Geochronological data on ore-bearing minerals can constrain the absolute ages and duration mineralising processes. Of the tungsten-bearing minerals, wolframite is the most promising geochronometer for these mineral systems, but high precision ages are hampered by common Pb and intra-grain heterogeneity. We present ID-TIMS and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope data of wolframite , combined with milli scale (SEM-EDS) and microscale (LA-ICP-MS) element maps and nanoscale (FIB-TEM) chemical and structural images to elucidate the complex geochemical behaviour of this mineral and the implications for U-Pb geochronology.

During this study, three new U-Pb reference materials have been developed with ages of ca 158 Ma, 289 Ma and 325 Ma; these are available to interested laboratories. The best precision obtained by ID-TIMS was 1.24%, whilst we estimate the best possible precision for LA-ICP-MS ages to be ca 1.8%. Apart for analytical uncertainties, the main contributor to age uncertainty is the poor dispersion in U-Pb data (for Discordia fitting) and unknown common Pb composition for ID-TIMS data, and micron-scale heterogeneity for LA-ICP-MS data.

Microscale (LA-ICP-MS maps) to nanoscale (FIB-TEM) imaging techniques show large chemical and structural heterogeneity of wolframite related to the complex geological environments in which it is precipitated and altered. Trace element mapping highlights oscillatory and sector zoning not typically observed when using traditional SEM-based techniques. The variable distribution of the analysed elements (Fe, Mn, Sc, Nb, Ta, Y, Pb, Th and U for this study) can be explained both by coupled substitution and changing fluid chemistry recorded within a single wolframite crystal. The nano-scale structure of a strongly altered wolframite is characterised by rare ca 10x10 nm non-symmetric zones of amorphous crystal structure, and bands of elongate (ca 100 x 20 nm oval-shaped) low density zones that we consider representing porosity developed during rapid crystallisation of wolframite.

Although no real intra-grain age dispersion is observed in the analysed samples, the precision of U-Pb ages is strongly affected by the local chemical and structural characteristics of the wolframite. Most notably, the concentration of ²³⁸U and ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb can vary by an order of magnitude within a zone smaller than a typically laser ablation spot (e.g., 100 µm).

How to cite: Carr, P., Romer, R., Chew, D., Wirth, R., and Mercadier, J.: Nano to milli scale characteristics of wolframite ([Fe,Mn]WO4)  and their implications for U-Pb geochronology of tungsten-bearing mineral deposits, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-14940, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14940, 2024.

Intrusions of the Navajo Volcanic Field (NVF) contain eclogite xenoliths that record processes related to the subduction of the Farallon plate beneath the Colorado Plateau. Previous geochronological work sparked controversies about their origin, especially whether they are derived from oceanic crust of the Farallon plate, or from older continental lithosphere, based on occasional Proterozoic zircon U-Pb ages. Moreover, the mechanisms and timescales of the recorded high-pressure processes, including several stages of fluid metasomatism, are largely unknown. We study the U-Pb systematics of garnet, zircon and rutile by LA-ICP-MS in order to achieve a refined petrochronologic interpretation of the NVF eclogites.

The eclogite xenoliths are hosted by serpentinized ultramafic microbreccia (SUM) which intruded the Colorado Plateau at ~30 Ma as a consequence of extensive hydration of the lithospheric mantle by Farallon slab-derived fluids. In contrast to kimberlite-borne eclogite xenoliths, which often contain garnet and omphacite only, those of the NVF additionally contain ubiquitous rutile, and often pyrite, phengite, zoisite pseudomorphs after lawsonite (with rare lawsonite relics), accessory monazite, and rare coesite. Based on this assemblage, peak P-T conditions around 4 GPa and 600°C are estimated. Subsequent rapid uplift in the sub-solidus SUM is not thought to have caused significant further heating. Except for a few instances where a mid-ocean ridge basalt-like bulk chemical composition is essentially preserved, the xenoliths are strongly overprinted by several metasomatic events in the eclogite facies. Most notably, this involved interaction with a Na-Si-S-rich fluid, probably of crustal origin, and a later (just prior to exhumation) serpentinite-derived fluid.

All our U-Pb rutile data as well as published U-Pb monazite data (~29 Ma) agree with the ~30 Ma SUM formation age. The majority of the U-Pb zircon analyses predate the rutile data by not more than several Myr, with a minority of older ages forming a continuum to the late Cretaceous. Unlike some earlier studies, we did not obtain any Proterozoic U-Pb zircon ages. The garnet U-Pb dates, which are mostly from pre-metasomatic zones, partly agree with the zircon dates within uncertainty, but sometimes predate the zircon dates from the same sample by up to several tens of Myr.

Despite moderate peak metamorphic temperatures (~600°C), rutile remained an open system for Pb until exhumation. Garnet and zircon are resistant to Pb volume diffusion at these temperatures, however, the zircon ages appear to be largely reset during fluid metasomatism, as also indicated by often high common Pb contents. Due to the absence of preserved igneous zircon ages, the protolith origin remains uncertain. Garnet, which grew mostly before metasomatism, seems to provide robust ages of initial eclogitization, which may have been diachronous in our sample suite. Geochronological evidence implies that several tens of Myr passed between initial eclogitization and exhumation of the xenoliths.

How to cite: Pohlner, J. E., Hao, S., Albert, R., Gerdes, A., Schulze, D. J., Helmstaedt, H., and Aulbach, S.: Garnet, zircon and rutile U-Pb systematics of eclogite xenoliths from the Navajo Volcanic Field (USA), EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13231, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13231, 2024.

A schist and a marble are used to investigate ⁴⁰Ar and Sr behaviour in white mica that show distinct records of deformation and fluid-mediated chemical exchange. The rocks were obtained from the upper level of the Middle Allochthon in the northern Scandinavian Caledonides. They underwent eclogite-facies metamorphism (2.4-2.6 GPa/590-660°C) at c. 486-481 Ma and were deformed during juxtaposition with the overlying Upper Allochthon in lower amphibolite/greenschist facies conditions at c. 430-420 Ma. Deformation of the schist is recorded by anastomosing shear bands that delimit polymineralic lenses of white mica, quartz, garnet, and apatite. White mica are only locally deformed along shear bands but show irregular zoning indicative of dissolution-reprecipitation, with high-celadonite zones (X_Cel: 0.22) generally enveloped by low-celadonite zones (X_Cel: 0.09). Fluid activity during rock deformation is evinced by the presence of chlorite in shear bands and surrounding partially retrogressed garnet, as well as dissolution-reprecipitation of plagioclase. Mobilization of trace elements is evident, with low-celadonite zones enriched in V, Sr, Nb, Ba and depleted in Li, Ti, Co, Zn relative to high-celadonite zones. The former also shows slight enrichment of average B (35.9 µg/g) compared to the latter (27.2 µg/g), but δ¹¹B values are the same for both zones (-13.5 and -13.6 ‰), suggesting locally-derived fluids. Deformation and foliation development of the marble is characterized by shape preferred orientation of calcite and white mica. The mica show variable grain size and are all deformed, highlighted by electron channeling contrast imaging that reveals abundant µm-scale kink bands within individual grains, a feature that is significantly less apparent in the schist mica. The marble mica show uniform high-celadonite content (X_Cel: 0.28), representing preservation of high-pressure mica chemistry during deformation. They show no trace element variations, except for a decrease B content with δ¹¹B values (36.3 µg/g and -18.1 ‰ to 15.5 µg/g and -22.0 ‰), which may be explained by heterogeneous devolatilization and preferential loss of ¹¹B during high-grade metamorphism. Thus, it is evident the mica remained closed to chemical exchange during deformation. The white mica ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates from the schist are dispersed (491 ± 4 Ma to 427 ± 4 Ma), with the older dates typically provided by high-celadonite zones, and vice versa. The marble mica yielded a similar range of dates (486 ± 4 Ma to 428 ± 4 Ma), with finer-grains yielding younger dates. Weighted averages of single-spot Rb/Sr dates show a similar pattern for the schist (high-celadonite: 485 ± 8 Ma; low-celadonite: 427 ± 15 Ma). However, Rb/Sr dates from the marble mica only reproduce the older population of dates (481 ± 4 Ma) regardless of grain size. These results demonstrate that loss of ⁴⁰Ar from white mica can be facilitated by either fluid-mediated chemical exchange or deformation, but re-equilibration of Sr isotopes to reset Rb/Sr dates requires fluid-driven processes in lower amphibolite/upper greenschist facies conditions.

Research funded by NCN grant no. UMO-2021/40/C/ST10/00264 (C.J. Barnes), supported by “Juan de la Cierva” Fellowship JFJC2021-047505-I by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and CSIC (M. Bukała)

How to cite: Barnes, C., Zack, T., Gerdes, A., Dubosq, R., Camacho, A., Rösel, D., and Bukała, M.: Examining the behaviour of Sr and 40Ar in white mica in response to deformation and fluid-mediated chemical exchange, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15171, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15171, 2024.

Temperature is recognized as the only dominant factor that affects the opening and closing of isotope system, based on which thermochronology has well developed. However, there are some research shows that stress could also matter. The muscovite K-Ar ages of Sanbagawa (Japan) schists are consistently younger with increasing deformation extent (Tetsumaru, 1988), which revealed that tectonic deformation can have influence on isotopic ages. On a microscopic scale, elements like Pb can redistribute in zircon lattice during dislocation (Piazolo,2015). The behaviors of isotopic systems in dating minerals under stress involve the fundamental problem of isotopic chronology. The application of it can be very wide, it allows us to get the deformation age directly if we choose the right deformed minerals in the right way. Some of the works such as fault, fold and ductile shear zone dating by our lab has been published (Yu Wang, 2010, 2016, 2020). What role does stress play in isotope diffusion which in turn affects ages is what we are eager to know. We designed a set of experiments using three axles press to work on undeformed K-feldspars with known age (126Ma) to test the effects. Rock mechanics experiments, field observation and isotopic dating are combined to give us an insight to it.

How to cite: Chen, X. and Wang, Y.: Effect of tectonic stress on isotopic systems in dating minerals, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-11149, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-11149, 2024.

Understanding fluid processes is crucial for understanding the magmatic and metamorphic evolution of rocks, as well as mineral transport and deposition. Targeted in situ geochronology of minerals which have interacted with fluids allow us to investigate the temporal evolution of these fluid systems. Combined with trace element analysis or stable isotope analysis it is possible to gain insight into the nature of source of mineralising fluids. These results contribute to modelling and understanding of mineral systems which can be used for targeting mineral deposits.

Early results of this work are presented based on situ Lu-Hf geochronology applied to garnet and apatite associated with a variety of mineral deposits from Finland. The mineral deposits are hosted in rocks are variable age (Archean to Proterozoic) and all were affected by the Svecofennian orogeny (1.92-1.78 Ga) causing deformation, metamorphism and/or remobilisation.

The Siilinjärvi P deposit hosted in a 2.61 Ga carbonatite (Karhu et al., 2001) presents apatite ages ranging from 2050 to 2260 Ma and calcite ages of 1800 to 1920 Ma indicating potentially several phases of fluid remobilisation which may be prior to or during the Svecofennian orogeny.

The Kiviniemi Sc deposit is hosted in a garnet bearing ferrodiorite (1857 ± 2 Ma, U-Pb zircon; Halkoaho et al 2020). In situ Lu-Hf analysis of garnet produces an age of 1824 ± 18 Ma and for apatite an age of 1835 ± 19 Ma.

Garnet and apatite geochronology has also been applied to Li bearing pegmatites in the Somera-Tammela pegmatite province in Southern Finland. Garnet gave an age of 1801 ± 53 Ma and apatite gives 1835 ± 26 Ma. A second sample produced a nearly identical apatite age of 1835 ± 15 Ma.

Two garnets were sampled from inferred Archean deposits, the Sotkamo silver Mine is hosted in the Tipasjärvi Greenstone Belt and the Hosko gold deposit hosted in the Ilomantsi Greenstone Belt. In Sotkamo garnet from a quartz vein hosting base metal mineralisation produced a Lu-Hf age of 1870 ± 27 Ma. Two garnet samples were dated from the Hosko gold deposit, in mineralised sediments, garnet associated with vein quartz produced an age of 1837 ± 4 Ma. A granitic vein cross-cutting the ore hosting sediments gave an age of 2620 ± 7 Ma, although this sample clearly recorded a resetting event with younger ages obtained from the rim.

Despite only have the age results so far, it is clear that the Svecofennian orogeny had a strong impact on mineral systems, reworking of deposits thought to be Archean.

Halkoaho, T., Ahven, M., Rämö, O.T., Hokka, J., Huhma, H., 2020, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-020-00952-2

Karhu, J.A., Mänttäri, I., Huhma, H., 2001. Radiometric ages and isotope systematic of some Finnish carbonatites. University Oulu, Res. Terrea, Ser. A. No. 19.8.

How to cite: Cutts, K., Szentpeteri, K., Karvinen, S., Glorie, S., Käpyaho, A., and O'Brien, H.: In situ Lu-Hf dating of garnet and apatite as a means to understand fluid processes, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-19715, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-19715, 2024.

High-precision (CA-ID-TIMS) U-Pb geochronology of individual growth zones of zircon has been a long-awaited milestone in the geochronological community. Focused ion beam (FIB) and femtosecond (fs) laser machining monitored in real time by CL-SEM both show promise as techniques for physical extraction of target zircon domains in preparation for spatially resolved ID-TIMS dating. In this contribution, we test a novel laboratory protocol for zircon microsampling using an in-house multi-ion plasma (Ar-Xe) FIB and fs laser, and showcase first µID-TIMS zircon dates. We first examine the chemical impacts of protective metal coatings (Cr, Pt-Pd and C) used for ion milling on the U-Pb systematics of a low-Pb and a low-U zircon. We then present high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of a zircon surface irradiated by ion and fs laser beams to show the contrasting extent of structural damage induced by the two techniques at standard microsampling conditions. Potential Pb-loss/U-gain in the nanometer-wide ion damaged layer in zircon is mapped by atom probe tomography (APT). Subsequently, we showcase the FIB workflow for extracting a number of microsamples of the Mud Tank and GZ-7 reference zircon spanning the sizes expected in future applications using natural zircon. We present first results of spatially resolved high resolution (µID-TIMS) dating of the Mud Tank and GZ-7 microsamples, and explore the achieved analytical accuracy and precision. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of conducting a µID-TIMS study on natural zircon given zircon features (i.e., age, U content, and volume of target domain) and research objective, and discuss benefits and limits to our approach.

How to cite: Markovic, S., Wotzlaw, J.-F., Szymanowski, D., and Chelle-Michou, C.: µID-TIMS: A Focused Ion Beam (FIB)–Femtosecond (Fs) Laser Microsampling Protocol for Spatially Resolved High-Precision Zircon Geochronology , EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-17149, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-17149, 2024.

U–Pb and U–Th geochronology of zircon in igneous rocks provides key information about the age, longevity, and assembly rates of magma reservoirs. Historically, the available analytical resolution limited these insights to an averaged “age” of a magmatic system. With dramatic improvements in analytical techniques over the last two decades, it has become possible to resolve extended records of zircon crystallisation within a single igneous sample, which can extend prior to its eruption or subsurface solidification by as much as a million years. In some magmatic systems these age spectra mirror those produced in zircon solubility models, reflecting monotonous cooling of a magma reservoir, whilst in others they may take other shapes indicative of a more complex interplay of processes [1,2]. Isolating the effect of these processes can be challenging since many analytical and geological factors also play a role. Such geological processes may include magma recharge or truncation of zircon crystallization by melt extraction.

In this study, we compiled high-precision zircon U-Pb dates from volcanic, plutonic and porphyry copper systems. We use the Wasserstein metric as a dissimilarity measure to compare distributions between all compiled age spectra. Dimensionality reduction of the resulting dissimilarity matrix reveals that plutonic systems have contrasting age spectra to volcanic and porphyry copper systems. Plutonic systems typically exhibit age spectra skewed towards older ages whereas volcanic and porphyry systems are skewed towards younger ages.

We adopt a bootstrap modelling approach to explain these differences, which allows the modelling of the effects of the number of sampled zircons, analytical uncertainties, magmatic recharge, mixed age domains and a truncation of crystallisation. The effects of multiple magmatic recharge events combined with truncation by volcanic eruption/dyke formation appear to be the most likely explanation for the young skew of volcanic and porphyry copper age spectra. Truncation of zircon crystallization alone appears to be incapable of explaining the full difference. Recognising the contrasting zircon age spectra between volcanic and plutonic systems is critical to improve eruption age estimation and interpretations of zircon compositions in petrological studies.

[1] Keller, C.B., et al., GPL, 2018. 31–35.

[2] Tavazzani, L., et al., EPSL, 2023. 623, 118432.

How to cite: Nathwani, C., Tavazzani, L., Szymanowski, D., Virmond, A., Markovic, S., and Chelle-Michou, C.: Controls on high precision zircon U-Pb age spectra in magmatic systems, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15969, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15969, 2024.

Geochronological methods play a pivotal role in unraveling the evolution of volcanic fields, providing insights into eruption timescales and recurrence. In the Quaternary Eifel volcanic field, with >300 maars and scoria cones, dating volcanic events remains challenging due to the scarcity of suitable materials for conventional dating methods. A promising approach to determine accurate eruption ages is to apply (U-Th)/He geochronology to zircon extracted from partially re-melted crustal xenoliths^1,2, which in case of Eifel maars are co-deposited with country-rock derived lithics and juvenile lapilli. However, the reproducibility of the method, if applied to xenoliths of different origin, age, composition, and texture, has not been studied for a single explosive eruption.

We collected >250 crustal xenoliths from >35 centers of the East and West Eifel volcanic fields. Coupled petrological investigation and zircon geochronology (U-Pb and U-Th) of a subset of these xenoliths reveal their diversity regarding protolith types (plutonic vs. low- to high-grade metamorphic), zircon crystallization ages (200 ka to 3 Ga) and degree of pyrometamorphic overprint (variable abundances of glass and vesicles, and crystal breakdown reaction textures). (U-Th)/He dating of the previously U-Th-Pb dated crystals (zircon-double-dating, ZDD) was performed to determine eruption ages for these centers.

Here, we focus on a xenolith suite (n = 8) from the Gemündener Maar and E-Schalkenmehrener Maar, two vents within a maar cluster known as Dauner Maar group. Tentative eruption ages of 20 to 30 ka were estimated from considerations on paleoclimate and crater morphology^3,4, and ESR xenolithic quartz dates of 30 ± 4 ka⁵. The pyroclastic deposits are rich in diverse zircon-bearing crustal xenoliths and thus, offer an ideal testbed to investigate how critical parameters such as xenolith rock type, zircon crystallization age, grain morphology, structure and chemical composition determined by Raman analysis and cathodoluminescence imaging, among others, could influence the measured (U-Th)/He ages. The investigated xenoliths comprise both magmatic and metamorphic protoliths with varying degree of pyrometamorphic overprint. Zircon U-Pb ages range from 115 ± 4 Ma to 2731 ± 66 Ma. Preliminary (U-Th)/He dates of individual xenoliths agree with the expected eruption age range, underscoring the feasibility of the method. A detailed analysis of parameters potentially affecting (U-Th)/He systematics in zircon ages is ongoing.

[1] Blondes, M.S., Reiners, P.W., Edwards, B.R., Biscontini, A., 2007, Dating young basalt eruptions by (U-Th)/He on xenolithic zircons: Geology, 35, 17–20.
[2] Ulusoy, İ., Sarıkaya, M.A., Schmitt, A.K., Şen, E., Danišík, M., Gümüş, E., 2019, Volcanic eruption eye-witnessed and recorded by prehistoric humans: Quat Sci Rev, 212, 187–198.
[3] Büchel, G., 1993, Maars of the Westeifel, Germany: Paleolimnology of European Maar Lakes, 49, 1–13.
[4] Lange, T., Cieslack, M., Lorenz, V., Büchel, G., 2022, Chronological sequence of volcanic eruptions in the SE part of the Westeifel Volcanic Field during the Weichselian Glaciation: Jber Mitt Oberrhein Geol Ver, 104, 313– 365.
[5] Woda, C., Mangini, A., A. Wagner, G., 2001, ESR dating of xenolithic quartz in volcanic rocks: Quat Sci Rev, 20, 993–998.

How to cite: Sturm, A., Schmitt, A. K., Danišík, M., and Dunkl, I.: Assessing the reproducibility of (U-Th)/He geochronology of xenolithic zircon: Insights from the Quaternary Eifel intraplate volcanic field, Germany, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-16158, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-16158, 2024.

Detrital geochronology is a powerful tool to interrogate the sedimentary archive of (paleo-)hinterland tectonism, metamorphism, and exhumation, and can also be applied to modern river sediment as a first-pass tool to establish regional bedrock ages. The popular zircon U-Pb detrital geochronometer has seen widespread adoption for these tasks (4,173/5,100 results for the search term detrital geochronology also contain the term zircon U-Pb; Clarivate Analytics Web of Science). However, zircon fertility is strongly biased to intermediate to felsic source rocks. Moreover, zircon crystallization is volumetrically limited in metamorphic terranes which do not achieve anataxis (e.g., Moecher & Samson, 2006), and is typically restricted to rim overgrowths which are vulnerable to mechanical destruction during fluvial transport, and which are challenging to detect and analyse (e.g., Campbell et al., 2005).

Therefore, it is desirable to develop complementary provenance tools for sub-anatectic settings, as well as tools targeting more abundant rock-forming minerals for use with small-volume samples (e.g., drillcore). Established alternative detrital phases include the U-Pb system in apatite, monazite, titanite, and garnet. The advent of LA-ICPMS systems equipped with mass-filtered online reaction cells now also permits the routine use of β-decay systems by overcoming parent-daughter isobaric interferences. These include Lu-Hf in garnet and apatite, and Rb-Sr in K-phases including K-feldspar and mica (Rösel & Zack, 2022; Woods 2016). K-phases are also amenable to conventional Ar-Ar detrital geochronology.

Here, we present case studies of emerging detrital provenance techniques, with particular application to modern and past orogenic systems.

Campbell, I., et al., 2005. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 237, 402-432,  doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.06.043

Moecher, D., & Samson, S., 2006, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 247, 252–266, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2006.04.035

Rösel, D., & T. Zack, 2022. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 46.2, 143-168, doi: 10.1111/ggr.12414.

Woods, G. 2016. Agilent Application Note. Agilent Technologies, Cheadle.

How to cite: Mark, C., Neofitu, R., O'Sullivan, G., Glorie, S., Zack, T., Rösel, D., Barfod, D., Chew, D., Daly, J. S., Clift, P., and Najman, Y.: Mountains from sand grains: Advances in detrital provenance applied to orogens, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-9818, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-9818, 2024.

The Cryogenian period represents a critical interval in Earth’s history, characterized by drastic tectonic and environmental changes. Evidence of low-altitude glacial deposits from this time has been recognized globally, alluding to the most extensive icehouse regimes known on our planet. These conditions of successive global freezing and warming during the Neoproterozoic have been dubbed as ‘Snowball Earth’ events. Importantly, the Cryogenian may have played a key role in the accelerated evolution of early life, as microorganisms became more complex and abundant after this period. Consequently, it is important to constrain the absolute timing, duration, and termination of these glacial and interglacial events. Despite their significance, robust, direct dating of Cryogenian sections remains challenging. The most accurate way to constrain these units is through dating of interbedded volcanics. However, they are not present across all sections globally, making correlations difficult to establish.

As such, we present a novel strategy to address this issue by directly dating a broad array of Cryogenian carbonates through an in situ U-Pb mapping approach. Our case study includes inter-glacial and post-glacial carbonates from sections in Australia, Oman, and Greenland. We show that this method allows for the concurrent collection of geochemical, petrographic, and geochronological information at sufficient precision to address key geological questions. Geochemical proxies such as elevated Mn/Sr ratios and Al or Si can be used to filter areas affected by alteration or detrital input, respectively. Secondary phases such as veins and overgrowths can also be petrographically avoided as an advantage of the spatially coherent mapping technique. Regions that yield enrichment in U and best spread in U–Pb ratios can be preferentially selected. Triaging such datasets and spatial information can help identify subdomains within a sample that is most suitable for dating, maximizing the success rate of this approach. The technique is capable of yielding age precision of ±1% depending on the concentration of U, the range in radiogenic isotopes, and the number of pixels that make up an analytical point.  

How to cite: Subarkah, D., Collins, A., Löhr, S., Nixon, A., Blades, M., Farkas, J., Lloyd, J., Klaebe, R., Gilbert, S., and Virgo, G.: Direct dating of global Cryogenian sections by in situ U–Pb mapping of carbonates, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-14298, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14298, 2024.

The Bristol Channel Basin (BCB) is a small continental rift basin that developed along the eastern margin of the North-Atlantic during the Mesozoic. Relatively minor basin inversion occurred during the Cenozoic. It has been extensively studied due to the exceptional exposure of faults along both margins of the basin. Widespread calcite mineralisation of overprinting fracture networks documents fluid partitioning along these structures over time. However, the temporal evolution of deformation has been constrained solely from the relative timing of structures in the field and through comparisons with other basins in the region. This has made detailed modelling of how structures have evolved during basin development and later inversion problematic. In this study we succesfully use U-Pb carbonate geochronology on low U samples (<1ppm) to constrain the absolute timing of fault development, whilst also assessing fluid source evolution with stable isotope and fluid inclusion data. Absolute dating of calcite slickenfibres in the fault cores of extensional, thrust and strike-slip faults in the East-Quantoxhead - Kilve region reveals the precise timing of different phases of deformation within the BCB for the first time.

New age data show that extensional faulting occurred from ca. 154-118 Ma. Strike-slip faults formed ca. 47-21 Ma, with thrust faults forming ca. 46-35 Ma. The results show Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous E-W extension with a vertical σ₁, followed by Eocene – Miocene N-S contraction with σ₁ now being ~horizontal. New age determinations provide much greater insight into the longevity of these structural phases, as well as how fluid nature and composition has evolved over time. Stable isotope data captures fluid source evolution, with δ13C & δ18O values being more negative in the older extensional faults, and becoming more positive over time in the later contractional features. Reactivated structures show evidence for deeper fluid sources, shown by relatively hotter fluid inclusion temperatures within these faults.

Constraining the development of different fault populations within the BCB increases our understanding of the evolution of regional stress within southern England and can be extrapolated to nearby basins. Understanding the historical partitioning of fluid flow through different fault populations has practical applications for understanding where produced and/or injected fluids will flow when a reservoir is exploited today, such as in an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS).

How to cite: Connolly, J., Anderson, M., Mottram, C., Price, G., and Sanderson, D.: Using U-Pb Carbonate Geochronology to constrain the timing of fault development and fluid source evolution in an inverted continental rift basin., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-11865, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-11865, 2024.

Faults and related fractures have been studied for decades due to their potential in providing insights into past and present crustal deformation processes, climate evolution, seismology, and hydrology among others. Carbonates are very common syn-tectonic minerals that occur along fault planes or in fault-related fractures forming slickenfibres and veins (Roberts and Holdsworth, 2022). The ability of carbonates to incorporate uranium during their precipitation allows the application of in-situ carbonate U-Pb radioisotopic dating via LA-ICP-MS (Roberts et al., 2020). The integration of this method with the more conventional petrography and biostratigraphy holds strong potential in resolving the timing of brittle structure development. A robust pre-dating screening protocol using a multi-disciplinary approach, including structural, microstructural, petrographic, and isotopic characterization has been implemented to link carbonate precipitation event to fault kinematics.

This approach has been applied to the central Southern Alps (Northern Italy), where Early Jurassic rift-related faults are preserved despite their later involvement in the Alpine orogeny. Fieldwork and sampling focused on the Amora Fault (Bergamo, Italy), a rift-related N-S normal fault of the Jurassic Lombardian basin. Structural and paleostress analysis led to the identification of several mesoscopic N-S trending normal faults and veins both in the hanging wall and footwall of the Amora Fault, indicating an E-W extension. The fault is cross-cut by middle Eocene E-W trending magmatic bodies, which, in turn, are cross-cut by Alpine thrust faults. The Amora Fault and related minor faults also show strike-slip reactivation related to N-S Alpine compression.  

Sampling focused on the Norian to Lower Jurassic succession in the hangingwall and footwall of the main fault plane, where carbonate syn-tectonic veins and slickenfibres are present. Structural analysis allowed relating the structures to either the rifting or the Alpine reactivation.

Microstructural and petrographic analyses assisted by cathodoluminescence on 21 samples revealed the occurrence of several carbonate phases. Elemental analyses (Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr) and O-C stable isotope analyses confirmed the circulation of different fluids. U-Pb dating on the carbonate phases provided four age clusters, each connected to a tectonic phase: (1) Early to Middle Jurassic carbonates precipitated in rift-related structures from a fluid with a δ¹³C buffered by the host-rock. (2) Early Cretaceous carbonates possibly related to the late stage of rifting activity. (3) Late Cretaceous carbonates precipitated from a meteoric fluid during the early stages of the Alpine orogeny. (4) Oligo-Miocene carbonates connected to the strike-slip reactivation of rift-related normal faults.

The integration of field-based and stratigraphic observations with carbonate geochemistry and geochronology allowed the recognition of a complex reactivation history for the Amora Fault.

References

Roberts, N.M.W., Drost, K., Horstwood, M.S., Condon, D.J., Chew, D., Drake, H., Milodowski, A.E., McLean, N.M., Smye, A.J., Walker, R.J., and Haslam, R., 2020. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb carbonate geochronology: strategies, progress, and limitations. Geochronology 2, 33–61.

Roberts, N.M.W, and Holdsworth, R.E., 2022. Timescales of faulting through calcite geochronology: A review. Journal of Structural Geology, 158, 104578.

How to cite: Rocca, M., Zanchetta, S., Mangenot, X., Gasparrini, M., Berra, F., Deschamps, P., Guihou, A., and Zanchi, A.: Carbonate U-Pb geochronology as a tool to unravel complex fault evolution: an example from the central Southern Alps (Italy), EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15293, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15293, 2024.

Magmatic activities in sedimentary basins provides abnormal heat sources and exert significant impact on the regional temperature field. In previous studies, the anomalous thermal effects of magmatic activities of multiple scales were studied. Small-scale intrusions (cm-m) can conduct high-temperature thermal baking of surrounding strata within tens to hundreds of meters. Basin-scale heat flow anomalies caused by mantle plume upwelling have also received increasing attention. In contrast, the thermal effects of large igneous plutons (several km to tens of km) have received little attention. A few studies have shown that the large intrusive bodies can affect the temperature field within a range of tens of kilometers. The Permian large igneous province is widely distributed in the Tarim Basin, forming several large plutons. The Manalik pluton is a large intrusive body in the northwestern Tarim, with a long diameter of up to 40 km. We have measured the clumped isotope of different calcite fabrics from the Ordovician carbonate intervals surrounding the contact aureoles of Manalik pluton. In-situ U-Pb dating will be applied to these fabrics to provide starting anchors for thermal history modeling using solid-state reordering models of carbonate clumped isotope. In addition, Silurian sandstones from the same area were collected for zircon (U-Th)/He age measurement and subsequent thermochronological thermal history inversion. Compared with conventional thermal indicators applied in deeply buried strata (e.g., vitrinite reflectance), the integration of the two thermochronological tools (Δ47/U-Pb and zircon U-TH/He) holds the advantage in more accurately quantifying the abnormal thermal effects of kilometer-scale intrusive bodies. The experimental results show that zircon (U-Th)/He and clumped isotope jointly constrain temperatures exceeding 200°C in Well Shengli 1 and Well Yingmai 35, which are closest to the Manalik pluton; the thermal anomalies identified in Well Yudong 2 are as high as 220°C; Well Yingmai 2 Well and Yingmai 34, which are far away from the igneous intrusion, were not affected by the thermal contact aureoles of Manalik pluton during the Permian period, and the current burial temperature is the highest paleogeothermal temperature experienced in historical periods. Based on the zircon (U-Th)/He and U-Pb/Δ47 simulation results, we reveal that the Manalik pluton has a significant thermal baking effect on the area within 20km, and the maximum temperature in the area close to the igneous pluton can exceed 220°C. The results of this study provide typical cases and inspiration for identifying and quantifying the thermal effects of contact aureoles in other basins where large igneous pluton are developed.

How to cite: Maimaiti, A., Tian, J., Cong, F., and Wang, Q.: Quantifying the anomalous thermal effects of contact aureoles of a large pluton in the Tarim Basin: Constraints from clumped isotope thermometry, in situ calcite U-Pb dating, and zircon U-Th/He thermochronology, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2777, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2777, 2024.

Dating Quaternary carbonates and phosphates beyond the range of U-series geochronology is challenging, but recent studies have shown potential using the method of LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology. Terrestrial materials altered and produced by pedogenic processes are particularly challenging, as they are usually rich in common Pb and poor in U; however, they provide some of the rare opportunities to directly date important archaeological artefacts. Our aim is to advance the age constraints of the hominin presence in the Zarqa Valley, Jordan, an important geomorphological feature with the oldest hominin artefact outside Africa. Along with new Ar-Ar geochronology of sequence-bounding basalts and new palaeomagnetic constraints, our approach is to: (1) review published U-Pb data of 2019; (2) conduct LA-ICP-MS U-Pb analyses in various pedogenic carbonates (calcrete) that cap the artefact-bearing deposits along with mammoth fossil remains; and (3) review the regional ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio estimate required for calculation of accurate U-Pb ages.

A previous attempt to date hominin artifacts in the valley yielded an age of 1.98 ± 0.20 Ma for calcrete material, which is a weighted mean of several individual U-Pb isochrons derived from laminated calcretes, cracks, pore spaces and cement, and corrected by an initial ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio of 1.5 ± 0.5. We calculated an alternative, statistically favourable, age based on pooling the data into a single Tera-Wasserburg regression, resulting in 1.93 ± 0.44 Ma.

Our LA-ICP-MS analysis thus far has not yielded a new significant age, but we have focussed on understanding the U and Pb compositions in a range of materials, including calcretes, rhizoliths, fossil coatings and Mammalian fossils. Biogenic spherulite laminae in laminar calcrete have higher U (0.56 ± 0.064 ppm) and lower Pb contents (0.61 ± 0.15 ppm) compared to abiogenic cracks and cement (0.33 ± 0.084 and 0.9 ± 2 ppm, respectively). Although far from desirable for U-Pb geochronology, for now, the spherulite laminae seems to be the most suitable micromorphology to date calcrete. Coarse spar of rhizoconcretions have very low U contents (0.07 ± 0.35 ppm), leading to unfavourable U/Pb ratios. Two fragments of a mammoth molar from an artefact-bearing deposit have been analysed; one is part of the crown having dentine and enamel, and the other one is dentine of the root. The crown and root fragments have high U concentrations of 33 ± 11 and 13.7 ± 9.9 ppm, respectively, but with their high Pb contents they still yield a low spread in U/Pb ratios and very imprecise lower intercept ages. Using LA-ICP-MS mapping to better identify areas of alteration, we pooled U-Th-Pb spot data from regions with low Y (<5 ppm), Mn (<50 ppm), Al (<100 ppm), Th (< 0.05 ppm) and high P (> 7200 ppm), which correlated with the central portion of the dentine. These data yielded an age, using the combined U-Pb and Th-Pb calculation, of 1.9 ± 1.1 Ma; although very imprecise, it shows potential for further refinement.

How to cite: Cerqueira, J. C., Roberts, N. M. W., Scardia, G., Parenti, F., Ladeira, F., and Neves, W.: U-Pb geochronology of Quaternary pedogenic carbonates and teeth from archaeological sites of Zarqa Valley, Jordan, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-5861, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-5861, 2024.

Crystals grow in supersaturated solutions. A mysterious counterexample is dolomite CaMg(CO₃)₂, a geologically-abundant sedimentary mineral that does not readily grow at ambient conditions, not even under highly supersaturated solutions. Using atomistic simulations, we show that dolomite initially precipitates a cation-disordered surface, where high surface strains inhibit further crystal growth. However, mild undersaturation will preferentially dissolve these disordered regions, enabling increased order upon reprecipitation. Our simulations predict that frequent cycling of a solution between supersaturation and undersaturation can accelerate dolomite growth by up to seven orders of magnitude. We validate our theory with in situ liquid cell TEM—directly observing bulk dolomite growth following pulses of dissolution. This mechanism explains why modern dolomite is primarily found in natural environments with pH or salinity fluctuations. More generally, it reveals that the growth and ripening of defect-free crystals can be facilitated by deliberate periods of mild dissolution. [Kim et al., Science: adi3690 (2023)]

How to cite: Sun, W.: Dissolution enables dolomite growth near ambient conditions, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3567, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3567, 2024.

Understanding the stability of carbonates under high pressure and temperature is essential for modelling the carbon balance and cycle in the deep Earth. In the presence of an H₂O-containing fluid, the melting curve of carbonates can be strongly reduced to a lower temperature. Since magnesite is an important carbonate host in the Earth's mantle, the melting curve of magnesite in the presence of an H₂O-containing fluid is of particular interest.

Here we report results from in situ synchrotron energy dispersive X-ray diffraction experiments and use texture observations from ex situ falling sphere experiments in the brucite-magnesite system between 1 and 12 GPa. We define the dehydration and melting curve of brucite and elucidate the stability of magnesite in the presence of a liquid and periclase.

The observed liquidus provides information on the fate of magnesite-bearing rocks in subduction zones. Our results show that magnesite remains stable under typical subduction zone gradients even when infiltrated by hydrous fluids released by dehydration reactions during subduction. We conclude that magnesite can be subducted to depths below the arc and beyond. Our results therefore have important implications for the carbon budget of the Earth's mantle and its role in the regulation of the carbon cycle.

How to cite: Sieber, M. J., Reichmann, H. J., Farla, R., and Koch-Müller, M.: Stability of magnesite (MgCO3) in the presence of a hydrous fluid in the upper mantle, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-18595, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-18595, 2024.

The behaviour of rare earth elements (REE), U-Pb, Sm-Nd, and Sr-Sr isotope compositions in accessory minerals provides a unique opportunity to track fluid sources and investigate trace element mobilization during fluid-assisted metamorphism. Metapelites of the Southern Marginal Zone (SMZ), Limpopo Belt (Bandelierkop formation), South Africa, experienced a ca. 2.7 Ga granulite-facies event in which the rocks underwent anatexis. The southern portion of the SMZ contains dispersed fragments of retrogressed metapelites with ubiquitous amphibolite facies assemblages including biotite, orthoamphibole, kyanite and a 2^nd generation of garnet replacing cordierite, equilibrated under 660-600ºC and ≥ 0.6GPa. The hydrated metapelites contain graphite intergrown with the retrograde assemblages, indicating a mixed H₂O-CO₂ fluid and a rock-dominated system. However, the source of the fluids that caused the retrogression remains unclear. Previous studies suggested that hydrating fluids were originally internally derived from the crystallizing in-situ melts, in sediments containing biogenic graphite, or that an externally derived CO₂ and H₂O-bearing fluid infiltrated the metapelites through shear zone systems. For the latter, some studies have proposed that this occurred during uplift of the granulite directly after Neo-Archean peak metamorphism, while others have used rutile U-Pb ages of ca. 2.1 Ga to argue for Paleoproterozoic retrogression.

This study investigated the geochemistry of garnet, apatite, and monazite from the hydrated zone metapelites to understand the origin of the fluids. Garnet trace elements show two distinct populations described as Grt1 (Eu/Eu*=0.36) and Grt2 (Eu/Eu*=1.55). Monazite shows relatively homogeneous REE pattern for distinct samples with a slight variation in HREE and negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.20-0.38). As for apatite the REE pattern is variable and distinct within and between samples (Eu/Eu*=0.36-0.37). 2741 Ma to 2707 Ma U-Pb monazite ages suggest that the amphibolite-facies assemblages are mainly related to the ca. 2.7 Ga granulite-facies event. U-Pb apatite dating yielded younger ages ranging from ca. 2057 Ma to 2047 Ma. Sm-Nd isochron of apatite yielded an initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.50950 ± 0.00100; 2s; n = 21; MSWD = 4.6) equivalent, within uncertainties, to the monazite initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.50882 ± 0.00030; 2s; n = 30; MSWD = 0.81). Monazite and apatite preserved its primary 2.7 Ga Sm-Nd isotope signature, but the U-Pb apatite system was reset at ca. 2.05Ga by solid-state diffusion. Thus, apatite reacted in the presence of a disequilibrium fluid in the Neo-Archean, as evidenced by the REE chemical variation, but did not experience dissolution/reprecipitation processes.  

We propose that the retrogressed zone of the SMZ experienced a Neo-Archean peak granulite-facies followed by amphibolite-facies retrogression, in which an internally derived fluid interacted with the metapelites. This is supported by published Sm-Nd bulk rock compositions that follow the same evolution trend as these samples, indicating a closed system history in the retrogressed zone of the SMZ. The rocks also record a Paleoproterozoic, lower-temperature, amphibolite-facies re-heating event, responsible for the resetting of the apatite. Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁸Sr = 0.7130±0.0014 (2s; n = 19; MSWD = 13) indicates a continental origin for the fluids that crystallized the apatite.

How to cite: Mazoz, A., Stevens, G., Moyen, J.-F., Gonçalves, G., Ferreira, A., and Santos, R. V.: Unravelling fluid-rock interaction in the hydrated zone of the Southern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Belt - South Africa: a geochemical investigation based on U-Pb geochronology and Sm-Nd isotope composition of monazite and apatite in metapelites , EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-791, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-791, 2024.

Carbonatite has enormous potential for rare earth element resources, typically enriched in light rare earth elements, and has attracted increasing attention from geologists and economists. However, there are a small number of documented instances of carbonatite-related heavy rare earth elements enrichment. The Jialu carbonatites in the Qinling orogenic belt (central China) are characterized by the enrichment of heavy rare earth elements compared with typical global carbonatites. The carbonatites are dominantly comprised of calcite, quartz, sulfate, K-feldspar, minor sulfides, and rare earth minerals such as monazite, bastnäsite, parisite, and xenotime, with two mineralization stages including the early quartz-K-feldspar-calcite stage (Stage I) and the late sulfide-rare earth mineral-calcite stage (Stage II). The rare earth element contents of Stage I calcite are higher than those of the Stage II, especially heavy rare earth elements. Calcite from the different mineralization stages exhibits variable chondrite-normalized REE patterns, with the heavy rare earth elements and rare earth element abundances (134–1023 ppm) decreasing from the early to the late stage owing to the crystallization of xenotime. The δ¹³C (−5.39‰ to −6.68‰) and slightly higher δ¹⁸O (10.77‰ to 12.60‰) values for calcite from the Jialu carbonatites generally deviate from the values observed in the primary carbonatite field, which may be a result of Rayleigh-type fractionation. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating shows the lower-intercept ages of 243.8 ± 5 and 237.6 ± 1.3 Ma for the monazite and xenotime, respectively, with the weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 240.9 ± 6 and 239.2 ± 1.3 Ma. These results indicate that the Jialu deposit was concurrent with Triassic carbonatite magmatism and rare earth element mineralization observed on the southern margin of the North China Craton. This implies that this region may have great rare earth element mineralization potential.

How to cite: Li, F., Zeng, Q., Fan, H., and Yang, K.: Unusual heavy rare earth elements enrichment and mineralization age in the Jialu deposit from the Qinling Orogen, central China, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-14613, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14613, 2024.

Calcite is a common syn-kinematic precipitate in upper crustal fault zones coating slickensides, forming slickenfibers, and infilling veins. Structural and geochemical analyses of fault-related calcites can be used to unravel the source, distribution, and mixing of parental fluids in association with past fault activity. Identifying deeply sourced fluids through syn-kinematic calcites is of paramount importance, as the correlation of the ascent of deep sourced fluids with strong earthquakes, may allow using hydrogeochemical modifications in groundwater as potential seismic precursors. In this study, we investigate the origin of syn-kinematic paleo-fluids that circulated along the Val d’Agri faults, in southern Italy. These faults bound an intermontane basin topping the largest onshore oil field in Western Europe. Since the Val d’Agri Basin is affected by natural seismicity and low magnitude oil production induced earthquakes, it is necessary to assess the potential threats of hydrocarbon fault leakage at shallow crustal levels. With this aim, we collected about 350 syn-tectonic calcites along high-angle extensional-transtensional fault zones. By combining macro- and micro- scale structural observations with carbonate isotopes (C, O, clumped, and Sr) and rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) geochemistry, we identified 5 fluid sources: (1) meteoric waters in geochemical and thermal disequilibrium with the host rocks, which interacted with superficial soil; (2) meteoric waters in geochemical disequilibrium and thermal equilibrium with the host rocks, which had limited interaction with the host rocks; (3) buffered fluids in geochemical and thermal equilibrium with the host rocks; (4) high temperature fluids in geochemical equilibrium and thermal disequilibrium with the host rocks, which ascended from the carbonate hydrocarbon reservoir; (5) hot meteoric waters in thermal and geochemical disequilibrium with the host rocks, which mixed with the deeply sourced fluids. The presence of multiple fluids is consistent with an open fault-related circulation system, which allowed mixing of shallow and deep fluids through the high-angle extensional-transtensional Val d’Agri faults. Given the societal and economic issues of this area, the recognized involvement of deep fluids during past fault activity is crucial for the context of oil exploration and production as well as for environmental monitoring. Furthermore, this suggests that the Val d’Agri Basin is an ideal region to explore fluid-fault relationships throughout the entire seismic cycle through local seismicity records and continuous groundwater monitoring.

How to cite: Schirripa Spagnolo, G., Bernasconi, S., Aldega, L., Castorina, F., Agosta, F., Billi, A., Prosser, G., Smeraglia, L., and Carminati, E.: The Isotope and REY geochemistry of fault-related calcites document syn-kinematic fluid distribution along the Val d’Agri faults (southern Italy), EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-1982, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-1982, 2024.

The Tethyan Phosphogenic Province is one of the widest of its kind, representing an outstanding period of phosphate deposition principally in the Upper Cretaceous-Eocene period. The main aim of this study is to compare the Turkish phosphorites occurring along the southern side of the Neo Tethyan Ocean due to suitable seawater temperature and upwelling oceanic currents with Albanian phosphorites were deposited in higher latitudes and colder climates, in the same ocean. The Şemikan (Türkiye) phosphorites consist mainly of cream-coloured (CCP) and locally reddish phosphorites (RP) occurring as lenses or concordant blankets within high-grade cream phosphorites. Based on microscopic examination, cream-coloured phosphorites consist of phosphatic pellets, intraclasts, bioclasts (fossilized shark teeth, ostracods etc.) and nonphosphatic components, with texture changing from wackestone to packstone, testifying shallow marine depositional environment. Whereas, Gusmari (Albania) phosphorites consist of laminated phosphorites (LP), of mudstone/wackestone texture, with planktonic foraminifera Globotruncanidae, where the phosphate is sedimentary, and alternating laminae of phosphate and pelagic carbonate. Besides this, under SEM-EDS, 5µm crystals of the major ore of uranium, UO₂, were evidenced for the first time in LP. The mineralogical analyses showed that the CCP consisted of carbonate-rich fluorapatite, minor calcite and quartz. The RP consisted predominantly of carbonate-rich fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, montmorillonite, and minor quartz. The LP consisted predominantly of calcite, carbonate-rich fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, and traces of quartz. The mean P₂O₅ content of the CCP is 29%, RP and LP 14%, which is lower than that of other well-known global phosphorite deposits. The CaO content of the CCP, RP and LP ore is also higher than that of other global deposits because of a calcite matrix between phosphorite pellets. Based on preliminary results of trace elements CCP, RP and LP show a general trace element scarcity compared to the trace element averages of the world’s average phosphorites. The main reason for this deficiency is the rapid sedimentation or high burial rate in the sedimentary basin, which prevents the replacement of carbonate-rich fluorapatite by trace elements.

How to cite: Fociro, A., Öztürk, H., Sinojmeri, A., Cansu, Z., Moisiu, L., Çelik, Y., Nazaj, S., and Prifti, I.: Petrographic and Geochemical Analysis of Upper Cretaceous Phosphorites in Şemikan, Turkey and Gusmari, Albania: Insights into Depositional Environments and Palaeoceanographic Conditions, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2875, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2875, 2024.