Geochemistry of hydrothermally altered rocks from the Asarel porphyry copper deposit, Central Srednogorie

The distribution of major and trace elements in hydrothermal alteration zones (propylitic, argillic, sericitic and advanced argillic) from the Asarel porphyry copper deposit is studied. Strontium was found to demonstrate the most characteristic behaviour among all studied elements – it is depleted from propylitic, argillic and sericitic rocks and concentrates in advanced argillic rocks where it is included in alunite and APS minerals. Manganese, Co, Ni, Zn, Cs, Y, MREE and HREE are strongly mobile and are depleted with increasing of alteration degree, while Rb concentrates in sericitic rocks. Titanium, Zr, V, Ta, Nb, Th, U and LREE have inert behaviour during alteration. Alunite, APS minerals and rutile are the minerals that control the geochemistry of trace elements in the zones of advanced argillic alteration.