Zircon typology combined with Sm-Nd whole-rock isotope analysis to study Brioverian sediments from the Armorican Massif

The identification of source materials contributing to mature terrigenous clastic deposits is made difficult due to a lack of useful discriminant criteria. Sm-Nd isotope analysis can provide some indication of the presence of mantle-derived constituents in elastic rocks. However, since this method is based on whole-rock samples, it is only possible to obtain the averaged composition of the different source materials involved. Moreover, Sm-Nd isotope systematics can be strongly influenced by the presence of heavy minerals rich in rare earth elements and/or displaying isotopic ratios very different to the sedimentary host. In this manner, 0.1% of zircon or 0.01% of monazite from an extraneous source is sufficient to modify significatively the Sm-Nd signature of the whole-rock. The typological study of zircon populations is an extremely valuable tool, especially since this mineral is highly resistant and exhibits a morphology controlled by the physical and chemical conditions under which it crystallized. Zircons that have been reworked in a sedimentary deposit display typologies that make it possible to identify the different igneous rock-types present in the source region. Moreover the typological study can be associated with a single-grain Pb-Pb dating. This twofold approach was applied to Brioverian sedimentary rocks (Neoproterozoic III to Early Palaeozoic in age) from the Central Brittany Domain (Armorican Massif, NW France). It is proposed that these deposits inherited a major component from juvenile crustal materials (eNd(s4e) = - 1.4 to -6.31, reflecting the presence of igneous precursors with a dominantly mantle-derived origin (zircon sub-types S19, S20, S24, S25 etc.), to which was added another component of crustal anatectic affinity (zircon sub-types S2, S6, S7 etc.). Two igneous source regions are identified on the basis of the present study: the anatectic granitic massifs of the Mancellian Batholith (540 Ma), along with a coeval ignimbritic suite of end-Proterozoic/Eocambrian age, and the syn- and post-tectonic dioritic massifs (590 to 530 Ma). Apart from these main sources of elastic supply, it is very likely that sporadic contributions arose from basic to intermediate volcanic activity of mantle origin linked to the Cadomian orogeny and from the Icartian basement.