Petrogenesis of A-type granites and origin of vertical zoning in the Katharina pluton, Gebel Mussa (Mt. Moses) area, Sinai, Egypt

The central pluton within the Neoproterozoic Katharina Ring Complex (area of Gebel Mussa, traditionally believed to be the biblical Mt. Sinai) shows a vertical compositional zoning: syenogranite makes up the bulk of the pluton and grades upwards to alkali-feldspar granites. The latters form two horizontal subzones, an albite–alkali feldspar (Ab–Afs) granite and an uppermost perthite granite. These two varieties are chemically indistinguishable. Syenogranite, as compared with alkali-feldspar granites, is richer in Ca, Sr, K, Ba and contains less SiO₂, Rb, Y, Nb and U; Eu/Eu* values are 0.22–0.33 for syenogranite and 0.08–0.02 for alkali-feldspar granites. The δ¹⁸O (Qtz) is rather homogeneous throughout the pluton, 8.03–8.55‰. The δ¹⁸O (Afs) values in the syenogranite are appreciably lower relative to those in the alkali–feldspar granites: 7.59–8.75‰ vs. 8.31–9.12‰. A Rb–Sr isochron (n = 9) yields an age of 593 ± 16 Ma for the Katharina Ring Complex (granite pluton and ring dikes).

The alkali–feldspar granites were generated mainly by fractional crystallization of syenogranite magma. The model for residual melt extraction and accumulation is based on the estimated extent of crystallization ( 50 wt.%), which approximates the rigid percolation threshold for silicic melts. The fluid-rich residual melt could be separated efficiently by its upward flow through the rigid clusters of crystal phase. Crystallization of the evolved melt started with formation of hypersolvus granite immediately under the roof. Fluid influx from the inner part of the pluton to its apical zone persisted and caused increase of P_H2O in the magma below the perthite granite zone. Owing to the presence of F and Ca in the melt, P_H2O of only slightly more than 1 kbar allows crystallization of subsolvus Ab–Afs granite. Abundance of turbid alkali feldspars and their ¹⁸O/¹⁶O enrichment suggest that crystallization of alkali-feldspar granites was followed by subsolvus fluid–rock interaction; the δ¹⁸O (Fsp) values point to magmatic origin of fluids.

The stable and radiogenic isotope data [δ¹⁸O (Zrn) = 5.82 ± 0.06‰, I_Sr = 0.7022 ± 0.0064, ε_Nd (T) values are + 3.6 and + 3.9] indicate that the granite magma was generated from a ‘juvenile’ source, which is typical of the rocks making up most of the Arabian–Nubian shield.     

Oxygen and carbon isotope composition of cold-water Berriedale Limestone (Lower Permian), Tasmania, Australia

The Berriedale Limestone formed at about 80°S paleolatitude and contains many glacial dropstones. It formed during a period of major Gondwana deglaciation.

The Berriedale Limestone contains mostly bryozoans, brachiopods and bivalves, with some intraclasts and rare pellets. The faunal diversity is low and the fauna are similar to the modern cold-water foramol faunal assemblage. Micrite, microspar and spar occur as equant to well developed rhombs of calcite. The coarse spar cements are bored and are ruptured by dropstones, indicating submarine origin of low-Mg calcite at water-temperatures of around 3°C. The mixing zone cementation was preceded by erosion of early formed crystals. The eroded crystals occur as inclusions in mixing zone cements.

The fauna are characterized by heavy δ¹³C and light δ¹⁸O. The whole-rock field of δ¹⁸O-δ¹³C falls at the edge of “Normal Marine Limestone” and deviates to lighter δ¹⁸O values (down to −16.7‰ PDB). Lightest δ¹⁸O values ( −22‰ PDB) of fresh-water sparry calcite cement are similar to those in the Early Permian continental tillites, suggesting that the Permian sea was diluted by isotopically light melt waters. Micrite δ¹⁸O values (−9.2 to −12.6‰ PDB) are within the range of whole-rock values. The δ¹⁸O values of calcite in shales are lighter than limestone values.

The δ¹⁸O values of the fauna give an unrealistic range of sea-water temperatures because the fauna have equilibrated with variable amounts of melt waters. However, calculated original δ¹⁸O values of the fauna indicate temperatures < 4°C. The heaviest δ¹⁸O of fauna gives cold temperatures of 9°C (with δ_w −2.8‰) and −3°C (with δ_w −6‰). The lightest values of sparry calcite cements (−22‰ PDB) indicate that the limestone reacted with cold melt waters.

The δ¹⁸O of Permian sea is estimated to be about +1.2‰ and was diluted by melt waters as light as −27‰ SMOW.     

Interrelations between coeval mafic and A-type silicic magmas from composite dykes in a bimodal suite of southern Israel, northernmost Arabian–Nubian Shield: Geochemical and isotope constraints

Late Neoproterozoic bimodal dyke suites are abundant in the Arabian–Nubian Shield. In southern Israel this suite includes dominant alkaline quartz porphyry dykes, rare mafic dykes, and numerous composite dykes with felsic interiors and mafic margins. The quartz porphyry chemically corresponds to A-type granite. Composite dykes with either abrupt or gradational contacts between the felsic and mafic rocks bear field, petrographic and chemical evidence for coexistence and mixing of basaltic and rhyolitic magmas. Mixing and formation of hybrid intermediate magmas commenced at depth and continued during emplacement of the dykes. Oxygen isotope ratios of alkali feldspar in quartz porphyry (13 to 15‰) and of plagioclase in trachydolerite (10–11‰) are much higher than their initial magmatic ratios predicted by equilibrium with unaltered quartz (8 to 9‰) and clinopyroxene (5.8‰). The elevation of δ¹⁸O in alkali feldspar and plagioclase, and extensive turbidization and sericitization call for post-magmatic low-temperature (≤ 100 °C) water–rock interaction. Hydrous alteration of alkali feldspar, the major carrier of Rb and Sr in the quartz–porphyry, also accounts for the highly variable and unusually high I(Sr) of 0.71253 to 0.73648.

The initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, expressed by ε_Nd(T) values, are probably unaltered and show small variation in mafic and felsic rocks within a narrow range from + 1.4 to + 3.3. The Nd isotope signature suggests either a common mantle source for the mafic and silicic magmas or a juvenile crustal source for the felsic rocks (metamorphic rocks from the Elat area). However, oxygen isotope ratios of zircon in quartz porphyry [δ¹⁸O(Zrn) = 6.5 to 7.2‰] reveal significant crustal contribution to the rhyolite magma, suggesting that mafic and A-type silicic magmas are not co-genetic, although coeval. Comparison of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios in zircon allows to distinguish two groups of A-type granites in the region: those with mantle-derived source, δ¹⁸O(Zrn) ranging from 5.5 to 5.8‰ (Timna and Katharina granitoids) and those with major contribution of the modified juvenile crustal component, δ¹⁸O(Zrn) varying from 6.5 to 7.2‰ (Elat quartz porphyry dykes and the Yehoshafat alkaline granite). This suggests that A-type silicic magmas in the northern ANS originated by alternative processes almost coevally.     

Petrogenesis of the Paleoproterozoic rapakivi A-type granites of the Archean Carajás metallogenic province, Brazil

Three Paleoproterozoic A-type rapakivi granite suites (Jamon, Serra dos Carajás, and Velho Guilherme) are found in the Carajás metallogenic province, eastern Amazonian craton. Liquidus temperatures in the 900–870 °C range characterize the Jamon suite, those for Serra dos Carajás and Velho Guilherme are somewhat lower. Pressures of emplacement decrease from Jamon (3.2±0.7 kbar) through Serra dos Carajás (2.0±1.0 kbar) to Velho Guilherme (1.0±0.5 kbar). Oxidizing conditions (NNO+0.5) characterized the crystallization of the Jamon magma, the Velho Guilherme magmas were reducing (marginally below FMQ), and the Serra dos Carajás magmas were intermediate between the two in this respect. The three granite suites have Archean T_DM model ages and strongly negative _Nd values (−12 to −8 at 1880 Ma), and they were derived from Archean crust. The Jamon granite suite may have been derived from a quartz dioritic source, and the Velho Guilherme granites from K-feldspar-bearing granitoid rocks with some sedimentary input. The Serra dos Carajás granites either had a somewhat more mafic source than Velho Guilherme or were derived by a larger degree of melting. Underplating of mafic magma was probably the heat source for the melting. The petrological and geochemical characteristics of the Carajás granite suites imply considerable compositional variation in the Archean of the eastern Amazonian craton. The oxidized Jamon suite granites are similar to the Mesoproterozoic magnetite-series granites of Laurentia, and they were derived from Archean igneous sources that were more oxidized than the sources of the Fennoscandian rapakivi granites. The Serra dos Carajás and Velho Guilherme granites approach the classic reduced rapakivi series of Fennoscandia and Laurentia. No counterparts of the Mesoproterozoic two-mica granites of Laurentia have been found, however. Following the model of Hoffman [Hoffman, P., 1989. Speculations on Laurentia's first gigayear (2.0 to 1.0 Ga). Geology 17, 135–138], the origin of the 1.88 Ga Carajás granites is related to a mantle superswell beneath the Trans-Amazonian supercontinent. This caused breakup of the continent and was associated with magmatic underplating and resultant crustal melting and generation of A-type granite magmas. The Paleoproterozoic continent that included the Archean and Trans-Amazonian domains of the Amazonian craton was assembled at 2.0 Ga; its disruption was initiated at 1.88 Ga, at least 200 Ma earlier than in Laurentia and Fennoscandia. The Carajás granites were related to the breakup of the supercontinent, not to subduction processes.     

Oxidized, magnetite-series, rapakivi-type granites of Carajás, Brazil: Implications for classification and petrogenesis of A-type granites

The varying geochemical and petrogenetic nature of A-type granites is a controversial issue. The oxidized, magnetite-series A-type granites, defined by Anderson and Bender [Anderson, J.L., Bender, E.E., 1989. Nature and origin of Proterozoic A-type granitic magmatism in the southwestern United States of America. Lithos 23, 19–52.], are the most problematic as they do not strictly follow the original definition of A-type granites, and approach calc-alkaline and I-type granites in some aspects. The oxidized Jamon suite A-type granites of the Carajás province of the Amazonian craton are compared with the magnetite-series granites of Laurentia, and other representative A-type granites, including Finnish rapakivi and Lachlan Fold Belt A-type granites, as well as with calc-alkaline, I-type orogenic granites. The geochemistry and petrogenesis of different groups of A-types granites are discussed with an emphasis on oxidized A-type granites in order to define their geochemical signatures and to clarify the processes involved in their petrogenesis. Oxidized A-type granites are clearly distinguished from calc-alkaline Cordilleran granites not only regarding trace element composition, as previously demonstrated, but also in their major element geochemistry. Oxidized A-type granites have high whole-rock FeO_t/(FeO_t + MgO), TiO₂/MgO, and K₂O/Na₂O and low Al₂O₃ and CaO compared to calc-alkaline granites. The contrast of Al₂O₃ contents in these two granite groups is remarkable. The CaO/(FeO_t + MgO + TiO₂) vs. CaO + Al₂O₃ and CaO/(FeO_t + MgO + TiO₂) vs. Al₂O₃ diagrams are proposed to distinguish A-type and calc-alkaline granites. Whole-rock FeO_t/(FeO_t + MgO) and the FeO_t/(FeO_t + MgO) vs. Al₂O₃ and FeO_t/(FeO_t + MgO) vs. Al₂O₃/(K₂O/Na₂O) diagrams are suggested for discrimination of oxidized and reduced A-type granites. Experimental data indicate that, besides pressure, the nature of A-type granites is dependent of ƒO₂ conditions and the water content of magma sources. Oxidized A-type magmas are considered to be derived from melts with appreciable water contents (≥ 4 wt.%), originating from lower crustal quartz-feldspathic igneous sources under oxidizing conditions, and which had clinopyroxene as an important residual phase. Reduced A-type granites may be derived from quartz-feldspathic igneous sources with a metasedimentary component or, alternatively, from differentiated tholeiitic sources. The imprint of the different magma sources is largely responsible for the geochemical and petrological contrasts between distinct A-type granite groups. Assuming conditions near the NNO buffer as a minimum for oxidized granites, magnetite-bearing granites formed near FMQ buffer conditions are not stricto sensu oxidized granites and a correspondence between oxidized and reduced A-type granites and, respectively, magnetite-series and ilmenite-series granites is not always observed.     

Two types of gneisses associated with eclogite at Shuanghe in the Dabie terrane: carbon isotope, zircon U–Pb dating and oxygen isotope

There are two types of gneisses, biotite paragneiss and granitic orthogneiss, to be closely associated with UHP eclogite at Shuanghe in the Dabie terrane. Both concentration and isotope composition of bulk carbon in apatite and host gneisses were determined by the EA-MS online technique. Structural carbonate within the apatite was detected by the XRD and FTIR techniques. Significant ¹³C-depletion was observed in the apatite with δ¹³C values of −28.6‰ to −22.3‰ and the carbon concentrations of 0.70–4.98 wt.% CO₂ despite a large variation in δ¹⁸O from −4.3‰ to +10.6‰ for these gneisses. There is significant heterogeneity in both δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O within the gneisses on the scale of several tens meters, pointing to the presence of secondary processes after the UHP metamorphism. Considerable amounts of carbonate carbon occur in some of the gneisses that were also depleted in ¹³C primarily, but subjected to overprint of ¹³C-rich CO₂-bearing fluid after the UHP metamorphism. The ¹³C-depleted carbon in the gneisses is interpreted to be inherited from their precursors that suffered meteoric–hydrothermal alteration before plate subduction. Both low δ¹³C values and structural carbonate in the apatite suggest the presence of ¹³C-poor CO₂ in the UHP metamorphic fluid. The ¹³C-poor CO₂ is undoubtedly derived from oxidation of organic matter in the subsurface fluid during the prograde UHP metamorphism.

Zircons from two samples of the granitic orthogneiss exhibit low δ¹⁸O values of −4.1‰ to −1.1‰, demonstrating that its protolith was significantly depleted in ¹⁸O prior to magma crystallization. U–Pb discordia datings for the ¹⁸O-depleted zircons yield Neoproterozoic ages of 724–768 Ma for the protolith of the granitic orthogneiss, consistent with protolith ages of most eclogites and orthogneisses from the other regions in the Dabie–Sulu orogen. Therefore, the meteoric–hydrothermal alteration is directly dated to occur at mid-Neoproterozoic, and may be correlated with the Rodinia supercontinental breakup and the snowball Earth event. It is thus deduced that the igneous protolith of the granitic orthogneiss and some eclogites would intrude into the older sequences composing the sedimentary protoliths of the biotite paragneiss and some eclogites along the northern margin of the Yangtze plate at mid-Neoproterozoic, and drove local meteoric–hydrothermal circulation systems in which both ¹³C- and ¹⁸O-depleted fluid interacted with the protoliths of these UHP rocks now exposed in the Dabie terrane.     

Lower crustal melting and the role of open-system processes in the genesis of syn-orogenic quartz diorite–granite–leucogranite associations: constraints from Sr–Nd–O isotopes from the Bandombaai Complex, Namibia

The Bandombaai Complex (southern Kaoko Belt, Namibia) consists of three main intrusive rock types including metaluminous hornblende- and sphene-bearing quartz diorites, allanite-bearing granodiorites and granites, and peraluminous garnet- and muscovite-bearing leucogranites. Intrusion of the quartz diorites is constrained by a U–Pb zircon age of 540±3 Ma.

Quartz diorites, granodiorites and granites display heterogeneous initial Nd- and O isotope compositions (_{Nd (540 Ma)}=−6.3 to −19.8; δ¹⁸O=9.0–11.6‰) but rather low and uniform initial Sr isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial=0.70794–0.70982). Two leucogranites and one aplite have higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70828–0.71559), but similar initial _Nd (−11.9 to −15.8) and oxygen isotope values (10.5–12.9‰). The geochemical and isotopic characteristics of the Bandombaai Complex are distinct from other granitoids of the Kaoko Belt and the Central Zone of the Damara orogen. Our study suggests that the quartz diorites of the Bandombaai Complex are generated by melting of heterogeneous mafic lower crust. Based on a comparison with results from amphibolite-dehydration melting experiments, a lower crustal garnet- and amphibole-bearing metabasalt, probably enriched in K₂O, is a likely source rock for the quartz diorites. The granodiorites/granites show low Rb/Sr (<0.6) ratios and are probably generated by partial melting of meta-igneous (intermediate) lower crustal sources by amphibole-dehydration melting. Most of the leucogranites display higher Rb/Sr ratios (>1) and are most likely generated by biotite-dehydration melting of heterogeneous felsic lower crust. All segments of the lower crust underwent partial melting during the Pan-African orogeny at a time (540 Ma) when the middle crust of the central Damara orogen also underwent high T, medium P regional metamorphism and melting. Geochemical and isotope data from the Bandombaai Complex suggest that the Pan-African orogeny in this part of the orogen was not a major crust-forming episode. Instead, even the most primitive rock types of the region, the quartz diorites, represent recycled lower crustal material.     

Nd, O and Sr isotopic constraints on the origin of Precambrian rocks, Southern Black Hills, South Dakota

The Nd, O and Sr isotopic characteristics of Precambrian metasedimentary, metavolcanic and granitic rocks from the Black Hills of South Dakota are examined. Two late-Archean granites (2.5-2.6 Ga) have T_dm ages of 3.05 and 3.30 Ga, suggesting that at least one of the granites was derived through the melting of significantly older crust. Early-Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks have T_dm ages that range from 2.32 to 2.45 Ga. These model ages, in conjunction with probable stratigraphic ages ranging from 1.9 to 2.2 Ga, indicate that mantle-derived material was added to the continental crust of this region during the early-Proterozoic. Previous studies of the Harney Peak Granite complex have reported U-Pb and Rb-Sr ages of about 1.71 Ga and most granite samples examined in this study have Sr isotopic compositions consistent with that age. Two granite samples taken from the same sill, however, give two-point Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd ages of 2.08 ±0.08 and 2.20 ±0.20 Ga (∑²²⁰⁰_Nd = −15.5), respectively. In addition, whole-rock and apatite samples of the spatially associated Tin Mountain pegmatite give a Sm-Nd isochron age of 2000 ±100 Ma (∑²²⁰⁰_Nd = −5.8 ±1.8).

The Sm-Nd, O and Rb-Sr isotopic systematics of these granitic rocks have been complicated to some degree by both crystallization and post-crystallization processes, and the age of the pegmatite and parts of the Harney Peak Granite complex remain uncertain. Processes that probably complicated the isotopic systematics of these rocks include derivation from heterogeneous source material, assimilation, mixing of REE between granite and country rock during crystallization via a fluid phase and post-crystallization mobility of Sr. The Nd isotopic compositions of the pegmatite and the Harney Peak Granite indicate that they were not derived primarily from the exposed metasedimentary rocks.     

Isotopic (O, Sr, Nd) and trace element geochemistry of the Laouni layered intrusions (Pan-African belt, Hoggar, Algeria): evidence for post-collisional continental tholeiitic magmas variably contaminated by continental crust

The three layered intrusions studied in the Laouni area have been emplaced within syn-kinematic Pan-African granites and older metamorphic rocks. They have crystallized at the end of the regional high-temperature metamorphism, but are free from metamorphic recrystallization, revealing a post-collisional character. The cumulate piles can be interpreted in terms of two magmatic liquid lines of descent: one is tholeiitic and marked by plagioclase–olivine–clinopyroxene cumulates (troctolites or olivine bearing gabbros), while the other is calc-alkaline and produced orthopyroxene–plagioclase rich cumulates (norites). One intrusion (WL (West Laouni)-troctolitic massif), shows a Lower Banded Zone where olivine-chromite orthocumulates are interlayered with orthopyroxene-rich and olivine–plagioclase–clinopyroxene cumulates, whereas the Upper Massive Zone consists mainly of troctolitic and gabbroic cumulates. The other two massifs are more homogeneous: the WL-noritic massif has a calc-alkaline differentiation trend whereas the EL (East Laouni)–troctolitic massif has a tholeiitic one. Separated pyroxene and plagioclase display similar incompatible trace element patterns, regardless of the cumulate type. Calculated liquids in equilibrium with the two pyroxenes for both noritic and troctolitic cumulates are characterized by negative Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf anomalies and light REE enrichment inherited from the parental magmas. Troctolitic cumulates have mantle-derived δ¹⁸O (+5 to +6‰), initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (Sr_i=0.7030 to 0.7054), _Nd (+5 to −1) values whereas noritic cumulates are variably enriched in δ¹⁸O (+7 to +9‰), show negative _Nd (−7 to −12) and slightly higher Sr_i (0.7040–0.7065). Based on field, isotopic ratios are interpreted as resulting from a depleted mantle source (Sr_i=0.7030; _Nd=+5.1; δ¹⁸O=+5.1‰) having experience short term incompatible element enrichment and variable crustal contamination. The mantle magma was slightly contaminated by an Archaean lower crust in troctolitic cumulates, more strongly and with an additional contamination by an Eburnian upper crust in noritic cumulates. Lower crust input is recorded mainly by Sr and Nd isotopes and upper crust input by O isotopes. This is probably due to the different water/rock ratios of these two crust types. Assimilation of low amounts (<10%) of quartz-bearing felsic rocks, coming from both lower and upper crust, can explain the rise of SiO₂ activity, the enrichment in ¹⁸O and ⁸⁷Sr and the lowering of _Nd in the noritic cumulates compared to troctolitic ones. The geodynamic model proposed to account for the Laouni tholeiitic magmatism involves a late Pan-African asthenospheric rise due to a rapid lithospheric thinning associated with functioning of shear zones, which allowed tholeiitic magmas to reach high crustal levels while experiencing decreasing degrees of crustal contamination with time.     

Oxygen isotope ratios of phenocrysts from alkali basalts of the Pannonian basin: Evidence for an O-isotopically homogeneous upper mantle beneath a subduction-influenced area

Oxygen isotope compositions of olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts and pyroxene and amphibole megacrysts from Neogene alkali basalts of the Pannonian basin (0.5–11 Ma) have been determined by laser fluorination. Measured δ¹⁸O values in olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts show rather restricted variations from 5.00 to 5.20‰ and from 5.07 to 5.34%., respectively, with cpx-ol fractionations Δ¹⁸O(cpx-ol) ranging from + 0.04 to + 0.29‰. These δ¹⁸O values are significantly lower than those of the corresponding whole rocks, suggesting that low temperature alteration has increased the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of the groundmass of host rocks, even in fresh looking samples, whereas their phenocrysts have retained original oxygen isotope compositions. The uniform oxygen isotope ratio in the phenocrysts suggests that the mantle source of the alkali basalts was also homogeneous with respect to its oxygen isotope composition, which is in contrast to the relatively wide variation of Sr, Nd and Pb isotope ratios in the source. Variations in radiogenic isotope compositions in the basalts have been explained by the interaction of subduction-related fluids with the mantle source of the basalts. If this is the case, then the fluids which caused significant changes in the Sr and Pb isotope ratios of the mantle source clearly did not noticeably modify its oxygen isotope composition. These data support the opinion that the upper mantle is more homogeneous with respect to its oxygen isotope composition than it was previously considered.     

Compositional diversity among Late Devonian peraluminous granitoid intrusions in the Meguma Zone of Nova Scotia, Canada

Late Devonian (385−370 Ma) granitoid intrusions in the Meguma Zone of southwestern Nova Scotia represent two geographically separate magmatic suites that show subtly different lithological, geochemical and isotopic characteristics. “Central intrusions” crop out with satellite mafic-intermediate intrusions, range in composition from granodiorite to leucogranite, contain two micas, have exclusively peraluminous compositions (molar A/CNK 1.1-1.3), variably high values for FeO_T (0.4–6.0 wt.%), Ba (5–980 ppm), Y (6–50 ppm), Pb (2–50 ppm), Ga (11–53 ppm), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i (0.7081-0.7130), δ¹⁸O (9.8–13.0) and δ³⁴S (4.5–11.9), in conjunction with low values for εNd (−1 to −6.5). In contrast, “peripheral plutons” crop out with synplutonic mafic-intermediate intrusions, range in composition from tonalite to leucogranite, may contain minor hornblende, have dominantly peraluminous compositions (molar A/CNK 0.9-1.3), variably high concentrations of TiO₂ (0.1-1.1 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (12.0–19.7 wt.%), CaO (0.2–4.9 wt.%), Sr (7–720 ppm), Cr (3–111 ppm) and V (1–136 ppm), higher εNd values (−2.0 to 3.2), and lower values for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i (0.7040-0.7079), δ¹⁸⁸O (7.6–10.5) and δ³⁴S (0–4.6). Such regional diversity is explained by inferring that upper crustal contamination dominated the central granitoid compositions and mixing with mantle-derived mafic-intermediate magmas dominated peripheral granitoid compositions. However, additional contributions from heterogeneous lower crust cannot be excluded.     

云开地区燕山晚期花岗岩的岩石成因及构造意义: 锆石U-Pb年龄及Hf同位素证据

相比较丰富的前寒武纪和早古生代地质记录, 云开地区燕山晚期花岗岩类分布很少, 且未见详细的研究报道.对云开地区广西陆川米场、三叉冲钨矿床以及松旺钨锡钼矿床等3个典型地区的燕山晚期花岗岩进行了系统的LA-MC-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb和Lu-Hf同位素研究.定年结果表明, 米场黑云母花岗岩、三叉冲黑云母花岗岩和松旺花岗岩的侵位年龄分别为113±1 Ma, 103±1 Ma和88±1 Ma, 为燕山晚期岩浆作用的产物.三叉冲黑云母花岗岩和松旺花岗岩具有较一致锆石ε_Hf(t)值(分别为-5.2~-2.7和-5.2~-3.6)和二阶段模式年龄T_DM2(分别为1.3~1.5 Ga和1.4~1.5 Ga), 指示为中元古代地壳物质再造的产物.米场黑云母花岗岩具有相对较高的ε_Hf(t)值(-2.3~1.4)和T_DM2(1.1~1.3 Ga), 并且其含有大量的镁铁质微粒包体(MME), 表明米场黑云母花岗岩很可能是壳源-幔源岩浆混合的产物.结合中国东南部构造-岩浆演化来看, 云开地区燕山晚期花岗岩的形成可能与白垩纪时太平洋板块向华南板块俯冲后板片的折返-断离有关.      

Burial-dominated cementation in non-tropical carbonates of the Oligocene Te Kuiti Group, New Zealand

Cementation of bryozoan-echinoid-benthic foraminiferal temperate shelf carbonates of the Oligocene Te Kuiti Group, North Island, New Zealand, occurred mainly during subsurface burial. The calcite cements in the limestones are dominated by equant and syntaxial rim spar which typically becomes ferroan (given an iron supply) and, compared to the skeletal material with normal marine δ¹⁸O values from +2 to −1‰, more depleted in ¹⁸O with depth of burial, the δ¹⁸O composition of bulk cement samples ranging from −1 to −7‰. These trends reflect the establishment in pore waters during sediment burial of reducing conditions and gradually increasing temperatures (20–50°C), respectively. The δ¹³C values (0 to +3‰) of the cements remain the same as the host marine shells, suggesting the source of carbon in the cements was simply redistributed marine carbonate derived from shell dissolution.

Two gradational burial diagenetic environments influenced by marine-derived porewaters are arbitrarily distinguished: shallow burial phase and moderate burial phase. During the shallow burial phase, down to 500–600 m sub-bottom depth, the carbonates lost at least 25% of their original porosity by mechanical compaction and were selectively cemented by non-ferroan or usually ferroan, variably luminescent, slightly ¹⁸O-depleted sparry calcite cement (δ¹⁸O −2 to −4‰), mainly as syntaxial rims about echinoid grains. These shallow-burial cements form less than about 10% of total cement in the majority of the limestones and their source was probably mainly mild intergranular dissolution of calcitic skeletal fragments accompanying the onset of chemical compaction. During the moderate burial phase, between about 600 and 1100 m sub-bottom depth, porosity loss continued (typically to about 70% of its original value) as a result of pressure-solution of calcitic bioclasts associated with more advanced stages of chemical compaction. This involved development of a wide variety of non-sutured and microstylolitic solution seams, including both single and composite, wispy or continuous, bedding-parallel types and non-parallel reticulate forms. The released carbonate was precipitated as ferroan (or non-ferroan where iron supply was negligible), dull luminescent, strongly ¹⁸O-depleted (δ¹⁸O −4 to −7‰), mainly equant calcite spar cement, occluding available pore space in the limestones.     

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope evidence for fluid–rock interactions in the stages of pre- and post-UHP metamorphism in the Dabie Mountains

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope studies were carried out on high and ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks in the eastern Dabie Mountains, China. The δ¹⁸O values of eclogites cover a wide range of −4.2 to +8.8‰, but the δD values of micas from the eclogites fall within a narrow range of −87 to −71‰. Both equilibrium and disequilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations were observed between quartz and the other minerals, with reversed fractionations between omphacite and garnet in some eclogite samples. The δ¹⁸O values of −4 to −1‰ for some of the eclogites represent the oxygen isotope compositions of their protoliths which underwent meteoric water–rock interaction before the high to ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. Heterogeneous δ¹⁸O values for the eclogite protoliths implies not only the varying degrees of the water–rock interaction before the metamorphism at different localities, but also the channelized flow of fluids during progressive metamorphism due to rapid plate subduction. Retrograde metamorphism caused oxygen and hydrogen isotope disequilibria between some of the minerals, but the fluid for retrograde reactions was internally buffered in the stable isotope compositions and could be derived from structural hydroxyls dissolved in nominally anhydrous minerals.     

Neo-Proterozoic rift-related syenites (Northern Damara Belt, Namibia): Geochemical and Nd–Sr–Pb–O isotope constraints for mantle sources and petrogenesis

Major element, trace element and Nd–Sr–Pb–O isotope data for a suite of Neo-Proterozic, pre-orogenic, rift-related syenites from the Northern Damara orogen (Namibia) constrain their sources and petrogenesis. New U–Pb ages obtained on euhdreal titanite of inferred magmatic origin constrain the age of intrusion of the Lofdal and Oas syenites to ca. 750 Ma compatible with previous high-precision zircon analyses from the Oas complex. Major rock types from Lofdal and Oas are mildly sodic nepheline-normative and quartz-normative syenites and were primarily generated by fractional crystallization from a mantle-derived alkaline magma. Primitive samples from Lofdal and Oas show depletion of Rb, K and Th relative to Ba and Nb together with variable negative anomalies of P and Ti on a primitive mantle-normalized diagram. Evolved samples from Oas develop significant negative Ba, Sr, P and Ti anomalies and positive U and Th anomalies mainly as a function of crystal fractionation processes. The lack of a pronounced negative Nb anomaly in samples from Lofdal suggests that involvement of a crustal component is negligible. For the nepheline-normative samples from Lofdal, the unradiogenic Sr and radiogenic Nd isotope composition and low δ¹⁸O values suggest derivation of these samples from a moderately depleted lithospheric upper mantle with crustal-like U/Pb ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7031–0.7035, ε Nd: ca. + 1, δ¹⁸O: 7‰, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: ca.18.00, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.58–15.60). Primitive samples of the Oas quartz-normative syenites have identical isotope characteristics (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7034, ε Nd: ca. + 1, δ¹⁸O: 6.5‰, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: ca.18.00, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.59) whereas more differentiated samples have higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.709–0.714), slightly higher δ¹⁸O values (7.0–7.1‰), less radiogenic ε Nd values (− 1.1 to − 1.4) and more radiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios up to 18.27. These features together with model calculations using Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes suggest modification of a primary syenite magma by combined AFC processes involving ancient continental crust. In this case, high Nb abundances of the parental syenite liquid prevent the development of significant negative Nb anomalies that may be expected due to interaction with continental crust.     

Source regions of granites and their links to tectonic environment: examples from the western United States

This review, in honor of Ilmari Haapala's retirement, reflects on lessons learned from studies of three granitic systems in western North America: (1) Mesoproterozoic samples from west Texas and east New Mexico; (2) Laramide granitic systems associated with porphyry-copper deposits in Arizona; and (3) granites of the Colorado Mineral Belt. The studies elucidate relationships amongst tectonic setting, source material, and magma chemistry.

Mesoproterozoic basement samples are from two different felsic suites with distinct elemental and isotopic compositions. The first suite, the “plutonic province”, is dominantly magnesian, calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic, and metaluminous. It has low K₂O/Na₂O and Rb/Sr, and Nd model ages of 1.56 to 1.40 Ga. The second suite, the “Panhandle igneous complex”, is magnesian, metaluminous, alkalic, and is part of the Mesoproterozoic belt of magmatism that extends from Finland to southwestern United States. Samples from the Panhandle igneous complex demonstrate three episodes of magmatism: the first pulse was intrusion of quartz monzonite at 1380 to 1370 Ma; the second was comagmatic epizonal granite and rhyolite at 1360 to 1350 Ma. Both of these rock types are high-K to slightly ultra-high-K. The third pulse at 1338 to 1330 Ma was intrusion of ultra-high-K quartz syenite. Nd model ages (1.94 to 1.52 Ga) are distinct from those of the “plutonic province” and systematically older than crystallization ages, implying a substantial crustal input to the magmas.

At the Sierrita porphyry-copper deposit in the Mazatzal Province of southeastern Arizona, trace element, Sr, and Nd isotopic compositions were determined for a suite of andesitic and rhyolitic rocks (67 Ma) intruded by granodiorite and granite. Isotopic composition and chemical evolution are well correlated throughout the suite. Andesite has the least negative initial ε_Nd (−4.3) and lowest ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i (0.7069). It is also the oldest and chemically most primitive, having low concentrations of Rb, SiO₂, and high concentrations of transition elements. These parameters change through the system to the youngest unit (granite), which has the most negative ε_Nd (−8.5), the highest ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i (0.7092), and is chemically most evolved. Correlation between chemical and Nd isotopic evolution probably resulted from a continuous process of progressive assimilation, in which mafic magmas invade and incorporate continental crust. Deposits in Arizona with ε_Nd values more negative than the −8.5 of Sierrita lie in the older Yavapai province in the northwestern part of the state. The difference in the most negative epsilon Nd implies that Nd isotopic signature is sensitive to the age of the Precambrian domain.

The granites from the Colorado Mineral Belt were emplaced during the transition from Laramide convergence to mid-Tertiary extension. Three different groups of granites are recognized. The first is Laramide and was formed during assimilation-fractional crystallization involving lower crustal mafic source materials; the second and third groups are mid-Tertiary and represent intracrustal melting of heterogeneous sources. This change in source regions and melt regimes in transition from convergence to extension is fundamental to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic evolution of western North America.     

Geochemistry of granitoids and their minerals from Rebordelo–Agrochão area, northern Portugal

Deformed Hercynian peraluminous granitoids ranging from tonalite to granite crop out in the Rebordelo–Agrochão area, northern Portugal and some of them contain tonalitic and granodioritic enclaves. Variation diagrams of major and trace elements of the rocks, biotites and sphenes show fractionation trends. The most- and the least-deformed samples of granite and their biotites also define fractionation trends. There is decrease in all rare earth element (REE) contents and increase in the Eu anomaly in REE patterns from the most- to the least-deformed samples of granite. All the granitoids define a whole-rock Rb–Sr errorchron. A whole-rock Rb–Sr isochron for the least-deformed samples of granite yields an age of 357±9 Ma and an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7087±0.0007. Geochemical modelling suggests that the tonalitic magma evolved by AFC (fractional crystallization of magnesiohornblende, plagioclase, quartz, biotite and ilmenite, and assimilation of metasediments) to originate tonalitic and granodioritic enclaves, granodiorite and granite. δ¹⁸O values support this mechanism. The tonalite is hybrid and derived by interaction of a mantle-derived magma and crustal materials.     

Source contributions to Devonian granite magmatism near the Laurentian border, New Hampshire and Western Maine, USA

Radiogenic isotope data (initial Nd, Pb) and elemental concentrations for the Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex, a suite of mainly granitic intrusions in New Hampshire and western Maine, are used to evaluate petrogenesis and crustal variations across a mid-Paleozoic suture zone. The complex comprises an areally subordinate monzodiorite suite [377±2 Ma; ε_Nd (at 370 Ma)=−2.7 to −0.7; initial ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.56–15.58] and an areally dominant granite [370±2 Ma; ε_Nd (at 370 Ma)=−7.0 to −0.6; initial ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.55–15.63]. The granite contains meter-scale enclaves of monzodiorite, petrographically similar to but older than that of the rest of the complex [389±2 Ma; ε_Nd (at 370 Ma)=−2.6 to +0.3; initial ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.58, with one exception]. Other granite complexes in western Maine and New Hampshire are 30 Ma older than the Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex granite, but possess similar isotopic signatures.

Derivation of the monzodioritic rocks of the Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex most likely occurred by melting of Bronson Hill belt crust of mafic to intermediate composition. The Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex granites show limited correlation of isotopic variations with elemental concentrations, precluding any significant presence of mafic source components. Given overlap of initial Nd and Pb isotopic compositions with data for Central Maine belt metasedimentary rocks, the isotopic heterogeneity of the granites may have been produced by melting of rocks in this crustal package or through a mixture of metasedimentary rocks with magmas derived from Bronson Hill belt crust.

New data from other granites in western Maine include Pb isotope data for the Phillips pluton, which permit a previous interpretation that leucogranites were derived from melting heterogeneous metasedimentary rocks of the Central Maine belt, but suggest that granodiorites were extracted from sources more similar to Bronson Hill belt crust. Data for the Redington pluton are best satisfied by generation from sources in either the Bronson Hill belt or Laurentian basement. Based on these data, we infer that Bronson Hill belt crust was more extensive beneath the Central Maine belt than previously recognized and that mafic melts from the mantle were not important to genesis of Devonian granite magma.     

Pb and Nd isotopic composition of the Jigongshan granite: constraints on crustal structure of Tongbaishan in the middle part of the Qinling–Tongbai–Dabie orogenic belt, Central China

The Qinling–Dabie–Sulu belt is the world's largest ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt. The UHP metamorphism is well dated at 220–245 Ma in the Dabie–Sulu belt but at 507 Ma in the Qinling belt. The Tongbaishan is located between the Qinling orogenic belt to the west and the Dabie–Sulu UHP metamorphic belt to the east. It is the key area for studying the tectonic relation between the Qinling and Dabie–Sulu belts and the diachronous UHP metamorphism. The Jigongshan granitic pluton (t=128 Ma) with a total area of 1200 km², composed of monzogranite, was mostly emplaced into the Tongbai complex, an exposed basement in the Tongbaishan. The Jigongshan granites have SiO₂=69.85–72.35%, K₂O/Na₂O=0.87–1.13, A/CNK=0.91–1.03, Rb/Sr=0.14–0.25 and Th/U=3.3–12. Their REE compositions show strongly fractionated patterns with (La/Yb)_N=14–58 and Eu*/Eu=0.79–1.05. The granites are characterized by low radiogenic Pb isotopic composition. The present-day whole-rock Pb isotopic ratios are ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=16.707–17.055, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.239–15.326 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=37.587–37.853, which are similar to that of the continental lower crust. Their _Nd(t) values range from −16 to −20, and depleted-mantle Nd model ages (T_DM) from 1.8 to 2.2 Ga. The above evidence indicates that the magma of the Jigongshan granites was derived from the partial melting of the continental crust. The Pb and Nd isotopic compositions of the Jigongshan granites resemble those of the Dabie core complex in the Dabieshan but are distinct from those of the Tongbai complex in the Tongbaishan. Thus, the Dabie core complex would be the magma source of the Jigongshan granites. The result implies that the Dabie core complex is extended to the west and constitutes the unexposed basement underlaying the Tongbai complex in the Tongbaishan.     

Post-collisional Variscan lamprophyres (Black Forest, Germany): Ar/Ar phlogopite dating, Nd, Pb, Sr isotope, and trace element characteristics

Subsequent to high-pressure and temperature metamorphism of the axial zone of the Variscan foldbelt in central Europe at ca. 340 to 330 Ma, formation of lamprophyre dikes during transtensional tectonics may be viewed as the beginning of the post-collisional stage of the orogeny. We report the results of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica dating, major and trace element data, and isotope compositions for lamprophyre and rhyodacite samples from the southern Black Forest. The chemical compositions of these rocks shed light on the upper mantle and crust at the end of the Variscan orogeny. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages for four phlogopite–biotite separates from lamprophyres indicate emplacement at 332 to 314 Ma. This event coincides with melting of the crust as indicated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite plateau ages of ca. 332 Ma for rhyodacite dikes which are probably related to coeval undeformed granites. Incompatible trace element patterns of the lamprophyre samples reveal the characteristics of evolved continental crust and are interpreted as evidence for melting of sediment in a subduction-modified mantle. Nd, Sr, and Pb isotope compositions indicate an enriched mantle source with _Nd-values of −1.5 to −6.8 which is similar to Variscan crust. Significant contamination of the lamprophyric melts by Variscan crust can be ruled out as mantle-derived phlogopite phenocrysts have similar _Nd-values as in the whole-rock samples. We propose that the isotope compositions and incompatible trace element characteristics of the lamprophyres were predominantly inherited from melted sediment. The isotope compositions of Variscan lamprophyres from western Europe suggest that enriched upper mantle was only partly delaminated when ascending hot mantle triggered melting of the lower crust, as has been invoked for the origin of post-collisional granites. The isotope compositions of Tertiary basalts and mantle xenoliths indicate a depleted upper mantle under western Europe, implying that the enriched Variscan material was efficiently removed and mixed into the convecting mantle.