Rare earth elements in modern coral sands: an environmental proxy

The concentration rare earth elements and Yttrium (REE + Y) were determined in coral sands from Kavaratti Island, Arabian Sea, India. Chondrite-normalized REE + Y patterns show: (1) high REE concentration particularly light REE (LREE) enrichment; (2) consistent negative Ce anomaly; (3) nearly chondritic Y/Ho ratios. All these features are consistent with the geochemistry of well oxygenated seawater with significant terrestrial contribution. The seawater composition of Nd/Yb ratio inferred from the coral record point to the dominance of LREE more than the heavy REE (HREE). The high terrestrial input rich in LREE and property of adsorption/scavenging processes of LREE than that of HREE may be the cause. Terrigenous contributions were detected on the basis of co-occurring trace element concentrations (Sc, Hf and Th) and Y/Ho ratio. Except for La, the REE distribution coefficients, KD(REE)s, are between 100 and 300. KDs are high comparing to the other elements in biogenic calcite which is attributed to detrital contamination during elemental incorporation. This study may not reflect original seawater chemistry but it can be a good proxy to indicate proximity of corals to terrigenous input sources.     

Rare earth elements in corals from the Isla de Sacrificios Reef,Veracruz, Mexico

Rare earth elements (REE) analysis was carried out in two coral species Diploria strigosa and Copophyllia natans from Isla de Sacrificios Reef (ISR) (19° 10′ 51.6″N; 96° 5′ 45.6″W) Veracruz, Mexico. Both corals were cut at the top, middle and bottom parts to detect possible differences in REE concentrations related to water masses and sediment inputs. An enrichment in heavy rare elements (HREE) compared to light rare elements (LREE) at the top of Diploria strigosa and Copophyllia natans, evidenced by (La/Lu)_SN <0.5, (La/Yb)_SN <0.5 and (Pr/Yb)_SN <0.5 is observed. This HREE enrichment in both corals is probably due to the high pH and CO₃^2? content in the seawater. A negative Ce anomaly is observed throughout Diploria strigosa and Copophyllia natans, probably linked with well oxygenated, highly oxidative modern shallow waters, and high nutrients related to suspended matter. Positive Eu anomalies in both corals are due to development of the ISR in shallow waters. Ce/Ce* vs. (Pr/Yb)_SN diagram suggests the input of terrigenous material, as all samples have Ce/Ce* and Pr/Yb values outside the seawater range signature. However, the Nd/Yb and (Nd/Yb)_SN suggest that the top of Diploria strigosa and Copophyllia natans are associated with coastal waters at about 50 m depth.     

香港西贡滨珊瑚REE的地球化学特征及其与海平面变化的关系

用ICP-MS技术测定了位于珠江口西岸香港西贡滨珊瑚在1991～2002年(分辨率达到0.5a)的稀土元素(REE)含量。实验结果显示香港滨珊瑚REE具有Ce负异常、重稀土富集这种典型的海水相分布模式。香港滨珊瑚中REE含量处于目前已见报道中的高值范围,与巴布亚新几内亚珊瑚的REE含量相当。通过与不同地区的比较,香港珊瑚高REE含量很可能就是毗邻的珠江水体高REE的直接反映,而且同南海北缘半封闭边缘海的性质有关。香港珊瑚REE的来源主要为珠江口及其相邻的陆缘沉积物。此外,1991～2002年香港珊瑚REE含量年际下降趋势十分明显,Ce负异常和重稀土富集的程度也呈加剧的趋势,分布模式向海水相转化。REE含量与海平面的年际变化之间有显著的负相关关系(r=-0.7～-0.9),而且重稀土与海平面的相关系数优于轻稀土。上述结果揭示了热带滨珊瑚对近期全球变暖、极冰融化和海水膨胀所引起的海平面快速上升的响应。     

Porites corals as recorders of mining and environmental impacts: Misima Island, Papua New Guinea

In 1989 open-cut gold mining commenced on Misima Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Open-cut mining by its nature causes a significant increase in sedimentation via the exposure of soils to the erosive forces of rain and runoff. This increased sedimentation affected the nearby fringing coral reef to varying degrees, ranging from coral mortality (smothering) to relatively minor short-term impacts. The sediment associated with the mining operation consists of weathered quartz feldspar, greenstone, and schist. These rocks have distinct chemical characteristics (rare earth element patterns and high abundances of manganese, zinc, and lead) and are entering the near-shore environment in considerably higher than normal concentrations. Using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), we analyzed eight colonies (two from high sedimentation, two transitional, two minor, and two unaffected control sites) for Y, La, Ce, Mn, Zn, and Pb. All sites show low steady background levels prior to the commencement of mining in 1988. Subsequently, all sites apart from the control show dramatic increases of Y, La, and Ce associated with the increased sedimentation as well as rapid decreases following the cessation of mining. The elements Zn and Pb exhibit a different behavior, increasing in concentration after 1989 when ore processing began and one year after initial mining operations. Elevated levels of Zn and Pb in corals has continued well after the cessation of mining, indicating ongoing transport into the reef of these metals via sulfate-rich waters. Rare earth element (REE) abundance patterns measured in two corals show significant differences compared to Coral Sea seawater. The corals display enrichments in the light and middle REEs while the heavy REEs are depleted relative to the seawater pattern. This suggests that the nearshore seawater REE pattern is dominated by island sedimentation. Trace element abundances of Misima Island corals clearly record the dramatic changes in the environmental conditions at this site and provide a basis for identifying anthropogenic influences on corals reefs.     

Rare earth element zonation in Pacific ferromanganese nodules

The lower surfaces of ferromanganese nodules from the north equatorial Pacific Ocean, which are enriched in Mn, Cu and Ni, and the upper surfaces, which are enriched in Fe, P and Co, have been analyzed for La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er and Yb. The REE contents are lower and the Ce anomaly is smaller in the lower surfaces than in the upper surfaces. The magnitude of the Ce anomaly increases with decreasing $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio, indicative of a seawater origin. The zonal distribution of the other REE supports the conclusion derived previously from inter-nodule and nodule/sediment relationships that diagenetic fixation of rare earths in sediments affects their enrichment by nodular iron oxyhydroxides.     

Do Archean chemical sediments record ancient seawater rare earth element patterns?

Rare earth elements (REE) concentrations of Archean and Proterozoic chemical sediments are commonly used as proxies to study secular trends in the geochemistry of Precambrian seawater. In addition, similarities in the REE signatures of Archean chemical sediments and modern seawater have led researchers to argue that some Archean rocks originated as biochemical precipitates (i.e., microbial carbonates) in shallow marine (e.g., peritidal) environments. However, terrestrial waters, including river water and groundwater, also commonly exhibit REE fractionation patterns that resemble modern seawater. Here, we present the seawater-like REE data for groundwaters from central México as additional evidence that these patterns are not unique to the marine environment. The shale-normalized REE patterns of the groundwaters are compared to those of modern seawater (open ocean and nearshore), Holocene reefal microbial carbonates and corals, and Archean chemical sediments using statistical means (i.e., ANOVA and Wilcoxon analyses) in order to quantify the similarities and/or differences in the REE patterns. Shale-normalized (SN) Ce anomalies and measures of REE fractionation [i.e., (La/Yb)_SN, (Pr/Yb)_SN, (Nd/Yb)_SN, and (Gd/Yb)_SN] of the central México groundwater samples are statistically indistinguishable from those of modern seawater. Moreover, except for differences in the Ce anomalies, which are lacking in Archean chemical sediments, the REE patterns of the central México groundwaters are also statistically similar to REE patterns of Archean chemical sediments, especially those of the 3.45 Ga Strelley Pool Chert. Consequently, we suggest that without additional information, it may be premature to unequivocally conclude that Archean chemical sediments record REE signatures of an Archean ocean.     

Source of trace element variability in Great Barrier Reef corals affected by the Burdekin flood plumes

Massive corals in the Great Barrier Reef, analyzed at high-resolution for Sr/Ca (thermal ionization mass spectrometry) and trace elements such as Ba and Mn (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), can provide continuous proxy records of dissolved seawater concentrations, as well as sea surface temperature (SST). A 10-yr record (1989 to 1998) from Pandora Reef, an inshore reef regularly impacted by the freshwater plumes of the Burdekin River, is compared with an overlapping record from a midshelf reef, away from runoff influences. Surface seawater samples, taken away from river plumes, show little variability for Sr/Ca (8484 ± 10 μmol/mol) and Ba (33.7 ± 0.7 nmol/kg). Discrete Ba/Ca peaks in the inshore coral coincide with flood events. The magnitude of this Ba/Ca enrichment is most likely controlled by the amount of suspended sediments delivered to the estuary, which remains difficult to monitor. The maximum flow rate at peak river discharge is used here as a proxy for the sediment load and is shown to be strongly correlated with coral Ba/Ca (r = 0.97). After the wet summer of 1991, the coral Ba/Ca flood peak is followed by a plateau that lingers for several months after dissipation of plume waters, signifying an additional flux of Ba that may originate from submarine groundwater seeps and/or mangrove reservoirs. Both Mn and Y are enriched by a factor of ∼5 in inshore relative to midshelf corals. Mn/Ca ratios show a seasonal cycle that follows SST (r = 0.7), not river discharge, with an additional high variability in summer suggesting a link with biological activity. P and Cd show no significant seasonal variation and are at a low level at both inshore and midreef locations. However, leaching experiments suggest that part of the coral P is not lattice bound.     

Deep-sea coral aragonite as a recorder for the neodymium isotopic composition of seawater

Deep-sea corals have been shown to be useful archives of rapid changes in ocean chemistry during the last glacial cycle. Their aragonitic skeleton can be absolutely dated by U-Th data, freeing radiocarbon to be used as a water-mass proxy. For certain species of deep-sea corals, the growth rate allows time resolution that is comparable to ice cores. An additional proxy is needed to exploit this opportunity and turn radiocarbon data into rates of ocean overturning in the past.Neodymium isotopes in seawater can serve as a quasi-conservative water-mass tracer and initial results indicate that deep-sea corals may be reliable archives of seawater Nd isotopes. Here we present a systematic study exploring Nd isotopes as a water-mass proxy in deep-sea coral aragonite. We investigated five different genera of modern deep-sea corals (Caryophyllia, Desmophyllum, Enallopsamia, Flabellum, Lophelia), from global locations covering a large potential range of Nd isotopic compositions. Comparison with ambient seawater measurements yields excellent agreement and suggests that deep-sea corals are reliable archives for seawater Nd isotopes.A parallel study of Nd concentrations in these corals yields distribution coefficients for Nd between seawater and coral aragonite of 1-10, omitting one particular genus (Enallopsamia). The corals and seawater did however not come from exactly the same location, and further investigations are needed to reach robust conclusions on the incorporation of Nd into deep-sea coral aragonite.Lastly, we studied the viability of extracting the Nd isotope signal from fossil deep-sea corals by carrying out stepwise cleaning experiments. Our results show that physical removal of the ferromanganese coating and chemical pre-cleaning have the highest impact on Nd concentrations, but that oxidative/reductive cleaning is also needed to acquire a seawater Nd isotope signal.     

Rare Earth Elements Composition and Constraint on the Genesis of the Polymetallic Crusts and Nodules in the South China Sea

The rare earth elements(REE) composition of the polymetallic crusts and nodules obtained from the South China Sea(SCS) were analyzed through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results revealed great differences in the REE abundances(∑REE) of the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules; the crusts show the highest ∑REE, whereas the nodules exhibit the lowest ∑REE. The similarity in their NASC-normalized patterns, the enriched light REE(LREE), the markedly positive Ce anomaly(δCe), and the non-or weakly positive Eu anomaly(δEu), suggest that the polymetallic crusts and nodules are of hydrogenetic origin. Moreover, the REE contents and their relevant parameters are quite different among the various layers of the crusts and nodules, which probably results from the different marginal sea environments and mineral assemblages of the samples. The growth profiles of the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules reveal the tendency ∑REE and δCe to slightly increase from the outer to the inner layers, suggesting that the growth environments of these samples changed smoothly from an oxidizing to a relatively reducing environment; in addition, the crust ST1 may have experienced a regressive event(sea-level change) during its growth, although the REE composition of the seawater remained relatively stable. On the basis of the regional ∑REE distribution in the SCS crusts and nodules,the samples collected near the northern margin were influenced by terrigenous material more strongly compared with the other samples, and the REE contents are relatively low. Therefore, the special geotectonic environment is a significant factor influencing the abundance of elements, including REE and other trace elements. Compared with the oceanic seamount crusts and deep-sea nodules from other oceans,the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules exhibit special REE compositions and shale-normalized patterns, implying that the samples are of marginal sea-type Fe-Mn sedimentary deposits, which are strongly affected by the epicontinental environment, and that they grew in a more oxidative seawater environment. This analysis indicates that the oxidized seawater environment and the special nano property of their Fe-Mn minerals enrich the REE adsorption.     

渝东南地区石牛栏组稀土元素地球化学特征及地质意义

渝东南地区的下志留统石牛栏组作为重要的油气储集层,研究其古环境变化、物质来源及物源区构造背景具有重要意义。本文采用稀土元素总量w(ΣREE)、REE配分模式、以及w(ΣLREE)/w(ΣHREE)、w(La)_N/w(Yb)_N、w(Ce)_N/w(Yb)_N、w(La)_N/w(Sm)_N、w(Gd)_N/w(Yb)_N、δEu、δCe、Ce_(anom)等特征值研究方法,对渝东南下志留统石牛栏组典型剖面的稀土元素特征及古海洋环境和物源进行深入研究。结果表明:石牛栏组灰岩稀土元素总量略低于大陆地壳平均值,轻稀土较为富集,重稀土亏损,铕明显负异常,铈负异常较微弱。w(ΣREE)证实了石牛栏组的沉积水体由浅缓慢变深再急剧变浅的变化过程。Eu负异常、Ce负异常和C_(eanom)值均揭示石牛栏组沉积时期海水具有弱还原性。REE的分异程度反映了石牛栏组从沉积早期到沉积晚期,沉积速率总体降低。稀土元素的比值特征及w(ΣREE)—w(La)/w(Yb)图解表明其物源源自雪峰山隆起,源岩主要为沉积岩。     

海底热液沉积物稀土元素组成及其意义

总结了海底热液及其沉积物的稀土元素组成特征和控制因素。热水沉积物作为热液与海水混合的产物,其稀土元素组成及配分模式随海水混入的比例增加而发生一系列变化,反映了二端元流体不同混合程度的地球化学特征。Ｅｕ异常、Ｃｅ异常以及ｗ（Ｙ）／ｗ（Ｈｏ）比值是用来示踪古流体形成的物理化学环境及流体组成的重要参数。     

稀土元素：海相硅岩沉积环境的有效指标

世界范围内海水的REE研究表明,不同环境海水的REE有一定的差异.海相硅质沉积也显示出与周围海水相似的REE特征,其中最明显的是Ce异常。对已知沉积环境的硅岩所作REE研究说明,利用硅岩的REE特征可以帮助判别海相沉积环境。江西南部寒武—奥陶系中广泛产出厚层的层状硅岩,根据Ce的异常,推测此区硅岩形成于大陆边缘—大洋盆地的过渡地区。     

中国富钴结壳合同区海水的稀土元素特征及其意义

通过对西太平洋34件海水样品的稀土元素（REY:REE+Y）测试及其与研究区富钴结壳稀土耦合特征分析,揭示了海水稀土特征及其成因.海水的稀土含量随水深呈现逐渐增加的趋势,∑ REY范围为14.0×10-12~65.5×10-12,平均值为31.9×10-12,其中Y的绝对值（均值为6.0×10-12~24.1×10-12）和相对值（（Y/Ho）_N均值为1.98）均较高,La含量次之（均值为1.8×10-12~11.6×10-12）,Ce含量相对较低（均值为2.4×10-12~8.8×10-12）,δCe范围为0.33~1.03（均值为0.66）,（La/Yb）_N平均值为0.71.海水稀土元素北美页岩标准化后显示左倾模式,具有显著的Ce负异常、Y正异常和无明显的Eu异常特征.研究区普遍发育水成成因的富钴结壳,即其稀土元素和其他组分均源自海水.富钴结壳的稀土含量相对海水富集6~7个数量级,其Ce正异常和Y负异常的稀土模式与海水构成良好的耦合关系,指示富钴结壳类组分对海水稀土清扫具有选择性,是造成海水稀土模式的重要因素.海山上发育的磷块岩以及周围盆地深海泥中的磷酸盐组分,它们具有较高的稀土含量和类似于海水的稀土模式,指示海洋磷酸盐消耗稀土时并未分馏而是继承海水模式.海水独特的稀土模式特征是补给与消耗平衡作用的结果,铁锰氧化物和海洋磷酸盐是两种典型的海洋自生组分,它们对海水稀土特征的形成至关重要.      

Non-Henry’s Law behavior of REE partitioning between fluorapatite and CaF2-rich melts: Controls of intrinsic vacancies and implications for natural apatites

The partitioning of rare-earth elements (REEs: Gd and multiple REEs), Sr, and Mn between fluorapatite and CaF₂-rich melts was investigated over a wide range of REE concentrations (i.e., from 0.8 ± 0.1 to 25,000 ± 2600 ppm Gd in fluorapatite) in two different sample assemblies (i.e., tightly covered Pt crucibles and sealed Pt capsules) at 1220 °C and atmospheric pressure. Attainment of equilibrium is indicated by selected reversal experiments. The partition coefficient D(Gd) decreases from ∼2 to ∼0.5 with increasing Gd in fluorapatite, hence a marked non-Henry’s Law behavior, but becomes independent of composition at and above ∼5000 and ∼1000 ppm Gd for experiments in Pt crucibles and Pt capsules, respectively. Non-Henry’s Law behavior is also observed in experiments involving multiple REEs. All REE patterns are convex upward in shape with maxima between Nd and Gd, and D(La)/D(Nd) and D(Nd)/D(Yb) decrease systematically with increasing total REEs in fluorapatite, suggesting that REE fractionations are partly related to non-Henry’s Law behavior. These experimental results and local structural data from previous electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic studies suggest that the non-Henry’s Law behavior of REE partitioning between fluorapatite and melt is controlled by intrinsic Ca²⁺ vacancies in the c-axis channels. The D(Sr) and D(Mn) values are independent of composition and, therefore, do not deviate from the Henry’s Law in their respective compositional ranges investigated in this study.Nonstoichiometry, such as Ca²⁺ and F⁻ vacancies in the c-axis channels, is well known in natural apatites, particularly in biogenic apatites. Therefore, the observed non-Henry’s Law behavior of REE partitioning is expected to have important implications for REE geochemical modeling involving apatites and for the uptake of REEs by natural apatites. Particularly, the non-Henry’s Law behavior of REE partitioning is at least partly responsible for the commonly observed, bell-shaped REE patterns in fossil biogenic apatites.     

西太平洋海山富钴结壳的稀土和铂族元素特征及其意义

为了探讨富钴结壳的稀土和铂族元素是否有相似的形成机制,对西太平洋海山富钴结壳稀土和铂族元素进行了类比研究.结果表明:富钴结壳的∑REY范围为1 433.7×10-6~2 888.0×10-6,其中Ce占到近50%,北美页岩标准化后显示较平坦的稀土模式和显著的Ce正异常特征.根据稀土配分模式及已有的Nd同位素结果,富钴结壳具有亲陆壳属性.富钴结壳具有极高的Pt (115.5×10-9~1 132.0×10-9)、(Pt/Pd)_N和 (Pt/Os)_N值,Ir与Pt及Rh与Pt显示良好相关性.经球粒陨石标准化后显示较一致PGE (platinum-group elements) 配分模式,从Os到Pt逐渐富集,Pd元素强烈亏损.已有的Os同位素研究结果显示物源在地质历史时期从幔源属性向陆源属性变化,但富钴结壳PGE元素内部相对含量仍在一定程度上保持稳定.研究认为:富钴结壳对海水中的稀土清扫具有选择性,Ce的正异常恰恰是结壳对海水稀土中Ce的优先选择造成的,从而导致海水亏损Ce.然而海水中Ce的亏损并未改变新形成富钴结壳的稀土模式,原因是在海洋中存在适量的具有亏损Ce特征的磷酸盐等组分,理论上只需要氧化物类稀土与磷酸盐类稀土消耗的稀土与海水中的补给平衡即可.只是在相关过程中,海洋中氧化物类对稀土的选择更具有主动性,而磷酸盐类表现更多的继承关系.尽管Os同位素显示物源供给发生变化,然而富钴结壳PGE模式相对稳定.因此富钴结壳PGE模式同样可以用富钴结壳对PGE的选择性吸收解释,因富钴结壳优先选择Pt与Ir以及相对排斥Pd和Os,形成了现有独特的PGE模式.      

黔北黑色岩系稀土元素地球化学特征及成因意义

本文采用ICPMS方法研究了黔北下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色岩系的稀土元素地球化学特征和形成条件。黑色岩系稀土总量在金属富集层之Mo矿层中出现峰值,向剖面上、下大致依次减小,代表了一种非正常海水沉积作用。Eu、Ce呈负异常,反映黑色岩系形成于干燥气候的陆棚边缘浅海的还原环境。稀土模式,连同La/YbCe/La、La/YbREE图解特征,说明黑色岩系为正常海水与岩浆热卤水混合沉积的产物。     

辽东辽河群大石桥组碳酸盐岩稀土元素地球化学及其对Lomagundi事件的指示

2.33～2.06Ga期间发生了全球性大气圈充氧作用及其相关的占δ~(13)C_(carb)正异常,被称为Lomagundi事件.2.2～2.174Ga的辽河群大石桥菱镁矿及其围岩显示了δ~(13)C_(carb)正异常,是运用REY(REE+Y)指纹技术研究Lomagundi事件的良好对象.本文研究表明,6件白云岩围岩样品∑REE为0.988×10-6～2.744×10-6;Y/Ho比值为37.9～49.4(平均42.5±4.7);(La/La~*)_(SN)为1.075±0.317,(Gd/Gd~*)_(SN)为1.390±0.166,均为正异常;HREE富集(Nd_(SN)/Yb(_SN)=0.38～0.78).所有上述特征与现代海水REY配分模式一致,表明这些样品记录了Lomagundi时期海水的REY特征.6件菱镁矿样品∑REE为4.549±2.239,高于围岩白云岩;HREE弱亏损(Nd_(SN)/Yb_(SN)=1.141±0.265),Y/Ho平均值为40.2±3.2;(La/La~*)_(SN)为0.657～1.149(平均0.919±0.203),(Gd/Gd~*)_(SN)=1.036±0.081,正异常程度弱于白云岩,但仍显示以海水来源为主.矿体顶板滑石白云岩∑REE含量最高(10.758);页岩标准化稀土配分模式为平坦型,(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)正异常高达1.97,Gd和Y正异常最小,Y/Ho比值最低(31.3),(Nd/Yb)_(SN)为0.89,显示受后期热流体交代影响.菱镁矿(Sm/Yb)_(CN)值(2.61±0.45)高于白云岩(1.19±0.27),指示海水由深变浅,大石桥菱镁矿及其围岩白云岩REY主要来自陆源溶解物,洋底热液贡献微弱,制约REY特征的主导因素为大气圈-水圈的性质,如fO_2,pCO-2等.白云岩和菱镁矿(Ce/Ce~*)_(SN)值平均分别为1.11±0.13和1.04±0.08,表明2.2～2.174Ga期间大陆风化作用加剧,海水呈碱性,pH值＞8.2.2.33Ga前的化学沉积物(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)＞1.53,2.06Ga后的化学沉积物(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)＜1.53,大石桥组白云岩和菱镁矿(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)均值分别为1.44±0.11和1.58±0.20.表明2.2～2.174Ga时海相沉积物(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)≈1.53,2.33～2.06Ga是地球水圈-气圈系统由还原向氧化转变的关键时期.     

Geochemistry of the Eocene limestones of the Jaisalmer basin,Rajasthan, India: Implications on depositional conditions and sources of rare earth elements

Major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) concentration of the Eocene limestones, Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan, India are analysed to reconstruct the depositional conditions and to identify sources of REEs. Among the major oxides, CaO is the dominant oxide followed by SiO₂ in the studied limestones. Trace element Ba dominates over the other trace elements and it shows negative correlation with CaO. The Sr, occurring in small concentration, shows positive correlation with CaO. Other trace elements such as V, Zr, Sc, Y, Rb, Ni, Pb Co, Cu, U occur in small concentrations. The studied limestones show a positive correlation of ΣREE with Fe₂O₃, Ni, Th, Sc, and Y. These limestones possess sea-water like shale-normalized REE + Y pattern with light REE depletion, slight Gd enrichment, slightly positive La anomaly, positive Y anomaly, positive Eu anomaly, negative Ce anomaly and superchondritic Y/Ho ratio from 23.12 to 28.57. The dominance of CaO and low percentage of MgO suggest that mineral phase is calcite and there is absence of dolomitization. The occurrence of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ in appreciable percentages may be because of the siliciclastic input during the limestone precipiatetion. The low concentration of Uranium (0.4-3.7) and authigenic Uranium (Average Total U-Th/3 value = 0.74) indicate that the studied limestones were precipitated in oxic condition from seawater. The depletion of LREE suggests that the limestones were precipitated from the seawater. The positive correlation of ΣREE with Al₂O₃ Fe₂O₃, Ni, Th, Sc, and Y and negative correlation with CaO suggest an input of siliciclastic sediments from the land during limestone precipitation. The negative Ce anomaly, slightly positive La anomaly, slight Gd enrichment, positive Y anomaly, and positive Eu anomaly also suggest that the limestone was precipitated from the seawater with some siliciclastic input from continent. The low values of the Y/Ho ratio (23.12 to 28.57) in the studied limestones suggest some modification of the seawater by the input of freshwater in a coastal environment. The REEs of the studied limestones are correlable with the shallow sea water REEs with exception of a few elements. We envisage a coastal/shallow marine depositional environment where mixing of the continental material in sea water appears feasible.     

The behaviour of the rare earth elements during mixing of river and sea waters

Rare earth element concentrations have been measured in organic-rich Luce river water and coastal sea water. Concentrations (e.g. ～350?1850 pmol/kg Nd in the Water of Luce and ～45?350 pmol/ kg Nd in Luce Bay) are related to the presence of particles, with 30–60% of the REE associated with >0.4?0.7 μm particles, and to riverine Fe concentrations. REE fractionation occurs in the river water the submicrometre river water is heavy REE enriched whereas the coarser fraction has a more shale-like REE pattern.Laboratory experiments show that the REE in organic-rich river waters are chiefly associated with Feorganic matter colloids which flocculate during estuarine mixing. Preferential removal of heavy REE (～95%) relative to light REE (～60%) occurs, but no Ce anomaly is developed. In contrast, no REE removal occurs during estuarine mixing with organic-poor river water.     

Nodular monazite from placers in the Kular Ridge (Arctic Siberia,Russia): Composition and age

Nodular monazite occurs in metamorphic rocks worldwide and has zonal REE patterns. This paper focuses on the composition of nodular monazite hosted by Permian black shales of the Kular Ridge in the Kular-Nera terrane. This monazite variety (called kularite in the Russian literature) reaches commercial amounts in placers of the area. The contents of Ce, Nd, and La in the analyzed monazite nodules show correlations at Ce/Nd = 14.39La + 0.0919 (in apfu) and Ce/Nd = 0.2318La + 0.1135 (in wt.%) and vary regularly from core to rim. All monazite compositions fall on this trend, but specific grains may plot in its different parts. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that monazite forms via an intermediate precursor (LnPO₄·2H₂O). The Ce:La:Nd changes in different grains record Eh-pH variations during nucleation and a gradual temperature increase during subsequent growth. The Ce:La:Nd ratio changes partly in grain rims as a result of oxidative dissolution. Judging by the tectonic setting, REE came to the Kular-Nera rocks from the weathered Tomtor Nb-REE deposit, being transported by the Paleo-Khatanga River with monazite nanoparticles bound to the surface of clay minerals.