Oxygen isotope systematics of gem corundum deposits in Madagascar: relevance for their geological origin

The oxygen isotopic composition of gem corundum was measured from 22 deposits and occurrences in Madagascar to provide a gemstone geological identification and characterization. Primary corundum deposits in Madagascar are hosted in magmatic (syenite and alkali basalt) and metamorphic rocks (gneiss, cordieritite, mafic and ultramafic rocks, marble, and calc-silicate rocks). In both domains the circulation of fluids, especially along shear zones for metamorphic deposits, provoked in situ transformation of the corundum host rocks with the formation of metasomatites such as phlogopite, sakenite, and corundumite. Secondary deposits (placers) are the most important economically and are contained in detrital basins and karsts. The oxygen isotopic ratios (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) of ruby and sapphire from primary deposits are a good indicator of their geological origin and reveal a wide range of δ¹⁸O (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water) between 1.3 and 15.6‰. Metamorphic rubies are defined by two groups of δ¹⁸O values in the range of 1.7 to 2.9‰ (cordieritite) and 3.8 to 6.1‰ (amphibolite). “Magmatic” rubies from pyroxenitic xenoliths contained in the alkali basalt of Soamiakatra have δ¹⁸O values ranging between 1.3 and 4.7‰. Sapphires are classified into two main groups with δ¹⁸O in the range of 4.7 to 9.0‰ (pyroxenite and feldspathic gneiss) and 10.7 to 15.6‰ (skarn in marble from Andranondambo). The δ¹⁸O values for gem corundum from secondary deposits have a wide spread between −0.3 and 16.5‰. The ruby and sapphire found in placers linked to alkali basalt environments in the northern and central regions of Madagascar have consistent δ¹⁸O values between 3.5 and 6.9‰. Ruby from the placers of Vatomandry and Andilamena has δ¹⁸O values of 5.9‰, and between 0.5 and 4.0‰, respectively. The placers of the Ilakaka area are characterized by a huge variety of colored sapphires and rubies, with δ¹⁸O values between −0.3 and 16.5‰, and their origin is debated. A comparison with oxygen isotope data obtained on gem corundum from Eastern Africa, India, and Sri Lanka is presented. Giant placer deposits from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania have a large variety of colored sapphires and rubies with a large variation in δ¹⁸O due to mingling of corundum of different origin: mafic and ultramafic rocks for ruby, desilicated pegmatites for blue sapphire, syenite for yellow, green, and blue sapphire, and skarn in marbles for blue sapphire.     

Oxygen isotopes composition of sapphires from the French Massif Central: implications for the origin of gem corundum in basaltic fields

Alluvial and colluvial gem sapphires are common in the basaltic fields of the French Massif Central (FMC) but sapphire-bearing xenoliths are very rare, found only in the Menet trachytic cone in Cantal. The O-isotope composition of the sapphires ranges between 4.4 and 13.9‰. Two distinct groups have been defined: the first with a restricted isotopic range between 4.4 and 6.8‰ (n = 22; mean δ¹⁸O = 5.6 ± 0.7‰), falls within the worldwide range defined for blue-green-yellow sapphires related to basaltic gem fields (3.0 < δ¹⁸O < 8.2‰, n = 150), and overlaps the ranges defined for magmatic sapphires in syenite (4.4 < δ¹⁸O < 8.3‰, n = 29). A second group, with an isotopic range between 7.6 and 13.9‰ (n = 9), suggests a metamorphic sapphire source such as biotite schist in gneisses or skarns. The δ¹⁸O values of 4.4–4.5‰ for the blue sapphire-bearing anorthoclasite xenolith from Menet is lower than the δ¹⁸O values obtained for anorthoclase (7.7–7.9‰), but suggest that these sapphires were derived from an igneous reservoir in the subcontinental spinel lherzolitic mantle of the FMC. The presence of inclusions of columbite-group minerals, pyrochlore, Nb-bearing rutile, and thorite in these sapphires provides an additional argument for a magmatic origin. In the FMC lithospheric mantle, felsic melts crystallized to form anorthoclasites, the most evolved peraluminous variant of the alkaline basaltic melt. The O-isotopic compositions of the first group suggests that these sapphires crystallized from felsic magmas under upper mantle conditions. The second group of isotopic values, typified for example by the Le Bras sapphire with a δ¹⁸O of 13.9‰, indicates that metamorphic sapphires from granulites were transported to the surface by basaltic magma.     

西太平洋典型边缘海盆的岩浆活动

在发育有全球最大、最复杂的弧—沟—盆体系的西太平洋地区,集中了全球75％左右的边缘海盆(弧后盆地).根据磁异常条带年龄,这些边缘海盆可粗略分为3个扩张幕.主要根据DS-DP,ODP和IODP计划实施以来所获得的成果,结合其他海洋调查航次研究成果,系统阐述了分属3个扩张幕的西菲律宾海盆(第一扩张幕)、南海—四国海盆(第二扩张幕)和冲绳海槽(第三扩张幕)—马里亚纳海槽内的岩浆活动特点.西菲律宾海盆(扩张时代为65～35 Ma BP)从原先的赤道位置迁移至现今的位置,其内存在如似正常洋中脊玄武岩(NMORB)、洋岛玄武岩(OIB)及弧火山岩等多种岩石类型,其地球动力学背景分别与弧后扩张、地幔柱及火山弧等背景有关,其复杂的构造演化样式需要进一步研究;四国海盆(扩张时代为27 ～ 15 Ma BP)是由古伊豆—小笠原—马里亚纳弧(IBM)裂解形成的,其内除发育正常(N)—富集(E)的洋中脊玄武岩(NMORB-EMORB)外,还在扩张停止的同时出现了板内火山作用,形成了中K-超K碱性玄武岩.四国海盆的扩张模式并没有从岩石学和地质年代学角度进行明确制约,板内火山作用的地球动力学背景也不甚清楚.南海(扩张时代为32～15.5 MaBP)是由来自华南地块的一些微陆块向东南裂离后的海底扩张所形成,并在海底扩张后2 ～8 Ma出现板内火山作用,截止目前,并没有获取到洋壳基底样品,主要获取到了南海海山似OIB的玄武岩,未来需要从岩石学和地质年代学角度对南海海底扩张动力学和时代以及扩张期后的板内火山作用动力学背景进行进一步制约.马里亚纳海槽(扩张时代为5 Ma BP至今)为一年青的洋内弧后盆地,其北段处于裂解增进阶段,其内出露有似MORB(中南段)及介于似MORB与似岛弧岩石之间过渡类型的玄武岩(增进端);虽然在扩张时代上与马里亚纳海槽相当,但冲绳海槽(扩张时代为4 Ma BP至今)为一陆缘、初生弧后盆地,从西南往东北方向,不同区段处于不同的伸展发育阶段,西南段出露有似MORB岩石,中段岩石主要为玄武质岩石和流纹质岩石组成双峰组合,而东北段为中酸性火山岩.正在活动的马里亚纳海槽与冲绳海槽的岩浆作用研究应和其伴随的火山岛弧及其相邻的海沟处正在俯冲的洋壳板块结合起来,完整理解板块俯冲输入(subduction input)与弧及弧后输出(volcanic output)之间的关系,这将为揭示西太平洋地区构造演化提供重要证据.即将在西太平洋地区实施的IODP 349 ～ 352航次,为我国科学家提供了研究西太平洋地区构造演化的契机.     

西太平洋富钴结壳元素组合特征及其地质意义

海山富钴结壳是一种重要的海底固体矿产。对西太平洋海山的56个结壳样品进行了23种化学组分分析,并利用R型聚类分析和R型因子分析,分别提取四组元素组合和四个主因子。综合特征表明．富钴结壳在形成过程中,经历了一次强度较大的锰矿物相成矿作用,Co、Ni等元素的富集与此有关;铁矿物相的成矿作用强度较小,但表现出多期次的特点;锰、铁矿物是不同成矿作用的产物;结壳形成过程中,可能遭受了二次磷酸盐化作用,结壳中磷酸盐矿物的形成对铁矿物相的形成可能有抑制作用。     

Biogenic Sediments and Their Paleoceanographic Implication in West Pacific Warm Pool during the Pleistocene

Primary productivity has played an important role in the global carbon cycle during the Quaternary. The average Corg/N ratio was 7.0 from the core MD97-2140 in the West Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) over the last 1 755 ka, which indicates a main contribution of marine organic carbon to the organic matter in the sediments. Large fluctuations in mass accumulation rates (MARs) of biogenics and lithogenics from this core since the marine isotope stage (MIS) 6 reflected the moderate variability in oceanographic condi...     

西太平洋海底多金属结核空间分布与多波束回波强度的关系

西太平洋高丰度高覆盖率多金属结核的发现受到各国学者的高度关注,如何高效探测不同覆盖率和丰度的多金属结核分布特征是目前研究的重点。利用EM122多波束回波强度资料对西太平洋海盆结核分布特征进行分析,结果表明,回波强度的高低变化与结核覆盖率关系密切,而当结核覆盖率相当时,回波强度的高低变化反映了结核的粒径大小,其中大型结核（直径D>6 cm）较多时,回波强度值明显增大。利用最大似然分类方法对回波强度资料进行监督分类,得出深海沉积物、低丰度、中等丰度和高丰度结核空间分布,结果显示,深海粘土沉积区与丰度>>30 kg/m2的高丰度结核分布区多回波强度差异高达近20 dB。     

Bathymetry of the seas in the West Pacific transition zone based on the ETOPO 2′ digital data

New results of the statistical analysis of the depth distribution in the seas of the West Pacific transition zone based on the ETOPO 2′ digital data are presented in the form of bathygraphic and bathymetric curves with a 100 m depth interval for the entire zone, individual seas, and 5-degree latitudinal bands (transects). The depth distributions show wide diversity in the seas at high correlation over the transects. The new average depths of the seas calculated in this work are higher than those reported in previous works.     

A possible mechanism of inversion of the vertical lithosphere movements in the back-arc basins of the West Pacific region

We present results of the study of a three-layer tectonosphere model of the West Pacific Transition Zone based on modeling of a piecewise inhomogeneous medium caused by local density reduction of the asthenosphere, whose viscosity decreases due to fluid accumulation. We used the viscous liquid motion equation in the Stokes approximation. It was shown that the anomalous asthenosphere in the back-arc basins can move as a convective cell with an uprising flow in the zone of maximum density reduction and extension of the lithosphere above it. At the initial stages, this process causes formation of the central crustal uplift, which is transformed into a system of depressions as the asthenosphere viscosity decreases to values of the order of 4.0 × 10¹⁹ Pa s and lower. The modeling results satisfactorily agree with the reconstructions of the Cretaceous Cenozoic lithotectonic evolution of the Okhotsk Sea region.     

Timing of formation and geological setting of low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits in the continental margin of NE China

The margin of NE China, a part of the West Pacific metallogenic belt, contains innumerable low-sulphidation mineral deposits. Gold deposits in this region can be classified into three distinct types based on geology and ore mineral paragenesis: (1) low-sulphidation epithermal silver–gold deposits, (2) low-sulphidation tellurium–gold deposits, and (3) low-sulphidation epithermal tellurium–gold deposits. Ores formed during the late Early Cretaceous and the early Late Cretaceous reflect three distinct metallogenic periods: the Fuxin Stage at 115.98 ± 0.89 Ma, the Quantou Stage at 107.2 ± 0.6 Ma or <103 Ma, and the Qingshankou or Yaojiajie Stage at < 97 Ma and 88.2 ± 1.4 Ma. The Fuxin Stage is dominated by trachyandesitic magmatism, with magmas emplaced at hypabyssal depths. In comparison, the Quantou Stage is characterized by high-K calc-alkaline, calc-alkaline, and sodic andesitic, dacitic, and rhyolitic magmatism of three different suites. The first of these is a high-K calc-alkaline andesitic magmatic suite that was accompanied by the emplacement of a calc-alkaline sodic dacite during the formation of the Ciweigou and Wufeng ore deposits. The second suite is dominated by calc-alkaline sodic rhyolite and high-K calc-alkaline sodic dacite magmatism associated with the formation of the Sipingshan ore deposit. The third suite is typified by high-K calc-alkaline andesitic magmatism associated with the emplacement of calc-alkaline hypabyssal granitoid complexes accompanying the formation of the Dong'an and Tuanjiegou ore deposits. The Qingshankou or Yaojia Stage is characterized by calc-alkaline sodic dacite magmatism associated with the formation of the Wuxing ore deposit. Metallogenesis during the Fuxin Stage characterized by trachytic magmatism is closely related to the formation of a deep-seated fault within a magmatic arc or the back-arc region of an immature continental margin and is associated with the Early Cretaceous subduction of the Pacific plate beneath Eurasia. Ore deposits that formed during the Fuxin Stage were generally related to magmato-hydrothermal fluids associated with mantle-derived magmas. In contrast, metallogenesis during the Quantou and Qingshankou or Yaojiajie stages was closely related to the formation of a mature high-K calc-alkaline magmatic arc within a continental margin setting again associated with the westward subduction of the Pacific plate. This metallogenic event was a product of magmato-hydrothermal systems derived from crust–mantle interaction and mixing of magmas derived from partial melting of different sections of the continental crust.     

北太平洋涡旋振荡研究进展

从观测事实和动力机制两方面,对近年发现的新的气候模态——北太平洋涡旋振荡（NPGO）的研究成果进行系统总结。NPGO的空间结构表现为北太平洋上海表高度异常（SSHA）的正负中心呈南北偶极子分布,当NPGO位于正位相时,南北涡流都加强,这种加强是由风应力旋度及风生涌流所驱动的。关于NPGO的机制研究发现,NPGO是中纬太...     

从东海石油地质重要进展看西太平洋大陆边缘新生代盆地的构造演化——一种海沟向洋后退的残余弧后盆地演化模式

东海盆地石油地质研究在近二十年里主要取得五方面的进展 :证明了盆地是由一组大陆边缘新生界由西向东逐个变新的“盆地群体”组成 ,建立了陆架地区以组为单位的整个新生代地层单元 ,详细划分了西湖凹陷的内部地质结构 ,认定了煤和煤系沉积是东海陆架区的主力油气源岩 ,通过大量钻井验证了盆地中三类不同成因的圈闭。从环西太平洋盆地形成的地球动力学背景看 ,西太平洋是一个自北而南的沟—弧—盆 (陆缘海 )系统 ;大体以台湾海峡为界 ,东海盆地是一个由转换或被动边缘演化而来的聚敛边缘 ,而南海属于由活动或聚敛边缘转化而来的被动边缘。东海盆地与菲律宾海盆地具有相似的时空演化特征 ,由此论证了东海新生代盆地属于残余弧后向洋后退盆地     

The role of Pan-African structures in intraplate seismicity near the termination of the Romanche fracture zone, West Africa

The distribution of epicenters of both historic earthquakes and recent seismic events in southeastern Ghana, compiled from local and teleseismic networks, show strong correlation with the Pan-African structures onshore and indicate an alignment with disruptions on seismic sections offshore. The seismic reflection sections reveal basement structures of the external zone of the Pan-African Dahomeyide orogen and these structures can be traced to offsets of shelf strata and seabottom reflectors, providing direct evidence, for the first time, for neotectonic activity that may be responsible for seismicity in the area. The deep structure of the external zone consists of moderately-dipping reflectors inferred to represent high-strain zones in the variably deformed margin of the West African craton. Taken together, the available data suggest that active tectonics in this intraplate environment may involve inversion of the Pan-African thrust structures but that this activity is apparently not related to reactivation of the nearby Romanche Fracture Zone.     

西秦岭夏河花岗岩的地球化学、年代学及地质意义

甘肃西秦岭夏河花岗岩主要由二长花岗岩及花岗闪长岩组成,岩体内发育较多暗色微粒包体。全岩地球化学分析结果表明,二长花岗岩SiO₂和全碱含量(分别为66.07%~69.18%、7.18%~7.69%)高于花岗闪长岩的平均值(分别为60.18%~66.22%、4.73%~6.72%),而 Al₂O₃ 和CaO含量(分别为15.21%~16.37%、2.23%~3.04%)则低于花岗闪长岩的平均值(分别为16.60%~17.39%、3.54%~5.86%),两类岩石的K₂O/Na₂O比值均大于1,Mg^#偏高(平均为55),铝饱和指数A/CNK介于1.0~1.1,属于弱过铝质的高钾钙碱性I型花岗岩类。夏河花岗岩类富集轻稀土而亏损重稀土,(La/Yb)_N比值介于8.97~33.48,无或弱负Eu异常,以富集Rb、Ba、Th、U、K并相对亏损Nb、Ta、P、Ti、Zr为特征。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年结果确定夏河岩体的侵位年龄为244~248Ma,属印支早期。夏河花岗岩类具有较高的(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i(0.70714~0.70743)、较低的ε_Nd(t)(-6.21~-8.36)和高放射性成因Pb(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=17.850~18.003,²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.489~15.510,²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=37.815~37.931)同位素组成,表明该花岗岩主要来自中元古代下地壳变基性岩的部分熔融,且幔源岩浆的参与可能对该岩体的形成具有重要作用。综合该区已有研究成果,本文提出夏河岩体形成于大陆边缘弧构造环境,推测西秦岭地区阿尼玛卿-勉略洋盆的闭合时间晚于244Ma。     

Geology and ages of porphyry and medium- to high-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits of the continental margin of Northeast China

The continental margin of Northeast China, an important part of the continental margin-related West Pacific metallogenic belt, hosts numerous types of gold-dominated mineral deposits. Based on ore deposit geology and isotopic dating, we have classified hydrothermal gold–copper ore deposits in this region into four distinct types: (1) gold-rich porphyry copper deposits, (2) gold-rich porphyry-like copper deposits, (3) medium-sulphidation epithermal copper–gold deposits, and (4) high-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits. These ore deposits formed during four distinct metallogenic stages or periods, at 123.6 ± 2.5 Ma, 110–104 Ma, 104–102 Ma, and 95.0 ± 2 Ma, corresponding to periods of Cretaceous intermediate–acid volcanism and late-stage emplacement of hypabyssal magmas along the northern margin of the North China platform. The earliest stage of mineralization (123.6 ± 2.5 Ma) corresponds to the formation of medium-sulphidation epithermal copper – gold deposits and was associated with a continental margin magmatic arc system linked to subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia. This metallogenesis is closely related to high-K calc-alkaline intermediate–acid granite and pyroxene – diorite porphyry magmatism. The second and third stages of mineralization in the study area (110–104 Ma and 104–102 Ma, respectively) correspond to the formation of gold-rich porphyry copper, porphyry-like copper, and high-sulphidation gold deposits, with metallogenesis closely related to sodic or adakitic magmatism. These magmas formed in a continental margin magmatic arc system related to oblique subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia, as well as mixing of crust-derived remelted granitic and mantle-derived adakitic magmas. During the final stage of mineralization (95.0 ± 2 Ma), metallogenesis was closely related to sodic or adakitic magmatism, with diagenesis and metallogenesis related to the disintegration or destruction of the Pacific Plate, which was subducted beneath the Eurasian Plate during the Mesozoic.     

扬子地块西北缘及西南缘卡林型金矿的有机质地质地球化学

扬子地块西北缘，西南缘卡林型金矿床的有机碳含量为０．０５％－８．７３％。含金建造形成的环境不同，其改造成的金矿床的有机碳含量不同；矿化主岩的岩性不同，基有机碳的含量不同。由浊积岩型含金建筑改造成的卡林型金矿床，其干酪根属Ⅱ型酪根，原始有机母质属还原环境沉积的海相菌藻类生物演化成的腐泥型有机质。     

Paleoecology of late-glacial terrestrial deposits with in situ conifers from the submerged continental shelf of western canada

Extensive portions of the continental shelf off the coast of British Columbia were subaerially exposed during Late Wisconsinan deglaciation due to lowering of relative sea level by as much as 150 m. Paleoecological analyses were conducted at two sites on the emergent continental shelf where terrestrial surfaces with in situ conifers are preserved. The woody plant remains confirm that, during the latest period of subaerial exposure, terrestrial vegetation was established on the continental shelf. Microscopic identification of fossil wood, and analyses of pollen and plant macrofossils from the associated paleosols and overlying shallow pond sediments indicate that productive Pinus contorta-dominated communities with abundant Alnus crispa and ferns grew on the shelf adjacent to and on the Queen Charlotte Islands around 12,200 ¹⁴C yr B.P. Dwarf shrubs including Salix and Empetrum, and herbaceous plants such as Heracleum lanatum and Hippuris vulgaris, were also important components of the shelf vegetation. Near northern Vancouver Island, mixed coniferous forests dominated by Pinus contorta with Picea, Tsuga spp., Alnus spp., and ferns occupied the shelf at 10,500 ¹⁴C yr B.P.     

新疆西准噶尔庙尔沟岩体的地球化学及年代学研究

新疆西准噶尔庙尔沟岩体侵入于早中石炭世海相火山-沉积建造中,主体由碱长花岗岩组成,局部分布有紫苏花岗岩和碱长花岗岩脉。碱长花岗岩及岩脉高硅、富碱、贫钙,里特曼指数(δ)=2.17~2.98,A/CNK=0.96~1.03,A/NK=1.08~1.13,为准铝质-弱过铝质高钾钙碱性花岗岩,其富集LILEs(Rb、U、K、Th),相对亏损HFSEs(Nb、Ta、P、Ti)和Ba、Sr等,以及强烈Eu负异常,过渡族地幔相容元素Cr、Ni含量低,U、Th、Pb等地壳富集元素含量较高。Sr、Nd同位素组成:(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70370~0.70541,εNd(t)=+4.10~+6.79,tDM=0.57~0.99Ga。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年研究获得锆石U-Pb年龄为309±1.4Ma,表明岩体碱长花岗岩的形成时代为晚石炭世。紫苏花岗岩的SiO 2含量为60.88%~62.06%,Al2O3含量为15.50%~15.72%,里特曼指数(δ)=2.59~2.77,A/CNK=0.86~0.88,A/NK=1.50~1.53,为准铝质钙碱性-高钾钙碱性过渡的花岗岩,相对富集LREE(Rb、U、K、Th),而亏损HREE(Nb、Ta、P、Ti)和Sr,以及较显著的Eu负异常,过渡族地幔相容元素Cr、Ni含量低,U、Th、Pb等地壳富集元素含量较高。Sr、Nd同位素组成:(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70382~0.70388,εNd(t)=+6.67~+6.98,tDM=0.59~0.62Ga。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年研究获得锆石U-Pb年龄为302.1±2.1Ma,表明岩体紫苏花岗岩的形成时代为晚石炭世。综合庙尔沟岩体的地质特征、地球化学特征、年代学和区域地质背景,认为庙尔沟岩体碱长花岗岩及岩脉为A2型花岗岩,紫苏花岗岩具有A型花岗岩的地球化学性质,且它们是可能来自同一个岩浆源区,属于西准噶尔后碰撞阶段的岩浆活动产物。     

西秦岭碌础坝岩体的锆石U-Pb年龄、成因及其地质意义

碌础坝岩体位于秦岭构造带的西段,自内向外依次由含电气石黑云二长花岗岩、含斑细粒黑云母二长花岗岩、似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩、中粗粒黑云母二长花岗岩和中粒黑云母石英闪长岩组成,岩体中普遍发育岩浆暗色包体。LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年显示,碌础坝岩体形成于早中生代,其岩浆演化可划分为中三叠世（235Ma）和晚三叠世（218～209Ma）两期。早期为中粒黑云母石英闪长岩,该期岩石SiO2含量较低,富碱,属于准铝质、高钾钙碱性系列,具有I型花岗岩的特征;晚期为黑云母二长花岗岩,具有高硅、富碱的特征,属于准铝质-弱过铝质、钾玄岩-高钾钙碱性I型花岗岩。从早到晚,岩石的稀土元素总量具有由高到低的变化趋势,两期岩石的稀土元素配分曲线均为轻稀土相对富集的右倾型,晚期黑云母二长花岗岩更亏损HREE,早期闪长岩负铕异常不明显,晚期花岗岩的负铕异常较为显著。两期岩石均富集K、Rb、Ba等大离子亲石元素,而相对亏损P、Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素。岩体中发育的岩浆暗色包体与寄主岩石的主要氧化物具有相关性,微量和稀土元素特征相似。岩体中黑云母二长花岗岩和中粒黑云母石英闪长岩的εNd(t)值分别为-8.0和-7.0,相应的tDM为1.43Ga和1.40Ga。早期中粒黑云母石英闪长岩的εHf(t)为-4.47～0.53,集中于-3～-1之间,tDMC主要为1.6～1.3Ga;晚期黑云母二长花岗岩的εHf(t)变化于-11.64～1.16,集中于-7～-2范围内,tDMC为1.7～1.4Ga。岩石地球化学和Nd-Hf同位素组成特征表明,碌础坝岩体的源区物质是以中元古代壳源物质为主,有年轻幔源组分的参与。该岩体与其北边的中川岩体在年代学、岩石地球化学和同位素组成上具有一定的相似性,因此,从岩浆作用角度考虑,该岩体的外围也可能与中川岩体的一样,具有金的成矿潜力。     

Tracing the 850-Ma continental flood basalts from a piece of subducted continental crust in the North Qaidam UHPM belt,NW China

A Paleozoic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) belt extends along the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, North Tibetan Plateau. Eclogites in the Yuka eclogite terrane, northwest part of this UHPM belt, occur as blocks or layers of varying size intercalated with granitic and pelitic gneisses. These eclogites have protoliths geochemically similar to enriched-type mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB) and oceanic island basalts (OIB). On the basis of Ti/Y ratios, they can be divided into low-Ti and high-Ti groups. The low-Ti group (LTG) eclogites exhibit relatively low TiO₂ (most <2.5 wt%) and Ti/Y (<500) but comparatively high Mg# (48–55), whereas the high-Ti group (HTG) eclogites have high TiO₂ (most >2.5 wt%) and Ti/Y (>500) but lower Mg# (46–52). Zircons from two eclogite samples gave a magmatic crystallization (protolith) age of ∼850 Ma and a UHPM age of ∼433 Ma. The occurrence, geochemical features and age data of the Yuka eclogites suggest that their protoliths are segments of continental flood basalts (CFBs) with a mantle plume origin, similar to most typical CFBs. Our observation, together with the tectonic history and regional geologic context, lend support for the large scale onset of mantle plume within the Rodinia supercontinent at ∼850 Ma. The Qaidam block is probably one of the fragments of the Rodinia supercontinent with a volcanic-rifted passive margin. The latter may have been dragged to mantle depths by its subducting leading edge of the oceanic lithosphere in the Early Paleozoic.