蛇纹石化和俯冲带蛇纹岩变质脱水过程中流体活动性元素的行为

蛇纹石是大洋岩石圈和俯冲带内水和流体活动性元素最重要的载体之一。研究蛇纹石化和蛇纹岩变质脱水过程中流体活动性元素的行为是认识俯冲带元素地球化学循环的关键。蛇纹岩是指主要由蛇纹石类矿物构成的岩石,包括利蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石。蛇纹石化过程中会造成流体活动性元素(B、Li、As、Sb、Pb、Cs、U、Sr和Ba等)的显著富集,并且由于原岩性质、流体成分和氧逸度等条件的不同,大洋岩石圈蛇纹岩和弧前蛇纹岩的特征也略有不同。例如,弧前蛇纹岩具有相对高的As、Sb、B和相对低的U,这反映了俯冲沉积物来源流体的贡献。在俯冲带蛇纹岩的变质脱水过程中,利蛇纹石向叶蛇纹石的转变伴随着矿物内超过50%F和Cl的释放,以及一些流体活动性元素(如B和Li)的迁出;此外,蛇纹石分解形成的变质橄榄石中的流体包裹体指示,蛇纹石脱水分解所产生的流体具有高于原始地幔几个数量级的Cl、Cs、Pb、As、Sb、Ba、Rb、B、Sr、Li和U含量。由于利蛇纹石中的Fe~(3+)含量较叶蛇纹石高,这种矿物相转变过程中也伴随着俯冲通道内的一系列氧化还原过程,从而影响流体性质和新形成的叶蛇纹石的成分。蛇纹岩与岛弧岩浆在流体活动性元素富集规律上的相似性说明蛇纹岩在俯冲带元素循环中扮演着重要的角色。此外,蛇纹石矿物相转变过程中F、Cl、B等元素的释放,可能对于斑岩型金矿、蛇绿岩中的金矿和某些蛇纹岩作为赋矿围岩的硼矿的形成起到重要的作用。     

青海茫崖石棉矿区变质超基性岩的蚀变演化序列：岩石化学及矿物学证据

青海茫崖石棉矿区超基性岩体是由原岩以纯橄岩、辉橄岩和橄辉岩为主体组成的富镁质超基性岩体,经历自变质和后期多期热液的叠加变质蚀变作用,经蛇纹石化后形成蚀变完全的蛇纹岩岩体,其中部分蛇纹岩又进一步发生滑石化及碳酸盐化蚀变为滑石菱镁片岩、菱镁滑石片岩、滑石片岩和菱镁岩等。本文在野外地质调查基础上,在室内通过镜下岩矿综合鉴定、全岩化学成分分析以及电子探针成分分析等手段进行了岩石化学特征、矿物学特征及其蚀变演化过程研究。结果表明,该变质超基性岩体蛇纹岩主要特征组合矿物为蛇纹石(利蛇纹石、叶蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石)、磁铁矿、菱镁矿、滑石、水镁石、铬铁矿,变余矿物有斜方辉石、单斜辉石和铬铁矿,滑石菱镁片岩类主要组成矿物为菱镁矿、滑石、蛇纹石及磁铁矿,局部可见石英脉。该地区变质超基性岩体较完整地记录了橄榄岩水化、滑石化及碳酸盐化作用过程的各个阶段,超基性岩蚀变演化过程主要有两个作用阶段:(Ⅰ)橄榄石、辉石类矿物的蛇纹石化作用及蛇纹石绿泥石化作用;(Ⅱ)富Ca、CO2流体交代蛇纹石、滑石及水镁石的碳酸盐化作用。蛇纹石化等变质蚀变作用促进了Si、Mg及Fe元素化学活动性,使元素发生富集与迁移,对于次生矿物的形成与演化起到了一定的催化作用。多期不同组成流体热液的交代作用过程,清晰地展示了利蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石的演化序列,以及滑石、水镁石、铬铁矿和磁铁矿的形成过程及标形特征。     

基性和超基性岩蛇纹石化的机理及成矿潜力

蛇纹石化是指基性岩（例如玄武岩）和超基性岩（橄榄岩、科马提岩等）在中、低温条件下产生的含蛇纹石的水热蚀变。蛇纹石化可以出现在不同的地质构造环境中,例如大洋底、扩张洋脊和俯冲带。蛇纹石化的特别之处在于：蛇纹石化过程中产生氢气,这可能解释地球早期生命起源的问题;蛇纹石化生成磁铁矿;蛇纹石富水（可达13%）;蛇纹石富Cl、Li、Sr、As等元素。蛇纹石在高温下（>700℃）脱水形成橄榄石,Li、Sr、As等元素富集在流体中,流体交代地幔楔可改变地幔的微量元素组成。此外,铁矿、金矿和银矿等可赋存于蛇纹岩中,矿床的形成可能和基性或超基性岩的蛇纹石化相关。本文从以下4个方面探讨蛇纹石化的机理：（1）蛇纹石化的产物,主要介绍和蛇纹石化相关的热液流体的组成,蛇纹石化过程中产生氢气的量,利蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石的形成条件,水镁石的形成条件,以及磁铁矿的形成;（2）蛇纹石化的反应速率;（3）蛇纹石化过程中元素的迁移;（4）蛇纹石化的成矿潜力。     

俯冲带蛇纹岩的变质过程

俯冲带蛇纹岩是俯冲带流体的重要来源,特别是其深部脱水作用对地幔动力学影响深远,是研究俯冲带约80~200km深度范围的地球动力学的关键,因此研究蛇纹岩的变质作用过程及其相关特征矿物(组合)的温压稳定范围具有重要意义。蛇纹岩具有简单的矿物(组合):蛇纹石类、硅镁石类、磁铁矿、氢氧镁石、绿泥石、橄榄石、透辉石、角闪石、滑石等,并且这些矿物(组合)对温压变化不敏感从而很难用来判定蛇纹岩所经历的变质演化轨迹。近几十年来,研究者通过实验岩石学和野外地质观察,主要研究了蛇纹石类矿物和硅镁石类矿物的温压稳定范围,并且试图使用这些特征矿物(组合)来判定俯冲带蛇纹岩的峰期变质条件。本文总结了蛇纹岩中这些主要矿物的温压稳定范围和相关变质反应,并且以中国西南天山蛇纹岩为例,展示使用特征矿物(组合)和叶蛇纹石Al等值线判定蛇纹岩峰期温压条件在实际岩石中的应用。另外,早期对叶蛇纹石的研究表明:随着温压条件的变化,叶蛇纹石的晶体结构会发生相应的调整。表现为单位晶胞内硅氧四面体的个数(m值)发生变化:温度升高,m值变小;压力升高,m值变大,这个发现在高压实验和天然样品中得到了一定程度的验证。本文利用已知峰期温压范围的叶蛇纹石样品分别采用粉末制样法和离子减薄制样法,进行透射电镜测试(TEM)样品的m值,并通过统计的方法获得叶蛇纹石的m值的峰值。结果显示叶蛇纹石的m值的峰值在一定程度上可以用以指示温压条件。本文提出可以用矿物组合、叶蛇纹石Al等值线和叶蛇纹石m值峰值相结合的方法确定蛇纹岩的变质温压条件和P-T轨迹。     

蛇绿岩套中超基性岩体的岩石组合:蛇纹岩、异剥钙榴岩和蛇绿碳酸岩——以西阿尔卑斯Zermatt-Saas蛇绿岩为例

蛇纹岩、异剥钙榴岩和蛇绿碳酸岩是蛇绿岩套中超基性单元特有的3类岩石组合,该套岩石组合的形成过程复杂,经历了从地幔岩浆结晶分异、洋脊变质作用改造和俯冲-仰冲构造过程,记录了从地幔岩浆侵位到造山带形成、演化的全程信息。蛇纹岩由方辉橄榄岩、二辉橄榄岩和纯橄岩通过水化和氧化过程而形成;异剥钙榴岩由含水石榴石、符山石、绿帘石族矿物、透辉石和绿泥石等含水和含钙的硅酸盐矿物组成,是由基性岩经历钙交代和水化作用而形成;蛇绿碳酸岩则由高度破碎变形的蛇纹岩角砾和碳酸岩基质(方解石、白云石或菱镁矿)共同组成,碳酸钙主要来自海水参与蛇纹岩化过程产生的富钙热液。阿尔卑斯西部的Zermatt-Saas蛇绿岩体中这3种岩石的组合研究表明:蛇纹岩化过程发生在大洋变质时期,超基性岩体在海水的作用下形成蛇纹岩。蛇纹岩化过程中释放出主要来自斜方辉石和单斜辉石的钙,与水共同作用交代超基性岩体中的基性岩脉,从而形成异剥钙榴岩。蛇绿碳酸岩形成于俯冲变质之前或俯冲变质的早期。这3类岩石一经形成,都经历了其后的叠加变质作用,进而表明Zermatt-Saas蛇绿岩经历了大洋变质、与俯冲、折返和抬升有关的高压变质和区域变质、绿片岩相变质和晚期热液变质作用的pT轨迹演化,代表着西阿尔卑斯从洋脊变质作用到俯?     

大洋橄榄岩的蛇纹岩石化研究进展评述

橄榄岩的蛇纹石化是大洋中不可忽略的重要地质过程,近年来引起广泛关注。大洋橄榄岩的蛇纹石化主要发生在洋中脊和汇聚板块边缘等环境中,大洋蛇纹岩典型的矿物组合包括:蛇纹石±磁铁矿±滑石±水镁石±角闪石。其中蛇纹石根据其矿物的晶体结构特征可分为利蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石3种类型;偏光显微镜下可将蛇纹石结构划分为3类:假晶结构、非假晶结构和过渡结构。橄榄岩的蛇纹石化不仅会改变岩石的物理性质,如导致岩石密度的减小和地震波速的降低、影响橄榄岩的磁性等,而且也会对橄榄岩的流变性产生重要影响。大洋超基性岩系热液系统的发现,进一步激发了研究者们对大洋橄榄岩蛇纹石化研究的兴趣。与橄榄岩蛇纹石化相关的喷口流体含有较高的H2和CH4含量,此外,蛇纹石化是一个放热反应,可以驱动热液循环,导致Lost City等中低温型热液系统的出现。     

全球不同构造环境蛇纹岩全岩和矿物微量元素组成及非传统稳定同位素(Fe- Zn- Cu同位素)特征

蛇纹岩对地球深部和浅部的元素循环以及氧化还原状态调节具有非常重要的作用。蛇纹岩中的流体活动性元素(fluid- mobile element, FME)是揭示地幔岩石水化、脱水以及元素循环的关键。本文系统收集和分析了前人报道的不同构造环境的蛇纹岩矿物化学、全岩微量元素和非传统稳定同位素(Fe、Zn、Cu)的组成特征，试图从多个角度总结蛇纹岩脱水过程的元素迁移规律及流体性质。蛇纹岩主要矿物蛇纹石微量元素含量具有以下主要特征：① 不同变质程度的蛇纹岩中的蛇纹石既包含轻稀土元素(light rare earth element, LREE)富集，又包含LREE亏损的特征；② 纤蛇纹石的REE和微量元素分布在利蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石的范围内，利蛇纹石重稀土元素(heavy rare earth element, HREE)整体上略高于叶蛇纹石且更加富集FME；③ 通过中度不相容元素与REE含量相结合，能够较好地区分橄榄石和辉石蛇纹石化所形成的蛇纹石，即辉石形成的蛇纹石富集相容元素(如Sc、Zn、Cr、Y和Ti等)并具有较高的HREE，而橄榄石形成的蛇纹石则表现为平坦且整体较低的REE分布型式。在蛇纹岩全岩微量元素和稀土元素(rare earth element, REE)含量方面，不同构造环境的蛇纹岩具有较大范围的重叠，但也有一定的差异：① 慢速扩张的印度洋中脊蛇纹岩REE和微量元素含量要整体高于快速扩张的大西洋中脊和太平洋中脊的蛇纹岩；② 马里亚纳蛇纹岩泥相比于蛇纹岩和蛇纹石化纯橄岩具有更高的REE和微量元素，而蛇纹石化纯橄岩相比于蛇纹岩则具有相对低的REE及流体不活动性元素含量。因此，利用微量元素的含量在区分不同环境的蛇纹岩方面存在一定的困难。但是，碱金属元素与U元素含量及其相应的比值，则可以较明显区分出大洋蛇纹岩和弧前蛇纹岩。目前已发表的蛇纹岩Fe、Zn、Cu同位素数据表明：① 蛇绿岩中的蛇纹岩Fe和Zn同位素的分馏与其变质程度密切相关。蛇纹岩在进变质过程中δ 56Fe值与Fe 3+/∑Fe值呈负相关，而Zn含量和δ 66Zn值则呈现正相关，表明蛇纹岩变质脱水能够释放氧化性流体；② 与橄榄岩相比，蛇纹岩具有明显低的δ 65Cu值，表明橄榄岩蛇纹石化过程中存在氧化性流体的加入。蛇纹岩Fe、Zn、Cu同位素在示踪流体性质和氧化还原状态方面有很大潜力，对壳幔系统的化学循环具有重要意义。     

蛇纹石化作用与地球生命起源/演化的痕迹

对蛇纹石化超基性岩寄主生物圈的研究,有望获得地球上古老而独特的前生命/生命有机质成因和演化的重要信息。本文综述了探索火星过去生命和地球古老沉积岩生命起源/演化证据的质疑和争论、相关分析方法和技术的应用。论述了超基性岩蛇纹石化作用生成分子氢,并通过费-托聚合反应生成烷烃的基础理论及其与生命起源/演化的相关性,简述了鉴别蛇纹石化超基性岩中有机质来源的烷烃的碳、氢同位素组成和分布模式,有机质的同位素和分子生物学特征。超基性岩蛇纹石化生成非生物成因烷烃与其他有机化合物,为化能自养微生物群落提供了所需要的能量和初始物质,是生命起源最重要的变质水化反应。超基性岩蛇纹石化作用通常发生在缓慢扩张洋中脊系统、大陆蛇绿岩系统等构造环境。生物过程和非生物过程的叠加,给鉴别蛇纹岩寄主生态系统的生物成因有机质带来严峻挑战。     

东准噶尔塔克札勒蛇绿混杂岩带变质作用特征

塔克札勒蛇绿混杂岩带的变质作用 ,具大洋水热变质、俯冲变质和区域低温动力变质作用的特征 ,其中以大洋水热变质作用为主。中志留世末洋盆扩张阶段 ,形成葡萄石、绿纤石相→低绿片岩相→角闪岩相的递增变质特征 ;早石炭世初洋壳向陆壳之下俯冲 ,俯冲变质作用不显著 ,仅见超镁铁岩具叶蛇纹石、纤维蛇纹石及绢石蚀变矿物 ;早石炭世中期塔克札勒有限洋盆开始粘连闭合 ,于晚石炭世早期褶皱造山 ,使蛇绿混杂岩带产生角闪岩相→高绿片岩相→低绿片岩相的退变质特征 ,使蛇绿岩带在辉长岩中由棕色角闪石退变为透闪石、阳起石和绿泥石、绢云母及绿帘石等变质矿物 ,是区域低温动力变质作用的产物 ,属低绿片岩相     

超基性岩的蛇纹石化和碳酸盐化耦合关系

大洋中脊超基性岩的蛇纹石化是普遍的地质过程,反应产生了蛇纹石、水镁石、磁铁矿等并释放氢,该过程可为洋中脊化能自养型微生物提供能量和生命物质,是生命起源主要的水岩变质反应。然而,在生命起源初期全球高浓度的CO_2使超基性岩(包括科马提岩)同时发生蛇纹石化和碳酸盐化,这种情况下初始生命物质的产生机制与在洋中脊热液环境中截然不同。本文结合近年来有关超基性岩蛇纹石化和碳酸盐化的研究成果,系统介绍了贫CO_2和富CO_2条件下,超基性岩的蚀变机制、化学反应、蛇纹石化和碳酸盐化的耦合关系,以及氢气释放的有效途径及其制约因素,以增进对初始生命物质来源和生命起源演化的理解。     

Serpentinization: a review

The common alteration assemblage produced by serpentinization of ultramafic rocks is: lizardite, chrysotile, magnetite±brucite±antigorite. Lizardite-chrysotile serpentinites are more common than antigorite; the presence of antigorite indicates that the serpentinite has undergone prograde metamorphism or that the periootite was serpentinized in a higher P,T regime than lizardite and chrysotile. The iron subsitution into serpentine minerals and brucite is a function of temperature at low f_O2, with increased temperature enhancing magnetite formation. The presence of awaruite and native Fe are strong evidence for a locally very reducing environment. Isotopic studies have shown a wide variety of origins for the fluids involved in serpentinization. The increased boron content of serpentinized rocks when compared to boron contents of the parent ultramafic body indicates a possible sea water origin for the fluids. Serpentinization takes place under both constant volume and constant chemical composition conditions. The factors in evaluating the importance of the two processes for an individual serpentinite are: (1) determination of the mineral assemblage and its paragenesis, (2) the structural and tectonic relationship of the ultramafic body to its country rock, (3) fluid access to the rock in duration and amount, and (4) timing of serpentinization - before, during or after emplacement into the crust.     

Serpentinization of abyssal peridotites at mid-ocean ridges

Serpentinites are an important component of the oceanic crust generated in slow to ultraslow spreading settings. In this context, the MOHO likely corresponds to a hydration boundary, which could match the 500 °C isotherm beneath the ridge axis. Textures from serpentinites sampled in ridge environments demonstrate that most of the serpentinization occurs under static conditions. The typical mineralogical association consists of lizardite ± chrysotile + magnetite ± tremolite ± talc. Despite the widespread occurrence of lizardite, considered as the low temperature serpentine variety, oxygen isotope fractionation suggests that serpentinization starts at high temperature, in the range of 300–500 °C. The fluid responsible for serpentinization is seawater, possibly evolved by interaction with the crust. Compared with fresh peridotites, serpentinites are strongly hydrated (10–15% H₂O) and oxidized. Serpentinization, however, does not seem to be accompanied by massive leaching of major elements, implying that it requires a volume increase. It results in an increase in chlorine, boron, fluorine, and sulfur, but its effect on other trace elements remains poorly detailed. The presence of serpentinites in the oceanic crust affects its physical properties, in particular by lowering its density and seismic velocities, and modifying its magnetic and rheological properties. Serpentinization may activate hydrothermal cells and generate methane and hydrogen anomalies which can sustain microbial communities. Two types of hydrothermal field have been identified: the Rainbow type, with high temperature (360 °C) black smokers requiring magmatic heat; the low temperature (40–75 °C) Lost City type, by contrast, can be activated by serpenintization reactions. To cite this article: C. Mével, C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Metamorphism of peritotites in the mantle wedge above the subduction zone: Hydration of the lithospheric mantle

Two areas with different types of hydration (serpentinization), which occurred in two settings distinct in temperatures, pressures, and stresses, are spatially individualized in the ophiolitic ultramafic massifs of the Polar Urals. The high-temperature hydration of ultramafic rocks occurred in the lithosphere of the mantle wedge directly above the subducted slab. The initial conditions of hydration are limited to 1.2–2 GPa and 650–700°C; a stable assemblage of olivine + antigorite + magnetite → amphibole → talc → chlorite was formed at 0.9–1.2 GPa and 550–600°C. The low-temperature mesh lizardite–chrysotile serpentinization occurred in the crustal, near-surface conditions. Both types of hydration were accompanied by release of hydrogen, which participates in abiogenic CH₄ synthesis in the presence of CO₂ dissolved in water.     

Three steps of serpentinization in an eclogitized oceanic serpentinization front (Lanzo Massif – Western Alps)

The Lanzo peridotite massif is a fragment of oceanic lithosphere generated in an ocean–continent transition context and eclogitized during alpine collision. Despite the subduction history, the massif has preserved its sedimentary oceanic cover, suggesting that it may have preserved its oceanic structure. It is an exceptional case for studying the evolution of a fragment of the lithosphere from its oceanization to its subduction and then exhumation. We present a field and petrological study retracing the different serpentinization episodes and their impact on the massif structure. The Lanzo massif is composed of slightly serpentinized peridotites (<20% serpentinization) surrounded by an envelope of foliated serpentinites (100% serpentinization) bordered by oceanic metabasalts and metasedimentary rocks. The limit between peridotites and serpentinites defines the front of serpentinization. This limit is sharp: it is marked by the presence of massive serpentinites (80% serpentinization) and, locally, by dykes of metagabbros and mylonitic gabbros. The deformation of these gabbros is contemporaneous with the emplacement of the magma. The presence of early lizardite in the peridotites testifies that serpentinization began during the oceanization, which is confirmed by the presence of meta‐ophicarbonates bordering the foliated serpentinite envelope. Two additional generations of serpentine occur in the ultramafic rocks. The first is a prograde antigorite that partially replaced the lizardite and the relict primary minerals of the peridotite during subduction, indicating that serpentinization is an active process at the ridge and in the subduction zone. Locally, this episode is followed by the deserpentinization of antigorite at peak P–T (estimated in eclogitized metagabbros at 2–2.5 GPa and 550–620 °C): it is marked by the crystallization of secondary olivine associated with chlorite and/or antigorite and of clinopyroxene, amphibole and chlorite assemblages. A second antigorite formed during exhumation partially to completely obliterating previous textures in the massive and foliated serpentinites. Serpentinites are an important component of the oceanic lithosphere generated in slow to ultraslow spreading settings, and in these settings, there is a serpentinization gradient with depth in the upper mantle. The seismic Moho limit could correspond to a serpentinization front affecting the mantle. This partially serpentinized zone constitutes a less competent level where, during subduction and exhumation, deformation and fluid circulation are localized. In this zone, the reaction kinetics are increased and the later steps of serpentinization obliterate the evidence of this progressive zone of serpentinization. In the Lanzo massif, this zone fully recrystallized into serpentinite during alpine subduction and collision. Thus, the serpentinite envelope represents the oceanic crust as defined by geophysicists, and the sharp front of serpentinization corresponds to an eclogitized seismic palaeo‐Moho.     

Process of serpentinization in the ultramafic massif of Beni Bousera (internal Rif,Morocco)

The Beni Bousera massif forms part of the Sebtide units in the internal Rif Mountain (Morocco). It is mainly composed of mantle peridotites surrounded by crustal metamorphic rocks (kinzigites, micaschists, and schists). The serpentinization affects all of peridotite massif to various degrees. Serpentinization is concentrated at the top of the peridotites, along the mylonitized zone, and in the NE part of the massif. It is manifested by the formation of mesh and hourglass textures along the tectonic foliation in the highly serpentinized peridotites; and brecciated texture in the least serpentinized peridotites. Pyroxene minerals are still intact hosting few serpentine veins. These petrographic features are consistent with the geochemical data, marked by the increasing of LOI and decreasing of MgO and FeO toward the top of the massif and Aaraben fault. The Raman characterization of serpentine with the brecciated mesh and hourglass textures correspond to lizardite type whereas the serpentine with the vein texture is formed by lizardite + chrysotile.     

Metamorphic history of serpentinite mylonites from the Happo ultramafic complex, central Japan

Serpentinite mylonites from the Happo ultramafic complex show evidence of two stages of mylonitization at different temperature conditions. Peridotite mylonites exhibit two types of olivine – porphyroclasts and neoblasts – produced at the earlier stage. The olivine neoblasts have a stretching lineation with a fabric suggesting plastic deformation along (0 1 0) [0 0 1]. In addition to the olivine fabric, the stable association of olivine, orthopyroxene and tremolite in the peridotites that survived later serpentinization, and the Si and Na contents of tremolite, suggest that the earlier mylonitization took place at temperatures between 700 and 800 °C. Later mylonitization was associated with high‐temperature serpentinization to form serpentinite mylonites. In contrast to a common type of serpentinite in orogenic belts, the serpentinite mylonites are cohesively foliated, rich in olivine and diopside, and poor in antigorite. The diopside has low Al, Cr and Na contents typical of a retrograde origin, and the olivine has a homogeneous composition except in areas subjected to contact metamorphism at a later stage. Modal composition and mineral chemistry suggest that the serpentinite mylonites were formed by a hydration reaction of tremolite and olivine to produce diopside and antigorite under stable conditions of olivine, at temperatures between 400 and 600 °C. Later‐stage mylonitization has preferentially been superimposed on the earlier‐stage mylonite zone with a common direction of foliation. The difference in temperature between the two mylonitization stages suggests that the shear zone was episodically active during the emplacement of the Happo complex. Conditions of relatively high temperature for serpentinization at a convergent plate boundary and high permeability caused by the early mylonitization favoured the formation of the serpentinite mylonites.     

Hydrocarbon Potential of Paleo- and Modern Suprasubduction Provinces: Tectonic,Geodynamic, Mineralogical-Geochemical,and Biochemical Aspects

The paper is devoted to the integrated analysis of the interdisciplinary problem of the genesis of hydrocarbon potential in suprasubduction provinces. A geodynamic model is proposed for the formation of petroleum pools on the shelves of the Meso-Cenozoic back-arc basins in the western Pacific Ocean. Original data on the tectonics and composition of the mantle peridotites of the Polar Ural ophiolite complexes are given for comparison. These data are used to consider the low-temperature lizardite–chrysotile and high-temperature antigorite types of peridotite serpentinization in the back-arc basins and in the mantle wedges above the subduction zones of the paleozoic Paleouralian ocean. It is established that these processes are responsible for the abiogenic synthesis of hydrogen and methane. Of great theoretical and applied importance are the conclusions concerning the high antiquity of serpentinization as a hydrogen source, the possible relationships of the origin of life and its early evolution with hydrogen emission in the benthal, the predominance of chemoautotrophic prokaryotes with hydrogen exchange among the primary producers of organic matter in anaerobic conditions, and the high probability of naphthidogenesis based on the prokaryotic communities in the Archean and Proterozoic. The origin of hydrocarbons in the framework of the considered model is regarded from a viewpoint of a polygenetic paradigm of oil and gas generation.     

Serpentinization of mantle formations in the Mauritanides Belt: regions of Agane and Gouérarate (middle-western Mauritania)

Regions of Agane and Gouérarate represent an ancient fragment of ophiolitic suture localized in the axial area of the Mauritanides Belt. These two regions are characterized by the abundance of completely serpentinized formations. In this study, we present the first use of Raman spectroscopy for identifying the species of serpentine present in the Mauritanides Belt. Serpentinites of Agane are derived from refractory peridotites composed of dunites–harzburgites; however, there are also rare serpentinites derived from ultramafic cumulates. Antigorite represents the dominant species in the serpentinite. Furthermore, chrysotile is found as post-antigorite veins. These veins are post-obduction and mark the final phase of serpentinization. The abundance of antigorite and the absence of lizardite confirm that subduction was the environment of serpentinization in these two regions, and that “the oceanic opening” responsible for the formation of ophiolitic sutures in the Mauritanides Belt was limited. The term “serpentinite” is no longer applicable to the formations of Gouérarate. As a result, these formations correspond to old serpentinites transformed to birbirites which are in phase of transformation into laterites.