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Background: Gallstone disease poses a global threat to human health and is strongly linked to environmental factors. However, there is currently no data on the presence of rare earth elements (REEs) in human gallstones. This paper investigates the concentration and distribution of REEs in gallstones for the first time, aiming to explore the environmental implications on human health. Methods: A total of 25 gallstone samples were collected in Shanghai and the content of REEs was measured by Inductively coupled plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to explore the distribution of REEs in gallstones. Results: The concentration of REEs in gallstones ranged from 4.89 to 190.8 ng/g (mean 39.21). In most of the gallstone analyses, REEs have been detected and generally attributed to environmental exposure or food contamination. The Y/Ho ratio of gallstones was lower than that of continental rocks, similar to that in the blood, indicating limited fractionation during fluid transport processes in the gallbladder. Conclusions: The upper continental crust (UCC)-normalized REEs pattern in gallstones showed depletion of light REEs, while most showed enrichment of heavy REEs. Positive Gd anomalies were found in most samples, while few samples suggested anthropogenic influence. Whether exogenous inputs or in vivo biofractionation lead to changes in REEs fractionated patterns require further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) volcanic tuffs are widely distributed in the East Palaeo‐Tethys region, but their age and origin have been controversial. The Permian–Triassic deep‐water sediments in the northeastern margin of South China are favourable research objects, and we report new results from the PTB deep basin sediments in the Susong area, Anhui Province, in this paper. Two volcanic tuffs are found in the Zuoshan PTB in the Zuoshan section, and Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U–Pb zircon dating indicates that the upper and lower tuffs are 251.3 ± 1.7 Ma and 252.3 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. The PTB age is 251.6 Ma according to a numerical interpolation method of the average deposition rate of the PTB. Fusulinids and non‐fusulinid foraminifers in the limestone overlying the lower tuff define the rock as end‐Permian. Zircon trace elements show that both tuffs are sourced from felsic volcanism in continental arc background, and their source magmas were derived from the continental crust. Zircons of PTB age from the upper tuff on the bottom of the Triassic have negative εHf(t) value from −8.02 to −3.75, and the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic two‐stage model ages of 1502–1780 Ma, showing that their source rocks were only derived from the remelting of the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic continental crust. The zircons from the lower tuff on the top of the Permian show two types, including negative εHf(t) values from −6.48 to −1.25 and Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic two‐stage model ages of 1350–1679 Ma, and positive εHf(t) values from +3.98 to +10.15, and Neoproterozoic two‐stage model ages of 629–1023 Ma, indicating that their sources were derived from the reworking of the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic continental crust and early Neoproterozoic depleted mantle joined in juvenile crust growth in the northern margin of the South China Block at the beginning of the collision between the South China and North China blocks. The initial collision started no later than 252.3 Ma and developed significantly from east to west. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dongxiang tungsten–copper deposit is a large W–Cu deposit located in the northeast of Jiangxi province in south China. Previous studies have mainly considered the geochemical and isotopic attributes of the ore deposit, but information is still lacking on the genesis and setting of Dongxiang W–Cu mineralization-related intrusive rocks. This paper presents systematic elements and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of the Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry. The Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry is intermediate–acidic in composition, with SiO2 contents of 60.00–75.16 wt.%, Al2O3 contents of 10.15–18.53 wt.%, an K2O contents of 2.95–4.28 wt.%. The REEs content ranges from 64.2 to 198.1 ppm, with LREE/HREE ratios of 7.67–17.47. It is characterized by adakitic geochemical affinities with high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios but low Y and Yb contents. A slight Eu anomaly, extreme depletion in Y and Yb, relatively low MgO content, and relatively high 207Pb/204Pb ratios together indicate that the Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry was likely derived from partial melting of the thickened lower continental crust. Based on zircon εHf(t) values (−11.8–−4.5), two-stage Hf model ages (1.33–1.94 Ga), and the regional geological setting, it can be inferred that Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry magma is mainly derived from Neoproterozoic juvenile crust with the involvement of Paleoproterozoic ancient crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The volcano-plutonic complex was mainly generated by the partial melting of lower crust. • Mantle delamination generated heterogeneous magma and thus a variety of deposits. • Intracontinental tectonic transformation controlled the porphyry emplacement. The Yao'an Pb–Ag–Au deposit is located far from the present-day margin of the Yangtze Craton, providing an excellent example for studying the genesis of porphyries and associated polymetallic mineralization in intracontinental transpression settings. In situ zircon U–Pb ages and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic data of the Yao'an porphyries in the intracontinental zone, combined with research data published for the Machangqing and Beiya ore-bearing porphyries in the cratonic margin, were used in this paper. Four-phase felsic rocks (∼33 Ma) and later mafic rock (∼31 Ma) were recognized in the Yao'an district. Of these, the third-phase syenite porphyry had a genetic link with Pb–Ag–Au mineralization, which occurred within the second-phase volcanic rocks and Mesozoic strata. In addition, the Yao'an porphyry showed high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7087–0.7094) and enriched Nd (ε Nd (t) = −10.53 to −12.60) isotopic composition, with a wide range of zircon Hf (ε Hf (t) = −8.39 to −13.2) and δ 18O values (6.28 ‰–9.20 ‰). These features suggest that the Yao'an porphyries were produced by partial melting of an ancient lower crust mixed with continental lithospheric-mantle-derived melt, which are differed from the magma source of the Beiya and Machangqing porphyries. Given the nature sources of the porphyries, we conclude that the spatial variation of metal associations changing from the Cu ± Au ± Mo system at the cratonic margin to the Pb–Ag–Au deposits in the intracontinental zone in the western Yangtze Craton was likely controlled by different magma sources. The delamination of an overthickened continental lithospheric mantle in an intracontinental transpression setting was a geodynamic trigger for porphyry magma generation, ascent, and emplacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Devonian is a critical period for reversal of arc polarity and transition of continental margins from passive to active settings in the northern margin of the North China Block (NCB). However, the evolution processes during this period are still poorly constrained due to limited distributions of Devonian magmatism and sedimentary records in the NCB. In this paper, we present new zircon U–Pb geochronological, whole‐rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of some recently identified Devonian volcanic rocks from the Jiefangyingzi area in the northeastern margin of the NCB. The Jiefangyingzi volcanic rocks display a bimodal composition and consist predominantly of amphibolite (meta‐basaltic andesite) and meta‐rhyolite and rhyolitic tuff with minor meta‐andesite. New SHRIMP and LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating results show that the volcanic rocks erupted during the early‐middle Devonian period (397–389 Ma). Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data indicate that the mafic‐intermediate components were mainly derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source, and the parental magma experienced fractional crystallization during magma ascent. The felsic rocks were mainly originated by partial melting of ancient lower continental crust, with mixing of some mantle‐derived mafic magmas. The occurrence of Devonian bimodal volcanic rocks, combined with the Devonian alkaline magmatic belt, suggesting that the northern margin of the NCB was a post‐collisional extension environment during the early‐middle Devonian period. In addition, the Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic results of the Devonian felsic volcanic rocks suggest that the Jiefangyingzi area is located in the North China Craton (NCC) rather than the Bainaimiao arc belt, and the orogen‐craton boundary between the northern NCC and Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is located in some areas north to the Jiefangyingzi area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing exploration interest in oil and gas hosted by early Cambrian strata has focused research efforts on early Cambrian sandstones. The origin of phosphorus and the paleoenvironment of phosphorus-bearing sandstones from the Xinji Formation are discussed in this paper. X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, grain size analysis, total organic carbon, and the concentrations of major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs) are analyzed in this work. The sandstones are mostly sublitharenite with calcareous cement. The content of the sandstone samples is quartz (39.8%–73.9%), with illite (7.9%–27.6%) and calcite (4.5%–29%). The mineral particles of sandstone samples are mainly well sorted with a fine particle size, suggesting strong paleohydrodynamic force. The value of SiO2 is 37.69%–78.19%, followed by Al2O3 (6.11%–13.67%). Compared with upper continental crust, the boron in the sandstone samples is relatively enriched, whereas Sc, Sr, and Ba are relatively depleted. The ΣREE content is 124.46–323.99 ppm. Phosphorus is of biogenic origin and enriched by upwelling current. The source of the Xinji Formation sandstone samples was mainly a mixture of sedimentary rock, granite, and alkali basalt, with the provenance of terrestrial clastic materials. The sandstone was deposited under oxic conditions and a warm and humid paleoclimate with saline to brackish features on a passive continental margin. Phosphorus occurring in sandstones is sensitive to paleoclimate and can be used as an indicator to judge paleoclimate, as it is more enriched in warm and humid weather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lesser Xing'an–Zhangguangcai Range is located in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Early Mesozoic igneous rocks in this area can place constraints on the crustal growth mechanism in the Northeastern China. This paper reports a suite of Late Triassic high‐Mg diorites and mafic dikes from the southern Lesser Xing'an–Zhangguangcai Range. The mafic dikes have younger zircon U–Pb ages of 195 ± 2 Ma. They display intermediate SiO2 (50.58% to 58.20%) and high Na2O/K2O ratios of 1.90 to 3.20, low A/CNK ratios of 0.75 to 0.84, low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7045 to 0.7046, and high εNd(t) values of +3.1 to +3.5. Most zircons in the mafic dikes exhibit positive εHf(t) values from +8.6 to +16.0, with single‐stage Hf model ages ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 Ga in combination with their enrichment in LREE and LILEs and depletion in HFSEs. They are considered to be formed by melting of metasomatized subarc lithosphere mantle. The diorite and quartz diorite have older zircon U–Pb ages of 200 ± 3 and 202 ± 2 Ma, respectively. They have SiO2 = 54.45% to 61.18%, Al2O3 = 17.16% to 19.10%, TiO2 = 0.74% to 1.13%, and Mg# = 46.6 to 49.5, and they also display moderately depleted Sr–Nd (εNd(t) = +2.3 to +4.3) and zircon Lu–Hf (εHf(t) = +8.6 to +16.0) isotopic compositions. These features suggest that they were formed by melting of juvenile arc crust in active continental margin. Considering the occurrence of the contemporaneous and latter igneous rocks in the Zhangguangcai Range, we argue that the diorite, quartz diorite, and mafic dikes from the Lengshan area were also related to the westward subduction of Palaeo‐Pacific Plate (Izanagi Plate) beneath the Eurasian Plate. The strike‐like fault along the eastern margin of the Songneng–Zhuangguangcai Block may play an important role in the genesis of diorite melt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio are two key parameters for investigating tectonic setting and evolution. The H- k technique has become popular to determinate their values in recent years. However, if a complex structure exists in the crust, the reverberated phases from different depths may interfere with each other, resulting in reduction or even absence of the PpPs phase from the Moho, such that the H- k algorithm may not reveal unambiguous estimates of these two parameters. In this paper, the H- k technique is applied to process a synthetic receiver function for a test case, the result of which is compared with that from direct picking of the time delays of the converted and reverberated phases. Then we process the observational data recorded at two stations in eastern Tibet, determine the crustal thickness and the velocity ratio using the two methods, compare the result with that obtained by Xu et al. at the same location, and analyse the potential causes for discrepancy as well as the reliability of the two methods. Finally, the crustal thickness and the Poisson's ratio in eastern Tibet and Sichuan Basin are determined from the receiver functions recorded at 51 broad-band stations, using the two different methods. The results indicate that the crustal thickness from the time delays is thicker than that from the H- k algorithm near the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, and the crustal Poisson's ratio in the rigid Sichuan Basin from the time delays ranges from 0.26 to 0.28, which are more reasonable than that from the H- k (0.28 to 0.34). Additionally, the Poisson's ratio under the faults from the time delays is found to be higher than those on the two sides, which is consistent with the tectonic background and previous study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on whole-rock major- and trace-elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Aolunhua adakitic monzogranite porphyries from the Xilamulun district in the southern Great Xing'an Range, Northeast (NE) China. The high-K calc-alkaline Aolunhua monzogranite porphyries are characterized by high Sr/Y ratios (34.59–91.02), Sr (362–809 ppm), and low Y contents (7.66–10.5 ppm), respectively. These rocks also show slightly enriched Sr and Nd isotopes ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7051–0.7058; εNd(t) = −2.98–0.92), with young two-stage model ages (T2DM = 0.84–1.16 Ga). Such a signature indicates that these rocks were most likely formed by partial melting of juvenile mafic lower crust. Based on equilibrium melting and batch-melting equations, we performed incompatible trace elements modeling. Low FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) values indirectly reflect these adakitic rocks were derived from an oxidizing source related to magnesian granitoids. The decreasing content of TiO2, Fe2O3, Nb/Ta ratio, and moderately negative Eu anomalies suggest that minimal fractionation of Fe–Ti oxides and plagioclase may have occurred in their evolutionary history. The result shows that the Aolunhua adakitic porphyries and coeval adakitic intrusive rocks in this area had not experienced extensive fractional crystallization and were derived from 20%–40% partial melting of lower continental crust, which was composed of ~25%–40% and 5%–20% garnet-bearing amphibolite, respectively. Integrating with rock assemblages and regional tectonic evolutionary history in this regime, high (Sm/Yb)SN (SN—source normalized data, normalized to mafic lower continental crust with Yb = 1.5 ppm and Sm/Yb = 1.87 for continental adakite) and low YbSN ratios suggest that these rocks were generated in an extensional environment related to lithospheric delamination without crustal thickening. The collision between North China and Siberian cratons around 160 Ma blocked the westward movement of the lithosphere as a result of the subduction of Pacific plate, which then led to lithospheric delamination induced by asthenospheric upwelling and underplating. Subsequently, partial melting of mafic lower crust caused by mantle upwelling resulted in the Early Cretaceous magmatic activities of adakitic rocks and associated Mo mineralization in the southern Great Xing'an Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]