Cd isotope fractionation during sulfide mineral weathering in the Fule Zn-Pb-Cd deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwest China

Highlights: • Determined Cd isotopic compositions in sulfides and different secondary minerals • Weathering could result in detectable Cd isotope fractionation (Δ^114/110Cd ≈ 0.33‰). • The δ^114/110Cd values and Cd contents decline linearly during weathering. • Mineral species and grain size control Cd isotope variations in secondary minerals. Zinc (Zn)-Lead (Pb) deposits are generally rich in cadmium (Cd), and the weathering of sulfide minerals in such deposits results in large releases of Cd into the environment. From an environmental and public health standpoint, understanding Cd sources and cycling is critical to identifying potential hazards to humans. In this study, the Cd isotope compositions (expressed as δ^114/110Cd) of secondary minerals such as anglesite (− 0.57 ± 0.03‰; 2 S.D.), granular smithsonite (0.04 ± 0.14‰; 2 S.D.), layered smithsonite (0.15 ± 0.40‰; 2 S.D.), hydrozincite (0.26 ± 0.01‰; 2 S.D.) and clay minerals (− 0.01 ± 0.06‰; 2 S.D.) from the Fule Zn-Pb-Cd deposit, Southwest China, are investigated to better understand the Cd sources and cycling in this area. Combined with our previous study (Zhu et al., 2017), the work herein elucidates the patterns of Cd isotopic fractionation during the formation processes of such secondary minerals and traces the weathering of these minerals into the ecosystem. The δ^114/110Cd values of secondary minerals exhibit the following decreasing trend: hydrozincite > large granular smithsonite > small granular smithsonite > anglesite. Although different amounts of Cd were lost during the formation of equally sized samples, no or minor variations in Cd isotopic composition were observed. However, significant isotopic differences were observed between different size fractions. These results demonstrate that the particle size of secondary minerals and weathering products of sulfide significantly influence Cd isotope composition and fractionation during natural weathering. This systematic fractionation provides an initial foundation for the use of Cd isotopes as environmental tracers in ecosystems and in the global Cd isotope budget.