Fluid-inclusion gases in sphalerite, galena, and dolomite from the Silesian-Cracow Zn-Pb district, Poland

The gases in fluid inclusions from samples of sphalerite, galena, and sparry dolomite from ore deposits in the Silesian-Cracow zinc-lead district were determined by mass spectrometry. The results show that CO2 is the major gas in the fluid inclusions with lesser amounts of CH4. Samples of galena and sphalerite also commonly contain H2S and short-chain hydrocarbon gases. Gases in sphalerite and galena appear to contain two end-member compositions, CO2-CH4 and CO2-H2S bearing fluid inclusions. The apparent end member compositions could represent chemically distinct generations of fluid inclusions trapped at different times or at least two distinct fluids present during ore formation. The presence of distinct fluid inclusion gas compositions is consistent with previous fluid inclusion studies that show the presence of multiple fluids during ore deposition. The presence of multiple fluids in the ore-forming environment could lead to ore precipitation through processes of fluid mixing.