SHRIMP Geochronology of Volcanics of the Zhangjiakou and Yixian Formations, Northern Hebei Province, with a Discussion on the Age of the Xing'anling Group of the Great Hinggan Mountains and Volcanic Strata of the Southeastern Coastal Area of China

A zircon U-Pb geochronological study on the volcanic rocks reveals that both of the Zhangjiakou and Yixian Formations, northern Hebei Province, are of the Early Cretaceous, with ages of 135-130 Ma and 129-120 Ma, respectively. It is pointed out that the ages of sedimentary basins and volcanism in the northern Hebei -western Liaoning area become younger from west to east, i. e. the volcanism of the Luanping Basin commenced at c. 135 Ma, the Luotuo Mount area of the Chengde Basin c. 130 Ma, and western Liaoning c. 128 Ma. With a correlation of geochronological stratigraphy and biostratigraphy, we deduce that the Xing'anling Group, which comprises the Great Hinggan Mountains volcanic rock belt in eastern China, is predominantly of the early-middle Early Cretaceous, while the Jiande and Shimaoshan Groups and their equivalents, which form the volcanic rock belt in the southeastern coast area of China, are of the mid-late Early Cretaceous, and both the Jehol and Jiande Biotas are of the Early Cretaceous, not Late Jurassic or Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. Combining the characteristics of the volcanic rocks and, in a large area, hiatus in the strata of the Late Jurassic or Late Jurassic-early Early Cretaceous between the formations mentioned above and the underlying sequences, we can make the conclusion that, in the Late Jurassic-early Early Cretaceous, the eastern China region was of high relief or plateau, where widespread post-orogenic volcanic series of the Early Cretaceous obviously became younger from inland in the west to continental margin in the east. This is not the result of an oceanward accretion of the subduction belt between the Paleo-Pacific ocean plate and the Asian continent, but rather reflects the extension feature, i.e. after the closure of the Paleo-Pacific ocean, the Paleo-Pacific ancient continent collided with the Asian continent and reached the peak of orogenesis, and then the compression waned and resulted in the retreating of the post-orogenic extension from outer orogenic zone to inner part (or collision zone). The determination of the eruption age of the volcanics of the Zhangjiakou Formation definitely constrains the switch period, which began in the Indosinian and finished in the Yanshanian, that is, 140-135 Ma. The switch is concretely the change from the approximate E-W Paleo-Asian tectonic system to the NE to NNE Pacific system, and the period is also the apex of a continent-continent collision and orogenesis of subduction, being consumed and eventually disappearing of the Paleo-Pacific ancient continent, and all the processes commenced in the Indosinian. While the following post-orogenic large-scale eruption in the Early Cretaceous marks the final completeness of the Paleo-Pacific structure dynamics system.

Symbiosis of Marshes and Permafrost in Da and Xiao Hinggan Mountains in Northeastern China

Recently, the degradation of permafrost and marsh environments in the Da and Xiao Hinggan Mountains has become a great concern as more human activities and pronounced climate warming were observed during the past 30 years and projected for the near future. The distr/bution patterns and development mechanisms of the permafrost and marshes have been examined both in theories and in field observations, in order to better understand the symbiosis of permafrost and marshes. The permafrost and marshes in the Da and Xiao Hinggan Mountains display discernible zonations in latitude and elevation. The marsh vegetation canopy, litter and peat soil have good thermal insulation properties for the underlying permafrost, resulting in a thermal offset of 3 ℃ to 4℃ and subsequently suppressing soil temperature. In addition, the much higher thermal conductivity of frozen and ice-rich peat in the active layer is conducive to the development or in favor of the protection of permafrost due to the semi-conductor properties of the soils overlying the permafrost. On the other hand, because permafrost is almost impervious, the osmosis of water in marsh soils can be effectively reduced, timely providing water supplies for helophytes growth or germination in spring. In the Da and Xiao Hinggan Mountains, the permafrost degradation has been accelerating due to the marked climate warming, ever increasing human activities, and the resultant eco-environmental changes. Since the permafrost and marsh environments are symbiotic and interdependent, they need to be managed or protected in a well-coordinated and integrated way.

Alkaline Intrusives at the East Foot of the Taihang-Da Hinggan Mountains:Chronology,Sr,Nd and Pb Isotopic Characteristics and Their Implications

Based on the Rb-Sr isochron dating results, this paper suggests that the alkaline intrusive belt at the east foot of the Taihang-Da Hinggan Mountains were formed between 135 and 122 Ma. And the alkaline intrusives in the north and south sections of this belt have entirely different Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics, i.e., all the rocks in the south section have positive εSr(t) and negative εNd(t) values and all those in the north have the opposite values. On the εSr(t) versus εNd(t) correlation diagram, the samples from the south are concentrated along the enriched mantle evolution trend lines and nearby, while those from the north fall along the depleted mantle trend lines and nearby. On the Pb isotope composition diagram, most of the samples from the south section fall on the mantle Pb evolution line and nearby, while those from the north lie between the Pb evolution lines of the mantle and the erogenic belt. The above-stated isotopic characteristics not only indicate that the source rocks of the alkaline intrusives in the south section have a close connection to materials from the enriched mantle reservoir, while those in the north are related to materials from the depleted one, but also reveal that the upper mantle below the North China platform is enriched and that below the Inner Mongolia geosyncline is depleted.

Discovery and Significance of Quaternary Glacial Vestiges in the Hexigten Area of the Southern Da Hinggan Mountains, Inner Mongolia

The question whether there have been Quaternary glaciations in the Da Hinggan area has puzzled glacial geologists for many years because no sufficient glacial evidence has been found in this area. The study of Quaternary glaciers in the Da Hinggan area is also a key issue of the glaciology in China because of the special location of this area. In the past two years, a large number of complete and typical glacial vestiges have been found in Hexigten in the southern Da Hinggan Mountains, such as fossil cirque groups, horns, knife-edge crests, terminal moraines, glacial stepped stones. These landforms are located at a watershed, which are thus impossible to be formed due to tectonic processes, water or weathering, but can only be formed by glaciation. The calculated flat indexes of the fossil cirques in the Hexigten are 1.7-4.5, 4-5 and 1.3-5, which are within the range of 1.7-5 that is the flat index of real cirques. The typical and complete moraines have also been found in this area. All these glacial vestiges prove that the Quaternary glaciers did exist in the Da Hinggan Mountains of eastern China. Thus, it is of important scientific significance for the research on Chinese, even the global climatic and environmental evolution since the Quaternary.

Geology and Geochemistry of the Bianbianshan Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn Deposit, Southern Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeastern China

The Bianbianshan deposit, the unique gold-polymetal （Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn） veined deposit of the polymetal metallogenic belt of the southern segment of Da Hinggan Mountains mineral province, is located at the southern part of the Hercynian fold belt of the south segment of Da Hinggan Mountains mineral province, NE China. Ores at the Bianbianshan deposit occur within Cretaceous andesite and rhyolite in the form of gold-bearing quartz veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite. The deposit is hosted by structurally controlled faults associated with intense hydrothermal alteration. The typical alteration assemblage is sericite ＋ chlorite ＋ calcite ＋ quartz, with an inner pyrite-sericite-quartz zone and an outer seicite - chlorite - calcite-epidote zone between orebodies and wall rocks. δ34 S values of 17 sulfides from ores changing from -1.67 to ＋0.49‰ with average of -0.49‰, are similar to δ34 S values of magmatic or igneous sulfide sulfur. 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/ 204Pb data of sulfide from ores range within 17.66-17.75, 15.50-15.60, and 37.64-38.00, respectively. These sulfur and lead isotope compositions imply that ore-forming materials might mainly originate from deep sources. H and O isotope study of quartz from ore-bearing veins indicate a mixed source of deep-seated magmatic water and shallower meteoric water. The ore formations resulted from a combination of hydrothermal fluid mixing and a structural setting favoring gold-polymetal deposition. Fluid mixing was possibly the key factor resulting in Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn deposition in the deposit. The metallogenesis of the Bianbianshan deposit may have a relationship with the Cretaceous volcanic-subvolcanic magmatic activity, and formed during the late stage of the crust thinning of North China.

Effects of Forest Roads on Habitat Pattern for Sables in Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeasten China

The anthropogenic managements of forest have created a network of roads resulting in the loss and alternation of habitat. To better understand road′s impact on animal habitats, we assessed the habitat pattern of sables(Martes zibellina), one of rodents within national first-class protected species, when roads are considered in Huzhong area in Da Hinggan Mountains, northeastern China. Employing published literatures about behavior ecology, aerial photographs and forest stand maps, we classified the study area into three habitat types including best-suitable, suitable and unsuitable habitats based on sable habitat requirements at the landscape scale including four variables derived from forest source map with attribute database. Results indicated the loss and significant fragmentation of best-suitable habitat and home range habitat when roads, especially 150 m avoidance distance of roads, were considered. The roads reduced and fragmented highly suitable habitats more significantly during earlier development period than the later development period. Additionally, the suitable area percentage increased with increasing distance to roads. This study helped to identify the suitable area for sables and location of sable population. Also, this study suggested the passage construction and road management involving road closure and removal will reduce the fragmentation functionally and benefit the sable population.

Responses of Soil Fauna Structure and Leaf Litter Decomposition to Effective Microorganism Treatments in Da Hinggan Mountains,China

Microorganisms are nutritious resources for various soil fauna.Although soil fauna grazing affects microorganism composition and decomposition rate,the responses of soil fauna and leaf litter decomposition to added microorganism is little understood.In this study,in the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest of Tahe County in the northern Da Hinggan Mountains,China,three sampling sites(each has an area of 10 m2) were selected.The first two sites were sprinkled with 250 times(EM1) and 1000 times(EM2) diluted effective microorganism(EM) preparations evenly,and the third site was sprinkled with the same volume of water as a control site.The responses of soil fauna structure and leaf litter decomposition to EM treatment were conducted during three years.The results revealed that EM treatment resulted in significant increase of soil organic matter.The number of soil fauna in the EM1 and EM2 sites increased by 12.88% and 2.23% compared to the control site,and among them springtails and mites showed the highest increase.However,the groups of soil fauna in the EM1 and EM2 sites decreased by 6 and 9,respectively.And the changes in the diversity and evenness index were relatively complicated.EM treatment slowed the decomposition of broad-leaved litter,but accelerated the decomposition of coniferous litter.However,the decomposition rate of broad-leaved litter was still higher than that of coniferous litter.The results of this study suggested that the added microorganisms could help individual growth of soil fauna,and this method led to a change in the process of leaf litter decomposition.This paper did not analyze the activity of soil microorganisms,thus it is difficult to clearly explain the complex relationships among litter type,soil fauna and soil microorganisms.Further research on this subject is needed.

Fluid Inclusion Geochemistry of Metallic Ore Deposits in the South- Central Sector of theDa Hinggan Mountains in China

Physicochemical parameters of mineralization such as temperature, pressure, salinity, density, composition and boiling of ore fluids as well as pH, Eh, fo2 and reducing parameter in theprocess of mineralization of major ore deposits in the study district have been obtained by the authors through systematic observation and determination of characteristics and phase changes of fluid inclusions at different temperatures and analysis of gaseous and liquid phase compositions of the inclusions, thus providing a scientific basis for the division of mineralization-alteration stages, types of mineral deposits and minerogenetic series and the deepening of the knowledge about the ore-forming processes and mechanisms of mineral deposits. It is indicated that the deposits of the same type have similar fluid inclusion geochemical features and physicochemical parameters though they belong to different minerogenetic series, while the compositions of inclusions are not conditioned by deposit types but closely related to the minerogenetic series of deposits.

Dynamics of Soil Fauna in Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeast China

The dynamics of soil animals was studied in seven representative forest communities in the north of the Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeast China. The results indicate that it was distinctive in the changes of the numbers of soil animals and groups and diversity in relationship with seasons for macrofauna and meso-micro fauna in the study area. The numbers of the observed soil animals in different months were: October>August>June. Group number was larger in August and October, but smaller in June. The change of diversity index in different months was: August>June>Oc- tober. The biomass for macrofauna in different months was: October>June>August. The composition and number of each functional group was relatively stable. In the community of the predominant soil environment, the percentage of saprophagous animals was higher than carnivorous animals and herbivorous animals. The dynamics changes of sapro- phagous and carnivorous animals were distinctive, increasing from June to October, while the change of herbivorous animals was unremarkable.

RS AND GIS-BASED FOREST FIRE RISK ZONE MAPPING IN DA HINGGAN MOUNTAINS

The Da Hinggan Mountains is one of the most important forest areas in China, but forest fire there is also of high frequency. So it is completely necessary to map forest fire risk zones in order to effectively manage and protect the forest resources. Two forest farms of Tuqiang Forest Bureau (53 degrees 34'-52 degrees 15'N,124 degrees 05'-122 degrees 18'E) were chosen as typical areas in this study. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) play a vital role and can be used effectively to obtain and combine different forest-fire-causing factors for demarcating the forest fire risk zone map. Forest fire risk zones were described by assigning subjective weights to the classes of all the coverage layers according to their sensitivity to fire, using the ARC/INFO GIS software. Four classes of forest fire risk ranging from low to extremely high were generated automatically in ARC/INFO. The results showed that about 60.33% of the study area were predicted to be upper moderate risk zones, indicating that the forest fire management task in this area is super onerous. The RS and GIS-based forest fire risk model of the study area was found to be highly compatible with the actual fire-affected sites in 1987. Therefore the forest fire risk zone map can be used for guidance of forest fire management, and as basis for fire prevention strategies.

Latest Zircon U-Pb Age of the Baiyingaolao Formation Volcanic Rocks in the Keyihe Area of North-Central Da Hinggan Mountains

Objective Mesozoic volcanic rocks are mainly distributed in the Da Hinggan Mountains.The Baiyingaolao Formation is the main stratum in this area and has been considered to be formed in the Late Jurassic.Many scholars have researched these Mesozoic volcanic rocks in this area,which have been much debatable（Zhang Xiangxin et al.,2017）.A series of studies focusing on the Baiyingaolao Formation volcanic rocks in the middle-south section of

Value Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services in the Da Hinggan Mountains, China

This study examined regional differences in ecosystem services for the Da Hinggan Mountains(DHM),China.A correction index was constructed based on ten-year average net primary productivity(NPP)data.A new equivalent factor table that was suitable for the assessment of wetlands in the DHM was formed by using the expert weight determination method(EWDM).An evaluation model was established for evaluating the ecosystem service value(ESV)of wetlands in the DHM.The results show that in 2020,the total ESV of wetlands reached 93361×10^(6) USD,with the forest swamp and marsh ecosystems contributing the most.From the perspective of value composition,regulating services and supporting services are the main service functions of wetlands in the DHM.From 2010 to2020,ESV provided by wetlands increased by 4337×10^(6) USD/yr in the DHM.The value of forest swamp and peatland ecosystems increased by 18.6%and 12.7%,respectively,whereas the value of swamp,shrub swamp,and marsh decreased.The research results are of significance for contributing to local government performance evaluation and determining financial compensation for the provision of wetland ecosystem services.

Vegetation impact on the thermal regimes of the active layer and near-surface permafrost in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, Northeastern China

The ground temperature and active layer are greatly influenced by vegetation in the Greater Hinggan Mountains in Northeastern China.However,vegetation,as a complex system,is difficult to separate the influence of its different components on the ground thermal regime.In this paper,four vegetation types,including a Larix dahurica-Ledum palustre var.dilatatum-Bryum forest（P1）,a L.dahurica-Betula fruticosa forest（P2）,a L.dahurica-Carex tato forest（P3） in the China Forest Ecological Research Network Station in Genhe,and a Carex tato swamp（P4） at the permafrost observation site in Yitulihe,have been selected to study and compare their seasonal and annual influence on the ground thermal regime.Results show that the vegetation insulates the ground resulting in a relatively high ground temperature variability in the Carex tato swamp where there are no tree stands and shrubs when compared with three forested vegetation types present in the area.Vegetation thickness,structure,and coverage are the most important factors that determine the insulating properties of the vegetation.In particular,the growth of ground cover,its water-holding capacity and ability to intercept snow exert a significant effect on the degree of insulation of the soil under the same vegetation.

New Zircon U-Pb Ages of Granitic Rocks in Northeastern Jiagedaqi of the Da Hinggan Mountains and their Significance

Objective The research area is located in the north of the Xing＇an block and within the Ali River-Zhalantun granite belt in the eastern part of the Xingmeng orogenic belt. The geotectonic setting and geological evolution history of this area are complex with strong magmatic activity and extremely developed granite rocks. Since predecessors have not obtained accurate dating result, there is much controversy over the formation of granitic rocks. Therefore, this work conducted zircon U-Ph dating on alkali-feldspar granite and granite porphyry in the northeast of Jiagedaqi to provide age constraint. The age data shows that the forming age is the Early Cretaceous and provides age basis for the tectonic evolution of the Da Hinggan Mountains.

Re-Os Geochronology of Porphyry Molybdenum Deposit in South Segment of Da Hinggan Mountains,Northeast China

The ages for porphyry Mo deposits in south segment of Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeast China, are not well known. Five molyhdenite samples from the Aolunhua （奥伦花） porphyry Mo deposit, five molybdenite samples from the Yangchang （羊场） porphyry-quartz vein Mo deposit and two molybdenite samples from the Banlashan （半拉山） porphyry Mo deposit were selected for Re-Os dating. Three deposits are spatial-temporally associated with the granite porphyry stock. Re-Os isochron age of 131.2±1.9 Ma was obtained for the Aolunhua porphyry Mo deposit. The Yangchang Mo deposit provides isochron age of 138.5±4.5 Ma for two groups of molybdenite （within porphyry ore and within quartz vein）. The Banlashan porphyry Mo deposit provides model ages of 140.5±2.4 and 143±2.2 Ma. All of these Re-Os ages are consistent presumed Yanshanian ages for granite intrusions, formed in crust thinning setting in Cretaceous in North China.

Quaternary volcanism in the Nuomin River and Kuile River area of the Greater Hinggan Mountains

Field investigations have determined 24 Quaternary volcanoes and volcanic rocks with an area of about 600 km 2 in the Nuomin River and Kuile River area in the north of the Greater Hinggan Mountains.In the volcanic field,explosive eruption produced pyroclasts,which constitute volcanic cones,and effusive eruption produced aa,pahoehoe and block lava,which make up lava flows.There are three volcano types here,i.e.,cinder cone,spatter cone,and scutulum type volcano.Multi-vent pyroclastic cones and scutulum type volcanoes characterize this volcanic field.The volcanic features,stratigraphy,and weathering extent,in conjunction with dating data,indicate that the volcanism occurred in four periods:early Pleistocene,middle Pleistocene,late Pleistocene,and Holocene.Basalts of the early Pleistocene dominated by lava flows were distributed in a few valleys.Volcanic products of the middle Pleistocene constitute the main part of the Quaternary volcanic deposits,which indicates the peak season of volcanism.Volcanism in the late Pleistocene and Holocene were constrained in the Bila River valley,products of which make up fresh lava flows and spectacular volcanoes.

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age of rhyolitic lithic-crystal tuffs in Erdaohezi lead-zinc deposit,Inner Mongolia

Erdaohezi lead-zinc deposit belongs to the Derbugan metallogenic belt lying on the northwestern Hailaer-Genhe Mesozoic volcanic basin, located on the western slope of the Da Hinggan Mountains. The deposit is considered as one of the hypabyssal low-temprature hydrothermal lead-zinc deposits associated with volca- nism. In order to lay the foundation on studying its diagenesis and mineralization ages, the detailed studies were carried out by dating the host rocks （i. e. rhyolitic lithic-crystal tufts） using zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb method. The dating results show three groups ot! ages. The first group is the captured zircons （the weighted mean ^206pb/238U age as 175.6± 2.3 Ma, MSWD = 0.70, n = 3）. The second group can be regarded as the rock- forming age （the weighted mean ^206pb/238U age as 165.3± 1.9 Ma, MSWD = 2.40, n = 14）. The third group should represent the late stage of the magmatic evolution （the weighted mean ^206pb/238U age as 161.0 ± 3.1 Ma, MSWD = 0.86, n = 4）. According to the ages and the crystal form or CL image characteristics of zircons, it is determined that the diagenesis occurred in the late Middle Jurassic. Based on the regional geology and geo- chronological research, the acidic pyroclastic rocks are space accompaniment and time connection with the Tamu- langou Formation intermediate-mafic volcanic rocks. Both of them constitute the host rocks of the deposit together. The rock combination also provides favorable conditions for large-scale silver, lead and zinc mineralization in this area.