Summary Trace-element data for mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean island basalts (OIB) are used to formulate chemical systematics for oceanic basalts. The data suggest that the order of trace-element incompatibility in oceanic basalts is Cs ≈ Rb ≈ (≈ Tl) ≈ Ba(≈ W) > Th > U ≈ Nb = Ta ≈ K > La > Ce ≈ Pb > Pr (≈ Mo) ≈ Sr > P ≈ Nd (> F) > Zr = Hf ≈ Sm > Eu ≈ Sn (≈ Sb) ≈ Ti > Dy ≈ (Li) > Ho = Y > Yb. This rule works in general and suggests that the overall fractionation processes operating during magma generation and evolution are relatively simple, involving no significant change in the environment of formation for MORBs and OIBs. In detail, minor differences in element ratios correlate with the isotopic characteristics of different types of OIB components (HIMU, EM, MORB). These systematics are interpreted in terms of partial-melting conditions, variations in residual mineralogy, involvement of subducted sediment, recycling of oceanic lithosphere and processes within the low velocity zone. Niobium data indicate that the mantle sources of MORB and OIB are not exact complementary reservoirs to the continental crust. Subduction of oceanic crust or separation of refractory eclogite material from the former oceanic crust into the lower mantle appears to be required. The negative europium anomalies observed in some EM-type OIBs and the systematics of their key element ratios suggest the addition of a small amount (⩽1% or less) of subducted sediment to their mantle sources. However, a general lack of a crustal signature in OIBs indicates that sediment recycling has not been an important process in the convecting mantle, at least not in more recent times (⩽2 Ga). Upward migration of silica-undersaturated melts from the low velocity zone can generate an enriched reservoir in the continental and oceanic lithospheric mantle. We propose that the HIMU type (eg St Helena) OIB component can be generated in this way. This enriched mantle can be re-introduced into the convective mantle by thermal erosion of the continental lithosphere and by the recycling of the enriched oceanic lithosphere back into the mantle.

Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalt : implications for mantle composition and processes

Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts. Implications for Mantle Composition and Processes

The composition of the Earth

The composition of the continental crust

We report here the results of a study to develop natural zircon geochemical standards for calibrating the U-(Th)-Pb geochronometer and Hf isotopic analyses. Additional data were also collected for the major, minor and trace element contents of the three selected sample sets. A total of five large zircon grains (masses between 0.5 and 238 g) were selected for this study, representing three different suites of zircons with ages of 1065 Ma, 2.5 Ma and 0.9 Ma. Geochemical laboratories can obtain these materials by contacting Geostandards Newsletter.

Three natural zircon standards for u‐th‐pb, lu‐hf, trace element and ree analyses

Terrestrial Xe isotope systematics and the missing Xe problem can be resolved in a model of Giant Impact-related atmosphere loss

Altersbestimmungen an zwei großen Stalagmiten der Grasslhöhle (2833/60)

Determination of erosion rates along the Mpumalanga Escarpment using the cosmogenic isotope beryllium-10

Can a decline in Earth Science Education and research be averted by networking, specialist centres and hybrid departments?

Trapped Noble Gases in Native Gold; Radiogenic He and Fission Xe in U-rich Minerals Accompanying Placer Gold

Jan Kramers

Papers

Terrestrial Xe isotope systematics and the missing Xe problem can be resolved in a model of Giant Impact-related atmosphere loss

Altersbestimmungen an zwei großen Stalagmiten der Grasslhöhle (2833/60)

Determination of erosion rates along the Mpumalanga Escarpment using the cosmogenic isotope beryllium-10

Can a decline in Earth Science Education and research be averted by networking, specialist centres and hybrid departments?

Trapped Noble Gases in Native Gold; Radiogenic He and Fission Xe in U-rich Minerals Accompanying Placer Gold