Trace element catalyses mineral replacement reactions and facilitates ore formation

Yanlu Xing (), Joël Brugger (), Barbara Etschmann, Andrew G. Tomkins, Andrew J. Frierdich and Xiya Fang
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Yanlu Xing: Monash University
Joël Brugger: Monash University
Barbara Etschmann: Monash University
Andrew G. Tomkins: Monash University
Andrew J. Frierdich: Monash University
Xiya Fang: Monash University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Reaction-induced porosity is a key factor enabling protracted fluid-rock interactions in the Earth’s crust, promoting large-scale mineralogical changes during diagenesis, metamorphism, and ore formation. Here, we show experimentally that the presence of trace amounts of dissolved cerium increases the porosity of hematite (Fe2O3) formed via fluid-induced, redox-independent replacement of magnetite (Fe3O4), thereby increasing the efficiency of coupled magnetite replacement, fluid flow, and element mass transfer. Cerium acts as a catalyst affecting the nucleation and growth of hematite by modifying the Fe2+(aq)/Fe3+(aq) ratio at the reaction interface. Our results demonstrate that trace elements can enhance fluid-mediated mineral replacement reactions, ultimately controlling the kinetics, texture, and composition of fluid-mineral systems. Applied to some of the world’s most valuable orebodies, these results provide new insights into how early formation of extensive magnetite alteration may have preconditioned these ore systems for later enhanced metal accumulation, contributing to their sizes and metal endowment.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21684-5

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