Applications of
•I I
I I
to Exploration for Hydrothermal Mineralization
- BRUCE E. NESBITI (SEG 1987)
DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES• THE UNIVERSl1Y OF ALBERTA• EDMONTON, AB CANADA T6G 2E3• b.nesbitt@ualberta.ca
I] rom Lhe earliest appllcalion of stable Isotopes to geology,
�he study of hydrothermal systems has remained rrominent
as an imporwnc and powerful application of stable isotope
techniques. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope studies, in particular,
have been the key technique in deciphering the origins and
evolution of fluids involved in most types of hydrothermal
mineralization (Taylor, 1979). A logical development from these
genetic studies was to ask the question of whether stable isotopes
could be of pragmatic use in exploration for mineral deposits. As a
result in recent years, there have been a number of extensive
investigations of stable isotope systematics in and around
mineralized zones to define isotopic halos and distinguish economic
from subeconomic systems.
The results of these studies have shown that stable isotope
analyses can play a major role in identifying the location of ancient
hydrothermal systems and in defining targets for drilling. With the
development of modern techniques for the analysis of stable isotope
ratios using lasers and automated mass spectrometers, both
analytical costs and turn around time in isotopic analysis are
decreasing, making the use of stable isotopic techniques in
exploration increasingly attractive. Consequently, this contribution
was prepared with the objectives of reviewing the present state of
knowledge on the application of stable isotope techniques in
exploration, and evaluating some of the pragmatic aspects involved
in incorporating stable isotope analyses into an exploration program.
There are a number of potential applications of stable isotopes in
exploration for hydrothermal ores. Most widely recognized and
having the best potential for use in the near future is the presence of
whole rock hydrogen and/or oxygen isotope anomalies or halos in
rocks hosting mineralization. The existence of such halos has been
recognized since the work of H.P. Taylor, Jr. and others in the early
1970s. Given the kilometer(s) scale of such halos, often extending
beyond the limits of visible alteration, and the magnitude of the
isotopic differences between mineralized and unmineralized zones
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I I •
in several settings, isotopic halos remain as the stable isotope feature
most likely to be effective in exploration. A second application of
stable isotopes in exploration, which is more closely linked to
genetic models, is the potential for using stable isotopes to identify
ore types or vertical zonation in mineralized systems from sampling
limited exposures. For example, it has been shown that in the
Canadian Cordillera epithermal style Au mineralization can be
distinguished from mesothermal or pluton-related Au, based on the
i)1so values of quartz (Nesbitt and Muehlenbachs, 1986). Finally, the
possibility of distinguishing mineralized from unmineralized veins
systems using oxygen and hydrogen isotopes has been examined in a
number of locations (Ansdell and Kyser, 1992; Hrdy and Kyser, 1995).
BASIC CONCEPTS
Several excellent discussions of stable isotope geochemistry are
presented in Field and Fifarek (1985), Valley et al. (1986), Faure
(1986), and Kyser (1987). Here, I will only summarize the theoretical
aspects of stable isotope geochemistry necessary to understand the
application of stable isotopes to exploration for hydrothermal ores.
Stable isotopes of an element are atoms which have the same
number of protons, but differ in the number of neutrons in the
nucleus. As the name implies, these isotopes do not undergo
spontaneous decay. This contribution focuses on the isotope ratios
1so/16Q (the ratio of atomic mass 18 oxygen to mass 16 oxygen) and
D/H (deuterium or atomic mass 2 hydrogen to mass 1 hydrogen),
which can be obtained for gases, solids or liquids. In stable isotope
studies, analytical values for isotope ratios are not reported, rather
results are reported as i)1so (delta O 18) or ao (delta D) values
relative to a standard. i)1so and i)D have units of permit (parts per
thousand) with a symbol (o/oo). The standard most commonly used
for reporting oxygen and hydrogen isotope values is SMOW
(Standard Mean Ocean Water), though occasionally a1so values of
carbonates are referenced to a carbonate standard, PDB (Pee Dee
Belemnite) (Valley et al., 1986). Relative to
l o page 8 • • •
SMOW, which is defined as e1D = O%o and
 8 SEG NEWSLETTER
• • • from 1 OXYGEN & HYDROGEN ISOTOPES, CONTINUED
a1so=Oo/oo, most natural waters are depleted! in D and hence have
negative values, while natural waters with a1so values both greater
than and less than SMOW are common. Commercial laboratories
will report values as a1so or r)D and should explicitly state the
standard used.
In studies of hydrothermal mineralization, stable isotope analyses
are conducted both on minerals precipitated from, or altered by,
hydrothermal fluids and on fluids extracted from fluid inclusions.
The analysis of inclusion fluids has an advantage in that samples of
the actual ore-forming fluids can be analyzed. However, because
bulk extraction techniques, which open large numbers of fluid
inclusions at the same time, are generally employed, if post­
mineralization secondary inclusions are present, the stable isotope
values of the extracted fluids will be a combination of the ore­
forming and later fluids. In addition, if the host mineral contains the
element of interest, such as oxygen in quartz, it is possible that the
fluid exchanged isotopically with the host phase during cooling and
altered the isotopic ratio of the trapped fluids. At present, only dD
ratios are commonly determined from fluid inclusions.
The second and more common approach to stable isotope
studies of gangue and alteration phases is through the isotopic
analyses of minerals precipitated from or altered by hydrothermal
fluids. If a mineral is precipitated from solution, the stable isotopic
ratio of the mineral is a function of the a18Q value of the fluid and
the temperature of mineral formation. If there is a systematic
isotopic difference vertically or laterally in mineralized vein material
or between mineralized and unmineralized veins, this relationship
indicates that there were differences in the r)I8Q values of the fluids
and/or temperatures of vein formation.
The origin of stable isotope halos in altered host rocks is more
complex due to the additional factors of the original stable isotope
compositions of the host rocks prior to alteration, and the extent of
isotopic interaction between fluids and rocks. The extent of
interaction of the fluids with the rock units is typically expressed as
a water/rock value (w/r), which is the total mass of water
interacting with a given mass of rock over time (Gregory and Criss,
1986; Field and Fifarek, 1985). If w/r values are substantially greater
than 1, then extensive isotopic exchange occurs between the fluids
and the host rocks and the stable isotope values of the host rocks
will approach equilibrium with the original isotopic values of the
fluid. If w/r values are significantly below 1, then the stable isotope
composition of the rocks will remain essentially unaltered and the
stable isotope composition of the fluids will shift toward equilibrium
with the rock units. From an exploration perspective, the first
scenario where w/r values are high is of importance, because stable
isotope anomalies will be produced in the host rocks around the
site of mineralization.
APPLICATIONS OF STABLE ISOTOPES
IN EXPLORATION FOR SPECIFIC ORE
DEPOSIT TYPES
In this section for each mineralization type, the general r)180 and
ao characteristics which may be of use in exploration will be
summarized, along with an indication of the size and magnitude of
the isotopic patterns. Where possible, examples will be given of the
actual use of stable isotopic patterns in exploration. As will become
1 The term depletion implies that the material has a lower relative
concentration of the heavy isotope.
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obvious, stable isotopic techniques work much better in exploration
for certain types of mineralization than others. In those cases where
the apparent potential for the use of stable isotopes in exploration is
low, a brief discussion of why stable isotope techniques appear to
be ineffective is included.
Epithermal Au-Ag Deposits
Ever since the pioneering studies by Taylor 0973), O'Neil and
Silberman (1974), and Criss and Taylor (1983) on epithermal
mineralization in southwest U.S., epithermal Au-Ag systems have
been a major focus of stable isotope studies for examining questions
on the genesis of hydrothennal ores and the application of stable
isotope techniques to exploration. Through the efforts of these
authors and others, it is now well established that the ore-fonning
fluids for such deposits are dominantly composed of heated,
convected meteoric water and that halos of low a18Q and dD values
are present in altered volcanic rocks hosting the ores.
In 1983, Criss and Taylor (1983) presented evidence for the
existence of a very large, Eocene age, circulation cell involving
meteoric water in the Idaho Batholith of Idaho and Montana. Using
whole rock samples, they documented a D depletion zone (dD
values < - 100%0), which covered an area of 15,000 km2 with
regions of intense hydrothermal activity marked by low a18Q whole
rock values C<6%0) within the area of low oD values.
The significance of these depletion patterns to exploration for
epithermal mineralization in felsic volcanics was emphasized by
Criss et al. 0985) in the Yankee Fork District of Idaho, where they
documented a correlation between anomalously low whole rock
a180 values (as low as -2%0, compared to primary rock value of 6 to
8%0) and aeromagnetic anomalies associated with mineralization
(Figure 1). Two important implications of this study were that the
180 depletion halo (approximately 75 km2) extended beyond the
region of recognizable hydrothermal alteration, and that the location
of the sites of Au-Ag mineralization were concentrated at steep a180
gradients near the center of the 1so depleted zone.
In probably the most detailed study of an epithermal mining
district, Criss and Champion 0991) documented a 75 km2 zone of
180 depletion associated with the Comstock Lode, Nevada, going
2 3 km
FIGURE 1. Location of sites of mineralization in the Yankee Fork district, Idaho, relative to
tBQ depletion halos (contoured in a1BQ values relative to SMOW) and rock magnetization
anomalies (gray zones indicate low rock magnetization values). This reconstruction assumes
a 2 km /eff-lateral displacement on the Custer Fault. Filled circles are former producing
mines and open circles are other known sites of epl1herma/ mineralization. GC indicates the
site of the General Custer mine. (From Criss et al., 1985).
 OCTOBER '96 • N2 27 SEG NEWSLETTER 9

· 2000

• 1800

Elev at ion
(m)
Sutro Tunnel

·2

......_
·-
2 O 200 400 m

FIGURE 2. Cross section through the Comstock Lode, Nevada along the Sutro Tunnel. Contours are of'iJfBQ values. Note close association of mineralization (heavy dashed lines) to sharp
gradients in a 1so values. (From Criss and Champion, 1991 ).
... ............ ......... ................ .. . ..... ...... ....... ....................... .............. . ... ... .., ,u,,,.,•.•. ... .•. . . . ....••... .•.... ... •...,u,,,.•...... .•.•........ ..•.. • . . . .•. ... • • .... ....•. .. • .,u,,, .• ,.....................................................

from rebtively fresh felsic volcanics with a1so values of 5 to 9%o to

highly altered samples with a1so values of -4 to 3%o (Figure 2). In
addition, Criss and Champion (1991) demonstrated that there is a
significant decrease in a1so values with depth in the system,
extending to at least 700m. Of special significance is the close
correlation of the location of mineralization to sharp a1so gradients
in the hanging walls of the ore.
!11 a review of the results of these and other studies, Criss et al.
0

or Altered
(1991) reached two principal conclusions: 1) water-rock interactions
Rocks

occurred on a regional scale altering the mineralogical, chemical, D > 9.8'7r.r

physical and isotopic characteristics of the rocks; and 2) fluid flow D 9 H Lo 7,0'X,

was especially prominent along major faults and ring fractures EB 7 0 Lo 5 () 'X,,

associated with caldera collapse. In application of these studies to rm < 5 () '/,�

exploration, two additional observations were made: 1) that 400 f!OO 111

mineralization is often associated with steep a1so gradients in the

altered rocks; and 2) that the most economically significant deposits FIGURE 3. Contours of a tBQ values around the epithermal Hishikari Au mine, Kyushu
are generally associated with small (5 to 300 km2 ) zones of low, .Island, Japan. Note close spacing ofcontours around mineralization
whole rock a1so values.
..............................................................................................(From Naito et al., 1993)..
..................................
In order to evaluate the general applicability of these Kuroko-Type Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides
conclusions, it is useful to examine similar studies from other sites (VMS}
and ages of epithermal mineralization. In a regional study of whole In the Hokuroko district of Japan, Green et al. (1983) noted that
rock a1so values associated with the high grade (70 git), young (-1 over a 300 km2 area, zeolite facies basalts, andesites and dacites
Ma), Hishikari Au mine, Kyushu Island, Japan, Naito et al. (1993) hosting the ores have anomalously high a1so values, averaging
document a zonation pattern from country rocks to ore 16.9±2.7%0, relative to the a1so values typical for such rocks (6 to
characterized by first an increase in aiso values (9.8 to 16%0 relative 8%0). Whole rock a1so values decrease toward mineralization to the
to country rock values of 6 to 9%0), then a sharp decrease to a1so 8 to 14%0 range, in a zone approximately 1 km wide, which
values <5%o (Figure 3). This entire sequence occurs in a narrow correlates with a montmorillonite alteration zone, and to values less
band of 300 to 500 m around the ores, which is consistent with the than 8%0 around the ores in a sericite-chlorite alteration zone.
observation of Criss et al. (1991) that a1so depletion halos are Probably the most comprehensive study of isotopic halos
relatively small around highly economic deposits. In contrast in associated with Phanerozoic-age, Kuroko-type VMS deposits was
Jurassic age epithermal Au-Ag mineralization of the Toodoggone conducted by Taylor and South (1985), who mapped regional
district in central British Columbia, a1so values are uniformly high, variations in whole rock a1so and c)D values over a 400 km2 area in
ranging from 6 to 12%0 with no apparent 1so depletion around the the West Shasta district of California. Mineralization in the West
sites of mineralization (Diakow et al., 1991). Shasta district is associated with a marked decrease in a1so values
In terms of pragmatic aspects for exploration, these observations from regional background levels of 8 to 10%0 to values of 4 to 6%0
present an enigma. The largest and easiest to recognize 1so in a 25 km2 zone around the ores. The zonation pattern focuses on
depletion zones are also those systems that are least likely to host a particular trondhjemitic stock, which appears to have acted as the
highly economic mineralization. Consequently, as a regional heat source for the mineralizing system. In addition to the a1so
exploration tool, aD and a1so analyses may have limited utility. zonation pattern, there is a pattern of dD enrichment in whole rock
However, on a deposit or district scale the smaller, but well defined aD values focused around the same zone as the a1so values.
anomalies associated with high-grade mineralization are readily In the Archean-age Noranda district, Quebec, Cathles 0993), in
mappable and may be of considerable utility in district scale conjunction with Chevron Oil Field Research
development.
. Company, conducted probably the most topa9e 10 · · ·

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• • • from 9 OXYGEN & HYDROGEN, CONT.
extensive evaluation of stable isotope zonations
in exploration for VMS deposits, covering an 1800
km2 area with approximately 600 whole rock
isotopic analyses. In his study, Cathles (1993)
identified a 2 to 4 km wide ring of low whole
rock a18Q values (< 6%0) around the Flavarian
Pluton. Radiating out from this ring of low a18Q
values are six low arno fingers (Figure 4). Five of 0,c I'-.
1Bo Values of /9
the six fingers point up section toward massive i;
Altered Rocks
sulfide mineralization.
>9%.
Also in the Noranda district, Hoy 0993) and
Paradis et al. Cl 993) have identified a trend 6 t09%G
spanning 2 to 3 kilometers up section through � <6%c
rnm;'I
the volcanic stratigraphy. The trend consists of )C Mineralization
increasing c)1ao values of altered rocks associated - - - • Plulon Boundary
with mineralization from -2 to 5%o low in the 10 km
stratigraphic section, to values of 4 to 12%0
associated with ores near the top. This trend in FIGURE 4. Distribution of 190 depleted (stippled pattern) and 180 enriched (cross-hatched pattern) whole rock cJ180
arno values of altered rocks corresponds to an 'fiJIUes in the Noranda mining dis/rlat, Quebec. Xs indicate sites of volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization. Note
increase in tonnage vertically through the section. .�'.�.��.��'.'.�'.'!(!�?..�!.!?.�.'.��,?���?:.�.��?.?.�!'.��.?!.i:!.'.'::.:�'.'.�?!!��/'.:.?.'!1..��'.�!��:..
In summary, it is apparent that Kuroko-type
VMS deposits of all ages are regionally associated with volcanics that
possess anomalously high a1ao values (> 6 to 8%0) (Beaty et al.,
1988). These high c)1ao values reflect the low temperature alteration
of these volcanics on the sea floor (Muehlenbachs, 1986). Near the
ores, there is commonly a distinct reduction in a1ao values relative
to regional values. These low arno zones often correspond to
sericite-chlorite-quartz breccia or stringer zones in the footwalls of
the ores.
In exploration for Kuroko-type VMS deposits, on a district scale,
stable isotope zonation patterns can identify target areas, as well as
indicating potential heat sources driving the overall hydrothermal
sy�tem (Taylor and South, 1985; Cathles, 1993). On a mine
development scale, stable isotopic patterns may help identify tops
and bottoms of mineralized zones, especially in metamorphosed or
structurally complex areas. A note of caution is that in all cases the
low a18Q zones around mineralization are only anomalous
compared to the unusually high, regional whole rock a1ao values
for the host volcanics. Consequently, in any new district, it will be
necessary to determine the regional background a180 values prior to
any attempt to identify depletion zones associated with
mineralization.
Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au Mineralization
By analogy with epithermal systems, one might expect
prominent 180 and D depletion halos to be associated with
porphyry Cu-Mo-Au systems. In addition, because the temperature
of alteration is in general higher in porphyry systems, 1ao and D
depletions in wall rocks should be even larger in magnitude than in
epithermal systems, due to the smaller isotopic fractionation factors
at high temperatures (Taylor, 1979). However as documented in a
number of studies (Bowman et al., 1987; Dilles, 1992; Zaluski et al.,
1994), I8Q depletion halos are typically not present around porphyry
mineralization.
One of the most likely sites for 180 depletion halos in porphyry
systems would be associated with the Eocene age, porphyry Cu±Au
mineralization in central British Columbia, due to the very low a1so
values for meteoric water during mineralization. However, Zaluski et
al. 0 994) in a study of the Bell and Granisle mines failed to detect
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N2 27 • OCTOBER '96
c19 >C
'.���!:.................................................. .
significant I8Q depletion halos, even though the low ao values of
the alteration phases indicate involvement of Tertiary-age meteoric
water in the hydrothermal fluids. As demonstrated by Zaluski et al.
(1994), the a180 values of the meteoric fluids had risen to the range
of 2 to 4%o due to water-rock interactions and consequently, did not
deplete the hosts rocks in 1so during the mineralization process.
One potential application of stable isotope techniques to
exploration for porphyry deposits, which as yet has not been
evaluated, is the possibility that D depletion halos may exist around
such systems. The potential for such halos is higher because, as
opposed to the situation with c)1ao values, meteoric ao values, in
general, are not increased due to water-rock interaction.
Skarn-Manto Deposits
Skarn-manto deposits generally are the products of the
interaction of pluton-driven hydrothermal fluids with carbonate
units. In a review of the stable isotope signatures developed in
carbonate units during contact metamorphism, Valley (1986)
documents a nearly universal decrease in c)18Q values of carbonate
units from background values of approximately 23%0 or greater to
values in the range of 7 to 12%0 near the pluton. As well, al3C
values decrease from -3%o or higher in the unaltered units to values
of -8 to -3%o around the pluton.
Studies of mineralized skarns indicate that the stable isotope
patterns of mineralized systems mimic this pattern. Fu et al. (1991)
document an isotopic depletion halo in carbonate units over
distances of 300 to 1000 m around the Changpo tin skarn in China.
In the halo, c)1so values shift from background values of 18 to 23%0
in the host carbonates to values of 12 to 16%0 in vein calcite and
limestones hosting the ores. Corresponding to this shift in aiao
values is a decrease in a13c values from 1 to 3%o in the unaltered
units to -7 to -2%o in vein calcite and limestones adjoining
mineralization.
Due to their size and the magnitude of the isotopic depletion.
and the fact that mineralogical alteration zones are typically either
small or absent, 1so and 13c depletion halos in carbonates
associated with manta Pb-Zn-Ag±Au mineralization constitute one of
the best examples of the utility of stable isotopes in exploration.
Recently, Kesler et al. (in press) have published an excellent re\'ie�·
 OCTOBER '96 • N2 27 SEG NEWSLETTER 11

of the application of c)18Q analyses to exploration for this style of

mineralization, so only the most significant aspects of the use of
stable isotopes exploration for manto-style mineralization will be
summarized here.
In their review, Kesler et al. (in press) describe a number of
examples of 180 depletion halos associated with manto-style
mineralization with decreases in c)18Q values of up to 10%0 covering
distances of as much as 3 km. Based on their study, Kesler et al. (in
press) reach two important conclusions: 1) the largest halos are
developed by high temperature systems in limestones, as opposed
to dolomites, because calcite exchanges oxygen isotopes more
readily than dolomite; and 2) halos are largest above, and in the
upper parts of, the deposits, making them useful in exploration for
blind deposits. A third conclusion could be added that isotope halos
around manto deposits are typically much larger in areal extent than
mineral alteration zones.
In a study of the Japanese Kamioka Pb-Zn skarn, Naito et al.
(1995) document one of the first examples in geological literature of
the actual use of stable isotopes in the discovery of mineralization.
In a 10 km2 block around mineralization associated with the 7GOHI
fault, Naito et al. 0995) were able to contour zones of 180 and 13c
depletion in marbles hosting the ores (Figure 5). Based on the
isotopic mapping, a second area, SAKO-NISHI, of rno and 13c
depletion, located approximately 1. 5 km east of the known
mineralization, was identified as having potential to host FIGURE 5. Contours ofa1so values for whole rock carbonate samples from the Kamioka
mineralization. This zone was subsequently drilled, resulting in an Pb-Zn-Ag skarns, Japan. Main mineralization is associated with the 7GOHI Fault. SMAHS- 7
intersection of 44m of mineralization grading 13.4% Zn, 0.03% Pb indicates the discovery drill hole in the Sako-Nishi area, which was targeted on the basis of
and 8 git Ag. the a 1so values of carbonates in that area. (From Naito et al., 1995).
.. .... ............. . ........ .... ....... ..... ... .... .. ,1, .. ,...... . .... . . . . ........... ... ............. .... ... .. ... .. . ...............

As is apparent from the results presented above, c)18Q and d13C

analyses of carbonate units in exploration for skarn-manto style
mineralization constitute one of the best potential applications of
stable isotopes to mineral exploration. It is interesting to note that
such deposits form in generally the same environment as porphyry
style mineralization, yet i n the case of porphyry Cu-Mo
mineralization, stable isotope analyses of alteration zones have
failed to produce significant isotopic depletion patterns. The reason
for this difference in isotopic patterns between skarn-manto and
porphyry-style mineralizations lies in the differences in primary
isotopic values of the host units. At 400 °C, a fluid with a c)18Q value
of 4%o, typical of fluids in plutonic environments, would produce a
whole rock value of approximately 7%o for a sample of altered felsic
pluton and approximately 6%0 for a marble. While a value of 7%o is
identical to the primary c)t8Q value of the granite and hence no shift
in c)t8Q values is apparent, a value of 6%0 for a carbonate is sharply
different from typical limestone-dolomite values of 25%0 or greater
and consequently, the evidence of water-rock interaction is obvious.
Carlin-Type Disseminated Gold Deposits
Due to the fact that Carlin-type deposits are products of
moderately high temperature water-rock interaction with carbonate
units (Radtke et al., 1980), it is reasonable to expect that similar to
m:into deposits, 180 depletion halos are present in carbonates
around the deposits. The existence of such halos is further
suggested by the observation that calcite in units immediately
adjacent to mineralization possesses c)J8Q values approximately 10%0
less than the c)l8Q values of calcite in the same units at some
distance from mineralization (Radtke et al., 1980; Ilchik, 1990).
However, to date no results from systematic mapping of c)l8Q values
around Carlin-type mineralization have been published, though such
studies are in progress (S. Kesler, personal comm.). In contrast to
the depletion in 1so in calcite associated with Carlin-type
mineralization, dI3C values of the carbonates associated with the
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ores do not appear to have been appreciably raised or lowered
during the hydrothermal event (Ilchik, 1990).
Mesothermal Au
The utility of stable isotope analyses in exploration for
mesothermal Au deposits has been tested in two different fashions:
1) to identify mineralized versus unmineralized vein systems and, 2)
to define district or regional scale zonation patterns around
mineralized sites. In general, most studies which have examined the
similarities or differences between c)18Q and ao values of
mineralized versus unmineralized systems have found that, at scales
greater than an individual mine, there is sufficient overlap between
c)l8Q and ao values of mineralized and unmineralized veins to make
stable isotope analyses an impractical tool for distinguishing
between vein systems (Ansdell and Kyser, 1992; Nesbitt et al., 1989).
In some locations at a mine scale, there are statistical differences on
the order of 1 to 2%o between c)18Q values of mineralized and
unmineralized vein systems (Fayek and Kyser, 1995).
Stable isotope studies of whole rock and/or quartz veins in host
rocks around the ore have had some success in defining isotopic
patterns. In the Jasper Lode deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada, Hrdy
and Kyser 0995) have documented an increase of 3%o towards the
mineralized veins in whole rock c)18Q values of granites over a
distance of 10 to 30 m. In contrast, over a distance of 2 km,
Murowchick et al. (1987) identified a 3%o decrease in whole rock
c)18Q values in argillites and siltstones hosting the Carolin mine,
British Columbia. On a larger scale Rushton et al. 0993) have
described district scale patterns in c)18Q values of vein quartz
spanning tens of kilometres, where mesothermal Au-quartz veins are
found over a particular c)l8Q range within the district. On an even
larger scale, Nesbitt 0995) used ao and c)l8Q values in conjunction
with fluid inclusion chemistry to identify target regions with
potential to host mesothermal Au mineralization
to page 12 • ' •
in southern British Columbia.
 12 SEG NEWSLETTER
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Low Temperature PIJ-Zn Mineralization
In general replacement or precipitated carbonates associated
with carbonate-hosted Mississippi Valley type mineralization possess
aiso values as much as 10%0 lower than the aiso values of the
unaltered host rocks. In the Missouri lead district, several studies
have examined variations in the aiso values of epigenetic
carbonates and host units up to 100 km away from mineralization
(Gregg, 1985). While in general the stable isotopic results indicate
isotopic interaction of the distal units with mineralizing fluids, the
changes in aiso and a13C were not sufficiently systematic to be
contourable or indicative of the location of mineralization. In
contrast, in the Presqu'ile Barrier of northern British Columbia and
Northwest Territories, Canada, Qing and Mountjoy 0994) were able
to define systematic increases in aiso (17 to 23%0) and aBC (-4 to
1o/oo) values of replacement and saddle dolomites over a distance of
approximately 500 km from the Rocky Mountain Foothills to the
Pine Point Pb-Zn deposits.
In general, stable isotope investigations of rock units hosting
sedimentary exhalative (Sedex) style mineralization have failed to
document substantial a1so or an zonations patterns around
mineralization. For example, Nesbitt et al. (1984) found no
statistically significant a1so depletion or enrichment in argillites and
arenites hosting the Sullivan Pb-Zn deposit of southeast British
Columbia. The lack of significant shifts in the stable isotope
characteristics of units hosting sedex mineralization is probably a
reflection of a combination of factors including relatively low
temperatures of ore-forming fluids, quick cooling of the fluids due
to mixing with sea water, and limited interaction of the ore-forming
fluids with the sediments composing the substrate.
PRAGMATIC ASPECTS
As demonstrated above, stable isotope analyses have the
potential to play a key role in many geochemical exploration
programs. In the planning stage, it is necessary to determine which
isotopes will be examined, what materials will be analyzed, and
what is the nature of the expected isotopic pattern for the targeted
style of mineralization. If the program is designed to identify
isotopic halos, a necessary first step consists of a comparison of
stable isotope values of gangue and wall rocks adjoining
mineralization to regional samples of the same lithologies or primary
isotopic values for such rocks from the literature. If there is a
significant difference in isotopic values between mineralized and
regional units (at least >2o/oo for a1so ), then the potential of an
isotopic halo around the ores exists. The next phase is to conduct
an isotopic survey around a site of known mineralization to
establish the areal extent of halos, the magnitude of the isotopic
differences in the halo, and the degree of uniformity within the
pattern. Following verification that the halos are of sufficient areal
extent, then regional or district scale grid sampling can be
undertaken.
Several commercial facilities for stable isotope analyses are
available in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.
Analytical costs vary depending on the laboratory, the extent of
necessary sample preparation, etc., but generally are in the range of
$20 to $40 (U.S.) for both a1so and a13c from carbonates, $60 to $80
for a1so in silicates, $60 to $80 for an from silicates, and $30 to $50
for an from fluid inclusions in quartz or carbonates. Analytical turn
around time varies from 7 to 14 days depending on the material and
the type of analysis.
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by Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte user
N2 27 • OCTOBER '96
CONCLUSIONS
Stable isotopes analyses should often be an integral component
of geochemical exploration programs for a variety of ore deposit
types. In exploration programs, stable isotope analyses can be used
to map cryptic haloes extending up to several kilometers from the
deposit, determine vertical zonation within mineralized zones, assist
in identifying the type of mineralization, and potentially distinguish
mineralized from unmineralized vein systems.
The application of stable isotope halos to mineral exploration is
of the greatest utility in settings where the anomalies are areally
large, have substantial isotopic differences between mineralized
zones and background values, and the halos extend beyond the
limits of distinct, easily recognized mineralogical alteration zones.
These conditions are satisfied by isotopic halos around epithermal
veins, volcanogenic massive sulfides, skarn-manto systems and
possibly Carlin-type mineralization.
With evolving analytical techniques involving lasers and
automated mass spectrometers, the number of samples that can be
analyzed in a day is steadily increasing, while costs are declining.
Consequently, as costs continue to decline and case studies of the
successful utilization of stable isotope techniques increase, it is
reasonable to expect a continued expansion of the role of stable
isotopes as a common tool in exploration programs.
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