In situ U-Pb zircon geochronology of Neogene garnet-bearing lavas from Slovakia (Carpatho-Pannonian region, Central Europe)

International audienceZircons armored in garnet from four Neogene lavas of Slovakia (three andesites and one dacite) were dated in situ, using excimer laser ablation ICP-MS. For the andesites, the 66 analytical points yield a lower intercept age of 13.3 ± 0.1 Ma (MSWD = 1.2), which is older than the age of 12.4 ± 0.2 Ma recorded for the dacite. U-Pb ages obtained in this study are significantly younger than the Lower Badenian ages (K-Ar and fission-track dating coupled with biostratigraphic correlations) classically assumed for the garnet-bearing lavas of the Western Carpathians, with a minimum discrepancy of 3 Ma. Accessorily, a composite zircon with an inherited core reveals that some Pan-African crustal component is present at depth. Garnet-bearing andesites and dacites potentially bear critical information about melt generation in the lower crust and possible recycling of pre-existing crust into igneous rocks. Practically, the problem is to assess the nature of the melt from which the garnet actually grew. For this purpose, zircon grains included into garnet may help to clarify the beginning of the magma history. It seems likely that zircon was not grown from the bulk dacitic or andesitic melt but rather from a specific rhyolitic batch. Later mixing and consecutive change in magma chemistry explain that free zircons in the melt were almost totally dissolved, whereas zircons shielded into garnets were preserved. Finally, owing to their Miocene age, the zircon grains armored into garnet preclude any restitic origin for their host and definitely demonstrate the magmatic origin of garnet

Le pointement de péridotite à grenat-spinelle de La Croix-Valmer (Maures centrales): un cumulat d'affinité océanique impliqué dans la subduction éohercynienne?

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NanoSIMS mapping and LA-ICP-MS chemical and U-Th-Pb data in monazite from a xenolith enclosed in andesite (Central Slovakia Volcanic Field)

In this study, we use NanoSIMS element and isotope ratio mapping and LA-ICP-MS trace element measurements to elucidate the origins of monazites from a restitic xenolith enclosed in a 13.5±0.3Ma andesitic lava (Slovakia). The xenolith/lava interaction is mainly characterized by the growth of a plagioclase-bearing corona around the xenolith and magmatic garnet overgrowths on primary metamorphic garnets within the xenolith. NanoSIMS images (89Y, 139La, 208Pb, 232Th and 238U) and trace element analyses indicate that variations of HREE, Y and Eu contents in the monazite are correlated with the resorption and the following overgrowth of garnet and plagioclase in the xenolith. Three domains are distinguished in the monazite grains: the inherited Variscan core at ca. 310Ma (M1 domain) characterized by low Y and HREE contents and a weak negative Eu anomaly; the inner rim (M2 domain) crystallized during the growth of the plagioclase magmatic corona (large negative Eu anomaly) and the resorption of metamorphic garnet (high HREE and Y contents); and the external rim (M3 domain) crystallized during the growth of the plagioclase corona (large negative Eu anomaly) and during the crystallization of magmatic garnet (low Y, HREE contents) at ~13Ma, i.e. the age of the andesitic lava. The age and chemical zonation of the monazites attest to the preservation of primary monazite in the xenolith despite the interaction with the andesite lava. NanoSIMS imaging provides high-quality sub-µm scale images of the monazite that reveals chemical domains that were not distinguishable on WDS X-ray maps, especially for depleted elements such as U and Pb. Owing to its small size, the M2 domain could not be accurately dated by the LA-ICP-MS method. However, NanoSIMS isotopic maps reveal that the M2 domain has similar 208Pb/232Th isotope ratios to the M3 domain and thus similar ages. These results support the hypothesis that melt-assisted partial dissolution-precipitation in monazite efficiently records chemical and mineralogical changes during xenolith/lava interaction

NanoSIMS mapping and LA-ICP-MS chemical and U–Th–Pb data in monazite from a xenolith enclosed in andesite (Central Slovakia Volcanic Field)

International audienceIn this study, we use NanoSIMS element and isotope ratio mapping and LA-ICP-MS trace element measurements to elucidate the origins of monazites from a restitic xenolith enclosed in a 13.5 ± 0.3 Ma andesitic lava (Slovakia). The xenolith/lava interaction is mainly characterized by the growth of a plagioclase-bearing corona around the xenolith and magmatic garnet overgrowths on primary metamorphic garnets within the xenolith. NanoSIMS images (89Y, 139La, 208Pb, 232Th and 238U) and trace element analyses indicate that variations of HREE, Y and Eu contents in the monazite are correlated with the resorption and the following overgrowth of garnet and plagioclase in the xenolith. Three domains are distinguished in the monazite grains: the inherited Variscan core at ca. 310 Ma (M1 domain) characterized by low Y and HREE contents and a weak negative Eu anomaly; the inner rim (M2 domain) crystallized during the growth of the plagioclase magmatic corona (large negative Eu anomaly) and the resorption of metamorphic garnet (high HREE and Y contents); and the external rim (M3 domain) crystallized during the growth of the plagioclase corona (large negative Eu anomaly) and during the crystallization of magmatic garnet (low Y, HREE contents) at ~13 Ma, i.e. the age of the andesitic lava. The age and chemical zonation of the monazites attest to the preservation of primary monazite in the xenolith despite the interaction with the andesite lava. NanoSIMS imaging provides high-quality sub-µm scale images of the monazite that reveals chemical domains that were not distinguishable on WDS X-ray maps, especially for depleted elements such as U and Pb. Owing to its small size, the M2 domain could not be accurately dated by the LA-ICP-MS method. However, NanoSIMS isotopic maps reveal that the M2 domain has similar 208Pb/232Th isotope ratios to the M3 domain and thus similar ages. These results support the hypothesis that melt-assisted partial dissolution–precipitation in monazite efficiently records chemical and mineralogical changes during xenolith/lava interaction

Disturbance versus preservation of U-Th-Pb ages in monazite during fluid-rock interaction: textural, chemical and isotopic in situ study in microgranites (Velay Dome, France)

International audienceMonazite is extensively used to date crustal processes and is usually considered to be resistant to diffusive Pb loss. Nevertheless, fluid-assisted recrystallisation is known to be capable of resetting the monazite chronometer. This study focuses on chemical and isotopic disturbances in monazite grains from two microgranite intrusions in the French Central Massif (Charron and Montasset). Petrologic data and oxygen isotopes suggest that both intrusions have interacted with alkali-bearing hydrothermal-magmatic fluids. In the Charron intrusion, regardless of their textural location, monazite grains are sub-euhedral and cover a large domain of compositions. U-Pb chronometers yield a lower intercept age of 297 ± 4 Ma. An inherited component at 320 Ma is responsible for the scattering of the U-Th-Pb ages. The Montasset intrusion was later affected by an additional F-rich crustal fluid with crystallisation of Ca-REE-fluorocarbonates, fluorite, calcite and chloritisation. Pristine monazite is chemically homogeneous and displays 208Pb/232Th and 206Pb/238U concordant ages at 307 ± 2 Ma. By contrast, groundmass monazite shows dissolution- recrystallisation features associated with apatite and thorite precipitation (Th-silicate) and strong chemical reequilibration. 208Pb/232Th ages are disturbed and range between 270 and 690 Ma showing that the Th/Pb ratio is highly fractionated during the interaction with fluids. Apparent U-Pb ages are older due to common Pb incorporation yielding a lower intercept age at 312 ± 10 Ma, the age of the pristine monazite. These results show that F-rich fluids are responsible for Th mobility and incorporation of excess Pb, which thus strongly disturbed the U-Th-Pb chronometers in the monazite