Sulfur isotope measurement of sulfate and sulfide by high-resolution MC-ICP-MS

We have developed a technique for the accurate and precise determination of ³⁴S/³²S isotope ratios (δ³⁴S) in sulfur-bearing minerals using solution and laser ablation multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). We have examined and determined rigorous corrections for analytical difficulties such as instrumental mass bias, unresolved isobaric interferences, blanks, and laser ablation- and matrix-induced isotopic fractionation. Use of high resolution sector-field mass spectrometry removes major isobaric interferences from O₂⁺. Standard-sample bracketing is used to correct for the instrumental mass bias of unknown samples. Background on sulfur masses arising from memory effects and residual oxygen-tailing are typically minor (< 0.2‰, within analytical error), and are mathematically removed by on-peak zero subtraction and by bracketing of samples with standards determined at the same signal intensity (within 20%). Matrix effects are significant (up to 0.7‰) for matrix compositions relevant to many natural sulfur-bearing minerals. For solution analysis, sulfur isotope compositions are best determined using purified (matrix-clean) sulfur standards and sample solutions using the chemical purification protocol we present. For in situ analysis, where the complex matrix cannot be removed prior to analysis, appropriately matrix-matching standards and samples removes matrix artifacts and yields sulfur isotope ratios consistent with conventional techniques using matrix-clean analytes. Our method enables solid samples to be calibrated against aqueous standards; a consideration that is important when certified, isotopically-homogeneous and appropriately matrix-matched solid standards do not exist. Further, bulk and in situ analyses can be performed interchangeably in a single analytical session because the instrumental setup is identical for both. We validated the robustness of our analytical method through multiple isotope analyses of a range of reference materials and have compared these with isotope ratios determined using independent techniques. Long-term reproducibility of S isotope compositions is typically 0.20‰ and 0.45‰ (2σ) for solution and laser analysis, respectively. Our method affords the opportunity to make accurate and relatively precise S isotope measurement for a wide range of sulfur-bearing materials, and is particularly appropriate for geologic samples with complex matrix and for which high-resolution in situ analysis is critical.     

Glacier change and glacier runoff variation in the Tuotuo River basin,the source region of Yangtze River in western China

Glaciers in the Tuotuo River basin, western China, have been monitored in recent decades by applying topographical maps and high-resolution satellite images. Results indicate that most of glaciers in the Tuotuo River basin have retreated in the period from 1968/1971 to 2001/2002, and their shrinkage area is 3.2% of the total area in the late 1960s. To assess the influence of glacier runoff on river runoff, a modified degree–day model including potential clear-sky direct solar radiation has been applied to the glaciated regions of the river basin over the period 1961–2004. It was found that glacier runoff has increased in the last 44 years, especially in the 1990s when a two-thirds increase in river runoff was derived from the increase in glacier runoff caused by loss of ice mass in the entire Tuotuo River basin.     

What controls dead-ice melting under different climate conditions? A discussion

In the geological record, hummocky dead-ice moraines represent the final product of the melt-out of dead-ice. Processes and rates of dead-ice melting in ice-cored moraines and at debris-covered glaciers are commonly believed to be governed by climate and debris-cover properties. Here, backwasting rates from 14 dead-ice areas are assessed in relation to mean annual air temperature, mean summer air temperature, mean annual precipitation, mean summer precipitation, and annual sum of positive degree days. The highest correlation was found between backwasting rate and mean annual air temperature. However, the correlation between melt rates and climate parameters is low, stressing that processes and topography play a major role in governing the rates of backwasting. The rates of backwasting from modern glacial environments should serve as input to de-icing models for ancient dead-ice areas in order to assess the mode and duration of deposition.A challenge for future explorations of dead-ice environments is to obtain long-term records of field-based monitoring of melt progression. Furthermore, many modern satellite-borne sensors have high potentials for recordings of multi-temporal Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for detection and quantification of changes in dead-ice environments. In recent years, high-accuracy DEMs from airborne laser scanning altimetry (LiDAR) are emerging as an additional data source. However, time series of high-resolution aerial photographs remain essential for both visual inspection and high-resolution stereographic DEM production.     

太平洋凸缘微玻璃陨石的研究

于1985年,一颗独特的凸缘微玻璃陨石被发现于采自北太平洋(9°33′N,167°00′W;水深4928m)深海沉积物中。使用各种分析方法对它的显微特征、微结构和化学成分进行了研究。结果表明,太平洋凸缘微玻璃陨石的形态和结构与达尔文的凸缘澳大利亚石(或玻璃陨石)和查普曼的人造凸缘玻璃陨石相似,从而揭示了玻璃陨石和微玻璃陨石的凸缘结构是由空气动力消融作用的产物。这一研究具有重要的理论和实际意义。     

Laser ablation coupled with ICP-MS applied to U–Pb zircon geochronology: A review of recent advances

Improvements in the technology of laser ablation and ICP-MS instruments make LA-MC-ICPMS a rapid, precise and accurate method for U–Pb zircon geochronology. In this review we describe the main stages of the evolution of this in situ approach from the early 1990s to the present time. Some key points have been progressively improved. The crater size has been reduced to achieve real in situ measurements. The laser wavelength has been reduced as well as the duration of each pulse in order to lower inter-element fractionation. The blank from the gas has to be lowered as far as possible. Double focusing instruments and magnetic field sectors allow flat-topped peaks required for precise isotope ratio measurement to be obtained. The use of a multi-ion counting system significantly improves the sensitivity of the method and the static mode of integration favours the precision of measurement of the transient signal originating from a noisy laser ablated particle beam.Combining the use of a 213 nm UV laser and a MC-ICPMS equipped with a multi-ion counting system operating in static mode, the common precisions achieved for the key ratios ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U are better than 1% and 3% (2σ) respectively, including error propagation associated with standard normalization. Until now, the use of a zircon standard has remained necessary to ensure the accuracy of the calculated age. A strategy for common-Pb correction is proposed according to the age of the zircon and according to the Th/U ratio of the grains. After recording sixteen to twenty spot analyses the precision usually achieved on the age is about 1% and even significantly better for Proterozoic samples.In order to show the performance achieved by modern LA-MC-ICPMS geochronology, we tested four zircon samples covering a wide age range from 290 to 2440 Ma. These new age determinations can be compared in term of precision and accuracy since they have already been dated by reference methods (ID-TIMS and SHRIMP). Further developments in the technology of ion counters equipping modern MC-ICPMS and in laser systems will certainly be applied to a large field of geochronology studies in the near future as an alternative to SIMS for in situ age determination.     

GGR Critical Review of Analytical Developments in 2004–2005

In 2005 Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research embarked upon a new initiative for its readers. Key researchers in various fields of geoanalytical technique development and their application were identified and invited to provide reviews pertinent to their expertise. As noted in the first of these publications "…instead of revisiting the historical context or decades of development in each analytical technique, the goal here has been to capture a snapshot of "hot topics" across a range of fields as represented in the… literature" (Hergt et al . 2005). Rather than prepare an annual review, a decision was taken earlier this year to provide a biennial summary of progress and accomplishments, in this case for the years 2004–2005. The principal techniques employed in Earth and environmental sciences are covered here, and include laser ablation and multicollector ICP-MS, ICP-AES, thermal ionisation and secondary ion mass spectrometry, as well as neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry. A comprehensive review of the development of reference materials, often essential to these techniques, is also provided. The contributions assembled serve both to keep readers informed of advances they may be unfamiliar with, but also as a means of showcasing examples of the breadth and depth of work being conducted in these fields.     

激光剥蚀等离子体质谱分析中激光剥蚀参数对信号响应的影响

探讨了激光剥蚀等离子体质谱固体微区分析中激光剥蚀参数对元素分析信号灵敏度及稳定性的影响。这些参数包括激光功率、脉冲频率、剥蚀孔经、散焦距离、剥蚀方式等。讨论了优化的激光剥蚀等离子体质谱信号采集及数据处理方式。在全质量范围内选用具有代表性的元素作为研究对象,建立了激光剥蚀的一般性特征规律和266nm紫外激光系统的最佳操作条件。在选定的激光剥蚀参数下,大多数被测元素的检出限为22.8~457ng/g,能够满足固体微区分析的要求。     

天山奎屯河哈希勒根51号冰川表面运动特征分析

奎屯河哈希勒根51号冰川位于新疆奎屯市以南的天山依连哈比尔尕山北坡, 奎屯河上游支沟哈希勒根河源区. 1999年8月, 在该冰川上布设了用于冰川运动和冰川物质平衡观测研究的测杆18根, 并进行了冰川表面运动、冰川物质平衡和冰川末端变化的首次观测. 根据2000年8月和2001年8月的冰川运动观测资料, 分析了奎屯河哈希勒根51号冰川的运动特征和冰舌末端的变化状况. 结果表明: 奎屯河51号冰川应属于亚大陆型冰川; 1999/2000年度和2000/2001年度的表面运动值不大, 最大流速点的年运动速度为3.15 ma-1; 运动速度垂直分量UZ的变化规律同乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川的变化规律相同, 即消融区的显出流作用和积累区的显入流作用. 该冰川的冰舌末端处于相对稳定的退缩状态, 1964-1999年间平均退缩量约为1.4 m*a-1, 而1999-2001年间的平均退缩量为5.0 m*a-1, 反映出冰川退缩增大的趋势.     

慕士塔格峰洋布拉克冰川消融的观测分析

2001年7月4日至8月8日,在慕士塔格峰西侧的洋布拉克冰川海拔4600～4460m区间的冰舌段,进行了短期的冰面消融观测.慕士塔格峰冰川区暖期短,冰面强消融时期比较集中.观测期间,冰面纯消融厚度为640～1260mm水层,日平均消融厚度达26～39.6mm,推算冰舌区年消融量不低于1700～2000mm,比青藏高原内部的冰川消融强烈的多.7月21-22日出现最大消融值,在海拔4460m和4600m,日消融量分别为144.5mm和59.5mm.冰面消融随海拔上升而减小,日平均消融梯度:在裸露冰区为0.40～0.55mm·10m-1;在表碛覆盖区为0.21～3.53mm·10m-1,变幅较裸露冰区大.按裸露冰区的消融梯度计算出海拔4800m处的日平均消融量,和过去的研究资料比较,2001年冰面日平均消融量较1987年和1960年的消融量大,反映出慕士塔格峰区影响冰川消融的气候与全球气候变暖的特点是一致的.     

Neotectonic Control on the Geomorphic Evolution of the Gangotri Glacier Valley, Garhwal Himalaya

The paper records evidences of neotectonic activities in the Gangotri glacier valley that are found to be responsible for the present-day geomorphic set-up of the area since the last phase of major glaciation. Geomorphological features indicate the presence of a large glacier in the valley in the geological past. Prominent planar structures present in the rocks were later on modified into sets of normal faults in the present-day Himalayan tectonic set-up giving rise to graben structures. The block nearest the snout is traversed by the NW-SE trending Gaumukh fault. A number of terraces mark the entrenchment of Bhagirathi River in this part. The contrasting drainage morphometric parameters of two sides of the valley and asymmetric recessional patterns of the tributary glaciers further document movement along the fault. The distribution and orientation of debris fans also seem to be controlled by neotectonic activity. The neotectonic activity that followed the process of deglaciation has brought the glacially carved, wide U- shaped valley in contact with the present-day fluvially incised narrow and relatively deep valley. The wider segments have become sites of active deposition of glacially eroded debris. The low gradient and excessive filling has resulted in the river attaining a braided nature in these segments.