Geochemistry and Diagenetic Mineralization of Early Cretaceous Highly Differentiated Granites, Offshore Eastern Shandong, China

Large-scale Mesozoic granites are widespread in the offshore area of eastern Shandong Province, China. This study aims to refine the granite classification and explore the degree of granite differentiation and ore-bearing potential in the study area. We conducted field investigations in Dazhushan, Xiaozhushan, and Laoshan plutons. The analytical methods included petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, Sr–Nd–Pb–Li isotopes, zircon U–Pb dating, in situ Hf isotopes, and microanalysis (LA-ICP-MS) of plagioclase. The results reveal high-silica (SiO₂ > 70%), highly differentiated (DI > 90) granites emplaced during the Early Cretaceous (113.12–121.78 Ma). Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes indicate magma derived from a crustal source (I_Sr = 0.7032–0.7242; εNd(t) = −12.45~−20.46). Critically, the spodumene-bearing Dazhushan granites exhibit high Li content with limited isotopic fractionation (δ⁷Li = 1.00–4.62‰; Li = 8.64–93 ppm), signaling high ore potential. In contrast, the Xiaozhushan granites are barren (δ⁷Li = 3.31–4.92‰; Li = 0.66–4.01 ppm). This study identified I-type (Laoshan) and I-S type (Dazhushan and Xiaozhushan) highly differentiated granites formed by plagioclase fractionation, with Dazhushan being the most promising for mineralization.