Petrogenesis of the Late Jurassic peraluminous biotite granites and muscovite-bearing granites in SE China: geochronological,elemental and Sr–Nd–O–Hf isotopic constraints

Biotite granites and muscovite-bearing granites are dominant rock types of the widespread granites in SE China. However, their petrogenesis has been enigmatic. A combined study of zircon U–Pb dating and Lu–Hf isotopes, whole-rock element geochemistry and Sr–Nd–O isotopes was performed for three late Mesozoic granitic plutons (Xinfengjie, Jiangbei and Dabu) in central Jiangxi province, SE China. All the plutons are composed of biotite granites and muscovite-bearing granites that have been poorly investigated previously. The new data not only allow us to assess their sources and magma evolution processes, but also helps us to better understand the genetic link to the large-scale polymetallic mineralization in SE China. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating shows that three plutons were emplaced in the Late Jurassic (159–148 Ma) and that the muscovite-bearing granites are almost contemporaneous with the biotite granites. The biotite granites have SiO₂ contents of 70.3–74.4 wt% and are weakly to strongly peraluminous with ASI from 1.00 to 1.26, and show a general decrease in ASI with increasing SiO₂. They have relatively high zircon saturation temperatures (T _Zr = 707–817 °C, most > 745 °C) and show a general decrease in T _Zr with increasing SiO₂. They have high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7136 to 0.7166) and high δ¹⁸O values (9.1–12.8‰, most > 9.5‰) and clearly negative ε _Nd (T) (? 9.5 to ? 11.8) and ε _Hf (T) (in situ zircon) (? 13.1 to ? 13.5). The muscovite-bearing granites have high SiO₂ contents (74.7–78.2 wt%). They are also weakly to strongly peraluminous with ASI of 1.04–1.18 but show a general increase in ASI with increasing SiO₂. They have relatively low T _Zr (671–764 °C, most < 745 °C) and also show a general decrease in T _Zr with increasing SiO₂. The muscovite-bearing granites have high Rb (up to 810 ppm) and high (K₂O + Na₂O)/CaO (up to 270), Rb/Sr (up to 42) and Rb/Ba (up to 30) as well as low K/Rb (< 150, down to 50), Zr/Hf (< 24, down to 11) and Nb/Ta (< 6, down to 2). They show similar Nd–O–Hf isotopic compositions to the biotite granites with ε _Nd (T) of ? 8.7 to ? 12.0, δ¹⁸O of 8.7–13.0‰ (most > 9.5‰) and ε _Hf (T) (in situ zircon) of ? 11.3 to ? 13.1. Geochemical data suggest the origin of the biotite granites and muscovite-bearing granites as follows: Partial melting of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks (mainly two-mica schist) in the lower crust at temperatures of ca. 820 °C generated the melts of the less felsic biotite granites. Such primary crustal melts underwent biotite-dominant fractionation crystallization, forming the felsic biotite granites. Progressive plagioclase-dominant fractionation crystallization from the evolved biotite granites produced the more felsic muscovite-bearing granites. Thus, the biotite granites belong to the S-type whereas the muscovite-bearing granites are highly fractionated S-type granites. We further suggest that during the formation of the muscovite-bearing granites the fractional crystallization was accompanied by fluid fractionation and most likely the addition of internally derived mineralizing fluids. That is why the large-scale polymetallic mineralization is closely related to the muscovite-bearing granites rather than biotite granites in SE China. This is important to further understand the source and origin of biotite granites and muscovite-bearing granites in SE China even worldwide.     

Petrogenesis of the Mesozoic intrusive complexes from the southern Taihang Orogen,North China Craton: elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic constraints

A geochemical and isotopic study was carried out for three Mesozoic intrusive suites (the Xishu, Wuan and Hongshan suites) from the North China Craton (NCC) to understand their genesis and geodynamic implications. The Xishu and Wuan suites are gabbroic to monzonitic in composition. They share many common geochemical features like high Mg# and minor to positive Eu anomalies in REE patterns. Initial Nd–Sr isotopic compositions for Xishu suite are _Nd(135 Ma)=–12.3 to –16.9 and mostly I_Sr = 0.7056–0.7071; whereas those for Wuan suite are slightly different. Pb isotopic ratios for Xishu suite are (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 16.92–17.3, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i=15.32–15.42, (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i=37.16–37.63, which are slightly higher than for Wuan suite. The Xishu–Wuan complexes are considered to originate from partial melting of an EM1-type mantle source, followed by significant contamination of lower crustal components. The Hongshan suite (mainly syenite and granite) shows distinctly higher _Nd(135 Ma) values (–8 to –11) and slightly higher Pb isotopic ratios than the Xishu–Wuan suites. It was formed via fractionation of a separate parental magma that also originated from the EM1-type mantle source, with incorporation of a small amount of lower crustal components. Partial melting of the mantle sources took place in a back-arc extensional regime that is related to the subduction of the paleo-Pacific slab beneath the NCC.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology,geochemical, and Sr–Nd isotopic constraints on the age and origin of basaltic porphyries from western Liaoning Province,China

Basaltic porphyries from the northeast North China craton (NCC) provide an excellent opportunity to examine the nature of their mantle source and the secular evolution of the underlying mantle lithosphere. In addition, the study helps to constrain the age and the mechanism of NCC lithospheric destruction. In this paper, we report geochronological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses of a suite of mafic lavas. Detailed laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) zircon U–Pb dating yielded an age of 223.3 ± 1.1 million years, which we regard as representing the crystallization age of the basaltic porphyries. The bulk-rock analysed samples are enriched in both large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) (i.e. Ba, Sr, and Pb) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), but depleted in high field strong elements (HFSEs) (i.e. Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), without significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*?= 089–0.98). The basaltic porphyries have undergone low degrees (～5%) of partial melting of a garnet-bearing lherzolite mantle. The rocks display very uniform (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _i (0.70557–0.70583) and negative ?_Nd (t) values (–11.9 to –10.1). These features indicate that the western Liaoning basaltic porphyries were derived from a common enriched lithosphere mantle that had previously been metasomatized by fluids related to subduction of Palaeo-Asian sedimentary units. However, the mafic melts were not affected to a significant degree by crustal contamination. Based on earlier studies, these findings provide new evidence that the northeast margin of the NCC had undergone a phase of post-orogenic extensional tectonics during the Middle Triassic. Furthermore, lithospheric thinning occurring across the northern NCC might have been initiated during Early Triassic times and was likely controlled by the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean, as well as the collision of Mongolian arc terrenes with the NCC.     

Origin of the Maoduan Pb–Zn–Mo deposit, eastern Cathaysia Block, China: geological, geochronological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Pb–S isotopic constraints

The Maoduan Pb–Zn–Mo deposit is in hydrothermal veins with a pyrrhotite stage followed by a molybdenite and base metal stage. The Re–Os model ages of five molybdenite samples range from 138.6 ± 2.0 to 140.0 ± 1.9 Ma. Their isochron age is 137.7 ± 2.7 Ma. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating of the nearby exposed Linggen granite porphyry gave a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 152.2 ± 2.2 Ma and the hidden Maoduan monzogranite yielded a mean of 140.0 ± 1.6 Ma. These results suggest that the intrusion of the Maoduan monzogranite and Pb–Zn–Mo mineralization are contemporaneous. δ ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals range from 3.4‰ to 4.8‰, similar to magmatic sulfur. Four sulfide samples have ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.252–18.432, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.609–15.779, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.640–39.431, similar to the age-corrected data of the Maoduan monzogranite. These isotope data support a genetic relationship between the Pb–Zn–Mo mineralization and the Maoduan monzogranite and probably indicate a common deep source. The Maoduan monzogranite has geochemical features similar to highly fractionated I-type granites, such as high SiO₂ (73.7–75.2 wt.%) and alkalis (K₂O + Na₂O = 7.8–8.9 wt.%) and low FeO_t (0.8–1.3 wt.%), MgO (~0.3 wt.%), P₂O₅ (~0.03 wt.%), and TiO₂ (~0.2 wt.%). The granitic rocks are enriched in Rb, Th, and U but depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Ta, P, and Ti. REE patterns are characterized by marked negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^* = 0.2–0.4). The Maoduan monzogranite, having (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _t  = 0.7169 to 0.7170 and ε_Nd(t) = −13.8 to −13.7, was probably derived from mixing of partial melts from enriched mantle and the Paleoproterozoic Badu group in an extensional tectonic setting.     

Origin of the Tongshankou porphyry–skarn Cu–Mo deposit,eastern Yangtze craton,Eastern China: geochronological,geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints

The Tongshankou Cu–Mo deposit, located in the westernmost Daye district of the Late Mesozoic Metallogenic Belt along the Middle-Lower reaches of the Yangtze River, eastern China, consists mainly of porphyry and skarn ores hosted in the Tongshankou granodiorite and along the contact with the Lower Triassic marine carbonates, respectively. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe zircon U–Pb dating constrains the crystallization of the granodiorite at 140.6 ± 2.4 Ma (1σ). Six molybdenite samples from the porphyry ores yield Re–Os isochron age of 143.8 ± 2.6 Ma (2σ), while a phlogopite sample from the skarn ores yields an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 143.0 ± 0.3 Ma and an isochron age of 143.8 ± 0.8 Ma (2σ), indicating an earliest Cretaceous mineralization event. The Tongshankou granodiorite has geochemical features resembling slab-derived adakites, such as high Sr (740–1,300 ppm) and enrichment in light rare earth elements (REE), low Sc (<10 ppm), Y (<13.3 ppm), and depletion in heavy REE (<1.2 ppm Yb), and resultant high Sr/Y (60–92) and La/Yb (26–75) ratios. However, they differ from typical subduction-related adakites by high K, low MgO and Mg#, and radiogenic Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions, with (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _t  = 0.7062–0.7067, ɛ _Nd(t) = −4.37 to −4.63, (¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf) _t  = 0.282469–0.282590, and ɛ _Hf(t) = −3.3 to −7.6. The geochemical and isotopic data, coupled with geological analysis, indicate that the Tongshankou granodiorite was most likely generated by partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle that was previously metasomitized by slab melts related to an ancient subduction system. Magmas derived from such a source could have acquired a high oxidation state, as indicated by the assemblage of quartz–magnetite–titanite–amphibole–Mg-rich biotite in the Tongshankou granodiorite and the compositions of magmatic biotite that fall in the field between the NiNiO and magnetite–hematite buffers in the Fe³⁺–Fe²⁺–Mg diagram. Sulfur would have been present as sulfates in such highly oxidized magmas, so that chalcophile elements Cu and Mo were retained as incompatible elements in the melt, contributing to subsequent mineralization. A compilation of existing data reveals that porphyry and porphyry-related Cu–Fe–Au–Mo mineralization from Daye and other districts of the Metallogenic Belt along the Middle-Lower reaches of the Yangtze River took place coevally in the Early Cretaceous and was related to an intracontinental extensional environment, distinctly different from the arc-compressive setting of the Cenozoic age that has been responsible for the emplacement of most porphyry Cu deposits of the Pacific Rim.     

Zircon U–Pb age and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints on the age and origin of Triassic mafic dikes,Dalian area,Northeast China

Post-orogenic mafic rocks from Northeast China consist of swarms of dolerite dikes. We report a new U–Pb zircon age, as well as whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb zircon analysis yielded an age of 210.3 ± 1.5 million years (i.e. Triassic) for these mafic dikes. Most Dalian mafic rocks exhibit low K₂O + Na₂O contents, and span the border between alkaline and calc-alkaline rock associations in the total alkali–silica diagram. The investigated dikes are also characterized by relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios (0.7061–0.7067) and negative ?_Nd (t) (?4.7 to??4.3) and ?_Hf (t) values (?4.1 to??1.1), implying that they were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. The mafic dikes are characterized by relatively low MgO (4.65–5.44 wt.%), Mg^# (41–44), and compatible element content [such as Cr (89.9–125 ppm) and Ni (56.7–72.2 ppm)], which are the features of an evolved mafic magma. No evidence supports the idea that the mafic rocks were affected by significant assimilation or crustal contamination during emplacement. We conclude that the dolerites formed in a post-orogenic extensional setting, related to lithospheric delamination or ‘collapse’ of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), also termed the Xingmeng Orogenic Belt in China.     

Geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic composition of the Donggou Mo-bearing granite porphyry,Qinling orogenic belt,central China

The eastern Qinling belt is characterized by widespread Mesozoic post-orogenic magmatism and abundant Mo–(Au–Ag) polymetallic mineralization. Most Mo deposits in this belt are genetically related to Mesozoic granitoids. The tectonic context of this close spatial and temporal relationship is still debated. This study reports U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic composition of zircons, major and trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic composition of the Donggou granite porphyry, host rock to one of the important Mesozoic Mo deposits in this orogen. Based on geochemical results, the Donggou granite porphyry is a silica-supersaturated, high-K metaluminous A-type granite showing enrichment in light REEs, depletion in middle REEs and significant negative Eu, Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti anomalies. Negative initial ?_Nd values of??17.0 to??13.2 for whole-rock and negative initial ?_Hf values of??19.9 to??7.8 for zircon suggest that the magma was derived from a mixture of Archaean/Proterozoic crustal rocks and mantle-derived or newly added crust. Its Pb isotopic composition is similar to the lower crust of the North China block, but different from superjacent country rocks (Xiong'er and Taihua Groups). Zircon U–Pb dating yields a late Mesozoic emplacement age of 118–117 Ma, identical with the third episode of Mo mineralization in the eastern Qinling–Dabie belt. We postulate that the Donggou Mo-related porphyry granite formed by reworking of North China lower crust with significant input of juvenile material. The magmas formed in an extensional tectonic setting, induced by lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling beneath eastern China during Cretaceous time.     

U–Pb zircon ages,geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic constraints on the dating and origin of intrusive complexes in the Sulu orogen,eastern China

TPost-orogenic intrusive complexes from the Sulu belt of eastern China consist of pyroxene monzonites and dioritic porphyrites. We report new U–Pb zircon ages, geochemical data, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data for these rocks. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon analyses yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 127.4 ± 1.2 Ma for dioritic porphyrites, consistent with crystallization ages (126 Ma) of the associated pyroxene monzonites. The intrusive complexes are characterized by enrichment in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements (i.e. Rb, Ba, Pb, and Th) and depletion in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements (i.e. Nb, Ta, P, and Ti), high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ranging from 0.7083 to 0.7093, low ?_Nd(t) values from ?14.6 to ? 19.2, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 16.65–17.18, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.33–15.54, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 36.83–38.29. Results suggest that these intermediate plutons were derived from different sources. The primary magma-derived pyroxene monzonites resulted from partial melting of enriched mantle hybridized by melts of foundered lower crustal eclogitic materials before magma generation. In contrast, the parental magma of the dioritic porphyrites was derived from partial melting of mafic lower crust beneath the Wulian region induced by the underplating of basaltic magmas. The intrusive complexes may have been generated by subsequent fractionation of clinopyroxene, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, hornblende, ilmenite, and rutile. Neither was affected by crustal contamination. Combined with previous studies, these findings provide evidence that a Neoproterozoic batholith lies beneath the Wulian region.     

Geochronology,geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf–S–Pb isotopes of the Early Cretaceous Taoxihu Sn deposit and related granitoids,SE China

The Taoxihu deposit (eastern Guangdong, SE China) is a newly discovered Sn polymetallic deposit. Zircon U-Pb dating yielded 141.8 ± 1.0 Ma for the Sn-bearing granite porphyry and 145.5 ± 1.6 Ma for the biotite granite batholith it intruded. The age of the granite porphyry is consistent (within error) with the molybdenite Re–Os isochron age (139.0 ± 1.1 Ma) of the Sn mineralization, indicating a temporal link between the two. Geochemical data show that the granite porphyry is weakly peraluminous, contain high Si, Na and K, low Fe, Mg, Ca and P, and relatively high Rb/Sr and low K/Rb values. The rocks are enriched in Rb, Th, U, K, and Pb and depleted in Ba, Sr, Ti and Eu, resembling highly fractionated I-type granites. They contain bulk rock initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁷Sr of 0.707371–0.707730 and εNd(t) of −5.17 to −4.67, and zircon εHf(t) values from −6.67 to −2.32, with late Mesoproterozoic T_DM2 ages for both Nd and Hf isotopes. This suggests that the granite porphyry was likely formed by the partial melting of the crustal basement of Mesoproterozoic overall residence age with minor mantle input.δ³⁴S_CDT values of the Taoxihu chalcopyrite and pyrite range from 0.1 to 2.1‰ (average: 0.9‰), implying a dominantly magmatic sulfur source. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the Taoxihu sulfide ores are 18.497–18.669, 15.642–15.673 and 38.764–38.934, respectively, indicating a mainly upper continental crustal lead source with minor mantle contribution. The highly fractionated and reduced (low calculated zircon Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ and Eu_N/Eu_N¹ values) nature of the ore-forming granitic magma may have facilitated the Sn enrichment and played a key role in the Sn mineralization. We propose that the ore-forming fluids at Taoxihu were of magmatic-hydrothermal origin derived from the granite porphyry, and that both the granite porphyry and the Sn mineralization were likely formed in an extensional setting, possibly related to the subduction slab rollback of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.     

Evolution of granitoids in the Catalina metamorphic core complex, southeastern Arizona: U–Pb, Nd, and Hf isotopic constraints

The Santa Catalina Mountains, SE Arizona, was one of the first metamorphic core complexes to be described. Despite its status as a type example, relatively little is known about precise ages and origins of the intrusive rocks that make up most of the crystalline core. U–Pb and Hf isotopic data by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry from zircons and Nd isotopic results from whole rocks were obtained for 12 granitoids ranging from 1,440 to 26 Ma. Results confirm that the 1.44-Ga Oracle Granite extends through the Catalina Range as variably mylonitic granite and banded gneiss. Laramide intrusions (67–73 Ma) display initial ε_Nd values ?5 to ?8 and ε_Hf from ?7.5 to ?9. Magmatic ages for the prominent white granite sills of the Wilderness suite are 46–57 Ma, in agreement with Terrien (2012), and these granites have initial ε_Nd values ?8 to ?10 and ε_Hf from ?7 to ?14. Lastly, the undeformed Catalina Granite has an age of 26 Ma, with an initial ε_Nd and ε_Hf of ?6 and ?8, respectively. Our Nd results agree with limited results from Farmer and DePaolo (89:10141–10160, 1984). Although the Catalina Granite seems to have a significant juvenile component based on Nd and Hf, most of the Laramide and Wilderness intrusions contain Nd and Hf compositions lying close to the evolution of 1.44-Ga Oracle Granites, a fact that is confirmed by the U–Pb data, which show both 1.7- and 1.4-Ga zircon cores in these samples, with 1.4 Ga as the dominant core age. In order to become the dominant source of most of the 72–45-Ma magmas, the Oracle pluton must not only extend across the whole Catalina region, but also have abundant deep-seated equivalents to provide magma sources.     

The nappe-hosted Hoshbulak MVT Zn–Pb deposit,Xinjiang, China: A review of the geological,elemental and stable isotopic constraints

The Hoshbulak Zn–Pb deposit is located in South Tianshan, Xinjiang, China. The Zn–Pb orebody is tabular and stratoid in form and it is hosted in calcareous rocks of the Upper Devonian Tan'gaitaer Formation which were thrust over the Carboniferous system. The ores are mineralogically simple and composed mainly of sphalerite, galena, pyrite, calcite, dolomite and exhibit massive, banded, veinlets, colloidal, metasomatic, eutectic, concentric ring and microbial-like fabrics. The Co/Ni ratios of pyrite in the ores range from 0.46 to 0.90 by electron microprobe, which suggested that the Hoshbulak Zn–Pb mineralization was formed in a sedimentary environment. The REE patterns of the hydrothermal calcite coincide well with those of recrystallized micritic limestones, suggesting that the Hoshbulak Pb–Zn mineralization was closely genetically related to limestones of the Tan'gaitaer Formation. The C-, H- and O-isotopic compositions of hydrothermal calcite and dolomite in the ores yield δ¹³C(VPDB) values ranging from − 1.9‰ to + 2.6‰ (mean 0.79‰), δ¹⁸O(VSMOW) values from 22.41‰ to 24.67‰ (mean 23.04‰) and δD values from − 77‰ to − 102‰ for fluid inclusions. It is suggested that the ore-forming fluids, including CO₂, were derived from the calcareous strata of the Tan'gaitaer Formation in association with hydrocarbon brines. The δ³⁴S(VCDT) ranges from − 22.3‰ to − 8.5‰ for early ore-stage sulfides and from 5.9‰ to 24.2‰ with a cluster between 14.4‰ and 24.2‰ for the sulfides (pyrite, sphalerite, galena) in the main ore-stage. The ore sulfur may have been derived from evaporite rocks by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) as the predominant mechanism for H₂S generation. The Pb-isotopic compositions of the sulfide minerals from the Hoshbulak ores yield ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios from 17.847 to 18.173, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios from 15.586 to 15.873 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios from 37.997 to 38.905, which indicate that the metals were sourced mainly from the Tan'gaitaer Formation. We conclude that the genesis of the Hoshbulak Mississippi Valley-type deposit was closely related to thrust faulting in the South Tianshan orogen of China.     

Petrogenesis of the Late Jurassic Laomengshan rhyodacite (Southeast China): constraints from zircon U–Pb dating,geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopes

Extensive magmatism occurred in southeast China during Late Jurassic time, forming large-scale granitic and volcanic rocks associated with non-ferrous, rare earth and rare, radioactive metal deposits. The Shuikoushan Pb–Zn–Au orefield is a typical example located in Hunan Province. This study reports LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock chemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions, and in situ Hf isotopic geochemistry of zircons from the Laomengshan rhyodacite in the Shuikoushan Pb–Zn–Au orefield. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a weighted average age of 156.7 ± 1.6 Ma for the intrusion of the rhyodacite. The rhyodacite samples are mainly shoshonitic series, having metaluminous to weakly peraluminous A/CNK values ranging from 0.96 to 1.09, with moderately high magnesium content (Mg# = 42.4–47.5). Samples display high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values (0.71165–0.71176), low ε_Nd(T) values (?10.7 to ?10.3), old Nd model ages (T_DM = 1.73–1.86 Ga), and relatively homogeneous Pb isotopic compositions [(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 18.365–18.412, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 15.663–15.680, and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 38.625–38.666]. The zircons exhibit enriched ε_Hf(T) values (?16.22 to ?9.86) and old two-stage Hf model ages (T_DM2 = 1.82–2.22 Ga). All the above data indicate that the Laomengshan rhyodacite originated from melting Palaeoproterozoic basement, perhaps contaminated by subordinate mantle melts. Intense extension and thinning of the continental lithosphere during Late Jurassic time resulted in melting of upwelling asthenosphere, and mafic mantle melts interacted with and melted Palaeoproterozoic lower crust, thus forming the Laomengshan rhyodacite.     

Petrogenesis and metallogenic potential of the Jurassic porphyries in the northwest Zhejiang Province,South China: insights from SHRIMP zircon geochronology,geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes of the Huangbaikeng ore-bearing porphyries

The northwest Zhejiang Province is a key domain for providing deep insight into the crust–mantle interaction and tectonic evolution of the South China block. In this paper, we collect geochemical, geochronological, and isotopic data of the Jurassic porphyries in this region, and investigated the Huangbaikeng ore-bearing porphyry in the Tongcun Mo–Cu deposit, using it as an example to uncover the porphyry petrogenesis and evaluate their metallogenic potential. Two varieties of the Huangbaikeng porphyry were distinguished: the medium- to coarse-grained type and medium- to fine-grained type. Zircon Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe U–Pb dating indicates that they were emplaced at 161.8 ± 2.8 and 162.7 ± 3.5 Ma, respectively, which are consistent with the molybdenite Re–Os ages of 163.9–161.8 Ma. The inherited zircons age spectrum significantly recorded a series of geological events, for example, assembly and breakup of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinent, and the Triassic collision of Yangtze and North China blocks. Whole rock Sr–Nd and Jurassic zircon Hf isotopic data yield mostly negative ε_Hf(t) values (0.5 to ?8.4) and ε_Nd(t) values (?0.79 to ?4.82). Besides the Huangbaikeng porphyry, all the Jurassic porphyries in the northwest Zhejiang Province have a wide range of SiO₂ contents (76.78–60.91 wt.%). They do not contain typical aluminous minerals (e.g. cordierite and garnet), and are mainly metaluminous to weakly peraluminous with high Na₂O, low FeO^T/MgO, and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y concentrations in composition. They thus fit the I-type granite definition. Some major and trace elements show strong correlations with SiO₂, possibly indicating extensive fractional crystallization during their magma evolution. Tectonic discriminations imply that these plutons were likely formed in a volcanic arc regime possibly related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate. Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data suggest a mixed source of the Mesoproterozoic crust and 30–50% mantle components. Compared with the adjacent Dexing Cu-bearing porphyies, which have more positive ε_Hf(t) and ε_Nd(t) values with more significant mantle components (55–70%), the Jurassic porphyries in the northwest Zhejiang Province probably lack metallogenic potential to form a giant porphyry copper deposit as Dexing.     

Geological and C–O–S–Pb–Sr isotopic constraints on the origin of the Qingshan carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposit,Southwest China

Located in the western Yangtze Block, the Qingshan Pb–Zn deposit, part of the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou Pb–Zn metallogenic province, contains 0.3 million tonnes of 9.86 wt.% Pb and 22.27 wt.% Zn. Ore bodies are hosted in Carboniferous and Permian carbonate rocks, structurally controlled by the Weining–Shuicheng anticline and its intraformational faults. Ores composed of sphalerite, galena, pyrite, dolomite, and calcite occur as massive, brecciated, veinlets, and disseminations in dolomitic limestones.

The C–O isotope compositions of hydrothermal calcite and S–Pb–Sr isotope compositions of Qingshan sulphide minerals were analysed in order to trace the sources of reduced sulphur and metals for the Pb–Zn deposit. δ¹³C_PDB and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of calcite range from –5.0‰ to –3.4‰ and +18.9‰ to +19.6‰, respectively, and fall in the field between mantle and marine carbonate rocks. They display a negative correlation, suggesting that CO₂ in the hydrothermal fluid had a mixed origin of mantle, marine carbonate rocks, and sedimentary organic matter. δ³⁴S values of sulphide minerals range from +10.7‰ to +19.6‰, similar to Devonian-to-Permian seawater sulphate (+20‰ to +35‰) and evaporite rocks (+23‰ to +28‰) in Carboniferous-to-Permian strata, suggesting that the reduced sulphur in hydrothermal fluids was derived from host-strata evaporites. Ores and sulphide minerals have homogeneous and low radiogenic Pb isotope compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.561 to 18.768, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.701 to 15.920, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.831 to 39.641) that plot in the upper crust Pb evolution curve, and are similar to those of Devonian-to-Permian carbonate rocks. Pb isotope compositions suggest derivation of Pb metal from the host rocks. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of sphalerite range from 0.7107 to 0.7136 and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_200Ma ratios range from 0.7099 to 0.7126, higher than Sinian-to-Permian sedimentary rocks and Permian Emeishan flood basalts, but lower than Proterozoic basement rocks. This indicates that the ore strontium has a mixture source of the older basement rocks and the younger cover sequence. C–O–S–Pb–Sr isotope compositions of the Qingshan Pb–Zn deposit indicate a mixed origin of the ore-forming fluids and metals.     

Origin of the absarokite–banakite association of the Damavand volcano (Iran): trace elements and Sr,Nd, Pb isotope constraints

The activity of the Damavand volcano (Central Alborz, northern Iran) began 1.8 Ma ago and continued up to 7 ka BP. Although the volcanic suite is clearly of shoshonitic affinity, only two petrographic types can be distinguished in the studied lavas: (1) weakly differentiated absarokites (49 < %SiO₂ < 51), scattered around the volcano but with a regional extension, (2) highly differentiated banakites (59 < %SiO₂ < 63), which form the bulk of the 4,000 m thick volcanic pile. All lavas are alkalic (3.7 < %K₂O < 5), REE and LILE-rich (e.g., 85 < La < 148 ppm; 9 < Th < 32 ppm) and show highly fractionated REE patterns (69 < La/Yb < 115) and pronounced Nb–Ta negative anomalies. The absarokites are characterised by Sr (0.7045–0.7046) and Nd (0.51266–0.51269) isotope compositions close to the Bulk Earth values, and distinct from those of the banakites (0.7047 < ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr < 0.7049, 0.51258 < ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd < 0.51262). The Pb isotope ratios are also slightly lower in the absarokites than in the banakites (18.71 < ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 18.77, 15.62 < ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 15.63, 38.85 < ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 38.91, and 18.77 < ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 18.84, 15.62 < ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 15.64, 38.94 < ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 39.06, respectively). Overall, there is a clear tendency towards higher Sr, Pb and lower Nd isotope ratios with increasing degree of differentiation. This study suggests that the absarokites result from a low degree of partial melting (∼5%) of a highly metasomatized mantle source, which inherited its characteristics from an old subduction setting. The initiation of volcanic activity 1.8 Ma ago results from variations in the lithospheric thermal regime, probably related to lithospheric delamination as proposed for Anatolia (Pearce et al. 1990). The banakites are mainly generated by extensive fractional crystallisation (∼70%) of the absarokitic magma, with a limited amount (a few percents) of assimilation of an old crustal component, in the form of bulk assimilation or AFC processes, which both can explain the Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data.     

Zircon U–Pb geochronology,whole-rock geochemical,and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic constraints on the timing and origin of Permian and Triassic mafic dykes from eastern North China Craton

Acta Geochimica - This work reports an important episode of extensional, mafic magmatism that impacted the North China Craton (NCC) during the Permo-Triassic and influenced the evolution of this...     

Laser-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages and geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of the Niyasar plutonic complex,Iran: constraints on petrogenesis and tectonic evolution

We conducted geochemical and isotopic studies on the Oligocene–Miocene Niyasar plutonic suite in the central Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt, in order better to understand the magma sources and tectonic implications. The Niyasar plutonic suite comprises early Eocene microdiorite, early Oligocene dioritic sills, and middle Miocene tonalite + quartzdiorite and minor diorite assemblages. All samples show a medium-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous affinity and have similar geochemical features, including strong enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g. Rb, Ba, Sr), enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti, P). The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of microdiorite and dioritic sills are slightly fractionated [(La/Yb)_n = 1.1–4] and display weak Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.72–1.1). Isotopic data for these mafic mantle-derived rocks display I_Sr = 0.70604–0.70813, ?_Nd (microdiorite: 50 Ma and dioritic sills: 35 Ma, respectively) = +1.6 and ?0.4, TDM = 1.3 Ga, and lead isotopic ratios are (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) = 18.62–18.57, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) = 15.61–15.66, and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) = 38.65–38.69. The middle Miocene granitoids (18 Ma) are also characterized by relatively high REE and minor Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.77–0.98) and have uniform initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7065–0.7082), a range of initial Nd isotopic ratios [?Nd(T)] varying from ?2.3 to ?3.7, and Pb isotopic composition (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) = 18.67–18.94, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) = 15.63–15.71, and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) = 38.73–39.01. Geochemical and isotopic evidence for these Eocene–Ologocene mafic rocks suggests that the magmas originated from lithospheric mantle with a large involvement of EMII component during subduction of the Neotethyan ocean slab beneath the Central Iranian plate, and were significantly affected by crustal contamination. Geochemical and isotopic data of the middle Miocene granitoids rule out a purely crustal-derived magma genesis, and suggest a mixed mantle–crustal [MASH (melting, assimilation, storage, and homogenization)] origin in a post-collision extensional setting. Sr–Nd isotope modelling shows that the generation of these magmas involved ～60% to 70% of a lower crustal-derived melt and ～30% to 40% of subcontinental lithospheric mantle. All Niyasar plutons exhibit transitional geochemical features, indicating that involvement of an EMII component in the subcontinental mantle and also continental crust beneath the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt increased from early Eocene to middle Miocene time.     

Zircon U–Pb geochronology,and elemental and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic geochemistry of post-collisional rhyolite in the Chiang Khong area,NW Thailand and implications for the melting of juvenile crust

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Volcanic rocks are widely exposed within the Chiang Khong–Lampang–Tak igneous zone in NW Thailand. A representative rhyolite sample from the...     

Magma mixing origin for the post-collisional adakitic monzogranite of the Triassic Yangba pluton, Northwestern margin of the South China block: geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotopic, zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic evidences

Petrogenesis of high Mg# adakitic rocks in intracontinental settings is still a matter of debate. This paper reports major and trace element, whole-rock Sr–Nd isotope, zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data for a suite of adakitic monzogranite and its mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) at Yangba in the northwestern margin of the South China Block. These geochemical data suggest that magma mixing between felsic adakitic magma derived from thickened lower continental crust and mafic magma derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) may account for the origin of high Mg# adakitic rocks in the intracontinental setting. The host monzogranite and MMEs from the Yangba pluton have zircon U–Pb ages of 207 ± 2 and 208 ± 2 Ma, respectively. The MMEs show igneous textures and contain abundant acicular apatite that suggests quenching process. Their trace element and evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.707069–0.707138, and ε_Nd(t) = −6.5] indicate an origin from SCLM. Some zircon grains from the MMEs have positive ε_Hf(t) values of 2.3–8.2 with single-stage Hf model ages of 531–764 Ma. Thus, the MMEs would be derived from partial melts of the Neoproterozoic SCLM that formed during rift magmatism in response to breakup of supercontinent Rodinia, and experience subsequent fractional crystallization and magma mixing process. The host monzogranite exhibits typical geochemical characteristics of adakite, i.e., high La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios, low contents of Y (9.5–14.5 ppm) and Yb, no significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.81–0.90), suggesting that garnet was stable in their source during partial melting. Its evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7041–0.7061, and ε_Nd(t) = −3.1 to −4.3] and high contents of K₂O (3.22–3.84%) and Th (13.7–19.0 ppm) clearly indicate an origin from the continental crust. In addition, its high Mg# (51–55), Cr and Ni contents may result from mixing with the SCLM-derived mafic magma. Most of the zircon grains from the adakitic monzogranite show negative ε_Hf(t) values of −9.4 to −0.1 with two-stage Hf model ages of 1,043–1,517 Ma; some zircon grains display positive ε_Hf(t) of 0.1–3.9 with single-stage Hf ages of 704–856 Ma. These indicate that the source region of adakitic monzogranite contains the Neoproterozoic juvenile crust that has the positive ε_Hf(t) values in the Triassic. Thus, the high-Mg adakitic granites in the intracontinental setting would form by mixing between the crustal-derived adakitic magma and the SCLM-derived mafic magma. The mafic and adakitic magmas were generated coevally at Late Triassic, temporally consistent with the exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust in the northern margin of the South China Block. This bimodal magmatism postdates slab breakoff at mantle depths and therefore is suggested as a geodynamic response to lithospheric extension subsequent to the continental collision between the South China and North China Blocks.     

Origin of the Yinshan epithermal-porphyry Cu–Au–Pb–Zn–Ag deposit,southeastern China: insights from geochemistry,Sr–Nd and zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotopes

The Yinshan deposit is a large epithermal-porphyry polymetallic deposit, and the timing and petrogenesis of ore-hosting porphyries have been hotly debated. We present new results from geochemical, whole-rock Sr–Nd and zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotopic investigations. Zircon U–Pb data demonstrate that the quartz porphyry, dacitic porphyry, and quartz dioritic porphyry formed at ?172.2 ± 0.4 Ma, ?171.7 ± 0.5 Ma, and ?170.9 ± 0.3 Ma, respectively. Inherited zircon cores show significant age spreads from ?730 to ?1390 Ma. Geochemically, they are high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonitic rocks with arc-like trace element patterns. They have similar whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopic compositions, yet an increasing trend in ?_Nd(t) and ?_Hf(t) values typifies the suite. Older (inherited) zircons of the three porphyries display Hf compositions comparable to those of the Jiangnan Orogen basement rocks. In situ zircon oxygen isotopic analyses reveal that they have similar oxygen isotopic compositions, which are close to those of mantle zircons. Moreover, a decreasing trend of δ¹⁸O values is present. We propose that the ore-related porphyries of the Yinshan deposit were emplaced contemporaneously and derived from partial melting of Neoproterozoic arc-derived mafic (or ultra-mafic) rocks. Modelling suggests that the quartz porphyries, dacitic porphyries, and quartz dioritic porphyries experienced ?25%, ?10%, and ?10% crustal contaminations by Shuangqiaoshan rocks. Our study provides important constraints on mantle–crust interaction in the genesis of polymetallic mineralization associated with Mesozoic magmatism in southeastern China.