Nanoscale distribution of Ge in Cu-rich sphalerite
A large proportion of the critical elements resources Ge, Ga, and In are associated with sphalerite in Pb-Zn ore deposits. Germanium in sphalerite has been proposed to be structurally bound in the crystal lattice. Using a combination of microstructural, geochemical and nanoscale observations, we sho...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
2023
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| Online Access: | text http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/94712 |
| Summary: | A large proportion of the critical elements resources Ge, Ga, and In are associated with sphalerite in Pb-Zn ore deposits. Germanium in sphalerite has been proposed to be structurally bound in the crystal lattice. Using a combination of microstructural, geochemical and nanoscale observations, we show that Ge can be hosted in sphalerite crystal structure as well as nanoparticles of briartite (Cu2(Zn,Fe)GeS4). The structurally-bound Ge was preserved in undeformed sphalerite grains from the Saint-Salvy Pb-Zn vein deposit (France), whereas the briartite nanoparticles were observed in metamorphosed sphalerite from Arre. The briartite nanoparticles likely exsolved from sphalerite during the Pyrenean-Alpine metamorphism and deformation. The presence of nanoparticles may harden the sphalerite during crystal-plastic deformation and help to preserve the critical elements resources of Pb-Zn deposits during metamorphism. |
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