Cu-Zn isotope compositions of hydrothermal sediments from the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge:implications to the sediment formation and mineral exploration

Six hydrothermal sediment samples were collected from the Xunmei and Tongguan hydrothermal fields along the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the China Ocean Cruise DY46 in 2017.Sulfides and oxides in the samples were separated,and Cu and Zn isotope compositions were analyzed.Results show that the ranges ofδ^(65)Cu values of the bulk sediments,sulfides,and oxides were 0.36‰-2.46‰,-0.21‰-1.10‰,and 0.68‰-1.52‰,respectively.Theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in four samples(46II-14,46II-30,46III-06,and 46II-09)were relatively low(-0.21‰-0.50‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides from inactive old hydrothermal chimneys in northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(n MAR),suggesting that the sulfides in the sediments were originated from collapsed dead chimney mainly.While theδ^(65)Cu values of the other two samples(46III-02 and 46III-08)were relatively high(1.10‰-0.96‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values for active hydrothermal chimneys sulfides in n MAR,which indicated that the sulfides in these two samples might mainly come from sulfide particles settled from active hydrothermal plume.Because of the high density of sulfide particles,they tended to settle near the hydrothermal vents first.Therefore,highδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in 46III-02 and 46III-08 implied that undiscovered active hydrothermal vents near the sampling positions of 46III-02 in the Xunmei hydrothermal field and 46III-08 in the Tongguan hydrothermal field.Theδ^(66)Zn values of hydrothermal sediments and sulfides ranged 0.11‰-0.43‰and 0.29‰-0.67‰,respectively.In the four samples from the Xunmei hydrothermal field,a positive correlation was found between the distance of the sampling position from sulfide mineralized spot and the Zn isotopic ratio,showing that the greater the distance from the mineralized spot,the heavier the Zn isotope composition as seen in two samples(46II-30 and 46II-14)of the Xunmei-3 spot.This result aligned with the findings of Wilkinson et al.(2005)and Baumgartner et al.(2023),suggesting that the lower the Zn isotope composition,the closer it is to the hydrothermal vent.However,in the Xunmei hydrothermal field,the Zn isotope composition in the other two samples(46III-02and 46III-06)showed the opposite trend.This indicated that there might be an active hydrothermal vent near the sampling location of sample 46III-02.This observation aligned with the Cu isotope analysis results.This study showed that Cu-Zn isotopes are good indicators for understanding the formation mechanisms of hydrothermal sediments and for locating active hydrothermal vents.

Geochemical Features of Sulfides from the Deyin-1 Hydrothermal Field at the Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 15?S

In this study, geochemical compositions of elements in sulfide samples collected from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near the 15?S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR) were analyzed by the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) to examine the enrichment regulations of ore-forming elements and hydrothermal mineralization. These sulfide precipitates can be classified macroscopically into three types: Fe-rich sulfide, Fe-Cu-rich sulfide and Fe-Zn-rich sulfide, and are characterized by the enrichment of base metal elements along with a sequence of Fe>Zn>Cu. Compared with sulfides from other hydrothermal fields on MAR, Zn concentrations of sulfides in the research area are significantly high, while Cu concentrations are relatively low. For all major, trace or rare-earth elements(REE), their concentrations and related characteristic parameters exhibit significant variations(up to one or two orders of magnitude), which indicates the sulfides from different hydrothermal vents or even a same station were formed at different stages of hydrothermal mineralization, and suggests the variations of chemical compositions of the hydrothermal fluid with respect to time. The hydrothermal temperatures of sulfides precipitation decreased gradually from station TVG10(st.TVG10) to st.TVG12, and to st.TVG11, indicating that the precipitation of hydrothermal sulfides is subjected to conditions changed from high temperature to low temperature, and that the hydrothermal activity of study area was at the late stage of a general trend of evolution from strong to weak. The abnormally low concentrations of REE in sulfides and their similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns show that REEs in all sulfides were derived from a same source, but underwent different processes of migration or enrichment, or sulfides were formed at different stages of hydrothermal mineralization. The sulfides collected from the active hydrothermal vent were mainly attributed to precipitating directly from the hydrothermal fluid, while those collected from the extinct hydrothermal chimney might have already been altered by the seawater. Generally, ore-forming elements in the sulfides can be divided into three groups: Fe-based element group, Cu-based element group and Zn-based element group. The first group includes Fe, Mn, Cr, Mo, Sn, Rb and bio-enriching elements, such as P and Si, reflecting the similar characteristics to Fe in the study area. And the second group contains Cu, W, Co, Se, Te and Bi, suggesting the similar behavior with Cu. Moreover, the third group includes Zn, Hf, Hg, Cd, Ta, Ga, Pb, As, Ag, Ni and Sb, which indicates the geochemical characteristics of most dispersed trace elements controlled by Zn-bearing minerals to some extent.

Mineralogical characteristics of polymetallic sulfides from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near 15°S, southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A seafloor hydrothermal field, named Deyin-1 later, near 15°S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge（SMAR） was newly found during the 22 nd cruise carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research ＆ Development Association（COMRA）. Sulfide samples were collected at three stations from the hydrothermal field during the26 th cruise in 2012. In this paper, mineralogical characteristics of the sulfides were analyzed with optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe to study the crystallization sequence of minerals and the process of hydrothermal mineralization. According to the difference of the ore-forming metal elements, the sulfide samples can be divided into three types：（1） the Ferich sulfide, which contains mainly pyrite and chalcopyrite;（2） the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide consisting predominantly of pyrite, chalcopyrite and isocubanite, with lesser amount of sphalerite, marmatite and pyrrhotine; and（3） the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide dominated by pyrite, sphalerite and marmatite, with variable amounts of chalcopyrite, isocubanite, pyrrhotine, marcasite, galena and gratonite. Mineral precipitations in these sulfides are in the sequence of chalcopyrite（isocubanite and possible coarse pyrite）, fine pyrite,sphalerite（marmatite）, galena, gratonite and then the minerals out of the dissolution. Two morphologically distinct generations（Py-I and Py-II） of pyrite are identified in each of the samples; inclusions of marmatite tend to exist in the coarse pyrite crystals（Py-I）. Sphalerite in the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide is characterized by a＂chalcopyrite disease＂ phenomenon. Mineral paragenetic relationships and a wide range of chemical compositions suggest that the environment of hydrothermal mineralization was largely changing. By comparison, the Fe-rich sulfide was formed in a relatively stable environment with a high temperature, but the conditions for the formation of the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide were variable. The Fe-Zn-rich sulfide was precipitated during the hydrothermal venting at relatively low temperature.

Abundance and Distribution of Fatty Acids in Sediments of the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were studies by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer （GC-MS） for the abundance and distributions of total fatty acids （TFAs）. Approximately 34 fatty acids were identified, with the chain-lengths ranging from C12 to C30. The total concentrations of TFAs （∑TFA） ranged from 7.15 to 30.09 μgg-l dry sediment, and ∑TFA was weakly correlated with bitumen content （R2=0.69）. The ∑TFA of samples around hydrothermal areas were significantly higher than that of samples away from hydrothermal areas, indicating intense primary production and large biomass in the hydro- thermal areas, and suggesting a close relationship between hydrothermal activity and ∑TFA of samples. The characteristics of the TFA composition in the present study are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and lacking in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the ra- tios between the concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and ∑TFAs in samples close to the hydrothermal areas, are about 0.8, but for samples far from the hydrothermal areas, they are only about 0.5. Several fatty acids （e.g., a/iC15：0 and C16：1co7）, which are signature biomarkers for sulfur-metabolizing bacteria, show the same distribution trend as ∑TFA of samples, further highlighting the close relationship between fatty acid content and hydrothermal activity and/or hydrothermal communities. The metabolic activities of hydrothermal communities, especially those of microorganisms, are likely the main source of fatty acids in samples.

Component characteristics of polycyclic aromatic compounds in sediments of the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

10 samples of sediments obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were measured for the abundances and distributions of polycyclic aromatic compounds（PAHs）. The total concentrations of PAHs（∑PAHs） ranged from 2.768 to 9.826 μg/g dry sediment. The ∑PAHs was higher in sample 22V-TVG10 and sample 26V-TVG05 which were close to hydrothermal fields, with the lowest value in sample 22V-TVG14 which was farthest from hydrothermal fields, suggesting a probable hydrothermal origin of ∑PAHs of samples. Approximately nine kinds of PAHs were identified, and low molecular mass tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic compounds were predominant in the samples. The concentrations of fluoranthene which were typical as hydrothermal alteration compounds were the highest among PAHs with dry weight between 0.913–3.157 μg/g. The phenanthrene homologue was most abundant in the samples, and the ratios between parent phenanthrene and methylphenanthrene which probably reflected the degree of hydrothermal alteration ranged from 0.097 to 1.602. The sample 22V-TVG10 possessing a maximum ratio value showed the intense influence of the hydrothermal alteration on this sample, which might further imply that PAHs in sediments were mainly derived from the hydrothermal alteration.

The distribution and composition of hydrocarbons in sediments of the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge are analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer（GC-MS） for the abundances and distributions of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons in the samples exhibit a bimodal distribution of n-alkanes and are rich in 3-methylalkanes, 8-methylalkanes and 2, 4,（n-1）-trimethylalkanes, which may be the result of metabolic activity of benthic microorganism. Terpanes, hopanes and steranes are all enriched in the samples, which also support the microbial origin of hydrocarbons in samples.Bitumen and hydrocarbons in the samples show a trend that the contents are the highest in the Samples 22V-TVG10 and 26V-TVG05 collected near hydrothermal areas, and the lowest in samples 22IV-TVG01, 22V-TVG11,and 22V-TVG14 collected far from the hydrothermal areas, which suggest the possible influence on the samples by hydrothermal activity.

Spreading-rate dependence of hydroacoustic and teleseismic seismicity of ridge-transform systems:East Pacific Rise,Galapagos Ridge,and Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Seismicity in ocean ridge-transform systems reveals fundamental processes of mid-ocean ridges,while comparisons of seismicity in different oceans remain rare due to a lack of detection of small events.From 1996 to 2003,the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA/PMEL)deployed several hydrophones in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the northern Atlantic Ocean.These hydrophones recorded earthquakes with small magnitudes,providing us with opportunities to study the seismic characteristics of ridge-transform systems at different spreading rates and make further comparisons of their differences.This study comparatively analyzed hydroacoustic and teleseismic data recorded on the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise(EPR,10°S to 12°N),intermediate-spreading Galapagos Ridge(103°W to 80°W),and slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge(MAR,15°N to 37°N).We present a systematic study of the spatial and temporal distribution of events,aftershock seismicity,and possible triggering mechanisms of aftershock sequences.Our analysis yields the following conclusions.(1)From the hydroacoustic data,the EPR transform faults had the highest average seismicity rate among the three regions.(2)Along-ridge event distributions show that a high number of earthquakes were concentrated on the EPR,while they became dispersed on the GR and fewer and more scattered on the MAR,reflecting that the different tectonic origins were closely correlated with the spreading rate.(3)Analysis from mainshock-aftershock sequences shows no significant differences in the aftershock decay rate among the three regions.(4)Multiple types of aftershock triggering models were inferred from Coulomb stress changes:strike-slip mainshocks triggered strike-slip aftershocks and normal faulting aftershocks,and normal faulting mainshocks triggered normal faulting aftershocks.Although these results are case studies,they may be applicable to other ocean ridge-transform systems in future investigations.Our results provide important new insights into the seismicity of global ocean ridge-transform systems.

Petrology and geochemistry of South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(19°S) lava flows:Implications for magmatic processes and possible plume-ridge interactions

The South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)19°S segment,approximately located along the line of Saint Helena volcanic chain(created by Saint Helena mantle plume),is an ideal place to investigate the issue whether the ridgehotpot interaction process affected the whole MAR.In this study,we present major and trace elemental compositions and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic ratios of twenty fresh lava samples concentrated in a relatively small area in the SMAR 19°S segment.Major oxides compositions show that all samples are tholeiite.Low contents of compatible trace elements(e.g.,Ni=239-594 ppm and Cr=456-1010 ppm)and low Fe/Mn(54-67)and Ce/Yb(0.65-1.5)ratios of these lavas show that their parental magmas are partially melted by a spinel lherzolite mantle source.Using software PRIMELT3,this study obtained mantle potential temperatures(Tp)beneath the segment of1321-1348℃,which is lower relative to those ridges influenced by mantle plumes.The asthenospheric mantle beneath the SMAR 19°S segment starts melting at a depth of^63 km and ceases melting at^43 km with a final melting temperature of^1265℃.The extent of partial melting is up to 16%-17.6%with an average adiabatic decompression value of 2.6%/kbar.The correlations of major oxides(CaO/Al2 O3)and trace elements(Cr,Co,V)with MgO and Zr show that the parental magma experienced olivine and plagioclase fractional crystallization during its ascent to the surface.87Sr/86Sr(0.702398-0.702996),143 Nd/144 Nd(0.513017-0.513177)and 206Pb/204Pb(18.444-19.477)ratios of these lavas indicate the mantle source beneath the SMAR 19°S segment is composed of a three-component mixture of depleted MORB mantle,PREMA mantle,and HIMU mantle materials.The simple,binary mixing results among components from plume-free SMAR MORB,Saint Helena plume and Tristan plume show that asthenospheric mantle beneath the SMAR 19°S segment may be polluted by both Saint Helena and Tristan plume enriched materials.The abovementioned mantle potential temperatures,together with the low Saint Helena(<10%)and Tristan(<5%)components remaining in the asthenospheric mantle at present,show that the physically ridge-hotspot interactions at SMAR 19°S segment may have ceased.However,the trace element and SrNd-Pb isotopically binary mixing calculation results imply that these lavas tapped some enriched pockets left when Saint Helena and/or Tristan plume were once on the SMAR during earlier Atlantic rifted history.

Clay mineral distribution characteristics of surface sediments in the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Clay minerals are usually considered as important indicators to identify sources in both terrigenous and marine sediments.In particular,clay minerals in metalliferous sediments(MS)have long been studied in global oceans except in South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)due to limited explorations.Thus,32 MS and 34 non-MS(NMS)samples were analyzed to clarify the distribution characteristics and mineral compositions of clay minerals.All the sediments were collected along the SMAR between 12°S and 27°S.After removal of organic matter and carbonate,clay fractions(<2μm)were investigated by Xray diffraction(XRD)analysis.Results show that clay mineral assemblages of surface MS consist dominantly of smectite,less abundant illite,chlorite,and kaolinite in average weight percentage of 30%,21%,18%,and 16%,respectively.On the other hand,clay mineral assemblages in the NMS consist mainly of illite,less abundant kaolinite,chlorite,and very scarce smectite in average weight percentage of 47%,29%,24%,and 0.2%,respectively.The clay fractions in MS are mainly composed of amorphous or poorly crystallized Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides,clay mineral,quartz,and plagioclase.However,the counterparts in the NMS are mainly composed of well-crystallized clay minerals,quartz,and plagioclase without the presence of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides.It is suggested that most of the illite,kaolinite,and chlorite in both MS and NMS are likely aeolian dust in origin from South Africa continent.In addition,the abundance of kaolinite dominates the clay mineral assemblage at low latitudes,where the intensive chemical weathering of continental source rocks facilitating the formation of kaolinite.In terms of smectite,it is indicated of authigenic origin in consideration of only smectite is available in several MS and the absence in NMS.Moreover,the MS samples with only smectite available are always accompanied by goethite.Therefore,it is assumed that most of smectite occurred in studied area is the results of interaction between hydrothermal Fe-oxyhydroxide,silica,and seawater.

Wave Characteristics at the South Part of the Radial Sand Ridges of the Southern Yellow Sea

Based on one-year wave field data measured at the south part of the radial sand ridges of the Southern Yellow Sea, the wave statistical characteristics, wave spectrum and wave group properties are analyzed. The results show that the significant wave height （H1/3） varies from 0.15 to 2.22 m with the average of 0.59 m and the mean wave period （Tmean） varies from 2.06 to 6.82 s with the average of 3.71 s. The percentage of single peak in the wave spectra is 88.6 during the measurement period, in which 36.3% of the waves are pure wind waves and the rest are young swells. The percentage with the significant wave height larger than 1 m is 12.4. The dominant wave directions in the study area are WNW, W, ESE, E and NW. The relationships among the characteristic wave heights, the characteristic wave periods, and the wave spectral parameters are identified. It is found that the tentative spectral model is suitable for the quantitative description of the wave spectrum in the study area, while the run lengths of the wave group estimated from the measured data are generally larger than those in other sea areas.

Major hotspots detected along the Scotia Ridge in autumn for southern right whales Eubalaena australis, Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and Antarctic prions Pachyptila desolata

We investigated the role of hydrological features, such as water masses, fronts, eddies, and sea ice, in affecting the distribution of upper trophic level species in the Scotia Sea region during autumn. On board RV Polarstern, we performed 365 30-min strip transects recording seabirds and marine mammals along the North Scotia Ridge and the South Sandwich Trench in March--April 2013. Among the 7 identified cetacean species recorded, the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae was the most abundant baleen whale （40 individuals）, and noteworthy were sightings of six southern right whales Eubalaena australis. Pinnipeds （3 species, 1650 individuals） were dominated by Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella （99%）, and seabirds （36 species, 18900 individuals） by Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata （-50%）. The distribution of these top predators was highly patchy with the majority of observations concentrated in a few counts. This heterogeneity is likely a result of prey availability, and we discuss how hydrological features may have caused the patchiness.

Characteristics of Garden Culture in Southern Region of the Five Ridges

Geographical conditions, humanistic environment and garden development history in the southern region of the Five Ridges (or Lingnan, "Ling" means "ridge", "nan" means "south") were introduced in this study, and characteristics of garden culture in this region were analyzed.

Implications of the melting depth and temperature of the Atlantic mid-ocean ridge basalts

Mid-ocean ridge basalts(MORBs) are characterized by large variations in trace element compositions and isotopic ratios, which are difficult to be interpreted solely by using magmatic process such as partial melting of a peridotitic mantle and subsequently fractional crystallization. Geochemical diversity of MORBs have been attributed to large-scale heterogeneity within the underlying mantle, and the heterogeneity might have been caused by addition of recycled crustal component, subcontinental lithosphere, metasomatized lithosphere and outer core contribution. In this study, we investigated the MORBs along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge(MAR) by estimating the temperature and pressure of partial melting, and comprehensively comparing trace element and isotope ratios. The data for MORBs from areas close to mantle plumes show large variations. Mantle plumes can affect mid-oceanic ridges 1 400 km away, but plume effects did not cover all of the ridge segments, and those segments without plume effects did not have any abnormalities in temperature, trace element or isotope ratios.We ascribed the above phenomena to result from the shapes of the plume flow, which we categorized as "pipelike channels" and "pancake-like channels". The "pancake-like channels" plumes affected the ambient mantle nondirectionally, but the range of the mantle affected by the "pipe-like channels" plumes were selective. Element ratios of MORBs reveal that the mantle source of the MORBs along the MAR is highly heterogeneous. We suggest that most of source heterogeneities of the MORBs may be due to the presence of subducted slab and delaminated lower crust in the source. In addition, the plume that carried materials from the core-mantle boundary may affect some of the segments.

A Quantitative Method for Active Fault Migration Distance Assessment on both Sides of Mid-Ocean Ridges——Based on Multi-Beam Data

Fracture-fissure systems found at mid-ocean ridges are dominating conduits for the circulation of metallogenic fluid.Ascertaining the distribution area of active faults on both sides of mid-ocean ridges will provide a useful tool in the search for potential hydrothermal vents,thus guiding the exploration of modern seafloor sulfides.Considering the MidAtlantic Ridge 20°N–24°N(NMAR)and North Chile Rise(NCR)as examples,fault elements such as Fault Spacing(?S)and Fault Heave(?X)can be identified and quantitatively measured.The methods used include Fourier filtering of the multi-beam bathymetry data,in combination with measurements of the topographic slope,curvature,and slope aspect patterns.According to the Sequential Faulting Model of mid-ocean ridges,the maximal migration distance of an active fault on either side of mid-ocean ridges—that is,the distribution range of active faults—can be measured.Results show that the maximal migration distance of active faults at the NMAR is 0.76–1.01 km(the distance is larger at the center than at the ends of this segment),and at the NCR,the distribution range of active faults is 0.38–1.6 km.The migration distance of active faults on the two study areas is positively related to the axial variation of magma supply.In the NCR study area,where there is an abundant magma input,the number of faults within a certain distance is mainly affected by the variation of lithospheric thickness.Here a large range of faulting clearly corresponds to a high proportion of magmatism to seafloor spreading near mid-ocean ridges(M)value,and in the study area of the NMAR,there is insufficient magmatism,and the number of faults may be controlled by both lithospheric thickness and magma supply,leading to a less obvious positive correlation between the distribution range of active faults and M.

Extensive Cold-Precipitation-Freezing Events in Southern China and Their Circulation Characteristics

Concurrence of low temperature,precipitation and freezing weather in an extensive area would cause devastating impacts on local economy and society.We call such a combination of concurrent disastrous weather“extensive coldprecipitation-freezing”events(ECPFEs).In this study,the ECPFEs in southern China(15°−35°N,102°−123°E)are objectively defined by using daily surface observational data for the period 1951−2013.An ECPFE in southern China is defined if the low temperature area,precipitation area and freezing area concurrently exceed their respective thresholds for at least three consecutive days.The identified ECPFEs are shown to be reasonable and reliable,compared with those in previous studies.The circulation anomalies in ECPFEs are characterized by a large-scale tilted ridge and trough pairing over mid-and high-latitude Eurasia,and the intensified subtropical westerlies along the southern foot of the Tibetan Plateau and the anomalous anticyclonic circulation over the subtropical western Pacific.Comparative analysis reveals that the stable cold air from the north and the warm and moist air from the south converge,facilitating a favorable environment for the concurrence of extensive low-temperature,precipitation and freezing weather.

南大西洋赤狐热液区硫化物特征及成矿机制

赤狐热液区是中国科研人员在南大西洋中脊首次发现的拆离断层型热液区。该区位于拆离断层的下盘,目前发现2个热液点,围岩类型为基性玄武岩。利用ICP-OES、ICP-MS、LA-ICP-MS等方法对2019年获得赤狐热液区硫化物样品开展详细的矿物学和地球化学研究,结果显示该区包括块状、角砾状、浸染状三类硫化物。与其他拆离断层型热液区相比,赤狐热液区上2个热液点具有明显不同的化学特征;全岩的主微量、黄铁矿的微量元素以及热液区硫化物的硫同位素特征明显指示,赤狐热液区可能受到基性与超基性岩的共同影响。热液区2个热液点的差异指示了同一个热液系统不同时期产出硫化物有差异及遭受后期改造的不同。

西藏南部冈底斯带东段晚白垩世埃达克岩:新特提斯洋脊俯冲的产物?

西藏南部冈底斯带晚白垩世岩浆作用的性质及其产生的地球动力学机制仍存在不同看法。为进一步约束冈底斯带晚白垩世的构造岩浆演化历史,本文报道了南冈底斯东段朗县至米林一带晚白垩世花岗岩类的岩石学、锆石U-Pb年代学、全岩地球化学以及锆石Hf同位素数据。锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,这些花岗岩侵位于84～78Ma,以高Al2O3(15.69%～17.65%),低MgO(0.47%～1.24%),极低相容元素(Cr=1.34×10-6～3.27×10-6、Ni=0.69×10-6～3.32×10-6)含量和高Sr(542×10-6～774×10-6)以及高Sr/Y比值(48～397)为特征,显示埃达克质岩石的地球化学特征,属于中钾钙碱性偏铝质岩石(A/CNK=0.95～1.04),富集大离子亲石元素(LILE)、亏损高场强元素(HFSE),部分样品具显著的正铕异常(δEu=1.16～2.26)和中稀土元素亏损的特征,锆石εHf(t)值变化范围大(+0.2～+15.1)。这些晚白垩世埃达克岩可能是先期底侵的镁铁质下地壳在含水角闪岩相条件下发生部分熔融作用的产物。通过与冈底斯带110Ma和50Ma左右大规模带状岩浆作用的对比,本文赞成洋脊俯冲模式是用来解释南冈底斯带晚白垩世大规模带状岩浆作用成因的一种最可能机制。

南天山榆树沟遭受麻粒岩相变质改造的蛇绿岩套研究

新疆南天山榆树沟高压麻粒岩地体的原岩是一层序基本完整的蛇绿岩套。该岩套主要由变质橄榄岩、超镁铁质－镁铁质堆晶岩、下部洋脊拉斑玄武岩、以及上部洋脊拉斑玄武岩等四个岩石单元构成。其岩石学和ＲＥＥ与相对惰性微量元素的地球化学特征表明，该蛇绿岩中的玄武岩属洋脊型；结合区域地质背景分析，初步认为榆树沟蛇绿岩可能形成于具相当规模的洋盆构造环境。锆石Ｕ－Ｐｂ年龄表明其形成时代为早古生代中晚期，证实西南天山早古生代蛇绿岩确已延伸至库米什一带。榆树沟麻粒岩相蛇绿岩套的确定以及对其独特的形成和俯冲－折返过程进行深入研究，不仅对进一步探讨天山构造带的形成和演化有重要意义。

藏南彭错林硅质岩地球化学特征及沉积环境分析

通过野外地质调查和系统的岩石化学、常量元素、微量元素以及稀土元素等研究,探讨了藏南彭错林硅质岩的地球化学特征及其沉积环境。研究表明,呈厚层状产出的绿色、棕褐色硅质岩具有较高的SiO2含量,局部受Fe、Mn矿化,Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)比值小,在Fe-Mn-Al三角成因判别图解中,大部分硅质岩样品落入热水沉积区域,微量元素Sr、Zr、Cu、Zn和Ba含量较高,稀土元素∑REE较低,Ce负异常,Eu正异常,北美页岩标准化后配分模式稍向左倾,体现出热水沉积特征;在沉积环境判别图100×Fe2O3/SiO2-100×Al2O3/SiO2、Fe2O3/(100-SiO2)-Al2O3/(100-SiO2)和Fe2O3/TiO2-Al2O3/(Al2O3+Fe2O3)中,硅质岩样品投影到洋中脊和深海区域,说明形成于大洋中脊和深海盆地环境;硅质岩常量和稀土参数变化特征图显示,在剖面中PCL-1、PCL-5和PCL-7采样位置更接近热液中心;硅质岩的形成与板块的汇聚消减产生的以洋中脊和海底热点为中心的洋壳热水系统有关。

新特提斯演化的热点与洋脊相互作用：西藏南部晚侏罗世-早白垩世岩浆作用推论

雅鲁藏布蛇绿混杂岩代表了新特提斯洋盆闭合的地表残余。本文在测试数据基础上,综合分析了目前雅鲁藏布江蛇绿混杂岩研究中取得的比较可信的晚侏罗世-早白垩世玄武岩的地球化学数据,并对其进行了较为详细的区域对比分析以讨论涉及新特提斯演化的地球动力学过程。结果表明:(1)雅鲁藏布蛇绿混杂岩带吉定洞拉村玄武岩、错拉山口北部玄武岩为大洋中脊玄武岩(MORB)型,错拉山口南部玄武岩为洋岛玄武岩(OIB)型,萨嘎桑单林玄武岩既包括OIB型,又包括MORB型;(2)在东西延伸约1500km的雅鲁藏布蛇绿混杂岩带中,至少可能存在OIB、MORB(包括N-MORB、E-MORB)和岛弧玄武岩IAB三种类型的晚侏罗世-早白垩世玄武岩。不活动的高场强元素比值(如Nb/Y,Zr/Y等)指示雅鲁藏布蛇绿混杂岩带中部仁布、杯玛让、吉定洞拉村和错拉山口北部地区以及中西部萨嘎地区的MORB型玄武岩中的亏损组分很可能来源于深部亏损的地幔柱源区。微量元素地球化学模拟表明,雅鲁藏布蛇绿混杂岩带OIB型玄武岩可能主要来源于石榴石二辉橄榄岩源区中等程度(10%～20%)的部分熔融,而MORB型玄武岩主要来源于尖晶石二辉橄榄岩源区中等程度(7%～25%)的部分熔融,IAB型玄武岩所代表的源区熔融深度以中部较浅而东西两端较深为特点,其中中部得几、杯玛让、吉定等地的IAB很可能与尖晶石二辉橄榄岩源区的部分熔融有关,而东部和西部达几翁IAB的熔融源区可能残留有石榴石。结合该带报道的He同位素数据和矿物学观察,以及在喜马拉雅带新获得的古地磁数据,可以认为热点与洋脊的相互作用是对晚侏罗世-早白垩世新特提斯演化的一种很可能的地球动力学解释。需要强调,虽然该模式可以较好地解释目前在藏南观察到的晚侏罗世-早白垩世岩浆作用特点和性质,但因资料有限,还需要做许多非常细致的工作来证实或否定。