第四纪黄土物源的时空差异研究现状及展望

黄土物源研究对揭示第四纪以来东亚大气环流格局的演化和构造—气候之间的相互作用具有重要意义。目前已应用多种物源示踪方法对黄土物源开展了大量研究,但对黄土物源时空差异规律及其动力学机制尚未取得较为一致的认识。在综合分析黄土物源研究现状的基础上,重点从影响~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr值和~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd值组成及单颗粒碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱构成的因素角度,分析了第四纪黄土的物源及可能变化,获得以下认识:(1)第四纪黄土沉积物的~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr值变化幅度可达0.002 580～0.004 949,远远超出实验室分析测试误差(0.000 018)或由Sr同位素衰变带来的影响(2.6 Ma时段小于0.000 026,1个冰期旋回小于0.000 001);~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd值亦发生了较显著变化(0.000 095～0.000 240),其变化幅度远大于实验室的分析测试误差(0.000 010)及衰变导致的~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd值(0.000 013)变化。因此,在黄土中检测到的Sr-Nd同位素组成的变化应具有较明确的地质意义。(2)第四纪黄土沉积物中无论全岩还是主要粒径组分的~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr值和~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd值的变化都与气候代用指标变化不同步,难以从气候变化角度进行解释,可能更多地反映了源区的变化。(3)与Sr-Nd同位素示踪体系相比,单矿物或单颗粒的物源示踪体系对物源区变化的响应更为敏感,在追踪第四纪黄土沉积物源区时空差异方面具有较明显的优势。(4)基于碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱对黄土物源的有限研究揭示黄土高原的黄土在地质历史时期可能发生了原始物源区显著的时空分异,特别是不同剖面都反映出了1.2 Ma前后黄土主要源区的变化,表明通过锆石U-Pb年龄谱研究黄土物源时空差异规律具有揭示岩石圈、大气圈、水圈耦合作用过程及历史的巨大潜力。     

特提斯喜马拉雅带江孜地区古近纪地层源区分析——对造山带早期地壳加厚的制约

特提斯喜马拉雅北亚带江孜地区上古新统-下始新统甲查拉组记录了喜马拉雅碰撞造山带的早期地壳加厚和沉积历史。本文我们报道了甲查拉组详细的碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄和全岩Sm-Nd同位素数据。甲查拉组由青灰色厚层的岩屑砂岩夹泥岩组成,不整合覆盖在宗卓组之上,碎屑锆石主要的峰值介于350～80 Ma, 900～470 Ma以及1 300～950 Ma,次要的峰值介于2 800～1 500 Ma。全岩⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr介于0.707 505～0.713 174,¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd介于0.512 206～0.512 355,ε_Nd(0)介于-5.52～-8.43。甲查拉组物源区以再循环的日喀则弧前盆地和上三叠统郎杰学群为主,少量物质来自雅鲁藏布江缝合带。上述研究表明,甲查拉组沉积在周缘前陆盆地的背景下,且特提斯喜马拉雅北亚带在始新世期间经历了明显的地壳加厚。     

中祁连西段黑沟梁子花岗岩的锆石U-Pb同位素年龄及成因

黑沟粱子花岗岩岩体为中祁连山带两段野马南山巨量花岗岩的一部分,出露于野马山南北缘,岩性为黑云母二长花岗岩。δ值、NK／A值、A／NCK值、Eu负异常、δEu值、ACF图解、⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr比值、εS_r、¹⁴⁷Sm／¹⁴⁴Nd比值、²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb比值、ENd值等岩石化学和同位素特征表明黑沟粱子花岗岩属钙碱性过铝质岩系,浆来源于地壳物质的重熔,具S型花岗岩特点。通过对黑沟梁子花岗岩的颗粒级锆石U-Pb同位素测年,获得²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U表面年龄统计权重平均值为(444±17)Ma。w(Nb)-w(Y)和w(Rb)一w(Y+Nd)图和R₁-R₂图解上两个样点均落入同碰撞花岗岩区,结合前人研究成果可以确定该岩体形成于板块碰撞阶段。该岩体的锆石U-Pb年龄的确定和成因的探讨对于深入研究祁连造山带的构造演化提供了一条重要的地质信息。     

沙茨基海隆(Shatsky Rise)白垩纪玄武岩的地球化学特征及其地幔柱-洋中脊相互作用过程

沙茨基海隆(Shatsky Rise)是白垩纪早期形成的西北太平洋大火成岩省,其成因和演化过程目前仍存在较大争议。本次研究对沙茨基海隆白垩纪玄武岩进行了全岩主量、微量元素、Sr-Nd-Pb同位素的分析。沙茨基海隆玄武岩主要属于拉斑玄武岩,具有较亏损的大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素以及较富集的重稀土元素的特征,没有明显的Eu异常(δEu=0.99～1.29),与正常洋中脊玄武岩(N-MORB)的微量元素配分模式较为相似。然而该系列玄武岩却具有相对较富集的初始⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(0.702986～0.703991)和¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd(0.513034～0.513194)同位素比值、较富集的²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(15.439～15.508)和²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(37.853～38.488)同位素比值,与富集的洋岛玄武岩(OIB)和岛弧火山岩的同位素成分较为相似,且源区混入高U/Pb比值(HIMU型)的富集地幔成...     

一种新的稀有金属矿床定年技术：微区原位Sm-Nd定年

¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd放射性同位素体系在地球科学研究中得到了广泛的应用,经典的同位素稀释-热表面电离质谱法(ID-TIMS)一直是Sm-Nd同位素高精度测定的基准技术,但具有耗时长、成本高、样品需求量大等缺点,并且难以揭示微观尺度单矿物所蕴含的地球化学信息。近年来兴起的微区原位分析,具有简单、快速、高空间分辨率的特点,可以从微米尺度示踪岩浆和热液的起源及演化过程。本文通过同时测定Sm和Nd同位素质量分馏系数,实现¹⁴⁴Sm对¹⁴⁴Nd干扰的准确校正,获得了人造玻璃、磷灰石、榍石、独居石等几种不同基体标准样品(NIST610、Durango、MAD-2、BLR-1、117531)精确的¹⁴³Nd^/144Nd比值,与推荐值在误差范围内一致。然而,由于Sm和Nd元素性质的差异,在激光剥蚀和质谱电离过程中会产生明显的元素分馏,导致¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd很难进行精确校正,本文通过在进样系统中引入液态气溶胶,有效克服了基体效...     

新特提斯洋晚白垩世演化特点:来自泽当共国日二长花岗岩年代学、地球化学及Sr-Nd同位素证据

为加深对西藏泽当地区新特提斯洋演化的认识,对西藏泽当蛇绿混杂岩带内的共国日二长花岗岩进行了岩石学、岩石地球化学、同位素及年代学等研究,研究显示:共国日二长花岗岩岩体规模小、岩性稳定,LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为(90.40±0.68)Ma,属晚白垩世;岩石地球化学具高硅、富铝、富钾、低钛和准铝质钙碱性花岗岩特征;轻稀土富集、重稀土亏损,具明显的负Eu异常,微量元素表现为相对富集Rb、K、Ba、Th、U等大离子亲石元素,显著亏损Nb、P、Ti等高场强元素;(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i=0.705 708~0.706 284,(¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_i=0.512 689~0.512 716,ε_Nd(t)=2.00~2.51。以上特征表明,位于泽当蛇绿混杂岩带内的共国日二长花岗岩属于I型花岗岩,由正常岛弧岩浆形成,应为晚白垩世新特提斯洋向北俯冲形成的岛弧环境下俯冲带上部地壳部分熔融的产物,其不属于泽当蛇绿岩的组成部分,表明在90 Ma前泽当洋内弧已经消失。     

冀北大滩盆地钾玄岩系列的厘定、岩石成因及与铀成矿关系

大滩盆地位于华北克拉通北缘隆起带和沽源—红山子铀成矿带西南段,盆地内五里营铀矿点赋存在义县期(早白垩世晚期)二长斑岩中。二长斑岩全岩为高钾、富碱、低钛、贫铁,富集轻稀土元素和大离子亲石元素,无明显Eu负异常,具有碱性系列和钙碱性系列的特征,属典型的钾玄岩系列;[n(⁸⁷Sr)/n(⁸⁶Sr)]_i为0.707290～0.707399(平均值为0.707343),[n(¹⁴³Nd)/n(¹⁴⁴Nd)]_i为0.511849～0.511895(平均值为0.511876),ε_Nd(t)值变化范围是-12.38～-11.49,[n(²⁰⁶Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb)]_i为17.236～17.343(平均值17.296),[n(²⁰⁷Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb)]_i为15.407～15.428(平均值为15.416),[n(<...     

甘肃龙首山地区古生代岩浆核杂岩隆起：来自金川矿区脉岩年龄与地球化学的证据

新元古代形成的金川铜镍硫化物矿床位于华北板块西南缘龙首山中部,由于古生代造山过程中的构造挤压作用及变质热液叠加,矿床中铜铂得到再次富集。矿区及周边出露大量古生代基性—中酸性脉岩与岩基,暗示龙首山地区古生代发生了岩浆核杂岩隆起作用。综合研究了矿区切穿赋矿岩体的辉绿岩脉、煌斑岩脉和花岗斑岩脉,通过锆石U-Pb定年,获得侵入金川铜镍矿床的花岗斑岩锆石U-Pb年龄为367.1±2.0 Ma;煌斑岩锆石U-Pb年龄为400.6～425.3 Ma;前期工作获得辉绿岩中锆石的U-Pb年龄为423.5±1.4 Ma。初步认定矿区各类脉岩的形成时代为古生代。岩石地球化学及同位素地球化学分析结果显示,辉绿岩样品的ε_Nd(t)值为-4.59～-1.58,(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i值为0.7056～0.7077;煌斑岩样品的ε_Nd(t)值为-2.97～-2.03,(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i变化范围为0.7083～0.7085;证明基性脉岩的...     

岩石铷-锶和钐-钕同位素标准物质的研制

通常样品的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr和¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd同位素比值分析采用SRM9⁸⁷、JNdi-1作为标准物质,它们分别是纯的碳酸盐和氧化物,适用于监控质谱测试过程。中国现有的钐-钕地质和铷-锶年龄标准物质,分别为玄武岩和钾长石,它们与很多地质样品的基质存在差别。仅有这两种基质的标准物质不能有效地监控不同地质样品Rb-Sr、Sm-Nd同位素分析过程,因此研制不同岩性的Rb-Sr、Sm-Nd同位素标准物质具有重要现实意义。本文采集中国典型地区的橄榄岩、榴辉岩和花岗岩作为候选物,严格按照《一级标准物质技术规范》(JJF 1006-1994)和《标准物质定值的通用原则及统计学原理》(JJF 1343-2012)等相关标准物质国家计量技术规范和国家标准,研制了橄榄岩、榴辉岩和花岗岩铷-锶、钐-钕同位素标准物质(编号为GBW04139、GBW04140、GBW04141),其中橄榄岩标准物质适用于高Mg、Fe,低Rb、Nd含量样品的分析,榴辉岩和花岗岩标准物质适用于含有难溶副矿物的岩石样品的分析。每个标准物质具有6个特性量值,Rb、Sr、Sm和Nd含量分布分别为0.16~64μg/g、12~560μg/g、0.1~3.2μg/g和0.3~15.3μg/g,⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr比值分布为0.70446~0.71309,¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd比值分布为0.51115~0.51267,同位素比值精度达到或优于同类标准物质。这些特性量值更接近实际样品,使用时将更加有效和方便。该系列标准物质可用于校准仪器和评价方法,并能有效监控实验室此类样品的铷-锶、钐-钕同位素分析过程。     

大兴安岭北段新林地区晚石炭世花岗岩的岩石成因及地质意义

大兴安岭北段新林地区晚古生代花岗岩主要出露在大乌苏和富西里附近,岩性主要为二长花岗岩,另有少量花岗闪长岩。对其中二长花岗岩样品进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年表明,大乌苏和富西里岩体侵位年龄分别为（303.7±2.2）和（300.5±0.5）Ma,均为晚石炭世岩浆活动的产物。花岗岩具有富硅（w（SiO₂）为66.77%~75.85%）、富碱（w（Na₂O+K₂O）为7.41%~8.69%）、高铝（w（Al₂O₃）为12.90%~16.22%）,低MgO、CaO、TiO₂的特点,属于钙碱性系列;铝饱和指数（A/CNK）为1.06~1.44,为过铝质岩石;镜下未见原生白云母、堇青石、石榴石等富铝矿物,不同于富铝的S型花岗岩;而w（P₂O₅）与w（SiO₂）负相关,呈I型花岗岩特征;富集LREE和Ba、Rb、K等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,与后造山I型花岗岩特征相似,应形成于拉张的构造环境。花岗岩的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr为0.712 938、¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd为0.512 386,（⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr）_i值为0.704 4,ε_Nd（t）值为-1.09,T_DM2=1 172 Ma,源区物质主要为中-新元古代从亏损地幔增生的地壳物质。结合区域研究成果,大兴安岭新林地区晚石炭世岩浆侵位活动与额尔古纳-兴安地块和松嫩地块碰撞拼合后岩石圈伸展环境有关。     

Mantle diversity beneath the Colombian Andes, Northern Volcanic Zone: Constraints from Sr and Nd isotopes

In order to provide mantle and crustal constraints during the evolution of the Colombian Andes, Sr and Nd isotopic studies were performed in xenoliths from the Mercaderes region, Northern Volcanic Zone, Colombia. Xenoliths are found in the Granatifera Tuff, a deposit of Cenozoic age, in which mantle- and crustal-derived xenoliths are present in bombs and fragments of andesites and lamprophyres compositions. Garnet-bearing xenoliths are the most abundant mantle-derived rocks, but websterites (garnet-free xenoliths) and spinel-bearing peridotites are also present in minor amounts. Amphibolites, pyroxenites, granulites, and gneisses represent the lower crustal xenolith assemblage. Isotopic signatures for the mantle xenoliths, together with field, petrographic, mineral, and whole-rock chemistry and pressure–temperature estimates, suggest three main sources for these mantle xenoliths: garnet-free websterite xenoliths derived from a source region with low P and T (16 kbar, 1065 °C) and MORB isotopic signature, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7030, and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio of 0.5129. Garnet-bearing peridotite and websterite xenoliths derived from two different sources in the mantle: i) a source with intermediate P and T (29–35 kbar, 1250–1295 °C) conditions, similar to that of sub-oceanic geotherm, with an OIB isotopic signature (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7043 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio of 0.5129); and ii) another source with P and T conditions similar to those of a sub-continental geotherm (>38 kbar, 1140–1175 °C) and OIB isotopic characteristics (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio=0.7041 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio=0.5135).     

Provenance of the Neoproterozoic Maricá Formation (Sul-rio-grandense Shield, Southern Brazil): Petrographic and Sm–Nd isotopic constraints

This paper reports the integrated application of petrographic and Sm–Nd isotopic analyses for studying the provenance of the Neoproterozoic Maricá Formation, southern Brazil. This unit encompasses sedimentary rocks of fluvial and marine affiliations. In the lower fluvial succession, sandstones plot in the “craton interior” and “transitional continental” fields of the QFL diagram. Chemical weathering probably caused the decrease of the ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios to 0.0826 and 0.0960, consequently lowering originally > 2.0 Ga T_DM ages to 1.76 and 1.81 Ga. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios are also low (0.511521 to 0.511633), corresponding to negative ε_Nd present-day values (− 21.8 and − 19.6). In the intermediate marine succession, sandstones plot in the “dissected arc” field, reflecting the input of andesitic clasts. Siltstones and shales reveal low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.511429 to 0.511710), ε_Nd values of − 18.1 and − 23.6, and T_DM ages of 2.16 and 2.37 Ga. Sandstones of the upper fluvial succession have “dissected arc” and “recycled orogen” provenance. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic ratios are also relatively low, from 0.511487 to 0.511560, corresponding to ε_Nd values of − 22.4 and − 21.0 and T_DM of 2.07 Ga. A uniform granite–gneissic basement block of Paleoproterozoic age, with subordinate volcanic rocks, is suggested as the main sediment source of the Maricá Formation.     

Geochemical constraints on the origin of bimodal magmatism at the Okinawa Trough, an incipient back-arc basin

The magmatism at the axial zone of the middle Okinawa Trough, a young continental back-arc basin, comprises a bimodal basaltic–rhyolitic suite, accompanied by minor intermediate rocks. We report major and trace element and Sr–Nd isotopic data for the intermediate to silicic suites, to provide constraints on their petrogenesis. The rhyolites, recovered as lava and pumice, fall into three geochemical groups (type 1, 2, and 3 rhyolites). Type 1 rhyolites have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7040–0.7042) and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.5128–0.5129) identical to those of associated basalts, and are characterized by highly fractionated REE patterns. Petrogenesis of type 1 rhyolites is explicable in terms of fractional crystallization of the associated basalt. In contrast, type 2 rhyolites and andesite have slightly higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7044–0.7047) but similar ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.5128) compared to those of the basalts. The compositions of type 2 rhyolite and andesite can be explained by assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) processes of the basalt magma; quantitative analysis suggests assimilation/fractional crystallization (M_a/M_c) ratios of ≤0.05. Hybrid andesite generated by mixing of evolved basalt and type 1 rhyolite is also present. We emphasize that mechanical extension in this part of the Okinawa Trough involves gabbroic lower crust that resulted from fractionation of mantle-derived basaltic magmas. Type 3 rhyolite occurs only as pumice, which makes its derivation questionable. This rhyolite has major and trace element compositions and Sr–Nd isotopic ratios, which suggests that it may be derived from volcanic activity on the southern Ryukyu volcanic front, and arrived in the Okinawa Trough by drifting on the Kuroshio Current.     

Magmagenesis in a subduction-related post-collisional volcanic arc segment: the Ukrainian Carpathians

Calc-alkaline magmatism in the south-west Ukraine occurred between 13.8 and 9.1 Ma and formed an integral part of the Neogene subduction-related post-collisional Carpathian volcanic arc. Eruptions occurred contemporaneously in two parallel arcs (here termed Outer Arc and Inner Arc) in the Ukrainian part of the Carpathians. Outer Arc rocks, mainly andesites, are characterized by LILE enrichment (e.g. K and Pb), Nb depletion, low compatible trace element abundances, high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, high δ¹⁸O and low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic ratios (0.7085–0.7095, 7.01–8.53, 0.51230–0.51245, respectively). Inner Arc rocks are mostly dacites and rhyolites with some basaltic and andesitic lavas. They also show low compatible element abundances but have lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ¹⁸O and higher ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.7060–0.7085, 6.15–6.64, 0.5125–0.5126, respectively) than Outer Arc rocks. Both high-Nb and low-Nb lithologies are present in the Inner Arc. Based on the LILE enrichment (especially Pb), a higher fluid flux is suggested for the Outer Arc magmas compared with those of the Inner Arc.

Combined trace element and Sr–Nd–O isotopic modelling suggests that the factors which controlled the generation and evolution of magmas were complex. Compositional differences between the Inner and Outer Arcs were produced by introduction of variable proportions of slab-derived sediments and fluids into a heterogeneous mantle wedge, and by different extents of upper crustal contamination. Degrees of magmatic fractionation also differed between the two arcs. The most primitive magmas belong to the Inner Arc. Isotopic modelling shows that they can be produced by adding 3–8% subducted terrigenous flysch sediments to the local mantle wedge source. Up to 5% upper crustal contamination has been modelled for fractionated products of the Inner Arc. The geochemical features of Outer Arc rocks suggest that they were generated from mantle wedge melts similar to the Inner Arc primitive magmas, but were strongly affected by both source enrichment and upper crustal contamination. Assimilation of 10–20% bulk upper crust is required in the AFC modelling, assuming an Inner Arc parental magma. We suggest that magmagenesis is closely related to the complex geotectonic evolution of the Carpathian area. Several tectonic and kinematic factors are significant: (1) hydration of the asthenosphere during subduction and plate rollback directly related to collisional processes; (2) thermal disturbance caused by ascent of hot asthenospheric mantle during the back-arc opening of the Pannonian Basin; (3) clockwise translational movements of the Intracarpathian terranes, which facilitated eruption of the magmas.     

Bimodal back-arc alkaline magmatism after ridge subduction: Pliocene felsic rocks from Central Patagonia (47°S)

Volumetrically minor microsyenites, alkali microgranite and related trachytic dykes intrude early Pliocene OIB-like alkali basaltic and basanitic flows of the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires in Central Patagonia (47°S–71°30′W), and occur together with scarce trachytic lava flows. Whole-rock K–Ar ages between 3.98 and 3.08 Ma indicate that the emplacement of these felsic rocks occurred more or less synchronously with that of the post-plateau basaltic sequence that they intrude, during a bimodal mafic–felsic magmatic episode devoid of intermediate compositions. Chemically, these rocks have A₁-type granitoid affinities and are characterized by high silica and alkali contents (60–68 wt.% SiO₂; 8.7–10.8 wt.% Na₂O + K₂O), major and trace elements patterns evidencing evolution by low-pressure fractional crystallization, and Sr and Nd isotopic signatures similar to those of coeval basalts ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_o = 0.70488–0.70571; (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_o = 0.512603–0.512645). Nevertheless, some of them have the most radiogenic Sr values ever reported for a magmatic rock in the Meseta and even in the whole Neogene Patagonian Plateau Lavas province ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_o = 0.70556–0.70571; (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_o = 0.512603–0.512608). In addition, very high contents of strongly incompatible elements in the most evolved rocks, together with Sr isotopic ratios higher than those of coeval basalts, suggest the occurrence of open-system magmatic processes. Continuous fractional crystallization from a primitive basaltic source, similar to post-plateau coeval basalts, towards alkali granites combined with small rates of assimilation of host Jurassic tuffs (AFC) in a shallow magmatic reservoir, best explains the geochemical and petrographic features of the felsic rocks. Therefore, A₁-type magmatic rocks can be generated by open-system crystallization of deep asthenospheric melts in back-arc tectonic settings.

In Central Patagonia, these  3–4 Ma old alkaline intrusions occur aligned along a  N160–170 trending lineament, the Zeballos Fault Zone, stacking the morphotectonic front of one segment of the Patagonian Cordillera. Intrusion along this fault zone occurred during the onset of a new transtensional or extensional event in the area, related to major regional tectonics occurring in possible relation with the collision of one segment of the Chile Spreading Ridge with the trench.     

Geochemical evidence for the Trindade hotspot trace: Columbia seamount ankaramite

The Columbia seamount 825 km offshore from Brazil at 20°S lies on the east–west ‘trace’ of the Trindade hotspot. Continental and oceanic magmatism believed to have originated with this hotspot is alkalic and SiO₂-undersaturated, and dates from 85 Ma in southern Brazil to <3 Ma on the islands of Trindade and Martin Vaz 1100 km offshore. An ankaramite (clinopyroxene 16 vol%) dredged from Columbia seamount (est. 10 Ma) conforms to this geochemistry with SiO₂-undersaturated Al-rich clinopyroxene (8–13 wt.% Al₂O₃) and rhönite. Clinopyroxene isotopic compositions are ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.703900, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd=0.512786, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=19.190, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.045, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=39.242 — resembling those for Trindade, except for slightly higher ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. The isotopic composition and abundance ratios among weathering-resistant Nb, La, and Yb suggest that Columbia seamount magmatism represents the present-day Trindade plume, but 10 million years earlier and perhaps when the plume manifested a signature of ‘contamination’ from subducted sediments. The Columbia seamount analyses provide the first quantitative assessment for the Trindade hotspot trace existing between the Brazil margin and Trindade, strengthening the case for a continuum of magmatism extending from the 85 Ma Brazilian igneous provinces of Poxoréu and Alto Paranaiba.     

Pre-Cenozoic intra-plate magmatism along the Central Andes (17–34°S): Composition of the mantle at an active margin

Sr–Nd–Pb isotope ratios of alkaline mafic intra-plate magmatism constrain the isotopic compositions of the lithospheric mantle along what is now the eastern foreland or back arc of the Cenozoic Central Andes (17–34°S). Most small-volume basanite volcanic rocks and alkaline intrusive rocks of Cretaceous (and rare Miocene) age were derived from a depleted lithospheric mantle source with rather uniform initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ( 0.5127–0.5128) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ( 0.7032–0.7040). The initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are variable (18.5–19.7) at uniform ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios (15.60 ± 0.05). A variety of the Cretaceous depleted mantle source of the magmatic rocks shows elevated Sr isotope ratios up to 0.707 at constant high Nd isotope ratios. The variable Sr and Pb isotope ratios are probably due to radiogenic growth in a metasomatized lithospheric mantle, which represents the former sub-arc mantle beneath the early Palaeozoic active continental margin. Sr–Nd–Pb isotope signatures of a second mantle type reflected in the composition of Cretaceous (one late Palaeozoic age) intra-plate magmatic rocks (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd  0.5123, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr  0.704, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb  17.5–18.5, and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb  15.45–15.50) are similar to the isotopic composition of old sub-continental lithospheric mantle of the Brazilian Shield.

Published Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of Mesozoic to Cenozoic arc-related magmatic rocks (18–40°S) represent the composition of the convective sub-arc mantle in the Central Andes and are similar to those of the Cretaceous (and rare Miocene) intra-plate magmatic rocks. The dominant convective and lithospheric mantle type beneath this old continental margin is depleted mantle, which is compositionally different from average MORB-type depleted mantle. The old sub-continental lithospheric mantle did not contribute to Mesozoic to Cenozoic arc magmatism.     

Andean subduction-related mantle xenoliths: Isotopic evidence of Sr–Nd decoupling during metasomatism

Sr–Nd isotopic analyses on some mantle xenolith samples from the Northern, Southern and Austral Andean volcanic zones exhibit radiogenic Sr enrichment without dramatic changing of the Nd isotopic composition. This anomalous effect (Sr–Nd decoupling) makes these samples plot displaced to the right side of the “mantle array” trend (here called the “MORB–OIB–BSE trend”) in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr vs. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic diagram. Such behavior reflects processes that took place in the mantle and can be related to: i) the mixture of a depleted mantle and an enriched source (enriched mantle II—EMII); ii) the mixture of a depleted mantle and a mixture of mantle-derived and slab-derived melts; and iii) a chromatographic process that occurs during the percolation of a metasomatic agent through the mantle.