ALBERT

Notes: Abstract The effect of the outgassing of CO2 from a hydrothermal fluid on the C- and O-isotopic compositions of calcite, which is precipitated from this fluid, is quantitatively modelled in terms of batch and Rayleigh distillation equations. Both CO2 degassing and calcite precipitation are considered to be the removal mechanisms for dissolved carbon species from the fluid. Combined degassing-precipitation models are then developed by taking H2CO3 and HCO 3 − , respectively, as the dominant dissolved carbon species. A positive correlation array between δ 13C and δ 13O values of calcite can be yielded by the precipitation of calcite from a H2CO 3 − -dominant fluid, accompanied by a progressive decrease in temperature during CO2 degassing, whereas calcite precipitated from a HCO 3 − -dominant fluid under the same conditions tends to display much smaller variation in δ 13C values than in δ 18O values. The combined processes of CO2 degassing and calcite precipitation result in lowering the δ 13C value of calcites with respect to those precipitated in a closed system simply due to temperature effect. Carbon and oxygen isotopic data for calcite from the Kushikino gold-mining area in Japan illustrate the application of quantitative modelling, and degassing of CO2 is suggested as a more likely cause for the precipitation of the calcite and quartz in this mining area.

Notes: Abstract Isotopic covariations of carbon and oxygen in hydrothermal calcites are quantitatively modeled in terms of the following three mixing processes: (1) mixing between two different fluids which leads to the precipitation of calcite; (2) mixing between fluid and rock: (a) calcite precipitation due to fluid/rock interaction, (b) secondary alteration of primary calcite by interaction with a subsequent fluid. The models are derived from mass balance equations. A distinction among the three mixing processes can be made on a δ 13C vs δ 18O diagram, which places important constraints on the genesis of hydrothermal mineralization. The variables which control the ultimate isotopic composition of hydrothermal calcites include the composition of the initial fluid and the wallrock, temperature, and dissolved carbon species. Owing to significant temperature-dependent fractionation effects during equilibrium precipitation of calcite from a hydrothermal fluid, the mixing processes may be distinguished by telltale patterns of isotopic data in δ 13C vs δ 18O space. In particular, caution must be exercised in postulating the fluid mixing as the cause for mineral deposition. This is demonstrated for hydrothermal Pb-Zn deposits in the western Harz Mountains, Germany. A positive correlation between δ 13C and δ 18O values is observed for calcites from the Bad Grund deposit in the Upper Harz. Two sample profiles through calcite veins show similar correlations with the lowest δ-values at the center of the veins and the highest δ-values at the vein margins. Because the correlation array has a greater slope than for calcite precipitation at equilibrium in a closed system and because fluid mixing may not proceed perpendicular to the vein strike, it is assumed that a fluid/rock interaction is responsible for the observed correlation and thus for the precipitation of calcite. A deep-seated fluid is inferred with a δ 13C value of — 7% and a δ 18O value of +10%., as well as H2CO3 as the dominant dissolved carbon species; precipitation temperatures of the calcites are estimated to be about 280 ∼ 170°C. Quite different isotopic distributions are observed for calcites from the St. Andreasberg deposit in the Middle Harz. An alteration model is suggested based mainly on the isotopic distribution through a calcite vein. In addition to a primary fluid which has the same isotopic composition as that in the Bad Grund deposit and thus seems to be responsible for the precipitation of calcite associated with sulfides, an evolved, HCO 3 - -dominant subsurface fluid with δ 13C about -20 ∼ — 15% and δ 18O ≤ 0% is deduced to alter the primary calcite at low temperatures of 70 ∼40°C.

Notes: A combined oxygen-isotope and fluid-inclusion study has been carried out on high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (HP/UHPM) eclogites and garnet clinopyroxenite from the Dabie-Sulu terranes in eastern China. Coesite-bearing eclogites/garnet clinopyroxenite and quartz eclogites have a wide range in whole-rock δ18OVSMOW, from 0 to 11‰. The high-T oxygen-isotope fractionations preserved between quartz and garnet preclude significant retrograde isotope exchange during exhumation, and the wide range in whole-rock oxygen-isotope composition is thought to be a presubduction signature of the precursors. Aqueous fluids with variable salinities and gas species (N2-, CO2-, or CH4-rich), are trapped as primary inclusions in garnet, omphacite and epidote, and in quartz blebs enclosed within eclogitic minerals. In high-δ18O HP/UHPM rocks from Hujialin and Shima, high-salinity brine and/or N2 inclusions occur in garnet porphyroblasts, which also contain inclusions of coesite, Cl-rich blue amphibole and dolomite. In contrast, in low-δ18O eclogites from Qinglongshan and Huangzhen, the Cl concentrations in amphibole are very low, 〈 0.2 wt.%, and low-salinity aqueous inclusions occur in quartz inclusions in epidote porphyroblasts and in epidote cores. These low-salinity fluid inclusions are believed to be remnants of meteoric water, although the fluid composition was modified during pre- and syn-peak HP/UHPM. Eclogites at Houshuichegou and Hetang contain CH4-rich fluid inclusions, coexisting with high-salinity brine inclusions. Methane was probably formed under the influence of CO2-rich aqueous fluids during serpentinisation of mantle-derived peridotites prior to or during plate subduction. Remnants of premetamorphic low- to high-salinity aqueous fluid with minor N2 and/or other gas species preserved in the Dabie-Sulu HP/UHPM eclogites and garnet clinopyroxenite indicate a great diversity of initial fluid composition in the precursors, implying very limited fluid–rock interaction during syn- and post-peak HP/UHPM.

Notes: Fluid inclusions in coesite-bearing eclogites and jadeite quartzite at Shuanghe in Dabie Shan, East-central China, have preserved remnants of early, prograde and/or peak metamorphic fluids, reset during post-UHP (ultrahigh-pressure) metamorphic uplift. Inclusions occur in several minerals (e.g. omphacite & epidote), notably as isolated, primary inclusions in quartz included in various host minerals. Two major fluid types have been identified: non-polar fluid species (N2 or CO2) and aqueous, the latter is by far the most predominant. Aqueous fluids cover a wide range of salinity, from halite-bearing brines to low salinity fluids. For non-polar fluids, few N2 inclusions occur in undeformed eclogite, whereas a number of CO2-rich inclusions have been found in microshear zones of eclogite or jadeite quartzite in close proximity to marble occurrences.The primary character of N2 and high-salinity aqueous inclusions indicates that they are remnants from UHP metamorphic fluids and for some there is the distinct possibility that they are ultimately derived from pre-metamorphic fluids. This conclusion is supported by the preservation, in some samples, of microdomains containing synchronous inclusions of variable salinities, which tend to relate to the chemical composition of the host crystal. Carbonic fluids may be derived from neighbouring rocks, notably marble and carbonate-bearing metasediments, during post-metamorphic uplift. During post-UHP exhumation, a limited decrease of the fluid density has occurred, with formation of new sets of fluid inclusions. Fluid movements, however, remained exceedingly limited, at the scale of the enclosing crystal.

Notes: Mass-selected carbon ion beam deposition (MSIBD) was used to demonstrate that the diameter of a carbon nanotube could be as small as 0.4 nm, the theoretical limit predicted but never experimentally reached so far. The deposition was performed at an elevated temperature much lower than the high temperatures (800–1000 °C) needed for deposition of carbon nanotubes by conventional methods. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the combination of the stress induced by the ion impact and the C migration at the temperature applied formed graphitic sheets with their normal (c axis) parallel to the surface of the silicon substrate. Some sheets closed to form multiwall nanotubes. The smallest diameter of the innermost tube was found to be 0.4 nm. The novel use of MSIBD (a pure method, catalyst free, low deposition temperature, easily applied to large surfaces without surface pretreatment capable of pattern-writing) may significantly advance the carbon nanostructure technology. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: This letter reports the synthesis and optical characterization of GaAs nanowires obtained by oxide-assisted laser ablation of a mixture of GaAs and Ga2O3. The GaAs nanowires have lengths up to tens of micrometers and diameters in the range of 10–120 nm, with an average of 60 nm. The nanowires have a thin oxide layer covering a crystalline GaAs core with a [1¯11] growth direction. Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) characterizations of GaAs nanowires reveal that the spectral peaks significantly shifted and broadened from those of bulk GaAs material. The changes in these spectra are mainly attributed to impurities, defects, and residual stress in the GaAs nanowires. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: The effect of Rayleigh distillation by outgassing of SO2 and H2O on the isotopic composition of sulphur remaining in silicate melts is quantitatively modelled. A threshold mole fraction of sulphur in the sulphide component of the melts is reckoned as being critically important in shifting the δ34S value of degassed melts with respect to the original magmas. During the outgassing, melts above the threshold are depleted in 34S, whereas melts below the threshold are enriched in 34S. In particular, the outgassing of SO2 above the sulphide threshold can produce large negative δ34S values in the degassed melts, whereas the outgassing of H2S below the threshold will strongly drive the δ34S value of the melts in the positive direction. The correlation between δ34S value and sulphur content of total sulphur in the solidified rocks is indicative of the Rayleigh-type degassing.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Pechblenden und uranhaltige Erze aus den Uranlagerstätten von Taoshan wurden mit der U/Pb-Methode untersucht. Alle Daten ergaben diskordante U/Pb-Alter und zeigen damit eine complexe U/Pb-Entwicklung. Altersberechnung mit der Isochronenmethode, dem Tera-Wasserburg Konkordia-Modell und dem Pb/Pb-Isochronenflächen-Modell ergaben nahezu übereinstimmende Ergebnisse. Die Uranmineralisation fand vor ungefähr 70 Ma statt und korrespondiert mit einem thermischen Ereignis am Ende der Kreide. Ein weiteres Alter von etwa 512 Ma läßt sich mit einer episodischen U/Pb-Differenzierung am Ende des Kambriums verursacht durch eine Tektonometamorphisierung der Uranlieferanten in diesem Gebiet interpretieren.