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Hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions in the Drau Range (Eastern Alps, Austria): implications for the genesis of Bleiberg-type Pb-Zn deposits

Kohlenwasserstoffhältige Flüssigkeitseinschlüsse im Drauzug (Ostalpen, Österreich) und ihre Bedeutung für die Genese der Pb-Zn-Lagerstätten vom Bleiberg-Typ

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Summary

Hydrocarbons in ore minerals of Bleiberg-type Pb-Zn deposits and in authigenic quartz of the Drau Range (Eastern Alps) have been analysed by bulk-sample gas chromatography and fluorescence microscopy. Microthermometric data and the molecular composition of the hydrocarbons indicate a hot (120° to 130°C) pulse of migrating condensate-like hydrocarbons within Late Triassic sediments during Middle Cretaceous to Early Tertiary times. The molecular composition of hydrocarbons enclosed in authigenic quartz corresponds to the composition of hydrocarbons trapped in Bleiberg-type ore minerals, therefore a common fluid source is assumed. The hydrocarbons possibly played an important role as reducing agents in the late stage of sulfide precipitation.

Zusammenfassung

Die organo-chemische Zusammensetzung von Kohlenwasserstoffen, die in Erzmineralen vom Typus Bleiberg and in authigenen Quarzen des Drauzuges (Ostalpen) eingeschlossen sind, wurde durch gaschromatographische and fluoreszenzmikroskopische Untersuchungen charakterisiert. Mikrothermometrische Daten und die molekulare Zusammensetzung dieser Kohlenwasserstoffphasen weisen auf migrierende kondensatartige Kohlenwasserstoffe in den Sedimenten der Obertrias während des Zeitraumes zwischen der Mittelkreide und dem Alttertiär hin. In Erzmineralen der Pb-Zn-Vererzungen vom Bleiberg-Typ können Kohlenwasserstoffe nachgewiesen werden deren molekulare Zusammensetzung dem Chemismus von Kohlenwasserstoffen, die in authigenen Quarzen eingeschlossen wurden, entspricht. Es wird vermutet, daß diese Kohlenwasserstoffe während der späten Vererzungsphase als Reduktanten wirkten.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Geowissenschaften, Montanuniversität, A-8700, Leoben, Austria

    G. Rantitsch, R. F. Sachsenhofer & B. Russegger

  2. Institut für Mineralogie und Lagerstättenlehre, RWTH Aachen, D-52072, Aachen, Germany

    J. Jochum

  3. Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallographie, Universität Wien, A-1090, Wien, Austria

    E. Schroll

  4. Institut für Erdöl und organische Geochemie (IGC-4), D-52425, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany

    B. Horsfield

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  1. G. Rantitsch
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Rantitsch, G., Jochum, J., Sachsenhofer, R.F. et al. Hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions in the Drau Range (Eastern Alps, Austria): implications for the genesis of Bleiberg-type Pb-Zn deposits. Mineralogy and Petrology 65, 141–159 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01161958

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