Vertical Uplift Capacity of Equally Spaced Multiple Strip Anchors in Sand

The ultimate uplift resistance of a group of multiple strip anchors placed in sand and subjected to equal magnitudes of vertical upward pullout loads has been determined by means of model experiments. Instead of using a number of anchor plates in the experiments, a single anchor plate was used by simulating the boundary conditions along the planes of symmetry on both the sides of the anchor plate. The effect of clear spacing (s) between the anchors, for different combinations of embedment ratio (λ) of anchors and friction angle (ϕ) of soil mass, was examined in detail. The results were presented in terms of a non-dimensional efficiency factor (ξ_γ), which was defined as the ratio of the failure load for an intervening strip anchor of a given width (B) to that of a single strip anchor plate having the same width. It was clearly noted that the magnitude of ξ_γ reduces quite extensively with a decrease in the spacing between the anchors. The magnitude of ξ_γ for a given s/B was found to vary only marginally with respect to changes in λ and ϕ. The experimental results presented in this study compare reasonably well with the theoretical and experimental data available in literature.     

Ultimate Bearing Capacity of a Footing Considering the Interference of an Existing Footing on Sand

The ultimate bearing capacity of a new strip footing placed on a cohesionless soil medium, in the presence of an existing strip footing, the load on which is assumed to be known, has been determined. Both the footings are assumed to be perfectly rigid and rough. The analysis is carried out by using an upper bound finite element limit analysis. For different clear spacing (S) between the footings, the values of the efficiency factor (ξ_γ) were determined; where ξ_γ is defined as the ratio of the failure load for an interfering new footing of a given width (B) to that for a single isolated footing having the same width. For ϕ < 30°, it is generally noted that the magnitude of ξ_γ increases continuously with a decrease in S/B. For ϕ > 30°, on the other hand if the applied load on the existing footing is approximately greater than half the failure load for a single isolated footing having the same width, the peak magnitude of ξ_γ was found to occur at around S/B ≈ 0.1 rather than at S/B = 0. The increase in ξ_γ becomes further significant with an increase in the magnitude of the load on the existing footing.     

Horizontal Pullout Resistance for a Group of Two Vertical Plate Anchors in Clays

The horizontal pullout capacity of a group of two rigid strip plate anchors embedded along the same vertical plane in clays, under undrained condition, has been determined. An increase of cohesion with depth has also been incorporated. The analysis has been performed by using an upper bound finite element limit analysis in combination with linear optimization. For different clear spacing (S) between the anchors, the efficiency factor (η_cγ) has been determined to evaluate the group failure load for different values of (1) embedment ratio (H/B), (2) the normalized rate (m) which accounts for a linear increase of cohesion with depth, and (3) normalized unit weight (γH/c_o). The magnitude of the group failure load (1) becomes maximum corresponding to a certain spacing (S_cr) between the anchors, and (2) increases with an increase in the γH/c_o up to a certain value before attaining a certain maximum magnitude. The value of S_cr/B has been found to vary generally between 0.7 and 1.2. The maximum magnitude of η_cγ, associated with the critical spacing, (1) increases generally with increases in H/B, and (2) decreases with an increase in m. For a greater spacing between the anchors, the analysis reveals the development of a local shear zone around the lower anchor plate. The numerical results developed are expected to be useful for purpose of design.     

Effect of Arching on Uplift Capacity of Single Piles

An analytical method has been proposed to predict the ultimate uplift capacity of single vertical piles embedded in sand considering arching effect. The present analysis takes into consideration of various pile and soil parameters such as length (L), diameter (d) of the pile, angle of internal friction of soil (ϕ), soil pile friction angle (δ) and unit weight of soil (γ). A modified value of coefficient of lateral earth pressure in uplift has been developed considering the arching effect of soil. A comparative assessment of the uplift capacity of piles predicted by using proposed theory and the existing available theories is made with the existing field and model test results. It has been observed that the present model considering the arching effect predicts the results closer.     

Evolution and REE geochemistry of Huangsha-Tieshanlong ore-bearing granite

Our studies show that the granite bodies (γ ₅ ^{2 − 1} and γ ₅ ³ ) which constitute the Huangsha-Tieshanlong composite granitic intrusion in Jiangxi are characterized by their similarities in mineral assemblage, petrochemistry, trace element and REE distribution pattern. The values of ΣREE, ΣLREE, ΣHREE, ΣCe/ΣY, δEu and La/Yb apparently decrease from γ ₅ ^{2 − 1a} to γ ₅ ^{2 − 1b} , γ ₅ ³ and γ ₅ ³ . It is shown that the early Yenshanian W(Ta, Nb)-bearing granite (γ ₅ ^{2 − 1} ) and late Yenshanian Ta, Nb-bearing granite (γ ₅ ³ ) may have been derived from the differentiation and evolution of granitic magmas due to repeated remelting of the crust and their earlier and later intrusion. Although the earlier (γ ₅ ^{2 − 1b} and later (γ ₅ ³ ) albitized Ta, Nb-bearing granites show some obvious differences in REE content, their δEu values and La/Yb ratios are similar to each other. Therefore, it may be concluded that the early and late Ta, Nb-bearing granites were derived from a congenetic magma.     

Isotopic composition of dissolved boron and its geochemical behavior in a freshwater-seawater mixture at the estuary of the Changjiang （Yangtze） River

The isotopic composition of dissolved boron, in combination with the elemental concentrations of B, Cl and salinities in freshwater-seawater mixed samples taken from the estuary of the Changjiang River, the largest one in China, was investigated in detail in this study. Brackish water and seawater samples from the estuary of the Changjiang River were collected during low water season in November, 1998. Boron isotopic compositions were determined by the Cs2BO^＋2-graphite technique with a analytical uncertainty of 0.2‰ for NIST SRM 951 and an average analytical uncertainty of 0.8‰ for the samples. The isotopic compositions of boron, expressed in δ^11B, and boron concentrations in the Changjiang River at Nanjing and seawater from the open marine East Sea, China, are characterized by δ^11B values of -5.4‰ and 40.0‰, as well as 0.0272 and 4.43 mg B/L, respectively. Well-defined correlations between δ^11B values, B concentrations and Cl concentrations are interpreted in terms of binary mixing between fiver input water and East Sea seawater by a process of straightforward dilution. The offsets of δ^11B values are not related to the contents of clastic sediment and to the addition of boron. These relationships favor a conservative behavior of boron at the estuarine of the Changjiang River.     

Groundwater origins and mixing pattern in the multilayer aquifer system of the Gafsa-south mining district: a chemical and isotopic approach

Major ion geochemistry and environmental isotopes were used to identify the origins and the mineralisation processes of groundwater flowing within the three aquifer levels of the multilayer system of the Gafsa-south mining district (Southwestern Tunisia). It has been demonstrated that groundwaters are characterised by a Ca–Mg–SO₄ water type. Geochemical pattern is mainly controlled by the dissolution of halite, gypsum and/or anhydrite as well as by the incongruent dissolution of dolomite. δ¹⁸O and δ²H values are much lower than the isotopic signature of regional precipitation and fall close to the meteoric water lines, indicating that groundwaters have not been significantly affected by evaporation or mineral–water reactions. The distribution of stable and radiogenic isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, δ¹³C and ¹⁴C) within the aquifer levels suggests that the deep confined aquifer receives a significant modern recharge at higher altitudes, while, the shallow unconfined aquifer has been mainly recharged under cooler paleoclimatic condition, likely during Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene humid periods. However, waters from the intermediate confined/unconfined aquifer have composite isotopic signatures, highlighting that they are derived from a mixture of the two first end-members.     

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigation of the Bursa-Oylat thermal waters, Turkey

The Oylat spa is located 80 km southeast of Bursa and 30 km south of Ineg?l in the Marmara region. With temperature of 40°C and discharge of 45 l/s, the Oylat main spring is the most important hot water spring of the area. Southeast of the spa the Forest Management spring has a temperature of 39.4°C and discharge of 2 l/s. The G?z spring 2 km north of the spa, which is used for therapy of eye disease, and cold waters of the Saadet village springs with an acidic character are the further important water sources of the area. EC values of Main spring and Forest Management hot spring (750–780 μS/cm) are lower than those of Saadet and G?z spring waters (2,070–1,280 μS/cm) and ionic abundances are Ca > Na + K > Mg and SO₄ > HCO₃ > Cl. The Oylat and Sızı springs have low Na and K contents but high Ca and HCO₃ concentrations. According to AIH classification, these are Ca–SO₄–HCO₃ waters. Based on the results of δ¹⁸O, ²H and ³H isotope analyses, the thermal waters have a meteoric origin. The meteoric water infiltrates along fractures and faults, gets heated, and then returns to surface through hydrothermal conduits. Oylat waters do not have high reservoir temperatures. They are deep, circulating recharge waters from higher enhanced elevations. δ¹³C_DIC values of the Main spring and Forest Management hot spring are −6.31 and −4.45‰, respectively, indicating that δ¹³C is derived from dissolution of limestones. The neutral pH thermal waters are about +18.7‰ in δ³⁴S while the sulfate in the cold waters is about +17‰ (practically identical to the value for the neutral pH thermal waters). However, the G?z and Saadet springs (acid sulfate waters) have much lower δ³⁴S values (~+4‰).     

Sulphur, carbon and oxygen isotope studies of early Variscan mineralisation and Pb-Sb vein deposits in the Cornubian orefield: implications for the scale of fluid movements during Variscan deformation

The strongly deformed Middle Devonian-Lower Carboniferous metasedimentary-volcanic successions of the Trevone Basin (SW England) contain stratiform and Pb-Sb vein deposits that reveal a wide variation in δ³⁴S and δ¹³C, reflecting mineral deposition during diagenesis, regional metamorphism and basin inversion. Pre-Variscan metasedimentary sulphide (δ³⁴S=−33.7 to −26.7‰) and metabasite sulphide (δ³⁴S=+4.0 to +10.8‰) suggest two accessible source reservoirs for sulphur which were available for Sb-As-(Au) and Pb-Zn-(Ag) mineralisation (δ³⁴S=−3.3 to −15.0‰) during late Variscan semiductile-brittle shear. On the basis of pressure-corrected fluid inclusion temperatures, the calculated composition of fluid sulphur reveals an enrichment in δ³⁴S_H2S in the individual vein parageneses and depletion of the fluid sulphur reservoir during evolution of the vein systems. Carbonates in the same veins are partly contemporaneous with Pb-Sb mineralisation and late tensional deformation; their isotopic composition (δ¹³C=−3.2 and −13.4‰) appears strongly influenced by the host formation. Fluid inclusions in post-tensional quartz show a marked reduction in CO₂, suggesting that episodes of CO₂ degassing in response to punctuated reductions in pressure during uplift and brittle deformation was an important mechanism for vein carbonation. An origin for the Pb-Sb mineralisation involving local remobilisation of sulphur from the mixed metasedimentary-volcanic succession is probably inseparable from processes connected with Variscan metamorphism and deformation. Although the N Cornish Variscan deformation is part of a spatially large-scale event, the isotopic evidence suggests compartmentalisation of sulphur and carbon isotope features and short distances between sources and sinks. Received: 15 August 1998 / Accepted: 8 October 1999     

Hydrogeology of a coal-seam gas exploration area, southeastern British Columbia, Canada: Part 1. Groundwater flow systems

Discovery of high contents of methane gas in coals of the Mist Mountain Formation in the Elk River valley, southeastern British Columbia, Canada, has led to increased exploration activity for coal-seam gas (CSG). CSG production requires groundwater abstraction to depressurize the coal beds and to facilitate methane flow to the production wells. Groundwater abstraction will have hydrodynamic effects on the flow system, and an understanding of the groundwater flow system is needed to evaluate these effects. The purpose of this paper is to describe the groundwater flow system in the area by means of a groundwater flow model and interpretation of hydrochemical and isotopic analyses of groundwater and surface water. Groundwater flow for the Weary Creek exploration area is modeled in two vertical sections. The model domains, based on classic upland–lowland conceptual flow models, are approximately 10,000 m long and 4,000 m deep. Each consists of a fixed water-table boundary and no-flow boundaries along the traces of major faults. Steady-state groundwater flow is calibrated to hydraulic-head, streamflow, and groundwater-recharge data. Simulated steady-state velocity fields define regional and local flow components consistent with the conceptual model. The results are consistent with regional trends in δ²H, δ¹⁸O, tritium, and TDS, which define two distinct groundwater groups (A and B) and a third of intermediate composition. An active, shallow, local flow component (group A) is recharged in beds cropping out along subdued ridges; this component discharges as seeps along lower and mid-slope positions in the southern part of the study area. The waters are tritiated, relatively enriched in δ²H and δ¹⁸O, and have low TDS. A deeper regional flow component (group B), which originates at a higher altitude and which discharges to the Elk River valley bottom, is characterized by non-tritiated groundwater with relatively depleted δ²H and δ¹⁸O, and higher TDS. Groundwater contributes less than 10% of the total direct flow to the Elk River, as indicated by flow measurements and by the absence of group A and group B characteristics in the river water. Thus it is hypothesized that groundwater extraction during CSG production will have little impact on the river. The groundwater flow model developed in this work is used in a companion paper to further test this hypothesis. Electronic Publication     

Shear wave splitting in the Isparta angle,southwestern Turkey: Anisotropic complexity in the mantle

This study presents shear wave splitting analysis results observed at ISP (Isparta) broadband station in the Isparta Angle, southwestern Turkey. We selected 21 good quality seismic events out of nearly 357 earthquakes and calculated splitting parameters (polarization direction of fast wave, ϕ and delay time between fast and slow waves, δt) from mainly SKS and a few SKKS phases of the selected 21 seismic events. Then, we compared calculated splitting parameters at ISP station (56° ≤ ϕ ≤ 205°; 0.37 s ≤ δt ≤ 4 s) with those previously calculated at ANTO (Ankara) and ISK (İstanbul) stations (27° ≤ ϕ ≤ 59°; 0.6 s ≤ δt ≤ 2.4 s and 26° ≤ ϕ ≤ 54°; 0.6 s ≤ δt ≤ 1.5 s) which are located at 230 and 379 km away from ISP station in central and northwestern Turkey, respectively. The backazimuthal variations of the splitting parameters at ISP station indicate a different and complex mantle polarization anisotropy for the Isparta Angle in southwestern Turkey compared to those obtained for Ankara and İstanbul stations.     

Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic study of carbonate along a loess/paleosol section in Lantian County, Shaanxi Province, on the southeastern edge of the Chinese Loess Plateau

Studies of carbonate carbon isotope of loess/paleosol (δ¹³C_carb) in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) have shown δ¹³C_carb less negative in loess and more negative in paleosol, which is opposite to that of bulk organic matter. Although some mechanisms have been proposed to explain this inconsistency, few studies have been conducted to investigate how carbonate migration could affect the reliability of utilizing δ¹³C_carb as an effective indicator. Here, a loess/paleosol profile with a nodule horizon intercalated in the loess layer, located on the southeastern edge of the CLP, was investigated to understand the influence of carbonate eluviation and reprecipitation on δ¹³C_carb along the section. The mean grain size and magnetic susceptibility generally conform to the field observed loess/paleosol stratigraphy. However, carbonate content shows distinct differences in the two sides of the nodule horizon, clearly indicating eluviation along the section. The variation of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of soil carbonate (δ¹³C_SC and δ¹⁸O_SC) and nodule carbonate (δ¹³C_NC and δ¹⁸O_NC) along the profile does not present a clearly meaningful picture. Generally, δ¹³C_SC and δ¹⁸O_SC have a similar change trend along the profile and are positively correlated, but there is no apparent relationship between δ¹³C_NC and δ¹⁸O_NC. More importantly, δ¹⁸O_NC values fall in the range of δ¹⁸O_SC, whereas δ¹³C_NC values are much more positive than δ¹³C_SC. Detailed analyses of the data indicate migration of carbonate along the profile, which is an important factor that determines that loess/paleosol δ¹³C_carb could not be employed as a high-resolution paleovegetational and paleoenvironmental indicator in the CLP, at least on or below the glacial/interglacial scales.     

Isotope geochemistry of ore fluids for the Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, China

The Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit is one of the large-sized sandstone-type uranium deposits discovered in the northern part of the Ordos Basin of China in recent years. Geochemical characteristics of the Dongsheng uranium deposit are significantly different from those of the typical interlayered oxidized sandstone-type uranium ore deposits in the region of Middle Asia. Fluid inclusion studies of the uranium deposit showed that the uranium ore-forming temperatures are within the range of 150–160℃. Their 3He/4He ratios are within the range of 0.02–1.00 R/Ra, about 5–40 times those of the crust. Their 40Ar/36Ar ratios vary from 584 to 1243, much higher than the values of atmospheric argon. The δ18OH2O and δD values of fluid inclusions from the uranium deposit are -3.0‰– -8.75‰ and -55.8‰– -71.3‰, respectively, reflecting the characteristics of mixed fluid of meteoric water and magmatic water. The δ18OH2O and δD values of kaolinite layer at the bottom of the uranium ore deposit are 6.1‰ and -77‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of magmatic water. The δ13CV-PDB and δ18OH2O values of calcite veins in uranium ores are -8.0‰ and 5.76‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of mantle source. Geochemical characteristics of fluid inclusions indicated that the ore-formation fluid for the Dongsheng uranium deposit was a mixed fluid of meteoric water and deep-source fluid from the crust. It was proposed that the Jurassic-Cretaceous U-rich metamorphic rocks and granites widespread in the northern uplift area of the Ordos Basin had been weathered and denudated and the ore-forming elements, mainly uranium, were transported by meteoric waters to the Dongsheng region, where uranium ores were formed. Tectonothermal events and magmatic activities in the Ordos Basin during the Mesozoic made fluids in the deep interior and oil/gas at shallow levels upwarp along the fault zone and activated fractures, filling into U-bearing clastic sandstones, thus providing necessary energy for the formation of uranium ores.     

Geochemical and stable isotopic evolution of the Guarani Aquifer System in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

The purpose of this report is to explain geochemical and stable isotopes trends in the Brazilian unit of the Guarani Aquifer System (Botucatu and Piramboia aquifers) in S?o Paulo State, Brazil. Trends of dissolved species concentrations and geochemical modeling indicated a significant role of cation exchange and dissolution of carbonates in downgradient evolution of groundwater chemistry. Loss of calcium by the exchange for sodium drives dissolution of carbonates and results in Na–HCO₃ type of groundwater. The cation-exchange front moves downgradient at probably much slower rate compared to the velocity of groundwater flow and at present is located near to the cities of Sert?ozinho and águas de Santa Barbara (wells PZ-34 and PZ-148, respectively) in a shallow confined area, 50–70 km from the recharge zone. Part of the sodium probably enters the Guarani Aquifer System. together with chloride and sulfate from the underlying Piramboia Formation by diffusion related to the dissolution of evaporates like halite and gypsum. High concentrations of fluorine (up to 13.3 mg/L) can be explained by dissolution of mineral fluoride also driven by cation exchange. However, it is unclear if the dissolution takes place directly in the Guarani Aquifer System or in the overlying basaltic Serra Geral Formation. There is depletion in δ ²H and δ ¹⁸O values in groundwater downgradient. Values of δ ¹³C(DIC) are enriched downgradient, indicating dissolution of calcite under closed system conditions. Values of δ ¹³C(DIC) in deep geothermal wells are very high (>–6.0‰) and probably indicate isotopic exchange with carbonates with δ ¹³C about –3.0‰. Future work should be based on evaluation of vertical fluxes and potential for penetration of contamination to the Guarani Aquifer System. Electronic Publication     

Thermodynamic analysis of ore-forming conditions and sulfur isotopic systematics of Dachang ore field

On the basis of ore-forming periods and stages of the Dachang ore field, the pH and conditions and the S isotopic systematics during ore formation have been thcrmodynamically treated in this paper. Calculations show a progressively decreased pH, an increased oxidation regime and an intensified activity of sulfur from the early to the late stage. Owing to the unreliability of inferring the S source from δ³⁴S_min, has been calculated using the Ohmoto’s model. Results indicate that the δ³⁴ _min frequency distribution is more concentrated than that of δ³⁴S_min and the peak value shifts to negative region by 2.5%. The sulfur in the whole ore field seems to be of multiple source, i.e., different deposits have their own S sources. But the S isotopic composition pertaining to each stage is nearly constant, suggesting that the ore-forming system be open to sulfur and the supply of sulfur be sufficient. The conclusions deduced from calculations are supported by many lines of geological evidence.     

δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O shifts of geothermal waters in the central of Weihe Basin,NW China

The thermal-waters resources in Weihe Basin of Shaanxi province, NW China are historically classified as middle- to low- temperature thermal-waters in China. Recent exploitation of the deep thermal reservoir in the centre part of the basin (i.e. Xi’an and Xianyang) had observed plentiful supply of thermal fluid with higher measured maximum temperature (120°C) and higher hydraulic pressure (80.50 MPa) in the deeper (more than 4,000 m deep) sedimentary basin. A recent isotope study shows that deep geothermal waters in the cities of Xi’an and Xianyang are characterized by an observable horizontal oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) shift and minor deuterium (²H) enrichment. The considerable oxygen shift is possibly due to the following four reasons: water–rock interaction at high temperature, slow circulation rate of water, low water-to-rock ratio, and old age. On the end number of the δ¹⁸O shift, minor δ²H enrichment occur when there is higher concentrations of H₂S, CH₄, I and Br with lower rate of rSO₄ ²⁻/rCl⁻ and r _Na⁺/r _Cl⁻ suggesting relatively isolated geological environment. In a few thermal waters points, r\textNa^\text+ \text/r\textCl^-r{\text{Na}}^{{\text{+}}} {\text{/}}r{\text{Cl}}^{-} < 0.85. This shows possible presence of formation waters. Combining the results from isotopic study and chemical analysis, we can classify the types of geothermal waters into three groups, the shallow and fast circulating system, the semi-circulating system and the deep and slow circulating system.     

Pyrite formation driven by MSW landfill leachate in the Madrid Basin, Spain

The role of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate on the genesis of minor amounts of pyrite associated with gypsum in an otherwise predominantly evaporitic sequence was studied in geological and geochemical terms. The potential association between landfill leachate and the conditions required for bacterial reduction of sulfate and fixation of H₂S as pyrite were examined. The lithological column was generally found to contain little or no Fe. The δ³⁴S values for sulfates were consistent with previously reported data; however, the measured δ¹⁸O values were slightly higher. Sulfides disseminated in the marl/lutite exhibited higher δ³⁴S values (≈−8‰) than gypsum-coating pyrite crystals (δ³⁴S < −30‰). Dissolution of gypsum to sulfate and the supply of metabolizable organic matter and Fe required for H₂S fixation as sulfides may have originated from landfill leachate. Intermittent availability of leachate, a result of the precipitation regime, can facilitate sulfur disproportionation and lead to fractionations as high as      

Fluid inclusion and stable isotope (O, H, C, and S) constraints on the genesis of the Serrinha gold deposit, Gurupi Belt, northern Brazil

The Serrinha gold deposit of the Gurupi Belt, northern Brazil, belongs to the class of orogenic gold deposits. The deposit is hosted in highly strained graphitic schist belonging to a Paleoproterozoic (∼2,160 Ma) metavolcano-sedimentary sequence. The ore-zones are up to 11 m thick, parallel to the regional NW–SE schistosity, and characterized by quartz-carbonate-sulfide veinlets and minor disseminations. Textural and structural data indicate that mineralization was syn- to late-tectonic and postmetamorphic. Fluid inclusion studies identified early CO₂ (CH₄-N₂) and CO₂ (CH₄-N₂)-H₂O-NaCl inclusions that show highly variable phase ratios, CO₂ homogenization, and total homogenization temperatures both to liquid and vapor, interpreted as the product of fluid immiscibility under fluctuating pressure conditions, more or less associated with postentrapment modifications. The ore-bearing fluid typically has 18–33mol% of CO₂, up to 4mol% of N₂, and less than 2mol% of CH₄ and displays moderate to high densities with salinity around 4.5wt% NaCl equiv. Mineralization occurred around 310 to 335°C and 1.3 to 3.0 kbar, based on fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and oxygen isotope thermometry with estimated oxygen fugacity indicating relatively reduced conditions. Stable isotope data on quartz, carbonate, and fluid inclusions suggest that veins formed from fluids with δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD_H2O (310–335°C) values of +6.2 to +8.4‰ and −19 to −80‰, respectively, which might be metamorphic and/or magmatic and/or mantle-derived. The carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) varies from −14.2 to −15.7‰ in carbonates; it is −17.6‰ in fluid inclusion CO₂ and −23.6‰ in graphite from the host rock. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite are −2.6 to −7.9‰. The strongly to moderately negative carbon isotope composition of the carbonates and inclusion fluid CO₂ reflects variable contribution of organic carbon to an originally heavier fluid (magmatic, metamorphic, or mantle-derived) at the site of deposition and sulfur isotopes indicate some oxidation of the originally reduced fluid. The deposition of gold is interpreted to have occurred mainly in response to phase separation and fluid-rock interactions such as CO₂ removal and desulfidation reactions that provoked variations in the fluid pH and redox conditions.     

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project: II Oxygen isotope and fluid inclusion distributions through vertical sections

In order to reconstruct the formation and exhumation mechanisms of UHP metamorphic terrains, the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Program (CCSD) has been carried out in Donghai of the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt, East China. Eclogite, gneiss, amphibolite (retrograded from eclogite), ultramafic rocks, and minor schist and quartzite have been drilled. Aiming to reveal the fluid behaviour in a vertical sequence of an UHP slab, we investigated fluid inclusion and oxygen isotope characteristics of selected drillcores from the main hole and the pilot-holes PP2 and ZK 703 of the CCSD. More than 540 laser-ablation oxygen isotope analyses on garnet, omphacite, quartz, kyanite, amphibole, phengite, rutile, epidote, amphibole, plagioclase, and biotite from various rocks in the depth range of 0–3,000 m (mainly eclogite and gneiss) show that the investigated rocks can be divided into two groups: ¹⁸O-depleted rocks (as low as δ¹⁸O = −7.4‰ for garnet) indicate interaction with cold climate meteoric waters, whereas ¹⁸O-normal rocks (with bulk δ¹⁸O > +5.6‰) have preserved the O-isotopic compositions of their protoliths. Meteoric water/rock interaction has reached depths of at least 2,700 m. Oxygen isotope equilibrium has generally been achieved. Isotopic compositions of mineral phases are homogeneous on a mm to cm scale regardless of lithology, but heterogeneous on the scale of a few metres. Oxygen isotope distributions in the vertical sections favour an “in situ” origin of the UHP metamorphic rocks. The very negative δ¹⁸O eclogites usually have higher hydroxyl-mineral contents than the normal δ¹⁸O rocks, indicating higher water content during UHP metamorphism. Fluid inclusion data suggest that rocks with depleted ¹⁸O compositions have had different fluid histories compared to those with normal δ¹⁸O values. Rocks with depleted ¹⁸O mainly have primary medium-to-high salinity inclusions in omphacite, kyanite and quartz, and abundant secondary low-salinity or pure water inclusions in quartz, indicating a high-salinity-brine-dominated fluid system during peak UHP metamorphism; no carbonic inclusions have been identified in these rocks. By contrast, primary very high-density CO₂ inclusions are commonly found in the rocks with normal δ¹⁸O values. These observations suggest that fluid and oxygen isotope composition of minerals are related and reflect variable degrees of alterations of the Dabie-Sulu UHP metamorphic rocks.     

Sulfur isotopic composition of hydrothermal precipitates from the Lau back-arc: implications for magmatic contributions to seafloor hydrothermal systems

The sulfur isotopic composition of sulfides and barite from hydrothermal deposits at the Valu Fa Ridge back-arc spreading center in the southern Lau Basin has been investigated. Sulfide samples from the White Church area at the northern Valu Fa Ridge have δ³⁴S values averaging +3.8‰ (n= 10) for bulk sphalerite-chalcopyrite mineralization and +4.8‰ for pyrite (n= 10). Barite associated with the massive sulfides exhibits an average of +20.7‰ (n= 10). Massive sulfides from the active Vai Lili hydrothermal field at the central Valu Fa Ridge have much higher δ³⁴S ratios averaging +8.0‰ for bulk sphalerite-chalcopyrite mineralization (n= 5), +9.3‰ for pyrite samples (n= 5), and +8.0‰ and +10.9‰ for a chalcopyrite and a sphalerite separate, respectively. The isotopic composition of barite from the Vai Lili field is similar to that of barite from the White Church area and averages +21.0‰ (n= 8). Sulfide and barite samples from the Hine Hina area at the southern Valu Fa Ridge have δ³⁴S values that are considerably lighter than those observed for samples from the other areas and average −4.9‰ for pyrite (n= 9), −4.0 and −5.7‰ for two samples of sphalerite-chalcopyrite intergrowth, and −3.4‰ for a single chalcopyrite separate. The total spread in the isotopic composition of sulfides from Vai Lili and Hine Hina is more than 20‰ over a distance of less than 30 km. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides at Hine Hina are the lowest values so far reported for volcanic-hosted polymetallic massive sulfides from the modern seafloor. Barite from the Hine Hina field also has unusually light sulfur with δ³⁴S values of +16.1 to +16.7‰ (n= 5). Isotopic compositions of the sulfides at Hine Hina indicate a dramatic decrease in δ³⁴S from ordinary magmatic values and, in the absence of biogenic sulfur and/or boiling, imply a unique ³⁴S-depleted source of probable magmatic origin. Sulfide-barite mineralization in the Hine Hina area is associated with a distinctive alteration assemblage consisting of cristobalite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, opal-CT, talc, pyrite, native sulfur, and alunite. Similar styles of alteration are typically known from high-sulfidation epithermal systems on land. Alunite-bearing, advanced argillic alteration in the Hine Hina field confirms the role of acidic, volatile-rich fluids, and a δ³⁴S value of +10.4‰ for the sulfur in the alunite is consistent with established kinetic isotope effects which accompany the disproportionation of magmatic SO₂ into H₂S and H₂SO₄. The Hine Hina field occurs near the propagating tip of the Valu Fa back-arc spreading center (i.e., dominated by dike injections and seafloor eruptions) and therefore may have experienced the largest contribution of magmatic volatiles of the three fields. The sulfur isotopic ratios of the hydrothermal precipitates and the presence of a distinctive epithermal-like argillic alteration in the Hine Hina field suggest a direct contribution of magmatic vapor to the hydrothermal system and support the concept that magmatic volatiles may be an important component of some volcanogenic massive sulfide-forming hydrothermal systems. Received: 16 January 1997 / Accepted: 28 October 1997