Magmatic evolution and post-crystallization hydrothermal activity in the early Cretaceous Pingtan intrusive complex, SE China: records from apatite geochemistry

We conducted in situ geochemical (major-, trace-element and Nd isotope compositions) analyses on apatite, together with whole-rock geochemistry from gabbro, granodiorite and granite in the Cretaceous Pingtan intrusive complex (SE China), aiming to investigate the roles of magmatic evolution and post-crystallization hydrothermal activity during its formation. Regardless of limited range in initial Nd isotopes ranges in both bulk rock [ɛNd(t) = − 2.0 to − 0.4] and associated apatite [ɛNd(t) = − 3.8 to − 0.4] from the Pingtan igneous complex, the apatite shows wide compositional and textural variations from gabbro to granite. Apatite from the gabbro (Group 1) displays a zoning structure characterized by increasing F and Sr but decreasing Cl and LREE from the core to rim. The increase of Sr from the core to rim is attributed to plagioclase accumulation, and the decreases of LREE and Cl from the core to rim is caused by post-crystallization hydrothermal activity. The high Cl content in the primitive Group 1 apatite further suggests derivation of the mafic magma from a mantle wedge metasomatized by Cl-rich sediment. In contrast, apatite from the granite (Group 2) has the lowest Cl and Sr but the highest F and Yb contents, which can be further divided into two subgroups of Group 2A and 2B based on texture and composition. Group 2A apatite shows homogenous composition with trace elements similar to apatite from I-type granite. The positive correlation between Sr and Eu/Eu* indicates that crystallization of Group 2A apatite is co-precipitated with a feldspar-dominated fractionation. However, Group 2B apatite contains mineral inclusion of monazite and has the highest U content and F/Cl ratio, resembling apatite from S-type or highly fractionated I-type granite. These features are consistent with the influence of post-crystallization hydrothermal activity. Apatite from the granodiorite (Group 3) has an intermediate composition between Group 1 and 2A apatite and shows a homogenous texture with trace element features similar to that from I-type granite. Group 3 apatite defined a negative correlation of Sr with La/Yb, which is attributed to fractional crystallization of hornblende and plagioclase. The geochemistry of apatite indicates that the gabbro and granitic rocks of the Pingtan intrusive complex were, respectively, derived from the mantle and crustal sources with similar ɛNd(t) values. Our study, therefore, demonstrates that apatite geochemistry has a potential to monitor the magma source, magmatic evolution and post-crystallization fluid activity of an igneous complex.