Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

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Precambrian Research
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/precamres

Petrogenesis and geochronology of Precambrian granitoid gneisses in Western

Liaoning Province: Constraints on Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic crustal
evolution of the North China Craton
Wei Wang a , Shuwen Liu a,∗ , Simon A. Wilde b , Qiugen Li a , Jian Zhang c ,
Xiang Bai a , Pengtao Yang a , Rongrong Guo a
a
The Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, Ministry of Education, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
b
Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University, P.O. Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
c
Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The North Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt (NCFY-GGB) at the northern margin of the
Received 12 March 2011 Eastern Continental Block of the North China Craton is composed chiefly of metamorphic volcanic and
Received in revised form 25 October 2011 volcano-sedimentary rocks and granitoid gneisses. The magmatic precursors of these granitoid gneisses
Accepted 29 October 2011
are diorites, tonalites, trondhjemites, granodiorites and monzogranites. These granitoid gneisses can be
Available online 9 November 2011
divided into two groups: a high Mg group (HMG) and a low Mg group (LMG) according to their con-
trasting geochemical characteristics. Petrogenetic studies indicate that the HMG magmas were derived
Keywords:
from partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab, which was contaminated by mantle peridotites during
Precambrian granitoid gneisses
Western Liaoning Province
their ascent, whereas the LMG magmas were generated from the partial melting of lower continen-
Geochemistry and petrogenesis tal crust composed chiefly of metamorphosed basaltic and pelitic rocks. LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating
Geochronology reveals that granitoid gneisses in the HMG and low-K granitoid gneisses in the LMG were emplaced
Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic at 2511–2521 Ma, but that the high-K granitoid gneisses in the LMG formed later at ca. 2495 Ma. These
crustal evolution Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic granitoid gneisses, intrusive into the metamorphic volcanic assem-
North China Craton blages of the Yixian-Fuxin greenstone belt, indicate that the NCFY-GGB was developed at a Neoarchean
to early Paleoproterozoic Andean-type active continental margin.
© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Archean high-grade gneiss terranes and low-grade granite-
greenstone belts are two fundamental geological assemblages
of early Precambrian cratons throughout the world. The high-
grade gneiss terranes are usually constructed predominantly of
TTG gneisses with minor supracrustal remnants, which were
metamorphosed to upper amphibolite or granulite facies. The
granite-greenstone belts are composed chiefly of supracrustal
sequences of metamorphosed mafic to felsic volcanic and sed-
imentary rocks and a series of granitoid gneisses, which were
metamorphosed under greenschist or amphibolite facies (Condie,
1993; Goodwin, 1996; Kusky and Polat, 1999; Zhai et al., 2010;
Liu et al., 2011a,b). In the past few decades, the petrogenesis of
TTG gneisses has been widely studied in terms of whole-rock
geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotopic systematics, zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic
systematics and high temperature-high pressure experiments
(Rapp and Watson, 1995; Martin, 1999; Rapp et al., 1999; Smithies,
∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 10 62754163; fax: +86 10 62751150.
E-mail address: swliu@pku.edu.cn (S. Liu).
2000; Condie, 2005a; Martin et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2009a,b; Zeh
et al., 2010). However, the geodynamic setting in which they were
generated is still hotly debated. Based on geochemical similarities,
some authors suggest that the Archean TTG gneisses are analogues
of modern adakites, and both are interpreted to be related to par-
tial melting of either subducted oceanic slabs or juvenile crustal
materials that were produced in island arc environments (Condie,
1981; Defant and Drummond, 1990; Martin, 1999; Liu et al., 2002,
2004, 2011b; Martin et al., 2005; Xiong et al., 2009). However,
others argue that the TTG gneisses show affinities to Phanerozoic
Na-rich granitoids, and propose that they were derived from
partial melting of basaltic materials at the base of thickened crust
(Smithies, 2000; Condie, 2005a).
High-K granitoid rocks are subordinate components of Archean
terranes, and two contrasting rock types have been identified:
(1) a high-Mg sanukitoid suite, which represents partial melts
of the mantle wedge previously metasomatized by slab melts
or fluids; and (2) a calc-alkaline granitic suite, derived primarily
from remelting of pre-existing TTG rocks (Whalen et al., 2004).
Intrusion of these high-K granitoid rocks was commonly at a
late- to post-kinematic stage, and they register the last magmatic
events marking the consolidation of the continental crust (Frost

0301-9268/$ – see front matter © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2011.10.023
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
et al., 1998; Whalen et al., 2004; Martin et al., 2005; Wang et al.,
2009).
The North China Craton (NCC) is one of the oldest cratons in the
world, and rocks of ∼3.8 Ga old have been identified in the Anshan
area, Liaoning Province (Baijiafen and Dongshan Gneisses, Liu et al.,
1992). The NCC is subdivided into the Western Block (WB), the
Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) and the Eastern Block (EB) with
the TNCO considered to be a convergent orogen formed by collision
between the WB and EB at ∼1.85 Ga, leading to the final consoli-
dation of the NCC (Zhao et al., 1998; Guo et al., 2002, 2005; Wilde
and Zhao, 2005; Lu et al., 2008; Xia et al., 2009; Liu et al., 2011c;
Xiao et al., 2011). This tectonic scenario was further refined by Zhao
et al. (2005, 2006, 2008), suggesting that an early collisional event
between the Ordos Block in the south and the Yinshan Block in the
north took place at ∼1.95 Ga (Xia et al., 2006a,b, 2008; Yin et al.,
2009, 2011; Zhao et al., 2010), forming the amalgamated WB, and
that the EB underwent Paleoproterozoic rifting at 2.1–1.9 Ga with
the formation of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt (Li et al., 2004a,b, 2005, 2006;
Luo et al., 2004, 2008; Zhou et al., 2008; Tam et al., 2011), followed
by the collision between the EB and WB leading to the final cra-
tonization of the NCC at ∼1.85 Ga (Zhao et al., 2002, 2006, 2008;
Liu et al., 2006a,b, 2011c; Zhang et al., 2006, 2007, 2009a,b; Li and
Zhao, 2007; Santosh, 2010; Wang et al., 2010).
Although the NCC experienced a prolonged geological history
from ∼3.8 Ga to ∼1.8 Ga, the main Precambrian tectono-magmatic
events occurred at ∼2.5 Ga, ∼2.1 Ga, 1.9–1.8 Ga and ∼1.7 Ga (Zhao,
2001, 2009; Zhao et al., 2001; Liu et al., 2002, 2004, 2006a,b,
2007, 2010, 2011a,b,c; Wilde et al., 2002; Kröner et al., 2006; Geng
et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2008; Wan et al., 2011a,b; Wang et al.,
2011). Furthermore, Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic (mainly
2540–2490 Ma) granitoid gneisses occupy volumetrically at least
70% of the exposed Precambrian crystalline basement (Zhao et al.,
2001, 2005; Geng et al., 2010; Liu et al., 2010, 2011a,b). However,
recent studies with respect to Archean granitoid gneisses have been
focused on the Wutai, Fuping, Hengshan and Lushan-Taihua Com-
plexes (Liu et al., 2002, 2004, 2005; Kröner et al., 2005; Wilde et al.,
2005; Huang et al., 2010; Diwu et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2011),
and only a few available studies integrated geochronological with
petrogenetic data for the EB. Yang et al. (2008) provided a compre-
hensive chronological and geochemical study of granitoid gneisses
in eastern Hebei Province, and proposed that Neoarchean magma-
tism was the result of mantle plume activity (see also Zhao et al.,
1998, 1999; Geng et al., 2010). However, a group of high-Mg dioritic
rocks were identified recently in the Taishan area (EB) and it was
suggested that they were generated at an active continental mar-
gin during Neoarchean time (2536–2540 Ma, Wang et al., 2009).
These important results imply that the exposed Archean basement
terranes within the EB were likely separate blocks that evolved in
various tectonic settings.
Western Liaoning Province, located at the northern margin of
the EB, contains key exposures of Precambrian crystalline base-
ment that consist mainly of the Jianping high-grade metamorphic
terrane in the southwest and the intermediate- to low-grade North
Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt in the northeast-
ern part (Lin et al., 1997; Liu et al., 2010, 2011a; Wang et al., 2011).
Recent studies have revealed that the Archean supracrustal rock
sequences were formed at some time prior to 2520 Ma, and meta-
morphosed volcanic rocks from the Yixian-Fuxin greenstone belt
were likely generated at an Andean-type active continental margin
(Liu et al., 2010, 2011a; Wang et al., 2011). The Archean granitoid
gneisses in Western Liaoning Province are important components
of the North Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt, and
display intrusive contacts with the supracrustal rocks of the green-
stone sequences.
In this contribution, we present new whole-rock geochemi-
cal, zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data for the Neoarchean to
291
Paleoproterozoic granitoid gneisses from the North Chaoyang-
Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt. The aim is to determine their
petrogenesis, time of emplacement and evaluate their significance
in determining the crustal evolution of the EB and the NCC in gen-
eral.
2. Geological setting
The Western Liaoning metamorphic basement terrane at the
northwestern margin of the EB (Fig. 1A) is a crucial area in under-
standing the early crustal evolution of the EB. Based on different
lithological assemblages and metamorphic grades, this Precam-
brian terrane has been subdivided into the Jianping Complex
in the southwest and the North Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-
greenstone belt (NCFY-GGB) in the east and northeast. The areas are
separated by Proterozoic to Mesozoic unmetamorphosed volcanic
and sedimentary sequences.
The Jianping Complex is composed primarily of mafic gran-
ulites, pyroxenites, pyroxene amphibolites, magnetite-quartzites
and intrusive granitoid gneisses. Previous studies revealed that the
magmatic precursors of the metavolcanics and associated metased-
imentary rocks were generated between 2555 Ma and 2550 Ma,
with some as old as 2615 Ma. They were intruded by extensive
granitoids between 2538 Ma and 2495 Ma. Granulite facies meta-
morphism occurred at ca. 2485 Ma, which represents the peak
metamorphic event in the Jianping Complex (Kröner et al., 1998;
Liu et al., 2011a).
The NCFY-GGB is composed chiefly of supracrustal sequences
consisting of greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphosed
volcanic and volcano-clastic rocks, banded iron formations (BIFs)
and marbles, together with gneisses whose protoliths intruded
into these sequences. Previous studies divided the supracrustal
rock sequences into three units, namely, from the bottom to top:
(1) the Xiaotazigou Formation, composed dominantly of ultra-
mafic to mafic clinopyroxene-bearing amphibolites, amphibolites,
greenschists and BIFs, with minor fine-grained felsic gneisses;
(2) the Dayingzi Formation, dominated by hornblende plagio-
clase gneisses, biotite plagioclase gneisses and biotite two-feldspar
gneisses with minor amounts of mafic rocks, BIFs and marbles
and (3) the Waziyu Formation, consisting of metasedimentary
rocks including two-mica quartz schists, quartz schists, as well
as interbedded magnetite quartzites and metamorphic felsic vol-
canics (Lin et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2011). Geochemical and
geochronological studies on the Yixian-Fuxin greenstone belt indi-
cate that the 2534–2589 Ma metavolcanics resemble Mid-Ocean
Ridge Basalts (N-MORB), boninite-like and adakite-like rocks and
high magnesium andesites (HMA), and that they formed at an active
continental margin (Wang et al., 2011). Neoarchean to early Pale-
oproterozoic granitoid gneisses are pervasively distributed within
the NCFY-GGB, with compositions ranging from diorite, through
tonalite, trondhjemite, granodiorite (TTG) to monzogranite. They
show intrusive contacts with the supracrustal sequences as evi-
denced by the wide occurrence of supracrustal xenoliths within
them (Fig. 2A and C). Tonalitic gneisses were intruded by monzo-
granitic dykes (Fig. 2D). Granitoid dykes also locally intrude the
supracrustal rocks (Fig. 2E and F; Fig. 3D in Liu et al., 2011a). Liu
et al. (2010, 2011a) reported zircon U–Pb ages of 2512 ± 15 Ma
and 2496 ± 7 Ma, respectively for a dioritic gneiss (CY26-1) and
a monzogranitic gneiss (CY12-2) from the North Chaoyang area.
Additionally, an age of 2403 ± 11 Ma was obtained for a fine-grained
quartz diorite (CY05-1) from the North Chaoyang area (Liu et al.,
2010).
The NCFY-GGB is oriented ENE-WSW and was deformed in three
stages. The oldest deformation event (D1 ) is characterized by F1
folds, which are recorded only in the magnetite quartzites and were
292 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

Fig. 1. (A) Schematic diagram showing the distribution of the North China Craton, South China Craton and Tarim Craton. The location of the study area in Western Liaoning
Province is shown by the rectangle. (B) Simplified geological map of the North Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt.
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311 293

Fig. 2. Field photographs showing (A) an amphibolite xenolith in the tonalitic gneiss, the pen is 10 cm long; (B) contact between hornblende plagioclase gneiss and younger
trondhjemitic gneiss. The hammer is 30 cm long; (C) amphibolite xenoliths in granodioritic gneiss, indicative of incorporation of supracrustal sequences in the granitoids; (D)
a monzogranite dyke cutting the tonalitic gneiss; (E and F) granodioritic and monzogranitic dykes intruding into amphibolite and hornblende plagioclase gneiss, respectively.

disturbed by subsequent deformation events. A second phase of
deformation (D2 ) resulted from ENE-WSW trending faults (F2 ) and
synchronous shear zones, which represent the principal regional
deformation. The latest phase of deformation (D3 ) is character-
ized by NE-SW trending faults (F3 ), which further complicate the
regional structural patterns (Lin et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2011).
The Precambrian lithological assemblages of the granite-
greenstone belt were unconformably overlain by Proterozoic
to Paleozoic sedimentary sequences and Mesozoic volcano-
sedimentary cover, and widely intruded by Late Paleozoic to
Jurassic granitoid rocks (Fig. 1B). The Proterozoic to Paleozoic sed-
imentary rock sequences are dominated by dolomites, limestones,
shales and sandstones. The Mesozoic magmatic events may have
evolved in response to the remobilization of the NCC due to the
intensive orogenic events of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB)
to the north and lithospheric thinning in eastern China (Sun et al.,
2010).
3. Sample selection and petrography
A total of seventeen representative samples of granitoid
gneisses were collected from the NCFY-GGB and selected for
chemical analyses, including one dioritic, seven tonalitic, one
trondhjemitic, six granodioritic and two monzogranitic gneisses
 294
Table 1
Analytical results of major (%) and trace elements (ppm) for granitoid gneisses from the North Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt (NCFY-GGB).

Sample HMG LMG

CY15-3 CY15-5 OYX07-5 OYX07-11 OCY10-1 OYX01-4 OYX08-1 OYX11-2 CY26-1 FX01-1 CY04-5 OCY13-5 OFX11-2 YX05-1 0YX02-1 CY12-2 OYX11-1
Tonalite Tonalite Tonalite Tonalite Tonalite Granodiorite Granodiorite Granodiorite Diorite Tonalite Tonalite Granodiorite Trondhjemite Granodiorite Granodiorite Monzogranite Monzogranite
SiO2 60.64 58.25 59.65 61.48 62.84 65.76 61.07 62.40 55.90 63.02 67.37 72.68 73.29 65.38 66.89 71.96 73.69
TiO2 0.13 0.34 0.61 0.65 0.23 0.44 0.71 0.55 0.56 0.88 0.25 0.06 0.18 0.29 0.35 0.12 0.14
Al2 O3 16.37 16.28 15.86 16.14 16.69 14.69 16.45 14.91 16.23 15.72 15.68 15.74 15.37 16.74 15.29 14.87 13.92
FeOT 4.81 5.65 7.04 5.56 4.82 4.80 5.04 5.23 6.28 5.45 3.66 0.44 1.11 3.39 3.45 0.69 1.31
MnO 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.09 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.11 0.10 0.05 0 0.01 0.042 0.05 0.01 0.01
MgO 4.36 5.06 3.12 2.53 3.16 2.53 2.84 3.25 4.34 2.10 1.02 0.13 0.40 1.64 1.88 0.30 0.57
CaO 4.89 5.66 5.54 4.78 4.37 2.84 4.83 4.08 5.90 4.43 4.15 2.31 1.44 3.47 3.32 0.76 1.07
Na2 O 4.67 4.80 3.94 4.08 4.91 3.93 4.27 4.24 4.38 3.70 4.73 4.38 5.40 3.43 4.03 3.08 3.52
K2 O 2.41 2.36 1.95 2.18 1.46 2.97 2.91 3.22 2.63 2.19 1.68 3.61 1.91 4.17 3.98 5.97 4.66
P2 O5 0.11 0.28 0.17 0.22 0.17 0.11 0.32 0.22 0.25 0.53 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 0.214 0.19 <0.05 <0.05
LOI 1.01 0.75 1.09 1.23 1.16 1.26 0.88 1.26 2.10 1.02 0.75 0.76 1.15 0.67 0.64 1.31 0.71

W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

Total 99.49 99.54 99.11 98.93 99.87 99.40 99.38 99.45 98.68 99.13 99.39 100.10 100.28 99.44 100.07 99.08 99.60
Mg# 61.74 61.52 44.16 44.79 53.88 48.47 50.09 52.52 55.18 40.70 33.15 33.87 39.14 46.30 49.27 43.92 43.64
K2 O/Na2 O 0.52 0.49 0.50 0.54 0.30 0.75 0.68 0.76 0.60 0.59 0.36 0.83 0.35 1.21 0.99 1.94 1.32
A/CNK 0.85 0.78 0.85 0.91 0.95 0.99 0.87 0.83 0.78 0.95 0.91 1.03 1.13 1.02 0.90 1.15 1.09
Sc 5.01 13.6 19.6 10.1 7.30 7.87 10.2 12.5 9.04 2.93 0.11 0.42 0.73 2.43 3.90 0.23 0.26
V 37 99 134 84 37 68 85 91 51 67 21 39 10.0 47 44 7.00 17.0
Rb 36 78 73 61 48 112 74 91 40 115 19.0 68 15.0 57 96 52 96
Sr 311 544 479 569 574 410 633 501 507 631 241 509 504 277 472 216 296
Y 5.21 12.0 13.8 15.6 7.46 12.2 14.1 13.8 6.92 5.62 0.82 0.75 1.28 9.03 3.48 0.40 1.27
Nb 0.89 3.39 5.56 6.19 2.84 7.82 7.75 11.1 2.99 6.70 1.39 8.27 1.14 4.48 4.00 0.78 1.94
Cs 0.52 0.79 1.94 0.45 3.16 0.93 0.58 1.20 1.35 9.40 0.42 0.28 0.55 0.20 0.32 0.16 0.63
Ba 256 458 816 817 334 543 1113 940 816 656 234 1211 813 640 1335 441 1512
La 11.6 22 30 48 27 72 33 33 14.0 22 5.03 12.0 10.5 24 22 3.86 6.41
Ce 21 46 62 96 52 133 67 72 29 44 7.68 15.3 16.9 48 41 4.16 10.8
Pr 2.38 5.35 7.11 10.6 5.36 12.8 7.49 7.76 3.46 5.44 0.68 1.27 1.88 5.42 3.78 0.30 1.06
Nd 9.72 22 29 42 21 42 30 31 15.2 23 2.15 3.67 6.76 19.5 13.1 0.86 3.50
Sm 1.67 4.22 5.37 7.07 3.09 5.29 5.45 5.41 2.17 3.37 0.25 0.34 0.87 2.71 1.69 0.08 0.47
Eu 0.50 1.43 1.87 2.34 1.20 1.31 2.20 1.97 0.67 0.96 0.47 1.93 1.15 0.66 1.89 0.47 1.44
Gd 1.13 4.08 5.29 7.01 3.25 6.09 5.35 5.56 1.78 2.32 0.24 0.50 0.92 2.35 2.03 0.04 0.56
Tb 0.19 0.53 0.65 0.80 0.36 0.60 0.66 0.66 0.25 0.30 0.03 0.03 0.07 0.31 0.19 0.01 0.05
Dy 0.97 2.67 3.17 3.65 1.67 2.64 3.14 3.22 1.22 1.30 0.16 0.10 0.24 1.74 0.81 0.05 0.23
Ho 0.18 0.51 0.61 0.67 0.31 0.51 0.58 0.60 0.23 0.19 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.30 0.16 0.01 0.04
Er 0.57 1.46 1.70 1.82 0.91 1.46 1.61 1.80 0.70 0.50 0.08 0.08 0.12 0.93 0.46 0.03 0.14
Tm 0.09 0.21 0.24 0.25 0.13 0.21 0.22 0.25 0.10 0.06 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.14 0.06 0.01 0.02
Yb 0.56 1.39 1.58 1.66 0.90 1.38 1.43 1.80 0.64 0.39 0.12 0.15 0.12 0.83 0.47 0.05 0.15
Lu 0.07 0.21 0.23 0.24 0.13 0.20 0.20 0.27 0.10 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.13 0.07 0.01 0.02
Ta 0.03 0.20 0.58 0.48 0.19 0.43 0.32 0.52 0.12 0.35 0.04 0.12 0.06 0.12 0.24 0.11 0.10
Th 0.12 0.27 5.93 7.50 2.04 5.39 2.86 12.1 0.09 1.55 0.23 0.25 0.06 1.16 1.23 0.18 7.84
U 0.05 0.04 0.91 0.50 0.37 0.54 0.27 0.56 0.05 0.32 0.17 0.89 0.10 0.15 0.31 0.07 0.33
Zr 46 88 133 178 78 131 160 152 68 82 23 42 53 95 69 7.82 33
Hf 1.39 2.02 3.63 4.92 2.15 3.55 5.17 4.70 2.35 2.17 2.41 5.61 3.48 3.66 3.10 0.84 2.53
EuN /EuN * 1.11 1.06 1.07 1.02 1.16 0.71 1.25 1.10 1.04 1.05 5.89 14.2 3.92 0.80 3.13 25 8.64
(La/Yb)N 15.0 11.6 13.8 21 21 38 16.6 13.1 15.6 41 31 58 61 21 34 52 31
TREE 50 113 150 222 116 279 158 165 69 104 16.9 35 40 107 88 9.92 25
Sr/Y 59.69 45.23 34.67 36.54 76.96 33.64 44.92 36.34 73.27 112.28 293.54 680.09 393.98 30.68 135.57 535.98 232.29
Nb/La 0.08 0.15 0.18 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.23 0.34 0.21 0.30 0.28 0.69 0.11 0.19 0.18 0.20 0.30
Dy/Yb 1.74 1.91 2.01 2.20 1.86 1.92 2.19 1.79 1.89 3.34 1.32 0.65 1.98 2.10 1.74 0.87 1.57
Rb/Sr 0.12 0.14 0.15 0.11 0.08 0.27 0.12 0.18 0.08 0.18 0.08 0.13 0.03 0.20 0.20 0.24 0.33
Note: LOI, loss on ignition; A/CNK = molar Al2 O3 /(CaO + Na2 O + K2 O); TREE, total rare earth elements; Mg# = 100Mg/(Mg + Fetotal ) in atomic ratio, EuN /EuN * = EuN /SQRT(SmN × GdN ), subscript N-chondrite normalized value.
<0.05% for P2 O5 means values below the detection limit.
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311 295

Fig. 3. Major element compositions of the granitoid gneisses: (A) An–Ab–Or diagram (Barker, 1979); (B) MgO vs. SiO2 plot (PMB: experimental partial melts from basalts
or amphibolites; LSA: low silica adakite; HAS: high silica adakite, after Martin et al. (2005)); (C) K2 O vs. SiO2 classification diagram (after Rollinson (1993)); (D) ANK (molar
Al2 O3 /(Na2 O + K2 O)) vs. ACNK (molar Al2 O3 /(CaO + Na2 O + K2 O)) (after Maniar and Piccoli (1989)). Symbols: diamonds, samples in the high-Mg group and squares, samples
in the low-Mg group.

(Table 1). Most tonalitic gneisses are fine to medium-grained
with a gneissic structure, and composed mainly of plagioclase
(60–65%), quartz (10–15%) and hornblende (15–20%), with minor
biotite (∼5%) and traces of K-feldspar. However, sample CY04-5
has a mineral assemblage of plagioclase (∼60%), quartz (∼25%),
biotite (∼13%) and minor K-feldspar, with accessory zircon, apatite
and magnetite. The granodioritic gneisses display medium-grained
texture and gneissic structure with a mineral assemblage of pla-
gioclase (40–50%), quartz (15–25%), hornblende (10–20%) and
K-feldspar (5–10%) with minor biotite. Sample OCY13-5 is also a
granodioritic gneiss, but it exhibits a mineral assemblage of pla-
gioclase (∼53%), quartz (∼30%) and K-feldspar (∼15%, microcline
with minor perthite) and biotite (∼2%), with accessory zircon,
apatite and titanite. Sample CY26-1 is a dioritic gneiss, and con-
tains plagioclase (60%), hornblende (28%), biotite (5%) and minor
quartz (Liu et al., 2011a). The trondhjemitic gneiss (sample OFX11-
2) displays fine-grained texture and gneissic structure, and has a
mineral assemblage of plagioclase (60%), quartz (30%), biotite (8%)
and minor K-feldspar and accessory zircon and titanite. The two
monzogranitic gneisses (CY12-2 and OYX11-1) have fine-grained
texture and banded structure. They are composed of quartz (∼30%),
plagioclase (∼35%), perthite (∼25%), microcline (∼5%) and biotite
(∼5%) with accessory zircon and apatite. Within these rocks, mafic
minerals are generally altered to chlorite and actinolite, and plagio-
clase to epidote and zoisite, whereas K-feldspar is altered to sericite
and kaolinite. Moreover, some samples are intensely deformed,
as evidenced by the presence of elongated quartz grains showing
undulose extinction and local dynamic recrystallization.
4. Analytical methods
Whole-rock samples were trimmed in order to remove weath-
ered surfaces and the fresh portions were then chipped and
powdered in an agate mill to about 200 mesh for analyzing major
and trace elements. The major elements were analyzed using X-ray
Flourescence (XRF, Thermo Arl Advant XP+) at the Key Laboratory of
Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, Ministry of Education, School
of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University. The precision is 0.5%
for major element oxides, and detailed analytical procedures are
given in Liu et al. (2004, 2005) and Wang et al. (2011).
For trace elements, pre-treatment of the sample powders was
performed at Peking University as follows. First, powders were
accurately weighted (25 mg) into Savillex teflon beakers and placed
within a high-pressure bomb, with a 1:1 mixture of HF–HNO3 and
296 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
heated for 24 h at 80 ◦ C, and then evaporated. Then, 1.5 ml HNO3 ,
1.5 ml HF and 0.5 ml HClO4 were added after evaporation, and the
beakers were capped for digestion within a high-temperature oven
at 180 ◦ C for 48 h or longer until the powders were completely
digested. Finally, the residue was diluted with 1% HNO3 to 50 ml
for determination. Trace elements, including rare earth elements
(REEs), were analyzed using an ELEMENT-I plasma mass spec-
trometer (Finnigan-MAT Ltd.) at the Research Institute of Uranium
Geology (Beijing), and the international standards, GSR-1 (gran-
ite) and GSR-14 (granitoid gneiss), were used for analytical quality
control.
Four samples (tonalitic gneiss OCY10-1, trondhjemitic gneiss
OFX11-2, and granodioritic gneisses OYX01-4 and YX05-1) were
selected for zircon U–Th–Pb dating, and samples CY26-1 (dioritic
gneiss) and YX05-1 were also chosen to analyze the zircon Lu–Hf
isotopes. Note that the zircon U–Pb age of 2512 ± 15 Ma for dior-
ite sample CY26-1 was previously reported by Liu et al. (2011a).
Zircon grains were separated by standard density and magnetic
techniques and then purified by hand picking under a binocular
microscope, and more than 1000 zircon grains were mounted in
epoxy resin discs, then polished to half the zircon grain size. Prior
to analysis, cathodoluminescence (CL) images were obtained using
a scanning electron microscope at the SEM Laboratory of Peking
University.
In this study, we used an analytical technique to simultane-
ously determinate U–Th–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes and trace elements
for zircon grains from samples YX05-1 and CY26-1 by combining
excimer laser-ablation quadruple and multiple collector ICP-MS
(LA-MC-ICPMS) at the State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynam-
ics, Northwest University, Xi’an. The other three samples (OCY10-1,
OFX11-2 and OYX01-4) were analyzed for zircon U–Pb isotopes and
trace elements using a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) at the Geological Lab Center, China
University of Geosciences, Beijing. Harvard zircon 91500 was used
as an external standard for zircon U–Th–Pb analyses, and NIST610
as an external standard to calculate U, Th, Pb and other trace ele-
ment contents of the analyzed zircon grains. The 207 Pb/206 Pb and
206 Pb/238 U ratios were calculated using the GLITTER program (van
Achterbergh et al., 2001) and common Pb was corrected using the
method of Anderson (2002). Age calculations and concordia plots
were made using Isoplot (ver 3.0) (Ludwig, 2003). During in situ
zircon Lu–Hf isotopic analyses, zircons 91500 and GJ-1 were used
as external standards. For the LA-MC-ICPMS analyses, the energy
density applied was 15–20 J/cm2 with a spot size of 44 ␮m, and a
laser repetition rate of 10 Hz was used. For the LA-ICPMS analy-
ses, the laser spot diameter and frequency were 36 ␮m and 10 Hz,
respectively. Detailed analytical techniques were reported in Yuan
et al. (2004, 2008).
5. Analytical results
5.1. Geochemistry
Major and trace element data for the seventeen granitoid
gneisses from the NCFY-GGB are listed in Table 1. On the An–Ab–Or
diagram (Fig. 3A, Barker, 1979), the samples plot as follows: (1)
seven samples plot in the tonalite field; (2) six samples plot in the
granodiorite field; (3) sample OFX11-2 plots in the trondhjemite
field; and (4) the two samples of monzogranitic gneiss (CY12-2 and
OYX11-1) plot in the granite field. In addition, sample CY26-1 plots
in the granodiorite field.
Based on the MgO content, the granitoid gneisses can be
further subdivided into two groups: a high Mg group (HMG)
and a low Mg group (LMG). The former comprises five tonalitic
gneisses (OYX07-5, OYX07-11, OCY10-1, CY15-3 and CY15-5),
three granodioritic gneisses (OYX01-4, OYX08-1 and OYX11-2)
and the dioritic gneiss (CY26-1), and shows high MgO contents of
2.53–5.06%. The LMG is composed of two tonalitic gneisses (FX01-
1 and CY04-5), three granodioritic gneisses (YX05-1, OYX02-1 and
OCY13-5), the trondhjemitic gneiss (OFX11-2) and two monzo-
granitic gneisses (OYX11-1 and CY12-2), and they all display lower
MgO contents between 0.13% and 2.10% (Fig. 3B, Table 1).
5.1.1. Major element compositions
In comparison to the LMG, samples in the HMG have lower SiO2
contents ranging from 55.90% to 65.76%, higher MgO of 2.53–5.06%
and Mg# between 44.16 and 61.74, and plot in the field of either
low silica adakites (LSA) or high silica adakites (HSA) (Fig. 3B,
Table 1). They also display lower K2 O contents of 1.46–3.32% and
higher Na2 O from 3.93% to 4.91%, yielding lower K2 O/Na2 O ratios
between 0.30 and 0.76 (an average value of 0.57), and plot in the
medium-K calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline fields (Fig. 3C). All
nine samples are metaluminous, and have low A/CNK (molecular
Al2 O3 /(CaO + Na2 O + K2 O)) values of 0.78–0.99 with Al2 O3 contents
between 14.69% and 16.69% (Fig. 3D).
When compared with the HMG, the LMG samples have higher
SiO2 contents between 63.02% and 73.69%, but lower MgO and Mg#
of 0.13–2.10% and 33.15–49.27, respectively, and most of them
plot in the field of experimentally determined partial melts from
basalts or amphibolites (Fig. 3B, Martin et al., 2005). Four samples
(FX01-1, OFX11-2, CY04-5 and OCY13-5) display low K2 O contents
of 1.68–3.61%, but high Na2 O from 3.70% to 5.40% with correspond-
ingly low K2 O/Na2 O ratios between 0.35 and 0.83 (an average value
of 0.53) similar to the HMG. They plot in the medium-K calc-alkaline
field, except for sample OCY13-5 which plots in the high-K calc-
alkaline field (Fig. 3C). They show metaluminous to peraluminous
features, with A/CNK values of 0.91–1.13 and similar Al2 O3 con-
tents between 15.37% and 15.72% (Fig. 3D). However, the other four
samples (YX05-1, OYX02-1, OYX11-1 and CY12-2) display higher
K2 O contents from 3.98% to 5.97% and generally lower Na2 O of
3.08–4.03%, thus yielding higher K2 O/Na2 O ratios between 0.99 and
1.94. They plot in the fields of high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite
series (Fig. 3C). The two granodioritic gneisses (YX05-1, OYX02-
1) are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.90–1.02)
with higher Al2 O3 contents of 15.29–16.74%, whereas the two mon-
zogranitic gneisses (OYX11-1, CY12-2) are strongly peraluminous
(A/CNK = 1.09–1.15), with lower Al2 O3 contents (13.92–14.87%)
(Fig. 3D).
5.1.2. Trace element compositions
The granitoid gneisses of the HMG display higher total rare earth
element (REE) contents than the LMG, ranging from 50.12 ppm
to 279.35 ppm. Their chondrite-normalized REE patterns are char-
acterized by fractionated REE patterns with high (La/Yb)N ratios
between 11.57 and 37.52, and weakly negative to positive Eu
anomalies (EuN /EuN * = 0.71–1.25) (Table 1, Fig. 4A). Similarly, in
the LMG, two granodioritic gneisses (YX05-1, OYX02-1) and one
tonalitic gneiss (FX01-1) also show a similar patterns with high
TREE contents between 88.29 ppm and 107.41 ppm and high
(La/Yb)N ratios of 20.82–40.94 and weakly negative to strongly
positive Eu anomalies (EuN /EuN * = 0.80–3.13) (Fig. 4C). However,
the other five samples of the LMG (OYX11-1, OFX11-2, CY04-5,
CY12-2 and OCY13-5) have relatively lower TREE contents from
9.92 ppm to 39.54 ppm, and exhibit distinctively concave upward
chondrite-normalized REE patterns with even higher (La/Yb)N
ratios of 30.84–61.36, and all show strongly positive Eu anomalies
(EuN /EuN * = 3.92–25.39) (Fig. 4E).
On the primitive mantle-normalized multi-element spider dia-
grams, samples in the HMG and the three samples (YX05-1,
OYX02-1 and FX01-1) in the LMG that have similar characteristics
are variably enriched in LILEs, including Ba, Rb and K, but depleted
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311 297

Fig. 4. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns and primitive mantle-normalized spider diagrams for granitoid gneisses in (A and B) the HMG; (C and D) one tonalitic gneiss
(FX01-1) and two granodioritic gneiss (YX05-1 and OYX02-1) in the LMG with concave upward REE patterns, and (E and F) the other five samples in the LMG with fractionated
REE patterns. Chondrite and primitive mantle values after Sun and McDonough (1989).

in HFSEs (Th, Nb, Ta and Ti) (Fig. 4B and D). Generally, they have low
Y and Yb contents of 3.48–15.58 ppm and 0.39–1.80 ppm, respec-
tively, similar to those of adakites (Defant and Drummond, 1990).
However, the five samples of the LMG (OYX11-1, OFX11-2, CY04-5,
CY12-2 and OCY13-5) having concave upward REE patterns display
enrichment in Sr, Zr and Hf, and even lower Y (0.403–1.28 ppm)
and Yb (0.05–0.15 ppm) contents (Table 1, Fig. 4F). All the analyzed
samples have high Sr contents (216–633 ppm) corresponding to
variably high Sr/Y ratios (30.68–680.09). Moreover, they have low
Rb/Sr ratios, ranging from 0.03 to 0.33, similar to those of the Fuping
TTG gneisses in the TNCO of the NCC (Liu et al., 2004).
5.2. Zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf results
Two representative samples (tonalitic gneiss OCY10-1 and
granodioritic gneiss OYX01-4) of the HMG and two samples
298 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
(trondhjemitic gneiss OFX11-2 and granodioritic gneiss YX05-1)
of the LMG were selected for zircon U–Th–Pb isotopic dating.
Samples YX05-1 and CY26-1 (dioritic gneiss of the HMG) were also
simultaneously analyzed for in situ zircon Lu–Hf isotopes. Note
that the U–Pb data for sample CY26-1 were previously published
in Liu et al. (2011a).
5.2.1. Sample OCY10-1
Zircon grains separated from tonalite gneiss sample OCY10-1
display prismatic or oval shapes with lengths ranging between
100 ␮m and 200 ␮m and length/width ratios of 1:1 to 2:1 (Fig. 5A).
Cathodoluminescence images indicate that some of the analyzed
zircon grains display either oscillatory zoned (spots #8, #27) or
banded zoned structures (spots #7, #33), whereas others are dark
and structureless (spots #3, #12). In addition, most of them have
a thin structureless rim (spots #27, #7 and #8) (Fig. 5A). A total
of thirty-six analyses were carried out on thirty-two zircon grains
and all of them plot on or close to concordia, yielding apparent
207 Pb/206 Pb ages ranging from 2269 Ma to 2579 Ma with one much
younger analysis (Fig. 5B, Table 2 ). Their Th and U contents vary
from 10 ppm to 142 ppm and from 13 ppm to 661 ppm, respectively,
corresponding to Th/U ratios mostly higher than 0.16, except for
spot #12 which has a low Th/U value of 0.06. However, rare earth
elements (REEs) of all the analyzed spots show similar chondrite
normalized REE patterns with positive Ce anomalies, moderate
negative Eu anomalies and steep HREE patterns (Fig. 5C), indicating
magmatic crystallization (Rubatto, 2002). On a probability density
plot, thirty-five analyses constitute a major age peak with several
minor peaks (Fig. 5D), and they are subdivided into three age groups
and a single younger grain lies outside these age peaks.
The oldest age group is composed of three analyses from dark
oscillatory zoned or structureless cores (spots #2, #9, #27) (Fig. 5D
and E). They have apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages of 2560 ± 13 Ma to
2579 ± 13 Ma, and yield a weighted mean age of 2570 ± 17 Ma
(MSWD = 0.55). This is similar to the crystallization age of the
magmatic precursor of a hornblende plagioclase gneiss from the
Yixian-Fuxin greenstone belt (2567 ± 7 Ma of sample YX011-1,
Wang et al., 2011). Considering that the tonalitic gneiss OCY10-
1 intruded into the supracrustal rocks of the greenstone belt, the
weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2570 ± 17 Ma (Fig. 5E) is most
likely the age of xenocrysts obtained either from the source region
or trapped during emplacement.
Twenty-two analyses of mostly euhedral and banded cores
define the main age peak (Fig. 5A and D). They show appar-
ent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages of 2497 ± 21 Ma to 2542 ± 29 Ma, yielding a
weighted mean age of 2511 ± 7 Ma (MSWD = 0.55) (Fig. 5F). When
the banded zoning, magmatic zircon-like REE patterns and high
Th/U ratios of the analyzed spots (Fig. 5A and C) are combined, the
weighted mean age of 2511 ± 7 Ma is considered to be the crystal-
lization age of the magmatic precursor of the tonalite.
Another age group comprises ten analyses, and they were
mostly obtained on dark structureless cores (e.g. spot #12), yielding
apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages of 2401 ± 12 Ma to 2475 ± 15 Ma (Fig. 5A
and B). Their REE patterns (Fig. 5C) and high Th/U ratios suggest that
they were magmatic zircons. However, their spread along concor-
dia implies that they were subjected to variable Pb-loss. The young
concordant 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2269 ± 15 Ma (spot #3) was obtained
from a rounded grain (Fig. 5A). Although its Th/U ratio of 1.15
is high for a metamorphic zircon, it nevertheless may record the
time of metamorphism in this sample. As noted in previous studies,
regional granulite facies metamorphism with emplacement of syn-
chronous charnockitic rocks in the Precambrian Jianping Complex
occurred at ca. 2485 Ma, followed by the intrusion of post-tectonic
granitoids at 2472 Ma (Kröner et al., 1998; Liu et al., 2011a). Sub-
sequently, metamorphism in the upper amphibolite facies and
synchronous plutonism at 2460–2350 Ma was recorded in the
Precambrian North Chaoyang Complex (the western part of the
NCFY-GGB). In addition, the supracrustal sequences of the Yixian-
Fuxin greenstone belt were subjected to ca. 2485 Ma regional
metamorphism, and also record multiple stages of younger thermal
events between 2460 and 2043 Ma (Liu et al., 2010, 2011a; Wang
et al., 2011). Accordingly, these younger ages in sample OCY10-1
register disturbances induced in the ∼2510 Ma magmatic zircon
population by one or more of these Paleoproterozoic metamorphic
events.
5.2.2. Sample OYX01-4
Zircon grains separated from granodiorite gneiss sample
OYX01-4 display elongate or oval shapes ranging in size between
50 ␮m and 150 ␮m, with length/width ratios of 1:1 to 3:1. The
cathodoluminescence images show that these zircon grains have
complicated core-rim structures. The cores generally show either
oscillatory zoning (e.g. spots #14, #16) or are bright structureless
areas (e.g. spot #15) with irregular outlines, indicating that they
were subjected to subsequent recrystallization (Corfu et al., 2003).
The cores are locally surrounded by dark mantles with blurred oscil-
latory zoning (spot #19). In addition, a few grains have thick bright
rims with dark cores (spot #10) (Fig. 6A). A total of twenty-nine
analyses were performed on twenty-six zircon grains, and they
have a wide range in Th (32–281 ppm) and U (46–891 ppm) con-
centrations (Table 2). However, most of their Th/U ratios are higher
than 0.1 ranging from 0.14 to 1.37, except for one analysis (spot
#26) obtained from a dark rim which records a Th/U ratio of 0.08.
Moreover, rare earth elements (REEs) of all the analyzed zircon
domains show consistent chondrite normalized REE patterns with
positive Ce anomalies, moderate negative Eu anomalies and steep
HREE patterns (Fig. 6B), further indicating that they were origi-
nally formed during magmatic crystallization (Rubatto, 2002). The
twenty-nine analyses show a wide range of apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb
ages from 2086 Ma to 2591 Ma (Table 2), and define a pronounced
discordant line with an upper intercept age of 2530 ± 22 Ma
(MSWD = 5.4) (Fig. 6C). This implies that the zircons have under-
gone different degrees of Pb loss. Eight analyses from mostly
oscillatory zones (spots #04, #05, #06, #11, #14, #15, #16 and
#28) plot on or close to concordia (95–105% concordant) and yield a
weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2521 ± 9 Ma (MSWD = 0.46) and
an upper intercept age of 2523 ± 22 Ma (MSWD = 0.18) (Fig. 6D).
Therefore, the weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2521 ± 9 Ma is
considered to be the best estimate of the crystallization age of the
magmatic precursor of the granodiorite. The recrystallized outer
domain of grain #10 (Fig. 6A) records an age of 2278 ± 46 Ma.
Although discordant, this is within error of the youngest grain in
tonalite sample OCY10-1 and may indicate that metamorphism
occurred at, or close to, this time.
5.2.3. Sample OFX11-2
Most of the zircon grains separated from trondhjemite gneiss
sample OFX11-2 exhibit long prismatic or stubby shapes with
lengths and length/width ratios ranging from 100 ␮m to 200 ␮m
and 1:1 to 3:1, respectively. Cathodoluminescence images show
that they have core-rim structures (Fig. 7A). The cores show
oscillatory zoning (spots #6 and #21), typical of magmatic zircons.
Some cores are lighter than the rims, whereas some are darker (see
Fig. 7A). Most cores record the older ages (e.g. 2666 ± 11 Ma of spot
#21) and indicate they are remnants of inherited zircons. The cores
are generally enveloped by bright structureless rims (e.g. spot #27)
(Fig. 7A) that appear to corrode the cores. A total of thirty-four
analyses were carried out on twenty-eight zircon grains from
this sample (Table 2). On the concordia diagram (Fig. 7B), most
of analyses plot on or close to concordia, except for discordant
spots #11 and #17, and their apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages range
from 2362 ± 16 Ma to 2668 ± 12 Ma. As shown on the probability
Table 2
Zircon U–Pb isotopic data for samples OCY10-1, OYX01-4, OFX11-2 and YX05-1.

Sample and Th U Th/U Corrected isotopic ratios Apparent ages (Ma)

analytical (ppm) (ppm)
spot number 207 206
Pb/ Pb ±1 207 235
Pb/ U ±1 206 238
Pb/ U ±1 207
Pb/206 Pb ± 207
Pb/235 U ± 206
Pb/238 U ±

OCY10-1-01 45 38 1.17 0.1386 0.0015 10.79 0.18 0.4754 0.0063 2504 13 2505 16 2507 27
OCY10-1-02 10 26 0.38 0.1382 0.0021 11.67 0.20 0.4915 0.0066 2579 13 2579 16 2577 28
OCY10-1-03 69 60 1.15 0.1193 0.0014 8.33 0.15 0.4210 0.0057 2269 15 2267 16 2265 26
OCY10-1-04 15 14 1.06 0.1329 0.0020 9.80 0.21 0.4547 0.0066 2416 18 2417 20 2416 29
OCY10-1-05 23 18 1.23 0.1380 0.0017 10.79 0.20 0.4743 0.0066 2507 15 2505 18 2502 29
OCY10-1-06 18 16 1.18 0.1359 0.0021 10.77 0.24 0.4747 0.0070 2502 19 2503 20 2504 31
OCY10-1-07 18 15 1.19 0.1371 0.0021 10.75 0.23 0.4743 0.0070 2501 18 2502 20 2502 31
OCY10-1-08 14 13 1.11 0.1441 0.0034 10.81 0.34 0.4758 0.0086 2504 30 2507 29 2509 38
OCY10-1-09 15 13 1.11 0.1410 0.0026 11.60 0.29 0.4900 0.0078 2574 22 2573 24 2571 34
OCY10-1-10 20 16 1.24 0.1327 0.0023 11.15 0.27 0.4816 0.0075 2536 21 2536 23 2534 33
OCY10-1-11 20 18 1.11 0.1384 0.0024 10.81 0.26 0.4747 0.0074 2508 21 2507 22 2504 32
OCY10-1-12 38 661 0.06 0.1355 0.0016 10.30 0.15 0.4650 0.0060 2462 11 2462 14 2462 26

W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

OCY10-1-13 20 17 1.20 0.1410 0.0032 11.20 0.35 0.4822 0.0088 2542 29 2540 29 2537 38
OCY10-1-14 18 15 1.19 0.1334 0.0027 10.74 0.30 0.4729 0.0079 2504 25 2501 26 2496 34
OCY10-1-15 22 18 1.22 0.1340 0.0019 10.13 0.21 0.4621 0.0067 2444 18 2447 19 2449 29
OCY10-1-16 26 21 1.23 0.1340 0.0018 10.78 0.21 0.4751 0.0067 2502 16 2504 18 2506 29
OCY10-1-17 20 16 1.20 0.1327 0.0021 10.41 0.23 0.4674 0.0070 2471 19 2472 21 2472 31
OCY10-1-18 22 21 1.00 0.1327 0.0018 10.30 0.20 0.4653 0.0065 2461 16 2462 18 2463 28
OCY10-1-19 23 18 1.27 0.1298 0.0019 10.22 0.22 0.4635 0.0068 2454 18 2455 20 2455 30
OCY10-1-20 25 20 1.25 0.1298 0.0018 9.85 0.20 0.4559 0.0065 2419 17 2421 19 2421 29
OCY10-1-21 21 17 1.19 0.1377 0.0023 10.70 0.26 0.4733 0.0073 2497 21 2498 22 2498 32
OCY10-1-22 23 18 1.24 0.1352 0.0019 10.85 0.23 0.4759 0.0069 2510 17 2510 19 2510 30
OCY10-1-23 97 77 1.27 0.1346 0.0014 11.21 0.19 0.4830 0.0064 2540 13 2541 16 2540 28
OCY10-1-24 76 212 0.36 0.1294 0.0019 10.82 0.19 0.4749 0.0063 2510 13 2508 16 2505 28
OCY10-1-25 66 318 0.21 0.1283 0.0016 9.66 0.15 0.4521 0.0059 2401 12 2403 15 2404 26
OCY10-1-26 19 16 1.17 0.1378 0.0022 10.93 0.25 0.4775 0.0071 2517 19 2517 21 2516 31
OCY10-1-27 55 73 0.76 0.1370 0.0016 11.45 0.19 0.4883 0.0065 2560 13 2562 16 2563 28
OCY10-1-28 45 39 1.14 0.1382 0.0016 10.77 0.19 0.4740 0.0064 2505 14 2503 17 2501 28
OCY10-1-29 98 511 0.19 0.1309 0.0015 9.93 0.16 0.4575 0.0059 2427 12 2428 14 2428 26
OCY10-1-30 142 231 0.61 0.1370 0.0014 10.75 0.17 0.4743 0.0062 2501 12 2502 15 2502 27
OCY10-1-31 19 16 1.19 0.1339 0.0019 10.98 0.23 0.4784 0.0069 2522 17 2522 19 2520 30
OCY10-1-32 18 16 1.15 0.1306 0.0021 10.72 0.24 0.4736 0.0070 2499 19 2499 21 2499 31
OCY10-1-33 23 18 1.27 0.1315 0.0019 10.89 0.24 0.4766 0.0070 2515 18 2514 20 2512 31
OCY10-1-34 85 262 0.32 0.1357 0.0015 10.90 0.17 0.4769 0.0062 2514 12 2514 15 2514 27
OCY10-1-35 103 650 0.16 0.1345 0.0014 10.76 0.17 0.4739 0.0061 2504 12 2502 14 2500 27
OCY10-1-36 55 45 1.23 0.1295 0.0016 10.45 0.19 0.4682 0.0064 2475 15 2476 17 2476 28
OYX01-4-01 95 693 0.14 0.1620 0.0032 7.45 0.12 0.3335 0.0039 2476 34 2167 14 1855 19
OYX01-4-02 88 68 1.30 0.1599 0.0028 5.07 0.09 0.2300 0.0029 2455 15 1831 15 1334 15
OYX01-4-03 120 373 0.32 0.1607 0.0034 8.81 0.15 0.3979 0.0048 2463 37 2319 16 2159 22
OYX01-4-04 66 54 1.22 0.1663 0.0027 10.83 0.18 0.4725 0.0058 2521 14 2509 16 2494 26
OYX01-4-05 36 113 0.32 0.1665 0.0026 11.08 0.18 0.4827 0.0059 2522 13 2530 15 2539 25
OYX01-4-06 32 122 0.26 0.1668 0.0026 10.57 0.17 0.4596 0.0056 2525 13 2486 15 2438 25
OYX01-4-07 234 170 1.37 0.1734 0.0026 10.98 0.18 0.4592 0.0055 2591 13 2521 15 2436 24
OYX01-4-08 50 180 0.28 0.1647 0.0035 9.65 0.17 0.4252 0.0052 2504 36 2402 16 2284 23
OYX01-4-09 281 335 0.84 0.1531 0.0041 3.97 0.09 0.1883 0.0025 2381 47 1629 19 1112 13
OYX01-4-10 68 117 0.58 0.1442 0.0038 5.06 0.12 0.2546 0.0033 2278 46 1830 19 1462 17
OYX01-4-11 43 66 0.66 0.1664 0.0028 10.76 0.19 0.4691 0.0058 2522 14 2503 16 2480 26
OYX01-4-12 60 62 0.98 0.1614 0.0048 9.77 0.25 0.4391 0.0061 2470 51 2414 24 2347 27
OYX01-4-13 52 208 0.25 0.1630 0.0035 7.64 0.13 0.3399 0.0042 2487 37 2189 16 1886 20
OYX01-4-14 84 70 1.20 0.1680 0.0027 11.18 0.19 0.4829 0.0060 2538 14 2539 16 2540 26
OYX01-4-15 66 94 0.70 0.1650 0.0026 10.46 0.17 0.4599 0.0056 2508 13 2477 15 2439 25
OYX01-4-16 173 331 0.52 0.1666 0.0025 10.38 0.17 0.4520 0.0055 2524 13 2470 15 2404 24

299
 300
OYX01-4-17 127 160 0.79 0.1633 0.0042 9.16 0.20 0.4068 0.0053 2490 45 2354 20 2200 24
OYX01-4-18 53 48 1.10 0.1671 0.0028 10.33 0.18 0.4484 0.0056 2529 14 2465 16 2388 25
OYX01-4-19 239 891 0.27 0.1614 0.0034 8.60 0.15 0.3865 0.0047 2470 36 2296 16 2106 22
OYX01-4-20 92 310 0.30 0.1578 0.0035 6.34 0.11 0.2914 0.0036 2432 38 2024 16 1648 18
OYX01-4-21 223 334 0.67 0.1644 0.0040 9.90 0.21 0.4366 0.0056 2502 42 2425 19 2336 25
OYX01-4-22 53 89 0.60 0.1292 0.0042 4.59 0.13 0.2579 0.0035 2086 58 1748 24 1479 18
OYX01-4-23 80 174 0.46 0.1480 0.0037 6.52 0.14 0.3195 0.0041 2323 44 2048 19 1787 20
OYX01-4-24 46 46 1.02 0.1677 0.0031 10.31 0.20 0.4458 0.0058 2535 16 2463 18 2377 26
OYX01-4-25 48 85 0.57 0.1666 0.0027 10.17 0.18 0.4427 0.0055 2523 14 2450 16 2363 24
OYX01-4-26 57 731 0.08 0.1608 0.0032 8.70 0.14 0.3923 0.0046 2464 34 2307 14 2133 21
OYX01-4-27 70 421 0.17 0.1608 0.0033 8.22 0.14 0.3709 0.0045 2464 36 2256 15 2033 21
OYX01-4-28 62 84 0.74 0.1652 0.0027 10.89 0.19 0.4779 0.0059 2510 14 2513 16 2518 26
OYX01-4-29 81 160 0.51 0.1651 0.0026 9.86 0.17 0.4333 0.0053 2508 14 2422 15 2321 24
OFX11-2-01 11 261 0.04 0.1669 0.0021 11.03 0.16 0.4796 0.0061 2526 11 2526 14 2525 26
OFX11-2-02 10 219 0.04 0.1671 0.0032 10.55 0.15 0.4581 0.0057 2528 33 2484 14 2431 25

W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

OFX11-2-03 43 532 0.08 0.1663 0.0021 10.88 0.16 0.4744 0.0060 2520 11 2513 14 2503 26
OFX11-2-04 72 843 0.09 0.1587 0.0020 10.08 0.15 0.4604 0.0058 2442 11 2442 13 2441 26
OFX11-2-05 97 59 1.63 0.1641 0.0027 10.71 0.19 0.4732 0.0064 2498 14 2498 16 2498 28
OFX11-2-06 84 218 0.39 0.1780 0.0023 12.40 0.18 0.5053 0.0064 2634 11 2635 14 2636 27
OFX11-2-07 16 34 0.46 0.1797 0.0034 12.67 0.25 0.5113 0.0073 2650 16 2655 19 2662 31
OFX11-2-08 8 128 0.07 0.1682 0.0024 11.21 0.18 0.4834 0.0063 2540 12 2541 15 2542 27
OFX11-2-09 16 58 0.27 0.1631 0.0024 10.61 0.17 0.4718 0.0062 2488 13 2490 15 2491 27
OFX11-2-10 8 301 0.03 0.1672 0.0021 11.05 0.16 0.4793 0.0061 2530 11 2527 14 2524 26
OFX11-2-11 69 27 2.61 0.1652 0.0025 11.63 0.19 0.5105 0.0068 2510 13 2575 16 2659 29
OFX11-2-12 48 351 0.14 0.1733 0.0022 11.80 0.17 0.4938 0.0063 2589 11 2588 14 2587 27
OFX11-2-13 50 78 0.63 0.1728 0.0025 11.73 0.19 0.4925 0.0064 2584 12 2583 15 2582 28
OFX11-2-14 12 298 0.04 0.1739 0.0023 11.89 0.18 0.4958 0.0064 2596 11 2596 14 2596 27
OFX11-2-15 18 569 0.03 0.1651 0.0021 10.86 0.16 0.4770 0.0061 2508 11 2511 14 2514 26
OFX11-2-16 68 36 1.88 0.1701 0.0029 11.44 0.21 0.4880 0.0066 2558 14 2560 17 2562 29
OFX11-2-17 47 500 0.09 0.1664 0.0033 9.30 0.14 0.4052 0.0051 2522 34 2368 14 2193 23
OFX11-2-18 359 941 0.38 0.1706 0.0021 11.49 0.17 0.4884 0.0062 2563 11 2564 14 2564 27
OFX11-2-19 60 13 4.45 0.1657 0.0033 10.89 0.23 0.4764 0.0069 2515 17 2514 19 2511 30
OFX11-2-20 51 913 0.06 0.1681 0.0021 11.18 0.16 0.4826 0.0061 2538 11 2539 14 2538 27
OFX11-2-21 73 118 0.62 0.1814 0.0024 12.82 0.20 0.5123 0.0066 2666 11 2666 14 2666 28
OFX11-2-22 144 286 0.50 0.1816 0.0025 12.85 0.20 0.5130 0.0066 2668 12 2669 15 2669 28
OFX11-2-23 42 85 0.49 0.1816 0.0025 12.82 0.20 0.5119 0.0066 2667 12 2666 15 2665 28
OFX11-2-24 54 35 1.55 0.1514 0.0027 9.22 0.18 0.4416 0.0061 2362 16 2360 18 2358 27
OFX11-2-25 64 255 0.25 0.1691 0.0022 11.31 0.17 0.4851 0.0062 2549 11 2549 14 2549 27
OFX11-2-26 44 170 0.26 0.1639 0.0023 10.67 0.17 0.4720 0.0061 2496 12 2495 14 2492 27
OFX11-2-27 91 66 1.38 0.1552 0.0023 9.74 0.16 0.4551 0.0060 2404 13 2411 15 2418 26
OFX11-2-28 88 128 0.69 0.1552 0.0022 9.65 0.16 0.4510 0.0059 2404 12 2402 15 2400 26
OFX11-2-29 145 331 0.44 0.1729 0.0023 11.77 0.18 0.4936 0.0063 2586 11 2587 14 2586 27
OFX11-2-30 80 38 2.14 0.1728 0.0028 11.75 0.21 0.4932 0.0067 2584 14 2585 16 2584 29
OFX11-2-31 34 483 0.07 0.1719 0.0022 11.66 0.17 0.4919 0.0063 2576 11 2577 14 2579 27
OFX11-2-32 81 313 0.26 0.1776 0.0023 12.36 0.18 0.5049 0.0065 2630 11 2632 14 2635 28
OFX11-2-33 81 57 1.42 0.1633 0.0027 10.61 0.19 0.4710 0.0064 2490 14 2489 17 2488 28
OFX11-2-34 54 25 2.13 0.1719 0.0031 11.64 0.22 0.4911 0.0068 2576 15 2576 18 2575 30
YX05-1-01 88 161 0.55 0.1640 0.0009 10.67 0.11 0.4706 0.0041 2497 9 2494 9 2486 18
YX05-1-02 100 242 0.41 0.1618 0.0011 9.28 0.06 0.4161 0.0034 2474 12 2366 6 2243 15
YX05-1-03 123 1289 0.10 0.1602 0.0005 7.03 0.07 0.3171 0.0027 2458 5 2115 8 1776 13
YX05-1-04 58 187 0.31 0.1586 0.0007 8.12 0.07 0.3703 0.0029 2443 8 2244 8 2031 14
YX05-1-05 69 128 0.54 0.1593 0.0017 8.64 0.13 0.3942 0.0055 2448 17 2300 14 2142 25
Table 2 (Continued )

Sample and Th U Th/U Corrected isotopic ratios Apparent ages (Ma)

analytical (ppm) (ppm)
spot number 207 206
Pb/ Pb ±1 207 235
Pb/ U ±1 206 238
Pb/ U ±1 207
Pb/206 Pb ± 207
Pb/235 U ± 206
Pb/238 U ±

YX05-1-06 68 1025 0.07 0.1582 0.0007 7.85 0.06 0.3591 0.0026 2436 7 2214 7 1978 12
YX05-1-07 67 553 0.12 0.1575 0.0007 6.50 0.08 0.2986 0.0037 2429 7 2046 11 1684 18
YX05-1-08 58 1052 0.06 0.1582 0.0005 8.33 0.04 0.3809 0.0014 2436 6 2268 5 2080 6

W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

YX05-1-09 64 232 0.27 0.1586 0.0021 9.11 0.13 0.4176 0.0047 2440 22 2349 13 2249 22
YX05-1-10 244 1329 0.18 0.1583 0.0012 7.51 0.09 0.3430 0.0028 2439 13 2174 10 1901 13
YX05-1-11 97 433 0.22 0.1607 0.0007 8.86 0.05 0.3991 0.0016 2463 7 2324 5 2165 7
YX05-1-12 102 1058 0.10 0.1582 0.0005 7.28 0.06 0.3331 0.0025 2437 6 2147 7 1853 12
YX05-1-13 165 240 0.69 0.1602 0.0013 10.20 0.11 0.4623 0.0046 2458 14 2453 10 2450 20
YX05-1-14 70 162 0.43 0.1612 0.0011 9.81 0.10 0.4407 0.0030 2469 12 2417 9 2354 14
YX05-1-15 66 917 0.07 0.1600 0.0006 8.47 0.06 0.3837 0.0020 2457 6 2283 6 2093 9
YX05-1-16 112 167 0.67 0.1634 0.0017 10.48 0.12 0.4678 0.0052 2491 18 2478 11 2474 23
YX05-1-17 65 307 0.21 0.1628 0.0010 9.44 0.08 0.4197 0.0023 2485 9 2382 8 2259 10
YX05-1-18 179 1118 0.16 0.1629 0.0005 8.87 0.09 0.3935 0.0035 2487 5 2325 9 2139 16
YX05-1-19 172 1641 0.10 0.1615 0.0006 6.00 0.04 0.2685 0.0017 2472 6 1976 6 1533 9
YX05-1-20 73 250 0.29 0.1642 0.0022 7.54 0.12 0.3344 0.0054 2500 24 2177 14 1860 26
YX05-1-21 115 170 0.68 0.1659 0.0009 10.31 0.09 0.4481 0.0028 2517 9 2463 8 2387 12
YX05-1-22 112 262 0.43 0.1660 0.0010 9.63 0.07 0.4185 0.0024 2518 9 2400 6 2254 11
YX05-1-23 76 445 0.17 0.1645 0.0006 10.54 0.17 0.4616 0.0071 2503 5 2483 15 2447 31
YX05-1-24 83 170 0.49 0.1665 0.0011 10.85 0.12 0.4712 0.0047 2524 45 2511 10 2489 21
YX05-1-25 108 186 0.58 0.1662 0.0013 11.56 0.14 0.5021 0.0058 2520 13 2569 12 2623 25
YX05-1-26 155 1048 0.15 0.1542 0.0007 4.29 0.03 0.2007 0.0013 2394 206 1691 5 1179 7
YX05-1-27 115 141 0.82 0.1624 0.0012 10.55 0.08 0.4694 0.0030 2481 13 2485 7 2481 13
YX05-1-28 65 234 0.28 0.1631 0.0010 9.35 0.08 0.4143 0.0028 2488 9 2373 8 2234 13
YX05-1-29 140 205 0.68 0.1618 0.0010 10.37 0.07 0.4639 0.0029 2476 10 2468 7 2457 13
YX05-1-30 62 76 0.82 0.1602 0.0018 11.10 0.15 0.5015 0.0052 2458 19 2531 12 2620 22
YX05-1-31 65 189 0.34 0.1624 0.0015 10.29 0.13 0.4573 0.0054 2481 15 2461 11 2428 24
YX05-1-32 86 150 0.57 0.1650 0.0014 11.04 0.11 0.4820 0.0045 2509 13 2527 9 2536 19
YX05-1-33 109 226 0.48 0.1638 0.0008 10.49 0.07 0.4600 0.0026 2496 8 2479 7 2439 12
YX05-1-34 131 934 0.14 0.1633 0.0005 8.24 0.05 0.3621 0.0018 2500 6 2258 5 1992 9
YX05-1-35 106 195 0.54 0.1662 0.0013 10.88 0.10 0.4698 0.0042 2520 13 2513 9 2483 18
YX05-1-36 68 863 0.08 0.1632 0.0006 10.63 0.11 0.4660 0.0049 2489 6 2491 10 2466 22

Note: 204 Pb has been corrected using the method of Anderson (2002).

301
302 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

Fig. 5. The tonalitic gneiss sample OCY10-1. (A) CL images of representative zircon grains showing internal structures and analytical locations. Numbers are spot locations in
Table 2; (B) concordia diagram showing all analytical spots; (C) zircon REE patterns of all analyzed spots; (D) a histogram of the apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages; (E and F) concordia
diagrams for analyses defining the first older age peak and the main age peak, respectively.

density plot, six analyses of both dark (spots #6, #22, #23 and with Th/U ratios from 0.26 to 0.62. The ages of these zircon cores
#32) and light cores (spots #7 and #21) yield apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb are older than the metavolcanics in the supracrustal sequence
ages between 2630 ± 11 Ma and 2668 ± 12 Ma (Fig. 7C). They have (2534–2589 Ma, Wang et al., 2011), and are therefore considered
Th and U contents of 16–114 ppm and 34–313 ppm, respectively, to reflect the crystallization ages of inherited zircons, and may
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
Fig. 6. The granodioritic gneiss sample OYX01-4. (A) CL images of representative zircon grains showing internal structures and analytical locations. Numbers are spot
locations in Table 2; (B) zircon REE patterns for all analytical spots; (C) concordia diagram of all analyzed spots; and (D) concordia diagram of the analyses used to determine
the weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age with 95–105% concordance level.
represent ages of the magmatic source materials in this area.
Nine analyses (spots #12, #13, #14, #16, #18, #29, #30, #31 and
#34) were obtained from dark oscillatory zoned cores (similar
to spot #6, Fig. 7A), and record apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages from
2558 ± 14 Ma to 2596 ± 11 Ma. Their Th and U contents range
from 12 to 359 ppm and from 25 to 941 ppm, respectively, and
most of their Th/U ratios are higher than 0.14 (two exceptions of
spots #14 and #31 with Th/U values of 0.04 and 0.07). A weighted
mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2580 ± 8 Ma (MSWD = 1.04) is yielded by
the nine analyses (Fig. 7D), which is within error of the inherited
zircons in tonalite gneiss sample OCY10-1.
Another major peak is defined by fifteen analyses of light oscil-
latory zoned zircon (e.g. spot #19) or dark grain centers (e.g. spot
#20) with oscillatory or banded zoning (Fig. 7A). They have Th con-
tents from 8 to 97 ppm and U from 13 to 913 ppm. Eight analyses
(spots #1, #2, #3, #8, #10, #15, #17 and #25) with fairly high U con-
tent (128–913 ppm) yield Th/U ratios lower than 0.1 (0.03–0.09),
and the other seven analyses (spots #5, #9, #11, #19, #26, #25 and
#33) have low U content between 13 and 255 ppm, corresponding
to Th/U values higher than 0.25. Rare earth element contents of the
fifteen analyses are listed in Table 4. Most of them show consistent
chondrite normalized REE patterns with positive Ce anomalies,
moderate negative Eu anomalies and steep HREE patterns (Fig. 7E),
indicative of magmatic zircons (Rubatto, 2002). Two analyses
(spots #17 and #20 with lower Th/U ratios of 0.06 and 0.09) have
anomalously higher LREE contents without negative Eu anomalies.
This type of REE pattern may reflect mobility of incompatible
303
elements (LREE, Th and U) resulting from local recrystallization of
the original magmatic zircon (Whitehouse and Kamber, 2003) or it
could result from analysis of damaged zircon with or without the
presence of inclusions (Cavosie et al., 2006). The fifteen analyses
define a discordia and yield an upper intercept age of 2519 ± 11 Ma
(MSWD = 1.5), whereas the twelve most concordant analyses give
a weighted mean age of 2517 ± 13 Ma (MSWD = 2.6) (Fig. 7F).
Therefore, the weighted mean age of 2517 ± 13 Ma is taken to
record the crystallization age of the magmatic precursor for sample
OFX11-2.
Four analyses of bright structureless rims (spots #4, #24,
#27 and #28) have younger apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages between
2362 ± 16 Ma and 2442 ± 11 Ma, and Th and U contents of
54–91 ppm and 35–843 ppm, respectively, yielding Th/U ratios
from 0.09 to 1.55. Similar to those of sample OCY10-1, they reflect
the effects of regional Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal events (Liu
et al., 2010, 2011a; Wang et al., 2011) on the Neoarchean zircons.
5.2.4. Sample YX05-1
Zircon grains from granodiorite gneiss sample YX05-1 have
elongate prismatic shapes with lengths from 100 ␮m to 200 ␮m
and length/width ratios of 2:1 to 4:1. Most of the analyzed zir-
con grains exhibit dark oscillatory zoned or structureless cores
surrounded by light zones with oscillatory zoning in cathodolumi-
nescence images (Fig. 8A). The other zircon grains analyzed display
euhedral cores with weak internal structures enveloped by bright
structureless rims (spots #29, #35). A total of thirty-six spots were
304 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

Fig. 7. The trondhjemitic gneiss sample OFX11-2. (A) CL images of representative zircon grains showing internal structures and analytical locations. Numbers are spot
locations in Table 2; (B) concordia diagram showing all analyzed spots; (C) a histogram of the apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages; (D) concordia diagram for analyses defining the first
main age peak on the probability density plot; (E) analyzed REE patterns of zircons and (F) concordia diagram of analyses of the second main age peak (magmatic zircons)
on the probability density plot.
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
Fig. 8. The granodioritic gneiss sample YX05-1. (A) CL images of representative zircon grains showing internal structures and analytical locations. Numbers are spot locations
in Table 2; (B) zircon REE patterns for all analyses; (C) concordia diagram for all analyzed spots; and (D) concordia diagram for analyses used to determine weighted mean
207
Pb/206 Pb age with 95–105% concordance level.
analyzed on thirty-five zircon grains, yielding apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb
ages ranging from 2394 Ma to 2524 Ma (Table 2). They have Th
and U contents of 58–244 ppm and 76–1641 ppm, respectively, and
most of them have Th/U ratios between 0.10 and 0.82. Four analyses
of dark central zones (spots #6, #15 and #36) and bright recrystal-
lized cores (spot #8) have lower Th/U ratios of 0.06–0.08. However,
rare earth elements (REEs) of all the analyzed spots show consis-
tent chondrite normalized REE patterns with positive Ce anomalies,
moderate negative Eu anomalies and steep HREE patterns (Fig. 8B),
indicating their magmatic crystallization (Rubatto, 2002). On the
concordia diagram (Fig. 8C), they define a discondia and yield an
upper intercept age of 2498 ± 11 Ma with a large MSWD value
of 9.3. Twelve analyses of predominantly oscillatory zoned rims
and central domains plot on or close to the concordia (95–105%
concordance level), and yield a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age
of 2494 ± 8 Ma (MSWD = 1.9) (Fig. 8D). The weighted mean age
of 2494 ± 8 Ma is interpreted to be the best estimate of the crys-
tallization age of the magmatic precursor of sample YX05-1. The
discordance is interpreted to be the result of recent Pb loss.
Lu–Hf isotopic analyses were also synchronously obtained on
the above thirty-six spots using the LA-MC-ICPMS method. These
analyses show very similar 176 Hf/177 Hf(t1 ) ratios from 0.281216 to
0.281315 (Fig. 9A). If the ␧Hf(t) values are corrected to the crys-
tallization age of sample YX05-1 (2494 Ma), all the analyses give
positive ␧Hf(t2 ) values from +0.9 to +4.5 with TDM and crustal
average model ages (TDM C ) of 2.63–2.77 Ga and 2.73–2.96 Ga, respec-
tively (Table 3, Fig. 9B).
305
5.2.5. Sample CY26-1
LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating of the dioritic gneiss CY26-1 yields
a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2512 ± 15 Ma (MSWD = 0.09),
which was interpreted to be the crystallization age of its mag-
matic precursor (Liu et al., 2011a). Zircon Lu–Hf isotopes have
also been determined for the dated spots (Table 3), except for one
rejected (spot #21) and two inherited zircon domains (spots #2
and #32) that were presented in Liu et al. (2011a). When cal-
culated at their respective apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages (t1 ), they
show similar 176 Hf/177 Hf(t1 ) ratios from 0.281234 to 0.281356
(Fig. 9C). When corrected to the crystallization age (t2 ), all the
dated spots yield positive ␧Hf(t2 ) values from +2.0 to +6.3, with
TDM and TDMC values of 2.58–2.74 Ga and 2.63–2.91 Ga, respectively
(Fig. 9D).
6. Discussion
6.1. Petrogenesis
The granitoid gneisses from the NCFY-GGB have been subdi-
vided into two groups, a high Mg group (HMG) and a low Mg
group (LMG), on the basis of their MgO content. Since the HMG
samples have higher MgO and lower SiO2 than those of the LMG
(Fig. 3B and Table 1), it is possible that samples of the two groups
have a common parental magma, but modified by shallow level
fractional crystallization of mafic minerals such as hornblende
or by crustal contamination (AFC). Amphibole has higher KD
306 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311

Fig. 9. Lu–Hf isotopic analyses of analyzed zircon domains for samples YX05-1 and CY26-1. (A) 176 Hf/177 Hf(t1 ) vs. apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages (t1 ) and (B) ␧Hf(t2 ) vs. crystal-
lization age (t2 ) diagrams for sample YX05-1; (C) 176 Hf/177 Hf(t1 ) vs. apparent 207 Pb/206 Pb ages (t1 ) and (D) ␧Hf(t2 ) vs. crystallization age (t2 ) diagrams for sample CY26-1
(176 Lu/177 Hf ratios of the depleted mantle and chondrite are 0.0384 and 0.0332, respectively (after Blichert-Toft and Albarède (1997) and Griffin et al. (2000)).

values for HREE and even higher for MREE (Rollinson, 1993).
Therefore, amphibole fractionation from a felsic magmatic system
can decrease the Dy/Yb ratio of the magma with increasing SiO2
content (Huang et al., 2010). Given the nearly consistent Dy/Yb
ratios for both the HMG and LMG samples from the NCFY-GGB
(mostly 1.32–2.20), only a minor role could have been played by
amphibole fractionation. Furthermore, fractional crystallization
of plagioclase or apatite is also not evident as negative Eu and
P anomalies are absent in the chondrite normalized REE and
primitive mantle normalized trace element patterns of the LMG
samples (Fig. 4C–F). The lack of negative correlation between Nb/La
ratios (mostly of 0.08–0.34) and SiO2 content precludes major
crustal contamination (Table 1, DePaolo, 1981; Wang et al., 2009).
Accordingly, the LMG rocks should have a different petrogenesis
from the HMG rocks, since fractional crystallization and crustal
contamination cannot account for their compositional differences.
6.1.1. High Mg group (HMG)
As shown above, the nine samples of the HMG display similar
geochemical features to those of adakites (Defant and Drummond,
1990; Martin et al., 2005). Three samples (OYX07-5, OYX07-11 and
OYX01-4) have low Mg# of 44.16–48.47, comparable with those
of Archean TTG gneisses (Martin, 1999). However, their lower SiO2
(59.65–65.76%) and higher MgO (2.53–3.12%) and FeOT contents
(4.80–7.04%) indicate their greater affinity to adakitic rocks (Martin
et al., 2005; Huang et al., 2009).
Previous experimental studies on the genesis of TTG magmas
showed that liquids derived from partial melting of basaltic rocks
(basalts or amphibolites) have generally high SiO2 (68.94%) and
low MgO contents (0.84%) (Rapp and Watson, 1995; Zamora,
2000). In addition, some highly alkaline Na-rich granitoid rocks
that were generated by partial melting of hydrated basaltic
materials at the base of magmatically or tectonically thickened
crust also display higher SiO2 (63.50–70.13%) and lower MgO
(0.86–1.90%) contents, similar to those of the experimental TTG
melts (Petford and Atherton, 1996; Smithies, 2000). On the MgO
versus SiO2 diagram (Fig. 3B), most samples in the HMG have MgO
contents higher than those of the experimental melts derived
from partial melting of basaltic rocks, and plot into the HSA or LSA
adakite fields. Furthermore, the dated sample CY26-1 (a dioritic
gneiss) yields positive zircon ␧Hf(t2 ) values of +2.0 to +6.3, with
the highest ␧Hf(t2 ) value close to the depleted mantle evolu-
tionary line (␧Hf(2512 Ma) = +7.0) (Fig. 9D), indicating that single
crustal source cannot account for its petrogenesis. Therefore, we
propose that the adakite-like rocks of the HMG may be derived
from partial melting of subducted oceanic slabs, with the melt
interacting with peridotite during its ascent through the mantle
wedge (Martin et al., 2005). The varying SiO2 and MgO contents
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311 307

may be due to variable contamination by mantle materials (Rapp

et al., 1999). The low Y and Yb contents and corresponding high
(La/Yb)N ratios suggest the presence of garnet and hornblende in
the residue (Martin, 1999; Moyen, 2009). However, the absence
of concave upward REE patterns suggests that hornblende did
not play a crucial role in the magma generation processes. The
weak Eu anomalies (Eu*/EuN * = 0.71–1.25), together with the
high Sr contents (311–633 ppm) and Sr/Y ratios also indicate that
plagioclase was absent in the residue during partial melting (Liu
et al., 2004). This implies that the subducted slab basalts must
have been converted to eclogites prior to partial melting.

6.1.2. Low Mg group (LMG)

Archean TTG gneisses are enriched in Na2 O (4.51 ± 0.24%) with
low K2 O/Na2 O ratios (0.51 ± 0.24, Condie, 2005a). Based on the
low K2 O content and K2 O/Na2 O ratios, granitoid gneisses in the
LMG can be further subdivided into a low-K subgroup (LKSG:
FX01-1, OFX11-2, CY04-5 and OCY13-5) and a high-K subgroup
(HKSG: YX05-1, OYX02-1, OYX11-1 and CY12-2) (Fig. 3C). The for-
mer is characterized by K2 O contents of 1.68–3.61% and K2 O/Na2 O
ratios of 0.35–0.83 (average value of 0.53), whereas the latter have
higher K2 O contents of 3.98–5.97% and higher K2 O/Na2 O ratios of
0.99–1.94 (average value of 1.37) (Table 1 and Fig. 3C).
6.1.2.1. The LKSG. Four samples in the LKSG display high
Sr (241–631 ppm), and low Y (0.75–6.52 ppm) and Yb
(0.12–0.39 ppm) contents, showing adakitic signatures with
high (La/Yb)N (30.84–61.36) and Sr/Y (111.28–680.09) ratios
(Moyen, 2009). However, in contrast to samples of the HMG, they
are silica-rich (SiO2 63.02–73.29%) and poor in MgO (0.40–2.10%)
with lower Mg# (33.15–40.70), indicating a crustal source (Yang
et al., 2008; Huang et al., 2009).
Samples CY04-5 (tonalitic gneiss) and OFX11-2 (trondhjemitic
gneiss) have higher SiO2 (67.37–73.29%), Al2 O3 (15.37–15.68%) and
Na2 O contents (4.73–5.40%) but low K2 O contents (1.68–1.91%) and
low K2 O/Na2 O (0.35–0.36, Table 1). On the K2 O versus SiO2 diagram
(Fig. 3C), they plot in the medium-K calc-alkaline series. Sam-
ples OCY13-5 (granodioritic gneiss) and FX01-1 (tonalitic gneiss)
exhibit comparable geochemical characteristics but higher K2 O
content (2.19–3.61%) and K2 O/Na2 O ratios (0.59–0.83) (Table 1),
and plot in the high-K calc-alkaline field (OCY13-5) or the tran-
sitional field between the medium-K calc-alkaline series and the
high-K calc-alkaline series (FX01-1) (Fig. 3C). Overall, the four
samples are chemically similar to those of Archean high-Al TTG
gneisses (Barker and Arth, 1976; Barker, 1979; Condie, 2005a).
Samples CY04-5 and FX01-1 have AFM (molar Al2 O3 /(MgO + FeOT))
and CFM (molar CaO/(MgO + FeOT)) values ranging from 1.20 to
2.02 and 0.62 to 0.97, respectively, and therefore their magmatic
precursors were derived from partial melting of metamorphosed
basaltic sources (Fig. 10). Sample OFX11-2 shows higher AFM
and CFM values of 5.93 and 1.01, respectively, suggesting their
magmatic precursors were generated by partial melting of meta-
morphic greywackes. Sample OCY13-5 falls outside of the plot
area because of higher AFM (16.75) and CFM (4.46) values (Altherr
et al., 2000). Therefore, the magmatic precursors of granitoid
gneisses in the LKSG may not have originated from the partial
melting of metamorphosed tonalitic rocks but from partial melting
of lower continental crustal materials including metamorphosed
basaltic rocks and greywackes because the former will lead to
very high alkali concentrations in the granitoid magma. This is
also consistent with the variable A/CNK values of the four samples
(0.91–1.13).
Samples CY04-5, OFX11-2 and OCY13-5 exhibit concave
upward REE patterns with high (La/Yb)N ratios (30.84–61.36) and
positive Eu anomalies (Eu*/EuN * = 3.92–14.24) (Fig. 4E), indicating
that their magma source must be dominated by amphibole and
Fig. 10. Molar Al2 O3 /(MgO + FeOT) (AFM) vs. molar CaO/(MgO + FeOT) (CFM) dia-
gram showing the source composition for granitoid gneisses in the LMG (LKSG and
HKSG).
Modified from Altherr et al. (2000).
garnet in the residue. Integrated with the positive Sr anomalies
in the primitive mantle normalized spider diagrams (Fig. 4F) and
high Sr/Y ratios, garnet amphibolite is most likely to be the source
composition (Rapp and Watson, 1995; Yang et al., 2008). How-
ever, sample FX01-1 shows a fractionated REE pattern without
a significant Eu anomaly (Eu*/EuN * = 1.05), which together with
the high Sr content (631 ppm) and Sr/Y ratio (112.28) (Fig. 4C
and D), implies that the parental magma could be derived from
partial melting of lower crustal materials in the stability field of
garnet where plagioclase was unstable. The absence of concave
upward REE patterns of sample FX01-1 further suggests that the
magma was most likely derived from partial melting of eclogitic
sources rather than garnet amphibolites (Litvinovsky et al.,
2000).
6.1.2.2. The HKSG. The four granitoid gneisses in the HKSG are char-
acterized by the highest K2 O contents (3.98–5.97%), and belong
to the high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite series (Fig. 3C). The two
monzogranitic gneisses (CY12-2 and OYX11-1) have high SiO2
(71.96–73.69%) and K2 O (4.66–5.97%) contents, but relatively low
MgO contents (0.30–0.57%) (Table 1), resembling leucogranites
(Ayres and Harris, 1997; Kalsbeek et al., 2001). They display high
A/CNK values (1.09–1.15) similar to S-type granites (A/CNK > 1.1),
indicative of their derivation from partial melting of metamor-
phosed sedimentary rocks (Barbarin, 1999). They have AFM and
CFM values of 4.22–8.52 and 0.59–0.80, respectively, and on
the AFM versus CFM diagram (Fig. 10), they plot across the
fields of partial melts from both metamorphosed greywackes and
pelites/siltstones (Altherr et al., 2000). Moreover, the CaO/Na2 O
ratio is an effective parameter to monitor the source composition
of S-type granites. Sylvester (1998) proposed that pelite-derived
melts have lower CaO/Na2 O ratios (<0.3) than psammite-derived
melts (>0.3), even when the latter are produced at low (5 kbar) or
very high (20 kbar) pressures. The two monzogranitic gneisses gen-
erally display low CaO/Na2 O values of 0.25 and 0.31, indicating
magma sources of dominantly metamorphosed pelites and silt-
stones.
The two granodioritic gneisses (OYX02-1 and YX05-1) show
slightly lower SiO2 (65.38–66.89%) and K2 O (3.98–4.17%) contents
but higher MgO (1.64–1.88%) and Mg# (46.30–49.27) (Table 1).
308 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
These geochemical features are analogous to those of high alka-
line Na-rich granitoid rocks that are generated by partial melting of
basaltic rocks at the base of thickened crust (Petford and Atherton,
1996). They have AFM and CFM values ranging from 1.59 to 1.87 and
0.63 to 0.70, respectively, which together with low A/CNK values of
0.90–1.02, indicate that their parental magmas were derived from
partial melting of metamorphosed basaltic sources (Fig. 10, Altherr
et al., 2000). The dated sample YX05-1 (granodioritic gneiss) has
positive zircon ␧Hf(t2 ) values from +0.9 to +4.5, which are lower
than those of the HMG sample (CY26-1, ␧Hf(t2 ) from +2.0 to +6.3)
(Fig. 9). Their TDM values range from 2.63 Ga to 2.77 Ga with a mean
value of 2.70 Ga (Table 3). Given that the highest ␧Hf(t2 ) value
of sample YX05-1 is significantly lower than the synchronously
depleted mantle value (␧Hf(2.49 Ga) = +7.1), these data imply that
the two granodioritic gneisses may be produced chiefly by partial
melting of pre-existing continental crust possibly with formation
age of ∼2.7 Ga (Jiang et al., 2010; Wan et al., 2011b). In addition,
the two granodioritic gneisses have fractionated REE patterns with
high (La/Yb)N ratios (20.82–34.11) and weakly negative to strongly
positive Eu anomalies (Eu*/EuN * = 0.80–3.13) (Fig. 4C). When com-
bined with their high Sr/Y (30.68–135.57), the parental magmas
could have originated from partial melting of eclogitic rocks. The
large variations in the Eu anomalies and Sr contents (277–472 ppm)
may reflect plagioclase fractionation during the evolution of the
magma.
It is noteworthy that all the seventeen granitoid gneisses
analyzed from the NCFY-GGB show diagnostically low Y
(0.40–15.58 ppm) and Yb (0.05–1.80 ppm) contents (Table 1 and
Fig. 4), which strongly indicate that garnet must have been an
important mineral in their magma sources. Moreover, most of them
also display negative Nb–Ta and Ti anomalies (Fig. 4), implying
that rutile may also be an important residual component. Although
several samples have concave-upward chondrite-normalized REE
patterns, their mostly fractionated REE patterns, together with the
low Y and Yb and negative Nb–Ta and Ti anomalies, suggest that
the source materials for the widespread granitoid gneisses in the
NCFY-GGB may have been largely converted to eclogites.
6.2. Neoarchean to Early Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution
The NCFY-GGB is composed of supracrustal rock sequences
dominated by metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks, which
were intruded by large volumes of granitoids that were subse-
quently converted to gneisses (Lin et al., 1997; Kröner et al., 1998).
Recent studies reveal that the metavolcanics were formed prior to
2520 Ma, but were locally as old as 2615 Ma (Liu et al., 2010, 2011a;
Wang et al., 2011). In addition, three dated hornblende plagioclase
gneiss samples from the Yixian-Fuxin greenstone belt have zircon
TDM (Hf) model ages of 2.57–2.76 Ga (Wang et al., 2011), which are
identical within error to the 2.58–2.77 Ga ages of the two dated
samples (YX05-1 and CY26-1) in this study (Fig. 9). These Lu–Hf iso-
topic data provide further support for the existence of a ca. 2.7 Ga
episode of crustal growth in the Western Liaoning metamorphic
terrane, as proposed by previous studies (Jiang et al., 2010; Wang
et al., 2011).
Petrogenetic evaluation of samples in the HMG reveals that they
were derived from partial melting of subducted slabs, which were
contaminated by mantle materials during their ascent. For the LMG
samples, TTG rocks of the LKSG and two granodioritic gneisses
of the HKSG resulted from partial melting of metamorphosed
basaltic rocks with or without contamination from metamorphosed
greywackes in the lower continental crust. The monzogranitic
gneisses in the HKSG were mainly generated by partial melting of
metamorphosed pelite and siltstone sources. The granitoid gneisses
in the HMG and the LKSG were emplaced between 2511 Ma and
2521 Ma, soon after the formation of the supracrustal rocks of the
greenstone belt. However, samples in the HKSG were generated
later at ca. 2495 Ma. It is noteworthy that regional granulite facies
metamorphism and charnockitic magmatism in the adjacent Jian-
ping high-grade metamorphic terrane also occurred at ca. 2490 Ma,
nearly synchronous with the emplacement of the granitoid gneisses
of the HKSG (Kröner et al., 1998; Liu et al., 2010, 2011a; Wang et al.,
2011).
6.3. Tectonic implications
The adakite-like rocks and high Mg andesites of the Yixian-Fuxin
greenstone belt in Western Liaoning Province were considered to
be generated at an active Andean-type continental margin, whereas
the N-MORB-like and boninite-like rocks were generated in an
intra-oceanic tectonic setting (Wang et al., 2011).
As to the widespread granitoid gneisses in the EB, there is con-
siderable debate surrounding the tectonic settings in which they
were formed (Yang et al., 2008; Wang et al., 2009; Geng et al., 2010).
Petrogenesis of these granitoid gneisses in the HMG of the NCFY-
GGB shows analogous geochemical features to those of modern
adakites defined by Defant and Drummond (1990), indicating that
their parental magmas may have formed in a subduction-related
tectonic setting (Martin, 1999; Martin et al., 2005). Integrated
with previous investigations of the adakite-like rocks and high Mg
andesites (HMA) identified in the Yixian-Fuxin greenstone belt, we
support the view that the adakite-like rocks were most likely gen-
erated at an active continental marginal arc setting (see Wang et al.,
2011).
As discussed above, the magmatic precursors of the LKSG TTG
rocks were derived from partial melting of lower crustal materials.
There are at least two contrasting tectonic models that can explain
the genesis of Archean TTG suites. As noted by Condie (2005a), TTGs
may be produced by partial melting of a flat-subducted oceanic slab
or hydrous mafic rocks in the lower crust of arc systems, or alter-
natively in the root zones of oceanic plateaus related to a mantle
plume event. If the genesis of TTGs is correlated to the upwelling of
mantle plumes such as those with ages of 2.7 Ga or possibly 1.9 Ga,
the TTG gneisses should have wall rock assemblages composed of
the oceanic plateau mafic rocks, showing higher Nb/Y but lower
Zr/Y ratios. However, the wall rock metamorphic assemblage of
the TTG gneisses in the NCFY-GGB only comprises NMORB-like,
boninite-like, adakite-like rocks and high magnesium andesites,
which show typical geochemical features of volcanic arc rocks
(Wang et al., 2011). The metamorphic mafic rocks in the NCFY-
GGB all plot in the non-plume field domain in the Nb/Y versus
Zr/Y discrimination diagram (Condie, 2005b). Moreover, the arrival
of a mantle plume should be accompanied by the occurrence of
large volumes of ultramafic to mafic rocks including komatiites
and upper amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism, features
that have not been discovered in the NCFY-GGB. Therefore, we con-
sider these TTG gneisses were not produced from plume sources.
Geochronological data reveal that the LKSG TTG rocks have simi-
lar formation age (2517 Ma) to the adakite-like rocks in the HMG
(2511–2521 Ma). Considering the presence of adakite-like rocks,
the oceanic slabs would have subducted at a steep angle and so a flat
subduction model is also implausible. Therefore, we propose that
the LKSG TTG rocks were most likely generated by partial melting
of mafic rocks in the root zones of a continental marginal arc.
The granodioritic gneisses in the HKSG were derived from partial
melting of metamorphosed basaltic rocks, but the monzogranitic
gneisses were produced by partial melting of metamorphosed
pelite and siltstone sources, and emplaced at 2494–2496 Ma,
slightly post-dating the adakite-like rocks of the HMG and the TTG
rocks of the LKSG. Therefore, the high-K granitoid gneisses are con-
sidered to be formed in a post-tectonic stage (Whalen et al., 2004),
which marks the end of the Archean tectonothermal events.
 W. Wang et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 290–311
The North Chaoyang-Fuxin-Yixian granite-greenstone belt
(NCFY-GGB) was therefore most likely developed in an active
Andean-type continental marginal setting, and may record the
geodynamic evolution from mid-ocean ridge (N-MORB-like rocks),
through intra-oceanic island arc (boninite-like rocks), to active con-
tinental margin (HMA, adakite-like rocks and TTG rocks) and final
cratonization of the EB (HKSG granitoid gneisses).
7. Conclusions
(1) Granitoid gneisses can be divided into two groups: a high-
Mg group (HMG) and a low-Mg group (LMG) according to
their contrasting geochemical characteristics. The magmatic
precursors of the HMG granitoid gneisses display adakite-like
geochemical features, and may be derived from partial melt-
ing of subducted oceanic slabs, which were contaminated by
mantle peridotites during their ascent. The LMG is further
divided into a low-K subgroup (LKSG) and a high-K sub-
group (HKSG). Magmatic precursors for the LKSG were most
likely formed by partial melting of lower continental crustal
materials: dominantly metamorphosed basaltic rocks, with
or without metamorphosed greywackes, under higher pres-
sure metamorphic conditions. Conversely, the HKSG comprises
monzogranitic gneisses and granodioritic gneisses, with the
magmatic precursors of the monzogranitic gneisses derived
from partial melting of metamorphosed pelitic rocks leav-
ing garnet in the residues, whereas those of the granodioritic
gneisses were generated by partial melting of metamorphosed
basaltic rocks.
(2) LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the grani-
toid gneisses in the HMG and LKSG were emplaced between
2511 and 2521 Ma, followed by the emplacement of the HKSG
granitoid gneisses at ca. 2495 Ma.
(3) The Neoarchean to Early Paleoproterozoic granitoid gneisses,
when integrated with the metamorphosed Neoarchean vol-
canic rocks in the NCFY-GGB, record a transition from oceanic
crust, through an intra-oceanic island arc, to an active Andean-
type continental margin.
Acknowledgements
We want to thank Editor Dr. G.C. Zhao for organizing this special
issue of the Precambrian of China, which gives us the opportunity
to publish our new research results. We also thank Editor Dr. G.C.
Zhao, Dr. N. Jiang and an anonymous reviewer who reviewed our
manuscript and raised many good suggestions that have greatly
improved the manuscript. We also express thanks to M.N. Dai
for her assistance with LA-MC-ICPMS zircon U–Th–Pb and Lu–Hf
isotopic analyses at the State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynam-
ics, Northwest University, Xi’an, and L. Su for LA-ICPMS zircon
U–Th–Pb isotopic analyses at the Geological Lab Center, China Uni-
versity of Geosciences, Beijing. This study was financially supported
by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.
40872120, 41072143 and 40821002).
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in
the online version, at doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2011.10.023.
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