Temporal evolution of 142Nd signatures in SW Greenland from high precision MC-ICP-MS measurements

Measurements of 142Nd isotope signatures in Archean rocks are a powerful tool to investigate the earliest silicate differentiation events on Earth. Here, we introduce a new analytical protocol that allows high precision radiogenic and mass-independent Nd isotope measurements by MC-ICP-MS. To validate our method, we have measured well-characterized ∼3.72 to ∼3.8 Ga samples from the Eoarchean Itsaq Gneiss Complex and associated supracrustal belts, as well as Mesoarchean greenstones and a Proterozoic dike in SW Greenland, including lithostratigraphic units that were previously analyzed for 142-143Nd isotope systematics, by both TIMS and MC-ICP-MS. Our μ142Nd values for ∼3.72 to ∼3.8 Ga rocks from the Isua region range from +9.2 ± 2.6 to +13.2 ± 1.1 ppm and are in good agreement with previous studies. Using coupled 142,143Nd/144Nd isotope systematics from our data for ∼3.8 Ga mafic-ultramafic successions from the Isua region, we can confirm previous age constraints on the earliest silicate differentiation events with differentiation age of 4.390−0.060+0.045 Ga. Moreover, we can resolve a statistically significant decrease of 142Nd/144Nd isotope compositions in the ambient mantle of SW Greenland that already started to commence by Eoarchean time, between ∼3.8 Ga (μ142Nd = +13.0 ± 1.1) and ∼ 3.72 Ga (μ142Nd = +9.8 ± 1.0). Even lower but homogeneous μ142Nd values of +3.8 ± 1.1 are found in ∼3.4 Ga mantle-derived rocks from the Ameralik dike swarms. Our study reveals that ε143Nd(i) and εHf(i) values of Isua rocks scatter more than it would be expected from a single stage differentiation event as implied from nearly uniform μ142Nd values, suggesting that the previously described decoupling of Hf and Nd isotopes is not a primordial magma ocean signature. Instead, we conclude that some of second stage processes like younger mantle depletion events or recycling of subducted material affected the 147Smsingle bond143Nd isotope systematics. The preservation of pristine whole-rock isochrons largely rules out a significant disturbance by younger alteration events. Based on isotope and trace element modelling, we argue that the temporal evolution of coupled 142,143Nd/144Nd isotope compositions in the ambient mantle beneath the Isua rocks is best explained by the progressive admixture of material to the Isua mantle source that must have had present-day-like μ142Nd compositions. In contrast, Mesoarchean mafic rocks from the ∼3.08 Ga Ivisaartoq greenstone belt and the 2.97 Ga inner Ameralik Fjord region as well as a 2.0 Ga Proterozoic dike within that region all have higher μ142Nd values as would be expected from our simple replenishment model. This argues for reworking of older Isua crustal material that carried elevated μ142Nd compositions

Influence of CO2 on Nanoconfined Water in a Clay Mineral

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Saving the world’s terrestrial megafauna

From the late Pleistocene to the Holocene, and now the so called Anthropocene, humans have been driving an ongoing series of species declines and extinctions (Dirzo et al. 2014). Large-bodied mammals are typically at a higher risk of extinction than smaller ones (Cardillo et al. 2005). However, in some circumstances terrestrial megafauna populations have been able to recover some of their lost numbers due to strong conservation and political commitment, and human cultural changes (Chapron et al. 2014). Indeed many would be in considerably worse predicaments in the absence of conservation action (Hoffmann et al. 2015). Nevertheless, most mammalian megafauna face dramatic range contractions and population declines. In fact, 59% of the world’s largest carnivores (≥ 15 kg, n = 27) and 60% of the world’s largest herbivores (≥ 100 kg, n = 74) are classified as threatened with extinction on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (supplemental table S1 and S2). This situation is particularly dire in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, home to the greatest diversity of extant megafauna (figure 1). Species at risk of extinction include some of the world’s most iconic animals—such as gorillas, rhinos, and big cats (figure 2 top row)—and, unfortunately, they are vanishing just as science is discovering their essential ecological roles (Estes et al. 2011). Here, our objectives are to raise awareness of how these megafauna are imperiled (species in supplemental table S1 and S2) and to stimulate broad interest in developing specific recommendations and concerted action to conserve them

Eoarchean within-plate basalts from southwest Greenland: Comment

Jenner et al. (2013) reported the occurrence of, what they interpret as, Earth’s oldest ocean island basalts (OIBs) on the island of Innersuartuut, southwest Greenland. However, this interpretation hinges critically on the incompatible trace element contents of the presented rocks. Compared to Phanerozoic OIBs, the data of Jenner et al. exhibit lower Nb/La and Gd/Yb ratios, have negative Zr-Hf anomalies, and very low U and Th abundances. Thus, the highly incompatible trace elements are depleted relative to Hawaiian OIB and the compositions are completely different from HIMU- (high μ), EM1- (enriched mantle 1), and EM2-type OIB (see Hofmann, 2003)

Archaean andesite petrogenesis: Insights from the Graedefjord Supracrustal Belt, southern West Greenland

We present new whole-rock major, trace and platinum-group element data, as well as Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope data for meta-volcanic rocks from the Mesoarchaean Graedefjord Supracrustal Belt (GSB), located within the Tasiusarsuaq terrane, southern West Greenland. We also present new in situ zircon U-Pb isotope data (by LA-ICP-MS) for associated felsic rocks. This region has experienced amphibolite to lower granulite fades metamorphism, causing re-equilibration of most mineral phases (including zircon). An intrusive tonalite sheet with a zircon U-Pb age of 2888 +/- 6.8 Ma, yields a minimum age for the GSB. The Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope data do not provide meaningful isochron ages, but the isotope compositions of the mafic rocks are consistent with the ca. 2970 Ma regional volcanic event, which is documented in previous studies of the Tasiusarsuaq terrane. The major and trace element data suggest a significant crustal contribution in the petrogenesis of andesitic volcanic rocks in the GSB. The trace element variation of these andesitic leucoamphibolites cannot be explained by bulk assimilation-fractional-crystallisation (AFC) processes involving local basement. Rather, the observed patterns require binary mixing between basaltic and felsic end-member magmas with between 50% and 80% contributions from the latter (depending on the assumed felsic composition). Hf-isotope constraints point to contamination with pre-existing continental crust with an age of ca. 3250 Ma. Basement gneisses of this age were previously described at two localities in the Tasiusarsuaq terrane, which supports the mixing hypothesis. Thus the felsic end-member likely represents melts derived from the local basement. Ultramafic rocks (18.35-22.80 wt.% MgO) in GSB have platinum-group element (PGE) patterns that are similar to magmas derived from high-degree melting of mantle, but they have relatively enriched trace element patterns. We propose that the ultramafic rocks represent arc-related picrites or alternatively were derived by melting of metasomatised sub-continental lithospheric mantle. Overall these new geochemical data from the Mesoarchaean Graedefjord Supracrustal Belt and the petrogenetic mixing model in particular, are similar to observations from modern continental subduction zone environments, which also require large degrees of mixing with felsic basement melts. Therefore, we propose that the metavolcanic rocks formed in a modern-style subduction zone geodynamic setting, which due to the hotter Archaean mantle conditions allowed for substantial amounts of partial melting and magma mixing, rather than assimilating pre-existing continental crust. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved