Stable isotope constraints on Kuroko-type paleohydrothermal systems in the Mesoproterozoic Serra do Itaberaba group, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Perez-Aguilar, A., Juliani, C., Monteiro, L.V.S., Fallick, A. and Bettencourt, J.S. (2005) Stable isotope constraints on Kuroko-type paleohydrothermal systems in the Mesoproterozoic Serra do Itaberaba group, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 18(3-4), pp. 305-321. (doi: 10.1016/j/jsames.2004.11.012)

Abstract

Mesoproterozoic oceanic paleohydrothermal systems developed in the volcanosedimentary Serra do Itaberaba Group, which comprises part of the Ribeira fold belt. Hydrothermal alteration associated with these systems was responsible for large premetamorphic chloritic alteration halos (CZ1 rocks), overprinted by restricted premetamorphic chloritic (CZ2 rocks), argillic, and advanced argillic alterations that correspond to intensely leached rocks within feeder zones. Well-defined trends of increasing δ¹⁸O values with the progressive intensity of the alteration process are observed for igneous metabasites, metabasic hydroclastic rocks, and intermediate metamorphosed igneous and volcaniclastic rocks from CZ1. Systematic stable isotope variations evince that, in the Serra do Itaberaba metamorphosed hydrothermalized rocks, the preexisting isotope signatures of the hydrothermal systems were at least partially preserved. Highly evolved hot seawater is suggested for the genesis of the CZ1 rocks, whereas for the CZ2 rocks and marundites, the ¹⁸O fluid enrichments are interpreted as due to the major contribution of evolved seawater-derived fluids with a subordinate magmatic water component. An early near-seafloor, low-temperature alteration in a mid-ocean ridge environment was responsible for heterogeneous ¹⁸O whole-rock enrichments and followed by steady hydrothermal circulation with discharge of hot fluids, which previously underwent isotopic exchange with the ¹⁸O enriched volcanic rocks in the deeper part of the system with high temperatures and low water: rock ratios in a backarc environment. The subordinate magmatic water component derived from andesitic and rhyodacitic intrusions. The extremely high δ¹⁸O anomalies from the CZ1 rocks suggest an associated base metal massive sulfide ore body. The lower δ¹⁸O values related to the CZ2 rocks represent alteration by a higher temperature fluid, which might indicate the proximity of possible ore zones. The identification of several premetamorphic hydrothermally altered zones, similar to those of Kuroko-type base metal mineralizations, expands the mineral potential of base metal deposits in the Serra do Itaberaba Group and the volcanosedimentary sequences from the Ribeira fold belt.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Kuroko-type deposits, Mesoproterozoic, Paleohydrothermal system, Serra do Itaberaba group; stable isotopes, VMSD
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fallick, Professor Anthony
• Authors: Perez-Aguilar, A., Juliani, C., Monteiro, L.V.S., Fallick, A., and Bettencourt, J.S.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Journal of South American Earth Sciences
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0895-9811
• Published Online: 31 March 2005