Genesis of hydrothermal high field strength element mineral deposits : evidence from laser ablation--inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

• Main Author: Gagnon, Joel Edward.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 2006
• Subjects: Geochemistry; Newfoundland; Wall Rocks
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=100367

High field strength elements (HFSE) are geologically and economically important. These elements were once thought to be immobile during metasomatic processes, however, a growing body of empirical evidence indicates that HFSE can be mobilized under certain conditions. Despite this evidence, little is known about the factors controlling solubility, transport and deposition of HFSE by aqueous fluids, apart from some theoretical estimates and rare experimental studies. Therefore, the study of natural systems (e.g., HFSE ore deposits) provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate HFSE mobility by aqueous fluids. Five localities where evidence of hydrothermal transport of HFSE has been previously documented were included in this study: Gallinas Mountains, New Mexico; South Platte, Colorado; Rock Canyon Creek, British Columbia; St. Lawrence, Newfoundland; and Strange Lake, Quebec/Labrador. Minerals and, in the case of South Platte, fluid inclusions from these localities were analyzed using petrography and laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) to evaluate the source of the HFSE and the hydrothermal fluids responsible for HFSE transport, and factors controlling HFSE and gangue mineral (e.g., fluorite, quartz) precipitation. Analysis of some of the important gangue minerals, which are also the primary host of fluid inclusions in many of these deposits (e.g., fluorite), is difficult using 266 nm Nd:YAG-based LA-ICPMS. Furthermore, complex mineral intergrowths and the desire to quantify the chemical composition of unknown minerals required the development of analytical and data reduction protocols for LA-ICPMS. Methods for conducting traversed opening of fluid inclusions, removing the host mineral contribution to fluid inclusion signals by calculating count rate ratios, and quantifying the composition of minerals without using an internal standard are presented. In general, hydrothermal enrichment of HFSE in these deposits appears to have resulted from interaction of an HFSE- and F-bearing magmatic fluid with another, Ca-bearing fluid or with Ca-bearing wall rocks or preexisting minerals. In most cases, HFSE appear to be derived locally, within the associated igneous intrusion.