Zircon is the main mineral in the majority of igneous and metamorphic rocks with Zr as an essential structural constituent. It is a host for significant fractions of the whole-rock abundance of U, Th, Hf, and the REE (Sawka 1988, Bea 1996, O’Hara et al. 2001). These elements are important geochemically as process indicators or parent isotopes for age determination. The importance of zircon in crustal evolution studies is underscored by its predominant use in U-Th-Pb geochronology and investigations of the temporal evolution of both the crust and lithospheric mantle. In the past decade an increasing interest in the composition of zircon, trace-elements in particular, has been motivated by the effort to better constrain in situ microprobe-acquired isotopic ages. Electron-beam compositional imaging and isotope-ratio measurement by in situ beam techniques—and the micrometer-scale spatial resolution that is possible—has revealed in many cases that single zircon crystals contain a record of multiple geologic events. Such events can either be zircon-consuming, alteration, or zircon-forming and may be separated in time by millions or billions of years. In many cases, calculated zircon isotopic ages do not coincide with ages of geologic events determined from other minerals or from whole-rock analysis. To interpret the geologic validity and significance of multiple ages, and ages unsupported by independent analysis of other isotopic systems, has been the impetus for most past investigations of zircon composition. Some recent compositional investigations of zircon have not been directly related to geochronology, but to the ability of zircon to influence or record petrogenetic processes in igneous and metamorphic systems.

Sedimentary rocks may also contain a significant fraction of zircon. Although authigenic zircon has been reported (Saxena 1966, Baruah et al. 1995, Hower et al. 1999), it appears to be very rare and may in fact be related to …

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The Composition of Zircon and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrogenesis

The mineral zircon is extremely variable both in terms of external morphology and internal textures. These features reflect the geologic history of the mineral, especially the relevant episode(s) of magmatic or metamorphic crystallization (and recrystallization), strain imposed both by external forces and by internal volume expansion caused by metamictization, and chemical alteration. The paper presents a selection of both the most typical, but also of the less common, features seen in zircon, categorized according to the different geological processes responsible for their formation. The atlas is intended as a general guide for the interpretation of zircon characteristics, and of related isotopic data.

Zircon has become one of the most widely used minerals for the extraction of information on the prehistory and genesis of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Much of the geological usefulness of zircon stems from its suitability as a geochronometer based on the decay of U (and Th) to Pb, but in addition it is also the major host of the radiogenic isotopic tracer Hf, and it is used to determine oxygen isotopic compositions and REE and other trace element abundances, all of which yield useful clues concerning the history of the host rock, and in some case, the parent rock in which the precursor zircon crystallized.

One of the major advantages of zircon is its ability to survive magmatic, metamorphic and erosional processes that destroy most other common minerals. Zircon-forming events tend to be preserved as distinct structural entities on a pre-existing zircon grain. Because of this ability, quite commonly zircon consists of distinct segments, each preserving a particular period of zircon-formation (or consumption). A long experience and modern instrumentation and techniques have provided the “zircon community” the means to image and interpret preserved textures, and hence to decipher the history and evolution of a rock. One …

Atlas of Zircon Textures

We present the first finding of continental crust-derived Precambrian zircons in garnet/spinel pyroxenite veins within mantle xenoliths carried by the Neogene Hannuoba basalt in the central zone of the North China Craton (NCC). Petrological and geochemical features indicate that these mantle-derived composite xenoliths were formed by silicic melt^lherzolite interaction. The Precambrian zircon ages can be classified into three age groups of 2·4^2·5 Ga, 1·6^2·2 Ga and 0·6^1·2 Ga, coinciding with major geological events in the NCC. These Precambrian zircons fall in the field of continental granitoid rocks in plots of U/Yb vs Hf and Y. Their igneous-type REE patterns and metamorphic zircon type CL images indicate that they were not crystallized during melt^peridotite interaction and subsequent high-pressure metamorphism.The 2·5 Ga zircons have positive eHf(t) values (2·9^10·6), whereas the younger Precambrian zircons are dominated by negative eHf(t) values, indicating an ancient continental crustal origin.These observations suggest that the Precambrian zircons were xenocrysts that survived melting of recycled continental crustal rocks and were then injected with silicate melt into the host peridotite. In addition to the Precambrian zircons, igneous zircons of 315 3 Ma (2 ), 80^170 Ma and 48^64 Ma were separated from the garnet/spinel pyroxenite veins; these provide evidence for lower continental crust and oceanic crust recycling-induced multi-episodic melt^peridotite interactions in the central zone of the NCC. The combination of the positive eHf(t) values (2·91^24·6) of the 315 Ma zircons with the rare occurrence of 302^324 Ma subduction-related diorite^granite plutons in the northern margin of the NCC implies that the 315 Ma igneous zircons might record melt^peridotite interactions in the lithospheric mantle induced by Palaeo-Asian oceanic crust subduction. Igneous zircons of age 80^170 Ma generally coexist with the Precambrian metamorphic zircons and have lower Ce/Yb and Th/U ratios, higher U/Yb ratios and greater negative Eu anomalies.The eHf(t) values of these zircons vary greatly from ^47·6 to 24·6.The 170^110 Ma zircons are generally characterized by negative eHf(t) values, whereas the 110^100 Ma zircons have positive eHf(t) values.These observations suggest that melt^peridotite interactions at 80^170 Ma were induced by partial melting of recycled continental crust. The 48^64 Ma igneous zircons are characterized by negligible Ce anomalies, unusually high REE, U and Th contents, and positive eHf(t) values.These features imply that the melt^peridotite interactions at 48^64 Ma could be associated with a depleted mantle-derived carbonate melt or fluid.

Continental and Oceanic Crust Recycling-induced Melt^Peridotite Interactions in the Trans-North China Orogen: U^Pb Dating, Hf Isotopes and Trace Elements in Zircons from Mantle Xenoliths

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/EHaz/ConvergentPlatesClass/macpherson/martin_etal_2005.pdf

An overview of adakite, tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG), and sanukitoid: relationships and some implications for crustal evolution

A model for the generation of intermediate and silicic igneous rocks is presented, based on experimental data and numerical modelling. The model is directed at subduction-related magmatism, but has general applicability to magmas generated in other plate tectonic settings, including continental rift zones. In the model mantlederived hydrous basalts emplaced as a succession of sills into the lower crust generate a deep crustal hot zone. Numerical modelling of the hot zone shows that melts are generated from two distinct sources; partial crystallization of basalt sills to produce residual H2O-rich melts; and partial melting of pre-existing crustal rocks. Incubation times between the injection of the first sill and generation of residual melts from basalt crystallization are controlled by the initial geotherm, the magma input rate and the emplacement depth. After this incubation period, the melt fraction and composition of residual melts are controlled by the temperature of the crust into which the basalt is intruded. Heat and H2O transfer from the crystallizing basalt promote partial melting of the surrounding crust, which can include meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous basement rocks and earlier basalt intrusions. Mixing of residual and crustal partial melts leads to diversity in isotope and trace element chemistry. Hot zone melts are H2O-rich. Consequently, they have low viscosity and density, and can readily detach from their source and ascend rapidly. In the case of adiabatic ascent the magma attains a super-liquidus state, because of the relative slopes of the adiabat and the liquidus. This leads to resorption of any entrained crystals or country rock xenoliths. Crystallization begins only when the ascending magma intersects its H2O-saturated liquidus at shallow depths. Decompression and degassing are the driving forces behind crystallization, which takes place at shallow depth on timescales of decades or less. Degassing and crystallization at shallow depth lead to large increases in viscosity and stalling of the magma to form volcano-feeding magma chambers and shallow plutons. It is proposed that chemical diversity in arc magmas is largely acquired in the lower crust, whereas textural diversity is related to shallow-level crystallization.

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The Genesis of Intermediate and Silicic Magmas in Deep Crustal Hot Zones

Dehydration melting of metabasalt at 8-32 kbar : Implications for continental growth and crust-mantle recycling

Partial melting of amphibolite/eclogite and the origin of Archean trondhjemites and tonalites

A series of monazite dissolution experiments was conducted in a hydrous (1–6 wt%) granitic melt at 8 kbar over the temperature range 1,000–1,400° C A polished cube of monazite was immersed in a natural obsidian melt and allowed to partially dissolve Electron microprobe traverses perpendicular to the crystal-melt interface revealed concentration gradients in the LREEs and P Diffusivities of the LREEs and P were calculated from these profiles, yielding the following Arrhenius relations for the LREEs: D=023 exp(−601 kcal mol−1/RT) at 6% water D=230×107 exp(−1221 kcal mol−1/RT) at 1% water These results demonstrate the importance of dissolved water on REE diffusion Phosphorus diffusivities are nearly identical to those of the rare-earths, suggesting that P diffusion charge-compensates REE diffusion The concentration of LREEs required for monazite saturation in these melts is given by the level of dissolved LREEs at the crystal-melt interface These values also show a dependence on dissolved water, with LREEsat=60 ppm at 6% H2O when extrapolated down to 700° C, and LREEsat=30 ppm at 1% H2O Calculated dissolution rates based on the above parameters indicate that minute ( 2% H2O), whereas larger (> 50 μm) crystals will likely be residual over the duration of an anatectic event The low solubility of monazite in this melt suggests that the LREE depletion observed in some felsic differentiation suites may be the result of monazite crystallization Limited experimental and geochemical/petrologic evidence indicates that compositional changes in the melt accompanying differentiation decrease the solubility of monazite drastically Kinetic and chemical constraints may also lead to localized monazite saturation and inclusion in major phases or even other accessories Variations in the REE composition of monazite from different parageneses probably reflects the REE pattern of the parent melt, and may be due to gradational differences in the stability of individual or subgroup REE-complexes as a function of melt composition Particularly important in this regard seems to be the lime+alkali/alumina balance of the melt and its volatile content

Monazite solubility and dissolution kinetics: implications for the thorium and light rare earth chemistry of felsic magmas

A major host for LREE and the heat producing elements Th and U in peraluminous granites is monazite, and the stability of monazite will affect the redistribution of these elements within the crust during anatexis. The compositional stability of monazite in "granitic" melts ranging from peraluminous to metaluminous compostions has been investigated under water-saturated conditions between 850-1000°C, at 8 Kb. Monazite solubility (concentration of LREE's in saturated melts) increases with the values of M > 1.3 [=(2Ca+Na+K)/(AlXSi) in the melt], and is constant for M < 1.3. The temperature dependence of monazite saturation has been determined by Rapp and Watson [1986] for a melt of M = 1.3 and model should be applicable to all peraluminous magmas. Application of the monazite solubility model to crustal anatexis indicates that for fusion temperatures at or below 800°C, anatexis producing peraluminous magmas may lead to an enrichment of monazite in the restitic lower crust depending upon the initial LREE concentration in the source. At temperatures approaching 850°C, enrichment of monazite in the lower crust by anatexis is unlikely due to the high monazite-saturation concentrations.

Experimental evidence bearing on the stability of monazite during crustal anaatexis

In general, accessory minerals are expected to participate in partial fusion of their host rocks to a degree determined simply by their solubilities in the melt. The possibility must be recognized, however, that a given accessory grain may be physically isolated from the melt by inclusion within a residual major mineral. Because of the importance of accessory minerals to crustal-rock trace element and isotope geochemistry, and because of their common existence as inclusions in major phases, we undertook an evaluation of the factors that affect inclusion formation during ultrametamorphism. Three approaches are taken: 1) a review of interfacial energy considerations is used to show that the free energy of the system is lowered by location of accessory minerals at major-phase grain perimeters, and that the magnitude of this effect is proportional to the square of the accessory grain radius; 2) annealing and partial melting experiments (1000° C, 10 and 15 kbar) on rock analogs are described, and the results are shown to confirm the predicted tendency of accessory minerals to occupy grain boundaries; and 3) the results of a study of accessory phase (rutile and zircon) distribution in a migmatite from the Tibetan slab are reported, again in confirmation of the prediction that accessories tend to be situated at majorphase grain perimeters. The latter two aspects of the study reveal that, although included accessory grains are common, their generally small size results in only a minor contribution to the bulk-rock budget of accessory mineral components: Most of the mass of these components is contained within populations of generally larger accessory grains located at major-phase grain boundaries. Accordingly, the assumption that accessory minerals are involved in crustal melting is generally valid.

Robert P. Rapp

Papers

Dehydration melting of metabasalt at 8-32 kbar : Implications for continental growth and crust-mantle recycling

Partial melting of amphibolite/eclogite and the origin of Archean trondhjemites and tonalites

Monazite solubility and dissolution kinetics: implications for the thorium and light rare earth chemistry of felsic magmas

Experimental evidence bearing on the stability of monazite during crustal anaatexis

Inclusion/host relations involving accessory minerals in high-grade metamorphic and anatectic rocks