The substitution mechanism of Au in In-, Fe- and In-Fe-bearing synthetic crystals of sphalerite, based on the data from EPMA and LA-ICP-MS study
https://doi.org/10.24930/1681-9004-2019-19-1-148-161
Abstract
Research subject. Sphalerite (ZnS) is a widespread mineral that can be found in various depositional environments. During formation, this mineral can accumulate minor and trace impurities, with gold being one of the most valuable component. The issue of the chemical state of Au in sphalerite has been much discussed recently.
Methods. Samples of In-, Fe- and In-Febearing sphalerite with a composition ranging from 0 to 2.5 mol.% In2S3 and 0 – 40 mol.% FeS were synthesized in an Ausaturated system using gas transport and salt flux techniques. The resulting products were subsequently investigated using EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. Results. All the elements under investigation are found to be homogeneously distributed within the sphalerite matrix. After quenching, sphalerite is shown to retain Au. Our data indicates that the observed increase in Au concentration is caused by the presence of In (up to 1.02 wt % Au) and, to a lesser extent, by that of Fe (up to ≈600 ppm Au). These elements substitute Zn in the crystal structure of sphalerite following the scheme Au+ + In3+(Fe3+) ↔ 2Zn2+, which is in good agreement with previous data obtained using the XAS method.
Conclusions.A higher sulphur fugacity in the system leads to a more significant accumulation of Au in sphalerite. The concentration of Au in pure sphalerite does not exceed 10 ppm under our experimental conditions and does not depend on the activity of sulphur in the system.
About the Authors
D. E. Tonkacheev
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, RAS
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
D. A. Chareev
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, RAS; Institute of Experimental Mineralogy RAS; Institute of Physics and Technology. Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg; Kazan Federal University, Kazan
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
4 Akad. Osip’yan st., Moscow district, Chernogolovka 142432
V. D. Abramova
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, RAS
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
E. V. Kovalchuk
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, RAS
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
I. V. Vikentyev
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, RAS
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
B. R. Tagirov
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, RAS
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
Russian Federation
35 Staromonetnyi lane, Moscow 119017
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Review
For citations:
Tonkacheev D.E., Chareev D.A., Abramova V.D., Kovalchuk E.V., Vikentyev I.V., Tagirov B.R. The substitution mechanism of Au in In-, Fe- and In-Fe-bearing synthetic crystals of sphalerite, based on the data from EPMA and LA-ICP-MS study. LITHOSPHERE (Russia). 2019;(1):148-161. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24930/1681-9004-2019-19-1-148-161
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