Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

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Precambrian Research
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Zircon ages and geochemistry of late Neoarchean syenogranites in the North

China Craton: A review
Yusheng Wan a,b,c,∗ , Chunyan Dong a,b , Dunyi Liu a,b , Alfred Kröner a,b , Conghui Yang a , Wei Wang a,b ,
Lilin Du a , Hangqian Xie a,b , Mingzhu Ma a,b
a
Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 26 Baiwanzhuang Road, Beijing 100037, China
b
Beijing SHRIMP Center, 26 Baiwanzhuang Road, Beijing 100037, China
c
State Key Laboratory of Geological Process and Mineral Resources, Wuhan 430074, China

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

Article history: At the end of the Neoarchean continental evolution, voluminous syenogranites were emplaced in the
Received 22 February 2011 North China Craton, together with other magmatic rocks (trondhjemite–tonalite–granodiorite (TTG),
Received in revised form 11 April 2011 monzogranite, diorite, gabbro). Syenogranites are widely distributed in Anshan-Benxi, Qinhuangdao and
Accepted 1 May 2011
western Shandong, and also occur in southern Jilin, northern Liaoning, northwestern Hebei and central
Available online 13 May 2011
Henan. Based on geological relationships, degree of metamorphism, deformation and magmatic zircon
ages, two phases of syenogranite magmatism are recognized. Rocks produced during the first phase
Keywords:
show a gneissic texture and were formed between 2.53 and 2.52 Ga and locally comprise abundant TTG.
Syenogranite
North China Craton
Rocks of the second phase cut late Neoarchean TTG and supracrustal rocks, display a massive structure,
Neoarchean and mainly formed between 2.52 and 2.50 Ga. All syenogranites share the same features in major
SHRIMP zircon dating element compositions, being high in SiO2 and low in CaO, total FeO, MgO, TiO2 and P2 O5 . However, they
Nd–Hf isotopes are different in trace and REE compositions and can be subdivided into three types. (1) Type 1 shows
a large variation in total REE contents, low (La/Yb)n ratios, strong negative Eu*/Eu anomalies and Ba
depletion; (2) Type 2 is similar to Type 1 but has higher (La/Yb)n ratios. (3) Type 3 shows a large variation
in total REE and (La/Yb)n ratios and significantly do not show strongly negative Eu*/Eu anomalies and Ba
depletion. Whole-rock Sm–Nd isotopic compositions show large variations in εNd (t) values and tDM (Nd)
modal ages, ranging from −9.49 to −4.72 and 3.70 to 3.25 Ga (Type 1), 0.55–1.03 and 2.77–2.71 Ga (Type
2) and −2.35 to 1.23 and 2.93–2.66 Ga (Type 3), respectively. Hf isotopic compositions of zircons from
three samples have εHf (t) values and tDM1 (Hf) ages of 0.7–7.2 and 2.84–2.56 Ga (Type 1), 2.6–7.4 and
2.74–2.56 Ga (Type 2) and 2.1–6.3 and 2.76–2.60 Ga (Type 3). It is concluded that syenogranites were
generated by melting of continental crust with different mean crustal residence ages, and most of them
were emplaced during the second phase (2.52–2.50 Ga) in an extensional tectonic regime. The formation
of these voluminous syenogranites marks a tectono-magmatic event resulting in stabilization of the
North China Craton at the end of the Neoarchean.
© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction Ancient Gneiss Complex of Swaziland (Kamo and David, 1994).

Neoarchean crustally-derived granites are widely distributed
globally as a result of continental evolution and stabilization. The
3.0 Ga Tiejiashan granite in Anshan is the oldest potassium-rich
granite in the North China Craton (NCC), and probably through-
out Asia (Wu et al., 1998; Wan et al., 1998, 2007). Similarly, in the
eastern Kaapvaal craton, southern Africa, there is the large 3.1 Ga
potassium-rich Mpuluzi-Piggs Peak Batholith which separates the
3.53–3.2 Ga Barberton Greenstone Belt from the 3.66.3–2.0 Ga
∗ Corresponding author at: Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological
Sciences, 26 Baiwanzhuang Road, Beijing 100037, China. Tel.: +86 10 68999762.
E-mail address: wanyusheng@bjshrimp.cn (Y. Wan).
Although granites of the early Neoarchean (2.7–2.6 Ga) occur in
many cratons as a result of partial melting of older continental
crust, potassium-rich granites of this age only occur locally such as
in southeastern Greenland (Nutman and Rosing, 1994), Wyoming
(Frost et al., 1998) and southern India (Jayananda et al., 2006). In
this paper we use two terms. namely (1) syenogranite, being high
in K2 O (commonly >4%) and having a K2 O/Na2 O ratio of >1.3; (2)
potassium-rich granite, being high in K2 O but not necessarily high
in K2 O/Na2 O ratio. In terms of this subdivision, some syenogranites
in the literature are not syenogranites but potassium-rich monzo-
granites. Both syenogranite and potassium-rich granite can occur
in a same area.
The Neoarchean is an important period of continent-formation
with two periods at ∼2.7 Ga and ∼2.5 Ga (Condie, 2000; Condie

0301-9268/$ – see front matter © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2011.05.001
266 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

et al., 2009). Tectono-thermal events at ∼2.7 Ga occurred widely

in many cratons worldwide. This event is of global significance and
resulted in the formation of Archean continental crust on a large
scale during a short period. However, the rocks formed during this
period are commonly immature and mainly include supracrustal
rocks (metabasalts, ultramafic rocks, intermediate-felsic volcanic
rocks and immature metasediments with banded iron formations
(BIF) of chemical origin) and tonalite–trondhejmite–granodiorite
(TTG). The ∼2.5 Ga tectono-thermal events apparently occurred
on a smaller scale and have only been identified in a few cra-
tons such as southwestern Greenland, Antarctica, southern India
and the NCC (Jayananda et al., 2000; Shen et al., 2005; Nutman
et al., 2007; Condie et al., 2009; Wan et al., 2011a). Many more
syenogranites were formed during the ∼2.5 Ga event compared to
the ∼2.7 Ga event. Based on geological, geochronological and geo-
chemical studies, this paper focuses on the ∼2.5 Ga syenogranites
of the NCC in order to better understand cratonization at the end
Fig. 2. Age spectra for zircons from the basement of the North China Craton (after
of the Neoarchean. Wan et al., 2011a). MA, magmatic zircons; D&I, detrital and inherited zircons; ME,
metamorphic zircons.

2. Geological background

The NCC is located in eastern Asia and experienced a long geo-

logical evolution with the oldest rocks being >3.8 Ga in age (Liu et al.,
1992, 2007, 2008; Song et al., 1996; Wan et al., 2005a, 2009a). The
Neoarchean was an important period when tectono-thermal events
occurred widely, resulting in the formation and stabilization of con-
tinental crust (Fig. 1) (Zhao et al., 2005; Liu et al., 2008; Zhai and
Santosh, 2011). However, being different from most other cratons
where ∼2.7 Ga events are well developed, the NCC is characterized
by a very strong tectono-thermal event at ∼2.5 Ga affecting virtu-
ally the entire craton as indicated by abundant ∼2.5 Ga zircon ages
(Fig. 2, Wan et al., 2011a). The ∼2.5 Ga event involved both juve-
nile crustal additions as well as reworking of older crust. Evidence
for the former includes (1) ∼2.5 Ga supracrustal rocks, commonly
with a high proportion of metabasalts, occur in almost every terrain
although they constitute only a small portion of granite-greenstone
belts; (2) some TTG rocks show whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf iso-
topic compositions similar to depleted mantle (e.g. Liu et al., 2009).
On the other hand, as a result of crustal reworking, late Neoarchean
syenogranites, together with other crustally-derived granites, were
formed extensively in the NCC. Their main geological features are
summarized as follows.

Fig. 1. Simplified geological map of the NCC (modified after Zhao et al., 2005). Also shown are locations of late Neoarchean syenogranite samples and Figs. 3–7.
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289
Fig. 3. Simplified geological map of the Anshan-Benxi area, Liaoning Province (mod-
ified after Wan, 1993). Also shown are locations of late Neoarchean syenogranite
samples taken for this study.
2.1. Qidashan syenogranite in the Anshan–Benxi area,
northeastern China
The Anshan-Benxi area is characterized by a long geological his-
tory from 3.8 to 2.5 Ga and BIF (Fig. 3). The 3.0 Ga Tiejiashan granite
with an area of ∼30 km2 is the largest, most ancient, potassium-rich
granite in the NCC. It is high in K2 O (>4%) and shows negative Eu*/Eu
anomalies (Wan et al., 1998, 2007). Late Neoarchean supracrustal
rocks, named the Anshan Group, underwent amphibolite-facies
metamorphism and were deposited at ∼2.5 Ga (Y.S. Wan, unpub-
lished data), not between 2.75 and 2.65 Ga as thought before (Wan,
1993). This group contains voluminous BIF and occurs as lenses
and layers in granitoids and gneisses. The Qidashan (or Qidashan-
Gongchangling) late Neoarchean syenogranite is an important
geological unit with a total area of >200 km2 (Fig. 3). There are also
TTGs and monzogranites in the area which are deformed, and cut
by the syenogranite.
2.2. Qinhuangdao and Qinglongshan syenogranites in eastern
Hebei, eastern China
In the Qinhuangdao area, late Neoarchean granitoids mainly
include the Jielingkou diorite, Anziling Complex, Suizhong mon-
zogranite and Qinhuangdao syenogranite, with magmatic and
metamorphic ages ranging from 2.53 to 2.50 Ga (Yang et al.,
2008; this study) (Fig. 4). Spatially, the Jielingkou diorite and
Anziling Complex occur in the west and the Suizhong monzo-
granite and Qinhuangdao syenogranite in the east. The Jielingkou
diorite intrudes late Neoarchean supracrustal rocks of the Shuang-
shanzi Group and locally underwent strong shearing. The Anziling
Complex is composed of tonalitic and granodioritic rocks with
some monzogranite and syenogranite. The tonalitic and gran-
odioritic rocks contain supracrustal enclaves (amphibolite and
fine-grained gneiss), commonly show gneissic structures, and
locally underwent anatexis. The Suizhong monzogranite and Qin-
huangdao syenogranite occur on a large scale and commonly show
a massive structure. Similar granites are also observed in Jinxi,
50 km farther northeast of Qinhuangdao. The syenogranites con-
tain typically small enclaves of TTG, diorite, monzogranite and
magmitite.
The Qinglongshan syenogranite is located in Qinglongshan
(Fig. 1), south of the well-known Caozhuang area where there is
fuchsite quartzite containing detrital zircons of 3.9–3.6 Ga (Liu et al.,
1992; Wu et al., 2005; Wilde et al., 2008). The syenogranite is mas-
sive and intrudes Neoarchean supracrustal rocks and is round in
shape with an exposed area of >10 km2 . It is considered to have
267
Fig. 4. Simplified geological map of the Qinhuangdao area, Eastern Hebei (modified
after Lin et al., 1992). Also shown are locations of late Neoarchean syenogranite
samples taken by Wu et al. (1998) and Yang et al. (2008) and for this study.
formed at the end of the Neoarchean but no precise ages have been
obtained.
2.3. Sihaishan, Lushan and Yinglingshan syenogranites in
western Shandong, eastern China
Western Shandong is one of the most important greenstone-
granite terrains in the NCC and is characterized by both ∼2.7
and ∼2.5 Ga tectonothermal events (Cao, 1996; Du et al., 2003;
Lu et al., 2008a,b; Wan et al., 2011b; Wan et al., in press). Based
on a recent study, the Neoarchean basement can be divided into
three belts, namely a late Neoarchean (2525–2490 Ma) crustally-
derived granite belt in the northeast (Belt A), an early Neoarchean
(2.75–2.60 Ga) belt of TTG and supracrustal rocks in the center (Belt
B), and a late Neoarchean (2550–2500 Ma) belt of juvenile rocks
in the southwest (Belt C, see Fig. 5 and Wan et al., in press). Late
Neoarchean to earliest Paleoproterozoic magmatic rocks have zir-
con ages between 2560 and 2480 Ma. Rocks formed during the first
phase (2560–2525 Ma) show significant deformation and meta-
morphism, whereas those of the second phase (2525–2480 Ma) are
undeformed or only weakly deformed.
The Shihaishan pluton occurs in Belt C and cuts earlier TTG, being
the largest syenogranite pluton in the area (>30 km2 ) (Fig. 5). At
some localities, this granite is intermingled with fine-grained mafic
to intermediate rocks, resulting in large variations in composition.
It shows gneissic textures, is locally rich in biotite. Some K-feldspar
occurs as phenocrysts. In Belt A there are mainly monzogranites and
banded gneisses (migmatites). The Lushan syenogranite and other
potassium-rich granites occur as lenses and bands on a small scale.
Both the monzogranites and syenogranites are commonly massive.
The Yinglingshan syenogranite is located in the Yishui area
within the Tan-Lu Fault Zone (Fig. 5). It intrudes upper amphibolite-
to granulite-facies TTGs and supracrustal rocks, is metamorphised
and deformed and contains many enclaves on different scales such
as pyroxenite, amphibolite, fine-grained hornblende gneiss and
banded gneiss (migmatite) (Zhao et al., 2008b). It locally contains
clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, probably suggesting that the
granite underwent granulite-facies metamorphism or formed by
anatexis under high-grade metamorphic conditions. The gneissic
granite extends in a northeast–southwest direction and is different
from the rocks west of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone. The main difference
is that the former underwent high-grade metamorphism and the
latter not.
268 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289
Fig. 5. Geological map of the western Shandong area (from Wan et al., in press). Also shown are locations of late Neoarchean syenogranite and monzonite samples taken by
Zhao et al. (2008a,b) and Wan et al. (in press).
2.4. Hongshilazi and dumb bell-like syenogranites in northern
Liaoning-southern Jilin, NE China
It was considered in an earlier study that in northern Liaoning-
southern Jilin there are Mesoarchean high-grade terrains, where
TTG and supracrustal rocks (named Hunnan and Longguang Groups
in different areas) underwent upper amphibolite- to granulite-
facies metamorphism and show an oval-shaped distribution (Ge
et al., 2003). In addition, Neoarchean greenstone-granite belts were
recognized where TTGs and supracrustal rocks (named Qingyuan,
Jiapigou and Helong Groups in different areas) commonly under-
went amphibolite-facies metamorphism (Shen et al., 1994; Li et al.,
1999; Wu et al., 1998). However, SHRIMP zircon dating revealed
that all granitoids and supracrustal rocks have late Neoarchean
crystallization and metamorphic ages (Wan et al., 2005b; Grant
et al., 2009). For example, a hornblende 40 Ar/39 Ar age of 2.99 Ga
and a whole-rock Sm–Nd isochron age of 3.02 ± 0.02 Ga obtained
for amphibolite of supracrustal rocks southwest of Qingyuan
were considered as main isotopic evidence for the existence of
Mesoarchean rocks (Shen et al., 1994; Li et al., 1999), whereas
SHRIMP zircon dating of a fine-grained hornblende gneiss interlay-
ered with the amphibolite yielded a magmatic age of 2.52 ± 0.01 Ga
(Wan et al., 2005b). Most geological bodies in the area formed
in the Neoarchean although the possibility cannot be excluded
that Mesoarchean crust occurs locally. The basement of northern
Liaoning-southern Jilin is mainly composed of TTG rocks (>80% in
proportion, see Fig. 6). All these granitoids formed between 2.55
and 2.5Ga (Li et al., 1999; Wan et al., 2005b; Grant et al., 2009).
Neoarchean BIF, massive sulfide deposits and gold mineralization
are also well developed (Shen et al., 1994). Neoarchean monzogran-
ites and syenogranites are rare in the area compared with other
terrains in the NCC. The Hongshilazi and dumb bell-like plutons
are the largest syenogranite plutons in the area.
The Hongshilazi pluton is located in the north of Qingyuan and
extends in a northwest-southeast direction with an area of ∼20 km2
(Fig. 6). It intrudes Neoarchean supracrustal rocks and commonly
shows a massive structure. The syenogranite mainly consists of
quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase. K-feldspar commonly shows an
antiperthitic texture, and some plagioclase shows zoning. The plu-
ton is mainly composed of syenogranite but shows variations in
composition with potassium-rich monzogranites being a signifi-
cant component, and in its southeast end there are sodic granites
(Shen et al., 1994).
The dumb bell-like pluton is located in Jiapigou, southern Jining.
It is 2–10 km wide and extends for nearly 40 km in a northwest-
southeast direction (Fig. 6). It is wide at both ends and narrow
in middle and looks like a dumb bell in shape, hence the name
(Shen et al., 1994). The pluton is composed mainly of syenogranite
together with some biotite granite and tonalite. On either mar-
gins of the pluton potassium metasomatism is well developed,
as indicated by large K-feldsapr phenocrysts and syenogranite
veins cutting TTG and supracrustal rocks. These suggest that
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289 269

Fig. 6. Simplified geological map of the North Liaoning-southern Jilin area (modified after Li et al., 1999). Also shown are locations of late Neoarchean syenogranite samples
taken by Wu et al. (1998) and Grant et al. (2009).

potassium metasomatism may have played an important role
in the formation of the granite (Shen et al., 1994). No precise
zircon age has been obtained for the pluton, but geological fea-
tures suggest its formation at the end of the Neoarchean (Shen
et al., 1994). Besides the plutons mentioned above, Neoarchean
syenogranites also occur as veins in northern Liaoning (Wu and
Lin, 1992).
2.5. Syenogranites in the Huai’an Complex in Huai’an,
northwestern Hebei
The Huai’an Complex is located in the northern portion of
the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO, Zhao et al., 2000, 2005). It
occurs close to the Hengshan–Wutai–Fuping terrain to the south
and the Khondalite Belt to the west (Fig. 1). The Huai’an Com-
plex is composed mainly of late Neoarchean TTG rocks (up to
80% in proportion). Khondalites are like those in the adjacent
Khondalite Belt and formed during the Paleoproterozoic (Lu et al.,
1996; Guo et al., 1999; Zhao et al., 2010). High-pressure mafic
granulites of Paleoproterozoic age have also been identified in
the area (Guo et al., 2001; Kröner et al., 2006; Zhang et al.,
2006). There are three kinds of crustally-derived Neoarchean to
late Paleoproterozoic granites, namely 2.50 Ga syenogranite (leu-
cosynogranites), 2.44 Ga biotite monzogranite, and 2.0–1.98 Ga
garnet syenogranite; all occur on a small scale (Zhang et al.,
2011). The Huai’an Complex underwent granulite-facies metamor-
phism at the end of the Paleoproterozoic (Guo et al., 2005; Zhao
et al., 2008a). However, further studies are needed to establish
if it also underwent high-grade metamorphism at the end of the
Neoarchean.
Late Neoarchean syenogranites occur as small stacks and veins.
These rocks commonly show gneissic structures and are composed
of quartz, perthite and plagioclase with little biotite and occa-
sionally garnet. At some localities the syenogranite contains mafic
granulite lenses with their gneissosities parallel to each other. The
syenogranites were intruded by mafic dykes, and both underwent
granulite-facies metamorphism and deformation at the end of the
Paleoproterozoic (Zhang et al., 2011).

Fig. 7. Simplified geological map of the Dengfeng area, Henan Province (modified after Wan et al., 2009b). Also shown are locations of late Neoarchean syenogranite samples
taken by Wan et al. (2009b).
270 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289
2.6. Lujiagou and Wangwushan syenogranites in Central Henan
The Lujiagou syenogranite is located in the Dengfeng area
where the early Precambrian basement is composed of the
late Neoarchean Dengfeng Group, the Paleoproterozoic Songshan
Group and late Neoarchean to late Paleoproterozoic granitoids
(Fig. 7). All geological bodies extend in a north-south direction with
the exception of the late Paleoproterozoic Shicen granite which
extends in a west-east direction. The Dengfeng Group is com-
posed of amphibolite, fine-grained hornblende gneiss, fine-grained
biotite gneiss, mica quartz schist and BIF of amphibolite-facies
metamorphism. The Songshan Group rests uncomfortably on
Neoarchean basement and consists of conglomerate, quartzite, and
schist of greenschist-facies metamorphism. The late Neoarchean
granitoids include diorite, TTG, monzogranite and syenogranite,
formed between 2.56 and 2.5 Ga (Wan et al., 2009b).
The Lujiagou syenogranite and Beigou monzogranite are impor-
tant components of the exposed Neoarchean basement in the area.
The Lujiagou syenogranite was once considered to have formed in
the Paleoproterozoic (Lao and Wang, 1999), but SHRIMP zircon dat-
ing indicates that it was emplaced at 2.51 Ga (Wan et al., 2009b). The
rock shows a weak gneissic texture and carries both minor biotite
and muscovite. Some K-feldspar occurs as phenocrysts.
The Wangwushan syenogranite is located in the Wangwushan
area where the late Neoarchean basement is exposed in a small area
and is composed of granitoids and supracrustal rocks. The latter
include amphibolite, fine-grained hornblende gneiss, fine-grained
biotite gneiss and schist. The granitoids include TTG, monzogranite
and syenogranite. The syenogranite occurs as small intrusive bodies
and consists of quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase.
3. Analytical techniques
Whole-rock chemical analyses were conducted at the National
Research Center of Geoanalysis, Chinese Academy of Geological Sci-
ences (CAGS), Beijing. Major and trace elements were determined
by XRF and ICP-MS respectively. Uncertainties depend upon the
concentration in the sample, but generally for XRF and ICP-MS are
estimated at ca. 3–5% and ca. 3–8%, respectively. Sm and Nd isotopic
compositions were determined by isotope dilution at the Key Labo-
ratory of Isotope Geology, Ministry of Land and Resources of China
and the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of
Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Details of
the procedures were described by Zhang and Ye (1987).
U–Pb dating was carried out using the SHRIMP II ion microprobe
at the Beijing SHRIMP Center, CAGS. The analytical procedure for
zircon was similar to that described by Williams (1998). The inten-
sity of the primary 2– O ion beam was 4–6 nA. Primary beam size was
∼30 ␮m, and each analytical site was rastered for 2–3 min prior to
analysis. Five scans through the relevant mass stations were made
for each analysis. Standards used were SL13 (U = 238 ppm) and
TEMORA (206 Pb/238 U age = 417 Ma) (Williams, 1998; Black et al.,
2003). The measured 204 Pb was applied for common lead correc-
tion, and data processing was carried out using the SQUID and
ISOPLOT programs (Ludwig, 2001). 207 Pb/206 Pb ages are used for
all data. Uncertainties for individual analyses are quoted at the 1
confidence level, whereas errors for weighted mean ages are quoted
at 95% confidence.
The in situ Lu–Hf isotopic composition was measured in pre-
viously SHRIMP-dated zircons, using a Geolas-193 laser-ablation
microprobe, attached to a Neptune multi-collector ICPMS at the
State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology
and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. A 193 nm
UVArF excimer laser ablation system was used for analysis. Instru-
mental conditions and analytical procedures are described in Wu
et al. (2006).
4. Zircon ages
4.1. Qidashan syenogranite A0713 in the Anshan–Benxi area
This sample was taken from the Qidashan area (Fig. 3). The zir-
cons are stubby or elongate in shape and show banded or oscillatory
zoning (Fig. 8A). Twelve analyses, except 3.1 which shows strong
lead loss, are concordant and yielded a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb
age of 2503 ± 10 Ma (MSWD = 0.45) (Table 1, Fig. 8B). This is inter-
preted as the time of formation of the Qidashan pluton.
4.2. Qinhuangdao syenogranite FW04-54 and J0817 in eastern
Hebei
Magmatic, inherited and metamorphic zircons were identified
in sample FW04-54 which shows a gneissic structure and was taken
from the Qinhuangdao syenogranite (Fig. 4; Yang et al., 2008). Mag-
matic zircons show oscillatory zoning (grain 26 in Fig. 8C) and are
morphologically different from metamorphic zircons (grain 25 in
Fig. 8C). Both are also different in composition with the metamor-
phic zircons commonly having Th/U ratios of <0.2. Most analyses
show strong lead loss because of high U and Th contents (Yang
et al., 2008). Five concordant analyses on magmatic zircons gave
a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2523 ± 6Ma (MSWD = 0.05)
(Fig. 8D). Two concordant analyses of metamorphic zircons have
207 Pb/206 Pb ages of 2451 ± 6 Ma and 2441 ± 6 Ma. Five inherited
and concordant zircon analyses have 207 Pb/206 Pb ages between
2647 and 2643 Ma.
Sample J0817 was also taken from the Qinhuangdao pluton
but is different from FW04-54. It does not show deformation and
does not contain metamorphic zircons (Fig. 8E). Thirteen analyses
were made on magmatic zircons. Most of these are nearly concor-
dant and yielded a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2510 ± 10 Ma
(MSWD = 1.4) (Fig. 8F, Table 1). One analysis (grain 10.2) has an
inherited core with a minimum 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2809 ± 16 Ma.
4.3. Sihaishan, Lushan and Yinglingshan syenogranites in
western Shandong
As mentioned before, the Shihaishan pluton in Belt C, western
Shandong, is mainly composed of syenogranite. However, sample
S0516 taken from this pluton is quartz monzonitic in composition
and shows a gneissic structure. The zircons are stubby in shape and
show well developed oscillatory zoning (Fig. 9A). Ten analyses on
10 zircons are concordant, yielding a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb
age of 2533 ± 8 Ma (MSWD = 0.82) (Fig. 9B) which we interpreted
as the time of crystallization of the monzonite magma (Wan et al.,
in press).
Zircons of sample S0788 from the Lushan syenogranite in Belt A
(Fig. 5) are stubby or elongate in shape and show oscillatory zoning
of magmatic origin with some containing inherited cores (Fig. 9C).
Fourteen analyses were performed on 14 magmatic grains. Several
analyses show severe lead loss with eight analyses on or near con-
cordia, defining a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2525 ± 13 Ma
(MSWD = 1.7) (Wan et al., in press). Three discordant analyses
of inherited cores with oscillatory zoning are also originally of
magmatic origin in terms of their textural and compositional fea-
tures and yielded 207 Pb/206 Pb minimum ages ranging from 2669 to
2559 Ma, with large uncertainties (1.1C, 4.1C and 19.1C in Fig. 9D).
Samples YS06-30 and YS06-48 were taken from the Yingling-
shan syenogranite in the Yishui area within the Tan-Lu Fault
Zone (Zhao et al., 2008b). Zircons from these samples are simi-
lar in structure, texture, composition and age and are composed
of two domains, a core bright in CL and a dark rim (Fig. 9E).
Both were considered to be of magmatic origin, and the analyses
were mainly on the core domains. Twenty nine analyses were per-
Table 1
SHRIMP U–Pb data for zircons from the Neoarchean syenogranites in the North China Craton.

Qidashan syenogranite A0713 in the Anshan–Benxi area

Spot U (ppm) Th (ppm) Th/U 206

Pb* (ppm) 207
Pb* /206 Pb* ±% 207
Pb* /235 U ±% 206
Pb* /238 U ±% Err corr 206
Pb/238 U (Age) 207
Pb/206 Pb (Age) Discordant (%)

A0713-1.1 66 54 0.83 26.1 0.1643 1.1 10.33 2.1 0.4561 1.7 0.831 2422 ±34 2501 ±19 3
A0713-2.1 101 107 1.09 41.3 0.1641 0.88 10.72 1.7 0.4740 1.5 0.863 2501 ±31 2498 ±15 0
A0713-3.1 217 164 0.78 63.0 0.1634 1.1 7.53 1.7 0.3340 1.3 0.773 1858 ±21 2492 ±18 25
A0713-4.1 60 60 1.02 24.9 0.1626 1.2 10.74 2.1 0.4789 1.8 0.828 2523 ±37 2483 ±20 -2
A0713-5.1 65 44 0.70 26.3 0.1648 1.1 10.71 2.0 0.4712 1.7 0.847 2489 ±35 2506 ±18 1
A0713-6.1 78 68 0.89 31.3 0.1663 0.87 10.67 1.8 0.4654 1.6 0.878 2463 ±33 2521 ±15 2
A0713-7.1 74 51 0.72 30.1 0.1638 0.94 10.70 1.9 0.4738 1.7 0.874 2500 ±35 2495 ±16 0
A0713-8.1 87 61 0.73 34.6 0.1655 0.86 10.59 1.8 0.4642 1.5 0.873 2458 ±31 2512 ±14 2
A0713-9.1 84 79 0.97 34.2 0.1654 0.85 10.88 1.8 0.4774 1.6 0.879 2516 ±33 2511 ±14 0
A0713-10.1 44 31 0.74 17.5 0.1639 1.3 10.53 2.3 0.4660 1.9 0.831 2466 ±40 2496 ±22 1

Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

A0713-11.1 112 121 1.11 44.8 0.1638 0.78 10.46 1.6 0.4629 1.5 0.882 2452 ±30 2495 ±13 2

Qinhuangdao syenogranite J0817 in eastern Hebei

Spot U (ppm) Th (ppm) Th/U 206

Pb* (ppm) 207
Pb* /206 Pb* ±% 207
Pb* /235 U ±% 206
Pb* /238 U ±% Err corr 206
Pb/238 U (Age) 207
Pb/206 Pb (Age) Discordant (%)

J0817-1.1 33 31 0.98 15.3 0.1628 1.3 12.16 2.8 0.542 2.5 0.896 2791 ±57 2485 ±21 −12
J0817-2.1 74 59 0.83 30.8 0.1661 0.70 11.17 2.3 0.488 2.2 0.951 2561 ±46 2518 ±12 −2
J0817-3.1 83 46 0.58 32.6 0.1587 0.73 9.99 2.3 0.4565 2.2 0.947 2424 ±44 2442 ±12 1
J0817-4.1 51 47 0.96 22.4 0.1642 1.2 11.59 2.5 0.512 2.2 0.875 2664 ±48 2500 ±21 −7
J0817-5.1 41 29 0.74 17.8 0.1622 1.3 11.20 3.0 0.501 2.7 0.896 2617 ±58 2479 ±23 −6
J0817-6.1 60 50 0.85 25.3 0.1638 0.70 11.00 2.4 0.487 2.3 0.958 2558 ±50 2495 ±12 −3
J0817-7.1 63 61 1.00 27.3 0.1635 0.82 11.28 2.4 0.501 2.2 0.940 2616 ±48 2492 ±14 −5
J0817-8.1 169 81 0.50 50.6 0.1536 0.50 7.39 2.1 0.3489 2.0 0.971 1929 ±34 2387 ±9 19
J0817-9.1 61 63 1.08 26.4 0.1662 0.71 11.62 2.3 0.507 2.2 0.949 2644 ±47 2519 ±12 −5
J0817-10.1 98 69 0.73 31.5 0.1606 0.85 8.32 2.4 0.3757 2.3 0.938 2056 ±40 2462 ±14 16
J0817-10.2 1838 635 0.36 379 0.1979 0.98 6.54 2.5 0.2398 2.3 0.920 1386 ±29 2809 ±16 51
J0817-11.1 32 21 0.67 14.0 0.1658 1.1 11.45 2.6 0.501 2.3 0.909 2617 ±50 2516 ±18 −4
J0817-12.1 48 43 0.92 21.2 0.1686 1.0 11.97 2.5 0.515 2.3 0.911 2678 ±50 2544 ±17 −5
J0817-13.1 38 58 1.55 16.1 0.1667 0.98 11.20 2.5 0.487 2.3 0.921 2557 ±49 2525 ±16 −1

Wangwushan syenogranite ZW0403 in central Henan

Spot U (ppm) Th (ppm) Th/U 206

Pb* (ppm) 207
Pb* /206 Pb* ±% 207
Pb* /235 U ±% 206
Pb* /238 U ±% Err corr 206
Pb/238 U (Age) 207
Pb/206 Pb (Age) Discordant (%)

ZW0403-1.1 664 333 0.52 176 0.1611 0.52 6.850 1.5 0.3085 1.4 0.940 1733 ±22 2467 ±9 30
ZW0403-2.1 560 241 0.44 167 0.1596 0.46 7.630 1.5 0.3465 1.4 0.952 1918 ±24 2452 ±8 22
ZW0403-3.1 803 321 0.41 194 0.1595 0.53 6.165 1.5 0.2804 1.4 0.939 1593 ±20 2450 ±9 35
ZW0403-4.1 574 327 0.59 166 0.1610 0.50 7.480 1.5 0.3369 1.5 0.947 1872 ±24 2466 ±8 24
ZW0403-5.1 655 382 0.60 160 0.1593 0.57 6.218 1.6 0.2832 1.5 0.931 1607 ±21 2448 ±10 34
ZW0403-6.1 610 355 0.60 135 0.1576 0.64 5.611 1.6 0.2582 1.5 0.918 1480 ±20 2430 ±11 39
ZW0403-7.1 920 561 0.63 216 0.1592 0.46 5.971 1.5 0.2720 1.4 0.953 1551 ±20 2447 ±8 37
ZW0403-8.1 651 338 0.54 147 0.1536 0.55 5.542 1.6 0.2617 1.5 0.935 1499 ±19 2386 ±9 37
ZW0403-9.1 728 529 0.75 154 0.1496 0.57 5.068 1.6 0.2457 1.5 0.930 1416 ±18 2341 ±10 40
ZW0403-10.1 605 368 0.63 136 0.1544 0.73 5.565 1.6 0.2614 1.5 0.895 1497 ±20 2395 ±12 37
ZW0403-11.1 596 271 0.47 184 0.1613 1.5 7.970 2.1 0.3584 1.5 0.719 1975 ±26 2469 ±25 20

271
272 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

Fig. 8. Cathodoluminescence images and U–Pb concordia diagrams of SHRIMP analytical data for zircons from syenogranites in the NCC. (A and B) Qidashan pluton in
the Anshan–Benxi area (A0713, this study); (C and D) Qinhuangdao pluton in the Qinhuangdao area (FW04-54, Yang et al., 2008); (E and F) Qinghuandao pluton in the
Qinhuangdao area (J0817, this study). Ellipses in A and E show positions of SHRIMP analytical sites with their identification numbers and ages (in Ga); circles in C show
LA-ICP-MS analytical sites with their identification numbers and ages (in Ga), the numbers in circles are εHf (t) values.

formed on magmatic zircons of the two samples. 15 analyses are Amongst thirty-six analyses, 14 analyses are on core domains, most
on or near concordia, yielding a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of (10 analyses) are on or near concordia and yielded a weighted mean
2529 ± 9 Ma (MSWD = 3.8) (Fig. 9F). Two analyses on core domains 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2501 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 1.14) (Fig. 10B). This is

of zircon from sample YS06-30 have 207 Pb/206 Pb ages of 3.0 and
2.6 Ga which are considered to be inherited (Zhao et al., 2008b).
4.4. Hongshilazi syenogranite MG-47 in northern
Liaoning-southern Jilin
Grant et al. (2009) carried out detailed zircon dating on the
Hongshilazi syenogranite (sample MG-47) in northern Liaoning.
The zircons consist of two domains, a bright CL core and a dark
rim (Fig. 10A). The dark domains show euhedral zoning and may
have formed in a magmatic fluid or as a result of fluid-precipitated
zircon growth. However, it is also evident that the core/rim dis-
tinction is partly due to recrystallization under fluid conditions.
interpreted as the emplacenemt age of the pluton. 15 analyses on
rim domains, have high U contents and low Th/U ratios (commonly
<0.1) and show strong lead loss with an imprecise upper concordia
intercept age of 2516 ± 32 Ma (MSWD = 8.4).
4.5. Syenogranite XGY01-2 in the Huai’an Complex in Huai’an,
northwestern Hebei
This sample was taken from a syenogranite stack in which there
are granulite “enclaves”, probably formed from boudinaged mafic
dikes (Zhang et al., 2011). Zircons are stubby or elongate in shape,
and most show a core–rim structure in CL images (Fig. 10C). The
metamorphic rims show weak luminescence and fir-tree or banded
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289 273

Fig. 9. Cathodoluminescence images and U–Pb concordia diagrams of SHRIMP analytical data for zircons from syenogranites and monzonite in the NCC. (A and B) Sihaishan
pluton in western Shandong (S0516, Wan et al., 2011b); (C and D) Lushan pluton in western Shandong (S0788, Wan et al., 2011b); (E and F) Yinglingshan pluton in the Yishui
area (YS06-30+YS0648, Zhao et al., 2008b). Ellipses show positions of SHRIMP analytical sites with their identification numbers and ages (in Ga).

zoning, a feature common in zircons formed under high-grade
metamorphic conditions. All analyses are on or near concordia
and yielded a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of 2493 ± 9 Ma
(MSWD = 1.7) (Fig. 10D). This is interpreted as reflecting the age
of high-grade metamorphism (Zhang et al., 2011). The cores occa-
sionally show magmatic zoning although they underwent strong
recrystallization, suggesting that they are magmatic in origin. They
show strong luminescence and strong lead loss, and no precise ages
have been obtained. However, their distribution on the concordia
diagram suggests that they may be slightly older than 2.5 Ga.
4.6. Lujiagou and Wangwushan syenogranites XS0416-11 and
ZW0403 in central Henan
and seven analyses yielded an upper concordia intercept age of
2513 ± 33 Ma (MSWD = 1.9) (Fig. 11B). Although the error is large,
the result still limits the formation age to the late Neoarchean, not
Paleoproterozoic as thought before (Lao and Wang, 1999).
Sample ZW0403 was taken from the Wangwushan pluton in
the Wangwushan area. Zircons are stubby in shape and show oscil-
latory zoning and recrystallization in CL image (Fig. 11C). Eleven
analyses on 11 zircons show strong lead loss and yielded an upper
concordia intercept minimum age of 2479 ± 24 Ma (MSWD = 0.38)
(Fig. 11D, Table 1). Considering the lead loss, we suggest that the
crystallization age of the magmatic zircons is around 2.5 Ga.
5. Geochemistry

Sample XS0416-11 was taken from the Lujiagou pluton in the All syenogranite s are similar in major element compositions,
Dengfeng area (Wan et al., 2009b). Zircons are stubby in shape being high in SiO2 and low in CaO, total Fe as FeO, MgO, TiO2
and show oscillatory zoning (Fig. 11A). They show strong lead loss, and P2 O5 (Table 2 ). SiO2 contents are commonly higher than
274 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

Fig. 10. Cathodoluminescence images and U–Pb concordia diagrams of SHRIMP analytical data for zircons from syenogranites in the NCC. (A and B) Hongshilazi pluton in
northern Liaoning (MG-47, Grant et al., 2009); (C and D) syenogranite vein in northwestern Hebei (XGY01, Zhang et al., 2011). Ellipses show positions of SHRIMP analytical
sites with their identification numbers and ages (in Ga).

Fig. 11. Cathodoluminescence images and U–Pb concordia diagrams of SHRIMP analytical data for zircons from syenogranites in the NCC. (A and B) Lujiagou pluton in the
Dengfeng are (XS0416-11, Wan et al., 2009b); (C and D) Wangwushan pluton in the Wangwushan area (ZW0403, this study). Ellipses show positions of SHRIMP analytical
sites with their identification numbers and ages (in Ga).
Table 2
Element composition of syenogranites in the North China Craton.

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Sample no. A0712 A0713 A9169 Q-030 Q-040 Q-041 J0014 J0817 J0811
Rock type Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite
Type of syenogranite 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Pluton name Qidashan pluton Qidashan pluton Qidashan pluton Qidashan pluton Qidashan pluton Qidashan pluton Qinglongshan pluton Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton
Sample location Anshan-Benxi Anshan-Benxi Anshan-Benxi Anshan-Benxi Anshan-Benxi Anshan-Benxi Qinglongshan Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao
SiO2 75.06 73.61 74.48 73.65 69.13 74.50 74.94 70.72 73.48
TiO2 0.07 0.18 0.16 0.12 0.20 0.13 0.13 0.55 0.21
Al2 O3 13.58 13.74 13.87 13.75 15.79 14.12 13.28 13.53 13.58
Fe2 O3 0.60 1.21 1.01 1.33 2.23 1.69 0.39 3.24 0.26
FeO 0.65 0.48 0.55 0.29 0.13 0.13 0.99 0.38 1.38
MnO 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.08
MgO 0.48 0.30 0.27 0.15 0.31 0.22 0.28 0.74 0.34
CaO 0.51 0.40 0.31 0.67 0.60 0.38 0.95 0.77 0.67

Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

Na2 O 3.46 2.92 3.17 3.14 3.22 3.63 3.24 2.94 3.50
K2 O 4.72 5.51 5.08 5.30 6.32 4.81 5.46 5.27 5.65
P2 O5 0.06 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.10 0.08 0.04 0.20 0.06
H2 O+ 0.70 0.66 0.90 0.63 0.87 0.56 0.52 1.38 0.42
Loss 1.08 1.09 0.07 0.33 0.40
Total 101.0 100.3 100.0 99.2 99.0 100.3 100.3 100.1 100.0
K2 O/Na2 O 1.36 1.89 1.60 1.69 1.96 1.33 1.69 1.79 1.61
Cr 21.7 10.9 0.3 12.0 26.4 10.2
Sc 3.7 2.9 1.0 5.2 2.1
Rb 321 327 319 234 153 265
Ba 312 318 503 406 797 586
Sr 97 94 53 83 136 111
Nb 2.9 2.0 10.0 27.7 10.1
Ta 2.9 2.2 2.4 0.4
Hf 2.1 4.3 7.1 4.7
Zr 76 154 121 103 355 153
Y 28.8 19.1 24.0 17.0 21.7 13.9
Th 18.6 33.0 42.0 30.0 28.5 31.6
U 25.3 6.9 12.0 3.8 4.3
La 20.40 18.50 37.33 34.40 36.47 48.89 40.85 54.30 58.90
Ce 37.70 31.50 74.87 63.57 87.25 76.81 76.43 140.00 89.50
Pr 3.83 4.11 7.16 7.08 7.20 8.50 6.06 10.80 11.70
Nd 12.70 13.70 27.41 30.59 30.69 33.09 23.12 35.40 37.80
Sm 2.82 2.94 5.64 5.52 5.29 5.71 4.62 5.54 6.28
Eu 0.38 0.26 0.52 0.33 0.41 0.46 0.37 0.91 0.50
Gd 3.35 3.08 3.41 4.94 4.98 4.96 3.92 4.57 4.27
Tb 0.64 0.51 0.65 0.82 0.91 0.96 0.73 0.72 0.67
Dy 4.25 3.13 4.43 4.95 5.35 6.49 3.46 3.52 3.02
Ho 0.90 0.61 0.83 0.84 0.95 1.23 0.72 0.69 0.51
Er 2.87 1.85 2.34 2.37 2.68 3.78 1.87 2.24 1.38
Tm 0.49 0.27 0.30 0.34 0.39 0.53 0.24 0.34 0.17
Yb 3.54 1.72 1.95 1.97 2.32 3.22 1.44 2.41 1.06
Lu 0.51 0.25 0.34 0.27 0.31 0.40 0.22 0.37 0.16
TREE 206.7 167.6 341.4 311.0 364.7 382.1 324.3 522.1 433.4
(La/Yb)n 3.8 7.1 12.6 11.5 10.4 10.0 18.7 14.8 36.6
Eu/Eu* 0.38 0.26 0.34 0.19 0.24 0.26 0.26 0.54 0.28

275
 276
Table 2 (Continued)

No. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Sample no. J0816 FW04-54 FW04-55 FW04-56 FW04-46 FW04-43 FW04-44 FW04-20 LJ9202
Rock type Syenogranite Syenogranite Monzogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite
Type of syenogranite 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 2
Pluton Name Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao pluton
Sample location Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Qinhuangdao Northwestern Jinxi
SiO2 74.56 74.72 75.14 74.95 76.41 74.47 74.05 76.62 76.90
TiO2 0.17 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.11 0.12 0.12 0.07 0.06
Al2 O3 13.58 13.65 13.74 13.65 12.44 13.21 13.68 12.80 13.02
Fe2 O3 1.24 0.73 0.32 0.41 0.93 1.62 1.05 0.95 0.10
FeO 0.32 0.57
MnO 0.23 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00
MgO 0.30 0.14 0.11 0.14 0.24 0.30 0.34 0.22 0.04
CaO 1.10 0.96 0.76 0.81 0.61 1.06 1.24 1.32 0.50
Na2 O 3.58 3.67 4.19 3.89 2.98 2.81 3.27 2.96 1.82

Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

K2 O 5.12 5.07 4.71 5.03 5.45 5.44 5.34 4.66 7.09
P2 O5 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.06 0.02 0.02
H2 O+ 0.32 0.76
Loss 0.09 0.53 0.55 0.56 0.39 0.42 0.37 0.41 0.25
Total 100.7 99.6 99.6 99.5 99.6 99.5 99.5 100.0 101.1
K2 O/Na2 O 1.43 1.38 1.12 1.29 1.83 1.94 1.63 1.57 3.90
Cr 8.9 0.4 0.9 0.4 6.2 0.6 7.4 1.6 10.0
Sc 1.9
Rb 305 189 251 234 301 170 173 107 265
Ba 520 284 191 210 459 1720 1716 1864 155
Sr 148 104 78 79 146 455 515 323 36
Nb 16.9 4.9 4.3 9.9 11.5 2.4 2.2 2.2 1.3
Ta 2.1 0.5 0.6 2.1 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.3
Hf 7.2 3.0 1.9 1.6 4.2 4.0 3.6 1.5 3.6
Zr 201 74 45 36 110 177 154 48 98
Y 31.9 24.0 20.0 24.0 11.0 3.7 3.0 3.4 3.0
Th 32.7 21.0 12.0 14.0 32.0 16.0 13.0 6.8 18.9
U 15.5 8.1 3.0 7.4 7.7 1.0 1.0 1.6 1.3
La 38.30 17.66 10.60 10.83 23.85 62.11 46.01 10.74 17.90
Ce 60.30 35.54 20.38 21.34 47.46 99.20 65.21 27.88 36.00
Pr 7.21 3.73 2.19 2.28 5.08 7.91 5.12 2.22 3.22
Nd 23.90 13.90 8.10 8.52 17.74 21.55 13.79 7.84 13.20
Sm 4.31 3.23 2.04 2.27 2.94 1.87 1.24 1.14 1.90
Eu 0.49 0.40 0.30 0.29 0.47 0.53 0.51 0.68 0.18
Gd 3.83 3.19 2.06 2.33 2.46 1.93 1.36 1.06 0.75
Tb 0.75 0.58 0.42 0.50 0.33 0.14 0.10 0.12 0.30
Dy 4.78 3.83 2.85 3.48 1.81 0.62 0.44 0.59 0.60
Ho 1.08 0.86 0.66 0.81 0.38 0.10 0.07 0.12 0.10
Er 3.32 2.49 1.98 2.43 1.09 0.32 0.25 0.36 0.35
Tm 0.56 0.38 0.33 0.41 0.19 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.10
Yb 3.87 2.60 2.40 2.80 1.50 0.36 0.31 0.48 0.27
Lu 0.53 0.39 0.36 0.44 0.25 0.06 0.05 0.08 0.10
TREE 313.7 179.8 107.3 118.8 215.8 393.7 269.4 107.4 150.4
(La/Yb)n 6.5 4.5 2.9 2.5 10.5 113.6 97.8 14.7 43.7
Eu/Eu* 0.36 0.38 0.45 0.39 0.52 0.85 1.21 1.88 0.39
No. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Sample no. LS9201-2 S0516 S0763 S0789 S0790 S0788 S0787 SD9415 SD9416
Rock type Syenogranite Monzogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Monzogranite Monzogranite
Type of syenogranite 3 2 2 2 2 2
Pluton Name Shihaishan pluton Shihaishan pluton Lushan pluton Lushan pluton Lushan pluton Lushan pluton Liangxian pluton Liangxian pluton
Sample location Suizhong Belt C, WS Belt C, WS Belt A, WS Belt A, WS Belt A, WS Belt A, WS Belt A, WS Belt A, WS
SiO2 74.97 65.50 71.38 72.07 72.61 73.87 74.06 77.14 76.77
TiO2 0.08 0.56 0.22 0.27 0.26 0.13 0.17 0.10 0.08
Al2 O3 13.10 16.83 13.78 13.92 13.94 13.83 13.27 12.29 12.04
Fe2 O3 0.91 0.90 2.87 0.85 0.86 0.37 0.65 0.39 0.26
FeO 0.32 2.25 1.13 1.38 1.37 0.81 0.97 1.03 1.18
MnO 0.00 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.05
MgO 0.22 0.73 0.14 0.49 0.42 0.21 0.29 0.09 0.06
CaO 0.55 2.27 0.53 1.28 1.15 0.97 0.79 0.64 0.61
Na2 O 3.18 4.87 3.83 3.00 3.01 2.96 3.18 3.70 3.62

Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

K2 O 5.16 5.54 5.67 5.74 5.57 6.20 5.61 4.33 4.51
P2 O5 0.04 0.13 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.10 0.10
H2 O+ 0.84 0.52 0.20 0.42 0.40 0.44 0.40 0.24 0.14
Loss 0.38 0.12 0.05 0.21 0.05 0.18 0.05 0.19 0.03
Total 99.8 100.3 99.9 99.8 99.8 100.0 99.5 100.3 99.5
K2 O/Na2 O 1.62 1.14 1.48 1.91 1.85 2.09 1.76 1.17 1.25
Cr 11.0 5.7 5.8 10.8 5.6 6.6 6.9 28.0 23.0
Sc 5.0 1.3 1.8 1.2 0.6 1.5
Rb 170 87 122 164 177 218 225 295 387
Ba 1190 1207 451 950 887 520 343 88 64
Sr 185 196 84 187 254 148 83 25 17
Nb 0.9 16.8 11.2 14.9 10.4 9.7 14.1 11.0 12.0
Ta 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.0
Hf 5.0 10.2 7.7 7.8 8.3 3.8 7.0
Zr 181 440 337 303 309 123 238 106 102
Y 2.0 18.3 10.9 22.7 16.5 9.1 17.0 23.0 53.0
Th 3.9 5.6 9.0 27.6 82.6 33.3 23.6 45.2 44.5
U 0.7 0.6 1.8 1.3 13.2 2.4 1.2 4.9 7.2
La 12.10 61.70 35.20 123.00 95.60 33.20 63.00 52.56 36.71
Ce 11.60 124.00 53.50 210.00 159.00 49.70 81.70 107.80 76.94
Pr 1.53 13.60 7.29 21.90 15.30 6.00 12.10 11.38 8.25
Nd 6.99 49.80 25.00 65.10 45.80 18.30 36.50 46.87 35.83
Sm 1.01 7.91 4.38 9.13 6.34 2.79 5.48 8.94 8.13
Eu 0.25 1.57 0.40 0.77 0.64 0.41 0.44 0.54 0.36
Gd 0.60 6.08 3.25 6.24 4.74 2.13 4.17 6.70 7.63
Tb 0.30 0.81 0.41 0.80 0.59 0.28 0.53 1.05 1.40
Dy 0.42 3.79 2.21 4.40 3.22 1.62 3.06 5.37 8.25
Ho 0.10 0.67 0.41 0.81 0.60 0.31 0.58 0.99 1.71
Er 0.25 1.95 1.14 2.25 1.64 0.89 1.79 2.58 5.04
Tm 0.10 0.25 0.16 0.30 0.22 0.13 0.25 0.34 0.74
Yb 0.24 1.55 1.10 1.96 1.45 0.89 1.71 1.70 4.54
Lu 0.10 0.25 0.16 0.26 0.20 0.12 0.23 0.28 0.62
TREE 35.6 273.9 268.4 890.4 680.4 233.9 420.3 494.2 388.6
(La/Yb)n 33.2 26.2 21.1 41.3 43.4 24.6 24.3 20.4 5.3
Eu/Eu* 0.91 0.67 0.31 0.30 0.35 0.50 0.27 0.21 0.14

277
 278
Table 2 (Continued)

No. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Sample no. YS06-30 YS06-48 YS9732 S196 S30 BH3 LQ9206 LB9206 DJG02 DPG01
Rock type Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Monzogranite Monzogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite
Type of syenogranite 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3
Pluton Name Yinglingshan Yinglingshan Yinglingshan Dumb Dumb Hongshilazi Hongshilazi
pluton pluton pluton bell-like bell-like pluton pluton
pluton pluton
Sample location Yinglingshan, Yinglingshan, Yinglingshan, Jiapigou, Jiapigou, Hongshilazi, Hongshilazi, Southern Huai’an Huai’an
Yishui Yishui Yishui southern southern norhtern norhtern Fushun
Jilin Jilin Liaoning Liaoning
SiO2 73.36 74.44 76.69 72.67 73.86 75.11 75.48 75.40 72.92 74.46
TiO2 0.11 0.18 0.10 0.20 0.11 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.06
Al2 O3 12.45 13.06 12.64 13.95 13.93 14.02 13.71 13.38 14.81 13.96
Fe2 O3 0.53 0.60 0.49 1.17 0.44 0.56 0.68 0.71 0.78 0.48
FeO 1.10 0.52 0.43 0.68 0.99 0.52 0.14 0.32
MnO 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.01
MgO 2.23 0.56 0.04 0.51 0.47 0.22 0.16 0.11 0.26 0.23

Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

CaO 1.47 0.27 0.46 0.71 1.30 0.38 0.27 0.19 1.32 0.86
Na2 O 2.67 2.14 2.78 3.15 3.23 4.70 4.52 2.49 3.50 3.02
K2 O 5.68 6.83 5.71 5.70 4.46 3.99 4.20 6.88 5.29 5.68
P2 O5 0.03 0.07 0.02 0.13 0.03 0.06 0.11 0.07 0.02 0.02
H2 O+ 0.20 0.68 0.44 0.99 0.45 0.59 0.62 0.48
Loss 0.16 0.25 0.05 0.06 0.25 0.26 0.50 0.73
Total 100.1 99.6 99.9 99.9 99.3 100.4 100.3 100.4 99.49 99.50
K2 O/Na2 O 2.13 3.19 2.05 1.81 1.38 0.85 0.93 2.76 1.51 1.88
Cr 180.0 11.8 3.0 9.0 13.0 2.40 1.49
Sc 2.9 1.6
Rb 194 221 172 99 261 177 139
Ba 864 1265 604 1020 725 2856 1433
Sr 226 207 143 53 156 390 387
Nb 1.6 2.4 12.8 2.3 0.62 1.15
Ta 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.03 0.07
Hf 2.9 3.5 3.0 3.7 3.8 1.93 4.77
Zr 92 116 42 116 144 49 151
Y 2.1 3.1 0.59 0.97
Th 14.6 1.3 22.9 3.1 100.0 0.27 0.98
U 0.6 0.5 1.0 0.6 8.8 0.15 0.44
La 18.00 5.70 26.80 24.14 22.98 25.30 26.30 55.10 10.53 8.50
Ce 25.00 7.40 43.20 34.93 45.88 48.20 52.50 145.00 15.14 11.27
Pr 2.26 1.17 4.71 3.71 1.15 0.88
Nd 6.53 4.27 14.90 12.98 10.23 17.90 19.40 37.00 3.34 2.48
Sm 0.85 0.88 1.53 2.14 1.31 3.08 3.36 5.70 0.30 0.26
Eu 0.66 0.44 0.69 0.63 0.67 0.51 0.54 0.29 1.16 1.03
Gd 0.56 0.83 1.14 1.51 0.82 2.54 2.54 2.57 0.40 0.24
Tb 0.06 0.12 0.08 0.30 0.37 0.02 0.03
Dy 0.36 0.56 0.71 0.29 2.22 2.21 2.13 0.07 0.13
Ho 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.31 0.10 0.01 0.04
Er 0.22 0.32 0.38 0.12 1.20 1.17 1.16 0.05 0.10
Tm 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.20 0.16 0.01 0.02
Yb 0.25 0.33 0.29 0.26 0.13 1.36 1.23 0.81 0.06 0.22
Lu 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.16 0.24 0.12 0.01 0.04
TREE 109.8 44.2 178.3 154.8 164.7 202.2 227.8 515.0 64.6 50.5
(La/Yb)n 47.4 11.4 60.9 61.2 116.4 12.3 14.1 44.8 126.0 25.8
Eu/Eu* 2.77 1.56 1.54 1.03 1.86 0.55 0.55 0.20 10.24 12.59
 No. 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Sample no. DGY01 DGY001 DST01 DST03 XGY01-2 XGY002 XGY004 XGY005 ZW0403 XS0416-11
Rock type Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite Syenogranite
Type of syenogranite 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 2
Pluton Name Wangwushan pluton, Henan Lujiagou pluton, Henan
Sample location Huai’an Huai’an Huai’an Huai’an Huai’an Huai’an Huai’an Huai’an Wanguwshan Dengfeng
SiO2 74.16 73.96 74.87 73.82 74.55 71.93 72.26 73.62 78.27 72.45
TiO2 0.11 0.13 0.06 0.14 0.03 0.21 0.09 0.08 0.15 0.22
Al2 O3 13.78 13.53 13.83 13.98 14.06 13.99 14.17 14.51 11.27 14.19
Fe2 O3 0.97 1.36 0.42 0.66 0.14 1.97 0.52 0.56 0.44 1.26
FeO 0.56 0.66
MnO 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.00 0.01 0.02
MgO 0.32 0.28 0.18 0.48 0.06 0.50 0.18 0.19 0.31 0.49
CaO 1.08 0.91 0.91 1.01 0.57 1.34 1.82 1.10 0.04 0.83
Na2 O 3.40 2.69 3.42 2.94 3.30 3.13 3.32 3.21 2.68 3.33

Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

K2 O 4.99 5.88 5.24 5.88 6.25 5.44 5.62 5.89 5.73 5.41
P2 O5 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.07 0.01 0.08 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.07
H2 O+ 0.32 0.64
Loss 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.60 0.57 0.93 1.48 0.38 0.34 0.26
Total 99.51 99.45 99.63 99.59 99.54 99.53 99.53 99.56 100.1 99.8
K2 O/Na2 O 1.47 2.19 1.53 2.00 1.89 1.74 1.69 1.83 2.14 1.62
Cr 0.75 0.95 0.97 1.97 0.79 1.66 0.92 1.35 2.4 10.9
Sc 1.1 2.3
Rb 119 139 121 129 175 119 126 129 113 201
Ba 1315 1877 1063 1338 1247 2015 2068 1301 226 980
Sr 558 547 487 428 263 728 693 526 24 193
Nb 0.89 1.03 0.58 1.30 1.38 1.71 0.67 0.53 19.4 8.0
Ta 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.34 0.21 0.12 0.10 1.3 0.4
Hf 2.58 5.36 1.99 4.58 3.48 6.34 2.10 4.09 10.8 6.9
Zr 89 177 71 169 74 236 76 142 294 214
Y 1.27 1.63 1.14 1.45 0.92 2.81 1.33 1.06 49.8 4.9
Th 7.42 17.01 18.79 0.44 2.58 17.55 6.84 12.17 13.8 36.9
U 0.24 0.76 0.35 0.28 0.36 0.59 0.24 0.68 1.6 2.0
La 26.32 54.75 43.39 10.73 19.39 89.37 21.81 19.60 32.30 69.10
Ce 41.09 89.62 74.82 15.38 19.93 149.84 30.82 29.40 101.00 137.00
Pr 3.54 7.69 6.46 1.40 1.99 13.14 2.65 2.50 7.78 11.60
Nd 10.31 21.83 19.16 4.50 5.66 37.70 7.96 7.19 29.20 34.80
Sm 0.96 1.88 1.88 0.68 0.57 3.37 0.77 0.71 6.93 4.95
Eu 1.26 1.26 1.07 1.10 1.21 1.77 1.34 1.12 0.70 0.52
Gd 0.78 1.34 1.29 0.55 0.41 2.35 0.64 0.54 8.25 2.25
Tb 0.07 0.11 0.11 0.06 0.05 0.17 0.05 0.05 1.68 0.30
Dy 0.26 0.33 0.27 0.25 0.17 0.51 0.20 0.18 10.90 1.26
Ho 0.05 0.07 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.10 0.04 0.04 2.35 0.20
Er 0.11 0.19 0.11 0.16 0.09 0.29 0.12 0.13 7.07 0.54
Tm 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.03 1.03 0.06
Yb 0.13 0.22 0.10 0.17 0.15 0.28 0.13 0.17 6.53 0.42
Lu 0.03 0.04 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.02 0.04 0.90 0.06
TREE 169.8 359.0 297.6 70.1 99.5 597.9 133.1 123.7 419.3 527.1
(La/Yb)n 135.7 164.1 283.8 41.8 85.7 207.6 114.3 75.0 3.3 108.4
Eu/Eu* 4.34 2.33 1.99 5.35 7.39 1.84 5.73 5.40 0.29 0.42

Note: (1) major element in %, trace and REE elements in ppm; (2) Nos. 1–6, 18–19, 26–27 and 35 are from Wu et al. (1998) and Qiao et al. (1990), Nos. 11–17 are from Yang et al. (2008), Nos. 28–30 are from Zhao et al. (2008a,b),
Nos. 31–34 are from Shen et al. (1994), Nos. 36–45 are from Zhang et al. (2011), No. 47 is from Wan et al. (2009a,b). Rest is from this study.

279
280 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289
Fig. 12. Modal An–Ab–Or diagram for syenogranites in the NCC. WS = western
Shandong; All are syenogranites except for those marked as Mon which means mon-
zogranite or monzonite. See notes in Table 2 for data sources, except for data from
Wu and Lin (1992) which are not listed in Table 2.
70%. Potassium-rich monzonite sample S0615 from the Shihais-
han pluton is only 65.50% in SiO2 content. These rocks plot in the
granite field in an An–Ab–Or diagram (Fig. 12). There is a nega-
tive relationship between SiO2 and Al2 O3 (Fig. 13A), a reflection
of variations in quartz and feldspar contents. K2 O and Na2 O con-
tents range between 3.99% and 7.09%, and 1.82% and 4.87% with
K2 O/Na2 O ratios being between 0.85 and 3.90 (Table 2, Fig. 13B–D).
The samples with high Na2 O contents and low K2 O/Na2 O ratios
are monzogranite or monzonite from the Qinhuangdao, Shihaishan
and Hongshilazi plutons. They show large variations in total REE
contents and are depleted in Nb, Ti and P (Figs. 14–16). Although
they are similar in major element compositions, three syenogranite
types can be defined in terms of trace and REE element composi-
tions.
Fig. 13. SiO2 vs. major element diagrams for syenogranites in the NCC. See notes in Table 2 for data sources.
Type 1 (shown in Fig. 14) displays large variations in total REE
contents (107.3–522.1 ppm), low (La/Yb)n ratios (2.5–18.7), and
strong negative Eu*/Eu anomalies (0.14–0.54). These rocks are also
strongly depleted in Ba.
Type 2 (Fig. 15) is similar in trace and REE compositions to Type 1
with total REE contents and Eu*/Eu anomalies being 150–890 ppm
and 0.20–0.67, respectively. These rocks also show strong Ba deple-
tion but have high (La/Yb)n ratios of 20–108.
Type 3 (Fig. 16) shows large variations in total REE (36–598 ppm)
and (La/Yb)n ratios (11–284). These rocks do not show negative
Eu*/Eu anomalies (mostly between 0.85 and 12.6, with two being
0.55) and Ba depletion.
The differences between the three types of yenogranites are
clearer when comparing them in a same diagram (Fig. 17). Trace
element compositions of Types 1 and 2 are similar with being high
in Rb, Th, Y, Nb and low in Sr compared to Type 3 (Fig. 18A–E).
However, all three types show a similar SiO2 –Zr variation (Fig. 18F).
A total of 21 whole-rock Sm–Nd analyses has been obtained
from the literature and in this study (Table 3, Fig. 19). Depleted
mantle model ages are mean crustal residence ages or may be
mixtures between crust and mantle and really do not define the
true “age” of the source. Type 1 syenogranites show a large varia-
tion in Nd isotope composition and those from Anshan-Benxi have
negative εNd (t) values (−9.5 to −4.7) and old tDM Nd model ages
(3.70–3.25 Ga). Type 2 syenogranites from western Shandong show
a narrow variation in εNd (t) values (0.55–1.03) and tDM Nd model
ages (2.77–2.71 Ga). Type 3 syenogranites from the Qinhuangdao
have εNd (t) and tDM (Nd) variations from −2.35 to 1.23 and 2.93 to
2.66 Ga, respectively.
Hf isotopic compositions in zircons from the syenogranites have
only been obtained for three samples (Fig. 20). There is no difference
between magmatic and metamorphic zircons in Hf isotopic com-
position. In the following, tDM1 (Hf) and tDM2 (Hf) model ages are
single stage depleted mantle model age and two stage crust model
age, respectively. Zircons of Type 1 syenogranite (FW04-54) from
Qinhuangdao (Yang et al., 2008) have εHf (t) values, tDM1 (Hf) and
tDM2 (Hf) model ages of 0.7–7.2, 2840–2560 Ma and 3170–2600 Ma
except for two analyses which have negative εHf (t) values. Con-
cordant zircons of a Type 2 syenogranite (S0788) from western
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289 281

Fig. 14. REE and trace element distribution patterns for Type 1 syenogranites in the NCC. (A and B) western Shandong; (C and D) Qinhuangdao; (E and F) Qinglongshan; (G
and H) Wangwushan. All are syenogranites except for FW04-55 in C and D which is monzogranite. See notes in Table 2 for data sources. Normalization values for REEs are
after Sun and McDonough (1989) and rock/MORB diagram values are after Pearce (1983).

Table 3
Sm–Nd isotope compositions of syenogranites in the North China Craton.

No. Sample no. Rock name Sample location Type Sm Nd 147

Sm/144 Nd 143
Nd/144 Nd 2 fSm/Nd tDM (Nd) εNd (0) εNd (2.5)

1 A-7 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 2.36 17.73 0.0805 0.510252 7 −0.59 3.29 −46.5 −9.44
2 A-44 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 4.02 19.37 0.1257 0.510995 8 −0.36 3.70 −32.0 −9.49
3 A-125 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 3.45 19.69 0.1060 0.510676 9 −0.46 3.47 −38.3 −9.37
4 A-126 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 7.48 39.03 0.1158 0.510865 5 −0.41 3.53 −34.6 −8.84
5 A-97 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 2.07 13.10 0.0954 0.510545 7 −0.52 3.33 −40.8 −8.49
6 A9169 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 5.81 29.11 0.1208 0.511152 5 −0.39 3.25 −29.0 −4.72
7 G9502 Syenogranite Anshan-Benxi 1 2.13 9.22 0.1396 0.511369 13 −0.29 3.63 −24.8 −6.59
8 J0014 Syenogranite Qinglongshan 1 5.17 24.78 0.1262 0.511318 5 −0.36 3.17 −25.7 −3.17
9 FW04-054 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 1 3.45 14.70 0.1420 0.511746 12 −0.28 2.97 −17.4 0.19
10 FW04-055 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 1 1.94 7.59 0.1548 0.511959 13 −0.21 3.06 −13.2 0.24
11 FW04-056 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 1 2.21 8.15 0.1639 0.512118 18 −0.17 3.14 −10.1 0.42
12 FW04-046 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 1 2.80 17.00 0.0995 0.511042 15 −0.49 2.80 −31.1 0.13
13 ZW0403 Syenogranite Wangwushan 1 5.45 26.92 0.1224 0.511630 8 −0.38 2.52 −19.7 4.36
14 S0788 Syenogranite Belt A, WS 2 3.34 23.43 0.0862 0.510864 13 −0.56 2.72 −34.6 0.95
15 S0789 Syenogranite Belt A, WS 2 9.39 71.43 0.0795 0.510734 13 −0.60 2.73 −37.1 0.55
16 S0790 Syenogranite Belt A, WS 2 7.54 57.53 0.0792 0.510741 12 −0.60 2.71 −37.0 0.80
17 S0787 Syenogranite Belt A, WS 2 7.58 53.14 0.0862 0.510867 11 −0.56 2.71 −34.5 1.03
18 S0763 Syenogranite Belt A, WS 2 4.84 29.49 0.0993 0.511060 10 −0.50 2.77 −30.8 0.55
19 FW04-020 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 3 1.07 7.13 0.0909 0.510777 13 −0.54 2.93 −36.3 −2.35
20 FW04-043 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 3 2.02 22.90 0.0534 0.510324 12 −0.73 2.67 −45.1 0.97
21 FW04-044 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao 3 1.35 15.00 0.0542 0.510350 12 −0.72 2.66 −44.6 1.23

Note: (1) Age in Ga, Sm and Nd contents in ppm; (2) Nos. 1–7 are from Qiao et al. (1990) and Wu et al. (1998), Nos. 9–12 and 19–21 are from Yang et al. (2008). Remainder is
from this study; (3) WS means western Shandong.
282 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

Fig. 15. REE and trace element distribution patterns for Type 2 syenogranites in the NCC. (A and B) northwestern Jinxi (LJ9202) and Qinhuangdao (J0811); (C and D) western
Shandong; (E and F) southern Fushun; (G and H) Lujiagou, Dengfeng. All are syenogranites except for S0516, which is monzonite, and SD9415 and SD9416, which are
monzogranites, in C and D. See notes in Table 2 for data sources. Normalization values for REEs are after Sun and McDonough (1989) and rock/MORB diagram values are after
Pearce (1983).

Shandong (this study) have a small variations in Hf isotopic com-
position with εHf (t) values, tDM1 (Hf) and tDM2 (Hf) model ages of
2.6–7.4, 2740–2560 Ma and 3000–2590 Ma, respectively, except
for two analyses showing large negative εHf (t) values. Zircons of
a Type 3 syenogranite (XGY01) from Huai’an (Zhang et al., 2011)
have εHf (t) values, tDM1 (Hf) and tDM2 (Hf) model ages of 2.1–6.3,
2760–2600 Ma and 3050–2670 Ma.
6. Discussion
6.1. Compositional features of zircons
Magmatic zircons of the syenogranites commonly show oscil-
latory zoning. However, some zircons show banded zoning or
homogenous structures which are common for zircons from high-
temperature granites and quartz diorite (Corfu et al., 2003; Wan et
al., in press). This probably suggests that some syenogranite mag-
mas experienced high-temperatures, consistent with the existence
of perthite and antiperthite feldspars. It is also common that oscil-
latory zoning is better developed in magmatic rims than cores,
probably suggesting a fluid-increasing process from high to low
temperature. Shown in Fig. 21 is the U vs. Th variation in zircons
from the syenogranites. Magmatic zircons show a large compo-
sitional variation with some being up to 1000 ppm in U and Th
contents. It should be noted that in many cases of our study, zircons
are not very high in U and Th contents, this is because high-U zir-
cons were avoided during analysis for the reason that such grains
commonly show severe lead loss. U and Th show linear relation-
ships, but the Th/U ratios are different in different syenogranites.
Zircons of the Qinhuangdao pluton (FW04-54, Yang et al., 2008)
and Yinglingshan pluton (YS06-30 and YS06-48, Zhao et al., 2008b)
have Th/U ratios >0.6 and ∼0.5, respectively (Fig. 14). In some zir-
cons, such as those from the Hongshilazi pluton (MG-47, Grant
et al., 2009), the rims are very high in U and low in Th/U ratios
(commonly <0.1) (Fig. 14). This may suggest that the syenogran-
ites underwent a pronounced magmatic evolution, and the rims
formed at the end of the magmatic process when the magma was
rich in fluids. Both U and Th are imcompatible elements, and U is
more imcompatible than Th in felsic magmas. Metamorphic zircons
from the Qinhuangdao pluton have Th/U ratios of <0.1 (Yang et al.,
2008).
6.2. Origin of the syenogranites
Geochemical features of magmatic rocks are basically deter-
mined by two factors: source region and conditions of formation,
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289 283

Fig. 16. REE and trace element distribution patterns of Type 3 syenogranites in the NCC. (A and B) Jiapigou, southern Jilin; (C and D) Hongshilazi, norhtern Liaoning; (E and F)
Qinhuangdao (FW04-43, FW04-44, FW04-20) and Suizhong (LS9201-2); (G and H) Yinglingshan, Yishui; (I and J) Huai’an. All are syenogranites except for BH3 and LQ9206 in
C and D which are monzogranites. See notes in Table 2 for data sources. Normalization values for REEs are after Sun and McDonough (1989) and rock/MORB diagram values
are after Pearce (1983).

Fig. 17. Composition comparison of three types of syenogranites in the NCC. (A) REE patterns; (B) trace element distribution patterns. Normalization values for REEs are
after Sun and McDonough (1989) and rock/MORB diagram values are after Pearce (1983). For Type 2, sample LJ9202 is not included.
284 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

Fig. 18. SiO2 vs. trace element diagrams for syenogranites in the NCC. See notes in Table 2 for data sources.

which might be related to tectonic environment in some cases. of 2.77–2.71 Ga and zircon tDM1 (Hf) and tDM2 (Hf) model ages of
It appears that geochemical differences in the three syenogranite 2.74–2.56 and 3.00–2.59 Ga. In northwestern Hebei Province where
types in the NCC are mainly due to their source regions. Type 1 ∼2.5 Ga TTGs occurs widely and ∼2.7 Ga TTGs have recently been
syenogranites show low (La/Yb)n ratios, strongly negative Eu*/Eu identified (Jiang et al., 2008), Type 3 syenogranites here have zircon
anomalies and obvious Ba depletion and are high in Rb, Th, Y and tDM1 (Hf) and tDM2 (Hf) model ages of 2.76–2.60 and 3.05–2.67 Ga.
Nb and low in Sr, suggesting that they were derived from a mature Types 1 and 2 make up the majority of syenogranites in the NCC. In
source region in which metasedimentary rocks may be important view of their Nd and Hf isotopic compositions, the syenogranites
components. Type 2 syenogranites may be derived from a source are mainly derived from older continental crust, and the crustal
region geochemically similar to that of Type 1 but with higher
(La/Yb)n ratios. Metasedimentary rocks seem not to have been
important in their formation. In contrast, Type 3 syenogranites do
not show strong negative Eu*/Eu anomalies and Ba depletion and
are low in Rb, Th, Y and Nb and high in Sr, indicating that this type of
syenogranite is probably derived from a relatively primitive source
such as TTG rocks.
Only a few Nd and Hf isotopic analyses have been per-
formed on the syenogranites, but the available data still provide
important information for our understanding the origin of theses
rocks. Anshan-Benxi syenogranites had a long Archean evolution
(>3.8 Ga), and Type 1 syenogranites from this area have whole-
rock tDM (Nd) model ages of 3.70–3.25 Ga. In Qinhuangdao, west
of Caozhuang where 3.3–3.1 Ga TTG rocks occur (Nutman et al., in
press), Type 1 syenogranites have whole-rock tDM (Nd) model ages
of 3.17–2.80 Ga and zircon tDM1 (Hf) and tDM2 (Hf) model ages of
2.84–2.56 and 3.17–2.60 Ga. In western Shandong Province, conti-
nental crust mainly formed during the early Neoarchean (∼2.7 Ga), Fig. 19. 207 Pb/206 Pb age vs. εNd (t) diagram for syenogranites in the NCC. See notes
and Type 2 syenogranites have whole-rock tDM (Nd) model ages in Table 3 for data sources.
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289
Fig. 20. 207 Pb/206 Pb age vs. εHf (t) diagram for zircons of syenogranites in the NCC.
Type 1 syenogranite: FW04-54 from Qinhuangdao (Yang et al., 2008); Type 2
syenogranite: S0788 from western Shandong (this study); Type 3 syenogranite:
XGY01 from north (Zhang et al., 2011).
residence times may be either long (for example, Anshan-Benxi)
or short (for example, western Shandong). Syenogranites derived
from continental crust with very short crustal residence times are
rare.
There are several petrogenetic processes for the formation of
syenogranite, namely (1) magmatic crystallization-differentiation,
(2) partial melting, (3) potassium metasomatism, (4) a combination
of all these mechanisms. Partial melting of older crust appears to
be the main process for most Type 1 and 2 syenogranites, but mag-
matic crystallization-differentiation may have played an important
role in some bodies as indicated by zircon rims commonly show-
ing weak luminescence due to high U contents (Grant et al., 2009).
Their strong negative Eu*/Eu anomalies and Ba depletion suggest
residual plagioclase in the source regions during magmatic pro-
cesses and/or that these are the features of the source regions.
Therefore, they should be formed under relatively low pressure
conditions and certainly derived from continental sources (Wu
et al., 1998; Yang et al., 2008; Wan et al., in press). On the other
hand, the differences in (La/Yb)n ratios between the Types 1 and
2 seem to be inherited from their source regions with the Type 1
being more mature, consistent with their Nd and Hf isotopic com-
positions. Type 3 syenogranites occur on a small scale and show
high K2 O contents and K2 O/Na2 O ratios, but no negative Eu*/Eu
anomalies and Ba depletion, suggesting that potassium metaso-
matism was an important mechanism in their formation besides
Fig. 21. U vs. Th diagram for zircons from syenogranites in the NCC. FW04-54: Type
1 syenogranite from the Qinhuangdao pluton in Qinhuangdao (Yang et al., 2008);
YS0630 and YS0648: Type 3 syenogranite from the Yinglingshan pluton in Yishui
(Zhao et al., 2008b).
Data from Zhao et al. (2008a,b), Yang et al. (2008), Grant et al. (2009), Wan et al.
(2011b), Zhang et al. (2011), and this study.
285
crystallization-differentiation and low degrees of partial melting.
Most Type 3 syenogranites with small scales should be derived
from nearby rocks. Some of them with low TREE contents com-
monly show stronger positive Eu*/Eu anomalies due to existence
of many K-feldspars. The three types of syenogranites show dif-
ferences in temporal and spatial distribution, metamorphism and
deformation, and relationships with other geological bodies which
will be discussed below. Compared with Types 1 and 2, Type 3 is
commonly in a much smaller scale.
It is notable that in some areas, granitoid bodies that have
previously been interpreted as single-phase plutons show large
compositional variations. For example, the Qinhuangdao pluton
in eastern Hebei contains Type 1 and 3 syenogranites, and the
Hongshilazi pluton in northern Liaoning and the Shihaishan plu-
ton in western Shandong contain potassium-rich monzonites and
other magmatic rocks, suggesting compositional variations in their
source regions, and contamination during melt formation, or for-
mation at different stages.
In areas where syenogranites occur widely, there also occur
crustally-derived monzogranites which formed almost at the same
time and are similar in geochemical features to the syenogranites
but with lower K2 O contents and K2 O/Na2 O ratios (Yang et al.,
2008, 2009; Wan et al., in press). Both are likely to be similar in
origin, and their differences may mainly be due to compositional
variations of their source regions. Considering the NCC as a whole,
crustally-derived monzogranites seem to occur more widely than
syenogranites.
6.3. Temporal and spatial variations of syenogranites
Potassium-rich granites older than 2.55Ga are very rare in the
NCC, and the Tiejiashan pluton is the only large example. In the
Huoqiu area, Anhui Province, an upper concordia intercept age of
∼2.6 Ga has been obtained for zircons from a syenogranite, but the
age data are of poor quality, and the size of the granite is uncertain
(Wan et al., 2010). However, late Neoarchean syenogranites are
widely distributed, and their formation ages are limited between
2.53 and 2.50 Ga (Table 4). Two phases of syenogranite magmatism
are recognized in terms of zircon dating and deformational fea-
tures. The first phase rocks exhibit a gneissic texture and formed at
2.53–2.52 Ga, whereas the second phase rocks are massive, unfoli-
ated or only show a weak foliation and formed between 2.52 and
2.50 Ga. The second phase syenogranites clearly intrude older TTGs
and supracrustal rocks. The two phases may occur in the same area
such as Qinhuangdao and western Shandong.
In fact, the features characterizing the two phases are also com-
mon in other kinds of rocks. In western Shandong, plutonic rocks
formed during the first phase (2.56–2.525 Ga), including gabbro,
quartz diorite, granodiorite, tonalite, monzogranite, quartz mon-
zonite and syenogranite, commonly underwent deformation and
metamorphism; rocks of the second phase (2.525–2.48 Ga) are sim-
ilar in rock association to those of the first phase but were not
deformed or only show weak deformation. These features indicate
that the tectonic environment changed from compression to exten-
sion at around 2.525 Ga (Wan et al., in press). This may be a common
feature of the entire NCC although the time from compression to
extension may vary slightly in different areas.
A strong metamorphic event occurred at the end of the
Neoarchean in some areas of the NCC such as northern Liaon-
ing, eastern Hebei (including Qinhuangdao), eastern Shandong,
western Shandong (including Yishui), northwestern Hebei and
Dengfeng (Table 5). The metamorphic ages are mainly between 2.52
and 2.49 Ga. Metamorphism is commonly up to upper amphibolite-
or granulite-facies, resulting in anatexis at different scales. In west-
ern Shandong (excluding Yishui), where the metamorphic grade is
generally amphibolite-facies and anatectic rocks occur widely, no
286 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289

Table 4
Summary of magmatic zircon ages of syenogranites of the late Neoarchean in the North China Craton.

No. Sample no. Rock type Pluton name Location Magmatic age References

1 A0713 Syenogranite Qidashan pluton Anshan-Benxi 2503 ± 10 Ma This study

2 FW04-54 Gneissic syenogranite Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao 2523 ± 6 Ma Yang et al. (2008)
3 J0817 Syenogranite Qinhuangdao pluton Qinhuangdao 2510 ± 10 Ma This study
4 S0516 Gneissic monzogranite Shihaishan pluton Western Shandong 2533 ± 8 Ma This study
5 S0788 Syenogranite Lushan pluton Western Shandong 2525 ± 13 Ma Wan et al. (in press)
6 YS06-30 YS06-48 Gneissic syenogranite Yinglingshan pluton Yishui 2529 ± 9 Ma Zhao et al. (2008a,b)
7 MG-47 Syenogranite Hongshilazi pluton Northern Liaoning 2501 ± 11 Ma Grant et al. (2009)
8 XGY01-2 Gneissic syenogranite Northwestern Hebei >2.5 Ga Zhang et al. (2011)
9 XS0416-11 Syenogranite Lujiagou pluton Dengfeng 2513 ± 33 Ma Wan et al. (2009a,b)
10 ZW0403 Syenogranite Wangwushan pluton Wangwushan 2479 ± 24 Ma This study

precise zircon ages of metamorphic and anatectic origins have so far
been obtained because of strong lead loss. However, the event must
be limited between 2.53 and 2.50 Ga in terms of geological relation-
ships that 2.50 Ga granite veins cut 2.53 Ga rocks with anatectic
features.
The second phase of syenogranite (and crustally-derived mon-
zogranite) magmatism occurred almost at the same time as
high-grade metamorphism, namely between 2.52 and 2.49 Ga. The
similarity and consistency suggest that granitoid magmatism and
metamorphism are genetically related. In western Shandong, rocks
at Yishui within the Tan-Lu Fault Zone underwent higher-grade
metamorphism than rocks west of the fault zone, but both record
the same late Neoarchean ages of metamorphism. They should
therefore reflect different crustal levels. Detailed comparisons of
the two areas will provide important information on how crustally-
derived magmas are formed. It seems that the Tan-Lu Fault Zone
did not cause large-scale sinistral strike-slip movement but played
an important role in the uplift of deep-seated crustal rocks.
Spatially, the syenogranites show large variations in their dis-
tribution in different areas. The Type 1 and 2 syenogranites are
voluminous in Anshan, Qinhuangdao and western Shandong. It
would appear that the Type 1 syenogranites could form on a large
scale only in areas where the source rocks had long crustal resi-
dence times. In the central NCC different types of syenogranites all
occur on a small scale. In the western NCC, Neoarchean syenogran-
ites were rarely reported with some occurring on small scales in
the Guyang area. Therefore, the eastern NCC appears to be more
evolved and reflects a more extensive crustal evolution although
many areas are covered by younger (>1.8 Ga) rocks.
6.4. Environment of formation for the syenogranite
The cause and nature of the late Neoarchean tectono-thermal
event in the NCC is unresolved and debated in the literature. Some
authors suggested a scenario of arc magmatism followed by colli-
sional orogeny although there are different opinions on the time
span and spatial distribution of collisional belts (Wu et al., 1998;
Zhao et al., 2000, 2005; Kusky et al., 2001; Li et al., 2002; Wan
et al., 2005b,c; Kröner et al., 2005; Wilde and Zhao, 2005; Wilde
et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2007, 2009; Nutman et al., in press). Volu-
minous syenogranites occur in the Archean Ji-Liao-Lu (southern
Jining–northern Liaoning–western Shandong) arc magmatic belt
proposed by Wu et al. (1998). The arc models imply that plate
tectonics played a major role in formation of the NCC at the end
of the Neoarchean and was the main cause for crustal growth and
accretion (Liu et al., 2007). On the other hand, some authors consid-
ered magmatic underplating caused by mantle plumes as a possible
cause for magma generation (Zhao et al., 1998, 1999a,b, 2001; Geng
et al., 2006; Yang et al., 2008). The main features supporting this
view are as follows: (1) different magmatic rocks formed during
a short period at ∼2.5 Ga, and metamorphism occurred almost at
the same time; (2) more importantly, there appears to be no strong
linear control on the distribution of ∼2.5 Ga magmatic rocks if the
NCC is considered as an entity.

Table 5
Summary of magmatic and metamorphic zircon ages of ∼2.5 Ga in the North China Craton.

No. Sample no. Rock type Location Magmatic age Metamorphic age References

1 S0130-1 Fine-grained biotite gneiss eastern Shandong 2892 ± 18 Ma 2500 ± 19 Ma Jahn et al. (2008)
2 S0130-2 Gneissic TTG eastern Shandong 2906 ± 12 Ma 2501 ± 10 Ma Jahn et al. (2008)
3 S0123-1 Gneiss TTG eastern Shandong 2726 ± 12 Ma 2499 ± 18 Ma Jahn et al. (2008)
4 S0129-1 Gneiss TTG eastern Shandong 2721 ± 9 Ma 2487 ± 11 Ma Jahn et al. (2008)
5 MG-48 Gneissic trondhjemite Northern Liaoning 2553 ± 7 Ma 2500 ± 10 Ma Grant et al. (2009)
6 MG-146 Gneissic trondhjemite Northern Liaoning 2559 ± 7 Ma 2497 ± 7 Ma Grant et al. (2009)
7 MG-141 Gneissic tonalite Northern Liaoning 2534 ± 4 Ma 2510 ± 10 Ma Grant et al. (2009)
8 LQ0107 Fine-grained hornblende gneiss Northern Liaoning 2515 ± 6 Ma Wan et al.(2005b)
9 LF0107 Fine-grained hornblende gneiss Northern Liaoning 2510 ± 7 Ma Wan et al. (2005b)
10 LQ0104 Fine-grained hornblende gneiss Northern Liaoning 2479 ± 5 Ma Wan et al. (2005b)
11 FW04-28 Gneissic diorite Qinhuangdao 2525 ± 5 Ma 2.50 Ga Yang et al. (2008)
12 FW04-42 Gneissic granodiorite Qinhuangdao 2522 ± 5 Ma 2497 ± 4 Ma Yang et al. (2008)
13 FW04-54 Gneissic syenogranite Qinhuangdao 2523 ± 6 Ma ∼2.45 Ga Yang et al. (2008)
14 FW04-84 Gneissic granodiorite Qinhuangdao 2524 ± 8 Ma 2490 ± 4 Ma Yang et al. (2008)
15 FW04-85 Biotite plagioclase gneiss Qinhuangdao 2522 ± 4 Ma 2499 ± 5 Ma Yang et al. (2008)
16 YS06-19 Hypersthene-bearing amphibolite Yishui 2522 ± 5 Ma Zhao et al. (2009)
17 YS06-41 Hypersthene-bearing amphibolite Yishui 2497 ± 4 Ma Zhao et al. (2009)
18 YS06-40 Garnet-bearing hornblende two-pyroxene granulite Yishui 2514 ± 5 Ma Zhao et al. (2009)
19 YS06-45 Garnet-bearing hornblende two-pyroxene granulite Yishui 2485 ± 10 Ma Zhao et al. (2009)
20 YS06-49 Garnet-bearing hornblende two-pyroxene granulite Yishui 2509 ± 5 Ma Zhao et al. (2009)
22 YS99-16 Gneissic monzogranite Yishui 2545 ± 10 Ma 2508 ± 5 Ma Shen et al. (1994, 2004)
23 YS95-58 Gneissic TTG Yishui 2562 ± 14 Ma 2518 ± 13 Ma Shen et al. (1994, 2004)
24 XGY01-2 Gneissic syenogranite Northwestern Hebei ∼2.5 Ga 2493 ± 9 Ma Zhang et al. (2011)
25 XS0416-12 Gneissic trondhjemite Dengfeng 2553 ± 8 Ma 2.51 Ga Wan et al. (2009b)
 Y. Wan et al. / Precambrian Research 222–223 (2012) 265–289
Although there are different opinions on the late Neorchean
tectono-thermal event, it is certain that most syenogranites,
together with other crustally-derived granites, formed in an exten-
sional tectonic setting as indicated by zircon dating, deformational
features and field relationships. The association of undeformed,
mantle-derived rocks (gabbro, diorite) of the same age together
with crustally-derived granitoids suggests that underplating may
have played an important role in the extension of the NCC basement
at the last stage of the Neoarchean.
Rocks at a middle to lower crustal level in the late Neoarchean
underwent high-grade metamorphism, resulting in partial melting
to form crustally-derived magmas. These magmas moved to higher
crustal levels to form intrusive bodies at different scales, including
the syenogranites. Features of magmatic zircon (banded zoning)
and petrographic textures (perthite and antiperthite) support the
idea that at least some syenogranites formed at high temperatures.
The formation of abundant syenogranites can thus be regarded as
a major tectono-thermal event that caused cratonic stabilization of
the NCC at the end of the late Neoarchean, a convenient basis to set
2.5 Ga as the Archean-Proterozoic boundary.
However, most of the ∼2.5 Ga granites, including different types
of syenogranites, have whole-rock tDM (Nd) and zircon tDM (Hf)
model ages of 2.8–2.7 Ga. Moreover, ∼2.7 Ga rocks and inherited
and detrital zircons have been identified in many areas of the NCC.
Therefore, it is possible that the main difference between the NCC
and other cratons may not be in the weak development of an
event at ∼2.7 Ga but, instead, in the strong event at ∼2.5 Ga, which
resulted in extensive reworking of older rocks. This conclusion is
primarily based on a detailed study of the Archean basement of
western Shandong (Wan et al., in press).
7. Conclusions
(1) Two phases of syenogranite magmatism have been recog-
nized in terms of zircon ages and deformational features. The
first phase rocks (2.53–2.52 Ga) exhibit an ubiquitous foliation,
whereas the second phase rocks (2.52–2.50 Ga) are massive, or
are only weakly foliated.
(2) Based on geochemical data, three types of syenogranite have
been defined. Types 1 and 2 show strong negative Eu*/Eu
anomalies and Ba depletion and are different in their (La/Yb)n
ratios. Type 3 does not show strong negative Eu*/Eu anomalies
and Ba depletion.
(3) Most syenogranites belong to types 1 and 2, which formed dur-
ing the second phase. They were derived from melting of older
continental crust with different crustal residence times in an
extensional regime. This caused the stabilization of the NCC at
the time near the Archean-Proterozoic boundary.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Yuhai Zhang and Ziqing Yang for SHRIMP
measurements, Fukun Chen for whole-rock Nd isotopic analy-
sis, and Hua Tiao and Liqing Zhou for mount making and zircon
CL imaging. We thank Simon Wilde, Allen Nutman, M Santosh,
Guochun Zhao, Ziran Zhao, Yuansheng Geng, Shuwen Liu, Jinghui
Yang, Jinghui Guo, Mingguo Zhai, Huafeng Zhang, Peng Peng, Song-
nian Lu, Huicu Wang, Huaikun Li and Chengdong Li for discussions
and help in this study. We thank Allen Nutman, an anonymous
reviewer and editor Guochun Zhao for their valuable comments.
This research was financially supported by the Key Program of
the Ministry of Land and Resources of China (1212010811033,
1212011120151, 1212010711815), the National Natural Science
Foundation of China (40672127) and the State Key Laboratory of
Geological Process and Mineral Resources, Wuhan (GPMR201001).
287
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