Carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits frequently contain significant amounts of critical metals such as germanium in sphalerite. However, the textural and chemical controls leading to Ge enrichment remain poorly constrained. Based on textural observations and laser-ablation (multi-collector) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis, we investigate the origin, textural control, and incorporation of Ge in the Zhulingou carbonate-hosted Zn(-Ge) deposit, South China, which contains > 400t Ge at 97.9 ppm. Two hydrothermal stages (I and II) and three textural types of sphalerite (Sp1, Sp2, and Sp3) are recognized in stratabound and stockwork Zn(-Ge) orebodies. Acicular colloform Sp1 formed in stage I, whereas euhedral sector-zoned Sp3 is related to stage II. In acicular-euhedral Sp2, both Sp1 and Sp3 are observed. A large variation of Ge concentrations is observed with an average Ge of 1013 ppm in Sp1, decreasing to 621 ppm in Sp2 and to 492 ppm in Sp3. In the three types of sphalerite, Ge concentrations are not correlated to monovalent cations (Cu and Ag), indicative of unusual substitution mechanisms coupled to divalent cations such as Mn, Pb, or Cd. Trace element distribution, sulfur, and lead isotopes suggest that the deeply circulating brines interacted with Ge-rich basement rocks and mixed with shallow biogenic sulfur: This mixing process was certainly the main factor controlling the Ge endowment. The precipitation of acicular sphalerite was likely controlled by a combination of specific fluid conditions (i.e., low T and pH, and rapid mineral growth rate) and fluid mixing. These conditions leading to the formation of acicular sphalerite were favorable for Ge enrichment, compared to co-existing euhedral grains generally less rich in Ge.

以碳酸盐为主的 Pb-Zn 矿床通常含有大量关键金属，例如闪锌矿中的锗。然而，导致 Ge 富集的结构和化学控制仍然很差。基于结构观察和激光烧蚀（多收集器）电感耦合等离子体质谱分析，我们研究了华南竹林沟碳酸盐基 Zn(-Ge) 矿床中 Ge 的成因、结构控制和掺入。 > 400 吨锗，浓度为 97.9 ppm。两个热液阶段（I 和 II）和三种结构类型的闪锌矿（Sp1、Sp2 和 Sp3）在层状和网状 Zn(-Ge) 矿体中得到认可。第一阶段形成针状胶体Sp1，而自形扇形Sp3与第二阶段有关。在针状自面体 Sp2 中，观察到 Sp1 和 Sp3。观察到 Ge 浓度变化很大，Sp1 中的平均 Ge 为 1013 ppm，Sp2 中降至 621 ppm，Sp3 中降至 492 ppm。在三种类型的闪锌矿中，Ge 浓度与单价阳离子（Cu 和 Ag）无关，这表明与 Mn、Pb 或 Cd 等二价阳离子耦合的不寻常取代机制。微量元素分布、硫和铅同位素表明深循环卤水与富锗基岩相互作用并与浅层生物硫混合：这种混合过程无疑是控制锗禀赋的主要因素。针状闪锌矿的沉淀可能受特定流体条件（即低 T 和 pH 值，以及快速矿物生长速率）和流体混合的组合控制。