The redox state of granitoids relative to tectonic setting and earth history: The magnetite-ilmenite series 30 years later

The redox state variation of orogenic granitoids along convergent plate margins is examined in the Phanerozoic Circum-Pacific Belt and in some Cryptozoic terranes. The Phanerozoic granitoids of the NW and NE Pacific Rims can be divided into reduced ilmenite series occurring in the accretionary terranes with compressional tectonic setting, and oxidised magnetite series intruding crystalline basements under extensional to intermediate regional stress regime. The ilmenite-series granitoids have negative but the magnetite series have positive δ34S values, which show a positive correlation with magnetic susceptibility of the granitoids. The negative δ34S sulphur originated in biogenic sulphur from accreted pelitic sediments and positive δ34S values show that sulphate sulphur migrated from seawater through subduction processes. The whole rock δ18O values are higher than 8 permil in the ilmenite series, but lower than 8 permil in the magnetite series, and as a whole show negative correlation with the magnetic susceptibility of the granitoids. The higher δ18O values reflect those of accreted sediments, whilst the lower δ18O values represent magmatic values of an oxidised mafic protolith at depth.