Bushveld, Merensky Reef
Transvaal, South Africa
Magmatic (Ni-Cu-PGE, carbonatites)PGE (Pt, Pd) - Cu, Ni
- Type
- PGE reef in a layered intrusion
The world's largest reservoir of platinum-group elements (PGE). The reef is mineralised by Pt-Pd sulfides and formed through successive magma replenishments, with marked isotopic shifts between layers.
δ34S in ‰ (per mil) Values of the same system
Standard : V-CDT
| Value | Range | n | Mineral or matrix | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 ± 0.6 ‰ | sulfides (pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite) Mean at 1 standard deviation over 15 samples. Values are homogeneous over 250 km, between the eastern and western limbs. | Penniston-Dorland et al. 2012, Multiple sulfur isotope evidence for surface-derived sulfu… | ||
| 1.24 / 4.83 ‰ | pyroxenite (Two Rivers Platinum mine) Local values measured at the Two Rivers Platinum mine, within the usual range of the Merensky Reef. They complement the Bushveld averages of Penniston-Dorland (2012). | Magson et al. 2021, A Comparative Study of Sulfur Isotope Variations within the Flatreef … |
Δ33S in ‰ (per mil) Values of the same system
Standard : V-CDT
| Value | Range | n | Mineral or matrix | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.11 ± 0.02 ‰ | sulfides A positive, non-zero Δ33S indicates a sedimentary or surface-derived component in Bushveld sulfur. Notably, this MIF is preserved throughout the magmatic edifice. | Penniston-Dorland et al. 2012, EPSL |
Deposits of the same type
- Bushveld, UG2 chromitite South Africa
- Bushveld, Platreef South Africa
- Great Dyke (Main Sulfide Zone) Zimbabwe
- Rössing Namibia
- Pechenga Russia
- Jinchuan China
- Bayan Obo China
- Norilsk-Talnakh Russia
Cite this page
IsoFind Atlas (2026). Bushveld, Merensky Reef, isotope signatures. https://www.isofind.tech/isotopes/en/deposits/bushveld-merensky-reef/ (accessed 2026-10-06).
@misc{isofind2026bushveldmerenskyreefisotopesi,
title = {Bushveld, Merensky Reef, isotope signatures},
author = {{IsoFind Atlas}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://www.isofind.tech/isotopes/en/deposits/bushveld-merensky-reef/},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06}
}Updated : 2026-10-06