Excess 40Ar Research Articles

Polychronous (Early Cretaceous to Palaeogene) emplacement of the Mundwara alkaline complex, Rajasthan, India: 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, petrochemistry and geodynamics

The Mundwara alkaline plutonic complex (Rajasthan, north-western India) is considered a part of the Late Cretaceous–Palaeogene Deccan Traps flood basalt province, based on geochronological data (mainly 40Ar/39Ar, on whole rocks, biotite and hornblende). We have studied the petrology and mineral chemistry of some Mundwara mafic rocks containing mica and amphibole. Geothermobarometry indicates emplacement of the complex at middle to upper crustal levels. We have obtained new 40Ar/39Ar ages of 80–84 Ma on biotite separates from mafic rocks and 102–110 Ma on whole-rock nepheline syenites. There is no evidence for excess 40Ar. The combined results show that some of the constituent intrusions of the Mundwara complex are of Deccan age, but others are older and unrelated to the Deccan Traps. The Mundwara alkaline complex is thus polychronous and similar to many alkaline complexes around the world that show recurrent magmatism, sometimes over hundreds of millions of years. The primary biotite and amphibole in Mundwara mafic rocks indicate hydrous parental magmas, derived from hydrated mantle peridotite at relatively low temperatures, thus ruling out a mantle plume. This hydration and metasomatism of the Rajasthan lithospheric mantle may have occurred during Jurassic subduction under Gondwanaland, or Precambrian subduction events. Low-degree decompression melting of this old, enriched lithospheric mantle, due to periodic diffuse lithospheric extension, gradually built the Mundwara complex from the Early Cretaceous to Palaeogene time.

A new approach to cosmogenic corrections in 40Ar/39Ar chronometry: Implications for the ages of Martian meteorites

Anomalously old 40Ar/39Ar ages are commonly obtained from Shergottites and are generally attributed to uncertainties regarding the isotopic composition of the trapped component and/or the presence of excess 40Ar. Old ages can also be obtained if inaccurate corrections for cosmogenic 36Ar are applied. Current methods for making the cosmogenic correction require simplifying assumptions regarding the spatial homogeneity of target elements for cosmogenic production and the distribution of cosmogenic nuclides relative to trapped and reactor-derived Ar isotopes. To mitigate uncertainties arising from these assumptions, a new cosmogenic correction approach utilizing the exposure age determined on an un-irradiated aliquot and step-wise production rate estimates that account for spatial variations in Ca and K is described. Data obtained from NWA 4468 and an unofficial pairing of NWA 2975, which yield anomalously old ages when corrected for cosmogenic 36Ar using conventional techniques, are used to illustrate the efficacy of this new approach. For these samples, anomalous age determinations are rectified solely by the improved cosmogenic correction technique described herein. Ages of 188±17 and 184±17Ma are obtained for NWA 4468 and NWA 2975, respectively, both of which are indistinguishable from ages obtained by other radioisotopic systems. For other Shergottites that have multiple trapped components, have experienced diffusive loss of Ar, or contain excess Ar, more accurate cosmogenic corrections may aid in the interpretation of anomalous ages. The trapped 40Ar/36Ar ratios inferred from inverse isochron diagrams obtained from NWA 4468 and NWA 2975 are significantly lower than the Martian atmospheric value, and may represent upper mantle or crustal components.

40Ar/39Ar age of the Rotoiti Breccia and Rotoehu Ash, Okataina Volcanic Complex, New Zealand, and identification of heterogeneously distributed excess 40Ar in supercooled crystals

Co-magmatic granitoid clasts erupted as part of the Rotoiti Ignimbrite (Rotoehu Tephra) contain euhedral K-feldspar and biotite crystals that protrude into miarolytic cavities and show textural evidence for growth in super-cooled conditions and are thus interpreted as growing during eruption. 40Ar/39Ar stepped heating experiments on single K-feldspar crystals reveal the presence of heterogeneously distributed excess 40Ar, preferentially released at lower temperature steps (most likely from fluid/melt inclusions), which cannot reliably be characterised by, or corrected for using isotope correlation diagrams due to mixing between three reservoirs of 40Ar (radiogenic, atmospheric and excess). This excess 40Ar component is common, but not ubiquitous, and an age population unmixing algorithm applied to single-crystal fusion data identifies a younger group of K-feldspar and biotite crystals that appear to be largely unaffected by excess 40Ar. This population gives a statistically robust weighted mean age of 47.4 ± 1.5 ka (1σ, n = 13) and an indistinguishable inverse isochron age of 50 ± 3 ka for this historically difficult to date eruption. The weighted mean age is significantly younger than previous age estimates of the Rotoiti eruption obtained by K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar dating of bracketing lavas, but is indistinguishable from recent 14C and (U–Th)/He dates and estimates based on orbital tuning and sedimentation rates constrained by 14C ages.

Halogens and noble gases in Mathematician Ridge meta-gabbros, NE Pacific: implications for oceanic hydrothermal root zones and global volatile cycles

Six variably amphibolitised meta-gabbros cut by quartz–epidote veins containing high-salinity brine, and vapour fluid inclusions were investigated for halogen (Cl, Br, I) and noble gas (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) concentrations. The primary aims were to investigate fluid sources and interactions in hydrothermal root zones and determine the concentrations and behaviours of these elements in altered oceanic crust, which is poorly known, but has important implications for global volatile (re)cycling. Amphiboles in each sample have average concentrations of 0.1–0.5 wt% Cl, 0.5–3 ppm Br and 5–68 ppb I. Amphibole has Br/Cl of ~0.0004 that is about ten times lower than coexisting fluid inclusions and seawater, and I/Cl of 2–44 × 10−6 that is 3–5 times lower than coexisting fluid inclusions but higher than seawater. The amphibole and fluid compositions are attributed to mixing halogens introduced by seawater with a large halogen component remobilised from mafic lithologies in the crust and fractionation of halogens between fluids and metamorphic amphibole formed at low water–rock ratios. The metamorphic amphibole and hydrothermal quartz are dominated by seawater-derived atmospheric Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe and mantle-derived He, with 3He/4He of ~9 R/Ra (Ra = atmospheric ratio). The amphibole and quartz preserve high 4He concentrations that are similar to MORB glasses and have noble gas abundance ratios with high 4He/36Ar and 22Ne/36Ar that are greater than seawater and air. These characteristics result from the high solubility of light noble gases in amphibole and suggest that all the noble gases can behave similarly to ‘excess 40Ar’ in metamorphic hydrothermal root zones. All noble gases are therefore trapped in hydrous minerals to some extent and can be inefficiently lost during metamorphism implying that even the lightest noble gases (He and Ne) can potentially be subducted into the Earth’s mantle.

A new Holocene eruptive history of Erebus volcano, Antarctica using cosmogenic 3He and 36Cl exposure ages

The ages of recent effusive eruptions on Erebus volcano, Antarctica are poorly known. Published 40Ar/39Ar ages of the 10 youngest “post-caldera” lava flows are unreliable because of the young ages of the flows (<10 ka) and the presence of excess 40Ar. Here we use cosmogenic 3He and 36Cl to provide new ages for the 10 youngest flows and 3 older summit flows, including a newly recognized flow distinguished by its exposure age. Estimated eruption ages of the post-caldera flows, assuming no erosion or prior snow cover, range from 4.52 ± 0.08 ka to 8.50 ± 0.19 ka, using Lifton et al. (2014) to scale cosmogenic production rates. If the older Lal (1991)/Stone (2000) model is used to scale production rates, calculated ages are older by 16–25%. Helium-3 and chlorine-36 exposure ages measured on the same samples show excellent agreement. Helium-3 ages measured on clinopyroxene and olivine from the same samples are discordant, probably due in part to lower-than-expected 3He production rates in the Fe-rich olivine. Close agreement of multiple clinopyroxene 3He ages from each flow indicates that the effects of past snow coverage on the exposure ages have been minimal.The new cosmogenic ages differ considerably from published 40Ar/39Ar and 36Cl ages and reveal that the post-caldera flows were erupted during relatively brief periods of effusive activity spread over an interval of ∼4 ka. The average eruption rate over this interval is estimated to be 0.01 km3/ka. Because the last eruption was at least 4 ka ago, and the longest repose interval between the 10 youngest eruptions is ∼1 ka, we consider the most recent period of effusive activity to have ended.

White mica K–Ar geochronology of Sanbagawa eclogites from Southwest Japan: implications for deformation-controlled K–Ar closure temperature

White mica (phengite and paragonite) K–Ar ages of eclogite-facies Sanbagawa metamorphic rocks (15 eclogitic rocks and eight associated pelitic schists) from four different localities yielded ages of 84–89 Ma (Seba, central Shikoku), 78–80 Ma (Nishi-Iratsu, central Shikoku), 123 and 136 Ma (Gongen, central Shikoku), and 82–88 Ma (Kotsu/Bizan, eastern Shikoku). With the exception of a quartz-rich kyanite-bearing eclogite from Gongen, white mica ages overlap with the previously known range of phengite K–Ar ages of pelitic schists of the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt and can be distinguished from those of the Shimanto metamorphic belt. The similarity of K–Ar ages between the eclogites and surrounding pelitic schists supports a geological setting wherein the eclogites experienced intense ductile deformation with pelitic schists during exhumation. In contrast, phengite extracted from the Gongen eclogite, which is less overprinted by a ductile shear deformation during exhumation, yielded significantly older ages. Given that the Gongen eclogite is enclosed by the Higashi-Akaishi meta-peridotite body, these K–Ar ages are attributed to excess 40Ar gained during an interaction between the eclogite and host meta-peridotite with mantle-derived noble gas (very high 40Ar/36Ar ratio) at eclogite-facies depth. Fluid exchange between deep-subducted sediments and mantle material might have enhanced the gain of mantle-derived extreme 40Ar in the meta-sediment. Although dynamic recrystallization of white mica can reset the Ar isotope system, limited-argon-depletion due to lesser degrees of ductile shear deformation of the Gongen eclogite might have prevented complete release of the trapped excess argon from phengites. This observation supports a model of deformation-controlled K–Ar closure temperature.

Residence sites and origin of noble gases in minerals as exemplified by ilmenite from the alkaline granites of the Kola Peninsula

Thermal analysis of helium release from ilmenite of alkaline granites (Ponoy Massif, Kola Peninsula) and extraction of gases by crushing, melting and vacuum stepwise heating of sample revealed that this mineral contains noble gases in several different residence sites (rs). Radiogenic 40Ar* and He are released within the temperature range of 400–600°C. However, in spite of the similar extraction temperatures, these gases occupy different rs: trapped excess 40Ar* is localized in relatively large inclusions (> 10 μm) and was almost completely released during crushing (more than 80%, first rs), whereas He is localized in “healed” α-tracks and was released during sample heating (second rs). The third rs is almost completely occupied by radiogenic He released at temperature around 1100°C; this temperature fraction has 4He/40Ar* = 830, whereas this ratio in whole sample is 10. Helium with the highest 3He/4He = 1.1 × 10−6, indicating a contribution of mantle helium, is released from the fourth rs. Observed distribution of helium and argon isotopes in ilmenite is consistent with geological data on the evolution of the Ponoy Massif. Quartz-feldspathic vein, from which ilmenite was collected, was formed by crystallization of residual alkali granitic melts; the melts contained mantle He, which finally was incorporated in primary inclusions (fourth rs). After formation, the massif rocks accumulated radiogenic 40Ar*, but lost more mobile radiogenic He. During Paleoproterozoic metamorphism of the Ponoy Massif, radiogenic 40Ar* was released from K-bearing minerals of granites and impregnated “potassium-poor” ilmenite (first rs). Then, trapped 40Ar* was preserved in mineral inclusions, while helium produced “in situ” during radioactive decay of U and Th mainly migrated from the mineral. At present, ilmenite is characterized by significant excess 40Ar*, and, simultaneously, by 4He deficit (second and third rs). Neither K-Ar, nor U-Th-He isotope systems of the mineral can be used for dating.

Retrograde metamorphism of the eclogite in North Qaidam, western China: Constraints by joint 40Ar/39Ar in vacuo crushing and stepped heating

Two amphiboles and a syn-metamorphic quartz vein from the Yuka terrane, North Qaidam, western China, have been analyzed by joint 40Ar/39Ar crushing in vacuo and stepwise heating techniques. The crushing in vacuo results provide information to directly constrain the timing of fluid activity and the age of amphibolite-facies retrogression. The stepwise heating results could further be used to decipher the thermal history of the UHP rocks. Amphiboles from amphibolites and quartz vein within garnet-amphibolite lens analyzed by in vacuo crushing yield similarly shaped age spectra and exhibit relatively flat age plateaus for the last several steps. The characteristics of gas release patterns and geochronological data testify to the presence of significant excess 40Ar within the fluid inclusions. The age plateaux with weighted mean ages (WMA) ranges from 488 to 476 Ma for amphiboles and 403 Ma for quartz (2σ). These data points constitute amphibole WMA yielding excellent isochrons with isochron ages of 469 and 463 Ma with initial 40Ar/36Ar ratios of 520 and 334, respectively. The isochron ages are interpreted to represent initial amphibolite-facies retrogression. The data points constituting the quartz age plateaux give an isochron age of 405 Ma with initial 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 295, recording a significant aqueous fluid flow episode during the early Devonian. Age spectra obtained by stepwise heating of amphibole residues remaining after crushing experiments are characterized by younger and relatively complex age spectra, which are probably influenced by the combined effects of resetting argon and/or mineral inclusions. Nevertheless, we note that the spectra shapes have features in common: excluding the last two steps, minimum apparent ages are found at temperatures of around 500 °C, corresponding to 319 and 249 Ma, perhaps representing the time of isotopic resetting or resulting from release gas from mineral inclusions of, e.g., biotite or feldspar. Maximum apparent ages are obtained at temperatures of around 800 °C, corresponding to 418 and 413 Ma, which probably reflect mixed ages of radiogenic resetting and original amphibole. These results indicate that the Yuka eclogites and their retrogressed equivalents were overprinted by multiple thermal events in the Silurian and possibly as young as the Triassic.

The evolution of intraplate fault systems in central Turkey: Structural evidence and Ar-Ar and Rb-Sr age constraints for the Savcili Fault Zone

The Savcili Fault Zone represents one of the most prominent regional-scale intraplate fault systems in central Turkey, recording the collisional events following the closure of Neo-Tethys in the eastern Mediterranean region. It consists of anastomosing reverse/thrust faults with WNW-ESE direction that placed rocks of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex on Paleogene sedimentary units. Structural measurements and kinematic indicators show that faults within the Savcili Fault Zone (SFZ) have top to the NE and NW sense of brittle deformation. Stable isotope (δ18O and δ D) and trace element data indicate that fault gouge illites precipitated from deep basinal brines. These fluids were mobilized during phases of compressional deformation and migrated upward along thrust faults toward shallow brittle deformation zones. Rb-Sr and Ar-Ar geochronology of fault gouges in two cataclastic zones demonstrates age variability for two different dating techniques (Rb-Sr: 40.9 ± 1.5 Ma and 22.9 ± 1.3 Ma; Ar-Ar: 46.45 ± 0.25 Ma and 29.8 ± 0.13 Ma). We argue that Rb-Sr dating provides ages more closely reflecting the timing of fault movements because of potential contamination of illite by excess 40Ar. Accordingly, the SFZ was active during at least two phases; the middle Eocene and late Oligocene to early Miocene, which is consistent with the relative age constraints suggested by field relationships. Geochronology combined with structural field evidence indicates a rapid change in stress regime from extension to contraction at ∼40 Ma that continued until at least ∼23 Ma. Direct dating of brittle faulting provides a prolific approach for determining the absolute timing of tectonic events in areas that have largely relied on indirect information.

The timing of successive fluid events in the Southern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Complex, South Africa: Constraints from 40Ar–39Ar geochronology

We have carried out a geochronological study in the high grade metamorphic Southern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Complex, South Africa, aimed at providing time constraints on episodes of fluid activity. This work chiefly comprises 40Ar/39Ar dating, with accompanying petrography, of amphibole and mica, and further incudes zircon U–Pb geochronology on a post peak metamorphic trondhjemite intrusion. The so-called Zone of Rehydration within 30km N of the Hout River Shear Zone (where the Southern Marginal Zone is thrust over the Kaapvaal Craton) was studied in particular, but sampling also included areas of patchy metasomatism in the Granulite Zone further north, where no post-peak metamorphic rehydration on a regional scale occurred.Amphibole in a mafic granulite and an older generation of zircons in the Petronella trondhjemite yielded dates in the 2700–2730Ma range, corresponding to the published age of peak granulite metamorphism in the Southern Marginal Zone. A cluster of 40Ar/39Ar dates on amphiboles from the Zone of Rehydration indicate an age between 2660 and 2670Ma for this event, in accord with results from previous work on the Hout River Shear Zone. The main population of U–Pb zircon dates from the trondhjemite, dating its intrusion, also falls in this age range, as does the published age of the Matok pluton. These data suggest that rehydration at 2660–2670Ma was a discrete episode. A further 40Ar/39Ar age cluster, defined by dates on both amphiboles and micas, is seen at 2010–2040Ma, which is the age of a major tectonometamorphic event in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Complex, and previously reported from the Southern Marginal Zone as Rb–Sr biotite dates. Events we found in the 2010–2040Ma bracket are strike-slip shearing (dated by fabric forming amphibole), as well as localized potassic metasomatism (dated by both amphiboles and micas). The latter was not confined to the Zone of Rehydration, and appears in one case to be associated with gold mineralization. A number of 40Ar/39Ar dates intermediate between 2600 and 2000Ma were obtained, but these are diverse and can be accounted for by mixing, incomplete resetting and/or excess 40Ar. They do not indicate events in this intermediate age bracket.

Noble gas and halogen constraints on fluid sources in iron oxide-copper-gold mineralization: Mantoverde and La Candelaria, Northern Chile

The noble gas (Ar, Kr, Xe) and halogen (Cl, Br, I) composition of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz and calcite related to the hypogene iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) mineralization at Mantoverde and Candelaria, Chile, have been investigated to provide new insights of fluid and salinity sources in Andean IOCG deposits. A combination of mechanical extraction by crushing and thermal decrepitation methods was applied and collectively indicate that fluid inclusions with salinities ranging from 3.4 up to 64 wt% NaCl equivalent have molar Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios of between 0.5 × 10−3 and 3.0 × 10−3 and I/Cl of between 8 × 10−6 and 25 × 10−6 in the majority of samples, with maximum values of 5.2 × 10−3 obtained for Br/Cl and 64 × 10−6 for I/Cl in fluid inclusions within individual samples. The fluid inclusions have age-corrected 40Ar/36Ar ratios ranging from the atmospheric value of 296 up to 490 ± 45, indicating the presence of crustal- or mantle-derived excess 40Ar in the fluid inclusions of most samples. The fluid inclusions have 84Kr/36Ar and 130Xe/36Ar ratios intermediate of air and air-saturated water. However, 40Ar/36Ar is not correlated with either 84Kr/36Ar or 130Xe/36Ar, and the fluid inclusion 36Ar concentrations of 0.2–3.5 × 10−10 mol/g (calculated from measured Cl/36Ar and thermometric salinity measurements) extend below the seawater value of 0.34 × 10−10 mol/g, suggesting that contamination with modern air is a minor artifact. The range of fluid inclusion Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios overlap those previously documented for the mantle and magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits, and the fluids’ unusually low 36Ar concentration is consistent with the involvement of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. Input of additional non-magmatic fluid components is suggested by the spread in Br/Cl and I/Cl to values characteristic of bittern brine sedimentary formation waters and near atmospheric 40Ar/36Ar. These data are compatible with mixing of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and evaporated seawater, which was modified by interaction with back-arc basin sediments as the major control on ore formation. Low Br/Cl (<0.5 × 10−3) and I/Cl (<5.0 × 10−6) values that would provide evidence for evaporite dissolution as an important source of fluid salinity were not detected.

40Ar‐39Ar step‐heating of impact glasses from the Nördlinger Ries impact crater—Implications on excess argon in impact melts and tektites

AbstractSeven impact melts from various places in the Nördlinger Ries were dated by 40Ar‐39Ar step‐heating. The aim of these measurements was to increase the age data base for Ries impact glasses directly from the Ries crater, because there is only one Ar‐Ar step‐heating spectrum available in the literature. Almost all samples display saddle‐shaped age spectra, indicating the presence of excess argon in most Ries glass samples, most probably inherited argon from incompletely degassed melt and possibly also excess argon incorporated during cooling from adjacent phases. In contrast, moldavites usually contain no inherited argon, probably due to their different formation process implying solidification during ballistic transport. The plateau age of the only flat spectrum is 14.60 ± 0.16 (0.20) Ma (2σ), while the total age of this sample is 14.86 ± 0.20 (0.22) Ma (isochron age: 14.72 ± 0.18 [0.22] Ma [2σ]), proofing the chronological relationship of the Ries impact and moldavites. The total ages of the other samples range between 15.77 ± 0.52 and 20.4 ± 1.0 Ma (2σ), implying approximately 2–40% excess 40Ar (compared to the nominal age of the Ries crater) in respective samples. Thus, the age of 14.60 ± 0.16 (0.20) (2σ) (14.75 ± 0.16 [0.20 Ma] [2σ], calculated using the most recent suggestions for the K decay constants) can be considered as reliable and is within uncertainties indistinguishable from the most recent compilation for the age of the moldavite tektites.

Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe) and halogens (Cl, Br, I) in fluid inclusions from the Athabasca Basin (Canada): Implications for unconformity-related U deposits

The formation of unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin (Canada) involved basin-scale circulation of U-bearing brines during high-grade diagenesis (150–200°C) at ∼1.6–1.5Ga. The UO2 ores occur both sides of the unconformity and are associated with extensive brecciation and illite–sudoite–dravite alteration. Quartz and dolomite cementing veins and breccias are associated with alteration and mineralisation and contain a fairly uniform population of fluid inclusions characterised by variable Na:Ca and salinities of 25–35wt.% salts and high U concentrations of up to 600ppm U. In order to further constrain the origin of these U-rich brines, we analysed the naturally occurring isotopes of Ar, Kr and Xe, together with halogens (Cl, Br and I), K, Ca and U in irradiated quartz and dolomite samples containing representative fluid inclusions. This was achieved by the noble gas method for halogen measurement (extended 40Ar–39Ar methodology) using a combination of noble gas extraction techniques.The fluid inclusions opened by crushing quartz and dolomite samples in vacuum have similar molar Br/Cl ratios of 5.8×10−3 to 10.4×10−3, and molar I/Cl ratios of 1.8×10−6 to 8.2×10−6. These compositions lie over the top half of the modern-day seawater evaporation trajectory, consistent with the fluids deriving the bulk of their salinity by subaerial evaporation of seawater, beyond the point of halite saturation. The I/Cl ratios are much lower than is typical of fluids that have interacted with I-rich organic matter present in many sedimentary basins or fluid inclusions found in Mississippi Valley type (MVT) Pb–Zn ore deposits. This is significant because provided the U-rich fluid inclusions are representative of the ore-stage fluids, the low I/Cl ratios of the fluid inclusions do not favour fluid interaction with organic matter (or hydrocarbons), as a major process for localising U mineralisation.The majority of samples contain fluid inclusions with age-corrected 40Ar/36Ar of between the modern atmospheric value of ∼300 and 450. These values are considered representative of the fluid's initial composition and are typical of upper crustal sedimentary formation waters. The fluid inclusions non-radiogenic 84Kr/36Ar and 129Xe/36Ar ratios are slightly enriched in 129Xe relative to air and the fluid inclusions are estimated to contain 0.5–17.3×10−10molg−136Ar which is up to twenty times the 36Ar concentration of air-saturated seawater. The data are interpreted to reflect acquisition of atmospheric noble gases from sedimentary rocks and suggest acquisition of radiogenic 40Ar within K-rich basement rocks, that would have been an important source of excess 40Ar, was limited by temperatures of less than 200°C.Taken together the halogen and noble gas composition of the U-bearing fluid inclusions are strongly controlled by subaerial evaporation and subsequent interaction with sedimentary rocks, showing that low temperature evaporitic brines dominated the mineralising system. Mineralisation is unlikely to have been triggered by fluid interaction with organic matter, or mixing with voluminous basement-derived fluids; however, the data do not completely preclude a role for volumetrically minor fluid or gas phases introduced by deep-seated basement faults preferentially located at the sites of mineralisation.

39Ar‐40Ar chronology of the enstatite chondrite parent bodies

AbstractAr‐Ar isochron ages of EL chondrites suggest closure of the K‐Ar system at 4.49 ± 0.01 Ga for EL5 and 6 chondrites, and 4.45 ± 0.01 Ga for EL3 MAC 88136. The high‐temperature release regimes contain a mixture of radiogenic 40Ar* and trapped primordial argon (solar or Q‐type) with 40Ar/36ArTR ~ 0, which does not affect the 40Ar budget. The low‐temperature extractions show evidence of an excess 40Ar component. The 40Ar/36Ar is 180–270; it is defined by intercept values of isochron regression. Excess 40Ar is only detectable in petrologic types &gt;4/5. These lost most of their primordial 36Ar from low‐temperature phases during metamorphism and retrapped excess 40Ar. The origin of this excess 40Ar component is probably related to metamorphic Ar mobilization, homogenization of primordial and in situ radiogenic Ar, and trapping of Ar by distinct low‐temperature phases. Ar‐Ar ages of EH chondrites are more variable and show clear evidence of a major impact‐induced partial resetting at about 2.2 Ga ago or alternatively, prolonged metamorphic decomposition of major K carrier phases. EH impact melt LAP 02225 displayed the highest Ar‐Ar isochron age of 4.53 ± 0.01 Ga. This age sets a limit of about 25–45 Ma for the age bias between the K‐Ar and U‐Pb decay systems.

Effects of fluid–rock interaction on 40Ar/39Ar geochronology in high-pressure rocks (Sesia-Lanzo Zone, Western Alps)

In situ UV laser spot 40Ar/39Ar analyses of distinct phengite types in eclogite-facies rocks from the Sesia-Lanzo Zone (Western Alps, Italy) were combined with SIMS boron isotope analyses as well as boron (B) and lithium (Li) concentration data to link geochronological information with constraints on fluid–rock interaction. In weakly deformed samples, apparent 40Ar/39Ar ages of phengite cores span a range of ∼20Ma, but inverse isochrons define two distinct main high-pressure (HP) phengite core crystallization periods of 88–82 and 77–74Ma, respectively. The younger cores have on average lower B contents (∼36μg/g) than the older ones (∼43–48μg/g), suggesting that loss of B and resetting of the Ar isotopic system were related. Phengite cores have variable δ11B values (−18‰ to −10‰), indicating the lack of km scale B homogenization during HP crystallization.Overprinted phengite rims in the weakly deformed samples generally yield younger apparent 40Ar/39Ar ages than the respective cores. They also show variable effects of heterogeneous excess 40Ar incorporation and Ar loss. One acceptable inverse isochron age of 77.1±1.1Ma for rims surrounding older cores (82.6±0.6Ma) overlaps with the second period of core crystallization. Compared to the phengite cores, all rims have lower B and Li abundances but similar δ11B values (−15‰ to −9‰), reflecting internal redistribution of B and Li and internal fluid buffering of the B isotopic composition during rim growth. The combined observation of younger 40Ar/39Ar ages and boron loss, yielding comparable values of both parameters only in cores and rims of different samples, is best explained by a selective metasomatic overprint. In low permeability samples, this overprint caused recrystallization of phengite rims, whereas higher permeability in other samples led to complete recrystallization of phengite grains.Strongly deformed samples from a several km long, blueschist-facies shear zone contain mylonitic phengite that forms a tightly clustered group of relatively young apparent 40Ar/39Ar ages (64.7–68.8Ma), yielding an inverse isochron age of 65.0±3.0Ma. Almost complete B and Li removal in mylonitic phengite is due to leaching into a fluid. The B isotopic composition is significantly heavier than in phengites from the weakly deformed samples, indicating an external control by a high-δ11B fluid (δ11B=+7±4‰). We interpret this result as reflecting phengite recrystallization related to deformation and associated fluid flow in the shear zone. This event also caused partial resetting of the Ar isotope system and further B loss in more permeable rocks of the adjacent unit. We conclude that geochemical evidence for pervasive or limited fluid flow is crucial for the interpretation of 40Ar/39Ar data in partially metasomatized rocks.

Ar–Ar ages and trapped Ar components in Martian shergottites RBT 04262 and LAR 06319

We made 39Ar–40Ar (Ar–Ar) analyses of whole rock (WR) and mineral samples of two Martian shergottites, RBT 04262 (RBT) and LAR 06319 (LAR), in order to determine their Ar–Ar ages and the 40Ar/36Ar ratios of the trapped Martian Ar they contain. All samples released trapped (excess) 40Ar and 36Ar and suggested Ar–Ar ages older than their formation ages. Because trapped Ar components having different 40Ar/36Ar were released at different extraction temperatures, we utilized only a portion of the data to derive preferred Ar–Ar ages. We obtain Ar–Ar ages of 171±8Ma for RBT plagioclase and 163±13Ma for LAR whole rock. We identify two trapped Ar components. At low temperatures, particularly for plagioclase, Trapped-A with 40Ar/36Ar 285±3 was released, and we believe this is most likely absorbed terrestrial air. At high extraction temperatures, particularly for pyroxene, Trapped-B with 40Ar/36Ar 1813±127 was released. The poikilitic/non-poikilitic texture of RBT and the presence of large pyroxene oikocrysts allowed a clear definition of Trapped-B. This Ar component is Martian, and its isotopic similarity to the Martian atmospheric composition suggests that it may represent Martian atmospheric Ar incorporated into the shergottite melt via crustal rocks. Trapped-B partitioned into pyroxene at a constant molar ratio of K/36ArTr=33.2±9.5×106 for RBT 04262, and 80±21×106 for LAR 06319. Trapped-A mixed in different proportions with Trapped-B could give apparently intermediate trapped 40Ar/36Ar compositions commonly observed in shergottites.

Subduction zone fluxes of halogens and noble gases in seafloor and forearc serpentinites

Serpentinites form by hydration of ultramafic lithologies in a range of seafloor and shallow subduction zone settings. Serpentinites are recognised as major reservoirs of fluid mobile elements and H2O in subducting oceanic lithosphere, and together with forearc serpentinites formed in the mantle wedge, provide critical information about shallow-level volatile fluxes during subduction. The current study provides new Cl, as well as the first comprehensive Br, I and noble gas analyses reported for seafloor and forearc chrysotile–lizardite serpentinites. The samples were recovered from IODP drilling campaigns of mid-ocean ridge, passive margin and forearc settings (n=17), and ophiolites in the Italian Alps and Apennines (n=10). The aims of this study were to determine the compositional variability of noble gases and halogens in serpentinites entering subduction zones and evaluate the efficiency of gas loss during the early stages of serpentinite subduction.The chrysotile–lizardite serpentinites and serpentised peridotites contain 43–2300ppm Cl and 3×10−13–2×10−11molg−136Ar, with the concentrations of these elements broadly related to the estimated degree of serpentinisation. The serpentinites have extremely variable Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios with many samples preserving compositions similar to organic-rich sedimentary marine pore fluids. Serpentinites from the Marianas Forearc have very high I concentrations of up to 45ppm I and I/Cl ratios of ∼14,000 times the seawater value that is even higher than the maximum I/Cl enrichment observed in sedimentary marine pore fluids. The serpentinites have 130Xe/36Ar and 84Kr/36Ar ratios that are mostly close to or above seawater values, and 20Ne/36Ar ratios that range from seawater to lower values. The serpentinites contain <10–270ppm K and, irrespective of age (0Ma to ∼160Ma), are characterised by 40Ar/36Ar ratios of 300–340 that are slightly higher than the seawater value of 296, thus indicating the presence of minor excess 40Ar*. Three of six serpentinites analysed for helium also have measurable excess 4He contents that cannot be explained by in situ production. The data show that serpentinites trap noble gases and halogens that originate from seawater, organic matter and diverse crustal lithologies.Combined with previous analyses of metamorphosed serpentinites, the new data suggest that approximately 60–70% of the 36Ar entering subduction zones in serpentinites is lost from chrysotile and/or antigorite and could potentially escape through the forearc. An additional, ∼20–30% of the 36Ar entering subduction zones in serpentinites is lost during antigorite breakdown and may be cycled through the arc or back-arc, and ∼1–10% of the 36Ar entering subduction zones in serpentinites may be subducted into the deeper mantle. The data demonstrate decoupling of noble gases, halogens and water during subduction and suggest that subduction-zone fluid fluxes can produce especially high concentrations of noble gases and iodine in newly formed forearc serpentinites. The distinctive I/Cl enrichment of forearc serpentinites suggest that halogen abundance ratios provide a plausible means for inferring the geotectonic setting of serpentinisation in ophiolite samples. The exceptional Cl, Br, I and noble gas concentrations of serpentinites, the potential subduction of the forearc serpentinites and the stability of serpentine minerals to mantle depths of >200km, imply that serpentinites could dominate the deep recycling budgets of both the heavy halogens and atmospheric noble gases.

Surface exposure dating of young basalts (1–200 ka) in the San Francisco volcanic field (Arizona, USA) using cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne

K–Ar ages of young basalts (<500 ka) are often higher than the actual eruption age, due to low potassium contents and the frequent presence of excess Ar in olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts. Geological studies in the San Francisco and Uinkaret volcanic fields in Arizona have documented the presence of excess 40Ar and have concluded that K–Ar ages of young basalts in these fields tend to be inaccurate. This new study in the San Francisco volcanic field presents 3Hec and 21Nec ages yielded by olivine and pyroxene collected from three Pleistocene basalt flows – the South Sheba (∼190 ka), SP (∼70 ka), and Doney Mountain (∼67 ka) lava flows, – and from one Holocene basalt, the Bonito Lava Flow (∼1.4 ka) at Sunset Crater. These data indicate that, in two of three cases, 40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar ages of the young basalts agree well with cosmic-ray surface exposure ages of the same lava flow, thus suggesting that excess 40Ar is not always a problem in young basalt flows in the San Francisco volcanic field. The exposure age of the Bonito lava flow agrees within uncertainty with dendrochronological and archeological age determinations. K–Ar and cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne ages from the SP flow are in agreement and much older than the OSL age (5.5–6 ka) reported for this lava flow. Furthermore, if the non-cosmogenic ages are assumed to be accurate, the subsequent calculated production rates at South Sheba and SP flow sample sites agree well with values in the literature.

锡石&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;40&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;Ar/&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;39&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;Ar 法直接定年探讨

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of dating fluid inclusions in cassiterite using the 40Ar/39Ar technique by crushing in vacuo . Paragenous muscovite and cassiterite in a piece of tungsten ore from the Piaotang tungsten deposit in southern Jiangxi Province were selected. Laser stepwise heating of the muscovite yields a flat age spectrum with a plateau age of 159.3±1.5 Ma. The 40Ar/39Ar dating result of cassiterite by crushing forms a declining age spectrum marked by the highest apparent age of 3954 Ma at the 1st stage, then shows an apparent decline step-by-step, and finally a plateau appears with a plateau age of 159.1±1.8 Ma in the last 12 stages (from 7 to 18, or about 83% of the total 39Ar). The data points of cassiterite clearly distribute into two groups corresponding to secondary and primary fluid inclusions, and their mixtures. The secondary ones contain excess 40Ar and their data points scatter on the inverse isochron diagram of 36Ar/40Ar vs. 39Ar/40Ar, while the primary ones do not contain excess 40Ar and their data points yield an excellent isochron line corresponding to an age of 158.6±2.9 Ma. The 40Ar/39Ar isochron age of the cassiterite by crushing is well concordant with the age of the paragenous muscovite by 40Ar/39Ar stepwise heating, indicating that mineralization occurred at 159 Ma. This study reveals that cassiterite is a suitable dating target for 40Ar/39Ar stepwise crushing. Moreover, the isochron age of the primary inclusions represent the mineralization age of the Piaotang tungsten deposit.

Partitioning of excess argon between alkali feldspars and glass in a young volcanic system

Argon system behavior in a young volcanic system has been investigated through analysis of alkali feldspar phenocrysts and glass separates in order to constrain the potential effects of excess Ar upon 40Ar– 39Ar ages on feldspars and the crystal/melt partition coefficient. The importance of syn-and post-emplacement processes was investigated by sampling glass and pumice clasts derived from varying post-eruptive conditions, including welded sections, vapor-phase altered sections and heavily weathered portions of the ignimbrite. Excess 40Ar was detected in all glass samples at 1–10 ppb level, yet despite this, step-heating of co-existing alkali feldspar revealed a total gas age of 0.644 ± 0.038 Ma compared with the generally accepted age of 0.668 ± 0.004 Ma for the timing of emplacement of the Arico Formation. This suggests that despite high concentrations of Ar dissolved in the glass at quenching, the alkali feldspar crystallizing from excess Ar-rich melt contain very little excess Ar. No correlation was observed between excess Ar in the glass and total gas age obtained from the co-existing alkali feldspar and a partition coefficient (K D) between feldspar and glass was constrained to be less than 10 − 3 . A correlation between the concentrations of excess Ar and atmospheric derived 36Ar in the glass (manifested as a restricted range of 40Ar/ 36Ar up to ~ 320) suggests a uniform mechanism of incorporation of Ar from these reservoirs measured in all samples prior to eruption. In an assessment of post-eruptive factors, diffusional loss of Ar was not significant during the elevated temperatures (~ up to 670 °C) associated with welding processes at the relevant timescales over which welding occurs. Since diffusive exchange occurs between crystals and melt over long periods in the magma chamber, ages determined on volcanic alkali feldspars reflect the eruption age as a result of the very low K D, but in systems containing excess Ar the ultimate accuracy of such ages will be limited by the actual value of K D. We observe that biotite, a mineral with a higher K D, yields anomalously old ages in such systems, an observation made previously for other volcanic systems. Diffusive loss of Ar from volcanic glass occurs on timescales approximating that of volcanic eruptions, suggesting that excess Ar measured in the glass separates is representative of a degassed state, and indicates even higher pre-eruptive Ar concentrations present in the magma chamber prior to eruption. Thus our measured K D is likely to be a maximum value. The significance of physical contamination of feldspar by glass is also highlighted and quantified demonstrating that less than 0.01% by weight of adhered phonolite glass was required to elevate a measured feldspar age. This is particularly significant for young samples where any such contamination effect would be magnified proportionally to the small amount of in-grown radiogenic Ar.