福建省上杭-大田地区中生代成岩成矿作用与构造环境演化

本文所研究的四个中生代花岗岩体具不同的同位素年代:汤泉岩体为183～158Ma,紫金山岩体为157-145Ma。才溪岩体为133Ma,四方岩体为108～105Ma,汤泉和紫金山岩体分别属于早中生代中、晚侏罗世,才溪和四方岩体时代为晚中生代早白垩世。汤泉和四方岩体为A/CNK<1.0的准铝质花岗岩类,因富Ba、Sr,贫HREE、Y、Yb而具埃达克岩地球化学特征,是最具铜矿成矿潜力的含矿母岩;紫金山花岗岩体为A/CNK>1.1的强过铝花岗岩,并富K、Rb、Th、Y、HREE,贫Sr、Ba、Ti,具地壳泥质岩石熔融的特征。才溪岩体为A/CNK1.0～1.1的弱过铝花岗岩,其元素地球化学特征介于四方岩体和紫金山岩体之间。富Na2O的汤泉岩体是地幔起源的基性岩浆底侵作用,促使加厚的元古代下地壳基性岩石部分熔融所形成,是铜、铁多金属矿床成矿系列的主要含矿母岩;富K2O的四方岩体是地幔起源的富钾基性岩浆与中下地壳物质部分熔融形成的花岗质混合岩浆,使岩浆中的K2O含量增高,并从地幔中获取大量铜及其它金属和硫,而成为斑岩型铜金多金属矿床成矿系列的主要含矿母岩。研究区自早-中侏罗世(180Ma)以来已有岩石圈伸展的岩石学记录。紫金山强过铝花岗岩是这种伸展机制延续的结果。随时间推移,岩石圈伸展减薄作用和底侵作用增强,地幔组分在花岗质岩浆的形成过程中贡献     

闽西南地区中生代花岗闪长质岩石的特征及其构造演化

闽西南地区中生代存在两期花岗闪长质岩石 ,其形成年龄分别为 183～ 16 2Ma和 10 8～10 5Ma。花岗闪长质岩石K2 O +Na2 O >6 .0 % ,晚期花岗闪长岩相对富K2 O ,均属板内高钾钙碱型岩石。岩石富LREE和LILE ,δEu =0 .80～ 0 .86 ,Nb、Ta、Ti、Y亏损 ,具有岛弧 /活动大陆边缘钙碱性岩石的特征 ,指示源区性质很可能与受到早期俯冲作用所改造的岩石圈富集地幔有关 ,或是源于软流圈的基性岩浆与地壳物质混合作用的结果。闽西南地区可能自早中生代以来存在多期次的岩石圈强烈伸展减薄作用 ,幔源岩浆与中下地壳物质部分熔融形成的花岗质岩浆的混合形成了闽西南钾质岩石。随扩张增强 ,晚中生代花岗闪长质岩石中幔源组分增加     

南秦岭小茅岭复式岩体地球化学特征及其构造意义

南秦岭北缘小茅岭复式岩体主要由宋家屋场基性辉绿(辉长)岩,迷魂阵、磨沟峡和叶家湾中性-偏酸性闪长岩组成,形成于新元古代早期870~840 Ma。岩石地球化学研究显示,宋家屋场基性岩属亚碱性系列岩石,富集轻稀土元素及大离子亲石元素,Nb、Ta、Ti、P等具有弱的负异常,Zr、Hf等高场强元素的含量较高,Zr/Y、Ta/Yb比值较高,Zr/Nb比值较低,与岛弧玄武岩的地球化学特征相似,在构造环境判别图解中投于火山弧岩石区域,一些元素的富集特征可能来源于受俯冲块体流体交代的岩石圈地幔。迷魂阵、磨沟峡及叶家湾闪长岩体均属准铝质亚碱性系列岩石,具有岛弧火成岩的地球化学特征。Sr-Nd-Hf同位素地球化学分析显示,宋家屋场岩体主要来自亏损地幔源区,磨沟峡和叶家湾岩体主要为新生基性下地壳的部分熔融,而迷魂阵岩体主要为古老地壳物质的部分熔融。上述特征表明小茅岭复式岩体各组成部分可能形成于870~840 Ma俯冲相关的岛弧构造背景,俯冲块体脱水形成的流体交代上覆地幔楔,这种地幔部分熔融形成了宋家屋场角闪辉绿(辉长)岩,由于基性岩浆的加热,诱发新生基性下地壳及原古老地壳物质部分熔融,岩浆上升、侵位,形成磨沟峡、叶家湾及迷魂阵岩体。结合陡岭地区~850–780 Ma变质作用及岩浆事件相关报导,在南秦岭北缘小茅岭—陡岭隆起带上,新元古代早期存在一期构造-岩浆-变质事件,该事件的区域大地构造属性则有待进一步研究。     

太行山北段王安镇杂岩体中酸性岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年、Hf同位素组成及其地质意义

太行山北段王安镇杂岩体花岗闪长岩、二长花岗岩、髫髻山组火山岩-安山岩精细SHRIMP U-Pb定年和Hf同位素地球化学研究表明:花岗闪长岩体形成于135.7±1.3Ma,二长花岗岩体形成于133.7±1.1Ma,安山岩形成于138.89±0.9Ma,与杂岩体内基性侵入岩(138Ma)具有相似的形成年龄。花岗闪长岩的锆石εHf(t)值为-21.81~-16.09,相应tDMC为2.2~2.6Ga;二长花岗εHf(t)值为-20.50~-16.31,相应tDMC为2.2~2.5Ga,与杂岩体内基性岩体具有极为相似的Hf同位素特征εHf(t)=-22.8~-15.3。杂岩体中酸性岩类岩石成因可解释为:富集地幔(EMI)部分熔融形成的玄武质岩浆遭受一定程度的地壳混染以及之后的分离结晶作用对形成王安镇杂岩体中酸性岩类发挥着关键作用。与华北克拉通内部其他地区相同,晚侏罗-早白垩世北太行地区处于软流圈上涌的岩石圈伸展构造背景。     

西准噶尔南部庙尔沟岩体晚石炭世花岗闪长斑岩岩石成因及其动力学背景

位于西准噶尔南部的庙尔沟岩体主体由碱长花岗岩和少量紫苏花岗岩组成。本文在前人工作基础上,以岩体东南边缘新发现的花岗闪长斑岩为研究对象,开展岩石学、年代学和Hf同位素以及全岩地球化学研究,确定花岗闪长斑岩形成时代、揭示岩石成因类型及源区属性、探讨其与碱长花岗岩和紫苏花岗岩岩浆演化成因联系及其形成的深部动力学过程。锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,花岗闪长斑岩形成于317.4±1.9Ma,为晚石炭世早期岩浆活动的产物,明显早于紫苏花岗岩(～307Ma)和碱长花岗岩(～303Ma)。岩石地球化学数据表明,花岗闪长斑岩具有较高硅、中等铝,贫钙、铁、镁,富集Rb、K、Th、U,强烈亏损Nb、Ta、Ti的特征,为钙碱性弱过铝质I型花岗岩;紫苏花岗岩更多的表现出钙碱性-高钾钙碱性镁质I型紫苏花岗岩特征;碱长花岗岩为碱性准铝质-弱过铝质A型花岗岩。锆石Hf同位素分析结果表明,花岗闪长斑岩、紫苏花岗岩和碱长花岗岩均具有高正的ε_(Hf)(t)值(+11.6～+15.8)和年轻的二阶段模式年龄(325～600Ma),表明其原始岩浆主要起源于亏损地幔新衍生的年轻地壳物质。综合分析认为,庙尔沟岩体花岗闪长斑岩形成于晚石炭世早期洋壳俯冲背景,由底侵的、受流体交代的幔源基性岩浆与其诱发的年轻下地壳酸性岩浆在深部混合而成。紫苏花岗岩和碱长花岗岩形成于弧后伸展背景,前者是伸展初期继续底侵于下地壳的幔源玄武质岩浆降温释放大量的水和热诱使早期侵位于下地壳的镁铁质岩石再次发生部分熔融的产物,后者是伸展后期大规模软流圈地幔上涌底垫加热年轻中下地壳使其部分熔融而成。     

阿尔泰造山带北部喀拉加热克岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及地质意义

喀拉加热克岩体的岩性为片麻状花岗闪长斑岩,其形成时代为(450.6±3)Ma,为晚奥陶世侵入岩,主量元素表明该岩体为过铝质钙碱性岩岩石系列,推断其形成上是地幔基性岩浆以底侵方式就位于年轻地幔底部,大量的热量促使上覆地壳物质部分熔融形成壳-幔混合花岗岩质岩浆。在不饱和水的条件下,由富含白云母和黑云母的变质砂岩脱水熔融形成的。微量元素Ba、Nb、Sr、Ti元素呈现明显的负异常,Rb、U、La、Nd、Zr、Hf、Y的正异常。并且Nb的亏损不明显,K、Rb等有明显的增加。反映了碰撞花岗岩的基本特征。稀土元素整体上表现为轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损,轻重稀土分馏不明显,并出现Eu的弱的负异常。结合大地构造演化,认为喀拉加热克花岗闪长斑岩岩体所处的环境为同碰撞-俯冲的环境。     

拉萨地块北缘早白垩世晚期地壳生长:来自改则亚多～106Ma侵入岩的证据

北部拉萨地块晚中生代的地壳生长时间和机制存在争论。本文报道了北部拉萨地块的改则亚多侵入体的年代学、地球化学资料。改则亚多侵入体形成于早白垩世晚期(~106 Ma),其岩石类型包括二长闪长岩、闪长岩、花岗闪长斑岩、花岗斑岩。岩石属于钙碱性系列岩石,显示轻稀土富集,Nb和重稀土亏损,其中花岗闪长斑岩、花岗斑岩显示了埃达克质岩的地球化学特征。主体岩石样品具有一致的εNd(t)(2.65~1.42)和(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)i(0.7045~0.7049)。二长闪长岩、闪长岩由俯冲流体交代的地幔橄榄岩熔融产生的玄武质岩浆经过地壳混染和分离结晶作用形成。花岗闪长斑岩、花岗斑岩由增厚的新底侵玄武质下地壳熔融形成。早白垩世晚期(118~105 Ma),俯冲的班公湖–怒江特提斯洋岩石圈板片后撤过程中,诱发软流圈上涌,导致其上覆地幔熔融或其自身发生减压熔融,来自亏损地幔的岛弧岩浆连续底侵加入到北部拉萨地块的地壳或喷出地表,导致了该区在晚中生代的地壳生长。     

Study on Yanshanian metallogenic granitoids magmatism in Baoshan deposit,southern Hunan ProvinceSCIEI北大核心CSCD

本文对湘南宝山花岗闪长斑岩进行了系统的锆石和磷灰石U-Pb定年、岩石地球化学以及锆石Hf同位素研究,并探讨了宝山花岗闪长斑岩的岩石成因和构造意义。锆石和磷灰石的LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年显示,宝山花岗闪长斑岩的成岩年龄为160Ma。综合元素和同位素地球化学证据,宝山花岗闪长斑岩的成因可能为新生地壳与古老地壳的混合熔融,同时宝山花岗闪长斑岩中发现的890±20Ma的继承锆石,验证了新元古代新生地壳的参与。磷灰石的主微量元素研究显示花岗闪长斑岩具有较高的氧逸度和Cl含量,Sr/Th比值具有较大变化,而La/Sm比值变化不大等特征,表明形成花岗闪长斑岩岩浆的母岩受到俯冲板片脱水形成的流体交代作用影响。在上述过程中,富含Cl和H2O的流体从板片中释放出来,引发地幔楔熔融,并对矿床中成矿金属元素进行提取。由于古太平洋板块俯冲引发的伸展-减薄运动,在地幔上涌过程中,新元古代新生地壳发生部分熔融,这些高温岩浆底侵老地壳源区,诱发老地壳部分熔融,进而发生了强烈的壳-壳混合作用,产生花岗闪长质岩浆。     

大别山沙村中生代A型花岗岩和基性岩的源区演化关系

A型花岗岩的成因虽存在不同的认识模式,但对大别山沙村A型花岗岩的岩石化学和地球化学研究结果表明,其物质源自大陆岩石圈地幔的部分熔融,含有古老地壳信息。结合被侵入基性岩的地球化学和年代学资料,推测大别造山带中生代岩石圈地幔的地球化学性质与下扬子地幔相似。花岗岩中锆石SHRIMP法U-Pb年龄为119.0±3.2Ma,说明其岩浆侵位于早白垩世,与邻近的基性岩侵位时间相近但稍晚。在三叠纪因大陆俯冲碰撞增厚的岩石圈在早白垩世被拉张减薄,含有古老地壳成分的扬子陆下岩石圈地幔及其上覆下地壳发生部分熔融,形成了不同成分的碰撞后岩浆岩。其中部分基性岩浆分异结晶成为辉长岩,而A型花岗岩可能是同一地幔源区物质小比例部分熔融后分异结晶的产物。     

新元古代宝兴杂岩的岩石成因及其对扬子西缘构造环境的制约

位于扬子克拉通西缘的新元古代宝兴杂岩主要由中低级变质的辉长质片麻岩、闪长质片麻岩、英云闪长质到花岗闪长质片麻岩和块状二长花岗岩组成。岩石地球化学和Sm-Nd同位素特征表明,辉长质片麻岩和闪长质片麻岩为同源岩浆演化序列,原始岩浆起源于亏损地幔尖晶石橄榄岩的部分熔融,在上升和侵位过程中受到了地壳岩石强烈混染。英云闪长质和花岗闪长质岩浆形成于下地壳玄武质岩石部分熔融,而二长花岗质岩浆形成于杂砂岩的部分熔融。综合分析宝兴杂岩的岩石组合、微量元素和同位素特征,该杂岩体最有可能形成于新元古代活动大陆边缘火山弧构造背景,并可能经历了碰撞过程。     

岩溶地区现代土壤与洞穴石笋中单甲基支链烷烃与烷基环己烷对比研究

利用GC-MS（气相色谱—质谱仪）,对采自湖北清江流域和尚洞洞顶的土壤样品与洞内石笋样品进行分析,发现土壤中存在的七个系列单甲基支链烷烃在所有的石笋样品中均可以找到,呈现相似的分布模式,石笋中七个系列支链烷烃有可能来自洞穴滴水携带的土壤中的支链烷烃,但是也不能排除石笋原地生长的微生物的贡献。烷基环己烷的分布在土壤与石笋中呈现了相似的分布模式,但是主峰碳数有所变化,高碳数部分与低碳数部分的相对含量也发生了变化。主要原因可能是微生物选择性降解的结果,也有可能是土壤与石笋中微生物种类分布差异所造成的。本次研究初步显示了相对封闭稳定的洞穴沉积物与上覆土壤层中生物标志化合物的异同。      

Geogenic and anthropogenic zinc in epiphytic and terricolous lichens in Finland

At 31 sites in Finland the Zn content was determined of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing on pine and birch, the terricolous lichen Cladina spp. in pine bark, and the inner part of birch bark. The anomalous contents of Zn in H. physodes on pine and Cladina spp. in soil appeared to be strongly related to sulphide ore deposits. Anthropogenic Zn correlated closely with S and Fe in H. physodes on pine and with Fe in Cladina spp. The binding of geogenic Zn was related to iron hydroxides, and was attributed to the different uptake mechanism of S in these lichens. Elevated values of Zn in H. physodes on birch were due to both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Zinc in pine bark increased with the Zn content in H. physodes and reached a limiting value.     

Hydrogen and carbon in solid solution in oxides and silicates

The dissolution of H₂O and CO₂ in structurally dense, nominally anhydrous and non-carbonate oxide matrices such as MgO and CaO is reviewed. H₂O and CO₂ are treated as gaseous oxide components which enter into solid solution with the refractory oxide hosts. They form anion complexes associated with cation vacancy sites. Evidence is presented that OH^? pairs which derive from the dissolution of H₂O are subject to a charge transfer (CT) conversion into peroxy moieties and molecular hydrogen, O ₂ ^2? ... H₂. Because the O ₂ ^2? moiety is small (O^?-O^? distance ≈ 1.5 Å) high pressure probably favors the CT conversion. Mass spectroscopic studies show that molecular H₂ may be lost from the solid which retains excess oxygen in the form of O ₂ ^2? , leading to the release of atomic O. The dissociation of O ₂ ^2? moieties into a vacancy-bound O^? state and an unbound O^? state can be followed by measuring the internal redox reactions involving transition metal impurities, the transient paramagnetism of the O^? and their effect on the d.c. conductivity. Evidence is presented that CO₂ molecules dissolve dissociatively in the structurally dense oxide matrix, as if they were first to dissociate into CO+O and then to form separate solute moieties CO ₂ ^2? and O ₂ ^2? , both associated with cation vacancy sites. In the CO ₂ ^2? moiety (C-O^? distance 1.2–1.3 Å, OCO angle ≈ 130°) the C atom probably sits off center. The transition of the C atom into interstitial sites is accompanied by dissociation of the CO ₂ ^2? moiety into CO^? and O^?. This transition can be followed by infrared spectroscopy, using OH^? as local probes. Further support derives from magnetic susceptibility, thermal expansion, low frequency dielectric loss and low temperature deformation measurements. The recently observed emission of O and Mg atoms besides a variety of molecules such as CO, CO₂, CH₄, HCN and other hydrocarbons during impact fracture of MgO single crystals is presented and discussed in the light of the other experimental data.     

Comparative urbanization in Ghana and Kenya in time and space

There are few inter-African country urban analyses because of the continent’s enormous size and socioeconomic diversity, language barriers, and wide variations in national and regional urban research capacity. Nevertheless, comparative urban studies are critical in understanding contemporary African urbanization. In this comparative spatial and temporal analysis of Ghana and Kenya’s urbanization, we find that both countries are urbanizing rapidly and are faced with many common urban problems. Moreover, Ghana is more urbanized than Kenya and has a larger indigenous urban imprint and a more widely dispersed urban pattern. Besides their physiographic and population conditions, we trace these countries’ convergent and divergent urban trends to their shared but unique experiences of colonialism, nationalism and globalization.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment load in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers in Himalaya, India

The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers originate in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas (Garhwal) and result in high sediment yields causing flood hazards downstream of the Ganga River and high sediment flux to the Bay of Bengal. The rivers are perennial, since runoff in these rivers is controlled by both precipitation and glacial melt. In the present study, three locations in the upper reaches of the Ganga River were monitored for 1 yr (daily observations of, more than >1000 samples) for suspended sediment concentrations. In addition, more than one hundred samples were collected from various locations of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers at different periods to observe spatial and temporal variations in river suspensions. Further, multi-annual data (up to 40 yrs) of water flow and sediment concentrations were used for inferring the variations in water flow and sediment loads on longer time scales. In most previous studies of Himalayan Rivers, there has been a general lack of long term water flow and sediment load data. In the present study, we carried out high frequency sampling, considered long term discharge data and based on these information, discussed the temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment loads in the rivers in the Himalayan region. The results show that, >75% of annual sediment loads are transported during the monsoon season (June through September). The annual physical weathering rates in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River basins at Devprayag are estimated to be 863 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.25 mm yr⁻¹) and 907 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.42 mm yr⁻¹) respectively, which are far in excess of the global average of 156 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (0.58 mm yr⁻¹).     

Discovery of Cinnabar in Soils in Hg Anomalous Zones in City and Town Areas and Their Surroundings and Its Significance

As a result of systematic study on heavy minerals in soils at city and town areas and their surroundings,cinnabar was discovered for the first time in areas of Hg anomalies in China, and it was found that the distribution of cinnabar was basically coincident in scope with that of Hg anomalies, showing that Hg anomalies were‘closely related to cinnabar. This finding provides a theoretical basis for a verification of Hg anomalies in soils in city and town areas and their surroundings, as well as evaluation of its ecological effects, and is significant to revealing the occurrence modes and origin of Hg in soils.     

Regional gravity survey and application in oil and gas exploration in China

Ground gravity survey for regional structure unit delineation and oil and gas exploration in China is addressed in this paper with examples. Gravity survey scales, coverage, technical regulations and achievements at the national level are introduced, including data processing and anomaly interpretation techniques. Bouguer anomalies of terrestrial territories of China and classification of anomalous feature zones are also described; they are well correlated with lithotectonical boundaries, fault zones, and unexposed igneous plutons. Recent study results of petroliferous sedimentary basins are presented as well, including concealed boundaries and major structures of large basins. It is concluded that gravity survey is the most effective and economic method in unveiling unexposed and deep-seated structures, targeting and delineating oil and gas-bearing sedimentary basins, and locating main trap structures within prolific basins in early stage of exploration in China. Suggestions for improving exploration of both conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs in China are also given in the paper.     

Re-Os and Pd-Ag systematics in Group IIIAB irons and in pallasites

Using improved analytical techniques, which reduce the Re blanks by factors of 8 to 10, we report new Re-Os data on low Re and low PGE pallasites (PAL-anom) and IIIAB irons. The new pallasite samples nearly double the observed range in Re/Os for pallasites and allow the determination of an isochron of slope 0.0775 ± 0.0008 (T = 4.50 ± 0.04 Ga, using the adjusted λ¹⁸⁷Re = 1.66 × 10⁻¹¹ a⁻¹) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09599 ± 0.00046. If the data on different groups of pallasites (including the “anomalous” pallasites) are considered to define a whole-rock isochron, their formation would appear to be distinctly younger than for the iron meteorites by ∼60 Ma. Five IIIAB irons (Acuna, Bella Roca, Chupaderos, Grant, and Bear Creek), with Re contents ranging from 0.9 to 2.8 ppb, show limited Re/Os fractionation and plot within errors on the IIAB iron meteorite isochron of slope 0.07848 ± 0.00018 (T = 4.56 ± 0.01 Ga) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09563 ± 0.00011. Many of the meteorites were analyzed also for Pd-Ag and show ¹⁰⁷Ag enrichments correlated with Pd/Ag, requiring early formation and fractionation of the FeNi metal, in a narrow time interval, after injection of live ¹⁰⁷Pd (t_1/2 = 6.5 Ma) into the solar nebula. Based on Pd-Ag, the typical range in relative ages of these meteorites is ≤10 Ma. The Pd-Ag results suggest early formation and preservation of the ¹⁰⁷Pd-¹⁰⁷Ag systematics, both for IIIAB irons and for pallasites, while the younger Re-Os apparent age for pallasites suggests that the Re-Os system in pallasites was subject to re-equilibration. The low Re and low PGE pallasites show significant Re/Os fractionation (higher Re/Os) as the Re and PGE contents decrease. By contrast, the IIIAB irons show a restricted range in Re/Os, even for samples with extremely low Re and PGE contents. There is a good correlation of Re and Ir contents. The correlation of Re and Os contents for IIIAB irons shows a similar complex pattern as observed for IIAB irons (Morgan et al., 1995), and neither can be ascribed to a continuous fractional crystallization process with uniform solid-metal/liquid-metal distribution coefficients.     

煤中气孔和镶嵌结构及其在煤变质研究中的意义

河南省禹县、新密和荥巩煤田山西组Ⅱ₁煤的贫煤和无烟煤中,气孔发育。气孔形态有椭圆状（图版1）、圆状及不规则状（图版2）,有的几个气孔连在一起呈大的朵状气孔(图版3)。此外,在荥巩煤田西部无烟煤中还发育有镀嵌结构(图版4)。      

Trends in Analytical Developments and Earth Science Applications in LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS for 2004 and 2005

This review of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry includes research that employed quadrupole instruments, and single-collector and multicollector magnetic sector field instruments. The most important trend in 2004–2005 was the growing appreciation that small matrix effects in LA-(MC)-ICP-MS need to be addressed in order to produce highly precise and accurate data by the method. The issue is most acute for isotope ratio measurements that require standard-sample-standard bracketing but can also be important for certain elemental analysis. Matrix-dependent elemental and isotopic fractionations were studied from the standpoint of laser-sample interactions and the behaviour of laser-generated particles in the ablation cell, transfer tubing and ICP torch. Innovations in LA-(MC)-ICP-MS involved signal smoothing, in torch laser ablation, on-line isotope dilution and molecular oxide monitoring. Other important research was carried out on the calibration and homogeneity of various reference materials; and the exploration of mature ( in situ U-Pb geochronology) and emerging (apatite fission-track chronometry, U-Th/He thermochronology, boron/strontium/uranium-series isotopic microanalysis) applications in the Earth sciences.