Redox and Compositional Parameters for Interpreting the Granitoid Metallogeny of Eastern Australia: Implications for Gold-rich Ore Systems

Abstract. Granitoids and related rocks of eastern Australia can be classified according to their metallogenic potential using a scheme based on compositional character, degree of compositional evolution, degree of fractionation, and oxidation state. The scheme is based on empirical and theoretical considerations and satisfactorily describes the known distribution of granite‐related mineralisation. The granitoids range from unevolved, mantle compatible compositions to highly evolved and fractionated. They exhibit age‐ and region‐specific variations in silica content, compositional evolution and oxidation state. The most unevolved intrusive igneous rocks comprise those of the Ordovician of the Lachlan Orogen, and the Devonian of the New England Orogen. Strongly fractionated and evolved I‐type granites occur in western Tasmania, the southern New England Orogen, and far north Queensland. Other fractionated suites tend to occur relatively rarely in the Lachlan Orogen and elsewhere. Oxidation states vary markedly. The most consistently oxidised rocks occur in the Ordovician of the central Lachlan Orogen, and the northernmost New England Orogen. The Carboniferous I‐types of the northeastern Lachlan Orogen are consistently more oxidised than other Lachlan Orogen I‐types. Gold‐rich, Cu‐poor systems associated with felsic I‐types in eastern Australia are associated with W‐Mo mineralised suites with gold occurring within a predictable metallogenic zonation. Gold mineralised I‐types comprise weakly to moderately oxidised, high‐K granitoid suites that, at least in the east Australian context, have low K/Rb ratios and show strong fractionation trends. Gold is readily removed from granitic magmas through the early precipitation of sulfides, or to a lesser extent by magnetite. Crystallisation of Fe‐poor, silica‐rich granitic magmas in a relatively narrow oxidation window between the FMQ and NNO buffers may provide conditions where retention of Au in magmas in felsic granitic magmas is optimised.     

Cenozoic basin evolution of the Central Patagonian Andes: Evidence from geochronology,stratigraphy, and geochemistry

The Central Patagonian Andes is a particular segment of the Andean Cordillera that has been subjected to the subduction of two spreading ridges during Eocene and Neogene times. In order to understand the Cenozoic geologic evolution of the Central Patagonian Andes, we carried out geochronologic(U-Pb and⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar), provenance, stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and geochemical studies on the sedimentary and volcanic Cenozoic deposits that crop out in the Meseta Guadal and Chile Chico areas(～47°S). Our data indicate the presence of a nearly complete Cenozoic record, which refutes previous interpretations of a hiatus during the middle Eocene-late Oligocene in the Central Patagonian Andes. Our study suggests that the fluvial strata of the Ligorio Marquez Formation and the flood basalts of the Basaltos Inferiores de la Meseta Chile Chico Formation were deposited in an extensional setting related to the subduction of the Aluk-Farallon spreading ridge during the late Paleocene-Eocene. Geochemical data on volcanic rocks interbedded with fluvial strata of the San Jose Formation suggest that this unit was deposited in an extensional setting during the middle Eocene to late Oligocene. Progressive crustal thinning allowed the transgression of marine waters of Atlantic origin and deposition of the upper Oligocene-lower Miocene Guadal Formation. The fluvial synorogenic strata of the Santa Cruz Formation were deposited as a consequence of an important phase of compressive deformation and Andean uplift during the early-middle Miocene. Finally, alkali flood basalts of the late middle to late Miocene Basaltos Superiores de la Meseta Chile Chico Formation were extruded in the area in response to the suduction of the Chile Ridge under an extensional regime. Our studies indicate that the tectonic evolution of the Central Patagonian Andes is similar to that of the North Patagonian Andes and appears to differ from that of the Southern Patagonian Andes, which is thought to have been the subject of continuous compressive deformation since the late Early Cretaceous.     

Sr and Nd Characteristics of Brasiliano/Pan-African Granitoid Plutons of the Araçuaí Orogen, Southeastern Brazil: Tectonic Implications

Nd and Sr isotope data were obtained for three plutonic suites (595–505 Ma) and distinct young granitoid intrusions (503 Ma), from the southern part of the Neoproterozoic Araçuaí Orogen. The Sr and Nd isotopes (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, eNd) and TDM values from the plutons and distinct basement rocks are used to constrain the magma genesis of the granitoid plutons. These isotopic parameters, with e_Nd values ranging from −4 to −24 and T_DM ages from 1.3 to 2.8 Ga, for the granitoid suites, and −5 to −40 and 3.5 to 1.5 Ga, for the distinct Archean and Proterozoic basement complexes, suggest that the Jequitinhonha Complex metasediments are the main crustal source for most of these plutons, except for the youngest granitoid intrusions, which may have a protolith similar to the Mantiqueira and Guanhães complexes. Furthermore, the isotope data indicate a minor, but important, participation of Neoproterozoic oceanic lithosphere in the granite genesis, which corroborates with a confined orogenic model and a narrow oceanic consumption (B-subduction) for the Araçuaí Orogen.     

Detrital Zircon U‐Pb Ages and Geochemistry of the Silurian to Permian Sedimentary Rocks in Central Inner Mongolia,China: Implications for Closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean

The Solonker suture zone has long been considered to mark the location of the final disappearance of the PaleoAsian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). However, the time of final suturing is still controversial with two main different proposals of late Permian to early Triassic, and late Devonian. This study reports integrated wholerock geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages of sedimentary rocks from the Silurian Xuniwusu Formation, the Devonian Xilingol Complex and the Permian Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan-Xilinhot-Linxi area in central Inner Mongolia, China. The depositional environment, provenance and tectonic setting of the Silurian-Devonian and the Permian sediments are compared to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Solonker suture zone and its neighboring zones. The protoliths of the silty slates from the Xuniwusu Formation in the Baolidao zone belong to wacke and were derived from felsic igneous rocks with steady-state weathering, poor sorting and compositional immaturity. The protoliths of metasedimentary rocks from the Xilingol Complex were wackes and litharenites and were sourced from predominantly felsic igneous rocks with variable weathering conditions and moderate sorting. The Xuniwusu Formation and Xilingol Complex samples both have two groups of detrital zircon that peak at ca. 0.9–1.0 Ga and ca. 420–440 Ma, with maximum deposition ages of late Silurian and middle Devonian age, respectively. Considering the ca. 484–383 Ma volcanic arc in the Baolidao zone, the Xuxiniwu Formation represents an oceanic trench sediment and is covered by the sedimentary rocks in the Xilingol Complex that represents a continental slope sediment in front of the arc. The middle Permian Zhesi Formation metasandstones were derived from predominantly felsic igneous rocks and are texturally immature with very low degrees of rounding and sorting, indicating short transport and rapid burial. The Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan zone has a main zircon age peak of 302 Ma and a subordinate peak of 423 Ma and was deposited in a back-arc basin with an early marine transgression during extension and a late marine regression during contraction. The formation also crops out locally in the Baolidao zone with a main zircon age peak of 467 Ma and a minor peak of 359 Ma, and suggests it formed as a marine transgression sedimentary sequence in a restricted extensional basin and followed by a marine regressive event. Two obvious zircon age peaks of 444 Ma and 280 Ma in the Solonker zone and 435 Ma and 274 Ma in Ondor Sum are retrieved from the Zhesi Formation. This suggests as a result of the gradual closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean a narrow ocean sedimentary environment with marine regressive sedimentary sequences occupied the Solonker and Ondor Sum zones during the middle Permian. A restricted ocean is suggested by the Permian strata in the Bainaimiao zone. Early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 381 Ma and renewed subduction during ca. 310–254 Ma accompanied by the opening and closure of a back-arc basin during ca. 298–269 Ma occurred in the northern accretionary zone. In contrast, the southern accretionary zone documented early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 400 Ma and a renewed subduction during ca. 298–246 Ma. The final closure of the Paleo-Asian ocean therefore lasted at least until the early Triassic and ended with the formation of the Solonker suture zone.     

Laboratory measurement of P-wave velocity in crustal and upper mantle xenoliths from Ichino-megata, NE Japan: ultrabasic hydrous lower crust beneath the NE Honshu arc

Ultrasonic laboratory measurements of P-wave velocity (Vp) were carried out up to 1.0 GPa in a temperature range of 25–400 °C for crustal and mantle xenoliths of Ichino-megata, northeast Japan. The rocks used in the present study cover a nearly entire range of lithological variation of the Ichino-megata xenoliths and are considered as representative rock samples of the lower crust and upper mantle of the back arc side of the northeast (NE) Honshu arc. The Vp values measured at 25 °C and 1.0 GPa are 6.7–7.2 km/s for the hornblende gabbros (38.6–46.9 wt.% SiO₂), 7.2 km/s for the hornblende-pyroxene gabbro (43.8 wt.% SiO₂), 6.9–7.3 km/s for the amphibolites (36.1–44.3 wt.% SiO₂), 8.0–8.1 km/s for the spinel lherzolites (46.2–47.2 wt.% SiO₂) and 6.30 km/s for the biotite granite (72.1 wt.% SiO₂). Combining the present data with the Vp profile of the NE Honshu arc [Iwasaki, T., Kato, W., Moriya, T., Hasemi, A., Umino, N., Okada, T., Miyashita, K., Mizogami, T., Takeda, T., Sekine, S., Matsushima, T., Tashiro, K., Miyamachi, H. 2001. Extensional structure in northern Honshu Arc as inferred from seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection profiling. Geophys. Res. Lett. 28 (12), 2329–2332], we infer that the 15 km thick lower crust of the NE Honshu arc is composed of amphibolite and/or hornblende (±pyroxene) gabbro with ultrabasic composition. The present study suggests that the Vp range of the lower crustal layer (6.6–7.0 km/s) in the NE Honshu arc, which is significantly lower than that obtained from various seismic measurements (e.g. the northern Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc: 7.1–7.3 km/s), is due to the thick hydrous lower crustal layer where hornblende, plagioclase and magnetite are dominant.     

Early Carboniferous HP metamorphism in the Hida Gaien Belt,Japan: Implications for the Palaeozoic tectonic history of proto‐Japan

We report two new eclogite localities (at Kanayamadani and Shinadani) in the high‐P (HP) metamorphic rocks of the Omi area in the western most region of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, which form part of the Hida Gaien Belt, and determine metamorphic conditions and pressure–temperature (P–T) paths. The metamorphic evolution of the eclogites is characterized by a tight hairpin‐shaped P–T path from prograde epidote–blueschist facies to peak eclogite facies and then retrograde blueschist facies. The prograde metamorphic stage is characterized by various amphibole (winchite, barroisite, glaucophane) inclusions in garnet, whereas the peak eclogite facies assemblage is characterized by omphacite, garnet, phengite and rutile. Peak P–T conditions of the eclogites were estimated to be ~600°C and up to 2.0 GPa by conventional cation‐exchange thermobarometry, Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry and quartz inclusion Raman barometry respectively. However, the Raman spectra of carbonaceous material thermometry of metapelites associated with the eclogites gave lower peak temperatures, possibly due to metamorphism at different conditions before being brought together during exhumation. The blueschist facies overprint following the peak of metamorphism is recognized by the abundance of glaucophane in the matrix. Zircon grains in blueschist facies metasedimentary samples from two localities adjacent to the eclogites have distinct oscillatory‐zoned cores and overgrowth rims. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb ages of the detrital cores yield a wide range between 3,200 and 400 Ma, with a peak at 600–400 Ma. In the early Palaeozoic, proto‐Japan was located along the continental margin of the South China craton, providing the source of the older population of detrital zircon grains (3,200–600 Ma) deposited in the trench‐fill sediments. In addition, subduction‐related magmatism c. 500–400 Ma is recorded in the crust below proto‐Japan, which might have been the source for the younger detrital zircon grains. The peak metamorphic age was constrained by SHRIMP dating of the overgrowth rims, yielding Tournaisian ages of 347 ± 4 Ma, suggesting subduction in the early Carboniferous. Our results provide clear constraints on the initiation of subduction, accretion and the development of an arc‐trench system along the active continental margin of the South China craton and help to unravel the Palaeozoic tectonic history of proto‐Japan.     

南海西北次海扩张时代和洋壳性质:沉积地层及重磁依据

利用沉积地层被动超覆和基底重磁异常特征对南海西北次海形成时代和洋壳性质进行了探讨。推断南海西北次海初始扩张时间为早渐新世,结束扩张时间为晚渐新世早期。地层变形、被动超覆特征、洋壳基底形态及对称性特点反映出两期洋壳扩张事件。第一期发生在早渐新世。由于洋壳扩张,上始新统被拉断,在洋壳边界处上始新统突然终止现象明显。受洋壳横向扩张推挤和纵向沉降作用影响,上始新统明显变形,并向扩张中心倾覆。第二期洋壳扩张发生在晚渐新世早期。该期洋壳扩张持续时间短,扩张幅度小,下渐新统被拉开的距离有限。由于南海西北次海形成期间不同部位地壳伸展减薄程度不同,南海西北次海洋壳基底呈北东部较宽,向南西方向变窄,并逐渐尖灭的不规则三角形。根据盆地边缘上始新统向海盆中心方向的断点/线和重磁异常资料,推测西北次海南西侧洋壳边界位于海盆基底坡角处附近,洋壳较窄;而北东侧洋壳边界位于海底坡角处附近,洋壳相对较宽。另外,重磁异常表明,在洋壳基底中有陆壳残留块体存在。上述这些现象说明南海西北次海在洋壳萌芽阶段就先天夭折,停止发育。     

Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of sediments from the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers: Implications for partitioning tectonic terranes and crust weathering of the Central and Southeast China

New Nd and Sr isotope data are presented in this paper for sediments from the Yellow and Yangtze River drainage basins. The average ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotope compositions of fine-grained sediments from two drainage basins seem similar. The T _DM^Nd ages of sediments from the two drainage basins are relatively uniform but exhibit subtle differences. This reflects the different underlying bedrocks, in association with the unique tectonic terranes that comprise central and southeastern China, including the North China Block, the Yangtze Block, the South China Block, the Tibet Plateau and the Qinling-Dabie Orogenic Belt. In contrast, there is an obvious difference in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios between fine-grained sediments of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, which actually reflects an increase in chemical weathering intensity from northwestern to southeastern China.     

渤海海域428凸起地区沙一二段沉积体系及其主控因素

近年的研究表明,渤海海域428凸起地区沙一二段具有良好的油气勘探前景。通过钻井、岩心、薄片、地震资料的综合分析,识别出研究区发育扇三角洲、湖泊相以及一种特殊的沉积类型——混合沉积,并对其平面分布和相互关系进行了研究。本区沉积体系的发育主要受控于物源体系、同沉积断裂样式、古地形等因素。其中,物源体系控制了砂体发育的规模,同沉积断裂样式控制了砂体的平面展布,有利的古地形条件控制了混合沉积的发育位置。     

Sedimentary architecture of an ancient linear megadune (Barremian,Neuquén Basin): Insights into the long‐term development and evolution of aeolian linear bedforms

Linear aeolian bedforms are the most abundant bedform type in Earth's dune fields, and are very common in the Solar System. Despite their abundance, the long‐term development of these bedforms and its impact upon the resulting sedimentary architecture in the geological record is still poorly understood. The aim of this paper is to study the exposed record of an ancient linear megadune in order to discuss its development and the factors that impact the sedimentary architecture of aeolian linear bedforms. The outcrops of the ancient Troncoso Sand Sea (Barremian, Neuquén Basin, Argentina) provide a unique opportunity to study a preserved megadune record with an external body geometry that confirms its linear morphology. Architectural analysis reveals significant differences in cross‐stratified set bodies and bounding surfaces’ features and allows for the identification of three architectural complexes within the bedform's record. Analysis of deterministic models, sedimentary body relative chronology and distribution suggest that these architectural complexes result from distinctive phases in bedform development. It also clearly shows that construction of the megadune was achieved by expansion from a core, and that its development was characterized by sustained growth and strong longitudinal dynamics, without net accumulation. This study indicates how sustained bedform growth, rather than accretion, can be a critical factor conditioning linear bedform architecture towards a more ‘classic’ (bimodal bounding surface and cross‐bedding dip directions) concentric sedimentary architecture style. Furthermore, this research reveals how this style of architecture could only be relatively common in the geological record when related to bedform topography preservation.     

Mineralogy,Fluid Inclusion,and Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotope Studies of the Intrusion‐Related Yangla Cu Deposit in the Sanjiang Region,SW China: Implications for Metallogenesis and Deposit Type

The Yangla deposit is an intrusion‐related Cu deposit in the Jinshajiang tectonic belt (eastern Sanjiang region, SW China). Despite extensive studies that have been conducted on this deposit, the relationship between the granitic magma and Cu mineralization is still unclear, and hence, the genesis is debated. To answer this question, we conducted an integrated study of mineralogy, fluid inclusions (FIs), and hydrogen and oxygen (H‐O) isotopes. Three mineralization stages were identified based on the ore textures, alteration zonation, and crosscutting relationships: (i) pre‐ore prograde skarn (stage I), with the garnet and pyroxene dominated by andradite and diopside, respectively; (ii) syn‐ore retrograde alteration (stage II), which is subdivided into the early syn‐ore stage (stage IIa) marked by retrograde hydrated mineral assemblages and significant Fe‐Cu‐Mo‐Pb‐Zn sulfide mineralization, and the late syn‐ore stage (stage IIb) featured by quartz‐calcite veins; and (iii) late supergene mineralization (stage III), which is characterized by secondary azurite and malachite. These results of mineralogy, FIs, and H‐O isotopes indicate that: (i) Cu mineralization has a close temporal, spatial, and genetic relationship with skarn alteration; (ii) the ore fluids were magmatic dominated with late‐stage meteoric water incursion; and (iii) Type‐S (halite‐bearing) and Type‐V (vapor‐rich) FIs coexisted in garnet and clinopyroxene of stage I, indicating that fluid boiling might have occurred during this stage. From stage I to stage IIa, the FI type transformed from Type‐S + Type‐V + Type‐L (liquid‐rich) to Type‐V + Type‐L with the conduct of mineralization and was accompanied by the disappearance of Type‐S, and homogenization temperature and salinity also tended to decrease dramatically, which may be caused by the deposition of skarn minerals. At stage IIa, boiling of the ore fluids still continued due to the change from lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure, which triggered the precipitation of abundant quartz‐Cu‐Mo‐Fe sulfides. Furthermore, fluid mixing between a high‐temperature magmatic fluid and a low‐temperature meteoric water might cause a considerable drop in temperature and the deposition of Cu‐bearing quartz/calcite veins during stage IIb. Hence, we consider the Yangla deposit to be of a skarn type, genetically related to the Mesozoic magmatism in the Sanjiang region.     

Organic matters and acid‐sulfate alteration in Itomuka mercury mine,Hokkaido, Japan: Implications for the transportation and deposition mechanisms of Hg

In order to examine the transportation and deposition mechanisms of Hg, we investigated the ore and hydrothermal alteration minerals and solid organic matters from Itomuka mercury mine located in the eastern part of central Hokkaido. In addition to the ore minerals, native mercury and cinnabar, quartz, marcasite, alunite, kaolinite, and minor amounts of pyrite and smectite were identified in the Hg ore by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. This mineral assemblage of acid sulfate alteration was likely developed under the conditions of low temperature (≤100°C) and low pH (≤2) in the steam‐heated environment. The H₂SO₄ was produced above the water table by the oxidation of H₂S separated from deep, near‐neutral fluids by boiling. The dominance of native mercury over cinnabar in Hg ore indicates that the greater part of mineralized Hg was transported as Hg⁰ in aqueous solution and vapor with low sulfur fugacity. The solid organic matters found in the Hg ore were analyzed with SEM‐EDS, micro‐XRD, and micro‐Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and these results suggest that the organic matters contributed to keeping the low fO₂ of the Hg‐bearing fluid and transportation of Hg as Hg⁰ in S‐poor condition. Because the solubility of Hg in acidic fluid is low, neutral to alkaline fluid seems to have leached Hg from the basement sedimentary rocks of Hidaka Group which also supplied the organic matters to the fluid. The oxidation and cooling of Hg‐bearing solution and vapor triggered the deposition of liquid Hg as a primary phase.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Permian A‐type Granite in the Hongol Area,Central Inner Mongolia: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

We performed geochronological and geochemical analyses of the A-type granite in the Hongol area, central Inner Mongolia, to determine its age, petrogenesis and tectonic setting, which are significant for clarifying the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing'an Mongolian Orogenic Belt(XMOB). The rock type of the A-type granite in the Hongol area is alkali-feldspar granite, and it constitutes a western part of the Baiyinwula-Dongujimqin A-type granite belt. Zircon U-Pb geochronology yields ~(206)Pb/~(238)U ages ranging from 293 to 286 Ma for the alkali-feldspar granite, indicating this granitic pluton formed in the Early Permian. The alkali-feldspar granite is high in silica(SiO_2=75.13 wt%-80.17 wt%), aluminum(Al_2 O_3=10.59 wt%-13.17 wt%) and alkali(Na_2 O+K_2 O=7.33 wt%-9.11 wt%), and low in MgO(0.08 wt%-0.39 wt%) and CaO(0.19 wt%-0.70 wt%). It is obviously enriched in LILEs such as Rb, Th and K,depleted in HFSEs such as Nb, Ti, La and Ce, with pronounced negative anomalies of Nb, Ti, P, Eu, Sr and Ba. Its Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive ε_(Nd)(t)(+0.72-+3.08), low T_(DM2)(805-997 Ma),and high radioactive Pb with(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 18.710-19.304,(~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 15.557-15.604 and(~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 37.887-38.330. Petrological characteristics and geochemical data suggest that the alkalifeldspar granite in the Hongol area belongs to aluminous A-type granite. This A-type granite formed in a post-collisional extensional setting and was generated by the partial melting of felsic rocks in the middlelower crust resulting from post-collisional slab breakoff. It is suggested that the Paleo-Asian Ocean was closed before the Permian in central Inner Mongolia.     

Deformation Style of Slickenlines on Mélange Foliations and Change in Deformation Mechanisms Along Subduction Interface: Example from the Cretaceous Shimanto Belt, Shikoku, Japan

Accretionary complexes record the histories of changes in physical properties of sediments from unlithified sediments to lithified rocks through the deformation processes along subduction interface. The trench sediment suffered various deformation of particulate flow, pressure solution deformation and cataclastic faultings from ductile to brittle regime during accretion in subduction zone. Tectonic mélange is a characteristic rock in on-land accretionary complexes. The dominant deformation mechanism of tectonic mélange formation is pressure solution on the basis of microscopic observation. However, brittle slickenlines are also commonly observed on mélange foliations at the outcrop scale. Although the slickenlines as a brittle failure is common on the surface of the pressure solution foliation, the relationship of their kinetic are still uncertain. Detailed observations of slickenlines suggest that they are formed by reactivation of the mélange foliations, which indicates that the slickenlines are developed after formation of block in matrix texture characterized in mélange. In addition, mélange foliations are cut by faults related to underplating of oceanic materials. Therefore, formation of slickenlines occur before underplating in a relatively deep portion along subduction interface. On the basis of P-T conditions reported from other parts of the Cretaceous Shimanto Belt, the mélange formation and underplating is inferred to have occurred around the seismic front or within the seismogenic zone. The change in deformation mechanisms from pressure solution to brittle failure may be the first change in physical properties from plastic to brittle around seismic front.     

Strontium and Lead Isotopic Study of the Carbonate‐hosted Xujiashan Antimony Deposit from Hubei Province,South China: Implications for its Origin

The Xujiashan antimony deposit is hosted by marine carbonates of the Upper Sinian Doushantuo and Dengying Formations in Hubei Province, South China. Our Sr isotopic data from pre‐ and syn‐mineralization calcites that host the mineralization show that the pre‐mineralization calcite displays a narrow range of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7096 to 0.7097), similar to the ratios of the Sinian seawater, and high Sr concentrations (2645 to 8174 ppm). In contrast, the syn‐mineralization calcite exhibits low Sr concentrations (785 to 2563 ppm) and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7109 to 0.7154), which is interpreted as the result of addition of radiogenic strontium during the antimony mineralization. The study of Sr isotopes suggests that their Sr component to the pre‐mineralization calcite derived directly from the host rocks (i.e. the Sinian marine carbonates), while radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr for the syn‐mineralization calcite derived from the underlying Mesoproterozoic Lengjiaxi Group basement through hydrothermal fluid circulation along the major fault that hosts the mineralization. The Pb isotopic ratios of stibnite are subdivided into two groups (Group A and Group B), Group A is characterized by higher radiogenic lead, with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.874 to 19.288, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.708 to 15.805, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.642 to 39.001. Group B shows lower lead isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 17.882 to 18.171, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.555 to 15.686, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.950 to 38.340). The single‐stage model ages of Group A are mainly negative or slightly positive values (‐258 to 3 Ma), while those of Group B range from 636 to 392 Ma, with an average of 495 ± 65 Ma. In addition, there are positive linear correlations among Pb isotopic ratios. These results suggest that the lead of Group A stibnite was mainly derived from the Sinian marine carbonates, and that of Group B stibnite from the underlying Lengjiaxi Group basement. This conclusion is consistent with the results of the Sr isotopes. These results indicate that the Xujiashan deposit is not syngenetic sedimentary and in situ reworked origin as previously considered. The metal (mainly Sb) of this deposit was not only derived from the Sinian host rocks, but also partly derived from the underlying Mesoproterozoic Lengjiaxi Group basement.     

Geochemical and mantle-like isotopic (Nd, Sr) composition of the Baklan Granite from the Muratdağı Region (Banaz, Uşak), western Turkey: Implications for input of juvenile magmas in the source domains of western Anatolia Eocene–Miocene granites

The (late syn)- post-collisional magmatic activities of western and northwestern Anatolia are characterized by intrusion of a great number of granitoids. Amongst them, Baklan Granite, located in the southern part of the Muratdağı Region from the Menderes Massif (Banaz, Uşak), has peculiar chemical and isotopic characteristics. The Baklan rocks are made up by K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, biotite and hornblende, with accessory apatite, titanite and magnetite, and include mafic microgranular enclaves (MME). Chemically, the Baklan intrusion is of sub-alkaline character, belongs to the high-K, calc-alkaline series and displays features of I-type affinity. It is typically metaluminous to mildly peraluminous, and classified predominantly as granodiorite in composition. The spider and REE patterns show that the rocks are fractionated and have small negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^* = 0.62–0.86), with the depletion of Nb, Ti, P and, to a lesser extent, Ba and Sr. The pluton was dated by the K–Ar method on the whole-rock, yielded ages between 17.8 ± 0.7 and 19.4 ± 0.9 Ma (Early Miocene). The intrusion possesses primitive low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70331–0.70452) and negative ε_Nd(t) values (−5.0 to −5.6). The chemical contrast between evolved Baklan rocks (SiO₂, 62–71 wt.%; Cr, 7–27 ppm; Ni, 5–11 ppm; Mg#, 45–51) and more primitive clinopyroxene-bearing monzonitic enclaves (SiO₂, 54–59 wt.%; Cr, 20–310 ppm; Ni, 10–70 ppm; Mg#, 50–61) signifies that there is no co-genetic link between host granite and enclaves. The chemical and isotopic characteristics of the Baklan intrusion argue for an important role of a juvenile component, such as underplated mantle-derived basalt, in the generation of the granitoids. Crustal contamination has not contributed significantly to their origin. However, with respect to those of the Baklan intrusion, the generation of the (late syn)- post-collisional intrusions with higher Nd(t) values from the western Anatolia require a much higher amount of juvenil component in their source domains.     

致密气源层内沉积特征及与致密砂岩气藏关系--以川东北元坝地区须三段为例

川东北元坝地区须三段长期被认为是烃源岩层,在该层试气中获得120.8×108 m3/d高产工业气流井,表明以须三段为代表的致密气源层内勘探前景广阔。本文依据钻井取芯、测井、录井等资料,运用多信息综合研究方法,详细研究了川东北元坝地区须三段沉积特征、沉积演化及源储配置特征,进而探讨致密气源层内致密砂岩气藏的展布特征。研究表明研究区西区发育辫状河三角洲,东区发育曲流河三角洲;通过分析十多种沉积微相类型,结果表明辫状河道、水下辫状主河道及水下分流河道储集砂体为元坝地区须三段最有利的储集相带。同时,东、西区源储配置差异明显:东区底部为厚套的水下分流河道砂体,顶部为薄层的砂体与煤及炭质泥岩互层;西区水下辫状河道及辫状河道砂体分布范围广,多层砂体叠置连片,砂体与煤系烃源岩构成互层,似"千层饼"状特征。相对于东区,西区源储配置特征对于致密气成藏更为有利,因此建议将以后的勘探重点放在西部的致密砂岩勘探区域。     

Sea‐level changes,river activity,soil development and glaciation around the western margins of the southern North Sea Basin during the Early and early Middle Pleistocene: evidence from Pakefield,Suffolk, UK

This paper outlines evidence from Pakefield (northern Suffolk), eastern England, for sea‐level changes, river activity, soil development and glaciation during the late Early and early Middle Pleistocene (MIS 20–12) within the western margins of the southern North Sea Basin. During this time period, the area consisted of a low‐lying coastal plain and a shallow offshore shelf. The area was drained by major river systems including the Thames and Bytham. Changes in sea‐level caused several major transgressive–regressive cycles across this low‐relief region, and these changes are identified by the stratigraphic relationship between shallow marine (Wroxham Crag Formation), fluvial (Cromer Forest‐bed and Bytham formations) and glacial (Happisburgh and Lowestoft formations) sediments. Two separate glaciations are recognised—the Happisburgh (MIS 16) and Anglian (MIS 12) glaciations, and these are separated by a high sea level represented by a new member of the Wroxham Crag Formation, and several phases of river aggradation and incision. The principal driving mechanism behind sea‐level changes and river terrace development within the region during this time period is solar insolation operating over 100‐kyr eccentricity cycles. This effect is achieved by the impact of cold climate processes upon coastal, river and glacial systems and these climatically forced processes obscure the neotectonic drivers that operated over this period of time. © British Geological Survey/Natural Environment Research Council copyright 2005. Reproduced with the permission of BGS/NERC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.