|
|
Micro-Analysis
of Sulfer-Isotope Ratios and Zonation by Laser Microprobe
Crowe,
Douglas, E., Valley, John W., and Baker, Kevin L. (1990) Micro-analysis of
sulfur-isotope ratios and zonation by laser microprobe. Geochimica et Cosmochimica
Acta, v. 54, p. 2075-2092
|
|
|
|
Abstract
The University of Wisconsin laser microprobe/mass spectrometer system
combines high spatial resolution with precise, accurate, and rapid analysis
of sulfur-isotope ratios. Spot sizes of 100-200 m
m are routine and much higher spatial resolution may be possible. Analytical
precision ranges from 1s = ±
0.15 (pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite) to 1s
= ±0.43 (galena, chalcopyrite). Comparison of laser microprobe and
conventional combustion analyses indicates that laser d
34S values are approximately equal to or lower than combustion
values for these minerals, and an empirical correction of 0.1
(sphalerite) to + 1.4 (pyrrhotite) is required. Variations in d
18O of SO2, laser power density, and burn duration
affect the magnitude of this correction; thus, consistent technique is
critical.
Natural samples were analyzed by laser microprobe to evaluate the extent
of sulfur-isotope ratio zonation. Coexisting sulfide mineral pairs from the
Rua Cove Mine, Alaska, show that isotopic equilibrium exists in the stockwork
feeder zone, while disequilibrium characterizes coexisting pairs from the
overlying, more rapidly cooled massive sulfide blanket. Conventional sulfur
isotope extraction data on these samples are not valid due to the fine-grained,
intergrown nature of the sulfide phases, which precludes satisfactory mineral
separation. Isotopically homogeneous sphalerite and pyrite crystals were found
in samples from the amphibolite facies Balmat Mine, while isotopically heterogeneous
pyrite crystals were found in a sample from the upper greenschist facies Sullivan
Mine. Sulfur-isotope zonation up to 2.9 in 200 m
m was found in banded sphalerite blacksmoker chimney material from the Bayda
Mine (Oman). Retrograde sulfides from the Marcy Anorthosite Massif vary by
4.2 over <1 cm, and finely disseminated sulfides from an amphibolite-granulite
facies transition zone sample, southern India, are in disequilibrium across
the 25 cm facies transition. These results show that sulfur isotope homogeneity
may be attained in the cores of annealed high-grade metamorphic minerals while
lower temperature, retrograde, or hydrothermally deposited minerals are often
isotopically zoned due to temporal variations in fluid chemistry and temperature.
Table 1. Sample descriptions and analytical precision of the laser
microprobe for sulfur isotope analysis.
|
SAMPLE
|
DESCRIPTION
|
ANALYSIS
|
d 34S
CDT
|
UW-Balmat
FeS2
|
Euhedral crystals to 0.75 cm in sphalerite matrix. Balmat Mine, N.Y.
Upper amphibolite facies sediment-hosted massive sulfide deposit.
|
LZ-46-C
LZ-46-D
LZ-46-E
LZ-48-A
LZ-48-B
LZ-48-C
LZ-48-E
average
1s EXT
|
14.47
14.50
14.81
14.93
14.55
14.53
14.60
14.62
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
UW-Balmat
ZnS
|
Subhedral masses of crystals to 0.6 cm diameter, forms matrix for UW-Balmat
pyrite. Same sample as UW-Balmat pyrite.
|
LZ-24-A
LZ-24-B
LZ-24-C
LZ-26-B
average
1s EXT
|
13.95
14.11
14.26
13.99
14.08
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
Anderson
Fe1-xS
|
Fine-grained massive sulfide.
Anderson Mine, Ontario.
Amphibolite facies volcano-
genic massive sulfide deposit.
|
LZ-68-D
LZ-68-E
LZ-68-F
LZ-68-G
Average
1s EXT
|
0.05
-0.13
0.19
0.13
0.06
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
Esperanza
CuFeS2
|
Fine-grained massive sulfide.
Esperanza Mine, South Africa.
Stratiform Cu deposit.
|
LZ-70-A
LZ-70-B
LZ-70-C
LZ-70-D
average
1s EXT
|
-0.94
-1.87
-1.76
-1.80
-1.59
0.44
|
|
|
|
|
Kenoyer
PbS
|
Single 5 cm crystal. Kenoyer Mine, Oklahoma. Mississippi Valley type
deposit.
|
LZ-34-C
LZ-34-D
LZ-34-E
average
1s EXT
|
-7.42
-7.84
-8.26
-7.84
0.42
|
|