Origin of Archean Pb isotope variability through open-system Paleoarchean crustal anatexis

Lead isotopic data implies that thorium and uranium were fractionated from one another in Earths early history; however, the origin of this fractionation is poorly understood. We report new in situ Pb isotope data from orthoclase in 144 granites sampled across the Archean Yilgarn craton (Western Australia) to characterize its Pb isotope variability and evolution. Granite Pb isotope compositions reveal three Pb sources, a mantle-derived Pb reservoir and two crustal Pb reservoirs, distinguished by their implied source ²³²Th/²³⁸U (Pb). High-Pb granites reflect sources with high ²³²Th/²³⁸U (∼4.7) and are largely co-located with EoarcheanPaleoarchean crust. The Pb isotope compositions of most granites, and those of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) and gold ores, define a mixing array between a mantle Pb source and a Th-rich EoarcheanPaleoarchean source. Pb isotope modeling indicates that the high-Pb source rocks experienced Th/U fractionation at ca. 3.3 Ga. As Th/U fractionation in the Yilgarn craton must have occurred before Earths atmosphere was oxygenated, subaerial weathering cannot explain the apparent differences in their geochemical behavior. Instead, the high Th/U source reflects EoarcheanPaleoarchean rocks that experienced prior high-temperature metamorphism, partial melting, and melt loss in the presence of a Th-sequestering mineral like monazite. Archean Pb isotope variability thus has its origins in open-system high-temperature metamorphic processes responsible for the differentiation and stabilization of Earths continental crust.