Re-Os dating of galena and sphalerite from lead-zinc sulfide deposits in Yunnan Province, SW China

Abstract

Dating of lead-zinc deposits is of critical importance for better understanding of ore genesis, but has long been a big challenge due to the lack of suitable minerals that can be unequivocally linked to the ore genesis and that can be used for tradition radiometric methods. This kind of deposits have simple mineralogy dominated by galena and sphalerite commonly associated with calcite and other gangue minerals. Both galena and sphalerite have low and high variable Re concentrations and thus Re-Os dating of these minerals have been less promising. In addition, the recovery of Re is extremely low for galena when conventional method was applied, lending additional difficulty in precisely dating galena. In this study, we investigate the recovery of Re using different media for anion exchange separation and reporte a revised preparation method for Re-Os dating of galena and sphalerite. By using the new protocol, two reliable Re-Os isochron ages of galena and sphalerite from the Fule (20.4±3.2 Ma) and Laochang (308±25 Ma) Pb-Zn deposits in Yunnan Province, SW China, are achieved.

Keywords

lead-zinc sulfide deposits / Re-Os isotope dating / separation and concentration of Re / galena / sphalerite / Yunnan

References

[1] Birck J L, RoyBarman M, Capmas F. Re-Os Isotopic Measurements at the Femtomole Level in Natural Samples. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 1997, 21(1): 19-27.

[2] Brill B A. Trace-Elmenet Contents and Partitioning of Elements in Ore Minerals from the CSA Cu-Pb-Zn Deposit, Australia. Canadian Mineralogist, 1989, 27: 263-274.

[3] Chen B Y, Wang Z R, Peng S L, . A Discussion about the Genesis of Laochang Polymetallic Deposit, Yunnan. Yunnan Geology, 2000, 21(2): 134-144.

[4] Chen M, Huang Z L, Luo T Y, . SHRIMP Dating and Its Geological Significance of Zircon in Volcanic from Laochang Large Silver-Llead-Zinc Deposit in Western Yunnan Province, China. Acta Mineralogica Sinica, 2010, 30(4): 457-462.

[5] Cheng Y B, Mao J W, Rusk B, . Geology and Genesis of Kafang Cu-Sn Deposit, Gejiu District, SW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2012, 48: 180-196.

[6] Chu Z Y, Chen F K, Wang W, . High-Precision Measurement for the Concentration and Isotopic Composition of Rhenium and Osmium in Micro-Amount of Geological Samples. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2007, 26(6): 431-435.

[7] Cohen A S, Waters F G. Separation of Osmium from Geological Materials by Solvent Extraction for Analysis by Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1996, 332(2–3): 269-275.

[8] Cook N J. Mineralogy of the Sulphide Deposits at Sulitjelma, Northern Norway. Ore Geology Reviews, 1996, 11: 303-308.

[9] Cook N J, Spry P G, Vokes F M. Mineralogy, Paragenesis and Metamorphism of Ores in the Bleikvassli Pb-Zn-(Cu) Deposit, Nordland, Norway. Miner. Deposita, 1998, 34: 35-56.

[10] Ding X, Ripley E M, Shirey S B, . Os, Nd, O and S isotope Constraints on Country Rock Contamination in the Conduit-Related Eagle Cu-Ni-(PGE) Deposit, Midcontinent Rift System, Upper Michigan. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2012, 89: 10-30.

[11] Du A D, He H L, Yin N W, . A Study on the Rhenium-Osmium Geochronometry of Molybdenites. Acta Geologica Sinica, 1994, 68(4): 339-347.

[12] Du A D, Qu W J, Li C, . A Review on the Development of Re-Os Isotopic Dating Methods and Techniques. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2009, 28(3): 288-304.

[13] Du A D, Zhao D M, Wang S X, . Precise Re-Os Dating for Molybdenite by ID-NTIMS with Carius Tube Sample Preparation. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2001, 20(14): 247-252.

[14] Feng C Y, Qu W J, Zhang D Q, . Re-Os Dating of Pyrite from the Tuolugou Stratabound Co (Au) Deposit, Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt, Northwestern China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2009, 36(1–3): 213-220.

[15] Gao J F, Zhou M F, Lightfoot P C, . Heterogeneous Os Isotope Compositions in the Kalatongke Sulfide Deposit, NW China: The Role of Crustal Contamination. Mineralium Deposita, 2012, 47(7): 731-738.

[16] Gao J F, Zhou M F, Lightfoot P C, . Sulfide Saturation and Magma Emplacement in the Formation of the Permian Huangshandong Ni-Cu Sulfide Deposit, Xinjiang, Northwestern China. Economic Geology, 2013, 108: 1833-1848.

[17] Gannoun A, Tessalina S, Bourdon B, . Re-Os Isotopic Constraints on the Genesis and Evolution of the Dergamish and Ivanovka Cu (Co, Au) Massive Sulphide Deposits, South Urals, Russia. Chemical Geology, 2003, 196: 193-207.

[18] Hassler D R, Peucker E B, Ravizza G E. Rapid Determination of Os Isotopic Composition by Sparging OsO4 into a Magnetic-Sector ICP-MS. Chemical Geology, 2000, 166(1–2): 1-14.

[19] Huang X W, Qi L, Gao J F. First Reliable Re-Os Ages of Pyrite and Stable Isotope Compositions of Fe(-Cu) Deposits in the Hami Region, Eastern Tianshan Orogenic Belt, NW China. Resource Geology, 2013, 63(2): 166-187.

[20] Huang X W, Qi L, Liu Y Y, . Preliminary Study on Sample-Preparation for Re-Os Isotopic Dating of Pyrite. Geochimica, 2012, 41(4): 380-386.

[21] Jin X D, Du A D, Li W J, . A New Modification of the Sample Introduction System for Os Isotope Ratio Measurements. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 2011, 26(6): 1245-1252.

[22] Jin X D, Li W J, Xiang P, . A Contribution to Common Carius Tube Distillation Techniques. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 2013, 28(3): 396-404.

[23] Li C, Qu W J, Du A D, . Comprehensive Study on Extraction of Rhenium with Acetone in Re-Os Isotopic Dating. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2009, 28(3): 233-238.

[24] Li C, Qu W J, Du A D, . Study on Re-Os Isotope in Molybdenite Containing Common Os. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2012, 28(2): 702-708.

[25] Li F, Chen H, Lu W J, . Rock-Forming Ages of the Laochang Granite-Porphyry, Lancang, Yunnan and Their Geological Significance. Geotectonica et Metallogenia, 2010, 34(1): 84-91.

[26] Li N, Chen Y J, Santosh M, . The 1.85 Ga Mo Mineralization in the Xiong’er Terrane, China: Implications for Metallogeny Associated with Assembly of the Columbia Supercontinent. Precambrian Research, 2011, 186(1–4): 220-232.

[27] Li W B, Huang Z L, Yin M D. Dating of the Giant Huize Zn-Pb Ore Field of Yunnan Province, Southwest China: Constraints from the Sm-Nd System in Hydrothermal Calcite. Resource Geology, 2007, 57: 90-97.

[28] Li W C, Zeng P S, Hou Z Q, . The Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit and Associated Felsic Intrusions in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Economic Geology, 2011, 106(1): 79-92.

[29] Lin Z Y, Wang D H, Zhang C Q. Rb-Sr Isotopic Age of Sphalerite from the Paoma Lead-Zinc Deposit in Sichuan Provine and Its Implications. Geology in China, 2010, 37(2): 488-494.

[30] Liu H C, Lin W D. Metallogenic Rules of Zn-Pb-(Ag) Deposits in Northeastern Yunnan, China, 1999 Kunming: Yunnan University Publishing Press, 468.

[31] Liu X J, Liu W. Re-Os Dating of the Suoerkuduke Cu(Mo) Deposit, Fuyun County, Xinjiang, and Its Geodynamic Implications. Jounal of Earth Science, 2013, 24(2): 188-202.

[32] Liu Y Y, Qi L, Zhao Z, . Efficiency of a Re-Usable Carius Tube for Determination of Platinum Group Elements in Ultramafic Rocks. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 2014, 33: 45-52.

[33] Long H S, Jiang S P, Shi Z L. Geological and Geochemical Characteristics of the Laochang Large-Scale Ag-Pb-Zn Polymetallic Deposit in Lancang, Yunnan. Acta Mineralogica Sinica, 2007, 27(3/4): 360-365.

[34] Long H S, Luo T Y, Huang Z L. Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Geochemistry of Laochang Large-Sized Ag Polymetallic Deposit in Lancang, Yunnan Province and Its Significance. Mineral Deposits, 2009, 28(5): 687-695.

[35] Lu L, Mao J W, Li H B. Pyrrhotite Re-Os and SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating of the Hongqiling Ni-Cu Sulfide Deposits in Northeast China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2011, 43(1): 106-119.

[36] Luo Y N, Yu R L. Orogenic Evolution and Metallogenic Time-Space Distribution in Jinshajiang-Lancangjiang-Nujiang Region, Southwest China. Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 2001, 21(3): 153-159.

[37] Ma L, Chen H J, Gan K W. The Geotectonics and Marine Origin Petrolum Geology in the Southern China: Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 2004, 113.

[38] Malinovsky D, Rodushkin I, Baxter D, . Simplified Method for the Re-Os Dating of Molybdenite Using Acid Digestion and Isotope Dilution ICP-MS. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2002, 463(1): 111-124.

[39] Mao J W, Bernd L, Du A D, . Re-Os Dating of Polymetallic Ni-Mo-PGE-Au Mineralization in Lower Cambrian Black Shales of South China and Its Geologic Significance. Economic Geology, 2002, 97(5): 1051-1061.

[40] Mao J W, Zhou Z H, Feng C Y, . A Preliminary Study of the Triassic Large-Scale Mineralization in China and Its Geodynamic Setting. Geology in China, 2012, 39(6): 1437-1471.

[41] Meisel T, Fellner N, Moser J, . A Simple Procedure for the Determination of Platinum Group Elements and Rhenium (Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir and Pt) Using ID-ICP-MS with an Inexpensive on-Line Matrix Separation in Geological and Environmental Materials. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 2003, 18(7): 720-726.

[42] Meisel T, Reisberg L, Moser J, . Re-Os Systematics of UB-N, a Serpentinized Peridotite Reference Material. Chemical Geology, 2003, 201(1–2): 161-179.

[43] Mitsuishi M, Wallis S R, Aoya M, . E-W Extension at 19 Ma in the Kung Co Area, S. Tibet: Evidence for Contemporaneous E-W and N-S Extension in the Himalayan Orogen. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2012, 325: 10-20.

[44] Morelli R M, Creaser R A, Selby D, . Re-Os Sulfide Geochronology of the Red Dog Sediment-Hosted Zn-Pb-Ag Deposit, Brooks Range, Alaska. Economic Geology, 2004, 99(7): 1569-1576.

[45] Morgan J W, Golightly D W, Dorrzapf A F, . Methods for the Separation of Rhenium, Osmium and Molybdenum Applicable to Isotope Geochemistry. Talanta, 1991, 38(3): 259-265.

[46] Palesskii S V, Nikolaeva I V, Koz’menko O A. Determination of Platinum-Group Elements and Rhenium in Standard Geological Samples by Isotope Dilution with Mass-Spectrometric Ending. Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 2009, 64(3): 272-276.

[47] Paul M, Reisberg L, Vigier N. A New Method for Analysis of Osmium Isotopes and Concentrations in Surface and Subsurface Water Samples. Chemical Geology, 2009, 258(3–4): 136-144.

[48] Qi L, Gao J F, Zhou M F, . The Design of Re-Usable Carius Tubes for the Determination of Rhenium, Osmium and Platinum—Group Elements in Geological Samples. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 2013, 37(3): 345-351.

[49] Qi L, Zhou M F, Gao J F, . An Improved Cariu Tube Technique for Determination of Low Concentrations of Re and Os in Pyrites. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 2010, 25 4 585

[50] Qi L, Zhou M F, Wang C Y, . Evaluation of a Technique for Determining Re and PGEs in Geological Samples by ICP-MS Coupled with a Modified Cariu Tube Digestion. Geochemical Journal, 2007, 41 6 407

[51] Shirey S B, Walker R J. Carius Tube Digestion for Low-Blank Rhenium-Osmium Analysis. Analytical Chemistry, 1995, 67(13): 2136-2141.

[52] Si R J. Ore Deposit Geochemistry of the Fule Dispersed Element-Polymetallic Deposit, Yunnan Province: [Dissertation], 2006 Guiyang: Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

[53] Si R J, Gu X X, Pang X C, . Geochemical Character of Dispersed Element in Sphalerite from Fule Pb-Zn Polymetal Deposit, Yunnan Province. Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 2006, 26: 75-80.

[54] Si R J, Gu X X, Xiao C, . Geochemical Character of Trace Elements in Sphalerite from Fule Pb-Zn Deposit, Yunnan Province. Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 2011, 31(3): 34-40.

[55] Smoliar M I, Walker R J, Morgan J W. Re-Os Ages of Group IIA, IIIA, IVA, and IVB Iron Meteorites. Science, 1996, 271(5252): 1099-1102.

[56] Selby D, Creaser R A, Hart C J R, . Absolute Timing of Sulfide and Gold Mineralization: A Comparison of Re-Os Molybdenite and Ar-Ar Mica Methods from the Tintina Gold Belt, Alaska. Geology, 2002, 30(9): 791-794.

[57] Stein H J, Morgan J W, Schersten A. Re-Os Dating of Low-Level Highly Radiogenic (LLHR) Sulfides: The Harnas Gold Deposit, Southwest Sweden, Records Continental-Scale Tectonic Events. Economic Geology, 2000, 95(8): 1657-1671.

[58] Sun Y L, Xu P, Li J, . A Practical Method for Determination of Molybdenite Re-Os Age by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry Combined with Carius Tube-HNO(3) Digestion. Analytical Methods, 2010, 2(5): 575-581.

[59] Tagami K, Uchida S. Separation of Rhenium by an Extraction Chromatographic Resin for Determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2000, 405(1–2): 227-229.

[60] Wang J Z, Li J W, Zhao X F, . Re-Os Dating of Pyrrhotite from the Chaoshan Gold Skarn, Eastern Yangtze Craton, Eastern China. International Geology Review, 2008, 50(4): 392-406.

[61] Wang X X, Zhang J J, Liu J, . Middle-Miocene Transformation of Tectonic Regime in the Himalayan Orogen. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2012, 58(1): 108-117.

[62] Wang Z H, Liu Y L, Liu H F, . Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Bangpu Mo-Cu Porphyry Ore Deposit, Tibet. Ore Geology Reviews, 2012, 46: 95-105.

[63] Wu Y. The Age and Ore-Forming Process of MVT Deposits in the Boundary Area of Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Provinces, Southwest China: [Dissertation], 2013 Beijing: China University of Geosciences

[64] Xue B G. Mineralization Characteristics of the Laochang Ag-Pb Polymetallic Deposit, Lancang. Mineral Resources and Geology, 1998, 12(1): 26-32.

[65] Xue B G. Geologic Features and Its Genesis of Super Sized Germanium Rich Lead-Zinc Deposit in Huize. Geology of Chemical Minerals, 2006, 28(1): 15-26.

[66] Xue B G. On the New Breakthrough and Enlightenment in Ore Prospecting of Deep Part of Mine in Yunnan. Yunnan Geology, 2010, 29(4): 373-381.

[67] Yang S H, Qu W J, Yang G. Determination of Trace Rhenium in Geological Samples Using Isootope Dilution-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2006, 25(2): 125-128.

[68] Ye L, Cook N J, Ciobanu C L, . Trace and Minor Elements in Sphalerite from Base Metal Deposits in South China: A LA-ICP-MS Study. Ore Geology Reviews, 2011, 39: 188-217.

[69] Ye L, Gao W, Yang Y L, . Trace Elements in Sphalerite in Laochang Pb-Zn Polymetallic Deposit, Lancang, Yunnan Province. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2012, 28(5): 1362-1372.

[70] Yin M D, Li W B, Sun X W. Rb-Sr Isotope Dating of Sphalerite from the Giant Huize Zn-Pb Ore Field Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 2009, 28: 70-75.

[71] Zaw K, Peters S G, Cromie P, . Nature, Diversity of Deposit Types and Metallogenic Relations of South China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2007, 31: 3-47.

[72] Zartman R E, Doe B R. Plumbotectonics—The Model. Tectonophysics, 1981, 75: 135-162.

[73] Zeng Q D, Chu S X, Liu J M, . Mineralization, Alteration, Structure, and Re-Os Age of the Lanjiagou Porphyry Mo Deposit, North China Craton. International Geology Review, 2012, 54(10): 1145-1160.

[74] Zhang Q. Trace Elements in Galena and Sphalerite and Their Geochemical Significance in Distinguishing the Genetic Types of Pb-Zn Ore Deposits. Geochemistry, 1987, 6(2): 177-190.

[75] Zhao X F, Zhou M F, Li J W, . Late Paleoproterozoic Sedimentary Rock-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits in South China: Their Possible Link to the Supercontinent Cycle. Mineralium Deposita, 2013, 48(1): 129-136.

[76] Zhong H, Qi L, Hu R Z, . Rhenium-Osmium Isotope and Platinum-Group Elements in the Xinjie Layered Intrusion, SW China: Implications for Source Mantle Composition, Mantle Evolution, PGE Fractionation and Mineralization. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2011, 75(6): 1621-1641.

[77] Zhou C X. The Source of Mineralizing Metals, Geochemical Characterization of Ore-Forming Solution, and Metallogenetic Mechanism of Qilinchang Zn-Pb Deosit, Northeastern Yunnan Province, China. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 1998, 17(1): 34-36.

[78] Zhou C X, Wei C S, Guo J Y, . The Source of Metals in the Qilinchang Zn-Pb Deposit, Northeastern Yunnan, China: Pb-Sr Isotope Constraints. Economic Geology, 2001, 96: 583-598.

[79] Zhou J X. Geochemistry of Dispersed Elements and Zinc Isotope in Carbonate-Hosted Lead-Zinc Ore Deposits District, Northwest Guizhou Province, China: [Dissertation], 2011 Guiyang: Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

[80] Zhou J X, Huang Z L, Yan Z F. The Origin of the Maozu Carbonate-Hosted Pb-Zn Deposit, Southwest China: Constrained by C-O-S-Pb Isotopic Compositions and Sm-Nd Isotopic Age. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2013, 73: 39-47.

[81] Zhou J X, Huang Z L, Zhou M F, . Constraints of C-O-S-Pb Isotope Compositions and Rb-Sr Isotopic Age on the Origin of the Tianqiao Carbonate-Hosted Pb-Zn Deposit, SW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2013, 53: 77-92.

[82] Zhou J X, Huang Z L, Bao G P. Geological and Sulfur-Lead-Strontium Isotopic Studies of the Shaojiwan Pb-Zn Deposit, Southwest China: Implications for the Origin of Hydrothermal Fluids. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2013, 128: 51-61.

[83] Zhou J X, Huang Z L, Bao G P, . Sources and Thermo-Chemical Sulfate Reduction for Reduced Sulfur in the Hydrothermal Fluids, Southeastern SYG Pb-Zn Metallogenic Province, SW China. Journal of Earth Science, 2013, 24(5): 759-771.

[84] Zhou J X, Huang Z L, Zhou M F, . Zinc, Sulfur and Lead Isotopic Variations in Carbonate-Hosted Pb-Zn Sulfide Deposits, Southwest China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2014, 58: 41-54.