Abstract:
Comparing with the fast spreading ridge, the hydrothermal sulfides, collected from the ultra-slow and slow Indian Ocean Ridge, would be expected to exhibit a unique mineralization model. Here, the mineral compositions, textural and geochemical features of hydrothermal sulfide ores were reported by using ore microscope, X-ray diffraction, Electron microprobe and ICP-AES/MS analysis techniques. Based on the mineralogical investigations, the sample AIR1 collected from Central Indian Ridge (CIR) Edmond hydrothermal field mainly consists of pyrite, marcasite and chalcopyrite and can be divided into early marcasite-pyrite stage (I), sphalerite-chalcopyrite stage (II) and later covellite-digenite stage (III), the hydrothermal fluid temperature experienced a low-high-low period. The sample AIR2 from Edmond field is predominantly composed of pyrite, marcasite and gypsum. The metallogenic period can be divided into early gypsum-marcasite-pyrite stage (I) and later colloidal pyrite-quartz stage (II). The fluid temperature experienced a shift from low to high period. The sample ISU1 from Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) Longqi hydrothermal field mainly consists of lepidocrocite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and marcasite. At the same time it can be identied to early lepidocrocite-marcasite-pyrite stage (I) and later sphalerite-chalcopyrite stage (II). The occurrence of sphalerite and chalcopyrite in the sample ISU1 reflects the rise of the later hydrothermal fluid temperature. The integrative geochemical analysis shows that the hydrothermal sulfides are relatively enriched in Fe, Co and Ni with comparatively low amounts of Zn and Cu. Furthermore, the sulfides recovered from Edmond field show the most similarity to that of hydrothermal sulfides from the site of EPR 21°N. In contrast with the sulfides from the slow spreading TAG hydrothermal system, the sulfides in the Indian Ocean Ridge character significantly higher Pb、Zn、Ag and Sr contents, and lower Cu and Fe contents.