Stable Isotope Geochemistry of the Beishan Stratabound Sphalerite-Pyrite Deposit, Guangxi

Based on lead isotope data, it has been shown that lead in the Beishan stratabound sphalerite-pyrite deposit came mainly from the oldland and its underlying basement rocks and, subordinately, the Devonian itself or the sea water at that time. As to its primary source, upper crust lead was predominant, while lower crust lead or upper mantle lead was subordinate. Sulfur was formed mainly through bacterial reduction of marine carbonates. The carbon and oxygen isotopic analyses for carbonate rocks and minerals have demonstrated that carbonate rocks in the Beishan area are normal marine sediments. The isotopic characteristics of the carbonate rocks are intermediate between those of the northern Guangdong and central Hunan, but closer to those of the central Hunan basin. The formation of the Beishan deposit underwent: a depositional-diagenetic mineralization stage and a successive post-diagenetic enrichment-remoulding one.