Journal of Geochemical Exploration最新文献

{"title":"Geochemical characteristics and UPb chronology of detrital zircon in the Neogene Shizigou Formation, Qigequan area, western Qaidam Basin: Implications for tectonics, paleoclimate, and uranium sources","authors":"Chao Zhang ,&nbsp;Shanbo Wang ,&nbsp;Yinhang Cheng ,&nbsp;Jiarun Tu ,&nbsp;Reng’’an Yu ,&nbsp;Ping Feng ,&nbsp;Zhifeng Zuo ,&nbsp;Yongliang Zang","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Uranium deposits have been recently discovered in the Qigequan mining area, located at the transition zone between the Cenozoic strata of the Qaidam Basin and Altyn Tagh orogenic belt. This study presents detailed petrogeochemical and U<img>Pb detrital zircon geochronological analyses of sandstones from the Cenozoic Shizigou Formation within this region. This study aims to clarify the provenance and explore the interrelations among stratigraphy, tectonics, paleoclimate, hydrocarbons, and the genesis of sandstone-type uranium deposits. Detrital zircon ages are clustered in two periods: 343–542 and 200–285 Ma, corresponding with rock units in the Altyn Tagh and East Kunlun orogenic belts. Comparative analysis of zircon age spectra reveals the Altyn Tagh and Qimantag mountains as the primary source areas, with the Altyn Tagh being the most significant. Major, trace, and rare earth element analyses suggest relatively stable tectonic conditions and an oxidizing sedimentary environment during the deposition of the Lower Shizigou Formation, with a high concentration of reducing media. Low chemical weathering in the source region, coupled with the angularity of detrital zircon grains, indicates rapid uplift under arid climatic conditions, leading to the swift transport and deposition of unweathered clastic material. Oxygenated surface waters transported uranium from erosion areas into the structural cavities of the Lower Shizigou Formation, depositing it in oxygen-rich sedimentary layers. Subsequently, ascending hydrocarbon and brine-rich fluids intruded along structural fractures, leaching uranium from the strata and creating a favorable reducing environment for uranium mineralization. The Cenozoic subduction and collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates triggered the rapid uplift of the Altyn Tagh, driving climatic changes that generated the necessary redox conditions for uranium ore formation. These findings provide valuable insights into the sedimentary processes, tectonic evolution, and exploration of sandstone-type uranium deposits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 107797"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144088995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genesis of Zhutian ion-adsorption-type rare earth deposit in South China: Constraints from whole-rock and zircon, apatite, monazite geochemistry, and geochronology","authors":"Ruilin Wang ,&nbsp;Huan Li ,&nbsp;Jianjun Liu ,&nbsp;Yasin Rahim ,&nbsp;Yue Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107795","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Ion-adsorption rare earth deposits are special resources that are widely distributed in South China and have become one of the most important sources of rare earth elements (REEs). To illustrate how the host rock affects the formation of these deposits, this study perpetually sampled the weathered crust profile of a typical granite from top to bottom in the Luoyang-Nanmu mining area of Guangdong Province. We collected 7 representative samples to analyze whole-rock major and trace elements and to carry out U&lt;img&gt;Pb dating of zircon, apatite, and monazite. Additionally, the relationship between the characteristics of the parent rock and the weathered crust was further studied. (1) The U&lt;img&gt;Pb isotope results of zircon, apatite, and monazite show that the parent rocks were formed at 229.1 ± 2.0 Ma, 226.0 ± 1.1 Ma, and 277.4 ± 0.8 Ma, respectively. This indicates, that the weathered crust parent rock is Indosinian biotite monzogranite, which can provide favorable metallogenic conditions for the formation of weathered crust. The major and trace elements data from the whole-rock analysis show that the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values of the weathered crust range from 0.61 to 0.92 gradually decreasing from shallow to deep. As the weathering degree increases, changes in the content and ratios of LREEs to HREEs, (LREEs/HREEs = 12.68–22.97), Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce* = 0.33–1.89) and Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* =0.56–0.67) in the profile are observed. Combined with the mineral characteristics and REE composition patterns of the minerals, it is evident that the parent rock materials in the weathered crust are controlled by monazite. Monazite and plagioclase are the main minerals responsible for REE enrichment in the weathered crust. Monazite, together with apatite, influences the rare earth distribution mode of the weathered crust (especially the LREEs). Zircon is resistant to weathering, limiting the enrichment of HREEs, and thus, LREEs are more easily enriched in the weathered crust of the parent rock. Furthermore, plagioclase feldspar provides an adsorption medium for ion-REEs as it weathers to form kaolin. (3) The trace elements data characteristics of zircon and apatite in the profile samples &lt;del&gt;can&lt;/del&gt; reflect the degree of magma evolution, among which the content of U, Th, and Y in zircon is low while the Th/U ratio is approximately 1, and the ratios of Zr/Hf = 36.3–62.7, indicating that zircon is primarily of magmatic origin and the magma evolution is of moderate degree. The ratios of (La/Yb)&lt;sub&gt;N&lt;/sub&gt;, (La/Sm)&lt;sub&gt;N&lt;/sub&gt;, and (Sm/Yb)&lt;sub&gt;N&lt;/sub&gt; in apatite reflect magma differentiation characteristics: (La/Yb)&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt; = 1.81–5.29, (La/Sm)&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt; = 0.48–0.91, and (Sm/Yb)&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt; = 3.79–6.41, showing a positive correlation with Sr. Additionally, apatite exhibits a strong negative Eu anomaly, indicating plagioclase separation and crystallization during magma differentiation. The evidence presented sug","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107795"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In situ pyrite thermoelectricity and geochemistry: Implications for exploration in the Longhua Ni-Co vein deposit, Dayaoshan area, South China","authors":"Xinmin Yang ,&nbsp;Xiao Nie ,&nbsp;Zhen Deng ,&nbsp;Kuifeng Mi ,&nbsp;Xuepeng Duan ,&nbsp;Xiaofeng Qin ,&nbsp;Zongqi Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107796","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107796","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pyrite thermoelectricity has been widely utilized in predicting deep/concealed quartz-vein-related gold orebodies. However, whether this methodology can be utilized as vector for Ni-Co mineral exploration remains to be explored. This study investigates the major element composition, trace element composition, and thermoelectric characteristics of pyrite across a vertical profile (531 m, 492 m, and 446 m above sea level, a.s.l.) along the No. 3 orebody of the Longhua Ni-Co deposit to evaluate their potential for Ni-Co exploration. In this deposit, Ni-Co mineralization is dominated by arsenides (e.g., niccolite), sulfarsenides (e.g., gersdorffite and cobaltite), and sulfides (e.g., pentlandite and bravoite), which are primarily hosted in quartz veins. Field observations indicate that pyrite from different elevations is closely associated with Ni-Co ore minerals. Time-resolved LA-ICP-MS depth profiles of Co, Ni, and As in pyrite from different elevations exhibit gentle curves, suggesting that these elements primarily incorporate into the pyrite lattice in an isomorphic form. Despite a relatively low Co/Ni ratio (mostly &lt;1), the quartz-vein-controlled occurrence of pyrite points to a hydrothermal origin. The trace elements exhibit a cyclic variation along the vertical profile: from 531 m to 492 m and then to 446 m a.s.l., the (Co + Ni) content initially decreases then increases, while As content shows an inverse trend. Correspondingly, pyrite thermoelectricity changes from N-type conductivity at 531 m a.s.l. to P-type at 492 m a.s.l., and reverting to N-type at 446 m a.s.l. This variation is attributed to a direct link between (Co + Ni) content and N-type conductivity, and between As content and P-type conductivity. The observed association of arsenide ores with P-type pyrite and sulfide ores with N-type pyrite establishes these conductivity types as indicators for distinct mineralization characteristics. Furthermore, the increase in sulfur fugacity below 446 m a.s.l., combined with the presence of N-type pyrite at 430 m a.s.l. (from drill-hole along the inferred extension of the No. 3 orebody), indicates the potential for deeper sulfide-rich mineralization below currently investigated 446 m a.s.l. drift. This study highlights the feasibility of using the pyrite thermoelectricity and geochemistry to guide the Ni-Co mineral exploration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107796"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sources and occurrence of trace elements in water and sediments of Darbandikhan reservoir in Iraqi Kurdistan: A human health and ecological risk assessment","authors":"Karzan Hawrami ,&nbsp;Abdolbaset Baset ,&nbsp;Kocher Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Hardi Baqi ,&nbsp;Farhan Abdulrahman ,&nbsp;Ari Ali ,&nbsp;Fadhil Lawa ,&nbsp;Abdul-Wahab Mossa ,&nbsp;Maria Izquierdo","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Freshwater pollution is a global threat, contributing to the decline in biodiversity whilst making water unsafe for human consumption. Climate change may further aggravate water scarcity and quality. Iraq is ranked as highly vulnerable to climate change and predicted to be extremely water stressed by 2040. Iraqi population relies on surface water, yet its availability and quality face several challenges. This study reports on Darbandikhan, a major water reservoir in Iraqi Kurdistan. The occurrence, spatial/vertical distribution and associations of 50+ elements in sediments, surface and deep water in 48 sites shed light on contamination patterns and enabled identification of several geogenic and anthropogenic sources, and locally enriched areas where mitigation actions are recommended. Darbandikhan sediments revealed a distinctive geogenic signature reflecting the Zagros geological setting. The presence of mafic/ultramafic rocks and mineralisations in the catchment resulted in high levels of As, Cr and Ni in sediments, whilst no anthropogenic sources could be unequivocally discriminated. Elemental associations with a geogenic signature and higher concentrations in deep water suggested that bottom sediments act as a secondary source of potentially toxic elements into the overlying water column. By contrast, surface water composition was primarily controlled by fresh inputs from several streams draining into the reservoir. Local enrichments in As, Ba, Mo, Ni, Sb, V and Zn were traced back to specific anthropogenic discharges. Assessment of the contamination status with several indices suggested mild to moderate environmental risk and low health risk in the majority of sites, although caution in water consumption is advised.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107793"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143931470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comment on “Spatial distributions, potential sources, and ecological risks of heavy metals in stream sediments of Zambia” by Sun et al. (2025)","authors":"Ondra Sracek ,&nbsp;Bohdan Kříbek ,&nbsp;Vojtěch Ettler ,&nbsp;Martin Mihaljevič ,&nbsp;Aleš Vaněk ,&nbsp;Imasiku Nyambe","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107791","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"275 ","pages":"Article 107791"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143883231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution and fractionation of Rare Earths (LaLu, Sc, Y) and other critical metals in bauxite residues: addressing the profitability of the red muds stored at the Porto Vesme disposal site, Sardinia Island, Italy","authors":"Paola Mameli ,&nbsp;Emanuela Schingaro ,&nbsp;Ernesto Mesto ,&nbsp;Maria Lacalamita ,&nbsp;Abdelhamid Ouladmansour ,&nbsp;Guido Cerri ,&nbsp;Alfredo Idini ,&nbsp;Carmine Cisullo ,&nbsp;Giovanni Mongelli","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In southern Sardinia, Italy, at the Porto Vesme disposal site, about 30 million tonnes of bauxite residues deriving from Al extraction through the Bayer process are stored.The mineralogical composition includes hematite, goethite, ilmenite, gibbsite, boehmite, bayerite, anatase, rutile, quartz, sodalite, cancrinite, andradite, calcite, dolomite, halite. Lanthanides-rich phosphate minerals as well as LREE ferrotitanates were sporadically observed.</div><div>The samples chemistry provides Fe₂O₃, Al₂O3, SiO₂, Na₂O, TiO₂ and CaO in order of abundance. The REEs are enriched relative to the parent material with LREEs &gt; HREEs+Y and Sc. Ce is the most abundant LREE and the chondrite normalized patterns show significant positive Ce anomalies.</div><div>The inter-elemental relationships among major, minor and trace elements were evaluated by R-mode factor analysis. The first factor accounts for most of the variance (52.1 %) of the dataset and explains the competition between the desilication and relict + neoformed phases with the latter hosting the LREEs and other critical metals. The second factor (variance = 15.2 %) represents the control exerted by the mineral zircon on the distribution of HREEs+Y.</div><div>The HREEs+Y are enriched relative to the average Upper Continental Crust along with other critical metals such as Hf, TiO₂ and W. In addition, a set of profitability indices, including the ratio (Nd + Dy+Ce + Pr + La)/Σ(REEs+Y), specifically addressed to the electromobility market, suggest an overall significant economic potential for the bauxite residues stored at the Porto Vesme site.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"275 ","pages":"Article 107792"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143887326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magmatic and hydrothermal evolution of the Weilasituo Sn polymetallic deposit recorded by the Li and O isotope compositions of zinnwaldite","authors":"Ruizhe Shi ,&nbsp;Junxing Zhao ,&nbsp;Rolf L. Romer ,&nbsp;Zhenzhen Li ,&nbsp;Kezhang Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107790","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107790","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lithium and O isotopic compositions of zinnwaldite from magmatic (cassiterite), magmatic-hydrothermal transition (UST) and hydrothermal (tin‑tungsten, molybdenum and copper‑zinc) stages of the Weilasituo Sn polymetallic deposit and fluid inclusions in quartz are used to trace the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and laser Raman analysis indicate that the H₂O-NaCl-CO₂-CH₄ fluids associated with the Weilasituo deposit have high to medium-high temperatures and moderate salinities. The δ⁷Li values of magmatic zinnwaldite decrease with magmatic differentiation, which cannot be explained by fractional crystallization alone and, therefore, reflect late-stage fluid exsolution. Lithium and O isotope fractionation during fluid evolution depends not only on the temperature, but also on fluid-rock reactions that affect the Li and O isotopic compositions of the fluids from the hydrothermal tin‑tungsten stage and liquid-vapor phase separations that decrease δ⁷Li and increase δ¹⁸O of the fluids from the copper‑zinc stage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"275 ","pages":"Article 107790"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143899221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mineral prediction research using the Geology-based Cyclic Adversarial Network for Anomaly Detection","authors":"Long Tang ,&nbsp;Bin Liu ,&nbsp;Tonghui Luo ,&nbsp;Zhongli Zhou ,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deep learning algorithms represented by generative adversarial networks (GANs) have been extensively applied in mineral prospectivity mapping research. However, the inherent instability and “black-box” nature of these models have constrained further advancement in such studies. This research proposes an anomaly detection model integrating geochemical data with geological knowledge (Geology-based Cyclic Adversarial Network for Anomaly Detection, G-CANomaly). First, taking the Mila Mountain area of Tibet as the study area, we quantified the relationship between deposit density and ore-controlling factors (fault structures) using multifractal singularity theory. Second, we restructured the network architecture of traditional GANomaly models and embedded geological knowledge to establish the G-CANomaly anomaly detection model, achieving a transition from purely data-driven approaches to hybrid “data + knowledge”-driven methodologies. Finally, we conducted comparative analyses of model performance among GANomaly, CANomaly, and G-CANomaly. The results demonstrate that: (1) The anomaly zones delineated by G-CANomaly exhibit the highest spatial correlation with known mineral occurrences in the study area. (2) The top 3 % anomaly areas can encompass 80 % of known mineral deposits. (3) The main assessment metrics of G-CANomaly, AUC, Accuracy, and Recall, were 0.97, 0.89, and 0.93, showing 3–6 % improvements over baseline models. These findings indicate that the G-CANomaly model demonstrates strong feasibility in geochemical anomaly identification research, with notably enhanced training stability and convergence rate. This study provides valuable references for constructing hybrid geochemical-geological knowledge-driven deep learning models and enriches the methodological framework of mineral prospectivity mapping.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"275 ","pages":"Article 107789"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143859580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An integrated singularity–energy analysis to reveal mineralization-related geochemical patterns","authors":"Saeid Esmaeiloghli ,&nbsp;Mahyar Yousefi","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During the last two decades, local singularity analysis (LSA) has become a leading technique to enhance weak geochemical anomalies associated with non-linear ore-forming processes operating in complex Earth systems. Singularity maps of multiple ore-forming elements are preferably synthesized to reveal multi-element geochemical anomalies and to portray them as stronger mineralization-related geochemical signatures. In this regard, classifying anomalous components is crucial to identify different patterns of ore formation-related geochemical anomalies, a step forward to delimit target areas for metal exploration. This research puts forward an integrated singularity–energy (S–E) analysis dealing with the variety in the metal enrichment patterns obtained from singularity mapping of multiple ore-forming elements. As per the S–E methodology, the LSA is applied to the rasterized geochemical maps with the aim of reducing the adverse effects of overburden and enhancing weak geochemical anomalies. Relying on multi-sample energy statistics, a <em>k</em>-groups partitioning based on energy distance is then devised to classify singularity maps into <span><math><mi>k</mi></math></span> patterns with contrasting probability distributions, thereby recognizing different patterns of multi-element geochemical anomalies. Eventually, prospectivity indices for the resulting S–E patterns are calculated to prioritize mineralization-related patterns and to automate the definition of exploration targets. The potential application of the S–E analysis is demonstrated by a stream sediment geochemical dataset (viz. Cu, Au, Pb, and Zn) pertaining to the Moalleman district, NE Iran. Moreover, additional geochemical patterns are recognized by concentration–area multifractal modeling of additive geochemical indices and by <em>k</em>-means clustering of singularity maps of ore-forming elements, serving as traditional references to constitute comparative analyses. Appraisal by success-rate curves indicates that metal enrichment patterns derived from S–E analysis, compared to those from traditional approaches, establish a more significant spatial conformity with hydrothermal- and epithermal-type mineralization events within the study area. The findings suggest that the proposed technique has robust properties to bring more efficient exploration knowledge and reliable evidence for prospecting buried and covered metal deposits within complex Earth systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"275 ","pages":"Article 107788"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geochemistry of sulfides from massive carbonate replacement type tin ore at Gaofeng, Dachang orefield: Insights into precipitation conditions and enrichment of critical metals","authors":"Yu-Pei Liu ,&nbsp;Pei Ni ,&nbsp;Jun-Yi Pan ,&nbsp;Wen-Chao Su ,&nbsp;Stefano Albanese ,&nbsp;Jian-Ming Cui ,&nbsp;Yuan-Feng Cai ,&nbsp;Ming-Sen Fan ,&nbsp;Zhi-Lin Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107787","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107787","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sulfide ore minerals are significant carriers of multiple critical metals, thereby highlighting the importance of evaluating the exploration potential in sulfide-rich deposits. Tin-bearing sulfide ores from the carbonate replacement type tin deposits (cassiterite-sulfide type) generally contain substantial reserves of critical metals as by-products. This study analyzes the major and trace elements compositions of marmatite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, and jamesonite from the Gaofeng deposit using EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. The Gaofeng Sn-polymetallic deposit, situated in the Dachang orefield, the Youjiang Basin, is a typical sulfide-rich carbonate replacement type tin deposit with reserves of 0.23 Mt. Sn, 0.65 Mt. Sb, 1.50 Mt. Zn, 0.79 Mt. Pb, 2800 t Ag and 2000 t In. The No. 100 ore body, hosted within Middle Devonian reef limestone, is intruded by the post-ore granite porphyry dyke. The sulfides account for over 90 wt% of the ore, mainly including marmatite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, and jamesonite. LA-ICP-MS analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) results show that trace element concentrations in sulfides generally exhibit strong spatial consistency and no significant correlation with the horizontal distribution. The spatial uniformity of trace element distribution in sulfides indicates the precipitation rate of each sulfide is relatively high throughout the ore body, and the granite porphyry is closely related to the undiscovered ore-forming granite batholith without a direct role in the ore-forming process. Marmatite is characterized by exploitable enrichment of Cd (5479 ppm) and In (604 ppm), with dominant substitution mechanisms of Zn²⁺ ↔ (Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cd²⁺) and 2Zn²⁺ ↔ In³⁺ + Cu⁺. The Sn content in jamesonite is notably high, ranging from 222 to 4315 ppm (average: 814 ppm), with Sn incorporated via 2Sb³⁺ + Fe²⁺ ↔ 2Sn⁴⁺ + □ and 2Sb³⁺ + □ ↔ Sn⁴⁺ + 2(Ag⁺, Cu⁺). The mineralization temperatures are estimated as 353–372 °C for arsenopyrite, 254–~350 °C for hexagonal pyrrhotite, 329 ± 26 °C for marmatite, and &lt; ~180 °C for monoclinic pyrrhotite, indicating fluid cooling is the key precipitation mechanism for sulfides. The co-precipitation of cassiterite and arsenopyrite is likely controlled by fluid cooling and redox reaction of 3SnCl₂ + 2H₃AsO₃ + 2FeCl₂ + 2H₂S = 3SnO₂ + 2FeAsS +10H⁺ + 10Cl⁻. High mineralization temperature and the “indium window” effect are the dominant controls on indium enrichment in marmatite/sphalerite from carbonate replacement-type tin deposits. Jamesonite shows a tremendous potential for Sn extraction as by-product, where Sn may source from the partial reactivation of the early precipitated cassiterite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16336,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geochemical Exploration","volume":"275 ","pages":"Article 107787"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}