Transfer of sulfur and chalcophile metals via sulfide-volatile compound drops in the Christiana-Santorini-Kolumbo volcanic field

Abstract

Efficient transfer of S and chalcophile metals through the Earth’s crust in arc systems is paramount for the formation of large magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits. The formation of sulfide-volatile compound drops has been recognized as a potential key mechanism for such transfer but their fate during dynamic arc magmatism remains cryptic. Combining elemental mapping and in-situ mineral analyzes we reconstruct the evolution of compound drops in the active Christiana-Santorini-Kolumbo volcanic field. The observed compound drops are micrometric sulfide blebs associated with vesicles trapped within silicate phenocrysts. The compound drops accumulate and coalesce at mafic-felsic melt interfaces where larger sulfide ovoids form. These ovoids are subsequently oxidized to magnetite during sulfide-volatile interaction. Comparison of metal concentrations between the sulfide phases and magnetite allows for determination of element mobility during oxidation. The formation and evolution of compound drops may be an efficient mechanism for transferring S and chalcophile metals into shallow magmatic-hydrothermal arc systems.