Skip to main content
Log in

Zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical study of the Xianggou granite in the Ma’anqiao gold deposit and its relationship with gold mineralization

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

Abstract

Single zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating and lithogeochemical studies have been performed on the Xianggou monzonitic granitic porphyry outcropped in the Ma’anqiao gold deposit. A weighted average U-Pb age of 242.0±0.8 Ma for Xianggou monzonitic porphyry has been obtained. This corresponds with the conclusions of previous studies indicating a syn-orogenic age (242±21 Ma) of the Qinling Orogenic Belt, suggesting that the formation of the Xianggou granite should be associated with the collisional event of the North China Plate and the Yangtze Plate in the Indosinian period. The Xianggou granite is characterized by the high silicon and alkali of high K calc-alkaline series granites. It is rich in Al (Al2O3=14.49%−15.61%) and Sr (457.10–630.82 ppm), poor in Y (<16 ppm) and HREE (Yb<0.45 ppm), and exhibits high ratios of Sr/Y (76.24–97.34) and (La/Yb)N (29.65–46.10), as well as strongly fractionated REE patterns. These geochemical characteristics suggest the Xianggou granite can be classified as C-type adakitic rock. The initial Sr isotope ratios for the Xianggou granite vary from 0.70642 to 0.70668, ɛ Nd(t) values from −4.54 to −3.98, and T DM values from 1152 Ma to 1220 Ma. The low ɛ Nd(t) and I Sr and high T DM values, as well as Na2O/K2O ratios of the Xianggou granite are close to 1 (Na2O/K2O=0.95−1.10), indicating that it is not an I-type adakite formed by partial melting of the subducting oceanic crust, nor adakitic rock formed by melting of the underplated basaltic lower crust, but the product of partial melting of the nonunderplated basaltic thickened lower crust. Zircons from the Xianggou pluton have a homogeneous Hf isotopic composition with negative ɛ Hf(t) values (between −9.7 and −5.9, with an average of −6.9), indicating that the rock-forming materials were mostly extracted from the ancient crust, not from the depleted mantle. The Xianggou monzonitic granitic porphyry is rich in LILE and LREE and depleted in HSFE, HREE and Y; the composition of trace element and REE are similar to those of the syn-collisional granites. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the Xianggou granite reveal that it was a product of partial melting of the basaltic rocks from the thickened lower crust, triggered by continental collision, which occurred in the geodynamic background of continental-continental collision and shearing within the crust. The Xianggou granite was intruded in the compressive orogenic environment 242 Ma ago, but the gold mineralization occurred in the transitional environment of compression to extension around 170 Ma ago, lagging behind the intrusive age of the Xianggou granite by about 70 Ma. Meanwhile, the distribution of trace elements and REEs of the Xianggou monzonitic granitic porphyry is distinct from that of ores, suggesting the absence of direct genetic relationship between the Xianggou granite and gold mineralization. In contrast, the relatively high ore-forming elemental content of the Xianggou monzonitic granitic porphyry is due to the rock having experienced Au-bearing hydrothermal alteration. From the view of gold mineralization, considering the intrusive age, structural deformation, as well as alteration of the granite, we can conclude that the Xianggou pluton was a pre-ore-intrusion, whose intrusive age of 242 Ma constrains the lower time limit of gold metallogenesis. Following the intrusive event of the syn-collisional granitic porphyry and the intensively brittle-ductile shear deformation, large-scale fluid activity and gold mineralization took place.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Arehart G B, Chakurian A M, Tretbar D R. Evaluation of Carlin-Type deposits in the great basin, western north America, and implication for deposit genesis. Econ Geol, 2003, 98: 235–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Emsbo P, Hofstra A H. Orgin of high-grade gold ore, source of ore fluid components, and genesis of the Meikle and Neighboring Carlin-type deposits, Northern Carlin trend, Nevada. Econ Geol, 2003, 98: 1069–1105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hu R Z, Su W C, Bi X W, et al. Geology and geochemistry of Carlin-type gold deposits in China. Miner Depos, 2002, 37: 378–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mao J W, Qiu Y M, Goldfarb R J, et al. Geology, distribution and classification of gold deposits in the western Qinling belt, central China. Miner Depos, 2002, 37: 352–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang F X, Xiao L, Qi Y L. Exploration and study of Carlin and Carlin-like type gold deposits: Review and prospect (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Chin, 2004, 31: 406–412

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chen Y J, Zhang J, Zhang F X. Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits in Western Qinling Mountains and their metallogenic time, tectonic setting and model (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Rev, 2004, 50: 134–152

    Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang F X, Chen Y J, Li C, et al. Geological and geochemical character and genesis of the Jinlongshan-Qinling gold deposits in Qinling Orogen: Metallogenic mechanism of the Qinling-pattern Carlin-type gold deposits. Sci Chin Ser D-Earth Sci, 2000, 43(Suppl): 95–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhang J, Chen Y J, Zhang F X, et al. Ore fluid geochemistry of the Jinlongshan Carlin-type gold deposit ore belt in Shaanxi Province, China. Chin J Geochem, 2006, 25: 23–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yang R S, Chen Y J, Zhang F X, et al. Chemical Th-U-Pb ages of monazite from the Yangshan gold deposit, Gansu Province and their geologic and metallogenic implications (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 2006, 22: 2603–2610

    Google Scholar 

  10. Li J, Chen Y J, Li Q Z, et al. Fluid inclusion geochemistry and genetic type of the Yangshan gold deposit, Gansu, China (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 23: 2144–2154

  11. Qi J Z, Li L, Yuan S S, et al. A SHRIMP U-Pb chronological study of zircons from quartz veins of Yangshan gold deposit, Gansu Province (in Chinese with English abstract). Min Depos, 2005, 24: 141–150

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang F X, Ma J Q. Metallogenic condition and genesis of Ma’anqiao gold deposit (in Chinese with English abstract). Contrib Geol Min Resour Res, 1997, 12: 18–25

    Google Scholar 

  13. Li F D, Zou X H, Gao J P, et al. On the rapid-positioning and prediction for micro-dissemination type (sedimentary rock host) gold deposit (ore bodies), Ma’anqiao (in Chinese with English abstract). Northwest Geol, 2001, 34: 27–62

    Google Scholar 

  14. Feng J Z, Shao S C, Wang D B, et al. Baguamiao superlarge gold deposit in the Qinling Orogen: The characteristics of its control by the brittle-ductile shear zone and dynamic mechanism for ore-forming structure (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Chin, 2002, 29: 58–66

    Google Scholar 

  15. Feng J Z, Wang D B, Wang X M, et al. Geology and metallogenesis of the Baguamiao giant gold deposit in Fengxian, Shaanxi Province (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Geol Sin, 2003, 77: 387–397

    Google Scholar 

  16. Yan S H, Wang A J, Gao L, et al. Isotopes in Dashui type gold deposits (in Chinese with English abstract). Min Depos, 2000, 19: 37–45

    Google Scholar 

  17. Zhao Y C, Ye D J, Li Y Q, et al. Granitic mineralization of the Dashui gold ore deposit in Western Qinling (in Chinese with English abstract). Geoscience, 2003, 17: 151–156

    Google Scholar 

  18. Li R S. The geological characteristic and formation in Ma’anqiao gold deposit, Zhouzhi, Shaanxi (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Shaanxi, 1997, 15: 31–38

    Google Scholar 

  19. Michael W R, Christopher D H. Igneous geology of the Carlin Trend, Nevada: Development of the eocene plutonic complex and significance for carlin-type gold deposits. Econ Geol, 2006, 101: 347–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sillitoe R H, Bonham H F. Sediment-hosted gold deposits: Distal products of magamatic-hydrothermal systems. Geology, 1990, 18: 157–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Phillips G N, Powell J K. Link between gold provinces. Econ Geol, 1993, 88: 1084–1098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang G W, Zhang B R, Yuan X C, et al. Qinling Orogen and Continental Dynamics (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2001. 1–855

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yuan H L, Gao S, Dai M N. Simultaneous determinations of U-Pb age, Hf isotopes and trace element compositions of zircon by excimer laser ablation quadrupole and multiple collector ICP-MS. Chem Geol, 2008, 247: 100–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Ludwig K R. Isoplot 3.0-A geochronological toolkit for Micro-soft Excel. Berkeley Geochronology Center. Spec Pub, 2003, 4: 1–70

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wiedenbeck M, Alle P, Griffin W L, et al. Three natural zircon standards for U-Th-Pb, Lu-Hf, trace element and REE analyses. Geostand Newsl, 1995, 19: 1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Simon E J, Norman J P, William L G, et al. The application of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to in-situ U-Pb zircon geochronolgy. Chem Geol, 2004, 211: 47–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Bievre D P, Taylor P D. Table of the isotopic compositions of the elements. Int J Mass Spectrom Ion Process, 1993, 123: 149–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Chu N C, Taylor R N, Chavagnac V. Hf isotope ratio analysis using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: An evaluation of isobaric interference corrections. J Anal At Spectrom, 2002, 17: 1567–1574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Wu F Y, Yang Y H, Xie L W. Hf isotopic compositions of the standard zircons and baddeleyites used in U-Pb geochronology. Chem Geol, 2006, 234: 105–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Elhlou S, Belousova E, Griffin W L. Trace element and isotopic composition of GJ red zircon standard by laser ablation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 2006, 70(Suppl): A158, doi: 10.1016/J.gca.06.1383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Batchelor R B, Bowden P. Petrogenetic interpretation of granitoid rock series using multicationic parameters. Chem Geol, 1985, 48: 43–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Defant M J, Drummond M S. Derivation of some modern arc magmas by melting of young subducted lithosphere. Nature, 1990, 34: 662–665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang H F, Xiao L, Zhang L, et al. Geochemical and Pb-Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of Indosinian granitoids from the Bikou Block, Northwest of the Yangtze Plate: Constraints on petrogenesis, nature of deep crust and geodynamics. Sci Chin Ser D-Earth Sci, 2007, 50: 972–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Sun S S, McDonough W F. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: Implication for the mantle composition and process. In: Saunder A D, Norry M J, eds. Magmatism in the Ocean Basins. Geol Soc London Specl Publ London, 1989, 42: 313–345

  35. Pearce J A, Haltis H B W, Tindele A G. Trace element discrimination diagrams for the tectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. J Petrol, 1984, 25: 956–983

    Google Scholar 

  36. Scherer E, Muenker C. Calibration of the lutetium-hafnium clock. Amer Assoc Advancement Sci, 2001, 293: 683–687

    Google Scholar 

  37. Blichert-Toft J, Albarede F. The Lu-Hf isotope geochemistry of chondrites and the evolution of the mantle-crust system. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1997, 148: 243–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Vervoort J D, Blicher-Toft J. Evolution of the depleted mantle: Hf isotope evidence from juvenile rocks through time. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1999, 63: 533–556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Amelin Y, Lee D C, Halliday A N. Early-middle Archean crustal evolution deduced from Lu-Hf and U-Pb isotopic studies of single zircon grains. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 2000, 64: 4205–4225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Wu F Y, Li X H, Zheng Y F, et al. Lu-Hf isotopic systematics and their applications in petrology (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 2007, 23: 185–220

    Google Scholar 

  41. Hoskin P W O, Black L P. Metamorphic zircon formation by solid-state recrystallization of protolith igneous zircon. J Metamorph Geol, 2000, 18: 423–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Liu X M, Gao S, Diwu C R, et al. Simultaneous in-situ determination of U-Pb age and trace elements in zircon by LA-ICP-MS in 20 μm spot size. Chin Sci Bull, 2007, 52: 1257–1264

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Griffin W L, Belousova E, Shee S R. Crustal evolution in the northern Yilarn Craton: U-Pb and Hf-isotope evidence from detrital zircons. Precambrian Res, 2004, 131: 231–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Machado N, Gauthier G. Determination of 206Pb/207Pb ages on zircon and monazite by laser ablation ICPMS and application to a study of sedimentary provenance and metamorphism in southeastern Brazi. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1996, 60: 5063–5073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Taylor S R, Mclennan S M. The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. London: Blackwell, 1985. 57–72

    Google Scholar 

  47. Henderson P. Rare Earth Element Geochemistry. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers, 1984. 30–45

    Google Scholar 

  48. Chen Y J, Zhao Y C. Geochemical characteristics and evolution of REE in the Early Precambrian sediments: Evidences from the southern margin of the North China Craton. Episodes, 1997, 20: 109–116

    Google Scholar 

  49. Wang Z G, Yu X Y, Zhao Z H, et al. Rare Earth Elemental Geochemistry (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1989. 1–535

    Google Scholar 

  50. Shannon R D. Revised effective ionic radii and systematic studies of interatomic distances in halides and chalcogenides. Acta Cryst, 1976, A32: 751–767

    Google Scholar 

  51. Mills R A, Elderfield H. Rare earth element geochemistry of hydrothermal deposits from the active TAG Mond, 26oN Mid-Atlantic-Ridge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1995, 59: 3511–3524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Peacock S M, Rusher T, Thompson A B. Partial melting of subducting oceanic crust. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1994, 121: 224–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Drummond M S, Defant M J, Kepezhinskas P K. Petrogenesis of slab-derived trondhjemite-tonalite-dacite/adakite magmas. Trans R Soc Edinburgh Earth Sci, 1996, 87: 205–215

    Google Scholar 

  54. Sajona F G, Maury R C, Pubellier M. Magmatic source enrichment by slab-derived melts in a young post-collision setting, central Mindanao (Philippines). Lithos, 2000, 54: 173–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Gutscher M A, Maury R, Eissen J P, et al. Can slab melting be caused by flat subduction? Geology, 2000, 28: 535–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Beate B, Monzier M, Spikings R, et al. Mio-Pliocene adakite generation related to flat subduction in southern Ecuador: The Quimsacocha volcanic center. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2001, 192: 561–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Atherton M P, Petord N. Generation of sodium-rich magmas from newly underplated basaltic crust. Nature, 1993, 362: 144–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Muir R G, Weaver S D, Bradshaw J D, et al. Geochemistry of the Cretaceous separation point batholiths, New Zealand: Granitoid magmas formed by melting of mafic lithosphere. J Geol Soc, 1995, 152: 689–701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Barnes C G, Petersen S W, Kistler R W, et al. Source and tectonic implications of tonalite-trondhjemite magmatism in the Klamath Mountain. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 1996, 123: 40–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Petford N, Atherton M. Na-rich partial melts from newly underplated basaltic crust: The Cordillera Blanca batholith. Peru J Petrol, 1996, 37: 1491–1521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Xu J F, Wang Q. Tracing the thickening process of continental crust through studying adakitic rocks: Evidence from volcanic rocks in the North Tibet (in Chinese with English abstract). Earth Sci Fron, 2003, 10: 401–406

    Google Scholar 

  62. Hou Z Q, Gao Y F, Qu X M, et al. Origin of adakitic intrusives generated during mid-Miocene east-west extension in southern Tibet. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2004, 220: 139–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Chung S L, Liu D Y, Ji J Q, et al. Adakites from continental collision zones: Melting of thickened lower crust beneath southern Tibet. Geology, 2003, 31: 1021–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Wang Q, McDermott F, Xu J F, et al. Cenozoic K-rich adakitic volcanics in the Hohxil area, northern Tibet: Lower crustal melting in an intra continental setting. Geology, 2005, 33: 464–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Xu J F, Shinjo R, Defant M J, et al. Origin of Mesozoic adakitic intrusive rocks in the Ningzhen area of east China: Partial melting of delaminated lower continental crust? Geology, 2002, 30: 1111–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Gao S, Rudnick R L, Yuan H L, et al. Recycling lower continental crust in the North China craton. Nature, 2004, 432: 892–897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Wang Q, Xu J F, Jian P, et al. Petrogenesis of adakitic porphyries in an extensional tectonic setting, Dexing, South China: Implications for the genesis of porphyry copper mineralization. J Petrol, 2006, 47: 119–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Wang Q, Xu J F, Zhao Z H. The summary and comment on research on a new kind of igneous rock-adakite (in Chinese with English abstract). Adv Earth Sci, 2001, 16: 201–208

    Google Scholar 

  69. Zhang Q, Wang Y, Qian Q, et al. The characteristics and tectonic metallogenic significances of the adakites in Yanshan period from Eastern China (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 17: 236–244

  70. Sen C, Dunnt T. Dehydration melting of a basaltic composition amphibolite at 1.5 and 2.0 GPa: Implication for the origin of adakites. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 1994, 117: 394–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Rapp R P, Watson E B. Dehydration melting of metabasalt at 8–32 kbar: Implications for continental growth and crust-mantle recycling. J Petrol, 1995, 36: 891–931

    Google Scholar 

  72. Sisson T W, Ratajeski K, Hankins W B, et al. Voluminous granitic magmas from common basaltic sources. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 2005, 148: 635–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Knudsen T L, Griffin W L, Hartz E H, et al. In-situ hafnium and lead isotope analyses of detrital zircons from the Devonian sedimentary basin of NE Greenland: A record of repeated crustal reworking. Contrib Mineral Petrol, 2001, 141: 83–94

    Google Scholar 

  74. Rudnick R L. Making continental crust. Nature, 1995, 378: 571–577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Hawkesworth C J, Kemp A I S. Evolution of the continental crust. Nature, 2006, 443: 811–817

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Li S G, Sun W D, Zhang G W, et al. Chronology and geochemistry of metavolcanic rocks from Heigouxia Valley in the Mian-lue tectonic zone, South Qinling-Evidence for a Paleozoic oceanic basin and its close time. Sci Chin Ser D-Earth Sci, 1996, 39: 300–310

    Google Scholar 

  77. Li S G, Xiao Y L, Liu D L. Collision of the North China and Yangtze Blocks and form action of coesite-bearing eclogites: Timing and processes. Chem Geol, 1993, 27: 200–206

    Google Scholar 

  78. Lai S C, Zhang G W, Dong Y P, et al. Geochemistry and regional distribution of ophiolites and associated volcanics in Mianlue suture, Qinling-Dabie Mountains. Sci Chin Ser D-Earth Sci, 2004, 47: 289–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Zhang G W, Cheng S Y, Guo A L, et al. Mianlue paleo-suture on the Southern margin of the Central Orogenic System in Qinling-Dabie with a discussion of the assembly of the main part of the continent of China (in Chinese with English abstract). Geol Bull Chin, 2004, 23: 846–853

    Google Scholar 

  80. Hacker R B, Ratsehbacher L, Webb L. U-Pb zircon ages constrain the architecture of the ultrahigh-pressure Qinling-Dabie Orogen, China. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1998, 161: 215–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Zheng Y F, Chen R X, Zhao Z F. Chemical geodynamics of continental subduction-zone metamorphism: Insights from studies of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) core samples. Tectonophysics, 2009, 464, doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2008.09.014

  82. Wang T, Wang X X, Li W P. Evaluation of multiple emplacement mechanisms of Huichizi granite pluton, Qinling orogenic belt, central China. J Struct Geol, 2000, 22: 505–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Mohajjel M, Fergusson C L, Sahandi M R. Cretaceous-Tertiary convergence and continental collision, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, western Iran. J Asian Earth Sci, 2003, 21: 397–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Shi C Y, Yan M C, Liu C M, et al. Abundances of chemical elements in granitoids of China and their characteristics (in Chinese with English abstract). Geochemistry, 2005, 34: 470–482

    Google Scholar 

  85. Zhu L M, Zhang G W, Li B, et al. Geology, isotope geochemistry and ore genesis of the Ma’anqiao gold deposit, Shaanxi Province (in Chinese with English abstract). Acta Petrol Sin, 2009, 25: 431–443

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to LaiMin Zhu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhu, L., Zhang, G., Lee, B. et al. Zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical study of the Xianggou granite in the Ma’anqiao gold deposit and its relationship with gold mineralization. Sci. China Earth Sci. 53, 220–240 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0100-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0100-5

Keywords

Navigation