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The Whole‐Rock Geochemical Composition of the W udaogou G roup in Eastern Y anbian, NE C hina–New Clues to Its Relationship with the Gold and Tungsten Mineralization and the Evolution of the P aleo‐ A sian O cean
Author(s) -
Chen Cong,
Ren Yunsheng,
Zhao Hualei,
Yang Qun,
Zou Xintong
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
resource geology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1751-3928
pISSN - 1344-1698
DOI - 10.1111/rge.12068
Subject(s) - protolith , geology , geochemistry , metamorphism , metamorphic rock , volcanic rock , andesite , gneiss , petrography , basaltic andesite , felsic , metamorphic facies , mafic , facies , geomorphology , volcano , structural basin
The late P aleozoic W udaogou G roup, one of the oldest metamorphic units in the eastern Y anbian area, has important tectonic and metallogenic significance. Here, we provide new insights into their protoliths, tectonic setting of the metamorphic rocks and their relationships with the gold and tungsten mineralization, using new petrographic and whole‐rock geochemical data for various lithologies within the W udaogou G roup. The protolith of the metamorphic rocks of the W udaogou G roup was intermediate–basic volcanic rocks (e.g. basaltic andesite, trachyandesite, and basalt) and sedimentary rocks including argillaceous rocks, quartz sandstone, arkose and clayish greywacke, as well as pyroclastic sedimentary rock, covering tuffaceous sandstone. Before undergoing late P aleozoic epidote–amphibolite facies regional metamorphism, these protoliths were formed during the middle–late P ermian in an island arc setting within a continental margin collage zone. Combined with the regional tectonic evolution, it can be speculated that the formation and the subsequent metamorphism of the protoliths of the metamorphic rocks from the W udaogou G roup were influenced by the change from subduction to collision of the P aleo‐ A sian O cean. Similarities of the rare earth element ( REE ) patterns and parameters among the metamorphic rocks within the W udaogou G roup, auriferous ores from the X iaoxi'nancha gold (copper) deposit, and scheelites from the Y angjingou tungsten deposit, together with the favorable metallogenic element contents within the metamorphic rock series, imply that the W udaogou G roup could provide parts of metallic material for the gold and tungsten mineralization in the eastern Y anbian area, as exemplified by the Y angjingou deposit and X iaoxi'nancha deposit, respectively. Further, the metamorphic sedimentary rocks, especially the metamorphic sandstones, quartz schists and quartz mica schists within the W udaogou G roup, have closer genetic relationships with the Y angjingou tungsten mineralization. However, the specific lithologies within this group which control the gold mineralization are still uncertain, and need further research.