Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the Baipu granite porphyry in the Huangtian uranium deposit, northeastern Guangdong, South China

Sep 29, 2026

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The genetic connection between Late Yanshanian granitic magmatism and uranium mineralization in South China remains insufficiently constrained, especially for ore-hosting plutons. This study presents an integrated investigation of the Baipu granitic porphyry in the Huangtian uranium deposit using petrography, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and whole-rock geochemistry. Results indicate emplacement at 159.4 ± 1.4 Ma, high-silica potassic strongly peraluminous S-type granite affinity, and LREE/incompatible element enrichment with negative Eu and Sr anomalies, implying crustal psammitic partial melting in a post-collisional setting driven by Late Jurassic lithospheric delamination, linking the intrusion genetically to uranium mineralization and ore-forming hydrothermal systems, with favorable exploration implications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Abstract

Introduction

Regional geological background

OPEN ACCESS Citation: Ruan K, Wu J, Long Z, Min Z (2026) Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the Baipu granite porphyry in the Huangtian uranium deposit, northeastern Guangdong, South China. PLoS One 21(1): e0338050 . [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338050](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338050) Editor: Mohamad Syazwan Mohd Sanusi, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MALAYSIA Received: July 7, 2025 Accepted: November 16, 2025 Published: January 6, 2026 Copyright: © 2026 Ruan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data availability statement: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. Funding: This study is supported by the Uranium Mineral Exploration and Research Projects of the China Nuclear Geology RESEARCH ARTICLE Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the Baipu granite porphyry in the Huangtian uranium deposit, northeastern Guangdong, South China Kun Ruan1, Jianyong Wu1, Ziqiang Long1, Zhuang Min2* 1 Research Institute 290 CNNC, Shaoguan, China, 2 Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Nanchang, China * [MinZ@nit.edu.cn](MinZ@nit.edu.cn) Abstract The genetic link between Late Yanshanian granitic magmatism and uranium mineralization in South China remains a subject of active investigation, with the petrogenesis and tectonic drivers of many uranium-hosting plutons being poorly constrained. To address this knowledge gap, we present an integrated study of the Baipu granitic porphyry in the Huangtian deposit, Northeast Guangdong, incorporating petrographic observations, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and whole-rock geochemistry. Our results show that the pluton was emplaced at 159.4 ± 1.4 Ma and is classified as a high-silica, potassic, strongly peraluminous S-type granite. It exhibits significant enrichment in LREEs and incompatible elements (e.g. , Rb, Th, U), coupled with pronounced negative Eu and Sr anomalies. These geochemical signatures indicate derivation from the partial melting of psammitic crustal sources, with limited fractional crystallization, in a post-collisional setting triggered by Late Jurassic lithospheric delamination. We conclude that the Baipu porphyry is not merely spatially associated but is genetically linked to uranium mineralization, serving as both a metal source and a heat engine for ore-forming hydrothermal systems. This model underscores the high exploration potential for uranium deposits associated with S-type granites in similar extensional tectonic settings across South China. 1. Introduction Northeastern Guangdong is a crucial uranium and polymetallic metallogenic belt in South China and has long been a focus of geological research [ 1–4] . Since the discovery of the Huangtian uranium deposit in the 1950s, studies have primarily focused on its metallogenic conditions, ore–controlling factors, and exploration potential [5] . Early work emphasized mineralization characteristics, wall–rock alteration, and ore– controlling structures [6], establishing a broad genetic link between uranium mineralization and Yanshanian granites [7], though with limited attention to the granite porphyry within the ore–hosting intrusion. PLOS One | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338050](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338050) January 6, 2026 1 / 14 (Grant Nos. 202140, 202241-3, 202241-4), Special Fund for Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 201112166271152) . The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Since the 1990s, the application of high–precision dating techniques (e.g. , SHRIMP and LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb d

FAQs

What integrated methods were used to study the Baipu granite porphyry?

The study combines petrographic observations, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry to constrain formation age, sources, and magmatic evolution.

What is the emplacement age and granite classification reported for the Baipu pluton?

The Baipu pluton was emplaced at 159.4 ± 1.4 Ma and classified as a high-silica, potassic, strongly peraluminous S-type granite.

How do the geochemical signatures relate to the origin and uranium mineralization?

Enrichment in LREEs and incompatible elements with pronounced negative Eu and Sr anomalies indicates derivation from partial melting of psammitic crustal sources with limited fractional crystallization, in a post-collisional setting linked to Late Jurassic lithospheric delamination; this supports a genetic link to uranium mineralization via heat and metal supply for hydrothermal ore formation.

Sep 29, 2026

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