Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China
In recent years, Cu-Ni deposits have been discovered at different localities in the Eastern part of the Kunlun orogenic belt such as Xiarihamu, Langmuri, Shitoukengde, and Wenquan. Eclogites are usually exposed in the areas associated with these deposits, thereby implying a certain coupling relation...
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| author | Yong Zhang Tong Pan Aikui Zhang Shuyue He Ye Qian Yongshan Bai |
| author_facet | Yong Zhang Tong Pan Aikui Zhang Shuyue He Ye Qian Yongshan Bai |
| author_sort | Yong Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, Cu-Ni deposits have been discovered at different localities in the Eastern part of the Kunlun orogenic belt such as Xiarihamu, Langmuri, Shitoukengde, and Wenquan. Eclogites are usually exposed in the areas associated with these deposits, thereby implying a certain coupling relationship between the Cu-Ni deposits and eclogite distribution. In this study, eclogite samples from the Xiarihamu and Langmuri areas were analyzed using petrogeochemistry, U-Pb zircon geochronology, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Further, eclogite protolith properties, the formation environment, and the metallogenic mechanism were also investigated. Geochemically, eclogite is rich in MgO and FeO and low in alkali and SiO<sub>2</sub>. Its m/f ratios are 0.72 to 1.53 and Mg<sup>#</sup> values of 42 to 61. Overall, the chondrite-normalized rare-earth elements (REE) patterns showed characteristics of weak enrichment with LREE, weak negative Eu anomalies, relative enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements such as K and Rb, active incompatible element Th, the depletion of high-field strength elements Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf, and V-shaped valleys caused by depletion in Sr, P, and Ti. These geochemical characteristics indicated that the protolith is highly differentiated Fe gabbro that formed in a continental margin type of rift environment. The EPMA analyses showed that the composition of garnet consists of almandite and grossularite, and omphacite often contains augite. Geochronological investigations showed that the peak metamorphic age of eclogite in Xiarihamu and Langmuri is 415.6 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.43, n = 16) and 449.1 ± 8.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.88, n = 19), which are related to the early Paleozoic orogenic cycle and formed slightly earlier than the formation of the magmatic liquation type of Cu-Ni deposits in this area. On the basis of spatial coupling, formation age approximation, and geochemical correlation between eclogite and mafic rock masses, in combination with the previous research results of earlier work, it has been considered that the Cu-Ni ore deposits in the East Kunlun Range were formed in the post-collisional extension environment after the deep subduction of the continental crust. The ultra-high-pressure metamorphic melange formed by continental deep subduction or the enriched mantle formed by crust-mantle metasomatism was partially melted to form sulfur-rich mafic–ultramafic magmas in the post-collision extension environment. During the deep subduction of the continental crust, a large amount of crust-derived sulfur was brought into the mantle, which is the key factor for the mineralization of Cu-Ni ore in the region. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-6e444ef7631141c2bcd3098afaeb8bbe2023-11-17T12:47:05ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-02-0113333010.3390/min13030330Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, ChinaYong Zhang0Tong Pan1Aikui Zhang2Shuyue He3Ye Qian4Yongshan Bai5The Third Geological Exploration Institute of Qinghai Province, Xining 810029, ChinaBureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development of Qinghai Province, Xining 810001, ChinaThe Third Geological Exploration Institute of Qinghai Province, Xining 810029, ChinaThe Third Geological Exploration Institute of Qinghai Province, Xining 810029, ChinaCollege of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, ChinaQinghai Geological Survey Institute, Xining 810012, ChinaIn recent years, Cu-Ni deposits have been discovered at different localities in the Eastern part of the Kunlun orogenic belt such as Xiarihamu, Langmuri, Shitoukengde, and Wenquan. Eclogites are usually exposed in the areas associated with these deposits, thereby implying a certain coupling relationship between the Cu-Ni deposits and eclogite distribution. In this study, eclogite samples from the Xiarihamu and Langmuri areas were analyzed using petrogeochemistry, U-Pb zircon geochronology, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Further, eclogite protolith properties, the formation environment, and the metallogenic mechanism were also investigated. Geochemically, eclogite is rich in MgO and FeO and low in alkali and SiO<sub>2</sub>. Its m/f ratios are 0.72 to 1.53 and Mg<sup>#</sup> values of 42 to 61. Overall, the chondrite-normalized rare-earth elements (REE) patterns showed characteristics of weak enrichment with LREE, weak negative Eu anomalies, relative enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements such as K and Rb, active incompatible element Th, the depletion of high-field strength elements Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf, and V-shaped valleys caused by depletion in Sr, P, and Ti. These geochemical characteristics indicated that the protolith is highly differentiated Fe gabbro that formed in a continental margin type of rift environment. The EPMA analyses showed that the composition of garnet consists of almandite and grossularite, and omphacite often contains augite. Geochronological investigations showed that the peak metamorphic age of eclogite in Xiarihamu and Langmuri is 415.6 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.43, n = 16) and 449.1 ± 8.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.88, n = 19), which are related to the early Paleozoic orogenic cycle and formed slightly earlier than the formation of the magmatic liquation type of Cu-Ni deposits in this area. On the basis of spatial coupling, formation age approximation, and geochemical correlation between eclogite and mafic rock masses, in combination with the previous research results of earlier work, it has been considered that the Cu-Ni ore deposits in the East Kunlun Range were formed in the post-collisional extension environment after the deep subduction of the continental crust. The ultra-high-pressure metamorphic melange formed by continental deep subduction or the enriched mantle formed by crust-mantle metasomatism was partially melted to form sulfur-rich mafic–ultramafic magmas in the post-collision extension environment. During the deep subduction of the continental crust, a large amount of crust-derived sulfur was brought into the mantle, which is the key factor for the mineralization of Cu-Ni ore in the region.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/3/330eclogitepetrogeochemistrygeochronologymetallogenic mechanismXiarihamuLangmuri |
| spellingShingle | Yong Zhang Tong Pan Aikui Zhang Shuyue He Ye Qian Yongshan Bai Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China Minerals eclogite petrogeochemistry geochronology metallogenic mechanism Xiarihamu Langmuri |
| title | Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China |
| title_full | Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China |
| title_fullStr | Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China |
| title_short | Spatial Relationship between Eclogite and Copper-Nickel Mineralization in East Kunlun, China |
| title_sort | spatial relationship between eclogite and copper nickel mineralization in east kunlun china |
| topic | eclogite petrogeochemistry geochronology metallogenic mechanism Xiarihamu Langmuri |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/3/330 |
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