Title: Hydrothermal Zircon U-Pb Dating and Geochronology of Quartz Vein-Type Gold Deposits:A Review
Abstract: Quartz vein-type gold deposit is the most important type of gold deposits in the world. However, the lack of minerals suitable for most conventional isotopic dating methods constrains the direct and precise dating. Recent development in mass spectrometry makes it possible to determine the age of auriferous quartz veins by U-Pb dating of zircons from quartz veins. Unfortunately, hydrothermal zircons that grow directly from mineralizing fluids and inherited magmatic or metamorphic zircons from wall rocks may coexist in the same vein. Such complexity poses significant problem while interpreting the U-Pb data. Thus, the key for zircon U-Pb dating of quartz vein-type gold deposit will be to distinguish hydrothermal zircon precipitated from ore-forming fluids from the inherited zircons. Combined studies of zircon morphology, internal texture, trace elemental geochemistry (including rare earth element), compositions of mineral and fluid inclusions will permit identification of hydrothermal zircons, which then can be precisely dated by SHRIMP or LA-ICP-MS methods to provide reliable age constraints of quartz vein-type gold deposits.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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