The Fe-Zn Isotopic Characteristics and Fractionation Models: Implications for the Genesis of the Zhaxikang Sb-Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Southern Tibet

The genesis of the Zhaxikang Sb-Pb-Zn-Ag deposit remains controversial. Three different geological environments have been proposed to model mineralization: a hot spring, a magmatic-hydrothermal fluid, and a sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) overprinted by a hot spring. Here, we present the electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and Fe-Zn isotopic data (microsampled) of four samples from the first pulse of mineralization that show annular textures to constrain ore genesis. The Zn/Cd ratios from the EPMA data of sphalerite range from 296 to 399 and overlap the range of exhalative systems. The δ56Fe values of Mn-Fe carbonate and δ66Zn values of sphalerite gradually decrease from early to late stages in three samples. A combination of the EPMA and isotopic data shows the Fe-Zn contents also have different correlations with δ66Zn values in sphalerite from these samples. Rayleigh distillation models this isotope and concentration data with the cause of fractionation related to vapour-liquid partitioning and mineral precipitation. In order to verify this Rayleigh distillation model, we combine our Fe-Zn isotopic data with those from previous studies to establish 12 Fe-Zn isotopic fractionation models. These fractionation models indicate the δ56Fei and δ66Zni values (initial Fe-Zn isotopic compositions) of the ore-forming system are in the range of -0.5‰​​ ~−1‰ and -0.28‰​ ~0‰, respectively. To conclude, the EPMA data, Fe-Zn isotopic characteristics, and fractionation models support the SEDEX model for the first pulse of mineralization

Geology, Mineralogy, Fluid Inclusion, and H–O–S–Pb Isotope Constraints on Ore Genesis of the Keyue Sb–Pb–Zn–Ag Deposit in Southern Tibet

The Keyue deposit is a medium-sized deposit similar to the Zhaxikang deposit within the North Himalayan Metallogenic Belt (NHMB). The ore formation can be divided into Pb–Zn mineralization (stages 1 and 2), Sb–Ag mineralization (stages 3 and 4), and Sb–Hg mineralization (stages 5 and 6). The fluid inclusion data show that the first two pulses of mineralization have different characteristics, but both belong to the epithermal category (stage 2: 172.9~277.2°C, 7.4~17.0 wt% NaCl eq.; stages 3 and 4: 142.1~321.0°C, 2.7~17.96 wt% NaCl eq.). The H–O isotopic compositions of stages 3 and 4 quartz (δDV-SMOW: –174‰~−120‰, δ18OH2O: 1.59‰~11.34‰) are similar to those of stages 3 and 4 minerals (δDV-SMOW: –165‰~−150‰, δ18OH2O: 6.14‰~13.03‰), whereas they are different from stage 1 and 2 (δDV-SMOW: –108.3‰~−103.6‰, δ18OH2O: 1.92‰~3.82‰) and stage 5 and 6 (δDV-SMOW: –165‰~−138‰, δ18OH2O: −12.91‰~0.82‰) minerals from the Zhaxikang deposit. Additionally, stage 2 sulfides have δ34S values of 5.4‰~11.2‰ that are similar to stage 2 sulfides in the Zhaxikang deposit (7.8‰~12.2‰), and these δ34S values overlap those of many SEDEX-type deposits. The δ34S values also show a decreasing trend from stage 2 through stages 3 and 4 to stage 5 in Keyue and Zhaxikang deposits, which may relate to the overprint by later mineralization events. The Pb isotopic data (206Pb/204Pb: 18.530~19.780, 207Pb/204Pb: 15.674~15.939, and 208Pb/204Pb: 38.618~40.559) show a significant crustal contribution. However, the minerals from different pulses of mineralization also exhibit slightly different Pb isotopic characteristics. These inferences from fluid inclusions and isotope are also demonstrated by geological and mineralogical evidence. Overall, the Keyue deposit is an epithermal deposit and has mainly experienced three pulses of mineralization

Chromite-Bearing Peridotite Identification, Based on Spectral Analysis and Machine Learning: A Case Study of the Luobusa Area, Tibet, China

Chromite is a strategic mineral resource for many countries, and chromite deposit occurrences are widespread in the ultramafic rocks of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite belt, particularly in the harzburgite unit of the mantle section. Conducting field surveys in complex and poorly accessible terrain is challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. Remote sensing is an advanced method of achieving modern geological work and is a powerful technical means of geological research and mineral exploration. In order to delineate outcrops of chromite-bearing mantle peridotite, the present research study integrates seven image-enhancement techniques, including optimal band combination, decorrelation stretching, band ratio, independent component analysis, principal component analysis, minimum noise fraction, and false color composite, for the interpretation of Landsat8 OLI and WorldView-2 satellite data. This integrated approach allows the effective discrimination of chromite-containing peridotite outcrops in the Luobusa area, Tibet. The interpretation results derived from these integrated image-processing techniques were systematically verified in the field and formed the basis of the feature selection process of different lithologies supported by the support vector machine algorithm. Furthermore, the distribution range of the ferric contamination anomaly is detected through the de-interference abnormal principal component thresholding technique, which shows a high spatial matching relationship with mantle peridotite. This is the first study to utilize Landsat8 OLI and WorldView-2 remote sensing satellite data to explore the largest chromite deposit in China, which enriches the research methods for the chromite deposits in the Luobusa area. Accordingly, the results of this investigation indicate that the integration of information extracted from image-processing algorithms using remote sensing data could be a broadly applicable tool for prospecting chromite ore deposits associated with ophiolitic complexes in mountainous and inaccessible regions such as Tibet’s ophiolitic zones

Magma mixing and magmatic-to-hydrothermal fluid evolution revealed by chemical and boron isotopic signatures in tourmaline from the Zhunuo–Beimulang porphyry Cu-Mo deposits

We present coupled textural, elemental, and boron isotopic data of tourmaline from the large Zhunuo–Beimulang collision-related porphyry copper deposits (PCDs) located within the western Gangdese, Tibet. Based on morphology and high-resolution mapping, the tourmaline is classified into three paragenetic generations. The first generation of schorlitic Tur-1 occurs in the monzogranite porphyry as disseminations intergrown with porphyritic K-feldspar and plagioclase. It shows decreasing Fe and Ca and increasing Mg and Al contents from core to rim and has relatively homogeneous δ 11B values (− 9.9 to − 8.6‰); low Fe 3+/(Fe 2+ + Fe 3+), Cu, F, H 2O, and Sr/Y ratios; and high rare earth elements. These features indicate Tur-1 formed in a low fO 2 and metal-poor granitic magma during the pre-mineralization stage. The second generation of porphyritic euhedral Tur-2 is hosted in diorite porphyry enclaves and dikes, where it is intergrown with plagioclase and biotite. It forms part of the schorl-dravite solid solution, with high Fe 3+/(Fe 2+ + Fe 3+), Cu, F, H 2O, Sr/Y, and δ 11B (− 9.7 to − 5.1‰) values. These features indicate it crystallized from a hydrous, oxidized, metal-, and volatile-rich diorite magma. The third generation of Tur-3 is the most volumetrically important and occurs as veinlets and disseminations in the porphyry, or around Tur-1 and Tur-2. It shows radial and oscillatory zoning and is locally intergrown with chalcopyrite and pyrite within the main mineralization assemblage. It has δ 11B values (− 10.5 to − 6.0‰) that overlap with Tur-1 and Tur-2 values. Tur-3 also has variable Fe 3+/(Fe 2+ + Fe 3+), Cu, and volatiles (F and H 2O), indicating it crystallized from oxidized to relatively reducing metal- and volatile-rich hydrothermal fluids. Overall, the three generations of tourmaline show a narrow range of δ 11B values between − 10.5 and − 5.1‰ that are indicative of a single magmatic source. The high Cu, ferric iron, volatiles, and δ 11B values in Tur-2 are interpreted to reflect injection of diorite magma into an open crustal magma storage system that led to the formation of an oxidizing and metal-volatile-rich porphyry system. The three stages of tourmaline formation reflect evolution of the magmatic–hydrothermal system from low fO 2 conditions towards more oxidizing, volatile-rich conditions and then a return to more reducing conditions that accompanied Cu precipitation. Overall, the injection of oxidized metal-rich magma into a long-lived magma reservoir is a critical driving force for the development of collision-related PCDs.</p

Tourmaline chemistry, boron, and strontium isotope systematics trace multiple melt–fluid–rock interaction stages in deeply subducted continental crust

The generation, transport, and recrystallization of slab-derived melts/fluids play a critical role in the deep recycling of elements in subduction zones. While boron (B) isotope systematics have been invoked as an important tracer of these processes, its behavior during metamorphic dehydration and partial melting of deeply subducted continental slabs, and the partitioning of B isotopes between minerals and melts/fluids is not fully understood. Here, we investigate these processes through an in situ study of the major, trace-element, and B-Sr isotope variations in different occurrences of tourmaline in migmatite from the Yuka terrane, North Qaidam orogen (China), which resulted from partial melting of a continental slab at different stages during subduction and exhumation. Based on textural and detailed high-resolution X-ray mapping studies, tourmaline was classified into four paragenetic generations (Tur-I, Tur-II, Tur-III, and Tur-IV). Dravitic Tur-I occurs in melanosomes and shows increasing Fe, Ca, and Ti contents from the core to the outer rim. In addition, it has relatively homogeneous Sr isotope values (0.7407–0.7416) and decreasing δ 11B values (-3.8 to −8.6 ‰) and X Mg (Mg/(Mg + Fe)) ratios, indicating formation in a rock buffered by an aqueous fluid during the prograde to peak metamorphism. Schorlitic Tur-II occurs within selvage zones between melanosomes and leucosomes, and yields high-Fe values and low δ 11B (-13.5 to −10.9 ‰) and more variable 87Sr/ 86Sr (0.7343–0.7418) values, indicating crystallization in the presence of a hydrous melt external derived from breakdown of Fe-rich mineral(s) during partial melting of the subducted slab. Dravitic Tur-III formed in the matrix and also enveloped Tur-II. It shows homogeneous 87Sr/ 86Sr values (0.7411–0.7420) and decreasing δ 11B values (-6.8 to −9.9 ‰) and X Mg ratios as well as increasing Fe and Ti contents from core to outer rim. Formation of Tur-III reflects a transitional stage from hydrous melt to aqueous fluid during exhumation. Tur-IV in the leucosomes is essentially a schorl-dravite solid solution with small amounts of Ca. Its 87Sr/ 86Sr values (0.7402–0.7416) and δ 11B values (-11.4 to −8.5 ‰) are intermediate between the respective values of Tur-II and Tur-III. The formation of Tur-IV likely results from interaction between melt and fluid and, based on its chronological sequence, and is interpreted to have formed during the exhumation stage of the Yuka terrane. Overall, the variable X Mg ratios and δ 11B values in the different generations of tourmalines are a consequence of the evolution of the melt/fluid at different depths within the deeply subducted slab. Decreasing δ 11B values from Tur-I to Tur-II and Tur-III are controlled by the breakdown of different minerals during partial melting or metamorphic dehydration of the subducted slab, while the co-variations of the elemental geochemistry and B isotopic compositions of tourmaline reflect different depths of formation during subduction and exhumation of the lithosphere. These observations suggest tourmaline may serve as a useful tracer of multiple melt/fluid–rock interactions and of boron cycling in continental subduction zones. The heterogeneity of δ 11B in melts/fluids at different depth levels of the continental subducted slab may also result in locally variable B isotope values in syn- and post-collisional magmas. </p

Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Early Cretaceous magmatism in the Jiwa area, central Lhasa Terrane, Tibet

<p>New zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages, Sr-Nd isotopic data, and whole-rock major and trace element data from Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks are reported for the Jiwa area in the southern central Lhasa Terrane of Tibet. These mainly silicic volcanic rocks and subordinate intermediate-basic volcanic rocks have long been considered to be Pliocene (Wuyu Group) or Eocene (Pana Formation) in age. However, our new zircon U–Pb ages constrain the timing of eruption to the Early Cretaceous (124.6 ± 1.6–126.1 ± 1.1 Ma); thus, we have redefined these volcanic rocks as the Lower Cretaceous Zenong Group. The silicic volcanic rocks feature high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic compositions and are mostly strongly peraluminous, rich in Rb, Th, and light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti. They are also characterized by negative whole-rock <i>ε</i>Nd(t) values (–9.1 to –13.1) and variable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. Thus, the geochemical and zircon U–Pb age data of the Jiwa volcanic rocks suggest that these rocks are associated with a continental arc and are mostly likely derived from anatexis of ancient continental crustal material and minor basalt-derived melts. The discovery of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the southern central Lhasa Terrane extends the duration of magmatism triggered by southward subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic lithosphere from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. The spatial distribution of magmatism is also extended 70–80 km to the south. The Lower Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Jiwa area are proposed to be a result of bi-directional subduction, with southward subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic crust and northward subduction of the Yarlung Zangbo oceanic crust. The bi-directional subduction of the oceanic lithosphere and gravitational sinking led to slab retreat at ca. 125 Ma. The roll-back of the slab would have then led to back-arc extension and asthenospheric upwelling. The subduction-induced decompression melting of the mantle led to the generation of widespread rhyolitic volcanism with continental arc geochemical signatures.</p

Large-Scale and Highly Efficient Production of Ultrafine PVA Fibers by Electro-Centrifugal Spinning for NH₃ Adsorption

Ultrafine Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers have an outstanding potential in various applications, especially in absorbing fields. In this manuscript, an electrostatic-field-assisted centrifugal spinning system was designed to improve the production efficiency of ultrafine PVA fibers from PVA aqueous solution for NH3 adsorption. It was established that the fiber production efficiency using this self-designed system could be about 1000 times higher over traditional electrospinning system. The produced PVA fibers establish high morphology homogeneity. The impact of processing variables of the constructed spinning system including rotation speed, needle size, liquid feeding rate, and voltage on fiber morphology and diameter was systematically investigated by SEM studies. To acquire homogeneous ultrafine PVA fiber membranes, the orthogonal experiment was also conducted to optimize the spinning process parameters. The impact weight of different studied parameters on the spinning performance was thus provided. The experimental results showed that the morphology of micro/nano-fibers can be well controlled by adjusting the spinning process parameters. Ultrafine PVA fibers with the diameter of 2.55 μm were successfully obtained applying the parameters, including rotation speed (6500 rpm), needle size (0.51 mm), feeding rate (3000 mL h−1), and voltage (20 kV). Furthermore, the obtained ultrafine PVA fiber mat was demonstrated to be capable of selectively adsorbing NH3 gas relative to CO2, thus making it promising for NH3 storage and other environmental purification applications