New geochronometer for the direct isotopic dating of native platinum minerals (190Pt-4He method)

A new method of isotope geochronology was proposed for dating native platinum minerals on the basis of the ??-decay of the natural isotope ¹⁹⁰Pt. The analysis of the thermal desorption of helium in the crystal lattice of native metals, including platinum, allowed us to predict a very high thermal stability (retentivity) of radiogenic ⁴He in native platinum minerals up to their melting temperatures. In order to validate the proposed ¹⁹⁰Pt-⁴He method, direct isotopic dating was performed for isoferroplatinum from the Galmoenan dunite-clinopyroxenite and Kondyor alkaline ultramafic massifs. The results of dating obtained by this method for primary ore platinum from the Galmoenan Massif (70 ± 5 Ma) are consistent with geological observations and mean Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic age estimates. The ¹⁹⁰Pt-⁴He age obtained for placer isoferroplatinum from the Kondyor Massif (112 ± 7 Ma) also agrees with geological observations and is close to the K-Ar and Rb-Sr ages of koswites (phlogopite-magnetite pyroxenites, gabbros, nepheline syenites, and metasomatic rocks after dunites). Our experimental data demonstrated that the ¹⁹⁰Pt-⁴He method is a promising tool for dating native platinum minerals.     

About possibility of isotope dating of native gold by the (U-Th)/He method

For investigation of helium in native gold, a new measuring complex was created and used: the high sensitivity mass spectrometer MSU-G (ZAO SKB “SPECTRON”). The sensitivity of measuring ⁴He was 5.3 × 10^?13 cm³/g per impulse. Experiments in stepwise heating of samples have been carried out, and the kinetics of radiogenic ⁴He emanation from native gold was investigated. Migration parameters (activation energy and frequency factor) were determined. Model calculations of stability (closure temperature) of radiogenic ⁴He in the native gold structure with a given time and temperature of thermal influences were made using the data received. The concentration of ⁴He in native gold from the original deposit Nesterovskoe is (4.7 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 cm³/g in the sample from the placer; from Chudnoe deposit, it is (3.8 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 cm³/g; from sulfide deposits of Kitoiskii knot of Eastern Sayani, it is (1.9 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 cm³/g; and from the South Muiskii ore region it is (8.7 ± 0.5) × 10^?7 cm³/g. The received curve lines of kinetics of ⁴He emanation from native gold show that radiogenic helium is well bonded in the native gold structure: in all the examined samples, most ⁴He emanates only by reaching the temperature of 950–1000°C. A specific feature of the kinetics of radiogenic ⁴He emanation in all examined samples is an outburstlike emanation in the form of a peak of large amplitude in the area of temperatures near the melting temperature point of gold. This is stipulated by the existence of helium bubbles released by metals only while they melt. The spectrum of helium thermal desorption from native gold has a complicated form and is a result of superposition of several peaks. This proves the migration of groups of atoms located in the gold structure in different energy states. Very large values of the activation energy of helium migration from native gold were received: up to 161–176 kcal/mol. Extremely large values of the frequency factor, from 2 × 10¹⁸ to 3 × 10³², correspond to such values of activation energies. This is caused probably by helium migration in the form of gas bubbles. The received data indicate the very high stability of the (U-Th)/He isotope system in native gold. Using the (U-Th)/He method of isotope geochronology seems to be very promising for isotope dating of these strategic raw materials.     

^3He／^4He Ratios and Heat Flow in the Continental Rift—valley,Eastern China

Heat flow and the origin of helium in natural gases from fault basins of the continental rift-valley in eastern China are discussed in terms of helium isotope geochemistry.³He/⁴He ratios in natural gases from the rift-valley range from 2.23 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.21 × 10⁻⁶, which are directly proportional to the concentration of helium and ΣNHC/ΣHC ratio in natural gases. Geological and isotope geochemical data suggest that helium in natural gases consists predominantly of crustal radio-genic and upper mantle-derived helium. In a simple mixing pattern between crustal He and mantle-derived He, mantle-derived helium in natural gases would account for 10–60%. Calculated values for heat flow (Q) range from 59.7 to 82.4mWm⁻², of which about 60 percent in the rift-valley is derived from the upper mantle. Natural helium reservoirs would be found in the areas where the upper mantle uplifted greatly and heat flow is large in the continental rift-valley. The project is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

深部物质运动的气体地球化学特征

根据氦同位素地球化学资料讨论了中国东部和云南腾冲地区上地幔的脱气。尽管地球脱气作用主要发生在地球形成时的十亿年间，但是后期的脱气作用仍是影响大气圈演化的主要因素。在两种力学性质不同的构造带──中国东部大陆裂谷和位于欧亚板块与印度板块缝合带的腾冲火山区，采集了天然气样，并分析了气体组分和氦同位素组成，较高的３Ｈｅ／４Ｈｅ值和地质、地球物理资料表明天然气和温泉气中的氦相当一部分是来自上地幔。来自上地幔的氦和其他气体自第三纪以来不断在气藏中聚集或向大气中逃逸。伴有源于上地幔的岩浆活动的地幔脱气是深部物质运动的具体表现形式，它对新生代气候演变可能有直接影响。     

Geothermochronology based on noble gases: III. Migration of radiogenic He in the crystal structure of native metals with applications to their isotopic dating

It was shown that the behavior of ⁴He in native and technical metals is very similar owing to the symmetric and stable electron shells of its atoms, which cannot gain electrons from other atoms or donate their own electrons to metal atoms in a crystal lattice. Therefore, they rapidly migrate toward grain boundaries and dislocations, where they are released as vesicles or He clusters. It was found that the thermal desorption of radiogenic He occurring in the crystal lattice of native metals as gas clusters requires activation energies of 100 and even 180 kcal/mol up to the attainment of the melting temperature of the metal. The frequency factor is several orders of magnitude higher than the limiting value k ₀ ∼ 10¹³ s⁻¹ for the migration of single atoms in the crystal lattice. Near the melting temperature and tens-hundreds degrees above it, the character of the thermal desorption of radiogenic ⁴He changes fundamentally. The migration is strongly accelerated, and sharp narrow peaks appear on the kinetic curves of thermal desorption. A similar phenomenon was observed during the annealing of technical metals and is known as the burst-effect. The destruction of the crystal structure results in the disappearance of helium clusters (vesicles). At the very high temperature, He migrates as individual atoms relatively rapidly from the melt. The activation energy for He thermal desorption and the pre-exponential frequency factor acquire values characteristic of ordinary migration. Such peculiarities of radiogenic He provide unique opportunities for its preservation in the structure of gold and other native metals below their melting temperatures. The rapid advances of (U-Th)/He geochronology is still hampered by the experimentally established extremely heterogeneous distribution of U, He, and, probably, Th in the structure of gold and other natural metals. This difficulty can be circumvented by the development of a method for the determination of the contents of all the mentioned chemical elements in a single aliquot from each sample.     

The Coupled Re—Os and Pt—Os Systematics：A Theoretical Consideration

The ^190Pt-^186Os system should be a unique tracer for mantle processes be-cause both Pt and Os are concentrated in the mantle.The ^190Pt-^186Os system will also be a good supplement to the ^187Re-^187Os system for dating and tracing mantle pro-cesses because the ^190Pt-^186Os system is not so easily contaminated by crustal materials as the ^187Re-^187Os system.In turn,the application of the ^187Re-^187Os system to Pt-enriched materials uncontaminated by crustal materials will indirectly refine the half life of ^190Pt.The ^190Pt is refined.In the coupled ^187Re-^187Os and ^190Pt-^186Os sys-tematics,an ^186Os*/^190Pt-^187Os*/^187Re Concordia diagram similar to the ^206Pb*/^238U-^208Pb*/^232Th Concordia can be constructed.In such a Concordia diagram,a date will be obtained so long as the ^190Pt-^186Os system remains closed even if the ^187Re-^187Os sys -tem is contaminated by crustal materials.In addition ,for the coupled ^190Pt-^186Os and ^187Re-^187Os systematics,the mantle processes and the interactions between the mantle and the crust will be described by two ratios:^186Os/^188Os and ^187Os/^188Os .The coupled ^187Re-^187Os and ^190Pt-^186Os systematics will be a powerful tool in the investigation of the geodynamic history of the Earth because the ^187Re-^187Os system is sensitive to the interactions between the mantle and the crust,while the ^190Pt-^186Os system is a good tracer for mantle processes.     

A Potential (U‐Th)/He Zircon Reference Material from Penglai Zircon Megacrysts

In this study (U‐Th)/He dating of the Penglai zircons, which occur as abundant megacrysts in Neogene alkaline basalts in northern Hainan Province, south‐eastern China, was undertaken. A weighted mean age of 4.06 ± 0.35 Ma (2s) with a mean square weighted deviation (MSWD) of 1.79 was obtained from eighteen fragments of four zircon megacrysts using single‐crystal laser fusion He determinations and the U‐Th isotope dilution (ID) method. The (U‐Th)/He ages are consistent, homogeneous and systematically slightly younger than the preferred ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 4.4 ± 0.1 Ma (95% confidence interval) determined by ID‐TIMS and subsequently published U‐Pb results. The U‐Pb isotopic system in zircon has a high closure temperature of ~ 900 °C, and the preferred U‐Pb age may record both the time since eruption and the zircon residence time in the magma chamber. In contrast, the closure temperature of the zircon (U‐Th)/He system is ~ 190 °C and the zircon megacrysts were brought quickly to the surface by the host basaltic magma. Thus, the (U‐Th)/He age represents the timing of the eruption. Based on the unlimited quantity, large grain size, mostly weak broad zoning, rapid cooling and homogenous (U‐Th)/He ages, we consider the Penglai zircons suitable for use as a reference material in (U‐Th)/He isotope geochronology.     

Spatial variations in 3He/4He ratios along a high strain rate zone,central Japan

A linear zone with high strain rates along the Japan Sea coast, the Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone (NKTZ), is considered to be associated with rheological heterogeneities in the lower crust and/or upper mantle. Helium isotope variations along the NKTZ reveal a close association with the geophysical evidence for rheological heterogeneities in the crust and mantle. In the southern NKTZ, the ³He/⁴He ratios lower than 3.4 Ra (Ra denotes the atmospheric ³He/⁴He ratio of 1.4 × 10⁻⁶) could be interpreted as a two-component mixture of helium stored in aqueous fluids driven off the subducting oceanic crust and radiogenic crustal helium. Higher ³He/⁴He ratios are observed in the central NKTZ where Quaternary volcanoes and high-temperature hot springs are concentrated, suggesting that the ³He emanation manifest in the central NKTZ results from the effective transfer of mantle helium by intrusion and degassing of mantle-derived magma in the crust. In the northern NKTZ where two large inland earthquakes occurred recently, there appears to be many samples with ³He/⁴He ratios significantly higher than those observed in the fore-arc side of northeast Japan. A plausible source of mantle helium could be attributed to upward mobilization of aqueous fluids generated by dehydration of the subducting Pacific Plate slab.     

Isotope-Geochemical Features and Genesis of Gases in the East Carpathian Region

The paper presents data on the composition of a gas phase of underground fluids in the East Carpathian region, including ³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, and ⁴He/²⁰Ne ratios. The argon isotope composition of these gases was used to estimate the fractions of atmospheric Aratm and radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar_rad formed in the rocks, N₂/Aratm ratio, and to reveal the admixture of nonatmogenic (“excess”) nitrogen in most samples. The CO₂ content in gases positively correlates with the fraction of mantle component in fluid helium. At the same time, the CO₂ content shows a negative correlation with the total helium (and light ³He enriching mantle derivatives), thus excluding the simultaneous influx of CO₂ and helium from a common mantle source in the fluids. A wide spectrum of ³He/⁴He = R in gases of the region spanning three orders of magnitude confirms the concept of mixing of the crustal and mantle components in the helium. However, even gases with similar R values show a wide scatter of He concentrations. This is mainly caused by the additional influx of other gases: CH₄ formed during OM transformation or CO₂ released during the thermal metamorphism of carbonate sequences. Correlation of the CH₄/³He ratio and the helium isotope composition in the Carpathian gases indicates the crustal origin of hydrocarbons, which formed economic gas pools in the Ciscarpathian Trough and the adjacent part of the Folded Carpathians. Lateral chemical and isotope variations revealed in the underground fluids are related to the tectonic zoning of the region. The helium isotope variations are also consistent with the geodynamic setting of the region (thinning of the crust and lithosphere towards the Pannonian Basin, growth of the background conductive heat flow and corresponding ascent of isotherms). In combination with geothermal data, they reflect specifics of the mantle heat-and-mass flow discharge.     

He,Ne, Ar,and C isotope systematics of geothermal emanations in the Lesser Antilles Islands Arc

We present He, Ne, Ar, and C isotope analyses of hydrothermal brines and gases from fumaroles, hot springs, mofettes and hydrothermal exploration drillings on the major islands of the Lesser Antilles Arc. The origin of hydrothermal brines, which have been analyzed also for O and H isotopes, is essentially meteoric-hydrothermal. Air-corrected isotope compositions of helium (2.2 Rc/Ra < ³He/⁴He < 8.6 Rc/Ra) and carbon (−20 < δ¹³C_PDB < +0.5) are variable and require a variety of crustal and magmatic sources. The diversity of δ¹³C_PDB and ³He/CO₂ ratios within individual volcanic centres suggests that crustal sources (e.g., limestone) contaminate magmatic CO₂ en route from high-level magma reservoirs (depth < 15 km) to the surface. A similar contamination may be found for magmatic helium on distal springs. The ³He/⁴He signature of summit fumaroles, thought to reflect the ³He/⁴He signature of high-level magmas, shows a remarkable systematic variation along the arc. In addition, there is a correlation throughout the arc between published Sr, Pb, and Nd isotope signatures of lavas and the ³He/⁴He signatures of summit fumaroles. On the northern islands (Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, and Dominica) summit fumaroles have the N-MORB signature (³He/⁴He = 8 ± 1 R/Ra), and the isotope signature of lavas is not dissimilar from comparable intra-oceanic arc tholeiites elsewhere. Variable enrichments in radiogenic Sr and Pb have been reported for lavas of individual volcanic centres of the Southern Islands (Martinique, St.Lucia, and Grenada), and summit fumaroles on these centres match these variations by variable radiogenic He-enrichments, i.e., lower ³He/⁴He ratios. This correlation suggests that radiogenic Sr and Pb enrichments of lavas and low ³He/⁴He signatures on summit fumaroles have a common origin, i.e., a terrigenous contaminant derived from the Orinoco depositionary fan. Crustal assimilation is thought to decouple the He isotope system from any other radiogenic isotope system and, therefore, we argue that the observed correlation of He, Sr, Pb, and Nd isotope systems is related to a terrigenous contaminant derived from subducted sediments. Support for this scenario also comes from the matching of low ³He/⁴He ratios and tectonic features of the forearc thought to favor the subduction of forearc sediments.The present study offers a first clue that, under suitable conditions, crustal helium from oceanic sediments might be subducted to the depth of arc magma sources and, possibly, even recycled into the deeper mantle.     

Weathering geochronology by (U-Th)/He dating of goethite

Nine samples of supergene goethite (FeOOH) from Brazil and Australia were selected to test the suitability of this mineral for (U-Th)/He dating. Measured He ages ranged from 61 to 8 Ma and were reproducible to better than a few percent despite very large variations in [U] and [Th]. In all samples with internal stratigraphy or independent age constraints, the He ages corroborated the expected relationships. These data demonstrate that internally consistent He ages can be obtained on goethite, but do not prove quantitative ⁴He retention. To assess possible diffusive He loss, stepped-heating experiments were performed on two goethite samples that were subjected to proton irradiation to produce a homogeneous distribution of spallogenic ³He. The ³He release pattern indicates the presence of at least two diffusion domains, one with high helium retentivity and the other with very low retentivity at Earth surface conditions. The low retentivity domain, which accounts for ∼ 5% of ³He, contains no natural ⁴He and may represent poorly crystalline or intergranular material which has lost all radiogenic ⁴He by diffusion in nature. Diffusive loss of ³He from the high retentivity domain is independent of the macroscopic dimensions of the analyzed polycrystalline aggregate, so probably represents diffusion from individual micrometer-size goethite crystals. The ⁴He/³He evolution during the incremental heating experiments shows that the high retentivity domain has retained 90%-95% of its radiogenic helium. This degree of retentivity is in excellent agreement with that independently predicted from the helium diffusion coefficients extrapolated to Earth surface temperature and held for the appropriate duration. Considering both the high and low retentivity domains, these data indicate that one of the samples retained 90% of its radiogenic ⁴He over 47.5 Ma and the other retained 86% over 12.3 Ma. Thus while diffusive-loss corrections to supergene goethite He ages are required, these initial results indicate that the corrections are not extremely large and can be rigorously quantified using the proton-irradiation ⁴He/³He method.     

<Superscript>190</Superscript>Pt–<Superscript>4</Superscript>He age of PGE ores in the Alkaline–Ultramafic Kondyor Massif (Khabarovsk District,Russia)

A new ¹⁹⁰Pt–⁴He method for dating isoferroplatinum has been developed at the Institute of Precambrian Geology and Geochronology, Russian Academy of Sciences. Here we publish the first results of dating of isoferroplatinum from the main mineralogical and geochemical types of PGE mineralization in dunite. The obtained ¹⁹⁰Pt–⁴He age of isoferroplatinum is 129 ± 6 Ma. The gained ¹⁹⁰Pt–⁴He age of isoferroplatinum specimens of different genesis (magmatic, fluid–metamorphogenic, and metasomatic) from the Kondyor Massif indicates that the PGM mineralization took place synchronously and successively with evolution of primarily picrite, followed by subalkaline and alkaline melts of the Mesozoic tectonic–magmatic activation of the Aldan Shield.     

Helium isotopes on the Macdonald seamount (Austral chain): constraints on the origin of the superswell

We present new helium isotope data from the Macdonald seamount (Austral chain). The helium isotopic ratio varies from ⁴He/³He=45 000 (R/Ra=16.0) to 200 170 (R/Ra=3.6). The helium content is between 1.5×10^?8 and 1.1×10^?5 ccSTP/g. These helium results show clearly the presence of primitive mantle material in the source of the Austral chain. Macdonald has the lowest ⁴He/³He ratio among the Polynesian submarine volcanoes, except Hawaii (Loihi). The simplest explanation for the primitive helium signature is the presence under Macdonald of a mantle plume that derives either from the 670 km or 2900 km boundary layers, or, eventually, from the top of a large mantle dome resulting from a stratified two-layer convection. This plume contains less-degassed material with low ⁴He/³He ratio. To cite this article: M. Moreira, C. Allègre, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Extreme Enrichment of Tellurium in Deep-Sea Sediments

Tellurium is a sort of scattered rare element on the earth. Its concentration is very low in earth＇s crust, only 1.0 ng/g. However, it has extremely high abundance in Co-rich crusts, marine polymetallic nodules, deep-sea sediments and aerolites. To find out the origin of tellurium enrichment in deep-sea sediments, we analyzed and compared tellurium concentrations and helium isotope compositions in the magnetic parts and those in the bulk parts of deep-sea sediments. The result indicates that the helium content, 3He/4He ratio and tellurium concentration are obviously higher in the magnetic parts than those in the bulk parts. The 3He abundance varies synchronously with the tellurium concentration. 3He and Te have a distinct positive correlation with each other. It is the first time that the paper brings forward that the extreme enrichment of tellurium in deep-sea sediments, like helium isotope anomalies, probably results from the input of interplanetary dust particles （IDPs）. Similarly, the extreme enrichment of tellurium in marine polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts is possibly related to IDPs.     

Noble gases dissolved in groundwater in a volcanic aquifer: Helium isotopes in the Kumamoto Plain

This study Investigates a tracing method using dissolved noble gases to survey the groundwater flow in a large groundwater basin. The tracing method is based on measuring the concentrations of noble gases and the ratio of helium isotopes in groundwater samples. Since it is very difficult to detect trace amounts of noble gases and helium with high accuracy in a 15-ml groundwater sample, dissolved gases were extracted and purified, then a high-resolution mass spectrometer was used for measurement and comparison with standard samples. We used this method with samples from a confined aquifer formed by the deposition of pyroclastic flow in the Kumamoto Plain on the west side of Mt. Aso in central Kyushu, Japan. The groundwater basin under the plain is divided into four small basins, based on the helium concentrations and isotope ratios, with two major groundwater flows. One flow is buried by the Aso pyroclastic flow along the old Kase River; the other is along the Tsuboi River Valley. These two groundwater flows were identified from the different helium isotope-ratios. The helium component from the deep mantle is mixed into the groundwater under the Kumamoto Plain. Finally, data on the concentrations and ratios of³He to⁴He in groundwater samples were used to determine the location of faults in the volcanic aquifer.     

Multiple sources for mineralizing fluids in the Charmitan gold(-tungsten) mineralization (Uzbekistan)

Mineral assemblages present within the Charmitan gold(-tungsten) quartz-vein mineralization have been investigated for their cathodoluminescence behaviour, chemical composition and noble gas isotope systematics. This inventory of methods allows for the first time a systematic reconstruction of the paragenetic relationships of quartz, scheelite, sulphides and native gold within the gold mineralization at Charmitan and provides the basis to utilise noble gas data in the discussion of sources and evolution of ore-forming fluids. The vein quartz is classified into four generations based on microscopic and cathodoluminescence investigations. Quartz I shows intense brittle deformation as associated scheelite I. Undeformed scheelite II overgrows scheelite I and has lower light rare earth element and higher intermediate rare earth element contents as well as higher strontium concentrations. Scheelite II is associated with the economic gold mineralization and formed during re-crystallisation and re-precipitation of material which was partly re-mobilised from early scheelite I during infiltration of gold-bearing fluids. Early stage native gold inclusions are often associated with stage 2 sulphides, scheelite II and bismuth tellurides and contain Ag (3.6–24.4 wt.%), Hg (≤1.0 wt.%) and Bi (≤0.2 wt.%). Later stage electrum grains occur in association with stage 3 sulphides and sulphosalts and contain Hg (<0.8 wt.%) and elevated Sb concentrations (up to 3.0 wt.%). Noble gas isotope data (³He/⁴He: 0.2-0.4 Ra) for hydrothermal ore fluids trapped in the gold-related sulphides and sulphosalts (stage 2 pyrite and arsenopyrite; stage 3 pyrite, sphalerite, galena and lead sulphosalts) suggest that diverse fluid sources were involved in the formation of the Charmitan gold deposit. These data are indicative of a small, but significant input of fluids from external, deep-seated (mantle and possibly lower crust) sources. A decrease in the input of mantle helium and an increasing role of crustal helium from early to later stages of the mineralization is suggested by the measured ³He/⁴He and ⁴⁰Ar*/⁴He ratios. Sulphides from ore veins in meta-sedimentary rocks contain higher portions of meteoric fluids than those in intrusive rock types as indicated by their lower ³He/³⁶Ar ratios. The ³He/³⁶Ar ratios in the meta-sedimentary rocks agree well with ratios typical of gold mineralizations in the Tien Shan gold province completely hosted by meta-sedimentary sequences, indicating intense fluid-wall rock interaction.     

Helium and argon isotopes in spinel lherzolite from Damaping, northern Zhangjiakou

Spinel lherzolite found in Damaping, northern Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province occurs as xenoliths in the Hannuoba basalts that consist of alkali basalt and tholeiite. Spinel lherzolites contain 50%–70% olivine (Fo: 90%), 10%–20% clinopyroxene (predominantly Di), 10%–30% orthopyroxene (predominantly En), and less than 5% spinel.³He/⁴He and⁴⁰Ar/³⁸Ar ratios in the olivine are 7.56×10⁻⁷ and 299.1, respectively.³He/⁴He and⁴⁰Ar/³⁸Ar ratios in the orthopyroxene (enstatite) are 9.1×10⁻⁷ and 307, respectively. Olivine grains are fractured irregularly, and pyroxene grains characterized by well developed cleavages, which would have resulted from explosion during the rapid eruption of lava from the deep interior to the surface. The lower isotope ratios of helium and argon may indicate that the spinel lherzolite xenoliths were derived from the strongly degassed and depleted upper mantle, and that the mantle is inhomogeneous.³He losses to some extent might affect the helium isotope ratios. The project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 49273185).     

Helium and argon isotopic compositions of the Longquanzhan gold deposit in the Yishu fault zone and their geological implications

The Longquanzhan gold deposit hosted in granitic cataclasites with mylontization of the foot wall of the main Yishui-Tangtou fault. 3He/4He ratios in fluid inclusions range from 0. 14 to 0. 24 R/Ra,close to those of the crust-source helium. 40Ar/36Ar ratios were measured to be 289-1811, slightly higher than those of atmospheric argon. The results of analysis of helium and argon isotopes suggested that ore-forming fluids were derived chiefly from the crust. The δ18O values of fluid inclusions from vein quartz range from -1.78‰ to 4.07‰, and the δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between -74‰ and -77‰. The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data indicated that the ore-forming fluid for the Longquanzhan gold deposit had mixed with meteoric water in the process of mineralization. This is consistent with the conclusion from the helium and argon isotope data.     

Solute transport in formations of very low permeability: profiles of stable isotope and dissolved noble gas contents of pore water in the Opalinus Clay, Mont Terri, Switzerland

Pore water profiles of water, stable isotope, and dissolved noble gas content have been determined across the Opalinus Clay and adjacent formations at the rock laboratory at Mont Terri. We have found enhanced helium contents (up to [⁴He] = 1 × 10⁻⁴ cubic centimeters at standard pressure and temperature per gram of pore water) and argon isotope ratios (⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios up to 334) due to accumulation of ⁴He and ⁴⁰Ar produced in situ. The helium profile was found to be in steady state with respect to in situ production and diffusive loss into the adjacent limestones where groundwater circulates. From this profile a representative mean value of the apparent diffusion coefficient for helium in the pore water of the whole formation was derived for the first time to be D_a = 3.5 × 10⁻¹¹ m² · s⁻¹, which is more than two orders of magnitude lower than the diffusion coefficient D₀ in free water. The stable isotope profile, however, indicates a component of fossil marine pore water, which has not yet been replaced by molecular diffusion of meteoric water from the adjacent limestone and shale formations over the past 10 million years.     

Temporal helium isotopic variations within Hawaiian volcanoes: Basalts from Mauna Loa and Haleakala

Helium isotope ratios in basalts spanning the subaerial eruptive history of Mauna Loa and Haleakala vary systematically with eruption age. In both volcanoes, olivine mineral separates from the oldest samples have the highest ³He/⁴He ratios. The Haleakala samples studied range in age from roughly one million years to historic time, while the Mauna Loa samples are radiocarbon dated flows younger than 30.000 years old. The Honomanu tholeiites are the oldest samples from Haleakala and have ³He/⁴ ratios that range from 13 to 16.8× atmospheric, while the younger Kula and Hana series alkali basalts all have ³He/⁴ close to 8×atmospheric. A similar range is observed on Mauna Loa; the oldest samples (roughly 30,000 years) have ³He/⁴ ratios of 15 to 20 × atmospheric, with a relatively smooth decrease to 8 × atmospheric with decreasing age. The consistent trend of decreasing ³He/⁴He ratio with time in both volcanoes, coherence between the helium and Sr and Nd isotopes (for Haleakala), and the similarity of ³He/⁴ in the late stage basalts to depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) helium, argue against the decrease being the result of radiogenic ingrowth of ⁴He. The data strongly suggest an undegassed (i.e., high ³He/(Th + U)) mantle source for the early shield building stages of Hawaiian volcanism. and are consistent with the hotspot/mantle plume model. The data are difficult to reconcile with models for Hawaiian volcanism that require recycled oceanic crust or derivation from a MORB-related upper mantle source. We interpret the decrease in ³He/⁴ with volcano evolution to result from an increasing involvement of depleted mantle and/or lithosphere during the late stages of Hawaiian volcanism.