Geochemistry and geochronology of Zarrin intrusion, NE Aredekan, Central Iran

Zarrin granitoid, with mostly metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, and I-type composition, outcropped in Yazd block, Central Iran. The U-Pb SHRIMP zircon age from Zarrin granitoid yields 557-567 Ma age consistent with the Late Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian ‘Cadomian’ plutonism at northern margin of Gondwana supercontinent. The chondrite and primitive mantle normalized trace elements patterns show light rare earth elements (LREE) enrichment relative to heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE), accompanied by negative anomalies in Nb, Ti, and Eu consistent with arc-related magmatism, associated with subduction of Proto-Tethys oceanic crust beneath the northern margin of Gondwana. Geochronological and geochemical data including inherited zircon age suggest the Zarrin granitoid originated from partial melting of relatively younger mafic crust and point to the existence of hidden Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic rocks in the lower continental crust of Iran.