Zircon U-Pb dating of the Shazibu Pluton in the Guocheng gold belt, Jiaolai Basin, Shandong Province: Implications for metallogeny of the Jiaodong gold province

1.Objective Three stages of Mesozoic magmatic activity have been identified in the Jiaodong area,namely early magmatic emplacement,the magmatic emplacement prior to mineralization,and magmatic activity post-mineralization,from early to late.

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).

Detrital Zircon U-Pb Dating for Clastic Rocks from Boreholes in the Eastern Junggar Basin:Constraints on Permian Tectonics in the Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Permian sedimentary successions,widely distributed in the eastern Junggar Basin,may record key details on the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in this region.Results of boreholes show that Permian strata is mainly composed of mudstone,sandy mudstone,siltstone,sandstone,sandy conglomerate,dolomite,and limestone.Detrital zircon U-Pb dating results of three sandstone samples yielded the calculated maximum ages of 296 Ma,278 Ma and 293 Ma,indicating they possibly deposited during the Early Permian.Permian strata in the eastern Junggar Basin show similar rock associations and detrital zircon age data distribution patterns.Our new and compiled age data for sandstone samples in the eastern Junggar Basin and Bogda region yield predominant Paleozoic ages,close to their sedimentary ages.Such detrital zircon age data distribution patterns support the hypothesis that these Early Permian meta-clastic rocks in the eastern Junggar Basin and Bogda region were deposited in a subduction-related basin,and indicate an Early Permian Ocean prevented Precambrian detritus from the Central Tianshan block from depositing in the eastern Junggar Basin and Bogda region.

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.

Decoding complexity: the need to enhance precision and streamline spatial understanding in neuroscience

Neuroscience is the ultimate frontier in our quest for a comprehensive understanding of human behavior. Since its launch in 2009, the Human Connectome Project has emerged as a pioneering force, making heroic strides in elucidating the intricate correlation between structural information and the functioning of the human brain.

Neuroprotection by resveratrol-glucuronide and quercetin-glucuronide via binding to polyphenol-and glycosaminoglycan-binding sites in the laminin receptor

The dietary polyphenolic compounds resveratrol and quercetin prevent neurodegenerative diseases in experimental models;however, they reach the brain only in nanomolar concentrations in the glucuronidated and sulfated forms, and not as the aglycone parent form(Pasinetti et al.,2015).

Geochronology and geodynamic setting of the carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposits in world-class Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou triangle,South China

Unraveling the precise mineralization age is vital to understand the geodynamic setting and ore-forming mechanism of the sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposit;this has long been a challenge.The Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou(SYG)triangle in the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block is a globally recognized carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn metallogenic province and also an essential part of the South China low-temperature metallogenic domain.This region has>30 million tons(Mt)Zn and Pb resources and shows the enrichment of dispersed metals,such as Ga,Ge,Cd,Se,and Tl.During the past 2 decades,abundant data on mineralization ages of Pb-Zn deposits within the SYG triangle have been documented based on various radioisotopic dating methods,resulting in significant progress in understanding the geodynamic background and ore formation of Pb-Zn deposits hosted in sedimentary rocks at SYG triangle.This paper provides a comprehensive summary of the geochronological results and Pb-Sr isotopic data regarding Pb-Zn deposits in the SYG triangle,which identified two distinct Pb-Zn mineralization periods influencing the dynamic processes associated with the expansion and closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the western margin of the Yangtze Block.The predominant phase of Pb-Zn mineralization at SYG triangle spanned from the Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic(226-191 Ma),which was intensely correlated with the large-scale basin fluid transport triggered by the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and Indosinian orogeny.The secondary Pb-Zn mineralization phase occurred during the Late Devonian to Late Carboniferous and was controlled by extensional structures associated with the expansion of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.Further investigation is necessary to clarify the occurrence and potential factors involved in the Pb-Zn mineralization events during the Late Devonian to Late Carboniferous.

Timing of Magma Mixing in the Gangdisê Magmatic Belt during the India-Asia Collision: Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Dating

Abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) extensively distribute in granitoids in the Gangdise giant magmatic belt, within which the Qüxü batholith is the most typical MME-bearing pluton. Systematic sampling for granodioritic host rock, mafic microgranular enclaves and gabbro nearby at two locations in the Qüxü batholith, and subsequent zircon SHRIMP II U-Pb dating have been conducted. Two sets of isotopic ages for granodioritic host rock, mafic microgranular enclaves and gabbro are 50.4±1.3 Ma, 51.2±1.1 Ma, 47.0±l Ma and 49.3±1.7 Ma, 48.9±1.1 Ma, 49.9±1.7 Ma, respectively. It thus rules out the possibilities of mafic microgranular enclaves being refractory residues after partial melting of magma source region, or being xenoliths of country rocks or later intrusions.Therefore, it is believed that the three types of rocks mentioned above likely formed in the same magmatic event, i.e., they formed by magma mixing in the Eocene (c. 50 Ma). Compositionally, granitoid host rocks incline towards acidic end member involved in magma mixing, gabbros are akin to basic end member and mafic microgranular enclaves are the incompletely mixed basic magma clots trapped in acidic magma. The isotopic dating also suggested that huge-scale magma mixing in the Gangdise belt took place 15-20 million years after the initiation of the India-Asia continental collision, genetically related to the underplating of subduction-collision-induced basic magma at the base of the continental crust. Underplating and magma mixing were likely the main process of mass-energy exchange between the mantle and the crust during the continental collision, and greatly contributed to the accretion of the continental crust, the evolution of the lithosphere and related mineralization beneath the portion of the Tibetan Plateau to the north of the collision zone.

Zircon SHRIMP Dating for the Weiya Pluton, Eastern Tianshan: Its Geological Implications

The timing of the emplacement of the Weiya pluton remains controversial due to the absence of systematic and precise dating. This paper reports zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of different lithologic phases in the Weiya pluton, and discusses the genesis and tectonic environment. The ages of gabbro, quartz syenite, diorite porphyrite and fine-grained granite are 236±6 Ma, 246±6 Ma, 233±8 Ma and 237±8 Ma, respectively. All these phases were formed in early-middle Indosinian （Triassic） in a post-orogenic environment. In addition to underplating, intraplating of mantle-derived magmas is also a substantial mechanism for magma generation and vertical accretion of the continental crust. Granitoid rocks are important products of vertical continental accretion as underplating evolves gradually to intraplating. The existence of post-orogenic Indosinian granites shows that the middle Tianshan orogenic belt underwent an important tectonic conversion from the Paleo-Asian ocean subduction-collision system to the Paleo-Tethys ocean regime.

Chronology and Sources of Mesozoic Intrusive Complexes in the Xuzhou-Huainan Region, Central China: Constraints from SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating in the Liguo and Jiagou intrusives indicates that they were formed at -130 Ma in the Early Cretaceous. Most inherited zircons in the Liguo intrusive were formed at 2509±43 Ma. Most inherited and detrital zircons in the Jiagou intrusive were formed at -2500 Ma, -2000 Ma and -1800 Ma. The SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating in two gneiss xenoliths from the Jiagou intrusive yields the ages of 2461±22 Ma and 2508±15 Ma, respectively. The dating results from inherited and detrital zircons in the intrusives and the gneiss xenoliths imply that the magmas could be derived from the partial melting of the basement of the North China Block (NCB). The magmatism is strong and extensive in the periods from 115 to 132 Ma, which is of typical bimodal characteristics. It is suggested that the lithospheric thinning in the eastern North China Block reached its peak in 115-132 Ma.

Geochronologic Constraints on the Magmatic Underplating of the Gangdisê Belt in the India-Eurasia Collision: Evidence of SHRIMP II Zircon U-Pb Dating

Abundant small mafic intrusions occur associated with granitoids along the Gangdise^ magmatic belt. In addition to many discrete gabbro bodies within the granitoid plutons, a gabbro-pyroxenite zone occurs along the southern margin of the Gangdise^ belt to the north of the Yarlung Zangbo suture. The mafic intrusion zone spatially corresponds to a strong aeromagnetic anomaly, which extends -1400 km. The mafic intrusions consist of intermittently distributed small bodies and dikes of gabbro and dolerite with accumulates of pyroxenite, olivine pyroxenite, pegmatitic pyroxenite and amphibolite. Much evidence indicates that the Gangdise^ gabbro-pyroxenite assemblage is most likely a result of underplating of mantle-derived magma. Detailed field investigation and systematic sampling of the mafic rocks was conducted at six locations along the Lhasa-Xigaze^ segment of the mafic intrusive zone, and was followed by zircon SHRIMP Ⅱ U-Pb dating. In addition to the ages of two samples previously published （47.0±1 Ma and 48.9±1.1 Ma）, the isotopic ages of the remaining four gabbro samples are 51.6±1.3Ma, 52.5±3.0 Ma, 50.2±4.2Ma and 49.9±1.1Ma. The range of these ages （47-52.5 Ma） provide geochronologic constraints on the Eocene timing of magma underplating beneath the Gangdise^ belt at ca. 50 Ma. This underplating event post-dated the initiation of the India-Eurasia continental collision by 15 million years and was contemporaneous with a process of magma mixing. The SHRIMP Ⅱ U-Pb isotopic analysis also found several old ages from a few zircon grains, mostly in a range of 479-526 Ma （weighted average age 503±10 Ma）, thus yielding information about the pre-existing lower crust when underplating of mafic magma took place. It is believed that magma underplating was one of the major mechanisms for crustal growth during the Indian-Eurasia collision, possibly corresponding in time to the formation of the 14-16 km-thick ＂crnst-mantle transitional zone＂ characterized by Vp=6.85-6.9 km/s.

Radiometric Dating of Ignimbrite from Inner Mongolia Provides no Indication of a Post-Middle Jurassic Age for the Daohugou Beds

Lacustrine deposits exposed at Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China, have yielded superbly preserved vertebrate fossils. The fossil beds were first misinterpreted as of Early Cretaceous age, based on alleged occurrences of key fossils of the Jehol Biota. Compelling evidence revealed by more rigorous research involving regional biostratigraphy, radiometric dating, and paleontology supports the Middle Jurassic age of the fossil beds. Despite the awesome evidence for the Middle Jurassic age of the Daohugou beds, the age dispute has been resurrected recently by invoking an overturned stratigraphic sequence. A careful review of the data, however, found no evidence that this sequence has been overturned. In addition, many of the assumptions, on which the conjecture of the fossil beds being post- Middle Jurassic is imprudently based, are self-contradictory or otherwise misleading. Thus, the post- Middle Jurassic age of the Daohugou beds as an unfounded conclusion can readily be dismissed.

Re-Os Dating of Molybdenite from the Nannihu Mo (-W) Orefield in the East Qinling and Its Geodynamic Significance

Located in the East Qinling molybdenum metallogenic belt on the southern margin of the North China craton, the Nannihu Mo (-W) orefield comprising Nannihu, Sandaozhuang, and Shangfanggou deposits is a superlarge skarn-porphyry Mo (-W) orefield in the world. Re-Os dating was performed of six molybdenite samples from the Mo deposits in the Nannihu Mo orefield with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results show that the Re-Os model ages are 145.8±2.1-141.8±2.1 Ma for the Nannihu deposit, 145.4±2.0-144.5±2.2 Ma (averaging 145.0±2.2 Ma) for the Sandaozhuang deposit and 145.8±2.1-143.8±2.1 Ma (averaging 144.8±2.1 Ma) for the Shangfanggou deposit; dating of the six samples yields an isochron age of 141.5±7.8 Ma (2σ), which accurately determines the timing of mineralization. The results also suggest that the ore-forming materials were mainly derived from the lower crust, mixed with minor mantle components. These Mo deposits were formed during the transition of the Mesozoic tectonic regime in eastern China, and its mineralization was a part of the Late Mesozoic large-scale mineralization in that region.

An Important Spreading Event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb SHRIMP Dating on Diabase in Nagarze, Southern Tibet

Widely distributed in Gyangzê-Chigu area, southern Tibet, NW- and nearly E-W-trending diabase（gabbro）-gabbro diorite dykes are regarded as the product of the large-scale spreading of the late Neo-Tethys Ocean. In order to constrain the emplacement age of these dykes, zircons of two samples from diabases in Nagarzê were dated by using the U-Pb SHRIMP method. Two nearly the same weighted mean ^206pb/^23SU ages were obtained in this paper, which are 134.9±1.8 Ma （MSWD=0.65） and 135.5 ± 2.1 Ma （MSWD=1.40）, respectively. They not only represent the crystallization age of the diabase, but also documented an important spreading event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous. This dating result is of great significance to reconstruct the temporal framework of the late Neo-Tethys Ocean in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Geological Characteristics and Zircon U-Pb Dating of Volcanic Rocks from the Beizhan Iron Deposit in Western Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, NW China

The Beizhan large iron deposit located in the east part of the Awulale metallogenic belt in the western Tianshan Mountains is hosted in the Unit 2 of the Dahalajunshan Formation as lens, veinlets and stratoid, and both of the hanging wall and footwall are quartz-monzonite; the dip is to the north with thick and high-grade ore bodies downwards. Ore minerals are mainly magnetite with minor sulfides, such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Skarnization is widespread around the ore bodies, and garnet, diopside, wollastonite, actinolite, epidote, uralite, tourmaline sericite and calcite are ubiquitous as gangues. Radiating outwards from the center of the ore body the deposit can be classified into skarn, calcite, serpentinite and marble zones. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the rhyolite and dacite from the Dahalajunshan Formation indicates that they were formed at 301.3±0.8 Ma and 303.7±0.9 Ma, respectively, which might have been related to the continental arc magmatism during the late stage of subduction in the western Tianshan Mountains. Iron formation is genetically related with volcanic eruption during this interval. The Dahalajunshan Formation and the quartz-monzonite intrusion jointly control the distribution of ore bodies. Both ore textures and wall rock alteration indicate that the Beizhan iron deposit is probably skarn type.

The Ore-forming Mechanism of the Jiajika Pegmatite-Type Rare Metal Deposit in Western Sichuan Province:Evidence from Isotope Dating

Granitic pegmatites are commonly thought to form by fractional crystallization or by liquid immiscibility of granitic magma; however, these proposals are based mainly on analyses of fluid and melt inclusions. Here, we use the Jiajika pegmatite deposit, the largest spodumene deposit in Asia, as a case study to investigate ore forming processes using isotope dating. Dating of a single granite sample from the Jiajika deposit using multiple methods gave a zircon U-Pb SHRIMP age of 208.4 ~ 3.9 Ma, an 4~Ar/39Ar age for muscovite of 182.9 ~ 1.7 Ma, and an 4~Ar/39Ar age for biotite of 169.9 ＋ 1.6 Ma. Based on these dating results and the 4~Ar/39Ar age of muscovite from the Jiajika pegmatite, a temperature-time cooling track for the Jiajika granite was constructed using closure temperatures of the different isotope systems. This track indicates that the granite cooled over ^-40 m. y., with segregation of the pegmatite fluid from the granitic magma at a temperature of ~700~C. This result suggests that the Jiajika pegmatite formed not by fractional crystallization, but by segregation of an immiscible liquid from the granitic magma. When compared with fractional crystallization, the relatively early timing of segregation of an immiscible liquid from a granitic magma can prevent the precipitation of ore-forming elements during crystallization, and suggests that liquid immiscibility could be an important ore-forming process for rare metal pegmatities. We also conclude that isotope dating is a method that can potentially be used to determine the dominant ore-forming processes that occurred during the formation of granite-related ore deposits, and suggest that this method can be employed to determine the formation history of the W-Sn ore deposits found elsewhere within the Nanling Metallogenic Belt.