New constraints on the origin and age of Variscan eclogitic rocks (Ligurian Alps,Italy)

Gabbro and eclogite boudins are preserved within the amphibolites of the composite para- and ortho-gneiss Variscan basement of the Savona Crystalline Massif (Ligurian Briançonnais, Italy). Whole rock trace element patterns, low initial εNd (+5.4 to +8.8) data and trace element analyses on relict igneous clinopyroxene revealed that the mafic rocks were derived from depleted mantle melts, which most likely underwent crustal contamination during emplacement. Gabbros have a cumulus origin controlled by clinopyroxene and plagioclase segregation, whereas the eclogites represent evolved melts. U-Pb and trace element micro-analyses on zircons separated from one amphibolitised gabbro and one eclogite help to constrain coeval ages at ~468 Ma for their igneous protoliths. The occurrence of a few inherited zircons confirms the involvement of a crustal component in the petrogenesis of the mafic rocks. In the eclogite, concordant zircon ages younger than the protolith age testify to metamorphic re-crystallisation (or new growth) from about 420 to 305 Ma. Zircon textures and trace element compositions indicate that eclogite facies metamorphism occurred 392–376 Ma ago. The younger zircon portions yielding a mean Concordia age of 333 ± 7 Ma are related to equilibration or new growth during the post-eclogite, amphibolite-facies equilibration.     

Magmatic-to-hydrothermal crystallization in the W–Sn mineralized Mole Granite (NSW, Australia): Part II: Evolving zircon and thorite trace element chemistry

The Sn–W mineralized Mole Granite in Eastern Australia hosts zircon populations that crystallized at several stages during a protracted magmatic to hydrothermal evolution. Thirty-four elements have been quantified by laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometric microanalysis with the aim of relating the chemistry of zircon to its growth environment. Trace element contents are highly variable for all textural occurrences. Zircon inclusions in earliest quartz phenocryst suggest that zircon was a liquidus phase that crystallized probably deep in the crust. Trace element contents are conspicuously high, showing only a slight positive Ce anomaly but a pronounced negative Eu-anomaly. Successive crystallization stages of magmatic zircon are characterized by progressive depletion in trace element contents, notably the rare earth elements, with an increasingly important positive Ce-anomaly. This evolution reflects saturation of REE accepting minerals such as monazite, thorite, xenotime and possibly apatite and is affected little by the exsolution of a magmatic–hydrothermal fluid. Zircon that is interpreted to have precipitated from aqueous fluids in Sn–W-bearing quartz veins shows REE patterns indistinguishable from those of late magmatic zircon. When combined with experimental evidence on the fluid–melt partitioning of REE, it indicates that the REE distribution coefficients for zircon/melt and zircon/fluid are largely comparable.

The second example of hydrothermal zircon crystallized some 2 My after the host granite. These crystals reveal an intragranular zonation of increasing trace element concentrations from core to rim. Therefore, REE abundances and patterns alone are not conclusive indicators of the geological environment in which zircon crystallized. Nevertheless, variations in trace element contents of zircon that relate to the chemistry of the melt or fluid from which zircon crystallized, as measured in cogenetic melt and fluid inclusions, are promising for future petrogenetic modeling.

Lead and Cs are strongly incompatible in hydrothermal zircon, with estimated zircon–fluid distribution coefficients D ≤ 0.001, while Sn and Li are moderately incompatible, D_Sn  0.6 and D_Li  0.1, and Ce is compatible, D_Ce  14. Moreover, hydrothermal zircon has a more pronounced negative Eu-anomaly and higher Ta/Nb and U/Th ratios than the magmatic zircons of the Mole Granite.     

Geochemical Characteristics and LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Dating of Amphibolites in the Songshugou Ophiolite in the Eastern Qinling

Geochemical studies on the arnphibolites in the Songshugou ophiolite from Shangnan County, Shaanxi Province demonstrate that the protolith of the amphibolites is tholeiitic. The arnphibolites can be classified into two groups according to their REE patterns and trace element features. Rocks of the first group are depleted in LREE while rocks of the second group are slightly depleted in LREE or flat from LREE to HREE without significant Eu anomaly. The first group of rocks have (La/Yb)N=0.33-0.55, (La/Sm)N= 0.45-0.65, and their La/Nb, Ce/Zr, Zr/Nb, Zr/Y and Ti/Y ratios are averaged at 1.20, 0.12, 31.02, 2.92 and 198, respectively, close to those of typical N-MORB. The second group of rocks have (La/Yb)N=0.63-0.95, (La/ Sm)N = 0.69--0.90, and their average La/Nb, Ce/Zr, Zr/Nb, Zr/Y and Ti/Y ratios are 0.82, 0.83, 1.15, 0.16, 19.00, 2.58 and 225, respectively, which lie between those of typical N-MORB and E-MORB but closer to the former. The two groups of rocks both exhibit flat patterns from Th to Yb in th     

Ion-microprobe zircon geochemistry as an indicator of mineral genesis during geochronological studies

This paper considers the distribution of trace elements (including rare earth elements) in zircons dated by the ion-microprobe U-Th-Pb isotope method and its genetic implications. Two problems were addressed on the basis of the investigation of trace element compositions of zircons: (1) genesis of zircons from subalkaline magmatic rocks, sysenites, and sanukitoids and their comparison with tonalites as exemplified by the rocks of the Karelian region, and (2) determination of trace element signatures of zircons from the oldest granulite-facies rocks of the Ukrainian shield. It was shown that the REE distribution patterns of the tonalites, which crystallized in equilibrium with melt, are strictly governed by crystal-chemical laws. The REE distribution patterns show a positive slope with an increase from La to Lu, a positive Ce anomaly, and a negative Eu anomaly. Similar patterns were observed in zircons from the syenites. The trace element contents of zircons are related to those of melts through partition coefficients. Zircons from the sanukitoids show a considerable LREE enrichment, which is inconsistent with the calculated zircon/melt partition coefficients and presumably related to the inherently imperfect zircon structure. Such a structure was formed during zircon crystallization from melt at high temperatures and the anomalous fluid regime that is characteristic, in particular, of sanukitoid melts. The REE distribution patterns of zircons that crystallized under granulite-facies conditions are sharply different from typical distributions in HREE depletion, which was caused by the competitive growth of garnet during zircon crystallization.     

崆岭杂岩中角闪岩类的年代学和地球化学

通过崆岭杂岩中角闪岩类的年代学和地球化学研究,以揭示黄陵结晶基底的形成及演化。崆岭杂岩主要由太古代的TTG片麻岩和角闪岩类岩石,以及早元古代孔兹岩系组成,角闪岩类以围岩或包体的形式存在于TTG片麻岩的周围和内部。角闪岩类围岩的全岩Sm-Nd等时线年龄为2 998.9 Ma,原生岩浆锆石的U-Pb年龄为3 013 Ma,均代表角闪岩类原岩的形成时间,且与包体状斜长角闪岩原岩的年龄(3.0 Ga)相同。说明以围岩或包体存在的角闪岩类,其原岩的形成年龄均为3.0 Ga。微量元素和Nd同位素地球化学特征指示,角闪岩类原岩形成的构造环境为大陆初始裂谷环境。角闪岩类岩石中变质新生锆石的U-Pb年龄为2 043 Ma,指示黄陵地区存在第Ⅲ期(2.1～1.9 Ga)角闪岩相热变质事件,且该期热变质作用将松散的陆源碎屑岩等变质为孔兹岩系,从而构成早元古代结晶基底,并与晚太古代稳定陆块焊结在一起,最终完成整个黄陵结晶基底的形成。     

Zircon in gabbroids from the axial zone of the Mid-Atlantic ridge, Markov Deep, 6° N: Correlation of geochemical features with petrogenetic processes

This paper reports the results of detailed petrological-geochemical study of zircons and host rocks that were dredged from the Markov Deep area in the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic ridge. The rocks are represented by variably cataclased gabbronorite with veinlets of oceanic plagiogranite (OPG) as well as leucocratic gabbro (primitive gabbro) and hornblende Fe-Ti oxide gabbronorite (ferrogabbro) without OPG. The studied zircons differ in morphology, inner structure, set of mineral inclusions (ingrowths), and content of trace elements. Compositional heterogeneity is also observed within individual grains. The REE distribution patterns in zircons are characterized by gentle growth from LREE to HREE, with prominent positive Ce anomaly and negative Eu anomaly, and in general fall in the range of zircons from magmatic rocks. Oceanic zircons clearly differ from continental populations in the U/Yb-Y and U/Yb-Hf discrimination diagrams, primarily, due to their lower U/Yb ratio at wide variations of Y and Hf contents. Zircons that contain inclusions of acid glass and hence, crystallized from OPG melt are relatively depleted in REE, especially HREE. This indicates that OPG was formed by partial melting of gabbro in the presence of concentrated water-salt fluid, which extracted REE from the plagiogranite melt. Zircons from gabbroids devoid of OPG inclusions have higher total REE contents than zircons from OPG. Late hydrothermal alterations of zircon are distinctly established by the formation of neogenic collomorphic (porous) texture and/or by composition of mineral inclusions and accompanied by significant enrichment in La. Heterogeneous distribution of Ti in zircon may be caused not only by a change in its crystallization temperature, but also variations in silica to titanium oxide activity ratios in the rocks during interaction with hydrothermal solution of variable acidity. A complex study of structural-morphological and geochemical features of oceanic zircons and phase composition of host rocks and inclusions provides insight into processes leading to the crystallization and subsequent evolution of this mineral in the rocks of oceanic lithosphere.     

不同成因锆石阴极发光及微量元素特征:以新疆阿尔泰地区花岗岩和伟晶岩为例

新疆阿勒泰可可托海地区出露大量花岗岩和伟晶岩脉,利用阴极发光显微照相(CL)、电子探针背散射(BSE)和激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱技术(LA-ICP-MS),观察和分析岩石中锆石的内部结构、稀土元素及Th,U含量后结果表明:该区花岗岩锆石具振荡环带和强烈的阴极发光特征,Th/U比值较高(Th/U=0.16～0.99),轻稀土亏损、重稀土富集,具较大的Ce正异常,为典型岩浆成因锆石。伟晶岩(KP-08-11)锆石为热液锆石,不具振荡环带和阴极发光,具低的Th/U比值(0.01～0.13),强烈富集稀土元素,尤其是轻稀土元素较花岗岩锆石高一个数量级,Ce的正异常相对较低。伟晶岩(KP3-08-1)锆石为变质重结晶锆石,Th/U比值分布范围较广(0.01～0.78),强烈亏损稀土元素,稀土元素配分模式存在显著的"REE四分组效应"。微量元素特征表明,伟晶岩(KP-08-11)锆石可能结晶自富U贫Th的残余岩浆流体,而伟晶岩(KP3-08-1)的锆石经历了蜕晶质化和变质重结晶作用,但依然保持了共存伟晶岩熔体的微量元素特征。     

Morphology and impurity elements of zircon in the oceanic lithosphere at the Mid-Atlantic ridge axial zone (6°–13° N): Evidence of specifics of magmatic crystallization and postmagmatic transformations

The paper presents newly obtained original data on the morphology, internal structure (as seen in cathodoluminescence images, CL), and composition of more than 400 zircon grains separated from gabbroids and plagiogranites (OPG) sampled at the axial zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The zircons were analyzed for REE by LA-ICP-MS and for Hf, U, Th, Y, and P by EPMA. Magmatic zircon in the gabbroids crystallized from differentiating magmatic melt in a number of episodes, as follows from systematic rimward increase in the Hf concentration, and also often from the simultaneous increase in the (U + Th) and (Y + P) concentrations. These tendencies are also discernible (although much less clearly) in zircons from the OPG. Zircon in the OPG is depleted in REE compared to the least modified zircons in the gabbro, which suggests that the OPG were derived via partial melting of gabbro in the presence of seawater-derived concentrated aqueous salt fluid. Another reason for the REE depletion might be simultaneous crystallization of zircon and apatite. The CL-dark sectors, which are found in practically all of the magmatic zircon grains, have Y/P (a.p.f.u.) ? 1 which most likely resulted from OH accommodation in the zircon structure, a fact suggesting that the OPG parental melt contained water. High-temperature hydrothermal processes induced partial to complete recrystallization of zircon (via dissolution-reprecepitation), a process that was associated with ductile and brittle deformations of the zircon-hosting rocks. The morphology of the hydrothermal zircons varies depending on pH and silica activity in the fluid from weakly corroded subhedral crystals with typical vermicular microtopography of the crystal faces to completely modified grains of colloform structure. Geochemically, the earlier hydrothermal transformations of the zircons resulted in their enrichment in La and other LREE, except only Ce, whose concentration, conversely, decreases compared to that of the unmodified magmatic zircons. The hydrothermal zircon displays a reduced Ce anomaly and its most altered domains typically host minute inclusions of xenotime, U and Th oxides and silicates, and occasionally also baddeleyite, which suggests that the hydrothermal fluid was reduced and highly alkaline. These features were acquired by the seawater-derived fluid when it circulated within the axial MAR zone area due to phase separation in the H₂O–NaCl system and particularly as a result of fluid interaction with the abyssal peridotites of oceanic core complexes. Our data demonstrate that zircon is a sensitive indicator of tectonic and physicochemical processes in the oceanic crust.     

Geochemistry of zircons from ultrametapmorphic granitoids in junction zone of Aldan Shield and Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region

The geochemistry of zircons from autochthonous granite gneiss (Lc1) anatectic (Lc3–4) and injection (Lc5) leucosomes has been studied. Neoarchean prismatic zircon grains with cores that reveal oscillatory zoning and are overgrown by a couple of rims have been seen to occur in Lc3–4. The prismatic grains are occasionally modified into isometric grains with block structure by Paleoproterozoic secondary alteration, which is accompanied by the depletion in HREE, Y, Nb, U; enrichment in Ti, Li, LREE; increasing Th: U ratio and Ce anomaly; and decreasing Eu anomaly. The Paleoproterozoic alteration is related to the low-temperature amphibolite-facies metamorphism followed by partial melting. The Neoarchean prismatic zircons were formed under the conditions of high-temperature amphibolite-facies ultrametamorphism at a temperature of ～700°C. Judging by the higher Ce/Ce* ratio, the metamorphic rounded zircons were formed at a higher oxygen fugacity as compared with ultrametamorphic zircons from Lc1 and Lc3–4. Specific variation trends of trace element concentrations in prismatic L1 and L3–4 zircons, occasionally with opposite directions, emphasize their different origin. The former are products of metasomatic granitization completed by selective melting with appearance of dispersed melt drops, while the latter are products of anatexis in the open system and by lit-par-lit migmatization. Prismatic zircons L5 are characterized by rhythmic zoning in the core surrounded by rims. The concordant U-Pb age of rims is 129 Ma; the ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of cores varies from 2213 to 147 Ma. The appreciable enrichment (by a factor of 2–13) of zircons in all minor elements from the core to the rims is caused by the effect of residual postmagmatic fluid, which not only altered zircons, but also facilitated the recrystallization of granite into a pegmatoid variety.     

General relations in the trace-element composition of zircons from eclogites with implications for the age of eclogites in the belomorian mobile belt

Analysis of currently available data (877 individual high-precision zircon analyses) on the composition of zircons from eclogite complexes worldwide reveals general relations in the zircon composition: an anomalous decrease in the Th concentration (no higher than 3 ppm on average) and the Th/U ratio (0.33 on average), a significant decrease in the concentrations of all REE (to 22 ppm) and particularly LREE (<2 ppm), and relatively low concentrations of Y (34 ppm), U (100 ppm), and P (41 ppm) at an elevated Hf concentration (11 400 ppm on average). The REE patterns of eclogitic zircons are noted for pronounced flat HREE patterns, poorly pronounced (if any) negative Eu anomalies, strongly reduced positive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 11 on average), and U-shaped configurations of LREE patterns up to the development of negative Nd anomalies. The relations detected in the distribution of trace elements and REE in eclogitic zircons are of universal nature and occur irrespective of the rock type (metabasites, metaultrabasites, or gneisses) and the metamorphic pressure (eclogites of high and ultrahigh pressure). The application of the aforementioned criteria makes it possible to reliable distinguish eclogitic zircons from those of magmatic or metamorphic genesis (not related to high-pressure metamorphism). Eclogites in the Belomorian Mobile Belt (in the Salma and Gridino areas) were determined to contain zircons in metagabbro eclogites; the cores of these zircons have an age of 2.8?C2.9 Ga and are of magmatic genesis, whereas their outer metamorphic zones have an age of 1.9 Ga and a trace-element composition typical of eclogitic zircons. Hence, the Belomorian Mobile Belt was affected only by single (Svecofennian, at ??1.9 Ga) episode of eclogite metamorphism of Archean rocks.     

湘南中生代钨锡大规模成矿控制因素：锆石年龄和微量元素的启示

以湘南地区震旦系、泥盆系、石炭系和白垩系碎屑岩中碎屑锆石及印支期—燕山期花岗岩中岩浆锆石为对象,通过锆石U-Pb年龄和微量元素地球化学研究,探讨湘南地区中生代钨锡大规模成矿的控制因素。锆石年龄结果表明,碎屑锆石年龄缺乏2.0 Ga左右的谱峰,显示湘南地区震旦纪和晚古生代沉积盆地物源具有华夏陆块的亲缘性,不具扬子陆块亲缘性,可以代表研究区华夏地块岩浆活动的记录;碎屑锆石年龄峰值记录了华夏陆块2.5 Ga、1.3~1.1 Ga、950 Ma、800 Ma、650 Ma和430 Ma六期前中生代构造-岩浆事件,对应早前寒武纪陆壳形成、Grenville碰撞造山运动及Rodinia超大陆的聚合-裂解过程。锆石微量元素分析结果表明,同一构造-岩浆事件锆石的δEu、LREE/HREE、Y/Ho、Nb/Ta值变化幅度均较大,LREE/HREE和Nb/Ta值不随时代变新而变小(反而有变大的趋势),表明岩浆分异程度与时代无关。但是,锆石∑REE、Y、Th、U、Nb和Ta含量,以及LREE/HREE和Nb/Ta值随时代变新而增高,表明岩浆源区的成分成熟度逐渐增高。湘南地区钨锡矿化规模随着时代变新而增大,在中生代达到顶峰,这一趋势与地壳成熟度的不断增高密切相关。锆石微量元素特征可作为示踪钨锡成矿规模的重要指标。     

Zircon from the polymigmatites of the northwestern Ladoga region: Morphology and geochemistry

This paper reports the results of a geochemical investigation of zircon from a migmatized aluminous gneiss (gn), melanosome (M), and sequential leucosome generations (Lc₂, Lc₃, Lc₄, and Lc₅) from an outcrop in the northwestern Ladoga region. The contents of REE, Y, Ti, Hf, Th, U, and P were determined using a Cameca IMS-4f ion microprobe in 12 zircon grains from the aforementioned rocks, in two-three spots in each grain. All of the specimens show rather uniform REE distribution patterns. More significant variations were observed in the light and medium REE (at smaller variations in the heavy REE), as well as in Ti, Y, Th, and U contents between zircons from the host rocks and from the leucosomes. It was supposed that REE-rich zircons from the gneiss and melanosome (without oscillatory zoning) are relics, whereas rhythmically zoned zircons with lower REE contents crystallized in the gneiss in the presence of dispersed anatectic melt. The contents of most REE and Y increase from core to rim in zircons from the gneiss, melanosome, Lc₂, Lc₄, and Lc₅, which is opposite to the compositional trend of zircons from Lc₃. It was shown that the decrease of HREE and Y content in zircon in the sequence Lc₅ → gn → Lc₂, Lc₃, Lc₄ is related to a decrease in the abundance of these elements in the rocks. The leucosomes do not correspond to a differentiation series of a single melt (there is no variation trends of Rb/Sr, K/Rb, and Rb/Ba in the rock series). The lower Lu/Hf and Sm/Nd values in the leucosomes relative to the host rocks allowed us to suppose that their protolith was gneisses (for Lc₂) and migmatites (for Lc₄ and Lc₃). The similarity of the early migmatites and gneisses to Lc₃ with respect to major and some trace elements and almost identical Lu/Hf and Sm/Nd values support the possibility of the formation of this leucosome generation during the beginning of the diatexis of migmatites, which was promoted by a temperature increase. This resulted in a specific trend in the content of some elements during zircon growth in Lc₃, which is different from the trend of zircons from other leucosomes.     

大陆碰撞造山带榴辉岩相的熔体活动:来自南阿尔金基性麻粒岩中长英质脉体的证据

本文通过对南阿尔金巴什瓦克基性麻粒岩中长英质脉体的岩相学、锆石U-Pb年代学、Lu-Hf同位素及全岩主微量地球化学的综合研究,首次限定了该区基性麻粒岩中长英质脉体的形成时代为491±2 Ma(MSWD=0.91),此年龄与寄主麻粒岩高压—超高温阶段(榴辉岩相)的变质时代在误差范围内近一致,表明长英质脉体形成于榴辉岩相的...     

滇西梁河地区钾长花岗岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年及其地质意义

在详细区域地质调查的基础上,对滇西梁河地区具有代表性的两件钾长花岗岩样品中的锆石进行了阴极发光图像、微区原位LA-ICP-MS微量元素分析和U-Pb定年。结果表明,梁河地区钾长花岗岩锆石显示振荡环带的内部结构,指示其岩浆成因;两件样品的锆石具有较高的Th、U含量,稀土元素总量较高,轻稀土亏损、重稀土富集,明显的的Ce正异常和Eu负异常的稀土配分模式,说明其壳源岩浆锆石特征;两件样品的锆石206Pb/238U加权平均年龄分别是(60.7±0.6)Ma和(115.8±1.0)Ma,属古新世和早白垩世花岗岩。结合区域地质特征,腾冲地块在中生代晚期-新生代早期发生多期岩浆作用,揭示滇西三江地区特提斯演化的岩浆响应,为青藏高原东缘地区地质演化的动力过程提供约束。     

藏北羌塘中西部红脊山地区早二叠世埃达克质岩石的发现及其地质意义

近期在羌塘中西部红脊山地区一套二叠纪蛇绿岩中首次发现了埃达克质岩石,呈脉状侵入到蛇绿岩中。对该套岩石进行了详细的岩石学、锆石U-Pb年龄和地球化学研究,重点讨论岩石成因及地质意义。埃达克质岩石岩性为白云母花岗岩,岩石中锆石晶形较完整,具典型的岩浆生长环带,结合Th/U值（0.22~0.63）,表明其为典型的岩浆锆石。锆石LA-ICP-MS 定年结果为271.7Ma±2.3Ma,表明其形成时代为早二叠世。岩石具有较高的SiO2、Al2O3含量和较低的K2O/Na2O值,为弱过铝质岩石。稀土元素配分模式呈右倾的曲线,重稀土元素分馏中等,Eu异常变化较小;微量元素Y、Yb含量较低,Sr含量中等,在微量元素蛛网图上表现出Rb、U、K正异常和Nb、Ta、P、Ti负异常。这与俯冲洋壳熔融形成的埃达克质岩石特征相似。红脊山埃达克质岩石是俯冲的古特提斯洋在角闪岩相—榴辉岩相条件下部分熔融形成的,残留相主要为石榴子石+角闪石。较早产生的熔体与地幔橄榄岩充分发生交代作用,后产生的熔体与地幔橄榄岩交代作用较弱,向上运移过程中斜长石发生分离结晶。红脊山埃达克质岩石的发现,表明古特提斯洋在早二叠世开始俯冲消减,大洋进入消退阶段。     

A preliminary geochemical study of zircons and monazites from Deccan felsic dikes,Rajula, Gujarat,India: Implications for crustal melting

Zircons of 10–100μm size and monazites of up to 10μm size are present in rhyolite and trachyte dikes associated with Deccan basalts around Rajula in the southern Saurashtra Peninsula of Gujarat. On the basis of structural conformity of the felsic and basaltic dikes, K-Ar ages and trace element considerations, a previous study concluded that the felsic rocks are coeval with the Deccan Volcanics and originated by crustal anatexis. The felsic rocks contain two populations of zircons and monazites, one that crystallized from the felsic melt and the other that contains inherited crustal material. Trace element variations in the rhyolites and trachytes indicate that zircons and monazites crystallized from the felsic melts, but compositional analysis of a zircon indicates the presence of a small core possibly inherited from the crust. Hf compositional zoning profile of this zircon indicates that it grew from the host rhyolitic melt while the melt differentiated, and Y and LREE contents suggest that this zircon crystallized from the host melt. Pb contents of some monazites also suggest the presence of inherited crustal cores. Hence, any age determination by the U-Th-Pb isotopic method should be interpreted with due consideration to crustal inheritance. Temperatures estimated from zircon and monazite saturation thermometry indicate that the crust around Rajula may have been heated to a maximum of approximately 900°C by the intruding Deccan magma. Crustal melting models of other workers indicate that a 1–2 million year emplacement time for the Deccan Traps may be appropriate for crustal melting characteristics observed in the Rajula area through the felsic dikes.     

Trace elements and the behaviour of the U-Pb system in inherited and newly formed zircons

The distribution of U, Y, P, and Ca was studied with an electron microprobe in detrital zircons from paragneisses of amphibolite to granulite facies as well as in zircons formed in their present-day host rocks, such as a granite, anatectic and aplitic gneisses and a migmatite from the Southern Alps. Detrital paragneiss zircons have low trace element contents, whereas zircons formed in their present-day host rocks have elevated trace element contents. According to the isotopic U-Pb age pattern one may distinguish two types of zircon populations formed in their present-day host rocks: one which lost lead without any known exogene cause, and one the U-Pb system of which was only opened in response to a geological event. Different modes of incorporation of the trace elements in the zircon crystals are thought to be responsible for this different behaviour and are discussed.     

锆石微量元素的理论基础及其应用研究进展

锆石是地质学研究中最重要的副矿物,其分布广泛、物理、化学性质稳定,记录了结晶时的年龄、温度、氧逸度以及O-Hf-Si-Zr-Li等多元同位素和微量元素信息,被广泛运用于地球科学的研究中。近年来,随着分析技术的发展,研究者在获取锆石年龄的同时也获取了大量锆石微量元素数据,这些数据的积累推动着研究者对锆石微量元素理论研究的不断深入,并取得了一系列重要进展,如发现锆石微量元素组成受锆石本身的晶格特点主导,符合晶格应变模型和类质同象替代机制;发现锆石微量元素组成受到熔体成分演化影响,锆石结晶时的熔体微量元素组成往往不等同于全岩;发现锆石内部的微量元素不均一特征(矿物包裹体、热点、蜕晶化作用等)可能会严重影响锆石的微量元素组成,继而建立了"干净锆石"的判别指标和筛选机制。此外,锆石微量元素的应用研究也取得了长足进展,研究者们不断尝试通过各类锆石微量元素指标、图解、分配系数,识别母岩浆物理化学性质、反演母岩浆组成,大大推动了锆石微量元素在示踪岩浆源区和岩浆过程中的应用。然而,由于锆石微量元素组成受控于多种因素,使得锆石微量元素在实际应用当中常常面临着多解性问题、重叠问题和分配系数的选择问题,在一定程度上影响了锆石微量元素应用研究的可靠性。未来的锆石微量元素研究将不满足于使用传统的低维指标和图解以及分配系数,而将在充分吸收传统方法精华的基础上,从海量数据与更高的维度中寻找元素之间相关性,基于热力学定律揭示新原理,基于更高空间分辨率揭示动力学因素的影响,从数据驱动和理论驱动的全新视角下深入揭示隐藏在锆石微量元素中的信息。     

Systematics of zircon crystallisation in the Cretaceous Separation Point Suite, New Zealand, using U/Pb isotopes, REE and Ti geothermometry

Plutonic zircons from the Cretaceous Separation Point Suite (SPS) were analysed by LA-ICPMS for U–Pb isotope ratios and trace element concentrations. Pooled ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages range from 112 to 124 Ma. Cathodoluminescence imaging reveals minor inheritence and textural evidence of repeated dissolution and re-precipitation of zircon. Core and rim spot analyses, however, document zircon growth during extended periods of time (>2 myr). Protracted crystallisation histories for simple plutonic systems are inconsistent with generalised thermal constraints, which predict cooling below the solidus within <1 myr. Consequently, we conclude that the SPS granitoids sampled in this study were not emplaced rapidly but incrementally over extended time periods. Zircon Th/U and Zr/Hf ratios are positively correlated with crystallisation temperatures, consistent with crystallisation from evolving melts. However, highly variable trace element concentrations, along with temperature reversals are indicative of complex crystallisation histories involving continuous fractional crystallisation repeatedly punctuated by hotter, more mafic magma recharge. Normalised abundances of the redox-sensitive elements Eu and Ce in zircon vary systematically with degrees of whole rock differentiation, pointing to evolutionary trends in magmatic oxidation states coupled with feldspar crystallisation.     

Trace element chemistry and U–Pb dating of zircons from oceanic gabbros and their relationship with whole rock composition (Lanzo,Italian Alps)

The U–Pb ages and the trace element content of zircon U–Pb along with major and trace element whole rock data on gabbroic dikes from the Lanzo lherzolitic massif, N-Italy, have been determined to constrain crustal accretion in ocean–continent transition zones. Three Fe–Ti gabbros were dated from the central and the southern part of the massif providing middle Jurassic ages of 161 ± 2, 158 ± 2 and 163 ± 1 Ma, which argue for magmatic activity over few millions of years. Zircon crystals are characterized by high but variable Th/U ratios, rare earth element patterns enriched in heavy rare earths, pronounced positive Ce and negative Eu-anomalies consistent with crystallization after substantial plagioclase fractionation. The zircon trace element composition coupled with whole rock chemistry was used to reconstruct the crystallization history of the gabbros. A number of gabbros crystallized in situ, and zircon precipitated from trapped, intercumulus liquid, while other gabbros represent residual liquids that were extracted from a cumulus pile and crystallized along syn-magmatic shear zones. We propose a model in which the emplacement mechanism of gabbroic rocks in ocean–continent transition zones evolves from in situ crystallization to stratified crystallization with efficient extraction of residual liquid along syn-magmatic shear zones. Such an evolution of the crystallization history is probably related to the thermal evolution of the underlying mantle lithosphere. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.