Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

The mixing of multi-source fluids in the Wusihe Zn–Pb ore deposit in Sichuan Province, Southwestern China

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Acta Geochimica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) metallogenic province of southwest China is one of the most important Zn–Pb ore zones in China, with ~ 200 Mt Zn–Pb ores at mean grades of 10 wt.% Zn and 5 wt.% Pb. The source and mechanism of the regional Zn–Pb mineralization remain controversial despite many investigations that have been conducted. The Wusihe Zn–Pb deposit is a representative large-scale Zn–Pb deposit in the northern SYG, which mainly occurs in the Dengying Formation and yields Zn–Pb resources of ~ 3.7 Mt. In this paper, Zn and S isotopes, and Fe and Cd contents of sphalerite from the Wusihe deposit were investigated in an attempt to constrain the controls on Zn and S isotopic variations, the potential sources of ore-forming components, and the possible mineralization mechanisms. Both the δ66Zn and δ34S values in sphalerite from the Wusihe deposit increase systematically from the bottom to the top of the strata-bound orebodies. Such spatial evolution in δ66Zn and δ34S values of sphalerite can be attributed to isotopic Rayleigh fractionation during sphalerite precipitation with temperature variations. The strong correlations between the Zn–S isotopic compositions and Fe–Cd concentrations in sphalerite suggest that their variations were dominated by a similar mechanism. However, the Rayleigh fractionation mechanism cannot explain the spatial variations of Fe and Cd concentrations of sphalerite in this deposit. It is noted that the bottom and top sphalerites from the strata-bound orebodies document contrasting Zn and S isotopic compositions which correspond to the Zn and S isotopic characteristics of basement rocks and host rocks, respectively. Therefore, the mixing of two-source fluids with distinct Zn–S isotopic signatures was responsible for the spatial variations of Zn–S isotopic compositions of sphalerite from the Wusihe deposit. The fluids from basement rocks are characterized by relatively lighter Zn (~ 0.2 ‰) and S (~ 5 ‰) isotopic compositions while the fluids from host rocks are marked by relatively heavier Zn (~ 0.6 ‰) and S (~ 15 ‰) isotopic compositions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Archer C, Vance D, Butler I (2004) Abiotic Zn isotope fractionations associated with ZnS precipitation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 68:A325

    Google Scholar 

  • Belissont R, Boiron MC, Luais B, Cathelineau M (2014) LA-ICP-MS analyses of minor and trace elements and bulk Ge isotopes in zoned Ge-rich sphalerites from the Noailhac–Saint–Salvy deposit (France): insights on incorporation mechanisms and ore deposition processes. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 126:518–540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bethke PH, Borton PB (1971) Distribution of some minor elements between coexisting sulfide minerals. Econ Geol 66:140–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bortnikov NS, Dobrovol’skaya MG, Genkin AD, Naumov VB, Shapenko VV (1995) Sphalerite-galena geothermometers: distribution of cadmium, manganese, and the fractionation of sulfur isotopes. Econ Geol 90:155–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böttcher ME, Smock AM, Cypionka H (1998) Sulfur isotope fractionation during experimental precipitation of iron (II) and manganese (II) sulfide at room temperature. Chem Geol 146:127–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaussidon M, Albarède F, Sheppard SMF (1989) Sulphur isotope variations in the mantle from ion microprobe analyses of micro-sulphide inclusions. Earth Planet Sci Lett 92:144–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng JQ, Li Y, Liu WZ (2009) Geological features and ore control conditions for the Tianbaoshan Zn–Pb deposit in Huili. Acta Geologica Sichuan 29(4):426–430 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii T, Moynier F, Pons ML, Albarède F (2011) The origin of Zn isotope fractionation in sulfides. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 75(23):7632–7643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagnevin D, Boyce AJ, Barrie CD, Menuge JF, Blakeman RJ (2012) Zn, Fe and S isotope fractionation in a large hydrothermal system. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 88:183–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao ZF, Zhu XK, Sun J, Luo ZH, Bao C, Tang C, Ma JX (2017) Spatial evolution of Zn–Fe–Pb isotopes of sphalerite within a single ore body: a case study from the Dongshengmiao ore deposit, Inner Mongolia, China. Miner Deposita 15:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan SP, Li ZX (1999) Lead-sulfur isotope study of carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits at the eastern margin of the Kangdian axis. Geol Geochem 27:45–54 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han RS, Liu CQ, Huang ZL, Chen J, Ma DY, Lei L, Ma GS (2007) Geological features and origin of the Huize carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb–(Ag) district, Yunnan, South China. Ore Geol Rev 31:360–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He CZ, Xiao CY, Wen HJ, Zhou T, Zhu CW, Fan HF (2016) Zn–S isotopic compositions of the Tianbaoshan carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb deposit in Sichuan, China: implications for source of ore components. Acta Petrol Sin 32:3394–3406 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzog GF, Moynier F, Albarede F, Berezhnoy AA (2009) Isotopic and elemental abundances of copper and zinc in lunar samples, Zagami, Pele’s hairs, and a terrestrial basalt. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 73:5884–5904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu RZ, Fu SL, Huang Y, Zhou MY, Fu SH, Zhao CH, Wang YJ, Bi XW, Xiao JF (2017) The giant South China Mesozoic low-temperature metallogenic domain: reviews and a new geodynamic model. J Asian Earth Sci 137:9–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang ZL, Li WB, Chen J, Han RS, Liu CQ, Xu C, Guan T (2003) Carbon and oxygen isotope constraints on the mantle fluids join the mineralization of the Huize superlarge Pb–Zn deposits, Yunnan Province, China. J Geochem Explor 78(79):637–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • John SG, Rouxel OJ, Craddock PR, Engwall AM, Boyle EA (2008) Zinc stable isotopes in seafloor hydrothermal vent fluids and chimneys. Earth Planet Sci Lett 269:17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley KD, Wilkinson JJ, Chapman JB, Crowther HL, Weiss DJ (2009) Zinc isotopes in sphalerite from base metal deposits on the red dog district, northern Alaska. Econ Geol 104:767–773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li SZ, Zhu XK, Tang SH, He XX, Cai JJ (2008) The application of MC-ICP-MS to high-precision measurement of Zn isotope ratios. Acta Petrol Mineral 27:273–278 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin FC (2005) Hydrothermal exhalative metallogeny of stratiform Zn–Pb deposits on western margin of the Yangtze craton. Ph.D. Dissertation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, pp 1–113 (in Chinese with English abstract)

  • Liu HC, Lin WD (1999) Study on the law of Zn–Pb–Ag Ore deposit in northeast Yunnan. China. Yunnan University Press, Kunming, pp 1–468 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu TG, Ye L, Zhou JX, Shao SX (2012) The correlativity of mineralization stages and Cd, Fe contents in the sphalerite. Bull Mineral Petrol Geochem 31:79–81 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu SA, Wang ZZ, Li SG, Huang J, Yang W (2016) Zinc isotope evidence for a large-scale carbonated mantle beneath eastern China. Earth Planet Sci Lett 444:169–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo K, Zhou JX, Huang ZL, Wang XC, Wilde SA, Zhou W, Tian LY (2019) New insights into the origin of early Cambrian carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits in South China: a case study of the Maliping Pb–Zn deposit. Gondwana Res 70:88–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machel HG, Krouse HR, Sassen R (1995) Products and distinguishing criteria of bacterial and thermochemical sulfate reduction. Appl Geochem 10:373–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maréchal CN, Sheppard SMF (2002) Isotopic fractionation of Cu and Zn between chloride and nitrate solutions and malachite or smithsonite at 30 degrees and 50 degrees C. In: Goldschmidt conference. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 66:A484

  • Maréchal CN, Télouk P, Albarède F (1999) Precise analysis of copper and zinc isotopic compositions by plasma-source mass spectrometry. Chem Geol 156(1–4):251–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason TFD, Weiss DJ, Chapman JB, Wilkinson JJ, Tessalina SG, Spiro B, Horstwood MSA, Spratt J, Coles BJ (2005) Zn and Cu isotopic variability in the Alexandrinka volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) ore deposit, Urals, Russia. Chem Geol 221(3–4):170–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moeller K, Schoenberg R, Pedersen RB, Weiss D, Dong SF (2012) Calibration of the new certified reference materials ERM-AE633 and ERM-AE647 for copper and IRMM-3702 for zinc isotope amount ratio determinations. Geostand Geoanal Res 36(2):177–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pašava J, Tornos F, Chrastný V (2014) Zinc and sulfur isotope variation in sphalerite from carbonate-hosted zinc deposits, Cantabria, Spain. Miner Deposita 49:797–807

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pichat S, Douchet C, Albarède F (2003) Zinc isotope variations in deep-sea carbonates from the eastern equatorial Pacific over the last 175 ka. Earth Planet Sci Lett 210(1–2):167–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rye RO, Ohmoto H (1974) Sulfur and carbon isotopes and ore genesis: a review. Econ Geol 69:826–842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samanta M, Ellwood MJ, Mortimer GE (2016) A method for determining the isotopic composition of dissolved zinc in seawater by MC-ICP-MS with 67Zn–68Zn double spike. Microchem J 126:530–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seewald JS, Seyfried WE (1990) The effect of temperature on metal mobility in subseafloor hydrothermal systems: constraints from basalt alteration experiments. Earth Planet Sci Lett 101:388–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang SH, Zhu XK, Cai JJ, Li SZ, He XX, Wang JH (2006) Chromatographic separation of Cu, Fe and Zn using AGMP-1 anion exchange resin for isotope determination by MC-ICP-MS. Rock Miner Anal 25:5–8 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen EJ, Gleeson SA, Bennett V, Creaser RA (2016) The Tiger deposit: a carbonate-hosted, magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposit, Central Yukon, Canada. Econ Geol 111:421–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toutain JP, Sonke J, Munoz M, Nonell A, Polvé M, Viers J, Freydier R, Sortino F, Joron JL, Sumarti S (2008) Evidence for Zn isotopic fractionation at Merapi Volcano. Chem Geol 253(1–2):74–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Sun ZJ, Cheng XY, Jiang BB (2016) The geochemical characteristics and metallogenic mechanism of the Daliangzi Pb-Zn deposit in Sichuan province. Acta Geol Sin (Engl Ed) 89:287–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen HJ, Zhu CW, Zhang YX, Cloque C, Fan HF, Fu SH (2016) Zn/Cd ratios and cadmium isotope evidence for the classification of lead-zinc deposits. Sci Rep 20:5–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25273

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson JJ, Weiss DJ, Mason TFD, Coles BJ (2005) Zinc isotope variation in hydrothermal systems: preliminary evidence from the Irish midlands ore field. Econ Geol 100(3):583–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong SF, Yao SZ, Gong YJ, Tan MT, Zeng GP, Wang W (2016) Ore-forming fluid and thermochemical sulfate reduction in the Wusihe lead-zinc deposit, Sichuan Province, China. Earth Sci 41:105–120 (In Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiong SF, Gong YJ, Jiang SY, Zhang XJ, Li Q, Zeng GP (2018) Ore genesis of the Wusihe carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb deposit in the Dadu River Valley district, Yangtze Block, SW China. Miner Deposita 53(7):967–979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ye L, Cook NJ, Ciobanu CL, Liu YP, Zhang Q, Liu TG, Gao W, Yang YL, Danyushevsky L (2011) Trace and minor elements in sphalerite from base metal deposits in South China: a LA-ICPMS study. Ore Geol Rev 39:188–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang TG, Chu XL, Zhang QR, Feng LJ, Huo WG (2004) The sulfur and carbon isotopic records in carbonates of the Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Platform, China. Acta Petrol Sin 20:717–724 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang CQ, Wu Y, Hou L, Mao JW (2015) Geodynamic setting of mineralization of Mississippi Valley-type deposits in world-class Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Zn–Pb triangle, southwest China: implications from age-dating studies in the past decade and the Sm–Nd age of Jinshachang deposit. J Asian Earth Sci 103:103–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang HJ, Xiao CY, Wen HJ, Zhu XK, Ye L, Huang ZL, Fan HF (2019) Homogeneous Zn isotopic compositions in the Maozu Zn–Pb ore deposit in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Ore Geol Rev 109:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XZ (2012) Geological features and genesis of WuSiHe Zn–Pb deposit, Sichuan. M.Sc. Thesis, Chang’an University, Xi’an, pp 1–75 (in Chinese with English abstract)

  • Zhou MF, Malpas J, Song XY, Robinson PT, Sun M, Kennedy AK, Lesher CM, Keays RR (2002) A temporal link between the Emeishan large igneous province (SW China) and the end-Guadalupian mass extinction. Earth Planet Sci Lett 196:113–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou JX, Huang ZL, Yan ZF (2013) The origin of the Maozu carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb deposit, southwest China: constrained by C–O–S–Pb isotopic compositions and Sm-Nd isotopic age. J Asian Earth Sci 73:39–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou JX, Huang ZL, Zhou MF, Zhu XK, Gao JG, Mirnejad H (2014a) Geology, isotope geochemistry and ore genesis of the Shanshulin carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb deposit, Southwest China. Ore Geol Rev 63:209–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou JX, Huang ZL, Zhou MF, Zhu XK, Muchez P (2014b) Zinc, sulfur and lead isotopic variations in carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn sulfide deposits, southwest China. Ore Geol Rev 58:41–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou JX, Xiang ZZ, Zhou MF, Feng YX, Luo K, Huang ZL, Wu T (2018) The giant upper Yangtze Zn–Pb province in SW China: reviews, new advances and a new genetic model. J Asian Earth Sci 154:280–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu CW, Wen HJ, Zhang YX, Fan HF (2016) Cadmium and sulfur isotopic compositions of the Tianbaoshan Zn–Pb–Cd deposit, Sichuan Province, China. Ore Geol Rev 76:152–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu CW, Wen HJ, Zhang YX, Fu SH, Fan HF, Cloquet C (2017) Cadmium isotope fractionation in the Fule Mississippi Valley-type deposit, Southwest China. Miner Deposita 52:675–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu CW, Liao SL, Wang W, Zhang YX, Yang T, Fan HF, Wen HJ (2018) Variations in Zn and S isotope chemistry of sedimentary sphalerite, Wusihe Zn–Pb deposit, Sichuan Province, China. Ore Geol Rev 95:639–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Strategic Priority Research Program (B) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB18030302), the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFC0602503), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1812402, 41430315, 41573011, 41625006). We give thanks to the two reviewers for reviewing the manuscript and the editor for providing comments and editorial reversions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China

    Hongjie Zhang, Haifeng Fan, Chaoyi Xiao, Hanjie Wen, Lin Ye & Zhilong Huang

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Hongjie Zhang, Chaoyi Xiao & Hanjie Wen

  3. School of Resource Environment and Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China

    Jiaxi Zhou

  4. Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Qingjun Guo

Authors
  1. Hongjie Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Haifeng Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chaoyi Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hanjie Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lin Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhilong Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jiaxi Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Qingjun Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Haifeng Fan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, H., Fan, H., Xiao, C. et al. The mixing of multi-source fluids in the Wusihe Zn–Pb ore deposit in Sichuan Province, Southwestern China. Acta Geochim 38, 642–653 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-019-00367-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-019-00367-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy