Xiba Granitic Pluton in the Qinling Orogenic Belt,Central China: Its Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

Xiba granitic pluton is located in South Qinling tectonic domain of the Qinling orogenic belt and consists mainly of granodiorite and monzogranite with significant number of microgranular quartz dioritic enclaves. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the quartz dioritic enclaves formed at 214±3 Ma, which is similar to the age of their host monzogranite (218±1 Ma). The granitoids belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, and are characterized by enriched LILEs relative to HFSEs with negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, and right-declined REE patterns with (La/Yb)N ratios ranging from 15.83 to 26.47 and δEu values from 0.78 to 1.22 (mean= 0.97). Most of these samples from Xiba granitic pluton exhibit εNd(t) values of ?8.79 to ?5.38, depleted mantle Nd model ages (TDM) between 1.1 Ga and 1.7 Ga, and initial Sr isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr)i from 0.7061 to 0.7082, indicating a possible Meso- to Paleoproterozoic lower crust source region, with exception of samples XB01-2-1 and XB10-1 displaying higher (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.779 and 0.735, respectively, which suggests a contamination of the upper crustal materials. Quartz dioritic enclaves are interpreted as the result of rapid crystallization fractionation during the parent magmatic emplacement, as evidenced by similar age, texture, geochemical, and Sr-Nd isotopic features with their host rocks. Characteristics of the petrological and geochemical data reveal that the parent magma of Xiba granitoids was produced by a magma mingling process. The upwelling asthenosphere caused a high heat flow and the mafic magma was underplated into the bottom of the lower continent crust, which caused the partial melting of the lower continent crustal materials. This geodynamic process generated the mixing parent magma between mafic magma from depleted mantle and felsic magma derived from the lower continent crust. Integrated petrogenesis and tectonic discrimination with regional tectonic evolution of the Qinling orogen, it is suggested that the granitoids are most likely products in a post-collision tectonic setting.     

Petrogenesis and geochemistry of the host monzogranite and mafic enclaves from the Triassic Wulong pluton in South Qinling,central China

The Wulong pluton was emplaced in the metamorphic complex of the Mesoproterozoic Foping Group, South Qinling. A few mafic enclaves which are rounded in shape with sharp boundaries with the host granites in the southern part of the pluton. Based on petrography, geochemistry and chronology data, it is indicated that the Wulong pluton shows some adakitic affinities with depletion in HREE (Yb=0.33–0.96 μg/g, Y=4.77–11.2 μg/g); enrichment in Sr (643–1115 μg/g) and Ba (775–1386 μg/g), high Sr/Y ratios (57.3–160) and Y/Yb ratios (11.0–14.3), and slightly negative Eu anomaly (δEu=0.70–0.83). These patterns suggest a feldspar-poor and garnet±amohibole-rich fractionation mineral assemblage. The mafic enclaves have high concentrations of Mg (MgO=4.15%–8.13%), Cr (14.8–371 μg/g), and Ni (20.0–224 μg/g), and high Nb/Ta ratios (15.42–21.9). It seems that the underplating mantle magma was responsible for the generation of the mafic magma. Companied with the results of investigations for the Qinling Orogenic Belt, it was found that partial melting of the thickened lower crust, which was triggered by the underplated mantle-derived magmas, had generated the felsic magma. The Wulong pluton provided evidence for a mixing and mingling process of two kinds of mamma. Its formation probably represents the oceanic slab breakoff during the late orogenic stage in the Qinling area.     

Study on the Sr,Nd,Pb and O Isotopes of Basic Dyke Swarms in the Wudang Block and Basic Volcanics of the Yaolinghe Group

The Sr,Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics of the Wudang basic dyke swarms and basic volcanics of the Yaolinghe Group show that they were derived from the same multi-component mixing source in the mantle.The Wudang basic dyke swarms have(^87Sr/^86Sr)i=0.6905-0.7061,εNd(t)=-1.9-5.0,△^208Pb/^204Pb=35.49-190.26,△^207Pb/^204Pb=Th/Ta and a wide range of La/Yb ratios;and the basic volcanics of the Yaolinghe Group have(^87Sr/^86Sr)i=0.6487-0.7075,εNd(t)=0.11-3.94，△^208Pb/^204Pb=-81.58-219.95,△^207Pb/^204Pb=4.44-16.68and higher Th/Ta and La/Yb ratios,indicating that their source is a mixture of DM and EMⅡ,and the basic volcanics of the Yaolinghe Group were contaminated by crust materials en rout to the surface.Based on the geochemical features of continental tholeiitic basalts and being products of differen tacies derived from the same source,it can be concluded that an important rifting event in the South Qinling basement block occurred during Neoproterozoic,followed by a setting of oceanic basic in the Early Paleozoic.     

Multi-stage granitic magmatism during exhumation of subducted continental lithosphere: Evidence from the Wulong pluton,South Qinling

Detailed petrology and zircon U–Pb dating data indicate that the Wulong pluton is a zoned granitic intrusive, formed from successive increments of magmas. An age range of at least 30 Ma is recorded from the 225–235 Ma quartz diorite on the pluton margin, the ca. 218 Ma granodiorite in the intermediate zone, and the ca. 207 Ma monzogranite at the pluton center. All the granitoids display evolved Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions, with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(i) of 0.7044–0.7062, unradiogenic Nd (ε_Nd(t) values of − 6.1 to − 3.0, Nd model ages of 1.1–1.3 Ga, and moderately radiogenic Pb compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 17.500–17.872, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 15.513–15.549, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 37.743–38.001), in combination with variations in zircon Hf isotopic compositions (with ε_Hf(t) values in each stage span 12 units) and the Hf isotopic model ages of 800–1600 Ma. These features suggest that the granitoids might have been derived from the reworking of an old lower crust, mixed with Paleozoic and Proterozoic materials. The rocks also display an adakitic affinity with Sr (479–973 ppm), high Sr/Y ratios (mostly > 60) and negligible Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.78–0.97) but low Rb/Sr ratios, low Y (4.6–17 ppm), HREE (Yb = 0.95–1.7 ppm), Yb/Lu (6–7) and Dy/Yb (1.9–2.4) ratios, suggesting the absence of plagioclase and presence of garnet + amphibole in their residue. Considering a large gap among their crystallization ages, we propose that the geochemical evolution from pluton margin to center was controlled mainly by melting conditions and source compositions rather than fractional crystallization. Mafic enclaves that were hosted in the quartz diorite and granodiorite are mainly syenogabbroic to syenodioritic in composition, and are metaluminous and enriched in LREE and LILEs, but are depleted in HFSE, and display an evolved Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic composition, suggesting that they may have been derived from the partial melting of an enriched mantle lithosphere, which was metasomatized by adakitic melts and fluids from a subducted continental crust.In combination with the results of the Triassic ultra-high pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie orogenic belt, we apply a model involving the exhumation of subducted continental crust to explain the formation of the Wulong pluton. At the first stage, a dense and refractory mafic lower crust that was trapped at mantle depth by continental subduction witnessed melting under high temperature conditions to produce the quartz diorite magma, characterized by low SiO₂ (60.65–63.98 wt.%) and high TiO₂ (0.39–0.86 wt.%). The magma subsequently interacted with mantle peridotite, leading to high Mg# (57–67) and the metasomatism of the overriding mantle wedge. At the second stage, an asthenosphere upwelling that was probably caused by slab break-off at ca. 220 Ma melted the enriched sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) to produce mafic magmas, represented by the mafic enclaves that are hosted in the quartz and granodiorite, resulting in the partial melting of the shallower subducted crust, and generating the granodiorite that is distinguished by high SiO₂ (69.16–70.82 wt.%), high Al₂O₃ (15.33–16.22 wt.%) and A/CNK values (mostly > 1.05). At the third stage, the final collapse of the Triassic Qinling–Dabie Orogenic Belt at ca. 215–205 Ma caused extensive partial melting of the thickened orogenic lower crust to produce the monzogranite, which is characterized by high SiO₂ (67.68–70.29 wt.%), low TiO₂ (mostly < 0.35 wt.%) and high Sr/Y ratios of 86–151.     

Fractional crystallization and magma mixing: evidence from porphyritic diorite-granodiorite dykes and mafic microgranular enclaves within the Zhoukoudian pluton,Beijing

The Zhoukoudian pluton in the North China craton is a circular granodiorite intrusion containing porphyritic diorite dykes (PDDs), porphyritic granodiorite dykes (PGDs) and abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs), which provide an excellent opportunity to study fractional crystallization and magma mixing. The PDDs and PGDs are located in the western part of the pluton with the PDDs intruded by the PGDs. The dykes have similar mineral assemblages although plagioclase in the PDDs has higher anorthite content than the PGDs. Linear relationships between the SiO₂ and most major and trace element contents, as well as a positive trend of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and a negative trend of epsilon Nd values with increasing SiO₂ contents for the dykes suggest that both types were formed by assimilation and fractional crystallization of a common parental magma. Major oxide mass balance and trace element Rayleigh fractionation modeling points to early separation of garnet (11 %), clinopyroxene (27 %), orthopyroxene (16 %), plagioclase (25 %), biotite (19 %), and apatite (2 %) and late fractionation of hornblende (25 %), plagioclase (46 %), biotite (25 %), apatite (1 %), and magnetite (3 %). Most MMEs occur within the transitional granodiorite of the Zhoukoudian pluton. Zoned MMEs, dyke-like MME swarms, local presence of concave margins, veins and enclaves of host granodiorite within some MMEs, and several MMEs surrounded by the biotite-rich granodiorite support their formation by multiple magma mixing events, which finally resulted in different whole-rock major oxides and compatible elements, but homogeneous mineral major oxides (except zoned plagioclase), whole-rock incompatible elements and Sr-Nd isotopes between the MMEs and their host granodiorite. We suggest that multiple magma mixing events might also cause complexly zoned plagioclase in the Zhoukoudian pluton. Relative calcic, irregular or patchy cores and dusty zoned mantles from the zoned plagioclase crystals and their relatively low anorthite content indicate multiple mixing events between mafic/intermediate and felsic magmas. The mafic/intermediate end-members could be represented by the diabase dykes and the PDDs. Therefore, the dykes and MMEs in the Zhoukoudian pluton are genetically linked.     

Evolution of the Mesozoic Granites in the Xiong＇ershan-Waifangshan Region, Western Henan Province, China, and Its Tectonic Implications

Based on the new data of isotopic ages and geochemical analyses, three types of Mesozoic granites have been identified for the Xiong'ershan-Waifangshan region in western Henan Province: high-Ba-Sr I-type granite emplaced in the early stage (～160 Ma), I-type granite in the middle stage (～130 Ma) and anorogenic A-type granite in the late stage (～115 Ma).Geochemical characteristics of the high-Ba-Sr I-type granite suggest that it may have been generated from the thickened lower crust by partial melting with primary residues of amphibole and garnet. Gradual increase of negative Eu anomaly and Sr content variations reflect progressive shallowing of the source regions of these granites from the early to late stage. New 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of the early-stage Wuzhangshan granite (156.0±1.1 Ma, amphibole) and middle-stage Heyu granite (131.8±0.7 Ma, biotite) are indistinguishable from their SHRIMP U-Pb ages previous published, indicating a rapid uplift and erosion in this region. The representative anorogenic A-type granite, Taishanmiao pluton, was emplaced at ～115 Ma. The evolution of the granites in this region reveals a tectonic regime change from post-collisional to anorogenic between ～160 Ma and ～115 Ma. The genesis of the early- and middle-stage I-type granites could be linked to delamination of subducted lithosphere of the Qinling orogenic belt, while the late-stage A-type granites represent the onset of extension and the end of orogenic process. In fact, along the Qinling -Dabie-Sulu belt, the Mesozoic granitoids in western Henan, Dabieshan and Jiaodong regions are comparable on the basis of these temporal evolutionary stages and their initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios,which may suggest a similar geodynamic process related to the collision between the North China and Yangtze cratons.     

Geochronology of archean gneisses in the Lake Helen area,Southwestern Big Horn Mountains,Wyoming

The RbSr and UPb methods were used to study gneisses in the $\text{7}\text{1}\text{2}\text{-}\text{minute}$ Lake Helen quadrangle of the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming. Two episodes of magmatism, deformation and metamorphism occurred during the Archean. Trondhjemitic to tonalitic orthogneisses and amphibolite of the first episode (E-1) are cut by a trondhjemite pluton and a calc-alkaline intrusive series of the second episode (E-2). The E-2 series includes hornblende-biotite quartz diorite, biotite tonalite, biotite granodiorite and biotite granite.A RbSr whole-rock isochron for E-1 gneisses indicates an age of 3007 ± 34 Ma (1 sigma) and an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.7001 ± 0.0001. UPb determination on zircon from E-1 gneisses yield a concordia intercept age of 2947 ± 50 Ma. The low initial ratio suggests that the gneisses had no significant crustal history prior to metamorphism, and that the magmas from which they formed had originated from a mafic source.A RbSr whole-rock isochron for E-2 gneisses gives an age of 2801 ± 31 Ma. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ration is 0.7015 ± 0.0002 and precludes the existence of the rocks for more than 150 Ma prior to metamorphism. The E-2 magmas may have originated from melting of E-1 gneisses or from a more mafic source.     

Timing,petrogenesis, and setting of granites from the southern Beishan late Palaeozoic granitic belt,Northwest China and implications for their tectonic evolution

Late Palaeozoic granites are widely distributed in the southeastern Beishan area, which is located in the central part of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). U–Pb zircon dates of five late Palaeozoic granitic plutons from the southeastern Beishan area yield Permian ages: 285 ± 2 Ma (Shuwojing and Western Shuwojing plutons), 269 ± 3 Ma (Jianquanzi and Jiuquandihongshan plutons), and 260 ± 1 Ma (Jiujing pluton). The early Permian Shuwojing pluton, an unfractionated calc-alkaline biotite monzogranite with slightly positive εNd(t) (+0.7 and +0.6) and low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70722 and 0.70712), and the early Permian Western Shuwojing pluton, a high-K calc-alkaline biotite granite with slightly negative εNd(t) (?0.2 and ?0.1) and low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70390 and 0.70919), are likely derived from a mixture of depleted (juvenile) mantle and upper continental crustal (or sedimentary) material. The mid-Permian Jianquanzi and Jiuquandihongshan monzogranites have highly fractionated potassium-rich calc-alkaline characteristics with negative εNd(t) (?4.3) and very high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.71949), reflecting a continental crustal component. The compositionally diverse Jiujing pluton and the granodiorite and high-Sr monzogranite phases display adakite-like compositions with relatively low εNd(t) (?0.1 and ?2.2) and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70822 and 0.70913). The Jiujing low-Sr monzogranite has higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.73464) and lower εNd(t) (?2.8), indicating a significant continental crustal component in its genesis. This work, combined with the regional geology and previous studies, suggest that the early to middle Permian southern Beishan plutons formed in a post-collisional environment, probably an intracontinental rift environment linked to asthenospheric upwelling in response to the break-off of a subducted slab. In the late Permian, the southern Beishan area was in a compressive tectonic regime and thickening of the continental crust resulted in the formation of the Jiujing adakite-like granite.     

南秦岭西坝花岗质岩体矿物学特征及成岩意义

西坝花岗质岩体位于南秦岭构造-岩浆带中部,为南秦岭印支期花岗岩带五龙岩体群的重要组成部分,与双王金矿有密切的空间关系。该岩体主要由石英二长闪长岩和花岗闪长岩组成,岩体中发育较多的镁铁质包体。通过对岩体及镁铁质包体的系统的矿物学特征研究发现,本区花岗质岩体属于I型花岗岩类,成岩物质主要来源于地壳,并且有地幔物质的加入。岩体及镁铁质包体显示有多种壳-幔岩浆混合的岩相学证据:如包体的冷凝边、斜长石环带成分显示核部和边缘偏基性,而幔部偏酸性,包体中见大量的长针状磷灰石及角闪石,包体中有两种产状的角闪石等。根据矿物温度压力计计算,西坝岩体的结晶温度为646.72~703.84℃,压力为1.67×108~3.66×108Pa,平均为3.12×108Pa。岩体形成于相对高氧逸度(lgfO2为-16.16×105~-17.06×105Pa)、中等水逸度(fH2O为46.82×105~136.85×105Pa)和氢逸度(fH2为0.32×105~0.91×105Pa)环境。岩体的这种高氧逸度条件有利于金进入熔体相或流体相,是金矿形成的有利条件。     

Late Triassic Biotite Monzogranite from the Western Litang Area,Yidun Terrane,SW China: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Late Triassic igneous rocks in the Yidun terrane can provide vital insights into the evolution of Plaeo-Tethys in western China. We present new zircon U-Pb, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for the Litang biotite monzogranites, Yidun terrane. The biotite monzogranites have a zircon U-Pb age of 206.1±1.0 Ma(MSWD=1.9,n=30), which indicates Late Triassic magmatism. The biotite monzogranites display I-type affinity, high Na_2O(3.38-3.60 wt%) contente,medii SiO_2(67.12-69.13 wt%), and low P_2 O_5 contents(0.10～0.12 wt%). They enriched in Rb,and Ba and depleted in Nb and Ta, with negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.74—0.81). They have evolved Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic composition, i.e.,(~(87) Sr/~(86 )Sr)i=0.714225 to 0.714763, negative ?_(Nd(t)) values of -2.0 to-2.6 with two-stage Nd model ages ranging from 1.01 to 1.05 Ga, negative ?_(Ht)(t)) values o f-3.4 to-4.1 with two-stage Hf model ages of 1.85 to1.88 Ga, suggesting a matured crustal sources. Their low Al_2O_3/TiO_2 ratios and medium Cao/Na_2O ratios, medium Mg~# and SiO_2 contents, low [molar Al_2O_3/(MgO+FeO~T)] values, and high [molar Cao/(MgO+FeO~T)] values indicate that the Litang biotite monzogranite was formed by partial melting of metabasaltic rocks. Based on the previous studies, we propose that the Litang biotite monzogranite derived from the westward subduction and closure of the Ganzi-Litang ocean during the Late Triassic-The mantle wedge-derived mafic melts provided sufficient heat for partial melting of ancient metabasalt protolith within the middle-lower crust.     

Zircon U-Pb Age and Geochemistry of the Ore-hosting Ultramafic Complex of Zhou’an PGE-Cu-Ni Deposit, Henan Province, Central China

The Zhou’an PGE-Cu-Ni deposit was recently discovered in the Qinling orogenic belt bound by the Yangtze and the North China Cratons. It is a blind deposit thoroughly covered by the Cenozoic alluvial sediments in the Nanyang Basin. As the first large PGE-Cu-Ni deposit discovered in the Qinling-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt, its geological and geochemical characteristic, isotope age, genesis and tectonic setting are of wide concern in both scientific studies and ore exploration. In this contribution, we report the results obtained from a pioneering study. The Zhou’an ultramafic complex is ferruginous, with m/f?=?4.79–5.08, and shows the nature of tholeiite series. It is rich in light rare earth elements, Rb, Th, U, La, Sm, Zr and Hf, and poor in heavy rare earth elements, Nd and Ta, suggesting an intraplate setting. It has high 87Sr/86Sr and low 143Nd/144Nd ratios. The ratios of Zr/Nb, La/Nb, Ba/Nb, Rb/Nb, Th/Nb, Th/La and Ba/La, suggest the magma originated from lithosphere mantle. The Fo values of olivine and Pd/Ir-Ni/Cu diagram suggest primary magma was High Mg basalt. The laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy zircon U-Pb age is 641.5?±?3.7 Ma.     

U-Pb Zircon Age,Geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Constraints on the Age and Origin of Mafic Dykes from Eastern Shandong Province,Eastern China

U-Pb zircon age, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of mafic dykes from eastern Shandong Province, eastern China is reported herein. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon analyses of two samples from the investigated mafic dykes yield consistent ages ranging from 121.9 Ma ± 0.47 Ma to 122.9 Ma ± 0.61 Ma. The mafic dykes are characterized by high (87Sr/86Sr) i ranging from 0.7087 to 0.7089, low εNd(t) values ranging from -16.9 to -17.8, 206Pb/204Pb = 17.15 to 17.17, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.45 to 15.47, and 208Pb/204Pb = 37.59 to 37.68. Results from the current study suggest that the mafic dykes are derived from partial melting of ancient lithospheric mantle that was variably hybridized by melts derived from foundered lower crustal eclogite. The mafic dykes may have been generated through subsequent insignificant crystal fractionation and very minor crustal contamination during magma ascent. Combined with previous studies, the current findings provide new evidence that the intense lithospheric thinning beneath the eastern Shandong Province of eastern China occurred at ~120 Ma, and that this condition was caused by the removal of the lower lithosphere (mantle and lower crust).     

北秦岭西段早侏罗世A型花岗岩及其地质意义

本文通过岩相学、岩石地球化学、锆石U?Pb定年和Lu?Hf同位素组成分析等方法,对出露于北秦岭西段宝鸡岩体王家山一带的黑云母花岗岩和其中的包体进行了研究。结果表明,该花岗岩形成时代为187±2 Ma,属于高钾钙碱性—钾玄岩系列岩石,富集Rb、Th、U等大离子亲石元素以及Nb、Zr和Hf等高场强元素,亏损Ba、Sr和Eu,具有高的全岩锆石饱和温度(825℃~838℃),显示A型花岗岩特征,形成于造山后的板内环境,可能为秦岭岩群副变质岩与安山质岩石部分熔融的产物。暗色包体显示塑性流变特征,具有岩浆结构,发育针状磷灰石和具有复杂成分环带的更长环斑结构长石,是幔源岩浆注入酸性岩浆发生混合作用的产物,形成时代为191±2 Ma,其锆石Hf同位素组成变化范围较大,εHf(t)值介于-11.26~-2.51,主要为富集地幔部分熔融产物。综合本文及前人已有研究结果,认为~190 Ma的早侏罗世早期秦岭地区早中生代碰撞造山过程已经结束,区域开始逐渐进入板内伸展构造演化阶段。     

Petrogenesis and geodynamic significance of the Late Triassic Tadong adakitic pluton in West Qinling,central China

The tectonic setting of the West Qinling orogenic belt (QOB) during the Middle–Late Triassic remains a subject of debate. Petrogenesis of adakitic granodiorite plays a critical role in determining the nature of the lower continental crust and mantle dynamics during orogenic processes in the region. The Tadong adakitic granodiorite pluton in the western part of the West QOB is an important element of this system. Its petrogenesis can place severe constraints on the nature of the lower continental crust and mantle dynamics during the formation of the orogenic belt. U–Pb dates obtained through zircon laser-ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry indicate that the Tadong pluton was emplaced at 220.2 ± 2.5 Ma, coeval with abundant magmatic rocks in the region. This indicates a prominent magmatic event in the western part of West Qinling during the Late Triassic. Geochemically the granodiorites are metaluminous to peraluminous high-K calc-alkalic and characterized by relatively high SiO₂ (63.84–67.91 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (15.39–16.54 wt.%), and Sr (435.08–521.64 ppm), and low MgO (1.16–1.88 wt.%; Mg# = 38–46), Y (5.49–8.84 ppm) and Yb (0.34–0.91 ppm) contents, variable Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.87–1.1), and high Sr/Y (51.72–84.45) ratios. These are compositional features of adakites that are commonly assumed to have been produced through partial melting of subducted oceanic basalt. In addition, the adakitic rocks are relatively enriched in light rare earth elements, large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, Sr, Th, and K), and depleted in high field strength elements. However, petrological, geochronological, and geochemical characteristics indicate that the adakitic rocks were most likely formed by partial melting of a thickened mafic lower crust. Therefore, we suggest that the Tadong adakitic granodiorites were produced in a syn-collisional regime and associated with asthenospheric upwelling triggered by slab break-off or gravitational instability. This mechanism was responsible for generating the Late Triassic magmatism of West Qinling.     

Oxygen isotopic study of Late Mesozoic cooling of the Mount Barcroft area,central White Mountains,eastern California

The Middle Jurassic Barcroft mafic granodiorite and Late Cretaceous, ternary-minimum McAfee Creek Granite are important components of the igneous arc sited along the SW North American margin. Bulk-rock analyses of 11 samples of the metaluminous, I-type Barcroft comagmatic suite have an average δ¹⁸O value of 7.4±0.6‰ (all values±1σ). Four Barcroft specimens average ε_Nd=?3.6±1.8, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.707±0.001. The pluton consists of petrochemically gradational, Ca-amphibole-rich gabbro/diorite, granodiorite, metadiorite, and rare alaskite–aplite; for most of the pluton, oxygen isotope exchange of quartz, feldspar(s), biotite, and Ca-amphibole accompanied local deuteric alteration. Eight specimens of slightly peraluminous granitic rocks of the muscovite-bearing McAfee Creek series have an average δ¹⁸O of 8.6±0.5‰. Four McAfee-type samples average ε_Nd=?7.8±1.7, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.711±0.004. For both plutons, bulk-rock evidence of exchange with near-surface water is lacking, suggesting ~5–10 km cooling depths. Barcroft minerals exhibit regular oxygen isotopic partitioning from high to low δ¹⁸O in the sequence quartz>plagioclase>K-feldspar>>amphibole≥biotite. Along the SE margin of the pluton, quartz and biotite in Lower Cambrian quartzites are higher in δ¹⁸O, and show slightly larger fractionations than igneous analogues. Exchange with fluids derived from these heated, contact-metamorphosed country rocks increased bulk ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of Barcroft border rocks (and constituent plagioclase+subsolidus tremolite–actinolite), especially of granitic dikes transecting the wall rocks. Oxygen isotope thermometry for seven Barcroft pluton quartz–amphibole and six quartz–biotite pairs indicate apparent subsolidus temperatures averaging 519±49 °C. Quartz–plagioclase pairs from two Barcroft granodiorites yield values of 519 and 515 °C. A quartz–biotite pair from a quartzite adjacent to the Barcroft pluton yields an apparent temperature of 511 °C, in agreement with estimates based on contact metamorphic parageneses. Except for its SE margin, Barcroft pluton silicates evidently exchanged oxygen isotopes under local deuteric conditions. Compatible with Ca-amphibole thermobarometric analyses, areal distributions for quartz–plagioclase, quartz–amphibole, and quartz–biotite pairs reveal that putative annealing temperatures are lowest in NE-trending axial portions of the Barcroft body, so it simply cooled inwards. Intrusion ~70 million years later by the McAfee Creek Granite had no discernable effect on δ¹⁸O values of Barcroft minerals and bulk rocks.     

Improved Inter‐calibration of Faraday Cup and Ion Counting for In Situ Pb Isotope Measurements Using LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS: Application to the Study of the Origin of the Fangshan Pluton,North China

A laser ablation multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS) method was developed to obtain precise and accurate Pb isotopic ratio measurements in low‐Pb materials (< 10 μg g^?1) using a combination of Faraday cups and ion counters (FC–IC). The low abundance ²⁰⁴Pb (~ 1.4%) was collected using an IC. A NBS 981 standard solution was used to cross‐calculate the FC–IC gain and to investigate the signal response characteristics of the IC. A significant, continuous and linear decrease in the FC–IC gain was observed within 1 hr, but this drift could be corrected using the calibrator‐sample‐calibrator bracketing method. In addition, a non‐linear response of the IC used in this study was observed and corrected by a non‐linear correction algorithm, which was established by measuring a series of gravimetrically prepared NBS 981 standard solutions (NIST SRM 981). Compared with the conventional arrangement, the use of the newly designed X skimmer cone and Jet sample cone improved the signal intensities from Pb isotopes by a factor of 1.9. Compared with only Faraday cups, using a combination FC–IC array was found to enhance the measurement repeatability (RSD) of ^20xPb/²⁰⁴Pb by approximately one order of magnitude when the ²⁰⁴Pb intensity was < 8 mV. Eight natural glasses and the NIST SRM 612 reference material glass (as a calibration material) were measured to evaluate the new protocol for Pb isotope determination. The analytical results were in agreement with the reference values within 2s measurement uncertainties. For MPI‐DING ATHO‐G (5.67 μg g^?1 total Pb), KL2‐G (2.07 μg g^?1 total Pb) and ML3B‐G (1.38 μg g^?1 total Pb), the typical accuracies of ^20xPb/²⁰⁴Pb were 0.09% of preferred values with precisions of < 0.33% (2RSD). The Pb isotope ratios in feldspars from granodiorite and within mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) from the Fangshan pluton, North China, were measured using the present method. The Pb isotopic compositions of feldspars from the whole host granodiorite show that that are radiogenic in the margin zone and gradually become less radiogenic. For the MMEs, the Pb isotopic compositions of feldspars are highly variable and overlap with those of the whole host granodiorite. For single‐grain feldspar, the strong rim‐core‐rim variations of the Pb isotopic compositions and trace elements are interpreted to have been generated via magma mixing. These results suggest that the Fangshan pluton underwent magma mixing of mantle‐derived mafic magmas with felsic magmas, and the proportion of the mafic magma influx decreased over time.     

Petrogenesis and Metallogenesis of the Mazaertag Layered Intrusion in the Tarim Large Igneous Province, NW China

The Mazaertag layered intrusion is located in the northwestern part of the Tarim large igneous province where several early Permian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions host important Fe-Ti oxide deposits. The intrusion covers an area of ～0.13 km~2 and has a vertical stratigraphic thickness of at least300 m. It consists chiefly of olivine clinopyroxenite, and is cut through by the nearby mafic-ultramafic dykes. In this paper, we report new mineral chemistry data and whole-rock chemical and isotopic compositions for the Mazaertag intrusion along with whole-rock isotopic compositions for the nearby mafic dykes. The averaged compositions of cumulus olivine, clinopyroxene and intercumulus plagioclase within individual samples range from Fo_(71-73),Mg~# = 76 to 79 and An_(65-75) but they do not define sustained reversals. The observed mineral compositions are consistent with the differentiation of a single batch of magma in a closed system. Rocks of the Mazaertag intrusion are characterized by enrichment in light REE relative to heavy REE, positive Nb and Ta anomalies and a small range of age-corrected ε_(Nd)(t)(-0.1 to +0.9) and initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values(0.7044 to 0.7068). The slightly lower ε_(Nd)(t), initial ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb and higher initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values of the intrusion compared to those of the least contaminated dykes[ε_(Nd)(t) =+2.8 to +3.4;(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i = 18.516-18.521;(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i = 0.7038-0.7041] imply that the Mazaertag magma was subjected to small to modest degrees of contamination by the upper crust. The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the least contaminated dykes are consistent with derivation from a FOZO-like mantle source. The parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion, estimated from clinopyroxene compositions using mineral-melt partition coefficients, has trace element compositions similar to some of the most primitive mafic dykes in the same area. This suggests that the Mazaertag intrusion and mafic dykes shared a similar mantle source. Therefore, the parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion was interpreted to have originated from a mantle plume. Based on the Cr_2 O_3 contents in titanomagnetite and less-evolved characteristics of the Mazaertag intrusion compared to the Wajilitag Fe-Ti oxide deposit in Bachu, it is speculated that there might not be a potential to find economic Fe-Ti oxide mineralization in the intrusion.     

构造剪切与变质角闪石中过剩Ar的引入：北秦岭丹凤群斜长角闪岩的Sm－Nd、Rb－Sr和~（40）Ar／~（39）Ar测年证据

本文对两个北秦岭丹凤群斜长角闪岩样品进行了Ｓｍ－Ｎｄ、Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ和４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ测年，发现其中受构造改造轻微的黑河丹凤群斜长角闪岩样品的角闪石４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ年龄与其Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ、Ｓｍ－Ｎｄ矿物等时线年龄接近，而遭受强烈构造剪切作用的蒲峪丹凤群斜长角闪（片）岩的角闪石４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ年龄则明显高于其Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ、Ｓｍ－Ｎｄ矿物等时线年龄，指示构造剪切作用对变质角闪石中过剩氩的引入有显著影响。在利用４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ进行造山带年代学研究时这一问题应引起注意     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Early Cretaceous andesitic-dacitic rocks,western Qinling(Central China):Geochronological and geochemical constraints

~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar and zircon U-Pb geochronological and whole-rock geochemical analyses for the Laozanggou intermediate-acidic volcanic rocks from the western Qinling orogenic belt,Central China,constrain their petrogenesis and the nature of the Late Mesozoic lithospheric mantle.These volcanic rocks yield hornblende or whole-rock ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar plateau ages of 128.3-129.7 Ma and zircon U-Pb age of131.3±1.3 Ma.They exhibit Si02 of 56.86-66.86 wt.%,K_2 O of 0.99-2.46 wt.% and MgO of 1.03-4.47 wt.%,with Mg# of 42-56.They are characterized by arc-like geochemical signatures with significant enrichment in LILE and LREE and depletion in HFSE.All the samples have enriched Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios ranging from 0.7112 to 0.7149 and ε_(Nd)(t) values from 10.2 to 6.3.Such geochemical signatures suggest that these volcanic rocks were derived from enriched lithospherederived magma followed by the assimilation and fractional crystallization(AFC)process.The generation of the enriched lithospheric mantle is likely related to the modification of sediment-derived fluid in response to the Triassic subduction/collision event in Qinling orogenic belt.The early Cretaceous detachment of the lithospheric root provides a reasonable mechanism for understanding the petrogenesis of the Laozanggou volcanic sequence in the western Qinling orogenic belt.     

Petrochemistry,Age and Petrogenesis of the Shexian Pluton in Southern Anhui

The Shexian gneissic granodiorite in southern Anhui trends NE 55° from Shexian in the west to Guitoujian in the east with a length of 22 km and an outcrop area of 32 km. It was considered formerly to be Caledonian on the basis of a biotite K-Ar age of 474 Ma (1982). However, new evidence indicates that it may be Early Jinning in age as shown by: (1) it is found intruding into the Mid-Proterozoic Shangxi Group and is unconformably overlain by the Sinian Xiuning Formation, and (2) a zircon U-Th-Pb age of 928 Ma is obtained for the pluton. The pluton is composed of plagioclase (An=27.37%), K-feldspar(14%), biotite(16%) and quartz(32%). Accessory minerals are ilmenite (150g/T), xenotime (15g/T). garnet(25g/T), monazite(10g/T), zircon (20g/T) and apatite (104g/T). Petrochemical characteristics of the intrusion are:(l) Al-enrichment (A/NKC=1.30); (2) H₂O enrichment (H₂O= 1.74%); and (3) low oxidation index (f ’=0.10). It belongs to the continental crust transformation type as evidenced by: (1) MF and Mg/Y values of biotite are 0.41 and 0.31 respectively; (2) (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)=0.71119; (3) δ Eu=0.52; and (4) A/NKC=130. The Shexian pluton is therefore considered as a product of melting of phyllite at depth in the light of similarities in trace element and REE contents with the phyllite of the Banxi Group. Calculations of REE batch partial melting indicate that it may have resulted from 75% melting of the Banxi phyllite.