Search

The Qinling orogen is a typical composite orogen for understanding multi-stages of magmatism and orogenic processes. Many studies have been carried out on the magmatic rocks in the Qinling orogen but their petrogenesis is still controversial. This paper presents a review of all granitoid rocks based on previous and new studies of geochronology and geochemistry. Four distinct periods of granitoid magmatism, Neoproterozoic (979-711 Ma), Paleozoic (507-400 Ma), Early Mesozoic (250-185 Ma) and Late Mesozoic (160-100 Ma), have been recognized from the Qinling orogen according to zircon U-Pb ages, intrusion associations and deformation, as well as regional geology. The Neoproterozoic granitic rocks consist of three stages at 979-911, 894-815 and 759-711 Ma, respectively, corresponding to strongly deformed S-type, weakly deformed I-type and A-type granitoids. They can be interpreted as magmatic occurrences in syn-collisional, post-collisional and extensional settings, respectively, in response to old continental terranes of the Neoproterozoic tectonomagmatic events in the old continents of China, such as South China and Tarim cratons. Although this continental terrane would be involved in the Phanerozoic Qinling orogeny, the Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks are not the products of the Qinling orogenic processes. The Paleozoic magmatic rocks can be classified into three stages at 507-470, 460-422 and 415-400 Ma, respectively. The first-stage magmatism is temporally associated with ultra-high pressure metamorphism in the North Qinling terrane. These magmatic rocks are interpreted as magmatic occurrences in subductional, syn-collisional and post-collisional settings, respectively. The Early Mesozoic magmatic rocks occur in two stages at 252-185 and 225-200 Ma, respectively. The first-stage granitoids are mainly represented by I-type quartz diorites and granodiorites, and the second stage by granodiorites and monzogranites with the I-to A-type characteristics and some with rapakivi textures. Their emplacement ages and geochemical parameters such as A/CNK, KO/NaO ratios and εNd( t) values do not show any polarity change in perpendicular to subduction/collision zone. Therefore, all these Early Mesozoic granitoids are unlikely the product of continental subduction as some researchers suggested. Instead, they are plausibly related to the subduction of the Mianlue Ocean and the subsequent collision between the South China Craton and the South Qinling terrane. The Late Mesozoic granitoids were emplaced mainly at two stages of 160-130 and 120-100 Ma, and characterized by the evolution from I- to I-A- and A-type granitoids. These characteristics are consistent with the granitoid magmatic evolution from contractional to extensional settings during the Jurassic/Cretaceous in eastern China. Accordingly, the Late Mesozoic granitoid rocks in the Qinling orogen probably have a similar petrogenetic mechanism to those of the huge magmatic belt along the western Pacific margin, i.e., intra-continent magmatism related to a far-field effect of the subduction of Paleo-Pacific plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nanling metallogenic belt in South China is characterized by well-developed tungsten-tin mineralization related to multiple-aged granitoids. This belt is one of the 5 key prospecting and exploration areas among the 19 important metallogenic targets in China. Important progress has been made in recent years in understanding the Nanling granitoids and associated mineralization, and this paper introduces the latest major findings as follows: (1) there exists a series of Caledonian, Indosinian, and Yanshanian W-Sn-bearing granites; (2) the Sn-bearing Yanshanian granites in the Nanling Range form an NE-SW trending aluminous A-type granite belt that stretches over 350 km. The granites typically belong to the magnetite series, and dioritic micro-granular enclaves with mingling features are very common; (3) the Early Yanshanian Sn- and W-bearing granites possess different petrological and geochemical features to each other: most Sn-bearing granites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous biotite (hornblende) granites, with zircon ɛ Hf( t) values of ca. −2 to −8, whereas most W-bearing granites are peraluminous two-mica granites or muscovite granites with ɛ Hf( t) values of ca. −8 to −12; (4) based on the petrology and geochemistry of the W-Sn-bearing granites, mineralogical studies have shown that common minerals such as titanite, magnetite, and biotite may be used as indicators for discriminating the mineralizing potential of the Sn-bearing granites. Similarly, W-bearing minerals such as wolframite may indicate the mineralizing potential of the W-bearing granites. Future studies should be focused on examining the internal relationships between the multiple-aged granites in composite bodies, the metallogenic peculiarities of multiple-aged W-Sn-bearing granites, the links between melt evolution and highly evolved ore-bearing felsic dykes, and the connections between granite domes and mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on comprehensive studies in petrography, petrofabric analysis and geochemistry, this paper describes a unique and rare laminated micritic ferruginous primary dolostone crystallized and precipitated from the alkaline hot brine under the conditions of the Mesozoic faulted lake basin. The main rock-forming mineral of this dolostone is ferruginous dolomite with a micritic structure. This dolomite mostly exhibits laminae of 0.1–1 mm thick and is often discovered with other minerals, such as albite, analcite, barite and dickite, which have at least two types of interbedded laminae. Petrogeochemistry reveals that this dolostone contains a large number of typomorphic elements of hydrothermal sedimentation, including Sb, Ba, Sr, Mn, and V. In addition, the LREE is in relatively high concentrations and possesses the typical REE distribution pattern with negative Eu anomaly. Oxygen isotope values (δ 18O PDB) range from 5.89‰ to 14.15‰ with an average of 9.69‰. The ratio of 87Sr/ 86Sr is between 0.711648 and 0.719546, with an average of 0.714718. These data indicate that the depositional environment is a stable, blocked, anoxic low-lying hot brine pool in the bottom of deep lake controlled by basement faults. The hydrothermal fluid is the alkaline hot brine formed by the combination of the infiltration lake water and mantle-derived magmatic water, consisting of many ions, including Ca 2+, Mg 2+ and Fe 2+. Under the driving flow power of magmatic heat, gravity and compaction, the hydrothermal fluid overcame the overburden pressure and hydrostatic pressure of the lake water body, and boiled to explosion, and then the explosion shattered the original laminated micritic ferruginous primary dolostone near the vent and then formed a new type of dolostone called shattered “hydroexplosion breccias”. In the low-lying, unperturbed hot brine pool, far from the vent, the laminated micritic ferruginous primary dolostone was quickly crystallized and chemicals precipitated from the hydrotherm. This study of special rocks contributes to research into the causes of the formation of lacustrine carbonate rocks and dolostone. In particular, it provides new examples and research insights for future studies of the lacustrine dolomite from the similar Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a synthetic U-Pb and Hf isotopic study of zircons and a whole-rock geochemical study on diabase swarms that were emplaced into the Proterozoic formations in the Xuzhou-Huaibei area, the southeast margin of North China Craton. Zircons from the diabase dykes display weak oscillatory zoning in the cathodoluminescence (CL) images and show high Th/U ratios (0.91-6.90), both of which are typical of a magmatic origin. The SHRIMP and Q-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating results indicate that the diabase swarms were emplaced at ca. 890 Ma. Hf isotopic analysis on these zircons gives ɛ( t) values ranging from 2.26 to 14.74 and Hf model age t and t ranging from 843 to 1321 Ma and from 808 to 1779 Ma, respectively. Geochemically, the diabase swarms are characterized by a relative enrichment in LREE and LILE (Rb, Ba and La), a comparative enrichment in Cr and Ni, but a slight depletement in HFSE (Th, Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf). They are plotted in the within-plate tholeiite series on the tectonic discrimination diagrams. Taken together, these geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the primary magmas to form the diabase dykes in the Xuzhou-Huaibei area could have been derived from a transitional mantle in the Mesoproterozoic, and were most probably emplaced under a continental margin extensional setting at ca. 890 Ma. The results of this study demonstrate that the Neoproterozoic (800-900 Ma)magmatism was not restricted to the Yangtze Block, but also occurred at the southeast margin of the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the systematic study on petrology, geochemistry, LA ICPMS zircons U-Pb dating, and in situ Hf isotope geology of the four plutons in the central-southern Jiangxi Province, an important part of the South China Block. In the outcrops, rocks are gradually changed from wall rock (slate or schist) to pluton (gneissic granite); some residual blocks of sandy rock occur in the margin of pluton, and the foliations of residual blocks are parallel to those of both wall rock and gneissic granite. The thin-section observations show that the four plutons contain peraluminous minerals such as muscovite and sillimanite. The flattened and elongated feldspar and quartz grains are often visible in the gneissic granite, parallel to direction of lineation, suggesting that the granitic rock were subjected to a strong ductile shearing. Geochemically, the A/CNK values from 13 granitic samples are between 1.03 and 1.37 with an average of 1.16, indicating that the granites are of strongly peraluminous plutons. The REE compositions of the 13 samples are similar, showing higher ΣREE contents, with enrichment in LREEs, depletion in Eu and REE patterns with relative LREE-enrichment and negligible Eu anomalies. They show enrichment in Rb, Th, U and depletion in Ba, Sr, Nb, Ti, belonging to a low Ba-Sr type of granite. Thus, the four bodies should be derived from the same magmatic source. Zircons used as U-Pb dating mostly exhibit euhedral shape and high Th/U values from 0.52 to 1.54 with an average of 1.08, suggesting that most zircons are of magmatic genesis. The zircons from four plutons yielded rather similar Pb/U vs. Pb/U concordia ages: 436.1±5.7 Ma for the Tangwan granite, 440.6±4 Ma for the Jiekou gneissic granite, 435.9±6.2 Ma for the Dongbao gneissic granite, and 441.9±3.1 Ma for the Jinxi K-granite, respectively, corresponding to Silurian Llandovery. Several xenocrysts yielded U-Pb ages around 700 Ma, implying that a breakup event took place during Neoproterozoic in the South China Block. In situ Lu-Hf isotopic analysis shows that all ɛ( t) values of zircons are negative and have two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) from 1.4 to 3.6 Ga, indicating that the Silurian granitic magma came from the recycle of Meso-Paleoproterozoic basement and even partly Archean rocks, and had not been effected by mantle magma. Researches on regional geology suggest that an intracontinental tectono-magmatic event took place during the early Paleozoic in the study areas, which is characterized by folding and thrusting, leading to crustal shortening and thickening, up to 20 km thickness. The high geothermal temperature from thickening crust and accumulation of producing high-heat radioactive elements gradually softened crustal rocks and caused a partial melting, forming peraluminous granitic magma. Under the post-orogenic extensional and de-pressure condition, these granitic magma rose and was emplaced in the upper crust, leading to development of S-type plutons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of a 0.3 Ga "great unconformity" between the Mesoproterozoic "Undefined System" Xiamaling Formation and the "Neoproterozoic" Longshan Formation has long been controversial. In this study, stratigraphy, sedimentology, detrital zircon dating, lithium isotope, and major and trace elements were applied to systematically analyze their relationship. Results demonstrate that coarse to fine sandstone-mudstone normal cycles with different grades and thicknesses exist from the Xiamaling to the Longshan formations. Sedimentary succession formed from a restricted platform with lagoon-shallow marine shelf-tidal flat-beach and tidal shoal developing in ascending order. The pebbly sandstone at the bottom of the Longshan Formation does not have the properties of basal conglomerate with tectonic significance. The youngest detrital zircon is older than 1.6 Ga for the Longshan Formation and overlying Jing'eryu Formation sandstones. In addition, no (zircon) provenance has been found from the large igneous province of 1.32–1.2 Ga in Xiamaling Formation. The δ7Li isotope values exhibit a gradually increasing trend. The Li content and CIA (Chemical index of alteration) gradually decreases from the top of the Xiamaling Formation to the lower part of the Longshan Formation. Simultaneously, as K2O/Al2O3 and FeO/Fe2O3 decreases, Na2O/Al2O3 increases, and Li/Al, V/Cr, and V/(V+Ni) fluctuates slightly. At the boundary, the Ce/Ce* and Eu/Eu* show positive and negative anomalies, respectively. Further, the Rb/Sr and Al/Si values decrease, and U/Th values increase. This indicates that the geochemistry of the weathering crust at the interface of the Xiamaling Formation-Longshan Formation is not characteristic. However, it indicates a weakening of continental weathering intensity from the bottom to the top of the interface. These results do not support the existence of a large unconformity between the Xiamaling and the Longshan formations. Therefore, it is suggested that the Longshan Formation-Jing'eryu Formation should be moved to the lower level in the stratigraphic chart, where it should form part of the Mesoproterozoic "Undefined System" along with the Xiamaling Formation. On this basis, the paleogeography of the Xiamaling Formation-Longshan Formation-Jing'eryu Formation sedimentary period in the Yanliao area of North China has been reclassified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal samples taken from the Taiyuan Formation in the Hequ area, China, for this study are typical cutinite-rich coals. The petrology and geochemistry of the samples were analyzed using microscopic examination, proximate and ultimate analysis, rock pyrolysis, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cutinites in Haochuan (HC) coals are predominantly of the thin-walled type, whereas those in the Jingzigou (JZG) coals are predominantly thick-walled. The variable thickness of cutinites in different coals is related to the environment in which the coal-forming plants grew. Compared with typical III kerogens, HC and JZG bituminous coals are characterized by high volatile matter yields and hydrogen contents due to the elevated hydrogen-rich cutinite content. Pyrolysis data indicate that these cutinite-rich coals can be expected to generate commercial liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. Pristane (Pr) and phytane (Ph) are both abundant in the samples, with the Pr/Ph ratios for both the HC and JZG coals being >3.0, indicating moderate maturity and oxic peat depositional conditions. The C29≫C28>C27 normalized relative abundance of regular steranes is consistent with a dominant contribution from higher plants. Abundant hopanes in the coals also suggest a substantial organic matter input from bacteria, which are common inhabitants of peat and coal. Palynology studies indicate that pteridophytes are likely to be the most common coal-forming plants. A gymnosperm contribution is also indicated by the presence of tetracyclic diterpenes. Massive accumulations of cuticles as cutinite in coal are rare and account for only a small proportion of coals worldwide. However, cutinite-rich coals are found in the northern margin of the North China Craton, in the Taiyuan Formation. The accumulation of cutinite in this area is the result of distinctive peat deposition conditions. Frequent marine transgression was an important contributing factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the location of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary in terrestrial strata is highly significant for studying the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems at the end of the Cretaceous (especially the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs). At present, research on terrestrial K-Pg boundaries worldwide is concentrated in the middle and high latitudes, such as North America and Northeast China. Although many studies have also been carried out in the Nanxiong Basin, located at low latitudes (which has become the standard for dividing and comparing the continental K-Pg stratigraphy in China), many researchers have proposed four possible boundaries from different perspectives. Therefore, the exact location remains to be determined. In this study, the total mercury (Hg) content, environmental magnetism, geochemistry, and other parameters for the samples collected near the four boundaries were determined and compared with existing records. Results indicated that: 1) The total Hg content significantly increased in the upper part of the Zhenshui Formation and Pingling part of the Shanghu Formation with sharp fluctuations. As per latest dating results of Deccan Traps, the significantly high Hg value was attributed to the Deccan Traps eruption. Boundary 1 was located in the middle of the Hg anomaly interval, which was consistent with the relationship between the global K-Pg boundary and time of volcanic eruption. 2) The reconstructed paleoclimate evolution curve revealed that the red sediments in the basin recorded the late Maastrichtian warming event (66.2 Ma). Regarding the relationship between the four boundaries and this warming event, only boundary 1 was found to be closest to the real K-Pg boundary of the Nanxiong Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2013, a great breakthrough of deep petroleum exploration was achieved in the Cambrian pre-salt intervals of Wells Zhongshen1 (ZS1) and Zhongshen1C (ZS1C), Tazhong Uplift. However, the hydrocarbon discovery in the Cambrian pre-salt intervals has triggered extensive controversy regarding the source of marine oils in the Tarim Basin. The geochemistry and origin of the Cambrian pre-salt hydrocarbons in Wells ZS1 and ZS1C were investigated using GC, GC-MS and stable carbon isotope technique. These hydrocarbons can be easily distinguished into two genetic families based on their geochemical and carbon isotopic compositions. The oil and natural gases from the Awatage Formation of Well ZS1 are derived from Middle- Upper Ordovician source rocks. In contrast, the condensate and gases from the Xiaoerbulake Formation of Wells ZS1 and ZS1C probably originate from Cambrian source rocks. The recent discovery of these hydrocarbons with two different sources in Wells ZS1 and ZS1C suggests that both Middle-Upper Ordovician-sourced hydrocarbons and Cambrian-sourced petroleums are accumulated in the Tazhong Uplift, presenting a great exploration potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) in SW China is interpreted to be associated with an ancient mantle plume. Most of the constraints on the role of mantle plume in the generation of the Emeishan flood basalts were provided by geological and geochemical methods, but the geophysical investigation is very limited. In order to better understand the deep structure and features of ELIP, we have studied the crustal velocity structure using the data acquired from the Lijiang-Panzhihua-Qingzhen wide-angle seismic profile. This profile crosses the three sub-zones of the ELIP (the inner, intermediate, and outer zones), divided based on the differential erosion and uplift of the Maokou limestone. The results provided by the active source seismic experiment demonstrate: (1) The average depth of the crystalline basement along the profile is about 2 km. (2) The middle crust in the Inner Zone is characterized by high-velocity anomalies, with the average velocity of 6.2-6.6 km/s, which is about 0.1-0.2 km/s higher than the normal one. The velocity of the lower crust in the inner zone is 6.9-7.2 km/s, higher than those observed in the intermediate and outer zones (6.7-7.0 km/s). Relatively low velocity anomalies appear in the upper, middle and lower crusts near the junction of the inner zone and intermediate zone, probably due to the effect of the Xiaojiang fault (XJF). (3) The average velocity of the crust is comparatively low on both sides of XJF, especially on the east side, and the average velocity of the consolidated continental crust is also low there. This may suggest that the XJF extends at least down to 40 km deep, even beyond through the crust. (4) The depth to the Moho discontinuity decrease gradually from 47-53 km in the inner zone, via 42-50 km in the intermediate zone to 38-42 km in the outer zone. In the inner zone, the Moho uplifts locally and the (consolidated) crust is characterized by high-velocity anomalies, which are likely related to intensive magma intrusion and underplating associated with melting of plume head. Overall the crustal velocity structure in the study area recorded the imprint left by the Permian Emeishan mantle plume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-two Cenozoic (mostly Miocene) basalt samples from Jining, Chifeng, Fansi, Xiyang, and Zuoquan areas of the North China Craton (the NCC basalts hereafter) were analyzed for platinum-group elements (PGE, including Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, and Pd). Most of them are alkaline basalts and tholeiites and all of them display little crustal contamination. The total PGE contents of the NCC basalts vary from 0.1 to 0.9 ppb, much lower than those of the primitive mantle values of 23.5 ppb. Primitive mantle-normalized PGE patterns of these basalts define positive slopes and Pd/Ir ratios vary from 1.2 to 25. In terms of both PGE contents and Pd/Ir ratios, they are quite similar to the mid-ocean ridge basalts. There are no obvious negative correlations between PGE vs. MgO, Ni, and Cu in the NCC basalts, indicating that fractional crystallization of olivine, pyroxene, and/or sulfides during magmatic process cannot be the controlling factor for the observed PGE variation. The observed Pd/Ir variations of the NCC basalts require involvement of non-chondritic heterogeneous mantle sources. Based on Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic systematics and incompatible-element signatures, a mixing of partial melts from both asthenospheric peridotites and enclosed mantle eclogites at the top of asthenosphere was proposed for the origin of these NCC basalts. The lenses of eclogites are derived from upwelling of recycled continental crust during the westward subduction of the Pacific plate from the ∼600 km discontinuity zone. The PGE geochemistry of these basalts provides independent evidence to support this conclusion and the observed Pd/Ir variations may reflect variations in proportions of tapped peridotitic and eclogitic melts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chihsia Formation is one of the four sets of regional marine hydrocarbon source rocks from South China. In the past two decades, detailed geochemical and sedimentological studies have been carried out to investigate its origination, which have demonstrated that the high primary productivity plays a primary role in the deposition of sediments enriched in the organic matter. However, the mechanism of this high productivity and the path of the deposition and burial of the organic matter have always been a mystery. Based on the previous studies on the Shangsi Section in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, we proposed that the development of the equatorial upwelling due to the sea level rise is responsible for the relatively high productivity in the Chihsia Formation. The sea waters with high nutrient were transported by the sub-surface currents along the equator. High organic carbon flux was deposited on the deeper shelf, and then decomposed by bacteria, leading to the occurrence of anaerobic respiration. The metabolism of the microorganisms consumed the dissolved oxygen in waters, which was in favor of the preservation of the organic matter. This suggested geobiological model integrating with paleoclimatology, paleoceanography and geomicrobiology will help us to understand the causes of this particular sedimentary sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Yanshanian (Jurassic) granitoids are widespread in the Nanling Range, South China. Whereas large granitic batholiths commonly crop out in the center of the Nanling Range (corresponding geographically to the central and northern parts of Guangdong Province), many small stocks occur in the southern part of Jiangxi Province. Most of the small stocks are associated closely with economically significant rare-metal deposits (W, Sn, Nb, Ta). Here we report the results for biotite granites and two-mica granites from three Yanshanian stocks of the Longyuanba complex. LA-ICPMS U-Pb dating of zircon yields an age of 156.1±2.1 Ma for Xiaomubei biotite granite, and U-Pb zircon dating using SIMS yields an age of 156.7±1.2 Ma for Longyuanba-Chengjiang biotite granite and 156.4±1.3 Ma for Jiangtoudong two-mica granite. Biotite granites are silica-rich (SiO=70%-79%), potassic (KO/NaO>1.9), and peraluminous (ASI=1.05-1.33). Associated samples are invariably enriched in Rb, Th, Pb and LREE, yet depleted in Ba, Nb, Sr, P and Ti, and their REE pattern shows a large fractionation between LREE and HREE ((La/Yb)=10.7-13.5) and a pronounced Eu negative anomaly ( δEu=0.28-0.41). Two-mica granite samples are also silica-rich (SiO=75%-79%), potassic (KO/NaO>1.2), and peraluminous (ASI=1.09-1.17). However, in contrast to the biotite granites, they are more enriched in Rb, Th, Pb and extremely depleted in Ba, Nb, Sr, P and Ti, and exhibit nearly flat ((La/Yb)=0.75-1.08) chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by strong Eu depletion ( δEu=0.02-0.04) and clear tetrad effect (TE=1.10-1.14). Biotite granites and two-mica granties have comparable Nd isotopic signatures, and their ɛNd( t) are concentrated in the −13.0 to −9.6 and −11.5 to −7.7 respectively. Their zircon Hf-O isotopes of both also show similarity (biotite granites: ɛHf( t)=−10.8-−7.9, δO=7.98‰-8.89‰ and ɛHf( t)= −13.8 to −9.1, δO=8.31‰-10.08‰; two-mica granites: ɛHf( t)=−11.3 to −8.0, δO=7.91‰-9.77‰). The results show that both biotite and two-mica granites were derived mainly from sedimentary source rocks with a minor contribution from mantle-derived materials. In spite of some S-type characteristics, the biotite granites were formed by fractional crystallization of I-type magma and assimilation of peraluminous sedimentary rocks during their ascent to the surface. Therefore, they belong to highly fractionated I-type granites. Two-mica granites exhibit a tetrad effect in their REE patterns, but share the same isotopic features with the biotite granites, suggesting that they are highly fractionated I-type granites as well. Their Lanthanide tetrad effects may be attributed to the hydrothermal alteration by magmatic fluids that have suffered degassing at late stages. Granitic magmas undergoing fractional crystallization and wall-rock assilimation can generate highly evolved granites with no REE tetrad effect in the uni-phase system. However, in the late-stage of magmatic evolution in the multi-phase system (i.e., magmatic-hydrothermal system), these magmas also can lead to the highly evolved granites exhibiting mew-shaped REE pattern characterized by tetrad effect as the consequence of melt-fluid and fluid-vapor fractionation, and the resultant autometasomatism. We thus suggest that the REE pattern exhibiting tetrad effect feature is an important indicator of rare metal mineralization in the early Yanshanian time in southern China, implying the metamorphism of the ore fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb dating of intrusive rocks from the Shizishan ore field, Tongling, Anhui Province shows that the crystallization ages of Baimangshan pyroxene diorite, Shizishan and Dongguashan quartz diorite are 139±1.9, 138.0±1.7, and 138.4±1.7 Ma, respectively. These three intrusions are high-potassium, alkali-rich, meta-aluminous, and are characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements and large-ion lithophile elements, depletion of heavy rare-earth elements (HREE) and high field strength elements, and slightly negative Eu anomalies. In-situ Hf analysis of zircon for these three intrusions shows large ranges of Hf isotope compositions: the ɛ( t) values are ɛ( t)= ∼3.3 to ∼14.4 for Baimangshan, ∼14.1 to ∼23.9 Dongguashan, and ∼14.7 to ∼26.9 for Shizishan. The ɛ( t) values of both the Dongguashan and Shizishan quartz diorites are significantly lower than those of Baimangshan pyroxene diorite. Elemental geochemistry and in-situ zircon Hf isotope analyses indicate that the three intrusions were formed through mixing of granitic magma formed by partial melting of the lower crust and water-rich basic magma derived from the enriched lithospheric mantle. The Dongguashan and Shizishan quartz diorites involved greater crustal components than Baimangshan pyroxene diorite. The Dongguashan and Shizishan quartz diorites have geochemical features similar to the adakite, such as high Sr, low Y, and high Sr/Y ratios. Such geochemical features can be attributed to some fractional crystallization of apatite and sphene, and insignificant plagioclase fractional crystallization after magma mixing. These three intrusions are the products of complex crust-mantle interaction during the regional tectonic regime transition from compression to extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies new petrological and geochemical data and zircon U-Pb ages for bimodal intrusive rocks from Xinglong region, Hainan Island. Zircon U-Pb dating yields mean U/Pb ages of 238 ± 2 Ma and 234 ± 2 Ma for diabasic and granitic phases, respectively, representing the Middle Triassic emplacement. The diabase and granite bodies were formed from discrete mafic and acidic magma sources that experienced local mechanical mixing at their mutual contacts. Although SiO content of intrusions is bimodal, trace element ratios indicate that both were formed in a post-orogenic extensional setting. Sr-Nd isotopic composition reflects a shared EMII type enriched mantle source component, possibly influenced by subduction-fluid metasomatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sinian Dengying Formation in China hosts one of the oldest gas-bearing reservoirs in the world. With a long geological history, it has developed into the reservoir rocks, whose quality depends on chemical dissolution and cementation. Despite presence of cavities and pores in the algal dolomites of the Dengying Formation, they were mostly filled with various forms of dolomite cements. Therefore, the investigation of these dolomites and their evolution is significant for analyzing the mechanism of pore space preservation. There are five types of cements in the Dengying Formation, which were well sampled for lab measurements such as thin section, cathodeluminescence, minor elements, isotope analysis of carbon, oxygen and strontium, in attempt to explore the fillers' geochemical characteristics and the diagenetic fluids. They are characterized as follows: firstly, fibrous rim dolomite cement is a typical product formed at sea bottom, and geochemically very similar to the matrix (micrite and microcrystalline dolomite), which could be a reflection of the geochemical characteristics of water at that time; secondly, the diagenetic fluids of the foliated dolomite cements tend to be inheriting, derived from the shallow burial 'imprisoned' seawater; thirdly, fine- to medium-grained dolomite cements with fairly high strontium isotopes and low carbon and oxygen isotopes were precipitated chiefly in freshwater during the period of uplifting caused by Tongwan tectonic movement; fourthly, coarse-grained dolomite cements bear a relatively high percentage of Mn element, but low in Fe and Sr, with carbon and oxygen isotopes remarkably shifted to negative values, which all show that they are related to hydrocarbon maturation and migration, and corresponding Thermochemical Sulfate Reduction; lastly, saddle-shaped dolomite cements are hydrothermally associated, and they were formed in high-temperature brine, which had passed through the areas rich in radioactive strontium isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CDE hydrothermal field was first discovered during a Chinese cruise to the East Lau Basin Spreading Centre in 2007. Apart from significant amounts of loose Fe-Si-Mn (oxyhydr) oxide (referred to as oxide below) precipitates, a small Si-rich oxide chimney was also recovered on this cruise. In this study, we report on the mineralogical and geochemical analyses of this chimney and a model for its growth that has been developed. Based on the mineralogy and O isotope results, the chimney walls can be divided into four growth generations (layers) from the inner to the outer layers: amorphous opal and barite layer (precipitation temperature 68.5°C based on oxygen isotope determinations), a rod-like amorphous layer (precipitation temperature 39.6°C), a filamentous Fe-Si oxide layer, and an outer Fe-Mn oxide layer. Investigations based on SEM and EDS showed that neutrophilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria play an important role in the formation of this chimney, particularly in the outer two generations. In the first stage, the metabolic activity of the microbes results in the pervasive precipitation of the filamentous Fe-rich oxides inside a ring formed by some amorphous opal and barite; therefore, a loose porous layer forms. In the second stage, amorphous opal then precipitates inside this wall as a result of conductive cooling and gradually controls the mixing between the hydrothermal fluids and ambient seawaters. In the third stage, barite and some amorphous opal form from the higher temperature fluids at the summit of the chimney growth history. In the last stage, the chimney wall becomes thicker and denser and the exchange of hydrothermal fluids and seawater ceases. As a result, a Fe-Mn oxide layer precipitates onto the outer surface of the chimney wall as neutrophilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria reoccupy the surface of the chimney. This mineral sequence and the resultant growth generations are confirmed by the chemical characteristics of the chimney wall. Sr isotopes extracted from the Fe oxides of the four-generation wall generally show a decreasing trend of the Sr/Sr ratios from the second layer to the inner layer (from 0.707008 to 0.705877) except for the outer layer (0.706502). The Sr isotope and chondrite normalized REE patterns of the corresponding bulk samples from the chimney wall also display a similar trend. Our study shows that the biogenic filament network plays a key role in the formation of the chimney in contrast to previous growth models of higher temperature chimneys, which often ignore the influence of biogenic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyalophane-rich pegmatites are identified from the Manjinggou high-pressure granulite terrain in the Central Zone of North China Craton. Based on field investigation, mineral assemblage and mineral geochemistry, two types of pegmatites can be defined, i.e., hyalophane pegmatite and hyalophane-rich pegmatite. The hyalophane pegmatite is composed of pure hyalophane with 18.7 mol%-19.4 mol% celsian, whereas the hyalophane-rich pegmatite consists of clinopyroxene + titanite + epidote + hyalophane with 11.9 mol%-12.5 mol% celsian. Hyalophane-rich pegmatite has typical magmatic zircons with oscillatory zoning and high Th/U ratios, implying that this type of pegmatite crystallized from special melt similar to magma. SIMS (Cameca 1280) zircon U-Pb dating shows that the crystallization age of the hyalophane-rich pegmatite is 1812±5 Ma, younger than the regional metamorphic age (peak of ca. 1.85 Ga). Zircon δO (8.0‰-9.3‰) and ɛ (−7.0 to −2.7) values measured by SIMS suggest that the high-pressure granulite terrain was the source of these veins. Therefore, the hyalophane-rich pegmatite veins were likely to be generated by melting of the high-pressure granulite terrain during post collisional uplift. A quick tectonic uplifting process with a velocity of 0.4 to 0.6 mm/a has been estimated for the high-pressure granulite terrane from the Central Zone of North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the Jingju syenogranites in the southwestern part of Zhejiang Province shows that these rocks were crystallized in the Late Triassic at 215±2 Ma, rather than in the Cretaceous as previously proposed. The Jingju syenogranites are characterized by relatively high KO and FeO*, and low MgO. They have high concentrations of large ion lithophile elements (LIL) and LREE, such as K, Th, La, and Ce, but are depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE) such as Nb, Ta, and Ti. Their 10Ga/Al ratios and (Zr+Nb+Ce+Y) contents are also high. These characteristics are similar to those of A-type granites. The syenogranites have high I (0.7179-0.7203), low ɛ( t) (from −14.2 to −13.2), and relatively old T ages, similar to those of the ancient metamorphic basement in the Cathaysia Block. It is suggested that the Jingju syenogranites were formed by partial melting of the Cathaysia basement rocks during tectonic extension. This identification of Indosinian A-type granite in Jingju has significant implications for understanding the early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithologically, two kinds of chert can be recognized in the Middle-Upper Permian from the Tieqiao section in Laibin area, Guangxi, i.e., calcic chert occurring mainly in the Maokou Formation and pure chert mainly in the Wujiaping Formation. Geochemical data show that both kinds of chert contain very low AlO (0-0.23%) and TiO (0.001%-0.024%) and low ΣREE (0.55-19.94 ppm, averaging 9.97 ppm), as well as high ratio of FeO/TiO (17-443, averaging 111) and low ratio of AlO/(AlO+FeO) (0-0.26, averaging 0.09). Given that the average value Ce anomalies in chert deposited in the ridge-proximal environment is about 0.29, and that in the pelagic environment is about 0.60, the low Ce anomalies in the Tieqiao chert (0.24-0.46, averaging 0.35) imply that they were deposited in an ocean basin with influence of submarine hydrothermal fluid and no input of terrigenous materials. The vertical variation of the silica abundance in strata (SAIS) in the Middle-Upper Permian strata, together with the Eu anomalies and the ratios of σREE/Fe, indicates a relationship between the hydrothermal activity and the Emeishan basalt eruption, and that submarine hydrothermal activity was stronger in the Upper Permian (the Wujiapingian Stage) than in the Middle Permian (the Maokou Stage). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baoshan Block is tectonically located in the middle segment of the Sibumasu plate. Granitic magmatism within the Baoshan Block has been considered weakly active due mainly to very limited exposures during the Himalaya orogenic episode. The geochronological study on the buried Shuangmaidi granite has confirmed the existence of the Cenozoic granitoids in the Baoshan Block. The present study indicates that: (1) It is medium- to coarse-grained two mica phyric granite, characterized by high SiO (73.55%-77.16%) and low CaO (0.34%-1.38%) contents, with a total alkalis (KO+NaO) of 5.22%-8.03%, KO/NaO ratios of 0.24-1.79, and total rare earth elements (ΣREE) of the granite between 85 and 125 ppb. All samples are enriched in light REE and exhibit medium negative Eu anomalies; and they show pronounced negative anomalies in Ba, Sr, Ti, and Nb but significant positive anomalies in K, Rb, U, Th, and Pb on mantle-normalized trace element patterns, indicating typically peraluminous to strongly peraluminous S-type granite. (2) The zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages of the granite are 36.27±0.48 Ma for the samples from ZK7-1 and 35.78±0.49 Ma for those from ZK0-1, respectively. The similar zircon ages from these two drill cores may suggest that the granite samples come from the same buried pluton. (3) Pb/Pb values of the granite vary from 20.115 to 25.359, Pb/Pb from 15.776 to 16.160, and Pb/Pb from 39.236 to 41.285, showing the characteristics of radioactive lead anomaly of the upper crust. The (Sr/Sr) values calculated on the average age of the two-mica orthoclase granite (36 Ma) range from 0.72524 to 0.77503 and ɛ( t) values vary from −10.9 to −11.7. These data, along with the depleted-mantle Nd modal ages of 1.73-1.80 Ga, imply that the granites might have formed from partial melting of the Precambrian crystal basements. (4) On the Hf-Rb-Ta diagram, almost all the samples fall within the field of post-collision tectonic setting. The CaO/NaO and AlO/TiO ratios suggest that the granitic magma may have formed from partial melting of clay-rich crustal materials with a possible melting temperature of about 900°C and a possible crystallization temperature of 775-795°C. (5) During the post-collision of the Himalaya orogen, with the southeastward extrusion of the Indochina continent resulting from the continuous northward indentation of the India continent into the Asia, the Gaoligong Fault, as the western boundary of the Indochina continent, moved in the dextral strike-slip on a large scale to trigger partial melting of the thickened crust, and the peraluminous granitic magma from which the Shuangmaidi two-mica orthoclase granite derived was formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]