Genesis of the Dongtangzi Zn-Pb Deposit of the Fengxian–Taibai Ore Cluster in West Qinling, China: Constraints from Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd Geochronology, and In Situ S-Pb Isotopes

Abstract

The large Dongtangzi Zn-Pb deposit is located in the southwest of the Fengxian–Taibai (abbreviated as Fengtai) ore cluster in the west Qinling orogen. The origin of the deposit is controversial, positing diverse genesis mechanisms such as sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX), sedimentary-reformed, and epigenetic-hydrothermal types. This study combines systematic ore geology observations with high-precision Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd ages of 211 Ma and in situ S-Pb isotopes to constrain the timing and origin of mineralization. In situ S-Pb isotopic studies show that the sulfide ores display a narrow range of δ34S values from 1.1‰ to 10.2‰, with 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of 18.07 to 18.27, 15.64 to 15.66, and 38.22 to 38.76, respectively. On the other hand, pyrites of the sedimentary period and the granite porphyry dike have δ34S values ranging from 15.8 to 21.4‰ and from 2.1 to 4.3‰ (with 206Pb/204Pb ratios of 18.09 to 18.10, 207Pb/204Pb ratios of 15.59 to 15.61, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of 38.17 to 38.24), respectively. The above-mentioned S-Pb isotopic compositions indicate that the metallic materials involved in ore formation originated from a mixture of Triassic magmatic hydrothermal fluid and metamorphic basement. By integrating the regional geology, mineralization ages, and S-Pb isotopic studies, we propose that the Dongtangzi Zn-Pb deposit is the product of epigenetic hydrothermal fluid processes, driven by Late Triassic regional tectono-magmatic processes.

Editorial for Special Issue “Genesis and Evolution of Pb-Zn-Ag Polymetallic Deposits”

“…Most previous studies suggested that the Pb-Zn mineralization resulted from Devonian sedimentary-exhalative processes. New geochronologic, stable and radiogenic isotopic, and trace element data indicate that the representative Qiandongshan-Dongtangzi Pb-Zn deposit is not the product of sedimentary-exhalative processes, but is rather the product of epigenetic magmatic hydrothermal fluid processes, driven by regional tectono-magmatic activities in the Late Triassic Epoch [4,5].…”