R.M. Farquhar | Geology Reports

USGS1989

Assessment of the U-Th-Pb system in two Archean metabasalts: Deciphering the complex histories of sulphides and silicates using acid leaching methods

A U-Th-Pb study of Archean metabasalts from two greenstone belts in the eastern Wawa Subprovince of the Canadian shield indicated variable disturbances had occurred in both whole rock systems. Changes in the Pb content appear to predominate over loss of parent elements, and meaningful Pb isochron ages could not be obtained from either of the metabasalts. Detailed leaching experiments on the rocks and analysis of associated disseminated sulphides indicate that the Pb isotopic compositions of the whole rocks are dominated by updated, but for the most part cogenetic, sulphides. Model ages for Pb released by sulphides and metabasalt acid leaches suggest that the sulphide Pb has been updated or remobilized during discrete (thermal ?) episodes. The validity of the inferred events is supported by ages indicated by other isotopic systems for nearby rocks. The silicate residues of the acid leached volcanics give well-defined Pb isochron ages. The Gamitagama belt metabasalt has a Pb isochron age of 2694 ± 54 Ma . Zircons from this rock unit have been dated by U-Pb at 2691 Ma, demonstrating that the acid leaching technique on whole rocks can isolate residues which give meaningful ages. Sulphides in this metabasalt appear to be affected by an event at 2.55 Ga. A similar rock from the Michipicoten belt has undergone a multistage history and yields a Pb isochron age of 2761 ± 36 Ma , consistent with a zircon U-Pb date for overlying felsic metavolcanic rocks. Later events affecting this basalt occurred at approximately 2.4, 2.2 and 1.6 Ga. The results show that through acid leaching, the primary ages of metabasalts and their later overprinting histories can be approximated. Initial Pb ratios for these metabasalts have been estimated. It appears that both depleted and enriched mantle reservoirs contributed to volcanism in this area. Acid leaching, combined with measurement of U and Th contents, appears to be a useful tool for better understanding the Pb isotope systematics of Archean metabasalts.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗

USGS1987

Zircon Lu-Hf systematics and the evolution of the Archean crust in the southern Superior Province, Canada

A combined Lu-Hf and U-Th-Pb isotopic study was made of 25 zircons and 2 whole rocks from the late Archean crust (2,888-2,668 Ma) in the southern Superior Province, Canada. The relative abundances of U, Th, Lu and Hf in zircons from the low grade Michipicoten and Gamitagama greenstone belts show variable patterns which in part reflect the bulk compositional differences of their parent rocks. Zircons from the high grade lower crustal regions adjacent to these belts (Kapuskasing Structural Zone) are distinguished from the low grade zircons by their strong depletions of Lu and Hf. The low Hf contents imply that the growth of metamorphic zircon involves a significant fractionation of the Zr/Hf ratio. Initial Hf isotope ratios for Hf in zircons from the low grade rocks are correlated with silica enrichment of their host rocks. eHf varies from +9.2 to -1.3 and data from similar rock types exhibit correlations of eHf with time. Whole rock basalt analyses yield eHf values of +8.7 and +11.3 suggesting their derivation from a depleted mantle. The basalt data fall on an evolution trend which implies that differentiation from a chondritic mantle occurred at 3,100-2,900 Ma. Low eHf values (-1.3 to +1.4) for rhyolites and granites are consistent with a derivation involving remelting of old crust similar to a 2,888 Ma granite with eHF of +0.5. Significantly higher values (+1.4 to +3.9) are found in zircons from 2,748-2,682 Ma dacites and tonalites suggesting that their parent rocks had higher Lu/Hf ratios. This may indicate that their parent rocks were mafic. However, there is some evidence that the possible lower crustal source reservoirs of these rocks may have undergone processes early in their histories which increased their Lu/ Hf ratios. This would give rise to the higher eHf values observed in their derivatives. ?? 1987 Springer-Verlag.

Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology↗