Petrology and geochemistry of the banded iron-formations from Ntem complex greenstones belt,Elom area,Southern Cameroon: Implications for the origin and depositional environment

Banded iron-formations (BIFs) form an important part of the Archaean to Proterozoic greenstone belts in the Southern Cameroon. In this study, major, trace and REE chemistry of the banded iron-formation are utilized to explore the source of metals and to constraint the origin and depositional environment of these BIFs. The studied BIF belongs to the oxide facies iron formations composed mainly of iron oxide (mainly magnetite) mesobands alternating with quartz mesobands. The mineralogy of the BIF sample consists of magnetite and quartz with lesser amount of secondary martite, goethite and trace of gibbsite and smectite. The major element chemistry of these iron-formations is remarkably simple with the main constituents being SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ which constitute 95.6–99.5% of the bulk rock. Low Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and HFSE concentrations show that they are relatively detritus-free chemical sediments. The Pearson’s correlation matrix of major element reveals that there is a strong positive correlation (r = 0.99) of Al with Ti and no to weak negative correlation of Ti with Mn, Ca and weak positive correlation of Si with Ca, suggesting the null to very minor contribution of detrital material to chemical sediment. The trace elements with minor enrichments are transition metals such as Zn, Cr, Sr, V and Pb. This is an indicator of direct volcanogenic hydrothermal input in chemical precipitates. The studied BIF have a low ΣREE content, ranging between 0.41 and 3.22 ppm with an average of 0.87 ppm, similar to that of pure chemical sediments. The shale-normalized patterns show depletion in light REE, slightly enrichment in heavy REE and exhibit weak positive europium anomalies. These geochemical characteristics indicate that the source of Fe and Si was the result of deep ocean hydrothermal activity admixed with sea water. The absence of a large positive Eu anomaly in the studied BIF indicates an important role of low-temperature hydrothermal solutions. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns are characterized by LREE-enriched (Mean La_CN/Yb_CN = 8.01) and HREE depletion (Mean Tb_CN/Yb_CN = 1.61) patterns and show positive Ce anomalies. With the exception of one sample (LBR133), all of the BIF samples analyzed during this study have positive Ce anomalies on both chondrite- and PASS-normalized plots. This may indicate that the BIFs within the Elom area were formed within a redox stratified ocean. The positive Ce anomalies in the studied samples likely suggest that the basin in which Fe formations were deposited was reducing with respect to Ce, probably in the suboxic or anoxic seawaters.     

Geochemistry of S,Cu, Ni,Cr and Au-PGE in the garnet amphibolites from the Akom II area in the Archaean Congo Craton,Southern Cameroon

The fresh and weathered garnet amphibolites, from the Akom II area in the Archaean Congo Craton, were investigated to determine the S, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Au-PGE values. The garnet amphibolites are composed of amphibole, plagioclase, garnet, quartz, and accessory apatite, spinel, sericite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and non-identified opaque minerals. The presence of apatite, sericite, and two generations of opaque minerals suggests that they might be affected by hydrothermal alteration. They are characterized by moderate Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, V, Zn, and Co contents with negative Eu- and Ce-anomalies. The sulfur concentrations are variable (380–1710 ppm). According to the sulfur contents, amphibolites can be grouped into two: amphibolites with low contents, ranging between 380 and 520 ppm (av. = 457 ppm); and amphibolites with elevated contents, varying from 1140 to 1710 ppm (av. = 1370 ppm). Amphibolites contain contrast amounts of Cu (∼ 1800 to 5350 ppm) while nickel contents attain 121 ppm. Chromium contents vary from 43 to 194 ppm. Sulfur correlates positively with Cu and Cr, but negatively with Ni and Ni/Cr ratio. The total Au-PGE contents attain 59 ppb.The presence of amphibole and feldspars confirms the low degree of amphibolite weathering. The secondary minerals are constituted of kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite. Despite the accumulation of some elements, the major and trace element distribution is quite similar to that of fresh amphibolites. Nevertheless, the weathering processes lead to the depletion of several elements such as S (239–902 ppm), Cu (520–2082 ppm), and Ni (20–114 ppm). Chromium and Au-PGE show an opposite trend marked by a slight enrichment in the weathered amphibolites. Amidst the Au-PGE, Pd (60 ppb) and Pt (23 ppb) have elevated contents in the fresh rocks as well as in the weathered materials. The PPGE contents are much higher than IPGE contents in both types of materials. The Pd/Pt, Pd/Rh, Pd/Ru, Pd/Ir, Pd/Os, and Pd/Au values indicate that Pt, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os and Au are more mobile than Pd. Chondrite-normalized base metal patterns confirm the abundance of Pd and the slight enrichment of Au-PGE in weathered rocks. Palladium, Rh and Ir are positively correlated with S. Conversely Pt and Ru are negatively correlated with S and Au is not correlated with S. Despite the high and variable S and Cu contents, the garnet amphibolites possess low Au-PGE and other base metals contents.     

Geochemical Fingerprint and Iron Ore Potential of the Siliceous Itabirite from Palaeoproterozoic Nyong Series,Zambi Area,Southwestern Cameroon

The study area forms part of an emerging iron ore province of southern Cameroon. Geochemistry analyses reveal that the siliceous itabirite has a very simple chemical composition, with Fe₂O₃ and SiO₂ representing more than 96 wt.% of the average composition; suggesting chemical precipitates of silica and iron. Low Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ concentrations and a weak positive correlation between them point to a minor detrital component in the precipitated marine sediments. The Si/Al ratio (average 52.7) indicates the hydrothermal origin of the studied itabirite. The Al–Si discrimination diagram supports this interpretation through the plot of all data in the hydrothermal field. The studied samples have low iron content (about 39.32% Fe), high gangue content (40.97% SiO₂ and 1.3 % Al₂O₃) and low concentration of the deleterious elements (0.16 % P and < 0.01% S). The main gangue mineral is silica which can be efficiently removed from iron ores during preparation of raw materials for the blast furnace process. According to commercial standards for crude iron ores, it may be concluded that the Zambi iron ores are a low‐grade magnetic ore that can be profitably exploited for the production of iron for steel production.     

Petrological and Geochemical Constraints on the Protoliths of Serpentine‐Magnetite Ores in the Zhaoanzhuang Iron Deposit,Southern North China Craton

The uncommon Mg-rich and Ti-poor Zhaoanzhuang serpentine-magnetite ores within Taihua Group of the North China Craton(NCC) remain unclear whether the protolith was sourced from ultramafic rocks or chemical sedimentary sequences. Here we present integrated petrographic and geochemical studies to characterize the protoliths and to gain insights on the ore-forming processes. Iron ores mainly contain low-Ti magnetite(TiO_2 ~0.1 wt%) and serpentine(Mg#=92.42–96.55), as well as residual olivine(Fo=89–90), orthopyroxene(En=89–90) and hornblende. Magnetite in the iron ores shows lower Al, Sc, Ti, Cr, Zn relative to that from ultramafic Fe-Ti-V iron ores, but similar to that from metamorphic chemical sedimentary iron deposit. In addition, interstitial minerals of dolomite, calcite, apatite and anhydrite are intergrown with magnetite and serpentine, revealing they were metamorphic, but not magmatic or late hydrothermal minerals. Wall rocks principally contain magnesian silicates of olivine(Fo=83–87), orthopyroxene(En=82–86), humite(Mg#=82–84) and hornblende [XMg=0.87–0.96]. Dolomite, apatite and anhydrite together with minor magnetite, thorianite(Th-rich oxide) and monazite(LREE-rich phosphate) are often seen as relicts or inclusions within magnesian silicates in the wall rocks, revealing that they were primary or earlier metamorphic minerals than magnesian silicates. And olivine exists as subhedral interstitial texture between hornblende, which shows later formation of olivine than hornblende and does not conform with sequence of magmatic crystallization. All these mineralogical features thus bias towards their metamorphic, rather than magmatic origin. The dominant chemical components of the iron ores are SiO_2(4.77–25.23 wt%), Fe_2O_3 T(32.9–80.39 wt%) and MgO(5.72–27.17 wt%) and uniformly, those of the wall rocks are also SiO_2(16.34–48.72 wt%), Mg O(16.71–33.97 wt%) and Fe_2O_3 T(6.98–30.92 wt%). The striking high Fe-Mg-Si contents reveal that protolith of the Zhaoanzhuang iron deposit was more likely to be chemical sedimentary rocks. The distinct high-Mg feature and presence of abundant anhydrite possibly indicate it primarily precipitated in a confined seawater basin under an evaporitic environment. Besides, higher contents of Al, Ti, P, Th, U, Pb, REE relative to other Precambrian iron-rich chemical precipitates(BIF) suggest some clastic terrestrial materials were probably input. As a result, we think the Zhaoanzhuang iron deposit had experienced the initial Fe-Mg-Si marine precipitation, followed by further Mg enrichment through marine evaporated process, subsequent high-grade metamorphism and late-stage hydrothermal fluid modification.     

Geochemical Constraints on the Origin of the Ni–Cu Sulfide Ores in the Tejadillas Prospect (Cortegana Igneous Complex,SW Spain)

After the discovery of the Aguablanca ore deposit (the unique Ni–Cu mine operating in SW Europe), a number of mafic‐ultramafic intrusions bearing Ni–Cu magmatic sulfides have been found in the Ossa–Morena Zone of the Iberian Massif (SW Iberian Peninsula). The Tejadillas prospect is one of these intrusions, situated close to the border between the Ossa–Morena Zone and the South Portuguese Zone of the Iberian Massif. This prospect contains an average grade of 0.16 wt % Ni and 0.08 wt % Cu with peaks of 1.2 wt % Ni and 0.2 wt % Cu. It forms part of the Cortegana Igneous Complex, a group of small mafic‐ultramafic igneous bodies located 65 km west of the Aguablanca deposit. In spite of good initial results, exploration work has revealed that sulfide mineralization is much less abundant than in Aguablanca. A comparative study using whole‐rock geochemical data between Aguablanca and Tejadillas shows that the Tejadillas igneous rocks present a lower degree of crustal contamination than those of Aguablanca. The low crustal contamination of the Tejadillas magmas inhibited the assimilation of significant amounts of crustal sulfur to the silicate magmas, resulting in the sparse formation of sulfides. In addition, Tejadillas sulfides are strongly depleted in PGE, with total PGE contents ranging from 14 to 81 ppb, the sum of Pd and Pt, since Os, Ir, Ru and Rh are usually below or close to the detection limit (2 ppb). High Cu/Pd ratios (9700–146,000) and depleted mantle‐normalized PGE patterns suggest that the Tejadillas sulfides formed from PGE‐depleted silicate magmas. Modeling has led us to establish that these sulfides segregated under R‐factors between 1000 and 10,000 from a silicate melt that previously experienced 0.015% of sulfide extraction. All these results highlight the importance of contamination processes with S‐rich crustal rocks and multiple episodes of sulfide segregations in the genesis of high‐tenor Ni–Cu–PGE ore deposits in mafic‐ultramafic intrusions of the region.     

Mineralogical and Geochemical Constraints on the Genesis of the Carbonate‐Hosted Jebel Ghozlane Pb–Zn Deposit (Nappe Zone,Northern Tunisia)

The Pb–Zn deposit at Jebel Ghozlane, in the Nappe zone (northern Tunisia), is hosted by Triassic dolostones and Eocene limestones and is located along faults and a thrust‐sheet boundary. The sulfide mineralization of the deposit consists mainly of galena and sphalerite and occurs as vein, stockwork, breccia, dissemination and replacement ores. Three hydrothermal stages are involved in the formation of the ores: stage I is dominated by celestite‐barite, hydrothermal dolomite DII, colloform sphalerite, and galena I; stage II consist of galena II; and stage III contains calcite. Galena in the deposit yielded average ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.705, 15.667 and 38.734, respectively, suggesting a single upper crustal source reservoir for metals. Trace element data indicate the presence of Zn‐ and As‐free galena and As‐rich galena (with 0.2–0.5% As). Sphalerite contains 0.4% As, 0.7–0.9% Cd and 0.1–1.5% Fe. Microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in celestite shows that the deposit formed from fluids composed of heterogeneous mixtures of saline (19.5 ± 1 wt% NaCl eq.) aqueous solutions sourced from basinal brines, and gaseous CO₂‐rich phases bearing low amounts of CH₄, N₂ and/or H₂S, at temperatures of 172 ± 5°C.     

Ore Geology,Fluid Inclusion,and S‐ and Pb‐Isotopic Constraints on the Genesis of the Chitudian Zn‐Pb Deposit,Southern Margin of the North China Craton

The Chitudian Zn‐Pb ore deposit, Luanchuan, Henan province, was recently discovered in the southern margin of the North China Craton. The Zn‐Pb orebodies are hosted in the Proterozoic Guandaokou and Luanchuan Groups, occurring as veins in interbedding fracture zones mainly in a WNW‐ and partially in a NS‐direction. The Zn‐Pb ores are characterized by banded, massive, and breccia structures, coarse crystal grains, and a simple mineral composition mainly of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, dolomite, and calcite. In addition to the vein type orebodies, there are Mo‐ and Zn‐bearing skarn orebodies in the northwest of the Chitudian ore field. Four types of primary fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite were recognized in the Chitudian Zn‐Pb ores, including aqueous, aqueous‐CO₂, daughter‐mineral‐bearing aqueous, and daughter‐mineral‐bearing aqueous‐CO₂ inclusions, with aqueous inclusion being most common. The homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions from the main mineralization stage are from 290°C to 340°C, and the salinities mainly from 3.7 to 14.8 wt% NaCl equivalent. In addition to CO₂, CH₄ and H₂S were detected in the vapor phase and HS^‐ in the liquid phase of the fluid inclusions by Laser Raman spectroscopy. The δ³⁴S_V‐CDT values of ore sulfides from the Chitudian deposit range from ?0.32‰ to 8.30‰, and show two modal peaks in the histogram, one from 1‰ to 4‰, and the other from 5‰ to 7‰. The former peak is similar to that of porphyry‐type Mo‐W deposits in the area, whereas the latter is relatively close to the sulfur in the strata. The ore sulfur may have been derived from both the magma and the strata. The Pb‐isotopic compositions of the ore minerals from Chitudian, with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 17.005 to l7.953, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 15.414 to 15.587, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 37.948 to 39.036, are similar to those of Mesozoic porphyries in the Chitudian ore field, suggesting that the ore‐forming metals were mainly derived from the Mesozoic magmatic intrusions. The Chitudian Zn‐Pb deposit is interpreted to be a distal hydrothermal vein‐type deposit, which was genetically related to the proximal, skarn‐type Mo ore deposits in the region.     

Diachronous evolution of volcano-sedimentary basins north of the Congo craton: Insights from U–Pb ion microprobe dating of zircons from the Poli, Lom and Yaoundé Groups (Cameroon)

Ion microprobe U–Pb dating of zircons from Neoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequences in Cameroon north of the Congo craton is presented. For the Poli basin, the depositional age is constrained between 700–665 Ma; detrital sources comprise ca. 920, 830, 780 and 736 Ma magmatic zircons. In the Lom basin, the depositional age is constrained between 613 and 600 Ma, and detrital sources include Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic, late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic (1100–950 Ma), and Neoproterozoic (735, 644 and 613 Ma) zircons. The Yaoundé Group is probably younger than 625 Ma, and detrital sources include Palaeoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic zircons. The depositional age of the Mahan metavolcano-sedimentary sequence is post-820 Ma, and detrital sources include late Mesoproterozoic (1070 Ma) and early Neoproterozoic volcanic rocks (824 Ma). The following conclusions can be made from these data. (1) The three basins evolved during the Pan-African event but are significantly different in age and tectonic setting; the Poli is a pre- to syn-collisional basin developed upon, or in the vicinity of young magmatic arcs; the Lom basin is post-collisional and intracontinental and developed on old crust; the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Yaoundé Group resulted from rapid tectonic burial and subsequent collision between the Congo craton and the Adamawa–Yade block. (2) Late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic inheritance reflects the presence of magmatic event(s) of this age in west–central Africa.     

Geochemical Constraints on the Origin and Evolution of Spring Waters in the Changdu‐Lanping‐Simao Basin,Southwestern China

Chemical and isotopic data were measured for 51 leached brine springs in the Changdu-Lanping-Simao Basin (CD-LP-SM), China. The predominance of Cl and Na, saturation indices of carbonate minerals, and Na/Cl and Ca/SO4 ratios of ~1 suggest that halite, sulphate, and carbonate are the solute sources. Integration of geochemical, δ18O, and δD values suggests that springs are mainly derived from meteoric water, ice-snow melt, and water-rock interactions. B concentrations range from 0.18 to 11.9 mg/L, with δ11B values of ?4.37‰ to +32.39‰, indicating a terrestrial source. The δ11B-B relationships suggest B sources of crustal origin (marine carbonates with minor crust-derived volcanics); we did not identify a marine or deep mantle origin. The δ11B values of saline springs (+4.61‰ to +32.39‰) exceed those of hot (?4.37‰ to +4.53‰) and cold (?3.47‰ to +14.84‰) springs; this has contributed to strong water-rock interactions and strong saturation of dissolved carbonates. Conversely, the global geothermal δ11B-Cl/B relationship suggests mixing of marine and non-marine sources. The δ11B-Cl/B relationships of the CD-LP-SM are similar to those of the Tibet geothermal belt and the Nangqen Basin, indicating the same B origin. These differ from thermal waters controlled by magmatic fluids and seawater, suggesting that B in CD-LP-SM springs has a crustal origin.     

华北克拉通南缘太华群铁山庙铁矿床沉积时代的约束——锆石U-Pb定年及Hf同位素证据

华北克拉通南缘舞阳地区分布有大型铁矿床,赋存于早前寒武纪的太华群变质岩系中。铁山庙铁矿床在舞阳铁矿区分布广泛,大小矿体包括经山寺、冷岗、铁山庙、铁古坑以及岗庙刘等,产出层位为铁山庙组。近年来对铁山庙铁矿床的研究程度较高,不少学者认为其为Superior BIF型铁矿床,但是对于铁山庙铁矿床原始沉积年龄显见报道。本文通过选取穿切铁古坑铁矿体的混合岩化钾长花岗岩以及矿体顶板围岩辉石黑云斜长片麻岩为研究对象,利用SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年以及原位Hf同位素测试分析技术,以此来约束铁山庙铁矿床沉积时代的上限和下限。结果显示,两个样品中的锆石均记录了两组年龄数据,且在误差范围内明显具有一致性。较老一组~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb年龄为2463~2478Ma,较新一组为1918~1961Ma。此外,混合岩化花岗岩中较老锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)变化范围为-6.96~-12.83,较新锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)为-7.19~-15.75,两类锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)值变化范围相似,说明较老锆石为继承锆石,其年龄可能代表源区岩石的形成时代,而较新锆石为变质锆石,代表深熔作用锆石发生重结晶作用的时间,即混合岩化花岗岩的形成时代;辉石黑云斜长片麻岩中较老一组锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)值为-0.55~2.75,较新一组锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)为-5~-10.06,两类锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)值差别很明显,较老一组锆石是碎屑锆石,其年龄可以约束原岩沉积的最大年龄,而较新一组锆石为变质增生成因,其年龄代表了岩石经历的一期变质事件。综合分析,铁山庙铁矿床的沉积时代可以约束在2.46~1.96Ga之间,很可能在2.3Ga左右,之后于~1.96Ga经历了强烈的区域变质作用。     

Derivation of detrital rutile in the Yaoundé region from the Neoproterozoic Pan-African belt in southern Cameroon (Central Africa)

Rutile, as an important component in alluvial or eluvial heavy mineral deposits, is known in southern Cameroon. These deposits are underlain by the Neoproterozoic low- to high-grade Yaoundé Group. Geochemical, thermometric, fluid inclusion and Pb isotopic studies of the rutile from alluvial and eluvial concentrates and from medium-grade micaschist from the nearby Yaoundé region permit the following conclusions: (1) alluvial and eluvial rutile of the Yaoundé region are derived from the degradation of metapelites, metamafic rocks and pegmatites of the nearby Yaoundé Group; (2) rutile in the Yaoundé Group formed during the Pan-African metamorphism, or was inherited as detrital rutile from a 900 Ma source. The study also shows that the rutile can be used to trace the history of the Pan-African belt north of the Congo craton.     

U–Pb zircon and microfabric data of (meta) granitoids of western Cameroon: Constraints on the timing of pluton emplacement and deformation in the Pan-African belt of central Africa

Striking characteristics of the western Neoproterozoic belt of Cameroon (NFBC) are the large volume of granitoids and crustal-scale shear zones. New structural and geochronological data from this area are provided to put constraints on the tectonic evolution of this segment of the belt and to make further correlations between major shear zones exposed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Three different complexes have been identified in the study area: the migmatitic complex of Foumbot (MCF), the metagranitoid complex of Bangwa (BC), and the Batié pluton (BP). The MCF was intruded by the BC, while the BP cuts through the BC. U–Pb zircon dating of metaleucogranite and metagranodiorite of the BC yielded concordant to subconcordant ages of 638 ± 2 Ma and 637 ± 5 Ma, respectively. A concordant U–Pb zircon age of 602 ± 1.4 Ma has been obtained from porphyrogranite of the BP. These ages are interpreted as emplacement ages. Continuous deformation from magmatic to solid-state flow along the BP margins and the (sub)parallelism of the steep solid-state foliation in the BP margins with the foliation in the surrounding BC and MFC suggest synkinematic emplacement of the BP along crustal-scale NNE to ENE-trending strike–slip shear zones. Subhorizontal foliations in migmatitic-gneiss xenoliths found in the BC suggest that the major transcurrent motion was preceded by thrusting.

The new data confirm previous assumptions that the western NFBC is equivalent to parts of the Borborema province of Brazil. There are geochronological correlations between the studied (meta)granitoids and Brasiliano pre- to syn-transcurrent granitoids of the Borborema province.     

Alpine tectono‐metamorphic history of the continental units from Vardar zone: the Kopaonik Metamorphic Complex (Dinaric‐Hellenic belt,Serbia)

The easternmost zone of the Dinaric‐Hellenic belt is represented by the Vardar Zone, in which the Kopaonik Metamorphic Complex (KMC) is regarded as the lowermost unit. This complex is topped by the unmetamorphosed Brzece unit and is intruded by the Oligocene Kopaonik Intrusive complex. The KMC is characterized by a stratigraphy that includes metapelites and meta‐carbonates of Late Triassic age, associated with metabasites. It is characterized by a complex deformation history that comprises four phases: D1 to D4. The D1 phase structures occur only as relict structures, whereas the D2 phase structures are represented by isoclinal F2 folds, associated with a well‐developed S2 foliation. The estimated P‐T conditions for the D1 and D2 metamorphism are consistent with the upper greenschist facies. The D3 phase is characterized by west‐verging thrusts associated with upright folds. In contrast, the D4 phase is characterized by open folds (F4) associated with low‐angle normal faults. The D1 and D2 deformation phases developed during the shortening related to continental collision, whereas the subsequent D3 and D4 phases can be related to the progressive exhumation of the KMC. The D4 phase probably developed during extensional tectonics during and after emplacement of the Kopaonik Intrusive Complex. The data show that the continental units belonging to the Vardar zone had a long‐lived deformation history that was more complex that previously thought. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A pyroxene-bearing meta-ironstone and other pyroxene-granulites from Tonagh Island, Enderby Land, Antarctica: further evidence for very high temperature (> 980°C) Archaean regional metamorphism in the Napier Complex

Abstract A suite of granulites including a meta-ironstone, pyroxenites, and spinel-lherzolites from East Tonagh Island, Enderby Land, Antarctica, preserve exsolution-recry-stallization features consistent with a shared metamorphic evolution that involves marked cooling from initial metamorphic temperatures of nearly 1000°C. Reintegrated pre-exsolution and pre-reaction grain compositions in the meta-ironstone indicate the former coexistence of metamorphic pigeonite (Wo₁₂En₃₈Fs₅₀) and ferroaugite (Wo₃₅En₃₁Fs₃₄) at temperatures in excess of 980°C for pressures of 7 kbar (0.7 GPa) using pyroxene quadrilateral thermometry (Lindsley, 1983). Intra-grain lamellae relationships indicate the exsolution of a second pigeonite (Wo₁₂En₃₅Fs₅₃) from the ferroaugite at temperatures in the range 930–970°C, prior to the c. 720–600°C exsolution of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene (100) lamellae and later partial recrystallization at similar temperatures. Although pyroxenitic and iherzolitic granulites preserve a much less complete history, reintegrated porphyroclast compositions in these yield temperature estimates which approach those inferred from the metaironstone. Pyroxene thermometry based on neoblast compositions suggests that recrystallization post-dating a late, low intensity, deformation phase (D3) occurred at temperatures greater than 600°C. These results are consistent with the independent evidence obtained from studies of metapelitic and felsic rock types for very high temperature metamorphism throughout the Napier Complex followed by near-isobaric cooling and later deformation under lower-grade granulite facies conditions. Comparison with similar pyroxene data from Fyfe Hills (Sandiford & Powell, 1986) demonstrates further the regional significance of these high temperatures, and implies broadly isothermal metamorphic conditions over a large area (～ 5000 km²) and thickness (6–9 km) of lower crust at c. 3070 Ma.     

赞皇杂岩官都岩群时代与物源——来自黑云变粒岩与石英岩碎屑锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素与稀土元素组成的约束

官都岩群是华北克拉通中部造山带赞皇杂岩中重要的变质火山-沉积岩系,经历了高绿片岩相-高角闪岩相变质,准确限定其沉积时代与物质来源对探究中部造山带新太古代-古元古代构造演化过程具有重要意义。利用LA-MC-ICP-MS(多接收激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱仪)与TIMA(矿物自动分析系统)对官都岩群中黑云变粒岩与石英岩进行了锆石矿物包体、U-Pb-Hf同位素与稀土元素原位分析。根据碎屑锆石内部矿物包体组成、阴极发光图像特征与U-Pb年龄结果,认为黑云变粒岩与石英岩中碎屑锆石中最年轻一组的²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb谐和年龄分别为2 544 Ma或2 536 Ma,大致限定了其原岩的最老沉积时代,结合区内黄岔花岗岩岩体侵入官都岩群的野外地质关系,推测官都岩群沉积时代为新太古代末期,并非古元古代。官都岩群黑云变粒岩与石英岩碎屑锆石年龄图谱十分相似,最主要的峰值年龄为2 512 Ma,结合碎屑锆石内部矿物包体与结构特征,认为官都岩群主要物源为新太古代晚期中酸性岩浆岩。两阶段锆石Hf模式年龄揭示2 850～2 700 Ma为赞皇杂岩最强烈的地壳生长阶段。综合本文...     

Noble Gas and Stable Isotopic Constraints on the Origin of the Ag–Cu Polymetallic Ore Deposits in the Baiyangping Area,Yunnan Province,SW China

The Lanping basin, Yunnan province, SW China, is located at the juncture of the Eurasian and Indian Plates in the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. The Lanping basin, in the Sanjiang Tethyan metallogenic province, is a significant Cu–Ag–Zn–Pb mineralized belt in China that includes the largest sandstone‐hosted Zn–Pb deposit in the world, the Jinding deposit, as well as several Ag–Cu deposits (the Baiyangping and Jinman deposits). These deposits, with total reserves of over 16.0 Mt Pb + Zn, 0.6 Mt Cu, and 7,000 t Ag, are mainly hosted in Meso‐Cenozoic clastic rocks and are dominantly controlled by two Cenozoic thrust systems developed in the western and eastern segments of the basin. The Baiyangping, Babaoshan, and Hetaoqing ore deposits are representative of the epithermal base metal deposits in the Lanping basin. The microthermometric data show that the ore‐forming fluids for these deposits were low temperature (110–180 °C) and had bimodal distribution of salinity at moderate and mid to high salinities (approximately 2–8 wt.% and 18–26 wt.% NaCl equivalent). The C and O isotope data indicate that the ore‐forming fluids were related to hot basin brines. We present new He and Ar isotope data on volatiles released from fluid inclusions contained in sulfides and in barite in these three deposits. ³He/⁴He ratios of the ore‐forming fluids are 0.01 to 0.14 R/Ra with a mean of 0.07 Ra (where R is the ³He/⁴He ratio and Ra is the ratio for atmospheric helium). This mean value is intermediate to typical ³He/⁴He ratios for the crust (R/Ra = 0.01 to 0.05) and the ratio for air‐saturated water (R/Ra = 1). The mean ratio is also significantly lower than the ratios found for mantle‐derived fluids (R/Ra = 6 to 9). The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios of the ore‐forming fluids range from 298 to 382 with a mean of 323. This value is slightly higher than that for the air‐saturated water (295.5). The ³He/⁴He ratios of fluids from the fluid inclusions imply that the ore‐forming fluid for the Baiyangping, Babaoshan, and Hetaoqing deposits was derived from the crust and that any mantle‐derived He was negligible. The content of the radiogenic Ar ranges between 0.2 to 20.4%, and the proportion of air‐derived ⁴⁰Ar averages 94.1%. This indicates that atmospheric Ar was important in the formation of these deposits but that some radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar was derived from crustal rocks. Based on these observations coupled with other geochemical evidence, we suggest that the ore‐forming fluids responsible for the formation of the Ag–Cu–Pb–Zn polymetallic ore deposits in the Baiyangping area of the Lanping basin were mainly derived from crustal fluids. The fluids may have mixed with some amount of air‐saturated water, but there was no significant involvement of mantle‐derived fluids.     

Petrology and geochronology of the Namche Barwa Complex in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, Tibet: Constraints on the origin and evolution of the north-eastern margin of the Indian Craton

The Namche Barwa Complex (NBC) in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, south Tibet, is generally interpreted as the north-eastern extremity of the exposed Greater Himalayan Sequence, comprising Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic sedimentary strata along the northern margin of the Indian continent. Field and petrological investigations indicate that the NBC consists mainly of orthogneiss, paragneiss, amphibolites and calc-silicate rocks. U-Pb zircon data demonstrate that the protoliths of the orthogneiss formed during late Paleoproterozoic at ca. 1610 Ma and also in early Paleozoic at ca. 490-500 Ma. The amphibolites were derived from mafic magmatic rocks formed during 1645 to 1590 Ma. Zircons in the paragneisses have highly variable inherited zircon ages ranging from the Neoarchean to early Paleozoic, with four major age populations of 2490 Ma, 1640 Ma, 990 Ma and 480 Ma. The calc-silicate rock has zircons with early Paleozoic metamorphic age of 538 Ma. Almost all the rocks of the NBC have been metamorphosed during Cenozoic with the metamorphic zircon U-Pb ages ranging from 8 to 30 Ma and a peak at 23 Ma. These, together with previous results suggest that the NBC was originally derived from an Andean-type orogeny following the Columbia supercontinent assembly, and experienced multiple reworking during the Grenvillian, Pan-African and Himalayan orogenies. We conclude that the NBC in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis was derived from different provenance and tectonic setting as compared to those of the Greater Himalayan Sequence which constitutes the high-grade metamorphic core of the western and central Himalayan orogenic belt. We thus infer that the NBC was originally part of the eastern segment of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone.     

Ore Genesis for Stratiform Ore Bodies of the Dongfengnanshan Copper Polymetallic Deposit in the Yanbian Area, NE China：Constraints from LA-ICP-MS in situ Trace Elements and Sulfide S–Pb Isotopes

The Dongfengnanshan Cu polymetallic deposit is one representative deposit of the Tianbaoshan ore district in the Yanbian area, northeast(NE) China. There occur two types of ore bodies in this deposit, the stratiform ore bodies and veintype ones, controlled by the Early Permian strata and the Late Hercynian diorite intrusion, respectively. Due to the ambiguous genetic type of the stratiform ore bodies, there has been controversy on the relationship between them and veintype ore bodies. To determine the genetic type of stratiform ore bodies, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS) in situ trace elements and S–Pb isotope analysis have been carried on the sulfides in the stratiform ore bodies. Compared with that in skarn, Mississippi Valley-type(MVT), and epithermal deposits, sphalerite samples in the stratiform ore bodies of the Dongfengnanshan deposit are significantly enriched in Fe, Mn, and In, while depleted in Ga, Ge, and Cd, which is similar to the sphalerite in volcanic-associated massive sulfide(VMS) deposits. Co/Ni ratio of pyrrhotites in the stratiform ore bodies is similar to that in VMS-type deposits. The concentrations of Zn and Cd of chalcopyrites are similar to those of recrystallized VMS-type deposits. These characteristics also reflect the intermediate ore-forming temperature of the stratiform ore bodies in this deposit. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides are similar to those of VMS-type deposits, reflecting that sulfur originated from the Permian Miaoling Formation. Lead isotope compositions indicate mixed-source for lead. Moreover, the comparison of the Dongfengnanshan stratiform ore bodies with some VMStype deposits in China and abroad, on the trace elements and S–Pb isotope characteristics of the sulfides reveals that the stratiform ore bodies of the Dongfengnanshan deposit belong to the VMS-type, and have closely genetic relationship with the early Permian marine volcanic sedimentary rocks.     

K-rich fluid metasomatism at high-pressure metamorphic conditions: Lawsonite decomposition in rodingitized ultramafite of the Maksyutovo Complex, Southern Urals (Russia)

Fine grained rodingite‐like rocks containing epidote, clinozoisite, garnet, chlorite, phengite and titanite occur within antigorite serpentinite boudins from the high‐pressure metamorphic Maksyutovo Complex in the Southern Urals. Pseudomorphs after lawsonite, resorption of garnet by chlorite and phengite and stoichiometry suggest the reaction lawsonite + garnet + K‐bearing fluid → clinozoisite + chlorite + phengite, and define a relic assemblage of lawsonite + garnet + chlorite + titanite ± epidote as well as a later post‐lawsonite assemblage of clinozoisite + phengite + chlorite + titanite. The reaction lawsonite + titanite → clinozoisite + rutile + pyrophyllite + H₂O delimits the maximum stability of former lawsonite + titanite to pressures >13 kbar. P–T conditions of 18–21 kbar/520–540 °C result, if the average chlorite, Mg‐rich garnet rim and average epidote compositions are used as equilibrium compositions of the former lawsonite assemblage. These estimates indicate a similar depth of formation but lower temperatures to those recorded in nearby eclogites. The metamorphic conditions of the lawsonite assemblage are considerably higher than previously suggested and, together with published structural data, support a model in which a normal fault within the Maksyutovo complex acted as the major transport plane of eclogite exhumation. The maximum Si content of phengite and minimum Fe content in clinozoisite constrain the metamorphic conditions of the later pseudomorph assemblage to be >4.5 kbar and <440 °C. Rb–Sr isotopic dating of the pseudomorph assemblage results in a formation age of 339 ± 6 and 338 ± 5 Ma, respectively. These results support the recent exhumation models for this complex.     

Destruction of the Northern Margin of the North China Craton in Mid‐Late Triassic: Evidence from Asthenosphere‐derived Mafic Enclaves in the Jiefangyingzi Granitic Pluton from the Chifeng Area,Southern Inner Mongolia

The petrology, geochronology and geochemistry of the mafic enclaves in the Mid-Late Triassic Jiefangyingzi pluton from Chifeng area, southern Inner Mongolia, in China are studied to reveal their petrogenetic relationship with the host pluton. Furthermore, the coeval magmatic assemblage and its petrogenesis on the northern margin of the North China craton(NCC) are studied synthetically to elucidate their tectonic setting and the implications for the destruction of the NCC. Zircon U-Pb dating reve...