THE 230Th/U DATING OF SULFIDE ORES IN THE OCEAN: METHODICAL POSSIBILITIES, MEASUREMENT RESULTS, AND PERSPECTIVES OF APPLICATION

Abstract

Hydrothermal sulfide ores discovered in 1978 (21° N East Pacific Rise, Pacific Ocean) and 1985 (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) have attracted great scientific and applied interest owing to high concentrations of many useful components (Cu, Zn, Au, and others) in them. Among various aspects of oceanic hydrothermal processes, the important issue of dating ore-forming stages remains poorly studied. Elucidation of this problem is crucial not only for reconstruction of the initiation and evolution of ore formation, but also for solution of several essential issues. Isotope geochronology of sulfide ores and metalliferous sediments is the main tool used for the dating.