Ocean-floor hydrothermal metamorphism in the Limousin ophiolites (western French Massif Central): evidence of a rare preserved Variscan oceanic marker

The Limousin ophiolite is located at the suture zone between two major thrust sheets in the western French Massif Central. This ophiolitic section comprises mantle‐harzburgite, mantle‐dunite, wehrlites, troctolites and layered gabbros. It has recorded a static metamorphic event transforming the gabbros into undeformed amphibolites and the magmatic ultramafites into serpentinites and/or pargasite‐bearing chloritites. With various thermobarometric methods, it is possible to show that the different varieties of amphibole have registered low‐P (c. 0.2 GPa) conditions with temperature ranging from high‐T, late‐magmatic conditions to greenschist–zeolite metamorphic facies. The abundance of undeformed metamorphic rocks (which is typical of the lower oceanic crust), the occurrence of Ca–Al (–Mg) metasomatism illustrated by the growth of Ca–Al silicates in veins or replacing the primary magmatic minerals, the P–T conditions of the metamorphism and the numerous similarities with oceanic crustal rocks from Ocean Drilling Program and worldwide ophiolites are the main arguments for an ocean‐floor hydrothermal metamorphism in the vicinity of a palaeo‐ridge. Among the West‐European Variscan ophiolites, the Limousin ophiolites constitute an extremely rare occurrence that has not been involved in any HP (subduction‐related) or MP (orogenic) metamorphism as observed in other ophiolite occurrences (i.e. France, Spain and Germany).     

Paleomagnetic results from the Permian Rodez basin implications: the Late Variscan tectonics in the southern French Massif Central

Abstract

A paleomagnetic study has been carried out on three sedimentary formations of the Permian Rodez basin in the southern France. Two of them yield paleomagnetic poles of Saxonian and Thuringian age showing counterclockwise rotation of moderate amplitude, during or after the Thuringian deposition. For the French Massif Central, contrary to its stable southern (Lodève basin) and eastern (Largentière basin) borders, on its southwestern border, in a large area including the Rodez, Saint-Affrique and perhaps Brive basins suffered rotations due to the extensional tectonics during the Late Variscan period. © 2002 Editions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.     

Fast Variscan anticlockwise P-T-t path in the Eastern Alps: evidence from metasedimentary rocks and metamorphic veins of the Silvretta thrust sheet

Abstract

In the South-Western part of the Silvretta thrust sheet (Pischa area), metasedimentary rocks and metaso-matie veins show evidence of a Variscan anticlockwise P-T-t path, which differs from previously proposed P-T-t paths in the pre-Mesozoic basements of the Alps. The prograde path corresponds to a HT-LP metamorphism illustrated by sillimanite blastesis after andalusite. Maximum temperature (ca. 550 °C) is constrained by the stability of staurolite and muscovite. After temperature climax, pressure increased quasi-isothermally to P max of ca. 0.5–0.6 GPa. P max is limited by phase relations and fluid inclusion data. The prograde path is characterized by the development of an S2 schistosity and mineral lineation L2 oriented E-W, and by the formation of a first generation of quartz-andalusite veins (type 2 quartz veins) parallel to the S2. The decompression path ends in the stability field of andalusite and is characterized by extensional structures such as symmetric and asymmetric foliation boudinage showing a stretching direction still oriented E-W. The extensional structures also result in the formation of quartz-andalusite-muscovite aggregates. Shear bands affecting both metapelites and type 1 and 2 quartz veins indicate a top to the W-SW sense of shear. The last generation of quartz-andalusite veins (type 3) strikes N-S and vertically cross cuts the foliation. Phase relations suggest that the Silvretta thrust sheet underwent an anticlockwise P-T path, probably a result of magmatism and/or nappe emplacement. The prograde part of this P-T loop developed between 320 and 300 Ma, and cooling already occurred at ca. 300 Ma. Therefore, the Variscan cycle was fast in this part of the Alps.     

P–T paths reconstruction of a collisional event: The example of the Thiviers-Payzac Unit in the Variscan French Massif Central

Because of late metamorphic and tectonic overprints, the reconstruction of prograde parts of P–T paths is often difficult. In the SW Variscan French Massif Central, the Thiviers-Payzac Unit (TPU) is the uppermost allochthon emplaced above underlying units. The TPU experienced a Barrovian metamorphism coeval with a top-to-the-NW ductile shearing (D2 event) in Early Carboniferous times (ca. 360–350 Ma). The tectonic setting of the D2 event, compression or synconvergence extension, remains unclear. Using the THERMOCALC software and the model system MnNCKFMASH, the peak P–T conditions are estimated from garnet rims and matrix minerals and the prograde evolution is deduced from garnet core compositions. The combination of these two approaches demonstrates that the TPU experienced pressure and temperature increases before reaching peak conditions at 6.6–9.0 +/− 1.2 kbar and 615–655 +/− 35 °C. This kind of P–T path shows that the regional D2 event corresponds to crustal thickening.     

西昆仑库地蛇绿岩的成因及构造意义

库地蛇绿岩位于康西瓦大型走滑断裂带的北侧,主要由裂解的变质橄榄岩,堆晶岩和块状枕状玄武岩组成,其上覆岩石为杂色火山碎屑岩和具浊流沉积的碎屑岩系。前人对库地蛇绿岩已作过较系统的报道[1]。震旦纪-早奥陶纪为本区蛇绿岩的洋盆发育时代,其侵位可能代表了晚元古代到早古生代的重要板块运动的记录。本文通过变质橄榄岩的矿物学、熔岩的地球化学等研究,表明库地蛇绿岩经历了洋中脊(MOR)到俯冲带(SSZ)的构造环境转变过程,致使地幔橄榄岩达到~30%的部分熔融程度。     

Variscan to eo-Alpine events recorded in European lower-crust zircons sampled from the French Massif Central and Corsica, France

Ion-microprobe U–Pb zircon dating of lower-crust metasedimentary granulite are reported on samples from two localities in Europe in order to determine (a) how this environment recorded the Variscan and eo-Alpine events, and (b) whether the transition between the two orogenic cycles was continuous or separated by a gap. The samples come from enclaves hosted by Miocene volcanoes at Bournac in the French Massif Central, and from the granulitic metasedimentary basement of the Alpine Santa Lucia nappe in Corsica, on the South European paleomargin of the Ligurian branch of the Tethys Sea. The zircon ages from Bournac range between 630 and 430 Ma and between 380 and 150 Ma with a major frequency peak at 285 Ma; the zircons older than 430 Ma are interpreted as detrital, whereas those younger than 380 Ma are considered to have formed by metamorphic processes after burial in the lower crust. Zircon ages from Santa Lucia range from to 356 to 157 Ma, with exception of one inherited Archean grain, and are interpreted like the younger Bournac zircons as having been formed by metamorphic processes.

In a granulite metamorphic environment, as opposed to an anatectic environment, new zircon growth can occur in the solid state. Once Zr has been incorporated into zircon, however, it is difficult to remobilize without dissolution; thus Zr available for new zircon growth must result from the breakdown of Zr-bearing minerals during prograde and/or retrograde events. In this light, the U–Pb zircon-age probability curves are interpreted as markers for major tectonometamorphic events, as suggested by the close correspondence between peaks in the curve and geological events recorded in the upper-crust, such as magma emplacement and basin subsidence.

Evidence of a tectonometamorphic gap between the Variscan and Alpine orogeneses is provided by the Santa Lucia zircon-age probability curve, which reveals a probable interlude during the Variscan–Alpine transition between 240 and 210 Ma. Here, the peak at 240 Ma is interpreted as the very beginning of crustal extension and the low at 210 Ma as a period of quiescence prior to the formation of an active margin and oceanization.     

Single subduction zone for the generation of Devonian ophiolites and high‐P metamorphic belts of the Variscan Orogen (NW Iberia)

Within the Variscan Orogen, Early Devonian and Late Devonian high‐P belts separated by mid‐Devonian ophiolites can be interpreted as having formed in a single subduction zone. Early Devonian convergence nucleated a Laurussia‐dipping subduction zone from an inherited lithospheric neck (peri‐Gondwanan Cambrian back‐arc). Slab‐retreat induced upper plate extension, mantle incursion and lower plate thermal softening, favouring slab‐detachment within the lower plate and diapiric exhumation of deep‐seated rocks through the overlying mantle up to relaminate the upper plate. Upper plate extension produced mid‐Devonian suprasubduction ocean floor spreading (Devonian ophiolites), while further convergence resulted in plate coupling and intraoceanic ophiolite imbrication. Accretion of the remaining Cambrian ocean heralded Late Devonian subduction of inner sections of Gondwana across the same subduction zone and the underthrusting of mainland Gondwana (culmination of NW Iberian allochthonous pile). Oblique convergence favoured lateral plate sliding, and explained the different lateral positions along Gondwana of terranes separated by Palaeozoic ophiolites.     

秦岭岩群中斜长角闪岩的年代学及地质意义

正秦岭造山带是华北陆块和扬子陆块及其间的微陆块经历了多期拼合而形成的,具有复杂的构造演化史,前人已对其形成与演化过程进行了大量的研究工作,但在许多方面的研究仍未获得统一的认识(张国伟等,1988;张本仁等2002)。秦岭岩群是北秦岭造山带的主体,保存了复杂的变质变形记录,准确有效地获取和判断其基底岩石的形成和变质时代是探讨秦岭岩群乃至整个秦岭造山带形成     

中祁连东段化隆群中斜长角闪岩地球化学特征及构造意义

中祁连东段化隆群中斜长角闪岩岩相学特征及主、微量元素地球化学分析结果显示,其原岩为碱性玄武岩。斜长角闪岩表现出轻稀土元素富集、Nb-Ta不亏损,与典型洋岛玄武岩(OIB)的微量元素分布模式和特征元素比值(Nb/La=1.24～1.48,Th/Ta=1.19～1.40)类似,但与典型OIB相对亏损高场强元素(如Th、Nb)不同,且在大地构造环境判别图上落入板内大陆玄武岩区,反映了化隆群斜长角闪岩原岩来源于软流圈地幔交代大陆岩石圈地幔熔融源区,为Rodinia超大陆在新元古代汇聚过程中局部裂解或Rodinia大陆整体上汇聚未完成局部地区就开始裂解的产物。     

西藏日喀则蛇绿岩中石榴角闪岩的矿物、岩石地球化学特征

西藏雅鲁藏布蛇绿岩带中段日喀则地区的白朗蛇绿混杂岩中,存在作为变质底板的石榴角闪岩。本文对其进行了矿物学、变质温压条件和岩石地球化学研究。根据岩相学和矿物化学研究,日喀则石榴角闪岩经历了四个变质阶段,矿物组合分别为:Am_1+Pl_1+Ep_1+Ttn(M1);Grt-c+Cpx-e+Ep_2+Pl_2+Rt(M2);Grt-r+Ep_3/Czo_3+Cpx-l+Am_3+Pl_3+Ttn(M3)和Prh+Ab+Czo+Chl+Cal(M4)。根据SAFMCNHO体系矿物组合演化的视剖面图,结合传统的地质温压计,估算出峰期前的温压条件为560~620℃/9.1~9.8kbar;峰值为830~870℃/18.0~22.0kbar,退变质阶段保留了640~680℃/10.7~14.9kbar的温压条件,最终止于葡萄石-绿纤石的前绿片岩相变质条件;得出一条逆时针的P-T轨迹。白朗变质底板的岩性可分为三类,即石榴角闪岩、角闪辉石岩和单辉角闪岩。三种岩性具有相似的地球化学性质:主量元素具有低钛(0.92%~1.29%)、低钾(0.26%)、低钠(0.24%~2.46%)的特征。稀土元素和微量元素特征与N-MROB相似,富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、Ba、U),亏损部分高场强元素(Nb、Ti、Zr、Hf),表现出白朗蛇绿混杂岩中的石榴角闪岩等与洋中脊玄武岩有亲缘性,且叠加有俯冲上板片SSZ环境特征。白朗石榴角闪岩的存在表明日喀则蛇绿岩在形成后不久就发生了构造就位,体现了大洋内部俯冲/侵位事件。     

Petrogenesis of kyanite‐ and corundum‐bearing mafic granulite in a meta‐ophiolite,SE Turkey

Although ophiolitic rocks are abundant in Anatolia (Turkey), only in rare cases have they experienced high‐grade metamorphism. Even more uncommon, in Anatolia and elsewhere are high‐grade meta‐ophiolites that retain an oceanic lithosphere stratigraphy from upper crustal mafic volcanic rocks through lower crustal gabbro to mantle peridotite. The Berit meta‐ophiolite of SE Turkey exhibits both features: from structurally higher to lower levels, it consists of garnet amphibolite (metabasalt), granulite facies metagabbro (as lenses in amphibolite inferred to be retrogressed granulite) and metaperidotite (locally with metapyroxenite layers). Whole‐rock major and trace‐element data indicate a tholeiitic protolith that formed in a suprasubduction setting. This paper presents new results for the metamorphic P–T conditions and path of oceanic lower crustal rocks in the Berit meta‐ophiolite, and an evaluation of the tectonic processes that may drive granulite facies metamorphism of ophiolite gabbro. In the Do?an?ehir (Malatya, Turkey) region, granulite facies gabbroic rocks contain garnet (Grt)+clinopyroxene (Cpx)+plagioclase (Pl)+corundum (Crn)±orthopyroxene (Opx)±kyanite (Ky)±sapphirine (Spr)±rutile. Some exhibit symplectites consisting of Crn+Cpx, Ky+Cpx and/or coronas of garnet (outer shell) around a polygonal aggregate of clinopyroxene that in some cases surrounds a polygonal aggregate of orthopyroxene. Coronitic and non‐coronitic textures occur in proximity in mm‐ to cm‐scale layers; corona structures typically occur in plagioclase‐rich layers. Their formation is therefore related primarily to protolith type (troctolite v. gabbro) rather than P–T path. Phase diagrams calculated for a kyanite‐rich granulite, a plagioclase‐rich non‐coronitic granulite, and a plagioclase‐rich coronitic granulite (taking into account changes in effective bulk composition during texture development) predict peak conditions of ~800°C, 1.1–1.5 GPa; these conditions do not require invoking an unusually high geothermal gradient. In the coronitic metagabbro, reaction textures formed along the prograde path: Crn–Cpx symplectites grew at the expense of garnet, sapphirine and plagioclase. Peak conditions were followed by isobaric cooling of ~150°C. Hornblende–plagioclase thermometry results for host amphibolite (Hbl+Pl±Crn±Grt±relict Cpx) indicate retrograde conditions of 620–675°C and 0.5–0.8 GPa accompanied by infiltration of H₂O‐rich fluid. This anticlockwise P–T path differs from an isothermal decompression path previously proposed for these rocks based on the presence of symplectite. Metamorphism of the ophiolitic rocks was driven by closing of the southern Neotethys Ocean, as oceanic lithosphere was obducted (most SE Anatolian ophiolites) or underthrust (Berit meta‐ophiolite). This was followed by subduction of a continental margin, driving cooling of the Berit granulite after the thermal peak at depths of ~40 km.     

Middle Carboniferous crustal melting in the Variscan Belt: New insights from U–Th–Pbtot. monazite and U–Pb zircon ages of the Montagne Noire Axial Zone (southern French Massif Central)

In France, the Devonian–Carboniferous Variscan orogeny developed at the expense of continental crust belonging to the northern margin of Gondwana. A Visean–Serpukhovian crustal melting has been recently documented in several massifs. However, in the Montagne Noire of the Variscan French Massif Central, which is the largest area involved in this partial melting episode, the age of migmatization was not clearly settled. Eleven U–Th–Pb_tot. ages on monazite and three U–Pb ages on associated zircon are reported from migmatites (La Salvetat, Ourtigas), anatectic granitoids (Laouzas, Montalet) and post-migmatitic granites (Anglès, Vialais, Soulié) from the Montagne Noire Axial Zone are presented here for the first time. Migmatization and emplacement of anatectic granitoids took place around 333–326 Ma (Visean) and late granitoids emplaced around 325–318 Ma (Serpukhovian). Inherited zircons and monazite date the orthogneiss source rock of the Late Visean melts between 560 Ma and 480 Ma. In migmatites and anatectic granites, inherited crystals dominate the zircon populations. The migmatitization is the middle crust expression of a pervasive Visean crustal melting event also represented by the “Tufs anthracifères” volcanism in the northern Massif Central. This crustal melting is widespread in the French Variscan belt, though it is restricted to the upper plate of the collision belt. A mantle input appears as a likely mechanism to release the heat necessary to trigger the melting of the Variscan middle crust at a continental scale.     

Structural,AMS and geochronological study of a laccolith emplaced during Late Variscan orogenic extension: the Rocles pluton (SE French Massif Central)

In the southern French Massif Central, the Rocles leucogranite of Variscan age consists of three petrographic facies; textural analysis shows that they experienced the same subsolidus deformation. New chemical U-Th-Pb dating on monazite yielded 324 ± 4 Ma and 325 ± 5 Ma ages for muscovite-rich and biotite-rich facies respectively. AMS-study results agree with petrostructural observations. The magnetic planar and linear fabrics, which correspond to the preferred orientation of biotite and muscovite, are consistent with the foliation and lineation defined by the preferred mineral orientation. This fabric developed during pluton emplacement. The accordance of this granite foliation with that observed in the host rock, suggests that the Rocles pluton is a laccolith, but its present geometry resulted from post-emplacement southward tilting due to the uplift of the Late Carboniferous Velay dome. Restoration of the primary geometry of the pluton and its country-rocks to a flat-lying attitude places the granite lineation close to the trend measured in other plutons of the area. This restoration further supports the interpretation of the Rocles laccolith as a pluton emplaced along a tectonic contact reactivated during the late-orogenic collapse of the Variscan Belt.     

西天山温泉地区早古生代斜长角闪岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

西天山温泉县城以南地区出露了以温泉群为基底的前寒武纪变质岩系。其中,被当作温泉群变质岩系一部分的灰色中-粗粒斜长角闪岩,在岩石外观特征上与前寒武纪的深灰色细粒斜长角闪岩截然不同。进一步的地质研究,并应用高精度锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年,得到东部粗粒斜长角闪岩的年龄为455.1±2.7 (2σ) Ma,西部中粒斜长角闪岩的年龄为451.4±5.4 (2σ)Ma。因而,确定了它们应该是早古生代晚奥陶世的火成岩,而不是前寒武纪地质体。在西部地段的斜长角闪岩中有一粒捕获锆石的核部得到大约900Ma的老年龄,正好与该区基底温泉群花岗质片麻岩的年龄大体一致。其微量元素和Nd-Sr同位素组成特征说明它们形成于岛弧环境。这一研究结果,为研究早古生代时期西天山与俯冲有关的地质事件,以及古亚洲洋的演化提供了新的佐证。     

East-west diachronism of the collisional stage In the french Massif Central Implications for the European Variscan Orogen

Abstract

This paper presents a review of radiometric data relevant to the collisional history of the french Massif Central, located in the southern branch of the European Variscan Belt. Previous U-Pb, Rb-Sr and К-Ar data are discussed together with ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar mineral ages newly acquired on the high-grade metamorphic nappes of the eastern part of the massif. The petrological and tectonic setting of the dated rocks and minerals is discussed in order to provide a successful understanding of the ages. The radiometric data now available in the frenili Massif Central show that the main teclono-nietamorphic evolution took place at least 360340 Ma ago in the eastern part and at least 390-370 Ma ago in the western part. This diachronism is closely correlated with (i) a difference in the nature and number of units involved in the collisional process and (ii) the establishment of contrasted thermal regimes in the eastern and western parts during collision. Similar chronological, lithological and thermal evolutions are observed along the southern branch of the European Variscan Belt. These fundamental contrasts are debated in order to point out their possible consequences on the evolution through lime and space of the Variscan orogen.     

Extensional ductile tectonics of the Sioule metamorphic series (Variscan French Massif Central)

In the Northern part of the Variscan French Massif Central, the Sioule series, from top to bottom, consists of a pre-Viséan granite, migmatite, gneiss and mica schist. Two ductile deformations have been recognized. The earlier phase is characterized by a north-east-south-west trending stretching lineation; the second phase, characterized by a north-west-south-east trending mineral, stretching and crenulation lineation, is better marked in the lower mica schist part than in the upper granito-gneissic part. This second phase occurred during retrogression of the metamorphic rocks; related shear criteria indicate a top to the south-west shear. The Namurian-Westphalian magmatic bodies such as the Echassières leucogranite, Pouzol-Servant microgranite and numerous north-east -south-west trending microgranite dykes are emplaced in extensional fractures related to the same north-west-south-east maximum stretching direction. The asymmetrical shapes of the two granitic massifs indicate that they intruded towards the south-east. The synkinematic retrogression of the metamorphic rocks, the shape of the magmatic bodies and a re-examination of the numerous available data support the interpretation that the deformation is due to the extensional tectonic regime related to the Variscan crustal re-quilibration. This interpretation is in agreement with the correlation of the Sioule series with the Chavanon series. The two series belong to a unique tectono-metamorphic unit left-laterally offset by the Stephanian motion of the Sillon Houiller fault. This study also shows that the Sillon Houiller did not play a significant part during the Namurian-Westphalian extensional tectonics of the Massif Central. Correspondence to: M. Faure     

Anticlockwise pressure–temperature paths record Variscan upper‐plate exhumation: Example from micaschists of the Porto Vecchio region,Corsica

To better understand the evolution of deep‐seated crust of the Variscan orogen in the Sardinia‐Corsica region, we studied garnet‐bearing micaschists which were sampled 3 km east and 15 km northeast of Porto Vecchio, south‐eastern Corsica. After a careful investigation of the textural relations and compositions of minerals, especially of zoned garnet, a P–T path was reconstructed using contoured P–T pseudosections. U–Th–Pb dating of monazite in the micaschists was undertaken with the electron microprobe. The micaschists from both localities were formed along similar anticlockwise P–T paths. The prograde branch of these paths starts at 3 kbar close to 600°C in the P–T field of sillimanite and reaches peak conditions at 7 kbar and 600 (15 km NE of Porto Vecchio) to 630°C (3 km E of Porto Vecchio). The metamorphism at peak P–T conditions happened c. 340 Ma based on low‐Y (<0.65 wt% Y₂O₃) monazite. Ages of monazite with high‐Y contents (>2 wt% Y₂O₃), which probably have formed before garnet, scatter around 362 Ma. The retrograde branch of the P–T paths passes through 4 kbar at ~550°C. We conclude that the micaschists belong to a common metasedimentary sequence, which extends over the Porto Vecchio region and is separated from other metamorphic rock sequences in the north and the south by major tectonic boundaries. This sequence had experienced peak pressures which are lower than those determined for metamorphic rocks, such as micaschist and gneiss, from north‐eastern Sardinia. At present, we favour a continent–continent collisional scenario with the studied metasedimentary sequence buried during the collisional event as part of the upper plate. The contemporaneous high‐P metamorphic rocks from NE Sardinia were part of the upper portion of the lower plate. The addressed rocks from both plates were exhumed in an exhumation channel.     

Blueschist‐facies metapelites from the Malpica–Tui Unit (NW Iberian Massif): phase equilibria modelling and H2O and Fe2O3 influence in high‐pressure assemblages

The Malpica–Tui Unit (Galicia, NW Spain) records eclogite‐ and blueschist‐facies metamorphism during the onset of the Variscan orogeny in Europe. Petrological analysis involving pseudosections calculated using thermocalc shows that the Upper Sheet of this unit, the Ceán Schists, recorded a three‐stage metamorphic evolution involving (i) Early subduction‐related medium‐pressure/low‐temperature metamorphism (M₁) constrained at ～350–380 °C, 12–14 kbar, which is only recorded in the basal part (lower metapelites, LM) of the Ceán Schists. (ii) Subduction‐related blueschist facies prograde metamorphism (M₂) going from ～19 kbar, 420 °C to 21 kbar, 460 °C in the LM, and from 16 kbar 430 °C to 21–22 kbar, 520 °C in the structurally upper metapelites (UM). (iii) Exhumation‐related metamorphism (M₃) is characterized by a decompression to 8–10 kbar, 470–490 °C in the LM. This decompression is also recorded in the UM, but it was not possible to estimate precise P–T conditions. The calculations indicate that (i) the prograde evolution in subduction zones may occur in fluid‐undersaturated conditions due to the crystallization of lawsonite, even in metapelitic rocks. This significantly influences phase equilibria and hence the P–T estimates. (ii) The proportion of ferric iron also has a strong influence on phase equilibria, even in metapelites. However, the analysed values of Fe₂O₃ may not reflect the oxidation state during the main metamorphic evolution and are probably easily modified by superficial alteration even in apparently fresh samples. The use of P–T–X(Fe₂O₃) pseudosections together with petrographic observations is then necessary to estimate the real oxidation state of the rocks and correctly evaluate the P–T conditions.     

Boron isotopic variations in tourmaline from metacarbonates and associated calc-silicate rocks from the Bohemian Massif: Constraints on boron recycling in the Variscan orogen

Various metacarbonate and associated calc-silicate rocks form minor but genetically significant components of the lithological units in the Bohemian Massif of the Variscan orogen in Central Europe.These rocks vary in terms of their lithostratigraphy,chemical composition and mineral assemblage(dolomite/calcite ratio,silicate abundance).Tourmaline is present in five paragenetic settings within the metacarbonate and calc-silicate units.TypeⅠcomprises individual,euhedral,prismatic grains and grain aggregates in a carbonate-dominant(calcite±dolomite)matrix poor in silicates.TypeⅡis characterized by euhedral to subhedral grains and coarse-to fine-grained aggregates in silicate-rich layers/nests within metacarbonate bodies whereas typeⅢoccurs as prismatic grains and aggregates at the contact zones between carbonate and associated silicate host rocks.TypeⅣis in veins crosscutting metacarbonate bodies,and typeⅣtourmaline occurs at the exocontacts of elbaite-subtype granitic pegmatite.Tourmaline from the different settings shows distinctive compositional features.Typical for typeⅠare Mg-rich compositions,with fluor-uvite>dravite>>magnesio-lucchesiite.Tourmalines from typeⅡsilicate-rich layers/nests are highly variable,corresponding to oxy-schorl,magnesio-foitite,Al-rich dravite and fluor-uvite.Typical for typeⅢtourmalines are Ca,Ti-bearing oxy-dravite compositions.The typeⅣveins feature dravite and fluor-uvite tourmaline compositions whereas typeⅤtourmaline is Li,F-rich dravite.Tourmaline is the only Bbearing phase in paragenetic typesⅠ-Ⅳ,where it is characterised by two principal ranges of B-isotope composition(δ^11B=-13‰to-9‰and-18‰to-14‰).These ranges correspond to regionally different units of the Moldanubian Zone.Thus,the Svratka Unit(Moldanubian Zone s.l.)contains only isotopically lighter tourmaline(δ^11B=-18‰to-14‰),whereas metacarbonates in the Poli?ka unit(Teplá-Barrandian Zone)and Olesnice unit(Moravicum of the Moravo-Silesian Zone)has exclusively isotopically heavier tourmaline(δ^11B=-9‰to-13‰).Tourmalines from metacarbonates in the Variegated Unit cover both ranges of isotope composition.The isotopically light end of the B isotope range may indicate the presence of continental evaporites within individual investigated areas.On the other hand,variations in the range of~8δ-units is consistent with the reported shift in B isotopic composition of metasedimentary rocks of the Bohemian Massif due to the prograde metamorphism from very-low grade to eclogite facies.In contrast to the metacarbonate-hosted settings,tourmaline of paragenetic type V from the exocontact of granitic pegmatites displays a significantly heavier range ofδ^11B(as low as-7.7‰to-0.6‰),which is attributed to partitioning of 10 B to cogenetic axinite and/or different B-signature of the source pegmatite containing tourmaline with heavyδ^11B signature.