<Emphasis Type="Italic">In-situ</Emphasis> 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 overgrowth rims. These different domains were analyzed for trace elements using LAM-ICP-MS. The protolith and the overgrowth zircons have different trace elements characteristics. The trace element contents of protolith zircons are high and very variable. The overgrowth zircons show a typical trace element feature of equilibrium with garnet, e.g. low contents of HREE (132.2–197.6 μg/g) and small differential degree 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 domains (0.5–1.4 μg/g, 0.7–1.5 μg/g, 0.3–1.3, respectively) than in the protolith domains (3.8–19.7 μg/g, 2.7–12.1 μg/g, 1.0–4.6, respectively). This is the first time to give the evidence that the metamorphic zircon equilibrates with the rutile, which formed during the peak metamorphic stage. The REEs and other trace elements data demonstrate that the metamorphic zircons overgrow in the eclogite-facies conditions. The trace element composition of zircon can therefore give new ways to constrain their formation conditions.     

A combined study of SHRIMP U-Pb dating, trace element and mineral inclusions on high-pressure metamorphic overgrowth zircon in eclogite from Qinglongshan in the Sulu terrane

Methods recently advanced for discrimination on the genesis of metamorphic zircon, such as analysis of mineral inclusions and trace elements, provide us powerful means to distinguish zircon overgrowth during high-pressure metamorphism. Zircons in ultrahigh-pressure eclogite from Qinglongshan in the Sulu terrane were studied by the SHRIMP U-Pb method in combining with trace element and mineral inclusion analyses. No inherited core was identified in the analyzed zircons by means of cathodoluminescence images. The occurrence of high-pressure metamorphic mineral inclusions in zircon, such as garnet, omphacite, rutile, and the flat HREE pattern in zircon indicate that the zircon formed at high-pressure metamorphic conditions. Therefore, a weighted average U-Pb age of 227.4±3.5 Ma obtained from such a kind of zircon is interpreted to represent the timing of peak nietamorphism for the Qinglongshan eclogite.     

中祁连湟源群中片麻岩的岩石学成因及构造意义*

湟源群中的刘家台组为一套以长英质片麻岩为主,夹黑云变粒岩的低角闪岩相的中-深变质岩系。长英质片麻岩的原岩为酸性侵入岩体,其具有低CaO(1.80~1.85 wt%)、高SiO_2(68.78~71.58 wt%)和碱含量(Na_2O+K_2O=7.6~7.7 wt%)。样品相对富集轻稀土,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,富集Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,并且具有明显的Eu负异常(δEu=0.23~0.38)。它们最主要的特征是具有较高含量的高场强元素,使得Zr+Nb+Ce+Y=(402~420)×10~(-6)(ppm)[350×10~(-6)(ppm)],而10 000Ga/Al=3.2~3.3(2.6)。这些岩石地球化学特征表明这套片麻岩的原岩为A型花岗岩。单颗粒锆石U-Pb同位素测年获得的不一致曲线的上交点年龄1 124±29 Ma,属中元古代,比前人认为的湟源群形成时代古元古代要年轻。     

应用锆石研究铀成矿流体的地球化学特征:以粤北棉花坑铀矿床为例

铀矿中锆石富集Li、P、Ti、Nb、Hf、U、Th、Ta、Y、Rare earth elements(REE)等微量元素,Th/U比值较低,在以大陆上地壳为标准化的模式图上呈现明显的重稀土富集、Ce、Y正异常和Eu负异常的特征。根据锆石/热液间微量元素的分配系数估算了成矿流体的微量元素质量分数。铀成矿流体具有富U,低Th/U比值,高稀土元素质量分数,轻、重稀土分异不明显,显著的Ce、Eu负异常和Y正异常,低Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值等特征。成矿流体主要来源于岩浆期后热液,并得到流体/岩石反应的改造,流体上升减压导致流体沸腾、气体溢出、碱性增高和还原环境,最终导致铀矿物的沉淀和铀矿床的形成。     

内蒙古西乌旗地区二叠纪双峰式火山岩的年代学、地球化学特征和地质意义

为了加深对中亚造山带东段晚古生代构造背景的认识, 选取内蒙古西乌旗地区二叠纪火山岩进行年代学和地球化学研究。分别利用X光荧光光谱(XRF)、SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年、ICP-MS和ISOPROBE-T方法测定研究区火山岩的主量元素含量、年龄、微量元素和稀土元素含量及Sr-Nd同位素。结果表明, 这套火山岩的SiO₂含量集中分布在53.54%~54.71%和72.61%~80.81%两个区间, 分别属于玄武安山岩和流纹岩, 构成双峰式火山岩组合。流纹岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄为279 ± 4.3 Ma, 说明它喷发于早二叠世。玄武安山岩轻稀土略富集而重稀土略亏损, (La/Yb)_N为2.06~2.34, 有轻微的Eu负异常, 富集大离子亲石元素和高场强元素, Nb, Ta和Sr有明显的负异常, 推断其来源于深部非原始地幔, 很大程度上受地壳成分的混染。流纹岩亦略富集轻稀土, 略亏损重稀土, (La/Yb)_N为1.70~3.81, 有很强的Eu负异常, Sr, P和Ti相对强烈亏损, Nb和Ta轻度亏损, K, Zr和Hf相对富集, 具有较高的正ε_Nd(t)值(+3.98~+5.62)和年轻的模式年龄T_DM(490~690 Ma), 具有A型花岗岩的特征, 推断其为新生陆壳来源。综合地球化学特征、区域地质特征和前人研究资料, 这套双峰式火山岩具有板内成因特征, 形成于碰撞后的伸展环境。     

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.     

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating for high-pressure basic granulite from North Qinling and its geological significance

Inrecentyears,discoveriesofhightoultrahighpressuremetamorphicrocksatthenorthandsouthsidesoftheQinlingGroupinthenorthernpartoftheQinlingMountains(hereafterNorthQinling)haveattractedfocusattentionofgeologistsworldwide.Thenorthhigh-pressure(HP)metamorphicbelt,distributedintheareafromGuanpotoShuanghuaishunorthwardtoShizipin,LushCountyinHenanProvince,consistsmainlyofeclogiteoutcroppedaslenticularmassesofdifferentsizesinthegneissesoftheQinlingGroupclosetothesouthsideofZhuyangguan-Xiaguanfault…     

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.     

Preliminary study of microscale zircon oxygen isotopes for Dabie-Sulu metamorphic rocks： Ion probe in situ analyses

151 in situ analyses of oxygen isotopes were carried out by ion micro-probe for zircons from 8 localities of HP-UHP metamorphic rocks including eclogites in the Dabie-Sulu terrane. The results show significant heterogeneity in δ^18O values, with variation in different rocks from -8.5‰ to 9.7‰ and within one sample from 2‰ to 12‰. No measurable difference in δ^18O was observed between protolith magmatic (detrital) zircons and metamorphic recrystallized zircons within analytical uncertainties from the ion micro-probe measurements. This indicates that the metamorphic zircons have inherited the oxygen isotopic compositions of protolith zircons despite the HP to UHP metamorphism. According to their protolith ages from zircon U-Pb in situ dating by the same ion micro-probe, two groups of oxygen isotope composition are recognized, with one having δ^18O values of 6‰-7‰ for old protolith of 1.9-2.5 Ga ages and the other 0‰-2‰ for young protolith of 0.7-0.8 Ga ages. The latter anomalously low δ^18O values of zircons indicate that the magma has had the obvious involvement of meteoric water when forming the young protolith of high-grade metamorphic rocks. This may be correlated with the snowball Earth event occurring in South China and the world elsewhere during the Neoproterozoic.     

华北北缘大青山小井沟岩体年代学、地球化学和Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

为了加深对华北北缘晚古生代构造背景以及古亚洲洋闭合时限的认识, 对华北北缘大青山地区小井沟花岗岩开展了年代学、地球化学和同位素研究。分别利用LA-MC-ICP-MS, ICP-AES和ICP-MS等方法进行锆石U-Pb测年, 主、微量和稀土元素分析以及锆石Hf同位素测试。结果表明, 小井沟岩体侵位于二叠纪, 侵位年龄为275±1 Ma (MSWD=0.93)。该花岗岩具有高硅(SiO₂=70.72%~72.64%)、高钾(K₂O=4.19%~4.23%)的特点, A/CNK均约为1.1, 属于弱过铝质的高钾钙碱性系列, 稀土元素总量(ΣREE)为87.67~101.51 μg/g, 配分曲线呈右倾型, 具有微弱的Eu负异常, 富集大离子亲石元素(LILE, 如Rb, Ba, K, Sr等), 亏损高场强元素(HFSEs, 如Nb, Ta, Y, Yb, Lu等), 应该是由下地壳部分熔融形成。该花岗岩的锆石具有负的ε_Hf(t)值(-9.56~-5.00), 模式年龄(T_DM2)在1.91~1.61 Ga之间, 表明华北陆块古元古代的地壳岩石应该是其主要物源, 可能有幔源物质的参与。结合整个华北北缘二叠纪花岗岩的岩浆演变特征, 小井沟岩体应形成于由俯冲向碰撞-后碰撞转变的过渡时期, 古亚洲洋可能在晚二叠世之前已闭合。     

华北板块北缘中段新太古代的陆-陆碰撞事件: 来自合教S型花岗岩的证据

通过对内蒙古达茂旗合教地区具有明显构造意义的新太古代S型花岗岩的主量元素、微量元素及SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年代学的研究, 为揭示华北板块北缘新太古代末的构造环境提供了进一步的证据。合教花岗岩的主量元素特征表明它是高分异的强过铝 S 型花岗岩; 其里特曼指数 σ为0. 54 ～0. 57, 属于低钾钙碱性岩石。稀土元素总量为 243. 8 ～427. 1 μg/ g。球粒陨石标准化分配模式显示 LREE 相对富集, HREE 相对亏损; ( La/ Yb)_N为 14. 88～18. 18, Eu 具有较大的负异常( Eu*/ Eu = 0. 31 ～0. 65); 模式图总体呈一右倾的海鸥型。微量元素显示Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti 等高场强元素相对亏损。合教花岗岩的微量元素组成表明其来源于正常厚度的大陆地壳, 形成于低压高温的后碰撞环境, 相当于澳大利亚拉克伦造山带的S型花岗岩。合教花岗岩的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄为2556±8Ma, 属于新太古代晚期。合教强过铝 S型花岗岩反映在新太古代晚期华北板块北缘中段可能发生了一次陆-陆碰撞事件, 也表明固阳地区同时期的赞岐岩可能形成于后碰撞环境而非板片消减带。     

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...     

Formation age and tectonic environment of the Gantaohe Group, North China Craton: Geology, geochemistry, SHRIMP zircon geochronology and Hf-Nd isotopic systematics

The Gantaohe Group is an important early Precambrian unit in the Trans-North China Orogen,North China Craton,and is mainly composed of greenschist-facies metabasalt,meta-sandstone and dolomitic marble.We report whole-rock geochemical compositions and SHRIMP zircon ages as well as LA-ICP-MS Hf-in-zircon isotopeic analyses for metabasalts from the Gantaohe Group.SHRIMP dating yielded a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 2087±16 Ma(MSWD=1.3) for magmatic zircons,but there are also abundant ca.2.5 Ga inherited zircon xenocrysts.The magmatic zircons shows a large Hf(t) variation in Hf(t) from 7.17 to +0.45,suggesting an isotopically highly heterogeneous source for the metabasalt.Chemically all samples show no distinct Zr or Hf anomalies,and some samples show no Nd or Ta anomalies in a primitive mantle-normalized trace element variation diagram,and their whole-rock Nd(t) values range from 4.0 to 0.8.We suggest that the basalt is formed by partial melting of a depleted mantle source,followed by significant crustal contamination.Field observations,the presence of abundant inherited zircon,as well as isotope and trace elements geochemistry support formation of the Gantaohe Group on top of a continental basement.These data and the regional geology lead us to conclude that the Trans-North China Orogen constituted an intracontinental rift during the Paleoproterozoic that was connected to the Eastern Block since the end of the Archean.     

南秦岭岚皋基性火山岩的地质学 、地球化学及其构造意义

为了研究南秦岭岚皋地区基性火山岩的岩石成因和区域构造背景, 选择岚皋县境内的玄武岩和火山角砾岩进行岩相学、常量元素、微量元素和稀土元素的分析。通过分析发现, 它们同属于碱性玄武岩系列, 轻重稀土分异明显, Rb, K 相对Th, Hf 亏损, 不具 Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti 负异常, 整体表现出与 OIB( 洋岛玄武岩) 高度一致的稀土图谱和微量元素特征。岩石成因分析表明, 它们为同源岩浆演化序列, 其原始岩浆起源于尖晶石-石榴石二辉橄榄岩和石榴石二辉橄榄岩地幔源区的低度部分熔融, 在上升过程中基本未受地壳混染的影响。岩浆演化过程中主要经历了单斜辉石、少量斜长石的分离结晶作用。综合区域地质学和微量元素特征, 该组火山岩最有可能形成于洋盆台地或大洋岛构造环境。     

Zircon U/Pb ages for gniess from Qianshan, Anhui

Zircon U/Pb ages were measured for Qianshan gneiss at the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic (UHPM) complex in the Southern Dabie Terrain (SDT). According to morphology, Th and U contents of eight fractions of zircon and data distribution on the discordia, it is indicated that they should be treated as metamorphic overgrowth mixing zircons, in which the cores mainly are magmatic and the outers were metamorphic. The intercept ages show that the gneiss underwent UHPM. There is no direct correlation for zircon between morphological feature and genesis.     

Trace element geochemistry of the Lower Cambrian black rock series from northwestern Hunan, South China

Samples of black rock series collected from the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation, northwestern Hunan Province, China, were analyzed for trace elements.The trace element geochemical characteristics of the ore layer (high enrichments of Ni, Mo, V, U, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Tl and Ba; high U/Th ratios and LREE-enriched patterns with positive Eu and Y anomalies) support the assumption that the Ni-Mo polymetallic layer is of submarine hydrothermal origin.High field strength elements (HFSE) and lithophile elements such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Li, Be, Rb, Cs, Th and Sc are remarkably higher in the upper unit than those in the lower unit of the Niutitang Formation.These features may reflect that hydrothermal contributions were diminished, and terrigenous constituents were increased in the sediments of the upper unit of the Niutitang Formation.     

Zircon U-Pb age of granitic gneiss on Duku highway in western Tianshan of China and its geological implications

Granitic gneiss on Duku highway in western Tianshan has been dated by the U-Pb zircon method. When plotted on the concordia diagram, the results give linear data array and the upper intercept age of (882 ± 33)Ma, and the age was considered as the crystallization age of the protolith. Granitic gneiss has high ASI value (1.09), high LILE and LREE contents, significantly negative Eu depletion, distinctly negative Ba, Sr, P, Ti and Nb anomalies and indicate continental crust parentage, which is consistent with high initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios value (0.7170) and very negative ε_Nd(t)=-14.1. The protolith magma is interpreted as a product of partial melting of the basement rocks of older basement crust.     

Identification of 3.5 Ga detrital zircons from Yangtze craton in south China and the implication for Archean crust evolution

The LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of hundreds of detrital zircon grains from the Sinian sandstones of Liantuo formation and tillites of Nantuo formation at Sanxia area in Yichang identified 3319?3508 Ma zircon grains. Their ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages show excellent agreement (concordia degree 99%?100%). Their CL images exhibit well-developed oscillatory zoning and the Th/U ratios are within 0.46?0.76, implying that they are igneous zircons which formed during middle-early Archean. These zircons are the oldest ones discovered in Yangtze craton until now. However, the detrital zircons with ages older than 3.3 Ga in the metamorphic rocks of Kongling group were not found by further investigation, which suggests the presence of crust older than high-grade metamorphic Kongling terrain in Yangtze craton.     

Trace element geochemistry during chemical weathering

The granite weathering in Longnan, Jiangxi, is represented by mineralogical changes of feldspars → montmorillonite, illite → kaolinite, halloysite → bauxite, with Na, Ca, Si, P, V, U and Sr being in a mobile state while Ti, Al, Fe, Sc, Th, Zr and Hf remaining relatively conservative. With the exception of Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta, Th/Sc, Zr/Nd and Sm/Nb, changes are notable in ratios between most of the trace elements. Re-distribution of REE and Y has taken place during the chemical weathering, and the REE patterns of weathered samples in the profile, with original characters of the parent rock still recognizable, has undergone some fractionation. Generally, the extent of chemical weathering is the critical factor determining the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the profiles and this must be taken into account in any study of tracing the provenance on the basis of mineralogical and trace element characteristics of the sediments.     

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.