Spatial and temporal variations of Rb/Sr ratios of the bulk surface sediments in Lake Qinghai

The Rb/Sr ratios of lake sediments have been suggested as indicators of weathering intensity by increasing work. However, the geochemistry of Rb/Sr ratios of lake sediments is variable between different lakes. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of Rb/Sr ratios, as well as those of other major elements in surface sediments of Lake Qinghai. We find that the spatial pattern of Rb/Sr ratios of the bulk sediments correlates well with that of the mass accumulation rate, and those of the terrigenous fractions, e.g., SiO₂, Ti, and Fe. The temporal variations of Rb/Sr ratios also synchronize with those of SiO₂, Ti, and Fe of each individual core. These suggest that Rb/Sr ratios of the surface sediments are closely related to terrigenous input from the catchment. Two out of eight cores show similar trends between Rb/Sr ratios and precipitation indices on decadal scales; however, the other cores do not show such relationship. The result of this study suggests that physical weathering and chemical weathering in Lake Qinghai catchment have opposite influence on Rb/Sr ratios of the bulk sediments, and they compete in dominating the Rb/Sr ratios of lake sediments on different spatial and temporal scales. Therefore, it is necessary to study the geochemistry of Rb/Sr ratio of lake sediments (especially that on short term timescales) particularly before it is used as an indicator of weathering intensity of the catchment.     

Rb-Sr provenance ages from weathered and stream transported quartz grains from the Harney Peak Granite,Black Hills,South Dakota

Weathered quartz grus and stream transported quartz of the Harney Peak Granite, Black Hills, South Dakota, contain low concentrations of Rb (generally 0.3–6.8 ppm) and Sr (0.2–2.0 ppm) and variable Sr isotopic ratios (0.759–1.070).Six of seven single grains of large composite quartz grus which recently entered the weathering environment define an apparent isochron age (about 1800 Myr) and initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratio (0.7066) that approximate the whole-rock isochron age (1707 Myr) and initial ratio (0.7143) of the Harney Peak Granite. Apparently the Rb-Sr systematics of these grains were not significantly altered during initial weathering. Leached fluid inclusion material from a ca. 2 g aggregate of composite quartz grains contains very little Rb or Sr (0.019 and 0.17 μg, respectively) and has a very low ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratio (0.739). The Rb and Sr content of the quartz grains appears to be concentrated in minute, heterogeneously-distributed mineral inclusions.Five aggregates of more completely weathered, small non-composite quartz grains produce a widely scattered pattern on an isochron diagram with all samples plotting below the 1707 Myr isochron. Examination by SEM of these grains shows solution and precipitation features on their relatively large effective surface areas. The differential precipitation of Rb is believed to have been the major perturbating chemical process during weathering.Three aggregates of stream quartz grains define an apparent isochron age of 1777 Myr and an initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratio of 0.720 that suggest the initial ‘igneous’ Rb-Sr characteristics of the stream quartz were re-attained during their transportation, probably as a result of removal of the outer weathered surface by abrasion. The apparent resistance to chemical weathering of stream quartz and quartz which has just entered the weathering environment suggests that this mineral may be extremely useful in studies of provenance and the geochronology of strongly weathered terranes.     

峡东地区南华纪-寒武纪地层风化过程元素及Sr-Nd同位素演化特征及其地球化学意义

以峡东地区南华纪、震旦纪和寒武纪标准地层泥岩、冰碛泥岩、砂岩、灰岩和白云质灰岩及对应的风化土壤为研究对象, 分析了地层风化成土过程中不同元素的迁移行为, 根据剖面样品的Sr-Nd同位素组成变化, 探讨了其同位素体系的封闭性特征与应用意义.结果表明: (1) 不同岩性基岩在成土过程中的蚀变强度有明显的差异, 在相似地表条件下, 碳酸岩风化剖面的风化程度高于泥质岩和砂岩; (2) 通过对比稳定高场强Ti元素在基岩和风化剖面中的含量变化, 计算出土壤样品在风化过程中体积相对基岩发生的改变量, 进而计算出不同岩性基岩在风化过程中微量元素的绝对含量变化以探讨这些元素的活动规律.结果表明, 灰岩和白云质灰岩的风化剖面元素含量变化明显, 而在泥质岩风化过程中大多数元素保持了相对稳定, 说明沉积岩风化过程中元素的活动性特征明显地受到了原岩矿物组成的制约.风化过程中, 不同性质的元素的活动性差异明显, 其中亲硫元素(Cu、Zn、Pb、Mo) 和大离子亲石元素(Rb、K、Sr、Ba) 在不同岩性的风化剖面中均表现出明显的元素含量变化, 而高场强元素(Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta) 含量则相对稳定; (3) 泥质岩风化形成的土壤层REE含量变化较小, 而碳酸岩风化土壤层REE含量发生了明显下降, 且其风化形成的土壤表现出LREE和HREE相对于MREE的富集.无论是碳酸岩或泥质岩风化形成的土壤, 均出现了明显的Eu负异常和Ce的正异常, 但在其原岩中这些异常并不存在或不明显; (4) 基岩与土壤剖面间Sr同位素组成和Rb/Sr比值存在明显差异, Rb-Sr同位素组成发生了明显的开放.所形成土壤层的Sr同位素组成受到2种因素的约束: 原岩性质和外来组成的Sr同位素比值.因此在总体上, 风化土壤的Sr同位素组成已不能代表基岩的Sr同位素组成; (5) 沉积岩风化过程中, 碳酸岩和泥质岩形成的风化土壤基本保持了原岩的Sm-Nd同位素组成特点, 由其组成所获得的Nd同位素亏损地幔模式年龄等能反映其原岩信息, 而近源沉积形成的砂岩和含砾冰碛泥岩所形成的土壤, 其Nd同位素组成则存在不同程度的改变.      

青藏高原中部2.8Ma以来的化学风化与环境演化的湖泊沉积记录

对采自青藏高原中部错鄂湖泊钻孔近200m以上深处、形成于2.8Ma以来的沉积岩岩芯中Sr,Rb,Zr含量变化及Rb/Sr,Zr/Rb比进行了研究,并结合其岩性、粒度、粘土矿物组成,分析了该地区2.8Ma来化学风化的相对强度和古环境演化过程。研究表明,2.8Ma来青藏高原中部的环境经历了3个演化阶段：在深约197－170m(2.8-2.5Ma)岩性段,低Sr含量,高Rb/Sr和Zr/Rb比揭示的是较弱的化学风化过程,反映了与当时强烈的高原隆升运动有关;在约170－38.5m（约2.5-0.8Ma)段,高Sr含量,低Rb/Sr和Zr/Rb比记录的是该流域较强的化学风化阶段,与高原在稳定期中部总体处于温湿或凉湿的环境下的结论吻合;在38.5-0m（约0.8-0Ma)段,总体Sr含量处于相对低值,Rb/Sr比相对较高,化学风化相对较弱,表明高原中部处于较寒冷的环境之中,高原整体已隆升到4000m以上。     

Engineering aspects of weathered dolomite in an arid zone

Two bores were drilled in the weathered zone of a Precambrian dolomite at Fowler's Gap, 100 km N of Broken Hill, New South Wales. Five weathering units have been distinguished: fresh dolomite; weathered dolomite, type B; weathered dolomite, type A; ferricrete; and surface hardened dolomite. Physical and mechanical properties show variation throughout the weathering profile, and are related to the fabric of the rock, especially to the fracturing intensity, which is a function of degree of weathering; and to secondary surface silicification. A tentative engineering classification of the weathered dolomite is proposed.     

Lithogenic concentrations of trace metals in soils and saprolites over crystalline basement rocks: A case study from SW Nigeria

In this study, an assessment of the lithogenic concentrations of trace metals in soils and saprolite over basement rock units in Ibadan, SW-Nigeria is presented in respect of bedrock types and geochemical controls on the weathering-associated release of trace metals. Consequently, soil, weathered and fresh rock samples from the Precambrian Basement of SW Nigeria were collected from three different bedrock units within Ibadan metropolis and subjected to mineralogical and geochemical analyses. The analytical results revealed major proportions of oxides in the range of 18–20% Al₂O₃, 2–6% Na₂O and 1–6% K₂O for weathered profiles over granite-gneiss and pegmatite units, compared to 2–3% Al₂O₃, <0.5% Na₂O and <1.0% K₂O over schist-quartzite. For the trace elements, weathered profiles on granite-gneiss and schist-quartzite settings exhibit similar enrichment trends (enrichment factor, EF l) for most of the trace elements, unlike the pegmatite bedrock. However, enrichments are relatively greater in the top soil unit compared to the intermediate saprolite unit, especially for Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Rb, Sr and Ba, a situation attributed to leaching and redistribution within the weathered profiles through pedogenetic process and percolating groundwater.Furthermore, the estimated weathering indices using Ruxton Ratio (RR = {SiO₂/Al₂O₃}) and Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA = 100{Al₂O₃/[Al₂O₃ + CaO + Na₂O + K₂O]}) revealed RR of 2.9–3.7 and CIA of 54–73% for granite-gneiss and pegmatite units, implying medium levels of weathering, compared to RR of 30.8–35.5 and CIA of >60% for schist-quartzite units, which suggest weak chemical weathering. Also, the estimated high percentage loss, especially for Pb, Rb, Sr, Ba relative to the bedrocks, shows that the trace elements can be mobilized within the weathering profiles even at a low degree of chemical weathering. Such weathering-induced release of trace metals is of environmental significance as natural lithogenic input sources and as background reference for future monitoring of possible human/anthropogenic impacts.     

Exploration rock geochemistry for Pinnacles-type mineralization at Broken Hill, N.S.W., Australia

Geochemical responses in weathered and oxidized surface metasedimentary rocks associated with stratiform lead-zinc mineralization at Stirling Hill (6 km west of Broken Hill) are compared with the geochemical responses in fresh drill core from an equivalent lithostratigraphic section with stratiform lead-zinc mineralization at the Pinnacles Mine (8 km south of Stirling Hill). Mineralization is interpreted as being volcanic exhalative and it lies within highly metamorphosed (sillimanite grade) rocks of the Willyama Supergroup.Surface rocks were classified into groups by discriminant analysis using drill core data from the Pinnacles Mine as the initial training set. The behaviour of elements in surface rocks varies with the rock group but Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, and Co are leached from all surface rocks relative to fresh drill core.Nothwithstanding the leaching effects of weathering, common geochemical responses to mineralization have been identified in drill core and surface rocks. Coincident positive anomalies for Zn/Ba and Fe/(Na × Ba) ratios and negative anomalies for Na/(Mn × Ca) ratios uniquely define mineralization in both weathered surface rocks and in fresh drill core.The results demonstrate that the pattern of geochemical responses to Pinnacles-type stratiform volcanic-exhalative mineralization in surface rocks has survived the intensive weathering regime in the Broken Hill region.     

Rb-Sr and K-Ar systems of biotite in surface environments regulated by weathering processes with implications for isotopic dating and hydrological cycles of Sr isotopes

Biotite is widely used for Rb-Sr and K-Ar isotopic dating and influences Sr isotope geochemistry of hydrological regimes. The isotopic system of biotite behaves diversely in response to surface weathering; i.e. the complete preservation of original Rb-Sr and K-Ar isotopic ages or dramatic reduction. In this study, we have explored the relation between the behavior of isotopic systems and complex weathering processes of biotites in the weathering profiles distributed on the Mesozoic granitoids in South Korea. In the lower parts of the profiles, biotite in the early stages of weathering was transformed into either oxidized biotite or hydrobiotite, with a mass release of ⁸⁷Sr and ⁴⁰Ar forced by the rapid oxidation of ferrous iron. During the transformation to oxidized biotite, ⁸⁷Sr and ⁴⁰Ar were preferentially released relative to Rb and K, respectively, via solid-state diffusion through the biotite lattice, resulting in a drastic reduction of original isotopic age. The reduction of Rb-Sr age was greater than that of K-Ar age because K was preferentially released over Rb whereas ⁸⁷Sr and ⁴⁰Ar were released proportionally to each other. However, during the transformation of biotite to hydrobiotite (i.e., to regularly interstratified biotite-vermiculite), ⁸⁷Sr, Rb, ⁴⁰Ar, and K were completely retained in the alternating biotite interlayer, and thus the original isotopic age can be preserved. In the upper parts of the profiles, where iron oxidation was almost completed, ⁸⁷Sr, Rb, ⁴⁰Ar, and K were gradually and proportionally released, with no further significant change in isotopic age during the gradual transformation of the early-formed oxidized biotite into hydrobiotite and vermiculite or during their final decomposition to kaolinite. The ratios and amounts of isotopes released from weathered biotites are dependent upon the degree of iron oxidation and the pathways of mineralogical transformation. Regional and local variations in isotopic systems affected by particular weathering processes should be considered when dating biotite or biotite-bearing rocks in weathering environments, modeling the transfer of Sr isotopes to hydrologic regimes, and tracking the provenance of sediments.     

Geochemical characteristics of the ancient weathered crust derived from red beds in Sichuan basin

The ancient weathered crust studied occurs on the razed surfaces of various physiographic periods at different altitudes in the Sichuan red basin. A typical profile of the ancient weathered crust can be divided into three weathered belts from the surface to the basement: the clastic clay belt (Belt I), the clastic breccia-clastic clay belt (Belt II), and the clastic breccia belt (Belt III). These belts are different in clay mineral composition, reflecting varying degrees of chemical weathering. Wide variations are recognized in the abundance of chemical elements in the profile of th ancient weathered crust. In comparison with the underlying purple parent rocks, Fe₂O₃ > A1₂O₃ > TiO₂ > SiO₂ are relatively concentrated in the ancient weathered crust, while CaO>P₂O₅>MnO>Na₂O>MgO>K₂O are relatively depleted due to leaching in order of Belt I > II > III. The extent of chemical weathering in the ancient weathered crust in the Sichuan red basin is closely related to the time of formation of the razed surface. For this reason, the contents of A1₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ or their concentration values, and the leaching amounts of CaO, MgO, K₂O, Na₂O, and P₂O₅ are higher in the ancient weathered crust at high altitudes than those at low altitudes.     

广东惠东地区离子吸附型稀土矿床地球化学特征

摘要：运用岩石地球化学方法,对广东惠东地区离子吸附型稀土矿床的地球化学特征进行研究。结果显示,风化壳中元素含量及配分特点总体上取决于母岩,但稀土元素在继承母岩稀土元素的基础上含量进一步富集,且各风化层中元素含量变化与风化作用之间具有一定相关性。WIG指数相较于CIA指数能更有效地描述风化壳风化强度,风化壳中稀土元素迁出富集与WIG指数及元素迁移系数具有一定规律性,轻稀土元素多在全风化层上部富集,而重稀土元素在全风化层下部及半风化层明显迁入富集,Ce、Eu均具明显负异常。     

珠江水系桂平、高要和清远站河水化学组成的季节变化及对化学风化研究的意义

文章报道了珠江水系桂平、高要和清远3个站河水主要离子及部分微量元素近一年持续观测数据。结果显示,河水中的Cl-主要通过夏季风降雨从海洋输送而来,Cl-/Na比值呈现季风雨季较高的特点,K含量则与Rb含量显著相关,指示河水中K主要是由硅酸盐化学风化贡献,而 Rb/K 比值与水温呈现负相关的关系,暗示植物分解对河水中K的贡献不大。3个站点中河水的主要离子及微量元素均主要来自碳酸盐的化学风化的贡献,相对而言桂平站碳酸盐化学风化的贡献最大,高要站次之,而清远站则来自硅酸盐化学风化的贡献较大。流域的化学风化存在明显的季节性变化,硅酸盐的化学风化主要呈现夏秋季节较强,冬季相对较弱的特点,而碳酸盐的化学风化也呈现显著的季节波动,但3个站的变化样式并不一致,可能存在更复杂的控制因素。     

南京老虎山黄土剖面中铷锶地球化学和磁化率与古气候变化的关系

宁镇地区的下蜀黄土记录了古气候变化的丰富信息，作为中国北方风尘堆积的南部边缘相，下蜀黄土在全球环境变化研究中占有重要的地位。本文以10cm间距系统分析了老虎山剖面的Rb、Sr含量和频率磁化率。结果显示，磁化率和Rb含量可以较好地指示东亚冬季风强度变化；Rb/Sr比可以作为下蜀黄土化学风化强度的替代性指标；剖面的Rb/Sr比由下至上升高是南京地区12万年以来化学风化作用增强的结果。     

A U‐Pb zircon study of the Mesoproterozoic Charleston Granite,Gawler Craton,South Australia

The Charleston Granite from the Gawler Craton, South Australia, has been dated by the ion‐microprobe U‐Pb zircon method at 1585 ± 5 Ma (2σ). This confirms previous interpretations of population‐style U‐Pb zircon analyses which record a slightly older age due to the presence of inherited zircon. Inherited cores are present in many zircon crystals, and while the age of some cores can not be accurately determined due to extreme loss of radiogenic Pb, others have ages of ～ 1780, ～ 1970, and > 3150 Ma. These cores record a diverse crustal heritage for the Charleston Granite and indicate that ancient crustal material (> 3150 Ma) is present at depth in the Gawler Craton. This is also suggested by available Nd isotopic data for both the Charleston Granite and other Gawler Craton Archaean rocks. The Rb‐Sr and K‐Ar biotite ages from the Charleston Granite of 1560 to 1570 Ma are close to the U‐Pb zircon crystallization age and suggest that the granite has not experienced sustained thermal disturbance (> 250° C) since emplacement and cooling. However, a much younger Rb‐Sr total‐rock age of 1443 ± 26 Ma probably reflects low‐temperature disturbance to the Sr isotope system in feldspar.     

Palaeoweathering,composition and tectonics of provenance of the Proterozoic intracratonic Kaladgi–Badami basin,Karnataka, southern India: Evidence from sandstone petrography and geochemistry

Petrographic and geochemical data on the sandstones of the Proterozoic intracratonic Kaladgi–Badami basin, southern India are presented to elucidate the palaeoweathering pattern, and composition and tectonics of their provenance. The Kaladgi–Badami basin, hosting the Kaladgi Supergroup, occupies an E–W trending area. The Supergroup unconformably overlies Archaean basement TTG gneisses, granites and greenstones, comprises a cyclic arenite–pelite–carbonate association and is divided into the Bagalkot and Badami Groups. The immature arkosic character of the basal Saundatti Quartzite Member (Bagalkot Group) containing fresh and angular feldspars, along the northern margin of the basin, suggests that during the initial stage of deposition, this part of the basin received sediments from a restricted, uplifted and less weathered source dominated by K-rich granites occurring to the north. In contrast, the Saundatti Quartzite along the southern margin displays a mostly mature, quartz-rich character with less abundant but severely weathered feldspars, and higher SiO₂ and CIA but lower Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Rb, Sr, Ba, K₂O, K₂O/Na₂O, Zr/Ni and Zr/Cr. This is interpreted in terms of a tectonically stable, considerably weathered mixed source (Archaean gneisses, granites and greenstones) along the southern fringe of the basin. The highly mature (quartz arenite) Muchkundi Quartzite Member (also of the Bagalkot Group), occurring higher up in the succession, exhibits minor but severely altered feldspars, and higher SiO₂, Na₂O, CIA, Cr and Ni with lower K₂O, Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and K₂O/Na₂O. This reflects that with the passage of time the source evolved to a uniform, extensively weathered, tectonically stable peneplained provenance which consisted of less evolved TTG gneisses and greenstones. This was followed by closure, deformation and upliftment of the basin hosting the Bagalkot Group and subsequent deposition of the Badami Group. Sandstone Members of this younger Group (Cave-Temple Arenite and Belikhindi Arenite) range widely in mineralogy (quartz arenite to arkose) and chemistry (including CIA), and point to a source that varied from uplifted, less weathered K-rich granites to less evolved, peneplained TTG gneisses and greenstones or even Bagalkot sediments. Variable alteration of feldspars in the Kaladgi sandstones and severe depletion of Ca, Na and Sr in the associated shales indicate a humid tropical (tropical and subtropical) climate facilitating chemical weathering.     

Geochemistry of soils derived from black shales in the Ganziping mine area, western Hunan, China

The geochemistry of major and trace elements (including heavy metals and rare earth elements) of the fresh and weathered black shales, and the soils derived from black shales in the Ganziping mine area in western Hunan province (China) were studied using the following techniques: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the black-shale soils are significantly enriched with Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃, and depleted of mobile elements CaO, Na₂O and K₂O. The soils are also highly enriched with heavy metals U, V, Ni, Ba, Cu, Zn and Pb, that may cause potential heavy-metal contamination of the soils. Composition of the soils is homogeneous compared to the weathered black shales, for which the concentrations of major elements except CaO and Na₂O, and trace elements except heavy metals (U, V, Ni, Ba, Cu, Zn and Pb) as well as the mobile Sr, show lower variations than in the weathered black shales. Ratios of Zr/Hf, Ta/Nb, Y/Ho, Nd/Sm, and Ti/(Ti + Zr), of the soils are also less variable, with values constantly similar to that of the fresh and weathered black shales correspondingly. Thus, components of the soils are believed to be contributed from the parent black shales through weathering and pedogenesis. It is concluded that the soils were formed by at least two stages of geochemical processes: the early stage of chemical differentiation and the later stage of chemical homogenization. The chemical differentiation that was taken during black-shale weathering might have caused the depletion of CaO and Na₂O, and the enrichment of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃; while the chemical homogenization that was taken during pedogenesis led to the depletion of SiO₂ and K₂O, and to the further enrichment of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. The heavy-metal enrichment (contamination) of the soils was then genetically related to the enrichment of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ in the soils.     

陕西洛川黄土剖面的Rb/Sr值及其气候地层学意义

本文系统地测试了陕西洛川黄土-古土壤剖面中的Rb,Sr含量和磁化率。通过对比该剖面2．50MaB．P．以来Rb／Sr曲线和磁化率曲线,发现两者的形状和变化的相位十分相似,然而两者的相对振幅却有明显的差别。Rb／Sr曲线记录了0．80MaB．P．左右一次重要的气候转型界面,揭示了黄士和古土壤内部次一级的气候波动旋回,反映了早更新世黄土高原较温暖潮湿的特点以及更新世以来气候由湿向干的变化趋势。研究表明,Rb／Sr值可以作为衡量东亚夏季风环流强度变化的较为敏感的替代性指标。     

Li,F and Rb contents and Ba/Rb and Rb/Sr ratios as indicators of postmagmatic alteration and mineralization in the granitic rocks of the Banke and Ririwai Younger Granite complexes,Northern Nigeria

The Banke and Ririwai complexes have plutonic phases of igneous activity composed mainly of granitic rocks. These granitic ring complexes are associated with Sn-Nb mineralization and are characterized by high Li, F and Rb contents and Rb/Sr ratios, and low Ba and Sr contents and Ba/Rb ratios. — The altered and mineralized granites have variable Rb/Sr and Ba/Rb ratios differing significantly from those of fresh rocks. These ratios as well as the Li, F and Rb concentrations are good indicators of granitic rocks associated with postmagmatic alteration and mineralization providing valuable tools for Sn-Nb exploration within the Nigerian Younger Granite province.     

Signature of potassium enrichment in granite of the Chitrial area, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh: Inferences using its U, Th, K2O, Na2O, Rb, Ba and Sr contents

A medium tonnage unconformity proximal uranium deposit has been established at Chitrial by the Atomic Minerals Directorate in the Srisailam sub-basin. In this type of deposits, the association of uranium with potassic alteration (illitization) is well-documented. The present study is directed towards understanding such an association in the Chitrial area for which the uranium mineralized borehole core samples were collected and analyzed. It is observed that the average concentrations of K₂O, Na₂O, Rb, Ba and Sr in the granite of the Chitrial area are 5.35%, 1.78%, 252 ppm, 564 ppm and 52 ppm, respectively, and they show average critical elemental ratios of K/Rb, Ba/Rb and Rb/Sr as 191, 2.37 and 7.13, respectively. The granites show low K/Rb, low Rb/Ba and high Rb/Sr ratios compared to that of the average crust indicating its derivation from crustal source. The samples have higher values of uranium (av. 53 ppm), thorium (av. 66 ppm) and lead (av. 41 ppm). The U/Th ratio in the granite varies from 0.07 to 20.86 with an average of 1.68. They also exhibit high K₂O/Na₂O ratio typical of post-Archaean granite and very high values suggest the possibility of later potassium enrichment.     

Role of late glacial to mid-Holocene climate in catchment weathering in the central Tibetan Plateau

The lightness (L*) and concentrations of Rb, Sr and organic carbon (C_org) have been measured in the age-constrained lake sediment cores recovered from Co Ngoin in the central Tibetan Plateau. Dissolved Sr flux is a dominant control on the variation of Rb/Sr ratios in the sediments. Variations in color and geochemical proxies of Co Ngoin sediments display a continuous history of late glacial to mid-Holocene chemical versus physical weathering intensity in response to past climatic changes between approximately 13,500 and 4500 cal yr B.P. A lower chemical weathering under a late glacial climate was followed by a higher weathering during the Holocene Optimum. Weathering intensity in the central Tibetan Plateau catchment also responds to well-known climatic events, such as the Younger Dryas (YD), and possibly the Holocene Event 5 (HE-5). Although there are differences in time or duration of the climatic events, many of the well-known late glacial to mid-Holocene events occurred in high-elevation Co Ngoin where atmospheric circulation might play a hemispherical role in climatic forcing. The sediment hiatus since c. 4200 ¹⁴C yr B.P. in the Co Ngoin indicates a period of desiccation that was probably associated with a sharp decrease in summer monsoon strength. Our lascustrine results not only imply catchment weathering variations in response to late glacial to mid-Holocene climatic conditions in the central plateau, but also provide further evidence for global connections between regional climates.     

Proterozoic igneous activity in the Tennant Creek region,Northern Territory,Australia, and its relationship to Cu-Au-Bi mineralisation

Proterozoic silicic magmatic activity in the Tennant Creek area includes a suite of pre- to syn-orogenic granitoids (i.e. the Tennant Creek Granite and compositionally similar porphyries) predominantly intruded during the period 1870–1830 Ma, a group of silicic volcanics and volcaniclastics (Flynn Subgroup) erupted shortly after the main D₁ deformation, and apparently anorogenic silicic intrusives represented by the Warrego Granite. Chemical and petrographic data indicate that the majority of the pre- to syn-orogenic granitoids and porphyries are I-type or infracrustal-derived, whereas the peraluminous muscovite-rich Warrego Granite has many characteristics of supracrustal-derived (S-type) granitoids. The Warrego Granite also appears to be moderately fractionated with relatively low Ba, Sr, Zr, K/Rb, and high Th, Nb, Be, Bi, Rb/Sr compared with the associated I-type granitoids, porphyries and volcanics. Fractionation of feldspar and minor zircon has also resulted in substantial relative enrichment in LREE together with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly in the Warrego Granite. Previous studies suggest that the Cu-Au-Bi mineralisation at Tennant Creek post-dates formation of the host ironstones, but the absolute timing is imprecisely known. Mass-balance calculations utilising background Au concentrations for potential source rocks suggest it is feasible for the Au in some of the deposits to have been leached by relatively high-temperature (250 to 300 °C) deep basinal brines, and deposited by reaction with the ironstones. However, the inferred hydrothermal leaching cells would need to have been very large unless the leaching process was very effective. An alternative preferred model is that the mineralising fluids were exsolved from incompatible element-enriched, fractionated granitic magma, mixed with ground water, and reacted with the ironstones to deposit the base and precious metals. On the basis of chemical similarity to other granitoids closely associated with mineralisation, the Warrego Granite seems the most likely source of the fluids. However, problematic constraints imposed by the apparent age of the mineralisation (1810 Ma), and an emplacement age (Rb-Sr) of 1670 Ma for the Warrego Granite indicate a need for additional geochronological studies.