Genesis of Triassic Buziwannan Granites in the West Kunlun Orogen Belt, China: Constraints from in Situ Major, Trace and Sr Isotope Analyses of Plagioclase

Abstract

Buziwannan granodiorite and monzogranite associated with gold–polymetallic mineralization are located in the West Kunlun Orogen Belt in northwest China. Granodiorite was emplaced earlier than monzogranite. To determine the genesis of plagioclase from two intrusions and their relation with mineralization, the major, trace elemental, and Sr isotopic compositions of plagioclase were determined through LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS respectively. The results indicated that the plagioclase from granodiorite had a high-An (around 40%) core and low-An (around 33%) rim, while the plagioclase from monzogranite was uniform with an An value around 18%. The (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of plagioclase decreased with decreasing An value, which may be caused by small-scale crustal contamination and/or magma mixing. The crystallization process of plagioclase is mainly accompanied by the exsolution of magmatic H₂O, and the pressure changes caused by the loss of magma H₂O. These magmatic fluids are rich in ore-forming elements, such as Au–Ag–Cu–Zn, and form skarn mineralization near the wall rocks. Because of the co-crystallization of plagioclase, hornblende, and biotite, as well as the addition of minor felsic magma with lower Sr isotopic composition, the plagioclase from monzogranite exhibits low and uniform An values. In addition, a large amount of magmatic H₂O carrying ore-forming elements was released during the emplacement of granodiorite, which caused the monzogranite to lose its metallogenic potential.