Melting of subducted continent: Element and isotopic evidence for a genetic relationship between Neoproterozoic and Mesozoic granitoids in the Sulu orogen

Abstract

Zircon U–Pb and hornblende Ar–Ar ages, major and trace elements, and Sr, Nd and O isotope compositions of Neoproterozoic and Mesozoic granitoids from the Wulian region in the Sulu orogen of China demonstrate that post-collisional granitoids were generated by Early Cretaceous melting of subduction-thickened continental crust that has geochemical affinities to Neoproterozoic protolith of ultrahigh-pressure metaigneous rocks that were derived from the Yangtze Block. The Mesozoic granitoids share the following features with the Neoproterozoic granites: (1) occurrence of Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages in zircon; (2) strong LREE enrichment but HFSE (Nb, P and Ti) depletion; (3) variable δ 18O values for constituent minerals; (4) significantly negative ε Nd( t) values with Paleoproterozoic Nd model ages. Thus the two ages of granitoids have a genetic relationship in source nature. However, they differ significantly in both the O isotope composition of zircon and the concentration ratios of fluid-mobile to fluid-immobile elements. These differences are interpreted to reflect differences in the depth of magma sources, and in the nature of subsequent water–rock alteration. The Neoproterozoic granites were derived from hydration melting of Paleoproterozoic crust during breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia at ca. 780 to 740 Ma along the northern margin of the Yangtze Block, with subsequent overprinting of high- T meteoric-hydrothermal alteration and rifting-induced low- 18O magmatism. In contrast, the Mesozoic granitoids were derived from dehydration melting of subduction-thickened crust that was unaffected by meteoric-hydrothermal alteration. The source of the Mesozoic granitoids may be coeval middle–lower crustal counterparts of the Neoproterozoic granites.