Unconventional trace elements in sphalerite – Clues to fluid origin?

It is well known that the trace element content of sphalerite correlates with the conditions of ore formation (T, fS2). However, the suite of trace elements analysed in geological studies is generally restricted to the chalcophile and siderophile elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, Mn, Sb, Se etc.). This may limit the inferences that can be made about the chemistry of the ore-forming fluids.

We used an integrated analytical approach consisting of electron probe micro-analysis, laser-ablationinductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the incorporation of the halogens Cl and Br, as well as the alkali metals Na and K into natural sphalerite from a range of deposits. This allowed us to study element distribution at length scales from >1 mm down to ~1 nm.

We found that Cl, Br, Na and K occur in measurable concentrations (100s to 1000s of ppm) in samples from several deposits. Chlorine occurs as either atomic substitutions in the sphalerite lattice or as a mixture of substitution and nano-inclusions. Unfortunately, analytical limitations mean that an investigation of the nanoscale distribution of Br, Na and K was not possible. However, concentrations of these elements (determined by LA-ICP-MS) correlate with Cl concentrations suggesting that they may be present together
with Cl in the sphalerite lattice.

The levels of trace elements present as atomic substitutions are generally related to the chemistry of the oreforming fluids. Therefore, our findings raise the possibility to measure Cl concentrations as well as Cl/Br ratios in natural sphalerite, and use these measurements to constrain fluid salinity and origin. However, more work will be required to constrain the relevant thermodynamic relationships and improve the detection limits of Cl and Br before such measurements can become a standard tool in economic geology.