Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment
The mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates from various hydrothermal deposits, including volcanic-hosted Au-Cu epithermal, “Chilean Manto-type” Cu(-Ag), stratabound Mn, and Ag-Ba vein deposits from Spain and Chile, were investigated. Dolomite-ankerite (±siderite) was found in variable amount...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/8/822 |
| _version_ | 1797522759596638208 |
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| author | Javier Carrillo-Rosúa Salvador Morales-Ruano Stephen Roberts Diego Morata Mauricio Belmar |
| author_facet | Javier Carrillo-Rosúa Salvador Morales-Ruano Stephen Roberts Diego Morata Mauricio Belmar |
| author_sort | Javier Carrillo-Rosúa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates from various hydrothermal deposits, including volcanic-hosted Au-Cu epithermal, “Chilean Manto-type” Cu(-Ag), stratabound Mn, and Ag-Ba vein deposits from Spain and Chile, were investigated. Dolomite-ankerite (±siderite) was found in variable amounts within the epithermal deposits and associated hydrothermal alteration, whereas calcite was found either within barren veins or disseminated within the regional alteration. Calcite is the major gangue phase within the stratabound deposits, which tend to lack dolomite/ankerite and siderite. Carbonates precipitated from hydrothermal ore fluids are typically Mn-rich, up to 3.55 at. % in siderite, 2.27 at. % in dolomite/ankerite, and 1.92 at. % in calcite. In contrast, calcite related to very low-grade metamorphism or regional low-temperature alteration is Mn-poor but sometimes Mg-rich, possibly related to a higher temperature of formation. Chemical zonation was observed in the hydrothermal carbonates, although no unique pattern and chemical evolution was observed. This study suggests that the chemical composition of carbonates, especially the Mn content, could be a useful vector within ore-forming hydrothermal systems, and therefore constitutes a possible tool in geochemical exploration. Furthermore, Mn-poor calcites detected in some deposits are suggested to be linked with a later episode, maybe suggesting a predominance of meteoric waters, being not related to the main ore stage formation, thus avoiding misunderstanding of further isotopic studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:33:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c70b16b17d14890a92476c12978eb37 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:33:53Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c70b16b17d14890a92476c12978eb372023-11-22T08:49:26ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2021-07-0111882210.3390/min11080822Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal EnvironmentJavier Carrillo-Rosúa0Salvador Morales-Ruano1Stephen Roberts2Diego Morata3Mauricio Belmar4Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, SpainInstituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Granada—C.S.I.C., Avd. Las Palmeras 4, 18100 Armilla, SpainNational Oceanographic Centre, School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UKDepartment of Geology and Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago 8370450, ChileCentro de Mineralogía Avanzada/SGS Minerals S.A., Puerto Madero 130, Parque Industrial Puerto Santiago, Pudahuel 9020000, ChileThe mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates from various hydrothermal deposits, including volcanic-hosted Au-Cu epithermal, “Chilean Manto-type” Cu(-Ag), stratabound Mn, and Ag-Ba vein deposits from Spain and Chile, were investigated. Dolomite-ankerite (±siderite) was found in variable amounts within the epithermal deposits and associated hydrothermal alteration, whereas calcite was found either within barren veins or disseminated within the regional alteration. Calcite is the major gangue phase within the stratabound deposits, which tend to lack dolomite/ankerite and siderite. Carbonates precipitated from hydrothermal ore fluids are typically Mn-rich, up to 3.55 at. % in siderite, 2.27 at. % in dolomite/ankerite, and 1.92 at. % in calcite. In contrast, calcite related to very low-grade metamorphism or regional low-temperature alteration is Mn-poor but sometimes Mg-rich, possibly related to a higher temperature of formation. Chemical zonation was observed in the hydrothermal carbonates, although no unique pattern and chemical evolution was observed. This study suggests that the chemical composition of carbonates, especially the Mn content, could be a useful vector within ore-forming hydrothermal systems, and therefore constitutes a possible tool in geochemical exploration. Furthermore, Mn-poor calcites detected in some deposits are suggested to be linked with a later episode, maybe suggesting a predominance of meteoric waters, being not related to the main ore stage formation, thus avoiding misunderstanding of further isotopic studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/8/822hydrothermalgangueMncarbonateSpainChile |
| spellingShingle | Javier Carrillo-Rosúa Salvador Morales-Ruano Stephen Roberts Diego Morata Mauricio Belmar Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment Minerals hydrothermal gangue Mn carbonate Spain Chile |
| title | Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment |
| title_full | Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment |
| title_fullStr | Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment |
| title_short | Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment |
| title_sort | application of the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates as a genetic tool in the hydrothermal environment |
| topic | hydrothermal gangue Mn carbonate Spain Chile |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/8/822 |
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