Solid Earth Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Spatio-temporal distribution of carbon in the Bohai Sea sediments under high human perturbations","authors":"Yuchen Li ,&nbsp;Chao Tang ,&nbsp;Mengxuan Yang ,&nbsp;Xiaowen Liu ,&nbsp;Quanchao Cui ,&nbsp;Die Li ,&nbsp;Xiaole Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Bohai Sea is one of marginal seas in the world, which suffers from strong human perturbations. This study collected sediment cores from four stations across the Yellow River estuary to the central Bohai Sea. The profiles of sediment organic and inorganic carbon contents as well as their δ¹³C values combined with porewater geochemical parameters (dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), Fe²⁺, SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺) were analyzed to explore the spatio-temporal distribution of carbon and the controlling processes. The results show that the total organic carbon (TOC) contents are from 0.3 to 1.4 % and the contribution of terrestrial carbon is highest in the Yellow River estuary ranging from 54.11 to 95.09 %, with an average of 71.34 %, while it is lower in central Bohai Sea varying from 39.75 to 78.83 %, with an average of 50.60 %. The total inorganic carbon (TIC) contents in the central Bohai Sea are from 0.33 to 0.63 %, which is much lower than that in the Yellow River estuary with a range of 1.26–1.96 %, suggesting the large influence of riverine inputs. Variations of porewater geochemical parameters in the top meter sediments reflect both iron oxide reduction dominated early diagenetic processes and ongoing regulations on the Yellow River in the past decades, including the re-direction of the Yellow River mouth and the sediment-water regulation scheme. We also estimate a DIC efflux from the Bohai Sediments, 0.16 Tg C/yr, which is up to 10 % of the DIC inputs of the Yellow River. This implies an important role of the sediments in maintaining alkalinity and ocean chemistry in the Bohai Sea.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100274"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolution of petroleum systems and hydrocarbon migration in the Dahomey Basin: Insights from basin modeling, machine learning and geochemical analysis","authors":"G.O. Aigbadon ,&nbsp;B. Overare ,&nbsp;O.C. Akakuru ,&nbsp;A.I. Obasi ,&nbsp;A. Ocheli ,&nbsp;E.O. Akudo ,&nbsp;S.O. Onyekuru ,&nbsp;E.O. Avwenagha ,&nbsp;A.N. Odoma ,&nbsp;J.B. Ahmed II ,&nbsp;A.O. Usman ,&nbsp;A. Ogbamikhumi ,&nbsp;N.S. Igbinigie ,&nbsp;G.E. Maju-Oyovwikowhe ,&nbsp;A.U. Okoro ,&nbsp;E.O. Akpunonu ,&nbsp;S.D. Christopher ,&nbsp;D.J. Koffa ,&nbsp;M. Baba Aminu ,&nbsp;J.O. Odia-Oseghale","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An integrated geochemical, machine learning (ML) and 3-D basin modeling investigation was carried-out on the petroleum system evolution of the frontier Dahomey Basin, Nigeria, West Africa. The poor understanding of the basin's petroleum system and its complex tectono-stratigraphic evolution has hindered effective exploration of the hydrocarbons and the evaluation of the resources within the basin. This study aims to provide a detailed evaluation of the basin's hydrocarbon potential by integration geochemical techniques, ML algorithms, and 3-D basin modeling. A total of 237 source rock samples from 18 wells within a 450 km onshore-offshore transect across Cretaceous to Paleogene Formations were analyzed by using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), quantitative biomarker methods, and ML based maturation modeling. The source rocks data revealed that the Maastrichtian-Paleocene Araromi Formation have a mean Total organic carbon (TOC) of 4.12 wt% and a hydrogen index (HI) of 245–675 mg HC/g, and the Paleocene Ewekoro Formation has a mean TOC of 2.31 wt% and HI of 45–634 mg HC/g as prime sources of petroleum in the basin. The CSIA values of (δ¹³C −25.2 to −28.1 %) and the biomarkers distribution suggest Type II marine organic matter deposited in an anoxic-suboxic conditions. Three hydrocarbon kitchens with the highest generation occurring in Oligocene-Miocene thermal peaks, which were preferentially migrating along the Paleocene unconformities and the Cretaceous fault networks. The diachronous thermal maturation modeling presents a peak oil window of 20-15 Ma eastern kitchens and 15-8 Ma western kitchens, respectively. The total oil volume of 2.1–4.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent (P50: 3.2 BBOE) with 60 % confidence intervals is concentrated in three large kitchen-fairway systems. The Eastern Kitchen (1.4 BBOE) is the most prospective due to source rock maturity (VRo 0.75–0.95 %) and effective migration in the networks of Paleocene faults. The contribution of Central and Western Kitchens is 1.1 and 0.7 BBOE, respectively. The ML algorithm has successfully predicted the quality of source rock with 89 % validation accuracy and mapping of resources basin-wide in spite of sparse well control which remains a persistent challenge of frontier exploration. The integration of ML, high-resolution geochemistry and 3-D modelling has overcome challenges of data scarcity constraints, define the petroleum prospectivity of the Dahomey Basin, and provides a conceptual framework to assess unexploited passive margins in other parts of the world.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A potential 4N8-Grade raw material for high-purity quartz from quartzite ore in the Hengshan region, central-southern China: A geochemical-mineralogical study and purification","authors":"Yanheng Huang ,&nbsp;Liting Sun ,&nbsp;Yun Du ,&nbsp;Jianzhong Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaoyong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the high-purity quartz potential of the Jiulongquan quartzite (sample JLQ-D2) from the eastern Nanyue pluton in the Hengshan area, China. This ore is yellowish-brown with low transparency and exhibits a relatively uniform grain size of less than 2 mm. A series of purification processes, including calcination, crushing, screening, ultrasonic desliming, gravity separation, magnetic separation, flotation, and high-temperature acid leaching, were applied to produce a refined quartz concentrate. The microstructure, fluid inclusion characteristics, and chemical composition of both the raw ore and the purified concentrate were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and ICP-MS. Additionally, the formation environment of the high-purity quartz (HPQ) source rock was discussed. Petrographic examination reveals that quartz is the dominant mineral, exhibiting low idiomorphism. In the post-flotation concentrate, fluid inclusions were predominantly two-phase (liquid–vapor), with rare pure liquid inclusions, and were distributed in bands, planes, and clusters. After purification, most quartz grains were free of inclusions, showing a significant reduction in inclusion content. Chemical analysis indicated that the main impurity elements in the raw ore were Al, K, Fe, and Na, with total impurities exceeding 100 mg·g⁻¹. Aluminum was the most abundant impurity, at approximately 14.7 mg·g⁻¹. After purification, the total impurity content of the concentrate was reduced to about 17.14 ppm of very high grade of purity of quartz sand, with specific concentrations of Al (10.1 ppm), Ca (0.05 ppm), Fe (0.95 ppm), K (0.57 ppm), Na (2.47 ppm), and Li (0.83 ppm). The SiO₂ purity reached a 4N8 level of 99.998 %. The significance of this study lies in its demonstration that the quartzites are a promising source of high-purity quartz, with substantial potential for large-scale extraction and processing. Additionally, it underscores the importance of the local geology and metamorphic conditions that contributed to the formation of these high-purity quartz deposits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100276"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145796745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Petrographic study of lithic fragments in Chang'e-6 surface regolith","authors":"Shen Ji ,&nbsp;Chen Deliang ,&nbsp;Zuo Zhiwei ,&nbsp;Zhang Yingnan ,&nbsp;Qin Liping","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Chang'e-6 (CE6) mission has successfully returned samples in the South Pole–Aitken (SPA) basin from the lunar farside. A series of recent works have revealed that there were different types of clasts from the CE6 regolith, including ∼2.8 Ga low-Ti basalts, ∼2.9 Ga very low-Ti basalts, ∼4.2 Ga high-Al basalts, ∼4.25 Ga noritic anorthosites and anorthositic norites. In this study, we have investigated a series of clasts of different weights, and obtained at least four types of igneous rocks, e.g., low-Ti basalts, very low-Ti basalts, KREEP-like clasts, as well as noritic anorthositic clasts, according to their petrological and chemistry compositional features. These clasts might be sourced from diverse lunar mantle sources or different processes. The discovery of these different types of clasts provides a great opportunity to investigate the structure and magma evolution of the lunar farside region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100275"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145796744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multistage Neoproterozoic granitic magmatism and formation of Yidong tin deposit in northern Guangxi, China","authors":"Weikang Liang ,&nbsp;Jing Wu ,&nbsp;Wenting Huang ,&nbsp;Zehao Yang ,&nbsp;Yukun Zhao ,&nbsp;Feiyue Ren ,&nbsp;Huaying Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A Neoproterozoic tin ore cluster, which is rare for South China, has been discovered in northern Guangxi. The Neoproterozoic granite pluton was formed through multistage magmatism. Previous work suggested that the tin mineralization in this region is genetically related to early-stage granitic activity, which is inconsistent with the classical understanding that tin mineralization is mainly linked to late-stage magmatic activity. The relationship between the formation and evolution of Neoproterozoic granite pluton and tin mineralization in northern Guangxi remains unclear. The Pingying granite pluton, associated with the large-scale Yidong tin deposit, is divided into coarse-grained, medium-grained, and medium-fine-grained granites from the center to the margin. Notably, an intrusive contact relationship exists between coarse-grained and medium-fine-grained granites, which provides an excellent window to reveal the relationship between Neoproterozoic pluton evolution and tin mineralization. Here, we present zircon and cassiterite U–Pb ages, whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions, and zircon Hf isotopic data for the pluton. Zircon U–Pb ages are 835.5 ± 3.0 Ma for the coarse-grained granite and 814.6 ± 7.9 Ma for the medium-fine-grained granite. Cassiterite yields a U–Pb age of 815.2 ± 8.2 Ma, consistent with that of the medium-fine-grained granite. The coarse-grained and medium-fined-grained granites have similar zircon ε_Hf(t) values and T_DM2 ages, ranging from −8.1 to −1.1 and 1.78 to 2.24 Ga, respectively. The Granites are plotted in the domains of melts derived from partial melting of metapelitic rocks on the Al₂O₃/TiO₂ vs. CaO/Na₂O, Rb/Sr vs. Rb/Ba, and C/MF vs. A/MF diagrams, suggesting the pluton formed by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic to Paleoproterozoic metapelite and underwent high fractional crystallization. Geochemical data indicate strong K-feldspar fractional crystallization from the early stage to late stage, resulting in a higher fractionation and magmatic evolution in late-stage granites compared to early-stage granite. These features demonstrate a genetic link between tin mineralization and late-stage magmatism. Tin deposits in northern Guangxi predominantly formed in association with late-stage magmatic activities during the Neoproterozoic. Exploration should target late-stage highly fractionated granites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145529265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated approaches to map groundwater potential zones using AHP, GIS, and remote sensing in semi-arid region of Morocco: Case study from Khouribga area","authors":"Abdelmoula Seqqam ,&nbsp;Meryam Touirsi ,&nbsp;Saliha Najib ,&nbsp;Ahmed Fadili ,&nbsp;Khalid Mehdi ,&nbsp;Tarik Tagma","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Growing water scarcity, driven by climate change, population growth, and expanding human activities, poses a critical challenge to arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. In Morocco, the Khouribga region illustrates this stress, where limited recharge, recurrent droughts, and intensive groundwater abstraction threaten long-term water security. To address these pressures, this study applied an integrated framework combining remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to delineate groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). Eight hydrogeological parameters, namely rainfall, lithology, slope, lineament density, drainage density, land use and land cover, distance to rivers, and potential evapotranspiration, were weighted through AHP and integrated using the Weighted Linear Combination method. The resulting map shows low (24.97 %), moderate (49.94 %), high (24.81 %) and very high (0.25 %) potential areas. Validation with 72 wells and boreholes achieved 83.33 % concordance and R² = 0.75, confirming model reliability. High-potential sectors in the north and northeast of Boujaad reflect favorable geological structures, fracture networks, and precipitation patterns. The results offer a practical basis for targeting drilling, designing artificial recharge systems, and protecting infiltration areas. Future work should incorporate higher-resolution hydrogeological data, extended climate series, and machine learning approaches to improve predictive performance and adaptability in other semi-arid contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145486411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does amphibole-biotite transformation facilitate the formation of apatite in a magma mixing scenario?","authors":"Bibhuti Gogoi,&nbsp;Tribujjal Prakash","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100277","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100277","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The work focuses on the underlying mechanisms of apatite crystallization in a magma mixing scenario. The study is based primarily on the porphyritic andesite of the Ghansura Rhyolite Dome (GRD) and the diorites of the Borjuri Diorite Pluton (BDP). The GRD represents a fossilized subvolcanic magma chamber exposed in Ghansura village near Bathani, eastern India. Interaction between mafic and felsic magmas is distinctly evident in the GRD along with three categories of rock types (mafic, felsic, and hybrid). The BDP is a diorite pluton exposed within the Shillong Basin of the Mikir Massif, Northeast India. Inferences based on petrographical, mineralogical, and textural evidence highlight the physico-chemical conditions associated with magma mixing that led to apatite formation in the studied rocks. Magma mixing facilitates the increase in SiO₂ content in the mafic domain. In addition to the rise of silica, diffusion of K₂O takes place from the felsic to the mafic melt during magma mixing. The diffusion of K₂O triggers the breakdown of Ca-rich phase to Ca-poor phase (amphibole to biotite), which increases the overall CaO activity in the mixed system. The increase in CaO activity coupled with the increase in SiO₂ concentration due to magma mixing thus fulfills the necessary conditions for apatite saturation. A sequence of crystallization of minerals from clinopyroxene to apatite is established in accordance with calculated and predicted crystallization temperatures. Apatite crystallization in the mixed rocks of our study area is estimated to occur during amphibole-biotite transformation, and the temperature is likely to range approximately between 550 °C and 650 °C. Although the abundance of apatite in mafic magmatic enclaves and mixed rocks is widely discussed, the underlying processes governing its formation in a mixed system remain insufficiently discussed. This study for the first time sheds light on the mechanisms of apatite formation in hybrid rocks in a magma mixing environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 100277"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145796743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimation of non-traditional stable isotopes reference values for geological reference materials","authors":"Ji Mao ,&nbsp;Yongsheng Liu ,&nbsp;Jie Lin ,&nbsp;Wen Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhaochu Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The homogeneity of reference materials and the precision of their reference values are fundamental prerequisites for ensuring the accuracy of non-traditional stable isotope analysis. Nevertheless, the field currently suffers from a significant methodological gap in robust homogeneity assessment and reference value estimation protocols. To address this gap, we implemented an analytical framework that integrates data acquisition from the Geological and Environmental Reference Materials database (GeoReM) with rigorous quality control measures based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization) guidelines and the IAG Certification Protocol. This approach enabled us to systematically report the isotopic compositions of 14 non-traditional stable isotope systems along with 63 isotopic compositions. The statistical results show that most of reference materials are homogeneous. However, our investigation revealed notable difference in the δ⁷Li_LSVEC values of AGV-1 and AGV-2, indicating potential limitations in their reliability as Li isotope reference materials. Furthermore, the Mg isotopic composition of NIST SRM 980 exhibited substantial heterogeneity, corroborating previous research findings and raising concerns about its suitability for high-precision isotopic measurements. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive set of reference values for widely used materials and establishing a rigorous, standardized protocol for their estimation. Beyond these methodological advancements, the study provides actionable recommendations for the selection of reference materials, underscoring the critical role of material homogeneity and measurement precision in ensuring the reliability of isotopic analyses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 3","pages":"Article 100258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144766987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mesozoic magmatism and crustal evolution in the Xing’an–Mongolia Orogenic Belt, NE China","authors":"Wen-Ting Zhang ,&nbsp;Ying Wei ,&nbsp;Ming-Xing Ling","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Xing’an–Mongolia Orogenic Belt (XMOB), located in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is a critical area for understanding Phanerozoic crustal accretion and reworking. Its geological record reflects the combined influence of Paleozoic ocean closure and extensive Mesozoic overprinting linked to the subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk and Paleo-Pacific plates. This study integrates published geochronological, geochemical, and zircon Hf isotopic data to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns and petrogenesis of Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the XMOB, focusing on the Ergun and Xing’an blocks. The results suggest that the region’s Mesozoic magmatism was primarily driven by tectonic transitions associated with the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean and rollback of the Paleo-Pacific slab. Isotopic evidence reveals distinct crustal processes in the two blocks, with vertical crustal reworking dominating in the Ergun Block and lateral crustal growth in the Xing’an Block. These findings shed new light on the tectono-magmatic evolution of northeastern China and contribute to broader understanding of continental crustal development in the eastern CAOB.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 3","pages":"Article 100255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implications for provenance and tectonic setting of the Middle–Late Mesozoic clastic sedimentary rocks in the Nanling Region, South China","authors":"Yasin Rahim ,&nbsp;Huan Li ,&nbsp;Weidong Ren ,&nbsp;Annan Guan ,&nbsp;Asad Khan ,&nbsp;Mohammad Naseer ,&nbsp;Malik Muhammad Saud Sajid Khan ,&nbsp;Ahsan Ali Khan ,&nbsp;Syed Irfanullah Hashmi","doi":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sesci.2025.100257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The South China Block (SCB) hosts numerous economically significant granite-related uranium deposits and critical metal mineralization, notably in the Nanling Region. This study investigates the petrogenesis, provenance, tectonic setting, and potential link to uranium mineralization of Middle–Late Mesozoic clastic sedimentary rocks from the Fengzhou Basin and surrounding areas, SCB. Field and petrographic observations reveal litharenite, arkose, and wacke, mostly cryptocrystalline and variably colored, alongside granoblastic-textured quartz sandstones, purple-red mudstones, and conglomerates dominated by granitic lithic fragments. Whole-rock geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb ages were used to interpret source weathering, provenance and source rock composition, and tectonic setting. Major and trace element ratios (e.g., ACNK, CIA, CIW, ICV, Th/U vs. Th) indicate moderate to intense weathering in sandstone and mudstone sources, but weaker weathering for conglomerates. Geochemical proxies (e.g., Al₂O₃ vs. TiO₂, La-Th-Sc, V-Ni-Th∗10, La/Yb vs. REE, La/Th vs. Hf, Th/Sc vs. Zr/Sr, REE patterns) suggest a dominantly felsic source, consistent with the Upper Continental Crust, with minor intermediate input. Detrital zircons yield concordant ages from ca. 2696 to 177 Ma, clustering into four age groups of 2696–2202 Ma, 1989–1087 Ma, 938–433 Ma, and 252–177 Ma, aligning with regional magmatic episodes and sedimentary units in the Nanling and Jiangnan orogens, Wuyi, and Yunkai domains. Tectonic discrimination diagrams using geochemical proxies (e.g., K₂O/Na₂O vs. SiO₂, DF1 vs. DF2, La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10 and Th-Co-Zr/10), along with the detrital zircon dating, suggest deposition occurred in a transitional setting, likely a back-arc or post-orogenic basin, marking a shift from compressional to extensional regimes between the Middle Jurassic to Late Cretaceous. Elevated REE, U, Th, and high U/Th, Rb/Sr, and Rb/Ba ratios, along with granite-derived lithic fragments, suggest provenance from uranium-enriched felsic sources, highlighting a genetic link between clastic sedimentation and regional granitoid-related uranium mineralization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54172,"journal":{"name":"Solid Earth Sciences","volume":"10 3","pages":"Article 100257"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144714463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}