海底多金属硫化物矿床的主要特征

海底多金属硫化物由于含有贵金属而具有潜在的经济价值并,受到国际地质学家们的广泛关注。已经发现的矿点和矿床有一百多处,然而规模比较大的不足20处。相对于锰结核,多金属硫化物在海底产出的部位较浅,矿石中含有Cu、Zn、Ag和Au等,具有很高的经济价值。据粗略估计,已发现的大型矿床共含有一百万到五百万吨的块状硫化物。世界海底多金属硫化物矿床主要分布在东太平洋海隆、西太平洋构造活动带、西南太平洋以及大西洋中部的大洋中脊。海底多金属硫化物属于海底热液烟囱物,它是热液活动的产物,其成因机制涉及构造和岩浆活动与热液活动的关系,海水及水深以及沉积物与热液成矿的关系,岩水反应,热液地球化学,生物活动等。     

金在现代海底热液系统中的分布及演化

现代海底热液系统内冷海水的下渗和热液流体的上涌及由此引发的水岩反应驱动着金的循环演化,并可在海底形成极具经济前景的富金矿床。海底下覆基岩深部层位中的金会因为水岩反应而大量溶解迁移到热液流体中,金含量可比海水高千倍的热液流体在向海底表面运移过程中发生的相分离作用会进一步富集金,当遭遇冷海水发生混合作用后引发H_2S浓度和温度的降低,由此导致金因溶解度降低而从热液流体中迁移出来并赋存在一同形成的硫化物矿物中。海底硫化物中金含量的分布受到围岩性质和构造环境的控制,形成在岛弧和弧后环境中的硫化物一般比洋中脊环境中的硫化物的金含量高,而在相似构造环境下形成在长英质围岩系统和超镁铁质围岩系统中的硫化物其金含量比镁铁质围岩系统中的高。相对于高温阶段形成的黄铜矿,低温成因的黄铁矿和闪锌矿普遍更富集金。在分布最广的黄铁矿的晶格内,固溶体态金的溶解度受到砷含量的控制,当超过矿物的溶解度时则会出现纳米到微米级金颗粒聚合体。虽然热液硫化物中的金含量比热液沉积物高的多,但由于受其捕获效率的制约,随热液流体运移到海底表面的金还是有相当一部分最终随着羽状流扩散到了远端沉积物中或被海洋水体所接纳。若要更清晰甚至定量化地厘清金在现代海底热液系统中的迁移演化过程及控制因素,则微区、原位和高精度的实验方法、分析技术和模拟研究将是下一步工作的重点。     

关于现代浅海型海底热液活动的研究进展

浅海型海底热液活动一般出现于海底火山顶部或者翼部，其所处的特殊地理位置是深海热液活动和陆上热泉的过渡地形。研究浅海型海底热液活动使我们更全面了解地球内部热量的缓慢散发形式。目前浅海型热液活动研究多侧重于流体、伴生气体、沉积物等方面：对于流体研究主要通过流体元素特征探讨流体源，虽然浅海热液活动流体在海底喷出，但流体主要组分有时是海水，有时是陆上大气水—海水只是作为少部分加入其中。对于伴生气体的研究表明：热液喷出时伴生气体组分多是火山气来源，火山气的加入导致热液流体酸性增强，使热液流体较容易淅沥出围岩中的元素，因此尽管浅海型热液流体流经路程短，但是流体中依然包含了较多物质，从而在海底表面沉淀沉积物，甚至可以形成烟囱体，由此可见浅海型热液活动与火山活动紧密相关。对于沉积物的研究显示浅海热液活动产生的沉积物组分简单，也有像深海热液活动中烟囱状沉积体的形成。沉积物对周围水域中元素浓度起到积极影响，如Fe、As含量等，这是热液流体与海水相互作用的结果。 现代浅海型热液活动往往出现于近海岸处，距离人类生活较深海热液活动更加接近，所以浅海热液活动对周围环境影响的深度及广度应该成为下一步研究重点。     

海底热液循环中矿物沉淀过程数值模拟

为了探索高渗透性洋壳中高温热液循环系统的形成机制,以数值模拟为手段研究热液循环中的矿物沉淀过程及其对洋壳渗透率的反馈.在热液对流-矿物反应模型中考虑了硬石膏、黄铁矿和黄铜矿的沉淀和溶解反应,基于矿物的溶度积计算矿物的沉淀/溶解量,并将其转换为渗透率的变化.结果显示,黄铁矿和黄铜矿分布于350~380℃等温线范围内,并随着热液温度升高而逐渐向海底推移.海水被加热及与热液混合过程中沉淀出硬石膏,在热液上升通道两侧形成低渗透性的烟囱状结构,降低了海水-热液混合程度从而使热液温度升高.高温热液通道建立后,便会有更多的金属物质随着高温热液被运输至浅层洋壳或海底.模拟结果为理解海底高温热液喷口的形成机制提供了借鉴.      

东太平洋海隆9°～10°N热液烟囱体矿物成分、结构和形成条件

为研究东太平洋海隆9°～10°N热液活动特征,采用成因矿物学方法,通过矿相显微镜、扫描电镜、X射线衍射分析以及电子探针等手段,对烟囱体矿物成分、结构和地球化学特征进行了研究.该区烟囱体硫化物矿物有3种矿物组合:(1)硬石膏 白铁矿 黄铁矿;(2)黄铁矿 闪锌矿 黄铜矿;(3)黄铜矿 斑铜矿 蓝辉铜矿 铜蓝.成矿热液流体温度经历了低-高-低的变化,最高温度可达到400℃以上.该热液烟囱为典型的"黑烟囱"类型,早期硬石膏沉淀形成烟囱体的框架,后期的金属硫化物在烟囱体内表面沉淀,由烟囱壁向内形成了硬石膏-黄铁矿、多金属硫化物和黄铜矿及次生铜矿物的矿物分带.     

现代热液喷口系统低温氧化物沉积体的矿物学特征及启示

Fe-Si氧化物是现代洋底热液系统最为普遍的沉积产物之一,它可以构成低温烟囱体、形成氧化物丘、充填围岩裂隙,或者以无规则沉积体出现(Hekinian et al.,1993),也可以在弥散流区形成更大规模的多金属沉积物(Hrischeva et al.,2007;     

沉积物地球化学方法在海底多金属硫化物探矿中的应用

<正>海底多金属硫化物矿主要由热液喷流沉积作用形成,其成因与海底热液活动有密切的关系。海底热液活动区热液沉积物主要有两种,一种是简单混合了来自热液流体或热液柱的硫化物矿物微颗粒或Fe、Mn氧化物微颗粒的热液含金属沉积物,表现为相对普通深海沉积物富集Fe、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn、Au、Ag等金属元素;另一种则是热液沉积物经过后期的氧化作用改造形成或者是化学混合了硫化物氧化产物微颗粒形成的热液蚀变沉积物。根据Bostrom于1973年提出的判断含金属沉积物的Al、Fe和Mn元素     

海底热液成矿活动研究的进展、热点及展望

海底热液活动研究进展迅速,热液矿化作用已成为当前国际地球科学最为活跃的研究领域之一。本文叙述了:(1)热液调查新技术、新方法、矿床赋存状态、主要类型以及热液矿化作用的研究进展:(2)当前国际研究的热点,包括海底热液矿床和构造岩浆背景、热液流体形成和金属浸析作用、热液沉淀过程中的金属分馏作用、热液排放与大洋的质重平衡等。最后强调加强海洋地球科学国内外合作的必要性。     

现代海底热液活动与块状硫化物矿床成因研究进展

现代海底热液活动的发现及对其分布特征和成矿机理的研究是近年来海洋地质学和矿床地质学的一大进展。对现代海底金属硫化物成矿作用的研究大大推动和促进了对古代块状硫化物矿床成因的认识。有关研究成果综合分析表明：(1)深部热液对流循环系统是块状硫化物成矿的核心，对流循环模式有简单的热液对流模式和双扩散对流模式。(2)块状硫化物矿床集中分布在大洋中张裂性活动板块边界，与大地构造活动紧密联系。(3)成矿流体与成矿物质均有多源性，在强调海水循环淋滤的同时，通过应用新的方法技术，岩浆来源物质(流体及成矿金属等)对一些块状硫化物矿床成矿的直接贡献得到初步确认。(4)在高温热液活动区及金属硫化物沉积中发现大量生命活动和生物群体，意义重大。     

现代海底热液成矿作用研究的思考

<正>洋底大规模热液成矿系统的研究是近几十年来全球矿床研究重点领域之一。海底热液硫化物矿床主要分为两大类:VMS型矿床和SEDEX型矿床,一般规模巨大,矿石储量通常百万吨-上亿吨。典型的海底热液硫化物矿体自上而下通常分别为热液沉积物和烟囱体、固结的硫化物丘、网脉状矿石(马文璞,1993)。目前国内外对海底热液硫化物矿床成因的倾向认同:作为金属来源的新生玄武质洋壳、由地壳拉伸出现的裂隙系和驱动海水环流的热源为洋底热液成矿的三个必要条件(林文洲,2000)。成     

Diverse Range of Mineralization Induced by Phase Separation of Hydrothermal Fluid: Case Study of the Yonaguni Knoll IV Hydrothermal Field in the Okinawa Trough Back-Arc Basin

The Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal vent field (24°51′N, 122°42′E) is located at water depths of 1370–1385 m near the western edge of the southern Okinawa Trough. During the YK03–05 and YK04–05 expeditions using the submersible Shinkai 6500, both hydrothermal precipitates (sulfide/sulfate/carbonate) and high temperature fluids (Tmax = 328°C) presently venting from chimney‐mound structures were extensively sampled. The collected venting fluids had a wide range of chemistry (Cl concentration 376–635 mmol kg^?1), which is considered as evidence for sub‐seafloor phase separation. While the Cl‐enriched smoky black fluids were venting from two adjacent chimney‐mound structures in the hydrothermal center, the clear transparent fluids sometimes containing CO₂ droplet were found in the peripheral area of the field. This distribution pattern could be explained by migration of the vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid within a porous sediment layer after the sub‐seafloor phase separation. The collected hydrothermal precipitates demonstrated a diverse range of mineralization, which can be classified into five groups: (i) anhydrite‐rich chimneys, immature precipitates including sulfide disseminations in anhydrite; (ii) massive Zn‐Pb‐Cu sulfides, consisting of sphalerite, wurtzite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and marcasite; (iii) Ba‐As chimneys, composed of barite with sulfide disseminations, sometimes associated with realgar and orpiment overgrowth; (iv) Mn‐rich chimneys, consisting of carbonates (calcite and magnesite) and sulfides (sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, alabandite, and minor amount of tennantite and enargite); and (v) pavement, silicified sediment including abundant native sulfur or barite. Sulfide/sulfate mineralization (groups i–iii) was found in the chimney–mound structure associated with vapor‐loss (Cl‐enriched) fluid venting. In contrast, the sulfide/carbonate mineralization (group iv) was specifically found in the chimneys where vapor‐rich (Cl‐depleted) fluid venting is expected, and the pavement (group v) was associated with diffusive venting from the seafloor sediment. This correspondence strongly suggests that the subseafloor phase separation plays an important role in the diverse range of mineralization in the Yonaguni IV field. The observed sulfide mineral assemblage was consistent with the sulfur fugacity calculated from the FeS content in sphalerite/wurtzite and the fluid temperature for each site, which suggests that the shift of the sulfur fugacity due to participation of volatile species during phase separation is an important factor to induce diverse mineralization. In contrast, carbonate mineralization is attributed to the significant mixing of vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid and seawater. A submarine hydrothermal system within a back‐arc basin in the continental margin may be considered as developed in a geologic setting favorable to a diverse range of mineralization, where relatively shallow water depth induces sub‐seafloor phase separation of hydrothermal fluid, and sediment accumulation could enhance migration of the vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry, and Nd isotope composition of the Rainbow hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Petrological, geochemical, and Nd isotopic analyses have been carried out on rock samples from the Rainbow vent field to assess the evolution of the hydrothermal system. The Rainbow vent field is an ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge characterized by vigorous high-temperature venting (∼365°C) and unique chemical composition of fluids: high chlorinity, low pH and very high Fe, and rare earth element (REE) contents (Douville et al., Chemical Geology 184:37–48, 2002). Serpentinization has occurred under a low-temperature (<270°C) retrograde regime, later overprinted by a higher temperature sulfide mineralization event. Retrograde serpentinization reactions alone cannot reproduce the reported heat and specific chemical features of Rainbow hydrothermal fluids. The following units were identified within the deposit: (1) nonmineralized serpentinite, (2) mineralized serpentinite—stockwork, (3) steatite, (4) semimassive sulfides, and (5) massive sulfides, which include Cu-rich massive sulfides (up to 28wt% Cu) and Zn-rich massive sulfide chimneys (up to 5wt% Zn). Sulfide mineralization has produced significant changes in the sulfide-bearing rocks including enrichment in transition metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Co) and light REE, increase in the Co/Ni ratios comparable to those of mafic Cu-rich volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits and different ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotope ratios. Vent fluid chemistry data are indicative of acidic, reducing, and high temperature conditions at the subseafloor reaction zone where fluids undergo phase separation most likely under subcritical conditions (boiling). An explanation for the high chlorinity is not straightforward unless mixing with high salinity brine or direct contribution from a magmatic Cl-rich aqueous fluid is considered. This study adds new data, which, combined with the current knowledge of the Rainbow vent field, brings compelling evidence for the presence, at depth, of a magmatic body, most likely gabbroic, which provides heat and metals to the system. Co/Ni ratios proved to be good tools used to discriminate between rock units, degree of sulfide mineralization, and positioning within the hydrothermal system. Deeper units have Co/Ni <1 and subsurface and surface units have Co/Ni >1.     

Chemical evolution of mid-ocean ridge hot springs

Chemical analyses yielding elemental concentrations of major and minor elements of four hot springs on the East Pacific Rise at 21°N and 10 hot springs from the southern trough of the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California provide a basis for thermodynamic modeling of conductive cooling of the hydrothermal endmembers, mixing of the hydrothermal endmember with seawater, and reaction of an EPR-type fluid with sediment of bulk chemical composition corresponding to unaltered sediment from DSDP hole 477 in the Guaymas Basin. Results of the calculations indicate that conductive cooling of endmember fluids within closed chimneys and conduits accounts for the solution composition of one vent on the East Pacific Rise and several vents in Guaymas Basin. Mixing of the hydrothermal fluids with seawater yields a prediction of mineral assemblages closely approximating those observed in samples of chimneys from the East Pacific Rise and drill cores in Guaymas Basin. The hypothesis that Guaymas Basin hydrothermal fluids result from interaction of an EPR-type fluid with sediment cover in Guaymas Basin is supported by calculations which predict an increase in pH to a value similar to Guaymas Basin fluids, an order-of-magnitude decrease in metal concentrations, and an excellent agreement between predicted mineral assemblages as a function of extent of interaction with sediment, and observed mineral assemblage distribution with depth.     

Petrology,Geochemistry, and Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry of Sphalerite from the Laloki and Federal Flag Strata‐Bound Massive Sulfide Deposits,Papua New Guinea: Implications for Gold Mineralization

The Laloki and Federal Flag deposits are two of the many (over 45) polymetallic massive sulfide deposits that occur in the Astrolabe Mineral Field, Papua New Guinea. New data of the mineralogical compositions, mineral textures, and fluid inclusion studies on sphalerite from Laloki and Federal Flag deposits were investigated to clarify physiochemical conditions of the mineralization at both deposits. The two deposits are located about 2 km apart and they are stratigraphically hosted by siliceous to carbonaceous claystone and rare gray chert of Paleocene–Eocene age. Massive sulfide ore and host rock samples were collected from each deposit for mineralogical, geochemical, and fluid inclusion studies. Mineralization at the Laloki deposit consists of early‐stage massive sulfide mineralization (sphalerite‐barite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite–marcasite) and late‐stage brecciation and remobilization of early‐stage massive sulfides that was accompanied by late‐stage sphalerite mineralization. Occurrence of native gold blebs in early‐stage massive pyrite–marcasite‐chalcopyrite ore with the association of pyrrhotite‐hematite and abundant planktonic foraminifera remnants was due to reduction of hydrothermal fluids by the reaction with organic‐rich sediments and seawater mixing. Precipitation of fine‐grained gold blebs in late‐stage Fe‐rich sphalerite resulted from low temperature and higher salinity ore fluids in sulfur reducing conditions. In contrast, the massive sulfide ores from the Federal Flag deposit contain Fe‐rich sphalerite and subordinate sulfarsenides. Native gold blebs occur as inclusions in Fe‐rich sphalerite, along sphalerite grain boundaries, and in the siliceous‐hematitic matrix. Such occurrences of native gold suggest that gold was initially precipitated from high‐temperature, moderate to highly reduced, low‐sulfur ore fluids. Concentrations of Au and Ag from both Laloki and Federal Flag deposits were within the range (<10 ppm Au and <100 ppm Ag) of massive sulfides at a mid‐ocean ridge setting rather than typical arc‐type massive sulfides. The complex relationship between FeS contents in sphalerite and gold grades of both deposits is probably due to the initial deposition of gold on the seafloor that may have been controlled by factors such as Au complexes, pH, and fO₂ in combination with temperature and sulfur fugacity.     

World's largest known Precambrian fossil black smoker chimneys and associated microbial vent communities, North China: Implications for early life

Black smoker chimneys and biological vent communities have been identified at many sites on the deep seafloor, particularly along oceanic spreading centers. We report the largest and oldest known, microbe-rich sub-meter-sized black smoker chimneys and mounds from a 1.43 billion-year old sulfide deposit in a continental graben in northern China. These chimneys are especially well preserved, with characteristic morphology, internal textures and internal cylindrical mineralogical zonation. Four main types of chimneys are distinguished on textural and mineralogical criteria, exhibiting either Zn–Fe-sulfide or Pb–Zn–Fe-sulfide internal cylindrical mineralogical zones. The chimneys mark vent sites in submarine grabens indicating focused flow-venting processes. The fossil chimneys have mineralogical and geological evolutionary features similar to their counterparts on the modern seafloor and other submarine hydrothermal vents. Black smoker vent fluids and seafloor tectonism played important roles for formation of the massive sulfide deposits in the Mesoproterozoic.We also report the first known, remarkably diverse assemblage of fossil microbialites from around and inside Precambrian vent chimneys, demonstrating that Proterozoic life flourished around submarine hot vents and deep within the chimney vent passages. Filamentous, spherical, rod, and coccus-shaped fossil microbes are preserved preferentially on sulfide precipitates. Based on the depth and setting of the fossil biota, the organisms that produced the microbialites were likely sulfate-reducing chemosynthetic and thermophyllic microbes. Textural and mineralogical evidence shows that biomineralization processes enhanced chimney growth and sulfide precipitation.Close association of microorganisms with sulfide chimneys in modern deep-sea hydrothermal vents and younger ophiolites has sparked speculation about whether life may have originated at similar vents. However, little is known about fossil equivalents of vent microfossils and black smoker chimneys from Earth's early evolution. The fossilized microorganisms from the Gaobanhe black smoker chimney sulfide deposits include thread-like filaments with branching and twisted forms and preserved organic carbon, representing fossilized remnants of microbial mats metabolized at high temperatures characteristic of venting fluids. The preservation of fossil microorganisms provides evidence that microbial populations were closely associated with black smoker chimneys in Earth's early history. The microbial population clearly constitutes the site for mediating mineral formation. These ancient microbial fossils lead to a much better understanding of early life on the deep seafloor. The discovery of the Mesoproterozoic microfossils within black-smoker hydrothermal chimneys indicates that hydrothermal activity around sea-floor vents supported dense microbial communities, and supports speculation that vent sites may have hosted the origin of life.     

四川呷村V HMS矿床：从野外观察到成矿模型

呷村矿床是一个与晚三叠世海相钙碱性酸性火山岩系有关的典型块状硫化物（VHMS）矿床。热水流体系统和贱金属成矿作用发育于义敦岛弧碰撞造山带上的弧间裂谷盆地内,并受其内部的一系列局限盆地及SN向基底断裂－裂缝系统控制。含矿岩系为双峰岩石组合,具火山碎屑岩－矿体－喷气岩“三位一体”特征。硫化物矿床具有“块状矿席＋层控网脉状矿带”式三维结构特征。块状矿席发育多旋回的硫化物－硫酸盐韵律型式,揭示热水流体在海底的幕式排泄以及硫化物－硫酸盐在卤水池内的韵律式化学淀积和滑塌堆积过程。层控网脉状矿带产出于流纹质火山岩系,与上覆的块状矿席平行展布,揭示高渗透性碎屑岩层和多条同级别断层或断裂共同约束海底下部热水流体,并诱导其“弥散式”排泄和侧向流动交代。热水流体的传导冷凝过程导致硫化物沉积、热水流体与冷海水的简单混合导致硅质岩或／重晶石淀积,传导冷凝与海水混合的联合作用导致含硫化物重晶石、硅质岩和红碧玉形成。     

A magmatic source of hydrothermal sulfur for the Prominent Hill deposit and associated prospects in the Olympic iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) province of South Australia

The Prominent Hill deposit is a world-class iron oxide copper–gold (IOCG) deposit in South Australia, characterized by a high Cu/S ratio of the dominant Cu-(Fe) sulfides hosted by hematite breccias. It contains a total resource of 278 Mt of ore at 0.98% Cu and 0.75 g/t Au. Prominent Hill is one of several IOCG deposits and numerous prospects in the Olympic IOCG province that are temporally associated with the 1603–1575 Ma Gawler Range Volcanics, a large igneous province including co-magmatic granitoid intrusions of the Hiltaba Suite. Globally, IOCG deposits share many similar features in terms of their geological environment and mineral association. However, it is not yet clear whether sulfur and copper originate from the same source rocks and which hydrothermal redox processes created the characteristic iron oxide enrichment. Highly variable sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides and sulfates in IOCG deposits have previously been interpreted in terms of diverse sulfur sources that may include contributions from magmatic, sedimentary, seawater or evaporitic sulfur. In order to test these alternatives, we performed a detailed sulfur isotope study of Cu-(Fe) sulfides from Prominent Hill and IOCG prospects nearby. The Prominent Hill deposit shows a wide range in δ³⁴S_V-CDT between − 33.5‰ and 29.9‰ for Cu-(Fe) sulfides, and a narrower range of 4.3‰ to 15.8‰ for barite. Iron sulfides (pyrite, pyrrhotite) show a narrow range in sulfur isotope composition, whereas Cu-bearing sulfides show a much wider range, and more negative δ³⁴S_V-CDT values on average. We propose a two-stage sulfide mineralization model for the IOCG system in the Prominent Hill area, in which all hydrothermal sulfur is ultimately derived from a magmatic source that had a composition of 4.4 ± 2‰. The diversity in sulfur isotope composition can be produced by different fluid evolution pathways along reducing or oxidizing trajectories. A reduced sulfur evolution pathway is responsible for stage I mineralization, when intrusion-derived magmatic-hydrothermal fluids produced early pyrite and minor chalcopyrite at Prominent Hill, and iron ± copper sulfides in regional magnetite skarns and in some pervasively altered volcanic rocks of the Gawler Range Volcanics. Shallow-venting magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and subaerial volcanic gases that became completely oxidized by reaction with atmospheric oxygen produced sulfate and sulfuric acid with a sulfur isotope composition equal to their magmatic source. This highly oxidized ore fluid probably consisted dominantly of water from the hydrosphere, but contained magmatic solute components, notably sulfate, acidity and Cu. Sulfate reduction produced hydrothermal Cu sulfides with a wide range in sulfur isotope compositions from very negative to moderately positive values. Partial reaction of the Cu-rich stage II fluid with earlier stage I sulfides resulted in mixing of sulfur derived from sulfate reduction and from sulfides deposited during stage I. Modeling of the sulfur isotope fractionation processes in response to reducing and oxidizing pathways demonstrates that the entire spectrum of sulfur isotope data from stage I and stage II mineralization can be explained with a single, ultimately magmatic sulfur source. Such a magmatic sulfur source is also adequate to explain the complete spectrum of sulfur isotope data of other IOCG prospects and deposits in the Olympic province, including Olympic Dam. The results of our study challenge the conventional model that suggests the requirement of multiple and compositionally diverse sulfur sources in hematite-breccia hosted IOCG style mineralization.     

Different mineralization styles in a volcanic-hosted ore deposit: the fluid and isotopic signatures of the Mt Morgan Au–Cu deposit,Australia

Quantitative laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS analyses of fluid inclusions, trace element chemistry of sulfides, stable isotope (S), and Pb isotopes have been used to discriminate the formation of two contrasting mineralization styles and to evaluate the origin of the Cu and Au at Mt Morgan.The Mt Morgan Au–Cu deposit is hosted by Devonian felsic volcanic rocks that have been intruded by multiple phases of the Mt Morgan Tonalite, a low-K, low-Al₂O₃ tonalite–trondhjemite–dacite (TTD) complex. An early, barren massive sulfide mineralization with stringer veins is conforming to VHMS sub-seafloor replacement processes, whereas the high-grade Au–Cu ore is associated with a later quartz–chalcopyrite–pyrite stockwork mineralization that is related to intrusive phases of the Tonalite complex. LA-ICP-MS fluid inclusion analyses reveal high As (avg. 8850 ppm) and Sb (avg. 140 ppm) for the Au–Cu mineralization and 5 to 10 times higher Cu concentration than in the fluids associated with the massive pyrite mineralization. Overall, the hydrothermal system of Mt Morgan is characterized by low average fluid salinities in both mineralization styles (45–80% seawater salinity) and temperatures of 210 to 270 °C estimated from fluid inclusions. Laser Raman Spectroscopic analysis indicates a consistent and uniform array of CO₂-bearing fluids. Comparison with active submarine hydrothermal vents shows an enrichment of the Mt Morgan fluids in base metals. Therefore, a seawater-dominated fluid is assumed for the barren massive sulfide mineralization, whereas magmatic volatile contributions are implied for the intrusive related mineralization. Condensation of magmatic vapor into a seawater-dominated environment explains the CO₂ occurrence, the low salinities, and the enriched base and precious metal fluid composition that is associated with the Au–Cu mineralization. The sulfur isotope signature of pyrite and chalcopyrite is composed of fractionated Devonian seawater and oxidized magmatic fluids or remobilized sulfur from existing sulfides. Pb isotopes indicate that Au and Cu originated from the Mt Morgan intrusions and a particular volcanic strata that shows elevated Cu background.     

Geochemical constraints on chemolithoautotrophic metabolism by microorganisms in seafloor hydrothermal systems

Mixing of hydrothermal fluids and seawater at the ocean floor, combined with slow reaction kinetics for oxidation/reduction reactions, provides a source of metabolic energy for chemolithotrophic microorganisms which are the primary biomass producers for an extensive submarine ecosystem that is essentially independent of photosynthesis. Thermodynamic models are used to explore geochemical constraints on the amount of metabolic energy potentially available from chemosynthetic reactions involving S, C, Fe, and Mn compounds during mixing of hydrothermal fluids with seawater. For the vent fluid used in the calculations (EPR 21 degrees N OBS), the model indicates that mixing environments are favorable for oxidation of H2S, CH4, Fe2+ and Mn2+ only below approximately 38 degrees C, with methanogenesis and reduction of sulfate or S degrees favored at higher temperatures, suggesting that environments dominated by mixing provide habitats for mesophilic (but not thermophilic) aerobes and thermophilic (but not mesophilic) anaerobes. A maximum of approximately 760 cal per kilogram vent fluid is available from sulfide oxidation while between 8 and 35 cal/kg vent fluid is available from methanotrophy, methanogenesis, oxidation of Fe or Mn, or sulfate reduction. The total potential for chemosynthetic primary production at deep-sea hydrothermal vents globally is estimated to be about 10(13) g biomass per year, which represents approximately 0.02% of the global primary production by photosynthesis in the oceans. Thermophilic methanogens and sulfate- and S degree-reducers are likely to be the predominant organisms in the walls of vent chimneys and in the diffuse mixing zones beneath warm vents, where biological processes may contribute to the high methane concentrations of vent fluids and heavy 34S/32S ratios of vent sulfide minerals. The metabolic processes taking place in these systems may be analogs of the first living systems to evolve on the Earth.     

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.