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The robustness of the Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic systems during metamorphism – And case study of the Åker metabasite in southern Sweden

Petersson, Andreas ; Söderlund, Ulf LU ; Scherstén, Anders LU ; Waight, Tod ; Nilsson, Mimmi K.M. LU and Vervoort, Jeff (2023) In Precambrian Research 394.
Abstract

While whole-rock Lu-Hf isotope analysis remains one of the only ways to obtain initial Hf isotope signatures of old mafic rocks, Hf isotope analyses of more robust accessory zircon in intermediate to silicic rocks have largely replaced whole-rock analyses during the last decade. This has led to a discrepancy in the amount of existing data from mafic and felsic lithologies. However, especially in mafic, Si-poor rocks with a metamorphic imprint, Hf isotope data rely on whole-rock analysis since baddeleyite, commonly used for U-Pb age analyses of mafic rocks, is sensitive to alteration and metamorphism. Hence, to accurately evaluate the trace element and isotope signatures of altered mafic rocks, it is important to understand the... (More)

While whole-rock Lu-Hf isotope analysis remains one of the only ways to obtain initial Hf isotope signatures of old mafic rocks, Hf isotope analyses of more robust accessory zircon in intermediate to silicic rocks have largely replaced whole-rock analyses during the last decade. This has led to a discrepancy in the amount of existing data from mafic and felsic lithologies. However, especially in mafic, Si-poor rocks with a metamorphic imprint, Hf isotope data rely on whole-rock analysis since baddeleyite, commonly used for U-Pb age analyses of mafic rocks, is sensitive to alteration and metamorphism. Hence, to accurately evaluate the trace element and isotope signatures of altered mafic rocks, it is important to understand the mechanisms of element mobility during metamorphism. Here, we report whole-rock trace element compositions, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope data from variably deformed and metamorphosed samples of a mafic intrusion in southern Sweden, the Åker metabasite. These data suggest that trace elements were undisturbed on a whole-rock sample scale during deformation at upper amphibolite facies (at least 1000 MPa and 600 °C) metamorphism under hydrated conditions. Despite redistribution of Zr associated with the breakdown of baddeleyite and other igneous phases, the Åker metabasite has retained its chemical and isotopic integrity since igneous crystallisation at ca. 1565 Ma. This study demonstrates and strengthens the feasibility of whole-rock analyses of (meta-)mafic rocks for determining initial εNd and εHf values, despite deformation and metamorphism under hydrated amphibolite-grade metamorphic conditions. Testing the coherence of the calculated initial Nd and Hf isotope ratios by examining variably deformed and metamorphosed varieties of a rock in a single outcrop, could be used as a model for research on more complex Archean rocks.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Isotopic integrity, Lu-Hf, Metabasite, Metamorphism, Sm-Nd
in
Precambrian Research
volume
394
article number
107122
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85162086514
ISSN
0301-9268
DOI
10.1016/j.precamres.2023.107122
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9294bf7d-fcf5-4800-af2c-d911c0b2b372
date added to LUP
2023-09-01 12:48:57
date last changed
2023-09-01 12:48:57
@article{9294bf7d-fcf5-4800-af2c-d911c0b2b372,
  abstract     = {{<p>While whole-rock Lu-Hf isotope analysis remains one of the only ways to obtain initial Hf isotope signatures of old mafic rocks, Hf isotope analyses of more robust accessory zircon in intermediate to silicic rocks have largely replaced whole-rock analyses during the last decade. This has led to a discrepancy in the amount of existing data from mafic and felsic lithologies. However, especially in mafic, Si-poor rocks with a metamorphic imprint, Hf isotope data rely on whole-rock analysis since baddeleyite, commonly used for U-Pb age analyses of mafic rocks, is sensitive to alteration and metamorphism. Hence, to accurately evaluate the trace element and isotope signatures of altered mafic rocks, it is important to understand the mechanisms of element mobility during metamorphism. Here, we report whole-rock trace element compositions, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope data from variably deformed and metamorphosed samples of a mafic intrusion in southern Sweden, the Åker metabasite. These data suggest that trace elements were undisturbed on a whole-rock sample scale during deformation at upper amphibolite facies (at least 1000 MPa and 600 °C) metamorphism under hydrated conditions. Despite redistribution of Zr associated with the breakdown of baddeleyite and other igneous phases, the Åker metabasite has retained its chemical and isotopic integrity since igneous crystallisation at ca. 1565 Ma. This study demonstrates and strengthens the feasibility of whole-rock analyses of (meta-)mafic rocks for determining initial ε<sub>Nd</sub> and ε<sub>Hf</sub> values, despite deformation and metamorphism under hydrated amphibolite-grade metamorphic conditions. Testing the coherence of the calculated initial Nd and Hf isotope ratios by examining variably deformed and metamorphosed varieties of a rock in a single outcrop, could be used as a model for research on more complex Archean rocks.</p>}},
  author       = {{Petersson, Andreas and Söderlund, Ulf and Scherstén, Anders and Waight, Tod and Nilsson, Mimmi K.M. and Vervoort, Jeff}},
  issn         = {{0301-9268}},
  keywords     = {{Isotopic integrity; Lu-Hf; Metabasite; Metamorphism; Sm-Nd}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Precambrian Research}},
  title        = {{The robustness of the Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic systems during metamorphism – And case study of the Åker metabasite in southern Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2023.107122}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.precamres.2023.107122}},
  volume       = {{394}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}