Sr and Sr/Sr in the Yamuna River System in the Himalaya: sources, fluxes, and controls on sr isotope composition

Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr have been measured in the Yamuna river headwaters and many of its tributaries (YRS) in the Himalaya. These results, with those available for major ions in YRS rivers and in various lithologies of their basin, have been used to determine their contributions to riverine Sr and its isotopic budget. Sr in the YRS ranges from 120 to 13,400 nM, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr from 0.7142 to 0.7932. Streams in the upper reaches, draining predominantly silicates, have low Sr and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr whereas those draining the lower reaches exhibit the opposite resulting from differences in drainage lithology. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr shows significant co-variation with SiO₂/TDS and (Na^* + K)/TZ⁺ (indices of silicate weathering) in YRS waters, suggesting the dominant role of silicate weathering in contributing to high radiogenic Sr. This is also consistent with the observation that streams draining largely silicate terrains have the highest ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, analogous to that reported for the Ganga headwaters. Evaluation of the significance of other sources such as calc-silicates and trace calcites in regulating Sr budget of these rivers and their high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr needs detailed work on their Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. Preliminary calculations, however, indicate that they can be a significant source to some of the rivers.It is estimated that on an average, ∼25% of Sr in the YRS is derived from silicate weathering. In the lower reaches, the streams receive ∼15% of their Sr from carbonate weathering whereas in the upper reaches, calc-silicates can contribute significantly (∼50%) to the Sr budget of rivers. These calculations reveal the need for additional sources for rivers in the lower reaches to balance their Sr budget. Evaporites and phosphorites are potential candidates as judged from their occurrence in the drainage basin. In general, Precambrian carbonates, evaporites, and phosphorites “dilute” the high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr supplied by silicates, thus making Sr isotope distribution in YRS an overall two end member mixing. Major constraints in quantifying contributions of Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr from different sources to YRS rivers are the wide range in Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of major lithologies, limited data on Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in minor phases and on the behavior of Sr, Na, and Ca during weathering and transport.The Ganga and the Yamuna together transport ∼0.1% of the global Sr flux at the foothills of the Himalaya which is in the same proportion as their contribution to global water discharge. Dissolved Sr flux from the Yamuna and its mobilization rate in the YRS basin is higher than those in the Ganga basin in the Himalaya, a result consistent with higher physical and chemical erosion rates in the YRS.     

Sr metasomatism,and partition of Sr between the mineral phases of a meta-eclogite from Bjørkedalen,West Norway

Summary Meta-eclogites within the Bjørkedalen peridotite situated in the Western Gneiss Region of Norway exhibit anomalous Sr concentrations with a maximum of 2.4% SrO in the whole rock analyses. Maximum Sr concentrations in the minerals present in the metaeclogites are — plagioclase 9.6% SrO, epidote 8.5%, zoisite 7.4%, clinozoisite 4.7%, thomsonite 6.65%, apatite 1.5%, prehnite 0.5%, sphene 0.3%, hornblende 0.2% and Sr-feldspar 22.6%. The Sr-anomaly is formed by introduction of Sr during amphibolitization of the eclogites. The source of the introduced Sr is probably a neighbouring amphibolite and the time for introduction late Caledonian. Crystal-chemical considerations show that the Sr distribution between the mineral phases largely could have been predicted on the basis of existing knowledge of crystal chemistry and trace element distribution.

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Sr-Metasomatose und die Strontiumverteilung innerhalb der Mineralphasen eines Metaeklogits von Bjørkedalen, West-Norwegen

Zusammenfassung Metaeklogite innerhalb des Bjørkedalen Peridotits der westlichen Gneis-Region Südnorwegens zeigen anomale Sr-Konzentrationen mit einem Maximum von 2,4% SrO in chemischen Gesamtsteinanalysen. Die höchsten Sr-Konzentrationen der Minerale sind — Plagioklas: 9,6% SrO, Epidot: 8,5%, Zoisit 7,4%, Klinozoisit: 4,7%, Thomsonit: 6,65%, Apatit: 1,5% Prehnit: 0,5%, Titanit: 0,3%, Hornblende: 0,2% und Strontiumfeldspat: 22,6%. Die Strontiumanomalie wurde durch die Zufuhr von Sr während der retrograden Metamorphose der Eklogite verursacht. Das zugeführte Sr stammt wahrscheinlich von einem benachbarten Amphibolit. Die Zufuhr fand spät in der kaledonischen Ära statt. Kristallchemische Erwägungen zeigen, daß die Sr-Verteilung innerhalb der Mineralphasen weitgehend den Erwartungen aufgrund des bisherigen Kenntnisstandes entspricht.

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With 7 Figures     

Determination of Sr/Sr mass-dependent isotopic fractionation and radiogenic isotope variation of Sr/Sr in the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation

We measured both mass-dependent isotope fractionation of δ⁸⁸Sr (⁸⁸Sr/⁸⁶Sr) and radiogenic isotopic variation of Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) for the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation that deposited as a cap carbonate immediately above the Marinoan-related Nantuo Tillite. The δ⁸⁸Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr compositions showed three remarkable characteristics: (1) high radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values and gradual decrease in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, (2) anomalously low δ⁸⁸Sr values at the lower part cap carbonate, and (3) a clear correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ⁸⁸Sr values. These isotopic signatures can be explained by assuming an extreme greenhouse condition after the Marinoan glaciation. Surface seawater, mixed with a large amount of freshwater from continental crusts with high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and lighter δ⁸⁸Sr ratios, was formed during the extreme global warming after the glacial event. High atmospheric CO₂ content caused sudden precipitation of cap carbonate from the surface seawater with high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and lighter δ⁸⁸Sr ratios. Subsequently, the mixing of the underlying seawater, with unradiogenic Sr isotope compositions and normal δ⁸⁸Sr ratios, probably caused gradual decrease of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the seawater and deposition of carbonate with normal δ⁸⁸Sr ratios. The combination of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ⁸⁸Sr isotope systematics gives us new insights on the surface evolution after the Snowball Earth.     

Non-uniqueness and interpretation of the seawater Sr/Sr curve

Variations in the seawater ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr curve through time can be caused by fluctuations in the strontium flux or variations in the isotopic ratio from at least six different sources and sinks. Thus, 12 or more parameters control each single measurement although widely accepted assumptions allow this to be reduced to typically six unknowns. Interpreting the causes of time-variation in the seawater ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr curve is therefore hampered by inherent non-uniqueness. However, this problem is under-constrained rather than unconstrained. As a result, whilst there are an infinite number of possible interpretations, these all come from a few families of very similar solutions. Using this insight, it is possible to find solutions having the smallest possible variations in source flux or source ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. Thus, lower-bounds can be placed upon the source variations responsible for the observed fluctuations in the seawater ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr curve. When applied to the evolution of the Early Jurassic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr seawater curve, this approach demonstrates that a short-lived Toarcian event is genuine since it is present in all models, regardless of the values chosen for the unknown source fluxes and unknown source isotope ratios. However, the variations in strontium flux or isotopic ratio necessary to explain the Toarcian event may be significantly smaller than would be predicted assuming modern values for the unknown parameters.     

济南辉长岩体的锶、钕同位素特征

济南辉长岩体的Rb Sr全岩 矿物参考等时线年龄为 144± 2 5Ma ,线性差的原因可能是该岩体来自于锶、钕同位素初始比值不均一的源区 ,结晶时处于同位素不平衡状态。钕同位素初始值εNd(t)值为 - 9.0 8～13.0 5 ,表明该岩体的源区为富集性质的地幔 ,并且表现出不均一性 ,εNd(t) 87Sr 86Sr(t)关系显示出源区满足DMM、EMⅠ和EMⅡ的三元混合关系。     

The Sr isotope composition of the world ocean, marginal and inland seas: Implications for the Sr isotope stratigraphy

We studied the Sr isotope composition of shells of modern shallow-water mollusks and coral fragments. Twenty five of the studied samples were collected in beach zones of open oceans and marginal seas; twelve and eight additional samples are from saline and freshened inland seas respectively. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in samples from the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans and their marginal seas corresponds on average to 0.709202 ± 0.000003 and coincides with the average ratio in the standard USGS EN-1 sample. The average ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in inner parts of evaporite subbasins of the Mediterranean and Red seas is identical to that of the oceanic water. In shells of shallow-water mollusks from the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, where the degree of seawater dilution by riverine runoff is as high as 50 to 70%, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio is lower than that in the oceans by only a value of 0.00002 on average. As oceanic waters penetrated into these freshwater basins no earlier than in the Holocene, we conclude that the Sr isotopic equilibration with the oceanic water is realized very rapidly in the epicontinental seas even under conditions of restricted water exchange with the World Ocean. The established uniformity of the Sr isotope composition in all geographic types of currently existing sea basins open to the World Ocean proves the efficiency of the Sr isotope stratigraphy in correlation of contemporaneous chemogenic sediments.     

K-A and RbSr geochronology and Sr isotopic study of the Alnö alkaline complex,northeastern Sweden

K-A ages from a variety of alkaline rocks, carbonatites (sövites) and alnöites from the Alnö complex range between 370 and 605 m.y. but the most meaningful ages concentrate between 546 and 578 m.y. Most nephelinites, phonolites and alkali trachytes that occur in a dike complex surrounding the main intrusion give a middle Cambrian RbSr whole-rock isochron age of 553±6 m.y. (2σ). Some samples (deleted from the age regression) were contaminated by radiogenic strontium. Plutonic pyroxenites, ijolites and nepheline syenites that form most of the core of the intrusion formed at about the same time and from the same parental magma as the dike rocks. Sövites and alnöites that crosscut the dike and core rocks did not intrude significantly later and may have formed from the same parent magma or mantle source. Many samples show evidence of either mixing or isotopic exchange of the magma with the country rocks during intrusion (fenitisation?) or open system behavior after crystallization. These processes resulted in some scatter of the data points about the best-fit RbSr isochron lines and in some anomalous K-A ages. Fenites have higher Rb/Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios than the alkaline rocks, making it unlikely that the latter were the remobilized products of extreme fenitization, as suggested by von Eckermann (1948). The Alnö intrusion is about the same age as the Fen complex of southern Norway, but is significantly older or younger than many other apparently similar intrusions in Scandinavia.     

Magmatic 87Sr/86Sr relicts in hydrothermally altered quartz diorites (Brabant Massif,Belgium) and the role of epidote as a Sr filter

The porphyritic quartz diorites of the Caledonian Brabant Massif have been totally altered. Ca, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ce, Y measurements and Sr-Nd isotopic analyses were performed on the Quenast plug and the Lessines sill, in an attempt to study the relative mobility of Sr and evaluate the extent, direction and magnitude of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr alterations. Sr electron microprobe analyses of epidote were also carried out to assess its role in the Sr distribution.The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio is shown to have had an unsteady behaviour during the studied water/rock interactions since it has been sometimes enhanced, sometimes depressed and occasionally not modified. The possibility and magnitude of the ⁸⁷Sr contamination turn out to be strictly related to the degree of Sr accommodation in the secondary minerals. Epidote in particular has proved to be the main trap for the hydrothermal Sr and this mineral is thus regarded as the major controlling factor of ⁸⁷Sr hydrothermal contamination. The epidote-poor rocks (albite+chlorite-rich rocks) seem to have been unaffected by any Sr interchange with the aqueous solutions. Therefore, as alteration quickly follows the crystallization of the magma, their initial ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr ratio, which is deduced from an isochron, might be a primary petrogenetic feature enabling interpretation of the genesis of their parental magmas. On the other hand, in the epidote-rich rocks, this ratio has been readily altered; it could thus generally be used only to trace the origin of the hydrothermal solutions. As a consequence, these rocks should not be selected for dating an alteration event by the Rb-Sr method.     

Diffusion of Sm,Sr, and Pb in fluorapatite

Diffusion coefficients for Sm, Sr, and Pb in fluorapatite at 900°–1250°C were obtained by measuring experimentally-induced diffusional uptake profiles of these elements in the margins of gem-quality apatite crystals. The crystals were immersed in synthetic melts enriched in the trace elements of interest and presaturated in apatite, and the resulting diffusion gradients were characterized by electron microprobe analysis. Except in the case of Pb, the diffusivities define good Arrhenius lines for the respective elements: D_Sm = 2.3 × 10^?6exp(?52,200/RT) D_Sr = 412 exp(?100,000/RT). (Diffusion perpendicular to and parallel to c is measurably different in the case of Sr; the Arrhenius equation given above is an average for the two directions). Results on Pb were erratic, probably because extremely Pb-rich melts were used for some of the experiments. Data believed to be reliable define the following Arrhenius line: D_Pb = 0.035 exp(?70,000/RT). Constraints based on closure of natural apatites with respect to Pb suggest that the experimental data can be extrapolated, with sizeable uncertainty, to temperatures as low as 550°C.When applied to the question of isotopic and trace-element equilibration of residual or entrained apatites with crustal melts, the measured diffusivities indicate that 0.05-cm crystals will rarely preserve the original Pb-isotope characteristics of the source; the same is not true, however, of Sr (and, under some conditions, the REE), which may be unaffected at crystal cores during typical melting events.     

Ba/Sr,Ca/Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios in soil water and groundwater: implications for relative contributions to stream water discharge

Barium/Sr and Ca/Sr ratios have been used to model the relative importance of different sources of stream water. Major and trace element concentrations together with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios were measured in precipitation, soil water, groundwater and stream water in a small (9.4 km²) catchment in northern Sweden. The study catchment is drained by a first order stream and mainly covered with podzolized Quaternary till of granitic composition. It is underlain by a 1.8 Ga granite. A model with mixing equations used in an iterative mode was developed in order to separate the stream water into 3 subsurface components: soil water, shallow groundwater, and deep groundwater. Contributions from precipitation are thus not included in the model. This source may be significant for the stream water generation, but it does not interfere with the calculations of the relative contributions from the subsurface components. The results show that the deep groundwater constitutes between 5 and 20% of the subsurface water discharge into the stream water. The highest values of the deep groundwater fraction occur during base flow. Soil water dominates during snowmelt seasons, whereas during base flow it is the least important fraction. Soil water accounts for 10–100% of the subsurface water discharge into the stream water. Shallow groundwater accounts for up to 80% of the subsurface water discharge with the lowest values at peak discharge during snowmelt seasons and the highest values during base flow. The validity of the model was tested by comparing the measured ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the stream water with the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios predicted by the model. There was a systematic difference between the measured and modelled ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios which suggests that the fraction of soil water is overestimated by the model, especially during spring flood. As a consequence of this overestimation of soil water the amount of shallow groundwater is probably underestimated during this period. However, it is concluded that the differences between measured and predicted values are relatively small, and that element ratios are potentially effective tracers for different subsurface water flowpaths in catchments.     

Clinopyroxene-matrix partitioning of K,Rb, Cs,Sr and Ba

Extremely pure samples of clinopyroxene phenocrysts from two volcanic rocks have been analyzed for K, Rb, Cs, Sr and Ba. In conjunction with matrix concentrations, partition coefficients are obtained which are in the range 0.001–0.004 for K, Rb, Cs and Ba. These values are lower than those in the literature by factors of 6–100 but are in good agreement with values determined experimentally at pressures of 15–30 kb by Shimizu (Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta38, 1974). Values for partition coefficients measured on separates of impure or cloudy pyroxenes from these same rocks were higher and similar to those in the literature. We suggest this effect is related to ‘trapping,’ during crystal growth, of liquid which is enriched in the larger ions (such as Rb and Cs) due to lack of diffusion equilibrium in the liquid. Partition coefficient values for olivine and plagioclase from one of these same rocks were also determined.     

Sr isotopes and K,Rb, Sr balance in sediments and igneous rocks from the subducted plate of the Vanuatu (New Hebrides) active margin

To evaluate the possible contribution of ocean floor sediments during the genesis of the volcanism of Vanuatu (New Hebrides) active margin, we have determined the balance of Sr isotopes and K, Rb and Sr contents for the stratigraphic column of site 286 (leg 30, DSDP). This site is located on the oceanic plate that will be subducted. Analyses have been performed on sedimentary and igneous rocks, before and after acid leaching. The Sr isotopic data do not support the occurrence of some continental component in arc magmas of this active margin which is really intraoceanic. It is demonstrated that the d'Entrecasteaux fracture zone results from the intense fracturing of typical oceanic crust. The analyses of the volcanogenic components of the sediments show a change in the source of volcanoclastic detritus from the Loyalty islands in the Eocene to the volcanic arc of Vanuatu (New Hebrides) during Pliocene and Quaternary times. The determined balance of Sr isotopes and of K, Rb, Sr contents, may be used for calculation of multicomponent melting mixing models for the origin of Vanuatu arc magmas, but we emphasize that in these models the Sr isotopes cannot be considered as an appropriated tracer of sediment contribution.     

87Sr/86Sr as an indicator of flowpaths and weathering rates in the Plynlimon experimental catchments,Wales, U.K.

A knowledge of the processes involved in streamflow generation are critical to an understanding of solute transport and weathering rates in upland catchments. The determination of specific flow pathways and the formulation of process-based models have proved difficult in such terrains, largely due to the heterogeneous nature of catchments and the necessary limitations of bulked parameter models. Natural geochemical tracers have proved invaluable in developing conceptual models of catchment functioning and for constraining weathering processes and geochemical cycling. Strontium isotopes have been used as a natural tracer to calculate weathering rates for Sr and Ca, and to constrain the dominant flow pathways in two upland forested sub-catchments (Afon Hafren and Afon Hore) of the River Severn at Plynlimon in Central Wales. The dominant source of Sr in the catchments is considered to be from the weathering of silicate minerals. Weathering rates for Sr and Ca in the Afon Hafren, calculated using Sr isotopes, were similar to those derived from mass balance studies. The rates for the Afon Hore were similar for Ca, but significantly different for Sr. The reason for the difference is unclear, but may be due to additional sources (calcite) in the catchment. Strontium isotope ratios for different input sources and compartments within the catchment were characterised and helped to identify potential flow pathways. The data suggest an important role for groundwater inputs in contrast to previous models which indicated a dominant role for soil waters.     

Structural and compositional characterization of synthetic (Ca,Sr)-tremolite and (Ca,Sr)-diopside solid solutions

Tremolite (Ca_xSr_1–x)₂Mg₅[Si₈O₂₂/(OH)₂] and diopside (Ca_xSr_1–x)Mg[Si₂O₆] solid solutions have been synthesized hydrothermally in equilibrium with a 1 molar (Ca,Sr)Cl₂ aqueous solution at 750°C and 200 MPa. The solid run products have been investigated by optical, electron scanning and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron microprobe, X-ray-powder diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized (Ca,Sr)-tremolites are up to 2000 µm long and 30 µm wide, the (Ca,Sr)-diopsides are up to 150 µm long and 20 µm wide. In most runs the tremolites and diopsides are well ordered and chain multiplicity faults are rare. Nearly pure Sr-tremolite (tr_0.02Sr-tr_0.98) and Sr-diopside (di_0.01Sr-di_0.99) have been synthesized. A continuous solid solution series, i.e. complete substitution of Sr²⁺ for Ca²⁺ on M₄-sites exists for (Ca,Sr)-tremolite. Total substitution of Sr²⁺ for Ca²⁺ on M₂-sites can be assumed for (Ca,Sr)-diopsides. For (Ca,Sr)-tremolites the lattice parameters a, b and β are linear functions of composition and increase with Sr-content whereas c is constant. For the diopside series all 4 lattice parameters are a linear function of composition; a, b, c increase and β decreases with rising Sr-content. The unit cell volume for tremolite increases 3.47% from 906.68 ų for tremolite to 938.21 ų for Sr-tremolite. For diopside the unit cell volume increases 4.87 % from 439.91 ų for diopside to 461.30 ų for Sr-diopside. The observed splitting of the OH stretching band in tremolite is caused by different configurations of the next nearest neighbors (multi mode behavior). Resolved single bands can be attributed to the following configurations on the M₄-sites: SrSr, SrCa, CaCa and CaMg. The peak positions of these 4 absorption bands are a linear function of composition. They are shifted to lower wavenumbers with increasing Sr-content. No absorption band due to the SrMg configuration on the M₄-site is observed. This indicates a very low or negligible cummingtonite component in Sr-rich tremolites, which is also supported by electron microprobe analysis.     

Patterns of Ca/Sr and Sr/Sr variation before and after a whole watershed CaSiO3 addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, USA

Forty-one metric tons of the mineral wollastonite (CaSiO₃) was applied to an 11.8 hectare watershed at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF; White Mountains, New Hampshire, USA) with the goal of restoring the Ca estimated to have been depleted from the soil exchange complex by acid deposition. This experiment provided an opportunity to gain qualitative information on whole watershed hydrologic flow paths by studying the response of stream water chemistry to the addition of Ca. Because the Ca/Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of wollastonite strongly contrast that of other Ca sources in the watershed, the wollastonite-derived Ca can be identified and its amount estimated in various ecosystem components. Stream water chemistry at the HBEF varies seasonally due to shifts in the proportion of base flow and interflow. Prior to the wollastonite application, seasonal variations in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios indicated that ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr was higher during base flow than interflow, due largely to greater amounts of biotite weathering along deeper flow paths. After the application, Ca/Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr changed markedly as the high Ca/Sr and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr wollastonite dissolved and mixed with stream water. The Ca addition provided information on the response times of various flow paths and ion exchange processes to Ca addition in this small upland watershed. During the first year after the addition, wollastonite applied to the near stream zone dissolved and was partially immobilized by cation exchange sites in the hyporheic zone. In the second and third years after the addition we infer that much of this Ca and Sr was subsequently desorbed from the hyporheic zone and was exported from the watershed in stream flow. In the fourth through ninth years after the addition, Ca and Sr from wollastonite that had dissolved in upland soils was transported to the stream by interflow during wet periods when the ground water table was elevated. Between years three and nine the minimum annual Ca/Sr ratio (in late summer base flow) increased, providing evidence that Ca and Sr had increasingly infiltrated to the deepest flow paths. Strong seasonal variations in Ca/Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of stream water resulted from the wollastonite addition to upland forest soils, and these ratios have become sensitive to changing flow paths during the annual cycle. Most notably, high flow events now produce large excursions in stream geochemistry toward the high Ca/Sr and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of wollastonite. Nine years after the application we estimate that ∼360 kg of Ca from wollastonite has been exported from the watershed in stream flow. The rate of export of Ca from wollastonite dissolution has stabilized at about 11 kg of Ca per year, which accounts for ∼30% of the dissolved Ca in the stream water. Given that 19 metric tons of Ca were applied to the watershed, and assuming this current rate of loss, it should take over 1000 years for this added Ca to be transported from the watershed.     

Rb,Sr, Nd and Sm concentrations in quartz

The concentrations of Rb, Sr, Nd and Sm in quartz crystals from Crystal Peak, Colorado; Stewart Mine, California; Tomas Gonzaga, Minas Gerais, Brazil; and Coleman Mines, Arkansas, were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Concentrations ranged from: 1.17 to 177 ppb Rb; 3.26 to 1027 ppb Sr; 0.0159 to 0.48 ppb Sm; 0.127 to 2.81 ppb Nd. In the Brazilian crystal, concentrations of these elements were correlated with the amount of fluid inclusion water measured visually by turbidity and quantitatively with infrared adsorption spectroscopy. The highest Rb content was found for a crystal free of visible inclusions, indicating that small amounts of Rb can also occur in quartz itself. Rb and Sr contents are much lower in synthetic quartz grown commercially from the Arkansas quartz.     

Sr isotopic and elemental characteristics of calcites in the Chinese deserts: Implications for eolian Sr transport and seawater Sr evolution

Calcite content, Sr concentrations, and isotopes of calcites in the Chinese deserts are systematically studied in this paper. Calcite contents, which are calculated according to acid-soluble Ca contents in the deserts, are generally higher in the sandy deserts than in the sandy lands and decrease roughly from northwest to northeast of China. Acid-soluble Sr is well correlated with calcite in the Chinese deserts, implying acid-soluble Sr comes mainly from the calcite dissolution. Sr concentrations in calcites, calculated on the basis of calcite contents and acid-soluble Sr concentrations in the deserts, have an inverse relation to calcite contents, essentially mirroring the degree of Sr substitution for Ca in the calcite development. Desert calcites have regional variations in Sr isotopic ratios. Calcite Sr isotopic ratios depend on geological settings and chemical weathering. The Badain Jaran, and Tengger deserts are probably affected by additional factors such as the remote groundwater cycle or overturning of underlying sand deposits.Only four deserts (Taklimakan, Qaidam, Badain Jaran, and Tengger) appear to be potential sources of eolian deposits in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). Isotopic signatures of calcite Sr and silicate Nd further indicate that the Tengger desert was not an important source for eolian deposits in the CLP. Eolian calcite was probably enriched due to wind sorting from the potential sources to the CLP and suffered weathering–leaching after it accumulated in the CLP. Sr isotopic compositions and Ca/Sr molar ratios of calcites are different between the deserts and the Lingtai profile, due to the integrated effect of wind sorting and weathering–leaching.It is essential to calculate accurately the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio and Sr concentration of eolian calcite entering the oceans according to geochemical data of the Chinese deserts, because of the importance of the Chinese deserts in the global dust cycle. The calculated Sr concentration and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of eolian calcite entering the North Pacific Ocean, are 11.75 μmol/g and 0.71032, respectively. The calculated values in this study are close to the recommended values by Jacobson [Jacobson A. D. (2004) Has the atmospheric supply of dissolved calcite dust to seawater influenced the evolution of marine ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios over the past 2.5 million years? Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 5(12), 1–9, Q12002. doi:10.1029/2004GC000750]. Using the same model as that of Jacobson (2004), the effect of Asia dust on the evolution of seawater Sr isotopes is evaluated. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_seawater increases by 0.3 × 10⁻⁵ if the lower dust flux of 2.34 × 10⁸ mol Sr/yr is used in the model, suggesting the little effect of Asian dust on the seawater Sr record in the Quaternary. The increase in (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_seawater is 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ if the higher value of 1.17 × 10⁹ mol Sr/yr is used, as observed in the Quaternary Sr record. These results further support the suggestions of Jacobson (2004).     

A Nd and Sr isotopic study of the Ivrea zone,Southern Alps,N-Italy

The Ivrea zone represents a tilted cross section through deep continental crust. Sm-Nd isotopic data for peridotites from Baldissero and Balmuccia and for a suite of gabbros from the mafic formation adjacent to the Balmuccia peridotite provide evidence for an event of partial melting 607±19 Ma ago in an extended mantle source with ₆₀₇ ^Nd =+0.4±0.3. The peridotites are interpreted as the corresponding melt residue, the lower part of the mafic formation as the complementary melts which underwent further differentiation immediately after extraction. The Finero body represents a complex with layers of phlogopite peridotite, hornblende peridotite, and amphibole-rich gabbro. The isotopic signatures fall into two groups: (1) highly radiogenic Nd and low-radiogenic Sr characterize the phlogopite-free, amphibole-rich rocks, whereas (2) low-radiogenic Nd and highly radiogenic Sr is found in ultramafics affected by phlogopite metasomatism. Phlogopite metasomatism in the Ivrea zone is dated by a Rb-Sr whole rock isochron yielding 293±13 Ma. It was fed by K-rich fluids which were probably derived from metasediments. The high initial ₂₉₃ ^Nd value of about +7.5 for phlogopite-free samples indicates a high time-integrated Sm/Nd ratio in the Finero protolith 293 Ma ago. Sm-Nd analyses of metapelites from the paragneiss series yield Proterozoic crustal residence ages of 1.2 to 1.8 Ga. Internal Sm-Nd isochrons for three garnetiferous rocks show that closure of garnet at temperatures around 600° C or even lower occurred about 250 Ma ago.