Predicted equilibrium constants for solid and aqueous selenium species to 300 °C: applications to selenium-rich mineral deposits

Abstract

In this study, an attempt has been made to assess aqueous speciation of selenium and solubility product constants of common selenides at elevated temperatures (up to 300 °C) by using various extrapolation methods. This study predicts that reduced selenium species are dominant species in many geological processes even under relatively oxidized conditions such as those dictated by the magnetite–hematite buffer. On the basis of extrapolated equilibrium constants and solubility product constants for common Se-bearing mineral phases, critical ∑Se/∑S ratios (molal ratios) in mineralizing fluids are proposed for independent selenium mineralization. The minimum ∑Se/∑S ratios in mineralizing fluids for independent selenium mineralization should be at least ∼10 −6, ∼10 −5 and ∼10 −4 at 100, 200 and 300 °C, respectively. For giant independent selenium deposits such as the La'erma and Qiongmo Au–Se deposits in the western Qingling mountains, and Yutangba Se deposits in Hubei Province, China, the mineralizing fluids have reached much higher ∑Se/∑S ratios ranging from ∼10 −1 to ∼10 −3 at 200 °C. This study also suggests that the equilibrium assemblage of pyrite–ferroselite among the common ore minerals requires the highest ∑Se/∑S ratios in mineralizing fluids, followed in decreasing order by the assemblages of stibnite–antimonselite, galena–clausthalite, cinnabar–tiemannite, and acanthite/argentite–naumannite. The assemblage of pyrite–ferroselite can also be formed under relatively oxidizing conditions where [∑H 2Se]/[∑H 2S] ratios can be high enough for the formation of independent ferroselite.