Multivariate statistical analysis of trace elements in apatite: Discrimination of apatite with different origins

Abstract

Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to construct the link between trace element contents of magmatic or hydrothermal apatite and deposit and rock types. Apatite with different origins is discriminated by characteristic chemical composition. In average, ore magmatic apatite has higher light REE and Th, and lower Sr than barren rock apatite, independent of deposit types. Hydrothermal apatite has lower La, Ce, Pr, and Nd contents than magmatic apatite, probably because fluids prefer migrating light rare earth element out of apatite. Hydrothermal apatite from iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) and iron oxide apatite (IOA) deposits is discriminated by high Mn and Sr relative to magmatic apatite, probably because these elements are fluid mobile. Barren magmatic apatite from granitoid-related deposits is well separated from ore magmatic apatite by higher Sr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and lower Mn contents, which are likely related to the relatively low degree of differentiation and high aluminum saturation index of parental magma.Magmatic apatite from IOA deposits is discriminated by relatively high Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, and low Mn and U contents, which are possibly related to the crystallization of Mn-compatible magnetite microlites and peraluminous magmas. Magmatic apatite from granitoid-related W deposits is relatively rich in Y, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. The relative enrichment of Sr in magmatic apatite from granitoid-related Cu-Pb-Zn and Pb-Zn deposits is likely due to less fractionation of Sr-compatible plagioclase. Melt of sediment component accounts for high Mn and Th in magmatic apatite from granitoid-related Mo deposits. Magmatic apatite from porphyry deposits is discriminated by relatively high V, Sr, and Eu contents. Magmatic apatite from porphyry Mo deposits has relatively high Pr, Nd, and Sm and low Sr contents compared to other types of porphyry deposits due to the more evolved magma. Hydrothermal apatite from IOA deposits is discriminated by high V and Sr, whereas those from IOCG deposits have high Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and U contents, because the lower temperature of IOCG cause precipitation of REE in Cl-rich fluid. Relatively low Gd and Tb in hydrothermal apatite from skarn deposits are possibly due to the crystallization of amphibole.Apatite in carbonatite has high contents of trace elements possibly because high contents of Ca and P in melts cause high apatite-melt partition coefficients of trace elements. Apatite from sedimentary and metamorphic rocks is discriminated by relative enrichment of Sr and Eu. Compared to igneous rocks, apatite from sedimentary rocks has low REE contents, reflecting low REE budget in surface waters. Breakdown of some minerals to release and remobilize REE and U during metamorphism can interpret high heavy REE and U contents in apatite from high-grade metamorphic rocks relative to those from low- and medium-grade metamorphic rocks. The ability to discriminate apatite from different types of deposits and rocks indicates the application potential of apatite chemistry in mineral exploration. A flowchart was proposed to identify apatite with unknown origins.