Strontium isotope composition and petrogenesis of the Kirkpatrick basalt,Queen Alexandra Range,Antarctica

The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of twelve basalt flows of Jurassic age on Storm Peak in the Queen Alexandra Range are anomalously high and range from 0.7094–0.7133. The average value is 0.7112±0.0013 (1). The concentrations of rubidium and strontium have arithmetic means of 60.6±19.4 ppm and 128.8±11.9 ppm, respectively. The corresponding average Rb/Sr ratio is 0.47 which is also anomalously high for rocks of basaltic composition. In addition, these rocks have high concentrations of SiO₂ (56.50%) and K₂O (1.29%) and are depleted in Al₂O₃ (12.92%), MgO (3.44%) and CaO (7.91%) compared to average continental tholeiites. They are nevertheless classified as basalts on the basis of the composition of microphenocrysts.The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and all of the chemical parameters of the flows exhibit systematic stratigraphic variations. These are interpreted as indicating the occurrence of four eruptive cycles. In a typical cycle the initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of successive flows and their concentrations of SiO₂, FeO (total iron), Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, Rb and Sr decrease in ascending stratigraphic sequence while the concentrations of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, CaO and MnO increase upward. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the flows show a strong positive correlation with the strontium concentration. Similar correlations are observed between the initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and all of the major oxide components. These relationships are incompatible with the hypothesis that these flows are the products of crystal fractionation of a-34 magma at depth under closed-system conditions. It is suggested that the flows resulted from the hybridization of a normal tholeiite basalt magma by assimilation of varying amounts of granitic rocks in the Precambrian basement which underlies the entire Transantarctic Mountain chain.Mixtures of two components having different ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and differing strontium concentrations are related to each other by hyperbolic mixing equation. Such an equation was fitted by least squares regression of data points to a straight line in coordinates of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and the reciprocals of the concentrations of strontium. This equation and plots of strontium versus other oxides were then used to estimate the chemical composition of the parent basalt magma and of the granitic contaminant by substituting reasonable estimates of their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. The chemical composition of the parent basalt (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.706) is generally compatible with that of average continental tholeiite, but is distinctive by having a low concentration of strontium (117 ppm). The chemical composition of the contaminant (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.720) is enriched in strontium (173 ppm), SiO₂, FeO (total iron) and the alkalies but is depleted in Al₂O₃, MgO and CaO. The data for strontium indicate that the lava flows on Storm Peak contain between 20 and 40% of this granitic contaminant. The contamination of basalt magma is not a local event but is characteristic of the Jurassic basalt flows and diabase sills throughout the Transantarctic Mountains and in Tasmania.Laboratory for Isotope Geology and Geochemistry, Contribution No. 33.     

Petrogenesis of the Kirkpatrick Basalt,Solo Nunatak,northern Victoria Land,Antarctica, based on isotopic compositions of strontium,oxygen and sulfur

Chemical and isotopic compositions of Jurassic tholeiites of the Kirkpatrick Basalt Group from Solo Nunatak, northern Victoria Land, indicate that these rocks are contaminated with crustal material. The basalts are fine grained and contain phenocrysts of augite, pigeonite, hypersthene and plagioclase. The flows on Solo Nunatak are chemically more similar to average tholeiite than flows from Mt. Falla and Storm Peak in the Central Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) which appear to be more highly differentiated. Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the flows on Solo Nunatak are high (>0.710) and are similar to those reported for the Kirkpatrick Basalt in the Central TAM. Whole-rock δ¹⁸O values are also high, ranging from +6.0 to +9.3‰ and correlate positively with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, similar to the Kirkpatrick Basalt in the Central TAM. The correlation between initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and δ¹⁸O values is explained as the result of simultaneous fractional crystallization and assimilation of a crustal contaminant. Sulfur isotope compositions vary between limits of δ³⁴S= -4.01 to +3.41‰ Variations in (δ³⁴S probably resulted from outgassing of SO₂ under varying oxygen fugacities. Laboratory for Isotope Geology and Geochemistry (Isotopia), Contribution No. 71     

Carbon,oxygen, and sulfur isotope compositions and model of the Silurian rock formation in northwestern Belarus

The paper describes the results of study of the Silurian clayey–carbonate rocks ranging from the Telychian Stage (Llandovery) to the Gorstian Stage (Ludlow) recovered by the Borehole Davtyuny 3k in northwestern Belarus. Rocks of the Sheinwoodian Stage demonstrate a positive excursion of δ¹³C with amplitude of 4.7‰, marking the Ireviken biotic event recorded in the global chemostratigraphic curve. Values of δ¹⁸O for the carbonate material in the studied section (25.5–29.2‰ SMOW) are close to those for Silurian rocks from the Baltic region, Scandinavia, Ukraine, Poland, and Canada. The whole section contains postsedimentary gypsum as nodules and the infilling of fissures and fenestrae. Values of δ³⁴S in gypsum (21.3–26.7‰ CDT) are close to those for the Silurian rocks on the Phanerozoic isotope plot. The formation of gypsum was related to a partial development of the supralittoral environment over the sublittoral and littoral clayey–carbonate substrate. The seawater accumulated in lowlands of the supralittoral plain after storms was intensely concentrated during arid conditions and accumulated in the clayey–carbonate sediment. The subsequent underground evaporation promoted the formation of gypsum as nodules in the unlithified sediments and the infilling of fissures and fenestrae in the lithified rocks.     

Origin of epigenetic calcite in coal from Antarctica and Ohio based on isotope compositions of oxygen,carbon and strontium

Isotopic compositions of oxygen, carbon and strontium of calcite cleats in coal seams of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, and Tuscarawas County, Ohio, contain a record of the conditions a the time of their formation. The Antarctic calcites (δ ¹⁸O(SMOW) = +9.14 to +11.82%₀) were deposited from waters enriched in ¹⁶O whose isotopic composition was consistent with that of meteoric precipitation at low temperature and high latitude. The carbon of the calcite cleats (δ ¹³C(PDB) = ?15.6 to ?16.9%₀) was derived in part from the coal (δ ¹³C(PDB) = ?23.5 to ?26.7%₀) as carbon dioxide and by oxidation of methane or other hydrocarbon gases. The strontium (${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}\text{= 0.71318–0.72392)}$ originated primarily from altered feldspar grains in the sandstones of the Beacon Supergroup.Calcite cleats in the Kittaning No. 6 coal seam of Ohio (δ ¹⁸O(SMOW) = +26.04 to +27.79%₀) were deposited from waters that had previously exchanged oxygen, possibly with marine carbonate at depth. The carbon (δ ¹³C(PDB) = 0.9 to +2.4%₀) is enriched in ¹³C even though that cleats were deposited in coal that is highly enriched in ¹²C and apparently originated from marine carbonates. Strontium in the cleats ($\text{Sr}\text{87}$ 0.71182–0.71260) is not of marine origin but contains varying amounts of radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr presumably derived from detrital Rb-bearing minerals in the adjacent sedimentary rocks. The results of this study suggest that calcite cleats in coal of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, were deposited after the start of glaciation in Cenozoic time and that those in Ohio precipitated from formation waters derived from the underlying marine carbonate rocks, probably in the recent geologic past.     

Carbon, oxygen, and sulfur isotope compositions of carbonate and sulfate rocks from the Famennian potassium-bearing subformation of the Pripyat trough

Peculiar features of evaporitic process at the stage of potassium accumulation are considered on the basis of carbon and oxygen isotope data on carbonate rocks and sulfur isotope data on anhydrite from the Famennian potassium-bearing subformation of the Starobin potassic salt deposit in the Pripyat trough. It was found that potassium accumulation was accompanied by the influx of continental waters and highly concentrated brines, while the formation of thick salt-free units was related to the replenishment of fresh seawater to the basin.     

Preservation of oxygen isotope compositions in granulites from Northwestern Canada and Enderby Land,Antarctica: implications for high-temperature isotopic thermometry

 Preservation of high-temperature mineral isotopic compositions is necessary for successful high-temperature isotopic thermometry. Other requirements include large fractionations between constituent minerals, well-calibrated equilibria, carefully designed sampling strategies and data handling techniques that quantitatively account for retrograde exchange. Here, we apply isotopic thermometry and data handling techniques to calculate and contrast mineral-pair apparent temperature data and observed closure temperature data (T _c-observed) (cf. Farquhar et al. 1993) for the very high temperature (>900°C), dry granulites of the Taltson Magmatic Zone of Northwestern Canada and the Napier Complex of Enderby Land, Antarctica. The isotopic compositions of garnet grains from both terrains reflect high temperature conditions (>950°C) and point to this mineral as an excellent candidate for isotopic thermometry. The isotopic compositions of quartz, pyroxene, ilmenite and magnetite indicate that they equilibrated to lower temperature conditions (<900°C) due to faster rates of oxygen diffusion in these minerals, possibly enhanced by exsolution and ductile deformation, compared with garnet. Our temperature data for garnet and pyroxene are ≈200°C higher than is possible to explain by existing “wet” diffusion data, but is consistent with “dry” diffusion data, suggesting that the extremely dry nature of these rocks may have played a significant role in the preservation of high-temperature isotopic compositions. Both quartz and magnetite exhibit subgrain features, indicative of ductile deformation. Quartz-magnetite temperatures from the Napier complex are similar to those inferred for a late (D3) deformation and are lower than those predicted by “dry” diffusion data. We infer that the quartz-magnetite isotopic fractionations reflect deformation-enhanced exchange that accompanied D3. Garnet in these same samples did not undergo ductile deformation and did not exchange oxygen with coexisiting phases during cooling. This may reflect strain partitioning between less easily deformed, low abundance garnet and more easily deformed matrix quartz and magnetite. The resistance of garnet to ductile deformation in these rocks is a second reason why garnet is suitable for isotopic thermometry. Received: 6 February 1996 / Accepted: 25 April 1996     

Chemical and isotopic variations in an iron-rich lava flow from the Kirkpatrick Basalt,north Victoria Land,Antarctica: implications for low-temperature alteration

Chemical and isotopic (Sr, O, H) variations have been examined in an iron-rich lava flow of the Kirkpatrick Basalt from the Mesa Range in north Victoria Land, Antarctica. The flow is homogeneous with respect to the less mobile elements, whereas variations observed in K, Na, Si, Fe, and Rb result largely from alteration of glassy matrix material. Whole-rock Rb–Sr isotope data fall along a poorly-defined 103 Ma array attributed to secondary mobilization of Rb during the mid-Cretaceous. Alteration at that time is suggested by paleomagnetic data and would also account for discordant K–Ar dates. Whole-rock ¹⁸O values vary from +5.8 to +8.2 and a plagioclase separate has a ¹⁸O value of +5.6, reflecting the original composition of the magma. The range of ¹⁸O values for the whole-rock samples results from low-temperature alteration occurring primarily in the Jurassic and/or mid-Cretaceous. Whole-rock D values (-201 to -243) are markedly depleted, approaching equilibrium with modern meteoric water. In light of these data, variable Sr and O isotopic ratios in the underlying sequence of flows, previously interpreted in terms of an assimilation-fractionation model, may largely reflect post-magmatic alteration.     

Influence of oxygen fugacity on mineral compositions in peralkaline melts: The Katzenbuckel volcano, Southwest Germany

The igneous rocks of the Katzenbuckel, Southwest Germany, represent a unique and unusual alkaline to peralkaline association within the European Volcanic Province. The magmatic activity can be subdivided into two main phases. Phase I comprises the main rock bodies of phonolite and nepheline syenite, which were later intruded by different peralkaline dyke rocks (tinguaites and alkali feldspar syenite dykes) of phase II. The dyke assemblage was accompanied by magnetite and apatite veins and was followed by a late-stage pneumatolytic activity causing autometasomatic alterations.

As is typical for alkaline to peralkaline igneous rocks, early mafic minerals of phase I rocks comprise olivine, augite and Fe–Ti oxides, which are substituted in the course of fractionation by Na-amphibole and Na-pyroxene. For the early magmatic stage, calculated temperatures range between 880 and 780 °C with low silica activities (0.4 to 0.6) but high relative oxygen fugacities between 0.5 and 1.9 log units above the FMQ buffer. Even higher oxygen fugacities (above the HM buffer) are indicated for the autometasomatic alteration, which occurred at temperatures between 585 and 780 °C and resulted in the formation of pseudobrookite and hematite.

The unusually high oxygen fugacities (even during the early magmatic stage) are recorded by the major element compositions of the mafic minerals (forsterite content in olivine between 68 and 78 mol%, up to 6.2 wt.% ZrO₂ and 8.5 wt.% TiO₂ in clinopyroxene), the unusual mineral assemblages (pseudobrookite, freudenbergite) and by the enrichment of Fe³⁺ in the felsic minerals (up to 2.8 wt.% Fe₂O₃ in alkali feldspar and up to 2.6 wt.% Fe₂O₃ in nepheline). These observations point to a metasomatically enriched and highly oxidized lithospheric mantle as a major source for the Katzenbuckel melts.     

Experimental data on the speciation of sulfur as a function of oxygen fugacity in basaltic melts

The speciation of sulfur as a function of oxygen fugacity was calculated in glasses of basaltic composition saturated experimentally with either sulfide or sulfate phases. The experiments were conducted on mixtures of synthetic and natural materials equilibrated at 1300 °C and 1 GPa in a piston-cylinder apparatus. Sulfur speciation was calculated by measuring the peak shift of the sulfur Kα radiation relative to a sulfide standard, whereas oxygen fugacity was calculated from the composition of olivine and spinel present in the assemblages. The results are consistent with sulfur being present as sulfite (S⁴⁺) in addition to sulfate (S⁶⁺) in oxidized melts. Therefore, sulfur speciation derived from SKα peak shifts should be seen as ”sulfate mole fraction equivalents“ (X(S⁶⁺)_eq.). Using the data available, an empiric function:

X(S6+)_eq.=0.86/(1+exp(2.89−2.23ΔFMQ))     

Petrology and oxygen isotope compositions of chondrules in E3 chondrites

Chondrules in E3 chondrites differ from those in other chondrite groups. Many contain near-pure endmember enstatite (Fs_<1). Some contain Si-bearing FeNi metal, Cr-bearing troilite, and, in some cases Mg, Mn- and Ca-sulfides. Olivine and more FeO-rich pyroxene grains are present but much less common than in ordinary or carbonaceous chondrite chondrules. In some cases, the FeO-rich grains contain dusty inclusions of metal. The oxygen three-isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O, δ¹⁷O) of olivine and pyroxene in chondrules from E3 chondrites, which are measured using a multi-collection SIMS, show a wide range of values. Most enstatite data plots on the terrestrial fractionation (TF) line near whole rock values and some plot near the ordinary chondrite region on the 3-isotope diagram. Pyroxene with higher FeO contents (∼2-10 wt.% FeO) generally plots on the TF line similar to enstatite, suggesting it formed locally in the EC (enstatite chondrite) region and that oxidation/reduction conditions varied within the E3 chondrite chondrule-forming region. Olivine shows a wide range of correlated δ¹⁸O and δ¹⁷O values and data from two olivine-bearing chondrules form a slope ∼1 mixing line, which is approximately parallel to but distinct from the CCAM (carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mixing) line. We refer to this as the ECM (enstatite chondrite mixing) line but it also may coincide with a line defined by chondrules from Acfer 094 referred to as the PCM (Primitive Chondrite Mineral) line (Ushikubo et al., 2011). The range of O isotope compositions and mixing behavior in E3 chondrules is similar to that in O and C chondrite groups, indicating similar chondrule-forming processes, solid-gas mixing and possibly similar ¹⁶O-rich precursors solids. However, E3 chondrules formed in a distinct oxygen reservoir.Internal oxygen isotope heterogeneity was found among minerals from some of the chondrules in E3 chondrites suggesting incomplete melting of the chondrules, survival of minerals from previous generations of chondrules, and chondrule recycling. Olivine, possibly a relict grain, in one chondrule has an R chondrite-like oxygen isotope composition and may indicate limited mixing of materials from other reservoirs. Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) in E3 chondrites have petrologic characteristics and oxygen isotope ratios similar to those in other chondrite groups. However, chondrules from E3 chondrites differ markedly from those in other chondrite groups. From this we conclude that chondrule formation was a local event but CAIs may have all formed in one distinct place and time and were later redistributed to the various chondrule-forming and parent body accretion regions. This also implies that transport mechanisms were less active at the time of and following chondrule formation.     

Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of the carbonate facies in the Vindhyan Supergroup, central India

The Vindhyan sedimentary succession in central India spans a wide time bracket from the Paleoproterozoic to the Neoproterozoic period. Chronostratigraphic significance of stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of the carbonate phase in Vindhyan sediments has been discussed in some recent studies. However, the subtle controls of facies variation, depositional setting and post-depositional diagenesis on stable isotope compositions are not yet clearly understood. The Vindhyan Supergroup hosts four carbonate units, exhibiting a wide variability in depositional processes and paleogeography. A detailed facies-specific carbon and oxygen isotope study of the carbonate units was undertaken by us to investigate the effect of these processes and to identify the least altered isotope values. It is seen that both carbon and oxygen isotope compositions have been affected by early meteoric water diagenesis. The effect of diagenetic alteration is, however, more pronounced in case of oxygen isotopes than carbon isotopes. Stable isotope compositions remained insensitive to facies only when sediments accumulated in a shallow shelf setting without being exposed. Major alteration of original isotope ratios was observed in case of shallow marine carbonates, which became exposed to meteoric fluids during early diagenetic stage. Duration of exposure possibly determined the magnitude of alteration and shift from the original values. Moreover, dolomitization is found to be accompanied by appreciable alteration of isotope compositions in some of the carbonates. The present study suggests that variations in sediment depositional settings, in particular the possibility of subaerial exposure, need to be considered while extracting chronostratigraphic significance from δ¹³C data.     

Timescales for the evolution of oxygen isotope compositions in the solar nebula

We review two models for the origin of the calcium-, aluminum-rich inclusion (CAI) oxygen isotope mixing line in the solar nebula: (1) CO self-shielding, and (2) chemical mass-independent fractionation (MIF). We consider the timescales associated with formation of an isotopically anomalous water reservoir derived from CO self-shielding, and also the vertical and radial transport timescales of gas and solids in the nebula. The timescales for chemical MIF are very rapid. CO self-shielding models predict that the Sun has Δ¹⁷O_SMOW ∼ −20‰ (Clayton, 2002), and chemical mass-independent fractionation models predict Δ¹⁷O_SMOW ∼0‰. Preliminary Genesis results have been reported by McKeegan et al. (McKeegan K. D., Coath C. D., Heber, V., Jarzebinski G., Kallio A. P., Kunihiro T., Mao P. H. and Burnett D. S. (2008b) The oxygen isotopic composition of captured solar wind: first results from the Genesis. EOS Trans. AGU 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., P42A-07 (abstr)) and yield a Δ¹⁷O_SMOW of ∼ −25‰, consistent with a CO self-shielding scenario. Assuming that subsequent Genesis analyses support the preliminary results, it then remains to determine the relative contributions of CO self-shielding from the X-point, the surface of the solar nebula and the parent molecular cloud.The relative formation ages of chondritic components can be related to several timescales in the self-shielding theories. Most importantly the age difference of ∼1-3 My between CAIs and chondrules is consistent with radial transport from the outer solar nebula (>10 AU) to the meteorite-forming region, which supports both the nebular surface and parent cloud self-shielding scenarios. An elevated radiation field intensity is predicted by the surface shielding model, and yields substantial CO photolysis (∼50%) on timescales of 0.1-1 My. An elevated radiation field is also consistent with the parent cloud model. The elevated radiation intensities may indicate solar nebula birth in a medium to large cluster, and may be consistent with the injection of ⁶⁰Fe from a nearby supernova and with the photoevaporative truncation of the solar nebula at KBO orbital distances (∼47 AU). CO self-shielding is operative at the X-point even when H₂ absorption is included, but it is not yet clear whether the self-shielding signature can be imparted to silicates. A simple analysis of diffusion times shows that oxygen isotope exchange between ¹⁶O-depleted nebular H₂O and chondrules during chondrule formation events is rapid (∼minutes), but is also expected to be rapid for most components of CAIs, with the exception of spinel. This is consistent with the observation that spinel grains are often the most ¹⁶O-rich component of CAIs, but is only broadly consistent with the greater degree of exchange in other CAI components. Preliminary disk model calculations of self-shielding by N₂ demonstrate that large δ¹⁵N enrichments (∼ +800‰) are possible in HCN formed by reaction of N atoms with organic radicals (e.g., CH₂), which may account for ¹⁵N-rich hotspots observed in lithic clasts in some carbonaceous chondrites and which lends support to the CO self-shielding model for oxygen isotopes.     

Crystal chemistry of amphiboles: implications for oxygen fugacity and water activity in lithospheric mantle beneath Victoria Land,Antarctica

Amphibole is the hydrous metasomatic phase in spinel-bearing mantle xenoliths from Baker Rocks, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. It occurs in veins or in disseminated form in spinel lherzolites. Both types derive from reaction between metasomatic melts and the pristine paragenesis of the continental lithospheric mantle beneath Northern Victoria Land. To determine the effective role of water circulation during the metasomatic process and amphibole formation, six amphibole samples were fully characterized. Accurate determination of the site population and the state of dehydrogenation in each of these amphiboles was carried out using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe and secondary ion mass spectroscopy on the same single crystal. The Fe³⁺/ΣFe ratio was determined by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy on amphibole powder. The degree of dehydrogenation determined by SIMS is 0.870–0.994 O3(O^2?) a.p.f.u., primary and ascribed to the Ti-oxy component of the amphibole, as indicated by atom site populations; post-crystallization H loss is negligible. Estimates of aH₂O (0.014–0.054) were determined from the dehydration equilibrium among end-member components assuming that amphiboles are in equilibrium with the anhydrous peridotitic phases. A difference up to 58 % in determination of aH₂O can be introduced if the chemical formula of the amphiboles is calculated based on 23 O a.p.f.u. without knowing the effective amount of dehydrogenation. The oxygen fugacity of the Baker Rocks amphibole-bearing mantle xenoliths calculated based upon the dissociation constant of water (by oxy-amphibole equilibrium) is between ?2.52 and ?1.32 log units below the fayalite–magnetite–quartz (FMQ) buffer. These results are systematically lower and in a narrow range of values relative to those obtained from anhydrous olivine–orthopyroxene–spinel equilibria (fO₂ between ?1.98 and ?0.30 log units). A comparative evaluation of the two methods suggests that when amphibole is present in mantle peridotites, the application of oxy-amphibole equilibrium is preferred, because ol–opx–sp oxy-calibrations are not “sensitive” enough in recording the effects (if any) of amphibole in the peridotite matrix. Amphibole acts as the main H acceptor among the peridotite minerals and may prevent fluid circulation and buffer oxygen fugacity. The important conclusion of this study is that amphibole within the lithospheric mantle does not always means high water activity and oxidizing conditions.     

莲花山斑岩型钨矿床的氢、氧、硫、碳和铅同位素地球化学

黎彤等曾对莲花山钨矿床的地质特征、成矿作用和原生分带等问题做过详细研究,并命名为硫化物型黑钨矿-白钨矿矿床。近年来,莫柱荪等(1978、1981)提出该矿床为斑岩型钨矿床。本文试从该矿床的氧、氢、硫、碳和铅同位素资料来探讨其成矿、成矿物质和水的来源、水—岩交换作用等问题。     

Effect of oxygen fugacity on the etching rate of diamond crystals in silicate melt

Experimental data on the etching of diamond crystals in basaltic melt at 1130°C with variable oxygen fugacity in the environment are considered. The oxygen fugacity was set with the HM and NNO buffers. The study was carried out on a 0.6–0.8 mm fraction (powder) of natural diamond crystals. It has been established that, at the same temperature, the rate of diamond etching (oxidation) in silicate melt depends on the oxygen fugacity in the environment. The etching rate decreases with decline in the oxygen fugacity from the case where the melt comes into contact with atmospheric air to the conditions controlled by the HM and NNO buffers. Under the conditions of the HM and NNO buffers, oxidation was accompanied by surface graphitization of diamond crystals.     

Correlation of δ18O and initial87Sr/86Sr ratios in Kirkpatrick basalt on Mt. Falla,transantarctic mountains

The ¹⁸O (SMOW) values of the Kirkpatrick Basalt (Jurassic) on Mt. Falla, Queen Alexandra Range, vary between +6.3 and +8.6 The apparent enrichment of these rocks in¹⁸O excludes the possibility that they were altered by interaction with aqueous solutions of meteoric origin. The ¹⁸O values of the flows correlate significantly with the initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and all major elements. These correlations confirm the hypothesis that the basalt magma was contaminated by rocks of the continental crust through which it was extruded. Estimates of the chemical composition of the basalt magma and the contaminant, based on extrapolations of the new oxygen data, generally confirm earlier estimates based on extrapolations of initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. The⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of the uncontaminated basalt was 0.7093 which indicates that magma may have originated by melting either in old Rb-enriched lithospheric mantle under Antarctica or in the overlying crust, or both.     

Carbon, oxygen, strontium, and sulfur isotopic compositions in late Precambrian rocks of the Patom Complex, central Siberia: Communication 1. results, isotope stratigraphy, and dating problems

Results of the study of isotopic compositions of C, O, S, and Sr in late Precambrian sections of the Patom Complex and its analogues are presented. Total scatter in δ¹³C values is more than 21‰ (from ?13.5 to 8.1‰). The sections strongly differ in thickness, but they have similar carbon isotope curves with two dramatic drops in δ¹³C from extremely high (>4‰) to extremely low (13C values (from 7 to 8‰) are typical of the glacial horizon underlying the Mariinsk Formation, as well as the Barakun and Valyukhta formations and their analogues, which separate negative excursions. The minimum ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in limestones of the Kumukulakh (0.70725), Barakun (0.70727), Valyukhta (0.70769), Nikol’skoe (0.707904), Chencha (0.70786) and Torgo (0.70799) formations suggest the accumulation of sediments 660–580 Ma ago. Correspondingly, glacial diamictites of the Nichatka and Dzhemkukan (Bol’shoi Patom) formations can be correlated with the early stage of the Marinoan glaciation (635–665 Ma); the Zhuya Formation, with transgression that terminates the late stage of the same glaciation or the Gaskiers glaciation (580 Ma). Problems related to the genesis of carbonate rocks with extremely high and low δ¹³C values will be considered in the second communication.     

河北张家口金矿床氢、氧同位素组成与矿床成因

河北张家口一带含金石英脉分布广泛。本文在许多地质工作者多年工作的基础上,选择了小营盘和张全庄两矿区,系统采集了有代表性的标本,测定了氢、氧稳定同位素的组成,并据此对该区金矿床的成因进行探讨。一、矿床地质概况张家口金矿位于华北地台崇礼-赤城大断裂南侧(图1)。断裂带北侧为地蒙地轴,出露     

Sulfate sources constrained by sulfur and oxygen isotopic compositions in the upper reaches of the Xijiang River,China

While it is critical to accurately understand the sources and transformation of sulfate based on time-series analysis, there are limited studies on temporal variation of sulfate in rivers and on rock weathering by sulfuric acids. We conducted a monthly sampling campaign in the Beipan, Nanpan, and Hongshui Rivers over the course of one hydrological year. This study examined seasonal variations in riverine sulfate impacted by the monsoon climate in the upper reaches of the Xijiang River basin. In general, the SO₄ ^2? contents in these rivers dropped from relatively high levels to low values during the high-flow season, in response to increasing discharge. The sulfate was generally enriched in heavy isotopes during the low-flow season compared to the high-flow season. The calculated results indicate that the riverine sulfate was mainly derived from sulfide oxidation, but that evaporite dissolution could be an important source during the low-flow season, based on isotopic evidence. Mine drainage is likely an important source of sulfate to these rivers during the high-flow season due to contributions from fast surface flow, which responds to frequent heavy rain in monsoonal climate regions. A relatively high proportion of HCO₃ ^? was found to be derived from rock weathering by sulfuric acid during the high-flow season when compared to that observed during the low-flow season. The results suggest that approximately one quarter of the HCO₃ ^? in the Hongshui River originated from carbonate weathering by sulfuric acid derived from the oxidation of sulfide. Such information on the specific dual isotopic characteristics of riverine sulfate throughout a hydrological year can provide unique evidence for understanding the temporal variability of sulfate concentrations and weathering processes in rivers.