Detrital Zircon Records of the Banxi Group in the Western Jiangnan Orogen:Implications for Crustal Evolution of the South China Craton

The Neoproterozoic evolution of the Jiangnan Orogen is important for understanding the tectonic history of South China.As a volcanic-sedimentary sequence developed in the Nanhua rift,the Banxi Group preserves the records of important magmatic and tectonic events linked to the assembly and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.In this study,we report the results from whole-rock major-and trace-element concentrations,with zircon LA-(MC)-ICP-MS U-Pb ages,trace elements and Lu-Hf isotopic compositions of sandstones from the Banxi Group.The rocks are characterized by high SiO_(2)(65.88%–82.76%,with an average of 75.50%)contents,moderate(Fe_(2)O_(3)^(T)+MgO)(1.81%–7.78%,mean:3.79%)and TiO_(2)(0.39%–0.54%,mean:0.48%),low K_(2)O/Na_(2)O(0.03–0.40,mean:0.10)ratios and low Al_2O_(3)/SiO_(2)(0.11–0.24,mean:0.15)ratios.The sandstones have highΣREE contents(mean:179.1 ppm),with chondrite-normalized REE patterns similar to the upper crust and PAAS,showing enriched LREE((La/Yb)_N mean:14.85),sub-horizontal HREE curves and mild Eu(Eu/Eu^(*):0.75–0.89,mean:0.81)negative anomalies.Their geochemical characteristics resemble those of passive continental margin sandstones.Most of the zircons are magmatic in origin and yield a U-Pb age distribution with three peaks:a major age peak at 805 Ma and two subordinate age peaks at 1990 Ma and 2470 Ma,implying three major magmatic sources.The Neoproterozoic zircons haveε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from-47.4 to 12.4(mostly-20 to 0),suggesting a mixture of some juvenile arc-derived material and middle Paleoproterozoic heterogeneous crustal sources.The Hf model ages of middle Paleoproterozoic zircons(~1990 Ma)with negativeε_(Hf)(t)values(-12.65 to-6.21,Ave.=-9.8)concentrated around the Meso-Paleoarchean(mean T_(DM)^(C)=3.3–3.1 Ga).For late Neoarchean detrital zircons(~2470 Ma),ε_(Hf)(t)values are divided into two groups,one with negative values(-9.16 to-0.6)with model ages of 3.5–2.9 Ga,the other featuring positive values(1.0 to 3.9)with model ages of 2.9–2.7 Ga,recording a crustal growth event at~2.5 Ga.Neoproterozoic zircons show volcanic arc affinities with partly intraplate magmatic features.We propose that the Banxi Group formed in a rift basin within a passive continental margin setting,which derived detritus from felsic to intermediate rocks from the Yangtze Block and a small amount of arc volcanic rocks.The middle Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon data suggest Columbia-aged basement lies beneath the western Jiangnan orogen.

Formation of FeNi metal nodules in the Jilin H5 chondrite,the largest stone meteorite in the world

The Jilin H5 chondrite, the largest known stony meteorite in the world, with its No.1 fragment weighing1770 kg. It contains submillimeter-to centimeter-sized FeNi metal particles/nodules. Our optical microscopic and electron microprobe analyses revealed that the formation of metal nodules in this meteorite is a complex and long-term process, The early stage is the thermal diffusion-caused migration and concentration of dispersed metallic material along fractures to form root-hair shaped metal grains during thermal metamorphism of this meteorite. The later two collision events experienced by this meteorite led to the further migration and aggregation of metallic material into the shock-produced cracks and openings to form largersized metal grains. The shock-produced shear movement and frictional heating occurred in this meteorite greatly enhanced the migration and aggregation of metallic material to form the large-sized nodules. It was revealed that the metal nodule formation process in the Jilin H5 chondrite might perform in the solid or subsolidus state, and neither melting of chondritic metal grains nor shock-induced vaporization of bulk chondrite material are related with this process.

The breakdown of diopside to(Ca,Mg)SiO_(3)perovskite–(Mg,Ca,Fe)SiO_(3)glass–(Mg,Ca)SiO_(3)glass–(Mg,Ca)SiO_(3)majorite in a melt vein the Suizhou L6 chondrite

The Suizhou meteorite is a heavily shocked and melted vein-containing L6 chondrite.It contains a minor amount of diopside with a(Ca_(0.419)Mg_(0.466)Fe_(0.088))SiO_(3)composition,and a shock-metamorphosed diopside grain associated with ringwoodite and lingunite was found in a melt vein of this meteorite.Our electron microprobe,transmission electron microscopic and Raman spectroscopic analyses revealed four silicate phases with different compositions and structures inside this shock-metamorphosed diopside grain,termed phase A,B,C and D in this paper.Phase A is identified as orthorhombic(Ca_(0.663)-Mg_(0.314))SiO_(3)-perovskite which is closely associated with phase B,the vitrified(Mg_(0.642)Ca_(0.290)Fe_(0.098))SiO_(3)perovskite.Phase D is assigned to be(Mg_(0.578)Ca_(0.414))SiO_(3)majorite which is associated with phase C,the vetrified Carich Mg-perovskite with a(Mg_(0.853)Ca_(0.167))SiO_(3)composition.Based on high-pressure and high-temperature experiments,the diopside grain in the melt vein of the Suizhou meteorite would have experienced a P–T regime of 20–24GPa and 1800–>2000℃.Such P–T conditions are high enough for the decomposition of the diopside and the formation of four different silicate phases.The orthorhombic(Ca_(0.663)Mg_(0.314))SiO_(3)perovskite found in the Suizhou L6 chondrite might be considered as the third lower-mantle silicate mineral after bridgmanite and davemaoite after the detailed analyses of its crystal structure and physical properties being completed.

The discovery of TiO_(2)-Ⅱ,the α-PbO_(2)-structured high-pressure polymorph of rutile,in the Suizhou L6 chondrite

We report the discovery of TiO_(2)-Ⅱ in the unmelted rock of the shocked Suizhou L6 chondrite.Natural TiO_(2)-Ⅱ was previously found in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic and mantle-derived rocks,terrestrial impact structures,and tektite.Our microscopic,Raman spectroscopic,electron microprobe and transmission electron microscopic investigations have revealed:(1) All observed TiO_(2)-Ⅱ grains are related with ilmenite and pyrophanite;(2) TiO_(2)-Ⅱ occurs as needle-and leaf-shaped inclusions in llmenite and patch-,tape-shaped body in pyrophanite;(3)The composition of TiO_(2)-Ⅱ is identical with that of its precursor rutile;(4) The Raman spectrum of TiO_(2)-Ⅱ is in good agreement with that of natural and synthesized α-PbO_(2)-type TiO_(2);(5) TiO_(2)-Ⅱ occurs mainly in the form of well-ordered nano-domains and small mis-orientation among the domains can be observed.(6) All electron diffraction reflections from TiO_(2)-Ⅱ can be indexed to α-PbO_(2)structure in space group Pbcn with lattice parameters of a=4.481 ?,b=5.578 A and c=4.921 A;(7) The exsolution inclusions of rutile from host ilmenite are mostly connected with an alternation process along the lamellar twinning plane of ilmenite induced by shockinduced high pressure and high temperature;(8) The P-T regime of 20-25 GPa and 1000 ℃ estimated for the Suizhou unmelted rock is suitable for phase transition of rutile into TiO_(2)-Ⅱ phase.

Aeromagnetic Imagery as a Tool to Help Identify the Structures Controlling the Emplacement of the Kenieba Kimberlite Pipes (Western Mali, West African Craton)

A kimberlite field, represented by fertile and sterile kimberlite pipes (chimneys) is located in the region of Kenieba (West Mali, Kédougou-Kenieba inlier, West African Craton). Thirty pipes and kimberlite dykes have been identified in the birimian formations, composed mainly of metasediments and granitoids, covered by sedimentary formations (sandstones and conglomerates) of Neoproterozoic age. All these formations are injected with dykes and doleritic sills of Jurassic age. The study of kimberlite pipes is still stammering in Mali, and thus no previous study has allowed to characterize the structures controlling their implementation. The reinterpretation of aeromagnetic data validated by field work indicates that the major structures of the Kenieba region are oriented NNE-SSW, NE-SW, E-W and NW-SE. These structures (faults and kimberlite pipes) are often associated with dolerite dykes, which would imply an injection of dolerite magma into the other formations. The location of the known kimberlite pipes makes it possible to say that the direction NW-SE is the most favorable for the exploration of kimberlites in the region of Kenieba.

Initiation and evolution of the South China Sea: an overview

Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea(SCS), including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula,backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging,extension induced by a mantle plume, and integrated models that combine diverse factors. Among these, the extrusion model has gained the most attention. Based on simpli?ed physical experiments, this model proposes that collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates resulted in extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, which in turn led to opening of the SCS. The extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, however, should have led to preferential opening in the west side of the SCS, which is contrary to observations. Extensional models propose that the SCS was a backarc basin, rifted off the South China Block. Most of the backarc extension models, however, are not compatible with observations in terms of either age or subduction direction. The two-stage extension model is based on extensional basins surrounding the SCS. Recent dating results indeed show two-stage opening in the SCS, but the Southwest Subbasin of the SCS is much younger, which contradicts the two-stage extension model. Here we propose a re?ned backarc extension model. There was a wide Neotethys Ocean between the Australian and Eurasian Plates before the Indian-Eurasian collision. The ocean ?oor started to subduct northward at *125 Ma, causing backarc extension along the southern margin of the Eurasian Plate and the formation of the proto-SCS. The Neotethys subduction regime changed due to ridge subduction in the Late Cretaceous, resulting in fold-belts, uplifting, erosion, and widespread unconformities. It may also have led to the subduction of the proto-SCS. Flat subduction of the ridge may have reached further north and resulted in another backarc extension that formed the SCS. The rollback of the?at subducting slab might have occurred *90 Ma ago; the second backarc extension may have initiated between 50 and 45 Ma. The opening of the Southwest Subbasin is roughly simultaneous with a ridge jump in the East Subbasin, which implies major tectonic changes in the surrounding regions, likely related to major changes in the extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula.

Two stages of immiscible liquid separation in the formation of Panzhihua-type Fe-Ti-V oxide deposits,SW China

Magmatic oxide deposits in the～260 Ma Emeishan Large Igneous Province（ELIP）,SW China and northern Vietnam,are important sources of Fe,Ti and V.Some giant magmatic Fe-Ti-V oxide deposits, such as the Panzhihua,Hongge,and Baima deposits,are well described in the literature and are hosted in layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Panxi region,the central ELIP.The same type of ELIP- related deposits also occur far to the south and include the Anyi deposit,about 130 km south of Panzhihua,and the Mianhuadi deposit in the Red River fault zone.The Anyi deposit is relatively small but is similarly hosted in a layered mafic intrusion.The Mianhuadi deposit has a zircon U-Pb age of～260 Ma and is thus contemporaneous with the ELIP.This deposit was variably metamorphosed during the Indosinian orogeny and Red River faulting.Compositionally,magnetite of the Mianhuadi deposit contains smaller amounts of Ti and V than that of the other deposits,possibly attributable to the later metamorphism.The distribution of the oxide ore deposits is not related to the domal structure of the ELIP.One major feature of all the oxide deposits in the ELIP is the spatial association of oxide-bearing gabbroic intrusions,syenitic plutons and high-Ti flood basalts.Thus,we propose that magmas from a mantle plume were emplaced into a shallow magma chamber where they were evolved into a field of liquid immiscibility to form two silicate liquids,one with an extremely Fe-Ti-rich gabbroic composition and the other syenitic.An immiscible Fe-Ti-（P） oxide melt may then separate from the mafic magmas to form oxide deposits.The parental magmas from which these deposits formed were likely Fe-Ti-rich picritic in composition and were derived from enriched asthenospheric mantle at a greater depth than the magmas that produced sulfide-bearing intrusions of the ELIP.

Textures and mineral compositions of the Xinjie layered intrusion,SW China:Implications for the origin of magnetite and fractionation process of Fe-Ti-rich basaltic magmas

The Xinjie layered intrusion in the Panxi region,SW China,hosts both Fe-Ti oxide and platinum-group element（PGE） sulfide mineralization.The intrusion can be divided,from the base upward,into UnitsⅠ,ⅡandⅢ,in terms of mineral assemblages.UnitsⅠandⅡare mainly composed of wehrlite and clino-pyroxenite, whereas UnitⅢis mainly composed of gabbro.PGE sulfide-rich layers mainly occur in Unit I, whereas thick Fe-Ti oxide-rich layers mainly occur in UnitⅢ.An ilmenite-rich layer occurs at the top of UnitⅠ.Fe-Ti oxides include magnetite and ilmenite.Small amounts of cumulus and intercumulus magnetite occur in UnitsⅠandⅡ.Cumulus magnetite grains are commonly euhedral and enclosed within olivine and clinopyroxene.They have high Cr2O3 contents ranging from 6.02 to 22.5 wt.%,indicating that they are likely an early crystallized phase from magmas.Intercumulus magnetite that usually displays ilmenite exsolution occupies the interstices between cumulus olivine crystals and coexists with interstitial clinopyroxene and plagioclase.Intercumulus magnetite has Cr2O3 ranging from 1.65 to 6.18 wt.%, lower than cumulus magnetite.The intercumulus magnetite may have crystallized from the trapped liquid.Large amounts of magnetite in UnitⅢcontains Cr2O3（＆lt;0.28 wt.%） much lower than magnetite in UnitsⅠandⅡ.The magnetite in UnitⅢis proposed to be accumulated from a Fe-Ti-rich melt.The Fe-Ti-rich melt is estimated to contain 35.9 wt.%of SiO2,26.9 wt.%of FeOt,8.2 wt.%of TiO2,13.2 wt.%of CaO, 8.3 wt.%of MgO,5.5 wt.%of Al2O3 and 1.0 wt.%of P2O5.The composition is comparable with the Fe-rich melts in the Skaergaard and Sept Iles intrusions.Paired non-reactive microstructures,granophyre pockets and ilmenite-rich intergrowths,are representative of Si-rich melt and Fe-Ti-rich melt,and are the direct evidence for the existence of an immiscible Fe-Ti-rich melt that formed from an evolved ferro-basaltic magma.

High oxygen fugacity magma:implication for the destruction of the North China Craton

The mechanism of lithospheric removal and destruction of the North China Craton(NCC)has been hotly debated for decades.It is now generally accepted that the subduction of the(Paleo)-Pacific plate played an important role in this process.However,how the plate subduction contributed to the craton destruction remains unclear.Here we report high oxygen fugacity(fO2)characteristics of the Yunmengshan granite,e.g.,hematitemagnetite intergrowth supported by zircon Ce^4+/Ce^3+ratios and apatite Mn oxygen fugacity indicator.High fO2 magmas are widely discovered in Late Mesozoic(160-130 Ma)adakitic rocks in central NCC.The origin of high fO2 magma is likely related to the input of the"oxidized mantle components",which shows a dose connection between plate subduction and destruction of the craton.The research area is^1500 km away from the current Pacific subduction zone.Considering the back-arc extension of Japan Sea since the Cretaceous,this distance may be shortened to^800 km,which is still too far for normal plate subduction.Ridge subduction is the best candidate that was responsible for the large scale magmatism and the destruction of the NCC.Massive slab-derived fluids and/or melts were liberated into an overlying mantle wedge and modified the lithospheric mantle.Rollback of the subducting plate induced the large-scale upwelling of asthenospheric mantle and triggered the formation of extensive high fO2 intraplate magmas.

The formation of porphyry copper deposits

Copper is a moderately incompatible chalcophile element.Its behavior is strongly controlled by sulfides.The speciation of sulfur is controlled by oxygen fugacity.Therefore,porphyry Cu deposits are usually oxidized(with oxygen fugacities > AFMQ +2)(Mungall 2002;Sun et al.2015).The problem is that while most of the magmas at convergent margins are highly oxidized,porphyry Cu deposits are very rare,suggesting that high oxygen fugacity alone is not sufficient.Partial melting of mantle peridotite even at very high oxygen fugacities forms arc magmas with initial Cu contents too low to form porphyry Cu deposits directly(Lee et al.2012;Wilkinson 2013).Here we show that partial melting of subducted young oceanic slabs at high oxygen fugacity(>AFMQ +2) may form magmas with initial Cu contents up to >500 ppm,favorable for porphyry mineralization.Pre-enrichment of Cu through sulfide saturation and accumulation is not necessarily beneficial to porphyry Cu mineralization.In contrast,remelting of porphyritic hydrothermal sulfide associated with iron oxides may have major contributions to porphyry deposits.Thick overriding continental crust reduces the "leakage" of hydrothermal fluids,thereby promoting porphyry mineralization.Nevertheless,it is also more difficult for ore forming fluids to penetrate the thick continental crust to reach the depths of 2—4 km where porphyry deposits form.

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.

Coupled trace element and SIMS sulfur isotope geochemistry of sedimentary pyrite:Implications on pyrite growth of Caixiashan Pb-Zn deposit

Colloform pyrite with core-rim texture is commonly deposited in carbonate platforms associated with the sulfide ores such as the Caixiashan Pb-Zn deposit.However,the genesis of colloform pyrite in Pb-Zn deposits,its growth controls and their geological implication are insufficiently understood.Integration of in-situ trace element and SIMS sulfur isotopes has revealed geochemical variations among these pyrite layers.These colloform pyrite occur as residual phases of core-rim aggregates,the cores are made up of very fine-grained anhedral pyrite particles,with some rims being made up of fine-grained and poorlycrystallized pyrite,while the other rims were featured with euhedral cubic pyrite.which are cemented by fine-grained calcite and/or dolomite with minor quartz.Sulfur isotope analysis shows that some wellpreserved rims have negative δ^34 S values(-28.12‰to-0.49‰),whereas most of the cores and rims have positive δ^34 S values(>0 to+44.28‰;peak at+14.91‰).Integrating with the methane and sulfate were observed in previous fluid inclusion study,we suggest that the 34 S depleted rims were initially formed by bacteria sulfate reduction(BSR),whereas the positive δ^34 S values were resulted from the sulfate reduction driven by anaerobic methane oxidation(AOM).The well-developed authigenic pyrite and calcite may also support the reaction of AOM.Combined with petrographic observations,trace element composition of the colloform pyrite reveals the incorporation and precipitation behavior of those high abundance elements in the pyrite:Pb and Zn were present as mineral inclusion and likely precipitated before Fe,as supported by the time-resolved Pb-Zn signal spikes in most of the analyzed pyrite grains.Other metals,such as Hg,Co and Ni,may have migrated as chloride complexes and entered the pyrite lattice.Arsenic and Sb,generally influenced by complex-forming reactions rather than substitution ones,could also enter the pyrite lattice,or slightly predate the precipitation of colloform pyrite as mineral inclusions,which are controlled by their hydrolysis constant in the ore fluids.The colloform pyrite may have grown inward from the rims.The successive BSR reaction process would enrich H^32/2S in the overlying water column but reduce the metal content,the nucleation of these pyrite rims was featured by strongly negative sulfur isotopes.The following AOM process should be activated by deformation like the turbidity sediment of the mudstone as the sulfide deposition are associated with fault activities that caused the emission of methane migration upward and simultaneously replenishing the metal in the column.The higher AOM reaction rate and the higher metal supply(not only Fe.but with minor other metals such as Pb and Zn) caused by sediment movement enhanced the metal concentration within the pyrite lattice.

An experimental study on metal precipitation driven by fluid mixing: implications for genesis of carbonate-hosted lead–zinc ore deposits

A type of carbonate-hosted lead–zinc(Pb–Zn)ore deposits, known as Mississippi Valley Type(MVT)deposits, constitutes an important category of lead–zinc ore deposits. Previous studies proposed a fluid-mixing model to account for metal precipitation mechanism of the MVT ore deposits, in which fluids with metal-chloride complexes happen to mix with fluids with reduced sulfur, producing metal sulfide deposition. In this hypothesis, however, the detailed chemical kinetic process of mixing reactions, and especially the controlling factors on the metal precipitation are not yet clearly stated. In this paper, a series of mixing experiments under ambient temperature and pressure conditions were conducted to simulate the fluid mixing process, by titrating the metal-chloride solutions, doping withor without dolomite, and using NaHS solution. Experimental results, combined with the thermodynamic calculations, suggest that H_2S, rather than HS^-or S^(2-),dominated the reactions of Pb and/or Zn precipitation during the fluid mixing process, in which metal precipitation was influenced by the stability of metal complexes and the pH. Given the constant concentrations of metal and total S in fluids, the pH was a primary factor controlling the Pb and/or Zn metal precipitation. This is because neutralizing or neutralized processes for the ore-forming fluids can cause instabilities of Pb and/or Zn chloride complexes and re-distribution of sulfur species, and thus can facilitate the hydrolysis of Pb and Zn ions and precipitation of sulfides. Therefore, a weakly acidic to neutral fluid environment is most favorable for the precipitation of Pb and Zn sulfides associated with the carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits.

A synthesis of iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan,NW China

The northern Xinjiang region is one of the most significant iron metallogenic provinces in China.Iron deposits are found mainly within three regions:the Altay,western Tianshan,and eastern Tianshan orogenic belts.Previous studies have elaborated on the genesis of Fe deposits in the Altay orogenic belt and western Tianshan.However,the geological characteristics and mineralization history of iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan are still poorly understood.In this paper I describe the geological characteristics of iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan,and discuss their genetic types as well as metallogenic-tectonic settings,Iron deposits are preferentially distributed in central and southern parts of the eastern Tianshan.The known iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan show characteristics of magmatic Fe-Ti-V(e.g.,Weiya and Niumaoquan),sedimentary-metamorphic type(e.g.,Tianhu),and iron skarn(e.g.,Hongyuntan).In addition to the abovementioned iron deposits,many iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan are hosted in submarine volcanic rocks with well-developed skarn mineral assemblages.Their geological characteristics and magnetite compositions suggest that they may belong to distal skarns.SIMS zircon U-Pb analyses suggest that the Fe-Ti oxide ores from Niumaoquan and Weiya deposits were formed at 307.7±1.3 Ma and 242.7±1.9 Ma,respectively.Combined with available isotopic age data,the timing of Fe mineralization in the eastern Tianshan can be divided into four broad intervals:Early Ordovician-Early Silurian(476-438 Ma),Carboniferous(335-303 Ma),Early Permian(295-282 Ma),and Triassic(ca.243 Ma).Each of these episodes corresponds to a period of subduction,post-collision,and intraplate tectonics during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic time.

The production of iron oxide during peridotite serpentinization:Influence of pyroxene

Serpentinization produces molecular hydrogen(H2)that can support communities of microorganisms in hydrothermal fields;H2 results from the oxidation of ferrous iron in olivine and pyroxene into ferric iron,and consequently iron oxide(magnetite or hematite)forms.However,the mechanisms that control H2 and iron oxide formation are poorly constrained.In this study,we performed serpentinization experiments at 311℃ and 3.0 kbar on olivine(with <5% pyroxene),orthopyroxene,and peridotite.The results show that serpentine and iron oxide formed when olivine and orthopyroxene individually reacted with a saline starting solution.Olivine-derived serpentine had a significantly lower FeO content(6.57±1.30 wt.%)than primary olivine(9.86 wt.%),whereas orthopyroxene-derived serpentine had a comparable FeO content(6.26±0.58 wt.%)to that of primary orthopyroxene(6.24 wt.%).In experiments on peridotite,olivine was replaced by serpentine and iron oxide.However,pyroxene transformed solely to serpentine.After 20 days,olivine-derived serpentine had a FeO content of 8.18±1.56 wt.%,which was significantly higher than that of serpentine produced in olivine-only experiments.By contrast,serpentine after orthopyroxene had a slightly higher FeO content(6.53±1.01 wt.%)than primary orthopyroxene.Clinopyroxene-derived serpentine contained a significantly higher FeO content than its parent mineral.After 120 days,the FeO content of olivine-derived serpentine decreased significantly(5.71±0.35 wt.%),whereas the FeO content of orthopyroxene-derived serpentine increased(6.85±0.63 wt.%)over the same period.This suggests that iron oxide preferentially formed after olivine serpentinization.Pyroxene in peridotite gained some Fe from olivine during the serpentinization process,which may have led to a decrease in iron oxide production.The correlation between FeO content and SiO_2 or AI_2 O_3 content in olivine-and orthopyroxene-derived serpentine indicates that aluminum and silica greatly control the production of iron oxide.Based on our results and data from natural serpentinites reported by other workers,we propose that aluminum may be more influential at the early stages of peridotite serpentinization when the production of iron oxide is very low,whereas silica may have a greater control on iron oxide production during the late stages instead.

Geochemistry, geochronology and mineralization of the rare-metal granites in the Daping Ta-Nb deposit, Fujian Province, South China

1 Introduction Rare-metal granites are widely distributed in South China.The Daping porphyritic granitic Ta-Nb deposit,located in the Yongding area of south Fujian province,South China,is a large rare-metal deposit recently discovered.Few studies have been made of its petrology,mineralogy,geochemistry,chronology and metallogeny.In recent years,several exploratory drillings have been done in this deposit.These drilling holes,from 380 to 600

Cassiterite U-Pb Date of the Yangbin Porphyry Tin Deposit in Zhejiang and its Geological Significance

Objective The Yangbin porphyry tin deposit in Taishun County of Zhejiang Province is one of the few porphyry-type tin deposits in South China, which is located in the middle portion of the Mesozoic volcanic active belt on the southeastern coast of China. The Yangbin granite porphyry is closely related to the tin mineralization in this region. Based on petrologic and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic

Study on Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic exhumation of the Yanji area,NE China: insights from low-temperature thermochronology

The Yanji area,northeastern China,a part of the orogenic collage between the North China Block in the south and the Jiamusi-Khanka Massifs in the northeast,is the most likely location where the Pacific Plate subduction・related magmatic activities and subsequent exhumation processes occurred.Here,we report new low-temperature thermochronology of apatite and zircon data from the granitoid samples in the Yanji area.The exhumation rates of Tianfozhishan,Yanji area,were〜0.049 and〜0.073 mm/year,interpreted from the elevations and apatite and zircon fission track ages,respectively.The exhumation,integrated with the geological setting,suggested that the paleogeothermal gradient of the Tianfozhishan,even extending to the Yanji area,was possibly to be greater than 35℃/km in the Late Cretaceous.The thermal history modeling of the data indicates a basically similar pattern,but the various timing for different samples between the Oligocene-Early Miocene and the Middle Miocene in the Yanji area.We hence conclude that a fourstages of cooling,from〜6.7℃/Ma(during the Late Cretaceous),to〜0.8℃/Ma(during the Late Cretaceous to the Oligocene-Early Miocene),then to〜2-3℃/Ma with varied styles(between the Oligocene-Early Miocene and the Middle Miocene),and finally to<0.2℃/Ma(since the Middle Miocene),has taken place through the exhumation of the Yanji area.The maximum exhumation is>3 km under a reasonable paleogeothermal gradient(>35℃/km),speculated from the possible exhumation rate of Tianfozhishan.Combined with the tectonic setting,this exhumation,including two stages of pronounced tectonic uplift and denudation and two stages of weak exhumation driven by the low regional erosion rate,is possibly related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate since the Late Cretaceous.This study used more robust evidence to propose higher paleogeothermal gradient(>35℃/km),reflecting exhumation of>3 km in the Yanji area since the Late Cretaceous.

Chronology and Genesis of S-type Granites in Hetai District, Guangdong Province: Constraints from LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Dating and Tourmaline Boron Isotope In-situ Analyses

1 Introduction Hetai district,which is a mountainous area,situated on Guangning and Zhaoqing city,west Guangdong Province.Hetai district is generally located on southwest of South China Caledonian fold belt,east margin of Yunkai post-Caledonian uplift.Multiple type granites are widely distributed in Hetai district,including Caledonian,Indosinian and Yanshanian granites.Based on different

Petrogenesis of I-type granites from Yuqikapa granite pluton of the western Kunlun orogen: Deformation-driven filter-pressing differentiation

1 Introduction The western Kunlun orogen,located in the northwest Tibet Plateau,and is a conjunction between the Pan-Asian and the Tethys tectonic domains.From north to south,the Western Kunlun orogen includes four