Elemental geochemistry and Nd isotopic characteristics of the metasedimentary rocks from the metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi： Provenance and tectonically environmental constraints

The metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi, located in the compound terrain within the Cathaysia, Yangtze Block and Caledonian fold zone of South China, is composed dominantly of meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks, with minor amphibolite. These rocks underwent amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks show large variations in major element composition, but have similar REE patterns and trace element composition, incompatible element and LIE enrichments [ high Th/Sc (0.57-3.59) , La/Sc ( 1.46 - 12.4), La/Yb (5.84 - 19.0) ] and variable Th/U ratios, with ∑REE = 129-296μg/g, δEu =0.51 -0.86, and (La/Yb)N = 3.95 -12.9. The Nd isotopic model ages tDM of these rocks vary from 1597 to 2124 Ma. Their 143 Nd/144 Nd values are low [eNd (0) = - 11.4 to -- 15.8]. Some conclusions have been drawn as follows: (1) The metamorphic rocks in central Jiangxi Province are likely formed in a tectonic environment at the passive continental margin of the Cathaysia massif. (2) The metamorphosed argillo-arenaceous rocks are composed dominantly of upper crustal-source rocks (Al- and Krich granitic or/and sedimentary rocks of Early Proterozoic), which experienced good sorting, slow deposition and more intense chemical weathering. (3) According to the whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron ages (1113±49 to 1199 ± 26 Ma) of plagioclase-amphibole (schist) and Nd isotopic model age tDM ( 1597 - 2124Ma) of meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks, the metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi Province was formed during the Middle Proterozoic ( 1100 - 1600 Ma).