Journal
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
Volume 69, Issue -, Pages 301-324Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.02.019
Keywords
S/Se ratio; Selenium; Sulfur; Ni-Cu-PGE deposits; Contamination; Assimilation
Categories
Funding
- Canadian Research Chair in Magmatic Metallogeny
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
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Deviations in the sulfur to selenium ratios (S/Se) from mantle values in magmatic Ni-Cu-Platinum Group Elements (PGE) sulfide deposits have been widely used to constrain the ore forming processes. Basically, S/Se ratios greater than mantle values are interpreted to be the result of contamination of the mantle derived magma by S-rich sedimentary rocks, whereas S/Se ratios lower than mantle values are thought to be the result of S loss during post-crystallization. However, there are many other processes involved in producing a deposit and it is possible that these may be also important in controlling S/Se ratios. In order to investigate the relative importance of these processes, we have compiled a data base of S, Se, 5345 and metal values from Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits. This compilation shows that processes affecting S/Se ratios can be divided into two main classes: the magmatic processes and the late- to post-magmatic processes. 1) Magmatic processes include the well-known addition of S from sedimentary rocks, variations in the sulfide to silicate liquid ratio,(R-factor), depletion of the silicate magma in Se by early segregation of the sulfide liquid, and the moderate incompatibility of Se into the first sulfide minerals to crystallize from a sulfide liquid, the monosulfide-solid-solution (MSS). This incompatibility results in a change in S/Se ratio between the Fe-rich and Cu-rich zones of magmatic sulfide ores. The fractionation of Se during crystallization of sulfide liquids has not previously been appreciated. 2) Late- to post-magmatic processes include: hydrothermal alteration, high-grade metamorphism, serpentinization and supergene weathering. Some metamorphosed Cu-deposits have low S/Se ratios suggesting S-loss by breakdown of sulfide minerals during a high-grade metamorphic event. However, the effectiveness of this process remains unclear and alternative models exist. The preferential remobilization of S relative to Se during hydrothermal alteration, serpentinization and supergene weathering leads to a moderate decrease of S/Se ratios values and can mask the initial S/Se ratio. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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