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Platinum-group elements and gold in sulfide melts from modern arc basalt (Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 11:04 authored by Zelenski, M, Vadim Kamenetsky, Mavrogenes, JA, Leonid Danyushevsky, Matveev, D, Gurenko, AA
Sulfide melt inclusions entrapped in primitive olivine phenocrysts can be used to understand the compositions of early sulfide melts that may ultimately contribute to magmatic sulfide ore deposits. Sulfide globules hosted in olivine (86–92 mol% Fo) from the Tolbachik basalt (the 1941 eruption) are characterized in terms of their major and trace element abundances using electron microscopy and LA–ICP–MS analysis. Distribution of major elements within individual sulfide globules varies from homogeneous to heterogeneous. Phases include monosulfide solid solution (MSS) and intermediate solid solution (ISS) intergrowths and exsolved low-temperature minerals such as pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite and cubanite. Trace elements (platinum-group elements — PGE, Ag, Te, Au, Pb and Bi) are also present in solid solution in sulfide phases and as micron-sized particles (“nuggets”). Such nuggets of dominantly Au, Pt, Au–Pd and Pd–Te are contained randomly within sulfide matrices or, more commonly, at phase boundaries. Nuggets are also attached to outer surfaces of sulfide globules. Concentrations of PGE in sulfides follow a log normal distribution over four orders of magnitude. The highest measured noble metal concentrations in the analyzed globules (436 ppm Au + PGE) are 13.3 ppm Au, 115 ppm Pt and 299 ppm Pd, whereas 40% of globules have b15 ppm of noble metals. Gold and PGE concentrations correlate, suggesting these elements were concentrated by the same process(es). We propose that a number of anomalous concentrations of one or several noble metals in the analyzed globules can be best explained by entrapment of Au–PGE-rich particles (solid or liquid) fromthe silicate melt. Although the individual Tolbachik sulfide globules have variable PGE abundances, their mean composition resembles those of major PGE-sulfide ore deposits (e.g., Norilsk, Sudbury, Platreef and Merensky Reef).

History

Publication title

Lithos

Volume

290-291

Pagination

172-188

ISSN

0024-4937

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Elsevier Science Bv

Place of publication

Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 Ae

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

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