Silurian-Early Devonian Research Articles

Sedimentary provenance supports a mid-paleozoic tectonic connection between the Junggar and Altai terranes in central Asia

The provenance of Precambrian detritus in the Junggar and Altai terranes provides crucial constraints on the peri-Siberian accretionary tectonic evolution in the middle Paleozoic. The Precambrian detrital zircons have no coeval magmatic equivalents in the Junggar terrane but show U–Pb age spectra and εHf(t) values comparable to those in the Altai terrane. The correlations suggest that the old detrital materials in the Junggar and Altai terranes were most likely derived from the Siberia craton and adjacent Tuva-Mongolian microcontinent. Paleozoic zircons in the Junggar terrane display a εHf(t) pattern from large spread to dominantly positive values at ca. 420–410 Ma. Such an abrupt change points to an accretionary tectonic transition from an advancing to retreating mode during mid-Paleozoic time, synchronous with similar tectonic switch occurring in the Altai terrane. Taking into account the temporal and spatial relations in sedimentation, tectonism and arc magmatism, we propose that the Junggar terrane had once collided onto the peri-Siberian Altai terrane to receive abundant old detritus from the Siberian continent in the Silurian–early Devonian. They were subsequently separated at ca. 420–410 Ma, possibly due to the slab rollback of the subducting Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) plate. These results constrain an Early Paleozoic tectono-paleogeographic boundary of the CAOB along the North Tianshan–Solonker suture zone, and also imply a long-lived PAO subduction was responsible for the Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic accretionary orogenesis at the margins of southern Siberia, eastern Kazakhstan, and northern Gondwana.

Girvanella fossils from the Phanerozoic: Distribution, evolution and controlling factors

Girvanella is one of the common genera of cyanobacteria that plays a monumental role in the evolution of life on Earth and the formation of microbialites. Based on a detailed search in the literature of Girvanella fossils, we have compiled a global database of Girvanella fossils and revealed the evolution of Girvanella fossils throughout the Phanerozoic. Four species, Girvanella kasakiensis, Girvanella problematica, Girvanella wetheredii, and Girvanella staminea, are recognized and described. These data show that Girvanella fossils have well-defined temporal distribution during the Paleozoic Era, have a significant temporal gap in the Mesozoic Era, and have only been recorded sporadically in the Cenozoic Era. They were relatively abundant during the Cambrian Epoch 2–Early Ordovician, Late Ordovician, Late Devonian–Mississippian, and tended to lesser degrees during the Silurian–Early Devonian, Lopingian Epoch–Middle Jurassic, and Cretaceous–Present day. Furthermore, the evolution of the abundance and diversity of Girvanella fossils was fundamentally consistent and showed episodical declining during the Phanerozoic. To further explore these relationships, we thoroughly compared them with environmental factors such as seawater carbonate saturation state, Ca2+ concentration, pH values, and atmospheric partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2). This study indicates that seawater carbonate saturation state and Ca2+ concentration are major controls on secular patterns of the abundance and diversity of Girvanella fossils, together with the secondary factors of pH values and pCO2. Considering the long history of Girvanella fossils, their abundance and diversity offer the potential to assist the interpretation of the long-term evolution of marine and atmosphere components during the Phanerozoic.

Characteristics and significance of detrital zircons from podiform chromitites of the Lycian ophiolite, SW Türkiye: Evidence for crustal recycling in the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan Ocean

The Lycian ophiolite in SW Türkiye includes both high-Al and high-Cr chromitites hosted in mantle peridotites. Detrital zircons have been recovered from both types of chromitite, and are typically much older than the crystallization age (91–92 Ma) of the ophiolite. The U–Pb ages range widely, but most cluster in one of four groups, namely Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic (2515 ± 28 Ma to 1735 ± 44 Ma), Neoproterozoic (828 ± 10 Ma to 558 ± 9 Ma), Late Silurian-Early Devonian (416 ± 8 Ma) and Middle Triassic (242 ± 7 Ma). Rare earth element (REE) patterns and trace element contents of the zircon grains suggest that they were derived from continental sources. For example, εHf(t) values (−11.32 to 11.03) point to derivation from highly evolved crustal sources with very limited juvenile melt. Thus, the detrital zircons from the Lycian chromitites are very similar to those recovered from the underlying Menderes Metamorphic Massif (MMM) and Afyon Zone (Anatolides) that separated in the past from Western Gondwana. The presence of the unusually old zircons suggests that they were captured by the high-Al and high-Cr chromitites during rifting, slab roll-back and slab tear during subduction initiation in a forearc environment within the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan Ocean during the Late Cretaceous.

Petrogenesis and geodynamic settings of the Devonian adakites and A-type granites in the North Qinling orogen

The Devonian adakites and A-type granites developed in the eastern section of the North Qinling (NQ) orogen in Central China records the evolution of the East Qinling orogen. In this study, petrological, zircon UPb and LuHf isotopic, whole rock element and SrNd isotopic analyses were carried out to investigate the origin and geodynamic setting of the Sikeshu and Shenxianya plutons in NQ. The Sikeshu two-mica granites formed at 415.7 ± 2.3 Ma possess geochemical characteristics similar to those of adakites, while the Shenxianya monzogranites formed at 386.4 ± 1.8 Ma exhibit A-type granite characteristics. Both plutons show enriched SrNd isotopic characteristics and display enrichment and depletion of the zircon Hf isotope. Results show that the Sikeshu two-mica granites were derived by partial melting of a combined source from Erlangping mafic rocks and the Qinling Group, while the Shenxianya monzogranites were derived by partial melting of lower crust granulite. In the late Late Silurian, the mantle-derived magma produced by the slab failure underplated the thickened lower crust, forming the Sikeshu two-mica granites with adakitic features. The NQ underwent a transition from compression to extension during the late Late Silurian-Early Devonian following the closure of the Shandfan Ocean. The mantle-derived magma formed by delamination underplated the lower crustal granulites, generating the Shenxianya A-type granite.

Geochronology, geochemistry, and Hf isotope of quartz monzonite and diorite in dachaigou, the East Kunlun orogenic belt, China, and their geological significance

This study focuses on quartz monzonite and diorite plutons in Dachaigou, East Kunlun, examining their formation, age, petrogenesis, magmatic source, and tectonic setting. Through comprehensive field observations, zircon geochronology, geochemistry, and Hf isotope analysis, new insights into the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the proto-Tethys Ocean in the East Kunlun orogenic belt are provided. Zircon U–Pb dating reveals that quartz monzonite and diorite formed at 417.4 ± 2.1 and 404.6 ± 1.8 Ma, respectively. Geochemical analysis shows that the A/CNK value of quartz monzonite ranges from 0.98 to 1.07, with the Pb content proportional to SiO2, which aligns with the characteristics of I-type granite. The εHf(t) values for quartz monzonite and diorite are −0.84 to 2.2 and −13.22 to 2.04, respectively. Considering the formation age, geochemical characteristics, and regional tectonic evolution, it is concluded that quartz monzonite has a crust-derived origin, whereas diorite has a crust–mantle mixing origin. Both were formed in a post-collision extensional tectonic setting resulting from slab break-off, implying the Proto-Tethys Ocean East Kunlun entered a post-collisional extension stage in the Late Silurian–Early Devonian.

Silurian to early Devonian overmature hot shales in Eastern Taurus: Source rock characteristics and links to North African petroleum systems

The study area is located in the Eastern Taurus region and is characterized by the Paleozoic autochthonous Geyik Dağı Unit (GDU) in the northern Paleo-Tethys back-arc basin. The Eastern Taurus encompasses Silurian-Early Devonian units, which may have the characteristics to be called hot shales. In the study area, the Silurian black and organic lean shales and Orthoceras-bearing limestone and shale alternation have directly deposited on the Late Ordovician (Hirnantian) peri-glacial clastics. However, while Hot shale-I unit was deposited over the ice cover rebound-related paleo-depression areas in the southern Paleo-Tethys (North Africa) during the early Silurian (Rhuddanian- Early Telychian), turbiditic black lydite successions were deposited due to the radiolarian bloom in the northern Paleo-Tethys (Taurus Belt). Therefore, the studied black shales overlying the lydite successions correspond to the late Telychian hot shale II (Sheinwoodian and Pridoli- Lochkovian), which has only been defined in the Moroccan basins. On the other hand, both lydite occurrence and late Telychian-Sheinwoodian, and Pridoli-Lochkovian black shales (equivalents of Akakus and/or Tadrart formations) indicate that the Taurus basin under distinct paleoclimate conditions witnessed different bathymetry and nutrients source (e.g., silica). In addition, pyrolysis results indicate that the studied black shales belonging to GDU have lost 85–98% of their HC potential due to the overburden resulted from the allochthonous units. However, isotopic composition of the oils from the Adana basin and from the surface seepage samples show that these oils were expelled from Devonian shales. According to the pyrolysis and isotope data, we suggest that there may be a Pridoli-Lochkovian source rock unit in the Eastern Taurus, unlike the North Africa basins (except for Tadla basin). These data indicate that the basins developed over the Silurian-Early Devonian succession, which are believed not to have been affected by the nappe events, could have yielded an economic petroleum system over the onshore and/or offshore of eastern Mediterranean basins.

Палеомагнитное датирование пород Большесырского магматического ареала Минусинской котловины

Paleomagnetic dating of the Bolshesyrsky igneous area, a thick intraplate igneous complex of Khakassia, was carried out. The complex has not been dated due to the peculiarities of the stratigraphy and the lack of suitable rocks for applying the methods of absolute geochronology. The use of the paleomagnetic method has shown that the paleomagnetic pole of the red beds, which are intruded by sills and dikes of the Bolshesyrsky area, is close to the Silurian paleomagnetic poles of Siberia and Tuva and differs sharply from the Ordovician paleomagnetic poles of these areas. That is, red-colored rocks are Silurian, and subvolcanic rocks are post-Silurian. The sharp unconformable overlapping of the red-colored and volcanic strata with the Middle Devonian sedimentary trough without igneous rocks indicates that the age of the Bolshesyrsky complex is limited to the Silurian-Early Devonian interval. The genesis of the rocks of the Bolshesyrsky magmatic area was associated with the activity of the Early Devonian Minusinsk plume.

Geodynamic settings of Silurian - Early Devonian volcanism in the north of the Sakmara zone (the Southern Urals)

The work provides characteristics of the Karamolinsky and Blyavinsky volcanic complexes, which were identified by I.A. Smirnova, V.L. Cherkasov, V.T. Tishchenko, I.B. Seravkin in the Mednogorsk region in the rank of strata. Based on findings of graptolites in limestones and siliceous shales, intercalations among pillow basalts and massive basaltic flows, the sequence is dated as the Middle to Upper Llandoverian. Based on the presence of facies replacement of the Karamolinsky sequence with siliceous rocks of the Sakmara Formation, the age of the Karamolinsky sequence is assumed to be S–D1. The Karamolinsky sequence (according to A.D. Petrovsky, L.D. Chegodaev) is identified with the Blyavinsky formation. We propose that the basalts of the southern wall of the Blyavinsky quarry and their analogues containing interlayers of siliceous rocks with graptolites (S1) be included in the Karamolinsky sequence and Blyavinsky formation, and the ore-hosting section of the Blyavinsky and Komsomolsk deposits with low-titanium basalts and acidic polyfacial rocks, is classified as the Blyavinsky formation (S–D1). The geodynamic conditions for the formation of the Karamolinsky strata are discussed. Materials on the composition and age of the Karamalinsky formation of the Maksyutov complex and pyrite mineralization of the Yuluk group of deposits in the Uraltau zone are considered. It is concluded that it is possible to partially compare the strata of the Maksyutov complex and the Silurian-Early Devonian volcanic sulfide-bearing strata of the Mednogorsk ore region.

Dating the evolution of the complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida): total-evidence dating analysis supports a Late Silurian-Early Devonian origin and post-Mesozoic morphological stasis.

Divergence times based on molecular clock analyses often differ from those derived from total-evidence dating (TED) approaches. For bryophytes, fossils have been excluded from previous assessments of divergence times, and thus, their utility in dating analyses remains unexplored. Here, we conduct the first TED analyses of the complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida) that include fossils and evaluate macroevolutionary trends in morphological 'diversity' (disparity) and rates. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on a combined dataset of 130 discrete characters and 11 molecular markers (sampled from nuclear, plastid and mitochondrial genomes). Taxon sampling spanned 56 extant species - representing all the orders within Marchantiophyta and extant genera within Marchantiales - and eight fossil taxa. Total-evidence dating analyses support the radiation of Marchantiopsida during Late Silurian-Early Devonian (or Middle Ordovician when the outgroup is excluded) and that of Ricciaceae in the Middle Jurassic. Morphological change rate was high early in the history of the group, but it barely increased after Late Cretaceous. Disparity-through-time analyses support a fast increase in diversity until the Middle Triassic (c. 250 Ma), after which phenotypic evolution slows down considerably. Incorporating fossils in analyses challenges previous assumptions on the affinities of extinct taxa and indicates that complex thalloid liverworts radiated c. 125 Ma earlier than previously inferred.

Silurian to Early Devonian tectonic evolution of the southeastern Qilian Orogen inferred from zircon U–Pb dating and geochemistry of intrusive rocks

Early to mid-Paleozoic tectonothermal events in the Qilian Orogen developed during the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and the convergence of microcontinents in the periphery of East Gondwana. In this paper, we present geochronological, geochemical and Sr–Nd-Hf isotopic data for the granitoid rocks and mafic dykes in southeastern Qilian Orogen. The Liwan (440 Ma), Shixia (434 Ma) and Huchuan (429 Ma) granitoid rocks have metaluminous to weakly peraluminous features, with whole-rock ε Nd ( t ) values of 1.1 to 1.6, −4.2 to −4.4 and −2.6 to 1.1, and zircon ε Hf ( t ) values of 0 to 8.9, −6.6 to 1.6 and −4.6 to 2.2, respectively. Geochemical data suggest that the Liwan, Shixia and Huchuan granitoids are derived from partial melting of the Proterozoic basement with addition of juvenile material, felsic crustal basement and mafic crustal material, respectively. The Zhangjiayuan mafic dykes (403 Ma) are high-K to shoshonitic with whole-rock ε Nd ( t ) (−1.1 to −0.9) and zircon ε Hf ( t ) values (−0.9 to 13.3), derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle. We suggest that these Silurian–Early Devonian intrusive rocks were formed via complex events involving arc-related subduction followed by slab-tearing to post-collisional processes during the Silurian and subsequent lithospheric extension in the Early Devonian. Supplementary material: Tables giving zircon U–Pb isotopic data, whole-rock major and trace element results, whole-rock Sr–Nd isotopic data and zircon in situ Lu–Hf isotopic data are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6693575

Multistage mineralization of the Liling goldfield (NE Hunan) in the Jiangnan Orogen: Constraints from hydrothermal rutile U–Pb dating and sericite Rb–Sr dating

The Liling goldfield located in northeastern (NE) Hunan contains >200 tons of proven gold reserves. The gold mineralization age in Liling has long been controversial due to the lack of datable minerals. In this study, petrographic observations indicate that hydrothermal rutile and sericite were precipitated with auriferous pyrite/arsenopyrite in the ore veins. The electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) results show that the sericite from ores and the sericite from Neoproterozoic slate display distinct compositions (Especially Al, K, and Ti). The high W (1,081–36,456 ppm) and low Zr (21.35–288.7 ppm) contents of the rutile suggests a hydrothermal origin. We reported new laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb ages of ore-stage hydrothermal rutile (415.2 ± 8.3 Ma) for the Tuanshanbei gold deposit, and sericite Rb-Sr ages (417.6 ± 12.9 Ma and 216.9 ± 7.8 Ma) for the Tuanshanbei and Yanlinsi gold deposits in the goldfield. The new data confirm that multistage gold mineralization has occurred in the Liling goldfield, and falls within the generally accepted timing (ca. 430–400 Ma and 250–200 Ma) of gold mineralization in the Jiangnan Orogen. Integration of geological characteristics, tectonic setting, and geochronology of the Liling goldfield suggest two Au mineralization episodes, which occurred in the Late Silurian-Early Devonian intracontinental orogeny and Triassic intracontinental orogeny, respectively.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Late Silurian–Early Devonian Bimodal Intrusive Rocks in the Central Beishan Orogenic Belt, NW China: Constraints by Petrology, Geochemistry and Hf Isotope

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Late Silurian–Early Devonian Bimodal Intrusive Rocks in the Central Beishan Orogenic Belt, NW China: Constraints by Petrology, Geochemistry and Hf Isotope

Feeding in the Devonian antiarch placoderm fishes: a study based upon morphofunctional analysis of jaws

AbstractAntiarch placoderm fishes were an abundant component of the Middle Paleozoic vertebrate assemblages. Despite a large number of known taxa and specimens, the morphology and function of the skeletal elements of their jaws is inadequately known. Because of this, questions regarding their feeding modes and their roles in the trophic webs remain open. We present a skeletomuscular model of the antiarch jaw apparatus with an attempt to reconstruct its potential biomechanical function. The position of the upper jaw suborbital bones within the plane of the ventral side of the fish armor is suggested to represent the natural “mouth closed” position. During mouth opening, the suborbitals rotated rostrally with simultaneous depression and inward rotation of the infragnathals. The ball-and-socket jaw articulation might ensure this combined movement. Recently described lower jaw elements ofLivnolepis zadonica(Obrucheva, 1983) andBothriolepissp. from the Upper Devonian (lower Famennian) of Central Russia demonstrating very deep and porous blades of the oral division of the infragnathals queried the structure of these bones in other antiarchs. Observed porosity reflects intense vascularization to supply blood to a connective tissue underlying a supposed keratinous sheath, which protected and strengthened the jaws, as well as made possible scraping tough food objects, such as thallus algae, from the substrate.Having evolved during the Silurian in the Pan-Cathaysian zoogeographical province, antiarchs migrated to Gondwana during the Emsian and later to Euramerica during the Eifelian. Supposedly, antiarchs became the first macrophytophagous vertebrates occupying the trophic level of primary consumers during the late Silurian–Early Devonian. This event diversified the only previously existing predator–prey interrelationships between filter-feeding agnathans and predatory gnathostomes.

ГЕОДИНАМІКА

Purpose. The objective of this study is the investigation of the Silurian-Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) carbonate-clay sedimentary complex of the southwestern slope of the East-European platform. Its formation was the result of a single cycle of geodynamic and sedimentary events in the lithological record of the southern continental margin of Baltica. Methodology. The study is based on well-logs correlation, lithological and geochemical investigations of core samples, and petrographic thin sections analysis. The obtained results were used to establish patterns of changes in the material composition of the studied strata in time and space in order to determine the basin development dynamics of the continental margin of the Eastern European platform southwestern slope in the Silurian-Early Devonian. Results. It is established that the formation of the carbonate-clay sequence represents a single sedimentary cycle and was the result of a complex of geodynamic, depositional and paleoclimatic events that took place on the Baltica southern continental margin. The Silurian period was characterized by intensive development of benthic organisms and reef structure formation in the proximal part of the basin and clay-carbonate muds enriched with dispersed organic matter in its distal part. In the Early Devonian, carbonate biogenic sedimentation continued throughout the basin. The carbonate maximum content (80–98%) proves the existence of the reef constructions in the basin sedimentary record. Lower values of carbonate content are characteristic of marls (40–55%) and biodetritic limestones (56–75%), which make up the main part of the Silurian sequence. There are no reef constructions in the section of the Lochkovian stage of Devonian, and the calcium carbonate content in the rocks varies from 45 to 83%. The content of CaCO3 in mudstones and calcareous mudstones of the Silurian varies from 5 to 15%. Originality. The applied complex of lithological, geochemical, geological-geophysical and paleogeographic investigations allowed studying the sedimentary basin dynamics in the Silurian-Early Devonian with the assessment of the possibility of participation of these strata in oil and gas hydrocarbons generation. Practical significance. The obtained results show that the carbonate-clay complex of sedimentary rocks of the Silurian and Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) of the studied region can be considered as a separate petroleum system, including source rocks, reservoir rocks and possible conventional and unconventional oil and gas accumulations.

Low tropical diversity during the adaptive radiation of early land plants.

The latitudinal biodiversity gradient, with tropical regions acting as 'evolutionary cradles', is a cornerstone of current biogeographical and ecological theory1. In the modern world floral biodiversity and biomass are overwhelmingly concentrated in the tropics, and it is often assumed that the tropics were evolutionary cradles throughout land plant evolutionary history. For example, the origination and diversification of angiosperms is believed to have taken place in the Cretaceous tropics2 and modern gymnosperms in the Permian tropics3. Here, we show that during the first major diversification of land plants, in the Late Silurian-Early Devonian, land plant biodiversity was much lower at the equator compared to medium-high southern latitudes. Throughout this crucial interval of plant evolution, tropical vegetation remained depauperate and of very low taxonomic biodiversity, although with similar morphological disparity to the more diverse higher latitude floras. Possible explanations for this low tropical floral biodiversity include palaeocontinental configuration or adverse palaeotropical environmental conditions. We discount the possibility that it was simply a fortuitous feature of the biogeographical spread of the earliest vascular land plants.

Age, provenance and geological significance of (meta)–sedimentary rocks in the Yitong–Gongzhuling area, NE China: Constraints from zircon U–Pb geochronology

The Permo–Triassic was a crucial interval for the Changchun–Yanji suture zone in NE China since it witnessed the late–stage tectonic evolution of the Paleo–Asian Ocean (PAO). Thus, provenance analysis of Triassic sedimentary rocks in this region can shed light on the eventual closure process of the PAO. In this study, we carried out petrological, geochemical, and detrital zircon U–Pb geochronological research on two (meta)–sedimentary rocks from the Yitong–Gongzhuling area located in the westernmost section of the Changchun–Yanji suture zone. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb ages of detrital zircons from the two samples indicate a middle Triassic maximum depositional age (~ 240 Ma). The two samples present a most significant Permo–Triassic (299–240 Ma) detrital zircon population that corresponds to the multi–phase subduction and collision–related magmatism along the Changchun–Yanji suture zone. In addition, a late Silurian–early Devonian (429–390 Ma) detrital zircon population is also present and presumably fed from a pre–existing accreted arc terrane along the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). In contrast to some previously reported Permo–Triassic sedimentary rocks in adjacent areas, our new results show an absence of ~ 2.5 and ~ 1.8 Ga ages characteristic of NCC magmatism or metamorphism. The results imply that the Yitong–Gongzhuling area probably has a higher relief than the adjacent area during the middle Triassic, preventing the deposition of materials from the NCC to the south. This is further evidenced by the proximal orogenic source, short–distance transportation, and rapid accumulation for the studied samples as indicated by the subhedral to anhedral and poor roundness morphology of detrital zircons. The inferred regional uplift was hypothesized to be caused by the continued transpression during the PAO final closure based on the widely distribute early–middle Triassic syn–collisional granitic rocks along the Changchun–Yanji suture zone.

Petrology and geochemistry of ultramafic and mafic rocks in the late Silurian-early Devonian Darbut ophiolitic mélange of west Junggar (NORTHWESTERN CHINA): implications for petrogenesis and tectonic evolution

ABSTRACT New petrological and geochemical data for lherzolite, harzburgite, and gabbros in the Darbut ophiolitic mélange of west Junggar are combined to constrain the geological evolution of the Darbut ophiolite. Lherzolite, consisting of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and chrome–spinel with low Cr# values (34–39), is analogous to fertile abyssal peridotite. Harzburgite, composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and chrome–spinel with relatively high Cr# values (48–55), is similar to the supra–subduction zone (SSZ) peridotite. Isotropic gabbro, characterized by a flat rare earth element (REE) pattern as well as low Nb/Yb and high Ti/V ratios, is comparable to mid–ocean ridge basalt (MORB). Hornblende gabbro, displaying relative enrichments of fluid-soluble elements and elevated Th/Yb ratios, is similar to that of fore–arc basalt. Geochemical modelling of partial melting suggests that lherzolite samples are compatible with their formation after relatively low-degree (11–16%), anhydrous dynamic melting of the primitive mantle, while harzburgite samples have undergone 5–10% secondary-stage partial melting based on the already 16% depleted primitive mantle. These data suggest that the Darbut ophiolite was generated in a forearc setting. The upwelling asthenosphere triggered by the subduction initiation of the Junggar oceanic lithosphere led to low-degree, anhydrous decompression melting, producing lherzolite as well as the MORB–like melts at Late Silurian period. Increasing slab–derived fluids influx, accompanied by the progressively sinking slab, largely enhanced the partial melting degrees of the depleted mantle, and formed refractory harzburgite.

MUDDYING THE WATERS: MODELING THE EFFECTS OF EARLY LAND PLANTS IN PALEOZOIC ESTUARIES

ABSTRACT The Paleozoic evolution of vegetation transformed terrestrial landscapes, facilitating novel sedimentary processes and creating new habitats. This transformation left a permanent mark on the sedimentary record, perhaps most strikingly via an upsurge in preserved terrestrial mudrock. Whereas feedbacks between evolving vegetation and river structure have been widely studied, Paleozoic estuaries have so far received scant attention. Located at the interface between the land and sea, the co-adjustment of estuarine morphology and plant traits are fundamentally tied to a varied range of geochemical cycles, and determine how global silicate weathering patterns may have varied over time. Here we employ an eco-morphodynamic model with an in-built vegetation code to simulate estuarine morphology through five key stages in plant evolution. An abiotic model (early Precambrian?) saw mud deposition restricted to fortuitous instances of limited erosion along bar-flanks. Estuaries colonized by microbial mats (Precambrian onwards) facilitated mud accretion that sufficiently stabilized bar surfaces to promote extensive mudflat development. Small-stature, rootless vegetation (Silurian–Early Devonian) introduced novel above-ground baffling effects which led to notable mud accumulation in lower-energy environments. The incorporation of roots (Early Devonian) strengthened these trends, with root structures decreasing the mortality of the occupying plants. Once the full complement of modern vascular plant architectures had evolved (Middle Devonian), dense colonization promoted the formation of in-channel islands accompanied with system-wide mud accumulation. These simulations suggest estuaries underwent profound change during the Paleozoic, with the greening of the continents triggering processes and feedbacks which render all previous source-to-sink sediment pathways non-uniformitarian.

Opening of the West Paleo-Tethys Ocean: New insights from earliest Devonian meta-mafic rocks in the Saualpe crystalline basement, Eastern Alps

The timing of the opening of the West Paleo-Tethys Ocean in Eastern Alps remains unclear. To constrain this event, we present new zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotopic compositions, and whole-rock major- and trace-element data for the meta-mafic rocks (amphibolites) in the southern and western Saualpe crystalline basement, Eastern Alps. Zircon U-Pb dating of three samples yield crystallization ages of 418 ± 6 Ma, 417 ± 3 Ma and 415 ± 3 Ma, indicating that they formed during the earliest Devonian. Geochemically, these meta-mafic rocks have relatively low SiO2 and MgO contents and high TiO2 contents. They are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE), particularly in Nb and Ta, and show relatively flat heavy rare-earth elements (HREE) patterns, suggesting that they have affinities with the alkaline oceanic island basalts (OIB). The geochemical characteristics, together with the positive εHf(t) values of 0.7–11.1, imply that the OIB-like meta-mafic rocks originated from partial melting of a lherzolite source including spinel and garnet. The primary magma shows complex sources involving asthenospheric, lithospheric mantle and subducted slab components, which was subsequently modified by crustal contamination. This reveals that the magma formed in a slab window environment associated with mid-ocean ridge subduction. The contemporaneous OIB-like alkaline amphibolites were also found in the Central Austroalpine basement and in Northwestern Turkey. We suggest that the Late Silurian–earliest Devonian OIB-like magmatism is related to a back-arc extension setting along the northern margin of Gondwana leading to the separation of the European Hunic terranes and hence placing age constraints on the opening of the West Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Geodynamic Setting and Cu-Ni Potential of Late Permian Xiwanggou Mafic-Ultramafic Rocks, East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, NW China

Several magmatic Cu–Ni sulfide deposits have recently been explored along the deep Middle Kunlun fault related to the extension of the East Kunlun orogenic belt in Qinghai Province, NW China. The Xiwanggou mafic–ultramafic rocks associated with Cu–Ni sulfide mineralization are first to be dated as late Permian compared to most of the deposits formed during late Silurian–early Devonian in this region. The Xiwanggou complexes located in the junction area between the East Kunlun and West Qinling belts, are composed of gabbros, olivine-gabbros, pyroxenites, olivine-pyroxenites, and peridotites. The Cu–Ni mineralization are mainly hosted in the olivine-pyroxenites and pyroxenites, whereas the sulfide-poor mineralization distributed in gabbros and olivine-gabbros. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of the gabbro and olivine-pyroxenite revealed their crystallized ages of 250.8 ± 0.8 Ma and 257.3 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively. The trace element characteristics of the Xiwanggou fertile mafic-ultramafic rocks shows the enrichments in Sr, Rb, Th, Ba and light rare earth elements, and depletions in Nb and Ta, which are associated with the slab derived fluid input and dehydration melting of amphiboles. Meanwhile, Sr–Nd and Hf isotopic compositions of the gabbro [εNd(t) = 0.66–1.18; εHf(t) = 5.2–12] and olivine-pyroxenite [εNd(t) = −1.09 – −0.43; εHf(t) = 5.4–17.7] show that the magma was mainly derived from the metasomatized portions of subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) source in the mantle wedge. The magma primarily experienced dehydration melting processes of amphiboles and subsequently underwent hydrated melting in the overlying mantle wedge and relatively reduced background. The cool subduction process of the Anemaqen oceanic lithosphere maybe trigger large melting in the mantle wedge resulting in a relative low-Ni content in the melt. The transpressional windows formed by the right-lateral strike-slip shearing action of the Wenquan and South Kunlun faults in the South Kunlun forearc belt created a significant conduit for the magma ascending. The thermometer of Fe and Ni exchange between coexisting olivine and sulfide melt indicates the magma were yielded in a temperature range of ca. 1200–1300°C and an oxygen fugacity range of ca. –10.57 to –8.98 (log unit), which suggested that the parental magma of the Xiwanggou complex derived from a relatively reduced source favoring Ni relative to Fe in the melt. The intermediate sulfide segregation from the melt resulted in a medium tenor potential for the Xiwanggou complex.