大别山超高压榴辉岩和花岗片麻岩中锆石Lu-Hf同位素研究

对大别山超高压榴辉岩和花岗片麻岩进行了锆石Lu-Hf同位素分析,结果为原岩来源提供了制约,表明扬子陆块在Rodinia超大陆裂解时的裂谷岩浆活动中发生了显著的陆壳生长。对这些锆石的不同区域进行的U-Pb和Lu-Hf同位素分析和比较表明,不同成因的锆石在~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄、初始Hf同位素组成、Th/U及Lu/Hf比值等方面具有明显的差异。与年龄较老的岩浆核部和幔部相比,年轻的变质增生边具有低的Th/U和Lu/Hf比值但高的ε_(Hf)(t)值。不同成因锆石的Th/U和Lu/Hf比值存在着正相关性,表明变质作用对锆石的U-Th-Pb和Lu-Hf同位素体系有着相似的影响。高级变质作用有时能够引起岩浆锆石增生边~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf比值的显著升高,导致变质新生颗粒或增生边类似于新生地壳的高ε_(Hf)(t)值假象。对榴辉岩和片麻岩锆石核部的分析发现,镁铁质和长英质原岩在大约750Ma左右形成一个双峰式火山岩套,另外包含少量的年龄约为2.15Ga的陆壳。初始Hf同位素组成可分成两组:第一组具有正的ε_(Hf)(t)值,为5.9±0.9～12.9±0.7;第二组ε_(Hf)(t)值在零左右,为-4.3±0.5-2.3±0.3。正的ε_(Hf)(t)值与较年轻的模式年龄相对应,负的ε_(Hf)(t)值与古元古代模式年龄相对应。前者表明,在扬子陆块北缘裂谷岩浆作用将亏损地幔物质加入到大陆地壳中,同时在新元古代中期的裂谷构造带中存在同时期的壳-幔相互作用。因此,在扬子陆块北缘新元古代中期裂谷岩浆活动中,既有新生地壳生长和即时再造,也有古老地壳再造。     

西藏拉萨地块松多榴辉岩的锆石Lu/Hf同位素研究及LA-ICPMS U-Pb定年

最近在青藏高原拉萨地块中发现一条榴辉岩带.榴辉岩带位于拉萨北东近200km处的松多乡一带,呈近东西方向延伸,至少长60kin,宽2km～3km.锆石样品选自新鲜的榴辉岩样品,共测了39个数据点,其中前19个数据点仅做Lu-Hf同位素分析,后20个数据点既做了锆石原位Lu-Hf同位素分析,同时也做了锆石原位LA-MC-ICPMS U-Pb定年.结果表明,松多榴辉岩锆石Hf同位素组成比较均一,具有高176Hf/177Hf和低176Lu/177Hf特征,176Hf/177Hf和176Lu/176Hf值分别变化在0.2829651～0.2830295和0.000002～0.000008之间,其可能代表全岩体系在变质作用发生时的平均Hf同位素组成.松多榴辉岩的高176Hf/177Hf和低176Lu/177Hf组成特征可能跟其高压变质作用以及在变质作用过程中形成石榴子石矿物有关.εHf(0)变化于6.8～10.0,表明在其变质过程中,变质流体有亏损地幔物质的加入.LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年,所获得加权平均年龄260Ma±16Ma,为变质年龄.从而进一步确定了松多榴辉岩变质事件发生在二叠纪.     

内蒙古克什克腾旗长岭子斜长花岗斑岩锆石U-Pb年龄、成因与碰撞造山作用

内蒙古克什克腾旗长岭子斜长花岗斑岩位于大兴安岭锡林浩特增生杂岩带内.本文对长岭子斜长花岗斑岩进行了主微量元素地球化学以及锆石U?Pb年代学和Lu?Hf同位素研究.长岭子斜长花岗斑岩锆石206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为(248.1±4.7)Ma,是早三叠世岩浆活动的产物;继承锆石除外,样品中锆石具有正的εHf(t)值(...     

拉萨地块南缘日多地区叶巴组火山岩地球化学、年代学、锆石Lu-Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

拉萨地块南缘日多地区叶巴组火山岩以中酸性熔岩及火山碎屑岩占绝对优势为特征。以墨竹工卡县以东日多地区叶巴组火山岩代表性岩石组合为对象进行了地球化学、LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄及锆石Lu-Hf同位素研究。研究结果表明,叶巴组火山岩具有轻稀土元素富集,富集大离子亲石元素Rb、Th、K,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti(P、Hf)的地球化学特征。其中,基性火山岩具低钾、低钛和富钠、富铝的特征,Nb、Zr含量和Th/Y、Th/Yb、Ta/Yb值较高,而La/Nb值较低,呈现出大陆地壳组分增加的趋势。中酸性火山岩属中钾-高钾钙碱性系列,具有低钛、低镁和高铝的特征,微量元素含量及比值与大陆岛弧安山岩接近。叶巴组火山岩总体地球化学特征与陆缘弧火山岩相似。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年获得英安岩和流纹质晶屑凝灰岩~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄加权平均值分别为176.9±2.3Ma和162.2±3.3Ma,表明研究区叶巴组酸性火山岩形成于中侏罗世。锆石Hf同位素测试结果显示,εHf(t)值为2.43~11.42,二阶段模式年龄(t_(DM)~C)为482~1065Ma,暗示叶巴组酸性火山岩源区除新生地壳物质的部分熔融外,还明显受到古老结晶基底的影响。结合前人研究成果,认为叶巴组形成于早中侏罗世雅鲁藏布江洋北向俯冲于拉萨地块南缘之下的陆缘弧环境。     

中天山卡瓦布拉克杂岩带中闪长岩的锆石U-Pb年龄及Hf同位素特征

卡瓦布拉克杂岩带出露于中天山地块东段卡瓦布拉克—阿克塔格地区,沿卡瓦布拉克断裂呈东西向展布。笔者选择构成该杂岩带的中—基性岩石主体闪长岩,开展了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学和LA-MC-ICP-MS锆石Hf同位素研究。结果表明:闪长岩中锆石呈自形—半自形,发育典型的岩浆锆石振荡生长环带,Th/U值较高(均大于0.40),且Th、U含量呈现较好的正相关关系,为典型的岩浆成因锆石;这些锆石的206Pb/238 U年龄加权平均值为(375±1)Ma,MSWD=0.081,属晚泥盆世,可代表其结晶年龄;锆石具有较均一的Hf同位素组成,初始比值为0.282 655~0.282 747、εHf(t)值为4.0~7.2,其对应的亏损地幔模式年龄为714~842Ma。结合区域地质资料认为,卡瓦布拉克杂岩带中的闪长岩由亏损岩石圈地幔发生部分熔融而形成。     

大别地体超高压变质岩石锆石Lu-Hf同位素研究

对大别山南部超高压变质带双河和黄镇地区的榴辉岩、片麻岩和硬玉石英岩中变质锆石进行了原位LA-MC-ICP- MS的Lu-Hf同位素分析。双河和黄镇的榴辉岩及双河的硬玉石英岩有低~(176)Lu/~(177)Hf和低~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf组成,两地的片麻岩有高~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf比和高且分散的~(176)Lu/~(177)Hf组成。锆石Hf同位素分布主要受变质原岩的形成时代控制,增生锆石基本上继承了原岩锆石的Hf同位素特征,既有增生锆石相对有低~(176)Lu/~(177)Hf和高~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf、继承重结晶锆石相对有高~(176)Lu/~(177)Hf和低~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf的特征,也有二者相互重叠没有区别的,它主要受原岩性质和变质过程中锆石遭受的溶蚀程度控制。增生锆石的低Lu/Hf是锆石在变质过程中Lu含量下降和Hf含量增高造成的,增生锆石的高~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf继承自岩石中其它高Lu/Hf比矿物的长期演化。继承锆石的初始Hf同位素组成ε_(Hf)值和亏损地幔模式年龄T_(DM)示踪表明,各超高压变质原岩的时代和成因是复杂的:双河榴辉岩原岩物质源自25亿年的亏损地幔和至少27亿年以上的古老晚太古地壳混合。双河片麻岩原岩年龄相同,但有不同的壳幔混合物源。黄镇榴辉岩原岩主要源于亏损幔源岩浆形成的初生地壳的重循环,很少的地壳混染。黄镇片麻岩和榴辉岩的物源区年龄相同。两地片麻岩原岩物源主要来自弱亏损地幔,存在古老地壳物质和地幔物质的混合。大别地区超高压变质岩锆石的Lu-Hf同位素特征主要反映了7～8亿年和18～19亿年时扬子克拉通北缘地区的岩浆活动特点和大地构造环境。     

Lu-Hf年代学研究——以大别榴辉岩为例

本文利用多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(MC-ICP-MS)进行了同位素稀释法Lu-Hf年代学研究,建立了全岩Lu、Hf的分离条件。分离后Lu溶液中~(176)Lu/~(176)Yb大于30,分离后Hf溶液中Lu和Yb对Hf的干扰(~(176)Lu/~(176)Hf和~(176)Yb/~(176)Hf分别小于2×10~(-6)和2×10~(-4))采用指数法则进行校正。建立了MC-ICP-MS进行Lu、Hf同位素高精度准确测试的校正方法。天然样品中Hf同住素~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf的内部测试精度优于0.0015%,外部精密度优于0.0010%。应用本文建立的方法获得大别双河榴辉岩石榴子石-全岩Lu-Hf等时线年龄为254±16Ma(2σ)。年龄误差稍大与该样品石榴子石中较低的Lu含量(1.1μg/g)和石榴子石-全岩的未充分分开的~(176)Lu/~(177)Hf比值(分别为0.05和0.01)有关。     

鲁东昆嵛山地区宫家辉长闪长岩成因：岩石地球化学、锆石U-Pb年代学与Hf同位素制约

宫家辉长闪长岩是鲁东昆嵛山地区出露面积最大的基性侵入体。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年表明,其侵位于113±2Ma。高MgO含量(Mg~#高达56),Hf同位素组成位于华北克拉通地壳演化线之上,说明其地幔来源的特征。在地球化学特征上,富集K、Rb、Ba、Th、U等大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素,亏损Nb、Ti、P等高场强元素;I_(Sr)为0.70745～0.70812,ε_(Nd)为～15.9～-12.0,Sr、Nd和Pb同位素组成[(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i=17.108～17.239]与胶东基性脉岩和胶莱盆地青山组火山岩相似;锆石Hf同位素组成比较均一,ε_(Hf)(t)平均值为-16.7,这些特征都暗示其来源于富集的华北岩石圈地幔。地球化学研究表明宫家辉长闪长岩经历了分离结晶作用,是胶东乃至中国东部岩石圈减薄的产物。     

广西那龙地区中三叠世火山岩地球化学特征及构造意义

右江盆地西南缘广泛出露早—中三叠世火山岩,目前对这些火山岩没有精确的年代学和地球化学研究。本文选择广西那坡县那龙地区下三叠统罗楼组与中三叠统百逢组之间的一套厚层状分布的火山岩作为研究对象,对其进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素定年、锆石主微量元素及全岩的地球化学研究。锆石206Pb/238U同位素年龄为241.2±1.9Ma(MSWD=0.69),代表火山岩的结晶年龄。锆石稀土元素总量较高,富集重稀土元素,具有明显Eu负异常及Ce正异常,含有较低的Th、Th/U、Ce/Sm和δEu值及相对较高的Hf、Yb/Gd和U/Ce值,指示原岩岩浆源区有地壳熔体的组分。火山岩全岩SiO2含量为51.28%～56.17%,并显示低TiO2含量(0.79%～1.28%)和高Al2O3含量(13.52%～15.51%)的特征。稀土元素地球化学特征表现为Eu负异常(δEu=0.60～0.71),富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、Cs、Ba、U、Sr、Pb、Th、K)和轻稀土元素而亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、P、Ti)及重稀土元素,与岛弧火山岩的特征一致。Ce/Pb及Nb/U值接近大陆地壳,Zr/Y值和Zr含量偏高,表明原始岩浆源区可能为地壳熔体和俯冲洋壳熔体组成的混合物,岩浆在形成上升过程中有深海沉积物或地壳物质的加入,岩石成因与俯冲作用有关。但Ba/Th值(2.92～69.75)小于300,表明原始岩浆在上升过程中受到流体混染的程度比较小。结合前人研究成果可得出,广西那龙中三叠世岛弧火山岩的发现,代表早中生代古特提斯洋东延部分存在一个俯冲消减带。     

磷灰石Lu-Hf同位素年代学研究——以河北矾山磷矿为例

磷灰石是广泛出露于三大类岩石中的副矿物,由于磷灰石具有较高的Lu/Hf比值(最高可达约90,而通常用过Lu-Hf定年的石榴石最高只有28),因而是进行高精度Lu-Hf同位素定年的理想矿物。例如在经常缺乏锆石等常规定年矿物的镁铁质岩浆岩中,或者在角闪岩和大理岩等变质岩石中,磷灰石具有常规定年矿物无法替代的优势。但是,磷灰石中极低的Hf含量使得难以获得准确的176Lu/177Hf和176Hf/177Hf比值,阻碍了构筑高精度Lu-Hf矿物等时线。本次研究笔者将AridusⅡ膜去溶与多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱(MC-ICP-MS)联用,有效降低了基体氧化物和氢化物的干扰,提高了仪器信号强度和稳定性,获得了精准的Lu-Hf同位素比值。运用上述方法,我们对采自华北克拉通北缘矾山碱性杂岩体中不同岩带的磷灰石、榍石和辉石获得了高精度的176Lu/177Hf和176Hf/177Hf比值,矿物内部等时线年龄为(226.5±3.6)Ma和(231.3±3.1)Ma。该结果与同一样品中的副矿物(锆石、斜锆石、钙钛矿和榍石)的U-Pb年代学结果一致,不但证明了我们Lu-Hf同位素年代学方法的可行性与可靠性,也进一步限定了矾山杂岩体形成的时代。同时,结合全岩和单矿物的微量元素及Sr-Nd同位素特征,为矾山岩体的演化过程提供了制约条件。     

锆石微量元素地球化学对硅质火山岩浆系统的制约

大型硅质火山作用(喷发体积约102～104 km3)的岩浆系统是地壳尺度的,经历了复杂的起源、运移、存储、补给和喷发等过程.揭示岩浆从起源到喷发过程中的结晶分异、堆晶、晶体-熔体分离、地壳混染、岩浆补给、晶粥活化等岩浆作用的细节是认识硅质火山岩浆系统演化的关键.锆石中Th、U、Ti、Hf和REE等微量元素的含量和系统变...     

含榴花岗片麻岩 Lu-Hf 年代学初探

对西大别四道河含石榴子石花岗片麻岩进行了锆石 U-Pb 和石榴子石 Lu-Hf 年代学测试,锆石 U-Pb谐和年龄为(223±1) Ma,石榴子石-全岩 Lu-Hf 等时线年龄为(212.2±0.7) Ma.石榴子石具有极高的母子体同位素比值(176Lu/177Hf =~300).结合锆石和石榴子石的微量元素特征,该锆石 U-Pb 年龄代表的可能是超高压/高压变质时间,石榴子石 Lu-Hf 年龄代表的是石榴子石重结晶时间,可能指示了后期退变质作用流体活动     

U-Pb, Hf and O isotope evidence for two episodes of fluid-assisted zircon growth in marble-hosted eclogites from the Dabie orogen

A combined study of internal structure, U-Pb age, and Hf and O isotopes was carried out for metamorphic zircons from ultrahigh-pressure eclogite boudins enclosed in marbles from the Dabie orogen in China. CL imaging identifies two types of zircon that are metamorphically new growth and recrystallized domain, respectively. The metamorphic zircons have low Th and U contents with low Th/U ratios, yielding two groups of ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age at 245 ± 3 to 240 ± 2 Ma and 226 ± 4 to 223 ± 2 Ma, respectively. Anomalously high δ¹⁸O values were obtained for refractory minerals, with 9.9 to 21.4‰ for garnet and 16.9‰ for zircon. This indicates that eclogite protolith is sedimentary rocks capable of liberating aqueous fluid for zircon growth during continental subduction-zone metamorphism. Most of the zircons are characterized by very low ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of 0.000001-0.000028, indicating their growth in association with garnet recrystallization. A few of them falling within the older age group have comparatively high ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of 0.000192-0.000383, suggesting their growth prior to the formation of garnet in the late stage of subduction. The variations in the Lu/Hf ratios for zircons can thus be used to correlate with garnet growth during eclogite-facies metamorphism. In either case, the zircons have variable ε_Hf (t) values for individual samples, suggesting that their protolith is heterogeneous in Hf isotope composition with localized fluid availability in the bulk processes of orogenic cycle. Nevertheless, a positive correlation exists between ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages and Lu-Hf isotope ratios for the metamorphically recrystallized zircons, suggesting that eclogite-facies metamorphism in the presence of fluid has the identical effect on zircon Lu-Hf and U-Th-Pb isotopic systems. We conclude that the zircons of the older group grew in the presence of fluid during the subduction prior to the onset of peak ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism, whereas the younger zircons grew in the presence of fluid released during the initial exhumation toward high-pressure eclogite-facies regime.     

Zircon Trace Element Constraints on U-Pb Dating: A Case Study of the Huayuangong A-type Granite in the Lower Yangtze Region,Eastern China

For magmatic rocks, it is often found that zircon 206 Pb/238 U and 207 Pb/235 U ratios continuously plot on the concordia line with a relatively large age span for the same sample, which gives rise to large dating errors or even unrealistic dating results. As the trace element concentrations of zircon can reflect its equilibrated magma characteristics, they can be used to determine whether all the analytical spots on the zircons selected to calculate the weighted mean age are cogenetic and formed in a single magma chamber. This work utilizes the results of zircon trace element concentrations and U-Pb isotopic analyses to explore the screening of reasonable U-Pb ages, which can be used to determine a more accurate intrusion crystallization age. The late Mesozoic Huayuangong granitic pluton complex, which is located in the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China, was selected for a case study. The Huayuangong pluton comprises the central intrusion and the marginal intrusion. Two samples from the marginal intrusion yielded consistent zircon weighted mean 206 Pb/238 U ages of 124.6 ± 2.0 Ma and 125.9 ± 1.6 Ma. These analytical spots also exhibit Zr/Hf and Th/U ratios concordant with the evolution of a single magma, from which the dated zircons crystallized. However, for the central intrusion, the analytical spots on zircons from two samples all show a continuous distribution on the concordia line with a relatively large age span. For each sample from the central intrusion, the zircon Zr/Hf ratios do not conform to a single magma evolutionary trend, but rather can be divided into two groups. We propose that zircon Zr/Hf ratios can provide a new constraint on U-Pb zircon dating and zircon Th/U ratios can also be used as a supplementary indicator to constrain zircon dating and determine the origins of the zircons and whether magma mixing has occurred. By screening zircon analytical spots using these two indicators, the two samples from the central intrusion of the Huayuangong pluton produce results of 122.8 ± 4.3 Ma and 122.9 ± 2.2 Ma, which are consistent with the field observations that the central intrusion is slightly younger than the marginal intrusion.     

Metamorphic growth and recrystallization of zircon: Distinction by simultaneous in-situ analyses of trace elements,U–Th–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in zircons from eclogite-facies rocks in the Sulu orogen

Simultaneous in-situ analyses of trace elements, U–Th–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes were carried out on distinct domains of zircons in ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks from the main hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) in the Sulu orogen. For the first time, trace elements are directly linked to Lu–Hf isotopes in metamorphic zircons with reference to their U–Pb dates. This enables methodological integration to distinguish four types of metamorphic zircon: solid-state, replacement and dissolution recrystallizations of protolith zircons, and new growth from the aqueous fluid. Metamorphically grown zircons are characterized by concordant U–Pb ages for the metamorphism, flat HREE patterns typical of the garnet effect, low contents of REE (especially HREE), Y, Nb + Ta and Th + U, high contents of Hf, low (Lu/Gd)_N, Lu/Hf and Th/U (< 0.1) ratios, and elevated ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios relative to solid-state recrystallized zircons. This suggests the effects of both garnet and fluid on the growth of metamorphic zircons. In contrast, metamorphic recrystallization has reset the U–Th–Pb isotope system of protolith zircons to different extents, depending on the extents of fluid action during metamorphism. Solid-state recrystallized zircons exhibit the lowest degrees of resetting and thus almost inherit all geochemical features from the protolith zircons, which are characterized by discordant U–Pb ages close to or below the protolith age, steep MREE–HREE patterns typical of magmatic origin, high contents of trace elements and their ratios, and low ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios. On the other hand, dissolution recrystallized zircons show the highest degrees of reworking and thus have concordant or nearly concordant U–Pb ages for the metamorphism, steep MREE–HREE patterns, lowered contents of trace elements such as REE, Th, U, Y, Nb, Ta and Ti relative to the protolith zircons, and almost unchanged Hf isotope ratios. Replacement recrystallized zircons display intermediate degrees of reworking and thus have their many features of elements and isotopes in between. While the metamorphic growth in the presence of both garnet and fluid is characterized by both depletion of HREE with flat pattern and the low contents of trace elements, the metamorphic recrystallization in the presence of aqueous fluid is indicated by gradual decreases of MREE to HREE without the flat HREE pattern. Therefore, the simultaneous in-situ analyses of metamorphic zircons have the advantage over single-term analyses in making distinction between the new growth and the different types of recrystallization.     

Subduction channel fluid-rock interaction:Indications from rutile-quartz veins within eclogite from the Yuka terrane,North Qaidam orogen

High-pressure(HP)or ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)rutile-quartz veins that form at mantle depths due to fluid-rock interaction can be used to trace the properties and behavior of natural fluids in subduction zones.To explore the fluid flow and the associated element mobility during deep subduction and exhumation of the continental crust,we investigated the major and trace elements of Ti-rich minerals.Additionally,U–Pb dating,trace element contents,and Lu–Hf isotopic composition of zircon grains in the UHP eclogite and associated rutile-quartz veins were examined in the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt,Yuka terrane.The zircon grains in the rutile-quartz veins have unzoned or weak oscillatory zonings,and show low Th/U ratios,steep chondrite-normalized patterns of heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),and insignificant negative Eu anomalies,indicating their growth in metamorphic fluids.These zircon grains formed in 431
3 Ma,which is consistent with the 432
2 Ma age of the host eclogite.As for the zircons in the rutile-quartz veins,they showed steep HREE patterns on one hand,and were different from the zircons present in the host eclogite on the other.This demonstrates that their formation might have been related to the breakdown of the early stage of garnet,which corresponds to the abundance of fluids during the early exhumation stage.The core-rim profile analyses of rutile recorded a two-stage rutile growth across a large rutile grain;the rutile core has higher Nb,Ta,W,and Zr contents and lower Nb/Ta ratios than the rim,indicating that the rutile domains grew in different metamorphic fluids from the core towards the rim.The significant enrichment of high field strength elements(HFSEs)in the rutile core suggests that the peak fluids have high solubility and transportation capacity of these HFSEs.Furthermore,variations in the Nb vs.Cr trends in rutile indicate a connection of rutile to mafic protolith.The zircon grains from both the rutile-quartz veins and the host eclogite have similar Hf isotopic compositions,indicating that the vein-forming fluids are internally derived from the host eclogite.These fluids accumulated in the subduction channel and were triggered by local dehydration of the deeply subducted eclogite during the early exhumation conditions.     

Pb,U, Tl,Hf and Zr distributions in zircons determined by proton microprobe and fission track techniques

A proton microprobe has been used to determine Pb, Tl, Hf and Zr distributions across four single zircon crystals separated from a ‘rapakivi’ granite. The Pb and Zr data are quantitative: Pb and Tl concentrations were below the measurable limits for determinations in situ by most other techniques. The distribution of U in the same crystals was determined by the fission track technique. Limits on precision of U allow only a qualitative correlation of U and Pb, whereas the Tl and Pb correlation is more exactly determined.Zircons with distinct cores and overgrowths exhibited uniform Zr and Hf concentrations across the crystals, whereas the high U rims and ‘inclusions’ (domains) also had high Tl and Pb contents. Since almost all the Pb in these zircons is derived by radioactive decay of U, the Tl substitution has paralleled that of U. The results indicate that the high U domains are ‘hot spots’ rather than a separate mineral phase. The strong positive correlation of U and Pb indicates that there is little U daughter product migration relative to U, within the crystal. However, for the zircon population investigated here, the data are equivocal on the question of whether U addition to zircon crystals is associated with new zircon growth or not. In either case, the heterogeneous U and Pb distributions complicate any interpretations of U-Pb isotopic analysis for such zircon populations.     

Chemical and isotopic (Pb,Sr) zonation in a peraluminous granite pluton: role of fluid fractionation

The Davis Lake pluton (DLP, ~800 km²) of southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada, part of the large peraluminous South Mountain batholith of ca. 380 Ma (U/Pb zircon, Ar/Ar mica), consists of granite and subordinate topaz–muscovite leucogranite that hosts greisen tin-base metal mineralization. A new Pb–Pb isochron age for leucogranite from the most evolved part of the DLP indicates a crystallization age of 378±3.6 Ma, coincident with other radiometric ages of the DLP (Rb–Sr, Re–Os, Pb–Pb). The intrusion displays a compositional zonation defined by lead and strontium isotopic ratios, as well as some major elements (e.g., Si, F), incompatible trace elements (e.g., Li, Rb, Ta, U, Sn), and elemental ratios (e.g., K/Rb and Nb/Ta). The greisens and the leucogranites that host them are characterized by extreme radiogenic compositions for Pb and Sr, and their chemical-isotopic trends are extensions of the trends displayed by the less evolved granites. The covariations of the isotopic ratios with several major and trace elements and elemental ratios as well as the Pb–Pb and Rb–Sr isochrones indicate that all phases of the intrusion originated from a homogeneous parental magma. The granitoid magma underwent extensive fractional crystallization of feldspars, minor biotite and accessory minerals (monazite, apatite and zircon) in a compositionally zoned magma chamber that was subsequently accompanied by fluid fractionation, during which time the internally derived fluorine-rich fluids modified the Rb/Sr, U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios, leading to distinct variations of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb isotopic ratios. These data therefore document the evolution of a granitic magma through magmatic (i.e., crystal fractionation), orthomagmatic (i.e., crystal-fluid fractionation) and hydrothermal (i.e., fluid fractionation) stages that culminated in the formation of a tin-base metal deposit. The Pb isotope data also constrain the source region for the DLP as being Avalonian basement that, by inference, must underlie much of the Meguma Terrane.Editorial responsibility: T.L. Grove     

Metamorphic zircon formation by solid-state recrystallization of protolith igneous zircon

Protolith zircon in high‐grade metagranitoids from Queensland, Australia, partially recrystallized during granulite‐grade metamorphism. We describe the zircon in detail using integrated cathodoluminescence, U–Pb isotope, trace element and electron backscatter diffraction pattern (EBSP) analyses. Primary igneous oscillatory zoning is partially modified or obliterated in areas within single crystals, but is well preserved in other areas. A variety of secondary internal structures are observed, with large areas of transgressive recrystallized zircon usually dominant. Associated with these areas are recrystallization margins, interpreted to be recrystallization fronts, that have conformable boundaries with transgressive recrystallized areas, but contrasting cathodoluminescence and trace element chemistry. Trace element analyses of primary and secondary structures provide compelling evidence for closed‐system solid‐state recrystallization. By this process, trace elements in the protolith zircon are purged during recrystallization and partitioned between the enriched recrystallization front and depleted recrystallized areas. However, recrystallization is not always efficient, often leaving a ‘memory’ of the protolith trace element and isotopic composition. This results in the measurement of ‘mixed’ U–Pb isotope ages. Nonetheless, the age of metamorphism has been determined. A correlation between apparent age and Th/U ratio is indicative of incomplete re‐setting by partial recrystallization. Recrystallization is shown to probably not significantly affect Lu–Hf ages. Recrystallization has been determined by textural and trace element analysis and EBSP data not to have proceeded by sub‐grain rotation or local dissolution/re‐precipitation, but probably by grain‐boundary migration and defect diffusion. The formation of metamorphic zircon by solid‐state recrystallization is probably common to high‐grade terranes worldwide. The recognition of this process of formation is essential for correct interpretation of zircon‐derived U–Pb ages and subsequent tectonic models.     

Geochronology of zircon megacrysts from nepheline-bearing gneisses as constraints on tectonic setting: implications for resetting of the U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic systems

Nepheline-bearing gneisses from the 75 km² Tambani body in the Mozambique Belt of southern Malawi, are miaskitic biotite-nepheline monzodiorites, reflecting an absence of K-feldspar, alkali amphiboles or pyroxenes, and contain euhedral zircon megacrysts up to 5 cm across. The zircons contain U = 1–1,860 ppm, Th = 0–2,170 ppm and Y = 400–1,100 ppm, and very low concentrations of all other measured trace elements except Hf (HfO₂ = 0.53–0.92 wt. %). Cathodoluminescence images reveal oscillatory sector growth zoning and no evidence for xenocrystic cores, indicating that the zircons represent primary magmatic crystallization products that have survived amphibolite grade metamorphism. U-Pb isotopic analyses (by TIMS) yield an upper intercept age of 730 ± 4 Ma (MSWD = 1.7), which we interpret as the time of magmatic crystallization of the zircons. This is coincident with 11 SHRIMP spot analyses, which yield a mean age of 729 ± 7 Ma (MSWD = 0.37). Metamorphism, at 522 ± 17 Ma as suggested by monazite, caused partial Pb-loss during local recrystallization of zircon. Lu-Hf isotopic data for three whole-rock samples of nepheline-bearing gneiss are collinear with those for zircon megacrysts, and correspond to an age of 584 ± 17 Ma (MSWD = 0.37. We interpret the Lu-Hf array to represent a mixing line defined by the Hf isotopic signature of primary zircon and that of the rock-forming minerals reset during metamorphic (re-)crystallization; hence the 584 Ma age is likely geologically meaningless. Given the well-defined association of nepheline syenites (and phonolitic volcanic equivalents) with continental rifting, we suggest that the Tambani body represents a magmatic product formed at 730 Ma during the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent. The 522 Ma age is akin to other Pan-African metamorphic ages that record collisional suturing events during the final assembly of Gondwana. Zircon-bearing nepheline gneisses thus preserve a record of intra-continental rifting and of continental collision in southern Malawi.