This study provides a comprehensive analysis combining multi-element (Sr, Y, Th, U and REE) geochemistry and U–Pb geochronology of single-grain apatite with zircon U–Pb ages from channel sand deposits of the palaeo Fen River, collected at the Chaizhuang and Weijiazhuang sites, corresponding to sediments from the Late Pleistocene and late Middle Pleistocene, respectively. The results unveil that the analysed apatites originated from a varied assemblage of source rocks, encompassing mafic–ultramafic rocks, intermediate to felsic I-type plutons, highly fractionated S-type granites and pegmatites, as well as assorted metamorphic rocks. U–Pb age dating of detrital zircons and apatites identifies three predominant age peaks at 2.4, 2.2 and 1.8 Ga, consistent with known tectonothermal episodes within the North China Craton (NCC). The similarity in U–Pb age spectra for both zircon and apatite, along with comparable apatite geochemical characteristics across both the Chaizhuang and Weijiazhuang sections, indicates stable provenance with little to no change from the late Middle Pleistocene to the Late Pleistocene. This continuity in provenance signatures suggests an absence of shift in drainage patterns or sediment sources, indicating that the current location and pattern of Fen River lower reach drainage was not formed at least by then. Consequently, it is inferred that the detrital material composing the palaeo Fen River sediments during this period predominantly originated from the NCC.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.