A light carbon reservoir recorded in zircon-hosted diamond from the Jack Hills

The recent discovery of diamond-graphite inclusions in the Earth's oldest zircon grains (formed up to 4,252 Myr ago) from the Jack Hills metasediments in Western Australia provides a unique opportunity to investigate Earth's earliest known carbon reservoir. Here we report ion microprobe analyses of the carbon isotope composition of these diamond-graphite inclusions. The observed delta(13)C(PDB) values (expressed using the PeeDee Belemnite standard) range between -5 per mil and -58 per mil with a median of -31 per mil. This extends beyond typical mantle values of around -6 per mil to values observed in metamorphic and some eclogitic diamonds that are interpreted to reflect deep subduction of low-delta(13)C(PDB) biogenic surface carbon. Low delta(13)C(PDB) values may also be produced by inorganic chemical reactions, and therefore are not unambiguous evidence for life on Earth as early as 4,250 Myr ago. Regardless, our results suggest that a low-delta(13)C(PDB) reservoir may have existed on the early Earth.     

Trace-element fractionation in Hadean mantle generated by melt segregation from a magma ocean

Calculations of the energetics of terrestrial accretion indicate that the Earth was extensively molten in its early history. Examination of early Archaean rocks from West Greenland (3.6-3.8 Gyr old) using short-lived 146Sm-142Nd chronometry indicates that an episode of mantle differentiation took place close to the end of accretion (4.46 +/- 0.11 Gyr ago). This has produced a chemically depleted mantle with an Sm/Nd ratio higher than the chondritic value. In contrast, application of 176Lu-176Hf systematics to 3.6-3.8-Gyr-old zircons from West Greenland indicates derivation from a mantle source with a chondritic Lu/Hf ratio. Although an early Sm/Nd fractionation could be explained by basaltic crust formation, magma ocean crystallization or formation of continental crust, the absence of coeval Lu/Hf fractionation is in sharp contrast with the well-known covariant behaviour of Sm/Nd and Lu/Hf ratios in crustal formation processes. Here we show using mineral-melt partitioning data for high-pressure mantle minerals that the observed Nd and Hf signatures could have been produced by segregation of melt from a crystallizing magma ocean at upper-mantle pressures early in Earth's history. This residual melt would have risen buoyantly and ultimately formed the earliest terrestrial protocrust.     

History of trace gases in presolar diamonds inferred from ion-implantation experiments

Diamond grains are the most abundant presolar grains found in primitive meteorites. They formed before the Solar System, and therefore provide a record of nuclear and chemical processes in stars and in the interstellar medium. Their origins are inferred from the unusual isotopic compositions of trace elements-mainly xenon-which suggest that they came from supernovae. But the exact nature of the sources has been enigmatic, as has the method by which noble gases were incorporated into the grains. One observation is that different isotopic components are released at different temperatures when the grains are heated, and it has been suggested that these components have different origins. Here we report results of a laboratory study that shows that ion implantation (previously suggested on other grounds) is a viable mechanism for trapping noble gases. Moreover, we find that ion implantation of a single isotopic composition can produce both low- and high-temperature release peaks from the same grains. We conclude that both isotopically normal and anomalous gases may have been implanted by multiple events separated in space and/or time, with thermal processing producing an apparent enrichment of the anomalous component in the high-temperature release peak. The previous assumption that the low- and high-temperature components were not correlated may therefore have led to an overestimate of the abundance of anomalous argon and krypton, while obscuring an enhancement of the light-in addition to the heavy-krypton isotopes.     

澳大利亚小桉树快速热解研究

阐述了西澳小桉树快速热解制油的工作原理,以及温度(350～580℃)、原料粒度(0.18～5.6mm)、原料预处理(碱金属和碱土金属的脱除)对桉树木质部分快速热解产物的产率和生物油性质的影响。在热解反应前,生物质原料经过粉碎和研磨,最终被筛分到几个特定的粒度范围内,部分生物质原料经过水洗和酸洗以脱除其中碱金属和碱土金属(AAEM)。结果表明,热解温度和原料颗粒大小对热解产物的产率影响较大,原料颗粒大小对生物油的水含量起决定作用。实验还发现,在生物油产率最高的温度范围内(450～475℃)制得的油中,由木质素衍生来的聚合物的含量最高,同时生物油具有最高的黏度;经过彻底脱除AAEM的生物质原料热解制得的油也具有较高的黏度。因此,考虑到生物油的最终用途以及其对油的品质要求,生物质热解不仅要考虑产率,更要关注生物质油的性质和化学组成。     

CL and FTIR analysis on the diamonds in Wafangdian, Liaoning Province

The CL images show that the internal structures of the diamonds in Wafangdian, Liaoning Province is classified as three types: simple growth girdle zone, multi-stage growth complex girdle zone, and rare agate-like structure. These internal features reflect the complexity of growth processes of the diamonds. The FTIR analyses in micro area on diamond plates reveal the heterogeneity of the impurities of nitrogen and hydrogen. The variety of nitrogen contents and nitrogen aggregation states have been revealed not only in different diamonds from one kimberlite pipe but also in different zones of one diamond. The extent of conversion A defects to the aggregated B form is a function of the nitrogen aggregation temperature (TNA), mantle residence time (tMR), and nitrogen concentration of diamond. The interval of 0.6-0.7Ga from core to rim of diamond growth is obtained by using the FTIR curves and some geological data. The long period of diamond growth is identical with the feature in CL image.     

The existing time of Sihetun vertebrate in western Liao- ning, China---Evidence from U-Pb dating of zircon

In different opinions, the stratigraphic time of the feathered dinosaurs and early birds in Sihetun and its neighboring areas in Beipiao, western Liaoning is appointed to different epoches of eras, such as Late Jurassic, Early Cretaceous and Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. Even the recently dating data are still very different. This note first reported the U-Pb age of (125.2±0.9) Ma of zircon separated from tuff of Sihetun vertebrates horizon. The age reveals that Sihetun vertebrate belongs to Early Cretaceous. The method is more objective, because of the strong ability of disturbance resistance and high U-Pb blocking temperature of zircons.     

Hf isotopes of zircon megacrysts from the Cenozoic basalts in eastern China

Cenozoic basalts are widely distributed in eastern China, and some of them contain zircon megacrysts which are considered to be constituent mineral of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle （SCLM） and petrogenetically related to mantle metasomatism induced by addition of crustal materials. Using the Laser Ablation Multiple Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry （LA-MC-ICPMS）, zircon megacrysts from the Cenozoic basalts at Changle in Shandong, Mingxi in Fujian, and Penglai in Hainan provinces have been used for Hf isotopic analyses. The data indicate that there is no significant deviation for the different zircon grains in each locale, except those from Penglai. The obtained ^176Hf /^177Hf ratios are 0.28302- 0.28308 for Changle, 0.28297-0.28300 for Mingxi, and 0.28288-0.28293 for Penglai, with corresponding ear values of 8.7-10.8, 7.0-7.9, and 3.9-5.7, respectively. These data display that there existed some regional heterogeneity, but the Hf model ages clustere in the Phanerozoic. Therefore, it is inferred that metasomatism of the lithospheric mantle beneath eastern China took place in the Phanerozoic, most probably in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. However, the formation time of the iithospheric mantle is not clearly constrained based on the present Hf isotopic data.     

Discovery of submicron diamonds within kimberlite in Liaoning Province, China and its significance

Conclusions Although the natural microdiamonds in the non-kimberlite have been well studied by Sobolev, the discovery of submicron diamonds in the kimberlite and not in the form of inclusion is still the first time in the world. Different from the common growth of the kimberlite e-clogite/peridotite with the diamond, the submicron diamonds grow together with the very thin dispersive materials with platina and blende structures. The growth process of the thin lath-shaped diamond crystals from the aggregative parent materials is observed. The densities of the aggregative parent materials are different from place to place within the microspace. The submicron diamonds and their parasitized diamonds formed in different generations.     

东昆仑金水口南变余辉长岩地球化学及锆石定年

目的 限定东昆仑造山带在新元古代Rodinia超大陆裂解的时限.方法 依据主、微量元素地球化学判别变余辉长岩的构造属性,并通过LA-ICP-MS对其中的锆石进行U-Pb测年.结果 变余辉长岩富集大离子亲石元素,轻稀土元素(LREE)及高场强元素(Nb,Ta)弱亏损,形成于较典型的大陆裂谷环境;U-Pb锆石测年结果显示,变余辉长岩形成年龄为(796±41)Ma(MSWD=0.47).结论 东昆仑造山带在新元古代裂解的时间为(796±41)Ma(MSWD=0.47).     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating for gabbro from the Tiding ophiolite in Tibet

Ophiolite is fragments of oceanic lithosphere formed by obduction and its formation age is very important for reconstructing the formation and evolution of an-cient oceanic basin and the configuration of ancient plate tectonics. The Yarlung Zangbo suture …     

Petrogenesis of keratophyes in the Pingshui Group, Zhejiang: Constraints from zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes

Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic as well as whole-rock geochemical data are reported for keratophyes in the Pingshui Group, Zhejiang. The results are used to discuss their petrogenesis and geological significance. The keratophyes were dated at 904±8 to 906±10 Ma. These intermediate-felsic rocks are characterized by high LREE contents and depletion of HREE and HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, P), resembling arc-derived rocks. The keratophyes exhibit positive εHf(t) values of 8.6 to 15.4, consistent with the...     

大平掌铜多金属矿斜长花岗斑岩中锆石标型研究

运用J.P.Pupin(1980)的锆石标型研究方法,通过对锆石晶形的鉴定和统计来探讨大平掌铜多金属矿花岗闪长斑岩成因信息.结果表明,锆石在亚碱性中温环境种形成,伴随矿化可能性较大.     

Episodic growth of the Gondwana supercontinent from hafnium and oxygen isotopes in zircon

It is thought that continental crust existed as early as 150 million years after planetary accretion, but assessing the rates and processes of subsequent crustal growth requires linking the apparently contradictory information from the igneous and sedimentary rock records. For example, the striking global peaks in juvenile igneous activity 2.7, 1.9 and 1.2 Gyr ago imply rapid crustal generation in response to the emplacement of mantle 'super-plumes', rather than by the continuous process of subduction. Yet uncertainties persist over whether these age peaks are artefacts of selective preservation, and over how to reconcile episodic crust formation with the smooth crustal evolution curves inferred from neodymium isotope variations of sedimentary rocks. Detrital zircons encapsulate a more representative record of igneous events than the exposed geology and their hafnium isotope ratios reflect the time since the source of the parental magmas separated from the mantle. These 'model' ages are only meaningful if the host magma lacked a mixed or sedimentary source component, but the latter can be diagnosed by oxygen isotopes, which are strongly fractionated by rock-hydrosphere interactions. Here we report the first study that integrates hafnium and oxygen isotopes, all measured in situ on the same, precisely dated detrital zircon grains. The data reveal that crust generation in part of Gondwana was limited to major pulses at 1.9 and 3.3 Gyr ago, and that the zircons crystallized during repeated reworking of crust formed at these times. The implication is that the mechanisms of crust formation differed from those of crustal differentiation in ancient orogenic belts.     

Coesite inclusions in zircon from gneisses identified by laser Raman microspectrometer in ultrahigh pressure zone of Dabie Mountains, China

The mineral inclusions in zircon from gneisses in ultra-high pressure (UHP) zone of the Dabie Mountains were identified by using a laser Raman microspectrometer. Coesite occurs as inclusions in zircons from all types of gneiss. Other important minerals, such as jadeite, omphacite, aragonite, barite, and anhydrite were also found as inclusion minerals. These discoveries indicate that (ⅰ) gneissic country rocks had metamorphosed at the same time as the enclosed eclogites; and (ⅱ) SO₄^-2-bearing fluids were present in the UHP metamorphic process, which is manifested by occurrence of barite and anhydrite coexisting with coesite.     

秦皇岛柳江盆地混合花岗岩的锆石U-Pb定年

目的确定秦皇岛柳江盆地基底混合岩的年龄。方法在锆石阴极荧光内部结构研究的基础上,进行LA-ICP-MS锆石原位U-Pb定年。结果获得柳江盆地基底混合岩化作用发生的年代为2570-2 560 Ma。结论冀东地区华北地台的基底在2 560 Ma的晚太古代已经发育成熟。     

柴北缘野马滩超高压地体的成因——年代学研究结果的约束

目的 探讨柴北缘野马滩超高压地体的成因.方法 利用锆石LA-ICP-MS原位微区分析技术,对超高压榴辉岩中两种类型的副片麻岩夹层进行年代学研究.结果 得到榴辉岩中两类副片麻岩夹层的变质年龄介于421～458 Ma之间,与超高压榴辉岩的变质年龄一致.结论 柴北缘野马滩超高压榴辉岩和围岩片麻岩是同一期变质事件的产物,其形成可能不应属于典型洋壳深俯冲成因,而很可能是陆壳深俯冲的结果.     

内蒙古东部索伦二叠纪哲斯组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄及其大地构造意义

内蒙古索伦地区位于贺根山-黑河断裂和西拉木伦河-长春-延吉断裂之间,该区发育巨厚的二叠系哲斯组地层。研究其年代学特征对确定该区大地构造背景具有重要的指示意义。哲斯组50颗碎屑锆石镜下具有典型岩浆锆石特征,年代学记录表现为4个峰值:(1)[(270±2)～(335±4)]Ma,峰期年龄为(272±2)Ma,与该区晚古生代岩浆活动一致;(2)[(363±3)～(429±3)]Ma,峰期年龄为(382±4)Ma,暗示其物源来自于松辽地块及其周边地区的加里东期岩浆事件;(3)[(507±5)～(555±6)]Ma,峰期年龄为(515±3)Ma,与东北地区各地块的泛非期变质基底年龄一致;(4)少量前寒武纪年龄分别为(847±7)Ma、(923±7)Ma、(1 342±14)Ma、(2 040±13)Ma,表明东北地区存在元古宙的结晶基底。上述碎屑锆石的年代学研究表明,以泛非期和新元古事件年龄为代表,说明研究区哲斯组的物源应来源于东北地区的变质基底,其中年轻一组谐和年龄(270±2)Ma限定了哲斯组的沉积下限为晚二叠世。由于哲斯组的物源均来自于东北地区的变质基底,推测华北和西伯利亚板块的缝合位置在西拉木伦河-长春-延吉一线。     

美国西进运动的拓荒精神对中国西部开发的启示

美国西进运动中的拓荒精神主要表现为艰苦奋斗、顽强拼搏的开拓精神，自我实现、自我奋斗的开拓意识，求实创新的民族气质。目前我国实施西部大开发战略同样也需要这样一种精神状态。应该树立一种艰苦创业，积极进取的新西部精神，自我突破、自我发展的新西部心理状态和变革、创新的新西部意识，惟此，才能使西部大开发真正落到实处。     

Petrological implication of wagnerite-Ma5bc in the quartzofeldspathic gneiss, Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica

Mg dominantmineralsofwagnerite triplite group,i.e.(Mg,Fe,Mn)2(PO4)(F,OH),arerelativelyrare,buthavebeenfoundinawidevariety ofgeologicenvironments,includingmetamorphic rocksofallgrades[1]suchasquartz carbonateveinsof hydrothermalorigin,pegmatites,kyanite quartzite,micaschist,sillimanitegneiss,andmagnetiteores.Uptonow,wagneriteispresentmainlyasthe Ma2bcpolytype,anaccessorymineralincalcium poorrocks[2,5]inwhichapatite,ifpresent,oftenoc cursasretrograderimaroundwagnerite.Henriques[6]reportedasma…