Whole-rock Major-trace Elements Research Articles

Lower crustal copper enrichment and mobilization indicated by Late Permian amphibole gabbros and granodiorites in the eastern Kunlun Orogen, northern Tibet

Lower crustal fractional crystallization accompanied by sulfide saturation in thick continental arcs has been viewed as an essential step in forming porphyry Cu systems. These processes are supposed to lock Cu in the lower crust and, therefore, can be unfavorable to the generation of ore-forming magmas. In this study, we present in situ mineral major-trace elements, pyrrhotite S isotopes, and zircon UPb ages, as well as whole-rock major-trace elements and SrNd isotopes for amphibole gabbros and contemporary granodiorites in the eastern Kunlun Orogen to elucidate Cu variations during the transcrustal magmatic evolution of these rocks. The amphibole gabbros can be divided into two types based on field relationships with the granodiorites. These rocks were derived from an oxidized metasomatic mantle in a steep subduction setting at ∼250 Ma and experienced a transcrustal magmatic evolution. Orthopyroxene relicts, resorbed clinopyroxene, calcic plagioclase, high-Al2O3 amphibole, and magnetite in the amphibole gabbros of the first type are lower crustal cumulate minerals. Pyrrhotite with minor amounts of chalcopyrite, interstitial to cumulate amphibole or as inclusions in magnetite from the amphibole gabbros of the first type, is lower crustal Ni-rich monosulfide solid solution (mss) crystallized from immiscible sulfide melts with residual Cu-rich sulfide liquids. These lines of evidence together with field, mineralogical, and geochemical data indicate that the Cu-rich parental magmas experienced lower crustal MASH (melting, assimilation, storage, and homogenization) processes and became Cu-depleted. The evolved magmas after lower crustal evolution became moderately oxidized and Cu-normal according to amphibole, biotite, zircon, and whole-rock compositions. The moderately oxidized magmas scavenged and mobilized Cu from Cu-rich sulfide liquids to the upper crustal magma chambers where degassing dispersed the Cu and thus was unfavorable to porphyry Cu mineralization.

Recycling of continental crust materials: Geochemical constraints from post-collisional alkaline intrusive rocks in the Dabie orogen

Post-collisional alkaline intrusive rocks from the Dabie orogen were studied for their whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes, as well as zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes. The results provide geochemical constraints on the nature of their mantle sources and thus insight into crust-mantle interaction in the continental collision zone. The alkaline intrusive rocks are composed of syenite and nepheline syenite. Syn-magmatic zircon U-Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS for them yielded Early Cretaceous ages of 131.3 ± 1.4 Ma to 122.6 ± 0.6 Ma, coeval with the post-collisional magmatism in the Dabie orogen. One relict zircon with U-Pb age of 211 Ma is consistent with the timing of metamorphism for the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks in this orogen. They have arc-like trace element distribution patterns, such as enrichment in LILE (large ion lithophile element) and LREE (light rare earth element) but depletion in HFSE (high field strength element), and enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions with high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7077–0.7131 but negative εNd(t) values of −16.0 to −9.4 and εHf(t) values of −17.5 to −12.7. Their syn-magmatic zircons have three groups of Hf-O isotope compositions comparable to those of UHP metamorphic rocks in Central-South Dabie and North Dabie, which represent the upper and middle continental crust of the subducted South China Block, respectively. In this regard, slab–mantle interaction is evident during the Triassic continental collision. We suggest that the melts derived from the subducted South China Block reacted with the lithospheric mantle wedge of the North China Block, resulting in phlogopite-bearing metasomatites, whose partial melting would generate the post-collisional alkaline intrusive rocks during the Early Cretaceous.

Early Cretaceous Ningguo-Guangde weakly fractionated I-type granitoids, Jiangnan tungsten belt, China: Implications for petrogenesis and W[sbnd]Mo mineralization

Most W mineralization in the world is genetically related with highly fractionated granitoids, but little is known about petrogenesis of weakly fractionated granitoids and its relationship with W mineralization. To reveal the petrogenesis of the weakly fractionated granitic rocks and related mineralization, a combined study of zircon UPb ages, whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes as well as apatite in-situ geochemistry was carried out for the Ningguo-Guangde granitoids in the world-class Jiangnan W belt (total resource of approximately 6.06 Mt WO3), China. Zircon UPb ages indicate that the Ningguo-Guangde granitoids were emplaced in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 138–125 Ma). These samples with moderate silicon (SiO2 = 65.5–68.4 wt%) mainly consist of high-K calc-alkaline granodiorites and monzogranites, which exhibit an affinity for the weakly fractionated I-type granite, with enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs), Rb, Th and U, and negative Eu (δEu = 0.64–0.91), Nb, P and Ti anomalies. All samples have Mg# values of 40.3–51.2, Sr contents of 266–411 ppm and Sr/Y ratios of 9.11–29.6, negative whole-rock εNd(t) values (−6.6 to −5.1), high radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions, and high logfO2 values (−21.7 to −12.0). The integrated interpretation of geochemical data show that the Ningguo-Guangde granitoids were likely originated from Neoproterozoic crustal components mixing with metasomatized mantle-derived magmas. A comprehensive discriminant analysis indicates that metal-rich magma source, shallow fractional crystallization and high oxygen fugacity were favorable factors for the weakly fractionated I-type granite-related WMo mineralization in southern region of Anhui Province, eastern China. Furthermore, porphyry or skarn WMo deposits can be regarded as important exploration targets in the Ningguo-Guangde region.

Heterogeneous orogenic lithospheric mantle beneath the North Qaidam orogen: Geochemical evidence from syn-exhumation and post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks

Syn-exhumation and post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks are generally exposed in continental collision orogens. Their geochemical compositions can not only reflect the nature of orogenic lithospheric mantle but also provide a window to trace crust-mantle interaction in continental collision zones. Herein, we present a combined study of whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes as well as zircon U Pb ages and Hf O isotopes for the Paleozoic mafic magmatic rocks from the North Qaidam orogen, northeastern Tibet. Zircon U Pb dating for the rocks yields two groups of ages of 420 ± 8 to 395 ± 2 Ma and 383 ± 5 to 368 ± 3 Ma, corresponding to the syn -exhumation and post-collisional stages, respectively. These mafic magmatic rocks are characterized by arc-like trace element distribution patterns, enriched to depleted radiogenic Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions and high zircon δ 18 O values, which are comparable to those of the orthogneiss and continental eclogite in this orogen. This indicates their derivation from the orogenic lithospheric mantle modified by the subducted continental crust during the continental collision. Significant differences in radiogenic isotope compositions between the syn -exhumation and post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks suggest their mantle sources were mainly metasomatized by the orthogneiss- and continental eclogite-derived melts, respectively. Quantitative modelling of trace element compositions shows that about 93.0:6.0:1.0 and 91.7:2.8:5.5 mixture of the mantle peridotite, orthogneiss- and continental eclogite-derived melts with 23% and 28% aggregated fractional melting can closely match the syn -exhumation and post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks, respectively. The reaction of the continental crust-derived melts with mantle peridotite would result in the heterogeneous orogenic lithospheric mantle. Therefore, the syn -exhumation and post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks provide a snapshot of the compositional variations in the orogenic lithospheric mantle and the crust-mantle interaction in the continental collision zone. • Syn-exhumation/post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks in the North Qiadam orogen. • They were derived from a heterogeneous orogenic lithospheric mantle. • The mantle source was metasomatized by melts from the subducted continental crust. • These rocks record crust-mantle interaction in the continental subduction channel.

Post-collisional reworking of subducted continental crust: Insights from late Paleozoic granites in the North Qaidam orogen, northeastern Tibet

Post-collisional granites are widely distributed in continental collision orogenic belts, and deciphering their petrogenesis has great bearings for understanding the deep crustal compositional and tectono-thermal evolution of collisional orogens. Here we carried out a combined study of whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, and zircon UPb ages and LuHf isotopes for late Paleozoic granites from the North Qaidam orogen, northeastern Tibet. The results indicate that they were derived from partial melting of subducted continental crust at high thermal gradients due to post-collisional rifting orogeny. Zircon UPb dating of the granites yields weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages between 377 ± 3 Ma and 384 ± 5 Ma, which postdate the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic ages (ca. 438–420 Ma) of deeply subducted continental crust in the North Qaidam orogen. Therefore, they are products of post-collisional magmatism. Most relict zircons in the granites have concordant Neoproterozoic (793–972 Ma) and early Paleozoic (405–442 Ma) UPb ages, generally consistent with the protolith and metamorphic ages of the UHP metaigneous rocks in the orogen, respectively. The granites are commonly calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline with total alkali contents of 6.89–8.56 wt%, and weakly to moderately peraluminous with A/CNK values of 1.00–1.18 [A/CNK = Al2O3/(CaO + Na2O + K2O), in molar]. They exhibit arc-like trace element distribution patterns and enriched Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions with whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7074–0.7104, ɛNd(t) values of −9.0 to −4.4 and ɛHf(t) values of −4.2 to +2.9, and syn-magmatic zircon ɛHf(t) values of −7.6 to +7.7 (except one analysis of −15.0). These granites mostly have comparable SrNd isotope compositions to the UHP orthogneiss and continental eclogite in this collisional orogen, indicating their derivation from the subducted continental crust. Using the average compositions of the orthogneiss and continental eclogite in the orogen as the starting materials, phase equilibrium modelling results suggest that the whole-rock major elements of the post-collisional granites can be explained by the mixed melts mainly derived from these two lithologies, which were partially melted at high thermobaric ratios of 1156–1867 °C/GPa associated with different water contents (1–5 wt% for continental eclogite, 1–3 wt% for orthogneiss). Therefore, this study provides integrated geochemical constraints on the source rocks of the post-collisional granites and physicochemical conditions for their genesis.

Magnesium isotopes and zircon geochemistry verify the entrainment of garnet increasing the maficity of S-type granites

It is controversial how S-type granites get higher maficity (MgO + FeOt) than initial melts derived from metasedimentary rocks. Different models, including source-controlled processes (residual/peritectic mineral assemblage entrainment), mixing of magmas derived from different source rocks, and fractional crystallization, have been proposed. However, whole-rock major-trace element and radiogenic isotope data generally provide ambiguous constraints to these models, and the entrained minerals can be later modified by host magmas to have re-equilibrated compositions or replaced by new mineral phases. We address this issue by means of whole-rock Mg isotope and zircon trace element and O isotope analyses on the ∼250 Ma Jiuzhou S-type granite pluton from South China. δ26Mg values of the granites exhibit a negative relationship with increasing maficity, varying from −0.14‰ at 3.00 wt% to −0.43‰ at 8.72 wt%. Zircon yields high and variable δ18O values of 10.0–15.2‰, suggesting that the dominant source rocks are metasedimentary rocks with heterogeneous compositions. No relationship between zircon δ18O value versus whole-rock δ26Mg value or maficity is observed, indicating that magma mixing has played a negligible role in the origin of the granites. Meanwhile, neither Hf nor Ti concentration in zircon shows correlation with whole-rock maficity, precluding fractional crystallization as the dominant mechanism for the compositional variation of the granites. Instead, zircon from granite samples with different maficities seems to have grown from magmas with different compositions but rather similar initial magma temperatures of ca. 810–850 °C as suggested by the upper limit values of the Ti-in-zircon thermometer. Consequently, the negative relationship between δ26Mg value and maficity is best explained as melt entraining a solid assemblage from the melting source, with garnet as the main ferromagnesian phase because this phase is enriched in lighter Mg isotopes than other ferromagnesian phases. This conclusion is supported by the negative relationship between δ26Mg and (Yb/Dy)N values, since garnet is also enriched in heavy rare earth elements (HREE). Furthermore, phase equilibrium modeling using the sample with the lowest δ26Mg value and highest maficity indicates that garnet is always the dominant ferromagnesian phase (exceeding 50% to nearly 100% among the ferromagnesian phases) in the solid assemblage, which equilibrates with melt across a variety of P–T–H2O initial magma conditions (6–8 kbar/800–900 °C/1–5 wt% H2O) at the melting sources. Simple mixing calculations also confirm that the mixing between melt and a solid assemblage consisting mainly of garnet can account for the compositional variation of Mg isotopes with maficity. This study highlights the advantage of integrated geochemical analyses, particularly Mg isotopes, in placing important constraints on the petrogenetic processes that produce high-maficity S-type granites.

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous granitoids in Liyang volcanic basin, eastern China: Geodynamic implications for Paleo-Pacific slab rollback

Late Mesozoic magmatism in eastern China was extensive and closely related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate, but genetic relationship between magmatism and subduction remains unclear. Cretaceous magmatic rocks distributed along the eastern coast of China can provide an opportunity to evaluate the influence of subduction on the evolution of the magmatism. Here, a combined study of whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopes as well as zircon U-Pb ages was carried out for the Cretaceous granitoids in Liyang volcanic basin, eastern China. Zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that the Liyang granitoids were emplaced in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 130–125 Ma). These samples (SiO2 = 70.8–75.3 wt%) are mainly composed of high-K calc-alkaline granite and granite porphyry. Their geochemical characteristics are similar to I-type granites, with enrichment in LREEs, Rb, Th and U, and negative Eu (δEu = 0.04–0.51), Ba, Sr, P and Ti anomalies. All samples show negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−9.8 to −5.7) and zircon εHf(t) (−15.7 to −3.60) values (corresponding crustal Hf model ages of 1.40–2.17 Ga), and high radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions. The integrated interpretation of geochemical data reveal that rollback of the Paleo-Pacific subducted slab resulted in lithospheric extension and thinning, and the upwelling of hot asthenosphere in eastern China, which induced more intensive underplating of the mantle-derived mafic magma. The ascent of heat and mafic magma, intruded in Meso-Neoproterozoic crust, and triggered partial melting of the Meso-Neoproterozoic crust. The Liyang I-type granitoids were the result of the Meso-Neoproterozoic crustal components mixing with a small number of mantle-derived magmas in the extensional tectonic setting, which was response to slab rollback of the Paleo-Pacific plate.

The effect of crystal fractionation on the geochemical composition of syn-exhumation magmas: Implication for the formation of high δ56Fe granites in collisional orogens

Syn-exhumation magmatism in collisional orogens is an important process for crustal differentiation and crust-mantle interaction at convergent plate boundaries. It is intriguing to elucidate which factors control the geochemical composition of such magmatic products. To answer this question, a combined study of whole-rock major-trace elements and Nd-Fe isotopes, mineral O isotopes, and zircon U–Pb ages and trace elements was carried out for syn-exhumation granites from the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt in east-central China. Several granitic plutons of Triassic age were newly found in this typical collisional orogen, with a total exposure area of ∼10 km2, suggesting large-scale partial melting of the deeply subducted continental crust in the terminal stage of continental collision. Field observations indicate that the massive granites show little deformation. The granites are high-K calc-alkaline and exhibit enrichment in LILE and LREE but depletion in HFSE relative to HREE in trace element distribution patterns. Zircons in these granites contain relict magmatic cores characterized by steep HREE patterns with strong negative Eu anomalies. These cores show middle Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages of 724–779 Ma, consistent with the protolith age of UHP metaigneous rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt. Zircon rims exhibit oscillatory zoning, and are characterized by Triassic U-Pb ages of 210–216 Ma, low LREE contents and steep HREE patterns with significant negative Eu anomalies, suggesting their growth from granitic magmas during exhumation of the deeply subducted continental crust. The granites have low δ18O values of 2.0–6.1‰ for quartz, 1.1–5.2‰ for whole-rock, and 0.9–3.2‰ for zircon cores. The low δ18O values and Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages of zircon cores in the granites are characteristic feature of the deeply subducted continental crust in the northern margin of the South China Block. One coesite inclusion was found in the anatectic zircon rim, pointing to the deep origin of anatectic melts at a subarc depth of >80 km. Whole-rock SiO2 contents are correlated with major and trace elements, which are ascribed to crystal fractionation of mainly biotite and plagioclase during magma evolution. In particular, these granites exhibit highly variable δ56Fe values from 0.05 to 0.30‰, which are correlated with Fe3+/ΣFe, SiO2, Al2O3, Nb/Ta and Eu/Eu*. This suggests that the crystal fractionation of biotite would have controlled the Fe isotope variation in the granites. Therefore, the syn-exhumation granites experienced significant geochemical differentiation mainly through the fractional crystallization during the magma evolution. A compilation of syn-exhumation granites in the typical collisional orogens of the world shows that such granites were mainly formed through dehydration melting of hydrous minerals during decompressional exhumation. They fall into the magnesian group with relatively low REE and HFSE (like Ti, Nb and Zr) contents, distinct from the geochemical compositions of A-type granites. Therefore, syn-exhumation granites record crustal differentiation in the terminal stage of continental collision.

Tectonic switch from a lithospheric rift to an active continental margin in the Paleoproterozoic: Evidence from low δ18O granites from the Trans-North China Orogen in the North China Craton

Tectonic switch from rift zones to subduction zones is common along convergent plate boundaries. While this process is susceptible to retrieving from Phanerozoic rock records, the difficulty has been encountered for Precambrian rock records because of the relative lack of characteristic geological signatures. Nevertheless, such a difficulty can be overcome by finding of specific geochemical signatures in ancient rock records. This paper reports our finding of low δ18O zircons from the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) in the North China Craton (NCC), where the tectonic switch would occur during the early to middle Paleoproterozoic in association with the amalgamation of supercontinent Columbia. A combined study of zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes as well as whole-rock major-trace elements and Nd isotopes were carried out for magmatic rocks from the Taiyue complex in the southern part of the TNCO. Zircon U-Pb dating yields two episodes of magmatism at ca. 2.34–2.31 Ga and ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga. These magmatic rocks are dominated by the ca. 2.18–2.16 Ga granites, 2.18–2.17 Ga diorites and 2.17–2.11 Ga mafic–ultramafic cumulates that intruded the 2.34–2.30 Ga granites and diorites. The 2.2–2.1 Ga diorites, mafic-ultramafic cumulates, and the regional mafic dykes/intrusions exhibit continuously varying major element compositions, arc-like trace element patterns, and consistent zircon Hf and whole-rock Nd isotope compositions, indicating their derivation from the same suite of continental arc magmas. Such primitive arc magmas would evolve through fractionation and accumulation of pyroxenes and plagioclase into dioritic magmas. The two episodes of granites are similar in major and trace element compositions, generally belonging to alkali-calcic or calc-alkalic A-type granitoids. Although both groups show a small difference in their zircon Hf isotope compositions, they exhibit a big difference in their zircon O isotope compositions. The 2.31 Ga granites show variably low zircon δ18O values of 3.4–5.5‰, mostly lower than normal mantle zircon values. The 2.18 Ga granites also exhibit variable zircon δ18O values from 3.6 to 6.0‰, but mostly mantle-like values. It is inferred that the 2.31 Ga granites would acquire their low δ18O signatures from partial melting of the high-T seawater-hydrothermally altered Archean crust in an early Paleoproterozoic continental rift. This rift would extend for at least 300 km along the TNCO. The 2.18 Ga granites are closely associated with the 2.2–2.1 Ga diorites and mafic–ultramafic cumulates. They would be most likely to form through differentiation of the 2.2–2.1 Ga continental arc magma, with their low 18O signatures being contaminated by the low δ18O 2.3 Ga granites. The low 18O signatures in the 2.3 Ga and 2.18 Ga granites indicate that the southern part of the TNCO would have probably evolved from a lithospheric rift to an active continental margin during ca. 2.3–2.1 Ga.

Mid-Cretaceous Wake seamounts in NW Pacific originate from secondary mantle plumes with Arago hotspot composition

The geochemistry of oceanic intraplate (primarily oceanic island and seamount) lavas can provide essential information on the composition and evolution of their mantle source and geodynamics. Due to very limited rock sampling of the many mid-Cretaceous Wake seamounts in NW Pacific, the mantle source lithology and petrogenesis of their lavas, and the geodynamic mechanism responsible for generating the lavas have not been fully delineated. In order to help resolve these issues, here we present whole-rock major-trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for twenty-one lava samples collected from Lamont, Dacheng, Xufu, Penglai, Niulang, Zhinyu, and Zhanlu seamounts in the Southern Wake seamount trail (WST). These lava samples are silica-undersaturated alkali basalt and basanites/nephelinite. They have high CaO, FeOT and TiO2 contents and CaO/Al2O3 ratios, consistent with their derivation from partial melting of a carbonated peridotite or reaction between carbonated MORB-eclogite-derived silicate melts and fertile peridotite. High Zr/Hf and negative Zr-Hf-Ti anomalies in the most mafic lavas further suggest a contribution from carbonated components in their mantle source. These lavas show FOZO (focal zone)-HIMU (high μ = 238U/204Pb)-like Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions (e.g., (206Pb/204Pb)i = 19.36–20.72), falling within the Arago (also known as “Young Rurutu” or “Atiu”) hotspot field. Combined with the sparse previous age and geochemical data, we propose that WST lavas were most likely derived from partial melting of secondary plume clusters emanating from the top of Arago mantle plume trapped at the mantle transition zone. Alternatively, WST lavas could have come from a number of secondary plumelets emanating from the top of the Pacific Large Low Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP). The simultaneously upwelling secondary plumes or plumelets generated chronologically overlapping, compositionally similar and closely-spaced Wake seamounts atop the moving Pacific plate.

Magma differentiation and recharge in the petrogenesis of early paleozoic mafic intrusives in the Qilian orogen, northwestern China

An integrated study of zircon UPb ages and LuHf isotopes, whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes as well as amphibole and plagioclase major-trace elements is presented for early Paleozoic mafic intrusives from the Heishishan area in the Qilian orogen, northwestern China. The results provide not only constraints on the origin of their mantle sources but also insights into the effects of magma differeniation and recharge on their compositional variation. Zircon UPb dating yields consistent ages of 449 ± 2 Ma and 449 ± 3 Ma, respectively, for hornblende gabbro and diorite. These mafic intrusives show arc-like trace element distribution patterns and weakly enriched Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions with whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7040 to 0.7063, εNd(t) values of −2.3 to −0.3 and εHf(t) values of 1.6 to 4.9, and zircon εHf(t) values of 0.2 to 5.9. These geochemical features indicate their origination from mantle sources that were generated through metasomatism by subducting Proto-Tethyan oceanic crust-derived fluids. Some samples exhibit high Th/Nb and (La/Yb)N ratios, suggesting that the metasomatic agents would be composed of seafloor sediment-derived hydrous melts and oceanic igneous crust-derived aqueous solutions. The consequent metasomatites in the mantle wedge would be lithochemically fertile and geochemically enriched and therefore are susceptible to partial melting for mafic magmatism. Amphibole and plagioclase in the studied igneous rocks show complex textural and compositional zonings, recording four stages of mineral crystallization during magma evolution. Combining the whole-rock and mineral geochemical characteristics together, we suggest that different batches of mafic melts would be produced by partial melting of the metasomatic mantle sources, experiencing variable degrees of magma differentiation and recharge prior to emplacement at the subsurface. Therefore, in addition to the nature of crust-mantle interaction at mantle depths, the processes of magma evolution and recharge at crustal depths would have also played an important role in the petrogenesis of arc-type mafic igneous rocks above the oceanic subduction zone.

Recycling of subducted continental crust: Geochemical evidence from syn-exhumation Triassic alkaline mafic rocks of the southern Liaodong Peninsula

Syn-exhumation mafic magmatism during continental collision provides insights into the crust-mantle reaction during deep subduction and the nature of orogenic lithospheric mantle in collisional orogens. In this study, we present a comprehensive data set of zircon U-Pb ages and whole-rock major-trace elements as well as Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes of alkaline mafic rocks from the southern Liaodong Peninsula, eastern China. Zircon U-Pb analyses yield Late Triassic age of 213 ± 3 to 217 ± 3 Ma, younger than the Middle Triassic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks of the Dabie-Sulu orogen. Thus, the alkaline mafic rocks are products of syn-exhumation magmatism during continental collision of the South and North China blocks. The rocks show shoshonitic affinities with high K2O (3.78–5.23 wt%) and K2O/Na2O (0.71–1.22). They are characterized by arc-like trace-element patterns with enriched LILE, Pb, and LREE, and depleted HFSE. They exhibit enriched Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with high initial 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios of 0.7058–0.7061 and negative εNd(t) values of −13.0 to −15.1. These results suggest involvement of recycled continental crust in their mantle source. The mantle source likely formed by the metasomatic reaction of subducted continental crust-derived melts with the overlying subcontinental lithospheric mantle during the Triassic continental collision. Decompressional melting of this metasomatized mantle formed syn-exhumation mafic magmas during the transition from convergent to extensional tectonics in the Late Triassic. Accordingly, mafic rocks from the southern Liaodong Peninsula provide a geochemical record of the subduction and recycling of continental crust into the mantle and melt-mantle reaction induced metasomatism within the orogen.

Origin of syn-collisional granitoids in the Gangdese orogen: Reworking of the juvenile arc crust and the ancient continental crust

AbstractGranitoids at convergent plate boundaries can be produced either by partial melting of crustal rocks (either continental or oceanic) or by fractional crystallization of mantle-derived mafic magmas. Whereas granitoid formation through partial melting of the continental crust results in reworking of the pre-existing continental crust, granitoid formation through either partial melting of the oceanic crust or fractional crystallization of the mafic magmas leads to growth of the continental crust. This category is primarily based on the radiogenic Nd isotope compositions of crustal rocks; positive εNd(t) values indicate juvenile crust whereas negative εNd(t) values indicate ancient crust. Positive εNd(t) values are common for syn-collisional granitoids in southern Tibet, which leads to the hypothesis that continental collision zones are important sites for the net growth of continental crust. This hypothesis is examined through an integrated study of in situ zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes, whole-rock major trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes as well as mineral O isotopes for felsic igneous rocks of Eocene ages from the Gangdese orogen in southern Tibet. The results show that these rocks can be divided into two groups according to their emplacement ages and geochemical features. The first group is less granitic with lower SiO2 contents of 59.82–64.41 wt%, and it was emplaced at 50–48 Ma in the early Eocene. The second group is more granitic with higher SiO2 contents of 63.93–68.81 wt%, and it was emplaced at 42 Ma in the late Eocene. The early Eocene granitoids exhibit relatively depleted whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions with low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7044−0.7048, positive εNd(t) values of 0.6−3.9, εHf(t) values of 6.5−10.5, zircon εHf(t) values of 1.6−12.1, and zircon δ18O values of 5.28–6.26‰. These isotopic characteristics are quite similar to those of Late Cretaceous mafic arc igneous rocks in the Gangdese orogen, which indicates their derivation from partial melting of the juvenile mafic arc crust. In comparison, the late Eocene granitoids have relatively lower MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, and heavy rare earth element (HREE) contents but higher K2O, Rb, Sr, Th, U, Pb contents, Sr/Y, and (La/Yb)N ratios. They also exhibit more enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions with high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7070−0.7085, negative εNd(t) values of −5.2 to −3.9 and neutral εHf(t) values of 0.9−2.3, and relatively lower zircon εHf(t) values of −2.8–8.0 and slightly higher zircon δ18O values of 6.25–6.68‰. An integrated interpretation of these geochemical features is that both the juvenile arc crust and the ancient continental crust partially melted to produce the late Eocene granitoids. In this regard, the compositional evolution of syn-collisional granitoids from the early to late Eocene indicates a temporal change of their magma sources from the complete juvenile arc crust to a mixture of the juvenile and ancient crust. In either case, the syn-collisional granitoids in the Gangdese orogen are the reworking products of the pre-existing continental crust. Therefore, they do not contribute to crustal growth in the continental collision zone.

Geochemical Distinction Between Altered Oceanic Basalt- and Seafloor Sediment-Derived Fluids in the Mantle Source of Mafic Igneous Rocks in Southwestern Tianshan, Western China

AbstractThe role of subducting oceanic crust-derived fluids in generating mafic arc magmatism has been widely documented. However, the subducting oceanic crust is generally composed of basaltic igneous crust and seafloor sediment, which may give rise to different compositions of liquid phases causing metasomatism of the mantle wedge. Because of the similarity in enrichment of fluid-mobile incompatible elements in the two sources of subduction zone fluids, it has been a challenge to distinguish between them when studying the products of mafic arc magmatism. This difficulty is overcome by a combined study of whole-rock Li isotopes and zircon O isotopes in addition to whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes in Late Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks from southwestern Tianshan in western China. Zircon U–Pb dating yields consistent ages of 313 ± 3 Ma to 305 ± 1 Ma for magma crystallization. The mafic igneous rocks exhibit arc-like trace element distribution patterns and depleted whole-rock Nd–Hf isotopes but slightly high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0·7039– 0·7057. They also show positive zircon εHf(t) values and slightly higher zircon δ18O values of 5·2–7·6‰. There are covariations of whole-rock Sr isotopes with Th/La and Rb/Nb ratios, indicating a contribution from terrigenous sediment-derived fluids to their mantle source in addition to basaltic igneous crust-derived fluids. Based on the slightly higher zircon δ18O values but variably lower whole-rock δ7Li values of -0·8 to 3·5‰ for the target rocks than those of mantle respectively, both altered oceanic basalt- and terrigenous sediment-derived fluids are identified in the mantle source of these mafic igneous rocks. Model calculations for trace elements and Sr–Nd–Li isotopes further confirm that the geochemical compositions of these mafic igneous rocks can be explained by chemical reaction of depleted MORB mantle peridotite with the mixed fluids to generate ultramafic metasomatites at subarc depths. Therefore, chemical metasomatism of the mantle wedge is a key mechanism for the incorporation of crustal components into the source of arc-like mafic igneous rocks above oceanic subduction zones.

Geology and petrogenesis of the Sungun deposits: Implications for the genesis of porphyry-type mineralisation in the NW Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic Arc, Iran

The Miocene Sungun porphyry Cu–Mo systems, located in Azerbaijan belt, NW Iran, is associated with the high-Sr/Y magmas, which were engendered in a post-collisional setting. However, the petrogenesis of these fertile magmas and their mineralisation are still unknown. In this study, we present whole-rock major-trace elements, zircon U–Pb dating and the Lu–Hf isotopes in the ore-forming porphyries of the Sungun porphyry systems. The corresponding results showed that the samples were rich in large-ion lithophile elements and poor in high-field-strength elements; moreover, they presented both high K2O (2.4–3.5 wt%) and Sr (727–770 ppm) and low Y (11–14 ppm) contents. The zircon U–Pb age of the Sungun porphyry was ~19 Ma, with positive εHf(t) ratios (5.5–11.8) and young TDM2 ages between 322 and 705 Ma. Additionally, the Sungun high-Sr/Y porphyries contained anhydrites (CaSO4); and had high zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios (33–728), relatively low zircon saturation temperatures (620–804 °C), and plagioclases with excess Al content. Overall, these evidences suggest that a water-fluxed melting of the subduction-modified juvenile lower crust might have generated a high oxygen fugacity, leading to the formation of the hydrous and S-rich Sungun fertile magmas in the NW Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic Arc.

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the post-collisional high-K calc-alkaline magmatic rocks in Tengchong, SE Tibet

Post-collisional high-K calc-alkaline (HKCA) magmatic rocks (8 Ma to present) are extensively distributed in the Tengchong volcanic field (TVF), SE Tibet. Here, an integrated study of whole-rock major-trace elements, Sr-Nd-Pb-O isotopes and zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotopes, together with mineral texture and geochemistry, are presented for these volcanic suites. The HKCA magmatic rocks exhibit high concentrations of incompatible trace elements with negative Nb-Ta-Ti anomalies and high (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.705–0.710), low (143Nd/144Nd)i (0.5120–0.5126) with variable δ18O (5.7–9.3‰). They may be divided into four groups from early to late stages: Groups I and III are basaltic-trachybasaltic-trachyandesitic assemblages (MgO = 3.3–9.2 wt.%); Groups II and IV mainly consist of trachyandesites and dacites (MgO = 0.6–5.1 wt.%). Incompatible trace element and Sr-Nd isotope compositions of the mafic magmas (MgO = 6.0–9.2 wt.%) from Groups I and III are postulated to reflect fluid enrichment of a mantle source by silicate and carbonatitic metasomatism as a consequence of eastward underthrusting of the Indian continental slab following the India-Asia collision. The petrogenesis of differentiated magmas (Groups II and IV) is interpreted in terms of control by crustal magma chamber AFC processes. The results of P-T estimation and EC-AFC modelling suggest at least two magma storage regions: a deep one (17–28 km) in which the trachyandesitic magmas were produced by AFC of basaltic magmas and a shallow one (9–14 km) fed by trachyandesitic magmas which gave rise to dacitic magmas via AFC. Phenocryst zoning textures also record mafic replenishment into silicic magma chambers.

The earliest Jurassic A-type rhyolites and high-Mg andesites–dacites in southern Jiangxi Province, southeast China: Evidence for delamination of a flat-slab?

Early Jurassic igneous rocks are abundant in the Nanling Range, southeastern China. They are closely related with economically significant deposits, but the tectonic-magmatic controls on their formation are still controversial. This paper reports zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotopes for the rhyolites, and whole-rock major–trace element and SrNd isotope compositions for the rhyolites and andesites/dacites in the Changpu and Dongkeng basins located in the southern part of Jiangxi Province. The Changpu and Dongkeng rhyolites have high K2O contents (4.1–7.6 wt%) and K2O/Na2O ratios (> 1). Both groups are enriched in HFSE, LREE and show pronounced Nb–Ta–Eu–Sr–P–Ti negative anomalies. Geochemically, they can be classified as A-type and are similar to A2-type granitoids globally. Their highly evolved whole-rock SrNd isotopes and elevated zircon δ18O (Changpu rhyolites: (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7140 to 0.7156, εNd(t) = −7.2 to −8.7, δ18O = 8.76 to 9.93‰; Dongkeng rhyolites: (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7149 to 0.7162, εNd(t) = −6.4 to −7.9, δ18O = 7.04 to 9.78‰) are consistent with their generation dominated by remelting of exisiting crustal materials in an extensional environment. The slightly more radiogenic zircon Hf isotopes of the Dongkeng rhyolites, εHf(t) = −2.1 to −7.1 as compared with −6.1 to −8.3 of Changpu rhyolites, likely signify some mantle contribution. The Changpu high-Mg andesites–dacites are geochemically similar to high-Mg andesites (HMAs) of the Setouchi arc volcanic belt in Japan and the Piip Volcanos in the western Aleutian Arc. They have very low εNd(t) from −7.8 to −11.3 and highly radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr)i values from 0.7143 to 0.7154. Similar to HMAs in Setouchi, we suggest that they may be derived from melting of subducted sediments and followed by melt-mantle interaction.SIMS zircon UPb dating yielded extrusive ages of ~190 Ma for both Changpu and Dongkeng rhyolites. The new dating results constrain the minimum age of extrusion of rhyolites and andesites-dacites from the same volcanic sequence to be the earliest Jurassic period. Igneous rocks of this age have very limited distribution in south China. While those found in the coastal regions show features similar to arc rocks, these in the hinterland are rift related. We propose that formation of the Early Jurassic A-type rhyolites and high-Mg andesites–dacites may provide evidence for foundering/delamination of a previously subducted oceanic plateau beneath southeastern China.

Geochemical evidence for the production of granitoids through reworking of the juvenile mafic arc crust in the Gangdese orogen, southern Tibet

Abstract Although continental crust is characterized by the widespread occurrence of granitoids, the causal relationship between continental crust growth and granitic magmatism still remains enigmatic. While fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas (with or without crustal contamination) and partial melting of mafic lower crust are two feasible mechanisms for the production of granitoids in continental arc regions, the problem has been encountered in discriminating between the two mechanisms by whole-rock geochemistry. This can be resolved by an integrated study of zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes together with whole-rock major-trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes, which is illustrated for Mesozoic granitoids from the Gangdese orogen in southern Tibet. The results provide geochemical evidence for prompt reworking of the juvenile mafic arc crust in the newly accreted continental margin. The target granitoids exhibit high contents of SiO2 (65.76–70.75 wt%) and Na2O + K2O (6.38–8.15 wt%) but low contents of MgO (0.19–0.98 wt%), Fe2O3 (0.88–3.13 wt%), CaO (2.00–3.82 wt%), Ni (<5.8 ppm), and Cr (≤10 ppm). They are enriched in large ion lithophile elements, Pb, and light rare earth elements but depleted in high field strength elements. The granitoids are relatively depleted in whole-rock Sr-Nd isotope compositions with low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7043–0.7048 and positive εNd(t) values of 0.5–2.6, and have relatively low 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios at given 206Pb/204Pb ratios. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry U-Pb dating on synmagmatic zircons yield ages of 77 ± 2–81 ± 1 Ma in the Late Cretaceous for their emplacement. Relict zircons have two groups of U-Pb ages in the late Mesozoic and the late Paleozoic, respectively. The whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes in the granitoids are quite similar to those of Late Cretaceous mafic rocks in the Gangdese batholith. In addition, both synmagmatic zircons and relict zircons with Late Cretaceous U-Pb ages exhibit almost the same Hf-O isotope compositions to those of the slightly earlier mafic rocks. All these observations indicate that the granitoids were mainly derived from partial melting of the juvenile mafic arc crust. Therefore, reworking of the juvenile mafic arc crust is the mechanism for the origin of isotopically depleted granitoids in southern Tibet. It is this process that leads to differentiation of the juvenile mafic arc crust toward the felsic lithology in the continental arc. In this regard, the granitoids with depleted radiogenic isotope compositions do not necessarily contribute to the crustal growth at convergent plate boundaries.

Geochemical evidence for reworking of the juvenile crust in the Neoarchean for felsic magmatism in the Yunzhongshan area, the North China Craton

The North China Craton experienced two phases of tectonothermal events at ca. 2.8–2.7 Ga and ca. 2.6–2.5 Ga, respectively. Although 2.6–2.5 Ga granitic gneisses and metavolcano-sedimentary sequences are widespread in the craton, the major stage of crustal growth has been determined to occur at 2.8–2.7 Ga in terms of whole-rock Sm-Nd and zircon Lu-Hf isotope studies. It has been intriguing how the vast 2.8–2.7 Ga juvenile mafic crust would have differentiated into the 2.6–2.5 Ga felsic crust. This issue is addressed in the present study by investigating zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes as well as whole-rock major-trace elements and Sm-Nd isotopes in Neoarchean felsic igneous rocks from the Yunzhongshan area in the central part of the North China Craton. Zircon U-Pb dating of felsic volcanics, TTG gneisses and high-K granites yields three groups of crystallization ages at 2562–2508 Ma, 2537–2504 Ma and 2518–2508 Ma, respectively, consistent with ages for mafic volcanics in the target area. Zircon Lu-Hf and whole-rock Sm-Nd isotope data indicate that all these rocks were ultimately originated from the ca. 2.8–2.7 Ga juvenile mafic crust. The felsic volcanics are subdivided into low-Si and high-Si suites. The low-Si rocks have higher MgO and FeO contents and contain abundant 2.8–2.7 Ga relict zircons with an age peak of 2.72 Ga, and were produced by partial melting of ~2.72 Ga TTG at ~730 to 750 °C. The high-Si volcanics were derived from partial melting of mafic restites after extraction of the ~2.72 Ga TTG, with significant amounts of garnet and amphibole, but no or rare plagioclase as residual phases, corresponding to a melting pressure at ~15 kbar. The TTG gneisses were produced by partial melting of ~2.8 to 2.7 Ga garnet amphibolites at ~10 to 15 kbar with variable amounts of garnet, amphibole and plagioclase in the residue. The high-K granites were produced by partial melting of ~2.8 to 2.7 Ga medium-high K mafic rocks at pressures of <10 to 12 kbar with a considerable amount of plagioclase in the residue. The TTG rocks and high-Si volcanics require a subduction origin to account for their enrichment in LILE, so that they were mostly likely derived from partial melting of the older arc crust with moderate enrichment in LILE and LREE. By contrast, the ultimate sources of the high-K granites would be the ~2.8 to 2.7 Ga medium-high K basalts, which have lower Zr/Sm ratios than the TTG gneisses and felsic volcanics, and even lower than the bulk continental crust, but consistent with modern island arc basalts. It is possible that the 2.8–2.7 Ga magmatism was subduction-related, with a compositional change of the mafic arc crust from relatively sodic to more potassic at around 2.7 Ga. This may be caused by accretion of the ancient oceanic arc onto the ancient continental margin. It was followed by both growth of the juvenile crust and reworking of the older arc crust in the late Neoarchean. Such series of magmatic processes can account for the voluminous generation of the 2.56–2.50 Ga felsic and mafic igneous rocks in the central part of the North China Craton. Taken together, both growth and reworking of the juvenile crust were realized through accretionary and rifting orogeneses, marking the operation of plate tectonics in the Neoarchean.

Recycling of Paleo-oceanic crust: Geochemical evidence from Early Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks in the Tongbai orogen, Central China

Crustal subduction generally develops from oceanic to continental subduction in collisional orogens, with the disappearance of previously subducted paleo-oceanic crust. However, it is not straightforward to trace the fate of subducted paleo-oceanic crust due to modification by subsequent continental collision. In this study, we present a combined study of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) zircon UPb ages and O isotopes, laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS) zircon LuHf isotopes, whole-rock major-trace elements and SrNd isotopes of Early Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks in the Tongbai orogen, central China. These geochemical data are interpreted and modelled in terms of crust-mantle interaction in a subduction channel, in order to account for geochemical transfer from the subducting crust to the mantle wedge. The results provide insight not only into paleo-oceanic crust recycling but also into the nature of orogenic lithospheric mantle. SIMS zircon UPb dating of the mafic igneous rocks yields Early Paleozoic ages of 436 ± 4 to 449 ± 4 Ma for magma crystallization. These mafic rocks have arc-type trace element distribution patterns, with enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE) but depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE) relative to rare earth elements (REE) and LILE. They have depleted whole-rock SrNd isotopic compositions, with initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7037 to 0.7047 and positive εNd(t) values of 2.7 to 5.0. The mafic igneous rocks also display positive zircon εHf(t) values of 8.9 to 14.8 and variable δ18O values of 4.4 ± 0.3 to 5.9 ± 0.3‰. These geochemical features suggest derivation from fertile mantle sources enriched in LILE and LREE but depleted in radiogenic isotopes. The mantle sources are suggested to be part of the orogenic lithospheric mantle, which was generated by metasomatic reaction of the overlying mantle wedge with previously subducted Erlangping oceanic crust-derived fluids. Some samples have high Ba/Th, Th/Nb and (La/Yb)N ratios, suggesting that the metasomatic agents include both basaltic oceanic crust-derived aqueous solutions and sediment-derived hydrous felsic melts. Model calculations confirm that the geochemical composition of the Tongbai mafic igneous rocks can be explained by reaction of depleted mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB) mantle peridotite with 1–10% of subducted Erlangping oceanic crust-derived aqueous solutions plus 0.05–0.1% of sediment-derived hydrous melts. This melt-peridotite reaction would generate a pyroxenite-rich lithology in the mantle source. During the tectonic transition in the Ordovician to Silurian, partial melting of such mantle sources gave rise to mafic magmatism due to back-arc extension. Thus, the Early Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks in the Tongbai orogen record the recycling of earlier subducted paleo-oceanic crust and the nature of the orogenic lithospheric mantle in the collisional orogen.