Ga Age Research Articles

Precambrian crustal evolution in Northern Indian Block: Evidence from detrital zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-isotopes

Integrated detrital zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope analyses were conducted on three siliciclastic sedimentary rock samples from the Vindhyan Supergroup in the Son Valley section of central India. These display two prominent 2.7–2.4 Ga and 1.9–1.5 Ga age groupings along with minor Paleoarchean-Mesoarchean (3.5–2.9 Ga) and late Mesoproterozoic (1.3–1.0 Ga) zircons. These 3.5–1.5 Ga detrital zircons match well with the exposed magmatic and metamorphic rock components within the Bundelkhand and Aravalli cratons of the Northern India Block. Zircon grains of >2.0 Ga mainly produce negative εHf(t) values suggestive of episodic recycling and reworking of old crust components in Northern India Block, whereas zircon grains in the age range of 2.0–1.4 Ga commonly produce positive εHf(t) values, indicating dominant juvenile crust growth in response to assembly and breakup of Columbia supercontinent. Contemporaneous mafic dykes (2.15–2.0 Ga and ca. 1.98 Ga) intruded into the Bundelkhand Igneous Complex present direct lithological evidence for juvenile crustal growth. Similar basement rock compositions and detrital zircon age distributions provide robust evidence that the Bundelkhand craton has possibly been combined with the Aravalli-Banded Gneiss Complex (ABGC) since Paleoproterozoic. 1.3–1.0 Ga old detrital zircons could have sourced from South China or the Central Indian Tectonic Zone or the Eastern Ghats or a pre-existing hidden terrane in India; their dominant negative εHf(t) values suggest reworking of old crustal components in Northern India Block in response to the assembly of Rodinia supercontinent.

The Serrinha granite-greenstone terrane revisited: A reevaluation of its evolution based on the current U–Pb age database

This paper aims to summarize the current knowledge of the Serrinha Nucleus and add new U–Pb geochronological data for this area. New ages were obtained for granitoids and a metadacite belonging to the Felsic Volcanic Unit of the Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt (RIGB). The age of 3185 ± 9 Ma obtained at the Pedra Alta granodiorite-tonalite pluton corresponds to the interval of emplacement (2.9–3.2 Ga) of the TTG granites in the Serrinha Nucleus during the Archean. As expected for granites belonging to the Paleoproterozoic TTG/calc-alkaline group, Barrocas and Lagoa dos Bois plutons yielded U–Pb zircon ages of 2168 ± 12 Ma and 2158 ± 13 Ma, respectively. These 2.15–2.17 Ga ages are attributed to a syn-orogenic evolution of the calc-alkaline felsic volcanism of the RIGB during the Rhyacian period, which is related to the closure of the Itapicuru basin. A sample of a biotite-granite dyke collected at the Araci TTG Pluton, which also is part of the Archean TTGs group of granites, yields an age related to the post-orogenic Morro do Lopes magmatism. Its age of 2076 ± 6 Ma also coincides with those attributed to the hydrothermal event that resulted in the gold mineralization at the RIGB and reinforces the widespread efects of this thermal post-orogenic alkaline magmatic event. The metadacite age of 2147 ± 38 Ma is considered the minimum crystallization age for the felsic volcanic arc of the RIGB, being compatible with regional ages obtained for other metavolcanic rocks and granitoids from this area. The ages obtained in the present work, added to the geochronological database of Serrinha Nucleus, show that the closure of the Itapicuru basin occurred between approximately 2.15 and 2.17 Ga, period corresponding to the first deformation phase that affected the orogen. The age obtained for the intrusive Barrocas Pluton (2168 ± 12 Ma), which outcrops at the southern tip of the greenstone, suggests that the volcanic-sedimentary rocks of Itapicuru should be older and highlights a new model for the evolution of Serrinha Nucleus and the concept of the “Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt”.

A Ca. 2.25 Ga mafic dyke swarm discovered in the Bastar craton, Central India: Implications for a widespread plume-generated large Igneous Province (LIP) in the Indian shield

A precise U–Pb baddeleyite age (2251 ± 4 Ma) has been obtained for an ENE-trending dyke exposed near the Chhura region of the Bastar craton, and additional dykes of similar trend are also reported from other parts of the northern Bastar craton such as in the Dongergarh and Pakhanjore areas. We propose a new widespread ENE-trending ca. 2.25 Ga Chhura mafic dyke swarm in the Bastar craton, which represents a continuation of the NE- to ENE-trending ca. 2.26 Ga Kaptipada swarm in the Singhbhum craton. The adjoining Dharwar craton also hosts ca. 2.26–2.25 Ga magmatism, the N- to NNE-trending Ippaguda-Dhiburahalli dyke swarm. A geochemical match between the ca. 2.25 Ga Chhura, the ca. 2.26–2.25 Ga Ippaguda-Dhiburahalli, and most samples of the ca. 2.26 Ga Kaptipada swarms corroborates a genetic link. Together these mafic dykes in Bastar, Singhbhum and Dharwar cratons, define the ca. 2.26–2.25 Ga Ippaguda (-Dhiburahalli-Chhura-Kaptipada) LIP. The relative post-2.25 Ga rotations between the three cratons would allow two alternative locations for the plume centre either at the eastern end of the Kaptipada swarm in the Singhbhum craton or at the south end of the Ippaguda-Dhiburahalli swarm in the Dharwar craton. Alternatively, convergence of the Churra, Kaptipada and Ippaguda-Dhiburahalli sub-swarms could suggest a plume centre location in the Godavari rift, between the Bastar and Dharwar cratons. Magmatic events of approximately this 2.26–2.25 Ga age are known from other parts of the globe including East Antarctica, and Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe cratons.

Late Paleozoic provenance shift in the east-central Ordos Basin: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the north China Craton

Detrital minerals are important recorders of sedimentary transport and provenance, both of which have significant implications for basin genesis and tectonics. By integrating detrital zircon U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses, quantitative mineralogy of heavy minerals, and paleocurrent analysis, we identified here two Late Paleozoic provenance shifts in the east-central Ordos Basin, North China. The Late Paleozoic sandstones in the Liulin section of the Ordos Basin reveal detrital zircon U-Pb age peaks at 2.5 Ga, 1.85 Ga and 0.3 Ga. The ca. 0.41–0.42 Ga age populations are observed in the late Carboniferous Benxi Formation and late Permian Shiqianfeng Formation, respectively, yet are missing in the early-middle Permian Taiyuan, Shanxi and Shihezi Formations. The Precambrian detrital zircons show highly variable Lu-Hf isotopic compositions, with εHf(t) values ranging from negative to positive (−22.1 to +15.5). In contrast, the Phanerozoic detrital zircons present enriched Hf isotopic signatures, indicating magma sources with considerable ancient crustal components. Combined with heavy minerals and paleocurrent analysis, this study demonstrates that the major sedimentary provenance of the early-middle Permian Taiyuan, Shanxi and Shihezi Formations was the Yinshan orogenic belt. Sedimentary provenance for the late Carboniferous Benxi Formation and late Permian Shiqianfeng Formation could have been the Yinshan orogenic belt and the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). The first early Permian provenance shift may have been initiated by the uplift of the Yinshan orogenic belt, while the uplift of the southern margin of the NCC (associated with the Qinling orogenic belt), might have precipitated the second shift.

Late Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic arc magmatism in the Shandong Peninsula, North China Craton and its tectonic implications

The transition in tectonic regime of our planet during the late Archean with the initiation broadly modern style subduction system is one of the major topics of interest in earth science. The North China Craton (NCC), one of the oldest cratonic nuclei in the world, preserves important records of Archean and Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution, cratonization and related geodynamic history that are important in understanding the continental growth of the early Earth. Here we investigate a suite of Archean to Paleoproterozoic rocks including hornblendite, amphibolite, gabbro, diorite, basalt, plagiogranite, granite porphyry and greenschist from Shandong Peninsula within the southwestern Jiaoliao block of the eastern NCC using zircon U-Pb geochronology, Lu-Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemistry. We aim to understand the timing and petrogenesis of the rock suite and its implications on the geodynamic history of the NCC. Zircon U-Pb data show 207Pb/206Pb ages in the range of 2.68–1.83 Ga, and is divided into three groups of 2.68–2.43, 2.38–1.96 and 1.95–1.83 Ga. Among these, the 2.68–2.43 Ga group confirms with the major magmatic phase during Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic transition in the eastern NCC, whilst the other groups of 2.38–1.96 and 1.95–1.83 Ga ages might represent the Paleoproterozoic orogenic events in the NCC. Zircon Lu-Hf isotopic data display εHf(t) values ranging from −0.4 to 10.0 and TDMC of 3074–2080 Ma, which are subdivided into one group with U-Pb ages of 2672–2445 Ma characterized by εHf(t) values from −0.4 to 7.0 and TDMC of 3074–2588 Ma and another group (2134–2009 Ma) with εHf(t) values in the range of 2.8–10.0 and TDMC ranging from 2458 to 2080 Ma. These results indicate that the magmas (2672–2445 Ma group) were sourced mainly from Late Mesoarchean to Neoarchean juvenile components with minor input of reworked Mesoarchean crustal components, whereas the 2134–2009 Ma group was derived from Paleoproterozoic juvenile components. Whole-rock geochemical data of the granite porphyry and plagiogranites show typical subduction-related arc signature with the enrichment of LREEs and LILEs and depletion of HREEs and HFSEs (e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti), and mainly belong to I-type granites generated at arc-related setting. The ultramafic–mafic magmatic suite corresponds with tholeiitic to calc-alkaline series which were formed by partial melting of enriched mantle within an island arc setting in an active continental margin. In conjunction with the results from previous studies in the NCC, we correlate the 2.68–2.43 Ga ages with Late Neoarchean amalgamation of microblocks and cratonization of the NCC driven by late Neoarchean oceanic plate subduction, and the 2.38–1.83 Ga ages represent Paleoproterozoic orogenic events including the assembly of major crustal blocks in the NCC within the Paleoproterozoic supercontinent Columbia, and the final collision of these crustal blocks and cratonization.

Finding of Ca. 1.6 Ga Detrital Zircons from the Mesoproterozoic Dagushi Group, Northern Margin of the Yangtze Block

The middle Mesoproterozoic is a crucial time period for understanding the Precambrian tectonic evolutionary history of the northern Yangtze Block and its relationship with the supercontinent Columbia. The Dagushi Group (Gp) is one of the Mesoproterozoic strata rarely found at the northern margin of the Yangtze Block. U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopic analyses of detrital zircons were analyzed for three metamorphic quartz sandstone samples collected from the Luohanling and Dangpuling formations of the Dagushi Gp. These metasandstones yielded major zircon populations at ~2.65 Ga and ~1.60 Ga, respectively. The ~1.60 Ga ages first discovered yield a narrow range of ɛHf(t) values from −1.8 to +1.8, which lie above the old crust evolutionary line of the Yangtze Block, suggesting the addition of mantle material. Trace element data indicate that ~1.60 Ga detrital zircons share a basic provenance, whereby they have low Hf/Th and high Nb/Yb ratios. Zircon discrimination diagrams suggest that the ~1.60 Ga detrital zircon source rocks formed in an intra-plate rifting environment. Dagushi Gp provenance studies indicate that the ~1.60 Ga detrital zircon was most likely sourced from the interior Yangtze Block. Thus, we suggest that the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic continental break-up occurred at the northern margin of the Yangtze Block.

SULFIDE RECRYSTALLIZATION AND GOLD REMOBILIZATION DURING THE 2.0 GA STAGE OF THE MINAS OROGENY: IMPLICATIONS FOR GOLD MINERALIZATION IN THE QUADRILÁTERO FERRÍFERO AREA, BRAZIL

Abstract The historic Quadrilátero Ferrífero mining district in Brazil is a polydeformed Archean terrane recording several tectonic events. This history has hampered the accurate dating of its important gold deposits, given that most of the geochronological clocks have been affected by multiple thermal events. To determine an accurate time constraint for the mineralizing events in this region, we provide the first Re-Os dating for a gold deposit in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, obtained from 13 mineral separates of disseminated sulfide phases (pyrrhotite, coarse-grained arsenopyrite, fine-grained arsenopyrite, and pyrite) at the recently discovered São Sebastião deposit (northwest Quadrilátero Ferrífero). Three distinct successive sulfidation stages are interpreted at the deposit. The final stage, texturally associated with gold, is marked by fine-grained arsenopyrite and pyrite (assemblage III) and is associated with high-temperature (~600°C) features. A Re-Os errorchron is obtained when considering the data of all samples collectively; however, a comprehensive Re-Os isochron age of 1987 ± 72 Ma (2σ; n = 4; IsoplotR model 3; initial 187Os/188Os = 2.1 ± 0.7) is obtained from assemblage III. A 187Re-187Osr isochron at 1988 ± 56 Ma (mean square of weighted deviates = 0.1, initial 187Osr = –0.1 ± 2.6 ppt; n = 4) is obtained if an initial 187Os/188Os composition of ca. 2.1, is used, this being consistent with the fact that the 187Os in the sulfides in assemblage III is largely radiogenic (187Osr). Earlier assemblages (I and II) individually show variable initial 187Os/188Os, indicative of disturbance to the Re-Os systematics at ~2.0 Ga. This age is considered the best estimate for the timing of gold mineralization at São Sebastião, being coincident with the waning stages of the Minas orogeny, the thermal effects of which are restricted to the southern Quadrilátero Ferrífero. Hence, we consider that the hot fluids from which assemblage III crystallized were responsible for resetting the Re-Os systematics in assemblages I and II and were central to Paleoproterozoic gold deposition in the region. This ~2.0 Ga age challenges previous notions of a late Archean, ~2.7 Ga mineralizing event in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero and makes it possible that gold remobilization occurred elsewhere in the region, particularly in areas representing deeper crustal levels.

Clinical and vital sign changes associated with late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight infants at 3 NICUs.

In premature infants, clinical changes frequently occur due to sepsis or non-infectious conditions, and distinguishing between these is challenging. Baseline risk factors, vital signs, and clinical signs guide decisions to culture and start antibiotics. We sought to compare heart rate (HR) and oxygenation (SpO2) patterns as well as baseline variables and clinical signs prompting sepsis work-ups ultimately determined to be late-onset sepsis (LOS) and sepsis ruled out (SRO). At three NICUs, we reviewed records of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants around their first sepsis work-up diagnosed as LOS or SRO. Clinical signs prompting the evaluation were determined from clinician documentation. HR-SpO2 data, when available, were analyzed for mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, and cross-correlation. We used LASSO and logistic regression to assess variable importance and associations with LOS compared to SRO. We analyzed sepsis work-ups in 408 infants (173 LOS, 235 SRO). Compared to infants with SRO, those with LOS were of lower GA and BW, and more likely to have a central catheter and mechanical ventilation. Clinical signs cited more often in LOS included hypotension, acidosis, abdominal distension, lethargy, oliguria, and abnormal CBC or CRP(p < 0.05). HR-SpO2 data were available in 266 events. Cross-correlation HR-SpO2 before the event was associated with LOS after adjusting for GA, BW, and postnatal age. A model combining baseline, clinical and HR-SpO2 variables had AUC 0.821. In VLBW infants at 3-NICUs, we describe the baseline, clinical, and HR-SpO2 variables associated with LOS versus SRO.

Paleoproterozoic basement beneath the Eastern Cathaysia Block revealed by zircon xenocrysts from late Mesozoic volcanics

The Eastern Cathaysia Block located to the western side of the Pacific Plate was mainly covered by late Mesozoic intrusive and volcanic rocks, and the age and composition of its basement remain enigmatic. Here we firstly report U–Pb and Hf isotopes in zircon xenocrysts from late Mesozoic mafic sub-volcanic rocks in Pingtan Island, the east coastal area of the Eastern Cathaysia Block, with surprising Paleoproterozoic to Archean U–Pb isotopic ages. Neither ca. 1.8 Ga nor 1.0–0.7 Ga age peaks that are very typical in the outcropping rocks (including the Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in Pingtan Island) in the South China Block is identified. The two main Precambrian age peaks of 3.4–3.0 Ga and 2.6–2.2 Ga of these zircon xenocrysts are explained by contamination from the sediments in the unexposed basement. The youngest two Paleoproterozoic zircon xenocrysts may indicate the deposition of the basement close to ca. 1.8 Ga. The identification provides clues to the existence of the Paleoproterozoic basement in the Eastern Cathaysia Block. It may further suggest that the late Mesozoic (continental arc?) magmatism in the Eastern Cathaysia Block was most likely developed on and contaminated by the Paleoproterozoic basement.

Assembly of the Siberian Craton: Constraints from Paleoproterozoic granitoids

The paper presents a synthesis of geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data on Paleoproterozoic granitoids in the Siberian craton and, in some cases, on volcanics related to these granitoids. Different evolution stages of the craton, including its assembly, are recorded in several major events in the history of Paleoproterozoic granitic magmatism. They are 2.52–2.40 Ga and 2.15–2.04 Ga granitoids of different tectonic settings; 2.06–2.00 Ga subduction-related granitoids; 2.00–1.87 Ga collisional granitoids; 1.88–1.84 postcollisional granitoids, and 1.76–1.71 Ga within-plate (anorogenic) varieties. Granitoids with ages of 2.5–2.4 Ga and 2.15–2.04 Ga are distributed locally in separate blocks and terranes which later entered the craton structure. These rocks are of different types and represent different tectonic settings of the respective blocks and terranes, i.e., the Siberian craton did not exist yet as a single unit at that time. The 2.06–2.00 Ga subduction-related granitoids and volcanics are found in the southern and southeastern craton parts. Magmatism of that time interval probably was associated with subduction beneath the Archean Olekma-Aldan and Anabar continental microplates and with the formation of their active margins. Granitoids of the 2.00–1.87 Ga age interval represent a collisional stage of the craton evolution. Collisional granitoids that intruded between 2.00 and 1.95 Ga record the first large-scale stage of craton assembly with collisions of terranes that had built the core of the Anabar, Aldan, and Olenek superterranes. The intrusions of 1.95–1.90 Ga granitoids mark the consolidation of the southeastern craton part. Collisional granitoids with the 1.90–1.87 Ga ages, which are especially abundant in the south and southwest of the craton but almost lack from the north, led to general assembly of the craton. The granitoid and volcanic magmatic activity of 1.88–1.84 Ga in the craton south produced the South Siberian postcollisional magmatic belt that had completed the assembly of the craton which, in its turn, may have been part of the Paleoproterozoic supercontinent of Columbia. Granitic intrusions at 1.76–1.71 Ga are limited to the southwestern and southeastern craton parts and correspond to a setting of continental extension which never led to the breakup of the craton.

Lu-Hf systematics of 4.0 – 2.3 Ga old zircons from the Turee Creek Group (Pilbara Craton, W. Australia): Implications on the rise of atmospheric oxygen and global glaciation during the Paleoproterozoic

We investigated the Hf isotopic systematics of detrital zircons in a succession of siliciclastic sediments and glacial diamictites from the early Paleoproterozoic sequence of the Boolgeeda Iron Formation (Hamersley Group) and overlying Turee Creek Group of the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. About 400 detrital zircons yielding >95% concordant U-Pb ages were analyzed for Hf isotopes to constrain their magmatic sources. 70% of the analyzed zircons display super-chondritic initial Hf isotopic compositions, demonstrating crystallization in mantle-derived magmas. Most of the data are comprised between model age lines at ~2.5 and 3.2 Ga, which suggests a sub-continuous crust generation by extraction from the depleted mantle during this time period. A single grain yields a 4.0 Ga age, which represents the first Hadean age for a zircon from the Pilbara Craton. Our results are significantly different from zircon Hf isotope data of the Glenburgh Terrane, in the southern border of the Turee Creek Group, or older successions of the Pilbara, Kaapvaal and Superior cratons, but show overlap with some of the Yilgarn Craton. This together with the occurrence of a Hadean zircon crystal preserved in the Boolgeeda glacial diamictite with similar Hf isotopic signature than the Jack Hills zircons makes the Yilgarn Craton a possible source material for the Boolgeeda glacial horizon. Alternatively, the majority of the zircons analyzed show ages which are consistent with those of the underlying 2.45–2.78 Ga Hamersley and Fortescue groups, formed by sedimentary successions interleaved with thick subaerial volcanic sequences associated with the emplacement of Large Igneous Provinces. Such subaerial volcanic rocks could account for the relatively juvenile character of the zircon analyzed. A local provenance of the siliciclastic material delivered to the Turee Creek Basin would support the role of large subaerial magmatic provinces as triggers of the rise of atmospheric oxygen and the onset of glaciations at the beginning of the Proterozoic.

The Late Neoproterozoic-Early Paleozoic basin of the western Argentine Precordillera: Insights from zircon U-Pb geochronology

In central-western Argentina, a belt including marine metasedimentary rocks and mafic-ultramafic bodies occurs throughout the western margin of the Precordillera. The belt is considered as the suture zone between the poorly known Chilenia terrane and the Cuyania terrane, part of the composite West Gondwana margin. It is assigned to the Late Neoproterozoic-Early Devonian based on fossil fauna and radiometric ages. In the southern sector of this belt, in the Peñasco area, two units crop out. The Peñasco Formation comprises metasandstone and metapelite spatially associated with mafic metavolcanic and metahyaloclastic rocks. Metagabbro bodies intrude the succession. The Garganta del León Formation consists of metasandstone and scarce metapelite where tractive and deformational sedimentary structures are preserved. Both units are affected by low-grade metamorphism, but the main foliation S1 and crenulation cleavage S2 are better developed in the Peñasco Formation rocks. U-Pb data on detrital zircon of two metasandstone samples from these units show a dominant detrital input from sources with 1.0–1.3 and 0.65–0.53 Ga ages. Detritus may come from reworked sedimentary units or from igneous/metamorphic complexes from the Cuyania terrane basement that was possibly exhumed in the Ocloyic orogen. A Gondwanan provenance for the Late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian population would also be plausible. A ca. 460 Ma zircon population in the Garganta del León Formation is interpreted to be derived from the Famatinian Arc. This would imply that the deposition of the sediment occurred after the collision of the Cuyania terrane against West Gondwana, and that the Ocloyic orogen acted as a barrier for detritus from the Famatinian Arc and other rocks further east.

Proterozoic tectonic evolution of the Tarim Craton: New insights from detrital zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes of metasediments in the Kuruktag area

The Proterozoic is the longest Eon in geological history and witnessed the assemblies and breakups of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents. The Tarim Craton has been proposed to be a building block of these supercontinents. However, its tectonic evolution during late Paleoproterozoic to earliest Neoproterozoic (ca. 1.8–0.8 Ga) has been poorly understood, due to the paucity of geological record. In this paper, we present U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic data for detrital zircons from the metasediments of the early Neoproterozoic Paergangtag Group and the Paleoproterozoic Xinditag Group in the Kuruktag area, northern Tarim Craton.Although formed approximately 1 billion years later, the Paergangtag Group contains detrital zircons almost identical to those inthe Xinditag Group. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating yields a ca. 2.0 Ga age peak, as well as a group of older zircons of ca. 2.5 Ga in six samples from these two groups. Lu-Hf data show that the ca. 2.0 Ga zircons have variableεHf(t) values (−28.1 to 0.1), indicating the detritus were mostly derived from reworked continental crusts. The older zircons around 2.5 Ga have both negative and positiveεHf(t) values (−28.5 to 9.5), indicating a prolonged and complicated crustal growth and reworking process in the source area. It is inferred that the zircons in these samples were likely derived from southeastern Tarim Craton, where a ca. 2.0 Ga orogenic event has been documented.The fact that the Neoproterozoic Paergangtag Group contains only Paleoproterozoic and older zircons suggests that the Tarim Craton was not involved in the Grenville Orogeny, which developed between the colliding continents in the interior of the Rodinia Supercontinent. In contrast, the Tarim Craton was probably on the periphery of the Rodinia Supercontinent and was involved in the peripheral subduction zone of the supercontinent shortly after the deposition of the Paergangtag Group. Our new data imply that the Tarim Craton might have been a tectonically stable continent for nearly 1 billion years from ca. 1.8 to 0.9 Ga.

Xenocrystic/inherited Precambrian zircons entrained within igneous rocks from eastern South China: Tracking unexposed ancient crust and implications for late Paleoproterozoic orogenesis

South China is characterized by widespread igneous rocks with varied ages and nature in its eastern part, which contain abundant Precambrian xenocrystic/inherited zircons that bear important information of the composition and evolution of the underlying ancient crust. This paper for the first time presents a compiled U-Pb age database of 1416 Precambrian xenocrystic/inherited zircons from igneous rocks in eastern South China, and attempts to provide a constraint on the Precambrian crustal evolution of the constituent Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks. These xenocrystic/inherited zircons, as a conceivable proxy of the unexposed continental crust, document three major tectonothermal events related to continental accretion and subsequent modification that possibly built the continental crust of the eastern Yangtze Block (EYB) at 2.70–2.40 Ga, 2.10–1.55 Ga, and 0.95–0.70 Ga, and the Cathaysia Block (CAB) at 2.70–2.40 Ga, 2.05–1.75 Ga, and 1.10–0.70 Ga, pointing to a complex Precambrian evolutionary history for South China. The EYB zircons are unexpectedly dominated by a 2.10–1.55 Ga age population that shows a multimodal distribution with peaks at 2.05 Ga, 2.0 Ga, 1.90 Ga, 1.85 Ga, and 1.58 Ga, and the CAB zircons are characterized by a unimodal 2.0–1.75 Ga age population that conspicuously peaked at 1.85 Ga, both of which overlap with the tenure of the Nuna supercontinent. These xenocrystic/inherited zircons from both blocks generally have negative εHf(t) values, which in combination with coeval regional magmatic and metamorphic records can assist to trace a possible prolonged (2.05–1.75 Ga) orogenic process in the EYB and a short-lived (1.9–1.8 Ga) orogeny in the CAB. Such orogeneses are proposed to be correlated with the assembly of the Nuna supercontinent.

Morphine affects brain activity and volumes in preterms: An observational multi-center study

ObjectiveWe hypothesized that morphine has a depressing effect on early brain activity, assessed using quantitative aEEG/EEG parameter and depressed activity will be associated with brain volumes at term in extremely preterm infants. Study design174 preterm infants were enrolled in 3 European tertiary NICUs (mean GA:26 ± 1wks) and monitored during the first 72 h after birth with continuous 2 channel aEEG. Six epochs of aEEG recordings were selected and minimum amplitude of aEEG (min aEEG), percentage of time amplitude <5 μV (% of time < 5 μV), spontaneous activity transients (SATrate) and interSAT interval (ISI) were calculated. For infants receiving morphine, the cumulative morphine dosage was calculated. In a subgroup of 58 infants, good quality MRI at term equivalent age (TEA) and the cumulative morphine dose until TEA were available. The effects of morphine administration and cumulative dose on aEEG/EEG measures and on brain volumes were investigated. ResultsMorphine administration had a significant effect on all quantitative aEEG/EEG measures, causing depression of early brain activity [longer ISI (β 2.900), reduced SAT rate (β −1.386), decreased min aEEG (β −0.782), and increased % of time < 5 μV (β 14.802)] in all epochs. A significant effect of GA and postnatal age on aEEG/EEG measures was observed. Cumulative morphine dose until TEA had a significant negative effect on total brain volume (TBV) (β −8.066) and cerebellar volume (β −1.080). ConclusionsAdministration of sedative drugs should be considered when interpreting aEEG/EEG together with the negative dose dependent morphine impact on brain development.

Examining the compositions of impactors striking the Moon using Apollo impact melt coats and anorthositic regolith breccia meteorites

Impactors striking the Moon since the formation of its crust have left an indelible imprint on the lunar surface, in the guise of craters and associated impact rocks. The lunar crust has low intrinsic abundances of the highly siderophile elements (HSE: Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Rh, Pd, Au), at greater than 3000 times lower than in chondrite meteorites. Consequently, during impact, bolides with chondritic or differentiated iron-rich compositions should impart elevated HSE signatures to the lunar crust. Here we examine glassy lunar impact melt coats (IMC) from the outside rims of Apollo 16 cataclastic anorthosites (60015, 65325) and breccias (65035), as well as both fragments and powders of Antarctic anorthositic regolith breccia (ARB) meteorites (Miller Range 090034/36/70/75 and MacAlpine Hills 88105) for their petrography, mineral chemistry and bulk-rock compositions. The HSE concentrations for IMC range from ∼0.001 to 0.1 × CI chondrite, with measured 187Os/188Os between 0.1189 and 0.1366. Anorthositic regolith breccia meteorites, which have components with 2.6–4.1 Ga ages, have similar HSE concentrations to IMC, but typically have lower 187Os/188Os (0.1164–0.1284). These latter Os ratios are generally less radiogenic than those measured in ∼3.8–3.9 Ga Apollo impact melt breccias. The Apollo 16 IMC are not well-dated, but their KREEPy trace-element signatures and associated ages of 3.7 to 3.8 Ga for Apollo 16 glasses might imply, at least in part, an origin from the Imbrium or Serenitatis basin-forming impacts. Within the IMC, metal-schreibersite-troilite assemblages record significant inter-element HSE fractionation which is also reflected in bulk HSE patterns for both IMC and ARB meteorites. Variations in relative and absolute HSE compositions directly reflect the control of metal and sulfide segregation within and between impact melt and breccia lithologies. Collectively, IMC and ARB meteorites exhibit approximately 50% of the variation in Ru/Ir and 187Os/188Os observed in lunar impact melt breccias. These results imply that significant variations in inter-element compositions can occur during impact brecciation and melting and so some impact melt rock HSE compositions may not record the compositions of impactors that struck the Moon with fidelity. Nonetheless, the generally low 187Re/188Os of lunar impact melt rocks means that osmium isotope ratios provide evidence for impact composition, and a change from ordinary to carbonaceous-like impactors either with time – or location – striking the Moon.

Paleoproterozoic melt-depleted lithospheric mantle in the Khanka block, far eastern Russia: Inferences for mobile belts bordering the North China and Siberian cratons

The eastern part of Asia between the North China and Siberian cratons contains orogenic belts formed by the Paleo-Asian and Pacific subduction and older continental blocks. A fundamental question regarding these and all mobile belts is the fate of the continental lithospheric mantle (CLM) during their formation, i.e. whether, or to what extent the CLM may be formed, replaced or affected during orogeny. Insights into these processes can be obtained from mantle xenoliths hosted by Cenozoic basalts in the Proterozoic Khanka block in the far eastern Russia between NE China and the Pacific coast of Asia. We report petrographic, chemical, and Os-Sr-Nd isotope data for spinel peridotite xenoliths at two Khanka sites: Sviyagin and Podgelban. The modal abundances and chemical compositions suggest that the peridotites are residues of low to moderate degrees of melt extraction from fertile mantle. They show an 187Os/188Os vs. 187Re/188Os correlation with an apparent 1.9 Ga age; the 187Os/188Os ratios are positively correlated with Al2O3 and other melt extraction indices. These results provide the first robust CLM age constraints for the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The ages suggest that the ancient CLM of the Khanka block may be roughly coeval with reworked CLM at Hannuoba (North China craton), and that it persisted through the Phanerozoic orogenies. Moreover, despite the proximity to Phanerozoic subduction zones, the Khanka CLM shows little post-melting enrichment, e.g. the clinopyroxenes are typically LREE-depleted and have Sr-Nd isotope ratios typical of the MORB mantle. We posit that the metasomatism of the CLM, earlier proposed for North China xenolith suites and ascribed to the effects of Pacific or older subduction and related mantle upwelling, may not be widespread in the CAOB. In general, Proterozoic blocks composed of residual peridotites may be more common in the CLM of the SE Siberia and northern China, and possibly other orogenic belts, than previously thought.

Timing of two separate granulite-facies metamorphic events in the Helanshan complex, North China Craton: Constraints from monazite and zircon U–Pb dating of pelitic granulites

This study presents the results of monazite and zircon U–Pb dating of garnet–biotite gneiss and recently discovered spinel-bearing ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) pelitic granulites from the Paleoproterozoic Helanshan complex of the North China Craton, and considers implications for the formation of the complex and the tectonic history of this region. SHRIMP monazite U–Pb dating of the garnet–biotite gneiss yielded a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 1944.4 ± 4.2 Ma, which is the same within error as a weighted mean laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) 207Pb/206Pb age of 1959 ± 18 Ma obtained from metamorphic zircons within the same unit. The age of 1959 ± 18 Ma is similar to the published metamorphic ages of ca. 1.96–1.95 Ga from high-temperature (Tmax < 900 °C) pelitic granulites in the Helanshan, which represent the timing of continental collision between the Yinshan and Ordos terranes as suggested by previous published works. Metamorphic monazites from the spinel-bearing UHT pelitic granulite unit in this area yielded weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 1930.8 ± 2.6 and 1933.6 ± 3.1 Ma, which are consistent with the ages of metamorphic zircons. These ages record the timing of UHT metamorphism within the Helanshan complex and are similar to 1.93–1.92 Ga ages previously reported from typical UHT pelitic granulites within the Jining and Daqingshan complexes of the Khondalite Belt, where ca. 1.92 Ga metamorphic zircons are thought to record the cooling of the UHT rocks to the solidus. The new data presented here indicate that the ca. 1.93 Ga UHT metamorphic event occurred across a wider area than previously thought and extended into the Helanshan complex. Combining these new data with the results of previous research suggests that the entire Khondalite Belt was influenced by a ca. 1.93 Ga UHT metamorphic event that was preceded by metamorphism associated with continental collision between the Yinshan and Ordos terranes at ca. 1.95 Ga. This suggests that the Khondalite Belt underwent a tectonic transition from compression to extension between 1.95 and 1.93 Ga, a process likely controlled by a late-stage shallow slab-breakoff event.

Recognition and significance of Upper Devonian fluvial, estuarine, and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate nearshore marine facies in the San Juan Mountains (southwestern Colorado, USA): Multiple incised valleys backfilled by lowstand and transgressive systems tracts

Abstract The Upper Devonian Ignacio Formation (as stratigraphically revised) comprises a transgressive, tide-dominated estuarine depositional system in the San Juan Mountains (Colorado, USA). The unit backfills at least three bedrock paleovalleys (10–30 km wide and ≥42 m deep) with a consistent stratigraphy of tidally influenced fluvial, bayhead-delta, central estuarine-basin, mixed tidal-flat, and estuarine-mouth tidal sandbar deposits. Paleovalleys were oriented northwest while longshore transport was to the north. The deposits represent Upper Devonian lowstand and transgressive systems tracts. The overlying Upper Devonian Elbert Formation (upper member) consists of geographically extensive tidal-flat deposits and is interpreted as mixed siliciclastic-carbonate bay-fill facies that represents an early highstand systems tract. Stratigraphic revision of the Ignacio Formation includes reassigning the basal conglomerate to the East Lime Creek Conglomerate, recognizing an unconformity separating these two units, and incorporating strata previously mapped as the McCracken Sandstone Member (Elbert Formation) into the Ignacio Formation. The Ignacio Formation was previously interpreted as Cambrian, but evidence that it is Devonian includes reexamined fossil data and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology. The Ignacio Formation has a stratigraphic trend of detrital zircon ages shifting from a single ca. 1.7 Ga age peak to bimodal ca. 1.4 Ga and ca. 1.7 Ga age peaks, which represents local source-area unroofing history. Specifically, the upper plate of a Proterozoic thrust system (ca. 1.7 Ga Twilight Gneiss) was eroded prior to exposure of the lower plate (ca. 1.4 Ga Uncompahgre Formation). These results are a significant alternative interpretation of the geologic history of the southern Rocky Mountains.

An advanced stepwise leaching technique for derivation of initial lead isotope ratios in ancient mafic rocks: A case study of Mesoproterozoic intrusions from the Udzha paleo-rift, Siberian Craton

Lead isotope systematics is a powerful tool for the interpretation of magma sources. However, a significant problem in the study of Pb and U is their high mobility during weathering and secondary alteration of igneous rocks. Therefore, recalculations of the time-integrated lead isotopic ratios back to their initial values in ancient rocks should be approached with caution. A standard procedure for deriving initial lead isotopic ratios includes the analyses of minerals which have low U/Pb elemental ratios (e.g., potassium feldspar and/or sulfides). However, these minerals may not always be present in the sample of interest, too small and/or intergrown with other minerals, and thereby mechanically inseparable and/or altered. To circumvent the effects of secondary alteration, a conventional approach is the preliminary treatment of minerals by strong acids (e.g., concentrated HNO3 or Aqua Regia) as well as whole-rock samples in order to remove altered components. The residual phases are then analyzed for initial lead isotopic ratios. However, this procedure does not always yield satisfactory results.In this study, we developed an advanced stepwise leaching technique in which the rock powder was first treated by 2.2 N HCl, then by more concentrated HCl, and finally by concentrated HNO3. This procedure allows for the chemical separation of sulfides, which are dissolved by concentrated HNO3, but unaffected by HCl. At least three leaching steps and two isotopic analyses per sample should be performed. We applied this stepwise leaching procedure to mafic intrusions of a known age (1386 ± 30 Ma) from the Mesoproterozoic Udzha paleo-rift in the northern part of the Siberian Craton. The Pb isotope results for the whole-rock and final leachate fractions are presented for three samples as well as their U, Th and Pb whole-rock data, which revealed completely closed U-Th-Pb isotopic behavior despite moderate alteration of the samples, thereby supporting the 1.38 Ga age of the magmatic event. The obtained initial Pb isotope composition of the mafic intrusion clearly indicates an origin from a long-lived enriched source.