REE Geochemical Study of the Permian—Triassic Marine Sedimentary Environment in Guizhou Province

This paper deals with the REE geochemical characteristics of Permian-Triassic marine carbonate rocks in Guizhou Province.It is found that there are two broad categories of strati-graphic units in the region studied in accordance with their ΣREE contents and REE distribu-tion patterns: one is characterized by LREE enrichment and slight Ce depletion,with the REE distribution patterns similar to those of North American shales,and the other featrures relative HREE enrichment and relatively remarkable Ce depletion,with the REE distribution patterns close to those of pelagic sediments.In terms of their different ΣREE contents,five types of stratigraphic units can be distinguished.Incorporation of detrital minerals,REE complexing ca-pability,oxidation-reduction conditions of the media are the main factors affecting the REE com-position and REE distribution patterns of marine carbonate rocks in the region studied.In the light of REE geochemical characteristics of carbonate rocks,coupled with sedimentary facies analysis,this paper discusses the characteristics of the Permian-Triassic marine sedimentary environment in Guizhou Province and its evolutional rules.     

Rare-earth element geochemistry as a tracer for clarifying the provenance of the stream sediments in Namhan River, Korea

In the last forty years, the rare-earth elements （REEs） have been used as a powerful tool for solving various geological and geochemical problems due to their unique and chemically coherent behavior. The river sediments are produced by weathering, transportation and deposition. Nesbitt suggested that the rare-earth elements had been mobilized and fractionated during supracrustal alteration of the Torrongo granite, southeastern Australia. Nevertheless, recently, our replicate estimation for REE patterns in sediments revealed that there is nearly no variation in REE patterns. This suggests that invariability of REE patterns in weathering and solidification can be used as a tracer for constraining the provenance of stream sediments. In order to trace the pathway of the river sediments geochemically, based on the REE geochemistry from the river sediments and rocks, we have monitored the REE abundance of stream sediments at branch rivers of the Namhan River in South Korea for three years. The branches studied are Bokhacheon, Shinduncheon and Yanghwacheon. The sediments were divided into coarse （〉300 μm） and fine fractions （〈300 μm）. As a result, we could observe that major element compositions were similar to each other regardless of particle size and sampling date. This suggests that it is difficult to deduce a geochemical difference between river sediments based on major element composition and particle size. The geochemical characteristics of surrounding soils were similar to those of fine river sediments. And the chondrite-normalized REE patterns of most of the fine and coarse sediments in combination with grain sizes and drainage area showed very close relationship with the surrounding rocks. However, some sites showed that there were large variations in REE patterns including total REE abundance and Eu anomaly due to feldspars. This variation trend of REE patterns suggests that changes might have happened in sediment supply for the drainage system in the study area due to floods or large-scale construction.     

Distribution of Rare—earth Elements in the Shenzhen Bay and Dapeng Bay Modern Sediments

The aim of this paper is to study the REE geochemistry of the Shenzhen Bay (SZB) and Dapeng Bay(DPB) modern sediments, discuss their REE distribution patterns, reveal the REE geochemical difference between the two bays which share the same material source but are deposited in different sedimentary environments, and expound their dynamic changes.It can be concluded that the SZB and DPB sediments are essentially of continental source.Their REE distribution patterns are quite different from those of Pacific pelagic sediments, but are very similar to those of South Chi-na granites.Because of different sedimentary environments prevailing in the SZB and DPB, some REE fractionation would have taken place in the sediments of the two bays.     

Geochemical Constraints of Sediments on the Provenance, Depositional Environment and Tectonic Setting of the Songliao Prototype Basin

The geochemistry of sediments is primarily controlled by their provenances, and different tectonic settings have distinctive provenance characteristics and sedimentary processes. So, it is possible to discriminate provenances, depositional environments and tectonic settings in the development of a sedimentary basin with the geochemistry of the clastic rocks. The analytical results of the present paper demonstrate that sediments in the Songliao prototype basin are enriched in silica (SiO2=66.48-80.51 %), and their ΣREE are 30-130 dmes of that of chondrite with remarkable Eu anomalies. In discriminating diagrams of Eu/Eu vs eeeeeREE and (La/Yb)N vs ΣREE, most samples locate above the line Eu/ Eu=l, on the right of the line Eu/Eu/ΣREE=1 and under the line La/Yb)N/eeeeeREE=1/8, which indicates that the depositional environment of sediments in the basin was oxidizing. In addition, variations of MgO, TiO2, A12O3, FeO+Fe2O3, Na2O and CaO vs SiO2 reflect a tendency of increasing mineral maturity of sediments     

REE Geochemical Evolution and Its Significance of Early Precambrian Metamorphic Terrain,Wuyang,Henan

The supracrustal rocks of the Wuyang metamorphic terrain are divided into the Zhao anzhuang,Tieshanmiao and Yangshuwan Formations.These three Formations were dated at 3000-2550Ma,2550-2300Ma and 2300-2200Ma,respectively.∑REE and La/Yb)n of the Zhao anzhuang Formation volcanic rocks are obviously higher than those of the Tiesanmiao Formation equivalents,suggesting a sedimentary gap(2550 Ma boundary)between these two formations,The Zhao‘anzhuang Formation is older than the Tieshanmiao Formation.The sediments of these two Formations show no obvious differences in REE and are generally characterized by low ∑REE and positive Eu anomalies.On the contrary,the sediments of the Yangshuwan Formation are characterized by high ∑REE and negative Eu anomalies.Detailed discussions demonstrate that the Yangshuwan Formation was deposited in an oxidizing environment whereas the other two formations were formed in a reducing environment.At the end of the evolution of the Tieshanmiao Formation about 2300 Ma ago,the sedimentary environment was transformed from reducing to oxidizing .On the basis of the SHAB (soft/hard acid and base)theory,an oxidation-reduction model for sedimentary REE evolution has been established .It is proposed that the mantle tends to become gradually depleted in REE.especially in LREE,and the indices ∑REE and La/Yb) n of mantle-dervived volcanic rocks also tend to become lower and lower.     

Geochemical records of the sediments and their significance in Dongping Lake Area,the lower reach of Yellow River,North China

Dongping Lake area, located in the lower reaches of Yellow River, is an ideal place to study the changes of modern river and lake sedimentary environment. The sediment samples of Dawen River, Yellow River, and Dongping Lake were collected, and the major elements, trace elements and organic matter geochemical composition of the samples were analyzed. Cluster analysis, characteristic element ratio method and graphic method were used to explore the geochemical characteristics of sediments and their environmental implication. The results show that the contents of SiO_2, Na_2O, TiO_2 and Zr in sediments of Dawen River and Yellow River are relatively high, and the contents of iron and manganese oxides, organic matter, CaO, P_2O_5 and Sr in lake sediments are relatively high. That reveals the differences of sedimentary environments between the rivers and the lake. The contents of Sr and Zr in Dawen River are affected by the rapid migration of clastic materials in the upstream carbonate source area during the flood season; the δCe,ΣREE and REE's ratios in the sediments of the Yellow River reflect the influence of the Loess source; and the distribution of elements changes along the flow direction during the flood season. The characteristics of p H, element composition and LREE HREE fractionation of the lake sediments indicate that the sediment source is complex, and the lake environment is affected by the flood season. The study shows that the geochemical content and its variation characteristics of sediments effectively reveal the sedimentary environment, material composition and characteristics of flood season of rivers and the lake in the study area.     

陕西洛川黄土剖面中的稀土元素

The ∑REE in Ioesses of different ages in the Luochuan section shows a narrow range of variation, indicating the homogeneity of materials in chemical composition. The REE in loess are concentrated mainly in silt.sized detrital minerals. Loesses of different ages and paleosols all are relatively enriched in rare-earth elements of the Ce family, and show similar REE distribution patterns. The fractinnatlon among various REEs in the loess is different from that in morainic, marine and lacustrine sediments,but is similar to that in sand samples from deserts in Northwest China. The ratios of Ce/Ce^* and Eu/Eu^* reflect that the provenance of loessic materials and their accumulating area are all in an oxidation environment with weakly basic mediums under arid or sub-arid climate.     

我国台湾浅滩海底沉积物稀土元素地球化学

REE geochemistry of sea-floor sediments from the Taiwan Shallow has been studied.∑ REE of 76 samples from the Taiwan Shallow was determined by chemical extraetion-spectrophotometry, of which 7 samples were analyzed for 15 rare earth elements by XRF. The analytical results show that ,∑ REE of the samples increases gradually with a decrease in grain size. The average REE contents are 60 ppm for coarse-grained sediments,82 ppm for medium-coarse-grained ones, 145 ppm for fine-grained ones, and 211 ppm for silt. The REE content of the samples is controlled mainly by the grain size and mineralogical composition of sediments. The ehondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns in sediments from the Taiwan Shallow are similar to those in granites in Fujian Province, China, which show a negative Eu anomaly and a positive Ce anomaly. The distribution curves are negative in slope. It is considered that based on REE geochemical characteristics, mineralogical composition and related oceanographic information, the Taiwan Shallow sediments seem to be largely residual deposits of ancient littoral facies from various types of continental rocks during Pleistocene glacial period. These sediments have also been reworked by modern sedimentatoion.     

REE Geochemistry of Loess in Xinjiang ,China

The total rare-earth element values(ΣREE)of loess in the Xinjiang region vary over a range of 128-200 ppm ,with an average of 153ppm .The average REE content of loess lies between the earth‘s crust (155ppm) and sedimentary rocks(151ppm).The Xinjiang loess,with the REE distribu-tion patterns characterized by negative slopes ,is rich in the Ce-family elements, and has a distribu-tion pattern characteristic of sedimentary rocks.The North Xinjiang loess is relatively depleted in Tb,but rich in Yb and Lu.The South Xinjiang loess is relatively rich in light rare-earth elements.This is full proof that the Xinjiang loess comes partly from weathered materials(clay rock,sandstone)in the region studied.The REE distribution patterns in the Xinjiang loess are similar to those in the precipitated dust and Aeolian sand,indicating the same material source.The REE distribution pat-terns in the Xinjiang loess are also similar to those in loess from the middle Yellow River Valley,China and Taskent,the former USSR.This implies that loesses of the three locations(Xinjiang,the mid-dle Yellow River Valley and Taskent) come from a common material source.But the REE patterns in the Xinjiang loess are different from those in wall rocks (volcanic rock,K-bearing volcanic rock).Generally ,LREE/HREE,Eu/Eu* and Ce/Ce* ratios reflect the features of parent materials of loess,indicating that the parent rocks were probably in the early stage of alkaline weathering and the weathered materials existed in an oxidation environment with basic mediums under arid-climatic conditions before transport.As a result,the migration ability of the REE is weak.     

Characteristics of rare-earth elements （REE）, strontium and neodymium isotopes in hydrothermal fluorites from the Bailashui tin deposit in the Furong ore field,southern Hunan Province,China

In this paper the authors present the REE concentrations and Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of fluorites from the Bailashui tin deposit of the Furong ore field, southern Hunan Province. The results showed that the total amount of REE in fluorites is usually low, ranging from 0.705 to 8.785 μg/g with the chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns similar to those of the Qitianling granites in the study area, characterized by LREE-enrichment patterns with pronounced negative Eu anomalies. The fluorites vary in Sr isotopic composition within the range of 0.7083-0.7091, the values are lower than those of the granites and higher than those of the host carbonate rocks in this area. The εNd（t） values of fluorites vary between -9.4 and ＋10.3, revealing that both the crust- and mantle-source materials were involved in the ore-forming hydrothermal fluids. Combined with previous studies on this ore deposit, the Bailashui tin deposit is temporally and spatially closely related with granitic magmatism in this area. The hydrothermal fluorites are the product of fluid/rock interactions between granitic magmatic hydrothermal fluid and marine carbonate rocks. The REE and F in the ore-forming fluid were derived from the granites, whereas Sr in the ore-forming fluid came mainly from the granitic magmatic hydrothermal fluid and marine carbonate rocks, although variations in Sr isotopic composition cannot be explained by a simple mixture of these two end-members. Evidence demonstrated that the ore-forming fluids are of crustal-mantle mixing origin, but that the fluids were probably incompletely homogenized and this may be caused by inhomogeneous mixing of the fluids of different sources.     

Tectonic Uplift of the Yili Basin during the Last Stage of the Late Pleistocene: Evidence from ESR and OSL Dating of Sediments in the Huocheng Area, Xinjiang

The Quaternary sediments in the Yili Basin can serve as archives for studying the Cenozoic basin–mountain relationship. In this study, based on typical natural sections and boreholes, the surficial sediments of the Huocheng area were studied, and their sedimentary ages were obtained using the optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) and electron spin resonance(ESR) dating methods. These dates, combined with changes in the sedimentary facies, provided details of the neotectonic movement in the Yili Basin and adjacent areas. By dating sediments from five sections and three boreholes, we determined that the surficial sediments of the Huocheng area were mainly formed in the Late Pleistocene, with scattered instances of Holocene sediments. The surficial sediments mainly consisted of alluvial fan facies, fluvial facies, lacustrine facies, and desert facies. Based on the activity on the Hongshanzui fault and the northern margin fault of the Wusun Mountains, the Huocheng area was uplifted synchronously with the Tianshan Mountains during the last stage of the Late Pleistocene, causing the desert facies sediments to be superimposed on the former paleo–lake sediments.     

Metamorphism and exhumation of basement gneiss domes in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero:Two stage dome-and-keel evolution?

The presence of dome-and-keel provinces in Archean cratons has been connected with the initiation of plate tectonics on Earth as these features are most commonly observed in Archean rocks.The Quadrilátero Ferrífero in Brazil has been identified as a Paleoproterozoic dome-and-keel province for more than three decades.The prevailing model suggests that it formed during the Rhyacian Transamazonian orogeny,making it unique among dome-and-keel provinces.However,a lack of appropriate lithologies,datable minerals and the metamorphic overprint of later orogenesis has resulted in a cryptic metamorphic record for the formation of this dome-and-keel province.A clinopyroxene-bearing migmatite from the core of the Ba??o dome has peak P-T conditions of 5-7 kbar and 700-750 ℃ and a published age of ca.2730 Ma based on U-Pb ages of zircon from leucosomes,suggesting that this age represents the migmatisation event.A fine-grained epidote-albite-titanite assemblage overprints the coarse-grained clinopyroxene and amphibole,giving P-7 conditions of 8-9 kbar and 550 ℃ with an associated titanite age of ca.2050 Ma.A garnet-bearing amphibolite sample also from the core of the dome has peak P-T conditions of 7-8 kbar and 650-700 ℃,and texturally late titanite from this sample produces an age of ca.2060 Ma.Three additional samples were collected from the edges of the dome.A garnet-gedrite bearing felsic schist produces peak P-T conditions of 8-9 kbar and 650-700℃ on a clockwise P-T evolution.This sample has a U-Pb zircon age of ca.2775 Ma,which could date metamorphism or be the age of its volcaniclastic protolith.Texturally unconstrained titanite from the sample gives an age of ca.2040 Ma.A garnet-bearing amphibolite that occurs as a boudin within the felsic schist gives both zircon and titanite ages of ca.2050 Ma and has peak P-T conditions of 5-6 kbar and 650-700 ℃ on a near isobaric P-T path.An amphibolite dike,observed to cross-cut the felsic schist produces a zircon U-Pb age of ca.2760 Ma.Altogether this data suggests that the samples were metamorphosed in the Archean(ca.2775-2730 Ma)and again during the Transamazonian event.The most plausible explanation for this data is that dome-and-keel formation occurred in the Archean with migmatisation and high-temperature metamorphism occurring at this time.The Paleoproterozoic event is interpreted as a reactivation of the dome-and-keel formation structures,with Paleoproterozoic keels crosscutting Archean keels and producing metamorphic aureoles.The high radiogenic heat production and the presence of dense sedimentary successions in Archean terranes make dome-and-keel provinces a uniquely Archean feature,but they are susceptible to reworking,resulting in an enigmatic record of formation.     

东海大陆架海底沉积物稀土元素地球化学研究

REE geochemistry has been studied with respect to sea-floor sediments in the continental shelf of East China Sea. The average content of RE2O3 is derived as 175 ppm based on 68 samples of the continental Y and La-Lu in the abovementioned shelf sediments, The absolute concentrations of sediments are shown in Table 3. The REE distribution patterns of the sediments demonstrate a distinct depletion in Eu and a negative slope. It is considered that the fragments of Mesozoic intermediate-acid igneous rocks widely distributed in southeastern China are the main souree of REE in sea-floor sediments of the continental shelf.     

Remobilization of Iodine in Marine Sediments During Early Diagenesis

Based on the sedimentary geochemical studies of the Antarctic Ocean and the various geochemical parameters available,this paper deals with the process of emobilization of iodine in marine sediments during early diagenesis.The results showed that the process is not always controlled completely by organic matter as was expected previously.On average the adsorption and oxide phases of iodine account respectively for 23% and 32% of the total in continental-shelf and hemipelagic surficial sediments.Chemical analysis has revealed that the upward diffusion flux and redox conditions would play an important role in the concentration of iodine in the surface sediments.And the species of iodine in the surfial sediments characteristic of high I/Corg ratios would bepredominated by the oxide and adsorption phases.As experimentally evidenced,it is the early diagenetic remoibilization of iodine associated with the oxide and adsorption phases that led to the decrease of I/Corg with increasing depth.Calculations suggested that the diffusion flux of iodine from the deep parts of te sedimentary columum upwards is on the same order of magnitude as the deposition flux of it from sea water.This may be one of the important factors leading to the depletion of iodine in sedimentary rocks.On the basis of the above discussion and calculations the author has proposed a model for the remobilization of iodine in marine sediments during early diagenesis.     

Relationship Between Electrical Properties and Sedimentary Environment of the Longmaxi Formation Shale, Southern Sichuan

The Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the south of Sichuan is a key player in the exploration and development of shale gas in China. Due to a highly complex topographic area, electromagnetic methods (EM) become important exploration means in this area. Many studies have been conducted on the shale mineral composition and electrical properties of shale, however, the correlation between sedimentary environments and the electrical properties of shale remain poorly understood. The electrical properties and sedimentary environment of the organic-rich shale of the Longmaxi Formation have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, organic geochemistry, scanning electron microscopy and complex resistivity measurements. The discovered high quartz content of the Longmaxi Formation shale results in low resistivity. Deep-water shelf biogenic quartz contributes lower resistivity more than that of shallow-water terrigenous quartz. The deep-water anoxic and organic sedimentary environment led to major enrichment of pyrite, leading to a high polarization effect in shale. We present the correlation between the lithofacies types and electrical properties of Longmaxi Formation. The mixed siliceous shale lithofacies is the most favorable among the three lithofacies, which is characterized by high total organic carbon (TOC) content, high brittleness mineral content, high polarization and low resistivity (“three high and one low”). This feature is an effective identification of shale gas reservoirs by electromagnetic prospecting. Our study can provide constraints on electrical parameters of rocks for electromagnetic “sweet spot” exploration of shale gas, and so this has important geological significance to shale gas exploration and development.     

黄土中稀土元素的初步探讨

REE oxides in loess are estimated to amount to about 200 ppm. The REE distribution patterns in loess and its clay fraction are characterized by the enrichment of rare earth elements of Ce family. The REE distribution patterns of loess in the middle Huanghe (Yellow River) Valley are consistent with those of sands from the Tengeli desert, probably indicating the consistency of their material sources. The REE distribution patterns are similar to each other in the elay fractions of Malan loess everywhere in the middle Huanghe Valley, indicating the homogeneity in their composition. Close to the average value of the earth‘s crust, the REE distribution patterns in loees and its clay fraction are similar to that of sedimentary rocks (e.g., North American shales), but different from that of chrondrites. It seems to show that large amounts of loessic material were transported from the provenance by moving water into sedimentarysy stems after it had been separated from its precursor, and then transported by wind to where it is now distributed.     

Rare Earth Elements Composition and Constraint on the Genesis of the Polymetallic Crusts and Nodules in the South China Sea

The rare earth elements(REE) composition of the polymetallic crusts and nodules obtained from the South China Sea(SCS) were analyzed through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results revealed great differences in the REE abundances(∑REE) of the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules; the crusts show the highest ∑REE, whereas the nodules exhibit the lowest ∑REE. The similarity in their NASC-normalized patterns, the enriched light REE(LREE), the markedly positive Ce anomaly(δCe), and the non-or weakly positive Eu anomaly(δEu), suggest that the polymetallic crusts and nodules are of hydrogenetic origin. Moreover, the REE contents and their relevant parameters are quite different among the various layers of the crusts and nodules, which probably results from the different marginal sea environments and mineral assemblages of the samples. The growth profiles of the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules reveal the tendency ∑REE and δCe to slightly increase from the outer to the inner layers, suggesting that the growth environments of these samples changed smoothly from an oxidizing to a relatively reducing environment; in addition, the crust ST1 may have experienced a regressive event(sea-level change) during its growth, although the REE composition of the seawater remained relatively stable. On the basis of the regional ∑REE distribution in the SCS crusts and nodules,the samples collected near the northern margin were influenced by terrigenous material more strongly compared with the other samples, and the REE contents are relatively low. Therefore, the special geotectonic environment is a significant factor influencing the abundance of elements, including REE and other trace elements. Compared with the oceanic seamount crusts and deep-sea nodules from other oceans,the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules exhibit special REE compositions and shale-normalized patterns, implying that the samples are of marginal sea-type Fe-Mn sedimentary deposits, which are strongly affected by the epicontinental environment, and that they grew in a more oxidative seawater environment. This analysis indicates that the oxidized seawater environment and the special nano property of their Fe-Mn minerals enrich the REE adsorption.     

Garnet fractionation,progressive melt loss and bulk composition variations in anatectic metabasites:Complications for interpreting the geodynamic significance of TTGs

Tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite(TTG) suites constitute a large proportion of the Archean geological record;however,the geodynamic processes that generated them,and Archean continental crust in general,remain a subject of debate.The concentrations and ratios of Sr,Y,La,Yb,Nb,and Ta in TTGs are commonly used to determine the depth of melting of their metabasic sources.The trace element composition of melt produced by metabasic source rocks during anatexis is strongly affected by the presence and abundance of pressure-sensitive minerals,such as plagioclase(Sr-bearing),garnet(Y-and HREE-bearing),and rutile(Nb-and Ta-bearing).Elevated Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and low concentrations of Nb and Ta in TTGs are generally considered to indicate melting at high pressures(≥2.0 GPa).The depth of melting is a key factor in determining the origin of TTGs as this provides critical information on the tectonic setting of their generation.We use phase equilibrium and trace element modelling to explore the effects of three potential influences on TTG trace element compositions:fractionation of trace elements into peritectic garnet cores,progressive melt loss from the source,and source bulk composition.We model three different compositions of Archean basalts along thermal gradients of 500℃/GPa,750℃/GPa,and 1000℃/GPa.The models produce maj or and trace element melt compositions that are generally consistent with measured compositions of TTGs.Although Sr/Y,La/Yb,Nb,and Ta exhibit pressure-dependent behaviour,other factors also affect these values.Garnet fractionation causes Sr/Y and La/Yb to reach much greater values and in this scenario,the values also increase with increasing temperature.Source bulk composition has an effect in all scenarios and most strongly influences La/Yb,Nb,and Ta.Overall,these results show that Sr/Y,La/Yb,Nb,and Ta can reach values generally considered to be indicative of high pressure melting at a range of P-T conditions including P 2.0 GPa.Consequently,trace element compositions of TTGs alone may provide a misleading impression of the depth of melting of metabasites and the geodynamic environment of Archean crustal growth and reworking.     

REE Tetrad Effects in Rare—metal Granites

Described in this paper are the characteristics of tetrad effects of REE in rare-metal granites.Based on the analytical data and experimental geochemical data available,it is pointed out that the tetrad effects of REE in the granites are produced in the metal-fluid system.Intense fractional crystallization of granitic melt(containing REE accessary minerals)and its interaction with volatile-rich(F,Cl)fluid are the major factors leading to the tetrad effects of REE.From this,this paper presents a composite genetic model for high-degree fractional crystallization-volatile-rich fluid metasomatism of rare-metal granites.With the model,quantitative calculations have been made.Meanwhile,it is pointed out that the tetrad effects of REE can be used as an important indicator to distinguish mineralized granites from barren ones.     

Geochemistry and SHRIMP U‐Pb Zircon Dating of Mafic Rocks North of Zunhua City,Eastern Hebei,North China Craton: Paleoproterozoic Gabbro rather than Neoarchean Ophiolite

Abundant mafic-ultramafic blocks and dikes occur in the area north of Zunhua City, eastern Hebei Province, and were previously suggested to be part of a late Archean ophiolitic assemblage. We employed SHRIMP zircon dating and a geochemical study on these mafic and surrounding rocks to test the ophiolite hypothesis. The SHRIMP data suggest that three metagabbro samples were metamorphosed at ～1.8 Ga. Numerous ～2.5 Ga zircons display strong oscillatory zoning, characteristic of zircons from granitoid rocks but not from gabbro, so we suggest that these are xenocrystic grains. The age of these xenocrystic zircons and their metamorpbic rims suggests that these mafic blocks formed in Paleoproterozoic. The surrounding gneiss of intermediate composition also contains 2.5 Ga zircons with oscillatory zoning and 1.8 Ga metamorphic rims. Fractionated REE patterns and Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf negative anomalies to variable extent were observed in the mafic blocks and surrounding rocks, also supporting a significant difference in the chemistry of ophiolitic rocks. Our data suggest that many mafic blocks in northern Zunhua are not part of a late Archean ophiolite complex but part of a tectonically dismembered Paleoproterozoic intrusive gabbro complex. This study shows that late Paleoproterozoic metamorphism occurred in the western part of eastern Hebei Province.