Cong-ying Li

High Oxygen Fugacity and Slab Melting Linked to Cu Mineralization: Evidence from Dexing Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southeastern China

The Dexing porphyry Cu deposit is the largest Cu deposit in eastern China, with total reserves of 8.4 Mt Cu. The Dexing porphyries have geochemical characteristics typical of adakites: they are similar to examples in the Circum-Pacific Belt and in the Lower Yangtze River Belt but different from adakites from the Dabie Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau. Ce4+/Ce3+ and values calculated from zircon trace-element compositions vary from 495 to 1922 and from 0.51 to 0.82, respectively, and reflect high oxygen fugacity similar to that measured in or inferred for porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the South America. The high oxygen fugacity is consistent with abundant anhydrite and magnetite-hematite intergrowths in the porphyry, which indicate that the highest oxygen fugacity of Dexing porphyry reached the hematite-magnetite buffer. Based on the geochemical characteristics and the drifting history of the Pacific Plate, we propose that the Dexing adakitic porphyries formed through slab melting, most likely during subduction of an aseismic ridge in the Pacific Plate in the Mid-Jurassic.

Formation of the world's largest molybdenum metallogenic belt: a plate-tectonic perspective on the Qinling molybdenum deposits

Qinling ore belt is the largest known molybdenum belt in the world with a total reserve of >5 Mt of Mo metal. Based on the geochemical behaviour of Mo, the structural settings of the Qinling orogenic belt, and geological events in eastern China, we propose that tectonic settings are of critical importance to the formation of these ore deposits. Molybdenum is very rare in the earth with an abundance of ∼0.8 ppm in the continental crust. Both surface- and magmatic-hydrothermal enrichment processes are required for Mo mineralization. It can be easily oxidized to form water-soluble MoO4 – in the surface environment, especially in the Phanaerozoic, and then precipitated under anoxic conditions. Therefore, closed or semi-closed water bodies with large catchment areas and high chemical erosion rates are the most favourable locations for Mo-enriched sediments. The Qinling orogenic belt was located in the tropics during crustal collisions, such that the chemical erosion was presumably intense, whereas the Erlangping back-arc basin was probably a closed or semi-closed water body as a result of plate convergence. More than 90% of the Mo reserves so far discovered in the Qinling molybdenum belt are associated with the Palaeozoic Erlangping back-arc basin. Compiled Re–Os isotopic ages for porphyry deposits (including several carbonate vein deposits) that have been dated show peaks during 220 million years (>0.32 Mt), 145 million years (> 3.5 Mt), and 115 million years (> 0.84 Mt), which correlate well with the three major episodes of granitoid magmatism since the Triassic. The ∼220 million year episode of mineralization, represented by the Huanglongpu carbonate vein-type deposit and the Wenquan porphyry deposit, coincided with the formation of the South Qinling syn-orogenic granites as well as the Dabie ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks, suggests a genetic relationship with the collision between South and North China Blocks. The ∼145 Ma porphyry Mo deposits, representing the main mineralization, are attributed to reactivation by ridge subduction along the lower Yangtze River belt to the east of the Qinling orogen ∼150–140 Ma. The ∼115 Ma Mo deposits likely reflect slab rollback of the northwestwards subducting Pacific plate ∼125–110 Ma.

Shapinggou: the largest Climax-type porphyry Mo deposit in China

Shapinggou porphyry Mo deposit is the largest Climax-type Mo deposit in China and probably also in the world, with total proven Mo reserves of over 2.2 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.17%. It is located in the western Dabie Mountains, along the eastern extension of the East Qinling Mo mineralization belt. Similar to the majority of Mo deposits in the Qinling Mo belt, it is located north of the Triassic suture between the north and south China blocks. The orebody is mainly hosted in Cretaceous high-K granitic porphyry and explosive breccia, with potassic, silicification, and sericite-pyrite alterations. Fluorite is common in Shapinggou, indicating high-F content. The porphyry is closely associated with a large quartz syenite intrusion. Re–Os dating of molybdenite yielded an isochron age of 111.1 ± 1.2 Ma for the mineralization. Zircon U–Pb ages are 111.7 ± 0.8 Ma and 111.9 ± 0.6 Ma for the granitic porphyry and quartz syenite, respectively. Shapinggou is similar to the well-known Climax and Henderson Mo deposits in terms of geochemical characteristics and alterations, etc. We propose that Mo-rich ore-forming materials accumulated underneath the Shapinggou region during the convergence of the North and South China blocks, whereas the final mineralization was triggered by asthenosphere upwelling induced by Pacific Plate subduction.

Major Nb/Ta Fractionation Recorded in Garnet Amphibolite Facies Metagabbro

Mobilities and fractionations of high-field-strength elements, especially Nb and Ta within a subducting slab, are important for deciphering the formation of the continental crust (CC). Here we report geochemical results on an epidote garnet amphibolite facies metagabbro body in the Tongbai-Dabie orogenic belt, central China. Our samples were hydrated during prograde metamorphism of the Triassic plate subduction. Major minerals such as amphibole, garnet, rutile, and ilmenite and garnet amphibolite bulk rocks show varied and overall lower Nb/Ta and/or Zr/Hf ratios than the continental crust. Magma differentiation might have contributed to variations of Zr/Hf but not those of Nb/Ta, suggesting major Nb/Ta fractionations during plate subduction. LA-ICPMS in situ trace element analyses of amphibole and especially rutile grains exhibit obvious chemical zonations. Typically, the rutile cores are usually small with higher Nb and Ta concentrations and lower Nb/Ta ratios compared to the thick rims. Chemical and fabric characteristics of the zonations may be explained by diverse external fluid activities: the gabbro first absorbed low Nb/Ta fluids that were released during blueschist to amphibolite transformation in deeper portions of the subducting slab, followed by acquiring external fluids with elevated Nb/Ta released during amphibolite to eclogite transformation. Our results imply that fluids with low Nb/Ta released during blueschist to amphibolite transformation can be transferred to cold regions within a subducted plate and also to the mantle wedge through fluid-rock reaction. Such regions are more easily melted during further subduction, especially in the early history of the earth, providing a plausible explanation for the low Nb/Ta in the CC.

Isotopic evidence for continental ice sheet in mid-latitude region in the supergreenhouse Early Cretaceous

Cretaceous represents one of the hottest greenhouse periods in the Earths history, but some recent studies suggest that small ice caps might be present in non-polar regions during certain periods in the Early Cretaceous. Here we report extremely negative δ18O values of −18.12‰ to −13.19‰ for early Aptian hydrothermal zircon from an A-type granite at Baerzhe in northeastern China. Given that A-type granite is anhydrous and that magmatic zircon of the Baerzhe granite has δ18O value close to mantle values, the extremely negative δ18O values for hydrothermal zircon are attributed to addition of meteoric water with extremely low δ18O, mostly likely transported by glaciers. Considering the paleoaltitude of the region, continental glaciation is suggested to occur in the early Aptian, indicating much larger temperature fluctuations than previously thought during the supergreenhouse Cretaceous. This may have impact on the evolution of major organism in the Jehol Group during this period.

Age, petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the ferrobasalts in the Chagangnuoer iron deposit, western Tianshan

The formation of large iron deposits associated with subduction and its genetic relationships with ferrobasalts are not yet well understood. Here we report a geochemical and geochronological investigation on the newly discovered ferrobasalts associated with the Chagangnuoer iron deposit, western Tianshan. The Chagangnuoer ferrobasalts are characterized by high Fe2O3T (14.55–22.68 wt.%) and MnO (0.36–0.93 wt.%) but low TiO2 (0.70–1.26 wt.%) contents. Analyses of 10 zircon grains yield a weighted zircon U–Pb age of 314 ± 8 Ma. Based on our new petrological and geochemical data, we conclude that the Chagangnuoer ferrobasalts probably have been originated from the partial melting of a spinel peridotite mantle source that has been modified by subduction related fluids. The ferrobasalts have nearly linear positive correlation between MnO and (87Sr/86Sr)i, implying the involvement of subducted Fe–Mn nodules. The mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)- and ocean island basalt (OIB)-like geochemical features, as well as moderate Ti/V values (18–36), indicate that the ferrobasalts may have been formed in an extensional back-arc basin setting. Combined with previous studies on the Chagangnuoer iron deposit, we propose a hypothesis that the overlying iron orebodies were likely derived from the ferrobasaltic magma.

Origin of the mysterious Yin-Shang bronzes in China indicated by lead isotopes.

Fine Yin-Shang bronzes containing lead with puzzlingly highly radiogenic isotopic compositions appeared suddenly in the alluvial plain of the Yellow River around 1400 BC. The Tongkuangyu copper deposit in central China is known to have lead isotopic compositions even more radiogenic and scattered than those of the Yin-Shang bronzes. Most of the Yin-Shang bronzes are tin-copper alloys with high lead contents. The low lead and tin concentrations, together with the less radiogenic lead isotopes of bronzes in an ancient smelting site nearby, however, exclude Tongkuangyu as the sole supplier of the Yin-Shang bronzes. Interestingly, tin ingots/prills and bronzes found in Africa also have highly radiogenic lead isotopes, but it remains mysterious as to how such African bronzes may have been transported to China. Nevertheless, these African bronzes are the only bronzes outside China so far reported that have lead isotopes similar to those of the Yin-Shang bronzes. All these radiogenic lead isotopes plot along ~2.0–2.5 Ga isochron lines, implying that deposits around Archean cratons are the most likely candidates for the sources. African cratons along the Nile and even micro-cratons in the Sahara desert may have similar lead signatures. These places were probably accessible by ancient civilizations, and thus are the most favorable suppliers of the bronzes.

Origin of Early Cretaceous Guandian adakitic pluton in central eastern China: partial melting of delaminated lower continental crust triggered by ridge subduction

ABSTRACT Early Cretaceous adakite or adakitic plutons are widely distributed in central eastern China, e.g. lower Yangtze river belt (LYRB), the south Tan–Lu fault (STLF), and the Dabie orogen. Their genesis, however, remains controversial. In this contribution, we present detailed geochemical and geochronological study on the Guandian pluton in central Anhui Province, eastern China, which has been formerly regarded as a part of the north belt in the LYRB and lately classified in the STLF. Namely, it is located near the boundary between ridge subduction related slab melting and partial melting of lower continental crust (LCC). The Guandian pluton consists of quartz monzonite and is metaluminous and high-K calc-alkaline according to the chemical composition. The samples show high SiO2 (59.15–62.32%), Al2O3 (14.51–15.39%), Sr (892–1184 ppm), Sr/Y (56.74–86.32), and low Y (12.65–18.05 ppm), similar to typical geochemical features of adakite. The Guandian adakitic rocks also exhibit high K2O (2.88–3.86%), MgO (3.89–5.24%), and Mg# (55–60), negative anomalies of high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti), and positive anomalies of Ba, Pb, and Sr. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating yielded a weighted average age of 129.2 ± 0.7 Ma. Calculations of zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ (6.97–145) and (Eu/Eu*)N (0.23–0.42) on the basis of in situ zircon trace element analysis indicate that the magma had a lower oxygen fugacity relative to the ore-bearing adakites in the LYRB and Dexing, which is consistent with the fact of ore-barren in the research area. In combination with previous research, we propose that Guandian adakitic pluton was formed by partial melting of delaminated LCC triggered by Early Cretaceous ridge subduction of the Pacific and Izanagi plates. During ridge subduction, physical erosion destructed the thickened LCC and resulted in delamination, while thermal erosion facilitated partial melting of the delaminated LCC.