U-Pb zircon geochronology of the Aptian/Albian boundary implies that the GL-O international glauconite standard is anomalously young

A new U-Pb zircon age for the Aptian/Albian boundary (113.1 ± 0.3 Ma) indicates that an alternate Early Cretaceous timescale that is largely devised using the K-Ar date for GL-O glauconite international standard and other K-Ar glauconite geochronology, is inaccurate. Both ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar sandine and U-Pb zircon ages indicate that the K-Ar date for the GL-O international standard does not record the timing of sediment deposition and thus should not be used for timescale calibration. This issue is not solely constrained to the Early Cretaceous, because other geological time intervals also reveal younger K-Ar glauconite ages in comparison to other radioisotopic dating techniques (e.g., U-Pb, Ar-Ar, Re-Os).     

内蒙古西乌珠穆沁旗阿木山组海绿石的特征及其沉积环境

在内蒙古西乌珠穆沁旗晚石炭世—早二叠世阿木山组第三段泥晶灰岩中发现有海绿石。对海绿石的微观特征分析表明,阿木山组海绿石呈团粒状结构,同时呈胶体产出于方解石周边,显示了原生海绿石的基本特点。电子探针的组分分析表明,阿木山组中的海绿石为高成熟度的海绿石。通过对不同地区和不同环境下海绿石的组分特征分析,建立了一种海绿石沉积的理想模式,同时揭示了阿木山组第三段海绿石化作用是在含氧量不够充分的弱还原状态下的正常浅海中进行的。本区阿木山组的下碎屑岩段和上灰岩段是在海水两进两退环境下的沉积,阿木山组灰岩中发现的海绿石则有可能代表了一个海进的开始。本区海绿石的发现及研究,对于进一步研究该区层序地层特征、地层格架及区域地层对比具有重要意义。     

保山地体新元古代——早古生代沉积岩碎屑锆石年代学及其构造意义

滇西潞西地区位于青藏高原东南缘,大地构造位置上属于保山地体。由于新生代强烈的陆内变形作用,保山地体与青藏高原腹地体的对应关系难以确定。野外观察及LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果表明,潞西新元古代—早古生代地层(震旦系—寒武系蒲满哨群及下奥陶统大矿山组)大部分碎屑锆石Th/U0.1,说明其大多为岩浆成因。U-Pb年龄跨度较大,太古宙—早古生代都有分布,且具有明显的562Ma、892Ma及2265Ma年龄峰,以及较弱的1680Ma和2550Ma年龄峰。保山地体潞西地区沉积岩碎屑锆石年龄分布特征与特提斯喜马拉雅、南羌塘沉积地层碎屑锆石年龄分布特征相似,说明其具有相同的物源——冈瓦纳大陆北部的印度大陆。在新元古代晚期—早古生代,保山地体位于印度大陆北缘,与南羌塘、喜马拉雅地体相邻。伴随着俯冲相关的增生造山过程,保山地体形成相应的新元古代末期—早古生代沉积地层。     

SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology of authigenic xenotime and its potential for dating sedimentary basins

SHRIMP (Sensitive High‐Resolution Ion MicroProbe) analytical procedures have been developed to enable dating of the small, early diagenetic xenotime overgrowths that commonly occur on zircons in siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. The method will be particularly useful in Precambrian terranes, where diagenetic xenotime dating could play a role equivalent to biostratigraphic dating in the Phanerozoic. Reliable ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb data are more readily obtained than ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U, which also favours application to the Precambrian. However, it is demonstrated that ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U dating of larger overgrowths (>10 μm) is also viable and applicable to Phanerozoic samples. SHRIMP Pb/Pb geochronology of authigenic xenotime in an unmetamorphosed Palaeoproterozoic sandstone in the Kimberley Basin has constrained diagenesis to a precision of ± 7 Ma. In contrast, greenschist‐facies metasediments of the Archaean Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa, contain both authigenic and alteration xenotime that record a complex history of growth from early diagenesis to the last major thermal event to affect the basin.     

湘东新元古代沉积岩的地球化学和碎屑锆石年代学特征及其构造意义

本文对湘东湘乡-醴陵地区和湘东南桂阳地区的新元古代浅变质沉积岩进行了岩石地球化学研究和锆石U-Pb定年及锆石Lu-Hf同位素分析。研究显示两个地区的碎屑沉积岩具有相似的中等的成分成熟度,但大的K₂O/Na₂O变化指示不同沉积岩经历了不同程度的风化淋滤作用。两个地区多数样品的稀土分配模式与澳大利亚后太古代页岩(PAAS)的稀土分配模式相似,但总体具有更高的含量,尤其是重稀土。湘东地区板溪群沉积岩含有更高的相容元素(如Sc, Cr, Ni),说明源区具有更多的中基性组分,而湘东南震旦纪沉积岩主要由再循环物质组成。碎屑锆石U-Pb定年结果表明湘东新元古代沉积岩中含有大量850~800Ma的碎屑锆石,而缺少1000Ma左右的碎屑锆石,显示了与扬子地块的亲缘性。而湘东南新元古代沉积岩中含有丰富的Grenville期和一定数量的~2.5Ga的碎屑锆石,相似于华夏地块物质组成。表明扬子地块和华夏地块在西南地区的分界线很可能就从湘东的湘乡-醴陵地区和湘东南的桂阳地区之间通过。前人对华南早古生代沉积岩中碎屑锆石的年代学研究显示湘东和湘东南地区的早古生代沉积岩的物质组成均相似于华夏地块,指示它们的源区是东南的华夏地块。因此,从新元古代到早古生代,湘东地区的沉积物源区发生了重大改变,暗示在新元古代晚期(震旦纪)与早古生代(中寒武世)之间发生过一次构造运动,使华夏地块逐渐隆起或使湘东-湘西盆地进一步沉陷,从而使湘乡-醴陵地区从早古生代开始接受了来自华夏地块的碎屑物质。这期构造运动可能与泛非构造事件相关。     

浙东南松阳县枫坪组沉积岩碎屑锆石年代学及地质意义

利用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱技术(LA-ICP-MS)对浙东南松阳县枫坪组地层底部的细砂岩进行了锆石U-Pb定年及稀土元素分析。样品中大部分碎屑锆石具有较好的振荡环带且Th/U值大于0. 1,表明其为岩浆成因。碎屑锆石中稀土元素含量变化范围较大,(La/Yb)_N值为0～0. 29,LREE/HREE值为0. 003×10~(-6)～0. 977×10~(-6),表明样品中锆石的轻、重稀土元素分异程度较小且重稀土元素相对富集,具有轻稀土元素含量低、重稀土元素含量高的左倾模式且具有负Eu异常、正Ce异常的特征,表明碎屑锆石主要以岩浆锆石为主,同时存在少量的变质锆石。碎屑锆石U-Pb测年结果表明,最年轻的锆石年龄为193 Ma,显示枫坪组沉积岩成岩年龄不晚于193 Ma。碎屑锆石年龄可分为4组,分别为2 461～1 743 Ma、887 Ma、435和422 Ma、330～193 Ma。碎屑锆石的主要年龄区间分别与已知的构造-岩浆热事件时间相对应(吕梁期、晋宁期、加里东期和印支-海西期),表明本区的构造岩浆活动与中国大地构造运动相一致,并具有幕式发展的特征。通过对枫坪组沉积岩碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄的系统分析并与可能物源区的年代学对比研究,认为枫坪组沉积岩物质来源主要是周边出露的中条期侵入岩体和浙东南出露的印支期花岗岩体。     

Origin of glauconite in the recent bottom sediments of the ocean

There are two general types of sedimentary glauconite in Recent ocean sediments: terrigenous-allogenic and authigenic glauconite. Recent sediments of the oceans contain mainly terrigenous-allogenic glauconite (shelf and continental slope) which is formed from ancient glauconite-bearing rocks on coasts, islands and the ocean floor. The age of terrigenous-allogenic glauconite ranges from 2 to 70 m.y. (8 samples from the Atlantic Ocean, 13 from the Pacific Ocean, 1 from the Indian Ocean). The area of terrigenous-allogenic glauconite distribution correlates very well with the area of distribution of glauconite-bearing rocks on land and does not correlate with the climate and bathymetry.Authigenic glauconite is seldom found in Recent ocean sediments. The sediments with authigenic glauconite form transition zones between sediments with organic carbon, H₂S and sulphide near coasts and oxidized sediments of the ocean floor (red clay and others). The areas of authigenic glauconite distribution are not yet well known. The formation of authigenic glauconite occurs mainly during diagenesis of sediments by synthesis from interstitial solutions and/or alteration of clay minerals.     

磁化率测量在沉积锰矿床中的应用

为研究磁化率在沉积锰矿床中的应用,对广西下雷锰矿床的钻孔岩心进行了磁化率测量试验。结果表明,含锰岩系中矿层磁化率与围岩磁化率明显不同,通常碳酸锰矿磁化率值比围岩要高出1~2个数量级,而围岩中硅质岩、灰岩、泥岩的磁化率无明显差异。磁化率可作为野外快速判别含锰岩系的代用指标。通过讨论下雷原生碳酸锰矿的磁化率异常,认为碳酸盐矿物磁性很低,对磁化率的贡献极小,磁化率异常高值指示与其伴生的铁质矿物;碳酸锰矿中含有磁性矿物,其磁性强弱决定了矿层磁化率的大小;黏土矿物中的绿泥石可吸附含铁的强磁性物质,绿泥石及其含量是影响碳酸锰矿磁化率的一个重要因素。     

武当地块与扬子陆核区新元古代早期沉积岩碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学对比及其地质意义

系统收集并总结了武当地块与扬子陆核区(崆岭地区)已发表的新元古代沉积岩中碎屑锆石的U-Pb年代学数据,对二者的相互关系进行分析,并讨论了扬子克拉通北缘新元古代时期的构造演化过程及特征。对前人发表的年代学数据进行的统计和对比结果表明,武当地块沉积岩中碎屑锆石年龄谱记录了~710Ma和~2.5Ga的年龄峰值,同时缺乏3.0Ga年龄的锆石,表明其沉积物质来源可能并非扬子陆核区,其在新元古代之前可能作为一个独立的微陆块与扬子陆核区(崆岭地区)分离开来,二者于新元古代中期发生碰撞拼合而成为一个整体。     

沉积盆地波动过程分析方法在中国的应用

沉积盆地波动过程分析方法是一种较新的盆地分析方法。该方法以物理学中有关波的理论为基础，以波动的观点来分析地壳运动，从地层资料入手，通过恢复地层原始厚度，计算沉积速率，建立反映盆地沉积—剥蚀过程的波动方程。据此进行波动过程分析，借助方程的参数，得到波动周期；通过波动方程对时间积分，可以定量分析剥蚀量；对波动方程进行分析，得到波动过程。在综合分析的基础上，预测有利的油气聚集区和成藏旋回。此方法在国内的一些盆地已得到应用，并取得了较好的效果。     

地震沉积学在川东北YB地区沉积相分析中的应用

将地震沉积学理论应用于川东北YB地区陆相须家河组二段沉积相分析。以低频层序界面为约束条件,采用三维地震相位展开技术建立高频层序地层格架;利用三维Wheeler变换技术自动拉平高分辨层序地层格架的地震同相轴,建立等时年代地层格架,将地震数据体转换为年代地层数据体;在此基础上,提取具有等时意义的年代地层切片进行沉积相分析。结果表明:该方法能直观地反映沉积体的几何形态、展布规律、纵向演化和平面变迁等特征,对后续的勘探开发具有指导意义。     

An explanation for low radiometric ages from glauconite

K-Ar and Rb-Sr ages from glauconites are about ten to twenty per cent lower than the age of sedimentation. Previous studies have indicated that these low ages are not attributable to normal diffusion loss of Ar from glauconite crystallites.The possibility of argon loss from ‘open’ potassium sites, such as on crystal surfaces and from expanded layers, was investigated by acid dissolution techniques. These studies show that potassium is removed from glauconites with low expandabilities at three different rates. The highest dissolution rate corresponds to cation exchange and comprises five to ten per cent of the total potassium. About five per cent of the total potassium is removed at a much slower rate than that of cation exchange, but at an order of magnitude faster than the bulk of the potassium.Activation energies calculated from rate constants determined at 50° and 80°C, for one sample gave values of 19 kcal/mole for the lowest dissolution rate and 14 kcal/mole for the intermediate rate.It appears that low radiometric ages from glauconites can be largely explained by the presence of potassium in sites where argon is readily lost, although such factors as late epigenetic gain of potassium by glauconite may also contribute to their low radiometric ages. A method is described for making quantitative corrections for such daughter product loss in radiometric age determinations.     

Tectonic affinity of the Khanka Massif in the easternmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt: evidence from detrital zircon geochronology of Permian sedimentary rocks

ABSTRACT

The tectonic affiliation of the Khanka Massif, in the easternmost section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is still a matter of debate. Here, we provide new constraints on the provenance and timing of deposition of Permian strata in the western margin of the Khanka Massif. The results, which include U–Pb dating of detrital zircon grains using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), provide evidence regarding the tectonic position of the Khanka Massif and its role in the late Palaeozoic evolution of the eastern CAOB. Detrital zircon grains from a sublitharenite (Pingyangzhen Formation), a litharenite (Liangzichuan Formation), and a metamorphic siltstone (Qinglongcun Group) yielded multiple age populations ranging from Neoproterozoic (~914 Ma) to Permian (~272 Ma). Combined with age constraints from overlying/late-stage igneous rocks and other magmatism of the Khanka Massif, we conclude that the dated strata were deposited during the early–middle Permian and were sourced from the Khanka Massif. A comparison between the detrital zircon age populations and the history of magmatic activity in the neighbouring areas suggests that the Khanka Massif was tectonically linked to the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif. Based on tectonic discrimination diagrams, we conclude that the western margin of the Khanka Massif was positioned in a convergent-boundary basin during the early–middle Permian. Strike-slip faulting along the Dunhua–Mishan Fault, in response to ridge subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate, resulted in a north-eastward movement of the Khanka Massif. The occurrence of Precambrian detrital zircon grains (with ages of 1900–1700 and 900–700 Ma) implies the presence of an ancient basement within the Khanka Massif.     

Decay constants in geochronology

Geologic time is fundamental to the Earth Sciences, and progress in many disciplines depends critically on our ability to measure time with increasing accuracy and precision. Isotopic geochronology makes use of the decay of radioactive nuclides as a help to quantify the histories of rock, minerals, and other materials. Both accuracy and precision of radioisotopic ages are, at present, limited by those of radioactive decay constants. Modem mass spectrometers can measure isotope ratios with a precision of 10-4 or better. On the other hand, the uncertainties associated with direct half-life determinations are, in most cases, still at the percent level. The present short note briefly summarizes progress and problems that have been encountered during the Working Group‘s activity.     

Multipath diffusion in geochronology

Recent developments in microanalytical tools such as the ion and laser microprobe have revealed spatial distributions of radiogenic isotopes in minerals which cannot be explained by a simple volume diffusion mechanism. Although it is known that diffusion of a substance along extended defects (such as dislocations, exsolution lamellae, micropores, microfractures, fission tracks, etc.), which may serve as high-diffusivity pathways in a crystal, can significantly influence the bulk diffusivity of a mineral, this has largely been ignored in the field of geochronology. A general numerical model has been developed, which solves coupled multipath diffusion equations that describe the simultaneous diffusion of a solute species through both the crystal lattice (via volume diffusion) and high-diffusivity pathways (via short-circuit diffusion) under non-steady state conditions. Addition of a radioactive source term to the appropriate equations further allows for the modelling of integrated cooling ages and closure temperatures, and has direct pertinence to geochronological and thermochronologial studies. Three key criteria can be used to distinguish multipath diffusion mechanisms from volume diffusion mechanisms: (a) non-Fickian concentration profiles, (b) enhanced solute diffusivity with increasing mineral grain size, and (c) a lack of any correlation between closure temperatures (and cooling ages) and larger grain sizes. With multipath diffusion, the effective diffusion dimension a for certain minerals appears to remain on the order of the grain size, and the model can adequately explain observed increases in the bulk diffusion coefficient D _b with a in the hydrothermal bomb data of previous Ar diffusion studies. Arrhenius diagrams of a multipath diffusion D _b vs 1/T will consist of curves that have a kink in them, reflecting a continuous change in the relative importance of the different diffusion mechanisms with temperature. The most important consequence of multipath diffusion is that the overall bulk diffusion coefficient D _b of a diffusing species can be enhanced significantly above its volume diffusion coefficient D _v . As a result, integrated ages and effective closure temperatures (T _c ) can be much lower than those predicted assuming only a volume diffusion mechanism, to the extent that minerals normally characterized by low volume-diffusion T _c may potentially have older integrated ages that minerals normally associated with higher volume-diffusion T _c .     

西准噶尔希贝库拉斯组凝灰质砂砾岩岩石学和锆石U- Pb年代学及对沉积层序的指示意义

新疆西准噶尔包古图地区主要出露下石炭统火山-沉积地层,由希贝库拉斯组、包古图组和太勒古拉组组成,对于三套地层的时代归属以及地层层序长期存在争议。本文对希贝库拉斯组凝灰质砂砾岩进行了岩相学和锆石U- Pb年代学研究,为探讨以上争议提供资料。岩相学研究发现凝灰质砂砾岩中的砾石为硅质岩、晶屑凝灰岩、凝灰质砂岩、安山岩和少量灰岩,中等磨圆-次棱角状,粒径变化大(2~15mm),含量为~45%;细碎屑主要为岩屑、长石和少量石英,呈棱角状-次棱角状,粒径0. 05~0. 5mm;填隙物主要为火山灰;锆石U- Pb年代学分析结果显示,锆石的Pb206/U238表观年龄集中在327~382Ma,最年轻的峰值为330~335Ma,代表了凝灰质砂砾岩沉积同期火山活动的年龄;最大峰值为345~360Ma,指示了凝灰质砂砾岩中大部分火山岩砾石对应火山活动的时限;另有几组年龄集中在411~428Ma、~455Ma和482~504Ma,对应克拉玛依、达拉布特和唐巴勒蛇绿岩的年龄。综合以上研究,认为希贝库拉斯组的沉积时代为早石炭世维宪期,并结合前人研究成果推断本区三套地层的沉积层序自下而上依次为希贝库拉斯组、包古图组、太勒古拉组。     

Rb-Sr dating of Paleozoic glauconite from the Llano region,central Texas

Glauconite from eight stratigraphic horizons (Cambrian to Pennsylvanian) in the Llano Uplift, central Texas and two Cretaceous glauconites were analyzed by the Rb-Sr method. Only two untreated samples provide ages in agreement with those anticipated from current best estimates of the geologic time scale. With one exception all the other apparent ages fall short of the estimated age of deposition by as much as 22%. Low ages, the pattern customarily observed, are attributed to postdepositional loss of radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr from expandable layers by weathering or during diagenesis.Detailed leaching experiments using a variety of reagents were performed to characterize the behavior of glauconite. The most promising treatment, which we recommend as standard procedure in all future studies, is with ammonium acetate which is able to purge the mineral of loosely-bound Rb and Sr while leaving tightly-bound components intact. After appropriate leach, three other Rb-Sr ages were brought into coincidence with their estimated ages of deposition.In contrast an Upper Cambrian glauconite was found to be extremely resistant to further alteration by chemical attack′, providing an age of 429 ± 17 M yr. Although 17% short of the age of deposition, this age is interpreted as the time of a real event: diagenetic recrystallization induced by burial. Comparison of data from four samples indicates that for Paleozoic glauconite, conditions exist in which the Rb-Sr system is less susceptible to mild disturbance than is the K-Ar system.     

U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in southern Siberia: New insights into breakup of Rodinia and opening of Paleo-Asian Ocean

We present the synthesis of new data on detrital zircon geochronology of the Neoproterozoic strata of the southern part of the Siberian craton as well as a comprehensive analysis of previously published stratigraphic, sedimentological and geochronological (LA-ICP-MS) data obtained for key sections in this area that allows us to trace the process of birth and early stages of development of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). Before the break-up of Rodinia and opening of PAO, Tonian – Cryogenian intracontinental sedimentary basin existed between southern Siberia and northern Laurentia. The detachment of the southern flank of the Siberian craton from northern Laurentia and opening of the PAO between these cratons took place in Cryogenian. The detrital zircon ages from lower parts of Neoproterozoic successions suggest the Siberian craton as the sole provenance area right after the opening of the PAO. The age constraints on the lower parts of the studied Neoproterozoic successions, which are based on correlation of their tillite horizons with the Marinoan glaciation, suggest the late Cryogenian age for these sedimentary rocks. A clear change in the age spectra of detrital zircons from “unimodal” (Early Precambrian only) in older sedimentary rocks to “bimodal” (Early Precambrian as well as Neoproterozoic) in younger sequences of the studied successions marks the next stage of the PAO evolution. The abundance of youngest (630–610 Ma) detrital zircons in the upper parts of the studied sequences reflects a shrinkage of the oceanic basin as a result of the convergence of the craton with the microcontinents and island arcs within the Paleo-Asian Ocean. We suggest that a passive oceanic margin along the southern margin of the Siberian craton has been transformed into a series of foreland basins at ~610 Ma.     

湖相沉积物有机地球化学在古环境研究中的应用

湖相沉积物中的有机质蕴含着丰富的地球化学信息,是古环境研究中必要的基础资料之一。文章综述了近年来湖相沉积物有机地球化学在古环境研究中的应用,结果表明:1在应用有机地球化学信息探讨古环境时,首先要根据有机质组成特征区分其来源,不同来源的有机质,其地球化学特征存在差异;2有机质碳同位素(δ13Corg)是研究古气候变化的常用指标,在区分暖湿、暖干、冷湿、冷干气候类型时需结合沉积物中总有机质丰度(TOC)、总有机氮丰度(TN)、自生碳酸盐氧同位素(δ18O)等资料;3脂肪酸不饱和度可作为恢复古环境温度的定性指标,UK37和UK37'在定量恢复古湖水表层温度中有较好的应用效果,TEX86有望应用在古湖水表层温度的重建;4生物标志化合物可较好地区分沉积物中有机质的来源、沉积水体的盐度及氧化还原性。可见,有机地球化学是研究古环境常用且有效的技术手段,多项有机地球化学参数相互验证能够更精确地重建古环境并预测其演化趋势。