Abstract
This paper reports LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages and REE compositions on detrital zircons (Type 1) and hydrothermal zircons (Type 2) from low-metasedimentary rocks in the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation, Pingquan area, Hebei Province that provide important constraints on the tectonic evolution along the northern margin of the North China Block. The detrital zircons are characterized by an oscillatory magmatic core, surrounded by a narrow structureless rim in CL images. They yield 207Pb/206Pb ages ranging from 1703 to 2543 Ma with two age peaks at 2473 and 1794 Ma, which is consistent with the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic tectono-thermal events recorded in the NCB basement, indicating that the source of the detritus was locally derived. By contrast, the hydrothermal ones are euhedral, sector zoning or internally structureless. They have relatively higher U and Th contents and Th/U ratios (U=139–2918 ppm, Th=35–1327 ppm, Th/U (average) =0.78 vs. U=15–1044 ppm, Th=8–341 ppm, Th/U (average) =0.57 for detrital zircons). Moreover, they are also enriched in REEs relative to detrital zircons and show a lower positive Ce anomaly (ΣREE = 659–2418 ppm vs. 231–611 ppm for detrital zircon; Ce/Ce*=2–13 vs. 33–174 for detrital zircons), similar to known hydrothermal zircons derived from many locations. These characteristics, combined with our field petrographic observations, indicate that the hydrothermal zircons possibly formed from a low temperature aqueous fluid. Twelve concordant or near-concordant analyses on hydrothermal zircons yield weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 325–327 Ma, which provide unambiguous evidence that the northern NCB underwent late Paleozoic low temperature hydrothermal modification. This timing of this hydrothermal event is compatible with that of the late Paleozoic magmatic and metamorphic-deformational events occurred on the northern margin of the NCB, it appears likely that the hydrothermal activity resulted from southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Oceanic plate underneath the NCB during late Paleozoic.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Pelleter E, Cheilletz A, Gasquet D, et al. Hydrothermal zircons: A tool for ion microprobe U-Pb dating of gold mineralization (Tamlalt-Menhouhou gold deposit Morocco). Chem Geol, 2007, 245: 135–161
Pidgeon R T, O’Neil J R, Silver L T. Uranium and lead isotopic stability in a metamict zircon under experimental hydrothermal conditions. Science, 1966, 154: 1538–1540
Geisler T, Pidgeon R T, van Bronswijk W, et al. Transport of uranium, thorium, and lead in metamict zircon under low-temperature hydrothermal conditions. Chem Geol, 2002, 191: 141–154
Geisler T, Pidgeon R T, Kurtz R, et al. Experimental hydrothermal alteration of partially metamict zircon. Am Mineral, 2003, 88: 1496–1513
Dempster T J, Hay D C, Bluck B J. Zircon growth in slate. Geology, 2004, 32: 221–224
Tsujimori T, Liou J G, Wooden J, et al. U-Pb dating of large zircons in low-temperature jadeitite from the Osayama serpentinite melange, Southwest Japan: Insights into the timing of serpentinization. Int Geol Rev, 2005, 47: 1048–1057
Kerrich R, King R. Hydrothermal zircon and baddeleyite in Val-Dor Archean mesothermal gold deposits-characteristics, compositions, and fluid-inclusion properties, with implications for timing of primary gold mineralization. Can J Earth Sci, 1993, 30: 2334–2351
Li J J, Shen B F, Mao D B, et al. Mineralization ages of the Jiapigou gold deposits, Jilin. Acta Geol Sin, 1997, 71: 180–188
Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Song B, et al. Contrasting Late Carboniferous and Late Permian-Middle Triassic intrusive suites from the northern margin of the North China Craton: Geochronology, petrogenesis, and tectonic implications. Geol Soc Am Bull, 2009, 121: 181–200
Xiao W J, Windley B F, Hao J, et al. Accretion leading to collision and the Permian Solonker suture, Inner Mongolia, China: Termination of the central Asian orogenic belt. Tectonics, 2003, 22: 8-1–8-20
Li J Y. Permian geodynamic setting of Northeast China and adjacent regions: Closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. J Asian Earth Sci, 2006, 26: 207–224
Windley B F, Alexeiev D, Xiao W, et al. Tectonic models for accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. J Geol Soc London, 2007, 164: 31–47
Zhang X H, Zhang H F, Tang Y J, et al. Geochemistry of Permian bimodal volcanic rocks from central inner Mongolia, North China: Implication for tectonic setting and Phanerozoic continental growth in Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Chem Geol, 2008, 249: 262–281
Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Song B, et al. Carboniferous granitic plutons from the northern margin of the North China block: Implications for a late Palaeozoic active continental margin. J Geol Soc London, 2007, 164: 451–463
Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Liu X C, et al. Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic mafic-ultramafic complexes from the northern North China Block: Constraints on the composition and evolution of the lithospheric mantle. Lithos, 2009, 110: 229–246
Ni Z Y, Zhai M G, Wang R M, et al. Late Paleozoic retrograded eclogites from within the northern margin of the North China Craton: Evidence for subduction of the Paleo-Asian ocean. Gondwana Res, 2006, 9: 209–224
Ni Z Y, Zhai M G, Wang R M, et al. Discovery of Late Paleozoic retrograded eclogites from the middle part of the northern margin of North China Craton. Chin Sci Bull, 2004, 49: 600–606
Li H Y, Xu Y G, Huang X L, et al. Activation of northern margin of the North China Craton in Late Paleozoic: Evidence from U-Pb dating and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from the Upper Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation in the Ningwu-Jingle basin. Chin Sci Bull, 2009, 54: 677–686
Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Song B, et al. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb and in-situ Lu-Hf isotope analyses of a tuff from Western Beijing: Evidence for missing Late Paleozoic arc volcano eruptions at the northern margin of the North China Block. Gondwana Res, 2007, 12: 157–165
Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Liu J, et al. Emplacement depths of the Late Paleozoic-Mesozoic granitoid intrusions from the north North China block and their tectonic implications (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 2007, 23: 625–638
Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Song B. Hornblende thermobarometry of the Carboniferous granitoids from the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the northern margin of North China Block. Miner Petrol, 2006, 87: 123–141
Yan Y, Lin G, Xia B, et al. U-Pb dating of single detrital zircon grains from Mesozoic sandstone in the Beipiao Basin in the eastern Yan-Liao Orogenic Belt, China: Provenance and correlation of tectonic evolution. J Asian Earth Sci, 2006, 26: 669–681
Yang J, Wu F, Shao J, et al. Constraints on the timing of uplift of the Yanshan Fold and Thrust Belt, North China. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2006, 246: 336–352
Qiao X F, Gao L Z, Zhang C H. New idea of the Meso- and Neoproterozoic chronostratigraphic chart and tectonic environment in Sino-Korean Plate (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Bull Chin, 2007, 26: 503–509
Hebei Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. Regional Geology of Hebei Province, Beijing Municipality and Tianjin Mynicipality (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1989. 1–741
Liu Y S, Gao S, Hu Z C, et al. Continental and oceanic crust recycling-induced melt-peridotite interactions in the Trans-North China Orogen: U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements in zircons from mantle xenoliths. J Petrol, 2010, 51: 537–571
Hu Z, Gao S, Liu Y, et al. Signal enhancement in laser ablation ICP-MS by addition of nitrogen in the central channel gas. J Anal Atom Spectrom, 2008, 23: 1093–1101
Liu Y S, Hu Z C, Gao S, et al. In situ analysis of major and trace elements of anhydrous minerals by LA-ICP-MS without applying an internal standard. Chem Geol, 2008, 257: 34–43
Ludwig K R. User’s manual for Isoplot 3.0: A geochronological toolkit for Microsoft Excel. Berkeley Geochronology Center Special Publication, 2003. 1–20
Corfu F, Hanchar J M, Hoskin P W O, et al. Atlas of zircon textures. Rev Mineral Geochem, 2003, 53: 469–500
Hoskin P W O. Trace-element composition of hydrothermal zircon and the alteration of Hadean zircon from the Jack Hills, Australia. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 2005, 69: 637–648
Rubatto D. Zircon trace element geochemistry: Partitioning with garnet and the link between U-Pb ages and metamorphism. Chem Geol, 2002, 184: 123–138
Hoskin P W O, Schaltegger U. The composition of zircon and igneous and metamorphic petrogenesis. In: Hanchar J M, Hoskin P W O, eds. Zircon. Washington: Mineralogical Society of America, 2003. 27–62
Sun S S, McDonough W F. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: Implications for mantle composition and processes. Geol Soc Spec Publ, 1989, 42: 313–345
Hoskin P W O, Kinny P D, Wyborn D. Chemistry of hydrothermal zricon: Investigating timing and nature of water-rock interaction. In: Arehart G B, Hulston J R, eds. Water-rock Interaction. Rotterdam: A. A. Balkema Publishers, 1998. 545–548
Pettke T, Audetat A, Schaltegger U, et al. Magmatic-to-hydrothermal crystallization in the W-Sn mineralized Mole Granite (NSW, Australia)-Part II: Evolving zircon and thorite trace element chemistry. Chem Geol, 2005, 220: 191–213
Wang J, Chen J F, Bao Z D, et al. Influences of marine floor hydrothermal activity on organic matter abundance in marine carbonate rocks-A case study of middle-upper Proterozoic in the northern part of North China. Chin Sci Bull, 2006, 51: 585–593
Ren G X, He M X, Ge M, et al. The origin of siliceous rock in Wumishan Formation, Jixian, Tianjin (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Sed Sin, 2008, 26: 70–76
Yang J, Gao S, Chen C, et al. Episodic crustal growth of North China as revealed by U-Pb age and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from modern rivers. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 2009, 73: 2660–2673
Wu F Y, Zhao G C, Wilde S A, et al. Nd isotopic constraints on crustal formation in the North China Craton. J Asian Earth Sci, 2005, 24: 523–545
Wan Y S, Zhang Q D, Song T R. SHRIMP ages of detrital zircons from the Changcheng System in the Ming Tombs area, Beijing: Constraints on the protolith nature and maximum depositional age of the Mesoproterozoic cover of the North China Craton. Chin Sci Bull, 2003, 48: 2500–2506
Zhao G C, Cawood P A, Wilde S A, et al. Metamorphism of basement rocks in the Central Zone of the North China Craton: Implications for Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution. Precambrian Res, 2000, 103: 55–88
Zhao G C. Palaeoproterozoic assembly of the North China Craton. Geol Mag, 2001, 138: 87–91
Zhao G C, Sun M, Wilde S A, et al. Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic evolution of the North China Craton: Key issues revisited. Precambrian Res, 2005, 136: 177–202
Zhao G C, Wilde S A, Cawood P A, et al. Archean blocks and their boundaries in the North China Craton: Lithological, geochemical, structural and P-T path constraints and tectonic evolution. Precambrian Res, 2001, 107: 45–73
Wan Y S, Song B, Liu D Y, et al. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon geochronology of Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks in the North China Craton: Evidence for a major Late Palaeoproterozoic tectonothermal event. Precambrian Res, 2006, 149: 249–271
Lu S N, Zhao G C, Wang H C, et al. Precambrian metamorphic basement and sedimentary cover of the North China Craton: A review. Precambrian Res, 2008, 160: 77–93
Xia X P, Sun M, Zhao G C, et al. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology of detrital zircons from the Jining Complex, North China Craton and its tectonic significance. Precambrian Res, 2006, 144: 199–212
Hou G T, Santosh M, Qian X L, et al. Configuration of the Late Paleoproterozoic supercontinent Columbia: Insights from radiating mafic dyke swarms. Gondwana Res, 2008, 14: 395–409
Liu S W, Lü Y J, Feng Y G, et al. Zircon and monazite geochronology of the Hongqiyingzi complex, northern Hebei, China (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Bull Chin, 2007, 26: 1086–1100
Zhang S H, Liu S W, Zhao Y, et al. The 1.75–1.68 Ga anortho site-mangerite-alkali granitoid-rapakivi granite suite from the northern North China Craton: Magmatism related to a Paleoproterozoic orogen. Precambrian Res, 2007, 155: 287–312
Wang H C, Zhao F Q, Li H M, et al. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age of the dioritic rocks from northern Hebei: the geological records of late Paleozoic magmatic arc (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 2007, 23: 597–604
Zhao G C, Wilde S A, Cawood P A, et al. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages of the Fuping Complex: Implications for late Archean to Paleoproterozoic accretion and assembly of the North China Craton. Am J Sci, 2002, 302: 191–226
Kusky T M, Li J H, Tucker R D. The Archean Dongwanzi ophiolite complex, North China craton: 2.505-billion-year-old oceanic crust and mantle. Science, 2001, 292: 1142–1145
Wang Z, Wilde S A, Wang K, et al. A MORB-arc basalt-adakite association in the 2.5 Ga Wutai greenstone belt: Late Archean magmatism and crustal growth in the North China Craton. Precambrian Res, 2004, 131: 323–343
Li H K, Li H M, Lu S N. Grain zircon U-Pb ages for volcanic rocks from Tuanshanzi Formation of Changcheng system and their geological implications (in Chinese with English abstract). Geochimica, 1995, 24: 43–49
Windley B F, Alexeiev D, Xiao W J, et al. Tectonic models for accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. J Geol Soc London, 2007, 164: 31–47
Zhou A C, Jia B W, Ma M L, et al. The whole sequences of volcanic event deposits on the north margin of the North China plate and their features (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Rev, 2001, 47: 175–183
Chen B, Jahn B M, Tian W. Evolution of the Solonker suture zone: Constraints from zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotopic ratios and whole-rock Nd-Sr isotope compositions of subduction-and collision-related magmas and forearc sediments. J Asian Earth Sci, 2009, 34: 245–257
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Guo, H., Du, Y., Yang, J. et al. U-Pb geochronology of hydrothermal zircon from the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation on the northern margin of the North China Block and its geological implications. Sci. China Earth Sci. 54, 1675–1685 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4253-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4253-7