Late Paleozoic Fluid Systems and Their Ore-forming Effects in the Yuebei Basin,Northern Guangdong,China

Based on detailed and systematic researches of the geology of ore deposits, fluid inclusions and isotope geochemistry etc., and regarding the Late Paleozoic fluid system of the Yuebei Basin as an integrated object in this paper, we have revealed the temporo-spatial evolution law of the basin＇s fluid system and discussed its ore-forming effects by simulating and analyzing the distribution of ore-forming elements, the fluid thermodynamics and dynamics of evolution processes of this basin. The results show that Late Paleozoic ore-forming fluid systems of the Yuebei Basin include four basic types as follows. （1） The sea floor volcanic-exhalation system developed during the rapid basin slip-extension stage in the Mid-Late Devonian, which affected the Dabaoshan region. It thus formed the Dabaoshan-type Cu-Pb-Zn-Fe sea floor volcanic-exhalation sedimentary deposits. （2） The compaction fluid system developed during the stable spreading and thermal subsidence-compression stage of the basin in the Mid-Late Devonian. The range of its effects extended all over the whole basin. It resulted in filling-metasomatic deposits, such as the Hongyan-type pyrite deposits and pyrite sheet within the Fankou-type Cu-Pb-Zn-S deposits. （3） The hot water circulation system of sea floor developed during the stage of basin uplifting and micro-aulacogen from the late Late Carboniferous to Middle Carboniferous. The range of its effects covered the Fankou region. It thus formed MVT deposits, such as the main orebody of the Fankou-type Pb-Zn-S deposits. （4） The gravity fluid system developed during the stage of fold uplifting and the basin closed from Middle Triassic to Jurassic, forming groundwater hydrothermal deposits, e.g. the veinlet Pb-Zn-calcite orebodies of the Fankou-type Pb-Zn- S deposits. Migration and concentration of the ore-forming fluids were constrained by the state of temporo-spatial distribution of its fluid potential. Growth faults not only converged the fluids and drove them to move upwards, but also the fluids often crossed the faults to the edges of the basin at the bottom of these faults and the lithologic interfaces, and even migrated to the basin＇s edges from top to bottom along the faults, which may be one of the basic reasons for the stratabound deposits to cluster mainly along the contemporaneous faults on the inner border of the basin. The superposed mineralization resulting from the multi-stage activity of contemporaneous faults and ore-forming fluid systems in the basin may be one of the key factors for forming superlarge ore deposits.

Tectonic Framework of Late Paleozoic Intrusions in Xingxingxia： Implications for Final Closure of South Tianshan Ocean in East Tianshan

This work carried out systematic geological field investigation, petrography observation, zircon geochronology and whole rock geochemistry on Late Paleozoic intrusions in the Xingxingxia region near the Xinjiang-Gansu provincial boundary, western China, aiming to constrain the Late Paleozoic tectonic framework of the Xingxingxia region and the final closure time of South Tianshan Ocean in the East Tianshan. The Xingxingxia area is located in the east part of the Tianshan orogen, and adjacent to the north of the Tarim Basin. The Late Paleozoic magma activities in the Xingxingxia region can be mainly divided into three stages. The first stage includes intrusive magma activities under a collision setting between Late Ordovician to the Late Devonian. The second stage is intrusive magma activities under a subduction setting during（304±3）–（278±3） Ma, and the third stage involves intrusive magma activities under a collision and post-collision setting during（268±5）–（259.9±2.6） Ma. The final suture zone of South Tianshan Ocean should be between the Central Tianshan Block and South Tianshan accretionary complex. Based on previous work, both the first stage magma activities（i.e., intrusive magmatic activities between the Late Ordovician to Late Devonian） and the Hongliuhe ophiolitic complex indicate a close event between Central Tianshan Block and South Tianshan Accretionary Complex. The 304±3 Ma dioritic metamorphic gneiss of the XingX ingxia complex and the 278±3 Ma diorite are all island arc calc-alkaline rocks, the 289±3 Ma gabbro is island arc tholeiitic gabbro formed by magma from metasomatic enrichment mantle. All these results indicate that the second stage of magmatic activities is under a subduction setting. The third stage magma activities i.e. the granitic magma activities of（268±5）–（259.9±2.6） Ma occurred at a transitional setting from compressional to post-collision extensional tectonic setting. Thus, around（268±5）–（260±3） Ma, the final closure of the South Tianshan Ocean occurred and the Tianshan orogen shifted into the intracontinental evolution stage. During and after the closure process, a wide range of metamorphism and large dextral strike-slip faults developed.

End Late Paleozoic tectonic stress field in the southern edge of Junggar Basin

This paper presents the end Late Paleozoic tectonic stress field in the southern edge of Junggar Basin by interpreting stress-response structures （dykes, folds, faults with slickenside and conjugate joints）. The direction of the maximum principal stress axes is interpreted to be NW-SE （about 325°）, and the accommodated motion among plates is assigned as the driving force of this tectonic stress field. The average value of the stress index Rt is about 2.09, which indicates a variation from strike-slip to compressive tectonic stress regime in the study area during the end Late Paleozoic period. The reconstruction of the tectonic field in the southern edge of Junggar Basin provides insights into the tectonic deformation processes around the southern Junggar Basin and contributes to the further understanding of basin evolution and tectonic settings during the culmination of the Paleo- zoic.

Late Paleozoic Sequence-Stratigraphic Frameworks and Sea Level Changes in Dianqiangui Basin and Its Adjacent Areas with Systematic Revision of Regional Unconformities

The formation process of the Dianqiangui basin, a special basin, occurred after the Caledonian orogeny, in the south of Guizhou, the west of Guangxi and the southeast of Yunnan, experienced three periods: it began in the Devonian, persisted in the Carboniferous, and became fiercer in the Permian. Controlled by syndepositional fault-zones, varieties of isolated carbonate platforms, large and small, were developed in the background of a deep-water basin, namely, an inter-platform ditch. And a special paleogeographical Late Paleozoic pattern marked by “platform-basin-hill-trough” was produced in both the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas. Affected by regional tectonic activities and the global changes in the sea level, the platform carbonates and coal measures superimposed each other cyclically on the attached platform. The reef-building on the isolated platform and the margin of the attached platform corresponds to the development of the shale succession in the deep-water basin. All of these elementary characteristics reflect a regular and sophisticated filling succession of the Dianqiangui basin, a result of the dual controls of the regionally tectonic activities and the eustacy. Based on the two elementary features of the third-order sequences, i.e. the regularity of sedimentary-facies succession in space and the simultaneity of environmental changes in time, 25 third-order sequences could be discerned in the Upper Paleozoic strata in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas. On the basis of the two kinds of facies-changing surfaces and the two kinds of diachronisms in stratigraphic records, the regional Late Paleozoic sequence-stratigraphic framework in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas can be established. There are two types of facies-changing surfaces and two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records: the static type, a result of the change in sedimentary facies in space, and the dynamic type, a result of the change in time. These two types of facies-changing surfaces led to the generation of the two types of diachronisms: the diachronism of facies-changing surfaces that was formed by the static facies-changing surfaces, and the diachronism of punctuated surfaces that was formed by the dynamic facies-changing surfaces. The two types of facies-changing surfaces and the two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records are the key to the establishment of the sequence-stratigraphic framework. The sequence boundaries could be divided geologically into four types: tectonic unconformity, sedimentary unconformity, drowned unconformity and their correlative surfaces. All of these four types can be further grouped into exposed punctuated surfaces and deepened punctuated surfaces. The tectonic unconformity is similar to Type Ⅰ sequence boundary, and the sedimentary unconformity is similar to Type Ⅱ sequence boundary defined by Vail et al.. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, the tectonic unconformities of the Ziyun movement, the Qiangui epeirogeny and the Dongwu revolution as well as the drowned unconformity in the transitional period from the Permian to the Triassic can be systematically defined and their geological characteristics are briefly presented.

Plate tectonics in the late Paleozoic

As the chronicle of plate motions through time, paleogeography is fundamental to our understanding of plate tectonics and its role in shaping the geology of the present-day. To properly appreciate the history of tectonics--and its influence on the deep Earth and climate-it is imperative to seek an accurate and global model of paleogeography. However, owing to the incessant loss of oceanic lithosphere through subduction, the paleogeographic reconstruction of ＇full-plates＇ （including oceanic lithosphere） becomes increasingly challenging with age. Prior to 150 Ma ~60% of the lithosphere is missing and re- constructions are developed without explicit regard for oceanic lithosphere or plate tectonic principles; in effect, reflecting the earlier mobilistic paradigm of continental drift. Although these ＇continental＇ re- constructions have been immensely useful, the next-generation of mantle models requires global plate kinematic descriptions with full-plate reconstructions. Moreover, in disregarding （or only loosely applying） plate tectonic rules, continental reconstructions fail to take advantage of a wealth of additional information in the form of practical constraints. Following a series of new developments, both in geo- dynamic theory and analytical tools, it is now feasible to construct full-plate models that lend themselves to testing by the wider Earth-science community. Such a model is presented here for the late Paleozoic （410-250 Ma） together with a review of the underlying data. Although we expect this model to be particularly useful for numerical mantle modeling, we hope that it will also serve as a general framework for understanding late Paleozoic tectonics, one on which future improvements can be built and further tested.

On Geodynamic Evolution of Simao Region (Southwestern Yunnan, China) during Late Paleozoic and Triassic

Over the last years, the Simao region, southwestern Yunnan, China, turned out to be a very promising target to elucidate plate tectonic processes around the Permian Triassic boundary within the Tethyan domain of Asia. New data from this area reveal that Upper Paleozoic compressional deformations occurred along the Lancangjiang and in areas to the east. Along Lancangjiang, an angular unconformity is exposed, which separates quartz phyllites—formed during a Carboniferous tectono metamorphic event—from Triassic red beds to roofing rhyolites. The acidic volcanics were often said to be remnants of a volcanic arc that was active during the Triassic subduction and closure of an oceanic realm along the Lancangjiang zone. According to our new data, however, these volcanics indicate most probably an Upper Triassic stage of rifting. In the Yunxian anticline (NW of Simao), an angular unconformity of intra Permian age is exposed where Carboniferous to lower Middle Permian strata, which were deposited in a rather deep basin, are unconformably overlain by a shallow marine sequence of upper Middle to Upper Permian sediments. The angular unconformity is of the same age as the syn orogenous sediments first described and dated from the Phetchabun region in Thailand and hence a convincing argument for a Late Variscan orogeny forming an extensive zone of mountain building that can be traced through the central parts of mainland Southeast Asia.

Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic extension in southwestern Fujian Province, South China： Geochemical, geochronological and Hf isotopic constraints from basic-intermediate dykes

The tectonic evolution of SE China block since late Paleozoic remains debated. Here we present a new set of zircon U-Pb geochronological, Lu-Hf isotopic data and whole-rock geochemistry for two stages of basicintermediate dykes from the southwestern Fujian. The samples were collected from the NE-trending （mainly diabases） and NW-trending （mainly diabasic diorites） dykes and yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 315 and 141 Ma, with eHf（t） values of -8.90 to 7.49 and -23.39 to -7.15 （corresponding to TDM2 values of 850 to 1890 Ma and 737 to 2670 Ma）, respectively. Geochemically these rocks are characterized by low TiO2 （0.91-1.73 wt.%） and MgO （3.04-7.96 wt.%）, and high A1203 （12.5-16.60 wt.%） and K20 （0.60-3.63 wt.%）. Further they are enriched in LREEs and LILEs （Rb, Ba, Th and K）, but depleted in HFSEs （Nb, Ta and Zr）. The tectonic discrimination analysis revealed that the dykes were formed in an intraplate extensional envi- ronment. However, the NW trending dykes show crust-mantle mixed composition, which indicate an extensional tectonic setting with evidence for crustal contamination. The SE China block experienced two main stages of extensional tectonics from late Carboniferous to early Cretaceous. The tectonic evolution of the SE China block from late Devonian to Cretaceous is also evaluated.

Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the mixed clastic-carbonate deposits in the Late Paleozoic icehouse period:A case study from the northern Qaidam Basin

The widely-developed,mixed clastic-carbonate succession in the northern Qaidam Basin records the paleo-environment changes under the glacial activity during the Late Paleozoic icehouse period in the context of regional tectonic stability,however,the depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy characteristics of the mixed deposits is rarely reported and still not clear.Combined the latest drilling wells data,we analyzed the sedimentary and stratigraphic characterization of the mixed strata via detailed field outcrops and core observations and thin section microscopic observations and recognized three depositional systems,including progradational coastal system,incised valley system,and carbonate-dominated marine shelf system,and identified four third-order sequences,SQ1,SQ2,SQ3 and SQ4,consisting of LST,TST,and HST.The depositional environment is overall belonged to marine-continental transition context and shifted from marine to continental environment frequently,showing an evolutionary pattern from marine towards terrestrial-marine transition and then back into the marine environment again in the long-term,which was controlled by the regional tectonic subsidence and the high-frequency and large-amplitude sea-level changes due to the Late Paleozoic glacial activity.The result is of significance in understanding the evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the sedimentation-climate response.

Geothermal Field and Tectono-Thermal Evolution since the Late Paleozoic of the Qaidam Basin,Western China

The Qaidam basin is the largest intermountain basin inside Tibet, and is one of the three major petroliferous basins in western China. This study discussed the geothermal field and tectono-thermal evolution of the basin, in an effort to provide evidence for intracontinental or intraplate continental dynamics and basin dynamics, petroleum resources assessment, and to serve petroleum production.

Detrital zircon constraints on late Paleozoic tectonism of the Bogda region(NW China)in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Chinese North Tianshan(CNTS)in the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB)has undergone multistage accretion-collision processes during Paleozoic time,which remain controversial.This study addresses this issue by tracing the provenance of Late Paleozoic sedimentary successions from the Bogda Mountain in the eastern CNTS through U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses of detrital zircons.New detrital zircon U-Pb ages(N=519)from seven samples range from 261±4 Ma to 2827±32 Ma.The most prominent age peak is at 313 Ma and subordinate ages vary from 441 Ma to 601 Ma,with some Precambrian detrital zircon ages(~7%)lasting from 694 Ma to 1024 Ma.The youngest age components in each sample yielded weighted mean ages ranging from 272±9 Ma to 288±5 Ma,representing the maximum depositional ages.These and literature data indicate that some previously-assumed"Carboniferous"strata in the Bogda area were deposited in the Early Permian,including the Qijiaojing,Julideneng,Shaleisaierke,Yangbulake,Shamaershayi,Liushugou,Qijiagou,and Aoertu formations.The low maturity of the sandstones,zircon morphology and provenance analyses indicate a proximal sedimentation probably sourced from the East Junggar Arc and the Harlik-Dananhu Arc in the CNTS.The minor Precambrian detrital zircons are interpreted as recycled materials from the older strata in the Harlik-Dananhu Arc.Zircon EHf(t)values have increased since^408 Ma,probably reflecting a tectonic transition from regional compression to extension.This event might correspond to the opening of the Bogda intraarc/back arc rift basin,possibly resulting from a slab rollback during the northward subduction of the North Tianshan Ocean.A decrease of zirconεHf(t)values at^300 Ma was likely caused by the cessation of oceanic subduction and subsequent collision,which implies that the North Tianshan Ocean closed at the end of the Late Carboniferous.

Stratigraphic framework of late Paleozoic in northeastern China

Late Paleozoic strata in northeastern China are distributed in a zonal pattern around the old-land on the Jiamusi-Mongolia Block. They are composed of active deposits in the regular distributed tectonic lithofacies zones. This indicates that the late Paleozoic strata belong to continental margin deposits. According to the strong conformability of the sedimentary strata in the same continental margin and distinct differences among the three continental margins, three stratigraphical regions of the Jiamusi-Mongolia Stratigraphical Province are recognized along the northern, southern and eastern margins of the Jiamusi-Mongolia Block, named respectively as Xing＇an Stratigraphical Region, Inner Mongolia grass-Songhua River Stratigraphical Region and Baoqing-Hunchun Stra- tigraphical Region. Due to the characteristics of continental margin deposits and active sediments, the strata can be correlated on the level of formation by the methods of analysing the rock association in the same stratigraphic region. Therefore, some revisions of the lithologieal formations of the late Paleozoic strata in northeastern China have been made, and a new chart of lithostratigraphic correlation has been proposed. Furthermore, the present stratigraphic framework is setting on the International Stratigraphic Chart on the level of stage, after comprehen- sive researches to lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy, especially the conodont biostratigra- phy and isotopic ages of volcanic rocks obtained in recent years.

Geochemistry of Sulfur and Hazardous Elements in Late Paleozoic Coals and Partings from Taozao Coalfield, Shandong Province, China

The analyses of different sulfur forms, the trace elements in pyrites using electron microprobe and the trace elements in coal using INAA (instrumental neutron activation analysis) of the Late Paleozoic coals from the Taozao coalfield in Shandong Province, China, conclude that most sulfur (>75 %) in high-sulfur coal of Taiyuan Formation occurred as pyrite, in which many hazardous elements co-existed and their concentrations varied with their geological origin. The concentrations of hazardous elements in high-sulfur coals from Taiyuan Formation, composing mainly of Cu, As, U, Pb, Mo and Co, are much higher than those in the low-sulfur coals from Shanxi Formation and Shihezi Formation, because the influence of seawater during and after coal accumulation in Taiyuan Formation is stronger than those in Shanxi and Shihezi formations. Moreover, the element As is related to Fe, and both elements exist mainly in the form of pyrite. The element U is richer in the coal influenced by seawater. In addition, the coal affected by the magmatism contains more U, too. When high-sulfur coals are processed with heavy media washing to remove sulfur and minerals, the majority of hazardous elements will also be removed from the coals.

Late Paleozoic alkaline magmatism in Western Transbaikalia,Russia:Implications for magma sources and tectonic settings

This paper presents the results of geochronological(40Ar-39Ar,U-Pb SHRIMP Ⅱ),petrological and geochemical studies of the Late Paleozoic complexes of alkaline rocks(Zimovechinsky,Tuchinsky and Koma) located within the Vitim Plateau(the western part of the Mongol-Okhotsk Orogenic Belt).The rocks were formed at 310-280 Ma.It is coeval with Late Paleozoic magmatism within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.The εNd(T) values show large variations from-2.1 to +3.3 as well as the initial Sr(I) isotopic ratios from 0.7042 to 0.7138,that demonstrate strong isotopic heterogeneity of the magmatic source.The geochemical characteristics of the rocks show pronounced positive Pb and negative Ti,Zr-Hf anomalies that can be explained by involvement of the subducted component in primary melts.The rocks intruded in a setting of extension at the active continental margin of the Siberian Craton during subduction of Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic crust under the Siberian Craton.

Lithospheric dripping in a soft collision zone:Insights from late Paleozoic magmatism suites of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The closure of Paleo-Asian Ocean is considered to have occurred along the Solonker Suture in the southernmost segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogen on the globe.The suture branches to the east to form the northern Hegenshan-Heihe Suture and the southern Solonker-Changchun Suture.The Hegenshan-Heihe Suture is an ideal natural laboratory for studying the post-collisional geodynamic processes operating in a soft collision zone driven by divergent double-sided subduction.Here we report results from an integrated study of the petrology,geochronology,geochemistry,and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of the Early Carboniferous-Early Permian mag-matic suite in the Hailar Basin of the Xing'an-Erguna Block.The Early Carboniferous igneous rocks are represented by 356-349 Ma andesitic tuffs,exhibiting typical subduction-related features,such as enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and depletion in high-field-strength elements.These features,together with the relatively depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions,constant Nb/Y values,but highly variable Rb/Y and Ba values indicate that these rocks were generated by partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids.The Late Carboniferous-Early Permian magmatic suite(317-295 Ma)is characterized by high Sr contents(313-1080 ppm)and low Y contents(5-13 ppm),and these can be subdivided into calc-alkaline adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline adakitic rocks.The calc-alkaline adakitic rocks have higher values of Sr/Y,(Sm/Yb)_(source normalized),and Mg#,and lower values of Y,_(Ybsource normalized),and K_(2)O/Na_(2)O than the high-K calc-alkaline adakitic rocks,which suggests that the former was generated by partial melting of foundered lower continental crust and the latter by partial melting of normal lower continental crust.Based on our new data,in conjunction with those in previous studies,we conclude that the tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan-Heihe Suture involved Early Carboniferous double-sided subduction of the Nenjiang Ocean,latest Early Carboniferous soft collision between the Xing'an-Erguna and Songliao blocks,and Late Carboniferous-Early Permian post-collisional extension.We also propose a new geodynamic scenario in which removal of the lithospheric root might have occurred in a soft collision zone during the post-collision period via repeated and localized lithospheric dripping,which results from combined effects of hydration weakening of the lithosphere caused by pre-collision subduction and asthenospheric stirring triggered by slab break-off.

Depositional chemistry of chert during late Paleozoic from western Guangxi and its implication for the tectonic evolution of the Youjiang Basin

Continual deep-water sediments from the late Early Devonian to the Late Permian extended in wide areas of western Guangxi. We analyzed the major, trace, and rare earth elements of the Upper Paleozoic cherts in Badu, western Guangxi. High non-terrigenous SiO2 contents （Sinon_ter/Sibulk（%）〉 80%） and pure chert components （〉 70%） indicate a large extent of silicifi- cation in the Upper Paleozoic cherts, except for the Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous Luzhai Formation cherts, which have lower non-terrigenous SiO2 contents （avg. 71.8%） and pure chert components （40%-70%）. The Al/（AI＋Fe＋Mn） ratios and Feter/Febulk（%） values of samples from the lowest horizon of the Pingen Formation are 0.05-0.26, 13.1%-14.5%, respec- tively, indicating hydrothermal origins. All other samples show high Al/（Al＋Fe＋Mn） ratios （0.39±0.81） and high Feter/Febulk（%） values （23.1%-186.8%）, indicating non-hydrothermal origins. The Pingen Formation and Liujiang Formation cherts show slightly-moderately negative Ce anomalies （0.71±0.07, 0.81±0.08, respectively） and higher Y/Ho ratios （33.49±1.27, 36.10±2.05, respectively） than PAAS. This suggests that these cherts were deposited in the open marine basin, rather than in the intracontinental rift basin as previously assumed. The Luzhai Formation cherts may be deposited near the seamount or sea- floor plateaus with no negative Ce anomalies （1.09±0.07） and no significant Y-Ho fractionation （Y/Ho=28.60±1.25）. The Nandan Formation and Sidazhai Formation cherts were deposited in the open-ocean basin with moderately negative Ce anom- alies （0.67±0.08, 0.73±0.11, respectively） and high Y/Ho ratios （36.01±1.00, 32.00±2.25, respectively）. On the basis of our studies about cherts, we conclude that the Youjiang Basin originated as part of the Paleo-Tethys that controlled the deposition- al environments of cherts during late Paleozoic. The rift of the Youjiang Basin had occurred at least since the Early-Middle Devonian. The basin had a trend of evolving into an open-ocean basin during the Early-Middle Permian.

Paleomagnetic results of Late Paleozoic rocks from northern Qiangtang Block in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Tectonic evolution of the Tethys and the boundary between the Gondwanaland and the Eurasia during the Carboniferous and Permian remain hotly debated. Qiangtang region in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may be a key place to study these problems. A paleomagnetic study was conducted on the Late Paleozoic rocks in the northern Qiangtang region （33.7°N, 86.7°W）, Tibet. Two sites （21 samples） in the Upper Carboniferous, eleven sites （101 samples） in the Permian, and two sites （16 samples） in the Lower Triassic were investigated. The rock magnetic data revealed hematite and magnetite as the main magnetic carders. In stepwise thermal demagnetization and/or combined alternating field （AC） demagnetization, two characteristic components in the majority of the samples were identified as （1） the Low-temperature Component （LTC）, characterized by northerly decli- nation and moderate to steep inclination, corresponding to a pole position overlay with the present North Pole. A minority of the samples present single component, and their directions are the same as （2） the High-temperature Component （HTC） of double components. The combined single-component and HTC data of the Permian can pass the R-test at 95% level and the F-test at 99% level, as well as the BC-test. The pole position from the Late Carboniferous is at 31.8°S, 45.7°E with dp=2.1, dm=3.9, that from the Early and Middle （Late） Permian is at 31.7°S, 46.8°E with @=9.2, dm=16.9 （34.4°N, 54.1°E with dp=6.9, dm=1 2.5） respectively, and that from the Early Triassic is at 16.9°S, 22.5°E with dp=4.9, dm=9.2. These pole positions are different from the other poles for the Qiangtang Block, which suggests the single-component and HTC directions are probably a primary magnetization and the northern Qiangtang Block was paleogeographically situated at low latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere in the Late Paleozoic.

Coevolution of brachiopod paleobiogeography and tectonopaleogeography during the late Paleozoic in Central Asia

Patterns of brachiopod paleobiogeographic regionalization in Central Asia reveal a coevolution between brachiopod paleobiogeography and tectonopaleogeography during the Early Devonian,Early Carboniferous,Late Carboniferous,Early Permian,and Middle Permian.The coevolutionary relationship reasonably accounts for the formation mechanisms of brachiopod paleobiogeography in this region,and also provides a basis for studies on the location and configuration of oceans and plates(blocks)during the late Paleozoic in Central Asia.

Late Paleozoic reefs and their significance for tectonics and oil-gas exploration in the Hinggan-Inner Mongolia area

Many reefs of the Late Paleozoic have been discovered recently in the Hinggan-lnner Mongolia area. These reefs clearly are geographically extensive, and possess distinctive features and well-developed reef-facies. They have been found to contain five reef-building communities and were constructed in four periods. Colonial coral-algal reefs at Aohan and Chifeng represent a warm shallow-sea in the Carboniferous. Different reefs in the Xiwu Banner were formed in three periods： early Late Carboniferous, late Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. These reefs were built in warm sea conditions. Their buildup types include colonial coral frameworks, algae-buildings and lime-mud mounds. Bryozoan reefs in the Zhalaite and Dongwu banners were built in the late Middle Permian and thrived in a cold shallow-sea. All reefs grew independently on two kinds of sedimentary platforms, carbonate and carbonate-clastic mixed platforms. Four reef-forming periods occurred later from south to north, along a collisional course between the North China Plate and the Siberian Plate. These reefs can be arranged into three ＇reef-links＇ or reef zones that extend along plate margins. Among these, the Aohan-Chifeng reef-link indicates a northern margin of the North China Plate, the Zhalaite-Dongwu reef-link marks a southern margin of the Siberian Plate, and the Xiwu-Beishan reef-link reflects the former existence of some inter-plates. The strata of each reef-facies are thick and contain rich asphalt deposits. Overlapping and heteropic layers are very thick and contain dark oil/gas-rich horizons; TOC analyses verify that most of these are good hydrocarbon source rocks. This study shows that the study area is an excellent candidate for oil-gas exploration.

Genetic relationships between swamp microenvironment and sulfur distribution of the Late Paleozoic coals in North China

The genetic relationships between microenvironment of the Late Paleozoic peat-forming swamp and the sulfur contents of coal in North China have been studied by using coal-facies parameters involving gelification degree, tissue preservation index, vegetation index, transportation index, groundwater influence index, water medium indicator and swamp type index, etc. Among the various controlling factors of swamp microenvironment, swamp water medium elaborates a dominant action to sulfur accumulation in the marine-influenced coals; while coal-forming plant type, hydrodynamic state and water covering depth are more important to sulfur accumulation in the fresh water-influenced coals. Geological fractionation of sulfur isotopes reflects that sulfur accumulation experienced multi-stages evolution. Pyrite sulfurs formed earlier than organic sulfur and the sulfur isotopic δ34Sp shows lower values than organic sulfur isotopic δ34So. In the brine-influenced coals, sulfur accumulation processed relatively a long time span, the distribution of sulfur isotopes dispersed, and the coals are provided with high sulfur contents. In the fresh-water-influenced coals, sulfur accumulation occurred mainly at the syngenetic-penesyngenetic stage and the early diagenetic stage, and the total sulfur is lower and mainly composed of organic sulfur.

Geochemistry of the Late Paleozoic cherts in the Youjiang Basin:Implications for the basin evolution

We analyzed the major and rare earth element compositions of siliceous deposits from the Upper Devonian Liujiang Formation,Lower Carboniferous Luzhai Formation,Lower-Middle Permian Sidazhai Formation and Tapi Formation,which are widely distributed as bedded cherts in the interplatform basinal successions of the Youjiang Basin.The Liujiang Formation and Luzhai Formation cherts generally have high Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) values(0.38-0.94) and are non-hydrothermal cherts.These cherts are generally characterized by moderately negative Ce anomalies and high Y/Ho values relatived to PAAS,indicating that the Youjiang Basin might have evolved into an open rift basin during the Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous.The Sidazhai Formation cherts from Ziyun generally have high Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) values(0.60-0.78),suggesting negligible contribution from a hydrothermal component.The Sidazhai Formation cherts from Hechi and the Tapi Formation cherts from Malipo generally have low Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) values(0.09-0.41),indicating an intense hydrothermal input.Relatived to the Sidazhai Formation cherts,the Tapi Formation cherts have higher Ce/Ce*values(0.68±0.19) and lower Y/Ho values(41.83±13.27),which may be affected by the terrigenous input from the Vietnam Block.The Sidazhai Formation cherts from Ziyun and Hechi exhibit negative Ce anomalies(0.43±0.12,0.33±0.17,respectively) with high Y/Ho values(57.44±16.20,46.02±4.27,respectively),resembling the geochemical characteristics of open-ocean basin cherts.These cherts were deposited on a passive continental margin adjacent to the Babu branch ocean,which may have contributed to upwelling.Detailed spatial studies on geochemical characteristics of the Late Paleozoic cherts can unravel the evolution of the Youjiang Basin.