Osmium Isotope Research Articles

Middle Eocene greenhouse warming facilitated by diminished weathering feedback

The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) represents a ~500-kyr period of global warming ~40 million years ago and is associated with a rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, but the cause of this CO2 rise remains enigmatic. Here we show, based on osmium isotope ratios (187Os/188Os) of marine sediments and published records of the carbonate compensation depth (CCD), that the continental silicate weathering response to the inferred CO2 rise and warming was strongly diminished during the MECO—in contrast to expectations from the silicate weathering thermostat hypothesis. We surmise that global early and middle Eocene warmth gradually diminished the weatherability of continental rocks and hence the strength of the silicate weathering feedback, allowing for the prolonged accumulation of volcanic CO2 in the oceans and atmosphere during the MECO. These results are supported by carbon cycle modeling simulations, which highlight the fundamental importance of a variable weathering feedback strength in climate and carbon cycle interactions in Earth’s history.

Determination of the Isotopic Composition of Osmium Using MC-ICPMS.

Despite its widespread applications in geology, all osmium isotope ratio measurements are either uncalibrated or rely on the veracity of the uncalibrated 1937 Nier values by adopting them as normalizing constants typically in conjunction with an exponential mass bias correction model. In this study, isotope ratios of osmium were determined in six commercial osmium materials, including the DROsS standard and a new NRC isotopic osmium reference material OSIS-1, by MC-ICPMS. We use a previously optimized and validated regression mass bias correction model to correct instrumental isotope fractionation effects which does not rely either on Nier's values or on a strictly mass-dependent behavior of the isotopes. Deviations from mass-dependent fractionation (mass independent fractionation) were observed for osmium isotopes in MC-ICPMS with the most dramatic effect occurring for 187Os, wherein, on average, close to half-percent bias in the isotope ratio 187Os/188Os was observed as a result of imposing Russell's law.

Contrasting meteoritic signatures within the Clearwater East and Clearwater West impact structures: The view from osmium isotopes

Osmium isotopes provide a powerful tool for identifying meteoritic signatures in impactites. We apply the osmium isotope method to impact melt and country rocks from the Clearwater East and Clearwater West craters located in Quebec, Canada. Impact melts from Clearwater East have 187Os/188Os ratios of 0.1281–0.1285. These values indicate a significant meteoritic component, which exceeds that in impact melts at all terrestrial craters studied to date, except Morokweng. Such findings align with earlier results from chromium isotopes and platinum-group elements. In contrast, impact melts from Clearwater West have 187Os/188Os ratios between 6.604 and 59.12. These highly radiogenic ratios are indistinguishable from the 187Os/188Os ratios in country rocks. Hence, osmium isotopes provide no evidence for a meteoritic component in impact melts at Clearwater West. The Clearwater craters formed in almost identical targets. Therefore, target effects cannot readily explain the stark difference between the two Clearwater craters. If melt sheet heterogeneity is similar at the two craters, the probability that melts at Clearwater West host an undetected chondritic component is < 0.2%. Multiple scenarios may explain the non-detection of a meteoritic signature at West; the possibility of a differentiated achondrite impactor could be tested using chromium isotopes. At Clearwater East, a low impact speed (<10 km s−1) may best explain the unusually strong meteoritic signature. Although the signature (or its nondetection) at each crater may be related to asymmetric preservation of the impactor component, the results presented here provide further evidence that Clearwater East and Clearwater West were temporally separate impact events.

Chondritic late accretion to Mars and the nature of shergottite reservoirs

Mars is considered to have formed as a planetary embryo that experienced extensive differentiation early in its history. Shergottite meteorites preserve evidence for this history, and for late accretion events that affected their mantle sources within Mars. Here we report the first coupled 187Re–187Os, 87Sr/86Sr, highly siderophile element (HSE: Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Re) and major element abundance dataset for martian shergottites that span a range of MgO contents, from 6.4 to 30.3 wt.%. The shergottites range from picro-basalt to basaltic-andesite compositions, have enriched to depleted incompatible trace-element compositions, and define fractional crystallization trends, enabling the determination of HSE compatibility for martian magmatism in the order: Os > Ir ≥ Ru ≫ Pt ≥ Pd ≥ Re. This order of compatibility is like that defined previously for Earth and the Moon, but the fractionation of strongly compatible Os, Ir and Ru appears to take place at higher MgO contents in martian magmas, due to early onset of sulfide fractionation. In general, enriched shergottites have lower MgO contents than intermediate or depleted shergottites and have fractionated HSE patterns (Re + Pd + Pt > Ru + Ir + Os) and more radiogenic measured 87Sr/86Sr (0.7127–0.7235) and 187Os/188Os (0.140–0.247) than intermediate or depleted shergottite meteorites (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7010–0.7132; 187Os/188Os = 0.127–0.141). Osmium isotope compositions, corrected for crystallization age, define compositions that are implausibly unradiogenic in some enriched shergottites, implying recent mobilization of Re in some samples. Filtering for the effects of alteration and high Re/Os through crystal-liquid fractionation leads to a positive correlation between age-corrected Sr and Os isotope compositions. Mixing between hypothetical martian crustal and mantle reservoirs are unable to generate the observed Sr–Os isotope compositions of shergottites, which require either distinct and discrete long-term incompatible-element depleted and enriched mantle sources, or originate from hybridized melting of deep melts with metasomatized martian lithosphere. Using MgO-regression methods, we obtain a modified estimate of the bulk silicate Mars HSE composition of (in ng g−1) 0.4 [Re], 7.4 [Pd], 9.6 [Pt], 6.2 [Ru], 3.7 [Ir], 4 [Os], and a long-term chondritic 187Os/188Os ratio (∼0.1312). This result does not permit existing models invoking high-pressure and temperature partitioning of the HSE. Instead, our estimate implies 0.6–0.7% by mass of late accretion of broadly chondritic material to Mars. Our results indicate that Mars could have accreted earlier than Earth, but that disproportional accretion of large bodies and a relative constant flux of accretion of available materials in the first 50–100 Ma of Solar System led to the broad similarity in HSE abundances between Earth and Mars.

Determination of Osmium Concentration and Isotope Composition at Ultra-low Level in Polar Ice and Snow.

Here we use two chemical separation procedures to determine exceptionally low Os concentrations (∼10-15 g g-1) and Os isotopic composition in polar snow/ice. Approximately 50 g of meltwater is spiked with 190Os tracer solution and frozen at -20 °C in quartz-glass ampules. A mixture of H2O2 and HNO3 is then added, and the sample is heated to 300 °C at 100 bar. This allows tracer Os to be equilibrated with the sample as all Os species are oxidized to OsO4. The resulting OsO4 is separated using either distillation (Method-I) or solvent-extraction (Method-II), purified, and measured using negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry (N-TIMS). A new technique is presented that minimizes Re and Os blanks of the Pt filaments used in N-TIMS. We analyze snow collected from Summit, Greenland during 2009, 2014, and 2017. We find that the average Os concentration of the snow is 0.459 ± 0.018 (95% C.I.) fg g-1 corresponding to an Os flux of 0.0579 ± 0.0023 (95% C.I.) fmol cm-2 yr-1. The average R(187Os/188Os) ratio of the Summit snow is 0.264 ± 0.026 (95% C.I.). Assuming that the volcanic source is negligible, the average ratio indicates that about 0.0518 ± 0.0040 (95% C.I.) fmol cm-2 yr-1 of Os is of cosmic derivation, corresponding to an accretion rate of extra-terrestrial Os to the Earth of 264 ± 21 mol yr-1.

Dissecting the Re-Os molybdenite geochronometer

Rhenium and osmium isotopes have been used for decades to date the formation of molybdenite (MoS2), a common mineral in ore deposits and the world’s main source of molybdenum and rhenium. Understanding the distribution of parent 187Re and radiogenic daughter 187Os isotopes in molybdenite is critical in interpreting isotopic measurements because it can compromise the accurate determination and interpretation of mineralization ages. In order to resolve the controls on the distribution of these elements, chemical and isotope mapping of MoS2 grains from representative porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits were performed using electron microprobe and nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry. Our results show a heterogeneous distribution of 185,187Re and 192Os isotopes in MoS2, and that both 187Re and 187Os isotopes are not decoupled as previously thought. We conclude that Re and Os are structurally bound or present as nanoparticles in or next to molybdenite grains, recording a complex formation history and hindering the use of microbeam techniques for Re-Os molybdenite dating. Our study opens new avenues to explore the effects of isotope nuggeting in geochronometers.

Atmospheric dispersion of trace metals between two smelters: An approach coupling lead, strontium and osmium isotopes from bioindicators

Bioindicators, by naturally cumulating the impacts of chemical contaminants over time, have demonstrated their added value in evaluating environmental quality. We studied Pb, Sr and Os isotope systematics from Cladonia rangiferina lichens collected along a transect between two smelting complexes located in Rouyn-Noranda and Sudbury (Canada) to identify sources of these metals in the Abitibi region and to delineate the extent of their respective emission plumes. Results show that metals present in the study area are explained by the contamination of the regional background by deposition from the atmospheric emissions of the different smelters over distances up to 250km. A rough estimate of the respective metal contributions of each smelter to the lichen samples was calculated. At low metal concentrations, lichen samples indicate that dispersion plumes may differ for the Pb and Os contamination, perhaps to be linked to differential volatility.

The seawater osmium isotope record of South China Sea: Implications on its history and evolution

The South China Sea is the largest marginal basin in the world, and is located in the confluence of three major tectonic plates (Pacific-Philippine Sea, Indo-Australia, Eurasia). Its tectonic history and evolution throughout the Cenozoic has been the subject of much discussion with regards to its mechanism, timing, and relationship to neighboring geological features. We conducted the first Re-Os isotope study of the South China Sea cores recovered from ocean drilling (ODP-Ocean Drilling Program and IODP-International Ocean Discovery Program) and from Philippine oil exploration wells in order to investigate whether or not the basin's tectonic evolution will be reflected in the seawater Os isotope record. These cores represent the northern and southern conjugate margins of the South China Sea, and should have complementary records of the tectonic events in the basin. We found three important negative anomalies in the South China Sea's seawater Os isotope record at 35–33Ma, 26–23Ma, and ~13–6Ma, which are temporally related to tectono-magmatic events. At the northern margin, the record starts with the lowest (187Os/188Os)i values of 0.37 and 0.32 for the oldest samples, which then progresses to more radiogenic values for younger sediments. The trend is consistent with the start of seafloor spreading at ~33Ma that saw the peak in the flux of mantle-derived material, which later slowed down until the second peak between 26 and 23Ma. However, these unradiogenic values also mark the Eocene-Oligocene Transition and more likely implies South China Sea connectivity to global ocean circulation since pre-Oligocene. In both margins, slight to marked decrease in (187Os/188Os)i values deviate from the global trend and coincides with the ridge jump at ~23Ma. In the southern conjugate margin, (187Os/188Os)i show a general decreasing tendency opposite that of the northern margin and the global trend starting from Mid- to Late Miocene (~13–6Ma). Mass balance modeling suggests that the two younger negative excursions may be accounted for by mantle and hydrothermal Os inputs of ~372mol/my at ~23Ma and post ~13Ma. We suggest that the post ~13Ma protracted decrease in (187Os/188Os)i values for the southern margin reflects localized input of mantle-derived lithogenic Os from the Luzon Arc combined with post-spreading magmatic intrusions, and possibly gradual changes in paleoceanographic condition at the southern East Sub-basin.

Evidence for rapid weathering response to climatic warming during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event

Chemical weathering consumes atmospheric carbon dioxide through the breakdown of silicate minerals and is thought to stabilize Earth’s long-term climate. However, the potential influence of silicate weathering on atmospheric pCO2 levels on geologically short timescales (103–105 years) remains poorly constrained. Here we focus on the record of a transient interval of severe climatic warming across the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event or T-OAE from an open ocean sedimentary succession from western North America. Paired osmium isotope data and numerical modelling results suggest that weathering rates may have increased by 215% and potentially up to 530% compared to the pre-event baseline, which would have resulted in the sequestration of significant amounts of atmospheric CO2. This process would have also led to increased delivery of nutrients to the oceans and lakes stimulating bioproductivity and leading to the subsequent development of shallow-water anoxia, the hallmark of the T-OAE. This enhanced bioproductivity and anoxia would have resulted in elevated rates of organic matter burial that would have acted as an additional negative feedback on atmospheric pCO2 levels. Therefore, the enhanced weathering modulated by initially increased pCO2 levels would have operated as both a direct and indirect negative feedback to end the T-OAE.

Early metal-silicate differentiation during planetesimal formation revealed by acapulcoite and lodranite meteorites

In order to establish the role and expression of silicate-metal fractionation in early planetesimal bodies, we have conducted a highly siderophile element (HSE: Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Re) abundance and 187Re-187Os study of acapulcoite-lodranite meteorites. These data are reported with new petrography, mineral chemistry, bulk-rock major and trace element geochemistry, and oxygen isotopes for Acapulco, Allan Hills (ALHA) 81187, Meteorite Hills (MET) 01195, Northwest Africa (NWA) 2871, NWA 4833, NWA 4875, NWA 7474 and two examples of transitional acapulcoite-lodranites, Elephant Moraine (EET) 84302 and Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95209. These data support previous studies that indicate that these meteorites are linked to the same parent body and exhibit limited degrees (<2–7%) of silicate melt removal. New HSE and osmium isotope data demonstrate broadly chondritic relative and absolute abundances of these elements in acapulcoites, lower absolute abundances in lodranites and elevated (>2×CI chondrite) HSE abundances in transitional acapulcoite-lodranite meteorites (EET 84302, GRA 95209). All of the meteorites have chondritic Re/Os with measured 187Os/188Os ratios of 0.1271±0.0040 (2 St. Dev.). These geochemical characteristics imply that the precursor material of the acapulcoites and lodranites was broadly chondritic in composition, and were then heated and subject to melting of metal and sulfide in the Fe-Ni-S system. This resulted in metallic melt removal and accumulation to form lodranites and transitional acapulcoite-lodranites. There is considerable variation in the absolute abundances of the HSE, both among samples and between aliquots of the same sample, consistent with both inhomogeneous distribution of HSE-rich metal, and of heterogeneous melting and incomplete mixing of silicate material within the acapulcoite-lodranite parent body. Oxygen isotope data for acapulcoite-lodranites are also consistent with inhomogeneous melting and mixing of accreted components from different nebular sources, and do not form a well-defined mass-dependent fractionation line. Modeling of HSE inter-element fractionation suggests a continuum of melting in the Fe-Ni-S system and partitioning between solid metal and sulfur-bearing mineral melt, where lower S contents in the melt resulted in lower Pt/Os and Pd/Os ratios, as observed in lodranites. The transitional meteorites, EET 84302 and GRA 95209, exhibit the most elevated HSE abundances and do not follow modelled Pt/Os and Pd/Os solid metal-liquid metal partitioning trends. We interpret this to reflect metal melt pooling into domains that were sampled by these meteorites, suggesting that they may originate from deeper within the acapulcoite-lodranite parent body, perhaps close to a pooled metallic ‘core’ region. Petrographic examination of transitional samples reveals the most extensive melting, pooling and networking of metal among the acapulcoite-lodranite meteorites. Overall, our results show that solid metal-liquid metal partitioning in the Fe-Ni-S system in primitive achondrites follows a predictable sequence of limited partial melting and metal melt pooling that can lead to significant HSE inter-element fractionation effects in proto-planetary materials.

Laurite and zircon from the Finero chromitites (Italy): New insights into evolution of the subcontinental mantle

Chromitites enclosed within metasomatised Finero phlogopite peridotite (FPP) contain accessory platinum-group minerals, base metal (BM) sulfides, baddeleyite, zircon, zirconolite, uraninite and thorianite. To provide new insights into mantle-crustal interaction in the Finero lithosphere this study evaluates (1) the mineral chemistry and Os-isotope composition of laurite, (2) the crystal morphology, internal structure, in-situ U-Pb, trace-element and Hf-isotope data of zircon from two chromitite localities at Alpe Polunia and Rio Creves. The osmium isotope results reveal a resticted range of ‘unradiogenic’ 187Os/188Os values for laurite at Alpe Polunia (0.1247–0.1251, mean 0.1249±0.0001). Re-Os model ages (TRD) of laurite reflect an Early Paleozoic partial melting event (ca 450Ma or older), presumably before the Variscan orogeny. The Os isotopic composition of laurite/chromitite probably preserves their mantle signature and was not affected by later metasomatic processes. U-Pb and Hf-isotope data show that the Finero chromitites have distinct zircon populations with peculiar morphology, internal cathodoluminescence textures, trace-element composition and an overall U-Pb age span from ∼310Ma to 190Ma. Three age peaks at Rio Creves (220±4Ma, 234.2±4.5Ma and 277.5±3.2Ma) are consistent with a prolonged formation and multistage zircon growth, in contrast to the common assumption of a single metasomatic event during chromitite formation. The trace-element signatures of zircons are comparable with those of mantle-derived zircons from alkaline ultramafic rocks, supporting the carbonatitic nature of the metasomatism. Hf-isotope compositions of the Finero zircons, with εHf values ranging mainly from −3 to +1, are consistent with crustal input during metasomatism and could indicate that the parental melts/fluids were derived from a relatively old source; the minimum estimates for Hf model ages are 0.8–1.0Ga. Our findings imply that mantle rocks and metasomatic events at Finero have a far more complex geological history than is commonly assumed.

Mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of the polymetallic crusts and nodules from the South China Sea

Recent marine mineral investigations in the South China Sea (SCS) have found increasingly significant abundances of Fe–Mn polymetallic crusts and nodules with variable substrates and nuclei. There is, however, no systematic and complete study of the SCS crusts and nodules. The lack of mineralogical and geochemical studies affects our explicit understanding of the mineralization characteristics and genesis of the crusts and nodules. In this study, we analyzed a set of SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules obtained from ten sites to determine their mineralogy, chemistry, and Fe and Os isotopes. The SCS crusts/nodules are composed predominantly of vernadite (δ–MnO2) and amorphous Fe oxides/hydroxides. The nodules also contain minor todorokite. TEM imaging and electron diffractions show that the Fe–Mn minerals are nano–sized minerals with very poor crystallinity. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis indicates an average specific surface area of 257.128 m2/g for the SCS crusts and nodules, and main apertures of 2–10nm for their nanopores in the Fe–Mn minerals. It is noteworthy that the SCS crusts/nodules contain substantial amount of terrigenous detritus, suggesting that marginal sea–type Fe–Mn deposits are strongly influenced by terrigenous sedimentary input. Furthermore, geochemical analysis indicates that the SCS crusts/nodules have relatively lower Co (1482ppm), Cu (556.2ppm), Ni (3132ppm), Mo (276.2ppm), and Zn (598.3ppm) compared to open oceanic crusts/nodules, but relatively high concentrations of REY (1647ppm), PGE (234.0ppb), Ba (1056ppm), Pb (1878ppm), Sr (995.9ppm), Te (28.81ppm), and Tl (67.87ppm). Iron isotopic compositions suggest that the Fe sources of the SCS crusts/nodules may have been Fe dissolved in terrigenous (fluvial) inputs. Osmium isotopes indicate that the main ore–forming elements came directly from the ambient seawater, which was mainly influenced by terrigenous inputs, although there may have been mixing with minor mantle–derived signatures.Evidence from mineralogy, major element geochemistry, shale–normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns, and the Fe and Os isotopes suggest that the SCS crusts/nodules are mainly hydrogenetic, whilst the formation of some nodules may have been contributed by minor pore waters of their surrounding sediments. The SCS crusts/nodules had probably much higher growth rates (mean 19.20mm/Ma) than most hydrogenetic Fe–Mn deposits in other open oceans, which are typical of marginal sea Fe–Mn deposits that contain sufficient supply of ore–forming terrigenous detritus.Grades of some critical metals of economic interest (notably Co, Cu, Ni, Mo, and Zn) are slightly lower in the SCS crusts and nodules than in the crust and nodules from Pacific prime mineralization zones. Concentrations of Mn, REY, Pt, Mo, Co, Te, and Bi, however, show relatively high concentrations relative to the continental crust. The SCS crusts and nodules could thus represent a strategic REE, Co and Pt resource, and will likely catalyse additional investigation of seabed resources in the South China Sea.

Characterizing cosmochemical materials with genetic affinities to the Earth: Genetic and chronological diversity within the IAB iron meteorite complex

The IAB iron meteorite complex consists of a main group (MG) and five chemical subgroups (sLL, sLM, sLH, sHL, and sHH). Here, mass-independent Mo and radiogenic 182W isotope compositions are reported for IAB complex meteorites to evaluate the genetics and chronology, respectively, of the MG and subgroups. Osmium isotopes are used to correct for cosmic ray exposure effects on isotopes of Mo and W. The MG and three subgroups (i.e., sLL, sLM, and sLH), characterized by low Au abundances, have the same Mo isotopic compositions within analytical uncertainty, consistent with a common genetic origin. These meteorites, together with winonaites, are the only cosmochemical materials yet identified with Mo isotopic compositions that are identical to Earth. The Mo isotopic compositions of two subgroups characterized by higher Au abundances (sHL and sHH) are identical to one another within uncertainty, but differ from the low Au subgroups, indicating derivation from genetically distinct materials.The MG has a 182W, post calcium–aluminum inclusion (CAI) formation model age of 3.4±0.7 Ma. One of the low Au subgroups (sLM) is ∼1.7 Ma younger, whereas the high Au subgroups are ∼1.5–3 Ma older. The new Mo–W data, coupled with chemical data, indicate that the MG and the low Au subgroups formed in different impact-generated melts, some of which evidently formed on a chemically disparate, but genetically identical parent body. The high Au subgroups likely formed via core-formation processes on separate, internally-heated parent bodies from other IAB subgroups. The IAB complex meteorites fall on a linear trend defined by 94Mo/96Mo vs. 95Mo/96Mo, along with most other iron meteorite groups. Variation along this line was caused by mixing between at least two nebular components. One component was likely a pure s-process enriched nucleosynthetic carrier, and the other a homogenized nebular component. Sombrerete, currently classified as an sHL iron, has a Mo isotopic composition that is distinct from all IAB complex meteorites analyzed here. Along with group IVB iron meteorites and some ungrouped iron meteorites, it falls on a separate line from other meteorites which may reflect addition of an r-process-enriched component, and it should no longer be classified as a IAB iron.

High precision osmium stable isotope measurements by double spike MC-ICP-MS and N-TIMS

We present a method for precise determination of stable osmium isotope compositions by MC-ICP-MS and N-TIMS using a double spike.

Quantifying the volcanic emissions which triggered Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a and their effect on ocean acidification

AbstractThe Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (Early Aptian) is thought to be causally related to the eruption of the Ontong Java Plateau large igneous province. This study uses osmium isotope records to quantify the magnitude of the respective CO2 emissions up to the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a, and model the associated changes in carbonate saturation state (Ω), atmospheric pCO2, carbon isotope ratios and the carbonate compensation depth with a carbon cycle model. These model results suggest that volcanism associated with the rapid negative 187/188 osmium ratios observed during the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (Selli Event) increased the planetary CO2 degassing flux at least six‐fold, causing a negative δ13C excursion of ca 1·5‰ in the dissolved surface ocean inorganic carbon pool. This is consistent with previously published δ13C data. Volcanic degassing of this magnitude would also suppress the aragonite saturation state of surface water to near under‐saturated values (Ω ca 1·1 to 0·9), shoal the carbonate compensation depth by 1500 m and increase the atmospheric pCO2 by 3000 p.p.m., before increased weathering and anoxia would counter the pCO2 increase.

Emerging airborne contaminants in India: Platinum Group Elements from catalytic converters in motor vehicles

Platinum Group Element (PGE) pollution on the Indian subcontinent is a growing concern because vehicle sales in India have rapidly increased over the last decade, and it is well known that automobile catalytic converters are one of the major source of anthropogenic PGE in the environment. Despite the rapid growth of the Indian automobile industry, the sources and magnitude of PGE contamination in Indian airborne particles are unknown. In this study we report PGE and mercury (Hg) concentrations, as well as osmium isotope ratios (187Os/188Os) of airborne particles (PM10) collected in Kanpur, a large industrial city in India. We estimate that 61 ± 22%, 32 ± 24%, and 7 ± 3% of the total Os fraction are derived from eroding upper continental crust, catalytic converters fitted in the exhaust system of motor vehicles, and fossil fuel combustion, respectively. Only one sample had a ten times higher (∼76%) than average contribution from fossil fuel. Unlike Os, Pt is predominantly (84 ± 10%) derived from anthropogenic sources. Platinum Group Element and Hg concentrations are not well correlated. However, the highest concentration of particulate Hg corresponds to the most radiogenic 187Os/188Os isotope ratios (4.6). Our results further indicated that PGE/Ir ratios could be successfully used to quantify the relative proportions of natural and anthropogenic PGE sources in aerosol samples. Since PGE and Hg data on Indian environmental samples are scarce, this study provides an interpretive framework that calls for additional assessments of PGE and Hg concentrations in environmental samples from India.

Osmium isotope evidence for two pulses of increased continental weathering linked to Early Jurassic volcanism and climate change

Abstract Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are proposed to have caused a number of episodes of abrupt environmental change by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, which were subsequently alleviated by drawdown of CO2 via enhanced continental weathering and burial of organic matter. Here the sedimentary records of two such episodes of environmental change, the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE) and preceding Pliensbachian–Toarcian (Pl-To) event (both possibly linked to the Karoo-Ferrar LIP), are investigated using a new suite of geochemical proxies that have not been previously compared. Stratigraphic variations in osmium isotope (187Os/188Os) records are compared with those of mercury (Hg) and carbon isotopes (δ13C) in samples from the Mochras core, Llanbedr Farm, Cardigan Bay Basin, Wales. These sedimentary rocks are confirmed as recording an open-marine setting by analysis of molybdenum/uranium enrichment trends, indicating that the Os isotope record in these samples reflects the isotopic composition of the global ocean. The Os isotope data include the first results across the Pl-To boundary, when seawater 187Os/188Os increased from ∼0.40 to ∼0.53, in addition to new data that show elevated 187Os/188Os (from ∼0.42 to ∼0.68) during the T-OAE. Both increases in 187Os/188Os correlate with negative carbon isotope excursions and increased mercury concentrations, supporting an interplay between terrestrial volcanism, weathering, and climate that was instrumental in driving these distinct episodes of global environmental change. These observations also indicate that the environmental impact of the Karoo-Ferrar LIP was not limited solely to the T-OAE.

Nuclear structure and decay properties of even–even nuclei in Z = 70−80 drip-line region

We study nuclear structure properties for various isotopes of Ytterbium (Yb), Hafnium(Hf), Tungsten(W), Osmium(Os), Platinum(Pt) and Mercury(Hg) in [Formula: see text] = 70–80 drip-line region starting from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] within the formalism of relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. The pairing correlation is taken care by using BCS approach. We compared our results with finite range droplet model(FRDM) and experimental data and found that the calculated results are in good agreement. Neutron shell closure is obtained at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in this region. We have also studied probable decay mechanisms of these elements.

Osmium isotope compositions of detrital Os-rich alloys from the Rhine River provide evidence for a global late Mesoproterozoic mantle depletion event

We report osmium isotopic compositions for 297 mantle-derived detrital Ru–Os–Ir alloy grains found in gold and platinum-group mineral bearing placers of the Rhine River. These alloys were likely formed as a result of high degree melting in the convective mantle and derived from residual Paleozoic mantle peridotites in the Alps of Central Europe that were accreted as part of a collage of Gondwana-derived ‘Armorican’ terranes before the Variscan Orogeny. The 187Os/188Os isotope ratios of the Os-rich alloys show a wide distribution, with two modes at 0.1244 and 0.1205. These two modes correspond to rhenium depletion ages, interpreted to correspond with episodes of high-degree mantle melting, at ∼0.5 and ∼1.1 Ga. The data confirm the ability of the oceanic mantle to preserve evidence of ancient melting events. Our new data, in combination with published data on Os-rich alloys from the Urals and Tasmania and with data for abyssal peridotites, indicate a geographically widespread record of a major global Late Mesoproterozoic (1.0–1.2 Ga) high-degree melting event in Paleozoic oceanic mantle rocks. This model age peak is essentially absent from the crustal record of Central-Western Europe, but does coincide with the apparent peak in global continental crust zircon ages at this time. Thus, high-degree mantle melting peaking in the 1.0–1.2 Ga interval may have affected a large part of Earth's mantle. This interval occurred during a period of relative super-continental stability, which may have been accompanied in the oceanic realm by rapid seafloor spreading and extensive subduction, and by unusually high activity of mantle plumes forming two active mantle superswells.

Temporal and compositional evolution of Jorullo volcano, Mexico: Implications for magmatic processes associated with a monogenetic eruption

The 1759–1774 eruption of the Jorullo volcano in the Michoacán Guanajuato Volcanic Field (MGVF), Mexico, produced lavas that range in composition from basalt to basaltic andesite. We have conducted new major and trace element and isotopic studies (whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf–Os, and O isotopes in olivine separates) of the Jorullo lavas and tephras spanning the duration and compositional range of the eruption, to further constrain the potential roles of mantle source heterogeneity, subduction-related metasomatism, and crustal assimilation in the petrogenesis of the Jorullo magmas. This study presents the first Hf, high precision Pb and comprehensive oxygen isotope measurements for Jorullo volcanic rocks. All samples have arc-like trace element patterns with enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Ba, Rb, and Pb) and depletions in fluid immobile elements (e.g. Nb, Ta). In addition, the samples show variations in 87Sr/86Sr (0.7038–0.7040), 143Nd/144Nd (0.51280–0.51285), 176Hf/177Hf (0.28297–0.28300), 206Pb/204Pb (18.62–18.66), 207Pb/204Pb (15.57–15.59) and 208Pb/204Pb (38.34–38.43). Osmium isotope signatures are, with one exception, more radiogenic than the depleted and primitive mantle (187Os/188Os=0.1231–0.1616). Oxygen isotope ratios of olivine phenocrysts (δ18.OSMOW=5.70–6.02‰) show limited variation, but are isotopically heavier than normal mantle olivine. The samples define two geochemical groups: high-MgO samples with higher 87Sr/86Sr, lower 143Nd/144Nd and 176Hf/177Hf, and a positive correlation of Sr and Pb isotopes; and low-MgO samples displaying lower 87Sr/86Sr but higher 143Nd/144Nd and 176Hf/177Hf than the former group, and a negative correlation of Sr and Pb isotopes. The high-MgO group comprises most of the early tephra and lavas, whereas the low-MgO group includes most of the late tephra and lavas. These compositional variations are inconsistent with shallow level contamination, but rather are interpreted to reflect mantle source heterogeneity. Trace element and isotopic signatures are consistent with North Mexican Extensional Province (NMEP) mantle metasomatised by subduction components composed of sediment- and oceanic crust-derived hydrous fluid. The temporal–compositional variations observed in Jorullo magmas are inferred to result from a combination of variable degrees of fractional crystallization of magmas produced by tapping a progressively less metasomatised mantle source that is vertically and/or laterally heterogeneous.