NdSr isotope and REE geochemistry of alkali basalts from the Massif Central,France

Nd and Sr isotopic compositions as well as trace element concentrations have been determined on a suite of alkali basalts from the Massif Central, in France. Samples show a typical enrichment in incompatible elements. In particular, the REE patterns exhibit a strong fractionation characterized by a ($\text{La}\text{Yb}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}$ ratio of about 20. The Yb_N content is about 10 times chondrite. The $\text{143}\text{Nd}\text{144}\text{Nd}$ ratios exhibit a range from 0.512775 to 0.512989, values quite comparable to those from oceanic island basalts. The $\text{87}\text{Sr}\text{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios vary between 0.70338 and 0.70458 and are anti-correlated with the Nd isotopic ratio.The isotopic and the trace element (in particular REE) data have been used in order to quantitatively model the genesis of the alkali basalts. Among the several types of models tested here, the most likely one appears to be the model of mantle metasomatism. A semi-quantitative approach shows that the source of alkali basalts from the Massif Central was metasomatized prior to melting. In such a model, the basalts could be produced by rather high degrees of partial melting (such as 10 or 15%) of the metasomatically enriched mantle.     

Amphibolite facies conditions in the oceanic crust: example of amphibolitized flaser-gabbro and amphibolites from the Chenaillet ophiolite massif (Hautes Alpes,France)

Petrological and mineralogical data on amphibolitized gabbros from an Alpine ophiolite massif (Chenaillet Massif, France) are presented. Comparison with metagabbros dredged from the ocean floor shows that synkinematic amphibolite facies conditions may be reached in gabbros after their initial crystallization in the vicinity of the ridge. It is suggested that sub-horizontal plastic flow took place in the gabbroic layer near the axis of a slowly spreading ocean ridge before the intrusion of diabase dykes. This thermo-tectonic regime which at the Chenaillet produced flaser-gabbros and layers of foliated amphibolites with brown hornblende and pargasite, probably also affected most of the other ophiolitic gabbros of the Piemont zone prior to the low-temperature/high-pressure Alpine metamorphism.     

Lack of effect of ingested Forties field crude oil on avian growth

The reported cessation of growth by young herring gulls dosed with Kuwait and Louisiana crude oil was not observed when chicks of herring gull and other birds were dosed with Forties crude oil from the North Sea. One reason for this discrepancy is thought to be that the former birds may already have completed their growth at the time of the experiments.     

Relations entre les concentrations des ions alcalins dans les eaux thermales sulfurées sodiques du Midi de la France

Alkali ion concentrations were studied in hot sulphurated springs in the south of France. Strong correlations between elements (K-Rb, K-Cs and Na-Li) are found. The element concentrations are also closely related with deep temperature as estimated by classical geothermometers. A discussion of the origin of the interelement correlations is presented. Further studies on the behaviour of trace elements during mineral dissolution are needed and can yield interesting methods of investigation in geothermal exploration.

Résumé

L'étude des concentrations des ions alcalins dissous dans les eaux thermales sulfurées du Midi de la France montrent de très nettes corrélations entre éléments (K-Rb, K-Cs et Na-Li) ainsi que des corrélations entre concentrations d'éléments et température profonde estimée à l'aide des géothermomètres classiques. Plusieurs suggestions quant à l'explication des relations observées sont présentées. Une bonne compréhension du comportement des ions en trace lors de la dissolution des minéraux par l'eau aurait certainement des retombées intéressantes en prospection géothermique.     

Variable parent magmas and recharge regimes of the Parinacota magma system (N. Chile) revealed by Fe, Mg and Sr zoning in plagioclase

Zoning patterns of An content and Fe, Mg and Sr concentrations in plagioclase phenocrysts in andesites from Parinacota Volcano (N. Chile) reflect alternating recharge events with two chemically distinct mafic magmas. These magmas are characterized by low and high Sr contents, similar to two recent mafic flank eruptions. One end-member basaltic andesite shows large Sr enrichment and Heavy Rare Earth depletions and thus equilibrated with lower-crustal rocks at depth where plagioclase (high Sr) is unstable, and garnet (high HREE, Y) is stable. A second end-member magma is lower in Sr, Ba contents and has REE patterns typical for parent magmas elsewhere in the Central Andes.

The number of recorded recharge events increases after a catastrophic sector collapse and during the subsequent rebuilding of the stratocone. Variations of An, Fe and Mg contents and morphology of zones suggest also changes in water pressure, including decompression under water under-saturated and water-saturated conditions. Evidence for decompression is more present in post-collapse samples, suggesting that the change in the volcano dynamics involves changes in magma chamber location. This shows the importance of the cone collapse event in the volcano's magmatic evolution. We propose that both end-members are only seen at the surface of Parinacota Volcano because of the particular dynamics of this volcanic system and that similar processes might occur in other volcanic centres of the Central Volcanic Zone.     

Heavy metal concentrations in sediment deposits on the Tar River floodplain following Hurricane Floyd

The relation between the magnitude of a flood event and the resulting environmental impacts remains unclear. This study examines the impact of the flood of record on heavy metal deposition on the Tar River floodplain in eastern North Carolina, USA. Samples of sediment deposited on the floodplain following Hurricane Floyd were collected from 85 sites along the lower Tar River basin and analyzed for heavy metal concentration. The Hurricane Floyd event is the flood of record for the Tar River basin. Despite the magnitude of the flood, little suspended sediment was deposited on the floodplain. In almost all cases the deposition was less than 0.2 cm. There was variability in heavy metal content from site to site, but the overall concentrations were lower than might be expected for a flood of the magnitude of Floyd. To aid in comparison of contamination levels, the heavy metal concentrations were normalized to two environmental standards; the EPA preliminary remediation goals for residential soil and the general background concentrations of stream sediments throughout the Tar River basin. Most samples were highly enriched in heavy metals relative to the background concentration of stream sediments. However, samples were generally not contaminated relative to EPA PRG regulations. Arsenic, which was significantly elevated in nearly all samples, was the only exception. This contradiction makes it clear that the standard to which contaminants are compared must be considered carefully. The overall low concentration of heavy metals was likely the result of smaller flooding from Hurricane Dennis, 10 days prior to Hurricane Floyd, moving most of the stored sediment out of the basin prior to wide-spread overtopping of the banks. The implication is that event sequencing is as important as flood magnitude when examining environmental impacts.     

Accurate and High-Precision Measurement of Lithium Isotopes in Two Reference Materials by MC-ICP-MS

We report here a newly developed method for measurement of Li isotopes by use of multi-collector ICP-MS (Neptune) allowing rapid and high precision determination of Li isotope ratios at low levels of lithium (15–20 ng). The lithium reference sample solution IRMM-016 was analysed over a period of ten months with an external reproducibility of 0.24% (2s, n = 52). Chemical separation of Li from matrix was performed on the seawater sample IRMM BCR-403, for which a mean δ⁷Li value of + 31.0 ± 0.1 % (2s/√n, n = 31) was obtained. This mean value is in good agreement with those previously published for other seawater samples. BCR-403 seawater being readily available, we propose that this seawater sample be used as a reference sample for Li isotope measurements.