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Post‐collisional magmatism contains important clues for understanding the reworking and growth of continental crust, as well as lithospheric delamination and orogenic collapse. Early Devonian magmatism has been identified in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt (NQOB). This paper reports an integrated study of petrology, whole‐rock geochemistry, Sm‐Nd isotope and zircon U‐Pb dating, as well as Lu‐Hf isotopic data, for two Early Devonian intrusive plutons. The Yongchang and Chijin granites yield zircon U‐Pb ages of 394–407 Ma and 414 Ma, respectively. Both of them are characterized by weakly peraluminous to metaluminous without typical aluminium‐rich minerals, LREE‐enriched patterns with negative Eu anomalies and a negative correlation between P2O5 and SiO2 contents, consistent with geochemical features of I‐type granitoids. Zircons from the studied granites display negative to weak positive εHf(t) values (–5.7 to 2.1), which agree well with those of negative εNd(t) values (−6.4 to −2.9) for the whole‐rock samples, indicating that they were derived from the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crust. Furthermore, low Sr/Y ratios (1.13–21.28) and high zircon saturation temperatures (745°C to 839°C, with the majority being >800°C) demonstrated a relatively shallow depth level below the garnet stability field and an additional heat source. Taken together, the Early Devonian granitic magmatism could have been produced by the partial melting of ancient crustal materials heated by mantle‐derived magmas at high‐temperature and low‐pressure conditions during post‐collisional extensional collapse. The data obtained in this study, when viewed in conjunction with previous studies, provides more information about the tectonic processes that followed the closure of the North Qilian Ocean. The tectonic transition from continental collision to post‐collisional delamination could be constrained to ∼430 Ma, which is provided by the sudden decrease of Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and an increase in zircon εHf(t) values for granitoids. A two‐stage tectonic evolution model from continental collision to post‐collisional extensional collapse for the NQOB includes (a) continental collision and crustal thickening during ca. 455–430 Ma, characterized by granulite‐facies metamorphism and widespread low‐Mg adakitic magmatism; (b) post‐collisional delamination of thickened continental crust and extensional collapse of orogen during ca. 430–390 Ma, provided by coeval high‐Mg adakitic magmatism, A‐type granites and I‐type granitoids with low Sr‐Y ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Madi rare metal granite is a complex massif, which contains a variety of rare metals, such as Nb, Ta, Li, and Be. In this paper, the geochemical characteristics of the granite were obtained by multi‐collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS). The precise crystalline age of the granite was obtained from monazite U‐Pb dating, and the source of the granite was determined using Li‐Nd isotopes. The Madi rare metal granite is a high‐K (calc‐alkaline), peraluminous, S‐type granite. The U‐Pb monazite age indicates that the crystalline age of the granite is 175.6 Ma, which is Early Jurassic. The granite is characterized by a relatively wide range of δ7Li values (+2.99‰ to +5.83‰) and high lithium concentrations (181 ppm to 1022 ppm). The lithium isotopic composition of the granite does not significantly correlate with the degree of magmatic differentiation. An insignificant amount of lithium isotope fractionation occurred during the granitic differentiation. The lithium isotopic composition of the granite significantly differs from that of the wall rock, but it is very similar to that of a primitive mantle peridotite xenolith (mean δ7Li value +3.5‰). The plot of Li concentration versus δ7Li indicates that the Li isotopic composition of the granite is similar to that of island arc lavas. Based on the above‐described evidence, the granite was mainly derived from the crust, but it was contaminated by a deep granitic magma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tonstein layers are found worldwide in the Permo–Carboniferous coal‐bearing strata. This study investigates the geochronology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of four tonstein samples from the Permo–Carboniferous Benxi Formation, Ordos Basin, North China Craton (NCC). The typical features of the studied tonsteins include thin beds, lateral continuity, angular quartz grains, and euhedral zircons with similar U‐Pb ages, indicating a significant pyroclastic origin. In addition, the tonstein samples have low TiO2/Al2O3 ratios (<0.02) and rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) concentrations with obvious negative Eu anomalies, indicating that the tonsteins have a felsic magma origin. Moreover, compared with the mean composition of clay shale, the studied tonsteins are characterized by high concentrations of the elements Nb and Ta, which may affect the concentration of the corresponding elements in surrounding coal seams. The zircon U‐Pb ages of the tonsteins (293.9–298.8 Ma) provide a precise chronological framework on the Benxi Formation in the Ordos Basin, constraining the Gzhelian–Aselian stages. The tonsteins were probably sourced from arc volcanism along the western margin of the NCC during the early Permian, implying that the Alxa Terrane had not amalgamated with the NCC at that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the meta‐gabbronorites in Liangcheng and used detailed petrography, geochemistry, zircon geochronological and in‐situ Hf isotopic studies to clarify their formation and metamorphic ages, petrogenesis, tectonic setting and provide constraints on the tectonic evolution of Khondalite Belt (KB). The zircon U‐Pb dating results show that the meta‐gabbronorites crystallized at ~1.94 Ga and were metamorphosed at ~1.91–1.89 Ga. They can be subdivided into the low‐Mg and high‐Mg groups. The low‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites contain relatively lower MgO and higher SiO2 contents than high‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites. They are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, depleted in high field strength elements, and exhibit positive (high‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites) and negative (low‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites) Sr and Eu anomalies. The zircon in‐situ εHf(t) of meta‐gabbronorites is 0.07–4.12, with Hf model ages (TDM) of 2169–2400 Ma. The meta‐gabbronorites in Liangcheng originated from the asthenospheric mantle and experienced fractional crystallization of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase. They were contaminated by the crustal rocks (mainly khondalite series) during ascent, especially for low‐Mg gabbronorites. The ridge subduction is the most plausible tectonic setting for meta‐gabbronorites, indicating the eastern segment of KB was in a ridge subduction setting at ~1.94 Ga following an orogenic thickening event during a prolonged orogenic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a set of bulk geochemical and mineralogical data from a paleoweathering profile located in Zunyi District, Northern Guizhou, China. It was formed at the top of the Hanjiadian Formation of the Lower Silurian. A truncated, argillic, gleyed, kryptic paleospodosol is recognized in the paleoweathering profile. Ratios of immobile elements (Ti/Zr, Ti/Al) and their binary (e.g., Nb vs. Zr/TiO2 and Th/Sc vs. Zr/Sc), triangular diagrams (La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10, Zr-Cr-Ga) reflect that the Gaojiayan paleosol is the product of in-situ weathering of gray-green silty mudstone of the underlying Hanjiadian Formation. Mass balance calculations indicate K enrichment and Na enrichment in the upper and lower portions of paleosol, respectively. These findings both are the results of transgression, which brings substantial concentrations of such elements as K, Na, and Sr. In particular, K enrichment is achieved by the illitization of kaolinite. The biological processes of terrestrial vascular plants also enhance K concentration, especially at the top of the paleosol. Na enrichment is a consequence of albitization and/or adsorption by clay minerals through cation exchange. The mass distributions and relative mass changes of rare earth elements (REEs) in the studied profile display characteristics of vertical zonation. Three peaks in total REEs content are observed, indicating two paleoclimatic or paleoenvironmental changes. Mineralogical characteristics indicate that the paleoclimate changed first from warm and humid to cold and dry and later, to dry and lightly warmer. The corresponding soil environment varies from weakly acidic to strongly alkaline and later, to weakly acidic. Mass translocation characteristics of REEs and several transition metals suggest that the Gaojiayan paleosol may have undergone top erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report geochemical data, SHRIMP zircon ages and Hf-in-zircon isotopic compositions for Cenozoic granitoids from major fault systems in the Tethyan belt in western Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Four magmatic pulses occurred in the Paleogene, namely at ca. 57 Ma, ca. 50 Ma, 45-40 Ma, and 38-34 Ma. Early magmatism of this episode (57-50 Ma) produced S-type granites whose zircons yielded εHf( t) values of −5.0 to −0.3. In contrast, late magmatism of this episode reflects heterogeneous sources. Zircons from a granite porphyry along the Ailaoshan-Red River fault system have slightly positive εHf( t) values suggesting derivation from relatively young crust and/or a juvenile source. However, zircons from a granite along the Gaoligong fault system have strongly negative εHf( t) values and suggest derivation from a Paleoproterozoic crustal source. The composition of the granitoids varies with age (from ca. 57 Ma to ca. 34 Ma) from peraluminous to metaluminous and also suggests a change from syn-collisional to late-orogenic tectonic setting. A new tectonic model, impacting lithospheric wedge (ILW) is shown for the origin of Paleogene granitoids in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luku alkali syenite is distributed throughout the southern end of the Hongge basic‐ultrabasic intrusion in Panzhihua, Sichuan, SW China. Using LA‐ICP‐MS, the alkali syenite intrusion yielded a zircon U‐Pb age of 264.5 ± 1.6 Ma, concordant with the ages of the E'meishan large igneous province (260 Ma). The intrusion displayed silica‐saturated, Al‐adequate and alkali‐rich signatures, with SiO2 62.07%–64.04%, Al2O3 16.26%–16.79% and Na2O + K2O 9.17%–9.91% (averaging 9.31%). The rock falls into the alkaline zone on the SiO2‐A.R. diagram, as well as in the potassium zone on the K2O‐Na2O diagram, indicating a potassium alkaline rock. The rock has a low total REE concentration and showed enrichment in LREE (LREE/HREE = 7.06–7.95), typical negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.73–0.80), trace element deficiencies in LILEs (Ba, K, Sr, Zr) and enrichment in HFSEs (Th, U, Nd, Sm, Ta and Nb), displaying crust and mantle element information. Zircons show a strong positive Ce anomaly and negative Eu anomaly, similar to the characteristics of crustal source magmatic zircon, however the (Lu/Gd)N ratio ranges from 1.48 to 3.17, and the (Yb/Sm)N ratio ranges from 38.49 to 77.15, which are similar to the characteristics of mantle‐derived magmatic zircon. In the La/Yb‐δEu correlation diagram, the data plots near the boundary between crust type and crust‐mantle type. From the combined 'trinity' spatiotemporal relationship of Indosinian intermediate‐acid alkali intrusive rocks in the Panxi area with E'meishan basalt and basic‐ultrabasic intrusive rocks, the regional tectonic evolution and the partial melting model of the most intraplate magma sources, we believe that the Luku alkali syenite in Sichuan was formed from the partial melting of a crust‐mantle source material, due to underplating of the mantle plume basic magma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil group separation, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of saturated hydrocarbons, carbon isotope analysis of fractions and tests on trace elements were all carried out to determine the origin of shallow Jurassic heavy oils in the northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin, northwestern China. Results showed that all the crude oils had been subjected to different degrees of biodegradation, on an order ranging from PM 6 to 9, which yielded many unresolved complex mixtures (UCM) and formed a huge spike in the mass chromatogram (M/Z = 85). Two heavy oils from the Karamay area underwent slight biodegradation, characterized by the consistent ratios of biomarker parameters. C21/C23 and C23/H of the two samples were 0.81 and 0.85, while G/H, C27/C29 and C28/C29 were 0.38 and 0.40, 0.16 and 0.27, 0.87 and 0.86, respectively. The isomerization parameters of terpane and steranes were 0.50–0.53, and 0.48–0.49, respectively. The above geochemical indices indicated that the crude oils in the study area were in the marginally mature stage. The parent materials were a mixture, consisting of bacteria, algae and some higher plants, formed under reducing depositional conditions, which is in agreement with the source rocks of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu depression. The carbon isotopic compositions of saturated hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon, NSO and asphaltene were –31‰– to –30.3‰, –29.5‰ to –29.03‰, –29.4‰ to –28.78‰ and –28.62‰ to –28.61‰, respectively. These findings are in agreement with the light carbon isotope of kerogen from the lower Permian Fengcheng Formation. Furthermore, V/Ni and Cr/Mo of all the crude oils were 0.01 to 0.032, 0.837 to 10.649, which is in good agreement with the ratios of the corresponding elements of the extracts from the Fengcheng Fm. carbonate source rock. As a result, a two–stage formation model was established: (1) the oil generated from the carbonate source rocks of the Fengcheng Formation migrated to the Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic traps during the Late Triassic, forming the primary oil reservoirs; (2) during the Late Jurassic period, the intense tectonic activity of Yanshan Episode II resulted in the readjustment of early deep primary reservoirs, the escaped oils gradually migrating to the shallow Jurassic reservoir through cross‐cutting faults, unconformities and sand body layers. The oils then finally formed secondary heavy oil reservoirs, due to long–term biodegradation in the later stage. Therefore, joint methods of organic, isotopic and element geochemistry should be extensively applied in order to confirm the source of biodegradation oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The xenoliths in host rocks of hydrothermal gold deposits can generally provide much geochemical information of the deep rocks, which may have an implication for the sources of ore‐forming materials. Geochronology and geochemical characteristics are reported for a granite xenolith, which is enclosed by the lamprophyre in the Zhenyuan gold deposit (Yunnan Province, SW China). This granite xenolith mainly consists of K‐feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase with trace amounts of magnetite, titanite, apatite, zircon, and sulfides. Zircons from the granite xenolith yield a weighted average U‐Pb age of 281.1 ± 1.3 Ma (MSWD = 2.1), which could represent the crystallization age of this granite xenolith. The Ti‐in‐zircon geothermometer and the Mn concentration in apatite calculate that this granite xenolith formed at 685 ± 43°C with the logfO2 values ranging from NNO + 3.7 to NNO + 6.4. The zircons in the granite xenolith have a restricted range of positive ∊Hf(t) values ranging from +9.4 to +10.8, and the corresponding Hf TDM2 model ages range from 588 to 678 Ma. The zircon U‐Pb age and the Hf isotopic compositions indicate this granite xenolith within the lamprophyre is mainly derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal rocks before the completed closure of the Ailaoshan Ocean. The pyrites in the granite xenolith have higher Bi concentrations, and lower As, Sb, and Tl concentrations than the gold‐bearing pyrites of the ores in the Zhenyuan gold deposit. The low Au concentrations of the pyrites together with the ore‐forming age of the Zhenyuan gold deposit (Oligocene) indicate the granite xenolith may have limited contribution to the gold mineralization of the Zhenyuan gold deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research paper discussing the geochemistry of rare earth elements (REE) in fluorite from the Lala iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposit in Kangdian Region, Southwest China. It analyzes the geological implications of REE geochemistry for source of ore-forming fluid. It also suggests the stages of mineralization including marine volcanic eruption sediment stage, the metamorphic metallization events and the hydrothermal mineralization.

The Qingkuangshan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit, located in the Xiaoguanhe region of Huili County, Sichuan Province, is one of several Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP). The ore-bearing intrusion is a mafic-ultramafic body. This paper reports major elements, trace elements and platinum-group elements in different types of rocks and sulfide-mineralized samples in the intrusion. These data are used to evaluate the source mantle characteristics, the degree of mantle partial melting, the composition of parental magma and the ore-forming processes. The results show that Qingkuangshan intrusion is part of the ELIP. The rocks have trace element ratios similar to the coeval Emeishan basalts. The primitive mantle-normalized patterns of Ni-Cu-PGE have positive slopes, and the ratios of Pd/Ir are lower than 22. The PGE compositions of sulfide ores and associated rocks are characterized by Ru depletion. The PGE contents in bulk sulfides are slightly depleted relative to Ni and Cu, which is similar to the Yangliuping Ni-Cu-PGE deposit. The composition of the parental magma for the intrusion is estimated to contain about 14.65 wt% MgO, 48.66 wt% SiO2 and 15.48 wt% FeOt, and the degree of mantle partial melting is estimated to be about 20%. In comparison with other typical Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the ELIP, the Qingkuangshan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit has lower PGE contents than the Jinbaoshan PGE deposit, but has higher PGE contents than the Limahe and Baimazhai Ni-Cu deposit, and has similar PGE contents to the Yangliuping Ni-Cu-PGE deposit. The moderate PGE depletions in the bulk sulfide of the Qingkuanghan deposit suggest that the parental magma of the host intrusion may have undergone minor sulfide segregation at depth. The mixing calculations suggests that an average of 10% crustal contamination in the magma, which may have been the main cause of sulfide saturation in the magma. We propose that sulfide segregation from a moderately PGE depleted magma took place prior to magma emplacement at Qingkuangshan, that small amounts of immiscible sulfide droplets and olivine and chromite crystals were suspended in the ascending magma, and that the suspended materials settled down when the magma passed trough the Qingkuangshan conduit. The Qingkuangshan sulfide-bearing intrusion is interpreted to a feeder of Emeishan flood basalts in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research paper discussing the geology, geochemistry and genesis of tungsten-tin (W-Sn) deposits in the Baiganhu District in Eastern Kunlun Domain, Northwestern China. The processes involved in the formation of deposits include early crystallization of tremolite, diopside and scheelite in tremolite-diopside skarns, the development of greisen-type deposit and the formation of W and Sn-bearing quartz-veins in the Xiaomiao formation zone of monzogranite.

Based on comprehensive analyses of occurrence, petrological observation, pore structure and geochemistry, the different reservoir characteristics and reservoir evolutionary pathways between different oolitic shoal reservoir types of the Feixianguan Formation on the west side of the Kaijiang‐Liangping Trough have been studied. There exist three stages of high‐energy slope break belts in the Feixianguan period, the corresponding three stages of oolitic shoals gradually migrating in the direction of the trough. Three types of oolitic shoal reservoirs, namely, residual‐oolitic dolomite, mold‐oolitic dolomite and sparry oolitic limestone, were formed during sedimentary‐diagenetic evolution, the pore types being intergranular dissolved pore, mold pore (or intragranular dissolved pore) and residual intergranular pore, respectively. The petrology, physical properties and pore structure of the different types of oolitic shoal reservoirs are quite different. Residual‐oolitic dolomite reservoirs have the best quality, while sparry oolitic limestone reservoirs have the poorest. Combined with analyses of trace elements, rare earth elements and carbon‐oxygen isotopes, it is suggested that the formation of residual‐oolitic dolomite reservoirs is jointly controlled by penesaline seawater seepage‐reflux dolomitization and hydrothermal dolomitization. Mold‐pore oolitic dolomite reservoirs are controlled by penesaline seawater seepage‐reflux dolomitization and meteoric water solution. The burial dissolution of organic acid not only further improves the reservoir qualities of previously formed oolitic dolomite reservoirs, but also preserves residual intergranular pores in the sparry oolitic limestone reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qilian Block (QB) is a Precambrian micro‐continent located in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Prevalent Lower Paleozoic granitic magmatic rocks crop out in the QB. A new integrated study of zircon U‐Pb ages and systematic whole‐rock geochemical data for the Xindian, Dongjiazhuang and Xiaogaoling granites in the eastern segment of the QB constrains their emplacement ages, petrogenesis, and regional evolutionary history. U‐Pb dating reveals that the Xindian granite was emplaced 454 Ma, and both the Dongjiazhuang and Xiaogaoling granites were emplaced ca. 440 Ma. Geochemical study shows that all granites belong to the high‐K calc‐alkaline to shoshonitic series and are S‐type granites formed by partial melting of continental crust, mainly metagraywacke. We infer that these ca. 454–445 Ma granites formed in a syn‐collisional setting during the continental collisional between the Qaidam and Qilian blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yaojialing deposit is the first large‐scale Zn–Au–Cu polymetallic skarn deposit located in the Shatanjiao ore field of the Tongling area in the Middle–Lower Yangtze belt. It has distinct metallogenic characteristics and is clearly different from the known skarn Cu–Au deposits in the Tongling area and the Middle–Lower Yangtze belt. Previous studies of the Yaojialing deposit have included rock geochemistry, alteration and mineralization characteristics, as well as metallogenesis and metallogenic models. However, there are still numerous problems concerning the coexistence of multiple elements, metallogenetic specialization of the magma and the metallogenic model. In this study, using the latest production exploration work on the deposit, we investigated the Yaojialing deposit including its geological characteristics, petrography, LA–ICP MS zircon U–Pb dating and whole rock geochemistry. Two kinds of magmatic rocks have been distinguished for the first time in the deposit, amongst which the granodiorite porphyry exposed on the surface of the mining area, which is the host rock of the veined lead–zinc ore body, is the wall‐rock intrusion; and the deep concealed quartz monzonite porphyry is the causative intrusion, the distribution of orebodies and wall‐rock alteration characteristics showing regular zoning around the quartz monzonite porphyry. The 206Pb/238U weighted average age of the granodiorite porphyry is 140.2 ± 1.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.85, n = 13) by LA–ICP MS zircon U–Pb dating, while the quartz monzonite porphyry is 138.9 ± 1.2 Ma (MSWD = 0.60, n = 16), which is consistent with petrographic evidence. The geochemical characteristics show that the quartz monzonite porphyry is a high‐K calc‐alkaline series peraluminous rock. The trace element characteristics show that the quartz monzonite porphyry is enriched in LILE such as K, Rb, Sr, Ba and LREE, yet depleted in HFSE such as Nb, Ta, P and Ti. The Yaojialing deposit shows the mineralization characteristics of proximal skarn and distal skarn, having the common characteristics of 'multi‐storey' and 'Trinity' metallogenic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare metals including Lithium (Li), Beryllium (Be), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Zirconium (Zr), Hafnium (Hf), Niobium (Nb), Tantalum (Ta), Tungsten (W) and Tin (Sn) are important critical mineral resources. In China, rare metal mineral deposits are spatially distributed mainly in the Altay and Southern Great Xingán Range regions in the Central Asian orogenic belt; in the Middle Qilian, South Qinling and East Qinling mountains regions in the Qilian–Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt; in the Western Sichuan and Bailongshan–Dahongliutan regions in the Kunlun–Songpan–Garze orogenic belt, and in the Northeastern Jiangxi, Northwestern Jiangxi, and Southern Hunan regions in South China. Major ore‐forming epochs include Indosinian (mostly 200–240 Ma, in particular in western China) and the Yanshanian (mostly 120–160 Ma, in particular in South China). In addition, Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia, northeastern China, with a complex formation history, hosts the largest REE and Nb deposits in China. There are six major rare metal mineral deposit types in China: Highly fractionated granite; Pegmatite; Alkaline granite; Carbonatite and alkaline rock; Volcanic; and Hydrothermal types. Two further types, namely the Leptynite type and Breccia pipe type, have recently been discovered in China, and are represented by the Yushishan Nb–Ta– (Zr–Hf–REE) and the Weilasituo Li–Rb–Sn–W–Zn–Pb deposits. Several most important controlling factors for rare metal mineral deposits are discussed, including geochemical behaviors and sources of the rare metals, highly evolved magmatic fractionation, and structural controls such as the metamorphic core complex setting, with a revised conceptual model for the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Hexi Corridor, northwest China, is located at the tectonic junction of the Alxa Block, the North China Craton, and the Qinling‐Qilian Orogen. The early Paleozoic Xiangshan Group record critical information regarding paleoenvironment, paleoclimate and paleotectonic setting, from which we here present a focused study on the chert beds within the Xiangshan Group. Through field mapping, microstructural observation, whole‐rock geochemistry analyses and detrital zircon dating, we suggest that the Xiangshan Group chert was deposited along a passive continental margin, formed primarily through biological activity with minor hydrothermal influence and terrestrial input. The characteristics of the chert support a low latitude sedimentary paleoenvironmental origin, and reveal the fact that the Alxa Block was separated from the North China craton, while emerged some paleogeographic affinity with the Qilian region in the Middle‐Late Cambrian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petrology, geochronology and geochemistry of the mafic enclaves in the Mid‐Late Triassic Jiefangyingzi pluton from Chifeng area, southern Inner Mongolia, in China are studied to reveal their petrogenetic relationship with the host pluton. Furthermore, the coeval magmatic assemblage and its petrogenesis on the northern margin of the North China craton (NCC) are studied synthetically to elucidate their tectonic setting and the implications for the destruction of the NCC. Zircon U‐Pb dating reveals that the mafic enclaves formed at 230.4 ± 2.2 Ma, which is similar to the age of the host pluton. The most basic mafic enclaves belong to weak alkaline rocks, and they display rare earth element (REE) and trace element normalized patterns and trace element compositions similar to those of ocean island basalt (OIB). In addition, they have positive ∊Nd(t) values (+3.84 to +4.94) similar to those of the Cenozoic basalts on the northern margin of the NCC. All of these geochemical characteristics suggest that the basic mafic rocks originated from the asthenosphere. Petrological and geochemical studies suggest that the Jiefangyingzi pluton and the intermediate mafic enclaves were formed by the mixing of the asthenosphere‐derived and crust‐derived magmas in different degrees. The Mid‐Late Triassic magmatic rocks on the northern margin of the NCC could be classified into three assemblages according to their geochemical compositions: alkaline series, weak alkaline–sub‐alkaline series and sub‐alkaline series rocks. Petrogenetic analyses suggest that the upwelling of the asthenosphere played an important role in the formation of these Mid‐Late Triassic magmatic rocks. Basing on an analysis of regional geological data, we suggest that the northern margin of the NCC underwent destruction due to the upwelling of the asthenosphere during the Mid‐Late Triassic, which was induced by the delamination of the root of the collisional orogeny between Sino‐Korean and Siberian paleoplates in Late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precambrian banded iron formation (BIF) is one of the most important mineral resources in China, mostly abundant in the North China Craton (NCC) with relatively less common in South China. Since the BIF and siliceous rocks both originated from chemical deposition, the syngenetic BIF and Siliceous rocks can help evaluate their environment of formation. We examine here the mineralogy and geochemistry of siliceous rocks associated with the Tieshanmiao Formation BIF, aiming to decipher the conditions of formation of both BIF and Siliceous rocks in the Wuyang area in the NCC. Analysis of the geochemical characteristics of whole rock shows that the SiO2 content of the siliceous rock ranges from 90.11% to 94.85% and is relatively high overall. Trace element contents of Ba and U are also high, the Ba/Sr ratio ranges from 3.89 to 25.28 and the U/Th ratio ranges from 0.09 to 0.20. Finally, the ΣREE value of rare earth elements ranges from 57.03 ppm to 152.59 ppm, and these indexes all indicate that siliceous rock resulted from hydrothermal deposition. Plots of Al2O3‐SiO2, SiO2/(K2O+Na2O)‐MnO2/TiO2 and Mn‐10×(Cu+Co+Ni)‐Fe in discrimination diagrams also verify this interpretation. However, both the MgO content, ranging from 0.16 to 0.32, and the Fe/Ti ratio, ranging from 2.50 to 9.72, suggest that terrigenous material was added during the depositional process. Major and trace element parameters of siliceous rock, such as the Al/(A1+Fe+Mn) ratio (from 0.81 to 0.93), MnO/TiO2 (from 0.00 to 0.17), Al/(Al+Fe) (from 0.82 to 0.93), Sc/Th ratio (from 0.21 to 0.50), U/Th (from 0.09 to 0.20), (La/Yb)N (from 0.83 to 3.04), and the (La/Ce)N (from 0.01 to 0.02) all imply that the siliceous rock formed in a continental margin. In addition, the Sr/Ba ratio from 0.08 to 0.26, the δCe value from 0.31 to 0.90, and the δEu value from 0.14 to 0.58, all indicate that the siliceous rock was formed at a relatively deeper water depth and under weak hydrodynamic conditions. Siliceous rock and BIF formed in the same geological setting, with the SiO2/(K2O+Na2O) ratio of siliceous rock ranging from 28.61 to 47.43, the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio from 16.53 to 32.37, and the SiO2/MgO ratio from 287.28 to 592.81, which are all in agreement with chemical deposition associated with volcanic eruptions. The Al2O3/TiO2 ratio from 37.82 to 50.30 indicates that the magma source of siliceous rock was of slightly intermediate composition. During the Late Archean in the Wuyang area, the high concentration and high purity SiO2 quickly precipitated from hydrothermal fluids to finally result in the accumulation of siliceous rock in a marginal sea, while the input corresponding to iron formation components was deposited to form iron formation layers, and limestone was only the product formed during the deposition intervals of siliceous rock and iron formations. In this study, the synsedimentary siliceous rocks of BIF act as a new way to provide direct evidence to understand the formation environment of BIF due to its high geochemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the Upper Triassic sandstones in the western Ordos Basin were studied to provide insight into weathering characteristics, provenance, and tectonic implications. Petrographic features show that the sandstones are characterized by low‐medium compositional maturity and textural maturity. The CIA and CIW values reveal weak and moderate weathering history in the source area. The geochemical characteristics together with palaeocurrent data show that the northwestern sediments were mainly derived from the Alxa Block with a typical recycled nature, while the provenance of the western and southwestern sediments were mainly from the Qinling‐Qilian Orogenic Belt. The tectonic setting discrimination diagrams signify that the parent rocks of sandstones in the western and southern Ordos Basin were mainly developed from continental island arc, which is closely related to the evolution of the Qinling‐Qilian Orogenic Belt. However, the sandstones in the northwestern Ordos Basin show complex features, which may be resulted from a typical recycling process. Overall evidence from petrography, geochemistry and sedimentology, together with previous researches suggest the Kongtongshan and Helanshan areas were the southwestern and northwestern boundary of the Ordos Basin, respectively, and there was no clear boundary between the Hexi Corridor Belt and Ordos Basin, where a large, uniform sediment dispersal system developed during the Late Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jiutai area is tectonically situated at the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and is close to the North China Craton (NCC) to the south, serving as an ideal place to investigations of the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). Sandstone samples collected from the Yangjiagou Formation and the Lujiatun Formation in this area have been studied in detail in terms of petrology, geochronology and geochemistry. The maximum depositional time of the Yangjiagou and Lujiatun formations has been constrained to early Middle Triassic (ca. 245 Ma) and middle Late Triassic (ca. 219 Ma), respectively. The Yangjiagou Formation, with a major provenance of dissected island arcs, is dominantly composed of Phanerozoic sediments from Northeastern China (NE China) massifs. The Lujiatun Formation, with major sediments from active continental margins, has a relatively larger proportion of Precambrian sediments, in which the ∼1.85 Ga and ∼2.5 Ga sediments are typical of the crystalline basements of the NCC and NE China massifs, which were uplifted and eroded during the closure of the PAO. Besides, both formations show the enrichment in LREEs and the depletion in HREEs, the common Eu negative anomalies, and trace element contents similar to that of the upper continental crust. Based on the provenance analysis of these two formations, the final closure time of the PAO in this area is constrained as from the early Middle Triassic (ca. 245 Ma) to the middle Late Triassic (ca. 219 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) resulted from accretion during the Paleozoic subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. The Xilinhot area in Inner Mongolia is located in the northern subduction zone of the central‐eastern CAOB and outcropped a large number of late Paleozoic mafic intrusions. The characteristics of magma source and tectonic setting of the mafic intrusions and their response to the closure process of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean are still controversial. This study presents LA‐ICPMS zircon U‐Pb ages and geochemical features of mafic intrusions in the Xilinhot area to constrain the northward subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. The mafic intrusions consist of gabbro, hornblende gabbro, and diabase. Their intrusion times can be divided into three stages of 326–321 Ma, 276 Ma and 254 Ma by zircon U‐Pb ages. The first two stages of the 326–276 Ma intrusions mostly originated from subduction‐modified continental lithospheric mantle sources that underwent a variable degree partial melting (5–30%), recording the subduction of oceanic crust. The third stage of the 254 Ma mafic rocks also show arc‐related features. The primary magma compositions calculated by PRIMELT2 modeling on three samples of ∼326 Ma and two samples of ∼254 Ma show that these mafic samples are characterized by a variable range in SiO2 (47.51–51.47 wt%), Al2O3 (11.46–15.55 wt%), ΣFeO (8.27–9.61 wt%), MgO (13.01–15.18 wt%) and CaO (9.13–11.67 wt%), consisting with the features between enriched mantle and lower continental crust. The source mantle melting of mafic intrusions occurred under temperatures of 1302–1351°C and pressures of 0.92–1.30 GPa. The magmatic processes occurred near the crust‐mantle boundary at about 33–45 km underground. Combined with previous studies, it is concluded that Carboniferous to early Permian (∼326–275 Ma) northward subduction of the Paleo‐Asian oceanic crust led to the formation of the mafic magmatism in the Baolidao arc zone. The whole region had entered the collision environment at ∼254 Ma, but with subduction‐related environments locally. The final collision between the North China craton and the South Mongolian microcontinent may have lasted until ca. 230 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neoarchean charnockites of North margain of North China Craton (NCC) has become a hot topic into understanding the Early Precambrian basement. Although there is a broad consensus that charnockite is usually related to granulite facies metamorphism, whether its petrogenesis and tectonics characteristics remains controversial. Inclusions within hypersthene and garnet in charnockite are used to identify the peak granulite facies mineral assemblage, with the formation of Magnesian–charnockite attributed to anatexis of the protolith associated with this granulite facies metamorphism. The distribution of major and trace elements in charnockite is very uneven, significant depleted in LILEs (eg. Cs, U, Th) and HFSEs (eg. Nb, Ta, P and Ti), riched in Sr. Raising to the coexistence of Eu–enrichment and Eu–depletion type of REE patterns that influenced by the content of plagioclase and the remnants minerals of zircon and apatite. Comparative the petrography, geochemistry and geochronology data of Magnesian–charnockite indicate that the ratios of mafic pellites and basalts involved in anatectic melting are different by the upwelling of mantle magma, also resulting in the Eu anormals characteristics. The formation of the Magnesian–charnockite is closely connected with the subduction of the NCC oceanic crust (About ∼2.5 Ga). However, Ferroan–charnockite may be the formed by the crystallization differentiation of the upwelling of mantle–derived shoshonitic magma (About ∼2.45 Ga), with the lower crust material addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Solonker suture zone has long been considered to mark the location of the final disappearance of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, the time of final suturing is still controversial with two main different proposals of late Permian to early Triassic, and late Devonian. This study reports integrated whole‐rock geochemistry and LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb ages of sedimentary rocks from the Silurian Xuniwusu Formation, the Devonian Xilingol Complex and the Permian Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan‐Xilinhot‐Linxi area in central Inner Mongolia, China. The depositional environment, provenance and tectonic setting of the Silurian‐Devonian and the Permian sediments are compared to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Solonker suture zone and its neighboring zones. The protoliths of the silty slates from the Xuniwusu Formation in the Baolidao zone belong to wacke and were derived from felsic igneous rocks with steady‐state weathering, poor sorting and compositional immaturity. The protoliths of metasedimentary rocks from the Xilingol Complex were wackes and litharenites and were sourced from predominantly felsic igneous rocks with variable weathering conditions and moderate sorting. The Xuniwusu Formation and Xilingol Complex samples both have two groups of detrital zircon that peak at ca. 0.9–1.0 Ga and ca. 420–440 Ma, with maximum deposition ages of late Silurian and middle Devonian age, respectively. Considering the ca. 484–383 Ma volcanic arc in the Baolidao zone, the Xuxiniwu Formation represents an oceanic trench sediment and is covered by the sedimentary rocks in the Xilingol Complex that represents a continental slope sediment in front of the arc. The middle Permian Zhesi Formation metasandstones were derived from predominantly felsic igneous rocks and are texturally immature with very low degrees of rounding and sorting, indicating short transport and rapid burial. The Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan zone has a main zircon age peak of 302 Ma and a subordinate peak of 423 Ma and was deposited in a back‐arc basin with an early marine transgression during extension and a late marine regression during contraction. The formation also crops out locally in the Baolidao zone with a main zircon age peak of 467 Ma and a minor peak of 359 Ma, and suggests it formed as a marine transgression sedimentary sequence in a restricted extensional basin and followed by a marine regressive event. Two obvious zircon age peaks of 444 Ma and 280 Ma in the Solonker zone and 435 Ma and 274 Ma in Ondor Sum are retrieved from the Zhesi Formation. This suggests as a result of the gradual closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean a narrow ocean sedimentary environment with marine regressive sedimentary sequences occupied the Solonker and Ondor Sum zones during the middle Permian. A restricted ocean is suggested by the Permian strata in the Bainaimiao zone. Early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 381 Ma and renewed subduction during ca. 310–254 Ma accompanied by the opening and closure of a back‐arc basin during ca. 298–269 Ma occurred in the northern accretionary zone. In contrast, the southern accretionary zone documented early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 400 Ma and a renewed subduction during ca. 298–246 Ma. The final closure of the Paleo‐Asian ocean therefore lasted at least until the early Triassic and ended with the formation of the Solonker suture zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) concentrations of twenty‐five samples from the reef outcrop exposed along the Lianglitage Mountain in the Ordovician, Tarim Basin in China. The concentration analysis provides constraints on the paleoenvironment during reef deposition. Based on the detailed sedimentology and petrographic work, we divide the reef facies into four sub‐facies: the base facies, reef‐core facies, reef‐flank facies, and sealing facies. The geochemical data (such as major and trace elements, carbon and oxygen isotopes, and REYs) are further used to study the coeval seawater characteristics as well as potential diagenesis overprints. The result indicated that the diagenesis has little effect on the REY patterns of the reefal limestones. The REY concentrations of the reefal limestones are overall low (ranging from 3.69 to 19.60 ppm, arithmetic mean=10.22 ppm, SD=5.4). The PAAS‐normalized REY patterns are consistently flat compared to the typical well‐oxidized, shallow marine water patterns. However, the light REE (LREE) depletions, positive La anomalies, negative Ce anomalies and positive Y anomalies, suggest that these reefal limestones are likely an indicative of contemporaneous seawater REY signals. The seawater‐like Y/Ho ratios (average at 37.51) further support that REY signals in these limestones are likely a reflection of seawater with little diagenetic modifications. The low Y/Ho ratios presented only in the reef‐flank facies and sealing facies are likely a suggestion of detrital contamination. Hence, this study confirms that REY patterns of the limestones at the base facies and reef‐core facies can record ancient seawater information, and reefs can be used as a potential geochemical proxy for paleoenvironment studies throughout the Earth's history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the mechanism of the organic‐matter enrichment in the Lower Longmaxi Formation shale, the geochemistry and total organic carbon (TOC) of the Longmaxi Formation black shales in the Jiaoshiba, Zhaotong, and Weiyuan areas of the Sichuan Basin were analyzed. Paleoproductivity proxy parameters (Babio, Siex, and Ni/Al), clastic influx proxies (TiO2 and Ti/Al), redox indices (V/Cr, Ni/Co, V/(V+Ni), and U/Th), and hydrothermal indicators (Fe, Mn, and Y concentrations; Fe/Ti ratio and a Ni‐Zn‐Co diagram) were employed to decipher the paleoenvironment of the Lower Longmaxi Formation shales. TiO2 and Ti/Al indicated low terrigenous detrital influx in all three areas. However, Babio, Siex, and Ni/Al indicated high productivity in the Jiaoshiba area. V/Cr, Ni/Co, and U/Th indicated higher oxygen content with larger fluctuations in the Zhaotong and Weiyuan areas. Fe, Mn, and Y concentrations and the Fe/Ti ratio implied greater active hydrothermal activity in the Weiyuan area. These heterogeneities were considered to be closely related to the paleoenvironment and paleogeography, and the large basement faults that developed during the Chuanzhong paleo‐uplift could have provided vents for deep‐hydrothermal‐fluid upwelling. The redox indices (V/Cr, Ni/Co, and U/Th) and a paleoproductivity proxy (Ni/Al) displayed a significant correlation with the TOC, suggesting that both excellent preservation conditions and high paleoproductivity were the controlling factors for the enrichment of organic matter in the Longmaxi Formation shale. There was no obvious correlation between the clastic influx proxy (Ti/Al) and the TOC due to the extremely low supply of terrigenous debris. The hydrothermal indicator (Fe/Ti) was negatively correlated with the TOC in the Weiyuan area, indicating that hydrothermal activity may have played a negative role in the accumulation of organic matter. This study suggests that the enrichment of organic matter in the Longmaxi Formation marine shale varied according to the paleogeography and sedimentary environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic Yanan Formation is one of the most important coal‐producing formations and hydrocarbon source rocks in the Ordos Basin, North China. To evaluate the shale gas potential of the Yanan shale, a total of 48 samples from north Ordos Basin were sampled, and their geochemical, petrological, mineralogical and pore characteristics were investigated. It was found that the shale samples are a suite of early mature source rock. The total organic carbon (TOC) content ranges from 0.33% to 24.12% and the hydrogen index (HI) ranges from 43.31mg/g to 330.58 mg/g. The relationship between Tmax and HI indicates the organic matter is type II‐III. This conclusion is also supported by the organic petrological examination results, which shows that the kerogen is mainly liptinite and vitrinite. Minerals in the samples are composed mainly of quartz, clay and feldspar, and the clay minerals are composed of prevailing kaolinite, illite/smectite, chlorite and a small amount of illite. Under scanning electron microscope, OM pores in the Yanan shale are scarce except pores come from the kerogen intrinsic texture or clay aggregates within the organic particles. As the weak compaction caused by shallow burial depth, interparticle pores and intraparticle pores are common, the hydrocarbon storage capacity of the Yanan shale was improved. According to evaluation, the Yanan shale is considered as a good shale gas reservoir, but its hydrocarbon potential is more dependent on biogenic and coal‐derived gas as the thermogenic gas is limited by the lower thermal maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium‐rich brine in the Sichuan Basin has been much studied in recent years, but few studies have focused on the distribution and migration of salt basin and the differences of potassium formation mechanisms. This work examined the salt‐gathering and potassium formation of potassium‐rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin using lithofacies palaeogeographic depiction and geochemical analyses. (1) The favorable sedimentary facies controlling the formation of potassium‐rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin are evaporation platform and restricted platform, whereas the salt basin is one of the main factors controlling the poly‐salt center. (2) The distribution and migration of this salt basin were affected by certain factors. The salt basin of the Jialingjiang Formation was mainly distributed in the east and central Sichuan Basin, whereas that of the Leikoupo Formation was mainly distributed in the central and west Sichuan Basin. The sedimentary centers have gradually moved westward and become smaller. (3) Three main formation mechanisms were identified for the potassium‐rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, i.e., evaporation and concentration of seawater, surface fresh water leaching, and deep water‐rock reaction. Fresh water leaching was characterized by low anomaly δ18O and δ13C values. Water‐rock reaction was mainly related to temperature, and high temperature environment (caused by burial depth, overthrust and deep hydrothermal fluids) was beneficial to water‐rock reaction. The characteristics of water‐rock reaction do not correspond to the increase ratio of K•103/Cl and Br•103/Cl in brine, and the Rb+ content of the brine was high. (4) The formation mechanisms of potassium‐rich brine differed between different areas of the Sichuan Basin. In east Sichuan, the evaporation and concentration of seawater, together with meteoric fresh water leaching, was the main formation factor, whereas the evaporation and concentration of seawater and water–rock reaction predominated in west Sichuan. This study of the sedimentary environment and formation mechanisms is of significance to the exploration and exploitation of potassium‐rich brine in the Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents papers discussing the geochemical characteristics of Tanjianshan Gold Deposit Tanjianshan Gold Deposit situated in the western part of the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, China. It mentions that the occurrence regularity of ore bodies exist in carbonaceous phyllite schist segment, most of which are altered phyllite or schist type. It also mentions that ore minerals mainly contain arsenopyrite and pyrite.

The article presents a study which compares various copper deposits in China including Dongtianshan, Diandongbei and American Jiweinuo. Topics discussed include mineralization of mantle plumes as sources of copper, comparison on the basis of types of volcanic structures, Ore minerals and geotectonical environments, and analysis of geochemical characteristics of the trace and rare earth elements of Dongtianshan basalt.

The Xingdi mafic-ultramafic intrusions occur in the northeastern margin of the Tarim craton. The Xingdi No. 3 intrusion is the smallest of four intrusions, with an exposed area of 1.7 km2, and the zircon U-Pb age of the intrusion is 752±4 Ma. The intrusion consists of gabbros, pyroxenites and peridotites, and exhibits a crystallization sequence of the main rock-forming minerals as olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Mineralization occurred at or near the boundaries of the intrusion between pyroxenites and peridotites, and appears as a layered or lenticular shape about 500 m long and 4-15 m wide. The primary sulfides have a relatively simple mineralogy dominated by pyrrhotite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite assemblages, which occur as droplet, star-like and graphic texture and locally sideronitic structures. Geochronological and geochemistry investigations suggest that the Xingdi mafic-ultramafic intrusions and coeval volcanic rock in the Kuluktag area of the Tarim craton formed in an intracontinental breakup environment. Based on the composition of the dominant rock-forming minerals and covariant relationships of other oxides versus MgO, the parental magma of the Xingdi No. 3 intrusion belongs to high-Mg tholeiitic basaltic magmas with MgO of 10.78 wt%. The Xingdi No. 3 intrusive rocks are characterized by light REE enrichment relative to heavy REE, negative Nb-Ta anomalies, low 143Nd/144Nd ratios (from 0.511183 to 0.511793) and high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (from 0.7051 to 0.7113). The magma was derived from the enriched-lithospheric mantle and was contaminated during emplacement. According to rock assemblages, mineralization, olivine characteristics, geochemical characteristics and mass balance, there are better copper-nickel ore prospects in the Xingdi No. 3 intrusion than in the other three intrusions in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dabate Mo-Cu deposit is a medium-sized porphyry-type deposit in the Sailimu Lake region, western Tianshan, China. We present the geology, geochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology of granite porphyries from the Dabate district with the intent to constrain their tectonic setting and petrogenesis. Porphyries in the Dabate district include granite porphyry I (gray white color with large phenocrysts), granite porphyry II (pink color with small phenocrysts) and quartz porphyry. Granite porphyry II is the Cu and Mo ore-bearing granitoid in the Dabate deposit. LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb analyses indicate that granite porphyry II was emplaced at 284.2±1.8 Ma. Granite porphyry I and II have similar geochemical features and are both highly fractionated granites: (1) They have high SiO2 content (70.93-80.18 wt% and 72.14-72.64 wt%, respectively), total alkali (7.58-8.95 wt% and 9.35-9.68 wt%, respectively), mafic index (0.95-0.98 and 0.93-0.94, respectively) and felsic index (0.79-0.94 and 0.89-0.91, respectively); (2) They are characterized by pronounced negative Eu anomaly, 'seagull-style' chondrite-normalized REE patterns and 'tetrad effect' of REE; (3) They are rich in Rb, K, Th, Ta, Zr, Hf, Y and REE, but depleted in Sr, P, Ti and Nb. The magma of granite porphyries in Dabate can be interpreted to have been generated by partial melting of the upper crust due to mantle-derived magma underplating in a post-collisional extensional setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research concerning shale distribution and geochemistry of 4th member of Shahejie Formation in Liaohe Western Depression in Bohai Bay Basin, China and examines its shale oil accumulation geological conditions. Details about the shale sedimentary and distribution in the area, shale thickness, and types and abundance of organic matter are noted. Also provided is information on the lacustrine shale oil accumulation of the shales.

The article focuses on findings of a study on Geological and geochemical characteristics of Middle Jurassic granites in Bengbu uplift, Southeast of North China craton. Topics include Middle Jurassic intrusions exposure in Huaiyuan, Bengbu and Fengyang area; separate exposure of Jingshan and Tushan intrusions; and Geochemical characteristics of intrusive rock, such as intrusive rock's chemical composition.

The article focuses on findings of a study on mineral geochemical characteristics and indication significance of biotite -rutile in the gabbro intrusions in the yinmin iron-copper district, Yunnan, China. It states that the multiphase mineralization was intensively distributed in the Ti-Fe-rich gabbro intrusions, with uralitization, and biotitization, and mentions Mineral-geochemical characteristics such as Rutiles' symbiotic relationship with biotites.

Although its origin has not yet reached a consensus so far, MTS (Molar-Tooth Structure) has been documented for more than 100 years. Current study reports a discovery of MTS from the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation, Lingyuan, Yanshan Region, North China, and the features and geological implications of MTS are further discussed. Here, straitigraphic horizons of MTS's occurrences show that it was mainly located within the top part of the Wumishan Formation, i.e., limestone unit. Four kinds of morphology of MTS, i.e., fine fusiform, debris, ribbon, ptigmatic and nodular (irregular), were recognized and thought to be highly related to the sedimentary environments and facies. Geochemistry of MTS including oxides, trace elements and C, O and Sr isotopes indicates that the horizons of MTS-bearing is of higher Sr/Ba and Ca/Mg ratios, lower positive δ13C and highly negative δ18O values than the adjacent stratigraphic levels of rare MTS. Lithology, morphology and geochemistry of MTS in the Wumishan Formation suggest that MTS occurs mainly in shallow subtidal near the storm wave base, which is typically characterized by warm temperature, oversaturated calcium carbonate seawater and high organic productivity. Furthermore, occasional enrichment of algae bacteria here is more favorable for the calcification of calcium oozes and catalytic for MTS. C isotope composition of the Wumishan Formation and MTS of this study is well correlated with that of the Mesoproterozoic Belt Supergroup, North America and Riphean, Siberia, suggesting that MTS acts as a sedimentary record responding to global changes and is a perfect indicator in Precambrian stratigraphic correlation worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesozoic granitic intrusions are widely distributed in the Nanling region, South China, Yanshanian granites are closely connected with the formation of tungsten deposits. The Xihuashan granite is a typical representative of tungsten-bearing granite. The Xihuashan granite consists mainly of medium-grained porphyritic biotite granite, medium-grained biotite granite and fine-grained two-mica granite, which correspond to LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages of 155.5±0.4 Ma, 153.0±0.6 Ma and 152.8±0.9 Ma, respectively. Rocks from the Xihuashan mining area displays high SiO2 (73.85% to 76.49%) and Na2O+K2O contents (8.09% to 9.43%), belonging to high-K calc-alkaline series. They are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous with A/CNK values ranging from 0.96 to 1.06. All granites in this study area are rich in Rb, Th, U and Pb, and depleted in Ba, Sr, P, Ti, Nb and Eu, especially depleted in medium-grained biotite granite and fine-grained two-mica granite. The medium-grained porphyritic biotite granites usually have high LREE concentrations, whereas medium-grained biotite granite and fine-grained two-mica granite displays high HREE contents. Our geochemical data reveal that the studied rocks are highly fractionated I-type granite. The magma underwent strong magma differentiation with decreasing temperature and increasing oxygen fugacity, which may explain the formation of three types of distinct granites. Variations of Rb, Sr and Ba concentrations in different type granites were controlled by fractional crystallization of biotite and feldspar. Fractional crystallization of monazite, allanite and apatite resulted in LREE changes in granite, and formation of garnet mainly caused HREE changes. Granites from the Xihuashan mining area have relatively high εNd( t) values (-9.77 to -11.46), indicating that they were probably generated by partial melting of underlying Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks with minor addition of juvenile crust or mantle-derived magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which discusses tectonic geochemical characteristics and ore prediction in Hongdoushan Copper Deposit, Yunxian, Yunnan, China. It mentions role of the migration of ore-forming fluid direction and orebody occurrence information. It reveals tectonic geochemical characteristics such as distribution of the ore deposit.

The article focuses on findings of a study on petrogeochemistry, geochronology and its geological significance of the granite from Baishipo Ag deposit, Dabie orogen. It states that Intrusions are widely distributed in the eastern Dabie Orogen along the northwest- and northwest-trending fault, and mentions that Zircons U–Pb age confirm that the Baishipo granite was formed in the Early Cretaceous. It notes that thinning of the lithosphere and upwelling of asthenosphere.

The article discusses a research concerning geochemistry and petrography of clastic deposits from the Late Paleozoic Shihezi Formation in Eastern Ordos Basin in China, along with the implications for provenance and tectonic setting. Topics include the significance of provenance studies in reconstructing paleo-drainage systems, mineralogy and petrology of sandstones, and major, trace, and rare earth element compositions of sandstones from the formation.

The article discusses geochemical characteristics of gold deposite related to the diorite and the formation of the gold deposit in China. Topics discussed include the formation of the gold deposit related to the diorite along the tectonic boundaries, the role of fault zone in control of the gold mineralization, and economic benefits of the gold deposits related with diorite.

The article discusses the genesis of Meso-Neoproterozoic Jingtieshan banded iron formations (BIF) Deposit in the Southwestern Margin of North China Craton and highlights petrological and geochemical constraints of BIF. It mentions that BIF consists of jasperite and specularite ore. It states major element shows that Iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) and Silicon dioxide (SiO2) are essential components of BIF. It mentions that iron and Silicon are found in high temperature hydrothermal solutions.

The article discusses rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of gold (Au)-containing pyrite of the Miaoling Gold Deposit in Songxian County, Henan Province, China. Topics include secondary fractures in the mine area as the main ore-controlling structures, REE distribution patterns of Au-bearing pyrite in the main mineralization stage associated with REE compositions, and host rocks as the source of metallogenetic materials.