Age and geochemistry of zircons from the ancient granitoids of the Vyg River, Southeastern Karelia

Abstract

The structure and composition of accessory zircons from the tonalites of the Vyg River, southeastern Karelia, were investigated. Their local U-Pb SHRIMP dating yielded ages between 3127±15 and 3146±25 Ma. It was shown that the zircons consist of three zones, a central part containing solid and melt inclusions and zoned magmatic and metasomatic shells. The obtained ages correspond to the magmatic and metasomatic stages of zircon crystallization. In general, the zircons have elevated contents of LREE (up to 867 ppm La), which were mainly accumulated in the outer metasomatic shell. Apatite and CO2 inclusions are widespread. Orthoclase, orthopyroxene, ilmenite, galena, quartz, and bastnaesite were identified in a solid inclusion in one zircon core using a CAMSCAN MX 2500 electron microscope. The presence of bastnaesite accentuates the relation of LREE with a CO2-rich fluid. It was shown that REE content is not correlated with U, Th, and U/Th ratio.