Trace elements in a porphyry copper deposit by atomic absorption spectrometry

This study concerns the origin of a porphyry copper deposit. For the study 25 rock samples were taken from a porphyry copper deposit. Rock samples were analyzed for these trace elements: strontium, barium, copper, zinc, and vanadium. The results indicated that elevation correlations are not apparent for copper, zinc, and vanadium content, but definite correlations appear between strontium and barium content. This study determined that strontium is one of the trace elements which could be used as a possible exploration guide to porphyry copper mineralization. This study also provided that distribution of trace elements demonstrates the presence of a regional difference in the strontium and barium contents of the sample locations between the Dome Peak Quadrangle area and the Agnes Mountain area of the Cloudy Pass batholith; the volcanics of the former possess higher levels of strontium and barium concentrations.Thesis (M.S.