VOLUME 46 (1)/July 2017

New isotopic data obtained from zircons by the U-Pb method during the last decade show the necessity of a revision of the tectonometamorphic and igneous evolution of the Pirin–Pangaion Unit of the Alpine Morava–Rhodope tectonic zone. The northern (Pirin) subunit of this unit consists of four areas built up of metamorphic rocks (amphibolite facies) of the Rhodopian supercomplex. These areas are separated by Late Alpine granite plutons of batholithic dimensions. The northernmost (Krupnik) area is built up of rocks of the Rupchos Group (complex) of varied composition and intense multiphase deformation and metamorphism. The oldest metamorphic phase is dated as Cadomian (528–517 Ma), and its products also suffered Hercynian superimposed amphibolite-facies metamorphism and anatexis. A septum of granitised metamorphics preserved between the Krupnik granite pluton (Triassic, ca 240 Ma) and the early Oligocene North Pirin (Kresna) pluton is characterised by Hercynian (330–300 Ma) anatexis. The principal metamorphism within the southern area around the early Oligocene South Pirin (Teshovo) granite pluton is dated both in the Bachkovo quartzo-feldspathic gneisses (named also Kriva-reka metagranites or orthogneisses) and in the Lukovitsa schists and paragneisses as Hercynian (ca 300–290 Ma). Therefore, the polymetamorphic evolution of the Pirin Subunit consists of a Cadomian phase and a strong Hercynian overprint followed by Triassic granitoids. We confirm the Thanetian–early Eocene age (58–55 Ma) of the Spanchevo granite, partially formed by in situ anatexis. Its intrusion was followed by a compression phase during the mid-Eocene thrusting of the Ograzhden Unit over the Pirin–Pangaion Unit, along the Strimon Thrust. The last magmatic phase (ca 34–31 Ma) was represented by a granitoid association formed during the latest Eocene–early Oligocene in extensional conditions and as a result of mixing of anatectic crust-derived magma with magma of mantle origin. It was part of a volcano-plutonic association related to the Macedonian–Rhodope magmatotectonic province. A high-temperature metamorphic overprint of the same age is recorded in the metamorphics as formation of andalusite in the metapelites, and skarns at the contacts of some of the granitoid bodies.

The distribution and behaviour of major and trace elements in the main zones of hydrothermal alteration (propylite, sericite and advanced argillic) in the area of Breznik Town have been studied, coupled with the chemical composition of alunite group minerals and their isotope geochemistry. The content of Sr decreases in propylite and especially in sericite rocks, and increases significantly in advanced argillic altered (AAA) rocks, which is connected with the formation of aluminium phosphate-sulphate (APS) minerals. Rubidium has high content in sericitic rocks, whereas the element is almost depleted in AAA rocks. The Rb/Sr ratio increases in sericitic rocks and strongly decreases in AAA rocks. Zirconium, Ti, Cr, V, Ga, Hf, Nb, Ta, Th, U and partially Sn and Ba have comparatively inert behaviour during alteration. Manganese, Zn, Ni, Co, Cs and Y are mobile in different degree, with a trend toward complete extraction in the most altered rocks. Arsenium concentrates in AAA rocks, while Li is concentrated only in kaolinite AAA rocks. LREE are comparatively inert in AAA rocks, while MREE and HREE are very mobile, especially in alunite rocks. Alunite has Na-K composition, with permanent admixtures of Ca, Sr, Ba and LREE. APS minerals themselves are woodhouseite and svanbergite-woodhouseite solid solutions (s.s.). Stable isotopes of alunite are characteristic for magmatic-hydrothermal alunite, whereas δ³⁴S of jarosite is intermediate between δ³⁴S of alunite and sulphides, which confirms its supergene origin. All these features define a high-sulphidation epithermal environment, and a possible porphyry mineralization at deeper part of the system is suggested.