The origin of the mineralizing fluids in different type mineralizations associated with the Upper Cretaceous Elazig Magmatic Complex, Turkey; an isotopic approach

Abstract

This study examined the origin and properties of mineralized fluids by using C, O and S isotopes in different type mineralizations associated with the Upper Cretaceous Elazig Magmatic Complex. The isotopic compositions of vein type mineralizations show that the thrust zone affects the formation of the Karakas iron mineralization by meteoric and magmatic hydrothermal solution mixtures due to the average δ18OH2O value 6.40‰. The calculated δ18OH2O composition values is 5.20‰ in biotite from the Kızıldag vein type Cu–Pb–Zn mineralizations, which is consistent with a magmatic origin of the fluids. The calculated δ18OH2O composition is 4.30‰ that indicates a medium and low temperature magmatic hydrothermal fluid effect. The skarn type mineralizations isotopic compositions indicate that the calculated δ13CCO2 values are between −12.70‰ and −36.39‰ that could be late magmatic fluids that were modified by interaction with the host meta-sedimentary rocks and with meteoric water at the Birvan and Asvan iron mineralizations. Also the δ18OH2Ovalues in quartz of the Meseli iron mineralization are between 0.70‰ and 1.30‰. The lower δ18OH2O oxygen isotope composition compared to magmatic origins must be hydrothermal solutions mixing with meteoric waters. In the massive sulfide type Kavallı and Derince pyrite samples, δ34SH2S values are between 17.73‰ and 20.63‰. These values clearly indicate the volcano-sedimentary effect on hydrothermal solutions, which form the mineralization. The first findings of this study present information that all of the measured isotopic composition was modified by mixing metamorphic, magmatic and meteoric waters in the final stages of the hydrothermal solutions circulation.