Sphalerite remobilization during multistage hydrothermal mineralization events —examples from siderite-Pb-Zn-Cu-Sb veins, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany (original) (raw)

Summary

A widespread feature of Variscan siderite-Pb-Zn-Cu vein deposits in the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany, is an overprinting brought about by late-Variscan Sb-rich fluids which exploited the existing vein geometry. In a number of cases, this later event led to considerable textural modification of the primary sulphide assemblage. Sphalerite is a major component of the primary mineralization in the Stahlberg (Müsen), Schöne Freundschaft (Obersdorf) and Silberwiese (Oberlahr) deposits, Siegerland-Wied district and the Silbersand (Mayen) and Saarsegen (Altenahr) deposits in the Eastern Eifel. Primary sphalerite (sphalerite 1) displays corrosion, replacement by a range of Pb-Sbsulphosalts, partial dissolution and, ultimately, remobilization as a result of the overprinting event. Remobilized sphalerite has recrystallized (Sphalerite II) directly from the overprinting fluid. A comparable textural evolution is also noted in samples from the Dörnberg-Aurora (Ramsbeck) mine, although, in this case, several distinct stages of textural modification and remobilization are recognised, resulting from a yet more complex sequence of vein emplacement.

Microanalysis of sphalerite representing distinct stages of textural evolution in each of the deposits reveals extensive removal of Fe by diffusion ahead of the reactive replacement front. Second generation sphalerite contains only low contents of Fe. The data are consistent with theoretical predictions and experimental observations of interdiffusion of Fe and Zn in sphalerite in contact with a low Fe/Zn fluid. Interaction with the Sb-rich fluids was sufficiently prolonged to permit substantial textural and compositional modification of the primary sphalerite, particularly in the case of smaller grains close to the reaction front. However, relatively rapid cooling resulted in a cessation of interdiffusion before equilibrium between fluid and solid could be established.

Zusammenfassung

Innerhalb zahlreicher varistischer Siderit-Pb-Zn-Cu-Ganglagerstätten des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges erfolgte eine hydrothermale überprägung durch spätvaristische Sb-reiche Fluide, die entlang der präexistenten tektonischen Elemente der Gänge bevorzugte Wegsamkeiten fanden. In einigen Fällen führte dieses spätere Hydrothermalereignis zu einer bedeutenden Veränderung der Gefüge der primären Sulfidmineralisation. In den Lagerstätten Stahlberg (Müsen), Schöne Freundschaft (Obersdorf) und Silberwiese (Oberlahr) im Siegerland-Wied-Distrikt und Silbersand (Mayen) und Saarsegen (Altenahr) in der östlichen Eifel stellt Sphalerit eine Hauptkomponente der primären Mineralisation dar. Die Gefüge des primären Sphalerit (Sphalerit I) zeigen eine sukzessive Entwicklung, die von Korrosion und partieller Verdrängung durch verschiedene Pb-Sb-Sulfosalze über intensive Wiederauflösung schließlich zu vollständiger Remobilisation führt. Remobilisierter Sphalerit wurde teilweise wieder als jüngere Generation (Sphalerit II) abgeschieden. Eine vergleichbare Gefügeentwicklung liegt in Proben der Dörnberg-Aurora-Lagerstätte (Ramsbeck) vor, obwohl hier verschiedene überprägungsstadien und wiederholte Remobilisationen von Sphalerit während einer komplexeren tektonischen und hydrothermalen Entwicklung erfolgten.

Mikrosondenanalysen von Sphalerit aus verschiedenen texturellen Stadien zunehmender Korrosion und Verdrängung belegen eine intensive diffusive Verarmung an Fe in einer Zone parallel zur Verdrängungsfront. Sphalerit der jüngeren Generation hat demgegenüber sehr geringe Gehalte an Fe. Die Analysendaten zeigen weitgehende übereinstimmung mit theoretischen überlegungen und experimentellen Ergebnissen zur Interdiffusion von Fe und Zn in Sphalerit, der im Kontakt mit einem Fluid mit niedrigem Fe/Zn-Verhältnis steht. Die Wechselwirkung mit den hochtemperierten Sbreichen Fluiden war ausreichend, um wesentliche Veränderungen der Gefüge und des Chemismus von Sphalerit zu ermöglichen. Eine rasche Abkühlung der Fluide führte zu einer Beendigung der effektiven In zwischen Fluid und Sphalerit erfolgen konnte.

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1. N. J. Cook
   Present address: Geological Survey of Norway, Boks 3006 Lade, N-7040, Trondheim, Norway

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1. Mineralogisches Institut, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
   T. Wagner & N. J. Cook

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1. T. Wagner
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Wagner, T., Cook, N.J. Sphalerite remobilization during multistage hydrothermal mineralization events —examples from siderite-Pb-Zn-Cu-Sb veins, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany.Mineralogy and Petrology 63, 223–241 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01164152

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• Received: 09 February 1998
• Accepted: 25 June 1998
• Issue Date: September 1998
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01164152

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