Geochemistry of ophiolite cherts from the Qinling orogenic belt and implications for their tectonic settings

Since the 1980s, one of the important progresses in the study of the Qinling orogenic belt is marked by findings of numerous ophiolite zones[1—4]. On the basis of the former orogenic models of the Paleozoic colli-sional orogeny[1,5,6] and the Mesozoic collision[7—9], another orogenic evolution model from the Paleozoic subduction-collision along the Shangdan suture to the Mesozoic final collision orogeny along the Mianle suture[3,10], including the relicts of the Jining orogeny, has been pr…     

江西华齐铜多金属矿区含矿硅质岩的地球化学特征及成因探讨

矿产远景地质调查过程中,在江西华齐铜多金属矿区发现含矿硅质岩。测试分析显示,区内硅质岩贫A l2O3、T iO2,Co、C r等元素含量低,贫ΣREE,δ（Eu）为负异常,δ（C e）为弱正异常,HREE相对富集等热水沉积物的特征。在判别硅质岩形成的系列图解上,样品均指示热水沉积作用和大陆边缘环境,这与S iO2/A l2O3、S iO2/（K2O＋N a2O）、S iO2/M gO、M nO/T iO2、K/R b等特征值所指示的结果相一致。本区硅质岩地球化学特征及其对比结果说明该区域构造演化的复杂性。在元古代华南海槽构造演化中在华夏地块边缘发生断裂拉张,形成断陷盆地,并发生了热水喷流沉积成岩成矿作用。本区硅质岩与成矿关系密切,研究硅质岩对于认识区域构造演化及寻找矿化体具有重要意义。     

Mesozoic radiolarian chert from the middle sector of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone,Tibet and its tectonic implications

The middle sector of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone stretches over 200 km long from Ngamring through Geding to Rinbung, roughly along Yarlung Zangbo River valley (Fig. 1). This belt resulted from the closure of the Tethyan ocean and the collision be- tween Indian plate and Lhasa block[1―8]. Lots of works demonstrated that rifting of the Tethyan basin in southern Tibet started from Triassic time. Initial oce- anic crust appeared in the Late Jurassic, and then ex- perienced a rapid sprea…     

Geochemistry of the Late Paleozoic radiolarian cherts within the NE Jiangxi ophiolite melange and its tectonic significance

Major and trace elements are presented for the late Paleozoic radiolarian cherts, which were spatially associated with the NE Jiangxi ophiolite melange. These chert samples show relatively low SiO₂ (78.40%-89.28%) and high Al₂O₃ (3.42%-11.02%). Low Si/Al ratios (6.3-23) and tight negative correlation between Si/Al and Al₂O₃ of the samples indicate that they are muddy cherts containing high and variable contents of pelitic detritus. Geochemically, they are characterized by Al₂O3/(Al2O3+Fe₂O3) = 0.51-0.90, shale-normalized La_n/Ce_n = 0.76-1.11, Ce/Ce* = 0.91-1.22, V<20_μg/g, V/Y<2.6 and Ti/V>40, resembling those of cherts formed in the continental margin regimes. It is therefore concluded that these late Paleozoic radiolarian muddy cherts were most likely formed in a continental margin regime, and not genetically related to the ophiolite suite in NE Jiangxi. It is also unlikely that an oceanic basin existed between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the late Paleozoic.     

Permian radiolarians,chert and basalt from the Daxinshan Formation in Lancangjiang belt of southwestern Yunnan,China

The stratigraphical sequences composed of chert and basalt were found in the Daxinshan area of Simao and the Manbie area of Jinghong, southwestern Yunnan. The Middle Permian to ealiest Late Permian radiolarians, such as Follicucullus and Pseudoalbaillella, have been identified from the chert. The chert from the Manbie area of Jinghong is characterized by high SiO₂content (over 92%), large ratios of MnO/TiO₂ (2.15) and low ratios of Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) (≤0.1) and Ce/Ce*(0.4), which indicate that the chert was deposited in pelagic basin. The chert from the Daxinshan area of Simao, however, is characterized by low SiO₂ content, low ratios of MnO/TiO₂ (0.27) and high ratios of Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) (0.49) and Ce/Ce*(0.88), which imply that the chert was deposited in continental margin basin. The basalts from the both areas belong to tholeiite series, and the chemical compositions of their major, rare earth and trace elements show the characteristics of MORB. These results evidence that there are volcanic rocks and chert sequences representing pelagic basin and oceanic basin near continent. These sequences and the formerly reported island-arc volcanic rock sequences imply that the Daxinshan Formation in the Lancangjiang belt represents a sedimentary assemblage formed in active continental margin basin.     

贺兰山中段奥陶系米钵山组砂岩地球化学及构造背景分析

本文利用奥陶系米钵山组砂岩地球化学分析,结合区域地质研究,探讨贺兰山中、晚奥陶世的构造环境。贺兰山中段奥陶系米钵山组砂岩的地球化学研究表明,砂岩的siO2平均含量为81．3％;A120。／Si02值0．07～0．11,平均值为0．08;K20／Na20值变化较大,最大60．7,一般介于4．79～7．81;Fe2O3＋MgO含量较低,介于2．1％～2．81％。砂岩微量元素Nb丰度及V／（V＋Ni）与Ce／La、Sr／Ba值均较高,说明砂岩沉积于湿热、还原、低盐度环境,具有大陆型沉积特征。砂岩稀土元素富集,含量在116×10^-6～195×10^-6之间,平均值为158×10～;8Eu为0．52～0．58,具显著的负铕异常。这些数据指示了米钵山组具有重力流快速堆积的特征和大量陆源补给,浊流沉积作用是重力流携带陆源物质的主要途径。通过多种构造环境判别图解分析,显示物源区地质构造具有被动大陆边缘性质。     

Transverse geochemical variations across the Antarctic Peninsula: Implications for the genesis of calc-alkaline magmas

Magnetic activity throughout the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands has been dominantly of a calc-alkaline nature for the last 200 Ma. Chemically, the plutonic and volcanic products are typical of a continental margin magmatic arc, similar to those from western South America. Within any one area, volcanic and plutonic rocks are compositionally indistinguishable, and all magmatic products show increasing SiO₂, and increasing K/Si, Rb/Si, Th/Si and to a lesser extent Ce/Si and La/Si ratios away from the proposed trench axis. The calc-alkaline basaltic compositions also have high large ion lithophile (LIL; e.g. K, Rb, Th)/high field strength (HFS; e.g. Zr, Nb, Ti) ratios relative to non-orogenic counterparts, and increasing LIL/HFS element ratios with increasing fractionation. It is proposed that the high LIL/HFS element ratios in basaltic and andesitic melts are primary features due to dehydration processes with the subducted slab and to fractionation of minor mineral phases from the melt. The increasing LIL/HFS element ratios in more acid rocks are probably due to removal of minor mineral phases from the melt. Although zone refining may contribute to the spatial variations across the peninsula, we have proposed that an enriched subcontinental mantle provides a viable alternative source for the observed K-h variations and for the increased LIL-element contents found in continental margin calc-alkaline magmas.     

Continental hydrothermal sedimentary siliceous rock and genesis of superlarge germanium (Ge) deposit hosted in coal: A study from the Lincang Ge deposit,Yunnan, China

The study on marine hydrothermal sedimentationtends to be perfect at present, and a suit of hydrother-mal sedimentary distinguishing criterions (includingstructure, conformation, geochemistry, etc.) has beenfound[1—12]. While it is unsubstantial on the study ofhydrothermal sedimentation in continental deposi-tional environment, and little was known about therelation between continental hydrothermal sedimenta-tion and metal mineralization. The Lincang Ge deposit,hosted in coal with independent…     

Petrochemistry and origin of pleistocene volcanic rocks from northern Taiwan

The Pleistocene volcanic rocks from northern Taiwan include the Tatun volcano group and the Chilung volcano group. Three rock types occur in this area: Tatun volcano group yield high-alumina basalt and andesites, whereas the chilung volcano group mainly consists of dacites. In addition, amphibole-rich nodules have also been found in different cruptive units of the former volcano group. Around seventy sample of various rock types have been conducted for geochemical studies, including analyses of major elements and trace elements such as Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Zn, Zr, V, Rb and Sr. Results of Al₂O₃, MnO, TiO₂ total alkali content, MgO/ΣFeO and K₂O/Na₂O ratios and AMF diagram indicate that these Pleistocene volcanic rocks belong to typical calalkaline rock series. Detailed study of the trace elements reveals that these volcanic rocks are closely correlated with rocks of continental margin type with respect to Rb, Cu, Co, Ni, V and Cr contents, and K/Rb and Ni/Co ratios. These rocks are most probably derived from the fractionation of basaltic magma controlled mainly by the crystallization of amphibole and plagioclase with magnetite playing a minor role.     

Early Jurassic intra‐oceanic arc system of the Neotethys Ocean: Constraints from andesites in the Gangdese magmatic belt,south Tibet

The Gangdese magmatic belt is located in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane, south Tibet. Here zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data, as well as whole‐rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopes on andesites from the Bima Formation with a view to evaluating the history of the Gangdese magmatism and the evolution of the Neotethys Ocean. Zircon U–Pb dating yields an age of ca 170 Ma from six samples, representing the eruptive time of these volcanic rocks. Zircon Hf isotopes show highly positive ε_Hf(t) values of +13 to +16 with a mean of +15.2. Whole‐rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic results suggest that the magma source of these andesites was controlled by partial melting of a depleted mantle source with addition of continental‐derived sediments, similar to those in the southern arcs of the Lesser Antilles arc belt. In combination with published data, the volcanic rocks of the Bima Formation are proposed to have been generated in an intra‐oceanic arc system, closely associated with northward subduction of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere.     

Petrochemistry of sandstones from Neoproterozoic basins of the Bastar craton, Central Indian Shield: Implications for paleoweathering, provenance and tectonic history

Petrographic analysis and chemical analysis of major and trace elements including rare earth elements of the Neoproterozoic sandstones from the Chandarpur Group and the Tiratgarh Formation have been carried out to determine their provenance, tectonic setting and weathering conditions. All sandstone samples are highly enriched in quartz but very poor in feldspar and lithic fragments. Petrographically and geochemically these sandstones are classified as subarkose, sublitharenite and arenite. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA mean 68) and Th/U ratios (mean 4.2) for these sandstones suggest their moderate weathering nature. Generally, all sandstone samples are strongly depleted in major elements (except SiO₂), trace elements (except Zr) and REE in comparison with Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS) and Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Their mineralogy and mean of elemental ratios suitable for determination of provenance and tectonic setting, e.g. Al₂O₃/SiO₂ (0.02), K₂O/Na₂O (10), Eu/Eu* (0.67), (La/Lu)n (10.4), La/Sc (3), Th/Sc (1.2), La/Co (0.22), Th/Co (0.08), and Cr/Th (7.2), support a felsic source and a passive margin tectonic setting for these sandstones. Also these key elemental ratios do not show much variation over a range of SiO₂. Thus we attest their significance in determining source rock characteristics of quartz rich sandstones. Chondrite‐normalized REE patterns with LREE enrichment and a strong negative Eu anomaly are also attributed to felsic source rock characteristics for these sandstones. The source rocks identified are granite and gneiss of the Bastar craton. Minor amounts may have been derived from older supracrustals of the Bastar craton. However, the major element data of the Paleoproterozoic Sakoli schists when compared with those of the Neoproterozoic sandstones indicate that the schists were derived from a mafic source and deposited in an active continental margin tectonic setting. There is, however, little difference in CIA values between the Paleoproterozoic Sakoli schists and Neoproterozoic sandstones, indicating prevailing of similar (moderate‐intense) weathering conditions throughout the Proterozoic in the Bastar craton. Our study also suggests a change in the provenance and tectonic setting of deposition of sediments from dominantly a mafic source and an active continental margin in the Paleoproterozoic to dominantly granite and gneiss (felsic source) and a passive continental margin in the Neoproterozoic in the Bastar craton.     

Geochemical discriminations of sandstones from the Mohe Foreland basin,northeastern China: Tectonic setting and provenance

The Mohe region near the border area of China with Russia is in Heilongjiang Province. Topographically the area consists of lower mountains or hills situated at the northern end of the Da Hinggan Mountains. Struc-turally the Mohe basin rests on the north margin of the Ergun Block, and the Mongol-Okhotsk Orogen is lo-cated to the north of the basin. Due to poor access conditions and good vegetation coverage, previous researches on the basin are much weak with few spe-cial geological inves…     

Geochemical characteristics of organic matter-rich strata of lower Cambrian in Tarim Basin and its origin

The organic matter-rich strata of the Yurtusi Formation of Lower Cambrian are wildly spread and steady in the Tarim Basin, in which cherts are developed, companied with phosphorite. Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) ratio and Si/(Si+Al+Fe) ratio of cherts range from 0.0023 to 0.0046 and 0.965 to 0.98, respectively, suggesting that cherts are formed in submarine hydrothermal activity and far away from terrestrial. Trace elements, such as As, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, P, V, Ba, etc., are markedly rich in organic matter-rich sedimentary rocks of which Ba/Sr ratios are between 21.2 and 158.1. Compared with modern hydrothermal sediments, their Ba/Sr ratios are similar, it indicates that the organic matter-rich strata have the geochemical feature of submarine hydrothermal sediments. The total content of rare earth elements (ЕREE) in cherts is from 8.81 to 56.682 μg/g, on average 31.41 μg/g and the ΕREE of cherts is between continental margin chert's and abyssal chert's. The LREE/HREE ratio of cherts varies from 1.01 to 3.56, which reveals the characteristics of hydrothermal sediments. There is positive correlation between the total organic content (TOC) and Ba/Sr ratio which is geochemical index of submarine hydrothermal activity, which indicates that the submarine hydrothermal activity obviously influences the richness of organic matter in the Yurtusi Formation.     

Geological setting of basaltic rocks in an accretionary complex,Khangai–Khentei Belt,Mongolia

We describe the mode of occurrence and geochemical characteristics of basalts, in the Khangai–Khentei belt in Mongolia, overlain by Middle Paleozoic radiolarian chert in an extensive accretionary complex. These basalts are greatly enriched in K, Ti, Fe, P, Rb, Ba, Th, and Nb in comparison to the composition of the mid‐ocean ridge basalts, indicative of within‐plate alkaline type. Ti/Y vs Nb/Y and MnO/TiO₂/P₂O₅ ratios of the basalts also suggest within‐plate affinities. Considering the geochemical characteristics as well as the conformable relationship with the overlying radiolarian chert, the alkaline basalts were clearly not continental but formed a pelagic oceanic island. The mode of occurrence and geochemistry of the basalts show that the alkaline basaltic volcanic activity had taken place to form an oceanic island in the Paleozoic pelagic region sufficiently far from continents to allow radiolarian ooze accumulation.     

Origin of Baotoudong syenites in North China Craton: Petrological,mineralogical and geochemical evidence

Baotoudong syenite pluton is located to the east of Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, the westernmost part of the Triassic alkaline magmatic belt along the northern margin of the North China Craton(NCC). Zircon U-Pb age, petrological, mineralogical and geochemical data of the pluton were obtained in this paper, to constrain its origin and mantle source characteristics. The pluton is composed of nepheline-clinopyroxene syenite and alkali-feldspar syenite, with zircon U-Pb age of 214.7±1.1 Ma. Diopside(cores)-aegirine-augite(rims), biotite, orthoclase and nepheline are the major minerals. The Baotoudong syenites have high contents of rare earth elements(REE), and are characterized by enrichment in light rare earth elements(LREE) and large ion lithophile elements(LILE; e.g., Rb, Ba, Sr), depletion in heavy rare earth elements(HREE) and high field strength elements(HFSE). They show enriched Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with initial ~87Sr/~86Sr ranging from 0.7061 to 0.7067 and ε_Nd(t) values from –9.0 to –11.2. Mineralogy, petrology and geochemical studies show that the parental magma of the syenites is SiO_2-undersaturated potassic-ultrapotassic, and is characterized by high contents of Ca O, Fe_2O_3, K_2O, Na_2O and fluid compositions(H_2O), and by high temperature and high oxygen fugacity. The syenites were originated from a phlogopite-rich, enriched lithospheric mantle source in garnet-stable area(80 km). The occurrence of the Baotoudong syenites, together with many other ultrapotassic, alkaline complexes of similar ages on the northern margin of the NCC in Late Triassic implies that the lithospheric mantle beneath the northern margin of the NCC was previously metasomatized by melts/fluids from the subducted, altered paleo-Mongolian oceanic crust, and the northern margin of the craton has entered into an extensively extensional regime as a destructive continental margin in Late Triassic.     

Petrographical and geochemical signatures of Jurassic rocks of Chari Formation,Western India:implications for provenance and tectonic setting

The sandstones of the Ridge and Athleta members of Chari Formation(Callovian-Oxfordian)exposed at Jara have been analyzed for their petrographical and geochemical studies. Texturally, these sandstones are medium to coarse grained, poorly to well sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded, and show low to medium sphericity.These sandstones were derived from a mixed provenance including granites, granite-gneisses, low and high-grade metamorphic, and some basic rocks of Aravalli range and Nagarparkar massif. The petrofacies analysis reveals that these sandstones belong to the continental block and recycled orogen tectonic regime. The studied sandstones are modified by paleoclimate, distance of transport, and diagenesis. Mineralogically and geochemically, sandstones are classified as quartzarenite, subarkose, arkose, sublithic arenite, and wacke, respectively. The A-CN-K ternary plot and CIA, CIW, PIA, and ICV values suggest that the similar source rocks suffered moderate to high chemical weathering under a hot-humid climate in an acidic environment with higher PCO_2. Generally good to strong correlations between Al_2O3 and other oxides in these sediments indicate clay mineral control. The K_2O/Na_2O versus SiO_2 diagram indicates that the studied samples occupy passive margin fields but the SiO_2/Al_2O_3 versus K_2O/Na_2O plot suggests that the Athleta Sandstone and Ridge Sandstone fall within the passive margin field, while Ridge Shale falls within the active continental margin field.     

Ultra-high pressure metamorphism of granitic gneiss in the Yinggelisayi area, Altun Mountains, NW China

With the discovery and further studies of high- pressure (HP) to ultra-high-pressure (UHP) eclogites and UHP garnet lherzolite in the Altun Mountains[19], it becomes interesting if the country rocks of these HP-UHP metamorphic rocks also underwent HP-UHP metamorphism, which will be crucial for understand-ing the relationship of HP-UHP metamorphic rocks and their country rocks, the mechanism of their forma-tion and uplifting and the existence of continental deep subduction in the are…     

Gabbro and related rock emplacement beneath rifting continental crust: UPb geochronological and geochemical constraints for the Galicia passive margin (Spain)

The thinned continental crust of the west Galicia margin is bound by a belt of serpentinized peridotites (‘peridotite ridge’) lying about 300 km off the coast in the North Atlantic ocean. From this ridge, a gabbro and a chlorite rock were studied in an attempt to substantiate rift-related subcontinental magmatism, occurring prior to sea-floor spreading. U-Pb dating of 13 different zircon fractions yields a precise age of 122.1 ± 0.3 Ma (2σ) for the emplacement of the chlorite rock protolith, from which more than 50% of Si and alkali-calc-alkali elements were lost during greenschist facies tectonometamorphism. Sr and Nd isotope signatures suggest that the gabbro and chlorite rock protoliths were derived from mantle sources that were moderately depleted in LILE, relative to a chondritic reservoir. No evidence for the presence of continental material in the magma source regions can be observed. From the new zircon age of 122.1 ± 0.3 Ma, and earlier determined³⁹Ar⁴⁰Ar age of 122.0 ± 0.6 Ma for amphibole from the same locality, it can be documented that magma formation, solidification and unroofing of the mantle rocks occurred during a short period of time of about 3.4 Ma, which means that the peridotite ridge detached from the continent and rose to the surface immediately after, or even coevally with mantle melting.     

Eclogites from the Northern Dabie Mountains,eastern China: Geochemical characteristics,Sr−Nd isotopic compositions and tectonic implications

The petrologic geochemical and Sr−Nd isotopic compositions of the eclogites from the mafic-ultramafic rock belt (MUMRB) in the Northern Dabie Mountains indicate that: (1) the protoliths of most of eclogites are tholeitic basalt and a few may be gabbro, and most of them produced from the Yangtze subducted continental crust (lower crust and formed during the deep subduction) and a part may be from paleo-oceanic relics between the Yangtze and North China continental plates; (2) their positive Nb anomalies and related trace element characteristics show that they did not form in the island-arc setting; (3) the metamorphosed MUMRB with eclogite and meta-peridotite blocks along the southern part of the Mozitan-Xiaotian fault zone may represent the suture zone produced during the collision between the Yangtze and North China continental plates, which included the Yangtze subducted continental crust and paleo-oceanic relics.

     

Eclogites from the Northern Dabie Mountains,eastern China: Geochemical characteristics,Sr−Nd isotopic compositions and tectonic implications

The petrologic geochemical and Sr?Nd isotopic compositions of the eclogites from the mafic-ultramafic rock belt (MUMRB) in the Northern Dabie Mountains indicate that: (1) the protoliths of most of eclogites are tholeitic basalt and a few may be gabbro, and most of them produced from the Yangtze subducted continental crust (lower crust and formed during the deep subduction) and a part may be from paleo-oceanic relics between the Yangtze and North China continental plates; (2) their positive Nb anomalies and related trace element characteristics show that they did not form in the island-arc setting; (3) the metamorphosed MUMRB with eclogite and meta-peridotite blocks along the southern part of the Mozitan-Xiaotian fault zone may represent the suture zone produced during the collision between the Yangtze and North China continental plates, which included the Yangtze subducted continental crust and paleo-oceanic relics.