Testing the reliability of the JEOL FEGSEM 6500F electron microprobe for quantitative major element analysis of glass shards from rhyolitic tephra

Coulter, S. E., Pilcher, J. R., Hall, V. A., Plunkett, G. & Davies, S. M. 2009: Testing the reliability of the JEOL FEGSEM 6500F electron microprobe for quantitative major element analysis of glass shards from rhyolitic tephra. Boreas , 10.1111/j.1502-3885.2009.00113.x. ISSN 0300-9483.
Electronprobe microanalysis is now widely adopted in tephra studies as a technique for determining the major element geochemistry of individual glass shards. Accurate geochemical characterization is crucial for enabling robust tephra-based correlations; such information may also be used to link the tephra to a specific source and often to a particular eruption. In this article, we present major element analyses for rhyolitic natural glass standards analysed on three different microprobes and the new JEOL FEGSEM 6500F microprobe at Queen's University Belfast. Despite the scatter in some elements, good comparability is demonstrated among data yielded from this new system, the previous Belfast JEOL-733 Superprobe, the JEOL-8200 Superprobe (Copenhagen) and the existing long-established microprobe facility in Edinburgh. Importantly, our results show that major elements analysed using different microprobes and variable operating conditions allow two high-silica glasses to be discriminated accurately.     

Trace Element and Sr-Pb-Nd-Hf Isotope Evidence for Ancient, Fluid-Dominated Enrichment of the Source of Aldan Shield Lamproites

A phase of Mesozoic extension associated with the terminationof continental collision at the southern margin of the AldanShield produced ultrabasic lamproites in a discontinuous belt500 km long and 150 km wide. The lamproites, locally poorlydiamondiferous, were emplaced as dykes, sills and pipes. AllAldan lamproites have primitive chemical characteristics (e.g.MgO up to 22·7 wt %) and are ultrapotassic (K₂O up to8·3 wt %) and peralkaline with K₂O + Na₂O/Al₂O₃ in therange 0·6–1·16. A distinctive feature ofthese rocks is their low TiO₂ content (0·5–1·4wt %). Aldan lamproites are moderately light rare earth element(LREE) enriched with (La/Yb)_N ranging from 10 to 47. Heavy rareearth element (HREE) abundances are lower than for all otherlamproites by up to a factor of five. Therefore, the combinedmajor and trace element characteristics of the Aldan samplesare not typical of other lamproite occurrences. Large ion lithophileelement concentrations are high (100–800 x Primitive Mantle)but the high field strength elements (HFSE; Nb, Ta, Ti) plusTh and U display unusually low concentrations for rocks of thistype. The style of trace element enrichment recorded by theAldan Shield lamproites is comparable with that of subduction-relatedmagmatism. The Aldan lamproites have among the most extremeinitial isotopic ratios yet recorded from mantle-derived magmas;_Ndi = –10·3 to –22·3, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i =0·7055–0·7079, _Hfi = –7·6 to–29·4 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 16·6–17·4.When interpreted in terms of multi-stage Pb isotope evolution,the Pb isotope data require fractionation from a Bulk Earthreservoir at 3·0 Ga and subsequent evolution with second-stageµ values between 6·4 and 8·0. The inferredArchaean age of the lamproite source is consistent with Nd andHf model ages, which range from 1·5 to 3·0 Ga.Aldan lamproites have _Hf values that range from +3 to –7.Trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic ratiosshow coherent variations that suggest that Archaean source enrichmentproduced the negative _Hf as a result of metasomatism by slab-derivedhydrous melts that left rutile–garnet-bearing residua.We conclude that relatively large degrees of partial meltingproduced the lamproites (>5%), which explains the preservationof the isotope–trace element correlations and the lowREE contents. Although high-quality trace element data (e.g.HFSE) are not available for most lamproites, it appears thatmany of their source regions contain a component of recycledoceanic crust, possibly including subducted sediment. The sourcesof the Aldan and many other lamproites are distinct from oceanisland basalt mantle sources. This suggests that the long-termstorage of trace element enriched lamproite sources occurredin the sub-continental lithospheric mantle and not at depthwithin the convecting asthenosphere. KEY WORDS: potassic volcanism; isotope geochemistry; fluid enrichment     

Glacial meltwater erosion and sedimentation as evidence for multiple glaciations in west Wales

This article presents the results of a geomorphological and sedimentological investigation of former glacial meltwater drainage in the region of the lower Afon Teifi, one of the major rivers of southwest Wales. Former drainage characteristics in the region are reconstructed concentrating on palaeo-drainage routes associated with successive Pleistocene glaciations and their role in the Quaternary evolution of the lower Teifi. Mapping of these features throughout a c. 100 km ² area reveals a complex evolution in the establishment of the present-day drainage system, with evidence for the following surface channel types: (i) type 1 channels of primary subglacial origin cut during the late Devensian (late Wisconsinan/late Weichselian) glaciation; (ii) type 2 channels representing either pre-late Devensian subaerial fluvial run-off, unconnected to the course of the preglacial Afon Teifi, or originating as subglacial chute channels; (iii) type 3 channels developed as subglacially modified pre-late Devensian tributaries of the Afon Teifi. Two further features are also described: (iv) type 4 channels are drift-plugged abandoned preglacial courses of the Afon Teifi, and (v) type 5 channels formed as lateglacial and post-late Devensian gorges which bypass type 4 channels. A relative chronostratigraphy based on channel geomorphology and sedimentology reveals an evolutionary sequence considerably more complicated than identified in previous studies, with extensive modification of the lower Afon Teifi region by glacial meltwater during at least two periods of Pleistocene glaciation.     

A Non-cognate Origin for the Gibeon Kimberlite Megacryst Suite, Namibia: Implications for the Origin of Namibian Kimberlites

Trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope analyses arepresented on unaltered kimberlites and clinopyroxenes and garnetsof the low-Cr megacryst suite from the Gibeon Province, Namibia.Significant Sr and Pb isotope disequilibrium between the kimberlitesand megacrysts establishes that the megacrysts are not cognatematerial. Calculated equilibrium melts for the megacrysts haverare earth element contents comparable with those of alkalibasalts. Rb–Sr mica ages,     

Contemporary Geographies of Indigenous Rights and Interests in Rural Australia

More than half of Australia's lands and coastal regions are now encompassed within the boundaries of native title claims. The claims and the 'native title communities' who have lodged them are shaping a new geography of Australia's lands and seascapes. These communities derive from traditional ownership and thus have a different, and more fundamentally authoritative, basis to the indigenous 'residential communities' whose representative organisations are the mechanism through which governments have promoted indigenous self-management and which dominate in public affairs. Recognition of native title provides some opportunities for indigenous people to negotiate for benefits which will address their marginalised and economically dependent status but these are limited by the protection given to non-indigenous interests and are often proving they can be very difficult to realise. Overcoming indigenous marginalisation, promoting co-existence between indigenous and other Australians, and securing sustainability in rural regions requires that institutional reform goes beyond legally bounded interpretations of where native title does and does not still exist. Rebuilding indigenous institutions for governance of country is fundamental to achieving necessary change but political will and resources to support the process are critically lacking.     

A revised seismic stratigraphy for Quaternary deposits on the inner continental shelf west of Scotland between 55°30'N and 57°30'N

A stratigraphy for Quaternary deposits on the western Scottish shelf has been erected using seismic and borehole data. Eight new formations are defined and described with evidence presented for the environ-ment of deposition of each formation. Most of the Quaternary sediments preserved on the shelf arc shown to have accumulated under stadial or glacial conditions. The possible age of each formation is discussed within the context of evidence provided from the mainland, shelf and deep-sea cores. Two are thought to be pre-Devensian, one is possibly pre-Devcnsian. one is possibly Early and/or Middle Devensian, two are probably Late Devensian, one is Late Devensian to Holocenc and one Present day in age. It is suggested that the Late Devensian ice reached the shelf margin south of the Outer Hebridcan Platform.