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Shoshonitic series volcanic rocks (SSVR) and adakites are widely distributed in the Permian terrestrial volcanic strata of the Yishijilike–Awulale range of west Tianshan, north Xinjiang, China. Isotopic dating yields Permian ages of 280–250 Ma. The SSVR include absarokite, shoshonite and banakite which are characterized by enrichment of alkalis, particularly in K, combined with lower Ti, higher Al (A/NKC = 0.70–0.99, metaluminous) and Fe2O3 > FeO. The SSVR that are rich in LILE with high REE contents and Eu/Eu⁎ range from 0.59 to 1.30. They are rich in LREE ((La/Yb)N 2.15–11.97) and depleted in Nb, Ta and Ti (TNT negative anomalies). The adakites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/NKC = 0.85-1.16) and belong to the high-SiO2 type of adakite (HSA, SiO2 = 62%–71%). They are characterized by lower ΣREE with strong LREE enrichment ((La/Yb)N 13–35). Pronounced positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu⁎ = 1.02–1.27), very low Yb contents and distinct TNT-negative anomalies are evident. The SSVR have eNd(t) (+ 1.28 to + 4.92) and (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7041–0.7057) that are similar to adakites in the regions which are characterized by eNd(t) = 0.95 to + 5.69 and (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7050–0.7053. Trace element, REE and Sr/Nd isotopic compositions suggest that both SSVR and adakites possess similar source regions associated with underplated mantle-derived basaltic materials. Lithosphere extension driven by magmatic underplating was responsible for the generation of both the SSVR and adakites. This magmatism serves as a petrological indicator of underplating during the Permian. Obviously thickened crust (62–52 km), a complex Moho discontinuity, high heat flow (~ 100 mw·m− 2), widespread contemporary alkali-rich granites, basic dike swarms (K–Ar ages of 187–271 Ma, Ar–Ar ages of 174–270 Ma and Rb–Sr ages of 255 ± 28 Ma; eNd(t) + 1.84 to + 10.1; (87Sr/86Sr)i 0.7035 and 0.7065), and basic granulites (SHRIMP U–Pb age of 268–279 ± 5.6 Ma) provide additional evidences for the underplating event in this area during Permian.

Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the Alataw area, Northern Tianshan Range (Xinjiang), consist of early Carboniferous (ca. 320 Ma) adakites and Nb-enriched arc basalts and basaltic andesites (NEBs), and late Carboniferous (ca. 306–310 Ma) mainly high-K calc-alkaline andesites, dacites and rhyolites. The adakites are calc-alkaline, and characterized by high Na2O/K2O (1.52–3.32) ratios, negligible to positive Eu anomalies, strong depletion of heavy rare earth elements (e.g., Yb = 0.74–1.47 ppm) and Y (6.7–14.9 ppm), positive Sr and Ba but negative Nb and Ti anomalies, and relatively constant eNd(T) values (+ 3.4–+ 6.6) and (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.7035–0.7042). Some andesitic and dacitic adakite samples exhibit high MgO contents similar to magnesian andesites. The NEBs are sodium-rich (Na2O/K2O = 2.03–8.06), and differ from the vast majority of arc basalts in their higher Nb, Zr, TiO2 and P2O5 contents and Nb/Th, Nb/La and Nb/U ratios, and minor negative to positive anomalies in Ba, Nb, Sr, Zr and Ti. They have the highest eNd(T) values (+ 6.4–+ 11.6) but varying (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.7007–0.7063). The high-K calc-alkaline suite is similar to typical ‘normal’ arc volcanic rocks in terms of moderately fractionated rare earth abundance and distinctly negative Eu, Nb, Sr and Ti anomalies. They have eNd(T) values (+ 1.2–+ 6.4) and (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.7018–0.7059). Geochemically, they are similar to coeval I-type granitoids in the Alataw area. Given the presence of early Carboniferous ophiolites in the Northern Tianshan Range, and the isotopically inappropriate compositions of Proterozoic metamorphic basement in the Alataw area, we argue that the Alataw adakites were most probably related to the melting of young subducted crust of the Northern Tianshan Ocean. The NEBs likely originated from mantle wedge peridotites metasomatized by adakites and minor slab-derived fluids. The later high-K calc alkaline suite was generated by AFC processes that acted on melts derived from a mantle wedge metasomatized by hydrous fluids. The larger range of isotopic compositions exhibited by both the NEB and high-K suite, relative to the adakites, suggests that the mantle wedge was heterogeneous prior to slab- or fluid-mediated metasomatism. Continental crustal growth of the Central Asian orogenic belt was dominated by contributions of the juvenile materials from the depleted mantle prior to 270 Ma and possibly afterwards. The results of this study suggest that other Carboniferous Nb-enriched basalts in the Tianshan Range were generated by subduction processes rather than by intraplate tectonics as previously proposed.

Both adakitic and shoshonitic igneous rocks in the Luzong area, Anhui Province, eastern China are associated with Cretaceous Cu–Au mineralization. The Shaxi quartz diorite porphyrites exhibit adakite-like geochemical features, such as light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment, heavy REE (HREE) depletion, high Al2O3, MgO, Sr, Sr / Y and La / Yb values, and low Y and Yb contents. They have low eNd(t) values (− 3.46 to − 6.28) and high (87Sr / 86Sr)i ratios (0.7051–0.7057). Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon analyses indicate a crystallization age of 136 ± 3 Ma for the adakitic rocks. Most volcanic rocks and the majority of monzonites and syenites in the Luzong area are K-rich (or shoshonitic) and were also produced during the Cretaceous (140–125 Ma). They are enriched in LREE and large-ion lithophile elements, and depleted in Ti, and Nb and Ba and exhibit relatively lower eNd(t) values ranging from − 4.65 to − 7.03 and relatively higher (87Sr / 86Sr)i ratios varying between 0.7057 and 0.7062. The shoshonitic and adakitic rocks in the Luzong area have similar Pb isotopic compositions (206Pb / 204Pb = 17.90–18.83, 207Pb / 204Pb = 15.45–15.62 and 208Pb / 204Pb = 38.07–38.80). Geological data from the Luzong area suggest that the Cretaceous igneous rocks are distributed along NE fault zones (e.g., Tanlu and Yangtze River fault zones) in eastern China and were likely formed in an extensional setting within the Yangtze Block. The Shaxi adakitic rocks were probably derived by the partial melting of delaminated lower crust at pressures equivalent to crustal thickness of > 50 km (i.e., ∼1.5 GPa), possibly leaving rutile-bearing eclogitic residue. The shoshonitic magmas, in contrast, originated mainly from an enriched mantle metasomatized by subducted oceanic sediments. They underwent early high-pressure (> 1.5 GPa) fractional crystallization at the boundary between thickened (> 50 km) lower crust and lithospheric mantle and late low-pressure (

The late Jurassic Tongshankou and Yinzu plutons in southeast Hubei have been investigated for their contrasting metal mineralization features. The former is closely associated with porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization, while the latter is barren of metal mineralization, althouth both are located very close to each other. The Tongshankou granodiorite porphyries and the Yinzu granodiorites are geochemically similar to adakites, e.g., high Al2O3 and Sr contents and La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios, enriched in Na2O, depleted in Y and Yb, very weak Eu anomalies and positive Sr anomalies. However, different geochemi-cal characteristics exist between the two plutons: the Tongshankou adakitic rocks (1) are relatively enriched in SiO2, K2O, MgO, Cr, Ni, and Sr and depleted in Y and Yb; (2) have higher degree REE differentiation; (3) have positive Eu anomalies in contrast with very weak negative or unclear Eu anomalies in the Yinzu rocks; and (4) isotopically have relatively higher ePNd(t) values (-5.19 to -5.38) and lower initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7060 to 0.7062), while the Yinzu adakitic rocks have relatively lower ePNd(t) values (-7.22 to -8.67) and higher initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7065 to 0.7074). The trace element and isotopic data demonstrate that the Tongshankou adakitic rocks were most probably originated from partial melting of delaminated lower crust with garnet being the main residual mineral whereas little or no plagioclase in the source. On the contrary, the Yinzu adakitic rocks were likely derived from partial melting of thickened lower crust, with residual garnet and a small quantity of plagioclase and hornblende in the source. Interactions between the adakitic magmas and mantle peridotites possibly took place during the ascent of the Tongshankou adakitic magmas through the mantle, considering that MgO, Cr, and Ni contents and ePNd(t) values of the adakitic magmas were possibly elevated and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios were possibly lowered due to the contamination of mantle peridotites. In addition, the Fe2O3 of the adakitic magmas was likely released into the mantle and the oxygen fugacities (ƒo2) of the latter were obviously possibly raised, which made metallic sulfide in the mantle oxidized and the chalcophile elements such as Cu were incorporated into the adakitic magmas. The ascent of the adakitic magmas enriched in Cu and Mo will lead to the formation of porphyry Cu-Mo deposit. Nevertheless, the Yinzu adakitic magmas were possibly lack of metallogenetic materials due to not interacting with mantle peridotite, and thus unfavorable to metal mineralization.

Adakites and Nb-enriched arc basaltic rocks (NEABs) are identified to occur within the Carboniferous arc volcanic sequence in the Alataw Mountains, Xinjiang. The adakites, which consist of calc-alkaline dacites and rhyolites, are characterized by strong depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) (e.g., Yb) and Y, high Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios, either with no Eu anomalies or obvious positive Eu anomalies, apparent positive Sr anomalies, and depleted Nb and Ti. The Alataw adakites are very geochemically similar to the adakites that were presumably derived from partial melting of subducting oceanic crust. The rhyolitic adakite in the Alataw Mountains shows low MgO contents of 0.35% and Mg# values of about 17. However, the dacitic adakite shows high MgO contents of 2.67% to 3.32% and Mg# values of 53 to 58, suggesting that the adakite was possibly contaminated by mantle peridotite. On the other hand, the NEABs are characterized by Na-rich (Na2O/K2O > 2.0), high P2O5 and TiO2 contents, positive to weakly negative Nb anomalies, and non-negative Ti anomalies, suggesting that the NEABs were probably derived from partial melting of mantle peridotite that interacted with slab melt under high geothermal gradient. The Alataw adakites were probably derived from partial melting of oceanic crust on the southern margin of the Junggar plate that was subducted beneath the Bole block in the Carboniferous. The Alataw adakites-NEABs association implies that the partial melting of the subducting oceanic crust and the succedent interactions between the slab melt and peridotite in the mantle wedge possibly took place under the Bole arc in Carboniferous. On the southern margin of the Junggar plate, the Carboniferous subduction of oceanic crust (basin) was possibly extensive in the late Paleozoic era. In the Alataw area, high geothermal gradient possibly occurred in Carboniferous, and partial melting of subducting oceanic crust was a probable mechanism of Carboniferous regional crust growth.

Volcanic rocks with adakitic compositional signature have been recognized in the northern margin of ancient Junggar island arc for the Late Paleozoic. These adakites for the early Devonian from the Tuoranggekudouke Group (D1t) are characteristic of high Sr, Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N but low Y, Yb and HREE. Their compositional characteristics are much similar to those of the typical adakites in the world but distinct from those of the normal arc volcanic rocks from the same Group. We conclude that these adakitic volcanic rocks were produced by slab melting during the early period of Paleoasia-ocean lithosphere subduction. This infers that the Paleoasia Ocean in the north Junggar area began a new subduction process in the early Devonian.

The sodium-rich dacites and albite porphyries of Permian in the Awulale Mountain of west Tianshan have unique chemical and trace element signatures identical to adakite. These intermediate-acidic igneous rocks are characterized by high Na2O, Al2O3 and Sr contents and high Sr/Y and La/Y ratios (> 40 and > 20, respectively), and low Y and Yb contents, and strong depletion in HREE, and positive Eu anomaly. The (143Nd/144Nd)i is in the range from 0.51236 to 0.51248 and the eNd(t) is positive value (+0.79+3.11); the (87Sr/86Sr)i is in the range from 0.7052 to 0.7054. These Nd and Sr isotopic composition features indicate that the source rocks of these adakite-type rocks are from a weakly depleted mantle, or a depleted mantle, but was contaminated by the crustal materials. These adakite-type rocks were most likely derived from the partial melting of new underplated basaltic rocks under the conditions of amphibolite to eclogite transition in the postcollisional environment of North Xinjiang during the Permian Period. They are not only the Phanerozoic juvenile crust materials, but also are probably animportant symbol of the underplating of mantlederived basaltic magmas and the vertical growth of continental crust in the west Tianshan area during the postcollision of Late Paleozoic.

Sediment cores were collected from deep-water areas of Lake Chenghai, China in June 1997. The vertical profile of 137Cs activity gives reliable geochronological results. The results also indicate that sediment accumulation rates in deep-water areas of Lake Chenghai were relatively constant in recent decades, averaging 0.43 g cm− 2 y− 1, despite a variable organic carbon influx. 210Pbeq (= 226Ra) activity was relatively constant also, with an average value of 54.3 ± 3.2 Bq kg− 1. Vertical profiles of 210Pbex (= 210Pbtotal − 226Ra) decreased exponentially, resulting in somewhat lower sediment accumulation rates (0.3 g cm− 2 y− 1). These lower rates are likely less reliable, as the relatively large fluctuations in 210Pbex activities correlate closely to the organic carbon (Corg) content of the sediments. For example, the vertical profile of 210Pbex activity displays peaks at mass depths of 3.7–4.7 g cm− 2 (10–12 cm) and 10–11 g cm− 2(25–28 cm), similar to the maxima in the vertical profile of Corg. This phenomenon must be related to the delivery of particulate organic matter (POM) from the water to the sediments, or to watershed soil erosion. Since the mean atomic ratios of Horg / Corg and Corg / Norg in Lake Chenghai sediments are 5.5 and 7.0, respectively, indicating that POM was predominantly derived from the remains of authigenic algae, this eliminates watershed erosion rates as a primary control on lake sedimentation rates as resolved by 210Pbex. Sedimentation fluxes (F(Corg)) of particulate organic carbon since 1970 varied between 60 to 160 g m− 2 y− 1, and appeared to closely influence variations in 210Pbex concentrations. For example, sedimentation fluxes of 210Pbex (F(210Pbex)) showed maxima in the years 1972–1974 and 1986–1989, likely reflecting historical variations of lake biological productivity or carbon preservation.

The uplifting of the Himalayas has resulted in the development of a three-tiered landform in Southern China, the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is the middle tier of this landform on the eastern slope of the Himalayas. Lake Hongfeng and Lake Baihua in central Guizhou are about 1000 km away from Lake Erhai in western Yunnan. Sediment cores were collected from Lakes Erhai and Lugu in west Yunnan and Lakes Hongfeng and Baihua in central Guizhou, along with 28 surface soil cores from the watersheds of these lakes. The accumulation characteristics of 7xxxx Be and 137yyyy Cs show that: (1) 137 Cs activities in the soil cores of central Guizhou were higher than that in the western Yunnan. The activities and maximum penetrative depth of 7 Be were similar for the two regions. The activity ratio of 7 Be/ 137 Cs in surface soil reached 100–1000 in western Yunnan, but only 10–100 for central Guizhou region. (2) 7 Be inventories in soil cores at most sampling sites of central Guizhou were low, reflecting severe soil erosion. 7 Be inventories in the soil cores of Lake Lugu watershed in summer–autumn were higher than that in Lake Hongfeng/Baihua watershed and also higher than that in Lake Erhai watershed. This could be related to high 7 Be precipitation in summer and altitude. (3) 7 Be inventories in sediment cores of Lake Erhai, Lake Lugu and Lake Baihua were 237±73, 322±19 and 783±44 Bq m −2 , respectively. Based on activity values that were corrected to deposition, prior to 1986, 137 Cs inventories in these lakes were 519±26, 937±13 and 3704±56 Bq m −2 , respectively. (4) Modeling indicated that 7 Be and 137 Cs accumulations in Lake Hongfeng and Lake Baihua were dominated by watershed erosion, and controlled by the retention factor in Lake Erhai and Lake Lugu, but the 137 Cs inventory ratios obtained in the sediment core and from direct atmospheric fallout were similar, and the ratios were smaller for 7 Be. (5) 7 Be inventories from direct atmospheric fallout in Lake Erhai, Lake Lugu and Lake Baihua were 0.07±0.02, 0.29±0.02 and 0.08±0.01 Bq m −2 , respectively. Prior to 1986, 137 Cs inventories were 0.11±0.01, 0.22±0.01 and 0.37±0.01 Bq m −2 , respectively, showing that 137 Cs deposition has a regional difference. This phenomenon may reflect that uplift of the Himalayas has a screening effect on the fallout of globally distributed atmospheric pollutants in western Yunnan, China.