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Oxygen isotope studies of epithermal systems: A review

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Abstract

Numerous stable isotope studies of whole rocks and mineral separates in epithermal systems indicate that even though meteoric waters are dominant components in epithermal systems, fluids of other origins, such as sedimentary or meta-sedimentary fluids, magmatic waters and even evolved meteoric waters, may also play a role in the formation of epithermal ore deposits. Usually the more depleted the wall rocks, the larger the size of ore deposits, and the least depletion degrees in whole rocks for economic mineralization are by about 3.5‰. The depletion inδ 18O in wall rocks, however, may be complicated by the superimposition of low temperature-hydration over high-temperature alteration or vice versa, the existence of primary low-18O and high-18O magmas, and alteration by volcanic gases. The depletion inδ 18O in wall rocks is controlled by the composition and nature of fluids, the temperature of fluids, fractures, the elevation of rocks at the time of alteration, lithology, boiling effects of fluids, and alteration style, as well as by water/rock ratios. In addition, the fluids responsible for epithermal deposits have experienced positiveδ 18O shifts. It seems that when the above complications and controlling factors are well defined, oxygen isotope studies would be a promising and powerful exploration tool.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Alberta, T6G2E3, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Xiong Yongliang

  2. Department of Geology and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, 100083, Beijing

    Zhai Yusheng

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Xiong, Y., Zhai, Y. Oxygen isotope studies of epithermal systems: A review. Chin. J. of Geochem. 11, 329–343 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02869064

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