Geochemistry of the lava and its implications in Musicians Seamounts

Chemical and isotopic data of the lava samples dredged in the southern Bach Ridge and the northern Italian Ridge of the Musicians Seamounts province, northeast of Hawaii. Although most of the samples analyzed are generally altered, a few are fresh. The latter exhibits similar geochemical and isotopic characteristics to normal MORB （Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts）. There are systematic geochemical trends from hotspot to mid-ocean ridge in the province. Incompatible element and isotopic variations suggest that the flow field had at least two distinct parental magmas, one with higher and one with lower MgO concentrations. The two parental magmas could be related by a magma mixing model. The major and trace element modeling shows that the two parental magmas could not have been produced by different degrees of melting of a homogeneous mantle source, but they are consistent with melting of a generally depleted mantle containing variable volumes of embedded enriched heterogeneity enriched interbeds.     

Petrogenesis of volcanic rocks from Eastern Manus Basin: indications in mineralogy and geochemistry

To understand the petrogenesis and magma evolution history in the Eastern Manus Basin(EMB),geochemistry of pyroxene and plagioclase mineral phenocrysts in basaltic andesites and dacites were reported.The plagioclase-melt thermometry showed that,plagioclase in dacites crystalized in1 027.2-1 028.5℃ under 3.37-5.08 kbar,whereas in basaltic andesite was 1 181.4-1 187.0℃ under1.79-4.46 kbar.Pyroxene compositions and invariable La/Sm vs La values of whole rock powders indicate that lavas were erupted in rapid cooling rate and mainly controlled by fractional crystallization(FC).In addition,oscillatory zonings in plagioclase and pyroxene phenocrysts indicated small local perturbations and degassing episodes in the magma chamber.Some high Mg# clinopyroxene antecrysts were found in EMB lavas.The highest Mg# of parental EMB melts is 69,which falls into the range of initial partial melts from upper mantle peridotite source(68-75).In terms of isotopic compositions,the EMB lavas most likely originated from Indian-type MORB mantle which was influenced by subduction components.In details,the subduction components are mainly derived from the dehydration of a subducted altered oceanic crust,and the contribution of sediment influence is minor.The Pb isotopic compositions and end member modeling further suggest that the source of subduction components is more likely from the Pacific Plate instead of the Solomon Plate.     

Mineral chemistry indicates the petrogenesis of rhyolite from the southwestern Okinawa Trough

To reveal the petrogenesis of rhyolite from the southwestern Okinawa Trough, the mineral chemistry of plagioclase, orthopyroxene, amphibole, quartz and Fe-Ti oxide phenocrysts were analyzed using an electron microprobe, and in suit Sr and Ba contents of plagioclase analysed by LA-ICPMS were chosen for fingerprinting plagioclases of different provenances. Results indicate an overall homogeneous composition for each of the mineral phases except for plagioclase phenocrysts which have a wide range of composition(An=39~88). Plagioclase crystals characterized by An contents of 70 are not in equilibrium with their whole-rock compositions, and coarse-sieved plagioclase phenocryst interiors record high An contents(70) and Sr/Ba ratios(7), which are similar to the those of plagioclase crystals in basalt. Therefore, these crystals must have been introduced to the rhyolitic magma from a more mafic source. Equilibrium temperatures estimated using orthopyroxene-liquid, iron–titanium oxide, titanium-in-quartz and amphibole geothermometers show consistent values ranging from 792 to 869℃. The equilibrium pressure calculated using amphibole compositions is close to 121 MPa which corresponds to an approximate depth of 4 km. The fO_2 conditions estimated from Fe-Ti oxides and amphiboles plot slightly above the NNO buffer, which indicates that the rock formed under more oxidized conditions. Our results suggests that petrogenesis of the rhyolite due to basaltic magma ascend with the high An and Sr/Ba plaigoclases from deep magma chamber into the shallow chamber where the fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation happened. It also indicates that a two-layer magma chamber structure may occur under the southwestern Okinawa Trough.     

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Volcanic Rocks from the Continent-Ocean Transition Zone in Northern South China Sea and Their Tectonic Implications

Miocene–Pliocene(22–5 Myr) volcanism and associated seamounts are abundant in the continent-ocean transition(COT) zone in the margin of the north South China Sea(SCS). The petrogenesis of volcanic rocks from these seamounts and regional tectonic evolution of COT zone are poorly known. In this paper, we obtained whole-rock major and trace element compositions and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data for these volcanic rocks from the Puyuan and Beipo seamounts within COT zone, in northeastern SCS. Based on the geochemical analyses, the volcanic rocks are classified as alkaline ocean island basalts(OIB) and enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts(E-MORB). The OIBs from the Puyuan seamount are alkaline trachybasalts and tephrites that show enrichment of the light rare earth elements(LREE) relative to heavy rare earth elements(HREE) and more radiogenic Sr-Nd isotopic compositions, and have significant ‘Dupal isotopic anomaly'. In contrast, the E-MORBs from the Beipo seamount are tholeiitic basalts that have less enrichment in LREE and less radiogenic Sr-Nd isotopic compositions than the counterparts from the Puyuan seamount. Petrological and geochemical differences between the OIBs and MORBs from these two seamounts can be explained by different mantle sources and tectonic evolution stages of the COT zone. Syn-spreading OIB type basalts from the Puyuan seamount were derived from an isotopically ‘enriched', and garnet facies-dominated pyroxenitic mantle transferred by the Hainan mantle plume. In contrast, post-spreading E-MORB type basalts from the Beipo seamount are considered to be derived from the melting of isotopically ‘depleted' pyroxenite mantle triggered by lithosphere bending and subsequent post-rifting at the lower continental slope of the northern margin.     

VARIATIONS IN CRUSTAL THICKNESS OF THE KANE TRANSFORM IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

A new approach was taken to investigate the crustal stucture of the Kane transform and its aseismic extension, using high quality bathymetry and gravity data. The gravity signatures associated with variations in crustal thickness of the transform were isolated from the observed free-air anomaly,was continued downward to the mean depth of the crust/mantle interface and converted on to the relief onthat surface. The crustal thickness of the transform was then calculated by subtracting seawater depth from the depth of the gravity-inferred crust/mantle interface. 3-D gravity investigation results indicate that the Kane transform and adjacent areas are associated with a crust thinner than normal oceanic crust. The transform trough is largely underlain by a crust less than 4.5kin thick and in the nodal basins the crust may be as thin as 3 kin. The crust beneath the fracture zone valley is 4 - 5.5 km thick. The rift valleys on the spreading segments are also characterized by thin crust (4 - 5 km thick). Thin oceanic crust extends to 20-30 km from the transform axis,except for some localized places such as the inside comerhighs adjoining the ridge-transform intersections. These gravity-inferred results match fairly well with limited published seismic results. Thinning of the crust is mainly attributable to a thin layer 3, which in turn may be explained by the combined effects of reduced magma supply at the ends of the spreading segments and tectonic activities in the region.     

Zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of diorite dikes from Nancha ore deposit in Tonghua area of Jilin and its geological significance

The authors presented geochronology and geochemical data of diorites from Nancha gold deposit in Tonghua region,with the aim to constraining its formation age,magma source and tectonic setting.LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating results of zircons from the diorites indicate that the rocks were formed in the Middle Jurassic( 171± 2 Ma,MSWD = 1.19).Geochemically,these rocks have Si O_2 concentrations of 52.52%--54.90%,K_2 O of2.14%--3.84%,Na_2 O of 3.17%--3.35%,Mg O of 7.43%--9.34% and high Mg~# of 68.57-72.57.These rocks are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements( LILE,such as K,Ba,Rb and Sr) and light rare earth elements( LREE),relatively depletion in high field strength elements( HFSE,such as Ta,Nb,Ti and Zr),and heavy rare earth elements( HREE).These characteristics suggest that primary magma of the rocks were derived from the partial melting of mantle with miner crustal contamination,which may related to partial melting of mantle wedge by addition of sediment melt from subducting oceanic crust.Based on former and present studies,the authors consider that the Nancha ore deposit high-Mg diorites were formed in compressional structural setting which is similar to volcanic arc.It could be related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasian continent.     

Abrupt uplift of Tibetan Plateau at the end of early Pleistocene and Australasian impact event

The latest sharp uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent mountains occurred at the end of the early Pleistocene. The uplift of the Plateau resulted from Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic compressional structure due to the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Asian continent. This event definitively effected the formation of basin-mountain relief, Cenozoic basin deformation, large scale aridity and desertification of western China. The Australasian meteorites impact event happened ca. 0.8 Ma ago, located in the triangle area of the Indian Ocean ridge （20°S/67°E）. The impact may have resulted in an acceleration of speeding of the Indian Ocean ridge pushing the Indian Plate to subduct rapidly northward. Thus, the impact event can give reasonable explanation for the dynamic background of the latest rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the continental deformation of western China and even of the Middle Asia.     

Abrupt uplift of Tibetan Plateau a t the end of early Pleistocene and Australasian impact event

The latest sharp uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent mountains occurred at the end of the early Pleistocene. The uplift of the Plateau resulted from Late Mesozoic－Cenozoic comp ressional structure due to the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Asian continent. This event definitively effected the formation of basin-mountain relief, Cenozoic basin deformation, large scale aridity and desertification of western China. The Australasian meteorites impact event happened ca. 0.8 Ma ago, located in the triangle area of the Indian Ocean ridge (20°S/67°E) . The impact may have resulted in an acceleration of speeding of the Indian Ocean ridge pushing the Indian Plate to subduct rapidly northward. Thus, the impact event can give reasonable explanation for the dynamic background of the latest rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the continental deformation of western China and even of the Middle Asia.     

Petrogenesis of high-Mg# Cenozoic volcanic rocks of southern Qiangtang area,Tibetan Plateau: geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic evidence

The Nadingcuo volcanic rock suite is the most voluminous Cenozoic volcanic suite in the southern Qiangtang area of the northern Tibetan Plateau. These high-K calc-alkaline volcanic rocks were formed between36 and 34 Ma,characterized by high Mg#values,high concentrations of Ti O2 and P2O5,87 Sr /86 Sr ratios of0. 704682--0. 706 112,and εNd( t) values of- 1. 2 to 1. 6. There is a lack of reasonable explanations for sourcing and origin of magmas that formed the rocks with high Mg#values and Ti O2 and P2O5enrichments,which makes the previous research results still controversial. This study reviews the geochemical characteristics of Nadingcuo volcanic rocks and the data we have newly found in our fieldwork. We give some new interpretation to the magmatic evolution of the basaltic magmas in the discussed area dominated by fractional crystallization.The geochemistry of trachyandesite and trachyte units in the studied area is indicative of formation from mantlederived magmas that mixed with crustal materials. The high values of Mg#and Ti O2 and P2O5enrichment in these units are evident to show the mixing between mantle-derived magmas with ~ 30--40 wt.% rhyolitic melt or assimilation of a similar amount of felsic rocks. The geochemistry of basaltic rocks in the area also suggests that the Nadingcuo basalts may have been derived from an ocean island basalt( OIB)-type source that contained and was mixed with ancient mantle wedge derived material,indicating that a 36--34 Ma asthenospheric upwelling event in the Qiangtang area may relate to the northward subduction of Indian lithospheric mantle and the southward subduction of Asian lithospheric mantle. This upwelling of asthenospheric material was centered in the southern Qiangtang area between 36 and 34 Ma,while the northward movement of the Indian Craton caused this upwelling mantle flow to continuously migrate northward,resulting in the current centering of this upwelling in the Hoh Xil-Kunlun region.     

Chemical Weathering of New Pyroclastic Deposits from Mt. Merapi （Java）, Indonesia

The Java Island, Indonesia with abundant amount of pyroclastic deposits is located in the very active and dynamic Pacific Ring of Fires. Studying the geochemical weathering indices of these pyroclastic deposits is important to get a clear picture about weathering profiles on deposits resulting from the eruption of Mt. Merapi. Immediately after the first phase of the eruption （March to June 2006）, moist and leached pyroclastic deposits were collected. These pyroclastic deposits were found to be composed of volcanic glass, plagioclase feldspar in various propoitions, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, olivine, amphibole and titanomagnetite. The total elemental composition of the bulk samples （including trace elements and heavy metals） was determined by wet chemical methods and X-ray fluorescence （XRF） analyses. Weathering of the pyroelastic deposits was studied using various weathering indices. The Ruxton ratio, weathering index of Parker, Vought resudual index and chemical index of weathering of moist pyroclastic deposits were lower than those of the leached samples, but the alteration indices （chemical and plagioclase） were slightly higher in the moist compared to the leached pyroelastic deposits.     

Silicon and oxygen isotopic composition of igneous rocks from the eastern Manus Basin

This paper reports silicon and oxygen isotopes of 20 kinds of igneous rocks and their major elements from the eastern Manus Basin. Combining silicon and oxygen isotopic data from other studies, we suppose that both δ30Si and δ18O values increase with the increasing of SiO2 content. It means that the fractionation of silicon and oxygen isotopes are affected by the silica content. The positive correlation between CaO/Al2O3 ratios and MgO and that between Si/Al and SiO2 content indicate that clinopyroxene is the predominant mineral phase in our samples. We suppose that the fractionation of silicon and oxygen isotopes are influenced by mineral fractional crystallization. Probably, it is due to their different silicon and oxygen bridges. In this study, the δ30Simean value=-0.17‰±0.17‰ and δ18Omean value= +6.07‰±0.57‰ are higher than normal δ30Si and δ18O values of mantle, and we propose that these igneous rocks in the eastern Manus Basin are affected by hydrothermal alteration.     

The Mineral Composition and Sources of the Fine-Grained Sediments from the 49.6°E Hydrothermal Field at the SWIR

We used the X-ray diffraction method to determine systematically the mineral phases in bulk sediment samples and acid undissolved residuals of the fine-grained fraction of the surface sediments from the 49.6°E hydrothermal field at the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR)and discussed the mineral sources of the surface sediments.The results showed that the surface sediments in this region were composed of calcareous ooze,and calcite was the dominant mineral.The sediments also contained quartz,feldspar,clay minerals,pyroxene,sphalerite,barite,serpentine,and magnetite.The quartz,feldspar,and clay minerals were exogenous minerals that mainly originated from the Namib and Kalahari deserts in southern Africa.The pyroxene,serpentine,magnetite,sphalerite,calcite,and barite were endogenous minerals from weathering of seafloor basement rocks and seafloor hydrothermal activities.The sulfide particles in the sediments were mainly deposited from upwelling plumes.     

Geochemical Constrains on MORB Composition and Magma Sources at East Pacific Rise Between 1?S and 2?S

The East Pacific Rise(EPR)is a typical fast spreading ridge.To gain a better understanding of the magmatism under ridges,Mid Ocean Ridge Basalts(MORBs)with remarkably heterogeneous compositions are obtained from(EPR)1?–2?S and multielement geochemical and radioisotope analyses are conducted.Results show that these MORBs have wide variation ranges in trace element concentrations and isotopic ratios.Sample 07 has low concentrations of incompatible elements,and very low ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr,and high ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd from 0.70213 to 0.702289 and 0.513234 to 0.513289,respectively.However,other samples show enrichment in incompatible elements to varying degrees,and medium values of ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr and ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd from 0.702440 to 0.702680 and 0.513086to 0.513200,respectively.This study proposes that one depleted source and two enriched sources contribute to the formation of MORBs from EPR 1?–2?S.Samples 02 and 10 are formed by mixing between one enriched source and one depleted source,while sample 07 is crystallized from the depleted source with no mixing process involved.However,the formation of samples 06 and 11are different,and thus further research is required to determine genesis.     

The sedimentary characteristics and formation mechanism of shell ridges along the southwest coast of Bohai Bay

The present paper studies the sedimentary characteristics and mechanism of the shell ridges on the southwestern coast of Bohai Bay, which are the largest and have the highest shell (or shell fragment) content in the world. These shell ridges are composed of two sedimentary subfacies: the ridge subfacies and the ridge infill subfacies with different inner textures and sedimentary structures. The ridge subfacies primarily consists of fresh shells and/or shell fragments with parallel beddings and high-angle oblique beddings. The ridge infill subfacies consists of finer shell fragments and silty sand with parallel beddings oblique to land. The evolution of the shell ridge is controlled by the accumulation of substantial shell material,the relative slow erosion of shoreline, storm waves, winds and the shift of river routes. Wind tunnel tests indicate that the critical movement velocity of shell is lower than that of quartz sand of the same grain size. Deltaic progradation alternates with shell ridge growth. While the Yellow River empties into the sea through this area, accompanied by deltaic progradating, the shell material is scarce, which is unfavorable to the growth of the shell ridge. Conversely, erosion occurs along an abandoned delta coast where a shell ridge may develop, e.g. the shell ridge on the southwest of Bohai Bay.     

Methane-rich fluid inclusions and their hosting volcanic reservoir rocks of the Songliao Basin, NE China

Methane-rich fluids were recognized to be hosted in the reservoir volcanic rocks as primary inclusions. Samples were collected from core-drillings of volcanic gas reservoirs with reversed δ^13C of alkane in the Xujiaweizi depression of the Songliao Basin. The volcanic rocks are rhyolite dominant being enriched in the more incompatible elements like Cs, Rb, Ba, Th, U and Th with relative high LREE, depleted HREE and negative anomalies of Ti and Nb, suggesting a melt involving both in mantle source and crustal assimilation. Primary fluids hosted in the volcanic rocks should have the same provenance with the magma. The authors concluded that the enclosed CH4 in the volcanics are mantle/magma-derived alkane and the reversed δ^13C of alkane in the corresponding gas reservoirs is partly resulted from mixture between biogenic and abiogenic gases.     

Seasonal Variation of Biochemical Components in Clam(Saxidomus purpuratus Sowerby 1852) in Relation to Its Reproductive Cycle and the Environmental Condition of Sanggou Bay,China

Seasonal variation of biochemical components in clam(Saxidomus purpuratus Sowerby 1852) was investigated from March 2012 to February 2013 in relation to environmental condition of Sanggou Bay and the reproductive cycle of clam.According to the histological analysis,the reproductive cycle of S.purpuratus includes two distinctive phases:a total spent and inactive stage from November to January,and a gametogenesis stage,including ripeness and spawning,during the rest of the year.Gametes were generated at a low temperature(2.1℃) in February.Spawning took place once a year from June to October.The massive spawning occurred in August when the highest water temperature and chlorophyll a level could be observed.The key biochemical components(glycogen,protein and lipid) in five tissues(gonad,foot,mantle,siphon and adductor muscle) were analyzed.The glycogen content was high before gametogenesis,and decreased significantly during the gonad development in the gonad,mantle and foot of both females and males,suggesting that glycogen was an important energy source for gonad development.The protein and lipid contents increased in the ovary during the gonad development,demonstrating that they are the major organic components of oocytes.The lipid and protein contents decreased in the testis,implying that they can provide energy and material for spermatogenesis.The results also showed that protein stored in the mantle and foot could support the reproduction after the glycogen was depleted.     

Geochronology of mineralization and tectonic setting of Baishidong skarn-type iron deposit in Helong area of Yanbian,Jilin Province,NE China

The Baishidong iron deposit is the only skarn-type iron deposit discovered in the study area. According to mineral assemblage and paragenesis, the mineralization can be divided into four metallogenic stages: early garnet-diopside skarn stage, late magnetite-tremolite-epidote skarn stage, early quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite stage and late quartz-calcite-pyrite stage. Through LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of diorite, which is closely related to mineralization, the results show that the weighted average age is 164.6±1.4 Ma, which limits the mineralization time of Baishidong iron deposit during or slightly later than Middle Jurassic. The diorite rocks are rich in sodium(Na_2O/K_2O=1.24--1.76), aluminium(Al_2O_3=17.41%--18.76%), LREE and large-ion lithophile elements(Ba, K and Sr), depleted in HREE and high-field-strength elements(Y, Nb, Ta, P and Ti), and show strongly fractionated patterns(LREE/HREE=6.58--9.93), no apparent Eu anomalies(δEu=0.91--1.13), which shows similar characteristics to island arc or active continental margin arc magma. The zircon εHf(t) values range from-22.6 to 5.9, and the age of the two-stage model(t_(DM2)) is 836--2 633 Ma. Above data combined with the geochemical characteristics, it is indicated that the magma was a mixture of multiple sources, composed of ancient materials and newly formed crust. During the process of evolution and ascending of magma, separation and crystallization occurred, and a large amount of continental crust material was mixed at the same time. Combined with regional tectonic evolution, the formation of this deposit may be related to the westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate to the Eurasian Plate.     

Geochronology of minerrlization and tectonic setting of Baishidong skaro-type iron deposit in Helony aree of Yanbian,Jilin Province,NE China

The Baishidong iron deposit is the only skarn-type iron deposit discovered in the study area.According to mineral assemblage and paragenesis,the mineralization can be divided into four metallogenic stages:early garnet-diopside skarn stage,late magnetite-tremolite-epidote skarn stage,early quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite stage and late quartz-calcite-pyrite stage.Through LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of diorite,which is closely related to mineralization,the results show that the weighted average age is 164.6±1.4 Ma,which limits the mineralization time of Baishidong iron deposit during or slightly later than Middle Jurassic.The diorite rocks are rich in sodium(Na₂O/K₂O=1.24-1.76),aluminium(Al₂O₃=17.41%-18.76%),LREE and large-ion lithophile elements(Ba,K and Sr),depleted in HREE and high-field-strength elements(Y,Nb,Ta,P and Ti),and show strongly fractionated patterns(LREE/HREE=6.58-9.93),no apparent Eu anomalies(δEu=0.91-1.13),which shows similar characteristics to island arc or active continental margin arc magma.The zirconεHf(t)values range from-22.6 to 5.9,and the age of the two-stage model(t_DM2)is 836-2633 Ma.Above data combined with the geochemical characteristics,it is indicated that the magma was a mixture of multiple sources,composed of ancient materials and newly formed crust.During the process of evolution and ascending of magma,separation and crystallization occurred,and a large amount of continental crust material was mixed at the same time.Combined with regional tectonic evolution,the formation of this deposit may be related to the westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate to the Eurasian Plate.     

Petrography and mineralogy of new lunar meteorite MIL090036

MIL090036 is a previously unknown meteorite （a feldspathic lunar breccia） that was discovered in Antarctica. The detailed petrography and mineralogy of this meteorite forms the subject of this paper. It has a typical clastic texture that consists of various types of rock debris （e.g. anorthosite, gabbroic anorthosite, gabbro, regolith breccia, troctolite, microporphyritic crystalline impact melt and compound clasts）, mineral crystal fragments （e.g. pyroxenes, plagioclase, olivine and ilmenite） and feldspathic glass clasts. The ifne-grained recrystallized minerals and mineral clasts are cemented together in a glassy groundmass. The anorthite content of plagioclase in the gabbro （An81-83） and anorthosite （An88-93） both have relatively low calcium content compared to those from other breccias （An90-98）. The pyroxene composition （Fs12-35 Wo3-44 En22-79） in the rock debris, crystal mineral clasts and anorthositic glass clasts are relatively iron-deifcient compared to those from gabbro debris with melt glass （Fs37-65 Wo10-29 En21-49） and groundmass （Fs18-69 Wo3-45 En14-50）. In contrast, the pyroxene grains in the gabbroic anorthosite display a narrow compositional range （Fs24-27 Wo7-14 En59-69）. Olivine grains in mineral fragments and the groundmass have a wider compositional range （Fo57-79） than those in the rock debris （Fo67-77）. The Fe/Mn ratio in olivine is in the range of 47 to 83 （average 76） and 76 to 112 （average 73） in pyroxenes, and hence classify within the lunar ifeld. The characteristics of texture, mineral assemblage and compositions suggest that MIL090036 possibly originated from a region beyond that of the Apollo and Luna samples. Further study of MIL090036 is therefore likely to lead to a better understanding of the geological processes on the Moon and the chemical composition of the lunar crust.