REE geochemistry of surface sediments in the Chukchi Sea

Rare earth elements (including the lanthanides and Y) have analogical chemical properties and low solubility, and they are not easy to transfer and take inter-element fractionation during geological processes such as weathering, disintegration, transporta…     

REE geochemistry of some alkali-rich intrusive rocks in China

Based on the REE analyses of about 300 samples from 40 alkali-rich intrusive rocks, a systematic study on the features of REE composition was made, and the major factors controlling the REE distribution are discussed. According to REE, trace elements composition and Sr, Nd isotopic characteristics, the source materials and petrogenetic process of the alkali-rich intrusive rocks were studied. The petrogenetic models of Zijinshan, Sairna, Nianzishan and Shanhaiguan alkali-rich intrusive rocks were calculated using multisequence fractional crystallization and assimilation fractional crystallization models. Project supported by the President Foundation of Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Distribution of rare earth elements in marine sediments from the Strait of Sicily (western Mediterranean Sea): evidence of phosphogypsum waste contamination

Concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), Y, Th and Sc were recently determined in marine sediments collected using a box corer along two onshore-offshore transects located in the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea). The REE + Y were enriched in offshore fine-grained sediments where clay minerals are abundant, whereas the REE + Y contents were lower in onshore coarse-grained sediments with high carbonate fractions. Considering this distribution trend, the onshore sediments in front of the southwestern Sicilian coast represent an anomaly with high REE + Y concentrations (mean value 163.4 μg g⁻¹) associated to high Th concentrations (mean value 7.9 μg g⁻¹). Plot of shale-normalized REE + Y data of these coastal sediments showed Middle REE enrichments relative to Light REE and Heavy REE, manifested by a convexity around Sm-Gd-Eu elements. These anomalies in the fractionation patterns of the coastal sediments were attributed to phosphogypsum-contaminated effluents from an industrial plant, located in the southern Sicilian coast.     

Geochemical characteristics of sediment as indicators of post-glacial environmental changes off the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea

Core NYS-101, which was recovered at a water depth of 49 m northeast of the Shandong Peninsula in the North Yellow Sea, penetrates the Holocene subaqueous clinoform that wraps around the Shandong Peninsula. The uppermost 18 m of this well-dated core was deposited after about 13 cal kyr BP during the post-glacial transgression. We focused on trace and rare earth element (REE) chemistries of the core sediments in the uppermost 18 m to investigate the sediment provenance and factors controlling the sediment composition. On the basis of down-core distributions of REE fractionation parameters and of ratios among REEs and other immobile elements, we divided the uppermost 18 m into three distinct compositional intervals: Interval 1 (above 6.08 m, from the time tens of years earlier than 6500 cal yr BP up to the present), Interval 2 (13.90–6.08 m, from about 8200 cal yr BP to the boundary between Intervals 1 and 2), and Interval 3 (below 13.90 m, from about 13,000 to 10,400 cal yr BP). The chondrite- and upper continental crust (UCC)-normalized REE fractionation patterns of Intervals 3 and 2 are similar to those of Yellow River sediments, but the patterns in Interval 1 are obviously different.     

A geochemical study of island-arc and back-arc tholeiites from the Scotia Sea

⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, REE and selected minor and trace elements are presented and compared for present-day volcanic rocks in the Scotia Sea.Tholeiitic basalts from the South Sandwich Islands show widely ranging contents of some lithophile elements, e.g. K₂O (0.09–0.55%) and Rb (1.55–14.2 ppm), but fairly constant Na₂O and Sr. Total REE contents range from about 4–20 times chondritic abundances with significant light-REE depletion and both positive and negative Eu anomalies. The variations in minor and trace element abundances are consistent with low-pressure fractional crystallization of plagioclase and clinopyroxene but only minor amounts of olivine. The⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of the parental magmas are thought be 0.7038–0.7039 and 0.51301–0.51314 respectively, and indicate derivation of at least some⁸⁷Sr from subducted ocean crust.The back-arc tholeiites in the Scotia Sea have lower⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7028–0.7033), similar¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.51305) and are variably light-REE-enriched(Ce_N/Yb_N= 1.0–1.6). Total REE contents are comparable to those of the South Sandwich Islands tholeiites.     

洞庭湖水质评价(2002-2004年)

采用化学连续提取和等离子质谱仪(ICP-MS)测定法,对安徽巢湖悬浮颗粒物中稀土元素的含量、赋存形态和配分模式进行了研究．结果表明:巢湖悬浮物中稀土总量在19．20-174．82mg／kg之间,东西两个湖区含量差异明显,东半湖区高于西半湖区．巢湖东西湖区悬浮物残渣态稀土元素具有截然不同的页岩标准化配分模式,东半湖区为轻稀土富集型,西半湖区为重稀土富集型,说明巢湖东西湖区具有明显不同的物质来源．巢湖东半湖区和西半湖区悬浮物稀土元素赋存形态比例也不同,东半湖区为残渣态>铁锰氧化物结合态>>有机结合态、AEC态;西半湖区为铁锰氧化物结合态>残渣态>>有机结合态、AEC态,这是由于巢湖水体从西到东受到的污染强度减轻造成的,稀土元素赋存形态可以作为判别湖泊污染程度的新依据．     

Geochemistry of rare earth elements in the mid-late Quaternary sediments of the western Philippine Sea and their paleoenvironmental significance

Based on a δ18O chronology,rare earth elements(REE) and other typical elements in sediments from core MD06-3047 in the western Philippine Sea were analyzed to constrain the provenances of the sediments and investigate quantitative changes in the Asian eolian input to the study area over the last 700 ka.Among the competing processes that might affect REE compositions,sediment provenance is the most important one.Provenance analysis suggests that the study sediments have two provenance end-members;local volcanic sources are dominant,and eolian dust from the Asian continent has a smaller contribution.During glacial periods,eolian input to the western Philippine Sea was enhanced.In contrast,material supply from local volcanics increased during interglacial periods.Changes in eolian input to the study area were probably related to the strength of the East Asian winter monsoon(EAWM) as well as aridity in the Asian continent on an orbital time scale,and were partly influenced by local control factors on shorter time scales.Therefore,we propose that the present study expands the application of the REE-based method for quantitatively estimating the eolian component from the mid-latitude northern Pacific to the low-latitude western Pacific.Additionally,the study preliminarily confirms the influence of EAWM-transported eolian material on sedimentation in the western Philippine Sea since 700 ka.     

REE in the Great Whale River estuary, northwest Quebec

We report rare earth element (REE) concentrations of a longitudinal profile within the estuary of the Great Whale River in northwest Quebec and in Hudson Bay. All of the measured REE have concentrations less than those predicted by conservative mixing of seawater and river water, demonstrating removal of the REE from solution. REE removal is rapid, occurring primarily at salinities less than 2‰. Removal of the REE is greatest for the light REE, and ranges from about 7% for the light REE to no more than 40% for the heavy REE. Fe removal is essentially complete at low salinity. The shape of the Fe and REE vs. salinity profiles is not consistent with a simple model of destabilization and coagulation of iron and REE-bearing colloidal material. A linear relationship between the activity of free ion REE³⁺ and pH is consistent with a simple ion-exchange model for REE removal.Surface and subsurface samples of Hudson Bay seawater are characterized by high REE concentrations and high La/Yb relative to average seawater. The subsurface sample has a Nd concentration of 100 pmol/kg and an ε_Nd of −29.3 ± 0.3. These characteristics are consistent with the high REE concentration, high La/Yb, and low ε_Nd of river inputs into Hudson Bay. These results indicate that rivers draining the Canadian Shield are a major source of non-radiogenic Nd and REE to the Atlantic Ocean. We estimate that outflow of water from Hudson Bay to the Labrador Sea could supply ≈ 30% of the non-radiogenic Nd in North Atlantic Deep Water.     

Discovery of Cu-Zn,Cu-Sn intermetallic minerals and its significance for genesis of the Mianning-Dechang REE Metallogenic Belt,Sichuan Province,China

The Mianning-Dechang REE metallogenetic belt is among the most important of its kind in China. The typical geologic features and multiple economically- valuable components in this belt have caught attention from more and more geologists. Wide investigations from petrology, petrochemistry to rare earth and trace element geochemistry, have been carried out recently, and a large quantity of geochemical data have already been obtained[1―11]. Maoniuping REE deposit is the largest of this belt,…     

Origin of the anomalies in light and middle REE in sediments of an estuary affected by phosphogypsum wastes (south-western Spain)

Sc, Y, Th, Cu and rare earth elements (REE) concentrations have been analyzed in 14 samples of surface sediments and in two gravity cores by means of ICP-MS. Mean concentrations of Sc, Y and Th in surface sediments are 6.23, 4.76 and 16.30 ppm, respectively, lower than those present in the Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Cu concentration in these sediments is very high, 1466 ppm, and is caused by inputs from the Odiel and Tinto rivers, affected by acid mine drainage. SigmaREE mean concentration is 106.8 ppm, lower than that observed in other rivers and estuaries. In the cores, Sc, Y and Th concentrations show a significant increase in the intermediate levels, between 10 and 40 cm depth. The same pattern exists with Cu, where concentrations of 4440 ppm can be reached. Vertical evolution patterns for Sc, Y, Cu and heavy REE (HREE) are similar, and contrary to those shown by Th, light REE (LREE) and middle REE (MREE). Plots of North American Shale Composite (NASC)-normalized REE data of surface sediments show a slight depletion in REE concentrations. Most samples present with middle REE enrichment relative to light REE and heavy REE. Conversely, samples of the intermediate levels of the cores show significant enrichment of REE relative to NASC and high values in the (La/Gd)NASC and (La/Yb)NASC ratios. These anomalies in the fractionation patterns caused by enrichments in LREE and MREE concentrations is related to the presence of high concentrations of Th. They were generated by effluents from fertilizer factories between 1968 and 1998 which used phosphorite as source material.     

The rare earth element compositions of the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow) river sediments

Thirty-four samples from the Changjiang and Huanghe were analyzed to characterize their rare earth element (REE) compositions. Although REE concentrations in the Changjiang sediments are higher than those of the Huanghe sediments, the former are less variable. Bulk samples and acid-leachable fractions have convex REE patterns and middle REE enrichments relative to upper continental crust, whereas flat patterns are present in the residual fractions. Source rock composition is the primary control on REE composition, and weathering processes play a minor role. Grain size exerts some influence on REE composition, as demonstrated by the higher REE contents of clay minerals in sediments from both rivers. Heavy minerals contribute about 10-20% of the total REE in the sediments. Apatite is rare in the river sediments, and contributes less than 2% of the REE content, but other heavy minerals such as sphene, allanite and zircon are important reservoirs of residual REE fractions. The Fe-Mn oxides phase accounts for about 14% of bulk REE content in the Changjiang sediments, which could be one of the more important factors controlling REE fractionation in the leachable fraction.     

Negative cerium anomalies in the rare earth element patterns of oceanic ferromanganese nodules

Ferromanganese nodules from the Bauer Basin of the south equatorial Pacific are unlike virtually all oceanic nodules so far analyzed in showing negative Ce anomalies in their REE abundance patterns. In comparison with similarly Cu-Ni-enriched nodules from the north equatorial Pacific they are depleted in REE by 50–80% and are heavy REE enriched relative to intermediate REE. The REE patterns can be accounted for by the input of hydrothermal iron oxyhydroxides and associated REE to the Bauer Basin and the transfer of the REE to the nodules because of diagenetic reactions in the sediment. The excess iron input also is reflected in lower Cu/Ni ratios in the nodules as compared with nodules from the north equatorial zone, apparently because of the larger proportions of a residual Fe phase in the nodules relative to todorokite. Cerium anomalies of the Bauer Basin nodules range from ?0.17 to ?0.29 as compared with +0.33 to +0.07 in the north equatorial Pacific but show a parallel sensitivity of Ce anomaly to Mn/Fe ratios of the nodules. Nodules with the more positive anomalies within each group have the smallest Mn/Fe ratios and have been subjected to the greatest seawater influence whereas nodules with the more negative anomalies have the largest Mn/Fe ratios and have been subjected to the greatest diagenetic influence.     

Study of the minerogenetic mechanism and origin of Qinghai nephrite from Golmud,Qinghai, Northwest China

Electronic microprobe analysis showed that all QN samples are mainly composed of tremolite and minor accessory minerals, such as diopside, calcite, serpentinite, and magnetite. According to the cation coefficients, the crystallo-chemistrygenesis illustration demonstrates that all QN deposits are contact metasomatic. Depending on the mole percent of Fe~(2+(3+))/(Mg~(2+)+Fe~(2+(3+)) and the content of Cr, Co, and Ni in all QN samples measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy(XRF) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS), green and azure-green QNs are characterized as serpentinite-related contact metasomatic deposit(S-type), whereas white, green-white, brown, blue-violet, yellow, and viridis QNs are dolomite-related contact metasomatic deposit(D-type). The assemblages and chemical composition of accessory minerals of the eight-color QN samples show evident characteristics, which reveal four possible ore-forming processes. We also measured trace and rare earth elements(REEs) in these samples through ICP-MS to deduce the origin of and the changes in metallogenic conditions. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of D-type QN exhibit moderately negative Eu anomalies with moderate light REE enrichment, flat heavy REE(HREE), and low(50)REE concentrations, similar to dolomitic marble. Green QN samples of S-type show enrichment in HREE and moderately negative Eu anomalies, which is consistent with characteristics of dunite. Whereas azure-green QN samples of S-type exhibit a right-dipping V-type curve with severe depletion in Eu(δEu=0.36–0.47), in accordance with the characteristics of gabbro from Yushigou ophiolite in North Qilian mountains. Furthermore, this finding is consistent with the content of trace elements and the petrographic analysis results. On the basis of several significant differences in the characteristic elements, which may have been affected by the metallogenic environment, we inferred the differences in oxygen fugacity and basicity of mineralization environments in different-colored QNs.     

Geochemistry of the Middle to Late Permian limestones from the marginal zone of an isolated platform (Laibin, South China)

Major, trace and rare earth elements were measured in 27 samples of the Middle to Late Permian limestones from the Tieqiao section located on the marginal zone of an isolated platform (Laibin, South China). Shale-normalized REE+Y patterns of all samples show notably negative Ce anomalies (0.21–0.66, average 0.33), slightly positive Gd anomalies (1.08–1.30, average 1.20), and positive Y anomalies with superchondritic Y/Ho ratios (36–91, average 55), which are consistent with those of modern shallow seawater. Their relative LREEs enrichment with higher Nd_SN/Yb_SN ratios (0.58–1.80) than those of modern shallow seawater (0.21–0.50) suggests complicated sources of REEs for all samples. Compared with geochemical features of sediments influenced by terrigenous particles and hydrothermal fluids, it is concluded that ambient shallow seawater was the primary source of REEs in these limestones. Comparing the indicators of REE+Y elements (ΣREE, Nd_SN/Yb_SN, Ce/Ce*, Gd/Gd*, Eu/Eu* and Y/Ho) in limestones with those in bedded cherts from the Tieqiao section, we consider that limestone and bedded chert have similar sources of REE+Y elements: ambient shallow seawater with more or less hydrothermal fluids. In addition, there is a completely negative correlation between CaCO₃ and SiO₂ contents in limestones and bedded cherts. These results imply that precipitation of CaCO₃ was inhibited by that of SiO₂ which was derived mainly from hydrothermal fluid, especially in bedded cherts from the Tieqiao section.     

Importance of vertical geochemical processes in controlling the oceanic profiles of dissolved rare earth elements in the northeastern Indian Ocean

Vertical profiles of dissolved rare earth elements (REEs) were obtained in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The REE concentrations at various depths in the Bay of Bengal are the highest in the Indian Ocean. This is attributable ultimately to the large outflow of the Ganges–Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy rivers, but the dissolved REE flux to surface waters alone cannot explain the large and near-constant REE enrichment throughout the entire water column. The underlying fan sediments serve as not a source but a sink for dissolved REE(III)s. Absence of excess ²²⁸Ra in the deep waters suggests that lateral input of dissolved REEs from slope sediments is also small in these regions. Partial (<0.3%) dissolution of detrital particles, which are carried by the rivers and lateral surface currents and subsequently settle through the water column, appears to be a predominant source for the dissolved REEs. Vertical profiles showing an almost linear increase with depth are common features for the light and middle REEs everywhere, but their concentration levels are variable from basin to basin and from element to element. This suggests that their oceanic distributions respond quickly to the variation of particle flux and its REE composition through reversible exchange equilibrium with suspended and sinking particles much like the case for Th. The relative importance of the vertical geochemical processes of reversible scavenging over the horizontal basin-scale ocean circulation with passive regeneration like nutrients decreases systematically from the light to the heavy REEs. Using a model, the mean oceanic residence times of REEs in the Bay of Bengal are estimated to range from 37 years for Ce to 140–1510 years for the strictly trivalent REEs. In the deep water of the Andaman Sea, isolated from the Bay of Bengal by the Andaman–Nicobar Ridge (maximum sill depth of ∼1800 m), the REE concentrations are almost uniform presumably due to rapid vertical mixing. The REE(III) concentrations are similar to that of ∼1250 m depth water in the Bay of Bengal, consistent with other oceanographic properties. However, the REE composition of the deep water appears to be altered slightly by preferential scavenging of the light REE(III) at the bottom boundary of the basin.     

Element geochemistry of weathering profile of dolomitite and its implications for the average chemical composition of the upper-continental crust--Case studies from the Xinpu profile,northern Guizhou Province,China

Geochemical behavior of chemical elements is studied in a dolomitite weathering profile in upland of karst terrain in northern Guizhou.Two stages can be recognized during the process of in situ weathering of dolomitite:the stage of sedentary accumulation of leaching residue of dolomitite and the stage of chemical weathering evolution of sedentary soil.Ni,Cr,Mo,W and Ti are the least mobile elements with reference to Al.The geochemical behavior of REE is similar to that observed in weathering of other types of rocks.Fractionation of REE is noticed during weathering,and the two layers of REE enrichments are thought to result from downward movement of the weathering front in response to changes in the environment.It is considered that the chemistry of the upper part of the profile,which was more intensively weathered,is representative of the mobile components of the upper curst at the time the dolomitite was formed,while the less weathered lower profile is chemically representative of the immobile constitution.Like glacial till and loess,the "insoluble" materials in carbonate rocks originating from chemical sedimentation may also provide valuable information about the average chemical composition of the upper continental crust.     

An evaluation of the behavior of the rare earth elements during the weathering of sea-floor basalt

We present rare earth element (REE) data for fresh and altered tholeiitic basalts sampled during a dredging transect at 23°N in the Atlantic Ocean and covering a time span of 0 to 57 million years. These data have been used to evaluate the behavior of the REE during low-temperature weathering processes. Compositional trends from altered basalt interiors to palagonitized rinds in individual pillow samples indicate significant mobility of the light REE: some elements are enriched by four orders of magnitude in rinds relative to interiors. The heavy REE show no selective mobilization and can be used in a normalization procedure which indicates that the light REE are enriched in altered interiors relative to fresh interiors of the basalts. Cerium behaves anomalously and accords with either its abundance in seawater or its fractionation from seawater during the formation of ferromanganese deposits.These results indicate that REE data from fresh glassy or crystalline basalt samples only may be used with confidence in petrological models.     

Geochemistry of carbonatites in Maoniuping REE deposit,Sichuan province,China

Carbonatites are rarely igneous rocks distributed on the earth. The rocks usually form ring complexes with alkalic rocks, occurring in the environments of continental rift, collisional oro-genic zone and oceanic island[1, 2]. Numerous facts and experiment…     

Rare earth elements in sediments of the Vigo Ria,NW Iberian Peninsula

The abundance and distribution of rare earth elements (REE) and their signatures in the Vigo Ria were studied from 50 samples of surface sediments and related to the geological formation in its watershed. The total amount of REE in the Ria is heterogeneous. It ranges from 220 mg kg⁻¹ in the southern middle Ria margin in the vicinity of the Galiñeiro geological shore complex, which contains REE-enriched minerals, to 2 mg kg⁻¹ near the Ria mouth due to dilution with high levels of carbonated biogenic particles (31% of Ca). Rare earth elements of the Ria sediments are considerably enriched in light-REE relative to heavy-REE (a LREE/HREE ratio of 9.7±1.6) and also show a slightly negative Eu-anomaly. Low European shale normalised REE patterns were distinguished in the innermost sediments of Vigo Ria, but were not correlated with Al. This suggests a minor contribution of REE from upstream freshwater inputs to the sediments in the middle Vigo Ria zone. Normalised REE ratios in the middle Ria imply that fine particles enriched in REE may be exported from the Ria to shelf mud patches and REE can be useful as sediment tracers of Ria input on the shelf.     

Rare earth element abundances in rocks and minerals from the Fiskenaesset Complex,West Greenland

Rare earth element (REE) abundances determined by activation analysis in rocks, plagioclase and mafic separates from the Fiskenaesset Complex are presented together with data on major and trace elements in the minerals. The REE data for the rocks and plagioclases are distinct from those of many other anorthositic complexes and the abundances are some of the lowest recorded for plagioclase from terrestrial anorthosites. The bulk and trace element compositions of the Fiskenaesset plagioclases show a number of similarities to those of lunar plagioclases. The plagioclases show a positive Eu anomaly of about 10 and a depletion in the heavy REE relative to the light ones. The mafic separates are enriched in the heavy REE relative to the light ones, and show no Eu anomaly except in one sample with a positive anomaly not attributable to plagioclase contamination. It is estimated, from experimental partition coefficient data, that the REE pattern in the magma at an early stage of fractionation was La (17×) to Lu (0.7× chondrites) with a possible positive Eu anomaly. This highly fractionated REE pattern may be attributed to partial melting of a garnet-bearing source.