Crystal Chemistry and Geochronology of Thorium-Rich Monazite from Kovela Granitic Complex,Southern Finland

Abundant porphyritic granites, including Grt-bearing and Bt-bearing porphyritic granites, and porphyritic potash-feldspar granite (trondhjemite-granitic composition) are widely distributed within the Kovela granitic complex Southern Finland, which associated with monazite-bearing dikes (strong trondhjemite composition). The investigated monazite-bearing dikes are dominated by a quartz + K-feldspar + plagioclase + biotite + garnet + monazite assemblage. The monazite forms complexly zoned subhedral to euhedral crystals variable in size (100 - 1500 μm in diameter) characterized by high Th content. The chemical zoning characterised as: 1) concentric, 2) patchy, and 3) intergrowth-like. Textural evidence suggests that these accessory minerals crystallized at an early magmatic stage, as they are commonly associated with clusters of the observed variations in their chemical composition are largely explained by the huttonite exchange , and subordinately by the cheralite exchange with proportions of huttonite (ThSiO4) and cheralite [CaTh(PO4)2] up to 20.4% and 9.8%, respectively. Textural evidence suggests that these monazites and associated Th-rich minerals (huttonite/thorite) crystallized at an early magmatic stage, rather than metamorphic origin. The total lanthanide and actinide contents in monazite and host dikes are strongly correlated. Mineral compositions applied to calculate P-T crystallization conditions using different approaches reveal a temperature range of 700°C - 820°C and pressure 3 - 6 kbars for the garnet-biotite geothermometry. P-T pseudo-section analyses calculated using THERMOCALC software for the bulk compositions of suitable rock types, constrain the PT conditions of garnet growth equilibration within the range of 5 - 6 kbars and 760°C - 770°C respectively. Empirical calculations and pseudo-section approaches indicate a clockwise P-T path for the rocks of the studied area. 207Pb/206Pb dating of monazite by LA-MC-ICPMS revealed a recrystallization period at around 1860 - 1840 Ma. These ages are related to the tectonic-thermal event associated with the intense crustal melting and intra-orogenic intrusions, constraining the youngest time limit for metamorphic processes in the Kovela granitic complex.

TWO EPISODES OF MONAZITE CRYSTALLIZATION DURING METAMORPHISM AND CRUSTAL MELTING IN THE EVEREST REGION OF THE NEPALESE HIMALAYA

New monazite U\|Pb geochronological data from the Everest region suggest that 20～25Ma elapsed between the initial India—Asia collision and kyanite\|sillimanite grade metamorphism. Our results indicate a two\|phase metamorphic history, with peak Barrovian metamorphism at (32 2±0 4)Ma and a later high\|temperature, low\|pressure event (620℃, 400MPa) at (22 7±0 2)Ma.. Emplacement and crystallization of the Everest granite subsequently occurred at 20 5～21 3Ma. The monazite crystallization ages that differ by 10Ma are recorded in two structurally adjacent rocks of different lithology, which have the same post collisional p—T history.. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the younger monazite is elaborately shaped and grew in close association with apatite at grain boundaries and triple junctions, suggesting that growth was stimulated by a change in the fluid regime. The older monazite is euhedral, is not associated with apatite, and is commonly armoured within silicate minerals. During the low\|pressure metamorphic event, the armouring protected the older monazites, and a lack of excess apatite in this sample prevented new growth. Textural relationships suggest that apatite is one of the necessary monazite\|producing reactants, and spots within monazite that are rich in Ca, Fe, Al and Si suggest that allanite acted as a preexisting rare earth element host. We propose a simplified reaction for monazite crystallization based on this evidence.

Structures of Syn-deformational Granites in the Longquanguan Shear Zone and Their Monazite Electronic Microprobe Dating

The Longquanguan shear zone is an important structural belt in the North China Craton, separating the underlying Fuping complex from the overlying Wutai complex. This shear zone has experienced three episodes of deformation: the first and main episode is a ductile top-to-ESE shear along the gently northwest-west dipping foliations, while the other two episodes are later collapse sliding. Prolonged granites parallel to the shear foliations make one of the main compositions of the Longquanguan shear zone. These granites experienced deformation to form mylonitic rocks when they emplaced during the first episode of deformation. Structural characters of the granites and their contacts to the country rocks indicate that these granites possibly resulted from in-situ partial remelting by shearing, i.e., they are syn-deformational granites. Monazites in these mylonitic granites are magmatic minerals and their crystallization ages may represent ages of the magmatic events, and also the ages for the main deformation of the Longquanguan shear zone. Monazite electronic microprobe dating were carried on two samples of granite, which gives multiple peak ages, among which 1,846 Ma and 1,877 Ma are the main peak ages for the two samples. These ages represent the main deformation of the Longquanguan shear zone, which is consistent with the main regional geological event at about 1,850 Ma caused by the collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks in North China. The good match between the monazite ages and the corresponding regional tectono-thermal events shows the feasibility and reliability of monazite electronic microprobe dating.

Timing of granite pegmatite-type high-purity quartz deposit in the Eastern Qinling,China:constraints from in-situ LA-ICP-MS trace analyses of quartz and monazite U–Pb dating

Eastern Qinling,China is one of the important rare metal metallogenic provinces with extensively distributed granite pegmatite dikes.The No.5 granite pegmatite intruded into the granitic gneiss of the Qinling Group,and the major minerals are quartz(39.8%),K-feldspar(18.8%),albite(36.3%),muscovite(3.4%),and garnet(1.1%).Monazite U–Pb isotopic dating indicates that the No.5 pegmatite from the Eastern Qinling was emplaced at ca.420.2±2.2 Ma,which confirms that highpurity quartz mineralization probably formed during the Early Devonian.In-situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of quartz show that quartz samples from Eastern Qinling have total trace element concentrations(Al,Ti,Sc,Li,B,Cr,Mn,and Fe)ranging from 23.2 to 52.8 ppm,slightly higher than the quartz(impurity element content from 13.4 to 25.9 ppm)of the Spruce Pine high-purity quartz deposit in western North Carolina.The No.5 pegmatite of Eastern Qinling could be defined as one high-purity quartz deposit of China.

Chemical U-Th-Pb Monazite Dating of Deformations versus Pluton Emplacement and the Proterozoic History of the Arkansas River Region,Colorado,USA

Five lengthy periods involving multiple phases of cordierite and andalusite growth were revealed by detailed studies of foliation inflection/intersection axes （FIA） preserved in porphyroblasts in schists from the Arkansas River region in Colorado, USA. The regionally consistent character of the succession of five different FIA trends enabled the relative timing of each FIA with respect to the next to be determined. The FIA succession from first to last is： FIA 1 trending W-E, FIA 2 trending SSW- NNE, FIA 3 trending NNW-SSE, FIA 4 trending NW-SE and FIA 5 trending SW-NE. For four of the FIA sets, samples were found containing monazite grains preserved as inclusions. These were dated on an electron microprobe. The ages obtained concur exactly with the FIA succession, with FIA 1 at 1506±15 Ma, FIA 2 at 1467±23 Ma, FIA 3 at 1425±18 Ma, FIA 4 not dated and FIA 5 at 1366±20 Ma. These ages are directly reflected in a succession of plutons in the surrounding region dated by other isotopic approaches, suggesting that deformation, metamorphism and pluton emplacement occurred together episodically, but effectively continuously, for some 140 Ma.

Nanoscale resetting of the Th/Pb system in an isotopically-closed monazite grain: A combined atom probe and transmission electron microscopy study

Understanding the mechanisms of parent-daughter isotopic mobility at the nanoscale is key to rigorous interpretation of Ue The Pb data and associated dating. Until now, all nanoscale geochronological studies on geological samples have relied on either Transmission Electron Microscope(TEM) or Atom Probe Microscopy(APM) characterizations alone, thus suffering from the respective weaknesses of each technique. Here we focus on monazite crystals from a ~1 Ga, ultrahigh temperature granulite from Rogaland(Norway). This sample has recorded concordant UeP b dates(measured by LA-ICP-MS) that range over 100 My, with the three domains yielding distinct isotopic Ue Pb ages of 1034 ± 6 Ma(D1; Srich core), 1005 ± 7 Ma(D2), and 935 ± 7 Ma(D3), respectively. Combined APM and TEM characterization of these monazite crystals reveal phase separation that led to the isolation of two different radiogenic Pb(Pb*) reservoirs at the nanoscale. The S-rich core of these monazite crystals contains Cae Srich clusters, 5 -10 nm in size, homogenously distributed within the monazite matrix with a mean interparticle distance of 40 -60 nm. The clusters acted as a sink for radiogenic Pb(Pb*) produced in the monazite matrix, which was reset at the nanoscale via Pb diffusion while the grain remained closed at the micro-scale. Compared to the concordant ages given by conventional micro-scale dating of the grain,the apparent nano-scale age of the monazite matrix in between clusters is about 100 Myr younger, which compares remarkably well to the duration of the metamorphic event. This study highlights the capabilities of combined APM-TEM nano-structural and nano-isotopic characterizations in dating and timing of geological events, allowing the detection of processes untraceable with conventional dating methods.

Timing of metamorphism and deformation in the Swat valley, northern Pakistan:Insight into garnet-monazite HREE partitioning

New metamorphic petrology and geochronology from the Loe Sar dome in the Swat region of northern Pakistan place refined constraints on the pressure, temperature and timing of metamorphism and deformation in that part of the Himalayan orogen. Thermodynamic modelling and monazite petrochronology indicate that metamorphism in the area followed a prograde evolution from ～525 ± 25 ℃and 6 士 0.5 kbar to ～610 ± 25 ℃ and 9 士 0.5 kbar, between ca. 39 Ma and 28 Ma. Partitioning of heavy rare earth elements between garnet rims and 30-28 Ma monazite are interpreted to indicate coeval crystallization at peak conditions. Microtextural relationships indicate that garnet rim growth post-dated the development of the main foliation in the area. The regional foliation is folded about large-scale N-S trending fold axes and overprinting E-W trending folds to form km-scale domal culminations. The textural relationships observed indicate that final dome development must be younger than the 30-28 Ma monazite that grew with garnet rims post-regional foliation development, but pre-doming-related deformation. This new timing constraint helps resolve discrepancy between previous interpretations,which have alternately suggested that N-S trending regional folds must be either pre-or post-early Oligocene. Finally, when combined with existing hornblende and white mica cooling ages, these new data indicate that the study area was exhumed rapidly following peak metamorphism.

Re-evaluating monazite as a record of metamorphic reactions

This study presents a re-examination of historical specimens(DG136 and DG167)from the Monashee complex in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera that are critical to the current understanding of rare earth element(REE)distribution between garnet and monazite(and other accessory minerals)during metamorphism.Nine-hundred and fifty-one new monazite petrochronology spot analyses on 29 different grains across two specimens outline detailed(re)crystallization histories.Trace element data collected from the same ablated volume,interpreted in the context of new phase equilibria modelling that includes monazite,xenotime and apatite,link ages to specific portions of the pressure-temperature(P-T)paths followed by the specimens.These linkages are further informed by garnet Lu-Hf geochronology and xenotime petrochronology.The clockwise P-T paths indicate prograde metamorphism was ongoing by ca.80 Ma in both specimens.The structurally deeper specimen,DG136,records peak P-T conditions of~755-770℃and 8.8-10.4 kbar,interpreted to coincide with(re-)crystallization of low Y monazite at~75-70 Ma.Near-rim garnet isopleths from DG167 cross in the observed peak assemblage field at~680℃ and 9.3 kbar.These conditions are interpreted to correspond with low Y monazite(re-)crystallisation at~65 Ma.Both specimens record decompression along their retrograde path coincident with high Y 70-55 Ma and 65-55 Ma monazite populations in DG136 and DG167,respectively.These findings broadly agree with those initially reported~20 years ago and confirm early interpretations using trace elements in monazite as generally reliable markers of metamorphic reactions.Modern phase equilibria modelling and in situ petrochronological analysis,however,provide additional insight into monazite behaviour during anatexis and the effects of potential trace element buffering by REE-bearing phases such as apatite.

U-Th-Pb monazite and Sm-Nd dating of high-grade rocks from the Grove Mountains, East Antarctica: further evidence for a Pan-African-aged monometamorphic terrane

The Grove Mountains, 400 km south of the Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station, are an inland continuation of the Pan-African-aged （i.e., Late Neoproterozoic/Cambrian） Prydz Belt, East Antarctica. In this paper we carried out a combined U-Th-Pb monazite and Sm-Nd mineral-whole-rock dating on para- and orthogneisses from bedrock in the Grove Mountains. U-Th-Pb monazite dating of a cordierite-bearing pelitic paragneiss yields ages of 523 ？ 4 Ma for the cores and 508 ？ 6 Ma for the rims. Sm-Nd mineral-whole-rock isotopic analyses yield isochron ages of 536 ？ 3 Ma for a coarse-grained felsic orthogneiss and 507 ？ 30 Ma for a fine-grained quartzofeldspathic paragneiss. Combined with previously published age data in the Grove Mountains and adjacent areas, the older age of ~530 Ma is interpreted as the time of regional medium- to low-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism, and the younger age of ~510 Ma as the cooling age of the granulite terrane. The absence of evidence for a Grenville-aged （i.e., Late Mesoproterozoic/Early Neoproterozoic） metamorphic event indicates that the Grove Mountains have experienced only a single metamorphic cycle, i.e., Pan-African-aged, which distinguishes them from other polymetamorphic terranes in the Prydz Belt. This will provide important constraints on the controversial nature of the Prydz Belt.

Monazite Recovery by Magnetic and Gravity Separation of Medium Grade Zircon Concentrate from Senegalese Heavy Mineral Sands Deposit

Gravity, magnetic and electrostatic separation methods allowed to obtain different titanium oxide concentrates (ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile) and different varieties of zircon concentrates (premium zircon, standard zircon, medium grade zircon standard) from Senegal’s heavy mineral sands. During mining separation, monazite, which is a paramagnetic mineral, was found in a non-negligible concentration of 0.57 wt% on average in the medium grade zircon standard which also contains 37.96 wt% zircon and 44.46 wt% titanium oxides. Magnetic and gravity separation tests were carried out on the Medium grade zircon standard (MGZS) to produce a monazite concentrate at Eramet Ideas laboratory. Magnetic separation at 1.5 teslas intensity resulted in the recovery of 94.8% of the monazite from the MGZS. Gravity separation also recovered 76.6% of the monazite from the MGZS. The combination of these two treatment methods can thus produce three concentrates from MGZS (a monazite concentrate, a zircon concentrate, and a titanium oxide concentrate).

Mineral Chemistry of REE-Rich Apatite and Sulfur-Rich Monazite from the Mushgai Khudag, Alkaline Volcanic-Plutonic Complex, South Mongolia

The Mushgai khudag volcanic-plutonic complex consists of four REE mineralization zones: carbonatite zone, apatite zone, magnetite zone, and monazite zone. REE mineralization occurs within peripheries of alkaline magmatic rocks which consist of porphyritic syenite, microsyenite and quartz syenites. Three types of LREE-rich apatite can be found in the carbonatite, apatite, and monazite zones. Crystal-1 type of apatite exists as hexagonal prismatic shape and is mostly found in the apatite zone, and in syenite. Crystal-2 type of apatite can be exposed also at the apatite zone, and carbonatite zone as brecciated massive crystalline aggregate. Crystal-3 type of apatite demonstrates the compositional zoning texture with monazite as inter-zoning, and is only found in monazite zone. The LREE-bearing apatites from the Mushgai khudag complex are mostly fluorapatite to hydroxyl-bearing fluorapatite with variable REE content. Apatites from the monazite zone present individual sulfur-rich monazite grain, and are formed by comprehensive substitutions.

Geochemistry, Monazite U–Pb Dating, and Li–Nd Isotopes of the Madi Rare Metal Granite in the Northeastern Part of the North China Craton

The Madi rare metal granite is a complex massif,which contains a variety of rare metals,such as Nb,Ta,Li,and Be.In this paper,the geochemical characteristics of the granite were obtained by multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry(MC-ICP-MS).The precise crystalline age of the granite was obtained from monazite U-Pb dating,and the source of the granite was determined using Li-Nd isotopes.The Madi rare metal granite is a high-K(calc-alkaline),peraluminous,S-type granite.The U-Pb monazite age indicates that the crystalline age of the granite is 175.6 Ma,which is Early Jurassic.The granite is characterized by a relatively wide range ofδ7 Li values(+2.99‰to+5.83‰)and high lithium concentrations(181 ppm to 1022 ppm).The lithium isotopic composition of the granite does not significantly correlate with the degree of magmatic differentiation.An insignificant amount of lithium isotope fractionation occurred during the granitic differentiation.The lithium isotopic composition of the granite significantly differs from that of the wall rock,but it is very similar to that of a primitive mantle peridotite xenolith(meanδ7 Li value+3.5‰).The plot of Li concentration versusδ7 Li indicates that the Li isotopic composition of the granite is similar to that of island arc lavas.Based on the above-described evidence,the granite was mainly derived from the crust,but it was contaminated by a deep granitic magma.

Study on Behavior of Carbon Reduction of Monazite Concentrate

The behavior of monazite concentrate reduced by carbon, especially the decomposed procedure of rare earth phosphates, was investigated by X-ray diffraction, electron probe, TG method and chemical analysis. The results show that rare earth phosphates in monazite concentrate can be reduced to their oxides, among them the decomposition processes of cerium phosphate are not in step with lanthanum phosphate, neodymium phosphate and so on, and the phosphorus was volatilized into air in simple form.

He Grenville Orogenesis Recorded by Monazite from the Paragneiss of North Qaidam UHP Metamorphic Belt, Western China

The poly-phase orogeny information included in one orogenic belt is the key for studying the regional tectonic evolution at different time period.It also has important significance of understanding the rock association and

Petrostructural Signature of the Monazite of Andoharano Ambatofinanadrahana,Madagascar

The monazite deposit at Andoharano is 7 km NE of Ambatofinandrahana.It is in the form of filons of hydrothermal chalcedony origin both with monazite and barite,which intersects the small syenitic post-tectonic massif,aged 550 to 510 Ma.The syenite is part of the Ambalavao-Kiangara-Maevaranomagmatic suite located in the Itremo sub-domain.The mineralized filon’s length is approximately 100 meters with an average thickness of 2 to 5 meters,direction N75 and a subvertical dip.It is characterized by the mineralogical association of monazite,chalcedony,barite,quartz and magnetite.Two deformation phases affect the emplacement of the deposit.The first phase corresponds to the crystallization of the automorphic monazites,while the second phase affects the filon which leads to the fracturing of the first through silicification and which leads to the formation of the small xenomorphic monazite crystals.The monazite appears as brownish spots scattered in the rocks.It is rich in ceric earth(32%to 33%)and low in thorium.It constitutes ceric earth ore in the region.

Mineral Chemistry of REE-Rich Apatite and Sulfur-Rich Monazite from the Mushgai Khudag, Alkaline Volcanic-Plutonic Complex, South Mongolia

The Mushgai khudag volcanic-plutonic complex consists of four REE mineralization zones: carbonatite zone, apatite zone, magnetite zone, and monazite zone. REE mineralization occurs within peripheries of alkaline magmatic rocks which consist of porphyritic syenite, microsyenite and quartz syenites. Three types of LREE-rich apatite can be found in the carbonatite, apatite, and monazite zones. Crystal-1 type of apatite exists as hexagonal prismatic shape and is mostly found in the apatite zone, and in syenite. Crystal-2 type of apatite can be exposed also at the apatite zone, and carbonatite zone as brecciated massive crystalline aggregate. Crystal-3 type of apatite demonstrates the compositional zoning texture with monazite as inter-zoning, and is only found in monazite zone. The LREE-bearing apatites from the Mushgai khudag complex are mostly fluorapatite to hydroxyl-bearing fluorapatite with variable REE content. Apatites from the monazite zone present individual sulfur-rich monazite grain, and are formed by comprehensive substitutions.

Monazite U-Th-Pb and sericite Rb-Sr dating of the Xiajiadian black shale-hosted gold deposit in the Qinling orogen,central China:Implications for regional gold metallogeny

The Qinling orogen in central China contains several black shale-hosted gold deposits,but the age of their formation and a possible relation between gold mineralization and regional tectonism remain undetermined.Here we present results of in situ monazite U-Th-Pb dating and sericite Rb-Sr dating of the Xiajiadian black shale-hosted gold deposit to provide tight constraints on the time of gold deposition and information on the tectonic setting under which the deposit formed.The Xiajiadian gold deposit is mainly hosted in black shales of the Lower Cambrian Shuigoukou formation,with minor ores contained in sandy conglomerate of the Lower Devonian Xichahe formation.Gold ores in the black shales have been intensively oxidized and consist mainly of hematite,goethite,gypsum,quartz,calcite,native gold,and unrecognized iron oxides.However,gold ores in the sandy conglomerate are free of oxidation and thus provide an opportunity to date the formation of the Xiajiadian gold deposit.The ores consist of pyrite,marcasite,sericite,and quartz,which are associated with a variety of accessory minerals,including monazite,apatite,and titanite.Gold is mainly present as structure-bound ions or nanoparticles in pyrite and marcasite,but minor native gold grains also occur as inclusions in pyrite.Monazite is well developed in the ores,and has close textural association with Au-bearing pyrite and marcasite.Most monazite grains have zoned textures consisting of a core area(Mnz1)and an overgrowth zone(Mnz2).Mnz1 contains 4.8–13 wt.%ThO_(2)and shows large variations in HREE and prominent negative Eu anomalies in the chondrite-normalized REE patterns.It yields common lead-corrected^(208)Pb/^(232)Th dates ranging from 910±10 to416±4 Ma(2σ).These dates are interpreted in terms of a detrital origin for monazite in the core area.Mnz2 has much lower ThO_(2)contents of 0.8–1.7 wt.%and shows weak negative Eu anomalies in the chondrite-normalized REE patterns.It yields common lead-corrected^(208)Pb/^(232)Th dates of 229–209 Ma(2σ)with a weighted mean of 217.6±3.0 Ma(2σ),which is considered as the time of Mnz2 crystallization.Sericite in gold ores and associated alteration zones has close relations to Au-bearing pyrite and marcasite,and yields a well-defined Rb-Sr isochron age of 222.2±3.3 Ma(2σ).The sericite Rb-Sr age is indistinguishable within analytical errors from the weighted mean Th-Pb age of Mnz2.The age data presented here indicate that the Xiajiadian gold deposit formed at ca.220 Ma in the Late Triassic(Norian).We therefore suggest that gold mineralization at Xiajiadian occurred during the transitional stage from oceanic subduction to continental collision that led to the formation of the Qinling orogen.During this stage,metamorphic devolatization of the underlying Early Paleozoic to Proterozoic carbonaceous sequences likely supplied ore fluids from which the Xiajiadian gold deposit formed.

Pan-African metamorphism and magmatism in the Prydz Belt,East Antarctica:a geochronological perspective

The Prydz Belt in East Antarctica underwent extensive reworking during the late Neoprotertozoic–early Paleozoic Pan-African orogeny,which is characterized by granulite facies,clockwise P–T paths,and high dT/dP values.This study compiles the existing age and composition data of zircon and monazite from metamorphic rocks and links their key characteristics to the metamorphic evolution of the Prydz Belt.The frequency of zircon U–Pb ages starts to increase noticeably from~555 Ma,peaking between 530 Ma and 520 Ma,followed by a dramatic decline after 520 Ma.High Th/U values(>0.1)of zircon are observed from~545 Ma,displaying a noticeable increasing trend in Th/U values before a rapid decline from~520 Ma.The frequency of monazite ages progressively increases from~540 Ma,reaching its peak at 515 Ma,and then rapidly decreases after 490 Ma.Combined with the crystallization behaviors of zircon and monazite,this study suggests that the systematic changes in Th/U values of zircon after 545 Ma indicate a transition in the thermal regime of the Prydz Belt towards the cooling stage.Abundant growth of zircon and monazite corresponds to the post-peak cooling process,while the crystallization peak of monazite lags behind that of zircon by~5–15 Ma,which indicates a relatively low cooling rate.Though the granitic intrusions accompanied the entire metamorphic evolution,the majority of them are younger than 520 Ma.The results suggest that the Pan-African event likely peaked at~555–545 Ma and gradually cooled to near-solidus conditions at~520–510 Ma,with a relatively slow average cooling process.

Monazite age spectra in the Late Cenozoic strata of the Changjiang delta and its implication on the Changjiang run-through time

The Late Cenozoic strata are 313 m thick, revealed by the drilling core PD-99 in the south Changjiang delta. Monazite chemical dating shows that 350-500-Ma monazites predominate in the Pliocene and 100-275-Ma monazites in the Quaternary, indicating a great change of their provenance. The first presence horizon of monazites younger than 25 Ma is just above the Matruyama/Gauss boundary (~2.58 Ma), whch is exactly when uplift of the Tibetan Plateau began to influence deposition in the East China Sea. Variations in contents of monazites younger than 25 Ma can be divided into two sections. The Early-Middle Pleistocene with less <25 Ma monazites corresponds with rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, and the Late Pleistocene with more <25 Ma monazites parallels the peak uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. This study demonstrates that chemical dating of monazites in the river-mouth strata is a useful method to explore changes of river drainage basins, and deconvolute multistage tectonic and magmatic activity histories in the provenance areas.

Electron Probe Microanalysis of Monazite and Its Applications to U-Th-Pb Dating of Geological Samples

Electron probe microanalysis(EPMA) dating of monazite has been developed over decades. However, limited by the detectability and analytical sensitivity of dating-related elements(Th, Pb, U and Y), the EPMA dating has been restricted to geological research. In this study, various probe currents, beam diameters and counting times have been utilized on a JEOL JXA-8230 electron microprobe to determine the optimal experimental conditions for measuring Th, Pb, U and Y in monazite. The optimal conditions are:(1) accelerating voltage is 15 k V;(2) probe current is 100 n A;(3) beam diameter is 1 μm;(4) the peak and background counting time of U and Pb are 200 and 100 s;and(5) the peak and background counting time of Th and Y are 100 and 50 s. We apply this method to monazite from garnet-bearing biotite gneiss in the Zanhuang area of the Central Orogenic Belt of the North China Craton. The Pb O-Th O2* isochron age calculated by EPMA data is 1 812±17 Ma(MSWD=2.06), which is similar to the weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age(1 805±12 Ma, MSWD=1.07) obtained by LA-ICP-MS. This study suggests that EPMA dating of monazite as a powerful dating technique can be widely used in geochronological study.