Trace metal nanoparticles in pyrite
Journal
Ore Geology Reviews
Journal Volume
42
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
32
End Page
46
ISSN
0169-1368
Date Issued
2011-11
Author(s)
Deditius, Artur P.
Reich, Martin
Kesler, Stephen E.
Ewing, Rodney C.
Hough, Robert
Walshe, John
Abstract
Hydrothermal pyrite contains significant amounts of minor and trace elements including As, Pb, Sb, Bi, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Au, Ag, Se and Te, which can be incorporated into nanoparticles (NPs). NP-bearing pyrite is most common in hydrothermal ore deposits that contain a wide range of trace elements, especially deposits that formed at low temperatures. In this study, we have characterized the chemical composition and structure of these NPs and their host pyrite with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), analytical electron microscopy (AEM), and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Pyrite containing the NPs comes from two types of common low-temperature deposits, Carlin-type (Lone Tree, Screamer, Deep Star (Nevada, USA)), and epithermal (Pueblo Viejo (Dominican Republic) and Porgera (Papua New-Guinea)).EMPA analyses of the pyrite show maximum concentrations of As (11.2), Ni (3.04), Cu (2.99), Sb (2.24), Pb (0.99), Co (0.58), Se (0.2), Au (0.19), Hg (0.19), Ag (0.16), Zn (0.04), and Te (0.04) (in wt.%). Three types of pyrite have been investigated: "pure" or "barren" pyrite, Cu-rich pyrite and As-rich pyrite. Arsenic in pyrite from Carlin-type deposits and the Porgera epithermal deposit is negatively correlated with S, whereas some (colloform) pyrite from Pueblo Viejo shows a negative correlation between As. +. Cu and Fe. HRTEM observations and SAED patterns confirm that almost all NPs are crystalline and that their size varies from 5 to 100. nm (except for NPs of galena, which have diameters of up to 500. nm). NPs can be divided into three groups on the basis of their chemical composition: (i) native metals: Au, Ag, Ag-Au (electrum); (ii) sulfides and sulfosalts: PbS (galena), HgS (cinnabar), Pb-Sb-S, Ag-Pb-S, Pb-Ag-Sb-S, Pb-Sb-Bi-Ag-Te-S, Pb-Te-Sb-Au-Ag-Bi-S, Cu-Fe-S NPs, and Au-Ag-As-Ni-S; and (iii) Fe-bearing NPs: Fe-As-Ag-Ni-S, Fe-As-Sb-Pb-Ni-Au-S, all of which are in a matrix of distorted and polycrystalline pyrite. TEM-EDX spectra collected from the NPs and pyrite matrix document preferential partitioning of trace metals including Pb, Bi, Sb, Au, Ag, Ni, Te, and As into the NPs. The NPs formed due to exsolution from the pyrite matrix, most commonly for NPs less than 10. nm in size, and direct precipitation from the hydrothermal fluid and deposition into the growing pyrite, most commonly for those > 20. nm in size. NPs containing numerous heavy metals are likely to be found in pyrite and/or other sulfides in various hydrothermal, diagenetic and groundwater systems dominated by reducing conditions.
Subjects
Nanoparticles
Ore deposits
Pyrite
Trace metals
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article