Articles | Volume 38, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-38-397-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-38-397-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
13 Jul 2026
Research article |
| 13 Jul 2026
| 13 Jul 2026
Hydrothermal quartz genesis revealed by the combination of SEM charge contrast maps, FTIR mapping, and LA-ICP-MS trace element geochemistry
Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
present address: NAWI Graz Geocenter, University of Graz, Department of Earth Sciences, Universitätsplatz 2/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
Nils B. Gies
Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Thomas Pettke
Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Jörg Hermann
Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Short summary
We investigate how trace elements are incorporated into quartz formed in magmatic–hydrothermal ore deposits, key environments for critical metal enrichment. By tracking Li, B, Al, Ti, and OH defects across crystal growth zones we reveal distinct trace element zonation patterns linked to temperature and pressure evolution during crystallization. We demonstrate that combined trace element data and mapping of quartz can be a powerful tool for understanding ore deposit genesis and prospecting ores.
We investigate how trace elements are incorporated into quartz formed in magmatic–hydrothermal...
