Iron-Copper-Zinc Isotopic Compositions of Andesites from the Kueishantao Hydrothermal Field off Northeastern Taiwan

The studies of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) isotopic compositions in seafloor andesites are helpful in understanding the metal stable isotope fractionation during magma evolution. Here, the Fe, Cu, and Zn isotopic compositions of andesites from the Kueishantao hydrothermal field (KHF) off northeastern Taiwan, west Pacific, have been studied. The majority of δ56Fe values (+0.02‰ to +0.11‰) in the KHF andesites are consistent with those of MORBs (mid-ocean ridge basalts). This suggests that the Fe in the KHF andesites is mainly from a MORB-type mantle. The Fe-Cu-Zn isotopic compositions (δ56Fe +0.22‰, δ65Cu +0.16‰ to +0.64‰, and δ66Zn +0.29‰ to +0.71‰) of the KHF andesites, which are significantly different from those of the MORBs and the continental crust (CC), have a relatively wide range of Cu and Zn isotopic compositions. This is most likely to be a result of the entrainment of the sedimentary carbonate-derived components into an andesitic magma. The recycled altered rocks (higher δ56Fe, lower δ66Zn) could preferentially incorporate isotopically light Fe and heavy Zn into the magma, resulting in relative enrichment of the lighter Fe and heavier Zn isotopes in the andesites. The majority of the δ56Fe values in the KHF andesites are higher than those of the sediments and the local CC and lower than those of the subducted altered rocks, while the reverse is true for δ66Zn, suggesting that the subseafloor sediments and CC materials (lower δ56Fe, higher δ66Zn) contaminating the rising andesitic magma could preferentially incorporate isotopically heavy Fe and light Zn into the magma, resulting in relative enrichment of the heavier Fe and lighter Zn isotopes in the andesites. Thus, the characteristics of the Fe and Zn isotopes in back-arc and island-arc volcanic rocks may also be influenced by the CC and plate subduction components.

Evidence for iron-rich sulfate melt during magnetite(-apatite) mineralization at El Laco, Chile

The origins of Kiruna-type magnetite(-apatite) [Mt(-Ap)] deposits are contentious, with existing models ranging from purely hydrothermal to orthomagmatic end members. Here, we evaluate the compositions of fluids that formed the classic yet enigmatic Mt(-Ap) deposit at El Laco, northern Chile. We report evidence that ore-stage minerals crystallized from an Fe-rich (6–17 wt% Fe) sulfate melt. We suggest that a major component of the liquid was derived from assimilation of evaporite-bearing sedimentary rocks during emplacement of andesitic magma at depth. Hence, we argue that assimilation of evaporite-bearing sedimentary strata played a key role in the formation of El Laco and likely Mt(-Ap) deposits elsewhere.

Extraction of high-silica granites from an upper crustal magma reservoir: Insights from the Narusongduo magmatic system, Gangdese arc

The genesis of high-silica igneous rocks is important for understanding the behavior of shallow magmatic systems. However, although many such studies have focused on the eruption of crystal-poor high-SiO2 rhyolites, the origin of high-silica granites (HSGs) has received comparatively little attention. Here, we present a detailed study of HSGs from the Narusongduo volcanic complex, Gangdese arc. Combining zircon U-Pb geochronology with stratigraphic investigations, we show that the Narusongduo magmatic system was constructed over a period of ≥3.7 Myr with or without lulls. On the basis of zircon textures and ages, diverse zircon populations, including antecrysts and autocrysts, are recognized within the HSGs and volcanic rocks. All of the igneous rocks within the Narusongduo volcanic complex have highly radiogenic Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. Our results indicate the presence of an andesitic magma reservoir in the upper crust at a paleodepth of ~8 km. Ubiquitous zircon antecrysts in the HSGs, combined with compositional similarities between the HSGs and evolved melts of the andesitic magma reservoir, indicate that the Narusongduo HSGs represent melts extracted from the shallow magma reservoir. In addition, our results suggest that magma recharge promoted the escape of high-silica melts to form the Narusongduo HSGs. This work presents an excellent case that kilometer-scale high-silica granites are the differentiated products from an upper crustal magma reservoir. It would make a contribution to contemporary debates concerning the efficiency of crystal–melt separation in upper crustal magmatic systems.