Stable isotopic compositions of Recent freshwater cyanobacterial carbonates from the British Isles: local and regional environmental controls

Recent (<50 years old) freshwater cyanobacterial carbonates from diverse environments (streams, lakes, waterfalls) throughout Britain and Ireland were analysed for their stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions. The mean δ¹⁸O value of ?5–9‰ PDB for river and stream data represents calcite precipitation in equilibrium with the mean oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation in central Britain (?7–5‰SMOW) assuming a mean water temperature of 9°C. The mean δ¹⁸O of lake data, ?4–5‰ PDB, is statistically different, reflecting the effects of residence time and/or variations in the oxygen isotopic composition of rainfall. Carbon isotopes have wide variations in both fluviatile and lake data sets (+ 3 to ?12‰ PDB). These variations are principally controlled in the fluviatile samples by contribution of isotopically light ‘soil zone’ carbon relative to isotopically heavier carbon from limestone aquifer rock dissolution. Lake samples have the heaviest carbon isotope values, reflecting a trend toward isotopic equilibrium between atmospheric CO₂ and aqueous HCO^?₃. We infer that isotopic compositions of ancient cyanobacterial carbonates should also record environmental information, although the effects of stabilization and diagenesis on primary δ¹⁸O values will need careful consideration. Primary carbon isotope compositions should be well preserved, although in marine samples values will be buffered by the isotopic composition of aqueous marine bicarbonate.     

The Darasun gold deposit,Eastern Transbaikal region: Chemical composition,REE patterns,and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of carbonates from ore veins

The chemistry, REE patterns, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonates from ore veins of the Darasun deposit are discussed. In addition to the earlier described siderite, calcite, and carbonates of the dolomite-ankerite series, kutnahorite is identified. The total REE content in Fe-Mg carbonates of the dolomite-ankerite series (2.8–73 ppm) is much lower than in later calcite (18–390 ppm). δ¹³C of Fe-Mg carbonates and calcite varies from +1.1 to −6.7‰ and from −0.9 to −4.9‰, respectively. δ¹⁸O of Fe-Mg carbonates and calcite varies from +17.6 to 3.6‰ and from +15.7 to −0.5‰, respectively. The REE sum and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions reveal zonal distribution relative to the central granodiorite porphyry stock. The correlation between the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions and REE sum reflects variations in the physicochemical formation conditions and composition of ore-forming fluid. The isotopic composition of fluid is calculated, and possible sources of its components are considered. Earlier established evidence for a magmatic source of ore-forming fluid and participation of meteoric water in ore formation is confirmed. Geochemical evidence for interaction of ore-forming fluid with host rocks is furnished. The relationships between the REE sum, on the one hand, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of hydrothermal ore-forming fluid, on the other, are established.     

Isotopic composition (δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C and δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O) and genesis of carbonates from the famennian manganiferous formation of Pai-Khoi

The results of isotope-geochemical studies of carbonates of different mineral types from manganese and host rocks of the Famennian manganiferous formation of Pai-Khoi are reported. Kutnahorite ores are characterized by δ¹³C values from–6.6 to 1.3‰ and δ¹⁸O from 20.0 to 27.4‰. Rhodonite–rhodochrosite rocks of the Silovayakha ore occurrence have δ¹³C from–5.2 to–2.9 and δ¹⁸O from 25.4 to 24.3‰. Mineralogically similar rocks of the Nadeiyakha ore occurrence show the lighter carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions: δ¹³C from–16.4 to–13.1 and δ¹⁸O from 24.8 to 22.5‰. Similar isotopic compositions were also obtained for rhodochrosite–kutnahorite rocks of this ore occurrence: δ¹³C from–13.0 to–10.4‰ and δ¹⁸O from 24.6 to 21.7‰. Siderorodochrosite ores differ in the lighter oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions: δ¹⁸O from 18.7 to 17.6‰ and δ¹³C from–10.2 to–9.3‰, respectively. In terms of the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions, host rocks in general correspond to marine sedimentary carbonates. Geological-mineralogical and isotope data indicate that the formation of the manganese carbonates was related to the hydrothermal ore-bearing fluids with the light isotopic composition of oxygen and carbon dissolved in CO₂. The isotopic features indicate an authigenic formation of manganese carbonates under different isotopegeochemical conditions.     

The isotopic composition of carbonatite and kimberlite carbonates and their bearing on the isotopic composition of deep-seated carbon

New carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonates from 14 carbonatite and 11 kimberlite occurrences are reported. A review of the available data on the carbon isotopic composition ranges of carbonatite and kimberlite carbonates shows that they are similar and overlap that of diamonds. The mean carbon isotopic composition of carbonates from 22 selected carbonatite complexes (?5.1%., s = ±l.4%.vsPDB) is indistinguishable from that of 13 kimberlite pipes (?4.7%. s = ±1.2%.) as well as that of 60 individual diamond analyses (?5.8%., s = 1.8%.). The oxygen isotopic compositions of kimberlite carbonates, however, are enriched in O¹⁸ by several permil with respect to those of carbonates from the subvolcanic type of carbonatite.The data suggest that not all carbonatite, kimberlite and diamond occurrences have the same average carbon isotopic composition and that significant differences exist between them. Carbon isotopic composition measurements available for the East African Rift system suggest geographic and/or tectonic groupings e.g. carbonate lavas, tuffs and intusive carbonatites associated with the Eastern Rift yield a range of δC¹³ values from ?5.8 to ?7.4%., similar to that of the carbonate rocks associated with the Western Rift volcanism (?5.8 to ?7.9%.). In contrast the interrift area encompassing Lakes Victoria, Malawi (Nyasa) and Chilwa, apparently are characterized by carbonatitic carbonates of higher C¹³ content (?2.4 to ?4.4%.).If carbonatite and kimberlite carbonates as well as diamonds represent deep seated carbon, the mean isotopic composition of this carbon is estimated as ?5.2%. and the range is ?2 to ?8%. The selection of any particular value within this range to be used as a criterion of deep-seated origin is at the moment not warranted. Indeed, the choice of any specific composition for such carbon may be meaningless, as the source of kimberlite, carbonatite and diamond carbon may not be isotopically uniform.     

Evolution of Isotopic Carbon Dioxide–Water Systems in Lithogenesis: Communication 1. Sedimentogenesis and Diagenesis

Isotope-geochemical features of the formation of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions in sedimentary and diagenetic carbonates are considered. Isotopic criteria for the identification of early diagenesis zone are proposed. The transition from sedimentogenesis to diagenesis (upper boundary of the early diagenesis zone) is accompanied by the alteration of carbon isotopic composition in the HCO^– _{3(hydrosphere)}–HCO^– _{3(pore water of sediment)}system. The lower boundary of early diagenesis zone is registered by the alteration of oxygen isotopic composition in the pore water of sediments and authigenic carbonates.     

黄土沉积物中碳酸盐同位素组成的研究方法

利用逐段加热法获得的黄土沉积物中碳酸盐的碳、氧同位素组成表明，黄土沉积物中的碳酸盐是不同来源和成因的碳酸盐的混合物。不同来源和成因的碳酸盐具有不同的碳、氧同位素组成，其示踪意义也不同，７００～８００℃的δ１３Ｃ比用磷酸法获得的δ１３Ｃ更灵敏于古气候的变化。因此，采用磷酸法研究黄土沉积物碳酸盐的同位素组成是不适宜的。     

Isotope Characteristics of Carbonates from Rocks of Greenstone Belts as an Indicator of a Possible Source of Fluids in Precambrian Granulite Complexes: An Example from the Giyani Greenstone Belt and the Limpopo Granulite Complex,South Africa

Doklady Earth Sciences - Data on the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonates from the rocks of the Giyani greenstone belt, Kaapvaal craton, South Africa are presented. This belt is...     

Terrestrial and freshwater carbonates in Hoxnian interglacial deposits, UK: micromorphology, stable isotopic composition and palaeoenvironmental significance

MIS 11 is often considered to be the best climatic analogue for the Holocene. Many studies have suggested, however, that it is a period of extreme climate warmth comparable in temperatures to the Middle and Late Pliocene. In Britain deposits of the Hoxnian interglacial are correlated to MIS 11 and multi-proxy techniques can be used to reconstruct the climate of this interglacial. Soil, groundwater and freshwater carbonates are common in Hoxnian deposits and the stable isotopic composition of these precipitates can be used to increase our understanding of MIS 11 environments in Britain. Carbonates from Marks Tey, Clacton, Swanscombe, Elveden and West Stow are studied, the stratigraphic context of which indicates that their formation is broadly synchronous (in the mid-Hoxnian, pollen zones Ho II to Ho III). The carbon isotopic composition of groundwater and pedogenic carbonates is typically depleted with respect to δ¹³C (ca −9 to −8‰ VPDB) reflecting uptake of plant respired CO₂ during water migration/recharge. The carbon isotopic composition of lacustrine carbonate is more enriched with respect to δ¹³C (ca 0-1‰VPDB) reflecting the equilibration of lake waters with atmospheric CO₂. The δ¹⁸O of groundwater and pedogenic carbonates is slightly more enriched than modern soil carbonates but not as enriched as soil carbonates formed under interglacials that were warmer than the Holocene (i.e. the Cromerian). The stable isotopic composition of Hoxnian carbonates does not, therefore, indicate that this interglacial was characterised by uniquely warm climates in the context of other Middle Pleistocene interglacials and the Holocene. This is contrary to many marine and littoral records from around the world but consistent with environmental records from Britain and Europe.     

Quaternary travertine of the Kurai fault zone (Gorny Altai)

In the Kurai fault zone, travertine forms a matrix cementing clastic material of colluvial and glacial deposits or rarely forming a stockwork in a system of fractures in Palaeozoic rocks. The regular change of composition of solutions in the process of travertine formation has resulted in change of stable Mg–calcite by Sr–aragonite. According to the carbon isotopic composition, the travertine has intermediate genesis between thermal and meteogene. The light oxygen isotopic composition of CaCO₃ indicates formational water input. The carbonates inherited Y, Sr, U, and Ni and in some areas, V, As, and Zn from the endogeneous water sources. Given that the Kurai zone travertine cements the Late Pleistocene–Holocene sediments and ¹⁴C dating of the carbonates gives a range of >40 000–3475 ± 35 years, the faults serving as routes of migration of the solutions forming the travertine should be considered as active structures.     

Isotopic signatures of deposition and transformation of Lower Cambrian saliferous rocks in the Irkutsk Amphitheater: Communication 3. Carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions in carbonates

In previous communications based on the study of sulfur and strontium, we showed that Lower Cambrian rocks of the Irkutsk Amphitheater underwent a significant epigenetic transformation. All postsedimentary alterations of rocks are related to the influence of water solutions that provoke the direct (physical) dissolution of material and its chemical transformation. In particular, an appreciable portion of anhydrites disappeared from the section due to reduction. Probably, these processes took place several times in the past and they are continuing at present. A similar conclusion was deduced from the strontium isotopic composition of carbonate rocks. Their strontium isotopic composition is usually shifted relative to the primary composition, although the prevalence of sulfate and carbonate rocks in the section promotes the stability of strontium isotopic composition with respect to secondary alterations. The carbon isotope system is even more stable due to the abundance of carbonate rocks in the section. This circumstance is probably responsible for the incapacity of isotope data to serve as obvious evidence of the epigenetic transformation of carbonates. The major elements of the evolution of carbon isotope signature could be retained since the sedimentation stage.     

Carbon isotopes of organic matter from the upper Jurassic oil shales from the Volgian-Pechora shale province and its accumulation mechanisms

The isotopic composition of carbon from the organic matter of late Jurassic oil shales from the Volgian-Pechora shale province is studied. The existence of a dependence between C_org content in the rock and the isotopic composition of kerogen carbon is ascertained. The content of the heavy carbon isotope increases with increasing C_org. This dependence is accounted for by the progressive accumulation of isotopically heavy hydrocarbons of the initial organic matter due to sulfurization. The data on the isotopic composition of individual n-alkanes of bitumen in the rocks and the data on the absence of isotopic fractionation between thermobitumen and the residual kerogen from oil shales from the Volgian-Pechora shale province obtained by treating shale in an autoclave in the presence of water are presented first in this paper.     

二叠纪海相碳酸盐的锶同位素演化及其意义

本文从沫阳和熊家场剖面二叠纪海相碳酸盐和玄武岩的锶同位素变化出发,讨论了碳酸盐的锶同位素组成与峨嵋山玄武岩喷发之间的关系,以及玄武岩中海相碳酸盐的锶同位素贫化原因,指出海相碳酸盐的锶同位素组成可作为了解地球构造演化的工具。     

内蒙古西部额济纳旗及邻区石炭系-二叠系烃源岩干酪根C同位素的特征和影响因素

许多研究者认为,烃源岩干酪根C同位素组成主要受干酪根类型的影响,可以作为评价烃源岩类型、沉积环境和进行油气源对比的重要指标,并得到广泛应用.对额济纳旗及邻区典型剖面石炭系-二叠系烃源岩有机碳(TOC)的丰度、地球化学特征、热演化特征和干酪根C同位素分布的研究表明.研究区石炭系-二叠系烃源岩为浅海陆棚相沉积环境形成的泥质岩,TOC含量中等,以Ⅱ类干酪根为主,烃源岩演化进入成熟-过成熟阶段,干酪根C同位素县有显著偏重的特点.并且干酪根C同位素组成明显与热演化程度和有机碳丰度有关,随着烃源岩演化程度的不断提高,重碳同位素不断富集,在成熟-过成熟阶段,对C同位素的影响可达4‰～6‰随着TOC含量的增加,干酪根C同位素显著偏轻,影响值可达4‰以上.由于研究区烃源岩已进入成熟-过成熟阶段,干酪根C同位素的分布在演化过程中已经发生较大变化,干酪根类型的影响相对降低或已不显著,不能再作为评价烃源岩干酪根类型的指标.     

Calcium-isotope fractionation in selected modern and ancient marine carbonates

The calcium-isotope composition (δ^44/42Ca) was analyzed in modern, Cretaceous and Carboniferous marine skeletal carbonates as well as in bioclasts, non-skeletal components, and diagenetic cements of Cretaceous and Carboniferous limestones. In order to gain insight in Ca²⁺_aq-CaCO₃-isotope fractionation mechanisms in marine carbonates, splits of samples were analyzed for Sr, Mg, Fe, and Mn concentrations and for their oxygen and carbon isotopic composition. Biological carbonates generally have lower δ^44/42Ca values than inorganic marine cements, and there appears to be no fractionation between seawater and marine inorganic calcite. A kinetic isotope effect related to precipitation rate is considered to control the overall discrimination against ⁴⁴Ca in biological carbonates when compared to inorganic precipitates. This is supported by a well-defined correlation of the δ^44/42Ca values with Sr concentrations in Cretaceous limestones that contain biological carbonates at various stages of marine diagenetic alteration. No significant temperature dependence of Ca-isotope fractionation was found in shells of Cretaceous rudist bivalves that have recorded large seasonal temperature variations as derived from δ¹⁸O values and Mg concentrations. The reconstruction of secular variations in the δ^44/42Ca value of seawater from well preserved skeletal calcite is compromised by a broad range of variation found in both modern and Cretaceous biological carbonates, independent of chemical composition or mineralogy. Despite these variations that may be due to still unidentified biological fractionation mechanisms, the δ^44/42Ca values of Cretaceous skeletal calcite suggest that the δ^44/42Ca value of Cretaceous seawater was 0.3-0.4‰ lower than that of the modern ocean.     

Stratiform ore of the large Lengshuikeng silver deposit, China: Mineralogy, fluid inclusions, stable O and C isotopes

The composition of minerals from stratiform ores of the Lengshuikeng deposit, China was studied using contemporary techniques. Barite, enargite, and kutnohorite typical of postvolcanic mineralization have been identified for the first time at the studied deposit. The fluid inclusion study shows that the stratiform ore was formed at a temperature of 340?C140°C from homogeneous chloride solution with salinity of 0.2?C11.7 wt % NaCl equiv. The O and C isotopic compositions of carbonates from the stratiform ore allowed us to calculate the oxygen isotopic composition of the H₂O and the carbon isotopic composition of the CO₂ in the ore-forming fluid. The data on ore minerals, fluid inclusions in quartz, and stable O and C isotopes show that two or more fluids derived from different sources could have mixed during formation of the stratiform ores.     

Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic variations in modern Rabdotus land snail shells in the southern Great Plains, USA, and their relation to environment

Variations of stable isotopic ratios of carbon (¹³C/¹²C) and oxygen (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) were investigated in modern shells of two species of Rabdotus land snails (R. dealbatus and R. alternatus) in the southern Great Plains. Geographic variation in relation to climate and vegetation, microgeographic variation, variability among individuals, and detailed records of seasonal variations within individual shells were studied. Stable carbon isotopic ratios in shell carbonate are primarily a function of the isotopic composition of the diet of the snails, as represented by the isotopic composition of shell organic matter. This in turn reflects the presence or absence of CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) or C₄ plants. Vegetation density may have a small effect on the carbon isotope ratios. Microgeographic variation (samples within 25 to 300 m) is greater than that seen across different climatic regions and points to very local control of isotopic variations, predominantly related to vegetation. Seasonal variations, as assessed through serial analysis of individual shells (up to 35 samples per shell), may provide a means for distinguishing between isotopic influences of perennial CAM vs. annual C₄ plants. Carbon isotopic variations in time-series of shells from a site provide a means of reconstructing temporal changes in environment and climate.Oxygen isotopic values of shell carbonate are uniform across the region and also show no significant microgeographic variation. The oxygen isotopic composition appears to be mainly a function of the rainwater isotopic composition, with no direct influence of rainfall amount or evaporative effects. The δ¹⁸O values are only 2‰ enriched relative to estimated equilibrium with rainwater. Variability is low (SD of 0.8‰ among sites), so the isotopic composition of fossil Rabdotus shells can provide a precise record of changes in the isotopic composition of rain over time.     

Sources and fluid regime of quartz-carbonate veins at the Sukhoi Log gold deposit,Baikal-Patom Highland

Complex (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, and REE composition) data were obtained on quartz-carbonate veins in metasedimentary rocks to elucidate the material sources and to evaluate fluid regime during low-sulfide gold-quartz ore mineralization at the Sukhoi Log deposit. In order to use an oxygen isotopic thermometry for quartz veins, we calibrated empirical dependence of fractionation factors between vein quartz and altered wall rocks. The temperature range of quartz equilibration with wall rocks was evaluated at 380–190°C. Independent temperatures obtained using this thermometer indicate that the vein ankerite can be both earlier and later than vein quartz. The isotopic systematics (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) of ankerite in the quartz-carbonate veins, carbonates in the ore-hosting shales of the Khomolkho and Imnyakh formations both within and outside mineralized zones at the deposit indicate that the ore-hosting rocks and veins in the mineralized zone contain incoming carbonate, which was most probably borrowed from the carbonate rocks of the Imnyakh Formation. REE composition of vein ankerite shows that these elements were transported by fluid as carbonate complexes. The behavior of the Eu/Eu* and (La/Yb)_n ratios and Mn of the vein ankerite suggest that during carbonate crystallization the system was closed with respect to fluid. Sr-Nd isotope systematics indicates that the isotopic parameters of the vein ankerite were formed with the participation of metasedimentary host rocks of both the Imnyakh and Khomolkho formations, which are contrastingly different in Nd isotopic composition. A fluid/rock ratio during metasomatic processes in the wall rocks was calculated for two scenarios of their thermal history: with a continuously operating heat source beneath the Sukhoi Log structure and with a linear cooling of the structure. The effective integral W/R ratios calculated lie within the range of 0.046–0.226 and suggest that the veins were produced with the metamorphic fluid. Low W/R ratios are inconsistent with the mechanism of vein quartz crystallization due to fluid oversaturation with respect to SiO₂ at decreasing temperature. We believe that the main mechanism responsible for the origin of these veins was variations of fluid oversaturation due to pressure variations (pressure solution mechanism). This hypothesis is consistent with the reported isotopic-geochemical characteristics of the wall rocks at the Sukhoi Log deposit.     

An isotopic study of paleosol carbonates from Olduvai Gorge

The isotopic composition of paleosol carbonates from Olduvai Gorge can be used to give estimates of the paleoclimatic history of East Africa during the Plio-Pleistocene. Oxygen isotopes are indicative of major changes in the isotopic composition of meteoric water, while carbon isotopes are indicative of major changes in the fraction of biomass using the Hatch-Slack (C₄) photosynthetic pathway. Three major periods of climatic change in this terrestrial setting occurred at about 1.67, 1.3, and 0.6 myr. These involved major changes in flora as well as major changes in the isotopic composition of meteoric water. Overall, the climate has become warmer and more arid over the past 2.2 myr.     

Isotopic systematics of the rocks of the Khalyuta carbonatite complex of western Transbaikalia

This paper reports the results of isotopic investigations of the rocks of the Khalyuta carbonatite complex (carbonatites, comagmatic silicate rocks, fenites, and hydrothermal rocks) and host limestones and granites. Pyroxene, amphibole, magnetite, potassium feldspar, apatite, phlogopite, calcite, dolomite, strontianite, celestite, and barite were investigated. The isotopic compositions of C, O, Sr, and S were analyzed. The character of the distribution of oxygen isotopic composition in minerals (carbonates, silicates, phosphates, and oxides) suggests their equilibrium formation. It was supposed that the evolutionary trend of C and O isotopic compositions is mainly related to the processes of differentiation in the melt-fluid system and indicates the absence of significant contamination by carbon and oxygen from a crustal source during rock formation from the magmatic stage to the hydrothermal stage. The isotopic compositions of S and Sr did not change.     

贵州松桃大塘坡地区南华纪早期冷泉碳酸盐岩地质地球化学特征

贵州松桃大塘坡地区的南华系是研究古代天然气渗漏及冷泉碳酸盐岩的理想地区之一.该区冷泉碳酸盐岩由两类岩石组成: 一是两界河组含砾砂岩中(Sturtian冰期早期) 的白云岩丘或透镜体; 二是之上的大塘坡组第一段黑色含锰岩系中的似层状或透镜状菱锰矿矿体及少量白云岩透镜体.该地区冷泉碳酸盐岩的碳同位素具明显的负偏特征, 充填在菱锰矿矿石气孔中的沥青碳同位素为-30.98‰, 并具有异常高的硫同位素正值.结合冷泉碳酸盐岩的空间分布、古天然气渗漏构造、菱锰矿的沉积有机质等特征分析, 认为其与现代冷泉碳酸盐岩的特征十分相近.两界河组的白云岩丘是目前所发现的最古老的冷泉碳酸盐岩, 与在它之上的菱锰矿矿体是同一个古天然气渗漏系统中不同时期的冷泉碳酸盐沉积.天然气泄漏形成的冷泉与大塘坡组烃源岩的形成关系密切.