Paleoarchean Zircons from Quartzite of South Bundelkhand Supracrustal Complex:Origin and Implications for Crustal Evolution in Bundelkhand Craton, Central India

Abstract

The present study reports trace elemental data from 39 Paleoarchean (3.43 and 3.25 Ga) zircons separated from quartzite near Girar, which forms a part of the South Bundelkhand Supracrustal Complex in Central India. The zircons are prismatic, have well-developed oscillatory zoning and their Th/U ratio ranging from 0.27 to 8.62 is comparable to that of typical magmatic zircons. Crystallization temperature of 620-776°C using titanium-in-zircon thermometer, positive slope of zircon REE patterns, positive Ce anomalies along with mineral inclusions like quartz, muscovite, magnetite and monazite suggest a granitic source for these quartzites. Sm-Nd isotopic data (T DM age = 3.29 Ga) along with zircon trace elemental data indicate the presence of granitic continental crust in southern Bundelkhand Craton at least during the Paleoarchean (3.4 Ga).