Abstract
This study provides a regional framework within which studies of ore-related dolomite and dolomite cements may be placed. Fluid inclusion data indicate the presence of three distinct fluids following early dolomitization: 1) a ubiquitous low-temperature, higher salinity fluid found in saddle dolomite; 2) a low-temperature, lower salinity fluid limited to sub-Waulsortian and Waulsortian carbonates; and 3) a higher temperature, lower salinity fluid found in Waulsortian and supra-Waulsortian rocks. Similar fluids have been reported in ore-associated minerals and postmineralization dolomite (Type 1) and in ore-stage carbonates and sphalerite (Types 2 and 3). The halogen geochemistry of included fluids indicates genesis from evaporated seawater. Type 1 fluids are enriched in chloride relative to bromide, reflecting a component of salinity derived via dissolution of halite or from dehydration of seawater. These data suggest that dolomitization and mineralization of Mississippian rocks in the Midlands requires both regionally extensive and localized fluid flow.
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Acknowledgements
We acknowledge support from Enterprise Ireland (Forbairt), the National Science Foundation (NSF-INT-9729653 and NSF-EAR-0106388), the Petroleum Research Fund administered by the American Chemical Society (PRF 35893-AC8), the University of Missouri Research Board (RB00-117), the University of Missouri MAGEP program, the Hugh E. McKinstry Grant fund, administered by the Society of Economic Geologists, the Geological Society of America (6259-98), the Horst and Jesse von Bandat grant fund administered by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Jefferson Smurfitt Corporation, and BHP Ltd. We thank the Irish mining industry, including Anglo American, Arcon, BHP, Minorco, Navan Resources, Noranda, Outokumpu, Rio Algom, RTZ, and Tara Mines Ltd., for generously allowing access to core samples. We are obliged to Jamie Wilkinson for access to his unpublished research and to David Banks, Adrian Boyce, Kate Everett, Sally Eyre, Sarah Gleeson, Philippe Muchez, Padhraig Kennan, Peter Strogen, and Jamie Wilkinson for their insight and advice during countless discussions of the Irish carbonate-hosted ore system.
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Johnson, A.W., Shelton, K.L., Gregg, J.M. et al. Regional studies of dolomites and their included fluids: recognizing multiple chemically distinct fluids during the complex diagenetic history of Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian) rocks of the Irish Zn-Pb ore field. Miner Petrol 96, 1–18 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-008-0038-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-008-0038-x