Geochemistry (TE, REE, Oxygen) of Zircon from Leucogranites of the Belokurikhinsky Massif, Gorny Altai, as Indicator of Formation Conditions

Abstract

The present contribution deals with the isotopic-geochemical study (by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) and Method of Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) of zircons from Belokurikhinsky massif leucogranites, which resulted in the determination of two morphological varieties of zircons (zonal and porous). Zonal zircons exhibit low content of trace elements, a “magmatic” type of REE distribution spectra, and geochemical indices consistent with those of magmatic zircons. Anomalously high REE (up to 38 800 ppm), Y (up to 50 700 ppm) and U (up to 24 700 ppm) contents, as well as elevated Hf, P, F, Cl, and water contents (up to 3.5 wt %) were found in porous zircons. They display gently flattened REE distribution spectra with no Ce-anomaly and the persistence of negative Eu-anomaly, as well as geochemical parameters that differ from typical zircons of magmatic origin. The obtained geochemical characteristics of porous zircons reflect the process of enrichment of the magmatic melt with rare and rare earth elements, and indicate a high fluid saturation of the melt. The δ¹⁸О determined value for porous zircons is in the range of 9.22 to 12.54‰, which significantly exceeds a mantle value and seems to be caused by influence of external fluids interacting with sedimentary rocks surrounding leucogranites. The detailed isotopic-geochemical study of zircon samples suggests that their crystallization from leucogranites of a third (final) phase in the evolution of the Belokurikhinsky massif took place from fluid-saturated melt with elevated incompatible element concentrations.