LA-ICP-MS analyses of trace elements in zoned sphalerite: a study from the Maoping carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn(-Ge) deposit, Southwest China

•Fluctuations of temperature and fS2, which were driven by rock buffer, affected the distribution of trace elements at microscale.•Germanium is correlated to Cu in each zone of the zoned sphalerite with substitution mechanisms: Ge4+ + 2Cu+ ↔ 3Zn2+ and/or Ge2+ + 2Cu+ ↔ 2Zn2+ + vacancy.•Trace element concentrations in sphalerite and temperatures of the ore-forming fluid show that Maoping is a medium–high temperature carbonate-hosted deposit.