The Yermakovsky deposit,Western Transbaikal Region,Russia: Isotopic and geochemical parameters and sources of beryllium-bearing granitoids and other rocks

An isotopic study of igneous and metamorphic rocks has been carried out at the Yermakovsky bertrandite-phenakite-fluorite deposit. It has been established that the model age of the schists pertaining to the Zun-Morino Formation is 1360–1260 Ma. In Nd and Sr isotopic composition, these schists deviate from the isotopic composition of the continental crust and are close in this respect to the enriched mantle reservoir (EM-II). The model age of carbonate rocks of the Zun-Morino Formation is 1330–1020 Ma. The Middle Riphean model age of the Zun-Morino Formation is interpreted as the age of its protolith. According to the Sr and Nd isotopic data, all preore igneous rocks (granitic dikes, gabbroic rocks, and gneissose granite of the Tsagan Complex) were formed with the participation of continental crustal material. Synore basic dikes, alkali leucogranite stock, and syenite intrusion are considered to be mixtures of mantle components (DM+HIMU) and various continental crustal components (Tsagan gneissose granite, crystalline schists, the mean composition of granitoids of the Angara-Vitim batholith as an estimate of average composition of the regional continental crust). Synore igneous rocks are genetically cognate and related to the magmatic activity in the Western Transbaikal Rift Zone presumably formed in the Triassic under effect of a mantle plume.     

The adakite connection of the Tuwu–Yandong copper porphyry belt, eastern Tianshan, NW China: trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry

The Tuwu–Yandong porphyry copper belt lies in the eastern Tianshan mountains, eastern section of the Central Asian orogenic belt. The copper mineralization is mainly hosted in plagiogranite porphyries intruded into early Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Paleozoic Dananhu island arc between the Tarim and Siberian plates. The plagiogranite porphyries have contents of 65–73 wt% SiO₂, 14–17 wt% Al₂O₃, 0.9–2.2 wt% MgO, 3–16 ppm Y, 0.4–1.40 ppm Yb, 347–920 ppm Sr, and positive Eu anomalies. The rocks also exhibit positive ɛ _Nd(t) values (+5.0 to +9.4) and low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.70316–0.70378). Such features are similar to those of adakites derived from partial melting of a subduction-related oceanic slab. The mineralization age is early Carboniferous (350–320 Ma), which is close to that of the porphyries. The close relationship between the Cu mineralization and the porphyry is also indicated by their similar Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions. We suggest that the copper porphyry (magma) system in the Dananhu island arc was formed by direct melting of an obliquely subducting early Carboniferous oceanic slab.     

Zircon age and Nd–Hf isotopic composition of the Yunnan Tethyan belt,southwestern China

The Baoshan block of the Tethyan Yunnan, southwestern China, is considered as northern part of the Sibumasu microcontinent. Basement of this block that comprises presumably greenschist-facies Neoproterozoic metamorphic rocks is covered by Paleozoic to Mesozoic low-grade metamorphic sedimentary rocks. This study presents zircon ages and Nd–Hf isotopic composition of granites generated from crustal reworking to reveal geochemical feature of the underlying basement. Dating results obtained using the single zircon U–Pb isotopic dilution method show that granites exposed in the study area formed in early Paleozoic (about 470 Ma; Pingdajie granite) and in late Yanshanian (about 78–61 Ma, Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary; Huataolin granite). The early Paleozoic granite contains Archean to Mesoproterozoic inherited zircons and the late Yanshanian granite contains late Proterozoic to early Paleozoic zircon cores. Both granites have similar geochemical and Nd–Hf isotopic charateristics, indicating similar magma sources. They have whole-rock T _DM(Nd) values of around 2,000 Ma and zircon T _DM(Hf) values clustering around 1,900–1,800 and 1,600–1,400 Ma. The Nd–Hf isotopic data imply Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic crustal material as the major components of the underlying basement, being consistent with a derivation from Archean and Paleoproterozoic terrains of India or NW Australia. Both granites formed in two different tectonic events similarly originated from intra-crustal reworking. Temporally, the late Yanshanian magmatism is probably related to the closure of the Neotethys ocean. The early Paleozoic magmatism traced in the Baoshan block indicates a comparable history of the basements during early Paleozoic between the SE Asia and the western Tethyan belt, such as the basement outcrops in the Alpine belt and probably in the European Variscides that are considered as continental blocks drifting from Gondwana prior to or simultaneously with those of the SE Asia.     

Post-collisional melting of crustal sources: constraints from geochronology,petrology and Sr,Nd isotope geochemistry of the Variscan Sichevita and Poniasca granitoid plutons (South Carpathians,Romania)

The Sichevita and Poniasca plutons belong to an alignment of granites cutting across the metamorphic basement of the Getic Nappe in the South Carpathians. The present work provides SHRIMP age data for the zircon population from a Poniasca biotite diorite and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements, Sr–Nd isotopes) of representative rock types from the two intrusions grading from biotite diorite to biotite K-feldspar porphyritic monzogranite. U–Pb zircon data yielded 311 ± 2 Ma for the intrusion of the biotite diorite. Granites are mostly high-K leucogranites, and biotite diorites are magnesian, and calcic to calc-alkaline. Sr, and Nd isotope and trace element data (REE, Th, Ta, Cr, Ba and Rb) permit distinguishing five different groups of rocks corresponding to several magma batches: the Poniasca biotite diorite (P₁) shows a clear crustal character while the Poniasca granite (P₂) is more juvenile. Conversely, Sichevita biotite diorite (S₁), and a granite (S₂*) are more juvenile than the other Sichevita granites (S₂). Geochemical modelling of major elements and REE suggests that fractional crystallization can account for variations within P₁ and S₁ groups. Dehydration melting of a number of protoliths may be the source of these magma batches. The Variscan basement, a subduction accretion wedge, could correspond to such a heterogeneous source. The intrusion of the Sichevita–Poniasca plutons took place in the final stages of the Variscan orogeny, as is the case for a series of European granites around 310 Ma ago, especially in Bulgaria and in Iberia, no Alleghenian granitoids (late Carboniferous—early Permian times) being known in the Getic nappe. The geodynamical environment of Sichevita–Poniasca was typically post-collisional of the Variscan orogenic phase.     

Late Mesozoic collisional granitoids of the upper Amur area: New geochemical data

Geochemical and isotopic data were used for a comparative analysis of Late Mesozoic (150–120 Ma) granitoids in various geological structures of the upper Amur area. The granitoids are metaluminous high-potassic I-type rocks of the magnetite series. They have variable alkalinity and consist of the monzonite-granite and granosyenite-granite associations. The monzonite-granite association consists of calc-alkaline granitoids of normal alkalinity belonging to the Umlekan-Ogodzhinskaya volcanic-plutonic zone and the Tynda-Bakaran Complex of the Stanovoy terrane. The rocks are characterized by negative anomalies of U, Ta, Nd, Hf, and Ti (in patterns normalized to the primitive mantle), with Eu anomalies pronounced weakly in the granodiorites and quartz and monzodiorites and more clearly in the granites: Eu/Eu* = 0.37–0.95, and (La/Yb)_n = 7–24, Tb_n/Yb_n = 1.4–3.2. The granosyenite-granite association comprises of moderately alkaline rocks, which are subdivided into three groups according to their geochemistry. The first group consists of phase-I granosyenites of the Uskalinskii Massif of the Umlekan-Ogodzhinskaya zone with the highest concentrations of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cs, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Yb, and Th; negative anomalies at Ba, Ta, Sr, and Hf; Eu/Eu* = 0.50–0.58, (La/Yb)_n = 15–16, and Tb_n/Yb_n = 1.8. The second group comprises of moderately alkaline granitoids of the Umlekan-Ogodzhinskaya zone and the Khaiktinskii Complex of the Baikal-Vitim superterrane. Geochemically, the granitoids of this group are generally similar to the monzodiorite-granite association and differ from it in having lower concentrations of REE and Y, Eu/Eu* = 6.2–1.0, (La/Yb)_n = 28–63, and Tb_n/Yb_n = 2.1–4.5. The third group consists of granitoids of the Chubachinskii Complex of the Stanovoi terrane, which typically show negative Cs, Rb, Th, U, Ta, Hf, and Ti anomalies; the lowest concentrations of V, Cr, Co, and Ni; and the highest contents of Sr. The granosyenites of the first phase display clearly pronounced negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.53–0.68), (La/Yb)_n = 7–24, and Tb_n/Yb_n = 0.8–2.0. The granitoids of the second phase have (La/Yb)_n = 51–84, no Eu anomalies, or very weak Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.97–1.23). The silica-oversaturated leucogranites of the third phase are characterized by elevated concentrations of REE, clearly pronounced Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.48), and flat REE patterns (Tb_n/Yb_n = 1.3). The diversity of the granitoids is demonstrated to have been caused largely by the composition of the Precambrian source, which was isotopically heterogeneous. The rocks of the monzodiorite-granite association and first-group granosyenites of the granosyenite-granite association of the Tynda-Bakaran Complex were supposedly derived from garnet-bearing biotite amphibolites. In contrast to these rocks, the source of the second-group granites of the granosyenite-granite association was of mixed amphibolite-metagraywacke composition. The third-group of granitoids were melted out of Early Proterozoic crustal feldspar-rich granulites of variable basicity, with minor amounts of Archean crustal material. The granitoids were emplaced in a collisional environment, perhaps, during the collision of the Amur superterrane and Siberian craton. This makes it possible to consider these rocks as components of a single continental volcanic-plutonic belt. Original Russian Text ? V.E. Strikha, 2006, published in Geokhimiya, 2006, No. 8, pp. 855–872.     

Ore geochemistry,zircon mineralogy,and genesis of the Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit in Kola Peninsula is related to the fissure alkaline intrusion of the same name. The intrusion ∼7 km in extent and 4–5 km² in area of its exposed part is composed of Neoarchean (2.68–2.61 Ma) alkali and nepheline syenites, which cut through the Archean alkali granite and gneissic granodiorite. Mineralization is localized in the nepheline syenite body as linear zones 200–1350 m in extent and 3–30 m in thickness, which strike conformably to primary magmatic banding and trachytoid texture of nepheline syenite. The ore is similar to the host rocks in petrography and chemistry and only differs from them in enrichment in zircon, britholite-(Y), and pyrochlore. Judging from geochemical attributes (high HSFE and some incompatible element contents (1000–5000 ppm Zr, 200–600 ppm Nb, 100–500 ppm Y, 0.1–0.3 wt % REE, 400–900 ppm Rb), REE pattern, Th/U, Y/Nb, and Yb/Ta ratios), nepheline syenite was derived from an enriched mantle source similar to that of contemporary OIB and was formed as an evolved product of long-term fractional crystallization of primary alkali basaltic melt. The ore concentrations are caused by unique composition of nepheline syenite magma (high Zr, Y, REE, Nb contents), which underwent subsequent intrachamber fractionation. Mineralogical features of zircon-the main ore mineral—demonstrate its long multistage crystallization. The inner zones of prismatic crystals with high ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (90, on average) grew during early magmatic stage at a temperature of 900–850°C. The inner zones of dipyramidal crystals with average ZrO₂/HfO₂ = 63 formed during late magmatic stage at a temperature of ∼500°C. The zircon pertaining to the postmagmatic hydrothermal stage is distinguished by the lowest ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (29, on average), porous fabric, abundant inclusions, and crystallization temperature below 500°C. The progressive decrease in ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio was caused by evolution of melt and postmagmatic solution. The metamorphic zircon rims relics of earlier crystals and occurs as individual rhythmically zoned grains with an averaged ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (45, on average) similar to that of the bulk ore composition. The metamorphic zircon is depleted in uranium in comparison with magmatic zircon, owing to selective removal of U by aqueous metamorphic solutions. Zircon from the Sakharjok deposit is characterized by low concentrations of detrimental impurities, in particular, contains only 10–90 ppm U and 10–80 ppm Th, and thus can be used in various fields of application.     

Diversity of late Neoarchean K-rich granitoid rocks derived from subduction-related crust/mantle interactions in the Jiaobei terrane,North China Craton

The appearance of voluminous K-rich granitoids within nearly all ancient cratons represents one major characteristic of late Archean Earth, which hold the key to understand the transitional geodynamic regimes globally during this period. The genetic regimes and links among different K-rich granitoids and their implications for crustal growth and evolution remain controversial. A series of late Neoarchean K-rich granitoids, including quartz dioritic, granodioritic, and monzogranitic gneisses, occur in the Jiaobei terrane of North China Craton. Zircon U-Pb isotopic data reveal that they emplaced during ~2544–2494 Ma, coeval with regional ~2530–2470 Ma high-grade metamorphism.The quartz dioritic-granodioritic gneisses are magnesian rocks, and they show low Si and Ti, but high K and Mg, similar to Archean low-Ti sanukitoids. The Sr/Y and (La/Yb)_N are high (mostly 59.99–119.32 and 8.56–61.42), with moderate to high Nb (up to 11.79 ppm). Geochemical modeling, combined with depleted zircon εHf(t₂) (+0.5 − +7.2) and the presence of minor xenocrystic zircons, indicate that these low silica samples were derived from a metasomatized depleted mantle source with inputs of slab-derived fluids and melts, and minor contamination by ancient crustal materials. The monzogranitic rocks are ferroan rocks showing high Si, K, and Fe, but low Mg. They are divided into two subgroups: the first displays low TREE of 44.00–127.00 ppm and positive Eu anomalies (Eu_N/Eu*_N = 1.06–1.60), whereas the second shows high TREE of 85.76–819.02 ppm but negative Eu anomalies (Eu_N/Eu*_N = 0.51–0.62). Geochemical modeling and depleted zircon εHf(t₂) of +2.6 − +8.4 suggest their formation by partial melting of juvenile crustal sources involving tonalitic and some metasedimentary rocks at diverse crustal levels.Combined with regional geological data, these late Neoarchean K-rich granitoids were generated by coupled melting of metasomatized depleted mantle and dominantly juvenile crustal materials during crustal stabilization. Furthermore, the Jiaobei terrane experienced ~2.6–2.5 Ga crustal growth under a subduction-accretion setting.     

Origin of Meso-Proterozoic post-collisional leucogranite suites (Kaokoveld, Namibia): constraints from geochronology and Nd, Sr, Hf, and Pb isotopes

Leucocratic granites of the Proterozoic Kaoko Belt, northern Namibia, now preserved as meta-granites, define a rock suite that is distinct from the surrounding granitoids based on their chemical and isotopic characteristics. Least evolved members of this ~1.5–1.6-Ga-old leucogranite suite can be distinguished from ordinary calc-alkaline granites that occur elsewhere in the Kaoko Belt by higher abundances of Zr, Y, and REE, more radiogenic initial ε_Nd values and unradiogenic initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. The leucogranites have high calculated zircon saturation temperatures (mostly > 920°C for least fractionated samples), suggesting that they represent high-temperature melts originating from deep crustal levels. Isotope data (i.e., ε_Ndi: +2.3 to –4.2) demonstrate that the granites formed from different sources and differentiated by a variety of processes including partial melting of mantle-derived meta-igneous rocks followed by crystal fractionation and interaction with older crustal material. Most fractionation-corrected Nd model ages (T_DM) are between 1.7 and 1.8 Ga and only slightly older than the inferred intrusion age of ca. 1.6 Ga, indicating that the precursor rocks must have been dominated by juvenile material. Epsilon Hf values of zircon separated from two granite samples are positive (+11 and +13), and Hf model ages (1.5 and 1.6 Ga) are similar to the U–Pb zircon ages, again supporting the dominance of juvenile material. In contrast, the Hf model ages of the respective whole rock samples are 2.3 and 2.4 Ga, demonstrating the involvement of older material in the generation of the granites. The last major tectonothermal event in the Kaoko Belt in the Proterozoic occurred at ca. 2.0 Ga and led to reworking of mostly 2.6-Ga-old rocks. However, the presence of 1.6 Ga “post-collisional” granites reflects addition of some juvenile mantle-derived material after the last major tectonic event. The results suggest that similar A-type leucogranites are potentially more abundant in crustal terranes but are masked by AFC processes. In the case of the Kaoko Belt, it is suggested that this rock suite indicates a yet unidentified period of mantle-derived crustal growth in the Proterozoic of South Western Africa.     

The source of fluoride toxicity in Muteh area,Isfahan, Iran

Endemic dental fluorosis has been observed in most inhabitants of three villages of Muteh area, located in northwest of Isfahan province, with mottled enamel related to high levels of fluoride in drinking water (1.8–2.2 ppm). Forty-seven groundwater samples from six villages were collected and fluoride concentrations along with physico-chemical parameters were analyzed. Fluoride concentration in this area varies from 0.2 to 9.2 mg/l with highest fluoride level at Muteh gold mine (Chahkhatun mine). Fluoride concentration positively correlates with pH and HCO₃ ⁻ indicating that alkaline pH provides a suitable condition for leaching of fluoride from surrounding rocks. The district is mainly covered by three lithological units, namely, metamorphic and granite rocks, alluvial sediments, and carbonate rocks. Factor analysis shows that parameters can be classified into four components: electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl⁻, Na⁺ and K⁺, pH and F⁻, SO₄ ²⁻and Mg²⁺, HCO₃ ⁻ and Ca₂ ⁺. The groundwaters from the three geological units were compared using Mann–Whitney U test. The order of median fluoride concentration is: metamorphic and granite rocks > alluvial sediments > carbonate rocks. Hence, the fluoride content is most probably related to fluoride-bearing minerals such as amphibole and mica group minerals in metamorphic and granitic rocks. The concentration of fluoride in drinking water wells located near the metamorphic complex in Muteh area is above 2 ppm.     

Palaeoproterozoic A-type felsic magmatism in the Khetri Copper Belt, Rajasthan, northwestern India: petrologic and tectonic implications

Summary A number of small Palaeoproterozoic granitoid plutons were emplaced in the Khetri Copper Belt, which is an important Proterozoic metallogenic terrane in the northeastern part of Aravalli mountain range. Contiguous Biharipur and Dabla plutons are located about 15 km southeast of Khetri, close to a 170 km long intracontinental rift zone. The plutons are composed of amphibole-bearing alkali-feldspar granites, comprising microcline-albite granite, albite granite and late-stage microgranite. The albite granite in Biharipur is confined to the margins of the pluton, and shows extensive commingling with the synchronous mafic plutonics. Geochemically, the albite granites are characterised by low K₂O (∼0.5 wt.%) and elevated Na₂O (∼7.0 wt.%) abundances. By contrast, the microcline-albite granite does not show any significant mafic-granite interactions and shows normal concentrations of alkali elements. The granitoids display high concentrations of the rare earth (except Eu) and high field strength elements, high values of Ga/Al (>2.5), agpaitic index and Fe^*-number. These features together with their alkaline metaluminous and ferroan nature classify the rocks as typical A-type within-plate granites. All the granitoid facies display similar REE and incompatible element profiles indicating their cogenetic nature. These granitoids were emplaced in a shallow crustal chamber under relatively low pressures, high temperature (≥850 °C) and relatively oxidising conditions. The oxidised nature, HFSE concentrations and Nd isotope data (ɛNd = −1.3 to −2.9) favour derivation of these granitoid rocks from crustal protoliths. The generation of albite granite is attributed to the replacement of alkali feldspar and plagioclase of the original granite by pure albite as a consequence of pervasive infiltration of a high Na/(Na + K) fluid at the late-magmatic stage. This model may have wider significance for the generation of albite granites/low-K granites or albitites in other areas. The A-type plutonism under consideration seems to be an outcome of ensialic rifting of the Bhilwara aulacogen.     

Petrogenetic Appraisal of Early Palaeozoic Granitoids of Kinnaur District, Higher Himachal Himalaya, India

The Early Palaeozoic felsic magmatism of Kinnaur district is represented by more-or-less equivalent Akpa granitoids (477±29 Ma) and Rakcham granitoids (453±9 Ma), which form an integral part of the Central Crystalline Zone in the southern portion of the Tethys Himalayan Tectogen. Both, Akpa granitoids (AG) and Rakcham granitoids (RG), intrude the rocks of the Vaikrita Group. Substantially low magnetic susceptibility values (c = 0.016-0.187 × 10⁻³ SI) of these Early Palaeozoic granitoids suggest their nature similar to as ilmenite series (reduced-type) granitoids emplaced in a syn-collisional tectonic setting. The modal compositions of AG mainly correspond to two-mica (muscovite-biotite) monzogranite belonging to the granitoids generated by crustal fusion. Based on mineral assemblage (Ms+Bt+Tur+Ap), associated skarn-type tungsten mineralization, occurrence of metasedimentary enclaves, and whole-rock geochemistry (SiO₂ = 70.75-72.95 wt.%, TiO₂ = 0.02-0.17 wt.%, K₂O/Na₂O = 1.05-2.32, molar A/CNK = 0.93 to 1.33, CIPW corundum 0.17 to 3.82 wt.%, Av. Sr = 304ppm, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7206±0.00235), the AG can be typically characterized as peraluminous (S-type) granite as similarly noted for RG. Higher Rb/Sr ratio and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.737±0.002 of RG compared to that of AG however indicate involvement of relatively more crustal component in generation of RG. The AG is enriched in Ba and light rare earth elements (LREE). The chondrite normalized REE patterns of AG appear weakly fractionated (La_N/Lu_N= 1.06-6.43) and show pronounced negative Eu-anomaly (Eu_N/Eu^* = 0.03). The AG and RG represent typical S-type granite suites that largely evolved due to differential degree of anatexis (partial fusion) of sedimentary protoliths, prior to Caledonian but after the Pan-Indian thermal orogenic event.     

Petrology and geochemistry of late archaean granitoids in the northern part of Eastern Dharwar Craton,Southern India: Implications for transitional geodynamic setting

The results of field, petrographic and geochemical work of the granitoids of Hutti-Gurgunta area in the northern part of Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) is presented in this paper. This crustal section comprises polyphase banded to foliated TTG gneisses, middle amphibolite facies Gurgunta schist belt and upper greenschist facies Hutti schist belt and abundant granite plutons. The focus of the present study is mainly on basement TTG gneisses and a granite pluton (∼ 240 sq km areal extent), to discuss crustal accretion processes including changing petrogenetic mechanism and geodynamic setting. The TTGs contain quartz, plagioclase, lesser K-feldspar and hornblende with minor biotite while the granite contain quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar and hornblende. Late stage alteration (chloritisation, sericitisation and epidotisation) is wide spread in the entire area. A huge synplutonic mafic body which is dioritic to meladioritic in composition injects the granite and displays all stages of progressive mixing and hybridization. The studied TTGs and granite show distinct major and trace element patterns. The TTGs are characterized by higher SiO₂, high Al₂O₃, and Na₂O, low TiO₂, Mg#, CaO, K₂O and LILE, and HFS elements compared to granite. TTGs define strong trondhjemite trend whilst granite shows calc-alkaline trend. However, both TTGs and granite show characteristics of Phanerozoic high-silica adakites. The granite also shows characteristics of transitional TTGs in its high LILE, and progressive increase in K₂O with differentiation. Both TTGs and granite define linear to sub-linear trends on variation diagrams. The TTGs show moderate total REE contents with fractionated REE patterns (La/Yb_N =17.73–61.73) and slight positive or without any significant Eu anomaly implying little amount of amphibole or plagioclase in residual liquid. On the other hand, the granite displays poor to moderate fractionation of REE patterns (La/Yb_N = 9.06–67.21) without any significant Eu anomaly. The TTGs have been interpreted to be produced by low-K basaltic slab melting at shallow depth, whereas the granite pluton has been formed by slab melting at depth and these melts interacted with peridotite mantle wedge. Such changing petrogenetic mechanisms and geodynamic conditions explain increase in the contents of MgO, CaO, Ni and Cr from 2700 Ma to 2500 Ma granitoids in the EDC.     

The Darasun gold deposit,Eastern Transbaikal region: Chemical composition,REE patterns,and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of carbonates from ore veins

The chemistry, REE patterns, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonates from ore veins of the Darasun deposit are discussed. In addition to the earlier described siderite, calcite, and carbonates of the dolomite-ankerite series, kutnahorite is identified. The total REE content in Fe-Mg carbonates of the dolomite-ankerite series (2.8–73 ppm) is much lower than in later calcite (18–390 ppm). δ¹³C of Fe-Mg carbonates and calcite varies from +1.1 to −6.7‰ and from −0.9 to −4.9‰, respectively. δ¹⁸O of Fe-Mg carbonates and calcite varies from +17.6 to 3.6‰ and from +15.7 to −0.5‰, respectively. The REE sum and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions reveal zonal distribution relative to the central granodiorite porphyry stock. The correlation between the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions and REE sum reflects variations in the physicochemical formation conditions and composition of ore-forming fluid. The isotopic composition of fluid is calculated, and possible sources of its components are considered. Earlier established evidence for a magmatic source of ore-forming fluid and participation of meteoric water in ore formation is confirmed. Geochemical evidence for interaction of ore-forming fluid with host rocks is furnished. The relationships between the REE sum, on the one hand, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of hydrothermal ore-forming fluid, on the other, are established.     

Cretaceous–Tertiary structures and kinematics of the Serbomacedonian metamorphic rocks and their relation to the exhumation of the Hellenic hinterland (Macedonia, Greece)

 The kinematic pattern and associated metamorphism of the predominant ductile deformation and the subsequent deformational stages of the Serbomacedonian metamorphic rocks and granitoids are presented in terms of peri-Tethyan tectonics. A systematic record of structural and metamorphic data gives evidence of a main top-to-ENE to ESE ductile flow of Cretaceous age (120–90 Ma) associated with a crustal stretching and unroofing. A subordinate WSW to WNW antithetic sense of movement of the tectonic top is observed in places. The associated metamorphic conditions are estimated at 4.5–7.5 kbar and 510–580  °C. During Eocene to Miocene times these fabrics were successively deformed by low-angle extensional D_e ductile shear zones with top-to-NE and SW sense of movement and brittle shear zones of similar kinematic pattern, suggesting a transition from ductile to brittle deformation. D_e deformation was accompanied during its later stages by NW/SE-directed shortening. We also discuss the relation of this Cretaceous–Tertiary deformation of the Serbomacedonian metamorphic rocks with the Eocene to Miocene ductile, top-to-southwestward crustal shear of the adjacent Rhodope crystalline rocks. We regard the Serbomacedonian and the Rhodope metamorphic rocks to represent related metamorphic provinces, the most recent exhumation and cooling history of which is bracketed between the Eocene and Neogene. Received: 8 December 1998 / Accepted: 19 April 1999     

Mineralkogical and Petrochemical Characterisitics and Genesis of Laoniugou Geneiss in Jiapigou Gold Mine,Jilin Province

Detailed mineralogical and petrochemical studies show that the Laoniugou gneiss of the Jiapigou gold mine is composed mainly of plagioclase gneiss and irregular to lentiform plagioclase amphibolite melanic enclaves.The major element contents show an obvious bimodal and trondhjemitic series evolutional trend.This situation is significantly different from that encountered in bimodal calc-alkalic volcanic rocks in the rift-type Archaean greenstone belt.The contents of Rb,Sr and Ba are 7-21 ppm,153-363ppm and 201-1451 ppm respectively ,close to those of common Archaean grey gneisses.All the samples of plagioclase gneisses show positive Eu anomalies (even up to 4.6).The protoliths of the plagioclase gneiss are high-Al2O3 trondhjemitic series rocks,belonging to typical TTG of Archaean high-grade metamorphic terrain .The gneiss is quite similar to the B-type Amitsoq gneiss of W.Greenland .The authors believe that the plagioclase amphibolite enclaves are the relics of ancient oceanic crust while the plagioclase gneiss is the TTG ancient intrusive rock resulting from partial melting of the oceanic crust.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Cadomian felsic igneous rocks, Sandıklı area of the western Taurides, Turkey

In the Sandıklı (Afyon) region, western Taurides, the Late Proterozoic rocks of the Sandıklı basement complex are composed of low-grade meta-sedimentary rocks (Güvercinoluk Formation) intruded by felsic rocks (Kestel Cayı Porphyroid Suite, KCPS). The KCPS is a deformed and highly sheared, dome-shaped rhyolitic body with a granitic core. Quartz porphyry dikes intrude both the slightly metamorphic igneous and the sedimentary rocks of the basement complex. Both the quartz porphyries and rhyolites were converted into mylonites with relict igneous textures. Geochemical data show that these felsic igneous rocks are subalkaline and mainly granitic in composition with SiO₂ >72 wt% and Al₂O₃ >11.5 wt%. The chondrite-normalized incompatible trace element patterns are characterized by distinct negative Rb, Nb, Sr, P, Ti, and Eu with enrichment in Th, U, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Zr. The REE patterns of the felsic rocks indicate a strong enrichment in LREE but display slightly flat HREE patterns. According to geochemical characteristics and petrogenetic modeling, extrusive and intrusive rocks of the KCPS were probably derived from an upper continental crustal source (partial melting of granites/felsic rocks) by 18–20% fractional melting plus 18–20% Rayleigh fractional crystallization, which seems to be the most effective igneous process during the crystallization of the KCPS. Single zircon age data from the granitoids and fossils from the disconformably overlying sedimentary successions indicate that the metamorphism and the igneous event in the Taurides are related to the Cadomian orogeny. Based on the geological, geochemical and petrogenetic correlation of the post-collisional granitoids it is further suggested that the Tauride belt in western central Turkey was in a similar tectonic setting to the Gondwanan terranes in North Africa (Younger Granitoids) and southern Europe (Spain, France, Bohemia, Brno Massifs) during the Late Cadomian period.     

Geochemistry, Nd Isotopic Characteristics of Metamorphic Complexes in Northern Hebei： Implications for Crustal Accretion

The middle segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton （NCC） consists mainly of metamorphosed Archean Dantazi Complex, Paleoproterozoic Hongqiyingzi Complex and unmetamorphosed gabbro-anorthosite-meta-alkaline granite, as well as metamorphosed Late Paleozoic mafic to granitoid rocks in the Damiao-Changshaoying area. The -2.49 Ga Dantazi Complex comprises dioritic-trondhjemitic-granodoritic-monzogranitic gneisses metamorphosed in amphibolite to granulite facies. Petrochemical characteristics reveal that most of the rocks belong to a medium- to high-potassium calc-alkaline series, and display Mg^# less than 40, right-declined REE patterns with no to obviously positive Eu anomalies, evidently negative Th, Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies in primitive mantlenormalized spider diagrams, εNd（t）=＋0.65 to -0.03, and depleted mantle model ages TDM=2.78-2.71 Ga. Study in petrogenesis indicates that the rocks were formed from magmatic mixing between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and granitoid magma from partial melting of recycled crustal mafic rocks in a continental margin setting. The 2.44-2.41 Ga Hongqiyingzi Complex is dominated by metamorphic mafic-granodioritic-monzogranitic gneisses, displaying similar petrochemical features to the Dantazi Complex, namely medium to high potassium calc-alkaline series, and the mafic rocks show evident change in LILEs, negative Th, Nb, Ta, Zr anomalies and positive P anomalies. And the other granitiod samples also exhibit negative Th, Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies. All rocks in the Hongqiyingzi Complex show right-declined REE patterns without Eu anomaly. The metamorphic mafic rocks with εNd（t） = -1.64 may not be an identical magmatic evolution series with granitoids that have εNd（t） values of ＋3.19 to ＋1.94 and TDM ages of 2.55-2.52 Ga. These granitic rocks originated from hybrid between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and magma from partial melting of juvenile crustal mafic rocks in an island arc setting. All the -311 Ma Late Paleozoic metamorphic mafic rocks and related granitic rocks show a medium-potassium calc-alkaline magmatic evolution series, characterized by high Mg^#, obviously negative Th, Nb, Ta anomalies and positive Sr anomalies, from no to strongly negative Ti anomalies and flat REE patterns with εNd（t） = ＋8.42, implying that the maflc magma was derived from the depleted mantle. However the other granitic rocks are characterized by right-declined REE patterns with no to evidently positive Eu anomalies, significantly low εNd（t） = -13.37 to -14.04, and TDM=1.97-1.96 Ga, revealing that the granitoid magma was derived from hybrid between maflc magma that came from -311 Ma depleted mantle and granitoid magma from Archean to Early Paleoproterozoic ancient crustal recycling. The geochemistry and Nd isotopic characteristics as well as the above geological and geochronological results indicate that the middle segment of the northern margin of the NCC mainly experienced four crustal growth episodes from Archean to Late Paleozoic, which were dominated by three continental marginal arc accretions （-2.49, -2.44 and 311 Ma）, except the 1.76-1.68 Ga episode related to post-collisional extension, revealing that the crustal accretion of this segment was chiefly generated from arc accretion and amalgamation to the NCC continental block.     

Origin of a Mesozoic granite with A-type characteristics from the North China craton: highly fractionated from I-type magmas?

We report geochronological, geochemical and isotopic data for the Mesozoic Shangshuiquan granite from the northern margin of the North China craton. The granite is highly fractionated, with SiO₂ > 74%. Occurrence of annitic biotite, high contents of alkalis (K₂O + Na₂O), Rb, Y, Nb and heavy rare earth elements, high FeO_t/MgO, low contents of CaO, Al₂O₃, Ba, and Sr, and large negative Eu anomalies, makes it indistinguishable from typical A-type granites. A mantle-derived origin for the rocks of the granite is not favored because their high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (≥0.706) and low ε_Nd (t) (<−15) are completely different from either those of the lithospheric or asthenospheric mantle. In fact, their Sr–Nd isotopes fall within the range of Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Archean granulite terrains and are comparable to those of Mesozoic crustal-derived I-type granitoids in the region. Therefore, the Shangshuiquan granite is considered to be dominantly derived from partial melting of the ancient lower crust. Its parental magmas prove to be similar to I-type magmas and to have undergone extensive fractionation during its ascent. This is supported by the fact that some of the nearby Hannuoba feldspar-rich granulite xenoliths can be indeed regarded as the early cumulates in terms of their mineralogy, chemistry, Sr–Nd isotopes and zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes. It is furthermore argued that some of highly fractionated granites worldwide, especially those with A-type characteristics and lacking close relationship with unfractionated rocks, may in fact be fractionated I-type granites. This suggestion can explain their close temporal and spatial associations as well as similar Sr–Nd isotopes with I-type granites. Our study also sheds new light on the petrogenesis of deep crustal xenoliths.     

Boron recycling in the continental crust of the central Andes from the Palaeozoic to Mesozoic, NW Argentina

Whole-rock chemical composition and ¹¹B/¹⁰B isotope ratios in tourmaline was investigated to study the geochemical recycling of boron during the evolution of the Andean basement from the Palaeozoic to Mesozoic. In the basement (Cambrian to Ordovician high-grade paragneisses, migmatites and orthogneisses, the Eocambrian Puncoviscana Formation, and Paleozoic-Mesozoic granitoid igneous rocks) whole-rock B contents are generally below 100 ppm, but B contents of ˜1 wt% are found in cogenetic aplite and pegmatite dikes and in tourmaline–quartz rocks. In the metasedimentary rocks, no systematic variation in B content because of metamorphic grade and no correlation of B with other incompatible elements are apparent. Tourmalines from the high-grade metamorphic basement yield δ¹¹B values ranging from −11.2 to −6.8‰ and isotope fractionation during migmatisation was small. Metamorphic tourmalines from the Puncoviscana Formation have δ¹¹B values between −6.3 and −5.8‰. The calculated (corrected for fractionation) δ¹¹B values of −6 to −2‰ for the sedimentary protolith of the metamorphic basement indicate a continental B source with subordinate marine input. Tourmalines from Palaeozoic and Mesozoic granitoids display an identical range of δ¹¹B values from −12 to −5.3‰ and indicate a similarly homogeneous B source throughout time. Tourmalines from pegmatites and tourmaline–quartz rocks record the average δ¹¹B values of the parental granitic magma. We assume that B in the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic granitoids is derived from the local metamorphic basement supporting the hypothesis that recycling of the lower Palaeozoic crust is the dominant process in granitic magma formation from Palaeozoic to Mesozoic. Received: 15 December 1999 / Accepted: 11 July 2000     

Petrogenesis and source characteristics of metatholeiites from the Archean Ramagiri schist belt, eastern part of Dharwar craton, India

The N–S trending, 2–4 km wide Ramagiri schist belt is made up of three blocks dominated by metavolcanic rocks, separated and surrounded by granitic rocks of distinct characteristics. The metavolcanic rocks are tholeiitic in composition and are very similar in their major element composition as well as in their abundances of some trace elements. However, the rare earth elements (REE) require distinct sources. The rocks of the amphibolite facies eastern block have LREE depleted REE patterns ([Ce/Yb] = 0.7–0.9), requiring derivation from depleted mantle-like sources. The greenschist facies metatholeiitic rocks of the central block have LREE enriched REE patterns ([Ce/Yb] = 3–6), reflecting the nature of their source(s). The Nd isotopic data require that the LREE enriched nature could not have been attained significantly prior to its melting. The fine-grained, upper greenschist facies metatholeiites of the western block have flat to slightly LREE depleted patterns ([Ce/Yb] = 0.8–0.95). Minor fractional crystallization of rock forming minerals may relate a few samples to each other among samples from each of the three blocks. Different extents of partial melting of distinct mantle sources have played a dominant role in the generation of the parent magmas to the central versus eastern and western block metatholeiites. The geochemical data suggest that the mantle sources were non-lherzolitic, and that these sources may have seen previous episodes of melt addition and extraction prior to melting that gave rise to the parent melts to the rocks ∼2750 Ma ago. The REE data indicate that while the sources of the eastern and western block rocks were similar to depleted mantle (ɛ_{Nd( i )} about +2), the source of the central block rocks (ɛ_{Nd( i )} about +3.5) were enriched in large ion lithophile element (LILE)-rich fluids/melts probably derived from subducting oceanic crust. This and other trace element signatures point to magma extraction in tectonic settings similar to modern island arcs. Subsequent to magma emplacement and crystallization, all the three suites of rocks were affected by interaction with low-temperature, crustal derived fluids (ɛ_{Nd 2750Ma} of about −8 to −12), probably during the accretion of the three blocks of the belt in the present form. The inferred source characteristics, tectonic setting of magma generation and the crustal fluid processes seem to suggest that Phanerozoic-style tectonic processes may have been important in the generation of Archean crust in the Dharwar craton. Received: 31 July 1995 / Accepted: 12 May 1997