Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd study of granite–charnockite association in the Pudukkottai region and the link between metamorphism and magmatism in the Madurai Block

Pudukkottai region in the northeastern part of the Madurai Block exposes the garnetiferous pink granite that intruded the biotite gneiss. Charnockite patches are associated with both the rock types. Rb–Sr biotite and Sm–Nd whole-rock isochron ages indicate a regional uplift and cooling at ～550 Ma. The initial Nd isotope ratios (\(\varepsilon _{\text {Nd}}^{\mathrm {t}}=-20\) to ?22) and Nd depleted-mantle model ages (T_DM = 2.25 to 2.79 Ga) indicate a common crustal source for the pink-granite and associated charnockite, while the biotite gneiss and the charnockite within it represent an older crustal source (\(\varepsilon _{\text {Nd}}^{\mathrm {t}}= -29\) and T_DM = > 3.2 Ga). The Rb–Sr whole-rock data and initial Sr–Nd isotope ratios also help demonstrate the partial but systematic equilibration of Sr isotope and Rb/Sr ratios during metamorphic mineral-reactions resulting in an ‘apparent whole-rock isochron’. The available geochronological results from the Madurai Block indicate four major periods of magmatism and metamorphism: Neoarchaean–Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, mid-Neoproterozoic and late-Neoproterozoic. We suggest that the high-grade and ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism was preceded by magmatism which ‘prepared’ the residual crust to sustain the high P–T conditions. There also appears to be cyclicity in the tectono-magmatic events and an evolutionary model for the Madurai Block should account for the cyclicity in the preserved records.     

Magmatic–hydrothermal rare-element mineralization in the Songshugang granite (northeastern Jiangxi,China): Insights from an electron-microprobe study of Nb–Ta–Zr minerals

The Songshugang granite, hidden in the Sinian metasedimentary stratum, is a highly evolved rare-element granite in northeastern Jiangxi province, South China. The samples were systematically taken from the CK-102 drill hole at the depth of 171–423 m. Four types of rocks were divided from the bottom upwards: topaz albite granite as the main body, greisen nodules, topaz K-feldspar granite and pegmatite layer. Electron-microprobe study reveals that the rare-element minerals of the Songshugang granite are very different from those of other rare-element granites. Mn^# [Mn/(Fe + Mn)] and Ta^# [Ta/(Nb + Ta)] of columbite-group minerals and Hf^# [Hf/(Zr + Hf)] of zircon are nearly constant within each type of rocks. However, back-scattered electron imaging revealed that Nb–Ta oxides and zircon of the Songshugang granite, especially those of topaz albite granite, topaz K-feldspar granite and greisen, are commonly characterized by a specific two-stage texture on the crystal scale. The early-stage Nb–Ta oxide is simply subhedral-shaped columbite-(Fe) (CGM-I) with low Mn^# (0.16–0.37) and Ta^# (0.05–0.29). Columbite-(Fe) is penetrated by the later-stage tantalite veinlets (CGM-II) or surrounded by complex Nb–Ta–Sn–W mineral assemblages, including tantalite-(Fe), wodginite (sl), cassiterite, and ferberite. Tantalite has wide range of Mn^# values (0.15–0.88) from Fe-dominance to Mn-dominance. Wodginite with Ta>Nb has large variable concentrations of W, Sn and Ti. Cassiterite and ferberite are all enriched in Nb and Ta (Nb₂O₅ + Ta₂O₅ up to 20.12 wt.% and 31.42 wt.%, respectively), with high Ta^# (>0.5). Similar to Nb–Ta oxides and Nb–Ta–Sn–W mineral assemblages, the early-stage zircon is commonly included by the later-stage zircon with sharply boundary. They have contrasting Hf contents, and HfO₂ of the later-stage zircon is up to 28.13 wt.%. Petrographic features indicate that the early-stage of columbite and zircon were formed in magmatic environment. However, the later-stage of rare-element minerals were influenced by fluxes-enriched fluids. Tantalite, together with wodginite, cassiterite, and ferberite implies a Ta-dominant media. An interstitial fluid-rich melt enriched in Ta and flux at the magmatic–hydrothermal transitional stage is currently a favored model for explaining the later-stage of rare-element mineralization.     

Discovery of an albite gneiss from the Ile de Groix (Armorican Massif, France): geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology of its Ordovician protolith

For the first time, an albite orthogneiss has been recognised and dated within the HP–LT blueschist facies metabasites and metapelites of the Ile de Groix. It is characterised by a peraluminous composition, high LILE, Th and U contents, MORB-like HREE abundances and moderate Nb and Y values. A U–Pb age of 480.8?±?4.8?Ma was obtained by LA-ICP-MS dating of zircon and titanite. It is interpreted as the age of the magmatic emplacement during the Early Ordovician. Morphologically different zircon grains yield late Neoproterozoic ages of 546.6–647.4?Ma. Zircon and titanite U–Pb ages indicate that the felsic magmatism from the Ile de Groix is contemporaneous with the acid, pre-orogenic magmatism widely recognised in the internal zones of the Variscan belt, related to the Cambro-Ordovician continental rifting. The magmatic protolith probably inherited a specific chemical composition from a combination of orogenic, back-arc and anorogenic signatures because of partial melting of the Cadomian basement during magma emplacement. Besides, the late Devonian U–Pb age of 366?±?33?Ma obtained for titanite from a blueschist facies metapelite corresponds to the age of the HP–LT peak metamorphism.     

Atmospheric input vs in situ weathering in the genesis of calcretes: an Sr isotope study at Gálvez (Central Spain)

Strontium isotopes have been analyzed in a typical calcrete profile developed on granite in the Toledo mountains, Central Spain. The pedogenic carbonates show clear petrographic evidence of pseudomorphic replacement of the weathered parent granite.Calcretes display ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios between 0.70961 and 0.71059 in sharp contrast to the granite whole rock (0.72856) and minerals (0.71359 to 0.91351). This difference shows that the contribution of Sr from the granite to the calcretes is at most 33% and may be as low as 3%. Direct measurements in rains and aerosols show that the allochtonous source of Ca and Sr is clearly related to the atmospheric input, mainly as dry deposit.A slight decrease of Sr concentration is observed from the upper horizon composed of continuous calcrete to the deeper calcrete veins in the saprolite. This may be due to a kinetic control of the Sr/Ca fractionation, and different crystallization rates of the carbonates in the different units of the profile.Finally, local groundwaters have Sr isotopic compositions similar to the calcretes and the atmospheric input, very different from waters running on the granite.     

Sediment recycling and crustal growth in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidence from Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes and trace elements in granitoids of the Chinese Altay

Felsic igneous rocks are common constituents of volcanic arcs, and contain valuable information about subduction-related magmatism. In this study we investigate nine granitoids with S-type volcanic arc affinity from the Chinese Altay, emplaced from 507 to 391 Ma in an active subduction zone during the early–middle Paleozoic. These granitoids are characterized by moderate to high SiO₂ contents (61.01–75.30 wt.%), moderate total alkalis (Na₂O + K₂O, 3.43–7.64 wt.%), and high Al₂O₃ contents (13.29–17.18 wt.%). Negative εNd(t) values (− 6.1 to − 1.0), the wide range of εHf(t) values (− 7.0 to + 9.0), and enrichment of LILEs such as Pb, Th and U, all suggest that the granitoids were probably derived from the partial melting of subducting oceanic sediments and the associated mantle wedge. This inference is further supported by the Nd-isotope data. The high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.703963–0.719428), low Ba/Th ratios (7.00–118.93), and uniformly negative εNd(t) values (− 6.1 to − 1.0) indicate that slab-derived aqueous fluids were vital in generating the initial magma of these granitoids, and assimilation played only a minor role. Our data demonstrate that residual zircon retains a substantial amount of Hf during the partial melting of oceanic sediments, therefore, Hf may not be an effective tracer for the input of recycled sediments. We conclude that sediment recycling played an important role in the generation of arc magmatism and the growth of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB).     

Petrogenesis of an early Eocene gabbro–granite complex in Kachang (SW Yunnan) and its implications for Eocene magmatism in the Tengchong terrane of SW China

Major and trace element, zircon U–Pb and Hf-isotope data are reported for mafic intrusions and host granite from the Kachang pluton (North Yingjiang of SW Yunnan) in the Tengchong Terrane, in order to investigate their sources, petrogenesis and tectonic implications. The zircon U–Pb age of the mafic rocks (~55 Ma) is identical to that of the host granite (56.7 ± 0.6 Ma). The mafic rocks have high MgO concentrations (up to 13.43 wt.%) at low SiO₂ contents (low to 42.73 wt.%) and slight negative to positive εHf(t) values (?2.26 to +0.59). They are enriched in LILE and LREEs and depleted in HFSEs, which can be explained as melts derived from a enriched mantle, with some crustal contamination. The host granite have high SiO₂ contents (69.18–72.65 wt.%), highly negative εHf(t) values (?9.08 to ?5.14), suggesting mainly derived from an ancient crustal source. Field observations, geochronology, geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopic compositions point to a complex petrogenesis, where enriched mantle- and crust-derived magma mixing was coupled with crystal fractionation, thus explaining the genetic link between mafic and felsic magmas, result of mafic magma upwelling triggered by the subduction rollback of the Neotethyan slab. Our new data, along with the data reported (especially zircon U–Pb dating and Lu–Hf isotope data) in the Tengchong Terrane, indicate that the spatial and temporal variations and changing magmatic compositions over time in the Tengchong Terrane closely resemble those of the Lhasa Terrane in southern and central Tibet.     

Mobility of rare earth elements in the system soils–plants–groundwaters: a case study of an arid area (Oman)

Groundwater samples from six wells and various species of plants from soils developed on ophiolites were collected from an arid area (AlKhod area, Oman) and analyzed for trace elements including rare earth elements (REEs). The distribution patterns of REEs in plants indicated an enrichment in middle REEs (MREEs?=?Sm to Dy) and heavy REEs (HREEs?=?Ho to Lu), when they are normalized to the REE composition of the Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), with a significant negative anomaly in Ce and a positive anomaly in Eu. Compared to Oman ophiolites, the REEs in different species of plants are depleted in Ce and enriched in MREEs and slightly enriched in light REE (LREE?=?from La to Nd). Relative to PAAS, the distribution of REEs in groundwaters revealed similar patterns to the REE distribution in plants. The distribution patterns of REEs in plants relative to those in waters are nearly flat. These patterns suggest that the transfer of REEs from soil solutions to the groundwaters in Oman occurs without any significant fractionation.     

Paleo water–rock interaction determined through isotopic tracing (Sr,O, C,U) in fracture-fill minerals: Evidence from the Vienne granitoids (France)

Based on the concepts (a) that the stable C and O isotopes combined with the Sr isotope ratios of fracture fills should reflect the source groundwater from which the solid phases precipitated and (b) that U-series disequilibria (USD) enable the calculation of residence time for the U by using Fe oxides as the best candidate, an “isotopic toolbox” was applied to fracture fill from the crystalline basement of the Vienne district. The fracture fills are formed mainly of carbonates, clays and Fe oxides. The isotope data indicate two main generations of carbonate that originated from hydrothermal circulation and equilibrium with present-day groundwaters but the Sr isotope ratios highlight another component with a higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio reflecting the complexity of the water–rock interactions.For the USD, the Fe-hydroxides located at 207 m depth yield an age of 102 ± 5 ka (St. Germain I interglacial stage), whereas those located at 277 m and 300 m yield respective ages of 173 ± 15 ka and 181 ± 10 ka. These corresponding to the transition between the penultimate glacial period (isotopic stage 6) and the end of the preceding interglacial stage (isotopic sub-stage 7a). Investigating water–rock interaction (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁸O, ¹³C, USD) in the fracture-fill minerals from the crystalline basement has shown that such an approach is relevant to developing an understanding of how the groundwater system has changed over time.     

A combined EMPA and LA-ICP-MS study of Li-bearing mica and Sn–Ti oxide minerals from the Qiguling topaz rhyolite (Qitianling District,China): The role of fluorine in origin of tin mineralization

The Sn-rich Qiguling topaz rhyolite dike intrudes the Qitianling biotite granite of the Nanling Range in southern China; the granite hosts the large Furong Sn deposit. The rhyolite dike is typically peraluminous, volatile-enriched, and highly evolved. Whole-rock F and Sn concentrations attain 1.9 wt.% and 2700 ppm, respectively. The rhyolite consists of a fine-grained matrix formed by quartz, feldspar, mica and topaz, enclosing phenocrysts of quartz, feldspar and mica; it is locally crosscut by quartz veinlets. Lithium-bearing micas in both phenocrysts and the groundmass can be classified as primary zinnwaldite, “Mus-Ann” (intermediate member between annite and muscovite), and secondary Fe-rich muscovite. Topaz is present in the groundmass only; common fluorite occurs in the groundmass and also in a specific cassiterite, rutile and fluorite (Sn–Ti–F) assemblage. Cassiterite and rutile are the only Sn and Ti minerals; both cassiterite and Nb-rich rutile are commonly included in the phenocrysts. The Sn–Ti–F assemblage is pervasive, and contains spongy cassiterite in some cases; cassiterite also occurs in quartz veinlets which cut the groundmass. Electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS compositions were used to study the magmatic and hydrothermal processes and the role of F in Sn mineralization. The presence of zinnwaldite and “Mus-Ann”, which are respectively representative of early and late mica crystallization during magma differentiation, also suggests a significant decrease in f(HF)/f(H₂O) of the system. Cassiterite included in the zinnwaldite phenocrysts is suggested to have crystallized from the primary magma at high temperature. Within the Sn–Ti–F aggregates, rutile crystallized as the earliest mineral, followed by fluorite and cassiterite. Spongy cassiterite containing inclusions of the groundmass minerals indicate a low viscosity of the late fluid. The cassiterite in the quartz veinlets crystallized from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, which possibly mixed with meteoric water. In general, cassiterite precipitated during both magmatic and hydrothermal stages, and over a range of temperatures. The original fluorine and tin enrichments, f(HF)/f(H₂O) change in the residual magma, formation of Ca,Sn,F-rich immiscible fluid, decrease of the f(HF) during groundmass crystallization, and mixing of magma-derived fluids with low-saline meteoric water during the late hydrothermal stage, are all factors independently or together responsible for the Sn mineralization in the Qiguling rhyolite.     

The influence of paleoclimatic events on the functioning of an alpine thermal system (France): the contribution of hydrodynamic–thermal modeling

Numerical models of the Aix-les-Bains thermal aquifer (France) were used to investigate the influence of Quaternary paleoclimatic events on the current thermal state of the groundwater. Initial numerical tests were successful in that present-day fluid flows (heads and flow rates) and the resulting velocities were compatible with residence time data. Water flowing through an aquifer cools the rock mass; therefore, the rate of water flow governs the outlets temperature. For the Aix-les-Bains aquifer, applying present-day flow rates to the entire history of the aquifer leads to much more substantial cooling of the rock mass than is indicated by the outlets temperature (i.e. present-day flow rates are 10 times too high). This suggests that the aquifer may have gone through alternating functioning phases, during which the rock mass cooled, and blocked phases, during which the aquifer reheated. Other results indicate that the main parameters affecting thermal behavior during a functioning phase are the total inflow volume, rather than individual inflow rates, and the initial heat field. As phenomena linked to glaciation can lead to the blocking of infiltration zones and aquifer outlets, the findings suggest that the hypothesis of intermittent aquifer functioning related to glaciations is compatible with the current thermal field.     

Evidence for early Pliocene and late Miocene transgressions in southern Patagonia (Argentina): 87Sr/86Sr ages of the pectinid “Chlamys” actinodes (Sowerby)

Numerical ages based on ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr dating of calcitic shells belonging to the pectinid “Chlamys” actinodes (Sowerby) document the only late Miocene (Tortonian) sea flooding event in the Austral Basin at Cabo Buentiempo (8.95 ± 0.82 Ma, 2 s.e.), and provide evidence of the first documented early Pliocene (Zanclean) transgression in Argentina recorded at Cañadón Darwin (5.15 ± 0.18 Ma, 2 s.e., Austral Basin) and at Terraces of Cerro Laciar (5.10 ± 0.21 Ma, 2 s.e.), southern San Jorge Basin). The sedimentary rocks deposited during the Tortonian are correlated with the youngest beds deposited by the “Entrerriense Sea” that covered northern Patagonia. The Zanclean marine episode is correlated with the long-term cycle represented in the Southern Hemisphere by the flooding events recorded in Cockburn and James Ross Islands (Antarctica) and in North-Central Chile.     

Melt extraction and melt refertilization in mantle peridotite of the Coast Range ophiolite: an LA–ICP–MS study

The middle Jurassic Coast Range Ophiolite (CRO) is one of the most important tectonic elements in western California, cropping out as tectonically dismembered elements that extend 700 km from south to north. The volcanic and plutonic sections are commonly interpreted to represent a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) ophiolite, but models specifying a mid-ocean ridge origin have also been proposed. These contrasting interpretations have distinctly different implications for the tectonic evolution of the western Cordillera in the Jurassic. If an SSZ origin is confirmed, we can use the underlying mantle peridotites to elucidate melt processes in the mantle wedge above the subduction zone. This study uses laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to study pyroxenes in peridotites from four mantle sections in the CRO. Trace element signatures of these pyroxenes record magmatic processes characteristic of both mid-ocean ridge and supra-subduction zone settings. Group A clinopyroxene display enriched REE concentrations [e.g., Gd (0.938–1.663 ppm), Dy (1.79–3.24 ppm), Yb (1.216–2.047 ppm), and Lu (0.168–0.290 ppm)], compared to Group B and C clinopyroxenes [e.g., Gd (0.048–0.055 ppm), Dy (0.114–0.225 ppm), Yb (0.128–0.340 ppm), and Lu (0.022–0.05 ppm)]. These patterns are also evident in orthopyroxene. The differences between these geochemical signatures could be a result of a heterogeneous upper mantle or different degrees of partial melting of the upper mantle. It will be shown that CRO peridotites were generated through fractional melting. The shapes of REE patterns are consistent with variable degrees of melting initiated within the garnet stability field. Models call for 3% dry partial melting of MORB-source asthenosphere in the garnet lherzolite field for abyssal peridotites and 15–20% further partial melting in the spinel lherzolite field, possibly by hydrous melting for SSZ peridotites. These geochemical variations and occurrence of both styles of melting regimes within close spatial and temporal association suggest that certain segments of the CRO may represent oceanic lithosphere, attached to a large-offset transform fault and that east-dipping, proto-Franciscan subduction may have been initiated along this transform.     

Be-daughter minerals in fluid and melt inclusions: implications for the enrichment of Be in granite–pegmatite systems

The study of re-homogenized melt inclusions in the same growth planes of quartz of pegmatites genetically linked to the Variscan granite of the Ehrenfriedersdorf complex, Erzgebirge, Germany, by ion microprobe analyses has determined high concentrations of Be, up to 10,000 ppm, in one type of melt inclusion, as well as moderate concentrations in the 100 ppm range in a second type of melt inclusion. Generally, the high Be concentrations are associated with the H₂O- and other volatile-rich type-B melt inclusions, and the lower Be concentration levels are connected to H₂O-poor type-A melt inclusions. Both inclusion types, representing conjugate melt pairs, are formed by a liquid–liquid immiscibility separation process. This extremely strong and very systematic scattering in Be provides insights into the origin of Be concentration and transport mechanisms in pegmatite-forming melts. In this contribution, we present more than 250 new analytical data and show with ion microprobe and fs-LA-ICPMS studies on quenched glasses, as well as with confocal Raman spectroscopy of daughter minerals in unheated melt inclusions, that the concentrations of Be may achieve such extreme levels during melt–melt immiscibility of H₂O-, B-, F-, P-, ± Li-enriched pegmatite-forming magmas. Starting from host granite with about 10 ppm Be, melt inclusions with 10,000 ppm Be correspond to enrichment by a factor of over 1,000. This strong enrichment of Be is the result of processes of fractional crystallization and further enrichment in melt patches of pegmatite bodies due to melt–melt immiscibility at fluid saturation. We also draw additional conclusions regarding the speciation of Be in pegmatite-forming melt systems from investigation of the Be-bearing daughter mineral phases in the most H₂O-rich melt inclusions. In the case of evolved volatile and H₂O-rich pegmatite systems, B, P, and carbonates are important for the enrichment and formation of stable Be complexes.     

The origin of zircon and the significance of U–Pb ages in high-grade metamorphic rocks: a case study from the Variscan orogenic root (Vosges Mountains, NE France)

U–Pb zircon dating is combined with petrology, Zr-in-rutile thermometry and mineral equilibria modelling to discuss zircon petrogenesis and the age of metamorphism in three units of the Variscan Vosges Mountains (NE France). The monotonous gneiss unit shows results at 700–500?Ma, but no Variscan ages. The varied gneiss unit preserves ages between 600 and 460?Ma and a Variscan group at 340–335?Ma. Zircon analyses from the felsic granulite unit define a continuous array of ages between 500 and 340?Ma. In varied gneiss samples, zoned garnet includes kyanite and rutile and is surrounded by matrix sillimanite and cordierite. In a pseudosection, it points to peak conditions of?~16 kbar/850?°C followed by isothermal decompression to 8–10 kbar/820–860?°C. In felsic granulite samples, the assemblage K-feldspar–garnet–kyanite–Zr-rich rutile is replaced by sillimanite and Zr-poor rutile. Modelling these assemblages supports minimum conditions of?~13 kbar/925?°C, and a subsequent P–T decrease to 6.5–8.5 kbar/800–820?°C. The internal structure and chemistry of zircons, and modelling of zircon dissolution/growth along the inferred P–T paths are used to discuss the significance of the U–Pb ages. In the monotonous unit, inherited zircon ages of 700–500?Ma point to sedimentation during the Late Cambrian, while medium-grade metamorphism did not allow the formation of Variscan zircon domains. In both the varied gneiss and felsic granulite units, zircons with a blurred oscillatory-zoned pattern could reflect solid-state recrystallization of older grains during HT metamorphism, whereas zircons with a dark cathodoluminescence pattern are thought to derive from crystallization of an anatectic melt during cooling at middle pressure conditions. The present work proposes that U–Pb zircon ages of ca. 340?Ma probably reflect the end of a widespread HT metamorphic event at middle crustal level.     

Elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic compositional disparity of riverine sediments around the Yellow Sea: Constraints from grain-size and chemical partitioning

To obtain a better understanding of the source compositions of the river sediments around the Yellow Sea and their relationship with source rocks, elements and strontium-neodymium (Sr–Nd) isotopes of different grain-sizes (silt and clay populations) and chemical (labile and residual phases) fractionations in riverine sediments were studied extensively. These results clearly revealed a systematic compositional disparity between Korean river (KR) and Chinese river (CR) sediments, especially in the residual (detrital) fraction. The geochemical dissimilarity between these might reflect inherited signatures of their source rocks but with minor control from chemical weathering. In particular, the remarkable enrichment of some elements (iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg)) and the behavior of large ion lithophile elements (e.g., barium (Ba), potassium (K) and Sr) during weathering as well as less-radiogenic Sr isotopic compositions implies that CR sediments might be weathering products of relatively more mafic rocks, with abundant ferromagnesian and plagioclase feldspar minerals, compared with KR sediments derived from silicic granites with relatively higher quartz and potassium feldspar contents. This different petrological rationale is clearly evident in an A–CN–K diagram, which estimated the source rock of CR sediments as granodioritic, a composition that reflects accurately the average composition of weathered continental crust in China. The recognition of such geochemical systematics in two river sediments, especially in grain-size and chemically partitioned data, may contribute to the establishment of provenance tracers for the Yellow Sea and East China Sea sediments with multi-sources as well the dust deposition in the western Pacific.     

Discrete clay diagenesis in a very low-permeable sequence constrained by an isotopic (K–Ar and Rb–Sr) study

Multimethod analyses of several size fractions of clays were used to reconstruct the diagenetic history of the shallow buried claystones within the Paris Basin. A systematic decrease occurred in K-Ar dates relative to the decrease in size of the clay fractions, signifying higher amounts of newly formed clay material in the finer fractions. We suggest that the authigenic clay minerals occurring in the fine fractions had an Al-montmorillonite composition. By assuming that the isotopic K-Ar and Rb-Sr dates obtained on a bentonite layer in the sedimentary sequence stand for pure, authigenic clay minerals, one may interpret all K-Ar dates as mixtures of one authigenic and two detrital end-members. The results imply that a period of low sea level favoured diagenetic smectite-type clay formation about 10-15 million years after deposition of the sediments. Signatures of limited-scale chemical and isotopic homogenisation mean that the rock volumes affected by the diagenetic modifications had to be quite limited. The study of clay minerals extracted from some stylolites further suggests that any overpressure related to the origin of stylolites had no effect on clay authigenesis.     

REE and isotope (Sr,S, and Pb) geochemistry to constrain the genesis and timing of the F–(Ba–Pb–Zn) ores of the Zaghouan District (NE Tunisia)

The F–(Ba–Pb–Zn) ore deposits of the Zaghouan District, located in NE Tunisia, occur as open space fillings or stratabound orebodies, hosted in Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary layers. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns may be split into three groups: (i) “Normal marine” patterns characterizing the wallrock carbonates; (ii) light REE (LREE) enriched (slide-shaped) patterns with respect to heavy REE (HREE), with small negative Ce and Eu anomalies, characteristic of the early ore stages; (iii) Bell-shaped REE patterns displaying LREE depletion, as well as weak negative Ce and Eu anomalies, characterizing residual fluids of subsequent stages. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.707654–0.708127 ± 8), show that the Sr of the epigenetic carbonates (dolomite, calcite) and ore minerals (fluorite, celestite) are more radiogenic than those of the country (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, lower Miocene) sedimentary rocks. The uniformity of this ratio, throughout the District, provides evidence for the isotopic homogeneity and, consequently, the identity of the source of the mineralizing fluids. This signature strongly suggests that the radiogenic Sr is carried by Upper Paleozoic basinal fluids.The δ³⁴S values of barite, associated to mineralizations, are close to those of the Triassic sea water (17‰). The δ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals range from − 13.6‰ to + 11.4‰, suggesting two sulfur-reduced end members (BSR/TSR) with a dominant BSR process.Taking account of the homogeneity in the Pb-isotope composition of galenas (18.833–18.954 ± 0.001, 15.679–15.700 ± 0.001 and 38.690–38.880 ± 0.004, for the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios respectively), a single upper crustal source for base-metals is accepted. The Late Paleozoic basement seems to be the more plausible source for F–Pb–Zn concentrated in the deposits. The genesis of the Zaghouan District ore deposits is considered as the result of the Zaghouan Fault reactivation during the Late Miocene period.     

Middle-proterozoic anorthosite–rapakivi granite complexes: An example of within-plate magmatism in abnormally thick crust: Evidence from the East European Craton

Large, bimodal, and multistage anorthosite–rapakivi granite complexes (ARGCs) of Middle-Proterozoic age (1.8–1.5 Ga) are distinct magmatic assemblages in the western part of the present-day European Craton. ARGCs formation commenced after stabilization of the Svecofennian orogen and relics of its abnormally thick crust occur in many places. In the eastern part of the Kola-Karelian domain and the Volga-Urals domain, where crustal thickness is normal ∼40 km, ARGCs are practically absent. Geological data evidence that melting processes occurred both in the crust and in the mantle during formation of the complexes. Geochemical peculiarities of ARGC rocks include enrichment in alkalis (mainly in K), Ti, Zn, Pb, Zr, Be, Sn, In, Y, Nb, Rb, F, Cu, W, Mo, sometimes Li and U. The negative ?Nd values and relatively high Th and Zn concentrations that are most frequently observed in the rocks imply that parental magmas were considerably contaminated by crustal components.     

U–Pb–Hf zircon study of two mylonitic granite complexes in the Talas-Fergana fault zone,Kyrgyzstan, and Ar–Ar age of deformations along the fault

A 2000 km long dextral Talas-Fergana strike–slip fault separates eastern terranes in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan from western terranes. The aim of this study was to constrain an age of dextral shearing in the central part of the fault utilizing Ar–Ar dating of micas. We also carried out a U–Pb–Hf zircon study of two different deformed granitoid complexes in the fault zone from which the micas for Ar dating were separated. Two samples of the oldest deformed Neoproterozoic granitoids in the area of study yielded U–Pb zircon SHRIMP ages 728 ± 11 Ma and 778 ± 11 Ma, characteristic for the Cryogenian Bolshoi Naryn Formation, and zircon grains analyzed for their Lu–Hf isotopic compositions yielded εHf(t) values from −11.43 to −16.73, and their calculated tHfc ages varied from 2.42 to 2.71 Ga. Thus varying Cryogenian ages and noticeable heterogeneity of Meso- to Paleoproterozoic crustal sources was established for mylonitic granites of the Bolshoi Naryn Formation. Two samples of mylonitized pegmatoidal granites of the Kyrgysh Complex yielded identical ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 279 ± 5 Ma corresponding to the main peak of Late-Paleozoic post-collisional magmatism in the Tien Shan (Seltmann et al., 2011), and zircon grains analyzed for their Lu–Hf isotopic compositions yielded εHf(t) values from −11.43 to −16.73, and calculated tHfc ages from 2.42 to 2.71 Ga indicating derivation from a Paleoproterozoic crustal source. Microstructural studies showed that ductile/brittle deformation of pegmatoidal granites of the Kyrgysh Complex occurred at temperatures of 300–400 °C and caused resetting of the K–Ar isotope system of primary muscovite. Deformation of mylonitized granites of the Bolshoi Naryn Formation occurred under high temperature conditions and resulted in protracted growth and recrystallization of micas. The oldest Ar–Ar muscovite age of 241 Ma with a well defined plateau from a pegmatoidal granite of the Kyrgysh Complex is considered as a “minimum” age of dextral motions along this section of the fault in the Triassic while younger ages varying from 227 Ma to 199 Ma with typical staircase patterns indicate protracted growth and recrystallization of micas during ductile deformations which continued until the end of the Triassic.