Strontium isotope evolution of Late Permian and Triassic seawater

The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values based on brachiopods and conodonts define a nearly continuous record for the Late Permian and Triassic intervals. Minor gaps in measurements exist only for the uppermost Brahmanian, lower part of the Upper Olenekian, and Middle Norian, and only sparse data are available for the Late Permian. These 219 measurements include 67 brachiopods and 114 conodont samples from the Tethyan realm as well as 37 brachiopods and one conodont sample from the mid-European Middle Triassic Muschelkalk Sea. The Late Permian/Lower Triassic interval is characterized by a steep 1.3 × 10⁻³ rise, from 0.7070 at the base of the Dzhulfian to 0.7082 in the late Olenekian, a rate of change comparable to that in the Cenozoic. In the mid-Triassic (Anisian and Ladinian), the isotope values fall to 0.7075, followed again by a rise to 0.7081 in the Middle/Late Norian. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values decline again in the Late Norian (Sevatian) and Rhaetian to 0.7076.The sharp rise in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values during the Late Permian/Early Triassic was coincident with widespread clastic sedimentation. Because of the paucity of tectonic uplifts, the enhanced erosion may have been due to intermittent humid phases, during mainly an arid interval, coupled with the absence of a dense protective land plant cover following the mass extinction during the latest Permian. The apex of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr curve at the Olenekian/Anisian boundary coincides with cessation of the large-scale clastic sedimentation and also marks the final recovery of land vegetation, as indicated by the renewed onset of coal formation in the Middle Triassic. The rising ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values from the Middle Carnian to the Late Norian coincide with the uplift and erosion of the Cimmeride-Indosinian orogens marking the closure of the Palaeotethys. The subsequent Rhaetian decline that continues into Jurassic (Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary), on the other hand, coincides with the opening of the Vardar Ocean and its eastern continuation in the Izmir-Ankara Ophiolitic Belt.Samples from the Upper Muschelkalk are more radiogenic than the global trend. This may reflect separation of the basin from the open ocean. Due to strong meteoric influx from a large land mass in the north, the Germanic Basin became increasing brackish up section in the north and east, but because of the high evaporation rates, the salt content was not much reduced in the southern and central basin where a rich, but increasingly endemic, marine fauna survived.     

Geochemistry and geochronology of Early Mesozoic tholeiites from Central Morocco

From Central Morocco (Central High Atlas, Middle Atlas, Haute Moulouya) continental tholeiites were investigated geochemically and geochronologically. These tholeiites are intercalated within continental redbeds of the Early Mesozoic (Triassic-Liassic). The major, trace and rare earth element contents classify these volcanic rocks as basaltic to andesitic-basaltic, quartz-normative tholeiites. Some trace element ratios (e.g. Zr/Nb, Zr/ Y, Y/Nb, Ti/V) suffer a heterogeneous source with a composition similar to MORB (P- to N-type). The enriched LILE contents, the negative Nb anomaly and the inital⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7064–0.7069) reveal the presence of a crustal component up to 13–17 wt%.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of carbonate mineral separates from different lava flows show different cycles of alteration; however, the major and trace element chemistry together with Sr isotope evidence, indicate that the alteration phases are not submarine in origin.⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age determinations on translucent plagioclase phenocrysts yield extrusion ages which range between 210.4 ± 2.1 Ma and 196.3 ± 1.2 Ma. These ages correspond to a stratigraphic period between the Norian (Rhaetian?) and the Upper Sinemurian.     

The isotopic composition of strontium in non-marine carbonate rocks: the Flagstaff Formation of Utah*

The isotopic composition of strontium in surface water in continental basins is determined primarily by the geology of the basin and to a lesser extent by climatic conditions. Consequently, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of brines in such basins can change only as a result of changes in the geology or climate. This principle of isotope geology was studied by analysis of a suite of non-marine carbonate rocks from the Flagstaff Formation (Palaeocene-Eocene) of Utah. The samples were collected from a section in Fairview Canyon of Sanpete County. They include both limestone and dolomite and were selected to have low non-carbonate residues. The concentrations of strontium in calcites averages 383 ± 128 p.p.m., while those of dolomites increase from 354 ± 74 p.p.m. in the lower 43 m of section to a maximum of 2259 p.p.m. higher up. The increase in the strontium content of dolomite is interpreted as evidence for a change from steady-state to progressively more evaporitic conditions. Two dolomites have isotopic compositions of oxygen expressed as δ¹⁸O = -2.75‰ (relative to the PDB standard) and are enriched in ¹⁸O relative to two calcites whose average δ¹⁸O value is -9.9‰. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the carbonate minerals range from 0.70890 to 0.71260. These values are clearly greater than the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of marine carbonates of Early Eocene age which is 0.70744. The variation of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in this section of the Flagstaff Formation is real and reflects the occurrence of geological events which changed the isotopic composition of Sr entering Lake Flagstaff. The non-carbonate fractions of six carbonate rocks and one sandstone fit a straight line on the strontium mixing diagram in co-ordinates of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and 1/Sr concentration. These results suggest that the isotopic composition of strontium in Lake Flagstaff may have been modulated by periodic input of volcanogenic detritus of felsic composition.     

Young Alpine dykes south of the Tauern Window (Austria): a K-Ar and Sr isotope study

Fortyfive new K-Ar ages and Sr isotope data on amphiboles, biotites, clinopyroxenes and whole rock samples from subvolcanic dykes south of the Tauern Window establish, that alkalibasaltic dykes were intruded 30 m.y. ago and shoshonitic volcanism occured between 30 and 24 m.y. ago. Two calc-alkaline rocks of high-potassium composition yielded ages of 40 and 26 m.y. resp., a spread which may or may not be real. Calc-alkaline dykes with medium and low potassium contain excess argon and are hence undatable. Alkalibasaltic dykes have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7056–0.7070, shoshonitic rocks 0.7075–0.7133, potassium rich calc-alkaline dykes 0.7077–0.7100. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of all other calc-alkaline rocks scatter between 0.7074 and 0.7150. Sr data indicate that dykes studied do not represent closed Sr systems, but that Sr characteristics result from selective strontium assimilation en route to surface. Primary Sr isotopic ratios of alkalibasaltic dykes point to an origin of these rocks in enriched sub-continental upper mantle. The source region of shoshonitic and high-potassium calcalkaline rocks could have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr around 0.707, which is assigned to the input of a component rich in alkalies, LREE and LIL elements. Genetic relationships with other Tertiary magmatites of similar geotectonic position are explained in terms of plate tectonic models of the Eastern Alps.     

The contribution of the Emeishan large igneous province to the strontium isotope evolution of the Capitanian seawater

ABSTRACT

The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr minimum of the Capitanian seawater is one of the most significant features in the Phanerozoic seawater ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr history. In order to assess possible contribution of the Emeishan large igneous provinces (LIPs) to strontium isotope evolution of the Capitanian seawater, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios were measured from the Capitanian limestones which are locally interlayered with the Emeishan basalts. The limestones underlying the Emeishan basalts have high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7070–0.7074). However, extremely low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7068–0.7070) were identified in the late Capitanian Jinogondolella prexuanhanensis–J. xuanhanensis zones, which correspond to the eruption time of the Emeishan LIP. The temporal coincidence of these two phenomena supports the idea of a potential linkage between Capitanian ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr minimum and eruption of this igneous province. The strong submarine hydrothermal activity and erosion of the Emeishan LIP could have released large amounts of non-radiogenic Sr to the oceans and play an important role in strontium isotope evolution of the seawater.     

Isotopic signatures of strontium,neodymium, and lead in metamorphic rocks of the Khavyven highland in eastern Kamchatka

Metamorphic units of the Khavyven Highland that crop out in the northern portion of the Khavyven Uplift of the basement structures of the Central Kamchatka Trough are formed by rocks of the Khavyven Formation, which are metamorphosed in the green-schist facies. The formation comprises two strata: the lower part that consists of amphibole-micaceous ± garnet, epidote-micaceous ± garnet crystalline schists, and micaceous ± garnet quartzite schists has a total thickness of some 500 m, and the upper part, which is formed by epidote-amphibole and phengite-amphibole green schists and overlying epidote-amphibole-micaceous quartzites, with a visible thickness of some 750 m. The isotopic ratios of Sr, Nd, and Pb were determined in the examined rocks of the Khavyven Formation for the first time. The high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios and the high K/La, Ba/Th, Th/Ta, and La/Nb ratios in combination with a deep Ta-Nb minimum indicate that the original volcanites of the crystalline schists of the lower rock mass had a subduction nature. The green schist of the upper rock mass, whose composition corresponds to that of spilitic basalts, have elevated ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, thus combining indications of depleted melts of the N-MORB and E-MORB types and those of subduction melts, which explains the deep Ta-Nb minimum and the low (La/Yb) _N ratios. The isotopic signatures of lead in rocks of the lower and the upper strata are similar. The composition points of the crystalline schists and the green schists are located near the trend of isotopic evolution of lead in the depleted mantle, which indicates that the rocks are closely related to this mantle source.     

A strontium isotopic study of the volcanic rocks of the Myoko volcano group,central Japan

Thirty-one selected volcanic rocks from the Myoko volcano group which comprises a volcanic chain of four independent volcanoes of Quaternary to Recent age are analyzed for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. The rocks of the lizuna volcano, the oldest among the Myoko volcano group, have higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and show a larger scatter ranging from 0.7043₇ to 0.7055₆ than those of other volcanoes. The Kurohime volcanic rocks have a restricted range of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7040₃∼0.7043₅). ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the Myoko volcanic rocks are almost the same in average to those of the Kurohime volcanic rocks, although somewhat varied ranging from 0.7037₈ to 0.7046₁. A single analysis of the Yakeyama volcanic rock yielded a ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7042₇. A characteristic pattern in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios is observed through the volcanic activity of the Myoko volcano group; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are high in the early stage of the volcanic activity and then decrease to low values, the late eruptives being characterized by constant ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. The negative correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Rb/Sr, and positive correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Sr found in the rocks of the Iizuna volcano are interpreted to show the occurrence of contamination by materials with high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (>0.7056), low Rb/Sr ratios (<0.01) and high Sr contents (>300 ppm). Sialic crustal contamination may have played only a minor role.     

Evolution of a hydrothermal fluid-rock interaction system as recorded by Sr isotopes: A case study from the Schwarzwald, SW Germany

Metasomatic and Sr-isotopic changes, associated with formation of zoned alteration halos along hydrothermal veins, are documented for a gneiss from the Artenberg quarry near Steinach (Kinzigtal, Schwarzwald, SW Germany). Veins are postorogenic, SW-NE-oriented, and cut straight through metaquartzdioritic Variscan gneiss, where flow of low-temperature fluids (～100–200°C) caused adularia-quartz-sericite-type alteration. Fluid-rock interaction occurred nearly 50 Ma after Variscan metamorphism, as constrained by a Rb–Sr multimineral isochron for unaltered gneiss of 327.1?±?3.1 Ma, and by two independent ages of 279.2?±?3.1 Ma and 274?±?13 Ma, based on Rb–Sr systematics of late-stage quartz from the veins. In a profile from unaltered gneiss towards a vein, alteration-induced mineralogical changes correlate with metasomatic net addition of K, Rb, and Cl to the alteration zone, combined with net loss of Na, Ca, and Sr. Strontium isotopes give a more detailed insight into the fluid-rock interaction process. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in a profile across the alteration zone are incompatible with simple Sr leaching but reflect partial replacement of the rocks’ Sr by fluid-derived Sr, the isotopic composition of which varied with time. Early fluids, with high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios compared to unaltered gneiss, evolved into fluids with somewhat lower ratios, and finally reached a second maximum in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. This Sr-isotopic fluid evolution is equally revealed by the mineral sequence of the vein mineralization. It appears that the compositional evolution of the fluids correlates with the sequence of mineral breakdown reactions in the gneissic host rock, and that the Sr-isotopic evolution of the fluids can be fully explained as the result of internal, progressive reaction of fluid with the local rocks. Results also show that the spatial distributions of Sr isotopes in metasomatic alteration zones may reflect the complex evolution of fluid-rock interaction systems, and ultimately constrain the factors controlling both fluid compositions and alteration patterns.     

Strontium distribution and origins in a natural clayey formation (Callovian-Oxfordian, Paris Basin, France): A new sequential extraction procedure

Strontium is a good monitor of geochemical processes in natural clayey formations. In the Callovian-Oxfordian formation of Bure in France, strontium is sorbed on clay minerals and carried by carbonates, detrital minerals and accessory celestite. In order to determine the strontium distribution among these different phases, four-step sequential extractions (1. cobalt hexamine trichloride, 2. acetic acid, 3. EDTA and 4. tri-acid) were performed on samples from different levels of the clayey formation. The leachates were also analyzed for strontium isotopes, in order to determine the strontium origins. This sequential procedure is well suited to determining strontium distribution in claystones, although it is less efficient in clay-rich limestones and in celestite-rich samples. The carbonates (38-47% of the total strontium) show ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7070-0.7071) that have recorded the isotopic composition of the Callovian-Oxfordian seawater. Diagenetic carbonates (dolomite, ankerite and siderite) have almost not incorporated any strontium, which has been trapped by celestite during the late diagenesis. The major part of the celestite shows ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7069-0.7070) quite close to the primary carbonates. However, a second generation of celestite (0.7074) shows a slight ⁸⁷Sr-enrichment and is isotopically in equilibrium with the exchangeable strontium (27-48% of the total strontium with a mean ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr value of 0.70745) and the present-day porewater (0.7074). This very low ⁸⁷Sr-enrichment could be explained by the partial destabilisation of detrital minerals (feldspars, micas, clays) which exhibit ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios consistent with their pristine Hercynian origin (0.7229-0.7350). Diffusion of strontium from the subjacent Dogger aquifers (0.7076-0.7082) could also be invoked to explain the slight ⁸⁷Sr-enrichment.     

Determination of Hf–Sr–Nd isotopic ratios by MC-ICP-MS using rapid acid digestion after flux-free fusion in geological materials

In this study, we established a rapid acid digestion for determining Hf–Sr–Nd isotopic ratios of geological samples by using MC-ICP-MS. Conditions of 1600 °C for 1 min and 1400 °C for 1 min were adopted for fusing intrusive rocks and extrusive rocks, respectively. The rapid acid digestion technique is superior in digestion time compared with high-pressure PTFE bomb method. The procedural blanks of the method were also lower than that flux fusion. Replicate analyses of international certified reference materials (CRMs) indicate that isotopic ratios of ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd agree well with previously published data. The external reproducibility (2SD, n = 5) of ten CRMs are ±0.000030 for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ±0.000030 for ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, and ±0.000018 for ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf.     

Strontium isotope composition of alpine-type ultramafic rocks in the Lake Chatuge District,Georgia—North Carolina

The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios for a series of ultramafic rocks from the Lake Chatuge region range from 0.7023 to 0.7047, suggesting a direct upper mantle source and precluding a multiple differentiation origin for these alpine-type rocks. Higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7058–0.7068) for serpentinized rocks from this suite apparently reflect the influx of radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr from the surrounding gneisses and schists during serpentinization.     

THE PETROCHEMISTRY OF ANCIENT GRANITOIDS OF THE SOUTHERN SIBERIAN CRATON AND ITS MARGINAL FOLD BELTS

The geochemistry of Laramide granitic rocks from central Sonora was studied to relate possible compositional variations to the assimilation of different crustal sources. Most of the studied rocks are granodiorites collected near the southern boundary of the Paleozoic North American continent. North of this boundary, the Laramide plutons intruded a thick section of Upper Proterozoic and Paleozoic miogeoclinal strata, whereas south of it, the intrusives were emplaced in Lower Ordovician to Permian eugeoclinal rocks accreted to the continental margin between Late Permian and Middle Triassic times. Whole-rock Na₂O, TiO₂, and P₂O₅ contents are slightly higher in plutons intruded in cratonic and miogeoclinal rocks, whereas MgO and CaO seem to be higher in plutons emplaced in eugeoclinal rocks. The samples located in the north are characterized by steeper chondrite-normal-ized REE slopes and generally well developed negative europium anomalies, whereas the group of granitoids in the south have flatter REE slopes and generally smaller negative europium anomalies. Available isotope data show ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratios above 0.7070, and ε_Nd initial values between ?4.6 and ?4.2 in plutons to the north. In a narrow E-W region just south of the Paleozoic continental margin, the samples yielded similar ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios but unexpectedly low ε_Nd values between ?5.4 and ?5.1. South of this region, the isotope signatures are slightly more primitive, with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratios between 0.7067 and 0.7057 and initial ε_Nd values between ?3.9 and ?3.7. The results of this study suggest that the nature of the assimilated crust may have influenced the final composition of the Laramide granitic rocks of central Sonora.     

Strontium isotopic studies of alkalic rocks: Localities from Australia,Spain, and the Western United States

Initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios and rubidium and strontium contents have been measured in 83 specimens from 8 suites of alkalic and ultrabasic rocks. The range of initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio observed and the number of specimens (in parentheses) analysed for each suite are: West Kimberley, Australia (8), 0.7125–0.7215; Jumilla, Spain (6), 0.7136–0.7158; Bearpaw Mountains, Montana (9), 0.7062–0.7086; Highwood Mountains, Montana (10), 0.7072–0.7087; Hopi Buttes, Arizona (8), 0.7038–0.7094; Leucite Hills, Wyoming (17), 0.7055–0.7070; Montana diatremes (13), 0.7034–0.7073; Navajo Province, Arizona and New Mexico (12), 0.7052–0.7099.The initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios of the West Kimberley and Jumilla rocks are the highest yet found in strontium-rich basic rocks. Some of the individual specimens from West Kimberley have initial ratios as high as some estimates of the present Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio of average crustal material. This is interpreted to mean that the West Kimberley and Jumilla rocks contain substantial amounts of radiogenic strontium, and possibly other elements, from a crustal source.     

An attempt at energy index (EI) analysis of the Upper Anisian,Ladinian and Carnian carbonate rocks in the Teteven anticlinorium (Bulgaria)

Two sections of Triassic carbonate rocks were investigated by means of energy-index logs (EI logs). Three more terms are applied here in addition to the well-known terminology: EI log of the energy minima (EI log_min), EI log of the energy maxima (EI log_max) and differential EI field (DEI field). Characteristics of the EI classification parameters for the Upper Anisian, Ladinian and Carnian carbonate rocks are provided. Their EI classification comprises four types and twelve subtypes of limestones. The application of this classification established eight complete energy cycles (according to the scale chosen). The comparison of the EI logs of the two sections showed certain differences only in the detailed configuration of the cycles. This is due to lateral alternations in the beds. The general energy evolution trend of the two sections is identical. The dolomite formation during the Norian was preceded by rapid lowering of the energy levels in the upper part of the Carnian. The ostracods and foraminifers are related to the lowest energy levels, whereas the crinoids, brachiopods, bryozoans and thickshelled pelecypods are related to the medium and high energy levels.     

The Gumeshevo skarn-porphyry copper deposits in the Central Urals,Russia: Evolution of the ore-magmatic system as deduced from isotope geochemistry (Sr,Nd, C,O, H)

The Early Devonian Gumeshevo deposit is one of the largest ore objects pertaining to the dioritic model of the porphyry copper system paragenetically related to the low-K quartz diorite island-arc complex. The (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_t and (ɛ_Nd)_t of quartz diorite calculated for t = 390 Ma are 0.7038–0.7045 and 5.0–5.1, respectively, testifying to a large contribution of the mantle component to the composition of this rock. The contents of typomorphic trace elements (ppm) are as follows: 30–48 REE sum, 5–10 Rb, 9–15 Y, and 1–2 Nb. The REE pattern is devoid of Eu anomaly. Endoskarn of low-temperature and highly oxidized amphibole-epidote-garnet facies is surrounded by the outer epidosite zone. Widespread retrograde metasomatism is expressed in replacement of exoskarn and marble with silicate (chlorite, talc, tremolite)-magnetite-quartz-carbonate mineral assemblage. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of epidote in endoskarn and carbonate in retrograde metasomatic rocks (0.7054–0.7058 and 0.7053–0.7065, respectively) are intermediate between the Sr isotope ratios of quartz dioritic rocks and marble (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70784 ± 2). Isotopic parameters of the fluid equilibrated with silicates of skarn and retrograde metasomatic rocks replacing exoskarn at 400°C are δ¹⁸O = +7.4 to +8.5‰ and δD = −49 to −61‰ (relative to SMOW). The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O of carbonates in retrograde metasomatic rocks after marble are −5.3 to +0.6 (relative to PDB) and +13.0 to +20.2% (relative to SMOW), respectively. Sulfidation completes metasomatism, nonuniformly superimposed on all metasomatic rocks and marbles with formation of orebodies, including massive sulfide ore. The δ³⁴S of sulfides is 0 to 2‰ (relative to CDT);⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of calcite from the late calcite-pyrite assemblage replacing marble is 0.704134 ± 6. The δ¹³C and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of postore veined carbonates correlate positively (r = 0.98; n = 6). The regression line extends to the marble field. Its opposite end corresponds to magmatic (in terms of Bowman, 1998b) calcite with minimal δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (−6.9 ‰, +6.7‰, and 0.70378 ± 4, respectively). The aforementioned isotopic data show that magmatic fluid was supplied during all stages of mineral formation and interacted with marble and other rocks, changing its Sr, C, and O isotopic compositions. This confirms the earlier established redistribution of major elements and REE in the process of metasomatism. A contribution of meteoric and metamorphic water is often established in quartz from postore veins.     

Palaeomagnetic and RbSr isotopic evidence for the age of the Särna alkaline complex,western central Sweden

The stable palaeomagnetic pole of peralkaline syenites from the Särna intrusion lies close to the mean Upper Carboniferous pole for stable Europe and to other poles of similar age from the Baltic Shield. This age evidence is in agreement with an Rb-Sr 8-point mineral isochron for a single whole-rock sample of $\text{287±14}$ m.y. (2σ). The isochron age and the pole position are believed to reflect the emplacement and cooling of the body and a comparison is drawn with other events of similar age in the Baltic Shield. Variation of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of whole-rock samples from 0.7041 to 0.7070 (at 287 m.y.) is considered to be caused by contamination of an ultimately mantle-derived magma by radiogenic strontium from crustal material.     

Strontium isotope systematics of Amba Dongar and Sung Valley carbonatite-alkaline complexes,India: evidence for liquid immiscibility,crustal contamination and long-lived Rb/Sr enriched mantle sources

The results of a Sr isotopic study of coexisting alkaline silicate rocks and carbonatites of two Cretaceous alkaline complexes of India, Amba Dongar (Deccan Flood Basalt Province) and Sung Valley (Rajmahal–Bengal–Sylhet Flood Basalt Province) are reported. The overlapping nature of initial Sr isotopic ratios of alkaline rocks and carbonatites of both the complexes is consistent with a magmatic differentiation model. Modelling of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr variation in alkaline rocks of Amba Dongar is consistent with a process of crustal assimilation by the parent magma undergoing simultaneous fractional crystallization of silicate rocks and silicate–carbonate melt immiscibility. A maximum of ∼5% crustal contamination has been estimated for the parent magma of Amba Dongar, the effect of which is not seen in the Sr isotope ratio of carbonatites generated by liquid immiscibility. A two point Rb–Sr isochron of the Sung Valley carbonatites, pyoxenite and a phlogopite from a carbonatite yielded an age of 106±11 Ma, which is identical to the ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age of this complex. The same age for the carbonatites and the alkaline silicate rocks, similar initial Sr ratios and the higher Sr concentration in the former than the latter favour the hypothesis of liquid immiscibility for the generation of the Sung Valley. The higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio for these complexes than that of the Bulk Earth indicates their derivation from long-lived Rb/Sr-enriched sources.     

Rb‐Sr geochronology and Sr isotopic composition of Devonian granitoids,eastern Tasmania

Biotite igneous ages and well‐defined isochron ages of plutons from the composite Blue Tier Batholith and the Coles Bay area in northeastern Tasmania range from 395 to 370 Ma. The older limit of this range, for the George River granodiorite, is considerably older than any age previously recorded for NE Tasmania. The ages of the youngest plutons (Mt Paris and Anchor granites), which host cassiterite ores, record pervasive hydrothermal alteration events. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁰Sr ratios of the granitoids range from 0.7061 to 0.7136 and suggest different protolith compositions, consistent with mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of each pluton. The S‐type garnetbiotite granites (Ansons Bay and Booby alia granites) have initial ratios greater than 0.7119, indicative of enriched, high Rb/Sr ratio, crustal source‐rocks of Proterozoic age (1700–800 Ma). The S‐type biotite granites (Poimena and Pearson granites) have relatively high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7070, 0.7105) but overlap with those of the I‐type granodiorites (George River, Scamander Tier, Pyengana and Coles Bay granodiorites) which are in the range of 0.7061 to 0.7073. The initial ratios of the enriched altered plutons are poorly constrained, and on both hand‐specimen and thin‐section scales, reveal open‐system Sr isotopic patterns.

Isochron ages for the arenite‐lutite and lutite sedimentary associations of the Mathinna Beds, which are intruded by the granitoids, reflect an approach to Sr isotopic equilibrium during regional metamorphism. The metamorphic age (401 ± 7 Ma) of the early Pragian arenite‐lutite association indicates a relatively small time interval between deposition, regional metamorphism and granitoid intrusion. The isotopic age for the lutite sedimentary association (423 ± 22 Ma) is tentatively correlated with a Benambran‐age burial metamorphic event that has not previously been recorded in Tasmania.     

Strontium isotope studies on ultramafic inclusions from Dreiser Weiher,Eifel, Germany

The isotopic composition of strontium, and rubidium and strontium concentrations in eight ultramafic inclusions and two host basalts from Dreiser Weiher, Eifel, Germany are presented. Comparison of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the inclusions with the basaltic hosts indicates that the lherzolite inclusions are exotic in nature but the wehrlite-clino-pyroxenites are probably cognate with the host rocks. An apparent age of 550 m.y. (±a large uncertainty) shown by the lherzolites is believed to reflect a mantle event.     

Pb and Sr isotope and geochemical data from the Pb–Zn deposit Bleiberg (Austria): constraints on the age of mineralization

Summary The timing of Zn–Pb mineralization hosted by early dolomitized lagoonal limestones (Crest facies) at Bleiberg (Carinthia, Austria) has been constrained using Sr-isotopes. This late stage Zn–Pb mineralization is a special feature of the Bleiberg deposit. Samples of the mineralized Crest facies are characterized by higher concentrations of minor and trace elements (except Ba and Sr) compared to samples from the weakly mineralized Wetterstein limestone of the lagoonal facies. The samples from the Crest facies indicate that a fluid with a minimum ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7083 reacted at 210±30 Ma with carbonate rocks having ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of approximately 0.7077 during a late stage of ore formation. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios correlate with the Mn and Cl concentrations. Lead isotope data of whole rock samples of Bleiberg yielded an isochron age of 180±40 Ma. They furthermore confirm the presence of two types of common lead; an isotopically distinct ore lead component is present within and close to the ore bodies. The other common Pb component is present in host rocks and in gangue minerals and is distinguished from the ore lead by lower ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios. The Sr and the Pb ages are consistent with geological evidence indicating a Triassic age of Pb–Zn mineralization and support genetic models emphasizing the role of bacteriogenic sulfate reduction at low temperatures prior to subsidence and burial. Elevated ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (>0.7080) of gangue minerals indicate an epigenetic origin of strontium. Our results are consistent with a genetic model postulating formation of the ore-bearing hydrothermal fluids “at depth” where they leached lead from pre-Upper Carboniferous basement rocks.