Detecting inter-aquifer leakage in areas with limited data using hydraulics and multiple environmental tracers,including <Superscript>4</Superscript>He, <Superscript>36</Superscript>Cl/Cl, <Superscript>14</Superscript>C and <Superscript>87</Superscript>Sr/<Superscript>86</Superscript>Sr

The investigation of regionally extensive groundwater systems in remote areas is hindered by a shortage of data due to a sparse observation network, which limits our understanding of the hydrogeological processes in arid regions. The study used a multidisciplinary approach to determine hydraulic connectivity between the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) and the underlying Arckaringa Basin in the desert region of Central Australia. In order to manage the impacts of groundwater abstraction from the Arckaringa Basin, it is vital to understand its connectivity with the GAB (upper aquifer), as the latter supports local pastoral stations and groundwater-dependent springs with unique endemic flora and fauna. The study is based on the collation of available geological information, a detailed analysis of hydraulic data, and data on environmental tracers. Enhanced inter-aquifer leakage in the centre of the study area was identified, as well as recharge to the GAB from ephemeral rivers and waterholes. Throughout the rest of the study area, inter-aquifer leakage is likely controlled by diffuse inter-aquifer leakage, but the coarse spatial resolution means that the presence of additional enhanced inter-aquifer leakage sites cannot be excluded. This study makes the case that a multi-tracer approach along with groundwater hydraulics and geology provides a tool-set to investigate enhanced inter-aquifer leakage even in a groundwater basin with a paucity of data. A particular problem encountered in this study was the ambiguous interpretation of different age tracers, which is attributed to diffusive transport across flow paths caused by low recharge rates.     

Formation stages and ore matter sources of the Devdoraki copper deposit,Kazbek volcanic center,the Greater Caucasus

Comprehensive petrological–mineralogical, geochronological, and isotope-geochemical studies have been carried out at the Devdoraki copper deposit situated in the Kazbek neovolcanic center, the frontier territory between Georgia and Russia. The formation history of this deposit has been deciphered on the basis of K–Ar isotopic geochronological data, and the multistage evolution of ore–magmatic system has been established. The subeconomic disseminated and less abundant stringer pyrite mineralization formed at the first stage in the Early Cretaceous back to 130–120 Ma at the retrograde stage of regional metamorphism. The second productive stage was related to intense Quaternary volcanism of the Kazbek center. The late stringer base-metal mineralization formed about 400 ka ago in connection with the activity of minor volcanoes in the eastern part of deposit. In its western part adjoining the Kazbek volcanic cone, ore formation apparently continued over the entire period of recent magmatic activity from 400 to 100 ka ago. It is quite probable that this process is currently proceeding at deep levels of the Devdoraki deposit. Pb–Pb isotope-geochemical data show that Jurassic metasedimentary rocks that host sulfide mineralization could have been a main source of matter for early pyrite. At the second stage of base-metal mineralization formation, the source of ore matter was earlier metamorphic pyrite combined with hydrothermal solutions related to Quaternary endogenic activity within the Kazbek volcanic center. Gangue mineral matter (quartz, carbonates) was supplied simultaneously from the postmagmatic hydrothermal solution and host shale.     

Granitoid magmatism of the Lermontovskaya and Vostok-2 tungsten ore-magmatic systems: U-Pb (SHRIMP) dating and isotope characteristics (<Superscript>3</Superscript>He/<Superscript>4</Superscript>He) of ores

U-Pb (SHRIMP) isotope dating of magmatic complexes of tungsten ore-magmatic systems (OMSs) resulted in a conclusion about the close age (103–105 Ma) of their formation in the magmatic rock masses from the Tatibinsk plutonic series whose location is controlled by the Sikhote-Alin’ strike-slip fault system. The OMSs are formed within the zones of strike-slip fault extensions (“windows”) dipping into the mantle, which establishes the conditions for the participation of deep fluids in the generation of melts at the level of crustal-mantle interaction. The new data from the study of the isotope composition of helium in the fluid inclusions showed that the content of mantle helium in ores of tungsten OMSs is approximately 10%.     

Ore-bearing hydrothermal metasomatic processes in the Elbrus volcanic center, the northern Caucasus, Russia

Precaldera, caldera, and postcaldera cycles are recognized in the geological evolution of the Pleistocene-Holocene Elbrus volcanic center (EVC). During the caldera cycle, the magmatic activity was not intense, whereas hydrothermal metasomatic alteration of rocks was vigorous and extensive. The Kyukyurtli and Irik ore-magmatic systems have been revealed in the EVC, with the former being regarded as the more promising one. The ore mineralization in rocks of the caldera cycle comprises occurrences of magnetite, ilmenite, pyrite and pyrrhotite (including Ni-Co varieties), arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, millerite, galena, and finely dispersed particles of native copper. Pyrite and pyrrhotite from volcanics of the caldera cycle and dacite of the Kyukyurtli extrusion are similar in composition and differ from these minerals of the postcaldera cycle, where pyrite and pyrrhotite are often enriched in Cu, Co, and Ni and millerite is noted as well. The composition of ore minerals indicates that the hydrothermal metasomatic alteration related to the evolution of the Kyukyurtli hydrothermal system was superimposed on rocks of the caldera cycle, whereas the late mineralization in rocks of the postcaldera cycle developed autonomously. The homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions in quartz and carbonate from crosscutting veinlets in the apical portion of the Kyukyurtli extrusion is 140–170°C and in quartz from geyserite, 120–150°C. The temperature of formation of the chalcopyrite-pyrite-pyrrhotite assemblage calculated using mineral geothermometers is 156 and 275°C in dacite from the middle and lower portions of the Malka lava flow and 190°C in dacite of the Kyukyurtli extrusion. The hydrothermal solutions that participated in metasomatic alteration of rocks pertaining to the Kyukyurtli ore-magmatic system (KOMS) and formed both secondary quartzite and geyserite were enriched in fluorine, as evidenced from the occurrence of F-bearing minerals-zharchikhite, ralstonite, α-ralstonite, and fluorite-identified in these metasomatic rocks for the first time. By analogy with porphyry Cu-Mo deposits in Chile and the United States, the ore mineralization of the KOMS may be classified by composition and textural and structural attributes as a supraore level of porphyry copper genetic type. The volcanic rocks of the KOMS and the EVC as a whole are enriched in Ag, Mo, Zn, As, Sb, Se, and Ba. Judging from the scale of argillic alteration and taking into account the data on porphyry Cu-Mo ore-magmatic systems of the Greater Caucasus, veined Pb-Zn ore mineralization may be expected in the propylitic zone at a depth down to 1000 m from the present-day erosion level of the KOMS. Stringer-disseminated Au-Ag, Cu, and Cu-Mo ore mineralization of the upper part of the porphyry ore-magmatic system related to subvolcanic dacitic intrusions may be localized somewhat deeper.     

Detailed <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar dating of geologic events associated with the Mantos Blancos copper deposit,northern Chile

The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronological method was applied to date magmatic and hydrothermal alteration events in the Mantos Blancos mining district in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile, allowing the distinction of two separate mineralization events. The Late Jurassic Mantos Blancos orebody, hosted in Jurassic volcanic rocks, is a magmatic-hydrothermal breccia-style Cu deposit. Two superimposed mineralization events have been recently proposed. The first event is accompanied by a phyllic hydrothermal alteration affecting a rhyolitic dome. The second mineralization event is related to the intrusion of bimodal stocks and sills inside the deposit. Because of the superposition of several magmatic and hydrothermal events, the obtained ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data are complex; however, with a careful interpretation of the age spectra, it is possible to detect complex histories of successive emplacement, alteration, mineralization, and thermal resetting. The extrusion of Jurassic basic to intermediate volcanic rocks of the La Negra Formation is dated at 156.3 ± 1.4 Ma (2σ) using plagioclase from an andesitic lava flow. The first mineralization event and associated phyllic alteration affecting the rhyolitic dome occurred around 155–156 Ma. A younger bimodal intrusive event, supposed to be equivalent to the bimodal stock and sill system inside the deposit, is probably responsible for the second mineralization event dated at ca. 142 Ma. Other low-temperature alteration events have been dated on sericitized plagioclase at ca. 145–146, 125, and 101 Ma. This is the first time that two distinct mineralization events have been documented from radiometric data for a copper deposit in the metallogenic belt of the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Structural Transformations and Retention of Radiogenic <Superscript>4</Superscript>He in Platinum Minerals under Mechanical Deformations

The results are presented of the first studies to be carried out on ⁴He retention under mechanical deformation of isoferroplatinum (Pt₃Fe) from a unique placer deposit at the Konder and Uorgalan rivers and from indigenous shows of the alkaline–ultrabasic Konder Massif (Khabarovsk krai, Russia). It was found that the deformation of Pt₃Fe of the Pm-3m cell resulted in structural transformations with the appearance of domains and subsequent conversion into native platinum (Pt, Fe) of the Fm-3m cell.     

Geodynamic interpretation of the <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar dating of ophiolitic and arc-related mafics and metamafics of the northern part of the Anadyr-Koryak region

Isotope datings of amphibole-bearing mafics and metamafics in the northern part of the Anadyr-Koryak region allow clarification of the time of magmatic and metamorphic processes, which are synchronous with certain stages of the geodynamic development of the northwest segment of the Pacific mobile belt in the Phanerozoic. To define the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of amphiboles, eight samples of amphibole gabbroids and metamafics were selected during field work from five massifs representing ophiolites and mafic plutons of the island arc. Rocks from terranes of three foldbelts: 1) Pekulnei (Chukotka region), 2) Ust-Belaya (West Koryak region), and 3) the Tamvatnei and El’gevayam subterranes of the Mainits terrane (Koryak-Kamchatka region), were studied. The isotope investigations enabled us to divide the studied amphiboles into two groups varying in rock petrographic features. The first was represented by gabbroids of the Svetlorechensk massif of the Pekulnei Range and by ophiolites of the Tamvatnei Mts.; their magmatic amphiboles show the distribution of argon isotopes in the form of clearly distinguished plateau with an age ranging within 120–129 Ma. The second group includes metamorphic amphiboles of metagabbroids and apogabbro amphibolites of the Ust-Belaya Mts., Pekulnei and Kenkeren ranges (El’gevayam subterranes). Their age spectra show loss of argon and do not provide well defined plateaus the datings obtained for them are interpreted as minimum ages. Dates of amphiboles from the metagabbro of the upper tectonic plate of the Ust-Belaya allochthon points to metamorphism in the suprasubduction environment in the fragment of Late Neoproterozoic oceanic lithosphere in Middle-Late Devonian time, long before the Uda-Murgal island arc system was formed. The amphibolite metamorphism in the dunite-clinopyroxenite-metagabbro Pekulnei sequence was dated to occur at the Permian-Triassic boundary. The age of amphiboles from gabbrodiorites of the Kenkeren Range was dated to be Early Jurassic that confirmed their assignment to the El’gevayam volcanic-plutonic assemblage. These data are consistent with geological concepts and make more precise the available age dates. Neocomian-Aptian ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of amphibolites from the Pekulnei and Tamvatnei gabbroids make evident that mafics of these terranes (varying in geodynamic formation settings and in petrogenesis) were generated in later stages of the development of the West Pekulnei and Mainits-Algan Middle-Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous island arc systems, presumably due to breakup of island arcs in the Neocomian.     

Major events in evolution of the Kazbek neovolcanic center,Greater Caucasus: Isotope-geochronological data

The products of the activity of the Late Quaternary Kazbek neovolcanic center in the Greater Caucasus are studied by isotopic-geochronological methods. It is found that the youngest magmatism evolved during the last 400–450 k.y. over four discrete phases: 395–435, 200–250, 90–120, and less than 50 ka. The petrological-geochemical and published isotopic data point to the mixed mantle-crustal origin of the Kazbek lavas with the leading role of crystallization differentiation of deep magmas and assimilation of the crustal material. We recorded two episodes (～100 and less than 50 ka) of replenishment of the subsurface magmatic chamber under the Kazbek center by the main mantle melt and its mixing with the relict dacite magma that led to the formation of highly mobile hybrid andesite lavas and served as a trigger of the renewal of volcanic activity. Reactivation of the mantle source of the Kazbek center at the end of the Neopleistocene and the Holocene age of the last eruptions indicate the potential danger of this region because of the renewal of the volcanic activity. The medium Devdoraki copper deposit is located in the vicinity of the Kazbek volcano. It represents a unique polychronous, currently evolved ore-magmatic system that originated in the Jurassic.     

The performance of the Noblesse multi-collector noble gas mass spectrometer for <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar geochronology

Noblesse multi-collector noble gas mass spectrometer is specially designed for multi-collection of Ar isotopes with different beam sizes, especially for small ion beams, precisely, and hence is perfectly suitable for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology. We have analyzed widely used sanidine, muscovite, and biotite standards with recommended ages of ~ 1.2–133 Ma, with the aim to assess the reliability of Noblesse for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating. An ESI MIR10 30W CO₂ laser was used for total fusion or incremental heating samples. Extracted gases were routinely purified by four SAES NP10 getters (one at ~ 400 °C and others at room temperature). A GP50 getter and a metal cold finger cooled by liquid N (? 196 °C) were also attached for additional purification if necessary. The Ar isotopes were then measured by Noblesse using Faraday or multiplier according to the signal intensities. Over a period of 1.5 months 337 air calibrations produced a weighted mean ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar of 296.50 ± 0.08 (2σ, MSWD = 4.77). Fish Canyon sanidine is used to calculate J-values, which show good linear relationship with position in irradiation. The age of four mineral standards (Alder Creek sanidine, Brione muscovite, Yabachi sanidine, and Fangshan biotite) are within error of the accepted ages. Five Alder Creek sanidine aliquots yielded an age range of 1.174–1.181 ± 0.013 Ma (2σ) which broadly overlaps the established age of the standard and the uncertainty approaches those of the foremost Ar/Ar laboratories in the world. The weighted mean ages of four Brione muscovite aliquots (18.75 ± 0.16 Ma, 2σ), five Yabachi sanidine aliquots (29.50 ± 0.19 Ma, 2σ), and three Fangshan biotite aliquots (133.0 ± 0.76 Ma, 2σ) are consistent with the recommended values of these standards, and the uncertainties are typical of modern Ar/Ar laboratories world-wide.     

<Superscript>226</Superscript>Ra, <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th and <Superscript>40</Superscript>K activities in soils of Cuihua Mountain National Geological Park,China

Gamma activity from the naturally occurring radionuclides namely, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, the primordial radionuclide ⁴⁰K was measured in the soil of Cuihua Mountain National Geological Park, China using γ-ray spectrometry technique. The mean activity of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found to be 27.2 ± 6.5, 43.9 ± 6.2 and 653.1 ± 127.6 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of these radionuclides were compared with the typical world values and the average activities of Chinese soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, the annual effective dose rate, and the external hazard index were evaluated and compared with the internationally approved values. All the soil samples have Ra_eq lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg⁻¹ and H _ex less than unity. The overall mean outdoor terrestrial gamma dose rate is 66.3 nGy h⁻¹ and the corresponding outdoor annual effective dose is 0.081 mSv.     

Chemical and isotopic (<Superscript>18</Superscript>O/<Superscript>16</Superscript>O and D/<Superscript>1</Superscript>H) composition of groundwaters of central and southern Primorye

Groundwaters of Primorye, including its coastal areas, were studied during the past ten years. The macro-and microelement composition of more than 130 samples showed that shallow groundwaters of southern Primorye with pH ranging between 5.4 and 8.4 contain oxygen (up to 10 mg/l) and typically have a mixed ionic composition. The microelement variations reflect both the natural features of the host rocks and possible anthropogenic pollution in the most populated areas. No seawater intrusions were recognized in the study areas, which is confirmed by the chemical composition of the waters, the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of the groundwaters, the atmospheric precipitation, and the coastal seawaters of Primorye. In spite of the variations of individual components, the quality of the groundwaters used for potable purposes is rather satisfactory as compared to the Russian and the World Health Organization standards. At the same time, taking into account the increase of various microelements and biogenic components in the waters, the monitoring and control of the water composition is strongly recommended to preserve their potable quality.     

Cosmogenic radionuclide <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be concentration in seven species of lichens and its correlation with <Superscript>40</Superscript>K, <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs and <Superscript>226</Superscript>Ra

In this work, accumulation of cosmogenic radionuclide ⁷Be in seven species of lichens was determined using HPGe detectors in autumn season. Ramsar city which is located in the north of Iran as one of the high-level natural radiation areas in the world was considered. Lichen species represented good potential in accumulation of ⁷Be radionuclide. The foliose species of Xanthoria parietina with the highest activity concentration value of 112.8 ± 1.8 Bq kg^?1 was introduced as bioindicator for accumulation of ⁷Be radionuclide. Cladonia rangiformis species has got minimum concentration of 64.5 ± 0.8 Bq kg^?1. Also from thallus morphology viewpoint, results showed that ⁷Be accumulation in foliose species is higher than in fruticose and crustose lichens species. Also there was relatively large positive correlation between ⁷Be and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations in lichens species.     

Detection of <Superscript>3</Superscript>H and <Superscript>85</Superscript>Kr in groundwater from arsenic-bearing crystalline bedrock of the Goose River basin,Maine

Presence of young groundwater (post-1950) in the Goose River basin is demonstrated with ³H and ⁸⁵Kr analyses. A total of 96 wells and four springs were sampled quarterly from 1999 to 2001 to determine the extent of any recent recharge and to what depth hydraulic continuity existed in the groundwatershed (33.3 km²). Recharge groundwater is less than 50 years in about 31% (³H) to 37% (⁸⁵Kr) of sampled wells and 75% of sampled springs. Young groundwater ages are recorded in wells up to 320 m in depth within fractured- and arsenic-bearing crystalline bedrock. Total arsenic 10 g L^–1 occurs significantly in drinking water with young groundwater flowing through the pumping well intervals. As_total occurs in 89% (⁸⁵Kr) to 93% (³H) of all wells with post-1950 groundwater ages. Young groundwater recharge and elevated geogenic arsenic were discovered only in the anatectic granitoids and migmatized country rock of the southwestern part of the Goose River basin.