Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes of the 780 Ma I-type granites in the western Yangtze Block: petrogenesis and crustal evolution

ABSTRACT

Neoproterozoic I-type granites could provide vital insights into the crust–mantle interaction and the crustal evolution along the western Yangtze Block, South China. This paper presents new zircon U–Pb ages, bulk-rock geochemistry, and in situ zircon Lu–Hf isotope on the Dalu I-type granites from the southwestern Yangtze Block. Zircon U–Pb dating show the crystallization ages of 781.1 ± 2.8 Ma for granodiorites and 779.8 ± 2.0 Ma for granites, respectively. The Dalu granodiorites are Na-rich, calc-alkaline, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.94–1.08). Zircons from granodiorite have positive εHf(t) values (+2.16 to +7.39) with crustal model ages of 1.21–1.54 Ga, indicating juvenile mafic lower crust source. The Dalu granites are high-K calc-alkaline, peraluminous rocks. They have variable zircon εHf(t) values (?4.65 to +5.80) with crustal model ages of 1.31–1.97 Ga, suggesting that they were derived from the mature metasediment-derived melts by the mixing of newly formed mafic lower crust-derived melts. The geochemical variations in Dalu pluton is dominated not only by the different source rocks but also by the different melting temperatures. Combining with the geochemistry and isotopic compositions of I-type granitoids and tectonic setting in the western Yangtze Block, we propose that the Dalu I-type granodiorites–granites associations are the magmatic response from different crustal levels, which were induced by the heat anomaly due to the asthenosphere upwelling in the subduction-related setting.     

Combined zircon and cassiterite U–Pb dating of the Piaotang granite-related tungsten–tin deposit,southern Jiangxi tungsten district,China

The large low-grade Piaotang W–Sn deposit in the southern Jiangxi tungsten district of the eastern Nanling Range, South China, is related to a hidden granite pluton of Jurassic age. The magmatic-hydrothermal system displays a zonation from an inner greisen zone to quartz veins and to peripheral veinlets/stringers (Five-floor zonation model). Most mineralization is in quartz veins with wolframite > cassiterite. The hidden granite pluton in underground exposures comprises three intrusive units, i.e. biotite granite, two-mica granite and muscovite granite. The latter unit is spatially associated with the W–Sn deposit.Combined LA-MC-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of igneous zircon and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of hydrothermal cassiterite are used to constrain the timing of granitic magmatism and hydrothermal mineralization. Zircon from the three granite units has a weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 159.8 ± 0.3 Ma (2 σ, MSWD = 0.3). The cathodoluminescence (CL) textures indicate that some of the cassiterite crystals from the wolframite-cassiterite quartz vein system have growth zonations, i.e. zone I in the core and zone II in the rim. Dating on cassiterite (zone II) yields a weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 159.5 ± 1.5 Ma (2 σ, MSWD = 0.4), i.e. the magmatic and hydrothermal systems are synchronous. This confirms the classical model of granite-related tin–tungsten mineralization, and is against the view of a broader time gap of >6 Myr between granite magmatism and W–Sn mineralization which has been previously proposed for the southern Jiangxi tungsten district. The elevated trace element concentrations of Zr, U, Nb, Ta, W and Ti suggest that cassiterite (zone II) formed in a high-temperature quartz vein system related to the Piaotang granite pluton.     

Jurassic–Cretaceous tectonic evolution of Southeast China: geochronological and geochemical constraints of Yanshanian granitoids

We report results of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry-based dating, as well as the analysis of bulk-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopes to address the genesis and tectonic settings of the Yanshanian granitoids in neighbouring sections of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Anhui provinces (the WZG region) within the Yangtze block. Geochronological results indicate that intense magmatic activity took place during Jurassic to Cretaceous time in the WZG region. Three episodes can be clearly distinguished by their bulk-rock geochemistry. (1) Early–Middle Jurassic granitoids (180–170 Ma) have high Sr and low Yb content, high ?_Nd(t) and low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, and weakly negative Eu anomalies. These granitoids are strongly enriched with LREE, Rb, K, and Th but are depleted of HREE, Nb, and Ta. (2) Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granitoids (165–140 Ma) have relatively low Sr and low Yb contents, as well as low ?_Nd(t) and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, with characteristics similar to those of the Early–Middle Jurassic granitoids in terms of the rare earth element and trace element patterns. (3) Early Cretaceous granitoids (140–120 Ma) have extremely low Sr and high Yb concentrations, as well as high SiO₂ but low MgO, CaO, and Al₂O₃ content, with strong negative anomalies in Eu, Ba, Sr, P, and Ti. These characteristics indicate that the WZG Jurassic granitoids were related to northwestward subduction of the Izanagi plate, whereas the Early Cretaceous granitoids formed in a within-plate extensional setting. The time of transition between the two tectonic environments can be constrained to ～140 Ma. This tectonic transition may be attributed to progressive slab roll-back of the Izanagi plate. The presence of two A-type granite belts in the WZG region probably reflects lithospheric thinning. The NE trend of the A-type granite belts indicates that this extension in Southeast China was controlled by underflow of the Izanagi plate.     

Variation of reactivity of particulate and sedimentary organic matter along the Zhujiang River Estuary

To investigate organic matter source and reactivity in the Zhujiang River (Pearl River)Estuary and its adjacent areas, particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate hydrolysable amino acids (PHAA), and Chl a during two cruises in July 1999 and July 2000 were measured. The highest POC and PHAA concentration was observed in the waters with maximum Chl a. The spectra distribution,relative content (dry weight in milligram per gram), PHAA-C% POC and other indicators such as the ratios of amino acids vs. amino sugars (AA/AS) and glucosamine vs. galactosamine (Glum/Gal) suggested that particulate amino acids in the water column and sediments in the Zhujiang River Estuary were mainly derived from biogenic processes rather than transported from terrestrial erosion. In inner estuary where high turbidity was often observable, organic matter was mainly contributed by re-suspension of bottom sediments with revealed zooplankton, microbial reworked characteristics, which suggest that these organic matters were relatively “old“. In the estuarine brackish region, organic matter in water column is mainly contributed by relatively fresh, easily degradable phytoplankton derived organic matter.During physical - biological processes within the eastuary, organic matter derived from phytoplankton was subjected to alteration by zooplankton grazing and bacterial reworking.     

Preservation of coal-waste geochemical markers in vegetation and soil on self-heating coal-waste dumps in Silesia,Poland

Occurrence and distributions of geochemical markers on vegetation and in soils covering two self-heating coal waste dumps were investigated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and compared with those of bitumen expelled on the coal waste dump surface. Presence of biomarkers, alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and such polar compounds as phenols indicate that components of self-heating coal wastes indeed migrate to soils and plants surface and their characteristic fingerprints can be applied in passive monitoring to investigate migration of contaminants from self-heating coal wastes. Moreover, results allow to discriminate between the Upper- and Lower Silesian coal basins, notwithstanding value shifts caused by heating. Mechanisms enabling the migration of geochemical compounds into soils include mixing with weathered coal-waste material, transport in gases emitted due to self-heating and, indirectly, by deposition of biomass containing geochemical substances. Transport in gases involves mostly lighter compounds such as phenols, methylnaphthalenes, methylbiphenyls, etc. Distributions and values of geochemical ratios are related to differences in their boiling temperatures in the case of lighter compounds but preserve geochemical features in the case of heavier compounds such as pentacyclic trierpanes.     

Geochronology and fluid inclusion study of the Yinjiagou porphyry–skarn Mo–Cu–pyrite deposit in the East Qinling orogenic belt,China

The Yinjiagou Mo–Cu–pyrite deposit of Henan Province is located in the Huaxiong block on the southern margin of the North China craton. It differs from other Mo deposits in the East Qingling area because of its large pyrite resource and complex associated elements. The deposit’s mineralization process can be divided into skarn, sulfide, and supergene episodes with five stages, marking formation of magnetite in the skarn episode, quartz–molybdenite, quartz–calcite–pyrite–chalcopyrite–bornite–sphalerite, and calcite–galena–sphalerite in the sulfide episode, and chalcedony–limonite in the supergene episode. Re–Os and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating indicates that both the skarn-type and porphyry-type orebodies of the Yinjiagou deposit formed approximately 143 Ma ago during the Early Cretaceous. Four types of fluid inclusions (FIs) have been distinguished in quartz phenocryst, various quartz veins, and calcite vein. Based on petrographic observations and microthermometric criteria the FIs include liquid-rich, gas-rich, H₂O–CO₂, and daughter mineral-bearing inclusions. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz phenocrysts of K-feldspar granite porphyry ranges from 341 °C to >550 °C, and the salinity is 0.4–44.0 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–molybdenite veins is 382–416 °C, and the salinity is 3.6–40.8 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–calcite–pyrite–chalcopyrite–bornite–sphalerite ranges from 318 °C to 436 °C, and the salinity is 5.6–42.4 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–molybdenite stockworks is in a range of 321–411 °C, and the salinity is 6.3–16.4 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–sericite–pyrite is in a range of 326–419 °C, and the salinity is 4.7–49.4 wt% NaCl eqv. The ore-forming fluids of the Yinjiagou deposit are mainly high-temperature, high-salinity fluids, generally with affinities to an H₂O–NaCl–KCl ± CO₂ system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O values of ore-forming hydrothermal fluids are 4.0–8.6‰, and the δD_V-SMOW values are between −64‰ and −52‰, indicating that the ore-forming fluids were primarily magmatic. The δ³⁴S_V-CDT values of sulfides range between −0.2‰ and 6.3‰ with a mean of 1.6‰, sharing similar features with deeply sourced sulfur, implying that the sulfur mainly came from the lower crust composed of poorly differentiated igneous materials, but part of the heavy sulfur came from the Guandaokou Group dolostone. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values of sulfides are in the range of 17.331–18.043, 15.444–15.575, and 37.783–38.236, respectively, which is generally consistent with the Pb isotopic signature of the Yinjiagou intrusion, suggesting that the Pb chiefly originated from the felsic–intermediate intrusive rocks in the mine area, with a small amount of lead from strata. The Yinjiagou deposit is a porphyry–skarn deposit formed during the Mesozoic transition of a tectonic regime that is EW-trending to NNE-trending, and the multiepisode boiling of ore-forming fluids was the primary mechanism for mineral deposition.     

Chemical geodynamics of Western Anatolia

We report major and trace element concentrations and Nd–Sr–Pb isotopic data of 10 post-collisional volcanic domains in Western Anatolia, a seismically active part of the Alpine–Himalayan belt in the Aegean extensional province. Our objective is to provide geochemical constraints for tectono-magmatic processes shaping the late Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of Western Anatolia.

Calc-alkaline volcanic rocks occurring to the north of the Izmir–Ankara–Erzincan suture zone show arc-like trace elements and isotopes and were formed by the melting of the metasomatized Neotethyan mantle-wedge; this process was facilitated by asthenospheric upwelling resulting from slab delamination. Calc-alkaline and alkaline volcanic rocks from within the Izmir–Ankara–Erzincan suture zone also show the imprint of subduction fluids in their major and trace elements, but their isotopic compositions indicate derivation from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle followed by assimilation of ancient crust. Volcanics along the N–S-oriented Kirka–Afyon–Isparta trend were derived from the lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized by fluids from the older subduction of the African plate. Golcuk–Isparta volcanic rocks show an asthenospheric imprint; the latter was a consequence of upwelling following a tear in the subducting African lithosphere. Shoshonitic Kula volcanic rocks show very high trace element concentrations, OIB mantle-like trace elements, and Nd–Sr–Pb isotopic signatures, and were formed by partial melting of the upwelling asthenospheric mantle; this event was synchronous with the Aegean extension and possibly also with slab window formation due to ruptures in the African plate.

Inherent in the above chemical geodynamic models are the high ?_Nd(0) values (+6.4) of the end-member volcanic rocks, implying the presence of an asthenospheric source beneath Western Anatolia that is responsible for the currently observed high heat flow, low Pn wave velocities, high seismicity, and tectonic activity.     

Subduction-related 200 Ma Talun metagranite,SE Taiwan: an age constraint for palaeo-Pacific plate subduction beneath South China Block during the Mesozoic

Various tectonic models have been proposed to account for the widely distributed igneous activities in the southeastern part of the South China Block (SCB) during the Triassic–Jurassic period. One of the major contending debates is on the timing of initiation of the palaeo-Pacific plate subduction under the SCB, due to lack of unequivocal evidence for arc magmatism during the period in this region.

The 191 ± 10 Ma (N = 5, MSWD = 12) calc-alkalic high-K I-type Talun metagranite occurs in the southern Tailuko belt of the Tananao metamorphic complex, Taiwan. In terms of age, this metagranite belongs to the Early Yanshanian igneous activity in the southeastern part of the SCB. However, its geographic position does not accord with the well-known general oceanward younging trend of the Yansnanian igneous rocks. In view of the large age uncertainty reported, this metagranite is redated in this study. Some zircons of this metagranite are high in U content and are metamict. Zircons with low U contents are analysed by SHRIMP yielding a more precise age of 200 ± 2 Ma (N = 10, MSWD = 4). In particular, the εHf(t) of these dated zircons ranges from +4.5 to +12.9. The metagranite mainly consists of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, with minor amounts of garnet, biotite, zircon, apatite, and pyrrhotite. Chlorite and calcite are secondary phases overprinted by the later tectonic event(s). Its initial Sr isotope compositional range is 0.70473–0.70588, and εNd(t), +2.4 to +3.6. The results demonstrate that the genesis of this metagranite could be attributed to the assimilation-fractionation of a depleted mantle-derived basaltic magma, which was most likely related to arc magmatism. The present study therefore offers key evidence that during the Mesozoic, the palaeo-Pacific plate subduction underneath the SCB would have taken place no later than the very early Jurassic.     

Future Changes in Extreme High Temperature over China at 1.5℃-5℃ Global Warming Based on CMIP6 Simulations

Extreme high temperature(EHT)events are among the most impact-related consequences related to climate change,especially for China,a nation with a large population that is vulnerable to the climate warming.Based on the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6),this study assesses future EHT changes across China at five specific global warming thresholds(1.5℃-5℃).The results indicate that global mean temperature will increase by 1.5℃/2℃ before 2030/2050 relative to pre-industrial levels(1861-1900)under three future scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5),and warming will occur faster under SSP5-8.5 compared to SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5.Under SSP5-8.5,global warming will eventually exceed 5℃ by 2100,while under SSP1-2.6,it will stabilize around 2℃ after 2050.In China,most of the areas where warming exceeds global average levels will be located in Tibet and northern China(Northwest China,North China and Northeast China),covering 50%-70%of the country.Furthermore,about 0.19-0.44 billion people(accounting for 16%-41%of the national population)will experience warming above the global average.Compared to present-day(1995-2014),the warmest day(TXx)will increase most notably in northern China,while the number of warm days(TX90p)and warm spell duration indicator(WSDI)will increase most profoundly in southern China.For example,relative to the present-day,TXx will increase by 1℃-5℃ in northern China,and TX90p(WSDI)will increase by 25-150(10-80)days in southern China at 1.5℃-5℃ global warming.Compared to 2℃-5℃,limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will help avoid about 36%-87%of the EHT increases in China.     

King Canute muses in the South Seas: Why aren’t Pacific Islands transitioning to low carbon sea transport futures?

Transition to low carbon sea transport is a logical response to the extreme dependency of the Pacific Islands region on imported fossil fuel, its significant vulnerability to the effects of climate change and the critical shipping needs of Pacific Island countries (PICs). Building on previous work in low carbon sea transport in the Pacific, this paper further considers the barriers to achieving such transition by assessing, through a ‘post-Paris Agreement’ lens, the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted by PICs and contrasting these to the near total lack of investment and planning for low carbon transition in the transport sector with the parallel occurrence in the electricity sector where ~USD 2 billion of donor investment is deployed or queued despite electricity using only ~20% of fossil fuel across the region. Consistent with recent international studies, inadequate and inappropriate financing and policy have been identified as dominant transition barriers for low carbon sea transport development in PICs. This paper further examines the regional level barriers to policy development, and finds them inhibited by the silo nature of the major regional actors. The implications that the Paris Agreement has for climate financing to support the essential research and capacity development needed to underpin a successful low carbon sea transport transition strategy at any useful scale and speed are also considered in this paper.