Chemical mass balance in a reaction zone between serpentinite and metapelites in the Nishisonogi metamorphic rocks, Kyushu, Japan: Implications for devolatilization

Abstract   Reaction zones of 0.5–10.0 m thick are commonly observed between serpentinite and pelitic schist in the Nishisonogi metamorphic rocks, Kyushu, Japan. Each reaction zone consists of almost monomineralic or bimineralic layers of talc + carbonates, actinolite (or carbonates + quartz), chlorite, muscovite and albite from serpentinite to pelitic schist. Magnesite + quartz veins extend into the serpentinite from the talc + carbonates layer, while dolomite veins extend into the pelitic schist from the muscovite layer. These veins are filled by subhedral minerals with oriented growth features. Primary fluid inclusions yield the same homogenization temperatures (145–150°C) both in the reaction zone and in the veins, suggesting their simultaneous formation. Mass-balance calculations using the isocon method indicate that SiO₂, MgO, H₂O and K₂O are depleted in the reaction zone relative to the protoliths. These components were probably extracted from the reaction zone as fluids during the formation of the reaction zone.     

Fluid inclusion from drill hole DW-5, Hohi geothermal area, Japan: Evidence of boiling and procedure for estimating CO2 content

Fluid inclusion studies have been used to derive a model for fluid evolution in the Hohi geothermal area, Japan. Six types of fluid inclusions are found in quartz obtained from the drill core of DW-5 hole. They are: (I) primary liquid-rich with evidence of boiling; (II) primary liquid-rich without evidence of boiling; (III) primary vapor-rich (assumed to have been formed by boiling); (IV) secondary liquid-rich with evidence of boiling; (V) secondary liquid-rich without evidence of boiling; (VI) secondary vapor-rich (assumed to have been formed by boiling). Homogenization temperatures (T_h) range between 196 and 347°C and the final melting point of ice (T_m) between −0.2 and −4.3°C. The CO₂ content was estimated semiquantitatively to be between 0 and 0.39 wt. % based on the bubble behavior on crushing. NaCl equivalent solid solute salinity of fluid inclusions was determined as being between 0 and 6.8 wt. % after minor correction for CO₂ content.Fluid inclusions in quartz provide a record of geothermal activity of early boiling and later cooling. The CO₂ contents and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions with evidence of boiling generally increase with depth; these changes, and NaCl equivalent solid solute salinity of the fluid can be explained by an adiabatic boiling model for a CO₂-bearing low-salinity fluid. Some high-salinity inclusions without CO₂ are presumed to have formed by a local boiling process due to a temperature increase or a pressure decrease. The liquid-rich primary and secondary inclusions without evidence of boiling formed during the cooling process. The salinity and CO₂ content of these inclusions are lower than those in the boiling fluid at the early stage, probably as a result of admixture with groundwater.     

Minerals produced during cooling and hydrothermal alteration of ash flow tuff from Yellowstone drill hole Y-5

A rhyolitic ash-flow tuff in a hydrothermally active area within the Yellowstone caldera was drilled in 1967, and cores were studied to determine the nature and distribution of primary and secondary mineral phases. The rocks have undergone a complex history of crystallization and hydrothermal alteration since their emplacement 600,000 years ago. During cooling from magmatic temperatures, the glassy groundmass underwent either devitrification to alkali feldspar + α-cristobalite ± tridymite or granophyric crystallization to alkali feldspar + quartz. Associated with the zones of granophyric crystallization are prismatic quartz crystals in cavities similar to those termed miarolitic in plutonic rocks. Vapor-phase alkali feldspar, tridymite, magnetite, and sporadic α-cristobalite were deposited in cavities and in void spaces of pumice fragments. Subsequently, some of the vapor-phase alkali feldspar crystals were replaced by microcrystalline quartz, and the vapor-phase minerals were frosted by a coating of saccharoidal quartz.Hydrothermal minerals occur primarily as linings and fillings of cavities and fractures and as altered mafic phenocrysts. Chalcedony is the dominant mineral related to the present hydrothermal regime and occurs as microcrystalline material mixed with various amounts of hematite and goethite. The chalcedony displays intricate layering and was apparently deposited as opal from silica-rich water. Hematite and goethite also replace both mafic phenocrysts and vapor-phase magnetite. Other conspicuous hydrothermal minerals include montmorillonite, pyrite, mordenite, calcite, and fluorite. Clinoptilolite, erionite, illite, kaolinite, and manganese oxides are sporadic. The hydrothermal minerals show little correlation with temperature, but bladed calcite is restricted to a zone of boiling in the tuff and clearly was deposited when CO₂ was lost during boiling.Fractures and breccias filled with chalcedony are common throughout Y-5 and may have been produced by rapid disruption of rock caused by sudden decrease of fluid pressure in fractures, most likely a result of fracturing during resurgent doming in this part of the Yellowstone caldera. The chalcedony probably was deposited as opal or β-cristobalite from a pre-existing silica floc that moved rapidly into the fractures and breccias immediately after the sudden pressure drop.     

Tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex, central Japan: Constraints from a fluid inclusion analysis of syn-tectonic veins

Abstract   Micro-thermometry of water-rich fluid inclusions from two syn-tectonic veins sets ( D1 and D2 veins) in the Otaki Group, part of the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex of the Kanto Mountains, central Japan reveals the following tectono-metamorphic evolution. Combining the results of microthermometric analyses of fluid inclusions from D1 veins with an assumed geothermal gradient of 20–50°C/km indicates that the temperature and fluid pressure conditions during D1 were 270–300°C and 140–190 MPa, respectively. Peak metamorphic conditions during the development of D2 slaty cleavage involved temperatures in excess of 300°C and fluid pressures greater than 270 MPa, based on analyses of microthermometry of water-rich fluid inclusions from the D2 vein and illite crystallinity. The estimated fluid pressure increased by approximately 80 MPa from D1 accretionary processes to metamorphism and slaty cleavage development during D2 . Assuming that fluid pressure reached lithostatic pressure, the observed increase in fluid pressure can be accounted for by thrusting of the Jurassic Chichibu accretionary complex over the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex. Following thrusting, both accretionary complexes were subjected to metamorphism during the latest Cretaceous.     

安徽石台中生代花岗岩类地球化学特征

安徽石台地区出露的牯牛降（东库）、谭山岩体可划分为4个侵入期次,从早到晚岩性变化趋势为中粒似斑状（二长）花岗岩→中（中粗）粒正长花岗岩→中细粒似斑状（正长）花岗岩→细（微）粒似斑状钾长花岗岩.岩石化学特征显示均为高钾钙碱性系列;微量元素地球化学特征表明,牯牛降（东库）、谭山岩体微量元素总体具相似特征,都富集大部分亲石元素,K/Rb比值低而Rb/Sr比值高;微量元素原始地幔标准化蛛网图总体略显右倾,均具有高Rb低Ba、Sr、Ti的特征.牯牛降（东库）和谭山岩体稀土元素球粒陨石标准化配分模式图均为右倾海鸥型,均具有较强的Eu亏损.研究认为牯牛降（东库）岩体和谭山岩体成岩物质主要来源于上地壳的部分熔融,成岩的地球动力学背景为碰撞造山后挤压收缩向拉张伸展的转变,与中国东部此时发生构造大转折、岩浆活动和成矿作用大爆发基本一致.     

Geochemistry of adakitic quartz diorite in the Yamizo Mountains, central Japan: Implications for Early Cretaceous adakitic magmatism in the inner zone of southwest Japan

Abstract   Small-volume plutons of Early to Late Cretaceous ages are widely distributed in the Yamizo Mountains, central Japan. These plutons consist predominantly of granitoids, classified into hornblende gabbro, quartz diorite, hornblende–biotite granodiorite and coarse-grained biotite granite. The quartz diorite (52–64 wt% of SiO₂) is characterized by a high Sr content (606–769 p.p.m.) associated with a low Y (13–27 p.p.m.) and heavy rare earth element content (Yb content of 1.19–2.13 p.p.m.). On the Sr/Y versus Y diagram, this rock type mainly plots in the adakite and Archean high-Al tonalite, trondhjemite and granodiorite (TTG) field. Together with its initial Sr isotopic ratios, which range from 0.7038 to 0.7046, these data suggest that quartz diorite originated as slab melts. However, geochemical calculations assuming either eclogite or garnet amphibolite as the source material do not support this suggestion. Instead, the chemical compositions of quartz diorite are better explained by the fractional crystallization of hornblende, plagioclase and biotite from a primitive, basaltic melt in a magma chamber. In this case, the formation of the associated hornblende gabbro can also be explained by the accumulation of hornblende and plagioclase. Adakitic rocks of Early Cretaceous ages have also been reported in the Tamba Belt of the inner zone of southwest Japan, located ca 500 km west of the Yamizo Mountains. These rocks can be correlated to the adakitic rocks in the Yamizo Mountains based on the geology, petrography, geochemistry and radiometric ages. Therefore, we propose the possibility that the Early Cretaceous adakitic rocks in the inner zone of southwest Japan were produced by fractional crystallization from basaltic arc magmas generated by a partial melting of metasomatized wedge mantle peridotite.     

Early precambrian trondhjemitic suites in Western Australia and Northwestern Scotland,and the geochemical evolution of shields

Sodium-rich trondhjemites and quartz keratophyres, retained as pebbles in Archaean metaconglomerates, represent some of the oldest components (up to 3 by) of the Kalgoorlie System, Western Australia. New determinations indicate high Si, Na, Na/K, Ba/Rb, Ba/K, Sr/Ca+K, Ni, Ni/Mg, and Cr/Mg, and low K, Rb, Rb/Sr, and Y, in comparison to Taylor's (1965) [1] and other' average granites and to Nockolds and Allen's (1953) [2] acid calc-alkaline rocks. Syngeosynclinal quartz keratophyres (2.6 by) studied by O'Beirne (1968) [3] show similar comparisons. Similarly, high-grade acid and intermediate gneisses of the Lewisian, Scotland, have high Na/K, K/Rb, Ba/Rb, Ba/K, Sr/Ca+K, Ni, Ni/Mg, Cr, Cr/Mg, and low K, Rb, Rb/Sr, Y and Y/Ca. Secular decrease in Na/K, K/Rb and Sr/Rb is shown by granite series in Western Australia, Transvaal, Rhodesia and the Canadian Shield. The earliest members of these series compare with sodic acid plutons of island arcs, in particular Fiji, an archipelago showing a pattern of evolution analogous to that of the proposed model (Glikson, 1971) [4]. Evidence for an origin of Archaean sodic granites from below a basic crust is furnished by the abundance of basic xenoliths, by relationships in agmatite-gneiss terrains in Greenland, Scotland, and India, by K levels lower than those of Archaean metasediments, and by low initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. The abundance of euhedral quartz phenocrysts in the quartz keratophyres supports origin through partial melting of eclogite [5]. In high-grade belts, the originally low abundances of K and Rb were accentuated by synmetamorphic depletion, with which the formation of late-stage K-granites may have been associated. The correlation of chemical data enables an insight into spatial and temporal relationships between low- and high-grade early Precambrian terrains, and on the geochemical evolution of shields.     

新疆北部花岗岩─水~18O/~16O交换反应动力学──对于造山带岩浆熔融与流体循环的意义

对新疆北部花岗岩的两个典型岩体-阿拉尔和二台北岩体进行了系统的氧同位素组成测定,以探讨造山带的流体循环以及岩浆源区的熔融两个岩体的岩浆源区相对亏损18OZ它们在上部地壳侵位的次团相冷凝过程中共生矿物向富集18O的方向不平衡偏转推覆到阿尔泰山区热板片之下的晚古生代沉积物冷板片,通过进变质过程中的脱水反应提供了大量的含水流体．在倒转地温梯度驱动下,含水流体从下伏冷板片释放到上覆热板片,与富18O的早古生代变质沉积物发生18O／16O交换反应,并且最终导致造山花岗岩源区的熔融,产生相对亏损18O的过铝质花岗岩浆．对于以二台北岩体为代表的非造山花岗岩而言,幔源岩浆的下垫诱导的进变质反应造成流体对流,促进了幔源岩浆与花岗岩源区岩石的18O／16O交换反应,从而降低了后者的δ18O值．流体循环是深熔作用的先驱事件．与两个岩体侵位相联系的流体具有围绕岩体分布的外封皮性质．当岩浆温度下降到某一数值时,它们迅速进入岩体,瞬间流动速率较大．随着18O／16O交换反应的进行,流体来源迅速枯竭.     

Evidence of microstructures and fluid inclusions for the origin of polycrystalline quartz ribbons in high-grade metamorphic rocks in Daqingshan region

Polycrystalline quartz ribbons in high-grade metamorphic rocks from the Daqingshan region, are typi- cal microfabrics of, and provide information for, deep crust deformation and metamorphism. The quartz ribbons have straight boundaries and extend stably along gneissosity. They truncate other mineral grains in the rocks and may contain inclusions of such minerals that are lens-shaped and oriented. They frequently end into branching termination. Analysis fluid inclusions in polycrystalline quartz rib- bons reveal that the complex types of fluid inclusions are inhomogeneously distributed. They are ob- viously different from inclusions captured at granulite facies, in both fluid compositions and T-P esti- mations. Based on microfabric and fluid inclusion analysis, the polycrystalline quartz ribbons are suggested to be formed by SO2-rich fluids filling micro-fractures that are parallel to early gneissosity. The SO2 composition is derived from the deformed host rocks. The fluid phase has significant effects on the rheological characteristics, fracturing of rocks, and formation of quartz ribbons.     

Evidence of microstructures and fluid inclusions for the origin of polycrystalline quartz ribbons in high-grade metamorphic rocks in Daqingshan resion

Polycrystalline quartz ribbons in high-grade metamorphic rocks from the Daqingshan region, are typical microfabrics of, and provide information for, deep crust deformation and metamorphism. The quartz ribbons have straight boundaries and extend stably along gneissosity. They truncate other mineral grains in the rocks and may contain inclusions of such minerals that are lens-shaped and oriented. They frequently end into branching termination. Analysis fluid inclusions in polycrystalline quartz ribbons reveal that the complex types of fluid inclusions are inhomogeneously distributed. They are obviously different from inclusions captured at granulite facies, in both fluid compositions and T-P estimations. Based on microfabric and fluid inclusion analysis, the polycrystalline quartz ribbons are suggested to be formed by SO2-rich fluids filling micro-fractures that are parallel to early gneissosity. The SO2 composition is derived from the deformed host rocks. The fluid phase has significant effects on the rheological characteristics, fracturing of rocks, and formation of quartz ribbons.     

Fluid inclusion evidence for rapid formation of the vapor-dominated zone at Sulphur Springs, Valles caldera, New Mexico, USA

Microthermometric measurements were obtained for 618 fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz, fluorite and calcite and magmatic quartz phenocrysts in intracaldera tuffs from the VC-2A core hole in order to study evolutionary processes of the Sulphur Springs hydrothermal system in the Valles caldera. Relatively high T_h values in samples from shallow depths indicate erosion of about 200 m of caldera fill since deposition of hydrothermal minerals at shallow depths in the Sulphur Springs hydrothermal system, accompanied by a descent in the water table of the liquid-dominated reservoir. For samples collected below the current water level of the well, the minimum values of homogenization temperature (T_h) fit the present thermal profile, whereas minimum T_h values of samples from above the water level are several tens of degrees higher than the present thermal profile and fit a paleo-thermal profile following the boiling point curve for pure water, as adjusted to 92 °C at 20 m below the present land surface. This is attributed to development of an evolving vapor zone that formed subsequent to a sudden drop in the water table of the liquid-dominated reservoir. We suggest that these events were caused by the drainage of an intracaldera lake when the southwestern wall of the caldera was breached about 0.5 Ma. This model indicates that vapor zones above major liquid-dominated geothermal reservoirs can be formed due to dramatic changes in geohydrology and not just from simple boiling.     

Early exhumation of the collisional orogen and concurrent infill of foredeep basins in the Miocene Eurasian–Okhotsk Plate boundary, central Hokkaido, Japan: Inferences from K–Ar dating of granitoid clasts

Abstract   Thick Middle (–Upper) Miocene turbiditic deposits filled very deep and narrow foredeep basins formed in the western margin of the Hidaka collision zone in central Hokkaido. Cobble- to boulder-sized clasts of eight monzogranites and a single granodiorite in the Kawabata Formation in the Yubari Mountains area yielded biotite K–Ar ages of 44.4 ± 1.0 to 45.4 ± 1.0 Ma and 42.8 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. Major elemental compositions of the clasts all fall in the field of S-type granite on an NK/A (Na₂O + K₂O/Al₂O₃ in molecule) versus A/CNK (Al₂O₃/CaO + Na₂O + K₂O in molecule) diagram, verifying their peraluminous granite character (aluminium saturation index (ASI): 1.12–1.19). These geochronological and petrographical features indicate that the granitoid clasts in the Kawabata Formation correlate with Eocene granitic plutons in the northeastern Hidaka Belt, specifically the Uttsudake (43 Ma) and Monbetsu (42 Ma) plutons. Foredeep basins are flexural depressions developed at the frontal side of thickened thrust wedges. The results presented here suggest that deposition of the Middle Miocene turbidites was coeval with rapid westward up-thrusting and exhumation of the Hidaka Belt. This early mountain building may have occurred in response to thrusting in the Tertiary fold-and-thrust system of central Hokkaido.     

Chemical reaction diversity of geofluids revealed by hydrothermal experiments under sub- and supercritical states

Abstract   Hydrothermal experiments of dissolution of granite and quartz with pure water up to 600°C and 60 MPa were carried out in order to evaluate chemical reaction under sub- and supercritical conditions. The supercritical region beyond the critical point for water has been inferred to be a homogeneous state, which does not correspond to either a true liquid phase, or a true vapor phase. Results of dissolution experiments of granite and quartz in a supercritical state (artificially defined as higher pressures and temperatures than the critical point), show this fluid can be subdivided into two apparent phases comprising a 'liquid-like' region and a 'vapor-like' region. Chemical phenomena with respect to dissolution reactions in the 'liquid-like' region are more similar to those of subcritical water, whilst those reactions in the 'vapor-like' region even in the supercritical state are considered to be weak. The critical point of various kinds of geofluids, composed of solutions in the H₂O-CO₂-NaCl system was experimentally determined using a visible type autoclave. Chemical reaction diversity, depending on location of the critical point for a given solution and apparent phase boundary in terms of chemical reaction within the supercritical state, was recognized by hydrothermal experiments.     

江西修水县梅子坑钼矿床地质特征及成因初探

梅子坑钼矿位于九岭钨钼成矿带,为中型石英脉型钼矿床。矿区内地层和岩浆岩钼元素含量分别是克拉克值的43倍和21倍。矿体赋存于双桥山群修水组浅变质岩系中及北西向断裂控制的裂隙密集带中;矿石主要类型为石英脉型,矿石有益组分为辉钼矿,形成于石英-黄铁矿-辉钼矿-黄铜矿早期矿化阶段。矿床可能与隐伏的燕山期细粒花岗岩、花岗斑岩岩脉有成因关系,属与燕山期岩浆活动有关的中-高温热液矿床。北西向断裂密集带,硅化、云英岩化、黄铁矿化围岩蚀变,燕山期花岗岩类及双桥山群浅变质岩系,是其主要找矿标志。     

Sources of ore-forming fluids and metallic materials in the Jinwozi lode gold deposit, eastern Tianshan Mountains of China

This paper presents gas compositions and H-, O-isotope compositions of sulfide- and quartz-hosted fluid inclusions, and S-, Pb-isotope compositions of sulfide separates collected from the principal Stage 2 ores in Veins 3 and 210 of the Jinwozi lode gold deposit, eastern Tianshan Mountains of China. Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz and sphalerite are dominantly primary. H- and O-isotopic compositions of pyrite-hosted fluid inclusions indicate two major contributions to the ore-forming fluid that include the degassed magma and the meteoric-derived but rock 18O-buffered groundwater. However, H- and O-isotopic compositions of quartz-hosted fluid inclusions essentially suggest the presence of groundwater. Sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions show considerably higher abundances of gaseous species CO2, N2, H2S, etc. Than quartz-hosted ones. The linear trends among inclusion gaseous species reflect the mixing tendency between the gas-rich magmatic fluid and the groundwater. The relative enrichment of gaseous species in sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions, coupled with the banded ore structure indicating alternate precipitation of quartz with sulfide minerals, suggests that the magmatic fluid has been inputted to the ore-forming fluid in pulsation. Sulfur and lead isotope compositions of pyrite and galena separates indicate an essential magma derivation for sulfur but the multiple sources for metallic materials from the mantle to the bulk crust.     

地震电磁波发射的一种机制

本文介绍用天然石英岩块等所进行的电磁波发射实验.得到了频段范围和强度.提出岩层突然破裂和断层两侧岩石剧烈摩擦是产生地震电磁波的一种重要机制,其机理是石英晶体破碎时,电偶极子群的产生和消失.      

Sources of ore-forming fluids and metallic materials in the Jinwozi lode gold deposit,eastern Tianshan Mountains of China

This paper presents gas compositions and H-, O-isotope compositions of sulfide- and quartz-hosted fluid inclusions, and S-, Pb-isotope compositions of sulfide separates collected from the principal Stage 2 ores in Veins 3 and 210 of the Jinwozi lode gold deposit, eastern Tianshan Mountains of China. Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz and sphalerite are dominantly primary. H-and O-isotopic compositions of pyrite-hosted fluid inclusions indicate two major contributions to the ore-forming fluid that include the degassed magma and the meteoric-derived but rock ¹⁸O-buffered groundwater. However, H- and O-isotopic compositions of quartz-hosted fluid inclusions essentially suggest the presence of groundwater. Sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions show considerably higher abundances of gaseous species CO₂, N₂, H₂S, etc. than quartz-hosted ones. The linear trends among inclusion gaseous species reflect the mixing tendency between the gas-rich magmatic fluid and the groundwater. The relative enrichment of gaseous species in sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions, coupled with the banded ore structure indicating alternate precipitation of quartz with sulfide minerals, suggests that the magmatic fluid has been inputted to the ore-forming fluid in pulsation. Sulfur and lead isotope compositions of pyrite and galena separates indicate an essential magma derivation for sulfur but the multiple sources for metallic materials from the mantle to the bulk crust.

     

Sources of ore-forming fluids and metallic materials in the Jinwozi lode gold deposit,eastern Tianshan Mountains of China

This paper presents gas compositions and H-, O-isotope compositions of sulfide- and quartz-hosted fluid inclusions, and S-, Pb-isotope compositions of sulfide separates collected from the principal Stage 2 ores in Veins 3 and 210 of the Jinwozi lode gold deposit, eastern Tianshan Mountains of China. Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz and sphalerite are dominantly primary. H-and O-isotopic compositions of pyrite-hosted fluid inclusions indicate two major contributions to the ore-forming fluid that include the degassed magma and the meteoric-derived but rock ¹⁸O-buffered groundwater. However, H- and O-isotopic compositions of quartz-hosted fluid inclusions essentially suggest the presence of groundwater. Sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions show considerably higher abundances of gaseous species CO₂, N₂, H₂S, etc. than quartz-hosted ones. The linear trends among inclusion gaseous species reflect the mixing tendency between the gas-rich magmatic fluid and the groundwater. The relative enrichment of gaseous species in sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions, coupled with the banded ore structure indicating alternate precipitation of quartz with sulfide minerals, suggests that the magmatic fluid has been inputted to the ore-forming fluid in pulsation. Sulfur and lead isotope compositions of pyrite and galena separates indicate an essential magma derivation for sulfur but the multiple sources for metallic materials from the mantle to the bulk crust.     

Sr isotope evolution during chemical weathering of granites -- impact of relative weathering rates of minerals

The Sr isotopic systematics in the weathering profiles of biotite granite and granite porphyry in southern Jiangxi Province were investigated. The results showed that during the chemical weathering of granites, remarked fractionation occurred between Rb and Sr. During the early stages of chemical weathering of granites, the released Sr/Si and Sr/Ca ratios are larger than those of the parent rocks, and the leaching rate of Sr is higher than those of Si, Ca, K, Rb, etc. Dynamic variations in relative weathering rates of the main Sr-contributing minerals led to fluctuation with time in 87Sr/86Sr ratios of inherent and released Sr in the weathering crust of granite. Successive weathering of biotite, plagioclase and K-feldspar made 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the weathering residues show such a fluctuation trend as to decrease first, increase, and then decrease again till they maintain stable. This work further indicates that when Sr isotopes are used to trace biogeochemical processes on both the catchment and global scales, one must seriously take account of the prefer-ential release of Sr from dissolving solid phase and the fluctuation of 87Sr/86Sr ratios caused by the variations of relative weathering rates of Sr-contributing minerals.     

Shock reequilibration of fluid inclusions in Coconino sandstone from Meteor Crater,Arizona

This study examines the effects of natural shock metamorphism on fluid inclusions trapped in porous sedimentary target rocks and compares these results to previous experimental work on single crystal quartz. Samples of shock metamorphosed Coconino sandstone were collected from Barringer Meteorite Crater (Meteor Crater, Arizona) and classified based on their shock features into the six shock stages described by Kieffer [S.W. Kieffer, 1971. Shock metamorphism of the Coconino sandstone at Meteor Crater, Arizona, Journal of Geophysical Research 76, 5449-5473.]. The frequency of two-phase fluid inclusions decreases dramatically from unshocked samples of Coconino sandstone through shock stages 1a, 1b, and 2. No two-phase fluid inclusions were observed in shock stage 3 or 4 samples. However, the total number of grains containing fluid inclusions remains approximately the same for shock stages 1a–2, suggesting that two-phase fluid inclusions reequilibrated during impact to form single-phase inclusions. In shock stages 3 and 4, the total number of inclusions also decreases, indicating that at these higher shock pressures fluid inclusions are destroyed by plastic deformation and phase changes within the host mineral. Entrained quartz grains within a shock stage 5 sample contain two-phase inclusions, emphasizing the short duration of melting associated with the impact and the heterogeneous nature of impact processes. These results are similar to those observed in single-crystal experiments, although inclusions survive to slightly higher shock pressures in samples of naturally shocked Coconino sandstone. Results of this study suggest that the rarity of fluid inclusions in meteorites does not preclude the presence of fluids on meteorite parent bodies. Instead, fluid inclusions trapped during alteration events may have been destroyed due to shock processing. In addition, loss of fluids from inclusion vesicles along fractures and microcracks may lead to shock devolatilization, even in unsaturated target rocks.