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Paragenesis and conditions of formation of the Moschellandsberg mercury deposit, SW Germany

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Abstract

The Moschellandsberg mercury deposit (SW Germany) is hosted in a Permo-Carboniferous volcanic caldera and has formed at shallow depths (100–300 m) and over a wide temperature range from about 200°C to less than 65°C. The deposit shows vertical zonation and the mineral paragenesis is unusually complex and contains significant amounts of Sb, As, Cu, and Ag. Fahlores are Hg-and Fe-rich Sb (Bi) and As members displaying a mixing gap. Vesicular ore textures and limited fluid inclusion evidence prove the existence of an immiscible gas phase during ore deposition. The fluid composition can be constrained to pH℞4, Σ H2S℞10−5 molal, Σ CO2℞10−1 molal, and fH2℞10−2−10−3 bar by comparing the observed mineral associations with stable phase assemblages calculated from thermodynamic data. Calculated metal solubilities indicate that Hg, Ag, and Sb can be transported very efficiently in such a fluid, but that the solubility of gold is very low.

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  1. Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, Postfach 10 12 51, D-8580, Bayreuth, FRG

    R. E. Krupp

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Krupp, R.E. Paragenesis and conditions of formation of the Moschellandsberg mercury deposit, SW Germany. Mineral. Deposita 24, 69–76 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206305

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