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Sulphur isotopic investigation of lower carboniferous vein deposits of the British Isles

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Abstract

Similar characteristics and age data suggest that the Pb + Zn vein deposits hosted by Lower Palaeozoic and Vendian strata of the British Isles form a genetically related group, coeval with the Lower Carboniferous carbonatehosted base-metal deposits of Ireland. Sulphur isotopic data demonstrate that there were separate sulphide and sulphate sulphur sources for the vein minerals. δ34S values from minerals in individual vein systems are consistent but there is a large variation between deposits, revealing distinctive local sulphur sources. The data suggests that sulphide sulphur (total range of values of δ34SH2S of -6.5 to 18.62‰) was derived from the underlying strata while the sulphate (baryte) sulphur source (δ34Sbaryte mainly in the range 12 to 24‰) was groundwater or surface water that mixed with rising hydrothermal fluids in the upper reaches of the veins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, The University, Manchester, M13 9PL, England, UK

    R. A. D. Pattrick

  2. Department of Applied Geology, University of Strathclyde, G1 1XJ, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

    M. J. Russell

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  1. R. A. D. Pattrick
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  2. M. J. Russell
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Pattrick, R.A.D., Russell, M.J. Sulphur isotopic investigation of lower carboniferous vein deposits of the British Isles. Mineral. Deposita 24, 148–153 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206319

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