现代冰川中的微粒研究与气候环境变化

现代冰川雪冰中的微粒是重建过去气候环境变化的一项重要替代性指标。根据前人对极地冰盖和山地冰川冰芯及雪坑样品中的微粒粒径、矿物特征和含量变化等研究成果,讨论了微粒粒径变化,微粒与火山活动、大气气溶胶的关系,以及冰芯测年、微粒来源等相关分析,认为微粒中的代表性矿物、火山玻璃、粗糙系数和粒径分布可作为确定微粒源区的指标;微粒含量的变化与大气环流、气温高低及干湿程度密切相关,微粒含量的高值对应冷干气候,反之为暖湿;大气环流加强时,微粒含量增加,反之减少。微粒研究还能获得如火山活动、人类影响等特殊事件的信息。     

乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川不溶微粒的季节变化特征

冰芯中的不溶微粒是反映大气粉尘的良好指标，亦是冰芯定年的重要方法。为了探究不溶微粒在雪层中的季节变化特征，对采自乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川4 130 m处的雪冰样品进行不溶微粒分析。表层雪中粗微粒浓度在一年中有2个峰值，分别出现在12~3月、6~9月；总微粒只有一个峰值区，出现在4~8月。对比同期气象资料发现，其受降水、大气环流以及局地风影响显著。结合雪层物理剖面和微粒在雪层中的浓度发现：污化层是粗颗粒（直径大于10 μm）聚集的区域。对该粒径范围的微粒浓度峰值进行跟踪，发现不溶微粒在雪层中的浓度和位置变化与融水、物理成冰过程密切相关。     

慕士塔格冰芯记录的细菌菌群的沉积特征*

文章对一支长22. 4m的慕士塔格冰芯上部12. 5m的分析结果表明, 细菌菌群分布与尘埃含量具有密切的 对应关系, 初步揭示了大气环流的生物输送作用和微生物对局地环境变化的响应特征。研究表明, 冰芯中可培养 的细菌数量与细菌菌群生物量分布趋势一致, 在一定的深度范围内均表现出剧增或剧减的变化形式, 呈现出不均 一的“层状分布”特征。冰芯中发现的优势细菌类群随深度的变化也表现出明显的“层状分布”特征。与不溶矿物 微粒数量浓度的比较研究表明, 细菌生物量的波动与微粒数量浓度具有很好的对应关系。该项研究揭示了气候环 境变化对冰芯细菌菌群数量及其多样性分布的重要影响。     

极地冰芯不溶性微粒研究进展

极地冰芯包含了大气循环的各种信息,微粒作为其中一个重要的参数,在揭示古环境和古气候信息中起着很重要的作用。冰芯中微粒的含量变化可用于年层的划分,矿物和粒径特征可以用于源区以及大气本底值的研究。另外,微粒记录中还包含了火山、沙尘暴以及人类活动等特殊事件的信息。在过去的50年间,在几大冰芯研究的基础上,极地冰芯微粒的分析工作已取得了很大的成果。近年来,得益于测试水平的迅速提高,微粒研究工作有了长足进展。展望未来,人们将会开拓更新的研究领域。     

青藏高原冰雪不溶微粒研究进展

不溶微粒是冰雪中重要的气候环境变化参数，通过冰雪中微粒记录研究气候环境变化是冰雪研究的一个重要方向。20世纪中后期对冰雪微粒的研究主要集中在南极和格陵兰，到20世纪末期时一些研究人员开始关注中纬度的冰雪微粒的研究，特别是青藏高原冰雪微粒的研究。到目前为止，共有4根冰芯（敦德冰芯、古里雅冰芯、达索普冰芯和慕士塔格冰芯）和数个雪坑开展了微粒研究。青藏高原冰雪微粒研究主要从微粒定年、微粒浓度、粒径分布、特殊事件的记录以及与可溶性离子的关系等方面进行了研究。主要回顾了从80年代末开始的青藏高原冰雪微粒研究的一些主要方法和主要成果并且展望了今后微粒重点研究的方向。     

末次间冰期以来源自中亚的粉尘记录的对比

中亚干旱区是全球重要的粉尘源区, 粉尘经过不同的大气环流系统的搬运和具体的沉积条件, 在其传输路径上沉积于不同的介质中, 如冰芯、黄土、湖泊和深海. 在前人所做工作的基础上, 以古里雅冰芯、宝鸡黄土剖面、琵琶湖风尘沉积、北太平洋风尘沉积和格陵兰冰芯等记录进行对比, 初步讨论近130 ka BP以来上述记录所反映的中亚粉尘的产生、搬运和沉积. 这些记录既表现出一致性, 也存在某些差异, 显示了搬运过程、沉积过程以及区域性因素对粉尘记录的影响.     

普若岗日冰芯中不溶微粒元素地球化学特征对气候环境的指示意义

对普若岗日冰芯上部7.5 m样品中不溶微粒的元素含量进行了测定,分析了不溶微粒中Na、K、Mg、Fe、Zn和Al等元素近30年来的含量及相对含量变化特征.通过普若岗日冰芯中不溶微粒的元素含量、元素组分对相对含量等多参数的变化特征与青藏高原腹地降水量及温度记录的对比分析发现,冰芯不溶微粒中元素地球化学参数的变化与源区气候环境的演变具有较好的一致性.因此可以认为,冰芯中不溶微粒的元素地球化学特征能够作为指示区域气候环境演变的指标.     

玉龙雪山地区大气降水中粉尘颗粒物特征研究

以在玉龙雪山地区采集的大气降水样品为主要研究载体,分析了大气降水中粉尘颗粒物随时间的变化特征和影响大气降水中粉尘含量的潜在因素. 结果表明：大气降水中颗粒物浓度和典型粉尘特征化学离子含量的变化具有很好的一致性,且季风期末大气降水中的微粒含量显著升高,显示了明显的季节性变化特征. 丽江市和甘海子盆地大气降水中粉尘化学离子含量(SO₄^2-,Mg²⁺,Ca²⁺,K⁺,NH₄⁺,NO₃^-,粉尘浓度)之间具有较好的相关性,反映了这些离子共同的来源. 降水中pH值和电导率的变化很大程度上受到粉尘活动的影响,海盐气溶胶粒子对玉龙雪山地区大气降水中典型粉尘微粒(除Cl^-和部分Na⁺之外)的沉降没有贡献. 此外,降水化学和微粒分析表明,丽江市区的大气环境不排除人为活动的影响.     

基于冰芯记录与遥感数据的近期青藏高原粉尘变化研究

冰芯中的微粒记录是恢复过去大气粉尘变化的独特信息,选取青藏高原的西部(慕士塔格)、中部(唐古拉)、南部(珠穆朗玛峰、达索普和宁金岗桑)为研究地点,结合遥感数据(气溶胶指数)和冰芯记录(粉尘质量浓度与沉积通量)探讨过去几十年来青藏高原大气粉尘在时间上和空间上的变化.结果表明:青藏高原上气溶胶指数从北向南、从西向东减少,靠近塔克拉玛干沙漠的地区气溶胶指数数值最大,藏南地区最低,与西风环流在高原的传输路径和源区的地理分布一致.冰芯中粉尘质量浓度表现为:高原中部>高原西部>高原南部,而沉积通量表现为高原西部>高原中部>高原南部,与气溶胶指数相一致.通过冰芯中的粉尘沉积通量记录与气溶胶指数的相关分析,发现在年尺度上仅有唐古拉地区表现出较好的相关性,而在其他地区无明显相关关系.经过3点滑动平均后,高原各地的这种相关性均有所提高:慕士塔格地区相关系数为0.49(P=0.13);唐古拉地区的相关系数为0.87(P<0.001);宁金岗桑地区的相关系数为0.68(P=0.03).这种相关性为通过冰芯记录来反演更长时间尺度的青藏高原上气溶胶指数提供了基础.     

雪冰中的黑碳记录研究的历史回顾

黑碳(Blackcarbon)是一类大气气溶胶,也是重要的气候驱动因子之一,它与人类活动密切相关.迄今发现,雪冰是保存和记录历史时期黑碳变化的最好介质.根据前人对南极冰芯、格陵兰冰芯、中低纬度山地冰川冰芯以及雪坑样品中的黑碳记录的研究成果,讨论了不同研究地区雪冰中黑碳含量的变化,黑碳对气候环境突变、大气环流变化的响应,总结了人类活动与雪冰黑碳记录之间的关系.雪冰黑碳记录还可以获得如森林大火这样的特殊事件的信息.     

Isotopic equilibrium/disequilibrium in granites, metasedimentary rocks and migmatites (Damara orogen, Namibia)—a consequence of polymetamorphism and melting

The overwhelming part of the continental crust in the high-grade part of the Damara orogen of Namibia consists of S-type granites, metasedimentary rocks and migmatites. At Oetmoed (central Damara orogen) two different S-type granites occur. Their negative ε_Nd values (− 3.3 to − 5.9), moderately high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.714–0.731), moderately high ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.21–18.70) and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (37.74–37.89) isotope ratios suggest that they originated by melting of mainly mid-Proterozoic metasedimentary material. Metasedimentary country rocks have initial ε_Nd of − 4.2 to − 5.6, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.718–0.725, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.32–18.69 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 37.91–38.45 compatible with their variation in Rb/Sr, U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios. Some migmatites and residual metasedimentary xenoliths tend to have more variable ε_Nd values (initial ε_Nd: − 4.2 to − 7.1), initial Sr isotope ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.708–0.735) and less radiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.22–18.53) and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (37.78–38.10) isotope compositions than the metasedimentary rocks. On a Rb–Sr isochron plot the metasedimentary rocks and various migmatites plot on a straight line that corresponds to an age of c. 550 Ma which is interpreted to indicate major fractionation of the Rb–Sr system at that time. However, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the melanosomes of the stromatic migmatites (calculated for their U–Pb monazite and Sm–Nd garnet ages of c. 510 Ma) are more radiogenic (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.725) than those obtained on their corresponding leucosomes (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.718) implying disequilibrium conditions during migmatization that have not lead to complete homogenization of the Rb–Sr system. However, the leucosomes have similar Nd isotope characteristics than the inferred residues (melanosomes) indicating the robustness of the Sm–Nd isotope system during high-grade metamorphism and melting. On a Rb–Sr isochron plot residual metasedimentary xenoliths show residual slopes of c. 66 Ma (calculated for an U–Pb monazite age of 470 Ma) again indicating major fractionation of Rb/Sr at c. 540 Ma. However, at 540 Ma, these xenoliths have unradiogenic Sr isotope compositions of c. 0.7052, indicating depleted metasedimentary sources at depth. Based on the distinct Pb isotope composition of the metasedimentary rocks and S-type granites, metasedimentary rocks similar to the country rocks are unlikely sources for the S-type granites. Moreover, a combination of Sr, Nd, Pb and O isotopes favours a three-component mixing model (metasedimentary rocks, altered volcanogenic material, meta-igneous crust) that may explain the isotopic variabilty of the granites. The mid-crustal origin of the different types of granite emphasises the importance of recycling and reprocessing of pre-existing differentiated material and precludes a direct mantle contribution during the petrogenesis of the orogenic granites in the central Damara orogen of Namibia.     

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.     

滇西花岗岩类 Pb、Sr 同位素组成特征及其基底时代和性质

澜沧江西侧的临沧花岗岩带和怒江以西的腾冲花岗岩带是滇西最主要的两个花岗岩带,它们形成于不同构造环境。Pb、Sr 同位素研究表明,腾冲花岗岩主要来源于1200-2000Ma 的上地壳(或未分异的地壳)物质,同位素组成变化范围较小,说明源区物质组分较均一。临沧带 Pb 同位素组成变化较大,其物源是上地壳、造山带和上地幔不均匀的混合物,基底时代为800-1600Ma。因此,临沧地区和腾冲地区的基底时代和性质不同,应视为两个不同的基底地体。     

铅同位素示踪在大气降尘重金属污染来源解析中的应用

为了分析大气降尘中铅的污染来源,解析各污染源对大气降尘铅的相对贡献值,在厦门市不同功能区采集了29个大气降尘样品。用热电质谱仪测定了大气降尘的总铅同位素组成,用ICP-MS测定样品酸可溶相铅同位素组成。结果表明,厦门市大气降尘铅同位素²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb值变化较大,为1.111 9~1.173 8;酸可溶相铅²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb值与福建土壤残渣相²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb值相差较大,表明厦门市大气降尘受人类活动来源铅的影响较大;酸可溶相铅²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb值明显小于总量铅²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb值。铅同位素示踪表明,厦门市大气降尘铅主要来源是燃煤,其次是自然来源和汽车尾气。三元混合模型分析表明,燃煤、自然来源、汽车尾气对厦门市大气降尘总量铅的贡献率分别为48.57%、20.29%、31.14%。     

Modeling of subduction components in the Genesis of the Meso-Cenozoic igneous rocks from the South Shetland Arc, Antarctica

Isotope data and trace elements concentrations are presented for volcanic and plutonic rocks from the Livingston, Greenwich, Robert, King George and Ardley islands (South Shetland arc, Antarctica). These islands were formed during subduction of the Phoenix Plate under the Antarctica Plate from Cretaceous to Tertiary. Isotopically (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_o ratios vary from 0.7033 to 0.7046 and (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_o ratios from 0.5127 to 0.5129. εNd values vary from +2.71 to +7.30 that indicate asthenospheric mantle source for the analysed samples. ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios vary from 38.12 to 38.70, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are between 15.49 and 15.68, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 18.28 to 18.81. The South Shetland rocks are thought to be derived from a depleted MORB mantle source (DMM) modified by mixtures of two enriched mantle components such as slab-derived melts and/or fluids and small fractions of oceanic sediment (EM I and EM II). The isotopic compositions of the subduction component can be explained by mixing between at least 4 wt.% of sediment and 96 wt.% of melts and/or fluids derived from altered MORB.     

Neo-Proterozoic rift-related syenites (Northern Damara Belt, Namibia): Geochemical and Nd–Sr–Pb–O isotope constraints for mantle sources and petrogenesis

Major element, trace element and Nd–Sr–Pb–O isotope data for a suite of Neo-Proterozic, pre-orogenic, rift-related syenites from the Northern Damara orogen (Namibia) constrain their sources and petrogenesis. New U–Pb ages obtained on euhdreal titanite of inferred magmatic origin constrain the age of intrusion of the Lofdal and Oas syenites to ca. 750 Ma compatible with previous high-precision zircon analyses from the Oas complex. Major rock types from Lofdal and Oas are mildly sodic nepheline-normative and quartz-normative syenites and were primarily generated by fractional crystallization from a mantle-derived alkaline magma. Primitive samples from Lofdal and Oas show depletion of Rb, K and Th relative to Ba and Nb together with variable negative anomalies of P and Ti on a primitive mantle-normalized diagram. Evolved samples from Oas develop significant negative Ba, Sr, P and Ti anomalies and positive U and Th anomalies mainly as a function of crystal fractionation processes. The lack of a pronounced negative Nb anomaly in samples from Lofdal suggests that involvement of a crustal component is negligible. For the nepheline-normative samples from Lofdal, the unradiogenic Sr and radiogenic Nd isotope composition and low δ¹⁸O values suggest derivation of these samples from a moderately depleted lithospheric upper mantle with crustal-like U/Pb ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7031–0.7035, ε Nd: ca. + 1, δ¹⁸O: 7‰, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: ca.18.00, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.58–15.60). Primitive samples of the Oas quartz-normative syenites have identical isotope characteristics (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7034, ε Nd: ca. + 1, δ¹⁸O: 6.5‰, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: ca.18.00, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.59) whereas more differentiated samples have higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.709–0.714), slightly higher δ¹⁸O values (7.0–7.1‰), less radiogenic ε Nd values (− 1.1 to − 1.4) and more radiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios up to 18.27. These features together with model calculations using Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes suggest modification of a primary syenite magma by combined AFC processes involving ancient continental crust. In this case, high Nb abundances of the parental syenite liquid prevent the development of significant negative Nb anomalies that may be expected due to interaction with continental crust.     

Isotope and trace element geochemistry of Colorado Plateau volcanics

Basalts from the San Francisco Peaks and North Rim of Grand Canyon, nephelinites from the Hopi Buttes and Navajo minettes (Colorado Plateau) have been analyzed for trace element contents and Sr, Nd, Pb isotope compositions. The ages increase eastward from the Quaternary (basalt) to 5 Ma (nephelinite) and 30 Ma (minette) as does the depth of melt generation inferred from xenolith mineralogy and major element geochemistry.

The three rock types present an enrichment of incompatible elements (although minettes present negative concentration spikes for Nb, Zr, Ti, Ba, Sr) relative to other magma types. The chondrite-normalized Ce/Yb ratio changes from 8–22 (basalt) to 25–30 (nephelinite) and 33–60 (minette) and reflects small degrees of partial melting of a mantle source with a garnet/clinopyroxene ratio increasing with depth. The negative Eu anomaly present in minette, the low Sr/Nd and high Pb/Ce suggest the presence of a recycled continental crust component in their mantle source.

The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio varies from 0.7032-0.7045 (basalt and nephelinite) to 0.7052-0.7071 (minette), while ε_Nd is remarkably more constant at +0.8 to +3.7 (nephelinite) and −2.6 to +2.2 (basalt and minette). Good linear correlations are observed in both ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagrams with basalt being the least and nephelinite the most radiogenic and indicate a 2.3 ±0.1 Ga age and a Th/U of 3.4.

Three lithospheric source components are indicated: a) an OIB-type depleted mantle source, b) an end-member with unradiogenic Sr, Nd and Pb for basalt and nephelinite and c) a recycled crustal component for minette.     

Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of the Kovdor phoscorite–carbonatite complex, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

The Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions for the Kovdor phoscorite–carbonatite complex (PCC), Kola Peninsula, NW Russia, have been determined to characterize the mantle sources involved and to evaluate the relative contributions of a plume and subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the formation of the complex. The Kovdor PCC is a part of the Kovdor ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite massif, and consists of six intrusions. The initial isotopic ratios of the analyzed samples, calculated at 380 Ma, display limited variations: ε_Nd, + 2.0 to + 4.7; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, 0.70319 to 0.70361 (ε_Sr, − 12.2 to − 6.2); ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 18.38 to 18.74; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.45 to 15.50; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 37.98 to 39.28. The Nd and Sr isotope data of the Kovdor PCC generally fit the patterns of the other phoscorites and carbonatites from the Kola Alkaline Province (KAP), but some data are slightly shifted from the mixing line defined as the Kola Carbonatite Line, having more radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. However, the less radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions and negative Δ7/4 values of Pb isotopes of the analyzed samples exclude crustal contamination, but imply the involvement of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source. Isotopic variations indicate mixing of at least three distinct mantle components: FOZO-like primitive plume component, EMI-like enriched component and DMM-like depleted component. The isotopic nature of the EMI- and DMM-like mantle component observed in the Kovdor samples is considered to be inherited from metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle. This supports the previous models invoking plume–lithosphere interaction to explain the origin of the Devonian alkaline carbonatite magmatism in the KAP.     

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.