Abstract
A comparison of ore-lead isotope ratios of Pb-Zn deposits hosted in Triassic carbonates of the Eastern and Southern Alps with the isotopic composition of trace leads of their host rocks, of Triassic volcanics, and of the underlying clastic sediments shows that these rocks could have supplied only part of the ore lead. The isotopic signature of feldspar lead from crystalline basement rocks, however, reveals that they must have contributed a significant amount of metal to these deposits. The presence of barite and of thallium is also indicative that feldspars were the main source of lead. Arsenic is one of the few important trace elements in these deposits and is known to occur in some areas of Lower Paleozoic metasediments in unusually high concentrations. Any model explaining the origin of these deposits must consider the extensive leaching of the basement and to some extent of the overlying clastic sediments as well. How the metal-bearing solutions entered the lagoonal back-reef areas is still open to question as feeder channels have not yet been positively identified. The results further demonstrate that the basement also acted as a metal source for galena-bearing deposits hosted in Permian sediments, vein-type deposits in Permian volcanics, and probably the barite-fluorite polymetallic deposits along a Devonian erosional surface in the Carnic Alps as well.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Assereto, R., Brusca, C., Gaetani, M., Jadoul, F.: The Pb-Zn mineralization in the Triassic of the Dolomites. Geological history and genetic interpretation. Industria mineraria (Inst. Geol. Paleont. Univ. degli Studi di Milano) 231:1–34 (1977)
Bechstädt, T.: The Pb-Zn deposit of Bleiberg-Kreuth (Carinthia, Austria): Palinspastic situation, paleogeography and or mineralization. Proc. 3rd. ISMIDA, Verh. Geol. B.A. 78/3:221–235 (1978)
Bjorlykke, A., Thorpe, R.I.: The source of lead in the Osen sandstone lead deposit on the Baltic shield, Norway. Econ. Geol. 77:430–440 (1982)
Brigo, L., Dulski, P., Möller, P., Schneider, H.-J., Wolter, R.: Strata-bound mineralizations in the Carnic Alps/Italy: A fruitless search for lithogeochemical indicators (in print)
Cerny, I.: Fazies und Pb-Zn-Vererzungen in den hangenden Raibler Schichten der Draukalkalpen. Mitt. Ges. Geol. Bergbaustud. Österr. 28:109–120 (1982)
Cerny, I.: Pb-Zn-Erzmobilisationen in Dolomitgesteinen der Draukalkalpen (Kärnten, Österreich). In: Petraschek, W.E. (ed.): Ore Mobilisation in the Alps and in SE-Europe, 31–35, Öst. Akad. Wiss., Schriftenreihe d. Erdwiss. Kommission 6, Wien 1983
Cumming, G.L., Richards, J.R.: Ore lead isotope ratios in a continuously changing Earth. Earth Plan. Sci. Lett. 28:155–171 (1975)
Cumming, G.L., Köppel, V., Ferrario, A.: A lead isotope study of the northeastern Ivrea zone and the adjoining Ceneri Zone (N-Italy): evidence for a contaminated subcontinental mantle. Contr. Mineral. Petrol. (in press)
Doe, B.R., Delevaux, M.H.: Source of lead in southeast Missouri galena ores. Econ. Geol. 67:409–425 (1972)
Frank, W., Klein, P., Nowy, W., Scharbert, S.: Die Datierung geologischer Ereignisse im Altkristallin der Gleinalpe (Steiermark) mit der Rb-Sr Methode. Tschermaks Min. Petr. Mitt. 23:191–203 (1976)
Frank, W., Kralik, M., Schabert, S., Thöni, M.: Geochronological data from the Eastern Alps. In: Flügel, H.W. et al. (eds.): Geodynamics of the Eastern Alps. 272–281, Deuticke, Wien 1987
Frisch, W., Neubauer, F., Satir, M.: Concepts of the evolution of the Austroalpine basement complex (Eastern Alps) during the Caledonien — Variscian Cycle. Geol. Rdsch., 73:47–68 (1984)
Godwin, C.I., Sinclair, A.J., Rayn, B.D.: Lead isotope models for the genesis of carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb, shale-hosted Ba-Zn-Pb, and silver-rich deposits in the Northern Canadian Cordillera. Econ. Geol. 77:82–94 (1982)
Kappel, E., Schroll, E.: Ablauf und Bildungstemperatur der Blei-Zink-Vererzungen von Bleiberg-Kreuth, Kärnten. Carinthia II, 172/92:49–62 (1982)
Kober, B., Lippolt, H.J.: Pre-Hercynian mantle lead transfer to basement rocks as indicated by lead isotopes of the Schwarzwald crystalline, SW-Germany. I: The lead isotope distribution and its correlation. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol 90:162–171 (1985a)
Kober, B., Lippolt, H.J.: Pre-Hercynian mantle lead transfer to basement rocks as indicated by lead isotopes of the Schwarzwald crystalline, SW-Germany. II: Lead isotope evolution of the European Hercynides. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol 90:162–171 (1985b)
Köppel, V.: Summary of lead isotope data from ore deposits of the Eastern and Southern Alps: Some metallogenetic and geotectonic implications. In: Schneider, H.J. (ed.): Mineral Deposits of the Alps. Proceed. IV. ISMIDA 1981. Springer Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg (1983)
Köppel, V.: Lead isotopes as tracers of the origin of metals in ore deposits and of the evolution of continental crust: examples from Western and Central Europe. In: Proceedings of the 27th International Geol. Congr. Metallogenesis and Mineral Ore Deposits Vol. 12:53–82 (1984)
Köppel, V., Schroll, E.: Lead isotopes of Paleozoic strata-bound to stratiform galena-bearing sulfidic deposits of the Eastern Alps (Austria). Implications of their tectonic setting. Schweiz. Miner. Petrogr. Mitt. 2–3:347–360 (1984)
Köppel, V., Schroll, E.: Herkunft des Pb der triassischen Pb-Zn-Vererzungen in den Ost- und Südalpen. Arch. Lagerst. Forsch. Geol. B.-A. 6:215–222
Marcoux, E.: Isotopes du plomb et paragenèses métalliques, traceurs de l'histoire des gîtes minéraux. Documents du B.R.G.M. No 117:1–289 (1987)
Michard-Vitrac, A., Albarède, F., Allègre, C.J.: Lead isotopic composition of Hercynian granitic K-feldspars constrains continental genesis. Nature 291:460–464 (1981)
Möller, P.: Development and application of the Ge/Ga-geothermometry for sphalerite from sediment-hosted deposits. In: Monograph Series on Mineral Deposits 25:15–30. Gebr. Bornträger Stuttgart (1985)
Schneider, H.J.: The influence of connate water on ore mobilization of lead-zinc deposits in carbonate sediments (Summary). Meeting on remobilization of ores and minerals (Cagliari), 315–320 (1969)
Schroll, E.: Geochemical characterization of the Bleiberg type and other carbonate-hosted lead-zinc mineralizations. In: Schneider, H.J. (ed.): Mineral Deposits of the Alps and of the Alpine Epoche in Europe. 189–197, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1983
Schroll, E.: Mineralisation der Blei-Zink-Lagerstätten Bleiberg-Kreuth (Kärnten). Aufschluß 35:339–350 (1984)
Schroll, E., Schulz, P., Pak, E.: Sulphur isotope distribution in the Pb-Zn deposit Bleiberg (Carinthia, Austria). Mineral. Deposita 18:17–25 (1983)
Schulz, O., Schroll, E.: Die Pb-Zn-Lagerstätten Bleiberg-Kreuth. Verb. Geol. B.-A. H. 3:375–386 (1977)
Schulz, O.: Ausgewählte Gefügebefunde in den Kalkalpinen Pb-Zn-Lagerstätten Bleiberg-Kreuth (Gailtaler Alpen, Kärnten). Arch. f. Lagerst. Forsch. Geol. B.A. 6:91–99 (1985)
Stacey, J.S., Kramers, J.D.: Approximation of terrestrial lead isotope evolution by a two-stage model. Earth & Planet. Sc. Lett. 26:207–221 (1975)
Sverjensky, D.A.: The origin of a Mississippi Valley-type deposit in the Viburnum trend, southeast Missouri. Econ. Geol. 76:1848–1872 (1981)
Tollmann, A.: Geologie von Österreich. Bd. 3, 718 pp. Deiticke Wien (1986)
Wolter, R., Schneider, H.-J.: Solerelikte in Erz und Nebengesteinen der Blei-Zink-Lagerstätte Bleiberg-Kreuth. Arch. f. Lagerst.forsch. Geol. B.-A. 6:201–208 (1985)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Köppel, V., Schroll, E. Pb-isotope evidence for the origin of lead in strata-bound Pb-Zn deposits in triassic carbonates of the Eastern and Southern Alps. Mineral. Deposita 23, 96–103 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206657
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206657