Iberian late-Variscan granitoids: Some considerations on crustal sources and the significance of "mantle extraction ages"

A suite of post-tectonic granitoids (mostly peraluminous, broadly I-type granodiorites and monzogranites) and mafic rocks from NW Iberia with crystallization ages between ca. 309 and 290Ma has been investigated for Sm-Nd isotopes and inherited zircon content in order to constrain the nature of their source rocks. ε_Nd values (at 300Ma) vary from -0.2 to -5.9 and T_DM values range from 1.01 to 1.58Ga. Inherited (xenocrystic) zircons yielded ages ranging from 458 to 676Ma, with 90% of data between 490 and 646Ma, corresponding to Neoproterozoic (mostly Ediacaran), Cambrian and Ordovician ages. Only three highly discordant analyses yielded ages older than 650Ma. Based on the data reported herein and relevant data from the literature we contend that post-tectonic granitoids of the Iberian Variscan Belt (with exception of the scarce anatectic S-type granitoids) were derived mostly from metaigneous lower crustal sources which in turn were ultimately derived from a subcontinental lithospheric mantle enriched between ca. 0.9 and 1.1Ga. I-type granitoids and mantle-derived mafic rocks both underwent varying degrees of contamination by a metasedimentary lower crust depleted in pre-650Ma zircon (through previous melting episodes) with a time-integrated Sm-Nd evolution different to that of the metaigneous lower crust. Participation of this metasedimentary crust in the genesis of these granitoids may account for Nd isotopic variability and Nd model ages well in excess of 1.2Ga.