A widespread feature of Variscan siderite-Pb-Zn-Cu vein deposits in the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany, is an overprinting brought about by late-Variscan Sb-rich fluids which exploited the existing vein geometry. In a number of cases, this later event led to considerable textural modification of the primary sulphide assemblage. Sphalerite is a major component of the primary mineralization in the Stahlberg (Musen), Schone Freundschaft (Obersdorf) and Silberwiese (Oberlahr) deposits, Siegerland-Wied district and the Silbersand (Mayen) and Saarsegen (Altenahr) deposits in the Eastern Eifel. Primary sphalerite (sphalerite I) displays corrosion, replacement by a range of Pb-Sb-sulphosalts, partial dissolution and, ultimately, remobilization as a result of the overprinting event. Remobilized sphalerite has recrystallized (Sphalerite II) directly from the overprinting fluid. A comparable textural evolution is also noted in samples from the Dornberg-Aurora (Ramsbeck) mine, although, in this case, several distinct stages of textural modification and remobilization are recognised, resulting from a yet more complex sequence of vein emplacement. Microanalysis of sphalerite representing distinct stages of textural evolution in each of the deposits reveals extensive removal of Fe by diffusion ahead of the reactive replacement front. Second generation sphalerite contains only low contents of Fe. The data are consistent with theoretical predictions and experimental observations of interdiffusion of Fe and Zn in sphalerite in contact with a low Fe/Zn fluid. Interaction with the Sb-rich fluids was sufficiently prolonged to permit substantial textural and compositional modification of the primary sphalerite, particularly in the case of smaller grains close to the reaction front. However, relatively rapid cooling resulted in a cessation of interdiffusion before equilibrium between fluid and solid could be established.
