11-6 Sn distributions in zircon- and cassiterite- bearing systems

Session: Applications of Igneous Petrology, Geochemistry, and Geochronology to Understanding Earth and Other Planetary Systems (Posters)

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Zircon (ZrSiO₄) crystals are accessory minerals that can incorporate quantifiable amounts of trace elements within their crystal structure. By researching zircon crystals formed in the same magmatic systems as cassiterite (SnO₂), we could potentially test and document geochemical signatures of Sn mineralization. This study investigates whether Sn partitioning in zircon could be used as an index for cassiterite crystallization. Petrography of zircon and cassiterite-bearing systems will be undertaken to understand the spatial distribution of mineralizing phases. Measurements of Sn concentrations of zircon within these samples will be undertaken to understand partitioning behavior in Sn-saturated systems. This approach aims to determine whether there is a systematic relationship between Sn-enriched zircons and the formation of cassiterite. Researching this relationship could provide a broad insight into Sn mobility during the ore-forming process. Due to the chemical and physical resistance of zircon, these grains are more often preserved in detrital systems compared to cassiterite. If Sn partitioning between zircon and cassiterite is measurable, then geochemistry may be used as a tool to identify economically viable deposits of Sn.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 1, 2026

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026SE-12855

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