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Isotopic and geochemical studies of nodules in kimberlite have implications for the lower continental crust

Nature volume 300, pages 166–169 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Lower crustal xenoliths from the Calcutteroo kimberlitic pipes in South Australia show a surprisingly diverse range in Nd and Sr isotopic compositions and rare earth element (REE) abundances. Mafic granulite and garnet–clinopyroxenite xenoliths have measured εNd(0) values between +6.1 and −7.9, both light (L)REE enrichments and depletions, low Rb/Sr ratios (0.005–0.040) and relatively high 87Sr/86Sr ratios of from 0.70675 to 0.70919. A felsic xenolith has compositions more typical of upper crustal rocks with εNd(0) = −21.4, LREE enrichments, Rb/Sr = 1.47 and 87Sr/86Sr = 0.85987. An approximate correlation also exists between Sm/Nd versus 143Nd/144Nd and Rb/Sr versus 87Sr/86Sr indicating major intracrustal differentiation in the lower crust at ∼2,400 Myr. This produced extremely low Rb/Sr ratios, and both relative LREE enrichments (low Sm/Nd) and depletions (high Sm/Nd). If these results are typical, then they indicate that the lower crust has higher 87Sr/86Sr and more positive εNd(0) values than previous estimates1–5. This may require revision of total crustal compositions and crust–mantle evolutionary models1–5.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia

    M. T. McCulloch & R. J. Arculus

  2. Geology Department, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia

    B. W. Chappell

  3. Spar Resources Pty Ltd, 11 Stone Place, Garran, ACT, 2605, Australia

    J. Ferguson

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  1. M. T. McCulloch
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  3. B. W. Chappell
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  4. J. Ferguson
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McCulloch, M., Arculus, R., Chappell, B. et al. Isotopic and geochemical studies of nodules in kimberlite have implications for the lower continental crust. Nature 300, 166–169 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/300166a0

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