Geochronology and Geochemistry of Mesozoic Granites in the North Qilian Shan: Implications for Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting

Abstract

This paper documents the zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes of the Mesozoic granites in the central part of the North Qilian Orogenic Belt to provide information on the tectonic evolution and crustal accretion process of the Qilian Orogenic Belt. Zircon U–Pb dating yields an age of 215.3 ± 3.1 Ma, indicating that the Beidaban monzogranites formed from Late Triassic. They are characterized by high contents of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and K₂O; are slightly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.08–1.15); and have mineralogical assemblages of primary biotite and ilmenite, illustrating that they are shoshonitic and peraluminous S-type granite. The Beidaban monzogranites have initial (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values ranging from 0.71456 to 0.71867 and εNd(t) values ranging from –12.9 to –8.5 with two-stage Nd model ages of 1.69–2.04 Ga, suggesting that they originated from partial melting of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic (Longshoushan Group) continental crustal metasedimentary rocks. Initial Pb isotopic compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19.44–21.80; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.76–15.89; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 39.62–41.26) and geochemical features such as high Th/Ta (9.3–67.4, 37.4 on average) and Rb/Nb (12.5–17.1) are consistent with recycled crustal components. Combined with previous geochronological and geochemical data, we suggest that the Mesozoic granites probably formed in a post-collisional tectonic setting and that the North Qilian Orogen Belt experienced comprehensive intracontinental orogenesis after the closure of the Qilian ocean.