Geochemistry,Geochronology,Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions of Jiang Tso Ophiolite in the Middle Segment of the Bangong- Nujiang Suture Zone and Their Geological Significance

The Jiang Tso ophiolite, situated in the middle segment of the Bangong- Nujiang Suture Zone, is a part of the easternmost Qieli Lake ophiolite subzone and is close to the south of Pung Lake ophiolite. The rock association of Jiang Tso ophiolite is relatively complete and is mainly composed of metamorphic peridotite, gabbro and diabase. Comparing with N-MORB, the ophiolite is high in Mg and low in Ti, K, Na, P, and is depleted in Nb, Ta, Hf, Th and enriched in Rb, Sr and Ba. Geochemical characteristics of the Jiang Tso ophiolite indicate it is of a supra-subduction zone type formed in the spreading ridge of back arc basin. The SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircons from the gabbro yielded a weighted average age of 188.1±4.1 Ma （MSWD=1.4）, indicating the Jiang Tso ophiolite was formed in the late stage of early Jurassic. The Sr, Nd isotopic compositions show that the Tethyan mantle domain is the depleted mantle （DM）, with enriched mantle domain II （EMII）. They have the same Sr, Nd isotopic composition with the India Ocean MORB type.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of A-type Granites in Zhaheba in the East Junggar Region of Xinjiang,China:Evidence from Geochronology,Geochemistry and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source,petrogenesis,tectonic setting and geochronology of the late Paleozoic A-type granites widely exposed in the Zhaheba area,East Junggar,have thus far not been well-constrained.A better understanding of these issues will help to reveal the magmatic processes and continental growth of Central Asia.The A-type granites in Zhaheba include the Ashutasi alkaline granites and the Yuyitasi syenogranites,which were emplaced at 321.5±4.8 Ma and 321.7±0.6 Ma,respectively.The major rock-forming minerals are orthoclase,perthite,arfvedsonite and quartz,which exhibit the following principal geochemical characteristics of A2-type granites.(1)Their REE distribution curves each exhibit a‘V’-shaped pattern and a marked depletion in Eu.They are rich in large-ion lithophile elements Rb,Th and U as well as high-field-strength elements Nb,Ta,Zr and Hf,but significantly depleted in Ba,Sr,P and Ti.(2)Their(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i values(0.7021-0.7041),εNd(t)values(4.57-5.16)and REE distribution patterns are in basic agreement with those of the Kalamaili A-type granite belt in East Junggar.The T DM2 values of the alkaline granites and syenogranites range from 661 to 709 Ma.The A-type granites may be the products of upwelling asthenosphere-triggered partial melting of immature lower crust.The alkaline granites were late-stage products of crystallization and differentiation.Compared to the syenogranites,the alkaline granites are significantly lower in K_(2)O,Na_(2)O,Al_(2)O 3,FeO,MgO and CaO,but significantly higher in incompatible elements(e.g.,SiO_(2),Rb,and Sr).The magmatic crystallization temperatures of the syenogranites and alkaline granites are 874℃ and 819℃,respectively.As their age gradually decreases(peak ages:322 Ma and 307 Ma,respectively),there is a gradual decrease in the T_(DM2)of the A-type granites and a gradual increase in theεNd(t)value from the Ulungur belt to the Kalamaili belt in East Junggar.The study of A-type granites is therefore one of the keys to understanding the laws and mechanisms of crustal accretion during the Phanerozoic period,as well as also being of great significance for understanding the Paleozoic accretion.

Genesis of A-type Granites in the East Junggar, Xinjiang and Growth of Continental Crust——Evidence from Geochronological and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source,petrogenesis,tectonic setting and its geochronology of the Late Paleozoic A-type granites,which widely exposed in Zhaheba area,East Junggar,have not been well constrained so far(Fig.1 a,b).A better understanding of above issues will help us to reveal the magmatic processes and the continental growth of Central Asia(Xiao et al.,2009).

Characteristics of carbon isotopic composition of alkane gas in large gas fields in China

Exploration and development of large gas fields is an important way for a country to rapidly develop its natural gas industry.From 1991 to 2020,China discovered 68 new large gas fields,boosting its annual gas output to 1925×108m3in 2020,making it the fourth largest gas-producing country in the world.Based on 1696 molecular components and carbon isotopic composition data of alkane gas in 70 large gas fields in China,the characteristics of carbon isotopic composition of alkane gas in large gas fields in China were obtained.The lightest and average values ofδ^(13)C_(1),δ13C2,δ13C3andδ13C4become heavier with increasing carbon number,while the heaviest values ofδ^(13)C_(1),δ13C2,δ13C3andδ13C4become lighter with increasing carbon number.Theδ^(13)C_(1)values of large gas fields in China range from-71.2‰to-11.4‰(specifically,from-71.2‰to-56.4‰for bacterial gas,from-54.4‰to-21.6‰for oil-related gas,from-49.3‰to-18.9‰for coal-derived gas,and from-35.6‰to-11.4‰for abiogenic gas).Based on these data,theδ^(13)C_(1)chart of large gas fields in China was plotted.Moreover,theδ^(13)C_(1)values of natural gas in China range from-107.1‰to-8.9‰,specifically,from-1071%o to-55.1‰for bacterial gas,from-54.4‰to-21.6‰for oil-related gas,from-49.3‰to-13.3‰for coal-derived gas,and from-36.2‰to-8.9‰for abiogenic gas.Based on these data,theδ^(13)C_(1)chart of natural gas in China was plotted.

Eclogites from the Northern Dabie Mountains, eastern China: Geochemical characteristics, Sr-Nd isotopic compositions and tectonic implications

The petrologic geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the eclogites from the mafic-ultramafic rock belt (MUMRB) in the Northern Dabie Mountains indicate that: (1) the protoliths of most of eclogites are tholeiitic basalt and a few may be gabbro, and most of them produced from the Yangtze subducted continental crust (lower crust and formed during the deep subduction) and a part may be from paleo-oceanic relics between the Yangtze and North China continental plates; (2) their positive Nb anomalies and related trace element characteristics show that they did not form in the island-arc setting; (3) the metamorphosed MUMRB with eclogite and meta-peridotite blocks along the southern part of the Mozitan-Xiaotian fault zone may represent the suture zone produced during the collision between the Yangtze and North China continental plates, which included the Yangtze subducted continental crust and paleo-oceanic relics.

Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Changjiang sediments: Implications for tracing sediment sources

The suspended particulate and fine-grained floodplain sediments were collected from the main stream and tributaries of the Changjiang River for Sr-Nd isotopic measurements. The εNd(0) values gradually decrease downstream from -10.8 on average in the upper reaches to -12.3 in the lower reaches, whereas the 87Sr/86Sr ratios increase correspondingly, averaging 0.721899 and 0.725826 respectively in the upper and middle-lower reaches. The compositional variations primarily reflect the complex con- trols of provenance rocks, chemical weathering, and sediment characters between different catchments, among which the abnormal Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Yalong, Fujiang, Tuojiang and Yuanjiang rivers indicate the sediment provenance contributions from the Emeishan Basalt in the upper reaches and the old metamorphic and siliceous rocks in the middle-lower reaches. The Sr-Nd isotopic ratios of the Changjiang sediments can better reflect the average composition of weathered continental crust compared to other major rivers in the world because of the unique source rock types in the Changjiang drainage basin. The recognition of the Sr-Nd isotopic systematics of the Changjiang sediments will contribute to our understanding of the Changjiang evolution history and continental weathering processes during the Cenozoic, and also to reconstructing the paleoenvironmental changes in East China and the marginal seas.

Seasonal variations in the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of suspended particulate matter in the lower Changjiang River:Provenance and erosion constraints

Suspended particulate matter samples were collected monthly for more than 2 years in Nanjing,China to examine seasonal changes in the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the lower Changjiang River(CR).The results indicate that the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the samples ranges from 0.725352 to 0.738128,and the values ofεNd(0)ranges from-10.55 to-12.29.The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions show distinct seasonal variations.The samples had lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios and higherε Nd(0)values during the flood season than the dry seasons.The seasonal variations primarily reflect the controls of provenance rocks and erosion in different sub-catchments.The relative decrease in 87Sr/86Sr ratios and the increase inε Nd(0)values during the flood season may reflect an increasing in the mechanical erosion rate in the upper basin and the contribution of more sediment from the upper reaches.The end member values of 87Sr/86Sr andε Nd(0)of the samples were 0.728254 and?11.26,respectively.

VARIATIONS IN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS OF CHLORINE IN EVAPORATION-CONTROLLED SALT LAKE BRINES OF QAIDAM BASIN,CHINA

The variations in the isotopic compositions of chlorine in evaporation controlled saline lake brines were determined by using an improved procedure for precise measurement of chlorine isotopes based on Cs 2Cl + ion by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The results showed that variation in δ 37 Cl values in these evaporation controlled brines are attributable to evaporation of brine accompanied by the deposition of saline minerals. The isotopic fractionation of chlorine between the deposited saline mineral and the co existing brine caused the variation of δ 37 Cl values in the brine. In general the isotopic fractionation of chlorine in nature indicates enrichment of 3 7Cl in the solid phase relative to 3 5Cl. The reverse isotopic fractionation of chlorine in which 3 5Cl is enriched in the solid phase, was observed to some extent during quick deposition under laboratory conditions as well as in nature. The mechanism of isotopic fractionation of chlorine during evaporation deposition was studied.

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Surface-Sediment Carbonate in Bosten Lake (Xinjiang,China) and its Controlling Factors

Bosten Lake is a mid-latitude lake with water mainly supplied by melting ice and snow in the Tianshan Mountains. The depositional environment of the lake is spatially not uniform due to the proximity of the major inlet and the single outlet in the western part of the lake. The analytical results show that the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of recent lake sediments is related to this specific lacustrine depositional environment and to the resulting carbonate mineralogy. In the southwestern lake region between the Kaidu River inlet and the Kongqi River outlet, carbon isotope composition （δ^13C） values of the carbonate sediment （-1‰ to -2‰） have no relation to the oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate （δ^18O） values （-7‰ to -8‰）, with both isotopes showing a low variability. The carbonate content is low （〈20%）. Carbonate minerals analyzed by X-ray diffraction are mainly composed of calcite, while aragonite was not recorded. The salinity of the lake water is low in the estuary region as a result of the Kaidu River inflow. In comparison, the carbon and oxygen isotope values are higher in the middle and eastern parts of the lake, with δ^13C values between approximately ＋0.5‰ and ＋3‰, and δ^18O values between -1‰ and -5‰. There is a moderate correlation between the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, with a coefficient of correlation r of approximately 0.63. This implies that the lake water has a relatively short residence time. Carbonate minerals constitute calcite and aragonite in the middle and eastern region of the lake. Aragonite and Mg-calcite are formed at higher lake water salinity and temperatures, and larger evaporation effects. More saline lake water in the middle and eastern region of the lake and the enhanced isotopic equilibrium between water and atmospheric CO2 cause the correlating carbon and oxygen isotope values determined for aragonite and Mg-calcite. Evaporation and biological processes are the main reasons for the salinity and carbonate mineralogy influence of the surface-sediment carbonate in Bosten Lake. The lake water residence time and the CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the water body control the carbon and oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate sediment. In addition, organic matter pollution and decomposition result in the abnormally low carbon isotope values of the lake surface-sediment carbonate.

High-Resolution Records of the Holocene Paleoenvironmental Variation Reflected by Carbonate and Its Isotopic Compositions in Bosten Lake and Response to Glacial Activities

The Early Holocene paleoclimate in Bosten Lake on the northern margin of the Tarim Basin, southern Xinjiang, is reconstructed through an analysis of a 953 cm long core （BSTC2000） taken from Bosten Lake. Multiple proxies of this core, including the mineral components of carbonate, carbonate content, stable isotopic compositions of carbonate, Ca/Sr, TOC and C/N and C/S of organic matter, are used to reconstruct the climatic change since 8500 a B.P. The chronology model is made by nine AMS 14C ages of leaves, seeds and organic matter contained in two parallel cores. The climate was cold and wet during 8500 to 8100 a B.P. Temperature increased from 8100 to 6400 a B.P., the climate was warm and humid, and the lake expanded. The lake level was highest during this stage. Then from 6400 to 5100 a B.P., the climate became cold and the lake level decreased slightly. During the late mid-Holocene, the climate was hot and dry from 5100 to 3100 a B.P., but there was a short cold period during 4400 to 3800 a B.P. At this temporal interval, a mass of ice and snow melting water supplied the lake at the early time and made the lake level rise. The second highest lake level stage occurred during 5200 to 3800 a B.P. The climate was cool and wet during 3100 to 2200 a B.P., when the lake expanded with decreasing evaporation. The lake had the last short-term high level during 3100 to 2800 a B.P. After this short high lake level period, the lake shrank because of the long-term lower temperature and reduced water supply. From 2200 to 1200 a B.P., the climate was hot and dry, and the lake shrank greatly. Although the temperature decreased somewhat from 1200 a B.P. to the present, the climate was warm and dry. The lake level began to rise a little again, but it did not reach the river bed altitude of the Konqi River, an outflow river of the Bosten Lake.

The Isotopic Composition of Noble Gases in Gold Deposits and the Source of Ore-Forming Materials in the Region of North Hebei, China

The source of ore\|forming materials has long been a controversial focus both in metallogenic theory and in ore\|searching practice. This study deals with the helium and argon isotopic characteristics of pyrites from 11 gold deposits and some country rocks in the gold mineralization\|concentrated areas within the three mantle\|branch structures in the region of North Hebei Province. It is indicated that \{\}\+3He/\+4He ratios in the gold deposits are within the range of \{0.93×10\+\{-6\}\}-\{7.3×10\+\{-6\}\}, with an average of \{3.55\} ×10\+\{-6\}; R/Ra=\{0.66\}-\{4.93\}, averaging \{2.53\}; \{\{\}\+\{40\}Ar/\+\{39\}Ar\} ratios vary between 426 and 2073, with the average value of \{\}\+\{40\}Ar being \{8.32\}; and the average of \{\}\+4He/\{\}\+\{40\}Ar ratios is 2.17. \{\}\+3He/ \{\}\+4He ratios in gneiss and granite in the periphery of the mining district are within the range of \{0.001×10\+\{-6\}\}-\{0.55×10\+\{-6\}\}, reflecting significant differences in their sources. \{\}\+3He and \{\}\+4He fall near the mantle, as is shown in the He concentration diagram. Studies have shown that the ore\|forming materials in this region should come from the deep interior of the Earth. With the multi\|stage evolution of mantle plume, ore\|forming fluids in the deep interior were moving upwards to shallow levels (crust). Under such circumstances, there would be inevitably occur crust/mantle fluid mixing, so their noble gas isotopic characteristics are intermediate between the mantle and the crust.

Isotopic Compositions of Sulfur in the Jinshachang Lead–Zinc Deposit, Yunnan, China, and its Implication on the Formation of Sulfur-Bearing Minerals

The Jinshachang lead-zinc deposit is mainly hosted in the Upper Neoproterozoic carbonate rocks of the Dengying Group and located in the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou （SYG） Pb-Zn-Ag multi- metal mineralization area in China. Sulfides minerals including sphalerite, galena and pyrite postdate or coprecipitate with gangue mainly consisting of fluorite, quartz, and barite, making this deposit distinct from most lead-zinc deposits in the SYG. This deposit is controlled by tectonic structures, and most mineralization is located along or near faults zones. Emeishan basalts near the ore district might have contributed to the formation of orebodies. The j34S values of sphalerite, galena, pyrite and barite were estimated to be 3.6‰-13.4‰, 3.7‰-9.0‰, -6.4‰ to 29.2‰ and 32.1‰34.7‰, respectively. In view of the similar δ34S values of barite and sulfates being from the Cambrian strata, the sulfur of barite was likely derived from the Cambrian strata. The homogenization temperatures （T ≈ 134--383℃） of fluid inclusions were not suitable for reducing bacteria, therefore, the bacterial sulfate reduction could not have been an efficient path to generate reduced sulfur in this district. Although thermochemical sulfate reduction process had contributed to the production of reduced sulfur, it was not the main mechanism. Considering other aspects, it can be suggested that sulfur of sulfides should have been derived from magmatic activities. The δ34S values of sphalerite were found to be higher than those of coexisting galena. The equilibrium temperatures calculated by using the sulfur isotopic composition of mineral pairs matched well with the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, suggesting that the sulfur isotopic composition in ore-forming fluids had reached a partial equilibrium.

Hydrogen Isotopic Compositions of Pyroxenes in Nushan Peridotite Xenoliths,SE China

Hydrogen isotopic compositions of pyroxenes in peridotite xenoliths from the Nushan volcano, Anhui Province, SE China have been obtained using an ion probe (Cameca 1270). D/H ratios are constant within a single grain and among the different grains from the same sample. The lack of correlation between the D/H ratios and the hydrogen contents indicates that the hydrogen isotopic compositions are inherited from their mantle source. Combining with the δD values of coexisting amphiboles, it is inferred that the Nushan mantle experienced at least a two-stage metasomatic event. One was responsible for formation of amphiboles with extremely variable δD values, and the other was probably responsible for the high δD values (up to ?20‰) of some clinopyroxenes from peridotites, clinopyroxene and mica megacrysts. High δD values point to a subduction-related fluid being involved in one metasomatic event. The primary δD values (?90‰ to ?140‰) of the Nushan pyroxenes, together with data gleaned from the literature, suggest that the D/H ratios of the nominally anhydrous mineral reservoir might have differed from that of the other mantle hydrogen in being relatively depleted in D.

Ore Genesis of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposits, Western China: Constraints from Volatile Chemical and Carbon Isotopic Compositions

The Kalatongke Cu-Ni sulfide deposits located in the East Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, western China are the largest magmatic sulfide deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）. The chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of the volatiles trapped in olivine, pyroxene and sulfide mineral separates were analyzed by vacuum stepwise-heating mass spectrometry. The results show that the released volatiles are concentrated at three temperature intervals of 200-400°C, 400-900°C and 900-1200°C. The released volatiles from silicate mineral separates at 400-900°C and 900-1200°C have similar chemical and carbon isotopic compositions, which are mainly composed of H2O （av. ~92 mol%） with minor H2, CO2, H2S and SO2, and they are likely associated with the ore-forming magmatic volatiles. Light δ13CCO2 values （from -20.86‰ to -12.85‰） of pyroxene indicate crustal contamination occurred prior to or synchronous with pyroxene crystallization of mantlederived ore-forming magma. The elevated contents of H2 and H2O in the olivine and pyroxene suggest a deep mantle-originated ore-forming volatile mixed with aqueous volatiles from recycled subducted slab. High contents of CO2 in the ore-forming magma volatiles led to an increase in oxygen fugacity, and thereby reduced the solubility of sulfur in the magma, then triggered sulfur saturation followed by sulfide melt segregation; CO2 contents correlated with Cu contents in the whole rocks suggest that a supercritical state of CO2 in the ore-forming magma system under high temperature and pressure conditions might play a key role in the assemblage of huge Cu and Ni elements. The volatiles released from constituent minerals of intrusion 1# have more CO2 and SO2 oxidized gases, higher CO2/CH4 and SO2/H2S ratios and lighter δ13CCO2 than those of intrusions 2# and 3#. This combination suggests that the higher oxidation state of the volatiles in intrusion 1# than intrusions 2# and 3#, which could be one of key ore-forming factors for large amounts of ores and high contents of Cu and Ni in intrusion 1#. The volatiles released at 200-400°C are dominated by H2O with minor CO2, N2＋CO and SO2, with δ13CCO2 values （-25.66‰ to -22.98‰） within the crustal ranges, and are considered to be related to secondary tectonic-hydrothermal activities.

Heterogeneous Mg isotopic composition of the early Carboniferous limestone: implications for carbonate as a seawater archive

Carbonate precipitation and hydrothermal reaction are the two major processes that remove Mg from seawater.Mg isotopes are significantly(up to 5%)fractionated during carbonate precipitation by preferential incorporation of ^(24)Mg,while hydrothermal reactions are associated with negligible Mg isotope fractionation by preferential sequestration of^( 26)Mg.Thus,the marine Mg cycle could be reflected by seawater Mg isotopic composition(δ^(26)Mg_(sw)),which might be recorded in marine carbonate.However,carbonates are both texturally and compositionally heterogeneous,and it is unclear which carbonate component is the most reliable for reconstructing δ^(26)Mg_(sw).In this study,we measured Mg isotopic compositions of limestone samples collected from the early Carboniferous Huangjin Formation in South China.Based on petrographic studies,four carbonate components were recognized:micrite,marine cement,brachiopod shell,and mixture.The four components had distinct δ^(26)Mg:(1)micrite samples ranged from -2.86% to -2.97%;(2)pure marine cements varied from -3.40% to -3.54%,while impure cement samples containing small amount of Rugosa coral skeletons showed a wider range(-3.27% to-3.75%);(3)values for the mixture component were-3.17% and -3.49%;and (4)brachiopod shells ranged from -2.20% to -3.07%,with the thickened hinge area enriched in ^( 24)Mg.Due to having multiple carbonate sources,neither the micrite nor the mixture component could be used to reconstruct δ^(26)Mg_(sw).In addition,the marine cement was homogenous in Mg isotopes,but lacking the fractionation by inorganic carbonate precipitation that is prerequisite for the accurate determination of δ^(26)Mg_(sw).Furthermore,brachiopod shells had heterogeneous C and Mg isotopes,suggesting a significant vital effect during growth.Overall,the heterogeneous δ^(26)Mg of the Huangjin limestone makes it difficult to reconstruct δ^(26)Mg_(sw)using bulk carbonate/calcareous sediments.Finally,δ^(26)Mg_(sw)was only slightly affected by the faunal composition of carbonate-secreting organisms,even though biogenic carbonate accounts for more than 90% of marine carbonate production in Phanerozoic oceans and there is a wide range(0.2%–4.8%)of fractionation during biogenic carbonate formation.

Lead Isotopic Composition and Lead Source of the Huogeqi Cu-Pb-Zn Deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Huogeqi orefield located on the northern side of Mt. Langshan, Inner Mongolia occurs in the Middle Proterozoic Langshan Group metamorphic rocks, and the orebodies arc stratiform. In the past twenty years, many Chinese geologists have conducted researches on the Huogeqi Cu-Pb-Zn deposit, but there has been still a controversy on its origin. Some advocate that the deposit is of sedimentary-metamorphic rcworking origin, some hold that it is of sea-floor SEDEX origin, and others have a preference for magmatic superimposition origin. The crux of the controversy is that there is no common understanding about the source of ore-forming materials. In this paper, the Pb isotopic compositions of regional Achaean-Early Proterozoic basement rocks, various types of sedimentary- metamorphic rocks and volcanic rocks in the mining district, Late Proterozoic and Hercynian magmatic rocks arc introduced and compared with the orc-lead composition, so as to constrain the source of the ore lead. The result indicates that （1） sulfides in the ores have homogeneous Pb isotopic compositions, showing a narrow variation range. Their ^206pb/^204pb ratios arc within a range of 17.027- 17.317; ^207Pb/^204pb ratios, 15.451-15.786 and ^208Pb/^204pb ratios, 36.747-37.669; （2） the Pb isotopic compositions of the regional Achaean-Early Proterozoic basement rocks arc characteristic of the old Pb isotopic composition at the early-stage evolution of the Earth, which varies over a wider range, reflecting significant differences in Pb isotopic compositions of the ores. All this indicates that the source of ore lead has no bearing on the basement rocks; （3） the sedimentary-metamorphic rocks in the mining district arc characterized by highly variable and more radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions and their Pb isotopic ratios arc obviously higher than those of ores, demonstrating that ore lead did not result from metamorphic rcworking of these rocks; （4） Pb isotopic compositions of Late Proterozoic diorite-gabbro and Hercynian granite are higher than those of ores. Meanwhile, the Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides in the small-sized strata-penetrating mineralized veinlets formed at later stages arc completely consistent with that of sulfides in stratiform-banded ores, suggesting that these veiniets arc the product of autochthonous rcworking of the stratiform-banded ores during the period of metamorphism and the late magmatic superimposition-mineralization can be excluded; （5） amphibolite, whose protolith is basic volcanic rocks, has the same Pb isotopic compositions as ores, implying that ore lead was derived probably from basic volcanism. So, the source of ore-forming materials for the Huogeqi deposit is like that of the volcanic massive sulfide （VMS） deposits. However, the orebodies do not occur directly within the volcanic rocks, and instead they overlie the volcanic rocks, showing some differences from those typical VMS-type deposits.

Sulfur isotopic composition of seafloor hydrothermal sediment from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough and its geological significance

Eighteen samples of hydrothermal sediments from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough have been analyzed. Sulfur isotopic values for 10 sulfide samples vary from 5.2× 10^(-3)to 7.2× 10^(-3), δ^(34)S values for 7 sulfate samples vary from 16.3 × 10^(-3) to 22.3 × 10^(-3), and 1 native sulphur sample has a δ^(34)S value of 8.2 × 10^(-3). The major sources of sulfur for hydrothermal sediment are intermediate to acid volcanic rocks and sea water sulfate, and it is possible that the partial sulfur of hydrothermal sediment is from the pelagic sediment by the interaction between hydrothermal fluid and sediment. The reasons of causing the distinct differences in sulfur isotopic values for sulfide samples from hydrothermal sediment ( compared with other hydrothermal fields), are the differences in the sources of sulfur, the magmatic activity and the tectonic evolution in different hydrothermal fields. The sulfur evolution is a long and complex process in the seafloor hydrothermal system, involving the ascending of heating sea water, the interaction between fluid and volcanic rocks, the mixing of sea water sulfate and sulfur from intermediate to acid volcanic rocks, and the fluid/pelagic-sediment interaction. And the interaction between sea water and intermediate to acid volcanic rocks is an important mechanism for the sulfur evolution in the Jade hydrothermal field.

Stable Carbon Isotopic Compositions of Methylated-MTTC in Crude Oils from Saline Lacustrine Depositional Environment:Source Implications

Significantly high abundant methyl-Methyl Trimethyl Tridecyl Chromans （MTTCs） have been detected in aromatic hydrocarbon fractions in crude oils from the Jizhong Depression and Jianghan Basin. The distribution of these compounds is dominated by methyl-MTTC and dimethyl- MTTC series, which indicate diagenetic products of a hypersaline depositional environment in the early stage and show a low degree of methylation. The occurrence of significantly high abundant methyl-MTTC depends mainly on good preservation conditions with a strongly reductive, hypersaline and water-columned depositional environment and subsequent non-intensive diagenetic transformations. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of the methyl-MTTCs and dimethyl-MTTCs in two samples are far different from the stable carbon isotopic composition of C30 hopane of apparent bacteria biogenesis （up to 4.11‰ and 5.75‰, respectively）. This obviously demonstrates that the methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs cannot be of bacteria origin, which is different from the previous point of view about non-photosynthetic bacteria products or possible bacteria-reworked products. On the contrary, the stable carbon isotopic compositions of methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs in the two samples were similar to that of the same carbon-numbered n-alkanes （nC27-nC28-nC29）, which indicates that they share the same source origin. Especially in the crude oil from the Zhao61 well, stable carbon isotopic compositions are also similar to that of the same carbon-numbered steranes with ααα- 20R isomer （mostly less than 0.4‰）. In consideration of the results of previous studies on saline lake ecological sedimentation, the authors hold that the methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs in the saline lake sediments should be of algal biogenesis origin.

Noble Gas Isotopic Compositions of Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts from the Western Pacific Ocean and Their Geological Implications

Noble gas isotopic compositions of various layers in three-layered （outer, porous and compact layers） cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and their basaltic and phosphorite substrates from the western Pacific Ocean were analyzed by using a high vacuum gas mass spectrum. The analytical results show that the noble gases in the Co-rich crusts have derived mainly from the ambient seawater, extraterrestrial grains such as interplanetary dust particles （IDPs） and wind-borne continental dust grains, and locally formation water in the submarine sediments, but different noble gases have different sources. He in the crusts derives predominantly from the extraterrestrial grains, with a negligible amount of radiogenic He from the eolian dust grains. Ar is sourced mainly from the dissolved air in the seawater and insignificantly from radiogenic Ar in the eolian continental dust grains or the formation water. Xe and Ne derive mainly from the seawater, with minor amounts of extraterrestrial Xe and Ne in the IDPs. Compared with the porous and outer layers, the compact layer has a relatively high 4He content and lower 3He/4He ratios, suggesting that marine phosphatization might have greatly modified the noble gas isotopic compositions of the crusts. Besides, the 3He/4He values of the basaltic substrates of the cobalt-rich crusts are very low and their R/R. ratios are mostly 〈0.1 R., which are similar to that of phosphorite substrates （0.087 R.）, but much lower than that of fresh submarine MORB （8.75±14 Ra） or seamount basalts （3-43 Ra）, implying that the basaltic substrates have suffered strong water/rock interaction and reacted with radiogenic ^4He and P-rich upwelling marine currents during phosphatization. The trace elements released in the basalt/seawater interaction might favor the growth of cobalt-rich crusts. The relatively low ^3He/^4He values in the seamount basalts may be used as an important exploration criterion for the cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts.

Rare-earth and trace elements and hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of Cretaceous kaolinitic sediments from the Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria: provenance and paleoclimatic significance

This study evaluated the Cretaceous(Campanian–Maastrichtian) kaolinitic sediments of the Ajali/Mamu and Enugu/Nkporo Formations from the Lower Benue Trough of Nigeria. A combined method of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used to investigate trace and rareearth element geochemistry and hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions. These data were then used to infer the sediments' provenance and paleoclimatic conditions during their deposition. The sediments contained low concentrations of most trace elements, with the exceptions of Zr(651–1352 ppm), Ba(56–157 ppm), V(38–90 ppm),and Sr(15.1–59.6 ppm). Average values of Co and Ni were1.5 and 0.7 ppm, respectively. Trace and rare earth element values were lower than corresponding values for upper continental crust and Post-Archean Australian Shale, with the exception of Zr. The samples showed only slight light rare-earth enrichment and nearly flat heavy rare-earth depletion patterns, with negative Eu and Tm anomalies,typical of felsic sources. Geochemical parameters such as La/Sc, Th/Sc, and Th/Co ratios support that the kaolinitic sediments were derived from a felsic rock source, likely deposited in an oxic environment.^(18 )O values ranged from+ 15.4 to + 21.2% for the investigated samples, consistent with a residual material derived from chemicalweathering of felsic rock and redeposited in a sedimentary basin(typical values of + 19 to + 21.2%). While in the basin, the sediments experienced extended interactions with meteoric water enriched in d D and d16 O. However,the variation in d D and d16 O values for the investigated samples is attributed to the high temperature of formation(54–91 °C). The d D and d^(18 )O values suggest that the sediments, although obtained from different localities within the Lower Benue Trough, formed under similar hot,tropical climatic conditions.