Nb/Ta variations of mafic volcanics on the Archean- Proterozoic boundary: Implications for the Nb/Ta imbalance

Hofmann1] found that the depleted mantle (DM) and bulk continental crust (BCC) are simply compen-satory in terms of many elements and elemental ratios. High-field-strength elements (HFSE) (e.g., Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta and Ti) are immobile and thus useful to track the primary features of the ancient mafic volcanics. It has been long considered that Nb-Ta behave as identical twins during magmatic processes, based on their matching atomic radii and valence state and hence coherent geochemical affi…

Nb/Ta variations of mafic volcanics on the Archean-Proterozoic boundary: Implications for the Nb/Ta imbalance

The HFSE and REE of the Precambrian mafic volcanics from the North China craton demonstrate obvious A(Archean)-P(Proterozoic) boundary. The Neoarchean mafic volcanics show weak correlation between HFSE and TiO₂. Their superchondritic Nb/Ta ratio (18.8±1.2) could be attributed to partial melting of mantle peridotite in the presence of garnet. Compared with Neoarchean mafic volcanics, the Paleoproterozoic ones have higher HFSE contents and lower Nb/Ta ratio (15.6±2.9). The significantly elevated HFSE and REE contents of Paleoproterozoic mafic volcanics imply metasomatic enrichment of mantle source, in which Ti-rich silicates could be present as suggested by significant positive correlations between TiO₂ and HFSE. The global database of Precambrian mafic volcanics shows a similar A-P boundary. 23 Archean mafic volcanic suites yield an average Nb/Ta ratio of 17.8±1.9 higher than or close to the PM value; Proterozoic mafic volcanics from 28 suites yield an average Nb/Ta ratio of 14.7±4.1 close to the bulk continental crust (BCC) value (11–17.5). Thus, we suggest that the Nb/Ta deficit could be mainly formed in post-Archean time. Archean mafic volcanics could be one of the geochemical reservoirs complementing the low Nb/Ta of the post-Archean continental crust and DM.