Metaterrigenous rocks of the Irkut granulite-gneiss Block as indicators of the evolution of the Early Precambrian crust

Abstract

Major, trace element, and Sm-Nd isotope data are presented for the garnet-biotite and cordierite-garnet-biotite gneisses from the Early Precambrian granulite complex of the Irkut Block (Sharyzhalgai Uplift, Siberian Craton). The garnet-biotite and cordierite-bearing gneisses of the Irkut Block were formed owing to the granulite metamorphism of metaterrigenous rocks. The chemical index of weathering and the content of clayey (pelitic) components in the normative mineral composition increase from the garnet-biotite gneisses to the cordierite-bearing gneisses, thus reflecting the maturation degree of initial sediments. Protoliths of the studied paragneisses correspond to a rock series ranging from the graywacke siltstones to clayey rocks. The trace and rare-earth element distribution indicates that the terrigenous material of the paragneisses was derived from felsic and mafic provenance. Increase in contents of Fe, Ti, Cr, Ni, and Sc and the Cr/Th ratio and decrease in the La/Sc ratio from the garnet-biotite to the cordierite-bearing gneisses reflect growth of the abundance of mafic rocks in the provenance. Potential sources of the detrital material were intermediate-felsic and mafic volcanic rocks (orthogneisses and basic crystalline schists) of the Irkut Block. The paragneisses show a distinct negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.38–0.85), which suggests the input of crustal melting products, such as the potassium granites. A wide range of model Nd age (TNd(DM) = 2.4–3.1 Ga) of the paragneisses indicates the Archean to Early Paleoproterozoic age of their protoliths. The complex of isotopic, geochemical, and geochronological data, as well as the character of association of metaterrigenous rocks (mature pelites and carbonate rocks included), implies that sedimentation was separated in time from volcanism. The sedimentation was preceded by metamorphism, granite formation, and tectonic stabilization of the Irkut Block crust.