This paper delves into the convergence of Laozi’s Daoist mysticism with the principles of ecofeminism, highlighting the potential for ancient wisdom to inform contemporary issues of gender and ...environmental justice. Through an examination of the Dao De Jing, we uncover insights into a holistic approach to social justice that integrates ecological sustainability and gender equality. Laozi’s teachings, characterized by the principles of Dao, Wu-wei, and Ziran, offer a foundational framework for understanding the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. By analyzing relevant passages and concepts from the Dao De Jing, this paper demonstrates how Daoist philosophy aligns with and enriches ecofeminist values, advocating for a society that honors the balance between humanity and nature and recognizes the integral role of women in achieving environmental and social harmony. This paper presents case studies that illustrate the practical application of Daoist principles in ecological feminist practices, shedding light on the successes and challenges of integrating ancient philosophical insights into modern activism. The fusion of Daoist mysticism and ecofeminism provides a compelling vision for addressing the intertwined challenges of gender inequality and environmental degradation, suggesting pathways toward a more just, sustainable, and harmonious world. In doing so, it calls for a reimagined approach to social justice that is deeply informed by an understanding of ecological sustainability and gender equality as mutually reinforcing goals.
► Archean granitoid rocks were formed at ∼2.9, ∼2.7 and ∼2.5Ga in the Jiaobei terrane. ► They recorded two periods of metamorphic events at ∼2.5 and ∼1.85–1.95Ga. ► Confirm a Paleoproterozoic ...arc–continent collision event at ∼1.85–1.95Ga. ► ∼2.7–2.8 and ∼2.9–3.0Ga represent two periods of growth of juvenile crust. ► ∼2.7–2.8Ga is the major period of growth of juvenile crust which underwent reworking at ∼2.5Ga.
Archean granitoid (tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite, TTG) gneisses are widely distributed in the early Precambrian metamorphic basement of the Jiaobei terrane, the North China Craton (NCC), and record the formation and evolution of the continental crust in the early Precambrian. In this study, zircon cathodoluminescence (CL) images have assisted in obtaining U–Th–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic systematics, and rare earth element (REE) concentrations from distinct zircon domains of complex zircons, and the results have been integrated in order to unravel the growth, reworking and metamorphism of the early Precambrian crust in the Jiaobei terrane. Zircons from seven representative Archean granitoid samples, collected from the Jiaobei terrane, record three groups of magmatic ages of ∼2.9, ∼2.7 and ∼2.5Ga, and two groups of metamorphic ages of ∼2.5 and ∼1.86Ga. The ∼2.5Ga metamorphic event is thought to be linked to underplating of large amounts of mantle-derived magma, and the ∼1.86Ga metamorphic event to arc (or continent)–continent collision. Magmatic zircons have positive ɛHf(t) values (+0.7 to +12.58, average +5.5), and two-stage Hf model ages cluster at ∼2.7–2.8 and ∼2.9–3.0Ga. This indicates that the Archean granitoid rocks were derived from partial melting of juvenile crust that was formed mainly during ∼2.7–2.8 and ∼2.9–3.0Ga which represent two periods of growth of juvenile crust. The most significant period of crustal growth is ∼2.7–2.8Ga, whereas ∼2.5Ga represents a period of reworking of the ∼2.7–2.8Ga juvenile crust in the Jiaobei terrane, as well as other areas in the NCC.
•Define pre- and post-tectonic granitoid events in 2.2–2.0 and 1.8Ga, respectively.•Paleoproterozoic granitoid rocks were derived by remelting of TTG rocks.•Widespread extensions may occur along JLJB ...in 2.2–2.0Ga.•1.8Ga granitoid events may be linked to extensions following amalgamation of the NCC.
Paleoproterozoic granitoid rocks in the Jiaobei Terrane of the North China Craton mainly comprise deformed hornblende/biotite-bearing monzogranitic gneisses, undeformed biotite-bearing syenogranite, and tourmaline-bearing pegmatitic granite. In order to define the emplacement ages, sources, and petrogenesis of the granitoids, we have conducted a coupled LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating, trace element and in situ Hf isotopic study of zircons from three representative Paleoproterozoic granitoid rocks in the Jiaobei Terrane. Our new zircon U–Pb data yield emplacement ages of 2181±12 and 1801±21Ma for deformed monzogranitic gneiss and undeformed syenogranite, respectively. The deformed hornblende/biotite-bearing monzogranitic gneisses in the Jiaobei Terrane, along with the Liaoji granitoids, define pre-tectonic granitoid events at ca. 2.2–2.0Ga, whereas the undeformed syenogranite corresponds to the post-tectonic or anorogenic granitoid event at ca. 1.8Ga. Zircons from the pre-tectonic hornblende-bearing monzogranitic gneiss have ɛHf(t) values varying from −2.13 to +6.18 (average=+1.2), two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) of 2313–2780Ma and same trends of crustal evolution as ca. 2.5Ga TTG rocks, suggesting an origin by remelting of ca. 2.5Ga TTG rocks. Zircons from the pre-tectonic biotite-bearing monzogranitic gneiss have negative ɛHf(t) values of −7.36 to −2.85 (average=−5.26), two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) of 2930–3206Ma and the same trends of crustal evolution as ca. 2.7 and/or ca. 2.9Ga TTG rocks, indicating derivation by partial melting of ca. 2.7 and/or ca. 2.9Ga TTG rocks. Zircons from the post-tectonic syenogranite display negative ɛHf(t) values ranging from–6.58 to −3.26 (average=−4.89), two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) varying from 2663 to 2868Ma, and the same trends of crustal evolution as ca. 2.5Ga TTG rocks, indicating an origin by partial melting of ca. 2.5Ga TTG rocks. The linear belt of pre-tectonic, deformed A-type granitoid rocks with emplacement ages of 2.2–2.0Ga from the Liaoji area, Jiaobei Terrane, through to the Bengbu area of Anhui Province, together with the coeval mafic intrusions and bimodal volcanic assemblages, suggest that widespread extensions occurred along the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt in the period of 2.2–2.0Ga. In contrast, the post-tectonic or anorogenic granitoid events may be linked to extensions following the amalgamation of the North China Craton.
Analyses of mineral inclusions within complexly zoned zircons, combined with SIMS UPb ages for various domains within the zircons, provide evidence of the origin and multistage metamorphic evolution ...of the Diancang Shan−Ailao Shan metamorphic complex, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Zircons separated from paragneisses, amphibolites, garnet pyroxenites, and marbles were subdivided into inherited (magmatic or detrital) and metamorphic zircons based on cathodoluminescence (CL) and Laser Raman spectroscopy. Weakly zoned, inherited detrital zircons from paragneisses yield ages of 700−540Ma, 1000−800Ma, ~1800Ma, and 2550−2450Ma, and contain inclusion assemblages of Qtz+Kfs+Pl+Ap, recording widespread geological events throughout the ancient Gondwana continent. In contrast, clearly zoned, inherited magmatic zircons in amphibolites and garnet pyroxenites yield ages of ~778−773Ma and contain Cpx+Pl±Qtz+Ap inclusions, representing the crystallization age of the mafic protolith. Metamorphic zircons also record discrete Early−Middle Triassic and the Eocene−Oligocene thermal events. Homogeneous metamorphic zircons with low Th/U ratios (<0.1) contain high-pressure (HP)-diagnostic Grt+Ky+Phe/Mus+Kfs+Qtz+Ap, and Grt+Cpx+Pl±Qtz inclusions in paragneisses, and amphibolites and garnet pyroxenites, respectively, suggesting their formation at 650−720°C and ~14kb. These HP zircons yield 206Pb/238U ages of 249−230Ma, indicating an Early−Middle Triassic HP metamorphic event in the Diancang Shan−Ailao Shan complex belt. Two groups of Eocene−Oligocene metamorphic zircons are also present. One of the groups comprises homogenous zircons with low Th/U ratios (<0.1) that contain medium-pressure (MP) amphibolite–granulite facies Grt+Ky+St+Bt+Kfs+Qtz, Grt+Cpx+Hb+Pl, and Dol+Cal+Ap in paragneisses, amphibolites, and marbles. These assemblages are stable at peak pressure−temperature (P−T) conditions of 720°C−760°C and 8.0−9.6kb, and yield consistent Eocene ages (44−36 Ma). The second group is homogeneous and all zircons have similar Th/U ratios, but contain distinct low-pressure (LP) Grt+Sil+Bt+Kfs+Qtz+Ap, Opx±Cpx±Grt+Hb+Pl, Cal±Cpx+Ap inclusions in paragneisses, amphibolites and garnet pyroxenites, and marbles, recording post-peak P−T conditions of 700°C−750°C and 5.0−6.5kb, and yielding younger Oligocene metamorphic ages (32−25Ma). 40Ar/39Ar analyses of biotite, muscovite, and amphibole yield the youngest ages (25−14Ma, Miocene) related to late cooling during retrogressive metamorphism under conditions of 520°C−620°C and 4.0−4.5kb.
These new data suggest a clockwise P−T−t path for the Diancang Shan−Ailao Shan metamorphic complex belt, typical of continent−continent collision, indicating collision−subduction tectonism prior to the strong, left-lateral, ductile deformation along the Ailao Shan−Red River (ASRR) shear zone that started at ~32Ma and lasted until 25Ma, causing mid-crustal (18−25km depth) high-temperature metamorphic conditions. Continued uplift, and a slowing of left-lateral ductile shearing occurred at ~25−14Ma at a depth of 10−15km and under relatively low-temperature conditions. This temporal and kinematic link between left-lateral shearing along the ASRR and the opening of the South China Sea supports the occurrence of the block extrusion of Indochina from Eurasia along lithospheric-scale strike-up faults.
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► Abundant and distinct metamorphic mineral inclusions have been identified in zircons. ► Zircons record Early−Middle Triassic and Eocene−Miocene metamorphic events. ► First identification of Grt+2Ky+Qtz→3An reaction in paragneiss.
•A widely Paleoproterozoic partial melting occurred in the whole Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt.•The anatectic zircons exhibit partial melting timing from 1.87 Ma to 1.84 Ga.•The partial melting was related to ...the ‘hot’ exhumation of pelitic granulites.•The decompression melting is a major control factor on the partial melting.
In the southern zone of the Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt (JLJB), North China Craton (NCC), abundant granitic leucosomes are widespread within migmatites as irregular layers, lenses, and blocks. They are parallel to or as cross-cut foliations in the host rocks on various scales, and show distinct evidence of migmatization in the formation of these centimeter- to decimeter-scale segregations. The migmatites extend at least 1100 km in length, spreading over the whole JLJB, from the Ji’an Group in south Jilin, through the South Liaohe Group in Liaodong Peninsula, to the Jingshan Group in Jiaodong Peninsula, rather than as sporadic outcrops limited to the Jiaobei Terrane as reported in previous studies. The granitic leucosomes are comprised mainly of quartz, K-feldspar, and antiperthitic plagioclase (albite), with secondary minerals of garnet, biotite, zircon, etc. They are enriched in SiO2 (74.65–75.54 wt%), Al2O3 (13.25–14.87 wt%), and K2O + Na2O (8.19–8.95 wt%), but have a lower TiO2 + Fe2O3 + FeO + MgO + MnO content (0.42–1.34 wt%). The major element components are similar to those of granitic leucosomes of pelitic granulites in typical orogenic belts around the world. A combined study of whole-rock geochemistry, mineral inclusions, cathodoluminescence (CL) images, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dates of zircons revealed the nature and timing of partial melting of the host pelitic granulites. All dated anatectic zircons from various granitic leucosomes display magmatic zones with distinct cores and rims, and contain mineral inclusions of Qtz + Kfs + Ab ± Ap in both domains. Both the cores and rims exhibit unusually high U and Th contents, and anomalously low Th/U ratios (<0.10), indicative of an anatectic origin. The anatectic zircon cores and rims from eight granitic leucosome samples in the Ji’an and Liaohe groups exhibit two distinct weighted mean age groups ranging from 1870 ± 8 to 1865 ± 9 Ma and 1843 ± 13 to 1835 ± 11 Ma, with age peaks at ca. 1868 ± 3 Ma and 1841 ± 4 Ma, respectively. Similarly, abundant anatectic zircon cores and rims from granitic leucosomes in the Jingshan Group from the Jiaobei Terrane also showed two distinct groups with age peaks at 1862 ± 2 Ma and 1843 ± 3 Ma, respectively. These two distinct age groups can be interpreted as the initial timing of partial melting and crystallization end age of melts for the migmatites in the whole JLJB. The southern zone of the JLJB experienced a complicated granulite facies metamorphic evolution characterized by clockwise P-T-t paths, rather than anticlockwise P-T-t paths as reported in previous studies. The post-peak MP-LP granulite facies retrogression with a near isothermal decompression P-T path occurred at 1870–1840 Ma, which is completely consistent with the ages of partial melting. These age data provide powerful evidence that the widespread partial melting event within the southern zone of the JLJB occurred at the post-peak near-isothermal decompression stage, rather than at the peak granulite facies stage or the late amphibolite facies cooling stage. Thus, decompression melting is a major control factor on the generation of partial melting, and formation of the granitic leucosomes and migmatites within the southern zone of the JLJB. Under water-unsaturated conditions, hydrous minerals such as biotite underwent dehydration melting, and water released from the biotite results in felsic minerals occurring partial melting. These lines of evidence suggest that the pelitic granulites in the JLJB underwent intensive partial melting during the MP-LP granulite facies “hot” exhumation stage related to the extension and thinning tectonic setting. The resultant melts did not escape from the host rocks, leading to regionally extensive migmatization and subsequent retrogression.
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•The Ji'an pelitic granulites record peak and post-peak metamorphic stages.•Phase equilibria modeling demonstrates clockwise P–T paths.•The Ji'an granulites were involved in ...continental subduction or collision.
The Ji’an area in the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt of the North China Craton contains garnet-cordierite-sillimanite pelitic granulites that preserve representative metamorphic reaction textures. Petrographic observations and quantitative phase equilibria modeling indicate clockwise P–T paths with near-isothermal decompression and decompressional cooling following the peak metamorphism. The peak metamorphic assemblage was garnet + biotite + K-feldspar + plagioclase + sillimanite + quartz + ilmenite + magnetite with P–T conditions of 9–11 kbar and 830–880 °C. The ensuing post-peak near-isothermal decompressional assemblage was garnet + biotite + cordierite + K-feldspar + plagioclase + quartz ± sillimanite ± magnetite ± ilmenite with P–T conditions of 4.5–7.5 kbar and 810–900 °C, and this assemblage was characterized by large amounts of matrix cordierite due to the biotite decompressional dehydration melting reaction of Bt + Sil + Qz ± Pl → Crd + Kfs ± Ilm + Melt. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb analyses of detrital and metamorphic zircons in the sillimanite–garnet–cordierite pelitic granulites yielded a protolith age of ~2000 Ma and a late Paleoproterozoic metamorphic age of 1890–1870 Ma. Moreover, LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of monazites revealed a similar metamorphic age of 1880–1840 Ma. It had been suggested in the earlier literature that the metapelitic rocks from the Ji’an area reached the amphibolite-facies with a counterclockwise P–T path. However, our results indicate a clockwise P–T path and a granulite-facies metamorphism. We find that granulite-facies metamorphism was widespread throughout the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, as at Ji’an, Southern Liaohe, Jiaobei, and Bengbu, and the clockwise P–T paths and similar metamorphic ages obtained for all those areas indicate that the granulite-facies metamorphism within the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt was a response to Paleoproterozoic continent–continent subduction and the collision of the Longgang and Nangrim blocks of the North China Craton during the peak metamorphic stage, followed by post-collisional exhumation in the post-peak decompressional stage.
Isoprenoids are a class of natural products with more than 55,000 members. All isoprenoids are constructed from two precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate. Two ...of the most important discoveries in isoprenoid biosynthetic studies in recent years are the elucidation of a second isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway and a modified mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway. In this review, we summarize mechanistic insights on the MEP pathway enzymes. Because many isoprenoids have important biological activities, the need to produce them in sufficient quantities for downstream research efforts or commercial application is apparent. Recent advances in both MVA and MEP pathway-based synthetic biology are also illustrated by reviewing the landmark work of artemisinic acid and taxadien-5α-ol production through microbial fermentations.
•Migmatized rocks are widely distributed within the Jiaobei Terrane.•U–Pb age data reveal a Paleoproterozoic (1860.9–1833.3Ma) partial melting event.•The partial melting event was genetically related ...to MP granulite facies ‘hot’ exhumation of the Jiaobei Terrane.
In the Jiaobei Terrane of the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, eastern China, layers and irregular lenses of granitic leucosomes are widely distributed within high-pressure (HP) mafic granulites, medium-pressure (MP) granulites, amphibolites, TTG gneisses, and HP and MP pelitic granulites. The layers and lenses may be parallel to or cross-cut the foliation in the host rocks on different scales, and they show evidence of coalescence and migration in the formation of centimeter- to decimeter-scale segregations. The migmatized rocks extend over an area of at least 120km×75km from Laixi, through Laiyang and Qixia, to SW Yantai. A combined study of mineral inclusions, cathodoluminescence (CL) images, and zircon U–Pb LA–ICP–MS dates provides clear evidence on the nature and timing of the partial melting in these granulite facies metamorphic rocks. Most zircons from the granitic leucosomes are either inherited crystals (igneous or detrital) with distinct overgrowths, or are simply new euhedral crystals. Both the overgrowths and the new crystals commonly exhibit perfect euhedral shapes, pronounced oscillatory zoning, and contain mineral inclusions of Qtz+Kfs+Pl+Ap. In contrast, the inherited cores are rounded or irregular in shape, and exhibit signs of dissolution. These observations suggest that the new zircons are anatectic in origin, and that they crystallized from melts derived from dehydration melting reactions and partial melting of the host granulite-facies rocks. Numerous U–Pb spot analyses of anatectic zircons reveal that the Jiaobei Terrane experienced a major episode of partial melting in the Paleoproterozoic, with crystallization of the melt occurring in two distinct periods from 1860.9±2.2 to 1852.1±2.8Ma, and 1839.9±2.9 to 1833.3±5.3Ma, as represented, respectively, by the magmatic cores and rims of the anatectic zircons. The first age group probably represents the initial crystallization of melts derived from partial melting within the Jiaobei Terrane, while the second age group may represent the completion of migmatization and crystallization of granitic leucosomes. This significant partial melting event was genetically associated with the Paleoproterozoic MP granulite-facies ‘hot’ stage of exhumation of the southwestern part of the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, and it induced extensive retrogression of the TTG gneisses and mafic and pelitic granulites, as well as the formation of regional migmatites.
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•The D1 structures were the result of compressional deformation caused by crustal thickening.•(D1 to D4) and (M1 to M4) mutually correlate within the overall structure of the region ...and correlate with previous studies.•The D1 & M1, D2 & M2, D3 & M3 and D4 & M4 were related to subduction and accretion (2162–1900Ma), collision (forming the Jiao-Liao-Ji Orogenic Belt, ∼1900Ma), post-collisional (1900–1840Ma) and the Cretaceous extension events, respectively.
The Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Orogenic Belt in the eastern North China Craton provides evidence of the evolution from the early rifting and ocean opening to the final collision of the Longgang and Nangrim blocks. However, it is still open to debate, and thus controversial, as to whether the Jiao-Liao-Ji Orogenic Belt formed by closure of a rift without subduction or from an ocean with subduction. Based on detailed field mapping and structural analysis on a micro/meso-scale of the Liaohe Group in the center of the Orogenic Belt, we define at least four phases of deformation and metamorphism. S0 is bedding formed during deposition of the lower Liaohe sediments in the Liaohe back-arc basin. During D1 deformation an early greenschist facies event (M1) was associated with a bedding-parallel S1 metamorphic foliation, penetrative axial planar foliation, micro- to meso-scale folds (F1), and an L1 lineation, all formed during accretion, probably in a trench-subduction setting. An M2 metamorphism took place during medium-pressure Barrovian-type amphibolite facies conditions and associated D2 deformation that gave rise to major thrusts, open-isoclinal folds and a well-developed crenulation cleavage during exhumation of high-pressure and high-temperature rocks and collision of the Longgang and Nangrim blocks. M3 metamorphism at sillimanite (M31) and cordierite (M32) grade was associated with D3 deformation that produced regional gentle re-folds related to post-collisional exhumation of the Orogenic Belt. An M4 retrograde metamorphism and D4 deformation gave rise to a weak foliation that can be correlated with late Cretaceous extension that affected the whole eastern North China Craton. We present new isotopic ages (LA-ICPMS U-Pb zircon) of a granitic vein (2162Ma), a pegmatite (1840Ma), and a very late granite (114Ma) that are integrated with relevant published data. Accordingly, the formation age of deformation and metamorphism was set up, and at last, a modified tectonic model was presented.
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•∼2130 Ma mafic rocks both in the North and South Liaohe Groups of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt and these rocks have undergone metamorphism at ca. 1880 Ma.•Geochemically they are different ...from those formed in intra-continental rifts and volcanic arcs.•The Jiao-Liao-Ji belt was involved the opening of a back-arc basin above the northern subduction of oceanic plate and the closure of this basin at ca. 1900 Ma.
The Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt (JLJB) in the North China Craton, a major terrane boundary, has remained controversial with respect to its tectonic history. Here we report LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon ages, and whole-rock elemental and isotopic compositions of mafic rocks intruding into the North and South Liaohe Groups, with the aim of evaluating their petrogenetic affinities and metamorphic history, and their implications for the tectonic evolution of the JLJB. The mafic rocks in the North Liaohe Group dominantly composed of meta-diabase and meta-gabbro, whereas mafic rocks in the South Liaohe Group are mainly (garnet-) amphibolite. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb analyses yield crystallization and metamorphic ages of ca. 2130 Ma and ca. 1880 Ma, respectively, suggesting that they are coeval, and were metamorphosed at the same time. Whole-rock elemental and isotopic compositions suggest tholeiitic affinity for the protoliths of both of them, with variable SiO2 and MgO concentrations and Mg# and εNd(t) values. They both display enriched mid-oceanic-ridge basalt (E-MORB)-like trace element patterns with enrichment in light rare earth elements and depletion in some high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). The data suggest derivation of the melts from a depleted asthenospheric mantle, coupled with fractional crystallization and crustal contamination. Some of the mafic rocks in the South Liaohe Group have lower HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti) concentrations, and La/Sm and Th/La ratios, and higher U/Th ratios than their counterparts in the North Liaohe Group, possibly suggesting enhanced metasomatism by subduction-related fluids and/or melts. The geochemical features of the mafic rocks from JLJB contrast with those of typical intra-continental rifts and volcanic arcs, and may have formed in a back-arc basin. Our study supports the presence of a ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga back-arc basin that formed due to northward subduction and subsequent closure of an oceanic plate, resulting in arc–continent collision and formation of the JLJB at ca. 1.9 Ga.
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