Mechanisms for anhydrite and gypsum formation in the Kuroko massive sulfide–sulfate deposits, north Japan (original) (raw)

Abstract

The Sr, Ba, and rare earth elements (REEs) concentrations and Sr isotopic composition of anhydrite and gypsum have been determined for samples from the Matsumine, Shakanai, and Hanaoka Kuroko-type massive sulfide–sulfate deposits of northern Japan to evaluate the mechanisms of sekko (anhydrite and gypsum) ore formation. The Sr isotopic compositions of the samples fall in the range of 0.7077–0.7087, intermediate between that for middle Miocene (13–15 Ma) seawater (0.7088) (Peterman et al., Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 34:105–120, 1970) and that for country rocks (e.g., 0.7030–0.7050) (Shuto, Assn Geol Collab Japan Monograph 18:91–105, 1974). The Kuroko anhydrite samples exhibit two types of chondrite-normalized REE patterns: one with a decrease from light REEs (LREEs) to heavy REEs (HREEs) (type I), and another with a LREE-depleted pattern (type II).

Based on the Sr content and isotopic ratio (assuming an Sr/Ca (mM/M) of 8.7 for seawater), anhydrite is considered to have formed by mixing of preheated seawater with a hydrothermal solution of Sr/Ca (mM/M) = ca. 0.59–1.36 under the condition in which the partition coefficient (Kd) ranges between ca. 0.5 and 0.7. This results in the formation of anhydrite with higher Sr content with an Sr isotopic value close to that of seawater under seawater-dominant conditions.

Larger crystals of type II anhydrite are partly replaced by smaller ones, indicating that anhydrite dissolution and recrystallization occurred after or during the formation of sekko ore. Gypsum, which partially replaces anhydrite in the Kuroko deposits, also exhibits two distinct chondrite-normalized REE patterns. Because LREEs are likely to be more readily mobilized during dissolution and recrystallization, it is hypothesized that LREEs are leached from type I anhydrite, resulting in the formation of type II anhydrite with LREE-depleted profiles.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

• 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.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

• Bach W, Roberts S, Vanko DA, Binns RA, Yeats CJ, Craddock PR, Humphris SE (2003) Controls of fluid chemistry and complexation on rare-earth element controls of anhydrite from the Pacmanus sub-seafloor hydrothermal systems, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. Miner Depos 38:916–935
  Article Google Scholar
• Berndt ME, Seyfried WE, Beck JW (1988) Hydrothermal alteration processes at mid-ocean ridges: experimental and theoretical constraints from Ca and Sr exchange reactions and Sr isotopic ratios. J Geophys Res 93:4573–4583
  Google Scholar
• Chiba H, Uchiyama, N, Teagle DAH (1998) Stable isotope study of anhydrite and sulfide minerals at the TAG hydrothermal mound, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 26°N. Proc Ocean Drill Prog Sci Results 158:85–90
  Google Scholar
• Douville E, Bienvenu P, Charlou JL, Donval JP, Fouquest Y, Appriou P, Gamo T (1999) Yttrium and rare earth elements in fluids from various deep-sea hydrothermal systems. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 63:627–643
  Article Google Scholar
• Farrell CW, Holland HD (1983) Strontium isotope geochemistry of the Kuroko deposits. Econ Geol Monogr 5:302–319
  Google Scholar
• Farrell CW, Holland HD, Petersen U (1978) The isotopic composition of strontium in barites and anhydrites from Kuroko deposits. Min Geol 28:281–291
  Google Scholar
• Hannington M, Herzig P, Stoffers P, Scholten J, Garbe-Schoneberg D, Jonasson IR, Roset W (2001) First observation of high-temperature submarine vents and massive anhydrite deposits off the north coast of Iceland. Mar Geol 177:199–220
  Article Google Scholar
• Humphris SE (1998) Rare earth element composition of anhydrite: implications for deposition and mobility within the active TAG hydrothermal mound. Proc Ocean Drill Prog Sci Results 158:143–159
  Google Scholar
• Humphris SE, Bach W (2005) On the Sr isotope and REE compositions of anhydrites from the TAG seafloor hydrothermal system. Geochem Cosmochim Acta 69:1511–1525
  Article Google Scholar
• Humphris SE, Herzig PM, Miller DJ, Alt JC, Becker K, Brown D, Brügmann G, Chiba H, Fouquet Y, Gemmell JB, Guerin G, Hannington MD, Holm NG, Honnorez JJ, Itturino GJ, Knott R, Ludwig R, Nakamura K, Petersen S, Reysenbach AL, Rona PA, Smith S, Sturz AA, Tivey MK, Zhao X (1995) The internal structure of an active sea-floor massive sulfide deposits. Nature 377:713–716
  Article Google Scholar
• Kagi H, Dohmoto Y, Takano S, Masuda A (1993) Tetrad effect in lanthanide partitioning between calcium sulfate crystal and its saturated solution. Chem Geol 107:71–82
  Article Google Scholar
• Kajiwara Y (1971) Sulfur isotopic study of the Kuroko-ores of the Shakanai No. 1 deposits, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Geochem J 22:457–465
  Google Scholar
• Koeppenkastrop D, De Carlo EH (1992) Sorption of rare-earth elements from seawater onto synthetic mineral particles: An experimental approach. Chem Geol 95:251–263
  Article Google Scholar
• Kuhn T, Herzig PM, Hannington MD, Garbe-Schonberg D, Stoffers P (2003) Origin of fluids and anhydrite precipitation in the sediment-hosted Grimsey field north of Iceland. Chem Geol 202:5–21
  Article Google Scholar
• Kusakabe M, Chiba H (1979) Oxygen isotope geothermometry applied to sulfate minerals from the kuroko deposits. Min Geol 29:257–264
  Google Scholar
• Matsubaya O, Sakai H (1973) Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic study on the water of crystallization of gypsum from the Kuroko type mineralization. Geochem J 7:153–165
  Google Scholar
• Mills RA, Elderfield H (1995) Rare earth geochemistry of hydrothermal deposits from active TAG mound, 26°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:3511–3524
  Article Google Scholar
• Mills RA, Tivey MK (1999) Seawater entrainment and fluid evolution with the TAG hydrothermal mound; evidence from analysis of anhydrite. In: Cann JR, Elderfield H, Laughton A (eds) Mid-ocean ridge. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp 224–248
  Google Scholar
• Mitra A, Elderfield H, Greaves MJ (1994) Rare earth elements in submarine hydrothermal fluids and plumes from Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Mar Chem 46:217–235
  Article Google Scholar
• Miyazaki T, Kato K, Iida K (1978) On the occurrence of the No. 11 ore deposit in the Shakanai mine. Min Geol 28:151–162 (in Japanese, with English Abstract)
  Google Scholar
• Na CK, Nakano T, Tazawa K, Sakagawa M, Ito T (1995) A systematic and practical method of liquid chromatography for the determination of Sr and Nd isotopic ratios and REE concentrations in geological samples. Chem Geol 123:225–237
  Article Google Scholar
• Nancollas GH, Gill JS (1979) Formation and dissolution of high-temperature forms of calcium sulfate scales: the influence of inhibitors. Soc Pet Eng J 19:423–429
  Google Scholar
• Ogata M, Uchida E (2004) Reliability of thermodynamic dataset used for SUPCRT98 (revised SUPCRT92). Verification by the calculation of mineral saturation index for geothermal system. Resource Geol 54(1):47–60 (in Japanese, with English Abstract)
  Google Scholar
• Peterman ZE, Hedge CE, Tourtelot H (1970) Isotopic composition of strontium in seawater throughout Phanerozoic times. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 34:105–120
  Article Google Scholar
• Pisutha-Arnond V, Ohmoto H (1983) The history and chemical and isotopic compositions of ore-forming fluids responsible for the Kuroko massive sulfide deposits in the Hokuroku District of Japan. Econ Geol Monogr 5:523–558
  Google Scholar
• Sakai H, Osaki S, Tsukagishi M (1970) Sulfur and oxygen isotopic geochemistry of sulfate in black ore deposits of Japan. Geochem J 4:27–39
  Google Scholar
• Sasaki A, Kajiwara Y (1971) Evidence of isotope exchange between seawater sulfate and syngenetic sulfide ores. Soc Min Geol Spec Jpn Spec Issue 3:289–294
  Google Scholar
• Sasaki M, Fujimoto K, Tsukamoto H, Sawai T, Sasada M, Kurosawa M, Yagi M, Muramatsu Y, Kato O, Komatsu R, Kasai K, Doi N (2003) Geochemical features of vein anhydrite from Kakkonda geothermal system, North Japan. Resource Geol 53:127–142
  Article Google Scholar
• Sato T (1973) A chloride complex model for Kuroko mineralization. Geochem J 7:245–270
  Google Scholar
• Shikazono N (1983) Genesis of sulfate minerals in the Kuroko deposits. Min Geol Spec Issue 11:229–249 (in Japanese, with English Abstract)
  Google Scholar
• Shikazono N (1999) Rare earth element geochemistry of Kuroko ores and hydrothermally altered rocks: implications for evolution of submarine hydrothermal system at back arc basin. Resource Geol Spec Issue 20:23–30
  Google Scholar
• Shikazono N, Holland HD (1983) The partitioning of strontium between anhydrite and aqueous solution from 150 to 250°C. Econ Geol Monogr 5:320–328
  Google Scholar
• Shikazono N, Holland HD, Quirk RF (1983) Anhydrite in Kuroko deposits: mode of occurrence and depositional Mechanisms. Econ Geol Monogr 5:329–344
  Google Scholar
• Shuto K (1974) On the source materials of acidic volcanic rocks in the Cenozoic Circum-Pacific belt-considering from their strontium isotope ratio. Assoc Geol Collab Jpn Monogr 18:91–105
  Google Scholar
• Sleep NH (1991) Hydrothermal circulation, anhydrite precipitation, and thermal structure at ridge axes. J Geophys Res 96:2375–2387
  Article Google Scholar
• Styrt MM, Brackman AJ, Holland HD, Clark BC, Pisutha-Arnond V, Eldridge CS, Ohmoto H (1981) The mineralogy and isotopic composition of sulfur in hydrothermal sulfide/sulfate deposits on the East Pacific Rise, 21°N latitude. Earth Planet Sci Lett 53:382–390
  Article Google Scholar
• Suga K, Ito T, Takahashi T, Omori Y (1972) Volcanic–sedimentary feature in the Matsumine “Kuroko” deposits, Hanaoka Mine, Japan. Min Geol 22:225–249 (in Japanese, with English Abstract)
  Google Scholar
• Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell, Oxford, p 312
  Google Scholar
• Teagle DAH, Alt JC, Chiba H, Halliday AN (1998a) Dissecting an active hydrothermal deposit: the strontium and oxygen isotopic anatomy of the TAG hydrothermal mound-anhydrite. Proc Ocean Drill Prog Sci Results 158:129–141
  Google Scholar
• Teagle DAH, Alt JC, Chiba H, Humphris SE, Halliday AN (1998b) Strontium and oxygen isotopic constraints on fluid mixing, alteration and mineralization in the TAG hydrothermal deposits. Chem Geol 149:1–24
  Article Google Scholar
• Yamamoto M (1974) Distribution of sulphur isotopes in the Iwami Kuroko deposits, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Geochem J 8:27–35
  Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. O. Matsubaya of Akita University and Dr. A. Okamoto of Tohoku University for their useful advice. We also thank the University Museum, University of Tokyo, for giving anhydrite and gypsum samples to us for this study. This manuscript was greatly improved by the valuable comments from Drs. D. Lentz, D.H.A. Teagle, and D. Vanko.

Author information

Author notes

1. Yasumasa Ogawa
   Present address: Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Hiyoshi 3-14-1, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8522, Japan
   Yasumasa Ogawa & Naotatsu Shikazono
2. Division of Applied Earth Science, Department of Earth Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Resource Science, Akita University, Tegatagakuen-machi 1-1, Akita, Akita, 010-8502, Japan
   Daizo Ishiyama, Hinako Sato & Toshio Mizuta
3. Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Inter-University Research Institute, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Takashima-cho 305, Marutamachi-dori, Kawaramachi Nishi-iri, Kamigyo-ku, Kyotom, Kyoto, Kyoto, 602-0875, Japan
   Takanori Nakano

Authors

1. Yasumasa Ogawa
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
2. Naotatsu Shikazono
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
3. Daizo Ishiyama
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
4. Hinako Sato
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
5. Toshio Mizuta
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
6. Takanori Nakano
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toYasumasa Ogawa.

Additional information

Editorial handling: D. Lentz

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ogawa, Y., Shikazono, N., Ishiyama, D. et al. Mechanisms for anhydrite and gypsum formation in the Kuroko massive sulfide–sulfate deposits, north Japan.Miner Deposita 42, 219–233 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-006-0101-7

Download citation

• Received: 03 February 2005
• Accepted: 15 September 2006
• Published: 28 October 2006
• Issue Date: February 2007
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-006-0101-7

Keywords