Abstract
The sedimentary sequences of the Southern Uplands of Scotland host numerous lead-zinc-copper-silver vein deposits, the genesis of which has never been adequately explained. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope analysis of vein minerals from these deposits indicate that, for the vein stages studied, the mineralizing fluids were low temperature (< ∽ 150°C), high salinity (∽19 to 30 equiv. wt. % NaCl + CaCl2) modified meteoric waters. A consideration of the availability of such fluids throughout the geological history of the Southern Uplands suggests a Lower Carboniferous (Dinantian) age for the mineralization.
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Samson, I.M., Banks, D.A. Epithermal base-metal vein mineralization in the southern uplands of scotland: Nature and origin of the fluids. Mineral. Deposita 23, 1–8 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204220
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204220