the magnitude of PGE pair-wise ratios (Pt/Pd, Pt/Rh and Pd/Rh), and relative percentages comparable to European RDS and roadside soil in Indiana, USA all suggest an automobile source. Attrition of PGE-loaded automobile catalytic converters and subsequent loss to the environment by exhaust emissions explains the significant environmental signal of PGEs in road environments of Hawaii. Further PGE work is required to quantify urban transport paths as PGEs are known to bioaccumulate, cause cellular damage and may have detrimental human health effects.     

Platinum-group element abundances in the upper mantle: new constraints from in situ and whole-rock analyses of Massif Central xenoliths (France)

Fourteen peridotite xenoliths collected in the Massif Central neogene volcanic province (France) have been analyzed for platinum-group elements (PGE), Au, Cu, S, and Se. Their total PGE contents range between 3 and 30 ppb and their PGE relative abundances from 0.01 to 0.001 × CI-chondrites, respectively. Positive correlations between total PGE contents and Se suggest that all of the PGE are hosted mainly in base metal sulfides (monosulfide solid solution [Mss], pentlandite, and Cu-rich sulfides [chalcopyrite/isocubanite]). Laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses support this conclusion while suggesting that, as observed in experiments on the Cu-Fe-Ni-S system, the Mss preferentially accommodate refractory PGEs (Os, Ir, Ru, and Rh) and Cu-rich sulfides concentrate Pd and Au. Poikiloblastic peridotites pervasively percolated by large silicate melt fractions at high temperature (1200°C) display the lowest Se (<2.3 ppb) and the lowest PGE contents (0.001 × CI-chondrites). In these rocks, the total PGE budget inherited from the primitive mantle was reduced by 80%, probably because intergranular sulfides were completely removed by the silicate melt. In contrast, protogranular peridotites metasomatized by small fractions of volatile-rich melts are enriched in Pt, Pd, and Au and display suprachondritic Pd/Ir ratios (1.9). The palladium-group PGE (PPGE) enrichment is consistent with precipitation of Cu-Ni-rich sulfides from the metasomatic melts. In spite of strong light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments (Ce/Yb_N < 10), the three harzburgites analyzed still display chondrite-normalized PGE patterns typical of partial melting residues, i.e., depleted in Pd and Pt relative to Ir and Ru. Likewise, coarse-granular lherzolites, a common rock type in Massif Central xenoliths, display Pd/Ir, Ru/Ir, Rh/Ir, and Pt/Ir within the 15% uncertainty range of chondritic meteorites. These rocks do not contradict the late-veneer hypothesis that ascribes the PGE budget of the Earth to a late-accreting chondritic component; however, speculations about this component from the Pd/Ir and Pt/Ir ratios of basalt-borne xenoliths may be premature.     

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLATINUM-GROUP ELEMENTS (PGE) IN PERIDOTITE FROM THE DAGZHUKA OPHIOLITE IN TIBET:IMPLICATIONS FOR MANTLE METASOMATISM

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLATINUM-GROUP ELEMENTS (PGE) IN PERIDOTITE FROM THE DAGZHUKA OPHIOLITE IN TIBET:IMPLICATIONS FOR MANTLE METASOMATISM     

The source of platinum group elements in basalts of the ophiolite complex of the Kamchatsky Mys Peninsula (Eastern Kamchatka)

Contents of platinum group elements (PGE—Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, and Pd) and rhenium in basalts of different geochemical types from the ophiolite complex of the Kamchatsky Mys Peninsula have been determined by the isotope dilution-mass spectrometry method. The total contents of PGE in different basalts are commensurate (1.4-3.6 ppb), but the element ratios vary considerably. A specific feature of the rocks is the low degree of PGE fractionation (Pd/Ir = 0.9-6.6, Pt/Pd = 1.0-7.3), which makes them similar to the Hawaiian tholeiitic basalts and picrites. The most fractionated PGE pattern is observed for alkali basalt (Pd/Ir = 6.6), and the least fractionated one, for E-MORB (Pd/Ir = 1.7). The similarity of the PGE patterns of basalts of different geochemical types suggests their similar mantle sources. We propose a model explaining the geochemical features of the basalts of the Kamchatsky Mys ophiolite complex by an impurity of the Earth’s core material in the plume source. The Ir/Pd-Ru/Pd and Pd/10-Ir-Ru discrimination diagrams can be used to identify enriched (plume) basalts based on their PGE content.     

Genesis of the Jinchuan PGE deposit, China: evidence from fluid inclusions, mineralogy and geochemistry of precious elements

Summary The Jinchuan deposit is a platinum group element (PGE)-rich sulfide deposit in China. Drilling and surface sampling show that three categories of platinum group element (PGE) mineralization occur; type I formed at magmatic temperatures, type II occurs in hydrothermally altered zones of the intrusion, and type III in sheared dunite and lherzolite. All ore types were analyzed for Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt and Au, as well as for Cu, Ni, Co and S. Type I ore has (Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios of <7 and relatively flat chondrite-normalized noble metal patterns; the platinum group minerals (PGM) are dominated by sperrylite and moncheite associated with chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Type II has (Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios from 40 to 330 and noble metal distribution patterns with a positive slope; the most common PGM are sperrylite and Pd bismuthotelluride phases concentrated mostly at the margins of base metal sulfides. Type III ores have the highest (Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios from 240 to 710; the most abundant PGM are sperrylite and phases of the Pt–Pd–Te–Bi–As–Cl system. It is concluded that the Jinchuan deposit formed as a result of primary magmatic crystallization followed by hydrothermal remobilization, transport, and deposition of the PGE.     

北大别白垩纪镁铁－超镁铁岩的铂族元素地球化学研究

采用镍锍火试金法结合ICP-MS分析了12个北大别白垩纪镁铁-超镁铁岩样品的Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt和Pd的含量,结果显示铂族元素（PGE）的含量较低,原始地幔标准化后的PGE分布模式呈正斜率型,PPGE相对原始地幔略微亏损,而IPGE强烈亏损,Pd/Ir值远高于相应的地幔比值。这些镁铁-超镁铁岩中PGE的强烈分异是地幔低程度的部分熔融过程中,PPGE主要受硫化物控制,而Ir则存在于非硫化物相如尖晶石,可能还有合金之中造成的。同时,铂族元素的分布特征表明这些镁铁-超镁铁岩是岩浆结晶分异的产物。     

Platinum-group element distribution in base-metal sulfides of the Merensky Reef from the eastern and western Bushveld Complex, South Africa

Base-metal sulfides in magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits are important carriers of platinum-group elements (PGE). The distribution and concentrations of PGE in pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite were determined in samples from the mineralized portion of four Merensky Reef intersections from the eastern and western Bushveld Complex. Electron microprobe analysis was used for major elements, and in situ laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for trace elements (PGE, Ag, and Au). Whole rock trace element analyses were performed on representative samples to obtain mineralogical balances. In Merensky Reef samples from the western Bushveld, both Pt and Pd are mainly concentrated in the upper chromitite stringer and its immediate vicinity. Samples from the eastern Bushveld reveal more complex distribution patterns. In situ LA-ICP-MS analyses of PGE in sulfides reveal that pentlandite carries distinctly elevated PGE contents, whereas pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite only contain very low PGE concentrations. Pentlandite is the principal host of Pd and Rh in the ores. Palladium and Rh concentrations in pentlandite reach up to 700 and 130 ppm, respectively, in the samples from the eastern Bushveld, and up to 1,750 ppm Pd and up to 1,000 ppm Rh in samples from the western Bushveld. Only traces of Pt are present in the base-metal sulfides (BMS). Pyrrhotite contains significant though generally low amounts of Ru, Os, and Ir, but hardly any Pd or Rh. Chalcopyrite contains most of the Ag but carries only extremely low PGE concentrations. Mass balance calculations performed on the Merensky Reef samples reveal that in general, pentlandite in the feldspathic pyroxenite and the pegmatoidal feldspathic pyroxenite hosts up to 100 % of the Pd and Rh and smaller amounts (10–40 %) of the Os, Ir, and Ru. Chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite usually contain less than 10 % of the whole rock PGE. The remaining PGE concentrations, and especially most of the Pt (up to 100 %), are present in the form of discrete platinum-group minerals such as cooperite/braggite, sperrylite, moncheite, and isoferroplatinum. Distribution patterns of whole rock Cu, Ni, and S versus whole rock Pd and Pt show commonly distinct offsets. The general sequence of “offset patterns” of PGE and BMS maxima, in the order from bottom to top, is Pd in pentlandite?→?Pd in whole rock?→?(Cu, Ni, and S). The relationship is not that straightforward in general; some of the reef sequences studied only partially show similar trends or are more complex. In general, however, the highest Pd concentrations in pentlandite appear to be related to the earliest, volumetrically rather small sulfide liquids at the base of the Merensky Reef sequence. A possible explanation for the offset patterns may be Rayleigh fractionation.     

陕西太白金矿含金角砾岩中铂族元素特征

采用硫镍火法试金(NiS-FA)结合电感耦合等离子质谱(ICP-MS)分析了太白金矿硫化物和含金角砾岩中铂族元素的含量,结果显示,与秦岭地区八卦庙相比铂族元素含量较高,而低于原始地幔,其中铂(Pt)、钯(Pd)、钌(Ru)富集,并结合前人研究资料对铂族元素的来源和迁移机制进行探讨。铂族元素可能受深源的影响,IPGE(Ir、Os、Ru)可能主要以硫化物形式存在而PPGE(Rh、Pt、Pd)可能主要以单质存在。     

Geochemical characteristics of the platinum-group elements in the Abulangdang ultramafic intrusion,Sichuan Province,China

The contents of the platinum-group elements (PGEs: Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd) in the Abulangdang ultramafic intrusion have been determined using ICP-MS after nickel sulfide fire assay preconcentration. Different samples show significant differences in absolute PGE abundance. They display a pronounced negative incline in mantle-normalized patterns which are characterized by strong enrichment in IPGEs (Os, Ir, Ru) and depleting to slight enrichment in PPGEs (Rh, Pt, Pd). The characteristics of PGE distribution in the Abulangdang rocks are due to the combined action of sulfide and non-sulfide (spinel/chromite or alloy or micro-granular aggregation of metals). In comparison with the mafic-ultramafic rocks which host Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), it is assumed that the Abulangdang ultramafic intrusion may be the product of early-stage magma activity in the ELIP.     

Platinum-group element geochemistry of the Zhuqing Fe-Ti-V oxide ore-bearing mafic intrusions in western Yangtze Block,SW China: control of platinum-group elements by magnetite

Platinum-group element (PGE) geochemistry combined with elemental geochemistry and magnetite compositions are reported for the Mesoproterozoic Zhuqing Fe–Ti–V oxide ore-bearing mafic intrusions in the western Yangtze Block, SW China. All the Zhuqing gabbros display extremely low concentrations of chalcophile elements and PGEs. The oxide-rich gabbros contain relatively higher contents of Cr, Ni, Ir, Ru, Rh, and lower contents of Pt and Pd than the oxide-poor gabbros. The abundances of whole-rock concentrations of Ni, Ir, Ru, and Rh correlate well with V contents in the Zhuqing gabbros, implying that the distributions of these elements are controlled by magnetite. The fractionation between Ir–Ru–Rh and Pt–Pd in the Zhuqing gabbros is mainly attributed to fractional crystallization of chromite and magnetite, whereas Ru anomalies are mainly due to variable degrees of compatibility of PGE in magnetite. The order of relative incompatibility of PGEs is calculated to be Pd?<?Pt?<?Rh?<?Ir?<?Ru. The very low PGE contents and Cu/Zr ratios and high Cu/Pd ratios suggest initially S-saturated magma parents that were highly depleted in PGE, which mainly formed due to low degrees of partial melting leaving sulfides concentrating PGEs behind in the mantle. Moreover, the low MgO, Ni, Ir and Ru contents and high Cu/Ni and Pd/Ir ratios for the gabbros suggest a highly evolved parental magma. Fe–Ti oxides fractionally crystallized from the highly evolved magma and subsequently settled in the lower sections of the magma chamber, where they concentrated and formed Fe–Ti–V oxide ore layers at the base of the lower and upper cycles. Multiple episodes of magma replenishment in the magma chamber may have been involved in the formation of the Zhuqing intrusions.     

Platinum group element and nickel sulphide ore tenors of the Mount Keith nickel deposit, Yilgarn Craton, Australia

A set of platinum group element (PGE) analyses of about 120 samples from a 250-m continuous drill core through the Mount Keith komatiite-hosted nickel orebody, combined with Ni, Cu, Co, S, and major elements, reveals a complex trend of covariance between the original cumulus components of a thick sequence of nearly pure olivine–sulphide liquid adcumulates. The intersection is divided into informal chemostratigraphic zones, defined primarily by combinations of fine-scale cyclicity in original olivine composition, defined by Mg#, and sulphide composition, defined by Pt/S and Ni/S. Contents of Ni and PGE in 100% sulphides (tenors) were determined from linear regressions of the Ni–S and PGE–S covariance for each zone. Inferred olivine compositions range from about Fo₉₂ to Fo_94.6 and show a broad decrease from bottom to top of the sequence complicated by numerous reversals, revealing crystallisation in an open conduit system. Ni and PGE tenors of Mount Keith sulphide ores have typical values similar to the type I deposits of the Kambalda Dome. Mobility of S, at least on the scale of 2-m sample composites, is evidently relatively minor. Tenors for the various zones range 12–22% Ni, 370–1540?ppb Pt, 970–3670?ppb Pd, 100–460?ppb Ir, 170–460?ppb Rh, and 710–1260?ppb Ru. Pt, Pd, and Rh tenors are very strongly correlated, but the iridium group of platinum group elements (IPGEs; Ir and Ru) less so. Tenor variations are predominantly controlled by variations in magma/sulphide ratio R (100–350), with a minor component of variance from equilibrium crystallisation trends in the parent magma. PGE depletion in the silicate melt due to sulphide liquid extraction is limited by entrainment of sulphide liquid droplets and continuous equilibration with the transporting silicate magma. Ratios of the PGEs to one another are similar to those in the host komatiite magma, with the exception of Pt, which is systematically depleted in ores, relative to Rh and Pd and relative to host magma, by a consistent factor of about 2 to 2.5. This anomalous Pt depletion relative to PGE element ratios in unmineralized komatiitic rocks matches that observed in bulk compositions of many komatiite-hosted orebodies. The highly consistent nature of this depletion, and particularly the very strong correlation between Pt, Pd, and Rh in the Mount Keith deposit, argue that this depletion is a primary magmatic signal and not an artefact of alteration. Differential diffusion rates between Pt and the other PGEs, giving rise to a low effective partition coefficient for Pt into sulphide liquid, is advanced as a possible but not definitive explanation.     

中国铬铁矿的铂族元素分布特征

用NiS溶解和Te沉淀方法富集铂族元素（PGE），制成镍扣，再溶解于浓HCl中，使PGE和Te一起沉淀。制备的样品溶液在ELAN－5000型电感耦合等离子质谱仪（ICP－MS）上分析PGE。中国铬铁矿矿石，包括蛇绿岩套中的豆荚状铬铁矿床、非层状侵入体铬铁矿，计13个矿床（化）样品，其PGE模式表明，主要呈RU正异常模式，个别不同模式是由母岩不同以及铂族元素矿化叠加引起的。铬铁矿的PGE模式不取决于铬铁矿的化学成分，而取决于其母岩性质以及形成温度和铂族元素的熔点。