苏鲁地体超高压和退变质时代的厘定:来自片麻岩锆石微区SHRIMP U-Pb定年的证据

锆石微区矿物包体的激光拉曼和阴极发光测试以及相应的SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,苏鲁地体片麻岩锆石微区记录了十分复杂的年代学信息。其中副片麻岩锆石核部记录了345～743 Ma的继承性锆石年龄,标志着原岩碎屑锆石来源的复杂性;含柯石英的锆石微区记录了220～234 Ma的超高压变质年龄;而含石英包体的边部则记录了202～219 Ma的退变质年龄。正片麻岩继承性锆石核部所记录的年龄为574～680 Ma,表明原岩锆石曾经历了部分Pb丢失,原岩的形成年龄应大于680 Ma;含柯石英锆石微区所记录的超高压变质年龄为224～242 Ma;而锆石边部所记录的退变质年龄为209～219 Ma。两类片麻岩锆石微区所隐藏的超高压变质和退变质年龄信息十分相近,平均值分别为229±4Ma和211±4Ma,标志着苏鲁地体超高压变质时代应为印支期,相应的构造抬升速率约5.6 km/Ma。该项成果不仅确定了苏鲁地体超高压变质和退变质时代,而且对于深入探讨苏鲁地体快速折返过程中的动力学机制有着重要的科学意义。     

北苏鲁超高压变质带中斜长角闪岩的成因

在北苏鲁超高压变质带的威海地区的正片麻岩中,存在大量规模不一的含石榴石斜长角闪岩的透镜体或不规则团块。锆石中矿物包体的激光拉曼测试、阴极发光图像分析、稀土元素和微量元素以及Lu-Hf同位素的LA-(MC)-ICP-MS测试等综合研究结果表明,含石榴石斜长角闪岩 (WH17) 只存在一种成因类型的锆石,即变质锆石。该类锆石自核部到边部均保存了典型的超高压包体矿物组合：柯石英 (Coe)+石榴石 (Grt)+绿辉石 (Omp)+多硅白云母 (Phe)+金红石 (Rt)+磷灰石 (Ap),相应的阴极发光图像自核部到边部十分均匀,具有典型变质锆石的特点。锆石核部和边部的稀土元素含量特征和配分模式也十分相似,主要表现为轻稀土元素相对亏损,而重稀土元素相对平坦,无Eu异常 (Eu/Eu^*=0.94~1.04), 具较明显的正Ce异常 (Ce/Ce^*=83.4~111.0),低的Th/U (<0.02) 和 Lu/Hf (<0.00010) 比值以及极低的 Th (1×10^-6~4×10^-6) 含量。锆石核部到边缘的重稀土元素亏损与石榴石稳定有关,而无Eu异常则与斜长石分解关系密切。上述特征表明,含石榴石斜长角闪岩中的锆石均是在超高压变质阶段形成的变质锆石,而研究样品中继承性岩浆结晶锆石的缺乏,是由于含石榴石斜长角闪岩在原岩形成时Zr的成分明显匮乏所致。SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,含柯石英锆石自核部到边部记录了十分一致的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U 年龄,变化于 240.2±3.3Ma 到220.2±2.8Ma 之间,加权平均年龄为229.8±2.0Ma, 这组年龄与前人对苏鲁超高压变质带中榴辉岩、正片麻岩、副片麻岩和大理岩等含柯石英锆石微区记录的年龄完全吻合,应代表苏鲁地体超高压变质时代。Lu-Hf同位素研究结果表明,含石榴石斜长角闪岩中变质锆石的Hf同位素特征与苏鲁超高压变质带中榴辉岩的继承性岩浆锆石和变质锆石均存在本质差别,其中¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf=0.00001~0.00003, ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf (_t)=0.282052~0.282107, 相应的ε_Hf(t)=-21.1~-18.8, 模式年龄t_DM2=2.14~2.24Ga,这些Lu-Hf同位素特征与围岩正片麻岩含柯石英锆石微区的Hf同位素性质十分相似, 充分表明了北苏鲁含石榴石斜长角闪岩在超高压变质阶段形成的变质锆石所必须的Zr和Hf成分不是来自体系本身,而是来源于围岩正片麻岩。     

北苏鲁超高压变质带内多成因类型的变花岗质岩石及其地质意义

变花岗质岩石是北苏鲁超高压变质带出露最广泛的岩石类型。本文通过锆石年代学和全岩地球化学的系统研究,查明该区变花岗质岩石具有成因类型多样性的特点,揭示其构造归属的复杂性,这对于解释扬子板块与华北板块之间的俯冲-碰撞-折返动力学过程具有重要科学意义。锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,区内的变花岗质岩石由新元古代(820～750Ma)花岗质片麻岩和新太古代-古元古代(2700～1870Ma)TTG-花岗质片麻岩共同组成,且二者经历了完全不同的构造演化历史。其中,新元古代花岗质片麻岩经历了晚三叠世(222～213Ma)的变质-深熔事件,而新太古代-古元古代的TTG-花岗质片麻岩则记录了晚古元古代(～1864Ma)的变质事件。全岩地球化学结果表明,新元古代花岗质片麻岩的原岩成分趋近于A型花岗岩,属于过铝质-准铝质的高钾钙碱性系列,主量元素(AlT_2O_3、MgO、FeO、TiO_2、CaO、P_2O_5)与SiO_2显示负相关性,具有轻、重稀土分异和负Eu异常特征,表明其源区有斜长石的残留。富集大离子亲石元素和强烈亏损高场强元素的特点,进一步表明它们可能是中-上地壳物质部分熔融的产物。新太古代-古元古代TTG-花岗质片麻岩的原岩成分主要落入TTG和IS型花岗岩区域,属于低钾-钙碱性系列,主量元素与SiO_2相关性不明显,多数样品的稀土总量比新元古代花岗质片麻岩略低,轻、重稀土分异相对较弱,具有正Eu或无Eu异常,表明其源区无斜长石而可能有角闪石的残留。它们的地球化学属性与新元古代花岗质片麻岩的成因特点存在显著差异。古元古代花岗质片麻岩的原岩可能为与造山有关的I型花岗岩,来自于太古宙基底岩石的重熔与再造。上述综合研究结果显示,北苏鲁超高压变质带内新元古代花岗质片麻岩的原岩具有亲扬子板块的属性,与扬子板块北缘罗迪尼亚超大陆裂解存在密切成因关系。而新太古代-古元古代TTG-花岗质片麻岩与华北板块变质基底、胶-辽-吉古元古构造带具有明显亲缘性。由此可见,在传统北苏鲁超高压变质带内的威海-乳山一带,由具有扬子板块属性和具有华北板块属性的变质基底,沿北东-南西方向共同组成了一条北苏鲁混杂岩带。这一新的研究成果充分表明,华北板块东南缘的新太古代-古元古代的陆壳物质普遍卷入到三叠纪时期扬子板块与华北板块之间的相向(双向)俯冲-折返造山过程中。     

苏鲁超高压变质带中非超高压花岗质片麻岩的准确识别:来自锆石微区矿物包体及SHRIMP U-Pb定年的证据

通过隐藏在锆石微区矿物包体激光拉曼的系统鉴定和阴极发光图像特征的详细研究,配合相应的锆石微区SHRIMP U-Pb定年测试,发现苏鲁地体超高压变质带中确实存在非超高压变质的花岗质片麻岩。该类岩石中的锆石晶体自核部到边部所保存的矿物包体以不含超高压矿物为特征,相应的阴极发光图像具有典型岩浆结晶锆石的核部和幔部,以及变质的再生边的特点。其中岩浆结晶锆石微区记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄为404～748Ma,表明原岩中部分锆石可能经历了Pb丢失,也不排除后期热事件因素的影响,原岩的形成年龄应大于748 Ma;而锆石的再生边所记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb。年龄为204～214 Ma,与研究区经历超高压变质的副片麻岩和花岗质片麻岩锆石微区所记录的苏鲁地体快速折返过程中角闪岩相退变质年龄(~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄的平均值为211±4 Ma,刘福来等,2003a)十分相似。上述特征表明,苏鲁地体超高压变质带中的部分花岗质片麻岩在超高压变质事件之前就已经形成,但并未“参与”深俯冲—超高压的变质演化过程,而是在苏鲁地体快速折返的角闪岩相退变质过程中与超高压岩片“拼贴”在一起。该项成果不仅为正确识别非超高压变质岩石提供了一个新的研究方法,而且对进一步深入探讨苏鲁地体超高压和非超高压岩片的“拼贴”机制有着重     

含柯石英锆石的SHRIMP U-Pb定年:胶东印支期超高压变质作用的证据

苏鲁超高压变质带的形成时代究竟是印支期还是新元古代争议始终很大。对山东胶南地区超高压变质带中超镁铁岩和榴辉岩的锆石激光拉曼、阴极发光和离子探针原位定年的研究获得超高压变质作用发生的时代为印支期。其中超镁铁岩含柯石英锆石的年龄为221±12Ma,该深成岩侵位时代为新元古代(581±44Ma)。此外,锆石中另有约400Ma年龄记录,可能代表岩石形成后另有一期热事件。榴辉岩的下交点年龄为228±29 Ma,与超镁铁岩含柯石英锆石年龄一致,代表超高压变质时代;上交点为中元古代(1821±19Ma),代表原岩年龄,后者与其片麻岩围岩时代相一致,说明榴辉岩是原位俯冲。     

阿尔金江尕勒萨依榴辉岩和围岩锆石LA-ICP-MS微区原位定年及其地质意义

阿尔金江尕勒萨依榴辉岩及其直接围岩——石榴子石黑云母片麻岩锆石的阴极发光图像、微区原位LA-ICP-MS微量元素分析研究表明,榴辉岩锆石内部结构比较均匀,少数颗粒保留斑杂状残核;位于锆石斑杂状残核测点的重稀土相对富集,Th/U比值多大于0.4,为岩浆锆石的特征;位于锆石边部与内部结构均匀颗粒上的测点显示HREE近平坦型或弱亏损型的稀土配分模式,显示了与石榴石平衡共生的变质锆石特征;而石榴子石黑云母片麻岩的锆石具有核-幔-边结构,核部为碎屑锆石,幔部则为与石榴石平衡共生的变质锆石。LA-ICP-MS微区定年获得榴辉岩的变质年龄为(493±4.3)Ma,其原岩形成年龄为(754±9)Ma;石榴子石黑云母片麻岩的变质年龄为(499±27)Ma。榴辉岩的变质年龄滞后于其原岩的形成年龄约250Ma,并且榴辉岩与其直接围岩副片麻岩的变质年龄几乎完全一致,充分表明该超高压榴辉岩的形成是陆壳深俯冲作用的产物。     

苏鲁超高压变质带含褐帘石正、副片麻岩中变质锆石的地球化学性质及其SHRIMP U-Pb定年

含褐帘石正、副片麻岩是苏鲁地体重要的超高压变质岩石。矿物包体激光拉曼鉴定、阴极发光图像分析、锆石微区LA-ICP-MS成分测试及SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,含褐帘石正、副片麻岩中的锆石具有明显的三层结构,即弱发光效应的继承性(碎屑或岩浆结晶)锆石的核、强发光效应的含柯石英变质增生幔部和弱发光效应的退变边。继承性岩浆结晶锆石核部记录了新元古代(>810Ma)的原岩形成年龄,含柯石英锆石微区记录了241～223Ma的超高压变质年龄(正、副片麻岩的加权平均年龄分别为230±7Ma和229±7Ma),锆石的退变边记录了217～200Ma的角闪岩相退变质年龄(正、副片麻岩的加权平均年龄分别为211±3Ma和210±2Ma),由此限定苏鲁地体构造抬升速率为5.3km/Myr,表明苏鲁超高压岩石经历了一个相对快速抬升的变质演化过程。与苏鲁-大别其它超高压岩石变质增生锆石对比,含褐帘石正、副片麻岩中的超高压变质增生锆石微区具有十分独特的地球化学性质,主要表现为重稀土元素(HREE)明显富集,U含量明显偏低(10～29×10~(-6)),而Th/U比值则明显偏高(0.45～0.92)。HREE的明显富集与寄主岩石普遍存在超高压矿物褐帘石(富集轻稀土元素)有关,而低U含量和高Th/U比值的特点则表明超高压峰期变质阶段处在高氧逸度(f_o_2)的体系环境。     

北京密云环斑花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素及其地质意义

密云岩体位于华北克拉通东部,由环斑花岗岩和斑状黑云母花岗岩组成,是典型 A 型环斑花岗岩岩体之一。锆石的 LA-ICPMS U-Pb 年代学研究表明,密云环斑花岗岩形成于1681±10Ma 和1679±10Ma,而围岩片麻岩的原岩形成于2521±14Ma。锆石的 LA-MC-ICPMS Hf 同位素研究表明,太古代片麻岩来源于亏损地幔物质的部分熔融,从而表明2.5 Ca 是华北克拉通地壳重要的生长期;环斑花岗岩中锆石 Hf 同位素组成为δ_(Hf)(t)=～-5,两阶段模式年龄为 T_(DM2)=2.6～2.8Ga,表明它们来源于太古代新生地壳的部分熔融,密云环斑花岗岩侵位于华北克拉通大陆裂解、伸展环境,可能与全球古元古代未期Columbia 超大陆的裂解有关。     

南苏鲁超高压变质地体中罗迪尼亚超大陆裂解事件的记录

通过苏鲁超高压变质地体南部不同类型超高压变质岩石的原岩重塑．揭示超高压变质岩的原岩形成于由大陆玄武质岩石、辉长岩、表壳岩和花岗岩组成的被动陆缘拉伸构造环境。中国大陆科学钻探主孔中不同类型超高压变质岩石的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年表明。花岗质片麻岩原岩年龄为780～680Ma；榴辉岩、石榴角闪岩的原岩年龄为765～730Ma，副片麻岩中包含了730Ma、680Ma、621Ma和较年轻的继承性碎屑锆石和结晶锆石年龄。结合前人的研究成果表明，苏鲁超高压变质地体南部正片麻岩类和榴辉岩的原岩所代表的花岗岩浆和基性岩浆活动为罗迪尼亚超大陆形成后的新元古代裂解事件的产物．而副片麻岩的原岩为新元古代．古生代时期形成的扬子被动陆缘的沉积-火山表壳盖层，它们与结晶基底一起在240～220Ma期间经历了超高压变质作用。     

北苏鲁仰口地区变辉长岩中锆石U-Pb定年、微量元素和Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

北苏鲁仰口地区出露超高压的变辉长岩.锆石阴极发光图像和其内部矿物包体激光拉曼测试的联合研究结果表明,变辉长岩锆石具有弱发光效应的岩浆韵律环带的核和被改造的强发光效应的边.岩浆韵律环带的核部保存大量而复杂的矿物包体,包括普通辉石(Cpx)+斜方辉石(Opx)+斜长石(P1)+石英(Qtz)+黑云母(Bt)+钛铁矿(Ilm)+磷灰石(Ap);边部保存的矿物包体则相对较少,包括普通辉石(Cpx)+斜方辉石(Opx)+斜长石(Pl)+磷灰石(Ap).尽管岩浆韵律环带核部的稀土元素总合量比被改造的锆石边部明显偏高,但二者稀土元素配分模式具有明显的相似性,主要表现为轻稀土相对亏损,而重稀土明显富集,相应的(La/Yb)N=0.00015～0.00039,并具有明显的负Eu异常(Eu/Eu*=0.20～0.26)、相对明显的正Ce异常(Ce/Ce*=71.5～147.4)和较高的Th/U比值(1.97～2.69).上述特征表明,仰口地区变辉长岩中的锆石均为继承性的岩浆锆石,而没有新生的变质锆石.LA-(MC)-ICP-MS锆石原位U-Pb定年和Lu-Hf同位素分析结果表明,两件锆石样品Y1和Y2的年龄数据所构成的不一致线显示了十分接近的上交点和下交点年龄.其上交点年龄分别为785±15Ma(2σ)和784±12Ma(2σ),应代表原岩的形成时代,表明变辉长岩的原岩与Rodinia超大陆裂解的岩浆事件存在密切的成因关系;而下交点年龄分别为226±24Ma(2σ)和228±26Ma(2σ),与苏鲁其它类型超高压岩石中含柯石英锆石微区记录的变质年龄十分吻合,应代表变辉长岩的超高压变质时代.岩浆结晶锆石的核部具有明显偏高的176Lu/177Hf(0.00044～0.00291)和176Yh/177Hf(0.0165～0.1168)比值,而176Hf/177Hf比值变化于0.281956～0.282048之间,相应的εHf(t)=-8.5～-14.0,tDM2=2.03～2.32Ga,表明仰口地区变辉长岩的原岩起源于古元古代时期的富集地幔或发生部分熔融的下地壳残留体.被改造的岩浆结晶锆石的边部则具有明显偏低的176Lu/177Hf(0.00029～0.00060)和176Yh/177Hf(0.0112～0.0200)比值,而176Hf/177Hf(t)比值变化于0.281953～0.282002之间,相应的εHf(t)=-10.2～-11.9,tDM2=2.12～2.21Ga.与岩浆结晶锆石核部相比,被改造的岩浆锆石边部的176Lu/177Hf、176Yb/177Hf、176Hf/177Hf(t)比值和εHf(t)和tDM2值的变化范围更小,表明中-新三叠纪的超高压变质作用使岩浆结晶锆石边部的Lu-Hf同位素体系发生调整,更趋向于均一化.     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

Nd,Sr, Pb,Ar, and 0 isotopic systematics of Sturgeon Lake kimberlite,Saskatchewan, Canada: constraints on emplacement age,alteration, and source composition

Rb-Sr isotopic dating of phlogopite megacryst samples separated from Sturgeon Lake kimberlite, Saskatchewan, yields a crystallization age of 98±1 Ma (2 , MSWD=1.2; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(t)=0.7059). The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses of a phlogopite megacryst sample indicate the presence of large amounts of excess ⁴⁰Ar and yield an excessively old age of 410 Ma. Assessment of the Ar data using isotope correlation plots indicates clustering of the data points about a mixing line between the radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar component at 98 Ma and a trapped component with uniform ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar and Cl/⁴⁰Ar. Values of {ie212-1} as high as +20%. (VSMOW) for calcite from the groundmass and a whole-rock sample indicate pervasive lowtemperature alteration. The {ie212-2} of matrix carbonate is-11.3%. (PDB), slightly lighter than typical values from the literature. The {ie212-3} values of about +5%. (VSMOW) for brown phlogopite megacrysts may be primary, green phlogopites are interpreted to be an alteration product of the brown variety and are 2%. heavier. Initial Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic ratios for a whole-rock sample {ie212-4}; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7063, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.67, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.54, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.97) suggest an affinity with group I kimberlites. Initial {ie212-5} values of +1.7 and +0.5 (⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr(t)=0.7053 and 0.7050) for eclogitic and lherzolitic garnet megacryst samples, and values of 0.0 for two phlogopite megacryst samples reflect an origin from an isotopically evolving melt due to assimilation of heterogeneous mantle. Lilac high-Cr lherzolitic garnet megacrysts give an unusually high {ie212-6} of +28.6 (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7046) indicating a xenocrystic origin probably from the lithospheric mantle. The very radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the kimberlite are consistent with melting of EM II (enriched) mantle components.     

Geochemistry of groundwater,Markandeya River Basin,Belgaum district,Karnataka State,India

The Markandeya River Basin stretches geographically from 15o56′ to 16o08′ N latitude and 74o37′ to 74o58′ E longitude, positioned in the midst of Belgaum district, in the northern part of Karnataka. The groundwater quality of 54 pre-monsoon samples in the Markandeya River Basin was evaluated for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes by estimating pH, EC, TDS, hardness and alkalinity besides major cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and anions (HCO3–, Cl–, SO42–, PO43-, F-, NO3–), boron, SAR, % Na, RSC, RSBC, chlorinity index, SSP, non-carbonate hardness, Potential Salinity, Permeability Index, Kelley’s ratio, Magnesium hazard and Index of Base Exchange. Negative Index of Base Exchange indicates the chloro-alkaline disequilibrium in the study area and the majority of water samples fall in the rock dominance field based on Gibbs’ ratio. Permeability indices of classes I and II suggest suitability of groundwater for irrigation. Based on Cl, SO4, HCO3 concentrations, water samples can be classified as normal chloride (96.3%) and normal sulfate (94.4%) and normal bicarbonate (44.4%) water types.     

Field setting,mineralogy, chemistry,and genesis of arc picrites,New Georgia,Solomon Islands

The field setting, petrography, mineralogy, and geochemistry of a suite of picrite basalts and related magnesian olivine tholeiites (New Georgia arc picrites) from the New Georgia Volcanics, Kolo caldera in the active ensimatic Solomon Islands arc are presented. These lavas, with an areal extent in the order of 100² km and almost 1 km thick in places, are located close to the intersection of the Woodlark spreading zone with the Pacific plate margin. They contain abundant olivine (Fo_94-75) and diopside (Cr₂O₃ 1.1-0.4%, Al₂O₃ 1–3%), and spinels characterised by a large range in Cr/(Cr+Al) (0.85–0.46) and Mg/(Mg+ Fe⁺⁺) (0.65–0.1). The spinels are Fe⁺⁺⁺ rich, with Fe⁺⁺⁺/ (Fe⁺⁺⁺+Cr+Al) varying from 0.06 to 1.0. A discrete group of spinels with the highest Cr/(Cr+Al) (0.83–0.86) and lowest Fe⁺⁺⁺ contents are included in the most Mg-rich olivine (Fo_91–94) and both may be xenocrystal in origin.The lavas, which range between 10–28% MgO, define linear trends on oxide (element) — MgO diagrams and these trends are interpreted as olivine (0.9) clinopyroxene (0.1) control lines. For the reconstructed parent magma composition of these arc picrites, ratios involving CaO, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Zr, V and Sc are very close to chondritic. REE patterns are slightly LREE — enriched ((La/Sm)^N 1.3–1.43) and HREE are flat. All lavas show marked enrichments in K, Rb, Sr, Ba, and LREE relative to MORB with similar MgO contents, but the TiO₂ content of the proposed parent magma is close to those of postulated primary MORB liquids. It is proposed that the arc parent magma was produced by partial melting of sub-oceanic upper mantle induced by the introduction of LILE — enriched hydrous fluids derived by dehydration and/or partial melting of subducted ocean crust and possibly minor sediments.     

Sheetfloods,sheetwash, sheetflow,or ... ?

Following McGee's (1897) use of the term sheetflood, there developed a variety of conflicting opinions and numerous terminologies relating to this process, many of which are ill-considered and poorly defined. A classification system is devised on both a hydrologic and geomorphic basis which dispenses with many superfluous terms that have been used with respect to sheetfloods. Magnitude of a storm is expressed in terms of the amount of surface runoff generated from a given storm due to the surface conditions.A sheetflood is defined as a sheet of unconfined flood water moving down a slope. The frequency of a sheetflood is relatively low while its magnitude is relatively great. Sheetflow is defined as relatively high-frequency, low-magnitude overland flow occurring in a continuous sheet and is restricted to laminar flow conditions. Sheetwash, a term of geomorphic origin, is considered to be redundant and is superseded by the more meaningful term rainwash defined as the washing action of rain on slopes.     

Transformations of the stuffed cristobalites, K2MSiO4, M=Mg, Zn, Co, Cd, with temperature and composition

The effects of composition and of temperature on the orthorhombic, Pca2 ₁ to cubic, F4ˉ3m transition of the stuffed cristobalite structure are reported. A distorton index which measures the departure of the orthorhombic unit cell from a metrically cubic cell shows that at room temperature, distortion increases in the progression K₂CdSiO₄ <K₂MgSiO₄ <K₂ZnSiO₄≈K₂CoSiO₄. High temperature X-ray powder measurements document an apparently discontinuous transition to a structure of F4ˉ3m symmetry. Differential scanning calorimetry shows a sharp, reversible, first order transition to the high temperature phase at about 500–600 °C for these compounds. Measured transformation enthalpies in the range of 7 to 16 J/g correlate roughly with the distortion index. The transformation involves tetrahedral rotation to an orientationally disordered cubic structure which retains an ordered M²⁺/Si distribution. Received: 8 November 1996 / Revised, accepted: 14 October 1997     

Lawsonite- and glaucophane-bearing blueschists from NW Qiangtang,northern Tibet,China: mineralogy,geochemistry, geochronology,and tectonic implications

The occurrence of high-pressure (HP) blueschists within the central Qiangtang terrane of northern Tibet has a significant bearing on plate-suturing processes. In order to contribute to the ongoing debate on whether the central Qiangtang metamorphic belt represents an in situ suture within the Qiangtang terrane, we examined lawsonite- and glaucophane-bearing blueschists from the northwest Qiangtang area (84° 10′–85° 30′ E, 34°10′–34° 45′ N). All studied rocks are metapelites, metasandstones, or metabasalts, characterized by lawsonite + glaucophane + phengite, lawsonite + glaucophane + epidote + albite + quartz, or glaucophane + phengite + quartz assemblages. The meta-mafic rocks contain very high TiO₂ and low Al₂O₃ contents. They are typified by abundant ferromagnesian trace elements, and an absence of Eu anomalies and Nb–Ta deletions; all the above features indicate that these mafic rocks represent oceanic island basalt (OIB) protoliths. Most of the metasediments contain high SiO₂, moderate Al₂O₃ + K₂O, and low TiO₂ + Na₂O. They display high CIA (chemical index of alteration) values (74% ± 5%) and distinctly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.64 ± 0.05). This, along with their high field strength elemental characteristics, indicates that they were deposited in a passive continental margin environment, intercalated with OIB-type basalts. We estimate the peak metamorphic conditions for these blueschists as T = 330–415°C and P = 9–11.5 kbar. This HP event occurred at ca. 242 Ma, indicated by a well-defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age for glaucophane. Retrograde metamorphism occurred at T = 280–370°C, P = 6.5–9.5 kbar, t = ca. 207 Ma (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of phengite). Therefore, a cold subduction (geotherm ～8°C/km) attended the passive continental margin during the Triassic when the eastern Qiangtang collided with the western Qiangtang. The northwest Qiangtang HP metamorphic belt is an extension of the central Qiangtang metamorphic belt that defines the suture between eastern and western Qiangtang, and indicates an anticlockwise, diachronous closure of the Shuanghu Palaeo-Tethys.