L. K. Levskii

Capabilities and constraints of the Pb-Pb dating of metamorphogenic minerals using the step-leaching method

Based on particular examples, this paper considers the capabilities and constraints of the step-leaching Pb-Pb dating (PbSL) of metamorphogenic minerals. It was shown that stepwise leaching allows the separation of fractions enriched in uranogenic and thorogenic Pb isotopes, which can be used for the determination of mineral ages and the time of crystallization of coexisting equilibrium and, occasionally, disequilibrium monazites. The presence of monazite in a mineral is indicated by a high Th/U ratio similar to that of monazite. The main limitation of the method is related to the presence in minerals of both disequilibrium domains of the mineral matrix and disequilibrium monazite microinclusions. By the example of minerals studied, we discussed three scenarios for the development of the U-Th-Pb isotopic systems of metamorphogenic minerals.

Age stages of metamorphism at the Kitoi Sillimanite schist deposit, southeastern Prisayan’e

The Irkut Block with dominant rocks of the Sharyzhalgai Series and Kitoi Block with prevalence of the Kitoi Series rocks are the main structures of the Presayanian basement elevation of the Siberian Craton. Two stages of metamorphism, Neoarchean (2.6–2.7 Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (1.85–1.87 Ga), were established for the granulitic complexes of these blocks. The rocks of the Kitoi sillimanite schist deposit composed of sillimanite, andalusite-sillimanite, and garnet-sillimanite schists and gneisses underwent by intense ultrametamorphic transformations which led to the formation of sillimanite- and garnet-bearing plagioclase and feldspar migmatites, and also granites, sienites, and granite-pegmatites. The geochronological study of melanocratic schists and leucocratic plagiogneisses-the typical rocks of the Kitoi deposit-showed the manifestation of metamorphism only at the Archean and Proterozoic boundary (2450–2550 Ma).

Age of the Irkut block of the Prisayan uplift of the Siberian platform basement: Dating minerals from metamorphic rocks

New geochronological (U-Pb, Pb-LS, Sm-Nd) studies were carried out for minerals from metamorphic rocks (aluminous plagiogneisses with sillimanite (kinzigites) and potassium shadow migmatites) to establish the sequence of metamorphic events in the Irkut block of the Prisayan marginal uplift of the Siberian platform basement. Obtained data permit the distinguishing of two main stages of regional metamorphism under the granulite and amphibolite facies conditions: 2480–2560 and 1860–1900 Ma. New age data in general are consistent with previously published zircon estimates of the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic ages of the granulite-facies metamorphism of the Irkut block. This gives grounds to consider the geochronological studies of garnet and monazite as promising tool for distinguishing age boundaries of metamorphic transformations in the areas of polycyclic evolution.

U-Pb Age and Geochemistry of Zircons from Xenoliths of the V. Grib Kimberlitic Pipe, Arkhangelsk Diamond Province

595 Deep seated xenoliths transported by kimberlites are the main reliable source of information on the composition and age of the lower crust and lithos pheric mantle for the northern margin of the East European Platform [1]. The high productive Middle Paleozoic V. Grib pipe in the Arkhangelsk diamond province is distinguished by the high concentration and variability of xenoliths with prevalence of mantle peridotites and eclogites, as well as lower crustal gran ulites with a total portion of ~80% from all xenoliths from this pipe [2].