Stable isotope data for sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen in minerals and gases and electron microprobe data for minerals from Sulphur Bank mercury mine, Lake County, California

Publication Date

2024-02-21

Start Date

2023-01-03

End Date

2023-10-24

Johnson, C.A., Muller, D.E., Alpers, C.N., Peek, S.E., Lowers, H.A., and Arribas, A., 2024, Stable isotope data for sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen in minerals and gases and electron microprobe data for minerals from Sulphur Bank mercury mine, Lake County, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9EQFOXX.

The data were collected to help achieve three objectives. The first objective was to develop a modern genetic model for ores that were an important source of mercury and sulfur for the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The Sulphur Bank locality provides an exceptional natural laboratory for research in ore genesis because the ore forming system is still active; mercury- and sulfur-bearing minerals continue to precipitate today from upwelling hydrothermal fluids. The second objective is to improve the understanding of stable isotope systematics of geothermal environments situated above the water table, which are traditionally referred to as steam-heated environments. The third objective is to establish isotopic signatures of the various sulfur reservoirs at the Sulphur Bank site so that stable isotope analysis can be used to identify source(s) of sulfuric acid in groundwater and surface waters. Sources of acidity are of interest because the acid content of the waters may influence the degree to which the waters can leach and remobilize mercury and other metals from rocks and legacy mine waste.

• USGS Data Release Products
• USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center