Zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic and geochemical characteristics of the Xierzi biotite monzogranite pluton, Linxi, Inner Mongolia and its tectonic implications

The opening, subduction and final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean led to the formation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Controversy has long surrounded the timing of final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Here we present zircon U–Pb ages and petrological, geochemical and in situ Hf isotope data for the Xierzi biotite monzogranite pluton, Linxi, SE Inner Mongolia. U–Pb dating of zircon by LA-ICP-MS yields a middle Permian emplacement age (268.7 ± 2.3 Ma) for the Xierzi pluton that is dominated by biotite monzogranites with high SiO2 (71.2–72.8 wt.%), alkali (Na2O + K2O = 8.05–8.44 wt.%), Al2O3 (14.4–15.2 wt.%) and Fe2O3T relative to low MgO contents, yielding Fe2O3T/MgO ratios of 2.87–3.44, and plotting within the high-K calc-alkaline field on a SiO2 vs. K2O diagram. The aluminum saturation indexes (A/CNK) of the biotite monzogranites range from 1.06 to 1.19, corresponding to weakly to strongly peraluminous. They are enriched in rare earth elements (REE), high field strength elements (HFSEs; Zr, Hf), and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; Rb, U, Th). The LREEs are enriched relative to the HREEs, with a distinct negative Eu anomaly in a chondrite–normalized REE diagram. Geochemically, the Xierzi biotite monzogranite is classified as an aluminous A-type granite, with all samples plotting within the A2-type granite field on a Y/Nb vs. Rb/Nb diagram. Zircon εHf(t) values and two-stage modal ages of the zircons within the pluton range from +4.80 to +13.65 and from 983 to 418 Ma, respectively, indicating that the primary magma was generated through partial melting of felsic rocks from juvenile crust. Consequently, these results demonstrate that the Xierzi pluton formed under the post-orogenic extensional setting after arc–continent collision in the middle Permian.