Amphibole Control on Copper Systematics in Arcs: Insights from the Analysis of Global Datasets

This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. The published version of this Preprint is available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.05.034. This is version 6 of this Preprint.

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Authors

Nicholas Dewitt Barber , Marie Edmonds, Frances Jenner, Andreas Audétat, Helen Williams

Abstract

Copper, sourced from porphyry deposits formed in arc settings, is a critical resource, and is primarily sourced from magmas. However, the processes that shape the copper contents of arc magmas are up for debate. Existing models place emphasis on different petrological agents that explain large-scale trends in copper systematics. Previous studies have noted the 'Cu paradox,' where the magmas with high Sr/Y ratios, indicative of ore-forming potential, have the lowest copper concentrations. Here we compile a multidimensional database of volcanic whole rock compositions and couple it with simple petrological models to elucidate the controls on volcanic whole rock compositions with respect to Cu. We show that calc-alkaline, high Sr/Y magmas undergo major element modification caused by extensive amphibole and/or garnet fractionation, which promotes sulphide precipitation and copper depletion. We demonstrate the importance of amphibole fractionation as a globally important process that promotes both calc-alkaline differentiation and sulphide fractionation in arc magmas, as well as its role in signalling the right set of chemical conditions in magmas that ultimately feed copper porphyry deposits. This work also raises the possibility of amphibole as a geochemical and petrological indicator of potential porphyry-forming conditions in a magma, which we show should be readily detectable by a combination of different geochemical metrics. Despite their paucity in copper, high Sr/Y magmas are associated with porphyry deposits, implying that the propensity of magmas to form such deposits depends on factors other than a magma’s bulk copper content.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31223/X5NK52

Subjects

Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geology, Volcanology

Keywords

Magmas, Ore Deposits

Dates

Published: 2020-10-21 17:04

Last Updated: 2021-06-17 20:52

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License

CC BY Attribution 4.0 International

Additional Metadata

Conflict of interest statement:
None

Data Availability (Reason not available):
Data will be shared at a later stage! Currently the code is being compiled into more user friendly Jupyter Notebooks.