Mississippi Valley-type Pb-Zn mineralization in eastern Belgium: Indications for gravity-driven flow

Research Article| November 01, 1994 Mississippi Valley-type Pb-Zn mineralization in eastern Belgium: Indications for gravity-driven flow Ph. Muchez; Ph. Muchez 1Fysico-chemische Geologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. Slobodnik; M. Slobodnik 1Fysico-chemische Geologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium2Department of Geology and Paleontology, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar W. Viaene; W. Viaene 1Fysico-chemische Geologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar E. Keppens E. Keppens 3Geochronology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ph. Muchez 1Fysico-chemische Geologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium M. Slobodnik 1Fysico-chemische Geologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium2Department of Geology and Paleontology, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic W. Viaene 1Fysico-chemische Geologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium E. Keppens 3Geochronology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1994) 22 (11): 1011–1014. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<1011:MVTPZM>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Ph. Muchez, M. Slobodnik, W. Viaene, E. Keppens; Mississippi Valley-type Pb-Zn mineralization in eastern Belgium: Indications for gravity-driven flow. Geology 1994;; 22 (11): 1011–1014. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<1011:MVTPZM>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Mississippi Valley-type deposits are widespread in Carboniferous strata in eastern Belgium. Five successive Fe-rich, fracture-filling calcite generations have been recognized in the veins containing the Pb-Zn mineralization of Bleiberg. Fluid-inclusion evidence indicates that all the calcites formed from fluids with salinities between 16.0 and 23.1 equivalent wt% NaCl. The trapping temperature of the fluid inclusions decreases from ∼125 °C in the first two calcite generations to ≤50 °C in the last two vein cements. The δ13C values of the calcites vary between -0.1‰ and -8.3‰ relative to PDB (Peedee belemnite). The oxygen isotopic composition of the ambient fluids, calculated from the trapping temperature and the isotopic composition of the calcites, varies between -5.2‰ and +7.6‰ relative to SMOW (standard mean ocean water). The low δ13C values of the calcites are explained by the contribution of 12C from CO2 released during the oxidation of organic matter in the upper Carboniferous shales and the coupled reduction of sulfate in the mineralizing brine. The highly variable oxygen isotopic composition of the ambient fluids, the low δ18C value of the water from which one calcite cement precipitated, and the intense water-rock interaction necessary to leach metals indicate that the original fluids had a low δ18C, and that those fluids became enriched in 18O by water-rock interaction. Waters with such low δ18C, values must have had a meteoric origin. Flow of these waters into the deeper subsurface was likely gravity driven and took place from the uplifted parts of the Variscan orogen toward the foreland basin. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.