Zn Ore Research Articles

Genesis of the Florida Canyon Nonsulfide Zn Ores (Northern Peru): New Insights Into the Supergene Mineralizing Events of the Bongará District

Abstract The Florida Canyon Zn deposit in the Bongará Province of northern Peru consists of sulfide and nonsulfide mineralizations within dolomitized strata of the Triassic Chambará Formation, a member of the Triassic-Jurassic Pucará Group. The nonsulfide mineralization, which represents one third of the total resource, formed by supergene alteration of Mississippi Valley-type sulfide bodies. The nonsulfide assemblages occur in stratabound or fault-related, discordant zones that mimic the shapes of the former sulfide zones. Two nonsulfide facies can be distinguished: facies 1 – red zinc ores, which are characterized by smithsonite, or hemimorphite-dominant bodies that formed by direct replacement of primary sulfide assemblages, and facies 2 – white zinc ores, which are characterized by masses of colloform smithsonite formed by replacement of wall rock. The facies are distinct in bulk chemical composition and stable isotope geochemistry. Facies 1 shows high concentrations of Zn, Pb, Fe, Ge, Mn, and As, whereas facies 2 shows only high Zn and Cd concentrations. Enrichments in Ge, which have been reported in other Zn deposits of the Bongará Province, are associated with hemimorphite, Fe hydroxides, and remnant sphalerite in facies 1. The δ13C and δ18O signatures of smithsonite in both facies suggest that meteoric waters infiltrating the precursor sulfide bodies were affected by kinetic fractionation and originated from multiple sources at different altitude.

Characterization and genesis of supergene karstic vanadium ores in the Djebba Pb–Zn district (Triassic Diapirs zone, North Eastern Tunisia)

The Djebba district hosts hypogene Pb–Zn sulfides and two successive stages of supergene Pb–Zn–Fe–V mineralization. This study mainly focuses on the supergene karstic vanadium mineralization of Jebel Goraa deposit. The hypogene Pb–Zn mineralization is considered to have been formed during Late Miocene (Alpine Orogeny) by Mississippi-Valley-Type (MVT) brines, similar to that proposed for many other Pb–Zn ore deposits of the Diapirs zone in Northern Africa. During the Late Neogene-Pleistocene, several episodes of uplift and erosion enabled the exhumation and karstification of the Early Eocene host rocks, and spatially related hypogene Pb–Zn-(Fe) sulfides, their subsequent weathering, and the formation of supergene ores. Vanadium mineralization is developed in karst cavities filled with oxidized ores (goethite, smithsonite and hemimorphite) and argillaceous materials (smectite). The paragenesis of supergene ores reveals two successive stages of deposition: 1) early supergene weathering with formation of Fe-bearing carbonates in turn oxidized to goethite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, and cerussite; 2) late supergene weathering with deposition of Pb–Zn vanadate minerals (vanadinite, descloizite, and vanadinite-pyromorphite intermediate compositions), minor mimetite and late calcite.Vanadium, phosphorous and probably chlorine of the vanadate ores are inferred to have originated from the immature organic matter of Early Eocene country rocks (Tmax <435 °C and TOC average 3.4 wt%) by descending low-temperature aqueous solutions. Pb, Zn and minor As were derived from primary Pb–Zn sulfides undergoing oxidation. Genesis of supergene vanadium ores is genetically related to post-Miocene uplifting-related weathering episodes, controlled by tectono-morphological and climatic evolution following the Alpine orogeny. The formation of the vanadium mineralization spans through the Late Miocene to Holocene. However, with paleoclimatic considerations it could be generally confined to the Middle Pliocene. Genetically, the supergene vanadium ores of Djebba Pb–Zn district belong to the vanadate ores type, which have been reported in other areas of southern and northern Africa (e.g., Namibia and Morocco). The association of vanadium, particularly in highly fractured and faulted zones with high levels of immature organic matter and spatially close to surface or near-surface MVT Pb–Zn ore deposits, can be used as an exploration tool for new vanadium-bearing deposits.

Selected technology-critical elements as indicators of anthropogenic contamination of surface water and suspended solids on the example of the Biała Przemsza River (Poland)

Pollution of surface waters from anthropogenic activities is a global problem, affecting natural ecosystems, having a large impact on the life and health of living organisms. The development of mining and metallurgic industries of Pb and Zn ores in the Biała Przemsza cachment area has had a strong influence on the surface waters and suspended solids. This paper proposes the use of selected critical elements such as Tl, Te, Ga, Ge and In as indicators of anthropogenic pollution of surface waters and suspended solids on the example of the Biała Przemsza River. The impact of strongly anthropogenic urban-industrial catchment on the temporal and spatial distribution of the selected TCEs content in the water and suspension of the Biała Przemsza River depending on the oxygen, pH and Eh conditions is presented. Research has shown that selected critical elements such as Te, Ge, and In can be indicators of anthropogenic pollution of surface waters. In the case of the Biała Przemsza River, elements such as Ga and Tl cannot be indicators of anthropogenic pollution due to their presence in the zinc and lead ore deposits occurring in the river basin. Correlation matrices showed significant relationships between the selected TCEs and other water parameters. The calculated water pollution indices confirmed that the Biała Przemsza River is the most polluted in the last three sampling points.

Zn speciation and fate in soils and sediments along the ground transportation route of Zn ore to a smelter

Assessment of Zn toxicity/mobility based on its speciation and transformations in soils is critical for maintaining human and ecosystem health. Zn-concentrate (56 % Zn as ZnS, sphalerite) has been imported through a seaport and transported to a Zn-smelter for several decades, and smelting processes resulted in aerial deposition of Zn and sulfuric acids in two geochemically distinct territories around the smelter (mountain-slope and riverside). XAFS analysis showed that the mountain-slope soils contained franklinite (ZnFe2O4) and amorphous (e.g., sorbed) species of Zn(II), whereas the riverside sediments contained predominantly hydrozincite [Zn5(OH)6(CO3)2], sphalerite, and franklinite. The mountain-slope soils had low pH and moderate levels of total Zn (~ 1514 ppm), whereas the riverside sediments had neutral pH and higher total Zn (12,363 ppm). The absence of sphalerite and the predominance of franklinite in the mountain-slope soils are attributed to the susceptibility of sphalerite and the resistance of franklinite to dissolution at acidic pH. These results are compared to previous Zn analyses along the transportation routes, which showed that Zn-concentrate spilled along the roadside in dust and soils underwent transformation to various O-coordinated Zn species. Overall, Zn-concentrate dispersed in soils and sediments during transportation and smelting transforms into Zn phases of diverse stability and bioavailability during long-term weathering.

Origin of the Dongbulage Mo–Pb–Zn deposit in the Great Hinggan Range, northeast China: Geological, molybdenite Re–Os dating, fluid inclusion, and C–H–O–S–Pb isotope constraints

The Dongbulage porphyry Mo–Pb–Zn deposit is located in the Huanggang–Ganzhuermiao polymetallic district (HGD) in the southern part of the Great Hinggan Range in northeast China. The Dongbulage deposit is hosted by granite porphyry, and the wall rock alteration can be divided into quartz–potassic, quartz–sericite, and propylitic zones. The hydrothermal activity in the deposit can be divided into five stages, with molybdenite and Pb–Zn ore occurring mainly as veins and veinlets in stages II and III, respectively. The fluid inclusion (FI) types include liquid-rich (L-type), vapor-rich (V-type), and daughter mineral-bearing (S-type) FIs. Based on the combination of FI types and their temperatures and salinities, it is inferred that fluid boiling and incorporation of meteoric water were key factors in the precipitation of Mo and Pb–Zn, respectively. Hydrogen and O isotope data for quartz, and C and O isotope data for calcite indicate that the ore-forming fluids were primarily magmatic in origin, and were mixed with meteoric waters during their evolution. The S and Pb isotope data, along with the mineral paragenesis, suggest that molybdenite and chalcopyrite which precipitated during stage II were derived mainly from magmatic–hydrothermal fluids, whereas arsenopyrite, sphalerite, and pyrite that precipitated during stage III were strongly affected by the incorporation of surrounding strata materials. Rhenium–Os dating of molybdenite indicates that mineralization in the Dongbulage deposit occurred at 162.1 ± 1.3 Ma (n = 6; MSWD = 1.4). The results, combined with data from other deposits in the region of this age, indicate that important mineralization occurred in the HGD during 165–155 Ma.

Trace-element composition of pyrite in the Baoshan Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn deposit, southern Hunan Province, China: Insights into the ore genesis

The southern Hunan Province in southeastern China is the site of extensive Mesozoic magmatism and the formation of associated polymetallic deposits, among which, the studies for Cu–Pb–Zn mineralization are relatively rare compared with the W–Sn polymetallic deposits. In this study, the Baoshan skarn Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn deposit is investigated as a typical example with sulfide ores hosted in the distal carbonate. By presenting in situ laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry trace-element compositions of the ubiquitous pyrite, as well as arsenopyrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite, from carbonate strata, granodiorite porphyry, early disseminated and massive Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn ores, and late brecciated Cu ores, we aim to elucidate the relationships between the proximal skarn Cu–Mo and the distal carbonate hosted Pb–Zn mineralization in this deposit. Together with the geological characteristics, our results suggest that the pyrite trace-element compositions can be used to infer the precipitation environment. The pyrite from the early disseminated and massive Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn ores has high As/Sb and low Ni/As ratios, indicating that the ore-forming fluids and materials directly separated from the granodioritic magmas have dominated the sulfide mineralization in this stage, with minor contributions from the carbonate; the Pb–Zn mineralization is most likely precipitated from the same hydrothermal system with the early Cu–Mo mineralization, despite of the distal locations. On the contrary, the pyrite from the late brecciated Cu ores is characterized by low As/Sb and high Ni/As ratios, indicating that the ore-bearing fluids have circulated through the basements beneath the mining area, which should have also leached the ore-forming materials for the subsequent Cu mineralization. In addition to the direct contributions from the magmas and carbonate strata, this study emphasizes the substantial contributions from the basements to the Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn mineralization at Baoshan. This also indicates that the deep locations or the adjacent areas with well-developed fractures can be the potential targets for further exploration.

Geological and geochemical constraints on the genesis of the Xiqianluzi Pb–Zn polymetallic deposit in Beishan, Gansu Province, NW China

The Xiqianluzi Pb–Zn polymetallic deposit is located in the southeast of the southern Beishan belt, whereas the ore‐forming metal sources are still unclear. Its Pb–Zn ore bodies mainly occur in the Changcheng system Qianluzigou Group metamorphic clastic rocks, showing zonation of Cu–Zn–Pb metals from deep to surface. The ore structures are mainly banded, massive and veined, which have the characteristics of syngenetic sedimentation. Au mineralization in silty slate is obviously controlled by WNW–ESE‐trending faults, and occurs as veined or lenticular type. The Pb, Zn, Cu, and Au are mainly enriched in quartz or siliceous veins. The biotite granodiorites are enriched in Si, Na, Rb, Ba and K, with A/CNK values less than 1.1, and depleted in Nb, P, Ti. They belong to calc‐alkalic series and weak peraluminous I‐type granite, formed in a post‐collision extensional environment and characterized by crust–mantle mixed source. The sulphide minerals in the Pb–Zn ores have δ34S values in the range of 17.7‰–21.0‰ with average of 19.2‰, reflecting seawater sulphate origin of sulphur. The sulphur of Pb–Zn ores was likely transformed from S6+ to S2− by thermochemical sulphate reduction. The Pb isotopic compositions of sulphide minerals in the Pb–Zn ores have 206Pb/204Pb ratios of 16.837–17.001, 207Pb/204Pb ratios of 15.437–15.557, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of 36.377–36.889. In contrast, sulphide minerals in Au ores have δ34S values (5.4‰–7.6‰, with average of 6.5‰) lower than those of sulphide minerals in the Pb–Zn ores. The δ34S values of sulphide minerals in the Au ores are consistent with those of sulphide minerals in the Late Permian–Middle Triassic magmatic hydrothermal gold deposits in the southern Beishan belt, which imply a magmatic source for sulphur. Sulphide minerals in the Au ores have higher lead isotopic ratios, including 206Pb/204Pb of 18.249–18.325, 207Pb/204Pb of 15.583–15.598, and 208Pb/204Pb of 38.023–38.366, compared to those in the Pb–Zn ores. Geological and isotopic features indicate that the Xiqianluzi Pb–Zn polymetallic deposit comprises two mineralization types; namely, its Pb–Zn ores can be considered as Mesoproterozoic sedimentary exhalative type, while its Au ores are magmatic origin. These show that Au mineralization was closely related to the magmatic hydrothermal activities, and thus Au ores can be classified as Late Permian–Early Triassic magmatic hydrothermal Au mineralization.

Trace elements in sulfide minerals from the Huangshaping copper-polymetallic deposit, Hunan, China: Ore genesis and element occurrence

The Huangshaping copper-polymetallic deposit, which is located in southern Hunan Province, China, is an important resource base for Pb–Zn minerals. This study used the major sulfides (sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite), which formed during the Pb–Zn mineralization stage of the Huangshaping deposit, to determine the genesis of the Pb–Zn ore minerals and element occurrence. In-situ LA-ICP-MS analysis of minerals was conducted to determine their trace element concentrations and reveal the distribution and occurrence of trace elements in different sulfides. The formation temperature and genesis of the Pb–Zn ore minerals were also constrained based on the deposit geology and trace element data. Trace elements were significantly different among different sulfides in the Pb–Zn mineralization stage of the deposit. Sphalerite primarily enriches Mn, Cu, Ag, Sn, and Pb and is the main carrier mineral of Ga, In, and Cd. Pyrite relatively enriches Tl, Sb, W, and Se, and pyrrhotite primarily enriches Ge. In sphalerite, Fe, Mn, Cd, Ga, In, Cu, Sn, Ag, and Ge exist by substituting for other elements (such as Zn). The replacement method of Ge is Ge4++2Cu+↔3Zn2+, whereas that of In (Ga) is In3+(Ga3+) + Cu+↔2Zn2+. In pyrrhotite, Ge is incorporated through coupling substitution, and the abnormal concentrations of Pb, Ag, and Se are caused by galena that has replaced pyrrhotite. In pyrite, W occurs as a solid solution. When galena replaces pyrite, it causes abnormal concentrations of Pb, Tl, Sb, and Ag. The sphalerite is characterized by high concentrations of high-temperature ore-forming elements (e.g., Fe, Mn, In, and Sn) and relatively low concentrations of Cd, Ge, Ga, and other elements. Thus, the sphalerite was formed at a medium–high temperature (288–341 °C). The trace element characteristics of sphalerite are consistent with those of high-temperature hydrothermal deposits. The deposit geology, pyrite Co/Ni ratio (averaging 0.13, n = 29), S/Se ratio (averaging 173,905, n = 19), pyrrhotite Co/Ni ratio (averaging 0.10, n = 26), and binary diagram of trace elements in sphalerite indicate that Pb–Zn mineralization is related to the late-stage hydrothermal activity of skarn mineralization. The Pb–Zn mineralization and W–Mo(Fe) mineralization together constitute a skarn-type mineralization system.

Porphyry Mo and distal Zn-Pb mineral system: An example of the Fengyan Zn–Pb–Mo deposit in central Fujian, SE China

Central Fujian is an important Zn-Pb-Ag-Cu-Mo-Au mineral province in southeastern China, yet the polymetallic mineralization is still disputed between Proterozoic volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) or Mesozoic skarn type. The Fengyan is representative of the deposit type in central Fujian, characterized by shallow-level stratabound Zn-Pb mineralization and deep-level porphyry Mo mineralization. The ores are mainly hosted by Meso-Neoproterozoic marble and schists. Detailed field investigation, petrographic observation, and electron probe microanalysis indicate that the stratabound Zn-Pb ore host comprises a contact metamorphic/metasomatic suite. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the granite porphyry yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 145.0 ± 1.0 Ma (n = 17, MSWD = 0.97). Hydrothermal titanite grains in the stratabound Pb–Zn ores (intergrown with epidote and galena) yielded a weighted mean 207Pb-corrected 206Pb/238U age of 147.3 ± 4.4 Ma (n = 32, MSWD = 0.45), whilst molybdenite from the concealed Mo orebody has a Re–Os model age of ca. 145.3 to 145.5 Ma. Meanwhile, the molybdenite Re content and the published S-Pb isotope evidence indicate a crust source with minor mantle input. The largely similar age (within error) and ore-material source indicate that the Fengyan mineral system comprises an intrusion-proximal porphyry-type Mo mineralization and intrusion-distal Zn-Pb mineralization. This study proposes a genetic model for the mineral system, which would have important implications for exploring concealed porphyry Mo or Cu-Mo deposits, and/or their related magmatic-hydrothermal systems beneath/beyond these Zn-Pb(-Ag) deposits in central Fujian.

Zircon U–Pb geochronology and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic constraints on the relationship between Mo and Pb–Zn mineralization in the Haisugou pluton in the southern Great Xing’an Range, northeast China

The Haisugou pluton and its contact zones with Middle Permian strata contain Cu–Mo and Pb–Zn ore deposits, providing an excellent example to study the relationship between Pb–Zn–Ag and Mo mineralization in the southern Great Xing’an Range (SGXR). Here we present U–Pb zircon ages and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotope data for biotite monzogranite in the Xiaojingzi Pb–Zn deposit and Mo-bearing biotite monzogranite in the Xiaojingzi Cu–Mo deposit. These rocks yield zircon U–Pb ages of 136.2 ± 1.1 and 135.5 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively. The biotite monzogranites are enriched in SiO2 (average = 68.9 wt%) and Na2O + K2O (average = 7.7 wt%), contain 14.3–15.1 wt% Al2O3 (average = 14.7 wt%), and have A/CNK values of 0.97–1.05, indicating the biotite monzogranites are high-K calc-alkaline granites, and peraluminous. The biotite monzogranites are also characterized by negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.78–0.45), enrichments in Rb, Th, U, Nd, and Hf, and depletions in Ba, Sr, P, Ti, and Nb. The biotite monzogranites have (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.70519–0.70457, εNd(t) values of + 0.37 to –0.39, and TDM2 ages of 978–915 Ma. They also have zircon εHf(t) values of 3.6–9.1, TDM2 model ages of 959–608 Ma, and δ18O values of 6.68‰–7.42‰. The Mo and Pb–Zn mineralization around the Haisugou pluton were genetically related to the granitic pluton and occurred simultaneously, forming a porphyry system. Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotope data indicate the Haisugou pluton was probably formed by partial melting of juvenile crust and mixing with mantle-derived components. In the Early Cretaceous, the SGXR was in an extensional setting, which was related to asthenospheric upwelling after the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean.

Quantitative prediction of prospectivity for Pb–Zn deposits in Guangxi (China) by back-propagation neural network and fuzzy weights-of-evidence modelling

One significant geochemical data processing aim is to delineate anomalies associated with mineral deposits. In areas with strong surface weathering, the accumulation centres of surface geochemical anomalies are often not completely matched with locations of mineral deposits. This affects anomaly interpretation and mineral prospectivity prediction. In order to solve this challenging problem, quantitative prediction of mineral prospectivity based on multi-information fusion techniques has been one of the research hotspots in the field of data analysis in recent years. This study first summarized the geological background and metallogenic control factors of each tectonic unit in Guangxi, and then analysed the relationship between Pb–Zn deposits and Pb–Zn geochemical anomalies from 60 767 geochemical stream sediment samples. Based on the re-classified geochemical element contents, gravity, aeromagnetic data and fault, magmatic rock, magmatic rock and fault intersection buffer data as input layers, together with 302 Pb–Zn ore occurrences selected as training data sets, quantitative prediction of prospectivity for Pb–Zn ore deposits in the study area was carried out using back-propagation neural network and fuzzy weights-of-evidence methods. It was found that the Pb–Zn mineral prospectivity prediction areas based on multi-information fusion techniques can eliminate effectively the influence of secondary accumulation of elements during weathering of carbonate rocks on the recognition of deposit-associated stream sediment geochemical anomalies, and identify effectively the mineral resources closely related to rock mass and structure distribution. These analyses reveal the metallogenic regularity of Pb–Zn deposits from the perspective of data mining based on machine learning and geographical information system multi-information fusion for delineation of prospective metallogenic target areas. The purpose here was to provide new ideas for reducing the effects of secondary weathering of extensive carbonate rocks in Guangxi, and in other regions with similar landscapes, on mineral prospectivity prediction. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Applications of innovations in geochemical data analysis collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/applications-of-innovations-in-geochemical-data-analysis

Identification of the factors determining the concentration and spatial distribution of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soils of the non-forest Tatra Mountains (southern Poland)

We investigated trace-metal (TM)––Zn, Pb and Cd––concentrations and spatial distributions in the uppermost layers of non-forest soils from Tatra National Park (West Carpathians). We aimed to determine the main factors affecting the distribution of TMs, as well as the risk they posed to the environment. TM concentrations were compared to the target and intervention values established by the Dutch Ministry. Principle component analysis was used to identify the potential factors affecting TM accumulation, with two-factor analysis being applied to further examine the importance of any given factor. To examine the regularity of the TM distribution, semivariograms were created. The semivariograms of Cd and Pb were similar, suggesting a moderate spatial dependence for these metal concentrations, while the Zn variogram indicated a lack of spatial continuity for this metal. We established that the Zn, Pb and Cd exceeded target levels and at some sites, Cd exceeded the intervention values, posing a strong ecological risk to the environment. Our study confirmed that the parent rock was the most important factor affecting the TM accumulation. The carbonate-free soils differed from carbonate soils in the second important factor affecting TM accumulation, for carbonate-free soils it was location when for carbonate soils–TM content in the parent material. The Zn, Pb and Cd distribution patterns indicated that Cd, but also to a lesser degree Pb and Zn, accumulation mainly resulted from long-range transport from industrialised areas, while the Zn concentrations were also affected by local sources, such as the historical mining of Zn ore.

Zn Speciation and Transformation in Soils and Sediments Along the Ground Transportation Route of Zn Ore to a Smelter

Zn Speciation and Transformation in Soils and Sediments Along the Ground Transportation Route of Zn Ore to a Smelter

The role of mineral resources knowledge in the economic planning and development in Poland

Geological reconnaissance of the country and gathering knowledge on the occurrences of mineral deposits is a permanent task of geological survey carried out in cooperation with academia and mineral industry. In Poland, a fundamental role in this process is played by the Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute (PGI-NRI) operating as the geological survey under the supervision of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. PGI-NRI creates concepts of geological structures of the country, conducts independent prospecting studies, archives geological documentations made by mineral companies and verifies geological forecasts. The results of these works carried out for over 50 years are periodically published in the form of scientific monographs entitled The balance of prospective mineral resources in Poland. Presented in The balance of prospective mineral resources in Poland data on prognostic and perspective areas, as well as on the documented deposits are indispensable for country planning of economic development through, among others, protection of mineral deposits in the process of spatial management of the country. Polish prospective mineral resource studies include archival geological data reprocessing, mineral deposit modelling and new geological exploration projects. The synthesis of this research is The balance of prospective mineral resources in Poland which is a unique publication in terms of scope and content, because such data are not published in similar form and with the same scope of geological information in other countries. Therefore, authors would like to familiar international geological opinion with Polish experience and to widespread knowledge about mineral resources in Poland. The last edition (2020) of The balance of prospective mineral resources in Poland was prepared, edited and written among others by the authors of this article. In agreement with the conclusions presented in The balance of prospective mineral resources in Poland, our country is still of high geological potential, especially as regards the deposits of Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn ores, chemical and rock minerals. Thanks to this information mineral companies can plan and realize projects to document deposits and then finally develop the deposits. It is necessary to underline that proved and prospective deposits should be protected against such land development which would limit or eliminate mining activity in the future. Unfortunately, the current legal protection of undeveloped deposits in Poland is insufficient and requires new legislative solutions.

Mineral Inactivation of Zinc in Polluted Soil—Sustainability of Zeolite, Bentonite and Blends

The study outlines a novel and traceable procedure for inactivating zinc polluted soil (an Anthrosols) adjacent to a former zinc (Zn) ore mine “Orzel Biały” in Bytom (Poland), where the total content of Zn amounted to 3988.0 mg kg−1. This pollution level initiated an inactivation process involving two natural mineral sorbents, i.e., zeolite (Z) and bentonite (B), as well as their five blends (ZeoBen) expressed as ZB: (1) ZB15/85, (2) ZB30/70, (3) ZB50/50, (4) ZB70/30 and (5) ZB85/15. Next, phosphorus (P) as triple superphosphate (TSP, 46% P2O5) was added to individual ZB at rates: 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%. All sorbents were added to the Zn polluted soil at 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% (dry weight basis). Treatments (1.0 kg of Zn-polluted soil with ZB sorbents) were aged for 115 days. Data revealed that ZB85/15 with prevailing zeolite caused a Znact inactivation of 66–71%, while zeolite induced 54% and 47% for bentonite. Reactive zinc (Znreac) decreased much more (20%) when zeolite was incorporated at the rate 2.5 g·kg−1 soil, and bentonite was (10%) at the same rate. The application of the sorbent ZB50/50 enriched with triple superphosphate (TSP) raised the stabilization degree for both Zn fractions. The efficiency was significant at the TSP rate of 2.0% of the sorbent and at least the sorbent +TSP of 10 g·kg−1 soil. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of about 2 cmol(+)·kg−1 controlled the activity −0.50 mmol·dm−3 of either γZnreac or γZnact, hence a very low zinc ionic activity. The use of mineral blends with higher sharing of zeolite is promising for remediating metal-polluted lands in the case of zinc.

Assessment of Pollution Sources and Contribution in Urban Dust Using Metal Concentrations and Multi-Isotope Ratios (13C, 207/206Pb) in a Complex Industrial Port Area, Korea

The metal concentrations and isotopic compositions (13C, 207/206Pb) of urban dust, topsoil, and PM10 samples were analyzed in a residential area near Donghae port, Korea, which is surrounded by various types of industrial factories and raw material stockpiled on empty land, to determine the contributions of the main pollution sources (i.e., Mn ore, Zn ore, cement, coal, coke, and topsoil). The metal concentrations of urban dust in the port and residential area were approximately 85~112 times higher (EF &gt; 100) in comparison with the control area (EF &lt; 2), especially the Mn and Zn ions, indicating they were mainly derived from anthropogenic source. These ions have been accumulating in urban dust for decades; furthermore, the concentration of PM10 is seven times higher than that of the control area, which means that contamination is even present. The isotopic (13C, 207/206Pb) values of the pollution sources were highly different, depending on the characteristics of each source: cement (−19.6‰, 0.8594‰), Zn ore (−24.3‰, 0.9175‰), coal (−23.6‰, 0.8369‰), coke (−27.0‰, 0.8739‰), Mn ore (−24.9‰, 0.9117‰), soil (−25.2‰, 0.7743‰). As a result of the evaluated contributions of pollution source on urban dust through the Iso-source and SIAR models using stable isotope ratios (13C, 207/206Pb), we found that the largest contribution of Mn (20.4%) and Zn (20.3%) ions are derived from industrial factories and ore stockpiles on empty land (Mn and Zn). It is suggested that there is a significant influence of dust scattered by wind from raw material stockpiles, which are stacked near ports or factories. Therefore, there is evidence to support the idea that port activities affect the air quality of residence areas in a city. Our results may indicate that metal concentrations and their stable isotope compositions can predict environmental changes and act as a powerful tool to trace the past and present pollution history in complex contexts associated with peri-urban regions.

Rb–Sr dating and S–Sr–Nd isotopic constraints on the genesis of the Hehuashan Pb–Zn deposit in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic belt, China

The Hehuashan sediment-hosted Pb–Zn deposit is a large-scale (Pb + Zn＞1 Mt) deposit hosted in the Tongling mining district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River belt (MLYB). The Pb–Zn ore bodies are composed of two main mineralization types, namely breccia type and massive type. The breccia type ore bodies are hosted by the Triassic limestone and dolostone, while the massive ore bodies are hosted by marble dolostone which are close to the diorite intrusions. The previous research showed that the Hehuashan Pb–Zn deposit is a Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposit formed in Middle Triassic and overprinted by late mineralization of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids in Yanshanian period. In this research, we aimed to declare the age of the late mineralization and it's relationship with diorite intrusions. The mineralization age (132.8 ± 3.1 Ma) of the massive ore rocks (late mineralization) is similar to the zircon U–Pb age of the diorite (133–130 Ma), showing that this type mineralization is contemporaneous to the Yanshanian intrusive events. Furthermore, similar initial 87Sr/86Sr values between sphalerite and diorite indicating a magmatic fluid was involved during the mineralization process and the emplacement of diorite also might have provided ore-forming materials. The heavy sulfur compositions (δ34S = +8.6‰ to +12.8‰) of the sphalerite in massive ore rocks indicate that the sedimentary sulfate may have provided reduced sulfur for sulfides precipitation by sulfate thermochemical reduction process. Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the diorite in the Hehuashan deposit area showed that the massive Pb–Zn mineralization was related to the intrusion of diorite in an extensional tectonic setting. In summary, the Hehuashan Pb–Zn deposit composes a late Yanshanian Pb–Zn mineralization event and represents a younger Pb–Zn mineralization in the Tongling district and MLYB. The Triassic carbonates have the potential for Pb–Zn deposit exploration in the Tongling district and Middle–Lower Yangtze River belt.

Genesis of the carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits in western Hunan, South China: Constraint from Pb isotopic signature

Lead-zinc ore deposits hosted by carbonatic strata are the most important ore type of Pb–Zn resources in South China and have long been studied. Although their metallogenic timing has been well constrained recently to the Caledonian, our understanding of the metal sources and mineralization mechanism remains controversial. This study aims to provide new insights to these contexts via a new Pb isotope tracing of the Xiangshuidong deposit in the western Hunan Province. The Xiangshuidong deposit is one of the typical deposits in the Huayuan-Tongren Pb–Zn ore-concentrated area in South China. Both ore-forming sulfides and carbonates of the host strata were analyzed by in situ analysis using MC-LA-ICPMS. Along with compiled data of other typical deposits of the same type in South China, it is revealed that: the ore-forming sulfides were distinctively different from the carbonates of the host strata in Pb isotopic signatures; the ore-forming metals were sourced mainly by regional high-grade crystalline basements, rather than host rocks or adjacent strata; the ores display metallogenic characteristics typical of Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) Pb–Zn deposits, rather than reworked sedimentary deposits. A metallogenic model for the Caledonian Pb–Zn ores is accordingly proposed and a new guidance on further ore exploration is suggested.

Accumulation of sulfides in the basement of southern Hunan Province, China: Implications for Pb–Zn mineralization related to reduced granitoids

Southern Hunan Province lies at the intersection of the Shi–Hang zone and Nanling belt, and is characterized by extensive Mesozoic igneous rocks and coeval polymetallic deposits, including early granodiorite porphyry-related Cu–Pb–Zn polymetallic mineralization (ca. 160 Ma) and late granite-related W–Sn polymetallic mineralization (ca. 155 Ma). Amongst these deposits, the Huangshaping deposit is unique for the coexistence of economic W–Mo and Pb–Zn mineralization, which is associated with reduced granitoids, including quartz porphyry, felsite, and granite porphyry. Unlike the W–Mo mineralization, which has a close temporal–spatial relationship with granite porphyry, the sources of Pb–Zn mineralization have not yet been clarified, mainly because of its distal orebodies of unknown age. Abundant granodioritic enclaves have recently been found in quartz porphyry of the Huangshaping deposit, with zircon U–Pb ages consistent with the quartz porphyry and containing abundant sulfides including chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and pyrrhotite. This study involved in situ LA–ICP–MS determinations of trace element compositions of these sulfides, for comparison with those of sulfides in distal ores and carbonate strata to elucidate the sources of Pb–Zn mineralization in this deposit. Sulfides from granodioritic enclaves have higher Co/Ni ratios, but similar Zn/Cd, Cu/In, and Pb/Sb ratios, compared with those of distal Pb–Zn ores, indicating that sulfides in both enclaves and ores were precipitated from hydrothermal fluids derived from the same single source, although with higher precipitation temperatures for the former. As sulfides in the ores have Pb isotopic compositions distinct from those of other granitoids, we suggest that intrusion of the granodiorites (~5 Myrs before the granitoids) resulted in the accumulation of ore-forming metals in the metamorphic or crystalline basement. These metals were then scavenged by hydrothermal circulation triggered by later intrusions of felsite and granite porphyry, especially fluorine-rich granite porphyry, forming the distal Pb–Zn mineralization near the surface of the deposit. The accumulation of sulfides triggered by earlier granodioritic activity was likely crucial for the formation of distal sulfide mineralization, and perhaps also for that in other W–Mo deposits related to reduced granites in southern Hunan Province.

The Yanshanian (Mesozoic) metallogenesis in China linked to crust-mantle interaction in the western Pacific margin: An overview from the Zhejiang Province

The connection between multi-plate convergence and Mesozoic metallogenic explosion in the western Pacific continental margin is a frontier theme of research. A key to understanding of the Mesozoic tectonics in South China involves the spatio-temporal distribution and tectonic control of Mesozoic deposits in this region. The Zhejiang Province in South China is located in the middle segment of the western Pacific metallogenic belt, where tectono-magmatic and metallogenic activities during the Yanshanian Period (Jurassic-Cretaceous) were frequent and intense. This region is an ideal window for investigating oceanic slab subduction and recycling, continental marginal magmatism, deep geological processes, and mineralization in the western Pacific continental margin. Here we present a comprehensive synthesis of information from petrology, isotope geochronology, geochemistry, igneous geology, and tectonics of the Zhejiang metallogenic deposits to evaluate the spatio-temporal distribution and formation mechanism of the Yanshanian mineral deposits. The early Yanshanian deposit types are mainly Fe or Pb–Zn ores, which are distributed in the northwestern Zhejiang region. The ore-bearing magmatic rocks in this period are highly fractionated I-type granites, which originated from continental crust together with depleted mantle materials. In the mid-Yanshanian, Mo deposits are the main type and are distributed throughout the region. Magma types in this period are relatively diverse, most are S-type granites, which were derived from the remelting of old continental crust and mixed with juvenile mantle-derived and crust-derived magmas. The late Yanshanian deposit types are mainly W–Sn, which are distributed in the southeastern part of the Zhejiang Province. The ore-bearing magma has the characteristics of A-type granite with mantle origin. Combined with numerical simulation, we discuss the deep processes of Mesozoic metallogenic explosion in South China. We correlate the early Yanshanian mineralization with flat subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate and the foundering of the oceanic slab; the mid-Yanshanian mineralization is associated with the destruction and thinning of lithospheric mantle caused by mantle melting related to the sharp subduction; and the late Yanshanian mineralization witnessed a decrease in the volume of mantle materials and the eastward retreat of the trenches.