The plumbotectonic model for Pb isotopic systematics among major terrestrial reservoirs: A case for bi-directional transport

Version IV of plumbotectonics expands and refines the original model of Doe and Zartman (1979) and Zartman and Doe (1981) for explaining Pb (Sr, and Nd) isotopic systematics among major terrestrial reservoirs. A case for bi-directional transport among reservoirs is based on the observed isotopic compositions for different tectonic settings, and finds a rationale in the kinetics of plate tectonics. Chemical fractionation and radioactive decay create isotopic differences during periods of isolation of one reservoir from another, whereas dynamic processes allowing mixing between reservoirs tend to reduce these differences. Observed isotopic characteristics reflect a balance between these opposing tendencies and provide constraints on the extent and timing of fractionation and mixing processes.

Plumbotectonics does not require interaction with a lower mantle or core reservoir over most of the Earth's lifetime, and, in fact, achieves a material balance consistent with no such exchange of material.

Important evidence of the amount and timing of crustal recycling, and of the residence times of mantle heterogeneities lies in the coupled 207Pb204Pb-206 Pb 204Pb">²⁰⁷Pb²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb ²⁰⁴Pb systematics. We believe that examination of the published data base fully supports our contention of significant bi-directional transport of material among terrestrial reservoirs. Plumbotectonics allows us to explore many aspects of reservoir interaction, and to identify parameters that provide meaningful constraints on mantle-crust differentiation. We put forth a compromise fit to many of the model variables in version IV, which can serve as a reference for future work.