Search

Rare earths and yttrium (REY) distribution patterns of the hydrosphere reveal systematic correlations of Gd and Y anomalies besides the non-correlated redox-dependent Ce and Eu anomalies. Eu anomalies are inherited by dissolution of feldspars in igneous rocks, whereas Ce, Gd and Y anomalies develop in aqueous systems in contact with minerals and amorphous matter. Natural, positive Gd and Y anomalies in REY patterns characterize high-salinity fluids from the Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan, the Great Salt Lake, USA, the Aral Sea, Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan, ground- and surface water worldwide. Extreme Gd anomalies mostly originate from anthropogenic sources. The correlation of Gd and Y anomalies at low temperature in water bodies differ from geothermal ones. In nature, dynamic systems prevail in which either solids settle in water columns or water moves through permeable sediments or sedimentary rocks. In both cases, the anomalies in water develop due to repeated equilibration with solid matter. Thus, these anomalies provide information about the hydrological history of seawater, fresh groundwater and continental brines. When migrating, the interaction of aqueous phases with mineral surfaces leads to increasing anomalies because the more hydrophillic Gd and Y preferentially remain in the aqueous phase compared to their nearest neighbors. The correlation coefficients between Gd and Y anomalies in groundwater is 0.5-0.9. In lakes and oceans, it is about 0.1-0.8, under anomalous conditions it can increase to 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Upper Critical Zone (UCZ) of the Bushveld Igneous Complex displays spectacular layering in the form of cyclic units comprising a basal chromitite layer overlain by a sequence of silicate cumulates in the order, from bottom to top, pyroxenite-norite-anorthosite. Electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses of chromite and silicate minerals in layers between the UG2 chromitite and the Merensky Reef reveal variations in major and trace element compositions that defy explanation with existing models of cumulate mineral- melt evolution. The anomalous features are best developed at sharp contacts of chromitite with adjacent anorthosite and pyroxenite cumulates. Here, chromite compositions change abruptly from high and constant Mg/(Mg+Fe2+) and Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios in chromitite layers to variable and generally lower values in chromite disseminated in silicate layers. Furthermore, the composition of disseminated chromites varies depending on the host silicate assemblage; for example, in Ti, V and Zn contents. Importantly, the abrupt change in chromite composition across the chromitite-silicate layer contacts is independent of the thickness of the chromitite layer and the estimated mass proportions of chromite to intercumulus liquid. Chemical variations in plagioclase are also abrupt and some are hard to reconcile with conventional models of re-equilibration with intercumulus liquid. Among those features is the decoupling of alkalis from other incompatible lithophile elements. In comparison with cumulus plagioclase, intercumulus poikilitic plagioclase in chromitite layers is enriched in rare earth elements but strongly depleted in equally incompatible Li, K and Rb. Strong alkali depletion is also observed in intercumulus pyroxene from ultramafic cumulates and chromitite layers. To explain these features, we propose a new model of post-cumulus recrystallization, which intensifies the modal layering in the crystal-liquid mush, producing the observed sequence of nearly monomineralic layers of chromitite, pyroxenite and anorthosite that define the cyclic units. The crucial element of this model is the establishment of redox potential gradients at contacts between chromite-rich cumulates and adjacent silicate layers owing to peritectic reactions between the crystals and intercumulus melt. Because basaltic melts are ionic electrolytes with Na+ as the main charge carrier, the redox potential gradient induces electrochemical migration of Na+ and other alkali ions. Selective mobility of alkalis can explain the enigmatic features of plagioclase composition in the cyclic units. Sodium migration is expected to cause remelting of previously formed cumulates and major changes in modal mineral proportions, which may eventually result in the formation of sharply divided monomineralic layers. The observed variations in ferric/ferrous iron ratios in chromite from the cyclic units and Fe distribution in plagioclase imply a redox gradient of the order of 0.9 log-units fO2, equivalent to a potential gradient of 60 mV. Preliminary estimates suggest that the resulting electrochemical flux of Na+ ions is sufficient to mobilize about one-third of the total Na content of a 1m thick mush layer within 10 years. The proposed electrochemical effect of post-cumulus crystallization is enhanced by the presence of cumulus chromite but, in principle, it can operate in any type of cumulates in which ferrous and ferric iron species are distributed unequally between crystalline and liquid phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isotopic composition of mafic small-volume intra-plate magmatism constrains the compositions of the sub-continental mantle sources. The Nd, Pb, and Sr isotope signatures of widespread late Mesozoic to Quaternary intra-plate magmatism in NE Africa (Sudan, South Egypt) are surprisingly uniform and indicate the presence of a high-μ (μ = 238U/204Pb) source in the mantle. The rocks are characterized by small ranges in the initial isotopic composition of Nd, Pb, and Sr and most samples fall within ε Nd ca. 3–6, 206Pb/204Pb ca. 19.5–20.5, 207Pb/204Pb ca. 15.63–15.73, 208Pb/204Pb ca. 39–40 and 87Sr/86Sr ca. 0.7028–0.7034. We interpret this reservoir as lithospheric mantle that formed beneath the Pan-African orogens and magmatic arcs from asthenospheric mantle, which was enriched in trace elements (U, Th, and light REE). Combining our new data set with published data of intra-plate magmatic rocks from the Arabian plate indicates two compositionally different domains of lithospheric mantle in NE-Africa–Arabia. The two domains are spatially related to the subdivision of the Pan-African orogen into a western section dominated by reworked cratonic basement (NE-Africa; high-μ lithospheric mantle) and an eastern section dominated by juvenile Pan-African basement (easternmost NE-Africa and Arabia; moderate μ lithospheric mantle). The compositions of the Pan-African lithospheric mantle and the MORB-type mantle of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden spreading centers could explain the Nd–Pb-Sr isotopic compositions of the most pristine Afar flood basalts in Yemen and Ethiopia by mixtures of the isotopic composition of regional lithospheric and asthenospheric sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic to Early Cretaceous magmatic arc of the Andes in northern Chile was a site of major additions of juvenile magmas from the subarc mantle to the continental crust. The combined effect of extension and a near stationary position of the Jurassic to lower Cretaceous arc favoured the emplacement and preservation of juvenile magmatic rocks on a large vertical and horizontal scale. Chemical and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions of mainly mafic to intermediate volcanic and intrusive rock units coherently indicate the generation of the magmas in a subduction regime and the dominance of a depleted subarc mantle source over contributions of the ambient Palaeozoic crust. The isotopic composition of the Jurassic (206Pb/204Pb: ∼ 18.2; 207Pb/204Pb: ∼ 15.55; 143Nd/144Nd: ∼ 0.51277; 87Sr/86Sr: ∼ 0.703–0.704) and Present (206Pb/204Pb: ∼ 18.5; 207Pb/204Pb: ∼ 15.57; 143Nd/144Nd: ∼ 0.51288; 87Sr/86Sr: ∼ 0.703–0.704) depleted subarc mantle beneath the Central and Southern Andes (18°–40°S) was likely uniform over the entire region. Small differences of isotope ratios between Jurassic and Cenozoic to Recent of subarc mantle-derived could be explained by radiogenic growth in a still uniform mantle source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ayopaya province in the eastern Andes of Bolivia, 100 km NW of Cochabamba, hosts a Cretaceous alkaline rock series within a Palaeozoic sedimentary sequence. The alkaline rock association comprises nepheline-syenitic/foyaitic to ijolitic intrusions, carbonatite, kimberlite, melilititic, nephelinitic to basanitic dykes and diatremes, and a variety of alkaline dykes. The carbonatites display a wide petrographic and geochemical spectrum. TheCerro Sapoarea hosts a small calciocarbonatite intrusion and a multitude of ferrocarbonatitic dykes and lenses in association with a nepheline-syenitic stock. The stock is crosscut by a spectacular REE-Sr-Th-rich sodalite-ankerite-baryte dyke system. The nearbyChiarackecomplex represents a magnesiocarbonatite intrusion with no evidence for a relationship to igneous silicate rocks. The magnesiocarbonatite (S REE up to 1.3 wt%) shows strong HREE depletion, i.e. unusually high La/Yb ratios (520-1,500). Calciocarbonatites (S REE up to 0.5 wt%) have a flatter REE distribution pattern (La/Yb 95-160) and higher Nb and Zr contents. The sodalite-ankerite-baryte dyke system shows geochemical enrichment features, particularly in Na, Ba, Cl, Sr, REE, which are similar to the unusual natrocarbonatitic lavas of the recent volcano of Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania. The Cerro Sapo complex may be regarded as an intrusive equivalent of natrocarbonatitic volcanism, and provides an example for carbonatite genesis by late-stage crystal fractionation and liquid immiscibility. The magnesiocarbonatite intrusion of Chiaracke, on the other hand, appears to result from a primary carbonatitic mantle melt. Deep seated mantle magmatism/metasomatism is also expressed by the occurrence of a kimberlite dyke. Neodymium and strontium isotope data (εNd 1.4-5.4,87Sr/86 Sr

Element concentrations and Pb isotope data are reported for the Khangilay, Orlovka and Spokoinoe granite massifs and their host rocks in the Orlovka–Spokoinoe mining district, Eastern Transbaikalia, Russia. The aim of the paper is to characterise the evolution trends and geochemical features of the Khangilay pluton and the Orlovka and Spokoinoe deposits and to study the genesis of the three granite massifs by examining fluid–rock and crust–mantle interaction in the evolution of granitoid magmatism. Zr/Hf, Y/Ho and Rb/Sr demonstrate that all three granite bodies show a continuous fractionation history from parental biotite–muscovite granites of Khangilay to highly evolved ore-bearing amazonite granites of Orlovka. Khangilay and its derivates Spokoinoe and Orlovka represent different evolution stages. REE patterns of the amazonite granites of Orlovka show a stronger Eu anomaly and more apparent REE tetrad effects in comparison with the less evolved granites of Khangilay. Pb isotope analyses indicate one common Pb source for all three granite massifs reflecting a homogenous source melt from which all magmatic members generated. Based on Pb isotope systematics two possible scenarios for the source of Li–F granites are proposed: (i) a crust–mantle source where a mixture of MORB and continental-derived material were brought together in the orogenic environment; and (ii) type II enriched mantle source where subducted continental material could have been strongly implicated in volcanic suites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Different geological, technogenic and environmental samples from the Orlovka–Spokoinoe Ta–Nb–Sn–W mining site and ore processing complex in Eastern Transbaikalia (Russia), were analysed for Pb, Y, Zr, Hf and rare earth elements (REE) to assess the effect of dust and metal dispersal on the environment within the Orlovka–Spokoinoe mining site. Potential source material analysed included ore-bearing and barren granites, host rocks, tailing pond sediments, and ore concentrates. Lichens and birch leaves were used as receptor samples. The REE enrichment relative to chondrite, the extent of the Eu anomalies, the enrichments of heavy REE (HREE), and Zr/Hf and Yb/Y ratios suggest that tailings, barren granites, and metasedimentary host rocks are the main sources of dust in the studied mining environment. In addition, calculated lead enrichment (relative to host rocks) suggests that the environment is polluted with Pb. Our results clearly demonstrate the potential of REE patterns and elemental ratios as a reliable technique to trace dust and metals sources and dispersal within a confined mining area offering a new tool for environmental assessment studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report a reconnaissance geochemical and Nd-isotopic study for 33 metaigneous and metavolcaniclastic rocks from the ca. 470 to 290 Ma old Gurvan Sayhan, Zoolen, Nemegt Uul, Bayanleg-Hatuu, and Tseel mountain ranges in southern Mongolia, in order to infer tectonic environments, test a recently proposed multiple terrane model, and explore the late-stage development of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Samples from the Gurvan Sayhan and the Zoolen ranges have a predominantly intermediate, calc-alkaline composition; they display LREE enrichment, excess abundances of fluid-soluble elements, and low concentrations of high-field strength elements. These data, in combination with high initial ε Nd-values of ca. +5 to +9, are consistent with a juvenile intra-oceanic arc. Some of the samples are chemically similar to adakites and high-Mg andesites and thus predictably evolved in forearc settings. The Gurvan Sayhan and Zoolen ranges have previously been considered as an island arc and accretionary prism, respectively. However, our data show indistinguishable, mutual, geochemical characteristics suggesting that both areas were part of a single intra-oceanic island arc-forearc. Samples from Nemegt Uul exhibit calc-alkaline, LREE-enriched island arc as well as tholeiitic LREE-depleted backarc-basin signatures of predominantly juvenile composition (initial ε Nd-values +6 to +10). We suggest that Nemegt Uul belongs to the Gurvan Sayhan and Zoolen island arc terrane rather than an accretionary prism, as previously proposed. Samples from Bayanleg-Hatuu and Tseel reveal LREE-enriched calc-alkaline arc as well as tholeiitic LREE-depleted to slightly enriched backarc-basin signatures. The remarkably wide range of initial ε Nd-values of ca. +8 to −6 indicates juvenile as well as old crustal material with mean residence times up to 1.5 Ga. Nd isotopic data for Bayanleg-Hatuu and Tseel suggest a variably rejuvenated margin of a Paleoproterozoic microcontinent with an associated backarc basin. Our Nd-isotopic data for the CAOB in southern Mongolia indicate a highly heterogeneous composition, and we conclude that a juvenile arc-backarc segment in the eastern study area was juxtaposed with a rejuvenated Paleoproterozoic microcontinent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]