Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mineralogy and chemical composition of VMS deposits of northern Apennine ophiolites, Italy: evidence for the influence of country rock type on ore composition

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the ophiolites of the Italian northern Apennines, mantle rocks were exposed on the seafloor and eroded prior to the extrusion of pillow basalt and the deposition of pelagic sediments. Various types of VMS deposits occur at different stratigraphic positions in the ophiolite sequence. Stockwork-vein and seafloor-stratiform ore bodies are associated with serpentinized mantle peridotite and serpentinite breccia. A second group of sulfide deposits consist of crosscutting stockwork or conformable stratabound ore bodies emplaced into the pillow basalt, and seafloor-stratiform deposits located at the top of the volcanic pile, in contact with the sedimentary cover. Geochemical and mineralogical differences are observed in the ore and gangue assemblages of the deposits that were formed before the outflow of pillow basalt, and those precipitated during and after basalt extrusion. Compared with basalt-hosted sulfide deposits, the ores associated with serpentinite have a higher Cu/Zn ratio due to a low modal proportion of sphalerite and are enriched in the compatible elements Ni, Cr, and Mg. The Co and Ni of the ores reflect those of pyrite. The Co/Ni ratios of pyrite range from 0.29 to 1.79 (av. = 0.74) in serpentinite-hosted deposits and from 1.09 to 8.0 (av. = 2.59) in basalt-hosted deposits. The composition of chlorite varies from Cr-rich, Mg-clinochlore, in serpentinite-hosted deposits, to Fe-clinochlore with relatively high Mn contents, in basalt-hosted deposits. The sulfides in serpentinite contain accessory chromite that is compositionally similar to chromian spinels from abyssal peridotites. The observed geochemical variations among the various ore types are due to the interaction of the ore-forming fluids with different types of country rock (ultramafic vs. mafic), which involves hydrothermal leaching of metals from the substrate, rock-fluid reactions at the site of ore deposition and the mechanical transfer of detrital material from the country rock to the ore forming-system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbate E, Bortolotti V, Principi G (1980) Apennine ophiolites: a peculiar oceanic crust. Ofioliti 1:59–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes SJ, Roeder PL (2001) The range of spinel compositions in terrestrial mafic and ultramafic rocks. J Petrol 42:2279–2302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett TJ (1982) Review of stratigraphic aspects of the ophiolitic rocks and pelagic sediments of the Vara complex, North Apennines, Italy. Ofioliti 7/1:3–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett TJ, Friedrichsen H (1989) Stable isotopic composition of atypical ophiolitic rocks from east Liguria, Italy. Chem Geol 80:71–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett TJ, Spooner ETC (1977) Ophiolitic breccias associated with allochthonous oceanic crustal rocks in the East Ligurian Apennines, Italy: a comparison with observations from rifted oceanic ridges. Earth Planet Sci Lett 35:79–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrie CT, Hannington MD (1999) Classification of volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits based on host-rock composition. Rev Econ Geol 8:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajawah ZU, Seccombe PH, Offler R (1987) Trace element distribution, Co:Ni ratios and genesis of the Big Cadia iron–copper deposit, New South Wales, Australia. Miner Depos 22:292–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Beeson MH, Jackson EJ (1969) Chemical composition of altered chromites from the Stillwater Complex, Montana. Am Mineral 54:1084–1100

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertolani M (1952) I giacimenti cupriferi nelle ofioliti di Sestri Levante. Period Mineral XXI(2/3):149–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertolani M (1953) I giacimenti cupriferi dell’Appennino Modenese. Ricerche microscopiche a luce riflessa. Atti Soc Nat Mat Modena 82:3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertolani M (1959) Ricerche sulle rocce prasinitiche e anfibolitiche e sul giacimento metallifero di Vigonzano (Appennino piacentino). Atti Soc Nat Mat Modena 89/90:3–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertolani M (1962) Linneite, calcopirrotina e strutture blenda-pirrotina nelle mineralizzazioni metallifere del giacimento di Corchia (Appennino Parmense). Period Mineral XXXI(23):287–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertolani M, Capedri S (1966) Le ofioliti delle province di Modena e Reggio Emilia. Atti Soc Nat Mat Modena 97:3–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss NW, MacLean WH (1975) The paragenesis of zoned chromite from central Manitoba. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 39:973–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brill BA (1989) Trace element contents and partitioning of elements in ore minerals from the CSA Cu–Pb–Zn deposit, Australia. Can Mineral 27:263–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell FA, Ethier VG (1984) Nickel and cobalt in pyrrhotite and pyrite from the Faro and Sullivan orebodies. Can Mineral 22:503–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Capedri S, Toscani L (2000) Subduction-related (?) ophiolitic metabasalts from Northern Apennines (Modena province, Italy). Chem Erde 60:111–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Cathelineau M, Nieva D (1985) A chlorite solid solution geothermometer. The Los Azufres (Mexico) geothermal system. Contrib Mineral Petrol 91:235–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortesogno L, Giannelli G, Piccardo GB (1975) Petrogenesis and metamorphic evolution of the ophiolitic mafic rocks (Northern Apennine and Tuscany. Boll Soc Geol Ital 94:291–327

    Google Scholar 

  • De Caritat P, Hutcheon I, Walshe JL (1993) Chlorite geothermometry: a review. Clays Clay Miner 41:219–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick HJB, Bullen T (1984) Chromian spinel as a petrogenetic indicator in abyssal and alpine-type peridotites and spatially associated lavas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:54–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans BW, Frost BR (1975) Chrome-spinel in progressive metamorphism—a preliminary analysis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 39:959–972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrario A, Garuti G (1980) Copper deposits in the basal breccias and volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Eastern Ligurian ophiolites (Italy). Miner Depos 15:291–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin JM, Lyndon JW, Sangster DF (1981) Volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits. Econ Geol 70:63–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Garuti G, Zaccarini F (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Can Mineral 43:935–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galley AG, Koski RA (1999) Setting and characteristics of ophiolite-hosted volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Rev Econ Geol 8:221–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Giammarino S, Giglia G, Capponi G, Crispini L, Piazza M (2002) Carta Geologica della Liguria, Scala 1: 200,000. Dipartimento-Territorio-Risorse, Università di Genova, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giggenbach WF (1995) Composition of magmatic component in hydrothermal fluids. Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course 23:247–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannington MD, Poulsen KH, Thompson JFH, Sillitoe RH (1999) Volcanogenic gold in the massive sulfide environment. Rev Econ Geol 8:325–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Henley RW, McNabb A (1978) Magmatic vapor plumes and ground-water interaction in porphyry copper emplacement. Econ Geol 73:1–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillier S, Velde B (1991) Octahedral occupancy and the chemical composition of diagenetic (low-temperature) chlorites. Clay Miner 26:149–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson RW (1973) Volcanogenic sulfide deposits and their metallogenic significance. Econ Geol 68:1223–1246

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson RW, Fyfe WS, Kerrich R (1980) Deep fluid penetration and ore deposition. Miner Sci Eng 12:107–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Kranidiotis P, MacLean WH (1987) Systematics of chlorite alteration at the Phelps Dodge massive sulfide deposit, Matamagi, Quebec. Econ Geol 82:1898–1911

    Google Scholar 

  • Lackschewitz KS, Singer A, Botz R, Garbe-Schönberg D, Stoffers P, Horz K (2000) Formation and transformation of clay minerals in the hydrothermal deposits of Middle Valley, Juan de Fuca ridge, ODP Leg 169. Econ Geol 95:361–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Large RR (1992) Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: features, styles and genetic models. Econ Geol 87:471–510

    Google Scholar 

  • Laird J (1980) Phase equilibria in mafic schists from Vermont. J Petrol 21:1–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemoine M, Tricart P, Boillot G (1987) Ultramafic and gabbroic ocean floor of the Ligurian Tethys (Alps, Corsica, Apennines): in search of a genetic model. Geology 15:622–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leoni L, Sartori F, Tamponi M (1998) Compositional variation in K-micas and chlorites coexisting in Al-saturated metapelites under late diagenetic to low-grade metamorphic conditions (Internal Liguride Units, Northern Apennines, Italy). Eur J Mineral 10:1321–1339

    Google Scholar 

  • Loftus-Hills G, Solomon M (1967) Cobalt, nickel and selenium in sulphides as indicators of ore genesis. Miner Depos 2:228–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lydon JW (1988) Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. Part 2: genetic models. Geosci Can 15:43–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra KC (2000) Understanding mineral deposits. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Mücke A (2006) Chamosite siderite and environmental conditions of their formation in chamosite-type Phanerozoic ooidal iron stone. Ore Geol Rev 28:235–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Nimis P, Zaykov VV, Omenetto P, Melekestseva I Yu, Tesalina SG, Orgeval J-J (2007) Peculiarities of some-ultramafic- and ultramafic-hosted massive sulfide deposits from the Main Uralian Fault Zone, southern Urals. Ore Geol Rev. DOI 10.1016.05.010

  • Pagani G, Papani G, Rio D, Torelli L, Zanzucchi G, Zerbi M (1972) Osservazioni sulla giacitura delle ofioliti nelle alte valli del T. Ceno e del F. Taro. Mem Soc Geol Ital 11:531–546

    Google Scholar 

  • Piccardo GB, Rampone E, Romairone A (2002) Formation and composition of the oceanic lithosphere of the Ligurian Tethys: inferences from the Ligurian ophiolites. Ofioliti 27/2:145–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Pini GA (1999) Tectonosomes and olistostromes in the Argille Scagliose of the Northern Apennines, Italy. Geol Soc Am Spec Pap 335:70

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed MH (1983) Seawater-basalt reaction and origin of greenstones and related ore deposits. Econ Geol 78:466–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rona PA (1988) Hydrothermal mineralization at oceanic ridges. Can Mineral 26:431–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Rona PA, Klinkhammer G, Nelsen TA, Trefry JH, Helderfield H (1986) Black smokers, massive sulphides and vent biota at the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Nature 321:33–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seccombe PK (1977) Sulphur isotope and trace element composition of stratiform sulphides as an ore guide in the Canadian Shield. J Geochem Explor 8:117–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon M (1976) ‘Volcanic’ massive sulfide deposits and their host rocks—a review and explanation. In: Wolf KH (ed) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, vol 6. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 21–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Spooner ETC, Fyfe WS (1973) Subseafloor metamorphism, heat and mass transfer. Contrib Mineral Petrol 42:287–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanton RL (1986) Stratiform ores and geological processes. Trans Inst Mining Metall Sec B Appl Earth Sci 95:165–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal O, Parra T, Trotet F (2001) A thermodynamic model for Fe–Mg aluminous chlorite using data from phase equilibrium experiments and natural pelitic assemblages in the 100  to 600 C, 1 to 25 kb range. Am J Sci 301:557–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaccarini F (2006) Accessory minerals in volcanic massive sulfide deposits of the Northern-Apennine ophiolites (Italy): their petrogenetic significance. Resumen de Comunicaciones XXVI Reunion (SEM)/XX Reunion (SEA). Macla 6:505–508

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaccarini F, Garuti G, Rossi A, Carrillo-Rosua FJ, Morales-Ruano S, Fenoll Hach-Ali P (2003) Application of chlorite and fluid-inclusion geothermometry to vein and stratiform Fe–Cu–Zn sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine Ophiolites (Emilia-Romagna and Liguria, Italy). Atti Ticin Sci Terra 9:109–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Zane A, Sassi R, Guidotti CV (1998) New data on metamorphic chlorite as a petrogenetic indicator mineral, with special regard to greenschist facies. Can Mineral 36:713–726

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Tim J. Barret, Paul G. Spry and an unknown reviewer for their constructive comments that have considerably improved the manuscript. We also wish to thank Renzo Baccarani, Omar Bartoli, Valeriano Calderini, Antonio Rossi and Maurizio Scacchetti for their precious help during the exploration of the abandoned copper mines of the northern Apennine. The suggestions and careful editing of Editor Johann G. Raith are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Geosciences and Geophysics, University of Leoben, Peter Tunner Str. 5, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    F. Zaccarini

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100, Modena, Italy

    G. Garuti

Authors
  1. F. Zaccarini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Garuti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Zaccarini.

Additional information

Editorial handling: P.G. Spry

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zaccarini, F., Garuti, G. Mineralogy and chemical composition of VMS deposits of northern Apennine ophiolites, Italy: evidence for the influence of country rock type on ore composition. Miner Petrol 94, 61–83 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-008-0010-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-008-0010-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation