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Geology and geochemistry of the strata-bound sulfide deposits of the pyriton district, Alabama

Journal Article · · Econ. Geol.; (United States)
Massive sulfide deposits occur in the Hillabee Greenstone at Pyriton, Alabama. The Hillabee Greenstone represents Devonian tholeitic arc volcanism and occurs at the stratigraphic top of the Talladega slate belt in the northern Alabama Piedmont. Below the Greenstone, rocks in the lower part of the Talladega slate belt formed in a continental shelf environment. The entire Talldega slate belt has been metamorphosed to lower greenschist grade. The Pyriton sulfides are characterized by significant amounts of Cu and Zn, with subordinate amounts of Pb; Au and Ag are of quite low abundance. Dominant minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. The Pyriton deposits are interpreted to represent deposition of sulfides on the sea floor surface, distal from the volcanic and ore sources, which were to the southeast. Additional zones of sulfide enrichment might be expected downdip to the southeast, because the Hillabee host rock thickens in the general direction of the volcanic source. Refs.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Natl Lab, TN, USA
OSTI ID:
6700636
Journal Information:
Econ. Geol.; (United States), Journal Name: Econ. Geol.; (United States) Vol. 77:2; ISSN ECGLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English