B. M. Gorokhovskii

The Sr Isotopic Characterization and Pb-Pb Age of Carbonate Rocks from the Satka Formation, the Lower Riphean Burzyan Group of the Southern Urals

The Rb-Sr and U-Pb systematics are studied in carbonate deposits of the Satka and Suran formations corresponding to middle horizons of the Lower Riphean Burzyan Group in the Taratash and Yamantau anticlinoria, respectively, the southern Urals. The least altered rock samples retaining the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of sedimentation basin have been selected for analysis using the original method of leaching the secondary carbonate phases and based on strict geochemical criteria of the retentivity (Mn/Sr < 0.2, Fe/Sr < 5 and Mg/Ca < 0.024). The stepwise dissolution in 0.5 N HBr has been used to enrich samples in the primary carbonate phase before the Pb-Pb dating. Three (L-4 to L-6) of seven consecutive carbonate fractions obtained by the step-wise leaching are most enriched in the primary carbonate (in terms of the U-Pb systematics). In the 206Pb/204Pb-207Pb/204Pb diagram, data points of these fractions plot along an isochron determining age of 1550 ± 30 Ma (MSWD = 0.7) for the upper member of the Satka Formation. The initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the least altered limestones of this formation is within the range of 0.70460–0.70480. Generalization of the Sr isotopic data published for the Riphean carbonates from different continents showed that 1650–1350 Ma ago the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the world ocean was low, slightly ranging from 0.70456 to 0.70494 and suggesting the prevalent impact of mantle flux.

Pb-Pb age of Jatulian carbonate rocks: The Tulomozero Formation of southeast Karelia

The U-Pb systematics of 25 carbonate samples collected from the Upper Jatulian Tulomozero Formation in southeastern area of the Baltic shield has been studied. The U-Pb systems of Jatulian carbonates metamorphosed here under conditions of the greenschist facies likely have not been reset completely. Samples have been collected from core sections recovered by drilling 60 to 70 km apart from each other in western and eastern areas of the Onega Lake region. In majority, the rocks sampled characterize a thick upper member of the Tulomozero Formation, and a few samples have been collected in addition from its middle and lower members. The analyzed dolomitic rocks (Mg/Ca=0.60–0.68) have variable Mn (54–1450 ppm) and Sr (31–438 ppm) concentrations. Powdered dolomite samples have been treated preliminary in 1 N solution of ammonium acetate in order to get material for analysis enriched in pre-metamorphic carbonate phases in terms of U-Pb systematics. Five samples have been subjected to stepwise dissolution in 0.5 N HBr to analyze their carbonate phases L-1, L-2, L-3 and siliciclastic fraction for getting a deeper insight into the U-Pb systematics. The U-Pb characteristics of carbonate and siliciclastic fractions suggest deposition of studied carbonate sediments in two different paleobasins. In addition, they show for same samples the partial Pb redistribution between carbonate and siliciclastic components in the course of metamorphism and Pb gain from allogenic metamorphic fluids. The Pb-Pb date of 2090 ± 70 Ma (MSWD = 2.0) is estimated for the least altered dolomite samples from upper member of the Tulomozero Formation, which represent marine sediments of a paleobasin and contain a minimum of siliciclastic material, being the least-contaminated by gained Pb. The date obtained is well consistent with U-Pb and Sm-Nd ages established for the Jatulian volcanogenic rocks in northern and western areas of the Baltic shield.

U-Pb age and Sr isotope signature of cap limestones from the Neoproterozoic Tsagaan Oloom Formation, Dzabkhan River Basin, Western Mongolia

The U-Pb and Pb-Pb methods were used for determining age of cap limestones from the Neoproterozoic Tsagaan Oloom Formation corresponding to the lower part of the sedimentary cover in the Dzabkahn microcontinent of Central Asia. The weighted average age value appeared to be equal to 632 ± 14 Ma (MSWD = 0.11, probability 0.74). This value allows the following assumptions: (1) the lower boundary of the Tsagaan Oloom Formation corresponds to the beginning of the Ediacaran; (2) Dzabkhan tillites are correlative with glacial sediments of the Marinoan Epoch. The low 238U/204Pb and 232Th/238U ratios observed in initial Pb sources of limestones from the Tsagaan Oloom Formation indicate that the Dzabkhan paleobasin received at its early development stages a bulk of material from eroded upper Riphean juvenile rocks. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio in fractions of Tsagaan Oloom limestones enriched with primary carbonate material and satisfying geochemical criteria of Rb-Sr systems retentivity (Mn/Sr < 0.20 and Fe/Sr < 1) varies from 0.70676 to 0.70691 and reflects this ratio in the World Ocean approximately 630 Ma ago.

Pb-Pb age and Sr isotopic characteristic of the Middle Riphean phosphorite concretions: The Zigaza-Komarovo Formation of the South Urals

The Pb-Pb age of phosphorite concretions of the Zigaza-Komarovo Formation, which composes the intermediate horizons of the Riphean stratotype of the South Urals, was determined in fractions resulting from the stepwise dissolution of concretions in 0.1 N, 0.5 N, and 1 N HCl. The determination of the Sr isotopic composition in phosphate fractions was favorable for rejection the fractions polluted with extraneous material. On the 207Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb diagram, the isochron based on 31 points corresponds to 1330 ± 20 Ma (MSWD = 1.12), which is in agreement with the stratigraphic position of the Zigaza-Komarovo Formation. The decreased μ2 value of 9.57 for the phosphorite concretions relative to that of the average earthly lead based on the Stacey-Kramers model (9.74) is related to the rocks with an admixture of mantle lead, which occur in the run-off area of the Zigaza-Komarovo sediments.

New geochronometer for the direct isotopic dating of native platinum minerals (190Pt-4He method)

A new method of isotope geochronology was proposed for dating native platinum minerals on the basis of the α-decay of the natural isotope 190Pt. The analysis of the thermal desorption of helium in the crystal lattice of native metals, including platinum, allowed us to predict a very high thermal stability (retentivity) of radiogenic 4He in native platinum minerals up to their melting temperatures. In order to validate the proposed 190Pt-4He method, direct isotopic dating was performed for isoferroplatinum from the Galmoenan dunite-clinopyroxenite and Kondyor alkaline ultramafic massifs. The results of dating obtained by this method for primary ore platinum from the Galmoenan Massif (70 ± 5 Ma) are consistent with geological observations and mean Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic age estimates. The 190Pt-4He age obtained for placer isoferroplatinum from the Kondyor Massif (112 ± 7 Ma) also agrees with geological observations and is close to the K-Ar and Rb-Sr ages of koswites (phlogopite-magnetite pyroxenites, gabbros, nepheline syenites, and metasomatic rocks after dunites). Our experimental data demonstrated that the 190Pt-4He method is a promising tool for dating native platinum minerals.

U-Pb age and Sr-chemostratigraphy of limestone from the Sorna Formation, Azyr-Tal Range, Kuznetsk Alatau

The U-Pb(Pb-Pb) age was determined for limestone from member III of the Sorna Formation out- cropped on the Azyr-Tal Range, Kuznetsk Alatau. The weighted average value from three calculated values is 523 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 0.02, 2σ). This age coincides with the Early Cambrian age interval determined with Sr isotopic chemostratigraphy (87Sr/86Sr ratio is 0.70850–0.70852). The low value of μ2 = 238U/204Pb for limestone is due to the evolution of diagenetic fluid containing lead from the mantle reservoir into the Sorna sediments.

Structure, age substantiation and tectonic setting of the Lower-Middle Ordovician volcanic-sedimentary and plutonic complexes of the western part of the Kyrgyz Range (Northern Tien Shan)

Among the Caledonides exposed in the western part of the Kyrgyz Range the Lower Ordovician volcanogenic-sedimentary, plutonic, and tuffaceous-terrigenous complexes were distinguished. Volcanogenic-sedimentary sequences are the Kentash Formation, composed of volcanic rocks, tuffs and subvolcanic bodies of dacitic, andesitic and basaltic composition, sandstones and tuffites with interlayers and lenses of limestone. On the basis of conodonts and U-Pb dating of zircon grains the age of this Formation is in the age interval between Late Tremadocian Stage and Early Darriwilian Stage. Differentiated volcanites are associated with ultramafic-gabbro massifs of the Kokkiya Complex of the Late Darriwilian age (U-Pb zirconology). Features of the chemical composition of rocks of the Kentash Formation and the Kokkiya Complex indicate that they formed in suprasubduction settings within the island arc with a thick heterogeneous basement. Tuffaceous-terrigenous deposits are presented by the olistostrome formation, and coarse-grained deposits of the Taldybulak and Kyzylkainar Formations. The formation of olistostrome formation is associated with the over-thrusting of Cambrian melanocratic complexes on terrigenous-carbonate and shale strata of the Upper Precambrian-Cambrian age. Deposits of the Taldybulak and Kyzylkainar Formations accumulated in the back-arc basin and on the island arc slope, made of rocks of the Kentash Formation.

Rb-Sr and U-Pb Systematics of Metasedimentary Carbonate Rocks: The Paleoproterozoic Kuetsjarvi Formation of the Pechenga Greenstone Belt, Kola Peninsula

The Rb-Sr and U-Pb systematics have been studied in the metasedimentary carbonate rocks from the Paleoproterozoic Kuetsjarvi Formation. Samples were taken from the borehole drilled in the northern zone of the Pechenga Greenstone Belt in the northwestern Kola Peninsula. The carbonate section of the formation is made up of three units (from the bottom to top): (I) dolomite (68 m), (II) calcareous-dolomite (9 m), and (III) clayey calcareous (1 m) ones. Dolomites (Mg/Ca = 0.55–0.61) from the lowermost unit I contain 70.3–111 ppm Sr. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio in them varies within 0.70560–0.70623 and characterizes the primary continental-lacustrine carbonate sediments. Calcareous dolomites (Mg/Ca = 0.39–0.59) and dolomitic limestones of units II and III (Mg/Ca = 0.02–0.36) are enriched in Sr (285–745 and 550–1750 ppm, respectively). Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios in these rocks (0.70406–0.70486 and 0.70407–0.70431, respectively) fall within the range typical of the Jatulian seawater, which indicates that the carbonate sediments of two upper units were formed in an open marine basin. Study of dolomites from unit I showed that the Svecofennian metamorphism more significantly affected the U-Pb systems of carbonate rocks as compared to their Rb-Sr systems. In the 207Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb diagram, most data points corresponding to the carbonate constituent of dolomites define isochron with an age of 1900 ± 25 Ma (MSWD = 0.5). The same samples define a positive correlation in the 208Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb plot. Since sedimentary carbonates usually do not contain Th, this correlation points to secondary enrichment of the studied dolomites in Th or thorogenic 208Pb. Hence, the obtained Pb-Pb dating can be regarded as the age of the Svecofennian metamorphic event. Three samples from dolomites of unit I lack any disturbance of the initial U-Th-Pb systematics, but their trend in the 207Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb diagram deviates from the 1900 Ma isochron. Based on these samples, the model U-Pb premetamorphic age of the Kuetsjarvi carbonate sediments is 2075–2100 Ma. This interval is consistent with the age range of the Lomagundi-Jatulian event, which was responsible for the formation of carbonate sediments with high positive δ13C values.

Age of the Vishnyakovskoe deposit of rare-metal pegmatites (East Sayan): U-Pb geochronological study of manganotantalite

The U-Pb age of the manganotantalite from rare-metal pegmatites of the Vishnyakovskoe deposit (East Sayan Belt) has been assessed at 1838 ± 3 Ma. The acquired data indicate the pegmatites of this deposit and associated granites of the Sayan complex belong to the postcollision South Siberian igneous belt (1.88–1.84 Ga), which stretches along the southwestern frame of the Siberian Craton by more than 2500 km, from the Yenisei Ridge to the Aldan Shield. Formation of this igneous belt is related to joining (starting from about 1.9 Ga BP) of the series of continental microplates and island arcs to the Siberian Craton; this led to final stabilization of the craton at about 1.8 Ga BP.

U-Th-He dating of native gold: First results, problems, and outlooks

In this paper, we consider the application of the U-Th-He method of isotope geochronology for native gold dating. It was shown that inclusions of uranium- and thorium-bearing minerals, including rare earth element phosphates, are one of the main form of uranium and thorium occurrence and, consequently, the main source of radiogenic helium in native gold. Since these inclusions are submicrometer-sized, the radiogenic helium formed in them is not accumulated but implanted in the structure of native gold, which suggests its good preservation over billions of years. This suggestion was experimentally supported by the investigation of the kinetics of radiogenic helium release from native gold. The first results of the U-Th-He dating of native gold from the Pedrolampi (central Karelia) and Witwatersrand (South Africa) deposits are in adequate agreement with available independent geochronological data. This allows us to consider native gold as a U-Th-He mineral geochronometer for the direct dating of ore-forming processes.