Jiří Zachariáš

Arsenopyrite and As-bearing pyrite from the Roudny deposit, Bohemian Massif

Abstract The major- and trace-element chemistry of pyrite and arsenopyrite from the mesothermal Roudný gold deposits was studied by electron microprobe and laser ablation ICP-MS techniques. In total, four generations of pyrite and two of arsenopyrite were distinguished. The pyrite is enriched in As through an Fe (AsxS1−x)2 substitution mechanism. The As-rich zones of pyrite-2 (up to 4.5 wt.% As) are also enriched in gold (up to 20 ppm), lead (commonly up to 220 ppm, exceptionally up to 1500 ppm) and antimony (commonly <600 ppm, rarely up to 1350 ppm). Positive correlation of As and Au in the studied pyrites is not coupled with an Fe deficiency, in contrast to Au-rich As-bearing pyrites in Carlintype gold deposits. The As-rich pyrite-2 coprecipitated with the Sb-rich (1−4.2 wt.%) and Au-rich (40−150 ppm) arsenopyrite-1. The younger arsenopyrite-2 is significantly less enriched in these elements (0−70 ppm of Au). The chemical zonality of pyrites in the Roudný gold deposits reflects the chemical evolution of ore-bearing fluids that are not observed in any other mineral phases. The data available suggest relatively high activity of sulphur and low activities of arsenic and gold during crystallization of the older pyrite generation (pyrite-1). Later, after particular dissolution of pyrite-1, Au-rich As-bearing pyrite-2 and arsenopyrite precipitated. These facts suggest a marked increase in the arsenic and gold activities in ore-bearing fluids. The As-content of pyrite-2 decreases in an oscillatory manner from the core to the rim, reflecting changes in the As activity or/and in the P-T conditions. The As-bearing pyrites were formed at temperatures of at least 320-330ºC, based on arsenopyrite thermometers and fluid inclusion data.

Gold to aurostibite transformation and formation of Au-Ag-Sb phases: the Krásná Hora deposit, Czech Republic

Abstract Rare phases of the Au-Ag-Sb system were recognized in the Krásná Hora Sb-Au deposit (Sb 1.5-3 wt.%; Au 3-5 ppm), Czech Republic which correspond to auriferous dyscrasite (up to 7 at.% Au), auriferous allargentum (up to 34 at.% Au), and an unnamed phase with composition similar to the eutectics (E1, E2) of the experimental Au-Ag-Sb system. The dominant ore mineral is stibnite with rare native antimony, native gold and a Ag-Au alloy. Textural relationships are well established: stibnite (early)→gold→aurostibite→ native antimony (late). Gold is present in four generations: Au-1 (0-15 at.% Ag) is the most abundant type; Au-2 (20-70 at.% Ag) forms thin rims along intra-grain boundaries of Au-1; Au-3 and Au-4 are rare and almost pure (∼0 at.% Ag). The formation of most of the Au-2 and of Au-Ag-Sb phases is associated with Ag-mobilization coupled with the Au-1 to aurostibite transformation via dissolution-precipitation and solid-state diffusion processes at temperatures <200°C.

Hypogene Features in Sandstones: An Example from Carboniferous Basins of Central and Western Bohemia, Czech Republic

Concave and cavernous forms including rising wall channels, rising sets of coalesced copula, ceiling half-tube channels, separate ceiling copula, ceiling chimneys, and half-spherical upward-convex arches locally occur in surface outcrops of Carboniferous arkose sandstones in central and western Bohemia. Many of these negative forms conventionally described as tafoni and/or honeycombs have been traditionally interpreted as products of various exogenous weathering processes. Based on the line of indirect evidence, we propose an alternative interpretation in which these features represent transitional and outlet members of the morphologic suite of rising flow (MSRF), indicative of their subsurface hypogene origin. The negative forms are commonly associated with bedding planes and subvertical fractures mineralized with goethite and jarosite. The reflectance of coal particles embedded in sandstone along mineralized bedding planes (0.91–1.03% R r ) is appreciably higher with respect to those of adjacent unaltered arkose host rocks (0.61–0.85% R r ), pointing to the thermal overprint by hot fluids. Moreover, the walls of many cavities are covered by sandy-disintegrated alterite locally mineralized with gypsum, dickite, goethite, authigenic quartz, pickeringite, and bischofite. We suggest that these phenomena, including the origin of characteristic concave forms and mineralogical alterations of arkose host rocks, may have been due to warm, CO2-saturated and possibly H2S-rich brines that ascended from the deepest stratigraphic units of the Carboniferous succession via the network of subvertical tectonic fractures and migrated laterally outward along permeable bedding planes. As indicated by the apatite fission track analysis and wider geological observations, the alteration of arkose sandstones probably occurred at relatively shallow depth of burial, during the Tertiary uplift of the Bohemian Massif 15–20 Ma ago. In this environment, the alteration may have been accelerated by the effects of mixing corrosion where heated deep basinal fluids interacted with shallower interstratal waters. When the uplifted sandstone sequences eventually reached the surface, the hypogene cavities and altered cliff walls were subjected to subaerial weathering and fluvial erosion processes the effects of which were superimposed on older hypogene features.