Abstract Heavy rare earth elements (HREE) are dominantly mined from the weathering crusts of granites in South China. Although weathering processes occur globally, no economic HREE resources of this type have yet been found outside China. Here, we report the occurrence of unidentified REE minerals in the granites from South Chinese deposits. They contain high levels of both HREE and light REE, but are strongly depleted in Ce, implying high oxidation state. These REE minerals show higher initial Nd isotope than primary REE-rich minerals ( ɛ Nd( t )=0.9±0.8 versus −11.5±0.5). The mineralized weathering crusts inherited REE signature of the granites, but show more Ce depletion and more overall concentration of the REE. We propose, therefore, that highly oxidized, REE-rich fluids, derived from external, isotopically depleted sources, metasomatized the granites, which resulted in Ce depletion as Ce 4+ and enrichment of the remaining REE, especially the HREE, contributing to formation of a globally important REE resource.
Apatite occurs in the zeolite to greenschist facies metamorphic rocks of the Otago Schist, South Island, New Zealand, as both a groundmass constituent and as a hydrothermal phase hosted in metamorphic quartz veins. Groundmass apatite from low‐grade rocks, ranging from the zeolite facies to the pumpellyite–actinolite zone, has chloride contents ranging from 0–1.4 wt%, and fluoride contents ranging from 2.2–4.2 wt%, whilst groundmass apatite from the greenschist facies (chlorite to biotite zone) is virtually pure fluorapatite. Vein apatite from all grades is also fluorapatite with little or no chloride. This difference in composition is interpreted as resulting from the preservation of the primary magmatic compositions of detrital Cl‐apatite grains, out of equilibrium with the metamorphic fluid, at low grades, whilst higher‐grade groundmass apatite and neoformed apatite in quartz veins have compositions in equilibrium with an aqueous metamorphic fluid. The presence of detrital Cl‐bearing apatite during the early stages of metamorphism may constitute a significant reservoir of Cl, given the low porosities of compacted sediments undergoing prograde metamorphism. Calculations indicate that the release of Cl from detrital apatite in the Otago Schist, as a result of re‐equilibration of apatite with the pore fluid, may have had a significant effect on the salinity of the metamorphic fluid.
Abstract A detailed survey of the patterns of regional deformation in North Wales has revealed the presence of several discrete, linear zones of anomalous deformation. These zones are distinguished by atypical finite strain values, intense tight to isoclinal folding, non-axial planar cleavages and high metamorphic gradients. A history of prolonged tectonic activity along these zones is indicated by their influence on sedimentation and volcanism. It is proposed that these zones reflect the deformation of the Lower Palaeozoic cover above pre-existing basement fractures. These basement fractures form a framework which divides North Wales into a series of blocks and sub-blocks. The end-Caledonian deformation is explained by a transpression model dominated by SE-directed shear with minor components of strike-slip localized in these zones. The application of this model to other parts of the Welsh Basin is briefly considered.
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