In situ simultaneous determination of trace elements,U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes in zircon and baddeleyite

This paper describes a combined method of simultaneously measuring U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes as well as trace elements in Phalaborwa baddeleyite and 91500, GJ-1, TEMORA-1 and SK10-2 zircons by means of Neptune MC-ICPMS and Agilent Q-ICPMS connected to a 193 nm excimer laser ablation system. Material ablated by laser was carried in different proportions into Q-ICPMS for U-Pb isotopic and trace elemental and MC-ICPMS for Lu-Hf isotopic compositions. Experiments indicate that different proportions of ablated material for the Q-ICPMS and MC-ICPMS (6:4, 5:5 and 4:6 respectively) do not show any bias for the zircon/baddeleyite U-Pb age, Lu-Hf isotope and trace elemental compositions within ana-lytical errors. Using 40―60 μm spot size, the obtained U-Pb ages of Phalaborwa baddeleyite, 91500, GJ-1, TEMORA and SK10-2 zircons are 2065±15 (2σ, n=20), 1063±6 (2σ, n=19), 613±6 (2σ, n=20), 416±5 (2σ, n=20) and 32.6±0.5 (2σ, n=20) Ma, respectively. The 176Hf/177Hf ratios are 0.281231±24 (2SD, n=20), 0.282310±35 (2SD, n=19), 0.282028±34 (2SD, n=20), 0.282687±34 (2SD, n=20) and 0.282752±53 (2SD, n=20), respectively. The obtained trace elemental compositions are identical to the reference values. Therefore, this kind of technique makes it possible to simultaneously obtain the U-Pb age, Lu-Hf iso-topes and trace elemental compositions of zircon and baddeleyite, which could be an important tool in solving problems in earth sciences.     

Paleoproterozoic reworking of ancient crust in the Cathaysia Block, South China: Evidence from zircon trace elements, U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes

A combined study of zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating, trace elements and Hf isotope was carried out for gneissic granite from the Sanzhishu area in Jingning, SW Zhejiang Province. Nearly all the zircons separated from the granite exhibited oscillatory zoning and high Th/U ratios (>0.1). The REE profile showed a pronounced positive Ce anomaly, negative Eu anomaly and an enrichment of HREE, which are typical characteristics of magmatic zircon. Thirteen concordant or nearly concordant analytical data yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 1860±13 Ma (MSWD=0.084), representing the formation age of the granite. The magmatic zircons had negative εHf(t) values of −15.6 to −10.0 and two-stage Hf model ages of 3.1 to 3.4 Ga, indicating that the granites were formed by reworking of ancient crust. The major- and trace-element data indicate that the gneissic granites are metaluminous high-K calc-alkaline rocks and exhibit the same geochemical characteristics as aluminous A-type granites, implying the emplacement of the granite in a post-orogenic extensional tectonic setting. We conclude that the Paleoproterozoic crustal reworking event in the Cathaysia Block of South China marked the transition from assembly to break-up of the Columbia supercontinent. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40873004), Special Funds for National Scientific Research of Commonweal Industries, the Ministry of Land and Resources of China (Grant No. 2008110015), Opening Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University (Grant No. 06LCD12) and the Project of Land and Resources Bureau of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. 2004005)     

Grenvillian orogeny in the Southern Cathaysia Block: Constraints from U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes in zircon from metamorphic basement

Metamorphic basement rocks in the Cathaysia Block are composed mainly of meta-sediments with different ages. New zircon U-Pb geochronological results from the meta-sedimentary rocks exposed in the Zengcheng and Hezi areas, southern Cathaysia Block, show that they consist dominantly of early Neoproterozoic （1.0-0.9 Ga） materials with minor Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic and late Neoproterozoic （0.8-0.6 Ga） components, suggesting that the detritus mostly come from a Grenvillian orogen. The youngest detrital zircon ages place a constraint on the deposition time of these sediments in Late Neoproterozoic. Zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the Grenvillian zircons were derived from the reworking of Mesoproterozoic arc magmatic rocks and Paleoproterozoic continental crust, implying an arc-continent collisional setting. Single-peak age spectra and the presence of abundant euhedral Grenvillian zircons suggest that the sedimentary provenance is not far away from the sample location. Thus, the Grenvillian orogen probably preexisted along the southern margin of the Cathaysia Block, or very close to the south. Similarity in the ages of Grenvillian orogeny and the influence of the assembly of Gondwana in South China with India and East Antarctic are discussed, with suggestion that South China was more likely linked with the India-East Antarctica continents in Early Neoproterozoic rather than between western Laurentia and eastern Australia.     

Caledonian reworking of Paleoproterozoic basement in the Cathaysia Block: Constraints from zircon U-Pb dating,Hf isotopes and trace elements

A combined study of zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements has been carried out for granodioritic neosomes of migmatites from the Tianjingping area in northwestern Fujian Province. Zircons are characterized by zoning, higher Th/U ratios （mostly≥0.1）, HREE enrichment, and positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies, and show features similar to magmatic or anatectic zircons. Apparent ^206Pb/^238U ages for the zircons are 447±2 Ma （95 % conf., MSWD=0.88）, corresponding to a Caledonian event. εHf（t） values are -13.3 to -9.7, indicating a crustal source. Two-stage Hf model ages are 1.7 to 1.9 Ga, suggesting that protolith of the migmates was probably formed in the Paleoproterozoic. The granodioritic neosomes have the characteristics of peraluminous calc-alkaline granite, and their REE patterns and trace elements spidergrams show features of middle to upper crustal rocks. Together with previous studies, we conclude that the protolith of the Cathaysia basement in the Tianjingping area was likely formed in the middle-late Paleoproterozoic and experienced partial melting during the Caledonian period. The recognition of Caledonian reworking of the Paleoproterozoic basement in the Cathaysia Block provides a new insight into the tectonic evolution of the Cathaysia Block in the Caledonian period and the interaction between the Cathaysia Block and the Yangtze Block.     

Qinghu zircon: A working reference for microbeam analysis of U-Pb age and Hf and O isotopes

Zircon is the most useful mineral for studies in U-Pb geochronology and Hf and O isotope geochemistry. Matrix effect is a major problem of the microbeam techniques such as SIMS and LA-（MC）-ICPMS. Therefore, external standardization using well-characterized natural zircon standards is fundamental for accurate microbeam measurements. While the isotopic geochro- nology and geochemistry laboratories equipped with microbeam analytical facilities have been increasingly established in China during the past decade, applications of the isotopic microanalysis are still limited due to shortage of available standards. We report here the Qinghu zircon as a potential new working reference for microbeam analysis of zircon U-Pb age and O-Hf isotopes. This zircon was separated from the Qinghu quartz monzonite from the western Nanling Range, Southeast China. It is fairly homoge- neous in U-Pb age and Hf and O isotopes in terms of large amounts of mircobeam measurements by LA-MC-ICPMS and SIMS at the scales of 20-60 ~tm. SIMS measurements yield consistent 2~6pb/238U age within analytical uncertainties with that obtained by ID-TIMS. Precise determinations of O isotopes by IRMS and Hf isotopes by solution MC-ICPMS are in good agreement with the statistical mean of microbeam measurements. We recommend U-Pb age of = 159.5 ± 0.2 Ma （2SE）, δ^18O = 5.4‰ ± 0.2%0 （2SD） and 176Hf/177Hf = 0.283002 ± 0.000004 （2SD） as the best reference values for the Qinghu zircon.     

Reappraisement and refinement of zircon U-Pb isotope and trace element analyses by LA-ICP-MS

A protocol was established for simultaneous measurements of zircon U-Pb ages and trace elements by LA-ICP-MS at spot sizes of 16 32 μm.This was accomplished by introducing N 2 into ICP to increase the sensitivity.The obtained U-Pb ages for zircon standards GJ-1,TEMORA and SK10-2 are consistent with the preferred values within about 1% uncertainty (2σ) by simple external calibration against zircon standard 91500.Different data reduction softwares could yield different uncertainties for calculation of U-Pb ag...     

Age and genesis of the Myanmar jadeite: Constraints from U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes of zircon inclusions

Myanmar jadeite (jadeitite) is well known for its economical value and distinctive tectonic locality within the collisional belt between India and Eurasian plates. However, it is less studied for its genesis and geodynamic implications due to precipitous topography, adverse weather and local military conflicts in the area. By means of combined ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICPMS techniques, we have carried out in-situ trace elements, U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes for zircon inclusions in a piece of jadeite gem sample. CL imaging suggests that the zircons are metasomatic in origin, and contain mineral inclusions of jadeite and omphacite. Seventy-five analyses on 16 grains of the zircons yield a U-Pb age of 158 ± 2 Ma. The Myanmar zircons differ from other types in that they have no significant Eu anomalies despite high HREE concentrations. Measured ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios range from 0.282976 to 0.283122, with an average value of 0.283066 ± 7; ε_Hf(t) value of 13.8 ± 0.3 (n=75). These results indicate that the Myanmar jadeite was formed in the Late Jurassic, probably by interaction of fluid released from subducted oceanic slab with mantle wedge. Therefore, its formation has no genetic relationship to the continental collision between Indian and Euroasian plates. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40673039) and the Science Plan Foundation of Guangdong (Grant No. 2007B031200005)     

Genesis of zircon and its constraints on interpretation of U-Pb age

Zircon U-Pb dating is the most commonly used method for isotopic geochronology. However, it has been a difficult issue when relating zircon U-Pb ages to metamorphic conditions in complex metamorphic rocks. Much progress has been made in the past decade with respect to the genesis of zircon and its constraints on interpretation of U-Pb age. Three methods have been proposed to link zircon U-Pb age to metamorphic conditions: ( i ) internal structure; ( ii ) trace element feature; (iii) mineral inclusion composition. Magmatic zircon shows typical oscillatory zoning and/or sector zoning, whereas metamorphic zircon has internal structures such as no zoned, weakly zoned, cloudy zoned, sector zoned, planar zoned, and patched zoned ones. Zircons formed in different geological environments generally have characteristic internal structures. Magmatic zircons from different rock types have variable trace element abundances, with a general trend of increasing trace element abundances in zircons from ultramafic through mafic to granitic rocks. Zircons formed under different metamorphic conditions have different trace element characteristics that can be used to relate their formation to metamorphic conditions. It is an effective way to relate zircon growth to certain P-T conditions by studying the trace element partitioning between coexisting metamorphic zircon and garnet in high-grade metamorphic rocks containing both zircon and garnet. Primary mineral inclusions in zircon can also provide unambiguous constraints on its formation conditions. Therefore, interpretation of zircon U-Pb ages can be constrained by its internal structure, trace element composition, mineral inclusion and so on.     

Petrogenesis of keratophyes in the Pingshui Group, Zhejiang: Constraints from zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes

Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic as well as whole-rock geochemical data are reported for keratophyes in the Pingshui Group, Zhejiang. The results are used to discuss their petrogenesis and geological significance. The keratophyes were dated at 904±8 to 906±10 Ma. These intermediate-felsic rocks are characterized by high LREE contents and depletion of HREE and HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, P), resembling arc-derived rocks. The keratophyes exhibit positive εHf(t) values of 8.6 to 15.4, consistent with the...     

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age of the youngest exposed pluton in eastern China

Analysis using the Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) shows that the Yongsheng pluton, located to the south of Huadian County, Jilin Province, in the North China Craton, has a zircon U-Pb isotopic emplacement age of (31.6±1.3) Ma. It is therefore the youngest exposed pluton so far recognized in eastern China. Although geochemical data indicate intensive crystal fractionation, the Sr-Nd isotopic features suggest that the magmatic source region of the lithospheric mantle was weakly depleted. This implies that the previous enriched lithospheric mantle had been replaced by juvenile asthenospheric mantle before or during the Palaeogene. This recognition has great significance for future work on the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geological evolution and deep geological processes in eastern China.     

锆石U-Pb定年与微量元素分析的地质应用

 锆石U-Pb定年与微量元素同时测定的原位微区分析是目前应用最广泛的地质测年方法之一,对锆石形貌学、内部结构及地球化学特征进行深入研究,是正确理解、解释锆石原位微区分析测年结果的关键。通过锆石的阴极发光图像（CL）、背散射电子图像（BSE）,结合锆石的Th/U比值及稀土配分模式曲线特征,可判别不同锆石的成因类型;通过锆石的微量元素分析,可判别锆石寄主岩石的成因类型及形成环境;利用Ti温度计可限定岩体的岩浆源区深度范围,结合锆石寄主岩石类型及寄主岩石中深源包裹体的研究,可进一步推断锆石母岩浆的起源。锆石U-Pb定年与微量元素分析相结合的地质测年方法,已成功地应用于最大沉积地层时代限定、碎屑岩物源分析以及古洋盆演化过程约束等方面,且具有强有力的发展前景。     

西昆仑赞坎铁矿区英安班岩锆石U-Pb年代学研究

西昆仑赞坎英安斑岩的锆石LA-ICPMS年龄和LA-MC-ICPMS Hf同位素分析结果表明,两个样品均获得了较为一致的主体年龄,分别为533±10 Ma及527.4±9.0 Ma,都归为古生代,而不是前人所归为的前寒武纪布伦阔勒群.选用其中一个样品进行,锆石Hf同位素组成实验,其赞坎英安斑岩εHf（t）值为-3.31~-9.02,平均为-5.40,具有明显的不均一性,Hf平均地壳模式年龄为TDMC=1.70~2.06 Ga（去除其中两个U-Pb年龄异常高值）,峰值在1.7~1.8 Ga左右,与锆石形成年龄533 Ma相差甚远,说明这类锆石的母岩中主体是再造的古老地壳,同时也可能混合幔源,对应着1.7~2.0 Ga地壳再造.     

U-Pb zircon age of the foliated garnet-bearing granites in western Dabie Mountains, Central China

U-Pb zircon dating on two foliated garnet-bearing granite samples in the western Dabie ultra-high-pressure (UHP) metamorphic unit yields concordant ages of (234±4) Ma and (227±5) Ma, respectively. These ages, following the UHP peak metamorphism, represent the magma emplacement ages for the foliated garnet-bearing granites. This, for the first time, shows that there are the Triassic granites in the Dabie Mountains. The foliated garnet-bearing granites resemble A-type granite in geochemical characteristics, indicating that they were formed in extensional geodynamic setting. The magma formation reflects a reheating event in the Dabie orogenic belt and it enhances the transfer of tectonic regime from collision into extension and promotes the rapid exhumation into lower crust for the UHP metamorphic rocks.     

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age of the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion, Yunnan Province, SW China

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating gives ages of 260.6± 3.5 Ma and 260.7± 5.6 Ma for serpentinised wehrlite and plag-hornblendite in the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion, respectively. The results indicate that the Jinbaoshan intrusion was emplaced at ca.260 Ma and contemporaneous with the Emeishan continental flood basalts (ECFB), similar to other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Emeishan large igneous province (LIP). The new ages provide a geochronological constraint on the origin of the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion. It confirms that the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion belongs to the Emeishan LIP that formed at ca. 260 Ma. Supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-111), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40573020 and 40773033) and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB411408)     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating for subduction-related granitic rocks in the northern part of east Junggar, Xinjiang

A great deal of studies have recently devoted to the Central Asian orogenic belt (CAOB). Some of the studies have proposed that CAOB is a tectonic frame ofcomplex mosaic fragments, link of multiple suture zone and mountain-basin coupling, and has undergon…     

痕量元素和碳氧同位素在塔里木盆地西南缘棋盘组沉积环境研究中的应用

以塔里木盆地西南缘中二叠统棋盘组为例,通过痕量元素和碳氧同位素对古盐度、古气候和氧化还原环境进行分析,进而恢复沉积环境。用 ICP-MS 光谱仪和 MAT-251稳定同位素质谱仪分别对棋盘组样品进行痕量元素和碳氧同位素测试分析,选取 B 含量、B／Ga、Sr／Ba和 V／（V＋Ni）和碳氧同位素作为判别沉积环境的指标,分析结果表明棋盘组主要发育在盐度较高、温暖－炎热的近岸海相沉积环境和有利于有机质形成的贫氧－厌氧环境;分析垂向上痕量元素和碳氧同位素参数与海平面变化的关系,认为参数的变化与海平面升降有一定的相关性,棋盘组下段整体上表现为一个海退到海侵的过程,其中有4次完整的次级旋回,由于海平面的不断变化使得棋盘组岩性表现为泥岩和生物碎屑灰岩的频繁互层。     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating for two episodes of migmatization in the Dabie orogen

Zircon CL imaging and SHRIMP U-Pb dating were carried out for migmatite in the Dabie orogen. Zircons from the Manshuihe migmatite show clear core-rim structures. The cores display sector or weak zoning and low Th/U ratios of 0.01 to 0.17, indicating their precipitation from metamorphic fluid. They yield a weighted mean age of 137±5 Ma. By contrast, the rims exhibit planar or nebulous zoning with relatively high Th/U ratios of 0.35 to 0.69, suggesting their growth from metamorphic melt. They give a weighted mean age of 124±2 Ma. Zircons from the Fenghuangguan migmatite also display core-rim structures. The cores are weakly oscillatory zoned or unzoned with high Th/U ratios of 0.21 to 3.03, representing inherited zircons of magmatic origin that experienced different degrees of solid-state recrystallization. SHRIMP U-Pb analyses obtain that its protolith was emplaced at 768±12 Ma, consistent with middle Neoproterozoic ages for protoliths of most UHP metaigneous rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt. By contrast, the rims do not show significant zoning and have very low Th/U ratios of 0.01 to 0.09, typical of zircon crystallized from metamorphic fluid. They yield a weighted 206Pb/238U age of 137±4 Ma. Taking the two case dates together, it appears that there are two episodes of zircon growth and thus migmati-tization at 137±2 Ma and 124±2 Ma, respectively, due to metamorphic dehydration and partial melting. The appearance of metamorphic dehydration corresponds to the beginning of tectonic extension thus to the tectonic switch from crustal compression to extension in the Dabie orogen. On the other hand, the partial melting is responsible for the extensional climax, resulting in formation of coeval migmatite, granitoid and granulite. They share the common protolith, the collision-thickened continental crust of mid-Neoproterozoic ages.     

In-situ trace element analyses of zircons from Dabieshan Huangzhen eclogite: Trace element characteristics of eclogite-facies metamorphic zircon

The internal structures of zircons in eclogite from Huangzhen have been studied by cathodoluminescence(CL) microscopy. Two growth stages were distinguished:protolith magmatic cores and metamorphic overgrowthrims. These different domains were analyzed for trace ele-ments using LAM-ICP-MS. The protolith and theovergrowth zircons have different trace elements charac-teristics. The trace element contents of protolith zircons arehigh and very variable. The overgrowth zircons show a typi-cal trace element feature of equilibrium with garnet, e.g. lowcontents of HREE (132.2-197.6 ?g/g) and small differentialdegree of HREE ((Yb/Gd)CN=8.6-11.9). The contents of Nb,Ta and the ratio of Nb/Ta are lower in the metamorphic do-mains (0.5-1.4 ?g/g, 0.7-1.5 ?g/g, 0.3-1.3, respectively)than in the protolith domains (3.8-19.7 ?g/g, 2.7-12.1 ?g/g,1.0-4.6, respectively). This is the first time to give the evi-dence that the metamorphic zircon equilibrates with therutile, which formed during the peak metamorphic stage.The REEs and other trace elements data demonstrate that the metamorphic zircons overgrow in the eclogite-facies con-ditions. The trace element composition of zircon can there-fore give new ways to constrain their formation conditions.     

Petrogenesis and significance of the Hongshan syenitic pluton,South Taihang: zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age, chemical compositions and Sr-Nd isotopes

The Hongshan syenitic pluton (South Taihang) is mainly made up of hornblende syenite and minor granite. SHRIMP zircon dating yields a U-Pb age of 135±2.7 Ma for the emplacement of the pluton, while biotite Rb-Sr isotopic data give an isochron of 120. 3±2.4 Ma. Hongshan syenites show low silica, high alkalis and LILE such as Sr, and exhibit negligible Eu anomalies or slightly positive anomalies in the REE patterns. The syenites show quite enriched isotopic compositions with Isr from 0.7052 to 0. 7102 and εNd(t) from -7.5 to - 11.1. Petrogenesis of the pluton can be that partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle gave birth to an alkali basaltic magma, which subsequently underplated in the lower crust and experienced a coupled fractionation of ferromagnesian phases like pyroxene and hornblende and minor (<10 %) contamination of lower continental crust, producing the Hongshan syenites that partially e-volved into granite through combined fractionation of hornblende and feldspar. Our data are not in agreement with a previous model that the syenites originated from melting of lower crust in a thickened crust circumstance, and thus do not support the speculation of "East China Plateau" in the Mesozoic.     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of Kalatongke No. 1 and Huangshandong Cu-Ni-bearing mafic-ultramafic complexes,North Xinjiang,and geological implications

In Xinjiang, northwestern China, there are some veryimportant magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposits hosted by ma-fic-ultramafic complexes. In addition to the Jingbulake inwestern Tianshan and the Xingdi in northeastern Tarimblock, the others are concentrated in the Kalatongke andHuangshan-Jingerquan mafic-ultramafic complex beltsand two largest Cu-Ni sulfide deposits occur in the Kala-tongke No.1 and Huangshandong complexes. In the pastdecade, a great number of researches have been conductedfo…