Hydromorphic dispersion of Cu and Mo over mineralized granodiorite in a high rainfall peaty area in Ireland: geochemical interpretation and case study

Dispersion of Cu and Mo in mainly ombrotrophic-type peat and till on mineralized Galway Granodiorite, Ireland, is controlled by high rainfall (leaching of surface peat), organic content of till, limonite/bog iron, Eh and pH. Sampling surface blanket peat should be avoided in mineral exploration due to downward leaching. Copper accumulates more effectively than Mo in slightly reduced basal peat, organic-rich till, and organic-rich drain and stream beds. Molybdenum, being more mobile, occurs in a much broader range of organic-rich till, and limonite-stained till and lakeshore sediments. Hence, Mo is a useful pathfinder for Cu. Mobility of Cu and Mo is low due to complexation and/or adsorption, hence overburden anomalies make reasonable drill targets.