Copper isotopic characteristics of the water system in the Dexing copper deposit, Jiangxi Province, and their geological significance

The stream water from the Dexing copper deposit has a wide range of copper isotope values(-5.8‰to +24.4‰), which are the highest reported values of the copper isotopic fractionation ever found. The mineral sources of copper dissolved in the water can be divided into chalcopyrite and pyrite with significantly different copper isotopic characteristics. According to the distribution of copper isotope values, three drainage sources were identified, i.e., orebody flowing water, orebody peripheral water and tailings water. Copper exists mainly as ions and particulate copper with different copper isotopic characteristics. The copper isotope values of the pyrite from tailings water have a great impact on the copper isotopic composition in stream water. Copper isotope has a good potential in tracing geological prospecting and monitoring the environment.