THE Re-Os ISOTOPE SYSTEM IN COSMOCHEMISTRY AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE GEOCHEMISTRY

The Re-Os isotope sytem, based on the long-lived β⁻ transition of ¹⁸⁷Re to ¹⁸⁷Os, has matured to wide use in cosmochemistry and high-temperature geochemistry. The siderophilic/chalcophilic behavior of Re and Os is different from that of the elements that comprise most other long-lived radiogenic isotope systems. Magmatic iron meteorites (IIIAB, IIAB, IVA, and IVB) have Re-Os isochrons that indicate asteroidal core crystallization within the first 10–40 million years of Solar System evolution. Rocks from Earth's convecting mantle show generally chondritic Re/Os evolution throughout Earth history that is explained by the addition of highly siderophile elements to the mantle after core formation via late accretion. Oceanic basalts have Os-isotope systematics that improve the detailed geological interpretation of extant mantle components. Some portions of ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle are severely depleted in Re and have correspondingly subchondritic ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os, indicating long-term isolation from the convecting mantle during the Archean-Proterozoic. Magmatic ore deposits have differences in initial Os isotopic composition traceable to the crustal vs mantle sources of the platinum-group elements and base metals.