Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Triassic A-type granites in southeastern China: insights from zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic and whole-rock geochemical compositions of the Luoguyan and Guiyantou granites in northwestern Fujian Province

Triassic A-type granites in eastern South China Block (SCB) are abundant in the Wuyi–Yunkai tectonic domain and provide an important opportunity to explore the early Mesozoic evolution of continental crust of the SE part of the SCB. We carried out U–Pb zircon dating, Lu–Hf isotope analyses of zircon, and whole-rock geochemical analyses for two granitic plutons, the Guiyantou (GYT) and Luoguyan (LGY) granites, from northwestern Fujian Province. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon analyses yielded ages of 232 ± 4 to 231 ± 7 Ma and 221 ± 5 Ma (Middle-Late Triassic) for the GYT and LGY granites. These two granites belong to metaluminous to weakly peraluminous high K calc-alkaline A-type granite that are enriched in K, Al, light rare earth element and Rb, Th, U, and Pb, and depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti. Their rare earth element patterns are highly fractionated with (La/Yb)_N ratios of 2–21 and strong negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.02–0.31). In situ Hf isotopic analysis of zircon from the GYT and LGY granites yielded ε_Hf(t) values ranging from –11.5 to –1.1, with corresponding two-stage Hf model ages from 1.98 to 1.33 Ga, from which it is inferred that the GYT and LGY magmas formed by partial melting of Proterozoic metasedimentary rock in the Cathaysia block. The two granites were emplaced at 232 and 221 Ma and together with Triassic A-type granites in coastal region of the SCB, which is in agreement with an extensional tectonic setting in the Middle-Late Triassic. We suggest that the Middle-Late Triassic A-type granites in eastern SCB were probably formed in an intracontinental, post-orogenic extensional regime that collision was between the SCB and an ‘unknown block’ or the eastern extension of Indochina block.     

New data on the age and nature of the Khan–Bogd alkaline granites,Mongolia

New age dating (291 Ma) was obtained for one of the largest alkaline granite massifs in the world, the Khan–Bogd Massif (Mongolia). For the first time, apart from zircon, other zirconium silicates, elpidite and armstrongite, have been analyzed. Our determinations showed the highly depleted nature of the mantle sources of granites with ε_Nd = 12. All the studied Zr-silicates demonstrate positive Eu anomalies in the REE patterns, which indicate a low oxidation potential during alkaline granite formation.     

Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes of the 780 Ma I-type granites in the western Yangtze Block: petrogenesis and crustal evolution

ABSTRACT

Neoproterozoic I-type granites could provide vital insights into the crust–mantle interaction and the crustal evolution along the western Yangtze Block, South China. This paper presents new zircon U–Pb ages, bulk-rock geochemistry, and in situ zircon Lu–Hf isotope on the Dalu I-type granites from the southwestern Yangtze Block. Zircon U–Pb dating show the crystallization ages of 781.1 ± 2.8 Ma for granodiorites and 779.8 ± 2.0 Ma for granites, respectively. The Dalu granodiorites are Na-rich, calc-alkaline, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.94–1.08). Zircons from granodiorite have positive εHf(t) values (+2.16 to +7.39) with crustal model ages of 1.21–1.54 Ga, indicating juvenile mafic lower crust source. The Dalu granites are high-K calc-alkaline, peraluminous rocks. They have variable zircon εHf(t) values (?4.65 to +5.80) with crustal model ages of 1.31–1.97 Ga, suggesting that they were derived from the mature metasediment-derived melts by the mixing of newly formed mafic lower crust-derived melts. The geochemical variations in Dalu pluton is dominated not only by the different source rocks but also by the different melting temperatures. Combining with the geochemistry and isotopic compositions of I-type granitoids and tectonic setting in the western Yangtze Block, we propose that the Dalu I-type granodiorites–granites associations are the magmatic response from different crustal levels, which were induced by the heat anomaly due to the asthenosphere upwelling in the subduction-related setting.     

Triassic–Jurassic granites on the Lord Howe Rise,northern Zealandia

We present U–Pb zircon ages from a phosphate-cemented pebbly sandstone dredged from the central Lord Howe Rise and a 97 Ma rhyolite drilled on the southern Lord Howe Rise. Four granitoid pebbles from the sandstone give U–Pb ages in the range 216–183 Ma. Most detrital zircons in the bulk sandstone are also Late Triassic–Early Jurassic, but subordinate populations of Late Cretaceous and Precambrian zircons are present. The pebbly sandstone's highly restricted Late Triassic–Early Jurassic zircon population indicates the nearby occurrence of underlying basement plutons that are the same age as parts of the I-type Darran Suite, Median Batholith of New Zealand and supports a continuation of the Early Mesozoic magmatic arc northwest from New Zealand. Zircon cores from the southern Lord Howe Rise rhyolite do not yield ages older than 97 Ma and thus provide no information about older basement.     

Fluid inclusion,geochemical, Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotope studies on tungsten mineralized Degana and Balda granites of the Aravalli craton,NW India

Granitic plutons occurring within and to the west of the Delhi Fold Belt in the Aravalli craton, northwestern India are the result of widespread felsic magmatism during Neoproterozoic, some of which are associated with greisen and skarn tungsten deposits. In this paper, we present the result of our study on fluid inclusions, geochemistry and geochronology of two such tungsten mineralized granite plutons at Degana and Balda, and interpret the nature of ore fluid, and petrogenesis and age of these mineralized granites. Fluid inclusion study reveals coexistence of moderate and hyper-saline aqueous fluid inclusions along with aqueous-carbonic inclusions, suggesting their origin due to liquid immiscibility during fluid–rock interaction. Geochemically, the granites are peraluminous, Rb enriched, Sr and Ba depleted and highly differentiated. The Rb–Sr isotopic systematics yielded \(795\pm 11\) Ma for Balda granite and \(827\pm 8\) Ma for Degana granite. We show that major phase of widespread granitoid magmatism and mineralization during the Neoproterozoic (840–790 Ma) in NW India is coeval with breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent and infer a causal relationship between them.     

Monazite and xenotime U–Th–Pb geochronology by ion microprobe: dating highly fractionated granites at Xihuashan tungsten mine, SE China

Zircon, monazite, and xenotime have proven to be valuable chronometers for various geological processes due to their commonly high-U–Th and low common Pb contents. However, zircons that have crystallized in highly fractionated granites often have such high-U contents that radiation damage can lead to scattered U–Pb ages when measured with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In this study, monazite and xenotime were separated from a number of highly fractionated granites at the Xihuashan tungsten mine, Southeast China, for alternative dating methods by SIMS. For monazite analysis, obvious excess ²⁰⁴Pb signal (mainly from interference of ²³²Th¹⁴⁴Nd¹⁶O₂ ⁺⁺) was observed in high-Th (>2 wt%) monazite, which hinders ²⁰⁴Pb-based common Pb corrections. A ²⁰⁷Pb-based common Pb correction method was used instead. By employing power law relationships between Pb⁺/U⁺ versus UO₂ ⁺/U⁺, Pb⁺/Th⁺ versus ThO₂ ⁺/Th⁺ and suitable exponentials, monazites with ThO₂ contents in the range of ~3–19 % do not exhibit this matrix effect. Independent SIMS U–Pb ages and Th–Pb ages of three phases of Xihuashan granite samples were consistent with each other and yielded dates of 158.7 ± 0.7, 158.0 ± 0.7, and 156.9 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively. Xenotime does show marked matrix effects due to variations of U, Th, and Y [or total rare earth element (REE), referred as ΣREE hereafter] contents. Suitable correction factors require end-member standards with extremely high or low U, Th, and Y (or ΣREE) contents. No excess ²⁰⁴Pb was observed, indicating that the ²⁰⁴Pb-based common Pb correction method is feasible. Independent ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages can be obtained, although multi-collector mode is necessary to improve precision. The main difficulties with dating xenotime are when high-Th (U) mineral inclusions are ablated. We can identify when this occurs, however, by comparing the measured UO₂ ⁺/U⁺ and ThO₂ ⁺/Th⁺ with those in xenotime standards. Three xenotime samples from the first phase of Xihuashan granite yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb date of 159.5 ± 4.4 Ma (MSWD = 1.0) and a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U date of 159.4 ± 0.9 Ma (MSWD = 1.6), which are consistent with monazite U–Pb and Th–Pb ages from the same granites. This study demonstrates that monazite and xenotime are better SIMS chronometers for highly fractionated granites than zircon, which can yield doubtful ages due to high-U contents.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology of Silurian–Devonian granites in southeastern Australia: implications for the timing of the Benambran Orogeny and the I–S dichotomy

Despite extensive geochemical study and their importance to granite studies, the geochronology of Silurian to early-Devonian granitic rocks of southeastern Australia is poorly understood. In order to provide an improved temporal framework, new ion microprobe U–Pb zircon ages are presented from these rocks, and previous work is critically reviewed. Geochronological control is best in the Berridale Batholith, where S- and I-type granites have a close spatial relationship. In this region, there is a small volume of I-type granite that crystallised at 436 Ma, followed closely by a large volume of S-type granite at 432 Ma. I-type granite is abundant in a second peak at ca 417 Ma, although the Jindabyne pluton from the Kosciuszko Batholith is slightly older, at 424 Ma. A broader survey of S-type granite throughout the eastern Lachlan Orogen shows that the 432 Ma event is ubiquitous. There is no temporal overlap between S- and I-type granites in the Kosciuszko and Berridale Batholiths, which suggests that factors other than variations in degree of crustal contamination (which may include variation in tectonic setting, heat-flow, mass transfer across the crust–mantle boundary and/or availability in source materials) contribute to the diversity in granite types. The S-type granitic rocks occupy an aerial extent of greater than 28 000 km², and geochronological constraints suggest that the crystallisation of these granites took place over a relatively small interval, probably less than 10 m.y. This implies a magmatic flux of over 64 km³/Ma per km strike length, comparable to other high-flux granitic belts. Previous work has linked the Benambran Orogeny to the generation of the S-type granites, and so the age of these granites constrains the age of Benambran Orogenesis     

Composition and evolution of accessory mineralization of Li–F granites in the Far East as indicators of their ore potential

The ore potential of Pacific Li–F granites is considered on the basis of original and published data on composition of these granites and related metasomatic rocks in the Badzhal (Amur region) and Kuiviveem–Pyrkakai (Chukchi Peninsula) ore districts. The accessory mineralization in rare-metal granites is compared with that in W–Sn deposits. The main features in evolution of magmatic and hydrothermal mineralization are pointed out. A conclusion on the similarity between mineralization of the zwitter–tourmalinite type and accessory minerals in Li–F granites is drawn. It is established that magmatic and hydrothermal types of mineralization belong to the same evolutionary sequence. Genetic links between Li–F granites and the large ore deposits in the East Asian tungsten–tin zone are suggested.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of Cretaceous–Eocene granites,Tengchong Block (SW China): Petrogenesis and implications for Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Eastern Tethys

The Early Cretaceous–Early Eocene granitoids in the Tengchong Block record the evolutionary history of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of Eastern Tethys. (a) The Early Cretaceous granitoids with relatively low (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7090–0.7169 and ε_Nd(t) values of ?9.8 to ?7.8 display metaluminous, calc-alkaline dominated by I-type granite affinity and hybrid mantle–crust geochemical signatures. They may have been derived from melting of the subducted Meso-Tethyan Bangong-Nujiang oceanic crust with terrigenous sediments in an arc-continent collisional setting. (b) The Late Cretaceous–Paleocene granitoids with relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7109–0.7627, and ε_Nd(t) values of ?12.1 to ?7.9 exhibit metaluminous to peraluminous, calc-alkaline dominated by S-type granite affinity and hybrid Lower–Upper crust geochemical signatures, which may be originated from partial melting of the Meso-Proterozoic continental crust in the collision setting between the Tengchong Block and Baoshan Block. (c) The Early Eocene granitoids have metaluminous, calc-alkaline I-type and S-type granites dual affinity, with relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.711–0.736, ε_Nd(t) values of ?9.4 to ?4.7, showing crust-mantle mixing geochemical signatures. They may have been originated from partial melting of the late Meso-Proterozoic upper crustal components mixed with some upper mantle material during the ascent process of mantle magma caused by the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Putao–Myitkyian oceanic crust, and collision between the Western Burma Block and the Tengchong Block. It is these multi-stage subductions and collisions that caused the spatial and temporal distribution of the granitic rocks in the Tengchong Block.     

Lower Carboniferous post-orogenic granites in central-eastern Sierra de Velasco,Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina: U–Pb monazite geochronology,geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopes

The central-eastern part of the Sierra de Velasco (Sierras Pampeanas, NW Argentina) is formed by the large Huaco (40 × 30 km) and Sanagasta (25 × 15 km) granite massifs and the small La Chinchilla stock (2 × 2 km). The larger granites intrude into Ordovician metagranitoids and crosscut Devonian (?) mylonitic shear zones, whereas the small stock sharply intrudes into the Huaco granite. The two voluminous granites are biotitic-muscovitic and biotitic porphyritic syeno- to monzogranites. They contain small and rounded tonalitic and quartz-dioritic mafic microgranular enclaves. The small stock is an equigranular, zinnwaldite- and fluorite-bearing monzogranite. The studied granites are silica-rich (SiO₂ >70%), potassium-rich (K₂O >4%), ferroan, alkali-calcic to slightly calk-alkalic, and moderately to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK: 1.06–1.18 Huaco granite, 1.01–1.09 Sanagasta granite, 1.05–1.06 La Chinchilla stock). They have moderate to strong enrichments in several LIL (Li, Rb, Cs) and HFS (Nb, Ta, Y, Th, U) elements, and low Sr, Ba and Eu contents. U–Pb monazite age determinations indicate Lower Carboniferous crystallization ages: 350–358 Ma for the Huaco granite, 352.7 ± 1.4 Ma for the Sanagasta granite and 344.5 ± 1.4 Ma for the La Chinchilla stock. The larger granites have similar ?Nd values between ?2.1 and ?4.3, whereas the younger stock has higher ?Nd of ?0.6 to ?1.4, roughly comparable to the values obtained for the Carboniferous San Blas granite (?1.4 to ?1.7), located in the north of the sierra. The Huaco and Sanagasta granites have a mainly crustal source, but with some participation of a more primitive, possibly mantle-derived, component. The main crustal component can be attributed to Ordovician peraluminous metagranitoids. The La Chinchilla stock derives from a more primitive source, suggesting an increase with time in the participation of the primitive component during magma genesis. The studied granites were generated during a post-orogenic period in a within-plate setting, possibly as a response to the collapse of the previous Famatinian orogen, extension of the crust and mantle upwelling. They are part of the group of Middle Devonian–Lower Carboniferous granites of the Sierras Pampeanas. The distribution and U–Pb ages of these granites suggests a northward arc-parallel migration of this mainly post-orogenic magmatism with time.     

Ore-forming granites from Jurassic porphyry Mo deposits,east–central Jilin Province,China: geochemistry,geochronology, and petrogenesis

ABSTRACT

The east–central part of Jilin Province, NE China, hosts an important polymetallic metallogenic district that contains more than 10 recently discovered large-, medium-, and small-scale Mo deposits. The Mo deposits in this area include porphyry-, skarn-, and quartz vein-type mineralization, of which the porphyry-type deposits dominate. Few studies of these mineralization-related granitoids have been undertaken. Here, we present the results of a systematic regional survey of the geochemistry and geochronology of Mo mineralization-related granites in this area. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Fuanpu, Jidetun, Shuangshan, and Jiapigou granites, all of which are associated with Mo mineralization, yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 167.05 ± 0.81, 170.91 ± 0.83, 183.8 ± 1.1, and 182.3 ± 2.2 Ma, respectively, indicating that these plutons were emplaced during the Early–Middle Jurassic. They have SiO₂ = 62.59–73.5 wt.%, Al₂O₃ = 13.74–16.19 wt.%, and K₂O/Na₂O = 0.8–2.18. Chemically, they are metaluminous to peraluminous and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic series. Moreover, they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, which are characteristics of I type granite. Whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of these granitoids are similar (initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70404 to 0.70554; εNd(t) = –0.9 to 2.4; (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t = 15.549–15.567, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t = 18.035–18.530, ⁽²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t = 37.966–38.229) and altogether suggest that the magmas from which the Mo deposits were generated originated from the mantle or juvenile crust. Combining our results with regional Jurassic tectonic setting, we conclude that the mineralization of these granitoids reflected Pacific plate subduction which induced magma underplating and promoted the remelting of the juvenile crust, resulting in voluminous granitic magma.     

Origin of Archean tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) suites and granites in the Fiskenæsset region,southern West Greenland: Implications for continental growth

Mesoarchean to Neoarchean orthogneisses (2.95–2.79 Ga) in the Fiskenæsset region, southern West Greenland, are composed of an older suite of metamorphosed tonalites, trondhjemites, and granodiorites (TTGs), and a younger suite of high-K granites. The TTGs are characterized by high Al₂O₃ (14.2–18.6 wt.%), Na₂O (3.4–5.13 wt.%), and Sr (205–777 ppm), and low Y (0.7–17.4 ppm) contents. On chondrite- and N-MORB-normalized trace element diagrams, the TTGs have the following geochemical characteristics: (1) highly fractionated REE patterns (La/Yb_cn = 14–664; La/Sm_cn = 4.3–11.0; Gd/Yb_cn = 1.5–19.7); (2) strong positive anomalies of Sr (Sr/Sr* = 1.0–15.9) and Pb (Pb/Pb* = 1.4–34.9); and (3) large negative anomalies of Nb (Nb/Nb* = 0.01–0.34) and Ti (Ti/Ti* = 0.1–0.6). The geochemical characteristics of the TTGs and trace element modeling suggest that they were generated by partial melting of hydrous basalts (amphibolites) at the base of a thickened magmatic arc, leaving a rutile-bearing eclogite residue. Field observations suggest that spatially and temporarily associated tholeiitic basalts (now amphibolites) in the Fiskenæsset region might have been the sources of TTG melts. The high-K granites have steep REE patterns (La/Yb_cn = 3.8–506; La/Sm_cn = 2.7–18.9; Gd/Yb_cn = 0.92–12.1) and display variably negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.37–0.96) and moderate Sr (84–539 ppm) contents. Four outlier granite samples have variably positive Eu (Eu/Eu* = 1.0–12) anomalies. Given that the granodiorites have higher K₂O/Na₂O than the tonalites and trondhjemites, it is suggested that the granites were derived from partial melting of the granodiorites. It is speculated that the dense eclogitic residues, left after TTG melt extraction, were foundered into the sub-arc mantle, leading to basaltic underplating beneath the lower rust. Melting of the granodiorites in response to the basaltic underplating resulted in the production of high-K granitic melts. Formation of the Fiskenæsset TTGs, the foundering of the eclogitic residues into the mantle, and the emplacement of the high-K granites led to the growth of Archean continental crust in the Fiskenæsset region.     

In situ analyses of micas in the Yashan granite,South China: Constraints on magmatic and hydrothermal evolutions of W and Ta–Nb bearing granites

Most rare-metal granites in South China host major W deposits with few or without Ta–Nb mineralization. However, the Yashan granitic pluton, located in the Yichun area of western Jiangxi province, South China, hosts a major Nb–Ta deposit with minor W mineralization. It is thus important for understanding the diversity of W and Nb–Ta mineralization associated with rare-metal granites. The Yashan pluton consists of multi-stage intrusive units, including the protolithionite (-muscovite) granite, Li-mica granite and topaz–lepidolite granite from the early to late stages. Bulk-rock REE contents and La/Yb ratios decrease from protolithionite granite to Li-mica granite to topaz–lepidolite granite, suggesting the dominant plagioclase fractionation. This variation, together with increasing Li, Rb, Cs and Ta but decreasing Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios, is consistent with the magmatic evolution. In the Yashan pluton, micas are protolithionite, muscovite, Li-mica and lepidolite, and zircons show wide concentration ranges of ZrO₂, HfO₂, UO₂, ThO₂, Y₂O₃ and P₂O₅. Compositional variations of minerals, such as increasing F, Rb and Li in mica and increasing Hf, U and P in zircon are also in concert with the magmatic evolution from protolithionite granite to Li-mica granite to topaz–lepidolite granite. The most evolved topaz–lepidolite granite has the highest bulk-rock Li, Rb, Cs, F and P contents, consistent with the highest contents of these elements and the lowest Nb/Ta ratio in mica and the lowest Zr/Hf ratio in zircon. Ta–Nb enrichment was closely related to the enrichment of volatile elements (i.e. Li, F and P) in the melt during magmatic evolution, which raised the proportion of non-bridging oxygens (NBOs) in the melt. The rims of zoned micas in the Li-mica and topaz–lepidolite granites contain lower Rb, Cs, Nb and Ta and much lower F and W than the cores and/or mantles, indicating an exotic aqueous fluid during hydrothermal evolution. Some columbite-group minerals may have formed from exotic aqueous fluids which were originally depleted in F, Rb, Cs, Nb, Ta and W, but such fluids were not responsible for Ta–Nb enrichment in the Yashan granite. The interaction of hydrothermal fluids with previously existing micas may have played an important role in leaching, concentrating and transporting W, Fe and Ti. Ta–Nb enrichment was associated with highly evolved magmas, but W mineralization is closely related to hydrothermal fluid. Thus these magmatic and hydrothermal processes explain the diversity of W and Ta–Nb mineralizations in the rare-metal granites.     

High-temperature–low-pressure metamorphism and the production of S-type granites of the Hillgrove Supersuite,southern New England Orogen,NSW, Australia

The high-temperature–low-pressure Wongwibinda Metamorphic Complex of the southern New England Orogen is bound by S-type granite plutons of the Hillgrove Supersuite to the north, east and south. New U–Pb geochronology of five samples of the Hillgrove Supersuite demonstrates that plutonism in the complex involved two pulses: ca 300 Ma and ca 292 Ma. This indicates that plutonism partially overlaps the age of high-T–low-P metamorphism (296.8 ± 1.5 Ma), but also postdates it. Zircon grains identified as xenocrysts based on age (≥310 Ma) have U–Pb–Hf isotopic character that largely overlaps detrital grains in the host Girrakool Beds, indicating that accretionary complex crust is the likely source of these xenocrysts. The ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf initial character for zircon for the ca 300 Ma plutons (three samples) is less radiogenic than those in the ca 292 Ma plutons (two samples). The progression in ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf initial character for zircon infers an increasing mantle component in the Hillgrove Supersuite with time. These data are evidence of a rift tectonic setting, where mantle-derived magmas are predicted to more readily migrate to shallower crustal levels as the crust thins and becomes hotter. Additionally, early episodes of partial melting in the system melt-depleted the metasedimentary sources, thus reducing the S-type component as anatexis progressed. The evolution of the Hillgrove Supersuite coincides with a period of early Permian slab roll back and extension accompanied by crustal rifting and thinning, leading to high-T–low-P metamorphism, anatexis and S-type granite production and the development of rift basins such as the Sydney–Gunnedah–Bowen system.     

Do S-type granites commonly sample infracrustal sources? New results from an integrated O, U–Pb and Hf isotope study of zircon

In contrast to I-type granites, which commonly comprise infracrustal and supracrustal sources, S-type granites typically incorporate predominantly supracrustal sources. The initial aim of this study was to identify the sources of three Scottish Caledonian (~460 Ma) S-type granites (Kemnay, Cove and Nigg Bay) by conducting oxygen, U–Pb and Hf isotope analyses in zircon in order to characterise one potential end-member magma involved in the genesis of the voluminous late Caledonian (~430–400 Ma) I-type granites. Field, whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data are consistent with the generation of the S-type granites by melting their Dalradian Supergroup country rocks. While Hf isotope compositions of magmatic zircon, U–Pb data of inherited zircons, and high mean zircon δ¹⁸O values of 9.0 ± 2.7‰ (2SD) and 9.8 ± 2.0‰ for the Kemnay and Cove granites support this model, the Nigg Bay Granite contains zircons with much lower δ¹⁸O values (6.8 ± 2.1‰), similar to those found in Scottish I-type granites. This suggests that the Nigg Bay Granite contains low-δ¹⁸O material representing either altered supracrustal material, or more likely, an infracrustal source component with mantle-like δ¹⁸O. Mixing trends in plots of δ¹⁸O vs. εHf for S-type granite zircons indicate involvement of at least two sources in all three granites. This pilot study of Scottish Caledonian S-type granites demonstrates that, while field and whole-rock geochemical data are consistent with local melting of only supracrustal sources, the oxygen isotopic record stored in zircon reveals a much more complex petrogenetic evolution involving two or more magma sources.     

Geochronology and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic composition of the granites, enclaves, and dikes in the Karamay area, NW China: Insights into late Carboniferous crustal growth of West Junggar

New whole-rock major and trace elements,and zircon U-Pb and Hf-Nd isotope compositions are reported for the Karamay dikes,enclaves,and host granites in the West Junggar,NW China.Zircon U-Pb dating of the Karamay pluton yields an age of 300.7 ± 2.3 Ma for the enclave and 300.0 ± 2.6 Ma for the host granite,which was intruded by dike with an age of 298 Ma.The host granites exhibit relatively low SiO_2 contents and A/CNK and Ga/Al ratios,low initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios(0.703421—0.703526) and positive εHf(t)(5.5—14.1) and εNd(t)(7.3—8.1) values with a young model age,suggesting that they are I-type granites and were mainly derived from a juvenile lower crustal source.The enclaves and dikes belong to an andesitic calc-alkaline series and have high MgO concentrations at low silica content and positive εNf(t)(7.6-13.2,14.2-14.9) and εNd(t)(6.8-8.3,~6.9) values.They are enriched in LILEs(Rb,Ba and U) and LREE and depleted in HFSEs(Nb and Ta) with insignificant negative Eu anomalies,indicating that the melts were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle modified by subducted oceanic crust-derived melts and minor fluids,followed by fractional crystallization.The Karamay host granites and enclaves are of mixed origin and are most probably formed by the interaction between the lower crust- and lithospheric mantle-derived magmas,and were intruded by the unmixed dikes subsequently.The upwelling mantle through a slab window in an island arc environment might have triggered partial melting of the lithospheric mantle and its subsequent interaction with the granitic magma,further suggesting that the ridge subduction played an important role in the crustal growth of West Junggar.     

Formation and geodynamic implication of the Early Yanshanian granites associated with W–Sn mineralization in the Nanling range,South China: an overview

ABSTRACT

The Nanling range (Nanling) is characterized by intense and widespread Mesozoic magmatism related large-scale W–Sn mineralization. A summary of geochemistry, geochronology, and petrogenesis for the W–Sn-bearing granites has been carried out in this study. A series of rock- and ore-forming ages in Nanling indicate that the W–Sn mineralization is closely related to the Early Yanshanian granitic magmatism both in temporal and spatial dimensions (165–150 Ma). Geochemical features show that both of the W- and Sn-bearing granites, which mainly belong to highly fractionated I-type granites with a few A-type granites, are characterized by high contents of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O, and K₂O; enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Zr, Hf, and REE; depletion in Sr, Ba, P, and Ti; and high ratios of A/CNK. Furthermore, the different Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions indicate that they are mainly originated from the partial melting of the Precambrian basement rocks of the Cathaysia Block at low oxygen fugacity, and the estimated temperatures for the tungsten-bearing and tin-bearing granites are ca. 700°C and ca. 800°C, respectively. The model of the mantle–crust interaction exhibits that different percentages of mantle-derived magma were likely involved in the generation of the tin-bearing granites and tungsten-bearing granites. In combination with previous studies, we propose that these granites in Nanling were emplaced in an extensional setting, as a response to the break-off and roll-back of the subducted Palaeo-Pacific Plate during 175–150 Ma.     

Episodic crustal growth in the Bundelkhand craton of central India shield: Constraints from petrogenesis of the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses and K-rich granites of Bundelkhand tectonic zone

Tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses (TTG) and K-rich granites are extensively exposed in the Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Bundelkhand craton of central India. The TTGs rocks are coarse- grained with biotite, plagioclase feldspar, K-feldspar and amphibole as major constituent phases. The major minerals constituting the K-rich granites are K-feldspar, plagioclase feldspar and biotite. They are also medium to coarse grained. Mineral chemical studies show that the amphiboles of TTG are calcic amphibole hastingsite, plagioclase feldspars are mostly of oligoclase composition, K-feldspars are near pure end members and biotites are solid solutions between annite and siderophyllite components. The K-rich granites have biotites of siderophyllite–annite composition similar to those of TTGs, plagioclase feldspars are oligoclase in composition, potassic feldspars have \(\hbox {X}_{\mathrm{K}}\) ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 and are devoid of any amphibole. The tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneiss samples have high \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) (64.17–74.52 wt%), \(\hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}\) (3.11–5.90 wt%), low Mg# (30–47) and HREE contents, with moderate \((\hbox {La/Yb})_{\mathrm{CN}}\) values (14.7–33.50) and Sr/Y ratios (4.85–98.7). These geochemical characteristics suggest formation of the TTG by partial melting of the hydrous basaltic crust at pressures and depths where garnet and amphibole were stable phases in the Paleo-Mesoarchean. The K-rich granite samples show high \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) (64.72–76.73 wt%), \(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O}\) (4.31–5.42), low \(\hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}\) (2.75–3.31 wt%), Mg# (24–40) and HREE contents, with moderate to high \((\hbox {La/Yb})_{\mathrm{CN}}\) values (9.26–29.75) and Sr/Y ratios (1.52–24). They differ from their TTG in having elevated concentrations of incompatible elements like K, Zr, Th, and REE. These geochemical features indicate formation of the K-granites by anhydrous partial melting of the Paleo-Mesoarchean TTG or mafic crustal materials in an extensional regime. Combined with previous studies it is interpreted that two stages of continental accretion (at 3.59–3.33 and 3.2–3.0 Ga) and reworking (at 2.5–1.9 Ga) occurred in the Bundelkhand craton from Archaean to Paleoproterozoic.