Role of geochemical barriers in forming sulfide ores in various geological environments

Based on long-term studies of cupriferous sandstone and shale deposits, as well as deepsea sulfide ores, various types of geochemical barriers where sulfides form are shown. Cupriferous sandstones and shales form as metals precipitate from redbed reservoir waters on H2S geochemical barrier. Syngenetic and epigenetic barrier types are identified. Oceanic sulfide ores from the Central Atlantic region were studied; as a result, a new hydrothermal-metasomatic sediment-hosted mineralization type was found, along with previously known sulfide ore types (massive ores on the seafloor and stockwork ores in substrate rocks). Geochemical seafloor sulfide formation environments and those in biogenic carbonate bottom sediments are examined.