翡翠的皮壳组成及其与内部玉石质量关系初步研究

在对广东南海平洲、广州花都国际翡翠展销会等翡翠原料集散地大量现场考察的基础上,选取了具有黄色色调、白色和灰黑色皮壳的翡翠原石样品,经肉眼和偏光显微镜观察、X射线粉末衍射和电子探针测试,研究了不同颜色系列翡翠原石皮壳的矿物组成和化学成分特征。结果表明,不同颜色翡翠皮壳的主要矿物均为硬玉,次要矿物则有所不同。黄色皮壳含高岭石、三水铝石、软锰矿和赤铁矿等,白色皮壳含高岭石和水钙铝榴石,黑色皮壳则含高岭石和绿泥石类矿物。与内部玉石成分相比,皮壳中的主要化学成分硼（Na2O）和w（SiO2）有所降低,而w（CaO）和w（MgO）及Fe的质量分数则相对增加;黄色皮壳翡翠中Fe的质量分数越高,则皮壳的黄色色调越深,但皮壳的化学成分受环境影响较大,难以用于判断其内部玉石质量。仅初步总结了翡翠皮壳矿物组成与其内部玉石质量的关系。     

Chemical and structural control of the partitioning of Co, Ce, and Pb in marine ferromanganese oxides

The oxidation state and mineral phase association of Co, Ce, and Pb in hydrogenetic, diagenetic, and hydrothermal marine ferromanganese oxides were characterized by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and chemical extraction. Cobalt is trivalent and associated exclusively with the Mn oxide component (vernadite). Cerium is tetravalent in all genetic-type oxides (detection limit for Ce(III) ∼ 5 at. %), including Fe-rich areas (ferrihydrite) of hydrogenetic oxides, and is associated primarily with vernadite. Thus, the extent of a Ce anomaly does not result from variations in redox conditions, but appears to be kinetically controlled, decreasing when the growth rate increases from hydrogenetic to diagenetic to hydrothermal oxides. Lead is divalent and associated with Mn and Fe oxides in variable proportions. According to EXAFS data, Pb is mostly sorbed on edge sites at chain terminations in Fe oxide and at layer edges in Mn oxide (ES complex), and also on interlayer vacancy sites in Mn oxide (TCS complex). Sequential leaching experiments, spectroscopic data, and electrochemical considerations suggest that the geochemical partitioning in favor of the Mn oxide component decreases from Co to Ce to Pb, and depends on their oxidative scavenging by Mn and Fe oxides.     

Comparison between Datangpo-type manganese ores and modern marine ferromanganese oxyhydroxide precipitates based on rare earth elements

Datangpo-type sedimentary manganese deposits, which are located in northeastern Guizhou province and its adjacent areas, are Mn carbonate-type deposits hosted in black carbonaceous shale that represent a series of medium to large deposits containing a huge tonnage of reserves. PAAS-normalized rare earth element distribution patterns of manganese ores record “hat-shaped” REY (REE + Y) plots characterized by pronounced middle rare earth element enrichment, evident positive Ce anomalies, weak to strong positive Eu anomalies and negligible negative Y anomalies. These REY geochemical characteristics are different from those of country rocks and record the processes and features of sedimentation and diagenesis. Manganese was precipitated as Mn-oxyhydroxide particles in oxidized water columns with the sorption of a certain amount of rare earth elements, subsequently transforming from Mn-oxyhydroxides to rhodochrosite and redistributing REY in reducing alkaline pore-water during early diagenesis. A number of similarities can be observed through a comparison of Datangpo-type manganese ores and modern marine ferromanganese oxyhydroxide precipitates based on their rare earth elements. The precipitation of Datangpo-type manganese ores is similar to that of hydrogenetic crusts and nodules based on their positive Ce anomalies and relatively higher total REY concentrations. However, several differences also exist. Compared to hydrogenetic crusts and nodules, Datangpo-type manganese ores record smaller positive Ce anomalies, lower total REY concentrations, unobvious fractionation between Y and Ho, and weak to strong positive Eu anomalies. These were caused by quicker sedimentary rates in the oxic water columns of the shallower basin, after which pore water became strongly reducing and alkaline due to the degradation of organic matter in the early diagenetic stage. In addition, compared to typical deposits in the world, Datangpo-type manganese ores are similar to hydrogenetic deposits and different than hydrothermal deposits. All of these characteristics of manganese ores indicate that Datangpo-type manganese ores, the principal metallogenic factors of which include oxidation conditions during deposition and reducing conditions during early diagenetic stages, represent hydrogenetic deposits.     

The First Find of Goethite Crusts in the Sea of Japan

Doklady Earth Sciences - Ferruginous (goethite) mixed-type hydrothermal–hydrogenetic crusts, which were found in the Sea of Japan for the first time, are described. Compared to manganese...     

南海东部次海盆海山链多金属结核(壳)地球化学特征及成因

为了进一步解释南海不同区域内多金属结核（壳）的地球化学特征与成因,对东部次海盆黄岩?珍贝海山链上新获取的多金属结核（壳）样品进行了X光衍射、X荧光光谱测试、SEM-EDS分析和X Series2 ICP-MS测试,详细分析了样品的矿物组成、地球化学成分特征. 结果表明,矿物组成为水羟锰矿、石英、斜长石等;主要造岩元素中Si、Al含量较高,与陆缘碎屑物影响较大有关;富含Mn、Fe、Co、Ti、Ni、Pb、Sr等多种金属元素,相比南海其他区域,具有中等的Fe、Mn含量特征,地化元素特征与南海西北陆坡发现的铁锰结核（壳）相似;稀土元素具有总量高（平均2 070.01×10-6）的特点,高于南海北部其他样品,与西太平洋结壳稀土含量接近（接近工业品位）,指示了重要的稀土资源前景. 结核Be同位素结果指示该区铁锰结核生长时代为1.17~8.51 Ma,形成于晚中新世大量火山喷发之后,因此水成作用是南海东部次海盆海山链结核（壳）的主要控制作用,而陆源物质的输入、火山作用和高压富氢离子海水的浸取作用都为结核（壳）的形成提供了有利的沉积环境.      

Mineral resources of the ocean

Major data concerning the history of investigation, distribution, mineral and chemical composition, and formation processes of mineral resources of the ocean, namely ferromanganese nodules, ore crusts, phosphorites, and hydrothermal mineral formations, including ore-bearing and metalliferous sediments, massive sulfides, and hydrothermal ferromanganese crusts are reviewed. The problem of the scale of mineral accumulations in the ocean and their quality, along with prospects of their future recovery, is discussed.     

Mineral Geochemical Compositions of Tourmalines and Their Significance in the Gejiu Tin Polymetallic Deposits, Yunnan, China

Abstract: The Gejiu tin polymetallic deposits are located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province in China. A detailed electronic microprobe study has been carried out to document geochemical compositions of tourmalines from the deposits. The results indicate a systematic change of mineral geochemical compositions, which might be used as a mineral geochemical tracer for post-magmatic hydrothermal fluid, basin fluid and their mixture. The tourmalines from granite are schorl with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of 0.912-1.00 and Na/(Na+Ca) ratios of 0.892-0.981. Tourmalines as an inclusion in quartz from the ore bodies are dravite with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of 0.212-0.519 and Na/ (Na+Ca) ratios of 0.786-0.997. Tourmalines from the country rocks are dravite with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of 0.313-0.337 and Na/(Na+Ca) ratio of 0.599-0.723. Tourmalines from cassiterite-tourmaline veins that occur in crannies within the country rocks show distinct optical zoning with alternate occurrence of dravite and schorl, Fe/(Fe+Mg)=0.374-0.843, Na/(Na+Ca)=0.538-0.987. It suggests that schorl in granite and dravite in carbonatite are related to magmatic fluid and basin fluid respectively. When magmatic fluid rose up and entered into crannies of the country rocks, consisting mainly of carbonatite, basin fluid would be constantly added to the magmatic fluid. The two types of fluid were mixed in structural crannies of the sedimentary basin accompanied with periodic geochemical oscillations to form material records in chemical composition zonings of tourmalines.     

Rare Earth Elements Composition and Constraint on the Genesis of the Polymetallic Crusts and Nodules in the South China Sea

The rare earth elements(REE) composition of the polymetallic crusts and nodules obtained from the South China Sea(SCS) were analyzed through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results revealed great differences in the REE abundances(∑REE) of the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules; the crusts show the highest ∑REE, whereas the nodules exhibit the lowest ∑REE. The similarity in their NASC-normalized patterns, the enriched light REE(LREE), the markedly positive Ce anomaly(δCe), and the non-or weakly positive Eu anomaly(δEu), suggest that the polymetallic crusts and nodules are of hydrogenetic origin. Moreover, the REE contents and their relevant parameters are quite different among the various layers of the crusts and nodules, which probably results from the different marginal sea environments and mineral assemblages of the samples. The growth profiles of the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules reveal the tendency ∑REE and δCe to slightly increase from the outer to the inner layers, suggesting that the growth environments of these samples changed smoothly from an oxidizing to a relatively reducing environment; in addition, the crust ST1 may have experienced a regressive event(sea-level change) during its growth, although the REE composition of the seawater remained relatively stable. On the basis of the regional ∑REE distribution in the SCS crusts and nodules,the samples collected near the northern margin were influenced by terrigenous material more strongly compared with the other samples, and the REE contents are relatively low. Therefore, the special geotectonic environment is a significant factor influencing the abundance of elements, including REE and other trace elements. Compared with the oceanic seamount crusts and deep-sea nodules from other oceans,the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules exhibit special REE compositions and shale-normalized patterns, implying that the samples are of marginal sea-type Fe-Mn sedimentary deposits, which are strongly affected by the epicontinental environment, and that they grew in a more oxidative seawater environment. This analysis indicates that the oxidized seawater environment and the special nano property of their Fe-Mn minerals enrich the REE adsorption.     

The hafnium isotope composition of Pacific Ocean water

The first Hf isotope data for seawater are reported for a series of stations in the Northwestern Pacific and define a range from ε_Hf = 3.5 ± 1.4 to 8.6 ± 1.6. Most samples have values within error of the average of ε_Hf = 5.9, but significant variations are found in intermediate waters at a depth of 600 m, as well as in deep waters. The Nd and Hf isotope compositions of the deep waters fall within the range of values found for surfaces of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts in the region, confirming that Hf in the Fe-Mn crusts has been derived from the overlying water column, which thus provide an archive of past seawater compositions. Although the seawater samples are generally close to the global ε_Nd-ε_Hf correlation obtained from ferromanganese crusts, there are significant deviations from this correlation indicating that there is some additional decoupling between Nd and Hf isotope signals, most likely caused by local water mass mixing and differences in residence times. This is not resolved in the crust samples, which integrate seawater signals over 10⁴ years. The combined use of these two isotope systems in seawater therefore provides an additional dimension for tracing water masses in the oceans. Studies of the distribution of oceanic Hf isotope compositions that have been confined to deep water and boundary waters, as recorded in seafloor ferromanganese crusts, can now be extended and aimed at characterising the entire present-day water column. Average Hf concentrations measured in this study are somewhat lower than previously reported, suggesting a shorter residence time for Hf in the global oceans, although the uncertainty in the extent of Hf removal from the water column during estuarine mixing as well as a lack of data on hydrothermal and dust inputs remains a limit on how well the residence time can be defined.     

Global occurrence of tellurium-rich ferromanganese crusts and a model for the enrichment of tellurium

Hydrogenetic ferromanganese oxyhydroxide crusts (Fe-Mn crusts) precipitate out of cold ambient ocean water onto hard-rock surfaces (seamounts, plateaus, ridges) at water depths of about 400 to 4000 m throughout the ocean basins. The slow-growing (mm/Ma) Fe-Mn crusts concentrate most elements above their mean concentration in the Earth’s crust. Tellurium is enriched more than any other element (up to about 50,000 times) relative to its Earth’s crustal mean of about 1 ppb, compared with 250 times for the next most enriched element.We analyzed the Te contents for a suite of 105 bulk hydrogenetic crusts and 140 individual crust layers from the global ocean. For comparison, we analyzed 10 hydrothermal stratabound Mn-oxide samples collected from a variety of tectonic environments in the Pacific. In the Fe-Mn crust samples, Te varies from 3 to 205 ppm, with mean contents for Pacific and Atlantic samples of about 50 ppm and a mean of 39 ppm for Indian crust samples. Hydrothermal Mn samples have Te contents that range from 0.06 to 1 ppm. Continental margin Fe-Mn crusts have lower Te contents than open-ocean crusts, which is the result of dilution by detrital phases and differences in growth rates of the hydrogenetic phases.Correlation coefficient matrices show that for hydrothermal deposits, Te has positive correlations with elements characteristic of detrital minerals. In contrast, Te in open-ocean Fe-Mn crusts usually correlates with elements characteristic of the MnO₂, carbonate fluorapatite, and residual biogenic phases. In continental margin crusts, Te also correlates with FeOOH associated elements. In addition, Te is negatively correlated with water depth of occurrence and positively correlated with crust thickness. Q-mode factor analyses support these relationships. However, sequential leaching results show that most of the Te is associated with FeOOH in Fe-Mn crusts and ≤10% is leached with the MnO₂.Thermodynamic calculations indicate that Te occurs predominantly as H₅TeO₆⁻ in ocean water. The speciation of Te in ocean water and charge balance considerations indicate that Te should be scavenged by FeOOH, which is in agreement with our leaching results. The thermodynamically more stable Te(IV) is less abundant by factors of 2 to 3.5 than Te(VI) in ocean water. This can be explained by preferential (not exclusive) scavenging of Te(IV) by FeOOH at the Fe-Mn crust surface and by Fe-Mn colloids in the water column. We propose a model in which the extreme enrichment of Te in Fe-Mn crusts is likely the result of an oxidation reaction on the surface of FeOOH. A similar oxidation process has been confirmed for Co, Ce, and Tl at the surface of MnO₂ in crusts, but has not been suggested previously to occur in association with FeOOH in Fe-Mn crusts. Mass-balance considerations indicate that ocean floor Fe-Mn deposits are the major sink for Te in the oceans. The concentration and redox chemistry of Te in the global ocean are likely controlled by scavenging on Fe-Mn colloids in the water column and Fe-Mn deposits on the ocean floor, as is also the case for Ce.     

Geochemistry and U-series dating of Holocene and fossil marine hydrothermal manganese deposits from the Izu-Ogasawara arc

This study investigated Holocene and fossil hydrothermal manganese deposits in the Izu-Ogasawara arc. Mineralogically, these deposits comprise 10 Å and 7 Å manganate minerals, and the fossil samples showed higher 10 Å stabilities. Chemical compositions of the Holocene samples are typical of other hydrothermal manganese deposits, including low Fe/Mn ratios, low trace metals, and low rare earth elements. Although the fossil samples generally have similar chemical characteristics, they exhibit significant enrichment in Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, REE, Tl, and Pb contents. Furthermore, the chondrite-normalized REE patterns showed more light REE enrichment trends. These chemical characteristics suggest post-depositional uptake of these metals from seawater. U-Th dating of a Holocene hydrothermal manganese deposit from the Kaikata Seamount indicated 8.8 ± 0.94 ka for the uppermost layer and downward growth beneath the seafloor with a growth rate of ca. 2 mm/kyr. This is approximately three orders of magnitude faster than that of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts. U-Pb age of a fossil hydrothermal manganese deposit from the Nishi-Jokyo Seamount showed 4.4 ± 1.6 Ma, which was contemporary with basaltic volcanism (5.8 ± 0.3 Ma). Hydrothermal manganese deposits contain high concentrations of high value Mn, but only small amounts of valuable minor metals; their ages constrain the periods of past hydrothermal activity and provide a vector to explore for polymetallic sulfide deposits.     

A specific type of Fe-Mn mineralization on the Arctic seafloor

Three samples of Fe-Mn crusts overgrown on the surface of rocks are studied from the Mendeleev submarine rise located in the northern subpolar part of the Chukchi Sea. A massive crust up to 4–5 cm thick consists of an upper dense and lower denser layers similar in composition to the main one and contains 31–37% FeO and 11–13% MnO. Thin crusts and films are depleted in both components. Fe-vernadite is a major mineral of the crusts. The comparison of the major and trace element composition of the crusts with oceanic and marine nodules and hydrothermal crusts shows that they are mostly similar in composition to the nodules of the Bering Sea and are significantly distinct from the oceanic hydrothermal crusts. A small inclusion of the Pt-, Pd-, and Ru-rich (up to 1–2%) rock in one of the thin crusts points to the possible role of igneous rocks as a source of precious metals.     

西太平洋富钴结壳元素组合特征及其地质意义

海山富钴结壳是一种重要的海底固体矿产。对西太平洋海山的56个结壳样品进行了23种化学组分分析,并利用R型聚类分析和R型因子分析,分别提取四组元素组合和四个主因子。综合特征表明．富钴结壳在形成过程中,经历了一次强度较大的锰矿物相成矿作用,Co、Ni等元素的富集与此有关;铁矿物相的成矿作用强度较小,但表现出多期次的特点;锰、铁矿物是不同成矿作用的产物;结壳形成过程中,可能遭受了二次磷酸盐化作用,结壳中磷酸盐矿物的形成对铁矿物相的形成可能有抑制作用。     

Ni-Cu-Co-rich hydrothermal manganese mineralization in the Wallis and Futuna back-arc environment (SW Pacific)

The Wallis and Futuna back-arc system is a complex area composed of at least two active oceanic spreading centers (the Futuna and Alofi spreading centers) and young volcanic zones characterized by diffuse magmatism locally affected by the Samoan hotspot. This geological setting is favorable to the establishment of hydrothermal systems, in the form of either high-temperature (HT) hydrothermal venting or low-temperature (LT) diffuse flow. During the 2010 Futuna cruise aboard the R/V L'Atalante, three remarkable inactive LT Fe-Si-Mn deposits were discovered (Utu Uli, Anakele and Utu Sega). Some of the Mn-rich precipitates discovered exhibit the highest base metals concentrations so far recorded in ferromanganese rocks, including in the well-documented hydrogenetic crusts and polymetallic nodules. The deposits lie on top of volcanoes and formed in close association with the volcanic facies. The manganese mineralization occurs in the form of massive layered crusts and Mn-rich cements within strongly altered basaltic pyroclastic rocks, brecciated lavas and, more rarely, in sediments. Field observations and mineralogical and chemical studies support a hydrothermal origin for the mineralization and show that nickel, cobalt and copper enrichments are controlled by the precipitation of 7 Å and 10 Å manganates. The conventional geochemical classifications (e.g. Bonatti et al., 1972) used to decipher the origin of Mn mineralization cannot be used for this new type of deposit and new robust discrimination diagrams need to be established. We suggest that the unusual enrichment of metals recorded in our samples is due to (i) a lack of precipitation of high-temperature massive sulfides at depths that would have retained metals (e.g. Cu, Ni, Co); (ii) isolation of the hydrothermal system, thereby avoiding Ni, Co and Cu losses in the water column; and (iii) the ability of birnessite and buserite/todorokite to scavenge Co, Ni, and Cu from aqueous fluids. The Utu Uli and Anakele deposits share certain characteristics with the active hydrothermal system at Loihi seamount (e.g. the depth of mineralization, relationships with pyroclastic volcanoes, and the influence of a mantle plume source) and thus might represent late-stage products of this specific type of hydrothermal activity. Elsewhere, the Co-rich mineralization of the Calatrava volcanic field (CVF) in Spain may be a potential analog of the Utu Sega deposit. The Mn-(Co) deposits of the CVF formed in close proximity to Pliocene volcanic rocks. Metals were transported by epithermal hydrothermal solutions with high fO₂ and cobalt was scavenged by Mn oxides. Together with the well-documented stratabound Mn deposits (González et al., 2016; Hein et al., 2008; Hein et al., 1996), the Mn deposits discovered in the Wallis and Futuna back-arc provide crucial insights into LT hydrothermal activity in the deep ocean. The metal-rich character of this LT hydrothermal activity may be of major importance for future research on the net flux of hydrothermally derived metals (e.g. Ni, Co, Cu) to the open ocean.     

地球化学岩相学类型及其在沉积盆地分析中应用

按照流体地球化学动力学-岩石组合系列,地球化学岩相学相系统类型分为氧化-还原相(ORF)、酸碱相(Eh-pH F)、盐度相（SF）、温度相（TF）、压力相（PF）、化学位相（CF）、不等化学位相和不等时不等化学位地球化学岩相等8种。在沉积盆地分析中,地球化学岩相学主要用于沉积盆地物质组成及演化历史研究,恢复重建沉积盆地中流体场类型和成分特征、流体场分布范围及运移规律、流体场大规模运移机制及动力学、盆地改造过程中流体叠加关系等,进行深部找矿预测。     

Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotope Fractionation Mechanism in the Hydrothermal System and Its Geologic Significance

The geochemical behaviors of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in the hydrothermal system and their inher-ent relationship with the water / rock exchange are discussed in this paper In addition to the temperature con-ditions, the effective W / R ratio is another factor controlling the changes in H and O isotope compositions ofthe altered rock and hydrothermal water. Besides, the application and geological significance of the water-rockexchange theory are also discussed in the light of the H and O isotope compositions and their variation charac-teristics of the mineralizing hydrothermal water and altered rocks from several mineral deposits. Finally, abrief evolutional model of H and O istotope compositions of meteoric and magmatic hydrothermal waters in ahydrothermal system is given.     

Geochemistry of hydrothermal Mn-oxide deposits from the S.W. Pacific island arc

Hydrothermal Mn-oxide crusts have been removed from the Tonga-Kermadec Ridge, the first such hydrothermal deposits to be reported in the S.W. Pacific island arc. In several respects the deposits are similar to hydrothermal Mn-crusts from oceanic spreading centre settings. They are limited in areal extent, comprise well-crystalline birnessite and generally display extreme fractionation of Mn from Fe. They are strongly depleted in many elements compared to hydrogenous Mn deposits but are comparatively enriched in Li, Zn, Mo and Cd. The Group IA and Group IIA metals show strong intercorrelations and the behaviour of Mg in the purest samples may indicate the extent to which normal seawater has influenced the composition of the deposits.Certain aspects of the deposits are not typical of hydrothermal Mn deposits. In particular at least some of the crusts have developed on a sediment or unconsolidated talus substrate. Some crusts, or specific layers within some crusts, display a chemical composition which suggests a significant input from normal seawater.     

Compositional variation and genesis of ferromanganese crusts of the Afanasiy—Nikitin Seamount, Equatorial Indian Ocean

Eight ferromanganese crusts (Fe-Mn crusts) with igneous and sedimentary substrates collected at different water depths from the Afanasiy-Nikitin Seamount are studied for their bulk major, minor and rare earth element composition. The Mn/Fe ratios < 1.5 indicate the hydrogenetic accretion of the Fe-Mn hydroxides. These Fe-Mn crusts are enriched in Co (up to 0.9%, average ∼ 0.5%) and Ce. The Ce-content is the highest reported so far (up to 3763 ppm, average ∼ 2250 ppm) for global ocean seamount Fe-Mn crusts. In spite of general similarity in the range of major, minor, and strictly trivalent rare earth element composition, the dissimilarity between the present Fe-Mn crusts and the Pacific seamount Fe-Mn crusts in Co and Ce associations with major mineral phases indicates inter-oceanic heterogeneity and region-specific conditions responsible for their enrichment. The decrease in Ce-anomaly (from ∼ 8 to ∼ 1.5) with increasing water depth (from ∼ 1.7 km to ∼ 3.2 km) might suggest that the modern intermediate depth low oxygen layer was shifted and sustained at a deeper depth for a long period in the past.     

Pb isotope variations in hydrogenetic Fe–Mn crusts from the Izu–Bonin fore-arc

Fe–Mn crusts were recovered from the western escarpment of the Bonin Ridge in the Izu–Bonin fore-arc region (dive site #824: 28.612°N, 141.803°E) at water depths of c. 2900 m using the Shinkai 6500 submersible during cruise YK 04–05. Major and trace element data and XRD mineralogy indicate that the crusts are hydrogenetic in origin. We present profiles of variations in Pb isotope composition measured in-situ by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS across two of the crusts. The isotopic variations are systematic and can be matched up between the two crusts, indicating similar growth rates. The crust Pb isotope composition rules out any local source for Pb from within the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc system, either from hydrothermal activity or through leaching of volcanic detritus. Input of a globally well-mixed volcanic Pb component, either from aerosols or as an absorbed component on aeolian dust, has been proposed as a mechanism to explain the Pb isotope composition of Central Pacific deep water. However, the Izu–Bonin crusts are displaced to lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and higher ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, which requires an additional Pb source. One possibility is that as water is advected from the south, outboard of the Luzon–Ryukyu–Honshu arc system, it is progressively polluted by Pb derived by weathering and erosion of these young island arc volcanic systems. Using a constant Co-flux model, growth rates are estimated at ～ 7–13 mm/Ma, which would suggest that these crusts provide a record of changes in the composition of deep water in the Izu–Bonin fore-arc region of the western Pacific Ocean over the last 4–8 Ma. Over this interval, the main feature has been a progressive decrease in ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb (0.843 to 0.839) and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb (2.088 to 2.080) with time. The interior parts have compositions similar to those of crusts from the Izu–Bonin fore-arc, while the rims have compositions similar to crusts from the central Western Pacific.