Depositional Environment and Lithofacies Analyses of Eocene Lacustrine Shale in the Bohai Bay Basin:Insights from Mineralogy and Elemental Geochemistry

The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The classification of shale lithofacies and the interpretation of shale depositional environment are key features used in shale oil and gas exploration and development activity.The lower 3rd member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(x)shale)was selected for this study,as one of the main prospective intervals for shale oil exploration and development in the intracratonic Bohai Bay Basin.Mineralogically,it is composed of quartz(avg.9.6%),calcite(avg.58.5%),dolomite(avg.7%),pyrite(avg.3.3%)and clay minerals(avg.20%).An advanced methodology(thin-section petrography,total organic carbon and total organic sulfur contents analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray fluorescence(XRF),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM))was adopted to establish shale lithofacies and to interpret the depositional environment in the lacustrine basin.Six different types of lithofacies were recognized,based on mineral composition,total organic carbon(TOC)content and sedimentary structures.Various inorganic geochemical proxies(Rb/Sr,Ca/(Ca+Fe),Ti/Al,Al/Ca,Al/Ti,Zr/Rb)have been used to interpret and screen variations in depositional environmental parameters during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale.The experimental results indicate that the environment during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale was warm and humid with heightened salinities,moderate to limited detrital input,higher paleohydrodynamic settings and strong oxygen deficient(reducing)conditions.A comprehensive depositional model of the lacustrine shale was developed.The interpretations deduced from this research work are expected to not only expand the knowledge of shale lithofacies classification for lacustrine fine-grained rocks,but can also offer a theoretical foundation for lacustrine shale oil exploration and development.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of Ore-related Granitoids in the Giant Gariatong Rb Deposit,Tibet and Implications for Rb Metallogeny in China

Rubidium(Rb)deposits mostly occur in the South China and Central Asia orogenic belts and are often closely associated with highly differentiated granites.This study investigates a newly-discovered giant Rb deposit at Gariatong in the Central Lhasa terrane in Tibet.Detailed field studies and logging data revealed that the Rb mineralization mainly occurs in monzogranite and is related to greisenization.LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircon yielded ages of 19.1±0.2 Ma and 19.0±0.2 Ma for greisenized monzogranite and fresh monzogranite,respectively.The monzogranites are characterized as strongly peraluminous,with high contents of SiO2,Al2O3,K2O and Na2O as well as a high differentiation index.They are enriched in light rare earth and large ion lithophile elements with significant negative Eu anomalies and depleted high fieldstrength elements.Petrological and geochemical features of these ore-related monzogranites suggest that they are highly fractionated S-type granites,derived from remelting of crustal materials in a post-collisional setting.The geochemistry of zircon and apatite points to a low oxygen fugacity of the ore-related monzogranite during the magma’s evolution.The discovery of the Gariatong Rb deposit suggests that the Central Lhasa terrane may be an important region for rare metal mineralization.

Mineral Geochemistry of Apatite in the Jiama PorphyrySkarn Deposit,Tibet and its Geological Significance

The Jiama deposit,a significant porphyry-skarn-type copper polymetallic deposit located within the Gangdese metallogenic belt in Tibet,China,exemplifies a typical porphyry metallogenic system.However,the mineral chemistry of its accessory minerals remains under-examined,posing challenges for resource assessment and ore prospecting.Utilizing electron microprobe analysis and LA-ICP-MS analysis,this study investigated the geochemical characteristics of apatite in ore-bearing granite and monzogranite porphyries,as well as granodiorite,quartz diorite,and dark diorite porphyries in the deposit.It also delved into the diagenetic and metallogenic information from these geochemical signatures.Key findings include:(1)The SiO_(2) content,rare earth element(REE)contents,and REE partition coefficients of apatite indicate that the dark diorite porphyry possibly does not share a cogenetic magma source with the other four types of porphyries;(2)the volatile F and Cl contents in apatite,along with their ratio,indicate the Jiama deposit,formed in a collisional setting,demonstrates lower Cl/F ratios in apatite than the same type of deposits formed in a subduction environment;(3)compared to non-ore-bearing rock bodies in other deposits formed in a collisional setting,apatite in the Jiama deposit exhibits lower Ce and Ga contents.This might indicate that rock bodies in the Jiama deposit have higher oxygen fugacity.Nevertheless,the marginal variation in oxygen fugacity between ore-bearing and non-ore-bearing rock bodies within the deposit suggests oxygen fugacity may not serve as the decisive factor in the ore-hosting potential of rock bodies in the Jiama deposit.

Bulk geochemistry,Rb-Sr,Sm-Nd,and stable O-H isotope systematics of the Metzimevin high-grade iron ore deposit,Mbalam iron ore district,southern Cameroon

Bulk geochemistry,Sr,Nd,and O-H isotope systematics are reported for the first time on banded iron formation(BIF)-hosted high-grade iron ore at the northwestern segment of Congo Craton(CC).Located in Mbalam iron ore district,Southern Cameroon,Metzimevin iron ore deposit is a hematite-magnetite BIF system,dominated by SiO_(2)+Fe_(2)O_(3)(97.1 to 99.84 wt%),with low concentrations of clastic elements e.g.,Al_(2)O_(3),TiO_(2),and HFSE,depicting a nearly pure chemical precipitate.The REE+Y signature of the iron deposit displays strong positive Eu anomaly,strong negative Ce anomaly,and chondritic to superchondritic Y/Ho ratios,suggestive of formation by mixed seawater-high temperature hydrothermal fluids in oxidising environment.The^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios of the BIF are higher than the maximum^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr evolution curves for all Archean reservoirs(bulk silicate earth,Archean crust and Archean seawater),indicating involvement of continentally-derived components during BIF formation and alteration.TheƐ_(Nd)(t)(+2.26 to+3.77)and Nd model age indicate that chemical constituents for the BIF were derived from undifferentiated crustal source,between 3.002 and 2.88 Ga.The variable and diverse O and H isotope data(−1.9‰to 17.3‰and−57‰to 136‰respectively)indicate that the Metzimevin iron ore formed initially from magmatic plumes and later enriched by magmatic-metamorphic-modified meteoric fluids.Mass balance calculations indicate mineralisation by combined leaching and precipitation,with an average iron enrichment factor of>2.67 and SiO_(2)depletion factor of>0.99.This is associated with an overall volume reduction of 28.27%,reflecting net leaching and volume collapse of the BIF protholith.

Geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotopes of S-type granite in the Baoshan block, constraints on the age and evolution of the Proto-Tethys

Geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotope data for the Early Paleozoic granites in the Baoshan Block reveal the Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Proto-Tethys. The samples are high-K, calcalkaline, strongly peraluminous rocks with A/CNK values of 1.37–1.46, are enriched in SiO2, K2O, and Rb, and are depleted in Nb, P, Ti, Eu, and heavy rare earth elements,which indicates the crystallization fractionation of the granitic magma. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that they formed in ca. 480 Ma. The Nansa granites have εHf(t) values ranging from-16.04 to 4.36 with corresponding TC DMages of 2.10–0.81 Ga, which suggests the magmas derived from the partial melting of ancient metasedimentary with minor involvement of mantle-derived components. A synthesis of data for the Early Paleozoic igneous rocks in the Baoshan block and adjacent(Tengchong,Qiangtang, Sibumasu, Himalaya, etc.) blocks indicates that these blocks were all aligned along the proto-Tethyan margin of East Gondwana in the Early Paleozoic. The Early Paleozoic S-type granites from Nansa were generated in a high-temperature and low-pressure(HTLP) extensional tectonic setting, which resulted from Andean-type orogeny instead of the final assembly of Gondwana or crustal extension in a non-arc environment. In certain places, an expanding environment may exist in opposition to the tectonic backdrop of the lithosphere’s thickening and shortening, leading the crust to melt and decompress,mantle-derived materials to mix, and a small quantity of peraluminous granite to emerge.

Texture and Geochemistry of Multi-stage Hydrothermal Scheelite in the Mamupu Cu-Au-Mo(-W)Deposit,Eastern Tibet:Implications for Tungsten Mineralization in the Yulong Belt

Multistage tungsten mineralization was recently discovered in the Mamupu copper-polymetallic deposit in the southern Yulong porphyry copper belt(YPCB),Tibet.This study reports the results of cathodoluminescence,trace element and Sr isotope analyses of Mamupu scheelite samples,undertaken in order to better constrain the mechanism of W mineralization and the sources of the ore-forming fluids.Three different types of scheelite are identified in the Mamupu deposit:scheelite A(Sch A)mainly occurs in breccias during the prograde stage,scheelite B(Sch B)forms in the chlorite-epidote alteration zone in the retrograde stage,while scheelite C(Sch C)occurs in distal quartz sulfide veins.The extremely high Mo content and negative Eu anomaly in Sch A represent high oxygen fugacity in the prograde stage.Compared with ore-related porphyries,Sch A has a similar REE pattern,but with higher ΣREE,more depleted HREE and slightly lower(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i ratios.These features suggest that Sch A is genetically related to ore-related porphyries,but extensive interaction with carbonate surrounding rocks affects the final REE and Sr isotopic composition.Sch B shows dark(Sch B-I)and light(Sch B-II)domains under CL imaging.From Sch B-I to Sch B-II,LREEs are gradually depleted,with MREEs being gradually enriched.Sch C has the highest LREE/HREE ratio,which indicates that it inherited the geochemical characteristics of fluids after the precipitation of HREE-rich minerals,such as diopside and garnet,in the early prograde stage.The Mo content in Sch B and Sch C gradually decreased,indicating that the oxygen fugacity of the fluids changed from oxidative in the early stages to reductive in the later,the turbulent Eu anomaly in Sch B and Sch C indicating that the Eu anomaly in the Mamupu scheelite is not solely controlled by oxygen fugacity.The extensive interaction of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and carbonate provides the necessary Ca^(2+)for the precipitation of scheelite in the Mamupu deposit.

Geochemistry, mineral paragenesis and geothermal conditions of oreforming fluids from the Ain El Bey Cu–Fe deposit: potential occurrence of native gold and precious metal traces (North African orogenic belt, Northern Tunisia)

The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

Multi-Elemental Analysis and 2D Image Mapping within Roots, Leaves and Seeds from O. glaberrima Rice Plants Using Micro-PIXE Technique

Understanding metal accumulation at organ level in roots, leaves and seeds in O. glaberrima (OG) is crucial for improving physiological and metabolic aspects in growing Asian and African rice in salted areas. The micro-analytical imaging techniques are required to reveal its accumulation and distribution within plant tissues. PIXE studies have been performed to determine different elements in rice plants. The existing microbeam analytical technique at the iThemba LABS will be applied for the 2D image mapping of fresh rice tissues to perform a concentration of low atomic mass elements (such as Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Br, Zn and K) with detection limits of typically 1-10 μg/g. Comparison of the distribution of the elements between leaves, root and seed samples using uptake and distribution of elements in particular environmental conditions with potential amount of salt in water have been performed. We are also expecting to indicate metal exclusion as salt tolerance strategies from leaves, root, and seed compartments using matrix correlation between samples and between elements on rice species.

Elemental Compositions of Clinopyroxenes from Southern Okinawa Trough Basalt:Implications for Magmatism and Structural Environment in an Initial Back-Arc Basin

The major and trace elemental compositions of clinopyroxene from basalt were used to characterize the nature of the primitive magma and structural environment beneath the southern Okinawa Trough(SOT),which is an initial back-arc basin at a continental margin.The clinopyroxenes in the basalt were augite with variable Mg^(#)contents(73.37-78.22).The regular variations in major oxide contents(i.e.,CaO,FeO,TiO_(2),and Cr)with decreasing Mg#implied that the clinopyroxenes evolved from being enriched in Mg,Ca,and Cr to being enriched in Fe and Ti.The clinopyroxenes had relatively low rare earth element concentrations(7.51×10^(-6) to 12.68×10^(-6))and negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.67-0.95).The Kd_(cpx) values of clinopyroxenes(0.2-0.26),which were used to examine whether the clinopyroxene was equilibrated with its host basalt,demonstrate that these clinopyroxene phenocrysts were not captured crystals but were instead produced by crystallization differentiation of the magma.The calculated clinopyroxene crystallization temperatures showed a narrow range of 990-1061℃,and their crystallization pressures ranged from 2.0 to 3.2 kbar.The geochemistry features of these clinopyroxenes indicated that the parent magma belonged to the subalkaline tholeiitic magma series and suggested that the magma experienced crystallization differentiation of olivine,plagioclase,and clinopyroxene,where the crystallization of plagioclase occurred earlier than that of clinopyroxene.Combined with geophysical data,this research on primitive magma and its crystallization differentiation from clinopyroxene indicates that the SOT is in the stage of‘seafloor spreading’and that basaltic rocks produced from tholeiitic magma represent the generation of oceanic crust.

Method to measure tree-ring width,density,elemental composition,and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes using one sample

Tree-ring width(RW),density,elemental com-position,and stable carbon and oxygen isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)are widely used as proxies to assess climate change,ecology,and environmental pollution;however,a specific pretreat-ment has been needed for each proxy.Here,we developed a method by which each proxy can be measured in the same sample.First,the sample is polished for ring width meas-urement.After obtaining the ring width data,the sample is cut to form a 1-mm-thick wood plate.The sample is then mounted in a vertical sample holder,and gradually scanned by an X-ray beam.Simultaneously,the count rates of the fluorescent photons of elements(for chemical characteriza-tion)and a radiographic grayscale image(for wood density)are obtained,i.e.the density and the element content are obtained.Then,cellulose is isolated from the 1-mm wood plate by removal of lignin,and hemicellulose.After producing this cellulose plate,cellulose subsamples are separated by knife under the microscope for inter-annual and intra-annual stable carbon and oxygen isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)analysis.Based on this method,RW,density,elemental composition,δ^(13)C,and δ^(18)O can be measured from the same sample,which reduces sample amount and treatment time,and is helpful for multi-proxy comparison and combination research.

Exploration and Practice of“Guiding Interactive”Teaching in Advanced Geochemistry Courses from the Perspective of Constructivist Theory

The construction of geochemical disciplines has brought new vitality to the development of traditional geology.In the new round of“Double First-Class”discipline construction at Central South University,the course of Advanced Geochemistry has effectively stimulated students’interest in learning and further improved their scientific thinking and research innovation skills through the implementation of“Guiding Interactive”teaching reform measures,which has important theoretical significance and practical value.

Trace-element geochemistry and S–O isotopes in the fluorite-barite mineralization of Merguechoum,Moroccan eastern Meseta:insights into ore genesis to the Pangea rifting

The Merguechoum fluorite-barite mineralization,located in the Eastern Meseta of Morocco,is hosted in the Late Hercynian granite.The ore consists of fine crystals of fluorite 1,massive barite 1,euhedral crystals of fluorite 2,and barite 2 with calcite and minor quartz and sulfides.The Merguechoum ore deposits have never been investigated.This study was the first contribution that studied the genesis of fluorite and barite.The ore occurs as dissemination within granite intrusion and also fills the NE-SWtrending meter-sized fractures and faults.The values of the total Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium(REY)and the ratios of LREY/HREY,Y/Ho,Tb/Ca,and Tb/La indicate that the Merguechoum fluorite precipitated from hydrothermal fluids,likely basinal brines,which interacted with the Hercynian granite.The REY data indicate that the ore-forming fluids of the early stage have intensely interacted with the Hercynian granite compared to those of the late ore stage.The gradual decrease in the europium(Eu/Eu^(*)),yttrium(Y/Y^(*)),and cerium(Ce/Ce^(*))anomalies and a low concentration ofΣREY observed in the second ore stage compared to the first ore stage suggest an increase in p H and fO_(2)and by inference a decrease in temperature during the evolution of the hydrothermal system.This evolution could be explained by fluid mixing between the ascending basinal hydrothermal fluids and the diluted sulfate-rich meteoric water barite separates from selected samples reveal that the dissolved sulfates(SO_(4)^(2-))were derived from Permian–Triassic sulfates and/or coeval poreseawater sulfates.The proposed fluid mixing triggered the precipitation of an early-stage F-Ba assemblage followed by the second-stage F-Ba mineralization.Geologic fieldwork,REY inventories,and isotope data point to the ore genesis during the Permian–Triassic extensional tectonic activity concerning the Pangea rifting.This extensional tectonic environment is likely the driving force that mobilized a large amount of the ore-forming basinal brines along the available faults and fractures to the loci of ore deposition.

Origin of Shallow Jurassic Heavy Oils in the Northwestern Margin of the Junggar Basin,NW China:Constraints from Molecular,Isotopic and Elemental Geochemistry

Oil group separation,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of saturated hydrocarbons,carbon isotope analysis of fractions and tests on trace elements were all carried out to determine the origin of shallow Jurassic heavy oils in the northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin,northwestern China.Results showed that all the crude oils had been subjected to different degrees of biodegradation,on an order ranging from PM 6 to 9,which yielded many unresolved complex mixtures(UCM)and formed a huge spike in the mass chromatogram(M/Z=85).Two heavy oils from the Karamay area underwent slight biodegradation,characterized by the consistent ratios of biomarker parameters.C_(21)/C_(23)and C_(23)/H of the two samples were 0.81 and 0.85,while G/H,C_(27)/C_(29)and C_(28)/C_(29)were 0.38 and 0.40,0.16 and 0.27,0.87 and 0.86,respectively.The isomerization parameters of terpane and steranes were 0.50-0.53,and 0.48-0.49,respectively.The above geochemical indices indicated that the crude oils in the study area were in the marginally mature stage.The parent materials were a mixture,consisting of bacteria,algae and some higher plants,formed under reducing depositional conditions,which is in agreement with the source rocks of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu depression.The carbon isotopic compositions of saturated hydrocarbon,aromatic hydrocarbon,NSO and asphaltene were−31‰−to−30.3‰,−29.5‰to−29.03‰,−29.4‰to−28.78‰and−28.62‰to−28.61‰,respectively.These findings are in agreement with the light carbon isotope of kerogen from the lower Permian Fengcheng Formation.Furthermore,V/Ni and Cr/Mo of all the crude oils were 0.01 to 0.032,0.837 to 10.649,which is in good agreement with the ratios of the corresponding elements of the extracts from the Fengcheng Fm.carbonate source rock.As a result,a two-stage formation model was established:(1)the oil generated from the carbonate source rocks of the Fengcheng Formation migrated to the Carboniferous,Permian and Triassic traps during the Late Triassic,forming the primary oil reservoirs;(2)during the Late Jurassic period,the intense tectonic activity of Yanshan Episode II resulted in the readjustment of early deep primary reservoirs,the escaped oils gradually migrating to the shallow Jurassic reservoir through cross-cutting faults,unconformities and sand body layers.The oils then finally formed secondary heavy oil reservoirs,due to long-term biodegradation in the later stage.Therefore,joint methods of organic,isotopic and element geochemistry should be extensively applied in order to confirm the source of biodegradation oils.

Geochronology,Geochemistry,and Implications of Aplite Dyke in the Giant Jiama Porphyry Copper System,Tibet

Jiama is a giant,high-grade porphyry copper system in the Gangdese metallogenic belt,Tibet.Multistage intermediate-felsic porphyries intruded in this deposit,some of which are strongly associated with copper-polymetallic mineralization.These ore-bearing porphyries include monzogranite,granodiorite,and quartz diorite porphyries.A new granite aplite dyke was found in the south of Jiama.Its age,genesis,and relationship with ore-related magmatism are obscure.Here,its emplacement age and petrogenesis were determined using mineralogy,zircon U-Pb dating,geochemistry,and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope studies.The zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age of the aplite dyke is 16.66±0.21 Ma(n=14,MSWD=0.66),earlier than that of the ore-bearing porphyries(~15 Ma)in Jiama.Furthermore,the aplite exhibits high amounts of silicon(SiO_(2)=73.39%-74.74%),potassium(K_(2)O=5.12%-6.61%),aluminum(Al_(2)O_(3)=14.25%-14.69%),and light/heavy rare earth elements(LREE/HREE=12.12-16.19)as well as negative europium(δEu=0.47-0.72)and weak negative cerium anomalies(δCe=0.84-0.93).The aplite dyke is characteristic of metaluminous-peraluminous I-type granite,which is rich in large-ion lithophile elements(Rb,Ba,Th and U)and depleted in high-field-strength elements(Nb,P and Ti).The aplite dyke and ore-bearing porphyries in the Jiama deposit are the results of a partial melting of the juvenile lower crust,according to whole-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data,but the dyke and ore-bearing porphyries were emplaced from the same magma chamber at different times.Thus,the aplite dyke shows the composition of the early evolution stage of shallow magma in the Jiama deposit and is the product of rapid condensation and crystallization.

Geochemical evolution of the Mangalwar Complex,Aravalli Craton,NW India:Insights from elemental and Nd-isotope geochemistry of the basement gneisses

The Banded Gneissic Complex(BGC) of the Aravalli Craton is divided into BGC-I and BGC-Ⅱ; the BGC-Ⅱ(central Rajasthan) is comprised of the Sandmata Complex and the Mangalwar Complex. We report elemental and Nd-isotope geochemistry of basement gneisses of the Mangalwar Complex and constrain its origin and evolution. Geochemically, the basement gneisses have been classified as low-SiO_2 gneisses(LSG) and high-SiO_2 gneisses(HSG). Both the LSG and HSG are potassic, calc-alkaline and peraluminous in nature. The LSG are enriched in incompatible(K, Sr, Ba, large ion lithophile elements) and compatible elements(MgO, Cr, and Ni). They display fractionated rare earth element patterns(avg.La_N/Yb_N=12.1)with small Eu-anomaly(δEu=0.9), and exhibit negative anomalies of Nb and Ti in primitive mantlenormalized multi-element diagram. In terms of Nd-isotope geochemistry, the LSG are characterized by_(εNd)(t)=4.2 and depleted mantle model age of 3.3 Ga. To account for these geochemical characteristics we propose a three-stage petrogenetic model for the LSG:(1) fluids released from dehydration of subducting slab metasomatised the mantle-wedge;(2) the subducting slab underwent slab-breakoff causing upwelling and decompression melting of the asthenosphere during waning stage of subduction; and(3)upwelling asthenosphere provided the requisite heat for partial melting of the metasomatised mantlewedge leading to generation of the LSG parental magma. Asthenospheric upwelling also contributed in the LSG petrogenesis which is evident from its high Mg#(avg. 0.53). The LSG formed in this way are contemporary and chemically akin to sanukitoids of the BGC-I and Archean sanukitoids reported elsewhere. This provides a basis to consider the LSG as a part of the BGC-I. Contrary to the LSG, the HSG are depleted in compatible elements(MgO=avg. 1.1 wt.%; Cr=avg. 8 ppm; Ni=avg. 6 ppm) but enriched in incompatible elements(Sr=avg. 239 ppm, Ba=avg. 469 ppm). Its_(εNd)(t) values vary from-9.5 to-5.4.These chemical features of the HSG are akin to potassic granitoids found elsewhere. In this backdrop, we propose that the HSG suite of the Mangalwar Complex was derived from re-melting(partial) of an older crust(TTG?) occurring within the BGC-Ⅱ.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology,Hf isotopes,and geochemistry constraints on the age and tectonic affinity of the basement granitoids from the Qiongdongnan Basin,northern South China Sea

Studies in the northern South China Sea(SCS)basement remain important for understanding the evolution of the Southeast Asian continental margin.Due to a thick cover of sediments and scarce borehole penetration,little is known about the age and tectonic affinity of this basement.In this study,an integrated study of zircon U-Pb geochronology,Hf isotopes,and whole-rock major and trace elements on seven basement granitoids from seven boreholes of Qiongdongnan Basin has been carried out.New zircon U-Pb results for these granitoids present middle-late Permian((270.0±1.2)Ma;(253±3.4)Ma),middle to late Triassic((246.2±3.4)Ma;(239.3±0.96)Ma;(237.9±0.99)Ma;(228.9±1.0)Ma)and Late Cretaceous ages((120.6±0.6)Ma).New data from this study,in combination with the previous dataset,indicates that granitoid ages in northern SCS basement vary from 270 Ma to 70.5 Ma,with three age groups of 270–196 Ma,162–142 Ma,and 137–71 Ma,respectively.Except for the late Paleozoic-Mesozoic rocks in the basement of the northern SCS,a few old zircon grains with the age of(2708.1±17)Ma to(2166.6±19)Ma provide clues to the existence of the pre-Proterozoic components.The geochemical signatures indicate that the middle Permian-early Cretaceous granitoids from the Qiongdongnan Basin are I-type granites formed in a volcanic arc environment,which were probably related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Elemental geochemistry and Nd isotopic characteristics of the metasedimentary rocks from the metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi: Provenance and tectonically environmental constraints

The metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi, located in the compound terrain within the Cathaysia, Yangtze Block and Caledonian fold zone of South China, is composed dominantly of meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks, with minor amphibolite. These rocks underwent amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks show large variations in major element composition, but have similar REE patterns and trace element composition, incompatible element and LIE enrichments [high Th/Sc ({0.57}-{3.59}), La/Sc ({1.46}-{12.4}), La/Yb ({5.84}-{19.0})] and variable Th/U ratios, with ΣREE=129-296μg/g, δEu={0.51}-{0.86}, and (La/Yb)-N={3.95}-{12.9}. The Nd isotopic model ages t-{DM} of these rocks vary from 1597 to 2124 Ma. Their {}+{143}Nd/+{144}Nd values are low [ε-{Nd}(0)={-11.4} to {-15.8}]. Some conclusions have been drawn as follows: (1) The metamorphic rocks in central Jiangxi Province are likely formed in a tectonic environment at the passive continental margin of the Cathaysia massif. (2) The metamorphosed argillo-arenaceous rocks are composed dominantly of upper crustal-source rocks (Al- and K|rich granitic or/and sedimentary rocks of Early Proterozoic), which experienced good sorting, slow deposition and more intense chemical weathering. (3) According to the whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron ages (1113±49 to 1199±26 Ma) of plagioclase-amphibole (schist) and Nd isotopic model age t-{DM} (1597-2124 Ma) of meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks, the metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi Province was formed during the Middle Proterozoic (1100-1600 Ma).

Geochronology,Mineralogy,and Geochemistry of the Tonsteins from the Permo–Carboniferous Benxi Formation,Ordos Basin,North China Craton

Tonstein layers are found worldwide in the Permo-Carboniferous coal-bearing strata.This study investigates the geochronology,mineralogy,and geochemistry of four tonstein samples from the Permo-Carboniferous Benxi Formation,Ordos Basin,North China Craton(NCC).The typical features of the studied tonsteins include thin beds,lateral continuity,angular quartz grains,and euhedral zircons with similar U-Pb ages,indicating a significant pyroclastic origin.In addition,the tonstein samples have low TiO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3)ratios(<0.02)and rare earth elements and yttrium(REY)concentrations with obvious negative Eu anomalies,indicating that the tonsteins have a felsic magma origin.Moreover,compared with the mean composition of clay shale,the studied tonsteins are characterized by high concentrations of the elements Nb and Ta,which may affect the concentration of the corresponding elements in surrounding coal seams.The zircon U-Pb ages of the tonsteins(293.9-298.8 Ma)provide a precise chronological framework on the Benxi Formation in the Ordos Basin,constraining the Gzhelian-Aselian stages.The tonsteins were probably sourced from arc volcanism along the western margin of the NCC during the early Permian,implying that the Alxa Terrane had not amalgamated with the NCC at that time.

Elemental Geochemistry of a Soil Chronosequence on Basalt on Northern Hainan Island, China

With increasing soil age, the contents of Sr, Ba and ratios of Sr/Be in soils tend to decrease, whereas the contents of V, Sc, Ni, Cr, Co and ratios of Fe/Ni and Fe/Co tend to increase, as evidenced from a study on soils of different ages, developed on basalts in the northern part of Hainan Island. Ba/Nb, significantly correlative with soil age, can be used to evaluate soil evolution. By using the mass-balance method, the element migration was discussed with Ti as an immobile element. The results showed that element leaching was most intensive in the early pedogenic period. In this period (Primosols), over 90% of Ca, Mg, K and Na was leached out of soils till Ferrosol formation. The leaching of P occurred mainly at the beginning of soil development. About 60% of Si was mobilized in the stage of Cambosol formation and 80% in the stage of Ferralosol formation.

Geochronology,Geochemistry,Fluid Inclusion and C,O Isotope Compositions of Calcite Veins in the Paleogene of the Jiangling Basin,South China:Implications for Fluid Evolution and Brine Potash Mineralization

Deep-seated potassium-rich brines were identified in the Jiangling Basin,South China.Although magmatichydrothermal sources have been proposed,the relationship between brine-type potash mineralization and volcanism remains unclear.In this study,U-Pb geochronology,geochemistry,fluid inclusion and C-O isotopic compositions of hydrothermal vein minerals in the Jiangling Basin are examined.Laser ablation U-Pb dating of calcite veins indicates that the ages are slightly younger than the formation age of the Balingshan basalt.Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal minerals show medium–low homogenization temperatures(160–220℃)and low salinities(0.14 to 4.9 wt%NaCl eqv.)and densities(0.882–0.944 g/cm^(3)).The liquid compositions of fluid inclusions in calcite veins from sedimentary strata have higher contents of potassium,compared with those from basalt.The coupled negativeδ^(13)CPDB(-10.3‰to-8.0‰)and positiveδ^(18)OSMOW(17.4‰to 20.7‰)values imply that calcite precipitation resulted from CO_(2)degassing of the basaltic magmatic fluids,as indicated by the gas composition of these inclusions in hydrothermal minerals.Rare earth element patterns indicate that water-rock interaction between hydrothermal fluids and sedimentary wall rocks contributed to the calcite precipitation in sedimentary strata.It is proposed that high-temperature water-rock interaction between magmatic fluids and sedimentary strata resulted in the potassium enrichment in fluids,interpreted as one of the sources of potassium-rich brines in the Jiangling Basin.