Pb chronology and trace metal geochemistry at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, as evidenced by a sedimentary record from the Lago Verde crater lake

Lago Verde is a fresh-water maar found on the lower slopes of San Martin volcano, at the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, currently the northernmost remnant of the tropical rain forest in America. ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs analyzed in a sediment core were used to reconstruct the historical fluxes of Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn to the site during the last ∼ 150 yr. The ²¹⁰Pb_xs-derived sediment accumulation rates, the magnetic susceptibility, C/N ratios and δ¹³C data evidenced background conditions at the lake until 1960s, when enhanced erosion related to the clearing of large forested areas at Los Tuxtlas promoted higher accumulation rates of a heavier and more magnetic sedimentary material. Recent sediments from Lago Verde were found enriched by Pb (26-fold natural concentration level [NCLs]) and moderately enriched by Cd > Cu > Zn and Hg (6-, 5-, 4- and 4-fold corresponding NCLs, respectively). The fluxes of Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn have significantly increased since 1940s, with peak ratios of total modern to pre-industrial fluxes of 11, 11, 19 and 49, respectively. The lake occupies a relatively pristine, non-industrialized basin, and therefore the increased metal fluxes might be related to long-distance aeolian transport of trace metals.     

Detailed seismic stratigraphy of Lago Puyehue: implications for the mode and timing of glacier retreat in the Chilean Lake District

Lago Puyehue is a glacigenic lake in the Chilean Lake District (40°S) with a complex deglaciation history. A detailed seismic–stratigraphic study of its sedimentary infill indicates a much earlier retreat of the glacier from the Lago Puyehue basin than the neighbouring glacier from the Lago Rupanco basin. Because of their close proximity, Rupanco meltwater streams played an important part in the depositional processes of Lago Puyehue. A timing discrepancy between the in‐lake ages of a sediment core and the outer‐lake ages of moraine deposits (re)opens the discussion on the timing of deglaciation in the Southern Hemisphere. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 15 000‐year record of climate change in northern New Mexico,USA, inferred from isotopic and elemental contents of bog sediments

Elemental (C, N, Pb) and isotopic (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) measurements of cored sediment from a small bog in northern New Mexico reveal changes in climate during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Abrupt increases in Pb concentration and δ¹³C values ca. 14 420 cal. YBP indicate significant runoff to the shallow lake that existed at that time. Weathering and transport of local volcanic rocks resulted in the delivery of Pb‐bearing minerals to the basin, while a ¹³C‐enriched terrestrial vegetation source increased the δ¹³C values of the sedimentary material. Wet conditions developed over a 300 a period and lasted for a few hundred years. The Younger Dryas period (ca. 12 700–11 500 cal. YBP) caused a reduction in terrestrial productivity reflected in decreasing C/N values, δ¹⁵N values consistently greater than 0‰ and low organic content. By contrast, aquatic productivity increased during the second half of this period, evidenced by increasing δ¹³C values at the time of highest abundance of algae. Dry conditions ca. 8 000–6 000 cal. YBP were characterised by low organic carbon content and high Pb concentrations, the latter suggesting enhanced erosion and aeolian transport of volcanic rock. The range in δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and C/N values in the sedimentary record fall within the range of modern plants, except during the periods of runoff and drought. The sedimentary record provides evidence of natural climate variability in northern New Mexico, including short‐ (multi‐centennial) and long‐(millennial) term episodes during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of anthropogenic activity on the lead isotope signature of Thau Lake sediments (southern France): origin and temporal evolution

Lead concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined on both bulk sediments deposited in the Thau lake in southern France during the last 200 years, and leachates derived from a series of sequential leachings of the sediments, making it possible to identify the sources, natural (i.e. indigenous lithologic) or anthropogenic, and to quantify the different inputs of Pb.Two distinct inputs of Pb could be distinguished. One of these corresponds to the terrigenous material entering the basin, representative of the local natural Pb ‘background’. Its supply remained steady most of the time with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios of 1.200±0.003, except at the time of heavy storms producing voluminous and sudden depositions, such as that of September 1875. This Pb supply is mainly hosted by the detrital silicate fraction of the sediments. The second Pb input is a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities of various industrial and domestic emissions in the region, particularly due to the city of Sète and, to a lesser extent, to the villages in the watershed. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios of this input are of 1.142–1.162. The Pb added to gasoline could also be identified in the uppermost sediments, because of its specific ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios of 1.069–1.094. The leaching experiments also showed that the anthropogenic Pb is mainly hosted by the oxi-hydroxides of the sediments and to a lesser extent by the carbonates. It may also be adsorbed on particle surfaces, while only limited amounts are bound to organic matter.     

Impact of the 1960 major subduction earthquake in Northern Patagonia (Chile,Argentina)

The recent sedimentation processes in four contrasting lacustrine and marine basins of Northern Patagonia are documented by high-resolution seismic reflection profiling and short cores at selected sites in deep lacustrine basins. The regional correlation of the cores is provided by the combination of ¹³⁷Cs dating in lakes Puyehue (Chile) and Frías (Argentina), and by the identification of Cordon Caulle 1921–22 and 1960 tephras in lakes Puyehue and Nahuel Huapi (Argentina) and in their catchment areas. This event stratigraphy allows correlation of the formation of striking sedimentary events in these basins with the consequences of the May–June 1960 earthquakes and the induced Cordon Caulle eruption along the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Zone (LOFZ) in the Andes. While this catastrophe induced a major hyperpycnal flood deposit of ca. 3×10⁶ m³ in the proximal basin of Lago Puyehue, it only triggered an unusual organic rich layer in the proximal basin of Lago Frías, as well as destructive waves and a large sub-aqueous slide in the distal basin of Lago Nahuel Huapi. A very recent mega-turbidite in the two distal basins of Reloncavi fjord located close to the LOFZ suggests that 1960 co-seismic movements in this area may have triggered the remobilization of ca. 187×10⁶ m³ of marine sediments.     

High‐resolution diatom δ18O records,from the last 150 years,reflecting changes in amount of winter precipitation in two sub‐Arctic high‐altitude lakes in the Swedish Scandes

Waters from high‐altitude alpine lakes are mainly recharged by meteoric water. Because of seasonal variations in precipitation and temperature and relatively short hydraulic residence times, most high‐altitude lakes have lake water isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O_lake) that fluctuate due to seasonality in water balance processes. Input from snowmelt, in particular, has a significant role in determining lake water δ¹⁸O. Here we compare two high‐resolution δ¹⁸O_diatom records from lake sediments in the Swedish Scandes with instrumental data from the last century obtained from nearby meteorological stations. The time period AD 1900–1990 is characterised by an increase in winter precipitation and high winter/summer precipitation ratios and this is recorded in δ¹⁸O_diatom as decreasing trends. Lowest δ¹⁸O_diatom values and highest amount of winter precipitation are found around AD 1990 when the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index was above +2. We conclude that for the last 150 a the main factor affecting the δ¹⁸O_diatom signal in these sub‐Arctic high‐altitude lakes with short residence times has been changes in amount of winter precipitation and that δ¹⁸O_diatom derived from high‐altitude lakes in the Swedish Scandes can be used as a winter precipitation proxy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Holocene variations in the Asian monsoon inferred from the geochemistry of lake sediments in central Tibet

We present a record of monsoon variations for the early and middle Holocene that is inferred from the geochemistry of sediment cores from Ahung Co, a lake in central Tibet. The resolution of this record is better than 50 yr and the age model is derived from radiocarbon ages of terrestrial charcoal, which eliminates errors associated with the lake hard-water effect. We made down-core geochemical measurements of % carbonate, % organic carbon, C/N and δ¹³C of bulk organic matter, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O of carbonate, and % dolomite. Proxy calibration and modern water-balance reconstruction show that these are proxies for lake depth and the amount of monsoon precipitation. We find that lake level and monsoon precipitation have been decreasing at Ahung Co since the early Holocene (∼7500 cal yr B.P.). Superimposed on this trend are rapid declines in monsoon rainfall at 7000-7500 and 4700 cal yr B.P. and seven century-scale wet-dry oscillations. The cores do not contain sediment from the last ∼4000 yr. Surface sediments from the lake accumulated during the 20th century, however. From this, we argue that lake levels have risen again recently following a late Holocene dry period.     

18O/16O ratios of anorthosites and related rocks from the Rogaland Complex (SW Norway)

The South Rogaland Complex (South Western Norway) consists of several anorthositic intrusions emplaced in granulite facies metamorphic rocks. The anorthosites and related norites and jotunites have δ ¹⁸O values of 5.2 to 7‰ suggesting a mantle origin for these rocks, in agreement with the strontium isotopic evidence. The acidic rocks, mostly charnockitic, associated with the anorthosites have similar δ ¹⁸O values and thus a comagmatic relation between these two rock types is inferred. Small departures from mantle values are explained in terms of crustal contamination by surrounding gneisses that have δ ¹⁸O values between 4.3 and 10‰ Locally, this corresponds to important anatexis as has been suggested for the Farsund charnockite on the basis of strontium isotope and REE geochemistry. The isotopic temperatures calculated from the isotopic fractionations are in the range 500°–700° C, lower than the orthomagmatic temperatures and probably due to subsolidus isotopic exchange during the slow cooling of these plutonic rocks, either during a late magmatic deuteric stage or during a slow, postorogenic ascent under wet conditions.     

Cosmogenic nuclide exposure ages for moraines in the Lago San Martin Valley, Argentina

At several times during the Quaternary, a major eastward-flowing outlet glacier of the former Patagonian Ice Sheet occupied the Lago San Martin Valley in Argentina (49°S, 72°W). We present a glacial chronology for the valley based on geomorphological mapping and cosmogenic nuclide (¹⁰Be) exposure ages (n = 10) of boulders on moraines and lake shorelines. There are five prominent moraine belts in the Lago San Martin Valley, associated with extensive sandar (glaciofluvial outwash plains) and former lake shorelines. Cosmogenic nuclide exposure ages for boulders on these moraines indicate that they formed at 14.3 ± 1.7 ka, 22.4 ± 2.3 ka, 34.4 ± 3.4 ka to 37.6 ± 3.4 ka (and possibly 60 ± 3.5 ka), and 99 ± 11 ka (1σ). These dated glacier advances differ from published chronologies from the Lago San Martin Valley based on ¹⁴C age determinations from organic sediments and molluscs in meltwater channels directly in front of moraines or in kettleholes within end moraine ridges. The moraine boulder ages also point to possible pre-LGM glacial advances during the last glacial cycle and a key observation from our data is that the LGM glaciers were probably less extensive in the Lago San Martin Valley than previously thought.     

Origin of the Dexing Cu-bearing porphyries,SE China: elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic constraints

The Dexing porphyry copper deposit, part of the circum-Pacific porphyry copper ore belt, is the largest porphyry copper deposit in China. We present new LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating, bulk-rock elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic as well as in situ zircon Hf isotopic geochemistry for these ore-bearing porphyries, in an attempt to better constrain their petrogenesis. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating shows that the Dexing porphyries were emplaced in the early Middle Jurassic (～171 Ma); molybdenite Re–Os dating indicates that the associated Cu–Mo mineralization was contemporaneous (～171 Ma) with the igneous intrusion. The rocks are mainly high-K calc-alkaline and show adakitic affinities, including high Sr and low Y and Yb contents, high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, and high Mg# (higher than pure crustal melts). These porphyries have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7044?0.7047, ?_Nd(T) values of –1.5 to?+0.6, and ?_Hf(T) (in situ zircon) values of?+2.6 to?+4.6. They show unusually radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions with initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios up to 18.41 and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb up to 15.61. These isotopic compositions are distinctly different from either Pacific MORB or Yangtze lower crust but are similar to the subducting sediments in the western Pacific trenches. Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the Dexing porphyries were emplaced in a continental arc setting coupled with westward subduction of the palaeo-Pacific plate. Partial melting involved the subducted slab (mainly the overlying sediments), with generated melts interacting with the lithospheric mantle wedge, thereby forming the investigated high-K calc-alkaline porphyry magmas.     

Effects of detrital carbonate on stable oxygen and carbon isotope data from varved sediments of the interglacial Piànico palaeolake (Southern Alps,Italy)

Contamination with detrital matter is a well‐known bias in δ¹⁸O records from lake carbonates but quantitative information of this effect is yet lacking. Therefore, we developed a new methodological approach combining isotope analyses with microfacies, X‐ray diffraction and micro‐X‐ray fluorescence data and applied this in a case study for the Piànico interglacial lake record in order to provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of detrital carbonate on stable δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C data. The Piànico record contains a long series of distinct and well‐preserved calcite varves and is correlated to Marine Isotope Stage 11. Intercalated in the varve sequence are detrital layers triggered by surface erosion events. These detrital layers are mainly composed of dolomite, thus reflecting the mineralogical signature of the catchment. Microfacies analyses of a 9350 varve year interval allows the identification of detrital layers down to sub‐millimetre scale and a precise selection of three different types of samples for isotope analyses: (1) pure endogenic calcite varves (five varves per sample) without detrital contamination; (2) individual detrital layers; and (3) ‘mixed’ samples including five calcite varves and up to four thin detrital layers. Detrital samples show the isotopic signature of the catchment dolomite and are up to 5.7‰ enriched in δ¹⁸O values with respect to endogenic calcite samples. In mixed samples, the degree of isotopic enrichment is directly related to the amount of detrital contamination; δ¹⁸O of bulk carbonates is significantly biased when the detrital component amounts to more than 5% of the sample. It is also shown that samples containing detrital material have an influence on the calculation of the covariance between δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O. Covariance is high (r = 0.76) when the correlation coefficient is calculated on the base of all samples, but absent (r = ?0.43) when samples containing detrital dolomite are excluded. It has been demonstrated that microfacies analysis is a quick tool to avoid or reduce detrital contamination in bulk carbonate samples during sample selection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isotopic variations of the nitrogen in Lake Superior

The isotopic compositions of nitrogen in lake water, plankton samples and the organic-N fractions extracted from sediments at selected stations in Lake Superior are presented. The δ¹⁵N values of the Kjeldahl total-N and acid hydrolyzable-N in the lake sediments are similar (range, +4.7–+6.7; mean, +5.5 %.). The δ¹⁵N data for the various extracts are independent of the age and concentration of nitrogen in the sediments. On the other hand, the δ¹⁵N values of lake water (+ 0.6‰), phytoplankton (+ 1.6 %.) and Zooplankton (+ 5.0‰) in the water column suggest significant discrimination against the heavier nitrogen isotope in the food chain of the lacustrine environment. The data emphasize the need for a better understanding of the autogenous isotopic fractionation before the isotopic method can be used to fingerprint the sources of nitrogen in a limnetic ecosystem.     

The isotopic evolution of atmospheric Pb in central Ontario since AD 1800, and its impacts on the soils, waters, and sediments of a forested watershed, Kawagama Lake

A peat core from an ombrotrophic bog documents the isotopic evolution of atmospheric Pb in central Ontario since AD 1804 ± 53 (²¹⁰Pb dating). Despite the introduction of unleaded gasoline in the mid-1970’s, the ratio ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb in atmospheric deposition has not increased as expected, but rather continues to decline. In fact, snowpack sampling (2005 and 2009) and rainwater samples (2008) show that the isotopic composition of atmospheric Pb today is often far less radiogenic than the gasoline lead that had been used in Canada in the past. The peat, snow, and rainwater data presented here are consistent with the Pb isotope data for aerosols collected in Dorset in 1984 and 1986 which were traced by Sturges and Barrie (1989) to emissions from the Noranda smelter in northern Quèbec, Canada’s largest single source of atmospheric Pb. Understanding atmospheric Pb deposition in central Ontario, therefore, requires not only consideration of natural sources and past contributions from leaded gasoline, but also emissions from metal smelting and refining.Lead in the streams which enter Kawagama Lake today (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb = 1.16 − 1.19) represents a mixture between the natural values (1.191 − 1.201 estimated using pre-industrial lake sediments) and the values found in the humus layer of the surrounding forest soils (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb = 1.15 − 1.19). In the lake itself, however, Pb is much less radiogenic (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb as low as 1.09) than in the streams, with the dissolved fraction less radiogenic than particulate material. The evolution of Pb isotope ratios within the watershed apparently reflects preferential removal by sedimentation of comparatively dense, radiogenic, terrestrial particles (derived from the mineral fraction of soils) from the humus particles with lower ratios of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb (because of atmospheric Pb contamination). Despite the contemporary enrichments of Pb in rain and snow, concentrations of dissolved Pb in the lake are extremely low (sometimes below 10 ng/l), with Pb concentrations and Pb/Sc ratios approaching “natural” values because of efficient binding to particles, and their subsequent removal in the watershed.     

A 2400-year record of trace metal loading in lake sediments of Lagoa Vermelha, southeastern Brazil

Sediments of the Lagoa Vermelha (Red Lake), situated in the Ribeira Valley, southeastern Brazil, are made of a homogeneous, organic-rich, black clay with no visible sedimentary structures. The inorganic geochemical record (Al, As, Ba, Br, Co,Cs, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Rb, Sc, Sb, V, Zn, Hg and Pb) of the lake sediments was analyzed in a core spanning 2430 years. The largest temporal changes in trace metal contents occurred approximately within the last 180 years. Recent sediments were found to be enriched in Pb, Zn, Hg, Ni, Mn, Br and Sb (more than 2-fold increase with respect to the “natural background level”). The enhanced accumulation of Br, Sb, and Mn was attributed to biogeochemical processes and diagenesis. On the other hand, the anomalous concentrations of Pb, Zn, Hg and Ni were attributed to pollution. As Lagoa Vermelha is located in a relatively pristine area, far removed from direct contamination sources, the increased metal contents of surface sediments most likely resulted from atmospheric fallout. Stable Pb isotopes provided additional evidence for anthropogenic contamination. The shift of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios toward decreasing values in the increasingly younger sediments is consistent with an increasing contribution of airborne anthropogenic lead. In the uppermost sediments (0-10 cm), the lowest values of the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios may reflect the influence of the less radiogenic Pb from the Ribeira Valley District ores (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb between 1.04 and 1.10), emitted during the last 50 years.     

Last-five-decade heavy metal pollution records from the Rewalsar Lake,Himachal Pradesh,India

The lakes of the Himalaya are degrading due to increase in toxic heavy metal loading. This study reports the last 50-year heavy metal pollution loading in the Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India. Sediment cores were recovered to study the pollution loading in the lake sediments. The ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb isotope-based sedimentation rate suggest rapid sedimentation in the lake during the last ~50 years. The concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Cr metals in the lake sediments owe its contributions both to the natural and anthropogenic sources. Prior to ca 1990 AD, metal loading was dominated by the lithogenic input, whereas post ca 1990 AD the metal loading was controlled by the anthropogenic factors. The Pb concentration in the lake gradually increased during 1990–2004 and then decreased significantly till present. The higher concentration of Pb seems to be derived from the fossil fuel burning, while the Cr concentration in the lake indicates the use of fertilizer in the catchment area. The lowest concentrations of elements around ca 1990 AD seem to have occurred due to channelization of the lake feeding system.     

湘江入湖河段沉积物重金属污染及其Pb同位素地球化学示踪

湘江是我国重金属污染最严重的河流之一.本次工作利用等离子质谱(ICP-MS)和多接收同位素质谱(MC-ICP-MS)等技术,对湘江入湖河段沉积物进行了系统的重金属微量元素和Pb同位素分析.结果表明,湘江河床沉积物明显富集Bi、Sc、V、Mn、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Sn、Sb等多种重金属微量元素,而湖盆沉积物重金...     

Anthropogenic Pb accumulation in forest soils from Lake Clair watershed: Duchesnay experimental forest (Québec, Canada)

Mineral soil horizons (Ae, Bhf1, Bhf2, Bf, BC and C) were carefully collected from two podzolic soil profiles in the Lake Clair watershed (Québec) in order to assess anthropogenic trace metal accumulation. Petrographic and selective analyses were performed to establish the soil mineralogy and properties. Furthermore, a complete sequential extraction procedure has been applied to help understanding the complex chemical speciation of Pb in forest soils. Chemical speciation of Pb showed a strong vertical gradient: 85% of this metal is mainly partitioned in refractory minerals in the C-horizon whereas in the upper Bhf1 and Ae-horizons, less than 50% of Pb is associated with this fraction. In the Ae-horizon, for example, 35%, 30% and 12% of total Pb, respectively, is associated with the exchangeable, labile organic matter and amorphous Fe-Mn oxides fractions. The distribution of Pb and Cr in the studied forest soils mainly reflects progressive contamination of the watershed by anthropogenic atmospheric sources. The anthropogenic source is indicated by elevated Cr and Pb concentrations in the topsoil (Bhf and Ae) horizons and by strong negative correlation between ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios and total Pb concentrations. According to these isotopic values, penetration of anthropogenic Pb does not exceed 10 cm in both soil profiles. Below this depth, both Pb concentrations and isotopic ratios remain nearly constant and similar to values observed in pre-anthropogenic sediments from Lake Clair. These values are interpreted as the natural geochemical backgrounds of the watershed. Based on that behaviour, calculated anthropogenic Pb net inputs amounted to between 1.24 and 1.8 g/m².     

The onset of anthropogenic activity recorded in lake sediments in the vicinity of the Horne smelter in Quebec,Canada: Sulfur isotope evidence

Contents and δ³⁴S values of several S compounds, enumerations of S-reducing bacteria (SRB) and Fe-reducing bacteria (IRB), and Fe, Pb and In concentrations were determined for ²¹⁰Pb-dated sediment cores from two lakes in Quebec, Canada. Both lakes are located approximately 70 km downwind of the Horne smelter and refinery in Rouyn-Noranda. Increases in Fe, Pb and In concentrations and a decrease in the δ³⁴S values of total S in both lake sediment cores coincide with the start-up of the smelter in 1927. The shift towards more negative δ³⁴S values was primarily caused by an increase in the extent of S isotope fractionation during bacterial (dissimilatory) SO₄ reduction due to SO₄ loading of the lakes after smelting began. Consequently, an enhanced accumulation of ³²S-enriched reduced inorganic S compounds is evident in the sediments. δ³⁴S values of organic S in the sediments decreased only slightly due to the smelter emissions between 1930 and 1980. Hence, due to the sulfide depositing mechanisms, S isotope ratios constitute a useful tracer recording the onset of S pollution in sediments of the two previously SO₄-limited lakes investigated. In contrast, total S concentrations alone are not reliable indicators for anthropogenic S loading in lake sediment records.     

Isotopic compositions of tropical East African flora and their potential as source indicators of organic matter in coastal marine sediments

The C and N stable isotope compositions of some flora of East Africa from coastal Tanzania and Amboseli National Park (Kenya) are used to assess if they can be used as a terrestrial end member during the estimation of terrestrial fraction in coastal marine sediments. The results of C isotope composition of various tree leaves, which average −29.3 ± 1.4%, indicate that these tropical higher land plant species follow a Calvin-Benson or non-Kranz (C₃) type of metabolism. The results for grass species, which average −13.2 ± 2.4%, indicate that most of them follow a Hatch-Slack or Kranz (C₄) type of metabolism. However, some of the succulent plants from the Amboseli National Park have δ¹³C values that average −14.7%, an indication that they follow a CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) type of metabolism. The N isotope values are relatively higher than expected for the terrestrial organic material. The average δ¹⁵N values for both tree and grass samples are higher than 5% and fall within the range normally considered to be marine. The high enrichment in ¹⁵N may be related to the environmental conditions in which plants thrive. Plants growing in sandy, dry and overgrazed environments are expected to be enriched in ¹⁵N owing to full utilisation of all available N species, regardless of their isotopic compositions. Other processes which may cause an enrichment in ¹⁵N include adsorption by various types of clay minerals, supply of ¹⁵N-enriched nitrate through sea-spray, and local denitrification, especially in swampy and lake margins where the input of organic matter may be higher than the rate of decomposition.The stable isotopic composition of organic C and N for surficial organic matter for the coastal marine sediments averages −17.0 ± 0.9% and 5.4 ± 1.1%, respectively. These values indicate a substantial contribution of C₄ plants and sea grasses. However, contribution of C₄ relative to that of sea grasses can not be evaluated owing to the fact that there is no significant difference in the isotopic compositions between the two groups.In the savannah environment, where a contribution from the C₄ types of plants might be substantial, the δ¹³C value for a terrestrial end member needs to be established prior to evaluation of the terrestrially derived organic matter in the marine environment. Owing to a significant contribution of sea grasses to the total organic matter preserved in coastal marine sediments, the stable isotopes of organic C seem to have a limited applicability as source indicators in the East African coastal waters. Furthermore, the results indicate that N stable isotopes seem to have a limited applicability as source indicators in coastal waters of East Africa. However, more work needs to be conducted to determine the terrestrial and sea grass end member values for the coastal areas.     

Petrogenesis of the Late Jurassic Laomengshan rhyodacite (Southeast China): constraints from zircon U–Pb dating,geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopes

Extensive magmatism occurred in southeast China during Late Jurassic time, forming large-scale granitic and volcanic rocks associated with non-ferrous, rare earth and rare, radioactive metal deposits. The Shuikoushan Pb–Zn–Au orefield is a typical example located in Hunan Province. This study reports LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock chemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions, and in situ Hf isotopic geochemistry of zircons from the Laomengshan rhyodacite in the Shuikoushan Pb–Zn–Au orefield. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a weighted average age of 156.7 ± 1.6 Ma for the intrusion of the rhyodacite. The rhyodacite samples are mainly shoshonitic series, having metaluminous to weakly peraluminous A/CNK values ranging from 0.96 to 1.09, with moderately high magnesium content (Mg# = 42.4–47.5). Samples display high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values (0.71165–0.71176), low ε_Nd(T) values (?10.7 to ?10.3), old Nd model ages (T_DM = 1.73–1.86 Ga), and relatively homogeneous Pb isotopic compositions [(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 18.365–18.412, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 15.663–15.680, and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 38.625–38.666]. The zircons exhibit enriched ε_Hf(T) values (?16.22 to ?9.86) and old two-stage Hf model ages (T_DM2 = 1.82–2.22 Ga). All the above data indicate that the Laomengshan rhyodacite originated from melting Palaeoproterozoic basement, perhaps contaminated by subordinate mantle melts. Intense extension and thinning of the continental lithosphere during Late Jurassic time resulted in melting of upwelling asthenosphere, and mafic mantle melts interacted with and melted Palaeoproterozoic lower crust, thus forming the Laomengshan rhyodacite.