Rare-earth and trace element imprints on the origin and tectonic setting of gabbro-diorite complex in the Pan-African belt of Southeast Obudu Plateau,Nigeria

A gabbro-diorite plutonic complex from the Southeast Obudu Plateau, representing limited volumes of magma, was studied for its trace and rare-earth element characteristics, in an attempt to document its genetic and geodynamic history. Geochemical studies indicate that the gabbro samples are characterized by variable concentrations and low averages of such index elements as Cr (40×10-6–200×10-6; av. 80×10-6), Ni (40×10-6–170×10-6; 53.33×10-6) and Zr (110×10-6–240×10-6; 116.67×10-6); variable and high average...     

Single zircon evaporation ages: Evidence for the Mesoproterozoic crust in the southeastern Nigerian basement complex

The Ukwortung area of the Obudu Plateau exposes high-grade metamorphic rocks of upper amphibolite to granulite facies. Zircon grains from three locations of Southwest Obudu Plateau were dated by the Pb-Pb dating method. This single zircon radiometric dating method confirms the occurrence of Mesoproterozoic crust in the southeastern Nigeria basement complex. The pyroxene gneiss (granulite facies) sample from Biereberi near Ukpe yielded a mean age of 2061.4±0.4 Ma, suggesting the presence of Paleoproterozoic crust. The combined 207Pb/206Pb ratios from the garnet-biotite gneiss in the area gave a mean age of 1794.4±0.4 Ma. This further confirms the pres-ence of Paleoproterozoic crustal components within the Obudu Plateau. The Mesoproterozoic (1548.8±0.5 Ma) and Neoproterozoic (619.8±0.9 Ma) ages were obtained from two populations of zircon grains from the leucogranite in Okordem, Southwest Obudu. These "signatures" collaborate the occurrence of Mesoproterozoic ages in the Afar region and Cameroon basements along with the southeastern Nigerian basement complex, constituting the major portion of the West Central African mobile belt. The zircon age of 1794.4±0.4 Ma may probably be the maximum depositional age of the meta-sediment (garnet-biotite gneiss) and the age of 1548.8±0.5 Ma may be interpreted as the time of emplacement of the granitoid. The Neoproterozoic age (619.8±0.9 Ma) probably records the metamorphic event that was prevalent during the Pan-African period and thus affected the area.     

Neoarchaean magmatism and metamorphism of the western granulites in the central domain of the Mozambique belt, Tanzania: U–Pb shrimp geochronology and PT estimates

U–Pb sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) dating of zircons from charnockitic and garnet–biotite gneisses from the central portion of the Mozambique belt, central Tanzania indicate that the protolith granitoids were emplaced in a late Archaean, ca. 2.7 Ga, magmatic event. These ages are similar to other U–Pb and Pb–Pb ages obtained for other gneisses in this part of the belt. Zircon xenocrysts dated between 2.8 and 3.0 Ga indicate the presence of an older basement. Major and trace element geochemistry of these high-grade gneisses suggests that the granitoid protoliths may have formed in an active continental margin environment. Metamorphic zircon rims and multifaceted metamorphic zircons are dated at ca. 2.6 Ga indicating that these rocks were metamorphosed some 50–100 my after their emplacement. Pressure and temperature estimates on the charnockitic and garnet–biotite gneisses were obscured by post-peak metamorphic compositional homogenisation; however, these estimates combined with mineral textures suggest that these rocks underwent isobaric cooling to 800–850 °C at 12–14 kbar. It is considered likely that the granulite facies mineral assemblage developed during the ca. 2.6 Ga event, but it must be considered that it might instead represent a pervasive Neoproterozoic, Pan African, granulite facies overprint, similar to the ubiquitous eastern granulites further to the east.     

Geochemistry and environmental effect of cadmium in the super-large Jinding Pb-Zn deposit,Yunnan Province,China

The Jinding Pb-Zn deposit in Yunnan Province is the representative of a Cd-enriched area and mining activities lead to the release of Cd into the hypergenic ecosystem, resulting in Cd pollution. The concentrations of Cd vary greatly from one type to another type of rocks in the mining district. In the host rock, Cd concentrations range from 50×10^-6 to 650×10^-6 with an average of 310×10^-6. In primary ores, Cd concentrations range from 14×10^-6 to 2800×10^-6 with an average of 767×10^-6. However, in oxidized ores, Cd concentrations are highest, varying within the range of 110×10^-6 to 8200×10^-6 , averaging 1661×10^-6. It is shown that the oxidized ores are the main carder and environmental source of Cd. Leaching test showed that Pb/Zn ores are easy to oxidize and thereafter release Cd and other harmful elements. These leached elements in the leachate may be precipitated rapidly in the order of Zn〉Pb〉Cd. As for the concentration distribution of Cd in the Bijiang River, it is estimated to be 15.7 μg/L Cd in water, 49.3 mg/L in suspended substances, and 203.7 mg/L in sediments. The average value of Cd in soil from the polluted area is 83.0 mg/kg. Natural weathering of Cd-rich rocks and minerals imposes a potential environmental risk on the aquatic ecosystem of the Bijiang catchment.     

Carbonization and geochemical characteristics of graphite-bearing rocks in the northern Khanka terrane,primorie, Russian Far East

Regional carbonization was examined in Riphean metamorphic complexes in the northern part of the Khanka terrane. The results obtained by various techniques of physicochemical analysis indicate that all petrographic rock varieties of this complex bear elevated concentrations (from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁶ wt %) of Au and PGE. XRF data were used to describe a wide spectrum of trace elements: Ti, V, Ni, Cr, Pt, Pd, Re, Rh, Os, Ir, Cu, Hg, Au, Ag, Ta, Nb, Sr, Rb, Zr, La, W, Sn, Pb, and Zn. The Rb/Sr-Ba diagram shows the fields of anatectic granite-gneisses, biotite granites, lamprophyres, graphitized crystalline schists, black shales, skarns, and quartz-graphite metasomatic rocks. The C isotopic composition in graphite from the metaigneous rocks (lamprophyres and crystalline schists of the amphibolite facies) corresponds to δ¹³C from −8.5 to −8.7‰, which suggests that the carbon could be of endogenic provenance. The carbon isotopic composition of the greenschist-facies black shales corresponds to δ¹³C from −19.9 to −26.6‰, as is typical of organogenic carbon. The concentrations of precious metals in the rocks are, on average, one order of magnitude lower than in the graphitized crystalline schists. The origin of the precious-metal ore mineralization was likely genetically related to the regional carbonization process.     

Rare-earth elements as source indicators of Pan-African granites from Obudu Plateau,Southeastern Nigeria

The rare-earth element （REE） concentrations of representative granite samples from the southeast of the Obudu Plateau, Nigeria, were analyzed with an attempt to determine the signatures of their source, evolutionary history and tectonic setting. Results indicated that the granites have high absolute REE concentrations （190×10^-6-1191×10^-6; av.=549×10^-6） with the chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by steep negative slopes and prominent to slight or no negative Eu anomalies. All the samples are also characterized by high and variable concentrations of the LREE （151×10^-6-1169×10^-6; av.= 466×10^-6）, while the HREE show low abundance （4×10^-6-107×10^-6; av.=28×10^-6）. These are consistent with the variable levels of REE fractionation, and differentiation of the granites. This is further supported by the range of REE contents, the chondrite-normalized patterns and the ratios of LaN/YbN （2.30-343.37）, CeN/YbN （5.94-716.87）, LaN/SmN （3.14-11.68） and TbN/YbN （0.58-1.65）. The general parallelism of the REE patterns, suggest that all the granites were comagmatic in origin, while the high Eu/Eu＊ ratios （0.085-2.807; av.=0.9398） indicate high fo2 at the source. Similarly, irregular variations in LaN/YbN, CeN/YbN and Eu/Eu＊ ratios and REE abundances among the samples suggest behaviors that are related to mantle and crustal sources.     

Major and trace element patterns established during retrogressive metamorphism of granulite-facies gneisses,NW Scotland

A detailed study of geochemical changes associated with the retrogressive metamorphism of granulite-facies gneisses of the Lewisian Complex of NW Scotland has been made, using nearly 250 gneisses analysed for 24 major, minor and trace elements. The gneiss samples have been divided into 3 groups: (1) granulite facies, (2) granulite facies retrogressed to amphibolite facies but remaining undeformed, and (3) retrogressed (amphibolite-facies) gneisses deformed in shear zones. Element distributions within these groups have been examined using correlation coefficients, and have been compared and tested for significance using Student's t and Fisher z statistics. It is shown that the process of retrogression involved considerable large-scale chemical equilibration. Major-element pairs show marked increases in correlation during retrogression, reflecting considerable reordering of elements into one or other of the main amphibolite-facies minerals: hornblende, plagioclase and (minor) biotite. These correlations are enhanced, but otherwise unchanged, in the deformed gneisses. The retrogressed gneisses have a much more constant Fe/Mg ratio and a more uniform plagioclase composition, while there is a strong correlation between Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ throughout the area studied. Trace elements, by contrast, mostly show a significant loss of correlation during retrogression, although Cr and Ni are exceptions. Retrogression occurred as a result of widespread introduction of hydrous fluids up vertical structures in the gneiss complex during the Early Proterozoic. These fluids allowed considerable metasomatic redistribution of elements within the complex as the whole-rock compositions adjusted to the new mineralogy. Throughout the North Atlantic Archaean Craton there is a close association between retrogression of high-grade gneisses and basic magmatism in the form of dyke swarms. It is suggested that the two may be connected, and that the fluids causing retrogression are mantle-derived.     

Early Paleozoic adakite in the Liuyuan area from the Beishan orogenic belt,NW Gansu Province: Petrogenesis and implication for tectonic setting

The Liuyuan area,which is located on the southern margin of the Beishan orogenic belt,develops abundant Early Paleozic granitoids.SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 421±8 Ma for the Liuyuan granodiorite(Zhao Zehui et al.,2007),implying its Late Silurian intrusion.Geochemical compositions showed that the Liuyuan granodiorite is characterized by high SiO2(65.01%-67.31%),A12O3(17.17%-18.05%) and Na2O(Na2O/K2O=1.67-1.87) but low Mg# contents calculated as 100×Mg2+/(Mg2++∑Fe2+) from 28.77 to 31.15,as well as being enriched in Sr(472×10-6-517×10-6) but depleted in Yb(1.2×10-6-1.42×10-6) and Y(12.8×10-6-14×10-6).The REEs are characterized by right-inclined patterns with LREE enrichment,HREE depletion and slightly negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.91-0.97).Major and trace elements indicate that the granodiorite is an adakite.The Nb/Ta values of the granodiorite vary from 10.80 to 18.01 and Nb/U from 6.32 to 10.09,both lying between the values of the crust and the mantle.The rock has low εNd(t) values(-2.5--0.8) and high ISr(0.706321-0.706495).Geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions indicate that the Liuyuan granodiorite is possibly derived from partial melting of thickening lower crust,related to mantle underplating.The Yb-Ta and Y+Nb-Rb discriminant diagrams imply the Liuyuan granodiorite intruded in a local extensional tectonic setting during late collision.Combined with previous studies on geochronology,geochemistry and tectonic setting of granitoids,we interprete that the constraint of this adakite in the Liuyuan area indicates that the tectonic setting may have transformed from collision to extension during the Early Devonian.     

川西拉拉含矿镁铁质层状岩体的成因及构造背景

川西拉拉含矿镁铁质层状岩体位于扬子地块西缘,构造环境复杂,关于其成因机制及岩浆源区的问题至今仍缺乏系统的研究。文章针对该岩体七个岩相带,进行了主、微量元素和Sr-Nd同位素分析,结果表明,七个岩相带（YWS-1—YWS-7）是岩浆经历不同的演化过程而形成的。其中,第五相带SiO₂含量高（42.95%~44.07%）,MgO含量低（1.62%~1.89%）,稀土总量明显偏低（295.32×10-6~366.36×10-6）,Cr、Ni含量偏低,87Sr/86Sr为0.7391~0.7812,是受到地壳混染所致;其它相带Mg#值高（0.54~0.74）,稀土总量偏高（672.53×10-6~986.66×10-6）,87Sr/86Sr为0.7087~0.7097,显示岩石圈地幔源区特征。结合区域地质背景分析,认为该层状岩体产生于大陆裂谷构造环境,岩浆来源于岩石圈地幔源区,演化过程中结晶分异和多次脉动作用相伴。这一活动过程与新元古时期扬子板块西缘的超级地幔柱活动有关。      

东秦岭钼多金属成矿带蟒岭矿集区南部晚侏罗世埃达克岩的厘定及成矿意义

东秦岭钼矿带蟒岭矿集区南部侏罗系华阳村组底部出露一套粗面英安岩,对其进行LA-ICP-MS锆石定年,测得锆石206Pb/238U年龄为(150.92±0.70)Ma(95%置信度;MSWD=0.19),表明其形成于晚侏罗世。地球化学特征显示该岩石类似于中国东部燕山期C型埃达克质岩,表现为高硅(w(SiO_2)=59.75%～60.97%)、铝(w(Al2O3)=15.84%～16.01%)、钾(w(K2O)=3.74%～3.89%)、锶(w(Sr)=286×10~(-6)～338×10~(-6)),高Sr/Y比值(20.85～24.53),低镁(w(MgO)=2.37%～2.66%)、镱(w(Yb)=1.30×10~(-6)～1.50×10~(-6))、钇(w(Y)=13.3×10~(-6)～15.4×10~(-6)),重稀土元素明显亏损,轻重稀土元素分异明显(LREE/HREE=10.27～12.25),具有弱的正Eu异常(1.21～1.37),大离子亲石元素如Rb、Ba、Sr、U、K富集,相对亏损高场强元素Nb、Ti的地球化学特征,显示其为地壳加厚的构造背景下,下地壳部分熔融的产物,其源区相当于含10%的石榴子石角闪岩相。结合区域资料,认为晚侏罗世特提斯构造域和太平洋构造域构造已经发生构造体制的转换,太平洋板块向西俯冲导致地壳加厚,加厚的基性下地壳物质发生熔融形成岩浆,并沿构造薄弱带上升,喷发形成该套粗面英安岩,可能代表了燕山运动B幕的岩浆事件。综合研究认为,华阳村组粗面英安岩与调查区内多金属成矿关系作用不大,由于形成了特殊的具有埃达克岩性质的岩石,势必引起下地壳的折沉作用,随着拆沉作用的持续进行,地壳减薄导致周围软流圈地幔上涌,含有Mo、Cu等成矿元素的岩浆沿着构造薄弱地带侵入就位,并在上升过程萃取了围岩中的Pb、Zn、Ag、Au等成矿元素,形成调查区内蟒岭含矿斑岩体、蟒岭西侧含矿小斑岩体以及同期的黄家沟-上铺子一带脉状铅锌银矿体。     

Age and geochemistry of the granitoid from the Lunte area,Northeastern Zambia: Implications for magmatism of the Columbia supercontinent

The Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Bangweulu Block has long been controversial. Paleoproterozoic granites consisting of the basement complex of the Bangweulu Block are widely exposed in northeastern Zambia, and they are the critical media for studying the tectonic evolution of the Bangweulu Block. This study systematically investigated the petrography, zircon U-Pb chronology, and petrogeochemistry of the granitoid extensively exposed in the Lunte area, northeastern Zambia. The results show that the granitoid in the area formed during 2051±13–2009±20 Ma as a result of Paleoproterozoic magmatic events. Geochemical data show that the granites in the area mainly include syenogranites and monzogranites of high-K calc-alkaline series and are characterized by high SiO₂ content (72.68% –73.78%) and K₂O/Na₂O ratio (1.82–2.29). The presence of garnets, the high aluminum saturation index (A/CNK is 1.13–1.21), and the 1.27%–1.95% of corundum molecules jointly indicate that granites in the Lunte area are S-type granites. Rare earth elements in all samples show a rightward inclination and noticeably negative Eu-anomalies (δEu = 0.16–0.40) and are relatively rich in light rare earth elements. Furthermore, the granites are rich in large ion lithophile elements such as Rb, Th, U, and K and are depleted in Ba, Sr, and high field strength elements such as Ta and Nb. In addition, they bear low contents of Cr (6.31×10⁻⁶–10.8×10⁻⁶), Ni (2.87×10⁻⁶–4.76×10⁻⁶), and Co (2.62×10⁻⁶–3.96×10⁻⁶). These data lead to the conclusion that the source rocks are meta-sedimentary rocks. Combining the above results and the study of regional tectonic evolution, the authors suggest that granitoid in the Lunte area were formed in a tectonic environment corresponding to the collision between the Tanzania Craton and the Bangweulu Block. The magmatic activities in this period may be related to the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.     

18O/16O ratios of anorthosites and related rocks from the Rogaland Complex (SW Norway)

The South Rogaland Complex (South Western Norway) consists of several anorthositic intrusions emplaced in granulite facies metamorphic rocks. The anorthosites and related norites and jotunites have δ ¹⁸O values of 5.2 to 7‰ suggesting a mantle origin for these rocks, in agreement with the strontium isotopic evidence. The acidic rocks, mostly charnockitic, associated with the anorthosites have similar δ ¹⁸O values and thus a comagmatic relation between these two rock types is inferred. Small departures from mantle values are explained in terms of crustal contamination by surrounding gneisses that have δ ¹⁸O values between 4.3 and 10‰ Locally, this corresponds to important anatexis as has been suggested for the Farsund charnockite on the basis of strontium isotope and REE geochemistry. The isotopic temperatures calculated from the isotopic fractionations are in the range 500°–700° C, lower than the orthomagmatic temperatures and probably due to subsolidus isotopic exchange during the slow cooling of these plutonic rocks, either during a late magmatic deuteric stage or during a slow, postorogenic ascent under wet conditions.     

Contents of Fixed-Ammonium （ NH4^＋ ） in Lamprophyres in the Zhenyuan Gold Orefield, Yunnan Province, China： Implications for Its Characteristics of the Source Region

This paper determined the fixed-ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) contents of lamprophyres in the Zhenyuan gold orefield, Yunnan Province, China. The results show that the NH₄ ⁺ contents of minettes in the orefield range from 120 × 10⁻⁶ to 469 × 10⁻⁶ and those of kersantites from 74.3 × 10⁻⁶ to 136 × 10⁻⁶. These values are higher than those of other mantle-derived rocks (less than 50 × 10⁻⁶), but lower than those of carbonaceous wall rocks in the orefield (from 1200 × 10⁻⁶ to 1343 × 10⁻⁶). Combining with the Sr isotopic composition, this paper suggested that lamprophyres in the orefield with high NH₄ ⁺ contents relative to other mantle-derived rocks would not have resulted from the primary magma contaminated by crustal materials in the process of rising or in the magma chamber, but from mantel metasomatism. This research project was financially supported jointly by the State Key Basic Research Program of the People’s Republic of China (No. G1999043203) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Knowledge-Innovation Program (No. KZCX3-SW-125).     

Geology and geochemistry of palaeoproterozoic low-grade metabasic volcanic rocks from Salumber area,Aravalli Supergroup,NW India

The Palaeoproterozoic Aravalli Supergroup in Salumber region includes a basal unit of metabasic volcanic rocks (Salumber volcanic rocks) overlain by a volcaniclastic/conglomerate one. Although these volcanic rocks have been metamorphosed to green-schist facies, some primary volcanic features are still preserved. This metabasic volcanic sequence can be further differentiated on the basis of textural variations, and the mineral assemblages are: (a) oligoclase + actinolite + chlorite + epidote; and (b) oligoclase + hornblende+ chlorite + biotite + Fe-Ti oxides. The SiO₂ content ranges from ∼47.7 to 55.8% and MgO from ∼4.2 to 12.8%. Geochemical characteristics allow their subdivision into high Mg and Fe tholeiites. Inverse relationship of MgO with silica, alkalis and Zr is generally consistent with fractionation mechanism, also suggested by a change in colour of the rocks from dark greenish to light greenish towards the upper parts of the sequence. These metabasic volcanic rocks are enriched in incompatible trace elements and LREE (La = 30 − 40 × chondrite, Lu = 2 − 5 × chondrite), and demonstrate affinity mainly with MORB and within plate settings in geochemical tectonic discrimination schemes. The geochemical characteristics suggest a complex evolutionary history envisaging derivation of the melt from an enriched heterogeneous lithospheric source.     

K-feldspar–quartz and K-feldspar–plagioclase phase boundary interactions in garnet–orthopyroxene gneiss's from the Val Strona di Omegna, Ivrea–Verbano Zone, northern Italy

A detailed study based on textural observations combined with microanalysis [back scattered electron imaging (BSE) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA)] and microstructural data transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been made of K-feldspar micro-veins along quartz–plagioclase phase and plagioclase–plagioclase grain boundaries in granulite facies, orthopyroxene–garnet-bearing gneiss's (700–825 °C, 6–8 kbar) from the Val Strona di Omegna, Ivrea–Verbano Zone, northern Italy. The K-feldspar micro-veins are commonly associated with quartz and plagioclase and are not found in quartz absent regions of the thin section. This association appears to represent a localised reaction texture resulting from a common high grade dehydration reaction, namely: amphibole + quartz = orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + K-feldspar + H₂O, which occurred during the granulite facies metamorphism of these rocks. There are a number of lines of evidence for this. These include abundant Ti-rich biotite, which was apparently stable during granulite facies metamorphism, and total lack of amphibole, which apparently was not. Disorder between Al and Si in the K-feldspar indicates crystallisation at temperatures >500 °C. Myrmekite and albitic rim intergrowths in the K-feldspar along the K-feldspar–plagioclase interface could only have formed at temperatures >500–600 °C. Symplectic intergrowths of albite and Ca-rich plagioclase between these albitic rim intergrowths and plagioclase suggest a high temperature grain boundary reaction, which most likely occurred at the start of decompression in conjunction with a fluid phase. Relatively high dislocation densities (>2 × 10⁹ to 3 × 10⁹/cm²) in the K-feldspar suggest plastic deformation at temperatures >500 °C. We propose that this plastic deformation is linked with the extensional tectonic environment present during the mafic underplating event responsible for the granulite facies metamorphism in these rocks. Lastly, apparently active garnet grain rims associated with side inclusions of K-feldspar and quartz and an exterior K-feldspar micro-vein indicate equilibrium temperatures within 20–30 °C of the peak metamorphic temperatures estimated for the sample (770 °C). Contact between these K-feldspar micro-veins and Fe-Mg silicate minerals, such as garnet, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene or biotite along the interface, is observed to be very clean with no signs of melt textures or alteration to sheet silicates. This lends support to the idea that these micro-veins did not originate from a melt and, if fluid induced, that the water activity of these fluids must have been relatively low. All of these lines of evidence point to a high grade origin for the K-feldspar micro-veins and support the hypothesis that they formed during the granulite facies metamorphism of the metabasite layers in an extensional tectonic environment as the consequence of localised dehydration reactions involving the breakdown of amphibole in the presence of quartz to orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, K-feldspar and H₂O. It is proposed that the dehydration of the metabasite layers to an orthopyroxene–garnet-bearing gneiss over a 4-km traverse in the upper Val Strona during granulite facies metamorphism was a metasomatic event initiated by the presence of a high-grade, low H₂O activity fluid (most likely a NaCl–KCl supercritical brine), related to the magmatic underplating event responsible for the Mafic Formation; and that this dehydration event did not involve partial melting. Received: 15 February 2000 / Accepted: 26 June 2000     

藏南定日白垩纪火山岩岩石学与地球化学初步研究

本文描述了西藏定日白垩纪火山岩的地质、岩石学、岩石地球化学特征和构造造背景。该火山岩岩石类型有蚀变英安岩和蚀变安山岩,其岩石化学成分特征表明岩石为二氧化硅过饱、铝过饱和类型,属亚碱性拉斑玄武岩系列。岩石稀土元素配分曲线呈强烈右倾的轻稀土富集型;微量元素配分模式图呈锯齿状“多隆起”型,类似于岛弧火山岩的微量元素配分模式。综合判定该期火山岩形成于大陆边缘造山带岛弧构造环境。     

Xes-Xen thermochronology of the Rayner metamorphic complex,Enderby Land (East Antarctica,Molodezhnaya Station Area)

The Xe_s-Xe_n dating of zircons from rocks of the Rayner Complex of the Enderby Land at the Molodezhnaya Station area (coast of the Alasheyev Bight) yielded age estimates of 550 ± 50 and 1040 ± 30 Ma. The metamorphic rocks of the Rayner Complex record two main events: first, the crystallization of the magmatic protoliths of charnockitic and enderbitic gneisses and, second, superimposed structural and metamorphic alterations under conditions transitional from the amphibolite to granulite facies (metamorphism manifested regionally in the rocks of the Rayner Complex). The most reliable Xe_s-Xe_n age estimates for magmatic zircons from the charnockitic and enderbitic gneisses correspond to the Grenville stage of the development of the Rayner Complex (～1.0 Ga). The Xe isotopic systematics of metamorphic zircons reflect a pan-African stage in the evolution of the Rayner Complex (600–550 Ma). Pan-African events are reflected in the U-Xe isotope system in two cases: if metamorphic zircons crystallized at the same time (which probably resulted in the formation of a plateau in the Xe_s-Xe_n age spectrum) and if the initial isotopic systems were disturbed (which resulted in a decrease in apparent age toward low-temperature gas fractions). It is important that secondary alterations and a decrease in apparent ages to 600–550 Ma affected only those components (i.e., caused xenon release only from those traps) that were unstable under the maximum metamorphic temperatures and yielded T _cl values lower than 750°C (conditions transitional from the amphibolite to granulite facies). At a higher xenon retention, “primary” isotopic systems are preserved. Consequently, the age of metamorphism transitional between the amphibolite and granulite facies can be estimated at 600–550 Ma on the basis of Xe_s-Xe_n dating. In general, the results of our study indicate that the age of regional metamorphism of the Rayner complex at the Molodezhnaya area is approximately 600–550 Ma rather than ～1.0 Ga, as was previously supposed.     

Metaterrigenous rocks of the Irkut granulite-gneiss Block as indicators of the evolution of the Early Precambrian crust

Major, trace element, and Sm-Nd isotope data are presented for the garnet-biotite and cordierite-garnet-biotite gneisses from the Early Precambrian granulite complex of the Irkut Block (Sharyzhalgai Uplift, Siberian Craton). The garnet-biotite and cordierite-bearing gneisses of the Irkut Block were formed owing to the granulite metamorphism of metaterrigenous rocks. The chemical index of weathering and the content of clayey (pelitic) components in the normative mineral composition increase from the garnet-biotite gneisses to the cordierite-bearing gneisses, thus reflecting the maturation degree of initial sediments. Protoliths of the studied paragneisses correspond to a rock series ranging from the graywacke siltstones to clayey rocks. The trace and rare-earth element distribution indicates that the terrigenous material of the paragneisses was derived from felsic and mafic provenance. Increase in contents of Fe, Ti, Cr, Ni, and Sc and the Cr/Th ratio and decrease in the La/Sc ratio from the garnet-biotite to the cordierite-bearing gneisses reflect growth of the abundance of mafic rocks in the provenance. Potential sources of the detrital material were intermediate-felsic and mafic volcanic rocks (orthogneisses and basic crystalline schists) of the Irkut Block. The paragneisses show a distinct negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.38–0.85), which suggests the input of crustal melting products, such as the potassium granites. A wide range of model Nd age (T_Nd(DM) = 2.4–3.1 Ga) of the paragneisses indicates the Archean to Early Paleoproterozoic age of their protoliths. The complex of isotopic, geochemical, and geochronological data, as well as the character of association of metaterrigenous rocks (mature pelites and carbonate rocks included), implies that sedimentation was separated in time from volcanism. The sedimentation was preceded by metamorphism, granite formation, and tectonic stabilization of the Irkut Block crust.     

High radiogenic heat production in the Kerala Khondalite Block,Southern Granulite Province,India

In situ radioelemental (K, U and Th) analysis and heat production estimates have been made at 59 sites in the Kerala Khondalite Block (KKB) of the Southern Granulite Province (SGP) of India. Together with the in situ analyses on granulites and gneisses previously reported from 28 sites, and heat production estimated from the published geochemical analyses on granites and syenites of the KKB, the new data set allows good characterization of heat production for the major granulite facies rocks and granitoids of the KKB. Garnet biotite gneisses are characterized by high levels of Th and U, with mean values of 60 and 3 ppm, respectively. Khondalites, leptynites and charnockites have slightly lower levels of Th (23, 20 and 22 ppm, respectively) and U (2.9, 2.4 and 0.9 ppm, respectively). The mean K, U, Th abundances for the granites, leucogranites and granitic gneisses ranges from 3.9 to 4.3%, 2.6 to 4.3 ppm, 22 to 50 ppm respectively, and for the syenites 4.8%, 2 ppm and 5.7 ppm. Mean radiogenic heat production values for garnet–biotite gneiss, khondalite, leptynite and charnockite are 5.5, 2.7, 2.4 and 2.2 μW m⁻³, respectively. For the granites, leucogranites, granitic gneisses and syenites it is 2.6, 3.4, 4.6 and 1.4 μW m⁻³, respectively. Heat production of granulite facies rocks, which are the most abundant rocks in KKB, correlate well with Th, but less with U, suggesting that variation is caused by Th and U bearing accessory minerals such as monazite and zircon. The high heat production of the KKB granulites are in contrast to the low heat production of the Late Archaean granulites of the Northern Block (NB) of the SGP which are highly depleted in radioelements and also the granulites of Madurai Block (MB) that have higher radioelemental abundances than in the granulites of the NB. The high heat production of the KKB granulites could be due to the nature of protoliths and/or metasomatism associated with Neoproteroic- to- Pan African alkaline magmatic activity represented by alkali granite and syenite–carbonatite emplacements and emplacement of pegmatites.     

甜水海地块寒武纪安山岩的地球化学和年代学研究:对西昆仑-喀喇昆仑造山带原特提斯洋演化的启示

甜水海地块作为西昆仑-喀喇昆仑造山带重要的组成部分,夹持于麻扎-康西瓦板块缝合带和洪山湖-乔尔天山板块缝合带之间,其构造属性的探讨对认知西昆仑地区早古生代地质演化具有重要的科学意义。笔者在甜水海地块中部麻扎地区通过野外填图新发现并厘定出一套火山岩-沉积岩组合,主要由安山岩、英安岩、流纹岩及其火山碎屑岩和少量沉积岩组成;与安山岩互层产出的英安岩和流纹岩锆石U-Pb年龄为519~513Ma,表明这套火山-沉积地层形成于中寒武世。该火山岩套的地球化学特征为：安山岩SiO₂含量为57.0%~67.2%,具有高MgO（1.91%~7.17%）含量和Mg^#值（39.1~65.3,平均值为55.0）,较高Cr（31.0×10^-6~190×10^-6）和Ni（12.2×10^-6~121×10^-6）含量,低FeO^T/MgO比值（1.12~3.26）,低Al₂O₃（13.7%~17.3%）和K₂O（1.12%~5.52%）含量的特征,属于低铁钙碱系列高镁安山岩-镁安山岩;英安岩较安山岩SiO₂含量高（63.8%~71.8%）,具有相似的Al₂O₃（13.4%~15.4%）含量,低MgO（0.28%~1.19%）含量和Mg^#值（9.98~36.5,平均值为25.3）,低Cr（11.5×10^-6~25.2×10^-6）和Ni（4.33×10^-6~11.8×10^-6）含量,高FeO^T/MgO比值（3.64~18.9）和K₂O（4.84%~9.27%）含量的特征,属于高钾钙碱性系列。安山岩和英安岩总体表现出右倾轻稀土富集分配模式,富集Rb、Ba、K、Th等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti高场强元素,具有典型的岛弧岩浆岩特征。野外调查表明,安山岩与英安岩在空间上相邻,呈互层产出,且它们都出露于中寒武系地层中,暗示了二者在成因上紧密相联。岩石地球化学特征指示了安山岩和英安岩可能源于富集地幔楔不同比例的部分熔融作用,所产生的岩浆在上升过程中又遭受了不同比例的地壳混染。推测麻扎地区寒武纪火山岩形成于原特提斯洋向南俯冲消减机制下的岛弧构造环境,同时结合区域资料,认为在寒武纪甜水海地块存在两期岩浆作用,在早寒武系末期（~520Ma）原特提斯洋发生双向俯冲,甜水海地块北缘转化为活动大陆边缘。