Detrital zircon provenance analysis plays a key role in reconstructions of past tectonic and sedimentary environments. However, non-unique (or even erroneous) interpretations can be introduced due to the inherent limitations of both zircon provenance analysis (fertility bias, recycling) and those of single-proxy provenance systems in general. Apatite crystallizes in a wider range of lithologies than zircon, and can thus facilitate more detailed source reconstructions. In this study, detrital apatite analysis of Cryogenian to Ordovician sandstones in the Cathaysia Block was carried out in comparison with detrital zircon data for a better understanding of the source-sink process on the northern margin of Gondwana. In contrast to the abundant Grenvillian (1300−900 Ma) detrital zircons of igneous origin, detrital apatites show major Pan-African (650−500 Ma) age peaks that are mostly derived from metamorphic rocks (52%−72%). The apatite data show that the Cathaysia Block mainly received detritus from western Australia and India during the late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic, with much lower affinities to East Antarctica and the terranes of Iran-Turkey. Provenance variations include a shift with time in the major age populations from ca. 900 Ma to 600 Ma with a decrease in metamorphic apatite (from 72% to 52% of all grains) in the late Cryogenian, an increase in high-grade metamorphic apatite (from 27% to 56%) in the late Ediacaran−Cambrian, and an increase in igneous apatite (from 33% to 45% of all grains) in the Early Ordovician. In contrast, detrital zircon data could only reveal the source change in the late Ediacaran. These provenance switches were likely caused by the unroofing of Pan-African orogens (640−490 Ma) and subsequent erosion of their exposed cores, due to the rapid uplift of source rocks formed in the Pan-African orogens during the Gondwana assembly.
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Research Article|
September 18, 2023
Paleogeographical reconstruction of the South China Block during Gondwana assembly using detrital apatite: Pan-African source affinity concealed by detrital zircon
Er-Kun Xue;
Er-Kun Xue
1
School of Earth Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China2
Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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David Chew;
David Chew
2
Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Foteini Drakou;
Foteini Drakou
2
Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Wei Wang
Wei Wang
1
School of Earth Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
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Er-Kun Xue
1
School of Earth Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China2
Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
David Chew
2
Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Foteini Drakou
2
Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Wei Wang
1
School of Earth Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Publisher: Geological Society of America
Received:
20 Feb 2023
Revision Received:
19 May 2023
Accepted:
25 Jul 2023
First Online:
18 Sep 2023
Online ISSN: 1943-2674
Print ISSN: 0016-7606
© 2023 Geological Society of America
GSA Bulletin (2023)
Article history
Received:
20 Feb 2023
Revision Received:
19 May 2023
Accepted:
25 Jul 2023
First Online:
18 Sep 2023
Citation
Er-Kun Xue, David Chew, Foteini Drakou, Wei Wang; Paleogeographical reconstruction of the South China Block during Gondwana assembly using detrital apatite: Pan-African source affinity concealed by detrital zircon. GSA Bulletin 2023; doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B36988.1
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