Isotopic Compositions Of Hydrothermal Fluids Research Articles

Geochemistry and geochronology of Beiya giant Au polymetallic deposit: Implications for multistage ore-fluid pulses in a skarn system

Garnet is one of the most typical minerals in skarn deposits, and its texture and composition is a proxy for the changing physicochemical conditions. Thus, mineralogical and geochemical characterization of different garnet types can provide important information on the nature and evolution of ore-forming fluids. The Beiya gold-polymetallic deposit is China’s largest skarn-type Au deposit with Au reserves of >380 t. Although several studies have addressed the skarn formation mechanism and nature of fluid evolution, a systematic study on the changes in the composition and texture of garnet from wall rocks to ore-related intrusion has not yet been attempted. In this work, we carry out a systematic investigation along a horizonal profile in the open pit of the Beiya deposit. Our results show that the garnet in the profile belongs to grossular-andradite solid solution series with all grains showing well-developed fine oscillatory zoning. The garnets are of two types: the first type (Grt I) formed within the endoskarn, is reddish to red with euhedral-subhedral megacryst structure (>10 mm) and has altered surfaces. The second type (Grt II) occur in the proximal exoskarn, is red to brown–red, euhedral-subhedral, with medium- to fine- grained structure (0.3–4 mm) and displaying oscillatory zoning. Unlike Grt I, hydrous minerals occur in the pores among Grt II garnets, such as calcite, quartz, epidote and chlorite. Also, calcite-chlorite vein, quartz vein and quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite vein cuts the Grt II garnets. Grt I is dominantly grossular (Adr14.88-43.58Grs55.25-82.87), depleted in the large ion lithophile elements (LILE), relatively enriched in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and enriched in heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) with negative Eu anomalies. Grt II is mostly andradite (Adr62.18-98.91Grs0-36.22), depleted in the LILE and HFSE, enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) with slightly positive Eu anomalies. Here we selected Grt II for in-situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating, since Grt I contains negligible uranium. The results yielded a lower intercept 206Pb/238U age of 35.3 ± 1.8 Ma (MSWD = 0.68, n = 23). The calculated oxygen isotopic compositions of hydrothermal fluids in equilibrium with two types of garnets range from 6.46 ‰ to 8.56 ‰ (average 7.89 ‰), which are within the range of values for magmatic fluids. We infer that the physicochemical conditions of the hydrothermal fluid changed from relatively reduced, nearly neutral, and low water/rock ratios to slightly oxidized, slightly acidic, and high water/rock ratios. The chlorine content in the fluid increased during garnet growth. The fluctuating compositions of garnets in the skarn suggest multistage ore-fluid activities and the fluid evolution provide insights into the ore-forming process.

A conceptual model for the Tufiño-Chiles-Cerro Negro (TCCN) geothermal system (Ecuador-Colombia): New insights into geothermal exploration from chemical and isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids

The Tufiño-Chiles-Cerro Negro (TCCN), located on the border between Colombia and Ecuador, is one of the most promising geothermal systems in the Andean Northern Volcanic Zone, presenting an estimated geothermal potential of 130–138 MWe associated with two reservoirs located at 500–1000 m, and > 1500 m of depth, respectively. In this work, we present a geochemical conceptual model for TCCN to explore the physicochemical conditions acting on the reservoir, based on a comprehensive dataset of water, gas geochemistry, and stable isotopes of the hydrothermal manifestations of the geothermal system, integrated with previously published data. Four new water samples and two bubbling gas samples were collected from the TCCN area during fieldwork in January 2015. Waters from TCCN, which show temperatures up to 54.7 °C, are near-neutral to slightly acidic and have variable TDS values (687 to 3095 mg/L) that generally increase at increasing temperature. All the samples fall far from the chloride-mature waters field, being characterised by SO42− or HCO3−dominated composition, suggesting steam-heated and peripheral water characteristics. The 3He/4He ratios (R/Ra) of gas samples range between 2.4 and 4.6, indicating an important mantle He contribution diluted by the addition of radiogenic and atmospheric 4He. Based on their CO2/3He and δ13C–CO2 ratios, gas samples show a carbon origin prevailing from subducted limestone, likely connected to the presence of the subducting Carnegie ridge. A mixing between a thermogenic and biogenic origin for methane is suggested, consistent with the dominant inputs from microbial methanogenesis and thermal maturation of sedimentary organic matter in the TCCN system. The high δ34S-H2S values of gas (+6.7 ‰ and 10.7 ‰ vs. V-CDT) and δ34S-SO4 of water (+19.2 ‰ and + 19.3 ‰ vs. V-CDT) samples coupled with the high values of S/3He indicate that the sulphur signature could be mostly controlled by the incorporation of subducted sulphate. Gas geothermometric estimations in the CO2-H2 system indicate a temperature between 245 and 250 °C for the geothermal reservoir. The gas samples appear to be in disequilibrium concerning the redox conditions related to the FeO/FeO1.5 buffer typical for hydrothermal systems, implying that these samples represent immature vapours. This could be explained by the input of magmatic fluids into the roots of the TCCN geothermal systems, possibly related to the seismic crisis linked to the unrest of the volcanic complex at the end of 2014.

Evolution of the composition of hydrothermal mineral-forming fluid of ore deposits in early Precambrian of the Ukrainian Shield

The aim of the study, the results of which are presented in this article, is to study changes in the composition of hydrothermal fluid ore systems of the early Precambrian on the example of gold and uranium ore deposits of the Ukrainian shield in connection with the evolution of exo- and endogenous processes in the outer shells of the Earth. The method used is a complex isotope-geochemical study of the composition of gas-liquid inclusions of hydrothermal fluid of ore systems. Based on experimental isotope-geochemical studies of the fluid of gas-liquid inclusions in the minerals of Precambrian deposits of uranium and gold of the Serednoprydniprovsky and Ingul megablocks of the Ukrainian Shield, a consistent change in the quantitative and isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids of mineral formation from Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic was established. The content of H2O and CO2 was investigated and the isotopic composition of carbon CO2 fluids in quartz, pyrite, and feldspar were studied. The age range of the studied deposits is 3200—1750 million years. A decrease in the carbon dioxide content in the hydrothermal mineral-forming fluid of the Precambrian occurred in the Neoarchean, that is, before the Great Oxygen Event (Great Oxidation Event) — an increase in the oxygen content in the atmosphere in the Paleoproterozoic and is probably associated with the processes of exogenous and endogenous hydration of ultramafic rocks during the formation of the protocontinental crust. Molar fraction of CO2 in the mineral-forming fluid, in the Precambrian correlates to some extent with atmospheric pressure. The increase in the content of the carbon-12 isotope in the Paleoproterozoic in the mineral-forming fluid occurred due to the oxidation of organic matter with an increase in the oxygen content in the atmosphere.

Giant Fluorite Mineralization in Central Mexico by Means of Exceptionally Low Salinity Fluids: An Unusual Style among MVT Deposits

The origin of the mineralization at the world-class Las Cuevas (the largest single fluorite deposit in the world) has been historically disputed, essentially between skarn-related and Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) models. A systematic study of fluid inclusions in these deposits revealed that they were formed by low temperature (49 to 177 °C) and low salinity (0 to 1.9 wt % NaCl equiv) fluids. The obtained δ13C (between −2.39 and 0.20‰ VPDB) and δ18O (between −14.03 and −7.37‰ VPDB) data from local host limestones agreed with regionally representative values in the literature. The obtained δ13C (between −15.60 and −12.99‰ VPDB) and δ18O (between −5.56 and −1.84‰ VPDB) data from hydrothermal calcite associated with fluorite mineralization indicated that the isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids initially reflected buffering by the host rocks, and then recorded the interaction between meteoric water and basinal brines. It is likely that such processes occurred with concurrent maturation of organic matter, and that the obtained compositions may also have recorded a thermal effect on the local limestones. Halogen geochemical studies in inclusion fluids showed a distribution that suggests that solutes in mineralizing fluids were due to scavenging of Na+ and Cl− through water–rock interaction or halite dissolution, and that secondary sources would have been the evaporation or infiltration of seawater. The basinal brines with which the formation of these deposits was associated were massively diluted by deeply evolved meteoric water, thus making a significant fluorine input by basinal brines unlikely. Fluorine would have been provided by local groundwater through its interaction with Oligocene topaz rhyolites and other F-rich volcanic and hypabyssal rocks. Such a possibility is supported by present-day groundwater, which presents a regional endemic case of fluorosis. The precipitation of fluorite is possible at low temperatures (at which the solubility of this mineral is very low) by means of chemical reactions and physical interactions among very diluted F-poor basinal brines, F-rich groundwater, and host carbonate rocks. The latter systematically experienced hydrothermal karstification, which would have provided Ca2+ for reaction with F− and resulted in the precipitation of fluorite. This scenario stands for a depositional model that recalls those proposed for MVT and associated industrial mineral deposits, but is distinct from common models with regard to the primal source for fluorine and the extremely low salinities of inclusion fluids.

Ore Fluid Properties and Sources from Quartz-Associated Gold at the Betze-Post Carlin-Type Gold Deposit, Nevada, United States

Quartz at the Betze-Post deposit, the largest Carlin-type gold system in the world, was examined to better understand ore fluid properties and sources that generated Carlin-type gold deposits. Detailed petrography and paragenesis investigations distinguished textural relationships, luminescence, various generations of quartz, and fluid inclusion populations; microthermometry, chemical analyses of quartz, and in situ and conventional oxygen isotope analyses of quartz provided information about hydrothermal fluid conditions as well as fluid sources and ore formation processes. Pre-, syn-, late-, and post-ore stages of quartz were distinguished during petrographic studies and confirmed by cathodoluminescence analyses. Ore-stage jasperoid and late-ore drusy quartz are spatially associated with Au-bearing pyrite; both lack luminescence. Two generations of post-ore drusy quartz overgrew ore and late-ore quartz and exhibit bright and multiply zoned luminescence. Electron probe microanalyses determined that nonluminescing ore and late-ore quartz have elevated concentrations of Al, in contrast to post-ore luminescent quartz that contains low trace element concentrations. Fluid inclusion microthermometry determined that ore-stage fluids had low salinities, generally <5 wt % NaCl equiv, and were trapped at 180° to 240°C. The δ 18O values, calculated for inclusion fluids and determined for quartz using in situ ion probe and conventional analyses, indicate that the isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids became 18O depleted with time, from the ore stage through the late-ore stage to the post-ore stage. The δ 18O composition of each stage of quartz also varies spatially across the Betze-Post deposit, and δ 18OVSMOW values of ore-, late-ore, and post-ore stage quartz became more depleted with increasing distance from the master Post fault. These patterns are interpreted to result from increasing dilution of the 18O-enriched ore fluid by unevolved meteoric fluids over time and with increased ore fluid transport distance to the west, away from the Post fault, the master fault that transmitted hydrothermal fluids to the deposit. Oxygen isotope results are consistent with a low fluid/rock ratio during upward transport of the ore fluid via the Post fault. Below the deposit, some ore fluids were diverted into the JB Series faults, associated with the Betze ore zones, and the Shalosky fault, associated with the Screamer ore zone in the western part of the deposit. Ore fluids were increasingly diluted by meteoric fluids with distance as ore fluids traveled away from the Post fault and over time as different stages of quartz precipitated. Acidic, 180° to 240°C ore fluids accessed the level of the deposits where they reacted with the Devonian Popovich Formation and precipitated nonluminescing, Al-enriched ore-stage jasperoid and late-ore drusy quartz, along with Au and trace element-rich pyrite. Fluid-rock reaction, dissolution, and replacement of silty carbonate host rocks may have produced Al that substituted for Si in non-luminescing jasperoid and late-ore stage quartz. As the hydrothermal ore system began to cool and collapse, late-ore drusy quartz and realgar precipitated in open space as ore-stage pyrite precipitation declined. The hydrothermal system collapsed with meteoric water flooding; post-ore minerals, including luminescent, Al-poor post-ore drusy quartz and later calcite and barite, precipitated either from latest Carlin-related fluids, neutralized by infiltration of meteoric waters, or as part of a later, separate hydrothermal event.

Helium isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids from the Manus back-arc Basin, Papua New Guinea

We present isotopic analysis of helium in hydrothermal fluids from the Manus back-arc basin, collected during the French-Japanese Manusflux and Manaute cruises in 1995 and 2000, respectively. The helium isotope composition of the fluids is comparable to that measured elsewhere in similar subduction environments, with 3He/4He values (7.4 to 7.9 Ra) slightly lower than typical MORB values, except on the Manus Spreading Center (MSC) where higher values (12 ± 0.1 Ra) are observed. The causal link between the narrow spatial extent of the 3He/4He anomaly at the MSC and a 3He-rich deep mantle component remains elusive, based on available geophysical data. Thus, the Manus Spreading Center results may be an interesting example of small scale upper-mantle heterogeneity.

Temperatures and Oxygen Isotopic Compositions of Hydrothermal Fluids for the Takatori Tungsten-copper Deposit, Japan

. Fluid inclusion and oxygen isotope studies are performed to obtain temperatures and oxygen isotopic compositions of hydrothermal fluids for the vein-type tungsten-copper deposit at Takatori in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Temperatures of the hydrothermal fluids are calculated from fluid inclusion data. The calculation incorporates the effects of the salinity, gas concentration, and fluid pressure. The fluid temperatures range from 370d to 460dC. For these calculations, this study obtains a density equation for H2O-NaCl-CO2 solution at the vapor-liquid two-phase boundary. Then the present study combines the obtained equation with the equation of state by Bowers and Helgeson (1983). The fluid temperatures determined in this study are applied to the calculation of oxygen isotopic compositions of the hydrothermal fluids. The calculation of the oxygen isotopic compositions is based on the oxygen isotope analyses of vein quartz. The oxygen isotopic compositions of vein quartz range from +13.5 to +14.4 % relative to SMOW. Then, the oxygen isotopic compositions of the hydrothermal fluids in equilibrium with the vein quartz are calculated to be from +9.7 to +10.5 %. These δ18Ofluid values agree with those of magmatic fluids derived from the ilmenite-series granitic rock, which is related to the mineralization. Keywords: Takatori tungsten-copper deposit, fluid inclusion, oxygen isotope, vein quartz, H2O-NaCl-CO2 solution, density

Genesis and Age Constraints on Gold Deposits of the Daerae Mine, Sangju Area, Central‐Northern Sobaegsan Massif, Korea

Abstract: Gold mineralization of the Daerae mine represents the first recognized example of the Jurassic gold mineralization in the Sangju area, Korea. It occurs as a single stage of quartz veins that fill fault fractures in Precambrian gneiss of the central‐northern Sobaegsan Massif. The mineralogical characteristics of quartz veins, such as the simple mineralogy and relatively gold‐rich (65–72 atomic % Au) nature of electrum, as well as the CO2–rich and low salinity nature of fluid inclusions, are consistent with the ‘mesothermal‐type’ gold deposits previously recognized in the Youngdong area (about 50 km southwest of the Sangju area). Ore fluids were evolved mainly through CO2 immiscibility at temperatures between about 250 and 325 C. Vein sulfides characteristically have negative sulfur isotopic values (–1.9 to +0.2 %), which have been very rarely reported in South Korea, and possibly indicate the derivation of sulfur from an ilmenite‐series granite melt. The calculated O and H isotopic compositions of hydrothermal fluids at Daerae (δ18Owater = +5.2 to +5.9 %; δDwater = –59 to –67 %) are very similar to those from the Youngdong area, and indicate the important role of magmatic water in gold mineralization.The 40Ar–39Ar age dating of a pure alteration sericite sample yields a high‐temperature plateau age of 188.3 0.1 Ma, indicating an early Jurassic age for the gold mineralization at Daerae. The lower temperature Ar‐Ar plateau defines an age of 158.4 2.0 Ma (middle Jurassic), interpreted as reset by a subsequent thermal effect after quartz vein formation. The younger plateau age is the same as the previously reported K‐Ar ages (145–171 Ma) for the other ‘mesothermal–type’ gold deposits in the Youngdong and Jungwon areas, Korea, which are too young in view of the new Jurassic Ar‐Ar plateau age (around 188 Ma).

Sr isotope geochemistry and hydrothermal alteration of the Oman ophiolite

The Sr isotopic behavior in hydrothermally altered rocks of a complete section through the Wadi Fizh oceanic crust in the Oman ophiolite was investigated in order to evaluate seawater‐rock interaction through the oceanic crust. On the basis of rock‐types, secondary mineral assemblage, alteration temperature, average 87Sr/86Sr of hydrothermal fluids, and degree of alteration, the section is divided into the following 5 sequences: (1) mainly basalts and clay minerals, low alteration temperature, average 87Sr/86Sr 0.70634, and 78% degree of alteration; (2) mainly basalts and chlorite, clay minerals and calcite, fairly low alteration temperature, average 87Sr/86Sr 0.70584, and 76% degree of alteration; (3) basalts and sheeted dike diabase and prehnite‐actinolite facies, moderate alteration temperature, average 87Sr/86Sr 0.70519, and 85% degree of alteration; (4) dike diabase, plagiogranite, metagabbro and epidosite and prehnite‐free greenschist facies, high alteration temperature, average 87Sr/86Sr 0.70514, and 65% degree of alteration; and (5) noncumulate and cumulate gabbro and amphibolite facies, very high alteration temperature, average 87Sr/86Sr 0.70413, and 85% degree of alteration. Alteration (metamorphic) grade deduced from secondary mineral assemblages generally increases versus stratigraphic depth. Only 15% of the rocks have escaped hydrothermal alteration. The estimated strontium isotopic compositions of hydrothermal fluids are much more water‐dominated than those reported previously from modern and ophiolitic hydrothermal systems. On the basis of ideal model analysis we conclude that the whole sequence of oceanic crust in the Wadi Fizh section has experienced seawater recharge (downflow zone). The evidence suggests that the Wadi Fizh section was located close to a segment boundary of the oceanic crust along a spreading axis.

Mechanisms of Mg-phyllosilicate formation in a hydrothermal system at a sedimented ridge (Middle Valley, Juan de Fuca)

We present results of a detailed mineralogical and geochemical study of the progressive hydrothermal alteration of clastic sediments recovered at ODP Site 858 in an area of active hydrothermal venting at the sedimented, axial rift valley of Middle Valley (northern Juan de Fuca Ridge). These results allow a characterization of newly formed phyllosilicates and provide constraints on the mechanisms of clay formation and controls of mineral reactions on the chemical and isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal alteration at Site 858 is characterized by a progressive change in phyllosilicate assemblages with depth. In the immediate vent area, at Hole 858B, detrital layers are intercalated with pure hydrothermal precipitates at the top of the section, with a predominance of hydrothermal phases at depth. Sequentially downhole in Hole 858B, the clay fraction of the pure hydrothermal layers changes from smectite to corrensite to swelling chlorite and finally to chlorite. In three pure hydrothermal layers in the deepest part of Hole 858B, the clay minerals coexist with neoformed quartz. Neoformed and detrital components are clearly distinguished on the basis of morphology, as seen by SEM and TEM, and by their chemical and stable isotope compositions. Corrensite is characterized by a 24 A stacking sequence and high Si- and Mg-contents, with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio of ≈0.08. We propose that corrensite is a unique, possibly metastable, mineralogical phase and was precipitated directly from seawater-dominated hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal chlorite in Hole 858B has a stacking sequence of 14 A with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of ≈0.35. The chemistry and structure of swelling chlorite suggest that it is a corrensite/chlorite mixed-layer phase. The mineralogical zonation in Hole 858B is accompanied by a systematic decrease in δ18O, reflecting both the high thermal gradients that prevail at Site 858 and extensive sediment-fluid interaction. Precipitation of the Mg-phyllosilicates in the vent region directly controls the chemical and isotopic compositions of the pore fluids. This is particularly evident by decreases in Mg and enrichments in deuterium and salinity in the pore fluids at depths at which corrensite and chlorite are formed. Structural formulae calculated from TEM-EDX analyses were used to construct clay-H2O oxygen isotope fractionation curves based on oxygen bond models. Our results suggest isotopic disequilibrium conditions for corrensite-quartz and swelling chlorite-quartz precipitation, but yield an equilibrium temperature of 300° C±30° for chlorite-quartz at 32 m below the surface. This estimate is consistent with independent estimates and indicates steep thermal gradients of 10–11°/m in the vent region.

The Enåsen gold deposit, central Sweden

Stable isotope analyses of quartz, sulphides, and magnetite were conducted to provide information on thermal history and source of hydrothermal fluids in the Palaeoproterozoic Enasen gold deposit. Reequilibration and homogenization of oxygen isotopes throughout the rock have apparently not occurred despite the upper amphibolite to granulite facies regional metamorphism that has affected the rocks. However, oxygen isotope geothermometry on a coexisting quartz-magnetite pair gave a minimum temperature for peak metamorphism of around 650 °C which agrees with Fe-Mg geothermometry. This suggests that grain-scale equilibrium is achieved. The variation in oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O = 7.3 – 10.5‰) on quartz from the metamorphosed acid sulphate alteration zone is suggested to represent a cooling trend in the fossil hydrothermal system with higher δ18O-values in more superficial parts. Temperatures of alteration and silicification and isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids could not be defined from the present data but it was recognized that the data is compatible with a epithermal genesis for the deposit. It is suggested that alteration, silicification, and mineralization at the Enasen gold deposit took place in a high sulphidation epithermal environment at temperatures of around 200–250 °C and that the hydrothermal fluids consisted of meteoric and magmatic water. A tentative reconstruction of the fossil hydrothermal system is presented. Sulphur isotope ratios of sulphides from the fold-bearing quartz-sillimanite gneiss gave δ34S-values close to zero indicating a magmatic source of the sulphur.

The Boron Isotopic Composition of Tourmaline as a Guide to Fluid Processes and Boron Source in the South-West England Orefield: An Ion Microprobe Study

Recent work has shown the boron isotopic composition of tourmaline to be sensitive to a number of factors including boron source, waterrock interaction and temperature and pressure of formation (Palmer and Slack, 1989; Palmer et al, 1992). The boron isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids has also been shown to be sensitive to boiling (Leeman et al, 1992). The boron isotopic composition of individual tourmalines from S.W. England has been determined in order to investigate both fluid source and fluid processes b y attempting to detect isotopic differences within crystals and between samples. Samples were analysed from three main rock types:granites, quartz-tourmaline (tourmalinite) and quartz-topaz-tourmaline (QTT) rocks and greisen(Sn,W)-related veins. Three main sample areas were used the St.Austell granite and its associated tourmalinites and QTT rocks at Roche and St. Mewan's Beacon, the roof zone of the Land's End granite exposed at Porth Ledden and the Cligga Head granite and sheeted vein system 9 Tourmalinites and QTT rocks are important as they are considered to represent the transition from magmatic to hydrothermal conditions (Manning, 1981;Bottrell and Yardley, 1988) 9

Reaction Control of the Chemical and Isotopic Compositions of Hydrothermal Fluids at a Sedimented Ridge (Middle Valley, ODP Leg 139)

Recent drilling of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) during Leg 139 at Middle Valley, an axial rift valley of the northern Juan de Fuca Ridge, provided an important opportunity to characterize sub-seafloor hydrothermal processes at a sediment-covered spreading centre (Davis, Mottl, Fisher, et al., 1992). In this study, we have determined the mineralogical and chemical composition of representative bulk samples and hydrothermal precipitates and have analyzed the stable isotope compositions of pore waters and authlgenic phases in the altered sedimentary sequences recovered at three sites: 856 (a former hydrothermal area), 857 (a 'hydrothermal reservoir'), and 858 (an active hydrothermal discharge zone). The mineralogical, chemical and stable isotope signatures provide a record of high temperature, convective hydrothermal circulation associated with the deposition of massive sulphides and allow the evaluation of reactions occurring along the fluid pathways.

Strontium, oxygen, and hydrogen isotope geochemistry of hydrothermally altered and weathered rocks in DSDP Hole 504B, Costa Rica Rift

DSDP Hole 504B was drilled into 6 Ma crust, about 200 km south of the Costa Rica Rift, Galapagos Spreading Center, penetrating 1.35 km into a section that can be divided into four zones—Zone I: oxic submarine weathering; Zone II: anoxic alteration; Zones III and IV: hydrothermal alteration to greenschist facies. In Zone III there is intense veining of pillow basalts. Zone IV consists of altered sheeted dikes. Isotopic geochemical signatures in relation to the alteration zones are recorded in Hole 504B, as follows: Zone Depth(m) Average 87Sr/ 86Sr Average δ 18O (% o) Average δD (% o) I 275–550 0.7032 7.3 −63 II 550–890 0.7029 6.5 −45 III 890–1050 0.7035 5.6 −31 IV 1050–1350 0.7032 5.5 −36 Alteration temperatures are as low as 10°C in Zones I and II based on oxygen isotope fractionation. Strontium isotopic data indicate that a circulation of seawater is much more restricted in Zone II than in Zone I. Fluid inclusion measurements of vein quartz indicate the alteration temperature was mainly 300 ± 20°C in Zones III and IV, which is consistent with secondary mineral assemblages. The strontium, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopic compositions of hydrothermal fluids which were responsible for the greenschist facies alteration in Zones III and IV are estimated to be 0.7037, 2‰, and 3‰, respectively. Strontium and oxygen isotope data indicate that completely altered portions of greenstones and vein minerals were in equilibrium with modified seawater under low water/rock ratios (in weight) of about 1.6. This value is close to that of the end-member hydrothermal fluids issuing at 21°N EPR. Basement rocks are not completely hydrothermally altered. About 32% of the greenstones in Zones III and IV have escaped alteration. Thus 1 g of fresh basalt including the 32% unaltered portion are required in order to make 1 g of end-member solution from fresh seawater in water-rock reactions.

Hydrothermal alteration zoning and gold concentration at the Kerr-Addison Archean lode gold deposit, Kirkland Lake, Ontario

Kerr-Addison, a major Archcan lode gold deposit of the Abitibi belt, with a production of approximately 10 X 10 6 oz Au ( approximately 320 metric tons up to 1983), is localized in a zone of talc-carbonate and chlorite-carbonate rocks, immediately south of a regional structural break--the Kirkland Lake-Larder Lake fault zone. Relict volcanic textures taken in conjunction with the ratios of diag-nostic, relatively less mobile elements collectively indicate that most of the wall rocks of the mine were originally mafic and ultramafic rocks along with their clastic derivatives. Regional greenschist facies metamorphism is locally superposed by a distinct zonation of gold-associated hydrothermal alteration characterized by massive introduction of CO 2 coupled with variable enrichments of alkali metals and calcium, which produced systematic trends of alteration mineral assemblages. Alteration types of the initial stage contain chlorite which is replaced by muscovite or albite in the advanced stage of alteration, with a concomitant increase in the proportion of carbonate minerals. Numerous generations of crosscutting veins are enveloped by alteration borders in which the sequence of the Al-bearing minerals, namely albite, mus-covite, and chlorite, develop from the vein to the wall rocks, always in a systematic sequence. The same sequence is observed at a larger scale from the ore zone to the periphery of the mine area.The intensity of alteration can be monitored by saturation indices: CO 2 /(Ca + Fe + Mg) for carbonates; and (3K + Na)/Al, 3K/Al, and Na/Al for muscovite + albite, muscovite, and albite, respectively (molar ratios). Plots of the moving averages of these indices across the 3,850-ft level of the mine reveal a remarkable correspondence to variations of gold abundance, suggesting a genetic relationship of gold enrichment to hydrothermal alteration. On a broad scale, gold is concentrated to the south of the Kirkland Lake-Larder Lake fault zone and at a more detailed scale in the transition zone between carbonate-muscovite and carbonate-albite alteration types. During advanced alteration, fluid X (sub CO 2 ) was approximately 0.1 and Na/K [asymp], 10.Volcanics of the Kinojevis and Larder Lake groups are 18 O enriched relative to pristine tholeiites and possess distinct mineral delta 18 O values, probably due to different conditions of marine-water alteration during or shortly after extrusion. In domains of advanced alteration these are all shifted down to a common narrow bracket: here 18 O/ 16 O and D/H data indicate fairly constant temperatures (270 degrees -300 degrees C) and a common isotopic composition of hydro-thermal fluids (delta 18 O -- +5ppm; delta D = -30 to -50ppm) across the alteration zoning; these results are in common with many other Archcan lode gold deposits. Fe dolomite has a uniform delta 13 C value of -2.8 + or - 0.42 per mil (1Sigma ) throughout the footwall and ore zones, but it is enriched by approximately 1 per mil in the graphite-free hanging-wall rocks. Fluid delta 13 C value was -4 + or - 1 per mil, reflecting either a magmatic carbon reservoir or mixtures of marine carbonate, carbonaceous, and magmatic sources.The enrichment of gold at one side of the Kirkland Lake fault zone is interpreted to be the result of development of a metasomatic zoning induced by gradients in oxidation state, the precious metal being concentrated in the reducing side. Zonation of alteration types south of the Kirkland Lake-Larder Lake fault zone represents various steps of a continuous process of incremental changes of the rocks to adapt to the composition of an externally generated fluid. Successive generations of fracture arrays and veins have the same alteration patterns and thus the composition of the incoming hydrothermal fluid seems to have remained essentially unchanged through time.Gold mineralization at the Kerr-Addison mine and its contiguous alteration halo are interpreted to be the result of repeated cycles of hydraulic fracturing, fluid penetration, and local reaction with rocks. Fluid-rock interaction produced lateral variations of fluid composition which led to gold concentration, probably due to gradients in pH, preferentially at the interface between the carbonate-muscovite and carbonate-albite alteration types, which is also the site of pyrite concentration. The alteration assemblages and specific site of gold-pyrite concentration at Kerr-Addison are common to several other described Archcan lode gold deposits.