Abundances of chemical elements of the granitoids in different geotectonic units of China and their characteristics

On the basis of actual analytical data of 767 composited samples collected mainly from about 750 large to middle representative granitoid bodies all over China, the average chemical compositions and element abundances of about 70 chemical elements of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, FeO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, H₂O⁺, CO₂, TFe₂O₃, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Zn, Zr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y in alkalifeldspar granite, syenogranite and adamellite in 7 geotectonic units in China such as Tianshan-Xing’an orogenic series, Sino-Korean metaplatform, Kunlun-Qilian-Qinling orogenic series, Yunnan-Tibet orogenic series, Yangtze metaplatform, South China-Youjiang orogenic zone and Himalayan orogenic belt, are calculated and presented in this paper. In addition, the characteristics of petrochemical parameters, trace element contents and rare earth element distributions of different rock types of the granitoids in different geotectonic units are also sufficiently discussed. Translated from Acta Geologica Sinica, 2007, 81(1): 47–59 [译自: 地质学报]     

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.     

The Ghingee Granite, Tamil Nadu, South India: Geochemistry and Petrogenesis

The Palaeo-Proterozoic Ghingee granite is an anatectic granite formed in high grade granulite terrain by ultrametamorphism. The compositional variations both in major and trace elements observed in this granite (SiO₂ : 64.16-73.81; Fe₂O₃ : 0.12-2.19; FeO : 0.12-2.80; MgO : 0.10-2.19; CaO : 1.66-4.71; K₂O : 1.09-5.09; Ba: 223-1883 ppm; Cr : 4-60 ppm) are attributed to a) source rock heterogeneity and b) the tectonic disturbances that might have abruptly ended the anatectic melting process. The granite is compositionally similar to Perur, Closepet and Hyderabad granites and is formed during Archaean-Proterozoic transition by anatectic and crustal remelting processes.     

Post-collisional granitoids from the Dabie orogen: New evidence for partial melting of a thickened continental crust

The geological implications of granitoid magmas with high Sr/Y and La/Yb are debated because these signatures can be produced by multiple processes. This study presents comprehensive major and trace element compositions and zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age data of 81 early Cretaceous granitoids and 4 mafic enclaves from the Dabie orogen to investigate partial melting of the thickened lower continental crust (LCC). On the basis of Sr/Y ratios, granitoids can be grouped into two magma series: (i) high Sr/Y granitoids (HSG) and (ii) normal granitoids with low Sr/Y. Relative to normal granitoids, HSG display the following distinct chemical features: (1) at given SiO₂ and CaO contents, the HSG have significantly higher Sr than normal granitoids, defining two different trends in Sr versus SiO₂, CaO diagrams; (2) highly depleted heavy rare earth element (REE) relative to middle and light REE with (Dy/Yb)_N and (La/Yb)_N up to 3.2 and 151, respectively; (3) variable and higher Nb/Ta; and (4) positive correlations among Sr/Y, (Dy/Yb)_N, (La/Yb)_N, and Nb/Ta.High Sr/Y, (La/Yb)_N, (Dy/Yb)_N, and Sr/CaO of HSG do not correlate with major elements (e.g., SiO₂). Large variations in these ratios at a given SiO₂ content indicate that these features do not reflect magma mixing or fractionation. HSG have higher Sr at a given CaO content and larger variation of (Dy/Yb)_N than old crustal rocks (including exposed basement, global mafic LCC xenoliths, high Sr/Y TTG suites, and adakites in modern arcs). This precludes inheritance of the HSG chemical features from these source rocks. Instead, the chemical features of the HSG are best explained by partial melting of the thickened LCC with garnet-dominant, plagioclase-poor, and rutile-present residual lithologies. The coupled chemical features of the HSG are not observed in post-collisional granitoids younger than ca.130 Ma, indicating removal of the eclogitic source and/or residuum of HSG underneath the orogen. These characteristic chemical relationships in the Dabie HSG may be applied to distinguish partial melts of thickened LCC from high Sr/Y intermediate-felsic magmatic rocks which do not show clear indications for melting depth.     

中国不同构造单元花岗岩类元素丰度及特征

:依据采自全国范围内750个有代表性的大中型花岗岩类岩体上的767件组合样的实测分析数据,本文计算并提出了天山-兴安造山系、中朝准地台、昆仑-祁连-秦岭造山系、滇藏造山系、扬子准地台、华南-右江造山带、喜马拉雅造山带等中国七大构造单元花岗岩类和不同构造单元碱长花岗岩、正长花岗岩、二长花岗岩中SiO2、Al2O3、Fe2O3、FeO、MgO、CaO、Na2O、K2O、H2O 、CO2、TFe2O3、Ag、As、Au、B、Ba、Be、Bi、Cd、Cl、Co、Cr、Cs、Cu、F、Ga、Ge、Hf、Hg、Li、Mn、Mo、Nb、Ni、P、Pb、Rb、S、Sb、Sc、Se、Sn、Sr、Ta、Th、Ti、Tl、U、V、W、Zn、Zr、La、Ce、Pr、Nd、Sm、Eu、Gd、Tb、Dy、Ho、Er、Tm、Yb、Lu和Y等近70种化学元素和成分的丰度,探讨了不同构造单元花岗岩类岩石的岩石化学特征和微量元素丰度的特征及其区域分布。     

Geochemistry of major and trace elements and Pb–Sr isotopes of a weathering profile developed on the Lower Cambrian black shales in central Hunan,China

This paper reports a geochemical study on the major and trace elements and Pb–Sr isotopes of a weathering profile developed in the Lower Cambrian black shales in central Hunan (China). Six weathering horizons were identified and sampled vertically throughout the profile. The chemical composition of the profile consists of variable concentrations of the major elements Fe₂O₃, FeO, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, and P₂O₅ and of less variable concentrations of SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and K₂O. The chemical change caused by weathering is estimated by mass-balance calculations, and the results show that the element mobility is characterised by substantial loss of SiO₂, FeO, CaO, K₂O, Na₂O, LOI, Cr, V, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sr, U, and Th, and moderate loss of Al₂O₃, MgO, Fe₂O₃, Ni, Cu, Pb, Tl, Sn, Sc, Ge and REE (Y). The high field strength elements TiO₂, Sn, Sc, U, Ga, Ge, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta were immobile during weathering. The chemical changes and the Pb–Sr isotopic data suggest that four types of chemical reactions occurred: the oxidation of sulphide minerals (e.g., pyrite) and organic carbon (OS), the dissolution of less resistant clinochlore-Ia, calcite, and P-bearing minerals (DL), the dissolution of detrital albite and microcline (DA), and the transformation of clay (TC) minerals (e.g., muscovite and illite–smectite). These chemical reactions then led to two stages of geochemical processes, an early stage of chemical differentiation and a later stage of chemical homogenisation. The chemical differentiation dominated by the OS, DL, and DA reactions, led to the leaching of mobile elements (e.g., MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, Sr, and REE) and the redistribution of some less mobile elements (e.g., SiO₂ and Al₂O₃). In contrast, the chemical homogenisation, which was caused by TC reactions, led to the leaching of both mobile and less mobile elements from the system and ultimately transformed the weathered black shales into soil. Soils derived from black shales in South China might result from the above two geochemical processes.     

长江中下游贵池矿集区燕山期岩浆作用及其地质意义:年代学、地球化学及Sr-Nd-Hf同位素证据

长江中下游贵池地区燕山期侵入岩发育,与成矿关系密切.本文对该区侵入岩开展了详细的锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学及Sr-Nd-Hf同位素研究.结果表明,马头花岗闪长斑岩形成于147±2Ma,而花园巩石英二长岩形成于127±1Ma,比花岗闪长斑岩晚约20Ma.早期的花岗闪长斑岩(147 ～ 145Ma)为高钾钙碱性系列,具有高Al2O3、Sr含量和Sr/Y、La/Yb比值,以及低的Y、Yb含量,与埃达克质岩的地球化学特征一致;而晚期石英二长岩(127Ma)和石英正长岩为钾玄岩系列,具有高的(Na2O+ K2O)、Zr、Nb、Y含量和Y/Nb、Yb/Ta比值,与造山带A2型花岗岩地球化学特征相似;碱长花岗岩(125～124Ma)同样具有A型花岗岩的地球化学特征,但与石英二长岩、石英正长岩相比,碱长花岗岩的Y/Nb、Yb/Ta比值相对较低,具板内环境A1型花岗岩的地球化学特征.因此,贵池地区岩浆岩从早期的埃达克质岩变为晚期的A型花岗岩,反应了晚中生代时期长江中下游地区的构造环境由大陆边缘环境向伸展环境的转变.     

On “Birthmarks” in rare-metal granites of the Losevka pluton,northern Kazakhstan

The Losevka pluton of rare-metal albite granite, which was explored as a possible source of columbite-zircon-malacon ore, is composed of quartz, sodic plagioclase, potassium feldspar, annite, protolithionite, lepidomelane, and Li-muscovite. The average chemical composition of this rock is as follows, wt %: 74.14 SiO₂, 0.04 TiO₂, 14.07 Al₂O₃, 1.05 Fe₂O₃, 0.78 FeO, 0.15 MnO, 0.09 MgO, 0.47 CaO, 4.65 Na₂O, 4.11 K₂O, and 0.03 P₂O₅. The accessory minerals are zircon, malacon, and cyrtolite (874 ppm); apatite (18 ppm); ilmenite (114 ppm); xenotime and monazite (119 ppm); and Nb-columbite (463 ppm). The black inclusions up to 15 cm in size, which are observed in this granite and called “birthmarks” by local geologists, consist of the same rock-forming minerals as the surrounding granite, but are enriched in MnO, MgO, CaO, TiO₂, and F and depleted in SiO₂ relative to the light granite. The black granite is also distinguished by much higher Sr and Ba contents and lower La, Rb, Y, Nb, REE, Cs, Ta, Th, and U contents. The black color is caused by enrichment in manganese oxides, manganoilmenite, and Mn-annite. All rock-forming minerals are pervaded by thin veinlets of Mn-oxides. In addition, bastnaesite, Y-and Th-fluorides, zircon, and malacon have been identified. Aggregates of black-colored minerals are not the products of the fractionation of the initial magma or immiscibility effects, because the structure of the albite-potassium feldspar-quartz-mica matrix is the same both in black and light granites. The percolation of a deep-sourced fluid enriched in Mn and F into a granitic melt might be a more probable origin.     

An Assessment of Performance in the Routine Analysis of Silicate Rocks Based on an Analysis of Data Submitted to the GeoPT Proficiency Testing Programme for Geochemical Laboratories (2001–2011)

Data reported by laboratories contributing to the GeoPT proficiency testing programme for geochemical laboratories over the period from 2001 to 2011 have been assessed to identify the elements and concentration ranges over which analytical performance can be considered satisfactory. Criteria developed in the paper indicated that performance in the content determination of the elements/constituents SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MnO, Cs, Dy, Er, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ho, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, Tm, U, Y, Yb and Zn was satisfactory over the full concentration range assessed. The elements/constituents TiO₂, Fe₂O₃(T), MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, Ba, Be, Cd, Ce, Co, Gd, La, Li, Nb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Ta, Th, V and Zr showed some degradation in performance at lower concentration levels (approaching the detection limit of some techniques). Performance in determining LOI, As, Bi, Cr, Cu, Ge, Mo, Ni, Pb and W was in general unsatisfactory over the full concentration range assessed. Other elements (especially Fe(II)O, H₂O⁺, CO₂, Ag, Au, B, Br, Cl, F, Hg, I, In, Ir, N, Os, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, S, Se, Te) could not be evaluated as they were not routinely reported by laboratories participating in the GeoPT programme, often because they are present in silicate rocks at sufficiently low concentrations to require a pre‐concentration stage. Some suggestions are made for the causes of unsatisfactory performance, but further progress will require a detailed assessment of the methods used by participating laboratories, which will form the subject of a further paper.     

Mineralogical and chemical changes of soil and stream sediment formed by intense weathering of the Danburg granite, Georgia, U.S.A.

A series of soil and stream sediments developed during intense weathering on the metaluminous Danburg granite, northeastern Georgia, U.S.A., have been analyzed mineralogically and chemically. The concentrations of Ba, Na, Rb and Cs in the silt and coarser fractions are controlled mainly by feldspars and biotite. Hf is controlled by zircon, and the REE (rare-earth elements) and Th are largely controlled by sphene. Variations in feldspar, sphene and zircon may produce small variations in Eu/Sm and La/Lu ratios. Ferromagnesian minerals control Ta, Fe, Co, Sc and Cr concentrations.

The mineralogical and chemical composition of the Danburg granite is more closely reflected in the silt than in the sand or gravel fractions of stream sediments. In the silt, the contents of Rb, REE, Th, Ta, Fe, Co and Sc and the ratios of La/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co, Th/Co, Eu/Sm and La/Lu are similar to those in the unweathered granite. In contrast, these element contents or ratios in the sands and gravels are 0.05−3× the concentration in the unweathered granite. Ta and Ba contents are an exception to the above. The Ta and Ba contents of the sands and gravels are similar to those of the granite.

In the kaolinite-halloysite clays, the content of Na is depleted relative to the source. Rb, Cs, Ba, Hf and Ta are depleted or enriched in the clays relative to the source, while the REE, Th, Fe, Co, Sc and Cr are enriched. The Eu/Sm (Eu anomaly size) and La/Lu ratios, and the REE patterns of the clays are similar to those of the source.

Thus, the mineralogy and element contents of a siltstone developed from metaluminous, granitic sources during intense weathering would be expected to be more similar to the source rock than the sandstones and conglomerates. Claystones should contain similar REE patterns and Eu/Sm ratios as the source rock, but such fine-grained sediments might represent much larger areas of source rocks than the more locally derived sandstones or conglomerates.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Two French Geochemical Reference Samples - Basalt BR and Biotite Mica-Fe

Instrumental neutron activation analysis results for 20 trace elements (Sc, Cr, Co, Ni, Rb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Th) and for two major elements (Na and Fe) in two geochemical reference samples issued by the "Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques" are reported and compared with available literature values. In general our results agree well with recommended or proposed values.     

西藏南部岗巴—定日地区花岗岩地球化学特征及其构造环境

通过对出露于西藏南部岗巴—定日地区花岗岩体的地球化学研究表明,岩石中SiO2,Al2O3,Na2O和FeO,MgO等的含量均高,贫CaO和Fe2O3;w(SiO2)介于71.40%～73.06%,A/CNK在1.17～1.34之间,为铝和硅过饱和类型的强过铝质花岗岩。岩石的稀土元素总量(ΣREE)为56.80×10-6～89.12×10-6,(La/Yb)N=6.30～18.26,(La/Sm)N=2.62～3.40,ΣLREE/ΣHREE=2.41～4.66;稀土元素配分曲线呈右倾型,具有弱的负铕异常。Nb,Ti等高场强元素具有明显的亏损,而Rb,U,La,Nd,Hf,Eu,Y等大离子亲石元素具有明显的正异常。岩石的87Sr/86Sr初始比值较高,87Sr/86Sr为(0.738 71～0.751 12)。综合研究认为,本区花岗岩的成因为陆壳部分熔融作用形成的,属陆壳改造型强过铝质花岗岩。本区花岗岩岩浆源区岩石成分主要为砂屑岩,其次为泥质岩,是上地壳部分熔融作用的结果。岩石的微量元素标准化曲线图、岩石地R1-R2图解、Rb-(Yb+Ta)和Rb-(Nb+Yb)图解均显示本区岩体形成于同碰撞构造环境的花岗岩,具有同碰撞岩浆活动的特征,是喜马拉雅早期印度板块与冈底斯板块的俯冲碰撞导致的地壳增厚,上地壳部分熔融的产物;为形成于同碰撞构造环境的花岗岩。     

内蒙古科尔沁右翼中旗敖兰三队侵入体年龄及地球化学特征

内蒙古科尔沁右翼中旗敖兰三队侵入体的同位素年代学及岩石地球化学研究表明,敖兰三队侵入体巨晶正长花岗岩具有低Sr、高Yb型花岗岩特征,其LA-ICP-MS锆石~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄加权平均值为220±1Ma,表明该侵入体是晚三叠世早期侵位形成的。岩石高硅、富碱、高铁镁比、贫钙、贫镁和低钛;稀土元素配分曲线呈现"海鸥式"分布特征,显示强烈的Eu负异常。微量元素特征显示较低的Sr、Ba含量,较高的Yb、Zr和Y含量,在微量元素原始地幔标准化蛛网图上显示明显的Sr、Ba和Ti的负异常。岩石具有高的Rb/Sr和Rb/Nb,显示出壳源岩浆的成分特征。综合分析表明,本区巨晶正长花岗岩为低压下地壳部分熔融的产物。根据(Y+Nb)-Rb、(Yb+Ta)-Rb、Nb-Y-Ce三角图解,并结合区域构造演化,认为巨晶正长花岗岩形成于造山后伸展的构造环境。在中—晚三叠世,内蒙古科尔沁右翼中旗地区构造体制经历了重要的转变,由挤压体制转变为造山后软流圈上涌、岩石圈减薄。     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Indosinian granitoids from Western Qinling Orogen,China:Products of magma-mixing and fractionation

The Western Qinling Orogen(WQO) is characterized by voluminous distribution of Indosinian granitoids,the formation of which provides an important window to unravel the geochemical and geodynamic evolution and associated metallogeny.Here we investigate a group of intrusions termed "Five Golden Flowers" based on petrological,geochemical,zircon U-Pb geochronological and Lu-Hf isotopic studies on the granitoids and their mafic microgranular enclaves(MMEs).Our results show that these intrusions are genetically divided into two types,namely,magma-mixing and highly fractionated.The Jiaochangba,Lujing,Zhongchuan,and Luchuba granitoids are biotite monzogranites(220±0.8 Ma to 217±2.6 Ma) with abundant coeval MMEs(220±.1 Ma to 217±2.7 Ma).The rocks contain moderate to high SiO_2,high MgO,Rb,Sr,Ba,and Th contents,but low TiO_2,P_2 O_5,and Sc values,A/CNK of 1.1,and a range of ε_(Hf)(t) values of-11.7 to +2.23 with corresponding T_(DM2)values of 1967-1228 Ma.The MMEs possess K-feldspar megacrysts,abundant acicular apatites,and show lopsided textures.They have lower SiO_2,Al_2 O_3,and Th contents,but higher MgO,TiO_2,and Sc,with ε_(Hf)(t) values of-18.0 to +3.18 and T_(DM1) of 849-720 Ma.The data indicate that the MMEs were derived from a magma sourced from the enriched lithospheric mantle.We suggest that these host granitoids were produced by partial melting of latePaleoproterozoic to early-Mesoproterozoic lower crust with the involvement of Neoproterozoic SCLM-derived mafic magmas.The Baijiazhuang pluton is dominantly composed of leucogranite(muscovite granite and twomica monzogranite,216±1.5 Ma) without MMEs.The rocks are peraluminous with high A/CNK(1.06-1.27).Compared with the other four granitoids,the Baijiazhuang leucogranite shows higher SiO_2 content,markedly lower concentrations of TiO_2,MgO,Al_2 O_3,CaO,and Fe_2 O_3~T,and lower LREE/HREE and(La/Yb)N values.These leucogranites are also rich in Rb,Th,and U,and display marked depletions in Ba,Sr,Ti,and Eu,indicating that they experienced significant fractionation.Zircon ε_(Hf)(t) values(-10.2 to-3.27) and T_(DM2)(1868-1424 Ma),as well as the Nb/Ta and K_2 O/Na_2 O values are similar to the other four granitoids,indicating that they are likely to have been derived from a similar source;with sediments playing only a minor role in the magma generation.The low contents of Yb and Y suggest that their partial melting was controlled by garnets and micrographic texture of K-feldspar reflects high-temperature melting through undercooling.Based on the above features,we infer that the Baijiazhuang leucogranite likely represents the product of high degree fractionation of the I-type biotite monzogranite magma which generated the other four granitoids at relatively high temperatures,within magma chambers at mid-crust depths.We propose that the granitoid suite was formed in the transitional setting from synto post-collision during the collisional orogeny between the SCB and NCB,following break-off of the subducted South China Block lithosphere during 220-216 Ma.     

Insights into petrogenesis of the Jálama pluton (Central Iberian Zone,western Spain)

The Jálama pluton (JP) is a Variscan peraluminous granitoid that intruded into low-grade metasediments from the Central Iberian Zone (CIZ). It comprises a sillimanite-bearing two-mica monzogranite in the inner zone, followed by a tourmaline-bearing two-mica monzogranite, and a marginal tourmaline-muscovite leucogranite in the northern half of the pluton. Microgranitoid enclaves and metasedimentary xenoliths occur locally in monzogranites. The change in rock type from the central monzogranite to the marginal leucogranite corresponds to decreasing TiO₂, MgO, FeO, CaO, Sr, Ba, Zr, and ΣREE, and increasing SiO₂, Na₂O, P₂O₅, Rb, Li, Cs, Ta, Sn, and W. Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios in biotite, muscovite and tourmaline increase with increasing Fe/(Fe+Mg) in bulk rock, suggesting an important control of the bulk-rock composition on mineral chemistry. The high peraluminosity, the low CaO and high P contents, as well as the similarity of ε(Nd)₃₀₀ values in both the granites and metasediments of the southern CIZ constitute strong evidences for a crustal origin of the granite suite, probably by melting of these metasedimentary rocks. Field and petrographic observations, together with mineralogical and geochemical data, suggest that assimilation and mingling/mixing acted in concert with fractional crystallization during the formation of the JP. These processes may also have been important in the evolution of other granitoids from this region.     

内蒙古阿巴嘎旗甘珠音敖包地区中生代火山岩年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

对内蒙古阿巴嘎旗甘珠音敖包地区中生代火山岩进行了锆石U-Pb测年和岩石地球化学研究,对其形成时代、岩石成因及构造背景给予制约。研究区主要发育中生代满克头鄂博组酸性火山岩和梅勒图组中性火山岩。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素定年结果显示,2组火山岩形成年龄分别为163.6±0.6Ma和139.6Ma±0.7Ma。岩石地球化学研究表明,满克头鄂博组酸性火山岩为碱性系列,具有高硅、富碱、低TFeO、Al_2O_3、TiO_2、MgO、CaO和Na_2O的特征,轻稀土元素富集、重稀土元素亏损、轻重稀土元素分馏明显,Eu强烈亏损,大离子亲石元素Rb、Th、K明显富集,Ba、Sr明显亏损,高场强元素Nb、Ta、P、Ti强烈亏损,具有A型花岗岩特点,形成于陆壳岩石的部分熔融。梅勒图组中性火山岩亦为碱性系列岩石,富碱、富钠、贫钾,高Al2O3、TiO2、MgO,贫CaO,LREE富集,HREE亏损,轻重稀土元素分馏明显,具微弱的负Eu异常,富集大离子亲石元素(LILEs)Rb、Ba、Th、U、K等,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti、Y、Yb、Lu等,来源于下地壳镁铁质岩石部分熔融。结合岩石学及该地区构造背景特征,认为满克头鄂博组和梅勒图组火山岩可能形成于蒙古-鄂霍茨克的俯冲作用导致的大兴安岭西坡—冀北—辽西地区加厚陆壳坍塌或拆沉作用的伸展环境。     

OUTLINE OF THE GEOLOGY OF KOREA

A database on a number of elements in oceanic volcanic rocks is presented, including the principal major-element oxides-SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃(T), MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, and P₂O₅ (where T refers to total iron)–and the trace elements–Ba, Ce, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sc, Sr, V, Pb (mainly by isotope dilution), Yb, Zn, and Zr. Interpretations are given for transition metals, with emphasis on Mn, Sc, and V, in order to determine the concentration of the elements in primitive melts and assess their trends in magmatic differentiation. Transition metals are not enriched in plagioclase, so all are incompatible with pure plagioclase removal–that is, they become enriched in the melt. Both Cr and Ni are known to be highly compatible with olivine separation-i.e., they are depleted in the melt early in differentiation. Also, Sc is compatible with clinopyroxene (Cpx) removal from the melt and is depleted by separation of Cpx. Copper does not fit well in any of the principal silicates, but Cu, like Ni, is greatly enriched in sulfides that may remain in the source or separate from the magma. Decreasing Ni abundances and increasing Cu contents during differentiation are a sign of olivine separation. In the analysis presented herein, V–in the absence of Cpx separation–is found to behave remarkably like the moderately incompatible element Zn, and these two elements add to the list of element pairs of similar incompatibility whose ratios are insensitive to differentiation and to submarine weathering as well. Both are enhanced in titanomagnetite, so both would be compatible during titanomagnetite separation. When Cpx separates, however, V becomes compatible like Sc, but Zn remains incompatible. Thus, decreasing V (and Sc) contents and increasing Zn contents during differentiation are a sign of Cpx separation. Manganese often behaves much like Zn and therefore is moderately incompatible, but Mn is less compatible than Zn and V in titanomagnetite. Thus, decreasing Zn and V with increasing Mn is an indication of titanomagnetite removal. Dual compatible and incompatible trends with differentiation are found chiefly for Cu, Sc, and Sr. Distinguishing mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), oceanic-island volcanic rocks (OIV), and island-arc volcanic rocks (IAV) may be accomplished by plots of Ce/Yb versus Ba/Ce, where OIV plot to higher values of Ce/Yb than do MORB, and IAV data plot to higher values of Ba/Ce than do those of MORB. These ratios do not seem to be significantly affected by submarine weathering.     

Climate implications of major geochemical elements in the Holocene sediments of the North and East China monsoonal regions

Two Holocene sediment cores were retrieved respectively from the enclosed Lake Daihai in the monsoon/arid transition zone of North China and the Taihu Lake coast in the monsoonal area of the Yangtze delta, Eastern China. Distribution of major geochemical elements and their ratios were employed to reveal the characteristics of Holocene climate and associated environmental implications in the two regions. It is suggested that the temporal distribution of major elements serve as a useful indicator to denote the variations of monsoon effective precipitation for the enclosed lake area. High values of resistant elements such as Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, (FeO + Fe₂O₃), MnO in the lake sediments correspond to the depressed chemical weathering and weakened mon-soon effective precipitation, while the highs of mobile and easy soluble elements such as MgO, CaO, Na₂O reflect the enhanced chemical weathering and increased monsoon effective precipitation in the lake basin. In comparison, the behaviors of the major elements in sediments of the Taihu Lake coast were largely controlled by the changes both in sea transgression in the different Holocene time periods and the monsoon precipitation. The relatively highs of Al₂O₃, TiO₂, (FeO + Fe₂O₃), in marine-influenced sediments suggest relatively strong coastal hydrodynamics and chemical weathering, and vice versa. Meanwhile, the lows of SiO₂, Na₂O and CaO in the non-marine-influenced sediments also denote relatively strong hydrodynamics and chemical weathering due to enhanced monsoon precipitation, and vice versa. Sedimentary environment should be taken into account when achieving a full understanding of their climate implications.     

Contrasting evolution of low-P rare metal granites from two different terranes in the Hoggar area, Algeria

Two mineralogically different rare metal granites located in two distinct terranes from the Tuareg area are compared: the Tin-Amzi granite in the north of the Laouni Terrane and the Ebelekan granite in the Assodé–Issalane Terrane.The Tin-Amzi granite is enclosed within Eburnean granulitic gneisses, and consists of albite, quartz, protolithionite, K-feldspar and topaz granite (PG). The accessory minerals include columbite tantalite, U- and Hf-rich zircon, Th-uraninite, wolframoixiolite and wolframite. This facies is characterised by a mineralogical evolution from the bottom to the top underlined by a strong resorption of K-feldspar and albite and the crystalliK-feldspar of more abundant topaz and protolithionite II which is further altered in muscovite and Mn-siderite. It is underlain by an albite, K-feldspar, F-rich topaz, quartz and muscovite granite (MG), with W–Nb–Ta oxides, wolframite, Nb-rutile, zircon and scarce uranothorite as accessories.The Ebelekan granite intrudes into a coarse-grained biotite granite enclosed within upper amphibolite-facies metasediments. It comprises a zinnwaldite, albite, topaz porphyritic granite (ZG) with “snow ball” quartz and K-feldspar. The accessories are zircon, monazite, uranothorite, Ta bearing cassiterite, columbite tantalite and wodginite. It is capped by a banded aplite-pegmatite (AP).The geochemistry of Tin-Amzi and Ebelekan granites is nearly comparable. Both are peraluminous (A/CNK=1.10–1.29; ASI=1.17–1.31), sodolithic and fluorine rich with high SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O+K₂O, Rb, Ga, Li, Ta, Nb, Sn and low FeO, MgO, TiO₂, Ba, Sr, Y, Zr and REE contents. These rare metal Ta bearing granites belong to the P-poor subclass, relating to their P₂O₅ content ( 0.03–0.15 wt.%). Nevertheless, they are distinguished by their concentration of W, Sn and Ta. The Tin-Amzi granite is W–Ta bearing with high W/Sn ratio whereas the Ebelekan granite is Ta–Sn bearing with insignificant W content.At Tin-Amzi the W–Nb–Ta minerals define a sequence formed by W-columbite tantalite followed by wolframoixiolite and finally wolframite showing the effect of hydrothermal overprinting with an extreme W enrichment of the fluids. At Ebelekan, the Sn–Nb–Ta oxides follow a Mn sequence: manganocolumbite→manganotantalite→wodginite+titanowodginite→cassiterite that represents a trend of primary crystallisation resulting from progressive substitution Fe→Mn and Nb→Ta during the magmatic fractionation.     

Metamorphic garnet pyroxenite from the 540-600 m main borehole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) project

Compared to other mafic and ultramafic rocks from the CCSD main borehole as well as from the outcrops, rocks from the 540-600 m section is extraordinary in terms of its geophysical as well as geochemical properties. It consists of > 70% hematite-ilmenite garnet pyroxenite (HI-GPX) and < 30% intercalated rutile garnet pyroxenite (R-GPX). Whole-rock geochemical data show that HI-GPXs have: (1) relatively high V with an average of 606 ppm, but lower Nb and Ta; (2) highest TFeO, Fe₂O₃/FeO ratio, and highly variable but strong positive Eu anomalies with Eu/Eu? up to 2.9; (3) anomalously high V/Sc ratios ranging from 8.39 to 43.23, average 15.03; and (4) high amounts of hematite-ilmenite solid solutions with a very fine intergrowth structure down to nanometer scale. V/Sc ratios in the CCSD garnet pyroxenites are correlated negatively with MgO, but positively with Fe₂O₃/FeO ratios. Both suites of pyroxenites have similar rare earth elements and high field strength elements geochemistry. These features demonstrate that these pyroxenites were formed from metamorphism of high-Fe and/or -Ti gabbroic cumulates. This can account not only for low high field strength elements (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE) but also low Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in these rocks. Seemingly negative correlation between Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf in the CCSD metabasites, not significantly affected by UHP metamorphism, is also consistent with the silicate differentiation trend in a basaltic magma chamber.