Changes in antimony isotopic composition as a tracer of hydrothermal fluid evolution at the Sb deposits in Pezinok (Slovakia)

Abstract

In this work, we investigated in situ isotopic compositions of antimony (Sb) minerals from two substages of the ore deposits near Pezinok (Slovakia). The δ¹²³Sb values of the primary Sb minerals range from −0.4 and +0.8‰ and increase progressively along the precipitation sequence. In the substage II, the early-formed gudmundite (FeSbS) shows in all sections the lowest δ¹²³Sb values, followed by berthierite (FeSb₂S₄), stibnite (Sb₂S₃), and valentinite (Sb₂O₃) with the heaviest δ¹²³Sb values. A similar trend was observed for the substage III, from the initially-formed stibnite, followed by kermesite (Sb₂S₂O), valentinite, senarmontite (both Sb₂O₃), and schafarzikite (FeSb₂O₄). The evolution can be rationalized by a Rayleigh fractionation model with a starting δ¹²³Sb value in the fluid of +0.3‰, applying the same mineral-fluid fractionation factor to all minerals. Thus, the texturally observed order of mineralization is confirmed by diminishing trace element contents and heavier δ¹²³Sb values in successively crystallized Sb minerals. Antimony in substage III was likely supplied from the oxidative dissolution of stibnite that formed earlier during substage II. The data interpretation, although limited by the lack of reliable mineral-fluid fractionation factors, implies that Sb precipitation within each substage occurred from an episodic metal precipitation, likely associated with a similar Sb isotope fractionation between fluid and all investigated Sb minerals. Large isotopic variations, induced by precipitation from a fluid as a response to temperature decrease, may be an obstacle in deciphering the metal source in hydrothermal ore deposits. However, Sb isotopes appear to be an excellent instrument to enhance our understanding on how hydrothermal systems operate.