Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Origin of Baotoudong syenites in North China Craton: Petrological, mineralogical and geochemical evidence

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Science China Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Baotoudong syenite pluton is located to the east of Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, the westernmost part of the Triassic alkaline magmatic belt along the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). Zircon U-Pb age, petrological, mineralogical and geochemical data of the pluton were obtained in this paper, to constrain its origin and mantle source characteristics. The pluton is composed of nepheline-clinopyroxene syenite and alkali-feldspar syenite, with zircon U-Pb age of 214.7±1.1 Ma. Diopside (cores)-aegirine-augite (rims), biotite, orthoclase and nepheline are the major minerals. The Baotoudong syenites have high contents of rare earth elements (REE), and are characterized by enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE; e.g., Rb, Ba, Sr), depletion in heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and high field strength elements (HFSE). They show enriched Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with initial 87Sr/86Sr ranging from 0.7061 to 0.7067 and εNd(t) values from–9.0 to–11.2. Mineralogy, petrology and geochemical studies show that the parental magma of the syenites is SiO2-undersaturated potassic-ultrapotassic, and is characterized by high contents of CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O and fluid compositions (H2O), and by high temperature and high oxygen fugacity. The syenites were originated from a phlogopite-rich, enriched lithospheric mantle source in garnet-stable area (>80 km). The occurrence of the Baotoudong syenites, together with many other ultrapotassic, alkaline complexes of similar ages on the northern margin of the NCC in Late Triassic implies that the lithospheric mantle beneath the northern margin of the NCC was previously metasomatized by melts/fluids from the subducted, altered paleo-Mongolian oceanic crust, and the northern margin of the craton has entered into an extensively extensional regime as a destructive continental margin in Late Triassic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersen T. 2002. Correction of common lead in U-Pb analyses that do not report 204Pb. Chem Geol, 192: 59–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aoki K. 1964. Clinopyroxenes from alkaline rocks of Japan. Am Mineral, 49: 1199–1223

    Google Scholar 

  • Avanzinelli R, Elliott T, Tommasini S, Conticelli S. 2008. Constraints on the genesis of potassic-rich Italian volcanic rocks from U/Th disequilibrium. J Petrol, 49: 195–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avanzinelli R, Lustrino M, Mattei M, Melluso L, Conticelli S. 2009. Potassic and ultrapotassic magmatism in the circum-Tyrrhenian region: Significance of carbonated pelitic vs. pelitic sediment recycling at destructive plate margins. Lithos, 113: 213–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benisek A, Kroll H, Cemic L. 2004. New development in two-feldspar thermometry. Am Mineral, 89: 1496–1504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boynton W V. 1984. Geochemistry of the Earth elements: Meteorite studies. In: Henderson P, ed. Rare Earth Element Geochemistry. New York: Elsevier. 63–114

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chen B, Jahn B M, Tian W. 2009. Evolution of the Solonker suture zone: Constraints from zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotopic ratios and whole-rock Nd-Sr isotopic compositions of subduction-and collision-related magmas and forearc sediments. J Asian Earth Sci, 34: 245–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen B, Jahn B M, Wilde S, Xu B. 2000. Two contrasting Paleozoic magmatic belts in northern Inner Mongolia, China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications. Tectonophysics, 328: 157–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen B, Niu X L, Wang Z Q, Gao L, Wang C. 2013. Geochronology, petrology, and geochemistry of the Yaojiazhuang ultramafic-syenitic complex from the North China Craton. Sci China Earth Sci, 56: 1294–1307

    Google Scholar 

  • Conticelli S, Carlson R W, Widom E, Serri G. 2007. Chemical and isotopic composition (Os, Pb, Nd, and Sr) of Neogene to Quaternary calc-alkalic, shoshonitic, and ultrapotassic mafic rocks from the Italian peninsula: Inferences on the nature of their mantle sources. In: Beccaluva L, Bianchini G, Wilson M, eds. Cenozoic Volcanism in the Mediterranean Area. Geol Soc Am Spec Pap, 418: 171–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conticelli S, Guarnieri L, Farinelli A, Mattei M, Avanzinelli R, Bianchini G, Boari E, Tommasini S, Tiepolo M, Prelevic D, Venturelli G. 2009. Trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes of K-rich, shoshonitic, and calc-alkaline magmatism of the Western Mediterranean Region: Genesis of ultrapotassic to calc-alkaline magmatic associations in a postcollisional geodynamic setting. Lithos, 107: 68–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conticelli S, Peccerillo A. 1992. Petrology and geochemistry of potassic and ultrapotassic volcanism in central Italy: Petrogenesis and inferences on the evolution of the mantle sources. Lithos, 28: 221–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deer W A, Howie R, Zussman J. 1992. Introduction to the rock-forming minerals. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 712

    Google Scholar 

  • Duggen S, Hoernle K, Bogaard P V D, Garbe-schönberg D. 2005. Post-collisional transition from subduction to intraplate-type magmatism in the westernmost Mediterranean: Evidence for continental-edge delamination of subcontinental lithosphere. J Petrol, 46: 1155–1201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldstein S N, Lange R A. 1999. Pliocene potassic magmas from the Kings River Region, Sierra Nevada, California: Evidence for melting of a subduction modified mantle. J Petrol, 40: 1301–1320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foley S F. 1992. Vein-plus-wall-rock melting mechanisms in the lithosphere and the origin of potassic alkaline magmas. Lithos, 28: 435–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foley S F, Venturelli G, Green D H, Toscani L. 1987. The ultrapotassic rocks: Characteristics, classification, and constraints for petrogenetic models. Earth-Sci Rev, 24: 81–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frey F A, Green D H. 1974. The mineralogy and origin of lherzolite inclusions in Victorian basanites. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 38: 1023–1059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaetani G A, Grove T L, Bryan W B. 1993. The influence of water on the petrogenesis of subduction-related igneous rocks. Nature, 365: 332–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibb F G F. 1972. The zoned clinopyroxenes of the Shint Isles Sill, Scotland. J Petrol, 14: 203–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iddings J P. 1892. The origin of igneous rocks. Bull Phil Soc Washington. 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Jahn B M, Auvray B, Cornichet J, Bai Y L, Shen Q H, Liu D Y. 1987. 3.5 Ga old amphibolites from eastern Hebei province, China: Field occurrence, petrology, Sm-Nd isochron age and REE geochemistry. Precambrian Res, 34: 311–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahn B M, Auvray B, Shen Q H, Liu D Y, Zhang Z Q, Dong Y J, Ye X J, Zhang Q Z, Cornichet J, Mace J. 1988. Archean crustal evolution in China: The Taishan complex, and evidence for juvenile crustal addition from long-term depleted mantle. Precambrian Res, 38: 381–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jian P, Liu D Y, Kröner A, Windley B F, Shi Y R, Zhang F Q, Shi G H, Miao L C, Zhang W, Zhang Q, Zhang L Q, Ren J S. 2008. Time scale of an early to mid-Paleozoic orogenic cycle of the long-lived Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Inner Mongolia of China: Implications for continental growth. Lithos, 101: 233–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kushiro I. 1960. Si-Al relation in clinopyroxenes from igneous rocks. Am J Sci, 258: 548–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langmuir C H, Vocke Jr R D, Hanson G N, Hart S R. 1978. A general mixing equation with applications to Icelandic basalts. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 37: 380–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Maitre R W, Bateman P, Dudek A, Keller J, Le Bas M J L, Sabine P A, Schmid R, Sorensen H, Streckeisen A, Woodlley A R, Zanettin B. 1989. A Classification of Igneous Rocks and Glossary of Terms. Oxford: Blackwell

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Zhao Z D, Zhu D C, Niu Y L, DePaolo D J, Harrison T M, Mo X X, Dong G C, Zhou S, Sun C G, Zhang Z C, Liu J L. 2014. Postcollisional potassic and ultrapotassic rocks in southern Tibet: Mantle and crustal origins in response to India-Asia collision and convergence. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 143: 207–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu D Y, Nutman A P, Compston W, Wu J S, Shen Q H. 1992. Remnants of ≥3800 Ma crust in the Chinese part of the Sino-Korean Craton. Geology, 20: 339–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig K R. 2003. ISOPLOT 3.0: A Geochronological Toolkit for Microsoft Excel. Berkeley Geochronology Center. Spec Publ, No. 4: 1–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma X, Chen B, Chen J F, Niu X L. 2013. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age, geochemical, Sr-Nd isotopic, and in-situ Hf isotopic data of the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian plutons in the northern margin of the North China Craton. Sci China Earth Sci, 56: 126–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McInnes B I A, Cameron E M. 1994. Carbonated, alkaline hybridizing melts from a sub-arc environment: Mantle wedge samples from the Tabar-Lihir-Tanga-Feni arc, Papua New Guinea. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 122: 125–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morimoto N. 1988. Nomenclature of pyroxene. Mineral Mag, 52: 535–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mu B L, Shao J A, Chu Z Y, Yan G H, Qiao G S. 2001. Sm-Nd age and Sr, Nd isotopic characteristics of the Fanshan potassic alkaline ultramafite-syenite complex in Hebei province, China (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 17: 108–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu B L, Yan G H. 1992. Geochemistry of Triassic alkaline or subalkaline igneous complexes in the Yan-Liao area and their significance (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Geol Sin, 66: 108–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Müntener O, Kelemen P, Grove T. 2001. The role of H2O during crystallization of primitive arc magmas under uppermost mantle conditions and genesis of igneous pyroxenites: An experimental study. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 141: 643–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash W P, Wilkinson J E G. 1970. Shonkin Sag Laccolith, Montana. I. Mafic minerals and estimates of temperature, pressure, oxygen fugacity and silica activity. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 25: 241–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu X L, Chen B, Liu A K, Suzuki K, Ma X. 2012. Petrological and Sr-Nd-Os isotopic constraints on the origin of the Fanshan ultrapotassic complex from the North China Croton. Lithos, 149: 146–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu X L, Chen B, Ma X. 2009. Clinopyroxenes from the Fanshan pluton (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 25: 359–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Pichavant M, Macdonald R. 2007. Crystallization of primitive basaltic magmas at crustal pressures and genesis of the calc-alkaline igneous suite: Experimental evidence from St Vincent, Lesser Antilles arc. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 154: 535–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plank T, Langmuir C H. 1998. The chemical composition of subducting sediment and its consequences for the crust and mantle. Chem Geol, 145: 325–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ren R, Mu B L, Han B F, Zhang L, Chen J F, Xu Z, Song B. 2009. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of the Fanshan potassic alkaline ultramafitesyenite complex in Hebei province, China (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 25: 588–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Rittmann A. 1960. Vulkane und Ihre Tätigkeit. Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke Verlag. 1–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbusch H. 1910. Elemente der Gesteinslehre. 3rd ed. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart Science Publishers Johannesstr

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudnick R L, Gao S. 2003. Composition of the continental crust. In: Holland H D, Turekian K K, eds. Treatise on Geochemistry. Oxford: Elsevier-Pergamon. 1–64

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sengör A M C, Natal’in B A. 1996. Paleotectonics of Asia: Fragments of a synthesis. In: Yin A, Harrison T M, eds. The Tectonic Evolution of Asia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 486–641

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi Y R, Liu D Y, Jian P, Zhang Q, Zhang F Q, Miao L C, Shi G H, Zhang L H, Tao H. 2005. Zircon SHRIMP dating of K-rich granites in Sonidzuqi, central Inner Mongolia. Geol Bull Chin, 25: 424–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi Y R, Liu D Y, Zhang Q, Jian P, Zhang F Q, Miao L C, Shi G H, Zhang L H, Tao H. 2004. SHRIMP Dating of Diorites and Granites in Southern Sonidzuqi, Inner Mongolia. Acta Geol Sin, 78: 789–799

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisson T W, Grove T L. 1993a. Experimental investigations of the role of H2O in calc-alkaline differentiation and subduction zone magmatism. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 113: 143–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sisson T W, Grove T L. 1993b. Temperatures and H2O contents of low-MgO high-alumina basalts. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 113: 167–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spath A, Le Roex A P, Duncan R A. 1996. The geochemistry of lavas from the Comores Archipelago, western Indian ocean: Petrogenesis and mantle source region characteristics. J Petrol, 37: 961–991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun S S, McDonough W F. 1989. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: Implications for mantle composition and processes. In: Saunders A D, Norry M J, eds. Magmatism in the Ocean Basins. Geol Soc London Spec Publ, 42: 313–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang Y J, Zhang H F, Ying J F. 2014. Genetic significance of Triassic alkali-rich intrusive rocks in the Yinshan and neighboring areas (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 30: 2031–2040

    Google Scholar 

  • Thibault Y, Edgar A E, Lloyd F E. 1992. Experimental investigation of melts from a carbonated phlogopite lherzolite: Implications for metasomatism in the continental lithsopheric mantle. Am Mineral, 77: 784–794

    Google Scholar 

  • Tommasini S, Avanzinelli R, Conticelli S. 2011. The Th/La and Sm/La conundrum of the Tethyan realm lamproites. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 301: 469–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhoogen J. 1962. Distribution of titanium between silicates and oxides in igneous rocks. Am J Sci, 260: 211–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiedenbeck M, Alle P, Corfu F, Griffin W L, Meier M, Oberli F, Vonquadt A, Roddick J C, Speigel W. 1995. Three natural zircon standards for U-Th-Pb, Lu-Hf, trace-element and REE analyses. Geostandard Newsletter, 19: 1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windley B F, Alexelev D, Xiao W J, Kröner A, Badarch G. 2007. Tectonic models for accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. J Geol Soc London, 164: 31–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Workman R K, Hart S R. 2005. Major and trace element composition of the depleted MORB mantle (DMM). Earth Planet Sci Lett, 231: 53–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu F Y, Yang J H, Liu X M. 2005. Geochronological framework of the Mesozoic granitic magmatism in the Liaodong Peninsula, Northeast China (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol J China Univ, 11: 305–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao W J, Windley B F, Hao J, Zhai M G. 2003. Accretion leading to collision and the Permian solonker suture, Inner Mongolia, China: Termination of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Tectonics, 22: 1609, doi: 10.1029/2002TC001484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan G H, Mu B L, Xu B L, He G Q, Tan L K, Zhao H, He Z F, Zhang R H, Qiao G S. 1999. Triassic alkaline intrusions in the Yanliao-Yinshan area: Their chronology, Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics and their implications. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 42: 582–587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan G H, Tan L K, Xu B L, Mu B L, Shao H X, Chen T L, Tong Y, Ren K X, Yang B. 2001. Petrogeochemcial characteristics of Indosinian alkaline intrusions in Yinshan Area (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Mineral, 20: 281–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang J H, Sun J F, Zhang M, Wu F Y, Wilde S A. 2012. Petrogenesis of silica-saturated and silica-undersaturated syenites in the northern North China Craton related to post-collisional and intraplate extension. Chem Geol, 328: 149–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhai M G. 2004. 2.1–1.7 Ga geological event group and its geotectonic significance (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 20: 343–1354

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Kröner A, Liu X M, Xie L W, Chen F K. 2009. Early Permian plutons from the northern North China Block: Constraints on continental arc evolution and convergent margin magmatism related to the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Int J Earth Sci, 98: 1441–1467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Song B, Liu D Y. 2007a. Petrogenesis of the middle Devonian Gushan diorite pluton on the northern margin of the North China block and its tectonic implications. Geol Mag, 144: 553–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang S H, Zhao Y, Song B, Yang Z Y, Hu J M, Wu H. 2007b. Carboniferous granitic plutons from the northern margin of the North China block: implications for a late Paleozoic active continental margin. J Geol Soc Lond, 164: 451–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao G, Sun M, Wilde S A, Sanzhong L. 2005. Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic evolution of the North China Craton: Key issues revisited. Precambrian Res, 136: 177–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Z D, Mo X X, Dilek Y, Niu Y, DePaolo D J, Robinson P, Zhu D, Sun C, Dong G, Zhou S, Luo Z, Hou Z. 2009. Geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb-O isotopic compositions of the post-collisional ultrapotassic magmatism in SW Tibet: Petrogenesis and implications for India intra-continental subduction beneath southern Tibet. Lithos, 113: 190–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Continental Tectonics and Dynamics, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    XiaoLu Niu, JingSui Yang & Fei Liu

  2. Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    HongYu Zhang

  3. Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China

    MingChun Yang

Authors
  1. XiaoLu Niu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. JingSui Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fei Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. HongYu Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. MingChun Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to XiaoLu Niu.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Niu, X., Yang, J., Liu, F. et al. Origin of Baotoudong syenites in North China Craton: Petrological, mineralogical and geochemical evidence. Sci. China Earth Sci. 59, 95–110 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-015-5216-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-015-5216-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation