Elemental and boron isotopic variations in tourmaline in two-mica granite from the Cuona area, Tibet: Insights into the evolution of leucogranitic melt

Two-mica granite is the most common magmatic rock type in the Himalayan leucogranite belt, which has close relationship with rare metal mineralization. Its genesis is generally attributed to magmatic differentiation. In recent years, the mineral geochemical compositions are increasingly used to study magmatic differentiation, which are significant for deciphering the melt evolution and element migration processes. In this study, in-situ major and trace element and boron isotope compositions for tourmalines from two-mica granites in the Cuona and Cuonadong leucogranites in the Cuona area are conducted to determine microscopic changes in mineral assemblages and geochemical compositions. Analytical results show that the tourmalines in the Cuonadong leucogranite were crystallized earlier relative to the tourmalines in the Cuona leucogranite during magmatic differentiation. The volatile contents have a genetic relationship with incompatible elements in tourmaline, which is possibly responsible for the formation of tourmaline zonation and the enrichment of Sr, Zn, and Pb during magmatic differentiation. The B isotopic composition of tourmaline in the Cuona area suggests that the granitic magma was dominantly derived from the partial melting of the metasedimentary source rocks. Their B isotope variations likely resulted from fluid exsolution during B-rich melt evolution. High rare metal contents in tourmalines indicate that the two-mica granites in the Cuona area may have great mineralization potential.

Automated summary

This study focused on the in-situ major and trace element and boron isotope compositions of tourmalines from two-mica granites in the Cuona area. The results indicated that tourmalines in the Cuonadong leucogranite crystallized earlier than those in the Cuona leucogranite during magmatic differentiation. The volatile contents of tourmaline were genetically related to incompatible elements, which led to tourmaline zonation and the enrichment of Sr, Zn, and Pb. The B isotopic composition of tourmaline suggested that the granitic magma was dominantly derived from the partial melting of the metasedimentary source rocks, and their B isotope variations were likely due to fluid exsolution during B-rich melt evolution. High rare metal contents in tourmalines indicated great mineralization potential in the two-mica granites of the Cuona area.