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Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263 – 270

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Single grain pyrite Rb–Sr dating of the Linglong gold deposit, eastern China
Qiu-Li Li a,b , Fukun Chen a,b,⁎, Jin-Hui Yang a , Hong-Rui Fan a
a
Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
b
Laboratory for Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China

Received 23 October 2006; accepted 9 October 2007

Available online 28 November 2007

Abstract

This study employs the single grain pyrite Rb–Sr technique to date mineralization, using the example of the Linglong lode gold deposit,
Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China. The gold deposits in this area are interpreted to have a consistent spatial–temporal relationship with
widespread Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous magmatism in eastern China, likely related to lithospheric thinning around 120 Ma. Pyrite of the
Linglong gold mine contains different types of mineral inclusions such as sericite and feldspar that cause distinguishable variations in Rb- and Sr
contents and Rb/Sr ratios. Four pyrite samples from veins of different mineralization stages give an average isochron age of 120.6 ± 0.9 Ma.
Analyses of one quartz and two sericite samples yield isochron ages between 122 Ma and 120 Ma. Dating of mineralization is often hampered by
disequilibrium of isotopic systems and/or the lack of suitable minerals for dating purposes. Hence, the successful attempt of the single grain Rb–Sr
technique of pyrite, which occurs as a common mineral phase in orebodies and is genetically related to the mineralization, has great potential for
precise geochronology of hydrothermal mineral deposits.
© 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Pyrite; Single grain; Rb–Sr dating; Gold deposit; Mineral inclusion

1. Introduction ages is often hampered by various reasons: (1) lack of suitable

minerals for geochronological purposes, (2) disequilibrium of
Dating of hydrothermal mineral deposits is often difficult to isotopic systems of minerals during the formation of ores, and
achieve but, nevertheless, critical for understanding the rela- (3) limitations due to high procedural blank and low sensitivity
tionship between the timing of mineralization and geological of thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS). Most ore-
events (e.g., Jiang et al., 2000). Numerous studies have been forming minerals have low parent/daughter ratios and/or low
aimed at the direct dating of mineralization on sulfide minerals, contents of the relevant elements, making reliable age
for example, the Rb–Sr dating of sphalerite and pyrite (e.g., determination difficult (Brannon et al., 1992). Hence, more
Nakai et al., 1990; Brannon et al., 1992; Yang and Zhou, 2001), than 100 mg of sample material (even 1000 mg) are usually
the Sm–Nd dating of sphalerite, galena and pyrite (e.g., Jiang used for conventional analysis to overcome the shortcomings of
et al., 2000), and the Re–Os dating of molybdenite and other high procedural blanks and low sensitivity of thermal ionization
sulfides (e.g., McCandless et al., 1993; Frei et al., 1998; mass spectrometer. The use of large quantities of sample
Lambert et al., 1999; Stein et al., 2000; Barra et al., 2003; material, however, frequently averages out variations in parent/
Morelli et al., 2004; Trista-Aguilera et al., 2006). Nevertheless, daughter ratios, resulting in lower precision of the isochron
routine application of these methods to constrain mineralization ages.
To place age constraints on gold lode deposits, indirect
⁎ Corresponding author. Laboratory for Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry,
methods are also often employed, including K–Ar and Rb–Sr
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing,
dating of alteration minerals such as sericite, or the Rb–Sr
100029, People's Republic of China. Fax: +86 10 62010846. dating of fluid inclusions in quartz (e.g., Böhlke and Kistler,
E-mail address: [email protected] (F. Chen). 1986; Luo and Wu, 1987; Zhang et al., 1994). Conventional
0169-1368/$ - see front matter © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2007.10.003
264 Q.-L. Li et al. / Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263–270

Rb–Sr dating is generally performed via isochron techniques, Precambrian metamorphic sequences, Mesozoic volcanic rocks
mostly with sample suites containing different minerals and/or and granitoids, and minor Mesozoic sedimentary cover rocks
whole rocks. A prerequisite for a valid isochron relationship (e.g., Li and Yang, 1993; Wang et al., 1998). The Precambrian
between minerals and/or whole rocks is the attainment of initial Sr sequences mainly comprise the Late Archean amphibolite to
isotope equilibrium without later alteration (e.g., Zheng, 1989). granulite facies Jiaodong Group and the Proterozoic Fenzishan
However, many factors can critically influence the validity of and Penglai Groups, which are composed of low-grade
isochrons defined from different minerals and/or whole rocks. metasedimentary rocks. The Jiaodong Group, dated at 2665±
Amongst them are petrological processes such as partial melting, 9 Ma using the U–Pb zircon method (Qiu, 1989), consists mainly
fractional crystallization or magma mixing, sequent (or non- of mafic to felsic volcanic and sedimentary rocks and is interpreted
coeval) mineral precipitation, subsequent thermal metamorphism, as an Archean greenstone belt (Ji et al., 1994). The Mesozoic
the infiltration of fluids, and, to some extent, deformation. In granitoids that intrude the high-grade Jiaodong Group can be
particular fluids act as catalyzing agents and can enhance reac- subdivided into three groups according to compositional and
tions and element transport (e.g., Zheng, 1989; Villa, 1998). Thus, textural characteristics and field relationships (Qiu et al., 2002):
the ages obtained by the Rb–Sr isochron method of different (1) a granite–granodiorite group mainly comprising biotite
minerals and/or whole rocks can vary considerably or are granites, granodiorites and monzonites; (2) a porphyritic gran-
characterized by large errors (e.g., Zhang et al., 1994). odiorite group consisting of porphyritic, hornblende-bearing
Recent improvements in chemical procedures to lower the granodiorites, monzogranites and granites; (3) a peralkaline gran-
blank levels and in mass spectrometric (TIMS) techniques itoid group consisting mainly of monzonites and syenites. Most of
enable precise measurement on micro samples containing less the large gold mines in the Jiaodong Peninsula are hosted in the
than 1 ng Sr (Chen et al., 1996; Müller et al., 2000a,b; Li et al., widely-distributed metaluminous to slightly peraluminous gran-
2005; Charlier et al., 2006). A combination of these techniques itoids of the first two groups. These include the Linglong and
provides an opportunity to analyze mica, pyrite, quartz, and Jiaojia gold deposits hosted in the 160 Ma to 156 Ma old Linglong
other minerals within orebodies by the single grain technique medium-grained biotite granite and the 130 Ma to 126 Ma old
for dating purposes. Pyrite, sericite and quartz occurring as Guojialing porphyritic granodiorite (e.g., Miao et al., 1997; Wang
common minerals in gold deposits or are genetically related to et al., 1998; Guan et al., 1998).
mineralization in other types of ore deposits. Dating these The large gold deposits of the Jiaodong Peninsula are main-
minerals can provide direct constraints on mineralization ages. ly distributed, from west to east, in the Zhaoyuan–Laizhou
Previous attempts at pyrite dating have been made using the (or Zhao–Ye), the Qixia–Yantai, and the Rushan–Mouping gold
Pb–Pb, Re–Os, Ar–Ar, and Rb–Sr techniques (Freydier et al., belts (e.g., Wang et al., 1998; Qiu et al., 2002; Fig. 1a). Two types
1997; Frei et al., 1999; Smith et al., 2001; Yang and Zhou, 2001; of gold deposits have been identified, i.e., the Linglong type of
Philips and Miller, 2006). Successful dating using conventional Au-bearing quartz lode gold and the Jiaojia type of hydrothermal
Rb–Sr analysis was achieved on large amounts of acid-leached alteration accompanied by disseminated pyrite and gold with-
pyrite collected from the Linglong gold deposit, Shandong out the development of quartz veins. The gold deposits in this area
Province in eastern China (Yang and Zhou, 2001). Although each have a consistent spatial–temporal association with the Late
sub-sample of pyrite taken for analysis weighed more than Jurassic–Early Cretaceous magmatism (ca. 130 Ma to 110 Ma)
500 mg, 87Rb/86Sr ratios of such sub-samples from the same hand in eastern China, which is interpreted to be related to lithospheric
specimen were significantly different from each other. Fluid thinning (e.g., Wang et al., 1998; Yang et al., 2003 and references
inclusions in pyrite were considered as a major factor causing therein). Detailed information about the geological setting and
the variations in Rb/Sr ratios (Yang and Zhou, 2001). In the genesis of gold lode deposits was outlined in previous studies
present study, we re-examined pyrite from the Linglong gold (e.g., Wang et al., 1998; Yang and Zhou, 2001; Qiu et al., 2002;
deposit using scanning electron microscopy to investigate mineral Zhai et al., 2002; Fan et al., 2003, 2005; Li et al., 2003; Yang et al.,
inclusions in pyrite. We then employed the single grain (or micro- 2003; Zhang et al., 2003; Chen et al., 2005).
sample) Rb–Sr dating method to analyze pyrite, quartz and The so-called Linglong-type quartz vein-style gold deposits
sericite from the mineralized veins. The role of mineral inclusions are typically hosted in second- or third-order faults cutting the
in the pyrite Rb–Sr dating of mineralization is also discussed. Mesozoic Linglong granitoids. The gold mineralization occurs
as single or multiple, relatively continuous quartz veins, which
2. Geological setting and previous geochronological work can be as long as 5 km. The veins range from a few cm to a few
meters in width, and extend down dip for at least a few hundred
The Linglong gold mine is situated in the northwestern part meters. More than 50 auriferous quartz veins occur within the
of the Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern Shandong Province (Fig. 1). Linglong area (Fig. 1b). The quartz veins are translucent to
This area is the largest repository of gold (N 35 Moz Au) in milky and gray in color, and sometimes zoned from a central
China based on historical production rates. Most of the gold massive sulfide zone as thick as 1 m. They consist of pyrite and
deposits are distributed between the Tanlu fault zone and the minor chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite, to marginal zones
Wulian–Qingdao–Yantai fault. The latter is considered as the quartz–pyrite assemblages. They appear to fill pre-existing
boundary between the North China Craton and the Sulu faults, as they are commonly bounded by fault gouges or thin
ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) orogenic belt (e.g., Zhai et al., 2000). zones with quartz and sericite. The veins may contain fragments
The northwestern Jiaodong Peninsula is composed mainly of of country rock and rarely cut the foliation of the fault gouge,
 Q.-L. Li et al. / Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263–270 265

Fig. 1. (a) Simplified geological map of the Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China. Three gold mineralization zones in the peninsula are identified after e.g., Wang et al.
(1998) and Qiu et al. (2002): (1) the Zhaoyuan–Laizhou (Zhao–Ye) gold belt; (2) the Qixia–Yantai gold belt; (3) the Rushan–Mouping gold belt. WQYF: Wulian–
Qingdao–Yantai fault. (b) Study area of the Linglong gold mine (after Yang and Zhou, 2001).

suggesting that at least some of the hosting faults were formed Late Mesozoic (e.g., Li and Yang, 1993). K–Ar and Rb–Sr
prior to the quartz veins. Wallrock alteration adjacent to the dating of hydrothermal alteration minerals, mineralized whole
quartz veins commonly includes silicification, sericitization, rocks or inclusions in quartz, gave more reasonable ages,
sulfidation and potassic alteration (e.g., Qiu et al., 2002). The ranging from 130 Ma to 80 Ma (e.g., Luo and Wu, 1987; Zhang
dominant alteration paragenesis in the Linglong gold deposit is et al., 1994). Wang et al. (1998) used the zircon U–Pb SHRIMP
quartz, sericite, K-feldspar, albite, calcite and siderite. Ore method to date the host rocks and feldspar porphyry dikes that
minerals include pyrite as major phase and minor chalcopyrite, cut the Linglong gold lode and placed a tight constraint on the
galena, sphalerite and hematite. gold mineralization age at about 125 Ma to 120 Ma. Yang and
Numerous geochronological studies, involving direct and Zhou (2001) dated pyrite using the conventional Rb–Sr
indirect dating of ore minerals, have been performed to isochron method and suggested 123 Ma to 122 Ma as the
constrain the mineralization age of the Linglong gold lode time of gold mineralization.
deposit hosted in the NNE-trending Linglong batholith. The
batholith is composed of massive to strongly-foliated, medium- 3. Analytical methods
to coarse-grained biotite-bearing granites, which sporadically
contain K-feldspar phenocrysts. Based on results from Rb–Sr The Rb–Sr analyses in this study were performed in the
and K–Ar methods on whole-rock and mineral, earlier studies Laboratory for Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry (LRIG),
reported mineralization ages varying from Early Proterozoic to Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of
266 Q.-L. Li et al. / Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263–270

Table 1 replaced by 0.1 ml 3N HNO3. Then the vessels were heated to

Single grain minerals Rb–Sr analytical data of the Linglong gold mine dry again to convert fluoride salts into more soluble nitrate salts.
87
Sample Rb Sr Rb/86Sr 87
Sr/86Sr 0.2 ml 3N HNO3 was added to the vessels after being cooled
(ppm) (ppm) (2σ) down to room temperature. A mixed 87Rb–84Sr spike solution
05LL-1 quartz g1 0.024 0.061 1.15 0.71385 ± 0.00014 was used as spike.
g2 0.027 0.144 0.54 0.71271 ± 0.00014 Separation and purification of Rb and Sr were done on
g3 0.056 0.098 1.64 0.71464 ± 0.00010 Teflon® mini-columns filled with about 0.1 ml Sr-spec® resin
g4 0.686 0.313 6.36 0.72283 ± 0.00008 following the procedure of Horwitz et al. (1992). Pure Sr
g5 1.077 0.516 6.03 0.72220 ± 0.00002
samples were loaded on single tungsten filaments and a purified
05LL-8 sericite g1 57.9 4.76 35.43 0.77143 ± 0.00002
g2 85.7 3.24 77.45 0.84453 ± 0.00002 Ta–HF solution was used as emitter. Isotopic ratios of Rb and Sr
g3 38.8 0.67 173.15 1.00514 ± 0.00005 were measured on an IsoProbe-T mass spectrometer at LRIG.
g4 48.9 1.63 87.94 0.86373 ± 0.00002 Correction of mass fractionation for Sr isotopic ratios was based
g5 70.9 33.39 6.16 0.72241 ± 0.00001 on an 88Sr/86Sr value of 8.37521 using a power law. During this
05LL-9 sericite g1 37.5 0.36 324.8 1.27539 ± 0.00013
study, repeated measurements on NBS 987 Sr standard solution
g2 36.6 1.20 91.0 0.86703 ± 0.00002
g3 22.6 0.53 126.2 0.92548 ± 0.00005 gave 87Sr/86Sr mean values of 0.710242 ± 16 (2σ, n = 12, with
g4 15.9 0.24 196.0 1.04462 ± 0.00010
g5 23.2 0.23 303.7 1.23152 ± 0.00012
05LL-1 pyrite g1 0.106 0.080 3.87 0.71639 ± 0.00007
g2 0.054 0.056 2.80 0.71467 ± 0.00029
g3 0.041 0.126 0.95 0.71139 ± 0.00007
g4 0.047 0.080 1.71 0.71277 ± 0.00014
05LL-2 pyrite g1 1.22 0.20 18.11 0.73933 ± 0.00007
g2 0.45 0.13 9.67 0.72384 ± 0.00004
g3 0.79 0.08 28.59 0.75698 ± 0.00008
g4 0.42 0.09 14.16 0.73220 ± 0.00006
g5 1.00 0.15 19.40 0.74076 ± 0.00007
g6 0.36 0.08 12.81 0.73025 ± 0.00007
g7 0.99 0.42 6.81 0.71990 ± 0.00004
g8 0.58 0.17 10.12 0.72560 ± 0.00014
g9 1.16 0.12 27.21 0.75447 ± 0.00014
05LL-3 pyrite f1 2.13 3.45 1.79 0.71467 ± 0.00004
f2 0.61 1.52 1.16 0.71365 ± 0.00007
f3 1.23 1.41 2.53 0.71602 ± 0.00006
f4 2.21 3.50 1.82 0.71470 ± 0.00007
f5 0.95 1.75 1.57 0.71434 ± 0.00006
05LL-9 pyrite f1 2.72 0.51 15.55 0.73754 ± 0.00007
f2 0.76 0.19 11.63 0.73050 ± 0.00029
f3 1.28 0.39 9.52 0.72655 ± 0.00015
f4 2.19 0.46 13.92 0.73428 ± 0.00011
f5 0.46 0.21 6.39 0.72114 ± 0.00022
f6 0.21 0.22 2.76 0.71518 ± 0.00014
Sample weight for analysis: about 0.1 mg of sericite, 3–5 mg of quartz, and
1–3 mg of pyrite for each fraction. g: whole grain; f: fragment.

Sciences (IGG CAS). Reagents were doubly distilled in a FEP-

Teflon 2-bottle still. A Millipore-Element apparatus produces
18.2 MΩ purified water containing b0.2 pg/ml of Sr and Rb.
Minerals were separated from small specimens (about
2 × 2 × 3 cm in size) to minimize the problem of isotopic
disequilibrium and hand-picked under a binocular microscope.
Mineral grains were transferred into Teflon® vessels, after being
washed ultrasonically in analysis-grade alcohol and Millipore
water. Pyrite grains were dissolved using 0.3 ml 3N HNO3 and
0.1 ml HF at 80 °C. For sericite and quartz, the vapor digestion
method was applied for sample digestion (Li et al., 2005). A
rack with sample vessels placed in sequence was put in a
Teflon® bomb filled with 2 ml HF and 0.2 ml HNO3 at the
bottom. The bomb was then put in a steel cell to hold required
pressure. The samples were dissolved at about 190 °C for 48 h.
HF acid solution remaining in the vessels was dried and Fig. 2. Rb–Sr analytical data of single grain quartz (a) and sericite (b, c) samples.
 Q.-L. Li et al. / Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263–270 267

loads of 100 ng Sr per run) and 0.710250 ± 31 (2σ, n = 6, 200 pg (Fig. 4). An Rb–Sr isochron defined by five quartz grains
Sr per run). During the course of this study, procedural blanks yields an age of 121.6 ± 2.4 Ma (Fig. 2a), consistent with the
for Rb and Sr were 4 ± 1 pg and 6 ± 1 pg (n = 6), respectively. Rb–Sr age (121.1 ± 3.9 Ma, Fig. 3a) defined by four pyrite
More detailed descriptions of the analytical procedures are grains from the same sample.
provided in Li et al. (2005). Sample 05LL-2 is a smoky gray quartz vein from the main
Mineral inclusions in pyrite were identified with an LEO mineralization stage according to Chen et al. (1989). Sulfide
1450VP scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an minerals in the vein include pyrite, minor chalcopyrite, galena
INCA ENERGY 300 X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometer and sphalerite. Pyrite occurs as pentagonal dodecahedron. SEM
(EDS) system. Pyrite grains were mounted in epoxy and then studies show that pyrite contains the following mineral
polished down to half sections. The SEM produces high inclusions: frequent sericite, minor K-feldspar, zircon and
resolution images to show well-marked inclusions, which were quartz. An Rb–Sr isochron defined by nine pyrite grains yields
assessed semi-quantitatively by EDS analyses. an age of 120.2 ± 3.7 Ma (Fig. 3b) with 87Rb/86Sr ratios ranging
from 6.8 to 28.6.
4. Analytical results Sample 05LL-3 was collected from a K-feldspar alteration
and sericitization zone with fine pyrite veins. SEM studies
Pyrite, sericite, and quartz investigated in this study were indicate that pyrite contains mainly albite and minor sericite.
separated from five samples of ore veins collected from the Five pyrite grains give an Rb–Sr isochron age of 120 ± 6.7 Ma
Linglong gold mine (Fig. 1). Rb–Sr analytical data of single grain (Fig. 3c).
minerals are given in Table 1. Data regression for isochron ages Sample 05LL-8 was collected from a pre-existing fracture
and weighted mean values were done with the ISOPLOT software filled with thin zones of quartz and sericite. No sulfide minerals
(Ludwig, 2001), using 2% error for 87Rb/86Sr ratios and the are found in these zones. The sericite separated from this sample
within-run measurement precision for 87Sr/86Sr values (2σ). yielded an Rb–Sr isochron age of 119.9 ± 1.3 Ma (Fig. 2b).
Sample 05LL-1 was collected from a white quartz vein pre- Sample 05LL-9 was collected from a pyrite–sericite altera-
senting an earlier mineralization stage (Chen et al., 1989). Less tion zone. SEM studies show that pyrite mainly contains sericite
sulfide minerals, mainly cubic pyrite, scatter in the vein. SEM and minor albite and quartz. Sericite gave an Rb–Sr isochron
studies show that pyrite from this sample contains rare and age of 121.4 ± 2.4 Ma (Fig. 2c), consistent with the pyrite Rb–Sr
tiny mineral inclusions including sericite and ilmenite isochron age of 121 ± 2 Ma.

Fig. 3. Rb–Sr analytical data of single grain pyrite samples.

268 Q.-L. Li et al. / Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263–270

Fig. 4. Mineral inclusions in pyrite imaged by the scanning electron microscope. Sericite inclusion can be found in most pyrite grains from all four samples. Pyrite
grains of samples 05LL-2, 05LL-3 and 05LL-9 also contain albite, K-feldspar, and quartz inclusion; sample 05LL-3 contains albite inclusions. Ilmenite and zircon
were found as inclusion in samples 05LL-2 and 05LL-1, respectively.

The analyzed grains contain variable Rb and Sr concentra- Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic evidence of pyrite, Yang and Zhou (2001)
tions, resulting in variable 87Rb/86Sr ratios (Table 1). A have already shown that fluids responsible for the ore
weighted mean value of 120.6 ± 0.9 Ma (MSWD = 0.42) can mineralization were derived from a mixture of fluids originating
be calculated from all seven isochron ages. The isochron ages from degassing of mafic magmas and meteoric water that had
obtained by the single grain technique are consistent, within leached the wall rocks of the Linglong gold mine.
errors, with ages of 123 Ma to 122 Ma obtained by conventional
Rb–Sr dating using the leaching technique (Yang and Zhou, 5. Discussion
2001). Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios obtained from the interceptions
of the isochrons range from 0.7080 to 0.7119, indicating that The analyzed pyrite grains from four different samples of the
different fluids were involved in mineral precipitation. From Linglong gold deposit contain variable Rb and Sr concentrations
 Q.-L. Li et al. / Ore Geology Reviews 34 (2008) 263–270 269

and show large variations in Rb/Sr ratios. SEM investigations on complicated metamorphic rocks and samples with low Rb
show that pyrite from different samples contains distinct mineral and Sr concentrations.
inclusions including sericite, albite, quartz and K-feldspar In summary, pyrites from the Linglong gold deposit have
ranging from of one to tens of µm in size (Fig. 4). Rutile, zircon variable Rb and Sr contents, causing variation in Rb/Sr ratios
and ilmenite are also found occasionally as inclusions in pyrite. that facilitates single grain Rb–Sr isochron dating. Rb and Sr
Fluid inclusions and micro-inclusions of minerals have been in pyrite may not only occur in fluid inclusions, as suggested
identified by SEM examination of different pyrite types from the in previous studies, but also originate from mineral inclusions
Proterozoic Black Reef in South Africa (Barton and Hallbauer, such as sericite and feldspar. If isotopic equilibrium between
1996). A correlation between mineral inclusions, Rb and Sr mineral inclusions and host pyrite was attained during hy-
content and Rb/Sr ratios would be therefore likely to exist. drothermal activity, geologically meaningful ages can be ob-
Pyrites from samples 05LL-2 and 05LL-9 have distinctly higher tained for the formation time of an ore deposit by the single
87
Rb/86Sr ratios due to contribution of Rb from mineral grain Rb–Sr technique.
inclusions mainly of sericite. In contrast, pyrite from sample
05LL-3, collected from a feldspatized vein, contain mainly tiny Acknowledgments
albite inclusions and hence have high Sr contents, resulting in
low 87Rb/86Sr ratios between 1.2 and 2.5. Rare, but small sericite This study was financially supported by the Ministry of
was found as inclusions in pyrite from the quartz vein (05LL-1). Science and Technology of China (Project No. 2006CB403505)
These grains have lower Rb and Sr concentrations; the 87Rb/86Sr and by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Project
ratios range from 0.95 to 3.9. Previous studies have shown that Nos. 40525007 and 40403008). Sincere thanks are due to
Rb and Sr hosted in pyrite may occur in fluid inclusions (Lüders Drs. R. Ayuso and B. Bruce for constructive comments and
and Ziemann, 1999; Yang and Zhou, 2001). Nevertheless, the suggestions for improvement of the manuscript, Dr. W. Siebel
results of this study indicate that the variation of Rb/Sr, Rb and for improvement in English and discussion, X.-H. Li and
Sr concentrations is largely controlled by mineral inclusions in P. Xiao for their help in the Rb–Sr analysis and X. Yan for
pyrite and hence, the dating results can be significantly influ- guidance in operation of the scanning electron microscope.
enced, especially by mica and feldspar. If isotopic equilibrium
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