A Nd isotope investigation of sediments related to crustal development in the British Isles

Abstract

The times of original fractionation of the Sm and Nd component of clastic sediments from a mantle source (≡ crustal residence age) have been estimated from Sm-Nd model ages calculated relative to a depleted mantle evolution. In this way the provenance and evolution of selected Precambrian and Phanerozoic sediments and metasediments from the British Isles have been examined. Whereas some Archaean and early Proterozoic sediments have Sm-Nd model ages that are close to their stratigraphic age, the Phanerozoic sediments analysed have model ages as much as 2.0 Ga in excess of their stratigraphic age. A more detailed study of Lower Palaeozoic sediments deposited on the northern margin of the Iapetus Ocean provides evidence for a marked change of provenance in the Ordovician after the deposition of the Dalradian Supergroup. A component with comparatively high 143Nd/ 144Nd and Sm/Nd ratio (presumably basaltic) is present in the sediments throughout the accretionary prism. Crustal residence age estimates average about 1.5 Ga for both these Lower Palaeozoic sediments, and modern pelagic clays, and collectively fail to provide any evidence for significant continental growth during the Phanerozoic.