略阳煎茶岭铜镍硫化物矿床Re—Os同位素年龄及其地质意义

采用矿石Re-Os同位素方法对陕西省煎茶岭硫化镍矿床矿石进行了成矿年代学研究,获得了878士27 Ma(1σ)的等时线年龄,首次厘定了该矿床成矿时代为新元古代,成岩成矿基本同时.通过对878 Ma硫化镍矿石初始Re-Os同位素体系的γOs计算和Re/Os值分析表明,其yOs和Re/Os值变化范围大,深部条带状矿石的Re/Os值仅为0.05,yOs为-6.70;块状矿石的Re/Os值范围为4.24～24.43,γOs为-15.37～+280.65,说明成矿过程中有壳源物质的混染;两件样品的γOs为负值(-15.37,-6.70),可能指示其超镁铁质岩浆来源于Re亏损地幔.煎茶岭超基性岩体年龄及其镍矿石的Re-Os等时线年龄与扬子克拉通北缘火山岩浆活动时间相对应,它们是扬子克拉通西北缘晋宁期构造岩浆成矿作用的产物.     

峨眉山玄武岩的输送通道:云南元谋朱布岩体

地幔柱成矿系统中,岩浆型Cu-Ni-PGE矿床是最重要成矿作用之一,世界上许多重要的岩浆型Cu-Ni-PGE矿床的成矿岩体,如布什维尔德、诺里尔斯克、大岩墙和Duluth Complex等都被认为是地幔柱岩浆活动的产物.     

赣南葛廷坑钼矿辉钼矿Re-Os年龄及其地质意义

赣南葛廷坑钼矿为产在花岗斑岩与围岩内外接触带的中型斑岩型钼矿床。通过对矿区含矿石英脉中7个辉钼矿样品进行Re Os同位素测定,获得等时线年龄及模式年龄的加权平均值分别为(1594±16)和(1588±13) Ma。等时线初始187Os为(0001±0055)ng/g,MSWD=17。葛廷坑钼矿形成于中侏罗世中晚期,其成矿年龄对应于华南中晚侏罗世第二成矿阶段(170～150 Ma),与区域内160 Ma左右的钨锡矿成矿作用基本一致。区域上华南钼的成矿时间具有连续性,在165～90 Ma均有发生。     

东天山梅岭铜矿床黄铁矿Re-Os等时线年龄:Os同位素不均一的结果

金属硫化物Re-Os等时线年龄的合理解释是揭示金属矿床成矿时代的关键.通过对新疆东天山梅岭铜矿床开展Re-Os同位素定年研究,结果表明浸染状和脉状矿石中黄铁矿样品在Os浓度和Os同位素比值方面都有很大的变化,这两类样品定义了很好的Re-Os等时线年龄,分别为523±59 Ma和707±99 Ma.由于得到的等时线年龄明显老于它们的实际地质成矿年龄,且187Os/188Os与普通Os的倒数（以1/192Os为例）之间存在着很好的相关性（R2分别为0.997 3和0.994 5）,因此这些样品存在着初始Os同位素组成不均一的现象,这些Re-Os等时线是混合等时线,没有地质意义.理论和数学公式推导显示观测到的Re-Os等时相关性是在形成时期没有达到完全的同位素平衡的二元混合的结果,这种同位素扩散不平衡产生的原因主要是在矿床形成时期Os同位素在金属硫化物与硅酸盐矿物之间的同位素扩散存在限制性.回归得到的Os的初始值更偏向于地壳值,表明矿床形成时期的地壳混染可能造成金属硫化物体系中的这种初始Os同位素不均一.因此,将Re-Os同位素体系应用于金属硫化物样品定年时,187Os/188Os与1/192Os之间是否存在相关关系可以作为Re-Os等时线年龄是否具有地质意义的判断标准.      

扬子克拉通东北缘岩石圈地幔的Re-Os同位素地球化学:大陆岩石圈地幔的形成和演化的制约

苏皖地区新生代碱性玄武岩中有丰富的地幔橄榄岩捕虏体 ,测定了 2 0多个样品的Re Os元素丰度和锇同位素组成 ,结果 :Re =0 .0 2 7× 10 - 9～ 0 .375×10 - 9,Os=0 .112×10 - 9～ 3.35× 10 - 9,1 87Os 1 88Os=0 .117～ 0 .134。由代理等时线法1 87Os 1 88Os Yb获得该区岩石圈地幔早期熔体亏损事件的年龄为 1.7Ga(中元古代 )。苏皖地区岩石圈地幔的古老性表明它是元古代后岩石圈拆沉 减薄作用的残余地幔部分。岩石圈地幔经过了亏损 富集多阶段演化。     

新疆喀拉通克铜镍硫化物矿床Re-Os同位素研究及其地质意义

喀拉通克铜镍硫化物矿石的Re-Os同位素测年结果为305±15(2σ)Ma。该数据表明产于阿尔泰山南缘的铜镍硫化物矿床形成于晚石炭世一早二叠世,与区内广泛发育的造山型金矿和浅成低温热液型金矿基本为同一时期。其等时线~187Os/~188Os初始比值为0．35±0．04,γ_Os仉值平均为183,表明在成矿过程及岩浆侵位期间有少量地壳物质加入成矿系统中。     

赣南园岭寨钼矿辉钼矿Re-Os年龄及其地质意义

赣南园岭寨钼矿为产在花岗斑岩与寻乌岩组变质岩内外接触带的大型斑岩型钼矿床.对矿区含矿石英脉中5个辉钼矿样品进行Re-Os同位素测定,获得等时线年龄及模式年龄的加权平均值分别为(161.1±3.9)Ma和(162±1)Ma.等时线初始187Os值为(0±2)ng/g,MSWD=0.50.园岭寨钼矿形成于中侏罗世中晚期,其...     

云南白马寨铜镍硫化物矿床Re-Os同位素定年及其地质意义

采用 Carius 管溶矿、蒸馏法分离 Os、丙酮萃取 Re 和电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)联合测定法,对云南白马寨岩浆岩型铜镍硫化物矿硫化物矿石进行了 Re-Os 同位素精确定年,得出其等时线年龄为259±18Ma(MSWD=0.028),~(187)Os/~(188)Os 初始值为0 455±0 024,相当于γ(Os(t)为 263。硫化物矿石 Re/Os 比值为11.56～21.04。研究结果显示,白马寨铜镍硫化物矿床成矿时代与峨眉大火山岩省主喷发期基本同时,其物质来源属壳-幔混合来源,壳源 Os 的加入量约为30%左右。     

铼-锇同位素体系、铂-锇同位素体系及二者的联合体系

本文对铼—锇同位素体系的基础原理进行了介绍,并提出了铂—锇同位素体系及其与铼—锇同位素体系进行联合应用的设想,在铼—锇和铂—锇的联合体系中,地幔作用过程及地壳—地幔之间的相互作用,将由~(187)Os/~(188)Os/~(186)Os/~(188)Os比值及其相应的γ_(UMR)~T(~(187)Os)和γ_(UMR)~T(~(186)Os)参数来进行描述。这一对比值和参数对地幔作用过程及地壳—地幔之间相互作用的描述,将会比目前所采用的单一~(187)Os/~(188)Os比值所作的描述更为深刻和准确。同时,在这两种同位素的联合体系中,由于铂及锇都聚集于地幔中,不易受地壳物质的污染,因而即使在铼—锇同位素体系受到地壳物质污染的情况下,我们仍可根据两个或两个以上的不合谐年龄值,通过与联合体系的合谐年龄曲线相交,而得到合谐年龄值。     

西藏当雄地区拉屋矿床磁黄铁矿Re-Os同位素测年 和成矿物质来源示踪

拉屋矿床位于西藏自治区当雄县境内,大地构造位置处于冈底斯成矿区申扎-旁多铜、银、铅、锌、金成矿带,为大型矽卡岩型铜铅多金属矿床。在系统研究拉屋矿床地质地球化学特征的基础上,以矿石的磁黄铁矿为对象,测定Re-Os同位素年龄,获得等时线年龄数据为(309±31)Ma,187Os/188Os的初始值为0.51±0.12,γOs值为306.90~880.29,Re/Os为20.46~80.46。上述结果,结合矿区野外地质特征和稳定同位素特征,证明拉屋矿床主要形成于晚石炭世来故期,其成矿物质来源于地幔,并在喷流过程中与地壳海底卤水汇合,遭受了壳源物质的混染,形成喷流成因矽卡岩型矿床。     

Pt-Os and Re-Os systematics of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario

We measured by negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry (NTIMS) Re, Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os in 26 samples of 18 Ni-Cu sulfide ores from the Falconbridge, McCreedy West, and Strathcona mines at Sudbury, Ontario. At McCreedy West and Falconbridge, the isochron Re-Os ages are 1835 ± 70 Ma and 1827 ± 340 Ma, and the initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios 0.514 ± 0.019 and 0.550 ± 0.024, respectively. The ages agree with the canonical value of 1850 ± 1 Ma for the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC). For Hangingwall and Deep Zone ores at Strathcona, the age of 1780 ± 7 Ma may reflect resetting by dyke activity. The high initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.934 ± 0.005 in these ores is distinct from those at McCreedy West and Falconbridge. Strathcona Deep Copper Zone ores have highly radiogenic Os giving a mean model age of 1883 ± 54 Ma that is similar to ages at McCreedy West and Falconbridge, but distinct from other Strathcona sulfides. Initial ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os in two Strathcona ores with low ¹⁹⁰Pt/¹⁸⁸Os average 0.119 826 ± 0.000 009 (n = 3) and 0.119 827 ± 0.000 004 (n = 3), respectively, with a grand mean of 0.119 827 ± 0.000 003. This ratio may be slightly lower than the chondritic value at that time. Similar ores at Falconbridge and McCreedy West show more scatter, averaging 0.119 855 ± 0.000 008 (n = 6) and 0.119 867 ± 0.000 020 (n = 3), respectively. These values are substantially suprachondritic. The Re-Os isotope systematics of Sudbury ores are clearly of crustal origin and may be derived from a binary mixture of Superior Province and Huronian metasedimentary rocks, with Strathcona, Falconbridge, and McCreedy West ores containing, respectively, 55%, 16%, and 12% of Os from Superior sediments. The suprachondritic ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os at McCreedy West and Falconbridge may be due to admixture of Archean or Paleozoic mafic rocks with ¹⁹⁰Pt/¹⁸⁸Os ≈ 0.1. No trace of the asteroid that produced the Sudbury Structure has been reported. At the Whistle mine S-poor olivine melanorite inclusions with high Ni and Os and low ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os may contain the signature of a magmatically fractionated asteroidal core contributing 1 to 2.5 % metal. The S-poor melanorite Ni and Os data are equally well explained by admixture of ≈40% mantle peridotite, however.     

滇东南八布杨万铜矿床硫化物Re-Os同位素年龄及其地质意义

滇东南八布地区发育一套晚古生代超镁铁质-镁铁质杂岩,是认识古特提斯分支洋构造演化的重要窗口,而其中以火山岩为赋矿围岩的杨万铜矿床,被视作区域找矿的突破点。目前,对这套超镁铁质-镁铁质杂岩的构造属性及赋存铜矿床的成矿时代及成因联系还存在争议。通过对杨万铜矿床中黄铜矿和黄铁矿进行Re-Os同位素定年,获得Re-Os等时线年龄为269±3 Ma,表明该矿床形成于早中二叠世,与火山岩(～270 Ma)大致同时;而初始187Os/188Os值为0.31±0.17,暗示成矿时存在热液流体与古海水的相互作用。区内玄武岩围岩和其它超镁铁质-镁铁质岩石的地球化学特征对比分析显示,八布超镁铁质-镁铁质杂岩为一套N-MORB型蛇绿岩组合,代表了古特提斯分支洋盆的洋壳残片。杨万铜矿床应划归为与古特提斯分支洋裂解有关的火山成因块状硫化物(VMS)矿床,其周边地区具有较好的找矿潜力。     

Advances in Re-Os Isotopic Dating in Geochronology of Hydrocarbon Accumulation

Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) isotopic dating applied to the geochronology of hydrocarbon accumulation has been the forefront of international research in the last 10 years and has achieved significant achievements. However, our current researches are lacking in Re-Os isotopic chronology on the geochronology of hydrocarbon accumulation. The successful application of the Re-Os geochronology has enabled the determination of accurate and precise depositional ages for Organic-Rich Sedimentary rocks (ORS), the establishment of timing constraints of oil generation or migration, and the fingerprinting of the source of oil. On the basis of literatures study both at home and abroad, this article mainly dealt with the principle of Re-Os isotopic dating and analyzed the accumulation processes of Re and Os in a seawater-sediment system. Meanwhile, the test samples, sample preparation and analytical methodology of Re-Os isotopic dating were summarized. The results revealed that the initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio could constrain the age of oil generation or migration, and effectively evaluated the relationship between source rock and oil. The radiogenic ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio showed a positively correlated relationship with source rock age. This article proposed that hydrocarbon mature, biodegradation and water washing had minimal or no effect on data scatter about Re-Os isochron. However, the effects of postdepositional mobility of Re and Os, variations in the initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio, and thermochemical sulfate reduction could result in data scatter. The reproducibility and accuracy of Re-Os age was also closely related to the sample particle size and sample amount. Compared with other isotopic dating, the biggest advantage of Re-Os isotopic dating is to study geological body related to accumulation process, and to obtain direct evidence of hydrocarbon accumulation period. From what was discussed above, the article discussed the existing problems and put forward the future hot research and development direction of Re-Os isotope system, so as to promote the deep development of relative theory and technology of Re-Os isotopic dating.     

Platinum-osmium isotope evolution of the Earth’s mantle: Constraints from chondrites and Os-rich alloys

Separation of a metal-rich core strongly depleted the silicate portion of the Earth in highly siderophile elements (HSE), including Pt, Re, and Os. To address the issues of how early differentiation, partial melting, and enrichment processes may have affected the relative abundances of the HSE in the upper mantle, ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os data for chondrites are compared with data for Os-rich alloys from upper mantle peridotites. Given that ¹⁸⁷Os and ¹⁸⁶Os are decay products of ¹⁸⁷Re and ¹⁹⁰Pt, respectively, these ratios can be used to constrain the long-term Re/Os and Pt/Os of mantle reservoirs in comparison to chondrites. Because of isotopic homogeneity, H-group ordinary and other equilibrated chondrites may be most suitable for defining the initial ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os of the solar system. The ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios for five H-group ordinary chondrites range only from 0.1198384 to 0.1198408, with an average of 0.1198398 ± 0.0000016 (2σ). Using the measured Pt/Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os for each chondrite, the calculated initial ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os at 4.567 Ga is 0.1198269 ± 0.0000014 (2σ). This is the current best estimate for the initial ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os of the bulk solar system. The mantle evolution of ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os can be defined via examination of mantle-derived materials with well-constrained ages and low Pt/Os. Two types of mantle-derived materials that can be used for this task are komatiites and Os-rich alloys. The alloys are particularly valuable in that they have little or no Re or Pt, thus, when formed, evolution of both ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os ceases. Previously published results for an Archean komatiite and new results for Os-rich alloys indicate that the terrestrial mantle evolved with Pt-Os isotopic systematics that were indistinguishable from the H-group ordinary and some enstatite chondrites. This corresponds to a Pt/Os of 2.0 ± 0.2 for the primitive upper mantle evolution curve. This similarity is consistent with previous arguments, based on the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os systematics and HSE abundances in the mantle, for a late veneer of materials with chondritic bulk compositions controlling the HSE budget of the upper mantle. It is very unlikely that high pressure metal-silicate segregation leading to core formation can account for the elemental and isotopic compositions of HSE in the upper mantle.     

Re–Os systematics of the Raobazhai peridotite massifs from the Dabie orogenic zone, eastern China

The Raobazhai ultramafic massif of the ultrahigh pressure Sulu–Dabie orogenic belt, central China, is thought to be a segment of subcontinental lithospheric mantle that was subducted and exhumed during the Triassic collision of the North China and Yangtze cratons. We performed a Re–Os isotopic study of peridotites from the massif, associated with major and trace element analysis and textural examination. Os (1.02 to 6.28 ppb) and Re (0.004 to 0.376 ppb) concentrations are typical of orogenic lherzolite values, and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios (0.1157 to 0.1283) are all similar to or lower than the proposed primitive upper mantle value. ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os is roughly correlated with ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os, and strongly correlated with Al₂O₃. These correlations can be explained by radiogenic ingrowth of ¹⁸⁷Os since an ancient partial melting event. T_MA model ages (1.7 to 2.0 Ga) of refractory peridotites from the lower massif are consistent with the model age (1.8 Ga) obtained from the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os vs. Al₂O₃ correlation at ~1% Al₂O₃. This age cannot distinguish the cratonic provenance of the Raobazhai massif, since similar Re–Os model ages have been obtained from both the North China and the Yangtze cratons. The poor quality of the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os vs. ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os correlation indicates that the Re/Os ratios were disturbed, perhaps during Triassic subduction. The mainly lherzolitic samples of the upper massif, which were most strongly affected by this process, have porphyroclastic textures with fine-grained olivine, pyroxene and amphibole neoblasts, suggesting Re mobility during recrystallization in the presence of fluids.Previous studies of ultramafic xenoliths from arc volcanics demonstrate that slab-derived melts or fluids can both scavenge mantle Os and add substantial amounts of radiogenic Os to the suprasubduction mantle. In Raobazhai, both trace element patterns and the abundance of hydrous phases provide evidence for extensive interaction with fluids during subduction and/or exhumation. Nevertheless, the strong correlation between ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and Al₂O₃, and the high Os concentrations of these rocks indicate that Os isotopic ratios, and probably even Os concentrations, were essentially unaffected by this process. Assuming that the arguments favoring a suprasubduction setting for the Raobazhai massif are valid, these data provide evidence that Os systematics are sometimes surprisingly robust, even above subduction zones.     

Os-Os systematics of Hawaiian picrites revisited: New insights into Os isotopic variations in ocean island basalts

Eighteen picrites (MgO > 13 wt.%) and three related basalts from six Hawaiian volcanoes were analyzed for ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os. Variations in these ratios reflect long-term Re/Os and Pt/Os differences in the mantle source regions of these volcanoes. ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios vary from ∼0.129 to 0.136, consistent with the range defined by previous studies of Hawaiian picrites and basalts. Samples with lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os are mainly from Kea trend volcanoes (Mauna Kea and Kilauea), and the more radiogenic samples are mainly from Loa trend volcanoes (Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Koolau and Loihi). As previously suggested, differences in ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os between volcanic centers are most consistent with the presence of variable proportions of recycled materials and/or pyroxenitic components in the Hawaiian source.¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios vary from 0.1198332 ± 26 to 0.1198480 ± 20, with some samples having ratios that are significantly higher than current estimates for the ambient upper mantle. Although the range of ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os for the Hawaiian suite is consistent with that reported by previous studies, the new data reveal significant heterogeneities among picrites from individual volcanoes. The linear correlation between ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os reported by a previous study is no longer apparent with the larger dataset. The postulated recycled materials and pyroxenites responsible for the dominant variations in ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os are likely not responsible for the variations in ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os. Such materials are typically characterized by both insufficiently high Os concentrations and Pt/Os to account for the ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os heterogeneities. The lack of correspondence between ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os variations and the Kea and Loa trends supports this conclusion.The primary cause of ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os variations are evaluated within the framework of two mixing scenarios: (1) metasomatic transport of Pt and/or ¹⁸⁶Os-rich Os into some portions of the Hawaiian source, and (2) interaction between an isotopically complex plume source with a common, Os- and ¹⁸⁶Os-enriched reservoir (COs). Both scenarios require large scale, selective transport of Pt, Re and/or Os. Current estimates of HSE concentrations in the mantle source of these rocks, however, provide little evidence for either process, so the dominant cause of the ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os variations remains uncertain.     

Variations in seawater osmium isotope composition since the last glacial maximum: A case study from the Japan Sea

Concentrations of Re and Os, and the isotopic composition of Os have been measured in the Japan Sea sediments to assess the response of the Japan Sea to glacial–interglacial climate change and associated weathering fluxes. The osmium concentrations in the sediment samples analyzed vary from 59 to 371 pg/g, and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os from 0.935 to 1.042. Only ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of sediment samples from dark laminations deposited under suboxic to anoxic conditions and having elevated concentrations of Re and Os, and with ≥ 80% hydrogenous Os are explained in terms of seawater composition. Lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os were observed for sediments deposited during the last glacial maximum (LGM) when planktonic foraminifera from the Japan Sea recorded lighter oxygen isotopic composition. Decrease in dissolved Os fluxes from continents and/or change in the composition of the dissolved load to the Japan Sea are suggested as the driving mechanisms for the observed lower LGM ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os. The results of this study, coupled with lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os during the last glacial observed at other sites from ocean basins with different lithology and contrasting sediment accumulation rates, suggest that this trend is characteristic of the global oceans.

Data from this study show that the Japan Sea recorded higher ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os during the current interglacial coinciding with excursions of oxygen isotopic compositions of planktonic foraminifera to heavier values. This is explained in terms of preferential release of ¹⁸⁷Os during deglacial weathering and/or higher continental Os flux driven by warm and wet climate. This study demonstrates that Os isotopic composition of reducing margin sediments has immense potential to track variations in the seawater composition. In addition, ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of reducing sediments may be used to draw inferences about local paleoceanographic processes in semi-enclosed basins such as the Japan Sea.     

Re–Os isotope systematics for the Lince–Estefanía deposit: constraints on the timing and source of copper mineralization in a stratabound copper deposit, Coastal Cordillera of Northern Chile

The Lince–Estefanía stratabound copper deposit in the Michilla district is one of the most important deposits in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile and is one of the most representative of this type of deposit. Chalcocite and bornite characterize the main stage of hypogene copper sulfide mineralization. Rhenium and osmium isotopes are used here to constrain the age of hypogene mineralization and the source of osmium contained in these ore minerals. A Re–Os isochron yielded an age of 160±16 Ma (2σ), with an associated initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 1.06±0.09 (mean square of weighted deviates=1.8). This age is consistent with available geochronological data from volcanic rocks that host the mineralization and associated alteration phases. The high initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio indicates a lower crustal component for the source of Os and, by inference, the Cu sulfides that contain this Os. Late hematite occurs as an isolated phase or, more commonly, is associated with the chalcocite–bornite and supergene chalcocite–covellite associations. Analyses performed on pure hematite indicate a disturbance of the Re–Os system, and hence, this mineral phase is not useful as a Re–Os geochronometer.     

Re-Os Dating of Sulfides from the Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit at Gacun, Southwestern China

Abstract. The Re-Os isotopic compositions of sulfide ores were analyzed for the Gacun, a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit in southwestern China, to constrain the timing of mineralization. Sulfide ores from the deposit have a wide range of Re and Os concentrations, varying from 80.2 to 1543.2 ppb and from 0.307 to 8.83 ppb, respectively, and yielded a limited field of high ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os and high ¹⁸⁷Os/188Os ratios, ranging from 1452 to 3309 and from 5.77 to 13.24, respectively. All sulfide samples yielded an isochron with an age of 217±28 Ma and an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of around 0.52±0.73. The Re-Os isochron age agrees with ages previously constrained by the other isotopic dating of the host rocks and fossil strata for the deposit. The rhythmic variation in ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os ratios within massive sulfide zone records a complicated process for ore-forming fluids episodically vented into the brine pool on the Mesozoic seafloor.     

Sources of osmium to the modern oceans: new evidence from the Pt-Os system

High precision Os isotope analysis of young marine manganese nodules indicate that whereas the composition of modern seawater is radiogenic with respect to ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os, it has ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os that is within uncertainty of the chondritic value. Marine Mn nodule compositions thus indicate that the average continental source of Os to modern seawater had long-term high Re/Os compared to Pt/Os. Analyses of loess and freshwater Mn nodules support existing evidence that average upper continental crust (UCC) has resolvably suprachondritic ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os, as well as radiogenic ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os. Modeling the composition of seawater as a two-component mixture of oceanic/cosmic Os with chondritic Os compositions and continentally-derived Os demonstrates that, insofar as estimates for the composition of average UCC are accurate, congruently weathered average UCC cannot be the sole continental source of Os to seawater. Our analysis of four Cambrian black shales confirm that organic-rich sediments can have ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios that are much higher than average UCC, but ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os compositions that are generally between those of chondrites and average-UCC. Preferential weathering of black shales can result in dissolved Os discharged to the ocean basins that has a much lower ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os than does average upper crust. Modeling the available data demonstrates that augmentation of estimated average UCC compositions with less than 0.1% additional black shale and 1.4% additional ultramafic rock can produce a continental end-member Os isotopic composition that satisfies the requirements imposed by the marine Mn nodule data. The interplay of these two sources provides a mechanism by which the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of seawater can change as sources and weathering conditions change, yet seawater ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os varies only minimally.