Interaction between sulphide and H2O in silicate melts

Reaction between dissolved water and sulphide was experimentally investigated in soda-lime-silicate (NCS) and sodium trisilicate (NS3) melts at temperatures from 1000 to 1200 °C and pressures of 100 or 200 MPa in internally heated gas pressure vessels. Diffusion couple experiments were conducted at water-undersaturated conditions with one half of the couple being doped with sulphide (added as FeS or Na₂S; 1500-2000 ppm S by weight) and the other with H₂O (∼3.0 wt.%). Additionally, two experiments were performed using a dry NCS glass cylinder and a free H₂O fluid. Here, the melt was water-saturated at least at the melt/fluid interface. Profiling by electron microprobe (sulphur) and infrared microscopy (H₂O) demonstrate that H₂O diffusion in the melts is faster by 1.5-2.3 orders of magnitude than sulphur diffusion and, hence, H₂O can be considered as a rapidly diffusing oxidant while sulphur is quasi immobile in these experiments.In Raman spectra a band at 2576 cm⁻¹ appears in the sulphide - H₂O transition zone which is attributed to fundamental S-H stretching vibrations. Formation of new IR absorption bands at 5025 cm⁻¹ (on expense of the combination band of molecular H₂O at 5225 cm⁻¹) and at 3400 cm⁻¹ was observed at the front of the in-diffusing water in the sulphide bearing melt. The appearance and intensity of these two IR bands is correlated with systematic changes in S K-edge XANES spectra. A pre-edge excitation at 2466.5 eV grows with increasing H₂O concentration while the sulphide peak at 2474.0 eV decreases in intensity relative to the peak at 2477.0 eV and the feature at 2472.3 eV becomes more pronounced (all energies are relative to the sulphate excitation, calibrated to 2482.5 eV). The observations by Raman, IR and XANES spectroscopy indicate a well coordinated S²⁻ - H₂O complex which was probably formed in the glasses during cooling at the glass transition. No oxidation of sulphide was observed in any of the diffusion couple experiments. On the contrary, XANES spectra from experiments conducted with a free H₂O fluid show complete transformation of sulphide to sulphate near the melt surface and coexistence of sulphate and sulphide in the center of the melt. This can be explained by a lower H₂O activity in the diffusion couple experiments or by the need of a sink for hydrogen (e.g., a fluid which can dissolve high concentration of hydrogen) to promote oxidation of sulphide by H₂O via the reaction S²⁻ + 4H₂O = SO₄²⁻ + 4H₂. Sulphite could not be detected in any of the XANES spectra implying that this species, if it exists in the melt, it is a subordinate or transient species only.     

Chromium contamination from chromite mine

Among the dominant species of chromium, the trivalent form widely occurs in nature in chromite ores or in silicate minerals and is extremely immobile. The higher oxidation state Cr(VI), is, however, rarely found in nature, is more mobile, and several times more toxic than Cr(III). Cr(VI) occurs in chromates and dichromates manufactured from chromite ores. The hexavalent state is stable in an oxidizing alkaline environment, whereas the trivalent state is stable in a reducing acidic environment. Serpentinization and Mg release during deuteric alteration of ultramafic rocks create alkaline pore water and lateritization is an intensive oxidation process. Chromite ore bodies in oxidized serpentinite therefore may generate hexavalent chromium from the inert chromites and cause hazardous chromium pollution of the water. With this end in view, a combined field and laboratory study has been made on chromite-bearing oxidized serpentinite rocks of Sukinda in Orissa, India. Laboratory leaching studies on mine overburden samples, chemical analyses of streamwater, and hydrolysate incrustation on detrital grains taken from stream beds have indicated the possibility of chromium mobilization from the chromite ores into the waterbodies.     

Crystallization of high-Ca chromium garnet upon interaction of serpentine,chromite, and Ca-bearing hydrous fluid

The results of experimental modeling of the conditions of crystallization of high-Ca chromium garnets in the system serpentine–chromite–Ca-Cr-bearing hydrous fluid at a pressure of 5 GPa and temperature of 1300°С are reported. The mineral association including quantitatively predominant high-Mg olivine and diopside-rich clinopyroxene, bright-green garnet, and newly formed chrome spinel was formed. Garnet mostly crystallized around primary chromite grains and was characterized by a high concentration of CaO and Cr₂O₃. According to the chemical composition, garnets obtained are close to the uvarovite–pyrope varieties, which enter the composition of relatively rare natural paragenesis of garnet wehrlite. The experimental data obtained clearly show that high-Ca chromium garnets are formed in the reaction of chromite-bearing peridotite and Ca-rich fluid at high P–T parameters.

     

Crystallization of titaniferous chromite,magnesian ilmenite and armalcolite in tholeiitic suites in the Karoo Igneous Province

Titaniferous chromite (up to 8 wt% TiO₂) and magnesian ilmenite (up to 10 wt% MgO) coexist at the base of the differentiated tholeiitic Mount Ayliff Intrusion in the Karoo Province of southern Africa, suggesting that the original magma was TiO₂-rich. Picritic lavas with 3% TiO₂ from the Lebombo monocline of the Karoo Province also contain microphenocrysts of magnesian ilmenite (up to 6 wt% mgO) and armalcolite (up to 7 wt% MgO). These oxide mineral associations and compositions are atypical of tholeiitic magmas, in which chromite usually has less than 1 wt% TiO₂, ilmenite less than 3 wt% MgO and armalcolite is rarely a primary mineral. Experiments have been conducted at one atmosphere pressure on a range of compositions to determine the effect of TiO₂ on the crystallization and composition of chromite, ilmenite and armalcolite. The results indicate that increasing the TiO₂ content of picritic magmas increases the TiO₂ content of the spinel, mainly at the expense of Al₂O₃, whereas Cr₂O₃ is not affected. Spinel compositions in the Mount Ayliff Intrusion (with over 45 wt% Cr₂O₃, less than 10 wt% Al₂O₃ and 8 wt% TiO₂) were duplicated in experiments on a picrite at temperatures of about 1,200°C at the Ni/NiO buffer. Increasing fO₂ from fayalite-magnetite-quartz to Ni/NiO buffer is shown to increase the crystallization temperature of armalcolite and to decrease that of ilmenite. The total FeO content of the liquid has little influence on the crystallization temperature of these phases. The TiO₂ content of the liquid, when either ilmenite or armalcolite crystallizes, varies inversely with SiO₂ content. The MgO content of the liquid at which ilmenite or armalcolite crystallizes depends upon the TiO₂ content of the starting composition, with naturally occurring and experimetally determined saturation being demonstrated for liquids with 5 wt% MgO and 5.5 wt% TiO₂. The partition coefficent for MgO between armalcolite or ilmenite and liquid is about 1.5. Observed magnesian armalcolite and ilmenite compositions in picrite lavas (both minerals) and in the Mount Ayliff Intrusion (ilmenite only) are consistent with crystallization from a TiO₂-rich magma with approximately 5 wt% MgO. The Fe ₂ ³⁺ TiO₅ component of armalcolite in the picrite lavas matches those formed experimentally at temperatures of 1,150–1,110°C and fO₂ of the Ni/NiO to Ni/NiO+1 log unit. Similarities also exist between the compositions of chromite, ilmenite and armalcolite and liquid fraction-ation trends of some Hawaiian high-TiO₂ lavas and the experimental studies presented here.     

Distribution of gold and rhenium between nickel-iron and silicate melts: implications for the abundance of siderophile elements on the Earth and Moon

The distribution equilibrium of Au and Re between nickel-iron and basaltic melts was studied at 1400–1600°C, using radioactive tracers. Metal/silicate distribution coefficients were 1–3 orders of magnitude higher than earlier estimates, as follows. Mauna Loa basalt—Fe₁₀Ni₉₀: D_Au = 3.3 × 10⁴, D_Re = (2.4?89) × 10⁴. Gorda Ridge basalt—Fe₁₀Ni₉₀: D_Au = (18?75) × 10⁴. Synthetic lunar basalt—Fe₇₀ Ni₃₀: D_Au≥ 2 × 10⁴, D_Re ≥ 2 × 10³. The experimental ΔG₁₈₀₀^° for the distribution of Au between nickel-iron and Mauna Loa basalt is ?40 kcal/mole, compared to a calculated value of about ?110 kcal/mole for a reaction involving simple Au³⁺ ions. Presumably the difference represents stabilization of Au(III) by complex formation with ligands such as Cl^?, H₂O, etc.Gold abundances in lunar basalts are roughly consistent with the measured D_Au, but those in terrestrial basalts are two orders of magnitude too high. This discrepancy may reflect complexing by volatiles in the Earth's upper lithosphere, as well as oxidative destruction of metal in the final stages of accretion. In the absence of a metal phase, siderophile trace elements would remain trapped in the upper mantle and crust.     

Crystallization of melts, pegmatite intrusion and the Inverian retrogression of the Scourian complex, north-west Scotland

Abstract Partial melting of tonalitic gneisses in the 2.7 Ga Badcallian granulite facies metamorphic episode in the Scourian complex of north-west Scotland produced a suite of granitic to trondhjemitic liquids. On cooling and excavation of the complex, these melts underwent fractional crystallization and the residual liquids eventually became water saturated. Comparison with experimental data suggests that water saturation would have occurred in these melts at around 620–700°C. From the retrograde P–T -time path followed by the complex it is estimated that H₂O-dominated fluids were exsolved from these melts at c. 2.5 Ga. It is proposed that these fluids were the cause of the 2.5 Ga Inverian retrogression of the Scourian complex and that water-saturated melts formed during the crystallization of the leucogneisses were intruded as a suite of pegmatites. The timing of pegmatite intrusion is consistent with this proposition as are the temperature estimates, timing, distribution and nature of the Inverian phase of metamorphism. It is likely that the crystallization of melts is an important process in bringing about hydrous retrogressive metamorphic episodes in a number of other basement terrains, such as West Greenland and Australia.     

Crystallization rates of shock melts in three martian basalts: Experimental simulation with implications for meteoroid dimensions

Dynamic crystallization experiments have been performed on synthetic glasses representative of shock-generated melts observed in Los Angeles, Sayh al Uhaymir 150 and Dar al Gani 476 martian basalts. On the basis of qualitative (texture) and quantitative (fractal analysis) results, we show that melt pockets in Los Angeles cooled at a rate of 1040-1560 °C/h. Sayh al Uhaymir 150 and Dar al Gani 476 melt pockets cooled at 780 °C/h. Conductive cooling models, for a range of meteoroid diameters (10-50 cm), indicate that the minimum meteoroid diameter was small, on the order of 10-15 cm and that melt pockets cooled from post-shock temperatures within minutes. Our results also have bearing on shock implanted martian atmospheric components because it is during cooling that the melt pockets have the potential to lose gases. Modeling of argon diffusion in a spherical melt pocket indicates that during cooling and quench crystallization ∼4-60% of trapped martian atmospheric argon may be lost from the melt pocket through diffusive transport.     

Physicochemical parameters of the melts participating in the formation of chromite ore hosted in the Klyuchevsky ultramafic massif,the Central Urals,Russia

The results of melt inclusion study are reported for chromites of the Klyuchevsky ultramafic massif, which is the most representative of all Ural ultramafic massifs localized beyond the Main Ural Fault Zone. The massif is composed of a dunite-harzburgite complex (tectonized mantle peridotite) and a dunite-wehrlite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro complex (layered portion of the ophiolitic section). The studied Kozlovsky chromite deposit is located in the southeastern part of the Klyuchevsky massif and hosted in serpentinized dunite as a series of lenticular bodies and layers up to 7–8 m thick largely composed of disseminated and locally developed massive ore. Melt inclusions have been detected in chromites of both ore types. The heated and then quenched into glass melt inclusions and host minerals were analyzed on a Camebax-Micro microprobe. The glasses of melt inclusions contain up to 1.06 wt % Na₂O + K₂O and correspond to melts of normal alkalinity. In SiO₂ content (49–56 wt %), they fit basalt and basaltic andesite. The melt inclusions are compared with those from chromites of the Nurali massif in the southern Urals and the Karashat massif in southern Tuva. The physicochemical parameters of magmatic systems related to the formation of disseminated and massive chromite ores of the Klyuchevsky massif are different. The former are characterized by a wider temperature interval (1185–1120°C) in comparison with massive chromite ore (1160–1140°C).     

Platinum-group-mineral inclusions in chromite from the bird river sill,Manitoba

Platinum-group minerals (PGM) have been identified as inclusions in chromite from the Bird River Sill, Manitoba. The inclusions are small (<20 microns) and are commonly euhedral. The PGM inclusions are (Ru, Os, Ir) S₂, laurite, and (Os, Ir, Ru alloy), rutheniridosmine: Laurites contain up to 2.99 wt. % palladium. Arsenic content is negligible and no platinum or rhodium has been detected. One platinum-group element alloy contains 0.96 wt. % rhodium but neither platinum nor palladium has been detected. Laurite inclusions in chromite from the ultramafic zone record two compositional trends; first increasing and then decreasing Ru/(Ru+Os+Ir) up section. PGM inclusions and other solid inclusions occur as discrete phases in chromite and are part of the chromite precipitation event. Increasing oxygen fugacity by wall rock assimilation or new magma injection initiates chromite precipitation, locally increasing the sulphur content of the magma to convert PGE alloys to sulphides.     

西藏铬铁矿接替资源航磁勘查及找矿方向探讨

西藏是重要的铬铁矿产地,应用航磁圈定超基性岩,进行铬铁矿资源评价是国内外使用的常规方法,能快速缩小找矿靶区、取得事半功倍的效果。中国国土资源航空物探遥感中心于1969年在西藏中东部地区进行了1∶50万—1∶100万中等精度航磁概查,为早期铬铁矿勘查提供了间接信息;近年来又在中西部和一江两河(雅鲁藏布江、拉萨河和年楚河)及其北部地区进行了1∶100万—1∶20万高精度航磁调查。初步划分为5条强磁异常带和2个强磁异常群,为快速地发现超基性岩体、评价铬铁矿接替资源潜力提供了一批重要的间接找矿线索。     

Natural alteration products of sulphide mattes from primary lead smelting

The natural alteration products developed on mattes from lead metallurgy were determined: oxides and hydroxides (HFO, Cu(OH)₂), sulphates (thenardite, gypsum), hydroxysulphates (jarosite, beaverite, brochantite) and carbonates (cerussite, malachite, NaOH·2 PbCO₃). The large range of stability of newly formed phases confirms a significant variety of E_h–pH conditions of natural weathering of matte. Jarosite is stable at pH<3, but some hydroxides and carbonates typically form in neutral and alkaline environments. Consequently, the best dumping conditions for metallurgical mattes are difficult to determine. Such materials can have severe environmental effects and should be dumped in controlled waste-disposal sites. To cite this article: V. Ettler et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Crystallization temperature of wyomingite from Leucite Hills

Wyomingite collected from Leucite Hills is composed mainly of leucite, diopside, phlogopite, and small amounts of apatite, calcite, magnetite and rare amphibole, and is characterized by very high content of potash. Thermal experiments at atmospheric pressure indicate that the liquidus phase is always diopside with liquidus temperature of 1320 °C, and solidus temperature is about 1000 °C. Various kinds of melt inclusions are abundant in all constituent minerals. They comprise mono-phase (glass only), two-phase (gas+glass), three-phase (gas+glass+one crystalline phase) and multi-phase (gas+glass+more than two crystalline phases) inclusions. Thermal experiments have been made on these inclusions in phlogopite, diopside, and leucite in order to estimate the temperature of crystallization by homogenizing these inclusions. The results show that the crystallization of wyomingite began with formation of phlogopite accompanied by diopside at 1270 °C. Although diopside ceased crystallization at 1220 °C recurrent crystallization of phlogopite was noticed between 1120 ° and 1040 °C. Leucite crystallized out abundantly between 1250 ° and 1150 °C. Complete solidification of wyomingite occurred at about 1000 °C.     

北秦岭松树沟橄榄岩与铬铁矿矿床的成因关系

松树沟橄榄岩体是秦岭造山带中规模最大的赋存铬铁矿床的超基性岩体。松树沟橄榄岩主要由细粒橄榄岩质糜棱岩和中粗粒橄榄岩组成。本文通过对松树沟橄榄岩的岩相学、主微量、稀土元素地球化学的系统研究,认为松树沟细粒方辉橄榄岩为洋脊扩张过程中地幔岩减压-近分离熔融产生的残留体,细粒纯橄岩主要由地幔橄榄岩熔融残留橄榄石、消耗辉石的减压熔融反应:aCpx+bOpx+cSpl=dOl+1Melt生成的橄榄石和少量的地幔方辉橄榄岩残留体组成,但均受到了后期渗滤熔体的再富集作用;中粗粒纯橄岩和方辉橄榄岩主要为上述反应产生的渗滤熔体被圈闭在迁移通道或减压扩容带内在热边界层(TBL)通过反应:MeltA=Ol+MeltB冷凝结晶而成,属堆晶橄榄岩。Pb-Sr-Nd同位素地球化学的证据显示,松树沟橄榄岩与基性岩具有共同的地幔源区,二者同为松树沟蛇绿岩的重要组成部分。通过矿床地质特征及铬铁矿电子探针测试研究,认为松树沟铬铁矿床是产于中粗粒堆晶纯橄岩中的层状铬铁矿床,形成于格林威尔期松树沟洋盆的扩张过程中,是中粗粒纯橄岩在热边界层(TBL)的冷凝结晶过程中岩浆分异作用的产物。     

Chemical differentiation of chromite grains in the nodular-chromite from Rodiani (Greece)

Microprobe and X-ray diffraction analyses of chromite grains from Rodiani show narrow but distinct marginal zones, higher in Fe and Cr but lower in Al and Mg (Fig. of Plate I and II). This differentiation, not so distinctly demonstrated before, could be shown by application of microprobe methods and lattice constant data.

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Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen mit der Elektronen-Mikrosonde und die Bestimmung der Gitterkonstanten an Chromitkörnern aus Rodiani zeigen schmale aber deutliche Randzonen mit höherem Fe- und Cr-Gehalt und geringerem Al- und Mg-Gehalt als der Kern an. Diese Differenzierung mit Hilfe von Mikrosondenanalysen und Gitterkonstanten konnte bisher nicht so deutlich dargestellt werden.

     

Fluid inclusions in chromite from a pyroxenite dike of the Pindos ophiolite complex

Chromitite occurrences in the Pindos ophiolite complex are located in elongated dunite bodies hosted in harzburgite of the mantle sequence, and show a compositional variation from high-Al to high-Cr type. Although the majority of the chromite ores is characterized by paucity in fluid inclusions, abundant fluid inclusions were found in chromite hosted by a coarse-grained pyroxenite dike at the Spanos Valley, Pindos complex. Chromite occurs in highly variable proportion in an orthopyroxene matrix or as inclusions in orthopyroxenes. Its composition is homogeneous and has an average Cr/(Cr+Al) ratio 0.73.The investigation of chromitites revealed the presence of primary and secondary fluid inclusions. The primary inclusions are of following types: Three-phase solid-liquid-gas, three-phase liquid-liquid-gas, two-phase liquid-gas and one-phase octahedron crystal-shaped. The secondary fluid inclusions are two-phase liquid-gas and mono-phase fluid inclusions.The presence of fluid inclusions in chromite aggregates hosted in orthopyroxenite dikes, in combination with the trace element contents in chromite concentrates and the mineralogical composition of the dikes may indicate that an aqueous phase separated from the magma.     

Assessment and prediction of contaminant migration in ground water from chromite waste dump

Sukinda chromite valley is one of the largest chromite deposits of the country and produces nearly 8% of chromite ore. It greatly contributes towards the economic development but at the same time deteriorates the natural environment. It is generally excavated by opencast mining method. In the Sukinda mining area, around 7.6 million tons of solid waste have been generated in the form of rejected minerals, overburden material/waste rock and sub-grade ore that may be resulting in environmental degradation, mainly causing lowering in the water table vis-à-vis deterioration in surface and ground water quality. The study conducted in and around one of the chromite mine of the valley reveals that the concentration of hexavalent chromium is found in the water samples of ground and surface water, mine effluents and seepage water. Hexavalent Chromium (Cr⁺⁶) have been found varying between 0.02 mg/l and 0.12 mg/l in mine effluents and 0.03–0.8 mg/l in shallow hand pumps and 0.05 and 1.22 mg/l in quarry seepage. The concentration of Cr⁺⁶ in Damsal nalah, the main surface water source in the area, is found varying between 0.03 mg/l and 0.14 mg/l and a increasing trend, which is in the downstream of mining activities, has been observed. Leachate study clearly shows that the soil lying in the vicinity of mine waste dump shows highest concentration of Cr⁺⁶. Contaminant migration in ground water depends upon various geohydrological conditions of the area. The study shows that aquifer resistivity varies between 15 Ωm to 150 Ωm and aquifer depth varies from 4 m to 26 m below ground level. The ground water flow and mass transport models were constructed with the help of geo-hydrological and geophysical informations using Visual Modflow software. Contaminant migration and path lines for 20 years have been predicted in two layers model of ground water. The study provided an insight into the likely migration of contaminant in ground water due to leaching from overburden dump of chromite ore and will be helpful in making strategic planning for limiting the contaminant migration in the ground water regime in and around the mining areas.     

对豆荚状铬铁矿床成因的认识

文章提出豆荚状铬铁矿床不是上地幔局部溶融后的残余物，而是亏损地幔又经部分溶融形成的溶体发生液相不混溶，导致硅酸盐岩浆和富铬矿浆的形成。当比重不同高度分馏的溶体在上升过程发生了分离，轻熔体上升侵入于岩浆房、重熔体和铬铁矿浆，就地堆积或贯入围岩形成豆荚状铬铁矿床。豆荚状铬铁矿的伴生围岩纯橄岩，不是高度亏损的上地幔残余，可能是与铬铁矿浆伴随的一种硅酸盐熔体 。与大量纯橄岩脉伴随的基性岩、超基性岩脉，也属     

Heavy-mineral concentrates from rocks in exploration for massive sulphide deposits

A number of programs have investigated the use of rock geochemistry in the search for volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the Canadian Shield. Regional-scale studies have been successful in differentiating productive from nonproductive volcanic cycles. Wall-rock studies have successfully delineated alteration halos related to the mineralizing event. While an alteration halo has been identified around the South Bay massive sulphide deposit, this halo does not extend far enough from the deposit to be useful for reconnaissance purposes. The authors therefore tested the possibility of enhancing detection of a primary trace-element halo by using the heavy mineral fraction of the rocks.The geochemical dispersion of trace elements in the heavy-mineral fraction of rocks was investigated around the South Bay massive sulphide deposit, in the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. Approximately 270 samples were ground to 74–500 μm (−35 +200 mesh) and separated using the heavy liquid bromoform. Following removal of the magnetic fraction, the samples were further pulverized, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Fe, Mn, Co and Ni. Corresponding whole-rock samples were analyzed to provide for a comparative study with the whole-rock geochemistry.Analysis of the heavy-mineral fraction of rocks revealed strong and extensive halos of Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag persisting in some cases up to 10 km along strike away from the South Bay Deposit. By comparison, in the whole-rock data, halos of Pb, Ag and Zn were detected no farther than 1–2 km away from the deposit. Furthermore, trace-element content in the whole rocks appeared to be dominated by rock type; either multivariate statistical techniques, or separation of the data by rock type, was necessary to distinguish the anomaly related to mineralization. Trace-element content in the heavy-mineral concentrates was dominated by the presence of the sulphide minerals pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, thus directly reflecting mineralization.Use of the heavy-mineral fraction of the rock eliminates the dilution effects of quartz and feldspar, allowing enhancement of trace-metal concentrations in sulphide minerals, and the delineation of strong and extensive halos of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Mn around the South Bay massive sulphide deposit. While the cost of preparation of heavy-mineral separates is higher than that for whole-rock samples, the anomaly clearly defined by the trace-element content of the heavy fraction avoids the need for costly major-element and subsequent statistical analysis, and increases target size by an order of magnitude. The heavy-mineral fraction obtained from rocks shows great potential as an exploration guide to volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits.     

Trace and minor elements in sphalerite from metamorphosed sulphide deposits

Sphalerite is a common sulphide and is the dominant ore mineral in Zn-Pb sulphide deposits. Precise determination of minor and trace element concentrations in sulphides, including sphalerite, by Laser-Ablation Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Mass-Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a potentially valuable petrogenetic tool. In this study, LA-ICP-MS is used to analyse 19 sphalerite samples from metamorphosed, sphalerite-bearing volcanic-associated and sedimentary exhalative massive sulphide deposits in Norway and Australia. The distributions of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Ga, Se, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi are addressed with emphasis on how concentrations of these elements vary with metamorphic grade of the deposit and the extent of sulphide recrystallization. Results show that the concentrations of a group of trace elements which are believed to be present in sphalerite as micro- to nano-scale inclusions (Pb, Bi, and to some degree Cu and Ag) diminish with increasing metamorphic grade. This is interpreted as due to release of these elements during sphalerite recrystallization and subsequent remobilization to form discrete minerals elsewhere. The concentrations of lattice-bound elements (Mn, Fe, Cd, In and Hg) show no correlation with metamorphic grade. Primary metal sources, physico-chemical conditions during initial deposition, and element partitioning between sphalerite and co-existing sulphides are dominant in defining the concentrations of these elements and they appear to be readily re-incorporated into recrystallized sphalerite, offering potential insights into ore genesis. Given that sphalerite accommodates a variety of trace elements that can be precisely determined by contemporary microanalytical techniques, the mineral has considerable potential as a geothermometer, providing that element partitioning between sphalerite and coexisting minerals (galena, chalcopyrite etc.) can be quantified in samples for which the crystallization temperature can be independently constrained.