Petrogenesis of Archaean ultrabasic and basic volcanics: Evidence from rare earth elements

Rare earth element (REE) and major element data are presented on 44 Archaean samples which include spinifex textured ultramagnesian lavas (STPK) spinifex textured basalts (STB) and low MgO tholeiites. The samples come from the Yilgarn and Pilbara Blocks (W. Australia), Barberton (South Africa), Belingwe and Que Que (Rhodesia), Abitibi (Canada) and the 3.7 b.y. Isua Belt of Western Greenland. In addition REE data are given on three near primitive mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and a glassy MORB-type basalt from Taiwan. We suggest that REE patterns, particularly the light REE and Eu, can be affected by metamorphism, but argue that the consistency of pattern from samples both within and between areas enables recognition of primary patterns. La/Sm ratios of 2.7 b.y. STPK are characterised by being lower than those of associated basalts. The 3.5 b.y. STPK Barberton material does not show this feature but instead displays significant heavy REE depletion. The separation of garnet from these liquids is suggested as a possible mechanism for the high CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios, (Al loss) and the heavy REE and Sc depletion. The REE data on Barberton material is equivocal on the derivation of the so-called basaltic komatiites from the peridotitic komatiites. However, REE analyses on STPK and high magnesian lavas from elsewhere suggests that crystal fractionation is not a viable mechanism to produce one from the other. We suggest instead, that varying amounts of partial melting of different sources is responsible for the spectrum of compositions. The STB appear to be an easily recognised rock type within the Archaean. They are characterised by quench (clinopyroxene) textures and a light REE enriched pattern. It is suggested that these are near primary melts and that their REE patterns mirror their mantle source. We propose a two stage model for the 2.7 b.y. mafic complexes, in which, prior to the generation of ultrabasic magmas, the source underwent a small amount of partial melting which resulted in the removal of a melt enriched in incompatible elements. The depletion process could be achieved either during mantle diapirism or by upward migration of interstitial melts into an Archaean low velocity zone. The spread of La/Sm ratios in STPK and STB is used as an argument that the Archaean mantle was chemically heterogeneous and that the degree of heterogeneity was similar to that observed in modern ocean volcanics. As a result, partial melting of the mantle under different P-T conditions produced a spectrum of magma types. The information presently available on Archaean mafic and silicic magmatism and the incompleteness of geochemical data on present day tectonic environments are two major obstacles in formulating Archaean tectonic models. In addition a comparison of present day and Archaean ultramafic and silicic rocks suggests that plate tectonic models as presently understood may not be suitable analogues for all Archaean tectonic environments.     

新疆乔尕山金矿床成矿流体来源研究

对乔尕山金矿床脆韧性剪切变质成矿作用阶段形成的受不同程度剪切的石英脉中流体包裹体气相成分分析表明,由糜棱岩化石英脉→初糜棱岩石英脉→石英脉糜棱岩,气相成分总量及主要组分Ｈ２Ｏ和ＣＯ２的含量均呈有规律的降低。两个主要成矿阶段形成的石英脉具有相似的Ｈ、Ｏ同位素组成,δ＾１８ＯＨ２Ｏ＝５．２５‰～９．５４‰,δＤＨ２Ｏ＝－７０．９‰,～－４２．０‰,受剪切岩石中矿物中流体包裹体所代表的流体是韧性剪切金矿     

Geology, geochemistry and sulfur isotope composition of the Late Proterozoic Jingtieshan (Superior-type) hematite-jasper-barite iron ore deposits associated with stratabound Cu mineralization in the Gansu Province, China

The Jingtieshan deposit occurs in a Precambrian tectonic-stratigraphic terrane within the Northern Qilian Caledonian Orogen, and is generally considered as a Superior-type iron formation. The deposit is characterized by Fe-Si-Ba and Cu mineralization and consists of two types of orebodies, an upper jasper-barite-iron deposit and a lower copper sulfide deposit. The iron orebodies occur as independent stratigraphic layers concordant within a thick argillaceous succession, and exhibit fine-grained textures and well-developed sedimentary layering. The ores are predominantly composed of specularite and jasper with lesser amounts of magnetite, hematite, siderite, and barite. The presence of barite, hematite and jasper as major components shows that the iron ores were precipitated in a relatively oxidized ocean floor environment. The Cu orebody directly underlies the iron ore and is hosted by chlorite-sericite-quartz phyllite. The Cu mineralization is composed of pyrite and chalcopyrite and is characterized by stockwork. The disseminated and stockwork Cu mineralization is metamorphosed and concordant with respect to foliation, indicating pre-fabric development, i.e. pre-metamorphism, and was probably originally formed by reduced fluids reacting at the base of and within the oxide iron formation. Geochemical data show that the jasper-barite-iron ores, which resemble Superior-type iron formations, have a high input of hydrothermal-hydrogeneous elements (SiO₂, av.=56%; Fe₂O_3t, av.=30%; Mn, av.=0.45%; BaO, av.=16.7%) with minimal terrigeneous input (<15% combined Al₂O₃, TiO₂, K₂O, MgO, etc.). The δ³⁴S of exhalative barite varies from 28 to 34‰, which is very heavy with respect to other Late Proterozoic sulfate-bearing deposits, except those of circa 600 Ma in which the sulfides range from 8 to 20‰. The sulfur isotope data indicate that the barite was formed by the mixing of a Ba-rich hydrothermal fluid with sulfate-rich ambient seawater and that the sulfides ores were most probably derived from the reduction of seawater sulfate during subsurface reaction with ferrous iron-bearing minerals. These data are consistent with the jasper-barite-iron deposit forming by hydrothermal exhalative and chemical sedimentary processes on the floor of an ocean basin, and with the Cu mineralization forming by hydrothermal filling and replacement in base of and within the iron formation. Received: 19 March 1997 / Accepted: 14 May 1998     

Instability of seawater pH in the South China Sea during the mid-late Holocene: Evidence from boron isotopic composition of corals

We used positive thermal ionization mass spectrometry (PTIMS) to generate high precision δ¹¹B records in Porites corals of the mid-late Holocene from the South China Sea (SCS). The δ¹¹B values of the Holocene corals vary significantly, ranging from 22.2‰ to 25.5‰. The paleo-pH records of the SCS, reconstructed from the δ¹¹B data, were not stable as previously thought but show a gradual increase from the Holocene thermal optimal and a sharp decrease to modern values. The latter is likely caused by the large amount of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions since the Industrial Revolution but variations of atmospheric pCO₂ cannot explain the pH change of the SCS before the Industrial Revolution. We suggest that variations of monsoon intensity during the mid-late Holocene may have driven the sea surface pH increase from the mid to late Holocene. Results of this study indicate that the impact of anthropogenic atmospheric CO₂ emissions may have reversed the natural pH trend in the SCS since the mid-Holocene. Such ocean pH records in the current interglacial period can help us better understand the physical and biological controls on ocean pH and possibly predict the long-term impact of climate change on future ocean acidification.     

岩盐及芒硝中各种化合物质量分数的计算

本文以等物质的量的反应规则建立了岩盐、芒硝中各种化合物的质量分数的计算公式。这些公式既符合法定计量单位的要求，又方便计算。     

把握新机遇实现新发展为实现我局"十五"改革发展目标任务而努力奋斗

这次会议是进入新世纪我局第一次工作会议,是一次总结过去,谋划未来的重要会议,开好这次会议对我局在新世纪实现新发展有着十分重要的意义.会议的主要内容是认真学习温家宝副总理的重要讲话精神,总结回顾"九五"地矿工作改革发展的基本情况,讨论修改我局"十五"改革发展纲要、"十五"前三年经济责任制考核办法和精神文明建设考核办法,安排部署2001年工作.下面我代表局党组作工作报告.     

地球数据是地球科学创新的重要源泉——从地球科学谈科学数据共享

地球科学的科技活动产生地球数据，地球数据又是形成地球科学假说、模式和理论的根据。同时，当代人类活动包括经济活动、社会活动、日常生活和军事活动等，越来越多地需要地球信息数据服务。     

Effect of degree of saturation on mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils and its elastoplastic simulation

The two stress-state variable approach has been widely used in interpreting unsaturated soil behaviour. However this approach cannot take into account the effect of degree of saturation or water contents on the stress–strain behaviour and strength of unsaturated soils. The triaxial test results presented in this paper show that even if the same path of net stress and suction is followed, the stress–strain relation and strength are different due to different degrees of saturation. When other conditions are the same, the higher the degree of saturation for the soil sample is, the higher the stress ratio corresponding to a given axial strain will be. This effect can be modeled by using an elasto-plastic constitutive model coupling hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils. Comparisons between the predicted and measured results are presented, which demonstrate that the model can quantitatively simulate the influence of the degree of saturation on stress–strain behaviour and strength of unsaturated soils.