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Strontium isotope systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal tungsten deposit, Austria – results of in-situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis

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Abstract

The in-situ Sr isotopic systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal W deposit and a few regional Variscan orthogneisses (“Zentralgneise”) have been determined by LA-MC-ICP-MS. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of scheelite and apatite from the deposit are highly radiogenic and remarkably scattering. In the early magmatic-hydrothermal scheelite generations (Scheelite 1 and 2) the 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.72078 to 0.76417 and from 0.70724 to 0.76832, respectively. Metamorphic Scheelite 3, formed by recrystallisation and local mobilisation of older scheelite, is characterised by even higher 87Sr/86Sr values between 0.74331 and 0.80689. Statistics allows discriminating the three scheelite generations although there is considerable overlap between Scheelite 1 and 2; they could be mixtures of the same isotopic reservoirs. The heterogeneous and scattering 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the two primary scheelite generations suggest modification of the Sr isotope system due to fluid-rock interaction and isotopic disequilibrium. Incongruent release of 87Sr from micas in the Early Palaeozoic host rocks of the Habach Complex contributed to the solute budget of the hydrothermal fluids and may explain the radiogenic Sr isotope signature of scheelite. Spatially resolved analyses revealed isotopic disequilibrium even on a sub-mm scale within zoned Scheelite 2 crystals indicating scheelite growth in an isotopic dynamical hydrothermal system. Zoned apatite from the W mineralised Early Carboniferous K1-K3 orthogneiss in the western ore field yielded 87Sr/86Sr of 0.72044–0.74514 for the cores and 0.74535–0.77937 for the rims. Values of magmatic apatite cores from the K1-K3 orthogneiss are comparable to those of primary Scheelite 1; they are too radiogenic to be magmatic. The Sr isotopic composition of apatite cores was therefore equally modified during the hydrothermal mineralisation processes, therefore supporting the single-stage genetic model in which W mineralisation is associated with the intrusion of the K1-K3 metagranitoid at Felbertal. The subsequent regional metamorphic overprint of the deposit caused redistribution of 87Sr as a consequence of metamorphic reactions involving Rb and Sr-bearing minerals. Metamorphic Scheelite 3 and apatite rims (e.g., in the K1-K3 orthogneiss) generally became more radiogenic during this process. However, local recrystallisation of primary scheelite under closed conditions (without addition of 87Sr by the metamorphic fluid) is also documented. The latter process resulted in a homogenisation of the isotope composition of Scheelite 3. Further increase in 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Scheelite 3 and apatite rims is attributed to Late Alpine (?) metamorphic recrystallisation and redistribution of 87Sr by metamorphic fluids.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Linda Marko for assistance with sample separation, preparation of mounts and help with isotope analyses. Helmut Mühlhans is thanked for preparation of polished (thin) sections. Marie-Luise Pecher and Steffen Schmidt from Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG (WBH AG) are thanked for their support during fieldwork and sampling. The management of WBH AG is thanked for enabling access to the Felbertal deposit and permission to publish data of this joint project. The constructive reviews by Gerhard Franz and Paul Nex have significantly contributed to improve the manuscript. Associate Editor Dirk Frei and Editor-in-Chief Lutz Nasdala are thanked for editorial handling of the manuscript. This project is financed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG Bridge project 834149/30661) and WBH AG.

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  1. Department of Applied Geosciences and Geophysics, Montanuniversität Leoben, Peter Tunner Straße 5, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    Michael Kozlik & Johann G. Raith

  2. Institute of Geosciences, Mineralogy, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University, Altenhöferallee 1, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany

    Axel Gerdes

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  1. Michael Kozlik
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Correspondence to Michael Kozlik.

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Editorial handling: D. Frei

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Complete dataset of Sr isotopic analyses on scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal W-deposit and adjacent Variscan orthogneisses. (PDF 293 kb)

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Kozlik, M., Gerdes, A. & Raith, J.G. Strontium isotope systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal tungsten deposit, Austria – results of in-situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis. Miner Petrol 110, 11–27 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-015-0416-0

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