Dupal Anomaly and Identification using Nd-Hf Isotopes

The Dupal anomaly has attracted widespread attention since being discovered and is regarded as the most direct manifestation of mantle inhomogeneity at present. From the initially defined anomalies limited to the southern hemisphere to the global scale, the criteria for identifying anomalies defined by Pb isotopes have also been adjusted, providing an important method and reference for the study of the mantle evolution. Pearce and Peate(1995) proposed the method of NdHf isotope and element ratio to identify the Dupal anomaly. The Nd-Hf method also offers a possible way to discriminate the mantle region of arc magmatism through the correction of Nd in the subduction process. This paper introduces the concepts and determination methods of the Dupal anomaly, and reports new Hf isotopic data of MORB-type rocks with Dupal signature in the several Tethys ophiolites. Our results of Nd-Hf method are in good agreement with those of previous Pb isotope identification. Moreover, origins and their controversy of Dupal anomaly are reviewed, and possible internal connections between Dupal anomalies and the two Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces(LLSVPs) in the lower mantle are discussed in depth. Further studies on origin and evolution of the Dupal anomaly are suggested, especially using integrated approach of Hf-Nd and Pb isotopes.

Origin of the DUPAL anomaly in the Tethyan mantle domain and its geodynamic significance

Mantle heterogeneity has revealed systematic differences in Pb isotopic compositions between the Indian OceanSouth Atlantic mantle in the Southern Hemisphere and the Pacific Ocean-North Atlantic mantle in the Northern Hemisphere.This large-scale difference in mantle isotopes in the Southern Hemisphere is known as the DUPAL anomaly,but its origin remains controversial.Based on a systematic review of the Nd-Pb isotopic evolution of the Tethyan mantle domain,this study identified the long-term presence of the DUPAL anomaly in this domain since the early Paleozoic,characterized by long-term and high mantle thorium/uranium(Th/U)ratios.By comparing the Nd-Pb isotopic compositions of the Tethyan mantle domain with the Panthalassic-Pacific mantle domain(the Paleo-Asian,Paleo-Pacific,and modern Pacific oceans),it is shown that the mantle initially had low Th/U features due to early Earth crust-mantle differentiation,with the crust having high Th/U ratios.As such,the mantle initially had uniformly low Th/U ratios that were inherited throughout the Panthalassic-Pacific mantle domain.However,the plate tectonics and continental collisions in the Tethyan domain affected its characteristics,leading to the long-term and large-scale DUPAL anomaly.During the opening of and subduction in the Tethys Ocean,Gondwanaland fragmentation and frequent continent-continent collisions led to long-term and extensive crust-mantle interactions and the continuous input of highTh/U mantle sources,which thus modified the mantle.This process formed not only the unique DUPAL anomaly in the Tethyan mantle domain,but also the Tethyan tectonic domain dominated by continental collisions.Moreover,the high DUPAL anomaly in the Proto-and Paleo-Tethyan mantle domains records the effects of mantle plumes,which might have occurred primarily during the formation of the Proto-and Paleo-Tethys oceans during the early evolution of the Tethyan domain.Therefore,the inherent coupling of mantle domain properties and plate tectonic mechanisms provides important insights for understanding plate tectonics and geodynamic processes in the Tethyan domain.

The Origin of the Early Proterozoic Kuandian Complex: Evidence from Geochemistry

The Kuandian Complex is scarcely preserved Early Proterozoic volcanic suite, formed2.3-2.4 Ga ago. It is located in an Early Proterozoic mobile belt bounded by the ArchaeanRangrim and Ryonggang Blocks of the northeastern Sino-Korean Craton. The Complex ismainly made up of amphibolites, gneisses, leucoleptite, leptite and layered granite. Petrologicaland geochemical studies show that the protoliths of the Complex are mainly assoctations ofbimodal volcanics and anorogenic granites. The Kuandian amphibolites are depleted in Nb, Ta,P and Ti, and enriched in LILE, e.g. K, Rb and Cs, with pronounced depletion of Sr relative toNd and Pb; La/Nb ratios are higher than 1(1.75 to 5.18). The trace element patterns of theamphibolites are similar to continental flood basalts formed by the Gondwana break-up, suchas those in South Karoo and Tasmania, which shows continental contamination. ε_(Nd) valuesranging from 0.70 to 1.94 of the Kuandian amphibolites and the relationships between Nb/Yband La/Yb suggest that contamination of basaltic magma happened in the mantle, rather thanalong the conduit. Isotope ratios of ^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb, ^(207)Pb/ ^(204)Pb, ^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb, ^(143)Nd/^(144)Ndand ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr indicate that the magma was derived from a contaminated mantle source likeDMM or a mixture of DMM and EM2. The Kuandian Complex has Dupal anomaly, as is thecase with some continental basalts in the south hemisphere, e.g. in South Karoo and Tasmania.Petrochemical modelling proposes that the Kuandian gneiss, granite, and amphibolite camefrom the same parental magma, being products of strong fractional crystallization. Protoliths ofthe Kuandian Complex were formed in extensional tectonic setting during the transition fromcontinental crust to oceanic crust. The formation of the Kuandian Complex indicates that 2.3or 2.4 Ga ago tectonic evolution of the Sino-Korean craton was different from that of otherwell-studied Precambrian cratons, e.g. the North American shield, European platform andAustralian continent in that strong volcanic eruption resulted in its accretion. Besides, the con-taminated magma source with a Dupal anomaly for the Complex indicates that crust-mantleconvection whose scale was similar to that of the present plate tectonics had occurred at leastbefore the formation of the Kuandian Complex (2.3-2.4 Ga B.P).