Abstract
The Xiaoxinancha Au-rich copper deposit is one of important Au-Cu deposits along the continental margin in Eastern China. The deposit consists of two sections: the Beishan mine (North), composed of altered rocks with veinlet-dissemination sulfides and melnicovite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins, and the Nanshan mine (South), composed of pyrrhotite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins and pure sulfide veins. The isotope compositions of noble gases extracted from fluid inclusions in ore minerals, i.e. ratios of 3He/4He, 20Ne/22Ne and 40Ar/36Ar are in the ranges of 4.45–0.08 Ra, 10.2–8.8 and 306–430, respectively. Fluid inclusions in minerals from the Nanshan mine have higher 3He/4He and 20Ne/22Ne ratios whereas those from the Beishan mine have lower 3He/4He ratios. The analysis of origin, and evolution of the ore fluids and its relations with the ore-forming stages and the ages of mineralization suggests that the initial hydrothermal fluids probably come from the melts generated by partial melting of oceanic crust with the participation of fluids from the mantle (mantle-plume type)/aesthenosphere. This also corresponds to the continental margin settings during the subduction of Izanagi ocaneic plate towards the palaeo-Asian continent (123–102 Ma). The veinlet-dissemination ore bodies of the Beishan mine were formed through replacement and crystallization of the mixed fluids generated by mixing of the ascending high-temperature boiling fluid with young crustal fluid whereas the melnicovite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins were formed subsequently by filling of the high-temperature ore fluid in fissures. Pyrrhotite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins in the Nanshan mine were formed by filling-deposition-crystallization of the moderate-temperature ore fluids and the pure sulfide veins were formed later by filling-deposition-crystallization of ore substance-rich fluids after boiling of the moderate-temperature ore fluids. The metallogenic dynamic processes can be summarized as: (1) formation of fluid- and ore substance-bearing Adakitic magma by degassing, dewatering and partial melting during subduction of the Izanagi plate; (2) separation and formation of ore fluids from the Adakitic magma; and (3) success-sive ascending of the ore fluids and final formation of the Au-rich Cu deposit of veinlet-dissemination and vein types by secondary boiling.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Porcelli D P, Ballentine C J, Wieler R. Noble gases in geochemistry and cosmochemistry. Rev Mineral Geochem, 2002, 47: 1–844
Gautheron C, Moreira M, Allègre C. He, Ne and Ar composition of the European lithospheric mantle. Chem Geol, 2005, 217: 97–112
Sun X M, Xu L, Zhai W, et al. Noble gases isotopic compositions of fluid inclusions in quartz veins and crystals collected from CCSD and Donghai HP—UHP metamorphic rocks. Acta Petrol Sin (in Chinese with English abstract), 2006, 22(7): 1999–2008
Turner G, Stuart F M. Helium/heat ratios and deposition temperatures of sulphides from the ocean floor. Nature, 1992, 357: 581–583
Turner G, Burnard P G, Ford J L, et al. Tracing fluid sources and interaction. Philos Trans R Soc A-Math Phys Eng Sci, 1993, 344: 127–140
Stuart F, Turner G, Taylor R. He/Ar isotope systematics of fluid inclusions: resolving mantle and crustal contributions to hydrothermal fluid. In: Noble Gas Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry. Tokyo: Terra Scientific Publishing Company, 1994. 261–277
Stuart F M, Burnard P G, Taylor R P, et al. Resolving mantle and crustal contributions to ancient hydrothermal fluids: He-Ar isotopes in fluid inclusions from Dae Hwa W-Mo mineralization, S. Korea. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1995, 59: 4663–4673
Hu R Z, Turner G, Burnard P G, et al. Helium and argon isotope geochemistry of Jingding supperlarge Pb-Zn deposit. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1998, 41(4): 442–448
Sun X M, Norman D I, Sun K, et al. N2-Ar-He systematics and source of ore-forming fluids in Changkeng Au-Ag deposits, Central Guangdong. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1999, 42(5): 474–481
Kendrick M A, Burgess R, Pattrick R A D, et al. Fluid inclusion noble gas and halogen evidence on the origin of Cu-porphyry mineralizing fluids. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 2001, 65: 2651–2668
Hu R Z, Burnard P G, Bi X W, et al. Helium and argon isotope geochemistry of alkaline intrusion-associated gold and copper deposits along the Red River-Jinshajiang fault belt, SW China. Chem Geol, 2004, 203: 305–317
Sun X M, Wang M, Xue T, et al. He-Ar Isotopic systematics of fluid inclusions in pyrites from PGE-polymetallic Deposits in lower Cambrian black rock series, Southern China. Acta Geol Sin, 2004, 78(2): 471–475
Mao J W, Li X F. Study of deep fluids in relations with the formation of ore deposits and oil reservoirs. Mineral Deposits (in Chinese with English abstract), 2004, 23(4): 520–532
Li Z L, Hu R Z, Peng J T. et al. Progress in researches of noble gas isotopes to trace ore-forming palaeofluids. Progr Earth Sci (in Chinese), 2005, 20(1): 57–63
Sun X M, Xiong D X, Wang S W, et al. The characteristics of inert gas compositions of sheelite in the Daping gold deposit, Yunnan province and its significance in mineralization. Acta Petrol Sin (in Chinese with English abstract), 2006, 22(3): 725–732
Sun C. Isotope geology of the Xiaoxinancha gold-copper deposit. Min Res Geol (in Chinese), 1994, 8(2): 119–123
Rui Z Y, Zhang H T, Wang L S, et al. Copper-gold deposits of porphyry-epithermal types in the Yanbian area, Jilin Province. Mineral Deposits (in Chinese with English abstract), 1995, 14(2): 99–114
Rui Z Y, Zhang H T, Wang L S, et al. Multiple mineralization(ore-forming) models of Copper-gold deposits of porphyry-epithermal types in the east of the Jilin-Heilongjiang region. Mineral Deposits (in Chinese with English abstract), 1995, 14(2): 174–184
Li Y Q, Chen D F. The study of fluid inclusions and metallogenesis (ore-forming process) of the Xiaoxinancha gold-copper deposit, Jilin Province. Mineral Deposits (in Chinese with English abstract), 1995, 14(2): 151–156
Meng Q L, Zhou Y C, Chai S L. Gold-copper Deposits of Porphyry-hydrothermal Types in the Eastern Yanbian Area, China (in Chinese). Changchun: Jilin Science and Techlonogy Publishing House, 2001. 1–162
Zhao H G. Study of the origin and genetic models of Mesozoic epithermal gold and Au-Cu characteristics deposits in the Yanbian area (in Chinese with English abstract). Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Changchun: Jilin University, 2007. 1–126
Burenaed P G, Hu R Z, Turner G, et al. Mantle, crustal and atmospheric noble gases in Ailaoshan gold deposits, Yunnan Province, China. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1999, 63(10): 1595–1604
Hu R Z, Burnard P G, Turner G, et al. Helium and argon isotope systematics in fluid inclusions of Machangqing copper deposit in west Yunnan Province, China. Chem Geol, 1998, 146: 55–63
Sumino H, Nagao K, Notsu K. Highly sensitive and precise measurement helium isotopes using a mass spectrometer with double collector system. J Mass Spectrom Soc Jpn, 2001, 49: 61–68
Nagao k, Ogata N, Matsubayashi O. Ar isotope analysis for K-Ar dating using two modified-VG5400 mass spectrometers. I: isotope dilution method. J Mass Spectrom Soc Jpn, 1996, 44: 39–61
Matsuda J, Matsumoto T, Sumino H, et al. The 3He/4He ratio of the new internal He standard of Japan (HESJ). Geochem J, 2002, 36: 191–195
Schlosser P, Winckler G. Noble gases in ocean water and sediments. Rev Mineral Geochem, 2002, 47: 701–730
Ballentine C J, Burgess R, Marty B. Tracing fluid origen, transport and interaction in the crust. Rev Mineral Geochem, 2002, 47: 539–614
Dunai T, Baur H. Helium, neon, and argon systematics of the European subcontinental mantle: Implications for its geochemical evolution. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1995, 59: 2767–2783
Sarda P, Staudacher T, Allègre C J. Neon isotopes in submarine basalts. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1988, 91: 73
Kennedy M B, Hiyagon H, Reynolds J H. Crustal neon: A striking uniformity. Earth Planet Sic Lett, 1990, 98: 277–286
Hilton D R, Fischer T P, Marty B. Noble gases and volatile recycling at subduction zones. Rev Mineral Geochem, 2002, 47: 318–370
Dunai T, Porcelli D P. Storage and transport of noble gases in the subductinental lithosphere. Rev Mineral Geochem, 2002, 47: 371–409
Honda M, McDougall I, Paterson D B, et al. Possible solar noble gas component in Hawaiian basalts. Nature, 1991, 349: 149–151
Hiyagon H, Ozima M, Marty B, et al. Noble gases in submarine glasses from mid-oceanic ridges and Loihi seamount: Constraints on the early history of the Earth. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1992, 56: 1301–1316
Allègre C J, Staudacher T, Sarda P. Rare gas systematics: Formation of the atmosphere, evolution and structure of the Earth’s mantle. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1986, 187(81): 127–150
Kaneoka I. Noble gas signatures in the Earths interior-coupled or decoupled behaviour among each isotope systematics and problem related to their implication. Chem Geol, 1998, 147: 61–76
Wang X B, Liu G, Chen J F, et al. Some critical issues in the research of fluids in the Earth’s interior. Earth Science Frontiers (in Chinese with English abstract), 1996, 3(3–4): 105–118
Simmons S F, Sawkins F J, Schlutter D J. Mantle-derived helium in two Peruvian hydrothermal ore deposits. Nature, 1987, 329: 429–432
Baptiste P J, Fouquet Y. Abundance and isotopic composition of helium in hydrothermal sulfides from the East Pacific Rise at 13°N. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1996, 60: 87–93
Craig H, Lupton J E. Primordial neon, helium and hydrogen in oceanic basalts. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1996, 31: 369–385
Turner G, Wang S S. Excess argon, crustal fluid and apparent isochrons from crushing K-feldspar. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1992, 110: 193–211
Qiu H N. 40Ar/39Ar dating of the quartz samples from two mineral deposits in western Yunnan (SW China) by crushing in vacuum. Chem Geol, 1996, 127: 211–222
Zeng Z G, Qin Y S, Zhai S K. He, Ne and Ar isotope compositions of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal sulfides from the TAG hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2001, 31(3): 221–228
Gautheron C, Moreira M. Helium signature of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2002, 199: 39–47
Buikin A, Trieloff M, Hopp J, et al. Noble gas isotopes suggest deep mantle plume source of late Cenozoic mafic alkaline volcanism in Europe. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2005, 230: 143–162
Trieloff M, Kunz J, Allégre C J. Noble gas systematics of the Réunion mantle plume source and the origin of primordial noble gases in Earth’s mantle. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2002, 200: 297–313
Trieloff M, Kunz J. Isotope systematics of noble gases in the Earth’s mantle: possible sources of primordial isotopes and implications for mantle structure. Phys Earth Planet Inter, 2005, 148: 13–38
Matsumoto T, Chen Y I, Matsud J I. Concomitant occurrence of primordial and recycled noble gases in the Earth’s mantle. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2001, 185: 35–47
Lippolt H J, Weigel E. 4He diffusion in Ar retentive minerals. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1988, 52: 1449–1458
Yamamoto J, Kaneoka I, Nakai S, et al. Evidence for subduction-related components in the subcontinental mantle from low 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar ratio in mantle xenoliths from Far Eastern Russia. Chem Geol, 2004, 207: 237–259
Torgersen T, Kennedy B M, Hiyagon H. Argon accumulation and the crustal degassing flux of 40Ar in the Great Artesian Basin, Australia. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1988, 92: 43–59
Nions R K, Tolstikhin I N. Behavior and residence times of lithophile and rare gas tracers in the upper mantle. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1994, 124: 131–138
Langmuir C H, Vocke R D Jr, Hanson G N, et al. A general mixing equation with applications to Icelandic basalts. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1978, 37: 380–392
Kim K H, Nagao K, Tanaka T, et al. He-Ar and Nd-Sr istopic compositions of ultramafic xenoliths and host alkali basalts from the Korean Peninsula. Geochem J, 2005, 39: 341–356
Moore J N, Norman D I, Kennedy B M. Fluid inclusion gas compositions from an active magnatic-hydrothermal system: A case study of the geysers geothermal field, USA. Chem Geol, 2001, 173: 3–30
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40472050) and the funds from the State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, Nanjing University (2003–2005)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sun, J., Zhao, J., Chen, J. et al. Ore-forming mechanism for the Xiaoxinancha Au-rich Cu deposit in Yanbian, Jilin Province, China: Evidence from noble gas isotope geochemistry of fluid inclusions in minerals. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 51, 216–228 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0005-8
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0005-8