Abstract

In the design of hydrothermal solubility studies it is important that the system be completely defined chemically. If the solubilities of minerals containing m metallic elements are to be determined in hydrothermal NaCl solutions, the phase rule requires that a total of m + 6 independent intensive parameters be controlled or measured in order to determine completely the system. In this study the solubility of the univariant assemblage pyrite + pyrrhotite + magnetite has been determined in vapor saturated hydrothermal solutions from 200 to 350°C for NaCl concentrations ranging from 0.0 to 5.0 molal. At any temperature, oxygen and sulfur fugacities were buffered by the chosen assemblage. System pH was determined from excess CO 2 partial pressures and computed ionic equilibria. Equilibrium constants were calculated by regression analysis of solubility data. The results show that more than 10 ppm of each mineral can dissolve in typical hydrothermal solutions under geologically realistic conditions. Solubilities were best represented by the species Fe 2+ and FeCl + at 200 and 250°C; Fe 2+, FeCl + and FeCl 2 0 at 300°C; and Fe 2+ and FeCl 2 0 at 350°C. Ore deposition would occur by lowering temperature, diluting chloride concentration, or by raising pH through wall rock alteration reactions.

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