Abstract
Rhythmic copper sulphide bands occur in the Weissliegendes sandstones, in the footwall of the Kupferschiefer in the mining district of SW Poland. The δ 34S values of sulphides vary from −39 to — 44‰ (6–7‰ lighter than Kupferschiefer sulphides). The copper sulphides are represented mainly by digenite and chalcocite. According to microprobe results their Pb, Ni, Zn and Ag contents are similar to those in the Kupferschiefer. The bands are assumed to be formed by diffusion of bacterially produced hydrogen sulphide from the Kupferschiefer into the porous volume of the white sandstones containing dissolved copper. The sulphides were precipitated in almost equidistant bands, from top to bottom, probably according to the Ostwald-Prager supersaturation theory. The increase of isotopically heavier sulphur towards the lower levels in the sandstone might be explained by closing of the bacterial sulphate reduction system.
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Sawlowicz, Z., Wedepohl, K.H. The origin of rhythmic sulphide bands from the Permian sandstones (Weissliegendes) in the footwall of the Fore-Sudetic “Kupferschiefer” (Poland). Mineral. Deposita 27, 242–248 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00202549
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00202549