A LA-ICPMS zircon record of magmatic crystallization and compositional alteration in meta-igneous rocks of the eastern Kaapvaal Craton

Author(s):  
R. Bolhar ◽  
A. Hofmann ◽  
C.M. Allen ◽  
R. Maas

Abstract Archaean zircons from the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa, were analyzed by Laser Ablation (LA)-ICP-MS to obtain a coupled record of U-Th-Pb isotope ratios and selected trace elements with the aim to develop insights into physico-chemical conditions during igneous zircon crystallization and subsequent compositional alteration. Four rock samples previously dated by SIMS U-Pb using zircon were selected: 3.56 Ga Ngwane Gneiss, 3.55 Ga Theespruit felsic metavolcanic, 3.50 Ga Steynsdorp Gneiss and 2.98 Ga Nhlangano Gneiss. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon ages agree with published SIMS U-Pb ages within analytical uncertainty. Assessment of the magmatic crystallization histories was based on near-concordant grains, and discordant grains were used to examine post-igneous element mobilization and alteration. Time-resolved laser drilling experiments allowed distinction of concordant and discordant zircon domains, but also revealed systematic changes in REE + Ti geochemistry, U + Th content, discordance and metamictization. Th/U and Zr/Hf, coupled with REE patterns, effectively distinguish compositional zircon types that reflect variable degrees of igneous differentiation and melt compositions. Eu/Eu* values indicate significant feldspar fractionation in some magmas. Averaged crystallization temperatures of magmatic zircons, as derived from the Ti-in-zircon thermometer, define a narrow range of 650 to 750°C for (near-)concordant grains, consistent with general constraints on temperatures at zircon saturation for felsic magmas, and testifying to a closed-system behavior of Ti (and other trace elements). Systematic deviations from primary igneous trace element signatures are strongly correlated with radiation damage. Specifically, Th/U and, to some extent, Zr/Hf decrease, and Ti increases with increasing U (+Th) content and isotopic disturbance (discordance).

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 820-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr S. Stepanov ◽  
Leonid V. Danyushevsky ◽  
Ross R. Large ◽  
Indrani Mukherjee ◽  
Irina A. Zhukova

Abstract Pyrite is a common mineral in sedimentary rocks and is the major host for many chalcophile trace elements utilized as important tracers of the evolution of the ancient hydrosphere. Measurement of trace element composition of pyrite in sedimentary rocks is challenging due to fine-grain size and intergrowth with silicate matrix and other sulfide minerals. In this contribution, we describe a method for calculation of trace element composition of sedimentary pyrite from time-resolved LA-ICP-MS data. The method involves an analysis of both pyrite and pyrite-free sediment matrix, segmentation of LA-ICP-MS spectra, normalization to total, regression analysis of dependencies between the elements, and calculation of normalized composition of the mineral. Sulfur is chosen as an explanatory variable, relative to which all regressions are calculated. The S content value used for calculation of element concentrations from the regressions is calculated from the total, eliminating the need for independent constraints. The algorithm allows efficient measurement of concentrations of multiple chalcophile trace elements in pyrite in a wide range of samples, including quantification of detection limits and uncertainties while excluding operator bias. The data suggest that the main sources of uncertainties in pyrite composition are sample heterogeneity and counting statistics for elements of low abundance. The analysis of regression data of time-resolved LA-ICP-MS measurements could provide new insights into the geochemistry of the sedimentary rocks and minerals. It allows quantification of ratios of elements that do not have reference material available (such as Hg) and provides estimates on the content of non-sulfidic Fe in the silicate matrix. Regression analysis of the mixed LA-ICP-MS signal could be a powerful technique for deconvolution of phase compositions in complex multicomponent samples.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 316
Author(s):  
Ze-Guang Chang ◽  
Guo-Chen Dong ◽  
Alireza K. Somarin

The Gujiao ore field, located in the middle segment of the Lüliang Mountain in central North China Craton (NCC), is one of iron skarn deposits of western iron belt in China. The U–Pb dating results of zircon by LA-ICP-MS suggest that the ore-related monzonite from the Guojialiang deposit was formed at 129.7 ± 1.7 Ma, early Cretaceous, which is consistent with the timing of iron skarn deposits in the Handan–Xingtai district of western iron belt. The zircons of monzonite present notable positive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 23.38–45.85), high Ce4+/Ce3+ values (154–385) and relatively high oxygen fugacity (fO2 = −13.09 to −15.36), and yield relatively low Ti-in-zircon temperatures. The physico-chemical conditions of the Guojialiang deposit were quite similar to these of ore-bearing plutons in the Handan-Xingtai district. The ore-bearing magmas are derived from the enriched lithospheric mantle with crustal material contribution, which played key role in oxidation state of the magma and the iron mineralization in the western iron belt.


2000 ◽  
Vol 42 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 371-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Araki ◽  
J. M. González ◽  
E. de Luis ◽  
E. Bécares

The viability of Parascaris equorum eggs was studied in two experimental pilot-scale high-rate algal ponds (HRAPs) working in parallel with 4 and 10 days hydraulic retention time respectively. Semi-permeable bags of cellulose (15000 daltons pore size) were used to study the effect of physico-chemical conditions on the survival of these helminth eggs. Three thousand eggs were used in each bag. Replicates of these bags were submerged for 4 and 10 days in the HRAPs and egg viability was compared with that in control bags submerged in sterile water. After 4 days exposure, 60% reduction in viability was achieved, reaching 90% after 10 days, much higher than the 16% and 25% found in the control bags for 4 and 10 days respectively. Ionic conditions of the HRAP may have been responsible for up to 50–60% of the egg mortality, suggesting that mortality due to the ionic environment could be more important than physical retention and other potential removal factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Callegari ◽  
Elena Crotti ◽  
Marco Fusi ◽  
Ramona Marasco ◽  
Elena Gonella ◽  
...  

AbstractThe core gut microbiome of adult honeybee comprises a set of recurring bacterial phylotypes, accompanied by lineage-specific, variable, and less abundant environmental bacterial phylotypes. Several mutual interactions and functional services to the host, including the support provided for growth, hormonal signaling, and behavior, are attributed to the core and lineage-specific taxa. By contrast, the diversity and distribution of the minor environmental phylotypes and fungal members in the gut remain overlooked. In the present study, we hypothesized that the microbial components of forager honeybees (i.e., core bacteria, minor environmental phylotypes, and fungal members) are compartmentalized along the gut portions. The diversity and distribution of such three microbial components were investigated in the context of the physico-chemical conditions of different gut compartments. We observed that changes in the distribution and abundance of microbial components in the gut are consistently compartment-specific for all the three microbial components, indicating that the ecological and physiological interactions among the host and microbiome vary with changing physico-chemical and metabolic conditions of the gut.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Glibert ◽  
Cynthia A. Heil ◽  
Christopher J. Madden ◽  
Stephen P. Kelly

AbstractThe availability of dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients and their transformations along the fresh to marine continuum are being modified by various natural and anthropogenic activities and climate-related changes. Subtropical central and eastern Florida Bay, located at the southern end of the Florida peninsula, is classically considered to have inorganic nutrient conditions that are in higher-than-Redfield ratio proportions, and high levels of organic and chemically-reduced forms of nitrogen. However, salinity, pH and nutrients, both organic and inorganic, change with changes in freshwater flows to the bay. Here, using a time series of water quality and physico-chemical conditions from 2009 to 2019, the impacts of distinct changes in managed flow, drought, El Niño-related increases in precipitation, and intensive storms and hurricanes are explored with respect to changes in water quality and resulting ecosystem effects, with a focus on understanding why picocyanobacterial blooms formed when they did. Drought produced hyper-salinity conditions that were associated with a seagrass die-off. Years later, increases in precipitation resulting from intensive storms and a hurricane were associated with high loads of organic nutrients, and declines in pH, likely due to high organic acid input and decaying organic matter, collectively leading to physiologically favorable conditions for growth of the picocyanobacterium, Synechococcus spp. These conditions, including very high concentrations of NH4+, were likely inhibiting for seagrass recovery and for growth of competing phytoplankton or their grazers. Given projected future climate conditions, and anticipated cycles of drought and intensive storms, the likelihood of future seagrass die-offs and picocyanobacterial blooms is high.


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