Geochemistry of metasedimentary rocks of the Proterozoic Xingxingxia complex: implications for provenance and tectonic setting of the eastern segment of the Central Tianshan Tectonic Zone, northwestern China

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiugen Li ◽  
Shuwen Liu ◽  
Baofu Han ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Zhuyin Chu
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Northwestern China ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Isotopic Study ◽  
Tectonic Zone ◽  
Elemental Ratios ◽  
Chemical Index ◽  
Eastern Segment ◽  
Chemical Index Of Alteration

The eastern segment of the Central Tianshan Tectonic Zone in northwestern China includes the Proterozoic metasedimentary Xingxingxia complex. Because these rocks have been extensively deformed and metamorphosed to greenschist or amphibolite facies, a geochemical and Nd isotopic study was undertaken to constrain their provenance and tectonic setting, as well as to evaluate the effects of weathering and sedimentary processes on the source rock signature. Major- and trace-element data indicate that these samples are characterized by negative Eu anomalies, low chemical index of alteration values, and high index of compositional variability values. Chemical index of alteration values and the plot of molecular proportions Al2O3–(CaO* + Na2O)–K2O suggest low degrees of weathering of the source. They are compositionally immature and poorly sorted. Geochemical data and immobile elemental ratios, for example Al2O3/TiO2, Cr/Th, Eu/Eu* and (La/Yb)n, indicate that the clastic materials were derived predominantly from felsic sources. Sedimentary tectonic discrimination diagrams demonstrate that most of the samples of the Xingxingxia complex were deposited on an active continental margin or continental island-arc setting. Rare-earth element distributions, εNd(t) values (calculated at 1.20 Ga, varying from –3.00 to +6.1), TDM model ages (ranging from 1.30 to 2.30), and t – εNd(t) plot, indicate that sediments of the Proterozoic Xingxingxia complex were derived from varying degrees of mixing between Paleoproterozoic crust and juvenile materials with the former predominating. There is an increased flux of juvenile materials from Weiya in the east through Dikar to Kumishi. The secondary juvenile source may be 1.2 Ga arc-magma materials.

scholarly journals Geochemistry of the Permian sandstones from the Malužiná Formation in the Malé Karpaty Mts (Hronic Unit, Western Carpathians, Slovakia): implications for source-area weathering, provenance and tectonic setting

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Vďačný ◽  
Anna Vozárová ◽  
Jozef Vozár
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Chemical Index ◽  
Fold Belts ◽  
Rifted Continental Margin ◽  
Bulk Chemical ◽  
Chemical Index Of Alteration ◽  
Ree Patterns

Abstract The Permian sandstones of the Malužiná Formation in the northern part of the Malé Karpaty Mts are dominantly quartzofeldspathic and quartzolithic in composition with abundant feldspars and volcanic, plutonic igneous and less metasedimentary lithic fragments, indicating the sand grains were derived from a basement uplift and recycled orogen. The Malužiná Formation sandstones have moderate to high SiO2 contents (68-85 wt. %; on average 76 wt. %), TiO2 concentrations averaging 0.3 wt. %, Al2O3 contents of about 12 wt. %, and Fe2O3 (total Fe as Fe2O3) + MgO contents of around 2.9 wt. %. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values for the Permian Malužiná Formation sandstones vary from 45 to 68 with an average of 55, indicating low to moderate weathering of the source area. The bulk chemical composition and selected trace elements preserve the signatures of a felsic and intermediate igneous provenance, and suggest mostly an active continental margin tectonic setting of the source area for the Malužiná Formation sandstones. The Eu/Eu* (~0.78), La/Sc (~7.28), Th/Sc (~2.10), La/Co (~6.67), Th/Co (~1.85), and Cr/Th (~6.57) ratios as well as the chondrite-normalized REE patterns with flat HREE, LREE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies indicate derivation of the Malužiná Formation sandstones from felsic rock sources. The deposition of the Malužiná Formation sandstones took place in a rifted continental margin environment supplied from collision orogen on a thick continental crust composed of rocks of older fold belts.

Provenance and geochemical variations across the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition in the Soltanieh Formation, Alborz Mountains, Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (07) ◽  
pp. 1157-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAJMEH ETEMAD-SAEED ◽  
MAHDI NAJAFI
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Weathering ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Remarkable Change ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Chemical Index ◽  
Geochemical Variations ◽  
Chemical Index Of Alteration ◽  
Mountain Belts

AbstractThe Soltanieh Formation in the Alborz Mountains of northern Iran is not only a key lithostratigraphic unit for reconstruction of the Iranian geological history, but also a globally outstanding succession to reveal variations in seawater composition across the Precambrian–Cambrian (PC–C) transition. Mineralogical and geochemical data from a continuous stratigraphic record of Lower and Upper Shale members of the Soltanieh Formation are used to define their provenance, tectonic setting as well as geochemical variations during the PC–C transition. The Soltanieh mudrocks are composed of quartz and plagioclase, with minor constituents of illite, chlorite and montmorillonite. The chemical index of alteration, A-CN-K (Al2O3 – CaO + Na2O – K2O) relations, index of compositional variability, and Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc ratios indicate low chemical weathering in source areas, compositionally immature and first-cycle sediments. Immobile trace-element ratios and discrimination diagrams, chondrite-normalized rare Earth element (REE) patterns and negative Eu anomaly, along with low total REE abundances and negligible Ce anomalies, demonstrate that the Soltanieh Formation was mainly derived from proximal felsic-intermediate Cadomian magmatic arc sources and deposited in a continental-arc-related basin on the proto-Tethyan active margin of Gondwana. The palaeoredox indicators exhibit a remarkable change in environmental condition from a suboxic to an oxic state across the PC–C transition from the Kahar Formation to the Upper Shale Member of the Soltanieh Formation. Moreover, a significant upwards increase of P, Ba, and Ca is likely associated with enhanced fluxes of nutrient elements during the PC–C transition, coeval with the building of collisional mountain belts during the amalgamation of Gondwana.

scholarly journals Neoproterozoic Nafun Group Sediments from Oman Affected by an Active Continental Margin

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Liang Yue ◽  
Veerle Vandeginste
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Water Oxidation ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Ocean Water ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Deep Ocean Water

The Neoproterozoic era is a time of major environmental change in Earth history. The Ediacaran period (635–541 Ma), the uppermost division of Precambrian time, is characterized by the remarkable Shuram excursion (largest C isotope negative excursion), a deep ocean water oxidation event, and Ediacaran biota. The Nafun Group of Oman provides a well-preserved and mostly continuous section of an Ediacaran succession. Based on geochemical data from the Nafun Group, the Shuram excursion (SE) and deep ocean oxidation hypotheses were proposed. Now, we sampled this section at high stratigraphic resolution, and present here the petrographical and geochemical analysis of the Khufai, Shuram and Buah Formations. The major and trace element analysis of shales from the Shuram Formation indicates that northern Oman was an active continental margin environment in Neoproterozoic times. The provenance of the Shuram Formation was primarily mafic and intermediate igneous rocks. With the unsteady tectonic setting, the development of the Nafun Group was influenced by hydrothermal supply and volcaniclastic input. Based on the V/Cr and U/Th ratio of the samples from the Nafun Group, our study reveals the transition of the ocean water redox environment, which is connected to the rise and fall of the Ediacaran biota. Our study constrains the tectonic setting of northern Oman and the petrography and geochemical data from the Nafun Group for the hydrothermal and volcaniclastic supply. Thus, our study acknowledges more factors for the explanation of the Ediacaran conundrums.

Geochemistry, zircon geochronology, and isotopic systematics of the Zhanbuzhale granites in the East Kunlun, Qinghai Province, northwestern China: implications for the tectonic setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-291
Author(s):  
Hao-Ran Li ◽  
Ye Qian ◽  
Feng-Yue Sun ◽  
Liang Li
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Alkali Feldspar ◽  
Northwestern China ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Qinghai Province ◽  
East Kunlun ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
High K ◽  
Tethys Ocean

The Zhanbuzhale region, in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen of northwestern China, is characterized by large volumes of Phanerozoic granitoid rocks and is an ideal region for investigating the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys system. However, the exact timing of the final closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and initial continental collision remains controversial because of a lack of precise geochronological and detailed geochemical data. In this paper, we report new zircon U–Pb ages and mineralogical, petrographic, and geochemical data for samples of Middle Triassic granodiorite and alkali feldspar granite from the Zhanbuzhale region. The zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the granodiorite and alkali feldspar granite formed at 239 and 236 Ma, respectively. The granodiorites are high-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous, high Sr content, high Sr/Y ratios, low Y content, and show adakite-like affinities. The alkali feldspar granites display high SiO2, extremely low MgO, and low Zr+Nb+Ce+Y contents as well as low Fe2O3t/MgO ratios, showing metaluminous to peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline features. Geochemical and petrological characteristics of the alkali feldspar granites suggest that they are highly fractionated I-type granites. The granodiorites and alkali feldspar granites have zircon εHf(t) values ranging from –2.26 to –0.18, and from –2.17 to +2.18, respectively. Together with regional geological data, we propose that the Triassic (approximately 239–236 Ma) granitoids were generated during the later stages of northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethys oceanic plate, and that the initial stage of collision between the East Kunlun and the Bayan Har–Songpan Ganzi terrane occurred at approximately 236–227 Ma.

Mixed local and ultra-distal volcanic ash deposition within the Upper Cretaceous Kanguk Formation, Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic Islands

2019 ◽  
Vol 156 (12) ◽  
pp. 2067-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A Pointon ◽  
Michael J Flowerdew ◽  
Peter Hülse ◽  
Simon Schneider ◽  
Martin J Whitehouse
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Far East ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Sverdrup Basin ◽  
Chukotka Volcanic Belt

AbstractThe Upper Cretaceous Kanguk Formation of the Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic Islands, contains numerous diagenetically altered volcanic ash layers (bentonites). Eleven bentonites were sampled from an outcrop section on Ellesmere Island for U–Pb zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry dating and whole-rock geochemical analysis. Two distinct types of bentonite are identified from the geochemical data. Relatively thick (0.1 to 5 m) peralkaline rhyolitic to trachytic bentonites erupted in an intraplate tectonic setting. These occur throughout the upper Turonian to lower Campanian (c. 92–83 Ma) outcrop section and are likely associated with the alkaline phase of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province. Two thinner (<5 cm) subalkaline dacitic to rhyolitic bentonites of late Turonian to early Coniacian age (c. 90–88 Ma) are also identified. The geochemistry of these bentonites is consistent with derivation from volcanoes within an active continental margin tectonic setting. The lack of nearby potential sources of subalkaline magmatism, together with the thinner bed thickness of the subalkaline bentonites and the small size of zircon phenocrysts therein (typically 50–80 μm in length) are consistent with a more distal source area. The zircon U–Pb age and whole-rock geochemistry of these two subalkaline bentonites correlate with an interval of intense volcanism in the Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanic Belt, Russia. It is proposed that during late Turonian to early Coniacian times intense volcanism within the Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanic Belt resulted in widespread volcanic ash dispersal across Arctic Alaska and Canada, reaching as far east as the Sverdrup Basin, more than 3000 km away.

scholarly journals Geochemistry, environmental and provenance study of the Middle Miocene Leitha limestones (Central Paratethys)

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ali ◽  
Michael Wagreich
Keyword(s):  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
Vienna Basin ◽  
Elemental Ratios ◽  
Ce Anomaly ◽  
Chemical Index ◽  
Styrian Basin ◽  
Input Source ◽  
Chemical Index Of Alteration

Abstract Mineralogical, major, minor, REE and trace element analyses of rock samples were performed on Middle Miocene limestones (Leitha limestones, Badenian) collected from four localities from Austria (Mannersdorf, Wöllersdorf, Kummer and Rosenberg quarries) and the Fertőrákos quarry in Hungary. Impure to pure limestones (i.e. limited by Al2O3 contents above or below 0.43 wt. %) were tested to evaluate the applicability of various geochemical proxies and indices in regard to provenance and palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Pure and impure limestones from Mannersdorf and Wöllersdorf (southern Vienna Basin) show signs of detrital input (REEs = 27.6 ± 9.8 ppm, Ce anomaly = 0.95 ± 0.1 and the presence of quartz, muscovite and clay minerals in impure limestones) and diagenetic influence (low contents of, e.g., Sr = 221 ± 49 ppm, Na is not detected, Ba = 15.6 ± 8.8 ppm in pure limestones). Thus, in both limestones the reconstruction of original sedimentary palaeoenvironments by geochemistry is hampered. The Kummer and Fertőrákos (Eisenstadt–Sopron Basin) comprise pure limestones (e.g., averages Sr = 571 ± 139 ppm, Na = 213 ± 56 ppm, Ba = 21 ± 4 ppm, REEs = 16 ± 3 ppm and Ce anomaly = 0.62 ± 0.05 and composed predominantly of calcite) exhibiting negligible diagenesis. Deposition under a shallow-water, well oxygenated to intermittent dysoxic marine environment can be reconstructed. Pure to impure limestones at Rosenberg–Retznei (Styrian Basin) are affected to some extent by detrital input and volcano-siliciclastic admixture. The Leitha limestones at Rosenberg have the least diagenetic influence among the studied localities (i.e. averages Sr = 1271 ± 261 ppm, Na = 315 ± 195 ppm, Ba = 32 ± 15 ppm, REEs = 9.8 ± 4.2 ppm and Ce anomaly = 0.77 ± 0.1 and consist of calcite, minor dolomite and quartz). The siliciclastic sources are characterized by immobile elemental ratios (i.e. La/Sc and Th/Co) which apply not only for the siliciclastics, but also for marls and impure limestones. At Mannersdorf the detrital input source varies between intermediate to silicic igneous rocks, while in Kummer and Rosenberg the source is solely silicic igneous rocks. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) is only applicable in the shale-contaminated impure limestones. CIA values of the Leitha limestones from Mannersdorf indicate a gradual transition from warm to temperate palaeoclimate within the limestone succession of the Badenian.

Integrated analyses constraining the provenance of sandstones, mudstones, and conglomerates, a case study: the Laojunshan conglomerate, Qilian orogen, northwest China

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 961-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Yan ◽  
Wenjiao Xiao ◽  
Zongqi Wang ◽  
Jilian Li
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Middle Devonian ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Qilian Orogen ◽  
North Qilian

The Qilian orogenic belt in the northern Tibetan plateau connects the Altaids to the north with the Tethyan orogenic system to the south and occupies a key tectonic position in the evolution and assembly of Asia. The belt contains a wide range of subduction–accretion-related petrotectonic units. The Early–Middle Devonian Laojunshan conglomerate, deposited unconformably upon Cambrian–Silurian strata along the northern margin of the North Qilian terrane, contains a record of the late Paleozoic tectonism of the Qilian orogen. Its provenance and tectonic setting are critical in understanding not only the tectonic evolution of Tibetan plateau, but Paleozoic global reconstructions as well. The composition of clastic conglomerates and heavy mineral assemblages of sandstones suggests that coeval mafic, felsic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks were the main sources. The geochemistry of volcanic clasts and paleocurrent and paleogeographic data suggest derivation from subduction–accretion complexes in the North Qilian terrane. The geochemistry of siltstones and mudstones indicates that the Laojunshan conglomerate was derived from an arc and accumulated in an active continental margin. Geochemical data of granitoid clasts suggest that they were derived from Ordovician–Silurian subduction-related magmatic rocks. Mafic and ultramafic clasts, chromite, and magnetite decrease upwards in the stratigraphy whereas metamorphic, sedimentary and granitoid clasts, and garnet increase. These data imply that mafic rocks were the predominant source during initial deposition. Regional studies suggest that the North China plate subducted southwards and produced subduction-related arc magmatism along the southern margin of the North Qilian terrane during the Early–Middle Devonian. Therefore, we interpret the Laojunshan conglomerate as a fore-arc basin fill.

Early-Paleozoic geodynamics of the Altai orogen: Constraints from geochemical and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic study of paragneissic rocks from the southern Chinese Altai

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Cui ◽  
Min Sun ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Yunying Zhang ◽  
Jinlong Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Accretionary Wedge ◽  
Early Paleozoic ◽  
Isotopic Study ◽  
Zircon Age ◽  
Southern Chinese

&lt;p&gt;The high-grade metamorphic complexes in the Chinese Altai were previously regarded as the Precambrian basement and thus important for unravelling tectonic evolution of the Altai orogen. This study reports detailed filed investigation, zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic and whole-rock geochemical data for the paragneissic rocks from Northern Fuyun Complex (NFC), southern Chinese Altai. Detrital zircons from the paragneisses have a predominant early Paleozoic age population (ca. 535-435 Ma), with minor Neoproterozoic and sparse Mesoproterozoic to Archean ages. The geochemical analyses together with the euhedral shape of the detrital zircons suggest that their sedimentary protoliths mainly came from felsic-intermediate igneous rocks with low maturity. In combination with the cumulative distribution curves of zircon age spectra, the variable zircon &amp;#949;Hf(t) values (-25 to +13), as well as the immature geochemical compositions, we infer that the protoliths were most likely deposited on an active continental margin in the early Paleozoic and sourced mainly from proximal igneous rocks, which are comparable to the Habahe Group. Similar detrital zircon age spectra of early Paleozoic sequences from the Chinese Altai, Mongolia Altai and Khovd Zone support the existence of a giant accretionary wedge developed along the western margin of the Ikh-Mongol Arc system, resulting from continuous northeast-dipping oceanic subduction. This research was financially supported by the National Key R&amp;D Program of China (2017YFC0601205), Hong Kong RGC GRF (17302317 and 17303415) and NSFC Projects (41730213 and 41190075).&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals The Provenance and Tectonic Settings of the Greywacke Member of the Late Neoproterozoic Hazara Formation Lesser Himalayas, Northern Pakistan: Evidence from Geochemistry and Petrography

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 3505-3522
Author(s):  
Qamar UZ Zaman Dar ◽  
Pu Renhai ◽  
Zulqarnain Sajid ◽  
Mubashir Mehmood ◽  
Abdul Wahab Abdul Wahab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Source Region ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Quartz Content ◽  
Elemental Ratios ◽  
Lesser Himalayas ◽  
Tectonic Settings ◽  
Late Neoproterozoic

The petrographic and geochemical analysis of the greywacke horizon of the late Neoproterozoic Hazara Formation from the Hazara Mountains has been investigated to determine the provenance, tectonic settings and weathering history of the sediments. The Late Neoproterozoic Hazara Formation is a thick sedimentary sequence comprising of greywacke, shale, argillites, siltstone, and limestone. The greywackes are characterized by fine to medium-grained, moderately sorted and sub-angular to sub-rounded framework grains. They are rich in quartz, lithic fragments and clay minerals. The petrographic investigation of the greywackes categorized them as feldspathic greywacke in the QFR diagram. The quartz content is higher in sandstone and may reach to 70%, which indicates a weathered felsic source. Chemical Index of Alteration values of greywacke suggests that the source region has experienced highly weathering conditions with a warm and moist climate. Various geochemical interpretations, elemental ratios like Th/Sc, La/Sc,Th/Cr, and positive Eu anomalies indicate that the greywackes of the Hazara formation derived from a felsic source and were deposited within an active continental margin tectonic settings. The main source area of the sediments of the greywackes was located to south to southeast, which may possibly be the Aravali orogeny, central Indian craton and Bundelkhand craton. Finally, the geochemical data of the major elements point to a felsic igneous provenance for the greywacke.

scholarly journals Geochemical and Petrographical Characteristics of the Madzaringwe Formation Coal, Mudrocks and Sandstones in the Vele Colliery, Limpopo Province, South Africa: Implications for Tectonic Setting, Provenance and Paleoweathering

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2782
Author(s):  
Elelwani Denge ◽  
Christopher Baiyegunhi
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Granite Gneiss ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Mgo Support ◽  
Chemical Index Of Alteration

The sedimentary rocks of the Madzaringwe Formation in the Tuli Basin have been investigated using geochemical and petrographic methods to reveal their source area composition, tectonic setting, provenance and paleoweathering conditions. The petrographic studies show that the rocks consist mostly of clay minerals and quartz. The major elements geochemistry indicates that the rocks of the Madzaringwe Formation have the same source area. Based on the discriminant function plots, it can be inferred that the rocks are of quartzose sedimentary provenance, suggesting that they were derived from a cratonic interior or recycled orogen. The binary plots of TiO2 versus Zr and La/Sr against Th/Co shows that the rocks were derived from silicic or felsic igneous rocks. The tectonic setting discrimination diagrams of SiO2 against Log (K2O/Na2O), Th–Sc–Zr/10, and TiO2 versus (Fe2O3 + MgO) support passive-active continental margin settings of the provenance. The A–CN–K (Al2O3–CaO + Na2O–K2O) ternary diagram and binary plot of the index of compositional variability (ICV) against chemical index of alteration (CIA) shows that the rocks have been subjected to moderate to intensive weathering. Geochemical and petrographic characteristics of the rocks point to uplifted basement source areas predominantly composed of sedimentary rocks and/or granite-gneiss rocks. These source areas might have been from adjacent areas near the Tuli coalfield which include the Limpopo Belt (igneous and sedimentary rocks), and basement uplifted rocks of the Beit-Bridge Complex, consisting of the granite, granite-gneisses and schists.

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