Orgin of a precambrian ultramafic intrusion in southeastern Wyoming,U.S.A.

The Preacher Creek ultramafic body is a small, lenticular-shaped intrusion of peridotite exposed in an ancient (2400–2500 m.y.), regionally metamorphosed terrane in southeastern Wyoming, U.S.A. The central core of the body consists of clinopyroxene-olivine peridotite and is surrounded by a marginal rim of peridotite in which orthopyroxene and plagioclase also occur as primary minerals. Alteration of primary minerals is relatively minor. However, at the contact with the country rock progressive alteration of the peridotite to actinolite and chlorite is locally severe. Chemical study of the effect of this alteration indicates that no more than minor changes from the primary composition of the peridotite have occurred. Petrographic studies reveal accumulative textures characteristic of stratiform complexes. Cryptic layering in the body is indicated by partial chemical analyses of the two major primary minerals, olivine and clinopyroxene.The body is inferred to have formed within the earth's crust by fractional crystallization and gravity accumulation of mafic minerals from a gabbroic magma that was differentiating along a tholeiitic trend. Subsequent to (or during) crystallization the body was remobilized, folded, and emplaced in its present site as a tectonic intrusion. Ultramafic intrusions with chemical, mineralogical, and structural features similar to the Preacher Creek body may be best explained perhaps as crystalline accumulates formed in volcanic magma chambers.     

A general model for the intrusion and evolution of 'mantle' garnet peridotites in high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure metamorphic terranes

Garnet‐bearing peridotite lenses are minor but significant components of most metamorphic terranes characterized by high‐temperature eclogite facies assemblages. Most peridotite intrudes when slabs of continental crust are subducted deeply (60–120 km) into the mantle, usually by following oceanic lithosphere down an established subduction zone. Peridotite is transferred from the resulting mantle wedge into the crustal footwall through brittle and/or ductile mechanisms. These ‘mantle’ peridotites vary petrographically, chemically, isotopically, chronologically and thermobarometrically from orogen to orogen, within orogens and even within individual terranes. The variations reflect: (1) derivation from different mantle sources (oceanic or continental lithosphere, asthenosphere); (2) perturbations while the mantle wedges were above subducting oceanic lithosphere; and (3) changes within the host crustal slabs during intrusion, subduction and exhumation. Peridotite caught within mantle wedges above oceanic subduction zones will tend to recrystallize and be contaminated by fluids derived from the subducting oceanic crust. These ‘subduction zone peridotites’ intrude during the subsequent subduction of continental crust. Low‐pressure protoliths introduced at shallow (serpentinite, plagioclase peridotite) and intermediate (spinel peridotite) mantle depths (20–50 km) may be carried to deeper levels within the host slab and undergo high‐pressure metamorphism along with the enclosing rocks. If subducted deeply enough, the peridotites will develop garnet‐bearing assemblages that are isofacial with, and give the same recrystallization ages as, the eclogite facies country rocks. Peridotites introduced at deeper levels (50–120 km) may already contain garnet when they intrude and will not necessarily be isofacial or isochronous with the enclosing crustal rocks. Some garnet peridotites recrystallize from spinel peridotite precursors at very high temperatures (c. 1200 °C) and may derive ultimately from the asthenosphere. Other peridotites are from old (>1 Ga), cold (c. 850 °C), subcontinental mantle (‘relict peridotites’) and seem to require the development of major intra‐cratonic faults to effect their intrusion.     

梧州市花岗岩风化壳工程地质研究及垂直分带

花岗岩风化壳由表及里有不同的风化等级。认识风化程度的差异，给出各风化层的判别标准，这对于风化壳工程地质性状的研究，评价建筑场地的稳定性极为重要。本文在系统地搜集梧州市花岗岩风化壳的地质资料和已有的土工试验资料的基础上，进行薄片显微照像分析、颗粒分析。结合城市工程地质勘察工作特点，给出了梧州市花岗岩风化壳垂直分带的划分标准。     

碳酸岩岩浆与地壳反应综述

碳酸岩是地表出露较少的地幔来源的岩石,其地幔交代作用已被广泛研究,而碳酸岩岩浆与地壳的反应过程却研究较少,目前已在中国草滩和丰镇地区、德国Kaiserstuhl地区、俄罗斯Petyayan-Vara地区和澳大利亚Nolans Bore矿床等各地被报道。碳酸岩岩浆与地壳反应的特征是可能形成大量富铁云母、辉石、榍石、钡冰长石等硅酸盐矿物并造成C-O和Sr-Nd同位素体系的扰动。实验岩石学研究发现碳酸岩岩浆在地幔与橄榄岩反应形成异剥橄榄岩,对应的在中下地壳反应形成反夕卡岩。碳酸岩岩浆与围岩的反应会造成局部Si的富集促使REE在早期岩浆阶段进入磷灰石,从而抑制稀土成矿。深部地壳的碳酸岩-硅酸岩反应在相同构造背景下通常不像浅部热液系统容易出露地表,并且其反应产物容易被误认为是夕卡岩矿物组合。因此,更多的高温高压实验研究以及对硅酸盐流体来源不是很清楚的高温夕卡岩矿物组合进行重新评估,将是揭示地壳深部反夕卡岩过程,特别是相关成矿作用的关键。     

隐伏斑岩铜矿区微细粒土壤地球化学特征及其找矿指示意义-以福建罗卜岭铜钼矿为例

在风化壳覆盖区应用传统化探方法和矿物地球化学找矿方法开展斑岩型矿床深部找矿存在一定制约。土壤微细粒分离测量技术是一种可应用于覆盖区找矿的穿透性地球化学勘查技术,在干旱地区已取得良好的应用效果,亟需开展多景观、多矿种应用试验。基于此,本文选择为红土风化壳覆盖的福建省罗卜岭斑岩铜钼矿为研究区,开展风化壳土壤微细粒分离测量技术有效性实验。结果显示,与不含矿酸性岩体风化壳相比,研究区明显富集铜钼矿成矿及伴生元素,尤其是Mo、Cu、Au显著富集,与此同时,含矿岩体风化壳中元素变异系数较低,符合斑岩型矿床元素含量富集系数高、变异系数低的典型特征。元素空间分布特征与矿化蚀变、断裂构造、地形演化密切相关。Cu-Mo异常可以圈定矿化中心蚀变带,V、Hg则在外蚀变带富集。Cu与Mo在研究区西北部的分异指示了紫金山矿田由SE向NW主成矿作用由Cu-Mo演变为Cu-Au。元素剖面分布特征进一步验证了成矿蚀变、地形演化对元素分布的控制作用。地形演化决定了蚀变带在地表的分布,进而控制元素的分布。罗卜岭铜钼矿体呈马鞍状分布于古背斜两翼,在后期风化剥蚀作用下,背斜核部演化为负地形,使得中心蚀变带接近出露地表,表现为Cu的正异常;古背斜两翼现今为正地形,矿体埋深较大,前缘晕元素Hg表现为正异常。因子分析结果很好地展示了元素的组合与分异特征。总体上,可以根据Cu-Mo异常判断矿体中心位置,根据Hg判断矿体埋深,根据Sn、V、Cr等识别花岗闪长斑岩体边界。本研究系统证明微细粒土壤测量在风化壳覆盖区探测隐伏斑岩铜钼矿的有效性。     

Mineralogy of nitrogenous guano on the Bounty Islands, SW Pacific Ocean

By far the commonest consituents of insular phosphate deposits are calcium phosphates of the apatite series of minerals, especially varieties that contain structural carbonate in their crystal lattices, e.g. francolite and dahllite. This reflects the fact that the vast majority of described insular phosphate deposits occur in low latitudes, where they have formed, in a tropical environment, by metasomatic replacement of carbonate in coral substrates by phosphate derived either from avian excrement or from phosphorus-enriched lagoonal/lacustrine waters. Thin, recently-formed guano accumulations on islands of the subantarctic Bounty group differ radically in that they consist principally of struvite, a hydrated ammonium magnesium phosphate that is better known as a component of human/mammalian urinary stones and enteroliths, and of bat guano in sheltered speleothems. Apatite occurs only in an accessory role in the Bounty Islands guano. This contrast in mineralogy, and the somewhat anomalous survival of soft, unstable struvite in a totally exposed environment on the Bounty Islands, are attributed to climatic factors and to the nature of the granodioritic rock substrate.     

太古宇潜山风化壳储层发育主控因素分析——以鲁西-济阳地区为例

随着我国东部各大含油气盆地相继进入高勘探程度阶段,太古宇潜山作为一种重要的接替类型逐渐受到人们的重视。以明确太古宇潜山风化壳储层发育主控因素、建立风化壳储层评价标准为目的,笔者通过对鲁西地区太古宇露头的大量观测与济阳坳陷覆盖区典型太古宇潜山的解剖,采用露头区与覆盖区对比分析的思路,对太古宇潜山风化壳储层的发育特征及主控因素进行了分析。研究发现,太古宇潜山风化壳储层主要存在两种发育模式,分别为残丘型和断层滑脱型;风化壳储层发育的主控因素主要包括3个,分别为潜山岩石矿物组成、潜山断裂发育程度和风化改造程度;通过对主控因素分别进行级别定义和相互匹配,建立了济阳坳陷太古宇风化壳储层的三端元评价标准。将太古宇风化壳储层划分为三大类,其中Ⅰ类储集性能最好,Ⅱ类次之,Ⅲ类最差。     

Petrogenesis and geological history of a uranium source rock: a case study in northeastern Washington,U.S.A.

A small (4 km²) drainage basin in northeastern Washington contains highly uraniferous groundwater and highly uraniferous peaty sediments of Holocene age. The U is derived from granitic bedrock that underlies the entire drainage basin and that contains 9–16 ppm U. This local bedrock was studied by petrographic, chemical and isotopic methods to determine conditions of its petrogenesis and post-emplacement history that may have contributed to its present high U content and source-rock capability. The original magma was derived by anatexis of Precambrian continental crust of probable mixed metaigneous and metasedimentary character. Mineral-melt partitioning controlled the enrichment of U in chemically evolved phases of the crystallizing melt. Following emplacement in the upper crust at ∼100Ma, the pluton interacted with meteoric-hydrothermal water at ambient temperatures 300°C. Locally intense fracturing promoted alteration, and fracturing and alteration probably continued during later regional uplift in the Eocene. Regional uplift was followed by low-temperature alteration and weathering in the middle to late Tertiary. The combined result of hydrothermal alteration and low-temperature alteration and weathering was the redistribution of U from primary mineral hosts such as allanite to new sites on fracture surfaces and in secondary minerals such as hematite. Zones of highly fractured and altered rock show the most obvious evidence of this process. A model is proposed in which high-angle fractures beneath the drainage basin were the sites of Tertiary supergene enrichments of U. Recent glacio-isostatic uplift has elevated these older enriched zones to shallow levels where they are now being leached by oxidizing groundwater. The chemistry, mineralogy, texture and geological history of this U source-rock suggest criteria for locating other granitic terrane that may contain uraniferous waters and associated young surficial U deposits. The details of U distribution and mobility at this site also apply to the general topic of U mobility in granitic rocks.     

西藏泽当地幔橄榄岩中的异常矿物及其指示意义

雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带内多个地幔橄榄岩体产有金刚石、碳硅石等异常矿物组合,为了进一步探讨这些异常矿物形成的物理化学条件,在前人已有的研究基础上,对泽当地幔岩体中526 kg的方辉橄榄岩样品开展人工重砂矿物学研究工作。研究表明,同雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带内的其他岩体相似,泽当地幔橄榄岩也选出了包含金刚石、碳硅石、锆石等30余种矿物。异常矿物组合指示泽当地幔橄榄岩中存在局部的超高压、极还原环境,可能经历了复杂的演化过程:即古老地壳物质通过深俯冲或者折沉作用,进入地幔甚至是地幔过渡带(410~660 km),随后经历了超高压、极还原环境的改造,在后续的地幔柱或地幔对流作用中从洋中脊上升至浅部环境并返回到地壳中。该过程中地幔橄榄岩中的异常矿物组合记录了岩石的演化信息,因此开展地幔橄榄岩中异常矿物组合的精细矿物学研究,对认识壳-幔物质交换以及深部地幔动力学过程都有重要的研究意义。     

Petrogenesis of the Lien peridotite and associated eclogites, Almklovdalen, Western Norway

Core and rim compositions of minerals in garnet-bearing assemblages in the Lien peridotite define a retrograde metamorphic trend from 820° C, 28.1 kbar, to 645° C, 17.6 kbar. Eclogites in Basal Gneiss near the peridotite contain a record of prograde metamorphism which converges with the retrograde trend of the ultramafic rocks. The Lien peridotite appears to have been derived from the upper mantle under eclogite facies conditions and emplaced into unusually thick continental crust during a Caledonian eclogite facies metamorphic event.     

Strontium as a tracer of weathering processes in a silicate catchment polluted by acid atmospheric inputs, Strengbach, France

This paper determines the weathering and atmospheric contributions of Ca in surface water from a small spruce forested silicate catchment (N–E France) receiving acid atmospheric inputs. The bedrock is a granite with K-feldspar and albite as dominant phases. The calcium content in plagioclase is low and the Ca/Na ratio in surface water is high, reflecting other sources of calcium from those expected from the weathering of major mineral phases. The biotite content is low. Only traces of apatite were detected while no calcite was found in spite of a major hydrothermal event having affected the granite. The strontium isotopic ratio ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Sr content was used as a tracer of weathering and was determined in minerals and bulk bedrock, open field precipitation, throughfall, soil solution, spring and stream water. The Sr isotopic ratio of the reacting weathering end-member was predicted by simulating the alteration of the granite minerals by incorporating strontium into the water–rock interaction kinetic code KINDIS. In the early stages of water–rock interaction, K-feldspar and biotite strongly influence the isotopic composition of the weathering solution whereas, the Na-rich plagioclase appears to be the main long-term reactive weathering end-member. Approximately 50% of dissolved Sr in streamwater are atmospherically derived. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of exchangeable Sr in the fine fraction at 1-m depth from a soil profile indicate that the amount of exchangeable Sr seems essentially controlled by atmospheric inputs. The exception is the deep saprolite where weathering processes could supply the Sr (and Ca). Na-Plagioclase weathering obviously control the chemistry and the isotopic composition of surface waters. The weathering of trace mineral plays a secondary role, the exception is for apatite when plagioclase is absent. Our hydrochemical, mineralogical and isotopic investigations show that a major part of the strong Ca losses detected in catchment hydrochemical budgets that result from the neutralization of acid precipitation has an atmospheric origin. Consequently, in the long term, in such areas, the availability of such an exchangeable base cation might be strongly limited and surface waters consequently acidified.     

皖南姚村岩体花岗岩风化壳稀土元素赋存特征

皖南地区花岗岩风化壳中稀土元素普遍富集，局部已成为矿床，其中，郎溪县姚村岩体风化壳富集程度较高。LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb定年表明，姚村花岗岩体的形成年龄为127.9±1.4 Ma，属于皖南地区燕山期晚期岩浆作用的产物。风化壳可细分为残坡积层（A）、强半风化层（C1）、过渡层（C2）、弱风化层（C3）和基岩（D）五层。稀土总量在纵向剖面上呈“波浪式”分布，各层稀土分布型式表现出对原岩的继承性。风化壳稀土配分型式与基岩一致， 富集LREE，轻重稀土分馏明显(La/Yb)N=15.6），但总含量明显更高。基岩∑REE为338×10-6，半风化层∑REE最高达642×10-6，富集约两倍。风化壳物质由风化残余主矿物（石英、钾长石、斜长石、黑云母）、黏土矿物（高岭石、埃洛石、伊利石、三水铝石等）和副矿物（锆石、磷灰石、榍石等）等组成。黏土矿物以伊利石含量最高，指示风化壳发育不成熟。REE与埃洛石含量明显正相关，与其他黏土矿物关系不明显。（含）稀土矿物（尤其是榍石）对风化壳中稀土元素的贡献量超过百分之五十，其次为斜长石，是风化壳中REE的重要来源。     

皖南姚村岩体花岗岩风化壳稀土元素赋存特征

皖南地区花岗岩风化壳中稀土元素普遍富集，局部已成为矿床，其中，郎溪县姚村岩体风化壳富集程度较高。LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb定年表明，姚村花岗岩体的形成年龄为127. 9±1. 4 Ma，属于皖南地区燕山期晚期岩浆作用的产物。风化壳可细分为残坡积层（A）、强半风化层（C1）、过渡层（C2）、弱半风化层（C3）和基岩（D） 5层。稀土总量在纵向剖面上呈“波浪式”分布，各层稀土分布型式表现出对原岩的继承性。风化壳稀土配分型式与基岩一致， 富集LREE，轻重稀土分馏明显\[(La/Yb)N=15. 6\]，但总含量明显更高。基岩∑REE为338×10-6，半风化层∑REE最高达642×10-6，富集约两倍。风化壳物质由风化残余主矿物（石英、钾长石、斜长石、黑云母）、黏土矿物（高岭石、埃洛石、伊利石、三水铝石等）和副矿物（锆石、磷灰石、榍石等）等组成。黏土矿物以伊利石含量最高，指示风化壳发育不成熟。REE与埃洛石含量明显正相关，与其他黏土矿物关系不明显。（含）稀土矿物（尤其是榍石）对风化壳中稀土元素的贡献量超过 50%，其次为斜长石，是风化壳中REE的重要来源。     

Calcareous crust (caliche) profiles and early subaerial exposure of Carboniferous carbonates, northeastern Kentucky

Sequences of laminated limestones found within thin Carboniferous carbonate strata of northeastern Kentucky were studied to determine their origin and palaeo-environmental significance. These laminated zones are strikingly similar to Holocene and Pleistocene surficial calcareous crusts (caliche) profiles that occur in various parts of the world. Carboniferous laminated carbonates are associated with shallow marine carbonate units, palaeokarst, and overlying palaeosol zones. A typical laminated profile ranges in thickness from 1 to 2 m and contains brecciated, light olive-grey to brown micrite that lacks distinctive bedding. Structures and textures common in most profiles include: (1) calcareous and silicious laminae (laminae form diffuse, alternating light and dark bands that generally parallel bedding but often fill fractures and vugs within the rocks); (2) particles (allochems, and micrite and microspar fragments) coated by brown microcrystalline calcite; (3) brecciated texture; (4) circular to elliptical fossil moulds (occur in sinuous patterns and fill fractures within the rocks); (5) large and small scale fracture patterns. Subaerial weathering and vadose diagenesis of carbonate mud banks or islands is suggested as a mechanism for the formation of these Carboniferous calcareous crust profiles. These ‘crusts’ formed by a combination of solution (karsting), brecciation, and soil development that transformed an exposed marine biomicrite (‘host’ rock) into a porous subsoil rubble. Laminated ‘crusts’ and coated particles developed as the result of dissolution and reprecipitation of CaCO₃ and SiO₃ from the soil and carbonate bedrock. Carboniferous laminated carbonates in northeastern Kentucky are often referred to as ‘algal limestones’ because of their superficial similarity to some modern and ancient algal structures. This study, however, reveals numerous characteristics that can only be explained by diagenesis in a subaerial environment.     

Fission track thermochronology of the Beni Bousera peridotite massif (Internal Rif,Morocco) and the exhumation of ultramafic rocks in the Gibraltar Arc

The Beni Bousera peridotite massif and its metamorphic surrounding rocks have been analyzed by the fission track (FT) method. The aim was to determine the cooling and uplift history of these mantle and associated crustal rocks after the last major metamorphic event that dates back to the Lower Miocene–Upper Oligocene time (～22–24 Ma). The zircon FT analyses give an average cooling—i.e., below 320 °C—age of ～19.5 Ma. In addition, the apatite FT data give an average cooling—i.e., below 110 °C—age of ～15.5 Ma. Taking into account the thermal properties of the different thermochronological systems used in this work, we have estimated a rate of cooling close to 50 °C/Ma. This cooling rate constrains a denudation rate of about ～2 mm year^?1 from 20 to 15 Ma. These results are similar to those determined in the Ronda peridotite massif of the Betic Cordilleras documenting that some ultrabasic massifs of the internal zones of the two segments of the Gibraltar Arc have a similar evolution. However, Burdigalian sediments occur along the Betic segment (Alozaina area, western Betic segment) unconformably overlying peridotite. At this site, ultramafic rock was exposed to weathering at ages ranging from 20.43 to 15.97 Ma. Since the Beni Bousera peridotite was still at depth until 15.5 Ma, we infer that no simple age projection from massif to massif is possible along the Gibraltar Arc. Moreover, the confined fission track lengths data reveal that a light warming (～100 °C) has reheated the massif during the Late Miocene before the Pliocene–Quaternary tectonic uplift.     

Hydrothermal alteration vs. ocean-floor metamorphism. A comparison between two case histories: the TAG hydrothermal mound (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) vs. DSDP/ODP Hole 504B (Equatorial East Pacific)

This article presents a review of hydrothermal alteration of the various basaltic rocks forming the oceanic crust, emphasizing especially on the water–rock interaction processes, the petrography and secondary mineralogy of hydrothermally altered rocks from the present-day ocean, hence excluding the ophiolitic complexes. A brief summary of the history of the first studies of hydrothermally altered oceanic rocks leads to a comparison between Miyashiro's concept of ‘ocean-floor metamorphism’ and that of hydrothermal alteration that warrant caution when applying Eskola's metamorphic facies of regional metamorphism to hydrothermally altered oceanic rocks. The functioning of mid-oceanic ridge axial hydrothermal systems, and the role of oceanic Layer-3 gabbros are discussed in detail. The mechanisms of the various alteration processes of the rocks forming the oceanic crust are presented. The case histories of the two examples more particularly studied by the author and his collaborators, are compared, i.e., the DSDP-ODP Hole 504B reference section South of the Costa Rica Ridge, and the TAG active mound at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The significance of the paragonitic phyllosilicate in highly altered rocks form the TAG Mound is compared to the other known occurrences of ‘white micas’ in the oceanic crust. The importance of metabasites as major components of the oceanic crust is emphasized. The elemental fluxes resulting from hydrothermal alteration of oceanic rocks in regulating seawater chemistry are only briefly alluded, because this topic is covered by the last article of this thematic issue by J.C. Alt, who assesses the chemical budgets resulting from ocean hydrothermal activity. To cite this article: J. Honnorez, C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

The boring billion? – Lid tectonics, continental growth and environmental change associated with the Columbia supercontinent

The evolution of Earth＇s biosphere,atmosphere and hydrosphere is tied to the formation of continental crust and its subsequent movements on tectonic plates.The supercontinent cycle posits that the continental crust is periodically amalgamated into a single landmass,subsequently breaking up and dispersing into various continental fragments.Columbia is possibly the first true supercontinent,it amalgamated during the 2.0-1.7 Ga period,and collisional orogenesis resulting from its formation peaked at 1.95-1.85 Ga.Geological and palaeomagnetic evidence indicate that Columbia remained as a quasi-integral continental lid until at least 1.3 Ga.Numerous break-up attempts are evidenced by dyke swarms with a large temporal and spatial range; however,palaeomagnetic and geologic evidence suggest these attempts remained unsuccessful.Rather than dispersing into continental fragments,the Columbia supercontinent underwent only minor modifications to form the next supercontinent （Rodinia） at 1.1 -0.9 Ga; these included the transformation of external accretionary belts into the internal Grenville and equivalent collisional belts.Although Columbia provides evidence for a form of ‘lid tectonics’,modern style plate tectonics occurred on its periphery in the form of accretionary orogens.The detrital zircon and preserved geological record are compatible with an increase in the volume of continental crust during Columbia＇s lifespan; this is a consequence of the continuous accretionary processes along its margins.The quiescence in plate tectonic movements during Columbia＇s lifespan is correlative with a long period of stability in Earth＇s atmospheric and oceanic chemistry.Increased variability starting at 1.3 Ga in the environmental record coincides with the transformation of Columbia to Rodinia; thus,the link between plate tectonics and environmental change is strengthened with this interpretation of supercontinent history.     

Serpentinized Peridotite as Source of Aeromagnetic Anomalies

The source of long-wavelength aeromagnetic anomalies appears to originate from the eartlrs deep crust. Constrained by previous studies on geochemical, petrologic analysis, the eclogite and serpentinized peridotite samples from drill hole ZK703 at Donghai in the western Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane, East China, were unambiguously exhumed from the lower crust and the upper mantle, providing significant information about the magnetic properties of rocks at a deeper part of the crust. Results show that the serpentinization process favors the neoformation of nearly stoichiometric magnetite, resulting in the enhancement of its magnetization up to 8.6 A/m, which is sufficient enough to contribute to some magnetic anomalies. In contrast, eclogite samples have only weaker magnetization (generally less than 0.05 A/m) compared to serpentinized peridotite. Nevertheless, experiments under the lower crustal conditions are necessary to further support these conclusions.     

Whole-rock geochemistry of the Hili Manu peridotite,East Timor: implications for the origin of Timor ophiolites ∗

The Hili Manu peridotite occupies a key position at the outer limit of continental crust on the north coast of East Timor. Most models for the tectonic evolution of the Outer Banda Arc interpret peridotite bodies on Timor, such as Hili Manu, as fragments of young oceanic lithosphere from the Banda Arc (upper plate). However, recent workers have used major-element geochemistry to argue that the peridotite bodies on Timor were derived from the Australian subcontinental lithosphere. Our major, trace and isotopic geochemical study of the Hili Manu peridotite body supports a supra-subduction origin from either a forearc or backarc position for the Hili Manu peridotite. In particular, the wide range in Nd and Sr isotopic compositions, overlapping that of arc volcanics from the Sunda – Banda Island arc, and highly fractionated Nb/Ta values indicate a supra-subduction setting. As there is no evidence for subduction beneath the rifted Australian continental margin, it is unlikely that the Hili Manu peridotite is Australian subcontinental lithosphere. This result, along with the clear supra-subduction setting of the Ocuzzi peridotite and associated volcanics in West Timor, gives support to the interpretation that the Miocene collision between the Banda Arc and the Australian continental margin has produced widespread ‘Cordilleran’-style ophiolites on Timor.     

Animals and Mineralization of Phosphorus: Ore-Forming Mechanism of Insular Phosphorites1

Abstract Phosphorite, or guano, or insular phosphorite, commonly containing 10-35% P₂O₅, is one of the sources of phosphatic fertilizer. Taking the modern insular phosphorite on the Xisha Islands as an example, this paper discusses the ore-forming mechanism of phosphate and the important contribution made by animals to this process. The phosphorite occurs in the middle part of carbonate sand cays of coral reef surrounded by longshore sandbanks, which assumes a dish-shape. The surface of the cays is covered by unconsolidated guano. The phosphorite, yellowish brown to dark brown, is made up of thick-bedded sand and gravel cemented by collophanite; and partly replaced by carbonate apatite. The mechanism of mineralization is as follows: The average content of phosphorus in the sea water is only 0. 07 ppm, but through the sea food. chain concentration, phosphorus content may become higher. The phytoplanktons, as producers, suck up phosphorus out of sea water. The primary consumers, zooplanktons, obtain phosphorus by eating phytoplanktons, then they are followed by the second and third consumers. Sea birds living on fish, as the third consumers, concentrate and transport the phosphorus to the carbonate sand cays. Finally layers of guano are deposited under the arbores. Under the tropical climatic conditions with high temperature and plentiful rainfall, soluble matters are leached out of the guano and infiltrated into deeper horizon. In alkaline groundwater with pH greater than 7. 0, the phosphoritization takes place, bioclastics are cemented and replaced by collophanite or carbonate apatite. Finally, the phosphorus is fixed and phosphate formed.