Heterogeneities of grain boundary contact for simulation of laboratoryscale mechanical behavior of granitic rocks

From a practical point of view,grain structure heterogeneities are key parameters that control the rock response and still remains a challenge to incorporate in a quantitative manner.One of the less discussed topics in the context of the grain-based model(GBM)in the particle flow code(PFC)is the contact heterogeneities and the appropriate contact model to mimic the grain boundary behavior.Generally,the smooth joint(SJ)model and linear parallel bond(LPB)model are used to simulate the grain boundary behavior.However,the literature does not document the suitability of different models for specific problems.Another challenge in implementing GBM in PFC is that only a single bonding parameter is used at the grain boundaries.The aim of this study is to investigate the responses of a laboratory-scale specimen with SJ and LPB models,considering grain boundary heterogeneous and homogeneous contact parameters.Uniaxial and biaxial compression tests are performed to calibrate the response of Creighton granite.The stressestrain curves,volumetric dilation,inter-crack(crack in the grain boundary),and intra-crack(crack within the grain)development,and failure patterns associated with different contact models are examined.It was found that both the SJ and LPB models can reproduce the pre-peak behavior observed for a granitic rock type.However,the LPB model is unable to reproduce the post-peak behavior.Due to the large interlocking effect originating from the balls in contact and the ball size in the LPB model,local dilation is induced at the grain boundaries.This overestimates the volumetric dilation and residual shear strength.The LPB model tends to result in discontinuous inter-cracks and stress localization in the rock specimen,resulting in fine fragments at the rock surface during failure.

LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Geochronology of the Fine-grained Granite and Molybdenite Re-Os Dating in the Wurinitu Molybdenum Deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Wurinitu molybdenum deposit,located in Honggor,Sonid Left Banner of Inner Mongolia,China,is recently discovered and is considered to be associated with a concealed fine-grained granite impregnated with molybdenite.The wall rocks are composed of Variscan porphyritic-like biotite granite and the Lower Ordovician Wubin'aobao Formation.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the fine-grained granite reveals two stages of zircons,one were formed at 181.7±7.4 Ma and the other at 133.6±3.3 Ma.The latter age is believed to be the formation age of the fine-grained granite,while the former may reflect the age of inherited zircons,based on the morphological study of the zircon and regional geological setting.The Re-Os model age of molybdenite is 142.2±2.5 Ma,which is older than the diagenetic age of the fine-grained granite.Therefore the authors believe that the metallogenic age of the Wurinitu molybdenum deposit should be nearly 133.6±3.3 Ma or slightly later,i.e.,Early Cretaceous.Combined with regional geological background research,it is speculated that the molybdenum deposits were formed at the late Yanshanian orogenic cycle in the Hingganling-Mongolian orogenic belt,belonging to the relaxation epoch posterior to the compression and was associated with the closure of the Mongolia-Okhotsk Sea.

SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of Zircons of a Dark Eclogite and a Garnet-bearing Gneissic Granitic Rock from Bixiling,Eastern Dabie Area,Anhui Province:Isotope Chronological Evidence of Neoproterozoic UHP Metamorphism

The paper reports SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data of a dark eclogite and a post-eclogite garnet-bearing gneissic granitic rock from the Bixiling area, Yuexi County, Anhui Province, in the eastern Dabie Mountains. The eclogite, which is metamorphosed basic tuff, contains very scarce zircons in omphacite or garnet, but more zircons in quartz. They usually exhibit a double-layered texture, as shown clearly in cathodoluminescence images. Their inner main parts give a 206Pb/238U age of 757±7 Ma, representing the approximate age of the high-pressure (HP)- ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic event during which the eclogite was formed. The outer peripheral parts of the zircons, which have been modified by late-stage fluids, give an age of 223±3 Ma. The granitic rock contains more zircons of anatectic origin found mostly in feldspar and quartz and usually also showing a similar composite texture. The inner main parts of the anatectic zircons with oscillatory zoning give a 206Pb/238U age of 727±15 Ma for the approximate age of the emplacement of the granitic rock, and their outer parts, an age of 219±3 Ma for a similar or even the same fluid event. It is thus suggested that the HP-UHP metamorphism of the Bixiling eclogite facies rocks took place during the Neoproterozoic Jinningian, and the Indosinian age values may only represent a late event in the nature of fluid activity.

Experimental investigation on damage evolution behaviour of a granitic rock under loading and unloading

In-situ rock failures can result from stress changes due to pure loading and/or unloading. Understanding of the damage evolution behavior in brittle rocks during loading and unloading is imperative for the designs of rock structures. In this paper, we investigate the damage evolution characteristics of a granitic rock during loading and unloading after a series of triaxial experiments performed at different confining pressures. The axial stress-axial strain variations of the tested specimens revealed that the specimens undergoing unloading fail with a lower axial strain compared to the specimens failed purely by loading. Higher confining pressures were observed to exacerbate the difference. Volumetric strain versus axial strain curves indicated that the curves reverse the trend with the beginning of major damage of specimens. We suggest here a new form of equation to describe the secant modulus variation of brittle rocks against the axial stress for the unloading process. Failure mechanisms of tested specimens showed two distinct patterns, namely, specimens under pure loading failed with a single distinct shear fracture while for the unloading case specimens displayed multiple intersecting fractures. In addition, analysis of the evolution of dissipation and elastic energy during deformation of the specimens under loading and unloading conditions showed differentiable characteristics. Moreover, we evaluated the variations of two damage indices defined based on the energy dissipation and secant modulus evolution during deformation and observed that both of them satisfactorily distinguish key stages of damage evolution.

Bedding parallel fractures in fine-grained sedimentary rocks:Recognition,formation mechanisms,and prediction using well log

Core,thin section,conventional and image logs are used to provide insights into distribution of fractures in fine grained sedimentary rocks of Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag.Bedding parallel fractures are common in fine grained sedimentary rocks which are characterized by layered structures.Core and thin section analysis reveal that fractures in Lucaogou Formation include tectonic inclined fracture,bedding parallel fracture,and abnormal high pressure fracture.Bedding parallel fractures are abundant,but only minor amounts of them remain open,and most of them are partly to fully sealed by carbonate minerals(calcite)and bitumen.Bedding parallel fractures result in a rapid decrease in resistivity,and they are recognized on image logs to extend along bedding planes and have discontinuous surfaces due to partly-fully filled resistive carbonate minerals as well as late stage dissolution.A comprehensive interpretation of distribution of bedding parallel fractures is performed with green line,red line,yellow line and blue line representing bedding planes,induced fractures,resistive fractures,and open(bedding and inclined)fractures,respectively.The strike of bedding parallel fractures is coinciding with bedding planes.Bedding parallel fractures are closely associated with the amounts of bedding planes,and high density of bedding planes favor the formation of bedding parallel fractures.Alternating dark and bright layers have the most abundant bedding parallel fractures on the image logs,and the bedding parallel fractures are always associated with low resistivity zones.The results above may help optimize sweet spots in fine grained sedimentary rocks,and improve future fracturing design and optimize well spacing.

Prediction of multiscale laminae structure and reservoir quality in fine-grained sedimentary rocks:The Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag,Junggar Basin

Fine-grained sedimentary rocks have become a research focus as important reservoirs and source rocks for tight and shale oil and gas.Laminae development determines the accumulation and production of tight and shale oil and gas in fine-grained rocks.However,due to the resolution limit of conventional logs,it is challenging to recognize the features of centimeter-scale laminae.To close this gap,complementary studies,including core observation,thin section,X-ray diffraction(XRD),conventional log analysis,and slabs of image logs,were conducted to unravel the centimeter-scale laminae.The laminae recognition models were built using well logs.The fine-grained rocks can be divided into laminated rocks(lamina thickness of<0.01 m),layered rocks(0.01-0.1 m),and massive rocks(no layer or layer spacing of>0.1 m)according to the laminae scale from core observations.According to the mineral superposition assemblages from thin-section observations,the laminated rocks can be further divided into binary,ternary,and multiple structures.The typical mineral components,slabs,and T2spectrum distributions of various lamina types are unraveled.The core can identify the centimeter-millimeter-scale laminae,and the thin section can identify the millimeter-micrometer-scale laminae.Furthermore,they can detect mineral types and their superposition sequence.Conventional logs can identify the meter-scale layers,whereas image logs and related slabs can identify the laminae variations at millimeter-centimeter scales.Therefore,the slab of image logs combined with thin sections can identify laminae assemblage characteristics,including the thickness and vertical assemblage.The identification and classification of lamina structure of various scales on a single well can be predicted using conventional logs,image logs,and slabs combined with thin sections.The layered rocks have better reservoir quality and oil-bearing potential than the massive and laminated rocks.The laminated rocks’binary lamina is better than the ternary and multiple layers due to the high content of felsic minerals.The abovementioned results build the prediction model for multiscale laminae structure using well logs,helping sweet spots prediction in the Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag and fine-grained sedimentary rocks worldwide.

Lithofacies and Pore Structure of Fine-grained Sedimentary Rocks of Qing-1 Member of Cretaceous in the Southern Songliao Basin

Fine-grained sedimentary rocks often contain hydrocarbon and mineral resources.Compared with coarse-grained sedimentary rocks,fine-grained sedimentary rocks are less studied.To elucidate the lithofacies and pore structure of lacustrine fine-grained rocks,the 340.6 m continuous core of Cretaceous Qing-1 Member from five wells in the southern central depression of the Songliao Basin was analyzed using X-ray diffraction,Rock-Eval pyrolysis,low-temperature nitrogen adsorption,high-pressure mercury injection,argon ion polishing-field emission scanning electron microscopy,and laser scanning confocal microscopy.Based on mineral compositions,organic matter abundance and sedimentary structure,lacustrine fine-grained rocks in the study area were divided into ten lithofacies,with their spatial distributions mainly influenced by tectonic cycle,climate cycle and provenance.Furthermore,pore structure characteristics of different lithofacies are summarized.(1)The siliceous mudstone lithofacies with low TOC content and the laminated/layered claybearing siliceous mudstone lithofacies with medium TOC content have the highest proportion of first-class pores(diameter>100 nm),making it the most favourable lithofacies for the accumulation of shale oil and shale gas.(2)The massive claybearing siliceous mudstone lithofacies with low TOC content has the highest proportion of second-class pores(diameter ranges from 10 to 100 nm),making it a favourable lithofacies for the enrichment of shale gas.(3)The massive clay-bearing siliceous mudstone lithofacies with high TOC content has the highest proportion of third-class pores(diameter<10 nm),making it intermediate in gas storage and flow.Laser confocal oil analysis shows that the heavy component of oil is mainly distributed in the clay lamina,while the light part with higher mobility is mainly concentrated in the silty lamina.

Late Cambrian to Early Silurian Granitic Rocks of the Gemuri Area, Central Qiangtang, North Tibet: New Constraints on the Tectonic Evolution of the Northern Margin of Gondwana

The Paleozoic tectonic framework and paleo–plate configuration of the northern margin of Gondwana remain controversial. The South Qiangtang terrane is located along the northern margin of Gondwana and records key processes in the formation and evolution of this supercontinent. Here, we present new field, petrological, zircon U-Pb geochronological, and Lu-Hf isotopic data for granitic rocks of the Gemuri pluton, all of which provide new insights into the evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana. Zircon U-Pb dating of the Gemuri pluton yielded three concordant ages of 488.5 ± 2.1, 479.9 ± 8.9, and 438.5 ± 3.5 Ma. Combining these ages with the results of previous research indicates that the South Qiangtang terrane records two magmatic episodes at 502–471 and 453–439 Ma. These two episodes are associated with enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions(εHf(t) =-10.1 to-3.9 and-16.6 to-6.5, respectively), suggesting the granites were formed by the partial melting of Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks(Two–stage Hf model ages(TCDM) = 2094–1704 and 2466–1827 Ma, respectively). Combining these data with the presence of linearly distributed, contemporaneous Paleozoic igneous rocks along the northern margin of Gondwana, we suggest that all of these rocks were formed in an active continental margin setting. This manifests that the two magmatic episodes within the Gemuri area were associated with southward subduction in the Proto-(Paleo-) Tethys Ocean.

Digital monitoring of rotary-percussive drilling with down-the-hole hammer for profiling weathered granitic ground

Rock and geotechnical engineering investigations involve drilling holes in ground with or without retrieving soil and rock samples to construct the subsurface ground profile.On the basis of an actual soil nailing drilling for a slope stability project in Hong Kong,this paper further develops the drilling process monitoring(DPM)method for digitally profiling the subsurface geomaterials of weathered granitic rocks using a compressed airflow driven percussive-rotary drilling machine with down-the-hole(DTH)hammer.Seven transducers are installed on the drilling machine and record the chuck displacement,DTH rotational speed,and five pressures from five compressed airflows in real-time series.The mechanism and operations of the drilling machine are elaborated in detail,which is essential for understanding and evaluating the drilling data.A MATLAB program is developed to automatically filter the recorded drilling data in time series and classify them into different drilling processes in sub-time series.These processes include penetration,push-in with or without rod,pull-back with or without rod,rod-tightening and rod-untightening.The drilling data are further reconstructed to plot the curve of drill-bit depth versus the net drilling time along each of the six drillholes.Each curve is found to contain multiple linear segments with a constant penetration rate,which implies a zone of homogenous geomaterial with different weathering grades.The effect from fluctuation of the applied pressures is evaluated quantitatively.Detailed analyses are presented for accurately assess and verify the underground profiling and strength in weathered granitic rock,which provided the basis of using DPM method to confidently assess drilling measurements to interpret the subsurface profile in real time.

Discussion on classification and naming scheme of fine-grained sedimentary rocks

Based on reviews and summaries of the naming schemes of fine-grained sedimentary rocks, and analysis of characteristics of fine-grained sedimentary rocks, the problems existing in the classification and naming of fine-grained sedimentary rocks are discussed. On this basis, following the principle of three-level nomenclature, a new scheme of rock classification and naming for fine-grained sedimentary rocks is determined from two perspectives: First, fine-grained sedimentary rocks are divided into 12 types in two major categories, mudstone and siltstone, according to particle size(sand, silt and mud). Second,fine-grained sedimentary rocks are divided into 18 types in four categories, carbonate rock, fine-grained felsic sedimentary rock,clay rock and mixed fine-grained sedimentary rock according to mineral composition(carbonate minerals, felsic detrital minerals and clay minerals as three end elements). Considering the importance of organic matter in unconventional oil and gas generation and evaluation, organic matter is taken as the fourth element in the scheme. Taking the organic matter contents of 0.5% and 2% as dividing points, fine grained sedimentary rocks are divided into three categories, organic-poor, organic-bearing,and organic-rich ones. The new scheme meets the requirement of unconventional oil and gas exploration and development today and solves the problem of conceptual confusion in fine-grained sedimentary rocks, providing a unified basic term system for the research of fine-grained sedimentology.

NEW EVIDENCES FOR THE FORMATION OF GRANITICROCKS BY REMELTING OF THE SIALCRUST IN SOUTHERN HUNAN

Comparatively analyzing 47 REE distribution data of the Southern Hunan geosynclinal arkosesilicarenite and various period granitic rocks and the results of their partially melting experiment series in company with the occurence and petrogeochemical features of various period granitic rocks, the authors suggest that all of the abovementioned salic rocks can be partially melt to produce granitic magma.

Major and Trace Element Chemical Compositional Signatures of Some Granitic Rocks Related to Metal Mineralization in Japan

We analyzed the major and trace element chemical compositions of 66 granitic rocks from 15 different areas in Japan. The intrusions from which the samples were collected were associated with Pb-Zn, Mo, Cu-Fe, Sn, or W mineralization and, for comparison, samples were also collected from intrusions not associated with any metal mineralization. The analyses indicated that the granitic rocks associated with Pb-Zn, Mo, or Cu-Fe mineralization were granites, granodiorites, or diorites, and that they were all I-type and formed in a volcanic arc tectonic setting. The granitic rocks associated with Sn or W mineralization and barren granitic rocks were classified as granites and as I-type with the exception of a few S-type granitic rocks. Most of the Sn- or W-associated granitic rocks and barren granitic rocks are thought to have formed in a volcanic arc tectonic setting. The Pb-Zn-, Mo-, or Cu-Fe-associated granitic rocks rarely shows negative Eu anomalies and a few of them are adakitic rocks, whereas all of the Sn- or W-associated granitic rocks and barren granitic rocks show negative Eu anomalies. For these Japanese granitic rocks, the contents of K2O, La, Y, Rb, Ta, Pb, Th, U, and REEs other than Eu increase with increasing SiO2. Conversely, the contents of major components other than Na2O and K2O and the trace components V, Zn, Sr, Eu, and Sc decrease with increasing SiO2. The Zr, Sn, and Hf abundances increase with increasing SiO2 up to 70 wt%, but their abundances decrease when the SiO2 exceeds 70 wt%. This suggests that granitic magma is saturated with these elements at 70 wt% of SiO2, approximately.

Late Cretaceous High-Sr/Y Granitic Rocks in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau: Crustal Thickening During Continental Collision

High-Sr/Y granitic rocks,characterized by intermediate–high SiO2 contents(>56 wt.%),high La/Yb ratios(>20),and low Y(<18 ppm)and Yb(<1.9 ppm)contents,have drawn much attention from geologists in the past decades.They were originally named adakites and defined as granitic magma in convergent plate margins formed by partial melting of subducted young(<25 Ma),hot,and hydrated oceanic slab.Recent studies suggest that these rocks can also be formed in a variety of non-subduction-related tectonic settings through different petrogenetic processes including partial melting of thickened lower continental crust,providing important constraints on crustal growth and evolution throughout the Earth’s history.The Tibetan plateau,generally considered as an archetype of collisional orogen,was formed by the successive accretion of different tectonic terranes to the southern margin of the Eurasia plates since the Early Paleozoic.Geologically,the Tibetan plateau comprises several W–E trending terranes(the Kunlun,North Qiangtang,South Qiangtang,and Lhasa terranes)and northernmost India(the Himalaya region).These terranes have undergone significant crustal thickening during the continental collision events.The crustal thickness of the Tibetan plateau is asymmetric,being thickest under the Lhasa terrane and thinning more gradually towards the north than to the south.From south to north,the crustal thickness increases from^50 km in the Himalaya region,to^70–80 km under the Lhasa terrane,and decreases to^65 km under the North and South Qiangtang terranes and^55 km beneath the Kunlun terrane.The present crustal thickness of the Tibetan plateau has generally been attributed to the Cenozoic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates and the subsequent intracontinental convergences since^55 Ma.However,doubts were raised about this interpretion in the past few years.For example,recent studies indicated the crust of the Lhasa terrane had been significantly thickened during ca.140–130 Ma in response to the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean,although the Cretaceous marine strata across the Lhasa terrane demonstrates that it was thin enough to be within the reach of sea level during at least the early Late Cretacous.Whether the South Qiangtang terrane underwent crustal thickening before Cenozoic or not remains an unanswered question.In this study,new zircon U–Pb geochronologic and Hfisotopic,and whole-rock geochemical data of the Late Cretaceous high-Sr/Y granitoids from the eastern South Qiangtang terrane are presented.LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating produced ages(92.0±1.1 Ma,88.8±0.7 Ma,and 91.5±0.6 Ma)of formation for the Leiwuqi granitoids of the South Qiangtang terrane,Tibetan Plateau,indicating that they were formed during the Late Cretaceous.The granitoids have low A/CNK ratios(0.94–1.06;<1.10)and P2O5 contents(0.02–0.12 wt.%),geochemically similar to I-type granitoids.They are characterized by high Sr(350–938 ppm,most>400 ppm),low Y(5.94–9.67 ppm),with high Sr/Y(36–119,most>40)and(La/Yb)N ratios(67–394).They exhibit negative zirconεHf(t)values(–9.8 to–1.1)and low MgO(0.32–0.69 wt.%),Cr(2.07–12.17 ppm),and Ni(1.10–5.94 ppm)contents.These features suggest that the granitoids probably were derived from partial melting of thickened lower continental crust(>50 km).The crust of the South Qiangtang terrane(at least its eastern part)may have been significantly thickened before the Late Cretaceous.

Genesis of granular calcite in lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks and its indication to volcanichydrothermal events: A case study of Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

Granular calcite is an authigenic mineral in fine-grained sedimentary rocks.Core observation,thin section observation,cathodoluminescence analysis,fluid inclusion analysis,scanning electron microscope(SEM),and isotopic composition analysis were combined to clarify the genesis of granular calcite in the lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag,Junggar Basin.It is found that the granular calcite is distributed with laminated characteristics in fine-grained sedimentary rocks in tuffite zones(or the transitional zone between tuffite and micritic dolomite).Granular calcite has obvious cathodoluminesence band,and it can be divided into three stages.Stage-Ⅰ calcite,with non-luminesence,high content of Sr element,inclusions containing Cos,and homogenization temperature higher than 170℃,was directly formed from the volcanic-hydrothermal deposition.Stage-Ⅱ calcite,with bright yellow luminescence,high contents of Fe,Mn and Mg,enrichment of light rare earth elements(LREEs),and high homogenization temperature,was formed by recrystallization of calcareous edges from exhalative hydrothermal deposition.Stage-IlI calcite,with dark orange luminescence band,high contents of Mg,P,V and other elements,no obvious fractionation among LREEs,and low homogenization temperature,was originated from diagenetic transformation during burial.The granular calcite appears regularly in the vertical direction and its formation temperature decreases from the center to the margin of particles,providing direct evidences for volcanic-hydrothermal events during the deposition of the Lucaogou Formation.The volcanic-hydrothermal event was conducive to the enrichment of organic matters in fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Lucaogrou Formation,and positive to the development of high-quality source rocks.The volcanic-hydrothermal sediments might generate intergranular pores/fractures during the evolution,creating conditions for the self-generation and self-storage of shale oil.

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.

Multi-source genesis of continental carbonate-rich fine-grained sedimentary rocks and hydrocarbon sweet spots

This paper systematically discusses the multiple source characteristics and formation mechanisms of carbonate-rich fine-grained sedimentary rocks through the analysis of material source and rock formation.The hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics of carbonate-rich fine-grained sedimentary rocks are also summarized.The results show that the main reason for the enrichment of fine-grained carbonate materials in rift lake basins was the supply of multiple material sources,including terrestrial material input,formation of intrabasinal authigenic carbonate,volcanic-hydrothermal material feeding and mixed source.The development of carbonate bedrock in the provenance area controlled the filling scale of carbonate materials in rift lake basins.The volcanic-hydrothermal activity might provide an alkaline fluid to the lake basins to strengthen the material supply for the formation of carbonate crystals.Authigenic carbonate crystals induced by biological processes were the main source of long-term accumulation of fine-grained carbonate materials in the lake basins.Carbonate-rich fine-grained sedimentary rocks with multiple features were formed through the interaction of physical,biochemical and chemical processes during the deposition and post-deposition stages.The source and sedimentary origin of the fine-grained carbonate rock controlled the hydrocarbon accumulation in it.In the multi-source system,the types of"sweet spots"of continental shale oil and gas include endogenous type,terrigenous type,volcanic-hydrothermal type and mixed source type.

Granite is an Effective Helium Source Rock: Insights from the Helium Generation and Release Characteristics in Granites from the North Qinling Orogen, China

Global helium(He) shortage is a challenging problem;however, the types of helium source rock and the mechanisms of He generation and release therein remain still poorly understood. In this study, in order to evaluate the potential of granite as an effective helium source rock, we collected granitic samples from the North Qinling Orogen, Central China, in the south of the helium-rich Weihe Basin. The helium generation and release behaviors in granite were studied through analysis of U and Th concentrations, EMPA images, and He and Ar concentrations and isotopic ratios extracted by crushing and stepwise heating. The results indicate that Ar has a better retention and a lower mobility than He. 3 He/4 He ratios released by crushing and stepwise heating are 0.016–0.056 RA and 0.003–0.572 RA, respectively, where RA is the atmospheric 3 He/4 He of 1.4×10-6, reflecting a crustal and radiogenic source. Helium concentrations extracted by the two ways are 0.13–0.95 ucm3 STP/g and 7.82–115.62 ucm3 STP/g, respectively, suggesting that matrix-sited He accounts for more than 98% of total helium preserved in granite. In addition, the total generated He amounts in granites are calculated based on the measured U and Th concentrations in granitic samples. Dividing the preserved He quantities by the generated He amounts, it turned out that less than 10% of He produced since the formation of the granite is preserved in the rock over geological time, suggesting that more than 90% generated He can be transferred to the Weihe Basin. Temperature and fracture are the two critical factors controlling He release. Based on the relationship between He diffusivity of granites and temperature and the He closure temperatures of a variety of U-and Th-rich minerals(27–250°C), we estimate that He can be partially released out of granite at the depths <400 m and totally released at the depths >7800 m. Fractures provide effective transfer of free He from deep source rocks to shallow reservoirs. Finally, a model on granite as an effective helium source rock is established. We suggest exploring He resources in hydrocarbon basins with granitic basement(or adjacent to granite bodies), high geothermal field, and young active fractures.

A super-large graphite deposit discovered in granite rocks at Huangyangshan, Xinjiang,China

1.Objective A graphite deposit has been discovered in Sujiquan, Xinjiang in 1980s,which provides detailed geological settings for the super-large graphite deposit discovered in Huangyangshan pluton with total reserves up to 7.264×10^9 t in 2017.Outcrops of igneous rocks in the study area include Middle Devonian plagioclase granite and Late Carboniferous alkali feldspar granite that is referred to the Huangyangshan pluton,which includes the Lower Carboniferous Heishantou Formation and Jiangbasi Formation,both of which consist of volcanic-sedimentary rocks (Fig.1).Sujiquan fault provided passage for the migration of volcanic intrusions.Graphite deposits are usually hosted by metamorphic rocks,but Huangyanshan deposits are hosted by granite rocks,which are rarely known.The Huangyangshan graphite deposit hosted by granite pluton at Huangyangshan area was discovered by Xinjiang Branch of China National Geological Exploration Center of Building Materials Industry since 2015.

Geochemical Characteristics of Pb Isotope of High-Pressure Metamorphic Rocks and Foliated Granites from HP Unit of Tongbai-Dabie Orogenic Belt

Whole-rock Pb isotopic compositions of the high-pressure (HP) metamorphic rocks, consisting of two-mica albite gneisses and eclogites, and foliated granites from the HP metamorphic unit of the Tongbai-Dabie orogenic belt are firstly reported in this paper. The results show that the HP metamorphic rocks in different parts of this orogenic belt have similar Pb isotopic compositions. The two- mica albite gneisses have 206 Pb/ 204 Pb=17.657-18.168, 207 Pb/ 204 Pb=15.318-15.573, 208 Pb/ 204 Pb=38.315-38.990, and the eclogites have 206 Pb/ 204 Pb=17.599-18.310, 207 Pb/ 204 Pb=15.465- 15.615 , 208 Pb/ 204 Pb=37.968-39.143. The HP metamorphic rocks are characterized by upper crustal Pb isotopic composition. Although the Pb isotopic composition of the HP metamorphic rocks partly overlaps that of the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks, as a whole, the former is higher than the latter. The high radiogenic Pb isotopic composition for the HP metamorphic rocks confirms that the subducted Yangtze continental crust in the Tongbai-Dabie orogenic belt has the chemical structure of increasing radiogenic Pb isotopic composition from lower crust to upper crust. The foliated granites, intruded in the HP metamorphic rocks post the HP/UHP metamorphism, have 206 Pb/ 204 Pb=17.128-17.434, 207 Pb/ 204 Pb=15.313-15.422 and 208 Pb/ 204 Pb=37.631-38.122, which are obviously different from the Pb isotopic compositions of the HP metamorphic rocks but similar to those of the UHP metamorphic rocks and the foliated garnet-bearing granites in the UHP unit. This shows that the foliated granites from the HP and UHP units have common magma source. Combined with the foliated granites having the geochemical characteristics of A-type granites, it is suggested that the magma for the foliated granites in the UHP and HP unit would be derived from the partial melting of the retrometamorphosed UHP metamorphic rocks exhumed into middle to lower crust, and partial magmas were intruded into the HP unit.

Geochemical and Boron Isotopic Evidence that Tourmaline Records Country Rock Assimilation of Leucogranites in the Himalayan Orogen

Tourmaline geochemical and boron(B)isotopic compositions in two-mica granites(TMG),tourmaline-bearing leucogranites(Tou-LG),tourmalites and metapelites from the Gyirong-Malashan areas of the Himalayan orogen provide evidence for country rock assimilation during the intrusion of Himalayan leucogranite.The schorls in Gyirong leucogranitic plutons show low contents of MgO(0.238%-1.160%)and δ^(11)B values(-12.1‰--11.2‰),while dravites gathered in the contact zone between the leucogranitic veins and metapelites show high contents of MgO(4.815%-6.755%)and δ^(11)B values(-10.7‰--9.3‰).This geochemical and isotopic variation of tourmalines can also be identified in the Malashan gneiss dome.As a result,three types of tourmaline were identified in the Himalayan orogen:(1)Tou-Ⅰ in the TMG and Tou-LG,which is the most common tourmaline type of schorl;(2)Tou-Ⅱ(dravite and high-Mg schorl)in the Tou-LG and tourmalite at the margins of the leucogranite;and(3)Tou-Ⅲ(mainly dravite,with minor high-Mg schorl)in metapelites of the High Himalayan Crystalline Sequence.The lenses and veins of Tou-LG may have experienced metasomatism and assimilation as a result of interaction with the High Himalayan Crystalline Sequence metasedimentary country rocks,which can be traced by the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of the tourmaline therein.