Mafic-intermediate Igneous Rocks Research Articles

Cadmium isotope fractionation in a S-type granite related large magmatic–hydrothermal system

Granite-associated deposits are one of the important ore types in the Earth’s crust and can dominantly be subdivided into S-, I- and A-type granite-related deposits with different mineralization elements and isotopic signatures (e.g., sulphur and boron). The object of this study is to investigate whether Cd isotopic difference exists between I- and S-type granite-related deposits, and to provide new insights on geochemical behavior of Cd in such systems that have not been well constrained. The Dulong deposit in southwest China is a world-class skarn-type polymetallic Zn–Sn–In deposit that is thought to be genetically related to the emplacement of the highly fractionated S-type Laojunshan granite. The extremely negative δ114/110Cd values of sulfides (−0.82 ‰ to −0.42 ‰) within the Dulong deposit are all lower than those of sulfides from other Zn–Pb ore deposits globally. In comparison, representative sphalerites from I-type granite-related deposits yield heavier Cd isotopic compositions relative to the samples from the Dulong deposit. The Laojunshan granite samples are enriched in light Cd isotopes and have δ114/110Cd values that range from −0.73 ‰ to −0.40 ‰, overlapping with the δ114/110Cd values of sphalerite within the Dulong deposit and suggesting that the Cd in the deposit was derived from the Laojunshan granite. Similarly, I-type granite-related deposits elsewhere have Cd isotopic compositions that are similar to mafic–intermediate igneous rocks, suggesting little or no Cd isotopic fractionation took place during the magmatic–hydrothermal processes that formed these deposits. These results suggest that geochemical signatures of metal sources are the most likely control on Zn/Cd ratios and δ114/110Cd values of sulfides in these deposits, with different mineral deposit types having different Zn/Cd ratios and δ114/110Cd values. In summary, Cd isotopes provide a potentially effective tool for discriminating between different types of hydrothermal system and may also be useful in the investigation of granite petrogenesis.

Jurassic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate in Southeast Asia: New insights from the igneous and sedimentary rocks in West Borneo

The tectonic affinity of West Borneo and its relationship with the East Asia continental margin are key issues for unraveling SE Asia tectonics. New zircon U-Pb and Hf-O isotopes and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of the igneous and associated sedimentary rocks in West Borneo document the development of Early (∼200–185 Ma) and Late (∼160–145 Ma) Jurassic arc-like igneous rocks. In the Kuching Zone and South Schwaner Mountains, the Jurassic mafic-intermediate igneous rocks are characterized by enrichment in LILEs, depletion in HFSEs, εHf(t) = +0.6 – +11.6, δ18O = 4.97–5.61‰, εNd(t) = −2.5∼+2.4, (206Pb/204Pb)i = 18.71–19.37 and (208Pb/204Pb)i = 38.75–39.58. They originated from a sediment-modified mantle wedge source in a supra-subduction zone setting. The Jurassic granitoids shared consistent elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-O isotopic signatures with εHf(t) = +1.7∼ +15.6, δ18O = 4.97–6.01‰, εNd(t) = −1.1 ∼ +4.2, with Δ8/4 = 22.5–51.9 and Δ7/4 = 5.8–14.3, arguing for a juvenile crust-dominated origin. Detritus from the associated sedimentary rocks in the Kuching Zone and South Schwaner Mountains was largely derived from the nearby Jurassic magmatic arc. Their detrital zircon age patterns are comparable to those from the East Malaysia-Indochina and Sibu zone, but distinctive from those in SE Borneo. Integrating all data with those from regional surveys, the igneous and sedimentary rocks in the South Schwaner Mountains are suggested to commence in the earliest Jurassic or even Triassic. West Borneo might be the eastward extension of the Triassic Sundaland. The western Kuching Zone and western South Schwaner Mountains represent the southmost part of the active Jurassic Andean-type East Asian continental margin. The westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate was initiated around the earliest Jurassic at ∼200 Ma or earlier.

Cretaceous Tethyan subduction in SE Borneo: Geochronological and geochemical constraints from the igneous rocks in the Meratus Complex

• The igneous rocks in the Meratus Complex mainly formed at ∼115–140 Ma. • The Cretaceous Meratus mafic rocks originated from the slab-related wedge mantle. • The Cretaceous granitoids represent the product of wedge-originated juvenile crust. • Meratus Complex has a NW-Australian affinity and formed in an fore-arc setting. • The Meratus Neotethyan Ocean subducted beneath the Argo fragment until ∼100 Ma. SE Borneo lies at the junction of the Pacific and Tethyan realms. The Mesozoic geological record of the region is dominated by convergent plate margin activity, although the geological details and its broader role in the SE Asia evolution are poorly documented. This paper presents geochronological, whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data on the igneous rocks from the Meratus Complex in SE Borneo. The Meratus ophiolite might form at the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous (∼150–115 Ma), and the spatially-associated Haruyan Volcanics, Belawayan granitoids and their equivalents generated in the Early Cretaceous (∼140–107 Ma). The Haruyan and Pitap formations and their equivalents are dominated by Early Cretaceous (∼140–115 Ma) volcanic rocks and late Early Cretaceous (∼115–100 Ma) siliciclastic rocks, respectively. The mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in the Meratus Complex are characterized by MgO = 2.04–13.20 wt%, TiO 2 = 0.48–1.51 wt%, Nb/La = 0.09–0.42, ε Nd (t) = +4.6–+7.7, ( 206 Pb/ 204 Pb) i = 18.15–18.61, ( 207 Pb/ 204 Pb) i = 15.41–15.63 and ( 208 Pb/ 204 Pb) i = 38.03–38.63, and originated from the slab-related mantle wedge. The granitoids share similar elemental ratios and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions with the coeval mafic rocks, with Nb/La = 0.20–0.30, ε Nd (t) = +4.8–+6.0, Δ8/4 = 26.2–38.8 and Δ 7/4 = 5.0–7.7, representing the products of the wedge-originated juvenile crust. Synthesis of all data reveals a NW-Australian affinity for SE Borneo. The Early Cretaceous fore-arc tectonic setting extends southerly into the Bantimala (SW Sulawesi) and Luk Ulo (Central Java), constituting a united Early Cretaceous Central Indonesian accretionary zone. The Meratus Ocean subducted beneath the Argo fragment since ∼140 Ma and likely assembled with the Sundaland margin at ∼100 Ma in response to the Neotethyan consumption.

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogenesis in the northeastern Indochina and implications for the paleogeography of East Gondwana: constraints from igneous and sedimentary rocks

The Indochina block is one of a number of continental fragments that lay along or outboard of the East Gondwana northern margin. Its early Paleozoic tectonic nature and the relationship with East Gondwana remain poorly-known. This paper shows the general geology of northeastern Indochina and presents a set of new geochronological and geochemical data with respect to its early Paleozoic tectonics in East Laos. These results reveal early Paleozoic (~485-410 Ma) igneous activity in the northeastern Indochina, which are divisible into four geochemical groups. The ~450-434 Ma Group 1 and ~485-434 Ma Group 2 mafic-intermediate igneous rocks were derived from MORB-like and supra-subduction zone wedge source modified by the recycled-sedimentary components, respectively. The Group 3 rhyolites at ~424 Ma represent the melting products of juvenile mafic crust. The Group 4 granitoids and equivalent volcanics formed at ~485-407 Ma and were derived from crustal materials with variable input of juvenile crust. The detrital-zircon age-spectra are marked by peaks at ~560 Ma, ~960 Ma, ~1600 Ma, ~1850 Ma and ~2450 Ma for the pre-Silurian paragneiss in the NE Indochina, reflective its geographical proximity to the India-Antarctica segment of East Gondwana until the earliest Paleozoic. The age-peaks of ~447 Ma and ~780 Ma is additionally given for the detrital-zircon from the Silurian sandstones in the Truong Son zone. An accretionary assemblage model is proposed for the early Paleozoic tectonic pattern of the SW Indochina with Yangtze fragments. Such an orogenesis formed the part of the North Indo-Australie Orogen related to subduction of the Prototethyan Ocean and the subsequent accretion of Asian micro-continental fragments along the Peripheral East Gondwana until earliest Devonian.

The compositional variation of I-type granites: Constraints from geochemical analyses and phase equilibrium calculations for granites from the Qinling orogen, central China

There is a large compositional variation of I-type granites. Although partial melting and fractional crystallization are the two primary mechanisms for the variation, it is intriguing to know how they jointly work. This issue is addressed by a combined study of geochemistry and phase equilibrium modelling for a Triassic pluton from the Qinling orogen. The pluton consists of high-K, calc-alkaline I-type granites. Geochemical results suggest that the granites are likely sourced from Triassic mafic-intermediate igneous rocks. Compared with experimental melts, it is inferred that the natural granites are not the crystallized product from pure magmatic melts. This is confirmed by phase equilibrium calculations that have utilized the Triassic mafic-intermediate igneous rocks as the source, yielding modelled melts that contain too low FeOt, MgO and Mg# to match the target granites. The addition of restitic mineral assemblages to melts can relieve the discrepancy, but the modelled magmas have much higher CaO than the granites. Replacing equilibrium melting by disequilibrium melting in terms of the plagioclase behavior can lead to a satisfactory match. Furthermore, by taking the average of the target granites as a parental magma, the modelled crystalline products can well reproduce the variation trends in the high-K, calc-alkaline I-type granites from the Qinling orogen. In this regard, the crustal anatexis would produce the parental magma at first, which experienced fractional crystallization to form the granitic pluton with the compositional variation as observed. Therefore, these two processes would jointly lead to the compositional variation of I-type granites in nature.

Ordo-Silurian assemblage in the Indochina interior: Geochronological, elemental, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-O isotopic constraints of early Paleozoic granitoids in South Laos

AbstractIn order to verify the early Paleozoic accretionary assemblage in the Indochina interior and constrain the Prototethyan tectonic evolution in Southeast Asia, this study presents a set of new U-Pb geochronological, elemental, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-O isotopic data for the fifty-two representative granitoids in South Laos. The granitoids from the Kontum terrane, Tam Ky-Phuoc Son tectonic zone, and southern Truong Son igneous zone in South Laos yield the crystallization ages of 464–485 Ma, 455–471 Ma, and 427–446 Ma, respectively, with a northerly younging trend within the Indochina interior. They are mainly monzogranite with A/CNK = 0.96–1.99 and K2O > Na2O, which are marked by enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and depletion in high field strength elements with remarkable Nb-Ta, Sr-P, and Ti negative anomalies. Their initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.70510 to 0.71559, εNd(t) from −9.5 to −3.0, (206Pb/204Pb)i from 18.65 to 19.72, (207Pb/204Pb)i from 15.66 to 15.80, and (208Pb/ 204Pb)i from 38.84 to 39.79. The corresponding zircon ɛHf(t) and δ18O values are in the range of −10.6 to +1.0 and 6.88‰ to 8.94‰, respectively. In addition, their Sr-Nd-Pb and Hf-O isotopic compositions are generally similar with those of time-equivalent granitoids in South Tibet and SW Yunnan, China, and synchronous mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in South Laos, but distinctive from those of the supracrustal sedimentary-derived South China Paleozoic granite and Lincang-Sukhothai S-type granite. The early Paleozoic granitoids in South Laos might have originated from a mixed source of the wedge-derived juvenile crust coupled with supracrustal materials. All these data synthetically suggest the southward subduction of the Tam Ky-Phuoc Son Ocean and the northerly on-growing Ordo-Silurian accretionary orogenesis within the previously defined “single-ancient” Indochina block. The assemblage of the Indochina block might initiate at ca. 430 Ma in the Silurian and terminate in the Early-Middle Devonian.

Spatial and temporal influence of Pacific subduction on South China: geochemical migration of Cretaceous mafic–intermediate rocks

The Cretaceous igneous rocks in the South China Block (SCB) were associated with the slab subduction and roll-back of the Pacific Plate. Thus, they provide excellent opportunities to examine the spatial–temporal geochemical migration of magmatism in the retreating subduction margins. The Cretaceous mafic–intermediate igneous rocks from the southeastern SCB were aged between 142 and 71 Ma, and can geochemically be subdivided into three groups: Group A (126–129 Ma and 83–93 Ma), Group B (126–142 Ma and 71–108 Ma) and Group C (116–142 Ma and 70–110 Ma). Group A and B were mainly distributed in the SCB interior and derived from asthenosphere and asthenosphere–lithosphere interaction sources, respectively. Group C occurred to the east of the Ganjiang Fault and originated from slab–lithosphere interaction. From the coastal provinces to the interior, these mafic–intermediate igneous rocks show increasing incompatible element ratios and Nd isotopic compositions, reflective of a westerly decreasing involvement of slab-derived components. They show two similar age-pulses at c . 125 Ma and c . 90 Ma as well as the Cretaceous A-type granites, indicating two episodes of subduction retreat of the Pacific slab during the Cretaceous. This spatial–temporal pattern of the Cretaceous mafic–intermediate igneous rocks suggests that the Cretaceous slab metasomatism of Pacific subduction retreat was limited to the east of the Ganjiang Fault. Supplementary material: Tables of geochemical data and additional figures are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4938576

Early Paleozoic subduction in the Indochina interior: Revealed by Ordo-Silurian mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in South Laos

The early Paleozoic tectonic nature and subsequent orogenic process remain poorly known in the Indochina interior. This study introduces the general geology of South Laos and presents a set of new zircon UPb and HfO isotopic analyses, and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data for the mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in South Laos. The representative samples from the previously-mapped Ordo-Silurian strata in the southern Truong Son zone give the formation ages of 434–438 Ma. Five samples from the Tam Ky-Phuoc Son tectonic zone yield zircon UPb ages of 447–485 Ma. The corresponding zircon εHf(t), δ18O and TDM values are in range of +1.6~ −6.5, 6.1–8.6‰, and 1.02–1.79 Ga, respectively. Forty-five mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in South Laos with mg-number = 42–69 have SiO2 = 53.04–61.66 wt%, Al2O3 = 12.13–20.92 wt% and MgO = 2.73–9.55 wt%, and are characterized by enrichment in LILEs and depletion in HFSEs with NbTa negative anomalies. Their (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios range from 0.7044 to 0.7109 and εNd(t) values from −6.2 to −2.6, with (206Pb/204Pb)i = 18.08–18.68, (207Pb/204Pb)i = 15.50–15.77, and (208Pb/204Pb)i = 38.04–38.97. Ten gabbroic samples, with mg-number = 77–79, show similar incompatible elemental ratios and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-O isotopic compositions with the other mafic-intermediate igneous rocks, but have lower SiO2 and higher MgO, Cr, Ni and V contents, reflective of a primary mafic magma. Such characteristics suggest a newly-modified wedge source by recycled sediment-derived components. In combination with other geological observations in Central Vietnam, we propose a northerly-younging early Paleozoic igneous event in response to the on-growing accretionary orogenesis in the Indochina interior. The southward consumption of the early Paleozoic Tam Ky-Phuoc Son Ocean in the Indochina interior continued until at least ~430 Ma and the assemblage of the Northern Indochina with the Kontum terrane likely terminated at the early Devonian.

Mafic–intermediate igneous rocks in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, northwestern China: Petrogenesis and implications for regional geodynamic evolution during the Triassic

Mafic–intermediate igneous rocks can provide important insights into the geodynamic evolution of orogenic belts. Here, we investigate the petrogenesis of mafic–intermediate intrusive igneous rocks in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) to constrain regional geodynamic and magmatic evolution. These intrusive rocks are all located in the Permian-Triassic magmatic arc and parallel to the Paleo-Tethys ophiolite belt. Zircon UPb dating results indicate that these various igneous rocks crystallized during the Triassic. The 250–248 Ma appinites display low SiO2 contents, high MgO contents, and marked enrichments in large-ion lithophile elements and depletions in high-field-strength elements; combined with their enriched εHf(t) values, these appinites were considered to be derived from lithospheric mantle modified by subducted slab-derived fluids. The Harizha host granodiorites and MMEs have indistinguishable crystallization ages of 235 Ma but distinct SiO2 contents and δ18OSMOW values, which, together with enriched Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopes, suggest that their primary magmas were derived from the Mesoproterozoic lower crust (MLC) and subduction-modified lithospheric mantle (SMLM), respectively. The 241 Ma Baidungou quartz diorite and the 218 Ma Huanglonggou diorite porphyry show characteristics of medium SiO2 contents, moderate Mg# and εHf(t) values relative to contemporaneous mafic and granitic rocks; therefore they probably represent the mixing products of MLC-derived felsic and SMLM-derived mafic magmas. Different from the Baidungou diorite and Harizha granodiorite, the Huanglonggou diorite porphyries have adakitic characteristics, which suggests crustal thickening during the Late Triassic. A synthesis of these new data with previous researches shows that the EKOB undergone three magmatic peaks corresponding to three extension events (slab-rollback, slab-breakoff, and delamination) during the Triassic evolution.

Late Paleozoic magmatism and metallogenesis in the Aqishan-Yamansu belt, Eastern Tianshan: Constraints from the Bailingshan intrusive complex

The Aqishan-Yamansu belt in the Eastern Tianshan (NW China) contains many intermediate to felsic intrusive rocks and spatially and temporally associated Fe (-Cu) deposits. Zircon U-Pb dating of the Bailingshan granitoids, including diorite enclaves (in granodiorite), diorite, monzogranite and granodiorite, and andesitic tuff from the Shuanglong Fe-Cu deposit area yielded ages of 329.3 ± 2.1 Ma, 323.4 ± 2.6 Ma, 313.0 ± 2.0 Ma, 307.5 ± 1.7 Ma and 318.0 ± 2.0 Ma, respectively. These new ages, in combination with published data can be used to subdivide magmatism of the Bailingshan intrusive complex into three phases at ca. 329–323 Ma, ca. 318–313 Ma and ca. 308–297 Ma. Of the analyzed rocks of this study, the Shuanglong diorite enclave, diorite and andesitic tuff show calc-alkaline affinities, exhibiting LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion, with negative Nb and Ta anomalies. They have high MgO contents and Mg# values, with depleted εHf(t) and positive εNd(t) values, similar crustal-derived Nb/Ta and Y/Nb ratios, low Th/Yb and Th/Nb, and high Ba/La ratios, which are consistent with them being sourced from a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and crustal contamination. However, the monzogranite and granodiorite are metaluminous with characteristics of low- to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites. The granitic rocks are enriched in LILE, depleted in HFSE and have significant Eu anomalies, with high Y contents and low Sr/Y ratios, resembling typical of normal arc magmas. Depleted εHf(t) and positive εNd(t) values with corresponding young TDMC ages of zircons, as well as Nb/Ta, Y/Nb, Th/U and La/Yb ratios suggest that the granitic rocks were probably formed by re-melting of juvenile lower crust or pre-existing mantle-derived mafic–intermediate igneous rocks. Integrating published data, we conclude that the Bailingshan granitoids (excluding the Shuanglong diorite and diorite enclave) were derived from re-melting of juvenile lower crust and mantle-derived mafic–intermediate igneous rocks, with mantle components playing a more prominent role in the formation of the younger and more felsic rocks. A comprehensive review, including our new data, suggests that the Aqishan-Yamansu belt formed as a fore-arc basin during the Carboniferous (ca. 350–300 Ma) when the Kangguer oceanic slab subducted beneath the Yili-Central Tianshan block. The ongoing southward subduction of the slab resulted in the closure of the Aqishan-Yamansu fore-arc basin (ca. 320–300 Ma), due to slab steepening and rollback followed by slab breakoff and rebound. During the Aqishan-Yamansu fore-arc basin inversion, the main phase of the Bailingshan granitoids emplaced in the Aqishan-Yamansu belt, accompanied by contemporary Fe and Fe-Cu mineralization.

The Bangxi-Chenxing tectonic zone in Hainan Island (South China) as the eastern extension of the Song Ma-Ailaoshan zone: Evidence of late Paleozoic and Triassic igneous rocks

Mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in the Bangxi-Chenxing tectonic zone of Hainan Island, South China, can be used to constrain the Paleotethyan tectonic evolution in Southeast Asia. This paper presents petrologic, geochronological, elemental and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic data for Carboniferous basalts, Permian andesites and Triassic gabbro-dolerites in this zone. Zircon grains from these rocks have U-Pb ages of ∼330 Ma, ∼257 Ma and ∼240 Ma, respectively. The ∼330 Ma basalts contain 1400 Ma captured zircon grains, and display MORB-like geochemical characteristics with positive εNd (t) values of +5.86–+9.85, reflective of a MORB source with the input of a slab-derived component in a continental back-arc basin setting. The ∼257 Ma andesites contain older captured zircon grains, and have arc-like geochemical signature with weakly positive εNd (t) values of +0.26–+0.38, zircon εHf (t) values of −0.5–+1.4 and δ18O values of 6.35–7.16‰, which were derived from a metasomatized mantle wedge modified by the sediment-derived component in a continental arc setting. The ∼240 Ma gabbro-dolerites exhibit enrichment in LILEs, depletion in HFSEs, negative εNd (t)-εHf (t) values (−8.45 to −1.05 and −5.9 to −2.7, respectively) and crustal-like δ18O values (7.26–8.70‰), indicative of a post-collisional environment in response to the asthenosphere upwelling shortly after the closure of the Bangxi-Chenxing back-arc basin. The Carboniferous-Triassic mafic-intermediate igneous rocks thus record the Carboniferous-Permian arc-basin system and its Triassic closure. The Bangxi–Chenxing tectonic zone separated South Hainan from North Hainan and westerly extended to the Song Ma–Ailaoshan suture zone.

Mineralogical and isotopic constraints on the genesis of the Jingchong Co–Cu polymetallic ore deposit in northeastern Hunan Province, South China

The Jingchong Co–Cu polymetallic deposit and a few other Co (–polymetallic) ore deposits are located in northeastern Hunan Province, in the central segment of the Jiangnan Orogen, South China. These deposits occur along the NE-trending Changping (Changsha–Pingjiang) deep fault zone and show a spatial association with the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Lianyunshan granitoids, which intruded the Archean to Paleoproterozoic Lianyunshan Group comprising metaclastic-sedimentary rocks interlayered with mafic-intermediate igneous rocks. The Jingchong deposit is hosted within an altered fracture zone at the footwall of the Changping fault zone, and comprises an upper Pb–Zn ore zone and a lower Co–Cu ore zone. Wall rock alteration is dominated by silicification and chloritic alteration. Three types of ores were identified, i.e., quartz–sulfide veins, altered structural breccias and altered fractured rocks. Integrated field work and microscopy observations reveal a three-stage hydrothermal process related to mineralization: 1) quartz+chlorite (ChlI)+pyrite, 2) quartz+chlorite (ChlII)+pyrite+chalcopyrite+cobaltite, and 3) quartz+carbonate+galena+sphalerite±pyrite±chalcopyrite. LA-ICPMS analyses reveal that the Co contents are 1315–6473ppm, 76–3866ppm, and 5–435ppm for pyrite from the first-, the second-, and the third stages, respectively. EPMA analyses of chlorite show that ChlI and ChlII have Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of 0.65–0.80 and 0.76–0.92, and AlIV contents of 1.30–1.65 apfu (atom per formula unit) and 1.18–1.48 apfu, respectively. Empirical geothermometry of chlorite yielded temperatures of 256–318°C (av. 281°C) and 239–290°C (av. 256°C) for first- and second-stage chlorite, respectively. The δ34SVCDT values of sulfides (−4.9‰ to 0.2‰, av. −1.6‰) suggest a magmatic source for the sulfur, and the 3He/4He (0.017–0.30Ra) and 40Ar/36Ar (285–306) ratios of fluid inclusions in pyrite suggest that the ore-forming fluids were mainly crust-derived magmatic hydrothermal fluids with possible meteoric water inputs. The 206Pb/204Pb (18.042–18.746), 207Pb/204Pb (15.592–15.741) and 208Pb/204Pb (38.237–39.150) ratios of ore sulfides are similar to those of the Lianyunshan Group, suggesting that the metals may have been derived from the latter. Integrating the geological, mineralogical and geochemical data documented in this study, we propose that the Jingchong Co–Cu polymetallic deposit formed from a hydrothermal system related to the Lianyunshan pluton, which was derived from crustal anataxis of the Lianyunshan Group in a back-arc extensional setting in the Late Mesozoic.

Zircon U–Pb age, Hf isotopic compositions and geochemistry of the Silurian Fengdingshan I-type granite Pluton and Taoyuan mafic–felsic Complex at the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block

This work presents an integrated study of zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope along with whole-rock geochemistry on Silurian Fengdingshan I-type granites and Taoyuan mafic–felsic intrusive Complex located at the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block, filling in a gap in understanding of Paleozoic I-type granites and mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in the eastern South China Craton (SCC). The Fengdingshan granite and Taoyuan hornblende gabbro are dated at 436±5Ma and 409±2Ma, respectively. The Fengdingshan granites display characteristics of calc-alkaline I-type granite with high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7093–0.7127, low εNd(t) values ranging from −5.6 to −5.4 and corresponding Nd model ages (T2DM) of 1.6Ga. Their zircon grains have εHf(t) values ranging from −2.7 to 2.6 and model ages of 951–1164Ma. The Taoyuan mafic rocks exhibit typical arc-like geochemistry, with enrichment in Rb, Th, U and Pb and depletion in Nb, Ta. They have initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7053–0.7058, εNd(t) values of 0.2–1.6 and corresponding T2DM of 1.0–1.1Ga. Their zircon grains have εHf(t) values ranging from 3.2 to 6.1 and model ages of 774–911Ma. Diorite and granodiorite from the Taoyuan Complex have initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7065–0.7117, εNd(t) values from −5.7 to −1.9 and Nd model ages of 1.3–1.6Ga. The petrographic and geochemical characteristics indicate that the Fengdingshan granites probably formed by reworking of Neoproterozoic basalts with very little of juvenile mantle-derived magma. The Taoyuan Complex formed by magma mixing and mingling, in which the mafic member originated from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle. Both the Fengdingshan and Taoyuan Plutons formed in a post-orogenic collapse stage in an intracontinental tectonic regime. Besides the Paleozoic Fengdingshan granites and Taoyuan hornblende gabbro, other Neoproterozoic and Indosinian igneous rocks located along the southeastern and western margin of the Yangtze Block also exhibit decoupled Nd–Hf isotopic systemics, which may be a fingerprint of a previous late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic oceanic subduction.

The Grenvillian orogeny in the Altun–Qilian–North Qaidam mountain belts of northern Tibet Plateau: Constraints from geochemical and zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotopic study of magmatic rocks

Numerous Neoproterozoic magmatic and metamorphic events in the Altun–Qilian–North Qaidam (AQNQ) region record Grenvillian orogenesis and amalgamation of the supercontinent Rodinia. However, the tectonothermal regimes responsible for these Neoproterozoic events and the assumed position of the AQNQ in Rodinia remain controversial. Zircon U–Pb age data show that the orthogneiss and paragneiss/schist of the AQNQ experienced concurrent magmatism and metamorphism at 895–925Ma. Zircon Lu–Hf isotopic data indicate that the gneisses in the AQNQ have εHf (0.9Ga) values and tDM2 (Hf) model ages ranging from −5.6 to +3.9 and 1.4 to 1.9Ga. These data suggest that the early Neoproterozoic magma in the AQNQ was predominately derived from a late Paleoproterozoic–early Mesoproterozoic crustal source between 1.4 and 1.9Ga, marking an important episode of crustal growth in the AQNQ. The Neoproterozoic magmatism is geochemically characterized by (1) high SiO2, K2O, and low P2O5; (2) A/CNK ratios >1.0, ranging from 1.03 to 1.09; (3) enrichment in Rb, Th and U, and depletion in Ba, Nb, Ta, Sr, Ti, and Eu. Based on the geochemical resemblance to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granite and zircon Lu–Hf isotope signatures, the Neoproterozoic magmatism in the AQNQ was probably derived from ancient mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in an active continental margin. The Neoproterozoic tectono-magmatic–metamorphic history of the AQNQ, directly associated with the South China block (SCB) and the Tarim block (TB), indicates that the AQNQ and the TB coexisted as a single block in the early Neoproterozoic, which was temporarily connected to the SCB to the north or west in Rodinia during the late stages of the Grenvillian orogeny (950–900Ma).

Petrographical, Mineralogical, and Geochemical Studies on Core-samples From Sidi Salim-1 Well, Nile Delta, Egypt

Core samples of sandstone and clay raised from the Neogene succession of Sidi Salim-1 well were petrographically, mineralogically, and geochemically studied with the objective of determining the depositional conditions. The sandstone is composed of quartz, feldspars of which the deeper sands of Qawasim Formation show some alteration; with rock fragments of volcanic, metamorphic, and sedimentary origin, in addition to altered biotite. These components are embedded in amorphous pyrite, microcrystalline calcite, and primary dolomite, as well as partial cementation by gypsum (mainly in the Pliocene sands). The clays are composed primarily of montmorillonite, kaolinite, and illite. These clays were provided from mafic igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and intermediate igneous rocks, and were deposited under reducing conditions in a brackish lagoon intermittently receiving varying amounts of fresh water.

Petrology and geochronology of Mesoproterozoic mafic–intermediate plutonic rocks from Mitwaba (D. R. Congo): implications for the evolution of the Kibaran belt in central Africa

Mesoproterozoic supracrustal rocks in the Kibaride belt (southeast Congo) were intruded by mafic–intermediate plutonic rocks. These igneous rocks were affected by greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metamorphism during the Mesoproterozoic Kibaran orogenesis. U–Pb single zircon dating of the Mitwaba mafic–intermediate plutonic rocks yields an emplacement age of 1.38 Ga. The compositions of the Mitwaba mafic–intermediate plutonic rocks range from gabbro to diorite and show the following elemental concentrations: SiO2: 49–58 wt%, TiO2: 0.53–0.92 wt%, A2O3: 13.1–18.68 wt%, Zr: 45–142 ppm, Y: 13–43 ppm. Mg no. 40–66 indicates variable degrees of fractionation of the magmas. The rocks are marked by high and variable Th/Ta (3–14), La/Nb (2–5) and low Ce/Pb (0.3–12.8) and Ti/V (10–19). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns exhibit enrichment in LREE relative to HREE ((La/Yb)N=2.9–5.8). Primordial mantle-normalized spider diagrams show negative slopes with gradual decrease from LIL to HFS elements and are marked by Nb and Ti negative anomalies. Immobile trace-element contents indicate a continental arc setting for these mafic–intermediate igneous rocks. They are inferred to have originated from a mantle wedge enriched by fluid from a subducting slab, with possibly an additional contribution from subducted sediments. Low, sub-chondritic Nb/Ta ratios in these mafic rocks support this interpretation. A model involving underplating of mafic–intermediate arc magma into the crust, triggering partial melting of Mitwaba group metasedimentary rocks during the accretionary stage of the Kibaran orogeny, is proposed to explain the coeval emplacement of mafic–intermediate arc magmas and peraluminous S-type granitoids in the Kibaride belt of central Africa.