Tracing crustal evolution by U-Th-Pb, Sm-Nd, and Lu-Hf isotopes in detrital monazite and zircon from modern rivers
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Abstract Detrital zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope studies are useful for identifying the chemical evolution of the continental crust. Zircon, however, is typically a magmatic mineral and thus often fails to document the timing of low-grade metamorphism, and its survival through multiple sedimentary cycles potentially biases the crustal evolution record toward older events. In contrast, monazite typically records metamorphic events and is less likely to survive sedimentary recycling processes, thus providing information not available by zircon. Here, we demonstrate that monazite apparently faithfully records the Sm-Nd isotope composition of the bulk rock and can therefore track the record of crustal evolution and growth, similar to Hf isotopes in zircon. We examine the utility of detrital zircon and monazite for studies of crustal evolution through a comparison of age and tracer isotope information using sediments from two large rivers draining the South China block (SCB). Monazite and zircon grains yield mostly Mesozoic and Paleozoic U-Pb ages and depleted mantle model age peaks at ca. 1900–1300 Ma, indicating that both minerals preserve similar, yet critical, information on the crustal evolution of the catchment area. In contrast, zircon yields abundant Neoproterozoic and older U-Pb ages with a very large spread of model ages, preserving a history strongly skewed to older ages. Based on the lack of known rocks of this age in the catchments, ancient zircon was likely sourced from sedimentary rocks within the catchment area. This combined data set presents a more complete history of crustal evolution and growth in the SCB and demonstrates the advantages of an integrated approach that includes both detrital monazite and zircon.Keywords:
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Abstract Composite populations of monazite-group minerals of both metamorphic and metasomatic origin have been discovered in thin layers of granulite-facies metabasites interlayered with metapelites, located in the Val Strona di Omegna region of the Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Italy. In addition to monazite-(Ce), which is uncommonly poor in Th and is probably formed by incongruent dissolution of apatite, these populations include members of the monazite-huttonite series. The latter minerals contain between 13 and 30.1 mol.% ThSiO 4 [= huttonitic monazite-(Ce)], and are known from only half a dozen other occurrences worldwide. We propose that breakdown of primary monazite-(Ce) in the metapelites during granulite-facies metamorphism mobilized Th and the REEs , which were then transported by high-grade metamorphic fluids into the metabasite layers to form the Th-rich minerals of the monazite-huttonite series.
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Composite populations of monazite-group minerals of both metamorphic and metasomatic origin have been discovered in thin layers of granulite-facies metabasites interlayered with metapelites, located in the Val Strona di Omegna region of the Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Italy. In addition to monazite-(Ce), which is uncommonly poor in Th and is probably formed by incongruent dissolution of apatite, these populations include members of the monazite-huttonite series. The latter minerals contain between 13 and 30.1 mol.% ThSiO4 [= huttonitic monazite-(Ce)], and are known from only half a dozen other occurrences worldwide. We propose that breakdown of primary monazite-(Ce) in the metapelites during granulite-facies metamorphism mobilized Th and the REEs, which were then transported by high-grade metamorphic fluids into the metabasite layers to form the Th-rich minerals of the monazite-huttonite series.
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The petrogenesis of the Pridoli to Early Lochkovian granites in the Miramichi Highlands of New Brunswick, Canada, is controversial. This study focuses on the Pridoli Nashwaak Granite (biotite granite and two-mica granite). In situ trace elements and O and Hf isotopes in zircon, coupled with O isotopes in quartz, are used to reveal its magmatic sources and evolution processes. In the biotite granite, inherited zircon cores have broadly homogenous δ18OZrc ranging from +6.7‰ to 7.4‰, whereas magmatic zircon rims have δ18OZrc of +6.3‰ to 7.2‰ and εHf(t) of −0.39 to −5.10. The Hf and Yb/Gd increase with decreasing Th/U. Quartz is isotopically equilibrated with magmatic zircon rims. The biotite granite is interpreted to be solely derived by partial melting of old basement rocks of Ganderia and fractionally crystallized at the fO2 of 10−21 to 10−10 bars. The two-mica granite has heterogeneous inherited zircon cores (δ18OZrc of +5.2‰ to 9.9‰) and rims (δ18OZrc of +6.2‰ to 8.7‰), and εHf(t) of −11.7 to −1.01. The two-mica granite was derived from the same basement, but with supracrustal contamination. This open-system process is also recorded by Yb/Gd and Th/U ratios in zircon and isotopic disequilibrium between magmatic zircon rims and quartz (+10.3 ± 0.2‰).
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Zircon REE data (SHRIMP) and garnet REE data (LA-ICP-MS).
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Abstract U–Pb age data collected from zircon and monazite are used to draw fundamental inferences about tectonic processes in the Earth. Despite the emphasis placed on zircon and monazite ages, the understanding of how to relate the timing of growth of zircon and monazite to an evolving rock system remains in its infancy. In addition, few studies have presented large datasets of geochronological data from zircon and monazite occurring in the same metamorphic rock sample. Such information is crucial for understanding the growth of zircon relative to monazite in a systematic and predictive manner, as per this study. The data that exist support the generally held conception that zircon ages tend to be older than monazite ages within the same rock. Here experimental data for zircon and monazite saturation in melt‐bearing rocks are integrated with phase diagram calculations. The calculations constrain the dissolution and growth behaviour of zircon and monazite with respect to evolving pressure, temperature and silicate mineral assemblages in high‐grade, melt‐bearing, metasedimentary rocks. Several key results emerge from this modelling: first, that in aluminous metapelitic rocks (i.e. garnet + cordierite + sillimanite assemblages), zircon ages are older than monazite ages in the same rock; second, that the growth rate of accessory minerals is nonlinear and much higher at and near saturation than at lower temperatures; and third, that the difference in zircon and monazite ages from the same rock may be ascribed to differences in the temperature(s) at which zircon and monazite grow rather than differences in closure temperature systematics. Using our methodology the cooling rate of granulites from the Reynolds Range, central Australia, have been constrained at ∼4 °C Myr −1 . This study serves as a first‐pass template on which further research in applying the technique to a field study can be based.
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