Skip to main content
Log in

An isotopic investigation of the environment of deposition of the McArthur mineralization

  • Published:
Mineralium Deposita Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Additional measurements of 34S/32S, 13C/12C and 18O/16O ratios in metallic sulphides, carbonates and organic residues suggest a mode of genesis of the McArthur deposit generally consistent with geological and geochemical evidence. A very stable marine environment is indicated by the constant values for δ13C and δ18O observed throughout the entire deposit. However, 34S contents of pyrites varied by 25‰ in a manner consistent with the water depths and sulphate availability postulated for the McArthur environment.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Croxford, N. J. W.: A mineralogical examination of the McArthur lead-zinc-silver deposit. Proc. Australasian Inst. Mining Met. 226, 97–108 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jephcott, S.: The McArthur lead-zinc-silver deposit, N. T. Proc. Australasian Inst. Mining Met. 243, 1–26 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garlick, G. D.: The stable isotopes of oxygen. In: Handbook of Geochemistry, p. 8-B-1 - 8-B-27 (K. H. Wedepohl, ed.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoering, T. C.: The organic geochemistry of Precambrian rocks. In: Researches in Geochemistry, Vol. 2, p. 87–111 (P. H. Abelson, ed.). New York-London-Sydney: John Wiley and Sons 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, H. D.: Systematics of the isotopic composition of sulphur in the oceans during the Phanerozoic and its implications for atmospheric oxygen. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 37, 2605–2616 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holser, W. T., Kaplan, I. R.: Isotope geochemistry of sedimentary sulphates. Chem. Geol. 1, 93–135 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, I. R., Smith, J. W., Ruth, E.: Carbon and sulfur concentration and isotopic composition in Apollo 11 lunar samples. Proc. Apollo 11 Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 1, Vol. 2, p. 1317–1329 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, I. W., Scott, K. M.: Implications of geochemical investigations of sedimentary rocks within and around the McArthur zinc-lead-silver deposit, Northern Territory. J. Geochem. Explor. 2(4), 307–330 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCrea, J. M.: On the isotopic chemistry of carbonates and a Paleo-temperature scale. J. Chem. Phys. 18, 849–857 (1950)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, W. J.: The geology of the HYC and related ore deposits. In: Geology of Australian Ore Deposits (C. L. Knight, ed.). Melbourne: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 3rd edn, 1975. In press

    Google Scholar 

  • Oehler, D. Z., Schopf, J. W., Kvenvolden, K. A.: Carbon isotopic studies of organic matter in Precambrian rocks. Science 175, 1246–1248 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumb, K. A., Brown, M. C.: Revised correlations and stratigraphic nomenclature in the Proterozoic carbonate complex of the McArthur Group, Northern Territory. Extract from Bulletin 139, Bureau Miner. Resources and Geology and Geophysics: Canberra p. 103–115 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakai, H.: Oxygen isotopic ratios of some evaporities from Precambrian to Recent ages. Earth Planet. Sci. Letters 15(2), 201–205 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarcz, H. P.: The stable isotopes of carbon. In: Handbook of Geochemistry, p. 6-B-1 - 6-B-16 (K. H. Wedepohl, ed.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. W., Croxford, N. J. W.: Sulphur isotope ratios in the McArthur lead-zinc-silver deposit. Nature (London) Phys. Sci. 245, 10–12 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Urey, H. C., Lowenstam, H. A., Epstein, S., McKinney, C. R.: Measurement of paleotemperatures and temperatures of the Upper Cretaceous of England, Denmark, and the southeastern United States. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 62, 399–416 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smith, J.W., Croxford, N.J.W. An isotopic investigation of the environment of deposition of the McArthur mineralization. Mineral. Deposita 10, 269–276 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207885

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207885

Keywords

Navigation