Copper isotope fractionation in acid mine drainage

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2008.11.035· OSTI ID:951828

Kimball, Bryn E; Mathur, Ryan; Dohnalkova, Alice; Wall, A J; Runkel, R L; Brantley, Susan L

We surveyed the Cu isotopic composition of primary minerals and stream water affected by acid mine drainage in a mineralized watershed located in southwestern Colorado, USA. The δ⁶⁵Cu values (based on ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu) of local enargite (δ⁶⁵Cu = -0.01 ± 0.10‰; 2σ) and chalcopyrite (δ⁶⁵Cu = 0.16 ± 0.10‰) are within the general range of previously reported values for terrestrial primary Cu sulfides (-1‰ < δ⁶⁵Cu < 1). These mineral samples show lower δ⁶⁵Cu values than stream waters (δ⁶⁵Cu = 1.36 - 1.74 ± 0.10‰), with an average isotopic fractionation (quantified as Δ_aq-mino = δ⁶⁵Cu_aq – δ⁶⁵Cu _min, where Cuaq is leached Cu and Cu mino is the original mineral) of 1.60 ± 0.14‰ and 1.43 ± 0.14‰ for enargite and chalcopyrite, respectively.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 951828
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-60635; GCACAK; 26703; KP1504020; TRN: US200913%%146
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 73, Issue 5; ISSN 0016-7037
• Publisher: The Geochemical Society; The Meteoritical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
CHALCOPYRITE
COPPER ISOTOPES
DISSOLUTION
FRACTIONATION
ISOTOPE EFFECTS
LEACHING
MICROORGANISMS
PROSPECTING
SULFIDES
WATER
WATERSHEDS
acid mine drainage
extremophiles
copper isotopes
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory