Geochemical constraints on Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits in the Edong district,Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt,China

Copper and iron skarn deposits are economically important types of skarn deposits throughout the world, especially in China, but the differences between Cu and Fe skarn deposits are poorly constrained. The Edong ore district in southeastern Hubei Province, Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt, China, contains numerous Fe and Cu–Fe skarn deposits. In this contribution, variations in skarn mineralogy, mineralization-related intrusions and sulfur isotope values between these Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits are discussed.The garnets and pyroxenes of the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits in the Edong ore district share similar compositions, i.e., dominantly andradite (Ad_29–100Gr_0–68) and diopside (Di_54–100Hd_0–38), respectively. This feature indicates that the mineral compositions of skarn silicate mineral assemblages were not the critical controlling factors for variations between the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits. Intrusions associated with skarn Fe deposits in the Edong ore district differ from those Cu–Fe skarn deposits in petrology, geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope. Intrusions associated with Fe deposits have large variations in their (La/Yb)_N ratios (3.84–24.6) and Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.32–1.65), and have relatively low Sr/Y ratios (4.2–44.0) and high Yb contents (1.20–11.8 ppm), as well as radiogenic Sr–Nd isotopes (εNd(t) = − 12.5 to − 9.2) and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7067 to 0.7086. In contrast, intrusions associated with Cu–Fe deposits are characterized by relatively high Sr/Y (35.0–81.3) and (La/Yb)_N (15.0–31.6) ratios, low Yb contents (1.00–1.62 ppm) without obvious Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.67–0.97), as well as (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7055 to 0.7068 and εNd(t) = − 7.9 to − 3.4. Geochemical evidence indicates a greater contribution from the crust in intrusions associated with Fe skarn deposits than in intrusions associated with Cu–Fe skarn deposits. In the Edong ore district, the sulfides and sulfates in the Cu–Fe skarn deposits have sulfur isotope signatures that differ from those of Fe skarn deposits. The Cu–Fe skarn deposits have a narrow range of δ³⁴S values from − 6.2‰ to + 8.7‰ in sulfides, and + 13.2‰ to + 15.2‰ in anhydrite, while the Fe skarn deposits have a wide range of δ³⁴S values from + 10.3‰ to + 20.0‰ in pyrite and + 18.9‰ to + 30.8‰ in anhydrite. Sulfur isotope data for anhydrite and sedimentary country rocks suggest that the formation of skarns in the Edong district involved the interaction between magmatic fluids and variable amounts of evaporites in host rocks.     

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the Erguna massif basement,NE China – subduction history of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic crust

We present new geochronological and geochemical data for granites and volcanic rocks of the Erguna massif, NE China. These data are integrated with previous findings to better constrain the nature of the massif basement and to provide new insights into the subduction history of Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic crust and its closure. U–Pb dating of zircons from 12 granites previously mapped as Palaeoproterozoic and from three granites reported as Neoproterozoic yield exclusively Phanerozoic ages. These new ages, together with recently reported isotopic dates for the metamorphic and igneous basement rocks, as well as Nd–Hf crustal-residence ages, suggest that it is unlikely that pre-Mesoproterozoic basement exists in the Erguna massif. The geochronological and geochemical results are consistent with a three-stage subduction history of Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic crust beneath the Erguna massif, as follows. (1) The Erguna massif records a transition from Late Devonian A-type magmatism to Carboniferous adakitic magmatism. This indicates that southward subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic crust along the northern margin of the Erguna massif began in the Carboniferous. (2) Late Permian–Middle Triassic granitoids in the Erguna massif are distributed along the Mongol–Okhotsk suture zone and coeval magmatic rocks in the Xing’an terrane are scarce, suggesting that they are unlikely to have formed in association with the collision between the North China Craton and the Jiamusi–Mongolia block along the Solonker–Xra Moron–Changchun–Yanji suture zone. Instead, the apparent subduction-related signature of the granites and their proximity to the Mongol–Okhotsk suture zone suggest that they are related to southward subduction of Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic crust. (3) A conspicuous lack of magmatic activity during the Middle Jurassic marks an abrupt shift in magmatic style from Late Triassic–Early Jurassic normal and adakite-like calc-alkaline magmatism (pre-quiescent episode) to Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous A-type felsic magmatism (post-quiescent episode). Evidently a significant change in geodynamic processes took place during the Middle Jurassic. Late Triassic–Early Jurassic subduction-related signatures and adakitic affinities confirm the existence of subduction during this time. Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous post-collision magmatism constrains the timing of the final closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean involving collision between the Jiamusi–Mongolia block and the Siberian Craton to the Middle Jurassic.     

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on Aolunhua porphyry Mo–Cu deposit,northeast China,and its tectonic significance

The Aolunhua porphyry Mo–Cu deposit is located in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), and belongs to the northern part of the Xilamulun metallogenic belt. More than 90% of the mineralization occurs within the Aolunhua monzogranite-porphyry; a small part is hosted within quartz veins that crosscut Late Permian strata. The syenogranite, occurring as dikes and cutting through the Aolunhua monzogranite-porphyry, is radially distributed in the mining district. Zircon U–Pb ages show that the Aolunhua monzogranite-porphyry and the post-ore syenogranite have concordant ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 138.7 ± 1.2 Ma and 131.4 ± 2.8 Ma, respectively. Based on analyses of major, trace elements and Hf-isotopes, the Aolunhua porphyry is characterized by high Sr low Y with high La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios typical of adakitic granites, whereas the post-ore syenogranite has lower Sr and higher Y values, showing apparently negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.26 to 0.31). The Hf isotopic composition of the Aolunhua porphyry [ε_Hf(t) = + 3.6 to + 9.2] and the post-ore syenogranite [ε_Hf(t) = + 3.6 to + 8.7] indicates that both juvenile crustal sources and depleted mantle contributed to their origin. The regional geological setting together with the discrepancy of geochemistry between the Aolunhua porphyry and the post-ore syenogranite probably indicates that they formed in different tectonic regimes. The Aolunhua porphyry is derived from partial melting of the thickened crust due to underplating of the basaltic magma under the transformation tectonic regime, while the post-ore syenogranite comes from the crustal root melting during the lithospheric delamination stage under the lithosphere thinning regime of northeast China.     

Geochronologic and isotope geochemical constraints on magmatism and associated W–Mo mineralization of the Jitoushan W–Mo deposit,middle–lower Yangtze Valley

The Jitoushan W–Mo ore body is a typical skarn-type deposit with the potential for porphyry Mo mineralization at depth. As it is newly discovered, only a few studies have been conducted on the geochronology and ore genesis of this deposit. The ore district consists of Cambrian to Silurian sedimentary and low-grade metasedimentary strata, intruded by granodiorite, diorite porphyry, granite porphyry, and quartz porphyry. Skarn W–Mo ore bodies are hosted in the contact zone between the granodiorite and Cambrian limestone strata. Within the granodiorite near the contact zone, quartz vein type and disseminated sulphide mineralization are well developed. The Mo-bearing granite porphyry has been traced at depth by drilling. Our results reveal two discrete magmatic events at ca. 138 and ca. 127 Ma in the study area. The molybdenite Re–Os isochronal age of 136.6 ± 1.5 million years is consistent with the first magmatic event. The zircon Hf isotope (?_Hf(t) =??12.55?3.91), sulphide isotopes (δ³⁴S = 3.32–5.59‰), and Re content of molybdenite (Re_content = 6.424–19.07 μg) indicate that the ore-forming materials were mainly derived from the deep crust. The regional tectonic system switched from a Late Jurassic transpressive regime to an earliest Cretaceous extensional regime at ca. 145 Ma, and at ca. 138 Ma, the Jitoushan W–Mo deposit formed in an extensional setting.     

Mineral chemistry and H–O–S–Pb isotopic compositions of skarn type copper deposits in the Jiurui district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt,Eastern China

The skarn type copper deposits are widespread in the Jiurui district in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt. This paper reports a detailed study on mineral chemistry, and H, O, S and Pb isotopic compositions on skarn silicate and sulfide minerals in the three major skarn dominant deposits (Wushan, Dongleiwan and Dengjiashan). The Wushan skarn deposit is characterized with prograde garnet-dominated and clinopyroxene limited skarns with average andradite content of 83% and hedenbergite content of 10%, whereas the Dongleiwan and Dengjiashan deposits are featured with retrograde skarn alteration with abundant hydrous minerals such as epidote and chlorite. The garnet and clinopyroxene compositions show 59% andradite and 15% hedenbergite for the Dongleiwan skarns, and 43% and 22% for the Dengjiashan skarns respectively. The pistacite components (Ps value) defined as Fe^3 +/(Fe^3 ++ Al) and Fe^3 +/Fe^2 + value of epidote are 0.12 and 1.63 for the Wushan skarns, 0.30 and 32.73 for the Dongleiwan skarns, and 0.17 and 42.85 for the Dengjiashan skarns. It is suggested that the prograde skarn mineralization in the three deposits was all formed in a relatively oxidizing environment, with the Wushan showing the highest oxidation potential and the Dengjiashan having the least oxidation potential. However, in the retrograde skarns, the Dongleiwan and Dengjiashan deposits show higher oxidation potential than that of Wushan. The three deposits show similar sulfur isotopic compositions of − 2.9 to + 1.4‰ and similar lead isotopic compositions with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 17.900 to 18.205, 15.538 to 15.649 and 38.170 to 39.025, respectively. All the three deposits should have similar magmatic origin for the ore-forming materials based on their S and Pb isotopes. The oxygen isotopic compositions of the prograde and retrograde fluids in the three deposits show some differences, with δ¹⁸O_Fluid values of + 8.13‰ and + 7.81‰ for the Wushan, + 6.47‰ and + 2.33‰ for the Dongleiwan, and + 8.27‰ and + 4.43‰ for the Dengjiashan. But the hydrogen isotopic compositions are similar for the prograde (− 65 to − 31‰) and retrograde (− 64 to − 33‰) fluids. Therefore, the fluid origins and evolution may be different in each deposit. The hydrothermal fluids for the prograde skarns in all three deposits were likely derived from magmatic–hydrothermal sources, but the Dongleiwan and Dengjiashan show a higher proportion of meteoric water input in the retrograde stage. Considering the similar average prograde temperatures (574 to 560 °C) as calculated from coexisting garnet–clinopyroxene pairs, and similar retrograde temperatures (281 to 246 °C) as calculated from chlorite chemistry for the three deposits, we suggest that the trigger for deposition of sulfide ores in the Wushan garnet-dominated skarn deposit was mainly caused by system cooling with temperature drop along with magmatic intrusion and crystallization process. The Dongleiwan and Dengjiashan skarn deposits constitute a well developed retrograde skarn system with abundant epidote, chlorite, quartz and calcite, which probably caused by fluid mixing of high-temperature saline magmatic–hydrothermal fluids with cooler, oxidizing and dilute meteoric water.     

Timing of skarn deposit formation of the Tonglushan ore district,southeastern Hubei Province,Middle–Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt and its implications

The Tonglushan ore district in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt includes the Tonglushan Cu–Fe, the Jiguanzui Au–Cu, and the Taohuazui Au–Cu skarn deposits. They are characterized by NE-striking ore bodies and hosted at the contact of Triassic carbonate rocks and Late Mesozoic granitoid deposits. New Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA–ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb, molybdenite Re–Os, and phlogopite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages indicate that these skarn deposits formed between 140.3 ± 1.1 and 137.3 ± 2.4 Ma. These dates are identical to the zircon U–Pb ages for host quartz diorites ranging from 140 ± 2 to 139 ± 1 Ma. These results confirm that both skarn mineralization and related intrusions were initiated during the Early Cretaceous. The high rhenium contents (261.4–1152 μg/g) of molybdenites indicate that a metasomatic mantle fluid was involved in the ore-forming process of these skarn ore systems. This conclusion is consistent with previously published constraints from sulfur, deuterium, and oxygen isotope compositions, and the geochemical signatures, and Sr–Nd isotopic data of the mineralization-hosting intrusions. Geological and geochronological evidence demonstrates that there were two igneous events in the Tonglushan ore district. The first resulted in the emplacement of quartz diorite during the Early Cretaceous (140 ± 2 to 139 ± 1 Ma), and the second is characterized by the eruption of volcanic rocks during the mid-Early Cretaceous (130 ± 2 to 124 ± 2 Ma). The former is spatially, temporally and genetically associated with skarn gold-bearing mineralization (140.3 ± 1.1 to 137.3 ± 2.4 Ma). The recognition of these two igneous events invalidates previous models that proposed continuous magmatism and associated mineral deposits in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt.     

Petrogenesis and metallogenic setting of porphyries of the Duobuza porphyry Cu–Au deposit,central Tibet,China

Given that the Duobuza deposit was the first porphyry Cu–Au deposit discovered in central Tibet, the mineralization and mineralized porphyry in this area have been the focus of intensive research, yet the overall porphyry sequence associated with the deposit remains poorly understood. New geological mapping, logging, and sampling of an early granodiorite porphyry, an inter-mineralization porphyry, and a late-mineralization diorite porphyry were complemented by LA–ICP–MS zircon dating, whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses, and in situ Hf isotopic analyses for both inter- and late-mineralization porphyry intrusions. All of the porphyry intrusions are high-K and calc-alkaline, and were emplaced at ca. 120 Ma. The geochemistry of these intrusions is indicative of arc magmatism, as all three porphyry phases are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements. These similar characteristics of the intrusions, when combined with the relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i, negative ε_Nd(t), and positive ε_Hf(t) values, suggest that the magmas that formed the porphyries were derived from a common source region and shared a single magma chamber. The magmas were generated by the mixing of upwelling metasomatized mantle-wedge-derived mafic magmas and magmas generated by partial melting of amphibolite within the lower crust.The inter-mineralization porphyry has the lowest ε_Nd(t) and highest (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values, suggesting that a large amount of lower-crust-derived material was incorporated into the melt and that metals such as Cu and Au from the enriched lower crust were scavenged by the parental magma. The relative mafic late-mineralization diorite porphyry phase was formed by the residual magma in the magma chamber mixing with upwelling mafic melt derived from metasomatized mantle. The magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of the magma in the chamber released ore-forming fluid that was transported mainly by the inter-mineralization porphyry phase during the mineralization stage, which ultimately formed the Duobuza porphyry Cu–Au deposit.These porphyritic intrusions of the Duobuza deposit have high Mg^# and low (La/Yb)_N values, and show some high LILE/HFSE ratios, indicating the magma source was enriched by interaction with slab-derived fluids. Combined with age constraints on the regional tectonic evolution, these dating and geochemical results suggest that the Duobuza porphyry Cu–Au deposit formed in a subduction setting during the final stages of the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean.     

Mafic forearc cumulates and associated rocks in the central high-pressure belt of the Acatlán Complex of southern México: geochemical constraints

The high-pressure (HP) Piaxtla Suite at Tehuitzingo contains peridotites, gabbros, and serpentinized peridotites, as well as granitoids and metasedimentary rocks. The HP mafic rocks are characterized by low SiO₂ (38–52 wt.%) and high Mg# (～48–70), Ni (100–470 ppm), and Cr (180–1750 ppm), typical of cumulate compositions. Trace elements and rare earth element (REE) primitive mantle-normalized patterns display generally flat profiles, indicative of derivation from a primitive mantle with two distinct patterns: (1) gabbroic patterns are characterized by a positive Eu anomaly, low REE abundances, and slightly depleted high REE (HREE) relative to low REE (LREE), typical of cumulus olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase; and (2) mafic-intermediate gabbroic patterns exhibit very flat profiles characteristic of olivine and clinopyroxene as cumulus minerals. Their Nb/Y and Zr/TiO₂ ratios suggest a subalkaline character, whereas low Ti/V ratios indicate that the Tehuitzingo cumulates are island arc tholeiitic basalts that resemble modern, immature oceanic, forearc magmas. These cumulates have high values of ? _Nd(t) = 5.3–8.5 and ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.18–0.23, which renders calculations of model ages meaningless. Our data are consistent with the Tehuitzingo arc rocks being part of a tectonically extruded Devonian–early Carboniferous arc developed along the west margin of Gondwana.     

Ordovician and Silurian lithofacies and base‐metal deposits of the Lachlan Fold Belt

Two lithofacies maps of the Lachlan Fold Belt, one for the Ordovician and one for the Silurian, are illustrated. Both maps indicate shorelines in western New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

The Ordovicoan map suggests open‐sea conditions eastwards from the shoreline with one major and two minor andesitic volcanoes (or volcanic centres). The Silurian map suggests segmentation of the Lachlan Fold Belt into the Melbourne Basin, Omeo Land, Newell Basin, and Budawang Land. The Newell Basin displays a nearshore (Louth‐Mitta Mitta) coarse clastics facies and an offshore (Wellington‐Cooma) platform carbonate facies. Acid volcanism was widespread over the Newell Basin in Silurian time, but did not occur in the Melbourne Basin.

The Louth‐Mitta Mitta and Wellington‐Cooma facies boundary coincides with the position of the Coolac‐Honeybugle Serpentine Belt and the outcrop area of the Girilambone Beds, suggesting that these features were already in some way prominent during the Silurian Period: the Serpentine Belt may have been a fault, and the Girilambone Beds may have been land.

The origin of base‐metal deposits in the Silurian rocks is thought to be somehow related to the heat generated in the subsurface during Silurian time as is indicated by the volcanism and granite intrusion; and also to the fact that the deposits occur in a transgressive sequence which contains the first phase of acid volcanism in the known geological history of the Lachlan Fold Belt.     

Structural,lithological, and geochemical constraints on the dynamic magma plumbing system of the Jinchuan Ni–Cu sulfide deposit,NW China

Eastern and western portions of the Jinchuan ultramafic intrusion have previously been interpreted as dismembered segments of a single elongate intrusion by late faults. However, the different stratigraphic sequences of the two portions indicate that they are originally two separate intrusions, referred to as Eastern and Western intrusions in this study. The Eastern intrusion is characterized by a concentric distribution of rock types with a core of sulfide dunite enveloped by lherzolite, whereas the Western intrusion is composed of the Upper and Lower units, interpreted as magmatic mega cycles with regular variations in lithology and chemistry. In the Western intrusion, the Upper unit consists of fine-grained dunite, lherzolite, and pyroxenite from its base to its top. The MgO contents decrease upward from the dunites (42–45 wt.%) to the lherzolites (36–41 wt.%), while Al₂O₃ and incompatible elements increase upward. In contrast, the Lower unit consists of coarse-grained dunites and lherzolites containing 37–40 and 28–35 wt.% MgO, respectively. Sharp contacts between the Upper and Lower units and fine-grained dunite xenoliths at the top of the Lower unit indicate that the Lower unit intruded along the base of the Upper unit. Disseminated and net-textured sulfides primarily occur in the Lower unit and comprise the no. 24 ore body. Very low S contents (<100 ppm) of the wall rocks at Jinchuan indicate that they were not the source of S causing sulfide immiscibility. Sulfide segregation more likely occurred in deep-seated magma chambers, and sulfides were deposited in the Western intrusion when sulfide-bearing magmas passed through the intrusion. In contrast, the Eastern intrusion was formed by injections of sulfide-free and sulfide-bearing olivine-crystal mushes, respectively, from another deep-seated staging magma chamber. The Eastern and Western intrusions and the deep-seated magma chambers comprise a complicated magma plumbing system at Jinchuan. Normal faults played a significant role in the formation of the magma plumbing system and provided pathways for the magmas.     

Geochemical studies on REE and trace elements from several Cu-Au deposits along the lower Yangtze metallogenic valley, central-southern Anhui Province

The Yangtze Valley was one of the most important metallogenic regions during the Jurassic-Cretaceous period in East China, where more than 200 polymetallic Cu-Fe-Au, Mo, Zn, Pb, Ag deposits have been found. Trace elements were chemically analyzed and the relevant data were collected from literature for the Yanshanian (Mesozoic) igneous rocks which have close relationship with Cu-Au mineralization. Copper mineralization in the lower Yangtze Valley can be divided into three major types: skarn type, porphyry type and volcanic type. The porphyry type is of rare occurrence, such as the Shaxi porphyry copper deposit in the northern part of the lower Yangtze metallogenic valley. This paper focuses on the REE and trace element geochemistry of several Cu-Au deposits along the lower part of Yangtze metallogenic valley in Anhui. The results showed that there are differences in REE distribution for these four types of Cu-Au mineralization, which confine the sources of REE and trace elements as well as other mantle and transitional compatible elements. The results of both REE and trace element geochemical studies showed that these elements with different characteristics have different origins, probably representing different sources of Cu-Au deposits in the deep crust and upper mantle environments. The 40Ar/39Ar dating of one biotite sample gave an age of 131 Ma with a high level of confidence, which represents the age of formation of the Shaxi porphyrite intrusive with porphrytic Cu-Au mineralization, which is consistent with that of the majority of the adjacent acid intrusives with mass Cu-Au mineralization along the Yangtze metallogenic belt in the Yanshanian period (Mesozoic). This is the first attempt to use the high precision method to date the Shaxi porphyrite intrusive.     

Geochronology,geochemistry, and mineralization of the granodiorite porphyry hosting the Matou Cu–Mo (±W) deposit,Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt,eastern China

Porphyry and skarn Cu–Fe–Au–Mo deposits are widespread in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt (MLYMB), eastern China. The Matou deposit has long been regarded as a typical Cu–Mo porphyry deposit within Lower Yangtze part of the belt. Recently, we identified scheelite and wolframite in quartz veins in the Matou deposit, which is uncommon in other porphyry and skarn deposits in the MLYMB. We carried out detailed zircon U–Pb dating and geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic studies of the granodiorite porphyry at Matou to define any differences from other ore-related granitoids. The porphyry shows a SiO₂ content ranging from 61.85 wt.% to 65.74 wt.%, K₂O from 1.99 wt.% to 3.74 wt.%, and MgO from 1.74 wt.% to 2.19 wt.% (Mg^# value ranging from 45 to 55). It is enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, but relatively depleted in Nb, Ta, Y, Yb and compatible trace elements (such as Cr, Ni, and V), with slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^* = 0.88–0.98) and almost no negative Sr anomalies. Results of electron microprobe analysis of rock-forming silicate minerals indicate that the Matou porphyry has been altered by an oxidized fluid that is rich in Mg, Cl, and K. The samples show relatively low ε_Nd(t) values from −7.4 to −7.1, slightly high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values from 0.708223 to 0.709088, and low ε_Hf(t) values of zircon from −9.0 to −6.5, when compared with the other Cu–Mo porphyry deposits in the MLYMB. Zircon U–Pb dating suggests the Matou granodiorite porphyry was emplaced at 139.5 ± 1.5 Ma (MSWD = 1.8, n = 15), which is within the age range of the other porphyries in the MLYMB. Although geochemical characteristics of the Matou and other porphyries in the MLYMB are similar and all adakitic, the detrital zircons in the samples from Matou suggest that Archean lower crust (2543 ± 29 Ma, MSWD = 0.25, n = 5) was involved with the generation of Matou magma, which is different from the other porphyries in the belt. Our study suggests that the Matou granodiorite porphyry originated from partial melting of thickened lower crust that was delaminated into the mantle, similar to the other porphyries in the MLYMB, but it has a higher proportion of lower crustal material, including Archean rocks, which contributed to the formation of the porphyry and related W-rich magmatic-hydrothermal system.     

Re–Os geochronology of Cu and W–Mo deposits in the Balkhash metallogenic belt, Kazakhstan and its geological significance

The Central Asian metallogenic domain (CAMD) is a multi-core metallogenic system controlled by boundary strike-slip fault systems. The Balkhash metallogenic belt in Kazakhstan, in which occur many large and super-large porphyritic Cu–Mo deposits and some quartz vein- and greisen-type W–Mo deposits, is a well-known porphyritic Cu–Mo metallogenic belt in the CAMD. In this paper 11 molybdenite samples from the western segment of the Balkhash metallogenic belt are selected for Re–Os compositional analyses and Re–Os isotopic dating. Molybdenites from the Borly porphyry Cu deposit and the three quartz vein-greisen W–Mo deposits—East Kounrad, Akshatau and Zhanet—all have relatively high Re contents (2712–2772 μg/g for Borly and 2.267–31.50 μg/g for the other three W–Mo deposits), and lower common Os contents (0.670–2.696 ng/g for Borly and 0.0051–0.056 ng/g for the other three). The molybdenites from the Borly porphyry Cu–Mo deposit and the East Kounrad, Zhanet, and Akshatau quartz vein- and greisen-type W–Mo deposits give average model Re–Os ages of 315.9 Ma, 298.0 Ma, 295.0 Ma, and 289.3 Ma respectively. Meanwhile, molybdenites from the East Kounrad, Zhanet, and Akshatau W–Mo deposits give a Re–Os isochron age of 297.9 Ma, with an MSWD value of 0.97. Re–Os dating of the molybdenites indicates that Cu–W–Mo metallogenesis in the western Balkhash metallogenic belt occurred during Late Carboniferous to Early Permian (315.9–289.3 Ma), while the porphyry Cu–Mo deposits formed at 316 Ma, and the quartz vein-greisen W–Mo deposits formed at 298 Ma. The Re–Os model and isochron ages thus suggest that Late Carboniferous porphyry granitoid and pegmatite magmatism took place during the late Hercynian movement. Compared to the Junggar-East Tianshan porphyry Cu metallogenic belt in northwestern China, the formation of the Cu–Mo metallogenesis in the Balkhash metallogenic belt occurred between that of the Tuwu-Yandong in East Tianshan and the Baogutu porphyry Cu deposits in West Junggar. Collectively, the large-scale Late Carboniferous porphyry Cu–Mo metallogenesis in the Central Asian metallogenic domain is related to Hercynian tectono-magmatic activities.     

Geological,geochronological, and H–O isotopic constraints on the genesis of the Tongjing Cu–Au deposit in the Ningwu basin,east China

The Tongjing Cu–Au deposit is a medium-sized deposit within the Ningwu volcanic basin, east China, and is hosted by Cretaceous volcanic rocks of the Dawangshan and Niangniangshan Formations. The veined and lenticular Cu–Au orebodies are spatially and temporally related to the volcanic and subvolcanic rocks of the Niangniangshan Formation in the ore district. The wall-rock alteration is dominated by silicification, siderite alteration, carbonation, sericitization, chloritization, and kaolinization. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic observations, two stages of mineralization are recognized: (1) a siderite–quartz–sulfide stage (Stage 1) associated with the formation of chalcopyrite and pyrite in a quartz and siderite gangue; and (2) a quartz–bornite stage (Stage 2) cutting the Stage 1 phases. Stage 1 is the main mineralization stage. Quartz that formed in Stage 1 has δ¹⁸O_H2O values of − 4.3‰ to 3.5‰ with δD values of fluid inclusion waters of − 97.1‰ to − 49.9‰, indicating that the ore-forming fluids were derived from early magmatic fluids and may have experienced oxygen isotopic exchange with meteoric water during Stage 1 mineralization.LA–MC–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating of the mineralization-related nosean-bearing phonolite and nosean-bearing phonolitic brecciated tuff at Tongjing yields ages of 129.8 ± 0.5 Ma and 128.9 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. These results are interpreted as the crystallization age of the volcanic rocks of the Niangniangshan Formation. A hydrothermal sericite sample associated with Cu–Au mineralization at Tongjing yields a plateau ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age of 131.3 ± 1.3 Ma. These results confirm a genetic link between the volcanism and associated Cu–Au mineralization. The Tongjing Cu–Au deposit in the Ningwu basin is genetically and possibly tectonically similar to alkaline intrusion-related gold deposits elsewhere in the world.     

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the origin of the 304 ± 5 Ma Karamay A-type granites from West Junggar,Northwest China: implications for understanding the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

U–Pb zircon geochronological, geochemical, and whole-rock Sr–Nd isotopic analyses are reported for a suite of Karamay A-type granites from the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in the western Junggar region of northern Xinjiang, Northwest China, with the aim of investigating the sources and petrogenesis of A-type granites. The Karamay pluton includes monzogranite and syenogranite. Laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating yielded a concordant weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 304 ± 5 Ma (n = 11), defining a late Carboniferous magmatic event. Geochemically, the rock suite is characterized by high SiO₂, FeOt/MgO, total alkalies (K₂O + Na₂O), Zr, Nb, Y, Ta, Ga/Al, and rare earth elements (REEs) (except for Eu), and low contents of MgO, CaO, and P₂O₅, with negative Ba, Sr, P, Eu, and Ti anomalies. These features indicate an A-type affinity for the Karamay granitic intrusions. Isotopically, they display consistently depleted Sr–Nd isotopic compositions (initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7014–0.7022, ?_Nd(t) = +5.6–+7.0). Geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data suggest that the Karamay A-type granites were derived from remelting juvenile lower crust, followed by fractional crystallization. The Karamay A-type granites as well as widespread late Carboniferous magmatism in the western Junggar region of the southwestern CAOB may have been related to ridge subduction and a resultant slab window. This further demonstrates the importance of the late Palaeozoic granitic magmatism in terms of vertical crustal growth in northern Xinjiang.     

40Ar‐39Ar and K‐Ar age constraints on the Early Proterozoic Tennant Creek Block,northern Australia,and the age of its gold deposits∗

⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar age spectra on minerals from granitic, metamorphic and hydrothermal rocks confirm that the Early Proterozoic Tennant Creek Block was affected by two thermal events during its evolution. Although extensive alteration of biotite and feldspar within the granites precludes the direct determination of their cooling history, ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar analyses for hydrothermal muscovite from several nearby gold‐copper deposits indicate that regional cooling to below ～ 300°C was not prolonged. Flat, uniform muscovite age spectra were obtained from gold deposits east of the Tennant Creek town site and indicate a minimum age of 1825–1830 Ma for their formation. These ages are within error of those for the felsic volcanism of the Flynn Subgroup, and a genetic relationship between the two may exist. Samples from gold deposits elsewhere in the area indicate disturbance of the K‐Ar isotope system. The second thermal event to affect the region occurred at around 1700 Ma, and is confirmed by the ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar muscovite ages for the ‘Warrego’ granite (1677 ± 4 Ma) and for the metamorphism of the Wundirgi Formation (1696 ± 4 Ma).     

Ore-forming granites from Jurassic porphyry Mo deposits,east–central Jilin Province,China: geochemistry,geochronology, and petrogenesis

ABSTRACT

The east–central part of Jilin Province, NE China, hosts an important polymetallic metallogenic district that contains more than 10 recently discovered large-, medium-, and small-scale Mo deposits. The Mo deposits in this area include porphyry-, skarn-, and quartz vein-type mineralization, of which the porphyry-type deposits dominate. Few studies of these mineralization-related granitoids have been undertaken. Here, we present the results of a systematic regional survey of the geochemistry and geochronology of Mo mineralization-related granites in this area. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Fuanpu, Jidetun, Shuangshan, and Jiapigou granites, all of which are associated with Mo mineralization, yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 167.05 ± 0.81, 170.91 ± 0.83, 183.8 ± 1.1, and 182.3 ± 2.2 Ma, respectively, indicating that these plutons were emplaced during the Early–Middle Jurassic. They have SiO₂ = 62.59–73.5 wt.%, Al₂O₃ = 13.74–16.19 wt.%, and K₂O/Na₂O = 0.8–2.18. Chemically, they are metaluminous to peraluminous and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic series. Moreover, they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, which are characteristics of I type granite. Whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of these granitoids are similar (initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70404 to 0.70554; εNd(t) = –0.9 to 2.4; (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t = 15.549–15.567, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t = 18.035–18.530, ⁽²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t = 37.966–38.229) and altogether suggest that the magmas from which the Mo deposits were generated originated from the mantle or juvenile crust. Combining our results with regional Jurassic tectonic setting, we conclude that the mineralization of these granitoids reflected Pacific plate subduction which induced magma underplating and promoted the remelting of the juvenile crust, resulting in voluminous granitic magma.     

Assessment of nutrient sources and paleoproductivity during the past century in Longgan Lake, middle reaches of Yangtze River, China

A 63-cm sediment core documents that the concentrations of nutrients in sediment, such as organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous, continually increased during the last century in Longgan Lake, middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China. C/N ratio and δ^13Corg revealed that organic matter in the sediment derived mainly from aquatic and terrestrial sources is a minor contributor. Excess phosphorous is related to human activities marked by utilization of phosphoric fertilizers since 1952 A.D. The increase of δ^13Corg towards the sediment surface, together with increasing of OC and N accumulation, indicated the elevation of lake primary productivity due to excess phosphorous loading caused by utilization of phosphoric fertilizer. The decrease of δ^15N during the primary productivity elevation process, especially after 1952, can be attributed to the discharged of nitrogen with lower δ^15N into the lake.     

The role of evaporites in the formation of magnetite–apatite deposits along the Middle and Lower Yangtze River,China: Evidence from LA-ICP-MS analysis of fluid inclusions

Numerous magnetite–apatite deposits occur in the Ningwu and Luzong sedimentary basins along the Middle and Lower Yangtze River, China. These deposits are located in the contact zone of (gabbro)-dioritic porphyries with surrounding volcanic or sedimentary rocks and are characterized by massive, vein and disseminated magnetite–apatite ± anhydrite mineralization associated with voluminous sodic–calcic alteration. Petrologic and microthermometric studies on multiphase inclusions in pre- to syn-mineralization pyroxene and garnet from the deposits at Meishan (Ningwu basin), Luohe and Nihe (both in Luzong basin) demonstrate that they represent extremely saline brines (~ 90 wt.% NaCl_equiv) that were trapped at temperatures of about 780 °C. Laser ablation ICP-MS analyses and Raman spectroscopic studies on the natural fluid inclusions and synthetic fluid inclusions manufactured at similar P–T conditions reveal that the brines are composed mainly of Na (13–24 wt.%), K (7–11 wt.%), Ca (~ 7 wt.%), Fe (~ 2 wt.%), Cl (19–47 wt.%) and variable amounts of SO₄ (3–39 wt.%). Their Cl/Br, Na/K and Na/B ratios are markedly different from those of seawater evaporation brines and lie between those of magmatic fluids and sedimentary halite, suggesting a significant contribution from halite-bearing evaporites. High S/B and Ca/Na ratios in the fluid inclusions and heavy sulfur isotopic signatures of syn- to post-mineralization anhydrite (δ³⁴S_Anh = + 15.2 to + 16.9‰) and pyrite (δ³⁴S_Py = + 4.6‰ to + 12.1‰) further suggest a significant contribution from sedimentary anhydrite. These interpretations are in line with the presence of evaporite sequences in the lower parts of the sedimentary basins.The combined evidence thus suggests that the magnetite–apatite deposits along the Middle and Lower Yangtze River formed by fluids that exsolved from magmas that assimilated substantial amounts of Triassic evaporites during their ascent. Due to their Fe-oxide dominated mineralogy, their association with large-scale sodic–calcic alteration and their spatial and temporal associations with subvolcanic intrusions we interpret them as a special type of IOCG deposits that is characterized by unusually high contents of Na, Ca, Cl and SO₄ in the ore-forming fluids. Evaporite assimilation apparently led to the production of large amounts of high-salinity brine and thus to an enhanced capacity to extract iron from the (gabbro)-dioritic intrusions and to concentrate it in the form of ore bodies. Hence, we believe that evaporite-bearing sedimentary basins are more prospective for magnetite–apatite deposits than evaporite-free basins.