Petrography, geochemistry, and geochronology of granitoid rocks in the Neoproterozoic-Paleozoic Lufilian–Zambezi belt, Zambia: Implications for tectonic setting and regional correlation

There are several pre-orogenic Neoproterozoic granitoid and metavolcanic rocks in the Lufilian–Zambezi belt in Zambia and Zimbabwe that are interpreted to have been emplaced in a continental-rift setting that is linked to the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent. However, no geochemical data were previously available for these rocks in the Zambian part of the belt to support this model. We conducted petrographic and whole-rock chemical analyses of the Neoproterozoic Nchanga Granite, Lusaka Granite, Ngoma Gneiss and felsic metavolcanic rocks from the Lufilian–Zambezi belt in Zambian, in order to evaluate their chemical characteristics and tectonic settings. Other magmatic rocks of importance for understanding the evolution of the belt in Zambia, included in this study, are the Mesoproterozoic Munali Hills Granite and associated amphibolites and the Mpande Gneiss. The Neoproterozoic rocks have monzogranitic compositions, aluminum-saturation indices (ASI) < 1.1, and high contents of high field strength elements (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE). The chondrite-normalised spider diagrams are similar to those of A-type granites from the Lachlan fold belt and show negative Sr, P, and Ti anomalies. On various tectonic discrimination diagrams the Neoproterozoic rocks plot mainly in A-type granite fields. These petrographic and trace element compositions indicate that these rocks are A-type felsic rocks, but they do not have features of granites and rhyolites emplaced in true continental-rift settings, as previously suggested. On the basis of the A-type features and independent regional geological and geochronological data, we suggest that the Neoproterozoic granitoid and felsic metavolcanic rocks were emplaced during the earliest extensional stages of continental rifting in the Lufilian–Zambezi belt. The apparent continental-arc like chemistry of the granitoid and felsic metavolcanic rocks is thus inferred to be inherited from calcalkaline sources. The Mesoproterozoic Munali Hills Granite and Mpande Gneiss have trace element features e.g., Nb–Ta depletions, which indicate that that these gneisses were emplaced in a convergent-margin setting. The MORB-normalised spider diagram of co-magmatic amphibolites exhibit a fractionated LILE/HFSE pattern recognized in subduction zones. This inference is consistent with remnants of ocean crust, juvenile Island arcs and ophiolites elsewhere in the Mesoproterozoic Irumide belt in Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, we report the first U–Pb zircon age of 1090.1 ± 1.3 Ma for the Munali Hills Granite. The age for the Munali Hills Granite provides new constraints on correlation and tectono-thermal activity in the Lufilian–Zambezi belt. The age of the Munali Hills Granite indicates that some supracrustal rocks in the Zambezi belt of Zambia, which were previously thought to be Neoproterozoic and correlated with the Katanga Supergroup in the Lufilian belt, are Mesoproterozoic or older. Consequently, previous regional lithostratigraphic correlations in the Lufilian–Zambezi belt would require revision.     

On the relation between ozone storage in the residual layer and daily variation in near-surface ozone concentration — A case study

Summary Numerous tethered balloon soundings which measured meteorological parameters and ozone concentration during the POLLUMET field experiments are investigated. They give indications of the influence of ozone conservation in the nocturnal residual layer (RL) on the development of the near surface ozone concentration of the next day. Mixing down from the RL to the surface is simulated by a simple model based on transilient turbulence theory, using measured profiles as initial values or model verification. The cases investigated show that the ozone mixed down from the RL contributes 50–70% to the maximum concentration near the surface on the following day, the rest coming from chemical production and possibly advection. Various features of exchange characteristics between the RL and the nocturnal boundary layer, (NBL) are described by the analysis of the soundings. It can be shown that the vertical exchange situation during the night can have a considerable influence on the ozone concentration of the following day.     

Petrography,geochemistry and geochronology of granite hosted rhyodacites associated with a disseminated pyrite mineralization (Arnolz,Southern Bohemian Massif,Austria)

Mineralogy and Petrology - The study focuses on a subvolcanic rhyodacite dyke intruding a fine grained biotite granite and paragneisses of the South Bohemian Massif, part of the Variscan Orogenic...     

U–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons from a contact metamorphic Brixen Quartzphyllite (South-Tyrol, Italy): evidence for a complex pre-Variscan evolution of the Southalpine basement

Laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb zircon geochronology of detrital zircons from a contact metamorphic sample of the Brixen Quartzphyllite from the innermost part of the contact aureole adjacent to the Brixen granodiorite yielded three different Precambrian concordia ages: zircon cores and an older generation of zircons give a maximum age of 2,023 ± 31 Ma, zircon rims and a younger generation of single grains yield a concordia age of 882 ± 19 Ma. A third generation of single zircon grains yields an age of 638 ± 20 Ma. In contrast to Austroalpine quartzphyllite complexes from the Eastern Alps neither Cambrian/Ordovician (570–450 Ma) nor Carboniferous (360–340 Ma) ages on single zircons have been observed so far in these samples. These ages provide evidence of a complex pre-Variscan evolution of the Southalpine basement since these data suggest a possible affinity of the Southalpine basement to Gondwana-related tectonic elements as well as to a possible Cadomian hinterland. This study shows that dating detrital zircons of the Brixen Quartzphyllites has great potential for providing age constraints on the complex geological evolution of the Southalpine basement.     

Magma hybridization in the Western Tatra Mts. granitoid intrusion (S-Poland, Western Carpathians)

In the Variscan Western Tatra granites hybridization phenomena such as mixing and mingling can be observed at the contact of mafic precursors of dioritic composition and more felsic granitic host rocks. The textural evidence of hybridization include: plagioclase?CK-feldspar?Csphene ocelli, hornblende- and biotite-rimmed quartz ocelli, plagioclase with Ca-rich spike zonation, inversely zoned K-feldspar crystals, mafic clots, poikilitic plagioclase and quartz crystals, mixed apatite morphologies, zoned K-feldspar phenocrysts. The apparent pressure range of the magma hybridization event was calculated at 6.1?kbar to 4.6?kbar, while the temperature, calculated by independent methods, is in the range of 810°C?770°C. U-Pb age data of the hybrid rocks were obtained by in-situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis of zircon. The oscillatory zoned zircon crystals yield a concordia age of 368?±?8?Ma (MSWD?=?1.1), interpreted as the age of magma hybridization and timing of formation of the magmatic precursors. It is the oldest Variscan magmatic event in that part of the Tatra Mountains.     

Survival of eclogite xenolith in a Cretaceous granite intruding the Central Dabieshan migmatite gneiss dome (Eastern China) and its tectonic implications

Investigation of an eclogite xenolith, discovered in a Cretaceous granite from the Central Domain of the Dabieshan massif in eastern China, yields new petrological insights into the high to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism, experienced by the Qinling-Dabie orogen. Prior to inclusion as a xenolith in the granite during the Early Cretaceous, this eclogite xenolith had recorded a complex metamorphic evolution that complies with subduction and exhumation processes experienced by the continental crust of the South China Block. Well-preserved mineral parageneses substantiate the prograde and retrograde stages revealed by inclusions in porphyroblastic garnet and zoned minerals such as garnet, omphacite and amphibole in the matrix. The relatively low P/T re-equilibration during a late metamorphic stage was textually inferred by the presence of aluminous and calcic-subcalcic amphiboles such as katophorite, edenite, taramite and pargasite as main matrix phases. According to our U/Pb, Rb/Sr and new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronological results, namely109 ± 1 and 112 ± 2 Ma plateau ages for muscovite and amphiboles, respectively, two successive but distinct cooling stages account for the thermal history of the granite–migmatite gneiss dome that forms the Central Dabieshan Domain. We argue that prior to the Cretaceous doming, the Central Dabieshan Domain experienced a tectono-metamorphic evolution similar to that observed in the high-pressure to ultra high-pressure units developed in the Southern Dabieshan Domain and Hong’an massif.     

Products of abiotic U(VI) reduction by biogenic magnetite and vivianite

Reductive immobilization of uranium by the stimulation of dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) has been investigated as a remediation strategy for subsurface U(VI) contamination. In those environments, DMRB may utilize a variety of electron acceptors, such as ferric iron which can lead to the formation of reactive biogenic Fe(II) phases. These biogenic phases could potentially mediate abiotic U(VI) reduction. In this work, the DMRB Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32 was used to synthesize two biogenic Fe(II)-bearing minerals: magnetite (a mixed Fe(II)-Fe(III) oxide) and vivianite (an Fe(II)-phosphate). Analysis of abiotic redox interactions between these biogenic minerals and U(VI) showed that both biogenic minerals reduced U(VI) completely. XAS analysis indicates significant differences in speciation of the reduced uranium after reaction with the two biogenic Fe(II)-bearing minerals. While biogenic magnetite favored the formation of structurally ordered, crystalline UO₂, biogenic vivianite led to the formation of a monomeric U(IV) species lacking U-U associations in the corresponding EXAFS spectrum. To investigate the role of phosphate in the formation of monomeric U(IV) such as sorbed U(IV) species complexed by mineral surfaces, versus a U(IV) mineral, uranium was reduced by biogenic magnetite that was pre-sorbed with phosphate. XAS analysis of this sample also revealed the formation of monomeric U(IV) species suggesting that the presence of phosphate hinders formation of UO₂. This work shows that U(VI) reduction products formed during in situ biostimulation can be influenced by the mineralogical and geochemical composition of the surrounding environment, as well as by the interfacial solute-solid chemistry of the solid-phase reductant.