Re-Os and Lu-Hf Isotope Constraints on the Origin and Age of Pyroxenites from the Beni Bousera Peridotite Massif: Implications for Mixed Peridotite-Pyroxenite Mantle Sources

A suite of pyroxenites from the Beni Bousera peridotite massif,northern Morocco, have been analysed for Re–Os and Lu–Hfisotopic compositions. Measured sections of the massif indicatethat pyroxenite layers make up between 1 and 9% by volume ofthe total outcrop. Clinopyroxenes from two Cr-diopside pyroxeniteshave unradiogenic Hf isotope compositions (     

Zircon M127 – A Homogeneous Reference Material for SIMS U–Pb Geochronology Combined with Hafnium,Oxygen and,Potentially, Lithium Isotope Analysis

In this article, we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS‐determined mean U–Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U (weighted means, 2s uncertainties). Its ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The δ¹⁸O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2s), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP‐MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2s). The SIMS‐determined δ⁷Li value is ?0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2s), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 μg g^?1 Li (2s). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 μg g^?1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time‐integrated self‐irradiation dose of 1.82 × 10¹⁸ alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U–Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2s), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U–Pb ages by means of SIMS in combination with hafnium and stable isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) determination.     

Implications of garnet resorption for the Lu–Hf garnet geochronometer: an example from the contact aureole of the Makhavinekh Lake Pluton,Labrador

In the contact aureole of the Makhavinekh Lake Pluton (MLP), Labrador, garnet resorption caused redistribution of Lu and loss of Hf, creating spuriously young Lu–Hf garnet ages. Garnet grew during granulite facies regional metamorphism at 1860–1850 Ma. At 1322 Ma, garnet rims were replaced by coronas of cordierite and orthopyroxene during contact metamorphism. Garnet–ilmenite Lu–Hf geochronology using bulk‐garnet separates yields apparent ages that young from 1876 ± 21 Ma at 4025 m from the contact to 1396 ± 8 Ma at 450 m from the contact. Toward the contact, garnet crystals are progressively more resorbed. Concentrations of Lu measured by LA‐ICP‐MS along radial traverses on central sections through relict garnet decrease gently away from the cores but rise steeply within 50–200 μm of the edges of the relicts. Enrichments of Lu in rims of relict garnet demonstrates strong partitioning of Lu into garnet during resorption and modest intracrystalline diffusion. Hafnium distributions could not be measured, but considering the strong incompatibility of Hf with garnet, it is likely that nearly all Hf in resorbed portions of the garnet was lost from the crystals. Lu–Hf ages in the aureole are thus controlled predominantly by this retention of Lu and loss of Hf during garnet resorption. This deduction was tested with a simple numerical model in which the partial retention of Lu and loss of Hf is tracked as a population of garnet is resorbed. Assuming a spherical geometry for garnet porphyroblasts, Rayleigh fractionation is used to approximate initial Lu zoning profiles ranging from flat to steeply decreasing toward garnet rims. The model simulates: (i) Lu–Hf decay for a specified period before resorption; (ii) instantaneous resorption with retention of Lu and loss of Hf from the resorbed portion of the crystal and (iii) Lu–Hf decay during a specified period after resorption. Several parameters influence the modelled age, but garnet resorption and Lu retention are the primary factors. When all other parameters are held constant, larger amounts of resorption and higher degrees of Lu retention produce younger apparent ages (false ages). Similarly, flatter initial Lu profiles yield younger apparent ages as a consequence of the larger proportion of Lu and Hf that resides in the outer portions of the porphyroblast. The difference between the apparent and actual ages is greater if the duration of the pre‐resorption decay period is large relative to the post‐resorption decay period. Larger crystals in a Gaussian crystal‐size distribution (CSD) generally dominate the Lu–Hf budget and produce an older apparent age relative to the age of the mean crystal size. Compared to a symmetrical Gaussian CSD, positively skewed CSDs result in reduced resorption of large crystals and produce an older apparent age. Application of the model to the MLP aureole, positing growth at 1850 Ma and resorption at 1320 Ma, yields model ages that young from 1850 to 1374 Ma toward the contact, in good agreement with the apparent ages determined from geochronology.     

Two age populations of zircons from the Timber Creek kimberlites,Northern Territory,as determined by laser ablation ICP MS analysis

Two populations of kimberlitic zircon are present in the Timber Creek kimberlites, Northern Territory. Laser ablation ICP MS U—Pb dating yields an age of 1483 ± 15 (2σ) Ma for the main group and an age of 179 ± 2 Ma for the other group. This distinction of two age groups is strongly supported by Hf isotope data on the same zircons. Although the trace element patterns of both populations are typical of mantle derived zircons, the ‘young’ population has slightly higher concentrations of most trace elements, but has lower Hf, Nb, Ta and Pb contents. The distinct differences in trace element contents and Hf isotopic composition of the two zircon populations indicate that they were derived from different magma sources. The dating results indicate that the emplacement age of the Timber Creek kimberlites cannot be older than the age of the ‘young’ zircon population (i.e. 179 ± 2 Ma). This clarifies the inconsistency between the previously reported SHRIMP age of the Timber Creek zircons (1462 ± 53 Ma) and the much younger age (1200 Ma) of the sediments of the Victoria River Basin into which these kimberlites have intruded. The Timber Creek kimberlites are a newly recognised extension of the widespread Jurassic kimberlite activity known in Western Australia and South Australia (Wandagee, Orroroo, Cleve and Eurelia kimberlites).     

海洋铪同位素演化及其对大陆物源与洋流变化的启示

尽管海洋铪(Hf)同位素早在20世纪80年代就有报道,但直到最近几年随着分析测试技术的发展,它作为示踪陆源风化输入和洋流循环改变的新指标才越来越受到关注。综述了全球大洋Hf同位素现代分布以及新生代演化特点,其中最重要的现象是Nd-Hf同位素投影图上海水与岩石具有不一致的趋势线。在这些观测资料的基础上着重讨论了围绕海洋Hf同位素物源争议的一系列问题,阐述了海洋热液系统、大陆差异风化、洋岛陆架沉积物溶解等对海洋Hf的贡献以及Hf,Nd存留时间不一致等对海洋Hf同位素的影响等。弄清Hf的海洋地球化学行为,对深入认识海洋Hf的循环以及古海洋演化具有着重要的意义。     

Chemical Separation of Tungsten and Other Trace Elements for TIMS Isotope Ratio Measurements Using Organic Acids

One requirement for isotope ratio measurement results with small measurement uncertainties is that the element of interest is effectively separated from the sample matrix. Efficient chemical separation of W from matrix components, especially Ti, can be challenging, particularly for large test portion masses (> 1 g). We present a new W separation procedure that takes advantage of the distinct complexation behaviour of Ti and W with citrate ligand in a moderately low pH, oxidising solution. This preparation procedure can reduce the Ti/W ratio of large (4–10 g) basaltic (i.e., high‐matrix) test portions by a factor of 10⁵, relative to their original compositions, in a two‐step separation procedure. The procedure additionally provides a separate, well‐purified Mo fraction. We show that optimal separation requires precise selection of reagent concentrations and sample load. The procedure was employed to determine the μ¹⁸²W composition of BHVO‐2 as ?6.7 ± 4.2 (2 standard deviation, 2s). The principles derived from this method may prove useful for chemical separation of other elements used for geochemical and cosmochemical applications given an appropriate selection of organic acid. Future successful applications of this method may reveal that the use of organic acids as procedural reagents is a currently under‐utilised tool for efficient chemical separation protocols.     

Hafnium Isotope Characteristics of Palaeoarchaean Zircon OG1/OGC from the Owens Gully Diorite,Pilbara Craton,Western Australia

We report Hf isotope data for 3467 Ma igneous zircons from the Owens Gully Diorite of the Pilbara Craton. These zircons, designated OG1 or OGC, have simple, well‐defined U‐Pb age systematics. Measurements obtained by single crystal dissolution yield a moderate range in ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf (mean 0.280633 ± 34) and ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf (mean 0.00119) that translate into initial (3467 Ma) ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf values that are equivalent within measurement uncertainty (mean 0.280554 ± 7, ε_Hf = +0.6 ± 0.2, 2s). Laser ablation analysis yielded clustered initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios (mean 0.280560 ± 20, 2s) indistinguishable from those obtained by solution analysis. The antiquity and moderately high ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf of these zircons result in significant corrections for radiogenic ingrowth of ¹⁷⁶Hf (to 6 ε_Hf units). Depth profiling by concurrent Pb‐Hf isotope determination reveals trends to lower ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb in several crystals, although these are not accompanied by shifts in ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf. We conclude that zircons from the Owens Gully Diorite are homogeneous for Hf isotopes at the scale of sampling and within the uncertainty limits of the measurement techniques employed. Zircon OG1/OGC would appear to be an ideal quality monitor for laser ablation Hf isotope determination in ancient zircons, and for laser ablation techniques where Hf isotope and age information are determined concurrently or simultaneously.     

Late syn-to post-collisional magmatism in Madagascar:The genesis of the Ambalavao and Maevarano Suites

The East African Orogen involves a collage of Proterozoic microcontinents and arc terranes that became wedged between older cratonic blocks during the assembly of Gondwana.The Ediacaran-Cambrian Ambalavao and Maevarano Suites in Madagascar were emplaced during the waning orogenic stages and consist of weakly deformed to undeformed plutonic rocks and dykes of mainly porphyritic granite but also gabbro,diorite and charnockite.U-Pb geochronological data date emplacement of the Ambalavao Suite to between ca.580 Ma and 540 Ma and the Maevarano Suite to between ca.537 Ma and522 Ma.Major and trace element concentrations are consistent with emplacement in a syn-to postcollisional tectonic setting as A-type(anorogenic) suites.Oxygen(δ~(18)O of 5.27‰-7.45‰) and hafnium(ε_(Hf)(t) of-27.8 to-12.3) isotopic data from plutons in the Itremo and Antananarivo Domains are consistent with incorporation of an ancient crustal source.More primitive δ~(18)O(5.27‰-5.32‰) andε_(Hf)(t)(+0.0 to+0.2) isotopic values recorded in samples collected from the Ikalamavony Domain demonstrate the isotopic variation of basement sources present in the Malagasy crust.The Hf isotopic composition of Malagasy zircon are unlike more juvenile Ediacaran-Cambrian zircon sou rces elsewhere in the East African Orogen and,as such,Madagascar represents a distinct and identifiable detrital zircon source region in Phanerozoic sedimentary provenance studies.Taken together,these data indicate that high-T crustal anatexis,crustal assimilation and interaction of crustal material with mantle-derived melts were the processes operating during magma emplacement.This magmatism was coeval with polyphase deformation throughout Madagascar during the amalgamation of Gondwana and magmatism is interpreted to reflect lithospheric delamination of an extensive orogenic plateau.     

裂隙岩体爆破破碎阻力特性分析

对裂隙岩体的爆破破碎阻力特性进行了研究，提出了裂隙岩体爆破阻力矢量的概念和研究方法。以单元结构体作为主要研究对象，建立了爆破阻力矢量与岩体实际阻力矢量的关系模型。作为一种研究方法，它对裂隙岩体的爆破破碎的理论研究及施工技术的研究具有一定的实际意义。     

锆英粉中锆(铪)、铝的连续测定

在1．1～1．3mol／L盐酸酸度和加热条件下，锆英粉中锆(铪)氧离子与EDTA形成无色稳定络合物，在同一溶液中，加入过量的EDTA，调节PH值，用醋酸锌标准溶液回滴过量的EDTA，实现二氧化锆和三氧化二铝的连续测定。