Integrative biogeography: Validating hypotheses of species distribution

DEAR EDITOR,Biogeography is a scientific field dedicated to the investigation of the origins and distribution patterns of organisms,as well as predicting future alterations in their geographical distributions(Cox&Moore,2005).However,the majority of conclusions drawn within the field of biogeography are hypothetical.Rigorous testing of these biogeographic hypotheses remains a considerable challenge.This paper presents the concept of“integrative biogeography”,which emphasizes the experimental testing of biogeographic hypotheses through studies on geological history,as well as biotic and abiotic factors(Figure 1).

Mineral Chemistry,Trace Elements,Isotopic Analysis and Zircon U-Pb Dating in the Hesar Pluton,Northern UDMA,Iran:Implications for Pre-Collisional Magma Mixing

The Hesar pluton in the northern Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc hosts numerous mafic-microgranular enclaves(MMEs).Whole rock geochemistry,mineral chemistry,zircon U-Pb and Sr-Nd isotopes were measured.It is suggested that the rocks are metaluminous(A/CNK=1.32-1.45),subduction-related I-type calc-alkaline gabbro to diorite with similar mineral assemblages and geochemical signatures.The host rocks yielded an U-Pb crystallization age of 37.3±0.4 Ma for gabbro-diorite.MMEs have relatively low SiO_(2) contents(52.9-56.6 wt%)and high Mg^(#)(49.8-58.7),probably reflecting a mantle-derived origin.Chondrite-and mantle-normalized trace element patterns are characterized by LREE and LILE enrichment,HREE and HFSE depletion with slight negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu^(*)=0.86-1.03).The host rocks yield(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_(i) ratios of 0.70492-0.70510,positive ε_(Nd)(t)values of+1.55-+2.06 and T_(DM2)of 707-736 Ma,which is consistent with the associated mafic microgranular enclaves((^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_(i)=0.705014,ε_(Nd)(t)=+1.75,T_(DM2)=729 Ma).All data suggest magma-mixing for enclave and host rock formation,showing a complete equilibration between mixed-mafic and felsic magmas,followed by rapid diffusion.The T_(DM1)(Nd)and T_(DM2)(Nd)model ages and U-Pb dating indicate that the host pluton was produced by partial melting of the lower continental crust and subsequent mixing with injected lithospheric mantlederived magmas in a pre-collisional setting of Arabian-Eurasian plates.Clinopyroxene composition indicates a crystallization temperature of~1000℃ and a depth of~9 km.

U-Pb dating of monazite in the Bainiuchang silver polymetallic deposit,Yunnan Province,and its limitation on Mesozoic mineralization

1.Objective The Gejiu-Bozhushan-Laojunshan tin-tungsten polymetallic metallogenic belt is located in southeastern Yunnan.It is bounded by the Mile-Shizong Fault and the Yangzi Plate to the north and west,respectively,while the Honghe Fault represents its southwestern boundary.It is adjacent to the Ailaoshan Fault,and extends to Guangxi and Vietnam to the southeast(Fig.1a;Liu JP et al.,2021).

Muscovite^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar isotopic dating of pegmatite veins in the Bieyesamas rare metal deposit in the Altay Mountain,Xinjiang,northwestern China

1.Objective The Altay Orogenic Belt in Xinjiang,China is located in the west of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and in the transition zone between the Siberian Plate and the Kazakhstan-Junggar Plate,extending approximately 500 km in northern Xinjiang,China(Fig.1a).The Altay Orogenic Belt has undergone two-way accretion of the Paleozoic crust and the Meso-Cenozoic intracontinental orogeny,leading to the formation of large numbers of intermediate-acid intrusions.More than 100000 pegmatite veins have been discovered in the intermediate-acid intrusions,and they constitute an important rare metal metallogenic belt of China(Fig.1b).

Cassiterite U-Pb dating of the Yelonggou pegmatite-type lithium deposit in western Sichuan and its metallogenic age constraints

1.Objective Pegmatite hosts important resource of rare metals,e.g.,lithium(Li)and beryllium(Be).In recent years,increasingly more studies were dedicated to characterize and unravel the formation of pegmatite-type deposits,for which accurate dating of pegmatite formation and mineralization is essential.The Songpan-Ganzi orogenic belt is a major rare metal metallogenic belt in China,hosting many important pegmatite-type Li deposits,including the Lijiagou,Dangba,Jiajika,Yelonggou,Cuola,and Declalongba.Radiometric age data(mica Ar-Ar and zircon/cassiterite U-Pb)from these Li deposits are sparse,ranging from 210 to 152 Ma.However,obtaining reliable zircon U-Pb dates can be a challenge due to the strong decidualization in pegmatites.As a result,the formation and mineralization ages of these rare metal pegmatites remain controversial,which hampers the development of pegmatite-type metallogenic model for the Songpan-Ganzi orogenic belt.

Consolidating the Foundation of Public Opinion

Talent exchange and cooperation is facilitating China-EU ties,arguably one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world today.

Phylogeny,molecular evolution,and dating of divergences in Lagerstroemia using plastome sequences

Lagerstroemia L.(Lythraceae)is a widely distributed genus of trees and shrubs native to tropical and subtropical environments from Southeast Asia to Australia,with numerous species highly valued as ornamentals.Although the plastomes of many species in this genus have been sequenced,the rates of functional gene evolution and their effect on phylogenetic analyses have not been thoroughly examined.We compared three plastome sequence matrices to elucidate how differences in these datasets affected phylogenetic analyses.Robust phylogenetic relationships for Lagerstroemia species were reconstructed based on different plastome sequence partitions and multiple phylogenetic methods.Identification of single-nucleotide variants within different genes also provides basic data on the patterns of functional gene evolution in Lagerstroemia and may provide insights into how those mutations affect protein structure and potentially drive divergence via cytonuclear incompatibility.These results as well as analyses of non-synonymous and synonymous mutations,indicate that heterotachic modes of evolution are present in functional plastome genes and should be accounted for in the analyses of molecular evolution.In addition,divergence events within the Lagerstroemia were dated for the first time.Several of the divergence estimates corresponded to well-known Earth history events,such as the reduction in global temperatures at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary.Our analyses conducted in Lagerstroemia here dissects the various patterns in the divergence of Lagerstroemia and may provide a useful guide to help plant breeders,as well as the necessity of using plastomic data and as possible as to combine evidence from morphological characteristics to investigate the complicated interspecies relationship and the evolutionary dynamics of species.

Diffusion of Sm-Nd in Scheelite and its Significance to Isotopic Dating and Tracing

As the principal ore mineral in various tungsten(-gold)deposits,scheelite(CaWO_(4))plays an important role in directly dating the timing of ore formation,and in tracing associated material sources through the study of its Sm-Nd geochronology and Nd isotopic characteristics.Since the retention of Sm-Nd systematics within scheelite is presently unconstrained,equivocal interpretations for isotopic data resulting from this method have occurred quite often in previous studies that apply these isotopic data.In order to better elucidate the closure of Sm-Nd in scheelite,the kinetics of Sm and Nd within this mineral lattice were investigated through calculation of diffusion constants presented herein.The following Arrhenius relations were obtained:D_(Nd)=4.00exp(-438 kJ·mol^(–1)/RT)cm^(2)/s D_(Sm)=1.85exp(-427 kJ·mol^(–1)/RT)cm^(2)/s showing diffusion rate of Nd is near identical to Sm in scheelite when at the same temperature.However,compared to other rare earth elements(REEs),which have markedly different atomic radii to either Nd or Sm,these are shown to exhibit a great variation in diffusivities.The observed trends in our data are in excellent agreement with the diffusion characteristics of REEs in other tetragonal ABO4 minerals,indicating that ionic radius is a key constraint to the diffusivity of REEs in the various crystal lattices.With this in mind,the same substitution mechanism and a very slight discrepancy in radii will allow us to infer that significant Sm/Nd diffusional fractionation in scheelite is unlikely to occur during most geological processes.Based upon the diffusion data determined herein,Sm and Nd closure temperatures and retention times in scheelite are discussed in terms of diffusion dynamics.Those results suggest that closure temperatures for Sm-Nd within this mineral are relatively high in contrast to the temperature ranges of ore-formation responsible for scheelite-related deposits,and any later thermal environments.It is likely,therefore,that relevant isotopic information could be easily retained under most geological conditions,since initial crystallization of the scheelite.In addition,comparison of this mineral-element pair over a range of temperatures with some other common minerals used as geochronometers(e.g.,zircon and apatite)indicates that Sm-Nd system has a slower diffusive rate in scheelite than for Sr in apatite or Ar in quartz,and only a little faster than for Pb in zircon.It should be noted,within most hydrothermal deposits where zircon has crystallized,its size is typically no more than 100μm,whereas scheelite commonly occurs as macroscopic grains.For this reason,the larger dimensions of scheelite would provide a robust Sm-Nd system more able to resist perturbations,relating to any later thermal process.As such Sm-Nd investigations of scheelite are akin to U-Pb within zircon samples used in isotopic dating.These observations indicate that Sm-Nd age and isotopic information can provide reliable data in all but the most extreme case,especially when data are extracted from macroscopic grains of scheelite that are chosen to be“pristine”(i.e.,free of surface alteration and/or fractures).

Trace Elements of Multi-stage Minerals and Titanite U-Pb Dating for the Gneisses from Liansan Island,Sulu UHPM Belt

Gneisses with anatectic characteristics from the Liansan island in the Sulu UHPM(ultra-high pressure metamorphic)belt were studied for petrography,titanite U-Pb dating and mineral geochemistry.Three origins of garnets are distinguished:metamorphic garnet,peritectic garnet and anatectic garnet,which are formed in the stages of peak metamorphism,retrograde anatexis and melt crystallization,respectively.The euhedral titanite has a high content of REE and high Th/U ratios,which is interpreted as indicating that it was newly-formed from an anatectic melt.The LA-ICP-MS titanite U-Pb dating yields 214-217 Ma ages for the titanite(melt)crystallization.The distribution of trace elements varies in response to the different host minerals at different stages.At the peak metamorphic stage,Y and HREE are mainly hosted by garnet,Ba and Rb by phengite,Sr,Nb,Ta,Pb,Th,U and LREE by allanite and Y,U and HREE by zircon.During partial melting,Y,Pb,Th,U and REE are released into the melt,which causes a dramatic decline of these element contents in the retrograde minerals.Finally,titanite absorbs most of the Nb,U,LREE and HREE from the melt.Therefore,the different stages of metamorphism have different mineral assemblages,which host different trace elements.

Restoration of reservoir diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation process by calcite in-situ U-Pb dating and fluid inclusion analysis: A case study on Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in Gaoquan Structure, southern Junggar Basin, NW China

The complexity of diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation in the deep reservoirs in southern Junggar Basin restricts hydrocarbon exploration in the lower reservoir assemblage. The lithofacies and diagenesis of reservoirs in the Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the Gaoquan structure of the Sikeshu Sag, southern Junggar Basin were analyzed. On this basis, the thermal history was calibrated using calcite in-situ U-Pb dating and fluid inclusion analysis to depict the hydrocarbon accumulation process in the Gaoquan structure. The results show that the Qingshuihe reservoir experienced two phases of calcite cementation and three phases of hydrocarbon charging. The calcite cements are dated to be (122.1±6.4) Ma, (14.4±1.0) Ma - (14.2±0.3) Ma. The hydrocarbon charging events occurred at around 14.2-30.0 Ma (low-mature oil), 14.2 Ma (mature oil), and 2 Ma (high-mature gas). The latter two phases of hydrocarbon charging contributed dominantly to the formation of reservoir. Due to the S-N compressive thrust activity during the late Himalayan period since 2 Ma, the traps in the Gaoquan structure were reshaped, especially the effective traps which developed in the main reservoir-forming period were decreased significantly in scale, resulting in weak hydrocarbon shows in the middle-lower part of the structure. This indicates that the effective traps in key reservoir-forming period controlled hydrocarbon enrichment and distribution in the lower reservoir assemblage. Calcite U-Pb dating combined with fluid inclusion analysis can help effectively describe the complex diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation process in the central-west part of the basin.

Metallogenic Age and Ore-forming Material Sources of the Dahongshan Fe-Cu Deposit,Yunnan Province:Insights from Molybdenite Re-Os Dating and H-O-S-Pb Isotopes

The Dahongshan Fe-Cu(-Au)deposit is a superlarge deposit in the Kangdian metallogenic belt,southwestern China,comprising approximately 458 Mt of Fe ores(40%Fe)and 1.35 Mt Cu.Two main types of Fe-Cu(-Au)mineralization are present in the Dahongshan deposit:(1)early submarine volcanic exhalation and sedimentary mineralization characterized by strata-bound fine-grained magnetite and banded Fe-Cu sulfide(pyrite and chalcopyrite)hosted in the Na-rich metavolcanic rocks;(2)late hydrothermal(-vein)type mineralization characterized by Fe-Cu sulfide veins in the hosted strata or massive coarse-grained magnetite orebodies controlled by faults.While previous studies have focused primarily on the early submarine volcanic and sedimentary mineralization of the deposit,data related to late hydrothermal mineralization is lacking.In order to establish the metallogenic age and ore-forming material source of the late hydrothermal(-vein)type mineralization,this paper reports the Re-Os dating of molybdenite from the late hydrothermal vein Fe-Cu orebody and H,O,S,and Pb isotopic compositions of the hydrothermal quartz-sulfide veins.The primary aim of this study was to establish the metallogenic age and ore-forming material source of the hydrothermal type orebody.Results show that the molybdenite separated from quartz-sulfide veins has a Re-Os isochron age of 831±11 Ma,indicating that the Dahongshan Fe-Cu deposit experienced hydrothermal superimposed mineralization in Neoproterozoic.The molybdenite has a Re concentration of 99.7-382.4 ppm,indicating that the Re of the hydrothermal vein ores were primarily derived from the mantle.The δ^(34)S values of sulfides from the hydrothermal ores are 2‰-8‰ showing multi-peak tower distribution,suggesting that S in the ore-forming period was primarily derived from magma and partially from calcareous sedimentary rock.Furthermore,the abundance of radioactive Pb increased significantly from ore-bearing strata to layered and hydrothermal vein ores,which may be related to the later hydrothermal transformation.The composition of H and O isotopes within the hydrothermal quartz indicates that the ore-forming fluid is a mixture of magmatic water and a small quantity of water.These results further indicate that the late hydrothermal orebodies were formed by the Neoproterozoic magmatic hydrothermal event,which might be related to the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.Mantle derived magmatic hydrothermal fluid extracted ore-forming materials from the metavolcanic rocks of Dahongshan Group and formed the hydrothermal(-vein)type Fe-Cu orebodies by filling and metasomatism.

Phylogenetic Relationship and Molecular Divergence Dating Using SRY Gene Polymorphism about Four Ladoum Sheep Lineages in Senegal

Animal genetic resources are playing a vital role in livestock production and are essential to food security. The present study aims to contribute to a better understanding genetic local sheep breeds and to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships through the evolution of the SRY gene in four different lineages of Ladoum sheep raised in Senegal. After a brief analysis of genetic diversity, the phylogenetic relationships and molecular dating were inferred through haplotype networks and four phylogenetic reconstruction methods. The different haplotype networks are constructed with NETWORK ver. 5.0.0.0 using the Median-Joining method. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The robustness of the nodes in phylogenetic trees of the three first methods was assessed by 1000 bootstraps. For Bayesian inference, the posterior probability distribution of the trees was estimated by 4 MCMC chains. 5,000,000 generations were performed for each of the chains by sampling the different parameters every 1000 generations. Results show a low polymorphism. Haplotypic diversity is much higher than the average nucleotide divergence between all pairs of haplotypes. The majority and central haplotype indicates a close relationship between “Batling” and “Tyson” individuals. “Birahim” lineage is very distinct from the rest. Phylogenetic trees confirm two genetically separate clades between “Birahim” and the other lineages. The period of divergence between “Birahim” lineage versus the common ancestor of the other three lineages was 2504 years ago. The polyphyly revealed in “Birahim” lindicates that this lineage does not contain the common ancestor of all individuals who compose it. It could therefore be derived from two or more sheep breeds with a common ancestor, Ovis aries. The monophyletic clade appears to be a group including a common ancestor and all of its genetic descendants. This group, bringing together the other three lineages, is in the process of being structured into sub-lineages. This study is the first to show that there are only two genetic lines within ladoum sheep in Senegal.

Consolidating Trust

In the last 15 years,the BRICS group has made good on its founding mandate of shaping a new global development pattern.The longevity and the increasing appeal of the BRICS group as evidenced by numerous countries’desire to join the group have surprised many who dismissed it as a marriage of convenience which would soon crumble under the weight of political,cultural,and historical di!erences when it was established.

Molybdenite Re-Os,titanite and garnet U-Pb dating of the Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposit,Xuancheng district,Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt

The Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposit is a representative example of the skarn mineralization occurring within the Xuancheng ore district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt of eastern China.The precise age of an ore deposit is important for understanding the timing of mineralization relative to other geological events in a region and to fully place the formation of a mineral deposit within the geological context of other processes that occur within the study area.Here,we present new molybdenite Re-Os and titanite and andradite garnet U-Pb ages for the Magushan deposit and use these data to outline possible approaches for identifying genetic relationships in geologically complex areas.The spatial and paragenetic relationships between the intrusions,alteration,and mineralization within the study area indicates that the formation of the Magushan deposit is genetically associated with the porphyritic granodiorite.However,this is not always the case,as some areas contain complexly zoned plutons with multiple phases of intrusion or mineralization may be distal from or may not have any clear spatial relationship to a pluton.This means that it may not be possible to determine whether the mineralization formed as a result of single or multiple magmatic/hydrothermal events.As such,the approaches presented in this study provide an approach that allows the identification of any geochronological relationships between mineralization and intrusive events in areas more complex than the study area.Previously published zircon U-Pb data for the mineralization-related porphyritic granodiorite in this area yielded an age of 134.2±1.2 Ma(MSWD=1.4)whereas the Re-Os dating of molybdenite from the study area yielded an isochron age of 137.7±2.5 Ma(MSWD=0.43).The timing of the mineralizing event in the study area was further examined by the dating of magmatic accessory titanite and skarn-related andradite garnet,yielding U-Pb ages of 136.3±2.5 Ma(MSWD=3.2)and 135.9±2.7 Ma(MSWD=2.5),respectively.The dating of magmatic and hydrothermal activity within the Magushan area yields ages around 136 Ma,strongly suggesting that the mineralization in this area formed as a result of the emplacement of the intrusion.The dates presented in this study also provide the first indication of the timing of mineralization within the Xuancheng district.providing evidence of a close genetic relationship between the formation of the mineralization within the Xuancheng district and the Early Cretaceous magmatism that occurred in this area.This in turn suggests that other Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks within this region are likely to be associated with mineralization and should be considered highly prospective for future mineral exploration.This study also indicates that the dating of garnet and titanite can also provide reliable geochronological data and evidence of the timing of mineralization and magmatism,respectively,in areas lacking other dateable minerals(e.g.,molybdenite)or where the relationship between mineralization and magmatism is unclear,for example in areas with multiple stages of magmatism,with complexly zoned plutons,and with distal skarn mineralization.

LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Dating of Intermediate-Acidic Intrusive Rocks and Molybdenite Re-Os Dating from the Bangpu Mo (Cu) Deposit, Tibet and its Geological Implication

The multi-stage intrusions of intermediate-acid magma occur in the Bangpu mining district, the petrogenic ages of which have been identified. The times and sequences of their emplacement have been collated and stipulated in detail in this paper by using the laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry （LA-ICP-MS） zircon U-Pb dating method. The ages of biotite monzogranite that were formed before mineralization in the southwest of this mining district are 70±1 Ma （mean square of weighted deviates （MSWD） =9.5, n=8） and 60.60±0.31 Ma （MSWD=3.8, n=16）, which belong to the late Cretaceous-early Paleocene in age. That means, they are products of an early tectonicmagmatic event of the collision between the Indian and Asian continentals. The ages of ore-bearing monzogranite porphyry and ore-bearing diorite porphyrite are 16.23±0.19 Ma （MSWD=2.0, n=26） and 15.16±0.09 Ma （MSWD=3.9, n=5） separately, which belong to the middle Miocene in age; namely, they are products of the Gangdese post-collision extensional stage when crust-mantle materials melted and mixed as well as magmatic intrusion simultaneously occurred. Some zircons with ages of 203.6±2.2 Ma （MSWD=1.18, n=7） were captured in the ore-bearing diorite porphyrite, which shows that there had been tectono-magmatic events in the late Triassic-early Jurassic. Molybdenum （copper） ore-bodies produced in the monzogranite porphyry and copper （molybdenum） ore-bodies produced in the diorite porphyrite are the main ore types in this ore deposit. The model ages of Re-Os isotopic dating for the 11 molybdenite are 13.97-15.84 Ma, while isochron ages are 14.09±0.49 Ma （MSWD=26）. The isochron ages of seven molybdenite from molybdenum （copper） ore with monzogranite porphyry type are 14.11±0.31 Ma （MSWD=5.2）. There is great error in the isochron ages of four molybdenite from copper （molybdenum） ore with diorite porphyrite type, and their weighted average model ages of 14.6±1.2 Ma （MSWD=41）, which generally represent the mineralization age. The results about the Re-Os isotopic dating of molybdenite in the ore of different types have limited exactly that, the minerlazation age of this ore deposits is about 14.09 Ma, which belongs to the middle Miocene mineralization. The Bangpu deposit has a uniform metallogenic dynamics background with the porphyry type and skarn-type deposits such as Jiama, Qulong and others.

Timing of carbonatite-hosted U-polymetallic mineralization in the supergiant Huayangchuan deposit,Qinling Orogen:Constraints from titanite U-Pb and molybdenite Re-Os dating

The newly-discovered supergiant Huayangchuan uranium(U)-polymetallic(Sr,Se,REEs,Ba,Nb and Pb)deposit is located in the Qinling Orogen,central China.The deposit underwent multistage mineralization,with the main carbonatite ore stage being the most important for the U,Nb,REE,Sr and Ba endowments.According to the mineral assemblages,the main carbonatite ore stage can be divided into three substages,i.e.,sulfate(Ba-Sr),alkali-rich U and REE-U mineralization.Main-stage titanite from the Huayangchuan igneous carbonatite are rich in high field strength elements(HFSEs,e.g.,Zr,Nb and REEs),and show clear elemental substitutions(e.g.,Ti vs.Nb+Fe+Al and Ca+Ti vs.Fe+Al+REE).High-precision LA-ICP-MS titanite dating yielded a U-Pb age of 209.0±2.9 Ma,which represents the mainstage mineralization age at Huayangchuan,and is coeval with the local carbonatite dyke intrusion.This mineralization age is further constrained by the Re-Os dating of molybdenite from the Huayangchuan carbonatite,which yielded a weighted mean age of 196.8±2.4 Ma.Molybdenite Re contents(337.55-392.75 ppm)and C-OSr-Nd-Pb isotopic evidence of the Huayangchuan carbonatite both suggest a mantle origin for the carbonatite.Our study supports that the Late Triassic carbonatite magmatism was responsible for the world-class U-Mo-REE mineralization in the Qinling Orogen,and that the regional magmatism and ore formation was likely caused by the closure of the Mianlue ocean and the subsequent North China-South China continent-continent collision.

Re-Os Isotopic Dating of a W-Be Polymetallic Deposit in the Southern Qinling Region, China

Objective In recent years, a series of tungsten prospecting breakthroughs have been made in the southern Qinling Mountains. Especially, a new deposit type with a scheelite -beryl-molybdenite assemblage in the Zhen＇an area of Shaanxi Province was firstly discovered. This deposit is currently in a detailed investigation stage, and no detailed study has been yet conducted. This work selected one molybdenite sample from the Be （W） ores in this deposit for Re-Os isotope measurements to define the time limit of tungsten and beryllium mineralization, and to further reveal the ore-forming geological setting of rare metals in the southern Qinling region.

Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating for island arc volcanic rock of Fangniugou area in Yitong region of Jilin Province

Polymetallic iron ore sulphate deposits of marine volcanic rock have been developed in the Fangniugou area,Jilin Province,China,but the division of volcanic ore-bearing strata has not been specifically elucidated and there is disagreement about the division.The sampling and SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of volcanic rock for Daheishan in the Fangniugou area and the northeast slope of the Duanjiadian were described.The volcanic rock formation period and recorded the volcanic events in the Daheishan mountains were systematically researched.Two samples of high-precision U-Pb zircon dating were used to represent the volcanic rock fomation period of the Late Silurian.The measured data reflect that multiple volcanic activities occurred during the Middle Silurian,Early Silurian,Middle Ordovician and Silurian,and Late Ordovician,probably matching volcanic events in the Songnan Basin identified from zircon dating.At the same time,it is confirmed that a controversial "conglomerate of Daheishan" did in fact develop in the Late Silurian,and those sections of both the Dazigou and Xinlitun-Taoshan with graptolite had been reversed.

A new understanding of Demala Group complex in Chayu Area, southeastern Qinghai- Tibet Plateau: Evidence from zircon U-Pb and mica ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar dating

The Chayu area is located at the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.This region was considered to be in the southeastward extension of the Lhasa Block,bounded by Nujiang suture zone in the north and Yarlung Zangbo suture zone in the south.The Demala Group complex,a set of high-grade metamorphic gneisses widely distributed in the Chayu area,is known as the Precambrian metamorphic basement of the Lhasa Block in the area.According to field-based investigations and microstructure analysis,the Demala Group complex is considered to mainly consist of banded biotite plagiogneisses,biotite quartzofeldspathic gneiss,granitic gneiss,amphibolite,mica schist,and quartz schist,with many leucogranite veins.The zircon U-Pb ages of two granitic gneiss samples are 205±1 Ma and 218±1 Ma,respectively,representing the ages of their protoliths.The zircons from two biotite plagiogneisses samples show core-rim structures.The U-Pb ages of the cores are mainly 644–446 Ma,1213–865 Ma,and 1780–1400 Ma,reflecting the age characteristics of clastic zircons during sedimentation of the original rocks.The U-Pb ages of the rims are from 203±2 Ma to 190±1 Ma,which represent the age of metamorphism.The zircon U-Pb ages of one sample taken from the leucogranite veins that cut through granitic gneiss foliation range from 24 Ma to 22 Ma,interpreted as the age of the anatexis in the Demala Group complex.Biotite and muscovite separates were selected from the granitic gneiss,banded gneiss,and leucogranite veins for 40Ar/39Ar dating.The plateau ages of three muscovite samples are 16.56±0.21 Ma,16.90±0.21 Ma,and 23.40±0.31 Ma,and the plateau ages of four biotite samples are 16.70±0.24 Ma,16.14±0.19 Ma,15.88±0.20 Ma,and 14.39±0.20 Ma.The mica Ar-Ar ages can reveal the exhumation and cooling history of the Demala Group complex.Combined with the previous research results of the Demala Group complex,the authors refer that the Demala Group complex should be a set of metamorphic complex.The complex includes not only Precambrian basement metamorphic rock series,but also Paleozoic sedimentary rock and Mesozoic granitic rock.Based on the deformation characteristics,the authors concluded that two stages of the metamorphism and deformation can be revealed in the Demala Group complex since the Mesozoic,namely Late Triassic-Early Jurassic(203–190 Ma)and Oligocene–Miocene(24–14 Ma).The early stage of metamorphism(ranging from 203–190 Ma)was related to the Late Triassic tectono-magmatism in the area.The anatexis and uplifting-exhumation of the later stage(24–14 Ma)were related to the shearing of the Jiali strike-slip fault zone.The Miocene structures are response to the large-scale southeastward escape of crustal materials and block rotation in Southeast Tibet after India-Eurasia collision.

Review on Dating Methods:Numerical Dating in the Quaternary Geology of High Asia

Over the past few years, OSL and TCN datings of glacial material from High Asia have come into fashion. To this day, however, these techniques do not permit safe calibration. The intensity of the cosmic ray flux is being modulated by the solar and terrestrial magnetic fields and their secular fluctuations in the past. So far, these variations cannot be converted into the respective local TCN production rates for High Asia. We have reason to believe that the ages that are being calculated despite these uneertainties are generally overestimated. This assessment is supported by eonventional radiocarbon dates and above＂ all by the glacial chronology developed independently on the basis of the Quaternary geological method. The strongly emerging evidence for a much more extensive LGM glaciation of High Asia is, however, either being ignored or rejected by many authors, solely on the basis of the above-mentioned uncalibrated datings. This self-conceit based on the ＂dating fallacy＂, as we call it, should be avoided since it goes decidedly against the standards of the scientific method established in Quaternary geology and makes a fundamental scientific discussion impossible.