Geochemical comparison of woodlawn and mount painter acid volcanics,Southeastern Australia

Major‐ and trace‐element chemistry (including rare‐earth elements), total‐rock Rb‐Sr and U‐Pb and zircon U‐Pb data are used in an attempt to distinguish between two essentially coeval, felsic volcanic suites: the predominantly submarine Woodlawn suite which is associated with massive Cu‐Pb‐Zn sulphide mineralization and the terrestrial Mt Painter suite, with minor vein‐type mineralization. The Woodlawn samples are the unmineralized equivalents of the volcanics in the immediate ore environment.

Alteration perturbs some of the major‐ and trace‐element chemistry, particularly Ca and alkalis, thereby precluding their usefulness. REE patterns exhibit a significant light to heavy rare‐earth enrichment with an average La/Yb of 12 in the Mt Painter volcanics compared with 5.6 in the Woodlawn volcanics. Both suites have a marked negative Eu anomaly, with that of the Woodlawn samples more pronounced (‐45.5) than in the Mt Painter volcanics (‐29.2). A hydrothermally‐altered sample from Woodlawn has apparently lost about 50% of its light rare‐earth elements.

Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios at about 0.711 are the same for rocks from both suites and differences in initial lead‐isotopic ratios appear negligible.

Zircons from both suites are a mixture of clear euhedral crystals and rounded discrete crystals or rounded cores overgrown by clear zircon. The U‐Pb data substantiate the morphological features in that the zircon suites both contain older inherited Pb but the Mt Painter zircons contain a greater proportion.

Cs concentrations and Cs/Rb and Ti/Zr ratios can be used to distinguish between the Woodlawn suite and the Mt Painter suite.     

A lead isotope study of mineralization in the Saudi Arabian Shield

New lead isotope data are presented for some late Precambrian and early Paleozoic vein and massive sulfide deposits in the Arabian Shield. Using the Stacey Kramers (1975) model for lead isotope evolution, isochron model ages range between 720 m.y. and 420 m.y. Most of the massive sulfide deposits in the region formed before 680 m.y. ago, during evolution of the shield. Vein type mineralization of higher lead content occurred during the Pan African event about 550 m.y. ago and continued through the Najd period of extensive faulting in the shield that ended about 530 m.y. ago. Late post-tectonic metamorphism may have been responsible for vein deposits that have model ages less than 500 m.y. Alternatively some of these younger model ages may be too low due to the mineralizing fluids acquiring radiogenic lead from appreciably older local crustal rocks at the time of ore formation.The low²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios found for the deposits in the main part of the shield and for those in north-eastern Egypt, indicate that the Arabian craton was formed in an oceanic crustal environment during the late Precambrian. Involvement of older, upper-crustal material in the formation of the ore deposits in this part of the shield is precluded by their low²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb characteristics.In the eastern part of the shield, east of longitude 44°20E towards the Al Amar-Idsas fault region, lead data are quite different. They exhibit a linear²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb relationship together with distinctly higher²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb characteristics. These data imply the existence of lower crustal rocks of early Proterozoic age that apparently have underthrust the shield rocks from the east. If most of the samples we have analyzed from this easterly region were mineralized 530 m.y. ago, then the age of the older continental rocks is 2,100±300 m.y. (2).The presence of upper crustal rocks, possibly also of early Proterozoic age, is indicated by galena data from Hailan in South Yemen and also from near Muscat in Oman. These data are the first to indicate such old continental material in these regions.     

New data on the composition and age of rocks from the Bathymetrists Seamounts (Eastern margin of the equatorial Atlantic)

The petrology, geochemistry, and isotope ratios of volcanics dredged during the 43rd cruise of R/V Academik Ioffe on the Bathymetrists Seamounts in the eastern equatorial Atlantic have been studied. These are alkaline volcanics of basic and ultramafic compositions. Spider diagrams of the trace elements of volcanic rocks demonstrate strong fractionation, indicating formation of their primary melts from an enriched mantle source at garnet depth facies. Considering the isotope ratio values of ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and the character of their variations, the volcanic mantle source was chemically heterogeneous: for various volcanic rocks it was a mixture of the mantle components HIMU with EM–1 or EM–2. Limestones dredged together with the volcanics yielded microfossils suggesting a Middle Eocene age of their formation in a carbonate platform environment.     

Primitive and contaminated basalts from the Southern Rocky Mountains,U.S.A.

Basalts in the Southern Rocky Mountains province have been analyzed to determine if any of them are primitive. Alkali plagioclase xenocrysts armored with calcic plagioclase seem to be the best petrographic indicator of contamination. The next best indicator of contamination is quartz xenocrysts armored with clinopyroxene. On the rocks and the region studied, K₂O apparently is the only major element with promise of separating primitive basalt from contaminated basalt inasmuch as it constitutes more than 1 % in all the obviously contaminated basalts. K₂O: lead (> 4 ppm) and thorium (> 2 ppm) contents and Rb/Sr (> 0.035) are the most indicative of the trace elements studied. Using these criteria, three basalt samples are primitive (although one contains 1.7% K₂O) and are similar in traceelement contents to Hawaiian and Eastern Honshu, Japan, primitive basalts.Contamination causes lead isotope ratios, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, to become less radiogenic, but it has little or no effect on ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. We interpret the effect on lead isotopes to be due to assimilation either of lower crustal granitic rocks, which contain 5–10 times as much lead as basalt and which have been low in U/Pb and Th/Pb since Precambrian times, or of upper crustal Precambrian or Paleozoic rocks, which have lost much of their radiogenic lead because of heating prior to assimilation. The lack of definite effects on strontium isotopes may be due to the lesser strontium contents of granitic crustal rocks relative to basaltic rocks coupled with lack of a large radiogenic enrichment in the crustal rocks.Lead isotope ratios were found to be less radiogenic in plagioclase separates from an obviously contaminated basalt than in the primitive basalts. The feldspar separate that is rich in sodic plagioclase xenocrysts was found to be similar to the whole-rock composition for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb whereas a more dense fraction probably enriched in more calcic plagioclase phenocrysts is more similar to the primitive basalts in lead isotope ratios.The primitive basalts have: ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.09–18.34, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.5, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 37.6–37.9, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.704–0.705. In the primitive basalts from the Southern Rocky Mountains the values of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb are similar to values reported by others for Hawaiian and eastern Honshu basalts and abyssal basalts, whereas ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb tends to be equal to or a little less radiogenic than those from the oceanic localities. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr appears to be equal to or a little greater than those of the oceanic localities. These ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are distinctly less radiogenic and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values are about equal to those reported by others for volcanic islands on oceanic ridges and rises.Publication authorized by the Director, U.S. Geological Survey     

U-Th-Pb and Rb-Sr systematics of Allende and U-Th-Pb systematics of Orgueil

U-Th-Pb systematics study of Allende inclusions showed that U, Th and Sr concentrations in Ca, Al (pyroxene)-rich chondrules and white and pinkish-white aggregate separates of Allende are five to ten times higher than those of the matrix, whereas Mg (olivine)-rich chondrules have U and Th concentrations about twice as high as the matrix. Th concentrations are extremely high in white aggregates and in pinkish-white (spinel-rich) aggregates while U and Sr concentrations in white aggregates are more than twice as high as those in pinkish-white aggregates. Large enrichment of these refractory elements in the white aggregates indicates that they contain high-temperature condensates from the solar nebula. The Pb concentrations in the inclusions are less than half of those in the whole rock and matrix, indicating that the matrix is a lower-temperature condensate. The isotopic composition of lead in the matrix is less radiogenic than that of the whole meteorite, whereas lead in Ca- and Al-rich chondrules and aggregates is extremely radiogenic. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratio reaches as high as 55.9 in a white aggregate separate. The lead of Mg-rich chondrules is moderately radiogenic and the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratio ranges from 18 to 26. A striking linear relationship exists among leads in the chondrules, aggregates and matrix on the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs ²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plot. The slope of the best fit line is 0.6188 ± 0.0016, yielding an isochron age of 4553 ± 4 m.y. The regression line passes through primordial lead values obtained from Canyon Diablo troilite. The data, when corrected for Canyon Diablo troilite Pb and plotted on a U-Pb concordia diagram, show that the pink and white aggregates and the Ca-Al-rich and Mg-rich inclusions have excess Pb and define a chord which intersects the concordia curve at 4548 ± 25 m.y. and 107 ± 70 m.y. The intercepts might correspond to the agglomeration age of the meteorite and a time of probably later disturbance, respectively. The matrix and some chondrules which contain less radiogenic lead did, however, not fit on the chord. The Rb-Sr data of Allende did not define an isochron suggesting that the Rb-Sr system was also disturbed by a later event, as suggested by the U-Pb concordia data. The lowest observed ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in Allende inclusions is similar to the initial ratio of the Angra dos Reis achondrite (Papanastassiou, Thesis, 1970).The initial Pb isotopic composition of Orgueil calculated by a single-stage evolution model is more radiogenic than that of Canyon Diablo troilite. To reconcile the U-Pb data of Orgueil and Allende, we propose that the initial lead isotopic composition of the carbonaceous chondrites was slightly different from that of Canyon Diablo troilite Pb.     

Lead isotope study of Zn-Pb ore deposits associated with the Basque-Cantabrian basin and Paleozoic basement, Northern Spain

A total of forty-three galena samples from syngenetic and epigenetic Pb-Zn mineralizations emplaced in the Lower Cretaceous Basque-Cantabrian basin and Paleozoic basement of the Cinco Villas massif in the western Pyrenees, have been analyzed for Pb-isotopic composition. Galena from sedex mineralizations hosted in Carboniferous clastic rocks in the Cinco Villas massif display an homogeneous lead isotopic signature (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴4Pb 18.43, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.66, ²⁰⁸Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb 38.69) suggesting a single lead reservoir. These values are slightly more radiogenic than lead from other European Hercynian deposits, possibly reflecting the influence of a more evolved upper crustal source. Underlying Paleozoic sediments are proposed as lead source for the Cinco Villas massif ores. Analyses from twenty-six galena samples from the four strata-bound ore districts hosted in Mesozoic rocks reveal the existence of two populations regarding their lead isotopic composition. Galena from the western Santander districts (e.g., Reocin) is characterized by more radiogenic isotope values (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.74, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.67, ²⁰⁸Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb 38.73) than those from the central and eastern districts (Troya-Legorreta, Central and Western Vizcaya, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.59, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.66, ²⁰⁸Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb 38.73). In all districts, the most likely source for these mineralizations was the thick sequence of Lower Cretaceous clastic sediments. The existence of two separate lead isotopic populations could be the result of regional difference in the composition of the basement rocks and the clastic sediments derived of it or different evolution histories. In both sub-basins, isotopic ratios indicate an increase in crustal influence as the age of the ores decreases.     

Lead isotope systematics of the giant massive sulphide deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt

Lead isotope analyses were performed on 26 polymetallic massive sulphide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, as well as on overlying gossans and associated volcanic rocks. All the massive sulphide deposits (except for Neves-Corvo), and nearly all the volcanic rocks show very similar isotopic compositions grouped around 18.183 (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb), 15.622 (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) and 38.191 (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb), indicating that most of the ore deposit lead was derived from the same continental crust environment as the associated volcanic rocks. The isotopic compositions are representative of the average south Iberian crust during the Devonian to Early Carboniferous (Dinantian), and their constancy implies a homogenization of the mineralizing fluids before the deposition of the massive sulphides from hydrothermal fluids circulating through interconnected regional fracture systems. This isotopic constancy is incompatible with multiple, small, independent hydrothermal cells of the East Pacific Rise type, and fits much better with a model of hydrothermal convections driven by “magmatic floor heating”. Neves-Corvo is the only south Iberian massive sulphide deposit to have a heterogeneous isotopic composition with, in particular, a highly radiogenic stanniferous ore (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of the cassiterite is >18.40). A model of lead mixing with three components is proposed to explain these variations: (1) one derived from the Devonian to Early Carboniferous (Dinantian) continental crust that generated all the other massive ores; (2) an Eohercynian stanniferous mineralization partly remobilized during the formation of the massive sulphides, but independent of them; and (3) a Precambrian continental crust component. The juxtaposition of three different sources places Neves-Corvo in a specific paleogeographic situation that could also explain its mineralogical specificity. The geodynamic context that best explains all the obtained isotopic results is one of an accretionary prism. The fact that lead isotope signatures of the gossans are almost identical to those of the underlying massive sulphides means that this technique could be a useful exploration tool for the Iberian Pyrite Belt.     

Diverse metal sources of Archaean gold deposits: evidence from in situ lead-isotope analysis of individual grains of galena and altaite in the Ross and Kirkland Lake deposits,Abitibi Greenstone belt,Canada

Lead isotope compositions for individual grains of galena and altaite (PbTe) were determined in situ using a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS). Galena was collected from the Ross deposit and altaite from the Kirkland Lake (KL) deposits in the southern Abitibi greenstone belt, Superior Province of Canada. The samples from KL are more radiogenic than those from the Ross deposit. Isotopic compositions vary significantly between different grains in each deposit and form broad linear arrays in ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagrams. The linear arrays of Pb-isotope data are attributed to mixing of Pb from different sources. At least two sources are required for individual deposits: one with low U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios and the other with high ratios. Lead minerals occurring with Au are less radiogenic than those that are not obviously associated with Au, suggesting that Au was supplied from low U/Pb sources such as sulphides or older ultramafic-mafic rocks. While most data are consistent with the derivation from local rocks, highly radiogenic Pb with relatively low ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios recorded at KL require post-Archaean mineralization or derivation of the Pb from an unusual crustal source with low . The latter interpretation is favored because of the lack of textural evidence and because it is difficult to dissolve and precipitate altaite at low temperatures. The presence of a Pb reservoir with low is also inferred from the data of Archaean banded iron formations and volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. Different isotopic patterns of the two deposits suggest different sources of metals in the two deposits. While this conclusion does not reject the derivation of fluids from the lower crust or mantle, the data are not in accord with conceptual models invoking a common source reservoir for metals. The study suggests that fluids, which may have a common origin, leached metals and other constituents from the upper crustal rocks during their ascent. The proposed model, different origins for different constituents, explains much of the conflicting evidence presented by Archaean Au deposits, including provinciality of mineralogy and relatively uniform fluid inclusion and C-isotope data from many Au deposits.     

Pb同位素对江西大湖塘矿集区部分矿床成岩成矿物质来源的指示

大湖塘矿床为近年来赣西北发现的超大型钨铜多金属矿床,其钨资源量达到了超大型规模,与南岭地区典型的钨矿床相比,大湖塘矿床缺乏应有的钨锡、钨钼元素组合,而以钨铜元素组合为特征,铜资源量达到了大型规模。钨、铜为2种地球化学性质迥异的元素,其在同一空间的出现意味着可能存在不同来源端员的混合。笔者测定了大岭上、大岭上东南部大雾塘矿区的一矿带以及平苗与成矿有关的岩体的全岩及矿石铅同位素,利用铀-铅同位素体系特征将本次测定的全岩铅同位素数据中铅发生丢失的样品进行剔除,然后分别将同位素比值投入不同的铅构造模式图解中,发现大湖塘全岩及长石铅数据主要分布于上地壳与地幔之间,可能还有下地壳物质混入。为了得到更为准确的组分来源信息,使用了铅同位素全方位对比法,对比了包括矿石铅、区内出露岩浆岩、区内及邻区相关地层、推测可能出现的岩石端员组分及本次测定的大湖塘矿区成矿岩体的全岩及长石铅同位素值。结果表明,大湖塘成矿岩体来源于新元古代双桥山群深熔作用,成矿物质主要为岩浆来源,其中铜主要来自新元古代变基性岩,钨主要来自元古代地层;其构造动力学背景可能受九瑞地区地壳加厚、拆沉远端系统的影响。     

Pilbara galenas: Precise isotopic assay of the oldest Australian leads; model ages and growth-curve implications

Precise Pb isotopic data are reported for 19 galenas and 2 other minerals from the Archaean Pilbara District of Western Australia. Repeated measurements on the Broken Hill Standard Ore show good agreement with published calibrations from two other laboratories, and an overall 95 percent confidence level within ±0.05 percent per mass unit, whether fractionation correction is by the double-spike procedure or by use of a simple mass-dependent factor. Two stratiform deposits yield the most primitive ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=11.89; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=13.69; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=31.79) and model ages in good agreement with the 3.45 Ga age on zircons from volcanics correlatable with the host-rocks. Other minor galena occurrences, with quartz-vein association, appear to be younger, with position along the growth curve surprisingly consistent with the age sequence predicted from field observation. The data also extend the time-range of previously-reported trends in apparent U/Pb of the conceptual Pb source, and reveal new features of the corresponding Th/U systematics: a generally-observable trend in the Archaean of Australia, Southern Africa and West Greenland is that the source Th/U seems significantly higher than is allowed for in any of the current Pb-growth models. In detail, the sample-sample variations in indicated source parameters are in many cases correlatable with the nature of the neighbouring rocks and emphasise that, whereas Pb isotope rations in the galenas of huge deposits may well serve as a convenient sampler of overall trends in the Earth's crust, subeconomic occurrences such as these may reveal valuable information about local variations in U-Th-Pb distribution.     

U-Pb age and lead isotopic characterization of Au-bearing skarn related to the Andorra granite (central Pyrenees,Spain)

Auriferous skarns are associated with post- and late-kinematic Hercynian granites that intruded into Cambro-Ordovician to Devonian sediments of the central Pyrenees. We determined the age of the Andorra granite and the associated skarn at 305 ± 3 Ma by U-Pb dating titanite from the endo-skarn. The sulfur isotopic composition from sulfides in the skarn (Cardellach et al. 1992) shows a significant variation with isotopically light sulfur (³⁴S +3) in the barren skarns and heavy sulfur (³⁴S +11) in the gold-bearing skarns. Outwards, it increasingly resembles sulfur from arsenopyrite disseminations in the Cambro-Ordovician sediments. The lead isotopic composition from sulfides of the skarns is very homogeneous (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.410, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.699, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.574) in contrast to the one in gold-bearing arsenopyrite veins and in arsenopyrite disseminations in the sediments (e.g. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb varies from 18.54 to 30.36). Combined, sulfur and lead isotope data indicate that the lead in the skarn is dominantly derived from the granite, whereas the sulfur is derived at variable portions from both the granite and the sediments.     

Differences in lead isotope composition in the stratiform McArthur zinc-lead-silver deposit

Lead isotopic composition and uranium and lead concentrations have been determined for galena, sphalerite, pyrite and acetic acid soluble material from the McArthur area in order to test the hypothesis of a dual sulphur source suggested by the sulphur isotope data of Smith and Croxford (Sulphur isotope ratios in the McArthur lead-zinc-silver deposit, Nature Phys. Sci. 245, 10–12 (1973)). Galena, sphalerite and the acetic acid washes from the McArthur deposit have uniform isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.07–16.15; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.37–15.47; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 35.57–35.89) consistent with other conformable ore deposits, whereas the ratios for pyrite are variable and quite radiogenic (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.24–16.49; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.42–15.58; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 35.82–36.98). Acid washes where dolomite is a major dissolved phase are also radiogenic. The lead in the pyrite appears to have been derived from at least two sources: the less radiogenic lead coming from an exhalative source as for galena and sphalerite and the more radiogenic lead probably being leached from the country rocks. It is proposed that analysis of pyrite for isotopic composition and concentration of lead could be used as an indicator for similar types of deposits in this area.     

The petrogenesis of volcanics from Mt. Bulusan and Mt. Mayon in the Bicol arc,the Philippines

Pliocene to recent volcanic rocks from the Bulusan volcanic complex in the southern part of the Bicol arc (Philippines) exhibit a wide compositional range (medium- to high-K basaltic-andesites, andesites and a dacite/rhyolite suite), but are characterised by large ion lithophile element enrichments and HFS element depletions typical of subduction-related rocks. Field, petrographic and geochemical data indicate that the more silicic syn- and post-caldera magmas have been influenced by intracrustal processes such as magma mixing and fractional crystallisation. However, the available data indicate that the Bicol rocks as a group exhibit relatively lower and less variable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7036–0.7039) compared with many of the other subduction-related volcanics from the Philippine archipelago. The Pb isotope ratios of the Bicol volcanics appear to be unlike those of other Philippine arc segments. They typically plot within and below the data field for the Philippine Sea Basin on ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb versus ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb versus ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagrams, implying a pre-subduction mantle wedge similar to that sampled by the Palau Kyushu Ridge, east of the Philippine Trench. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios are moderately variable (0.51285–0.51300). Low silica (<55 wt%) samples that have lower ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd tend to have high Th/Nd, high Th/Nb, and moderately low Ce/Ce* ratios. Unlike some other arc segments in the Philippines (e.g. the Babuyan-Taiwan segment), there is little evidence for the involvement of subducted terrigenous sediment. Instead, the moderately low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios in some of the Bicol volcanics may result from subduction of pelagic sediment (low Ce/Ce*, high Th/Nd, and high Th/Nb) and its incorporation into the mantle wedge via a slab-derived partial melt.     

First lead isotopic data for cinnabar in the Almadén district (Spain): implications for the genesis of the mercury deposits

The Almadén district constitutes the largest and probably the most intriguing mercury concentration in the world. Two types of mineralization are recognized: 1) stratabound, of Lower Silurian age, well represented by the large Almadén deposit; and 2) fully discordant mercury deposits of minor importance in terms of size, and exemplified by the deposit of Las Cuevas. The latter ones can be found at different positions along the Almadén stratigraphic column. Both types of deposits are always associated with the so-called frailesca rocks (diatremes of alkali basaltic composition). This paper reports the first lead isotope compositions of cinnabar in the district. Whole samples and stepwise leaching cinnabar aliquots display relatively homogeneous isotopic compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.112–18.460; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.635–15.705; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.531–38.826). Taken together with Jébrak et al.s (2002) pyrite lead isotope results, the new cinnabar isotopic data define a steep array trend on the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb– ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagram, indicating a mixed contribution of lead and probably mercury from different sedimentary sources in the Almadén basin. The Almadén Hg deposits are related to a contemporaneous mafic magmatism that might have provided part of the mercury. Hydrothermal leaching of organic matter from sedimentary rocks and formation of Hg organic complexes enhanced metal solubility, promoting transport from and within the volcanic units.Editorial handling: M. Chiaradia     

Comparative geochronology in the reversely zoned plutons of the Bottle Lake Complex,Maine: U-Pb on zircons and Rb-Sr on whole rocks

The Bottle Lake Complex is a composite granitic batholith emplaced into Cambrian to Lower Devonian metasedimentary rocks. Both plutons (Whitney Cove and Passadumkeag River) are very coarse grained hornblende and biotite-bearing granites showing petrographic and geochemical reverse zonation. Two linear whole rock Rb/Sr isochrons on xenolith-free Whitney Cove and Passadumkeag River samples indicate ages of 379±5 m.y. and 381±4 m.y., respectively, in close agreement with published K-Ar ages for biotite from Whitney Cove of 377 m.y. and 379 m.y., and for hornblende ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar determinations from Passadumkeag River which indicate an age of 378±4 m.y. The initial Sr isotopic ratio for Whitney Cove is 0.70553 and for Passadumkeag River is 0.70414. A whole-rock isochron on a suite of xenoliths from the Passadumkeag River granite indicates a whole rock Rb-Sr age of 496±14 m.y., with an initial Sr isotopic ratio of 0.70262.Two types of zircon exhibiting wide petrographic diversity are evident in variable proportions throughout the batholith. One of these types is preferentially found in a mafic xenolith and it is widely dispersed in the host granites forming discrete grains and probably as inclusions in the other type of zircon. U-Pb analyses of zircons give concordia intercept ages of 399±8 m.y. for Whitney Cove, 388±6 m.y. for Passadumkeag River, 415 m.y. for a mafic xenolith in Passadumkeag River, and 396±32 for combined Whitney Cove and Passadumkeag River granite. The zircons show a spread of up to 20 m.y. in the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages. Omitting the finest zircon fraction in the Passadumkeag River results in a concordia intercept age of 381±3 m.y., in better agreement with the whole-rock Rb-Sr and mineral K-Ar ages. For the Whitney Cove pluton, exclusion of the finest fraction does not bring the zircon age into agreement with the Rb-Sr data.Age estimates by the whole rock Rb-Sr, mineral K-Ar and Ar-Ar methods suggest that the crystallization age of the plutons is about 380 m.y., slightly younger than the U-Pb zircon intercept ages. A possible reason for this discrepancy is that the zircons contain inherited lead. Thus, zircon U-Pb ages might represent a mixture of newly developed zircon and older inherited zircon, whereas the Rb-Sr whole rock age (380 m.y.) reflects the time of crystallization, and the argon ages result from rapid cooling after emplacement.     

Zircon LA-ICP MS U-Pb Dating of the Longkang Andesitic Ignimbrites from Jiuzhaigou： Evidence of the Mianlue Suture Westward Extension

Genesis of metasedimentary-volcanics outcroped in Kangxian-Pipasi-Nanping (康县-琵琶寺-南坪) tectonic zone is closely related with tectonic evolution of the Mianlue (勉略) Ocean. In the west end of Kangxian-Pipasi-Nanping tectonic zone, there are hundred meters of andesitic ignimbrites and tuffites. Zircon U-Ph dating on these volcanies has great significance to the tectonic implication of zircons from Longkang andesitic ignimbrites are magmatic genesis with oscillatory zoning and high U ((35-750) ppm), Th ((311-717) ppm) contents with high Th/U (0.44-1.30) ratios. The measured 206pb/238U ratios are in good analytical precision, yielding a weighted mean age of (246±3) Ma (MSWD=2.6, n=12, 2σ). Some detrital zircons have also been observed, they have maximal concordia area. Combined with regional geology and the volcanic rocks in the studied area, the (246±3) Ma zircon U-Pb age suggests a Late Permian orogenic volcanism and provides important geochronology evidence for the Mianlue suture westward extension.     

Lead isotopic compositions in fault gouges and their parent rocks: implications for ancient fault activities

This is the first study on Pb stable isotopes in fault gouges and their parent rocks. We analyzed the composition of Pb isotopes and contents of U and Pb in 10 pairs of fault gouges and their parent rocks collected along several active faults in central Japan. Thorium-232-²⁰⁸Pb ages of two fault systems were determined as pre-Tertiary, which are consistent with the data from KAr ages and geological considerations.Naturally, the²³⁵U²⁰⁷Pb system is of little use for dating because the magnitude of difference in²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb between gouges and parent rocks is too small. It is found that the²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb can indicate the contribution of²⁰⁶Pb resulting from excess supplies of²²⁶Ra and²²²Rn along the fault. The excess²⁰⁶Pb accumulation rate corresponds to the average²²²Rn concentration in soil gas or groundwater through geological time since the gouge formation. A comparison of Quaternary fault activity and estimated Tertiary activity reveals the characteristics of each fault system.     

Application of U-Pb-systems from detrital Zircons for palaeogeographic reconstructions a – case-study from the Rhenohercynian

Abstract

U-Pb. systematics of detrital zircons carry a mineral-specific information summarizing important geologic events during the preelastic slate of the minerals. Comparisons with U/Pb isotope rati of zircons from potential provenances reveal relationships between source areas of the zircons and their final location of deposition in a sedimentary basin. The Palaeozoic zircon detritus accumulated in sedimentary basins on the Rhenohercynian crustal segment is taken as an example to elucidate the plate-tectonical induced changes of the source areas by significant changes of the ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸ vs. ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵ratios in the zircons.

The U-Pb systematic of detrital zircon- from the Cambrian sediments deposited in the Brabant Massif and in the Ardennes indicale two source areas. Part of the detritus derived from an area. where strong Cadomian-Panafrican events influenced the U-Pb systems of the zircons. The oilier part reflects a source, in which the U-Pb systems were able to preserve their Arehaean to Early Proterozoic age information. Zircons of the latter source record the most ancient ages so far observed in detrital zircons of the later Rhenohercynian crustal seg ment. The similarities with the U/Pb isotope ratios of zircons from the Armorican Massif, the Bohemian Massif. and certain regions of the Mps indicate a geotectonic position of the sedimentar) basin during Cambrian times in the periphery of the Condwana mega-continent.

The detrital zircons accumulated in the Variscan Rhenish basin during the Lower Devonian show a completely different summarizing age information. The majority of the zircons reflect a Laurussian-type origin. which suggests a palaeogeographic position of the Variscan Rhenohercynian basin close to Laurussia. Euhedral zircons crystallized during Caledonian times document the erosion of Caledonian granitoids from structural highs in the Mid European Caledonides.

Zircons of the Lower Carboniferous flysch sediments of todays Eastern Rhenish Massif originate from two source areas characterised by very different geologic histories. Euhedral zircons represent a rather young component of about 410 Ma in the detritus, whereas. in contrast. the well rounded crystals show a summarizing age-information identical to that of the zircons found in the Cambrian sandstones. The low ages resemble intrusion ages as recorded from the Mid-German-Crystalline-Rise, the high age reflect a Gondwana-type input into the Rhenohercynian sedimentary basin during Lower Carboniferous times. The detritus thus documents the Variscan collision and a renewed coherence of the Rhenohercynian crustal segment to Cnndwana.

The zircon population from Upper Carboniferous molasse deposits is comprised of Condwana-tуpc material and of mate rial with similar U/Pb ratios as recorded in the Lower Devonian zircons. In parts the Variscan molasse must have been derived from sediments once deposited in a southern part of the Rhenohercynian basin and in the Saxothurìngian basin. U/Pb ratios of euhedral and round diamond-like lustrous zircons indicate a major geologic event at the Namurian/Westphalian boundary (310-315 Ma). These zircons thus reflect an influx of detritus into the molasse from other source rocks, probably synsedimentary volcanics.     

Lead isotopes of the carbonate-hosted Kabwe, Tsumeb, and Kipushi Pb-Zn-Cu sulphide deposits in relation to Pan African orogenesis in the Damaran-Lufilian Fold Belt of Central Africa

Lead isotope ratios of galena from the carbonate-hosted massive sulphide deposits of Kabwe (Pb-Zn) and Tsumeb (Pb-Zn-Cu) in Zambia and Namibia, respectively, have been measured and found to be homogeneous and characteristic of upper crustal source rocks. Kabwe galena has average isotope ratios of ^206/204Pb = 17.997 ± 0.007, ^207/204Pb = 15.713 ± 0.010 and ^208/204Pb = 38.410 ± 0.033. Tsumeb galena has slightly higher ^206/204Pb (18.112 ± 0.035) and slightly lower ^207/204Pb (15.674 ± 0.016) and ^208/204Pb (38.276 ± 0.073) ratios than Kabwe galena. The isotopic differences are attributed to local differences in the age and composition of the respective source rocks for Kabwe and Tsumeb. The homogeneity of the ore lead in the two epigenetic deposits suggests lead sources of uniform isotopic composition or, alternatively, thorough mixing of lead derived from sources with relatively similar isotopic compositions. Both deposits have relatively high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 10.31 and 10.09 for Kabwe and Tsumeb galenas, respectively. These isotope ratios are considered to be typical of the upper continental crust in the Damaran-Lufilian orogenic belt, as also indicated by basement rocks and Cu-Co sulphides in stratiform Katangan metasediments which have a mean μ-value of 10.25 ± 0.12 in the Copperbelt region of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). The ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb isotope ratios of 43.08 and 40.42 for Kabwe and Tsumeb suggest Th-enriched source regions with ²³²Th/²³⁵U (κ-values) of 4.18 and 4.01, respectively. Model isotopic ages determined for the Kabwe (680 Ma) and Tsumeb (530 Ma) deposits indicate that the timing of the mineralisation was probably related to phases of orogenic activity associated with the Pan-African Lufilian and Damaran orogenies, respectively. Galena from the carbonate-hosted Kipushi Cu-Pb-Zn massive sulphide deposit in the Congo also has homogeneous lead isotope ratios, but its isotopic composition is comparable to that of the average global lead evolution curve for conformable massive sulphide deposits. The μ (9.84) and κ (3.69) values indicate a significant mantle component, and the isotopic age of the Kipushi deposit (456 Ma) suggests that the emplacement of the mineralisation was related to a post-tectonic phase of igneous activity in the Lufilian belt. The isotope ratios (^206/204Pb, ^207/204Pb, ^208/204Pb) of the three deposits are markedly different from the heterogeneous lead ratios of the Katangan Cu-Co stratiform mineralisation of the Copperbelt as well as those of the volcanogenic Nampundwe massive pyrite deposit in the Zambezi belt which typically define radiogenic linear trends on lead-lead plots. The host-rock dolomite of the Kabwe deposit also has homogeneous lead isotope ratios identical to the ore galena. This observation indicates contamination of the Kabwe Dolomite Formation with ore lead during mineralisation. Received: 8 September 1997 / Accepted: 21 August 1998     

U-Pb garnet chronometry in high-grade rocks—case studies from the central Damara orogen (Namibia) and implications for the interpretation of Sm-Nd garnet ages and the role of high U-Th inclusions

Garnets from different migmatites and granites from the Damara orogen (Namibia) were dated with the U-Pb technique after bulk dissolution of the material. Measured ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are highly variable and range from ca. 21 to 613. Variations in isotope (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) and trace element (Th/U, U/Nd, Sm/Nd) ratios of the different garnets show that some garnets contain significant amounts of monazite and zircon inclusions. Due to their very low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios, garnets from pelitic migmatites from the Khan area yield Pb-Pb ages with large errors precluding a detailed evaluation. However, the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages (ca. 550–500 Ma) appear to be similar to or older than U-Pb monazite ages (530±1–517±1 Ma) and Sm-Nd garnet ages (523±4–512±3 Ma) from the same sample. It is reasonable to assume that the Pb-Pb garnet ages define growth ages because previous studies are consistent with a higher closure temperature for the U-Pb system in garnet relative to the U-Pb system in monazite and the Sm-Nd system in garnet. For igneous migmatites from Oetmoed, Pb-Pb garnet ages (483±15–492±16 Ma) and one Sm-Nd garnet whole rock age (487±8 Ma) are similar whereas the monazite from the same sample is ca. 30–40 Ma older (528±1 Ma). These monazite ages are, however, similar to monazite ages from nearby unmigmatized granite samples and constrain precisely the intrusion of the precursor granite in this area. Although there is a notable difference in closure temperature for the U-Pb and Sm-Nd system in garnet, the similarity of both ages indicate that both garnet ages record garnet growth in a migmatitic environment. Restitic garnet from an unmigmatized granite from Omaruru yields similar U-Pb (493±30–506±30 Ma) and Sm-Nd (493±6–488±7 Ma) garnet ages whereas the monazite from this rock is ca. 15–25 Ma older (516±1–514±1 Ma). Whereas the monazite ages define probably the peak of regional metamorphism in the source of the granite, the garnet ages may indicate the time of melt extraction. For igneous garnets from granites at Oetmoed, the similarity between Pb-Pb (483±34–474±17 Ma) and Sm-Nd (492±5–484±13 Ma) garnet ages is consistent with fast cooling rates of granitic dykes in the lower crust. Differences between garnet and monazite U-Pb ages can be explained by different reactions that produced these minerals at different times and by the empirical observation that monazite seems resistant to later thermal re-equilibration in the temperature range between 750 and 900 °C (e.g. Braun et al. 1998). For garnet analyses that have low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios, the influence of high- inclusions is small. However, the relatively large errors preclude a detailed evaluation of the relationship between the different chronometers. For garnet with higher ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios, the overall similarity between the Pb-Pb and Sm-Nd garnet ages implies that the inclusions are not significantly older than the garnet and therefore do not induce a premetamorphic Pb signature upon the garnet. The results presented here show that garnet with low ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb ratios together with Sm-Nd garnet data and U-Pb monazite ages from the same rock can be used to extract geologically meaningful ages that can help to better understand tectonometamorphic processes in high-grade terranes.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs