Provenance of zircon xenocrysts in the Neoproterozoic Brauna Kimberlite Field,São Francisco Craton,Brazil: Evidence for a thick Palaeoproterozoic lithosphere beneath the Serrinha block

The 642 Ma-old Brauna Kimberlite Field is located on the northeastern sector of the São Francisco Craton (Serrinha block) and is one of the rare Neoproterozoic kimberlitic events in South America. Zircon xenocrysts from the volumetric most important kimberlite pipes Brauna 03, Brauna 07 and Brauna 04 were used as a tool to identify different components of the lithosphere beneath the northeast region of the São Francisco craton. A composite kimberlite sample of eight representative and different drill holes and three samples of the host rocks (Nordestina granodiorite) were sampled for SHRIMP geochronology. The results were compared with precise U–Pb age data for the regional rocks, i.e. the Archaean basement and the Palaeoproterozoic Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt. Samples from the Nordestina granodiorite gave three different ages: 2155 Ma in the western part of the batholith, 2139 Ma in its central part, and 2132 Ma in its eastern part. Zircon ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of the Brauna kimberlite zircon grains spread over the timespan 2107–2223 Ma and indicate four age groups at 2105 ± 3 Ma, 2138 ± 7 Ma, 2166 ± 5 Ma, and 2198 ± 4 Ma. Source rocks for the three former age groups can be found in the Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt, including zircon xenocrysts from the Nordestina granodiorite, whereas the latter age group has not yet been reported in the Serrinha block. The new zircon ages show that only rocks of the Palaeoproterozoic Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt and of a hidden 2.17–2.20 Ga crust were sampled by the kimberlite magma during its ascent through the lithosphere. It is proposed that there is none or a few Archaean crust beneath the kimberlite emplacement area, hence implying a thick Palaeoproterozoic lithosphere for this portion of the São Francisco craton.     

华北克拉通南缘中-新元古代沉积地层对比研究及其地质意义

华北克拉通南缘新太古代-古元古代变质结晶基底之上不整合覆盖着巨厚的中-新元古代陆源碎屑岩-碳酸盐岩沉积盖层,根据沉积建造特征,将其划分为三个不同的地层分布小区,分别为嵩箕地层小区、渑池-确山地层小区和熊耳山地层小区.嵩箕小区位于熊耳裂谷盆地东北缘,以硅质碎屑岩(砂岩)为主,渑池-确山地层小区位于熊耳裂谷盆地北缘,以硅质碎屑岩-碳酸盐岩(白云岩)过渡相为主,熊耳山地层小区位于熊耳裂谷盆地南缘,以碳酸盐岩为主.本文通过对三个地层小区的沉积地层剖面和岩石学特征进行研究,认为华北南缘从中元古代开始处于河流相-浅海相的沉积环境,从南向北,海水由深变浅.根据地层的岩性、沉积构造及其组合特征,将其划分为低水位、海侵和高水位沉积体系,最大海侵时期为青白口系早期.通过对熊耳山地区的官道口群的岩相学和地球化学分析,并结合其已有的碎屑锆石年龄和另外两个地层小区的五佛山群和汝阳群的碎屑锆石年龄以及它们的地球化学特征,表明三个地层区的沉积地层在中元古代均处于被动大陆边缘环境,而新元古代则可能处于与大陆岛弧相关的沉积盆地,这一结果表明从中元古代到新元古代华北南缘可能受到秦岭造山带早期微陆块俯冲碰撞的影响,由被动大陆边缘向活动大陆边缘过渡的过程.三套地层最年轻的碎屑锆石207 Pb/206Pb年龄基本上在1600Ma左右,从而限定了其最大沉积时代不早于1600Ma.其锆石年龄大多数都分布于古元古代(1700 ～ 2400Ma),太古代的年龄极少,说明其物源区以古元古代的地质体为主,且碎屑锆石年龄峰值为～ 1.93Ga,反映了华北南缘在～1.93Ga发生过重要的构造-热事件,与华北克拉通古元古代中期发生的变质作用时间(～ 1.91Ga)一致.三套沉积地层的碎屑锆石εHf(t)值变化较大(-20～ +6),表明既有新生地壳物质的加入,也有古老地壳物质的再循环.Hf两阶段模式年龄分布于2.3～3.8Ga之间,明显大于其207pb/206pb年龄,大部分锆石的Hf同位素组成集中于2.6Ga和3.0Ga地壳演化线区域内,峰值为2.75Ga,表明2.75Ga左右是华北克拉通南缘重要的陆壳生长期.     

Coastal Placer Deposits of Central Tamil Nadu,India

ABSTRACT

Placer mineral exploration has been undertaken along the beach of Central Tamil Nadu coast from Pondicherry to Vedaranyam. On the basis of the drainage network, geomorphology, and the coastal environment, the study area has been grouped into three sectors, North, Central, and South. Heavy mineral by Wt% shows a slightly higher abundance in the Northern sector, an enrichment of opaques in the Central sector from stations between Poompuhar and Karaikal, and a total depletion in the Southern sector. An abundance of heavies in the Northern sector is considered to be the result of a higher wave energy, and the cymatogenic downwarping of the basin during the present transgression. An enrichment of heavies in the Central sector from Poompuhar to Karaikal is attributable to the reworking of the beach ridges, which were submerged during the present transgression, and to the role of density sorting. A depletion of heavies in the Southern sector is accounted for by the absence of a terrigenous supply and the prevalence of wave shadow conditions throughout the year. The nature of the heavy mineral assemblage reflects the derivation of sediments principally from khondalites, granites, metamorphic rocks and paleo-sediments. Factor analysis also supplements the predominant role of a density factor in the segregation of heavy minerals in the study area. A five-stage model is proposed for the formation of placer deposits in the study region. The present study has disclosed rich concentrations of ilmenites in the central sector between Poompuhar and Karaikal that can be commercially exploited.     

Vertical variations of luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains from loess/paleosol of Luochuan section in the central Chinese Loess Plateau since the last interglacial

The provenance of loess in Chinese Loess Plateau, including origin, transport pathways and source areas, has long been one of the most important questions. In this study, the vertical variations of the luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains from the central Chinese Loess Plateau were investigated by using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques. Our results indicate that the luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains of paleosols can be much higher than that of loess beds. In addition, the quartz grains from the loess-paleosol sequence exhibit a temporal trend in the strength of luminescence sensitivity, characterized by higher values in soils and lower values in loess beds. The OSL sensitivity of quartz grains of the loess-paleosol sequence also shows very similar trend to the magnetic susceptibility and particle size fluctuations, implying that the luminescence sensitivity might be climatic dependent. The possible factors affecting the variations of luminescence sensitivity were discussed including particle size, natural radioactivity, and the provenance of eolian deposits. We suggest that the temporal variations of luminescence sensitivity can be attributed to the retreat-advance of deserts, the different contributions of glacial origin quartz particles associated with mountain processes, and wind patterns during glacial/interglacial cycles. Therefore, the secular variations of luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains are ultimately influenced by past climatic change through its controlling on sediment provenance changes.     

Assessing volcanic origins within detrital zircon populations——A case study from the Mesozoic non-volcanic margin of southern Australia

Detrital zircon U/Pb geochronology is a common tool used to resolve stratigraphic questions,inform basin evolution and constrain regional geological histories.In favourable circumstances,detrital zircon populations can contain a concomitant volcanic contribution that provides constraints on the age of deposition.However,for non-volcanic settings,proving isolated detrital zircon grains are from contemporaneous and potentially remote volcanism is challenging.Here we use same grain(U-Th)/He thermochronology coupled with U/Pb geochronology to identify detrital zircon grains of contemporary volcanic origin.(U-Th)/He ages from Cretaceous zircon grains in southern Australia define a single population with a weighted mean age of 104±6.1 Ma.indistinguishable from zircon U/Pb geochronology and palynology(～104.0-107.5 Ma).Detrital zircon trace-element geochemistry is consistent with a continental signature for parent rocks and coupled with detrital grain ages,supports derivation from a2000 km distant early-to mid-Cretaceous Whitsunday Volcanic Province in eastern Australia.Thus,integration of biostratigraphy,single-grain zircon double-dating(geochronology and thermochronology)and grain geochemistry enhances fingerprinting of zircon source region and transport history.A distal volcanic source and rapid continental-scale transport to southern Australia is supported here.     

四川攀枝花昔格达组及其下伏河流砾石的地球化学特征以及对物源的制约

位于扬子地块西缘的攀枝花地区昔格达组湖相沉积及其下伏河流相砾石比较发育。湖相沉积具有较高的SiO2含量和Al2O3/SiO2比值,显示其载体沉积物具有较高成熟度,表明经历了长距离的搬运。主元素、稀土(REE)和微量元素分析结果揭示昔格达组湖相沉积物源形成于典型的大陆岛弧构造背景,主要来自松潘-甘孜造山带义敦岛弧花岗岩区。Eu/La?Yb/La判别图与Zr/Y比值进一步证实昔格达组湖相沉积分别来自于金沙江上游及雅砻江上游,说明昔格达古湖形成时金沙江上游已被袭夺。昔格达组下伏河流相砾石REE、微量元素分析结果显示其形成于被动大陆边缘构造背景,说明其是由雅砻江经扬子板块边缘花岗岩区携载而来。昔格达组湖相沉积与其下伏河流相砾石的不同物源特征表明伴随着昔格达古湖的形成,金沙江河流经历了演化史上的巨变。     

Provenance of the Lower Paleozoic Balcarce Formation (Tandilia System, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina): Implications for paleogeographic reconstructions of SW Gondwana

Lower Paleozoic moderately sorted quartz–arenites from the Balcarce Formation deposited in eastern Argentina (Tandilia System) comprise mainly detrital material derived from old upper crustal material. The sources were magmatic, sedimentary, and subordinated felsic metamorphic terranes. High concentrations of tourmaline and Ti-rich heavy minerals, including zircon and nearly euhedral chromite, are common. Trace element concentrations (Nb, Cr) on rutile indicate pelitic and metabasaltic sources, respectively. Major element analyses on chromites indicate a basic volcanic protolith of mid-oceanic ridge origin, which was exposed close to the depositional basin. The delivery of chromite may be associated with convergent tectonics causing the consumption and obduction of oceanic crust during pre-Upper Ordovician times. The oblique/orthogonal collision of the Precordillera Terrane with the western border of the Rio de la Plata Craton, west of the Balcarce Basin or source further to the east from a Lower Palaeozoic extensional basin are possibilities.Geochemical and petrographic data exclude the underlying Precambrian and Cambrian sedimentary rocks as dominant sources, and favour the basement of the Río de La Plata Craton, including Cambrian rift-related granites of South Africa and the Sierras Australes (eastern Argentina), as main suppliers of detritus. Trace element geochemistry of recycled pyroclastic material, associated with the quartz–arenites, also suggests volcanic arc sources. The provenance of the pyroclastic material may either be the Puna–Famatina arc, located in north and central Argentina, or a hypothetical active margin further to the south. These ash layers are equivalent in age to volcanic zircons found in the Devonian Bokkeveld Group in western South Africa.The deposition of a glacial diamictite of Hirnantian age (Sierra del Volcán Diamictite) is interpreted as a member of the Balcarce Formation. Based on the stratigraphic re-location of the glacial diamictite and trace fossils, the Balcarce Formation is considered here to be Ordovician to Silurian in age. The Balcarce Formation can be correlated with similar rocks in South Africa, the Peninsula Formation, and the upper Table Mountain Group (Windhoek and Nardouw subgroups), including the Hirnantian glacial deposit of the Pakhuis Formation.     

大兴安岭中段乐平统-中三叠统沉积物源分析:来自重矿物组合及碎屑锆石年代学证据

黑龙江西部龙江地区位于中亚造山带东段,黑河-贺根山缝合带与西拉木伦缝合带之间,地层记录了两大古板块之间古亚洲洋闭合过程的信息。本文对龙江地区乐平统林西组和下-中三叠统老龙头组的砂岩样品进行碎屑重矿物和碎屑锆石U-Pb同位素年代学研究。碎屑重矿物组合以锆石+磷灰石+金红石+角闪石+绿帘石+重晶石的组合为特征,表明物源主要来自于中酸性岩浆岩,并有少量变质岩及沉积岩组分。林西组样品最年轻的锆石年龄为278±3Ma,老龙头组样品最年轻的锆石年龄为247±3Ma、243±4Ma及237±3Ma,结合前人的研究,限定了林西组沉积于乐平世,老龙头组沉积于早三叠世-中三叠世。碎屑锆石年龄谱明显分为五组:237～258Ma、270～329Ma、357～558Ma、680～1633Ma及1893～1966Ma。其中237～258Ma的碎屑锆石主要来自与古亚洲洋洋壳消亡前的俯冲增生过程相关的火山活动,270～329Ma的碎屑锆石主要来自大石寨组火山岩及其同期侵入岩,357～558Ma的碎屑锆石来自早古生代-晚古生代早期岩浆弧,680～1633Ma的碎屑锆石可能来自兴安及额尔古纳地块的变质基底,而较古老的～1800Ma的锆石年龄暗示了华北克拉通基底的物源信息。通过研究发现林西组及老龙头组样品前30%年轻的碎屑锆石年龄与地层沉积年龄之差都小于100Ma,结合对砂岩碎屑组成、重矿物组合及盆地与火山弧位置关系的研究,认为研究区乐平世-中三叠世沉积盆地具有汇聚背景,为弧前盆地。