Textures and compositions of clinopyroxene in an Fe skarn with implications for ore-fluid evolution and mineral-fluid REE partitioning

Clinopyroxene is a common phase in a variety of hydrothermal ore deposits, notably in skarn deposits where it typically occurs as a major constituent. It commonly displays variations in texture and composition due to changing physicochemical conditions and contains relatively high concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), making it an important petrogenetic indicator. In this study, we integrate textural and geochemical investigations of clinopyroxene from the Baijian Fe skarn deposit (eastern China) to constrain the evolution of ore-forming fluids and provide significant new insights into partitioning of REEs between the clinopyroxene and hydrothermal fluids.