Evaluating the Provenance of Metasedimentary Rocks of the Jiangxian Group from the Zhongtiao Mountain Using Whole-Rock Geochemistry and Detrital Zircon Hf Isotope

In this study, whole-rock geochemical and Nd isotopic data, as well as detrital zircon Hf isotopes of Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks from the Jiangxian Group are presented to evaluate the characteristics of their provenance and the tectonic history. The major and trace element compositions are comparable to Post-Archean upper continental crust （PA-UCC）, but have slight enrichment in the LILE, with the exception of Cs and Sr, and a slight depletion in ferromagnesian elements, HFS elements, such as Nb and Ta, and some major elements, such as CaP and Na2O. The geochemical data reveal that the collected metasedimentary rocks have experienced intermediate source weathering with chemical index of alteration values ranging from 72 to 78, varying degrees of K- metasomatism, and post-depositional loss of Na, as well as negligible sorting, and are derived from the weathering of mostly felsic and non-mafic rocks. The selected Lu-Hf isotopic analysis on detrital zircon points to both the Trans-North China Orogen and Eastern Block of the north China craton as the most likely sources for the metasedimentary rocks of the Jiangxian Group. However, a contribution of detritus from the Western Block of the north China craton can be ruled out. The sediments were probably deposited in a back-arc basin within an active continental margin setting.

Whole-Rock Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Triassic Montney Formation, Northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze chemical elements—major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) concentrations, augmented with quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and thin-section petrography for mineralogical characterization of the Triassic Montney Formation in northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). Results from this study indicate that integration of chemical elements with mineralogy shows affinity to the host lithologies. Evidently, chemical elements are the building blocks for minerals, thus, their significances in the interpretation of geological systems are unambiguous. Herein, major elements concentration such as Al, Fe, K, Mg, Ca, Mn in the samples analyzed from the Montney Formation are interpreted as: 1) indication of dolomitization and diagenesis;2) trace elements—Rb, Th, U, and Cs are related to the organic matter—kerogen in the clay component of the Montney Formation source rock;and 3) transition metals—Sc, V, Co, Cr, Zn show strong affinity with diagenesis in the study interval.

Whole-rock geochemistry of Tertiary sediments of Mizoram Foreland Basin, NE India: implications for source composition,tectonic setting and sedimentary processes

Sandstones belonging to the Oligocene Barail Group and Miocene Surma Group of the Mizoram Foreland Basin have been studied geochemically to constrain their provenances,tectonic setting,and other sedimentary processes(weathering and mineral sorting etc.).Based on their mineralogical compositions,these sandstones are classified as quartzarenite and sublithic-arenite.The sandstones of Barail and Surma Groups have similar contents of most of the major elements except for SiO2 and A12O3.The Barail sandstones are relatively more siliceous and less aluminous compared to the Surma sandstones.Barail and Surma sandstones were plotted in a singular array on different geochemical discrimination diagrams.The CIA and CIW values of the sandstones of Barail(69 and 77 respectively)and Surma Groups(68 and 77 respectively)suggest that the sandstones were derived from moderately weathered source rocks.In the A-CN-K diagram,the studied samples plotted along a roughly singular trend that originates from granodiorite as well as Trans-Himalayan granitoids and also confined within the field of Siwalik sediments.Chondrite・normalized REE patterns for the Surma and Barail sandstones are identical and are similar to upper continental crust,with moderate to high LREE enrichment and prominent negative Eu anomalies(*Eu/Eu for both Barail and Surma sandstone=0.69),indicating their derivation from a felsic magmatic source.The values of,*Eu/Eu(LaN/LuN),La/Sc,La/Co,Th/Sc,Th/Co,and Cr/Th ratios of Surma and Barail sandstones are also not significantly different,and the values are similar to finefractions derived from the weathering of felsic rocks.In the K2O/Na2O versus SiO2,Th-Sc-Zr/10 and Ti/Zr versus La/Sc tectonic discrimination diagrams the studied samples of Barail and Surma sandstones plot within the fields of greywacke from continental island arcs and active continental margin.The geochemical characteristics of the studied sedimentary rocks and their similarity with the Siwalik foreland sediments thus suggest were sourced from different felsic magmatic lithounits of Himalaya and were deposited in an active continental margin.

The possible source of uranium mineralization in felsic volcanic rocks,Eastern Desert,Egypt of the Arabian-Nubian Shield:Constraints from whole-rock geochemistry and spectrometric prospection

The present work deals with the detailed geology,mineralogy,geochemistry,and spectrometric prospection of the felsic volcanic rocks at the Eastern Desert,Egypt of the Arabian-Nubian Shield.Felsic volcanic rocks are an essential source for rare earth elements(REEs)and uranium occurrences in this area.They are compositionally uniform with tholeiitic to calc-alkaline affinities,peraluminous and belong to the series of rhyolite with high-K melt.They exhibit more enrichment in high field strength elements(HFSE,e.g.Zr,Ta,Nd,Th,and U)and large-ion lithophile elements(LILE,e.g.Pb and Rb)compared to the country rocks of the studied area,with REE ranging from 188.20 to 442.70 ppm and strong depletion in Ti,Sr,P with deep negative Eu oddities.The felsic volcanic rocks were mostly generated from the partial melting of quartz-amphibolite facies accreted during the Neoproterozoic.Positive oddities of Zr-U-Th for the felsic volcanic rocks determine the involvement of crustal materials.Felsic volcanic rocks are found in A-type suites of magma and represent highly fractionated rocks derived from rhyolitic magma,with insignificant interaction with continental crust in the low-pressure environment and during fractional crystallization.Felsic volcanic rocks have higher values of radioactivity in which eU range from 0.5 to 121 ppm and eTh from 1.0 to 415.10 ppm.The high values of eU and eTh can be ascribed to the mineralization of uranium and the presence of accessory minerals of radiogenic nature such as uranophane,uranothorite,zircon,and monazite.Uranophane is considered as the mineral with most enriched uranium contents in the studied felsic volcanic rocks in which(UO2=87.30 wt%).Also,they are enriched with REE-bearing accessory minerals comprising allanite,titanite,and apatite.The geological investigations of the felsic volcanic rocks in the studied areas are inappropriate to clear the feasible economic potentialities of rare earth elements and U occurrences;itemized and invaluable explorational work is as yet needed.Whilst,the environmental impact of mineralization,owing to U and Th and their radiogenic daughter products,is observed and must be elaborated minutely.

Whole-Rock Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Triassic Montney Formation, Northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze chemical elements—major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) concentrations, augmented with quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and thin-section petrography for mineralogical characterization of the Triassic Montney Formation in northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). Results from this study indicate that integration of chemical elements with mineralogy shows affinity to the host lithologies. Evidently, chemical elements are the building blocks for minerals, thus, their significances in the interpretation of geological systems are unambiguous. Herein, major elements concentration such as Al, Fe, K, Mg, Ca, Mn in the samples analyzed from the Montney Formation are interpreted as: 1) indication of dolomitization and diagenesis;2) trace elements—Rb, Th, U, and Cs are related to the organic matter—kerogen in the clay component of the Montney Formation source rock;and 3) transition metals—Sc, V, Co, Cr, Zn show strong affinity with diagenesis in the study interval.

Insight into the Origin of Iron Ore Based on Elemental Contents of Magnetite and Whole-Rock Geochemistry:A Case of the Bipindi Banded Iron Formations,Nyong Complex,SW Cameroon

The Bipindi iron ore district is located in the central section of the Nyong Complex at the northwestern margin of the Congo Craton in Southwest Cameroon.This iron district contains numerous iron mineralization hosted by the Mewongo,Bibole,Kouambo,and Zambi banded iron formations(BIFs).These BIFs contain magnetite as the main iron ore mineral associated with pyrite,and gangue minerals are quartz with minor chlorite and amphibole.The origin of iron ore from these BIFs was investigated using a combination of in-situ magnetite and whole-rock chemistry.The studied BIF ore samples have a narrow range of TFe between 30.90 wt.%and 43.20 wt.%,indicating a low-grade ore.The geochemical signatures of magnetite such as low contents of base metals(e.g.,Cu,Co,V,and Zn)and low Co/Zn ratios<0.85 indicate a hydrothermal origin.Combined with the geochemical features of these BIFs,e.g.,high Fe/Ti and Fe/Al ratios(mean>600 and>75,respectively),we suggest that magnetite was derived from a mixture of seawater and~0.1%low-temperature hydrothermal fluids in an oxidizing environment.Collectively,low-temperature hydrothermal and later metamorphic fluids were necessary for the transformation of the protolith Nyong Complex BIFs to iron ore.

A Deep Mantle Source for the Late Neoarchean Metamorphosed Basalts in Eastern Hebei,North China Craton:Insights from Whole-Rock Geochemistry and Sm-Nd Isotopes,and Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The basalts within the greenstone belt worldwide serve as an ideal target to decipher the nature of Archean mantle sources and further to extend the understanding of the early stages of Earth's evolution.To provide important insights into the issues,we carried out a detailed investigation of whole-rock geochemistry and Sm-Nd isotopes,and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes for the Late Neoarchean metamorphosed basalts in eastern Hebei,North China Craton.U-Pb isotopic dating using the LA-ICPMS on zircons reveals that the basalts in eastern Hebei erupted at ca.2.48-2.51 Ga and subsequently experienced multiple regional metamorphic events at 2477 and 1798 Ma,respectively.The metamorphosed basalts are featured by low SiO_(2),MgO,K_(2)O+Na_(2)O,and high Fe O contents,endowed with the subalkaline and high-Fe tholeiitic affinities.The radiogenic initial Nd and Hf isotope values and correlations among V,Ni and Cr contents strongly imply that the basalts experienced significant clinopyroxene and olivine fractionation and minor crustal contamination during magma evolution.They are also characterized by the relatively low total REE contents and exhibit significant depletions to moderate enrichments in the LREE contents,indicating the derivation from a deep mantle source in an Archean proto-mantle plume setting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evolution History of Mantle Peridotites in the Xigaze Ophiolite: Constraints from Whole-rock and Mineral Geochemistry

Ophiolites along the E-W trending Yarlung-Tsangpo Suture(YTS),which separates the Indian plate from the Eurasian plate,have been regarded as relics of the NeoTethyan Ocean.The Xigaze ophiolite in the central YTS

Neoproterozoic basic magmatism in the southeast margin of North China Craton:Evidence from whole-rock geochemistry,U-Pb and Hf isotopic study of zircons from diabase swarms in the Xuzhou-Huaibei area of China

This paper presents a synthetic U-Pb and Hf isotopic study of zircons and a whole-rock geochemical study on diabase swarms that were emplaced into the Proterozoic formations in the Xuzhou-Huaibei area,the southeast margin of North China Craton.Zircons from the diabase dykes display weak oscillatory zoning in the cathodoluminescence(CL) images and show high Th/U ratios(0.91-6.90),both of which are typical of a magmatic origin.The SHRIMP and Q-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating results indicate that the diabase swarms were emplaced at ca.890 Ma.Hf isotopic analysis on these zircons gives Hf(t) values ranging from 2.26 to 14.74 and Hf model age t DM1 and t DM2 ranging from 843 to 1321 Ma and from 808 to 1779 Ma,respectively.Geochemically,the diabase swarms are characterized by a relative enrichment in LREE and LILE(Rb,Ba and La),a comparative enrichment in Cr and Ni,but a slight depletement in HFSE(Th,Nb,Ta,Zr and Hf).They are plotted in the within-plate tholeiite series on the tectonic discrimination diagrams.Taken together,these geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the primary magmas to form the diabase dykes in the Xuzhou-Huaibei area could have been derived from a transitional mantle in the Mesoproterozoic,and were most probably emplaced under a continental margin extensional setting at ca.890 Ma.The results of this study demonstrate that the Neoproterozoic(800-900 Ma)magmatism was not restricted to the Yangtze Block,but also occurred at the southeast margin of the North China Craton.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology,geochemistry,and geological significance of dacite in the Zhesang gold district,southeast Yunnan Province,China

The Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic framework of the Nanpanjiang Basin has much been disputed.Herein,the middle-acid volcanic rock,dacite,exposed to the Zhesang gold district,southeast Yunnan Province,has been analyzed.The results show that the dacite belongs to a calc-alkaline series,SiO_(2)contents range from 62.79 to 76.66 wt%.Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb dating of dacite demonstrates that they were formed in the Early Triassic(247.8±1.7 Ma,MSWD=1.2).All samples exhibit enrichment in LILE(e.g.Rb,K,Th,and U),and depletion in HFSE(e.g.Nb,Ta,and Ti),which has the geochemical affinity of I-type granite.La–La/Sm and La–La/Yb discrimination diagrams show that the partial melting,mainly of the mafic lower crust,of rocks,plays a major role in the formation process.The dacite has low initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios(0.706954 to 0.708589)and negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(-11.77 to-10.88).Zircons in dacite have ε_(Hf)(t)values of-16.2 to-8.3,and the two-stage Hf model ages are 1799–2301 Ma,mostly concentrated between 1800 and 1900 Ma,indicating that the magma source area is the reconstructed ancient lower crust mixed with some mantle materials,and crystal fractionation process underwent in the late stage of magma migration.This study reveals that the arc-volcanic rocks of the Early Triassic in the southern margin of the Nanpanjiang Basin were formed by the subduction of the Late Paleozoic ocean basin within the border region between China and Vietnam.

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

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

Geochemistry and sedimentology of sediments in a short fluvial system,NW China:implications to the provenance and tectonic setting

Six outcrop sections in Fenghe River,Northwestern China,were sampled and analyzed.This study aims to determine provenance,tectonic setting,and source-area paleoweathering of the sediments of Fenghe River in combination of lithofacies analysis and bulk-rock geochemical data.The lithofacies in the studied area were classified as gravel,sand,and fine-grained clastic lithofacies,reflecting generally channel fill deposits,channel bar deposits,and over-bank deposits,respectively.The Chemical Index of Alteration(CIA),Plagioclase Index of Alteration(PIA),and Chemical Index of Weathering(CIW)values ranged 50.10–62.29,50.13–66.35,56.52–71.12,respectively,together with element ratios such as Rb/Sr,K/Na,Rb/K,Th/K,Rb/Ti,and Cs/Ti indicate that the source area was under a low to moderate chemical weathering condition probably in cold and semi-arid climates.Moreover,plot of SiO_(2)vs.(Al_(2)O_(3)+K_(2)O+Na_(2)O)suggests that the sediments were deposited in a semi-arid climate.Plots of Cr/Th vs.Th/Sc,TiO_(2)vs.Zr,La/Yb vs.rare earth element(REE),and La-Th-Sc ternary diagrams,along with the lithology,indicate that the sediments in Fenghe River were mainly originated from felsic igneous rocks.Major elements-based discrimination diagrams and Th-Sc-Zr/10 and La-Th-Sc ternary diagram of the samples indicates that the source rocks of Fenghe River developed in a composite active continental margin and continental island arc field.