Potential ZnS fossilization of gastropods (Middle Jurassic claystones from Central Poland)

The rich fossil fauna in the Middle Jurassic claystones that crop out in the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland is extensively replaced by sulfide minerals, mainly pyrite. Sphalerite (ZnS) is rare and restricted to the internal casts of gastropods, often together with framboidal and euhedral pyrite and calcite. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer study was undertaken to explain this curious association. The results show that although direct infilling of the carbonate shell, similar to processes occurring during pyritization, is probable, it does not explain all textures observed. We propose that the carbonate shells were initially infilled by calcite and iron sulfides and sphalerite subsequently replaced the calcite casts. Preferential occurrence of ZnS in gastropods could result from accumulation of higher concentration of zinc during the organisms' life. After death, this Zn was introduced into the carbonate making gastropods more prone to ZnS replacement. Formation of ZnS casts was probably a late diagenetic event as zinc content of the surrounding sediment does not appear to influence sphalerite formation.