Hydrothermal uranium deposits and sulfur isotopes

Research on sulfur isotopes in hydrothermal uranium deposits with acid alterations shed much light on the genetic aspects of hydrothermal uranium deposits. Based on the studies of uranium deposits of different genesis, it is concluded that σ³⁴S of Sulfides in hydrothermal uranium deposits derived from residual magma is within the range of +2‰ ?2.6‰, approximately the same as meteorite sulfur. δ³⁴S of Sulfides in polygenetic hydrothermal uranium deposits is slightly lighter than meteorite sulfur and varies over a restricted range (6.7‰), averaging ?10.15‰. Two intervals can be recognized with respect to sulfur isotopic compositions in palingenetic hydrothermal uranium deposits. δ³⁴S of sulfides formed in diagenesis, autometamorphism and hypothermal stages is similar to meteorite sulfur. On the other hand, at the stage starting from the alteration of uranium mineralization to the formation o uranium deposits and postmineralization the average δ³⁴S is -7.89‰, with a wider range of δ³⁴S variation (13.7‰), which can be attributed to the enrichment of δ³⁴S in palingenetic hydrothermal solutions.