Textural and trace elemental characteristics of sulfide from the Longqi hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian Ridge

Chen Kean; Zhang Huichao; Tao Chunhui; Liang Jin; Yang Weifang; Liao Shili

doi:10.12284/hyxb2023061

Volume 45 Issue 6

Jun. 2023

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Article Navigation > Haiyang Xuebao > 2023 > 45(6): 93-108

Chen Kean，Zhang Huichao，Tao Chunhui, et al. Textural and trace elemental characteristics of sulfide from the Longqi hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian Ridge−Implication for the occurrence and precipitation mechanism of gold[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2023, 45(6)：93–108 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2023061

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Textural and trace elemental characteristics of sulfide from the Longqi hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian RidgeImplication for the occurrence and precipitation mechanism of gold

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2023061

Chen Kean^1
,,
Zhang Huichao^{1, 2
,
,},
Tao Chunhui^{2, 3},
Liang Jin²,
Yang Weifang²,
Liao Shili²

1.
College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
2.
Key Laboratory of Submarine Geoscience, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Nature Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
3.
School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

Received Date: 2022-07-29
Rev Recd Date: 2022-11-30

Available Online: 2023-06-15

Publish Date: 2023-06-30

Abstract

Abstract

Compared with the fast and intermediate spreading mid-ocean ridges, the hydrothermal fields forming at slow and ultra-slow mid-ocean ridges usually contain abundant metal sulfide resources. Previously statistical results suggested the gold concentrations in massive sulfide deposits decreases with the increase of spreading rate, and the hydrothermal fields, located in ultra-slow mid-ocean ridges, have the highest gold concentrations. Previous studies carried out detailed research on the tectonic environment and sulfide assemblage of the Longqi hydrothermal field, but the occurrence and precipitation mechanism of gold in the Longqi hydrothermal field still need further research. In this paper, the texture and trace element concentration of sulfides in the Longqi hydrothermal field are analyzed in order to investigate the occurrence and precipitation mechanism of gold. The sulfides in the Longqi hydrothermal field are mainly pyrite, along with chalcopyrite (isocubanite) and sphalerite. Minerals such as ferronatrite and native gold have also been observed. According to the mineral texture and morphology, pyrite is divided into two types the first type (Py1) is fine-grained or colloidal, while the other type (Py2) shows subhedral-euhedral with coarse grain. Py1 usually exists in Py2 or is surrounded by Py2 as inclusions, and Py2 coexists with euhedral-subhedral chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Native gold mainly exists in the internal pores of Py1, and minor grains exist between Py2 and other sulfides. Compared with Py2, Py1 contains higher trace element contents of Ni, Zn, Pb, Ba, Mn, V, Mg, U, Au, Ag, Cd, and lower contents of Co, Se, As, Sb. Under the physico-chemical conditions of the Longqi hydrothermal field, Au(HS) is the main existing form of Au. The decrease of HS⁻ concentration and the increase of pH value will promote the precipitation of gold. The mixing of hydrothermal fluids with seawater in the Longqi hydrothermal field results in an increase in pH values and a decrease in temperature, which can lead to pyrite crystallization and consequently decrease of sulfur fugacity of hydrothermal fluid. An increase in pH and decrease of sulfur fugacity both contributed to the precipitation of gold.
- Longqi hydrothermal field,
- mineral texture,
- trace element,
- occurrence of gold,
- precipitation mechanism

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