From economic geology to ocean chemistry: the wide range of information that can be obtained from a humble pyrite grain

From economic geology to ocean chemistry: the wide range of information that can be obtained from a humble pyrite grain

Pyrite incorporates a portion of several trace elements dissolved in the fluids from which it formed. Thus, trace element analysis of pyrite grains can give us information of these past fluids with applications as varied as understanding changes in ocean chemistry to identifying ore deposit type. We have analysed over 1400 pyrite grains from sedimentary rocks through geologic time using laser ablation ICPMS. Periods in geologic time when several trace elements are enriched in pyrite match with times where whole rock analyses of redox sensitive trace elements also show enrichments. This suggests that pyrite chemistry, like these traditional whole rock studies, can be used to understand changes in ocean chemistry and the atmosphere through Earth history. In this presentation we evaluate the efficacy of this by investigating nano-scale zoning of pyrite framboids from euxinically formed pyrite, the most likely pyrite to retain the trace element signature of the water column from which it formed.

Pyrite also incorporates trace elements from hydrothermal fluids. Because pyrite forms in many different deposits and those deposits have different fluid compositions pyrite chemistry should be a viable way to identify ore deposit type. This is important as near surface deposits are increasingly exploited and new, large deposits will be found at deeper and deeper depths. If pyrite can be utilized to identify ore deposit type it will allow for application of geological models early in an exploration program enhancing efficiency of the drilling. In this study we a Random Forest data learning algorithm to identify ore deposit signatures based on the trace element composition of the pyrite associated with them. We will also present a combination of LA-ICPMS, synchrotron XRF mapping and XANES analysis to identify redox fluctuations in the formation of a gold deposit.

Speaker: Daniel Gregory, University of Toronto

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