Reconstruction of protoliths of metamorphic rocks and tectonic setting of Wolegen Group

Parametamorphic rocks from Arong County in southeastern Inner Mongolia-Daxinganling district are regarded as Proterozoic in age,belonging to the Wolegen Group and composed of volcanoclastic and sandstone in origin,and have been disputed in tectonic setting.Because of the stability in metamorphism,the rare earth dements indicate the features of their protoliths.The authors integrated the petrologic methods with the geochemical parameters which include ∑REE,∑LREE/∑HREE,δCe,δEu,La/Yb,Sm/Nd,Th/Sc and the standard values of chondrite.The results show that the protoliths of Wolengen Group may be a group of voleanoclastic and continental margin elastic rocks,and their tectonic setting is the continent island arc.     

Provenance and Tectonic Implications of Paleozoic Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin,China–Revealed from the Borehole CSDP-2

Well CSDP-2 is a fully coring deep drilling hole, penetrating the thick Paleozoic marine strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin(SYSB) in the lower Yangtze Block(LYB). Based on the petrological and geochemical analysis of 40 sandstone samples from the core CSDP-2, the provenance and tectonic features of Paleozoic detrital rocks from SYSB are analyzed and systematically delineated in this article. The results show that the Silurian – Carboniferous sandstones are mature sublitharenite, while the Permian sandstones are unstable feldspathic litharenite. The average CIA(chemical index of alteration) is 74.61, which reflects these sediments were derived from source rocks with moderate chemical weathering. The REE(rare earth element) patterns are characterized by LREE enrichment, flat HREE and obviously negative Eu anomaly, which are similar to that of the upper continental crust. Dickinson QFL discrimination results indicate the recycled orogeny provenance. Various diagrams for the discrimination of sedimentary provenance based on major and trace element data show all the sediments were derived predominantly from quartz sedimentary rocks, of which the Permian strata contain more felsic sedimentary rocks. Geochemical data for these detrital rocks suggest they occur at the passive continental margin and island arc settings, and the Permian sandstone presents active continental margin setting.     

山西中条山涑水杂岩中冷口变质火山岩的地球化学及构造环境

冷口变质火山岩为较典型的双峰式火山岩，以变质基性火山岩为主，夹变质英安质岩石。依据元素地球化学和同位素地球化学分析，它应形成于大陆或大陆边缘裂谷环境。基性岩浆来源于亏损地幔，岩浆在侵位过程中受到强烈的地壳成分混杂作用改造，而英安质岩石可能是由大陆地壳部分熔融作用形成的。     

东昆仑得尔龙地区华力西期花岗岩地质地球化学特征及构造环境分析

东昆仑得尔龙地区花岗岩体侵位于二叠纪—三叠纪早期,岩石类型为黑云母花岗闪长岩、黑云母二长花岗岩、二云母二长花岗岩。早期次的黑云母花岗闪长岩中含有暗色的镁铁质矿物包体。SiO2含量为65.04%~73.47%,全碱含量为5.29%~8.52%,K2O/Na2O平均值为0.70,Al2O3平均为14.79%;亏损高场强元素Ta,Nb;∑REE平均为142.9×10-6,轻稀土元素相对富集,(La/Yb)N平均为17.15,δEu平均为0.71,表现为弱亏损。研究表明得尔龙地区花岗岩属次铝-过铝(高钾)钙碱性S型花岗岩,形成于后造山环境;岩浆源区的物质是多源的,主要为地壳物质的重熔,其次为幔源岩浆的底侵。     

渤海湾周缘主要河流钾长石物源示踪指标研究

渤海湾盆地碎屑物质的物源示踪研究,对于渤海湾盆地的自身演化,周缘造山带隆升和剥蚀过程,以及中国东部陆架海的物质扩散研究均具有重要意义,受到国内外学者的广泛关注,同时也存在诸多争议。钾长石是地壳中最主要的造岩矿物之一,在河流沉积物中广泛出现,在进行物源示踪研究时具有代表性。基于此,利用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱仪（LA-ICP-MS）对渤海湾盆地主要注入河流的碎屑钾长石进行了原位地球化学特征分析,结果表明,黄河干流碎屑钾长石的常量元素Na₂O、Al₂O₃、SiO₂、K₂O的标准偏差与滹沱河、滦河、辽河和漳河4条河流存在差异。在钾长石常量元素Al₂O₃质量分数与Na₂O和K₂O质量分数二维散点图中,部分黄河样品的Al₂O₃值较之整体部分（其他4条河流和黄河样品）偏低;微量元素中Ba、Pb、Sr、Rb和Ca的质量分数占主体部分,尤其Ba、Pb、Sr、Rb的含量较高。在Ba和Sr以及Ba和Pb质量分数二维散点图中,黄河与其他4条河流明显不同。该研究结果表明,钾长石的Ba和Sr含量变化可以成为环渤海湾盆地沉积物中黄河物源示踪的特征指标。      

Change in Sediment Provenance Near the Current Estuary of Yellow River Since the Holocene Transgression

Sedimentary sequence and sediment provenance are important factors when it comes to the studies on marine sedimentation. This paper studies grain size distribution, lithological characteristics, major and rare earth elemental compositions, micropaleontological features and ~(14)C ages in order to examine sedimentary sequence and sediment provenance of the core BH6 drilled at the mouth of the Yellow River in Bohai Sea. According to the grain size and the micropaleontological compositions, 4 sedimentary units have been identified. Unit 1(0–8.08 mbsf) is of the delta sedimentary facies, Unit 2(8.08–12.08 mbsf) is of the neritic shelf facies, Unit 3(12.08–23.85 mbsf) is of near-estuary beach-tidal facies, and Unit 4(23.85 mbsf–) is of the continental lake facies. The deposits from Unit 1 to Unit 3 have been found to be marine strata formed after the Holocene transgression at about 10 ka BP, while Unit 4 is continental lacustrine deposit formed before 10 ka BP. The provenances of core BH6 sediments show properties of the continental crust and vary in different sedimentary periods. For Unit 4 sediments, the source regions are dispersed while the main provenance is not clear, although the parent rock characteristics of a few samples are similar to the Luanhe River sediments. For Unit 3, sediments at 21.1–23.85 mbsf have been mainly transported from the Liaohe River, while sediments above 21.1 mbsf are mainly from the Yellow River and partially from the Liaohe River. For Unit 2, the sediments have been mainly transported from the Yellow River, with a small amount from other rivers. For Unit 1, the provenance is mainly the Yellow River catchment. These results help in better understanding the evolution of the Yellow River Delta.     

Clay minerals and geochemistry of the bottom sediments in the northwestern East China Sea

Clay minerals of 34 sediments collected from the northwestern continental shelf of the East China Sea have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The clay mineral distribution is mainly controlled by the sediment source and the dominant circulation pattern. The predominant clay mineral in our study area is illite comprising more than 67% of the whole clay fraction. The highest concentration of illite (>68%) is found in the southeastern offshore parts beyond the reach of terrigenous input from the Jeju Island. It means that these illites are largely transported by the Kuroshio Current from the South China Sea (SCS). Smectite is highly concentrated in the northwest middle part and in the outer-shelf mud patch. It seems to be due to the high supply of smectite transported from China where fine-grained sediments are discharged from modern and ancient Huanghe (Yellow) River. The relatively high abundant kaolinite is likely derived from the Changjiang (Yangtze) River via the Taiwan Warm Current. In contrast, large amounts of chlorite and high chlorite/kaolinite ratios occur in the northwestern area, reflecting the transportation by the Yellow Sea Coastal Current from the southern Yellow Sea. The discrimination diagrams clearly show that the sediments in the northwestern East China Sea are ultimately sourced from Chinese rivers, especially from the Huanghe River, whereas the sediment in the northeast part might come from the Jeju Island. The muddy sediments of the Changjiang River’s submerged delta have much lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.716 2–0.718 0) than those of the Shandong Peninsular mud wedge (0.721 6–0.724 9), which are supposed to be originated from the Huanghe River, suggesting the distribution pattern of 87Sr/86Sr ratios as a new tracer to discriminate the provenance of shelf sediments in the study area. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the outer-shelf muddy sediments ranged from 0.7169 to 0.7216 in a wide range and was between those of the Huanghe River and Changjiang River sediments, suggesting multiple sources of the sediment in the area.     

Source Evolution and Its Relationship to Climate Change Since the Middle–Late Pleistocene in Laizhou Bay,China

Through the geochemical analysis of two hundred-meters cores KD4 and ZK3 from Laizhou Bay,in this study,we determined the distribution law and controlling factors of the geochemical elements.We analyzed 24 elements with respect to their R factors and major principal components,which were combined with the source discrimination functions DFCr/Th and DFCa/Al to obtain the sediment source index and its variation with depth for this area.A comparison of the changes in climate indicators suggests a clear correlation between the source and climate changes.The results show that the Yellow River and surrounding short-term rivers are the main sediment sources in this area.The PC3 of the KD4 core and PC2 of the ZK3 core(e.g.,CaO,MnO,SiO2)exhibit significant variations and reflect the relative contributions of Yellow River sources.The deposition process can be divided into six stages:in Phase I(MIS 5c–MIS 5a),the Yellow River formed,and the composition of the Yellow River had a greater influence on the sedimentary composition of the study area.In Phase II(MIS 5a–MIS 3),the sediment sources of the Yellow River and the short-term streams in this area were wavering,with the sediments derived from short-term rivers playing a more important role.In Phase III(MIS 3),with a sharp drop in temperature,the study area was in the process of retreat,and the sediment source changed from the Yellow River to short-term rivers,after which the Yellow River source material remained the main sediment source for the region.A similar process occurred three more times in Phase IV(MIS 3–MIS 2),Phase V(MIS 2–MIS 1),and Phase VI(MIS 1).With changes in climate,especially during alternating sea-land phases,the sediment source varied in marine-terrestrial-marine phases,and the changes are observed as Yellow River source-surrounding provenance-Yellow River source.However,this process of change is not synchronized with the sea-land strata alternation.     

Sources of sediment in tidal fl ats off Zhejiang coast,southeast China

The growth of tidal fl ats off Zhejiang coasts in southwestern China has provided substantial areas for local agriculture and construction activities. To evaluate modern and future development of tidal fl ats in the region, a good understanding of sediment sources is necessary. Previous research has concluded that the Changjiang(Yangtze) River is the dominant supplier of sediments to this part of the southeast Chinese coast, despite the fact that sediment delivery from this source has been decreased markedly in the past two decades. In this study, we investigated the sources of tidal fl at sediments, and the magnetic and geochemical properties of recent tidal fl at sediments along the Zhejiang coast were compared with those discharged from rivers. Magnetic and geochemical properties of the tidal fl at samples reveal statistically distinct sediment provenance groups. The magnetic and geochemical scatter plots show that the suspended sediment samples are naturally divided into two diff erent groups, one including the Changjiang River and Qiantang River material, and the other including the Jiaojiang, Oujiang, and Feiyun Rivers that located in the central and southern parts of the study areas. At last, a binary source of tidal fl at sediments along the Zhejiang coast was determined, with the substantial majority originating from local rivers, while a much smaller proportion emanates from the Changjiang River to the north. We conclude that the sediment contribution of the Changjiang River to tidal fl at development in the region has been markedly overestimated, with important implications for management.     

Multielement analysis of deep-sea sediments by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Marine sediments were dissolved by HNO3-HF-HCIO4 in a sealed container at low pressure; I-IF was evaporated in an open container and salts were dissolved in HCl by heating, then transferred to 2% HNO3 solution. A total of 45 elements, including Li, Be, So, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Cd, In, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, TI, Pb, Bi, Th and U, were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Condi-tions and sample experiments showed that this procedure defines a good experimental method which has the advantages of clear interference, easy operation and reliable results. The concentrations of the 45 elements could be used for resource exploration, envi-ronmental assessment and academic research.     

THE BACKGROUND VALUES OF RARE EARTH AND RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS IN WATER SYSTEM OF SOURCE AREA OF THE CHANG JIANG RIVER

Using neutron activation analysis method we determined contents of rare-earth and radioactive elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu, Cs, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ba, U, Th) in source water system of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, which is mainly composed of the Tuotuo River, the Chumaer River, and the Buqu River. The contents of these elements in the unflltered water have a great variation and a close correlation with the water turbidity. The contents of these elements in filtered water only have a little variation and are lower than those in the unflltered water. The variations in contents of these elements in sediments are also very little. These elements in the unifiltered water are in geometric distribution, except Sc. Most of the elements in sediments are in arithmetic distribution, but Cs, Sb, Th, are in deviation distribution. The contents of most of these elements in the river source area correspond to the contents of fresh water of the earth. Most of these elements have a little variation in their c     

Relocation of the Yellow River estuary in 1855 AD recorded in the sediment core from the northern Yellow Sea

Relocation of the Yellow River estuary has significant impacts on not only terrestrial environment and human activities, but also sedimentary and ecological environments in coastal seas. The responses of regional geochemical characteristics to the relocation event, however, have not been well studied. In the present study, we performed detailed geochemical elemental analyses of a sediment core from the northern Yellow Sea and studied their geochemical responses to the 1855 AD relocation of the Yellow River estuary. The results show that TOC/TN, Co/Al₂O₃, Cr/Al₂O₃, Ni/Al₂O₃ and Se/Al₂O₃ ratios all decreased abruptly after 1855 AD, and similar decreases are observed in the sediments of the mud area southwest off the Cheju Island. These abrupt changes are very likely caused by the changes in source materials due to the relocation of the Yellow River estuary from the southern Yellow Sea to the Bohai Sea, which the corresponding decreasing trends caused by the changes in main source materials from those transported by the Liaohe River, the Haihe River and the Luanhe River to those by the Yellow River. Because the events have precise ages recorded in historical archives, these obvious changes in elemental geochemistry of sediments can be used to calibrate age models of related coastal sea sediments.     

西秦岭大水金矿岩浆岩年代学、地球化学特征

西秦岭大水金矿床与其周围伴生的中酸性小岩体的成因关系,直接影响矿床成因的划分和深部资源的开发。中酸性岩浆岩的成因、源区性质及岩体规模对金矿成矿有重要影响。大水金矿岩浆岩地球化学研究结果显示:岩浆系列属于高钾钙碱性系列;岩体球粒陨石标准化稀土元素配分模式具有轻稀土元素富集、重稀土元素亏损、Eu正异常的特征;岩体洋中脊花岗岩标准化微量元素蛛网图显示其富集大离子亲石元素K、Rb、Ba、Th等,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、Hf、Zr、Sm、Y、Yb等,花岗岩的w(Sr)-w(Yb)分类属于高Sr、低Yb"C"型埃达克岩。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb法测年获得大水金矿格尔括合岩体和竖井941岩脉的锆石U-Pb年龄分别为(215.8±1.3)、(202.9±1.5)Ma;成矿热液蚀变叠加在脉岩之上,成矿年龄应晚于202.9 Ma的脉岩年龄。Sr-Nd同位素组成具有高初始N(87Sr)/N(86Sr)值、低εNd的特点,模式年龄为1.29~1.47Ga。εSr(t)-εNd(t)图解表明岩浆源区为下地壳;εNd(t)-初始N(87Sr)/N(86Sr)图解暗示西秦岭存在统一的岩浆源区。因此,西秦岭大水金矿在成因上与高Sr、低Yb"C"型埃达克岩密切相关。     

Onshore warm tongue and offshore cold tongue in the western Yellow Sea in winter: the evidence

A winter onshore warm tongue extending from the Yellow Sea Warm Current to the southern Jiangsu coast, and an of fshore cold tongue extending from the southern Jiangsu coast to the southwest of Jeju Island(South Korea), are newly identified based on the sea-surface temperature from satellite remote sensing, and further confirmed by the distribution of suspended sediments. In addition, there are two obvious thermal fronts associated with the onshore warm tongue and off shore cold tongue. The narrow gap between the two thermal fronts is supposed to be the pathway for the off shore transport of cold coastal water and suspended sediments. The concurrence of onshore warm and of fshore cold tongues suggests the concurrence of onshore and off shore currents in the western Yellow Sea in winter, which seems to be inconsistent with the previously accepted view that, in winter, the Yellow Sea Coastal Current flows from the Old Huanghe Delta to the southwest of Jeju Island. This distinctive phenomenon helps establish an updated view of the circulation in the western Yellow Sea in winter.     

Clay mineral distribution in surface sediments of the South China Sea and its significance for in sediment sources and transport

Clay minerals of surface sediments in the South China Sea (SCS) are analyzed with X-ray diffraction, and their transport is explored with a grain size trend analysis (GSTA) model. Results show that clay mineral types in various sedimentary environments have different sediment sources and transport routes. Sediments in the northern SCS (north of 20°N) between the southwest of Taiwan Island and the outer mouth of the Pearl River have high contents of illite and chlorite, which are derived mainly from sediments on Taiwan Island and/or the Yangtze River. Sediments from the Pearl River are characterized by high kaolinite and low smectite content, and most are distributed in the area between the mouth of the Pearl River and northeast of Hainan Island and transported vertically from the continental shelf to the slope. Characterized by high illite content, sediments from Kalimantan Island are transported toward the Nansha Trough. Sediments from Luzon Island are related with volcanic materials, and are transported westwards according to smectite distribution. On the Sunda Shelf, sediments from the Mekong River are transported southeast in the north while sediments from the Indonesian islands are transported northward in the south. Ascertaining surface sediment sources and their transport routes will not only improve understanding of modern transportation and depositional processes, but also aid paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic analysis of the SCS.     

南堡凹陷古近系沙河街组沉积环境和物源:来自微量和稀土元素地球化学的证据

为深入认识南堡凹陷沙河街组富有机质泥页岩形成机理,通过详细分析微量和稀土元素地球化学特征,对其水体沉积环境及物源进行研究。结果表明：微量元素Li, Cs, Bi较为富集;Cr, Sn较为亏损;其他微量元素接近于上地壳元素含量。稀土元素总量变化范围宽泛,接近或高于大陆上地壳的平均值,指示陆源碎屑供给较为充足。REE分配模式表现为轻稀土元素富集,分异程度较高;重稀土元素相对亏损,分异程度较低。铕元素异常值(δEu)负异常明显,铈元素异常值(δCe)基本正常。根据锶丰度和锶/钡比值的变化,反映出沙三段沉积时期湖泊水体具有一定的分隔性,淡水、半咸水和咸水环境共存;沙一段沉积时期湖泊水体的连通性增强,以半咸水环境为主。根据V/(V+Ni)、Th/U比值及δCe、铈异常指数(Ce_anom)值特征,反映出湖泊水体为分层较强的贫氧环境。源生Ba含量揭示出湖泊水体古生产力较高。通过稀土元素组合特征分析,认为沙河街组物源主要来自燕山褶皱带于燕山期发育的花岗岩,且混有少量沉积岩。南堡凹陷沙河街组泥页岩有机质富集程度与其古环境和古地理密切相关：一是适宜的水体古盐度和丰富的水体营养物质适应...     

Introduction to the China-Vietnam Cooperation Project: A Comparative Study of the Holocene Sedimentary Evolution of the Yangtze and Red River Deltas

Both China and Vietnam confront the challenges of natural geohazards and environmental changes in their deltas and coastal zones due to rapid urbanization, economic development, and the impacts of global climate change. China and Vietnam initiated a comparative study of the Holocene sedimentary evolution of the Yangtze River Delta(YRD) and Red River Delta(RRD) for the period 2015–2018 in order to improve the understanding of the two delta evolution histories in the Holocene. Previous investigative data of the two rivers, onshore delta plains, and offshore subaqueous deltas have been explored and reinterpreted. New data gleaned from boreholes, piston cores, shallow seismic and hydrodynamic sources have been collected from the offshore YRD and the East China Sea inner shelf, and surface sediments and short cores have been collected from the RRD near-shore areas. Six focal areas of the joint project have been defined for comparative studies of the two deltas, including morphological development, sequential stratigraphy, coastline shifting, sedimentary characteristics, sedimentary dynamics, and correlation with anthropogenic global climate change. The results of these study areas are presented herein. The joint project also includes cooperative capacity building; exchanges of young scientists have been organized during the project period, and hands-on training in laboratory geochemical analysis, numerical modeling, and seismic data processing and interpretation have been provided by China and its Vietnamese geoscientist partners. Joint field excursions were organized to the upstream of the Yangtze and Red Rivers in Yunan Province, China, all the way downstream along the Vietnamese portion of the Red River. These joint studies have, over the past three years, improved understanding of the evolutionary history of these two major rivers and their mechanisms of source to sink. Joint project results of these two major deltas are not limited to the geosciences; the cooperative mechanical and operational experiences have been helpful for future cooperation in the field of marine geoscience between China and Vietnam, as well for cooperative activities with other ASEAN member countries.     

Variations in rare earth elements with environmental factors in lake surface sediments from 17 lakes in western China

Numerous lakes in western China are excellent sites for understanding environmental change. However, what dominates rare earth element(REE) variations are still under debate in the lake environmental research. In this study, we selected 28 surface sediment samples from 17 lakes(i.e. largescale lakes, small water bodies, etc.) in the QinghaiTibet Plateau and Xinjiang area. These samples were analyzed to reveal the behavior of the REEs and major elements. These REE patterns are characterized by light rare earth element(LREE) enrichment, weak Ce anomaly(0.84-0.98, 0.94 on average) and negative Eu anomaly(0.53-1.00, 0.67 on average). The homogeneous REE patterns may reflect similar REE of the source lithologys. However, the REE abundances showed some significant differences. In this study, water chemistry data analyses inferred that the highly REE values appear possibly in the saltwater lake, and also related to carbonate mineral, whereas p H played a minor role in REE concentrations. In large-scale lakes(e.g. Lake Bosten and Lake Ulungur), the results showed that the relatively larger REE values are in the margins of lakes. Moreover, lower REE contents are towards the central region. Comprehensive study suggested that five major factors control the REE contents:(1) The REE tends to increase with the increase of the weathering intensity.(2) Likewise, heavy mineral(i.e. rutile, anatase, zircon, etc.) are probably primary in these sediments because they are highly enriched in the REE.(3) The contribution of Fe-Mn oxides is significant in sediments because their concentrations highly correlate with the REE.(4) The carbonate mineral(mainly calcite) played a significant role on the REE values in the lakes because the REEs are incorporated into the carbonate minerals generating the low REE concentrations.(5) Major element analysis, mineral analysis, and grain-size data analysis showed that the REE distribution is chiefly influenced by finer grain-size component of lake sediments due to the decreasing proportion of quartz and feldspar than coarser one. Moreover, the clay minerals in finer grain-size sediments can highly absorb the REE.     

内蒙古崇根山地区超基性岩岩石地球化学特征及构造环境分析

针对出露在二连浩特-贺根山缝合带东段的崇根山超基性岩进行了野外地质调查、岩石学和岩石地球化学方面的分析研究,结果显示:崇根山超基性岩已发生了强烈蛇纹石化,基本已经蚀变成蛇纹岩;主量元素表现出高Mg(w(MgO)=36.00%~38.25%)、高Cr(w(Cr2O3)=0.17%~0.46%)、高Ni(w(NiO)=0.21%~0.24%)、低Si(w(SiO2)=39.79%~42.35%)、贫Al(w(Al2O3)=1.04%~1.96%)、低Fe(w(FeOT)=6.79%~9.47%)的特征,其Mg#值为90.05~93.04,m/f值为8.72~11.60,属典型的镁质超基性岩,原岩可能为方辉橄榄岩;稀土元素总量很低,w(∑REE)为1.28×10^-6~2.94×10^-6,稀土元素配分模式为轻稀土元素微弱富集的近平坦型,其(La/Yb)N为2.25~5.95,具一定程度的负Eu异常(δEu=0.35~1.16)和负Ce异常(δCe=0.48~0.68);微量元素富集Ba,U,Ta,亏损Nb,Ti。崇根山超基性岩属变质橄榄岩,是SSZ型蛇绿岩的底部组成单元,为原始地幔经5%~15%部分熔融形成的亏损地幔岩,形成于俯冲带环境中的洋内弧后盆地环境。     

Zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of syenogranites in western Niubiziliang,northwestern Qaidam,Qinghai

The study presents the results of U-Pb dating of zircons and whole-rock geochemical analyses of a syenogranite located in the western Niubiziliang area,China with the aim of determining its formation time,petrogenesis and the regional tectonic setting. Zircons within the syenogranite are euhedral-subhedral and display rhythmic growth zoning,indicating a magmatic origin. Zircon U-Pb data obtained by LA-ICP-MS indicate the syenogranite formed in the Late Permian (260.7±1.5 Ma). The w(SiO_2) of syenogranites is 70.82%--73.59%,w(Al_2O_3) is 13.49%--14.82%,and w(Na_2O + K_2O) is 7.85%--8.52%,and yield K_2O/Na_2O ratios of 1.06--1.26. Therefore,the syenogranites belong to the high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous (A/CNK 1,A/NK 1) series which display I-type granites similarly. The syenogranites also show the geochemical characteristics of volcanic arc rocks,being enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; K,Rb) and light rare-earth elements (LREEs; La,Ce,Sm,Nd),but depleted in high field strength elements( HFSEs; Ta,Nb,P,Ti). On the whole,trace element ratios are close to the mean of the Earth's crust,indicating a lowercrust magma source. The low Sr (161--214) ×10~(-6) and Yb (1.08--1.80)×10~(-6) concentrations indicate that plagioclase and hornblende are residual mineral phases in the source. The regional geology and whole-rock geochemistry suggest that the formation of the syenogranites was related to subduction of the Zongwulong Ocean crust,and the north margin of Qaidam Block during the Late Permian was in an active continental margin tectonic setting.