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Do S-type granites commonly sample infracrustal sources? New results from an integrated O, U–Pb and Hf isotope study of zircon

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Abstract

In contrast to I-type granites, which commonly comprise infracrustal and supracrustal sources, S-type granites typically incorporate predominantly supracrustal sources. The initial aim of this study was to identify the sources of three Scottish Caledonian (~460 Ma) S-type granites (Kemnay, Cove and Nigg Bay) by conducting oxygen, U–Pb and Hf isotope analyses in zircon in order to characterise one potential end-member magma involved in the genesis of the voluminous late Caledonian (~430–400 Ma) I-type granites. Field, whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data are consistent with the generation of the S-type granites by melting their Dalradian Supergroup country rocks. While Hf isotope compositions of magmatic zircon, U–Pb data of inherited zircons, and high mean zircon δ18O values of 9.0 ± 2.7‰ (2SD) and 9.8 ± 2.0‰ for the Kemnay and Cove granites support this model, the Nigg Bay Granite contains zircons with much lower δ18O values (6.8 ± 2.1‰), similar to those found in Scottish I-type granites. This suggests that the Nigg Bay Granite contains low-δ18O material representing either altered supracrustal material, or more likely, an infracrustal source component with mantle-like δ18O. Mixing trends in plots of δ18O vs. εHf for S-type granite zircons indicate involvement of at least two sources in all three granites. This pilot study of Scottish Caledonian S-type granites demonstrates that, while field and whole-rock geochemical data are consistent with local melting of only supracrustal sources, the oxygen isotopic record stored in zircon reveals a much more complex petrogenetic evolution involving two or more magma sources.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by a BGS-UCAC grant. Sarah K. Appleby acknowledges receipt of doctoral scholarships from Gottlieb Daimler- und Karl Benz-Stiftung, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), and the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Ion Microprobe Facility is supported by NERC. We thank John Craven for training and assistance on the Cameca ims-1270 and discussion of the zircon oxygen isotope data, Matt Horstwood for supervision and discussion of the zircon Hf isotope data, David Steele for help during electron microprobe analysis, Nicola Cayzer and Paula McDade for assistance on the SEM, Nic Odling for major element XRF data, Tony Fallick for whole-rock oxygen isotope data, Mike Hall for helping with zircon mounts and thin sections, and Angus Calder for assisting during grain separation. Helpful and constructive reviews by Aaron Cavosie and one anonymous reviewer are gratefully acknowledged. This manuscript also benefited greatly from discussions with Tony Kemp and Simon Harley. Martin R. Gillespie writes with permission of the Director of the British Geological Survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grant Institute of Earth Science, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW, UK

    Sarah K. Appleby, Colin M. Graham & Richard W. Hinton

  2. British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, UK

    Martin R. Gillespie

  3. Crustal Geodynamics Group, School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9AL, UK

    Grahame J. H. Oliver

  4. Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1516 Illinois Street, Golden, CO, 80401, USA

    Nigel M. Kelly

  5. Advanced Mineralogy Research Center, Colorado School of Mines, 1310 Maple Street, Golden, CO, 80401, USA

    Sarah K. Appleby

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Appleby, S.K., Gillespie, M.R., Graham, C.M. et al. Do S-type granites commonly sample infracrustal sources? New results from an integrated O, U–Pb and Hf isotope study of zircon. Contrib Mineral Petrol 160, 115–132 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-009-0469-3

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