Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf Isotopic Systematics as Tracers of Earth System Processes

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 8183

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Departamento de Geología Regional e Geotectónica, Facultad de Geología, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Interests: geochronology; isotopes; geochemistry; geology; Amazonia; tectonics
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e Departamento de Geología Regional e Geotectónica, Facultad de Geología, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Interests: mineralogy; geochemistry; petrography; tectonics; igneous petrology; geochronology; isotope geochemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The measurement of Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotopic ratios has found application in an increasing number of earth science disciplines. The development of high-spatial and mass-resolution microprobes (LA-ICP-MS, SHRIMP, SIMS) allows in situ measurements of Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotopes in microdomains making it possible to characterize the isotopic signature of different domains of single crystals and investigate the crustal evolution.

This Special Issue brings together scientists using Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf approaches to explore factors and processes in geosciences. We invite contributions on geochemical speciation, mobility, stability, and transformation in both natural and contaminated terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems.

Scientific contributions dealing with the use of Sm-Nd and Lu–Hf isotopes in the diverse fields of geology are welcome. The following themes of investigation will be emphasized:

  1. Methodology and application of Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf geochronology;
  2. Crustal evolution;
  3. Isotopic studies applied to environmental geology and water resources;
  4. Temporal isotopic variations;
  5. Isotopic studies in the genesis and evolution of igneous and metamorphic rocks;
  6. Isotopic studies applied to metallogenesis and mineral exploration;
  7. Isotopic studies in oil exploration.

Dr. Mauro César Geraldes
Dr. Guilherme Loriato Potratz
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • advances in Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf geochronology techniques
  • Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf in igneous and metamorphic petrogenesis
  • Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf future development

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 17677 KiB  
Article
Geochemistry and Geochronology (U-Pb and Lu-Hf) of the Soarinho Alkaline Massif (Brazil): Implications on Mantle versus Crustal Signature of Syenitic Magma
by Daniel Adelino da Silva, Guilherme Loriato Potratz and Mauro Cesar Geraldes
Minerals 2023, 13(7), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13070904 - 03 Jul 2023
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Abstract
The Soarinho Alkaline Intrusion, southeastern Brazil, makes up part of the Serra do Mar Igneous Province, and it is composed of alkali feldspar syenite, alkali feldspar trachyte, quartz syenite, and monzonite. Geochemical and geochronological analyses of the Soarinho were compared with data from [...] Read more.
The Soarinho Alkaline Intrusion, southeastern Brazil, makes up part of the Serra do Mar Igneous Province, and it is composed of alkali feldspar syenite, alkali feldspar trachyte, quartz syenite, and monzonite. Geochemical and geochronological analyses of the Soarinho were compared with data from its neighbors, Rio Bonito and Tanguá. Zircon U-Pb Laser Ablation ages show that Soarinho is younger than Rio Bonito and Tanguá. Ages obtained from the monzonite (60 ± 2 Ma), alkali feldspar syenite (58 ± 2 Ma), and quartz syenite (58 ± 2 Ma) are indistinguishable within error. One nepheline syenite sample from Tanguá gives an age equal to those of Rio Bonito already published (65 ± 1 Ma). Petrographic and geochemical data show a clear contrast among Soarinho, Rio Bonito, and Tanguá. Lu-Hf isotopic data for the three alkaline intrusions (all negative) point to some similarities in their sources. The data suggest an enriched mantle source for Soarinho; however, an older continental crust contribution cannot be discarded. Full article
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20 pages, 3066 KiB  
Article
Selective Neodymium Enrichment of Sulfides as a “Fingerprint” of Late Processes of Ore-Formation: Insight into Sm-Nd Isotopes for Sulfides from Magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE Complexes and Hydrothermal Pb-Zn, Au-Mo, and Gold Deposits
by Pavel A. Serov
Minerals 2022, 12(12), 1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12121634 - 19 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1153
Abstract
The effect of enrichment with Nd in sulfides from magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE complexes and sulfide ores from hydrothermal Pb-Zn, Au-Mo, and gold deposits was found and characterized. This paper concerns the report and analysis of isotopic geochemical data on the sulfide ores from the [...] Read more.
The effect of enrichment with Nd in sulfides from magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE complexes and sulfide ores from hydrothermal Pb-Zn, Au-Mo, and gold deposits was found and characterized. This paper concerns the report and analysis of isotopic geochemical data on the sulfide ores from the large Paleoproterozoic mafic–ultramafic magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE complexes of Fennoscandia and the literature data on sulfide ores from the Qingchengzi Pb-Zn deposit (northeastern China), Tokuzbay gold deposit (southern Altai, northwestern China), and Dahu Au-Mo deposit (central China). The mineral/rock partition coefficients for Nd and Sm (the DNd/DSm ratio) are defined as a prospective tool for the reconstruction of the sulfide mineral formation and geochemical substantiation of possible sources of ore-forming fluids for deposits of various genetic types. The observed selective Nd accumulation indicates either hydrothermal or metamorphic (metasomatic) impact, which is associated with increased Nd mobility and its migration or diffusion. Due to this process, there is a relative Nd accumulation in comparison with Sm and a consequent increase in the DNd/DSm ratio. At the isotopic system level, this leads to a sufficient decrease in the Sm/Nd ratio for the secondary sulfides of such kind. The revealed effect may serve as an isotopic geochemical marker of recent processes. These processes are quite frequently associated with the most important ore formation stages, which bear the commercially valuable concentrations of ore components. Sulfides from magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE complexes are more characterized by the selective accumulation of Nd in the sequential sulfide mineral formation. For sulfides from hydrothermal deposits, the effect of Nd enrichment is more intense and closely related to ore-forming fluids, under the influence of which sulfide mineralization is formed in multiple stages. The study aims at expanding the knowledge about fractionation and the behavior of lanthanides in ore-forming processes and allows the development of additional criteria for the evaluation of the ore potential of deposits with different geneses, ages, and formation conditions. Full article
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22 pages, 6305 KiB  
Article
A Juvenile Component in the Pre- and Post-Collisional Magmatism in the Transition Zone between the Araçuaí and Ribeira Orogens (SE Brazil)
by Guilherme Loriato Potratz, Mauro Cesar Geraldes, Edgar Batista de Medeiros Júnior, Filipe Altoé Temporim and Maria Virgínia Alves Martins
Minerals 2022, 12(11), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12111378 - 29 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1311
Abstract
The Araçuaí and Ribeira orogens have been studied for decades, and recently, these two orogens were described as the Araçuaí–Ribeira Orogen System. Despite much work investigating this orogenic system, some issues, such as the connection between the two orogens, are still not fully [...] Read more.
The Araçuaí and Ribeira orogens have been studied for decades, and recently, these two orogens were described as the Araçuaí–Ribeira Orogen System. Despite much work investigating this orogenic system, some issues, such as the connection between the two orogens, are still not fully understood. This work aimed to present unpublished Lu-Hf data for the Santa Angélica Intrusive Complex (SAIC) and for the host rocks that are part of the Rio Negro magmatic arc, as well as to present U-Pb ages for these rocks, thus contributing to the understanding of the geological processes that acted in the transition zone between the Araçuaí and Ribeira orogens. Two samples were collected corresponding to the magmatic arc and six samples from the Santa Angélica Intrusive Complex. The zircon grains were separated from the samples and subjected to geochronological (U-Pb) and isotopic (Lu-Hf) analysis by laser ablation-induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The geochronological data for the host rocks indicate a crystallization age of ca. 595 Ma. In contrast, the Hf isotopic data point to at least two magmatic sources, one crust, and one mantle. The geochronological data obtained for the SAIC rocks show three age peaks. The first peak (537 ± 5 Ma) coincides with the process of crustal anatexis and possibly marks the beginning of the generation of magmas associated with post-collisional magmatism. The second peak (510 ± 5 Ma) registers the apex of crystallization of the SAIC, and the third peak of ages (488 ± 7 Ma) marks the upper limit of the magmatism in the SAIC. The SAIC isotopic data point to at least two crustal components and a mantle component (juvenile). Full article
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22 pages, 8632 KiB  
Article
Two-Stage Orogenic Cycle of the Eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean from Early Palaeozoic to Early Triassic: Constraints from Magmatic Rocks of the Southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt
by Jinlei Sun, Ye Qian, Jinyu Li, Yanjie Shen, Lixiang Zhao and Fegnyue Sun
Minerals 2022, 12(8), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12081040 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1590
Abstract
The evolution of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) has controlled the formation of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, the evolution history and final closure time of the eastern PAO still remain controversial, which greatly restricts understanding of the formation process [...] Read more.
The evolution of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) has controlled the formation of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, the evolution history and final closure time of the eastern PAO still remain controversial, which greatly restricts understanding of the formation process of the CAOB. To address these issues, we provide detailed zircon chronology and Hf isotope and geochemical data of Paleozoic to Triassic magmatic rocks in the southeastern CAOB. We have identified four periods of magmatism as evidenced by: Early Silurian quartz diorites (434.7 Ma), Early Devonian monzogranites (394.2 Ma), Middle Permian granites (260.2–264.5 Ma) and Late Permian-Early Triassic syenogranite (250.8–253.6 Ma). These rocks have features of low MgO and mantle-compatible elements, are enriched in Th, U, K, Pb, Sr, Zr and Hf and depleted in Nb, Ta, La, Ce, P, and Ti. The quartz diorites belong to the medium-K calc-alkaline series with εHf(t) values of −0.76 to 2.21, indicating that they may be derived from partial melting of mafic lower crust with minor contribution of mantle magma. The monzogranites and syenogranite have high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (260–390; 261–461 ppm, respectively), total alkali contents (9.98–10.80; 8.46–9.29 wt.%, respectively), and high zircon saturation temperature (807–840; 810–885 °C). They can be classified as A-type granites. Monzogranites have εHf(t) values (between −1.20 and +3.34); hence, we believe that they were derived from the crust modified by mantle-derived fluids or melts. Syenogranite have high εHf(t) values (5.49–11.36), and we suggest that they were derived from the juvenile lower crust that originated from the depleted mantle. The granites have high Sr/Y ratios (118–257), low Y (1.42–2.82 ppm), and Yb (0.31–0.41 ppm), consistent with the features of adakite. Considering the εHf(t) isotopic values (2.99–8.50), we suggest that they originated from thickened juvenile lower crust. Combining the results from our own and previous studies, we propose a new evolution model of the eastern PAO from Paleozoic to Triassic. It can be divided into two stages: (1) Late Cambrian to Early Devonian; (2) Early Permian to Triassic. The first stage is the evolution of the Bainaimiao ocean (secondary ocean basin of the PAO), which closed in the Late Silurian and led to the Bainaimiao arc accretion to the North China Cratons. The second stage is the final closure of the eastern PAO during the Late Permian (~254 Ma). Full article
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25 pages, 7594 KiB  
Article
Geochronology, Geochemistry, and Lu-Hf Isotopic Compositions of Monzogranite Intrusion from the Chang’anpu Mo Deposit, NE China: Implications for Tectonic Setting and Mineralization
by Jian Zhang, Yanchen Yang, Shijiong Han and Wukeyila Wutiepu
Minerals 2022, 12(8), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12080967 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1217
Abstract
The Chang’anpu Molybdenum deposit occurs in the monzogranite intrusions in the Lesser Khingan Mountains-Zhangguangcai Mountains metallogenic belt. Previous work focused on the study of deposits, including geological characteristics, mineralization time, S-Pb isotope, etc. However, systematic petrogeochemical study of monzogranite intrusion and comparative analysis [...] Read more.
The Chang’anpu Molybdenum deposit occurs in the monzogranite intrusions in the Lesser Khingan Mountains-Zhangguangcai Mountains metallogenic belt. Previous work focused on the study of deposits, including geological characteristics, mineralization time, S-Pb isotope, etc. However, systematic petrogeochemical study of monzogranite intrusion and comparative analysis with other porphyry deposits in the region are lacking. Three monzogranite dating samples yield LA-ICP-MS zircon weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 174.7 ± 1.3 Ma, 174.9 ± 1.4 Ma, and 174.3 ± 1.8 Ma, respectively, indicating that the magmatism occurred in the middle Jurassic of Mesozoic. The 14 monzogranite samples show alkali rich and relatively high silica content (up to 84.39%) with the differentiation index (DI) ranges from 86 to 96, showing that monzogranite have been subjected to fractional crystallization during its evolution; the depletion of Ba, Sr, P, Nb, Ti, and Eu also indicates that the rock has undergone crystallization fractionation, the monzogranite belong to the highly fractionated I-type. Positive εHf(t) values (6.72–8.85) and young TDM2 (551–673 Ma) of the monzogranite indicate that the formation of Chang’anpu monzogranite intrusion is related to the partial melting of juvenile lower crust, originated from the Mesoproterozoic depleted mantle. The magmatism and related Mo mineralization in the Chang’anpu deposit occurred in an active continental margin setting associated with westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasian plate. Full article
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15 pages, 3490 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the 176Yb Interference Correction during Determination of the 176Hf/177Hf Ratio by Laser Ablation and Solution Analysis on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS
by Nasser A. Zirakparvar, Benjamin T. Manard, Cole R. Hexel and Daniel R. Dunlap
Minerals 2022, 12(7), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12070882 - 13 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
We utilized the Neoma™, a recently released MC-ICP-MS platform offered by ThermoFisher Scientific, to assess the behavior of the Lu-Yb-Hf system during laser ablation analyses of various zircon standards as well as solution-based analyses of the JMC-475 Hf standard doped with varying quantities [...] Read more.
We utilized the Neoma™, a recently released MC-ICP-MS platform offered by ThermoFisher Scientific, to assess the behavior of the Lu-Yb-Hf system during laser ablation analyses of various zircon standards as well as solution-based analyses of the JMC-475 Hf standard doped with varying quantities of Yb and Lu. The primary goal of this work was to characterize the behavior of the Yb interference correction on the Neoma™ platform since this is one of the biggest issues in the Hf isotope analysis community and because the Neoma™ platform will supplant the Neptune™ series instrument. During laser ablation analysis, we found that the overall data quality scales proportionally with the total Hf signal intensity, with higher signal analyses producing extremely accurate (within 1 εHf unit) and precise (sub εHf unit within-run standard errors) data. At low Yb signals (<0.1 V 173Yb), we were not able to produce an accurate internal Yb mass bias factor. However, utilizing an empirical approach allows for the application of session-specific relationships between the Yb and Hf mass bias factors, determined by analysis of standards of varying Yb content, to produce accurate εHf values from zircons with higher Yb/Hf ratios even where the total Hf signal intensity is relatively low. Similar behavior was observed in the solution analyses. Lastly, while the behavior of the Yb interference correction on the Neoma™ platform appears comparable to the Neptune™ series MC-ICP-MS, further work will help refine the understanding of the controls on mass bias behavior, oxide formation, session-to-session stability, etc. Full article
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