G. V. Ovchinnikova

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.

Stratotype of the Lower Riphean, the Burzyan Group of the Southern Urals: Lithostratigraphy, Paleontology, Geochronology, Sr- and C-Isotopic Characteristics of Its Carbonate Rocks

The main objective of this work is the generalization of lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and isotopic-geochronological data characterizing carbonate rocks from type succession of the broadly acknowledged chronostratigraphic subdivision of the Lower Riphean, such as the Burzyan Group of the Southern Urals and its analogs. Using an original approach to investigation of the Rb-Sr and Pb-Pb isotopic systems in carbonates and strict criteria of their retentivity, we studied the least altered (“best”) samples of the Burzyan carbonates, which retain the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the sedimentation environment. As long ago as 1550 ± 30 and 1430 ± 30 Ma, that ratio corresponded to 0.70460–0.70480 and 0.70456–0.70481. The results confirm the influx of the mantle material predominantly into the World Ocean of the Early Riphean. The influence of meteoric diagenesis was likely responsible for local declines of δ18O in the Burzyan carbonates down to the values of −2.5 to −1.5‰ V-PDB. In the “best” samples, this parameter ranges from −0.7 to 0‰, which is consistent with the assumption that δ18O values (0 ± 1‰) characterized the stasis of the carbonate carbon isotopic composition in oceanic water 2.06–1.25 Ga ago. C-isotopic data on carbonate from the Paleoproterozoic-Lower Riphean boundary formations of the Urals, India, North America and Siberia suggest that the mentioned stasis ended by the commencement of the Early Riphean ca. 1.6–1.5 Ga ago. In the least altered carbonates of the Early Riphean, the δ18O variation range corresponds to 4.0–4.5‰.

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.

U-Th-Pb systematics of precambrian carbonate rocks: Dating of the formation and transformation of carbonate sediments

The current state in the Pb-Pb dating of the formation and epigenesis of Precambrian carbonate sediments has been reviewed. The geochemistry of admixture elements (U, Th, Pb, Rb, Sr, Mn, and Fe) constituting carbonate minerals and the redistribution of the elements in the course of early diagenesis and epigenesis have been considered. The advantages of choosing samples for Pb-Pb dating on the basis of geochemical criteria similar to those applied for Sr-isotope stratigraphy and the potentialities of applying different methods of decontamination of specimens, analyzed from surface contamination and possible epigenetic carbonate phases, were illustrated. By the example of a series of carbonate formations, distinctions in susceptibility of U-Pb and Rb-Sr systems of carbonate minerals to secondary transformations have been demonstrated. The prospects for using the method of step solution allowing noncogenetic carbonate generations to be separated and thus the accuracy and reliability of Pb-Pb dates to be upgraded were considered.

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.

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.

Pb-Sr-O-C isotope compositions of metacarbonate rocks of the Derbina Formation (East Sayan): Chemostratigraphic and geochronological significance

The Pb-Sr-O-C isotope compositions of calcite marbles of the Derbina Formation, exposed in the northwestern part of the Derbina block of the East Sayan, were studied. Rocks of the Derbina Formation were metamorphosed under high-temperature amphibolite facies conditions. The carbonate constituent of marbles contains (ppm) 15–130 Mn, 130–160 Fe, 0.008–0.039 Rb, 645–2190 Sr, 0.565–0.894 U, and 0.288–1.42 Pb. These concentrations are similar to those in modern carbonate sediments. The values of δ13C in marbles of the Derbina Formation range from–0.6 to +1.4‰ PDB; the values of δ18O range from 21.5 to 28.6‰ SMOW. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio values in the two least altered rocks, which meet geochemical criteria of the Rb-Sr system preservation in high-grade carbonate rocks, are 0.70804 and 0.70829. The protolith ages of marbles determined using Sr and C chemostratigraphy lie within the interval of 560–530 Ma, which is regarded as the period of carbonate sedimentation. The slope of the straight line on the 206Pb/204Pb–207Pb/204Pb diagram (n = 9, MSWD = 19) constructed on the basis of the data points of bulk carbonate constituents of all samples studied and those representing leachate steps of one of them in 0.5N HBr yields Late Vendian age (556 ± 31 (2σ) Ma. Taking into account the data on Sr and C isotope systematics of Derbina marbles, this age is regarded as the age of early diagenesis of carbonate sediments close to the age of sedimentation. Thus, metacarbonate rocks of the Derbina Formation preserved the pre-metamorphic chemostratigraphic and isotope-geochronological information. The age obtained testifies that formation of the carbonate cover of the Derbina block occurred in the Late Vendian. At the end of the Cambrian, carbonate deposits were metamorphosed during the Early Caledonian tectonic event in the southeastern part of the Central Asian Fold Belt.

Caledonian formation of gold-bearing sulfide depositions in Early Proterozoic gabbroids in the northern Ladoga region

We have studied Pb isotopic systems of K-feldspar, pyrite, and pyrrhotine from gabbroids and ore of the Velimyaki Early Proterozoic massif in the northern Ladoga region in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield. The isochronous Pb–Pb age of sulfides has been determined as ∼450 Ma, which corresponds to intersection of the regression line with the lead accumulation curve with μ = 10.4–10.8; the model Pb age of sulfides is close to isochronous under the condition that the composition of lead evolved from a geochemical reservoir with an age of 1.9 Ga. The isotopic parameters of the lead in sulfides and K-feldspar indicate their formation in upper crust conditions (μ = 238U/204Pb > 10). From the obtained data, it follows that the isotopic composition of lead in K-feldspar corresponds to a Proterozoic age (1890 Ma) of magmatic crystallization of the rocks in the massif, and strongly radiogenic lead sulfides testify, with the greatest probability, to the later (Caledonian) formation of sulfide ores.

From migmatites to crustal granites: Pb–Pb isotopic system of feldspars of partial melting products, Northern Ladoga region, Fennoscandinavian Shield

The isotopic–geochemical features of late and postorogenic granites of the S type and ambient migmatites are studied within the Russian part of the Svecofennian orogen of the Fennoscandinavian Shield. The spatial association of leucosomes of migmatites and granites of the S type and their similar petro- and geochemistry and distribution of Pb isotopes are evidence of the genetic similarity of their parental melts. The Borodinskoe pluton has a more primitive 206Pb/207Pb ratio, which indicates the presence of upper and U-poor lower crustal material in the source of granitic magmas. This conclusion is supported by the ɛNt(t) lower value of granites of this pluton relative to those of other plutons of the region.