Zircon dating of North Bohemian granulites, Czech Republic: further evidence for the Lower Carboniferous high-pressure event in the Bohemian Massif

U-Pb zircon and rutile multigrain ages and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb zircon evaporation ages are reported from high-pressure felsic and metapelitic granulites from northern Bohemia, Czech Republic. The granulites, in contrast to those from other occurrences in the Bohemian Massif, do not show evidence of successive HT/MPLP overprints. Multigrain size fractions of nearly spherical, multifaceted, metamorphic zircons from three samples are slightly discordant and yield a U-Pb Concordia intercept age of 348 ± 10 Ma, whereas single zircon evaporation of two samples resulted in ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 339 ± 1.5 and 339 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively. A rutile fraction from one sample has a U-Pb Concordia intercept age of 346 ± 14 Ma. All ages are identical, within error, and a mean age of 342 ± 5 Ma was adopted to reflect the peak of HP metamorphism. Because rutile has a lower closing temperature for the U-Pb isotopic system than zircon, the results and the P-T data imply rapid uplift and cooling after peak metamorphism. The above age is identical to ages for high-grade metamorphism reported from the southern Bohemian Massif and the Granulite Massif in Saxony. It can be speculated that all these granulites were part of the same lower crustal unit in early Carboniferous, being separated later due to crustal stacking and subsequent late Variscan orogenic collapse.     

A lead isotope study of mineralization in the Saudi Arabian Shield

New lead isotope data are presented for some late Precambrian and early Paleozoic vein and massive sulfide deposits in the Arabian Shield. Using the Stacey Kramers (1975) model for lead isotope evolution, isochron model ages range between 720 m.y. and 420 m.y. Most of the massive sulfide deposits in the region formed before 680 m.y. ago, during evolution of the shield. Vein type mineralization of higher lead content occurred during the Pan African event about 550 m.y. ago and continued through the Najd period of extensive faulting in the shield that ended about 530 m.y. ago. Late post-tectonic metamorphism may have been responsible for vein deposits that have model ages less than 500 m.y. Alternatively some of these younger model ages may be too low due to the mineralizing fluids acquiring radiogenic lead from appreciably older local crustal rocks at the time of ore formation.The low²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios found for the deposits in the main part of the shield and for those in north-eastern Egypt, indicate that the Arabian craton was formed in an oceanic crustal environment during the late Precambrian. Involvement of older, upper-crustal material in the formation of the ore deposits in this part of the shield is precluded by their low²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb characteristics.In the eastern part of the shield, east of longitude 44°20E towards the Al Amar-Idsas fault region, lead data are quite different. They exhibit a linear²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb relationship together with distinctly higher²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb characteristics. These data imply the existence of lower crustal rocks of early Proterozoic age that apparently have underthrust the shield rocks from the east. If most of the samples we have analyzed from this easterly region were mineralized 530 m.y. ago, then the age of the older continental rocks is 2,100±300 m.y. (2).The presence of upper crustal rocks, possibly also of early Proterozoic age, is indicated by galena data from Hailan in South Yemen and also from near Muscat in Oman. These data are the first to indicate such old continental material in these regions.     

U/Pb and Pb/Pb zircon ages for arc-related intrusions of the Bolu Massif (W Pontides, NW Turkey): evidence for Late Precambrian (Cadomian) age

We present new U/Pb and Pb/Pb radiometric age data from two tectono-stratigraphic units of the regionally extensive Bolu Massif, in the W Pontides (İstanbul Fragment), N Turkey. A structurally lower unit (Sünnice Group) is cut by small meta-granitic intrusions, whereas the structurally higher unit comprises meta-volcanic rocks (Çaşurtepe Fm) cut by meta-granitic plutons (Tüllükiriş and Kapıkaya plutons). U/Pb single-crystal dating of zircons from the Kapıkaya Pluton yielded a concordant cluster, with a mean ²³⁸U/²⁰⁶Pb age of 565.3 ± 1.9 Ma. Zircons from the Tüllükiriş Pluton (affected by Pb loss) gave a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 576 ± 6 Ma age (Late Precambrian). Small meta-granitic intrusions cutting the Sünnice Group yielded a less precise ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 262 ± 19 Ma (Early Permian). The older ages from the Bolu Massif confirm the existence of latest Precambrian arc magmatism related to subduction of a Cadomian ocean. We infer that the Bolu Massif represents a fragment of a Cadomian active margin. Cadomian orogenic units were dispersed as exotic terranes throughout the Variscan and Tethyan orogens, and the Bolu Massif probably reached its present position prior to latest Palaeozoic time. Our dating results also confirm that NW Turkey was affected by Hercynian magmatism related to subduction of Palaeotethys, as inferred for other areas of the Pontides.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000564

High-pressure（HP） granulites widely occur as enclaves within tonalite-trondhjemitegranodiorite （TTG） gneisses of the Early Precambrian metamorphic basement in the Shandong Peninsula, southeast part of the North China Craton（NCC）.Based on cathodoluminescence（CL）,laser Raman spectroscopy and in-situ U-Pb dating,we characterize the zircons from the HP granulites and group them into three main types:inherited（magmatic） zircon,HP metamorphic zircon and retrograde zircon.The inherited zircons with clear or weakly defined magmatic zoning contain inclusions of apatites,and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 2915—2890 Ma and 2763—2510 Ma,correlating with two magmatic events in the Archaean basement. The homogeneous HP metamorphic zircons contain index minerals of high-pressure metamorphism including garnet,clinopyroxene.plagioclase,quartz,rutile and apatite,and yield ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages between 1900 and 1850 Ma,marking the timing of peak HP granulite fades metamorphism.The retrograde zircons contain inclusions of orthopyroxene.plagioclase.quartz,apatite and amphibole.and yield the youngest ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1840—1820 Ma among the three groups,which we correlate to the medium to low-pressure granulite fades retrograde metamorphism.The data presented in this study suggest subduction of Meso- and Neoarchean magmatic protoliths to lower crust depths where they were subjected to HP granulite facies metamorphism during Palaeoproterozoic（1900—1850 Ma）.Subsequently, the HP granulites were exhumated to upper crust levels,and were overprinted by medium to low-pressure granulite and amphibolite facies retrograde event at ca.1840—820 Ma.     

Lead isotope study of Zn-Pb ore deposits associated with the Basque-Cantabrian basin and Paleozoic basement, Northern Spain

A total of forty-three galena samples from syngenetic and epigenetic Pb-Zn mineralizations emplaced in the Lower Cretaceous Basque-Cantabrian basin and Paleozoic basement of the Cinco Villas massif in the western Pyrenees, have been analyzed for Pb-isotopic composition. Galena from sedex mineralizations hosted in Carboniferous clastic rocks in the Cinco Villas massif display an homogeneous lead isotopic signature (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴4Pb 18.43, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.66, ²⁰⁸Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb 38.69) suggesting a single lead reservoir. These values are slightly more radiogenic than lead from other European Hercynian deposits, possibly reflecting the influence of a more evolved upper crustal source. Underlying Paleozoic sediments are proposed as lead source for the Cinco Villas massif ores. Analyses from twenty-six galena samples from the four strata-bound ore districts hosted in Mesozoic rocks reveal the existence of two populations regarding their lead isotopic composition. Galena from the western Santander districts (e.g., Reocin) is characterized by more radiogenic isotope values (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.74, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.67, ²⁰⁸Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb 38.73) than those from the central and eastern districts (Troya-Legorreta, Central and Western Vizcaya, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.59, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.66, ²⁰⁸Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb 38.73). In all districts, the most likely source for these mineralizations was the thick sequence of Lower Cretaceous clastic sediments. The existence of two separate lead isotopic populations could be the result of regional difference in the composition of the basement rocks and the clastic sediments derived of it or different evolution histories. In both sub-basins, isotopic ratios indicate an increase in crustal influence as the age of the ores decreases.     

Detrital zircon ages from southern Norway – implications for the Proterozoic evolution of the southwestern Baltic Shield

An ion-microprobe (SIMS) U-Pb zircon dating study on four samples of Precambrian metasediments from the high-grade Bamble Sector, southern Norway, gives the first information on the timing of discrete crust-forming events in the SW part of the Baltic Shield. Recent Nd and Pb studies have indicated that the sources of the clastic metasediments in this area have crustal histories extending back to 1.7 to 2.1 Ga, although there is no record of rocks older than 1.6 Ga in southern Norway. The analysed metasediments are from a sequence of intercalated, centimetre to 10-metre wide units of quartzites, semi-metapelites, metapelites and mafic granulites. The zircons can be grouped in two morphological populations: (1) long prismatic; (2) rounded, often flattened. The BSE images reveal that both populations consist of oscillatory zoned, rounded and corroded cores (detrital grains of magmatic origin), surrounded by homogeneous rims (metamorphic overgrowths). The detrital zircons have ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages between 1367 and 1939 Ma, with frequency maxima in the range 1.85 to 1.70 Ga and 1.60 to 1.50 Ga. There is no correlation between crystal habit and age of the zircon. One resorbed, inner zircon core in a detrital grain is strongly discordant and gives a composite inner core-magmatic outer core ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2383 Ma. Two discrete, unzoned zircons have ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1122 and 1133 Ma, representing zircon growth during the Sveconorwegian high-grade metamorphism. Also the μm wide overgrowths, embayments in the detrital cores and apparent “inner cores” which represent secondary metamorphic zircon growth in deep embayments in detrital grains, are of Sveconorwegian age. The composite-detrital-metamorphic zircon analyses give generally discordant ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U versus ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U ratios and maximum ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1438 Ma. These data demonstrate the existence of a protocrust of 1.7 to 2.0 Ga in the southwestern part of the Baltic Shield, implying a break in the overall westward younging trend of the Precambrian crust, inferred from the southeastern part of the Baltic Shield. Received: 8 April 1997 / Accepted: 14 July 1997     

SHRIMP dating of titanite from metasyenites in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt,South Africa

SHRIMP dating of titanite from metasyenites in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt yields a mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2010.3 ±4.5 Ma calculated from 23 analyses. This age, combined with petrographic and field observations, suggests the metamorphism in the syenites occurred during Palaeoproterozoic event.     

U-Pb sphene dating of metamorphism: the importance of sphene growth in the contact aureole of the Red Mountain pluton,Laramie Mountains,Wyoming

 The relative importance of thermal diffusion versus new growth or recrystallization on U-Pb isotopic data from sphene is assessed through a study of amphibolites and granite gneisses within the contact aureole of the Red Mountain pluton, Laramie anorthosite complex, Wyoming. Samples were collected along a traverse approximately perpendicular to the margin of the intrusion over a distance of 0.13 to 2.65 km from the contact. The ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of sphene from amphibolite samples range between 1.43 Ga, the intrusive age of the Red Mountain pluton, to 1.78 Ga, the age of regional metamorphism. The ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of sphene in rocks metamorphosed above 700° C are within error of the intrusive age of the pluton, and appear to have resulted from diffusional resetting of preexisting sphene and the metamorphic growth of additional sphene at 1.43 Ga. At greater distance from the contact the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages range from 1.45 to 1.72 Ga. This 300 million year spread in ages is interpreted to result from two periods of sphene growth, one produced during regional metamorphism at 1.78 Ga and another generation of newly grown or recrystallized sphene that formed during contact metamorphism at 1.43 Ga. These two age populations may be identified on the basis of petrographic textures, the morphologies and color differences of grain separates as well as by the U-Pb systematics. In rocks metamorphosed to temperatures less than 700° C, sphene growth was the dominant process controlling the response of the U-Pb isotope system to contact metamorphism. Sphene grew well outside the zone of obvious contact metamorphism. The U-Pb sphene ages were reset by diffusion only at high temperatures, supporting the experimentally determined closure temperature estimates for the U-Pb system in sphene of around 650° C (Cherniak 1993). This study demonstrates that U-Pb ages of sphene can be used to date metamorphism not only in areas with a simple geologic history, such as igneous intrusion or single metamorphic or deformational events, but also to date multiple events so long as different generations of sphene can be identified and separated. Received: 22 August 1995 / Accepted: 17 April 1996     

Primitive and contaminated basalts from the Southern Rocky Mountains,U.S.A.

Basalts in the Southern Rocky Mountains province have been analyzed to determine if any of them are primitive. Alkali plagioclase xenocrysts armored with calcic plagioclase seem to be the best petrographic indicator of contamination. The next best indicator of contamination is quartz xenocrysts armored with clinopyroxene. On the rocks and the region studied, K₂O apparently is the only major element with promise of separating primitive basalt from contaminated basalt inasmuch as it constitutes more than 1 % in all the obviously contaminated basalts. K₂O: lead (> 4 ppm) and thorium (> 2 ppm) contents and Rb/Sr (> 0.035) are the most indicative of the trace elements studied. Using these criteria, three basalt samples are primitive (although one contains 1.7% K₂O) and are similar in traceelement contents to Hawaiian and Eastern Honshu, Japan, primitive basalts.Contamination causes lead isotope ratios, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, to become less radiogenic, but it has little or no effect on ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. We interpret the effect on lead isotopes to be due to assimilation either of lower crustal granitic rocks, which contain 5–10 times as much lead as basalt and which have been low in U/Pb and Th/Pb since Precambrian times, or of upper crustal Precambrian or Paleozoic rocks, which have lost much of their radiogenic lead because of heating prior to assimilation. The lack of definite effects on strontium isotopes may be due to the lesser strontium contents of granitic crustal rocks relative to basaltic rocks coupled with lack of a large radiogenic enrichment in the crustal rocks.Lead isotope ratios were found to be less radiogenic in plagioclase separates from an obviously contaminated basalt than in the primitive basalts. The feldspar separate that is rich in sodic plagioclase xenocrysts was found to be similar to the whole-rock composition for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb whereas a more dense fraction probably enriched in more calcic plagioclase phenocrysts is more similar to the primitive basalts in lead isotope ratios.The primitive basalts have: ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.09–18.34, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 15.5, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 37.6–37.9, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.704–0.705. In the primitive basalts from the Southern Rocky Mountains the values of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb are similar to values reported by others for Hawaiian and eastern Honshu basalts and abyssal basalts, whereas ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb tends to be equal to or a little less radiogenic than those from the oceanic localities. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr appears to be equal to or a little greater than those of the oceanic localities. These ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are distinctly less radiogenic and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values are about equal to those reported by others for volcanic islands on oceanic ridges and rises.Publication authorized by the Director, U.S. Geological Survey     

柴北缘前寒武纪岩体（地层）变质年龄及其对早古生代造山作用的指示

柴北缘前寒武纪岩体（地层）分布广泛。为确定柴北缘地区前寒武纪岩体（地层）受早古生代碰撞造山作用的影响,采用LA—ICP—MS技术．对大柴旦地区前寒武纪黑云斜长片麻岩、斜长角闪岩及石榴子石斜长角闪岩中的锆石进行了u—Pb同位素定年。黑云斜长片麻岩获得479-472Ma的变质年龄,斜长角闪岩获得440Ma和470Ma2个变质年龄,石榴子石斜长角闪岩获得418．8Ma±3．0Ma的变质年龄。初步确定,柴北缘早古生代造山作用对前寒武纪岩体构成了3次强度不等的变质作用叠加,分别为大洋俯7中末期阶段（495-467Ma）岛弧花岗岩弱热烘烤变质作用、大陆碰撞造山阶段（467-423Ma）区域变质作用、S型花岗岩热动力变质作用和大陆后碰撞造山阶段（423-371Ma）I型花岗岩强烈接触热变质作用。     

The age of the Kagenfels granite (northern Vosges) and its bearing on the intrusion scheme of late Variscan granitoids

In the Saxothuringian part of the Vosges (France), a first series of Variscan plutonic rocks (diorites to granites) has been intruded by several younger granites. Rocks of both the older generations have been cross-cut by the late orogenic Kagenfels granite. The averages of the hitherto published mineral ages of the earlier rock generations are 331 and 334 Ma, respectively, whereas Rb-Sr and K-Ar dates around 290 Ma have been reported for the Kagenfels granite. Because of the unlikely large age hiatus, a redetermination of the intrusion age of the Kagenfels granite formation appeared to be irrevocable. The newly obtained mineral ages on the Kagenfels granite (K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite ages as well as single zircon radiogenic ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb data: 331 ± 5 Ma) are about 40 Ma older than the previous results. They are interpreted as giving the time of emplacement of the Kagenfels granite during the latest Visan. The mineral ages of the earlier plutonic rocks in this part of the Variscan Orogeny in all probability are not significantly different from their ages of intrusion. Therefore the age concordance of all three granitoid generations constrains a rather narrow time interval of orogenic magmatism close to the Lower-Upper Carboniferous boundary.     

2.8 Ga Old Anorogenic Granite-Acid Volcanics Association from Western Margin of the Singhbhum-Orissa Craton,Eastern India

The Tamperkola granite-acid volcanics association occurring at the western margin of the Archaean Singhbhum-Orissa Iron Ore Craton (SOC), eastern India, is intrusive into the Darjing Group which represents a sequence of mobile belt metasediments in this part of the SOC. The Darjing Group rests unconformably on the Bonai Granite (∼3.2 Ga old). Absence of any deformational imprints of the country rock metasediments on the Tamperkola granite acid volcanics together with its undeformed and unmetamorphosed nature, its alkali feldspar dominant mineralogy, and its high SiO₂ and Na₂O + K₂O and low MgO and CaO contents suggest that this granite-acid volcanics association is anorogenic in nature. Two representative samples-one each from the granite and the acid volcanics have been dated by in situ ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb zircon dating method using a small ion-microprobe. Minimum age of crystallisation of the acid volcanics is found to be 2.8 Ga. Strong peak in the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶ Pb frequency diagram and equality of the observed and expected errors in radiogenic ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios suggest that this age probably represents the true age of formation of the volcanics. The age data place the deposition and metamorphism of the mobile belt metasediments of the Darjing Group in between 3.2 and 2.8 Ga. Occurrence of 2.9–2.8 Ga old small granitoid plutons, alkali-feldspar granite to syenogranite in composition, is also known from the southern margin of the SOC. Therefore, it appears that around 2.9–2.8 Ga small alkali granite bodies formed at the marginal part of this cratonic block after its stabilisation at ∼3.1 Ga.     

Zircon response to high-grade metamorphism as revealed by U–Pb and cathodoluminescence studies

Correct interpretation of zircon ages from high-grade metamorphic terrains poses a major challenge because of the differential response of the U–Pb system to metamorphism, and many aspects like pressure–temperature conditions, metamorphic mineral transformations and textural properties of the zircon crystals have to be explored. A large (c. 450?km²) coherent migmatite complex was recently discovered in the Bohemian Massif, Central European Variscides. Rocks from this complex are characterized by granulite- and amphibolite-facies mineral assemblages and, based on compositional and isotopic trends, are identified as the remnants of a magma body derived from mixing between tonalite and supracrustal rocks. Zircon crystals from the migmatites are exclusively large (200–400?μm) and yield ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb evaporation ages between 342–328?Ma and single-grain zircon fractions analysed by U–Pb ID-TIMS method plot along the concordia curve between 342 and 325?Ma. High-resolution U–Pb SHRIMP analyses substantiate the existence of a resolvable age variability and yield older ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages (342–330?Ma, weighted mean age?=?333.6?±?3.1?Ma) for inner zone domains without relict cores and younger ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages (333–320?Ma, weighted mean age?=?326.0?±?2.8?Ma) for rim domains. Pre-metamorphic cores were identified only in one sample (²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages at 375.0?±?3.9, 420.3?±?4.4 and 426.2?±?4.4?Ma). Most zircon ages bracket the time span between granulite-facies metamorphism in the Bohemian Massif (~345?Ma) and the late-Variscan anatectic overprint (Bavarian phase, ~325?Ma). It is argued that pre-existing zircon was variously affected by these metamorphic events and that primary magmatic growth zones were replaced by secondary textures as a result of diffusion reaction processes and replacement of zircon by dissolution and recrystallization followed by new zircon rim growth. Collectively, the results show that the zircons equilibrated during high-grade metamorphism and record partial loss of radiogenic Pb during post-peak granulite events and new growth under subsequent anatectic conditions.     

柴北缘前寒武纪岩体（地层）变质年龄 及其对早古生代造山作用的指示

柴北缘前寒武纪岩体（地层）分布广泛。为确定柴北缘地区前寒武纪岩体（地层）受早古生代碰撞造山作用的影响,采用LA-ICP-MS技术,对大柴旦地区前寒武纪黑云斜长片麻岩、斜长角闪岩及石榴子石斜长角闪岩中的锆石进行了U-Pb同位素定年。黑云斜长片麻岩获得479~472Ma的变质年龄,斜长角闪岩获得440Ma和470Ma 2个变质年龄,石榴子石斜长角闪岩获得418.8Ma±3.0Ma的变质年龄。初步确定,柴北缘早古生代造山作用对前寒武纪岩体构成了3次强度不等的变质作用叠加,分别为大洋俯冲末期阶段(495~467Ma)岛弧花岗岩弱热烘烤变质作用、大陆碰撞造山阶段(467~423Ma)区域变质作用、S型花岗岩热动力变质作用和大陆后碰撞造山阶段(423~371Ma) I型花岗岩强烈接触热变质作用。     

S,Pb, C and O isotopic compositions and ore genesis of the strata-bound polymetallic sulfide deposits in central Inner Mongolia,China

The strata-bound Cu−Pb−Zn polymetallic sulfide deposits occur in metamorphic rocks of greenschist phase of the middle-upper Proterozoic Langshan Group in central Inner Mongolia. δ³⁴S values for sulfides range from −3.1‰ to +37.3‰, and an apparent difference is noticed between vein sulfides and those in bedded rocks. For example, δ³⁴S values for bedded pyrite range from +10.6‰ to +20.0‰, while those for vein pyrite vary from −3.1‰ to +14.1‰. δ³⁴S of bedded pyrrhotite is in the range +7.9‰–+23.5‰ in comparison with +6.5‰–+17.1‰ for vein pyrrhotite. The wide scatter of δ³⁴S and the enrichment of heavier sulfur indicate that sulfur may have been derived from H₂S as a result of bacterial reduction of sulfates in the sea water. Sulfur isotopic composition also differs from deposit to deposit in this area because of the difference in environment in which they were formed. The mobilization of bedded sulfides in response to regional metamorphism and magmatic intrusion led to the formation of vein sulfides. δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C of ore-bearing rocks and wall rocks are within the range typical of ordinary marine facies, with the exception of lower values for ore-bearing marble at Huogeqi probably due to diopsidization and tremalitization of carbonate rocks. Pb isotopic composition is relatively stable and characterized by lower radio-genetic lead. The age of basement rocks was calculated to be about 23.9 Ma and ore-forming age 7.8 Ma.²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb−²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb−²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plots indicate that Pb may probably be derived from the lower crust or upper mantle. It is believed that the deposits in this region are related to submarine volcanic exhalation superimposed by later regional metamorphism and magmatic intrusion.     

Latest precambrian (Cadomian) zircon ages,Nd isotopic systematics and P-T evolution of granitoid orthogneisses of the Erzgebirge,Saxony and Czech Republic

Single zircons from two orthogneiss complexes, the Grey Gneiss and Red Gneiss, the lowermost tectonic units in the Erzgebirge, were dated. The grey Freiberg Gneiss is of igneous origin and has a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb emplacement age of 550±7 Ma. A quartz monzonite from Lauenstein contains idiomorphic zircons with a mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 555±7 Ma as well as xenocrysts ranging in age between 850 and 1910 Ma. Red gneisses from the central Erzgebirge contain complex zircon populations, including numerous xenocrysts up to 2464 Ma in age. The youngest, idiomorphic, zircons in all samples yielded uniform ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages between 550±9 and 554±10 Ma. Nd isotopic data support the interpretation of crustal anatexis for the origin of both units. _Nd(t) values for the grey gneisses are –7.5 and –6.0 respectively, (mean crustal residence ages of 1.7–1.8 Ga). The red gneisses have a wider range in _Nd(t) values from –7.7 to –2.8 (T _DM ages of 1.4–1.8 Ga). The zircon ages document a distinct late Proterozoic phase of granitoid magmatism, similar in age to granitoids in the Lusatian block farther north-east. However, Palaeozoic deformation as well as medium pressure metamorphism ( 8 kbar/600–650° C) are identical in both gneiss units and distinguish these rocks from the Lusatian granitoids. The grey and red gneisses were overthrust by units with abundant high-pressure relicts and a contrasting P-T evolution. Zircon xenocryst and Nd model ages in the range 1000–1700 Ma are similar to those in granitoid rocks of Lusatia and the West-Sudetes, and document a pre-Cadomian basement in parts of east-central Europe that, chronologically, has similarities with the Sveconorwegian domain in the Baltic Shield.     

Unsupported radiogenic Pb in zircon: a cause of anomalously high Pb-Pb,U-Pb and Th-Pb ages

Ion microprobe U-Th-Pb isotopic analyses of zircons from a granodioritic orthogneiss from the Napier Complex, Mount Sones, Enderby Land, Antarctica, have identified an unambiguous example of unsupported radiogenic Pb in a 3,950 Ma-old crystal. At one 40 m spot on the crystal an unusually large heterogeneity in Pb content was found, the concentration of radiogenic Pb ranging from 5 to 50 percent higher than could have been generated in 3,950 Ma by radioactive decay of the co-existing U and Th. This relative excess of radiogenic Pb is attributed to Pb gain rather than to U and Th loss because first, the Pb content varied by more than the U or Th contents and secondly, changes in the Pb/U, Pb/Th and Pb isotopic composition correlated directly with changes in the Pb concentration. The individual ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb apparent ages ranged from 4,000 Ma to 4,145 Ma, all greater than the inferred age of the crystal. A correlation between ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and Pb/U shows that the Pb excess has not resulted from recent Pb movement. The spot apparently gained radiogenic Pb about 2,500 Ma ago, at the same time as the majority of the other zircons in the rock suffered substantial Pb loss. The Pb movement occurred in response to a discrete geologic event. Reverse discordance is a phenomenon that must be considered when interpreting zircon U-Pb ages, especially ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of single crystals or portions of crystals. Decay constants. Ages in this paper are calculated using the decay constant convention recommended by the Subcommission on Geochronology (Steiger and Jaeger 1977).     

Report on 34 Ga SHRIMP Zircon Age from the Yuntaishan Geopark in Jiaozuo, Henan Province

1 Introduction According to recent researches, the North China Craton consists of three parts: the eastern block, western block and central zone (Zhao, 2001; Wilde et al., 2002). Paleoarchean continental blocks and zircon residuals have only been found in a few regions, such as Anshan, East Liaoning (Liu et al., 1992; Song et al., 1996; Wan et al., 2002, 2005), Caozhuang, East Hebei (Liu et al., 1992) and Xinyang, West Henan (Zheng et al., 2004), which are mainly distributed in the east…     

华北克拉通古元古代晚期地壳演化和荆山群形成时代制约——胶东地区变质中-基性侵入岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年

胶东地区的荆山群呈近东西向环绕太古宙TTG花岗质片麻岩展布,主要由成熟度高的含石墨变泥砂质岩石、钙硅酸岩和大理岩组成,变质程度达高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相,具孔兹岩系性质。变质中-基性岩侵入到荆山群。它们的侵位时代对于探讨华北克拉通东部元古宙构造演化以及对荆山群沉积时代的制约,都有重要意义。锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,遭受低级变质的闪长岩(S0835)岩浆锆石年龄为1852±9Ma (MSWD=2.1),遭受中高级变质的辉长岩(S0816)变质锆石年龄为1865±11Ma (MSWD=0.76)。结合区域资料,可得出如下结论:(1)荆山群孔兹岩系形成于古元古代晚期(2.2~1.9Ga);(2)古元古代期间,胶东地区从挤压体制转入伸展体制的时间在1.87Ga之前。在华北克拉通中西部的恒山、大青山地区,存在1.97~1.92Ga辉长岩,在1.92~1.83Ga期间发生变质,与本文研究结果类似。这表明华北克拉通中-西部和东部具有类似的古元古代演化历史。     

Isotope characterization of lead in galena from ore deposits of the Aysén Region, southern Chile

Lead isotope analyses of galena from five ore deposits and six prospects in the Aysén region of southern Chile are reported. Most of the deposits are either low sulfidation epithermal gold–silver veins or skarn and manto deposits; the majority are either suspected to be, or dated as, Late Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous. Galena lead isotope data for most of the deposits from southern Chile cluster near the “orogene” within a “plumbotectonic” model framework. Average values (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.53, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.63, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.50) are near Jurassic to Cretaceous model ages on the “orogene” curve of Zartman and Doe (1981) and the second-stage curve of Stacey and Kramers (1975) on a ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb versus ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plot. These model ages are compatible with absolute ages as currently known. The elongate trends in the general cluster indicate mainly an orogenic model fit, suggesting variable mixing of lead from different sources, mainly model upper crust and lesser model mantle and lower crust reservoirs. Galena lead associated with one deposit (El Faldeo) is relatively radiogenic, and lies near a Jurassic age on the “upper crustal” curve of Zartman and Doe (1981), which is compatible with the Ar/Ar age of the deposit. Galena lead isotope clusters define three main groups of deposits. These three groups appear to be related to three mineralizing events, dated by K–Ar and Ar/Ar, in the Late Jurassic (group 3), and in the Early and mid-Cretaceous (groups 1 and 2 respectively). Averages for group 1, the northern group including El Toqui and Katerfeld, are ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.51, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.62, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.48. Averages for group 2, the southern group with Fachinal and Mina Silva, are ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.56, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.63, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.52. Averages for group 3, the southernmost group with the El Faldeo, Lago Chacabuco and Lago Cochrane prospects, are ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.83, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.65, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.63. The Cretaceous deposits (groups 1 and 2) contain orogene-type lead that becomes increasingly radiogenic southward. Lead from the Late Jurassic deposits (group 3) appears to reflect mixing of orogene lead with highly radiogenic lead. The observed linear array of lead in group 3 probably reflects mixing of orogene lead with highly radiogenic lead, which was likely extracted by selective leaching of mineralizing hydrothermal solutions from the metamorphic basement. Received: 10 July 1999 / Accepted: 15 July 2000