Metal (copper) segregation in magmas

Abstract

Before precipitating to form porphyry-type deposits, metals are transported and concentrated into magmas. Ultimately, they can enter crystalline phases or segregate into the volatile phase. In both cases, partition coefficients determine the partitioning according to the ambient physico-chemical conditions. Metal partitioning between the melt and the magmatic volatile phase (MVP) is driven by their solubility. In this study, Cu has been selected as a test for metal segregation. We evaluate qualitatively the metal's behavior with respect to the melt or to the MVP by comparing the difference in chemical potential and polarizability between the fluid phase and dissolved copper compound. Maps of polarizability are drawn after computing the chemical reactivity parameters (electrophilicity, hardness, and polarizability) for various silicate melts; a synthetic fluid phase with water, CO2, S18 compounds and halogens; and Cu-compounds as a test metal. Cu-compounds show a better affinity with the fluid phase, enhanced by the presence of S in its reduced form. It explains how Cu could segregate into the fluid phase at the magmatic stage before being enriched by diffusion or melt/vapor partitioning, leading to late hydrothermal precipitation. The method should therefore be considered as a model for understanding the behavior of other metals and their segregation during the magmatic stage.