Trace elements in sulfide minerals from eastern Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits; Part I, Proton microprobe analyses of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, and Part II, Selenium levels in pyrite; comparison with delta 34 S values and implications for the source of sulfur in volcanogenic hydrothermal systems

Pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite from six volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in eastern Australia were analyzed using a proton microprobe to determine trace element abundances. In pyrite, trace elements can be divided into three groups according to the most likely occurrence of the element. Elements that occur as inclusions in chalcopyrite include Pb, Bi, Zn (?), and Ba. Lead, Ba, Sb, possibly, and in some cases, Cu, occur commonly as inclusions in sphalerite. The Se content of pyrite in volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits varies as follows: in Cu-poor, Zn-rich deposits, Se levels are low throughout; in Cu-rich deposits, Se levels are highest in stringer zones and the lower part of the massive sulfide lens, and decrease toward the top of the massive sulfide lens and into peripheral altered rocks. -from Authors