U-Pb geochronology of zircons from metasediments of the Ladoga Group (North Ladoga Region,Baltic Shield)

During our study we obtained the first age datings of detrital zircons from metasandstones of the Ladoga Group (North Ladoga Region, Russia) with the U-Pb isotopic method using the SHRIMP-II ion microprobe. The data obtained made it possible to clarify the lower age limit of sedimentation and to obtain additional age data for evaluating the chemical composition and an age of source areas. This work presents the results of isotopic-geochemical (Sm-Nd) and geochemical studies of metasediments. High LREE concentrations, a high La/Sc ratio and a low Cr/h ratio, and the presence of a distinct Eu-minimum (Eu/Eu* = 0.54–0.72) indicate a significant role of acidic terrigenous material in source areas. In addition, the data of the isotope analysis of detrital zircons show that sediments of the Ladoga Group accumulated from the destruction of Proterozoic rocks (1.9–2.0 Ga; a proportion in sediments is 60–70%) and, to a lesser extent, Archean rocks (2.54–2.74 and 2.9–3.01 Ga; the proportion in sediments is 30–40%). One of the Archean source areas could be granite-gneisses of the Pitkyaranta-Koirinoya dome structure with the U-Pb zircon age of 2659 ± 15 Ma. We have established the lower age limit of sedimentation as 1.9 Ga within the measurement error. The Sm-Nd model ages obtained (2.5–2.6 Ga for sediments of the Ladoga Group and over 3.4 Ga for granite-gneisses of the dome structure) suggest a significant contribution of ancient crustal source area into source rocks. Our age data agree well with those for svecofennides of Finland.