Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Uhelchulu Quartz Diorite-Granodiorite in Inner Mongolia of China: Implications for Evolution of the Hegenshan Ocean in the Early-Middle Devonian

Abstract

The Uhelchulu quartz diorite-granodiorite intrusions in Xiwuqi, Inner Mongolia, are exposed along the northwestern margin of the Xilinhot microcontinental block, located within the central and eastern parts of the southeastern Hegenshan suture zone. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yielded crystallization ages of (396 ± 8) Ma for the quartz diorite and (385 ± 5) Ma for the granodiorite, indicating an Early-Middle Devonian magmatic event. The quartz diorite exhibits I-type granite features, characterized by elevated Al2O3 (14.33–15.43 wt%), MgO (3.73–5.62 wt%), and Na (Na2O/K2O = 1.04–1.44), coupled with low P2O5 (0.15–0.20 wt%) and TiO2 (0.73–0.99 wt%). Trace element patterns show relative enrichments in Rb, Th, U, and Pb, while Nb, Ta, Sr and Ti are relatively depleted. Total REE contents are relatively low (123–178 ppm), with significant LREE enrichment (ΣLREE/ΣHREE = 4.75–5.20), and a non-obvious Eu anomaly (δEu = 0.75–0.84). In contrast, the granodiorite displays S-type granite characteristics, with high SiO2 (70.48–73.01 wt%), K (K2O/Na2O = 1.35–1.83), Al2O3 (A/CNK = 1.16–1.31), and a high differentiation index (DI = 76–82). Notably, MgO (1.44–2.24 wt%) contents are low, and significant depletions of Ba, Sr, Ti, and Eu are observed, while Rb, Pb, Th, U, Zr, and Hf are significantly enriched. Total REE contents are relatively low (178–314 ppm), exhibiting significant LREE enrichment (LREE/HREE = 6.17–8.36) and a pronounced negative Eu anomaly (δEu = 0.34–0.49). The overall characteristics point towards an active continental margin arc background for the Uhelchulu intrusions. Previous studies have suggested that the Hegenshan ocean continuously subducted northward from the Early Carboniferous to the Late Permian, but there is a lack of evidence for its geological evolution during the pre-Early Carboniferous. Therefore, this paper provides a certain basis for studying the geological evolution during the pre-Early Carboniferous in the Hegenshan ocean. We preliminarily believed that the Hegenshan ocean underwent a southward subduction towards the Xilinhot microcontinental block in the Xiwuqi area, at least from the Early Devonian to the Middle Devonian and the Hegenshan ocean may might have undergone a shift in subduction mechanism during the Late Devonian or Early Carboniferous.