Gold, arsenic, and copper zoning in pyrite: A record of fluid chemistry and growth kinetics

Research Article| May 02, 2019 Gold, arsenic, and copper zoning in pyrite: A record of fluid chemistry and growth kinetics Ya-Fei Wu; Ya-Fei Wu 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources and School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China2School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Denis Fougerouse; Denis Fougerouse 2School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia3Geoscience Atom Probe, Advanced Resource Characterisation Facility, John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Katy Evans; Katy Evans 2School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Steven M. Reddy; Steven M. Reddy 2School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia3Geoscience Atom Probe, Advanced Resource Characterisation Facility, John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David W. Saxey; David W. Saxey 3Geoscience Atom Probe, Advanced Resource Characterisation Facility, John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul Guagliardo; Paul Guagliardo 4Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jian-Wei Li Jian-Wei Li * 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources and School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China *E-mail: jwli@cug.edu.cn Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2019) 47 (7): 641–644. https://doi.org/10.1130/G46114.1 Article history received: 16 Nov 2018 rev-recd: 28 Mar 2019 accepted: 12 Apr 2019 first online: 02 May 2019 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ya-Fei Wu, Denis Fougerouse, Katy Evans, Steven M. Reddy, David W. Saxey, Paul Guagliardo, Jian-Wei Li; Gold, arsenic, and copper zoning in pyrite: A record of fluid chemistry and growth kinetics. Geology 2019;; 47 (7): 641–644. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G46114.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Chemical zoning in minerals records fluid-rock interaction and crystal growth kinetics via texturally complex features, the genesis of which remains a subject of debate. Here, we combined nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) and atom probe tomography to better characterize trace-element zoning in a gold (Au)–rich pyrite crystal from the Daqiao epizonal orogenic Au deposit, China. Observations on the micron to atomic scale were used to recognize the multiple processes and mechanisms that created the zoning. Chemically distinct, micron-scale concentric zones of pyrite formed in response to changing fluid composition in a dynamic hydraulic fracturing environment. At a smaller scale, within an Au-rich zone, sector zones of Au, As, and Cu at the micron to sub-micron scale were controlled by the structure of the crystal surface. Micron-scale patchy distribution of Au, As, and Cu and atomic-scale transitions from homogeneous to heterogeneous “island” arsenian pyrite formed as a consequence of heteroepitaxial Stranski-Krastanov growth. Nanoscale Au oscillatory zoning is interpreted as a consequence of diffusion-limited self-organization processes at the crystal-fluid interface. The multiple scales of observation enabled us to see how kinetically driven intrinsic processes interacted with extrinsic factors (e.g., pressure decreases) to produce the complexity in mineral zoning. Nanoscale heterogeneities in Au, As, and Cu present as solid solution in pyrite suggest that interpretation of spikes on microbeam-derived depth-concentration profiles as metallic particles should be treated with caution. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.