Abstract
Thermodynamic data for binary tellurides are compiled and combined with available data for sulfides and oxides to calculate phase relations among tellurides, sulfides, and oxides at low temperatures (100°-300°C). Limits on the natural range in f Te2, f S2, and f O2 values during telluride deposition and/or reequilibrium are estimated from natural assemblages relative to reactions, such as 2Fe 3O 4 + 3S 2 + 3Te 2 = 3FeS 2 + 3FeTe 2 + 4O 2 and 2HgS + Te 2 = 2HgTe + S 2. Calculated equilibria show that tellurides of Mo, Sn, Mn and Zn are unstable with respect to corresponding sulfides and/or oxides in natural systems and that some tellurides, such as As 2Te 3 are likely to occur in nature, although they have not yet been found as minerals. The composition of electrum in equilibrium with hessite is useful as a sliding-scale indicator of the fugacity of Te 2 at relatively low values of f Te2. The calculated phase relations explain particular associations or antipathies among ore minerals and may be used to predict other minerals which should be present at equilibrium. -Authors
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 377-394 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Economic Geology |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1988 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economic Geology
- Geochemistry and Petrology
- Geology
- Geophysics