Trace element and isotope (Sr, Nd) geochemistry of porphyry- and skarn-mineralising Late Cretaceous intrusions from Banat, western South Carpathians, Romania

Abstract

Geochemical and isotopic (strontium, neodymium) data have been obtained from 24 samples of seven Late Cretaceous intrusions associated with skarn (Tincova, Bocsa, Ocna de Fier – Dognecea) and porphyry copper-molybdenum/skarn deposits (Oraviţa, Ciclova, Sasca and Moldova Nouă) in the South Carpathians of Romania. The intrusions cut the Supragetic-Getic nappes and form a 100-km-long, NNE-SSW-trending lineament in the Banat metallogenic province. The samples range in composition from gabbro to granodiorite and define, in major and trace element variation diagrams, a calc-alkaline to high-potassium calc-alkaline trend ranging from 50 to 67% SiO2. They are magnetite-bearing, I-type granitoids enriched in LILE/LREE and depleted in Nb, Ta and Zr, common features for magmas associated with subduction zones. The lack of cumulate textures and of positive europium anomalies seems to indicate that the samples represent liquid compositions. The observed trend thus approximates a liquid line of descent resulting from fractional crystallisation of parental magmas with similar major and trace element compositions. Initial strontium isotopic ratios (Sri) vary from 0.7042 to 0.7058 and eNd(t) values range from +3.9 to –0.2. Variations of Sri and eNd(t) values with SiO2 show minor crustal assimilation. The generally positive eNd(t) values, together with moderate Sri, indicate that the parental magmas result from partial melting of a rubidium-enriched and LREE-depleted source, such as a heterogeneous lithospheric mantle or a young mafic lower crust derived from it. Selective rubidium enrichment probably occurred during a previous subduction event by metasomatism of the overlying mantle wedge, either in the Early Cretaceous or earlier, as suggested by TDM model ages (ca. 600 Ma). The Cu-Mo(-Pb-Zn-Fe) deposits are intimately associated with the intrusions, and the Banat (Romania) region can be subdivided in two metallogenic zones. In northern Banat, Fe-Cu-Pb-Zn skarns occur whereas in southern Banat, porphyry-style copper and molybdenum deposits predominate. These differences result from a combination of several parameters: (1) magma composition, whereby copper- and molybdenum-rich deposits tend to be associated with calc-alkaline compositions; (2) an increase of the present-day erosion level, from south to north, as indicated by the presence of large equigranular plutons in northern Banat, and of porphyritic cupolas and apophyses associated with porphyry-style mineralisation in southern Banat; (3) the nature of the host rocks, with skarns preferentially developed in calcareous host rocks; and (4) local variations of conditions controlling the infiltration of fluids and the precipitation of ore minerals.