Genesis of Th-230 excess in basalts from mid-ocean ridges and ocean islands: Constraints from the global U-series isotope database and major and rare earth element geochemistry

Based on Th-230-U-238 disequilibrium and major element data from mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean island basalts (OIBs), this study calculates mantle melting parameters, and thereby investigates the origin of Th-230 excess. (Th-230/U-238) in global MORBs shows a positive correlation with Fe-8, P (o), Na-8, and F-melt (Fe-8 and Na-8 are FeO and Na2O contents respectively after correction for crustal fractionation relative to MgO = 8 wt%, P (o)=pressure of initial melting and F (melt)=degree of melt), while Th-230 excess in OIBs has no obvious correlation with either initial mantle melting depth or the average degree of mantle melting. Furthermore, compared with the MORBs, higher (Th-230/U-238) in OIBs actually corresponds to a lower melting degree. This suggests that the Th-230 excess in MORBs is controlled by mantle melting conditions, while the Th-230 excess in OIBs is more likely related to the deep garnet control. The vast majority of calculated initial melting pressures of MORBs with excess Th-230 are between 1.0 and 2.5 GPa, which is consistent with the conclusion from experiments in recent years that D (U)> D (Th) for Al-clinopyroxene at pressures of > 1.0 GPa. The initial melting pressure of OIBs is 2.2-3.5 GPa (around the spinel-garnet transition zone), with their low excess Ra-226 compared to MORBs also suggesting a deeper mantle source. Accordingly, excess Th-230 in MORBs and OIBs may be formed respectively in the spinel and garnet stability field. In addition, there is no obvious correlation of K2O/TiO2 with (Th-230/U-238) and initial melting pressure (P (o)) of MORBs, so it is proposed that the melting depth producing excess Th-230 does not tap the spinel-garnet transition zone. OIBs and MORBs in both (Th-230/U-238) vs. K2O/TiO2 and (Th-230/U-238) vs. P (o) plots fall in two distinct areas, indicating that the mineral phases which dominate their excess Th-230 are different. Ce/Yb-Ce curves of fast and slow ridge MORBs are similar, while, in comparison, the Ce/Yb-Ce curve for OIBs shows more influence from garnet. The mechanisms generating excess Th-230 in MORBs and OIBs are significantly different, with formation of excess Th-230 in the garnet zone only being suitable for OIBs.

Geochemistry of the lava and its implications in Musicians Seamounts

Chemical and isotopic data of the lava samples dredged in the southern Bach Ridge and the northern Italian Ridge of the Musicians Seamounts province, northeast of Hawaii. Although most of the samples analyzed are generally altered, a few are fresh. The latter exhibits similar geochemical and isotopic characteristics to normal MORB (Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts). There are systematic geochemical trends from hotspot to mid-ocean ridge in the province. Incompatible element and isotopic variations suggest that the flow field had at least two distinct parental magmas, one with higher and one with lower MgO concentrations. The two parental magmas could be related by a magma mixing model. The major and trace element modeling shows that the two parental magmas could not have been produced by different degrees of melting of a homogeneous mantle source, but they are consistent with melting of a generally depleted mantle containing variable volumes of embedded enriched heterogeneity enriched interbeds.

阿尔金蛇绿混杂带构造岩石组合及其大地构造意义

The Alytn fault is a huge left-slip fault zone within the Asian continent, and locates such zone that is linked to main tectonic units in the western China, which makes it is very important to the tectonic framework and ore distribution in the western China. Selecting two ophiolite zones (namely Hongliugou-Lapeiquan ophiolite zone and Sulamutage ophiolite zone) respectively located within the southern and northern part of the Altyn fault and based on analysis of field geology characteristics and geochemistry, this paper recognized the rock types (mainly mafic and ultramafic rocks) within the melanges and subdivided each lithological unit based on tectonic environment. At last, this paper rebuilt the paleo-tectonic framework in the Alytn region by the method of tectonic facies and discussed its tectonic evolution with the theory of collision orogens. Combining former results with hard field observation and geochemical analysis, this paper acquired such recognitions to two ophiolte zones within the Altyn fault zone as follows: To the typical regions (Hongliugou, Lapeiquan, Mangya and Sulamutage) within the two ophiolte zones in the Altyn fault zone, this paper offered the field geology profiles. Field geology characteristics show that they are composed of melange bases (mainly abyssal flysch and carbonate rocks) and melange blocks from various tectonic environments, often with fault contact among each lithological units, belonging to typical ophiolitic melange zone. The ultramafic rocks outcropped at the Altyn region are all harzburgites. Remant grains of primary minerals have melted residual texture and elastic deformation texture under high temperature and pressure. The whole-rock analyses show their low TiO_2 contents (0.01～0.04%), low Al, Ca and high MgO contents and wide Mg~# range (89.35～95.57). Rare earth patterns have two types, namely tabacco pipe-shped and LREE-shaped, of which the former is often seen. The chondrite-nomalized Yb values of these analyses are all lower than 1. The spinels have low Ti and high Cr content and most spinels have Cr# higher than 60. All of the above characteristics show that the ultramafic rocks in the Altyn fault zone are components of metmorphic peridotites of ophiolite from depleted mantle source and most ophiolites from this zone belong to supra-subduction zone (SSZ) type ophiolite with a few mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) type. Geochemical analyses show that the melange blocks within the Altyn ophiolitic melange zone have different characteristics from various tectonic environments. This paper recognized such tectonic-lithological assemblages as mid-ocean basalts, oceanic island basalts, oceanic island arc tholeiites, island arc calalkaline basalts and island arc granites and inferred that these tectonic-lithological units respectively belongs to such tectonic units as ophiolites, oceanic islands and/or oceanic seamounts, oceanic island arc and a~creting arcs, which show these blocks from oceanic crust and subduction zone for the most part. For the Altyn ophiolites, the chronological data show they become new from the north to the south. Combined with the study on late slip of Altyn fault and North Qilianshan orogeny, the author inferred that the Altyn region had belonged to one part of the North Qilianshan accreting wedge-arc orogeny at paleozoic, and later huge left-slip made it locate modem site.

Deep Fractionation of Clinopyroxene in the East Pacific Rise 13 degrees N: Evidence from High MgO MORB and Melt Inclusions

Mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) from East Pacific Rise (EPR) 13 degrees N are analysed for major and trace elements, both of which show a continuous evolving trend. Positive MgO-Al2O3 and negative MgO-Sc relationships manifest the cotectic crystallization of plagioclase and olivine, which exist with the presence of plagioclase and olivine phenocrysts and the absence of clinopyroxene phenocrysts. However, the fractionation of clinopyroxene is proven by the positive correlation of MgO and CaO. Thus, MORB samples are believed to show a "clinopyroxene paradox". The highest magnesium-bearing MORB sample E13-3B (MgO = 9.52%) is modelled for isobaric crystallization with COMAGMAT at different pressures. Observed CaO/Al2O3 ratios can be derived from E13-3B only by fractional crystallization at pressure > 4 +/- 1 kbar, which necessitates clinopyroxene crystallization and is not consistent with cotectic crystallization of olivine plus plagioclase in the magma chamber (at pressure similar to 1 kbar). The initial compositions of the melt inclusions, which could represent potential parental magmas, are reconstructed by correcting for post-entrapment crystallization (PEC). The simulated crystallization of initial melt inclusions also produce observed CaO/Al2O3 ratios only at > 4 +/- 1 kbar, in which clinopyroxene takes part in crystallization. It is suggested that MORB magmas have experienced clinopyroxene fractionation in the lower crust, in and below the Moho transition zone. The MORB magmas have experienced transition from clinopyroxene+plagioclase+olivine crystallization at > 4 +/- 1 kbar to mainly olivine+plagioclase crystallization at < 1 kbar, which contributes to the explanation of the "clinopyroxene paradox".

南海新生代碱性玄武岩的特征及其地球动力学意义

南海是西太平洋最大的边缘海之一，位于欧亚板块、印-澳板块以及太平洋板块之间。南海海底扩张停止(15.5Ma, Briais et al., 1993) 后的板内火山作用，影响着中国南部、中南半岛、大洋基底和分裂的微大陆片段的广大地区。对南海新生代玄武岩进行地球化学研究，不仅对于理解南海板内火山作用的深部地幔过程有着重要意义，而且对南海形成演化及含油气盆地形成的深部动力学机制有着深远意义。 南海新生代玄武岩K-Ar/Ar-Ar年龄为3.8-7.9Ma, 表明为晚中新世以来的岩浆活动产物，与周边地区的碱性火山岩在年龄上的一致性。岩石学特征表明，南海新生代玄武岩的矿物组合为橄榄石、单斜辉石、斜长石，与特征的碱性玄武岩的矿物组合一致。由橄榄石所计算的南海底潜在地幔温度(Tp)平均值为1661℃, 暗示南海地区下的地幔可能存在热量异常，为海南地区存在地幔柱的观点提供了证据。单斜辉石富钙、钛，由单斜辉石-熔体平衡温压计计算的岩浆房深度分别为：碱玄岩岩浆房深度约49km（对应压力为1.46～1.48 GPa）；粗面玄武岩岩浆房约25km（对应压力为0.76 GPa）；玄武岩岩浆房约15km（对应压力为0.44GPa）。由碱玄岩→粗面玄武岩→玄武岩，平衡温度(K)依次降低:从1535～1498→1429→1369。由斜长石微晶所计算的岩浆喷出地表的温度为989℃。 主量元素特征表明，岩石类型主要为碱玄岩，有少量的粗面玄武岩和玄武岩，属于碱性系列。微量元素方面，大离子亲石元素(LILE)以及高场强元素（HFSE）特别是Nb、Ta、Ti、Y等元素均呈现富集现象，Yb、Sc、Sr以及K、U、Th等生热元素相对亏损，微量元素及稀土元素分布岩石类似板内OIB微量元素的全球平均值。同位素地球化学研究表明，源区存在两个混合端员并具Dupal Pb异常：一个为DMM，位于软流圈或岩石圈地幔中；另一个为EM2源区，可能来自位于核-幔边界处的海南地幔柱而非大陆底岩石圈地幔。研究表明，南半球Dupal异常不存在全球范围内的地区专属性，本区存在的Dupal异常与南半球Dupal异常可能不存在联系。在南海新生代玄武岩的成因过程中，海南地幔柱在为岩石圈地幔的部分熔融作用提供所需的热量同时，也在物质上作出了贡献。南海盆新生代碱性玄武岩由不同程度的部分熔融作用，以及岩浆在上升期间或者在高位岩浆房中的橄榄石等矿物分离结晶作用所形成，同时还可能发生了堆晶作用。构造环境判别表明，玄武岩浆在上升到地表过程中几乎未受到地壳混染。 南海新生代玄武岩的地球化学研究表明，在玄武质岩浆的深部地幔演化过程中，海南地幔柱可能起着重要的作用。通过引入海南岛地幔柱这个概念，本文建立了一个新的有关南海形成演化的初步的概念性模型：（1）50-32Ma，印度洋板块-欧亚板块碰撞及其所导致的太平洋板块后退的综合效应为南海地区提供了一个伸展环境，此伸展环境为地幔柱物质的上升提供了通道；（2）32-21Ma，当地幔柱柱头到达软流圈时, 通过侧向物质流开始同扩张中心发生相互作用，促进了南海的扩张，并在26-24Ma期间发生了洋脊重新就位事件，使扩张中心从原来的18°N附近(即现今西北海盆的中心)调整到15.5°N附近（即现今的东部亚盆）；（3）21-15.5Ma, 随着地幔柱效应的逐渐增强，热点-洋脊相互作用越来越强烈，在大约21Ma发生了洋脊的再次重新就位事件，诱发了西南海盆的扩张；（4）15.5-现在，由于印澳板块前缘与巽他大陆碰撞，使得南海大约在15.5Ma停止扩张,并沿着南沙海槽及吕宋海沟向菲律宾岛弧及巴拉望地块之下俯冲，而南海热点继续活动，在地表处直到第四纪还有碱性玄武岩喷出。

北极Gakkel超慢速扩张脊大洋橄榄岩的地球化学特征及其意义

Gakkel Ridge in Arctic Ocean is the ulstraslow spreading ridge in the world with a full spreading rate decreasing from 14 mm/yr in the western end to 7mm/yr in the eastern end. To study the histories of partial melting and melt referilization occurred in the oceanic mantle beneath Gakkel Ridge, both extremely fresh and altered abyssal peridotites from two dredge hauls (PS66-238 and HLY0102-D70) have been selected in this research. Major and trace element data of the residual minerals suggest that all samples have been refertilized by late enriched melts after low to moderate degrees (3-12%) of partial melting in the stability field of spinel, whereas some samples also inherited signatures of partial melting in stability field of garnet. Os isotopic compositions of Gakkel samples have not been significantly affected by late processes, e.g., seawater alteration and melt refertilzaiton. Samples from both dredge hauls have similar range of 187Os/188Os, from strongly unradiogenic (~0.114) in the harzburgites to approximating the inferred values of PUM (primitive upper mantle) in some lherzolites (~0.129). Inherited ancient depletion events in the harzburgites with Re-depletion age up to 2 billion years are unrelevant to the recent genesis of MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalts) beneath Gakkel Ridge. Comparisons of highly siderophile elements (HSEs) between the fresh and altered samples suggested both Pd and Re were affected and thus are mobile during seawater alteration, whereas the other HSEs (i.e., Os, Ir, Ru an Pt) are stable. The fractionated HSEs patterns in the harzburgites suggest both PPGEs (Pt and Pd) and Re can be fractionated from IPGEs (Os, Ir and Ru) at low degree of partial melting, which might be due to physical dredging of sulfide melts by silicate melts rather than equilibrium partitioning between residues and silicate melts. Inferred HSEs budget of the PUM confirm the previous study that both Ru/Ir and Pd/Ir are suprachondritic in the PUM. Some modifications of late-veneer hypothesis are required in light of the unique PUM composition. HSEs and Os isotopic compositions of Gakkel abyssal peridotites indicate the oceanic mantle is highly heterogeneous within a scale of one dredge haul (<5 km). Both depleted and fertile mantle domains are likely to be mechanically juxtaposed in the asthenosphere in a state of ‘plum pudding’. Widely distribution of ancient depleted components in the asthenosphere suggests that DMM (depleted MORB mantle) should not be synonymous with the MORB source. The later is just the fertile part of the former, i.e., the depleted components in the DMM do not or contribute little to the genesis of MORB.

He, Ne and Ar isotopic composition of Fe-Mn crusts from the western and central Pacific Ocean and implications for their genesis

The noble gas nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios of the upmost layer of Fe-Mn crusts from the western and central Pacific Ocean have been determined. The results indicate that the He and Ar nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios can be classified into two types: low He-3/He-4 type and high He-3/He-4 type. The low He-3/He-4 type is characterized by high He-4 abundances of 191x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1) on average, with variable He-4, Ne-20 and Ar-40 abundances in the range (42.8-421)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), (5.40-141)x10(-9)cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), and (773-10976)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), respectively. The high He-3/He-4 samples are characterized by low He-4 abundances of 11.7x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1) on average, with He-4, Ne-20 and Ar-40 abundances in the range of (7.57-17.4)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), (110.4-25.5)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1) and (5354-9050)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), respectively. The low He-3/He-4 samples have He-3/He-4 ratios (with RIRA ratios of 2.04-2.92) which are lower than those of MORB (R/R-A=8 +/- 1) and Ar-40/Ar-36 ratios (447-543) which are higher than those of air (295.5). The high He-3/He-4 samples have He-3/He-4 ratios (with R/R-A ratios of 10.4-12.0) slightly higher than those of MORB (R/R-A=8 +/- 1) and Ar-40/Ar-36 ratios (293-299) very similar to those of air (295.5). The Ne isotopic ratios (Ne-20/Ne-22 and Ne-21/Ne-22 ratios of 10.3-10.9 and 0.02774-0.03039, respectively) and the Ar-38/Ar-36 ratios (0.1886-0.1963) have narrow ranges which are very similar to those of air (the Ne-20/Ne-22, Ne-21/Ne-22, Ar-38/Ar-36 ratios of 9.80, 0.029 and 0.187, respectively), and cannot be differentiated into different groups. The noble gas nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios, together with their regional variability, suggest that the noble gases in the Fe-Mn crusts originate primarily from the lower mantle. The low He-3/He-4 type and high He-3/He-4 type samples have noble gas characteristics similar to those of HIMU (High U/Pb Mantle)- and EM (Enriched Mantle)-type mantle material, respectively. The low He-3/He-4 type samples with HIMU-type noble gas isotopic ratios occur in the Magellan Seamounts, Marcus-Wake Seamounts, Marshall Island Chain and the Mid-Pacific Seamounts whereas the high He-3/He-4 type samples with EM-type noble gas isotopic ratios occur in the Line Island Chain. This difference in noble gas characteristics of these crust types implies that the Magellan Seamounts, Marcus-Wake Seamounts, Marshall Island Chain, and the Mid-Pacific Seamounts originated from HIMU-type lower mantle material whereas the Line Island Chain originated from EM-type lower mantle material. This finding is consistent with variations in the Pb-isotope and trace element signatures in the seamount lavas. Differences in the mantle surce may therefore be responsible for variations in the noble gas abundances and isotopic ratios in the Fe-Mn crusts. Mantle degassing appears to be the principal factor controlling noble gas isotopic abundances in Fe-Mn crusts. Decay of radioactive isotopes has a negligible influence on the nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios of noble gases in these crusts on the timescale of their formation.

Major element, trace element, and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope studies of Cenozoic basalts from the South China Sea

The whole rock K-Ar ages of basalts from the South China Sea basin vary from 3.8 to 7.9 Ma, which suggest that intra-plate volcanism after the cessation of spreading of the South China Sea (SCS) is comparable to that in adjacent regions around the SCS, i.e., Leiqiong Peninsula, northern margin of the SCS, Indochina block, and so on. Based on detailed petrographic studies, we selected many fresh basaltic rocks and measured their major element, trace element, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions. Geochemical characteristics of major element and trace element show that these basaltic rocks belong to alkali basalt magma series, and are similar to OIB-type basalt. The extent of partial melting of mantle rock in source region is very low, and magma may experience crystallization differentiation and cumulation during the ascent to or storing in the high-level magma chamber. Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of these basaltic rocks imply an inhomogeneous mantle below the South China Sea. The nature of magma origin has a two end-member mixing model, one is EM2 (Enriched Mantle 2) which may be originated from mantle plume, the other is DMM (Depleted MORB Mantle). Pb isotopic characteristics show the Dupal anomaly in the South China Sea, and combined with newly found Dupal anomaly at Gakkel ridge in Arctic Ocean, this implies that Dupal anomaly is not only limited to South Hemisphere. In variation diagrams among Sr, Nd and Pb, the origin nature of mantle below the SCS is similar to those below Leiqiong peninsula, northern margin of the SCS and Indochina peninsula, and is different from those below north and northeast China. This study provides geochemical constraints on Hainan mantle plume.

Isotope Geochemistry of Gold Ore Deposits in the Gezhen Shear Zone, Qiongxi, Hainan Island

Gold deposits hosted in the Gezhen shear zone at Qingxi, Hainan Island occur in the Precambrian metamorphic rock series and are regionally developed in the N-E direction along the tectonic zone. From northeast to southwest are distributed the Tuwaishan-Baoban gold mining district, the Erjia gold mining district and the Bumo gold mining district, making up the most industrially important gold metallogenesis zone on the Hainan Island. Isotope geochemical studies of the typical gold deposits in this metallogen

New species of Doliodrilus and other Limnodriloidinae (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) from Hainan and other parts of the north-west Pacific Ocean

Thirteen species of Limnodriloidinae (Tubificidae) are recorded from marine and brackish-water habitats of Hainan Island, southern China, including 11 species of Doliodrilus and two species belonging to Limnodriloides . Eight species are new to science: D. bisaccus sp. n. (types from Japan), D. longidentatus sp. n. (types from Hong Kong), D. ciliatus sp. n., D. adiacens sp. n., D. fibrisaccus sp. n. (also from Fiji), D. brachyductus sp. n., D. bidolium sp. n. and D. chinensis sp. n. In addition, material of D. puertoricensis Erseus and Milligan, 1988, from New Caledonia, is briefly described. This study shows that Doliodrilus is unexpectedly species-rich in Asian seas, in particular, around Hainan. Including an unnamed species from this island, the known members of this genus increase from three to 12.

Sustainable development of coastal and marine areas in small island developing states: A basis for integrated coastal management

Agenda 21, the 40-chapter action plan, agreed to by all nations participating in the 1992 Earth Summit represents an ambitious effort to provide policy guidance across the entire spectrum of environment, development, and social issues confronting mankind. In the area of oceans and coasts (Chapter 17 of Agenda 21), the Earth Summit underscored that the management of oceans and coasts should be ‘integrated in content and anticipatory in ambit.’ To assist those responsible for implementing the Earth Summit guidelines on ocean and coastal management, this article first reviews the fundamental shift in paradigm reflected in the Earth Summit agreements as well as the specific recommendations contained in Chapter 17. Next, the article examines the central concept of ‘integrated management,’ noting both its importance and its limits. A general or ‘synthesis’ model of ‘integrated coastal management’ is then presented, addressing such questions as management goals, what is being managed, where, how, and by whom. In a concluding section, methods are proposed whereby the general or ‘synthesis model’ can be tailored to diverse national contexts, involving varying physical, socio-economic, and political conditions.

Geochemistry of rare earth elements in cobalt-rich crusts from the Mid-Pacific M seamount

Rare earth elements (RFEs) and major elements of 25 cobalt-rich crusts obtained from different depths of Mid-Pacific M seamount were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer and gravimetric method. The results showed that they were hydrogenous crusts with average Sigma REE content of 2084.69 mu g/g and the light REE (LREE)/heavy REE (HREE) ratio of 4.84. The shale-normalized PEE patterns showed positive Ce anomalies. The total content of strictly trivalent REEs increased with water depth. The Ce content and LREE/HREE ratios in Fe-Mn crusts above 2000 in were lower than those below 2000 m. The change in RE E with water depth could be explained by two processes: adsorptive scavenging by setting matters and behaviors of REE in seawater. However, the Ce abundance took no obvious correlation with water depth reflects the constant Ce flux. The Cc in crusts existed mainly as Ce(IV), implying that the oxidative-enriching process was controlled by kinetic factors.