磷灰石（U-Th）／He定年技术及应用简介

本文阐述了磷灰石 (U_Th) /He定年技术的基本原理和方法、影响因素以及该技术在地质研究中的应用。磷灰石 (U_Th) /He定年是近年来发展起来的一种新型低温热年代学技术 ,能够给出地质体在 4 0～ 85℃低温范围内的独特信息。同裂变径迹定年技术一样 ,磷灰石 (U_Th) /He技术可用于年轻地质体的定年 ,也可确定时代较老的地质体最后一次热事件发生的时间。由于磷灰石 (U_Th) /He年龄数据与样品的海拔或埋藏深度密切相关 ,所以能够很好地约束古地形。结合其他同位素技术如裂变径迹定年技术等还可进行系统的热演化分析 ,如盆地的热史演化。与其他同位素定年技术相比 ,磷灰石 (U_Th) /He定年技术具有测量方便、精度高、所需样品数量少等优点。虽然这种技术目前尚处于不断完善之中 ,但仍不失为研究地质体低温热年代信息的一种有效方法     

U-Th/He热年代学原理、测试及应用

U-Th/He年代学方法已经被广泛地应用于地质学研究。特别是由于磷灰石中氦的低封闭温度,该方法对于晚新生代构造、河流和冰川等地表过程非常敏感,具有其他同位素年代学方法无法比拟的优越性。本文回顾了U-Th/He法的发展历史,介绍了U-Th/He法的基本原理、测试方法、α-校正以及U-Th/He法面临的问题,总结了U-Th/He法在新生代构造变形、河流地貌演化、气候变迁和源区示踪4个方面的应用,最后探讨了U-Th/He法未来的研究方向。     

锆石(U-Th)/He定年技术研究

锆石(U-Th)/He定年是同位素热年代学体系中重要的定年手段,是记录地质体完整热历史重要的实验方法之一,在火山岩定年、造山带演化、地貌演化、沉积盆地热演化及限定矿床热液活动时代等应用方面发挥着重要的作用。中国地质科学院地质研究所同位素热年代学实验室成功建立了锆石(U-Th)/He定年的实验方法,实验主要包括三个独立的过程:样品前处理、He含量分析和U、Th含量分析。氦同位素质谱仪对锆石样品的氦同位素比值分析精度约为0.1%左右;ICP-MS对锆石的U、Th同位素比值分析精度通常情况下优于1%。对国际上普遍使用的FCT锆石和斯里兰卡锆石标样进行(U-Th)/He年龄测定。测试结果显示27粒FCT锆石(U-Th)/He年龄分布在25.81~30.72Ma之间,加权平均年龄为28.18±0.51Ma(1σ)(参考值为28.3±2.6Ma);20粒斯里兰卡锆石碎片(U-Th)/He年龄分布在445.5~489.5Ma之间,排除异常值后加权平均值为479.0±8.0Ma(1σ)(参考值为470±11Ma)。所测两个标准物质的年龄均与参考值一致,表明本实验室的实验流程准确可靠。本实验方法的建立填补了我国锆石(U-Th)/He定年实验方法的空白,为我国热年代学的发展提供了新的技术支撑。     

Weathering geochronology by (U-Th)/He dating of goethite

Nine samples of supergene goethite (FeOOH) from Brazil and Australia were selected to test the suitability of this mineral for (U-Th)/He dating. Measured He ages ranged from 61 to 8 Ma and were reproducible to better than a few percent despite very large variations in [U] and [Th]. In all samples with internal stratigraphy or independent age constraints, the He ages corroborated the expected relationships. These data demonstrate that internally consistent He ages can be obtained on goethite, but do not prove quantitative ⁴He retention. To assess possible diffusive He loss, stepped-heating experiments were performed on two goethite samples that were subjected to proton irradiation to produce a homogeneous distribution of spallogenic ³He. The ³He release pattern indicates the presence of at least two diffusion domains, one with high helium retentivity and the other with very low retentivity at Earth surface conditions. The low retentivity domain, which accounts for ∼ 5% of ³He, contains no natural ⁴He and may represent poorly crystalline or intergranular material which has lost all radiogenic ⁴He by diffusion in nature. Diffusive loss of ³He from the high retentivity domain is independent of the macroscopic dimensions of the analyzed polycrystalline aggregate, so probably represents diffusion from individual micrometer-size goethite crystals. The ⁴He/³He evolution during the incremental heating experiments shows that the high retentivity domain has retained 90%-95% of its radiogenic helium. This degree of retentivity is in excellent agreement with that independently predicted from the helium diffusion coefficients extrapolated to Earth surface temperature and held for the appropriate duration. Considering both the high and low retentivity domains, these data indicate that one of the samples retained 90% of its radiogenic ⁴He over 47.5 Ma and the other retained 86% over 12.3 Ma. Thus while diffusive-loss corrections to supergene goethite He ages are required, these initial results indicate that the corrections are not extremely large and can be rigorously quantified using the proton-irradiation ⁴He/³He method.     

Bathymetry and sediments on the carbonate platform off western India: Significance of Halimeda bioherms in carbonate sedimentation

Bathymetry across the carbonate platform off western India indicated small-size pinnacles and their lateral coalescence into 2 -6-m high mounds landward, and linear elongated carbonate ridges and troughs, mounds and banks up to a height of 20-m seaward of the platform. Seismic data indicated that these mounds were transparent with no rigid internal structure and can be defined as bioherms. The sediments were abundantly aragonite faecal pellets, Halimeda grains and ooids and their radiocarbon ages ranged from 11 to 7.5 ka BP. It appears that the growth of Halimeda bioherms on the platform was facilitated by intense upwelling during the early Holocene. The terrigenous sediments brought by rivers were deposited in the inner shelf and have not affected the growth of bioherms. It is estimated that the platform comprises at least 1.85 Gt of mass CaCO\(_3\) accumulated during the early Holocene and comparable to those on the Great Barrier Reef. Halimeda bioherms produce abundant carbonate sediments and their growth period represents a geological carbonate sink and release of high CO\(_2\) to the atmosphere. Detailed shallow seismic studies and sediment cores are needed to quantify the exact mass content of CaCO\(_3\) and model climate change during the early Holocene.     

磷灰石(U-Th)/He定年方法综述

磷灰石He封闭温度是目前已知定年体系中最低的,能够反映低温价段(40～90℃)的热历史信息,该方法现已成为低温热年代学领域研究的重要手段.本文概述了磷灰石(U-Th)/He定年方法的原理、校正、实验流程、应用以及存在的问题.其中,重点介绍了近几年国内外(U-Th)/He定年中辐射损伤研究的进展,主要包括以下几个方面:①辐射损伤的原理:捕获模型的提出及应用;②辐射损伤对磷灰石(U-Th)/He定年的影响;③新模型的提出:辐射损伤累积-退火模型;④辐射损伤的实际应用.     

国际标样Durango磷灰石(U-Th)/He年龄测定

人们认识到可以用放射性成因4He对矿物进行定年已经有一百年的历史,但是利用富含U、Th的矿物进行(U-Th)/He定年是近三十年来快速发展的一种低温(热)年代学方法。由于U-Th-He同位素体系的封闭温度低(磷灰石4He的封闭温度为~75℃),该方法极大的拓展了中低温热年代学研究(如40Ar/39Ar,裂变径迹等)的温度范围下限,已经被广泛应用于浅表地质过程的研究中。Durango磷灰石是国际上广泛使用的磷灰石(U-Th)/He定年的标准样品,准确测定其年龄可以对实验方法及流程的可靠性进行验证。中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所(U-Th)/He定年实验室建立于2013年,经过一年多的实验与摸索,我们建立了完整、可行的化学分析流程和仪器测试流程,并采用Durango国际标样进行了流程验证。重复测定了4批共40个Durango磷灰石颗粒,40个年龄结果分布在28.95~34.11Ma之间,全部年龄的概率分布峰值为31.61±2.7Ma,与国际标定值在误差范围内一致;Th/U比范围为16.43~23.72,与国际报道值一致,表明我们所建立的实验流程准确可行,实验室已经可以稳定运行。     

Thermoluminescence dating of sediments

The potential for using the thermoluminescence behaviour of sediments for dating them was first recognized by Soviet scientists G.V. Morozov and V.N. Shelkoplyas, and for over a decade their TL dates, obtained from a variety of sediments, have appeared in the Soviet literature. Since 1977 TL sediment dates have been published by six additional groups using a variety of methods.In this review we describe the principles of TL dating, the various methods used, and contrast TL dating of sediments with the now well-accepted TL dating of pottery. We conclude that while TL dating has the potential to solve many sedimentary problems, more fundamental research needs to be carried out before such dates should be accepted. A set of criteria for acceptable dates is proposed.     

碳酸盐沉积物的成岩作用

化学沉淀碳酸盐矿物在沉积后很容易受到各种作用的影响,其中最重要的是其在成岩阶段所经历的成岩作用.碳酸盐沉积物在成岩过程中主要受大气降水、海水和埋藏过程中孔隙流体的控制,经历一系列压实、溶解、矿物的多相转变、重结晶、胶结等成岩作用,逐渐转变为固结的岩石.在成岩过程中,由于孔隙流体与沉积流体之间的异同以及温度的变化,碳酸盐沉积物的原始矿物成分、地球化学特征可能会很好的保存下来,但在许多情况下,也可能会改变,从而使我们无法准确反演碳酸盐沉积物在沉积时水体的特征.因此,我们在应用碳酸盐岩重建相关古环境和古气候变化的时候,必须要通过有效的方法来对碳酸盐岩是否受到成岩作用的影响进行鉴定.     

Salinity reflux and dolomitization of southern Australian slope sediments: the importance of low carbonate saturation levels

Anomalously saline waters in Ocean Drilling Program Holes 1127, 1129, 1130, 1131 and 1132, which penetrate southern Australian slope sediments, and isotopic analyses of large benthic foraminifera from southern Australian continental shelf sediments, indicate that Pleistocene–Holocene meso‐haline salinity reflux is occurring along the southern Australian margin. Ongoing dolomite formation is observed in slope sediments associated with marine waters commonly exceeding 50‰ salinity. A well‐flushed zone at the top of all holes contains pore waters with normal marine trace element contents, alkalinities and pH values. Dolomite precipitation occurs directly below the well‐flushed zone in two phases. Phase 1 is a nucleation stage associated with waters of relatively low pH (ca 7) caused by oxidation of H₂S diffusing upward from below. This dolomite precipitates in sediments < 80 m below the sea floor and has δ¹³C values consistent with having formed from normal sea water (? 1‰ to + 1‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite). The Sr content of Phase 1 dolomite indicates that precipitation can occur prior to substantial metastable carbonate dissolution (< 300 ppm in Holes 1129 and 1127). Dolomite nucleation is interpreted to occur because the system is undersaturated with respect to the less stable minerals aragonite and Mg‐calcite, which form more readily in normal ocean water. Phase 2 is a growth stage associated with the dissolution of metastable carbonate in the acidified sea water. Analysis of large dolomite rhombs demonstrates that at depths > 80 m below the sea floor, Phase 2 dolomite grows on dolomite cores precipitated during Phase 1. Phase 2 dolomite has δ¹³C values similar to those of the surrounding bulk carbonate and high Sr values relative to Phase 1 dolomite, consistent with having formed in waters affected by aragonite and calcite dissolution. The nucleation stage in this model (Phase 1) challenges the more commonly accepted paradigm that inhibition of dolomitization by sea water is overcome by effectively increasing the saturation state of dolomite in sea water.     

石英ESR测年法在第四纪陆相沉积物测年中的应用

电子自旋共振（ESR）测年法是近40年来逐步发展起来的第四纪年代学方法。由于它的测年范围宽、测年物质种类多等优点,特别是对于老于20万年的早中更新世没有火山灰等定年物质的样品,有着特殊的优势,引起了第四纪研究者的关注。近年来,随着对ESR法基本原理认识的深入和实验技术的提高,在测年信号心的热稳定性、晒退回零特性、辐射剂量-信号增长特性、测年可靠性等方面的研究均取得了较大进展。本文结合国内外在ESR法基础原理、测年应用等成果,简要回顾了ESR法的历史发展,以及不同信号心在第四纪地质研究中的成功应用。     

不纯碳酸盐U-Th等时线定年及同位素分馏对年龄的影响

应用U-系L/R等时线模式测定了用天然碎屑沉积物与已知年龄的纯CaCO3按不同比例混合而成的不纯碳酸盐样品的年龄。实验分两个序列进行:其一研究碎屑沉积物化学前处理过程中U、Th同位素的萃取行为及其分馏效应。另一序列用不同浓度的溶剂对均匀混合的不纯碳酸盐样品进行溶解,确定稀酸淋滤碳酸盐的效率。各组分的238U、234U、230Th和232Th含量分析数据表明,稀酸溶解碎屑沉积物样品将U和Th同位素等比例的提取出来,不会发生U和Th同位素分馏现象。对于不纯碳酸盐样品,所有数据点落在一条直线上,良好的线性关系反映真实年龄含意。3个不纯碳酸盐样品的等时线年龄与纯碳酸盐年龄一致表明实验技术是可信的。同时,也证明对于碎屑含量较高的不纯碳酸盐U-Th定年,L/R等时线技术是适应的。     

Radiothermoluminescence dating and applications to pleistocene sediments

The article sets out the main tasks facing researchers studying RTL dating and suggests various ways of accomplishing them, that have been developed in the departments of radiochemistry and geomorphology at Moscow State University. The questions under discussion are the formation of the age RTL lightsum in sedimentary rocks and its functional connection with dose-rate and zeroing of paleodosimeters. Methods of RTL dating developed and used by the authors are discussed in detail. The version the RTL method suggested is illustrated by the data concerning the age of the Dniestr terraces. The investigations lead to the conclusion that natural quartz can be employed as a thermoluminescence paleodosimeter for the determination of ages ranging from tens of thousands to 1–2 million years by using the high temperature peaks of the glow curve.     

U-Th systematics and Th ages of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

The Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) is a serpentinite-hosted vent field located 15 km west of the spreading axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In this study, uranium-thorium (U-Th) geochronological techniques have been used to examine the U-Th systematics of hydrothermal fluids and the ²³⁰Th ages of hydrothermally-precipitated carbonate chimneys at the LCHF. Fluid sample analyses indicate that endmember fluids likely contain only 0.0073 ng/g U or less compared to 3.28 ± 0.03 ng/g of U in ambient seawater. For fluid samples containing only 2-21% ambient seawater (1.1-11 mmol/kg Mg), Th concentration is 0.11-0.13 pg/g and surrounding seawater concentrations average 0.133 ± 0.016 pg/g. The ²³⁰Th/²³²Th atomic ratios of the vent fluids range from 1 (±10) × 10⁻⁶ to 11 (±5) × 10⁻⁶, are less than those of seawater, and indicate that the vent fluids may contribute a minor amount of non-radiogenic ²³⁰Th to the LCHF carbonate chimney deposits. Chimney ²³⁸U concentrations range from 1 to 10 μg/g and the average chimney corrected initial δ²³⁴U is 147.2 ± 0.8, which is not significantly different from the ambient seawater value of 146.5 ± 0.6. Carbonate ²³²Th concentrations range broadly from 0.0038 ± 0.0003 to 125 ± 16 ng/g and ²³⁰Th/²³²Th atomic ratios vary from near seawater values of 43 (±8) × 10⁻⁶ up to 530 (±25) × 10⁻³. Chimney ages, corrected for initial ²³⁰Th, range from 17 ± 6 yrs to 120 ± 13 kyrs. The youngest chimneys are at the intersection of two active, steeply-dipping normal faults that cut the Atlantis Massif; the oldest chimneys are located in the southwest portion of the field. Vent deposits on a steep, fault-bounded wall on the east side of the field are all <4 kyrs old, indicating that mass wasting in this region is relatively recent. Comparison of results to prior age-dating investigations of submarine hydrothermal systems shows that the LCHF is the most long-lived hydrothermal system known to date. It is likely that seismic activity and active faulting within the Atlantis Massif and the Atlantis Fracture Zone, coupled with volumetric expansion of the underlying serpentinized host rocks play major roles in sustaining hydrothermal activity at this site. The longevity of venting at the LCHF may have implications for ecological succession of microorganisms within serpentinite-hosted vent environments.     

Variation of initial Th/Th and limits of high precision U-Th dating of shallow-water corals

One hundred eighty U-Th data, including 23 isochrons on 24 pristine modern and Holocene corals and 33 seawater samples, were analyzed using sector-field mass spectrometry to understand the variability of initial ²³⁰Th/²³²Th (²³⁰Th/²³²Th₀). This dataset allows us to further assess the accuracy and precision of coral ²³⁰Th dating method. By applying quality control, including careful sampling and subsampling protocols and the use of contamination-free storage and workbench spaces, the resulting low procedural blanks give an equivalent uncertainty in age of only ±0.2-0.3 yr for 1-2 g of coral sample. Using site-specific ²³⁰Th/²³²Th₀ values or isochron techniques, our study demonstrates that corals with an age less than 100 yrs can be ²³⁰Th-dated with precisions of ±1 yr. Six living subtidal coral samples were collected from two continental shelf sites, Nanwan off southern Taiwan in the western Pacific and Son Tra off central Vietnam in the South China Sea; one coral core was drilled from an open-ocean site, Santo Island, Vanuatu, in the western tropical Pacific; and modern and fossil intertidal coral slabs, 17 in total, were cut from six sites around the islands of Simeulue, Lago, North Pagai and South Pagai of Sumatra in the eastern Indian Ocean. The results indicate that the main source of thorium is the dissolved phase of seawater, with variation of ²³⁰Th/²³²Th₀ depending on local hydrology. With intense input of terrestrial material, low ²³⁰Th/²³²Th₀ atomic ratios of 4.9 × 10⁻⁶ and 3.2 × 10⁻⁶ with a 10% variation are observed in Nanwan and Son Tra, respectively. At the Santo site, we find a value of 5.6 × 10⁻⁶ at 4 horizons and one high value of 24 × 10⁻⁶ in a sample from AD 1974.6 ± 0.5, likely due to the upwelling of cold water during a La Niña event between AD 1973 and 1976. The natural dynamics of ²³⁰Th/²³²Th₀ recorded in the intertidal corals at sites in the Sumatran islands are complicated so that this value varies significantly from 3.0 to 9.4 × 10⁻⁶. Three of the 141 modern coral ²³⁰Th ages differ from their true ages by −23 to +4, indicating the presence of detrital material with anomalous ²³⁰Th/²³²Th values. Duplicate measurement of coeval subsamples is therefore recommended to verify the age accuracy. This improved high precision coral ²³⁰Th dating method raises the prospects of refining the age models for band-counted and tracer-tuned chronologies and of advancing coral paleoclimate research.     

Holocene millennial to centennial carbonate cyclicity recorded in slope sediments of the Great Bahama Bank and its climatic implications

A 38 m long sediment core (MD992201) retrieved from a water depth of 290 m from the leeward margin of the Great Bahama Bank (GBB; 25°53·49′N, 79°16·34′W) has been investigated for changes in aragonite content. The core covers the Mid to Late Holocene (the past 7230 yr). Sediment lightness (L*-values) was used as a proxy for aragonite content, based on a high linear correlation (R = 0·93) between the X-ray diffraction derived aragonite content and L*-values. The resulting time resolution of the L*-values derived aragonite content ranges from 1 yr at the base of the core to 4 yr at the top. Detailed time series analysis using Monte Carlo Singular Spectrum Analysis and spectral analysis (Lomb–Scargle Fourier transform) identifies the presence of seven signals with varying amplitudes and wavelengths that could be traced throughout the past 5500 yr. During the first ∼1600 yr of sedimentation the aragonite record is dominated by the initial flooding of the flat-topped GBB. Superimposed on a multimillennial signal, related to Holocene sea-level changes, a millennial-scale fluctuation and five quasi-periodic oscillations were detected (∼1·3–2 kyr, ∼500–600 yr, ∼380 yr, ∼260 yr, ∼200 yr and ∼100 yr period). Comparisons with other proxies (e.g. tree ring-Δ¹⁴C, ¹⁰Be and δ¹⁸O in ice cores) provides information on the origin and dynamics of the individual signals. The analysis shows that the ∼200 yr and ∼100 yr signals can be attributed to solar forcing. The ∼260 yr, ∼380 yr and the ∼500–600 yr quasi-periodic signals are found to be of climatic origin, whereas the millennial scale fluctuations remain enigmatic, although solar forcing mechanisms seem likely. The data show that variability of solar output as well as past oceanographic and atmospheric changes have modulated the Mid to Late Holocene climate, which in turn controlled sediment input variations found in the Holocene wedge leeward of the GBB. Although these periplatform sediments have a rather uniform appearance, they still contain a large variety of subtle sedimentary variations.     

安徽宿松上石炭统碳酸盐岩台地沉积物定量分析与海平面变化

安徽宿松地区上石炭统碳酸盐岩发育,厚约100m,化石丰富,属于比较典型的浅海碳酸盐岩台地沉积。定量分析显示,研究区岩石类型主要为颗粒灰岩和泥粒灰岩,颗粒平均含量分别为81.2％和69.6％,以浅海生物碎屑为主;其次为粒泥灰岩和泥晶灰岩,颗粒平均含量分别为26.4％和4.1％。依据岩石学特征,研究区主要发育开阔台地相和潮坪相,并可进一步划分出5种沉积亚相,分别是台内滩、台内盆、台内坪、潮间坪和潮上坪。在研究区上石炭统中共识别出3个长期的海进—海退旋回,其表现出在海平面变化总体呈下降趋势的背景之上叠加了短期的高频海平面波动的特征。这3个旋回与扬子板块其他地区及欧美板块同时代地层中的长期海进—海退旋回相当,表明海平面的变化可能受到晚古生代冈瓦纳大陆冰川的冰期和间冰期交替活动的影响。     

川北早寒武世碳酸盐岩台缘斜坡沉积特征及变形构造形成机制探讨

基于对川北米仓山西部旺苍县鼓城乡唐家河下寒武统仙女洞组露头剖面的观察与镜下分析发现,仙女洞组下段由生物碎屑泥晶灰岩(L)、粉砂质泥岩(M)、似瘤状砾屑灰岩(L')、角砾灰岩(R)、藻凝块灰岩(A)和含生屑钙质砂岩(S)组合而成,其以角砾灰岩、似瘤状砾屑灰岩和藻凝块灰岩为特征,且发育异地岩块和滑塌变形构造。进一步分析认为:L-M岩石组合为正常的斜坡环境低能沉积;L'-R岩石组合中的角砾灰岩为上斜坡生物灰泥丘崩坍滑动至下部而形成的,似瘤状砾屑灰岩可能是由于L-M岩石组合快速沉积导致沉积物失稳滑动变形、上斜坡生物灰泥丘崩落角砾致使的差异压实和滑动、以及后期物质成分差异引起的压溶作用等共同作用的结果,从而使灰质层发生破碎并被泥质包围形成断续的砾屑状,甚至轻微的位移,进而形成条带特征不明显的杂乱变形构造;微生物岩(Mb)组合为上斜坡的灰泥丘沉积;S-M岩石组合为斜坡上部的浊流沉积。根据上述分析结果建立米仓山西部仙女洞组碳酸盐岩台缘斜坡沉积模式,表明仙女洞组沉积早期米仓山西部存在台缘斜坡相沉积。     

About possibility of isotope dating of native gold by the (U-Th)/He method

For investigation of helium in native gold, a new measuring complex was created and used: the high sensitivity mass spectrometer MSU-G (ZAO SKB “SPECTRON”). The sensitivity of measuring ⁴He was 5.3 × 10^?13 cm³/g per impulse. Experiments in stepwise heating of samples have been carried out, and the kinetics of radiogenic ⁴He emanation from native gold was investigated. Migration parameters (activation energy and frequency factor) were determined. Model calculations of stability (closure temperature) of radiogenic ⁴He in the native gold structure with a given time and temperature of thermal influences were made using the data received. The concentration of ⁴He in native gold from the original deposit Nesterovskoe is (4.7 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 cm³/g in the sample from the placer; from Chudnoe deposit, it is (3.8 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 cm³/g; from sulfide deposits of Kitoiskii knot of Eastern Sayani, it is (1.9 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 cm³/g; and from the South Muiskii ore region it is (8.7 ± 0.5) × 10^?7 cm³/g. The received curve lines of kinetics of ⁴He emanation from native gold show that radiogenic helium is well bonded in the native gold structure: in all the examined samples, most ⁴He emanates only by reaching the temperature of 950–1000°C. A specific feature of the kinetics of radiogenic ⁴He emanation in all examined samples is an outburstlike emanation in the form of a peak of large amplitude in the area of temperatures near the melting temperature point of gold. This is stipulated by the existence of helium bubbles released by metals only while they melt. The spectrum of helium thermal desorption from native gold has a complicated form and is a result of superposition of several peaks. This proves the migration of groups of atoms located in the gold structure in different energy states. Very large values of the activation energy of helium migration from native gold were received: up to 161–176 kcal/mol. Extremely large values of the frequency factor, from 2 × 10¹⁸ to 3 × 10³², correspond to such values of activation energies. This is caused probably by helium migration in the form of gas bubbles. The received data indicate the very high stability of the (U-Th)/He isotope system in native gold. Using the (U-Th)/He method of isotope geochronology seems to be very promising for isotope dating of these strategic raw materials.     

Origin of fine-grained carbonate and siliciclastic sediments in an Early Palaeozoic slope sequence, Cow Head Group, western Newfoundland

The Cow Head Group is an Early Palaeozoic base-of-slope sediment apron composed of carbonate and shale. Whereas coarse-grained conglomerate and calcarenite are readily interpreted as debris-flow and turbidite deposits, calcilutite (lime mudstone), calcisiltite, and shale combine to form three distinct lithofacies whose present attributes are a function of both sedimentation and early diagenesis. Shale is the most common lithology. Black, green, and red shale colour variations reflect the abundance of organic matter in the source area and oxygenation conditions of the sea bottom. In black and green shale, millimetre- to centimetre-thick, alternating dark and light laminations represent terrigenous mud turbidites and hemipelagites, respectively. The calcisiltite/shale facies is uncommon and is composed of numerous graded carbonate-shale sequences (GCSS) deposited from waning carbonate turbidites and fall-out of terrigenous muds. Some of the characteristics of ribbon and parted lime mudstones in the calcilutite/shale facies can be explained by deposition of carbonate mud from dilute turbidity currents or hemipelagic settling. Other features are diagenetic in origin. The lack of micrite in GCSS and in the interbedded shales of the calcilutite/shale facies is interpreted to reflect early dissolution of the finer carbonate from these sediments. This remobilized carbonate was precipitated locally to: lithify lime mudstone turbidites or hemipelagites; form diagenetic lime mudstone beds and nodules; cement calcisiltites; and form dolomite. Many of the calcisiltites and calcilutites were, therefore, carbonate enriched at the expense of adjacent argillaceous sediments. These attributes characterize not only fine-grained sediments of the Cow Head Group but many other Early Palaeozoic slope carbonates as well, suggesting that the model proposed here for depositionl diagenesis has wider application.