Archean to early Mesoproterozoic crustal evolution of the Yangtze Craton: Insights from U-Pb-Hf-O isotopic and trace elemental compositions of detrital zircon

IF 3.2 2区地球科学 Q2 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Precambrian Research Pub Date : 2025-03-13 DOI:10.1016/j.precamres.2025.107751

Xinyu Cai , Rui Li , Guangyan Zhou , Heng Luo , Zhifu Liu , Nimat Ullah Khattak , Wei Wang

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Abstract

Detrital zircons from ancient sedimentary rocks provide essential evidence for deciphering the early crustal evolution of Earth, particularly in ancient cratons with limited ancient rock records. The Yangtze Craton in South China has limited exposure of Archean-Paleoproterozoic rocks, while abundant Paleo-Mesoproterozoic sedimentary units in the southwestern Yangtze Craton contains voluminous Archean detrital zircons. In this study, new U-Pb-Hf-O isotopic and trace elements data of detrital zircons and whole-rock elemental data from the Dongchuan and Hekou Groups are conducted. Three distinct detrital zircon age populations at 2.85 ∼ 2.6 Ga, 2.45 ∼ 2.2 Ga, and 2.0 ∼ 1.75 Ga are identified. Almost all zircons exhibit depleted LREEs, enriched HREEs, pronounced negative Eu anomalies, and positive Ce anomalies, suggesting a magmatic origin. The comparison of U-Pb-Hf isotopic data of detrital zircons with magmatic zircons within the Yangtze basement rocks, coupled with the angular morphology of the zircons, collectively suggest that the provenance originates within the Yangtze Craton rather than exotic terranes. At ca. 2.85 Ga and 2.1 Ga, mean δ¹⁸O values of detrital zircons are 5.8 ‰ and 5.5 ‰, respectively, with corresponding median ε_Hf(t) values of + 4.16 and −0.59. Subsequently, the δ¹⁸O values began to increase markedly, whereas ε_Hf(t) values declined during the same interval. Zircon trace element signatures point to their origin in S-type granites linked to orogenic events, with zircon Eu anomalies indicating crustal thickening at 2.85 Ga and 2.1 Ga, which coincides with the evolutionary trends observed in zircon O-Hf isotopes and resonates with supercontinent cycles. Crust growth curve calculations reveal that the growth of continent nuclei in Yangtze Craton can be tracked back to the late Hadean, reaching nearly 80 % of its present volume during the Meso-Neoarchean, with a subsequent decrease in growth rates. This growth pattern aligns with evolution trends of global crust growth curve, indicating a gradual growth and stabilization of continental crust during the Archean period.

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太古宙至中元古代早期扬子克拉通地壳演化：来自碎屑锆石U-Pb-Hf-O同位素和微量元素组成的启示

来自古沉积岩的碎屑锆石为破译地球早期地壳演化提供了重要的证据，特别是在古岩石记录有限的古克拉通中。华南扬子克拉通太古宙-古元古代岩石出露有限，而西南扬子克拉通丰富的古-中元古代沉积单元则含有大量太古宙碎屑锆石。本文对东川群和河口群碎屑锆石进行了新的U-Pb-Hf-O同位素、微量元素和全岩元素数据分析。确定了3个不同的碎屑锆石年龄群，分别为2.85 ~ 2.6 Ga、2.45 ~ 2.2 Ga和2.0 ~ 1.75 Ga。几乎所有锆石均表现为低稀土元素（lree）亏缺、高稀土元素（hree）富集、Eu负异常、Ce正异常，表明锆石为岩浆成因。通过碎屑锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素与扬子基底岩浆岩锆石的对比分析，结合锆石的角度形态特征，认为物源来源于扬子克拉通，而非外来地体。2.85 Ga和2.1 Ga时，碎屑锆石δ18O平均值分别为5.8‰和5.5‰，对应的εHf(t)中位数分别为+ 4.16和- 0.59。随后，δ18O值开始显著升高，而εHf(t)值在同一区间内下降。锆石微量元素特征表明其起源于与造山事件有关的s型花岗岩，锆石Eu异常表明地壳在2.85 Ga和2.1 Ga时增厚，这与锆石O-Hf同位素的演化趋势一致，与超大陆旋回有共鸣。地壳增长曲线计算表明，扬子克拉通大陆核的增长可以追溯到晚冥古宙，在中-新太古代时期达到了现在大陆核的近80%，随后的增长速度有所下降。这种生长模式与全球地壳生长曲线的演化趋势一致，表明太古宙时期大陆地壳的逐渐生长和稳定。

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来源期刊

Precambrian Research 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

28.90%

发文量

325

审稿时长

12 months

期刊介绍： Precambrian Research publishes studies on all aspects of the early stages of the composition, structure and evolution of the Earth and its planetary neighbours. With a focus on process-oriented and comparative studies, it covers, but is not restricted to, subjects such as: (1) Chemical, biological, biochemical and cosmochemical evolution; the origin of life; the evolution of the oceans and atmosphere; the early fossil record; palaeobiology; (2) Geochronology and isotope and elemental geochemistry; (3) Precambrian mineral deposits; (4) Geophysical aspects of the early Earth and Precambrian terrains; (5) Nature, formation and evolution of the Precambrian lithosphere and mantle including magmatic, depositional, metamorphic and tectonic processes. In addition, the editors particularly welcome integrated process-oriented studies that involve a combination of the above fields and comparative studies that demonstrate the effect of Precambrian evolution on Phanerozoic earth system processes. Regional and localised studies of Precambrian phenomena are considered appropriate only when the detail and quality allow illustration of a wider process, or when significant gaps in basic knowledge of a particular area can be filled.