The Brabant Massif as part of Armorica/Gondwana: UPb isotopic evidence from detrital zircons

Abstract

UPb isotopic ratios of zircons are used as time-dependent geochemical tracers for the formation of the zircons and for the sum of processes and their intensities effective for the disturbance of the UPb systems during the history of the zircons. By comparison detrital zircons can thus serve as indicators for the provenance of clastic sediments. The UPb systematics of 57 carefully selected fractions of detrital zircons from four Cambrian sandstones of the Ardennes and the Brabant Massif have been investigated. According to the UPb data features of color and shape of these zircons are suited for distinguishing to major groups: 1. (1) colourless, mainly rounded, subordinately subhedral or euhedral zircons which are characterized by U contents below 300 ppm and by apparent 207Pb/ 235U ages between 0.53 Ga and 1.65 Ga. 2. (2) reddish, generally subrounded to very well rounded zircons with U contents from 240 ppm to more than 800 ppm and apparent 207Pb/ 235U ages between 1.75 Ga and 2.4 Ga. From the group of colourless zircons only one fraction yields concordant UPb data and documents a Cadomian/PanAfrican crystal growth at 545 Ma. UPb data of the other colourless zircons arrange in a fan-shaped area in the Concordia diagram below Concordia and from 530 Ma to 600 Ma. Zircons with such UPb characteristics are well-known from Central and Southern Europe. They suggest a strong Cadomian/Pan-African influence. The reddish zircons are dominantly derived from Archean to Early Proterozoic crystalline rocks. Based on these results and on comparison with U-Pb data of other detrital zircons the Ardennes and the Brabant Massif must be regarded to be coherent to the Gondwana continental plate before the Caledonian orogeny.