Radiogenic Sr Isotope Signatures Research Articles

Metal remobilization from country rocks into the Jiaodong-type orogenic gold systems, Eastern China: New constraints from scheelite and galena isotope results at the Xiadian and Majiayao gold deposits

Orogenic gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula contain >5000 t of known gold resources. Precambrian metamorphic rocks and Mesozoic granite represent the main host rocks for these deposits, but gold deposition (~120 Ma) is significantly younger and it remains unclear whether some of the metals are sourced from the local country rock to these mineral systems. This study uses in situ geochemistry and isotope signatures of scheelite (Sr isotopes) and galena (Pb isotopes) at the Xiadian and Majiayao gold deposits to determine the role, if any, of country rock compositions on the formation of gold ore systems in the Jiaodong Peninsula. Scheelite from the two gold deposits occurred as part of a syn-mineralization stage with quartz, siderite, ankerite, and pyrite in the main orebody and/or its footwall. New results show that scheelite yields high Sr (>200 ppm) and low Mo (<40 ppm) and As (<5 ppm) concentrations, bell to flat REE profiles, and variable Eu anomalies. These scheelite compositions are very similar to previously published results from orogenic-style gold deposits in greenstone belts, indicating fluids with similar geochemical properties. The Xiadian scheelite with negative Eu anomalies may be controlled by REE substitution mechanisms and the composition of parent fluids that may have interacted with graphitic formations of the Jingshan Group, while the Majiayao scheelite with positive Eu anomaly is most likely the result of crystallographic controls on REE partition. New scheelite Sr isotope results for the Xiadian (87Sr/86Sr: 0.71258–0.71540) and Majiayao (87Sr/86Sr: 0.71568–0.71930) deposits further support interaction between hydrothermal fluids and local to distal country rocks. The high radiogenic Sr isotope signature of scheelite from the Majiayao deposit is primarily derived from the regional Jingshan and/or Penglai Group meta-sedimentary rocks. Galena in the Xiadian deposit, which occurs with pyrite in the syn-mineralization stage, has Pb isotope signatures of 206Pb/204Pb: 17.185 ± 0.004 that may reflect mixing between the Linglong granite and/or metamorphic rocks. The Majiayao galena yields the least radiogenic Pb isotope results (206Pb/204Pb: 16.554 ± 0.040), which are consistent with sulfide in the Jiaodong Group meta-volcanic rocks (206Pb/204Pb: 16.270–16.718) and suggest remobilization of Pb from sulfide within the previously metamorphosed formation. New geochemistry and isotope results document a mixed metal contribution that likely occurred as a consequence of fluid-rock interaction between ore-forming fluids and wall rocks at shallow crustal depths (<10 km). Such processes may have played a critical role in generating similar metallogenic features of the Jiaodong gold deposits as well as syn-metamorphic orogenic gold deposits in other greenstone belts. Our study highlights that the remobilization and precipitation of metals (Pb, Sr, W, and possible Au) scavenged from country rocks are perhaps ubiquitous processes, whether in syn- and/or post-metamorphism orogenic gold systems.

Slab-derived origin of tremolite–antigorite veins in a supra-subduction ophiolite: the Peridotite Nappe (New Caledonia) as a case study

Hydration of mantle peridotites provides information on the exhumation history and on the fluid regime accompanying exhumation of these rocks (reservoirs involved, fluid/rock ratios, temperature of interaction). Highly depleted harzburgites and dunites of the Peridotite Nappe of New Caledonia are crosscut by fractures, which have been pervasively serpentinized, producing lizardite, brucite, magnetite and minor chrysotile in a near-static environment, probably by sea water circulating in cooling joints. This event is generally referred to as “primary serpentinization”. In a next step, already serpentinized joints were re-opened to produce tension and shear cracks sealed by higher-temperature synkinematic fibrous minerals. Locally, tremolite-bearing veins and pockets, which do not display evidence for void infill, were generated by metasomatic replacement of the wall rock peridotite. Most veins only contain fibrous antigorite but some display tremolite-antigorite intergrowths or even pure tremolite. The latter rocks yield high contents of Ca and incompatible elements, which contrast with the overall depletion of the peridotite host rock and suggest contribution of an external source. Whole-rock geochemical and isotopic features (87Sr/86Sr, 18O and H) suggest that antigorite veins, which bear highly radiogenic Sr isotope signatures, were strongly influenced by fluids emitted by the subducted slab and associated sediments. In contrast, the geochemical and isotopic signatures of tremolite-bearing rocks suggest a genetic link with Early Eocene supra-subduction dykes and fluids that leached them. Calcium, strontium and REE-bearing oxidized fluids reacted with already serpentinized fracture wall rock as shown by fibre nucleation, chromite alteration and high Cr contents in tremolite. The bulk of syn-tectonic fluid-rock interaction associated with shear and tensile fracture development probably occurred at the onset of Eocene intra-oceanic subduction, when the buoyant lower plate (the South Loyalty Basin) obliquely forced its way beneath the nascent Loyalty fore-arc. Mobile elements extracted from supra-subduction dykes temporarily enriched the circulating fluids and generated tremolite, antigorite, Mg-chlorite and magnetite instead of antigorite and magnetite solely. Tremolite crystallization probably ceased due to the exhaustion of Ca-rich fluids in a globally cooling fore-arc environment.

Magnesium isotope evidence for enhanced crustal reworking in lowermost Cambrian sedimentary rocks (Kazakhstan)

The transition from the Proterozoic to the Phanerozoic Eon was accompanied by the rise of metazoan life, a key and unique biogeochemical milestone in Earth's history. Concomitant continental re-organization and collision were associated with enhanced continental reworking and changes in global ocean currents, with profound impacts on continental weathering rates, riverine run-off and associated changes in the ocean nutrient budget. The causal relationship between the geological re-organisation of continents and the biologic evolution of marine life, however, remains elusive. In this study, we investigate phosphatic shallow-water sedimentary successions from Kazakhstan, which host key marker horizons from the Precambrian-Cambrian (Pc-C) boundary. We show that a rapid change (over ca. 3 Myrs) towards heavier stable Mg isotope compositions of the phosphatic sedimentary deposits in Kazakhstan, which we consider representative for contemporaneous ocean chemistry, co-varies with changes in radiogenic Sr isotope signatures. We propose that ocean chemistry at the Pc-C boundary, represented through this co-variation, was strongly affected by continental re-organization and associated weathering, which, in analogy, would have affected ocean nutrient levels. A rapid reversal of isotope compositions towards signatures similar to those prior to the isotope excursion likely reflects the fading influence of weathering and a buffering of water-rock interactions during oceanic spreading. We conclude that, based on the positive, coupled 87Sr/86Sr- δ26Mg isotope spike in ocean water chemistry, a link between Gondwana re-organization at the Pc-C boundary and the marked change in marine fauna seems plausible.

The highly siderophile elements and Re–Os isotope geochemistry of Variscan lamproites from the Bohemian Massif: implications for regionally dependent metasomatism of orogenic mantle

Orogenic lamproites represent a group of peralkaline, ultrapotassic and perpotassic mantle-derived igneous rocks that hold the potential to sample components with extreme compositions from highly heterogeneous orogenic mantle. In our pilot study, we present highly siderophile element (HSE) and Re–Os isotope systematics of Variscan orogenic lamproites sampled in the territories of the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland, i.e., from the termination of the Moldanubian and Saxo-Thuringian zones of the Bohemian Massif. Orogenic lamproites of the Bohemian Massif are distinguished by variably high contents of SiO2, high Mg# and predominant mineral associations of K-rich amphibole and Fe-rich microcline. The HSE show (i) consistently very low contents in all investigated orogenic lamproites compared to the estimated concentrations in majority of mid-ocean ridge basalts, hotspot-related volcanic rocks (e.g., ocean island basalts, continental flood basalts, komatiites, some intraplate alkaline volcanic rocks such as kimberlites and anorogenic lamproites) and arc lavas, and (ii) marked differences in relative and absolute HSE abundances between the samples from the Moldanubian and Saxo-Thuringian Zone. Such a regional dependence in HSE from mantle-derived melts is exceptional. Orogenic lamproites have highly variable and high initial suprachondritic 187Os/188Os values (up to 0.631) compared with rather chondritic to subchondritic Os isotope values of the young lithospheric mantle below the Bohemian Massif. The highly radiogenic Os isotope component in orogenic lamproites may be derived from preferential melting of metasomatised vein assemblages sitting in depleted peridotite mantle. This process appears to be valid generally in the petrogenesis of orogenic lamproites both from the Bohemian Massif and from the Mediterranean area. As a specific feature of the orogenic lamproites from the Bohemian Massif, originally ultra-depleted mantle component correlative with remnants of the Rheic Ocean lithosphere in the Moldanubian Zone was metasomatised by a mixture of evolved and juvenile material, whereas the lithospheric mantle in the Saxo-Thuringian Zone was enriched through the subduction of evolved crustal material with highly radiogenic Sr isotope signature. As a result, this led to observed unique regionally dependent coupled HSE, Rb–Sr and Re–Os isotope systematics.

Origin, age and petrogenesis of barren (low-grade) granitoids from the Bezenjan-Bardsir magmatic complex, southeast of the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt, Iran

The Bezenjan-Bardsir magmatic complex (BBMC), situated at the southeastern part of the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt, includes a thick pile of volcanic rocks intruded by younger granitoids. The granitoids have granodioritic to quartz-monzonitic composition, while volcanic rocks are petrologically classified as basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite, rhyodacite, and rhyolite. In this study, U–Pb zircon geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses were performed on a wide range of granitoids exposed within the BBMC. This geochronology indicates that barren magmatism occurred during the Middle to Late Oligocene (29–23 Ma), followed by large-scale Cu mineralization during the Late Miocene. These BBMC rocks have strong depletions in Nb (2.5–17.3 ppm) and enrichments in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements compared to N-MORB. Their normal calc-alkaline arc geochemical signature (low Sr/Y ratio of almost <55), negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu∗ = 0.6–1), enrichment in HFSE and the negative to positive εNd (t) values of −1.23 to +3.17, the Nd model ages (0.43–0.72 Ga) and radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7048–0.7063) suggest generation in a subduction zone setting; however, productive rocks elsewhere within the UDMB exhibit adakite-like calc-alkaline magmatic characteristics (high Sr and Sr/Y, but low Y). The BBMC igneous rocks show low Sr/Y (14.6–45.2), zircon Ce(IV)/Ce(III) (12–703), and Eu/Eu∗ (0.08–0.64) ratios, negative to slightly positive Eu anomalies, and enrichment in HFSE and 87Sr/86Sr, in agreement with other barren-type magmas through the UDMB. An integrated geochemical, petrological, and tectonic model suggests that barren magmatism in the BBMC was likely associated with partial melting of juvenile lower crust (amphibolite) due to northwestward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere, whereas productive adakitic rocks within the UDMB formed by partial melting of thickened lower crust (garnet-amphibolite).

Petrogenesis of Rabor-Lalehzar magmatic rocks (SE Iran): Constraints from whole rock chemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes

The Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc (UDMA) of Central Iran has been formed during Neotethyan Ocean subduction underneath Eurasia. The Rabor-Lalehzar magmatic complex (RLMC), covers an area ∼1000 km2 in the Kerman magmatic belt (KMB), SE of UDMA. RLMC magmatic rocks include both granitoids and volcanic rocks with calc-alkaline and adakitic signatures but with different ages.Miocene adakitic rocks are characterd by relatively enrichmented in incompatible elements, high (Sr/Y)(N) (>40), and (La/Yb)(N) (>10) ratios with slightly negative Eu anomalies (EuN/Eu*≈ 0.9), depletion in HFSEs, and relatively non-radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7048–0.7049). In contrast, the Oligocene granitoids exhibit low Sr/Y (<20) and La/Yb (<9) ratios, negative Eu anomalies (EuN/Eu* ≈ 0.5), and enrichment in HFSEs and radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7050–0.7052), showing affinity to the island arc rocks. Eocene volcanic rocks which crusscut the younger granitoid rocks comprise andesites and dacites. Geochemically, lavas show calc-alkaline character without any Eu anomaly (EuN/Eu* ≈ 1.0). Based on the geochemical and isotopic data we propose that melt source for both calc-alkaline and adakitic rocks from the RLMC can be related to the melting of a sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). Basaltic melts derived from a metasomatized mantle wedge might be emplaced at the mantle-crust boundary and formed the juvenile mafic lower crust. However, some melts fractionated in the shallow magma chambers and continued to rise forming the volcanic intermediate-mafic rocks at the surface. On the other hand, the assimilation and fractional crystallization in the shallow magma chambers of may have been responsible for the development of Oligocene granitoids with calc-alkaline affinity. In the mid-Late Miocene, following the collision between Afro-Arabia and Iranian block the juvenile mafic crust of UDMA underwent thickening and metamorphosed into garnet-amphibolites. Subsequent upwelling of a hot asthenosphere during Miocene was responsible for partial melting of thickened juvenile crust of the SE UDMA (RLM complex). The adakitic melts ascended to the shallow crust to form the adakitic rocks in the KMB.

Geochemical and radiogenic isotope probes of Ischia volcano, Southern Italy: Constraints on magma chamber dynamics and residence time

The active volcano of Ischia, an island off-shore the city of Naples, Southern Italy, has a discontinuous volcanic activity characterized by caldera-forming paroxysmal eruptions, lava flows, and lava domes, and thus offers the opportunity to study the complexity of magma storage, differentiation, and extraction mechanisms in a long-lived magma reservoir. The overall geochemical composition of erupted magmas varies from shoshonite to latite and trachyte/trachyphonolite. Their Sr and Nd, isotope composition variation is typical of subduction-related magmas, akin to other potassic magmas of the Neapolitan District, and there is a complete overlap of radiogenic isotope composition among shoshonite, latite, and trachyte/trachyphonolite. The lack of systematic radiogenic isotope covariation during differentiation suggests that the radiogenic isotope variability could be a signature of each magma pulse that subsequently evolved in a closed-system environment. Erupted magmas record a recurrent evolutionary process consisting of two-step fractional crystallization along similar liquid lines of descent for each magma pulse, suggesting near steady-state magma chamber conditions with balanced alternating periods of replenishment, differentiation, and eruption. The dominant role of fractionating feldspars determines a significant depletion of Sr ( 200) in the residual trachyte magma. Several more-evolved trachytes have anomalous radiogenic 87 Sr/ 86 Sr i (>0.707) coupled with high 87 Rb/ 86 Sr (>50), all other geochemical and isotopic characteristics being similar to normal 87 Sr/ 86 Sr i trachytes at the same degree of evolution. This radiogenic Sr isotope signature is not consistent with assimilation of crustal material and demands for a time-related in-growth of 87 Sr during storage within the magma chamber. Rb-Sr isochrons on separated mineral-groundmass pairs provide robust constraints on a prolonged pre-eruptive history ranging from a few tens to hundreds of thousands of years at relatively low temperature (~750 °C). Remarkably, also normal trachytes with high 87 Rb/ 86 Sr (>200) yield a magma residence time from some 4 to 27 kyr, implying that the long-lived history of Ischia magmas is not limited to the anomalous 87 Sr/ 86 Sr i trachytes. This long-lived history could be a characteristic feature of the magma chamber reservoir of this active volcano, which other volcanic products (i.e., shoshonite and latite) cannot disclose due to their lower Rb/Sr (i.e., low 87 Sr in-growth rate) and higher magma storage temperature (>900 °C) (i.e., rapid Sr isotope homogenization via diffusion). The magma chamber dynamics of the active volcano of Ischia, probed on the basis of geochemical and radiogenic isotope tools, is consistent with recent models of complex magma chamber reservoirs made up of multiple discrete melt pockets, isolated by largely crystalline mush portions, maintained in a steady-state thermal flux regime with no mass exchange, and with reactivation shortly before eruption.

Strontium isotope systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal tungsten deposit, Austria – results of in-situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis

The in-situ Sr isotopic systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal W deposit and a few regional Variscan orthogneisses (“Zentralgneise”) have been determined by LA-MC-ICP-MS. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of scheelite and apatite from the deposit are highly radiogenic and remarkably scattering. In the early magmatic-hydrothermal scheelite generations (Scheelite 1 and 2) the 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.72078 to 0.76417 and from 0.70724 to 0.76832, respectively. Metamorphic Scheelite 3, formed by recrystallisation and local mobilisation of older scheelite, is characterised by even higher 87Sr/86Sr values between 0.74331 and 0.80689. Statistics allows discriminating the three scheelite generations although there is considerable overlap between Scheelite 1 and 2; they could be mixtures of the same isotopic reservoirs. The heterogeneous and scattering 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the two primary scheelite generations suggest modification of the Sr isotope system due to fluid-rock interaction and isotopic disequilibrium. Incongruent release of 87Sr from micas in the Early Palaeozoic host rocks of the Habach Complex contributed to the solute budget of the hydrothermal fluids and may explain the radiogenic Sr isotope signature of scheelite. Spatially resolved analyses revealed isotopic disequilibrium even on a sub-mm scale within zoned Scheelite 2 crystals indicating scheelite growth in an isotopic dynamical hydrothermal system. Zoned apatite from the W mineralised Early Carboniferous K1-K3 orthogneiss in the western ore field yielded 87Sr/86Sr of 0.72044–0.74514 for the cores and 0.74535–0.77937 for the rims. Values of magmatic apatite cores from the K1-K3 orthogneiss are comparable to those of primary Scheelite 1; they are too radiogenic to be magmatic. The Sr isotopic composition of apatite cores was therefore equally modified during the hydrothermal mineralisation processes, therefore supporting the single-stage genetic model in which W mineralisation is associated with the intrusion of the K1-K3 metagranitoid at Felbertal. The subsequent regional metamorphic overprint of the deposit caused redistribution of 87Sr as a consequence of metamorphic reactions involving Rb and Sr-bearing minerals. Metamorphic Scheelite 3 and apatite rims (e.g., in the K1-K3 orthogneiss) generally became more radiogenic during this process. However, local recrystallisation of primary scheelite under closed conditions (without addition of 87Sr by the metamorphic fluid) is also documented. The latter process resulted in a homogenisation of the isotope composition of Scheelite 3. Further increase in 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Scheelite 3 and apatite rims is attributed to Late Alpine (?) metamorphic recrystallisation and redistribution of 87Sr by metamorphic fluids.

Deciphering the geochronology of a large granitoid pluton (Karkonosze Granite, SW Poland): an assessment of U–Pb zircon SIMS and Rb–Sr whole-rock dates relative to U–Pb zircon CA-ID-TIMS

Granitoid plutons are often difficult to radiometrically date precisely due to the possible effects of protracted and complex magmatic evolution, crustal inheritance, and/or partial re-setting of radiogenic clocks. However, apart from natural/geological issues, methodological and analytical problems may also contribute to blurring geochronological data. This may be exemplified by the Variscan Karkonosze Pluton (SW Poland). High-precision chemical abrasion (CA) ID-TIMS zircon data indicate that the two main rock types, porphyritic and equigranular, of this igneous body were both emplaced at ca. 312 Ma, while field evidence points to a younger age for the latter. This is in contrast to the earlier reported SIMS (SHRIMP) zircon dates that scattered mainly between ca. 322 and 302 Ma. In an attempt to overcome this dispersion, at least in part caused by radiogenic lead loss, the CA technique was used before SHRIMP analysis. The 206Pb/238U age obtained in this way from a sample of porphyritic granite is 322 ± 3 Ma, ~16 Ma older than the untreated zircons; another porphyritic sample yielded a mean age of 319 ± 3 Ma, and the mean age was 318 ± 4 Ma for an equigranular granite sample – all three somewhat older than the age obtained by ID-TIMS. Older SIMS dates of ca. 318–322 Ma might indicate either faint inheritance or that zircon domains crystallized during earlier stages of Karkonosze igneous evolution. The ID-TIMS results have been used to re-assess the whole-rock Rb–Sr data. Excluding a porphyritic granite with excess radiogenic 87Sr, it appears that isotopic homogeneity was achieved for most samples during the 312 Ma event, as shown by a pooled 21-point isochron with an age of 311 ± 3 Ma and an initial 86Sr/86Sr of 0.7067 ± 4. Local crustal contamination by stopping of metapelitic material might account for the more radiogenic Sr isotope signature observed in biotite-rich schlieren. A critical re-evaluation of all available SHRIMP data using the ID-TIMS age of 312 Ma as a benchmark suggests that the observed scatter may be partly attributed to analytical and methodological problems, in particular failing to distinguish subtly discordant spots from truly concordant ones, which is a serious limitation of the microbeam analytical approach. Other likely pitfalls contributing to geochronological scatter are identified in the published Re–Os ages on molybdenite and the 40Ar/39Ar data on micas. A scenario postulating a 15–20 milliion year evolution of the Karkonosze Pluton cannot be established on the basis of available geochronological data, which rather supports a brief igneous event, although a more protracted pre-emplacement evolution is possible. A short timescale for crystallization of large igneous bodies, as suggested by the ID-TIMS data from the Karkonosze Granite, is in line with models of transport of granitic magmas through dikes to form large plutons.

Genesis of sediment-hosted stratiform copper–cobalt mineralization at Luiswishi and Kamoto, Katanga Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo)

The sediment-hosted stratiform Cu–Co mineralization of the Luiswishi and Kamoto deposits in the Katangan Copperbelt is hosted by the Neoproterozoic Mines Subgroup. Two main hypogene Cu–Co sulfide mineralization stages and associated gangue minerals (dolomite and quartz) are distinguished. The first is an early diagenetic, typical stratiform mineralization with fine-grained minerals, whereas the second is a multistage syn-orogenic stratiform to stratabound mineralization with coarse-grained minerals. For both stages, the main hypogene Cu–Co sulfide minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, carrollite, and chalcocite. These minerals are in many places replaced by supergene sulfides (e.g., digenite and covellite), especially near the surface, and are completely oxidized in the weathered superficial zone and in surface outcrops, with malachite, heterogenite, chrysocolla, and azurite as the main oxidation products. The hypogene sulfides of the first Cu–Co stage display δ34S values (−10.3‰ to +3.1‰ Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT)), which partly overlap with the δ34S signature of framboidal pyrites (−28.7‰ to 4.2‰ V-CDT) and have ∆34SSO4-Sulfides in the range of 14.4‰ to 27.8‰. This fractionation is consistent with bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). The hypogene sulfides of the second Cu–Co stage display δ34S signatures that are either similar (−13.1‰ to +5.2‰ V-CDT) to the δ34S values of the sulfides of the first Cu–Co stage or comparable (+18.6‰ to +21.0‰ V-CDT) to the δ34S of Neoproterozoic seawater. This indicates that the sulfides of the second stage obtained their sulfur by both remobilization from early diagenetic sulfides and from thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The carbon (−9.9‰ to −1.4‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (V-PDB)) and oxygen (−14.3‰ to −7.7‰ V-PDB) isotope signatures of dolomites associated with the first Cu–Co stage are in agreement with the interpretation that these dolomites are by-products of BSR. The carbon (−8.6‰ to +0.3‰ V-PDB) and oxygen (−24.0‰ to −10.3‰ V-PDB) isotope signatures of dolomites associated with the second Cu–Co stage are mostly similar to the δ13C (−7.1‰ to +1.3‰ V-PDB) and δ18O (−14.5‰ to −7.2‰ V-PDB) of the host rock and of the dolomites of the first Cu–Co stage. This indicates that the dolomites of the second Cu–Co stage precipitated from a high-temperature, host rock-buffered fluid, possibly under the influence of TSR. The dolomites associated with the first Cu–Co stage are characterized by significantly radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (0.70987 to 0.73576) that show a good correspondence with the Sr isotope signatures of the granitic basement rocks at an age of ca. 816 Ma. This indicates that the mineralizing fluid of the first Cu–Co stage has most likely leached radiogenic Sr and Cu–Co metals by interaction with the underlying basement rocks and/or with arenitic sedimentary rocks derived from such a basement. In contrast, the Sr isotope signatures (0.70883 to 0.71215) of the dolomites associated with the second stage show a good correspondence with the 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70723 to 0.70927) of poorly mineralized/barren host rocks at ca. 590 Ma. This indicates that the fluid of the second Cu–Co stage was likely a remobilizing fluid that significantly interacted with the country rocks and possibly did not mobilize additional metals from the basement rocks.

FOZO, HIMU, and the rest of the mantle zoo

The parameter μ describes the 238U/204Pb ratio of an Earth reservoir. Mantle domains labeled HIMU (high μ) originally defined reservoirs with highly radiogenic Pb isotope ratios observed in basalts from a select number of ocean islands, St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean and the Cook‐Austral islands in the South Pacific Ocean. While some authors use the term HIMU in this original sense, others refer to HIMU as a widespread component in many mid‐ocean ridge and ocean island basalt (MORB and OIB) sources. Here we show that highly radiogenic Pb isotope signatures in MORB and OIB originate from two different sources. In addition to the classical HIMU component observed at St. Helena and the South Pacific (named HIMU in the following), we define a component with slightly less radiogenic Pb but significantly more radiogenic Sr isotope signatures. This component lies at the extension of the (Atlantic and Pacific) MORB array in a Sr‐Pb isotope ratio diagram and is argued to be a ubiquitous component in MORB and many OIB sources. The inferred role of this component in the mantle and its inferred genetic origin closely resemble those originally suggested for a mantle component termed FOZO by Hart and coworkers. By redefining the composition, the origin, and the role of FOZO in the mantle, we establish a simple conceptual framework that explains the isotopic variability in both MORB and OIB with the lowest number of components. OIB are grouped into HIMU‐type OIB and basalts from islands that diverge from the MORB‐FOZO array toward various isotopically “enriched” compositions (EM). The apparent ubiquity of FOZO in the mantle and the calculated isotopic evolution of compositionally diverse MORB suggest that normal mantle melting and continuous subduction and aging of that crust during recycling through the mantle are the dominant causes of the MORB‐FOZO array. In contrast to FOZO, HIMU‐type OIB are quite rare, and if an origin by recycling of oceanic crust is also postulated, the production of HIMU sources has to be a special and rare combination of age and composition of subduction‐modified recycled oceanic crust.

Strontium isotopes as tracers of groundwater-induced floods: the Somme case study (France)

Major ions, trace elements, and O, H and Sr isotopes have been determined for surface water and groundwater in the Somme catchment (northern France). The present study, using a coupled hydrological and geochemical (stable- and Sr isotopes) approach, focuses on the interactions between ground- and surface water. Stable water isotopes (δ 18O, δ 2H) show that all waters have a purely local origin from precipitation, without significant evaporation or water–rock interaction, as all points plot close to the general meteoric-water line. Water chemistry in the different catchments shows large variations in major-element contents. Plotting Na + vs. Cl − contents and Mg 2+, NO 3 −, K +, SO 4 2−, Sr 2+ concentrations reveals: (a) slight variations in groundwater composition, (b) agricultural input into surface waters, and (c) some similarities between ground- and surface waters suggesting the former to be responsible for the chemical signature of the dissolved river load. Strontium-isotope ratios measured in groundwater range from 0.70769 to 0.70808, clearly higher than that of Chalk matrix water (0.707337). Variations of Sr-isotope signatures in groundwater from the Chalk aquifer are significant and help identifying different groundwater bodies. The different signatures in groundwater are better explained by matrix heterogeneity, which can present lateral facies variations, than by a strong anthropogenic influence. The Sr-isotope compositional range in surface waters is very wide, varying from 0.70775 to 0.70816 and defining a trend towards a more radiogenic Sr-isotope signature with high Sr contents and high Mg/Sr ratios. The relationship between 87Sr/ 86Sr and the Mg/Sr ratios allows different end-members to be defined: the rivers are influenced by anthropogenic disturbance, even during flood periods, and river water has geochemical characteristics very similar to those of groundwater, indicating a strong influence from groundwater feeding the rivers.

Petrology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks from the island of Panarea: implications for mantle evolution beneath the Aeolian island arc (southern Tyrrhenian sea)

Major, trace element and radiogenic isotope (Sr, Nd, Pb) data are reported for a suite of rocks from the Panarea volcano, a large structure that is largely hidden below sea level and outcrops only as a group of small islands between Lipari–Vulcano and Stromboli in the eastern Aeolian arc. The exposed rocks mostly consist of high-potassium calc-alkaline (HKCA) andesites, dacites and some rhyolites; shoshonitic basalts have been collected from submarine centres; mafic calc-alkaline (CA) rocks occur as thin layers of late-erupted strombolian scoriae. Major and trace element data are scattered, but define generally linear trends on inter-element diagrams; Sr-isotope ratios do not display significant increase with evolution, although rough positive trends of 87Sr/86Sr versus SiO2 and Rb/Sr can be recognised within some units. The mafic rocks display varying enrichment in potassium, from CA to shoshonitic compositions, and are characterised by variable abundances of incompatible trace elements, which increase with potassium. There is an increase of 87Sr/86Sr ratios and a decrease of 143Nd/144Nd and 206Pb/204Pb ratios from CA to HKCA and shoshonitic mafic rocks. The scattered and incomplete nature of the outcrops make it difficult to constrain magmatic evolution at Panarea; geochemical and isotopic data suggest that AFC and mixing were important evolutionary processes. However, geochemical modelling does not support the possibility that the first-order compositional variations observed in the mafic rocks are the result of these processes, and suggests a genesis in a heterogeneous mantle source. Recent studies have highlighted strong differences in terms of incompatible trace element ratios and isotopic signatures, between the western-central and the eastern Aeolian arc. Rocks from the western islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Vulcano) have typical magmatic arc geochemical signatures and relatively unradiogenic Sr-isotope compositions. By contrast, the eastern island of Stromboli has a more radiogenic Sr-isotope signature, and shows trace element abundances and ratios that are intermediate between arc and intraplate compositions. Panarea mafic rocks have geochemical and isotopic signatures that are intermediate between those observed in the two sectors of the arc. The late-erupted CA scoriae of Panarea have trace element and isotopic compositions similar to those of the mafic rocks from the western islands of Filicudi and Alicudi, whereas the HKCA and shoshonitic mafic rocks have isotopic and trace element signatures that are closer to those of Stromboli. This reflects the particular position of Panarea, which is sited midway between the western-central arc and Stromboli. According to some recent views, subduction of the Ionian sea plate is actively occurring beneath the eastern Aeolian arc, with rollback of the subduction zone toward the southeast. The Tindari–Letoianni–Malta Escarpment fault zone is considered to be the boundary between the active subducting plate in the east and the African plate and western Aeolian arc in the west. It is suggested that the rollback of the Ionian plate generated inflow of mantle material from below the western arc into the mantle wedge above the subducting Ionian slab. This situation generated a hybrid mantle beneath Panarea, which resulted in a mixture of western-type and resident eastern-arc mantle materials; the latter had a composition akin to the source of Stromboli magmas. Early HKCA and shoshonitic magmatism tapped such a hybrid source, whereas the younger CA activity has been derived from melting of unmodified western-type mantle material. The late eruption of CA rocks with a composition similar to western arc can be explained by assuming that a continuing inflow process had increased the amount of western-type mantle with time, thus favouring the late appearance of CA magmas. This hypothesis accounts for the overall decrease of potassium with time, which is the opposite of the trend observed in other Aeolian islands.