Differentiating between inherited and autocrystic zircon in granitoids

Hugo K.H. Olierook, Christopher L. Kirkland, Kristoffer Szilas, Julie A. Hollis, Nicholas J. Gardiner, Agnete Steenfelt, Qiang Jiang, Chris Yakymchuk, Noreen J. Evans, Bradley J. McDonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Inherited zircon, crystals that did not form in situ from their host magma but were incorporated from either the source region or assimilated from the wall-rock, is common but can be difficult to identify. Age, chemical and/or textural dissimilarity to the youngest zircon fraction are the primary mechanisms of distinguishing such grains. However, in Zr-undersaturated magmas, the entire zircon population may be inherited and, if not identifiable via textural constraints, can lead to erroneous interpretation of magmatic crystallization age and magma source. Here, we present detailed field mapping of cross-cutting relationships, whole-rock geochemistry and zircon textural, U-Pb and trace element data for trondhjemite, granodiorite and granite from two localities in a complex Archean gneiss terrane in SW Greenland, which reveal cryptic zircon inheritance. Zircon textural, U-Pb and trace element data demonstrate that, in both localities, trondhjemite is the oldest rock (3011±5 Ma, 2σ), which is intruded by granodiorite (2978±4 Ma, 2σ). However, granite intrusions, constrained by cross-cutting relationships as the youngest component, contain only inherited zircon derived from trondhjemite and granodiorite based on ages and trace element concentrations. Without age constraints on the older two lithologies, it would be tempting to consider the youngest zircon fraction as recording crystallization of the granite but this would be erroneous. Furthermore, whole-rock geochemistry indicates that the granite contains only 6 μgg-1 Zr, extremely low for a granitoid with ~77wt% SiO2. Such low Zr concentration explains the lack of autocrystic zircon in the granite. We expand on a differentiation tool that uses Th/U ratios in zircon versus that in the whole-rock to aid in the identification of inherited zircon. This work emphasizes the need for field observations, geochemistry, grain characterization, and precise geochronology to accurately determine igneous crystallization ages and differentiate between inherited and autocrystic zircon.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberegaa081
Number of pages26
JournalJournal of Petrology
Volume61
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Akia Terrane
  • Antecryst
  • Archean
  • Autocryst
  • Trace element
  • Xenocryst

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 4: Mineral Resources

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