Geochemical Characteristics of the Akiyoshi Limestones, Japan and Their Bearing on Exploration for Blind Skarn Deposits

Abstract. Carboniferous-Permian limestones of the Akiyoshi Plateau, in the Inner Zone of southwestern Japan, are composed of essentially pure calcium carbonate containing only small amounts of other elements, and they are accompanied by marble and copper skarn deposits near the contact with late Cretaceous granitoids. The δ¹⁸O values of the Akiyoshi limestones range widely from 7.6 to 28.3% and are mostly lower than those of other areas of the same age (23–29%), whereas the differences among the δ¹³C values are small. The δ¹⁸O values are negatively correlated with Mn and Fe contents. Samples with high δ¹⁸O (>25%) and δ¹³C (>2%) values do not contain Fe, Zn, or Pb, but those with low δ¹⁸O values tend to be rich in these elements, indicating that these elements were introduced by interaction with H₂O dominant fluids, possibly of magmatic origin. Potential scores for evaluating the degree of interaction with hydro thermal fluids were calculated for δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Sr. Higher scores implying much hydrothermal interaction were evident in the Mt. Hananoyama area, where there are many skarn deposits, and along faults oriented mainly NNW-SSE. Therefore, these are promising areas for exploring for blind deposits. It is likely that the hydrothermal fluid traveled through the limestones along fractures at the time of the granitic intrusions. However, the potential scores here are much smaller than those in the Pb-Zn mineralized area of the Kamioka mine, so more detailed petrological and mineralogical investigations are necessary.