The Re [sbnd]Os systematics of the Ronda Ultramafic Complex of southern Spain

Abstract

The Os isotopic compositions of twelve ultramafic and six mafic layer samples from the Ronda Ultramafic Complex of southern Spain have been determined. Among the ultramafic rocks, 187Os/ 186Os varies from 0.98 to 1.12. A weak correlation is observed between 187Os/ 186Os and Re/Os. A much stronger correlation exists between Os isotopic ratio and Mg#, suggesting that the Re/Os ratios have been perturbed to some extent. Two alternatives are proposed to explain the relationship between Os composition and Mg#: (1) Continuous processes in the convecting mantle; (2) Radiogenic ingrowth since an ancient melt depletion event. No relationship is observed between 187Os/ 186Os and 143Nd/ 144Nd. This is probably because the Nd systematics were strongly affected by a recent metasomatic event, which apparently had little effect on the Os isotopic compositions. The Os isotopic ratios of the mafic layers range from 1.7 to 47.9. Within a single thick layer, the ratios vary from 16.5 to 47.9. These high ratios demonstrate that the layers are ancient features. Among the mafic samples, Os isotopic ratio is found to decrease strongly with increasing Os concentration, which ranges from 0.009 ppb to 1.16 ppb. One layer, which had a Sm Nd model age of less than 200 Ma, yielded a Re Os model age of about 2 Ga. This implies that neither system can be trusted to give accurate information about the time of mafic layer formation.