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.

A new method of searching for concealed Au deposits by using the spectrum of arid desert plant species

With the increase of exploration depth,it is more and more difficult to find Au deposits.Due to the limitation of time and cost,traditional geological exploration methods are becoming increasingly difficult to be effectively applied.Thus,new methods and ideas are urgently needed.This study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of using hyperspectral technology to prospect for hidden Au deposits.For this purpose,48 plant(Seriphidium terrae-albae)and soil(aeolian gravel desert soil)samples were first collected along a sampling line that traverses an Au mineralization alteration zone(Aketasi mining region in an arid region of China)and were used to obtain soil Au contents by a chemical analysis method and the reflectance spectra of plants obtained with an Analytical Spectral Device(ASD)FieldSpec3 spectrometer.Then,the corresponding relationship between the soil Au content anomaly and concealed Au deposits was investigated.Additionally,the characteristic bands were selected from plant spectra using four different methods,namely,genetic algorithm(GA),stepwise regression analysis(STE),competitive adaptive reweighted sampling(CARS),and correlation coefficient method(CC),and were then input into the partial least squares(PLS)method to construct a model for estimating the soil Au content.Finally,the quantitative relationship between the soil Au content and the 15 different plant transformation spectra was established using the PLS method.The results were compared with those of a model based on the full spectrum.The results obtained in this study indicate that the location of concealed Au deposits can be predicted based on soil geochemical anomaly information,and it is feasible and effective to use the full plant spectrum and PLS method to estimate the Au content in the soil.The cross-validated coefficient of determination(R2)and the ratio of the performance to deviation(RPD)between the predicted value and the measured value reached the maximum of 0.8218 and 2.37,respectively,with a minimum value of 6.56μg/kg for the root-mean-squared error(RMSE)in the full spectrum model.However,in the process of modeling,it is crucial to select the appropriate transformation spectrum as the input parameter for the PLS method.Compared with the GA,STE,and CC methods,CARS was the superior characteristic band screening method based on the accuracy and complexity of the model.When modeling with characteristic bands,the highest accuracy,R2 of 0.8016,RMSE of 7.07μg/kg,and RPD of 2.20 were obtained when 56 characteristic bands were selected from the transformed spectra(1/lnR)'(where it represents the first derivative of the reciprocal of the logarithmic spectrum)of sampled plants using the CARS method and were input into the PLS method to construct an inversion model of the Au content in the soil.Thus,characteristic bands can replace the full spectrum when constructing a model for estimating the soil Au content.Finally,this study proposes a method of using plant spectra to find concealed Au deposits,which may have promising application prospects because of its simplicity and rapidity.

Optimal bandwidth selection for retrieving Cu content in rock based on hyperspectral remote sensing

Hyperspectral remote sensing technology is widely used to detect element contents because of its multiple bands,high resolution,and abundant information.Although researchers have paid considerable attention to selecting the optimal bandwidth for the hyperspectral inversion of metal element contents in rocks,the influence of bandwidth on the inversion accuracy are ignored.In this study,we collected 258 rock samples in and near the Kalatage polymetallic ore concentration area in the southwestern part of Hami City,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China and measured the ground spectra of these samples.The original spectra were resampled with different bandwidths.A Partial Least Squares Regression(PLSR)model was used to invert Cu contents of rock samples and then the influence of different bandwidths on Cu content inversion accuracy was explored.According to the results,the PLSR model obtains the highest Cu content inversion accuracy at a bandwidth of 35 nm,with the model determination coefficient(R^(2))of 0.5907.The PLSR inversion accuracy is relatively unaffected by the bandwidth within 5-80 nm,but the accuracy decreases significantly at 85 nm bandwidth(R^(2)=0.5473),and the accuracy gradually decreased at bandwidths beyond 85 nm.Hence,bandwidth has a certain impact on the inversion accuracy of Cu content in rocks using the PLSR model.This study provides an indicator argument and theoretical basis for the future design of hyperspectral sensors for rock geochemistry.

Continental reconstruction and metallogeny of the Circum-Junggar areas and termination of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Continental reconstructions in Central Asia are represented by orogenesis along some large orogenic belts in the Altaid collage （Fig. 1 ） or Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）, which separate the East European and Siberian cratons to the north from the Tarim and North China cratons to the south （$eng0r et al,, 1993; Jahn et al., 2004; Windley et al., 2007; Qu et al., 2008; Xiao et al., 2010; Xiao and Santosh, 2014）. The Altaid Collage was characterized by complex long tectonic and structural evolution from at least ca. 1.0 Ga to late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic with considerable continental growth （Khain et al., 2002; Jahn et al., 2004; Xiao et al., 2009, 2014; KrOner et al., 2014）, followed by Cenozoic intracontinental evolution related to far-field effect of the collision of the In- dian Plate to the Eurasian Accompanying with these complex world-class ore deposits developed 2001; Goldfarb et al., 2003, 2014）. Plate （Cunningham, 2005）. geodynamic evolutions, many （Qin, 2000; Yakubchuk et al,2001; Goldfarb et al., 2003, 2014）.

Thermo-tectonic history of the Junggar Alatau within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(SE Kazakhstan,NW China):Insights from integrated apatite U/Pb,fission track and(U-Th)/He thermochronology

The Junggar Alatau forms the northern extent of the Tian Shan within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB)at the border of SE Kazakhstan and NW China.This study presents the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic post-collisional thermo-tectonic history of this frontier locality using an integrated approach based on three apatite geo-/thermochronometers:apatite U-Pb,fission track and(U-Th)/He.The apatite U-Pb dates record Carboniferous-Permian post-magmatic cooling ages for the sampled granitoids,reflecting the progressive closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean.The apatite fission track(AFT)data record(partial)preservation of the late Palaeozoic cooling ages,supplemented by limited evidence for Late Triassic(~230-210 Ma)cooling and a more prominent record of(late)Early Cretaceous(~150-110 Ma)cooling.The apatite(U-Th)/He age results are consistent with the(late)Early Cretaceous AFT data,revealing a period of fast cooling at that time in resulting thermal history models.This Cretaceous rapid cooling signal is only observed for samples taken along the major NW-SE orientated shear zone that dissects the study area(the Central Kazakhstan Fault Zone),while Permian and Triassic cooling signals are preserved in low-relief areas,distal to this structure.This distinct geographical trend with respect to the shear zone,suggests that fault reactivation triggered the Cretaceous rapid cooling,which can be linked to a phase of slab-rollback and associated extension in the distant Tethys Ocean.Similar conclusions were drawn for thermochronology studies along other major NW-SE orientated shear zones in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,suggesting a regional phase of Cretaceous exhumation in response to fault reactivation at that time.

Estimation of rock Fe content based on hyperspectral indices

Information on the Fe content of bare rocks is needed for implementing geochemical processes and identifying mines.However,the influence of Fe content on the spectra of bare rocks has not been thoroughly analyzed in previous studies.The Saur Mountain region within the Hoboksar of the Russell Hill depression was selected as the study area.Specifically,we analyzed six hyperspectral indices related to rock Fe content based on laboratory measurements(Dataset I)and field measurements(Dataset II).In situ field measurements were acquired to verify the laboratory measurements.Fe content of the rock samples collected from different fresh and weathered rock surfaces were divided into six levels to reveal the spatial distributions of Fe content of these samples.In addition,we clearly displayed wavelengths with obvious characteristics by analyzing the spectra of these samples.The results of this work indicated that Fe content estimation models based on the fresh rock surface measurements in the laboratory can be applied to in situ field or satellite-based measurements of Fe content of the weathered rock surfaces.It is not the best way to use only the single wavelengths reflectance at all absorption wavelengths or the depth of these absorption features to estimate Fe content.Based on sample data analysis,the comparison with other indices revealed that the performance of the modified normalized difference index is the best indicator for estimating rock Fe content,with R2 values of 0.45 and 0.40 corresponding to datasets I and II,respectively.Hence,the modified normalized difference index(the wavelengths of 2220,2290,and 2370 nm)identified in this study could contribute considerably to improve the identification accuracy of rock Fe content in the bare rock areas.The method proposed in this study can obviously provide an efficient solution for large-scale rock Fe content measurements in the field.

Land use/land cover change responses to ecological water conveyance in the lower reaches of Tarim River,China

The Tarim River is the longest inland river in China and is considered as an important river to protect the oasis economy and environment of the Tarim Basin.However,excessive exploitation and over-utilization of natural resources,particularly water resources,have triggered a series of ecological and environmental problems,such as the reduction in the volume of water in the main river,deterioration of water quality,drying up of downstream rivers,degradation of vegetation,and land desertification.In this study,the land use/land cover change(LUCC)responses to ecological water conveyance in the lower reaches of the Tarim River were investigated using ENVI(Environment for Visualizing Images)and GIS(Geographic Information System)data analysis software for the period of 1990-2018.Multi-temporal remote sensing images and ecological water conveyance data from 1990 to 2018 were used.The results indicate that LUCC covered an area of 2644.34 km^(2) during this period,accounting for 15.79%of the total study area.From 1990 to 2018,wetland,farmland,forestland,and artificial surfaces increased by 533.42 km^(2)(216.77%),446.68 km^(2)(123.66%),284.55 km^(2)(5.67%),and 57.51 km^(2)(217.96%),respectively,whereas areas covered by grassland and other land use/land cover types,such as Gobi,bare soil,and deserts,decreased by 103.34 km2(14.31%)and 1218.83 km2(11.75%),respectively.Vegetation area decreased first and then increased,with the order of 2010<2000<1990<2018.LUCC in the overflow and stagnant areas in the lower reaches of the Tarim River was mainly characterized by fragmentation,irregularity,and complexity.By analyzing the LUCC responses to 19 rounds of ecological water conveyance in the lower reaches of the Tarim River from 2000 to the end of 2018,we proposed guidelines for the rational development and utilization of water and soil resources and formulation of strategies for the sustainable development of the lower reaches of the Tarim River.This study provides scientific guidance for optimal scheduling of water resources in the region.

Accretionary processes and metallogenesis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Advances and perspectives

As one of the largest Phanerozoic orogens in the world,the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB)is a natural laboratory for studies of continental dynamics and metallogenesis.This paper summarizes the research progresses of the accretionary processes and metallogenesis of the CAOB since the Peopled Republic of China was founded,and puts forward the prospect for future research.During the early period(1950s-1970s),several geological theories were applied to explain the geological evolution of Central Asia.In the early period of China's reform and opening-up,the plate tectonics theory was applied to explain the evolution of the northern Xinjiang and Xingmeng regions,and the opinion of subduction-collision between Siberian Kazakhstan and China-North Korea-Tarim plates was proposed.The idea of the Solonker-Yanbian suture zone was established.In the 1990s,the study of the CAOB entered a period of rapid development.One school of scholars including geologists from the former Soviet Union proposed a multi-block collision model for the assemblage of the CAOB.In contrast,another school of scholars,led by a Turkish geologist,Celal Sengor,proposed that the Altaids was formed through the growth and strike-slip duplicates of a single island arc,and pointed out that the Altaids is a special type of collisional orogen.During this period,Chinese geologists carried out a lot of pioneering researches on ophiolites and high-pressure metamorphic rocks in northern China,and confirmed the main suture zones accordingly.In 1999,the concept of"Central Asian metallogenic domain"was proposed,and it became one of the three major metallogenic domains in the world.Since the 21st century,given the importance for understanding continental accretion and metallogenic mechanism,the CAOB has become the international academic forefront.China has laid out a series of scientific research projects in Central Asia.A large number of important scientific research achievements have been spawned,including the tectonic attribution of micro-continents,timing and tectonic settings of ophiolites,magmatic arcs,identification and anatomy of accretionary wedges,regional metamorphism-deformation,(ultra)high-pressure metamorphism,ridge subduction plume-plate interaction archipelagic paleogeography and spatio-temporal framework of multiple accretionary orogeny,continental growth accretionary metallogenesis,structural superposition and transformation etc.These achievements have made important international influences.There still exist the following aspects that need further study:(1)Early evolution history and subduction initiation of the Paleo-Asian Ocean;(2)The accretionary mechanism of the extroversion Paleo-Asian Ocean;(3)The properties of the mantle of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and their spatiotemporal distribution;(4)The interaction between the Paleo-Asian Ocean and the Tethys Ocean;(5)Phanerozoic continental growth mechanism and its global comparison;(6)Accretionary metallogenic mechanism of the Central Asian metallogenic domain;and(7)Continental transformation mechanism.