Oxygen isotope studies of early Precambrian granitic rocks from the Giants Range batholith,northeastern Minnesota,U.S.A.

Oxygen isotope studies of granitic rocks from the 2.7 b.y.-old composite Giants Range batholith show that: (1) δ(O¹⁸)_quartz values of 9 to 10 permil characterize relatively uncontaminated Lower Precambrian, magmatic granodiorites and granites; (2) granitic rocks thought to have formed by static granitization have δ(O¹⁸)_quartz values that are 1 to 2 permil higher than magmatic granitic rocks; (3) satellite leucogranite bodies have values nearly identical to those of the main intrusive phases even where they transect O¹⁸-rich metasedimentary wall rocks; (4) oxygen isotopic interaction between the granitic melts and their O¹⁸-rich wall rocks was minimal; and (5) O¹⁸/O¹⁸ ratios of quartz grains in a metasomatic granite are largely inherited from the precursor rock, but during the progression — sedimentary parent → partially granitized parent → metasomatic granite → there is gradual decrease in δ(O¹⁸)_quartz by 1 to 2 permil.