Geochronology, geochemistry and mineral chemistry of Malayer–Boroujerd–Shazand pegmatite dikes, Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, NW Iran

Abstract

Pegmatite dikes in the Malayer–Boroujerd–Shazand magmatic complex, located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone of the Zagros orogen, are hosted in both granitoid rocks and their contact and regional metamorphic aureoles. In this study, we report the geochronology, geochemistry and mineral chemistry of these pegmatite dikes. The granitoid rocks in the Malayer–Boroujerd–Shazand magmatic suites are mainly monzogranite, quartz diorite, granodiorite and quartz monzonite characterized by metaluminous to peraluminous I-type compositions of the calc-alkaline series and display the geochemical characteristics of volcanic arc granites related to an active continental margin. The pegmatite dikes mainly consist of quartz, feldspar (albite and orthoclase), tourmaline, muscovite and less common biotite and garnet. The tourmaline content in the igneous-hosted pegmatite dikes is higher than those of metamorphic rocks, whereas the muscovite content is lower in the igneous-hosted pegmatite dikes. The K/Rb ratio and the Rb content of pegmatite dikes and their minerals (K-feldspar and muscovite) indicate that they are less evolved. Pegmatite dikes display a typical calc-alkaline affinity of I-type granites and are classified as peraluminous Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum (LCT) family (barren sub-type) to muscovite class. The tourmaline is a schorl-foitite type, which is common in the early crystallization stage of less evolved pegmatites. U–Pb zircon dating of the Boroujerd and Shazand pegmatite dikes yield weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 160.2 ± 1.8 and 121.8 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively. In contrast, U–Pb zircon dating of the Malayer pegmatite dike gives a mean 206Pb/238U age of 43.2 ± 1.5 Ma. Our new geochronological data indicate that the first group of pegmatite dikes (older pegmatite dikes) in the Boroujerd district (160.2 ± 1.8 Ma) shows an overlap with the main and first magmatic episode in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone during Jurassic times, simultaneous with the Middle Cimmerian Orogenic phase, and formed during the subduction initiation. The second group of pegmatite dikes in the Shazand district (121.8 ± 1.5 Ma) formed in the Early Cretaceous and shows a temporal overlap with previously reported ages (ca. 130–114 Ma) during the early Alpine tectonic movements (Late Cimmerian Orogenic phase). Finally, the younger group of pegmatite dikes in the Malayer district (43.2 ± 1.5 Ma) formed in the Eocene overlapping with previously reported ages (ca. 34–52 Ma) which is equivalent to the Laramian phase. These data reveal that the magmatism in the Malayer–Boroujerd–Shazand magmatic complex started in the Early-Middle Jurassic resembling adjacent areas in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (e.g., Hamedan region) by melting of crustal protoliths in a subduction tectonic setting. The second and third groups of pegmatite dikes formed during the late subduction to syn-collisional process, respectively. These pegmatite generation marked the subduction initiation to syn-collisional span in the region. The zircon geochemistry (negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies) is indicative of the relatively oxidized conditions of the parent magma and shows characteristics of continental crust zircon.