Elemental characterization of black shales of Khyber Pakthunkhawa (KPK) region of Pakistan using AAS

Black shale samples were collected from Chimiari Khyber Pakthunkhawa region of Pakistan and were analyzed for elemental compositions. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was utilized for the determination of elements in the digested solutions. The analysis of black shale was performed precisely with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 2%. Results showed that the samples contained high concentrations of Ca (11.98 %), Al (7.09%), Fe (3.03%), Mg (0.59%) and Ti (0.58%).     

An Insight on Future Development Approaches of Salt Lake Magnesium Resources: from the Current Situation of China’s Magnesium Industry

正Magnesium-bearing minerals discovered on the earth so far occur mainly as solid or liquid.The former include magnesite(Mg CO3),dolomite(Mg CO3·Ca CO3),carnallite(Mg Cl2·KCl·6H2O),bischofite(Mg Cl2·6H2O)and     

Geochemical characteristics of Cenozoic high-K igneous rocks from Liuhe-Xiangduo area, eastern Tibet

The major elements, trace elements and Nd-Sr isotopic composition of Cenozoic high-K igneous rocks and mafic deep-derived enclaves from the Liuhe-Xiangduo area, eastern Tibet, indicate the high-K igneous rocks are characterized as being enriched in Ca (CaO= 1.20% - 8.80% ), alkali (Na2O K2O= 3.47% - 10.65% ), especially K (K2O up to 5.96% ) and depleted in Ti (TiO2= 0.27% - 1.50% ). Their REE contents are very high (REE= 91.29 - 231.11 μg/g). Their REE distribution patterns are of the right-inclined type, characterized by intense LREE enrichment [(La/Yb)N= 7.44 - 15.73 ]. The rocks are distinctly enriched in Rb, Sr and Ba ( 46.3 -316 μg/g, 349-1220 μg/g and 386-2394 μg/g, respectively), high in U and Th ( 1.17 - 8.10 μg/g and 2.58 - 27.0 μg/g, respectively), moderate in Zr and Hf ( 87.5 -241 μg/g and 2.83 - 7.52 μg/g, respectively), and depleted in Nb and Ta ( 4.81 - 16.8 μg/g and 0.332 - 1.04 μg/g, respectively). In the primitive mantle-normalized incompatible element spidergram, U, K, Sr and Hf show positive anomalies, whereas Th, Nb, Ta, P, and Ti show negative anomalies. The rocks are strongly depleted in Cr and Ni ( 21.4 -1470 μg/g and 7.79 -562 μg/g, respectively), and their transition element distribution curves are obviously of type-W. The ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr)i ratios range from 0.704184 to 0.707539 ; ( 143 Nd / 144 Nd)i from 0.512265 to 0.512564 ; and ε Nd (t) from -6.3 to -0.4 . These geochemical features might suggest that the potential source of the high-K igneous rocks in the Liuhe-Xiangduo area is similar to the EM2, which may be similar to the material enriched K that is located under the crust-mantle mixed layer. The mafic deep-derived enclaves in the high-K igneous rocks belong to chance xenoliths. Their ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr)i ratios range from 0.706314 to 0.707198 ; ( 143 Nd / 144 Nd)i from 0.512947 to 0.513046 ; and ε Nd (t) from 7.0 to 9.0 . These geochemical features might indicate that the enclaves probably came from the depleted mantle. The P-T conditions of the enclaves also showed that the enclaves are middle-lower crust metamorphic rocks, which were accidentally captured at 20-50 km level by rapidly entrained high-K magma, whose source is over 50 km in depth.     

Hydrogeochemistry and Water Quality Evaluation along the Flow Path in the Unconfined Aquifer of the Düzce Plain,North-western Turkey

The Düzce Plain has a multi-aquifer system, which consists of a near surface unconfined aquifer, along with first and second deeper confined aquifers. Hydrochemical evolution and water quality are related to infiltration of the precipitation, recharge from the formations surrounding the plain, flow path of groundwater and the relationship between surface and groundwater. The groundwater in the unconfined aquifer flows towards the Efteni Lake and the Büyük Melen River. Surface waters are divided into two main hydrochemical facies in the study area: (a) Ca2+–HCO3?; and (b) Ca2+, Mg2+–HCO3-, SO42-. The groundwater has generally three main hydrochemical facies: (a) Ca2+–HCO3-; (b) Ca2+, Mg2+–HCO3-; and (c) Ca2+, Mg2+–HCO3-, Cl-. The hydrochemical facies "a" and "b" dominate within shallow depths in recharge areas under rapid flow conditions, while hydrochemical facies "c" characterizes shallow and mixed groundwater, which dominate intermediate or discharge areas (near Efteni Lake and Büyük Melen River) during low flow conditions and agricultural contamination. Calcium and bicarbonate ions, total hardness and electrical conductivity of total dissolved solids (EC–TDS) values increase along the groundwater flow path; but these parameters remain within the limits specified by the standards set for industrial and agricultural usages.     

Elemental profile of black shales

A black shale sample collected from the Chimiari site(Tarbela) was analyzed for elemental contents.Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES) was employed to determine major and trace elements in the digests.Precise analysis was accomplished for the black shales,which was better than 2.0%.Result shows that the shales are very rich in Ca(25439 μg·g-1),Fe(13933 μg·g-1),Ti(6932 μg·g-1),Al(5993 μg·g-1) and K(2730 μg·g-1).     

Study on Composition of Inclusions in Minerals and Simulation Experiment on Hydrothermal Metasomatic Process of the Bayan Obo Iron Deposit

On the basis of the mechanism of formation of mineral inclusions, it may be assumed that a certain relation exists between the compositions of fluid inclusions in various minerals formed at the same stage of hydrothermal activity. In order to study the genetic relationships between different minerals in the Bayan Obo iron deposit, the compositions(K~+, Na~+, Ca~+, Mg~+, F~+, Cl~+, CO_2~(2-), ΣSO_4~(2-) and pH) of inclusions in fluorite(23), hematite(13), magnetite(3), sodium pyroxene(2) and dolomite(5) from the main mine and the eastern mine were determined by using the vacuum decrepitation and leaching methods, and cluster analyses of the data on the compostions were made. The Q-mode cluster analysis indicates that some iron oxide minerals in the deposit are related to dolomite of sedimentary origin, while others are related to fluorite and sodium pyroxene--products of hydrothermal activity. The R-mode cluster analysis shows that the components of the leaching solution may be divided into two groups: one includes CO_2~(2-), Mg~(2+) and H~+(pH), which are obviously associated with dolomite; the other comprises Na~+, K~+, Ca~+, F~+, Cl~+ and SO_4~(2-), which may possibly represent the composition of hydrothermal solutions.The reaction of the Na-F-Cl solution(pH 4.72) with hematite dolomite at 300℃ and 5 × 10~7 Pa and under alternately"static and dynamic" conditions produced large amounts of hematite and fluorite and small amounts of smectite and Na(Fe) silicates, and the hematite-fluorite assemblage accords with the actual geological conditions in the deposit. From a comparison between the compositions of"static" and"dynamic" solution samples, it may be known that the flow reaction facilitates the migration of Fe, F, Ca and other components as well as Na-metasomatism(Na and Si are fixed in a solid phase).The study of the compositions of mineral inclusions and simulation experiments on hydrothermal metasomatism have provided new evidence for the hypothesis of metamorphosed-sedimentary and hydrothermal-remoulding origin of the Bayan Obo deposit, and pointed out emphatically that hydrothermal metasomatism plays an important role in the formation of the mineral deposit, particularly in the main and the east mine.     

Weathering of phosphorus-bearing mineral powder and calcium phosphate by Aspergillus niger

The weathering of phosphorus-bearing mineral powder(PBMP) and calcium phosphate(CP) by Aspergillus niger was compared,and the mechanism involved was analyzed for the comprehensive utilization of PBMP.The concentration of water-soluble phosphorus(WSP),Mg2+,and Ca2+at different culture times,microstructures of particles,and mineral compositions was examined by ultraviolet-visible spectrometer(UV),atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).Results showed that the change in the concentrations of WSP,Mg2+,and Ca2+were related to the growth of A.niger and the different mineral compositions.Compared with CP,PBMP was weathered harder by fungi.Traces of the weathered mineral were found through SEM.CP not only showed traces of erosion damage but also appeared as a rhombohedron-like substance.The XRD test indicated that the weathering minerals can form water calcium oxalate.Further analysis revealed that the mechanism of PBMP and CP weathering by A.niger was the collaborative result of mycelium biomechanical effects and the acid-soluble role of acidic metabolites.The phosphorus dissolution rate of PBMP after 20 d was 46.83%,whereas that of CP after 12 d was 91.01%.The findings of this study are significant to the effective use of waste PBMP and to the exploitation of low-grade phosphate rock resources.     

Metallic Reserves of Submarine Manganese Nodules to be Estimated and Harnessed Prudently: Evidence from China’s Jiaolong Manned Submersible

Since the discovery of oceanic manganese nodules during the expedition of the British ocean-going ship Challenger from 1872 to 1876,research and development for seabed manganese nodules have never ceased owing to the huge economic inducements. Manganese nodules are the black or dark brown,spherical or massive Mn-bearing ores,deposits of which are found on the sea bottom.The nodules are a mixture of silicate and insoluble potassium permanganates (also with sub-Ti,Fe and Na permanganates) that contain more than 30 kinds of metallic elements,among which those of greatest economic interest are Mn (27-30％),Ni(1.25-1.5％),Cu(1-1.4％),Co(0.2-0.25 ％),Fe,Si,and Al,with minor amounts of Ca,Na,K,Ti,B,H and O.     

Ultrastructural Evidence for a Novel Accumulation of Ca in a Microbial Mat from a Slight Acidic Hot Spring

<正>Microbial mats are ecosystems that can control or induce the precipitation of calcium(Ca) carbonate on Earth through geological time.In the present study,we report on a novel accumulation of Ca,together with iron(Fe),in a microbial mat collected from a slight acidic hot spring(pH=5.9) in south China.Combining an array of approaches,including environmental scanning electron microscopy,X-ray microanalysis,transmission electron microscopy,and selected area electron diffraction,we provide ultrastructral evidence for amorphous acicular aggregates containing Ca and Fe associated with cyanobacteria precipitating in the microbial mats.Cyanobacterial photosynthesis and exopolymeric organic matrixes are considered to be responsible for the precipitation of Ca.These amorphous acicular aggregates might imply the early stage of calcification occurring in microbial mats.Ca and Fe coprecipitation indicates another potential important way of inorganic element precipitation in hot spring microbial mats.Our results provide insight into the possible mechanism of cyanobacterial calcification and microfossil preservation in slight acidic hot spring environments.     

U-Pb zircon geochronology, geochemistry and kinetics of the Huaniushan A-type granite in Northwest China

The Huaniushan granite is located at the Beishan orogenic belt, northwestern China. At the contact zone between the granite and marble, a hydrothermal Pb-Zn and skarn Au deposit is formed. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 229.5±2.6 Ma (MSDW=0.93) for the Huaniushan granite, imply-ing its Late Triassic intrusion. Geochemistry analyses show that the Huaniushan granite is enriched in Si, K, Na, and REE, and depleted in Mg and Ca, with contents of SiO2 (70.8% to 74.4%), Na2O+K2O (8.8% to 10.2%), CaO (0.93% to 1.44%), and MgO (0.14% to 0.48%). REE is characterized by obvious negative Eu anomaly. Rb, Th, U, K, Pb, Nb, Zr and Hf elements are rich in the granite while Ba, Sr, P, Ti and Eu are deplete. The granite has a high (Zr+Nb+Ce+Y) abundance and 104 Ga/Al ratios. Petrology, major and trace elements data all indicate that the Hua-niushan granite is A-type granite which intruded in a post-collisional extensional tectonic setting. The magma was dominantly sourced from partial melting of crustal intermediate-felsic igneous rocks. Intensive magmatic activities and Au-Cu-Mo mineralization occurred throughout the Beishan orogenic belt during the period from ca. 240 to 220 Ma.     

Stable isotope profiles (Ca,O, C) through modern brachiopod shells of T. septentrionalis and G. vitreus: Implications for calcium isotope paleo-ocean chemistry

Brachiopod shells are widely used as an archive to reconstruct elemental and isotopic composition of seawater. Studies, focused on oxygen and carbon isotopes over the last decades, are increasingly extending to the emerging calcium isotope system. To date, only little attention has been paid to test the reliability of fossil brachiopods on their modern counterparts.In this context, the present study investigates two modern brachiopods, Terebratulina septentrionalis (eastern Canada, 5–30 m depth, 7.1 °C seasonal temperature variation, two-layer shell) and Gryphus vitreus (northern Mediterranean, 200 m depth, constant all-year round temperature, three-layer shell). Both species were sampled along the ontogenetic growth direction and calcium, oxygen, and carbon isotopes as well as elemental concentration were measured. Calcium isotopes were analyzed on TIMS. The elemental composition was analyzed by LA-ICP-MS and ICP-AES.The results indicate an intra-specimen δ^44/40Ca variation ranging from 0.16 to 0.33‰, pointing to a fairly homogenous distribution of calcium isotopes in brachiopod shells. However, in the light of the suggested 0.7‰ increase in calcium isotopes over the Phanerozoic such intra-specimen variations constrain ocean reconstruction. δ^44/40Ca values of T. septentrionalis do not seem to be affected by growth rate. Calcium isotopic values of G. vitreus are heavy in the central part of the shell and trend towards lighter values in peripheral areas approaching the maximum isotopic composition of T. septentrionalis. The maximum inter-species δ^44/40Ca difference of 0.62‰ between T. septentrionalis and G. vitreus indicates that care should be taken when using different taxa, species with different strontium content or brachiopods with specialized shell structure, such as G. vitreus, for ocean water reconstruction in terms of Ca isotopic composition. T. septentrionalis may record Ca isotopic fractionation related to seasonal seawater temperature variations in its shell but this is difficult to resolve at the current analytical precision. Average δ¹⁸O-derived temperatures of the two investigated species are close to on-site measured temperatures.     

镉同位素体系及其在地球科学和环境科学中的应用

镉是典型的亲硫元素,常赋存于各种硫化物矿床中.在环境体系中,镉是微生物所需的营养物质,其元素的循环受生物活动的影响.已有研究表明蒸发/冷凝过程、生物及无机过程都会导致镉同位素发生分馏,因此镉同位素研究在地球科学、环境科学具有独特的应用前景.与此同时,多接收器电感耦合等离子体质谱(MC-ICP-MS)技术的应用成功地实现了地质样品中镉同位素组成的高精度测量,使得镉同位素地球化学研究获得了蓬勃发展.本文基于当前最新研究成果,对镉同位素体系进行了详细综述,重点探讨镉的地球化学行为及同位素分馏机制,镉同位素在各物质储库中的分布特征及其在地球科学、环境科学中的应用,镉同位素测试技术.镉同位素地球化学的研究尚处于起步阶段,深入开展镉同位素分馏机理、完善镉同位素在各物质储库中的分布、建立统一的同位素标准体系的研究,将推动镉同位素在地球科学和环境科学领域的广泛应用.     

Calcium Isotopic Fractionation and Compositions of Geochemical Reference Materials

High‐precision calcium isotopic compositions of a set of geological reference materials from the IAG (OU‐6), ANRT (UB‐N), MPI‐DING, USGS and GSJ, relative to NIST SRM 915a, are reported here. Measurements were performed by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (Triton instrument) using a ⁴²Ca–⁴³Ca double spike. δ^44/40Ca values of selected reference materials, mainly felsic rocks, are reported for the first time. Felsic rock values of δ^44/40Ca ranged from 0.13‰ to 1.17‰, probably implying Ca isotopic fractionation could occur during magma evolution. δ^44/40Ca values of ultramafic rocks, ranging from 0.74‰ to 1.51‰, were positively correlated with MgO and negatively with CaO contents, possibly owing to Ca isotopic fractionation during partial melting. δ^44/40Ca of intermediate‐mafic rocks were around 0.78‰ and displayed limited variation, suggesting Ca isotopic fractionation is insignificant during magma evolution processes. As expected, δ^44/40Ca of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks varied widely due to complex geological processes.     

Calcium Isotopic Fractionation during Ion‐Exchange Column Chemistry and Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) Determination

Significant isotopic fractionation can occur during column chemistry and determination by mass spectrometry. Improper correction may produce uncertainties in the isotopic composition of geological samples. We investigated calcium isotopic fractionation during these two processes and set up a model to check data quality. The δ^44/40Ca_915a value of IAPSO seawater in different Ca cuts (e.g., 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100%) on column chemistry ranged from ~ 4‰ to 0‰. The more Ca was eluted, the lower the δ^44/40Ca_915a value of the elution was found. The isotopic fractionation of calcium on the column appeared to follow the exponential law. However, TIMS instrumental fractionation during Ca runs did not always follow the exponential law due to mixing effects from sample reservoirs on the filament. Our results show that errors could be caused if the instrumental fractionation deviates from the exponential law, especially when the fractionation degree is large. To improve the measurement uncertainty, a model is proposed to check the behaviour and degree of instrumental fractionation, which will provide a quick and reasonable verdict on the data quality of TIMS runs.     

Li同位素在矿床学中的应用:现状与展望

矿床的形成受制于多种复杂的地质作用,包括全球尺度的板块构造运动、岩浆活动、变质沉积改造等过程,并普遍伴随热液活动、流体迁移、水-岩相互作用、元素分异及同位素分馏等一系列局部区域地质和地球化学过程.在过去的矿床学研究中,地球化学方法主要围绕在主、微量元素和传统的稳定同位素等手段,解决了很多矿床成因问题.但仍存在不少的多解和难解问题,比如许多矿床在矿化类型、蚀变分带与金属矿物组合方面具有诸多相似之处,常规地球化学指标难以区分.随着测试精度的提高和自然储库组成的完善,Li同位素近些年来已成为新兴的稳定同位素体系.Li同位素在自然界过程中高达80‰的同位素分馏使其具有更好的辨识能力,同时兼有直接和间接指示作用,有潜力成为研究各种复杂成矿过程的良好示踪剂.本文总结了近年来有关矿床学中Li同位素的研究和应用进展,以俯冲带成矿为主,阐述了斑岩型-热液矿床、伟晶岩型矿床和沉积矿床等类型矿床的Li同位素地球化学特征,并探究新的Li同位素方法在矿床中的应用前景.基于Li同位素体系在各类矿床的应用实例,我们认为Li同位素体系将为矿床学研究提供更多的指示信息和依据.      

镁同位素地球化学研究新进展及其在碳酸岩研究中的应用

镁（Mg）同位素有3个,24Mg、25Mg和26Mg,其中24Mg和26Mg的相对质量差较大,高达8.33%,这种大的相对质量差使地壳活动或其他地质过程中Mg同位素因化学物理条件的变化而发生明显的同位素质量分馏.目前,自然界可观测到的δ26Mg变化范围为-5.60‰~0.92‰,约6.5‰.镁在低温地球化学过程中分馏显著,而在高温环境下分馏不明显,因而Mg同位素是地质过程的潜在地球化学指标和示踪剂,在低温风化作用、高温部分熔融与岩浆结晶分异、变质作用、板片俯冲及壳幔物质循环、热液蚀变和矿床成因等方面取得重要进展.为此,简要介绍了镁同位素分析方法,系统总结了Mg同位素在地球各储库中的组成与分布特征以及地质作用过程中的镁同位素分馏机理;其次重点介绍了镁同位素近年来在碳酸岩研究中的应用;最后对有关问题进行了探讨,包括幔源岩石低δ26Mg成因解释（与俯冲再循环的碳酸盐岩、洋壳物质有关或与矿物分离结晶有关）和Li-Mg-Ca同位素联合示踪岩浆碳酸岩岩石成因.并对碰撞反应池多接收器电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（Nu Sapphire MC-ICP-MS）分析优势和Li-Mg-Ca等金属同位素联合示踪在稀土元素富集机制的应用进行了展望.      

蒸发岩非传统稳定同位素研究综述

蒸发岩是海水/卤水蒸发浓缩的产物,不同的水化学环境下析出的蒸发岩类型不同,其在不同的地质历史时期都有分布,是重要的古海水和古环境记录载体。蒸发岩研究的主要问题包括:蒸发岩的物质来源、形成时代、蒸发盆地和卤水的演化历史、蒸发岩矿物所记录的环境变化。一些矿物、元素及同位素指标可用于解决这些问题,其中稳定同位素对于示踪蒸发岩的物质来源与形成过程具有不可替代的作用。近20年来,非传统稳定同位素地球化学获得快速发展,并在蒸发岩研究中获得成功应用,这些同位素体系包括阴离子元素B、Cl和Br,以及阳离子元素Mg、K和Ca。本文综述了多个非传统稳定同位素在蒸发岩领域的研究,主要包括:蒸发岩矿物与溶液之间的同位素分馏系数、蒸发岩的同位素信息重建古海水同位素组成及示踪蒸发岩成因和时代等。     

铊同位素分析技术及其在地学中的应用

应用多接收电感耦合等离子质谱(MC-ICP-MS)等分析技术进行铊(Tl)同位素分析已成为非传统稳定同位素地球化学研究的重要内容之一.对近年来Tl同位素的实验测试方法及其地质应用的有关研究进展做了详细论述,包括Tl的地球化学行为、Tl同位素分析测试技术、同位素分馏机理、在各地质储库中的组成特征以及Tl同位素的地质应用等多个方面.这些研究表明该分析技术为行星科学、古海洋学、地幔地球化学、岩石成因以及矿床学等领域的研究提供了其他同位素分析方法难以获得的重要信息,充分展示了该分析技术在地球科学和环境科学领域的应用前景.      

高温下非传统稳定同位素分馏

过去十几年来,非传统稳定同位素地球化学在高温地质过程的研究中取得了的重大进展。多接收诱导耦合等离子质谱(MC-ICP-MS)的应用引发了稳定同位素分析方法的重大突破,使得精确测定重元素的同位素比值成为可能。本文总结了以Li、Fe和Mg同位素为代表的非传统稳定同位素在岩石地球化学研究中的应用。Li同位素目前被广泛地用于地幔地球化学、俯冲带物质再循环和变质作用的研究中,可以用来示踪岩浆的源区性质和扩散等动力学过程。不同价态的Fe在矿物熔体相之间的分配可以产生Fe同位素分馏,可以发生在地幔交代、部分熔融、分离结晶等过程中。岩浆岩的Mg同位素则大致反映其源区的特征,地幔的Mg同位素组成比较均一,这为研究低温地球化学过程中Mg同位素的分馏提供一个均一的背景。此外,Cl,Si,Cu,Ca,U等等同位素体系也具有广阔的应用前景。对同位素分馏机制的实验研究和理论模拟为理解非传统稳定同位素数据提供了必要的指导。实验表明,高温下具有不同的迁移速度的轻、重同位素可以产生显著的动力学同位素分馏,这一分馏可以在化学扩散、蒸发和凝华等过程中发生;同位素在矿物和熔体以及流体相中化学环境的差异使得不同相之间可以发生平衡分馏。而最近的硅酸盐岩浆的热扩散和热迁移实验则揭示了一种"新"的岩浆分异和同位素分馏机制。沿着温度梯度,硅酸盐岩浆可以发生显著的元素和同位素分异,湿的安山岩可以通过这种方式演变成花岗质成分,因此这个过程可能对陆壳的产生和演化有重大影响。如果温度梯度在岩浆作用中能长期存在,热扩散就可以产生稳定同位素的分馏,这一机制有别于传统的平衡和动力学同位素分馏。 而多个稳定同位素体系的正相关关系是示踪热迁移过程的最有力证据。在热扩散过程中,流体承载的物质的浓度和它的索瑞系数有关。但是这个系数对体系的很多参数非常敏感,变化极大,因此对热扩散效应的研究产生极大的困难。对热扩散实验的镁、钙和铁同位素测量表明,同位素比值的变化与体系的化学组成以及总温度无关,只和温度变化的幅度有关,这意味着即使元素的索瑞系数变化多端,某一元素的同位素之间的索瑞系数的差别总为常数。这一发现有助于简化对热扩散和索瑞系数这一基础物理问题的研究 。     

锂同位素及其地质应用研究进展

锂同位素示踪是近几年发展起来的一门新兴的稳定同位素地球化学方法,锂有两个稳定同位素：^6Li和^7Li。自在界锂同位素的组成变化很大,其δ^6Li值变化幅度超过60‰,现代大洋水的δ^6Li值为－31．0‰,洋中脊玄武岩（BORB）的δ^6Li值为－4．7‰--3.7‰,由于锂同位素存在大的分馏和不同地质体中在截然不同的δ^6Li值,因此锂同位素地质应用前景十分广泛。目前,锂同位素在研究星云形成过程和宇宙事件,洋壳蚀变和海底热液活动,壳－幔物质循环和板块俯冲作用过程,判断卤水起源和演化等方面的研究中成效显著。