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Abstract: U–Pb single zircon crystallization ages were determined using TIMS and sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) on samples of granitoid rocks exposed in the Serrinha nucleus granite–greenstone terrane, in NE Brazil. Our data show that the granitoid plutons can be divided into three distinct groups. Group 1 consists of Mesoarchaean (3.2–2.9Ga) gneisses and N-S elongated TTG (Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite) plutons with gneissic borders. Group 2 is represented by ca. 2.15Ga pretectonic calc-alkaline plutons that are less deformed than group 1. Group 3 is ca. 2.11–2.07Ga, late to post-tectonic plutons (shoshonite, syenite, K-rich granite and lamprophyre). Groups 2 and 3 are associated with the Transamazonian orogeny. Xenocryst ages of 3.6Ga, the oldest zircon yet recorded within the São Francisco craton, are found in the group 3 Euclides shoshonite within the Uauá complex and in the group 2 Quijingue trondhjemite, indicating the presence of Paleoarchaean sialic basement. Group 1 gneiss-migmatitic rocks (ca. 3200Ma) of the Uauá complex constitute the oldest known unit. Shortly afterwards, partial melting of mafic material produced a medium-K calc-alkaline melt, the younger Santa Luz complex (ca. 3100Ma) to the south. Subsequent TTG melts intruded in different phases now exposed as N-S elongated plutons such as Ambrósio (3162±26Ma), Araci (3072±2Ma), Requeijão (2989±11Ma) and others, which together form a major part of the Archaean nucleus. Some of these plutons have what appear to be intrusive, but are probably remobilized, contacts with the Transamazonian Itapicuru greenstone belt. The older gneissic rocks occur as enclaves within younger Archaean plutons. Thus, serial additions of juvenile material over a period of several hundred m.y. led to the formation of a stable micro-continent by 2.9Ga. Evidence for Neoarchaean activity is found in the inheritance pattern of only one sample, the group 2 Euclides pluton. Group 2 granitoid plutons were emplaced at 2.16–2.13Ga in a continental arc environment floored by Mesoarchaean crust. These plutons were subsequently deformed and intruded by late to post-tectonic group 3 alkaline plutons. This period of Transamazonian orogeny can be explained as a consequence of ocean closure followed by collision and slab break-off. The only subsequent magmatism was kimberlitic, probably emplaced during the Neoproterozoic Braziliano event, which sampled older zircon from the basement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although the extinct Quaternary megafauna is widely recorded in northeastern Brazil, geochronological studies carried out on its fossiliferous deposits are still scarce. In this study, Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) was applied to date 12 tooth fragments of Toxodon platensis (Mammalia, Notoungulata) collected in the tank deposit of Lago do Rumo, Baixa Grande, state of Bahia, Brazil. The results obtained in the geochronological analysis performed here reveal ages from around 60 ka to 34 ka for T. platensis in Lagoa do Rumo; and, considering the integration data in the paleontological literature, our results evidence the largest time-averaging ever recorded for tank deposits: around 51 thousand years. • Twelve teeth of Toxodon platensis from Brazilian Northeast were dated using Electron Spin Resonance. • Absolute dating revealed fossils of Toxodon platensis ranging from around 60 ky to 34 ky. • Considering the literature, time-averaging in Lagoa do Rumo is around 51 thousand years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied the ESR (Electron Spin Resonance) dating method to fossils of Notiomastodon platensis (two teeth) and Toxodontinae (two teeth) found in the fossiliferous deposit of Lajedão do Patrício, João Dourado, State of Bahia, Brazil, to identify the period of formation of this fossil accumulation. Neutron Activation Analysis was applied to determine the concentrations of the main radioisotopes in enamel, dentine and sediment. The ages found for N. platensis are 16.8 ± 2.6 ka and 12.5 ± 2.3 ka, while the ages for Toxodontinae are 9.6 ± 1 ka and 9.1 ± 1 ka. The results for Notiomastodon. platensis and Toxodontinae are similar to other fossiliferous of Brazil. The estimated maximum time-averaging for Lajedão do Patrício is 11.3 ka, indicating a long period of accumulation of skeletal remains, attributed to resedimentation and reworking. The crossing between the period of formation of fossil assemblage Lajedão do Patrício and ages of climatic variations diponible in paleoclimatic curves produced for the Quaternary of northeastern Brazil indicates different climatic and environmental conditions during the formation of the deposit. • Dating Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Notiomastodon platensis and Toxodontiane from the Quaternary of Northeast Brazil. • Notiomastodon platensis are 16.8 ± 2.6 ka and 12.5 ± 2.3 ka, and Toxodontinae 9.6 ± 1 ka and 9.1 ± 1 ka. • Maximum time-averaging for Lajedão do Patrício is 11.3 ka, indicating a long period of accumulation. • Comparison of Lajedão do Patrício and paleoclimatic curves different climatic and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]